Breaking Resolutions

Did You Make Any New Year’s Resolutions?new-years-resolutions

Have you kept them . . . or have you already broken them?

Most of us don’t make New Year’s Resolutions . . . and for good reason. Then, again, there is something to be said about getting more exercise, eating right and stop procrastinating . . . among other things.

But, it does seem, about now, many resolutions have been broken . . . maybe revised . . . or completely forgotten.

I’ve Been Doing Re-Evaluations Of My Goals

I believe resolutions are merely goals we want to attain within the coming year.

You can make them New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day . . . or any time you choose. It’s usually when you find there are things you’ve neglected and need to make some changes to make your life easier. Or your plans for a vacation this summer and you want to get into shape . . . There are always goals we have for a particular time or event.

And life also gives us other things to take our time away from our goals.

As I said, I’ve been doing some re-evaluating of my goals. Some have been completely abandoned . . . others, I’m rethinking. And, of course, there are some, after more research, have been found not to be something I want to delve into at this time.

I love my websites and TwoCansOnAString.com in particular. There are no changes I plan to make here. This website reflects what is important to me.

Then, there are my other websites. Some I had thought of letting go . . . then, I started thinking . . . but depending upon the time of day . . . I have a different thought process. I wonder if decisions should be made in the morning or evening or sometime during the day.

I read the best time for making decisions is when you’re fresh and alert. So, when you’re not feeling well, it’s best to not make decisions other than doing what is necessary to feel better. Then tackle those other decisions when you’re feeling fresh and alert.

As with my other websites, I’ve been taking my time making a decision about them. There is no rush . . . but I do have a better idea of my priorities.

I do love paper crafts.

I’d love to make my own designs. So, I’ve been studying about that. It does take time away from my other websites . . . so, it should be an easy decision for me to follow my interest and allow me the freedom to concentrate upon what is truly important to me.

I know at one time, I thought having many websites would be a great thing. Then learning how to write for the internet and do guest blogging . . . and then just writing and being true to myself . . . and by being true to myself, that means that I need to pursue paper crafts and learn as much as possible.

It works with playing a musical instrument or learning a new skill. It does take a lot of practice and understanding of what you’re learning. It takes time to master . . . or at least to become better at it than you were before. Maybe baby steps is the process.

It’s best not to get over your head too soon.

No matter whether you made New Year’s Resolutions or not . . . are keeping them . . . or not . . . revamping them . . . or not. There are always things we want to do or learn to do better . . . or have a goal to accomplish by a certain date.

I may have the wrong attitude about things.

I know I will get to them when I have to. It’s a motivator to clean the house when company is coming!! And the thought does come into our heads that it wouldn’t be this much work, if we a did a little each and every day . . . or hire someone to come clean once a week or twice a month.

There are options and solutions.

And when you think about it, there are options and solutions to every goal or resolution you’ve made or didn’t make . . . but are now thinking about accomplishing within a particular time.

Goals are definitely a personal thing you have to be committed to accomplishing.eeyoreballoonbust

Don’t feel forced into doing something . . . anything you’re not ready to tackle.

It usually doesn’t work out well.

I’ve found, it best not to depend upon someone else to help you. It’s your goal . . . and you have to be self-motivated to achieve it.

I’ve read that it’s best not to let others know your goals . . . too many like to burst your dreams. But, someone you can trust and value their opinion may help you figure out exactly what you want to accomplish . . . and can achieve.

When You Find Yourself Running In Circles

It’s best not to make any decisions until you have to time to sit down quietly and think things through.

It may appear to others as procrastinating, but it’s not wise to make any serious decisions in haste . . . just to please others . . . or save yourself from not making a decision hastily.

As we get older, the opinions of others means less and less to us. It’s not that we don’t care, it’s that we don’t worry about insignificant things.

I remember a co-worker would always ask . . . “In 5 years, how important will this problem be?”

Depending upon your age . . . 5 years seems so far in the future . . . or just a snap of the fingers . . . and through personal experience we’ve learned that some decisions could have a significant impact 5 years down the road . . .

Life is strange, but it is definitely worth living to the fullest. We may get bogged down with the daily stuff . . . and need to take care of some old business . . . and in the end, we’re better off by putting forth the effort.

This isn’t an advice column. It’s just a forum I use from time to time to think . . . and to get others to think, too. We all have decisions to make . . . and we give it our best shot . . . but there’s nothing wrong with finding we made a bad decision or we need to do some re-thinking from time to time.

Thanks for stopping by!

Sharon

How About Some Valentine’s Day Free Printables?

With Valentine’s Day Coming Towards Us, Are You Ready?

Family.Disney.com is always on board when it comes to making unique Valentine’s your children can hand out to their friends and classmates.

Adding a lollipop would be a great bonus in Valentine card giving.

Just click the image and you’ll be taken to the page where you can print them out.

I’m sure there is something else you may like for Valentine’s Day. It’s nice to dress cupcakes up at home or for a school party. I know many bakeries are way ahead of you, but it’s worth a try if you make these for your family. I don’t know anyone who can resist Disney characters.

These would be good to pack into your child’s lunch box. Or have for a snack when they get home from school. The most important Valentine’s Day card they’ll receive is something from Mom and Dad or Grandma and Grandpa . . .

It may not be much for this post, but I’m sure you’ve already selected the pack of cards your kids want to hand out to their friends and classmates.

I know just about every where I go I’m running into packages of Valentine’s Day cards. There is a greater variety of cards than when I was a kid. I’m not complaining . . . times were simple then. Now, with all the movies and candies and free printables available on-line, you are bombarded with all kinds of Valentine’s Day cards and accessories.

It can be difficult to settle on just one idea.

Enjoy these free printables.

Sharon

 

I Love A Rainy Day

Yes, It’s True.

Rainy days are truly a blessing.

It’s a time to relax and get into crafts. I did give you a wide variety of Disney Character Treat Boxes to make for your children.

And let’s not forget the Free 3-D Printable you can made of R2-D2 for all your Star Wars fans.

For many, rainy days bring up thoughts of Halloween . . . I don’t know why, but ghost stories and the like are a favorite on rainy days around my house. Also thoughts of all those urban legends you heard as a child or teen. There were lessons to learn from them . . . and the thought of them brings a cold chill down the spine.

Then, a rainy day is a good day to curl up with a nice book . . . a mystery is always my choice, but a romance may be more to your liking.

There are also videos you may enjoy. But crafts seem to win out for me.

What Kind Of Rainy Day Craft Do I Have For You?

Click The Lighthouse To Be Taken To The Download Page. And click here for the assembly instructions.

I love the haunted houses . . . especially if they have a story associated with them.

Ravensblight has a variety of 3-D haunted house free printables you can print out and make. Ray O’Bannon offers an interesting history to go along with most of his papercrafts.

This lighthouse is no exception.

According to Ray, all the previous lighthouse keepers have gone insane . . .

I don’t want to ruin the story for you. Be sure to think about it while you’re constructing this lighthouse . . . It stands 10-1/2 inches high and would be a wonderful addition to your Christmas or Halloween Village . . . or to have tucked away on a book shelf.

I find it inspirational in my office. I look at it and wonder . . . I think of all the other stories that are centered around a lighthouse . . . and Ray has some monsters you can add and you may want to add an old abandoned car . . . it’s always fun to add some added haunted accessories to make it more real and more captivating.

Click the image to download and print out the Cliff House. And don’t forget the Assembly Instructions

Oh yes, I did forget the Cliff House. It, too has a delightful history.

It is quite sad to see how it has wasted away over the years. The roof, the windows and the porch do give it quite a creepy, desolate feel. It is a miracle it hasn’t fallen down. But, in another decade or so, it may be just a memory.

These Spooky Offerings And Disney Boxes Are A Delightful Way To Spend Your Time On A Rainy Day

It’s good to keep busy and learn something new about Ravensblight. It is a website I visit often . . . but insofar as Ravensblight, the community . . . as a real place to live . . . uh . . . I think I’ll pass . . .

This reminds me of a haunted place in a movie I saw quite a few years ago. A family went off the beaten path to find this ghost town . . . and as with most movies, wished they hadn’t. There is something to be said about curiosity . . . maybe somethings aren’t worth finding out . . .

I just know . . . or I think I know Ray O’Bannon is having fun . . . and he’s created a wonderful collection of haunted toys that are free to print out and assemble . . . and he does warn you they are haunted . . . and he adds a history to go along with them . . .

I hope you’re enjoying your day and will take a look at the links I’ve provided.

Until next time,

Sharon

Grandma’s Baked Caramel Corn Recipe

Baked Caramel Corn From Scratch

Yes, you make your own caramel and pop your own corn.

No, not the microwave stuff. You’ll need a popper . . . it’s about flavor, which must be savored . . . and anticipated.

This is an old family recipe . . . it does pay off to save old recipes tucked away . . . I can’t for the life of me know why my grandmother put this recipe . . . never mind . . . let’s just say she hid her recipes in clever places.

All right! Enough chatter . . . Let’s get to the recipe!

You can add your favorite nuts to this recipe. I prefer it without, but that’s just me.

You’re going to need:

  • 1 cup of butter
  • 2 cups of brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup of light corn syrup
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
  • 24 cups of popped popcorn

Now, let’s get down to business:

  1. Preheat your oven at 250° F
  2. You’re going to pop the popcorn in a popcorn popper for best results — don’t sneak in the already popped stuff or the microwave variety . . . good old fashioned popcorn.
  3. Get out your saucepan . . . we’re going to make the caramel.
  4. Your saucepan and stove top are going to get real chummy while you carefully melt the butter — be careful, you don’t want it to burn.
  5. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup and salt.
  6. You’re going to be doing a lot of stirring while you bring the pot of buttery sweet brown sugar mixture to a boil.
  7. Stop stirring, allowing the pot to boil for about 5 minutes.
  8. Remove your homemade caramel from the heat and stir in the baking soda.
  9. Get out the turkey roaster . . . no, I’m not kidding. You’re going to need it for all your popped corn.
  10. Once the popped corn (without the unpopped kernals) are in the turkey roaster, slowly and gently pour over your popped popcorn.
  11. Bake at 250° F for about an hour.
  12. No, don’t sit down and wait for the timer. Every 15 minutes or so, you’re going to have to stir the popcorn to make sure every piece is covered with the golden delicious caramel . . . and not burning this delicious treat on the bottom of the roaster.
  13. As the caramel popcorn is baking you’re going to need to taste it from time  to time, closer to the end of the hour. Be careful!!! It’s been in the oven at 250° F. Be sure to blow on it — Don’t just pop it in your mouth!!!! Now, if it sticks to your teeth or is sticky and gooey, it’s not done. You want it crunchy not sticky.
  14. Remove your caramel popcorn from the roaster and break the clusters of popcorn apart. Be careful, it’s HOT!!!
  15. Allow to cool in the roaster, stirring it with a wooden spoon every 5 to 10 minutes to help it cool.
  16. I know you’re going to take a nibble or two. The popcorn gets cruncher as it cools.
  17. Grandma always put it in a crystal bowl . . . yes, put it in your fanciest bowl!!! This is an heirloom recipe!!!! Treat it with respect!!

All right, enough!!!

Speaking of enough . . . I hope you made plenty!! Your family is going to go wild over this!!!!

But, take your time . . . it’s not a gobbled down treat (even though it was cooked in a turkey roaster)!! Savor the flavor!

Until next time,
Sharon

Valentine’s Day Cards Free Printable

Yes, Indeed!

Family.Disney.com has you covered with their free printable Valentine’s Day Cards.ValentinesDayCards2

I don’t know how you or your children’s school handles Valentine’s Day, but I know this was a fun day with a Valentine’s Day Party when I was a going to school.

It was fun to pass out the cards and also to receive them.

I know of some people who like to make their own or they buy packets from their local grocery store. Isn’t it amazing how the grocery store has all these extras for the holidays?

It’s a good idea to begin a bit early . . . the last minute hurrying around doesn’t seem to work out as well as having everything together ahead of time. This is to be fun . . . not torture.

The Peter Pan pop-up card is great fun to make and give. You may also like the Tinker Bell’s pop-up Valentine’s Day Card. I didn’t include the picture, but just click the link and you’ll be taken to the PDF file for printing.

I do like pop-up cards. They’re a bit more work, but they seem to say that you cared enough to do something extra special.

Jake and The Neverland Pirates are small and quite popular as are the Frozen Inspired Valentine Cards.

ValentineDayCards3

Just click the image to be taken to the PDF file for immediate download and print them out.

It’s difficult for me to know exactly what your children want to give as Valentine’s Day cards, so be sure to check out the selection at Family,Disney.com

There are lots of other things you may like to print out as well.

You’ll find some delicious cookies and cupcakes you can make for your own Valentine’s Day Party . . . or for a special treat for your children.

There are also lunch book cards you can put in your children’s lunch box or backpack to give them a delightful surprise when they find it. It’s always nice to know someone cares. ValentineDayCards4

You’ll also find some boxes you can print out and make . . . then fill with candies or cookies . . . that will be extra special for family and friends.

I do hope you have a love-ly Valentine’s Day.

Sharon