joy to the blog

pausing for an old el paso commercial break AND giveaway

2010-01-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

61% of adults plan to watch the Big Game. Whether you’re planning a huge party or you’re just looking forward to kicking back at home with your friends and family, Old El Paso Green Chiles can help you spice up the festivities!

Old El Paso Green Chiles, which come in 4.5 and 7 oz cans, are a simple way to liven up your go-to favorites. Fat-free and with only 10 calories per serving, Green Chiles are not spicy, but will add a unique flavor to your dishes that the whole crowd will love! According to the survey, Americans will be clamoring for these great game time dishes:

* Chips and dip or salsa 67%
* Wings 57%
* Nachos 33%
* Veggies and dip 29%
* Chili 24%

Perfect for your dips and salsas, as well as your nachos and chili, Old El Paso Green Chiles can help you score a mealtime touchdown with your guests this year. My husband Eric loves the Old El Paso green chiles with salsa and chips. He swears that they bring the hotness up to a whole new level of deliciousness.

Click here to save $0.55 on one can of Old El Paso Green Chiles today!

Wouldn't it be fun to ramp up your party vibe with a "Tackle the Taste" gift pack from Old El Paso? They provided yours truly with one {via MyBlogSpark} and they are offering one for one of my dear Posse to win as well. It includes a ceramic football-shaped party tray, table runner, plates, napkins and two cans of Old El Paso green chiles!

Just leave me a comment on this post mentioning how you like your green chiles. I'll use Random.org to pick a winner first thing on Monday, so your opportunity to enter will run through midnight Sunday EST. If you are in my Posse {follower}, leave an additional comment saying so for a second chance to win.

Christmas cuteness takes the form of two adorable second-cousins {wordless wednesday}

2010-01-06T00:00:00.002-05:00

a giveaway win from tlc designs!

2010-01-04T18:29:00.002-05:00

Pausing to brag about a giveaway I won recently: these beautiful earrings made by Terry of TLC Designs!

I love purple and green together and she incorporated the best shades of both colors.

Thank you Terry - I love them!

pausing for a commercial break & mini-giveaway sponsored by general mills

2010-01-04T10:44:00.003-05:00

General Mills announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain.

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? Cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in children’s diets.

Other cereal benefits:
Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children’s diets.

Ready-to-eat cereal is the No. 1 source of whole grains in a child’s diet today.

More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.
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I have four coupons that entitle the bearer to a free {up to $6} box of any General Mills cereal that were provided to me by General Mills via MyBlogSpark. The first four folks who leave a comment on this post {and have their own blog} will receive one of these coupons. I will contact you via email or via a blog comment to get your mailing address.

miss me? i missed you.

2010-01-04T00:05:00.003-05:00

I have so much to share with you. But it's after midnight here in Michigan and I've only been home for about an hour and a half and I'm about to keel over.

I am going to keep this short and sweet and THANK GOODNESS I didn't lose a bunch of my sexy, gorgeous Posse while I was gone!

I'm going to go to bed and then get up and start some laundry. After that I will be around to visit you.

Until then I am leaving you a picture hint as to what I've been up to this past week.

merry Christmas posse!

2009-12-25T00:00:00.004-05:00

I'd been wanting a pre-lit tree for awhile and finally decided to get this one from Wal-Mart. Thirty-five bucks. Can't beat it. Why white? Because my family wouldn't let me get the hot pink one I saw at Border's book store. {Clicking on any photo will take you to my Flickr photostream.}

The green tube-shaped ornament is metal and you can pop the end off to put your letter to Santa in. {Last year's Target 90% off clearance find}

Can you see Cinderella's castle? We bought this when we took the kids to Disneyworld about 8 years ago.

My century-old upright piano can hold A LOT of Christmas tchotchkes.

I didn't make these skinnys - I got them in a swap. Love them.

That's it for now but there's one last thing I wanted to mention -

credit

year in review - 2009

2009-12-24T00:00:00.005-05:00

Last year I presented my year in review in slide show form. That was fun to do, but this year I'm far too lazy and unmotivated to do that so instead I present you with :::drumroll::: my 2009 year in review in Glorious Link Format! :::applause:::

In January I discovered the ~~cracksite~~ website that is Polyvore and participated for the first time in the epic annual blog party/giveaway bonanza that is One World One Heart.

In February I enjoyed an "all things French" blog carnival. I didn't realize how much quasi-French crap I had around the house until I started going around taking pictures of it all. On my then-crappy digital camera.

In March I Spring-Flinged with the SITS girls and wantonly name-dropped. {Which wasn't the first time nor the last.}

It wasn't until April that I finally relinquished the reigns here and featured a guest blogger. Well done, Charles!

The highlight of May was giving props to my Mom on Mother's Day.

My 20th wedding anniversary was in June and I celebrated all week long. It was a good day for dressing up. :o)

I talked a little bit about Aubrey in July. Still waiting on that miracle.

Shame on August for bringing the Nick Teen Choice Awards and Miley Cyrus on a stripper pole. Go back to where you came from August {and Miley}!

September was especially awesome because I basked in comment love on my SITS day and got a few WTHs with this post.

I spent the first few days of October shaking my head in disbelief because of THIS and THIS.

In November I was thankful for not only the big things but the small things too.

December of this year has been lovely but it has also left me traumatized.

p.s. I think the Glorious Link Format took just as long or longer than the slide show format.

and

i bought myself a present

2009-12-23T00:00:00.001-05:00

I was at Borders last week and found this scrumptious journal. It has a fabric cover and the embroidery is so pretty. I got it for $10.60, 40% off the regular price of around $16.99 because Borders is going out of business in my local mall.

The only thing that would make it even better was if I could've gotten this pattern in matching sheets, comforter, handbag and jammy pants. Because I love it THAT much.

{"Would You Rather...? Wednesday" will be back next week.}

vince vance and the valiants know how it's done {musical monday}

2009-12-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

It's been way too long since I participated in Musical Monday and I plan on being a regular again from now on. {Not planning on eating my words either.} Without further adieu, this is by FAR my favorite Christmas song. In the whole wide world. Bar none. Without a doubt. No question about it.

p.s. Other people can go ahead and waste their time covering it {I'm talking to you Mariah} but only Vince Vance and the Valiants knows how it's done.

Visit everyone who is sharing the musical love today by clicking the link below!

peppermint tootsie pop haiku

2009-12-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year
Tootsie Pops are peppermint
Sixteen in a bag

Two-forty-nine is
Not that much money for such
Magical goodness

Give me a T-Pop
Festooned with red-and-white stripes
How happy am I!

They're not at Wal-Mart
How on earth could that be true?
But they're at Target

Stock up at Target
Bring them home in secrecy
Hide them from the kids

Husband asks for one
Reluctantly I share them
But HE can't find them

They're fifteen cents each
A peppermint outer shell
One Weight Watcher Point

It is delightful
Peppermint and a surprise
Chocolatey center

They are seasonal
Why must they torture me so?
It is sadistic

an open letter to the inventory lady at t.j. maxx

2009-12-18T00:00:00.004-05:00

To the crazy ~~lady~~ wench stocking the aisles at T.J. Maxx the other day:

I don't know why you had it out for me.

I was just there on an innocent Christmas shopping trip.

I meant you no harm nor did I do you any harm.

So why why why did it seem like you were gunning for me every time I turned around with your huge rolling bin full of delightful and reasonably-priced stock?

The first time I saw you I was benignly looking at a shelf of Christmas cards. I didn't need them, but cards and stationery are like crack to me so it was imperative that I "just check" and see what was available. You made a beeline for me with your huge rolling bin of merchandise.

I moved hastily out of the way so you could get past me as it was clearly my fault for being in an aisle inside the store in the first place.

Moments later I was in a totally different aisle. I heard you coming before I saw you; that blasted rolling bin is really noisy. Shouldn't you be stocking the shelves after hours? You beat a path past me, putting things on shelves with apparently no time to spare.

Finished with my shopping, I paused one more time for good measure at the Christmas cards. {They call to me when I enter the store - like they know the allure that they possess.} Before I knew it, there you were again, making like a Mack truck with quality, last-season goods to fill the shelves with in your rolling bin. I tried to make eye contact, but you weren't that stupid. Your eyes were constantly averted.

When I got up to the cashier lines, I wondered how you beat me there. This time you were putting DVDs on the shelves so ~~suckers~~ folks could make impulse purchases right before checking out.

I tried to give you space to maneuver that blasted noisy bin. I knew you could whip that rolling bin around faster than I could grab a last-minute bag of chocolate-covered Lindt truffles {which technically I did not but I could have}. This time I tried to see your name on your lanyard badge. Tried and tried. Was going to have some words with the manager.

Did I get your name? No. How were you able to keep that information from my probing eyes? How were you able to stock the waiting line aisles and NOT let me see your name? You cunning vixen, you knew what you were doing.

I should consider myself lucky because although it felt like I was being stalked, your bin and my body never actually made contact.

Next time I come in, if I hear the malicious sound of your scary rolling bin, I will leave immediately. And go next-door to the safety and comfort of Home Goods.

Sincerely,

An Anonymous Intimidated Shopper

p.s. here's something nice to leave you with instead of the above tale of woe!

Aubrey age 8, Christmas Parade with Brownie troop

My mom Diana and Aubrey, 2005

would you rather...? wednesday

2009-12-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Would you rather...

Be seen wearing antlers on your head

photo credit

or be seen with antlers on your car?

photo credit

things about winter you always wanted to know but were afraid to ask

2009-12-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

~ The snowiest spot in the midwest is between Munising and Grand Marais in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It averages almost 21 inches per year.

~ The word "blizzard" derives from the word "blitzartig", meaning "lightning-like." It was coined by German settlers in Iowa.

"Chionophobia": The fear of snow.

~ "Snirt" is dirty snow that flies off the dusty Canadian prairies.

~ The largest snowflakes ever recorded fell in the state of Montana. The snowflakes were 15 inches in diameter.

~ 4,000 people live in Antarctica in the summer, but only 1,000 live there in the winter.

Thank you for reading. You either found this trivia mildly interesting or you feel duped into looking at more of my old Christmas family photos. Discuss in the comment section.

enter to win a one year subscription to martha stewart living!

2009-12-12T00:00:00.003-05:00

One whole year of Martha. 12 issues. In your mailbox. Courtesy of yours truly.

Does that sound like a good thing to you? {don't answer that}

Then leave a comment on this post for a chance to win.

And if the notion of Martha in your mailbox all year long doesn't give you an inferiority complex like it does to me, there are a few other ways to enter:

~ Follow me on Twitter. {I will follow you back.}

~ Tweet this giveaway with a link back to this post in your Tweet. {Leave the URL in a comment on this post.} You can do this once per day until the deadline, which is 12/19.

~ Be a Posse member and leave me a comment saying so.

~ Post about this giveaway on your blog, linking back to this post {leave the URL in a comment here}.
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"I was married for 30 years. Isn't that enough? I've had my share of dirty underwear on the floor." --Martha Stewart

[edited 12/19] The winner according to Random.org is:

SueAnn, I'll be emailing you and asking for your full mailing address and your subscription will start in 4-6 weeks. Congrats! And thanks to all who took the time to enter!

Christmases of weird smiles, being knocked up and PS2s

2009-12-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

This is about 1977 or 1978. I'm 10 or 11 and my brother Matthew is about 3 or 4. We're at my Grandma's house for Christmas Eve. I'm wearing my uber-favorite peasant/hippie top and jeans that had this multi-colored stitching down the legs. Rocking the forehead like nobody's business. Wearing the weirdest, freakiest smile ever to be worn by a human being since time began. My brother smiling sweetly and giving me the side-eye as if wondering "What is wrong with her?"

Here I am {Christmas 1990} at 5 months pregnant, laughing and laughing. I'm completely oblivious that in just 4 more months I'll wish myself dead from the pain of labor and delivery. I wish I could've told myself to laugh as long as possible because birthing 9-pound babies hurts. Good times!

Austin {around 1999} opening presents and showing off his brand-new PS2. I love the look on their faces when they get what they wanted the most.

would you rather...? wednesday

2009-12-09T10:31:00.003-05:00

Would you rather...

...have your credit card turned down while Christmas shopping

or

...run into your pastor while buying liquor?

I think I'd rather have my credit card turned down. At least in that situation everyone around me is a stranger and I'll never see them again.

SITSmas time is here

2009-12-08T00:00:00.002-05:00

Merry SITSmas to my vintage and nouveau Posse!

I don't remember when I first put the SITS button on my sidebar but since then I've had the pleasure of being introduced to a ridiculous amount of great blogs. If you're unfamiliar with SITS, I encourage you to check it out. I even had my own SITS day here awhile back - and what a treat it was to meet so many new peeps.

I'm psyched to visit bunches of other bloggers celebrating SITSmas today. If you'd like to be a part of a dynamic blog network, click on the link at the top and tell them that your Posse Leader sent you! {Actually don't say Posse Leader. No one will know what you're talking about and you might get the side-eye. Just tell 'em Joy sent you.}

Do you Tweet? Follow me and I promise I will follow you right back!

In closing I'll leave you with a Vintage {1995} Northrop Christmas photo. Left to right, Abigail, Aubrey and Austin. Now they're 14, 18 and 16! {Let's not talk about how old that makes ME!}

warm fuzzies hardcore style

2009-12-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

You may have already seen this video but I dare you not to click "play" again. It's 17 seconds of hardcore warm fuzzies that will leave you floating on a cloud made of marshmallow fluff with sprinkles. Or, depending on how you roll, an extra-dirty martini garnished with jumbo olives.

the "blog" of "unnecessary" quotation marks

2009-12-06T10:33:00.002-05:00

Posse, the brilliant "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks posted a submission of mine. I have to say it's pretty funny and I hope you check it out!

charlie and the dried pig snout {camera critters}

2009-12-05T00:00:00.002-05:00

Don't blame Charlie; I'm the one who brought it home.

Dried pig snout: $1.59 at local pet supply store

He had no idea that in today's society it's not PC to gnaw on a pig snout. Then he heard on the news that the pigs were up in arms about "Swine Flu" and how they took to Washington in herds to make sure that the virus was instead called "H1N1." He knew that although the pigs might roll around in it, they weren't going to take any crap from him.

Concerned that he's going to get caught red-handed by the pigs

I assured him that although we live in a house that was built by pig farmers [!], he could relax. The pigs would not get him.

Charlie gnaws in bliss, happy in the knowledge that the pigs don't even know he's got a piece of one of their own

Later, he buried it in the privacy of his front yard.

There was only one thing to do after an exhausting back-and-forth with his conscience: rest.

would you rather...? wednesday

2009-12-02T00:00:00.006-05:00

Would you rather...

...walk into your high school reunion and watch everyone eat their hearts out

or

...win $500 playing the lottery?

As much as I'd like to cause someone, anyone, to eat their heart out, I think I'd rather win the $500. I'd head straight for the Dooney & Bourke counter at Macy's. ;o)

peeps of Christmases past

2009-12-01T07:26:00.008-05:00

It's December 1st! And because December 1st doesn't really get any kind of recognition, I thought I'd post some old photos from Christmases past. To make December 1st feel included in the holiday season.

future Posse leader Christmas 1967

me and my cousin David who is rocking the one-piece jammy look awaiting the moment he can escape my clutches {1974-ish}

my cousin David, my brother Matthew and yours truly
{remembering that I loved that hat}

Mom, my brother Matthew and me {around 1977}

me, my forehead and my cousin Kristen, around 1979

do me a solid

2009-11-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

When's the last time you asked someone for a favor? What was it and who did you ask?

The last time I asked for a favor was a couple of days ago. I asked Eric to take a humongous pile of packages and envelopes to the post office to mail for me.

He not only did the favor for me, but he paid for it too!

happy thanksgiving

2009-11-26T00:00:00.003-05:00

Ultimate holiday card set
Originally uploaded by Dippylulu

...and don't forget the moist maker the day after!

Last Thanksgiving we ran around and did some visiting. I'm looking forward to more visiting this year. Not to mention trying to keep my freaking Weight Watchers points in check. {I know I shouldn't be worried about Points on T'giving but I have my reasons! And yes, I'm being vague on purpose.}

I think it goes without saying that we're all thankful for family, health, and home. So I made a list of little things that I'm thankful for that are taken for granted on a daily basis:

Thankful for these little things

~ the smell of my dogs' heads
- microplush sheets in the winter {Home Goods, $29.99.}
- my PeeWee Herman poster that makes me smile
- Netflix Instant
- diet Coke
- histamine blockers
- irony
- pomegranate martinis
- Pop-Tarts
- sleeping in

What little thing are you thankful for?

would you rather...? wednesday

2009-11-25T00:00:00.002-05:00

Would you rather travel across the country by horseback or bicycle?

Personally I'd rather travel by horseback. Less chance of getting hit by a car. Although the saddle sores would be a &%*#@!