A Glimpse of Santa

Camille over at Make It Work Mom gave me the heads up about a fantastic photo opportunity for the holidays, not only because it's sure to be the easiest, cutest way to get pics with Santa but also because it supports a worthy cause. A Glimpse of Santa is truly a gift that gives back!

I too have dealt with those oh-so-fun trips to the mall for a photo with Santa. It was a traumatic experience and like Camille, the end result was a photo of not only Santa and my dear daughter but also me (and I'm pretty sure I didn't have makeup on either). That's why I love the idea behind A Glimpse of Santa. Here's an intro, thanks to Make It Work Mom:

A friend of mine, Jennifer Eliason, is offering special photo sessions with your kids and Santa. Only this one has a twist. The Santa is YOU! How cool is that? "Santa’s" face won’t be in the picture, but your kids’ true, naturally excited expression will! So, instead of tucking away a picture taken by a mall employee of a bearded guy from off the street holding your screaming toddler, you walk away with a classy, quality candid of your little one that you’ll want to frame and display throughout the holiday and each year!

And if you book your session for DECEMBER 12, you’ll be helping out little Odette, a 1-yr-old who is battling leukemia because 100% of all Jen’s proceeds for that day will be donated to her fund.

Check out Jen’s blog for more details then contact Jen today to book your session!

You can also check out Camille's post over on Make It Work Mom. Her blog is definitely one you'll want to add to your blog reader!

Though we probably won't make the December 12th date as times are going quickly, I am hoping we can find another time early this season to catch our own glimpses of Santa, Christmas pj's and all! --Emily

RMMB: "Simplifying the Christmas Wish List"

Another Rocky Mountain Moms Blog post is live and this one is all about simplifying the holidays, namely the often dreaded wish list. The secret? Read on to find out!

"Simplifying the Christmas Wish List"

Excerpt:

In the past we've often felt like Santa pretty much dumped the entire contents of his sleigh under our tree, especially when you added in the gifts from Grandma and Grandpa, aunts and uncles and friends. We would try to stick to a budget for each child, but I often shopped throughout the year and then forgot I had purchased half the items in my hidden Rubbermaid container so I went and purchased more. The insanity needed to end and last year a friend gave me a great way to put a stop to the madness that is Christmas morning..." {click here to read more}

So what are your tips and tricks for simplifying the holidays? I'd love to hear! Happy holidays! --Emily

Image by allereirau, shared via Flickr.

better hold on tight, spider monkey

I admit it, I'm not an avid fan of the Twilight series. I read them all, yes, but groaned my way through New Moon and laughed my way through Breaking Dawn. I even waited until the Twilight movie was on DVD before watching it. That's why when I saw this video posted over on formerly phread I had to share it here. Enjoy!

Turkey Day, 2009

I was planning to take the week from posting like my friend Vanessa but my Wordless Wednesday pic begged to be posted and then Evonne, who had also vowed to take the week off (the proof is here), broke her vow and posted today (three posts to be exact). So I had no other choice but to also give thanks if only to remember what is truly important when your Thanksgiving Day was, I hate to say it, as lame as ours.

Here's what I 'm grateful for this Thanksgiving...sometimes it's the small and simple things that count:

• Homemade rolls because when all else fails, including the turkey pot pie and mashed potatoes, homemade rolls make it all better
• Rosy cheeks and pink noses because that means the kids are having a ball playing in the snow
• A new cinnamon roll recipe because even though the first attempt didn't turn out, I know they're going to be fabulous on Christmas morning (as long as I put them in two pans and bake them thoroughly)
• Organic frozen corn from Costco because it's easy and yummy, two important things for a holiday meal
• A home theater because even G.I. Joe looks great on the big screen and in the comfort of your own home (popcorn optional but often included)
• Pumpkin Pie from Marie Callender's because I don't make or eat pumpkin pie
• A sister who loves to get up at 3am to hit the Black Friday sales because then I can email her a list the night before and let her do the shopping (thank you, Megan!)
• Text messages from friends letting me know they're grateful for me (hard to believe but it's true)
• Enough wonderful, loving, lovable, kind, caring good friends to make texting them all an Olympic event
• A family who loves me even when Thanksgiving Day is boring and the dinner sucks

Next year we will definitely be spending Thanksgiving with more than just our own family, not that my little family isn't wonderful but there's something to be said for spending time--and turkey--with in-laws, cousins, grandparents, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles...you get my drift.

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm off to start putting up Christmas decorations while singing a few Christmas tunes. Then it's pizza and breadsticks for dinner, brownies and ice cream for dessert and maybe even some quality time with the kids. Today is shaping up to be better than yesterday...I'm becoming queen of the do-over holidays. --Emily

Image by food_in_mouth, shared via Flickr.

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Wordless Wednesday: The "Grammy"

Anyone else have a grandmother who goes in once a week to get her hair styled? That is what my latest "do" reminds me of...and this picture doesn't even do it justice. You can't tell just how flat it is smashed against my head and the true spikiness of it all. It's almost poetic. No, I am not suing my stylist--I adore her. This anomaly is due to my not feeling well and being in bed for about three days straight. Think I'll start a new trend? Yeah, didn't think so. --Emily

Happy Turkey Day!

I have decided Thanksgiving week is the perfect excuse to step away from the computer and get down on the floor with my kids. We'll be taking it easy, playing games, writing out Christmas wish lists, doing a little baking and enjoying some tryptophan on Thanksgiving Day. I hope you all do the same!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tangy slow cooker pork roast

The other day I made the yummiest pork roast in the slow cooker and I just had to share. Not only did the husband and daughter rave about it but it was super easy and the leftovers have been scrumptious. I should know since I've been eating them for the past two days!

I found the original recipe on AllRecipes.com and tweaked it according to a view reviewers suggestions. The final result was super tasty. Here's the recipe with my changes. (You can find the original Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast recipe here.)

Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast
1 large onion, sliced
2 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin roast
1 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1/4 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 dashes hot pepper sauce, or to taste

Arrange onion slices evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker and place the roast on top of the onion. In a bowl mix together water, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, black pepper, salt, minced garlic and hot sauce; pour over roast. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.

We enjoyed it that night as is and then shredded the leftovers for pork tacos, which I have been eating incessantly since yesterday. My fave is to put a small tortilla on a plate, top with shredded pork, heat in the microwave for 30 seconds and then top with shredded cheese and a little ranch.


What would be even better is some creamy cilantro-type ranch dressing from Cafe Rio or Bajio! Can you say "party in my tummy?" --Emily

Boutique Cafe: "Are you ready for your closeup?"

Sometimes posting on multiple sites can get a bit crazy but on days like today I am super glad I do. It means if I was up super late working on client press releases and a Boutique Cafe post the night before and didn't get a post ready for freshly baked, I can easily type up a quick blurb like this one and link you to my recap of Startup Princess' recent Image & Media Academy. And that's exactly what I'm going to do:

"Are you ready for your closeup?"

Thanks to Seth Jenks (@SethJenks) from APX Alarm I was able to attend part of this fabulous event and joined 20 or so other women at a cabin in Sunday for a night of inspiration, renewal and serious note taking. You can read all about it on BoutiqueCafe.com.

I'll be back tomorrow with a recipe for this super tasty tangy pork roast I cooked the other night. It was a hit and the leftovers? Yummy! --Emily

Wordless Wednesday: Thinking inside the box

Who needs Disneyland when you have a box and some super cool battery-operated light thingies from Walmart?

Mama's Holiday Wish List Meme

TodaysMama and Provo Craft are giving away a sleighful of gifts this holiday season and to enter I’m sharing this meme with you.

1. What 5 items are on your holiday wish list this year?

• Canon Rebel 10.1 megapixel camera
• Road bike so I can train for a sprint triathlon next year
• Great pair of heels
• Massage
• Pedicure

2. What is your favorite handmade gift you have received?

• A necklace made by my BFF

3. What handmade gift have you always wanted to tackle?

• A super cute apron

4. What was the best Christmas gift you received as a child?

• I remember totally loving this awesome pink winter coat!

5. What items are on your kid’s wish list this year?

• We haven't had a chance to make those yet but usually you'll find a Nintendo DS or Wii game

6. What is your favorite holiday food?

• Spinach dip in a sourdough bowl, soups on Christmas Eve and peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks
  

7. What will you be hand-crafting for the holidays?

• Hand-crafting? What's that? Do cookies for the neighbors count?
  

8. What is your favorite holiday movie?

• Elf and A Christmas Story

9. Favorite holiday song?

• "Let It Snow" and "Ave Maria" by Harry Connick Jr., the entire Barenaked for the Holidays CD and of course anything that reminds me of Christmas mornings as a child.

10. Favorite holiday pastime?

• Enjoying a real fire in the fireplace at my parents' home with the entire family there, hitting Temple Square in Salt Lake City to see the ginormous number of lights and opening new PJ's on Christmas Eve.

It's your turn! If you want to enter you can read the details on TodaysMama. Now it's time to tag a few friends (who weren't already tagged by Rachael's Meme post):

Jennifer
Lindy
Kelly
Daria
Kami
Stephanie
Lauren
Evonne

Ready, set, meme! --Emily

RMMB: "It's a schedule, not a chore chart"

Sometimes it really is all in how you say it. My latest post is up on Rocky Mountain Moms Blog and it details our latest attempt to get our girls to "happily" chip in around the house so Mom doesn't have to nag 24/7. (It's actually more like 14/6 if you don't count the hours the kids are asleep and Sundays.) The idea for a "schedule" rather than a "chore chart" came from Nathan and I must give credit where credit is due since he rarely gets any credit. He's a smart man, don't get me wrong, but I'm really the brains behind this operation we call a family. (Totally kidding--couldn't do it without you, babe!)

"It's a schedule, not a chore chart"

Excerpt:

We've tried so-called chore charts in the past and even The Chore Board, a board-game version of a chore chart, but no matter chart or game, the newness wears off quickly. As a mom with a long to-do list I can totally sympathize with my kids when they whine and complain about vacuuming or doing laundry or heck, even making their beds. I constantly remind them Mom is the only one who gets to have a bad attitude around the house so they better change theirs and change it quickly! Click here to read more...

I'd love for you to click on over and read the post on Rocky Mountain Moms Blog. And of course I'd love you to comment over there as well if you feel so inclined. Share with us what works for you or hasn't worked for you. Who knows? This schedule thing may just fizzle and we'll need a new idea! --Emily