NumberNineteen

What Are You Doing New Years....

Image from Content in a Cottage

What are you doing this New Year's Eve?  We are snuggled here in our living room in our jammies in front of the fire watching The Thin Man (a yearly tradition) and sipping wine.  Hope, despite her plans to "stay up late" fell asleep at 8:30 after the ice cream sundae party that we had after dinner.  Just the three of us and lots and lots of sprinkles.  As for myself, who knows if I'll be up to see the big ball drop? 

2012 has been a year full of blessings, as I am reminded of more and more each day.  I look forward to the challenges of 2013 -- finishing my degree, hopefully getting a job as a school librarian and creating an exciting program for my students.  Here at home, we have plans for adding window treatments and transforming our white box of a dining room into an elegant yet comfortable space. 

I hope that 2013 is full of all that is good for each of you!

Trader Joes Favorites

The closest Trader Joes for me is about half an hour away -- not terribly far, but not someplace that I go for weekly shopping.  When I do go, I find myself wandering the aisles and taking the opportunity to stock up.  I always feel like there are hidden treasures at TJs, if I could just find them.  I often experiment but I also love to hear what other people have to say about their personal favorites.  Let's make a deal -- I'll list my newest favorites here & you tell me yours.  Okay?

Egg Rolls -- I've been eating these since I was a single gal and love them.  They are perfect for a super simple dinner or lunch and they are something that I'd never make from scratch.

Garlic Basil Linguine -- This is one of my recent experiments that turned out soooo well.  I love to eat it for lunch with just a little olive oil on it & nothing else.  So delicious. 

Chicken Sausages -- I'm a big fan of the sun-dried tomato variety,but I've tried & like other flavors as well.  They are really good grilled & eaten in a hot dog bun or sliced and used in a pasta dish.  And, bonus, they are good for you!

Flounder Stuffed with Crabmeat -- OK, I recognize that frozen fish sealed in plastic doesn't seem appetizing, but stay with me here.  These are Really, Really good.  A friend who I consider to be the ultimate host served these along with beef as surf & turf at a dinner party.  Everyone raved. 

OK, your turn!  Tell me your favorite Trader Joe's foods!

Our Christmas

We have returned from our Christmas celebration at Nana & Grandpa's.  We drove there on Sunday to join my sister, her husband & my nephew for the annual festivities. Here are a few photos of our time together...

Hope & I Christmas Eve

The kiddos at Christmas Eve dinner

Hope on Christmas morning(I had fun playing with the photo editing software)

My nephew with his new train

Grandpa, Nana & their babies.

Unfortunately, both Hope & I were sick (Hope more so than I) & she went downhill as the day went on.  We took her to the doctor today & she is on the mend, but I feel badly that she was sick on Christmas. 

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from my home to yours!

Teacher Gift Basket -- Homemade Christmas Gift

It's the last day of school before Christmas break!  Oh my gosh, can you remember the excitement of that day?  The only difference is that when I was a kid, it was actually cold out in December!  Where is my snow???

We absolutely love Hope's teacher this year, so I wanted to put together a special gift for her.  I've been gathering goodies over the past few months with a gift basket in mind.

I stitched up a monogrammed towel on my embroidery machine, set aside a jar of the jam that I made in July, found an adorable Christmas potholder at Marshalls, included a jar of the hot fudge sauce from yesterday's post, and put together a bag of this amazing stovetop potpourri. I found a perfect oval shaped bucket at the Target dollar spot about a month ago, in which I tucked all of the goodies.

The finished basket, along with a little card that I made for her. I really hope that she likes it!

Treats for Teachers -- Homemade Hot Fudge Sauce -- Homemade Christmas Gift

Here we are, just 5 days from Christmas!  I'm wrapping the last gifts and getting together treats for teachers, bus drivers and all of the wonderful helpers in our lives.  I made up a batch of homemade peppermint hot fudge sauce this week.  It will be going into a basket for Hope's teacher and to the librarians with whom I volunteer.  It is so super simple to make!  This is what you need:

Seriously! That is it. Here is the recipe, which I found at Our Best Bites.

Hot Fudge Sauce

1 /2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 C butter 

1 Can Sweetened Condensed Milk

1/2 t. peppermint extract (if you want to make peppermint hot fudge sauce)

Instructions:
Put the ingredients in pan on medium heat & melt together until smooth.  Stir occasionally.

Pour into 2 8 oz. jars.  They can be at room temperature for the short term, but for more than a few hours, it's probably a good idea to refridgerate.

I sprinkled a little bit of crushed candy canes on top for fun.

Here is the final product, all ready for giving:

I hope that you are enjoying your Christmas preparations!

 

 

Thinking and Praying

My friend posted this poignant image on Facebook in response to the tragedy in Connecticut and it has stayed in my mind.  This weekend and as the school week started, I have spent a lot of time thinking and praying.  For the children and adults who were killed.  For their friends and family.  For the first responders and investigators that faced the scene and must continue to try to make sense of it.  For educators around the country who spend every work day caring for and protecting our children -- I never thought that "BRAVE" would be added to their job description.  For my daughter, as I send her off to school, praying that she will never have to face anything resembling this.  For myself, as I entered a kindergarten class as a substitute and had to think "Where would we hide?". For our leaders as they attempt to find ways to ensure that the madness stops.  For grieving America.

Dear Santa.... My Wishlist

I thought that it would be fun to put together a little wishlist here on the blog -- I always think that its fun to see what other people are asking for...what can I say, I'm nosy!  I'm hoping that some of these things appear under the tree on Christmas morning, though presents for me always are a bit of a pleasant surprise on the morning of the 25th.  I mean, I know that people are buying me presents, but when I actually get to open them, I kind of feel like "I got a whole month of fun PLUS presents???!!!! WOW!"  The Christmas season is such a wonderful gift in itself.  But, if Santa feels compelled to put some packages in his sack for me, he might want to consider.....

Center: Chanel No19 - the scent that I've been wearing since I was a teenager.  I love it.

Clockwise from top left:

Mistral - This is my absolute favorite bath foam...the Milk scent is heavenly.  I love their soaps too.

The Joy of Decorating by Phoebe Howard - If I win the lottery, I'm having Phoebe Howard decorate my house.

Book Quote Necklace - I love this necklace from the Home Studio shop on etsy.  It's perfect for this budding librarian.

Red Kitchen Scale - If our family did the Want/Need/Wear/Read 4 gifts, this would be my Need gift.  Love the red color.

Turkish Robe - I want/need this robe to snuggle in on cold mornings.

I'd love to see your wishlists!  Leave it in your comments!

 

Our Weekend -- Christmas Party

I'm sitting at the counter in my jammies with a glass of red wine by the computer relaxing after the weekend of our annual Christmas party.  I've been giving the party every year since I was single (I won't mention the innaugural year....) and we've continued the tradition with just a year off once or twice.  We change up the format once in awhile, sometimes doing a dinner buffet and other times offering a giant dessert table with drinks.  This year, we went for the latter.  A few pictures of the yummies....

My mom & dad came for the weekend (we miss you already Nana & Grandpa!) and were a great help with the party.  I didn't get any pictures once the guests arrived, but got a few right before hand of family in front of the tree:

I hope that you had a good weekend!

My Christmas House - Christmas Decorations

At this time of the year, when I'm out & about & sort of worn out, I think "I'm going home to my Christmas House!" and I immediately perk up.  Home at Christmas is an even better kind of home, all cosy and bright and cheerful.  It just so SPECIAL, every bit of it.  Here are a few pictures of my Christmas House, 2012....

We are hosting our annual Christmas party this weekend. The cookies are baked, the decorations are up, and the house is clean.  OK, that last one is a lie.  The house is filthy.  I know what I'll be up to tomorrow!  I hope that you are enjoying your Christmas preparations!