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A Few New Years Ideas

Happy New Year, blog friends.  So sorry to disappoint that my blogging skills have been less than exciting and involved.  Alas, I’m happy to report, less time on the computer hasn’t been harmful for me, only good can come from more time with family and books and things less “electronic”… :-)

However, don’t worry, I’m not on strike.  Just slow…

So on with my ‘New Years Ideas’…

Over the last year I’ve toyed with many ideas, mostly just toyed because I’ve just been too busy for the action it would require to achieve many of them.. and some of it was just lack of motivation.  Albeit, I’m ready to start considering which of them I could actually put into practice.  So I’m posting my thoughts here for two reasons.  1.  Just because it’s my blog, and people like reading other people’s thoughts, with hopes to be inspired or entertained… 2.  Because sometimes motivation comes simply from writing out a plan.  So I’ll start with the basics.

1.  Reshaping.  For Christmas, I got the book “Reshaping it All“, a book by Candace Cameron Bure.  I really enjoy this book.  I’m not exactly one who loves reading (I’m slow and lack patience in reading), but I’ve loved every turn of the page.  It’s just inspiring.  Probably because I was a Full House junkie as a girl (She played DJ Tanner, hello!), and she is a momma of three, she’s beautiful and most of all, she loves Jesus.  As I read I’m loving the practical tips, from a woman who doesn’t deny herself all sugar or fat, but understands self-discipline.  SO huge goal here, self-discipline.  Here’s a glimpse at a piece of the book, as she responded to a woman who asked her how she look so great after having kids… I’ll share because it’s so practical and any of us can do this! (From Reshaping it All, p 47-48)

  • Stop eating when you’re satisfied.
  • Don’t eat fried food or traditional fast food.
  • Watch your daily intake (From cheeses and cream based foods)
  • Don’t drink soda pop or sugar drinks.
  • Eat lots of fresh veggies, fruit, and lean proteins.
  • Keep desserts to a few bites.
  • Snack on nuts (Seven to ten)
  • Drink lots of water.
  • Get some exercise!

I have to confess, the exercise is my hardest one– I’ve never loved doing it.  So I’m brainstorming here….We’ll see what I come up with… It looks like with the busy kids and busy family, it will require early mornings for me (not my favorite thing).  Join a gym?  One did just go in right around the corner, and it’s open 24 hours, but it can be pricey for a newbie like me who isn’t sure of her dedication.  Work out dvds?  I dunno?  Home equipment?  Ugh!  :-)

2.  My other “Idea” has been toying with the idea of an “Etsy” shop or just some other way to outlet some creativity, and if possible make a little $ while being home and just enjoying what I do. Ultimately, I’m saving for THIS… but I’ve got to work for it.   I have no clue anything about how to do Etsy (or any home biz honestly), other than I think about it a lot.  I love photography, I love to sew, I love to craft, I love shabby chic furniture and have toyed with refinishing furniture even.   I love all of that, but I don’t love pressure.  HA!  That’s why I’m not sure I would fit with anything that would put me in a time crunch.  Ya know?  Anyone out there  do something like that?

Why is it that owning a business of your own sounds so great but is dirtied by all the WORK that goes into it?  LOL!

~

Okay okay, Piper is awake and calling from her crib (okay crying) so it’s time for me to go.  By the way- she’s turning 1 in two weeks… is that even possible?  Whew.

 

 

 

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I Love Baking – Especially at Christmas Time

It’s the last full day in the house before the more rambunctious of my children return home (I can’t wait!).  I decided, it’s been a great day– coffee date with Katie this morning (and Piper), encouraging conversations, Target shopping, lunch with Jeremy, all the laundry is folded (okay, most of it), I think this afternoon calls for some BAKING!

Plus, it will be my children’s delight if I bust these out when they get home tomorrow.  :-)  That’s right, I’m the BOMB.com.  :-)  (Haha, I told you, Justin, I am going to be saying that ALL the time).

Anyway- here’s what I’m trying today : Ducle De Leche-Chocolate Bars (Another Pinterest find – LOVE that place.)  I’ll let you know how they actually turn out…. :-)

Dulce De Leche-Chocolate Bars

Dulce De Leche-Chocolate Bars
Yield: 48 bars

Prep:   50 mins
Bake:   12 mins  to  18 mins  350°F
Start to Finish:  3 hrs 10 mins
Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 7 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 2 14 ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
  • Pinch salt
  • 10 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • 4 ounces white chocolate, melted
  • Red and green food coloring
  • Red and green mini M&M candies
  • Red and green fruit leather

Directions

1. Make crust: Heat oven to 350 degrees F; place rack in center. Line a 13-by-9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing paper to extend on two sides.

2. In a mixer bowl, beat together butter and confectioners’ sugar on medium speed until light, about 2 minutes. Beat in extract, then flour and salt until combined well. Press along bottom and 1/2 inch up sides of prepared pan. Bake until just golden brown around edges, 12 to 18 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack and let cool completely.

3. Make filling: Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, milk and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and gently simmer, stirring constantly, until thickened and a deep caramel color, about 15 minutes. Pour over crust and spread evenly; refrigerate until completely cool, about 1 hour.

4. Melt semisweet chocolate; let cool slightly. Using a spatula, evenly spread over filling (for swirled top, see below). Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour. Using a knife, score chocolate layer into 1-12-inch squares.

5. For swirled top: Divide white chocolate into three parts. Tint one part red and one part green. Leave remaining part white. Dollop red, green and white chocolates over semisweet layer. Using a toothpick, gently swirl together colors.

6. For decoration: Using white chocolate, adhere candies to squares, making holly or wreaths. Using a small, clean paintbrush, make a snowman out of white chocolate; decorate with candy.Let stand until set, about 20 minutes.

7. Run a sharp knife under hot water; dry. Following score marks, cut into squares. Wipe knife after each cut (run under hot water and dry as needed). (Can be made ahead. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week.)