{not so} perfect life

Not so long ago Jilly was at lunch with her high school girlfriends.  They chatted about kids, jobs, homes, and the conversation of "our blog" came up. One of them asked Jilly if our lives are really as perfect as they seem.....

Jilly came home and told me all about it and I was as confused as the first time I saw Gangnam Style.

Knowing the struggles I've had in my life and being close enough to Jilly to know some of hers, I couldn't believe anyone could possibly think our lives were perfect.

Then I began thinking.

It's true, sometimes I read {Jones Design Company} and see Emily's beautifully organized blog, her talent for creating beauty, her four adorable kids and handsome husband, and I'm left wondering why no one is paying me hundreds of dollars to design their blog or dying to make my handwriting into a font.  I'll head over to {Velvet and Linen} to check on designer Brooke Giannetti and her (architect) husband's dream home at Patina Farm, just to find myself wondering if there is any possible way I can come back in the next life as her chicken.

But then I re-remember the quote I saw in vinyl, hanging in my cousins kitchen.  I take a deep breath, grab a square of Ghirardelli Chocolate, and MOVE ON.

I made this quote into a printable 5 x 7 just in case you need a gentle reminder like I do.

-click on the image to print-

Jilly and I humbly realize we have been blessed with talents, we've thrown some pretty awesome parties, we have a LOT of fun together, we have an amazing circle of friends, we've gone on some fantastic trips together, completed many fabulous projects with {CP}, we have great families, we love to laugh, and we never tire of each other.  But we don't intend to give the illusion that any of it is perfect.

We want you to know we're two simple moms who want to infuse the blogging world with creativity and humor.  Just hoping to make a difference for good.    

And here's the truth about my life.  I've been going through something really hard over the past 18 months.  Remember the {Nino}?  We've had a cute, smart, funny, special little foster boy in our family for a year and a half and the things we've gone through to make him part of our forever family has been the biggest and most difficult challenge I've ever faced.

The unexpected twists and turns we've encountered as a family have been emotionally and mentally exhausting  in every way imaginable.  Some days I've hardly been able to get out of bed.  Sometimes I've cried so hard there were no tears left.  I've prayed more in the last 18 months than I have my whole life.  At times I've been rude to my husband and short with my teenage son, and sometimes when it's my turn to make a blog post, I want to take my computer and shove it up....*&!

I wish I could give you more details about the Nino, but for legal purposes, I can't.  Hopefully someday I can tell you his name, stop having to blur out his face on our blog, and share our story with you.  For now, we're in the trenches with our family, fighting for our family. 

I've learned a lot about myself during this trial and I've realized that even though I'm struggling with something really, really, hard, I can make a conscious effort to be happy by focusing on others needs, and finding joy in simple things.

Here are a few simple things that have made me happy through the Holidays.

Each night in December "Pepe" the elf surprised Nino with random acts of magic.  Sometimes it was a treat from Mrs. Clause at the North Pole and sometimes it was waking up to a toilet papered bathroom or nose as red as Rudolphs.  Coming up with a new idea 24 days in a row was completely exhausting, but seeing the big smile on his face every morning was completely worth it.

A few days before Christmas, we had the opportunity to prepare and take a meal to 30 homeless people.  We had taco salad with the works and sugar cookies for dessert.  Jilly snapped this picture of me and Marion.  Marion works for the traveling carnival and has been to every state in the US.  She'll be sleeping on the cold, hard, floor of this church with 30 other strangers until employment takes her elsewhere. 

This holiday season we were able to play "Secret Santa" for two families that belong to an amazing organization called Singleton Moms.  Both of these mothers are single moms, both of them battling cancer.  They have jobs, kids, responsibilities, and juggle it all while fitting in chemo therapy appointments and doctors visits.  Truly amazing women.

This awesome group of people along with many others made it possible for us to make Christmas a little brighter for two families.  Our kids even worked for months before hand making and selling misc items so they could participate in the happy feeling that comes from helping others.   

One of the things that made me smile this Christmas was thinking about how much these two boys need each other and how different both of their lives have been for the past year and a half.

Together they made cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Nino drew Tatum's name for the cousins gift exchange and we  had a great time making her a matching game.  It was so rewarding to hear her squeal with delight as she saw her cousin's faces on the cards, and asked if we could play it again and again. 

I found lots of joy carrying out holiday traditions, which of course includes the "Polar Bear Plunge" in the neighbors FREEZING COLD swimming pool.  This year the prize was a crisp 50 dollar bill for the one who could swim the most lengths.  Tatum's dad (my brother, Trevin) was pulled out of the pool on completion of his 50th just as his speech started to slur and his organs began to shut down.   I love our rediculously competitive family. 

I know that life is about growing and progressing and the best learning experiences come from personal trials and struggles. 

And I know for sure that there is always something beautiful waiting on the other side. 

LOVE tree + free downloads

Every Monday evening is family night in our home.  It's the one night of the week when we clear our schedules and count on being together.  Sometimes we learn about Jesus, sometimes we bake treats or do yard work for neighbors, and sometimes we get out the board games and see who will be chutes n' ladders champion.

This week I was in charge, and decided we would make a LOVE tree to put on our kitchen table.  I cut down some branches from the neighbor's yard and spray painted them white.  Then I made some circle tags for each of us to write love notes on. 

As we filled them out, we clipped them onto the tree and tied hearts onto branches with red ribbon.

My boys thought it was fun, and everyone felt good while we read them out loud to each other.

If your family wants to make a tree, go {here} for the printable, circle tags.

I found these hearts while reading a freakishly cute blog I stumbled upon, {Simple as That}.

Go {here} to download. 

Rebecca is an fantastic photographer and has lots of tips and tricks to get you inspired.  She also has a few other free printables that I'm going to use for the Nino's Valentine's Day party at school.  I love a time saver!

I don't really get into the stuffed teddy bears and heart necklaces on Valentine's day, but a few years back, my man and I started a fun tradition.  We get the kids off to school, and and as soon as they're gone, we get right back into bed.  We put a TV in our room, order take out, and watch movies in our "PJ's" all day. It's one of the perks of being self-employed, and since my love language is quality time, it's one of the things I look forward to all year.


PS. Are we allowed to sign up for our own giveaway?  Jilly painted this quote that could be so cute in my bedroom!  If you want it too, sign up {here}.

grown-up christmas party

I was going to say "adults only" christmas party, but that sounded scandalous.

About 6 years ago, after my baby sister got married, I decided to start a new tradition in the Scott Family.  Erica was a well thought out afterthought by my parents, and since she is so much younger than the rest of us, she had been relegated to the "kids table and activities" until the day she tied the knot at age 21.  To officially welcome her into the world of adulthood, I hosted a Family Christmas Party, no angels under the legal age invited.

I have a big family, number two of six kids, and we are all married.  Between the six of us, there are already 19 kids and counting. There is rarely an opportunity for just the adults to convene, and you can imagine the mayhem when we all get together with the children in tow.  My plan was to have a wonderful dinner party by candlelight, a gift exchange, and meaningful conversation to reconnect with my family without having to burp a baby or tend to a bathroom emergency brought on by the current child in training.  It was so much fun, and we have kept the tradition alive, rotating through hosts ever since. This year, it was back to being my turn.

Of course when you are going to be feeding a group of 14 people a full meal, one of the first things to think about is the menu.  My choice of food for the evening went a little something like this:

appetizers:  shrimp cocktail and baked brie with french bread
salad:  antipasto
entree:  double layer baked ziti and homemade breadsticks with herbs and butter
dessert:  gingerbread trifle with custard and fresh raspberries

The baked ziti is a recipe from Rachael Ray, and it really does feed an army.  I even had a little bit left at the end of the night.  Find the recipe {here}.  The only change I made was to add some browned sweet italian sausage to my red sauce to make it a little more hearty.  This dish is something that can be made ahead, then popped into the oven for 40 minutes before everyone shows up.

The gingerbread trifle is so yummy that I'm going to give you the recipe at the end of this post for a little treat.  It can also be made a full day ahead, which is a big timesaver when hosting.
 

Probably my favorite thing to do when planning an event is the table set-up.  I always do it a day or two in advance now that my boys are older and aren't quite as mischievous as they once were.  I know that everyone doesn't have that advantage, but you will, someday.  And then you will be sad that your babies don't want you to rock them to sleep anymore.... and you might even wish that maybe they were tiny and mischievous again.....

I just used stuff that I already had, and of course lots of candles.  Everything looks better at night when the lights are low and the candles are lit.  ......Ifyouknowwhatimean......   I had a bunch of straight glass vases in various sizes.  I filled them with fake snow and some spare sprigs I found while sweeping up after hanging some garland.  They are so wintry and will mesh right in with my decor through January.  I did spring for 1 bunch of white tulips at Costco.

I also tagged each goblet with a monogram.  This served as a place card, as well as helping to keep track of one's drink throughout the evening.

I ended up setting two tables because there were so many of us.  And yes, I'm definitely planning on picking a paint color in 2012.

We ate and visited by candlelight at the tables for an hour or so, with Michael Buble's new Christmas album playing softly in the background.   Then we gathered in the living room for a rousing game of Left, Center, Right.

Oh... this game is a MUST HAVE. I got mine at WalMart.  Our dear friends Ben and Kelly introduced it to us last Christmas Eve when we spent a delightful evening in their home.  It started out innocently enough.

Getting a little lot more intense as the game progressed.

And in the end, it was super exciting!  I WON!  Which means I made myself a cool $42 cash since we played with dollar bills.  Get this game.  It's such a fun one to play with a big group.

On to the gift exchange which was also very enjoyable.  Jeff got a woman's scarf, and I'm pretty sure Rachelle was more excited about it than he was.

I ended up with a tin of delicious, wafer thin gingersnaps, and Andrew got a sleeve of golf balls.  He's pretty much set for Christmas now.

However, the biggest highlight of the evening came when Daddy announced to all of us that as of January 1st he will be retiring.  He has never missed a day of work in 43 years.  That's a true story.  Can you even believe it?  I don't know anyone on this planet who is a harder worker than my Dad.  What an example he has been to me of perseverance.  I love him so much, and am so excited for him.  No one deserves it more.  I've already invited him to move in with us for the winter.  I'll provide him three square meals a day, and he can just putter around my house with his tool belt on!  Too bad five identical offers have already been submitted.  I think my mom wants him to herself for awhile.  Whatever.

We always end with a good family picture, and then a bad one.  (which is Erica's idea every year)  Please enjoy my fun family.  Oldest to youngest, left to right, with my parents in front.  Matt (brother) and Kim, me and my man, Ryan (brother) and Amy, Nate (brother) and Erica, Jeff (brother) and Rachelle, Brett and Erica (sister).

And that about sums it up.  Are you still reading?!

With some preparation and thought, anyone can throw a fun party.  If you start thinking about it now, by next Christmas you will be completely ready.  You should probably make the gingerbread trifle and eat the whole thing yourself before you think about serving it to your guests.  Oh, am I the only one that does that?

Gingerbread Trifle

Gingerbread:
2 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter, slightly softened
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup dark molasses
2 large eggs
3/4 cup buttermilk

Heat oven to 350.  Grease and flour a 9 x 13 pan.  In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt.  In a large bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until soft and creamy.  Add sugar and molasses and beat again until the mixture is well blended and fluffy, about 2 minutes.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.  Slowly pour in the buttermilk and beat well.  Reduce speed to low and slowly add half the flour mixture to the bowl and beat until blended.  Repeat with other half.  Pour the batter into the pan and bake for 40-45 minutes.  Let it cool completely, then cover tightly with plastic wrap until ready to use.  Can be stored at room temperature for up to two days.

Custard:
9 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
3 cups whole milk
1 1/4 tsp. vanilla

Divide the eggs yolks from the whites.  Place yolks in a large bowl, and beat with electric mixer on medium-high speed with the sugar until mixture is pale yellow and thick, about 2 minutes.  Reduce the speed to low and beat in the flour.  In a medium saucepan, bring the milk to a boil.  Slowly pour half the milk into the egg mixture and beat until blended, then pour the mixture into the remaining milk in the pan.  Over medium heat, bring the ingredients to a boil while whisking constantly.  Allow the custard to boil for 1 minute as you continue to whisk.  Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.  Let custard cool slightly, then cover it's surface with a piece of plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming.  Let the custard cool completely, then fold in 2 cups of real whipped cream that has been slightly sweetened.  Put in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Raspberry mixture:
3 (12 oz) packages frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed
3 T. sugar

Assembling the trifle:
Cut gingerbread into small chunks.  (about 2 inches).  Put a nice thick layer in the bottom of the trifle dish.  Spoon some of the raspberry mixture over, then top with some of the custard filling.  Repeat the layering two or three more times, (depending on the size of your dish) ending with the custard layer on top.  Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and chill for at least 8 hours, or overnight.  Before serving, top with fresh raspberries.  Now eat it!

Don't forget to enter our {christmas giveaway}.  You still have a few days left!

christmas pennant

When I was a kid, my mom would get out the wood loom and we would begin making Christmas gifts for our teachers, in July.  Well there were seven of us, and we each had three teachers, so it was imperative that we get a head start.  Just thinking about all the hours spent weaving, tying, and coughing up yarn balls, makes me want to curl into the fetal position.  I'm sure Mrs. Kremiller still uses the pot holder I made her 28 years ago and thinks about my little freckled face and feathered mullet every time.

This year I came up with a simple handmade gift for the Nino's teacher.  I love the idea of a homemade gift, but this time of year I don't have hours to spend crafting them.  I thought a Christmas pennant was the perfect solution and it's so easy, the kids can help.

Here's what you'll need.

Take your previously made template, trace and cut 7 double width triangles to make 14 total.

Paint the triangle with white craft paint and let it dry.

Using the black paint, stencil the letters onto the triangles.

Fold the top half inch over and make a crease.

Cut a 2.5 yard piece of jute.  Tuck the jute up into the fold, one letter at a time, and use a zig-zag stitch on your sewing machine to secure the top of each triangle shut.  

Glue a piece of decorative trim to the top of each triangle. 

If you want, take 100 grit sand paper to lighten up the letters and distress some of the edges.  

A few weeks ago I bribed the boys and we headed over to a field with my friend, Ashley, for a photo shoot. I decided to bring the pennant along for a few Christmas shots. Brody is now driving a new corvette and the Nino gets cup cakes for breakfast every morning. 

I wish I could show you our little foster baby's face, but for privacy purposes I had to blur him a bit.  Humbug.  Just imagine his silly grin, crystal blue eyes, and tiny freckles across his nose.  He's more adorable than words. We're not sure how long he'll get to stay, but we're loving every inch of him while he's here.

a winner and thanksgiving re-cap

Jilly and I stuffed ourselves silly yesterday and between the turkey and the pie, we took a moment to pick the winner of our November giveaway.

Congratulations #128 Jamie Andersen!!!

Please contact us at meandjilly@gmail.com so we can have your custom address sign done in time for Christmas.  Guess you can't say you never win any more sistah!

Here are some highlights of our Thanksgiving day at Jilly's.  The food was unbelievable, the weather was overcast (it sprinkled for about 10 seconds), and the company was delightful.  This year we had some of Jilly's family and some of mine for dinner.  The children were well behaved (we only had one shiner), and the men did the dishes.  Ya, it was pretty perfect.  
   

 

For all you brave and crazy black Friday shoppers out there, I need a new desktop computer if you wouldn't mind grabbing me one.  I've been blogging from a laptop for the last year and well, I SNAPPED!  I'm getting a new computer today if it's the last thing I do.  On line, of course.

Now on to the rest of my Christmas list.  You better watch out!