Winter Hands

Every winter my hands get so chapped and dry.  They even start to bleed at times.  I know that was probably too much information but it happens.  I am in love with this hand lotion.  Yes, it is expensive ($19 a tube) but a little goes a long way and it keeps my hands in great shape all winter long.  Steve and I opened presents early this year from each other and this was in my pile of goodies from him.  Love it!  Just thought I would share in case you had some last minute person who you never know what to buy.  Steve uses some of their men's line too.  It's all around good stuff.  Check it out if you feel like pampering yourself or someone you love.

Christmas Wonder

Experiencing Christmas this year has made me feel like a little kid again.  This is the first year Ava really understands whats going on and I'm loving it.  We spent last night driving through Tilles Park to see thousands of lights.  The excitement in her voice as she pointed out everything she saw was making Steve and I laugh so hard and remember Christmas when we were little.  We then ate some yummy Greek food before we headed to Dan's Emerald Forest.  Dan's is just a house in a neighborhood that is pretty amazing.  Ava has been very into trains lately and this house has trains, lights, waterfalls and loads of other winter scenery throughout his entire front yard.  It was quite the site.  Ava was very excited for the entire night.  As we were driving home, she started to doze off in the back seat.  I asked very quietly if anyone would be interested in some ice cream.  She perked right back up and proceeded to eat over half of my mango frozen yogurt loaded up with fresh fruit from FroYo.  I think it's safe to say that she had a very good night last night.  Steve and I had a pretty amazing night, too.

Gingerbread Playdough

Ava and I whipped up a couple batches of play-dough to give her friends for Christmas.  She helped with all the measuring, dumping and stirring while I did all the serious mixing on the stove.  These make quick, easy, cheap and fun gifts for all the little people in your life.  Not to mention that they make your house smell yummy while you make the dough.   We made a chocolate play-dough too but I wasn't as happy with the end texture so I'll work on the recipe and then post it.  

Gingerbread Play-Dough

1 1/4 Cup flour
1/2 Cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar

Spices--Cinnamon, Allspice, Ginger, Nutmeg
1 cup water
1 1/2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 

1. Mix all of the dry ingredients in a medium pot.  I started with a teaspoon of each of the spices.  I know I ended up adding more cinnamon to the pot though.
2. Add wet ingredients and stir over low heat until a ball starts to form and the dough pulls away from the sides of the pot.  It will take a couple minutes on the stove to get to the dough to start forming.
3. Remove the ball and knead until it is a consistent color and texture.

We "wrapped" the dough in plastic containers with a cookie cutter or two and tied with a pretty bow.  

Trafalgar's Square Giveaway

These prints just makes me smile.  I love all Kit's work.  I have 3 of her prints for Ava's room.  She's illustrating some children's books now that I can't wait to see.

Trafalgar's Square has all her items 15% off right now but if you're into freebies head over to her blog and leave a comment for a chance to win both of these prints.  Good luck!

Pajama Day!

I've been a little under the weather since Saturday.  The busy weekend just wiped me out.  When Monday finally rolled around I declared it a pajama day for Ava and I and we didn't leave the house.  I read most of Mockingjay, the final book in the Hunger Games series, while she put together puzzles, played with play dough and built things out of her blocks.  It was a really nice relaxing day and I think I'm on the mend.  I'm savoring these days with only my little lady and me because before I know it there will be a new little bundle of joy in the house.  Hope all of you are staying warm and keeping healthy this holiday season!

Book Club: Picking Cotton

Tonight is our book club Christmas party, and I'm really looking forward to it.  It's so fun to get a group of girls together to talk and stuff our faces :o) 

The book we read for this month was a memoir of a young woman who was raped and the man she wrongly accused of the crime.  Merry Christmas, right?  This story is interesting in the fact that it is told in 3 sections.  The first part is told by Jennifer the victim of the rape.  The second section is told by Ronald who was wrongly accused and served 11 years in jail.  You read that right.  11 years.  The final section is told by both Ronald and Jennifer.  There are no interesting or suspenseful plot twists.  The characters are real people with real feelings.  This book is worth a read though.  I found Ronald to be the most interesting.  He survived jail for years knowing he didn't commit the 2 rapes he was accused of and he forgave Jennifer.  It was a true story of forgiveness.  I know I've said this before but I love my book club for so many reasons but the top reason being it pushes me to read outside my norm.  

Easy (& Inexpensive) Christmas Present

$5 from Lily Cards

$5 from Partysaurus

Both are $6 each from Print Your Party

I love that you can add your own photos to the bottom calendar.

$6 from Ali Design

$8 from Lemonade Paperie

Last year I bought the 2010 printable calendar from Lemonade Paperie to give to my mom, grandma and girlfriends.  These printable calendars are great because you buy it once and then print as many as you need.  With a little glitter, a corner rounder and some ribbon you have a really sweet and inexpensive Christmas present.  There are a ton of great choices out there on Etsy and all different sizes, too.  At these prices you can print out one for just about everyone you know!  These are just a handful of the calendars I like for next year.  Decisions, decisions...