12 by 2012

Even though I am still working on my 101 list, when I saw this idea on Dani’s blog I just had to join the fun. You see, she and I met during ALT at our “dinner with” and I am so glad we did because otherwise I never would have known of her gorgeous blog. Anyway, the idea is simple, make a list of 12 things you want to accomplish before 2012, and hopefully cross them all off!

I had already been thinking about goals for the fall/winter, so this really came at the perfect time. Here is my list:

  1. Really learn to crochet, from a pattern. I know how to do things, but not the right way. I want to do it the right way so I can make awesome things.
  2. Overnight in the city and visit all the Christmas sights. This seems to be becoming an annual thing for us, so I want to make an effort to make it an annual thing!
  3. Put up outdoor Christmas lights. I missed out last year because of the weather.
  4. Get the husband’s office all awesome and organized.
  5. Remove all the grass from the flowerbeds. Hopefully before the frost and snow comes again.
  6. Make our Christmas cards.
  7. Start to learn the piano again.
  8. Go through books and donate to the local library.
  9. Try one new restaurant each month (3 total).
  10. Bake a totally new to us holiday treat.
  11. Make my daily 2 mile walk a priority. This gets very hard in the winter as the dreadmill is so much more boring than going outside in nature.
  12. Have more actual, in person, interaction with my friends!

 

Star Wars Operation

Calling all Star Wars geeks! You must add this little gem to your collection. Behold, Star Wars Operation!

I really cannot tell you how much I love this, it has had me giggling like you would not believe. Why? The pieces that you have to get out of R2D2 are just plain hilarious! Not only does it have a few very accurate pieces in C3PO (pain in the neck and worry wart), but it has many other funny pieces. For example my favorite, the “overweight glob of grease”!

This is by far the most fun version of Operation that I have ever seen. We were probably foolish for opening it up and playing with it, who knows if someday in the future this would be collectible! But it’s just too awesome not to play with.

You can get your own from ThinkGeek.com, along with all kinds of other Star Wars goodies.

Halloween Ornaments

After 8 years I decided it was time for our Halloween tree to get an ornament upgrade. When we first got our tree, which was actually a gift from my dad, there weren’t any Halloween ornaments to be found. We improvised by using little plastic Halloween buckets (mummy, monster, and cats). Now there are more and more Halloween trees and decorations in stores, however they are just about as expensive as Christmas ornaments (actually more so), so I decided that I would do a little DIY!

Ornament makings.

My ornaments are black, white, and of course, orange. I was really happy when I found the perfect ribbon that says “Trick or Treat” on it too. They are still very much “under construction” since they take about 10-15 mins a piece to make from start to finish. I really hope to get them all done in time, because otherwise our tree will look a little funny.

Halloween Ornaments in varying stages.

I will be sure to post the entire tree when all the ornaments are finished. They are really fun to make too!

Hungry Halloween Terrarium

Terrariums are always a lot of fun and are something that I have loved for as long as I can remember. Also something that I have found interesting for as long as I can remember? Venus Fly Traps! So of course I knew exactly what I wanted to do in my terrarium for Halloween this year!

Luckily Venus Fly Traps are easy to find this time of year. And yes, if you don’t have bugs in your home, you do need to feed them a little meat from time to time. They are also perfect for terrarium living because they like humid, bog like conditions.

I just added a bit of spooky looking moss, and of course, a bunch of eyeballs, to make the scene complete.