Archives for November 2012

November 30, 2012 by: The Domestic Fringe

Wonder

I wonder what this next year will hold – 2013. It seems impossible. Weren’t we just waiting for the end of the world to come at the strike of midnight 2000? Some people still have cans of corn in their basement.

My son will be thirteen this January.

I sit and wonder where all the time has gone, and then I look to the future and I wonder some more.

The cure for wonder is living in the present, being right here in this very moment, but it’s hard work to live like there is no other time except today.

I look back over this last year and it’s filled with moments of wonder, too many to count. Everything was in question. Work, our home, our future in this town.

I say I’ve stopped trying to figure things out, that I’m done playing God, but the next moment I wonder what in the world is going on and I try to figure it out again.

The present, right here, right now, that’s where I need to live, because wonder is just that – wonder. I won’t get any answers with it. It won’t make my future brighter or my past more tangible. It will just leave me discontent and discontentment is the biggest joy thief I’ve ever met.

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I’m joining Lisa-Jo Baker in Five Minute Friday.

She gave us a topic and we had five minutes to write – no planning and no editing. Sorry, you’re the ones who must read the gibberish of my five minute brain dump.

You can go visit listen and see what so many others are saying about Wonder.

November 29, 2012 by: The Domestic Fringe

Cookie Bites – A Healthy No-Bake Treat

When I posted this picture on facebook, someone thought they were an exotic type of nasty meatballs. I can say with confidence, these are neither nasty, nor are they meatballs.

They are no bake cookie bites and they are so simple to make. The only downside is that if you are like me, you will eat way too many of them. Luckily most of the ingredients are healthy, at least that’s what I tell myself.

Ingredients for Cookie Bites

One cup oats – I used quick cooking oats, because that is what I had in the house.

1/2 cup peanut butter – smooth and creamy or chunky.

1/2 cup ground flaxseed

1/3 cup honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract – I recommend Fringe Vanilla. See details HERE.

1/2 cup butterscotch chips

*** 1/2 cup coconut (optional)

Mix together all the ingredients. I use a mixer, but if you have arms of steel, by all means, mix with a spoon. Put mixture into the refrigerator for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Roll into balls and pop them back in the refrigerator. I use a small melon scoop to make the cookie balls, but about a teaspoon’s worth is a good size.

I think you’ll be surprised by these no bake cookie bites. They are delicious, but it’s hard to eat just one.

Hope you enjoy!

November 28, 2012 by: The Domestic Fringe

Looking A Lot Like Christmas

I feel a little bit bad about making you look at photos of my Christmas tree. I think it’s a lot like our parents making their friends look at slides of their family vacation.

Come to think of it, I make you look at vacation pictures too. Oh, well. What’s a few torturous photos between friends?

I wanted a white Christmas tree forever. Maybe just a little longer than forever. FringeMan thinks they are odd, like so odd, they are freakish. He thinks trees should be green. Go figure. He’s got no imagination at all.

About 3 years ago, we needed a tree and the white ones were cheapest. The angels sang Hallelujah and I hauled it home as fast I could.

For the first few years we didn’t know how to top this tree. Nothing seemed to fit her personality. Why, yes, my tree does have a personality. It’s a little psychotic, but a lot loveable.

Our old tree looked like Phyllis Diller, and when I tried the same look on this white tree, it was her worst hairdo yet; however, I eventually found this lovely vintage glass topper at a yard sale and it’s crowned her white plastic head ever since.

Are you the kind of person who decorates a color coordinated tree to go with your color coordinated house?

I’m not that person, but for years, I wanted to be. I even tried to be once, but I just cannot stick to one color, look, or style. I’m 100% hodgepodge. I love colors, and glitters, and shapes, and randomness. I can’t help myself.

Ok, the hot pink feathered bird is a little wonky, but she has a chubby gold glitter body underneath all those feathers. At $1.99, I think she is this year’s perfect addition to our tree.

Our collection is a mixture of vintage glass ornaments and dollar store junk. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Some days I feel like our tree looks like a junk store threw up on it, but somehow, that seems like a good thing.

I would give you a Christmas tour of my house, but honestly, most of the decorating is on the tree. We don’t go hog wild crazy and change everything in the house for Christmas. We just sprinkle holiday cheer instead of gushing it on every flat surface. Don’t get me wrong, I like gushing, but we are more of a sprinkle ~~and ice-cream~~ kind of family.

Every year my mother-in-law sends my kids an ornament and they love it. They dig through the box looking for their special ornaments to hang on the tree.

Then they yell at each other for unwrapping the wrong ornament and a fight ensues, but it’s all glittery and gold in the light of a white tree.

Your eyes aren’t deceiving you. That’s a bedsheet for a skirt – a little bit tacky, I know.

Will you ever find it in your heart to forgive me for so many silly pictures?

Now tell me about your tree. Do you use ribbons, color schemes, beads, white lights or colored? Real or artificial??

Linking to Thrifty Chick Decor and Musings of A Housewife. Also linking to Kimberly’s Korner. Visit to see some gorgeous trees!

November 28, 2012 by: The Domestic Fringe

Gifts for The Lego Maniac

I wanted to title this post, Gifts for The Brick Head, but I wasn’t so sure all my readers without children would get that little joke.

I think it goes without saying, my son is obsessed with Legos. Any time you ask him what he wants for Christmas, Legos are always in the top three things. I gave an entire day of my life to organizing his bricks, and do you think they are still in their neat little bins? Of course not.

You know what else?

Since my son is part of the Lego/Robotics club in school, most of his friends like Legos too, and that’s what they want for their birthday’s and Christmas.

Today I am going to help you with gift options for the Lego lovers in your life. All of the following Lego images were pinned from www.debenhams.com/gifts-toys/toys-games. Debenhams offers a wide variety of clothing, gifts, and toys; however, I was of course drawn to the toys, and there are lots of fabulous toys my children would love.

Do you shop online? As much as I love being in stores, shopping online makes it easy to buy gifts, especially Christmas gifts. They are delivered to your door in brown packages and the children have no idea what’s inside.

Source: debenhams.com via Tricia on Pinterest

I thought this desk set was really cute. My son loves to draw almost as much as he loves Legos.

Source: debenhams.com via Tricia on Pinterest

This stationary set would also make a nice gift for the teacher who runs the Lego club. I bet the kids in her class would love to get their notes on Lego stationary.

Source: debenhams.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Water bottles are also a nice gift. I’m not sure how my children manage to break metal water bottles, but they do. My daughter has already broken two since school began this year.

Need a stocking stuffer?

Source: debenhams.com via Tricia on Pinterest

I think I’ll slip one of these pens into my son’s stocking.

Of course I cannot possibly ignore the holy grail of all Lego gifts, because Legos + Star Wars = One Happy Son.

Source: debenhams.com via Tricia on Pinterest

What’s on your Christmas list this year? Have you already started your shopping?

Maybe there’s a child in your life. I hope this post helps give you some ideas. Enjoy your shopping!

November 27, 2012 by: The Domestic Fringe

Mid-Life Crisis or My Insides Are Ugly

This past week, I was a bit on the ugly side – inside.

I can blame it on a sick kid or cancelled holiday plans or no money to go shopping on Friday (I know, wahhhh.), but the truth is that I was just an ugly, grumpy, negative mess.

I tried to hide it and only feel bad on the inside, but it didn’t work, not a bit. The ugliness eeked out in things I said, my actions, the look on my long face.

I was in total pity party mode. The fact that there wasn’t any chocolate at my party made me all the more miserable.

Then my son said I was middle-aged. My mother told me this before, but I completely ignored her. I figured she just wanted company at the top of the ladder. When I heard my son say it, I realized that is how everyone younger than me views my age, my life, me – in the middle of it all.

That’s a downright scary place to be. Just ask a middle child.

I’ve done the whole starting out thing. I went to college, got a job, got married, bought a house, had a couple of kids, went back to college, bought another house or two, celebrated fifteen years of marriage…the rest is the ordinary day in day out. The stuff I write about here on my blog.

Is it enough? Have I done enough, been enough?

I don’t think so. That’s the problem. I don’t feel like my life has been worth enough yet.

Cue up mid-life crisis mode.

If you’re a therapist, add me to your contacts.

I reviewed my life in my head, over and over again. I talked to myself. It’s the worse thing a person can do. Some call it self-talking. It’s what you do to make your blood boil. Tell yourself all the ways you have failed, all the things you should have done, could have done.

I reminded myself of what a loser I am. Then I counted all the wasted minutes.

It’s not a good place to be and I know that. I know every conversation I had in my head was pointless. No good would come of it. I know that and yet I did it anyway. That’s the real definition of stupid.

After I tired of talking to myself, I talked to God.

Actually, I complained. Like a total whiner. If I were Him, I would have shoved a sock in my mouth, but unlike us, God is long suffering and full of grace. I made Him suffer with my rantings.

Every time I saw someone’s list of “Thanks”, I wanted to barf. It convicted me, and I totally wanted to be justified in my self-loathing. Honestly, it’s kind of funny to me now, but it was not three days ago.

My heart was black as a starless night.

After I felt like God was getting sick of me, I played shrink with myself. Let’s face it. I know all the “right” answers. I can counsel someone stuck in the rut of stinkin’ thinking, so I turned myself loose on myself.

Ya, I can drone on and on. Before long, I was sick of both my personalities – the depressed one and the wannabe shrink.

I generally do not get into these funks for more than a few hours, if at all. It’s not my default mode, but this week I set a new record. I think I kept up the stinkin’ attitude for 3 or 4 days. By choice.

The truth is that I am blessed beyond measure. I have a husband who loves me, two amazing kids, a home, family and friends, and so much more. My mistake is that I stopped counting my blessings.

Yes, I am over it. I don’t know if I’m beyond the whole mid-life crisis thing yet, but I’m over the pity party.

After all, I still have half my life left. Now I better get busy!

Have you had your mid-life crisis yet?

November 26, 2012 by: The Domestic Fringe

Hello Monday: First Snow

Hello First Snow

What counts as the first snow? Is it the first flake?

I don’t count random flakes or even light, quickly passing snow showers as the “first snow”. I think that comes from living in snow country one too many winters. For me, the first snow is when it’s been snowing for an hour or forty-eight and you can actually make a snowball.

First Snowball of The Season – It’s in my freezer. Why? I’m still asking that.

The next big question is – Do you eat December snowflakes or do wait until January when they are ripe? What about November snow? That’s certainly too early to be eating snow, but I think my daughter may have downed a drink or two.

Charlie Brown: First Snowflakes

As a kid, I remember pulling icicles off of houses, rusty fences, the car, wherever I could get my hands on the plumpest rod of frozen ice and pollution. I lived in the city, you know. Then I’d suck it like a cherry popsicle. It’s a wonder children don’t die of road grime poisoning.

Honey, I shrunk the snowman! Also in our freezer.

For years my kids were accustomed to large fields full of deep snow, the kind of snow you can lose a car in. They ate it at will. It was ripe and clean too. Then we moved to back to New York. There’s nothing good about New York snow. It’s always dirty. You have to hunt down clean snow to play in.

Not eating the snow has been a tough lesson for my kids to learn. In fact, I don’t think they’ve “got it” just yet. I like to think whatever they accidentally ingest will strengthen their immune systems.

Hello Monday Morning

The Monday after a long holiday weekend is never easy. I hope your Monday is as smooth as mashed potatoes. Not mine. I make lumpy everything.

Speaking of potatoes. Have you ever seen a potato this big? It’s practically the size of my head and I have a big head!

FringeMan is saying hello to a new job. I won’t say much, because I don’t want to blog him out of work, but I’m a little jealous of the whole ER business. I’m the one hooked on all the doctor shows. I remember watching ER on a fuzzy screen when my kids were babies. I never missed an episode.

Hello Busy Week on The Fringe (at least in blogland)

First there was Hungry For A Day…if it were for a good cause, could you go Hungry For A Day?

Then, ironically, I gave you my meat pie recipe (which I totally think you should try).

I wrote about A Few Things Every Parent Should Know. Feel free to add your wisdom in the comments of that post.

I enjoyed a Big Fat Tacky Thanksgiving. How was yours?

And then I became a fashion copycat and wore this outfit, a la Lisa Leonard.

The week culminated with a gold glitter deer DIY, because doesn’t everyone need a silhouette in their house? Judging from the comments, the answer is NO. Doesn’t anyone like glitter anymore?

What are you saying Hello to today?

Linking this post to Lisa Leonard’s Hello Monday.

November 25, 2012 by: The Domestic Fringe

Glitter Deer Silhouette: A DIY Project

Glitter makes everything better.

I heard this mantra sung by women on Pinterest, and even a few of my friends buy into the idea that our world should sparkle.

For a while, I hesitated to embrace the shiny of it all. Oh, I saw the twinkle in their eyes, but I remembered ill-fated projects of the past. Glitter has a funny way of making me think of second grade, and I rather not remember all the glue eaters in second grade.

Were you a glue eater?

You can admit it. This is a judgement free zone.

FringeMan ate glue.

I did not. I probably ate the glitter and was left with a little fear; however, sparkly, pretty things draw me in, and I could not resist the pull. When FringeMan brought home a scavenged block of wood, I did it. I went straight to Wally World and bought the biggest tub of gold glitter I could find.

Some women get diamonds; I get pieces of scrap lumber. In the twisted way love works, pine is nearly as endearing as jewels. Nearly.

FringeMan had a million questions about what I was going to do with this piece of wood. I scare him sometimes with my whims, so now, I just don’t tell him. He does not share my brain, and he cannot see the beauty coming from my mind like rays of UV light. So I keep quiet, like every project is of paramount importance and no one has clearance to the design details.

I make him sweat it out.

When he walked in the back door and saw this gold deer silhouette propped up on the kitchen counter, he said, “Oh, that’s really nice. Who drew the deer?”

Because, he thinks my talents do not include animal sketches. Ever since that puppy drawing on the Magnadoodle, he doubts my ability. Our two year-old liked the puppy. That’s all that counts.

If you would like to make your own glittery deer silhouette, you will need: A Canvas (or slab of wood or anything you can get your hands on) (I painted my wood white first), Glue (I used decoupage and collage gel), and Glitter (color of your choice).

You can do an internet search for free downloadable deer silhouettes and use one of those to transfer the image onto your canvas, or you can free hand it.

Throw perfection out the window. I did a long, long time ago. Use creative license as your excuse to make mistakes and have some fun.

After your deer is drawn, spread glue over one section at a time. I used a small paint brush to help me spread the glue. It made things a little easier. Then generously sprinkle glitter on the glue and let it dry. Repeat until the entire deer is glittered.

After the glue is dry, bring it outside and shake it off. Neighbor’s will marvel at the path of gold dust leading to your house.

You’ll probably find some empty spaces, so just fill them in with more glue and glitter.

I am thinking about hanging this masterpiece in my dining room. I am sincerely praying that having a glittered deer silhouette hanging in our home will deter my husband from hanging a real rack of antlers (with the head attached). You know what I mean?

I’m pretty sure you can make one of these with any animal of choice. It’s a good idea for a kid’s room.

So, go. Create something sparkly and tell us how it turned out.

P.S. Now everyone in my family is worried I’m going to make one of these for them for Christmas. My aunt already thinks I’ve been out in the boonies for too long. Wait till she sees this!

P.S.S. I got this glittered deer idea from Pinterest. You can find the original project, previously pinned, here.

P.S.S.S. Linking to Mercy Ink’s Heart & Home link up.

P.S.S.S.S. Linking to Hi Sugarplum and Hyphen Interiors Link Parties.