chop chop with no tears

I usually don't buy into "As Seen On TV" products but when I saw my parents using this one, I wanted one too. I cook with onions and the thing I hate the most about them is the tears {sob..sob}! I don't see how the food network stars make it through a segment without crying. I've heard if you freeze the onion it will help in keeping the tears to a minimum, TRIED IT - didn't work for me! Maybe I am extra sensitive to it? Any-who I found this under my tree Christmas morning from my sweet girls. I've already used it for chili and chicken noodle soup. LOVE IT! Talk about simplifying. Chop! Chop! That's it, you are done, no tears!

It must have caught on because now Williams and Sonoma has one for more $$.

Can't wait to use it some more.

one word

I follow this blog.

I love this idea.

Instead of making resolution after resolution this year my goal is to choose one word or phrase that I can focus on in 2010. She suggests putting the word or phrase somewhere you will see it each day in your house, car, anywhere you need reminding.

Art and I had a "heart to heart" talk not to long ago. It's one of those 2 to 3 hour talks that afterwards you feel cleansed and closer to your mate. It had been awhile since we had one. It mostly revolved around the past year. 2009 was a hard year for us for so many reasons. At certain points we both felt like we were ready to throw the towel in. Personally I wanted to crawl in a hole and disappear for awhile. In the end we both agreed with all the struggles we ended up feeling Joy-less. We could trace when and how it started, how it affected us physically, emotionally, most importantly how it affected our family. We saw it's {bad} side effects being acted out in our girls. They learned it from us and it hurt to know we had lost sight of pure self-less Joy and in turn, they had too.

So for 2010 I will seek self-less Joy.

Joy in my family.

Joy in my attitude.

Joy in my marriage.

Joy in my church.

Joy in my relationship with God.

Joy in every aspect of my life.

With that JOY I want to be self-less.

I will give myself away in Joy.

I won't forget my own needs.

{After all I need those late night trips to Panera's with the girls.}

I need to be Joyful in who I am.

No more long lists of things I wished I had done. One simple phrase for 2010.

i just realized

I just realized that I received four gifts this Christmas that included hot chocolate. Word is getting out I guess or my friends and family know me real well. No I am not complaining, in fact I'm brewing up a cup right now as I type.

What's my favorite way to have hot chocolate?

#1 with a pinch of cinnamon added

#2 stirring in a candy cane

I don't do coffee.

Occasionally I do hot tea.

So this is my "hot" indulgence.

No sissy cup either.

Has to be a mighty mug I can wrap my hands around.

I have to keep a spoon in it at all times to stir the goodness around before I sip.

And I have to come up with a cocoa mustache.

Mmm delish...

signs of snow

{PsotD 12.28.09}

simple at $6.50

I was {crazily} out shopping for after Christmas sales and came upon this. It was only $6.50 at Wally. I had to have it. I was so excited to put it in my cart. Art thought I had gone loopy {maybe a little}.

Every year when I put those precious, cherished breakable ornaments away I say a pray that they will make their way back onto my tree the new year.

This container is great. It holds the ball ornaments perfectly. I even added in some of the other breakable ornaments that aren't necessarily round. I wrapped them up in Wal-Mart plastic bags {you know the ones you have a ton of, recycle - reuse} and placed them in the holes. Perrrrrfect!

AND when putting it away with all the other Christmas decor it not only protects but it fits in those small un-used areas we had on the shelves in our basement {Art loved that one!}.

One problem though. I only bought one and now figure that I need 2 more to complete all the ornaments on my tree. Art saw my excitement and said he would run into town and get me two more {even though he looked exhausted}. Although very sweet of him to offer, I told him not to worry, I would get more next year. I had accomplished what I wanted for now, at least with the breakable ornaments.

I love when simple things make our lives simple. Simple at $6.50. Wow!

{btw - they are made by sterilite in case you want one yourself}

christmas day & eve {in reverse}

Christmas Eve and Day in reverse.

Christmas morning, one of the gifts from Mom and Dad.

This is how we found them at 7:30 a.m Christmas morning.
The night before we had asked that they not get up while it was still dark out.
The weather was gray so we think they thought it wasn't time yet.
But you know the magical energy this morning creates.
They were waiting to open their presents, keeping warm under their blankets.
So sweet.

Grace's letter to Santa on Christmas Eve.

Her first handwritten one to him.

It's going in the scrapbook ;).

Christmas Eve after church.
In their new princess pajamas.

Before church, showing off their Christmas aprons from Ms. Ange.

Merry Christmas

Oh star so bright... Heavenly light... You have made this a night to remember.

decorating cookies {CtoC last day #1}

Our last countdown day - decorating cookies for Santa.

In past years we have made Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies, they are Santa's favorite {at least at our house}.

The girls were thrilled to be decorating their own to plate up for Santa.

The kitchen was a mess but what a joy.

Well worth the extra cleaning.

Yes, those are pink sprinkles.

We love pink in our house, even at Christmas.

Plate these up, grab some carrots and we are ready for Santa to arrive.

{Oh and Ange, they're wearing their new aprons. Love them, love you! Thanks!}

ppn

Tonight was a paper plate night. No dishes for me. These are festive and fit the bill perfectly. I think tomorrow night will be another PPN. Keeps me out of the kitchen, enjoying the moment.

Merry Christmas!

{12.23.09 PotD}

mouse, cat, dora & hello kitty {CtoC days 4, 3 & 2}

Since I am behind I thought I'd throw them all out here at the same time. I have a sick hubby at home with a flu bug, praying the girls and I won't get it as well. I slept with Grace last night, was slapped repeatedly in the night by her right hand. That should tell you the state I am in today. Christmas is coming no matter what else is going on. We are counting it down and ready.

Day #4

We love these books and now have the whole series.

Cat and Mouse joined our family too.

Day #3

Dora washcloths.

The ones from the dollar store that are wrapped up tight and grow when you put them in the water

Day #2

Hello Kitty marker boards.

Already used.

{Log, Jesus, God & Santa}

1 day left!

lights {CtoC day #5}

We drove through our local light show tonight.

Art was at the camera helm this time.

Good shots babe!

We want this nativity in our yard :-).

my jewell

Today was church.

Today this one wore her new Christmas outfit.

She loves her Mom's jewellery.

So I shared today.

She wore a necklace her Daddy had given me a long time ago when we were dating.

She loves that it is a locket and was proud to wear it.

She promised to take care of it and she did.

See the sparkle in her eyes?

I love sharing.

botanical gardens {CtoC day #6 part 2}

Another part of day #6 to our countdown was meeting up with my parents at the botanical gardens. Art and I hadn't been there in years and this was a first for our girls. We all enjoyed our time and took in the beauty.

Camelias which are in bloom right now.

This was a Christmas tree decorated in different Gourdaments as they called them. I loved it, it not only had gourds but natural things like moss, dried flowers. Beautiful and simple.

My girls on the sleigh in front of the tree.

In the climatron. Amazing, HUGE trees. Made me feel I was in Hawaii even when it was 32 degrees outside.

Christ's thorn. The plant believed to have made the crown of thorns he wore.

The scripture listed on the plaque reads -

"So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, 'Behold the man!'"

- John 19:5

This room is where they have the trains set up for their Christmas display.

The room was filled with poinsettas. Did you know there is an orange variety? I loved it. It is above mixed in with the greens and purples. Just gorgeous.

I wanted to walk out with this wreath.

One of the many trains we saw, this one was carrying some greenery and packages. Again, more orange, I loved how they used it decorating for the holidays. It was vibrant.

Beautiful day inside.

donuts {CtoC day #6 part 1}

Our girls were treated to a stop at our favorite donut shop.

That was surprise #1 for the day.

#2 is coming.

would i have believed?

Over a year ago I lost a dear Uncle.

He was amazing in so many ways.

He had a talent for poetry.

His daughter shared this one tonight on Facebook.

I had to share too.

I miss him.

He brought Joy and laughter to all who knew him.

Would I Have Believed?--by LVH

Almost two thousand years ago, would I have believed?

A little baby for Lord and Savior, would I have received?

With a virgin for a mother, what would be my thought?

Gifts to the Messiah, would I have brought?

With news of the newborn King, would I have traveled far?

With nothing for directions, but a single eastern star?

For a newborn, homeless child, would I have just grieved,

Or in the King of Kings, would I have believed?