Monday, December 31, 2012

The last hurrah





Every year Thanksgiving starts nothing but one long celebration of eating too much, spending too much and working too little.  After 6 weeks or so of this behavior, I'm sick of myself and ready to cut out the foolishness and this requires a strict plan.

This weekend has been my last hurrah before the self imposed misery of January sets in. What last little pleasures did I indulge in? I wondered around the mall and found the semi annual clearance at Bath and Body Works (where I got the candle holder sitting in my bathroom window on clearance for $3.75).

I also had my favorite afternoon snack while wasting time  picking up some Christmas items at Target (for 70% off).

What exactly does my self imposed strict plans look like?

I typically do a no spend month in January  and this year I'll be joining others that are also doing it.  I've been doing this for years (and I do it at least twice a year). I find I need that drastic shock to my system to stop my free spending ways after bleeding money for the last 6 weeks. The plan's rules are different for everyone. Basically, you set your own rules. My rules are $40 a week for groceries and not buying a thing. No lunch out. No dinner out. (although around the 20th of the no spend month, we are so miserable, we treat ourselves to a cheap dinner out). No (more) new lipstick or nail polish. No clothes. No candles. No jewelry. No books. Nothing for the house. No car washes. No (sniffle) Starbucks (unless I really do really well with coupons and sales one week and use some grocery money to get it). Nothing spent but $40 a week on groceries.

Another sudden shock to my system.... I'll return to Weight Watchers. I actually returned last week, and just to make it as painful as possible, I went to the Saturday morning meeting at 7:15a when it was 29 degrees.  I had to show myself I was serious. I'm a non-compliant lifetime member, who periodically returns for a few weeks (or months) to get my eating under control and do a sugar detox. I'm not gonna lie.... its painful.

January is also the month that I commit to getting to work at 7:00a, which requires me leaving my bed at 5:30a.

Foolishness of the last 6 weeks requires a swift and painful plan.









Saturday, December 29, 2012

Serious deal alert from walmart!



Walmart has these packages on after Christmas clearance.... and there was plenty when I was there early this morning.

For $5, it has a Venus razor (regularly $10 at Walmart by itself), an Oil of Olay body wash and a Silk Care shaving cream AND a free one year magazine subscription to your choice of Allure, Self, Glamour or Lucky. (I chose Lucky).

Why didn't I get more of these!

and another deal... go check out the organizational products kelli is giving away here.

Friday, December 28, 2012

payday pretty






















I'm head over heels with the idea of  Payday Pretty (from Style and Outfit Inspiration Blog here), taking $20 every payday to get something just to make me feel pretty.

I am all over it. Its amazing what $20 will do.

This payday:

$7.98 How Not To Look Old by Charla Krupp (bought new/used from Amazon and this including shipping)
$2.99 Comfy socks from Tuesday Morning
$4.99 Revlon Color Stay Polish (my favorite nail polish) in Rich Raspberry
$2.99 Baby Lips  (my favorite "chap stick". This one is to keep in my desk) from Maybelline
$1.14 Almay eye makeup remover pads (I bought the smallest size, 15 pads, just to try them out. They were highly recommended by beauty blogger, Emily Noel ( and she has a you-tube channel)

Total: $20.09.

The first time I've been  a little bit over! But, I consider it a splurge!






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Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Red Velvet Cookies Made with Red Velvet Cake Mix

Can't find a simpler homemade cookie than this one... or possibly a more messy one to make.

Long holiday weekend was so exhausting, I need a simple cookie.  I didn't fully clean the kitchen after making this, and husband wondered in the next morning, saw all the powdered sugar and said, "Did you have a party in here last night?"

Why, yes. Yes, I did have a party. A party where a lot of powdered sugar was invited.

Original Recipe here (I left out the white chocolate chips... but now, I'm asking myself... why?! why would I have done something so foolish as to not invite white chocolate chips? I vote for letting them in.)



















Preheat the oven to 375 and put parchment on a baking sheet
Mix one box of Red Velvet Cake mix with two tablespoons of  flour, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup of oil, and a teaspoon vanilla
Roll into balls
thrown balls into powdered sugar and press cookies onto parchment paper
Bake for about 10-12 minutes until edges look done but middle is still goo-ey
Sprinkle more powdered sugar on top and let cool completely

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Monday, December 24, 2012

A few imagines of my long holiday weekend












































Been baby sitting the next door dog, a nervous little wiener dog, who doesnt like to go outside. Surprised by sweet gifts... an ornament made for me from one of my high school girls in Sunday School! Its surprising how much I love those girls!

I am almost obsessed with playing what ever game the grocery store has going on. This time I got a Cuisinart pot with lid (a nice heavy one), and one of the reasons I'm overly tired and my house is a mess ... made 5 pans of homemade Cinnamon rolls for gifts to my in laws houses.

Saturday, December 22, 2012

Covergirl Outlast Lipstick and other news

I would have never taken a second look at this lipstick, two different tubes look too complicated. And I haven't worn Covergirl since I was about 14.  But it had been highly recommended by Emily Noel, a beauty blogger with a You-Tube Channel, where I basically get all my information about make-up products these days.  She has a lot of good things to say about Covergirl, which made me want to try it.

Now I love it, and wear it every day. My favorite is plum (color 551), and I have immediate plans to try some of the nudes as soon as I go back to Wal-mart (after the Christmas madness).  It says it last up to 16 hours. It has never lasted 16 hours for me, but there has been days when, no exaggeration, I've put it on after lunch about 1:00pm, and still had some on when I was brushing my teeth at night.





















In other news...

  • I was at Starbucks for my afternoon pick-me-up and someone in front of me paid for my coffee! I couldn't believe it! That is the first time it has ever happened to me! Such a good feeling. I then paid for the coffee for the car behind me, and left a little message that I was spreading Jesus love through free coffee. I hope it continued down the line all afternoon! But even if it didn't, it made me very happy and the car behind me happy, and hopefully, the girl handing out the coffee, happy.

  • I am so happy for a 4 day weekend, although it doesn't look like its going to be particularly restful or productive for me and any of the many organizational projects I want to start at home.


  • For Christmas gifts, I am making pans of easy Cinnamon Pecan Rolls and wrapping, unbaked with directions on how to cook. I have 5 pans to make tonight to hand out at the big family Christmas party tomorrow.


  • Christmas day looks like its going to be stormy and turn really cold. Perfect day to stay inside, in my sweatpants. We are expecting a very low key Christmas day with only a few people over. For the last few years, Christmas after a big lunch, is spent in bed reading. Looks like perfect weather for this tradition to continue.


  • I have been wishing for a round rug for my kitchen table for quite a while. I think I'm going to actually get one now.  I've got my eye on this one or this one or this one. I really like to buy American made products, so I'm pretty sure its going to be the one made in the USA.


  • That is all.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Monday daybook- Busy with Christmas planning edition

Outside my window... A grey and humid morning (as my fluffy hair can testify to) turned into a cool and sunny afternoon. Thank you latest cold front to visit the deep south. Welcome and please, stay a while.

I am looking forward to... Two weeks in a row of short weeks at work and the long weekends at home.

In my kitchen... I made Cracker Toffee (original recipe here) and although it was tasty,  it didn't turn out as good as I had hoped. I've made Trisha Yearwood's Saltine and Sweet Toffee (recipe here) and loved it and Martha Stewart's Salted Toffee Squares (recipe here) and loved it even more. I have to reassess the Christmas desserts.

ingredients for
cracker toffee
A favorite quote for the day... "Do whatever you do with a spirit of excellence knowing that you represent God. God is calling you to a higher standard." Joel Osteen

I am listening to... Michael Buble Christmas CD 

I am realizing... I want a cleaner house. I know my house will never be as spotless and put together as if I were a housewife or even had a less demanding career, but I want off the roller coaster of a clean house on (some) weekends and  looking pitiful every other day.  And the answer isn't having the house keeper over more (I tried). I've accepted that there is no other way around it.... I have to buckle down and do a daily "dirty 30".  30 minutes of house cleaning every day. (From Alejandro Costello- see her video here). Yesterday was my first day.  I started in the master bedroom, where everyone says it should be the cleanest, most organized spot in the house. So far, so good.

I am thinking... of a few projects I can get going this long weekend, (I'm looking at you, garage), but honestly not sure where its going to fit in. Preparation for the big family dinner will completely consume my Saturday. Church and the family dinner will take all Sunday. Monday will be spent preparing for the Christmas day dinner at my house and Christmas Eve service. Tuesday is Christmas dinner at my house. So when exactly will I fit a project into the long weekend? I'm still thinking....
Business in New Orleans
meant a few Christmas pictures

I am wondering..... if I can make it across town to Whole Foods. Butter is on sale, remember?

I am wondering (part 2).... if I should really attempt to make tins of cookies for my husband's employees? There's only 5 guys, but that's a lot of cookies, and just when am I going to find the time to get all the ingredients together and get it done? I might have to give us this illusion.

I am wearing... a black Ann Taylor suit with a dark purple blouse (had real work to do today and had to dress  the part of a serious professional)

I am reading... the best thing I've read about the school shooting is this blog,  with a reminder that evil hates innocence, but we have hope in the face of evil.

I am reading (part 2)... Knowing your Value  by Mika Brzenski (I'm only on page 40 and I see so many of the same mistakes I have made in my career) and re-reading Totally Organized by Bonnie McCullough.

I am hoping... the cold front sticks around for Christmas day, (really... would it be too much to ask for a little snow on Christmas day? And while I'm asking, can I also get no traffic when I finally get to finish my shopping?)

Christmas Tree
at Starbucks
I ate.... this and it was delicious, which is shocking, since I haven't eaten one in a good 25 years or more (basically since I've been old enough to say, "no like egg".)  

I am planning... to make these homemade cinnamon rolls  and gift trays to bring home with cooking directions at the Family Christmas party on Sunday.

I am planning (part 2)... to get all the girls in my Sunday School class a pair of comfy slipper/spa/fuzzy socks for Christmas and slip this verse in one foot and this verse in the other foot. I think I'm a genius (they think I'm weird).

I am planning (part 3) .... my New Year's Resolution inspired by Creole Wisdom here a photo a day for 2013 made into a photo book. (I'm looking forward to starting!)

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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins made with brown butter


What I found to do in the kitchen Saturday afternoon after preparing the high school girls Sunday School lesson (the importance of having a daily quiet time and practical suggestions on how to make it a daily reality) when I was avoiding settling down to work on my part of a  joint presentation I'm giving on Monday morning (and not ready for... Julie if your reading this, don't panic... I swear I'll be ready)  but not feeling productive enough to clean the kitchen:


Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins with Brown Butter  (original recipe here)


I hear that this butter  (that I said I wouldn't buy again because it is so expensive) is on sale at Whole Foods right now for $2.99  a package, and if you shop right, you can get it for $.99 (Thanks to the information from this blog). I hope I can find time to get across town and get some while still on sale, but it's not looking good.

Your going to need a stick of it for this recipe. This is my favorite thing to do to butter, browning it. I have an out of this world cookie recipe for brown butter but I am always looking for other reasons to brown some up.  It is just awesome, everyone will love it, and they wont be able to quite tell what it is, and you'll look like some kind of super hero in the kitchen.

Do you know how to brown butter?  Just melt it in a skillet over low heat until it turns dark brown but not black. It takes about 8 minutes. The key is low heat and gently rock the pan a few times as it gets dark brown but not black. You'll have to throw it out if its burnt. It transforms butter to a rich, buttery nutty-iness flavor.

I love a really large muffin, hence my search for a really large muffin baking pan. Spray it with cooking spray and  make some brown butter. Set it aside to cool.

Mix  2 cups flour with 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 cup sugar.

In a different bowl, beat  2  eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 3/4 cup buttermilk and add the now cooled brown butter and add to the dry ingredients. Stir by hand.

Gently add one cup blueberries. (fresh or frozen).

Bake at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes until browned on top.

mmmmmmmm......... they are delicious......


 Now.

Back to painting my nails....

I mean working.









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Friday, December 14, 2012

Bath and Body Works suprise sale





















Hello, Bath and Body Works in store one day only sale!

It was totally worth fighting the lunch time traffic to go to the mall for three wick candles for $8 each! ( Regular $20 each. This is the lowest price I have ever seen them!!) and a few girlie things for a special girl in my church.
 
Can you guess which one is my favorite?

Monday, December 10, 2012

Its just another manic Monday, wish it were Sunday

Outside my window: Cold front  is here! The only way I could be happier is if I were in my sweats all day instead of just before and after work.

I am listening to: Christmas music from 101.9,  a station I barely get out of New Orleans. Its a very adult/jazzy/New Orleans style Christmas selection. (If you've never heard Otis Redding sing White Christmas, your Christmas music selection is terribly incomplete Listen to Otis here)

remember Orange Julius at the mall?

I am thinking: I  am in serious denial. Despite knowing Christmas is two weeks away, I have hardly started any Christmas shopping or decorating. A few years ago, I had 5 Christmas trees in my house. Today, I have one sitting half decorated  and it doesn't look like this situation is  going to change.
Oriental Broccoli Salad
I am looking forward to: sleeping under the electric blanket tonight.

In the kitchen: made Oriental Broccoli Slaw (recipe here) and Orange Julius (recipe here)

I am doing: Hot chocolate duty for the lighting of the City's Christmas Tree, which turned into standing in the cold directing the church youth group in how to make 10 gallons of hot chocolate.

I am planning: Christmas day dinner menu at my house. Gumbo and peppermint bark has been added to the list.

I am wearing:  my  winter coat, gloves and my new stylish and warm socks.

Around the house:  Got started on my latest project, inspired from this video by Alejandro Costello, organizing my freezer.


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Easy home made Peppermint Bark

Quick.

Some one come over and take these from me.

They are so good, and so easy to make... with the help of a hammer.... and I can't stop eating them!

Why haven't I made this before?

Recipe (here) is in week one of this Bible Study (here- and its free)

I only made a half- batch.

I melted 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate  and then put on wax paper in a 8x8 pan in the fridge for 20 minutes.

Melted 12 oz white chocolate and poured on top of the harden chocolate.

Crushed some peppermint candy canes (with a hammer) and put some in the melted chocolate and some pressed down on top and put back in the fridge for 2 hours.

Had to use the hammer to break it into pieces.

This will be one of my Christmas dinner desserts.

And it might be what I bring to all the Christmas parties.

Delicious! 




















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