Monthly Archives: January 2011

Jan 16

December Favorite Pics

I thought I would share a few of my favorite photos from December. They are pretty random, but they make me happy.

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This is my kitty who is attacking my leg while I’m putting up Christmas decorations. For some reason the very sight of the Christmas tree makes my cat extra spazzy and hyper.

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I love this profile pic of Agnes, she was sitting by the Santa, and the light made the hardwood floor glow red.

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This was my favorite Christmas decoration pic. I took it in the middle of the night in darkness.

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The ice-bow, so very cool, and gone in a flash. I was so surprised to see one like this on a cold day.

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The Blue Heron at Gunn Park. Usually you see this little guy hanging out in a fishing pond, but sadly the pond has been drained, so he is taking refuge in a tall tree.

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The kiddos before we went out to view Christmas lights. I used this one as the Christmas picture for the Grandmas even though they are in their jammies. They look so happy 🙂

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More pictures from Gunn Park. It is one of my very favorite places to photograph, and the kiddos were extra happy on this trip to the park. We were out on the first day of Winter. That usually never happens, but the weather was warm enough for a day at the park.

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I just love their sweet little expressions.

Now on to January, and many more photos coming your way.

Jan 15

Simple Saturday: Setting The Timer

For today’s Simple Saturday I’ll be sharing a little tip that helps me stay motivated to get a few extra chores done around the house. Most days I’ll scribble down a list of chores that I need to get done for the day, and I’m always surprised at just how long that list can get. I have found out that if I have endless time to try and accomplish the chore list, I won’t get much accomplished, but if I set my oven timer I can get a lot done.

I start off by setting my oven timer for 30 minutes, and jump right to my list. I’ll throw in a load of laundry, and get to the dishes. If there is anything that needs soaked in the sink, then I will move upstairs to emptying laundry baskets and tiding up rooms. I’ll make one quick run through the downstairs with me sweeper-vac, and clean up the toys. I’ll empty all of the trash cans, and make a quick run outdoors while the buzzer is dinging.  Time is a great motivator for me.

Setting the timer works great when it is time to de-clutter too…

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Start with 10 minutes and one contractor bag, and see how much you can fill in that amount of time. Then move up to 30-45 minutes and three bags, you will be amazed once that buzzer rings.

Have a fantastic and Simple Saturday, I’m off to wash some dishes and get going on a football feast.

Jan 14

Football Food

With the Packers in the play-offs tomorrow, I’m making my guys a bunch of Football food to snack on during the game. I ran to the store today for all of the supplies, and I am ready to get started.

I’ll be serving:

  • A veggie tray with dip. I’ve got Carrots, Celery, Black Olives, and Broccoli Florets too.
  • Cheese and Crackers, Summer Sausage, and Pepperoni (the little guy’s favorite)
  • Tortilla Chips, Salsa, and Guacamole (that’s my favorite)
  • Little Smokies I make mine in the mini-crock pot smothered with BBQ sauce
  • Maybe a few desserts too

It looks like the game is going to be on late too, so we’ll just enjoy these tasty snacks for dinner. Fun meal for the kiddos, and extra easy for me.

So what are a few of your favorite Football foods? Feel free to share some recipes too, I just might add them to our line-up. Have a great weekend, and go Packers!

Jan 13

Waiting It Out

Sometimes we have to leave a little extra early to go and get Thade from school, and the wait can be a bit much for the little ones. I always pack along my camera, and posing for pictures while stuck waiting usually puts a big smile on Dylan’s face.

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The Little Miss will even smirk a bit, she is really tired of being stuck in her car-seat at this point.

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We always listen to music, right now the kids like Big Time Rush the best. I also have a bin of toys and books for the kids to play with too. I bring along a book, or magazine to read, and clean out my diaper bag.

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When the weather is like this we just have to wait, and be patient.

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I’m hoping for an early spring though…

Jan 12

Just Keeping Up

School was back in session today, and how I wish they had canceled it. By the time that we were heading out the door it was a -11 wind chill outdoors. It took me an extra long time to take my big kid to school, and then an even longer trip to Dylan’s school, which turned out to be closed for the day. Dylan was sad, but luckily Dad’s store wasn’t too far away so we popped in to say hi.

After yesterday’s snow day I have a lot to catch up on around here, and I did something not so smart. I forgot to drip the faucet in the kitchen last night, and froze a pipe… Well the dishes will just have to wait until that pipe finally decides to thaw. I’ll be better about remembering to do that task tonight.

This month the count down is on too for a certain somebody’s birthday…

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Thade’s birthday is the end of the month, and he is already planning a big party for it. He wants a Harry Potter themed party, and my mind is spinning with ideas. I think it is going to be fun, and really noisy with all of his little buddies running around the house.

Well I should get to it. I hear the little miss up from her nap (already). Time to plan lunch too, back to it, the running around and keeping house never ends around here.