A New Project

The cul-de-sac is too quiet this time of year. We hardly ever see the neighbors during the month of January. Everyone pulls into their garage and closes the door and they are in for the night. So I'm thinking we've got to start something......ANYTHING because I'm bored!
I've got an acute case of "cabin fever" and so after spending way too many hours reading amazing before and after decorating blogs, I feel the need to jump on the "board and batten" band wagon! What I thought would be a simple project turns into a $300 Lowe's shopping trip and I didn't even buy the paint yet. When I showed my husband all the tutorials for this project his first words were"we don't have the right tools". My response "how much can a nail gun really cost ?"
Let me tell you people......too damn much!

So here he is with a new tool!

Can't wait to see how this works!

Sure would be nice to own a truck when you buy 8' pieces of lumber and need to bring them home! We had to leave the kids at home for this shopping trip.

Here is the wall that we will attempt to transform. We are starting with this wall and then will move upstairs to do an entire room. I am ready to start today, husband not so much. Did I mention that he and I don't really work together well on projects. We will not be starting our own company any time soon! This should be fun........

finally......

 Finally, more than just of dusting of snow! Kids thrilled, mom thrilled that I got the call from school the night before announcing a 2 hour delay = happy family today!

Looking out the kitchen window this morning  it appears that we have a pond.......kind of nice I think!

It's really just the swimming pool cover and only 4 more months till we open that baby back up!!!!! Big plans for the backyard this summer, can't wait to share them with you. Let's just hope Uncle Sam is really good to us when we go to file those taxes next month! Keeping our fingers crossed!

Love to see snow on the evergreens!

Looking forward to summer but enjoying the peacefulness of the "1st real snow" for now. Hope you are too!

Would You Believe.........

The present that "Santa" spent a boatload of money on is not working already!!!

It's not even two weeks old! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Oh the joys of electronic gifts!

Next year, let's skip all the gifts and just take a trip! Who's with me???

Now if we can just convince the kids!!

Closing the Door on 2010

Hard to believe this year is almost over! Why is it that the older we get, the faster time flies? I don't like that! I want to slow everything down, especially the time with my children. That's my wish for the new year, slow down, savor the moment and cherish every day!! 

Merry Christmas friends!! 

Peace to you and yours!

Do You Need A Laugh?

Of course you do!

The husband and I were out shopping yesterday and came across this little book in Borders. We stood there  looking at every page, laughing so hard we were both crying! It is basically page after page of photos that parents have submitted of things their offspring have destroyed. 

As parents you know we've all been there. Somehow it's way funnier when it happens to someone else!

Greatest Invention Ever!!

 

Why didn't I think of this???? Picked up this extra long funnel at the tree farm over the weekend for $6. Yep, no more trying to water the tree laying on your stomach, spilling water all over the train and presents. Greatest idea ever don't ya think! We just stuck it in the back of the tree and you leave it there. Makes my job of watering so much easier, but why am I the only person who ever thinks to check the water level? Funny how that works. And why am I the only person who remembers to take a photo of the kids and have Christmas cards made, address all the envelopes and mail them??? I might just forget to do that job this year! 

Our tree hunt........

The price of a fresh cut tree is crazy! I'm a Frazier Fir girl, it's the only tree I like and of course has to be the most expensive. We are thinking of selling the three Blue Spruce trees in the backyard next year, so if you'd like to come and tag them for next Christmas .....I'll sell them to you at a really good price. Can't promise a wagon ride and we won't bale, shake clean or give your tree a fresh cut but maybe I can throw in a candy cane for the kids!

The 13 year old was mad at me before we even left the house. I told her she was not allowed to wear her brand new coat to the tree farm because she might get sap on it. Well I never heard the end of that, she and her little girlfriend made fun of me  the whole time we were tree hunting. Every time anyone got near a tree all I heard was "be careful you might get sap on your coat". Very funny girls!

 

Overall, it was a pleasant day. There were snow flurries in the air, Christmas music in the car and pretty scenery. We only overlooked one detail. When we put an extra kid in the backseat of the car, there really is no room for the tree. Basically one of the kids straddled the tree the whole ride home. ( Don't ask why the husband doesn't put the tree on the roof of the car, I have no idea! I wasn't about to offer my advice after he so patiently stopped at three different tree farms until we found just the right one!!)

Read about my funny friend Beth and her experiences preparing for the holidays! She is a riot!

How is everyone else holding up during this crazy season?

Thinking outside the bowl!

Hard to believe it has been a whole week since Thanksgiving! I just wanted to share this neat little idea that I used as an appetizer last week. Yep, it's a small head of purple cabbage but it makes such a pretty little bowl too! Just scoop out the inside ( I gave this job to my dad and he did a fantastic job.......it was very symmetrical!)  And we saved the inside to throw in a salad later.

This dip was a twist on the classic spinach dip and it was delicious!

Here's what you need:

 1 Knorr Vegetable Mix

 16 oz. nonfat Greek yogurt 

 1 cup low-fat mayonnaise 

1 lb. plum tomatoes, diced  

1/4 cup red onion, diced  

10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed & squeezed dry

1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions

 Mix it all together, cover and chill 2 hours.

Serve with warmed pita bread, cut into wedges, sliced cucumbers, and Greek olives

ENJOY!