I like making resolutions. Last January, I made a few. I think I did an okay job of keeping them, too.
While I didn’t start playing the piano again, two of my kids are now taking lessons and loving it. That alleviates my guilt at having a piano taking over most of one room.
I finally sewed a slipcover that pleases me.
I found a source for raw cows milk and we get it from time to time. Can’t say I’m a huge fan given that it’s expensive and I don’t really like to drink milk anyways.
I did clean out the garage (sorry, no pictures) and we managed to keep a car in it for most of the summer. Right now, though, it’s kind of messy again.
While we didn’t build something big, John and I made new garden boxes.
I organized my home and have mostly kept it that way. Of course, there are a few areas that need some attention but it’s in the best shape ever. Maybe I’ve tackled that monster?
The one resolution that I didn’t keep was to learn about beekeeping. I made a few attempts but that project got put on the back burner. Maybe this will be my year for it?
So for 2012, these are my resolutions:
*Learn about beekeeping
*Learn to swim laps for exercise which means I need to progress beyond the dog paddle
*Brew beer (already in process…..)
*Complete Couch to 5K program. Last spring, I quit after week 6.
*Sew a vintage style dress for me
*Build something big with my husband. I have a few ideas.
I could go on and on since I tend to get carried away with ideas of all I want to accomplish but maybe it’s best to keep it short and attainable. And it doesn’t hurt to put something on the list that I’ve already started.
I was big on making alcoholic gifts this year. There was the limoncello. And then there was this:
Homemade Irish cream. It was every bit as delicious and decadent as it looks.
There is a back story on this gift. In our way-before-kids days, John and I used to be obsessed with the X-Files along with our friends Wat and Nancy. Every Sunday, we’d make dinner and watch the latest episode at their house. It was our weekly ritual and it was awesome. I remember being hugely pregnant with my eldest, watching this show with our friends.
A few years ago, when visiting Wat and Nancy (who unfortunately live far from us now…..we both moved….), we let Duncan stay up and watch one episode with us. He was captivated.
This year, John decided he can start watching all the seasons. It’s their nightly ritual. Once the other kids are in bed, he and Duncan (and sometimes me, if I stay awake….) watch together. In the morning, while driving him to school, I get the episode recap from him. He loves punching holes in the story line and wondering about the possibilities behind the story.
This gift was for both Duncan and his dad.
To wear when watching together. Made with a freezer paper stencils and some blank tee shirts.
I just need to make my alien pondering boy one more shirt — this time with the line “I want to believe!”
This year, I didn’t make as many gifts as in years past. I guess time kind of ran out. I missed making more but the things I did make, I really liked. Here’s my favorite, for my niece, Pie. A homemade “Guess Who” game:
We swiped family member photos off their facebook pages and then John and Margs edited them and added names. They were printed on card stock and then assembled — in the nick of time on Christmas morning. This project took many more hours than we thought which is why it was a last minute finish. I think it’s really cool that we had just the perfect number of people for all the slots. I really want to make a few more of these — one for my kids to have and play with.
A family trip to the science center with everyone decked out in lab coats and safety glasses.
Is there any sight more likely to make my heart go “boom?” I think not. Sigh……geek love. I still have it.
I love thrift stores. Where else could you find a treasure like this?
When John and I saw it we pounced on it. Yeah, not that anyone else around was going to jump on it. It probably would have sat there and waited for us for a couple weeks. But we’re so happy we found it and brought it home. It made my mushroom crazy boy go wild. He identified each hand embroidered ‘shroom and now it sits proudly on his desk where he gazes at it each day when doing homework. Which, of course, means it’s being displayed boldly in my family room. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And I sure do like the look in my little guys eyes as he gazes upon his new treasure.
We went a little crazy with the mismatched lights this year. But every time we see them, we all smile and are filled with the holiday spirit. Here’s hoping for much love, joy and good cheer for all!
I can’t help myself. Although Margaux is well over her American Doll phase, I am not. These are for her doll. For Christmas.
And now that I’ve got that out of my system, it’s time to focus on finishing up some of the other gifts that are needing my attention. I love love love Christmas but, man, time just moves too fast in December.
We like to give homemade gifts to people we care for — family, teachers, friends. This year, we decided to make a gift that would also benefit the birds.
These bird seed ornaments were messy but fun to make. The instruction for making them can be found here. I still have half a bag of bird seed left. Maybe the tree outside my window could use a few?
My kids love these — homemade Oreos:
I’m not a huge fan of real oreos. But these? They send me to the moon! The recipe came from the King Arthur Flour Company’s cookie cook book — a gift from John last Christmas that is sure to keep inspiring me for years to come.
