Pinteresting Sunday

Pinterest oh Pinterest. How often I go on you and spend hours just looking at thing and organizing my boards. I have all these ideas I want to try and do and so often I don't.  I blame it one me not having time, but then I realize it's because I spend so much time looking for things.  Some of the things I look at are informative (such as the cooking and baking and all the crafts boards) and some of the things are just for fun ( such as the movie, diagon ally, and cute animals) and some are just for goals or hopes or dreams.

Yet- with all of those boards- I wonder how much of those pins are real and work? So today instead of sharing pins I have made, I'm letting you all know, between being sick and all, I organized my 15 of my boards today with plans to get more done. I know, I have 36 board- so I''m not even half way there, but I will be. Keep pinning and make sure you know that your boards are what you want them to be.
Ciao,

Let's talk Friday's

Welcome back! I hope that you have had a great Holiday! I know mine was pretty good.  For today, I have a few things I just want to get off my chest.

 1. Cleaning, I was... to be honest... a lazy bum. I didn't clean or unpack this week. But neither did my husband.  He is planning tomorrow to be a cleaning day, well, I have other plans. Tonight, when he is out with his friends I'm going to surprise him and get some cleaning done.

2.  Concussions!  Concussions in kids. Your kid. I love when parents take head injuries seriously. LOVE IT! Those are the parents I want to give a gold star too. It doesn't matter how old the parent or child is, if someone who is taking care of your child thinks they could be hurt, I would make sure that my child is okay and not be mad at the child care provider. Just saying bee a gold star parent, not a non-star parent.

3. Animal rights- my one main cause. I don't think I'm doing enough- so, if you have ideas for me to do more please tell me in the comment section.

4. Nothing is better than telling and showing those who you love that you love them. Please show your loved ones that.

Ciao,

Family is all around us

This year I was not able to spend Christmas with my family. My husband had to work, and being the good wife, I stayed with him so he wasn't alone.  We saw some of his and some of my family the week end before Christmas. It was a blast to see some of my family.  My husband and I are making plan to see other family members as well for the weekends following Christmas.  

Now, one may think that my husband and I spent the Holidays alone, we didn't. We are very blessed to have a family by the city we live in.  This family isn't blood. but they feel like family.  which leads me to believe that family can be anywhere.  Family, doesn't have to be blood, they can be friends who are close to you and take care of you.
Ciao,

Christmas tears :(

I know I said I wouldn't do another Christmas post, but with snow and the cold and something I saw the other day, I just had to do a post to get you to think. I want to warn you- this is going on a similar theme of saving animals but may show some heart wrenching photos I found on Pinterest. I really do think it is important to think of those who have less than then us.

Animals. 

The other day as I was driving to work at 5:45 in the morning, I saw a tiny kitten on the side of the road. I pulled over to see if it had any form of ID and the poor little thing ran off into the snow.

  It made me think, how many other animals are out in the cold, and how full are the animal shelters. I wonder if the Shelters even have enough space? The picture below  shows some of our furry friends in Shelters. Some shelters are wonderful and have space- others...don't have the space and are kill shelters.

What about those who are killed because there is no space or because no one wants them.

What if a dog could write a will? What would it say?

What about other countries?

This Christmas many people are probably getting a a cat or dog, or any other cute animals. Please, if you give someone a gift that is an animal, please make sure that that animal is a forever pet.

 Keep the pet until it is time for the pet to die. Do not get rid of the pet because something came up, do not get rid of the pet because you don't like it, or you don't want it anymore.

The below picture makes me smile- I think it would be a great world where bad pet owners get sent to the pound. I would love to see that.

 What I would love more, is for Animal rights to be taken seriously. Please, think of the animals this Winter. Please show them some love and compassion.

I know this is a sad post, and filled with Christmas Tears, but please remember them this holiday.
Ciao,

School Closings

Growing up- I would wish for school to be closed due to snow. Unlike most people whose parents worked when school was closed, having a mom as a teacher made it all the better.  I would get up nice and early on mornings where it snowed all night, turn on the news and wait. As it would get closer to the time to leave, I would get a bit sad and get ready. Often times what would happen would be this- I'm already to leave, bag packed, breakfast ate and we are just about to get to the car when BAM! my school districts name would appear. It was wonderful!

Now that I'm an adult, I still feel the same way. Since I work in the schools, I don't have to work when they are closed. Meaning, I can have a day off! So, like I used to do as a kid, tonight I'm checking the news to see if my city will close schools. With 11 inches expected and 40 MPH winds, plus ice, I really don't think they would have school, but one never knows.
So, here's to wishing for a snow day!

Pinteresting Sunday-Christmas

This will be my last Pinterest holiday post because I will not be around next Sunday. I plan on spending time with family.  Today, I wanted to share some pretty decorations all posted to...you guessed it, my Holiday board on Pinterest.

An adorable snow man

A Wall nativity scene- I really want one, but ti keep up most of the year. 

A cork-board covered with wrapping paper or holiday fabric- as you get all the Christmas cards, you can pin them there for decorations. 

A Picture frame wreath- When my husband and I have a house, I will so do this. 

A yarn snowmand

 Snowflakes -these are much needed. Who would have thought WI has no snow in December?

This is very pretty. 

Merry Christmas, keep the spirit alive this season.
Ciao,

Let's Talk... :(

about the horrible day. Today, there was a massacre at an Elementary school. An Elementary school. Instead of the usually Friday post, today I want this post be a post for prayer. 

Please pray for the families of all the victims. What has a happened today is horrible. The news is calling this the second worst school shooting in US history (The worst being  the Vagina Tech Massacre  not Columbine like every one thinks although that one was horrible too.)

 Please, please pray for the victims, the little kids (most who are in Kindergarten ) please keep those little ones in your thoughts as the enter into the kingdom of Heaven. 

Please, please pray for the students. Please pray for the community of that town.  and please, please pray for all those who have been involved in a school shooting in the past. 

Please remember the pain it causes, and pray that it never happens again. ( The below prayer is from the Catholic Church)

A Prayer To The Holy Innocents

Holy Innocents, you died before you were old enough to know what life means, pray for all children who die young that God may gather them into His loving arms.

Holy Innocents, you were killed because one man

 was filled with hatred, pray for those who hate that God may touch their hearts and fill them with love.

Holy Innocents, you experienced a violent death, pray for all who are affected by violence that they may find peace and love.

Holy Innocents, your parents grieved for you with deep and lasting sorrow, pray for all parents who have lost young children that God may wrap a warm blanket of comfort around them.

Holy Innocents, those around you certainly felt helpless to prevent your deaths, pray for all who feel helpless in their circumstances that they may cling to God for courage and hope.

Holy Innocents, you who are now in Heaven, pray for all of us that one day we may join you there to bask in God's love forever.

Amen.

Christmas cookies.

Today I made Christmas cookies. They are for my basketball team and for a party that I'm going to on Saturday.  I made three different kinds.

1. Gingerbread cookies.

They are decorated like little basketball players.(I think my team will like that) I sadly do not have any tips for making gingerbread cookies. (Or for decorating them well) I have never made gingerbread cookies before, so I cheated and used store made dough, but the frosting is homemade. The only advice I do have is gingerbread is suppose to be soft and fluffy- you do not want to over bake the cookies.

2. I made as I like to call them Caramel Sugar cookies.

(The dough looked and smelled very yummy)

I got the recipe from Pinterest which lead me here.
 I did make some variations to the recipe. Instead of waiting for brown flecks to appear- I waited until the butter was brown. I also didn't cool it all the way and mixed some sugar in to caramelize it . I made the dough according to the recipe and it looked and smelt like those caramel candies.  Lastly, I cooked them for 10 minutes instead of 12.

I don't like my cookies too brown- ( As you can see in the above picture) so I took them out while they were a light brown. (As you can see in the below picture)

Another thing I noticed was that the cookies went flat. I feel that if I experiment with this recipe more, the cookies will be less flat and more cookie like.

And.I topped them with Peppermint Frosting.

3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies.- I was the most excited to make these. They are the little chocolate cookies with the Hersey's kiss in the center.  I made the dough as directed and  then baked them as directed. Having never  made them before, I didn't want to deviate and go off on my own with the recipe. 

I feel that I should have. After making the cookies and following everything to a T the cookies looked like an EPIC fail. Therefore, no pictures will be shown of the epic fail cookies.  But some thoughts will be made.

• I noticed that there is no butter or margarine or shortening used at all in the recipe. I feel having something of that would help a lot. The cookies can out of the oven fluffy but then the sank down like souffle when I pressed the kiss into them.
• I think I would adjust the amount of flour, sugar and such as well. The cookies expanded a lot on the cookie sheet. I don't think they were suppose to do that. 
• Maybe roll them in regular sugar and powdered sugar?

4. Frosting- I used a plain vanilla Frosting for the cookies. I then added different extracts for different flavors  The gist of frosting is to make sure everything is cold (the pan, the beaters, the sugar) the only item you may want warm is the butter and even that you don't want it to get too close to room temp. When frosting, always, take what you need and keep the rest in the fridge. When done, place everything (cookies and all) in the fridge. It will keep the cookies soft and the frosting tasting yummy.

Well, ciao for now

Pinteresting Sunday's-Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!
 Last week I did yummy different recipes for this time of year. This week I am sharing some stocking ideas and some wrapping paper ideas.  Everything comes from my Holiday board- which will lead you back to the original source.

A Hungarian Stocking- My grandfather is Hungarian- I think it would be really cool to have one of these

How to make  a stocking from a sweater- pretty cool idea

Using brown paper plus a colorful bow- very classic

A word search- look for your name.

Well,
don't forget to vote for Winston (click here). Happy Pinning and Merry Christmas.
Ciao,

Let's talk Fridays-Holidays

 Let's talk Fridays is back.(Silent cheer time) Today I want to talk about- the holidays. I want to discuss something that is very dear to me. Something that happens this time of year and causes people to get very emotional. It's calling a Christmas tree a Holiday tree.
To me, yes there are some holidays that fall around this time, but instead of putting down those who celebrate them, why not embrace and learn about the holidays. Such as- if someone says Merry Christmas to me, I would say that back. If someone said Happy Hanukkah to me, I would say that back to them. I wouldn't be offended. But, ignoring the holidays that occur at this time- just seem wrong to me.  And to me, calling a Christmas tree a Holiday tree is wrong too.
And for something funny(It's been going around the internet)

What are your thoughts?

My stepmom's business

Since I'm planning on coming up with my own Etsy Shop- I figure I should share an Etsy Shop of some one who I know. My step-mom (The wonderful women who made all the paper products for my wedding) has now opened her own Etsy Shop. I would like you all to just go and check it out. There are some pretty cool items.

Creating with Sticks

Have fun over at Etsy(yes, it too can be addicting).

Ciao,

Frozen Meals

About  a month ago, I posted how my husband I used Pinterest and made a bunch of frozen meals. Well, we finally finished them. So I have started to come up with my own frozen meals. (Some
of the meals my husband and I didn't like very much)

 I have come up with 3 different meals to try  something soon.

Cranberry Chicken
2 chicken breasts
A can of cranberry sauce (I used homemade)
3/4 cup of minced Onion
1 tsp of minced Garlic
4 potatoes cut into quarters

Place in freezer bag, date and freeze. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until Chicken is done

Comfy Chicken
2 Chicken Breast
2 tablespoons of apple butter
1/4 Cup of cheddar cheese
Carrots
Onion
celery
Broccoli
Onion soup mix
garlic seasoning
Poultry seasoning
1/4 to 1/2 cup of chicken broth

Cut the veggies and place in freezer bag, then add the chicken and everything else. Freeze
When cooking- add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of chicken broth and cook on low for 4-6 hours, serve with Mashed Potatoes
( Jeff, a Friend and myself had this last night. It was really yummy)

Salsa chicken
Chicken Breast
1 Cup of salsa
1/2 cup of chicken broth
celery
Onion
Green pepper
Carrots
1/4 teaspoon of chili powder
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/4 teaspoon of cumin
1/2 teaspoon of Cilantro

Cut up the veggies and place in freezer bag. Cut up chicken into cubes. Place in bag- add everything else and freeze.  When cooking add 1 cup rice and a little bit of water. Cook on low for 4 -6 hours. I would suggest serving this with Rice. If you want to be adventurousness  put the rice in the slow-cooker with everything else.

Enjoy!

Pinteresting Sundays plus a little extra

December has arrived, and there is no snow :( But there is one thing in the air, Christmas. I love Christmas. It's my favorite Holiday for many reasons. The main one being, it's Jesus birthday. To show how much I love Christmas, I'm making this December's Sundays all about things I pinned which are great for the holidays.
 Let us start with DESERTS!

Chocolate and peppermint

more yumminess (is that even a word?)

This pin has a ton of ideas for Christmas cookies

More cookies

Red velvet dirt cake

These pins and more can be found on my baking page

Now on to the little extra

Winston!

My little dog is in a contest and I need your help. Each week, the dog with the most votes, get so be crowned dog of the week and gets a prize from the book  A Dogs Purpose.   Winston is in the contest, and I would love for him to be dog of the week. What I need is for people to vote him( you can vote for him once every 2 days) until he wins. Please?  The like will be provided below. How one votes is pretty simple- you don't need to register, all you do is click the number of starts you want to give him.  To vote for him please go  here

  Thank you and keep pinning :)  
Ciao,