Perfect Christmas
December 26, 2008 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
At our Extended Family Christmas Eve Party on Wednesday we had a great time.
We did stockings and presents for the children.
Then sent them out to play with their goodies while the adults did a White Elephant Exchange and a game of Christmas Bingo.
No one liked the gifts we brought. Oh well.
Most sought after gifts included a lava lamp, a really tacky ugly phone in the shape of a golf bag, and a really nice set of frames. We scored a tool box and an emergency kit. We tried to score a box of batteries.
We spent our Christmas Day at home with our own little nuclear family. Being lazy and learning to use our cool gadgets and toys.
Our big gifts were ipods this year. Running and exercising is a lot more fun if you’re listening to a book or podcast or great music.
All the kids CDs are scratched and skip so they got them too.
We had biscuits and sausage gravy for lunch, waffles and whipped cream and fruit for lunch and wings for dinner. All day we ate as much of my mother’s Christmas candy as we wanted.
My husband and I took turns going to for a run. It was so warm we ran in shorts and tank tops.
We watched Miracle on 34th Street and made popcorn with our new popcorn maker. Half the kernels didn’t pop (my 1970s one pops nearly every kernel).
Zack got a mouse costume which is so very A Christmas Story. We have mice and he always says, “There’s a mouse in my room.” And now there is for sure.
Ainsley climbed a tree and ripped her new tights.
The lid handle broke off my new crock pot.
It was a perfect Christmas.
I can’t wait to hear about yours.
Photo Source: Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me.
Annual Christmas Pageant
December 25, 2008 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
My mother-in-law produces an Annual Christmas Pageant and this year we took it to a nursing home to spread some joy.
Zack joined in the Angel Dance and it was so stinking CUTE!
I hope everyone is having a very Merry Christmas.
What Did I Get For Parents Who Have Everything?
December 25, 2008 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
A replica of our ancestors.
I saw them in a local antique shop and I had to buy them for my parents.
They are so real looking they are like those wax dolls at Madame Tussauds. Grandpa has a pair of dentures hanging from his belt. Grandma has spectacles. The cowboy boots and hats are real, as are the clothes, bandanas and belt buckles. They came with doll stands.
I can’t explain why, but they make me happy every time I look at them.
Merry Christmas b5media and E-World. Merry Christmas.
Photo Source: Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me
Rock the Book Club
December 24, 2008 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
Potluck and Karaoke and White Elephant Book Exchange.
That’s how the Between the Covers Book Club rocks Christmas!
Photo Source: Empowering Girls: So Sioux Me
“Green” Christmas Roundup
December 2, 2008 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
Compliments of Jennifer Chait at Tree Hugging Family.
I wanted to get everyone into the winter holiday spirit before kicking off December. However, I didn’t just want to post classic Tree Hugging posts. That said, with a little help from the rest of the channel, I rounded up a huge list of killer holiday (and eco-friendly) posts.
Sit back, browse, read, and linger in the holiday bliss!
Remember, no matter the treat or recipe, you can always green it up by exchanging organic and natural ingredients for conventional.
50 Cute and Tasty Christmas Cookie Ideas
Hey It’s Sugar Cookie Day - worth it for the pretty snowy cookie image alone.
Bacon Nut Stuffing - don’t forget, pork is a high pesticide food item, so buy organic if you make this dish.
Pumpkin Cheesecake - one of my personal favorite treats.
What Else Is In Your Beer? AND Vegan Beer & Wine - I know beer and wine do not make a meal, but hey, they are treats, and if you have a drink, you may as well get the best.
Don’t forget to green up your holiday crafts by using recycled materials when possible.
yo-yo Christmas tree ornaments
Easy Christmas Crafts for the Kids
24 Things To Make - A Crafty Christmas Countdown
Beautiful Christmas Wreath Ideas You Can Create Yourself
Quick and Easy Christmas Wreath Idea - Snowflake Wreath
Homemade Recycled Holiday Luminaries
Embroidered Christmas craft how-tos
Christmas in July Crafts for Kids
Christmas sewing & crafting tips and tricks
Free holiday projects from around the bead-osphere!
Favorite Christmas tree ornament tutorials, free patterns & ideas
50 Holiday Things You Can Make Yourself
Homemade Christmas Ornament Ideas: Pinecones
How to Make a Candy Christmas Wreath
Make Your Own Pop Up Christmas Card
Green up your homemade holiday gifts by using recycled materials and natural and organic ingredients when possible. You can apply this thinking to almost any homemade gift idea.
Homemade Eco Gifts You Can Make for the Holidays!
Fabric Covered Journal Tutorial
How To Make Your Own Bath Salts
A Gift You Can Make With Your Children~ Hot Chocolate Mix Jar
Cheap Christmas Spa Basket Gift - Heating Pads
When it comes to green holiday tips you can do a lot; be a smart consumer, save energy, reuse items, and way more.
Turn Cereal Boxes into Gift Boxes
Green Product Review: Green Christmas Book
Tips on Staying Healthy During the Holidays
Green Christmas Shopping - 3RLiving Exclusive Discount to Unplugged Living - 3R Living has the coolest green gear, and now, you can score it for less.
- Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #1
- Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #2
- Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #3
- Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #4
- Meaningfully Frugal Christmas Tip #5
How To Reduce Your Winter Heating Bill
Weatherization Assistance Programs
Easy ways to save money when gift shopping online (conserve gas, stay at home and shop).
The First Snowfall - A Day for Fun and Quilting Inspiration
25 Reasons To Get Outside During Winter
Decorating Your Holiday Table - with the goodness of soy
Decorating Your Coffee Table for Christmas
Great Kitty Stocking Stuffers - recycled tins, natural kitty treats!
15 Unique Christmas Gifts - many recycled!
Steal This Christmas Gift Please!
Kitten Christmas Pictures - you know me; NOT a pet fan. So if I’m posting kitten pictures, you can bet your hide they’re flippin’ adorable. Even I was moved.
Best Holiday Books, 2008 - kid friendly! Use the library or share with friends to be extra green with holiday books.
Christmas Party Game Idea - Family Tree
Green Holiday Gift Guide: Great Books for Kids
[Image via stock.xchng]
Pharmacy Sign
December 23, 2007 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
Don’t let the Holidays stress you out.
- Prozac $12
- Zoloft $86
- Xanex $4
Holiday Blogging Awards
December 6, 2007 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
It’s Gayla’s (Lifestyle Channel Guru) pleasure to announce the First Annual b5media Lifestyles Channel Holiday Blogging Awards.
I’ve recruited some of my favorite bloggers from around the sphere
to step up as judges for the following categories:
Best Holiday decoration of a Blog - Any blog or blogger who has decorated their blog for the holidays either entirely or in an subtle way. Prize: $20 USD via Paypal and links from channel blogs.
Best post about Christmas on a Blog - The best posting about Christmas or holiday activities on a blog. It can be religious or non-religious, but should celebrate the spirit of the season. Prize: $20 USD via Paypal and links from channel blogs.
Best Holiday image or video on a Blog - The best display of your own personal holiday decorations on a blog. It can be religious or non-religious, but again, should celebrate the spirit of the season. Prize: $20 USD via Paypal and links from channel blogs.
All you have to do to win is submit your entry to our Blogging Awards host post. Be sure to include the link to be judged or risk disqualification. It’s THAT Easy and what’s better than FREE Money!?!
Nominations will close at midnight December 13th
and winners will be announced on Monday, December 17th.
Local Flavor
November 5, 2007 by Tracee Sioux
Filed under Parenting
When we lived in New York City we made it a point to indulge in the local culture. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, fixed price pre-theater dinners at the Algonquin Hotel and lying about my merchant status in the fashion district to get the wholesale price were par for the course.
Now we live in East Texas and we partake in the local culture. We go to Blue Grass concerts and chili cook offs in country churches. We dress the baby in overalls. My husband has asked for a Banjo for Christmas, Ainsley is getting a guitar. We’ll be a hillbilly version of the Partridge Family - you gotta problem with that?
The Venus And Mars Of The Flu.
Happy New Year everyone.
I hope that unlike me the the first day of 2007 finds you healthy and raring to go. I, or rather we, have a nasty strain of the flu.
Hubby and I have caught this thing at exactly the same time, are experiencing the exact same symptoms, and are both certainly NOT raring to go.
However, I have noticed slight differences in what that actually means for a man vs. a woman (the weaker sex).
Especially when it comes to certain household chores.
Case in point: the other night we were both ready to do nothing but fold ourselves under a toasty quilt for the evening…BUT… Read more
A Christmas Present For Your Computer.
Oh come on now — it’s exactly 2 months until Christmas. It’s not even HALLOWEEN yet and already with the Lowes commercials and the scarey holiday music.
If you’re too weak to start thinking about a gift list, how about a present for your computer…3M now makes these nifty laptop privacy protection screens for your laptop. This is a very effective thing to bring with you when flying: it cuts down on glare, but it also keeps nosey-bodies from taking peeks at your work…or your movie.
So, run down to staples and get one for your computer. And while you’re at it, you may as well get some wrapping paper…and one of those storage bins that have all of the neat compartments for all of the decorating crap you through up in the attic in a Bloomingdale’s shopping bag last year.
