Christmas Crafting: DIY Snow Globes

Yes, I realize that Christmas is still a long time off. No, I have not starting decorating my house. I love my fall decorations too much to take them down before December. But December 1st, these bad boys are coming out:

Another quick, fun, as-seen-on-Pinterest project. Snow globes in mason jars. I basically just used some glue dots to fasten some toys, ornaments to the jar lids, then dumped in a bunch of snow-like glitter. Sealed the jar, and dunzo.

I actually first attempted this project a few weeks ago, as a gift for a friend. I made the mistake of adding water to the jar and sealed the thing with Gorilla Glue. The dye in the tree immediately turned the water blue. At first it looked cool. Then it became really cloudy and gross and the Gorilla Glue puffed out and turned orange. Ick. I told her she could throw it away.

Sure, my glitter may not float. It may not be a "true" snow globe. But I still think these things are cute. I may just have to make a few more.

Mr. President

Please note that I wrote this post to share the experience I had seeing the president and my excitement about it, not to start a political debate. If you are a Romney fan, vote for the guy. Everyone should vote. While I love political discourse, if you choose to make nasty comments on this post, I will delete them. Just sayin'.

On Saturday, I got to see the President of the United States. My favorite president. Barack Obama.

He was in Milwaukee for a campaign rally, just days before the elections. I was determined not to miss him this time. I saw him back during the last election when he was a candidate, but there is just something different about getting to see the sitting president. It was totally worth getting up really early on a Saturday, standing in line for three hours before the doors opened, followed by standing in the convention center for another two before anyone spoke. He may have only spoken for a short time, but it was totally worth it.

Finally inside after a long wait.

The podium. We were only about 10-12 people back.

The screen behind Katy Perry's stage. I couldn't see her at all when she was performing, but she was pretty good.

MKE Mayor Barrett was one of the many speakers, although none of my other pictures turned out. Always had other people's heads/cameras/signs in the way. #shortpeopleproblems

President Obama!

Take 2!

Chris let me borrow his button.

Signs.

My thoughts on Obama: He is my president. He is the first person who I voted for, not because he was who my parents were voting for - my mom is a conservative, through and through, which I will admit did influence me the first time I could vote. I voted for him because his ideology most closely matched my beliefs and views on the world. I voted for him four years ago, and I voted for him again last Friday. If I could elect him a third time, I totally would. I truly believe that he is a person of character and integrity, who got into public service to make our country and our world a better place.

No matter what happens tomorrow, he is my president. And Saturday was an awesome experience. Katy Perry was good too.

I just hope that after Tuesday he can get some sleep - the poor guy is running a campaign and a country at the same time. He looks tired.

October Meal Planning Recap/November Plan

Happy November!

So that whole meal planning thing worked really great for week one. Week two - sorta skipped the whole thing. Woops. Hoping to give this whole meal planning thing a second shot in November, attempting to plan for the whole month.

Things that Worked Well

• I was able to use up some veggies I had on hand.
• We had guaranteed lunches for the next day, which definitely saved some money.
• We discovered some new recipes that we liked and would try again - definitely the Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. 

Challenges

•  We learned that we need to do better at planning our grocery trips. I can't tell you how many nights that I went to the grocery store this month. Or would discover that we threw out all of the tortillas we had (because who knows when we bought those), and can't make quesadillas anymore. There was one day where we actually made three separate grocery trips.
• Sometimes when I had a plan for the night, I might get a thumbs down from Chris. Some nights you just don't want what's on the plan.
• We know that we like to eat out, so it's okay to plan in a few of those nights into the schedule.

Here is my plan for this month. I have a busy few weeks ahead, so you can see that I am planning stuff that I can take with me to work, and there are nights that Chris will be on his own.

1. Went out to eat for a fundraiser.
2. Chris made homemade Chicken and Orzo soup - awesome!
3. Obama Rally - Went out to eat after.
4. Lemon Parsley Risotto
5. Louisiana-Style Red Beans and Rice - since we skipped this one last month and I'm still dying to try it.
6. Election Party
7. Chris is on his own. I am pre-making a quiche again, to take with me to work. 
8. Chris is on his own.
9. BBQ Chicken Salad (personal made-up recipe) - for a craft night with my sister.
10. Easy Calzones
11. Chris is on his own.
12. Chicken Lettuce Wraps (w/tortillas for Chris)
13. Rachael Ray's Penne Vodka - Perhaps my favorite recipe of all time.
14. Honey Chicken with Snow Peas
15. Taco Soup
16. Chris is on his own.
17. Badgers vs. Ohio State!
18. Meatball Sandwiches
19. The Lady's Cheesy Mac - Another personal favorite.
20. Cuban Picadillo - A personal favorite.
21. Homemade Pizza
22. Thanksgiving Dinner at my mom's. 
23. Out and About
24. Oven-Baked Chimichangas - likely with leftover turkey, am I right?
25. Family Dinner
26. Spaghetti/Sauce
27. Spanish Chicken with Chorizo and Potatoes
28. Mini Meatloafs - another holdover from October
29. Lime and Honey Glazed Salmon/Chicken (This girl needs some fish every once in awhile)
30. Baked Potatoes with toppings

Goals for this month:

• Cut down grocery trips with some better pre-planning and communication between Chris and I.
• Try some new things, but also plan for some favorites - especially during the week of the 19th, which I have declared Proposal Writing Week.
• Use up the last of the CSA veggies, which include: shallots, butternut squash, red potatoes, regular potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsley, sage, rosemary, parsnips, carrots, celery, spinach, swish chard, green pepper, jalapeno, red peppers, and yellow peppers. Plus I still have an acorn squash and a cucumber from the grocery store. Since I am the sole veggie eater in the house, I need to squeeze most of these in as lunches or sides.

Wish us luck!