Amberism

Happy Holidays!

I had a big plan to post this super cute picture of Vegas in a wreath on Christmas day, and well, instead I just ate. And ate, and ate and ate. Tis the season of eating everything in sight, I think.

Our Christmas was quiet and basically uneventful. The power went out for a while on Christmas eve, but it was back on before we started to get worried. Steve and I were both a tad hung over Christmas eve (yes, pathetic, I know) but we did manage to take his siblings out to the beach for a walk and eat lots and lots and lots of treats. Christmas was a lot of sitting around and eating. I bought Steve a fooseball table for Christmas, so the boys were all over that.

As per usual, I was spoiled and I love it :). You can't complain when you're surrounded by family and food!

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends!

bah, humbug

I think I Christmas'd myself out. I feel horrible today, my head hurts, my body hurts, one of my freaking teeth hurt. The power keeps cutting out (and that is annoying in and of itself) but it really wrecked havoc on our sleeping last night - the stupid smoke detectors make all kinds of beeping noises when the power kicks in and out interrupting our sleep. And you should see my house. Yikes. I spent most of the day cleaning and it doesn't really seem like I accomplished anything. Tomorrow its more of the same.

I am looking forward to the weekend though, and Steve has all next week off so that'll be really nice. Hopefully we'll get in some quality time, walk the dog, and just hang out.

That's really all that is new. Hope everyone is enjoying their holidays!

Why Elections Near Christmas are a BAD idea

I didn't watch the debate last night because I was having a total of 3 Coronas* at a Christmas party that would render me completely useless all day today. It was very important that attend said party whereas determining the future leader of my country didn't seem so.

The recaps sounded utterly boring, I'm glad I didn't bother watching it.

I will admit now that having those 3 Coronas was unwise as I have a 6 page essay due tomorrow that I haven't started (I haven't even really started to research) and spending the day on the couch feeling might sorry for myself means I now get to stay up all night attempting to write enough to pass the course. I might kick Lisa out of the "worse paper ever written" spot. heh.

*that's right, THREE beer left me completely hung-over. Its shameful, and why I don't drink. Much.

Christmas Crack

I know a lot of families that celebrate Christmas have that special treat they make every year that they just inhale. Ours is called O'Henry Squares and are nothing like O'Henry chocolate bars. I've seen variations of this square all over the place, but for some reason, this recipe is still the one I lust for. Steve and I refer to it as Christmas Crack because you make a pan and it magically disappears in a matter of days. I made it just the other day and a 9x13 pan is almost gone because you can't just have one piece. You can't. I, personally, have eaten AN ENTIRE PAN just by having a little bit here and a little bit there.

So, since Fearthainn so graciously already typed it up, I'm sharing it with you :).

O'Henry Squares

This is for one 8x8 pan. You can double it for a 13x9.

1 300g pkg chocolate chips - approx. 2 cups
1 300g pkg butterscotch chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup walnuts (optional - I never add them)
1 tsp vanilla
miniature marshmallows (plain or coloured, up to you)

Melt everything but marshmallows and nuts in double boiler.

Grease 8x8x2 pan & pour in 1/2 chocolate mixture (to which nuts have been added, if you're using them). Spread a layer of marshmallows on and press slightly. Pour remainder of chocolate over top of marshmallows, covering well. Chill.

What's your Christmas Crack? Share!

Question for my American friends

so, when someone in the US says "we're the most free nation in the world" or "we're the most industrialized nation in the world" or "no place is as democratic or free as America" do people really think that? Really?

And if they do, are they not aware of, say, CANADA? We're right here! Hello! Next door, even. As well as Europe, Austrailia, New Zealand etc, etc. To be truthful, considering the current US government I'd question that freedom anyway. I'm online a fair bit, watch TV more than a fair bit, keep up with the news on some level and I gotta tell you, there is no phrase more annoying to hear on US television, or blogs, or in the paper. I feel like that arrogance is fueling the hatred in the world right now and I just want to slap someone. Look outside the box.

For the record, there's an awful lot of Canadians I want to slap too. I'm a fair slapper.

I'm also not entirely sure what's so pride-inducing about being the most industrialized nation in the world. We're destroying the earth faster! We're too cool!

Alright, rant over.

WALLACE IS BACK!

Although I've been totally ignoring my blog and my internet life in general, I've still been a busy little beaver. I present to you the fruits of my labour.

For my two nieces and godchild, I painted these white tea sets I picked up from Ikea the last time I was in Calgary for the ridiculous low price of $9.99. Gotta like that.

They're all done up with pink girly things, catering each one to the little girl it's for. There's a butterfly set, garden set with bugs and flowers, and a princess set.

They turned out sweeter than I thought they would. They're not art, but hey, they're cute.

I also made my godchild two sets of magnets as she is learning her ABCs and we saw something similar at a craft fair for a small fortune and I thought to myself "self, you can do that" so I did.

They're like little bitty candies, you almost want to eat them! I also did a set of numbers but the letters are cuter.

And finally, for my eldest nephew who requested "stuff for his room" and wouldn't elaborate beyond that so I painted him a sign for his "Comic Book Store" themed room.

I was really happy with the result, although you can't really see the letters too clearly on our table. No idea how to hang them on the wall, I'm thinking that velcro wall stuff.

I apologize for the completely crap photos. I'd blame the lack of sun, but honestly, I just couldn't be bothered to even try and take a decent picture.

Next post: my knitting projects! I have MANY that I've completed so it'll be another heavy picture post. Maybe even tomorrow. Can you handle two posts in a row? Does anyone even bother coming here anymore?

In other news, I'm in the midst of my Christmas cards, if you want one send me your address to amberdLASTNAME at gmail dot com. If you don't know my last name, leave an email and I'll send it along.

Attn Cori - I'm not sure I have your home addy and not your old school addy.

A birthday thingy

Your Birthdate: February 5

You have many talents, and you are great at sharing those talents with others. Most people would be jealous of your clever intellect, but you're just too likeable to elicit jealousy. Progressive and original, you're usually thinking up cutting edge ideas. Quick witted and fast thinking, you have difficulty finding new challenges. Your strength: Your superhuman brainpower Your weakness: Your susceptibility to boredom Your power color: Tangerine Your power symbol: Ace Your power month: May

Apparently, I'm clever. huh.

Now I must walk my dog before he destroys my house with his excess energy. If you're ever thinking of getting a dog, and you don't want to have energy radiating from every corner of your house - don't get a lab.