Stir Crazy Yet? How About a Cookie?

I know the colder months can be more challenging with little ones, then you add the Christmas break and sometimes we start climbing the walls looking for things to do. Then of course, there's flu/cold season, so there can be times we're stuck inside for days on end. Well, we had invited a couple friends over to decorate cookies around Christmas and then Stella go sick, so we rescheduled for today and it was super fun. Plus it's a great way to spend a cold day. It took a little prep to make the cookies before decorating, the girls loved it. We had 3 different frosting colors and several toppings.

Concentrating oh so hard.

And no cookie is complete without sprinkle, or whatever other topping there is to offer.

This is my first time to try this recipe and it was a hit. You can check it out here.

The Dreaded Resolution

Dun, dun, Duh! It's that time of year again. Will you commit to losing weight? Eating healthier? Working less? Playing more? Quitting smoking, drinking, etc?

So, it's that time of year to make that resolution that tends to haunt all of up come the first of the year. I don't know what to do this year. I definitely want to lose weight after I have the baby, but that's a given, so I want to do something else. I think maybe I want to read more. NO, not blogs, twitter, and facebook, but real books with lots of pages :)

Now, as I type this I still only have one child and it's hard for me to read as it is, so I can't imagine once we add a baby to the mix. BUT I want to do it. Plus we're starting a book review on THIS blog, so that will help keep me accountable!

So what are your goals? Have you ever accomplished your resolution in the past?

Tasty Tuesday: Artichoke Dip

I'm sorry I don't have a picture of this recipe of the week. I'll admit I had every intention of taking a picture of the Artichoke Dip at the party we took it too, but by the time I thought about it was pretty much devoured. So, that should give you an idea of how good it is.

I don't know about you, but between Christmas sweets and appetizers/dips at the various parties I needed to spice up my recipe box.

So my mom sent me this recipe and boy oh boy it was a hit. AND it was super easy and cheap to make. For those of you needing smoothing to make for your New Years party this is simple and I promise you'll leave with an empty dish.

A Few of My Favorite Things

I hope you ALL had a fabulous Christmas and are enjoying the down time before the New Year. I can't believe it's almost 2011! Crazy how time flies.

Earlier today I asked my "tweeps" (you can follow me @knwablogger) what their favorite Christmas present was this year. And oh my GOODNESS you all sound like you were good little boys and girls this year!

There were A LOT of Sugar Bowl gifts. Go Hogs. I hope all of you that are going have a blast. Cheer loud for me because I'll be home calling the hogs from the comfort of my couch.

I know that I loved getting stuff for the babies room. Now that we're less than 2 months out I'm really feeling the pressure to get things in order, so this had helped with that.

But I wanted to share what some other lucky folks got this Christmas!

Jennifer wrote, getting the chance to go home for the holidays.

Jeff said, SUGAR BOWL BABY. (this was a big trend)

Sara said, "My grown-up study Bible and Shark steam mop."

Jenna responded, "Jimmy Choo Hunter books, Kate Spade iPhone4 case, and a Polaroid printer I can hook my computer and phone directly to."

Whitney said, "DSLR camera, photoshop, Coach purse, and money!"

Julee wrote, "iPhone4, Kindle and our new blu ray player with wifi. We love technology gifts for Christmas."

Some of you also responded on Facebook...

Gregg wrote, "All my kids were here plus two sons-in-law."

Misty wrote," Justin got me a painting. Parents got us a Keurig. Kids gave us adorable hand-made goodies. Love them all (givers and gifts!)"

Kerryanne said, " My nookcolor and pandora bracelet with a charm for each of the boys."

Getting to visit and baby sit my 7-month-old nephew Mikey. Such a doll!! was Lisa's favorite present.

Lisa says her iPad.

Addie wrote, "A radio/cd player for the car from my husband! I have been driving around for about 6 months without it and it is going to be so great to finally listen to music with the kiddos in the car!!"

Bethany said," I got a robot that cleans my house! Really, I did! Gabe got me a Roomba and I love it!"

And finally, Elli wrote, "Eureka floor steamer."

That's just a handful of those who were on Santa's nice list this year!

Feel free to share your favorite gift in the comments!

Do You Believe?

Merry Christmas Eve!
By now I hope all your shopping is done and the wrapping is a chore of the past, but now the fun begins.
I'll start by saying it's always important to remember the REAL reason for the season, but the hallmark side of Christmas is always fun too.

After all, you probably remember the days of waiting for Santa to land on your roof and squeeze down your chimney and always wondering how it is you missed him AGAIN! The magic of Rudolph's nose and the crumbs left from Santa's cookies...for me those are some great childhood memories.

I recently talking with some "adults" about the magic that can fill the air this time of year and we all talked about if we still believed? You betcha! I might now the truth behind good ole Saint Nick, but I BELIEVE in the magic of him.

Since I'm always looking for creative ways to make family traditions I thought some of these suggestions from my friends were fun. We all want to BELIEVE as long as possible.

One friend leaves dirt marks on the floor near the tree where Santa dropped off his presents. Another has a piece of Santa's pants (a piece of red fabric) caught on a nail in the fireplace where Santa got caught up. One family turns the temperature in the house way down because Santa and his reindeer bring in Arctic air. And I loved this one because you don't hear about Mrs. Claus often...they put on super bright red/can't rub off lipstick and kiss the kids cheeks as they sleep so they wake up to find a kiss from Santa's lovely wife.

As a kid if you don't believe after that it might be a lost cause, but thought some of those ideas were super cute and original. I still believe....lets face it...if we don't believe Santa will stop visiting.

Merry Christmas EVE!

Oh Christmas Tree...Maybe Next Year

So I might hold the record for the quickest/earliest Christmas tree cleanup ever!
Stella (our 2 year old) has been suffering with a cold/allergies, so in an effort to get rid of anything that was making her miserable we took DOWN our tree TODAY. Yes, we know there are only two days left, but I swear she is already feeling a little better. I think part of that is the antibiotic she is on for her ear infection and the absence of our REAL tree.

Speaking of REAL tree, I never knew people had fake trees until I moved to the south. You see in Oregon (where I grew up) there are tree farms galore and everyone has real trees. So what's this mama to do now that I have to shop for a (gasp) FAKE tree. I know there will be incredible sales on trees come December 26th. I need your help/suggestion for the best place to find the most "real-looking" tree so we don't make our little one miserable next year.

I will admit it does feel good to have all the ornaments wrapped up and put in the storage box, but Santa will have to be creative on setting up his treats tomorrow night.

Hope you're all enjoying your time off. For those of you who are still working...thanks for all you do!

Stocking Stuffers

It's hard to believe Christmas is Saturday! If you've driven near any malls or shopping centers then you know the last minute rush is ON. But have you noticed all the stores advertising about their great stocking stuffers.
Call me the Grinch, but we're not doing them this year because Stella doesn't know the difference yet and we've got PLENTY of little toys and trinkets around the house as it is. However, there are some GREAT deals out there right now. This morning on KNWA Today the crew talked about what YOUR stockings include Christmas morning and there were some creative and traditional ideas that I wanted to share here too.
PS if you don't follow KNWA Today on Facebook you should! :)

Stocking Stuffer ideas...
Tina said "My Grama always used actual socks. She would put the mate in the bottom and fill the sock with fruit and candy. And after Christmas we had a cozy new pair of socks for winter."

Kelly wrote, " I always put the persons favorite snack. I also put things people use on a daily basis, like toiletry items..."

Deborah wrote, "Lottery scratch off tix."

Check out the facebook page because there are more ideas!
Happy Stuffing!