Christmas Clean Up: What to do with those Cards

I love getting Christmas cards.  Love, love, love.  Every year, I feel so guilty throwing them away at the end of the Christmas season.  I know how much blood, sweat, and tears go into the cards.  Not just the cards themselves, which includes hours of pouring over websites, choosing the "right" card, laying it out, ordering, not to mention the addressing and stamping.   I am not even going to get into the pictures that go on, in, or with the cards-yikes!  Choosing the card eats up so much of our Christmas prep time.  Anyway, all of this plays into my guilt for just tossing the cards when it is time for them to come down from the display.  So this year, I decided to do two things:

I took pictures of all of the cards with my phone.  Then I used the ones that I needed as Contact pictures in my phone's address book.  So clever!  I got the idea from Pinterest, where all good ideas come from.   Now, when I get a phone call, or text from someone, a picture of their Christmas Card comes up on my phone (see above).  Love it!

I am made a coffee table "book" out of the cards themselves.  All that I did was punch holes in the corners of the cards and tie a piece of ribbon through.  The girls will love looking over the cards and we are going to start praying for a different family each night at dinner.  This way, we will get a little bit more enjoyment from them.  Plus, the girls will get the chance to practice praying for someone other than themselves.  Everyone wins.

New Ideas for a New Year, and Menu Monday

Hello second day of 2012!  I am not a fan of making resolutions.  I have never made one that I have stuck with for more than 15 minutes.  So this year, I decided to come up with a list of new ideas that I want to try out instead.  No pressure if they don't work out, they were just ideas, right?  It really is funny how we can use semantics to fool ourselves.  One of my "ideas" is consistently using a weekly meal plan.  I have been doing a meal plan for the past few months.  I haven't succeeded every week, but more weeks than not, I have been able to plan.  It just makes it so much easier to go into the week knowing what you are in store for.  I spend less at the grocery store, and on gas because I am not running to the grocery store twelve times during the week.  I can plan for the days that the girls have activities in the evenings, and we don't end up ordering pizza, or, gasp.....picking up Micky D's.  I also know which nights are going to be the biggest arguments about food.  I have two pretty picky eaters and have not opened up an al la carte kitchen, so we all eat the same thing.  I can schedule these not so favorite meals on nights that I know won't be crazy, so Hubby and I can get ready for the complaint onslaught.

I am not the most organized of people out there, but I have learned how to make my life easier with a meal plan.  I just found these meal planning sheets on Pinterest (an entire post by itself) yesterday.

As you can see, I have already used this one.  I am kind of an old fashioned gal in that I HAVE to write things down.  I feel like it makes me remember things better (haha!).  My husband has been trying to get me to switch to the new fangled E-lectronic way of making a list, but I much prefer to write things down. I'm old like that!  Any way, there are tons of meal plan sheets out there.  This on I like because it has the shopping list attached.  Plus the shopping list is separated by food types.  Oh, and I am obsessed with the circus type font, and the colors:))  But that's me.  I found them here: http://www.theprojectgirl.com/2009/01/19/menu-planning-form-free-download/ .  She has lots of great ideas on her site.   If you decide to use this particular planner, please leave her a comment telling her how cool her stuff is:))

I am a cookbook junkie!  There, I've said it.  I love to read cookbooks like they are novels.  In fact, my hubby thinks it's hilarious to make fun.  However, since the advent of the internet, I have found that I go to my fav books less and less, especially if I don't plan.  One of my goals when I am planning my weekly menu is to use at least one recipe from an actual cookbook.  A printed one.  That way I use them and get to find new favorite recipes.

My final tip for menu planning is to advertise your menu to your family.  This is for accountability.  As much fun as it is to argue on Monday about what we are having for dinner on Thursday, I have found that if I don't put it in writing out there to the public (aka- my fam)  I tend to try to deviate from the system.  I'm like that though- not so much a rule follower.  Others may not have this problem.  I also have only one child that can read, so that reduces the whining about dinners that no one likes.  I may revisit in a few years.  Here is my menu board:

This is such an easy DIY.  All you need is a frame, some scrapbook paper, a way to prop it up (or hang it on your wall), and a dry erase marker.  There, you're done.  And as everyone knows, once it's written, it's rule.  No changes.  HA!  

I have learned not to plan more than four meals for the week.  I do have a husband and kids that will eat leftovers, though.  This leaves room in my schedule for flexibility.  I don't like to be too boxed in.  Makes me feel claustrophobic.  As you can see-hopefully, my menu currently has Christmas paper in it.  In about thirty seconds, I can change that out.  Which reminds me.......

Those are my pointers.  Would love to hear any other comments, advice, tips.  Here is my menu, in you need some inspiration:

Monday: Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Bake with Egg Noodles

Tuesday: Meatloaf with Blackberry BBQ Sauce, Absurdly Addictive Asparagus (these are both from the newest member of my cookbook collection: Food52)

Wednesday:  Roast Beef Sandwiches (made with leftover pot roast from Sunday).  Tater Tots (still so much fun).

Thursday: Leftovers

Friday: Strip Steaks with Balsamic Cream Sauce, Ranch Roasted Potatoes, Tangy Green Beans

Saturday: MOPS Retreat at my house.  Sorry Family:))

As I build this blog, I am planning to add lots of recipes.  Some are new and some are go to's for me.  I will link to the ones that I have, but if anything looks good and I haven't linked it to anything, shout out.  I will send you the recipe.

Have a great Monday!

2012

Happy New Year!  I can't even believe how long it has been since I have posted anything.  It certainly isn't because nothing has happened around here, as with everyone, life has gone on.  I have just gotten lazy.  I have been feeling lazy about a lot of things lately, blogging being one of the many.  I am not sure why the holiday season overwhelms me every year.  Sure, there is a lot to do, but only because I choose to do so many things.  Somewhere about the third week of December, I shut down.  It happens to me every year.  I plan too much.  I have too many responsibilities.  So, I decide to drop out for a while.  This year,  I spent the time with family.  I missed several events that I am sure were super fun.  I missed spending time with people that I wish I had the energy to spend.  But, at the end of the day, all of that "extra" time was spent with my husband and my girls.

All of that to say, that one of the promises that I have made to myself for the new year is to spend more time sharing things here.  I have lots of pictures that family would like to see.  Lots of recipes that I have been making that I think are interesting.  So I will give it a shot, again.  We shall see.  I have not been very successful with this blogging thing, but I will try again.

To start, here are some pictures of what we have been up to since September:

We had a fun girls afternoon at Pumpkinville in October

While this is just a fun picture, I know that in the blink of an eye, she will really be behind the wheel!
My little girl is getting so big!

Syd wouldn't be outdone!

Liv's punkin

Our fam on Halloween night.

Izzy turned 6

Super cool gymnastics party.

Super cool cake!

Our first trip to the American Girl store.  

The newest member of our family, Addison.

Tea at American Girl with Grandma

Izzy lost her first tooth on her birthday!

She really wanted me to take a picture of it:)

Making Christmas cookies

Christmas Morning.

Hahahahahahaha!  Roar- We Are!

Tuckered out after all of the frenzied gift opening.

Quiet time with Dad

Well, that's about it.  That is what we have been up to!  Happy New Year to everyone.

The Fair

This past weekend was "The Fair".  The Fair that I talk, and think, and dream about all year.  The Fair where I get to eat nothing but fried food for two whole days!!  Oh yeah, and the kids get to ride rides and play games.  But, it is pretty much about the fried food-at least for me.  

This year, we went in to the fair with a plan:

In the car, on the way to the fair, we made a list of all of the "must eats" for the weekend.  You see,  "the fair" is in Mike's home town, Canfield, Ohio.  We travel five hours every Labor Day weekend to eat fried food.  There are some other perks too- we love spending time with our family.  The kiddos get to hang out with their cousins.  Fun is had by all- but let's get back to the food:))

I decided that I was going to take a picture of everything that I ate at the fair, here it is.  In no particular order.

This was a big basket of fried veggies, by the time I got my camera out all that was left was one hunk of zucchini!  Thieves!!!

In case anyone was worried that I did not feed my children any fruits or veggies this weekend, here is proof.

Something not on the list- fried pickles.  They were pretty good, I prefer a super cold pickle though.

Fried Mozarella.  Looked like a corndog, but so much yummier.  You can see this also got stolen from me.

Fries with bacon, cheese, and ranch.  LOVE!

What's left of a Molnar's cinnamon roll!  Had to eat it before it was stolen from me- anyone sensing a theme?

Soft Serve.  It was super hot, so we had multiple cones.  

Chicken Gyro.  This is Mike's, but it sure tasted good!

The largest chicken sandwich I have ever seen!  The sauce was like the Bloomin' Onion sauce from Outback.  Delish!

Stuffed Hot Pepper sandwich.  This is the best thing I ate all weekend!  I used to get these a lot in Morgantown.  I think they are a Pittsburgh thing.  Banana Pepper stuffed with Italian Sausage and baked in tomato sauce.  They are usually served with melted provolone on top, this one had just blue cheese dressing.  My mouth is watering as I type.

Ribbon Fries.  Kind of a cross between a fry and a chip.  Super thin cut.  Awesome with salt and vinegar.

These next pics were taken the last night we were there.  Mike and I got to go on a date to the fair.  We ate.  That's what old, married people do on their dates-they eat.  They were taken with his iPhone as I forgot my camera.  Subconsciously, I probably got tired of people steeling my food when I was taking pictures.  I bet you feel sorry for me don't you.  Poor, poor little girl who had all of her fried food stolen.

Three kinds of homemade pasta with a meat ball and sauce.  Plus garlic butter in the bottom for good measure:))

This is called the "Pittsburgh Pile", BBQ beef with sauce, coleslaw and fries.  A La Pirmanti Brothers

And the finale: Homemade Apple dumpling with ice cream.  Yum!!

So, there it is, a food tour of The Canfield fair!!!  I have some new things to add to the list next year!

My Student

Today was a first in our house.  Our oldest started school.  Sure, she has been in "school" for the past three years.  Preschool.  But, today was the beginning of her life in "real" school.  I say real school merely because it is the first time she will be away for the entire day.  She does have a rest time built in to her schedule, but, she will be inside a school building from 8:30 until 2:50.  That is all day!

As I was getting ready for today I got really sentimental.  I cried.  I know, I know, those of you who know me well know that I cry at the drop of a hat.  But, these weren't all tears of joy.  I was crying, and still am, because I had to let go a little today.  And I didn't like that....not at all.  Mainly because days like today make me think of her like this,

or this,

or this.

But nothing in me was ready for this:

or this.

Most especially, I was not ready for this,

but it made it easier that she didn't cling to my leg yelling, "Mommy, I don't want you to leave."  Sort of.  There is a part of me that wants that.  Wants her to need me to be there for her to keep her "safe".   But, the rest of me knows that it doesn't go on forever.  That she is growing and becoming her own person.  

Don't get me wrong, I am so super proud of her.  She has such a strong spirit and such a beautiful heart.  I just wish that she could stay like this,

maybe just one more day.  

I am giving myself the rest of the day to be whiney and sappy.  I think I have earned it!  Tomorrow, back to the grind, but for now, I am going to go snuggle my baby.

Back to school....Back to blogging

Well, it has been about six weeks since I have posted anything at all.  It's not that we haven't done anything fun.  We have been super busy:

We waterskied in Canada

We had a birthday party for Liv and Syd.

We fished.

We even made it through an earthquake and are "weathering" a hurricane as I type.  The one thing that I failed miserably at this summer, was keeping up with my blog.  But, now that everyone is going back to school, I will begin blogging once more.  I think it is still the teacher in me that thinks my brain should shut down over the summer:))  So, beginning next week, I have lots to post.  Hope everyone had a great summer as well!

Happy Birthday to Me

Today I am 39.  It is truly hard to believe that I am almost 40.  I am not complaining.  I happen to believe that our age is just a number- the higher the better.  I do not fear getting older, I am just amazed that I have been around for 39 years!  I guess the last 8 have been the busiest.  Getting married to my hubby, buying and building houses, having babies, raising dogs.  But the most important thing that has happened to me in the past 8 years is that I found the Lord.  Or, as I usually put it, He had enough of me misbehaving and called out to me!  I decided that I am going to start looking at life as a series of Blessings.  Each thing that happens, everyone that we meet or come in contact with in the course of a day,  all of the small things, all of these are given to us by the Lord.  When you think about that- it's amazing!  I am reading One Thousand Blessings and it has inspired me to record blessings in my life as I see them.  The challenge is to write 1000.  So, as today is the day of my birth (albeit 39 years ago) I am going to start recording my blessings.    Here are some for today:

Breakfast made by my mother.  Not just breakfast, but egg in the hole!  

She loves me that much.

Time spent with my three favorite people under the age of 6.

Time spent alone to pray, and reflect- and organize.

Time tonight with my truly heaven sent husband.

Time spent with good friends.

Time

Looks like there's a theme????  I am so thankful for all of the special people in my life and the time that I have gotten to spend with them.  God is just so good.  I am feeling overwhelmed at all of the blessings He has given me this year.  I am thankful!

By the way, if you are looking for a life-changing book I recommend One Thousand Blessings.  I have not quite finished it yet, but it has already changed my outlook on the small things in life.