2012 To Dos

I want to post a list of things I would like to do this year to keep me accountable and ensure that I have plenty of projects if I ever get lazy. So here goes with the projects I have been considering…

-          Start an herb garden (again…)

I would like to hang some planters on my patio after they grow. I am thinking of using paint cans hung on my fence, or something else to bring color. Hopefully I can learn how to keep them alive this time around. Last year the only thing that lived was chives, but I left them with my mom. Right now I only have Green Onions.

Along these same lines, I need to distribute the Lilly bulbs that I missed last year and I would like to plant garlic in the fall.

-          Make homemade shampoo & Rinse.

Depending on how this works I would like to use it on an ongoing basis. After reading about some recipes online, I am optimistic. I will have to figure out what works best for us and post the recipe.  

-          Make homemade Soap

-          Make homemade Pop Tarts

-          Organize my kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

 This includes labeling and containing. I have a start on my kitchen, but I have a long way to go! I will most likely have to wait until the summer to buy some containers since I found out a couple months ago that the Rubbermaid ones I have decided to use are seasonal… who knew?! Depending on how this goes I might go so far as to organize the freezer – maybe.

-          Learn how to use my new sewing machine to do basic projects and Halloween costumes.

-          Continuing with my Sauce Project, I would like to make my own Caesar Dressing and Mustard
-     Create art on my bedroom wall

Monthly:

-          I have to get on top of my filing! So… I think it is fitting to make this an official goal to schedule time on a monthly basis to file all the papers that are building up in my office.

-          Read two books minimum. This usually isn’t a problem, but sometimes it is tough not to get distracted by other things.

Getting ready for Holidays

My Halls are decked. Half of my house is blue and white, and the other half is Red and White. I am officially finished with all of my shopping and some of my projects. I have even decided what to make Christmas Morning and what treats to make the first and last nights of Chanukah. Good right. I am giving myself a pat on the back.

I wanted to post the "craft" that I made today because I want to remember it for next year. I think it will be a hit on Christmas morning! My son is 4 so he is really into Santa, Rudolf, the Polar Express and our house elf. I have to be very careful that I do Santa right, or my smart cookie will ask me "Mommy, How come....?" so to keep the magic alive I am trying to stretch my creativity: Santa has his own wrapping paper and his own gift tags.

The tags are from Avery that I bought at staples and I used Silver marker and red glitter glue to write SC.

NOTE: my kids aren't the only ones who get Santa gifts. Any visiting family also get a little something from SC.

Holiday Countdown

Since my kids are still little, now is the time to create memories and new traditions. We began the Elf on a Shelf two years ago, but Connor was still a bit young to get it until this year. And I was thinking of a fun way to count down the month rather than a Chocolate advent calendar. Those, of course, do not include Chanukah. I was looking at other blogs and there are some good ideas that people have come up with to create their own. I thought I would do the same, but start out simple. Maybe I will exert more energy before December begins next year to come up with another way of doing it.

That being said, I am very happy with my chain. Connor (refusing to take a nap) “helped” by cutting up some paper with the paper cutter when I was finished. That was fun for him! Maybe next year he can help even more with this project – or better yet, make one at school that we can use ;)

Part of my Christmas Room,
the other side is Chanukah :D

I decided to count down to the New Year. I cut paper a little over 1 inch thick and numbered them. On the back, I wrote a little question or activity to do. I thought this would be something fun to discuss it during dinner or right before bed.

These ideas include:

• Everyone deserves a compliment. Give one to each person.
• It isn’t good to be wasteful. How can we reuse something we already have?
• What is a miracle? Have you ever seen a miracle?
• If you were a superhero, what super-power would you have?
• What does it mean to be polite?

Obviously all of these are geared toward my little kids. But it is a really easy activity. That can be customized toward the people in your family.