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All posts for the month February, 2012

What’s on your Lent List

It’s that time of year again…Lent!  That doesn’t sound very exciting, does it?  Guess what kids?!  It’s that time of year where we get to cut out sweets from our diet and meditate on our sins.  Yipee!

Lent Santa: What’s on your Lent List Tommy?

Little Tommy:  Filet-o-fish on Sundays and Jesus bleeding on the cross!

Lent Santa:  Okay, but only if you’re a good little boy and promise not to eat chocolate for the next 40 days.  Ho ho ho! Merrrryyyy Lent!

Not exactly the most wonderful time of the year.

Last year for Lent I decided to add instead of subtract.  I added a daily devotional to my routine.  It started out as a struggle because it meant I had to sit down and be quiet and read something other than Harry Potter or Twilight.  Once I got used to being still for a few minutes and allowing God to talk to me through the devotional it became a blessing.  Ironically, last year, I was unable to keep up the daily devotion after Easter.  I’m not sure if it was me or the fact that my little Lent devotional book was completed or what.

This year I’ve committed to adding instead of subtracting again.  I’ve also added one little thing to make me squirm a little bit more.  In addition to the Lenten devotional I’ve decided to add writing in my journal to my routine.  I used to be great about writing in it everyday.  Even if it was the grocery list or just to say “Addison and I went to the zoo today”.  I loved it and it became valuable in helping me remember my life.  I’ve discovered that I have a bad memory for details of the past.  I started journaling on a regular basis during the first year of our marriage because I didn’t want it all to become a blur (as I knew it would thanks to my poor memory).  My journal has helped me reflect on Addison’s early years as well as Harry’s beginnings. Then somewhere around Harry’s babyhood I fell off the journaling waggon.  I guess sleepless nights and mommy brain made a daily journal seem like a annoyance rather than a joy.

Lent is the perfect time to start something new.  Kind of like a New Year resolution but with Christ at the center of our intentions.

My Lent List includes daily time with God, time with my own brain, and Christ risen from the tomb.

What’s on your Lent List?

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by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 29, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Faith & Spirituality
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 29, 2012

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Saving Money and College Tuition

Being a grown up and acting responsibly is no fun.  Not one little bit.  One of those “grown up” pursuits that is a real pain in my arse is saving money.  It is no fun.  At. all.  Sometime last year Dear Husband decided to calculate how much college might cost when our boys are old enough to go.  Ugh.

He loves to make spreadsheets and is pretty good at it.  He made a quick spread sheet of how much college will cost (IF tuition continues to increase at the same rate it is increasing today) and how much we would need to save per month for the next 12-17 years if we wanted to pay for college for them and not take out a loan or second mortgage to do so.

Here is what he came up with:

COLLEGE:
Addison Harry Sum
Current OU Cost $69,710 $69,710 $139,420
Future Cost Est. $125,189 $159,777 $284,966
Years 12 17
Annual $10,432.43 $9,398.62 $19,831.05
Cost/Mo $543.01 $402.08 $945.09

(This is an estimate.  We can only hope and speculate that tuition rates will not continue to increase at this rate.  Either way…it will be a lot of money)

We would need to save nearly $1000 per month for the next 17 years. Seriously?  !?REALLY?! You want me to put aside $1000 a month for the next 12 to 17 years to pay for college?  That got us thinking…how are we going to pay for college and also have enough money to pay our mortgage and take a vacation every now and then?  That started us on a “no fun zone” spending kick.  But that is a post for another day.

I was fortunate enough to have my grandparents pay for my college tuition.  I am/was very grateful for their generosity…it was very important to them that their grandkids go to college.  At the time I knew it was a wonderful thing they were doing for me but I didn’t truly appreciate it.  Because I wasn’t the one writing the check to the Bursar’s office I didn’t have a real sense of how much money was being spent on me.  I just knew to sign up for classes and eventually pick a major.  It took me 5 years to graduate because I switched majors several times and didn’t finally declare the one I ended up with until my junior year.  When that 5th year rolled around it never occurred to me that someone else was shelling out (yet another) ass-load of money because I was more interested in having a good time and taking classes like ballet and drama rather than buckling down and loading up on classes that would help me graduate quicker.  College was fun!  What’s the big deal about one more year?  How selfish and stupid I was.

Dear Husband and I only assume that our kids will be that stupid and selfish if someone else pays for their college.  (It’s my understanding that it is the very nature of a teenager and young 20 something to be stupid and selfish.  They know no other way.  Bill Cosby liked to call it brain damage)  The only way we can possibly avoid such self-centeredness is to have them help pay for their own tuition.  Our hope is that if they have to fork over their own hard-earned money they will be more inclined to be more serious about their college career than we were.

So, we made a plan.  We have decided to save monthly (however, we are NOT putting away $1000/month).  We also decided that we will help pay for the tuition but when the time comes we will break the news to them that they are either going to a) have to get a student loan or b) get a job to pay for the rest.  This plan may change…we’ve got 12 years to refine it.  But for now that’s what we’re looking at.

I’m seriously curious…if you have small children (or medium size children or children just a few years from leaving the nest)…have you thought about this?  Do you have a plan?  Does it keep you up at night?  Or do you assume that is why God created second mortgages?

5 Comments
by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 27, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Kid stuff
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 27, 2012

http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2012/02/27/saving-money-and-college-tuition/

Argyle Yarn Wreath for a little boy’s room

Wreath’s for little boy’s rooms are hard.   Yarn Wreath’s in general seem girlie what with all the felt flowers and fru-fru.  Making one for a baby boy can be a little challenging.  I’m up the challenge.

An Argyle Wreath is a good place to start.  The sweet baby boy I was making this for has a room decorated in reds, tans, yellows and green.  I decided to go with a green and red multi-color yarn and yellow/orange diamonds.

For the embellishment I used the Cricut and my Boy’s Will Be Boys cartridge.  Last time I used the Cricut to make a tiny banner for a little girl’s wreath I was lamenting about how long it took me to glue the small letters on the banner.  Well, someone was listening (or reading) and what do you know…that special someone got me a Xyron.  It is a nifty little scrapbooking tool that turns your paper shapes and letters into stickers.

You just put your letter or shape in the top, pull on the tape, and out comes a sticker.  Taa daa!  (Thanks Pam!  You saved me a lot of time and frustration)

The worm, leaf, letters are all stickers thanks to the Xyron.  Easy as 1, 2, 3.

Now it’s time for more felt embellishments but flowers would not do.  I cut out red diamonds in two shades (because I originally planned to do red argyle and then decided I didn’t like the way it looked.)  Waist not want not.  Fold the diamond so that one corner is sticking up and hot glue.  Fold again and glue.  Make sure it’s NOT perfect.

To me these looked kinda like leaves or chunky grass.  They had a little bit of a oragami feel to them.  Hot glue in place and we’re done!

Baby Reid loves it!  I’m so glad I could gift this precious baby and his sweet mommy with a homemade craft.

2 Comments
by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 23, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 23, 2012

http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2012/02/23/argyle-yarn-wreath-for-a-little-boys-room/

Hobo Bag guest post

Remember Sonia  at Three Unique Rabbits from last week?  She did the Diaper Envelope guest post for me.

Well, this week I got to guest post for her!  I made one of her Hobo Bags and am loving it.  Please go visit her site to see the entire post.  Good times.

2 Comments
by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 21, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 21, 2012

http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2012/02/21/hobo-bag-guest-post/

Double Chocolate Buttermilk Cupcakes

(This recipe was adapted from a recipe I found in Big Sky Cooking by Meridith Brokaw)

Somedays you just need a double chocolate cupcake to make it all better.

This week I’m taking something yummy to a couple of new mama’s.  I felt led to make chocolate cupcakes.  Baby crying?  Lock yourself in the bathroom with a cupcake.  Baby napping?  Relax with a cupcake.  Able to get out of your jammies and robe before 2 p.m.?  Reward yourself with a cupcake.  Took a shower?  That deserves two cupcakes.

Here’s what you need:

2 1/2 cups cake flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking soda
pinch of kosher salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
2 cups buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pkg. dark chocolate chips

Frosting:

6 oz. unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 Tbs. vanilla
2 Tbs. brewed coffee
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup heavy cream

For the batter:

Preheat oven to 350.  In medium bowl combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  In a large bowl using a mixer, cream the butter, sugar, eggs until light and fluffy.  Add the buttermilk and vanilla and beat on low.  Gradually add the flour mixture until well combined.  Add dark chocolate chips and fold in w/ a spoon.

Spoon batter into muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool completely before frosting.

For the frosting:

Melt the butter and unsweetened chocolate in a double boiler.  Add vanilla and coffee.  Stir until smooth.  Remove from heat and set aside.  In a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, bring sugar and cream to a boil.  Reduce heat and stir until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes.  Remove from heat.  Add chocolate mixture and stir until combined.  Cover and refrigerate until cool.

If using regular muffin tin, butter and flour the tin or use liners.  I used a popover pan so that I could have a nice big cupcake.


Chicago Metallic Non Stick 6-Cup Popover Pan

A Popover pan is a wonderfully deep muffin tin used to make…Popovers.  If you’ve never had a popover then I’m sorry.  I’m not exactly sure how to describe a Popover.  It’s not a muffin and it’s not a biscuit and it’s not a pastry.  It’s more than just bread served with tea.  It’s light and buttery and hallow in the inside and melts in your mouth.  If you’ve been wondering what that empty void in your life is…it is because you have never had a popover with strawberry butter.  Someday I’ll make you one and you will understand what has been missing.  The void will be filled.  You will be ready to meet your maker.

Anyhoo,  I wanted my cupcake to look special so I decided to line the Popover pan with parchment paper so it would look like one of those fancy muffins you get at fancy bakeries.  Lining a tin with parchment paper isn’t the easiest.  It doesn’t want to stay  in place so I had to get creative.

Measuring cups, salt and pepper shakers and a vitamin bottle did the trick.

Spooning the batter into the cups got a little messy.  Nothing too bad that my sous chef couldn’t clean up.  Oh wait, I don’t have a sous chef.

Double chocolate buttermilk cupcakes…it’ll cure what ails ya.

3 Comments
by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 20, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Dessert, Yummy for the Tummy
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 20, 2012

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How can we be trusted to do the right thing?

Last Sunday was one of those Sundays where I had a moment of clarity.  The music for the offertory was by Antonin Dvořák.  It was a song from a set of 4 pieces by Dvořák and arranged for two cellos, piano and organ by our very own Allan Ross.  It was beautiful beyond words and made me cry.  By the way…don’t start crying if you sit in the choir loft during church.  People think you are in the middle of a personal crisis breakdown and start to worry.  But I digress.  As I’m listening to the beauty filling the sanctuary I start thinking about how much beauty there is in the world.  I start thinking about what may have been happening when Dvořák was composing this.  Who was it written for, were politics involved (they often were), what was the social climate?  In addition to the outside influences I think composers whom we label as genius were influenced spiritually whether they knew it or not.  When composers like Mozart, Beethoven and the like composed works of art that are beyond genius as well as mathematically astounding I like to think that God reached into their minds and hands and made Himself present in this world, again, through their composition.  Each time it is played the listener has the opportunity to experience the wonder of God and God’s creation.

Sitting in the choir loft during the service (tears welling up) I listened to the complexity of this beauty and a morbid thought struck me.  Right then as I was experiencing profound beauty something awful was happening somewhere else in the world.  Someone was suffering and in pain at the hands of another.  How could a world that is filled with so much beauty be filled with so much hate?  How could we take creation that was meant to be perfect in every way and trash it?  How can we (by “we” I mean humankind) be trusted to do the right thing?  We don’t exactly have a good track record.  We’ve been screwing it up from the get go…how can we ever make this right?  Will there ever be an end to our madness, our greed, anger, violence, jealousy?  Our loneliness?  How can we be trusted to do the right thing?

My mind turns back to the beauty.  We have been given so much and been charged to take care and nurture it.  Not only creation but each other.  How can we be trusted to do the right thing?  Whenever I ask myself this question it is usually after I see or hear something on the news that makes my heart ache.  My heart aches not only for those affected but for all of humanity.  You see, I truly believe that we all, every single one of us present and in the past, have it in us at our core the desire to do the right thing.  I believe that because I believe we are all children of God, made in his image and God’s essence is a part of us trying to lead us back home.  Many times we don’t listen to our true selves and when that happens horrible things occur, evil takes hold and we forget who we truly are.  Then something beautiful happens to renew my faith in mankind and I’m reminded that deep down we all have it in us to the do the right thing.

In my opinion the most vulnerable thing on the face of the earth is a new born baby.  Absolutely helpless and completely dependent on its mother for survival.  Remember the worry and fear felt when taking a newborn home for the first time?  You’re constantly watching his little chest rise and fall wondering when the baby police are going to come knocking saying that there has been a mistake and you have no place taking care of such a precious package.  Now imagine that helpless, vulnerable package being born on dirt and quite possibly manure.  You think things can go wrong in your clean home where you won’t even let your husband look at the baby without washing his hands first.  Imagine what can go wrong trying to care for a baby when the concept of washing ones hands had not even been considered.  God trusted us to take care of his most helpless gift.  God placed that baby in the arms of a preteen girl and said Please take care of him for me.  He has a very important job to do so please see that he makes it past infancy.  I’m well aware of what the infant mortality rate is…but I trust you.  I’ll be here every step of the way.  I have faith in you.

If we can be trusted to take care of that baby then surely we can be trusted to take care of each other.  God is there with us every step of the way to help us get it right.  Is there any ugliness, any hate, any violence that is bigger than God?  God put Gods-self in each and every single one of us and all we have to do is realize that.  Love always wins.  It may take eons but it will win.  That is how I know we can be trusted to do the right thing.

3 Comments
by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 17, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 17, 2012

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Diaper Envelope Tutorial Guest Post

Today I get to bring you a crafty post and have a day off at the same time!  Sonia at Three Unique Rabbits is an incredible seamstress and even makes her own patterns.  Today she is sharing how to make a Diaper Envelope.  But don’t let the word diaper scare you, it could also be a small clutch purse.  I’m going to be making one for myself very soon.

Enjoy…

Hi Everyone. I’m Sonia Barton (Mom Rabbit) over at Three Unique Rabbits. Were you can find the knowledge, expertise and art of a family of artists. Dad rabbit works with all things wood, mom rabbit is a master crafter and bunny rabbit loves unique jewelry.

I’m here to share a tutorial and pattern for an easy Diaper Envelope/Clutch. This diaper envelope/clutch was designed to hold 1 or 2 diapers and a small diaper wipes plastic holder. It’s great to have in your diaper bag so that you don’t have to hand the entire diaper bag to hubby or anyone else that is helping with a quick diaper change.

Even if you don’t have someone helping with a diaper change, it’s easy to grab the small clutch and take with you to the bathroom at a restaurant, church meeting….

You will need 3/4 yard of Fabric, 3/4 yard of Lining Fabric, 2 inches of Velcro and matching Thread. For the pattern pieces you will need to visit my Craftsy Store and download the Free pattern. Please feel free to email soniabartondesigns@yahoo.com if you have any problems with the download.
Start by cutting out the fabric pieces that you need:
1Body – Cut 1 Outer Fabric, Cut 1 Lining Fabric
2Strap – Cut 1 Fabric
Sew strap
1Fold Strap in half lenghtwise. Stitch side seam.
2Turn right side out.
3Iron
place strap on Envelope
1Fold the strap and place it on the Outer fabric on the left side, 3/4” down from the point.
2Pin in place
Sew body & lining
1Fold up envelope matching point to point on both fabric and lining.
2Stitch side seams.
3Clip corners open
4Iron seams open.
Bring the pieces together
1Turn lining piece right side out.
2Slide the lining piece into the outerbody piece.
3Pin the sides, front and flap together.
4Stitch the seam making sure to leave a 3 inch opening on the center front.
5To do this you will want to turn the envelope so that it slides under your presser foot with the flap pointing out. Start stitching along the front.
6Stitch until your needle sits right in the middle of the side seam. That is when you need to pick up the presser foot and pivot, to get a good angle.
7Clip corners at the side seams.
8Clip a v at the top of the flap point.
9Turn right side out.
10Iron.
11Top stitch the opening closed.
add velcro
1Cut a 2 inch piece of Velcro.
2Fold the flap down and pin the velcro in the correct place.
3Stitch velcro in place.
Finished bag
I hope you enjoy the tutorial and free pattern.
~Sonia Barton
2 Comments
by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 15, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 15, 2012

http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2012/02/15/diaper-envelope-tutorial-guest-post/

Candy Covered Marshmallows

Time to get Valentine’s Day goodie bags ready!  My inspiration for this sweet treat came from a blog called Three Little Monkeys Studio.  Check it out for more super cute Valentine’s Day party ideas.

Because marshmallows aren’t sweet enough on their own…

Here’s what you need to start your sugar high

2 bags heart shaped marshmallows (1 1/2 bags made 150)
1 1/2 packages Almond Bark
pink sugar crystals
cookie sheets lined with parchment paper

Melt the Almond Bark in a double boiler.  While it may be easy to melt it in the microwave DON’T do it.  This is a time consuming process and you have to keep heat under the Almond Bark to keep it from getting hard again.  I say this is time consuming because you have to coat each marshmallow one at a time.  If you put more than one in they will start to melt before you can get them out.  Use a fork to quickly coat the marshmallow then tap it on the side of the pot to get the excess Almond Bark off and create a nice smooth finish.  Use a toothpick to gently slide the candy covered marshmallow onto the parchment paper (yes, I did watch Pioneer Woman this weekend and thanks to her I knew to use the toothpick.  You’ve saved the day…again P Dub).  Sprinkle with pink sugar crystals as you go along.

Here are my cute little heart shaped candy coated marshmallows.  Packaged and ready for 24 little sticky first graders to mindlessly suck down into their already bloated, sugar coated bellies.

If you don’t get around to this sweet treat this Valentine’s Day don’t fret.  Easter is right around the corner and I’m anxiously awaiting to see what color and shapes Jet-Puffed will come out with.

5 Comments
by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 12, 2012  •  Permalink
Posted in Dessert, Yummy for the Tummy
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 12, 2012

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Outer Space Astronauts now available on YouTube

Here’s something you may or may not know…Dear Husband and I were on a TV show two years ago.  It’s called Outer Space Astronauts, it was on SyFy and it is hilarious.  There is only one season (so far) and the first episode is now available on YouTube.  Hopefully the following 4 episodes will be available soon.

Very quick back story…many, many years ago Dear Husband and his buddy, Russell Barrett, wrote a pilot script for Outer Space Astronauts.  Russell came up with the concept of having computer animated bodies with live action heads.  The three of us did some test shots in his very tiny and oddly shaped apartment.  Russell honed is computer animating skills, years passed, he gathered his funniest and best friends and shot the pilot.  He even composed and performed the theme music.  He’s like Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins with his one man band get up except he does it all behind multiple computer screens.

So here you go.  If you like it please spread the word.  We’re trying to get a cult following going here.

Maybe someday, if there is any interest, I’ll share about the process of getting my head on that skinny little body.

P.S. I don’t dress like that in real life.

P.S.S.  Sunny Hunkle is not a real person.  She is a made up character.

P.S.S.S. You can also see Russell (who plays Captain Ripley), Pete (who plays Jimmy Peck) and Russell’s beautiful wife (who is the voice of the computer) in Cooking With Stupid.  Also very funny and should be shared.

4 Comments
by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 11, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 11, 2012

http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2012/02/11/outer-space-astronauts-now-available-on-youtube/

Argyle Yarn Wreath

Mid winter is a difficult time for wreaths.  There’s not really a major holiday to decorate for (I don’t usually decorate for Valentine’s Day, it just comes and goes too quickly) and the bleak weather doesn’t really put you in the mood for fun decor.  This Argyle Yarn Wreath is just the thing I need to chase the bleak mid-winter blues away.

Supplies:

14 inch straw wreath (leave plastic on)
yarn (one 3 oz. skein or 145 yards is the perfect size for a 14 inch wreath)
2-3 yards of yarn in a contrasting color
felt
card stock
hot glue

After the wreath is wrapped we need a template for the argyle diamonds.  I messed around with some different sizes just so you won’t have to.  The diamond I came up with has a vertical length of 4 inches and a horizontal length of 3.5 inches.  Cut the diamond out of card stock to use as a template when cutting out the felt.  I cut out 10 felt diamonds; 5 light purple and 5 dark purple.  They don’t exactly match up all the way around the wreath but that’s not a problem because the place where they don’t come together will be covered up.

Place the diamonds on the wreath and position them before hot gluing them.  Once they are hot glued on wrap the wreath with the contrasting yarn.  Wrap all the way around in one direction so that the yarn crosses the diamond on the straight edge then go back the other direction to make an X over the yarn that was just wrapped.  Clear as mud?  Good.

Now it’s time for a cute little embellishment.  The squares in this jobber (I don’t know what else to call it.  If you think of a real name please let me know) are 2×2 and hot glued one on top of another.

For a tutorial on how to make the pom pom then see my Fall Yarn Wreath.  Glue the square-spiral thingy on the wreath (covering up the place where the argyle diamonds don’t match up) then glue the pom pom on top of that and you’re done!

If I could work uninterrupted this would have taken less than an hour.  In reality it took me about 3 weeks.  Life happens.

3 Comments
by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 9, 2012  •  Permalink
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Posted by Hugs, Kisses and Snot on February 9, 2012

http://hugskissesandsnot.com/2012/02/09/argyle-yarn-wreath/

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