DO U TXT?

We upgrade phones just before Christmas to these fun and text worthy phones -- the LG enV2.

Yep...all seven of us (that includes my parents, who are also on our plan) trudged into the Verizon store on a blustery day to satisfy my texting needs.

Okay, no, it wasn't all just for my texting needs. We were actually at the point where we could sign a new contract, and then with Eric's discount from work and Verizon running a deal at that time with buy one enV2, get one free, it just seemed like the thing to do.

We did go with a higher plan, but this was for a frugal move. We were on a plan that did not include free texting. Not a big deal, really. Except that with just a text or two a day between Eric and I (usually a "can you pick up milk on your way home?"), we were often paying $10 extra a month on our bill for just a handful of texts. Now, for just about $10 more per month, we get unlimited texting.

The benefit of unlimited texting for me?

Well...besides the ability to send Eric a quick message while he is at work without having to actually bug him, I get to wake up many mornings to the following message, "Good morning, Starshine. The Earth says hello."

And, darn it, that just makes me laugh every time. (Bonus points to you if you know what movie that is from.)

So...do you text? What are your texting habits (only a few per week or hundreds per day, mostly to a spouse or close friend or are you texting a guy you met on a bus once and his aunt in Phoenix)?

Even St. Thomas Becket thinks I'm an idiot

On my iGoogle page, I have the Saint of the Day gadget. I like this gadget, as it tells me what the feast day is for the day.

As the day changed over after midnight, I noticed that the saint of the day had changed to St. Thomas Becket. Immediately, I was surprised.

"Hey," I thought, "St. Thomas Becket's feast day sounds so familiar."

Hmm...I thought about it some more as I noticed it on the iGoogle page again.

Then it dawned on me, I knew that it seemed familiar because his feast day is on my birthday.

"Huh," I thought. "Isn't it funny that it's on there right now?"

"Oh yeah, um, duh," I said aloud. Continuing, aloud, as I am disgusted with myself, "Have I not been walking around telling everyone that my birthday is on Monday?"

(hanging head in shame for being so forgetful)

I suspect at this point even St. Thomas Becket must think I am an idiot. Because, you know, besides this forgetfulness, Eric also pointed out that it was pretty sad when I had to do math at the dinner table to remember how old I was about to be.

This does not bode well for my sixties, if this is what my early thirties are looking like.

picture from Google Images

Can you name that tune?

I found this fun meme on my online friend Mimi's Blog (Bigger than a Breadbox), and I just couldn't resist trying it out on my blog too. It reminded me of when my friend Christine and I used to make tapes with just snippets of songs and try to "Name that Tune."

Here are the rules:

Step 1: Put your music player on shuffle.

Step 2: Post the first line (unless the first line reveals the song title) from the first 25 songs that play. (Okay, I'm a cheater and often gave the first couple of lines.)

Step 3: Strike through the songs when someone guesses both artist and song title correctly.


1. Alligators snap at your ankles, and branches snap at your brain; If I ever get through this swamp alive, I'll nevermore pray for rain.

2. My sister got lucky, married a yuppie. Took him for all he was worth. -- Mimi (Yer So Bad -- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers)

3. (Title of song). Since you've gone you know that noone's really missed you. (Title of song). And now your friends watch over everything that we do.

4. I come old friend from Hell tonight, across the rotting sea. Nor the nails of the cross nor the blood of Christ can bring you help this eve.

5. Ladies and Gentleman, It's my pleasure to introduce to you...he's a friend of mine...and he goes by the name...Justin.

6. She set your goldfish free and now she's sighing, blew out your pilot light and made a wish. -- Stephanie (Twisting by They Might Be Giants)

7. I'm so alone tonight my bed feels larger than when I was small, lost in memories, lost in all the sheets and old pillows.

8. The flower said, "I wish I was a tree." The tree said, "I wish I could be a different kind of tree."

9. Don't believe the devil. I don't believe his book. But the truth is not the same without the lies he made up. -- Tim (God Part II by U2)

10. Will you let me be your servant? Let me be as Christ to you.

11. Once there was a way to get back homeward. Once there was a way to get back home. -- Mimi (Golden Slumbers by The Beatles, though the particular version for #11 was Ben Folds)

12. Take off your top coat. Put on your rain coat.

13. If you kiss me, I will feel nothing. You can do what you like to please me. -- Stephanie (Sexy Mistake by The Chalets)

14. We want to multiply, are you gonna do it? I know you're qualified, are you gonna do it? -- Mimi (Some Like It Hot by The Power Station)

15. Even Old New York was once New Amsterdam. Why they changed it, I can't say. (Note: I had to go decently far into the song to not have the title mentioned.) -
-- Mimi (Istanbul (not Constantinople) by They Might Be Giants)

16. I can't explain glacial motion or why Los Angeles don't drop into the ocean.

17. (Title of song) the way she loves me, then maybe you would understand why I feel this way about our love and what I must do. -- Kelli (If You Could Only See by Tonic)

18. Hans plays with Lotte, Lotte plays with Jane. Jane plays with Willi, Willi is happy again. -- Tim (Games without Frontiers by Peter Gabriel)

19. Can you feel it, see it, hear it today? If you can't, then it doesn't matter anyway. You will never understand it cuz it happens too fast. -- Tim (Epic by Faith No More)

20. You and me, we used to be together, every day together, always. I really feel that I'm losing my best friend. -- Mimi (Don't Speak by No Doubt)

21. When I was a lad, I was a little bit shy. Something came along and caught my eye. When I heard the jazz band strike up... -- Tim (Got My Own Thing Now by Squirrel Nut Zippers)

22. Well tell me do you think it'd be all right, if I could just crash here tonight? -- Mandy (Hey Jealousy by Gin Blossoms)

23. Here I am again, now my boy is ten. As I pray for him each night, my heart remembers when he was very small, now he's grown so tall...

24. I wanted to be like you, I wanted everything. So I tried to be like you, and I got swept away. -- Tini (All You Wanted by Michelle Branch)

25. Let me take your hand, I'm shaking like milk. Turning, turning blue all over the windows and the floors. -- Mimi (Let's Go to Bed by The Cure)

Many Little Links: The Christmas Edition

Christmas found me taking some unplanned time off from blogging. It was a nice little break, although we certainly kept very busy.

I spent quite a bit of time on the 23rd and 24th finishing up baking for my last set of homemade Christmas goodie baskets.

We then attended a Christmas Vigil Mass. Let me just say -- it's not a good idea to show up five minutes before the Mass starts. It was packed, and we lost Eric for about 3/4 of the Mass. The kids and I sat on the steps that went up to the choir loft. It made us appreciate having a pew at Mass tonight, that's for sure!

We spent Christmas Eve with my family at my parents' house. It was such a yummy dinner, and we all ate and ate! Eric also received his big hit of a gift -- an Air Hogs helicopter.

On Christmas Day, we traveled a little over an hour away to Eric's sister's new house for lunch and presents. We had a nice visit, and I could tell that his sister was pleased to get a chance to host Christmas this year. We were pleased that not only did we get to visit there, but one of my sisters lives less than four miles away from her (and her husband)! So, we also got to go visit there for about an hour.

The day after Christmas found us cleaning the house from top to bottom. So, needless to say, we're beat! So, while I put up my feet, you can visit some links that I enjoyed this week:

Arts and Crafts

Christmas Satchets -- Chasing Cheerios

Easy Fabric Gift Bags -- The Happy Housewife

Handmade at Home: Keeping the Skills Alive -- Simple Mom (definitely check this one out!)

Make a Christmas Button Wreath -- Dollar Store Crafts (posted at Blissfully Domestic - Blissful Kids)

Finances

Establish a Christmas Savings Fund for Next Year -- Frugal Dad

Miscellaneous:

What is Black Tie? (a guide to what is acceptable attire at different events) -- KathyFriend.com (posted at Blissfully Domestic - Blissful Style)

photo titled The Nativity Scene

Subtle and Yummy Almond Breton Biscuits

This year is the first time that I made Almond Breton Biscuits. I saw the recipe in Better Homes and Gardens Christmas Cookies, and I knew that I had to try them because of the sugar on the outside. You know, I do have a thing for sugars and sprinkles.

These yummy and subtle cookies did not disappoint. Although Eric said he preferred the shortbread cookies, I really liked these ones. I liked the crispness of the finished cookies, as well as the crunch from the sugar.

Oh -- and it was super fun cutting the cookies before baking as well. What can I say? I'm a girl of simple pleasures sometimes.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup powdered sugar

2 egg yolks

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup finely ground almonds

Course plain or colored sugar (I used sanding sugar and it came out just fine though)

1 egg white, lightly beaten

Directions:

1. Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated and powdered sugars and salt. Beat until combined. Then beat in egg yolks until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer, and then use a wooden spoon to stir in the remaining flour and the almonds.

2. Divide dought in half. Shape each half of the dough into an eight inch roll. Wrap in plastic wrap (or waxed paper) and refrigerate for three hours or until firm enough to slice.

3. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

4. Put your decorating sugar in a wide, shallow dish. Brush egg whites onto the rolls, and then roll them in the sugar to coat them. Cut rolls into 1/4-inch thick slices. Place the cookies two inches apart on the parchment paper cookie sheet.

5. Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 12 minutes or until the edges start to brown. Transfer the cookies to a wire rack and allow to cool.

Makes approximately 50 cookies

The 12 Days of Christmas (Revisited)

Last year I posted "The 12 Days of Christmas" from Straight No Chaser, and this year, there is a new recording on YouTube of the same song. (It's still them, just a different performance of it.)



I was also excited to see that they have a Christmas album now, so I downloaded about five or six of the songs from iTunes that I enjoyed. (One of the songs is a free download on iTunes right now.)

All She Wants for Christmas is a Dollhouse

Molly has taken to point to a dollhouse each time we go to Target and inform me that she really hopes that she gets it for Christmas.

Today, this desire apparently grew.

While sitting at the counter eating breakfast, Molly looked at me and told me that she really, really wanted a dollhouse for Christmas. I told her, again, that we'd just have to wait and see.

At that point, she then broke down sobbing. She informed me that she didn't want it to be a surprise, could I please just tell her now if she was getting a dollhouse.

We finally got her calmed down, and got her mind off of her worries about Christmas morning. Thank goodness!

So...what does this have to do with Tackle It Tuesday?

Well...tonight, we got the dollhouse put together!

Yeah, yeah -- of course we already had it. Are you kidding? We totally knew how much she had been wanting it. So, this year's big gift for Molly is this dollhouse. And, thankfully, all of the pieces were in the box and it is safely put together. Heck -- Barbie has even already tried out the house and all the furniture, just to test the size of Barbies in it.

I will be so relieved when we can finally just give it to her! I think that, even at four years old, she knows that she is getting it. But, she has a twinge of doubt. Or, maybe she doesn't know at all, and is just hoping.

Who knows!

All I know is that after a few weeks of mentioning to Eric that he needed to put it together so that we could verify that everything was okay (in case we needed to return it and get a new one), I am thrilled to clear this tackle off of my list. You know, even if it was Eric that did the building, while I just unwrapped furniture and did the Barbie testing.

To see what other people around the blogosphere are tackling this week, check out Tackle it Tuesday at 5 Minutes for Mom.

Can a Monkey Drive a Car?

As heard in our van...

Molly (age 4): Can you teach a monkey to drive?

Mom: Drive a car?

Molly: Yeah. Can you teach a monkey to drive a car?

Mom: Hmmm...I guess you can.

Molly (with a knowing laugh before starting up): Yeah, when I was a mommy and you were just a little girl, I taught a monkey how to drive. I told him go this way and go that way. (During that part, she was wildly moving her arms around, as if she were a drunken Indy car driver.)

Somehow I'm not expecting driving instructor to be on Molly's future career path. Well...either that, or planet of the Apes may be closer than we think.

photo from google images

Many Little Links: The Wind Chill Edition

Tomorrow is the official first day of winter, but it already feels chillingly cold here. As a matter of fact, we just watched as the weather guy suggested that if people don't have to go out tomorrow, then they should stay in and keep warm.

So, while I try to keep warm, I'll let you enjoy some fun links that I came across on blogs this week:

Arts and Crafts:

Make it in an Evening: Ninja Tutorial -- Home Ec 101

Sugar Babies -- The Small Object Steno Pad

My New Favorite Thing...Stamping on Wood -- Crafty Carnival

Rolled Beeswax Candles -- Nature's Way

Making Dipped Candles -- HomeWork

Cooking and Baking:

Inexpensive Appetizer -- The Happy Housewife

Chocolate Letters -- Let's Explore - Creative Activities for Preschoolers
(although this activity could have gone in for arts and crafts or learning activities)

Learning Activities:

Holiday Wishlist and Shopping Spree -- Blissfully Domestic ~ Blissful Kids (written by My Little Gems)

Simple Artist and Composer Studies -- Blissfully Domestic ~ Homeschool Bliss (written by Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers)

Miscellaneous:

I'm a Barbie Girl -- And She Can't Even Cook




photo by pbo31

iPod Shuffle Winner!

Sorry that I didn't do the drawing for the iPod Shufle last night! But, now that I have some free time this afternoon, I counted up comments on the original post, as well as emails with the secret code.

I was planning to count through the comments first, and then onto the emails. (So, for instance, the first email was number 65, following the last post on the original posting, which was number 64.)

Anyway, random.org gave me number 27, which was....

Kellie from And She Can't Even Cook!

Congratulations, Kellie! If, for whatever reason, Kellie decides she doesn't want the iPod or if she doesn't contact me in about a week, I will go to random.org again for a new number.

Thanks to all those who participated!

20 Little Things I Treasure at Christmas

Inspired by The Inspired Room, I am making my list of 20 little things that I treasure about Christmas time.

1. Listening to Christmas Carols and Advent Hymns (This is not to be confused with Christmas songs, like Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman. Those do nothing for me. But, give me a O Come All Ye Faithful or God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman, and I get a little teary eyed.)

2. Christmas Lights -- I could live without ever having a Christmas tree, but I just adore having lights outside.

3. Candy Cane Hershey's Kisses

4. The sheer joy of anticipation from the children

5. Christmas shopping (probably because of that anticipation of watching people receive our gifts)

6. Baking for gifts and parties -- I love baking with a purpose!

7. The surprised faces of people receive the baked goodies mentioned in #6.

8. The overwhelming joy while thinking of why we celebrate Christmas. When I really just sit and think of our Savior as a tiny baby, and of Mary and Joseph gazing upon him in that stable. Seriously -- it just chokes me up.

9. The chance to start some new traditions and to carry on old traditions. (This year, we decided to make homemade donuts while decorating the tree.)

10. Wishing for snowy weather when we have nowhere to go. It always seems like a wonderful excuse to slow down and just enjoy life.

11. Having a break from school -- again, it's a chance to enjoy some simpler time.

12. Using an advent wreath -- the warm, gentle glow of the candles is a wonderful reminder of Jesus as the days get shorter and the dark gets longer.

13. We have a chance to be with family more. One of my favorite times is when I am visiting with my siblings and other adult relatives, while I get to see my kids with their cousins. It is not only enjoyable to be with family, but it reminds me about the cycle of life.

14. Browsing on sites like Etsy and 1000 Markets -- it seems like there is such an influx of very cool handmade things at the holidays. Some items on my favorites list right now on Etsy:

15. Trying hard to come up with the perfect three gifts for the kids.

16. Hot chocolate and buttered toast on a cold day.

17. Catching up with the lives of family and friends though Christmas cards, letters, and picture cards.

18. The way that a new snow looks when I look out and see the reflection of everyone's outdoor Christmas lights on it.

19. The hustle and bustle of crowds in the stores. (I know, I am clearly insane.)

20. Going to Mass on Christmas and celebrating the wonderful gift that we are given in Jesus.

photo by paulmcdee

My Favorite Mommy Calling Cards for Free Downloading

I have had several free Mommy Calling Card downloads, but this particular design is my favorite. It's actually the one that I am using right now for my personal use -- it's the "Libby" Design.

Please remember about all of my free calling card downloads:

They are for your personal use only (please direct people here to download cards, instead of emailing them or posting a direct link on your blog to the download) and you must be able to open PSD files (photoshop).

With the Libby design, there is a layer that you won't immediately see, but it is labeled for you to read it and then delete it. That layer will help to guide you to make sure that all of your text is within a safe zone for printing. (Remember -- do not leave this layer visible when you upload it for printing.)

All of the designs have been modified so that they are the appropriate size to be printed through Vista Print. While Vista Print is not the vendor that I use to print mine, I did that so that you will be able to likely get them printed only for the cost of an upload fee and shipping.

Click here to download this free Mommy Calling Card design -- Libby

Enjoy!

7 Ways to Get Exercise Without Leaving the Neighborhood (WFMW #61)

I really need to be getting more exercise, and I know that. I used to belong to a fitness club, but it was just too far across town (especially while gas was high) and it was difficult to fit into my schedule.

Finally, I thought, "Why not use some of the things that work for me instead of thinking it's all or nothing?" (And, at our house, any time someone says something "works for me," Eric or I always have to say, "Wednesday!")

So, while I have not come up with a schedule of what I will be doing which day, I have come up with my plan to use ways to exercise that I have right around the house.

Here is my plan of ways to exercise that already work for me that I will be putting into my schedule:

1. Wii Fit -- We already have a Wii, so there was just the expense of buying the Wii Fit. But, for $80, the whole family is getting exercise. I love this game, and it doesn't feel like a chore, much like other exercise. But, I can feel that I am getting a work out!

2. Dance Dance Revolution -- Yes, again with the Wii. Seriously -- I cannot recommend this system enough. Even my Mom and Dad bought one! (And, while my Grandma was in a nursing home for a few weeks, she even enjoyed bowling with it.) Anyway, DDR is another one of those, "I'm exercising, but I'm enjoying it."

3. Recumbant Bike -- One year for Christmas, Eric and I asked my parents to just buy the two of us just one gift -- an exercise bike. This isn't fun like the Wii, but it's great to have one good cardio machine here in the house. If something like this is too expensive brand new, you can look on FreeCycle, Craigslist, garage sales, or go the route that we did and see if you can get it as a gift.

4. Exercise Videos -- I can borrow these from the library before buying (and you probably could too!). This is a great way to try out a variety of types of exercise -- from buns of steel to pilates to yoga. It's just a DVD player away!

5. Take a Walk -- This is a great, no cost option. Of course, this is not the time of year for it around here, but it's a nice time for the whole family. Or, for a more intense work out, I can take a power walk by myself. Just put on my iPod and go! (I don't do this option near enough, but will try more in the spring.)

6. Gardening or Yard Work -- Again, not the time of year for it (other than shoveling snow), but this is a great way to get out in the sunshine (for Vitamin D, as my Mom would point out) and get your body moving. Plus, this is a great way to get the kids working too!

7. Have Fun -- Just the other day, the whole family ran around the house dodging, hiding, and moving all about. No, we weren't dancing (though that would great exercise too). We were having a nerf gun battle. It was hilarious and it ended up with everyone out of breath. Lots of fun and a cardio workout!

What are some of your favorite ways to get some exercise? Anything you want to start trying to do (learn yoga, start running, etc.)? Do you have an exercise schedule?

To see what works for other people around the blogosphere, be sure to check out Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in my Dryer!

If you are looking for the iPod giveaway, please visit this link for the post earlier this week to enter.



photo by Joachim S. Müller

Our Christmas Goodie Platter Contents and a Picture

I mentioned last night that I was busy working on my holiday platters and some baskets. Well, at 3:45 am this morning, I finished this round of holiday baking. Of course, by then, my head was pounding and I was exhausted, but I was glad to be done.

In the pictures, the platters don't look quite as full as they looked in person. Oh, and of course when I finished, I wrapped them with plastic wrap.

In all, last night I put together 14 round tin platters, 2 baskets (these had more in them than the platters), and one priority mail box with a basket's worth of stuff (for Eric's Grandma, since we weren't sure if we'd see her before Christmas).

Today, we were busy delivering. We now only have four platters (and no baskets) left.

I enjoy our platters (and baskets) to include small amounts of many different items, rather than larger amounts of just a few things. I think it makes for a nice goodie medley.

Our platter contents included:

- 1 measuring cup worth of holiday snack mix (I had to put that in a baggie in the center of the platter)

- 2 pieces of pine bark

- 1 chocolate chocolate chip cookie with Hershey's kiss on the top

- 2 cherry ice box cookies

- 1 shortbread cookie

- 4 cherry chip cake balls

- 1 peanut butter surprise cookie

- 1 snickerdoodle sandwich cookie (with a honey/cinnamon/cream cheese filling)

- 1 chocolate chip cookie with walnuts

- 2 chocolate sandwich cookies (with a cream cheese/powdered sugar filling that I put food coloring in to make it green)

- 2 - 3 pieces of peppermint bark

- 2 Fruit Loop Rice Krispie treats

Needless to say, we had a lot of happy people today on the receiving end of our goodies. And, we were very happy to be on the giving end!

If you are looking for the iPod giveaway, please visit this link.

Preparing Goodies for Christmas Platters (Tackle It Tuesday #27)

This evening, I have been hard at work at my second set of Christmas baking. This time, the majority of the goodies are being put on platters. For family and close friends, we have put together baskets of home baked goodies.

This set is primarily platters, however, since they are going to people like therapists at school (the boys still receive therapy at school, even though we're homeschooling), the people that work under Eric, Molly's preschool teachers, etc. We will also be dropping by a basket of goodies to our church office, and giving a basket to Eric's boss' family.

I'm actually deep in the middle of this tackle, with holiday party mix currently in the oven (the picture shows it just partially done). You can read about the holiday party mix (and check out the iPod giveaway) here.

I have cake balls already partially made (they just need to be coated with almond bark), peppermint bark done (but still in the pan), and pine bark drying. I still have a few more things to make, and am hoping to do most of the delivering tomorrow!

I'm planning to post a picture of a platter when it is all assemble! Wish me luck to get through this tonight!

(Edited to Add: I just posted the completed "products" with a picture and a list of the platter contents!)

To see what other people are tackling around the blogosphere, check out Tackle it Tuesday at 5 Minutes for Mom!

Holiday Snack Mix Recipe (and an iPod giveaway!)

One of my sisters will not allow me to put together a holiday gift basket for her without this yummy holiday snack mix.

The fun thing about this mix is that if there is something you really love, you can add in more. Likewise, if you really don't like a certain mix addition, you can leave it out.

(Recipe slightly modified from the book Classroom Treats.)

Holiday Snack Mix

Ingredients:


- 9 cups Corn Chex cereal (or some other corn cereal that comes in squares)
- 4 cups of popcorn (popped)
-1 1/2 cups dry-roasted peanuts
-1 cup light brown sugar, packed
-1/2 cup butter
-1/2 cup light corn syrup
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1/2 teaspoon baking soda
-1 bag (10 oz) of holiday-themed chocolate chips
-1 bag (at least 7 oz) white chocolate pretzels

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Grease either a large roasting pan or two 13x9 cake pans (that's what I do, since I don't have a roasting pan).

2. Mix cereal, popcorn, and peanuts in a large bowl. Pour into prepared pan. (If using cake pans, just pour half in each pan.)

3. Mix together brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Boil, without stirring, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in vanilla extract and baking soda. Pour evenly over the cereal mixture and then gently stir it up to try to coat it.

Don't worry if everything doesn't get covered though! Just do your best. You'll have more chances to stir later.

4. Bake for 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes though, you'll want to stir the mixture. (So, you will stir it three times during that 45 minutes.) Cool the mixture in the pan(s) completely. However, make sure to stir the mixture frequently as it cool to try to break the mixture apart.

5. When cooled, stir in the chocolate chips and the white chocolate pretzels. Store in an airtight container.

Makes about 20 cups, so it is great for gifts!

----------------------------------------------

Okay, so, speaking of gifts...I have a gift to give away!

I have a purple 1 gb iPod Shuffle to give to one lucky reader. This has not been used or registered, however, the package was opened (by me). So, if you can live with that, read on!

This contest will run through Friday, December 19th at 11:59 pm EST. I will make every attempt (as long as the winner contacts me right away) to get this sent out in time for Christmas!

I'm so sorry -- but this giveaway is for U.S. residents only.

You have not one way to win, but four ways to enter!

Here is what you can do to try to make this iPod yours this Christmas...

1. Leave a comment here and tell me your favorite meal or snack! (If you don't put this as part of your comment, I will not count your comment as an entry.)

2. Post about the giveaway on your blog. Come back and leave a comment that lists the link that is directly to your post about the giveaway (not just a link to your blog).

3. Post on your twitter page about the giveaway. Come back and leave a comment with a link.

4. Subscribe to Many Little Blessings. (Subscription links are listed on the top left sidebar.)Then, watch for the giveaway code in the footer of the feed. Email me with the code as the subject line. I will not read the emails, so make sure you just put the iPod giveaway code as the subject line.

Helping Siblings Shop for Each Other

I am writing again this week at Happy to be at Home! Here is a highlight...


One of the most vivid memories I have about Christmas growing up was one year when my school had a Christmas shop. (This was back in the day when they still could have called it a Christmas shop, mind you.) The idea of this little store is that kids could bring money and shop for their families. The reason that I remember it so clearly is because I remember the pride and delight I felt to be able to do some shopping all by myself.

I realized last year that I had never given my own children that same opportunity for a sense of pride and giving come Christmas morning. I knew that I had to remedy that situation. However, they thought of taking them into a store and asking them to pick out things frightened me. So, I took a cue from my memory of Christmas shopping at school and carried on with my idea.

If you would like to read the rest of this article, you'll need to head over to Happy to be at Home!

Many Little Links: The Watch for a Contest Edition

Check out some links that I have enjoyed during this week and be sure to check back tomorrow for the start of a contest. Maybe it's for a fruit cake. Or, perhaps something a little more lively...a little more musical...

Arts & Crafts:

Plain to Pretty Candle Tutorial -- Linaloo

Make it This Weekend: Ultra Easy Rag Quilt -- Home Ec 101

Household Management:

Household Uses for Vinegar, The Ultimate Frugal Solution -- Frugal Dad

Education & Learning Ideas:

10 Tips for Parents of Reluctant Readers -- The Well-Read Child

Cooking / Baking Topics:

Cookie Dough Log Rolls -- Make and Takes

Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake -- A Simple Walk

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies -- Joy the Baker

Miscellaneous:

Your Home: The Best Company to Work For -- Simple Mom

photo by Professor Bop

Shortbread Cookie Recipe

This year was the first time that I attempted to make shortbread cookies. Eric couldn't quit raving about these simple three ingredient shortbread cookies that were from the Taste of Home Bake Sale magazine.

Ingredients

4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 pound cold butter

Directions

In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and sugar. Cut in butter until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Knead dough until smooth, about 6 to 10 minutes. Pat dough into an ungreaded 15 inch x 10 inch x 1 inch baking pan. Pierce liberally with a fork.

Bake at 325 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut in to squares while warm. Cool on a wire rack.

Fewer Gifts + More Thought = Nicer Christmas

I wrote last year about my "fewer gifts + more thought = nicer Christmas" equation. My post on it last year, however, was one of those "in theory" posts. I hadn't actually tried it out at that point.

So, today, you can read my new and improved article (with my experiences from last year) at Happy to be at Home. I have been a long time reader of Happy to be at Home, so I'm pleased to be a guest writer there today!

You can click here to check out my new and improved Fewer Gifts + More Thought = Nicer Christmas article at Happy to be at Home

At Jack's First Reconciliation

To see more photographs from around the blogosphere, check out Wordless Wednesday.

Great gift to buy on clearance for next Christmas

My Works for Me Wednesday this week is sharing a great idea for something that my Grandparents did for every woman in our family several years ago. It's a great idea for an inexpensive gift for next year, if you have some room for storage throughout next year.

Each woman in our family (although it would work to give it to an entire family as a gift, if you are not looking to spend too much for a family gift) received an under the bed gift wrap storage container.

Inside, there were several rolls of wrapping paper, an assortment of ribbons and bows, some gift tags, and Scotch tape. Even though we received these gifts probably around 10 years ago, I think all of us are still using that same container. (Honestly -- I think I still have one of the rolls of gift wrap that was inside when I received it. I should probably donate that one if I'm never going to use it.)

While I think this would be a great gift to give someone for Christmas this year, it would be even better to give it next year (if you have storage in your home). The reason for that is because you can go out after Christmas and find gift wrap storage containers and all of the gift wrapping goodies on clearance. Then, just stick them away and pull them out for Christmas 2009.

What a unique and useful gift!

Do you have gifts that you received in holidays past that you still use often? What are some of your favorite useful gifts to give?

To view more tips, tricks, and ideas from around the blogosphere, visit Works for Me Wednesday at Rocks in my Dryer!

photo by kevinthoule

Saints at the Dinner Table

I recently received the book Saints at the Dinner Table by Amy Heyd from The Catholic Company as part of their reviewer program.

Okay, so I didn't get around to my review right away, but it's because I just didn't feel that someone could really review a cookbook without at least trying out one recipe first.

But first, let me tell you about this book...

It is just too cool! Amy Heyd has compiled twelve meals, each based around a different saint. Eric and I had so much fun looking through the book, particularly because, although she did put in some lesser known saints, both of our saints that we had chosen for Confirmation were included among the twelve (St. Joseph and St. Martha).

Each meal (which is its own chapter) includes information about the saint, a reflection on the saint, information on why she picked what she did for the meal, a full meal's worth of recipes, and ends with a prayer.

At just under $20, this book would be a fabulous educational book to enhance both a religious education and home economics studies! (I would recommend that if this is used as an educational book for homeschool or other such use that it be used for older children, as they are not simple, kid recipes.)

Speaking of not simple recipes though, I think I tried the one of the easier recipes to try out though. I made the homemade pizza crust from the St. Martha meal, knowing that even my pickiest eaters would like pizza.

This was my first time actually making pizza dough from scratch, and I was thrilled! Not only did it give me an excuse to use my new Kitchen Aid Mixer, but it was easy and delicious! The only thing that I would change next time is that I'll make one big pizza instead of several small pizzas, as it calls for in the recipe. (However, in the recipe, it's for doing individual pizzas at a party. You see -- this time, in honor of Saint Martha, you let them do some of the work to put on their own pizza toppings.)

I would definitely recommend this book, especially for someone who enjoys meals that go beyond casseroles. But, then again, I think I would have enjoy this book even if I never made another recipe out of it again.


This review was written as part of the Catholic book Reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Saints at the Dinner Table.

Decorating Your Kitchen with Sprinkles

I had really been wanting to implement this idea that I saw on another blog (although I absolutely can't remember where I saw it -- edited to add that my friend Pam reminded me of where I saw it -- at Bakerella's blog!), but I put off doing it. Granted, I mostly put it off just because I didn't want to spend the money on the spice rack. But, at last, I have the spice rack
(which Eric gave me as my Christmas present for this year, as well as a new set of measuring spoons, a set of measuring cups that actually has a 2/3 cup and a 3/4 cup, and then a donut and a round "cookie" cutter).

So, my household takle for this week got to be a fun tackle! And, really, that hardly makes it a "tackle," huh?

But, it did include shopping for the spice rack, cleaning the bottles, and then loading them up with sprinkles.

I have to admit -- looking at sprinkles sitting so happily on my counter with all their lovely colors -- it just makes me smile every time I look at them.

Seriously! How can you look at a spice rack full of sprinkles and not smile?


Oh yeah -- and do you see my big Christmas gift of this year? After years of coveting a Kitchen Aid mixer, I now have one on my counter, thanks to my Grandparents. (We already did Christmas with them on Thanksgiving.)

To see what other people are tackling this week around the blogosphere, be sure to check out Tackle It Tuesday at 5 Minutes for Mom.