2013 Goals

I have mentioned before that I don't do New Year's resolutions. I consider resolutions those things that everyone decides on and promptly forgets within a couple of months. I know it's really just semantics, but I like setting goals for the new year. And my goals will never be to lose X pounds or the typical ones that most people do. I like to set a goal of learning something new, starting a new habit or accomplishing something that's important to me.

This year, I have three goals.

1. Send/give birthday cards to family and friends
2. Make gift bags of various sizes from the holiday fabric that I have and complete this in time for Hanukka 2013. I'd also like to pick up some fabric to make gift bags for birthdays and other occasions.

3. And finally this one that I saw posted on Facebook. I'm going to encourage the Lizard King and Princess to join me in this one. :)

Slippers

Colder weather is here and I keep the thermostat pretty low. We definitely have slipper temps in our house. Princess pulled out her slippers only to find that they no longer fit. Then she remembered the commercial for Stompeez. (Warning: the website has a loud commercial) We found them locally and they were on sale. Bonus!

Princess loves her new slippers!!

Tea Time

It totally works!! You see, I got this beautiful teapot a few years ago. It was a wonderful gift and I love it. The thing is, it doesn't stay hot. Disappointing, I know! I would only use it when sharing tea with a friend. I started searching and searching for teapot warmers only to find mixed reviews and then I'd have to keep buying candles for it. I wanted some way to keep my tea hot so that I could make myself a pot of tea and enjoy the whole pot hot.

I got to thinking . . . what if I choose the smallest burner on the stove and put it on the lowest flame possible? It was a risk, but I thought that if I could put it on a candle why not try this?! And it totally worked. Hot tea for me!

Disclaimer: I offer no guarantee that this will work for you. Attempt at your own risk.

Jump!

We met some friends for some jumping fun! The foam pit was particularly popular.

See! Homeschoolers do know how to line up. ;)

 Princess can't wait to go back!

Lights!

Our decor isn't for Christmas and we don't really do anything on the 25th of December. In fact, LK is working and Princess and I are planning to go to the movies. Still, I thought it would be a good day to share our winter holiday lights with you. LK worked really hard getting all the lights up and installing electrical wiring and timers.

I think he did an amazing job and he has more plans to add on next year. I can't wait to see what he does! Wishing a Merry Christmas to those of you who celebrate it.

That's a Wrap!

In our effort to live more sustainably, we use fabric and fabric ribbon for our gift wrap. My hope is to eventually make gift bags of a variety of sizes. It will certainly make gift wrapping easier, as fabric wrapping can be more challenging than paper.

My sewing machine is in working order again. Now I just need a space to work. I think I will set a goal to make all the bags by November 2013. Ooh...sounds like my new year's goals are growing! I've got 2 things on my list now.

1. Send out cards for birthdays.
2. Make gift bags in time for next Hanukka.

I wonder if any more will pop up between now and the new year . . .

And a big thank you to Mom-mom and Poppo for this gift. As you can tell, Princess was very excited to receive it.

Peter Pan

Our most recent homeschool field trip was the Northwest Children's Theater to see their production of Peter Pan. It was a fabulous show that both Princess and I loved. The lead was fantastic with an amazing voice. Here's a little trailer, sadly, without singing.

Looking forward to next time.

Conversations

I was trying on an old skirt a while back, hoping it would fit. When I realized that it was falling way too low on the hips, I sighed and said something about it being too big.

Princess: Well that's good, Mommy. That way it will fit you for a while.
Me: Uhm, no honey, I'm not growing.
Princess: You're not?
Me: Actually, I'm shrinking. (She hasn't noticed any weight loss at all.)
Princess, with a look of shock and confusion: You're shrinking?!
Me with hand motions: I'm not shrinking this way (motioning vertically), I'm shrinking this way (motioning horizontally).
Princess, with a look of relief: Oh! Well, that's good.

I just love these conversations!

Red Cabbage and Red Beets -- YUM!

I didn't know I liked beets. I didn't know I liked a lot of things until I started on this Paleo journey. I'm finding more and more delicious veggies, some of which I never knew existed.

Here's a super simple side dish, incorporating red beets and red cabbage.

1 head of red cabbage
3 good size red beets
a couple tablespoons virgin coconut oil (smells and tastes coconutty - trust me, it's yummy in this dish)
about a 1/2 tsp ground cloves (or to taste, I really don't measure)
salt to taste

Preheat the oven to 375º. Slice cabbage and dice beets. Toss in a large bowl with melted coconut oil, cloves and salt. Dump it all into a large Pyrex or Anchor Hocking rectangular dish. Cook for 30 minutes stir/toss and cook another 15-30 minutes or until done to your liking.

Enjoy!

Winter Projects

Cool weather brings the Lizard King back inside the house. First on his list was to finish painting the common area (stairs, hall, open space upstairs - the downstairs common area is already done). He continued with our chosen main paint color, as well as painting all the ceilings white.

Interesting angle, I know. ;) I'm sure glad he has a variety of sturdy ladders!

Not that every computer will show the color the same or accurately, but here is the finished product. It is a taupe color and we all love it!

This is the site of the next project. LK will build a built-in wall unit for this wall. I think it's going to look amazing! His work always does.

I can't wait to share the finished product. Oh . . . and there will be crown molding downstairs and upstairs. I love having a live-in handyman!

Lucky Me

This is my daughter.

I get to spend everyday with her. I get to hold and hug and kiss and snuggle and tickle and love her. I get to play and laugh and cry and argue and talk and whisper with her. I get to stay home with her. I get to go out with her. I get to take her places. I get to see the world through her eyes. I get to experience her firsts. I get to experience things with her for the first time, again. I get to be her mom everyday.

I am sad that those moms don't get to do that anymore. My heart breaks for them. My soul cries for them. And I wish there was some way to give them back what has been taken away.

Hanukka 2012

We had an amazing Hanukka celebration this year. I'm so grateful, because it could have been such a disappointment. With the Lizard King out of town for almost the entire holiday, it just wouldn't have been the same celebrating without him. Thank you to my friend, M, for the suggestion to move it. Here's a little collage glimpse at our holiday.

Happy Hanukka!!!

Fibber!

One of Princess' Hanukka gifts was a game called Fibber. We had a lot of fun playing it together

 We certainly all looked quite silly!

We just love board games! It's something fun we can all do together . . . such good times!

Photo Shoot

I haven't sent out holiday cards in years. My family and friends can attest to the fact that I am horrible at sending and giving cards for any occasion. (Sorry!)

I think my new year's resolution is going to be to send cards out to friends and family for birthdays. Now I just need dates and addresses. ;)

Anyway, I decided to start with holiday cards and wanted to do photo cards. I called on my best friend, who also happens to be a wonderful photographer. She came over and did a quick shoot with us and by the evening we had these beautiful shots.

We wish everyone the happiest of times during this holiday season!

More CM Explorations

Princess loves having this Children's Museum membership and we are taking full advantage of it.

We enjoyed a holiday performance by an area high school band.

 Did some face painting . . . a man with a beard and eye makeup.

 And got suited up for some rock climbing.

It was a wonderful time!