whatever

and that is it.

where in the world did this year go?

it was SPEEDY.

really really fast.

i traveled more than ever....did some BIG fun stuff.

i loved this year.


 
all the christmas decorations are put away.


i cleaned out my closet today....and cleaned my room....and my bathroom....hours of cleaning.
as much i hate cleaning....i love when it's done. 

four bags to donate...three bags of trash.

now for my new year's eve celebration....i am going to clean the craft room.  
i haven't gone in there since september.  
no joke.
it is an avalanche waiting to happen.



but i NEED it for craft weekend prep.

and that is in 26 days!!!

so i will be a busy busy girl this month.

...............................................

by the way....

i have received the nicest emails and gifts this month from blog readers!!
that is so cool.

i have such awesome readers.

that is YOU.

YOU are awesome.
thank you.
so much.

i hope you are doing something way cooler on this new year's eve than cleaning a mountain of junk.
but if not....and you are chillin' at home....browsing pinterest....eating cookies....

HI.

happy new year.

it's gonna be a really good one. 

 

quick...make these

before you make your new year's resolution to lose weight....

make these and start your diet the next day.
:)

 

i have made these since we have been married.
it's a tradition.
any special day HAS to have these cheesy potatoes.
period.
HAS to.
it's non negotiable. 

all the good stuff. sour cream...cheese...butter....potatoes

mix all of the ingredients together except 1/4 c. of butter and the cereal.
 
 
press it into a 9x13 pan.

then....smash up the cereal in a ziploc bag.
the cereal is....frosted flakes.
seriously.


 
then pour the 1/4 c. melted butter into the bag.

i know i know....i told you....start your diet tomorrow....it will be worth postponing it one more day.


 
pour the buttery cereal on your potatoes and smoosh it down.



now i have two kids in my house that don't like the crunchy stuff on their potatoes so this is how i handle that.
i leave a small portion un-crunched. 

then you cover it with foil and bake it for an hour at 350.

this will be the HIT of any meal.
it's the yummiest homey sidedish of comfort food there is.
if you walk into any church potluck in the midwest on a sunday afternoon....these potatoes will be on the table i can promise you that.  

i hope you LOVE them.
we had them on christmas day.
my mom had them at her christmas dinner too.

enjoy!

 

the recipe is in the AWESOME RECIPES link on the right.  

 

gingerbread house 2011

i forgot to share these!

my friend GB makes gingerbread houses that you can purchase.

i tend to burn things.....
i do.
and i thought if i wanted a memory of the house with the kids....
it would be best if i don't try to bake it AND cut it AND decorate it.

so i asked GB for a big house that i could decorate with my family.






the three youngest were the only ones who wanted to help.
no surprise there.

everyone got one side ..... and me too.

:)

that was my side..... i like candy.
it's fun to craft with.

and snack on too. 

talby covered the roof with fish and gumdrops.


sean covered his roof with licorice and wrote fish in fish.
so funny.

so sean.

and i didn't get a picture of annie's side.
???

i just missed it.

i know it's past christmas....
BUT
if you would like a gingerbread house made by my friend GB to decorate with your kids over the school break
send me an email and i will get you her contact info.