3 Years of Blogging

Today marks my three year blogiversary.  It's been so rewarding - all the friends I have met along the way.  More than anything, I'm happy to be preserving memories of small daily moments for my boys, before they are forgotten.  Even now, I sometimes see an old post pop up on my blog from the early days when the twins were babies - those blurry, soggy, tired days during the very long winter, and I realize there is so much I have already forgotten. 

As is my tradition on my blogiversary, I want to do a giveaway to celebrate my followers.  Because there have been so many days your comments have built me up and kept me going; have warmed my heart and made me smile.  Over 20,000 comments in fact - over 20,000 smiles.  Readers and commenters, YOU ARE AWESOME!!! 

The only rule of this giveaway is that you must be a follower, and you must leave a comment to enter.  That's it.  I'll ship anywhere.  Because I love my followers in other countries too!  Up for grabs is this adorable set of 4 Nutcracker ornaments from JC Penney.  Put them on your tree know I am thankful for your friendship!  Giveaway ends December 14th at noon (I want to make sure I have time to ship it out so you can get it in time for Christmas), and winner must respond by email within 48 hours to be eligible.  Winner will be chosen by Random.org. 

Note that I didn't put "giveaway" in my blog title, and I won't be advertising this one on outside websites, because I want my regular, loyal readers and commenters to have the best chance to win this one!  Good luck!

Thanks to all who entered this giveaway and commented on this post!  The giveaway is now closed.  The winner is Renae from Simple Sequins. Congrats Renae!

Taco Night - Muffin Tin Monday

I haven't done Muffin Tin Monday in quite some time.  But it seemed a shame not to feature these cute little penguin plates and forks that my mom got for the boys last year on Christmas clearance.

I hadn't done taco night in ages, and this time it went over really well with the boys.  Or maybe it was because of the penguin plates?  They had grass-fed beef tacos with cheddar, Mexican style rice in present shaped muffin cups (with a snowman pick), and steamed broccoli with salsa in a present shaped muffin cup with a gingerbread man pick.  Everybody earned dessert this night, and I'm thinking I should have taco night again soon!

Up in the Rafters

I'm always amazed to look up into the rafters of our A frame log home

to see Willie, spying down on me. 

Have a great weekend folks!



English Toffee Recipe

There are very few recipes that I am willing to break out the thermometer over.  This is one of them.  The caramel is so soft and gooey and sweet that it is well worth the effort. 

 The recipe is my aunt Carolyn's.  I challenge you to find a more decadent English Toffee recipe.  Seriously.  It is THAT good! 

Ingredients:
1 cup butter
1 lb. brown sugar
dash of salt
1 cup light corn syrup
1 15 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla

Melt butter in heavy saucepan.  Add sugar and salt; stir thoroughly.  Stir in corn syrup, mix well.  Gradually add the milk, stirring constantly.  Cook and stir over medium heat to firm ball stage (245 degrees).  This will take 12-15 minutes.  Remove from heat, stir in vanilla.  Pour into buttered 9x9x2 inch pan.  Cool and cut into squares.  If you plan to give it away, it does well wrapped in individual pieces of wax paper.

Do you have a recipe, readers, that you're willing to go to extra lengths to produce?  If so, I want to hear about it!

Pies for the Holidays (with Giveaway)

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Mrs. Smith's for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
It's pretty much a requirement in my family that holidays will involve pies.  Pies of all flavors and styles - and each one of us in my family has our own personal favorite.  I usually try to make at least one new flavor of pie and bring as a contribution each year.  Have you ever thought about what soldiers will be doing for the holidays?  Wouldn't you hate to think of them going without pie?  Well, thanks to Mrs. Smith’s pies, you don't have to worry about it!  For every pie sold during the month of November and December, $1 donation is made to Operation Homefront.  In addition, Mrs. Smith's is also providing pie for Operation Homefront!

On the Mrs. Smith's website right now, you can find a holiday microsite to send a holiday e-card to friends and family members, which comes with coupons for pies!  I sent an e-card to my mom, as she has been spending massive amounts of time taking care of my grandmother lately.  And I bet my grandmother would like one of the Mrs. Smith's pies!  I love how easy and quick it was to use the microsite.  As an added incentive, the sender of the e-card gets a coupon too, so you definitely want to check it out.

I got to try one of the pies myself, and let the kids choose the pie in the grocery store.  Peach is my favorite, but the only flavors our store had were cherry, pumpkin, and apple.  The boys picked apple.  We all enjoyed it for dessert one Sunday evening, complete with a squirt of whipped cream on top.

One lucky winner will receive a coupon for a free pie from Mrs. Smith's.  It's good for any flavor of Mrs. Smith's frozen pie.  Just leave a comment as to what flavor of pie you'd like to try (you can find all the flavors on their website).  In addition, Mrs. Smith's is really focused on giving back this year, so a $20 donation will be made to Operation Homefront in the name of the winner.  What a great way to spread the cheer.  Don't forget to check out Mrs. Smith's on Facebook and Pinterest.  Winner to be chosen by Random.org on December 11th and must respond by email within 48 hours to be eligible (please leave an email address in your comment if it is not attached to your profile).  Good luck!

THANKS TO ALL WHO ENTERED!  This giveaway is now closed.  The winner is Comment #29 - Thistle Cove Farm.  Congratulations!

In My Pocket

Walking to the grocery store, the wind is bitter and nipping.  I shove my hands deep into the pockets of my winter coat, seeking warmth.  But instead, I find something cold and calculating, and pull it out to see what it is.  Scowling and angry, he's been lying in wait.

I'm pretty sure this is an omen.  A very bad omen.  An omen that the prices inside the grocery store are going to make me sick to my stomach. 

Ah well, he's not nearly so threatening without his mask anyhow.  Perhaps the mask is looming in wait in my medicine cabinet.  In the meantime, at least I have a flashlight if I need one (Darth's feet light up). 

Hey readers, found anything skulking in your pockets lately?

Fitness Recap November 2012

My IT band continues to recover, oh so slowly.  I can now run 3 miles, every other day.  Not very exciting.  I've been doing lots of crosstraining.  The kids continue to do Shred with me.  Paul made them fake weights out of wood.

I'm dreaming of running the track again this winter.  I want to try the track at Pierce's school.  It's crushed gravel, and unusual in that 3 loops make a mile (rather than the usual 4).  Might be easier on my body not to do as many curves.  I'm hoping to be able to pick up some track work in January, if my IT band is strong enough by then. 

It's a pretty place to run on the track, isn't it?  Plus, there's a very convenient playground in the middle, so the boys could have fun there too.

I do have a funny running story for the month.  One of my toenails fell off (a result from the marathon in October) and the twins were really worried about it.  Cort said, "Maybe we can get some glue" and Reid said, "Or some tape!" and Cort said, "Or a bandaid!" and Reid, looking all worried, replied, "Maybe we should give her a hug." and Cort said, "Yes! And a kiss!"  So I was well cared for, in spite of only having 9 toenails left. 

Here's my stats for the month:

Shred (workouts 1 or 2) x 8
Jackie Abs x 4
Yoga x 2
Running = 39 miles

Hoping for something similar in December, ideally with more running!