mamasaysmine

I’ve spent the last few days reflecting on the commercial side of Christmas.  With kids, everyone (myself included) loves seeing them open presents.  But, what do you do when there are so many presents that it’s overwhelming for everyone involved?  (I come from a big family, so even though everyone gets Eva just one gift, that’s still a lot of presents.)

What got me started on this is the fact that my dad got all of the grandkids $3 red cowboy hats for Christmas, and really, after those were opened, they didn’t care about anything else.

So I’ve been thinking of ways that everyone can have fun shopping and gifting but we can make the presents more manageable.

I read on some blog (really, internet, I wish that I could remember where so I could give proper credit) about a family tradition of giving three things:  something to wear, something to play with and something to read.  How awesome is that?  My plan for next year is to have an overall theme (maybe dress-up?) for family to buy “play” gifts.  For any “wear” gifts, I’ll do things Eva loves like necklaces and bows, and we can always come up with more books.  (I could even shop for a fabulous new bookcase to put all the books in.) 

And, if all else fails, I’ll pray that my dad has a few extra red cowboy hats laying around.

Ouch.  The traditional Christmas flu hit me hard this past week and I am just getting around to plugging the numbers into the random number generator.  Finally, we have a winner!

#9, Stacie - I’ll give you a full week to respond to my email, in case you’re still traveling (or simply having a really rockin’ New Years Eve).  Congratulations!

And, I have to say, thank you for all of the wonderful comments on what you like - I’ve got lots of great ideas and really needed the bloggy love after being sick for Christmas.

I had all of these great post-Christmas posts about bargain hunting, but by the time I ventured out today, most of the good stuff has been picked over.  I’m planning another jaunt on New Year’s Day, as that’s when lots of stuff gets marked down to 75% off.  I also need to hit the craft store.  Here’s my list for those who are interested (or simply overwhelmed by the after-Christmas madness and can’t think straight in the stores.  Really, that’s me, so I’m kind of writing this for my own selfish benefit).

I’m looking for:

• Things with hearts (ornaments etc.) that I can use in my craft class for Valentine’s Day.
• Foam projects for next year - I like the kits, but am not willing to shell out full price.  I think Hurricane Eva will be into this for next year.
• Any paper, bows etc. in the “non-traditional” colors or metallics - I’ll use these for birthday presents throughout the year.
• A gingerbread house for next year.  Or maybe even later this year.  If we aren’t going to eat the gingerbread or the candy, does it really matter if it’s a year old?
• Any candy-related things (maybe hot chocolate??) that I can do for Valentine’s Day gifts. 

On another note, I woke up Christmas morning to the discovery the Hurricane Eva has learned to vault herself out of the crib.  Am absolutely exhausted by the options for children’s beds.

One of the things many of you want is recipes.  My sweet husband is thrilled about this, as he seems to think that I might actually GIVE AWAY some of my cookbooks on this blog.  Hah!  Never!  (plus, I am a notorious slob and every single cookbook I own displays the evidence of this fact.)

Here’s something quick and easy that I’m making for my family’s Christmas Eve spread.  It does need to sit for a few hours, which is great for me, as most of my cooking is done while Hurricane Eva naps.

New Orleans Crab Spread

Ingredients:

• 4 oz. reduced fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 8 oz. imitation crabmeat chopped (I use my handy-dandy Pampered Chef Food Chopper)
• 1/4 cup chopped celery (I always skip this, as I don’t like celery)
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper (I use red peppers because I don’t like green)
• 1 garlic clove, pressed (I use 3 because I love garlic)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun Seasoning (I use Emeril’s Bayou Blast - found it in the spice aisle)

Directions:

1. Place cream cheese in small batter bowl.  Microwave on high for 30 seconds or until softened.  Add mayonnaise and whisk until smooth.  Chop crabmeat, celery and bell pepper using Food Chopper. 
2. Add crabmeat, celery, bell pepper, garlic (pressed with Garlic Press) and seasoning mix to cream cheese mixture; mix well.  Cover; refrigerate 3 hours to allow flavors to blend.  Serve with toasted bread slices or crackers.

Yield:  2 cups (approx. 16 servings)

This is a Pampered Chef recipe found in the All the Best Cookbook.  This cookbook is my gold standard whenever I need a crowd-pleasing recipe.  Should you not be able to resist buying the cookbook and all the products mentioned in this post, just click here.

One little note:  sometimes your meat counter will have imitation crab meat for sale there - in my area, it’s always cheaper to buy it this way then to buy it by the package.  Worth checking out!

One more little note:  this recipe features two of my all-time favorite Pampered Chef products:  the Food Chopper and the Garlic Press.  I love to practice my knife skills (and I really am getting better!) but when it comes to getting things done quickly, the Food Chopper can’t be beat.  I’ve tried the knock-off choppers and they just don’t compare.  (and the Food Chopper is also great at mashing up baby food - who knew??)  If you aren’t using fresh garlic because you don’t want to deal with chopping it up (and really, who can blame you), GET A GARLIC PRESS.  It will change your life.  And, it may be magical thinking, but I kind of feel like eating garlic helps me stay healthy in the winter. 

I’m guessing that many of you out there in the blogging universe are weighed down with un-needed “gifts.” (reed diffusers, scented candles, dollar-store lotion…I can go on and on)  Seriously, people.  The act of giving is great, yes, but how much money have we spent on gifts that are more about the gesture than the actual gift?

I’ll be honest here.  The only ”little” presents I like are from jewelry stores or are edible.  Other than that, the gift is your presence, not your presents.  (exception, of course, for anything from children.  I still treasure a pair of plastic teal earrings that my youngest  sister got for me when she was four because she was so excited to go buy something from the store. )  

I am personally a big fan of not doing presents between friends, especially if those presents are things that will take up space in my gift closet.  But I also understand the joy of unwrapping things.  We all love to unwrap things.  Even things that aren’t edible.

I’ve known quite a few people who set a monetary limit among friends, or among their playgroup, but somehow that amount is always fudged with by at least one person.  (think:  the Office episode where Michael Scott buys an iPod for the gift exchange)  And you know what?  I get this.  It’s way easier to find a $15 toy that you don’t feel guilty about passing on (and that you don’t worry is full of lead) than a $5 one.

But again…how many playgroups are you in?  That adds up quickly, no?  So, here’s the solution we’ve come up with among my playgroup buddies:  We do a white elephant gift exchange for moms and kids.  No one is allowed to purchase ANYTHING for the giveaway, and out-there gifts are encouraged for the moms.  (One year, my friend Stacy gifted a meat slicer.  To date, that has not been topped.)  (however, the person who GOT the meat slicer’s family are cattle ranchers, so she actually uses it.  One person’s trash and all that…)  So, pack up some stuff you no longer use for the mamas, pack up a toy that your kiddo no longer plays with (or that you simply can’t stand) for the kiddos, wrap it pretty and have a little party.  We go the extra mile and make it a potluck party, so it’s cheap, fun and does not involve buying stuff to clutter up the house.

We also have a party without the kiddos after the new year - it’s easier to find a babysitter, everyone is less stressed, and we get together with the husbands at someone’s house.  That one is potluck & BYOB too, because getting together with your buddies should be fun, not stressful, yes?  (more on this later!)

I’ve been hearing a lot of mama guilt out there related to Christmas.  Seriously, just because some people do hand-crafted activities with their children for every single day in Advent, doesn’t mean that you are a bad parent if you don’t.  Can we get that out of the way?

The only thing worse than the self-righteous crafter is doing a craft project you hate.  Trust me.  I’ve been involved in both.

I’ve confessed before that I am a crafty gal.  In fact, I’ve started a craft class for our buddies every week at my house.  Our friends get to do craft projects without dealing with it on their home turf and I get a weekly reminder to make sure the floor is swept.  Everybody wins.

So, if you haven’t handmade a photo album for each of your child’s grandparents, embroidered their handprints, or created a custom silhouette (all fabulous ideas, and all better accomplished in AUGUST, when you don’t also have to make 6 dozen cookies for tomorrow morning, ok?), fear not.  Here’s the project we made last week, and it’s guaranteed to add a touch of handmade-by-a-child sparkle to your holiday gifts.

GIFT TAGS!!  (fabulous, really)

Supplies:

• gift tags of some sort.  You can buy blank ones at a craft store (look in the card-making section) or make your own out of cardstock or (if you want to be SUPER GREEN) cereal boxes.  I got mine from a bank my dad works for -they were going to throw them away.  I ignored the neon colors because they were free.
• Rubber stamps.  (you could make your own out of potatoes, but I’m guessing that if that felt feasible at this point, you are on a level of prescription drugs only available on the internet, so look up instructions there)  I got mine at Michael’s in a set of 30 holiday themed stamps, on clearance for $6 and they came with two stamp pads.
• Ink.  I prefer washable (who doesn’t??), but the non-washable comes off pretty well too.
• Glue (stick or liquid, whichever you prefer)
• Glitter (I understand that not everyone has a secret stash of glitter.  But really, think about developing one.)  I like the super-fine glitter you find in the embossing area (often next to the stamping area) of the craft store.

Directions: 

Unleash your child/ren on the tags, stamps and glitter.  Provide as much supervision as you feel necessary.  (when we’re working with glue, I like to use traditional Elmer’s, squeeze some out on a paper plate, and use a paint brush or q-tip to spread.  It cuts down on the glue mess SOMEWHAT.)  (I’ll also add that pretty much all children and some adults need to be supervised when using glitter.  Sprinkle lightly, like sprinkling cheese on a pizza.)Lay flat to dry.  Lovingly address your gift tags to grandparents, aunts, uncles, the postal worker, whoever, with a note that the tag is handmade by your precious angel.  Who doesn’t love children’s art?

Sidenote: This project was especially fun for moms.  We helped the kids make elaborate tags for family members and then stamped and glittered away to our hearts content.  We really liked using the wet ink to adhere the glitter - this doesn’t work perfectly (you have a fair amount of glitter lost), but it’s pretty darn cool.

Congratulations are in order for #11 - Collette S.!  She’s the proud winner of Pampered Chef’s Festive Holiday Desserts - if I don’t hear from Collette by Friday, I’ll re-run the old random number generator and get a new winner.

And so, it’s time for yet another Pampered Chef giveaway!  This week’s bounty is one of my favorite new products - the super swanky Beaded Serving Set.  It’s perfect for the holidays and beyond (which I love, as I despise packing pretty things up because they are no longer in season).  I’ve used mine countless times already - for salads mostly, but I’ve also used the fork for serving meats and the spoon for veggies.   I’m really thinking they’ll be perfect for my annual moms-only Valentine’s Day party.

So, how do you win the loot?  I’m looking for feedback on this here blog…so, please leave a comment about what you’d like to see as a future post or what you’ve liked so far.  (note:  “I want to win!” is not a comment about a future post.  Really.  It isn’t.)  The giveaway will end at midnight, central time, on Tuesday, December 23.  (or as I like to call it, Christmas Eve Eve)

And, if you didn’t get all the Pampered Chef stuff you dreamed of for Christmas, stop by here on the 26th for a post-Christmas sale!

Occasionally, the blogging universe is benevolent and kind, and can fix all that ails me.

You know, on a day when I’m pre-menstrual, none of my jeans fit, I are wondering if the baking cocoa will really taste that bad, and all the self-talk I did after having a baby about how awesome my body is and how I’ll never disparage it again seems like a load of crap.  Today was one of those days.

And lo and behold, I stumble onto the Cardigan Empire.  And this post, bearing witness to all of my body’s “quirks” and loving every single one of them.

I now want to buy a “looky booky” for everyone I know.  But mostly for myself.  I’m not that generous, people.

I am, however, willing to throw you some crumbs.  Land’s End is a personal favorite of mine because a) they have a great outlet online, b) if you sign up for their emails, they’ll send you lots of free shipping deals and c) their kids stuff lasts forever.  Seriously.  I’ve picked their stuff up at garage sales that looks like it’s never been worn and I’ve seen those kids.  They’re shaving now.

So, click here if you’d like to enter a quick little Land’s End survey and be entered to win one of five $100 Land’s End gift cards.  Plus, the survey is about sunshine, so it can get you dreaming of brighter days.

Mamas need a break.  For me, when my driveway is iced over and I can’t leave the house, that break often comes from terrible reality television.

The thing is, sometimes terrible reality television will get to you. 

Celebrity Rehab, anyone?  As a therapist, I have serious concerns about turning the treatment process into a reality show, but I am always moved by the individuals’ willingness to share their pain and their hope for healing.  I’d love to bring clips of this show into treatment, and really, into the class I teach for teens at my church.

The Real Housewives of Orange County?  Aiee.  Again, more drug addiction, marital trouble and leukemia. 

So, I guess I’ll take my break with Rock of Love, Charm School.  Granted, mental health casualties abound and I fear that my daughter will somehow watch it and think that she can continue wearing her size 2T clothes into her 20’s, but I think that these ladies are scrappy enough to make their way with or without Sharon Osborne (sage as she is). 

Now, back to madly crafting.

Last night found me doing some good-old-fashioned last minute shopping for something to wear to my husband’s office’s Christmas Party.  Or holiday party.  Whatever.  This event consists of an open bar, live band, lots of captains of industry, and karaoke.  How exactly does one dress for such a melee?

Oh, you expected me to answer that?  Ouch.  Because, after an exhausting evening of shopping, I am no closer to the answer than I was yesterday.

I have some party staples that I was working around:

• Comfortable black heels (good for standing around) or super-rockin boots (good for looking cool AND for standing).
• Basic black skirt (because I read this book and think it’s pretty darn accurate) - sexy but not vulgar.  (vulgar is combining an open bar and karaoke with your co-workers.  or worse, your husband’s co-workers.)
• Some brand-spankin’-new Lia Sophia earrings that I’m hoping to incorporate into my ensemble.
• This may not seem like much, but it’s more than I usually have to work with, ok?

What did I find?  Few answers and even more questions.

Like, what did I ever to do Michael Kors to make him create clothing that makes me look like a Mac Truck?  I love his prints, but dude, WHO looks good in this?  (please don’t answer if it’s you)

And whoever thought that full-on-skintight sweater dresses are good on anyone who’s had a child?  (and again, if you are lucky enough to be over 30 and rocking this look, say a little prayer of thanks but refrain from commenting, mmmkay?)

The same question goes for anything tight and satiny.  Plus, is satin at all appropriate if you aren’t a bridesmaid?

After much pondering of these mysteries, I ended up with two options. One, a super-soft sweater kind of like this one, to be worn with the comfortable black heels and black skirt. Or, two, a nifty dress from TJ Maxx that is probably 8 seasons old, but what do I care…I’ll be the one in purple, singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”

I couldn’t resist snagging this line from Garth Brooks.  (bonus points if you remember that song) (and by remember, I mean, owned the TAPE when it came out, ok?  none of this “downloaded it from i-tunes a year or so ago” hoo-ha)

But I do.  Love men.

What I don’t love?  How flippin’ hard they are to shop for.

I’m going to make a sweeping generalization here and say that men don’t love the little things they way women do (my husband does not dream of diamond earrings or a sweet little handmade box to store them in).  They also don’t love clothes.  And they totally don’t care about getting a cute pair of boots. 

So what to get the men in your life for Christmas, especially if you’ve already exhausted all the traditional man-gifts?  (engraved pocket watch?  check.  cufflinks?  check.  engraved flask?  check.  multiple photos of the baby made into paperweights?  check.)

I’ll make this easy.

Bacon.

You can find lots of online bacon places, including a bacon of the month club, but my personal favorite place to send bacon from is the Amana Meat Shop and Smokehouse.  The Amana Colonies are a goofy little place in Iowa where I was once stuck at an RV festival (long, long story) but let me tell you, Iowans know pork, and the Amana folks know it better than most.  I can’t tell you how much Amana Meat I’ve sent out over the years (father, father in law, brothers in law, friends in Florida etc. etc. etc.), but I can tell you that every single person who’s received it wants more.  (little bonus:  their prices include shipping.  Seriously.  how awesome is that??)

Has anyone ever said that about cufflinks?