pREDICTIONS fOR aNOTHER yEAR

Today I am 35. In my early 20's I would have never predicted to be where I am today (I clearly remember saying I didn't want to have any children). I am married with a husband that loves to cook (how did I get to be so lucky?), a son that keeps me active and another child on the way. I am half way through my 2nd pregnancy and taking on a new adventure with a friend. Some of my well educated, successful working friends say I wasted my degrees by being an at home mom but they can go screw themselves. I wouldn't want to miss my son throwing something everyday or learning how to poop on the potty. That's my life and I love it!



Let's look back on my 34th year via blogging populars!

The mighty door decoration, St Patty's style...

the clover love can be see here

Breakfast Anyone?

I was close to accomplishing one of 2010 new years revolutions, 12 breakfast places in 12 months...
this post, Milk and Honey hit the charts!  I guess lots of people are visiting this place for breakfast!
p.s. I will finish what I started, eating at 12 fabulous breakfast place. You can see all the other breakfast places I visited here

My most popular post, where to get a free haircut in Chicago...

                                              

Is a must read, for those of you on a budget! After all a hair cut can change your life!

Stay tuned for my newest adventure with Momnivore's Dilemma!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope your Holiday brings much joy and love!

Christmas around the World

My Elf is really busy this year, he has hardly had time to sit down. I can't believe I am knocking things off my list left and right! You can see a list of my activities here, here, and here.

Saturday's adventure was to the Museum of Science and Industry. It's a great museum filled with trains, planes, simulated tornados and lightning, an old Chicago street, a drop in a coal miners elevator, the Dr Suess exhibit (Suess which is actually pronounce by rhyming it with voice) and still more! I highly recommend it!

I went to see Christmas Around the World. The exhibit rings in the holiday with more that 60 decorated trees, each adorned according to holiday customs from around the world. Take a peek...

This massive Christmas tree stands 45ft tall in the rotunda. It is a sight!

This is an ornament from the Philippines.

When I was a kid and visited the museum I picked out an ornament like this from Lithuania. It hangs every year on my mom's Christmas tree. Some ornaments from different countries are for sale in the gift shop. Unfortunately, for me, not a Lithuanian one.

Norwegian ornament

Belize's ornament

Swedish ornament

Latvia's ornament

Poland's ornament

and Bulgaria

I think I need to look into creating my own Lithuanian ornament. It looks like it would be fun to make!

I'm sharing this with Thrifty Decor Chick 

Santa, Reindeer, and Candy Canes

1. Watch Elf (we got this one right out of the way!)
2. Buy our Christmas Tree and get the decorations up
3. Visit Santa and his reindeer
4. Visit Christmas Around the World and Holiday Lights at the Museum of Science and Industry
5. and visit the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show in Vernon Hills

Thank you Daily Herald for bringing Santa and his reindeer to the nearby conservatory! We had a great time making a snowman craft...

Sitting nicely for a picture with the pointsettias (rare moment).

#1 was weary about sitting on Santa's lap but once he was told that he would get a cookie, he was ALL smiles!

We watched the electric train for awhile because trains are awesome!

#1 discovered that he likes candy canes.

And I discovered that reindeer are not very big.

I think #1 found everything he was looking for today!

Elf on a Shelf Checklist!

I can cross off activity #5

1. Watch Elf (we got this one right out of the way!)

    2. Buy our Christmas Tree and get the decorations up
    3. Visit Santa and his reindeer
    4. Visit Christmas Around the World and Holiday Lights at the Museum of Science and Industry
    5. and visit the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show in Vernon Hills

Mind you, these pictures were taking in a small moving vehicle and this light show was terribly exciting to a 2 year old!

Yogi the bear greats you at the front entrance and there is every cartoon, animated character you can think of. I didn't realize how many my son knows by name. He impressed me considering he never watches tv.

There are castles and lights reflecting off the water.

#1 had a blast counting to twenty as we drove through this tunnel of lights. Hope you get the chance to see this if you live in the Chicagoland area!

Workshop Wednesday #30 is Kinda Flirty for the Holiday Season!

For my 30th birthday my friends gave me this t-shirt. "To know Lloyd is to Love Lloyd." I wore it proudly that night (and many other times) while bowling my heart out.  It's true one of my favorite movies is say anything. PLUS+++ I think my husband kind of resembles John Cusack,  just a tiny bit.  (excuse the wrinkled t-shirt, it's been in storage)

Enough of me tripping down memory lane and on with Workshop Wednesday!

These are awesome...



easy, inexpensive, recyclable and a must see @ Our Life in a Click

Want to have the best wrapped gifts?

             

Who doesn't?  Check out One Charming Party ideas. They have lots and lots of great ideas on gift wrapping!

Sink you eat into these...

                             
Need I say more, thanks The Seven Year Cottage!

Got an old terra cotta pot? Use them to make a snowman!

See how cute Cookie and Claire's are!

Party Guidance are simple please add my button or hyperlink to the end of your post. Happy Holidays!

Christmas and Decorations

Last years holiday wreath went up on the door again this year.  Not that I wasn't inspired to create, I am just kinda tired from all the doctor visits and my pregnancy in general. Here is the post as to how I created this super easy, Holiday Wreath. They make wonderful hand-made gifts.

Last year I bought this plain reindeer on clearance at Marshal's and this year I put a cute little bow on him for Christmas.

I also started to decorate the tree and then I realized someone was helping me undecorate it. I decided to leave the majority of the ornaments off, you know for breakage reasons and for my own sanity- no need to yell at child #1 to NOT touch the Christmas tree for weeks.

But don't worry he gets a real kick out of turning the lights on and off. Sometimes I wonder if the neighbors think we are trying to communicate by visual telegraph.  He tends to send out a lot of S.O.S signals, like we are torturing him over here or something. I knew he would get back at me somehow for leaving the ornaments off the tree. 

And finally I wanted to display my Nativity scene but three seconds after it went out, and I am NOT exaggerating, baby Jesus went missing. We are still is crissis over here because he is still missing and as for the nativity scene, that my grandmother gave me, it went back into the box- oh well, maybe it will go out next year...maybe

Sharing at:
Tatertots and Jello's Handmade Gift Party
Centsational Girl's Christmas Craft Party

Workshop Wednesday #29 and Looking So Fine!

I did a little hunting around this weekend and saw these amazing holiday projects and I thought I would share these for Workshop Wednesday. Next week I will highlight what I fancied at this weeks party!

Cute as a Button from Cup Of Delight

This little yarn snowman by Madeinaday

and the Christmas Tree Message by Crafty Endeavor

The party guidelines are simple...

I just require a hyperlink or my button on your post, Thanks!

Can't wait to see your creativeness shine bright.

What is Your Elf on a Shelf up To?

It is that time of year again and I have started my list of Must Do Holiday Activities!

1. Watch Elf (we got this one right out of the way!)

2. Buy our Christmas Tree and get the decorations up

3. Visit Santa and his reindeer

4. Visit Christmas Around the World and Holiday Lights at the Museum of Science and Industry

5. and visit the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show in Vernon Hills

I can't wait to get all these activities under my Christmas belt! Just between you and me, my belt is on it's last notch and now I am wondering where I put that box of maternity clothes... I could have sworn I put it in a place I could easily find it... pregnancy brain. 

A Few of my Favorite Pregnant Things....

The Nester is having a a party about a Few of Your Favorite Things- like Oprah.  I thought I would join with a twist, since I am pregnant there are a few things that I well... crave. My poor  husband tracked down a chicken taco salad for me during my 1st pregnancy and I have to admit that things have not changed during the second pregnancy. I'm just saying that these things taste or smell really good these days.

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS FOOD RELATED PRODUCTS. YOU MUST LIKE TO EAT TO CONTINUE READING.

Hi My Old Friend and Pregnancy ROUND 2

The old friend is you blogger, I have missed you, as I hug my computer. I needed a little time away from you so I could feel better and not worry about anything but my health. Thank you EVERYONE for the thoughts and prayers, they have energized me. My old self would be bouncing off the walls like new but right now I am more like a slow tortoise.