crazy Christmas

It's all over, so sad. We received fun stuff and gave more fun stuff. Went from one family to another to another. I just love Christmas, but we certainly had a crazy day. We got up early in the morning at my parents' house, opened presents, had breakfast, and set off to the elder Kirnan homestead. My parents got us a GPS for Christmas... a totally unexpected yet much desired gift. We have gone from my parents' to Ryan's parents' houses a hundred times before, but this time, just this time, we decided to use the GPS and see if its magical powers could find a secret route and get us there faster. At one point about 3 miles from my parents' house, it suggested that we go straight down a back road, instead of turning right onto the main road and normal way that we would go. Oh, and did I mention we were in my terrible-in-the-snow car and NOT the Jeep?! Yeah. Not 1/4 mile down the road, going 35 mph, we hit some slushy snow, weaved across the road, did a 180 turn and ended up backwards in a 4 foot ditch. Merry Christmas!!!!! I almost hyperventilated. Poor Ryan. It was so not his fault... and NOW he understands why I hate driving in the snow!!! To add to the irony (I consider landing in a ditch on Christmas day out of all days a little ironic)... my aunt and uncle who live a mile down the road from where this happened just happened to be driving by and stopped. I felt so stupid sitting here, front bumper reaching to the sky. My uncle went and got his truck, my dad showed up (with Zach, Michael, and Jack in tow) and we were outta there in seconds. Whew. It was really scary... we are just so grateful that the Lord kept us safe! All I could think of afterwards was what COULD have happened.... could have hit a tree, pole, another car.... ugh I am getting a headache just retelling it. But we are SAFE and my car survived without a scratch. It's just something you don't want to deal with on Christmas.... blah. Otherwise, we had a great few days of no work and family time. You should have seen my grandma playing my cousin's DDR on Christmas Eve!!! hehe!!!

I am special.

It's true!!! Lindsey said so!!!(I can't figure out why I look so strange in this pic... maybe because it's straight on... or I because I'm supertired... )

I was so excited to receive a little package all the way from Utah today... my BLOGGING ELEPHANT!!!! I about died when I opened the box and pulled out this sweet shirt. I love it. Too funny. Only thing is.... is this really from Lindsey? Or is it from someone else? Either way, I'm still pretty lucky!!! You guys are awesome.


Merry Christmas, all!!!

couldn't let this one slide

I'm feeling quite random tonight... I have a TON of things to do (including to ship out that white elephant... eek!!!)... I think having coffee this afternoon AND tonight was not such a brilliant idea. I am feeling such a mix of emotions... excited for Christmas, but sad that it's almost here, meaning it will be over soon... devastated for my (another) friend who had a miscarriage a few days ago... stressed... emotional.... exhausted... whew. I can barely type, I am so jittery. Better go channel my energy and be productive!!!!

Rain

This video is 10 minutes long, but it's worth it. Trust me.

Rain (Rob Bell)

I love my family

BLOGGING ELEPHANT

So Spammon had a great idea to do blogging elephants!!! Here's my description (and if it stinks, sorry, we are leaving in like 20 minutes for the weekend and I still have to pack!!! Ryan's gonna kill me!!!)...


you may have a stained reputation
or a sloppy style
this gift will solve both your problems
in a nifty package all the while!


So cryptic. I should be a poet or songwriter. I'm just so talented! :P Have a good weekend, all. One question... when do we have to pick by? And who do we tell? I just want to say that I think I want Rachel's... help me out Spammon!! (I just love calling you that, hehe)

Christmas with the Kellers

look at Beckett biting my hand, haha!!


We love you guys so much. Thanks again for such a fun, festive, "clean" night!! :D

an unassuming accolade

It's truly amazing what one simple comment can do to a person. I received a compliment today that was very uncomplicated, short, and sweet... but it made my day. Maybe even my whole week. I just thought I'd pass this along: give out a compliment or a nice word today, preferably a person who you don't know very well, or even at all... you probably will never fully realize the impact.



Now along with my great day we get to have our annual Keller-Kirnan Christmas par-tay tonight!!!! Can't wait to meet Beckett (and see you both, of course)!!!

random saturday

I'm on a roll. I think this is like 3 days in a row or something... I think I'm becoming more inspired to write since I'm checking blogs so much lately (ahem, Lindsey). Today's been a nice semi-lazy Saturday... semi-lazy meaning working out and cleaning the whole house... hehe. I love Saturdays. I've been listening to Todd Agnew's Christmas album non-stop lately, including all day today as I puttered around the house. I love this cd, the songs are mostly not (there are some) traditional Christmas songs. They are written from the point of view of the different people involved in the days centered around the birth of Jesus. I highly recommend it, every song is completely beautiful and many of them still bring tears to my eyes.

So here's today's project...(don't mind the one missing in the middle of the upper row, hehe!!)

I made these for another party we're going to tonight... and you better bet I'm sharing the recipe! They are so easy, it's almost embarrassing! These are from Pampered Chef, I think... but I've modified them over the years so now they're from ME!

Cheesy Pinwheels
Ingredients:
1 can refrigerated crescent dinner rolls (I use reduced fat)
1 tub of garlic-herb-onion cream cheese (you can really use any flavor you want, I use Wegman's chive-onion.. and if you don't have a Wegman's around you, I'm very, very sorry!!)
a few slices of thin sliced deli ham
and... I never use this, but you can.... 1/2 C packed spinach leaves - - I've never used spinach in these, so don't hate me if you use it and they turn out bad!

-Preheat oven to 375. Separate dough into four rectangles on a cutting board. Press seams to seal.
-Using a butter knife, spread each rectangle with about 2 tbsp of cream cheese, top with ham and spinach (if desired).
-Roll up each rectangle, pinch edges to seal. Cut each roll crosswise into 6 slices using a serrated knife to make 24 slices. Place slices on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet (or use a silpat). Bake 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or at least within a few hours. ENJOY! I know I've already enjoyed them today... hehe!!!


OH... and the pants, I just had to update. Ryan took them back today and the lady at the desk embarrassed him going on and on about what a nice and honest guy he was. And what did he toss to me when he came home today??....I shoulda known. Yeah, now we are short 25 bucks... but we still have our integrity! Sounds goody-goody but it's true!!!

what a pain...

So tonight Ryan and I got some shopping done... groceries, Christmas presents... very productive. When we got home, I went to unpack everything and found an item we did NOT buy amongst the dishes I bought at TJ Maxx (favorite store ever) for my mom. It was a pair of athletic pants... black Adidas, slim fit, exactly my size. Did I mention... these are THE pants I have been looking for/wanting forever?! Of course, the thought to just keep them flickered through my brain for an instant. But I'm not. I'm taking them back. But seriously, what an ethical test! And how annoying... now I have to go all the way back to the store... but I'm glad I shared. Now you all have to hold me accountable to actually return them!


What a long week, I'm so tired. Worked 47 hours... weekend, here I freaking come. Hoping I can peel myself out of bed and make it to the gym by 11 tomorrow! ha!

i won i won i won i won i won

woot!!! I never win ANYTHING! Congrats Audrey! I'll just add that to my tally of people I know that are pregnant... I think that makes... 9?! Holy cow.



And no, I'm not pregnant. I'm keepin' the prize though, hehe!!

wimp

We have gotten a bunch of snow the past few days, not TONS, but enough to have to shovel the driveway everyday and close a few schools in the area. Our first big snowfall of the season. I used to LOVE snow, especially around Christmastime. That love affair is OVER. OVER, I say. I am now TERRIFIED to drive in the snow. I feel like I'm going to have a heart attack simply riding while my perfectly capable husband drives with 4 wheel drive on. See, last year (I think it was like March) I completely spun out in the middle of 490 and I ended up facing backwards. I watched 4 lanes of traffic whiz by me on the icy bridge, sobbing, waiting for the cops to come and help me out. Luckily, there was tons of snow against the guard rail and I did no physical damage to the vehicle, or to myself. The emotional damage done was monumental, though. Any ounce of winter driving confidence I have ever gained flew right out the window the second those tired started to skid. It's not like I've never driven a winter in western NY either.... but since then I am just so terrified to drive! I can't erase the feeling from my memory. Ryan, knowing my issue, has volunteered to transport me to and from work the past few days, but what am I going to do all winter? I did attempt to drive the other day and I skidded a bit when I was almost to my destination.... and that was it for me. I am going to have to get over this... I'm just so scared!! What a wimp, huh?!

pretty fancy

I just finished concocting my sinfully simple Oreo Bonbons for a holiday party we are going to tonight. They are so decadent and I thought it would not be very nice of me to not share the recipe.... (I'm on a roll here!)

Oreo Bonbons (I've heard a lot of different names for them, but that's what I call them)
(makes about 2 dozen bonbons, depending on the size you make them and how many Oreos you eat while making them... hehe)
Ingredients:
1 package Oreos, double stuff plain or any other variety, they have mint and others (or any other creme-filled sandwich cookie, I've heard you can use Nutterbutters, etc)
1 block cream cheese, softened (I use 1/3 less fat, not like it really makes a difference calorie-wise, hehe)
melting chocolate wafers

-Crush cookies in a food processor.
-Put crushed cookies in a big bowl, mix in softened cream cheese with electric mixer.
-Chill mixture for 1 hour.
-Roll mixture into balls (maybe a little smaller than a pingpong ball) and set them on a tray lined with wax paper.
-Chill again for a bit if they seem a little soft.
-Dip balls in melted chocolate, I've found using a toothpick has given me the most success, you can use a spoon, too.
-If desired, drizzle colored, dark, or white melting chocolate to pretty them up. I used red and green this time to be a little more festive!

I did one batch of mint Oreos (the green ones) and one of peanut butter Oreos (the red ones).

YAY! :)