I didn’t realize how exhausting baking every day (well, nearly every day) December 2010 was until I didn’t do it this year.
I just pulled down “the baking box” for its location in the pantry. For the past 12 months, bits and pieces of it have been used. But what I found – coconut, cocoa, icing, icing tips, sprinkles – remained until I just dumped much of it in the trash.
We did bake this year, don’t get me wrong. And I can’t wait to try out my new cake pop maker …

Wow. If you’re a parent like me, the house looks like a tornado came through, there are dirty dishes everywhere, and dozens of new clothes and a few toys are to be put away. You know what? I’m on vacation. They kids can play with their new toys, stay in PJs all day and eat the leftovers in the kitchen. We’ll clean up tomorrow. Or not.
I hope you and yours have a very joyous post-Christmas week and a happy New Year!

My kids are fascinated by the idea of having a yard sale. At least, they’re fascinated in the idea of getting money for selling stuff.
But I’ve never – on my own – put on a garage sale, or yard sale, or even put anything up on Craig’s List.
Though I like the appeal of selling things we aren’t using, typically we end up donating them to local charities. I just don’t have the time to organize such an event.
But in case you’re planning on one with your family in the next …

A friend posted a one-liner on her Facebook page the day after Christmas: “Collapse.”
Yup, I felt the same way!
With our hustle and bustle from one family to the next complete, we arrived home about 9, unloaded the car and sent the kids off to bed.
With few exceptions, everything is still in the spot it landed Christmas night: toys on the floor, the dining room table, the kitchen island; jackets over the stair railing, several chairs and, again, the floor; dirty dishes still in the sink.
It’s been, what, four days, since …

It arrived!
Or should I say, THEY arrived?
I picked up a newspaper yesterday and found several holiday toy “books.” My kids – gearing up for Halloween night – took a few minutes to break away and peruse them with daddy.
We had not even gone trick-or-treating yet and they were looking at CHRISTMAS advertising.
I’m mixed on this. I like being prepared. I like getting stuff done early. In fact, I feel ahead already and am somewhat excited about sitting back and really ENJOYING the next two months and the seasons of thanks …

I got an e-mail alerting me to a “free” DVD giveaway from Brainy Baby. It’s not entirely free – you have to pay shipping and handling that’s $6.95 – but still, with holidays around the corner, this may be a nice, inexpensive gift for a child in your life.
Now through the end of December, families can go to www.myfreebrainybaby.com and order a free copy of one of the company’s most popular DVDs: music, ABCs, laugh and learn and colors and shapes. Of course this proably puts you on a permanent …