wine cork trivet

I made a few of these a couple years ago and they are a great way to re use wine corks. All you need is approx 60 wine corks ( I just realized that sounds like a lot but we collected them over time and asked friends and family to keep theirs) So really it's my family and friends that may need an "Intervention" episode! And that metal ring doo hickie from the hardware store. I used a 6 1/2 inch one.
1) adjust the metal ring to the size you want and set on table
2) place wine corks standing on one end in a circular pattern (inside the metal ring), I started from the outside in ( this part is mildly frustrating)
3) once the circle is full of wine corks adjust the screw on the band until it is quite tight
4) voila you have a trivet!
* other ideas for wine corks is to write the date, special occasion and who you shared the bottle with on the cork and display it in a shallow bowl or in a glass cylinder vase.

cute photo blocks

I saw this idea at Treasury on New Years Day and bought the supplies. Each block has a few pictures, patterned paper and cute words. I like how they look on the mantle in the family room and each block can be turned for a completely different look!

we were meant for each other...

today I was putting some Christmas lights in a tote in the garage and I noticed a little something. Dale had written where each string of lights should be hung. I was a little proud but then I thought why didn't he use his label maker? We each have our own, isn't that cute (weird)?

little girl superhero

she's not the bumble bee princess I wanted she's the " killer bee" according to Aiden. She was wearing goggles earlier but as soon as the camera came out zero co operation.

it's a bird, it's a plane, it's, it's....

superman! Aiden is so excited that we finally captured a photo of him in flight!" See Mom I really can fly!"

my word...

last week Ali Edwards posed the challenge of using a "word" to define yourself for the year. I thought about it for awhile, looked at all the words listed on her blog and couldn't really come up with a word that worked for me. Yesterday it came to me ... reduce. I know it's not a powerful cool sounding word but it really encompasses what I want for this year. There are so many things I want to reduce this year so this will be my mantra. reduce..less is more.
I spend so much time getting rid of stuff in our house just to turn around and load it up with new stuff. vicious cycle. so the short list is:

- reduce the "stuff" that comes into our house ( think twice about any purchases I make, do I absolutely love it or need it)

- reduce the negative stuff in my life ( maintain a positive attitude no matter what is put in front of me) yesterday I stepped in a giant puddle getting into my car leaving Costco and using my new attitude I thought "isn't that great that this happened when I was leaving so I can drive right home and change my socks. maybe this sounds unauthentic to some people but for me it really works - not just on the little stuff too!

- reduce the impact our family has on the environment. (recycle more, walk more, etc)

- reduce my waistline

- reduce Aiden's tv watching and actively engage him in projects each day ( tv time has crept into his life since Amelia was born and some days it's scary how much tv he watches - there I did it bad mom confession!) actually with my new attitude I would think "I'm really glad I have identified this problem and now I can work on solving it"

- reducing the time wasters in my life (the computer so I think it's time to get off!)

fish tacos

something a little different in the winter time!

2 cups cooked white fish, deboned and flaked
1 1/2 cups fat free sour cream
1 cup grated cheese - cheddar or pepper jack
chopped green onion, cilantro, peppers, red onion ( whatever you and your family like)to equal 1 - 2 cups
squeeze lime juice, salt, pepper, chili pepper flakes to taste
1 1/2 cups shredded cabbage
6 flour or corn tortillas
salsa
combine everything except cabbage and tortillas, spoon fish mixture into center of tortilla, sprinkle with cabbage, top with salsa and roll up. Enjoy!