New Directions

No I am not having a Glee moment :) even if that did totally make me LOL to myself!!

With the New Year upon us everyone seems to be either making resolutions or resolving not to make any. However, I have decided to set my sights upon a few New Directions. There are changes that need to be made in my life & our home and 2012 will be the year that they will be accomplished. I know that if I have a specific list out in the www then I will be more apt to look at it often and know that I want to mark items off this To-Do-List.

I know it sounds like a cliche but in 2012 I will get healthy! I have actually got a little jump start back on November 4th when I made some changes in my diet. I now drink only water and surprising like it. I was a SweetTeaAholic and so I was worried about cutting it out cold turkey but I have had no issues at all and can tell a major different from that change alone. I am not dumb though and knew that it wasn't only Sweet Tea that made me fat so I have cut out sweets, I rarely eat anything fried and am eating more fruits each day as well. I am also cooking more dinners at home for our family which is benefiting all of us. I am adding exercise to this as well and since I can already wear jeans that I couldn't even button two months ago it is giving me the boost to know that I can be successful at this!! :)

I want to be more organized in our home. We have a small cabin which we love but it also doesn't have an over-abundance of storage space so I want to go through everything, toss out what we don't need/use and then organize the rest. I know that once things are organized that it will help our everyday lives all the better. Being Organized = LESS STRESS :) Now to get everyone else on board haha.

 I want to get a better handle on our budget. We went through the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University a few years ago and have not been very good graduates. One of the top priorities this year is to start making a serious dent in our debt and to have more of a savings for unexpected things. We know that we can do this as long as we stick to it and that is one thing we intend to do more this year.

Personally I want to explore my creative side more in the upcoming year. I received a sewing machine for Christmas and I am excited about learning to use it. I have all sorts of projects Pinned that I want to make once I can figure out how to use the machine haha. I also want to learn to quilt. I have always had a love for quilts and am looking forward to making one for our bed and for the kids as well.  I am a firm believer in doing things for others but you also have to take time to do something for yourself as well and this year I will make more of an effort to have this ME time :)

 I want to spend more time with The HandyMan and the 2E's. Sure we spend time together almost daily but I want to take more outings and such as a family. There are a few places we have not been in ages and they are on our calendar to go explore. Family is a major part of our lives and as the 2E's get older it is even more important to spend time with them. Yesterday was Emma's 13th Birthday and it still amazes me that she is already a teenager when it seems like only yesterday we were bringing her home from the hospital.

These are just a few of the New Directions in which I want to go this year. There are changes in the house I want to do like a shower added in our bathroom and a kitchen cabinet overhaul to name a few. There are also more personal changes I would like to make that I have been praying about. There are some things that need to be changed in order to benefit our family as they are the most important people. Life is not a race and not a competition. You must take time for your family, your friends and for yourself there is no other way to say it -- take the time to LOVE! Your body, mind, and soul will thank you for it <3 <3

I know that 2012 is going to be a very prosperous and blessed year for us and I am looking forward to seeing what all it holds!

What direction are you headed for this year? Or will be you trudging down the same road as always?

It was a very Pinterest Christmas

I have always been one to make Christmas presents for the family but this year the whole family decided to get into the crafting spirit thanks to a little help from Pinterest. It was neat to see what everyone and I believe that this was one of the best Christmas's ever as we all got to see how good it feels to give something that you make instead of something you simply go to a store a buy.

These first three were given to Em from her Aunts :)

Chalkboard

It's your life, color it! - Crayon Melt and Scrabble Tile art

Magnetic Board with her Initial

 This pretty ornament was compliments of my Mom. :)

Loove the colors!

Painted Ornaments

 My contribution was photo blocks which I am so in love with! However doing 42 of those babies(yes I did them for everyone in all our families!) was a little much but well worth all the work!!

Photo Blocks

 Snowflake I made for my sci-fi loving Son!

Storm Trooper Snowflake

 One of our gifts from Nana - a painted Christmas Tree on canvas.

I received this from my sisters. I love it and can't wait to hang it in the office!

Burlap wreath with Initial on an antique window

I have to admit as awesome as each gift was and as proud I am of the family for what they did my favorite gift of the evening was the Aprons that Nana had made from my Papa George's button down shirts. Needless to say we were all surprised and emotional when we opened them! Each family member received one and my new nephew got a bib that matches his Mom's apron --LOVE!!

Here are the kiddos modeling the ones TheHandyMan and I received.

Memory Aprons from Papa Georges Shirts

We had a fantastic Christmas and I hope each of you did as well.

What was something unexpected you received this year?

I have some great things lined up for the New Year and can't wait to see what 2012 holds for everyone!

DIY Monthly Calendar

Do you remember dates/appointments well? If so please teach me how you so it!! I am the worst at writing down appointment dates and such so I decided that I needed something that was INMYFACE each morning to remind me. I only had one criteria for it - it needed to be pretty and reusable. I have never been a fan of standard plain old calendars so I made me something that I liked and that I would be able to change as needed.

To start off with I found a blank printable calender page on where else? - {Pinterest of course!} 

Love the vintage look!!(it is actually a lighter color, this photo turned out darker than it is)

Then I took am empty frame that I already had...

and simply added the printable into the frame.

Once the frame is put back together you can write the Month and Days on the outside of the glass which enables you to change them each month. 

Here is my December one. 

I used a permanent marker instead of a wipe-off one because it will not smear as bad and the permanent marker can be wiped off at the end of each month using glass cleaner. This calendar sits on the counter beside my fridge so I see it numerous times during the day. Hopefully it will keep me more on schedule :) :)

What kind of calendar is your favorite?

Tomorrow I am will be showcasing our Pinterest Christmas that we had at my Nana's and I am so excited so be sure to stop by and check it out!

Pass the Popcorn

It's that time of year again, when kids and parents alike snuggle up on the sofa with yummy popcorn & snacks to watch their favorite Christmas movies. There are so many good ones out there but my family has a few favorites that we have to watch each year. These are the movies we watch over and over each Christmas and at times even in July or August if we get the notion to. :)

I am will not be numbering them as to keep from inadvertently playing favorites over the others in my family haha. Sooo in no particular order here are the Top Christmas Movies complements of the Not So Modern Family.

I watched this yesterday and couldn't stop laughing. Buddy is my Hero :)

Seriously the BEST Christmas Classic ever!

It's a Wonderful Life is such a heartwarming story that everyone should watch.

We simply adore Charlie Brown and his awesome Christmas Tree!

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer(Here with cute little Hermey) is always the First movie we watch!!

 

Home Alone and Home Alone 2 are family favorites for sure around here. I think it is because we can totally see our two kiddos pulling some of those stunts.

I admit Christmas Vacation is MY Fave! Every single scene is hilarious. I do believe John Hughes was a fabulous writer! Heck 2 of the movies on this list are his :)

The many adventures of Ralphie in A Christmas Story never fail to make us laugh! 

Last but not least is The Grinch. Jim Carrey plays the part perfectly and the colorful people of Whoville make us smile!

What are your families favorite Christmas movies or do you have a special tradition you do every Christmas?

Pinterest is turning me into a cook!

I totally can not stop laughing when I look at the title(If you know me then you know what I mean)

It's no secret that I am totally in LOVE with Pinterest! I mean what's not to love about a site where you can find the most awesome ideas for anything you can imagine and you can organize them so they are easy to find!

It is also no secret that I have never been much of a cook(TheHandyman totally did not marry me for my cooking). However, Pinterest is in the process of changing that thanks to the fantastic recipes I am finding there.

I wanted to share a few that I tried out on the family recently. Some in the family are extremely picky but I have been able to cook meals that each and every person has enjoyed. This makes me very happy!! 

*Click the names below the photos for the recipes/how-to

~ 1st Place ~

Chicken Squares from Plain Chicken

 Oh My Heavens this babies are YUMMYLICIOUS!! The topping of crushed croutons is the perfect balance to the soft bread and creamy chicken inside.
I added a little minced garlic and Lawry's Seasoning Salt to my chicken mixture for a little added spice.

If you have not checked our the recipes over at Plain Chicken then you need to go there now. Fabulous, Simple, and Oh-So-Good!

~ 2nd Place ~

Bacon Ranch Crock-Pot Chicken

This recipe basically fights for 1st Place in our house. When I make there it is gone in a flash. I have learned to double the recipe so that TheHandyman and I can enjoy it for leftovers the next day.

*I have also used the Spicy Ranch Mix and it is awesome as well!

When I found this recipe from Kelly's Healthified Kitchen I thought I could die on the spot. I have a major weakness for anything "alfredo" but since I am attempting to eat healthier I have been staying away from it. Now, thanks to Kelly, I can have it without feeling guilty! I may be in love with her thanks to this. hahaa

~ 3rd Place ~

Joyful Momma's Kitchen: White Chicken Enchiladas

I kept seeing this bad boy on Pinterest like 500Billion times - literally, so I figured I might as well try it and see what all the fuss was about. Well let me tell you - I totally added a Pin to bring the total 500Billionand1! It is THAT good and even better the next day after the sauce as set.

Thanks to Lexi over at Joyful Momma's Kitchen for this fabulous recipe! I can't wait to share this one with my MIL. :)

So there you have it. My families top 3 recipes(so far) found on Pinterest.

Yes, I am aware they are all chicken and yes we do eat things besides chicken.

In fact here are a few things I will be trying out soon and I will let you know how they turn out :)

Thanks for stopping by today. I am attempting to get back to posting more as I have been majorly slack the past few months. Also if you have any fave recipes I would love for you to share them with me. 

Stay Sweet :)

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

May your Thanksgiving be filled with Family, Friends, Love, and Laughter.

Be Blessed and know that our Lord is with you on this Thanksgiving and each day throughout the year!

Channeling Popeye

Since it is the day after Thanksgiving and I am sure most of you are still feeling like you just stepped away from the table and that 3rd piece of pecan pie, I thought this would be the perfect day to post about my new obsession.

 ----------------------------------------

I have a confession to make. I am an extremely picker eater have very sensitive taste buds! Yes, Yes I know this is hard for my family and close friends to believe. *So laughing here* I admit I have always been picky. I am pretty sure I was born that way otherwise how would I just all of a sudden be picky? I guess you could call me D.W. :)

The ONE thing that seems to make people look at me funny when eating out is that I do not eat lettuce or anything leafy for that matter. I can't really tell you why but I do not like it AT ALL! My Mom always says "There is no taste to it." Hmm helloo yes there is and it is g.r.o.s.s!

How does all this relate to Popeye as the title says you may be asking yourself? Well last month I made a vow to get healthy. I have been very unhealthy for way too long and now that I am closing in on the big 40 I knew I had to do something about it.

Since I not the best eater I decided there had to be some way to get the good stuff without actually having to bite into it. I know I could simply smother the lettuce and other green stuff with salad dressing but since I really only like Ranch and Bleu Cheese I know that would not be helpful in my quest to healthiness.
I started looking around online and I have found the solution to my problem --- I now DRINK my greens!!

Whhaatttt??? Yep you are reading that correctly. I am drinking the good stuff now and it is in the form of a smoothie! What's not to L~O~V~E about getting the vitamins and nutrients you need via a freaking Smoothie? I say it is a win-win situation!

Here is the original recipe I found on Pinterest: Green Smoothie for Weight Loss.

Yes it is bright green but it is ohh soo yummmy and I am in love with it!

I changed up the original recipe slightly after a few taste tests to find what works best for my uber sensitive taste buds(snort) and here is what I have most mornings now.

• 1 banana
• 1/2 cup strawberries
• 1/2 cup pineapples
• 2 handfuls spinach
• ice and water 

Mine is not as green because of the strawberries but it is so good! I still will not eat spinach in a salad but I will drink one of these babies each and every morning!

Notes:
~ There are many variations you can do with the fruits as long as you have the spinach and the banana as a base.
~ You can use two bananas if you want but I am not a huge banana fan so I only use one.
~ I use fresh bananas but frozen strawberries and pineapple.
~ The color will not always be bright green as you can see in my photo above. The color depends on the fruits you use.

I dare you to try your own version! You may be surprised at how much you like it and your body will thank you!