The danger of facebook when I'm half asleep...

I love being able to email posts from my cell phone, it is so handy most of the time! The problem is when, half asleep and trying depserately to consume enough coffee to get the energy up to make it to the shower you accidentally email a post to your blog instead of to your actual email account...not that I did that this morning of anything!

So, since I *didn't* do that this morning {ahem} I'll just replace that picture with this adorable one from our holiday break and recent snow event...Happy New Year everyone!
 

And maybe after a lot more coffee and another few days pondering I'll post my goals for this year.  Are you making any resolutions? I'd love to hear about them!

Glittery Christmas Salt Dough

Looking for a quick and kid friendly activity this Christmas eve? I modified this simple recipe from Mom on Timeout to add a little sparkle to our salt dough creations.  We are making ornaments and will try our hand at coasters as well - I'll get back to you on how the coasters turn out after they cool and we test them. 

Glittery Salt Dough

2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup warm water
1 teaspoon glitter
food coloring, if desired (make your water measurement a bit scant if you're using liquid color)
1 tablespoon cinnamon, if desired
knead for about 10 minutes

The girls loved kneading the dough, and the smell of the cinnamon.  Let the dough rest for 40 minutes and then roll out to ~ 1/4 inch thick, cut as desired.  Cook at 200 degrees for 4-6 hours, or until dry.  If you're going to use these as ornaments, be sure to poke a hole in them for hanging!

Fast and Festive Rice Salad

As we've officially reached the "holy cow it's crazy busy" season, I'm happy to share this quick and healthy side dish from Mizkan using Nakano natural rice vinegar!  Aren't we all looking for fast and easy side dishes this time of year, something a little different than mashed potatoes and green bean casserole?  This salad is done in the time it takes the rice to cook, and is even better if you make it a day or two ahead, which is great when there are always other things you could be doing, right?

I should also add that this dressing is a favorite with my girls - so we make it for "everyday" salads as well, the kind with lettuce as the main ingredient rather than rice...and as a dipping sauce for vegetables and chicken tenders, etc.

Check out the Mizkan recipe site for the original recipe. My variation is included below.

Fast and Festive Rice Salad

4 cups brown rice
(make according to package instructions, and while it is cooking, prepare the remaining ingredients)
1/4 cup Nakano natural rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons dijon or honey mustard
1 large fiji apple, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup of dried cranberries
1/2 cup of nuts of your choice, I prefer pine nuts or chopped almonds
1/4 cup of diced onion (green onion would be great as well)

Mix the vinegar, oil and mustard. Add apple to keep from browning. Toss the dressing, vegetables and rice once the rice has cooled.  Chill and serve, or prepare a day or two in advance and refrigerate. Yum!

I was supplied with vinegar and compensated for my time, but as always, ideas and opinions are my own.