Journal Your Christmas Update

Still getting some things put together, but I like how it's coming together.  Here's what I haven't shared to date... Credits are all available by clicking on the title links.  I treasure feedback, even constructive criticism.  Thanks for stopping by today.  Happy New Year!

Day 7

Day 8

Day 9

Day 11

Day 12

Day 14

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

So, what are YOU doing in 2011?

Do you make resolutions?
Do you create projects?
Do you just GET THROUGH till 1/1/next year?
Will you pick a word to focus on this year?
Are you taking a photo a day?

For the past 2 years, I've created a list of goals for myself for the coming year in a few categories: family, friends, personal growth/development, spirituality, financial, community

We started this because there was a year after my daughter was born where we didn't have anything "big"- no deployment, no move, no new baby, no job changes and this helped us focus on doing the stuff we really wanted to do as a family before the next year arrived.

I did really well that year with getting things crossed off my list, this year not so much.  I'm really focusing on 2011 and what I'd like to accomplish and how.  I'm not completely certain what form it will be taking, but there will be a "list" and there will be a scrapped project.  The rest, as they say, is details....

How 'bout you?

Monthly Roundup- Dec 2010

Hold me accountable.  I think it'd be great to do this every month.  Thanks Shannon for bringing it back to memory for me.

What books and/or magazines did I read this month?
I started "Power of a Praying Wife" for my goals for the year but didn't get it finished this month.  I've read several issues of "Sparkle World" and "Tinkerbell" while waiting for the kids' turn on the computer at the library.

What movies, television shows, plays, etc. did I watch this month?
We watched "How the Grinch Stole Christmas", "Dora's Christmas Special", "Pooh's Christmas Special" and watched "The Nightmare Before Christmas" while wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve.  We also had a date night when we watched "Sex in the City 2".

What fun things did I do with my family and/or friends?
We visited the Clifton Mill lights display with our friends Jason & Fran and their boys as well as Evie and her daughter.  We also went to the Columbus Zoo lights display with my mom.
We also visisted my in-laws in Maryland following Christmas and visited our dear family friends in the process. Though a quick trip, it was nice to see them all.

What gifts did I give and/or receive?
I was very happy to be able to fulfill my promise to my goddaughter and deliver a purple, crocheted blankie to her for Christmas in person this year.  I also enjoyed giving our annual family calendars to our relatives.  I received some very sweet gifts including a special ornament from a secret sister & several thoughtful gifts from my husband (a necklace, copy of The Artistic Mother, Josh Groban's New CD Illuminations to name a couple).  I also upped the balance on my Starbucks Gold card with some gift cards to my favorite indulgence.

What special or unusual purchases did I make?
Booked our trip on the Disney Dream as a family vacation before my husband deploys.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
I'm still reacting very poorly to our move to this state and finally booked another appointment to discuss an allergy/skin rash/itch (fun, huh?) and got my very first root canal completed.  It will be followed quickly by #2 and#3 once the fiscal year resets as I maxed my benefit this year. :(  Oh, and we all had the stomach flu too which was awesome.

What were my accomplishments this month?
Completing the quilt for my friend Karen's baby.  Completing the Christmas shopping and preparations on schedule.

What were my disappointments this month?
I wasn't able to really get in to the Christmas spirit as I usually do.  I also wasn't able to participate in the local Jingle Bell 5K, but was able to maintain my weight this month.  I also didn't bake sugar cookies with the kids & didn't get as many craft projects completed as I would have liked.

How did I do on my goals for the month?
Pretty good, all things considered.

Anything else noteworthy to include?
I got back in to running, committed to running a half marathon, and completed my 2011 goals.

A week of recipes

I am happy to be home.  We've been busy since Christmas Eve and I am so happy to be spending tonight in my bed, with a pretty normal to-do list for tomorrow, but in complete denial that it's actually New Year's Eve!  I have a good amount to do between now and then.  But to start, I'm planning my trip to the grocery tomorrow.

Meals:
Friday: Turkey & Noodles (with leftovers from Thanksgiving- thanks freezer!)
Cheddar Cheese Fondue after the kids go to bed :)
Saturday: Pizza (from the freezer) possibly with friends
Sunday: Farewell Dinner out (bringing garlic bread & salad)
Monday: Pork & Cherries (recipe to come)
Tuesday: Santa Fe Crock Pot Chicken
Wednesday: Spaghetti with Homemade Tomato Sauce & Ground Beef
Thursday: Creamy Chicken Chili

So, what are your New Year's Eve plans???

Christmas Trimmings & Journal Your Christmas Sharing

I've been a tad lax in my journaling for Journal Your Christmas, just like everything else it seems I'm supposed to do "daily" this month.  Sigh.  Ah well, enjoy the sharing below!  Click the titles to see the credits at TwoPeas.  FYI, Jo Hanna's got all her kits 25% off this week at TwoPeas!

Previews of Kerry's new kits Christmas Trimmings Papers

& Christmas Trimmings Elements

Day 13

Day 19

Day 20

Hope

A new kit out from Wild Blueberry Ink available at Owl Tree Studios called Hope was released today.

It's a very versatile kit created in memory and appreciation for those who have battled cancer.  I used it to document my daughter getting rid of her pacifiers at age 2.

Be Strong

Also, WBI is hosting a CHAT tonight, 9pm at OTS and it's always worth the effort of popping by!

Menu Planning- Yippie!

Last week, the stomach flu hit our house and it took a few days before my stomach was ready to try regular foods again, so the result is some leftover meals from last week to this one.  Worse things have happened!

Sunday:  Dinner Out
Monday: Lentils and Beef
Tuesday: Skyline Chili at home
Wednesday: Fuss Free Ravioli and Cheese Bake
Thursday: Peppery Fish Chowder
Christmas Eve: Crescent Rolls with Nutella and Toffee Chips 
Pulled Pork and Scalloped Potatoes
Christmas Breakfast: Whole Wheat Cinnamon Rolls
Sunday: Leftovers

Right now...

I found this little journaling type entry on another blog and modified it a bit but thought I'd share just a little snippet of today.

Right now outside... It's a bright morning with snow on the ground and clouds (the white fluffy kind) in the sky.

I am wearing...my pjs still.  And my husband's old Sigma Chi sweatshirt. :)


I am hearing...Dora and the kids chattering as they unwrap Candy Cane kisses for our fudge.

Tonight's family dinner...lentils and beef simmering in the crock pot.

Project for the week...Finish wrapping and complete 2 more projects for gifts.

On the nightstand...My Bible to catch up for Disciple this week and
The Power of the Praying Wife


I am thankful for...so many things...  most especially today my husband who loves us so much and that he does love what he's doing right now at work.  Even if it's requiring some adjustments from me.

In the classroom...School's out!

I'm praying for...Audrey, my pastor's granddaughter, who recently underwent her second round of chemo and first round of stem cell collection.  She was diagnosed before Thanksgiving with Stage 4 melanoma.  She's 5.  And Timothy who is receiving amazing care now at a new hospital and God's given his parents a place at the Ronald McDonald house to be close to him.

One of my favorite things...the first sip of a warm beverage.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Memories Template released today!

Hi All!
Another exciting new release day from Simply Kelly Designs.  She's got a great tree-template in her shop today.  Perfect for your holiday photos.  I chose to intersperse the still image parts of Christmas with photos of people I love the most, but you could do just your ornaments, just memories, heck even just circles punched from Christmas cards you receive if using as a paper template.  Enjoy & happy creating!
Christmas Moments Layered Template




And I'm having trouble with blogger and pics so this one is late, but better late than never! This time, her 2 page template called "Into Shape".  I chose to use the swirly part at the end as a photo and these are the first pages of our Disney Cruise to Europe.  These photos are all from Malta.

Non-edible Christmas Ornaments

I remember these!  The recipe came home with my preschooler on the newsletter for the month.  We'll tie them on packages for grandparents.

Makes about a dozen
1 c cinnamon
2 T Elmer's glue
3/4 c applesauce
1 T ground nutmeg
1 T ground cloves


Mix all the ingredients together in a mixing bowl until it forms a ball (about 2-3 minutes).
Lightly sprinkle cinnamon on a counter top and roll out dough to 1/4" thick.
Use cookie cutters to make shapes & cut hole using a toothpick towards the top for hanging.
Dry in an oven on 200F for a few hours or in a sunny spot for 4-5 days.  When done, hang with ribbon.

Have fun!