Happy Thanksgiving!

Nothing exciting tonight, just a big ol'

Happy Thanksgiving to you!

*gobble gobble*

Winner winner turkey dinner!

Thanks to Random.org, we have a winner. And, no... I'm not smart enough with the computer to show you the picture of the random number but, it was 85. Pidderpatterpidderpatter. Congratulations go to ...

Cara, from Homespun Kitchen! Whoohoo! I wish all of you could have won, I have the best readers out there I swear! You all were so sweet and nice it made my week! Thanks again for being the reason for me to blog. :) Until next time, high five.

All I want for Christmas...

Continuing on our Jar journey.. har har.. While browsing around Target on my day off I spotted this adorable little cookie jar with a green holiday lid. So I scooped her up and knew right away what she'd be used for.

(Because I didn't take a before, picture this one with a green lid, and a tad bit smaller.)

Cookies? No, I'm just beginning with that area of life remember? Something better, something we need around this house with the wishy washy "I don't know what I want for Christmas/Birthdays" A Wish Jar.

Now instead of thinking about what I we want and racking my our brain; because it's truly hard--me this family? Want something? Now when I we think about it or see it in a magazine, we tear it out, circle the item and throw 'er in the jar. So when Christmas rolls around it's like a big list for Mr. P or I to choose from. Everything in the jar is something I/we like.. Basically it's a big wish list with the place to get it.. Much easier for those husbands who shop on Christmas Eve, wait what? Did I say that? Yeah mine doesn't do that either. :) Three months in advance all the time. Yup. Plus, it's not just Christmas colors so it can stay up all year and be used for Birthdays, need a gift idea? Go to the wish jar. Loves it.

Okay let's be honest here, who's noticing the lazy I (Get it) going on there. And, if you didn't notice now you do. Wow, I should fix that.

She said what?

It started out good, you know. About 4 years ago I had all intentions of making a baby book and remembering every cute and adorable thing that my children said or did. This was before I realized that I can barely keep up with their cute and adorable selves while they're running around and pulling everything out of place that isn't bolted in. So when the time did come about that I could sit down and write it in the book most of the good stuff was already out of my head and lost forever.

Until one fine day. I read an article about a memory box, now please don't ask me what magazine this was in because that Mommy brain I was talking about earlier, yeah I still have it. Hard core. But the idea is simple grab a scrap piece of paper lying around and write the memory you want to keep on it. I've even gone as far as quickly as writing it on a crumbled up receipt and then transferring it to a "cuter" piece of paper later. At first a shoe box was fine, it served it's purpose, but personally I didn't want to use a box, even though with all the scrapbook paper and spray paint these days you could make it pretty snazzy I'm sure. So I racked my mind and went out and bought a simple plain Jane cookie jar from Target. It was about 5.00 give or take.

Then take some stickers, and ribbon-- anything you'd like to make the jar "you" and pretty that lil' thang up. I use all white paper in mine just because I like the look but you could do something like this jar and use different colored papers. Whatever tickles your fancy. :)

It does help especially with Mr. P being gone, it's nice for him to go through it and read all the silly things are kids say while he's away.

One of my favorites... From LB1 this past summer.

"Mom, you know people really aren't black and white. I don't know why everyone says that. We're all just different kinds of tan. Some people are more light tan and some are more dark"

Sometimes the simplest minds are the greatest.

So there you have it, the easiest way I can show you to remember those little moments. And, a cute way to store them! :) Enjoy

Transformation Thursday over at Shabby Chic Cottage! :)

Don't forget to sign up for the giveaway! Runs till Sunday!

100's day giveaway!

Woohoo! We made it to 100's day ladies! I feel like I'm in elementary school again! Okay okay, so really we made it to 149. You guys girls are AWESOME. You know that right? Wanna get to the fun part? Me too. :) Because I'm in the Christmas spirit it's themed this time around.

First things first, I made one of these for my oldest when we first moved to this house almost 3 years ago. I had to come up with something for the never ending question come Christmas time "How's Santa going to come in when we don't have a fireplace?" Over. and over. and over. The easiest thing to come up with? Santa's magic key! All sparkly and beautiful with a pretty red and silver ribbon. We hang it on our front door Christmas eve and you know what? I guess it works because Santa sure makes it inside! :) And, no worries if you don't do the Santa thing, this key is just precious as a ornament too! What's even more special though about this key? It's an original skeleton key to my house. Remember my fabulous doors and they're fabulous glass knobs? The locks all have their own key, don't ask me which one you're getting because I don't know. We've never locked the doors before, but you get a piece of my first home. Enjoy.

Second item in the box today. A lovely assortment of Christmas cookie cutters! Since I'm just getting into a semi-teeny-tiny-bit o' baking frenzy I thought these would be perfect.

And, last but certainly not least..... because it's my favorite store, and I'm 100% promoting making your own meaningful Christmas presents this year... $25.00 to Hobby Lobby. Craft your hearts out!

Rules, because we all love 'em.

Leave a comment. Easy as that.

If you want a second entry follow or tell me that you're already following in a new comment.

Want a third entry? Post about this giveaway on your blog/facebook/twitter. Leave another comment.

Anyone can enter but if you don't have a blog make sure you leave your email please! :) I'll draw a random winner on Sunday the 22nd.

Good luck!

Christmas Crack

Did the title scare you a little bit? Last year I found this amazing recipe online for this "Christmas Crack" and do you know what I found out? Besides it being 100% addicting, I was the only person on the planet who hadn't heard of it. I know, right? Anyways this year I figure maybe, just maybe someone somewhere out there hasn't heard of it either and I could show them the goodness!

No, this is not a "how to stall your viewers post before the big giveaway tomorrow" nope, not at all.

Let's grab our ingredients shall we?

1 cup of butter (No I didn't say this was healthy for you)

1 cup of brown sugar

1 package of saltine crackers

1 package of semi sweet chocolate chips

Heat your oven up to 400 degrees and bring your butter and sugar to a boil in a sauce pan, while stirring for 3 minutes.

Align your crackers on a cookie sheet, you're supposed to use parchment paper or something of the sort I just spray mine with some non-stick spray and call it good.

Pour the mixture over the crackers and throw 'em in the oven for 5 whole minutes.

Once you take them out sprinkle the chocolate chips over the whole thing, let it set for a few minutes till the chips are soft enough to spread.

Throw it in the fridge (or freezer if your like me and want it N.O.W.) once it's hard break it up by hand. Yum yum yum.

I do things a tad different as once I'm done spreading the chocolate over the top I throw another layer of chips on it just to melt a tiny bit, it makes it thicker. I've googled Christmas crack and came up with a 7 layer one I'd like to try. But I'm pacing myself with this whole "kitchen, cooking, domestic" stuff. Also, I used chocolate chips and the peanut butter ones this time. Goodness, that's some good eatin'. You could use mint, or sprinkle candy cane bits on it too. The possibilities are endless!

Don't forget tomorrow's giveaway! It probably won't go up until the evening as I need to take some good pictures of it and well..it's 9:00 at night right now!

Good stuff. See you there.

Jingle bells, Jingle bells..

Ever since I saw this wreath over at Nannygoat, who saw it over at Eddie Ross. I fell in love. I immediately gave up my adoration of fall and ran head on to Christmas. Yes, I skip Thanksgiving-- That Holiday and I do not get along. Another post for that mess. So I ran to the Dollar store and got my supplies. I'm pretty sure while I was there, another fellow blogger was doing the same thing. I say this because we both saw the last sleeve of itty bitty red bulbs and do you know what she did? She gave me the stink eye and went for them! Having a little class, I stepped away. When she turned around though, I took them out of her cart and ran. Jokes on her huh?


Kidding. ;)

I grabbed the itty bitty silvers and said some mean words and checked out. The other sites have the tutorials for these and let's be honest, they're pretty awesome at it. So check them out in case you don't want to read this drawn out novel.

Ready? Okay, Grab one of those old metal hangers and bend it into a circle, while unraveling the top so you can scoot those bulbs on. Or, better yet, have your best friend do it cheering her on all along saying "See you CAN craft!" While she's busy doing that, grab a Dr. Pepper and heat your glue gun up. Start by putting a little rim of glue on each of the ornament tops so that they don't slide off. Then string them on, rotating back and forth using little ones to fill in the gaps. Easy peasy right?

Then take some big ol satin thin wired ribbon you have in the basement and put her on the front door, Nester style.

Then realize that you can't shut your storm door because it's so thick and lovely. Awesome. ;) She'll find a new home soon.

And, Holiday Linky Friday over at the Inspired room