New Years Eve

Can you believe that it's already here?? Where did 2011 go? We all know the tradition of goal setting for the new year, how many of you actually do that? What are some of your goals? I of coarse have the traditional lose weight, get my home more organized, but I've been thinking lately I want to come up with some different ones, something that will make me a better me! I'm thinking this year I'm just going to set a goal a month so I'm not feeling so over whelmed at the beginning of the year because that's no way to start a new year. So, what are they going to be you might ask...good question!

Let's start with January - I'm thinking I really need to take care of myself this month. Sometimes motherhood really gets me running around the house all day. I have no problem getting my girls cleaned and dressed and ready for each day but what about me? I usually just throw something on that's comfortable and if I'm lucky I get to shower after the girls go to bed at night, not cool! And make up...maybe once a week. So this month it's about me. I'm going to shower... in the morning and get ready for each day including putting on make up:) As well as getting dress, make myself feel pretty. But I have to say when I exersice I feel better about myself as well so I'm including that in my monthly goal for January.

So who's on board for making some new goals with me each month?!? I'd love to hear what you have in mind and what some of your goals may be...we'll keep each other going and motivated!!

Busy Busy Busy

It's crazy just how fast time goes around the holidays but I hope each of you enjoyed spend time with your families. I'll be back for a new year and new ideas that I just can't wait to share with you! Have a happy New Year!!

Date Night - drive in

So it's really hard for us to get in date nights and by my husbands standards it's not a date night if the kiddos are there...this makes it hard because I'm still nursing so we're on limited time if we do anything. He might just loss with the kiddos having to be gone but thank goodness for nap time and bed time:)
So then I had to find ideas where we could still have a date but stay home at the same time...hummm.

I found this great idea that I always wanted to do with the neighbors during the summer but I never thought of it as a date night... it's perfect, just like a drive in! Show a movie outside under the stars (rent a projector & put up a sheet as your screen.) I can't wait to give this a try!

Gift Tags - Hand Prints

Here's a great idea to do with the kids and what a perfect time of year to make them!

 We'll be putting them on the grandparents gifts for sure, they're going to love them.

To make: (it makes about 12 small hand prints)

4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 1/2 cups water

Combine the flour and salt and sift together with a fork. Slowly add in the water. Knead for about 10-15 minutes. Cut out desired shapes or hand prints. Make sure to poke the top with a straw to make a hole to hang or tie it on. Bake it at 300 degrees for about 20-25 minutes (until golden brown). Depending on how think you make them it may need to be longer.

We made some trees for my little girl to paint and put on presents as tags...she had a blast!

Yummy yummy yummy

You have to try these...they are so simple and easy and will be gone as soon as you're done! (The reason I didn't get a picture of the finished product:) ) They're Pretzel Bits...easy, easy, easy!

You start with thawing the dough (I used Rhodes dinner rolls but you can also use the Texas style as well) until it's soft enough for you to work with. Cut them in half and roll to make round balls. Place back on cookie sheet to rise until doubled.

Bring a large pot to a gentle boil and toss them in (enough that the whole ball gets shocked) and leave for about 45 seconds.

 Remove with a slitted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain slightly (don't leave on for to long cause they'll start to stick to the paper towel, learn from my mistake. They were a pain to try and get all the paper towel off). Don't worry if they look a little funny after you take them out, they be perfect after you bake them.

 Bake in 375 degree oven for about 15 minutes until golden brown. Brush with butter and roll in a cinnamon and sugar mixture (1/2 cinnamon, 1/2 sugar). You can also sprinkle with sea salt and roll in garlic and Parmesan cheese.

I only cut them in half but I still think they could have been smaller so you could just plop them right into your mouth.
I can't wait to make them again cause they were so easy, next time we're trying Parmesan cheese.

Jamba Juice - taste like the real thing!

I just love this recipe!! It's my new favorite treat I make for myself and it actually taste just like it's from Jamba Juice! Love love love it! (and so much cheaper cause you can make a lot with all the stuff!)

JAMBA JUICE CARIBBEAN PASSION SMOOTHIE

1 cup passion fruit mango juice blend
1 cup frozen strawberries
1/2 cup frozen peaches
1 cup orange sherbet
1/2 cup ice

In a blender add passion fruit mango juice blend first then add strawberries, peaches, sherbet and ice. Blend on high until "smoothie" consistency.

Glass Stove Top

I am so excited for this because my stove looks worse than this! I have tons of rings around my burners and it's driving me nuts. So I found this simple solution...baking soda! I will never under estimate the poor of baking soda and in a post coming up I'll give you a list of all the things they claim it can do.

So first you get a bowl of HOT water and soap mixed in. Soak a rag in it, in the mean time sprinkle baking soda over the area. Pull out the rag, ring out SOME of the water/soap and place over top of baking soda. Allow to sit of 15 mins (longer if a lot is caked on). Then gentle rub around the surface with the paste made by the baking soda. That simple! Enjoy!!

Organize Your Freezer

So I was overly happy when I found this awesome idea of putting bins in your freezer to organize it!! Can you say smart?!? I really am headed to the dollar store and Bed Bath & Beyond to find some perfect bins and can't wait. I feel like I'm always finding something new in the back of my freezer that I didn't know was there! I'll be posting my before and after pictures for you to see the great results!

Holidays!

These holidays are so hard to get through sometimes and it seems no different right now. Sorry I've been a little MIA, I had to get my gallbladder removed after having an attack not to long ago. Now that that's done I feel I can get some Christmas stuff going. I feel like it's put a huge dent in my timeline though, I'm running out of time to get the girls gifts together along with still shopping for myself (is that just us or do you do the shopping for yourself as well? Sometimes I don't mind to much cause I get exactly what I need:) )  Is there anyone all done with your shopping? (ya jealous!) I hope you all enjoyed your Thanksgiving week!! I'll be back tomorrow with some great cleaning tips!!