DIY Calendar

I decided to do a cute calendar a la YHL and a few other personalized, printable ones I had seen. Now that I have this great, (working) printer....I must use it! YHL used words, I am not that creative to come up with meaningful words for every month...so I decided to find meaningful or cute clipart which for me is much more fun......here are just a few of my favorite's I did.....

I did these in wordpad!! haha I don't even have office on my computer, so it was really difficult, not easy and not perfect. I found the font 'Idolwild' on font squirrel. It was a fun & easy (would have been even easier if I had microsoft office!) project, but I think the most fun was be able to use my super awesome new printer :)

Teriyaki Chicken

Okay, I know I've been slacking...I'm trying to catch up with somethings that I've wanted to post but also...I've been doing a whole lot of nothing so I need to find some things to post about!

I made teriyaki chicken last week which I do as a filler a lot, it's so so so easy and it's yummy.....the worst part about this is defrosting the chicken, I hate waiting.

I usually make it and then do it with veggies, or sometimes I just make rice, or add rolls, this one night I made potatoes which turned the thing complicated, yes...I think potatoes are complicated....it's very involved and takes too long :)

Anyhoo...you take teriyaki sauce....I use this stuff....

Put like 4 or 5 chicken breasts in a small baking dish (ungreased) and pour about half the bottle on the chicken breasts and mix it around a little so the chicken breasts are all covered.

Bake at 350 for 30 minutes uncovered

I usually flip halfway through.

That's it.

yum! Though doesn't my plate look kind of boring, I guess I could have added something else....but it was still yummy :)

Christmas 2010

Merry Christmas! Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I was a little under the weather but still, had a wonderful time with my husband & our families!!

Christmas eve we did our usual and went to Chance's moms for dinner and my dad came. It was a good night.

Christmas morning Chance & I exchanged presents at our house and it snowed a little, enough to make it look nice on Christmas morning but was more of a dusting and quickly stopped and melted. We drove back to his moms for breakfast and then had dinner at my dads. So grateful to be able to spend some time with family! And today is our "dating anniversary", 7 years! 7 wonderful years :) And we're hoping it's going to snow!

But now I want to share all the goodies!

My hubby got me this great decorating book that I can't seem to set down. I've been desperately trying to figure out what color and how to set up my living room and so I'm trying to get as many ideas as I can! Love this book!

He also got me this awesome printer, I needed one so bad. I have a great one but it eats ink like crazy. I've already used this printer a few times last night and today and my ink levels haven't changed, woo! And it's wireless, yesss! Can't wait to do fun projects! It's an HP Photosmart Premium C310a Wireless...love

He also got me this super cute Kathy purse, love it! and a few other things too....he's a good hubby!

My mother in law got me two Scentsy warmers and some scents! Yaaay! I got Lisbon & Cyprus. And got several scents but my fav is Mochadoodle!

My dad got me this super great sewing machine since my cheaptastic one died after one bobbin run through! It does a ton of stitches and even has lettering and it has pink on the front of it too....can't wait to sew some kitchen curtains!! It's a Brother SQ-9000

My brother got me this great storage bench I've been wanting! Yay!

oh and he also got me Apples to Apples, woo hoo!

I'm very excited about everything I got, woo I also got a bunch of girly things from my sister & SIL ... :)

Now bring on the snow!

Not my best judgement...

Finally sending out my Christmas Cards tomorrow after a couple weeks of debating on whether to reorder new ones. So to everyone reading my blog who knows they'll get a card, sorry...spoiler alert!! :)

Every year we do Christmas cards...for the last two years I've been doing photo cards and I'm always in such a hurry to take the picture once the tree is up so I can play around with what I want and then order them, then address them and get them out before Christmas....why am I in such a hurry? I always have enough time. My impatient husband who never wants to take the photograph and thinks 3 takes should be enough doesn't help...love him to pieces but why isn't it realistic to ask for an hour?! ;) haha...I get that it's not fun but when I hurry and don't think....we end up with Christmas cards like this.....

Oh the awfulness.....it's too dark....of course I had to get our new house in there somewhere because we it's our first Christmas in it! But look how awful the blue sky looks, I could have worried more about the pictures and less about what the neighbors thought I was doing....the dogs look a little blurry but honestly, I think their picture is the best...and that's sad. :(

Next year I promise to plan, not rush, and I think I may take the picture outside to make sure it's for sure bright enough. I'll include the tree in a separate picture of it's own. And just relax....next year is sure to be the best picture yet....*crossing fingers*

Though the christmas card itself, excluding pictures is quite cute don't you think?

Here's past disasters.....2009 was blurry but it was the cutest photo we took so we settled...

2008 was an awful one of me but we settled because both of the dogs were looking forward

Here's to hoping I get better at this! :)

Gift Tags

Not feeling well today so I'm trying to catch up on things on my to do list that are manageable! I ordered christmas gifts online last week and some of them came in this week. So I need to wrap them and I wanted to make my own tags.

I used my cricut to cut out the tags and the little trees. I used distress ink with a foam brush to darken the edges. Glued the christmas tree on. And stamped 'To' and 'From' on it! Easy peasy!

Spaghetti Jar Vase

I wanted a mason jar to put flowers in but I didn't see any reason to go and buy another one when I already buy them all the time!

I love this spaghetti sauce, it's my favorite.

After I made lasagna last week, I rinsed two of these out and I washed them in the dishwasher two different times. The first time, I peeled what I could off but didn't stress about getting every bit off, it was still flat white when I stuck it into the dishwasher the second time. Then I took my Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get what was left off the jar when it came out of the dishwasher the second time (including the expiration date for the sauce). Easy and painless.

I wrapped a little burlap around it and bought some flowers at the store. Cute :)

Painted Laundry Room

We recently got a new washer & dryer set (but you heard about that here). I don't have the best laundry room, it's small and unfortunately the water heater isn't tucked away in some closet somewhere, it's right there in the laundry room so I've got to work with what I've got and that's what I've been doing. Though, I'm fortunate to have a room at all. This entire house was painted in this very light tan/yellow color and so was the laundry room. I had left over small cans that I bought and never used to touch up the paint that I used in my old kitchen and living room at our townhouse. So I thought it would be a perfect (and completely free) way to take another step on working on the laundry room. So about 3:30 yesterday I just decided that it was the day I was going to paint! I decided to use the lighter color I had for the stripes, and to leave the existing color on the wall as the opposite stripe. Then the back wall is cinder blocks and I thought I would use the darker tan to paint that wall. Who knew that already painted cinder blocks would be such a pain to paint??

We also have this built in shelf which I love, it's behind the door, and it was also the color of the wall, everything in this house is this color, yuck. So I decided to paint it white.

It's still a work in progress, you might think it looks good but here's the stuff you don't see (warning: ugliness ahead)..

Neeeeeed a new mop sink, whatttt an eye sore now!!

Already working on replacing the ceiling tiles.....see.....

Now the ones we haven't replaced.....shudder....maybe water damage once upon a time..

I also wanted to share a funny story....see this unpainted piece of wall.....there was a pipe there....I painted around it. My husband came in and started laughing quite hard at me and couldn't figure out why I would paint around this pipe. I was confused. Apparently the pipe wasn't attached to anything like I thought it was, it was just resting in between the wall and the sink. I felt like an idiot, painted it and then started to wonder why, if he knew that, didn't he throw the stupid thing away?! :)

Some ...unique...Christmas gift ideas

I was looking for some cute, cheap, maybe even borderline cheesey gifts to give to a couple coworkers, family & friends. And I sure found it, and then some...I thought I'd share. Some of these would be cute, some....(i.e. paper towels?) are just not realistic to give. However, if you are so inclined, you have a catchy phrase to go along with it!

1. M&M's - "Have a Merry and Most wonderful Holiday Season!!"

2. Soup or soup mix - Wishing you a "Souper" Holiday Season!!

3. Frozen or ready to bake pizza - "Warm up to a wonderful Holiday Season Topped" with Christmas cheer!"

4. Apples and Hershey's Hugs - A teacher can't live by apples alone...She needs "Hugs" too!!

5. Popcorn Balls - Hoping you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season!

6. Loaf of Bread - For being there when you were "Kneaded", for "Rising" to the occasion, large or small. For never "Loafing" on the job, for helping others to "Heel" with TLC. No matter how you "Slice it", you do a terrific job loving Others. Merry Christmas!!

7. Jolly Ranchers - Have a Holly"Jolly" Christmas!!

8. Rootbeer - We're "Root"ing for you to have a Happy Holiday Season and a Wonderful New Year!!

9. Chex Party Mix - Remember Santa "Chex" his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice...so be good for goodness sake!! Merry Christmas!!

10. Box of Hostess Ho-Ho's - Hope a merry "HO - HO - H0" fills your heart the whole year through! (Put a Santa sticker on the label)

11. Wire Wisk - (Filled with Chocolate kisses) "We WHISK you a Merry KISSmas!!"

12. Jar of Jelly - jelly is like love - you can't spread it around without getting some on yourself! Merry Christmas!!

13. Christmas Tray - We "Tray"sure your friendship! Merry Christmas!!

14. Bell - With each chime of this festive bell, may a Christmas wish come true. And bring you peace and happiness to last the whole year through! Merry Christmas!

15. Yule Log - "We send you warm greetings this Christmas Season!!"

16. Potpourri - "May this sweet scent bring back thoughts of warm Christmases long ago!" Merry Christmas!

17. Cleaners - "You add sparkle and make our life brighter!" Merry Christmas!

18. Nuts - "We're nuts about you!" Merry Christmas!

19. Lifesavers - " You've been a life saver!" Have a great Christmas!

20. A juice pitcher filled with candy canes- "We pitcher you raising a little "cane" during the holidays!" Have a merry Christmas!!

21. Broom - You're "Dust" the finest neighbors we know! Merry Christmas!

22. Paper Towels - "Blot out your troubles; absorb the Christmas Spirit!"

23. Measuring Cup or Glass Measure - "Wishing you Joy Beyond Measure!

24. Bananas - If we could choose our friends, and we searched the whole world through, we'd go bananas trying to find a better bunch than you!!"

25. Any Star ornaments - "Remember the reason for the season!"

26. Chocolate Mousse Mix - "Merry Christmousse" to our "Deer" Friends!

27. Wooden spoon - Whether stirring up cakes, cookies, soups or soufflés; You'll find this spoon useful in so many ways. But whatever it's use, it says, "Merry Merry Christmas from us to you!"

28. Flower - "If friends were flowers, we'd pick you! Happy Holidays!! Or "You make friendship bloom all year round!"

29. Heart Christmas Ornament - "May the Joy and Love you give away, come back to you on Christmas day!"

30. Cinnamon Sprinkles - (Cinnamon & Sugar, or cookie sprinkles) "May your Christmas be sprinkled with laughter and love!" Merry Christmas!

31. Hershey's Hugs - "A friend always knows when you need a little hug!"

32. Christmas music CD or Tape - "May the sweet song of Christmas make your heart rejoice!" Or "May the merry sounds of Christmas bring a Joyful Melody to your holiday season" Merry Christmas!!

33. Filled Basket - "Wishing you a basket full of Christmas blessings"

34. Salsa - "Add a little Spice to your Holidays!" Merry Christmas!

35. Stocking or filled Jar - "Have a fun filled Christmas this year!"

36. Lamb - "Have "eweself" a Merry little Christmas!!"

37. Candle - "May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year Bright!!

38. Holly - "Happy Holly days!"

39. Calendar - "Keep Christmas in your heart the whole year through!"

40. Shaped Sugar Cookies - "Rolling out a batch of Christmas Cheer, for Someone we think is very dear!!"

41. Cherry 7-up - "Just a Little Christmas Cheer from Happy Hearts this time of year!! Merry Christmas!!"

42. Sparkling Cider - "Wishing you a Sparkling Holiday Season!"

43. Warm Casserole or Bread - "Bundled up with warm wishes!!"

44. Popcorn or Carmel Corn - "Just "Popping" by with a Holiday Hi!" Or "May your Holidays be Poppin'!"

45. Seasoning Mix - "Seasoned with Love" Merry Christmas!!

46. Eggbeater - "Have an "Eggstra" Special Holiday!!"

47. Hershey's Hugs and Kisses - "Christmas Hugs and Kisses to You " Or "Holiday Hugs and Kisses to you!"

48. Apple Pie of Apple Crisp - "Wishing you a Scrumptious Christmas!"

49. Fruit Basket - "May your New Year be Festive and Fruitful!!"

50. Any Sweet Treat - "Wishing you a season filled with sweetness!"

51. Oranges - " Orange" you glad we're Friends!?" Merry Christmas!!

52. Chocolate Orange - "Orange" you glad it's Christmas? Hope your Christmas is a Sweet one!

53. Sprite - " May your Christmas be Merry and Sprite!"

54. Ice Cream Snowballs and Hot Fudge - " Here's some packaged"snowball" treats - Just Drizzle Hot Fudge and its ready to eat!...Enjoy!!"

55. Snicker Bar - "Don't "Snicker", just be glad you got Something!!"

56. Mints - "Friends like you are worth a Mint!!" Merry Christmas!!

57. Matches - "No one Matches you as neighbors!" Merry Christmas!

58. Strainer - (With a Christmas bow) " We couldn't restrain ourselves from wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!"

59. Box of Light Bulbs - "Have a bright and radiant Christmas"

60. Bubble Gum or Bubble Bath - "May your holidays "Bubble" over with fun!!

61 Pencil and Notepad - "Merry Christmas from our pad to yours!!" or Merry Christmas to a "noteworthy" friend!"

62. Jar of Pickles - "Just in brine, Our wish for a merry Christmas!!"

63. Grater and Cheese - " To a Grate Neighbor! Merry Christmas!"

64. Ice Cream - "Have a "Cool" Yule!!"

65. Bear shaped Honey - "Have a Bear Sweet Christmas!!"

66. Santa - "Ho - Ho - Hoping your Christmas is Heavenly!"

67. Angel - "Hoping you have a Heavenly Christmas!!"

68. Eggnog - " Have an "Udderly Moovalous" Christmas!!"

69. Gingerbread House - "Nibble, Nibble like a mouse, We hope you'll nibble at this house!" Merry Christmas!!

70. Mugs with Hot Chocolate Mix - "To our special friends who are so Dear, We wish you all a cup of Cheer!" (One Mug would be a special gift for a Teacher. "To a Special Teacher dear, wishing you a "Cup of Cheer"!"

71. Cocoa Mix - "Wishing you a warm and wonderful Christmas!"

72. Muffins or Muffin mix - " You're getting "Muffin" for Christmas!!"

73. Gum - "By Gum, You're a great Neighbor!! "Have a Merry Christmas"

74. Veggies and Dip - "Dip into a wonderful Holiday season and a Healthy New Year!"

75. Christmas Shaped pasta - ( Or any Pasta and a bottle of Sauce ) " Have a Pasta-tively Happy Holiday!"

76. Jar of Jam - "Hoping you have a Holiday "Jammed" packed with fun!!" "Have a "Berry" nice holiday season!!" Or "Hoping your Christmas is "Jam-packed" with Christmas Cheer!!"

77. Cookie Dough - "Here's a little extra "Dough" for Christmas! Or "Everyone Needs a little extra "Dough" for Christmas!!"

78. Homemade Frozen Rolls - "Here's a little holiday treat. Rise and bake, it can't be beat! Warm fresh rolls just for you. Top with butter that's all you do! Warm Holiday Greetings to you"

79. Brownie Mix - (Or any Mix) "Whip up this mix for a wonderful holiday fix! Wishing you a "rich" Holiday Season!!" (Be sure to attach the recipe!)

80. Homemade caramels - Hoping you have a "Rich" and "wonderful" Holiday!!"

81. Pie - "Just a "Holiday Hi" and a tasty Pie!! Happy Holidays!!"

82. Divinity - "May your Christmas be "Devine" and your Holidays so Fine! Sweet Christmas Wishes!"

83. Rice Krispie Treats - "Snap, Crackle, Pop" We think You're really Tops! "

84. Toffee or Brittle - "Any way you break it, We think you're the greatest!"

85. Fudge - "Fudge" a little on the calories and enjoy the Holiday Season!"

86. Cheese Ball and Crackers - "We don't mean to sound "Cheesey", we just hope you have a "Ball" this Holiday Season! Or "Spread a little Christmas Cheer this Holiday Season!"

87. Apple Anything - (Pie,Cobbler, crisp, muffins etc.) "Sending you a "Bushel" of love this holiday Season!!" Or " You are the apple of my eye, Teacher!"

88. Banana Bread - "Banana Bread just for you, because you have so much to do... We also love you a whole "Bunch" too! Merry Christmas!"

89. Cinnamon Rolls - "Here's a sweet treat "Rolled" up with warm Holiday Wishes! Merry Christmas!"

90. Homemade Chocolates - " You're so Sweet...having you as neighbors is really a treat! Have a Heavenly Holiday Season!"

91. Cake or Cupcakes - "You take the "Cake" neighbor, We think you're first rate! Happy Holidays to you!!"

92. Cornbread or Mix - "We're not trying to be "Corny" we just want you to have Merry Christmas!"

93. Carrot Cake - " I Really "Carrot" a lot about you!! Merry Christmas"

94. Spiced Drink Mixes - " Hoping your Holidays are "Spiced" Just right!"

95. Homemade Ice cream of a Frozen Treat - "Here's the Scoop,,,,Hoping your Holidays are a "Blizzard" of fun!"

96. Recipe - "Just like you friend...it's tried and true, just for you! Happy Holiday Baking or Merry Christmas Cooking!"

97. Pizza - "Hope your Holiday has a touch of "Pizza - z!!" Merry Christmas!!"

98. Candle - "You Light up my Life!" Thanks for your friendship! May your Christmas be Merry and Bright!"

99. Crayons and Coloring Book - Hope your Holidays are Colorful!

100. Plant - " The kindness you show makes our friendship grow and grow! Hope you have a Happy Holiday!!"

101. Soda Pop - "I'd "Soda" like to wish you a merry Christmas!

102. Stuffed animal - (Beanie Baby) "Pawsing" to wish you a Merry Christmas!"

103. Donuts - "Donut" you know we love you??? Have a happy Holiday!

Found these here