A simple, frugal Christmas gift

My new go-to Christmas gift, courtesy of the lovely, brilliant ladies at Urban Nest:

With a different mug:

Close up of tag with instructions:

This is a fantastically simple and frugal gift.  I got my mugs and treat bags to hold the cafe mocha mix at the dollar store, used curling ribbon I already had, and an editable gift tag I had saved to my computer from last year.  I apologize for ruining the surprise for any of you who may be getting this for Christmas from us but it was too good an idea to not share.  

Here's the recipe straight from Urban Nest:

3/4 cup instant coffee

3T cocoa

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 cup non-dairy creamer

1/4 cut nonfat dry milk

Mix the ingredients.  Add 2 tablespoons to 6 ounces of hot water.

I doubled the recipe and put about a cup and a half of the mix in each treat bag.   

Happy Christmakwanzukkah!

16 months can BEAT IT

I blame each and every one of you with a child older than 16 months for not telling me. For not telling me that my dear, beloved, mild tempered child was going to turn into a whining, pinching, throwing, leech-like creature in his 16th month. It's all your fault and you ARE going to share blame with me for his bad behavior. Not only is he cantankerous, he's also deliberate in his evil ways. He looks me square in the eye before he throws his sippy cup halfway across the kitchen. He makes sure I'm paying attention before he attempts to throw himself off the couch onto the coffee table. His methods are sure and fast and he knows he'll get maximum response the more dangerous the behavior. He's shifty. He's rascally. He's a...toddler. And it's all your fault for not warning me.

Also, as evidenced by the following video, he's easily suggestible. Keep in mind, he did NOT fall down nor did he hit his head. I can totally use this to my benefit, no?

And so this is Christmas (at the Smiths)

After much blood, sweat, tears, and whoops of joy, our house is decorated for the 2009 Holiday Season.  Welcome!

I am SO happy that's all done.  Every year I dread the task but every year I am so pleased when it's all put out and the stockings are hung (on our faux mantle) and the tree is twinkling.  Now I just need a team of elves to do my Christmas shopping and clean my house.

Before the first snow of the season

1.  He is so damn cute.

2.  The snow started falling minutes after I took this photo.  He looked up at the sky and said "Bubbles!"  I said, "No, try again."  He cocks his head and ponders the falling snow for a minute. "WaWa (Rain)?"  Close, buddy, but not quite.  This stuff is way worse than rain.  And so winter has officially arrived in Chicago.

3.  I'm in love with my new iPhone app: Camera Bag.  Go buy it.  Right now.  I'll wait.

4.  Got it?  Good.  Now, you can make any iPhone photo so very pretty with this app.  See that one up there?  I took that and then used my app to make it look like it was taken with a Helga.  There are about 10 different "lens" you can use to alter and prettify your photos.  It almost makes my DSLR and Photoshop seem unnecessary.  (Just kidding.  iPhones are't THAT good at taking pictures.)

5.  I'm attending my first blogger meet-up thingymajig tomorrow and I am NERVOUS/EXCITED.  I think I'm a relatively outgoing person but I haven't thrown myself at strangers in a long time.  I've heard there is wine so that helps.  All of you non-bloggers are snickering now.  Don't make fun of me.  Stop it.  I mean it.  

For the dog lovers

UPDATE: Wrigley has a new home!

This little pup,Wrigley, needs a new home:

From her mom, M:

Is anyone interested in adopting a dog? Sadly, our 2.5 year old Shih-Tzu/Yorkie mix, Wrigley, is in need of a new home. She is generally a good animal, but she has demonstrated aggression towards our 16 month old son and we no longer trust her around A.

Wrigley is paper/mat trained. She is smart, affectionate, loyal and very cute. Like most small dogs, she is on the yappy side but she was never trained otherwise (our fault). She is initially aggressive when meeting other dogs, but quickly calms down. She has had a constant companion, Finley (our silky terrier), since we got her and the dogs get along really well. As of this coming weekend, she will be updated on her shots and freshly groomed. She was spayed when she was six months old.

We'd love to give her to a good home (one without young children).


We've met Wrigley and she really is a lovely pup but she needs a new home and I'm putting this out there in case you know of someone who would like to take her. Contact me via email or through the comments if you, or anyone you may know, is at all interested. Thank you!