Here comes Santa Claus...

So there has been quite a bit of chat around my work area about Santa. Yup, the big guy in fuzzy red attire, with transportation powered by venison (one of which posses a nose that apparently works like high beams). I love Christmas time and all that it encompasses, including Santa. And honestly, people get nicer around Christmas. What's not to love, right?

Well, let me just throw this out there...In my house, Santa exists. He comes annually, and is not the "drunk creepy man with a fake beard at the mall". Nope, that guy does not visit my house...Santa does. Some of my favorite Christmas memories as a child involve going to church at midnight mass, and being nervous that Santa wouldn't realize I was at church, and come while no one was home. (or even worse, we would catch him upon our return and he would run off and forget to leave my presents!) Then not being able to sleep because of the excitement. There were multiple times where I would have sworn I heard him.

Then waking up! Ah! Running downstairs to find out what he left. I don't know why, but I vividly remember getting a Pool Table and Super Nintendo. The excitement of children on Christmas morning is not something that can be duplicated without the help of that jolly old man. I don't care what you say.

So with that said....The thought of Santa not existing has never even crossed my mind. Sorry to those of you lack the desire to believe in him. Enjoy your coal. There is something magical and exciting about believing in Santa, something that will forever exist in our household. No. Question. About. It.

We might not have children yet, but we have two "girls" and yes, Santa visits them. They patiently wait under the tree most evenings (and I assume, most of the day). For the record, he visits because they believe. Until next time...keep believing :)

Corbett World Tour

Hey friends!

A little recap on this crazy place we call "life".

After a crazy traveling adventure touring the great state of Kansas, we made it full circle and are back to the grind. 

Last Thursday, we got up and drove to Ottawa to celebrate Thanksgiving.  Such a fun time.  My family happens to be blessed with a ridiculous amount of great cooks.  (No exaggeration). Nothing but fabulous food met our plates Thursday afternoon.

A bit of food, then we headed to KC to gamble at the Argosy.  My family (about 13 of us) all got room with intention to gamble the night away and hit it big!  And while the BIG winners were sparse, still a fantastic time :). I would be up for every year with that little adventure.  Just saying.... :)

Then, Friday it was off to "the bend".  Christmas decor, projects, visits, dinners, etc helped my weekend fly by.  (So much so, that I wouldn't be opposed to another Thanksgiving break). Poor Jay had to work Friday, so he really racked up the miles.  Such a trooper for driving all over God's green earth to participate in all Turkey day activities.

So here we are,  back to normalcy for the most part.  Really glad I did my Christmas decorating early, because I have spent the last two days playing catch up with my energy. 

And with that said, I'm off to bed.  Until next time....

Rock chalk,
Jenna

Winter Wonderland come November

Okay, so I know some people call it crazyness....decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but honestly I love xmas decor.  Like, really love it.  I love twinkly lights...uh....everywhere.  So, when it comes time for it....I want it up as long as possible.

So, out comes the decor this last Monday.  Jay said I couldn't do it this past weekend.....so I did it Monday.  (hey, it's not the weekend, lol)  Anywho, with us traveling all over God's green earth to visit everyone for Thanksgiving, that would eliminate a few days from having my decor out.  Can't have it.  Unacceptable :)

And so....the final product for your viewing pleasure (and for the record, this did not come off Pinterest, this is Jenna's creativity)

Above the living room:

Jayhawk Christmas Tree...Rock Chalk!:

Above Kitchen Cabinets:

Mantle (pretty proud of this. Recycled some wedding items...notice the 'C'? That's our cake topper. Genius, right? I know!!! :) )

Blogging on my way to KC tomorrow. See ya then!

Rock Chalk!
Jenna

Skinny Minnie

Hello Friends!  And Happy Monday!

Can you believe Thanksgiving is only a little over a week away?  Time to put on my game face, kids.  Time to get Skinny Minnie :)

Once upon a time, my lovely friend Shan provided me with this pretty awesome diet plan.  It's not drinking maple syrup, eating cookies all day, or living off pinto beans.  Actually it's far from any of that.  It honestly boils down to eating healthy, really healthy, for 10 days straight.  (and no, I'm not living off cabbage, either, lol)

So, I don't know if you have seen the picture below, but I honestly believe in it 1,000%.  And, it just so happens that it aligns very much with my diet for the next few days.

I truely believe, if you eat healthy, then you don't have to spend 70 hours at the gym (which works perfect for me this week, b/c I have a lot of baking to do.) I do actually eat pretty healthy most days.  I watch calories, and try not to go too crazy.  There are some days when I love sugar, and then I get to visit the gym :) BUT I like to keep those days to a minimum, lol.

So, with that being said, I wanted to share my progess.  I actually started this on Sunday, so I do have a bit of progress to share already.  And, what is also great is, since it's posted, I'm accountable.... :)   

Day 1 (11/12/12 A.M.):  Down 1 lb
Day 2 (11/13/12 A.M.):  Down 2 lbs
Day 3 (11/14/12 A.M.):  Down 0.6 lb
Day 4 (11/15/12 A.M.):  Down 1 lb
Day 5 (11/16/12 A.M.):  Down 0.6 lb
Day 6:(11/17/12 A.M.):  Up 0.2 (consider this a win, yesterday was thanksgiving pot luck at work. Anytime you can escape Thanksgiving with only 0.2 I consider a win)
Day 7: (11/18/12 A.M.): Up 0.8 (uh...yeah...bad Jenna....bad bad Jenna :) )
Day 8:  (11/19/12 A.M.):  Up 0.2 (seeing a trend? )
Day 9: (11/20/12 A.M.):  No change
Day 10: (11/21/12 A.M.): Up 0.2  (ugh, defeat...
Total-to-date:  Down  3.8 lbs (honestly not bad, but I had a two day patch where I was definitely slacking.  The key to this...is plan ahead...if not you will end up like day 7)

(I'll update this post daily with my new numbers)

PS.  For those of you thinking this is crazy and it will come back the moment I go back to eating normal, it actually works pretty well, and you don't gain 10 lbs, on day 11.  However, if on Day 11, you hit up every item on the McDonalds dollar menu, I'm sure it would. lol  So I guess the success with this diet would depend on how health you choose to be once you are complete :)

Here's to a great Tuesday weigh-in!

Rock chalk,
Jenna

Craisin Bliss

Did some recipe testing tonight, and folks, the results were phenomenal.  So tighten your seatbelts kids....and come along for the ride :)

Today I learned about a cranberry bar that they supposedly serve at Starbucks.  Whhhaattt???  I apparently need to visit Starbucks more than I do.  (My frequency of Starbuck visits might improve, if I actually drank coffee. Yeah, that would probably help)  However, I am learning about all these lovely things.  First it was Caramel Apple Spice (like Apple Cider on Crack...so amazing!  Thank you Tiffani!) and now this!  Maybe I should window shop and I wouldn't be left in the dark about all these great items that life has to offer.

So these Cranberry Bliss Bars.  After about 3 seconds of googling....found it! Once upon a time Taste of Home must have discovered their delightfulness and recreated them.  (I am a firm believer in all things Taste of Home, these folks know what they are doing)  These bars are like um.....a delightful explosion of deliciousness in your mouth.  :)  Yeah.  They are that good.  And I have only tried the edges!  I'll try the real deal tomorrow when I share these will all my co-workers!  Here they are in all their glory:

So if you wishing to experience them go HERE for the recipe.  You won't regret it.

Rock Chalk,
Jenna

Good Evening from the Polls!

Welp, after checking on the lines about 3 times today, I decided at 6:30, its probably not getting much shorter.  So here I sit...waiting.  Lucky you, as I bring you live action from the Park City polls! 

All I can say is that if it were much colder, I'm not sure I would be as dedicated.  Not that I don't believe voting is important, I most certainly do.  However, this is one time when living in a small town is a BIG advantage, but apparently Park City is not small enough. 

I've currently waited about 10 minutes, and still haven't made it in the door, nor can I see it....Awesome.

So what's the most important thing I'm voting for today besides a president?  Boat tax.  And while I don't currently own a floating vehicle, who knows what my future holds.  ;). All I know is if one day I do, I sure as heck don't want to pay $1000 a year for taxes on it.  Then I would have to register it in another state to save $900, claim partial residency.....and honestly, that sounds like a hassle.  So for the sake of Jay's future toy selection, here I stand. Lol

Oh there is also this big deal about fluoride in the water, but I'm 99% sure Park City doesn't get to vote on that...big deal in Wichita though....

With that being said, hope you all cast your vote today.  It really is fun, so even if you hate politics (me), do it for the experience. If you didn't make it today, there will be another not too far in our future :) So do it.  If not for you, for those who fight every single day so that you can.

And in case you are wondering, I made it in and out in 45 minutes.  I guess it could be worse....

Rock Chalk!
Jenna

Corbett World Tour

Well, we survived the weekend in GB! I think we even managed to see/visit everyone, which is a feat in itself.  And now that it's 9:15 on Sunday evening, I'm trying to figure out where our weekend went.  Thank goodness in 5 short days we get another :)

A little "Karlin Krafting" time on Saturday was a real fun time.  Knocked out a bunch of projects for gifts.  Ate some delicious soup made by my Gram.  *and in case you were wondering, my cooking skills ultimately stem from her*  Did some chit chatting.  We started around 10am, and didn't stop until around 3:30.  Just four ladies "krafting" the heck out of a Saturday :)

Then, Saturday evening, we started our Tour of Central Kansas, which ultimately ended when we arrived back in the ICT at 6:30 tonight.  We usually come bearing goodies, and this weekend was no different.  I love making food for others, and fully believe the way to someone's heart in through their stomach.  I mean... who doesn't love a good sugar cookie?!?! 

So after all the sugar cookies have been delivered, and I'm sure most have been consumed, we are exhausted.  Like considering bedtime at 8:00 exhausted. Thank goodness I cleaned Friday before we left, because I have no desire to do anything. Once again, we are getting a preview of elderly Jay and Jenna.  So sad. So, so sad. :)

Oh and Happy Daylight Savings time!  Gosh... I love sleeping in an hour later, I'm just so darling at it, lol!

Rock Chalk,
Jenna