What to do for Valentine's Day...

There are so many options.  Some people go all out.  Candlelight, romantic dinner, movies, a helicopter ride, theater show, etc.  That requires money and time, and if you have smaller children, a reliable sitter, and the costs that go along with that. 

Can we be creative, without spending as much money or time away from the family?

I know that Valentine's day is basically a day for romance, but isn't it possible to be just as romantic on February 13th or March 1st? 

An idea that I had, if you are unable to get a sitter on one of the busiest nights for a sitter is, take them with you, on a family date.  Go and see a family friendly movie together, a day or two ahead of time.  If a movie is not possible, and weather permitting, try taking the family on a picnic, to a favorite spot.  One place my kids love to see is the waterfall where their Daddy and I had our engagement pictures taken 10 years ago.  Plus, the location is a nice area for picnics. 

If you have a Zoo nearby, go for a visit.  For some reason, I have always found the Zoo a romantic place.  There is something about walking leisurely, holding hands, feeding the animals and just talking that is just so sweet and memorable.  Share that with your family.  Let the kids see you and their other parent, showing affection towards one another, sharing a kiss, and hugging each of them. 


After all, the memories are what make any day so special, so no matter the day or occasion, just make it a special one! And if you are still looking for, or craving the extra one on one attention....there is always nap time!

I wasn't going to address this, but...

I just feel like I need to! *This is my take, and mine alone!*

It has to do with the "Debt Ceiling,"  and all of this talk about those receiving Social Security.

Those on Social Security, cannot help it.  They are our nations elderly, and our disabled.  They are those who have worked hard for as long as they could, and now they are, by no wrong doing on their part  about to lose, in some cases their only source of income.  Because of this, some will lose their homes because they may still have mortgages, their reliable transportation, they may be unable to put food on the table and/or buy their medicines or go to their doctor's appointments.

There is so much wrong with that, I really am unsure how to further address it.  Other than to point out another problematic scenario.

If those on Social Security do not receive their benefits, the will be eligible for welfare.  The can be eligible to get additional help with food, in the form of food stamps, they can be eligible for energy assistance, they become eligible for Medicaid insurance, if they happen to be caring for school-aged children, either a child or grandchild, the child can be eligible for free school lunches, and so many more eligibilties open up. 

However, in order to receive these welfare benefits, they will have to lose the reliable car that they can no longer pay for, they will end up losing their beloved home that they worked their entire life for, and they will have to be in collections from the medical expenses, and have had their heat turned off, and have next to no saving in their bank account, and be able to prove all of that!

Plus, receiving any additional benefits is of course all contingent on the government not cutting the benefits to the poor as well, but sadly, it looks like that is also going to happen about the same time.

I am truly at a loss for how to avoid this!

A Snow Day!

Okay, so I was actually excited about the snow day that Robyn had from school last Friday, and not necessarily for the reason you might think.  I was excited more for the fact that because it was a snow day, I didn't have to drive in the bad weather, walk her into the school, drive home again and then do it all over again that afternoon.  I loved having both of the girls home with me, I really did! Aside from a few skirmishes, things went quite well.  It was also nice that, there was no need to make a mad dash to the store for necessities or anything like that either.  Which sometimes happens regardless.  If she has another snow day this winter, I may not be so lucky, so I am basking in the success of this one!

NY Times Ball Drop and New Resolutions!

 

 

 

 

 

Okay, so I am originally from Upstate New York, or rather a four hour drive from NYC, and I have never been there, most think that is shocking, but I grew up watching the ball drop on TV, like almost everyone else.  But, for the last several years, since my 6 year old was born actually, I have gone to bed before the ball actually dropped.  Sad about that, you might ask?  Not so much!

 

I like many make my own list of resolutions that I hope to keep each year.  I am starting a gratitude jar tonight and will include happy moments and happenings written on slips of paper with the hopes of reading them on New Year's Eve next year, and I have shared information about that in previous blog posts, so take a look.  But I want to share with you a newspaper clipping from probably about fifty plus years ago.  There is no date on the slip of newspaper, but it is old and yellowed along with all of the others which included cut out articles and recipes in my Great-Grandmother's recipe book.  The poem by James J. Metcalfe is titled Never Hopeless and goes like this:

 

As life goes on from day to day...And God is always near...There is no place for need to fear...Lift up your eyes, behold the skies...The bright, the dark, the dim...Whatever weather there may be...It is ordained by Him...Do not despair because of some...injustice done to you...Doubt not all other souls on earth...Because of one or two...Do not condemn yourself too much...For wrongs that you have done...It may deplete your moral strength...In battles to be won...Lift up your heart, have faith in God...And say a fervent prayer...For as you trust in Him, so He...Will keep you in His care.





A quick, last minute idea!

Chocolate covered Candy Cane stirring sticks!  Why did I not think of this on my own.  Thanks for the idea go out to the internet, but nonetheless a great idea!

  What you'll need:
One dozen candy canes
... 1 cup chocolate chips
5 tbsp heavy whipping cream
Vanilla (optional for taste)

What to Do:
1. Heat chocolate chips and heavy whipping cream in double boiler until completely melted and thoroughly mixed - stir often
2. Add vanilla to chocolate/cream mix if vanilla taste is desired
3. Dip candy canes into melted chocolate/cream or spoon melted chocolate/cream onto candy canes
4. Allow to cool on wax or parchment paper

* The only trouble I can see with this, other than the obvious being that they may not end up as gifts for anyone other than me is that, I will have to buy a lot more than one box of candy canes due to my difficulty in getting the candy out of the wrapper without it breaking first.

Another look at the Gratitude Post!

In light of the tragic events from a short few days ago, I decided to re-post this, just as a sort of reminder to Focus on the positive, and look for the good things that happen in life.  While tragic things do happen, and the incident in Connecticut is so very sad, I want to focus on good things.

I have a child in Kindergarten and like many, when I first heard of what happened, I wanted to race over to her school and bring her home right away, and never let her or my other young daughter out of my sight again.  I know that is not realistic or even practical, so I am trying to look forward to the good things in life.

I feel devastated for the families of the children and their teacher's, but I know that those children are in an amazing place, with all the warmth and love of our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ enveloping them.

So, pick out a jar, empty peanut butter, a jelly jar, also emptied first or like myself a mason jar, and fill it up with all the happy, fun, enjoyable moments that WILL happen throughout the next year. My thought is, why wait, why not start now and if you can't wait until the eve of the New Year 2013-2014, open it Christmas Eve 2013, surrounded if possible by loved ones and those closest to you or if not open it just the same and reminisce about all of the happy moments!

Day Eight, after a breather!

Okay, so who get as plate of cookies that look something like this?


And who wants them to look more like this?

First of all, I like the assortment in picture #1.  If you don't like the taste of one certain cookie, you are not out completely, you have choices, but as a downfall, you run out of favorites quickly.

Growing up, my favorites were the sugar cookies with the mounds of colored frosting that were in the shapes of snowmen and santa and others, and my least, and I do mean least were these old style two toned butter cookie, that my Mom made hundreds of each year.  There never was enough milk to down those cookies.  But, in that regard my Mom was pretty smart, and thrifty.  That recipe made dozens and dozens for very little money.  Which made it good in that way.  But as for us kids, I myself, did not favor them, and they were the only ones we still had in March or April.

When I make plates of goodies for others now, I usually go to the standard peanut blossoms, chocolate chip, with M&M's instead of chocolate chips, and I make soft gingerbread, read and green rice crispy treats, and if I am feeling ambitious, I include a family recipe of chex mix.  In years past, I have even included quick breads, and homemade jelly.  Usually not all in one gift basket, but a variety for each family.  It has become somewhat of a tradition here, to bake and decorate bags, and baskets for families the week before Christmas.  So, I will be starting that tomorrow.

Is there a tradition that includes baking that you do in your house? Are you surrounded by family and friends? Is there music playing and laugher and fun?  Those moments make the best memories, so embrace them, and if you have started your gratitude jar ahead of the new year, write about those moments and include them in your jar!