Pinterest challenge: Pin #1

February 19:

This was the batch of ninja gingerbread cookies I decided to make.

Ingredients:

1 box gingerbread mix
1 tablespoon flour
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/4 cup hot water

Mix gingerbread with the flour. Add butter & water. Mix until there's nothing dry left. Roll the mix into a ball. Cut in half. Roll one of the halves on parchment paper--ideally, the same size as your cookie sheet so you don't have to transfer dough--to about 1/4" thick. Use the ninja cookie cutters(I got ours on Amazon). Each half of dough will yield about 6 cookies, so a dozen from 1 box mix. Put the parchment paper on the cookie sheet. Goes in the oven 375 degrees, 6-9 minutes. Let it cool on a cooling rack(on top of the oven takes longer).

Doesn't look like a lot, but this makes 1 dozen of the ninjas. 

The top left got a little deformed when I tried to transfer to the parchment paper

For the decorating, I used cream cheese frosting mixed with red food coloring. It takes a lot to make red, so I made 2 of the 6 cookies pink.

I just followed the designs given on the ninja cookie cutter box.
Also used some red "writing gel" they  have  in the baking aisle.

Jan. 18 - Feb. 8: Day 18- Day 39

Unfortunately, I didn't keep up on updates of the Happiness Project like I should've. It's been a crazy month. The only thing that brought me joy during this time was that Tom's overtime is now over.

Pinterest Challenge

I am linking up with Merrick at Merricksart.com on a Pinterest Challenge. The challenge is to make/do/try 6 pins on Pinterest in the course of the next 6 weeks. That averages to one a week.

Here's what my pins are (link to my Pinterest board w/info on these pins):

 This is about the order I will be working on them.

1. Ninja gingerbread men--doing today. I bought those cookie cutters for Drew's birthday, and since it's his birthday today, that's what we are making instead of cake.

2. Race Track blanket--I have gotten thru about half of this for one of my newest nephews, and I just need a swift kick in the behind to finish, since he just turned 2 months old.

3. DIY instant oatmeal packets. With 4 kids, and at least 3 eating 2 packets a piece each morning, we go thru a box of 10 packets in 2 days. Hope they will be receptive to this homemade version.

4. DIY foot treatment for dry/callused skin on feet. With our *85 degree* weather this past weekend, my feet are so dried out.

5. Car pocket & track. Basically for any trips to the store or when we have to wait at the school for awhile(3 kids go, 3 separate pick up times, I only make 1 trip & wait for the other 2)

6. Funny pirate onesie. I have pinned so many hilarious onesies for nieces, nephews & any other baby showers we are invited too. Thinking of this for a nephew who's supposed to make his appearance in April.

Jan. 9-Jan. 17: Days 9-17

My only semi-happy thoughts as we are adjusting back to school after the holiday break, and adjusting to a new schedule for Collin in both the afternoon therapy and new primary class at church(which have been very rough): school for the kids to go to, all who support us in helping Collin(teachers, aides in the class, therapists, etc.). Workout time--I found a 30 minute workout that I just started this week that combines weights & cardio so start to finish I'm done in 30 minutes, instead of 30 minutes toning + another 30 minutes cardio(I am so out of shape though that it leaves me sore for a few days after each workout). So happy the end is in sight(a couple more weeks) of Tom's overtime at work. I feel like a candle burning at both ends.

January 8: Day 8

Change isn't always a good thing around here, especially with Collin. However, this time unexpected joy found us or at least me.

Collin's therapy schedule got changed around this weekend, and now we have an open weekday afternoon in our schedule, which is nice since Tuesday evenings fill up fast and it's nice to take a breather since Collin is working over 12 cumulative hours per week during the therapy sessions.

I also did a lot of purging of stuff I've been putting off for way too long. For example, finally purged papers the hospital sent us home with after Brent was born. He turns 3 years old this year. I purged old makeup, clothes that taunt me because even though I'm the right size they fit not how I'd like, and other stuff. I filled a huge trash bag just of trash, and a few bags for a donation truck later this week.

January 7: Day 7

Pampering that works: personal exercise time. My knees have been bothering me a lot since Saturday's 5k. I did a 20 minute lower body workout tonight because if time constraints. I was concerned for my knees because the workout is on my hands & knees, but it ended up being something that eased the pain.

January 6: Day 6

Something that made me smile: I had a new nephew born.

Also, Tom watched a restless Brent in church which sort of makes up for the Saturday fiasco.