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smoothies (and margaritas)

January 8, 2015

i got the Ninja Kitchen System Pulse for Christmas from my mother in law.
i asked for it because i thought it looked kind of cool.
i have wanted to try the cup system for our daily smoothies.
then…we didn’t use it over christmas break at all?!! (who are we?)
after school on monday annie got it out and OH. MY. GOODNESS!

we were totally amazed!
we geeked out completely.
it’s fast! it’s easy! it’s so super rad! it’s even fun to use!

then on tuesday i had her make a video to show the world how EASY it is to use!

how cute is my annie girl?!
no script even!
just preaching to the people about smoothie awesomeness.

this is what i got for christmas…
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Ninja Kitchen System Pulse

so i checked all around and it’s the same price at Target & Walmart as it is on Amazon.
i love amazon.
i love target too (of course!!!) but Amazon is so darn easy to navigate!
and the returns through amazon have gotten so ridiculously easy that it blows my mind!
you just ask them to come and pick it up… AND THEY DO!
you don’t even have to tape the box shut?! What the what?!
For reals.
Have you returned anything to them recently?
They are WINNING at customer service.

anyways… that was off topic.

back to the Niiiiiiiiinnn-jaaaaaa. (say it like oprah would)

I got the big mama Ninja blender for my birthday over a year ago.
it’s technically called the “Ninja Professional Blender 1000”
(they would probably sell more if they used my name…)
i didn’t know at the time that you could buy it with the cups… Ninja Professional Blender with Smoothie Cups
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had i known…. i would’ve gotten it all at once. 🙂

i’ve used that big ninja blender almost everyday for smoothies the past year and a half.
and I’ve loved it.
It’s so powerful!
it’s kind of a pain to clean every single day but i did it because it worked so well!

i still love the BIG ninja.

craig makes pancake batter in it almost every saturday.
you can click here to see him making them with tiny little annie & talby.
this is the recipe his mom used to make pancakes for him! pancakes1
it’s genius to mix it in the blender because then you can just pour the batter onto the griddle!
only one thing to wash!

my most favey-favorite use for the Big Ninja is making Margaritas.
🙂
this is what we serve at Craft Weekend to welcome our new friends to the Craft House.
always.
i got this recipe from my mom!
You need Tequila, Triple Sec, a can of frozen limeade mix and a beer.
and ice.
(oh yes i did just make margaritas on a thursday morning! who needs coffee?!)

*also i used a Gluten Free beer because i am {{{trying}}} to get the wheat out of my diet.
you can use ANY beer you prefer…. any brand, any style, whatevs..

Fill the blender 3/4 with ice.

pour in the limeade mix.
Use the empty limeade can and fill 2/3 full with tequila.
Pour it in the blender.

Using the same can fill it 1/3 full with Triple Sec.

Blend until it sounds like all the ice is chopped.

add the 12 oz. beer.
can we all just admire the label of this beer for a second… such great colors!
good job New Grist.

Use the pulse setting to mix it not the number settings because it “may” explode all over from the foam in the beer.and pour into margarita glasses (or any cup!)

if you want it more icy/frozen we put it in the freezer to set up a little more.
just like 10 – 20 minutes will work.
when we have these at home… craig & i don’t usually finish a whole Ninja blender of margaritas in an evening.
so i pour what’s left into cups with lids and stick that in the freezer until the next time we want them.
you can just pull it from the freezer and they thaw out to perfect slushy frozen yumminess in about an hour.

and obviously you can buy it ALL together and get everything….Ninja Mega Kitchen System
but i like to do things the hard way and build my collection slowly – HA!

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i love the smoothie cups!
they are EASY to use… easy to clean…. and FAST.

Now…. i know a bunch of you are going to say “i have a vita-mix and it’s even more powerful and amazing!”
and i believe you.
but this is 1/3 of the price.
so there is no vitamix in my future.
not happening.
(did you ever see the SNL skit about the vitamix… it’s awkward & uncomfortable & very dry humor – which i love)

OK.
info-mercial is over.

i will go drink my margarita.
and try to figure out where to hang pictures on my walls….

i am crazy for family photos obviously.
but seeing annie’s hand with the frog (and probably from watching old videos of her recently too)
i want to add in more of those “life moments” kinds of pictures on the wall too.
not just faces.
even though i love their faces so stinkin’ much.
i want to grab their kissy cheeks and squish each one of them.
there are about…. 1296 more pictures i want to put on my walls… this poses a problem for me.

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Julie Zull - Are those canvases? where do you print from?

Jen - Your Annie girl is hilarious…and adorable. And should probably be staring in Ninja commercials. I loved the video and my girls did, too!

s - I have the ninja system and do love the single serve option but the thing scares me – it is super loud and washing it is a test of keeping my fingers intact! I had the bigger spiral blade drying on the counter and sliced my hand when I accidentally brushed against it! Big mama ninja and I have a love hate relationship!!

lorelei eurto - Hmmmm Annie is cute as a button. And I think she’s got me convinced. I may just have to try one of these Niiiiiin-jaaaaaaahhhs out. 🙂

Beth F - I’ve got Celiac and trust me, New Grist may have a cute label but it’s not a great GF beer. If you like light, go Damn Daura, or New Planet. If you like craft, go Omission beer. I found Grist is okay in stews though. The Ninja sounds awesome.

Susanne - I got a Ninja Blender as well – not the one you did, just the blender itself and OMW! My life has been changed! It wasn’t on my Christmas list and I didn’t even know I wanted one, but I’ve had SO MUCH fun with it! I’ve been weirding all my co-workers out drinking green based drinks – from a ball canning jar – every single day. Not to mention just using it in general cooking – – love love love love it!!!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - This is such a funny and happy post. Love it. Love you.

Becky - Ive been thinking Id ask for this for my birthday. Your post helped me make the decision.
Then! Ugh! Amazon had it for $169.00, I walked away and came back 2 hours later and it is $199!!!!!
🙁

Linda - are those pictures canvas? They look thicker than normal?

kelly - Annie’s demo is too cute!!! We had smoothies last night with our dinner, and my kids were pumped! (Really just trying to get in more fruits/veggies, but they felt it was a major treat!)

Ali - O.J. “It’s code for Orange Juice.” TOO CUTE!

Lori - Cheers to Thursday morning margaritas! Sounds like your Ninja is awesome 🙂

Jenna - Annie is hilarious! I loved the “oj – that is code for orange juice!” And I of course have Ninnnnjaaaa stuck in my head – thank you! 🙂

kathy - Thanks Annie, You inspired me to get out my Nutribullet, which is the same as the Ninja, that i paid $220 for and have only used approximately 3 times since i bought it in August!

I had all the stuff in the fridge, used frozen berries, real blueberries, a banana and milk. I added a bit of IKEA dark chocolate because I deserve it.

I think you have a career in TV.

Katie - Can’t wait to see where those pics end up!

Tanya H - I agree 100% on the photos problem. I shared two solutions in this post, haha…but my photos are not printed nearly as gorgeously as yours!
http://tanyastampsnthings.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-project.html

And also, I have a blendtec because my parents bought it for us, and I have used it 449 times since we got it a year ago. (I know because it has a counter) It is my favorite thing EVER and I am SO grateful I have it and that I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. 😀

Beth - “Yes, the nut butter…” loved it!

Amy M - OMG, Annie is the cutest!

I have a Ninja that I bought back when I was on a smoothie kick, after I fried my cheapo blender. Haven’t used it much lately, except as a pseudo-food processor. But I got one of those for Christmas, so now I’m thinking it might be time for some margs!

Kristin S - Oh that pancake pic with bangs-Annie!

Super fun post.

I do have a Vitamix and I do love it but I travel a lot and that little Ninja would be perfect for that. Vitamix was a gift and cost more than my mortgage!

Tina - I have Christmas money burning a whole in my pocket for one of these! Thanks for the info!! Starting Sugar Detox with Marta next week and I’m super excited to get started and learn. Thanks for introducing us to Marta! Love Annie’s video!!

Rebecca - I can’t believe how grown up Annie is getting to be!!! And, she’s so beautiful!

Cassidy - YAY for gluten free! (:

Adrienne - Are those all canvases? and where do you print from?

Tracy - I know the beer is yummy in the margs but if you don’t have any (or don’t have any gluten free), try using Fresca or Diet sprite or 7up. Tastes great too!! Wish I was drinking a marg with you right now!!!

Kelly - Meg, thanks for the good laugh on this Thursday afternoon! I’m not sure why I’ve never seen that skit, but it is hillarious! We are a Ninja family too 🙂 (literally).

Carrie - niki, try adding a little more liquid to your smoothies. Mine don’t blend properly if I don’t have enough liquid in them, so I will keep adding until I see it all moving along in a little tornado through the whole blender. I also make sure to add all the soft stuff to the bottom first (yogurt, applesauce, juice, bananas, etc.) so that all the big chunky frozen stuff gets hit by the blades sooner, then I add more water or juice as needed through the pour spout as its blending. Love my ninja, pretty much only use it for smoothies, I would love a vitamix, but the price point (even at Costco) is just tooooo much! I should get some smoothie cups so I can get rid of my magic bullet, which I only use for six months or so when I am making baby foods….

Christy - I love my Ninja & I recommend it to everyone. Mine has the small & large blender atatchment, now I am coveting the smoothie cups (hello, eBay!).

Love the family photos & capturing the every day. 🙂

Nikki - I recently bought a Ninja because it’s big enough to make a smoothie for my whole family at once. I like it, but I get chunks of ice and things every time! I’ve yet to get a totally smooth smoothie. My $40 Oster used to have no problem with this at all, I’ve never had chunks, so what am I doing wrong? More ice, maybe?

Jessica Cornman - I would cover every inch of my walls with photos if I could! Photo canvases everywhere!

Sabrina - I also got a Ninja for Christmas. It’s the Mega Jumbo Everything System (that is my name for it!) I love it so much! I got rid of my blender and my Magic Bullet because the Ninja does everything so much better. I did keep my Cuisinart Food Processor though. Although the Ninja does a good job at processing some things, the blade on my Cuisinart is much lower to the bowl, so it gets everything chopped and processed way better. That is my only “complaint” about the Ninja processor. The blades are too high to get at the bottom of the bowl. Otherwise, this thing is a dream!!!

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my train of thought.

January 5, 2015

it got REALLY cold here this weekend.
for some reason that got me thinking about “the good old days” of warm weather and summer and sunshine.
i said to craig across the living room “remember our patio at the farm house?”
he said “Yes.. what about it?”
i said “nothing. i just loved it.”

this new house is a clean slate again.
bit back yard with field behind it… bare walls…. very few plants.
i was looking for inspiration on pinterest.

i love the little path… the black and white… the bold stripes.
those plates would blow away in this kanas wind in one day.
it’s a hysterical idea to me.

this space looks calm doesn’t it?!!!

i like this one because of the REAL look… not necessarily styled or newly purchased everything for the photo.
those big plants in pots?
love that!

i’m pretty sure craig would LOVE this set up.
he is a campfire guy.
i made my first fire this year. i am 39 years old.
but i do enjoy when other people make campfires for me.

and this one just makes me want to sit and talk with my friends for hours.
pass the sangria and dessert.

then i saw this rainbow-ish cow.
not outdoorsy but my mind moved on.
it made me think “I’ve got to busy on hanging things on our walls”

when your walls are bare it feels like you aren’t REALLY living there yet.
so i am ready to get started on putting pictures up.
i love looking at different options.
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then i saw this photo of messy paint and started day dreaming of making things.
it’s really been a long time since i have made anything.
i NEED to.
it’s hard to just get it going!
pictures like these get me inspired though….

i came across these prints by stephanie ryan and i was swooning.

at Camp Create we made art journals.
i LOVED it but have been bad at keeping up with it.
these make me want to start and never stop!

then i saw this pin of a workout and thought “oh yeah… i should work out…”

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and eat healthy again.
it’s january.
christmas was out of control.
it’s time – go make healthy food!

and PRE-make smoothie stuff so it’s READY and not a pain to get everything out!

and then i saw this and thought “Oh My WORD!”
but that is all.
i didn’t eat it.
i just thought about it.
and i know my kids will LOVE this dessert so i pinned it for a special occasion.
🙂

pretty much all of those thoughts were in about 2 minutes time.
i am scattered.

that why pinterst is so good for me… it works awesome with my random train of thought!

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MyLinda - I loved the randomness of this post! This is exactly why I love pinterest too, I start looking at/for one thing and two hours later realize I’ve strayed so far from that one thing that it is comical 🙂 I loved that about the plates on the wall/Kansas wind…we always joke that we should tie the kids down when playing outside b/c of the KS wind!

Lorelei Eurto - Awesome post. First things first- I HEAR YA!. It’s dang cold and I too have been relishing in all the summertime memories to keep my soul warmer.
Thank you for all the great backyard inspiration too. We have a similar circular fire pit area that we entertain in a lot and it’s my most favorite thing about my yard. Fires are awesome.

Thank you also for the AB routine- that’s pivotal for me right now. My goal this summer is to actually feel comfy in shorts. 🙂

Rachel - I had to laugh because that is totally what I do when I got an research 1 thing. I open everything in tabs so when I look back, I have like 20 tabs open and I can actually follow my crazy thought process. It totally makes sense to me. My husband things I’m a bit nutty.

Elaine - Lol….love this post, it reminded me of the book ‘If You Give a Mouse a Cookie’! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and validating that its not just me who has such a short attention span 🙂

Kathy - We are sooo the same. A.D.D. doesn’t begin to … oh how I love pinterest … the bagging up smoothie ingredients~genius!

Kathi - I’m so glad you made a comment about those plates, my thoughts exactly! I’m so random, I have a bunch of unrealted tabs open in my browser as we speak, I love to see what you are thinking about, it gives me inspiration. We will be moving in the spring, I’m looking forward to a clean slate. Happy 2015!

heather m. - You are toooo funny : ) I am completely random like that too… it’s amusing to look back at my browser history and wonder how I made the jump to all these different sites… Nice to know I’m not alone! And it’s cold here too : ( Blah! Bring on Spring! Thanks for the pretty pictures to remind us it’s coming again… one day!

Janet - i adore this post–sin’t that just the way we are jumping from one topic to the next–enjoyed reading it so much!

Terrie G - I LOVE all the spaces that you decorate! Please, come do mine… 🙂
That cow! I just ‘later grammed’ the pic I took of it while Christmas shopping…too funny. I seriously had a split second thought…I need to buy this! Hubs would have shook his head…and wondered if I was losing my mind, but I loved it!

And thanks for all the inspiration that you give me…from Bible studies, crafts, decorating, food, journals, books to read…I love your outlook on life.

And I’m so over this cold already….ready for spring…I miss walking outside.
Happy 2015!!

Traci - Brrrr! It is cold where I am, too. I love all the colorful inspiration you posted here.

Andrea - Your farmhouse porch was so pretty….you’ll have a great porch/patio at this house too……you just need some inspiration (great start by the way)……

jamie - meg! have you seen the bible journaling people are doing? totally up your creative alley!

Northern Cottage - Love these scattered wonderful, colorful, yummy thoughts – did you climb inside my head? Instead of the plates in that b&w patio, you could nail painted wood slices (ohhh another idea!!). Sorry!! xoxo

Gevay - I think your brain works like most other women or at least like mine ;). What’s that saying…If you want to know what being in a woman’s head is like, imagine a web browser with 1,478 tabs open!

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2014 in photos

January 2, 2015

2014four 2014eleven 2014fifteen 2014five 2014eight 2014fourteen 2014nine 2014one 2014seven 2014seventeen 2014six 2014sixteen 2014ten 2014thirteen 2014three 2014twelve 2014TWO

what a fun way to remember!

i was going through Instagram and Facebook, seeing so many posts on what they learned this year.
and their word for the year.
i felt blank.
i thought… did i learn ANY thing?
my brain was feeling like mush from the holiday crazy schedule.

then i looked through these photos.
i see love.
and being loved.
color.
life.
dreams.
strength.
JOY.
courage.
creativity.
focus.
change.
FUN.

this year i found out how to love my kids deeper than i ever have.
this parenthood stuff is HARD and crazy amazing all at once.
it’s no joke.
and i am so proud to be their mom even when things get hard.
I’m happy to walk through life beside them too.

this year i realized i had dreams in my heart i hadn’t validated.
after a little working through what that means… 2015 is the year to make them happen.
i feel like jesus is saying “enough stalling Meg!”

what i reflect on again and again is that through it all God is so good!!
that doesn’t mean everything is perfect.
it’s not.
life is messy. (sometimes a complete disaster!)
everyone has struggles.
no one is alone in that.
but God’s Grace covers all of it.
He takes our offering of brokenness, weakness and failure and FLIPS it upside down.
He says “i love you. You are mine. You are new.”
we are not our mistakes.
we are not our past.
we are not what people think of us.
we are made new through Him.
God is good. He gives me HOPE. He carries me through.

bring on 2015.
i am ready.

(i think… maybe just a quick nap first)

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Kellyn - just thank you. Thanks for being you!! that is all 😉
have a blessed craft weekend!

Lori - I never get tired of your beautiful photos!

Courtney - Those photos are soo great! It was the motivation I needed! I have to print mine out and take more in 2015! Time just slips by way too fast. Great documentation of your year! Congrats!

annette - great post – i think taking pictures really helps us remember where we have been… wondering where you got your ‘Jesus loves me’ t-shirt?

Sue Linse - Love the pictures Megan! (does anyone call you ‘Megan’ anymore?…or is it just Meg. Anyway – only comment – love any picture of Stanley – SO cute. And Annie is freaking Adorable – should be modeling for GAP or something. Miss you as always 🙂

jennibell - Wow. What a beautiful, reflective post. You are inspirational to so many Meg!!!

Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - So many beautiful smiles! And I can’t wait to watch your dreams unfold!

Melissa - Amen! Here’s to 2015

Carol S. - I like your photos and perspective. You’re one of my favorite bloggers…real…colorful…most important, faithful. My blogging schedule has been reduced to one a year, lol. I don’t know how you do it, but sure am glad you do. Jealous of all your adorable pics with hubby. My husband ducks when camera comes out!

Kimberlee Jost - I loved all of the pictures!

amy jupin - i share so many of these same thoughts and emotions, especially in the message i keep hearing from jesus.
“don’t be afraid. stretch, grow, follow your passions!”
i push it down again and again.
what does it possibly mean?
what if i blow it?
we need to follow his lead and fight for our dreams!
they are important. so, so important!
i am with you, friend.
i am for you too.
happy new year meg!

Tammy - Happy New Year! Thanks for always being such an inspiration Meg!

Amy - Cheers to 2015! I’ve loved following along with you here and on Instagram. Thanks for sharing your life with us!

Lisa - Well said! Here’s to 2015!

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wrapping up december

December 30, 2014

well we are at the end of the year already?
it feels super weird to me.
and like everyone else… this past week of celebrating has been a blur.
but for the most part it’s been the good kind of blur.
we decorated gingerbread houses.
i cheated a little and bought them pre-built from the bakery at target.
but what matters is we did it.
and even BEFORE christmas this year?!

the most fun addition this year was the Air Head Extremes rainbow stripe candy!

and the Alpha Bits cereal was a good idea but it turns out there are hardly any N’s or S’s which is annoying.

they have so many jokes and voices and stories together that make each other laugh constantly.
and they were cracking each other up this day.
(of course they fight too but it’s so much more fun to capture them laughing)

we had several family christmases… and i took a few pictures at my parents because my dad got me a wide angle lens!
it’s so fun to play around with!

my mom made a big dinner for us all!

cousins in their new socks!

and then my kiddos in new jammies on christmas morning.
sleepy faces ready for breakfast and gifts.

we pulled off surprising talby with this piano!!
craig and the boys went and loaded it up… hid it behind a bunch of other things in the garage till christmas eve.
then pushed inside after talby went to bed.
i did no work other than find it… i am so grateful for strong men.
i googled around and found out it’s over 100 years old!
it sounds great to us and talby remembers so much from her lessons in the past – i was shocked!

craig found a ping pong table to go over the pool table. 🙂
and now there is a ping pong championship on the line!

every family does christmas in their own way… your gifts, traditions or ideas may be different from ours and that is O K!
we do one gift of something they want (like a kindle or new phone or speakers or a piano)
and then “stockings”
and somewhere along the way… the actual stockings became gift bags.

lauren

annie

scott

talby

sean

and i got some beautiful gifts too from lots of lovely people in my life.
🙂
i felt quite spoiled.

this year my kids hit a new phase in their sibling life.
they EACH picked meaningful things for each other.
ALL of them.
i was so proud to watch them open gifts from each other… and see their faces when the brother or sister liked it.
that’s the good stuff.

and you guys!!!
my mailbox has been BURSTING with christmas cards from YOU!
i read every one of them and announced the state (or country) when we opened them.
annie was my helper.
it was really sweet and i appreciate all of them.

reading all your notes made me remember why i love blogging.
and refreshed to keep going.
t h a n k y o u.

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Rachel - I have the Nikon version of that lens and love it. It is making shooting our renovation so much easier! Glad you are having so much fun with it.

Juli - Meg, where did you find the afghan laying across your chair/couch? The colors are fabulous. Please don’t tell me it is vintage. The vintage ones I find are never that pretty! Thank you!

Kristine - I sent a card but no note! Yikes. I’m qtsmom on Instagram! It was the rejoice card with two teenage boys- The Clines!
Duh! I was just so giddy about sending a card to my fave blogger!
On another note, the look on your face looking at Annie and Olaf…so hilarious!
Thanks for sharing your family Christmas traditions!
Happy New Year!

Tabitha - Fantastic gifts! Can you tell me where you got Talby’s “Love” shirt? It’s awesome!

jennibell - You are such a FUN mom — yea! You truly inspire me to be “better” (more available, more fun) and your blog helps with the ideas because they just don’t come to me easily/naturally.
Happy 2015 Meg!

Andrea @ This Pug Life - Fly Away Home was one of my favorite movies – brings back memories!

Kelsey - Another request for the horse (unicorn?) hat source! I love it and Googled to no avail last night.

Amy - It looks like a great Christmas! Gingerbread houses are such a fun tradition. 🙂 Blessings to you and your sweet family in the New Year!

Library Momma - Meg! Lovely ideas. When did you start doing gifts this way? This is very enticing to me as we are trying to teach our young children life is family, experiences, traditions, not “stuff.” Santa is till alive and well in our house so this is slightly a delicate balance.

Amber - It looks like you had a lovely Christmas! I’m curious how you handle gifts between siblings. I’m preggo with my fourth and I’m just not sure how to handle it. My kids are too young to have the kind of money to purchase gifts on their own. It’s a struggle I have right now to keep a handle on how much we spend and yet teach them to enjoy giving as much (or more) than getting. I. Not really sure they can make each other something yet either. Or maybe a scribbled picture is enough? I’d love your two cents. Happy New Year!

Janine - Gorgeous piano. PLEASE do not paint it! I know you love painting everything but give restoring the wood a try. A simple first step is to clean it with Murphy’s oil soap and then make your own mixture of equal parts lemon juice and olive oil and polish it up. You will be amazed at how gorgeous the wood looks after that. And if it still looks worn out after that, then resort to paint *shudder*!!

Katherine - I, too, want to know where to find a hat like Annie’s!

Gevay - Happy New Year!

Dawn - Funny how stocking gifts can get away from you. Stocking shopping is the most fun. It looks like you had a Merry Christmas. Happy New Year!

Meredith - Hi Meg! Happy New Year’s Eve! Could you please tell me where you found Talby’s ‘be awesome today’ sign? Thanks!

Lori - I’m happy you got so many cards and had a wonderful Christmas! Happy New Year to you!

Amy - It looks like your family knows you well! Where did you find Annie’s horse hat? My daughter bought her own horse this year and would flip for that hat!

Tiffany - Loving the Ping Pong Tabletop, such a good idea for indoor fun that helps you get off your bum.

mary - bravo on how you do your presents!
i think that is how it should be done, my mom tried that way
years ago and some very spoiled siblings had an all out fit
and yes after they were in their 20’s.
happy new year to you and your whole family meg!

jamie - LOVE THIS! i need to add so many things to my amazon wish list! and can we talk about the {annie} soundtrack? i love it!

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fondue party

December 29, 2014

every year craig’s side of our family has a fondue night at christmas.
like… craig’s WHOLE life.
kind of a fun traditional that i am glad they still keep up.
several people on IG asked for more information so they could do this with their family.
i will try my best to help you out.
it’s not really MY thing so i may miss some details.
we usually host which means i make sure my house is clean and there is space for every one.
then the other family members bring the food and set it up.

there is usually one pot of oil and one pot of broth to cook meat.
we have steak & chicken cut into small pieces & shrimp every year.
occasionally there have been chicken nuggets or meatballs too.
then bbq sauce, ketchup, cocktail sauce, A1 and…. i can’t recall what other sauces.
i think you could have any sauce you wanted.

there is always a cheese fondue.
this recipe would work fine or something like it.
we dip bread and veggies into the cheese.
someone cuts the bread into cubes with an electric knife.
this is the place i have a hard time staying away from.
melty cheese and bread.
YUM.

someone makes a caramel dip and a chocolate dip for fruit, marshmallows and angel food cake.
(this is the kids favorite area)

and then everyone brings their christmas snacks from home too like muddy buddies and sugar cookies.
this year i didn’t bake ONE single thing so i purchased cream puffs and eclairs from the freezer aisle.
it counts for something. 🙂

We have all kinds of ways to make this work.
we have an Oster Fondue Pot that gets used every year…varies what is in it though depending on the needs.

the oil is always in a wok like this: Aroma Electric Wok

this year my sister in law put the chocolate and caramel in her new Crock-Pot Hook Up Connectable System.
i totally want to get that system!
amazon seems to be out of reasonably priced crock pot hook ups to link to but i found them here at walmart.

the cheese dip was in a ceramic dish on a Hot Plate.
it works!

we have LOTS of Fondue Forks to keep track of which food is yours.
although some people still like to steal your meat if you don’t get to it quick enough.

You want to make sure that cords are out of reach from children to avoid burns… obviously.
we have even taped down cords in the past before we had an island with electrical outlets.
safety first for all of your guests.

do you have more questions?
do you have suggestions for us – something that your family does differently?
what kind of food do you see missing?
let’s hear it!

AND lastly…. check out this peanut butterscotch fondue!!!
we are making this one next year.
🙂

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Sue Linse - We also do Fondue every Christmas day. Have tried to do it at the table, but too many people so I want to try the island idea. For meat sauces, we also have honey mustard, horseradish sauce and teriyaki. For the chocolate fondue, we include maraschino cherries, pound cake and clementine oranges. Fun tradition.

Amanda - Small Home Big Start - So much fun!! We do cheese fondue every couple of years for my brother and sister’s birthdays in December. My fav things to dip in it are bread (obviously), sliced apples and blanched broccoli. The leftover cheese is great cooled in the fridge and then grated over steamed broccoli and cauliflower as a gratin. This is the recipe we use: http://smallhomebigstart.com/2012/02/cheese-fondue.html

Kimberlee Jost - I love this so much. It makes me want all of my cousins to live near me so that I could gather them up for a party like this. Hmmm…maybe I’m going to have to adopt some people. I think I know who and it involves Circles. 🙂

Rebekah - Meg, you needs tripod so that you can take pictures and actually be in the picture and not just show your face at a weird angle!!

Jennifer Andersen - A chocolate fountain would totally fit in there. Love the whole idea. Well done.

Amanda - Our family loves fondue too. It’s the time and conversations that you have that make it such a nice option to a regular meal. We like to end our meal with a round tube of refrigerated biscuits. Take one biscuit and place an unwrapped Hershey kiss and wrap/roll the uncooked biscuit dough around it. Then cook it in the oil fondue (no fork required just drop carefully to not get burned by oil). When done, it is like a doughnut with melted chocolate in the middle. Roll it in powdered sugar or regular sugar. Yummy!

lisa - What a FUN tradition!! All of those choices sound super yummy. My one thing is how do you make sure that the meat is cooked through!!? & that no one eats undercooked chicken? My under-cooked & raw-chicken-sitting-out-at-room-temp-too-long anxiety wants to know!! {sigh – lol!!}

Tiffany - Traditions, big and small, are such a sweet way to bring family together. Thanks for sharing this one.

Michelle - i have zero experience with fondue so please forgive my ignorance. Does having to cook the meat cause a big hold up in the movement of the supper line? Also is the meat seasoned with any salt or other seasoning before it’s cooked? this seems like a really fun idea, just trying to wrap my head around the full concept. Thanks!

vanessa schroeder - My family used to do this but sitting around the table. If your piece of food you dipped into the pot fell off the stick we had to give the family member on our right a kiss on the cheek! Sometimes we got Grandma & Grandpa to approve hugs as the cousins got older!

Kelly - We got SMART this year after learning from a chaotic celebration last year and since a bunch of family lives in town we split up the “kid present night” from the “grown up present night”. We got a baby-sitter and my mom treated us to million dollar spaghetti, a terrific salad, rolls, etc. and caramel fondue for dessert. We used to do that a lot as teenagers in our house but hadn’t had the fondue in ages. I thought the cream puffs in your photo were one of our favorite dippers at first – the toasted coconut covered marshmallows! Super yummy! I know it is over the top but I also like brownies dipped in fondue. Angel food cake is probably my favorite though so yay for that! Fun tradition! Kelly

Emily - Thank you so much for sharing this family tradition. I’m always looking for fun things to do with extended family when they come to my house to visit. What a great memory to create. I will be looking up those woks and crock pots. Thank you for all the info!

chrissi - we were just talking about having a fondue party. your party looks like so much fun. reminds me of growing up with lots of cousins and kitchen chaos. the best kind of memories.

Julie - Yum – my first and only cheese fondue was tried in Switzerland many years ago. Such a fun way to eat. I have to ask though, what is a muddy buddie?

Janel - I love love to do Fondue… Another fun alternative
is using a Raclette Pan. You can even find Raclette cheese for this very purpose. You basically grill thinly sliced potatoes on top and underneath the grill you melt your cheese in single serving pans. When the potatoes are cooked and cheese melted, you plate your potatoes and pour melted cheese over top and eat. Repeat repeat repeat…

I have done thinly cut meats and veggies to change
It up. What I haven’t done yet is fruit..I think that would be fun!

I purchased my Raclette pan on amazon
And googled my way thru for the best outcome.

Have fun!

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christmas at our house

December 23, 2014

well… i waited for the cleaning lady but wasn’t able to take pictures afterwards.
then we had a two big groups of company.
and lots of other things.
then today the sun is hiding behind gray skies but it’s clean enough and when i started taking pictures most of the kids were asleep.
but here is our home all decorated for christmas.

annie is begging to decorate the gingerbread houses.
Home Alone is finishing up.
i am supposed start dinner.
but Waffle found a skunk last night…. so i get to bathe a dog right now.
whatever you are doing right now i will trade you.

anything.
please?

ha ha ha

feel free to ask questions.
i will answer them. 🙂

***************************************************************************************************

Q: where did you get your gingerbread houses? They look like a perfect gift to a child packaged like that!

A: target in the bakery section.

Q: where do you keep your toaster and mixer?

A: it’s kind of funny actually… i didn’t include the picture because the cabinet door was open but i will include it here for you.

island
we keep the toaster IN the middle drawer and all the bread in there too.

then when the toaster is being used… we plug it in under the counter and leave the drawer open while in use.
when done… unplug and close the drawer.
and then there is no bread box on the counter either.

Q: How do you keep them clean? Are they the ikea ones with the washable slipcovers?

A: Yes they are from ikea. we bought an extra set of slipcovers (thinking ahead….) and we have washed them all once since april.
they clean up really nicely! we are happy with them!

Q: Did you buy all the bulbs in your boxes at the same time or have you been gathering them for a while?

A: i have been collecting for many years. I just pick them up at the thrift shops when ever i find them.
and the santa mugs i have also been collecting for many years.
now they are priced higher which is so annoying so i never pay more than $5 and even that is high in my opinion. 🙂
Q: My question (is not house related) but I LOVE to know what people are reading; including magazines, blogs, devotionals, in their Bibles, and books.

A: i have been reading anything at all. SAD.
but i always check in with Shannan to find out whats good and what to read next.

Q: …that green beadboard wall! Did you trim the edges with moulding or just cut an even edge?
And that tinsel tree, I assume it’s vintage?

A: the tree is not vintage. crazy right? I’ve had it probably five years or more though.
there is no brand on it though. 🙁
and for the green bead board… we just cut it evenly. there is no trim piece.
And we have one more board to cut in half and put on the top before the wood trim.
Q: it looks like the back of that gray dresser backs up to an open railing. Is the back painted too??

A: i have mentioned about 5 times that i want to just quick paint the back but i never have gotten around to it.
but yes it should be painted. i agree with you. 🙂
Q: I LOVE your basket with blankets in it……where did you find it?
A: tjmaxx 🙂

Q: My question…..You have a basement…..(stairs)….I am dying to know what you are doing with it….
A: we do have a basement.
i never go down there. there are no windows. and there is carpet. and unpainted wood.
it’s hard for me.
ha ha ha
just kidding.
it’s a finished basement. there is a pool table, a sectional, a projector screen and an xbox down there.
the basement doesn’t need me.
🙂
i am sure we will make it more “us” but it’s not on the top of the list of projects right now.
Q: What is the square footage of your house? The main floor looks open and spacious!
A: i don’t even know. 🙂
i never asked.
im sure craig knows but i don’t.

Q: Are you ever worried something is going to fall victim to those precious big dogs with those long, waggy tails?
A: Not really. They don’t jump up on stuff and nothing is down low for them to get into. 🙂

Q: Wondering about gray paint on your wall. What is the name of it?
A: Seashell Gray by Valspar (sold at lowes)

Q: How about the pennants over your kitchen sink? Are they fabric or paper? Did you make them or buy them? Where from?
A: i bought them two years ago from Leslie Padgett’s etsy shop Salvage 517. (currently empty)
they are made from vintage christmas tablecloths and there is sheet music sewn on them too.

Q: what is the shade of green that you painted your dining room cabinet?
A: Catnip by Valspar

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Jen Sullivan - I just wanted to say that I absolutely love your family picture on the wall!! It is such an amazing picture!!!

Katrissa Howard - Hi Meg!

I just love this home tour! I came back to it again today because we’re in the (early) stages of a Kitchen/Family Room renovation and trying to shift the neutral color of those rooms from (existing) beiges/off-whites to whites/grays. I remember loving the gray on your walls from these pictures so I came to look at them more closely today. Does the gray tend toward blue at all? Our kitchen cabinets will be white, but the bigger pieces of furniture in the rooms we’re redoing are brown (big sofa, built in bookshelves and black (kitchen table, tv console). I decorate with pops of colors – currently reds and some greens (more yellows in the summer) and also rustic burlap and wood. I’m looking for a gray that will work with both the browns and the blacks and I’m wondering if this is it. It looks like it from the pictures! { I’m not putting the pressure on you to make the decision for me, just curious as to your thoughts!} Thank you so much! I love your blog so much! I feel like you’re a kindred spirit! 🙂

s - Loved the tour – your home is so liveable yet beautiful. Mine is so undecorated and clutter-y- too lived in lol. Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

jennibell - Love the close-up of Christmas at your house!!! I was showing my husband all the kitchen pics in relation to other parts of your main living area. . .we are contemplating moving and your kitchen layout looks really functional. Thanks for sharing!

iralee poore - so pretty!!! i love that you guys painted everything white! i love the airy open and clean feel but its not boring visually bc of all the pops of color and black/white pops!

Rachel - Glitter JOY. Giggle. I think there is still glitter in my bag from last year from the JOY I brought home.

paige - meg!
i have to tell you, i’ve kept your blog up for days & come back to it over & over…i am smitten with your home & how you’ve decorated for christmas!!
love everything!!
especially your wreath over the chalkboard & how you color grouped the balls. my goodness….
i smiled out loud over & over

merry merry!

kel - Wondering about gray paint on your wall. What is the name of it? We are repainting- I bogged down in the paint samples. I’m avoiding the decision…. afraid to go too dark. I’m sure you have answered this before- but I can’t find it!

Kelly - How about the pennants over your kitchen sink? Are they fabric or paper? Did you make them or buy them? Where from?

Kristen K. - Meg…Merry Christmas!!! At least it’s midnight here in Philadelphia…and all is (FINALLY!) quiet. Whew! So I got to sit for a moment and look at the gorgeous photos you shared with us. Thank you! My favorite thing about your home(s) isn’t really a ‘thing’…it’s that your home reflects YOU and your family, your faith, your real life! Craft supplies in the hutch instead of dusty china that no one uses, photos of joy all around, but not over-the-top fru-fru style…color and Scripture and more smiles and vintage (a.k.a. stuff-with-a-story) finds. Just love love love your style, and the way you tell your family’s story. Thank you for sharing! 😉

beth larson - Meg, Hi friend! Just couldn’t resist telling you that my hubbie got a skunk in a trap today (by accident) and it sprayed and although it wasn’t a direct hit, it’s Christmas and the smell of skunk is permeating our house….hahahaha hohohoho, MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a good night!!! Feeling for you having to deal with a skunky dog too- xox

I hope you got your card~ : )
Beth Larson

Lori - Your home looks beautiful! I’m so glad you shared photos! Merry Christmas 🙂

Lisa - I just love how bright and cheerful your home is. You and Craig have done an amazing job transforming this house to your personalities. I tend to decorate with mostly whites and neutrals but your home makes me want to add color. Merry Christmas!

Tracy - It looks lovely and festive! I especially love your green stools 🙂

Merry Xmas to you and all the Duerksens! I hope our Xmas card made it to you!

Lisa - Love your vintage bulbs and Santa mugs! Are you ever worried something is going to fall victim to those precious big dogs with those long, waggy tails? 🙂

Jill D - I have that same Christmas tablecloth! Passed down from my grandmother and mother. I remember it being used every Christmas when I was a child. Such memories.

Christine - Merry Christmas!!

Love the decorations.
Especially love the green beadboard!
Now sit back and enjoy it!
So So pretty!

Amanda Medlin - I love what you’ve done with your new house and how you have made it YOU. I have a question and forgive me if you’ve answered previously, I went through old posts and couldn’t find it…what is the shade of green that you painted your dining room cabinet? Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Jenny B. - LOVE everything! It looks so homey and Christmassy, yet uncluttered. I know… you waited until AFTER the cleaning lady came! ;). I want to pin every picture! My favorite things… the green beadboard coat rack, your kitchen, the backsplash and countertops (and the bunting!), the little collection of pictures on the wall by the gumball machine, the big basket of quilts (I need one of those!), the computer area with the big D and the 5 and the pictures and the crib spring with all the Christmas cards… 🙂 Sigh… Lovely.

Karyn - I saved the springs from our crib and it’s taking up space in the basement. I was just about to throw it out then I saw the green one by your computer. Now I have to keep mine!! Thank you for all the lovely pictures! I think of you each time I drive I-135 to get from Denver (home now) to Emporia (home home).

Jacci - Lovely 🙂 I really like the way the dining area is turning out. Good choice with the cow print. My question is… did you find a book called The Art of Neighboring at the craft house this summer?? I think I may have left it there 🙂 Merry Christmas, Duerksens!!!!

Beth ann - Lovely! Your hone looks so comfortable, inviting and homey! I was smiling at the progression of kiddos waking up and moving about. No real question than how to I make a stubborn 3 yr old go to sleep so I can wrap presents aaannnddddd have a glass or 2 of wine…. ha!

Kimberly - Love the how peaceful it looks and all the vintage pieces!

What is the square footage of your house? The main floor looks open and spacious! Is the basement completely finish?

Andrea - Meg….one more crazy question…I LOVE your basket with blankets in it……where did you find it?

Andrea - I loved seeing your home all decked out for Christmas!!! I love that your home is neutral, but colorful all at once. I am not sure how you pulled that off but I love it. Your collection of vintage ornaments is so beautiful and I love how you displayed them! (I am copying that next year!) I also collect santa mugs and loved seeing your collection. My question…..You have a basement…..(stairs)….I am dying to know what you are doing with it….I imagine a wonderful big craft/sewing room…..(cause that I what I want to do with our basement)

Happy Holidays!

Jane - I have some Santa mugs and a pitcher that my mom had when we were growing up. I love how you display yours!

Jen - I have some of those same Santa mugs! I love the little display box! I always struggle with how to display them.

LOVE the quote on the chalkboard too!!

Question : it looks like the back of that gray dresser backs up to an open railing. Is the back painted too?? Silly, I know. But I think I would have to paint the back if it was going to be “open” like that. :-/

Merry Christmas to you and your sweet family!

Amy - What a festive house! My favorite thing is the picture of the 5 kiddos in their bathing suits that is above the desk. I assume it’s your 5. I know I can’t see it well, but it looks like such a real life moment.

Tami Vik - I love that green beadboard wall! Did you trim the edges with moulding or just cut an even edge? You always find the best stuff! And that tinsel tree, I assume it’s vintage? Fabulous! Good luck with the dog washing!

Melissa - I just love your home! I couldn’t believe you have 5 kids and your house looks like this so it was a relief to know you have a cleaning lady I was about to ask you if you were born with super powers or you learned magic along the way LOL! I guess having older children helps as well, I have a 5,7,9 so even when they do help I need to supervise or come behind and finish up.
I also noticed you have many drawers and cabinets which is something we lack around here I bet it hides alot of things so I will be looking for storage furniture from here on out!
THANKS FOR THE POST!! 🙂
–btw I am MeliMelsss on instagram 🙂 So glad I found your blog!

Tessa - You have made me love green even more with this post!!!

Julie - Thank you so much for sharing. I adore the boxes of baubles and the wreath. Merry Christmas to you and your Family.
PS: Posted your card the other day too.

Rachel S - One more question…where did you get your gingerbread houses? They look like a perfect gift to a child packaged like that!

Rachel S - LOVE your cute house! Love all the white with your happy colors everywhere. Your kitchen is just perfect and that silver tree (vintage?) is so cute on the counter. One question for you is where do you keep your toaster and mixer? I would love to have more counter space, but we use those 2 appliances (plus the coffee maker) so often that they take up my precious space.
Enjoy your Christmas with the family in your new home. I always love to see your spaces! So inspirational.

Amanda M. - I LOVE your home. I’ve LOVED all your homes! Here’s my question and I think you’ve talked about it before— Those white couches. How do you keep them clean? Are they the ikea ones with the washable slipcovers? I want white couches so badly but, boys. boys. boys. I have two boys that are 5 and 7. I’m pretty sure it would be an issue. Do you wash yours often?

Julie - Your home feels so inviting and charming! So pretty!!

Kelly S, I know your question was directed to Meg, but I’m currently listening to an audiobook on YouTube, “Hudson Tsylor’s Spiritual Secret” and enjoying it a lot. What a simple, incredible faith this missionary to China had! So inspiring!

Andrea - Oh Meg! Thank you so much for the photos!
Did you buy all the bulbs in your boxes at the same time or have you been gathering them for a while? (I’m guessing they come from places like The Barn?)
Also how long have you been collecting the Santa cups?

Lisa - Here’s my question…. Can I hire you to decorate my house?! Please!? I’ll fly you to Oregon to help me! Haha! I really love your style. 🙂

Melissa - Love love love – it looks so pretty. simple and pretty

Kelly S - Cute, cozy and colorful house. My question (is not house related) but I LOVE to know what people are reading; including magazines, blogs, devotionals, in their Bibles, and books.
I’m LOVING The Auschwitz Escape (book), my devo is Awake My Heart by J. Sidlow Baxter (love love love), reading through Bible in chronological order (I’m in 1 Chronicles) and also reading Timothy Keller-Prayer-Experiencing Awe and Intimacy With God (awesome).
Merry Christmas!!!!
Kelly (Pam’s friend from Liberia) 🙂

Meghan - Can I move in?

Tami - LOVE your home, so cozy and warm! Happy Holidays! xoxo

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one week later….

December 19, 2014

alright.
so it’s been a whole week since i blogged.
that’s a long time!
craig said “soooo… are you EVER going to blog again?”
to which i turned and unleashed a long string of LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I AM BUSY! HOW DARE YOU’s on him like a sweet wife does when called out on her slacking.

let’s see… this past week has been bonkers with activities.
just like at your house i assume.
i schedule appointments for each of my kids in december (eye dr…dentisit… etc) and then we do their christmas shopping for their siblings afterwards.
one on one.
we started this a few years ago. shop
half of the fun for them is the lunch stop i think!
in the past 9 days I’ve eaten at chipotle 4 times and Chili’s once.
it’s really sweet to watch them shop trying to decide what their sisters or brothers would like… within their budget.
we do a “matching” program (in a way). i pay for it all and then they pay me back most (70-ish%) of it.
i don’t make them pay it all back to me because i like their big hearts and wanting to get nice(r) gifts for people they spend most days fighting with.
it gives me hope.
maybe they will like each other when they grow up??
🙂

ever since annie was home sick on thanksgiving break we have been recording The Price Is Right on the dvr.
priceisright
she comes home from school and watches it.
EVERY DAY.
it’s such a clean show! (other than the dresses on the lady models….)
and i may or may not get teary eyes when they win the big showcase and they seem like they may pass out.
did you know there is even a MALE model on the show now?!
i think you should watch over christmas break.
bring back all the old memories of summer and being a kid in the 80’s!

COME ON DOOOOOOWN!

JB2
JB1
my girlfriends and i ran in the jingle bell run again this year!
every year we try to think of reasons not to do it but honestly… the spa time afterwards makes any race worth it.
this year i ran the whole thing!
last year i did too but that was purely to stay warm because last year it was 3 degrees!
this year was cold but not like that.
and you would think i would be on an excerise high from doing so well in the run (not because of speed but because of not walking) but you would be wrong in that thinking!
i have a terrible time getting exercise into my day.
but i won’t give up this battle.
i just keep hoping i will become a lover of exercise.
someday….

i have a thing for peppermint.
we are BFFs all the way.
so believe me when i say i have bought so many boxes of these k-cups from target it’s not even funny.
i am stockpiling them.
because they will be gone and i will have to go back to my second favorite flavor of coconut mocha in january.
what i am really craving is peppermint ice cream.
and i DID purchase Peppermint Mini Oreos this week because i plan to make a milkshake with peppermint ice cream AND the mini oreos at some point in the next week.
because it’s once a year and resistance is futile.

two weekends ago craig asked me if i wanted to hang up a new light?
swoon.
that is like whispering sweet nothings in my ear.
so we pulled out the old, dusty, bent up chandelier i got at the barn forever ago, figured out if it still worked and he even took all the crystals off for me!
i cleaned it and painted it and then last weekend he hung it up!

and while he did that i sewed new curtains.
the black and white gingham fabric is by the yard at ikea.
i moved the curtains i had in the dining room into the kitchen.
that big straight lined pattern was SO EASY i said “i don’t ever want to sew anything without lines again!”

on IG people keep asking for a christmas home tour.
that’s a great idea but i am waiting for my cleaning lady to come and then i will take pictures.
she is the best part of my week.
pretty much every week.
🙂
in case you wondered… she cleans the kitchen, living/dining room, guest bath and my room/bathroom.
my kids still have to clean their own rooms, the family room and their shared bathroom.
skills they need in life.
i want them to learn to do the work.
because i still have to clean stuff everyday. all kinds of things!
it feels like i never stop cleaning (you feel this way too right? please say yes!)
it’s NEVER ending.
i appreciate the professional cleaning help every week more than i can explain.

ok…. one last thing today.
christmas cards.
are you sending them?
i used to be a rock star at christmas cards.
but i am not any more.
so IF i was going to send a card it would be this one:

chrsitmaspic-tiff
(this design was on MPIX)

but…. even though i am total slacker in the card mailing department… maybe you aren’t?
if you wanted to send me a christmas card i would be thrilled!
also we have moved twice in three years… so NO ONE knows our address anymore.
and i miss christmas cards!
so if you want to send me your christmas card… send me a quick email at megduerksen@gmail.com and i will give my address to you.
i really will.

(and i f you are thinking WHY would i ever send Meg a christmas card?? i get that and there is NO PRESSURE whatsoever to do this weirdo project. just an idea that popped into my head. i know that not all my ideas are great 🙂 )

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Lynda Anderson - I just moved, too! I’ve received three cards, one was a relative, one was my realtor and one was a friend through whom I order Mary Kay. 🙂 I feel your pain. Of course, I haven’t even started my cards yet … no, really, I haven’t even taken the photo I want to use for the cards. I always send Happy New Year cards. Takes some of the pressure off.

Merry Christmas to you and your family. You are a true inspiration!

Lucy - I am a cleaning lady and I applaud you that you make your kids clean their rooms etc. So many people don’t make their kids do anything. They need these life skills I agree!
merry Christmas and Love the chandelier and curtains.

Patti - You’re so funny…receiving Christmas cards from your faithful followers, even though most are strangers. But I have an idea of what you can do with all the cards you will undoubtedly get. I heard this idea from one of our parish priests, and have practiced it for a few years now. After the holidays, we put all the cards in a basket by our kitchen table and when we say grace, one of our kids picks a card out of it and we say a special blessing for that family. Sometimes the same family is prayed for many times over throughout the year and I always think how maybe God knows they need extra prayers! It’s a fun and wonderful way to keep Christmas blessings going the whole year through. And that being said, “Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!”

Annette - Meg-
Merry Christmas! I have read your blog for years and don’t remember how I got started. Alot of the craziness that goes on in your life I can relate to. I too have 5 children – 2 boys and three girls. I love anything crafts, I have an Etsy store and love the lord. I was reading your blog for several years before I realized both our husbands work at the same bank.

Keep up the good work with your blogs they are an inspiration to me and literally make me laugh out loud sometimes.

Merry Christmas and the most blessed new year!
Annette

Linda Mullen - Hi Meg, been reading your blog for ages and have loved sharing it with my daughter (especially the art projects you do with your kiddos) over the years! Would love to send you a Christmas card….especially since I am just getting around to that and despairing that once again we’re sending non-photo versions, because really, the tree just got up and we’re looking for last minute gingerbread houses–your blog inspires me and I love your open heart! Best to you and your family!

Michelle - Have I told you lately that I love your blog. Yup – its true. Even when you don’t blog for a week. Because I totally get that. I am down with the cleaning lady too. Merry Christmas Meg!

angela - Sent you an email! Would love to send you a card!! P.S. I have eaten a bowl of peppermint ice cream every. single. night. since December 1. I will go in withdrawals on the 31st!

Tanya H - So, I am TOTALLY showing the paragraph about the cleaning lady to my 9yr old who, after flat out refusing to her weekly jobs today, and then threw a fit about having to do jobs before fun plans, snapped to her father and I that WE never do ANY jobs in the house EVER. Ahem. Are you KIDDING ME??? Sigh…

I too used to rock Christmas cards…but I have spent a good chunk of my day addressing and writing in cards and I’m wondering how worth it is, LOL. Its my favorite thing to get cards, so I should, oh…and its my business…lol, but between three dozen wrong addresses, and the fact that it’s 12/20…this is nuts!! 🙂

I also have to comment on The Price Is Right. 🙂 My husband loved that show as a kid, and when my kids were tiny and he worked weird hours, he loved being home at that time random days, he’d commandeer PBS Kids or Nick Jr to watch that. My kids were never as entertained as he was, haha…

Anyway, good for you on the race…I keep hoping I will learn to enjoy working out too…I try, and I have to believe that’s good enough for today. Merry Christmas, if you don’t blog again before then! 🙂

Heather S. - Meg, I would LOVE to send you one of Christmas cards!!! I have one for you, truly I do. I will pop it in the mail when I have your address. 🙂 Though we’ve never met, I love you like a BFF. 🙂 We are sisters in the Lord & one day I will hang out with you. If not here, then in heaven FOR sure. You are a treasure on so many levels.

Kirsten J - Dude – what an epic blog post! It was like a good catchup over coffee with an old friend 🙂
Listen, I was at my PTA co-president’s house Thursday for our Board meeting/Christmas luncheon and she had so many cards on her mantle. I was a little jealous, because I’ve received maybe…6? And so I commented about it. Leslie says, “well, how many do you,send? I send out about 125-140” ummmm…..let’s see….so far they aren’t even ordered, and so they’ll probably get picked up at Walgreens Tuesday morning and I’ll address them in the parking lot. Ugh. Maybe that’s why. And I couldn’t really whine about the PTA president job being so busy because she’s my co! AND she hosted the luncheon!!! But I’ll totally send you one – email coming.

Kerri Lynne - Several thoughts on this great post: 1) My dad was a teacher and you reminded me of when we watched game shows together over Christmas break – there were LOTS of game shows in those days. 2) IKEA has FABRIC? I still have not made it to the new one in KC, and it’s only an hour away… 3) I love sending/receiving Christmas cards, but will not be doing ours this year until after we return from a 10-day trip to Israel (leaving a few days after Christmas!). 4) Gorgeous chandelier! Oh, saw your son’s name on a list of 3A football honors – congratulations to him!

Alicia @ Investing Love - Your posts are always so beautifully random, and I connect with that so much, that it always evokes in me a completely random comment back…so, here goes:
a. I love the productivity going on, light hanging, curtain sewing…perfect. And the green + black check combo is a TEN!

b. Sophia and Jack have recently become OBSESSED with the Price is Right. I’m like, really!?! Also, Let’s Make a Deal. I’m all, are y’all 86?? But they don’t care…they love it. And they want to go on it and win all the things.

c. I used to have a cleaning lady…when I had a house. I missed her more than my mother when we moved away to North Carolina. Really. She was a godsend. Now that we’re house shopping again I just really hope I can find another good lady. It’s such a lifesaver.

d. I am totally sending you a Christmas card. Totally.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - 1) I did NOT know you and Peppermint are BFFs. What???! Guess what…me and peppermint are enemies. Go figure.
2) I love the dentist idea and one-on-one time. I always take all 3 at once and then we despair.
3) Do you have any idea how many good ideas you’ve given me over the years? Poodles. (That word is courtesy of my mom.)

Carol S. - Love that during this busy holiday period you can not post for a week. That is getting your priorities straight! Then a fun post that was worth the wait. Wonderful time with your kids, can’t get that back. Going slow over here and it’s just fine. With high schooler and college kid a lot of the pressure to create Christmas magic is gone, and I am totally cool with that. I’ve got 4 gifts for each of my two boys, and I’m pretty cool with that…really need one more each…hate for me to have purchased more gifts under tree for me than them! Chipotle gift cards may fill the ticket. Enjoy your blog. Merry Christmas Meg.

Jenn - Love the dining room curtains! That bold gingham grounds everything else in the room. Love! Now, about those Christmas cards. We, too, have moved a lot – four times in four years! I have simply given up. With all the moving no one can find us, and with all the moving I can’t find my address book. So we, too, are cardless this year. Which makes me happy to have your beautiful blog from which to wish you and your family and anyone reading this a very joyous, merry, blessed Christmas and a bright, happy, and healthy New Year! Thank you, Meg, for another year of sharing your thoughts and ideas with us through one of my all time favorite blogs to read. Merry Christmas!

Vonda - Love peppermint lattes!!!! And your house is looking amazing-of course:) I’m thinking your mailman will have a huge santa bag of cards for you;)! Merry Christmas!

jamie - i’m thinking about doing new year’s cards. they seem to be all the rage…

Becky Fouts - boy, am I glad you posted today!!! I read everything you write, and missed you this past week! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Lisa - I love the idea of scheduling appts in December and then taking the kids out to lunch and shop for their siblings! I am totally going to copy this next year. Such a great idea for alone time and help them have fun giving!

Heidi DeGroot - Random question–What kind of vacuum do you use and is it good for the dogs and the kids to clean up all the messes?

Gevay Piercefield - Trader Joe’s has peppermint hot chocolate and peppermint JoeJoes (their version of Oreos) , and my friend gave me Starbucks instant peppermint mocha latte packets today, and Dove makes peppermint chocolate squares and it seems I have a problem too! Sending you an email because I would like to send my peppermint loving buddy a card! Merry Christmas!

chrissi - your dining room…….the best! each detail is perfect. buffalo check in black and white, it just doesn’t get any better. merry christmas, enjoy each moment.

Rachel Jeter - And now, you are going to receive approximately 743 Christmas Cards 🙂 Remember a post on your blog from long ago, talking a little bit about your love Christmas Cards and how you would make Craig bring them home from work? Even his coworkers cards? Yeah, I remember that too. And yes, I do that too. I don’t know why I love them, I just do. May you have the merriest of Christmases with no Christmas Eve breakdowns Meg 🙂
And since I’m commenting, have you done Marta’s “Sugar Detox”?? I feel like you were doing that when I came to craft weekend in May, but I can’t fully remember. Did you love it? Would you do that again? I’m signing my hubby and I up for January. (Typing this while eating Christmas cookies.)

Becky - I’m with on the whole price is right thing! I get totally choked up seeing anybody win anything! sappy people unite 🙂

Jen - Just sent you and e-mail and will totally send you a card! I have contemplated not sending them, but decided to again this year. I am in love with peppermint, also. I love the taste and smell. I am actually drinking a cup of peppermint tea right now. Have a wonderful weekend, Meg!

Julie - Love that chandelier and those curtains. I am hoping to get brave enough to make some in 2015, maybe gingham will be the way to go. Cleaning is never done, and unfortunately it doesn’t seem to matter how many people are in the house either, the mess is still the same.
I too would love a Christmas tour of your house, always so interesting seeing how you decorate for a Northern hemisphere winter Christmas, while we have a Southern hemisphere summer one.

Necole@seriouslysassymama - Peppermint and I are BFFs also.

Barbara (WA) - I totally get the “swoon”!! And the professional cleaning help. A year ago September our son got married in our back yard. For 6 weeks I had weekly cleaners while I worked outside – it was awesome! I have a broken wrist presently but can still dust, darn. And I did send photo cards but then, I can’t bake. or cook, or. . .

Tracy - I’ve read your blog for a loooong time but don’t comment very often but I will definitely send you a Xmas card. You need Xmas cards in your mailbox!! We live in Kansas City and we’re Jayhawks, too 🙂 Now you know me well enough to receive a Xmas card from me! Haha! Emailing you now.

Amy - Your dining room is beautiful! It looks like the perfect place to have a cup of candy cane coffee. 😉 I would love to send you a Christmas card. It is my favorite Christmas card to date because it is our first Christmas as a family of three. Yay!!!

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