Uh Oh!

Since I've been gone so long I thought I'd come back and do some blogging.

Looks as if something's gone wrong here.  Better get this taken care of.  Christmas is in less than 6 months.

Much to do. Much to do.

January Rudy

Well Saturday marked the first Rudy Day for 2014.  However for some reason I had it in my head that Sunday was the 25th, not Saturday. LOL

A day late I celebrated Rudy Day by watching the movie of the month suggested by the great people over at Magical Holiday Home.  This months movie is Christmas With the Kranks.  I love this movie.  It is so funny and heart-warming.



Also in celebration of the first Rudy Day, I made homemade hot chocolate.  I love hot chocolate and when I went into the kitchen for a pack of my favorite Swiss Miss, the box was empty.  So I went on the internet and found a simple and easy recipe to make it.

12 ounces evaporated milk
1 1/2 cups hot water
1/4-1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 dash salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

I searched for a recipe using evaporated milk because I was all out of regular milk.  I found it strange and was a little scared to use the salt because I thought it would taste salty.  However I was wrong, though I used very little.

Mmm, mmm, good.  Just wish I had marshmallows to go on top. (Should have taken a photo) I will definately make this again.

For the full recipe you can fine it at Food.com

And for more ideas/tips I'm going over to Organzied Christmas and follow the Rudolph Club Meeting for the month.

Gift Ideas

I really want to do better in 2014.  This past Christmas I was not on my A-game.  I dragged my feet with everything, especially shopping for gifts.

Since the day after Christmas I have been thinking of gift ideas for family members.

I was just looking through my blog and came across the time I made calendars for family and a few friends.  Each month had pictures and noted dates like birthdays, anniversaries, etc.  They were well received.  I want to make some this year to give to my group.

Along with the calendars I'm going to make Kissmas Whisks.  These are so fun and easy to make.  I made some years ago for a few co-workers and  they were a big hit.

Now on to family.  The stores are having big holiday clearances, especially on holiday sleepwear.  Which got me thinking... each family member will get a pair of fun, Christmasy pj's as part of their gifts.  While I'm at it, pick up a few for myself.

I noticed that my brother could use a new rachets/tools set.  When we were working on my truck a few months ago, I noticed how everthing looked so old and rusty, although I must admit, they worked perfectly well.  He has had those tools for years. As always, I don't know what to get my mom.  She has just about everything.  Whenever I think of a great gift for her, whether it be her birthday or Christmas, she has already gotten it.  My nieces and nephews I won't have any ideas until it gets closer to the holidays.  Their wants change so much. Sometimes it's hard to keep up.  One niece I know really loves jewelery, peace signs and such.  So I have noted that in my notebook.  The boys will be a little tougher to shop for. I may end up giving them money cards and they can go get whatever they want.

Right now I'm motivated and feeling good about things.  Just hope it stays with me throughout the year.

It's A New Year!

What will it bring?  For me I hope it brings more energy.  Didn't have much of it in 2013 when it came to being ready for the holidays. Looking forward to changing that in 2014.

Card Swap

See the beautiful cards I received from my friends at MHH.  I love these guys!

Post Christmas

Well Christmas is over!

Usually the day after Christmas is kind of a let down for many. Including me.  Months of planning and prepping and then just like that it's over.  Well not this year.  Not for me.  I have already started planning for 2014 (God willing I'm around to see it).

Since Thursday I have been making lists and printing new forms for my notebook.  First thing I did was start a 'To Do' list: Gifts recipients/ideas, update address book, plan holiday menus, etc.   So far I made a list of persons whom I want to get gifts for.  Even have a few gift ideas written down. Like for my brother I want to get him a new ratchet set. When he worked on my truck last month I noticed the set he has is so old and rusty.  Although they worked fine, I think he would be happy to have a new set.   I also started a master shopping list which I've already started ticking off items from, like Christmas cards, more ornaments, lights, and such.  Yup, I want to be on top of things next year.  No more dragging my feet.

I even have a menu written up for next year's Christmas Eve family dinner though I think some things may change as the months pass.  It always does.

And for the first time, I did not make it out for Black Friday.  I always go out on that day.  It's the day I find really great gifts for me. Heehee.  There are a few things I want like an Ipod. Yes people, I do not own one. I also want a portable hd tv to keep at work.  A new high memory disk drive. The one I want costs a pretty penny but holds more than I will ever need.  A digital camera as I broke the on/off button to my HP digital camera.  That's what I get for leaving it in my handbag for weeks on end.  I never do that. As well as several other things I want.

What I don't get for myself as birthday gifts in July will go on my Christmas Wish List.

Guess I will end here.  I've had several glasses of Ovebrook Eggnog and I'm feeling mighty jolly.

Enjoy your day!!!

Wishing you and your loved ones a Very Merry Christmas!