Life is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)

As mentioned in my previous post, my word of the year is "Happiness"

I heard this song on the way to work today and I totally love this song - haven't heard it in years! It makes me HAPPY (especially about 1:54 into the song when they say Osmond, Donny)

1-1-11 Happy New Year

Happy New Year !

I love the date - how cool is that? Today is also my brother's birthday - Happy Birthday!!

My mind has been racing the past few days about the upcoming year - all good thoughts and things I want to do and accomplish. I know you can start realizing your dreams at any time but for some reason it is like you get a fresh clean slate to start with on January 1st.

I always loved opening a new notebook or brand new sketch pad - this is the same concept - an empty notebook to fill with new stuff for the new year.

I'm not making resolutions per se, but more like setting goals for what I would like in my life for 2011. Here are some of them...

Spiritual Goal:

Spend time daily in the Word and in prayer. I do pray daily but not always the quite, deep prayer that I would like. Plus I have kind of gotten away from reading the Bible. For several years I've said I want to read the entire Bible but never make it past mid-February (just got busy and behind and then gave up). But this year I vow to complete reading the entire Bible. Even today, Pastor Scott challenged us to spend time each day reading the Bible - how timely is his message?!

To accomplish this, I decided I want to read it chronologically and I am going to follow this reading plan that I found on ewordtoday.com

Knitting/Crochet Goals:

I have a few projects that are considered a "WIP" - work in progress. I am not going to list them all right now but I am going to make a list of them and put them in order (may post about that later). I actually have a list already but it needs to be updated and re-ordered.

My goal is to not start any new projects until all current WIPs are completed. Also, I will not buy any new yarn until these projects are completed. I may not buy any new yarn even after they are completed. I have other WIMs (works in mind) and have some yarn already I can use for projects I want to make. I won't focus on them for now though - only the ones that are already started.

Scrapbooking Goals:

I'm really looking forward to scrap booking this year. I didn't do much last year and really won't be doing a lot this year but will be doing some and more concise type of scrap booking. Here is what I will be doing...

• Project 365 - will continue to take a picture of the day. I've done this for the past 2 years and enjoy it. I ordered my scrapbook hero's (Becky Higgins) Project Life Kit to help me keep organize and complete my album for the year.

• One Little Word - I'm taking a Big Picture Scrapbook class from Ali Edwards called "One Little Word" - you pick a word meaningful to you and that is your word for the year - I thought of this word weeks ago - way before I even knew about this class. I said my theme for the year was going to be "Happiness". This is the first year Ali has done a class on One Little Word and I almost didn't sign up for the class because I didn't know that I wanted to really scrap about Happiness. But then I decided I did !! I want to document the year and the Happiness I live in throughout. We got our first assignment today but I don't have my page protectors or album yet (it isn't a kit but just some items we need) - So as soon as my page protectors come, I will get my album going. At the end of the year, I will have my 2nd album completed - first Project 365 and second One Little Word

• One more - more of a statement than a goal but goes hand and hand with the other 2 album goals. No new supplies. Other than an occasional (must-have) cricut cartridge or adhesive (which does run out), I vow not to buy any scrapbook supplies in 2011. I have plenty cardstock, pattern paper, embellishments, etc to last a whole year (and then some)
  

• Those are really my only goals. I would like to make a scrapbook of San Antonio (if I go) and New York (if I go) but I don't want to over-set my goals. I do have some other things in mind (want to do a recipe scrapbook and scrap some older photos), but I know those 2 albums are attainable. If I get more scrapping in - great but I am focusing on only those 2.

Other Goals:

• Save $X amount in my savings account. I know the amount I want to have in there - I will make a plan and divide that out in monthly amounts and save that much so that at the end of 2011 - my saving account balance is that amount.
• Arrive early for work - I have been a little late here and there lately. My plan is to be at work by 7 am every day (work starts at 8 but I could use a jump start in the morning)
• Lose X lbs - I have a number in mind and it is attainable - I plan on eating healthier and exercising.
  
• Read at least 3 classic books this year - starting with Robinson Crusoe.
  
• Go to San Antonio - I've been wanting to go for years - hope to go around the end of April - see the Alamo, Sea World, & Riverwalk just to name a few. I already sent away for a travel package from their tourism board and I purchased a Frommer's book about San Antonio and Austin.
  
• Go to New York City and see Donny & Marie on Broadway. I am hoping that D & M will return to Broadway next Christmas, I am saving my money just in case. I would love to see them on Broadway and especially see NYC at Christmastime.
  
• Be Happy - my word for the year, my focus for the year - live in Happiness. God is so good, I need to live in the joy He brings into my life - continue to be positive and see all the good in life. I bought the book "The Happiness Project" to guide me along this journey.
  

Melted Snowman Cookies

I'm really happy with how these turned out. They are Melted Snowman Cookies. I first saw them posted last year on Stacy's Sweet Shop blog and bookmarked it so I would remember to try making them this year.

I admit, I cheated a bit. I used Sugar Cookie mix instead of making my cookies from scratch.

I made the royal icing just as she suggested:

3 Tbsp. Wilton meringue powder (which can be found at craft stores like Michael's)
1 Lb. sifted confectioner's sugar
6 Tbsp. water

Just mix (a lot) until you get the icing to form peaks when you lift the beaters.

Just before it got to the "peak" stage, I went ahead and iced the cookies, while the icing was still a little thinner. Just put some in the middle of the cookie with a spoon and use the back of the spoon to spread over the cookie - letting some run over the sides a bit.

At this point, the icing can continued to be whipped until the peaks form, separated into smaller bowls and then add icing colors (such as blue, red and green) - make sure you keep the bowls covered with a damp towel to keep the icing from hardening before you can use it.

I didn't use the colored icing however (will explain that later).

Then you make the heads - put 4 or 5 large marshmallows in the microwave for just a few seconds (10) - they will start to puff - you MUST watch them - as soon as they begin to puff, remove them, butter your fingers a bit and put the marshmallow on the edge of the cookie and then smoosh it down.

Now you can use the colored icing to decorate with - if you don't have decorator bags and tips, just put in a sealed ziplock bag and cut a tiny hole in one corner and make the decorations for the eyes, mouth, buttons, etc.

I decided once again to take a shortcut on that and used decorating pens instead. They are markers made with food coloring instead of ink. Just make sure the icing is thoroughly dry and has hardened before using these.


They were the hit of the party and really pretty easy to make (especially with the shortcuts I used). Give them a try - they are fun!!

Happy Birthday Donny Osmond !!

Today Donny Osmond turns 53! I have been a fan of his since he was only 12 !!

He is performing a Christmas show on Broadway tonight - Happy 53rd Birthday Donny!

Glee Moment - Baby It's Cold Outside

I've always loved this song. It is a duet and of course normally sang by a male and female. I know my last post was also a Glee Moment but hey, what can I say, it is cold outside so this seems like a good video to post - their voices just go so well together!

Gwyneth Paltrow on Glee !

I've always been a fan of Gwyneth Paltrow - when she was in Duet's and recorded "Cruisin'" with Huey Lewis, I said then that I wish she would sing more.

She was on Glee and sang several times... I love this !!

Georgia "I Voted" Stickers

I voted today - did you ?

PS: Aren't the Georgia "I voted" stickers, the best ones in the whole country?