Tuesday, December 30, 2008

2008 a Good Year.

Well, It's just about time to say goodbye to 2008 and hello to 2009. I thought that all in all 2008 was a good year for me and my family. In March we moved into a new bigger house that's practically across the street from where I work. I had a beautiful baby girl in May whom I can't imagine my life without. Henry made it to 2 without me strangling him (let's see if he makes it to 3! LOL)There were bad things too like every year but let's dwell on the good!! Please watch my video of 2008 at the Hawkins house, it's less than 5 minutes long. Happy New Year everyone!!

Friday, December 19, 2008

It's snowing on my blog!!

What do you think of my new widget?? Pretty cool huh? If you want snow on your blog get it here.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

How to eat during the holidays

I got this from my friend and fellow blogger Mindi Leah. It is her holiday eating philosophy and I am thinking about adopting it for myself!!

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy . Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.Remember this motto to live by:"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Happy Birthday Mom

I just wanted to wish my mother a happy birthday! You are a great mom. I love you!!

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My mom and I

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Music, the international language

This video is a wonderful montage of people from all over the world singing Stand By Me Mark Johnson is the director of this documentary called music for change. This is a beautiful depiction of how music is so unifying. I love it!! I got this video off of http://willowmanor.blogspot.com/ and as she said in her post on the video.."try to watch it without smiling" Enjoy!!!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Blog Frog

I just had to share my new discovery with all my blogging friends... www.theblogfrog.com it connects you with other bloggers with similar interests. it also has widgets and newsfeeds of all your blogger friends. Go sign up for it! you know you want to!

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Christmas cookies

Today I started making Christmas cookies. Henry helped make some gingersnaps, and we made a pound cake that did not turn out so good. I also made gingerbread dough. I plan on rolling it out and making gingerbread cookies tomorrow after church. I also made a chocolate cake that I am going to use to make cake balls. I've never made them before but they sound delicious!

Henry loved helping me add ingredients and stir. He also liked sampling!! Here are a couple pics. There is also a video because Henry decided to be scared of my mixer today and he claimed it was because it was loud and would wake up Zoe. The video is him trying to explain why he doesn't want to help.


Here's Henry modeling his apron and cookie smile


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Henry sampling some cake batter

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Friday, December 5, 2008

Decorating the tree with a two-year-old.

Well, we got a tree today and I was very excited about decorating it with Henry. First I brought the tree in and gave it some water in a pitcher. There was some water left over that Henry decided to pour on the floor (he was trying to give the tree water.) After cleaning that up, we went out to the garage to get ornaments. I set a box in the driveway and went back in to get more. As I came out I see Henry smashing a crimson ornament on top of an already smashed orange ornament. "Henry! What are you doing?" I exclaimed. I didn't get mad at him, I chalked it up to him being a curious 2-year-old. I explained to him that you are not supposed to do that and if he breaks anymore mommy is going to be mad. Well, let's see, how should I put this?? I got mad several times!! The whole experience was disastrous. I'll post a picture of some of Henry's destruction. I hope that decorating the tree with a three year old (Henry) will be a more pleasant experience!!


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