The Calm Before the Storm

Tomorrow is the Great Cookie Bake Off 2007 at Big Sis' house. Boo is so very excited to decorate cookies, dip pretzels and get down and dirty. We are for sure making these, these and maybe these. These will wait until later in the month since they don't seem to freeze as well as the others.
With the excitement of cookie baking, comes the worry of our first big snow fall of the season. (and if you look, notice how it is going to feel like 6 degrees all day long!!!) We live in Minnesota...snow happens...a lot. But it has been a couple years since we have had a major snow fall in the Twin Cities before Christmas. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait! Snuggle up in the house, make some chicken noodle soup and watch it fall.
But it happens to be coming on cookie baking day, and there are no excuses for missing cookie baking. So, tomorrow morning Boo and I will be picking up one of our family friends and heading off to bake the day away. Hopefully the snow will hold a little until after that.
We also have a birthday party for one of my besties little girls. I don't want to miss that either, and neither does Boo since it is at her favorite place in the world!!
Please snow...wait until 6 to get really bad. PLEASE!!

Tagged!

I was tagged yesterday by two wonderful bloggers, The Queen B and If Mom Says Ok. And since I am in an OE zone over the next couple of days, this is about all I have creatively!

Here are 7 random things about me!

1) I have been on a recent kick of listening to Poison...don't know why. Never really liked them before, but now I can't get enough.

2) I can't stand people that use their feet to flush the public toilet. Get a piece of TP if you are concerned! A person steps in more things everyday than they even think about. Just think about walking across that bathroom floor! Or to really gross people out, how about walking accross the parking lot, where birds happily do some business! Now someone who isn't paranoid is going to get those nasty germs from your feet!

3) I have had a cold for 3 of the 4 weeks in November. I have bought kleenex three times, sudafed twice, vaseline once, and bleach wipes four times.

4) I have an addiction to Dancing With the Stars, and was disappointed that a guy won it again. Almost as disappointed as when Sabrina was voted off.

5) When we went to Vegas in June, I was not allowed any where near the poker tables. I am the type of person that would go all in on a pair of twos, and that alone gives my hubby panic attacks!
6) I love peanut butter sandwhiches. When I am sick that is my main comfort food. I don't know if it is something from being young or what, but they are soooo good! When I was pregnant with Boo I couldn't eat them, and that was hard. Peanut Butter would give me the WORST heart burn.

7) I don't sleep good at night with Hubby at work. Since May I haven't had a really good nights sleep. I miss it. I miss him more.

I tag who ever wants to so this. Most have done it in the past few weeks, so it is hard to pick!

Again..REALLY!!!!

How is it that I am still on meds for my nasty long lasting ear infection, and I get ANOTHER cold! Who does that happen too...besides me. I have scrubbed my house. No handle and door knob has been safe. I even bleached my keyboard at home and work!
And...this means that I can't go see MJ this week...at ALL! No colds is NICU! Man oh man

Great Cookie Bake off 2007 Week 4

The final week is here. The Great Cookie Bake Off 2007 is coming to an end. We are going to end this fun time with a long time favorite. Peanut Butter Blossoms are a cookie we make every year. The kids love to push the kisses into the cookie and eat them while they melt away. We use the Betty Crocker Recipe most often at my house, at Sister's house we make them from scratch. Here is the Betty Crocker recipe, it is super easy, and so good.

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) peanut butter cookie mix
1 tablespoon water
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 egg
Sugar 3
Hershey®'s Kisses® milk chocolates, unwrapped

Heat oven to 375°F. In medium bowl, stir cookie mix, water, oil and egg until dough forms.

Shape dough into thirty-six 1-inch balls; roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Immediately press 1 chocolate in center of each cookie.

Remove from cookie sheets.

Cool completely, about 20 minutes.

Don't those sound great! I can taste them now! You can also decorate the Kisses with sprinkles and gels. It is a fun cookie for the kids, and a favorite all around!

Thankful

It is the day after Thanksgiving. The Turkey Coma's have ended. The left overs are put away until lunch time, the planning of the next month has begun.

On this day after, I have thought of the year that has gone by so quickly. It seems that Christmas was just here, and that we were planning how to spend the New Year. My babies were just turning 5 and 10, and we were only beginning to plan our trip to Las Vegas.

Now, my babies are almost 6 and 11, my New Year will be quiet with just me and Boo home since Hubby has to work. We are planning Christmas again, and striving to make it the best there ever was.

But, as I think of the year, I realize it is full of many firsts. Both good and bad. I have four friends going through things I have never had to deal with before. I am thankful all four are safe or healing, even with more surgeries and hospital stays to come.

Of all the problems that affect our daily lives, these four have taught me the most, and for that I am grateful. You never know when something major will affect your life, and that makes me want to take each day as it comes, and make the most of it. While that isn't always easy, and there are days I want to hide under my pillow, I have worked to make this goal a reality.

I am so thankful for the friends and family that I have, even the tumultuous relationships they can sometimes be. This year I have reconnected with so many people, friends from school, friends from very few years ago that have just drifted away, and my bestest friend from high school. It is definitly a year to give major thanks. For health and happiness.

Yesterday, on Thanksgiving Day we had a new addition join our friends lives. While very early, MJ was born 1 lb, 9 oz and doing very well. It will be a long road, for both mom and baby, but they are here, and everyone is ecstatic. Keep them in your prayers, and we can all use prayers during times of need.

I hope you all enjoyed your holiday, or are still enjoying the wonderful weekend. May the coming weeks bring you even more joy.

Have a Great Turkey Day Everyone!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Enjoy your day. Remember to count your blessings!

21 Day Complaint Free Challenge

Yesterday in our monthly sales meeting, our VP told us about his goal of making it 21 days complaint free. He had just finished reading this book and was amazed. He has been working on this, and it has made a huge impact on his life at work and home. His wife has even noticed a change, and now that he has told us, we have noticed as well.

So he challenged us to go 21 days complaint free. That means you work to go one day at a time complaint free. Every time you complaint, gossip or criticizing you move your bracelet from one are to the other. When you hear someone else complain, you can point it out, but you first must move your bracelet from one arm to the other. Lives have been changed by this, and the pastor that created this method has been on The Today Show, and Oprah talking about this, and how it has changed lives.

So I am wearing my bracelet, during the worst time of year at work. I am working hard to curb my complaining, but have had to change the arm...a lot. I had a rough time.

However, there are things to remember
“Complaining is not to be confused with informing someone of a mistake or deficiency so that it can be put right. And to refrain from complaining doesn’t necessarily mean putting up with bad quality or behavior. There is no ego in telling the waiter your soup is cold and needs to be heated up—if you stick to the facts, which are always neutral. ‘How dare you serve me cold soup…?’ That’s complaining.”—Eckhart Tolle, “A New Earth”

Can you take the challenge?

Great Cookie Bake Off 2007 Week 3

This week is a fabulous week. Peppermint Bark is one my favorites, and I thank my lucky stars that Andrea showed me how to make it last year. It is very simple, and so much fun. If you are having a rough day, it is the perfect time to smash some candy canes!

Peppermint Bark
(now I am doing this from memory...)

1 bag while chocolate chips
1 bag regular chocolate chips
2 cups chopped up candy canes (about 1 box or so)
Foil and a cookie sheet

• Line a regular sized cookie sheet (with edges) with tin foil
• Chop/pound/mash your two cups of candy canes. Hammers work if you don't have a kitchen mallet. Put it in a zip lock bag, cover with a towel and pound away. Don't' break to small though, since you want some chunks.
• Slowly melt the regular chocolate chips. The microwave works really well since you can do 30 seconds at a time, then down to 15 seconds.
• Spread the chocolate on the tin foil in a thin layer, but thick enough to cover the tin foil. Leave a small area around the edge to get the foil up.
• Melt the white chocolate chips in the same way as above. Be extra careful with these since they can burn easily.
• Spread the white chocolate on top of the regular chocolate. Be careful not to mix as much as you can. Some will happen no matter what you do.
• Sprinkle the candy cane pieces on top of the white chocolate, covering the entire cookie sheet. You want to cover it all so that the peppermint flavor is even throughout.
• Cover with another pieces of tin foil, forming it to the pan.
• Press lightly on the foil to push the peppermint into the chocolate more. This may poke little holes in the foil, that is fine.
• Refrigerate for about an hour for the best firmness.
• Break apart by picking up a corner of the foil and snapping little pieces. You can also cut with a knife, but this makes each piece more unique.
• Store in an airtight container. I refrigerate mine. It helps keep the chocolate in the right spots.

My co-workers flipped for this stuff last year, and are already asking me when I am making it again. It is a favorite all around. Enjoy!

Could she be more dramatic?

Boo has turned into quite a perfectionist over the past few weeks. If she doesn't get a move at dance, she pouts. Misses pins at bowling, pouts (and this happens a lot since it is her first year and she tries to rocket launch the ball down the lane.) When she can't sound out a word for a fun homework project, FREAKS OUT!!

Me: What letter makes a "lllllll" sound? (imagine the rolling of the tongue on this one)

Boo: Y?

Me: Try again, "lllllllll"

Boo: M?

Me: One more time, then I will give you a hint "llllllll"

Boo: I don't know...(water works begin)

Me: Honey it is okay, want a hint?

Boo: No, I just messed it all up (more tears)

Me: Honey everyone who is learning messes up, Mommy messes up too, all the time.

Boo: (and here is the kicker) But not 867 times!!! (tears, sniffles and hiccups ensue)

Where did she get that number?

The Lion King

How do you describe something that was so amazing words do not do it justice. I will do my best, but remember, it was so much more than I could ever say.


Saturday night my sister and I saw The Lion King. It was the most amazing show I have ever seen. The pictures do not do it justice, by any means.


Let's start with the costumes...oh my. Big Sis and I were sitting in our seats, watching Rafiki do his thing, when we heard gasps (well she here's, still can't hear on that side). She turned, and I got "OMG, Kellyn". I turn and there in an Elephant walking down the aisle. Not a real one, but one that had 5 people side it working it's way down the aisle and up the stairs. Talk about amazing. There was so much more coming down, and they kept coming and coming! Zebras, Gazelles and Leopards. It was amazing.

Scar and Mufasa were amazing. The way that they had to hold their heads to keep the masks stable, and they back pieces they wore showed how hard they worked. Mufasa even sounded like James Earl Jones, and that is a great addition. Scar sounded more like David Bowie from Labyrinth, but he was the greatest bad guy ever! I got a shirt that has his face on it, with the caption "I am surrounded by idiots"

My other favorite part were the Giraffes. They had one person on stilts, both hands and feet. They spend the entire opening number hunched over in a position that can't be comfortable. That kind of endurance is incredible.

Timon, Pumba and Zazu were fabulous! They were so great at their characters, and so in tune with what it needed. Pumba was spot on, and Zazu couldn't have been better. For Timon the actor had cables going from his head to the puppet's head. When ever he moved his head, the puppets moved as well. It worked perfectly.

Even the Hyenas were spectacular. The only one I didn't like was Ed, he wasn't any where near as goofy as in the movie, but was great in the way he was played.
During the "Be Prepared" song, the dancing was incredible. They were jumping so high, and with such grace. It was wonderful to watch.

The story was very similar to the movie, with extras. There were a couple new songs, some new lines, but it followed very closely. There were even more comedic parts that were perfect for the show.

The songs were great. They added the new one from the re-release from the movie "Morning Report" and one for after Simba sees his father in the clouds. They fit in perfectly.

The show was incredible. I had chills throughout the show, and when I think of some of the points, I get them all over again.

Hunh????

So I still can't hear out of my left ear. The antibiotics were not my friend, so they went out the window so to speak. Back to the clinic we go.

All day at work I have to keep saying "Hunh???" because I can't hear my sales people talking to me. They think that it is funny, and whisper to talk around me. Ha-ha guys!

So excited!!

Today I found out some great news. A friend from work is back from Iraq! He is in the National Guard and just did a tour. I am so excited to see him! He is back in the office on Monday.
One of the guys are work told me it is going to be like a "Turk and JD Reunion" come Monday. Something, a little like this...

I didn't realize...

Last night was Wendy's night for Boo's school. She begged to go, since they do games and giveaways. Fine. So I took her off to Wendy's, and let the Hubby get some much needed extra sleep.

When we walked in the door, I was AMAZED at the amount of people that were there, and so early. It was barely 5:30 when we got there. It was great to see the support for the school.

What really amazed me was a bunch of 5th or 6th graders walking around with baby carriers.

Did you gasp a little?

I did too at first, but it was their homework! They had "Sugar Babies" for a period of time, and they had to care for it like a real baby. Bags of sugar dressed up like babies. These kids were carting them EVERYWHERE! I was amazed. Some kids had even added heads to the bags of sugar! They all had clothes on, blankets and more. It was amazing. I wanted to ask the principal what grade and more details, but it was so busy.

I didn't know that schools still did this sort of thing, but was glad that our school does. We did blown out eggs in Jr. High, but wow. I couldn't imagine carting around a bag of sugar.

Do any of yours still do this assignment?

Great Cookie Bake Off 2007 Week 2

Here we are again. Even in all my sickness I have been waiting to put this recipe out for you all! It is one of my favorites, so easy and the kids can help! That is always huge in my house, if they kids can't help why make it?

Almost Instant Buckeyes

Ingredients:
1 (10 oz.) pkg peanut butter chips
1 (16 oz) can Pillsburgy Creamy Supreme Vanilla Frosting
1 (12 oz) pkg light cocoa candy melts or coating wafers (or chocolate almond
bark)

Directions:

1. Line cookie sheets with waxed paper. Melt peanut putter chips in medium saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in frosting. Let stand about 30 minutes or until cool enough to handle.

2. Roll mixture into 1-inch balls. Place on waxed paper-lined cookie sheet.
Refrigerate 15 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, melt candy melts as directed on package.

4. To coat each ball with candy, pierce ball with toothpick; dip in melted candy leaving small are around toothpick uncoated. Place dipped ball on waxed paper-line cookie sheet, pushing the candy off the toothpick with the tines of a fork. (If desired, smooth toothpick mark with finger.)

If melted candy sets up while dipping, rewarm in microwave on LOW power. Let stand 5 minutes or until set. Putting in the fridge sets quicker.

Makes 6 dozen Buckeyes.

These are very rich, so be careful eating to many! Keep them refrigerated for longer life.

Enjoy!!!!

blah

I am still sick.

I was right though, ear infection in both ears. You would think I would have grown out of this, but of course not. It is so much fun too. I still can't hear out of my left ear, it will take a couple more days I think before that starts to feel better. The pain is what drives me nuts though.

My main problems is not being able to snuggle up with Boo and Hubby. That always makes me feel better, and I don't even get to do that in fear of getting them both sick right before Thanksgiving. We have lots to do that weekend, so no sickness for the fam if I can help it. Bleaching door knobs (again) here I come!

Yes I am whining, I don't do it often, so cut me some slack on that one.

Since I just hit my 200th post...

60 Things about me---

1- I am the middle of three kids. 2- I have three aunts that are nuns, including my Godmother. 3- I love being a step-mom, one of the two greatest gifts my husband ever gave me. 4- Being a mom to Boo is the other greatest gift. 5- Until recently, there was only one person I purposely talked to from high school, and she is the greatest friend you could ever want. 6- I have recently been inclined to read more on abusive relationships, wanting to know more of the signs and what I can do. I never want to miss something again. 7- I had a cat for almost 16 years, and I still see her when I get up in the morning. I miss her. 8- My children have had loss this year, and have grown so much from it. 9- I never thought I would fish, but now can't wait to go out with my husband and kids. I even bait and take fish off my own hook. 10- My sister is my best friend. I can't imagine what things would be like without her.11- I love watching Boo go through the days of dance, but don't wish the competitions on her at all. 12- I have broken both of my thumbs, my right one twice. 13- I broke my left thumb dancing 4 days before a major competition and then danced with my cast on. 14 - I have had 9 surgeries. Most recently my knee three years ago.15 - I am very clumsy, fall into cars and walk into things all the time (see 12 and 13). Wonder where Boo gets it... 16- Hearing the song "Regulator" makes me giggle and run to call my sister. We can still sing all the words. 17- My husband is the greatest father I have ever known. 18- I am a firm believer that duct tape or a hot glue gun can fix anything. 19- I could spend hours in a bookstore, and never run out of things to look at. I have passed that down to my kids. 20- I went to an Arts High School my Jr and Sr year. No it wasn't like FAME at all. 21- I love frogs. They are just so cute, and remind me of a friend lost to liver failure. 22- I love going to the cabin and to Iowa, but can't stand being further than 10 minutes from a store. 23- I met my husband in a bar formally called Rodeo. I watched him dance for a month before finally talking to him. 24- I can still watch my husband dance and everything else fades. 25- I couldn't stand my sister growing up. It took her going to college to realize how fabulous she is. She is now my best friend. 26- Everytime I hear "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" by John Denver I have flash backs to horse camp. That song woke us up every morning. 27- I have been in love three times, head my heart broken twice and found my husband. Third times a charm! 28- I love to dance, and do regulary with my kids. 29- I took dance class for 17 years, danced at high school and participated in competitive dance. 30- I met one of my best friends in dance class when I was 14. 31- I go in spurts about what kind of music I want to listen too. There are times all I want is a little Bon Jovi or Poison 32- From the ages of 14-18 I went to 6 churches trying to find my place. After the last one, I stopped trying. Now we go when there are weddings, funerals or are in Iowa. 33- Hubby's Grandma scares me, but I love her so much. 34 - I love Target. I could live in Target. Boo gets giddy when I talk about Target. 35 - Right now I have 6 blog posts working in my head, hopefully they will come out soon. 36 - When I get down, I sit and work on the family scrapbooks. It helps to remember all the happiness, then I am not down anymore. 37 - I wish I could make cards like others can. I do not have the patience to make everything just right.3 8 - I am a better mother when I go to work, and stay at home mom's are my heros! I have a friend that is a stay at home mom, volunters in child's class room once a week, while working with her other special needs child everyday at home. 39- I am so much more comfortable in track pants and a t-shirt than anything else. I don't like wearing nice clothes to work, it is a pain to me. Give me a ponytail and comfy clothes, I am happy. 40- I am a major homebody! I love to sit at home, read, play with the kids and relax. It takes a lot for me to get up and go out with friends, as they will attest too. 41- I am a major slob. Growing up my room was always a mess, and now...at 28...it is still a mess. 42- My desk is the same way...all the time. 43- I love my family, even when they drive me nuts. Which does happen a lot, even as grown ups. 44- I have been prone to ear infections since I was 3 months old. I have had 8 sets of tubes, one as an adult. 45- I am not a religious person. I believe, but show in my own way. Faith is much different than religion. 46- I believe in ghost and spirits. Have experienced what I feel is them and it shook me to my core.47- I played Fastpitch softball growing up, and loved being on the pitcher's mound, even though I was scared of the ball. 48- I had my nose and thumb broken playing softball, hense 47. 49- I choreographed my first and last dance piece at the age of 17. It still gives me goose bumps to see it now. 50- I do not get along with many women. I have always been more comfortable around guys. Being a tomboy growing up helped little I am sure. 51- I have seen Phantom of the Opera, A Chorus Line, Les Miserable,The Lion King and Rent on stage. I have cried through most of them, they are so amazing on stage. 52- I have to be in control. I have issues with not being in control of where things are going, and that can lead to problems. 53- I bowled on a league growing up, until I was 19. 54- I won a $500 scholarship when I 12 for bowling. My coach is now Boo and Hunter's coach at the same bowling alley. 55- I am left handed, along with my mom. I hope Boo would be too…no luck. 56- I hate doing the dishes. I would rather let them sit. 57- I love NASCAR. It is a new addiction. 58- My summer is best when Viking’s training camp starts. 59- I jump for joy whenever Boo stands up for herself. She is so strong. 60- I have nothing else…my brain is gone. All you get is 60.

Christmas Shopping Carnival

Family...avert your eyes...don't be a party pooper!!

There are only 6 weeks left until Christmas. There are so many things going on until then, that I can use all the help I can get. Yes, I have some of my shopping done. I am doing as much online as I can, because I don't have time to run from store to store. So really, I have 3 weeks! Plus, in that time we have dance, school, work and a long lost friend in town from Thailand. Can we say excitement!! Woohooo!!!!

So, in the spirit of giving, Melanie over at Don't Try This at Home is hosting a Christmas Shopping Carnival. I am so excited about this that I have been making lists of everything I am searching for, where I am getting it and other ideas I have had. Let's get this show on the road!
Each of my kids is getting books, they love books! They love reading, which makes me so happy, since I am a book addict myself. So, Hunter is getting this one, and Boo this one...and I am sure so much more since we have a book sale here and work today and the book fair at school this week too.
Plus, each will get a game for the Wii, there are so many to choose from I haven't decided yet. But, they each have wish lists, that include this and this. We shall see...
Webkinz have been brought up by Boo, but we shall see. What she has been begging me for for months is this CD...and no one better tell her it is on top of the fridge out of her sight! Hunter has begged for this one ever since the first song came out. Easy enough little man!
Clothes are always on the list. PJ's are a tradition I started when I first met Hunter, and it has continued with Boo. They love the winter fleece they get, and it is so warm in the cold barons of MN.
Remember me talking about the Target lists, well this is a favorite of mine that is on Hunter's list. If family doesn't buy them, I am going too. There is a favorite for Boo too, especially since she is my crafty girl. This is the coolest things ever! I am so excited about it. She loves to draw, so this will be a good one for her.
I spend a lot of time trying to find the perfect gift for people. There are a couple I have found on Ebay, and they shall remain with me since I know certain people will read to find out what they are getting. But, Little Man nephew is getting some toys, that is for sure. Waiting for confirmation from my Brother, but the favorite leading the pack is this one. It is so fun! And he will have a blast banging away!
There are photo calendars and personalized picture frames from Personal Creations on their way, and even some fabulous things from Lakeside Collection. I love online shopping!!
Be sure to check out the list of everyone who has joined in the fun for this Christmas Shopping Carnival over at Don't Try this at Home!

With all the colds and other bugs going around, I was quite proud that I hadn't gotten anything.

Until now.

I can no longer hear out of my left ear, and the right ear is going slowly. I have the worst congestion EVER going on in my head. It is not fun, and it needs to go away. I have a long history of ear things, so I am off to the clinic in the morning since I know that I have an ear infection already. Don't ask me how...I just know.

Hunter is here this weekend, so everyone hope really really hard that he doesn't get it...it would not be appreciated by anyone.

We have a decision!

Today T decided on what his nickname should be...Hunter. Which makes me laugh as he decided that they were walking out the door to go Pheasant hunting this afternoon.

So now we have Boo and Hunter...good choices I think.

Be aware

As much as I love Craigslist, this story shook our community to it's core. It made national headlines, and we still don't know the answer to the main question, Why?

A 24 year old college graduate answered a Craigslist ad for a nanny position. When she went to meet the alleged family, she was murdered in the local park. That same night we were driving home, directly by the park and couldn't figure out why there were police helicopters all over the place. We soon found out.

I have a couple of friends that have searched for Nanny jobs on craigslist, and fellow parent who answered that same ad. It is hard to think it could be someone we all know.

Be safe when answering ads, for anything. Be cautious when seeking a product from an online advertisement. Check references if you can, and don't go pick up/deliver on your own. There are way to many risks involved.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family as they go through this very hard time.

So proud

My husband has this issue, a dental one, that has been long running and sometimes painful. We haven't taken care of it due to financial issues. It is not fun, and I feel so bad for him. Well, when his company got bought out this past year, he got new dental insurance. Today we had our first of many appointments, and got the ball rolling. Now we are waiting for another dentist to call us back for an appointment. Hopefully in the next few weeks or so.
*update: we take the next step December 10th...hope it goes as planned!*

I am very proud of how Hubby handled today. It is not easy for him to go through this, and he was a real trooper. I know...he is not 5, but he has a major fear of dentists and needles, so this was a huge deal. He was disappointed that he didn't get a sucker though...from the dentist. Hmmm...may need to think on that in the future!

I love the hubby...

At 7:45 am:

"Kellyn...get up" in the screaming panic voice he has

"Whazzit...who...why?" In my delirious so tired wake up voice

"Boo has school, what are you doing?*#&$ %@^ (choice words there...)" As he starts to seriously run into Boo's room. crap

"Honey...late start today...remember?" As I rub the exhaustion out of my eyes. Listening to your kid cough all night can take it out of you. I stop him from waking the icky feeling Boo

"Well, why didn't you remind me...I panicked a little"

A little?

Did I mention that I love my hubby...

Christmas Shopping

Where are you in your holiday shopping? I have a small amount done, not much at all. I have a list going, and next week will do a bunch of the shopping, all online if I can help it! It is so much easier, and so much fun. Plus, if I go through Mypoints, I get points for my shopping, which will get me in the end more shopping! Can't beat that!
Normally I am finishing shopping Christmas Eve, but this year I am trying to spread it out, and get it done before so that I can relax a little bit before the holidays.
On November 12th, there will be a Christmas List Carnival over at Chili's. There you will find ideas for gifts for everyone! Everyone will be contributing ideas that they have, with links if it appies. There will even be ideas for home made gifts. I can't wait to check it out, and participate!

The date has been set

For what you ask? For the Great Cookie Bake Off 2007! Almost every year my sister and I have a day where we make cookies, bars, pretzels and oh so much more. Big Sis even makes Biscotti!! It is so good with hot chocolate that I can't even begin to describe it.
In just over three weeks we will converge upon Big Sis and Brother-in-Law and bake the day away. I can't wait for Buckeyes, Peanut Butter Blossoms, Peppermint Bark and chocolate dipped pretzels!

In the spirit of the Great Cookie Bake Off 2007 I thought that once a week I would post a fabulous recipe for easy but delicious treats. These are time tested and have been kid approved! Today we are starting simple, these don't even have a real name that I have found. I heard about these from a girl at work, and fell in love with the simplicity and the sweet/salty combinations.

All you need is:
Small pretzels, shapes are okay (they have Christmas Tree shapes this time of year)
1 bag Hershey's Kisses or Hugs unwrapped (regular size, not the minis)
1 bag of M&M's (I get whatever colors are seasonal if making for the holidays)

• Preheat your oven to the lowest possible setting. Mine is 200 or so. No higher or you will burn the chocolate, and that would be just wrong.
• Lay out one layer of pretzels on a cookie sheet. You may want to line the cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper to avoid a melty mess.
• On each pretzel place one unwrapped Hershey's Kiss/Hugs. Place it as close to center as you can.
• Put in the oven. This only takes between 3-7 minutes, don't over cook. I have found that when the Hershey's Kiss/Hug gets shiny it is done. Watch these carefully.
• Take out of the oven
• On top of each Hershey's Kiss/Hugs place a M&M, pushing down to spread out the chocolate. It will form around the M&M and sink into the pretzel's cracks and holes.
• Allow to cool for at least 30 minutes. If you have cooked them on foil or parchment paper you can pull it off the pan to cool. Putting them in the fridge will help to set them faster.
• Once cool you can store like anything else!

These are so good, and so easy. My kids make these almost on their own, and can eat a ton of them. It is true that salty and sweet is a great combination.

Next week I will have another great recipe. Stay tuned!

One more reason to love Target!

I make it no secret that I LOVE Target. Love it, as in could spend all day there, move in and make it my home. Love Target.

Most people register at Target when they get married or have baby. Well, you can now register for your wish list! I was looking around on the Target site and saw "Target Lists", and was amazed. You can add anything online or in the store. You can go around with the little radar thing and scan things into your wish list, for you or your kids. You can search by the childs name, or the parents name, and print it both in the store and at home. We just got back from Target, and it worked great. It shows everything on the list, and if you can get it online only, at the store or both.

I started Christmas lists for my kids since there are so many family memeber asking me what the kids want for Christmas, now I can send them to Target and they can get the list there. It is such a great idea, and I am so excited to test it out this holiday season!

We have a winner!

I first want to thank everyone who entered in for the scrapbook paper and stickers. There were so many comments I still can't believe it.
We do have a winner, and it is Daddys Chicks! Contact info is on the way!
Stay tuned, there may be more giveaways in the future. This was just so much fun!
Check out Bloggy Giveaways for a list of the all the winners.

It's Fall Y'all!!

This contest is now closed. Stay tuned for the winner!

** This post will be sticky all week. Scroll down for more Fritzfacts!**



The time has come! Rocks in My Dryer is hosting another bloggy giveaway. This time I am diving in!

For your commenting pleasure, I will be giving away a hodge-podge of scrapbooking paper! In the bundle there is a ton of colors, a few patterns and even some stickers and page ideas. Most of the pages are 8 1/2 x11, but there are some smaller pages, along with some tiny sizes.



Here are the rules. Leave a comment, and make sure that you are linked up to your blog, or leave your e-mail address. You do not have to have a blog to participate, but you do need to leave the e-mail. Friday night I will close the comments and randomly draw one person, and they will get the all the goodies! I will link it to Mr. Linky on the bloggy giveaway site, and also e-mail the winner for their information.





Only one comment per person. Double comments will be deleted.

This is for US residents only, sorry. I can not ship internationally.

Check out Shannon's links to all the other giveaways, and have a ball! I know I will...