Mind, Body, Food...The Road to Complete Nutrition

Honestly I have struggled with how to approach this. I try to keep my content light and happy or entertaining (I hope!) and not go too personal, but every time I sat down, this post got personal. I have used every excuse in the book to begin this series of posts, including “I don’t have any pretty pictures to include.” Yes, I know L-A-M-E! This post is long...you have been warned.

PROLOGUE:

Have you seen the Slimquick commercials? You know the ones where the husband quits drinking soda and drops 10 lbs....that is my house. My hubby who considered potatoes to be his vegetable source, started eating salads and dropped white flour from his diet and lost a ton of weight without exercising in a matter of months. I however workout everyday, eat lots of veggies and NADA! Complete frustration. I began talking to my friend Renee, a Holistic Health and NLP Practitioner, AADP, about what the heck to do.

PART I

Here is the back story…I have a love/hate relationship with food and it is probably safe to say a mild (to severe) addiction to sugar. In my very early 20’s I would exercise and then justify eating ½ gallon of Thrifty Mint Chip ice cream. Then I met a much older man (who I thought was also much wiser) and we dated. He suggested I eat healthier…duh (for now we shall leave alone the idea that he just wanted to date a really hot 20-something chick)! Additionally, I was moving out on my own at the time and had no idea how to cook. So the timing was perfect, he suggested a book and a way of eating that I loved and embraced for 4 years – no dairy, no meat, no oil, no sugar, no salt – Vegetarian+. I looked H-O-T and felt great. Eventually we broke up, I started dating future-hubby (who never met a meat or potato he didn’t like) and I fell off the wagon…just a little.

Fast forward…I battled with 5-10 pounds after this. Good or bad, I am tall, 5’11”, and can hide the extra pounds so that it doesn’t seem like so much. Then I got pregnant. And I ate and ate…chocolate chip pancakes…more mint chip ice cream…and pickled green beans (yum). I gained a staggering amount of weight. I was really appalled and surprised – I just didn’t think for a second it was that bad…until it was that bad. Over the course of the next few years I yo-yo’ed with my weight.

I have been to Weight Watchers, I have seen a nutritionist, I have the South Beach Diet book (never used it), the Atkins Book (NEVER used it), and the Six Week Body Makeover system (sort of used it). I also have just about every BeachBody exercise system (Yoga Booty Ballet, Power 90, Slim in Six) – and I have used them all, Winsor Pilates, The Firm – do you see a pattern…I used to stay up late watching infomercials…just fascinated by them!

I eventually got to within 10 pounds of pre-baby weight…and then I was “knocked on my butt”…we moved from So Cal (I am a native So Cal girl…boo-hoo!). I compensated for the move, the lack of friends, and the 55 straight days of foggy weather that summer with a lot of wine and chocolate chip cookies and gained back some weight.

I got pregnant again and vowed I would not do to my body what I did the first time…and I didn’t. I walked 3-4 times a week…long walks, and ate really well, and only gained 15 pounds. So technically, I have lost the second baby weight, but still have the first baby weight. And, I have not been able to make real and lasting dent in the number on the scale since….but I refuse to accept this.

PART II

Fast forward again to 2009…it is high school reunion time and I reconnect with Renee on Facebook. She talks about nutrition and has a way of approaching and accepting food that I understand, that I want to be able to adopt fully. We talk a lot about body image and I realize that even when I was thinner, I was still self-conscious…so while losing weight is important, so is fixing the negative body image issues, not just for me, but so that they are not passed on to my kiddos. I also have an “A-ha!” moment…

I was at the beach with Joe. A friend and her daughter joined us. Joe just wanted to play in the water, but no one wanted to do it with him. I had my bathing suit on, but not really for that purpose…more for necessity (like in case I had to rescue him from the sea). He kept asking and he was sad…and bored. And finally it hit me…how do I want my kids to remember me…the mom sitting on the beach who won’t get in the water (of course they don’t know the reasons…yet) or as the mom who was willing to jump in and play. I chose the “play.” A HUGE step for me, and the moment when I realized what I needed to do for me and for my kids.

All of this leads me to asking Renee to come visit for the weekend and talk to a group of ladies that have similar concerns. I was not really sure what to expect, and the evening turned out to be quite emotional. I, in fact, was emotional for weeks after. I was finally realizing some of my issues and preparing to tackle them.

PART III

One of the most important things I realized is that, as a mom I am responsible for the little nuggets of wisdom I put into the kiddos heads. They also pick up on everything I do – how I act and react, what I say and how I say it. To be a good mom, I need to be happy with me. I need to be able to take some time for me…even if it is just 20 minutes here and there. I need to sleep. I need to move and exercise and be a positive example. It is true, when I am sleeping, eating better, working out and taking time to “work on me,” I am happier and a better, more patient mom.

These are some other thoughts I walked away with that night. I KNEW MOST OF THEM, JUST NEEDED TO HEAR THEM AGAIN. I will elaborate on them in future posts (if anyone is still reading after this long-winded one).

1. Food is not the enemy. It is a source of nutrition, energy, and power…if it is the right food.

2. Pure, natural (organic, if possible) food in it’s original state is the best source of nutrition.

3. There is a physiological and emotional connection to food and always will be. It is about learning how to tame it.

4. You do not have to give anything up (except for health reasons), but you must realize when it is OK to have a smaller serving of that special thing and make sure it is not frequently eaten.

5. Stay away from low-fat and non-fat processed foods.

6. We need the right kind of fats in our diet – olive oil, avocado, etc.

7. Good carbs are not the enemy. 

IN CONCLUSION:

My family already eats pretty healthy...of course, there is always room for improvement, but for the most part, I would give us an A-. I know what is good and bad for me...for us. I know how to cook it. Now I just need to find that "something" that is missing to make me really get the connection.

Now, of course I also realize there are many ways of thinking and many ways to approach a healthier lifestyle. Each person has to find that approach that works for them. This is what I am hoping will work for me and my family. I am open to hearing ideas and learning more. In the coming weeks I will be sharing some A-M-A-Z-I-N-G recipes that are healthy and delicious.

Do you have any issue that you feel like sharing? A story? Something that has worked for you? An "A-Ha" moment?

Happy Eating!

Holly

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor, nutritionist or food expert. I am simply sharing my thoughts and ideas. A doctor should check you out before you begin a new eating or lifestyle plan.

CONTINUE READING

There's Bacon in My Chocolate!

First someone "Put chocolate in my peanut butter!"

...or was it "Peanut butter in my chocolate?"

(If you don't get the reference, click HERE)

And now bacon get's its shot at chocolate!

Seriously, before you give up on me, hear me out.

I was a skeptic too. I do not have a love of bacon...
it is one of my "whatever" foods.
I can take it or leave it. On the other hand,

I pretty much consider chocolate to be a seasoning.

I had been hearing about this new food craze - bacon for dessert...even saw the bacon ice cream on Top Chef, but pretty much ignored it. I did order some FABULOUS Bacon-Chocolate goodies  - from Vosges Haut Chocolat for Rook No. 17's daughters b'day. You may think it is an odd choice for an 8 year old, but seriously...this girl loves her bacon!

Well, one day, as I was checking Facebook, and I noticed a status update:

"Just finished eating chocolate chip bacon cookies."

I was intrigued...I had to know more...I had to have a recipe. And as it turns out, I had a playdate scheduled for Joe and Rook's daughter that same day. It was fate! For sure!

So, I did it. I made them. All the while, mixing and thinking, "OK, this could work." and then, "Oh no...this could be bad." Well...it was G-O-O-D! A lovely combination of sweet andsalty and crunchy!...And the batter was even better than the cookie, but I am a batter girl!

This recipe was part of a NPR article written by Susan Russo called "Bacon Gets Its Just Desserts." There are also recipes for: Chocolate-Bacon-Peanut Bark, Peanut Butter-Maple Bacon Fudge, and Maple-Apple-Bacon Cake with Maple Glaze.

Chocolate Chip-Bacon-Pecan Cookies

Makes about 18 cookies

This recipe is for a thick and chewy cookie. There is also a recipe for a thin and chewy cookie. I have made both and they are both good...it is just preference!

Ingredients
5 strips of bacon (cooked...duh!)

1 cup, plus 3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

3/4 stick unsalted butter at room temperature

1/3 cup white sugar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cups chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped pecans

"Come on, doesn't that look GOOD?"

Directions
-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-Line baking sheet with parchment.

-Cook bacon, continuously turning, until browned, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a paper  towel-lined plate to drain. Chop bacon finely.
-In a medium bowl whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together.
-In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugars.
-Add egg and vanilla extract. Beat until just blended.
-Add dry ingredients; beat until just incorporated and flour is dissolved.
-Stir in chocolate chips, pecans, and bacon.
-Drop one large Tablespoon of cookie dough 2 to 3 inches apart on baking sheet.
-Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until firm and golden around the edges, and slightly soft in center. Transfer to a rack and cool for 15 minutes.
-Store on the countertop for 1-2 days or in an airtight container in the frig.
 

NOTES:

I fried my bacon really crisp (not completely on purpose) and just crumbled it.

I used toasted pecans

I used sea salt

So...are you intrigued too? Repulsed? Not sure what to think?

TELL ME...have your tried bacon for dessert...do you even want to?

Happy Frying!

Holly

PS- Oh yeah...nothing healthy about this cookie...just plain good. I'll begin Healthy Happy Hour (it will be called this until I come up with a better name...hopefully by Monday) posts on Monday with an AWESOME chili recipe.

I am also considering a salsa "Mr. Linky" throwdown soon...anyone game? I {HEART} salsa!

CONTINUE READING

Jetta People Only

 Writer's Worskhop time at Mama Kat's.

Go on over and check out everyone's stories!
This week, I chose prompt #5 - Write about a heated argument you 

had with your parents (real or fictitious).
 

Prologue
This is a story about a car and one of the biggest arguments I had with my parents...and may I add, one of the most ridiculous.

My parents, mainly my dad, have a habit of buying cars "just because." They are always buying or talking about buying a "new" car. At one point, with four drivers in the house, we had 7 cars. When it comes to cars, my Dad has a plan and a purpose. Did you know some cars cannot be driven on rainy days?...Or even when it is foggy outside? And some cars cannot be driven outside the city limits? Go figure! Anyway, on to the argument...

Jetta People Only

It was 1982, and we had a perfectly fine...in fact beautiful, metallic green Volkswagen Jetta...that I was apparently, completely attached to. One day, my parents "went out"...somewhere. Not sure who was watching my brother and I...we were probably alone and chasing each other around the house with butcher knives (yes, I said butcher knives).

Really, is there any comparison? 

Who couldn't love a metallic green Jetta?

Later that afternoon, they had the audacity to come home with a new car - a 1982 black BMW 320i. It was the nicest, most expensive car my parents had ever purchased and I am sure they were not expecting my reaction...I would not look at the car. I surely did not want to drive in the car. I yelled, I screamed. I had a hissy fit. 

I decided that I had a point to prove. In hysterics, I locked myself in my room...with paper and pens. I made posters, and hung them on my bedroom door and all around my room. They were pure genius...

"Jetta People Only. No BMW People allowed" 

"Only Jetta Lovers Allowed" 

"BMW People Stink"  

"Jetta People Rule"

Not actually our car

My parents tried to talk to me. They tried to come in my room. They tried to lure me in with a ride in the car...on the new leather seats (oh yeah!). I was not having it. There was more screaming and crying. I was mourning our poor Jetta - sacrificed to the BMW People (Yes, I realize how ridiculous this sounds...maybe I should have my Mom guest post to verify the story). Why all the fuss? Why did we need a BMW? Jetta's are fine cars!

As it turns out, we had that car for 10+ years (a record for my family), and I eventually grew to appreciate the beauty of a BMW. Although, it really was not ever much fun for a kid to ride in it...as per my Dad, our instructions when we did ride it in were "Get in. Sit down. Don't touch anything."

Now that I am a parent, I really do not know how or why my parents didn't just smack me...seriously...I was having a complete tantrum over a metallic green Jetta. All they were doing was buying a car - a new, beautiful car. Apparently my parent's are better people than I.

Epilogue
In 1991 I began driving the BMW. Yes, it was almost 10 years old, but the car only had 7,000 miles on it - it fell into the "cannot be driven outside the city limits" category. It was also in perfect condition - my Dad should get the gold medal for car care. I drove it until April of 1992, when, during the LA riots, I decided to go car shopping (hey, everyone was at home, I got lots of attention), and I purchased my first car - on my own - a 1992 red Volkswagen Jetta (they didn't make metallic green anymore). That car was stolen 5 years later.

As for the BMW, it's life was cut short...sadly my mom was driving home and a man made a left turn in front of her. The car was totaled...Mom was OK, probably because the car was so safe. For the record, I have never owned a BMW...we bought a Mercedes.

YES, THIS WAS A REAL ARGUMENT,
IT IS TOO RIDICULOUS NOT TO BE REAL!

CONTINUE READING

Pause...for Randomness

Are you having trouble adjusting to the New Year? I am!

I seriously woke up this morning, at 7:45 a.m. (I only hit snooze 3 times), and the house was still quiet...um yeah, no one (as in small kiddos) slept past 7:15 am the entire Winter vacation. I actually looked at hubby and said, "Maybe I'll let Joe skip school today."

I really did not want to get out of bed!

Pause

I spent yesterday trying to catch up on blog commenting...I always make it a first priority to comment on those who comment on mine...I think I did it...I must double check. Of course, I got sidetracked...and read some new blogs...and commented on those...and along the way I read a lot about resolutions and goals. A few blogs talked about selecting a word for the year. One blogger choose the word "pause"...at first I thought, "pause" - no way! I can "pause" when I am dead...BUT then it hit me this is what I need to do for 2010.

I do not pause ever. I am in a constant state of motion. When Renee was visiting she actually noticed this and made me take time to "just sit down" (I thought I was going to jump out of my skin!). By being in this constant state of "Fast Forward" I miss or rather overlook a lot...the joy of just watching the kids play together...of playing with them......of blowing bubbles...of watching a movie (you should see my list!)...of simply petting the dog. So, I am going to take time to "pause." I must get over feeling that if I pause the world will pass me by, because by not pausing the world is passing me by.

Random, Part I...An Award
Now, in an effort to maintain the randomness of this post. I would like to thank Crafty Chic Mommy for an award she passed on to me (and yes, I still need to update my award widget from the last go around!). I will play by the rules later and nominate 10 blogs, but just HAD TO SAY THANKS and tell everyone what a great blog she has - go visit!

Random, Part II...A Winner

Now I must also pass along a HUGE thank you to a blog that had a great giveaway...and that I won the honored recipient of. Daily Violets hosted a giveaway featuring her Mini Mosiac Artwear Collection...and I was lucky enough to catch it on the last day, pretty much in the last hour...and I won a sterling silver pendant with four tiles! I received my PRIZE and I am in LOVE with it! My son had a great time looking at her website and has selected a slew of other tiles for me to purchase. Below is what I selected, but you just need to go visit the site now because this is a fun and fabulous piece of jewelry.

 

Random, Part III...A Winner...Again!

I just cannot get enough of good stuff...yes, I realize this sounds greedy, but I was a winner again...but this time it was for my Mom. I randomly came across the Cosa Verde blog, and let me tell you I was H-A-P-P-Y! I am seriously in love with Cosa Verde now...really cool products and they donate a portion of the profits to charity...go visit and SHOP!

I caught them during Give it Forward 2009. In their words, "We're giving it away; you're giving it forward." 

I won the coffee sack messenger bag from It's Our Earth, for my mom with this comment...

"I am so in love with this bag! I would give this bag to Lynn...my mom! She and I love parrots...in fact she has a parrot (mainly because of me) for the last 25 years! So beyond buying me a parrot she also went along with my recycling craziness back in the day (20+ years ago) when you had to collect, separate, and drive it to the store or drop off center yourself...that's commitment. She is a selfless mom who, as I grow older appreciate more all the time."

Thanks to all for making 2009 fun and exciting and eye-opening! 

Back to pausing for a moment...

Do you have a word to "Live By" or a motto for 2010?

Now...

I am going to write a post for my much neglected wedding blog,

start preparing for Healthy Happy Hour posts (FINALLY!),

ponder the wonder and disgust of a sewer camera

(more on that later)

...and then to...

Pause.

Happy New Year!

Holly

CONTINUE READING

Thought for the Day...I Mean Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This is a re-post from September.

I had only been blogging for about 10 days and

had no idea what I was doing

(I'm still not sure exactly what I am doing!).

As I try to regroup and refocus for 2010,

I thought I would share it again because I really

did love this little tidbit...

and it is something I always need to be reminded of!

Enjoy!

 I have a tendency to overcommit. Good news is I usually always "over-deliver." Bad news is I sometimes don't know which end is up.

Well, yesterday I was opening a can of tomato sauce for my Turkey Meatloaf - it only called for 1/4 cup - and I was being lazy, careless, wasteful (pick a name, any name!) and turned to rinse out the can (so I could recycle it, of course!) with 3/4 of the sauce still in it, because I was in a hurry. I didn't have time to get a container out and save it - I am a busy mom!
Well, I caught myself and thought that was dumb. Then I thought I was crazy having this "moment" over some canned tomato sauce.

Anyway, for some reason this tomato sauce incident spoke to me. I packed it up and put it in the frig (to add to some pasta sauce this weekend) and have been thinking about being more thoughtful ever since...more thoughtful to what my kids really need, to what my husband needs, my neighbors, and my friends...and yes, even myself.

I urge everyone to just be more thoughtful in their day, you never know what it means to someone else. Even just experiencing excellent customer service when I got my MOCHA!, or when I was at the home improvement store changed my outlook on a crazy morning.

Think about how you can be more thoughtful and what that could mean to someone else? Anyone have any stories to share?

CONTINUE READING

Writer's Workshop: This Time I'm the Winner

Time for Writer's Workshop at Mama Kat's.

I was seriously going to skip it this week
and recharge for the new year,

but I took a peek and couldn't not resist...

another wedding related prompt...and man oh man do I have a story!

So the prompt is "#3 Write about a speech you gave at a wedding."

Well, I am going to take liberties here...this speech is not mine,

but never in one million years could I do better...really!

(NOT my brother or his wife!)

To set the scene...

My brother decided to get married two weeks before me...
in Laughlin, NV. So, since I was super organized and
had nothing left to do for my own wedding (right!),

we hopped in the car and headed to Laughlin.

This part of the story could be long....very long...

and we would have to call in a therapist.

It is not pretty, so we'll skip it...for now.

This Time I'm the Winner

The wedding was on a riverboat at noon. My brother, and his friends...and my cousins...and the dad's...and any other male (other than my future hubby) were trashed by the time the wedding was supposed to start...seriously there was a trail of beer cans leading from the hotel to the boat dock. (I shall also skip the wedding details...save those for another post...it will be worth it...I promise!)

As the bride began her walk down the aisle, my brother and his best man (and everyone else) each took one last swig of their beers. My brother was still holding his until he realized it, and then passed it off to the Best Man who finished it.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the boat captain handed the bride and groom "I Got Hitched on the S.S. Riverside" T-shirts (wonder if they still have them?) and then passed his mic off to the Best Man. There was no champagne to be poured, just a few Coors Light cans to be passed around (if you were lucky).
And, so began his toast...

Best Man says...

"Dude, I love this guy.

(turns to my brother)

No, really, dude I love you man.

I have known you since Kindergarten.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

You are my best friend.

You are good at everything.

You have always been better than me...

at sports...

in school...

with girlfriends...

but this time I'm the winner."

Enough said.

Aren't you jealous you are not at my family events?

CONTINUE READING

Smackdown 2009...Jules vs. Christmas

Let's just first ignore the fact that part of this post

was supposed to happen about two weeks ago...

life got in the way of blogging...

but I have not recharged yet,

so here I am including it anyway...deal with it.

Oh, yeah...I apologize this is long.

I should have a giveaway at the end

for those who stick with it...but I don't.

Let me first say, that this may be one of the best Christmases in a long time...Oh it is always good for the kids, but I finally chilled out! I was determined to have a good time...and I promised hubby that "Happy Holly" was invited to this party. I usually stress myself out with making and packaging and wrapping presents up until the final moment...not this year...I started early, and when I got behind called for reinforcements...a babysitter!

Blinko made the trip with Mom and Dad...

and Jules was NOT allowed to touch him!

As for Christmas dinner...I did break out the china to eat off, but left the serving platters and bowls wherever they were hiding...we did not use the "fancy" stuff! I served in whatever was available. We made a great meal and we all got to sit down together.

I was a Christmas slacker and I am proud!

Honestly, I am glad we, and Christmas made it to that point.
I truly thought Jules was bound and
determined to take Christmas down,

and so I dubbed this year:

SMACKDOWN 2009.....JULES VS. CHRISTMAS

Yes, this face did some serious damage!

I never, in my wildest dreams, imagined what her fascination with Christmas would be. From the moment the boxes labeled "Xmas" came out of the garage, Jules has been on a rampage. Was she was overcome by the Christmas spirit or simply fascinated by it all - the sparkles, the lights, the tree the ornaments, all this stuff that sings and makes noises?

"Bells at the Bottom"

A traditon started by my grandparents...

my dad must have been naughty
when it came to peeking at presents,
so the bells go at the bottom near the presents,
to "alert" someone when a kiddo is peeking.

Well, on a daily basis, if she wasn't hiding in the tree, some toy or half eaten apple was. I found balls, shoes, Barbies, and dog bones...hiding in the tree. That was the easy part...we now have 10 missing chandelier crystals, 8 hidden jingle bells, 6 crackedsnowflakes, 4 smashed Hallmark Ornaments (unfortunately she did not break the half-naked Princess Leia one...I know you are jealous...I have two...any bidders?), 3 broken nutcrackers, 2 collapsed gingerbread houses, and a partridge in a pear tree. But oh what fun she had...I really couldn't be mad! I cannot wait to see where she hid the snowflakes and the bells!

Just a few casualties!

Just because I know you are dying to see it...

Princess Leia...you are sooo jealous!

Sorry, not done yet! I just have to talk about my favorite decoration of all - the Christmas tree. I love the way the tree sparkles and fills a room with soft twinkling light. Even I, in all my blah, blah, holiday spirit will admit there is something really beautifulabout a gorgeous tree with some simple white lights. Do you think people would think I'm weird(OK, I am weird!) if I bought a fake one and left it up all year? Jules would be thrilled!

Joe reading the Santa letter to Jules

To me the tree is magical. As a kid, I always wanted to go buy a tree ASAP and have it hang around as long as possible. I always wanted to leave the pile of presents by the tree for just as long. Funny how things change...as a mom, we unwrapped and fairly efficiently moved all the gifts to the respective new "homes" (sort of).

Yesterday, I took down the decorations. Today, just a few days after Christmas (gasp!), I took down the ornaments, in preparation to remove the tree tomorrow...I know, I know..I am horrible...but I just cannot stand the pine needles any more, and I like to start the new year off fresh.

And, yes, it did cause trauma...Jules cried, begged me not to take the ornaments, pleaded for me to hang them back up..but I am strong...I did not back down...however, she now has ornament hanging from various places in her room and I am sure she stashed a few in her back pack.

But, really I am looking at this perfect tree in its simple glory and reflecitng on this years holiday and so happy I took a chill pill (not really...and only one glass of wine!)
Cheers!
Holly

CONTINUE READING

Tag Your It!

What the heck happened to December?

I have this calendar hanging up...
and I keep looking at the days, refusing to believe
things are happening as quickly as they are.

I often loose track of days -
when I was planning weddings, that did not happen at all!

However all has changed.

So again, I have miscounted, misjudged,
over scheduled, and...I am out of time.

And unless you are like me,
you are probably not looking for anything new to do,

but here I am posting about gift tags anyway...
just days before Christmas...woops!

Um...next year I will so be on it!

So, if you are new to the game over here,

and thinking my tags are ugly like my son does,

(Yes, he still despises the newspaper idea!)

checking out It's a Wrap for the story behind the "ugly."

Last year I made tags too and bought my label maker
...which I love! - to simplify the process.

I also did a couple of tags by simply cutting straight lines
and decorating with pinking shears or corner rounders.

So, voila...here are the gift tags that match the "ugly" presents.

Supplies

Card stock, scrapbook paper, newspaper

Ribbon, yarn, or string

Hole punch

Label maker punch (optional)

Paper-tearer (optional)

Glitter (optional)

Glue and/or adhesive

(I like glue stick for the tags and
regular old white glue for the glitter)

How To

1. Cut or punch out numerous shapes in your

base paper - usually the card stock.

2. Cut or punch out numerous shapes in your accent paper

3. When I use newspaper, I also use card stock
and glue the newspaper onto the card stock (for some strength).

4. Tear you accent paper in half or into three's.

I keep all the parts and use them.

For example, sometimes the accents are on the top,

sometimes the bottom, sometimes the middle.

5. Match up the pieces to the shape of your tag and glue.

6. Punch or poke a hole in the top or side (your preference)

7. Slip some ribbon or string or yarn through the hole...

You Are Done!...almost.

8. I am using Sharpie's or a thicker marker to write the names

because of the pattern and colors of some of the papers.

For the initial toward the top of the post,
I just brushed white glue all over a chipboard letter
and smothered it in glitter.
I thought it was a fun accent to my "ugly" wrapping.


HAPPY HOLIDAYS ALL!
CHEERS!
Holly

CONTINUE READING

A {Craft} Quickie

Have I ever mentioned I have no attention span and,
until I figure out how to survive on no sleep at all, no time...

A few weeks ago I cam across this fantastic

and quick project at Craft Chic Mommy.

Then I saw it a few days ago at Katie's Nesting Spot.

They each have slightly different finishing methods,

so go check them out!

Really, I just thought this was so cute I wanted

to make some for my self, but since then,

they have turned into Christmas presents and hostess gifts,

and now I must trek back to the craft store
to buy more frames for me.
The lan is to do a set of 9 and hang them on the wall
with photos from our Europe trip 
(just to prove there was life before kids!).

Really, it took about one day to complete everything

because of dry times, but this could not be

simpler for such amazing results.

Supplies

-Wooden picture frames ($1.00 at Michaels)

-Light sand paper

-Modge Podge

-Foam brush

-Scrapbook Paper

-Exacto Knife or other cutting tool

-Paint, stain, or stamp/ink pad

(depends on the finishing method yous prefer)

-Optional: adornments: rhinestones, flowers, tags, etc.

For more complete tutorials go visit the links above.

Here is my condensed version...this is how I made mine...

1. Coat the front of the frame with an even coat of Modge Podge. Let it dry a little and then add a second coat.* (see NOTES for an optional first step)

2. Place frame face down onto the scrapbook paper.

3. Flip it over, and remove any bubbles by sweeping a credit card(or like object) over the surface.

4. Let the frame/paper set (or dry completely). Then, turn over and trim paper. I left my paper face down and cut around the frame and frame opening with an Exacto knife. No worries if the edges are not perfect...

5. Sand the edges of the frame and frame opening to smooth out the edges.

6. At this point you may have some white areas on the paper. I used my ink pad to fill in these edges and color the edges of the frame. I just dipped a paper towel in the ink, and dabbed around the perimeter of the frame and frame opening, and the edges. I wanted a more vintage feel, so I was happy to let the ink "bleed" out onto the corners and on some I even smudged it on purpose.

7. When the ink is dry, coat front of frame with 2 more layers of Modge Podge, letting the coats dry slightly in between applications.

NOTES:

1. Depending on your desired effect, you can paint or stain the frame first (before applying the paper to the front) and let it dry. Then use the paint or stain for touch up in Step 6.

Happy Crafting!
Cheers!
Holly

CONTINUE READING

Merry Cluckmas!

Time for Writer's Workshop at Mama Kat's.

This week, I choose...

4.) Describe a funny or favorite gift that you’ve gotten or have given.

 Merry Cluckmas!

When I dream about Christmas and family gatherings, I see perfectly wrapped packages, each selected with the utmost of care; a delicious meal; cousins, aunts and uncles greeting one another with hugs and kisses. When I arrive at the N family's Christmas Eve gathering, my reality is a far different...there are wrapped packages - not necessarily beautifully wrapped, there is food - a 6 foot burrito and oyster stew, and the cousins, aunts, and uncles are either greeted with a beer or "What the hell you been doin'?" (that's he PG version) How festive it that? Doesn't it just scream CHRISTMAS!?

Traditionally, when it was time for the gift exchange, Uncle Rocco would give each kid a silver dollar and tell them to “Stay on the straight and narrow.” (As if he had!). Then we would gather around the Christmas tree. In an attempt to prevent anyone from going broke buying presents for 50+ people, we had a rule: each family was to bring gifts for one other family. Well, that fell apart the year my aunt decided I did not need anything…explain that to an 8 year old. (yes, and that was Crazy Aunt M of the Chili Brie fame).

As we, the cousins, got older, the gift exchange wasn't working so well. In time, this tradition morphed and transformed until we were finally all able to come to an agreement...a white elephant exchange. Sounds simple...not if you are a member of my family!

Our white elephant's main rule was that the gift not be newly purchased. It could be new, but it had to be sitting-around-your-house-I-am-never-going-to-use-it-new. This worked for us. Of course there was trading..uh, stealing...of gifts, and we finally had to make up a specific rule for this as well. Oh you think I am kidding...on no less than three occasions, members of one family did not speak to members of another family for at least six months based upon the outcome of the gift exchange.

Along the way, gifts included some good, some bad, and some ugly. I once re-gifted Hilary Clinton's Book, It Takes A Village (I never read it and was not going to). The recipient was thrilled. So, see a thoughtful, useful (I guess) gift. Antique oil cans, old cameras, and boxes of hockey cards made their rounds, but then the game began to digress...or get really fun, depending on how you look at it. Over the next few years, the gifts became a mixture of half used toiletries, the contents of a junk drawer (I will admit that was me), and obscene T-shirts. Our little white elephant exchange had evolved into "Who could find the most useless or offensive gift?" 

(not my family...I bought them)

As a prelude to the best/worst-gift-ever-given at the N's Family Christmas, one year the grand finale was the rusted car door of a 1970's VW Bug. What a useful item, eh? I actually do not even remember who "won" that, but it caused a great roar and uproar!

So then next year, there had to be something bigger and better...and more useless. That night we all gathered around the tree, a tower of gifts awaited us. There were big ones, medium ones, and small ones. We picked numbers to determine order (remember rules!), and were ready to rock-n-roll! I could hear my three cousins snickering every time anyone would touch Cousin A's gift. It seemed safe...it was small...no matter what was in there, it could be easily disposed of...again it was small...how bad could it be?

Coming to the end of the exchange, we discovered Crazy Aunt M was last. And lo and behold, the only gift left is Cousin A's. She thinks about it...she could steal someone's gift and risk a family feud, or just take the small one, end the game, and go home...

She picks the small gift, and right on cue we hear "Cluck, Cluck, Cluck" and a chicken races into the family room - no, we do not live in the country (this is L.A. baby!), no this was not a pet...yes this was the gift...a live chicken. All I can say it that at least it was alive.

Merry Clucking Christmas!

Holly

PS - OK, the gift was not from me, but close enough!

PSS - If you would like some background about

my warm and fuzzy idyllic family visit this post.

CONTINUE READING