new year....

I made it.
Usually I am happy for a year to end.  A fresh start; out with the old, in with the new.  But this year it is is a bit sad for me.  Sad because Jack is growing up so fast. In one year he has gone from a tiny little baby who needed me for EVERYTHING, to a little boy who is becoming more independent everyday.

I hope 2011 brings me as much joy as the last year did.  I hope it brings much more joy, excitement and discovery to Jack.  I also hope I will be able to juggle everything better than I did last year. 

To everyone else, I wish you a Happy New Year and may 2011 bring you much joy, health and happiness. 

Winner of Moody Mama's Giveaway

The winner of the Moody Mama's Giveaway is .......

#8...Amie!  Amie please email me at justanothermomdayblog@gmail.com so that I can get your information. 

Congrats!

I need a bigger house....

I now know what it feels like to work in a toy store.  Our house has toys EVERYWHERE.  It is a "toynado". 

And instead of walking around after Jack trying to pick up and put away the toys like I normally do, I am enjoying his after Christmas fun and happiness. 

 even Lenny loves his new gifts...

 Jack's favorite gift?  His Elmo slippers of course!

I have to say we had a great holiday.   We wait all year for it, and like everything else, it is all over way too fast. 

I am sorry I have not been posting much, I am trying to enjoy my time off with Jack.  I'll be back full force after the New Year.  I hope you all had a great holiday and are enjoying some much needed time off.

Wordless Wednesday

New Year, New You, and a Giveaway!

Anyone else want to lose weight and get in shape in 2011? 

Every year I promise to lose weight and get in shape.  It lasts a few months, and then it's all out the window.  Well this year is different.  This year I am going to do it, and hopefully Yoplait will help me.

According to a recent survey by Yoplait Fiber One, Americans are fed up with flavorless, boring snacks - and claim they are a contributor to diet failure.

With 50 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat, Yoplait Fiber One Blueberry yogurt is a perfect solution, packed with real fruit and the great taste of blueberries that you’ll love. As an added bonus, the deliciously creamy yogurt also contains vitamins A and D and is a good source of calcium.

MyBlogSpark recently sent me a Yoplait Fiber One Prize Pack that also contained a coupon for a free sample of Fiber One Blueberry yogurt. The best part, is that this low calorie yogurt tastes amazing!  The journal they sent me is perfect for tracking my food intake and my workouts on a daily basis.

Don’t forget to become a fan of Yoplait on Facebook or follow Yoplait on Twitter  

-------------------------------------------------------------

 

Yoplait and MyBlogSpark is giving one lucky reader a Fiber One Blueberry yogurt gift pack that includes

Coupon for a free package of Yoplait Fiber One yogurt.

A fitness journal and pen

Sport towel

Water bottle

Blueberry stress ball.

*This coupon for a Free Yoplait Fiber One Blueberry yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, Nevada, North Dakota and Tennessee

To Win (mandatory):

Leave me a comment letting me know what time of day you plan on enjoying the new Blueberry flavor of Fiber One yogurt. (please include your email address with each entry)

 

Contest ends Tuesday January 4th at 11:59 pm.  Winner will be choosen via random.org and contacted via email.

Good Luck!

 

Merry Christmas to all.....

And to all a good night....

Have a wonderful Christmas; enjoy your friends, enjoy your family, and celebrate the little baby born over 2000 years ago.

Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies

 

I had these cookies a few years back on Christmas Day, and fell in love instantly.  Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite, but stick them in a snowball cookie, and it's like a dream!   

These cookies are great if you are short on time, or just want something to wow your family with.   Hopefully the batch I made last night will last until Friday. Be warned though, these are not for those of you that are trying to watch your figure! 

But then again, the holidays only come once a year...enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies (recipe adapted from Nestle.com)

• 1.1/2 cups butter or margarine, softened
• 3/4 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chipa (the recipe calls for mini, but I used regular)
• 1/2 cup finely chopped nuts (optional)
• Powdered sugar

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.


BEAT butter, sugar, vanilla extract and salt in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in flour; stir in morsels and nuts. Shape level tablespoons of dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Place on ungreased baking sheets.


BAKE for 10 to 12 minutes or until cookies are set and lightly browned. Remove from oven. Sift powdered sugar over hot cookies on baking sheets. Cool on baking sheets for 10 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Sprinkle with additional powdered sugar, if desired. Store in airtight containers.


I

Wordless Wednesday

Scrubbing Bubbles Giveaway!

I am always looking for ways to make cleaning easier and faster.  Now, thanks to Sonic Scrubbers, bathroom cleaning is not only easier, but also more enjoyable (if it's possible to be enjoyable).

Sonic Scrubbers makes a variety of scrubbers, including scrubbers for your bathroom, car and kitchen. I had the opportunity to use the Scrubbing Bubbles (yes, I said Scrubbing Bubbles, they are that amazing) tool for kitchen or bathroom.

I love this thing. The handle is not slippery and long enough to not get yourself dirty. This tool cleans pots, grout, stove tops, you name it!  It allowed for easy cleaning of areas that most people probably miss. The scrubber comes with two attachments.  A larger one for bigger jobs, and a smaller one for more detailed cleaning like grout.

 
One of my favorite things about this cleaner is that it came with the necessary batteries. How many times have you bought something, got it home, and realized you didn’t have the batteries you needed? Sonic Scrubbers makes sure that doesn’t happen to you by providing you with the AA-batteries you will need to get started.

I loved how Sonic Scrubbers did the work for me in my kitchen and bathroom, to get everything completely clean. I think I am definitely going to have to check out the rest of their line, and knowing my husband and his car love, Sonic Scrubbers’ auto detailing tools will make a great last minute Christmas gift.   

Sonic Scrubbers is giving away one scrubbing bubbles tool to one of my reader

To Win (mandatory):

Comment below on a way you make cleaning around the house easier

Extra Entries:

1. Like Sonic Scrubbers on Facebook

2. Follow my blog!

Contest ends Thursday December 30, at 11:59 pm.  Winner will be choosen via random.org and contacted via email!  Good Luck!

Ho Ho No......

So we took Jack downtown yesterday to see ChristKindlmarket.  Every year people come from Germany and set up a market of food, gifts and music.  It's one of my favorite things to do. 

photo courtesy of christkindlmarket.com

It was freezing! But we had our beers and our potato pancakes and shopped a bit.

We then decided to take Jack to see Santa.  He has been walking around the house saying "ho ho ho" for weeks, so I thought MAYBE he won't cry if we take him.....

Maybe next year....
We went to Macys and saw the decorated windows and did some last minute shopping.  Of course I am STILL not done!

I can't believe only 4 days until Christmas!!!!  Enjoy your day.

some of my favorite things......

these chocolate covered candy canes over at brown paper packages....

Philosophy Gingerbread House body wash

Betsey Johnson Leopard Heart Earrings

Viva la Juicy

Spending two weeks off with this guy

A Winner!

I have one last winner to announce from my 12 Days of Christmas. 
Two Little Tots crayon roll up winner is  .......#6 Diana!

Diana, please email me at justanothermomdayblog@gmail.com

Congrats!

An early gift....for me!

So I got the new iPad yesterday. I have no idea how to use it, or what case to get for it, but I am sooooo excited! If anyone has app recs or good cases, please let me know! Now I am off to figure this thing out.

Wordless Wednesday...

More from the Lenny collection.....

Pregnant??? Then read on....

Even though I am not pregnant again ,or even thinking about being pregnant again, I love looking at all the cute maternity clothes.  Maternity clothes keep getting cuter and more fashionable. I have posted about Mooody Mamas before, and Moody Mamas has a great new winter collection for Target.com!  You can check it out here.  


The Moody Mamas have yet again created a collection that flatters your baby bump throughout your entire pregnancy.  Every piece is soft, cozy, machine washable, and super affordable! The dresses and blouses

from this collection are specifically designed to fit and silhouette your new shape for those special holiday parties and dinner celebrations.


The Moody Mamas made sure each dress is very versatile and can be styled in many ways to give you endless possibilities this holiday season. This is my fav:

So cute right?  And such a great price!

 They have so many cute styles and such great prices, it makes me wish I was pregnant..(for a second)!
 I'm sure you'll find the perfect holiday outfit for less on  target.com

Moody Mamas is giving one of my readers their choice of any 1 piece from the collection!
To Win (mandatory):
1) leave a comment on my blog about which piece from the collection you would choose

Additional Entries:
2) Fan Moody Mamas on Facebook here
3) Follow Moody Mamas blog,
4) Follow Moody Mamas on Twitter

Contest ends Tuesday December 28th at 11:59pm.  Winner will be choosen via random.org and contacted via email.  Good luck!

I heart faces....pets

The baking begins....chocolate crinkle cookies!

What are these liitle balls you ask?  Oh just one of my favorite cookies during the holidays!  I made chocolate crinkle cookies this weekend and they are amazing!  The best part, is that they are super easy to make.  They are the perfect cookie to eat with a tall glass of milk while listening to Christmas carol's under the tree.  

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
From Bittersweet Baker
Makes about 6 dozen cookies

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar

In a medium bowl, mix together cocoa, white sugar, and vegetable oil. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt; stir into the cocoa mixture. Cover dough, and chill for at least 4 hours.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll dough into one inch balls with lightly oiled palms. Coat each ball in confectioners’ sugar before placing onto prepared cookie sheets. (Also, try other ingredients like cinnamon or sprinkles.)

Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes. Let stand on the cookie sheet for a minute before transferring to wire racks to cool.

Enjoy!

O Christmas Tree....

 Now that the 12 Days of Christmas are over, I am going to grab a hot chocolate, cozy up by the fire, and enjoy our Christmas Tree. 

I played around with our lens a bit and got the image above.  I think it looks pretty cool.  This image below is our real Christmas Tree.

I can't belive it's less than 2 weeks until Christmas.  This is my favorite time of the year!!!!!  And I can't wait to get back to regular posting!  Enjoy the last part of your weekend!