What Are You Doing New Year's, New Year's Eve?

Well, if you are me, you are sitting in bed in your comfiest pajamas, sipping a cup of rewarmed coffee and hoping that your eyelids will stay open for the next two and a half hours so that you just might witness the first few minutes of 2012. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?

I realize that it would be far more exciting to report that we were out painting the town, but alas this is our life.  And not just our "Life After Kids".  You see, the hubby and I have spent every New Year's Eve together since 1998, and I cannot remember a single one that we have spent out and about. I would be willing to bet that The Hubby has had to work at least half of those evenings (including tonight).  And the other half?  Well, I guess we just opted to stay home.  Oh wait, there was that one year when I was pregnant with The Reporter.  I rang in 2005 in the Emergency Room with some, um, intestinal distress.  That was living it up.  Let me tell ya. . .

So as the rest of the world is welcoming in 2012 amidst noise and haste, I am sitting here listening to the sounds of children (and a dog) snoring.

And I wouldn't have it any other way. . .

As soon as the hubby signs off, he will join me and we will pop open the bottle of bubbly chilling in the fridge and usher in the new year and all it has to offer.


So long 2011. . .

Friday Finds---Frank Style!

So, I am well aware that it is not Friday anymore (just as I am well aware of how long it has been since I last updated my blog--oops!).  However, thanks to a LARGE cup of coffee after 8pm, I have put children to bed, completely clean out the "art studio" and rearranged the playroom (sorry, no pics--it was embarrassingly awful!), and still have a little steam left to blog a bit!  I have been staying up later the past few nights to put finishing touches on Christmas decorations, straighten up our crazy-messy house, and spy on Frank, Our Elf on the Shelf!  He has been up to some pretty tricky things since he returned. . . and he has to be extra careful not to get to close to someone's little chubby toddler fingers. . .

So far we have found him. . .

Doing a little sewing to help me finish up the Advent Calendar!
(He also made a little red garland that he has decorated with each day!)

Checking himself out in the entry mirror. . . vain little man. . .

Perched on the newly finished Advent Calendar
(Blog post to come about the construction and idea behind it!!)

Working overtime by cleaning The Reporter's room and organizing the Dress-up closet!
(And it has stayed clean since that very day. . . .hmmm--the power of suggestion. . .)

Watching over Kitchen activities. . .

Checking out the Playroom!

Leaving a sweet treat for The Reporter, only after eating a few. . .
must have been his reward for cleaning that room. . . 

Delivering the star for the top of the tree!

Just hanging around!

Hosting an early morning Story time for his minions! 

Keeping watch in the Dining Room. . . .

Guarding the goods. . . .

We are having such fun finding Frank each day!  It is a great motivator to get Someone out of bed each day!

Speaking of bed. . . the coffee is wearing off and the yawns are setting in!  Can't wait to share and tell about my Advent Calendar, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. . .

He's Back in Town. . .

At least until Christmas Eve!

Last weekend, we had a little night visitor!  Frank, our Elf on the Shelf, stopped in to leave a little holiday cheer and remind The Reporter that he would soon be returning to reside with us and keep tabs on her behavior.  Since last weekend, she has woken up every morning with the same question, "Is he back?!"  Each morning, I told her that I had not yet seen Frank around the house, but I was sure that he would return soon enough.  Meanwhile, I was planning a BIG surprise for his return!

I was inspired by this blog a few weeks ago and started planning immediately.  This creative mom planned a "North Pole Breakfast" to welcome her elf back to their home.  Complete with Christmas socks and an elf puppet, she decked the halls and surprised her kids!  As usual, most of MY planning took place in my head, so the day before Frank's big return, I found myself making a mad dash to find Christmas goodies and elf food.  Nevertheless, I think it turned out just perfectly!

Frank supplied "An Elf's Breakfast" complete with more "snowballs" from Mrs. Claus!
 

The Table was set with care and included LOTS of notes for our budding reader!
Check out the Holiday water bottles in the centerpiece!

"Gift bags" included a doodle drawing board and play microphone to keep the Little Guy occupied and  a  seasonal stationary set, holiday tic tacs, and "velvet art" kit for The Reporter!
 (Hint: The dollar bin at many big box stores are full of great Advent and Elf trinkets!)

Frank wrote a letter!

Those smiles were worth all the planning and rushing around!

Frank also left a note for The Reporter telling her to get dressed and pack a "car-bag"--we were going Christmas Tree Hunting!

When I was a little girl, we did most of our Christmas Tree hunting in the Pasture (our backyard) and I can remember helping my daddy haul home the "perfect tree"--usually a cedar tree.  Since moving back "home", I must admit that we have purchased all of our Christmas Trees from a big box retailer.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that (I guess), but this year we decided to start a new tradition.  My parents visited Sunnyside Trees last year and encouraged us to go with them this year, and I am so thankful that we took them up on the offer!

There were multiple fields of trees to roam or run through. . .

The Reporter found the perfect tree for our dining room!

The Hubby Tackled the BIG tree for our living room!
 (We ended up cutting over 2 feet off the bottom--hello, greenery on the mantle!)

I believe we have found a new family tradition!
(Silly girl was COLD!!!)

The only problem with getting a tree this early?  It is sitting right beside my turkeys and pumpkins on the mantle in the living room. . . Oh well, there is always tomorrow, right? 

And speaking of tomorrow, I wonder what Frank will find to get into?

Thanksgiving Queen

My Grandmama Frances was the Thanksgiving Queen.  Everyone around our small town knew that Frances went all out for the big day.  She planned for weeks and cooked for days to prepare the perfect meal for the ones she loved the most, along with all the other people she invited in to share in her feast.  And what a feast it was!  She had a tendency to go, um, overboard, literally--there was so much food that I can vividly remember having an ironing board set up in the kitchen to hold a few extra casseroles one year!  There was food everywhere you turned and you could never eat enough to satisfy her!  Leftovers?  No problem!  You could eat for a week and still not deplete the supply of casseroles, turkey, ham, vegetables and gravy.  

Those memories are why I love Thanksgiving so very much.  It truly is my favorite holiday.  In 2002, my Grandfather Snooks (Frances' husband) passed away, and I knew that Thanksgiving would be particularly difficult that year.  I decided to take on the responsibility of hosting Thanksgiving for our family--we had a new house, hardly used wedding china and all the time in the world to plan, shop, cook and host a lovely Thanksgiving meal.  I (in my usual fashion) stressed over each and every detail to make it a perfect holiday for our family.  And it was.  Simply perfect.  The menu was delicious, the company fantastic and the prep and clean-up a breeze.  From that point on, I declared Thanksgiving "my holiday" to host. Although my menu was not nearly as extensive as Frances', I selected some family favorites, along with some new items to display on the table, and everyone agreed that I could take responsibility for the cooking for this gastronomic affair.

Since 2002, I have hosted Thanksgiving five times.  In the years that I did not host, we either traveled East to be with my other grandma, or I had a brand new baby, so my mom took over the plan (last year she cooked an entirely dairy-free meal for me!).  This year, as the holiday approached, we began to discuss who would cook the meal. I would like to say that every day is like a Norman Rockwell Painting around here and the children behave beautifully while I prepare meals.  But, alas, this is reality.  I was worried that taking on the entire meal, while the hubby worked a 10 hour shift, would be a little stressful.  Just a little.  So instead of doing the whole thing, my mom and I agreed to split the responsibilities this year.  She would handle the main dishes and I could do a few side items and dessert. 

 Although I was relieved to not have the stress of cooking while dodging Legos and Wooden pizza toppings strewn across the floor, I was also sad to give up some of the tradition of cooking the meal.  As a way to break from the old tradition, I decided to choose new desserts to grace the table.  As an homage to Frances, I chose a pear cake (featuring the pears from our own trees growing in what used to be Frances' yard) and a pecan pie (a staple in this old house when Frances lived here).  However, I knew my boys (Dad, brother and the hubby) would want a little something chocolate, so I thumbed through my old cookbook of clipped recipes and found the perfect answer--Bourbon Pecan Pie with Chocolate Chips.

Bourbon Pecan Pie with Chocolate Chips

(or Black-bottom Bourbon Pecan Pie)

*I wish I could give credit for this recipe where it is due, but I honestly have no idea where it originated.  I have it copied on an old slip of paper and pasted into my cookbook.  So, thank you, whoever you are--you are genius!)

Ingredients:

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used a whole cup, but I like chocolate!)

3 large eggs, lightly beaten

1/3 cup sugar

3 T firmly packed brown sugar

1 T all purpose flour

3/4 cup corn syrup (I used light)

1/4 cup butter, melted (I used Earth Balance)

3 T Bourbon (or more, if you like!  This doesn't count what you drink while you make it! )

2 tsp. vanilla extract

2 cups pecans

1 pie crust (I used Whole Wheat because it is what I had.  Whatever you do, get deep dish!)

Sprinkle Chocolate chips into the bottom of the pie crust to cover.

Beat eggs and next seven ingredients at medium speed until blended.

Be sure to acknowledge your extra cute helpers along the way!

Pour batter into crust, over the chocolate chips until it is half filled and then cover with the pecan halves.  Drizzle with remaining filling being careful not to overflow, like I did!

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until set!

I had an extra pie crust that I had to use to repair cracks in the first one.  I used the extra crust to make pie-toppers!  (This was a first for me!)  The Reporter is not a fan of pie, but does love the crust, so I thought she might enjoy eating the "leaves"!

Serve with whipped cream (or whipped coconut milk, if you are me!) and a hot cup of coffee! 

Enjoy

To my Thanksgiving Queen, 

Thank you for teaching me to love this holiday of thankfulness and plenty.  I stood in your kitchen today and let the memories of Thanksgivings past wash over me.  

We are truly blessed and for that I am thankful.

Nighttime Visitor

Look what was waiting for The Reporter when she got up this morning. . .

A night time visitor stopped by with greetings. . . 

That sneaky Elf on the Shelf delivered a letter and SNOWBALLS!!! 

(And a gentle reminder that the Big Man is watching!)

Thanks, Frank!

Thirty Days of Thankful

Last Year, I decided to join the masses on Facebook and participate in "Thirty Days of Thankful".  Each day leading up to Thanksgiving I posted a little something I was thankful for whether it was big or small, personal or public.  This exercise helped me to refocus my thoughts to positives that surround me each and every day that often go unnoticed--my kids' giggles, a kind word from a coworker, a gesture of love from the hubby. . .things we enjoy in the moment, but move on from.  When I was forced to sit at the end of each day, reflect and choose one moment that touched my heart or one thing that impacted my day, I was required to shut out the negative of the day or to make lemonade out of an otherwise lemon of a day by finding the silver lining.

You see, as unattractive as it is, I tend to be a glass-half empty whiner when things get tough.  I envy those with the ability to have a sunny outlook in the middle of the darkest storm, yet I was hopeful that reflecting on my "thankfuls" each day would help to change that mindset--if only for thirty days.

About half-way through the month, a friend and mentor mentioned how much she was enjoying reading my thankful statement each day. (I am sure she was relieved to see a change from my usual ho-hum or snarky status updates.)  She then told me of a book that was written by a Godly woman who decided to take a similar challenge by "Daring to live fully, right where you are".  Ann Voskamp's beautiful book One Thousand Gifts soon found its way onto my nook reader and into my heart.  Her words touched my soul as she sought out moments each day that were gifts--the sheen of the soap bubbles, the rise of the moon.  Her words are a "celebration of Grace and a recognition of the power of gratitude" and a beautiful reminder of just how blessed we all are each day.

This year, as November rolled around I began to see Facebook Friends posting about the "30 days of Thankful Challenge" once again.  I began the month with gusto and loved the reminder to find a little positive each and everyday (a challenging task for a public school employee this time of year).  However, about a week into the challenge, I felt that something was missing and took a moment to reflect on what could make this challenge even better.  I realized that the people that I love most were missing out on my "Thankfuls".  Oftentimes, the hubby is too busy to catch up on Facebook during the week, so he was missing out on these moments of gratitude.  The Reporter and The Little Guy are too young for Facebook (obviously), so they too were missing out on Mommy's positives.  At that moment, I decided to make the "Thankfuls" personal this year.  I wanted them to understand how thankful I am for their presence in my life, but I also wanted to extend the challenge to my family--Could the Hubby and The Reporter find something meaningful to be thankful for each day?  Would they be able to look past the surface and find true grace in each moment?

I decided that each evening at dinner we would share our thankful thoughts for the day.  However, I wanted a way to document this challenge. I headed right out for the supplies.

I found beautiful Fall Scrapbook paper. . . .

Cut it into one inch strips. . . 

And waited until dinner. . .

That night at dinner, I pitched my idea to the family.  At the conclusion of the meal, I asked the Hubby and The Reporter to write down one thing that they were thankful for that day.  The first few days of "Thankfuls" were a struggle, but now that we are half-way through the month, the thoughts are becoming deeper and the thankfuls more sincere.  And our dining room is wrapped in gratitude. . . .

and our hearts are full of love.

Who knew that $1.50 purchase of scrapbook paper could have such an impact?

Hey There Little Red Riding Hood. . .

 Well, Hi there!  Long time, no blog!  I guess that's what happens when you are a full-time working mama to two crazy kiddos, the wife to a hubby that works shifts, and a girl trying to cling to some sort of me-time and identity, huh?

 Honestly, since going back to work, my free time has taken a huge nose dive.  During summer break, I found time to sip a hot cup of coffee and blog before the kids woke from their slumber.  Now, however, mornings are spent rushing around, packing lunches (that should have been packed the night before), choosing outfits (that should have been chosen the night before), and waking grumpy kiddos to dress them, feed them, and whisk them off to their destination of the day.  Then I'm off to work, meetings, and maybe a short workout before we rush back in the door to cook dinner, get baths, and read the "required 20 minutes" before tucking the little loves into bed.  Whew!  It makes me tired just thinking about it!!

Last weekend, we took a break from the craziness to enjoy every kids' favorite Fall holiday--Halloween!  Who doesn't enjoy the chance to play dress-up and eat junk?!  We decked out the house and joined in the fun!

The Reporter had fun with our newest obsession around here. . . .

Skulls and Spiderwebs!

Pumpkin Fun!

Light Garlands!!  The lights on the left were a Target dollar bin find spruced up the ribbons and bandannas!  The lights on the right belonged to my grandmother and are accented by fabric scraps from my sewing closet!  Such an easy project kids can help with that makes a big impact!


After lots of talk about costumes, The Reporter agreed on a "couple costume" for herself and The Little Guy.  Our original plan was Pebbles and Bam-Bam (oh, so appropriate).  However, the weather took a chilly turn and we had to return to the drawing board for something with a little more coverage!  In true procrastinator fashion, I was sitting at my sewing machine in the eleventh hour putting together costumes. . . and the results were fantastic, if I do say so myself!

Little Red requested a "twirly cape with a round hood, not a pointy one!"

For The Little Guy, we went with comfort and ease!  Who knew that an $8 hoodie would make such a cute wolf suit!  

Hey there Little Red Riding Hood!~!

Oh Grandmother, What big TEETH you have!!!!

The Better to EAT you with, My Dear!!!!

Going the Distance

Remember this post?  I had just completed my third triathlon and I was feeling pretty good about the progress that I had made since September of 2009.  In case you missed it, I had gone from an essential non-swimmer to an "Ok, I can complete a short swim in a pool-triathlon" swimmer.  My confidence was growing and my swimming was getting faster and more efficient.  Well, since that post on June 16, I have continued triathlon training and completed four additional races.  Yes, FOUR!  In fact, I even placed third in my age group in one race and won a Rockin' new travel mug to keep my java warm each morning as a prize!

In September, I returned to the site of my First Triathlon--White Lake, NC.  This was the place that I had faced my open-water fear head-on (and had spent the better part of my swim right next to a canoe in full hyperventilation because I was convinced that I would not finish that 250m swim!).  The lake was just as beautiful and clear as I remembered it.  To take away some of the pre-race jitters, we arrived at the site early the day before the race, just so I could swim a bit and reacquaint myself with the water.  After a few trips between the docks, I felt ready to tackle the race the next morning.  And tackle, I did.  I took a grand total of NINE minutes off my total race time from 2009.  My swim time was recorded as only about 2 minutes faster, but I learned later that the course was a bit longer this year, so I truly had made significant progress (all those laps and trips to Jordan Lake for training had paid off!).  As the hubby and I drove home, we discussed the race and upcoming races left in the season.  I confessed that although I really enjoyed these quick super-sprint races, I was ready to tackle a bigger beast.  We agreed that May 2012 would give me plenty of time to prepare mentally and physically for a new, longer distance and we moved on to a new conversation to pass the time on the road.

A few weeks later, our Tri-group started chattering about getting in "one last race" for the season.  I knew that I still had one super-sprint distance left, but encouraged the Hubby to sign up for the last "hurrah" with the gang, knowing that I didn't feel ready for a longer open-water swim, yet.  Somehow over the course of the next few days, I became the owner of a wet suit and I was registered to "tri" a sprint distance race.  What in the world was I thinking?  This was me--the girl that barely made it out of open-water the first time she tri-ed.  Could I really swim THREE times the distance I was used to IN A LAKE??

The morning before the race, the hubby, our buddies, and I bundled up (it was a cool 47 degrees) and headed out to try out our wet suits in the cool waters of Jordan Lake.  As everyone else zipped through the water, swimming around the buoys, I hovered close to the shore and stopped frequently to readjust my goggles and swim cap, all the while asking myself "What the Hell were you thinking signing up for a race this distance?" Then I followed up by reminding myself of the cost of the race and wet suit and I paddled on.  As we stripped our wet suits off and traded them for sweatpants and fleece jackets, the conversation focused on race pointers and reminders for the next morning.  I felt my anxiety growing, but I was also excited about this new distance and milestone.  Not to mention the fact that this would be the first triathlon ever that the hubby and I would be doing together!  No cheering from the sidelines--truly cheering and racing together!

The next morning, a 2:45 wake-up call came early, as we had to travel 2 hours to reach the race site.  The hubby, my brother and I met up with another couple and drove to Pinehurst drinking coffee to wake up and warm up (it was 49 degrees) and eating my usual pre-race Luna bar.  When we arrived, the 1/2 mile walk from the parking area gave us a taste for just how cold the air was going to be when we mounted our bikes after exiting the water.  I wasn't worried about the cold. . .I was only worried about the triangular buoys out in the lake that I would have to pass in order to even get to my bike.  When I saw the lake, I had to swallow back my fear.  It looked huge. . .and cold. . .but now was not the time to back out.  I set up my gear, visited the leaning tower of potty (yes, the port-a-johns were on a hill), and shimmed into my wet suit while fighting back tears of fear and anxiety. "Here goes nothing!"  The swim waves began and one-by-one (or mass by mass) my friends left the shore.  My brother, the hubby and Coach E swam first, followed by steady-Eddy J and then my wave--the Novices.  Newbies to the sport and scared out of our minds, we huddled on the shore and prayed for a fast easy swim with no chop and few kicks to the face.  The horn sounded, and we were off.

Two hours, four minute and thirty-eight seconds later it was over.  I had done it.  I had completed my first Sprint distance Triathlon.  And you know what?  I had fun doing it.  Sure, I was scared.  The start of the swim was terrifying--the first 400 meters were awkward and taxing--but I found my rhythm (even after veering off-course about 50 meters--you can have brunch on a houseboat mid-swim, right?) and finished out the swim with strength and energy.  The bike course was brutally hilly and my toes were absolutely numb with cold by mile 5. But I found a group of cyclists to stick with and even passed a few people on the uphills thanks to my light ride!  The run is always my favorite part and I definitely found my groove there with a killer time (for me) and a really strong finish.

No, I didn't finish in the top half of my division (although my brother finished top three in his!), but I finished and that was all that mattered that day.  I also came to the realization that as much as I love the atmosphere of the small, women's only super-sprint races, I missed the challenge of adding distance.  Although I was not fast by any means, I felt stronger when I spent more time doing each event (i.e. I felt strongest in the swim after 400m, The bike started rocking at about 12 miles, and I just hit my stride in the run at mile 3).  What does that mean?  Well, I hope that it means that I will spend time training longer distances for next season!  I already have my sights set on a few races for the spring and fall.  Could an international be in my future?  We shall see. . .

But for now, I am off to get a little shut-eye before my last race of the season. . .

Official Results for Pinehurst Sprint Triathlon

750M Swim: 21:53

T1: 3:48

18MI Bike: 1:11:26

T2: 1:08

5K Run: 26:25:00

Total Finish Time: 2:04:38

Finish Strong!

Friday Finds--FALLing in Love with Breakfast

I am a breakfast girl.  Breakfast for dinner, Breakfast for lunch, breakfast for snack, breakfast for breakfast. . . you name it, I like it! Eggs, bacon, pancakes, grits, waffles—breakfast just feels like comfort food to me.  But truth be told, I eat the same breakfast. 

Every.

Single. 

Day.  

Yep.  Every day, same breakfast: oatmeal (sometimes steel cut just to mix it up) topped with flax seed, chia seed and wheat germ.  To pretend that I am adding variety, I change up my toppings, but the standard fare is sliced bananas or dried cranberries, chopped walnuts and a sprinkle (ok a heaping spoonful) of demera or brown sugar. 

Until October. 

In October, something magical happens:

Trader Joes begins to stock pumpkin butter.  (Among other delicious Fall treats!) When it hits the shelves, I try to stock up so I can enjoy  the delicious creaminess of pumpkin butter in my morning bowl of warmth and fiber. 

 Since my morning meal during the week (and most weekends) is so um, similar, each day, we like to mix it up around here on lazy weekend mornings (not that we have a ton of those, but hey it sounds good).  Every few weeks during the Fall, we try out new recipes and visit old favorites that feature the smells and tastes of the season.  This year, thanks to Pinterest, I have found lots of new yumminess to experiment with! So here you have it. . . 5 Friday FALL Breakfast finds to tempt your tastebuds!!!  Enjoy!

Multigrain Pumpkin Doughnuts with spiced Sugar

If you make these, please let me know how they are!
They break most of my food rules, but they look absolutely heavenly!!

Pull-apart cinnamon pumpkin bread

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Pumpkin Pancakes with Cinnamon Syrup!