Saturday Songs That Make US Sing! Christmas Caroling Blog Hop Week #1...

I LOVE CHRISTMAS...  

I LOVE TO SING... 

Above all...I LOVE TO SING CHRISTMAS CAROLS!!!!!

Becca, from Because I'm the Mommy and I are throwing our 2nd Annual Christmas Caroling Blog Hop.  We can't wait to hear your favorite carols this years!!

It's Christmastime and I am feeling all un-ruleie so go ahead and break them if you want but if you happen to be concerned, like I am, about getting on the NAUGHTY list this year here they are...

Here are just a few guidelines:

1. Please Follow the TWO of "Us" (we're so much more than just songs...LOL) If you're a new follower please leave us a comment so we can follow you back!

2. Pick A Song...any song that makes you wanna sing! Old-New-Country-Pop-Punk...anything goes. (Let's try to keep it family friendly if we can...LOL) If you want, tell us why the song makes you wanna SING!

3. Add your link to the "Playlist"

4. We'd REALLY like you to copy the Linky Code (just click on "get the code") in to your post so your blogger buds can join in on the fun or link back to the both of us so they can at least "find" the party, but you don't have to.

5. We'd love to see the video of your song (which can easily be shared via youtube.com) but if you just wanna list your favorite song of the day, we're "cool" with that too!     

Back in 2010, after the kids were born, my mind started racing about all the family traditions I wanted to start.  First on my list in December was to create a Family Favorite Christmas Caroling Book...

So, in honor of my family and all their favorite Christmas Carols, I am going to pick one each week for the next 4 weeks so you can become a little part of our family tradition this holiday season!

This week, I present "The Grandma's" Favorite...

Oh Holy Night!

Happy Caroling Everyone...Come On and Be Festive & Link Up!!

Thank you Pinterest. What a Great Gift...

Ok, so as you all know I am an addict.  I'm addicted to eyeglasses, food AND pinterest.  I have spent a lot some time over the last year pinning tons of ideas but I haven't had the chance to take to task on many of them.  That is until this last week.  I have done 4 projects to give away as gifts this Christmas but I can only share ONE right now.  All the other projects recipients read my blog regularly and I don't want to ruin the surprise.

This project is for Ave & Bryce's grandparents who are not regular users of the Internet and I am not even sure if they know I have a blog?!?!?! So, it a safe bet that they wont be creeping on here and thus blow the kids big surprise for Christmas....LOL!

Here is the Original PIN that inspired me to get crafty with the kids and then Little Fun, Little Learning sent me on my way with a plan-o-action.  I must say, I am extremely happy with how it turned out and I know Grandma & Grandpa will be tickled pink to hang this on their wall, probably year round.

Tip:  We did this in the bathroom so that we could jump in the tub and get all cleaned up.  I hate paint but this helped keep my crafting stress at a manageable level....LMAO!  Do you think it would be too weird to set up a painting craft table IN the tub?  Ya, you right!  It would be.  *sigh*

~Happy Friday Everyone~

Hey!  Don't forget to come back tonight or tomorrow to join in our 2nd Annual Christmas Caroling Blog Hop!!

32 Days of Elf on the Shelf. Meet Tangled & Guy...

So, the day I the kids have been so excited for arrived Sunday evening...our Elf's on the Shelf arrived!!!

Santa sent them all wrapped and addressed to Ave & Bryce...

He even included a letter...

However, the kids were a tad too excited to "listen" to the letter...

When it came time to pick names for their Elf', they had Halloween on the brain....LOL!

Ave named her Elf, Tangled...

Bryce named his Elf, Guy...

Those little Elf's have been BUSY around here for the last 2 days...come back on Monday when I will post all the pictures of the first 7 days of 32 ahead!!

Saturday Songs That Make US Sing? Do you know it's Christmastime?

Well, almost.  33 days and counting until the BIG GUY comes for a fun-filled visit and I am soooo excited.  In the meantime, while we wait for THAT, Becca of Because I'm the Mommy and I are throwing ANOTHER Christmas Caroling Party next month so I am giving you all a "heads up" to come and join the party!!

It's Christmastime (almost) and I am feeling all un-ruleie so go ahead and break them if you want but if you happen to be concerned, like I am, about getting on the NAUGHTY list this year here they are...

Here are just a few guidelines:

1. Please Follow the TWO of "Us" (we're so much more than just songs...LOL) If you're a new follower please leave us a comment so we can follow you back!

2. Pick A Song...any song that makes you wanna sing! Old-New-Country-Pop-Punk...anything goes. (Let's try to keep it family friendly if we can...LOL) If you want, tell us why the song makes you wanna SING!

3. Add your link to the "Playlist"

4. We'd REALLY like you to copy the Linky Code (just click on "get the code") in to your post so your blogger buds can join in on the fun or link back to the both of us so they can at least "find" the party, but you don't have to.

5. We'd love to see the video of your song (which can easily be shared via youtube.com) but if you just wanna list your favorite song of the day, we're "cool" with that too!     

In light of our upcoming...exciting...Christmas Caroling Blog Hop, starting NEXT WEEK on Saturday Dec 1st, I am playing a Christmas song but not "really" a Christmas Carol....LOL!

Fall 'Round These Parts...

I am linking up with Mama Kat for her Pretty Much World Famous Writing Workshop and I am so excited to show you what Fall looks like up here in the North Pole Canada!

Assignment: Picture time! Show us what Fall is looking like in your neck of the woods! 

Ya, so as I said above we live in the North Pole Canada.  Calgary, Alberta, Canada to be exact. And to be honest we don't get much of a Fall up here and when we do (end of August to middle of September) it's like, the end of Summer everywhere else...LMAO!

I will let the pictures do the "talking" because you know what they say, "a picture says a thousand words" and these pics are saying....

...I can't wait for retirement to get the hell out of the deep freeze we call Fall!!

Happy Winter Fall Everyone!

Get your inspiration on over at Mama's

Wordless, Wordful or Whatever Wednesday Link Up! Oh Christmas Tree...

Before you think you've clicked on LAST YEARS Christmas post...let me assure you that YOU.HAVE.NOT!

 I know that my friends to the South of me are only JUST celebrating Thanksgiving but up here at the North Pole in Canada, we are already on to Ho...Ho...Ho...Day! (Well, SOME of us are.  The die hards!)

On Monday, the kids and I put the Christmas tree up and had a little decorating party!  They had a total blast!

 They need a little work on learning to spread out the decorations a little more BUT for those of you who know me well, you KNOW it was a huge step for me to even let them help decorate my the tree...LMAO!

BTW, Happy Thanksgiving To All You Late Celebrators American Folks!!

Come on and link up...I would love to see your Wednesday post!

As requested...32 Days of Elf on the Shelf Ideas!

What the heck is Elf on the Shelf?  You can read all about that HERE & HERE!  Now that we are all up to "speed" on the whole Elf on the Shelf thingie...

Over the last year I have spent a copious some time on Pinterest collecting a variety of Elf on the Shelf ideas.    Last week, I finally got around to taking a peek at my pins and have compiled a list of what our little elves will be up too this holiday season in our home.

The Elves will be arriving from the North Pole this Sunday I am so super-stoked and I know the kids will be excited.  They've been watching the Elf on the Shelf movie since Nov 1st and I have been totally brainwashing them into wanting one they have been asking for one so, when they arrive I am sure they will pee their pants...hopefully not literally...LMAO!

One thing I have learned through many other wise parents is the importance of having a rough plan on what the Elves will be "doing" each morning as there is nothing more devastating for the children to wake up and see that Elfie hasn't moved an inch and there by didn't make the trip back to Santa OR how frustrating and inconvenient it is to be almost asleep only to realize you haven't "sent the Elf back to the North Pole" and to have to jump outta bed and come up with some uncreative, spontaneous spot for the damn cute things.

So, without further delay, here is my "tentative" list for the 32 days the Elves will be gracing us with their presence.  I plan to follow it as closely as possible but you know what they say about the best laid plans...

Stay tuned for full Elf on the Shelf pictorials on Mondays for the next few weeks!

32 Days of Elf on the Shelf

Year #1 2012

Nov 24^th- Elves will arrive from Santa, wrapped especially for each of them.  They are named and POOF the magic begins!

Nov 25^th- Elves will deliver decorated mini Christmas trees to kid’s rooms in the morning

Nov 26^th- Elves will fly around the room attached with fishing line in the living room

Nov 27^th- Elves will be reading new Christmas books on top of the TV

Nov 28^th- Elves will hide under glasses on the table during breakfast

Nov 29^th- Elves will be in the freezer (signs/elves foot prints to point the kids there) with a snowman

Nov 30^th- Elves will be in playroom building a LEGO castle

Dec 1^st- Elves will leave a bag of jellybeans and tell kids to “plant” them in provided flower pots today to see what “grows” tomorrow

Dec 2^nd- Large lollipops have “grown” where jellybeans were “planted” & Elves “look” impressed!

Dec 3^rd- Elves fishing out of the toilet with blue food coloring and goldfish in bowl

Dec 4^th- Elves hold a sign that tells the kids to go look in the mirror and they will be holding a paintbrush with red paint on it. (Paint kids noses red at night/early morning)

Dec 5^th- Elves will toilet paper the tree and hang from it

Dec 6^th- Elves will be roasting marshmallows over a tea light on kitchen table.

Dec 7^th- Elves will have hang snowflakes all over the house for the Christmas party today

Dec 8^th- Elves will have drawn a funny picture with dry-erase marker on their picture in the living room

Dec 9^th- Elves will have done snow angles with sugar on the kitchen counter

Dec 10^th- Elves will leave a message written in lipstick on the front entrance mirrors

Dec 11^th- Elves will be ziplinning from cupboard to cupboard in the kitchen

Dec 12^th- Elves will have crepe-papered their playroom entrance.

Dec 13^th- Elves will be having a “snowball” fight with cotton balls

Dec 14^th- Elves will be hanging outside windows in the living room

Dec 15^th- Elves will be hanging inside their stockings with a special not from Santa come see them at the TTMAC party this afternoon

Dec 16^th- Elves will hang the kid’s underwear across the arches in the playroom

Dec 18^th- Elves will draw a portrait of the kids and have them framed for a keepsake

Dec 19^th- Elves will have over consume a bowl of candies and warn against this

Dec 20^th- Elves will be having a marshmallow bath in the sink upstairs

Dec 21^st- Elves will be having a “Christmas morning” with some of their toys and tell them to be prepared for their own Christmas morning with family tomorrow

Dec 22^nd - Elves will have birthday presents ready to go for a birthday party the next day with paper everywhere and tape all over the place.

Dec 23^rd - Elves will be lounging on the “beach” (brown sugar, paper lawn chairs, paper umbrellas, shells) with a note that tells them they are off to Florida tomorrow and that they will see them there!!

Dec 24^th- When we arrive in Florida…Elves will be in their rooms with a special “welcome letter and gift” reminding them that they go wherever they go!!

Dec 25^th- Elves will serve a special Christmas breakfast to say “good-bye” and the kids will be allowed to touch them to give them a hug bye-bye…until next Christmas or until they are bad…LMAO!

Happy Elf-ing Everyone!!

Songs That Make US Sing Saturday Blog Hop! Happy Birthday...

...to my Bestie Becca & Me Too!

So go get your dancing shoes on and those singing voices ready because ME, Ginger of Just Another Mom of Twins and Becca of Because I'm the Mommy are hosting "Songs That Make Us Sing Saturday Blog Hop!!"  Come On Link Up...

Here are just a few guidelines:

1. Please Follow the TWO of "Us" (we're so much more than just songs...LOL) If you're a new follower please leave us a comment so we can follow you back!

2. Pick A Song...any song that makes you wanna sing! Old-New-Country-Pop-Punk...anything goes. (Let's try to keep it family friendly if we can...LOL) If you want, tell us why the song makes you wanna SING!

3. Add your link to the "Playlist"

4. We'd REALLY like you to copy the Linky Code (just click on "get the code") in to your post so your blogger buds can join in on the fun or link back to the both of us so they can at least "find" the party, but you don't have to.

5. We'd love to see the video of your song (which can easily be shared via youtube.com) but if you just wanna list your favorite song of the day, we're "cool" with that too!     

If you've been 'round these parts for awhile now, you know Becca & I have become best buds.  Like. For. Real.  We Skype on a regular basis and I know if I ever needed her, she'd be there for me...as I would for her.  And so, I am playing a really sappy meaningful song that I know will make her totally uncomfortable feel super special on her Birthday weekend!

Happy Birthday My Friend, May This Be The BEST Year Yet!

Ok, so I couldn't JUST play a sappy meaningful song...I also have to play a really FUN song too!  You see, I totally think that her and I would have been besties throughout school and would have ROCKED this song in elementary (whipping our hair and all) and put all those "Haters" in their place. Oh. Yes. We. Would. Have.  LMAO!!

5 Things That Bring Me Comfort.

I am linking up with Mama Kat for her Pretty Much World famous Writing Workshop to try and ignite my creative writing juices this week since I've been somewhat uninspired these days. *sigh*

Assignment:  List 5 Things That Bring You Comfort.

Let see.  Hmmmm.  Come on Ginger...what brings you comfort?  This shouldn't be so hard to come up with.  What on earth brings you comfort when you need a little TLC?!?!?!

I've got it.  I think...

#1 HUGS- Have you ever seen those people on the streets of your city/town that give away hugs?  Ya, NOT those kinda hugs.  Those kinda hugs creep me out and make me really, R.E.A.L.L.Y. uncomfortable.  I like hugs from Daddy Dave and my kids.  Having their arms wrapped tightly around, or as much "around" as they can get for little arms...those kinda hugs bring me comfort.

 #2 HOT DRINKS-  Coffee, hot chocolate, lattes & tea.  Depending on what kinda comfort I am in need of, it could include some Kahlua or Bailey's as well.

#3 FOOD-  I'm not super particular on this one.  Could be salty.  Could be sweet.  Might be a balanced combination of both.  Again, depending on my "comfort need" at any given time, dictates what food I will consume.  It's also a source of comfort that I have been battling my entire life.  Hence my F.A.T Friday segments and lack there of more recently.  Damn.

#4 PRIME TIME TV-  Pathetic.  I know.  But it truly provides me with a strong sense of comfort to watch some trashy reality TV show and know that my life is not 1/2 as pathetic as I might sometimes think it is.  LMAO!  It also provides me the needed "educational" training in the event zombies take over the world and I can't think of anything more comforting than knowing that crossbows and/or machetes are more effective in combating the undead than a .350 magnum.  I'm just saying...

#5 SOCIAL MEDIA- Facebook, blogging & pinterest.  Creeping others lives and realizing I don't have it so bad, expressing myself freely without judgement (or at least being able to "delete" someones comment if I don't like what they are saying) & knowing I'm not the only one with "addiction" issues.  Comforting, Comforting & COMFORTING!  Enuff said.

I don't want to jinx myself but I think I might be BACK on the writing train now....LOL!

Need Some Kick-Start Inspiration?  Go Visit Mama!

Wordless, Wordful or Whatever Wednesday Link Up! Yes. Yes we do have football up here in Canada...

Daddy Dave & Gramps have decided to place a "friendly wager" on the upcoming Grey Cup (Canada's version of the Superbowl).  The Kids & I were responsible for drawing who would have which team for each quarter of the game... for some fancy-schmancy "wager system" that I don't understand.   

Anywho, we couldn't just draw the teams and be done with "it"!  Nope.  We had to get "creative"...

Ave is TEAM DADDY

BRYCE is TEAM GRAMPS

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter (Bryce was now loosing interest)

4th Quarter

(Bryce disappeared! Team Gramps has East, as pinned to the fridge in lieu of Bryce holding the sign because he refused to take the final picture...hope that’s not an indication of how the game goes for you Gramps...hahahaha)

GOOD LUCK Daddy & Gramps!!

What's got you wordless, wordful or whatever this Wednesday??  Link On Up...

BACON. Mama loves..

I haven't had a lot of "inspiration" running through my veins these days.  Hence the lack of post but leave it me to let "PIG MEAT" get those creative greasy juices flowing...LMAO!

I am linking up with Julie over at Pontifications of a Twin Mom for her awesome Mama Loves segment.

And this week, I am lovin' me some BACON!  It's not something I keep in the house or purchase on a regular basis.  For SEVERAL reasons:

• It's soooo expensive
• It's sooooooo not good for you
• It's soooooooooo delicious that a pound is eaten in less than one sitting 'round these parts
• It's sooooooooooooo messy to cook and clean up!!!

 BUT NOT ANYMORE...NOPE! (the messy cooking and cleaning up part, all other points still apply)  Baking bacon in the oven.  Yup.  That's what I am lovin' these days.  It's simple and easy and so NOT messy.  This has got to be one of the best kept secrets (or at least from moi) and I am blowing the lid off  "it".  After all, this world needs more bacon consumers or at least more bacon consumers that don't shy away from eating said pig because of the total mess it causes by frying it up.  Not to mention the deep rooted fear that the grease will somehow magically fly onto something completely combustible and blow up my house.  Breath Ginger.  Breath.  It's only a "possible" scenario, not a fact. LOL!

You see, I NEVER fancied the traditional "frying" (see my "house bursting into flames" rant above) method and I can't seem to get the "microwave with paper towels" method that my mothers swears by, down pat.  I either under cook it and that's just plain gross or I over cook it and it burns to the paper towel and well that's a huge waste of money and an even huge-er disappointment.

I can't recall where I "heard" of the oven cooking method and/or who enlightened me and while I would like to take credit for this "invention", I know I am not the only one who does this so I'd look like an a$$ if I tried to convince you that I "made up this super-fan-tab-ulous, easy peasy, no mess, no fuss" method of cooking bacon but if you want to give me credit for passing on the "secret"...I'll take it.  I've got no shame.

Cooking Bacon In The Oven A Step-By Step Guide

(not because I think you can't figure it out on your own BUT because I think I have "perfected" the process)

1.  Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Cover a 9x13 pan with two pieces of tin foil and then an ADDITIONAL piece to fit snugly inside the pan. **do not use cheap tin foil**

2. Lay one pound of bacon in the tin foil covered pan.  It doesn't matter if they overlap or are on top of one another.

3.  Place in oven.  After 10 minutes be sure to move the bacon around so that they do not cook stuck together.

4. After another 10 minutes, give the bacon another "shake up"

5. After about 30 minutes you've got yummy, crispy cooked bacon.

6.  Allow pan to "cool" with bacon drippings then roll foil up and toss in the garbage...NO MUSS...NO FUSS!!  Awesome!

Yup!  For better or worse, Mama is lovin' bacon but will try her hardest not make it too often now that the "secret" to cooking it mess free has been discovered!  Try. My. Hardest.

What are you lovin'?  Go Link Up!

Songs That Make US Sing Saturday! Remembering...

Sunday is a day to remember.  Remember all the men & women who have help defend our country and ultimately, our freedom.  So...

Go get your dancing shoes on and those singing voices ready because ME, Ginger of Just Another Mom of Twins and Becca of Because I'm the Mommy are hosting "Songs That Make Us Sing Saturday Blog Hop!!"  Come On Link Up...

Here are just a few guidelines:

1. Please Follow the TWO of "Us" (we're so much more than just songs...LOL) If you're a new follower please leave us a comment so we can follow you back!

2. Pick A Song...any song that makes you wanna sing! Old-New-Country-Pop-Punk...anything goes. (Let's try to keep it family friendly if we can...LOL) If you want, tell us why the song makes you wanna SING!

3. Add your link to the "Playlist"

4. We'd REALLY like you to copy the Linky Code (just click on "get the code") in to your post so your blogger buds can join in on the fun or link back to the both of us so they can at least "find" the party, but you don't have to.

5. We'd love to see the video of your song (which can easily be shared via youtube.com) but if you just wanna list your favorite song of the day, we're "cool" with that too!     

Lest We Forget

Saturday Songs That Make US Sing Linky Party! Mom is always right...

It's one week before my mom's Birthday and I am playing a little song she use to call the "Cupid Shuffle" but through "peer pressure" (yes, it never ends apparently), she started calling it the "Cuban Shuffle".  Sadly, it cost her $20.00....

Go get your dancing shoes on and those singing voices ready because ME, Ginger of Just Another Mom of Twins and Becca of Because I'm the Mommy are hosting "Songs That Make Us Sing Saturday Blog Hop!!"  Come On Link Up...

Here are just a few guidelines:

1. Please Follow the TWO of "Us" (we're so much more than just songs...LOL) If you're a new follower please leave us a comment so we can follow you back!

2. Pick A Song...any song that makes you wanna sing! Old-New-Country-Pop-Punk...anything goes. (Let's try to keep it family friendly if we can...LOL) If you want, tell us why the song makes you wanna SING!

3. Add your link to the "Playlist"

4. We'd REALLY like you to copy the Linky Code (just click on "get the code") in to your post so your blogger buds can join in on the fun or link back to the both of us so they can at least "find" the party, but you don't have to.

5. We'd love to see the video of your song (which can easily be shared via youtube.com) but if you just wanna list your favorite song of the day, we're "cool" with that too!     

Because IT IS your Birthday week mom, I've decided to "gift" you the $20 smackers you owe me regarding the name of THIS song (We had a little freindly wager on the name of this song and sadly, she lost...not to rub it in or anything!).

One of the first lessons I learned as a kid was, "Mom is always right!" so why oh why did you doubt yourself on this one?  LOL!  I guess it all worked out since I AM a mom now and yup!  I was RIGHT?!?!?!  LMAO! (again, not to rub it in)

Have fun dancing the CUPID SHUFFLE with all your friends at BEM in just over 1 weeks time!!

Happy Birthday Mommy!!

xoxoxo