Dec 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
Okay, two cakes in the making, brain is starting to work…
Cake 1-
Jac wants an Alvin and the Chipmunks birthday (his birthday is Christmas Eve) and the movie comes out on the 23rd. So I reserved a party room at a theater.
Not sure on the cake… Movie cake or Alvin and the Chipmunks cake?
Cake 2-
I’m debating making this one…
A cake for 75 girls (my goddaughter’s friend’s sweet 16 party)
Three tiered Tim Burton style “Alice in Wonderland” cake
Could be fun, but for Jan. 2nd
Dec 12, 2009 | Uncategorized
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Dec 8, 2009 | Uncategorized
This is crazy week in our house.
The
Nutcracker is this week, and both oldest boy and girl are in it this year.
We have been so busy with practices (OK, they have and I have been busy being a chauffeur/bench warmer.) Yesterday was “move in” day to the theater and
their first time on stage this year.
I was worried about my anxious little guy, but he did great! I didn’t get to see my little soldier dance because her practice didn’t end til 9! I took the boys home about 815 or so…
Dress rehearsal tomorrow- productions on Thurs through Sunday! Whew!
Oh, and did I mention E’s science fair paper is due on Monday? (And her finals are next week.)
I want to have a cookie exchange party. I’ve never had one and not quite sure how it works. Anyone?
Trying to clean and decorate.
Blogging instead…
Happy Holidays!
Dec 7, 2009 | Green Living, Uncategorized
How can I green up MY holidays?
- Don’t wrap gifts, or use a scarf, pretty re-usable bag (my sis-in-law used pretty reusable shopping bags last year -such a neat idea!)
- If you do wrap use paper over (like your grandma did!)
- Send e-cards!
- If you are like me and love to get “real” mail this one time a year then use recycled cards or re-use last year’s cards by cutting off the fronts. I read a neat tip on Suite101 that said to write your note on a slip of scrap paper or sticky note so the card-receiver can reuse the card next year! Also pare down your card list if you haven’t heard from someone in awhile. I’m still trying to figure out my cards for this year… I think we are going to make paper with junk mail, then make cards with those. We usually do New Year’s Cards to minimize the holiday stress.
- If you exchange gifts buy local or handcraft your own creations (try local folks on Etsy!) I saw an idea where friends who craft get together and swap gifts. I’d love to try this next year!
- Make sure the toys you buy are safe. THIS IS HARD! There are some great sites to verify the toys don’t have nasty chemicals in them (just do a search!) If you buy toys that are made for sale in Europe you will probably be safe as they have stricter laws on bad toys unlike we do in the U.S. (If you have pets remember to check them out too- there is virtually NO regulation on pet toy safety!)
- Better than giving things why not register your family on Heifer Project’s giving site?
You will give a chance for a new future for underprivileged people around the world. Another great choice is Arkansas Rice Depot!
- Buy local foods for your meals. It not only supports local farmers, but makes a smaller carbon print. But, most importantly, it TASTES BETTER! Thanksgiving we managed to get almost our entire meal from local farmers.
- Decorate using fresh items if possible, or recycle your old ones with new ribbons etc.
- Reuse old wrapping paper and cards to make neat new decorations for your home! We are making paper chains with old cards today!
- We always get a fresh tree. I know some people think this is bad, but it’s from a tree farm where they plant new ones every year. In my humble opinion you are supporting local farmers, putting a natural item in your home as opposed to a plastic chemical ridden thing that has been manufactured in China and shipped halfway around the world. Plus we love to go as a family and drink cocoa, ride the tractor, cut the tree… makes for a fun day! (Also they make your house smell so “Christmasy” as the kids say!) I have a great recipe for tree food here on my recipe blog.
Cutting our tree this weekend!Do you have a good idea to green your Christmas? Please let me know and let’s keep the ideas rolling!
Dec 7, 2009 | In-Edibles, Recipes, Uncategorized
This is the recipe I use to “feed” my Christmas tree.
I got it online somewhere a long time ago but modified it to not use bleach.
How to Make Your Christmas Tree Fire Resistant
(and keep it living til 3 King’s Day!)
Ingredients:
• 2 cups of Karo Syrup
• 2 ounces of vinegar
• 2 pinches of Epson Salt
• ½ teaspoon of Borax (some recipes also call for 1 teaspoon of chelated iron which you can get at a pharmacy or garden store- I’ve never used it though.)
• 2 ground up aspirins
• Hot Water
Procedure:
1. With a saw, make a fresh cut at the base on the tree trunk. Cut off at least an inch and try to make a flat or level cut.
2. Immediately after cutting the base off the tree, mix the fireproofing ingredients listed above. Fill a 2-gallon bucket with hot water to within 1 inch of the top and add the ingredients. Stir thoroughly.
3. Stand the trunk of the tree in this solution and leave for 24 hours.
4. Every day, without exception, fill up the well of the tree-stand with the fireproofing solution.
How this procedure works:
The Karo Syrup provides the sugar necessary to allow the base of the tree to take up water. The tree may take up to 1/5 gallons of water over a two-week period. Boron in the Borax allows the tree to move the water and sugar out to every branch and needle in the tree. Magnesium compounds in the Epson Salt and Iron from the Chelated Iron provide essential components for the production of chlorophyll that will keep the tree green. The vinegar keeps mold from forming in your solution. This fireproofing procedure will also help prevent the needles from dropping and will increase the natural fragrance of the tree.
They say you can try to light a branch once it’s sat for 24 hrs and it won’t catch on fire! I love that it does keep my tree nice and green until I want to take it down after New Year’s.
