one word

No goals.

No resolutions.

Just one word.

Years ago I switched to the One Word Resolution vs. the old school list of New Year's Resolutions. 

An Un-Resolution if you will. 

How many times did I make the resolution to get healthy, lose weight, work out and by the end of January forget about the commitment.  The regulars at the gym would tell us that they hated the January influx of New Year's Resolutions members competing for the equipment, but they knew it would last only a few weeks, then the gym would go back to "normal".

 

 I love this quote from a One Word Resolution enthusiast Rachel Olsen:

“Lose the long list of resolutions — all your sweeping promises to change — and do something about one thing this year instead of nothing about everything.”

- Rachel Olsen

There are so many fantastic inspiration words to make a choice from for myself.  The choice of one word is like a touchstone for you.  A reminder of the focus of the year for you.  How you define that word and how you apply it to your life is up to you.

Last year my word was intention. 
To intentionally live my life.

For 2013 my word touchstone is seize. Seize the year, day and moments of life. Capture and embrace the opportunities that come to me and that I create.
carpe per diem.

One Word suggestions:

Tranquility

Fearless

Aware

Awake

Intentional

Healthy

Time

Flexibility

Safe

Create

Patience

Persist

Joy

Happiness

Peace

Contentment

Knowledge

Growth

Imagination

What resolutions have you made for 2013?

 

Snowpocalypse 2012

 

 Don't worry Bogart and Sinbad, it is only another 5 inches on top of 18 inches plus 3 inches plus 4 inches....it's a Snowpocalypse!  Bogart, my "defective" Bernese Mountain Dog is not a fan of snow : )

Winter Bucket List

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I made a "blank" Winter Bucket List for you to add your favorite winter fun!

 

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

'Tis close to the appointed time of gift giving and the arrival of the jolly man in the red suit at our home.  We have a couple of feet of fresh fallen snow to set the mood.  Hot chocolate and cookies are already being consumed. 

Merry Christmas All!

 

Wait For Santa Printable

Click and Print for this free printable.

 

I Need To Get Rid of the Sand...

At some point in time I trained managers time management and organization.  These seminars always were high in attendance by managers.  I was reminded of this lesson the Professor is teaching that a friend posted and shared with us today and how I taught the same exact lesson minus the beer to my managers, lol.  Still a great lesson and I need the refresher course to remind me once in awhile.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..

‘Now,’ said the professor as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—-and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else—-the small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.

Take care of the golf balls first—-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, ‘I’m glad you asked.’ The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there’s always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

 

Merry Christmas

 

Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

I love baking cookies for the holiday season.  Family favorites, new found favorites and inspirations from all the blogs and Pinterest are all on a list for the holidays this year.  After the Thanksgiving feast, I thought I would go with something simple, basic and I am calling healthy because it does include oatmeal and raisins after all!

 Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup shortening

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup raisins

3 1/2 cups oats (not instant oatmeal, use regular oatmeal)

1 3/4 cups flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

 

Sift all dry ingredients together, set aside.  Cream butter, shortening, brown sugar, sugar, eggs and vanilla together.  Add sifted dry ingredients and thoroughly mix with creamed.  Stir in raisins.

Place on ungreased baking sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees 8-12 minutes.  Set on rack to cool.

Mmm...fresh from the oven!

Smell the goodness?



Frosty Subway Art

Brrr....time to settle into the season of
brrr...baby it's cold outside!
Along side this printable on
the mantle I think
I should make a top hat to honor
fond childhood memories of watching
Frosty the Snowman on television
as a Holiday Season tradition. 


 

Click and Print

 

What do you guys think?  Top Hat or Snowflakes? 

Fall Mantle Printable

Click and Print

A nod to the season of appreciation and gratitude,

Thanksgiving.

Veteran's Day

Today and always, a tribute to my son, USN.

And to all the men and women of the United States

serving their country in the military,

thank you for keeping us free and proud to be American.




Just Click and Print
A free Printable many of you requested for this Veteran's Day.

Twine Pumpkins

Wrap a balloon with white glue soaked twine. 
Allow to completely dry, pop balloon
and add twig stem and shape as desired.
You will have a twine pumpkin to add to Harvest Decor.
I need to squash and shape this one a bit when it
100% dry.

Flash from the Past...Ice Cream Cake Recipe

So my daughter is a Halloween baby.  Yep, born on Halloween.  When the kids were young, I would make an Ice Cream Cake for their birthday cake.  A recipe from family had become our family tradition for birthdays.  Years passed and the birthday tradition slid into the background almost forgotten.  Ahhh, but not this year.  As it is the Birthday girl has requested to have this flash from the past for her birthday and to share with her young family. 
Now where did I put that recipe???

Ice Cream Cake

Ingredients:

I package of Keebler Pecan Sandies Shortbread Cookies

1 bag semi sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup butter

2 egg whites

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream

 

Crush cookies and reserve 1/2 to 3/4 cup for top.

Add 1/4 melted butted to crumbs and press into pan.  I get two 9" pie pans from recipe.

Melt chocolate chips with 1/4/ cup butter until smooth.

Beat egg whites and sugar into soft peaks.

Cool chocolate.

Fold into egg whites.

Add on top of cookie crumb crust and freeze.

Add softened vanilla ice cream and top with reserved crumbs.  Put into freezer until time to serve.

"Happy Birthday to you!"
 

Shout out to Diana, thanks for the original taste of yumminess!
Happy Birthday, Birthday girl!

 

Fall Inspiration and How-To’s with Miracle-Gro and the Gardenieres!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
Home Depot and Miracle-Gro are teaming up to bring us inspiration and projects, led by hand-picked green thumbs they call Gardenieres.  You can also check out and "like" the Miracle-Gro Facebook page for more inspiration and talk with fellow gardeners!

Each "Gardeniere" is led by master gardener, William Moss.  Gardenieres are real-life gardening enthusiasts with real world experience when it comes to growing, anything.
Gardenieres
I'm inspired to get my container gardening started after watching a Gardeniere video on the subject!
My To Do list has listed "start indoor container herb garden" on it, yep, it's been there for a little too long now.  With the video below, I have the confidence to get it done so we can enjoy fresh herbs all winter long in our steamy soups, chili and warm me from the inside out my toes are frozen comfort food. I am excited to start my container project and have fresh herbs in the middle of a New England blizzard this coming winter!

Using my favorite potting soil I know will bring success to my container garden!

We are getting the fall garden and landscaping in shape this week.  Beautiful fall colors abound here in New England and the Northeast.  Thanks to this helpful page, Find beauty in the Fall, it's easy to find solutions to fall gardening and landscaping questions.

The Winds of Change

The winds of change are upon us in New England and

the kaleidoscope of foliage color is at peak in some areas. 

The ducks take flight, headed for warmer climates.

As do, some human "snow birds." 

So after an afternoon leaf peeping, my

thoughts turn to chilly weather

Autumn Harvest family recipes.

Do you have family favorite recipes

for the Fall?

Tonight's Dinner? Thick and Creamy New England Clam Chowder

Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 6 -8 pieces bacon, crisp and chopped small
• 1/4 cup  onion, chopped fine
• 1 tablespoon of fresh basil, thyme and parsley mixed and finely chopped
• 6 -8 potatoes, cooked and cubed
• 1 cup chicken broth combined with clam juice from clams to make 1 cup total fluid
• 2 (5 ounce) cans baby clams, with juice reserved  
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of celery soup
• 2 cups heavy cream

Melt butter in pan.  Add onion and bacon.  Add basil, thyme, parsley. Cook till onion translucent.

Add potatoes.

Add chicken broth/clam juice fluids.

Chop clams into small pieces.

Add cream of celery and heavy cream.

Cook until potatoes tender and slightly broke down, whisk until smooth/thick consistency you desire.  Approximately 30 minutes.  Do not over cook clams as they become rubbery.

Put bread sticks in oven to serve with steamy soup.

Sprinkle kosher salt and Parmesan cheese mixed together on bread sticks.

Enjoy!

Grandma's Soft Gingersnap Cookies

The winds of change have arrived in the neighborhood. 

Fall colors are at peak, the breeze has a bit of a bite to it... 

perfect time to warm the house with

the aroma of Gingersnaps baking in the oven.

Ingredients/Directions:

1 C. flour

1 C. brown sugar

3/4 C. shortening

1/4 C. molasses

1 egg

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Mix all the above ingredients, beat until creamy.

1 and 1/4 C. flour

Mix additional flour into batter to finish cookie dough. 

Roll into balls, roll balls in sugar and place

on ungreased baking pan.

Bake @375 degrees for 8-10 minutes.

Love the crackles and this cookie stays soft!

Yum!  Now if I could just eat one...*sigh

Halloween... Oh My!

October arrives tomorrow,

that time of year when things go bump in the night...

Oh My!!

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