Fun gifts

Did everyone have a nice Christmas? Has anyone started shopping for next year yet? I always think it is a good idea, but rarely do it. Although, after finding this site, I may do it this year.

Every year for Christmas I buy my sister Christmas themed socks. She must have a couple dozen pair by now. Some people really like to get into the Christmas spirit by wearing Christmas or winter themed things like snowman socks or reindeer sweatshirts. If you are one of these people, you will LOVE these! Holiday frames! Can you image?

They come with snowflakes, snowmen, candles, stockings, winter scenes with sleighs, and ice skating…all on various color frames! And all at ridiculously low prices. You could buy a bunch to match several different outfits! If you are into that kind of thing that is.

I think a pair with stockings on them would be a great gift for my sister, and my son would love the camouflage ones.

I personally like these the best.

The frame is clear and red and has red and white poinsettias on the arms. Very cute! Heck, there are even a nice green pair with a winter forest scene that aren't too cutesy that I could get for my husband.

What I have been up to...

Can you guess what I am making?

My messy sewing table...

Fabric and pattern piecesCut fabric

First completed piece

Here is a clue - my Sister D is returning to school next week (for the first time in 30 some odd years!).

I am making this for her. What was I thinking?! I have only worked from a pattern a couple times before. And this pattern is not one of those marked EASY either.

She asked me to make it only a few days before Christmas...so it will be a late Christmas gift.

Stay tuned - more pics as I progress.

Christmas day review

I know it is a little late but I have been busy :)

Here are a few pictures I took Christmas day of the kiddo.

(Note this is our front room, we don't have furniture in here yet...we use our family room most of the time but the tree wouldn't fit in there.)

Christmas Tour of Homes

I got a late start on decorating this year. But finally...here we go.

Our front door(s)...come on in!

Tree not yet decorated

Closeup of decorated tree

Angel atop the tree

Closeup of ornament

Decorated tree with mess

Fireplace in family room

My lil reindeer

Fireplace in front room

Bows on the corners of all doorways

Candle on end table

Glass bowl of ornaments

Hall table

Photos - Snow, puppy, sewing and party

This is a mish-mash post of photos - a bit o everything over the last week or so.

Going to DH's work Christmas party - we had J take our picture.

He was a little shaky with the first one.

Then I think I was talking in the 2nd.

Getting better but DH looks grumpy (he actually looks grumpy in all of them!)

Then he decided to turn on the flash.

Then one of just me.

I sewed some Christmas napkins this weekend.

Peanut was spayed on Dec 16th - she was very sleepy when we brought her home.Enough with the pictures, let me sleep already

We got a fair bit of snow on Friday
Buses were canceled so J stayed home
View from the front door.

View from the back door.J & Peanut decided to venture outside.She started to shiverOk I want in now

Please put the camera down and open the door!Kodi's turn - he's not afraid of snow!

Nope - not afraid of snow at all

J & I made a gingerbread house

And on Saturday - we got even more snow

Christmas - getting to know you

Found this on That British Woman's site and thought I would play along.

1.Wrapping paper or gift bags? Paper usually

2. Real tree or Artificial? Real - I love the smell of a real tree.

3. When do you put up the tree? Weekend before Christmas - since it is real, we need it fresh.

4. When do you take the tree down? New Years day

5. Do you like eggnog? Not really. I used to love the eggnog ice cream when I was a kid though.

6. Favourite gift received as a child? Don't remember...maybe my first TV.

7. Hardest person to buy for? Husband...his BD is the 21st so it is twice as hard to find gifts for him (he is also very picky)

8. Easiest person to buy for? My son

9. Do you have a nativity scene? No

10. Mail or email Christmas cards. Neither - I have gotten lazy

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Microwave

12. Favourite Christmas Movie? Its a wonderful life - Jimmy Stewart

13. When do you start shopping? Later and later each year it seems. Only started in Dec this year.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can recall

15. Favourite thing to eat at Christmas? Turtles chocolates, dark fruit cake (yes I know I am weird)

16. Lights on the tree? Of course

17. Favourite Christmas song? Can't choose only one. I really like the Trans-siberian orchestra though.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? Probably?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning. When I was a child we always opened one on Christmas eve and it was always PJs, so we had new jammies for morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? It sneaks up on me and then things get too rushed

23. Favourite ornament theme or color? Red & Gold

24. Favourite for Christmas dinner? Homemade sausage stuffing (my Dad's recipe)

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I really can't think of anything specific. Happiness :)

A few things

I think I am finally finished my Christmas shopping. I picked up the last of the gifts yesterday. My sister and I started out at 9am and got home with aching feet at 3:30pm.

Now I have to finish decorating the house and then get to wrapping.

Peanut is in getting spayed today. DH will be bringing her home after work. Poor puppy.

My DH's work Christmas party was Saturday night. It was held at a Ukrainian hall. While I didn't over eat, the fare wasn't what you would consider low-fat. And the only veggie in sight was some bagged salad (yes bagged!) drowned in Italian dressing. Plus the drinks I had won't help my weight loss any. I think this week is a wash. We will see for sure tomorrow night.

Some recipe sites with WW points (or just lowfat)

Gina's Weight Watcher's Recipes - Tons of really yummy looking recipes that won't make you fat. I think I am going to try the Banana bread soon, as I have a bunch taking up space in my freezer.

Diet recipes Blog - Where all the recipes are less than 200 calories per serving. It also has great pictures. I plan to try the Greek Shrimp recipe.

Halfmysize.com - Lots of recipes. I want to try the Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas.

Anita Renfroe - Before I Eat

Weight Watchers

At my weigh in tonight I was up 0.8 lbs. I lose one week and gain the next. I am down a total of 7lbs.

At tonight's meeting a new Weight Watcher's plan was announced. It is called The Momentum Plan.

They have kind of combined the Flex Points and the Core Plan. I was doing Core because I didn't have to track points (which I hate). Now on this new plan, I have to track points...blah.

Tonight I worked out a sample day menu to see how I would use my points. Based on my weight and a few other factors, I am allowed 30 points per day.

Breakfast------------------------------Points
Coffee---------------------------------0
Sugar 2tsp ----------------------------1
Milk 1/4 C ----------------------------1
Whole egg ----------------------------2
3 Egg whites---------------------------1
PAM spray----------------------------0
3 slices ham bacon---------------------1
sliced tomato--------------------------0
1 Slice whole wheat toast--------------2
1 Tsp light margarine------------------1
_______________________________
9

Lunch
Broccoli soup (non-cream, non-fat)-----2
Celery 2 ribs---------------------------0
Laughing Cow Cheese Lite wedge------1
Lettuce salad--------------------------0
Eastside Mario's dressing 1Tbsp-------2
Tuna (water-packed) 1/4 C ----------1.5
_______________________________
6.5

Dinner
Chicken breast------------------------3
Salsa 1/2 C --------------------------0
Lentils 1/2 C--------------------------2
Brown rice 1/2 C ----------------------2
Lettuce salad--------------------------0
Eastside Mario's dressing 1T ----------2
Asparagus or broccoli 1C --------------0
_______________________________
9

Snacks
micro popcorn light (5 C)------------1
2 clementines--------------------------1
tea w/1T honey & milk---------------2
Banana----------------------------------2
________________________________
6

Grand total of 30.5 points for the day and that certainly seems like a LOT of food.

I also get an extra 35 points per week to use on anything I like. A couple drinks or desserts maybe.

The only problem I see is that I will soon tire of the same food and I will have to check out the points for a whole bunch of new foods - did I mention I hate having to keep track :)

Can you guess what this is?...

Scroll waaaaay down.....

























Its a Peanut inside my sweater (so I can still type), as she insists on being held ALL the time!




And this is how we have to dress her up because she doesn't much care for the snow and cold.