Cookie Exchange 2011: The Menu

A few weeks back, I posted my menu inspiration for my annual cookie exchange.  I am going to definitely give a few of those ideas a whirl, but attempt to keep things simple at the same time.  Last year I planned my menu, but since I was induced two days after the cookie exchange, I never did a recap of the event.  And in all honesty, I have no idea what I even made...I have a few guesses, but no concrete idea.

So, without further ado, here is the planned menu for Saturday night!

• Cheese and grape tray
• Spinach dip with pumpernickel bread
• Tortilla roll-ups
• Stuffed mushrooms
• Buffalo chicken dip
• Veggie pizza
• Assorted beverages
• Hot chocolate bar

I will be back tomorrow with our agenda for the rest of the week, which includes our cleaning list and decor ideas!

Menu Planning Monday

I am pretty sure I have not done REAL grocery shopping in like, two months.  And you know what?  Our checkbook reflects it.  We have eaten out WAY more than we normally do (and by eating out, I mean pizza or fast food...shame on us) and we literally have no food.  Well, we have some food, but no MEALS.  So this week, back to menu planning.  Does it make me nuts that I am excited about it?  Here we go!  (Starting with Saturday, because that is when I went to the grocery store)

Saturday: Slow-Cooker Chicken Caesar Sandwiches, Rice, Corn
Sunday: Laughing Cow Chicken, Starch Veggie
Monday: Jambalaya
Tuesday: Tacos
Wednesday: Creamy Chicken Pasta, salad
Thursday: Enchiladas
Friday (31 party for me): Shepherd's Pie
Saturday (cookie exchange): Burgers, fries

What is on your menu this week??  Link up at OrgJunkie!

Black Friday Budgeting

As everyone knows, Christmas shopping can get crazy and out of hand.  Your budget can quickly go out the window and before you know it, credit cards are maxed out and you are broke.

Like many Americans, on Black Friday, I love to go shopping.  I am not one of the crazies that is standing in line for some big flat-screen TV or other electronic item.  Oh no.  I am a different type of crazy.  I am the crazy that goes out WITH NO PURPOSE other than to SHOP and HAVE FUN!  Because, believe it or not, I love Black Friday shopping.  For the last five or so years, my cousin, mom and I have headed out to shop til we drop.  Which means pass out from exhaustion.

I have previously written about my Christmas envelope and notebook.  And I still use the same system. Each year gets a notebook and an envelope.  Receipts go in the envelope and my list of purchases and ideas goes in the notebook, which I later put into a spreadsheet to track my spending for the season.

This year, to stay on budget for Black Friday shopping, I am purchasing giftcards! 

Our grocery store offers fuel perks for every $50 you spend in giftcards, so this will help me save money in two ways: 1) I only have so much to spend at a store and 2) I will save money on gas!  For instance, I know we are going to Kohl's on Friday, so I bought a $100 gift card and that is my limit for the store.  On Saturday, my friend and I are going shopping as well, and I purchased a gift card for Barnes and Noble as well as the Cheesecake Factory, where I know we are going to eat!

So remember, when doing your Christmas Shopping:

• Create a budget
• Make a list of people you have to buy for and gift ideas
• Keep track of spending!

Have fun and HAPPY SHOPPING!

Thankful

Today is a day on which we are supposed to give thanks for all of our blessings.  And this year, I feel exceptionally blessed.

I am thankful for my husband, who keeps me laughing and who balances out my crazy with his calmness. (I am NOT however, thankful for the orange trailer currently in our driveway that is being used for tailgating).

I am thankful for my three wonderful children.  They are each so special and amazing.  And I love all three of them equally.  And Ozzie.  He is a pretty awesome pup.

I am thankful for our jobs, the roof over our heads, and our health.

I am thankful for our families and their health.

I am thankful that I am able to be a mommy, a wife, a sister, a teacher, a daughter, and an aunt. 

I am so truly blessed.

Logan: 11 Months

First, can I address that he is almost 1 and I am just posting this?  And second, that these photo shoots are becoming increasingly more difficult?

Little man.  How on earth are you almost one year old already??  While Mama is deep into planning your 1st birthday party, you are growing by leaps and bounds and become such a personality.

You are an unstoppable crawling machine.  You love to be chased around the dining room table and if no one is, you will crawl a few paces, stop, and look back and smile to coerce ANYONE into chasing you.  No walking yet, but you are so dang close!  Pulling up on everything, walking along walls and tables, crawling up the stairs.  You even went down one step into your aunt's family room.  I really think by Christmas you will be toddling everywhere.  This all has made your monthly photo shoots kind of a nightmare.  I couldn't get you to stay still for anything.

Diaper changes are the devil.  'Nuff said.

You have six teeth, but I really think more are on their way.  You are exceptionally drooly.

The best part about the last month or so is that you return our love now.  You give the best squeezes and sloppy open-mouthed kisses.  Even though you are constantly on the move, you also are very snuggly at times.  You will crawl over to us with your arms up and snuggle in.  You still refuse to sit still on the couch or chair with us, unless we are reading to you, but that time is limited.  You are a man on a mission.

You love other kids and now that there are two other little ones at your babysitter's, you are thrilled (as are Mommy and Daddy).  You just love people and rarely show signs of shyness, unless you are a sleepy boy.

Sometimes you are taking one nap a day, sometimes two.  Honestly, you are making your own schedule.  We put you down when you are tired and sleep from anywhere from 1-3 hours.  The longer the morning nap, the less inclined you are to take an afternoon nap.  You are eating nothing but solids (and have been for months now) and love most foods.  When you are sleepy, you want nothing to do with eating though.

Mister, I love watching you grow and learn.  You love to hide your toys and find them or put them under furniture.  You love crawling around (and chewing on) books and love to wrestle.

You continue to be the best part of my day.  Thank you, little man.

Weekend Planning Blog Hop

This weekend is going to be super, super busy, so not much is planned in the way of cleaning, organizing, baking, etc.

Friday:

• Run a few errands before the show
• Show!
• Hopefully a few drinks with some friends 

Saturday:

•  Cousin's wedding  

Sunday:

• Show!
• Pick up kids from my parents' house
• RELAX

Join in the fun!! If you haven't already, blog about your weekend plans. Maybe you have a bunch of projects you are going to tackle. Maybe you are attending party after party. Or perhaps you are laying low. Whatever it is, share it on your blog! Feel free to use the "Weekend Planning" button in your post! Then, come back to this blog and link up your post in the link collection at the bottom of this entry.

Blog Hop with Us!

If you want to participate in the hopping part of the Blog Hop, click here, copy the code provided and include it in your Weekend Planning post! The more people that participate, the further your blog will hop! :)

Bonus!!

As a little extra incentive, the first 3 people to link up their Weekend Planning posts will be featured in the sidebars of both My Happy House and A Life in Progress! Check out the new format of the blog link love. It not only includes the link, but also a thumbnail of your most recent post!

Our "Requirement"
All we ask in return is that you follow the two host blogs, My Happy House and A Life in Progress. Then be sure to comment and let us know if you are a new follower so we can follow you back. And of course, be sure to check out the other blog links! Simple, right?

Perfect Apple Crisp

Not going to lie. This WAS pretty perfect. Perfect crunchy top. Perfect warm and gooey apples. Just...perfect! And the best part? Super easy to make!

The Perfect Apple Crisp

as seen on The Girl Who Ate Everything, adapted from Allrecipes,

Ingredients

10 cups all-purpose apples, peeled, cored and sliced (I used about 6 Granny Smith apples)

3/4 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

2 cups quick-cooking oats

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup butter, melted
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.Place the sliced apples in a 9x13 inch pan. Mix the white sugar, 1 tablespoon flour, nutmeg, and ground cinnamon together, and sprinkle over apples.

3.Combine the oats, 2 cups flour, brown sugar, pecans, baking powder, baking soda and melted butter together. Crumble evenly over the apple mixture.

4.Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes.

Weekend Planning Blog Hop

OMGEEEEE.   It totally snowed last night.   I have been so excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas and this made me even MORE excited!!  I really can't wait!  Anyway, here is the plan for the weekend!

Friday:

• Meal plan/grocery list/grocery shop
• Clean Logan's room
• Clean bathroom
• Clean our room
• Vacuum stairs
• Clean living room/dining room (dust and vacuum)
• Celebrate my birthday with our family

Saturday:

•  Thirty-One Celebrate and Connect meeting
• Thirty-One party
  

Sunday:

• Browns game
• Make meals for week
• Work on program for show this weekend
• I think maybe my aunt's for my cousin's birthday 

Join in the fun!! If you haven't already, blog about your weekend plans. Maybe you have a bunch of projects you are going to tackle. Maybe you are attending party after party. Or perhaps you are laying low. Whatever it is, share it on your blog! Feel free to use the "Weekend Planning" button in your post! Then, come back to this blog and link up your post in the link collection at the bottom of this entry.

Blog Hop with Us!

If you want to participate in the hopping part of the Blog Hop, click here, copy the code provided and include it in your Weekend Planning post! The more people that participate, the further your blog will hop! :)

Bonus!!

As a little extra incentive, the first 3 people to link up their Weekend Planning posts will be featured in the sidebars of both My Happy House and A Life in Progress! Check out the new format of the blog link love. It not only includes the link, but also a thumbnail of your most recent post!

Our "Requirement"
All we ask in return is that you follow the two host blogs, My Happy House and A Life in Progress. Then be sure to comment and let us know if you are a new follower so we can follow you back. And of course, be sure to check out the other blog links! Simple, right?

So let's party with a planning purpose!!

Cookie Exchange 2011: Menu Inspiration

Wait, what?  How am I already getting ready to plan my menu for my annual Cookie Exchange?  Well, because it is December 3...and Logan's 1st birthday is December 11.  And we are having "Christmas Dinner" at our house on December 30.  And Kid-Friendly New Year's Eve.  So...yeah.  Four parties in one month.  You heard me right, folks.  The method to my madness?  Lots of planning ahead, and this includes planning our menus, prepping and freezing lasagnas, buying in bulk, and doing as much as possible ahead of time.

I will be honest.  I was so pregnant and was three days from being induced last year when I had my cookie exchange.  And I have no idea what I actually served for food.  I am pretty sure it was veggies and cheese.  And that I sat around and let everyone else do the work.  That was a Saturday night and on Monday, I was induced.

I am trying to make some new appetizers because I feel like I make the same ones constantly.  Here are some Pinterest-discovered inspiration pictures for my menu, which I will be working on finalizing this weekend. 

What are your go-to, no-fail, easy appetizers?  Share with us!

Source: realmomkitchen.com via Beth on Pinterest

Source: cabotcheese.coop via Gia on Pinterest

Source: bowerpowerblog.com via Gia on Pinterest

Source: williams-sonoma.com via Kate on Pinterest

Weekend Recap and Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Thirty-One Organizing Utility Tote is....

Mrs. Miller from Our Sweet Life!!

"I would use the OUT as a mobile baby station - changing supplies, toys, etc."  

And she participated in the Blog Hop, as well as left a comment!  Thanks to everyone for participating and entering!

Please contact mylifeinprogress@yahoo.com to claim your prize!

So, what was accomplished over the weekend?

Friday:

-Thirty-One party

-Prep cinnamon rolls for rehearsal

Saturday:

-Rehearsal 9-2

-Stop in at craft show in our cafeteria to show some love to my awesome Thirty-One sponsor and buy some Christmas crafts

-Bake yummy dessert (recipe to come!)

-Italian pasta dinner at my aunt's house

Sunday:

-Tailgating (a local VFW is hosting one...Browns are away this week)

-Visiting my FIRST RECRUIT at her Open House for Thirty-One

-Hopefully napping 

-Delivering two orders to happy hostesses

-Drop Alexys off at a friend's house

-Make dinner

Not much cleaning involved this weekend...and I really need to get back to menu planning.  This week, I am cleaning out our fridge and pantry and will be doing freezer cooking this weekend for our tech week before our fall play.  With the holidays coming up and some big events to host, I need to make sure I am sticking to my budget.

How did your weekend go?  Were you able to get some projects accomplished?  Any Pinterest-inspired projects?  Share with us!

Blog Hop and A Giveaway!!

Friday:
-Thirty-One party
-Prep cinnamon rolls for rehearsal

Saturday:

-Rehearsal 9-2
-Stop in at craft show in our cafeteria to show some love to my awesome Thirty-One sponsor and buy some Christmas crafts
-Bake yummy dessert
-Italian pasta dinner at my aunt's house

Sunday:
-Tailgating (a local VFW is hosting one...Browns are away this week)
-Visiting my FIRST RECRUIT at her Open House for Thirty-One
-Hopefully napping 
-Delivering two orders to happy hostesses


*Somewhere in here I need to clean the bathrooms and mop the floors :)

Join in the fun!! If you haven't already, blog about your weekend plans. Maybe you have a bunch of projects you are going to tackle. Maybe you are attending party after party. Or perhaps you are laying low. Whatever it is, share it on your blog! Feel free to use the "Weekend Planning" button in your post! Then, come back to this blog and link up your post in the link collection at the bottom of this entry.

Blog Hop with Us!

If you want to participate in the hopping part of the Blog Hop, click here, copy the code provided and include it in your Weekend Planning post! The more people that participate, the further your blog will hop! :)

Bonus!!

As a little extra incentive, the first 3 people to link up their Weekend Planning posts will be featured in the sidebars of both My Happy House and A Life in Progress! Check out the new format of the blog link love. It not only includes the link, but also a thumbnail of your most recent post!

Our "Requirement"
All we ask in return is that you follow the two host blogs, My Happy House and A Life in Progress. Then be sure to comment and let us know if you are a new follower so we can follow you back. And of course, be sure to check out the other blog links! Simple, right?

I attempted to do this giveaway last week, but since I only had a few people comment, I decided to try again.  (If you commented last week and comment again this week, you will earn TWO entries!)  Join the blog hop, become a follower of My Happy House and A Life in Progress, and LEAVE A COMMENT letting us know how you will use it, and you will be entered into a drawing for a Thirty-One Organizing Utility Tote in Windsor Bouquet!

So, to enter:

• Join the Blog Hop
• Become followers of My Happy House and A Life in Progress (if you aren't already)
• And leave a comment telling us how you would use the Organizing Utility Tote!

Good luck! 

Are you in?

It is almost time!

Join us for The Newly Woodwards  Dare to DIY Party!

Fall Pinterest Challenge

A few days ago, I saw that Sherry and Katie were hosting a Pinterest Challenge! The challenge? Actually create something you have Pinned and put your own spin on it!

Here is my inspiration:

Source: target.com via Gia on Pinterest

I wanted to spend as little as possible on it. At Michael's, the day before Halloween, I found a black wreath and some mini ornaments on clearance! I spent right around $5.00.

I busted out the hot glue gun, and this was the result:

I have extra ornaments, so I think I will add some more next year. And I want to change the ribbon for something bigger. But other than that, love it! Here are Katie's, Sherry's, Ana's, and Erin's.

My Happy House Challenge: Week 3

My bloggy friend Molly at My Happy House is hosting her Happy House challenge again, and I finally was able to get in on a week! The bonus this week? Clean the dining areas!

Before:

After (I took the opportunity to put away the Halloween decorations):

I polished the table, washed the window, wiped down the furniture (including scrubbing the seats), and dusted the fan (GROSS).

So, for the challenge this week:
Make the bed: 7/7
Empty the sink: 5/7
Clear the clutter: 4/7 (busy week)
Sweep the floor: 4/7 (again, busy)

Are you participating in the Happy House Challenge??

Cookie Exchange 2011: The Invites

I can hardly believe that it is that time of the year again! Time to start planning for my annual COOKIE EXCHANGE!! As always, the first step in planning a successful party is to choose the perfect invitation! My first year hosting in 2009, I had plenty of time on my hands and made my invitations.   Last year, I was extremely pregnant (in fact, the party was Saturday and I was induced on Monday!) so I ordered my invitations from VistaPrint.  This year, my time is going to be limited again (with Logan's 1st birthday party the weekend after that), so I again ordered from VistaPrint!  Here they are!

VistaPrint always offers awesome deals and I got 100 of these for DIRT CHEAP. No worries...100 women are NOT invited but it is nice to have extra! It i actually a postcard, but I always order the envelopes to put them in.These will be going out on Saturday! I send them out early because the holiday season books up so quickly.

Are YOU planning a Cookie Exchange this year? Share your tips and tricks with us!