Half-Baked in a Freeezer Carton!

Browsing through the local grocery, looking for a bit of sweet treat for dessert, and look what I came across! An ice cream by Ben and Jerry called "Half-Baked"!! So, of course, I had to buy it, if nothing else for the photos and posting here on the blog. But, it ended up being very, very yummy.....chocolate with chunks of brownie and cookie dough....Unbaked! This is definitely my new favorite ice cream though ice cream is something that I like only occasionally. So, it appears that "Half-Baked and Firefly Free" has its very own treat....now, I wonder if they have a firefly-flavored variety? :)

Studio N, a work in process.

You might recall the picture on the bottom from one of my very first posts......I was talking about how because of our frequent moves in the past 4 years, it never seems that my scrap room is organized and functional. This obviously makes creative work very difficult, as I could never find what I needed, let alone have a clean workspace in which to create. Well... VOILA! I have worked long and hard to try to create my dream studio within the confines of our current available space, and this is my work in progress in the middle photo. Yes, the room still doubles as our guest rooms, but it is becoming a studio that is very functional. The star of the room is my new Project Desk and Stools from Pier One... as you can see from the top photo, it is a large workspace with shelves on each end to house so many tools, jars of embellishments, and baskets of goodies. I still am working on organizing all of the tiny little treasures that come along with this awesome art, so I will be sure to post as I work. I also have some really cool black transfer letters from Making Memories that I am going to use to put a quote on the wall about the closets.....I'm thinking about "Scrap. Play. Live. {Be Your Art.}. What do you think? And the color on the wallls......a sunny apricot-ish color that just reminds me of sun, and fresh fruit, and the beach, and Mexico, and smiling, and just being nurtured. The color makes me so happy, especially when paired with the bright jewel tones in my quilt, throw, and wall hangings. The color scheme even makes the yucky green-ish carpet look like it was meant to be! It is a space that I want to be in, one that makes me want to create.

This room relates to my third 2007 goal, which is related to my love and passion for scrapbook art. This year, I want to get "Studio N" organized and fully functional. I am also setting the goal of completing at least one 2-page spread per week. and to use at least one product on my pages from my existing stash of goods.....I have so many cool embellishments that I had forgotten about, and while it is always fun to head to the scrapbook store and stock up on all the newest embellishments and gadgets, I also really want to put the awesome stuff that I have to good use. Finally, I want to seek to be published this year. I have been encouraged by so many to submit for publication, but I have never prioritized it. This year, I will be entering the Hall of Fame contest for the first time, and also plan to seek other publication through the year. So, I guess we shall see what the response is......who knows, maybe this year could be the start of a new dream career for me??

A Glimpse of History.

These pictures might suggest that I was stuck in the city's worst traffic jam today.....which I was, but this time, it was completely on purpose. Today, I had the distinct honor and opportunity to be a part of history in the making. President Gerald R. Ford "came home" to Grand Rapids today, where his funeral and burial will take place tomorrow. Many gathered along the route from the airport to his presidential museum to pay final respects to he and his family. Myself and a colleague waited outside near the highway for nearly 2 hours, only to learn that the presidential plan and motorcade were significantly delayed; so, we left that area. But, I was not to be deterred and really wanted to experience this historical event in the making. I drove toward the airport and was fortunate to drive up just in time to be stopped by the police blockade.....only 5 cars back from where the motorcade passed. So, I was able to see the events and to honor President Ford for his years of service to our country and our city. Truthfully, I was flooded with emotion, and unexpectedly so.

The 2nd day of January. It definitely feels very strange to be writing "07" but the new year is here to stay. My second "goal" of the year (I have sworn off the word "resolution" as it seems to suggest static as opposed to dynamic and "in process", which I definitely am!) relates to my first (exercise). My second goal for improving my health in 2007 is to revamp my eating habits......eating more fresh veggies, eliminating fried foods, and increasing my water intake are three biggies. I would definitely like to welcome 2008 in much better physical shape than I am in now (no, I am not setting a "pounds lost" goal, but rather focusing on what I will GAIN by making these changes.), and these two goals will put me on the road to reaching that goal. I am currently in the process of collecting some yummy yet healthy recipes, so am looking forward to re-stocking our kitchen and helping my whole family get on-board to healthier eating.

Welcome 2007.

We are getting back from a couple days out of town to celebrate the New Year with our family. It was a new year's welcoming of the best kind--very low-key and relaxed, with lots of good food, laughs, and games. We enjoyed a rousing game of SPOONS resulting in only a few minor injuries (!) as well as multiple games of RACKO, 99, and Quiddler. Fun and relaxing (with the exception of Spoons!). As midnight neared, Kennedy and I realized that we left our party hats and noisemakers--which we use every single year--at home. So, we decided to get creative and use some pots, pans and kitchen utensils to ring in the New Year. Kennedy was all about that! Hayden, well, he didn't quite make it into 2007 awake, but it is amazing that he slept through all the racket! Midnight at our party was filled with the banging of pots and pans, sips of sparkling juice and champagne, the annual New Year's kisses, and, for some, sighs of relief that they could now go off to bed! While some family members retired to bed soon after midnight, I stayed up with my husband, dad and brother-in-law until 2 AM playing Rack-O. So, I was a bit droopy this morning, but it was a very enjoyable time with family. Every now and then, I think that it would be fun to dress up and attend a fancier new year's eve bash......but, really, when I get right down to it, this family gathering is the New Year's Eve of the most significant kind. Note to self: Skip the big parties and go with the simple family gatherings every time!

So, with the new year here, it is time to start thinking about what I would like to make happen in 2007. Each of the first 10 days of this month, I plan to share one goal/change that I am striving for in 2007. Some of them are small and won't take a lot of effort, while others are major and will require lots of blood, sweat and tears. Yes, I will start with the biggy: GET HEALTHIER by reestablishing a regular exercise routine. I was very disciplined about working out prior to having my kids, but it has really been 5 years since I have excercised seriously and daily for an extended period of time, and the time has come to make this a priority. I am going to be doing a combination of pilates-type stretching, walking, and Urban rebounding to start, and I would eventually like to work up to running by the end of 2007. As a working mom of two young kids, I need to make this time for myself, as it will make me more energetic and a better role model for my children as they grow. So, pray for me as I work to establish this exercise routine in the upcoming days and weeks!

Ice Skating and Mailed Surprises.

I got the chance to share one of my favorite childhood pasttimes with my kids today: Ice Skating! I have so many fond recollections of ice-skating as a child...though we didn't get to do it as often as I would have liked, it was always a very special treat when we headed to the Civic ice rink or to Shannon's back-field skating pond. Today, we headed downtown to Rosa Parks circle...what a festive experience! An ice rink, with lots of smiling people, with Christmas music playing. Just like something out of an old-fashioned Christmas movie. It was fun to see the kids progress from being scared to trying it on their own.....with the help of these cool little "ice-walkers"! Both kids and Mommy had so much fun, that we will definitely be making this a frequent family outing....maybe next time, we'll be able to get Daddy on skates!

And then, after a quick stop for some hot cocoa and hot wings, we arrived home to a fun little package. A fun array of cherry-goodies straight from Cherry country up-north Michigan! My friend, Becky, sent such a festive arrangement including cherry hot cocoa (yum!), cherry beans, cherry oatmeal soap, cherry tea (can't wait to try this one!), a cherry candle...and the sweetest little cherry wooden spoon! Thanks, Becky, if you are reading this, for such a fun package that our whole family is sure to enjoy!

Now, my muscles are aching a bit from the "hunched over" position that I had to assume for over an hour while helping the kids skate, so this tired Mommy is watching a movie and then off to bed! Happy 60th post!!

Not the Day After, The Beginning.

The day after Christmas has sometimes been a very depressing one for me. Let down. The build up is over, and then the crash. But, today, I was challenged to think about December 26 in a new way....not "the day after" but "the beginning." I saw a photo today depicting the traditional manger scene with Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, but the manger was bathed in the shadow of a huge cross. You see, Christmas morning was about more than a king being born. It was about the SAVIOR of the world being born. It was the beginning of 32 years of Jesus' life in human form that would culminate in the ultimate gift to humanity. The gift of our perfect Savior, nailed to a tree, dying, dead, only to raise to life again to conquer death three days later. I'm thinking that next year I need to think of a new tradition to celebrate in the days after Christmas, to help our kids see that Christmas is not a one-day celebration. It is truly only the beginning.

We had another nice low-key day around here. More playing, watching movies, a quick trip to Target (yea! they had a cute bell wreath on sale 1/2 off--one left, just for me!) and K-mart (return of duplicate gifts). I also picked up my new project desk and stools from Pier One so spent part of the day getting that set up--photos will be posted later. A bit of cleaning up. Made a batch of homemade guacamole for my family. Try this--it was very, very yummy and so fresh! Take 3 avacodos, slice, pit and scoop insides into a large Ziploc bag. Add some fresh garlic, a diced fresh tomato, the juice of one lime, a small chopped red onion, some chopped fresh cilantro, and salt to taste. Close the Ziploc and start squishing with your fingers....Fun! Blend until chucky consistency. Cut one corner and squeeze contents into a bowl. Serve with fresh tortilla chips and enjoy! Great for a football game like we are watching tonight.....Go CMU Chippewas! Get em, Daniel! A great day filled with more simple joys.

Happy Birthday.

Here are some glimpses of Christmas day at our house. We were blessed with a very peaceful and joyful day at home--all day with no traveling--which seemed oh, so beautiful. We did miss being with our families on Christmas day, but we so blessed to just be able to be at home and enjoy our children as they enjoyed their Christmas. Here is a partial list of some of the blessings our day included.....Mommy up before 6 am to finish wrapping (didn't get done last night because I fell asleep tucking Kennedy in); kids slept in until 8:30; excited eyes as the kids caught their first glimpse of the chock-full stockings and huge pile of gifts under the tree; opening stockings; my daughter's first {Disney} I-pod; my son's obsession with Nerf guns that shoot balls and foam rockets; my husband excited about his GPS and getting our family into geocaching; an I-home for my i-POD and a KONE vacuum for paperscraps in my scrap room; a huge mug of chai with a dash of peppermint cocoa creamer; Christmas strata for breakfast; a long hot bath; giving my kids a bath and cuddling with their soft, clean, sweet-smelling bodies; a long nap after my bath; watching Christmas movies as a family; a family game of BINGO played on a vintage-style Bingo board; a gloriously trashed living room; reading new Christmas books with my kids; having Kennedy read one of her new books to me!; sampling Christmas goodies from my stocking (especially the new chocolate-covered toffee with bits of candy cane.....yummy, a new favorite!); looking through photos from Christmases past; making a steak dinner with my husband, complete with T-bones, twice-baked potatoes, Christmas punch, green beans, and Jesus' birthday cake; telling the Christmas story while the kids place the nativity pieces; singing happy birthday to Jesus and blowing out his candles; watching my kids play with their new toys for hours; letting my mind return many times throughout the day to Bethlehem and the significance of the Jesus' birth; a warm new blanket; LOTS of garbage bags for the garbage man to pick up Wednesday; lots of photos; and just a beautiful day at home. Nothing better. Nothing. Merry Christmas from our home and Happy Birthday, Jesus!