My Christmas List

So Nate has asked me what I want for Christmas, and could I please make him a list so he can get exactly what I want. Trying to be accommodating, I have put some things down on paper for him. I wonder what he is going to say when he sees what is on my list?!

Bubbles Ring from Tiffany's


Bubbles Bracelet from Tiffany's

Getting Started

So, I've been really stressed lately about getting food storage and 72 hour kits in order, thanks to our omen of a blackout! I feel so behind and clueless when it comes to food storage. Last week someone emailed me to a great website that had tons of useful information and great worksheets/checklists (thanks Heidi!). We have our shelves up and now I just need the food. Hopefully no natural disasters strike in the next little while! For the food storage challenged, like myself, here are my two favorite websites that I found really helpful:
-www.myfoodstoragedeals.com
-http://foodstoragemadeeasy.net.
I am still going to cross my fingers that Santa will bring me some Shelf-Reliance shelves for Christmas. We'll see.

Lights Out

Our power went out on Sunday night, for about 2 hours. An SUV had crashed into a power pole, effectively blacking out our neighborhood. Apparently we live on the edge of some power grid, because the people across the street had power, but not us. We walked down and saw the wreck and so did our entire block it seemed. Fortunately for us, the power people were already there and working on getting our lights back on. We were baking cookies at the time and luckily they finished right as the power went out, so Nate had treats while we hung out in the dark. I did know where the flashlights and lantern were, but now I feel an urgency to get our 72 hour kits in order!

This is our kitchen during the blackout, don't worry, I'm not planning on becoming a professional photographer. It is hard to take pictures with the flash turned off.

Nate's favorite chocolate chip and butterscotch cookies that finished just in the nick of time!

Haunted Gingerbread House

Nate and I made a gingerbread house last year around Christmas, and it did not turn well. Then I ran across these kits for haunted gingerbread houses, so we had to try again. We were up at my mom's house this evening and so Kelley and Josh (my sister and brother) and Nate and I made our haunted ginger bread house. This one stood up on it's own and the roof didn't even cave in! Needless to say, we were very pleased with the results.

I've Fallen for Fall

What can I say about fall, I love it! I love the cold temperatures, the rain, the changing leaves. Years ago I heard a term for fall that I love, "hoodie weather." Well said! I am so grateful for the return of hoodie weather. Farewell summer and your miserable heat. Bring on the frost and the mornings where I can see my own breath. It is so much easier for me to sleep during the day, after I've worked all night, when it is a little bit darker. I love the rich colors that fall brings, and people just seem to be nicer this time of year. Yeah for fall!