Friday, December 30, 2011

New Year's Resolution Time...


So year after year, we all make a list of things we want to change in our lives. Depending on will power, interest and organization (whatever it may be), we either fall off the wagon, or change our lifestyle. I'm going to give it another go this year and here is my list of New Year's resolutions:

1. To be more self-sufficient and more earth-friendly.

Reuse Reduce Recycle
I really want to change my habits and be more conscious about how my actions are impacting the Earth. I've never really thought about the effect of my personal habits and how they are affecting our home... until now...
"As a matter of fact, the average American generates about 4.6 pounds of solid trash a day!  That means each average American produces about 9.2 pounds of trash in only two days.  In a year’s time, that equals 1,460 pounds of trash per person.  If you consider the population of the United States, you will see that as a country, they get rid of about 210 million tons of junk every year!"[[http://library.thinkquest.org/]]
It's kind of like that saying, "Don't eat where you shit." We are shitting everywhere (pardon my language). When is it going to stop and when are we going to hold ourselves responsible? I, myself have been making too many excuses and not acting on my beliefs.

So there are two parts to resolution #1:
A) To be more self-sufficient
B) To be more eart-friendly

To accomplish resolution"A", I am going to recycle. I've started before the New Year so here is a picture of my set-up:


For the local folks, here is some more information about our recycling center. Surrounding areas of Tyler, must take their reycle bins to the self-service plant in Tyler due to no other options.
The Tyler Recycling Collection Center is a self-service drop-off center.

Address: 418 N. Bois D' Arc
Phone: (903)531-1388

Hours of Operation
Wednesday & Thursday: 7:15 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday: 7:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. to noon
The center is closed on Monday and Tuesday to process the recyclables.

http://www.cityoftyler.org/Portals/0/uploads/Departments/solidwaste/images/Recycling/plastic-recycling-symbols-1-th.jpg
The following items are accepted:
1. Clear, Green and Brown Glass Bottles and Jars (must be rinsed with lids removed and separated by color -- NO WINDOW PANES OR MIRRORS);
2. Aluminum Cans (no aluminum pie plates or tin cans);
3. #1 PET plastic -- rinsed -- examples: soda and water bottles;

4. #2 HDPE plastic ALL COLORS -- rinsed -- examples: milk jugs and detergent bottles;
5. Cardboard; Newspapers; Magazines; Ads/Junk Mail; Mixed office paper; Electronics (NO APPLIANCES OR TELEVISIONS); Cell Phones and Cell Phone Chargers.

Other recyclables:
--Plastic bags may be recycled by returning them to any Wal-Mart or Brookshire’s.
--Compact Fluorescent Bulbs can be recycled at any Home Depot.
--RECHARGEABLE batteries can be recycled at Batteries Plus and Interstate Batteries in Tyler.

Recycling Organic waste:

http://www.solucionespracticas.org.pe/fichastecnicas/pdf/recycling_organic_waste.pdf

*To identify plastic acceptable containers, look at the bottom of the container. A recycling triangle can be seen with three chasing arrows and a number in the center. The initials PET, PETE or HDPE may or may not be visible.

To achieve resolution "B", I am going to grow my own vegetable garden. I was succesful this year with my apartment patio garden of tomatoes and peppers. Now that I have my own yard, I am going to add several more plants (carrots, greens, etc).
 
Resolution #2
I hate to be a cliche, but I'm adding losing weight to my resolution list. I have been yo-yo dieting since I was.. well too young to want to admit. I would really like to lose weight (in a healthy way) and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
And fellow Texans, we are a proud bunch. BUT, maybe it's time for a change for us... we are the 12th most obese state!

"The most recent state-by-state data on obesity rates for youth 10 to 17 are from 2007 and also were included in last year's report. According to the data, 20.4 percent of children and adolescents in Texas are considered obese." [http://healthyamericans.org]

Resolution #3:

Quick-Fix Vegetarian: Healthy Home-Cooked Meals in 30 Minutes Or Less [Book]
I'm going to try some recipes from
this book I purchased

To swap one meal a week with a vegetarian dish. I know that this doesn't sound difficult, but I know it will be hard to maintain... because I don't cook. I am hoping that with a gradial change, I can eat less meats. 
 

 Well, wish me luck in 2012 and don't be
afraid to share your resolutions.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Sickmas :]

I mean Christmas...


Yes, I really did wear this.
Unfortunately like so many others, I have been under the weather,. But it didn't stop me from having a great time with my family! Here is a few pics of my loot... I was terrible this year and didn't take any pictures. Most likely due to the fact that I looked like a warmed-over terd :]



Orion the fire kitty... he'll lay there until it's out
Most of this is from my hubby.. LOVE

These were from my mom..
& of course she knows what I like :)

I got a lot more, I just don't feel like posting everything. Today was my first time hosting Christmas and I had a lot of fun. It was definitely a lot of work and I now sympathize with my elders a lot more. Luckily there was no family drama.. except Izzie trying to steal the ham off of the table... bad girl!

Any way, I look forward to seeing your posts :)

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! I am still sick, but glad that've been able to slowly recover at home. My hubby has been great and I can't wait to see everyone! 8]

I've already cooked the sweet potato casserole and the peach cobbler so I've crossed out some of my to-do's for tomorrow. I still have the ham, chicken and dumplings, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and rolls to cook...*sigh*... but it will be worth it.

Enjoy the time with your loved ones & I hope that everyone gets at least one thing on their wish list :)


Thursday, December 22, 2011

Snail Mail Surprise

 So I come home from work today and I had a surprise package... and it came just in time. I have been anxious to open presents.. yeah, yeah I am one of "those". I love getting presents as you can all see from my previous blog entry (I also love to give, but that's beside the point for this post).
So imagine how excited I was...


I opened the box and saw this. It was a cute little card.
And underneath that tissue paper....was.....
THIS!!!!!!!!
I won this awesome little dead doll from
Daph's awesome giveaway!!! She is
temporarily slumming it on my mantle until I can
find a more permanent home for her.
Boy, I love getting early presents 8]

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Bewitchingyou's Bests [[for the Year]]

So if anyone reads People.com, you know that at the end of every year, they have a page that is dedicated to the "Best of 2011". It may be about style, funny quotes, whatever floats their boat. I have decided to do the same thing, but in blog form.
Note: Just to keep each category from being too long (no one wants to read one blog entry that takes an hr to read), I am only going to choose the top five.

BannerFans.com


My Top 5 Obsessions:
  • Twilight (the release of Breaking Dawn)
  • True Blood
  • Blogging
  • Crafting (esp. this Halloween)
  • Reading
My Top 5 TV Shows:
  • True Blood
  • Dexter
  • Law and Order: SVU
  • Once Upon a Time
  • Pan Am
My Top Five Favorite Quotes:
  • "Light up the darkness" - Bob Marley
  • "I try to believe in as many as six impossible things before breakfast." - Alice Kingsley
  • "Both optimists and pessimists contribute to our society. The optimist invents the airplane and the pessimist the parachute." - Gil Stern
  • "The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it." - Charles Swindoll
  • "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” -
    Mahatma Gandhi
My Top Five Favorite Blogs:
(in no particular order - this was HARD as I read so many!)
 
My Top Five Favorite Blog Posts:
(in no particular order)
 My Top Five Favorite Websites:
My Top Five Memorable Moments of 2011:
(in no particular order)
  • AC and I buying our first house
  • My mother-in-law's 50th surprise party
  • Our first Halloween as haunters
  • The birth of my "niece" Lauren
  • Any moment spent with my grandparents
My Top Five Favorite Activities:
  • Reading
  • Marathon sessions of True Blood
  • Blogging
  • Gardening
I also want to wish everyone a great holiday (Christmas & New Year's). I have really enjoyed following along, reading about your lives and ideas/opinions. It's great to make new friends that are just as crazy (or crazier) than I am.

Until Christmas...

xoxo Nicole

Saturday, December 17, 2011

My Christmas Presents...

To and from.. Myself. Merry Christmas to me! :)

I just had to have new slippers... and these called out to me. It didn't hurt that my favorite Asian (besides Julie Chen) designed these...



"Nicole, Nicole.. you know you want to take me home..."
And I did.

Vegan-Approved Soaps

 Loofah Exfoliating Soap
Great smell, inexpensive
and no animal testing


Interesting How-To Book
The Backyard Homestead : Produce All the Food You Need on Just a Quarter Acre!

Helpful to have
 (it goes along with one of my New Year's resolutions)

 
Today was a great day of catching up... I got to see my family from Florida and I spent some time with my Mom. I also tried my very first Long Island tea... I love them. I do not however love the aftermath of being drunk... lesson learned? Doubt it.



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Christmas Jokes

I found these online.. funny/corny you decide :]






Department Store Santa Peeves

8. Kids who refuse to believe that it's fruitcake on your breath and not gin.
7. When the last guy to use the beard leaves bits of his lunch in it.
6. Even with the costume, people recognizing you from "Crime Watch"
5. Parents who get all uptight when you offer their kids a swig from your hip flask
4. Enduring the taunts of your old buddies from Drama School
3. Those dorks in the Power Rangers costumes get all the babes

2. Kids who don't understand that Santa's been a little jittery since he got back from 'Nam
1. Two words: lap rash

What do reindeer say before telling you a joke ?

This one will sleigh you !

Twenty ways to confuse Santa Claus


1. Instead of milk and cookies, leave him a salad, and a note explaining that you think he could stand to lose a few pounds.
2. While he's in the house, go find his sleigh and write him a speeding ticket.


3. Leave him a note, explaining that you've gone away for the holidays. Ask if he would mind watering your plants.


4. While he's in the house, replace all his reindeer with exact replicas. Then wait and see what happens when he tries to get them to fly.


5. Keep an angry bull in your living room. If you think a bull goes crazy when he sees a little red cape, wait until he sees that big, red Santa suit!


6. Build an army of mean-looking snowmen on the roof, holding signs that say "We hate Christmas," and "Go away Santa."


7. Leave a note by the telephone, telling Santa that Mrs. Claus called and wanted to remind him to pick up some milk and a loaf of bread on his way home.


8. Throw a surprise party for Santa when he comes down the chimney. Refuse to let him leave until the strippers arrive.


9. While he's in the house, find the sleigh and sit in it. As soon as he comes back and sees you, tell him that he shouldn't have missed that last payment, and take off.


10. Leave a plate filled with cookies and a glass of milk out, with a note that says, "For The Tooth Fairy. :)" Leave another plate out with half a stale cookie and a few drops of skim milk in a dirty glass with a note that says, "For Santa. :("


11. Take everything out of your house as if it's just been robbed. When Santa arrives, show up dressed like a policeman and say, "Well, well. They always return to the scene of the crime."
12. Leave out a copy of your Christmas list with last-minute changes and corrections.
13. While he's in the house, cover the top of the chimney with barbed wire.


14. Leave lots of hunting trophies and guns out where Santa's sure to see them. Go outside, yell, "Ooh! Look! A deer! And he's got a red nose!" and fire a gun.


15. Leave Santa a note, explaining that you've moved. Include a map with unclear and hard-to-read directions to your new house.


16. Set a bear trap at the bottom of the chimney. Wait for Santa to get caught in it, and then explain that you're sorry, but from a distance, he looked like a bear.

17. Leave out a Santa suit, with an attached dry-cleaning bill.


18. Paint "hoof-prints" all over your face and clothes. While he's in the house, go out on the roof. When he comes back up, act like you've been "trampled." Threaten to sue for personal injury.


19. Instead of ornaments, decorate your tree with Easter eggs.


20. Dress up like the Easter Bunny. Wait for Santa to come and then say, "This neighborhood ain't big enough for the both of us.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Little Patch of Heaven

My mother-in-law has her own little farm [she calls it the Little Patch of Heaven]. The animals are ready for Christmas... I had to share these with you guys!









On the 13th day of Creepmas...



 I finally get to announce the winner of the Creepmas giveaway.


I put the number of entries into Random.org and the winner is...

DRUIDGIRL

Congrats on winning the ebook A New Death and Others!
 Please look for an email from bewitchy1030@yahoo.com

Thanks to all those that entered!

I hope you have all had a fang-tabulous Creepmas!!!

Monday, December 12, 2011

The Creepmas Spirit is abound


This is Clyde and he lives at my friend Steve's house.

On the 12th Day of Creepmas...

It's time to be green...


No! Not green with envy, but earth-friendly green.
 
http://eartheasy.com
 This site gives many options for those Creepers trying to be a little more conscious about their carbon footprint. Some of the tips offered are:
  • Buy Less "Some holiday gifts fill a practical need and need to be bought new. But many gifts are really gestures of thoughtfulness. You can give more while spending less."
  • Buy Smart - think locally made or battery-free gifts.
  • Connect with Nature
  • Homemade Cards
  • Reuse/recycle
So visit the site and see what kind of impact you can make!

Also did you know?
Consumers can save big when it comes to dollars, and the planet, if they reduce their consumption of this non-recyclable material. According to Eco-Chick.com, if every American family wrapped just three presents in reused materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields.

Zombies are the ultimate environmentalists. They "recycle" humans, use no electricity, they don't shop or use vehicles.



Also for Creepmas decorating: How about you line your driveway with these?



    Don't forget to add your name to the ebook giveaway!
    Today is the last day!

 Just purchase the red & white lighted yard stake c. canes and then paint. Easy and cool!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Santa's Reindeer

Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen
Where did the names come from and what do they mean?!

"While the names don't really "mean" anything, Moore did name them poetically to imply how special they were. In general, you can look at the names like this:
Dasher, Comet, Cupid: Names that imply speed, quickness, and flight ["Cupid" has wings].
Dancer, Prancer, Vixen: Names that imply grace and nimbleness [a "vixen" in this sense is a female fox].
Donner and Blitzen: Originally "Dunder and Blixem," the Dutch words for "Thunder & Lightning," names that imply power and strength.



So when Clement C. Moore named the reindeer, he named them to poetically imply what the reindeer were like, flying through the night: powerful, quick, and nimble."
Read more here: http://wiki.answers.com/ and http://www.snopes.com


I also found out that Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was "invented" in 1939 by a Montgomery Ward copywriter (Robert L. May) merely for commercial purposes.

Read the article in its entirety here: http://www.snopes.com

On the 11th Day of Creepmas ...

I tried to readapt this popular holiday song.. not sure where I stand on it.



Deck the halls with poison ivy,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Tis the season to be naughty,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Don we now our gray apparel,
Fa la la, la la la, la la la.
Troll the ancient Yule tide carol,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
See the blazing Yule before us,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Strum the guitar and join the chorus.
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Follow me in creepy measure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
While I tell of Yule tide treasure,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

Fast away the old year passes,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.,
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Sing we joyous, all together,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.
Heedless of the wind and weather,
Fa la la la la, la la la la.

I found this awesome image here:

I found it funny that I've known this song for so
long and never knew what it actually meant.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

On the 10th Day of Creepmas




Click here for facts about Santa:


Kriss Kringle Cookies from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
3 eggs
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 pound red and green candied cherries, chopped
1 pound chopped pecans
1/2 pound chopped blanched almonds
1/2 pound Brazil nuts, chopped
2 pounds pitted dates
4 candied pineapple rings, finely chopped
1/2 pound chopped walnuts

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets.

2.Cream the butter and the sugar together. Beat in the eggs.

3.Combine the cherries, pecans, brazil nuts, almonds, dates, pineapple and walnuts. Toss to coat with 1/2 cup of the flour.

4.Sift the remaining flour with cinnamon, salt and baking soda. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix well. Stir in the fruit and nut mixture. Drop by spoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheet.

5.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 15 minutes

Friday, December 9, 2011

On the Ninth Day of Creepmas

I'll share a few recipes...

Leech Cobbler
All the boils & ghouls will love it...



(aka peach cobbler, but in honor of the
 Creepmas spirit, I've renamed it)





You'll need:

Flour, margarine*, baking powder, sugar*, 29 oz canned peaches leeches
optional: Cinnamon Sugar

*You can make it a bit healthier by using Splenda, light margarine, and as far as the fruit canned in it's own juice (not heavy syrup). If you want to make it less healthy, then use a pie filling instead and just add a few peaches leeches to the mix). Also if you hate peaches leeches, then pick whatever fruit you want.

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Heat the canned fruit leeches
Melt 1 stick of margarine (not in the same pot as the fruit leeches)
Make batter of 1 cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 cup of sugar and mix the dry ingredients. Afterwards, mix in 1 cup of water.

Pour butter into baking dish. Pour in batter (I pour about 3/4 in first). Pour in fruit leeches. I usually like to sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on at this point, but it's totally optional. Finally, pour the remaining batter on top.

Bake for approx. 1 hour. But keep an eye out for it, sometimes it's finished before the hour is up.

P.S. This serves about 6-7 "walkers".


Pumpkin Bread
This one is even easier than the previous recipe. Follow the directions on the box.. hahaha!
















BTW, I think us Creepers should forgo Santa's cookies and instead serve him this:



I thought this one was funny too: