Things That Make Me Smile

Okay, so... I'll admit I've been a little bummed lately. The weather temp is back down again and it keeps raining (don't blame me, I prayed hard), I had some sort of freak food poisoning or stomach flu (ugh), and other various personal issues (we've all got them, right?).

So... sing it with me now-
"When the dog bites,
When the bee stings,
When I'm fee-ling sad,
I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel, soooooo bad!"


10 Things That Make Me Smile:

10. Amish Paradise by Weird Al (check it, homey)

9. Cake Wrecks (best blog e-vah!)

8. Shopping at Michael's or Hobby Lobby

7. The smell of clean towels (lame, but true)

6. Crossing something off a list ("Hi, I'm Type A personality, and who might you be?" and yes- if I do it and it wasn't on the list, I write it and cross it off)

5. A best friend I love dearly (and who never thinks I'm crazy, or doesn't treat me like it anyways, even when I bare my true heart to her)

4. Family (seems obligatory, but it wouldn't be if it wasn't true!)

3. Feeling my darling child squirm inside me (but not the heartburn I'm enduring :)

2. Greg Beyer (every crazy-wonderful-handsome bit of him!)

1. Jesus' unfailing, amazing, life-changing Grace

Hilarity will ensue- I promise!

I just have to share a hilarious new game that friends introduced us to!

It's called Chinese Pictionary!
(Remember Chinese telephone? Well, imagine that and pictionary rolled into one)

One of the best things about it is that all you need is paper and pens/pencils and at least 5 friends. (sense of humor is somewhat optional, as this is guaranteed to make you laugh no matter what!)

Materials:
- some sheets of paper, cut into thirds, long ways (or "hot dog style" as us teachers like to say)
- pens/pencils

Step One:
Each person gets one strip of paper to begin. Everyone thinks of a common phrase/idea and writes it out at the top of their strip. Then, they everyone passes the paper to the left or right, whatever you predetermine before the game begins.

Step Two:
Player 2 reads the phrase, and then illustrates it (as best they can!). Now, this is important- BEFORE passing, Player 2 must fold over the written phrase so that only their drawing will be seen by Player 3.

Step Three:
Player 3 receives the strip, sees Player 2's (lovely) drawing and decides what it must mean. Then, they write out the phrase/idea they think the drawing represents.
Steps Four - ?:
Play keeps on going this way, with each player either writing or drawing in response to the clue they were passed, and folding over the paper so that the next player only sees their response.

As you can see, this one morphed from,
"Drink and be merry for tomorrow we will die,"
to
"Elvis Presley!"

The game is over when you receive your strip back (although it's usually hard to tell by the time it gets around to you! Try writing your name on the bottom of the strip when you begin). I guess there's really no winner to this game, but trust me, you will be rewarded by how much fun it is!

Other funny examples: (click to see them larger)

A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS

Can you believe it's almost here?

Nah, me neither, but we better just face reality
(we can do it together)-
it's only 3 days until Christmas!

So, in the spirit of a beloved song
(that, let's face it, isn't technically a "Christmas Song")-
here are some things I am loving this year-

Christmas Tree Boxes
Trish over at DaisysandDots is super sweet AND creative!
Buy them here.


"A Baby Changes Everything"

This beautiful and so true song can be found on my blog-
just scroll down to the player, it's the first song on the list!

Monkey Booties

Ooohhh, these are just too cute for words!
Buy them here.

My delicious and semi-famous
Snowball Chipper Cookies

(These are for you if you love coconut and chocolate, AKA- Mounds Bars!)

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
3/4 Cup sugar
1/3 Cup Sour Cream (Go for the real deal, people!)
2 TBSP melted butter/margarine
1 beaten egg white
1/2 tsp vanilla
4 Cups Shredded coconut
1/2 Cup mini Chocolate Chips
4-6 oz semi-sweet chocolate
Parchment Paper
Wax Paper

-Sift flour/baking powder in a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, beat sugar, sour cream, butter and egg white. At low speed, gradually add flour mixture, just until blended. Beat in vanilla and coconut. Stir in mini chocolate chips.

-Line cookie sheets with parchment paper and if desired, spray with vegetable oil (Pam). Form 1" balls by rolling coconut mixture and place 1" apart on baking sheet. Hint- dip fingers in warm water occasionally to keep the mixture from sticking to your hands. Also, make sure to pack the balls decently firm, or they will collapse when baking.

-Bake 18-22 minutes in an oven preheated to 325, just until coconut begins to brown. Cool on wire rack.

-Line cookie sheets with wax paper. Melt the semi sweet chocolate and dip cooled balls until bottom 1/4 is coated. Placed cookies dipped-side down on wax paper and refrigerate 30 minutes, until chocolate is set. Enjoy! Also, these cookies freeze beautifully.

If I had a picture, I'd post one, but all my snowball chippers seem to have vanished, somehow!


Laughing at Cake Wrecks!

I have to read this blog of botched professional cakes and snarky commentary daily!
Check it out here!

That's all for now, my lovelies,
feel free to post a few of your own favorite things!