so long two thousand eleven.

I don't think I am the only one who is blown 

away with how fast 2011 went by. 

Where in the world does time go?

 I know that if I didn't have my munchkins to run after all day long

 and semesters that take what seem like chunks out of the year

 well, I wouldn't have a life -therefore I would be wasted. 

time would go by slowly.

the days now start with my munchkins waking me up 

 and quickly it is dark and time for bed. 

 just like that

 and it seems as fast as the days go

 well the months are steadily following

 one after the other until 

BAM

 it's a new year!

 I can't help but think ahead of time-

 what will the world be like in twenty years?

 that's right

 2032.

 does that not sound weird to you?

 it sounds weird to say, 2032.

 I can't even imagine sitting here at my computer in twenty years

 I'll be forty-four (my mothers age now)

 and writing to you about my nonsense

 but more so it will be a reflection of how much my life has changed. 

 It just blows my mind. 

  

 In twenty years, Adriana will be twenty-five

Ryland will be twenty-three.

 oh my god.

 I'm freaking myself out. 

 I need to stop. 

 I am really excited about this new year. 

 I have some really great news that I can't quite share yet

 until I get the go ahead for it- but I promise

 it's worth it and I get to share it all with you!!

 literally, share with each and every one of you. 

 which is a big thing for me.

 I will try to blog more

 I won't promise, but I am making it a true effort. 

 I just don't know how much of the new Spring semester will 

 expect of me and with the kids, well you already know!

 So this will be my final post of 2011. 

 I am happy to have met so many of you

 and lucky to have made some life long friends to share the years to come. 

 my new years resolution, you ask?

 I want to better myself.

 I don't always take care of me

 and worry about everything else

 and I have let myself slip.

so this new year, 2012

 I will lose the weight I want to lose.

 I will start some sort of meditation.

I will make more of the art I love to do. 

 I will read the books I've put on hold. 

 I will be the best darn mother I know how to be.

 I will have rough days. 

 I will have better days. 

 I will learn to play more songs on my uke &share.
I will do one thing for myself each month &share.

&most importantly I will take care of me.

I'll see you in 2012.
happy new year!

happy christmas eve!

from our family to yours!

recipe box: twelve

peppermint bark

I don't have any pictures for this, 

I apologize but it's super easy to do without them!

what you need

one 11oz bag of white chocolate (Ghirardelli)

eight candy canes (more if desired)

what to do

1. Line an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet 

with parchment, and set aside.

2. In the top of a double boiler,  

or with a bowl on top of gently boiling water

melt white chocolate, stirring constantly.

3. With a chef's knife or meat tenderizer, 

cut or pound candy canes into pieces. 

I like to do mine until some of it is a fine powder

 this helps the chocolate turn a pretty reddish color.

4. Stir pieces of candy canes into the melted chocolate. 

Remove from heat and pour the mixture onto 

the prepared baking sheet; spread evenly.

5. Chill until firm, 25 to 30 minutes. 

Break into pieces, and serve. 

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

tip! 

we let ours sit outside in the cool weather to let it set faster, 

you can put it in the fridge to set if you have room.

enjoy.

holiday fun, continued!

we love the holidays around here- it's an all month celebration!

 these are some pictures to share the fun.

these lovely gifts are from a dear friend 

 over at the yellow pepper blog! 

thanks again so much Rebekah, I love everything.

 we took part in an online mommy gift exchange

 hosted by Bekah at mylittleloves!

thanks again for the opportunity to take

 part in something amazing like this.

  

2011 christmas party with friends and lots of kids!

so much fun and lots of presents and happy munchkins

 <3

adriana this morning- today was the last day before

 winter break and she got to wear pajamas to school!

recipe box: eleven

 caramel macchiato thumbprints

I started making these about three years ago- 

mainly because I absolutely love caramel macchiatos

but I soon caught on to how much my friends and family

 love them so I have decided to share them with you, as well. 

 I did find the recipe through Betty Crocker- which follows the sugar cookie 
recipe according to the package but

 I have added my own twists here and there-

 you can use whatever organic products you have
or a sugar cookie recipe you may have to 

maximize the best ultimate product in the end, for you!

what you need

2 teaspoons instant espresso coffee powder or granules

1 tablespoon hot water 
1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) betty crocker sugar cookie mix
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg
18 caramels, unwrapped
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening 




1 Heat oven to 375°F. 

In large bowl, dissolve coffee powder in hot water. 

Stir in cookie mix, flour, butter, vanilla 

and egg until very soft dough forms.

 

2 Shape dough into 1 1/2-inch balls. 

On ungreased cookie sheets, place balls 2 inches apart. 

Using thumb or handle of wooden spoon, 

make indentation in center of each cookie.

 

3 Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are light golden brown. 

Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks.

 

 

4 In small microwavable bowl, microwave caramels and milk 

uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds, 

stirring once, until caramels are melted. 

Spoon 1/2 teaspoon caramel 

into indentation in each cookie. 

Cool 15 minutes.

 

5 In another small microwavable bowl, 

microwave chocolate chips and shortening

uncovered on High 1 minute to 1 minute 30 seconds or 

until chips can be stirred smooth. 

Drizzle chocolate over cookies.

Let stand about 30 minutes 

or until chocolate is set.

 

tip: to set faster, I set them outside

 in the cold weather!

enjoy!

holiday fun

some of our holiday 

festivities and decorations!

 

 

adriana's tree

 

ryland's tree

 

an ornament from a sweet friend, Kylie.

 

our christmas tree- last year using this one.

 

caramel brulee latte!

 

 

munchkin love

 

now only six days!

 

 

scarf sweater, sweet boy

 

excited to decorate the tree

 

cultural center decorated for winter

 

a little piano playing.

 

paper snow flakes we made.

I made garland out of them. 

 

addi's ginger bread house she made at school.

 

festival of lights- tanglewood.

 

roasted marshmallows!

 

ready to eat them!

<3

  &decorating bags for presents!

 what holiday festivities have you been up to?

 we want to know!

we heart music.

this morning I am trying to find peace to get through this week. 

 Adriana is at school, Ryland is beside me

 and we are listening to some of our favorite songs.

 I thought we should share.

 good monday to you.

 

 

 

volume II

Turnip Votive Holders

these are super easy, super cheap and earth friendly. 

 they make for fabulous decoration on any occasion.

I am doing these for the holidays!

how to

 

what you need

votive candles

turnips

melon baller

 

1. For each candle remove the votive candle 

from its protective metal case. 

Turn the metal piece upside down and, 

use it as a cookie cutter to mark a circle in the top of the turnip, 

pressing down to pierce the flesh.

2. With the melon baller

hollow out the circle deep enough to rest the candle 

flush with the vegetable's surface. 

Place the candle (without the metal piece) 

inside the hollowed turnip.

repeat process for as many turnips as you want. 

tip: use turnips in varying sizes for the most interesting display. 

via 

etsy loves

The Linnet's Wing

Luke Lamp Co

Nutfield Weaver

 Judy Ruth

 Jillybeanerz

 two inspire you

may.tree.ark