Happy New Year!

So far this year is starting out with a bang.  I got up and showered and dressed to go to work and at 0545 the hospital calls me and cancels me due to decreased census.  Yea!!!!!!  I have a cold and was feeling pretty miserable anyway, so this is just a gift from the gods.

After I take a long nap, I plan to get up and work on my paper mache bunny.  I still haven't finished him and I really want to, so since I have a gift of this day, I think I should do it!  I will post pictures of the completed bunny when I get it finished. 

I went to the library the other day and checked out three wonderful books on art dolls.  I highly recommend them.  The first is The Art Doll Chronicles, the next is 500 Handmade Dolls, and the last is Sculpting in Paperclay.  They are delightful books full of beautiful pictures.  They do inspire me.

I'm still working on my New Year's Goals.  I know what they are, but I want to break them down into doable steps and plot them out during the year.  That is the only way I think I will get myself moving.  So, I'll let you know how that goes, too.

Setting realistic goals for 2010

Image by randihausken via Flickr

With Christmas behind me, I find myself thinking more and more about the new year.  I have never really been much of a resolution type of person, but I do believe in setting yourself goals--kind of a roadmap to get where you want to go.  Granted, sometimes the goals you set are simply unrealistic or unattainable, but at least you have a focus and a direction.

I am thinking more and more about both professional and personal goal setting, which is not the norm.  I usually do the "lose weight, give up bad habits, get more sleep" kind of goals just like everyone else but this year I am thinking more globally.  As a nurse for the last 20+years, I have really just tried to keep my head above water and for me just getting to work on my scheduled days was a great goal.  Now, I find that won't work for me.  If all I want to do is get myselft there, then I need to find something else to be doing with the rest of my life.

Personally, I have just "let things happen" for way too long.  This next year, I would like to feel that I am at least at the helm of my own life.  The years have a habit of getting away from you if you let them--marriage, motherhood, work, social life, etc.  Before you realize it, the time has passed and you have not gotten any of your personal goals accomplished.

So--this year I plan to make some very serious and very detailed goals for myself.  I will break each goal down into monthly parts and break those goals down even further into weekly goals.  Maybe I can actually get something done this next year toward my desire to go to school, get another job, encourage my artistic side, relearn to play and laugh.  I'll try to keep you posted on how I'm doing.  Won't you let me know what you are planning in the New Year?

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Image by Truthout.org via Flickr

Today is finally Christmas and I am so glad it's over.  I worked today and it was a really sad day to spend with my patients.  I am constantly reminded that life is hard and sometimes a simple quirk in time can mean all the difference in the type of life you get to live.

So, today I am very grateful for my life--my family, my work, my health, my pets, my friends,--simply my life.
I know that I am very blessed.  I know that there are people in the world who love me and care about my happiness.  I know that for my age, I am in extremely good health.  I am thankful for it all.

I hope you too will do some internal searching and discover the bounty of your blessings.  May Christmas live in your life all year long. 

Merry Christmas!

The Santas are finally finished and on the tree!

Well, I wasn't sure these would be done in time, but I got bored today while I waited for someone to come by that never did.  While waiting, I went ahead and finished the santas and hung them on the tree.  I took some liberty with the project instructions and I added dimensional paint for the beard and used black ribbon to attach the legs.  But, I have to say they turned out quite well.  I like the way they look on my tree. 

I may be starting my own Christmas tradition.  Last year, I made the snowflake ornaments that are up on the tree.  This year I made the Santas.  Wonder what I will make next year?

Here's some pictures of the santas:

 

 

I'm ready for Christmas------------to be over!

Cover of Peace on Earth (Holiday Greeting Cards)

Today is the 23rd and Christmas is almost here. I am avoiding going out like the plague because the traffic here in Austin is simply crazy! I figure that if I am not ready for Christmas now, I don't think I will ever be ready.

The one thing I know I am ready for is for all this holiday madness to be over. I am enjoying my tree, and I am enjoying visiting with my family; but that's about it. I am still working on my Santa tree ornaments and maybe they will be done in time for Christmas, but if not there is always next year!

I just wanted to take a minute to write briefly here because I know that the next two days will go by in a blur of activity for me and for almost everyone else. There's dinner to prepare, trees to finish decorating, presents to finish wrapping (or buying maybe?), and a million other little things to do to get ready for the big day.

I just want to say:

         MERRY CHRISTMAS 
                       AND 
HAPPY HOLIDAY TO YOU ALL!

May the New Year bring us Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All Men
(and Women and Dogs and Cats and Other pets!)

aunt jane's nut roll

With Christmas closing in, there's really not much time to do anything extravagant, but there is always time and sincere appreciation for home-baked goodies.  This recipe is easy, makes 4 loaves, is easy to freeze, and tastes delicious.  Just the thing when you remember that you forgot to get that present for your Aunt and Uncle and they will be arriving soon!  Even if you are not a baker, you can gather the dry ingredients into a decorative tin and print the recipe on cardstock and give it to your favorite teacher.  Great last minute gift!
Enjoy!

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If you need a rich & tasty baked good to offer a hostess or to have on-hand for your own snuggly winter moments, this one is a surefire winner! For years and years, my mother-in-law has baked her heart out each and every Christmas, making enough pizzelles, almond crescents, apricot dandies, date & nut bread, Hungarian nut roll, cut-out cookies and biscotti to share with her immediate family and her 3 siblings. It's a generous handmade tradition from handed-down recipes (like Aunt Jane's nut roll) that my husband carries on for our family. He knows nut roll sends me to the moon, and he always makes sure we have a lot of it around!
I had hoped to post this recipe download on Friday, before those along the east coast had gone out to buy their "bread & milk" and were hunkered down for the weekend awaiting the snowstorm of the decade...thinking there might be some baking going on! But hey, maybe you have 7 C of walnuts waiting around your house for the perfect recipe, then you can just whip this out at your leisure!
* download pdf recipe cards here, print onto cardstock and trim *
Includes: 1 recipe card with Aunt Jane's Nut Roll and 1 blank recipe card for you to add your own recipe.

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What's wonderful about this recipe is that it makes A LOT - you'll get 4 nut rolls out of this recipe without duplicating your efforts like you might if you have to double or triple a batch of cookies. It freezes really, really well, too - just wrap it well!

December 19, 2009 in cooking, making | crafting, tutorials | Permalink

For the original post and for more quick gifts and recipes>>CLICK HERE

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Found an interesting Non-Christmas You Tube video to share

Have you seen this video?  It's fantastic.  No wonder the guy got Hollywood's attention.  This is an amazing filmmaker.  I hope we see more of his work very soon. 

Watch it and let me know if you agree.