New Year's Eve!

It's almost a new year! This past year has been great. I've accomplished things I thought I would fail, started a blog, made new friends, gone to new places, tried new foods, read new books, and learned new things.

Abraham Lincoln once said: "I do not think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday."

Every past year, I've created my list of resolutions. They usually didn't last much more than the first couple of days into the new year, before I had blown them. This year I'm hoping that will change. And in order to do that, I need a realistic list. One that I can actually follow and hopefully add to in the future. So here's a little bit from my list:

1. Yea, it's a little messy... But it's not a dump. Or is it?
Yep. This is one area that could use more than a little help. My desk, my other desk, my bedroom, and surrounding rooms.. They all need a little help. So I'm hoping to clean up my act in this area. My solution? YouTube tutorials and baskets. Lots of pretty green and brown baskets! Lots and lots. That and I'm being told to ditch some of my books. (I know. Impossible, right? That's exactly what I said! Let's just make the closet bigger!) So maybe I'll end up giving away a few.. Maybe. But I hope not.

2. Travel!
I love to travel! I have this whole list for places I want to go someday. For this present new year, I'm hoping for Hawaii and New Orleans. Two very different worlds. Worlds I'm really, really wanting to explore!

3. Finish The Darn Novel Already!
So, yes, I love to write, but, I don't like to sit and work on my stories. I have one novel in particular that's coming along quite well. I just can't seem to hold onto enough patience to work through it slowly and thoroughly and not want to rush through. So I work on it in bits and pieces, maybe a chapter or so every once in awhile when I have time to sit and type. My goal is to have it done my the time I'm 85, but I've always liked to think of myself as an over-achiever. So maybe I'll hit that goal at 75. Maybe. (I know I'm really pushing myself here!) So for this next year, I'd like to get more of it put together and then maybe this time next year I can soothe myself to sleep with a lovely rough draft of it!

4. This Blog
I love my blog and I love hitting that little publish button, but its come to my attention that there are some major things that need changed. Now don't get me wrong, I won't change anything and then leave you hanging wondering what I did or anything. I do think it needs a little updating and revising. So if you start noticing some little changes here and there, don't be alarmed! (If I do anything drastic, say change the web address or such, I'll be sure to fill ya in!)

So these are just a few of the items for this next year (about 3 minutes away now). I have some more, but those I'm not gonna post! Hopefully you have had a great year and next year will be even better!

Happy New Year!

Ashleigh

Write A Good One...



Porch Invaders

 This is what we outside our front door at some time throughout every day. I think they miss their peeps. What can I say? They like us!

Christmas Day

Christmas is finally here! I've been looking forward to this day since last Christmas. Last night, my family opened our presents after the Christmas Eve program. Then today, some of us went to our grandparents. (Those of us that weren't sick.)

 

Those who went had a great time.

 

I ate way too many cookies and peanut-butter balls.

 

I did feel semi sick afterwards, but I'm hoping that it's only due to the overload of cookies and that I'm not coming down with what the rest of my family has.

 

Hoping.

 

Praying.

 

Pleading.

 

Needing.

 

Wanting for it to only be from the cookies!

 

Jake got a toy Peterbilt last night (complete with trailer and hay bales) that he absolutely loved!

 

(From today) These are my grandma's cookies... I have no words... Well, maybe one. Yummy!!

 



Grandpa got this amazing picture from Vegas. A guy made it with two aerosol cans and paper from a phone book. (Yep, I know. Wow!)

 



Now just because today is a holiday, doesn't mean that our animals understand that and accept the fact that we want to relax instead of doing chores. I've tried explaining it to them, but they just won't let us off the hook.

So we comply and feed them even though it's Christmas Day.

Even though we want to relax.

Even though we've eaten tons of cookies and feel like beached whales.

 



And of course, chore time was a perfect opportunity to test out my new camera. I still haven't figured out what half of the buttons and knobs do, but I guess that's where reading the manual might come in handy. Just maybe.

 



Yes, Tom. I know you're thirsty. I'm working on finding a non-frozen hydrant. I'm coming, I'm coming...

 



Hello beautiful!

 



Hopefully, you and your family have had a wonderful Christmas!

Enjoy your evening,

Ashleigh

Snow Days

First we had ice pellets. Then it turned to snow. Now there's lots of snow. 

If you've been following my blog much, you probably remember that I love snow. Snow makes all the cold weather worth it and much more enjoyable for those of us that tend to lose all feeling in our toes from October through April. People like me!

I really think I should clarify. I meant the beauty of watching the snow fall is what makes it worth it. 

Watching it.

Watching from inside a very warm bubble. 

With hot cocoa. 

And my cat. 

Then is this cold weather worth it! 

I'll be quiet now.

Riding the snowmobile around is fun, but only when bundled, and allowing for "warm-up" breaks every 30 mins at least. Trust me. You'll need those breaks!

Enjoy the snow!

Ashleigh

Ice, Ice, And More Ice!

Oatmeal Craisin Chocolate-Chip Cookies

2/3 cup butter, softened

2/3 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups flour

1 1/2 cups old fashioned oats

1 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

2/3 cup craisins

2/3 cup chocolate chips

Start by mixing the brown sugar and butter together.

Add eggs and mix really well…

In another bowl, mix oats, flour, baking soda, and salt.

Add (in four separate additions) the flour mixture to the butter/sugar mix.

Place in a tall glass the craisins and pour over them hot water, let sit for about 2 - 3 minutes, and then drain.

Dump in the chocolate chips. (Yummy!)

Then add the drained craisins (double yummy!)

Drop onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375* for 10 - 12 minutes. Pull out and cool.

Enjoy! 

Ashleigh

Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

Peanut butter cups are wonderful. But these make them even better being inside a little cookie!

 

1 3/4 cups flour

1/2 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 t. vanilla

2 T. milk

40 mini peanut butter cups

 



Unwrap all of the little peanut butter cups and set them on a layer of waxed paper.

 



In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

 



In another bowl, cream the sugars, butter, and peanut butter together.

 



Beat in the egg, milk, and vanilla.

 



Add in the flour mixture.

 



Shape into little balls, then place them in a mini muffin pan, and bake at 375* for 10 minutes.

 



Pull out and right away start dropping peanut butter cups into them.

 



Don't push them in any. Just let them fall/melt.

 



Cool completely and store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Ashleigh

Magic Balloon Treats

I just thought these were kinda fun/cute!

 

Western DinnerWare

I'm adding these to my wish list! My great-grandma has a set like this top one.