The Last 12 Months!!!

Hello!! Hello!!

I hope you all had a merry Christmas! We ate wonderful food, made great memories and visited great family and friends.  It was perfect.

Kim and Rhoda are having a Top Projects of 2010 and I am joining in.

As I look back in 2010 I had alot going on.

January

I would say that in January, the most memorable part was meeting my nephew Daniel.  I was there for his delivery and was honored to cut the umbilical cord.

I also had a few home projects going on.

I changed up some old lamps for only a few dollars.


And added some art to my walls.



February

In February we visited with the Big Mouse in Florida.


March

In March , I changed up this small table from Goodwill.


April

By April I had Soccer on my mind and with three kids I was thinking of ways to stay organized.


May

In May I was dreaming of fireplaces.  And I'm still dreaming of them, since I haven't done anything yet.  I'm hoping that in 2011 my fireplace dreams will come true!

June

By June by far the biggest project that we've undertaken started.  We were told it would be 2-3 weeks and it last all summer long.  gaahhh

But it was worth it.


And I got my craft on.


July

July was probably the busiest month for the whole year!

I made some pillows and cushions. 



.


And we were almost finished wth the backyard Oasis.


On the family side, my daughter H who was diagnosed with hearing loss had ear tube surgery and we also celebrated little A.s 4th birthday and my parents visited from Europe.

At the beggining of the month we also adopted Max into our family.  But unfortunately he didn't fit in and by the end of the summer we found a new home for him. 

For some reason I never posted about it (probably because I was heart broken).

We visited him at his new home and he must much much happier there.

August

In August I showed you my Powder Room update.



And how I changed a coffee table into a Console table.



September & October

By September and October I was all about the Fall Decorating.  I love Fall!



November

In November we celebrated two birthdays: S. turned 12 and H. turned 10.

And my 5 minutes of Fame was on the newstands. Of course I'm talking about the Today's Parent Interview.

December

December has been a crazy busy month for us with a whole lot of Snow!

We also celebrated my birthday and Christmas. 

(And then I stopped posting cause I got sick, little A got sick and then I got sick again

and pinched a nerve in my neck.  And it was painful!!)

I'm looking forward to a bunch of new projects, family trips and a whole lotta more memories for 2011.

I'd like to thank all my "followers" on Google Friend connect.  I'm stunned and honored that I'm well over 100 followers.  I thank you and I hope I've made you laugh along the way.

See you in 2011!!!

Bette





Free Product Alert: Free Johnson's Baby Product

Like Johnson's Baby Canada on Facebook  and you will be re-directed to Save.ca to get your coupon.

Hurry it won't last long!!

Strawberry Jam Squares

 With the yucky weather outside (we're on Day 3 of School Shutdown because of Snow storm) I make myself cozy indoors and start the baking.

This recipe came from one of my favourite aunties.  I have great memories of going to her house and eating plateful square after square these.  They are yummy!!

Strawberry Jam Squares

2 cups of white Flour
1 1/2 cups of sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2/3 Crisco Shortening (or any brand you have)
2 eggs
Jam of your choice ( I love Strawberry)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl fork beat the eggs.  Add the dry ingredients.  Cut in the Shortening.

In a prepared 9x13 pan, press into the bottom of 2/3 of mixture, reserving the 1/3 for crumbly top.

Spread the strawberry jam over top (light layer)

Crumble rest of mixture on top and bake in oven for 20 minutes.

Let cool and cut into squares.

These freeze really well.  Perfect for the Christmas season!

Enjoy!!

I'm linking up.

5 Dollar Dinners
Tasty Tuesday
Little Blue Prints : Cookie Exchange
Life as Mom: Ultimate Recipe Exchange
Fingerprints on the Fridge

First Snow Storm of the Season

Today, the compost bin under sink needed to be emptied, and H. volunteered.

Not sure if we will find banana and potatoe peels on the patio once the snow melts.

She was a trooper!  In certain spots it was up to her waist.

 I think it took her about 15 minutes to complete the task.

Thanks H.!

Free Product Alert: Caramilk

Like  Cadbury Caramilk on Facebook and get yourself some F-R-E-E chocolate!!

oh be still my sugaroholic heart!

Menu Planning Monday - Week of Dec 6


The weather outside is frightful! Schools were cancelled today due to a snowstorm over the weekend.
So this week's meal plan is all about bowls and bowls of yummy comforting goodness and the slow cooker is coming out too.

This is what I have planned:

Monday:  Chili (I will double this for the freezer
Tuesday:  Homemade Pasta sauce over Tortellini
Wednesday: Sticky Chicken
Thursday: Beef Stew ( I will double this for the freezer)
Friday: Home made Pizza
Saturday : Hubby's work Children's Christmas party and left overs
Sunday: Roast

If you want any of them of the recipes just let me know.

What do you have planned?

I'm linking up to Org Junkies Meal Plan Monday

Tim Horton's Free Holiday Skating

Two of the best about living in Canada : Tim Horton's and skating have come together.

(just joking... there is soooo much more I love about Canada)

Check out the Tim Horton's Free Holiday Skating Schedule Accross Canada.

It's in our schedule for frugal fun during the holidays.

Thanks for posting on Smart Canucks Milo.

Freebie Alert - 50 free photos at Walmart

Get a new photo account with Walmart Photo Centre online and you will receive 50 free 4x6 pictures.  Perfect for adding Christmas pictures to your cards.  I just ordered mine for pick up tomorrow at the store.


This is for new accounts only (and it might be in Canada only, not 100% sure).  Once you create your account you will notice that you have 50 free in your account.  Upload your pictures and choose the closest store to pick up from.  Super easy!!

Hurry up before the offer is gone!

P.S. - I think you might have to pay tax or something, I'll let you know when I pick them up tomorrow.

Our Pretty Christmas Tree

Hello there!

I finally got my pretty tree up and... prettyfied (is that a word?)

This year we have two Christmas trees in the house.  One for me to pretty up and one for the kids to pretty up.

 Although my little tree is only 6.5 feet tall, I think she's sooo darned pretty.  (Yes she's a girl)

I bought it for $54 at walmart and it went on sale two days later for $49.  I hauled my booty back to the store and showed Customer Services my receipt and they refunded me the difference.

At first I went with all silver & glass theme.  Thankfully I organized everything last January, so that part was easy

Then I added in some gold... for colour.

Some Dollarama Snowflakes add sparkle.

 I bought this silver ball at Michaels a few Boxing Day sales ago.

Another Dollar Store silver and glass ornament.

This pretty glass and silver snowflake was attached to a Christmas gift from a previous employer.

I've had this gold angel for about 12 years now.

 And a really sparkly reindeer...

I love the combo of silver, glass and gold. So purdy! 

 Here she is all lit up during the day, wearing her sparkly jewels and Dollar store cotton skirt. 

And here she is at night.  She is absolutely glowing.

Other than buying the tree, I didn't buy anything else.  All the ornaments are from my collection.

I just big puffy heart love her!

What do you think?

What colour combo did you go with?

I'm linking up to Sarah's party and Hooked on Holiday Houses

Free Holiday Recipes E - book from Lynn's Kitchen Adventures

Head on over to Lynn's Kitchen Adventures to get your Free 23 page e-book copy of

Quick and Easy Recipes.

Blogging Update

So, have you been wondering what happened to me?

I'm still here.

I've had a number of other things that have needed my undivided attention, and I've chosen to focus on those things.

But I'm back now.

Get ready for a whole lot of Christmas posts over the next little while.

Come tonight to see our pretty Christmas tree!

Free Small Coffee at McDonald's (Nov 15th-28th)

source

I consider myself a coffee snob (and by snob I mean I only go to Tim Horton's for my coffee in a paper cup. lol), but after trying the McDonald's coffee today, I have to say it's really really good!

Starting today and until November 28th, McDonalds is giving away free coffee!

So run to McDonalds and get your free small coffee (no purchase necessary).

Today's Parent Interview

Back in the Spring I was interviewed for Today's Parent magazine.



The article is now out in the magazine as well on their website.

Check it out if you have second!

I'm famous!! lol

My little girl is 10

Today H., officially hits her double digits birthday.

"10"

You are a fighter.

You were fighting, even before you were born.

No matter, what illness or struggle you have been handed

you have managed to come out stronger.

Only when you are in serious pain do you ever complain!



(trying to be cross-eyed)



You are witty and hilarious.

Much to my chagrin at times, you see the laughter in every situation.

I remember walking in to your hospital room for one of your early stays,

and you were excited that the nurse "had made your arm bigger

with a big bandage and needle in your hand".

You are creative and intelligent.

For nine years you managed to disguise that you were hearing impared.

(I'm still amazed by this fact)

You are my little helper.

When the cook books come out, you are right beside me.

(especially the cookie ones :-))

(Now if only you could keep your room clean)

You are my smiling face.

Through all of your health struggles, hospital stays and surgeries,

you always have a smile on your face.

You are my little fashionista.

Since the age of 4 you have had your own fashion sense

 when you declared that you would no longer wear blue, green,

grey or black because they were boys colours.

(...you are going to be an expensive teenager)

( ...and yes, 10 year old girls can still wear pink & purple)

You are my beautiful 10 year old little girl.

Love you forever H.!!

My Big Girl Is 12!!

I can't believe how time has flown.

Seems like only yesterday I was waddling around wearing Birkenstocks slip-ons cause my feet were too swolen for anythin else.

S., you make it sooo easy to be your mom!

Your kind, generous, thoughtful, funny, and smart.

I love the way you get excited about the smallest things.

I love that you are innocent and all grown up all in one.

I love that you care about your family, and your pets.

I love that although you are my Big Girl you will always be my baby girl!.

Love you to the moon and back!

MOM