Spare Time

It has been so nice to be on Christmas and to have spare time to do all the things I never have time to do.  I've read a few books, scrapbooked quite a lot and have been playing around with the blog and digital scrapbooking which are both new to me.  A few months ago Chris helped me switch the craft room around when we got the iMac and now I spend so, so much time in there.  I love it.  I've been going through a lot of my things and trying to re-organize the room to make it very accessible.  It's hard to part with stuff though.  I currently have about 38 stamps sets on sell on eBay.  Hopefully they'll all sell!

In the past couple days Chris and I finally hooked up my Christmas present from last year....a printer that will print up to 13 inches wide.  I was so excited to be able to try to print some scrapbook pages since I'd never tried digital scrapbooking.  My first try printing didn't quite go as planned...

Since then I've learned how to set up the settings correctly so the page doesn't get chopped off.  I'm a big fan of complete digital scrapbooking.  There's not enough depth and texture to the page.  I've done a few with large pictures printed directly onto the 12x12 paper and then the journaling which turned out cute.  I really like being able to use Memory Mixer to add the journaling directly to the page so it looks like I wrote right on there without having to actually use my own handwriting.  

I just noticed that both of these were of my dog...I swear I scrap more than just her.  That was just a coincidence.  :)

A New Year, A New Look

I've spent some time the last couple days changing the backgrounds on the blogs....this one and the one for my classroom.  I think this is my favorite thing about blogging honestly is playing with the little tags and backgrounds, making the headers and post dividers.  I a little OCD about it.  After a few frustration breaks I think I've got them both perfect.  Now I just wonder how long I'll be able to keep them this way...there are an awful lot of cute Valentine backgrounds :)

mrsfredricksonsclass.blogspot.com

Day 25: Merry Christmas!

We had a great Christmas despite the stress of recent developments.  We changed up the Christmas tradition and did a white elephant instead of a Christmas drawing and it was a lot of fun.  I think Chris and I scored pretty well with a $50 iTunes gift card and a $50 Palais de Jade gift certificate at the end.  Aunt Stacey ended up with an Incredible Hulk clock and a Lil' Wayne hoodie....courtesy of my dad :).  The best part of the night was the chicken...see the picture of Chris and my cousins Will and Kevin.  Yes, there's a story there.  Ah the chicken.  Well we hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and will have a fantastic and healthy New Year!  We are looking forward to my mom getting out of the hospital soon to finish up our Christmas traditions and to be able to include her.  

Although the 25 Days of December challenge has been a lot of fun, I'm looking forward to having a break from daily blogging.  I can't wait to change the background of the blog now that the holidays are over.  I'm obsessed with the backgrounds to choose from.  It'll have to wait until my paper is finished though...it's due tonight.  Uggh!  My last one of this class.  One more class to go!

Day 24: Baking

Today Chris and I made a batch of "Piano Recital" cookies, well two batches actually.  He got the recipe from his mom, who got it from a lady who got it from a lady that made the cookies for a piano recital...hence piano recital cookies.  I've got to admit that even while making them they look a little strange...graham crackers covered with slivered almonds and drizzled with a caramelly sauce.  But once the caramel hardens and butteryness (yes that's a word) soaks through the bottom of the graham cracker they are pure heaven.

As usual, Charlotte was under foot the entire time.  She did score a few graham cracker crumbs, but obviously she was not satisfied and had her eye on the grand prize.

Day 23: Annual Humiliation

Every year I humiliate Jack by putting on his winter sweater.  I'm not really the type who dresses up their animals but I do put on his blue, snowflake turtleneck for a laugh every year.  The funniest part of the sweater is the fact that Chris bought it "for me" when we first started dating.  That speaks volumes of the transformation people undergo once they stop trying to impress their new girlfriend.  I can't even begin to imagine Chris at Petsmart these days cat sweater shopping.

Every year when I drag out the sweater and force the furball into it he goes limp.  Basically he won't move.  Which is PERFECT for taking pictures.  Sorry Jack.  Until next year....

Day 22

The meteorologists in Reno are liars.  I know, I know, the weather in Reno is "so difficult to predict"blah, blah, blah.  What happened to all these big storms? We've been loaded up on groceries, books and movies waiting for the excuse "we've been snowed in" all week.  It never came.  If it's not going to snow or rain can we at least have some sun please?

Blog update:  apparently I have more people reading my blog than I realized and I have left some unanswered questions.  Yes, my peppermint bark DID separate AGAIN this year.  Next year I'll be revamping my recipe/game plan.

Day 21

This is the best time of the year to get the mail.  Not only are there always packages arriving but I love to see and open all the Christmas cards.  Every year it seems like there are a little less.  I hope people don't give up on the tradition.  Maybe I've just pissed some people off :)

Day 20

Peppermint ice cream.  Yum!  Only during the holidays is this minty treat available and Chris and I got some for the first time in years!  I love the color!

Day 19: Family

Tonight we had a family dinner at my grampa's house.  Despite all the craziness going on with people in our family we had a great time.  It was fun to get to see Hope Nicole!

During dinner she sat by Uncle Greg who she decided to give some nonverbal cues to by plugging her ears.

Day 18: Promises, Schmomises

Today I promised Chris that I would do the grilling for dinner tonight and he could do all the cutting.  I was fine with that promise since I hate cutting all the carne asada.  When we make it, we make a lot and freeze it which is great but not too fun on the "making day".  Little did I know when I made this promise that I'd be grilling at 7 o'clock tonight in the rain.  Nothing like a little rain water to add some extra zing!

Day 17:Best day of the year!

Today was my favorite day of the school year.  All the kids wear pajamas to school, we open the gifts from the gift exchange plus the books and stocking that I give them, we watch Home Alone, and then go to the Christmas Polar Express sing-a-long assembly.  Gotta love being able to wear pj's to work and not feeling like a loon (just bring some jeans for after work errands:) ).  

This year some of the parents in the classroom purchased matching pajamas for all the kids in the class.  They looked so cute!

(I chose the girls' picture to post because the boys were all over the place!  Major ants in the pants!)

Day 16: Party!

Today was our holiday party at school.  For the past few years we've been making gingerbread houses at the party.  I set up a candy store in the classroom with the help of donated candy and the kids took their bags of fake money and bought the candy they wanted to decorate.  They had so much, but boy was I glad when it was over!

Day 15: Yum

One of the best things to eat on a cold night is fondue.  Delicious Jarlsberg cheese with some white wine. Cauliflower and crusty bread to dip and some steak to go along.  Chris and I have it down to an art.  It used to be time consuming and daunting, but we've got a routine and we can whip it out in no time now.

Day 14: Look out!

...because I'm gonna hurt someone!  I have been sitting at the computer for exactly 132 minutes.  I have loaded exactly 122 pictures onto the Costco website in order to print them.  I have also tried to load other pictures onto the site about 5 times and it just goes and goes and goes and goes and nothing happens.  I am so irritated!  My time is precious these days!  Work has been crazy, I've had a million errands to run every day, I've been going to the hospital daily, making dinner, finishing holiday things when I get home....my house looks like a bomb went off.  I need to ask Santa for the house cleaner.  Ha! Like that'll happen! Sorry for the venting blog and yep...no picture.  It's all I've got tonight...


An hour later...
Well I figured it out.  They're all uploaded and I'll place the order tomorrow.  While I was looking at the wedding pictures tonight I found some great ones that I don't even remember ever seeing.  Here are a couple good ones....


The second one is so funny.  I have no idea what that expression on my face is all about.  I was probably shocked at low, low, low we were.  I can remember the "Apple bottom jeans, boots with fur..."

Day 13: Ho Ho Ho!

My Santa bag is all packed up and ready for work tomorrow.  The elves have been busy packing up the peppermint bark, making tags and curling the little ribbons.  

Day 12: Bark

I made the peppermint bark, or at least some of it.  We will see how far it goes after I put it into the little bags.  I need at least 20 bags and that doesn't count having any left over for peeps in my family or for my big bark fan- Camielle.  It is currently cooling downstairs.  I'm going to try cutting it this year instead of breaking it apart.  Maybe that way the chocolate layers won't separate (that makes me so mad!) and my hands won't get all barked up.

Day 11: Focus, Focus, Focus

With approximately 80 days remaining in my Master's program and two weeks left in my current class I definitely have "senioritis".  The fact that I'm so busy at work right now and doing things to get ready for Christmas does not help the situation or my focus on my homework.  Nor does the 5 page paper due tomorrow and the 10 page paper due next Sunday help me with all the other holiday things I need to get done.  Chris and I decided to get up to lake for quick weekend getaway and I came loaded with things to do including homework and lots of other things.  I was able to finish my paper a day early which now leaves Sunday open for peppermint bark making and loads and loads of laundry.  I thought the lake may be distracting while writing paper; however, coffee, a fire and a lovely view actually made it a lot less painful.  Here's a picture I took of my homework through the window from outside during the sunset.  I love how you can see the lake in the reflection of the window....

Day 10: 1 for you, 1 for me

Every year when my birthday comes around and people ask me what I'd like, I have no idea what to tell them.  Sometimes there are very specific things but I never know if people want something that specific.  My birthday passes leaving four weeks until Christmas and to finish Christmas shopping and all of a sudden Wham! there are a million things I want and a million ideas for people.  So, this year as I did not have too many presents to buy for others due to our new traditions and because I got some birthday loot I've gotten myself some presents. Shhh...don't tell anyone.  Lately, packages that have been arriving have been about a 1:1 ratio, one for you, one for me.  I'm my own personal Santa...

Day 9: Oops!

Oops!  I've fallen behind.  Day 9 was supposed to be on Thursday night.  I got caught up in watching all the TV shows that we've recently recorded and haven't had time to watch.  Dexter is so, so good this season!  I can't wait until the season finale on Sunday! 

This week I wrapped all the presents that I have (still waiting for a few to arrive) and finished the bows and then put them under the tree.  I'm sure Jack is very upset that the presents have stolen his nice little sleeping spot, although he can still sleep in the back of the tree which is probably even better to him.  There sure aren't the same amount of presents under the tree this year, we're changin' things up. 

Day 8: Ta-Da!

Let there be lights!  This past weekend I hung up the lights outside.  Yes, I said "I".  I thought when you got married, that was the husband's job, but I guess I was misinformed.  Chris has also informed me that they look "retarded".  Well, there as good as it gets given me + a sloping driveway + a wobbly ladder + no one to help.  I do vaguely remember saying that I wouldn't do them again last year, oh well they're festive!!  My favorite part is the garland I got on clearance a couple years ago at Pottery Barn.  Here's a peek...

I added the lights and the stars. 

Day 7: Barking it Up

I will be barking it up soon. I bought about sixteen pounds of chocolate this year to make my annual batch of peppermint bark. The barking shall commence this weekend

Day 6: Sorry Jack

Sorry Jack.  The nice, warm, hand-knit tree skirt bed that is surrounded by romantic ambient lighting and cute little danglies that we put up "just for you" is about to be inundated with presents.  Your tree sleeping days are numbered.

Day 5

I am amazed with the fact that I have already mailed my Christmas cards and that I actually made them this year.  If I hadn't thought of starting them the weekend of Thanksgiving, there probably wouldn't be any cards at all from these Fredrickson's this year, let alone handmade ones.... But they're off!!

Day 4: Special Gifts

I recently had an idea to make some extra special gifts for my family this holiday season and I got to work on them tonight.  I set off to work on them on the computer in the craft room, which is where I find myself mostly living these days.  Almost two hours later, aching eyes, frozen bare feet, and a lovely headache to top it off: I finished.  It will all be worth it when I get to see them open them though.

Day 3

And the wrapping begins...

I started wrapping some presents tonight.  I like to get all the paper wrapping done and then go back and do all the ribbon.  It seems like  it goes faster...probably not though :)  Maybe now that presents will be able to go under the tree Jack will stop messing with the tree skirt.  Well, he won't have a choice actually since it will be covered with presents...

Day 2

Time to make some presents.  I love how this project turned out!  Don't want to give away too many details because it is a gift after all...

This makes me want to go get some more candles and make them for everyone I know!

{Day} 1

December's officially here although it seems like we've been getting ready for Christmas for weeks already this year.  Today marks the first day of my 25 Days of December challenge. The next 12 days at work may be more of a challenge though.  Lots of holiday projects and celebrations to hold.  Number one on my list this morning....

The December calendar.

Next stop, parent Christmas presents.  I already have a lovely green hand as a souvenir from getting that project ready...