Wednesday, November 25, 2009

UPDATED: ****NEW***Giveaway Winner!

Ok, the first winner was given over 48 hours to contact me, and didn't. 

So, let's draw another one, shall we?

Again to random.org....#26!


You have 24 hours to contact me at
letsgotothehops (at) yahoo (dot) com

**********************************************************
I'm so excited!  It's time to announce the winner! 

Thanks for participating, everyone.
I've been able to meet many new friends through this giveaway- this is too cool.






Thanks everyone!

Stay tuned, another giveaway coming up soon.  These are just too much fun!

Monday, November 23, 2009

Not Me! Monday



Ahhh, the weekly therapy session begins.


I am not bribing my toddler to be still with one of Dave's "little debbie" snacks (generic version, of course).  I would never bribe my toddler, first of all.  And second, I would NEVER dangle the carrot of void-of-all nutrient-sugar-dense junk food.  I only blog when the timing is appropriate, and never during play time.  I am always diligent to fill my little toddler's tummy with only things that are good for him.

I am not a procrastinator.  I would never procrastinate my work load leaving my husband to take care of the boys for 5 hours on Sunday just so I could meet my daily goal.  Nope!  Not me!  I am a wise consumer of my time, and always on top of my work load.  I would never stick my husband with two cabin-fevered boys on a Sunday afternoon....and especially not on the afternoon of this birthday.  Whoa, no!  Not me!  Birthdays here are national holidays, and are meant to be observed all week long.

Speaking of my husband's birthday, I did not wish him a Happy Birthday on my facebook status...a day early.  I always am aware of the date, and would never mess up the actual day of his birthday.  He did not call me that day- to which I did not greet him with a "Happy Birthday, mister!"  And if I did greet him that way (which I didn't...but you know, if I did), he did not reply, "ahhhh.....yeah....tomorrow...."  Not Me!  I am the best, most up-to-date wife in the world.  I certainly know which day my husband's birthday falls on every year.

Speaking of date-challenged, I did not send out my niece and nephew's birthday cards late.  Definately not really, really late.  Certainly not three weeks late.  I did not misplace Emily's birthday card in Colin's clutches, and he did not hide it from me...and proceed to tear it apart.  I did not have to make her a new one, and send it out three weeks late.  And since her brother's birthday was that same week, I did not purposely hold onto his card - for another two weeks just so the two would not arrive together.  I am the greatest aunt in the world!  I always put my niece and nephews at the forefront of my mind, and would never put their birthday cards in the clutches of my toddler- who has proven time and time again that he cannot be trusted with paper products.

Whew.  That's a weight off my back.  Click here to see everyone else's therapy this week.

Have a good one, everyone!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Five Question Friday

My Little Life


Ok friends, I love these questions for this week! And since I have exactly 3 hours left to participate, I'd better get to it!
1. Are you a Black Friday shopper?   YES!  Well, I used to be...before kids.  Actually, I try hard to stay home, but end up venturing out anyway.  But, I haven't been out at 4 am since I was 38 weeks pregnant with my first (he was born on Dec. 12).  Here's the thing for me- I am a gift giver.  It's one of my love languages.  (yeah, took me about 32 years to actually realize that!).  I have a VERY limited Christmas budget.  So, when something I could NEVER afford is more than within my price range on Black Friday...well, you betcha I'm up and at 'em!


2. What was your favorite childhood toy? (Think Easy Bake Oven, Cabbage Patch Kid, Shrinky Dinks, etc.)  Ok, ok...I'd have to say my Cabbage Patch Kid.  I got her when they were super popular.  Her name was Leonora Cicily.  Who the heck named those things?

3. Favorite Christmas movie? I have two on constant rotation throughout the holidays (also depends on if the kids are awake!)  The Christmas Story and National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  I need to bust those puppies out next week!  I can't wait!



4. What is the "must have" item on your Christmas list this year?
let's see, flooring, paint, furniture, carpeting, plumbing, kitchen sink....

No, really-


5. Do you go all out with decorations or do you keep it simple and classy?

I used to go all out.  I have a lot of Christmas decorations in storage in the rafters.  I've found a style of decoration that I love (can't think of it at the moment...perhaps I don't love them as much as I thought?)  I think it's called Willie Rae collection.  I'll take pics when they come out.  But with kids in the house, not sure if they're don the shelves this year or not.  Time will tell!  Heck, I'm not even sure where we'll put the Christmas tree this year.  Where did we put it last year?  Yeah...look here.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

The MOST FUN and DELICIOUS Thanksgiving Dessert


I'm not sure about you, but as a child I didn't like pumpkin pie.  I didn't even like the flavor of crust....I'd load that bad boy up with whipped cream, take it back to my seat, eat the cream off the top and leave the pie to sit.
  I know, I know....what was WRONG with me?!?!?

Anyway, a few years ago, my mom discovered this little gem
(she teaches kindergarten)




Where were these when I was little?!?!?

And they are as delicious as they are cute!

For each turkey, you'll need:

  • a chocolate covered cherry,


  • two chocolate cookies (I used Anna's brand.  Chocolate Mint)


  • Chocolate frosting


  • 3 candy corn (this one is carmel apple flavor- that's why its red but reg.. looks just as cute)

Once you have them all at your disposal, start sticking them together with the frosting!
I start by attaching the cherry to the "tail feathers"  The cherry actually sits on its side when the turkey is complete.  Then I put them on the base cookie.  Then the head.  Then I cut the last 2 candy corn in half and put the small ends in front for feet.  Don't make these more than a day in advance.  The cookies start to go stale the minute you open the sleve.


Enjoy!







Monday, November 16, 2009

Awesome Giveaway!

If you remember my post from a week ago, you'll remember that I won an awesome necklace.





Well, Emily from Magpie Designz has graciously offered to sponsor a giveaway on this blog! I'm really excited since I love love love all her designs, and think its really awesome that I can share them with one of you!

Emily also asked me to relay the fact that she's now taking orders for Christmas- up through Nov. 25. What an awesome Christmas present!





Wanna see it?!?!?









I love it!!! I'm so excited to share it with you!




Ok, here's how to enter: (leave one comment for each entry)

  • leave a comment, any old comment will do (I reserve the right to delete any comment with profanity)
  • become a follower of my blog
  • write about it on your blog and link back to mine
  • Go check out Magpie Designz etsy page and leave a comment telling me the name of your favorite necklace.


The giveaway expires one week from today- November 23.

Good luck!

Not Me! Monday

Hey friends, I have a big giveaway to be posted tonight, so please come back later for your chance to win!


Ahhh, Not me! Monday...I enjoy it. So much cheaper than therapy! For more therapy, you can check out this site. There may or may not be others that are posting as well.
I am not already scouring over Black Friday ads trying to devise my "plan of attack." Gift giving is not one of my love languages. I do not get any sort of adrenaline rush from finding awesome deals.
I have not rebelled a little while my husband was away at deer camp. I did not go on vacation from cleaning and dishes- only to realize that it all needed to be done before he came home anyway. I did not, then, decide that I wouldn't cook- so we wouldn't dirty any dishes. We (read: I- since I'm the only adult here) have not made some poor food choices. Nope! I am always completely aware of mine and Adam's dietary restrictions and always stay within the boundaries. Boundaries were not made to be broken.
We did not go to a pet store to grab- yet another- snail for our frog cube. There was not an adoption drive that day from the humane society. I did not almost leave with another dog. I did not completely fall in love with a dog named...wait for it...Sandy. The boys did not attach themselves to her ultra soft fur. She would not have gotten along splendidly with Molly. I do not really really really want another dog. I will not be trying to talk my parents (Hi MOM!) into getting another dog this winter...preferably one named Sandy...because I do not totally love her. (By the way, mom, she's totally trained and looks a lot like Belle! And she's great with your grandsons!!! She gave us kisses and cuddled, and she didn't bark a bit. Her foster mom said that she's totally calm and would keep her if she could! Have I mentioned that your daughter loves her?)
I am not totally jonesing to get my Cricut machine out. I am not trying to come up with gift ideas that will give me an excuse to bust the puppy out. I did not watch the Cricut infomercial twice this weekend (while folding laundry) looking for inspiration. I am not totally headed to Joann's and Michael's today with coupons in hand.
Ok, I'm off to spend time with the toddler and read some books. Enjoy the week, everyone!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

I'm in love

With a chair.


and my husband, of course.