This New Years....

Many people look forward 

to the new year

 for a new start on old habits.  

~Author Unknown

~I am working this evening~

(boo)

but with this Resolution generator

I won't have to worry

about coming up with one

(via)

Getting Crafty

*I made this for my mom*

thanks boyfriend for modeling

You can't pick your family.....

Lucky for me

I have the best family ever

this Christmas involved:

                    1. Playing a Naughty Santa Ornament Game

                    2. Having a fabulous family dinner (not at the kids table)

                    3. Rice Krispie House contest

                          *complete with icing moustaches*

                    4. Pitchers of Red Rooster

                    5. Jersey Shore Hair Party

                    6. Sparklers!

"You don't choose your family.

They are Gods gift to you.

As you are to them. "

- Desmond Tutu

Lizard love

So our porch is home to many creatures

the cat who suns on my welcome mat

a large spider that is not welcome

and a very persistent lizard

he slips under the glass door

and the boyfriend has to escort him out

they have become kinda close

He is sorta cute

Microwave Caramels

Candy Making is no joke

thermometers and recrystallization fears

thats why I use the microwave

~it's a steady heat ~

and makes things so crazy easy

Microwave Caramels 

(this is not health food)

all I do to make these treats is:

1. Throw everything except vanilla in a bowl (heat safe)

2. Microwave until everything is combined - around 3 minutes

3. Don't be nervous as you watch the butter sink into the sugars

like the Titanic sank into the ocean

4. Give it a good stir  -  (use pot holders- it's hot)

5. Keep microwaving until it bubbles and deepens color (like 8 minutes)

you can also drip some of the resulting caramel

into a cup of cold water to see if it beads up

6. Stir in vanilla

7. Pour lovely rich caramel into a parchment lined 9x9 pan

8. Chill

9. Cut up and enjoy

I dip mine in Dark Chocolate and sprinkle with salt

*its good just as it is though*

You can use all white sugar

it takes a few minutes longer

~but the flavor is a bit deeper I think~

*recipe adapted from here*

2009 through the eyes of Facebook

So I love some Facebook

~sadly ~

It might be the first

and the last thing

I do in a day

So I was excited to find

"My Year in Status" application

here's what mine looks like

It's a great way to chronicle the year

Found.

I love Christmas treats

my kitchen currently has a fine layer

of powdered sugar all over it

~check out this savory treat~

*for a very lucky boy or girl*

(via)

This Bento Box

from Serious Eats

makes me want a sausage reindeer

~right now~