Perfect Holidays: Barbie and Ken - Yeah, right!

Perfect holidays seem to be for all the Barbie and Ken dolls out there!!  Holidays come every year, yet I always find myself stressing about all those pesky details.  Holidays cannot be mess free, stress free, or family free!  Ever since last year, I've been thinking about how to de-stress the holidays, and I've come up with a small list of items that I am going to try and follow this year.  I want to enjoy myself, take in the fun and laughter, as well as record all those little details.  No... not those stressful details, all those happy and wonderful memories! 


1.  You are NOT a superhero.  You cannot do EVERYTHING.  
Make a list of things that you usually attend during the holiday season.  Identify and prioritize which events you want to go to that are important and which events you can bow out of gracefully.  You can say "No," and plan to meet up after the new year, when the holiday season is over and there is less stress. 


2.  Early bird catches the worm.
Start early and finish before the holidays are actually here!  Start your holiday cards or your yearly family newsletter earlier than usual.  Begin shopping a bit earlier, and you could also try out layaway!  You could also mix up your holiday cookie dough and freeze it until you need it!  Just start some things earlier!  Working out a timeline and planning will really make a huge dent in all that holiday stress. 


3. Delegate and ask for help!
Getting shopping done with kids underfoot is a bit difficult!  Ask a neighbor to watch your kids for a couple of hours so you could shop, and then you could return the favor.  You will get so much more completed. Have a family wrapping party for all those gifts that need to be wrapped (just hide the kids' presents)!  For a holiday party, go potluck!  Have others bring dishes or ask them for help in set-up and clean up!  Change things up, and ask for help. 


4. Try a different perspective
Gift giving doesn't have to be expensive.  Many times the emphasis on material goods seems inevitable in the season of giving. It is not necessary and can even be detrimental to the real spirit of the season. Try reducing stress by sticking to a reasonable budget and by not running up debt. Try to give back. Find an activity where you can help others less fortunate than you. Donate food items or clothes to a shelter.  Look at the holidays from a child's perspective and think about  new things to do and give with that perspective in mind.  If you have children, this is a wonderful opportunity to re-live the fantasies of the holidays through their eyes and experiences.  We should all believe in miracles and the possibilities of the season! 


5. Stay flexible but remember to have fun!
Work with the unexpected bumps in the holiday season.  Be willing to change plans, or switch things up a bit if the need arises.  Consider moving certain projects to a different time of year.   It may mean that you do things a little differently, but you may enjoy the holidays more if you
do.  Let the weeks leading up to your celebrations be filled with as much joy and happiness as the actual celebration.


The holidays fly by so quickly. You, your family, and friends will remember the times you shared, more than how many different types of cookies you baked. Sit down and enjoy the company. You’ll miss them when they are gone.  Since I've worked out these tips to simplify my holiday season, I've started to incorporate them into my day to day activities too!  I'm learning to enjoy what I have and cherish each and every day! 


Happy "[I]Stress Less[/I]" Holidays!

I'm back.... well....

After I catch up that is.... lol!  

I've recently been a little inactive here on my blog, but I have good reasons.  I've lost two of my grandparents this year, one in April and one in July.  Both funerals and burials were held within the same week and in 2 different states!  My month of July was a whirlwind of travel, funerals, and actually, a delightful upside, family!  

My grandmother (mother's mother) was a beautiful woman, whom I will miss greatly.  It still seems like she is still in her home, and I will see her the next time I visit. But I know that is not true, especially since there is a big lump in my throat!  She passed unexpectedly in April, but for various reasons her burial was in July. It was a nice quiet affair with just family. I really enjoyed seeing my family from California and South Carolina, and after the burial, we all spent a week down at the New Jersey Shore, together. Beautiful.

At the end of the shore week, I, with my husband, and little boys, headed out to the middle of the country for my grandfather's (father's father) funeral and burial.  He passed on July 5th, and lived a long, happy, blessed life!  He was a wonderful, giving, and loving man and will be missed by me and my family.  It was a sad experience at the funeral and burial, but seeing my family for this event even puts a smile on my face! This side of my family is HUGE, so to get everyone together, laughing and having a little fun was so memorable!  

I just thought I'd share why I've been absent and what happened!  Hopefully, you will all visit again soon!  I'll be posting my tutorials again, and possibly 4 a month!  On top of that, I'd love to start posting more of my layouts!  I just have to squeeze it in, lol! I think I need more hours in the day... or I just won't be sleeping! 

Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll forgive my absence! 

Jenn (jk703)

Question... Feedback, Pretty Please?!

Hi Everyone... 


I have plenty of layouts I can share, A bunch of tutorials or just some random chattery... but I was wondering what would you all like to see, learn or chat about? Ideas for tutorials would be great, or techniques you want to learn... or just subjects that would interest you!  


Any comments or ideas would be great!!!  And appreciated! 
Thanks in advance, 
Jenn... jk703/The Typative Scrapper

Google What? Read All About It!

Hi Everyone!  I'm here to share some chatteryness with you today!  I had a fantastic idea for today's post, but it hasn't panned out... so that one will hopefully I will get to post next time!  I've been blogging a lot lately on my scrap blog, and I read sooooo many blogs that I needed to figure out a way to be able to know what I've read, what I've seen, and keep my blogging time down without missing any cool or fun posts!  How to do this?! Hmmmm...

I was introduced to Google Reader, but a fellow digi scrapbooker!  Google Reader is "a fun way to browse interesting stuff on the web," per Google!  It really is, but they forgot to mention one fact -- it is EASY!

Here is the link to the Google Reader - Give It A Try page on the web. Now, let me tell you a little about it.

Say you read 20 websites that you visit to read daily.  Each has it's own posting schedule, and it is random.  Some might decide to update when they feel like it, some once a day, and some multiple times, some once a week....all random  How can you follow all that?  Ugh!  You could bookmark each website, and check each daily, wasting a lot of time, and effort for posts that might not be new or updated.  Then when you miss a day, you might miss some of the new updates too!

Google Reader does all the checking for you... it lets you subscribe to the websites, and then it does all the checking for you!  Every so often, it checks for updates and new information. So, instead of having to visit those 20 websites and checking each of them, you log into Google Reader.  Google Reader tells you which of the websites have updated, and what they updated with all at once!  How easy!!!  AND... you can view the new content, either in Google Reader, or click on it to go straight to the website.

Right now, I think I have about 50 blogs that I subscribe to!  If they update 10 times per day or once per day, Google Reader usually finds out about the new items within minutes. Even if one blog doesn't update for 6 months or a year, I'm sure that Google Reader will know within hours of that update! That is so much easier than visiting every day!

Now, I need to show you how to add Geek Chic Scraps to the subscriptions after you run over there and sign up, lol!

One step easy peasy!  Just click the Add a subscription, and place the web address of the blog or website you want to subscrips to and click on Add.  You're done!  Sooooo easy!

Well, there you have it... easy way to follow everyone!

Hope you had a great Tuesday and so happy you visited!

Post was created by me for Geek Chic Scraps: HERE!

Thanks for stopping by!

Jenn
(jk703/The Typative Scrapper)

C'mon, Check Out My Meatballs!

Meatballs!  Besides calling my kids that, I love to eat them!  I hope you do too - cause that is my meal to share today!  An easy family favorite... 

Crock Pot Meatballs!

You will need (the winded version):

Frozen Meatballs!  I choose to use Turkey meatballs...and I made 96 meatballs. 

Red Spagetti Sauce - homemade sauce or bottled sauce will do! 

Diced Veggies -  approx. 2-3 cups - onions, mushrooms, squash, zucchini, green pepper, carrots, or any others that you might like. 

McCormack Grinders Italian Seasoning

Optional:  Cheese, Garlic (Powder, Salt, or even Fresh... add if you like)

1. Plop the meatballs in your crock pot....set to Low Temperature. I have a 96 piece bag!

2. Add either your own sauce or any other sauce you like, approx. 32-48 oz.  I tend to use about half of the number of meatballs! For today, since I have 96 meatballs, I used approx. 48 oz. of sauce. Here is a pic as I am adding the sauce in... Turkey Meatballs are sooo yummy!

3. Add the diced veggies.  I've added onion, green pepper, mushrooms - they are very small because I try to hide them from my kids!  LOL!

4. Stir it all together; coat meatballs and veggies well. 

5. Sprinkle some garlic salt or garlic powder, or even a fresh clove of garlic. 

6. Grind the McCormack Grinders Italian Seasonings.  I used about a 1/2 tsp for my large amount. Stir. 

Cook for  4-6 hours on low. Remember to check your meatballs at 4, 5, and 6 hours depending on your crock pot and temperature settings.  Here are mine after a good stir and 6 hours of cooking... 

Now at the end... you have some choices for your dinner. You could boil some pasta and serve the meatballs over.  Just toss the cooked pasta in with the meatballs and serve... OR you could do what we did and make mini Meatball Hoagies!  My boys love them, and they are yummy!  Sprinkle the cheese goodies on top if you like... We didn't tonight, but it is my fav topping!

This big batch is perfect for lunch later in the week or a second meal one night! Easily freezes too!  Hope you've enjoyed it!  

Thanks for visiting!  If you have any recipes that you are looking for a fast version for, let me know -- I love a good challenge!  Have a great Monday!

Originally created and posted by me for Jennifer Fox Designs: Here!

Jenn

(jk703)

Nicknames and Me...Days 19 and 20 and a late addition of Day 21!

Hello... Hello... I may be behind on this bloggity challenge, but I will complete it!  :)  I've am about two thirds of my way through... so I will keep plugging along!  I'm at the day where I get to share my nicknames and a picture of me... I should just post like 10 pictures of me.... bwahahahaha!  That might be a little odd!  After this I've got some Mustard Removal ready to go... so don't forget to check that out... a fun little tutorial featuring my older DS, Shayne!


Day 19 -- Nicknames...

There are lots!  Lot's I tell ya... but mainly if I had to choose one it would be... dun dun dun daaaaa... Jenn.  Wow, right?  you couldn't have guessed that one, huh?!  Lets see what else I remember...

My parents called me The Wedge when I was a kid.  I am an only child, and would always be in between them... laying down on the bed, at the movies, wherever... so The Wedge was born.

Dad calls me "Ifer" sometimes.... because he didn't want the other half of my name to feel bad!  lol!

Gram calls me whatever name she can think of... Jeanne, Jan, Jane... oh, Jenny... I don't give her any lip... she has 8 kids and all their names start with the letter J... eventually she will get to Jenny.  BTW... DO NOT call me Jenny unless you are one of my grandmothers.  While I may not punch you, I will growl... grrrrrr...   it is reserved for them, and I don't like it really at all unless it is coming out of their mouths!

After that... well, there is one that stands out... Kennelly. It sounds like Kennelli... not Kenneeeeeelly.  lol!  It is my maiden name, and well, that was what a lot of people in college referred to me as... now that I am married... well, Kennelly remains.  Since Peter and I met in college, we have lots of the same friends... and Kennelly will live on!  lol!  I like it... it is a part of me!


Day 20... Pic of me... well, it is to the right... and i think it was taken in October 2010... nothing has changed, well... I do need to color my hair... badly... but otherwise the same!


Day 21...I'm going to squeeze this one in here too... What's in my Makeup Bag?

Well... makeup!  :)  I wear make up every day... and honestly... I look so funny with out it!  Seriously, people think I look tired or sick without makeup!  It is quite funny - plus if I don't wear my makeup... well, I really have NO eyes... they are small to begin with... and without some makeup showing them off... they are non-existent!  :)

What is in it?
Foundation, blushes, loose powder, eyeshadows, eye shadow primer, wet eyeliner, mascara, lip gloss, and more of the same. Don't forget the brushes, tweezers, and all the other doo-dads that go along with make up and application!  :)

My favorite eyeshadow is Urban Decay... Naked... LOVE... awesomesauce!  They also have an awesome eyeshadow primer... swear, it doesn't fade throughout the day... good stuffts!

Thanks for visiting! Hope you all have a great day!  Be back soon with Mustard Removal! :)
Jenn (jk703 or The Typative Scrapper)

READ THIS! :) Another Interruption..... :)

Hi everyone... yummies are on my head since I'm cutting back... so I'm going to share a recipe with you that in my family we call it BARK!  SOOOOOO yummy.... and SOOOOO bad for you!  Do not make this if you don't plan on bringing 90% of this to a party or something!  Otherwise, you WILL sit on your tush and eat it all!  Trust me!  I'm down 2 out of my 10 and thought instead of making it and eating it, well... I'd share the love... um, spread that poundage elsewhere!  (giggling)

Quick and easy dessert.... remember -- MUST take out of your house!! LOL!

Pics aren't great untouched... but I had to share sooner than later!  You ready?!  

Chocolate Bark (That is what we call it, lol!)

1 sleeve of saltine crackers
1 stick of butter
1/2 cup light brown sugar
12 oz chocolate chips
1 cup chopped pecans
Wax Paper
Non-Stick Cooking Spray
Aluminum Foil
Flat Jelly or baking pan.

Directions:
PREHEAT oven to 400F.
Line a flat 15x10x1-inch baking pan or jelly roll pan with foil; grease foil.
Spread crackers evenly into prepared pan. (Like my son, Shayne, lol)

Place butter and sugar in saucepan. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring frequently.

Reduce heat to low; boil 3 min.

Immediately spread over crackers. I use a wooden spoon to try to smooth it around and get any dry spots.

BAKE 5-7 minutes. The crackers may look like they are floating... be careful.. slip and slide crackers.

Take out and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Don't eat them.... the end is worth it!

Turn the oven OFF!
Put the cracker/buttery/chocolate heavenly mess back in the oven.  Bake for 5 minutes.
Sprinkle with walnuts.

Cover with Wax paper.
Smoosh the walnuts into the chocolate by pressing with a oven mitt or towel on the wax paper.

Cool -- freezer for an hour, fridge for a few hours, covered garage or outside if cold.
Break into pieces and just try to give it away!  :)

There are times that I don't really spread the chocolate very well... and it still comes out really good. Another thing that I have done, is when breaking up the pieces, to make it easier I've let it cool covered in the garage overnight - but if I don't have time, I cool it in the freezer.

You can change up the recipe for other yummies that you like!  I've tried white chocolate and walnuts, milk chocolate with pretzels, white chocolate with crushed candy canes and milk chocolate, butterscotch and nuts.  Double it up, and make different combinations!  Mix it up!

OH... just to make it more fattening, lol -- To make bark sandwiches, I've used fluff in the middle of two pieces... so sweet though, but kids love!

Hope that was fattening enough?!?!  I have created a new tag for some of my recipes - Fattening!  :)




LOL!  Anyway... hope you enjoyed this recipe!
Thanks for visiting!
Jenn (jk703)

Regrets and Something I Miss... Day 18 and Day 19

Hi everyone!!!!! I'm back to my Bloggity Blog challenge... though I do need to catch up on reading the other ladies fabulous blogs!!!!  Just a quick post to share some more random things about me!  I am on Day #18 - Regrets and Day #19 - Something I Miss.

Regrets...
I don't really think that I have any.  I do tend to think what might have been if things didn't happen the way they did... If I had to choose something, it isn't really a regret, just a "wonder what would have happened," so.....here is mine.

When I was graduating high school, I applied to colleges like everyone else.  I had my "sure things," my "reach but attainables," and then my "yeah, right!" applications.  Well, the first college that I got my reply from was Seton Hall University, here in NJ.  I was over the moon, so excited, and shocked.  My "yeah, right" school just sent me an acceptance letter!  Wow!

I am a lucky, lucky girl... spoiled brat in some ways. My grandparents were going to pay for my college tuition - so I didn't have to worry about tuition or things like that!  In my family, the grandparents have paid for the college education of the grandkids.  There aren't like crazy amounts of grandkids, so it is workable. Well, my mom told me that I wasn't able to go to Seton Hall because my grandparents wouldn't pay for it.  I was crushed, but understood.  I didn't look at another college acceptance letter. None.  I decided on a county college.  I never mentioned it again.

Years later, my grandparents were paying for my college education.  As I was chatting with my grandfather about colleg on the phone one day - by this point I had transferred to another university and was almost completed with my degree - and he asks me "Why didn't you go to Seton Hall?" I was dumbstruck, and speechless. I told him that Mom said he wouldn't have paid.  He said that wasn't the case, explained some things that my Mom got wrong, and said that maybe she had misunderstood him.  He would have paid for my schooling wherever I went. 

My only wonder what would have happened is:  What would my life have been like now - if I had gone to Seton Hall?  Not necessairily a regret, more of a wonder. I ended up transferring from County College to another NJ university, and graduating with a Degree in Psychology, as well as a Business Degree.

I do also know that this was the way it was supposed to happen -- otherwise, I wouldn't have met my wonderful husband, or had my two babies, or anything!  So... not really a regret!


Something I Miss...
Hmmmm.... really hmmmmm.... I am totally not sure!  I miss the little things --

I miss summer days, evening playing outside, warm weather and sunshine!  At least right now!  lol! I miss my grandfather, Shayne (yes, my older DS is named after him) -- and I wish he could have gotten to meet my little Shayne!  He was such a grumpy old man... but I knew just what he wanted every time I saw him!  I miss being able to go out one night and not having to worry about the kids, get a babysitter, or all that stuff!  I miss college -- it was so much FUN!  I miss hanging out with friends -- with kids and everything else, it is so difficult!  I miss my grandparents -- I still have three and they are special to me!  I miss seeing my family that lives far away... Indiana, California, and all over!  I miss so much... but it all seems so little!  I am grateful for what I have!


Be back soon... maybe with something fattening!  LOL... and I just hopped back on my cut down eating diet thingy!  :)

Have a nice night... thanks for visiting and reading my typative chattery post!
Jenn (jk703)

Dream House... and Looking Forward: Day 16 and Day 17

Hi everyone...  Happy Sunday!  I love the weekends, and not having to go to work!  I like my job, but lately, it is just not as fun as it used to be... oh well... onto better things!  I'm back again to share with you some more chattery randomness -- but with the Bloggity Blog Challenge, I'm a little more focused, lol!

I've decided to move on and over Day 15.  Not really the chattery subject I'd like to delve into here!

Day 16 is all about my dream house... well... I have to link you up... because it was a sweepstakes house for HGTV in 2009... um, 2008, and probably every year.... :)  I love these houses, and I would gladly copy and build all of them if I had the time and money!  There definitely good and not so good to each house... but I'd make it my own!

2008....close to my heart.  Every year my family and I meet in Islamorada, FL for a vacation.  It is beautiful, warm, and friendly place!  Nothing like the Florida Keys... and this HGTV 2008 dream house was beautiful!

2009...Beautiful porches, and clean and simple lines... mmmmm!  I love the whole house, but the look is so nice! A girl can dream, right!?  HGTV 2009 dream house... 

Closer to my home, and dear to my heart, is my grandmothers home.  It makes everything seem regal, but it is a comfortable familiarity to me, so I love it!  I'm not going to share the house itself, but my favorite picture from the house... untouched.  I love it!

Day 17.... something to look forward to... well, everything! I can't pin down everything, now can I?!  ok... well, not work!  :)

I look forward to the everyday, the hanging out with my boys, sharing a snack with them -- all the little stuff!  I also look forward to the big things -- vacations, anniversaries, or other things like that... Right now, with so much winter and snow... I am looking forward to the temperatures getting warmer and spring and summer!

I am a Pollyanna at heart...


Thanks for visiting... and have a nice Sunday!  I'll be posting shortly about those fantastic Eye-Fi cards... so check that out too!
Jenn (jk703)

An Interruption for DESSERT!!!!

Beep... Beep... A 30 Day Bloggity Blog Challenge Interruption... Beep... Beep... 

lol!  I'm playing, but I'm having fun!  My friend Linda (Scrapporreia) was telling me about a recipe for Brownies with Oreo's inside.  She explained them a bit, and sent me a link with a recipe!  It sounded divine!  I was just a little too lazy to look at the recipe, so I tried my own version!  Ready.... Set... Let's Go... gain a pound just by reading!  :)

You will need 

Box of Brownie Mix (and the stuffts to make it, as noted on the box)

Oreo's -- (I STRONGLY suggest Double Stuff!)

Non-stick Cooking Spray

Cake Icing... I used a Whipped Vanilla Icing. 

Muffin or Cupcake Pan

OK... Let's get started... it is pretty easy... 

Start by making the brownie mix as they advise on the box.  I used this kind -- it was all I had in the house at the time. It actually worked out really well... I'll share why later!  

I also used Oreo cookies... and they were Double Stuff!  YUMMY!  You could probably substitute another similar cookie or candy if you'd like... but I liked the whole Oreo and vanilla center idea!  Spray your pan... trust me - you DON"T want it to get stuck in there!  Once your brownie mix is stirred up and ready to go... plop an Oreo right in!  See!!!  

Get the Oreo all covered with Brownie mix as well as you can!  This is actually the hard part!  My mix was kind of chunky and didn't want to stick to the Oreo. I just kept kind of spooning the mix on the Oreo and spreading it around! OK.. Plop it into the muffin pan... See the pic below... I was worried that I didn't have enough brownie mix because it wasn't as liquid-y as my brownies normally were... it wasn't an issue.  

I popped them in the oven and let them cook per the boxes directions.  It was about 18 minutes... I pulled them out, and this was what they looked like!  They looked so good and smelled really really good!

 Now, the fun part... I have a sweet tooth, and took my Vanilla Icing and spooned some on top -- like a flattened cupcake. Here is my little masterpiece!  The chocolate brownie is good all on it's own, but adding the whipped topping really adds a different sweetness from the chocolate!  Try it!

Here's is what the inside looks like!  I took a bit and exclaimed to my husband... "Oh... I gotta get a shot of this - Check it out!"  He just rolled his eyes at me!  Oh well.... lemme tell you -- he ate 4!  

OK!  That is all... so easy, and I didn't follow a recipe!  lol!  There is one ingredient that you have to have after making these... Willpower... not to eat more than one! 

To think... this isn't even my "just by reading it, you'll gain 10 pounds" recipe... that one will be soon... when I make it next!  

I would love to know if you make them, what you ended up putting inside, and how it tasted to you!  Hope you enjoy it!

Thanks for visiting!

Jenn (jk703)

Yummiest Treats!

Hi Everyone! 

I'm bringing you a few of my favorite Yummies Today! Woo Hoo!  I thought I would share some info for some fun desserts!

First, is the fantastic and popular: Bakerella! This site is full of ideas... cakes, pops, and great ideas! Boy, I wish I had an ounce of her talent! Here are a few pics from her blog:

Her new book coming out soon (which I want to get!):

and some here are her so pretty to eat, but I would eat them! Cake Bites (her Cake Pops look just like these, but on a stick, various kinds):

YUM, right?!

A great resource for recipes and yummy desserts is Nosh With Me: Easy to follow recipes, pictures and ideas! Great Blog! Here is a pic of her S'mores recipe that looks perfect without the fire!

As the ending... my all-time favorite is : Hello, Cupcake! This is a website, as well as a blog that showcases what you can make with cupcakes, icing, and candy! Check it out! I made a few of the recipes from their first book named: Hello, Cupcake! (lol):

They have a second book that is out now, called "What's New, Cupcake?" I will have to head out and check that one out for some great new ideas!!! Check these out -- Spagetti and Meatballs!! Hello, Cupcake! Style...

Here are pics from my own creations using their book... so you know they CAN be done! Some (Fun to Make) Bugs:

One of the (Really Pretty in Person) Sunflowers:

Here is one of MY favorites... just cause I created it! lol! My very Own Cookie Monster Look A Like:

Well, I hope you've enjoyed these blogs, photos, and tidbits! I am pretty sure that I might be leaving you hungry! Would love to see your edible creations, so share any that you've made in the comments!!! Have a great day!

Post Originally created by me for Jennifer Fox Designs: Here!

Jenn (jk703)