Make Any Occasion a Special Occasion

We actually did this on New Year's Day because I wanted to do something special to ring in the new year, but really you could take this idea, adapt it to your liking and use it at any time-- after a great day of sledding, for a kids sleep over party, as a part of an after dinner dessert "buffet"...  super easy and super cheap!

I basically just used things that I already had in the house- mostly leftovers from the Christmas holidays.

holy bad lighting Batman-- that tablecloth is in fact white, NOT blue and white as this photo would have it appear

Just put your goodies in "fancy" (I've used that word a lot already this year) serving dishes and you've just made an otherwise ordinary cup of hot cocoa into a special treat!

Start with some good cocoa-- you could also put out a large (pretty) container of homemade hot chocolate mix (FYI-- I haven't actually tried this recipe yet, but it looks so good!) OR you could have this part pre-prepared - already piping hot and in mugs.

Then add all your toppings.  Again-- I just used things that I had on hand-- leftovers from holiday dessert making and baking:

mini-marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, nonpareils, chocolate dipped peppermint sticks...

colored sugars...  In hindsight I realized that if you're planning on putting out colored sugars, it might help if you have more than a couple of tablespoons on hand :)

Just imagine that apothecary jar FULL of red colored sugar...

white chocolate chips...

We also put out chocolate syrup and of course the whipped cream. (luckily for me the whipped cream can is red and white so it totally went with my color scheme!)

And we put out a couple of treats too-- Fat Free Chocolate Chocolate Chip muffins and zucchini bread.  

Add a couple of centerpieces and you've got yourself a party!

Starting 2012 off right with that one big resolution - find ways to make every day life something special!

What do you do to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary?

Getting a good photo makes me happy.

OK-- let me start by saying that I know I am a NO photographer, but... getting a good photo makes me REALLY happy and I'm trying to practice a lot to improve my photo taking skills.  I also know that a 'good photograph' is subjective, but I just wanted to share a few photos that I took today that make me happy.  (and yes-- most of them are of my son)  :)

Perfect Fall football day.

My stepson is the QB of his varsity football team-- #12!

Can Transformers play with Barbies? 

Independence.

Pure fun.

Colors of Fall:

 All boy.

And he's off...

Little sneaks

Things don't always go as planned.

So today I was planning to use these to make a little something I've been planning for  quite a while.

But sometimes  things don't go as planned.  Like when I got to the part I was most excited about and this:

looked like this when I took the cap off for the first time.

Arrggghhh.   Guess I have to head back to the store for an exchange and then wait for a time that I have enough daylight to take good photos again so... stay tuned.

For now... I'd like to start a new featured called 'Use what ya' got'.  It's one GREAT way to save money.  Truth be told, my 'Use what ya' got' only sort of follows the rules though because all of my "got" things are things that I recently purchased -- two you've already seen here,  one you haven't.

Let me introduce you to my latest Goodwill find:

$4.50.  (Still had the original Marshall's price tag on it-- $9.99 marked down from $18)   LOVE!

And here's my new favorite white vase all dolled up for Spring.

I love the use of the vase for the clementines too.  Unexpected and beautiful (if I do say so myself) ;)

Got an interesting use for something common?  I'd love to hear about it.  Leave me a comment and/or link to a photo!

Finding Beauty in the Ordinary - Snow

It snowed last night and looked so pretty today - felt like the perfect opportunity to practice some photography.  BTW-- digital photography (once you have a camera) is FREE- and it makes me happy!  These are my two favorites from today.

Hope you're all warm and cozy and enjoying your day!