Chocolate and Caramel Dipped Marshmallows ~ Day 10

Chocolate and Caramel Dipped Marshmallows need I say more. I found this recipe on a site called One Charming Party http://onecharmingparty.com/2010/12/09/holiday-treats-chocolate-and-caramel-dipped-marshmallows/.



I decided to make goodie baskets for my girls teachers and amazing friends in my life. I thought this looked delicious, and not to mention I LOVE marshmallows. It wasn't a hard sell.



One hour later, I'm finished. I have chocolate on my clothes, face, I smell of peppermint, I burnt my finger, have a large blister but let me say, they are sooooooo good. They were pretty easy to make, but the burn is all my fault. The caramel just look so good and here is a reminder, melted caramel sticks like glue from a hot glue gun..bad idea. What can I say, I am a hands on girl. Mine may not look as pretty as the ones on the site, but they sure taste UMMM UMMM Good!!

My new thing for the day Chocolate and Caramel Dipped Marshmallows.

New Ring ~ Day 9

Today I got to go over to my friends home, the fabulous fashionista Holly. This is something we have talked about doing all year and finally did it. She is not just an amazing person with fun and spunk, but what I would like to call a mama fashionista. She is the mother of three and she always looks good, she is beautiful both inside and out. When I really needed a lift today she made me laugh, smile, and even gave me a little gift which is my new thing for the day. My husband said, hmm it is a little big but my girls all yelled squealed and asked to wear it. I must say I felt the same way the girls did. I love it! It is fun and spunky, just what a girl needs.

My new thing for the day... tea at my friend Hollys home and my new ring.


note to self....my hands are looking old and are in desperate need of lotion

Christmas Cards ~ Day 8

I have a little secret. It is almost embarrassing to admit. I haven't sent out Christmas cards in about 2 to 3 years. I guess it had to do with a lot, but cost and time all seemed to be a factor. I really appreciate all my family and friends who continued to send me cards and pictures even though I was such a jerk, and did not do the same. This year is different. I got a great shot of the kids in front of the tree, got on to Costco’s site, and whap bam boom, clicked that order button. Whala, a Christmas card!! I know I love getting cards, and love cards with pictures, so I decided it is about time I get off my butt and start sending some Christmas cheer!

My new thing for the day was doing something I should have never stopped doing, my Christmas cards. May sounds silly, but I am excited to pick them up.

Fame ~ Day 7

I love the arts, especially the performing arts. I can't explain how it makes me feel to see a live performance, it is almost electrifying. I thought at one time that the only thing I would want to do would be to perform in theater and when I see others dance, act and sing it just brings that joy back into my heart.

Now, you are probably wondering what Fame has to do with any of that. Tonight my new thing was watching the movie fame. Although it didn't get the highest ratings, I really enjoyed it and love watching a film where people were chasing their dreams through a variety of the performing arts. It was a feel good movie, and I enjoyed it!! When it ended I had a smile on my face, and a desire to search and see what productions will be coming to town.

A new movie for tonight, my new thing for the day.

Pizza, Party and a Game of Farkel ~ Day 6

Last night we got home late and to honest, I was much too tired to write. We had another fun filled night with friends, food and a new game whose name reminds me of a smurfs cartoon character or something someone says when they stub their toe.

Last night my husband and I went on a date. We headed to a local pizza place we both hadn't been to before, and it was outstanding. I was told this summer that I needed to stay away from gluten for health reason. Gluten is in EVERYTHING! This has really limited where I can eat, what I can eat, and let me tell you, I miss pizza. Pizza and sub sandwiches call my name several times a month. Finding a local place, that served gluten free pizza and subs, made my day!

After our pizza date we went to a friend’s house for a game of Farkel. Never heard of it, never played it, but it was so much fun. There were two tables set up and about 16 players. We all laughed, rolled dice and yelled out FARKEL when we could no longer play. My friend Wendy made me a pear martini, something I had never had before, and it tasted more like a treat than a drink. I swear that girl has skills, she is an amazing cook and now I am adding drink mixer to her title. I had an absolutely wonderful time and had a chance to get reconnected with a very good friend, this was definitely an added bonus to the day.

My new things for the day including AWESOME pizza at the Olde Pizza Shoppe, a pear martini, and the crazy game of Farkel.

The Best Birthday EVER ~ Day 5

My morning started with breakfast in bed, and a morning where my husband took care of getting the children ready for the day. One child ended up staying home, she was sick earlier in the week and I was giving her one more day to kick the flu, one had the day off, and one went smiling and giggling on her way to class and I didn't have to do a darn thing. Thanks to my husband, I woke up feeling wonderful.

I received a phone call later that day from a friend, inviting us to the movies. My daughter saw the doctor, was in the clear, I had all three girls with me now, so why not? So off we went and met our friend and her three girls. Movie choice, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. There we were, my friend Sarah, myself, and our 3 girls each in tow, a total of 6 little ones lined up in their seats, candy in hand, and smiles from ear to ear. It was the first time I had ever taken my 3 year old to the movies and she even loved it. This was all Sarah’s doing. She was making not just my Birthday special for me, but special for all the girls. She is one of the most giving people I know. I just sat there feeling so happy. I could feel their joy.

After the movies we made a trip to see Santa. We got the girls pictures done, plus a group shot. This is now a tradition that we will keep for years to come. My youngest jumped up on his knee and the two older girls crowded around him with wishes and sparkles in their eyes. "We have been good girls Santa", they told him. My oldest, who is 8, still very much believes in Santa. I know this will not last for too much longer and her sweetness and innocence touched my heart. It is a moment that froze in time. It will stay in my heart forever, when she is 16, when she is 24 and when she is 42 I will remember her face and how much hope and innocence it held in that very moment. Those are the moments people call priceless.





After Santa, we went on to dinner at PF Changs and once again this was Sarah’s doing. We all sat and laughed and the girls sang Christmas songs at the table. At the end of our meal came dessert. YUM is all I can say. We got up to leave and I walked to the table that was seated next to us to apologize if the girls were so noisy. We were celebrating and sometimes it is hard to keep the noise level down. The older couple told me we had made their meal. That they enjoyed the girls so much and that both my friend and I are so blessed. "How lucky you are", they said, "to have such beautiful loving children." That right there was the icing on my cake.

To end the day my youngest was in her very first Christmas program and she stood on stage with such pride. Smiling and winking at her Daddy, singing as loud as she could. It is hard to believe she is getting so old.

At the end of the day I can honestly say this is one of the best Birthdays I have ever had. My new things for the day included a new movie, Santa group shots, chocolate moouse dessert with dinner and a first time performance from the youngest in our family.
Thank you to my husband, my daughters, my friend Sarah and to all my family and friends for their Birthday wishes. 36 ROCKS!!!

My Gratitude Journal ~ Day 4

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~ Melody Beattie

My mother and I purchased the book Simple Abundance written by Sarah Ban Breathnach some years ago. I would even say it has been close to almost 10 years since I first purchased this book. It has so many good insights and good ideas but one of my favorites is the idea of a Gratitude Journal. In this Gratitude Journal you write 5 things you are grateful for everyday. These blessing could be the smell of your favorite candle to the roof over your head. This is to help you focus on the blessing and abundance we have in our lives because we all have things to be grateful for everyday. It helps you focus on what you have rather than what you don't. I really love this idea, and is something I would like our whole family to focus on this coming year.

Today my new thing for the day was buying three gratitude journals for myself and my two oldest girls. We sat down together and wrote 5 things and shared them with each other and tonight we will share them with you.



I am grateful for:
1. Running into friends at the grocery store, I actually enjoy this!
2. I am thankful that even though my parents don't live close I can still call them every day and that they are still here and a part of my life
3. I am thankful for my oldest brother who always comes running in any emergency, stays calm and takes charge of the situation.
4. Hands down, for a hard working loving hubby,
5. I am thankful for 3 wonderful healthy children.

My 6 year old said she was thankful for
1. Sarah giving her so many stickers
2. Her mommy
3. Her daddy
4. Her sisters
5. School

My 8 year old said she was thankful for
1. Food
2. Her Sisters
3. Her Christmas tree
4. Family
5. Uncles and Aunts
6. Toys
7. TV
8. A Home

The best apart about this is my 8 year old wanted to know if she could write more than five. She told me, "There are so many things I am thankful for mom, I am not sure this book has enough pages."