I have spent way too much time doing nothing the last two days. Matt went to his parents' house to work on Christmas presents (his woodworking tools are all there since we have no garage here.) He has been gone for TWO nights and it is two nights too long. I hate it when he is gone. I get lonely and sad and unmotivated. I haven't worked on all those stitching projects I have to do before Christmas...yes there is only three more days until our first gift exchange! I just can't seem to DO it.
Today I spent the morning making all my candies. I am disappointed. I purchased 'mint extract' thinking it was PEPPERMINT and it turns out to be speariment. So, instead of peppermint patties-I now have spearimint patties (how the heck do you spell speariment?!?!) Then, the 'sponge candy' I had planned to make didn't turn out 'spongy' at all. Although-it turns out the recipe wasn't actually a 'sponge' candy it was a 'honeycomb brittle...yep-there is a difference. The Honeycomb toffee BRITTLE looks and tastes good-but my mom loves SPONGE candy. So that stinks too. I also made cashew brittle. ALong with the peanut butter fudge, they should make nice tins for our neighbors, landlady, mailman, garbage men, and a few families in need of some cheering.
Yesterday Corynn made some things for the grandparents. Given my time constraints and my lack of motivation, we settled on construction paper Christmas trees made from her handprints that she then decorated with glitter, tiny pinecones, and sparkly things. She also made glue snowflakes and I will put a small picture of her in the center. It is kind of neat to do-and not just a Christmas thing either. Anyone can do it at ANY time during winter. You just pour white glue on wax paper in the shape of a snowflake (and even two year olds can do this because the 'strands' shouldn't be perfect! Then, sprinkle glitter all over it. It will take a few days to completely dry-but when it does, just peel the wax paper away and string a ribbon through it. OR-they will stick to your windows like window clings.
On a happy note, I have two exciting things to share.
1) I wrote Jan Brett (one of my favorite author and illustrators) an email to thank her for her wonderful website. And the next day-she emailed ME! It was so great and fun. She included a 'hedge-o-gram' which tells about her current projects and it was just really cool. I got an email from Jan Brett!!!
2) I received a complimentary subscription to The Old Schoolhouse magazine because the senior editor, Jen, read how discouraged I have been about homeschooling lately. She even sent a few back issues. I just got three of them in the mail a few days ago and have had such a wonderful time perusing them. I have never read a homeschooling magazine before so it is really REALLY wonderful.
As much as I hate to do it-I guess I should go now and work on those pesky projects. :-) No more procrastinating!
4 comments:
Everyone gets a little unmotivated this time of year--the Christmas rush takes a little out of all of us. I'm sure your friends and relatives will love your candy, even if it's not exactly what you intended to make. Take care of yourself!
I have days like that too. I think everyone does. When I was pregnant with Lydia I would be able to go, go, go for days on end then I would just crash and feel so unmotivated for a day or two. Don't be too hard on yourself. I am sure your candy will be great no matter what. I love The Old Schoolhouse. Rich got me a 2 year sub. for Christmas this year! Can't wait to start getting my issues. Have a wonderful day Rebecca! ~Jen
I have far too many of those days with not enough of the "get-up-and-do-it" in between, and you've really been a good example to me via your blog in areas of "getting things done," but even more so in your desires to live rightly and lovingly and to grow as a wife and mother. All too often I don't even think about working to eradicate my failings as a mom, and all that you do for Matt and Corynn is a good reminder to me of what I should be working toward.
Don't worry about the candy, either. My "sponge" candy didn't turn into the type of sponge candy I had envisioned, either. I plan to experiment with it a bit, and if I find a good recipe, I'll pass it along!
p.s. We were just looking at Jan Brett books at Borders the other night because John's family gave us gift cards (wahoo!). She is really good!
I don't know if any of you will even read this comment since I am only getting to it now-after I have posted much since. I just wanted to thank you all for making me feel better-just by saying it was okay and that it happens to everyone.
Abby...all I have to say is that your comment was the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. Ever. I am not exaggerating. Thank you.
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