Christmas is my favorite holiday, is it one of yours too? I love the music, the tree, the baking, and I love giving! I love making other people happy with something I can give them. Sometimes though, all that giving can either stretch the budget beyond repair, or become a little too focused on "stuff". For both reasons, I've gotten into the habit of making at least some of my gifts. It's more personal, they're usually unique, and people appreciate that YOU went into the gift and not just some cash.
I want my kids to appreciate heart felt gifts, and not only the price tag. I want them to know that they can give wonderful gifts without emptying the bank.
Are you done with your shopping already? If you are I'm SO jealous. I try every year to get done before December 1st, and I made a better effort this year. Not. Quite. Done. (shoot). I'm going to give a short list of ideas for gifts, and include plenty of websites so you can explore and find some great giving options.
1. grandparents love photos.... in frames, scrapbooked, mini albums to carry
2. homemade gifts baskets... ie, if you have a movie lover you can give some DVDs or gift certificate to a local theater along with some homemade treats to enjoy while watching, and some microwave popcorn
3. coupon books for free chores, dates, lessons for something you're good at and they want to learn, special services like back rubs, etc.
4. little kids love dress up... buy a box and fill it with dress up clothes and accessories (jewelry, hats, scarves) from Goodwill. It's a hit every time.
5. burn a CD mix of someone's favorite type of music
Gifts from the Kitchen
Everyone loves a gift that warms their belly! These are some great ideas to start with.
Do it Yourself Christmas
An assortment of reader contributed gift ideas, some of which are pretty unique. If you have a tween, the Secret Hollow book is awesome!
Family Fun's crafty ideas
A lot of good ideas, especially for smaller gifts that could be used for exchanges or stockings.
Homemade Gift Ideas for the Family
This site would be good for kids making gifts for other people. A lot of very fun and simple things to try.
Martha Stewart's Gift Ideas
Ok, it's Martha... love her or hate her, she's got some brilliant ideas. Some of these are a little more pricey or may require a bit more skill than I can get my hands on, but it's well worth a look.
Great Ideas for All Ages
This site lists ideas by age. Have a 1-3 year old? She's got a whole list of inexpensive but well targeted things to give. It's where I decided what to give Chloe this year. She's also got ideas for Mom and Dad, so kids can get involved making things too.
Hopefully this has you thinking of some awesome gifts to make and give this year. If you have a favorite idea, let me know! We start "birthday season" in our house right after Christmas, so I'm always up for a great gift giving idea!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Decisions, Decisions
What do you want to be when you grow up? Have you decided yet? I'm 43 years old and still trying to figure it out. I envy those of you who know. I'm totally content to be a full time wife and mother, don't get me wrong. Totally. I LOVE being with my kids and teaching them and helping them grow to be amazing people. I enjoy domestic life. I like cooking. I like making things from scratch. I like finding thrifty alternatives for needs and wants.
I'm not a creative person in the sense of invention or making something unique. I wouldn't call myself a "crafty" person. I usually have to be inspired by someone else with more genius than me to begin. But I've found that creating is necessary for me. Cooking is a creative endeavor for me. I like the pairing of ingredients, the properties and complexities of different spices and flavors. I enjoy "creating" that feeling or atmosphere when I'm playing, or listening to amazing music. I do have some creative hobbies too, like bath and body products, because I was fascinated that not just some big chemical company can do that, and in fact I can do it better in many ways because it's just me. Photography is a new way for me to express and create feelings and images.
I'd probably be content to just appease my creativity through hobbies; except that economics being what they are, and the cost of hobbies being what they are, and the cost of feeding 5 teens/young adults being what THAT is, and the cost of life in general being what it is....... well, I need to get creative in deciding what to be and what to do that could help my family even just a little.
I've learned a lot from a business I've had for the past year. It launched me into my study of personal development and human potential over the last year which has been eye opening and I hope transforming sooner rather than later. I think I'm a different person in many ways because of my experience. I've had to get so far out of my comfort zone I thought I'd die; but I didn't. It's been totally worth it. And now I think I'm at a crossroads. I know the integrity and potential my business has. But before real success comes, I'm going to have to become yet more. I'm at a point in my life where I feel I've spent so much time being and doing what OTHER people want and need me to do, and I truly hate disappointing anyone. I know that part of being a wife, mother, church and community member means giving of oneself, and it's ok because I've received a lot in return. It's just that life's too short to keep putting off doing what you love and what makes you happy. Isn't it?
I guess the BIG question I've been struggling with is:
Do I push myself to do something that's not entirely me, because it's a smart and promising opportunity that's full of potential, knowing I can make myself into anything I want if I want it badly enough (and that it will require growing, stretching, and getting out of my comfort zones.......yet more)? OR, do I choose what I'd love and would make me happy even though it's not at all certain to become anything of consequence (when I really NEED something of consequence and not just more hobby time). Is ignoring the "smart" choice and doing what you love too idealistic and irresponsible? Doesn't it all require stretching, growth, and some risk?
If you've hung in this long, you deserve a gold star! This is a shortened version of my thought processes, because the entire one would leave your head spinning as it does mine (only I'm used to it so I don't get nauseous anymore). I envy people who just know what they want, and go after it without doubt and hesitation. It must be so liberating. I ask too many questions, raise too many doubts, and cast too many shadows.
My hope is that voicing this all "out loud" will bring some clarity of mind so the right choice becomes crystal clear. If you have any wisdom (or even just random opinions) to share, please, just shout it out!
I'm not a creative person in the sense of invention or making something unique. I wouldn't call myself a "crafty" person. I usually have to be inspired by someone else with more genius than me to begin. But I've found that creating is necessary for me. Cooking is a creative endeavor for me. I like the pairing of ingredients, the properties and complexities of different spices and flavors. I enjoy "creating" that feeling or atmosphere when I'm playing, or listening to amazing music. I do have some creative hobbies too, like bath and body products, because I was fascinated that not just some big chemical company can do that, and in fact I can do it better in many ways because it's just me. Photography is a new way for me to express and create feelings and images.
I'd probably be content to just appease my creativity through hobbies; except that economics being what they are, and the cost of hobbies being what they are, and the cost of feeding 5 teens/young adults being what THAT is, and the cost of life in general being what it is....... well, I need to get creative in deciding what to be and what to do that could help my family even just a little.
I've learned a lot from a business I've had for the past year. It launched me into my study of personal development and human potential over the last year which has been eye opening and I hope transforming sooner rather than later. I think I'm a different person in many ways because of my experience. I've had to get so far out of my comfort zone I thought I'd die; but I didn't. It's been totally worth it. And now I think I'm at a crossroads. I know the integrity and potential my business has. But before real success comes, I'm going to have to become yet more. I'm at a point in my life where I feel I've spent so much time being and doing what OTHER people want and need me to do, and I truly hate disappointing anyone. I know that part of being a wife, mother, church and community member means giving of oneself, and it's ok because I've received a lot in return. It's just that life's too short to keep putting off doing what you love and what makes you happy. Isn't it?
I guess the BIG question I've been struggling with is:
Do I push myself to do something that's not entirely me, because it's a smart and promising opportunity that's full of potential, knowing I can make myself into anything I want if I want it badly enough (and that it will require growing, stretching, and getting out of my comfort zones.......yet more)? OR, do I choose what I'd love and would make me happy even though it's not at all certain to become anything of consequence (when I really NEED something of consequence and not just more hobby time). Is ignoring the "smart" choice and doing what you love too idealistic and irresponsible? Doesn't it all require stretching, growth, and some risk?
If you've hung in this long, you deserve a gold star! This is a shortened version of my thought processes, because the entire one would leave your head spinning as it does mine (only I'm used to it so I don't get nauseous anymore). I envy people who just know what they want, and go after it without doubt and hesitation. It must be so liberating. I ask too many questions, raise too many doubts, and cast too many shadows.
My hope is that voicing this all "out loud" will bring some clarity of mind so the right choice becomes crystal clear. If you have any wisdom (or even just random opinions) to share, please, just shout it out!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Spicy Asian Peanut Sauce
Spicy Asian Peanut Sauce is to die for. I love flavors that are a little bit sweet and a little bit spicy, and complex. I really love Asian food in general, and this is such a simple and versatile sauce I wanted to share it.
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| all photos courtesy of Alyssa |
Here's what you'll need. You'll have to excuse the JUMBO sized containers, they lack that aesthetic beauty, but it's how we roll around here! So you need honey, peanut butter (smooth or crunchy), vinegar, oil, chili oil, soy sauce, garlic, and water. I love recipes that are adaptable, and this one is. You can use sugar instead of honey, cider or seasoned rice vinegar instead of plain, chili paste instead of oil, and sesame oil in place of half the cooking oil. The amount of chili oil or paste is completely variable, but do add some. For my kids, about 1/3 of what's called for works great.
I was going to take pictures of the process, but it's so easy it's boring to look at. You just combine all the ingredients, in any order you like, into a small sauce pan (or a big one if you want to double the recipe).
Here's the crunchy peanut butter being added.
You want to heat it (stove top or microwave), just til the peanut butter and other ingredients melt together and combine.
It should have just the right amount of thickness to cling to whatever you add it to, not as thick as gravy.
Remember I said how versatile this is? It's great on noodles. Soba noodles, spaghetti noodles, bean thread noodles, almost any kind of noodles. And on vegetables like broccoli, or snow peas, or carrots.... it's good on chicken or fish, including shrimp. Wonderful on rice too.
We most often use it as a side dish and just put this over spaghetti noodles when serving chicken or fish... especially if the main dish has a bit of an Asian flavor to it already. I like to use leftovers for a healthy lunch. Take rice or noodles, any combination of stir fried veggies, and you have a quick and light lunch. My kids think it's ok. I LOVE it. Oh, and I've tried buying bottled peanut sauce thinking it'd save me some time..... so NOT the same. I don't know what they do, but it's not nearly as good.
Spicy Asian Peanut Sauce
4-6 cloves of minced garlic
3 T oil
3 T water
3 T soy sauce
1 T hot chili oil
1 T honey
2 T vinegar
1/4 c peanut butter
It should have just the right amount of thickness to cling to whatever you add it to, not as thick as gravy.
Remember I said how versatile this is? It's great on noodles. Soba noodles, spaghetti noodles, bean thread noodles, almost any kind of noodles. And on vegetables like broccoli, or snow peas, or carrots.... it's good on chicken or fish, including shrimp. Wonderful on rice too.
We most often use it as a side dish and just put this over spaghetti noodles when serving chicken or fish... especially if the main dish has a bit of an Asian flavor to it already. I like to use leftovers for a healthy lunch. Take rice or noodles, any combination of stir fried veggies, and you have a quick and light lunch. My kids think it's ok. I LOVE it. Oh, and I've tried buying bottled peanut sauce thinking it'd save me some time..... so NOT the same. I don't know what they do, but it's not nearly as good.
Spicy Asian Peanut Sauce
4-6 cloves of minced garlic
3 T oil
3 T water
3 T soy sauce
1 T hot chili oil
1 T honey
2 T vinegar
1/4 c peanut butter
Monday, November 29, 2010
Monopoly Anyone?
I bet some of you just love board games. I feel like I should.... doesn't every good mom want to play endless hours of board games with her kids? We played some growing up, but let's just say our family didn't always play.... well..... functionally. So I'm not a fan. Even though I feel guilty about it.
Because of this guilt, I do from time to time get sucked into playing. Last night Alyssa asked me to play Monopoly. The mother of all board games. You're looking at a 3 hour minimum time investment. Do you know what I could with 3 hours? (read a good book, make a gourmet meal, sleep, plant a garden, rearrange my closet...... )
This is what I got when I said I didn't want to play. Ok, how do you say no to that?
Soooooo..... he we are. Setting up and getting ready to play Monopoly America Special Edition. It's going to be a long night. We started at 6:30pm.
Taylor got in the game too. He was the top hat. Alyssa wanted the space shuttle. And I picked the pie... because everything else was weird (like movie reels) and I could relate to pie. Oh, and by the time we got the board set up and the money counted out, it was already like 7:30.
Taylor was the banker. This picture is out of focus, because he didn't want his picture taken and after 10 attempts, this was the best shot. And the top hat really isn't the best piece for him.... but what piece do you choose to illustrate how cutthroat you are in Monopoly? Hhmmm...... maybe they need a new piece. An icicle maybe? How about a scrolled up eviction notice? All I can say is, the boy is cold.
Oh fake Monopoly money.... how I wish you were real.
Oh, and right before we started, Dad jumped in the game too.
Early in the game, Alyssa accused Taylor of cheating and left the game in a 12 year old girl emotional melodrama. Natalie quickly took her place much to the annoyance of others who insisted she can't play on her own.
We've got hotels and some serious real estate happening here... and Natalie learned that she CAN count out money on her own!
Now, one thing I so dislike about board games, is that as a mom you are constantly interrupted because one child or another needs you. In the few minutes it took me to get the 3 year old a snack, something sinister went down. When I came back to the game, Mafia Pete here and his Dad had formed an unholy alliance. They agreed to merge all their holdings (and they had most of them already), and give each other amnesty (AKA free rent) until they took Natalie and me out. Then they'd dissolve and go after each other. Wow.... that's all I can say. Such cruelty from your spouse and a child you gave birth to (without drugs, who weighed over 10 lbs)..... I'm just sayin'.
They just sat there and waited for the inevitable bankruptcy. It didn't take long. Which is actually not a bad thing. Because my bankruptcy, which came shortly after Natalie's, ended the 3 HOUR LONG GAME. Next time could we just play chutes and ladders? Or, here's an idea! Play without me.
Because of this guilt, I do from time to time get sucked into playing. Last night Alyssa asked me to play Monopoly. The mother of all board games. You're looking at a 3 hour minimum time investment. Do you know what I could with 3 hours? (read a good book, make a gourmet meal, sleep, plant a garden, rearrange my closet...... )
This is what I got when I said I didn't want to play. Ok, how do you say no to that?
Soooooo..... he we are. Setting up and getting ready to play Monopoly America Special Edition. It's going to be a long night. We started at 6:30pm.
Taylor got in the game too. He was the top hat. Alyssa wanted the space shuttle. And I picked the pie... because everything else was weird (like movie reels) and I could relate to pie. Oh, and by the time we got the board set up and the money counted out, it was already like 7:30.
Taylor was the banker. This picture is out of focus, because he didn't want his picture taken and after 10 attempts, this was the best shot. And the top hat really isn't the best piece for him.... but what piece do you choose to illustrate how cutthroat you are in Monopoly? Hhmmm...... maybe they need a new piece. An icicle maybe? How about a scrolled up eviction notice? All I can say is, the boy is cold.
Oh fake Monopoly money.... how I wish you were real.
Oh, and right before we started, Dad jumped in the game too.
Early in the game, Alyssa accused Taylor of cheating and left the game in a 12 year old girl emotional melodrama. Natalie quickly took her place much to the annoyance of others who insisted she can't play on her own.
We've got hotels and some serious real estate happening here... and Natalie learned that she CAN count out money on her own!
Now, one thing I so dislike about board games, is that as a mom you are constantly interrupted because one child or another needs you. In the few minutes it took me to get the 3 year old a snack, something sinister went down. When I came back to the game, Mafia Pete here and his Dad had formed an unholy alliance. They agreed to merge all their holdings (and they had most of them already), and give each other amnesty (AKA free rent) until they took Natalie and me out. Then they'd dissolve and go after each other. Wow.... that's all I can say. Such cruelty from your spouse and a child you gave birth to (without drugs, who weighed over 10 lbs)..... I'm just sayin'.
They just sat there and waited for the inevitable bankruptcy. It didn't take long. Which is actually not a bad thing. Because my bankruptcy, which came shortly after Natalie's, ended the 3 HOUR LONG GAME. Next time could we just play chutes and ladders? Or, here's an idea! Play without me.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Happy Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving morning, about 7am. Woke up with a smashing headache, and thought I'd blog a little while everyone sleeps, and before turkey prep begins. I wanted to list a few more things that I'm thankful for, although I could never, EVER list them all.
1. Purple..... how can you look at purple and not feel a little happier?
2. Snow (not snowy roads), because it makes my kids SO happy
3. The kindness of people... we've had a rough year and been on the receiving end of help and support more than I'd like (because I love giving, not receiving). But so awesome, and so thankful to have had it.
4. Cheesecake. In high school, my best friend brought an entire cheesecake and can of blueberry filling to school.... and 4 of us shared and ate THE WHOLE THING. And yet, I still love cheesecake.
5. Making re-connections with friends and family on Facebook
6. All the things I've learned this year about myself; my abilities, the power of having vision and thinking positively, and experiencing the truth that action conquers fear.
7. Newly waxed hardwood floors. Oooohhhh...... shiny!
8. Christmas music. I'd listen to it all year if I could, because it's message of hope, salvation, and joy is one I need all year long.
9. Technology. It can be a pain at times... because I don't always know how to use it or how to fix it. But having my mom and Chloe get to see each other from across the miles when Chloe blew out her birthday candles..... priceless!
10. Lipstick.... I love lipstick. I usually forget to wear it. But I love the perfect shade of lipstick and how it helps me feel a little more polished and together.
Now, it took for forever to find this. I've seen it ascribed to President Lincoln as his Thanksgiving Day address. But it's not. It was a few months later when he proclaimed a National day of fasting and prayer. It's still a marvelous speech on gratitude and God , and worth reading and pondering this Thanksgiving. Enjoy your day and your many blessings!
1. Purple..... how can you look at purple and not feel a little happier?
2. Snow (not snowy roads), because it makes my kids SO happy
3. The kindness of people... we've had a rough year and been on the receiving end of help and support more than I'd like (because I love giving, not receiving). But so awesome, and so thankful to have had it.
4. Cheesecake. In high school, my best friend brought an entire cheesecake and can of blueberry filling to school.... and 4 of us shared and ate THE WHOLE THING. And yet, I still love cheesecake.
5. Making re-connections with friends and family on Facebook
6. All the things I've learned this year about myself; my abilities, the power of having vision and thinking positively, and experiencing the truth that action conquers fear.
7. Newly waxed hardwood floors. Oooohhhh...... shiny!
8. Christmas music. I'd listen to it all year if I could, because it's message of hope, salvation, and joy is one I need all year long.
9. Technology. It can be a pain at times... because I don't always know how to use it or how to fix it. But having my mom and Chloe get to see each other from across the miles when Chloe blew out her birthday candles..... priceless!
10. Lipstick.... I love lipstick. I usually forget to wear it. But I love the perfect shade of lipstick and how it helps me feel a little more polished and together.
Now, it took for forever to find this. I've seen it ascribed to President Lincoln as his Thanksgiving Day address. But it's not. It was a few months later when he proclaimed a National day of fasting and prayer. It's still a marvelous speech on gratitude and God , and worth reading and pondering this Thanksgiving. Enjoy your day and your many blessings!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
SNOW!!
And then this happened. Not just the dusting we usually get. (ok, you Utah and Idaho people can stop laughing at my "very much snow" picture... but really, this is a lot for us... we were overwhelmed with snowiness).
Giada likes it. It makes our dogs frisky. They can't get enough of romping through it.
The girls can't get enough of romping through it either!
Chloe and I have been reading "The Snowy Day" by Ezra Jack Keats. The first thing she wanted to do was make an angel. A snow angel made by an angel.
The snow was a little dry for a good snowball fight, but they tried.
Silly girls...
Michael's traditional "I'll be crazy and pretend it's summer for the first snow" pose. He's just flat crazy.
The best way to end playtime in the snow... a warm cookie in front of a warm heater.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Changes
Ok, so I get bored easily. If I could rearrange my furniture monthly... I probably would. Sadly, my house doesn't really accommodate many workable configurations.... so I'll have to be content redesigning my blog every so often (or really often). There are just too many colors and too many designs to stick with just one for very long!
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