Roo vs. The Shovel

It's been snowing like crazy in Boulder over the past 6 hours or so. The ironic thing is that by Friday and Saturday we'll have temps in the 50s and maybe even 60s. Weird.

A thrifty way to clear snow - the kids. It saves both time and money. And it's pretty cute, too.

Here's the Dealio

Some fun finds for a Monday morning:

zulily - Cupcakes & Pastries up to 45% off (some of the cutest girls clothes I've seen in a LONG time)

BoCo Daily Deal - 6 cupcakes for $10 (regular price is $2.50.ea) at Kim & Jake's Cakes in Boulder

Groupon - $59 for 1 month unlimited classes plus first week of classes free (regular price $159) at CorePower Yoga

WeeklyPlus - $10 for $20 purchase at Wild Bangkok (organic thai food)

Today's Dealios

The deals just don't stop coming. . .

BoCo Deals - $39 ($82 value) 1-month unlimited use Flatiron Athletic Club in Boulder.

LivingSocial Deals - $20 ($40 value) toward any class at Bella Glass Studios in Denver.

WeeklyPlus - $25 ($50 value) for 3 yoga classes and 2-week unlimited use at The Yoga Mat in Denver.

zulily - Hazel girls clothing up to 45% off, Trendy Tykes ties for boys (so cute!) over 30% off

HearthSong - 20% off featured item for 3-days

The Container Store - annual 30% off elfa sale

Southwest Airlines - Click 'n Save deals (as low as $144 roundtrip DIA to DC)

LOFT - extra 60% off sale items

Radio Silence

Over the past week I've been mulling over my state of affairs. No writing. Thinking. Reflecting. Considering.

I've been thinking about my day-to-day activities and long-term plans. As a stay-at-home mom, I've got a pretty good gig. I can't get fired, I don't get performance reviews (most of the time), and I get to spend time with my kids, volunteer at school and care for my family. 

But it's no secret that women often lose their identities while raising children. On the one hand, you embark on the best and most difficult job you'll ever have. On the other, you put yourself on the back burner. Oh, alright, you can disagree if you want or think it won't happen to you. I never thought it would happen to me. I would NEVER lose myself or step off my path. 

In college I had nothing but disdain for the female students attending simply to get their "MRS" degree. I had better things to do. However, things didn't go according to plan. As they say, "Life is what happens to you when you're making other plans." Nothing tragic or disappointing. Just not many of the things I had envisioned. 

I am, afterall, the sum total of my choices and experiences. No one held a gun to my head and forced me to do something I didn't want to do. I happily made my choices.

I've been thinking and thinking about what I want to be "when I grow up" and I still don't have a clue. I'm troubled that I somehow morphed from a focused child/young person, seemingly without notice, into an adult in a perpetual state of limbo. It's not efficient (read: thrifty) or very satisfying. I know that I'm the only one that can do anything about it. But it's hard to do. 

Let's face it, I'm not Madonna and don't have her preternatural ability to constantly reinvent herself. 

Damn.

Wordless Wednesday

Garnet Hill

Garnet Hill has some killer deals right now:

Cashmere gloves - $24

Anastasia Dress - $39

Easy Cargo Jacket - $49

Sequined Wrap Sweater - $89

Faux-Fur Coat - $124

Hurry! Things are selling out and limited sizes are available.

After Christmas Fun

Yesterday the fam went up to Rocky Mountain National Park to sled. There were tons of people on the hill; it looked like a bad 70s movie. It was really fun but cold, cold, cold! We tailgaited aprés sled with hot chocolate and homemade marshmallows. Delish but too cold to stand outside and boil the water. Always an adventure, though.

I realize I owe my final recipe for the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies/Treats. On Christmas Eve, I completed the journey with a fudge recipe from the marshmallow bag. Thank God we've reached the end. My thighs say, "NO!"

Easy Fudge

2 tablespoons butter
⅔ cup evaporated mile
1¾ cups sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
2½ cups miniature marshmallows
1½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Combine butter, milk, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat.
2. Boil for 4-5 minutes, stirring.
3. Remove from heat; stir in marshmallows, chocolate chips, walnuts and vanilla.
4. Stir vigorously until chocolate chips and marshmallows are melted.
5. Pour into a foil-lined or buttered 8x8 baking pan.
6. Sprinkle with additional walnuts if desired.
7. Chill until firm.

Happy Holidays!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies - Days 7 and 8

Goin' old school. . .

Magic Cookie Bars
Makes 24 bars

1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup butter, melted
1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
12 oz package semi-sweet chocolate chips
1⅓ cups flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts

1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Spray 13x9-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter in a small bowl. Press into bottom of prepared pan.
3. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. 
4. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, coconut and nuts.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes until lightly brown.
6. Loosen from sides of pan while still warm, cool on a wire rack. Cut into bars or diamonds.

A newbie, too. . .

Drop-and-Bake Lace Cookies
Makes 36 cookies

4 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
⅓ cup very finely chopped pecans
¼ cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan, combine butter, sugars and cream and bring to a boil. Boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the pecans, flour and salt.
2. Drop level teaspoons of the warm batter, spacing them 4 inches apart, onto parchment-lined baking sheets. If the batter cools between batches and can't be scooped, rewarm it slightly.
3. Bake, rotating the sheets halfway through, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Cool on the sheets until firm, about 5 minutes. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Phew! I'm finally caught up.

12 Days of Christmas Cookies/Treats - Days 5 and 6

Roo and I have been down for the count for a couple of days and I'm incredibly behind in my cookie, candy and treat efforts. Plus, the Diva has been at sleepovers two nights in a row and couldn't pick up the slack. She cleaned the kitchen for me, though, between her social engagements, and it was a huge help. Since I've been sick, I haven't been able to even look at food. So here's to catching up on lost time.

Peppermint Bark
Makes 24 (2-inch) pieces

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup crushed candy canes

1. Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler over low heat.
2. Spread melted chocolate evenly into an 8 x 8 inch pan.
3. Sprinkle candy over chocolate (quick tip: sift crushed candy through a fine sieve to remove the powder).
4. Let cool two hours in the refrigerator.
5. Break into bite-size pieces and enjoy.
6. Bark will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for two weeks.

Marshmallows
Makes 20 large marshmallows

Nonstick cooking spray
2 envelopes unflavored gelatin (4¼ teaspoons)
¾ cup cold water
2 cups granulated sugar
⅔ cup light corn syrup
⅓ cup refrigerated egg white product or 2 pasteurized egg whites
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 tablespoons cornstarch
⅔ cup powdered sugar

1. Lightly coat an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Line pan with plastic wrap, or line bottom of pan with waxed paper or parchment paper. Coat the plastic or paper with nonstick cooking spray; set pan aside.
2. In a large metal or heatproof bowl sprinkle gelatin over ½ cup cold water; set aside.
3. In a 2-quart heavy saucepan stir together remaining ¼ cup water,1¾  cups of the sugar, and the corn syrup until combined. Bring to boiling over medium-high heat. Clip a candy thermometer to the side of the saucepan. Cook without stirring, over medium-high heat until the thermometer registers 260 degrees, 12-15 minutes.
4. Remove from heat; pour over gelatin mixture in bowl and stir well to combine (mixture will foam up).
5. Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl beat the egg whites and salt with an electric mixer on high speed until foamy. Gradually add remaining ¼ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, until stiff peaks form, 3-4 minutes. Beat in vanilla until combined. 
6. With the mixer running on high speed, gradually add gelatin mixture to egg white mixture, beating about 7 minutes or until thick (like the consistency of thick, pourable cake batter). 
7. Quickly pour marshmallow mixture into prepared pan, spreading to edges of pan. Lightly coat another piece of plastic wrap with nonstick cooking spray; place, coated side down over marshmallow mixture. Let stand at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours or until firm.
8. Remove plastic wrap from top of marshmallow. In a small bowl combine powdered sugar and cornstarch. Sprinkle ¼ of the mixture onto a large cutting board. Loosen sides of marshmallows and invert onto cutting board. Sprinkle the top with some of the remaining powdered sugar mixture. Using a knife that's been dipped in warm water, cut into 20 marshmallows. Place remaining powdered sugar mixture and a few marshmallows at a time into a resealable plastic bag and toss until coated.
9. Store marshmallows between sheets of waxed paper or parchment paper in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 1 week. Or freeze up to 1 month. Bring to room temperature before serving.

12 Days of Christmas Cookies - Wordless Wednesday

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - Day 11

Today I'm sharing nostalgic ornaments from my childhood. I've always loved these small figures; ever since my mother bought them at a holiday bazaar at St. Michael's Church in Olympia. She knew how much I loved them, so she gave them to me the first Christmas in my first home.

They are teeny tiny, only 2.25 inches high, made from felt, corduroy, and satin.

The detail is beautiful. I'm not sure I could make anything so small and if I did, it wouldn't look nearly as good.

Very special and adorable.

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - Day 9

Hubby isn't the only member of the family with his very own stocking.

The Diva, Roo and I have stockings, too. I made them from coordinating upholstery fabrics and added lots of vintage mother of pearl buttons. The dogs even have one of their own.

Very different from Hubby's - remember, I said he's unique - but we love ours just the same. They're homey, cozy and a little bit country (Marie Osmond's ears are perking up).

Can't wait to see the things Santa tucks inside.

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - Day 8

Ric rac is just one of those things. It's down home, girly, and classic all at the same time. And it comes in just about every color of the rainbow.

Time to share another quick craft a la Martha, for little girls and big girls alike. I found the instructions in an old copy of Martha Stewart Kids magazine, unfortunately out-of-print:

The raw materials:

Ric rac in different colors, sizes and textures

Love the texture of the white ric rac

I like the traditional texture, too

Milliner's flowers

Stitch the ric rac carefully into a circle and join (tuck the raw ends and glue carefully).

The stitching doesn't have to be perfect

Top side of the unfinished flower

Make multiples of different sizes and colors.

Remove the stamen from the milliner's flowers and glue into the center of ric rac circle.

Use the finished flowers on ballet flats, hair clips, hair band, or sew onto sweaters or other clothing.

Very cute and so easy to make!

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - Day 3

Pears make such terrific christmas ornaments. 12 days of Christmas, right?

I'm missing the partridge, but I have some gorgeous pears on my Christmas tree.

I've had these ornaments for years and years. I took a painted finishes class - way before the faux finish craze took off - with a friend in the 90s. Seems like a lifetime ago. The instructor's name was Barbara LeBlanc and the name of her business was Three French Hens Farm; apropos, non? Unfortunately, in all of these years, I've never found her work online.

Shortly after the 8-week class concluded, Barbara held a trunk show. Of course all of the students flocked to the room filled with her work. I scooped up three pear ornaments since I'm crazy for Christmas ornaments.

They are simple to make. If you can find whole dried pears or dry them yourself, glue a single gold leaf and gold cord at the stem, and voila, you've got a fab, thrifty ornament. I have not been able to locate whole dried pears on the web, and I'm not sure of the best way to dry them at home (while preserving the color). Sun drying or oven drying? Maybe a dehydrator?

Let me know what you think. I always love to hear from you.

12 Days of Christmas Crafts - Day 2

A few years ago I found myself without a tree skirt. I used burlap for awhile but got bored, so on to something else.

Since I couldn't find anything thrifty and fabulous, I embarked on my own crafty version. I found some gorgeous wool felt in crimson, snowy white and ebony. A tight weave and soft to the touch.

The final skirt features black silhouettes and hand stitching. I confess that I don't know how to use a sewing machine very well, especially anything beyond straight seems. Sad, I know.

It was simple to make. Craft your own compass with a pencil and string and draw circles on red felt and white felt, making sure the two colors have different circumferences. Find some free stencils on the web and trace on black felt. Cut your pieces and stitch away.

Lucy, aka Fattie, our cocker spaniel, decided to stand on the skirt.
I'm so glad I put it on the floor.

The final product:

I still haven't finished decorating the tree so the skirt is patiently waiting to be placed underneath. No point in cleaning up pine needles twice, especially from the felt.

12 Days of Christmas - Crafts & Decorations - Day 1

Welcome to my countdown to Christmas. It's the 12 Days of Christmas x 2! December 1-12 is a parade of simple crafts and decorations, and December 13-24 is a line-up of delicious cookies and treats.

{An interesting note about the 12 Days of Christmas, however, is that it does not refer to the 12 days before Christmas, but rather the 12 days after. It's actually the celebration of the days between Christmas and Epiphany, ending January 6. The evening of January 5, even though it's the 11th day, is known as Twelfth Night, a term immortalized by Shakespeare's comedy of the same name.}

Day 1 - Christmas Ornaments

I have been crazy for Christmas ornaments since I was a kid when my parents, my sister and I stitched up felt Noah's Ark ornaments using blanket stitch. It was so much fun. I wonder if my mom has any of them tucked away?

She's always had the most beautiful tree. The decorations have changed through the years, but the effect is always the same. Absolutely stunning. My sister and I carry on the tradition and decorate our trees to the hilt. The Diva and Roo get into the act, too, hanging as many ornaments as they can.

Some of the ornaments on my 12-foot tree - my biggest EVER!

And the best part is that I'm not even finished putting decorations on the tree yet. The kids and I have more work to do. . .

Can't wait for Day 2. It might include info on hand-stitched felt ornaments.