Yeah, I cannot remember mine either. I find New Year's Resolutions incredibly hard to set. I think it was so much easier to set goals/resolutions when I was school. The start of a school year brought about a definitive change--summer vacation ending and the start of a new academic year--and the goals specific to that academic year (certain classes, running that awful 12 minute timed running test, etc.) were much more easier to identify.
With New Year's Resolutions, it is not just well defined. Really, what is so special about January 1st? I went to work today, December 31st, and I will go to the same job on January 2nd. Nothing really changes except that when I write the date out, I will write 2008 (after I scribble out 2007, which I almost certainly wrote by mistake). And there is really nothing specific about 2008 that sets it apart from 2007 or 2009...at least for me.
But I have been thinking hard about what I want to accomplish in 2008 in the scope of becoming a domestic goddess. And I came up with four good ones that I will write about on New Year's Day. Can you handle the suspense?
In the meantime, if you are scrambling for New Year's Resolutions, here are a few suggestions from Shape and body+soul magazines.
Shape magazine offered 13 things to try to do in 2008. I think they wanted to them to be little things that you can easily do every day and I think some of them are pretty good.
1. Drink some water every hour.
2. Put on a happy face.
3. Give yourself a posture check.
4. Break out the Swiffer. (Having just dusted my kitchen--ew!, I absolutely need to work on dusting more this year)
5. "Vacation" in bed.
6. Eat a little avocado. (Beyond guacamole, any ideas on how to accomplish this?)
7. Crank up the tunes during your commute.
8. Play in the dirt. (And then get a manicure...lol)
9. Chat up the new guy.
10. Stock up on the staples.
11. Take a TV break. (The writer's strike should make this one easier.)
12. Splurge on fresh-cut flowers.
13. Measure your belly.
From body+soul (I adore this magazine!), they set the "10 Healthiest Resolutions":
1. Eat more dark, leafy greens.
2. Enjoy omega-3-rich food twice a week.
3. Walk for half an hour a day.
4. Breathe deeply for 5 minutes a day.
5. Start eating quinoa. (I highly recommend it. It's delicious and I believe it is the only grain that is also a complete protein.)
6. Use more spices.
7. Create deadlines. (Ha, this should so be mine types the girl who just finished a wedding present....7 months after the wedding....sorry, Erin and Sean!)
8. Eat a better breakfast and lunch. (Over the past six months, I have made my breakfast and lunch my "bigger meals" and my dinner much smaller. It may not work for everyone and every one's schedule but it has absolutely been a great change for me.)
9. Go to bed a half hour earlier.
10. Choose one person to connect with.
Here's to a great year of personal growth for everyone...and maybe I will finally run that freakin' 12 minute mile.
Monday, December 31, 2007
Lady, It's Cold Outside
Okay, this dog is just too cute. She LOVES the snow!
(This was after snowstorm #2 while I was home for the holidays.)
(This was after snowstorm #2 while I was home for the holidays.)
Things that made me smile today...
1) As I was running down the stairs to catch my train that was already loading at the platform, another passenger saw me and stood in the doorway of one of the trains, so the doors couldn't close and I could get on. Given the force with which the Metro doors close, this was probably not the smartest move on his part but I was happy to get on the train. (And for all of you Metro rule-followers, the doors never actually tried to close while he was standing there, so there was no holding up of the train...it was just a nice gesture.)
2) Watching the staff at my gym toast the New Year with cups of Starbucks. Ha, is there a better beverage with which to ring in 2008? Um, well, except for all those people giving up caffeine.
And with that, Happy New Year!!! I have an exciting evening planned that involves cleaning my kitchen (really, I know you are so jealous) and I will probably be in bed by 9 p.m.
2) Watching the staff at my gym toast the New Year with cups of Starbucks. Ha, is there a better beverage with which to ring in 2008? Um, well, except for all those people giving up caffeine.
And with that, Happy New Year!!! I have an exciting evening planned that involves cleaning my kitchen (really, I know you are so jealous) and I will probably be in bed by 9 p.m.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
I know we haven't reached a Jetsons level of technology, but this surprised me!!!
I never buy a newspaper when I fly. Thanks to the newspaper circle of life, someone always leaves behind a newspaper, usually USA Today, in the waiting area of my gate (and most of the time, the paper has a sticker that says "Compliments of the Sheraton Hotel", so thank you Sheraton Hotels for helping me pass the time during layovers).
This was indeed the case during my recent holiday travels. While waiting out a layover at the Milwaukee Intergalactic Airport, I picked up a slightly used USA Today and began reading. I am a big fan of USA Today. Since it is the rare (is it the only?) national newspaper, I really like how they maintain a certain level of detail in the store, just enough to give me an idea of what is going on, not so much or so little that it leaves me thinking, huh? Then if I want more details, I can always Google it later. Plus, I think they have some of the most interesting feature stories and they always have outstanding best/worst lists after the awards shows.
One headline in the December 20th edition that caught my eye this time around was "Web-savvy teens prefer the good old landline phone." I was intrigued immediately. The story detailed findings from a Pew Internet & American Life Project. The Project found that the percentage of teens who communicate with friends every day are using the following methods:
Maybe I am just inundated with teenagers and their annoying cellphone ringtones on the Metro every day, but I honestly thought teens were more technologically savvy than this.
This was indeed the case during my recent holiday travels. While waiting out a layover at the Milwaukee Intergalactic Airport, I picked up a slightly used USA Today and began reading. I am a big fan of USA Today. Since it is the rare (is it the only?) national newspaper, I really like how they maintain a certain level of detail in the store, just enough to give me an idea of what is going on, not so much or so little that it leaves me thinking, huh? Then if I want more details, I can always Google it later. Plus, I think they have some of the most interesting feature stories and they always have outstanding best/worst lists after the awards shows.
One headline in the December 20th edition that caught my eye this time around was "Web-savvy teens prefer the good old landline phone." I was intrigued immediately. The story detailed findings from a Pew Internet & American Life Project. The Project found that the percentage of teens who communicate with friends every day are using the following methods:
- 39% Talk to friends on a landline phone
- 35% Talk on cellphone
- 31% Spend time with friends in person
- 28% Instant message
- 27% Send text messages
- 21% Send messages on social network sites
- 14% Send e-mail.
Okay, I have not even owned a landline phone in about four years. I have one in my work cubicle but no one ever calls me so I kind of consider it more of a decor item than a functional piece of office equipment. Beyond face-to-face conversation, I would have to rank my order of communication as follows: E-mail (by far!!!!), text messages, messages/posts on Facebook, instant message, talk on cellphone.
Maybe I am just inundated with teenagers and their annoying cellphone ringtones on the Metro every day, but I honestly thought teens were more technologically savvy than this.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Holiday hangovers...they happen to the best of us!
It was Lady's (my parent's puppy) first Christmas and I think all of the excitement proved to be a bit much by the end of the day...
I'm dreaming of a dining room table...
I do not have a dining room table of my own so in my spare time, I go to other people's houses and set their tables for them. Kidding! Well, sort of....
For each of the major holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas), my Mom and I collaborate on the table setting design (I am sure there is an actual word for this but my brain is on birthday cake sugar high so I cannot think of it). I think our Christmas table this year is my favorite one ever! My family is a super laid-back group and I think the table reflects this quality.
We used a white tablecloth with a red runner as our base. We chose green dinner napkins with gift napkin rings that we found at Younkers (a Wisconsin department store with an excellent shoe department) the day after the Thanksgiving. My Mom found the cutest silverware "pouches" in the Current catalog (I did not know that Current was still in business. Ha, I still remember when the catalog would arrive in the mail when I was little, I would make a wish list of all the stickers and pretty papers that I wanted).
My favorite part of the table is the centerpiece. I filled the base of a square vase with red and green starlight mints. Then, using an idea from a chat with Erin (blog shout-out!), I put branches (which my Dad went out in the yard and cut for me) in and hung red ornaments from them.
I thought the whole table came together quite nicely and was an excellent place to enjoy a delicious meal!
For each of the major holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas), my Mom and I collaborate on the table setting design (I am sure there is an actual word for this but my brain is on birthday cake sugar high so I cannot think of it). I think our Christmas table this year is my favorite one ever! My family is a super laid-back group and I think the table reflects this quality.
We used a white tablecloth with a red runner as our base. We chose green dinner napkins with gift napkin rings that we found at Younkers (a Wisconsin department store with an excellent shoe department) the day after the Thanksgiving. My Mom found the cutest silverware "pouches" in the Current catalog (I did not know that Current was still in business. Ha, I still remember when the catalog would arrive in the mail when I was little, I would make a wish list of all the stickers and pretty papers that I wanted).
My favorite part of the table is the centerpiece. I filled the base of a square vase with red and green starlight mints. Then, using an idea from a chat with Erin (blog shout-out!), I put branches (which my Dad went out in the yard and cut for me) in and hung red ornaments from them.
I thought the whole table came together quite nicely and was an excellent place to enjoy a delicious meal!
It's my 25 + 3rd birthday and I can have a princess cake if I want to!!!
Merry Christmas! And Happy Birthday...to me!!! I am, in fact, Little Miss Christmas! But I have always had a secret wish to be Little Miss Princess! Seriously, I saw the movie The Prince and Me and thought Hollywood had stolen my daydreams. I mean, I am sure that the trappings of royalty are probably not as fun and glamorous as I think they are. But I don't know, the jewels, the pretty ballgowns, the elegant parties, the tiaras all sound pretty fab to me!
So when it came time to pick my birthday cake for this my 25 + 3rd year, I immediately came up with the idea of a tiara cake. (My birthday cake is a big deal for my Mom (and me). She has always gone out of her way to separate my birthday and Christmas. So even though we indulge on sweet Christmas treats all day long, there is always a birthday cake in the evening.)
I ended up designing my cake this year which was pretty fun! I drew a pattern freehand and cut out the shape from a 9x13 cake (FUNFETTI!). The key to cutting out from a sheet cake is to chill the cake beforehand--this cuts down on the crumbling. After frosting the cake, I decorated using sugar sprinkles. The "jewels" are Jolly Ranchers! I love it and think it looks super cute!!!
So when it came time to pick my birthday cake for this my 25 + 3rd year, I immediately came up with the idea of a tiara cake. (My birthday cake is a big deal for my Mom (and me). She has always gone out of her way to separate my birthday and Christmas. So even though we indulge on sweet Christmas treats all day long, there is always a birthday cake in the evening.)
I ended up designing my cake this year which was pretty fun! I drew a pattern freehand and cut out the shape from a 9x13 cake (FUNFETTI!). The key to cutting out from a sheet cake is to chill the cake beforehand--this cuts down on the crumbling. After frosting the cake, I decorated using sugar sprinkles. The "jewels" are Jolly Ranchers! I love it and think it looks super cute!!!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
I thought I had been driven to Christmas insanity...
Greetings from Northeastern Wisconsin where I have settled in at my childhood home for a long Christmas break!!!
As I went about my morning routine today--making oatmeal, checking email, reading the paper, etc., I kept hearing the song "Jingle Bells" playing in the background. Now, I have always wanted a theme song playing when I go about my life like they have in the movies, but I never envisioned "Jingle Bells" as my theme song. So instead, I was left with two thoughts:
1. I am so infected with Christmas spirit that I hear Christmas music wherever go.
2. I had finally, officially lost my mind.
My mom and I searched everywhere for the source of the music--dog toys, pop-up ads on the computer, Christmas decorations--and found nothing.
Then, I picked up my Winnie the Pooh Christmas coffee mug and "Jingle Bells" started playing. And then I realized that every time the coffee mug gets picked up, it plays music.
So I have not lost my mind...at least not yet.
As I went about my morning routine today--making oatmeal, checking email, reading the paper, etc., I kept hearing the song "Jingle Bells" playing in the background. Now, I have always wanted a theme song playing when I go about my life like they have in the movies, but I never envisioned "Jingle Bells" as my theme song. So instead, I was left with two thoughts:
1. I am so infected with Christmas spirit that I hear Christmas music wherever go.
2. I had finally, officially lost my mind.
My mom and I searched everywhere for the source of the music--dog toys, pop-up ads on the computer, Christmas decorations--and found nothing.
Then, I picked up my Winnie the Pooh Christmas coffee mug and "Jingle Bells" started playing. And then I realized that every time the coffee mug gets picked up, it plays music.
So I have not lost my mind...at least not yet.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
The name is Crocker. Betty Crocker.
One day back in October, I decided this was the year that I would have one of those all-day Christmas baking extravaganzas. You know, one of those days were you make 100 different kinds of cookies to share with friends, colleagues, random strangers on the street. So I started looking through numerous magazines to find the right combination of cookie recipes.
The week after Thanksgiving, I had narrowed it down to eight recipes. The recipes I selected were
Creme de Menthe Truffles
Mocha Toffee Crescents
S'mores Thumbprints
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Chocolate Mint Wafers
Banana Split Bark
Traditional Spritz
Sugar Cookies
I thought this was a nice combination of classic (Peanut Butter Blossoms) and new (Banana Split Bark). I had also never tried any of these recipes before!
I designated Saturday, December 15th as "Baking Day". I live in a very small (but adorable) condo with a very small (but functional) kitchen so the baking process required a bit of organization. My coffee table became a "cookie cooling station"; one kitchen counter housed all of the ingredients; my main counter/breakfast bar was the production counter. It got a little chaotic every once a while and my counter tended to look like this 99% of the time.
The week after Thanksgiving, I had narrowed it down to eight recipes. The recipes I selected were
Creme de Menthe Truffles
Mocha Toffee Crescents
S'mores Thumbprints
Peanut Butter Blossoms
Chocolate Mint Wafers
Banana Split Bark
Traditional Spritz
Sugar Cookies
I thought this was a nice combination of classic (Peanut Butter Blossoms) and new (Banana Split Bark). I had also never tried any of these recipes before!
I designated Saturday, December 15th as "Baking Day". I live in a very small (but adorable) condo with a very small (but functional) kitchen so the baking process required a bit of organization. My coffee table became a "cookie cooling station"; one kitchen counter housed all of the ingredients; my main counter/breakfast bar was the production counter. It got a little chaotic every once a while and my counter tended to look like this 99% of the time.
In all, the whole baking process took 8 or 9 hours. There was only one minor meltdown when I was making the spritz cookies using my new Williams-Sonoma Cookie Press but I think that merits its own post. But overall, I had a great time and totally plan to do it again next year.
Originally, I had planned to just bring in a big platter of cookies to work to share with my colleagues but then I saw these adorable cookie tags in Blueprint and I knew that I HAD to do something along these lines. My Mom tracked down a set of alphabet cookie cutters for me. I could not find a tag shaped cookie cutter anywhere so I improvised and found a tag shaped clipart in Microsoft Office and printed it on cardstock. This served as my cookie cutter. I made a tag with a first name initial for each of my coworkers. I think the end result was quite cute and I think (hope) everyone enjoyed them!
Ways To Use Up 250 Yards of Fishing Line: Project 1
If you recall from the garland making post, I am currently the owner of 250 yards of fishing line. I have challenged myself to find creative ways to use it up. This is project number 1!!!
The wall above my couch is pretty much a blank canvas. Um, it took me eight months to find and to commit to a couch, so do you really think I am capable of rushing into artwork? But the Christmas season has brought a temporary reprieve from the blankness.
As the Christmas cards started arriving in my mailbox, I needed to find a place to display them. I cut about 8 feet of the fishing line, tied tiny loops at each end, and hung it from two nails on the wall. I also hung a Christmas wall decoration from each nail. Then I found some adorable snowmen clothespins at World Market. And my Christmas card hanger was done! Seriously, the whole process took 10 minutes, if that.
P.S. I apologize for the lack of posts over the past few days. I have been battling the cold/sore throat/general crumminess that has taken over my body the past two days or so. (Almost without exception, I always come down with something at Christmastime.) I am currently "medicating" with a little Tylenol Sore Throat, a bowl Panera's Chicken Noodle Soup, and an orange (yay, Vitamin C!). Hopefully, I am on my way to feeling better. A healthy Goddess is a productive Goddess!!!
The wall above my couch is pretty much a blank canvas. Um, it took me eight months to find and to commit to a couch, so do you really think I am capable of rushing into artwork? But the Christmas season has brought a temporary reprieve from the blankness.
As the Christmas cards started arriving in my mailbox, I needed to find a place to display them. I cut about 8 feet of the fishing line, tied tiny loops at each end, and hung it from two nails on the wall. I also hung a Christmas wall decoration from each nail. Then I found some adorable snowmen clothespins at World Market. And my Christmas card hanger was done! Seriously, the whole process took 10 minutes, if that.
Total Fishing Line Used: 8 feet
Total Fishing Line Remaining: 247 1/2 yards (um, this could take a while. Does fishing line go bad?)
P.S. I apologize for the lack of posts over the past few days. I have been battling the cold/sore throat/general crumminess that has taken over my body the past two days or so. (Almost without exception, I always come down with something at Christmastime.) I am currently "medicating" with a little Tylenol Sore Throat, a bowl Panera's Chicken Noodle Soup, and an orange (yay, Vitamin C!). Hopefully, I am on my way to feeling better. A healthy Goddess is a productive Goddess!!!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Goddess Grooves: A Christmas Playlist
So I have been listening to the "all Christmas music, all the time" radio station pretty much nonstop since I came back from Thanksgiving vacation. I think, at this point, I can write a thesis on "How an Artist Can Make Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Unique." Seriously, are there 97 versions of this song or something?
But I do have my favorites and my not-so-favorites (well, there is only one of these). P.S. The links on the song titles will (well, should) take you to the Itunes listing for each of these songs if you want to listen to a snippet. If you do not have Itunes (um, Mom, this would be you), I do not know where the links will take you. Maybe someplace magical.
Christmas Songs that Make Me Want to Deck the Halls
The Christmas Song (The Raveonettes) - This is not the chestnuts roasting on the open fire Christmas Song version. Truth be told, I have listened to this song a zillion times and I really have no idea what it is about. But it is a fun little diddy that will put a little spring in your step as you brave the holiday shopping crowds.
A Marshmallow World (Bing Crosby) - I get a sugar high just listening to this upbeat tune! An excellent song to have on while decorating gingerbread houses.
Believe (Josh Groban) - Yes, I am admitting to liking a Josh Groban song. This horrifies me as much as when I recently realized that I was wearing some form of Ugg footwear during 90% of my waking hours. But I just adore this song from the Polar Express (kind of a creepy movie, but one of my favorite books). It makes me reflect on the time before the holidays became all about the shopping, the stress, and the calories, and instead, Christmas was just about believing in the magic of Santa Claus...until your older sister ruined the magic by blurting out the truth in the check-out aisle of the grocery store (no, I'm not bitter).
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo (Billy May) - I first heard this song on the Christmas episode of Ugly Betty last year and fell in love this excellent twist on the classic song. It is part of the album Christmas Cocktails which would be an excellent choice for background music if you are hosting a holiday soiree. Also, this is one of the very few Christmas songs that have the tempo necessary to accompany a cardio workout. This song is a fixture in my holiday workout music mix.
Christmas Time is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio) - This song is almost hauntingly sad and I have no idea why. I believe that it is from the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas. I have never seen it but is this a sad movie? Despite this, I think it is a beautiful song.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Sixpence None the Richer) - When popular bands (well, I don't know if Sixpence None the Richer is all that popular...they kind of peaked with that song from the movie She's All That) remake Christmas songs, it can go either way---a complete disaster or a pleasant surprise. This one is definitely a pleasant surprise. It was playing in the background of a Grey's Anatomy Christmas episode--I think the one where Meredith, George, and Izzie (and Doc the Dog!) were laying under the Christmas tree--and I immediately dashed over to Itunes to download it.
Christmas Song that Makes Me Want to Poke My Eyes Out with a Candy Cane
The Christmas Shoes (NewSong)- Omg, I am as big of sentimental gooey mess as they come. I cry at everything: cute commercials, episodes of Grey's Anatomy, spilled milk. But oh...my...goodness, this song is tooooo much. Is there seriously an entire book and movie based on the same idea?
What are you listening to this Christmas? And what songs make you want to grab the candy canes?
But I do have my favorites and my not-so-favorites (well, there is only one of these). P.S. The links on the song titles will (well, should) take you to the Itunes listing for each of these songs if you want to listen to a snippet. If you do not have Itunes (um, Mom, this would be you), I do not know where the links will take you. Maybe someplace magical.
Christmas Songs that Make Me Want to Deck the Halls
The Christmas Song (The Raveonettes) - This is not the chestnuts roasting on the open fire Christmas Song version. Truth be told, I have listened to this song a zillion times and I really have no idea what it is about. But it is a fun little diddy that will put a little spring in your step as you brave the holiday shopping crowds.
A Marshmallow World (Bing Crosby) - I get a sugar high just listening to this upbeat tune! An excellent song to have on while decorating gingerbread houses.
Believe (Josh Groban) - Yes, I am admitting to liking a Josh Groban song. This horrifies me as much as when I recently realized that I was wearing some form of Ugg footwear during 90% of my waking hours. But I just adore this song from the Polar Express (kind of a creepy movie, but one of my favorite books). It makes me reflect on the time before the holidays became all about the shopping, the stress, and the calories, and instead, Christmas was just about believing in the magic of Santa Claus...until your older sister ruined the magic by blurting out the truth in the check-out aisle of the grocery store (no, I'm not bitter).
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer Mambo (Billy May) - I first heard this song on the Christmas episode of Ugly Betty last year and fell in love this excellent twist on the classic song. It is part of the album Christmas Cocktails which would be an excellent choice for background music if you are hosting a holiday soiree. Also, this is one of the very few Christmas songs that have the tempo necessary to accompany a cardio workout. This song is a fixture in my holiday workout music mix.
Christmas Time is Here (Vince Guaraldi Trio) - This song is almost hauntingly sad and I have no idea why. I believe that it is from the movie A Charlie Brown Christmas. I have never seen it but is this a sad movie? Despite this, I think it is a beautiful song.
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (Sixpence None the Richer) - When popular bands (well, I don't know if Sixpence None the Richer is all that popular...they kind of peaked with that song from the movie She's All That) remake Christmas songs, it can go either way---a complete disaster or a pleasant surprise. This one is definitely a pleasant surprise. It was playing in the background of a Grey's Anatomy Christmas episode--I think the one where Meredith, George, and Izzie (and Doc the Dog!) were laying under the Christmas tree--and I immediately dashed over to Itunes to download it.
Christmas Song that Makes Me Want to Poke My Eyes Out with a Candy Cane
The Christmas Shoes (NewSong)- Omg, I am as big of sentimental gooey mess as they come. I cry at everything: cute commercials, episodes of Grey's Anatomy, spilled milk. But oh...my...goodness, this song is tooooo much. Is there seriously an entire book and movie based on the same idea?
What are you listening to this Christmas? And what songs make you want to grab the candy canes?
Friday, December 14, 2007
Genetics are a funny thing...
From my dad, I inherited a knack for numbers. From my mom, I inherited the ability to find any bargain/sale within a five mile radius. Combine these two traits together and I am SO the person you want to shop with. Not only can I find the good stuff on sale but I can calculate the percentage off in a nanosecond.
What I did not inherit from either of them is their ridiculous talent with woodworking (Dad) and sewing (Mom). I had a brief foray into each of these fields during eighth grade exploratory courses. Woods class generally consisted of me asking "Mr. Damitz, can you fix this for me?" and being completely afraid of cutting myself. But I think I made a clock or something. And sewing in Home Ec...I think I made an apron that was shorter on one side. So I knew very early that these were probably not marketable skills for me.
But I do want to brag about my parent's skills a little!
My dad gave me an early Christmas gift when I was home for Thanksgiving and it is amazing. Did you ever receive something and immediately know that it will become something you want to pass along to your children? This is definitely one of those gifts! He created a set of twelve of the most intricate ornaments that I have ever seen! Here are some of them!
He spent much of summer creating original sets for myself and each of my sisters. I just love them!!! Thanks, Dad!!!
When I purchased a new Christmas tree, I needed a new tree skirt (my old one was a tiny maroon/gold glitter abomination). I asked my mom if she had a spare and she set to work quilting me a brand new one! It's so cute and looks perfect! I will treasure it forever!!!
The tree skirt even has pockets (the square gingerbread fabrics). I do not know what I am going to put in the pockets...probably chapstick, since I seem to have a tube of chapstick in every other pocket (coat, purse, etc.) I have. Thanks, Mom!!!
And now I am off, I sense a bargain nearby!
What I did not inherit from either of them is their ridiculous talent with woodworking (Dad) and sewing (Mom). I had a brief foray into each of these fields during eighth grade exploratory courses. Woods class generally consisted of me asking "Mr. Damitz, can you fix this for me?" and being completely afraid of cutting myself. But I think I made a clock or something. And sewing in Home Ec...I think I made an apron that was shorter on one side. So I knew very early that these were probably not marketable skills for me.
But I do want to brag about my parent's skills a little!
My dad gave me an early Christmas gift when I was home for Thanksgiving and it is amazing. Did you ever receive something and immediately know that it will become something you want to pass along to your children? This is definitely one of those gifts! He created a set of twelve of the most intricate ornaments that I have ever seen! Here are some of them!
He spent much of summer creating original sets for myself and each of my sisters. I just love them!!! Thanks, Dad!!!
When I purchased a new Christmas tree, I needed a new tree skirt (my old one was a tiny maroon/gold glitter abomination). I asked my mom if she had a spare and she set to work quilting me a brand new one! It's so cute and looks perfect! I will treasure it forever!!!
The tree skirt even has pockets (the square gingerbread fabrics). I do not know what I am going to put in the pockets...probably chapstick, since I seem to have a tube of chapstick in every other pocket (coat, purse, etc.) I have. Thanks, Mom!!!
And now I am off, I sense a bargain nearby!
You Can't Frost Me...I'm the Gingerbread Man
Next up on my "Decorate the Tree" list: Gingerbread Men Ornaments! I found my recipe the way I find everything else...Google! (Do you ever think back and wonder how in the world we functioned without Google? Can you even remember the last time you used an actual encyclopedia?) Since I had no intention of eating these ornaments, I opted to use a gingerbread house recipe . The first thing I noticed about this recipe is that it called for a lot of flour...6 cups!
I set to work mixing all of the ingredients. And indeed, it was a lot of flour. The dough was super crumbly. I hoped that by refrigerating it overnight it would firm up. I actually had no clue if refrigerating reduces crumbliness...but it sounds good in theory, doesn't it?
I pulled the dough out the next day and about half of it was usable. The rest was just molassess scented flour. I set to work rolling out the usuable dough. I also remembered to make little holes (using a straw...it works really well) to put ribbon through to hang the ornaments...yes I've forgotten to do this in the past. And there really is no way to "fix" this.
The small amount actually worked in my favor. I really had no plans to make a massive amount of gingerbread men. The rolling out and baking is fine but I do not know if my attention span could withstand all of the decorating.
I originally rolled out and cut a dozen gingerbread men but only six of them made it through quality control.
I set to work mixing all of the ingredients. And indeed, it was a lot of flour. The dough was super crumbly. I hoped that by refrigerating it overnight it would firm up. I actually had no clue if refrigerating reduces crumbliness...but it sounds good in theory, doesn't it?
I pulled the dough out the next day and about half of it was usable. The rest was just molassess scented flour. I set to work rolling out the usuable dough. I also remembered to make little holes (using a straw...it works really well) to put ribbon through to hang the ornaments...yes I've forgotten to do this in the past. And there really is no way to "fix" this.
The small amount actually worked in my favor. I really had no plans to make a massive amount of gingerbread men. The rolling out and baking is fine but I do not know if my attention span could withstand all of the decorating.
I originally rolled out and cut a dozen gingerbread men but only six of them made it through quality control.
Now I am not always the most patient person, but I can tell that I am getting better. Normally, I cannot wait for any baked good to cool off completely before icing/decorating/consuming. But I did let these cool enough before decorating.
To decorate, I used Royal Icing. Now, seriously, is there a magic trick with this stuff that only a handful of people know because I can...never...get..it...right. The consistency is NEVER right. I have tried the recipe using meringue powder and using actual egg whites (even though all raw egg related recipes completely freak me out) and noticed no difference. I have let the frosting sit, let it chill, used it right away. I have changed every combination of variables in the recipe but I can never get it right.
And this time was no different. The Icing was a little runny. So much so that one of the "mouths" bled into one of the "noses" and I had to perform cosmetic surgery with a toothpick. But I think they turned out cute!
Actually, I was getting pretty good with the decorating by the end. Check out the Gingerbread man with the snazzy polka dot pants and bowtie...and no shirt...so I guess he's actually, um, Stripper Gingerbread Man.
The ornaments look adorable on the tree and I catch a whiff of gingerbread scent every time I walk past the tree. It is so much better than an Glade air freshener.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Tree Toppers...I'm Not Monkeying Around
I was not in love with the tree topper on my tree. You can see it in the previous post's picture, just a sparky silver star...not ugly, but nothing spectacular. It was leftover from the two foot tree. So I set out to find a new one. I looked everywhere, hitting all of the usual suspects: World Market, Anthropologie (one day I will devote an entire post to the wonder that is Anthropologie...it is my mothership), Linens 'n Things, and found nothing that stood out.
But then I was wandering through World Market when an idea hit me! I found a cute monkey toy in the children's section. It is the kind with magnets in the hands (do monkeys have hands or paws...hmm, I need to research that) and feet so they can "stick" together. But it needed a little Christmas spirit, so I found a ski cap ornament and removed the hook portion...and ta-da...my new tree topper!!! I love it!
But then I was wandering through World Market when an idea hit me! I found a cute monkey toy in the children's section. It is the kind with magnets in the hands (do monkeys have hands or paws...hmm, I need to research that) and feet so they can "stick" together. But it needed a little Christmas spirit, so I found a ski cap ornament and removed the hook portion...and ta-da...my new tree topper!!! I love it!
I got my first Christmas card in the mail today!!! How exciting!!! I now need to find a way to display my cards.
My entire condo smells of the delicious gingerbread that is baking in the oven right now. The gingerbread is for a project I will write about later in the week.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
This looked so much easier on Little House on the Prairie
I upgraded Christmas trees this year from a tiny two-footer to a six-footer (best bargain ever! $19.95 at Target!!!). This meant, however, that all of my ornaments are suitable to a two-feet tree. Try to hang them on a bigger tree and it is a case of "Honey, I Shrunk the Ornaments." But I also really did not want to buy all new ornaments so I decided to make my own as much as possible.
First up, the garland! I saw a picture in a magazine a while ago of garland made of popcorn, cranberries, and golden raisins and I loved it! The rich color of the cranberries and raisins is brilliant against the white popcorn. Plus, how hard could it be?
I gathered my supplies: popcorn seeds, a bag of Ocean Spray Cranberries, a box of SunMaid Golden Raisins, a needle (supplied by my Mom), and 250 yards of fishing line. I thought the fishing line would be a sturdy base to string everything onto.
I dusted off my air popper and popped a batch of popcorn the day before I wanted to start threading. I read that freshly popped popcorn should not be used for garland. It needs to sit overnight. Maybe it's too soft and crumbly?
The first challenge arose the next day when I tried to thread the fishing line through the needle. The fishing line was too thick to fit through the needle head. So I had to scrounge around my storage cabinet and found some thread leftover from when I started and ended my sewing career. (However, I now have 250 yards of fishing line and absolutely no desire to ever go fishing...so any ideas on what I can do with it?)
I began threading the garland using a pattern of 8 popcorn, 2 golden raisins, 1 cranberry, 2 golden raisins, 1 cranberry, 2 golden raisins....and repeat. At this point, I realized the thread tangles really easily. My solution was to do the garland in several pieces and tie them together at the end.
A few things they do not mention in articles about making the garland:
1. It takes forever. Seriously, if you want to make similar garland, start in October. It is however, an excellent activity to do while getting caught up on episodes of Gossip Girl.
2. You will prick your finger...a lot.
3. They may recommend not using freshly popped popcorn but I would also suggest not using popcorn older than three days. It gets quite crumbly. I had to do a "repop" that added a day to the process.
4. Golden raisins have no flavor...at all...it's just like chewy blah.
But I think the end result is quite pretty!!!
you know you love me...xoxo (a little Gossip Girl humor)
First up, the garland! I saw a picture in a magazine a while ago of garland made of popcorn, cranberries, and golden raisins and I loved it! The rich color of the cranberries and raisins is brilliant against the white popcorn. Plus, how hard could it be?
I gathered my supplies: popcorn seeds, a bag of Ocean Spray Cranberries, a box of SunMaid Golden Raisins, a needle (supplied by my Mom), and 250 yards of fishing line. I thought the fishing line would be a sturdy base to string everything onto.
I dusted off my air popper and popped a batch of popcorn the day before I wanted to start threading. I read that freshly popped popcorn should not be used for garland. It needs to sit overnight. Maybe it's too soft and crumbly?
The first challenge arose the next day when I tried to thread the fishing line through the needle. The fishing line was too thick to fit through the needle head. So I had to scrounge around my storage cabinet and found some thread leftover from when I started and ended my sewing career. (However, I now have 250 yards of fishing line and absolutely no desire to ever go fishing...so any ideas on what I can do with it?)
I began threading the garland using a pattern of 8 popcorn, 2 golden raisins, 1 cranberry, 2 golden raisins, 1 cranberry, 2 golden raisins....and repeat. At this point, I realized the thread tangles really easily. My solution was to do the garland in several pieces and tie them together at the end.
A few things they do not mention in articles about making the garland:
1. It takes forever. Seriously, if you want to make similar garland, start in October. It is however, an excellent activity to do while getting caught up on episodes of Gossip Girl.
2. You will prick your finger...a lot.
3. They may recommend not using freshly popped popcorn but I would also suggest not using popcorn older than three days. It gets quite crumbly. I had to do a "repop" that added a day to the process.
4. Golden raisins have no flavor...at all...it's just like chewy blah.
But I think the end result is quite pretty!!!
you know you love me...xoxo (a little Gossip Girl humor)
Welcome
Have you ever walked into someone’s house and been in complete awe (and entirey jealous) of how well-decorated it is with little touches that you would never have thought of but now want to copy in your own place? Have you ever had a meal that was so perfect—from appetizers to dessert—that you really just wanted to take one of the artfully folded cloth napkins as a souvenir of that perfection? Have you ever watched Martha Stewart do some ridiculous craft on her show and thought “hmmm….I could do that” but instead just buy an already made, knock-off version of it at World Market?
Seriously, how do these people do it? And how can I learn to do it?
Gosh darnit, I wanna be a domestic goddess!!! (A note…the grammar goddess in me hates the word “wanna” but the version of this sentence that is written grammatically correct was already taken as a blog title, so I just have deal with it…even though I don’t wanna…haha!)
I researched numerous domestic goddess websites for inspiration. I discovered that many of these goddesses are stay-at-home moms with blogs about dirty diapers, breastfeeding and kissing “owies”. Which is awesome for them, but SO not me…at least at this point in my life (um, dirty diapers? ew!). I am just a girl leading an ordinary life who wants to add those little touches that turn mundane daily tasks into something a little bit more fun! And that is what I think of when I when think of a domestic goddess.
One of my favorite quotes is from Sex and the City (yeah, I know, most people have favorite quotes from one of the “Great Books” or one of the Presidents…I do not…most of my favorite quotes are from The Office) when SJP voiceovered “I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.” I know this to be so very true of myself as well. I will never be perfect and I am pretty okay with that. Imperfections make life interesting. But I would like to look back on my life and see flashes of extraordinary and lots of fun.
So this blog will follow my journey to add the extraordinary and the fun to my life as I learn to be a domestic goddess! You may just find yourself reading about craft projects that I have completed, recipes that I have tried, and cool bargains that I have found and probably no entries about diapers, breastfeeding and “owies.” (Although I am a complete klutz so I may write about my own “owies.” Hey, maybe I can craft myself an icepack.)
So join me on my journey and please, share your ideas!!!
P.S. Sorry if this reads like the lamest blog intro ever. I am so the person that writes the introduction statement to a paper last. This process is not really an option when it comes to a blog.
Seriously, how do these people do it? And how can I learn to do it?
Gosh darnit, I wanna be a domestic goddess!!! (A note…the grammar goddess in me hates the word “wanna” but the version of this sentence that is written grammatically correct was already taken as a blog title, so I just have deal with it…even though I don’t wanna…haha!)
I researched numerous domestic goddess websites for inspiration. I discovered that many of these goddesses are stay-at-home moms with blogs about dirty diapers, breastfeeding and kissing “owies”. Which is awesome for them, but SO not me…at least at this point in my life (um, dirty diapers? ew!). I am just a girl leading an ordinary life who wants to add those little touches that turn mundane daily tasks into something a little bit more fun! And that is what I think of when I when think of a domestic goddess.
One of my favorite quotes is from Sex and the City (yeah, I know, most people have favorite quotes from one of the “Great Books” or one of the Presidents…I do not…most of my favorite quotes are from The Office) when SJP voiceovered “I will never be the woman with the perfect hair, who can wear white and not spill on it.” I know this to be so very true of myself as well. I will never be perfect and I am pretty okay with that. Imperfections make life interesting. But I would like to look back on my life and see flashes of extraordinary and lots of fun.
So this blog will follow my journey to add the extraordinary and the fun to my life as I learn to be a domestic goddess! You may just find yourself reading about craft projects that I have completed, recipes that I have tried, and cool bargains that I have found and probably no entries about diapers, breastfeeding and “owies.” (Although I am a complete klutz so I may write about my own “owies.” Hey, maybe I can craft myself an icepack.)
So join me on my journey and please, share your ideas!!!
P.S. Sorry if this reads like the lamest blog intro ever. I am so the person that writes the introduction statement to a paper last. This process is not really an option when it comes to a blog.
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