‘at home’ Archives
January 13, 2012
I am turning the big 34 next Thursday! While some people are terrified of growing old and getting gray hair, etc I look at it as a badge of honor. It is one more year that I have been blessed to be on this earth. Oh and who could forget the presents? Speaking of which, I thought it would be fun to put together a little wishlist of goodies I would love for my birthday (take the hint Baconator!).
(Starting from the top left)
1. Whimseybox – Have you heard of this? It is a super cool subscription service that will send you a little box of craft goodies every month. I think this could do wonders for inspiration!
2. XBox Kinnect – I have been wanting this for awhile. I think it would be a fun way to get in shape and play games with the kids.
3. Messenger Bag – I have a love for messenger bags and this one is super cool with the photo image of a camera.
4. Graphic Art Print – This sums up most of my day so it would be nice to have it hanging in the office.
5. iPad Paint Brush – This is actually a kid’s version but I think it is super cool. It allows you to paint using your iPad.
6. Pop-Up Flash Bounce – I so need this for indoor photos of the kids I take at night.
January 7, 2012
For Christmas, my Mom gave me an Amazon gift card. Many of you may think that is an un-personal gift…but then again you don’t know about my obsession with books do you? When I got my iPad, I tried to do the whole ebook thing but it’s just not the same. I love the feel and smell of a new book. I love being able to dog ear the pages and go back to read what I may have forgotten. I have a mini library of sorts in my office, all of my books put into categories…I warned you it was an obsession at the beginning of this didn’t I?
Anyway, one of the 6 books I got was Paper Wonderland by Michelle Romo. I loved the illustrations and thought it would be fun for Gia and I to work on these little paper creations together.
After school today, we tackled the first one on her list. Yep, she made a list for the order she wants to go in with each project…oh she is her Mother’s child! The first one is a cute little toaster that actually works. Well, works if you have steady hands and not so much those of a 6 year old. We still thought it was cool though!
Our next one is a camera, which is super cute. I am thinking about putting these on a little shelf to just look at when the entire book is done. They really are that cute.
January 3, 2012
What would be better than something super yummy to start of 2012? Nothing I say! So as my first official post of the New Year, I thought I would share with you a recipe that the kids and I put together this weekend.
Yep, that says crapballs…but don’t let that deter you. ;) You will be saying it yourself once you taste these little bites huge bars of goodness.
Ingredients:
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt (you can usually regular – we just have this in our house)
1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup light brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup dried sweetened cranberries
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chocolate candies (M&Ms or Sunspire will work)
2 cups salted popcorn
4 bars of white chocolate candy melts (we use Log House brand because it doesn’t have any artificial stuff in it)
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Butter a 9 inch square baking pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda – add 1/2 cup of cranberries, 1/2 cup chocolate chips and chocolate candies. Toss around to coat everything.
- In another bowl, beat butter and sugar together with a spoon until combined – add egg and beat again.
- Add flour mixture and stir altogether until well combined.
- Pour the batter into the baking pan and bake until just cooked through and golden brown (about 15 minutes). Set aside to cool all the way.
- Melt candy melts and remaining chocolate chips in a bowl (we use the microwave).
- Drizzle melted chocolate over the bars, then add the rest of the cranberries and popcorn over the top. To help everything stick, we drizzled another layer of melted chocolate on top of the popcorn and cranberries.
- Let the chocolate set and then cut into squares and devour!
They look a little sloppy in the pan but they are so good, I promise!
The recipe may seem a little complicated but I promise it is not difficult at all. Since the base of this is basically a cookie, you can add anything you want to it. Let the kids go crazy! ;) Here is to starting out a sweet 2012!
January 1, 2012
I have to say that sitting down to write this I was a little sad at the passing of 2011. It was a good year for me. But with a new year comes new hopes and resolution (damn, I said it). This year instead of doing the same list, that let’s face it will never get done. I decided to come up with a color. Yeah, I know it may be a little out of the ordinary but I am very inspired by color so to sit down and come up with something that is one of a kind was very cool to me. Besides, have you seen Pantone’s color of 2012? Yuck! I knew I could do better. So here it is…
The name says it all…I am a BIG believer in karma and luck in general. What you put out to the world, I believe that you will get it back (good or bad). So this year, it’s all about thinking positive in my personal and business life. Helping others and just try to be the best person I can be. No lists required. :)
