Less than 45 minutes left in 2008. For me it is time to reflect on 2008 both the good times and the bad times. I look forward to 2009 and the challenges it will bring. I am sure that 2009 will be a better year than 2008 was in many ways. In many ways 2008 was a good year and in many ways it was a year that I am glad to say farewell too.
Tonight my husband and I are spending News Years Eve with our daughter Brittany. At the moment they are having a father daughter moment which they need more of, especially with Al working on the road these times for them is fewer than for me and the girls. Meagan is off with her boyfriend Jonny, enjoying the night with their friends and ringing in the new year.
I made a batch of frozen Pina Colada's with strawberry puree for my drink of the evening. Al and Brittany are having Ceasers.
Well I am being summoned to the living room, wishing everyone a very Happy New Year. All the best in 2009.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Cleaning..........
Before I get too lost in the cleaning of my computer room I thought I would take a moment to blog.
It is amazing the thing you find that you tend to forget about. Like the saying says out of site out of mind. Found some magazines I forgot I even owned, found some blank CD-R's which I thought I was out of.
It is a good thing that I picked up a box of garbage bags yesterday when I was in town as yes there is lots that is going to the dump. We have used the computer room as a place to throw things that don't have a place but not sure if we wanted to keep them or not an in the end it all ends up in the garbage.
OMG do I ever have a lot of cook books. Some that I haven't opened in nearly 20 years....these are going into the garage sale pile. If you ever watched the show Clean Sweep on TLC they would be shaking their heads at me....I have a hard time throwing things away sometimes. I still have my first printer that doesn't work very well, its not even worth giving away....instead of getting rid of it, I just shuffled it off to the corner of the room just in case.....in case of what I wonder as I stand there shaking my head asking myself what were you thinking!
When I started in this room all there was was the path to the computer with stuff piled 3 or 4 feet deep....yes we have neglected this room long enough. This is going to be my own version of Clean Sweep and lots has to go. I can see this taking a day or so to complete.
It is amazing the thing you find that you tend to forget about. Like the saying says out of site out of mind. Found some magazines I forgot I even owned, found some blank CD-R's which I thought I was out of.
It is a good thing that I picked up a box of garbage bags yesterday when I was in town as yes there is lots that is going to the dump. We have used the computer room as a place to throw things that don't have a place but not sure if we wanted to keep them or not an in the end it all ends up in the garbage.
OMG do I ever have a lot of cook books. Some that I haven't opened in nearly 20 years....these are going into the garage sale pile. If you ever watched the show Clean Sweep on TLC they would be shaking their heads at me....I have a hard time throwing things away sometimes. I still have my first printer that doesn't work very well, its not even worth giving away....instead of getting rid of it, I just shuffled it off to the corner of the room just in case.....in case of what I wonder as I stand there shaking my head asking myself what were you thinking!
When I started in this room all there was was the path to the computer with stuff piled 3 or 4 feet deep....yes we have neglected this room long enough. This is going to be my own version of Clean Sweep and lots has to go. I can see this taking a day or so to complete.
Monday, 29 December 2008
Golden Caramel Cheesecake Bars
I quickly wanted to share with everyone a new recipe that I found on line just in time to make for my Christmas desert. These are so Yummy! They very quickly became a family favorite.
Golden Carmel Cheesecake Bars
24 Christie Golden Oreo Cookies
2 tbsp butter melted
25 Kraft Caramels
1 tbsp water
2 pkgs - 250 g ea Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 jar - 198 g Jeff Marshmallow Cream
1 egg
Preheat oven to 350 F. Put 14 Golden Oreo cookies in a food processer, process until finely crushed. Mix with melted butter and press into a 9 inch square cake pan. Bake 5 minutes.
Place caramels and water in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 1 minute or until caramels are completely melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Set aside. Coarsely chop remaining Golden Oreo Cookies. Beat cream cheese and marshmallow cream together in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add egg, mix well. Stir in chopped cookies; pour over crust. Drop spoonfuls of caramel over batter; swirl gently with knife to create marble effect.
Bake 20 - 25 minutes or until centre is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Cut into bars. Store in tightly covered container in fridge.
Enjoy.....I am off to have a piece before calling it a night!
Golden Carmel Cheesecake Bars
24 Christie Golden Oreo Cookies
2 tbsp butter melted
25 Kraft Caramels
1 tbsp water
2 pkgs - 250 g ea Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 jar - 198 g Jeff Marshmallow Cream
1 egg
Preheat oven to 350 F. Put 14 Golden Oreo cookies in a food processer, process until finely crushed. Mix with melted butter and press into a 9 inch square cake pan. Bake 5 minutes.
Place caramels and water in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high 1 minute or until caramels are completely melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Set aside. Coarsely chop remaining Golden Oreo Cookies. Beat cream cheese and marshmallow cream together in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add egg, mix well. Stir in chopped cookies; pour over crust. Drop spoonfuls of caramel over batter; swirl gently with knife to create marble effect.
Bake 20 - 25 minutes or until centre is almost set. Cool completely. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight. Cut into bars. Store in tightly covered container in fridge.
Enjoy.....I am off to have a piece before calling it a night!
New Years Resolutions
With only 2 days left in 2008 I have been thinking more about my New Years Resolution. I could make so many of them but in the end would only end up keeping a couple of them. The biggest resolution I am making this year is to live a healthier lifestyle. Instead of saying I am going to loose weight, try this diet or that diet and end up not following through. I realized a while ago its not about the diet but about the lifestyle. I was doing good when I started in April up until June when my dad passed away and then my life spiraled downhill for a while and I crawled into my little shell like a turtle only poking my head out on occasion. One of the first steps I took towards my lifestyle change was seeing my doctor in early December and I have an appointment in January to go through my health issues. I am asking him to check out my heart thoroughly as I have abused my body long enough that I want to know where my cardio health is at when I start my lifestyle change. The nice thing is I won't be alone on this lifestyle change, my husband and my eldest daughter also want to join me in the quest to live a healthier life, of couse my youngest daughter will have no choice but to join us.
Some of my other New Years Resolutions is to get my computer room sorted out so that I can move some of the stuff down stairs and get the room ready for renovations in the spring. We are turning the computer room in a dinning room. As I move stuff downstairs I want to set up an area where I can do my scrapbooking/stamping and quilting. These both get so neglected as I when I pull it out it all has to be packed back up again and put up on the shelf. It will be nice to have an area where I can leave out my work in progress so that I can sit down and work on these projects a bit at a time. I was hoping to send out some hand made Christmas Cards this year but unfortunatley I never got past getting a few cards started and that is where it ended. One of my resolutions for 2009 is to finish those cards I started and make a few more to send out at Christmas. I also hope to be able to make a few birthday cards for friends and family.
The way I look at it, if I don't make any resolutions that I know are out of reach I will succeed.
Where did 2008 go to.....it feels like it was only yesterday that we were ringing in 2008 and saying farewell to 2007. Good luck with your resolutions!
Some of my other New Years Resolutions is to get my computer room sorted out so that I can move some of the stuff down stairs and get the room ready for renovations in the spring. We are turning the computer room in a dinning room. As I move stuff downstairs I want to set up an area where I can do my scrapbooking/stamping and quilting. These both get so neglected as I when I pull it out it all has to be packed back up again and put up on the shelf. It will be nice to have an area where I can leave out my work in progress so that I can sit down and work on these projects a bit at a time. I was hoping to send out some hand made Christmas Cards this year but unfortunatley I never got past getting a few cards started and that is where it ended. One of my resolutions for 2009 is to finish those cards I started and make a few more to send out at Christmas. I also hope to be able to make a few birthday cards for friends and family.
The way I look at it, if I don't make any resolutions that I know are out of reach I will succeed.
Where did 2008 go to.....it feels like it was only yesterday that we were ringing in 2008 and saying farewell to 2007. Good luck with your resolutions!
Saturday, 27 December 2008
On The Road
Today our family is on the road for a visit to my sister-in-law and brother-in-law's place and their family. Jen and Kurtis will be home, Jeff & Tammy and the girls will be over. Al and I with out 3 kids and our nephew Kevin and his wife Holly. We haven't seen Kevin since either 2000 or 2001, I am really looking forward to meeting his lovely wife Holly and getting to know her and to catch up with Kevin. It will be nice that we can all get together at the same to time to visit and share in the joy and love of the season.
This will be a day trip as Brittany has to be back for work on Sunday AM and Michael has to head back to Saskatoon for work on Monday morning. Al and I are thinking of heading up to Flin Flon to visit with friends that are like family for New Years. Hopefully Kim is feeling better as she has been under the weather, will depend if she is up for company for a couple of days or not. My fingers are crossed as I am so looking forward to visit home (as I say when we go to Flin Flon, it is like going home for a visit and Kim says the same about coming to PA).
The holidays a time to travel and meet up with family and friends.
This will be a day trip as Brittany has to be back for work on Sunday AM and Michael has to head back to Saskatoon for work on Monday morning. Al and I are thinking of heading up to Flin Flon to visit with friends that are like family for New Years. Hopefully Kim is feeling better as she has been under the weather, will depend if she is up for company for a couple of days or not. My fingers are crossed as I am so looking forward to visit home (as I say when we go to Flin Flon, it is like going home for a visit and Kim says the same about coming to PA).
The holidays a time to travel and meet up with family and friends.
Friday, 26 December 2008
Its All Over For Another Year
365 Days in a year, where do they go and why do they seem to fly by us at the speed of light most days. Hoping everyone had a wonderful Christmas with their loved ones. Christmas Eve sticking to tradition we joined the Kolendreski Family for supper. Perogies, Cabbage Rolls, Ham and all the fixings. A good time was had by all. Danny, Sandra and Scott joined us for Christmas Day Supper.
Following tradition the kids get to open a gift like they have done for so many years. There isn't much guessing that happens as it is tradition that on Christmas Eve they get a pair of new PJ's. The surprise is what color and what print the pj's are. I asked the kids if they would like me to change it from PJ's to something else and they all agreed NO....we like getting PJ's on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Morning arrived a little later than usual for our house. By 10am we were starting to unwrap presents. It is fun to watch the look on each others face as they find that they got something they really wanted. My husband likes to hid gifts as well. This year our daughters both wanted new clothes for Christmas, we decided instead of trying to buy them something that they would probably end up returning we gave them money instead. We just don't put the money in a card and give it to them...they each got a book and buried throughout the book amongst the pages is $20 here and $20 there. It took them a while to find the money but once one of them found the $20 the other knew what we did this year. Last year their money was wrapped in a huge chocolate bar. It was the year for games in our house, especially for my husband who got two new games Seinfeld Scene It and Catch Phrase 2, both fun games. The family got Friends Scene It and Scrabble.
Once the turkey was in the oven we started to play games. We ended our day the same way we started it, playing games. We had a couple of rounds of Pass The Pigs - very much like Yahtzee but with Pigs instead of dice. You score points based on how the pigs land......Seinfeld Scene It and Things Humor In A Box.
So for the next few days it is left overs and more left overs. 18lb Turkey sure leaves you with lots of turkey for the next few days..... Farm raised turkey is SOOOOOOO much tastier than the ones you buy in the grocery stores.
364 Days until Chrismtas 2009. It will be here before we know it.
Following tradition the kids get to open a gift like they have done for so many years. There isn't much guessing that happens as it is tradition that on Christmas Eve they get a pair of new PJ's. The surprise is what color and what print the pj's are. I asked the kids if they would like me to change it from PJ's to something else and they all agreed NO....we like getting PJ's on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Morning arrived a little later than usual for our house. By 10am we were starting to unwrap presents. It is fun to watch the look on each others face as they find that they got something they really wanted. My husband likes to hid gifts as well. This year our daughters both wanted new clothes for Christmas, we decided instead of trying to buy them something that they would probably end up returning we gave them money instead. We just don't put the money in a card and give it to them...they each got a book and buried throughout the book amongst the pages is $20 here and $20 there. It took them a while to find the money but once one of them found the $20 the other knew what we did this year. Last year their money was wrapped in a huge chocolate bar. It was the year for games in our house, especially for my husband who got two new games Seinfeld Scene It and Catch Phrase 2, both fun games. The family got Friends Scene It and Scrabble.
Once the turkey was in the oven we started to play games. We ended our day the same way we started it, playing games. We had a couple of rounds of Pass The Pigs - very much like Yahtzee but with Pigs instead of dice. You score points based on how the pigs land......Seinfeld Scene It and Things Humor In A Box.
So for the next few days it is left overs and more left overs. 18lb Turkey sure leaves you with lots of turkey for the next few days..... Farm raised turkey is SOOOOOOO much tastier than the ones you buy in the grocery stores.
364 Days until Chrismtas 2009. It will be here before we know it.
Saturday, 20 December 2008
Last Minute Christmas Items
There are only 5 days left till Christmas and 4 shopping days left. I wrapped all the gifts we bought for the kids and those for my hubby today......only have two gifts that I wasn't able to wrap. I need to get a bigger gift bag for my hubbies gift and pick up a nice card for him too. Trying to figure out how to wrap our son's gift...this one is going to be a challenge and I know I can't find a bag big enough for it either.
Al and I sat down and went through our menu for Christmas Day and made a list.....we're thinking we might be one of those people that everyone thinks is crazy for going shopping in the middle of the night...with WalMart and Super Store both open 24 hrs we will be able to pick up pretty much everything we need before the stores get really busy either that or go in for about 8am. Now that I think about it going in for 8am is a better idea, this way we will be able to hit both the liquor store and the Co-op before they get busy........ then we will done and if we forget anything - then we don't really need it.
Monday afternoon and Tuesday are the days I am going to finish off the bit of baking I have left to do.
Next week this time it is all over and done with. Also once week from today Christmas 2009 will be 363 days away, that makes it 370 days away from today.
Al and I sat down and went through our menu for Christmas Day and made a list.....we're thinking we might be one of those people that everyone thinks is crazy for going shopping in the middle of the night...with WalMart and Super Store both open 24 hrs we will be able to pick up pretty much everything we need before the stores get really busy either that or go in for about 8am. Now that I think about it going in for 8am is a better idea, this way we will be able to hit both the liquor store and the Co-op before they get busy........ then we will done and if we forget anything - then we don't really need it.
Monday afternoon and Tuesday are the days I am going to finish off the bit of baking I have left to do.
Next week this time it is all over and done with. Also once week from today Christmas 2009 will be 363 days away, that makes it 370 days away from today.
Friday, 19 December 2008
Count Down
We all count down the days to special events in our lives, like Christmas, Birthday's and so on...usually this is done in months, days, weeks.... I am counting down the minutes until I start my holidays for the Christmas Season. Come 5:00 pm I am out of here for 2 weeks....have 80 minutes until my holidays start. I am so looking forward to the time off with my husband and children. Well the kids will be working for the most part.
Our shopping is nearly wrapped up...just a few little things here and there left to get. Now for the wrapping of the presents. That will be this weekend's project.
Next week the plan is to finish my baking up on Monday and Tuesday. Christmas Eve we are off for supper at a dear family friends. Mary is very much like family to us, for Al and I she fits the role of a mom and for our kids she is Grandma Mary. We look forward every year spending Christmas Eve with Mary and her family. Mary's son and daughter-in-law Danny & Sandra are very good friends of ours, very much like family. This family is friend but they are friends that are like family.
Christmas Day I will be cooking up dinner as usual. I am hoping that a co-worker who may be alone for the holidays will be able to join our family in Celebrating Christmas Day. Though her extended family my convince her to spend the day with them.
Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
Our shopping is nearly wrapped up...just a few little things here and there left to get. Now for the wrapping of the presents. That will be this weekend's project.
Next week the plan is to finish my baking up on Monday and Tuesday. Christmas Eve we are off for supper at a dear family friends. Mary is very much like family to us, for Al and I she fits the role of a mom and for our kids she is Grandma Mary. We look forward every year spending Christmas Eve with Mary and her family. Mary's son and daughter-in-law Danny & Sandra are very good friends of ours, very much like family. This family is friend but they are friends that are like family.
Christmas Day I will be cooking up dinner as usual. I am hoping that a co-worker who may be alone for the holidays will be able to join our family in Celebrating Christmas Day. Though her extended family my convince her to spend the day with them.
Wishing everyone a Very Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!
Wednesday, 17 December 2008
Sketch and Stash Blog Candy
Head over to the Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog for a chance win some awesome Blog Candy - Whiff of Joy Willow with Umbrella Stamp. The blog candy closes on Jan 3, 2009 at midnight and the Challenge will launch on January 5, 2009.
Click HERE to go to the Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog.
This will be my first challenge card that I will try. I will post a picture of my finished product here in January.
Click HERE to go to the Sketch and Stash Challenge Blog.
This will be my first challenge card that I will try. I will post a picture of my finished product here in January.
Tuesday, 16 December 2008
Christmas Countdown
9 Days left until Christmas Day. Hard to believe that it is that close. We have a few more gifts left to pick up, mostly stocking stuffers for the kids.
Tonight is the night that we will decorate our tree, our second tree that is. The first tree that we bought dried up within a week, strange with it not running out of water. So Al went back to Sobey's, they told him to pick out another tree and they would do an exchange. Turned out the remaining trees didn't look very good either so they gave him his money back and we picked up a tree from a local grower. The house is really starting to smell like Christmas now....next week I am on holidays, my plan is to finish up my Christmas baking then.
So with 8 shopping days left we need to get the last minute items on our list, wrap them and get them under the tree.
Tonight is the night that we will decorate our tree, our second tree that is. The first tree that we bought dried up within a week, strange with it not running out of water. So Al went back to Sobey's, they told him to pick out another tree and they would do an exchange. Turned out the remaining trees didn't look very good either so they gave him his money back and we picked up a tree from a local grower. The house is really starting to smell like Christmas now....next week I am on holidays, my plan is to finish up my Christmas baking then.
So with 8 shopping days left we need to get the last minute items on our list, wrap them and get them under the tree.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
