Enjoy.

A while back I came across a post on someone's blog about how she chooses a "word of the year". She then spends her year focusing on that word. It could be gratitude, it could be generosity; the word itself really doesn't matter. What matters is what you do with that word throughout the year. I thought that was such a inspiring idea that I decided to try it for 2010. After weeks of searching for words, it finally dawned on me to focus on the word ENJOY.

You see, I have found that I am having a hard time sitting back and just enjoying life. I have found I'm constantly worried~to the point of insomnia in fact. I'm constantly stressed~ to the point where I can't relax. I doubt so many things~ some rightfully so, others as a result of circumstance. I finally had my fill of everything early in November and after a few tantrums and some teary days, I decided enough was enough. I was going to figure out how to enjoy life again. It was in that moment that the word ENJOY became my 2010 word of the year.

I know, it's such a simple word, but it can encompass so many things. Enjoying the process of finding a church (ugh) to enjoying doing laundry (ha!). Enjoying massive amounts of snow even though I can't stand the stuff to enjoying learning how to sew. (wish me luck on that one) The possibilities are endless once you start thinking about it. Hence the reason I picked that word. What's interesting though is once I started realizing just how much there is to enjoy in life, I started to fully understand just how much I wasn't.

So this past weekend I finally broke down and told Marty what I was going to do. Honestly? I figured he'd be a total guy about it all. You know the drill~ giving me a hard time type of thing and asking me why I was even doing such a dumb idea. But instead he shocked the heck out of me when he said it was such a great idea that he wanted to do it too. Seriously, I think I had to pick my jaw up off the floor I was so surprised. But I have to say, I'm excited that he's on board. It'll make it easier to stick to it and get this......it'll make the process more enjoyable! (see what I mean?! it encompasses everything!)

Anyway, long story short, the kids and I were at Best Books in Oakdale this morning and guess what I found? Yep, the book pictured above. Now what's really interesting is we were just there on Saturday and I didn't even see it on the shelf. Today? There were five. Go figure. Not being one to question signs like that I grabbed the book, thanked God for helping me out and enjoyed forking over the cash. Oh! And I even splurged and bought Meghan and myself a couple of butter carmels that we enjoyed eating on our way home as we chatted about how much we enjoy that bookstore. (I'm sure our dentist will enjoy seeing us for a couple of fillings now, too! See? All encompassing!)

Better Picture.

Here's a little better picture of my ladder.......

Newest Joy.

Here's my newest joy......yep, it's a bunk bed ladder that I bought for $5.00 at the thrift store before Christmas. You'll have to trust me when I say the picture doesn't do it justice, though.

Good Tip!

Well here's a nifty household tip! Compliments of Real Simple.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Cookie Cutters.

Cookie Cutters: Not just for cookies anymore!

This Is Awesome!

Marty and I will be doing this to our townhouse next year! Wouldn't our neighbors just love us?!

Sweet Potatoes.

I must be getting old....Between my new found interest in all things rustic and well loved looking and getting excited to purchase such items....to eating foods that are made mainly from wheat and bran....I have been craving and looking for Sweet Potato recipes. My search has netted me two that sound tasty and easy.

Butter Pecan Sweet Potatoes
8 medium sweet potatoes (5 lbs.)
2 Tbsp. olive oil
coarse salt
2 Tbsp. butter, cut into small pieces
2 Tbsp. light brown sugar
1/3 c. pecan pieces
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Peel potatoes and halve lengthwise; slice crosswise 1/2 inch thick. On a baking sheet, toss potatoes with olive oil; season with coarse salt. Transfer half the potatoes to a second baking sheet; cook both sheets until potatoes are tender, tossing occasionally, 25-30 minutes. Cool; cover and refrigerate. About 15 minutes before ready to serve sprinkle with butter, brown sugar, pecan pieces, and cayenne pepper, dividing evenly. Bake until sugar is caramelized and hard, about 10 minutes. Gently toss; serve immediately.

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Onions & Parmesan
6 medium sweet potatoes (baked, then sliced)
1 tbsp butter
4 large yellow onions
3 tbsp sugar
1 tsp coarse salt
¼ tsp ground pepper
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
½ cup shaved parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 450. Bake potatoes until tender (about 45 minutes) Meanwhile, melt butter in large skillet. Add onions, cook until soft (about 15 minutes). Sprinkle with sugar, salt &pepper, and toss to coat. Continue cooking on low heat to caramelize the onions (about 40 minutes). Stir in balsamic vinegar and remove from heat. Layer potatoes in a serving dish, top with onions and parmesan and serve.

(You could put them in the oven to keep them warm~ the cheese should melt nicely over the potatoes if you do this)

I know I've been a little recipe heavy the last few posts here, sorry. But that's my frame of mind right now. It's cold outside so noone wants to get out much, our schedules are slowing down a bit, and the holidays are just about over. In my world it's time to do some nesting. And some cooking!

Teacher Gifts.

All right, so here are what Meghan and Noah are giving their teachers this year. Real exciting, huh? I struggle with what to give teachers. You usually don't get to really know them on a personal level, I hate to spend a lot, and with 20 plus other kids giving them gifts it's hard to know what to do. So I opted for the homemade route this year. It was quick. It was totally easy. Very inexpensive. But yet; thoughtful.

I bought the tins last year when Christmas items were 75% off at Target. This tin came complete with sugar cookie mix that didn't expire until Obama was out of office and the snowman cookie cutter. These little guys were just too cute to pass up so I bought several. Now, since we all know I'm not a baker, I didn't take advantage of the cookie mix but I did make some White Chocolate Popcorn to put inside.

White Chocolate Popcorn
1 1/2 bags of microwave popcorn, popped
1 bag of white chocolate chips

Melt chips in large bowl in the microwave. Add popcorn. Mix till popcorn is evenly coated. Spread on wax paper till hardened. Break apart and enjoy!

This has got to be my new favorite go to token gift. It's unique yet super simple and insanely inexpensive. Now let's just hope Miss Kautz and Mrs Jakubiec like chocolate and popcorn! Oh, and while we're at it, let's hope Target as an abundance of tins left this year. I would love to buy more!