There's no War on Christmas

Christmas doesn't mean presents to me though nothing pleases me more than a smile on the face of someone I just gave a heartfelt to.

Christmas doesn't mean shopping to me though I love love love Black Friday. 

Christmas doesn't mean Merry Christmas or happy holidays or merry festivus though I say all three to whomever I choose. 

Christmas doesn't mean cheesy Hallmark movies to though I watch them practically every day like they're going extinct. 

Christmas doesn't mean red cups or festive cups or snowflakes on cups though I will spend a tiny fortune on seasonal flavored coffee drinks because they're tasty. 

Christmas to me means giving, laughter, faith, family, FRIENDS, love, twinkling lights, the joy and magic of Santa, Jesus' birth. 

This is the one time of the year I have consistent faith. There's so much good during this season. Do I wish families and veterans and seniors were adopted year round? Absolutely. But it's so lovely to see open hearts and giving even if it is just once a year. 

I have a couple friends that I've just recently had the pleasure of becoming extremely close with. Best friend close. Learning their life story has been such a privilege as well as an eye opener. Never in my life have I met two stronger people. The amount of shit life has given them is absolutely ridiculous. But they're both strong and beautiful and loyal and I've simply never been prouder to call two people my family as I am them. They are what Christmas means to me. Love, courage, faith, resilience, friendship. 

There's no "War on Christmas". There's just you and me. Look beyond what you think is right in front of you. Volunteer. Open your heart. Let it snowball. Be the change.

- Dawny Wendy

50 Shades of Feminism and Judgement

I will preface this entire post by first saying I did not read all three of the Fifty Shades of Grey books. Therefore, my opinion is slightly uninformed. As always, take it or leave it. 

As a mother, I've been tired of the voraciousness of the feminist movement for a long time. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely believe that women should be afforded the same rights as men. But not all men are misogynistic pigs. Not all women are victimized. If a woman goes to a bar with 20 men present, and two men are drunken pigs to her, there's still 18 men that are not. If my husband (and most of the men I know) is present, he's going to defend you and probably defend you to the point of possible harm to himself. 

Now, I'm absolutely not saying there isn't a reason behind the feminist movement. Please understand that. I'm just tired of the fierceness and assumptions that seem to go with it as of late. The assumption that my teenage son is a ball of raging hormones and will demoralize women. The assumption that my husband drinking at the bar will only lead to him cheapening women patrons. 

All that was my roundabout way of getting to my rant about 50 Shades. I didn't like the first book. I thought it was horribly written and just didn't like it. That said, all the news about how women shouldn't see it and how it glorifies abuse pisses me off. The very notion that a woman is going to see the movie and become a submissive victim pisses me off. That notion sets the feminist movement back, IMO. The idea that we as women are so easily persuaded from what we believe is just ridiculous. The idea that we can be so easily indoctrinated is absurd. 

I know what turns me on. The older I get, the more I learn about my body and what I find attractive. But I also know what doesn't turn me on. A pretty face and/or a movie isn't going to change my feelings just because it's a movie.  If it changes my perspective, it's because I'm allowing it to change. It may change because I have the presence of mind to do so, because I'm smart enough to do so. The insinuation otherwise is debasing. 

Instead of lamenting what's bad about the movie, let me tell you what's good about it. It started as Twilight fanfiction. (I'm a nerd and love fanfiction. LOVE fanfiction. I just don't like Twilight) A woman wrote freaking fanfiction, reworked it as an original novel, then published it as an extremely popular original fiction trilogy series. So popular, in fact, that it became a movie. A woman did that. A woman was at the helm of that. I think that is being forgotten in the midst of all of this. 

I'm not going to see the movie. I have no desire to see the movie. I would have been there with bells on if Charlie Hunnam had stayed in the role however. Then I would've gone home and imagined him doing all those things to me, because damn that man is freaking yummy. But it still wouldn't have changed my mind that BDSM is not for me in actuality. 

I'll stick with the real movie I'm excited about this year. The movie I myself plan to leer at the men and look at them as sexual objects. Bring on Magic Mike 2!

Summertime Entry Makeover

Cute welcome mat for summer

Summer 2014 Entry

Filled this green lantern with white sand and a citronella candle

Succulent planter raised on bricks

 I made over the entry to my apartment for summer. I wanted a super cool Chilewich Shag doormat in Citron, which has beautiful yellow green colors and soft grays, but I loved this flip flop welcome doormat too, it's fun, and the price was right. I think it looks pretty nice.
I enjoy sitting on the bench cooling off after I run. I was planning to take sand from the beach for my lantern but someone told me that is a crime, and my mom said that's full of bacteria and could get nasty, so I ended up using some fancy white designer sand that she bought for me. I got a little overenthusiastic and overfilled the lantern; I think I will empty a lot of it out so the candle is sitting more at the bottom of the lantern, more like a candle in a pumpkin.

 - Dani Wendy

A follow-up to my post about the young woman who hit my car after paying for her gas...

For those of you who don't follow me on facebook, this happened the other day:

After I pumped gas a few minutes ago, I went in to pay. A young woman and her two children were ahead of me. Kids were being kids and rattling her. As she went to pay, she realized she forgot her wallet at home. She started crying obviously having reached the end of her proverbial rope. I paid for her gas. She thanked me and left. As she was backing out, she backed into my car. Poor thing. Luckily all she did was break my license plate holder.

I paid for her gas because it seemed the right thing to do at the time.  I've been there.  I've had days where the whole world just seems wrong.  She was frazzled and I felt for her. When she realized that I was the one whose car she hit, she started shaking and crying harder.  I did my best to reassure her that all was good and gave her a what I thought she needed the most, a hug.  We exchanged numbers at her request and then we went on our merry way.

Cut to this morning.  I received a phone call on my way to work.  I almost didn't answer it as I didn't recognize the number.  It was her.  It was a short two minute phone call.  She told me that her husband had left her that day because they had found out the day before their baby was sick.  She was out getting groceries and filling up the car for the sitter because in her words "I was going to leave so the baby could be in foster care where he could get the love and medical care he deserves".  She implied suicide.  Then she tells me that because of that small event at the gas station, she realized she would be ok, that there are truly people out there who will help her if she needs it, that she'll never truly be alone.  She called me an angel.  She asked for me to pray for her baby's health, then she thanked me again for being her very own miracle and wished me a good day.

I have to admit to having a tough time processing this.  Everyone wants to do good, be good, be an inspiration.  But to have such evidence thrust in your face like this?  It's rather difficult to process through.  I didn't pay for her gas that day for any kind of recognition or to be thought of any differently.  It was simply what I wanted it to be: a random act of kindness.  

I KNOW I'm a good person.  But I've never particularly thought of myself as inspiring and I don't necessarily know that I think differently now.  The only people I've ever thought I've inspired has been my children.  But someone is alive today because of me.  It's heavy and amazing all at the same time.

Never doubt your worth, never doubt your light, never doubt what you mean to someone, even those you may not know about.  And if you get the chance? Send up a prayer for her baby.

 - Dawny Wendy

When your friends teach you life lessons, you listen

In my life I'm terribly blessed not with the quantity of friends I have, but rather the quality.  I was reminded of that fact this morning while talking my fellow Wendy, Mary Wendy.  (Or is it Wendy Mary?)  Anyway, I was lamenting to her and Wendy Cole about how we as women can wake up, put on an outfit that we feel we are ROCKING and then see the total opposite when a picture was taken.  She simply said to me "I hate that! I have no answers for it...BUT are you thinking like a princess or a Queen?? Try looking again with Queen eyes.."

Here's what she posted in a previous blog about Princesses and Queens:

Princesses are very concerned with what others think of them, while Queens are concerned with what they think of themselves. 

Princesses go to extreme lengths to perfect what they see in the mirror, while Queens have learned to appreciate and love what they see in the mirror whether its aestheticly perfect or not. 

Princesses are very careful to keep up their facade at all costs, while Queens are completely comfortable with 'what you see is what you get'.

The Princess years are fear-based while Queens are Fear-less! 

Pretty brilliant, huh?

So then I looked at the pictures I had taken this morning with my boys again. I didn't look at just the double chin, or the belly, or the round face.  I looked at my smile.  I looked at the belly that carried them proudly for nine months. I looked at the double chin that fits so perfectly on top of their heads when they cuddle with me.  I looked at my boys.  I saw my boys looking at me with such utter love in their eyes.  I saw the happiness and contentment in my face, in their face.  I looked beautiful.  My boys looked beautiful.  

Wendy Mary is right.  I'm a Queen.  

 - Wendy Dawny

Bacon Bowls

My Punkies love bacon! Especially the Princess! She would eat bacon, cheese and avocado 3 meals a day if I allowed her to!

While Gami was here at Chriatmas time we kept seeing a commercial for these Bacon Bowls that Princess went nuts for everytime it came on! So when Gami went home she of course sent us a package that contained the Bacon Bowls and a Chop Magic(I will review that for you soon!).

So needless to say The Punkies were very excited to try the bowls! We've all been sick off and on since New Years Eve but this morning we baked some bowls!

I tried the microwave first but I thought it turned out weird, it would work if you were in a big hurry but bake them in the oven! It takes some time but oh so good!

I will tell you thick cut bacon works really well but you need to cook it 15-20 minutes longer than the directions say but I think just regular cut bacon will be even better! It tells you to wait a couple of minutes before removing the bacon from the frame when it's done and you really have to then you need a knife to help loosen it!

It was fun and delicious! Two thumbs up from the Punkies!

I filled them with scrambled eggs, cheese and avacado and served it with cinnamon toast because they want buttery cinnamon toast with everything at breakfast!

I will totally be getting these for all my bacon worshipping friends for their birthdays this year!

Big Kisses! Nicci Wendy

I'm Batman

My children amuse me and inspire me daily. 

My youngest son is seriously the biggest pain in my ass. He's a dirty, stinky, and rotten boy aka typical 9 year old boy. 

He's been having problems with double digit multiplication. He just couldn't grasp it. And then finally, after two weeks of nightly practice, he did. He stared at the paper after I graded it, saw the 100%, whispered "holy crap", then jumped up with both arms up and yelled "I'm batman!"  He then cried. When I hugged him and asked him why he was crying, he said "I've been working so hard and I finally got it. I'm just releasing all that's been stored up in my belly". Then he ran off. 

Cue to this morning and his parent/teacher conference. My guy has brought that D in math up to an A. An A. The teacher said he's now helping other students in the classroom that are having problems with double digit multiplication. Hell yeah. 

What have I learned from my child today?

Work hard. Cry when you've finally succeeded. Be Batman. 

Soda Cobbler

Wendy Cole requested I blog this recipe. Her wish is my command. 

Three ingredients:

 - bag of frozen berries 

 - dry cake mix (I prefer yellow but white works just as well. I've also tried French vanilla which was pretty good)

 - one can of white soda

Take a large bag of frozen berries (I prefer strawberry rhubarb or mixed). Spread the berries evenly over a greased 9x13 pan. The spread the dry cake mix completely covering the berries. Now you will take your can of white soda and SLOWLY pour it over the cake mix. DO NOT stir it. 

Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes. 

ENJOY!!

- Dawny Wendy

How Does the Life Changing Loaf of Bread Taste?

The other day my coworker and I found the recipe for The Life Changing Loaf of Bread on our printer at work and it piqued our curiosity. Apparently, our boss had printed it. She eats REALLY well and is always drinking some green sludge or chewing on kale and quinoa. I asked her about the bread a few days later, and said I didn't understand how it could stick together or rise because it has no flour or leavening in it, and she explained that the chia and psyllium help it bind because they are gelatinous, and that it doesn't really rise, and she brought me a few slices so I could taste it. 

here's what a slice looks like

It looks like the birdseed mixes I used to give my pet hamsters and parakeets, so at first I was a little put off, but I broke off a little piece and chewed it, and it was actually really delicious. It's not "bread" as in a crusty loaf of white bread that is soft in the middle, delicious, and bad for you. It's really chewy, hearty, nutty and grainy-delicious. It has a moist, kind of slippery feel on your tongue-- I believe that's the gel from the chia seeds and psyllium husks. My boss said it's great toasted. I finished one slice over the course of 45 minutes, breaking off a little bite at a time, and the slice was only about 1/4 inch thick, and it made me feel very full (that's the fiber). I ate the other slice on my train ride home and again felt really full. I don't recommend eating a large quantity of this bread, at least initially, because it's really dense and packed. Be sure to drink some water because that helps the fiber do its work of making you feel full. 

Cole is going to make the bread in the next few days so she will also be reporting on her experience with the life changing loaf of bread! 

A lot of people are baking and eating and talking about the bread, but here is the original blog that started it all. 

The Life Changing Loaf of Bread at My New Roots

 - Dani Wendy

Simply Nude for Spring 2014

One of the most helpful things I've discovered for simplifying the day-to-day is all things "flesh toned" or "nude". In particular, this applies to shoes and nail polish!

this is my bottle of polish in color "Birthday Suit"

I recently found these beautiful nail polish shades by Clinique that come in a range of nudes ("Shades of Beige") from a soft cream to a chocolate brown. I got the color called "Birthday Suit" which matches my hands almost perfectly and gives such a clean, finished look to my short nails. (My nails are thin and weak, and I type, cook, clean house and paint, so I just cut and file them really short every week.) The nai lpolish is called A Different Nail Enamel for Sensitive Skins. I am a bit late on this because they were released for Fall 2013 and it's now January 2014, but you can still get them at the Clinique counter and online. The polish applies smoothly and lasts at least as long as Essie and OPI.

I have not ordered a pair of these nude-toned flip flops by Tkees yet, but celebrities like Jessica Alba and Halle Berry have been photographed wearing them and they're a great idea. They come in regular soft leather and a waterproof version that I am thinking would be the only pair of shoes you may need this summer! They come in a range of skin tones.

Dani Wendy

Happy MLK Day!

Let's spread some love!

It's Saturday!!!

My New AMAZE-BALLS Kitchen Gadget Find!!!!!!!

These are my new Joseph Joseph elevated kitchen utensils!!!! I love them and they are even my OCD, germaphobe KK loves them!!!!
When you lay them down they elevate themselves off the counter so they don't get stuff all over!! I have a dish but these help keep everything clean especially when I have several things going at once!



It comes on this great caddy that fits right next to my stove! And we also got these great tongs from the same company!!!!!



I know some of you think I'm crazy over how crazy I am over kitchen gadgets but I really do use a lot of my stuff on a daily basis! These help with clean up time and just ease my mind a bit from worry about the germs that are running rapid after our bout with the plague!

I got mine from amazon, just search Joseph Joseph and a ton of fun stuff will pop up for you! But there is a awesome Joseph Joseph website too! Josephjoseph.com but I warn you if you are anything like me you will find a ton of stuff you will want! The knife set with cutting boards are my next purchase!

Big Kisses! Nicci Wendy!

2014 Woo Hoo!!!!!

I'm not going to lie, every year I have these huge new "plans" or "resolutions" for me and my family and I've pretty much messed them all up by January 4th, O.k. 3rd, well, shit by the 2nd I'm usually over it.  But this year, this year is going to be different!!! O.k. probably not but this year I'm looking at things differently.

So my Mommy Queen Deb came to spend Christmas with us this year.  It was a surprise for the Punkies and I LOVED that she was here for the Holidays. Queen Deb and I have a special relationship, I adore her...plan and simple....she makes me laugh like no one else, she encourages without judging(ok she judges a little she's my mom), she loves the Punkies and KK.....I adore her.  We haven't gotten her for Christmas in a really long time so it meant a lot to me that she choose without me asking for her to come.  She left on the 31st to return to Florida because my youngest sister was going out for a week before she returned to college and as that day dragged on me, all of the Punkies and KK got sick. Like we're still coughing.  I'm pretty sure when I tell you we have the plague that I am in no way blowing this out of proportion! I'm still not sure that we will all come out on the other side so keep us in your thoughts!

Elf Christmas jammies

ANYWAY, instead of making big changes as the clock struck Midnight on the 1st, I just laid in bed thankful for my cough drops and that everyone was sleeping and not pooping all over the house still! But as I'm coming back to life I do have some things that I want to work on this year!

1. I'm going to stop talking about my weight. Oh I know that I need to lose more than a few pounds but this time I'm going to get healthy.  I'm sad that so many of the women in my life are worried about their weight and pissed that they don't weigh the same as they did at 19. We are grown ass women who are amazing! Fuck the 20 year old who hasn't walked in our shoes yet! Again I'm not saying weight is no an issue for me, but I want to show my lil Princess that I am so much more than that! I want to be here for her when she graduates,gets married, gives me grandbabies. So I am going to get healthy this year and hope to be off all my meds by the end of the year.

How can I start the cycle with her and all the stupid things we beat ourselves up about as women! She's a warrior Princess!

2. I'm going to find my light and be a better Mommy,Friend,Sister,Daughter,Niece.......Person.  I used to only see the bright side in any and every situation.  I lost my way and went to a really dark place for awhile, then even when I found my footing I never found the real me again. I know that girl has changed and I don't want to go back but I'm thinking in the years that have passed that my light has gotten to have gotten brighter no matter how deep down it's hidden.  So this is the year to find it again.

3. I'm going to listen more/better.  I have always thought of myself of someone that is there for my friends and family but my little brother informed me that I never listen to him. So I'm going to work on that. I'm going to relearn to listen without putting judgement or my spin on things.

4. I want to spend more time with the people I love! It's hard because we are all spread out all over the place but I want to really try to get to see the people I adore, that life me up on a daily basis, that make me laugh...more. I want to go to the family reunion this year and see my cousins that I haven't seen in forever.  I want to see my Dawny, Mary and Dani more!  I want to see my Ya Yas! I want to sit next to Kristine and just be.  I want theses people in my kids lives but I also want to be re energized by them!

5. I want to forgive this year. Forgive people that I say I let go of or that hurt me but I also want to forgive myself. As I said I went through a really dark time and messed up some relationships that I will forever miss and forever be heartbroken that they are over but I am hoping to find a way to forgive myself and move on. Close a chapter.

6. I hope to be part of "A Village" this year. There is so much shit that goes on with our kids. It is hard raising Typical kids let alone "special needs" kids!!! I am hoping I can gather a community and be a light and support to all of you that are going through it and share some of what we in the Clark-King household go through so we can support each other and hold, I mean lift each other up!!

Believe in the cape ya'all! We as women need to see we are Super Women! 

I want to be better about blogging, there's so much that happens on an everyday basis that makes me laugh and I think to myself, someone else has had to have this happen to them and we need to be laughing together!!!

So I hope you all have had a wonderful start to your 2014! And I hope we spend a ton of time together this year!

Big Kisses! Nicci Wendy

Queen in training

I touched on this in my last post about the curtain being 'pulled back' during this last year of my life... but today I heard a new concept that has me pretty excited. 

It seems I am a Queen in training. In fact, I'm super close to getting my crown! (get the confetti ready)

While visiting with my counselor today (Yes, I often go and chat-up my counselor... be glad, at least I'm not on your couch) and apparently there's this theory/phenomenon regarding the stages of womanhood. 

There are the Princesses and the Queens. 

The Princess chapters are usually found in a woman's 20's- 30's.. occasionally dipping into the mid-30's. The Queen years are usually found in her 40's and up. 

Now, I am sure there are plenty of women that are born Queens, and how lucky for them; and on the flip side, I'm sure there are women that are born and will die Princesses.  Fortunately for me, I think I'm close to being crowned a Queen.

Princesses are very concerned with what others think of them, while Queens are concerned with what they think of themselves. 

Princesses go to extreme lengths to perfect what they see in the mirror, while Queens have learned to appreciate and love what they see in the mirror whether its aestheticly perfect or not. 

Princesses are very careful to keep up their facade at all costs, while Queens are completely comfortable with 'what you see is what you get'.

The Princess years are fear-based while Queens are Fear-less! 

Now, I could go on and on with examples, but I think you get my drift. 

I recall Oprah being excited about turning 40 and even more excited about 50 and I think this is potentionally a driving force behind that statement. 

How freeing!  This is why I have no qualms about aging, so much less pressure when you have finally arrived. 

DISCLAIMER: 1) Note that I am still a Queen in training, and still have work to do, but I can see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. 

 2) I am not saying anything negative about being a Princess... trust me.. I've been one for many years. I am just super stoked at the idea of relaxing, giving myself some grace and finally being the Queen of my Castle. 

Peace out- Wendy Mary

My 2014 wishes

My wishes for 2014

 - I wish for true education on ADD/ADHD.  

 - I wish for others to view my son as he is - a bright, beautiful, smart, funny, and generous BOY.  He has ADHD, it does not have him.  

 - I wish for equal rights, not judgment on who should have those rights.

 - I wish to continue reconnecting with old friends.  

 - I wish for my children to always know I not only love them, but that I always have their back.

 - I wish for my children's teachers to know how appreciated they are, even when my children do not show it.

 - I wish for a Starbucks to open in Rolla.

 - I wish for a beautiful celebration for my parents 40th wedding anniversary.

 - I wish for my in-laws continued health.

 - I wish for Mr. Uphoff's continued health.

 - I wish for a genetically modified mosquito that sucks fat rather than blood.

 - I wish to be the friend that my friends are to me.


My resolutions for 2014

 - I resolve to laugh more.

 - I resolve to forgive quicker.

 - I resolve to be more patient.

 - I resolve to love myself more.

 - I resolve to look in the mirror and see myself the way my children see me.  

 - I resolve to blog more about less boring topics.


I sincerely hope you and yours have a blessed and safe New Years!

 - Dawny Wendy

Pulling the curtain back

         

I've reached the witching age. Almost 40... Okay 38.5 to be exact. 

What a strange time in my life; when you realize that YOU are the adult, little ones are looking at you to lead them, spouses are looking at you to hold it all together.

When you realize that you don't have to please everyone, and frankly it's impossible and damaging to try. 

You've got all this juggling of relationships. Relationships that are evolving and need to be reevaluated- what do you want to accept and allow or what do you find absolutely intolerable?

When you still love and adore these relationships, but you are able to recognize that the pedestal you've put them on is like Mt. Saint Helen's; it's beautiful, filled with many cracks and crevices and extremely unstable- if the conditions are just right, it could blow. 

An age when you are old enough to see that life is gray... black and white aren't even in the picture. 

The important things in your life are changing and priorities are being reorganized.

Part of these revelations are very encouraging, freeing almost. 

But having the tablecloth ripped out from under the idealistic little table-setting you've created can also be heartbreaking. 

So as with all of these wacky chapters in my life, I will do my best to navigate them as best as I can. I too have flaws...too many to count. 

But I am fiercely loyal and love with all I have, two of my biggest strengths and weaknesses.

I have to trust that this chapter is exactly where I'm supposed to be and that it will have an ending just like all the rest. 

     

Mary Wendy

                                             

Cinnamon Roll Poundcake

I have amazing memories of the Holidays as a child! My parents were divorced and remarried so I had many different family Holiday parties to go to every year. My Gran Pat(my Dad's mother) and Gramps Dick(my Dad's step father) house was always a special place for me.  My Gran was this amazing person but she also was kinda the PERFECT wife,mom,grandma,sister,friend,employee......she could do it all cook,sew,make anything our of anything......she was amazing! She made these cinnamon rolls every year at Christmas time that I can still taste.  I lost the recipe a while back in a move and haven't been able to get it again so I have been on the quest to make them from memory...I haven't gotten it yet so I stopped a few years ago.  But I love the thought of having a tradition like that to make with the Punkies So I had an idea to mix KK mom's pound cake recipe and my Gran's Cinnamon rolls! So Vannie and I have made it a few times and I think we finally got it!

What you need:

Cake:

3 sticks of butter(room temp.)
3 cups of sugar
6 eggs
3 cups of flour
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of baking powder
1 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 cup of cinnamon sugar

Topping:

4 oz cream cheese(room temp)
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla
2 1/2 cups of powdered sugar
1 Tablespoon of milk

What to do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

With the mixer, cream butter and sugar together.

Add eggs, one at a time,beat after each one.

Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl and add to the mixer alternating that with milk(I think it helps starting and finishing with the dry stuff).

Mix in vanilla.

I use a bundt pan but you could also use to loaf pans.Grease and flour them well.

Pour half the batter into pan. Sprinkle half the cinnamon sugar mixture into pans.Pour half the batter you have over that, sprinkle the rest of the cinnamon sugar and ending with the rest of the batter.

Bake for an hour or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Topping:

Cream together all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Spread over the top of the completely cooled cake. Here's the sucky part...let the icing set up for an hour before you cut into it! I know!! But I swear it is worth it!

So this is what we will be having Christmas morning along with our breakfast casserole! I hope you try it and tell me if you make changes and what they are!! I am thinking about adding nuts to the cinnamon and sugar mixture or maybe almond extract to the cake itself? Enjoy!!!!

xoxoxoxo Nicci Wendy

Sweet, Spicy Winter Yum!

Do you like foods with some spicy heat? I do! 

One of the foods I love is Dagoba's Xocolatl Drinking Chocolate. It's flavors are rich and complex-- to me, it tastes nutty and chocolatey, cinnamony and maybe a little fruity--and it really has heat to it! I'd describe the heat level as medium-to-hot. This deliciousness comes in both a spicy chocolate bar, as well as the drink. The first time I was served this, it was served with a whole cinnamon stick garnishing the mug of chocolate, and a huge blob of real whipped cream on top. Over-the-top luscious and satisfying, and it warms you up so well! This item can be found at Whole Foods and other fancy-food markets, as well as online. 

Yesterday I stopped by the regular grocery store to get some breakfast ingredients, and came across International Delight "Vanilla Heat" coffee creamer. I bought this to add to my morning coffee and ended up drinking three cups, which I never do! It's got a nice little kick to it. I'd describe it as mild-to-medium. I also want to try it in my favorite tea, which is Good Earth Original Sweet and Spicy Tea. This tea is wonderful and smells like a cinnamon broom. I used to get it at the Good Earth Restaurant in Northridge, California, where I went to college and had a lot of study dates with classmates... they served it iced with orange slices in it. So good. For twenty years I have loved this tea. It's delicious with creamer in it too, especially International Delight Amaretto, which I used to see everywhere but now is not sold at any of the grocery stores near my house. I always try to convert people to this tea and most people love it, but I've heard some really odd feedback on it, like "Smells like feet" and just last week a coworker of mine left me a post-it note with a picture of a butt and the words "your tea smells like ass" on my cup. But obviously, these people are crazy! So I will be trying this delicious Vanilla Heat in my tea tonight.

Since these coffee creamers actually contain no cream or milk and are basically made from chemicals, I am also going to try this great-looking recipe for a homemade spicy-hot vanilla creamer flavored with cayenne! 

 I will report back.
-Dani Wendy

Replacing our advent calendar

Every year I try to do something different with the boys and my husband that reminds them of how much they mean to me.

Originally, I decided to do a 25 day countdown for all three of them to replace the advent calendar.  Each day they would get to pull that day's note and it would be a love note, a "coupon", a thank you, etc...

It's kind of evolved into something more and I'm really excited about it.

On top of the original idea, three days per week, their note will be a Random Act of Kindness.  The note may actually list the "act" or it may have them coming up with it on their own.  But at the end of the day, I want to know about it.  BUT, those three days? Also come with a Random Act of Kindness business card, per se.  Just a wish for them to pass it on.

I'm really excited about this project.  I'm excited to hear from the boys after school and how their "acts" went over.  I'm excited to hear from my husband after a day at work after he bought someone lunch.  

I myself make a point to do a "random act" at least once or twice a week.  I have special little cards I give away when I do that connect people to www.therandomact.org.  I'm excited to pass it on to my children.

 - Dawny Wendy