Font This!

I just came across this website where you can make your own personalized font from your handwriting (or your child's). I think it is a really neat idea, particularly if you are a scrapbooker, which I once was and hope to return to in 2009. I think it is also a great way to preserve your children's handwriting.

It's a relatively painless process and when all is said and done you'll spend about $9. Please note that you do need a scanner to be able to use Fontifier.

Think of the possibilities!
What would you do with this?

More useless information

I enjoy reading GrandPooba's blog so much that I married off my youngest daughter to her newborn nephew in an arranged marriage scenario. My reasons were simple and probably not that smart. He was cute, I liked his name and I selfishly wanted to be around at the family gatherings because it looks like they have a lot of laughs and laughing is good. Anyway, somehow GrandPooba's sister found out about my blog and started commenting. So I had to go to her blog. That lead to my discovering another fun blog to read with time I frankly don't have. As if that wasn't bad enough, the girl tags me! Doesn't she know I'm a homeschooling mother with FOUR children? Gesh, Now I have to come up with 7 random things about myself to share and 7 random people to tag to participate.

Curses!

I used to be a professional organizer and I LOVED it. Give me a label maker and some plastic tubs and I'm in heaven.

I am a homeschooling mom and my house is overflowing because of it. I cannot wait to move into our new house so I can have a big office, playroom/classroom and just plain ROOM.

I am somewhat addicted to online shopping, but this economy is quickly putting an end to that. I usually am on a first name basis with the UPS drivers. And yes, I said drivers because the weekend ones are usually different.

I love Paperbackswap.com and Librarything.com. I can barely get a book in my hot little hands before I'm logging it on Librarything.com or listing it on Paperbackswap.com. It has become an obsession.

I have a "to be read" pile of about 45 books not counting those that are hidden in my house somewhere. True story. That doesn't stop me from buying more books or trading for more on Paperbackswap.com or hanging out at our church's new bookstore...or amazon.com or Barnes and Noble...

I have always wanted a sister. I'm very envious of those with sisters. I'm so glad that my two youngest children are sisters. I hope they always treasure the amazing relationship that sisters can have. Having a BFF is not the same as having a sister...or having your BFF be your sister. If anyone wants to adopt me as an honorary sister I'm available. I might even be willing to share my paperbackswap.com credits with you.

I've always been an old soul, but now I think I'm becoming an old woman. I now feel the need to rip out articles or newspaper clippings and mail them to friends with a little note. Just like a little old lady.

Okay, so now it's time to pass the buck.
I'm tagging:

Amy Bayliss because she designed this blog and is awesome!
Milk and Cookies Blog because she needs to get back into blogging!
Nikowa because she gave me my 1st blog award before I understood that I won!
Stethoscope & Stilettos because I cannot wait to see what she does with this!
The Lettered Cottage because she makes design look so easy and so affordable.
Spoiled Mommy because I know she will do this and it will be a fun post.
Blog O Beth because she wrote this

Not your mama's flats

What (thirty something) mom doesn't want to be comfortable and stylish? I've decided that 2009 is the year I'm making myself over.
No more maternity clothes for me, it's time to get a new look.
One that is hip, comfortable and practical; Because after all, I do love my day (and night) job.

I wanted to share with two of my recent shoe purchases.
They fit the bill and dress up my jeans and t-shirt look just enough to make me hip.
But I can still run, skip, hop, and get on the floor with the best of them.

Lanvin Jeweled bow ballet flat in Navy from Barney's
I just feel gorgeous wearing these. They are perfection for the feet and amazingly comfortable. I can see why they are a celebrity favorite. But I won't hold that against them. They come in a range of colors in a basic simple unadorned design. But for my first purchase I had to go with the jeweled ones.









Studded ballet slippers in black from Bona Drag.
I wasn't sure I could pull these off at first. It was really stretching it for me as I usually lean towards the more classic---but I did say I wanted a makeover, so that means trying something new and have I mentioned how comfortable these are? Don't wear them out in wet weather though. They are crafted from real ballet shoes with soft soles.

Just call me Madonna. I'm making myself over.

Post Holiday Organizing

There is no better time to get organized for Christmas 2009 then right now.

I know the temptation is there to just junk everything into a box and worry about it next year, but don't do it. Think about what a gift it will be to have everything nicely organized as you kick off your holiday preparations next year.

One of my favorite things to do, post holiday, is stock up on all the Christmas clearance items in the way of gift wrap, tags, bows, tape, tissue paper and even ornaments (great for themed trees and holiday package toppers).

My all time favorite purchase was from The Container Store where I purchased their Gift Wrap Table. It holds even the longest of rolls and has room for tags, bows, tape etc. Although I also store additional paper and supplies in other containers---this works great. You might also consider using it for your non-holiday wrap (birthday, generic, baby shower).

I also like the vertical gift wrap organizer which works especially well if you have to store your wrap in the garage, attic or basement.

If you have a craft room or large enough personal home office you may also want to consider a simple blueprint cart which can also be found at office supply stores.


So check your supplies and see what you need.
Remember, when buying gift wrap, ribbons etc. try to stick within the same color palette so you can build on your gift wrap wardrobe easily each year without worrying if everything matches and coordinates.

Advent Garland Kit

If you are like me you probably saw a lot of great holiday ideas, projects and traditions you wanted to do this holiday, but quickly ran out of time or energy to pull together.

My Montessori Journey posted a stocking advent activity that really inspired me in more ways than one. It is definitely on my list of things to do next year. Although you can make the stockings. I prefer to buy them on the cheap and what luck! You can buy them on sale now!
Mini Stockings are available from:

Hearthsong currently has the Advent Garland kit on sale for just $4.99!

Oriental Trading company has mini stockings here, here and here. But I also like the mini gift card holders.


I'm ready for next year.
How about you?

The Perfect Gift...

I am so proud to be a contributor to Heart of the Matter Online.
The fact that I am able to write along side a team of incredible and inspiring writers is surely a sign of God's grace and blessings on my life. I am not worthy...and yet I am blessed.

As you start your holiday celebrations I wanted to draw your attention to an article written by one of the other writers on the team. Her message, The Perfect Gift for Imperfect Families, is a strong, important and comforting one.

It's a Wrap

When I saw this gift wrap idea, I knew I had to share it on my blog. I am so going to do this next year.

What a great way to use up those usually discarded annoying gift wrap scraps. It's also a great way to keep building on your holiday wrap supplies. Think of it as building a (gift wrap) wardrobe. Each year you just add and edit. So remember, when the post holiday sales begin, you'll want to make sure all of your 75% off gift wrap coordinates.



Other great tips on gift wrap that you must read:

Creative Gift Wrap Ideas from Real Simple

Ten Green Gift Wrap ideas

Creative Gift Wrap ideas from Country Living

Holiday Centerpiece.

A friend who doesn't celebrate Christmas received a wreath from a client and promptly gifted it to me. I took the wreath, added a candle and came up with a great smelling center piece for our breakfast table. It would look even better with a larger candle but I just used what I had around the house.

I think it looks pretty good.
It looks even better with a place setting but I'm too lazy to take set one up for the photo, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

So if you have a spare wreath hanging around you can make yourself one too!

Something about Santa...

As Christians we do not really play up the whole Santa thing. There are no notes to Santa or cookies or whatnot left for Santa and his reindeer. But I do admit to falling prey to the annual Picture with Santa obsession.

Last year we didn't bother and I was proud of myself. But this year our neighborhood brought in the Santa and so I rounded up my friends and we did Breakfast with Santa.

Now, is it just me or does this Santa look like he rides a Harley?
And while we are it,
Does Santa have L-O-N-G hair?
I do not recall the Santa of my youth having shoulder length hair.
Although I do greatly appreciate the real beard. Unlike the cotton ball beard of my youth.
And we won't talk about his cell phone, text messaging self while he had kids in his lap.
To be fair, it wasn't during the photo sessions, just the hanging with Santa time.
And, I do have to admit he was using his iPhone to show them a Santa related website...I think.
But he DID tell them he took a plane and a rental car to come visit today.
Modern Santa.
Can we handle it?

Oh, and lets talk about the tradition of putting our young children in a strangely dressed bearded man's lap and making them tell their deepest secrets to him while we take a picture and then get upset that the child or children are crying and do not want to sit in this fellows lap!

But of course I did it to my youngest daughter anyway. Except I didn't get upset.
I wouldn't want to break our family tradition of taking the crying with Santa picture.



Poor Baby.
I think we're done with the whole Santa photo thing now.
Seriously.
Unless we have another child.

Thanks, but no thanks

At the risk of getting thrown off several Holiday mailing lists, I simply must blog about this.

What NOT to include in a family newsletter

I realize I have never written a holiday newsletter. But I do feel that as the recipient of holiday newsletters I am qualified to blog about this. It is after all my own darn blog anyway!

1.) When sending your annual holiday missive please do not write about, in graphic detail, all of the surgeries and illnesses that have taken over your family.

2.) If you are starting off your holiday letter with the words, "To say this year has not been good to us would be a gross understatement" then perhaps you should just skip the holiday letter this year. Honestly, no one wants to read that. Especially me. It makes me grateful we only touch base once a year. Harsh I know, but it's the truth. We all have trials and tribulations. The holidays are a time of joy. I want to be joyful. Your holiday newsletter was a downer...and now fodder for my blog.

3.) Please do not include a bullet point list of every human and animal that you've known that has died this year. First of all, when you include Fluffy in the same list with your Great Aunt Edna, I think it really demeans Aunt Edna. I'm all for animal love, but make a choice. Either include briefly that Fluffy went to kitty heaven or talk about losing your beloved Aunt Edna. If a relative isn't that beloved, but you are getting off on the bullet point list of people you know who keeled over this year, well can I tell you that you've got problems?

4.) Do not include a request for cash. Enough, said.

5.) Do not go on and on about how you almost didn't write a holiday newsletter this year because you don't have anything nice to say, the world sucks, etc.

Thanks for reading.
Happy Holidays!

Awards for the Clueless...

It appears I've won two blog awards and have been too clueless to realize that I actually WON them! I guess I was waiting for my cash and prizes to arrive at the door. I was originally confused that I was a runner up or something...What can I say? I'm new at this blogging thing!

It also appears that I am very behind on posts and for that I'm sorry.
It's a new years' resolution to get my bloggin' act together. And yes, this award did get me motivated.

Pooba awarded me this lovely award for Coolest blog, ever!

Here are the rules for this one:

1. Put the logo on your blog.
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3. Nominate outstanding blogs that you follow. Add links to those blogs.
4. Leave a message to those nominees on their blog.

So I think the cutest blogs are:

The Lettered Cottage

A long way from the Theta House

The McMommy Chronicles

Vitafamiliae

and finally, back at you Pooba---and don't forget that your nephew is totally spoken for in our arranged marriage deal. You can tell his grandma to go ahead and tattoo on my daughter's initials onto her arm. It's a done deal.

Just a thought

I really enjoy receiving Christmas cards. Especially the ones that include photos of the families. I love watching the children of our friends and relatives grow up---even if my only opportunity to do so is on a holiday card.

For a long time I would place each and every card into a photo album. After about 6 albums this got old. I couldn't save EVERY card. I had to be more selective...but I felt bad about the cards I threw out.

Then last year I heard about one family's tradition that I decided to COPY.
And now you can too.
They won't mind.
Honestly.
I asked them.

Okay, maybe I didn't.
But I know they won't mind.

Here's what they do that I think is so incredibly amazing:
After Christmas they place all the cards they receive in a bowl.
Each night following Christmas they remove a card and pray for that family.
Then they send you a postcard with a handwritten note letting you know about their tradition and that your family was prayed for.

What a gift!
And it doesn't cost anything.
See, I'm not just about play kitchens.

What do you do with your holiday cards after the holidays?

A true dilemma...or maybe not.

What is it about the Pottery Barn kids catalog that sends me into shopping fits?
If you have children it truly could double as a decorating magazine, if you could avoid shopping from it. So many ideas. So many great color schemes. So many happy things sure to bring on nostalgic childhood memories...

And now for my dilemma.
Well, maybe using the word dilemma is an exaggeration.
It's not a dilemma so much as it's a shopping urge and blogging fodder. Okay, so I don't need to shop, but I do need something to blog about!

So here it is.
As a little girl I always, always, always, always, always, wanted a play kitchen.
And, as you've probably guessed by my overuse of the word always, I never got one.
Never.

I'm now 37 and I don't believe I have gotten over it.
So, of course I feel my daughters NEED to have one.
And, not the tacky one that I would have been satisfied with as a kid.
Oh no, I want them to have the latest greatest gourmet play kitchen available.
Because we want to give our kids everything we can, don't we?
But we shouldn't make Christmas, or life for that matter, about material possessions.

So what to do?
There are two play kitchens calling out my name and tugging on my wallet.
Or, Big Daddy's wallet, as the case may be.

One, is if course Pottery Barn Kid's Gourmet Kitchen
What is not to love about this kitchen? The refrigerator has a little water/ice dispenser and the pull out freezer below. The stove has four burners and a griddle/grill middle insert and just look at how roomy that oven is? I think the girls are going to need those burners and extra oven space when they cook up Thanksgiving dinner together, don't you? The sink is just darling in all its stainless steel wonder. You can even buy it as an island! I think my heart just skipped a beat over that. You can buy the whole set for $779. Oh and did I mention the cute PINK mixer? Tell me that isn't the cutest thing!

The other is from FAO Schwartz.
The colors of this play kitchen are more playful.

It doesn't scream out, "I'm a spoiled brat whose Mommy was deprived and didn't get a play kitchen". It's also a GREEN gift. Yep, good for the environment. I guess that is why it sells for $950 and is currently SOLD OUT. I may or may not have purchased this one already using a variety of online discounts. It may or may not be returnable which makes my current obsession with Pottery Barn's Gourmet kitchen a TRUE dilema.

Okay, it's still not. But humor me.

Which one would you prefer? Is it excessive to buy a gourmet play kitchen? Or is the total quantity of gifts that makes it obsessive? If my girls received this and a couple books would that be okay? Or is it just excess from the start?

To write or not to write a holiday newsletter...

I have a Love/Hate affair with the Holiday Newsletter.
At times I'd LOVE to write one. Especially when we get a really cool one, like this one that I found online. However, I HATE the ones that go on and on about how fabulous everyone in the family is. We actually got one last year that went on and on about the couple's various degrees and how grossly overqualified they both were for their high powered jobs with flashy titles. I almost vomited after reading the letter. My opinion of that couple was irreversibly changed after reading that card. Who knew they were so full of themselves?

"Little Timmy just turned 10 and graduated from Princeton and is now considering a masters at Harvard where they offered him a full scholarship and a Porsche. "

Then there are the mundane ones. The letters with zero creative spark or interest. The ones I fall asleep reading. Did the sender just whip it up at the last minute? Did they think it was informative and good? Or, is it a joke that I'm just not getting?

"Joe is 6. His favorite color is purple and he plays soccer.
Amy is 10 going on 11. She likes dolls a lot.
Mom is busy. Dad works too much but golfs on Saturdays.
Fluffy the dog wants Santa to bring her a bone. "

Every year, without fail, I feel a strong desire to WRITE a Holiday Newsletter.
I like the concept of a holiday newsletter. I just cannot seem to pull it off yet.

So, what's the verdict? Do you love holiday newsletters or loathe them? Do you write one? Do you think I should? What do you love or loathe the most about holiday newsletters?

If you are considering writing a holiday newsletter this year and don't know where to start. I suggest reading these tips for writing a great holiday newsletter first. I'm still pondering it...

Happy Holidays!

Green Christmas Cards

Here is a great F*R*E*E service that you can use to send out creative Holiday Cards via email this holiday season from Smilebox. You will save a tree, time and money. There are hundreds of designs to choose from and you can add your photos, video, words and music!

PLUS you can even create scrapbook pages or a holiday newsletter; Anything you create on Smilebox can be easily emailed or posted to your blog!

Make a Smilebox greeting

Decorative Votive Holders

In a previous post I mentioned that we were working on handmade gifts this holiday season. Here is a simple one that was a lot of fun for my preschool and kindergarten age children.

Decorative Votive Holders

materials needed:
glass votives
votive candles
adhesive jewel stickers






Instructions:
Wash and dry the glass votives.
Adhere jewel stickers to outside of votive.

Recycled Jar Vases

Recycled jar Vases

Materials needed:
Recycled jars of various sizes
colored masking tape

Instructions:
Remove labels from jar (soak if needed) and wash and dry
Tear pieces of colored masking tape and adhere to jar in decorative pattern

Are you making any handmade gifts this holiday season?

Baby Talkers Video Contest

Parenting Magazine is offering a $500 (American Express Gift card) prize in their Baby Talkers Video Contest. Parents are asked to submit a video of their child babbling, speaking or attempting to speak. Not one to pass up a contest I'm entering Cutie Pie. We all know how she calls my name out constantly. Yep, I'm her favorite person so the least she could do is act cute and close the deal for me on the $500 American Express gift card prize. Unlike that other parent in our house who would probably use it towards more golf gear, I have only the noblest of intentions. I would donate ours to Place of Hope.

To enter your child just submit your one minute video by December 7th.

Here is one of our trial runs for the contest:

I am using my Flip Video Camera to take video for the contest.
I love that thing and one of these days its going to capture those magical words Mama.
I just know it. Because it is Mama who gets up at 3am and not that other person.
One of these days Cutie Pie is gonna figure that out.
Otherwise, I might have to just nudge Big Daddy and say, "Your daughter is calling for you."
Then she will appreciate me.

Sending you elsewhere

I have zip, nada, nothin'
so I am sending you elsewhere, but only temporarily.
Please come back tomorrow.

Inspiring Blog Posts
The Mother Letter Project
A Project that took on an amazing life of its own. One husband's desire to collect a series of open letters to mothers for his wife's Christmas present. You will laugh, cry, feel inspired and hopefully leave one of your own.

Crafty Christmas Activities with Kids:
Bella Dia has two of my favorite things: a good picture book with a craft tied in!

Latest online obsessions:
Fancy Build-A-Bear workshop cake pans.
Caramel Marshmallows
"Nutcracker Sweet" Cookies

Stocking stuffer ideas...
Mini card games
Memory Match game
Automo-Blox cars
Little Linguist Flashcards...because nothing says, "I love you" like schoolwork in your stocking!

Blogging about Dinner:
Favorite Family Recipes...inspiring blog. I bet she doesn't have picky little eaters though!
When people say, "Well, it's the thought that counts" does it apply to dinner?

Will I be able to show Big Daddy the cool recipes she made her family and tell him that although we have no dinner on the table----it's the thought that counts!

Nah, I didn't think so either.
Well, it was worth a try!

The Land of Nod

I just love the Land of Nod catalog.
Especially at Christmas.
And here I am trying my best to not make it about what I buy...
argh...

Since I'm not allowing myself to buy everything on this list, can I just show you what is so darn cute that SOMEONE must buy it in my place?

Pardon our Dust Construction toys
This is every little boys dream! I love wooden toys.

Nod Baby Gift Bag
The large is $99 and the Jumbo is $149 but its packed with a selection of infant-safe toys and books that will grow with the lucky new arrival. A very cool gift if you are skipping the whole registry route.

Play Ice Cream
This amazing set has magnets that allow the child to actually scoop and build the ice cream cone packaged in a freezer storage case! Its sure to be a hit and don't say I didn't tell you ahead of time.

Breakfast in Bed Playset
This is just too cute...Wooden toaster with realistic pop-up action and timer make it perfect for the pretend wooden slices of bread plus 13 piece pretend wooden food pieces including a fried egg that is adorable. I cannot wait to break this out and play with it!

Fun Educational games by Eeboo
Make a Pie Game
The Picnic Game
United States of Bingo
You say it's your birthday (hot birthday gift for little girls)
Time We'll tell game

And finally, you know the joke about kids end up playing with the BOXES their toys came IN?


Well can you believe they are now selling cardboard boxes for kids to play in?

Truthfully, my boys would be THRILLED to have the Cardboard Rocket Set while my daughter would love the Playhouse. Big Daddy would not be so thrilled though.


Happy Shopping or dreaming!
What are your favorite things in the Land of Nod catalog?

Cricket Magazine Catalog

Here are some of my holiday picks from CricketMag.com

Of course it goes without saying that I think the world of their magazines for children. We currently subscribe to both Babybug and Ladybug but there are more great titles for every age group and interest.

The Mozart Effect: Music for Babies
My sister-in-law SWEARS that my nephew is the mathematical genius that he is due to her playing Mozart to him constantly as a child. I just like the idea of exposing young children to classical music.



Can you hear it? Book and CD
By Dr. William Lach and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Each work of art presented in the picture book corresponds with a musical track on the accompanying CD, and "readers are prompted with questions to look and listen in ways they have never before. An introduction to musical instruments precedes the 13 selections". Now, what homeschool mom wouldn't be intrigued by this? Chalk this up as another must have educational gift.


Happy Shopping!

Karin Katherine's Crockpot Turkey Chili

Big Daddy recently made the worst chili known to man. It was truly horrible. He took out half my spices, my entire supply of tomato sauce, about 2 lbs of the finest organic ground beef and I won't even talk about the pot. That's when I realized that there is somewhat of an art form to making chili. I also realized that I should tattoo my chili recipe on Big Daddy's forearm. Either that or stencil it on my kitchen walls. Thankfully, he claims he won't attempt to make chili again.I hope that's a promise he remembers.

1 lb dark ground turkey
1 lb light ground turkey
1 large onion
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Cracked Black pepper to taste
2-3 teaspoons chili powder (your preference)
2 15oz cans pinto beans
2 28 oz can peeled tomatoes

Brown ground turkey in pot with onion, cumin, garlic powder, red pepper, black pepper and chili.

Chop tomatoes in can and pour into mixture.

Add pinto beans.

Cook for 4 hours.

Serve with sour cream.
Add broken toasted tortilla strips if you want to go Southwestern.