New Year's Resolutions

It's that time of year to wipe your slate clean....and start all over again. I'm a list maker. It makes me feel organized. However, I've never been a big fan of making the grandaddy of all lists, “New Year's Resolutions.” Maybe because a list for an entire year overwhelms me, or maybe because I can't even scratch off everything on today's list.

In the past, I've kept it simple. In my 20s, my New Year's Resolution was always the same... “to buy and wear unique, funky socks.” And I did, year after year never letting myself down. In my 30s, the Resolutions were more like, “don't buy chips or you'll eat them,” or “fit into pre-pregnancy jeans,” and “get car washed more than once a year.” I never did scratch any of those off my list!

Last year I set some big goals, they weren't New Year's Resolutions, they were a “one goal at a time” sorta thing...to run a half marathon and then a full marathon. I accomplished both and feel really good about it. And, even though I didn't get my car washed, I can now fit into those size 3 jeans!

This year I have three New Year's Resolutions. I want to run 1000 miles and another full marathon. I also want to start the process of having the city I live in “Ban the Bag.” Did I ever tell you I hate plastic bags?!

So, there. I put my goals out on the internet, out into the Universe. I'll either report back proudly next year or be really embarrassed and mad at myself for sharing such an eager "list" with all of you!

Happy New Year!

What are some of your New Year's Resolutions?

Gifts That Give Back

This Holiday season give a gift that "gives back." Here are my top three picks:

Feed Just One

Go to: http://feedjustone.com

One Shirt = 30 Meals. Feed Just One funds the food program for Think Humanity's girls hostel in Hoima, Uganda. Every time you buy a shirt, it allows 30 girls to sit down to a nice balanced meal.

Mother Teresa once said, "If you can't feed a hundred people, than feed just one."

Buy a Shirt. Save a Life.

The White Rainbow Project

Go to: http://www.whiterainbowproject.org

Mother Teresa also said, "The greatest disease and the greatest suffering is to be unwanted, unloved, uncared for, to be shunned by everybody, to be just nobody."

The White Rainbow Project is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to helping the widows of Vrindavan, India aka, "The City of Widows." In India, widows are considered to be unlucky. There are many demoralizing customs associated with widowhood.

Buy the movie on DVD that inspired The White Rainbow Project or beautiful handmade tunics, jewelry and scarves. Proceeds go to helping the widows of India.

Tunics are made from donated saris.

Smile Squared

Go to: https://smilesquared.com

For every toothbrush you buy, Smile Squared donates one to a child in need. Everyday products like toothbrushes can have a big impact on the world.  

Environmentally friendly, hand-crafted with a biodegradable bamboo handle and high quality DuPont Tynex bristles. Only $5.95. Great little stocking stuffers!

Buy One. Give One.

What are some of your favorite "give back" programs?

Happy Holidays.

Black Friday Sale & Cyber Monday Etsy Sale

As a way of saying "thanks," please enjoy a "20% - 50% Off Savings" on select items at Jen's Backyard.  Sale begins Black Friday, November 23 through Cyber Monday, November 26.

Select Button Rings On Sale. Perfect stocking stuffers!

Vintage Brown Button Ring On Sale $6.40

Vintage Anchor Button Ring On Sale $6.40

All Handmade Greeting Cards 20%-50% Off. These make a perfect "Hostess Gift" for the Holidays.

Boho Fabric Greeting Cards, Set of 2. On Sale $3.60

Gift Tags 50% Off. Handmade gift tags, for that added special touch. 

Mid Century Fabric Gift Tags, Set of 6. On Sale $3.60

Select Jewelry On Sale. Find that perfect one-of-a-kind gift.

Teal Rhinestone Filigree Earrings On Sale $9.60

Om Necklace On Sale $12.80

Enjoy the savings at Jen's Backyard.

PS - Start early....sale begins as soon as you read this email.

Happy Thanksgiving.
Jen

My First Marathon & Bryan's First Cyclocross Race

It's been a year of running. It started with a 10K and then a half marathon. So I said to myself, "why not do a full marathon?!"

I am excited and proud to yell at the top of my lungs, "I ran my first marathon!" 26.2 miles. It took me 4:39. I didn't know it was humanly possible to run that long. Turns out, you can!

Four months of training, a lot of yoga, eating healthy, cutting back on vino, too many Cliff bars to count, a knee injury and one goal in mind...I was ready for race day!

6am ...a cold morning in Santa Barbara!!!

I wanted to play it safe and run with a pacer. I ran with Veronica, the 4:25 pacer (which was my goal time). Veronica is an angel. She had to hold the pacer sign the entire time. She encouraged us along the way, reminded us when to eat our Gu gel and to not get ahead of ourselves. She was awesome! 

Mile 15...still having fun!

I really enjoyed the race and felt great until mile 19.5. I grabbed some water and ran with it. When I drank the water, it went down the wrong pipe and I started choking, so I stopped for a split second. It was then that I saw my race goal slip away. I couldn't catch back up to the pacer and then at mile 20 my knee injury reared its ugly head.

Mile 20...The misery has begun!

I struggled through miles 20 – 23. Those three miles felt like an eternity. It was the most pain I have ever felt. Bryan was on his bike next to me encouraging and cheering me on. My body said, “stop running,” and my Detroit potty mouth was saying all sorts of things I won't repeat. 

Somehow I managed to pull through it. When people say the last 6 miles are a mental thing, I now know what they mean. At mile 23 (someone's sick joke) we had to run up a half mile hill. I faced that hill, ran up it and limped/ran like a zombie pirate (because my knee wouldn't bend) to the finish line. I dug deep, very deep and that's the part I am most proud of.

Mile 25... the End is near!
Look at that beautiful ocean. Who could be miserable while running with that spectacular view?!

I did it! I did it!!!! Where's the Beer Tent?

Thanks to my family and friends for your encouraging words and support. Thanks to Veronica, it was an honor to run with you. Thanks to my husband & son who had to put up with my Saturday long runs and my aches and pains. I am so blessed to have such great people in my life.

The day after my race, was Bryan's first Cyclocross Race. It was 35 minutes of pure hell fun! Four laps around a course featuring dirt, sand pits, grass and pavement. Downhill, uphill, sharp turns and barriers....oh my!

I'm ready to kick ass!

Bryan did great! It takes a lot of strength and endurance to do this type of race. Only bad asses are allowed to ride. He rocked it! I loved watching him race... and I got to use more cow bell. Great job Bryan!!! You look sexy in that bike gear! 

Way to go Bryan! 

Thanks Mom & Fred!
A neighbor asked us if we were pregnant!
Child birth, marathon....similar in pain!

Now it's time to rest and relax through the Holidays....and then do it all over again next year!

Halloween Appetizers

Here's two Halloween Appetizers that are sure to make your guests say, "eww, that's gross!" 

Puking Pumpkin:
Carve a mini pumpkin. Make sure you cut out a large mouth. Put pumpkin on serving tray. Add your favorite guacamole dip, pouring out of the mouth to make it look like the pumpkin is puking.








Meaty Skin Skull:
Add thinly sliced lunch meat to a plastic skull. Cover entire skull. Use small dabs of glue to help it stick. I used sliced jalapenos for the eyes, but you could also use olives with pimentos. Place skull on serving tray with cheese and crackers and "voila!" I made this the other night for a dinner party and the flies kept landing on it....it made it even more disgusting!

As the days go by, the skull becomes grosser and grosser. My husband keeps telling me to throw it out, but I love how it gets nastier each day! I think I will place it on his pillow tonight. 

Have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Halloween Kitty Litter Cake Recipe

If you're going to a Halloween party this year, this is the cake to bring! It looks disgusting, but actually tastes really good! 

Here's the one I made.

Ingredients:
- 1 box spice or German chocolate cake mix
- 1 box of white cake mix 
- 1 package white sandwich cookies
- 1 large package vanilla instant pudding mix
- 12 small Tootsie Rolls

• -  A few drops of green food coloring 

• What to Serve it in: (I bought all these items at the dollar store)

• 1 new cat-litter box

• 1 new cat-litter box liner

• 1 new pooper scooper

• How to Make it:

• 1. Prepare and bake cake mixes, according to directions.

• 2. Prepare pudding and chill.

• 3. Crumble cookies in small batches in blender, food processor or mash in bag. 

• 4. Take 1 cup of cookie crumbs and add a few drops of green food coloring. Mix with a fork. Set aside. You should have white cookie crumbs and a separate bowl of green cookie crumbs.

• 5. When cakes are at room temperature, crumble them into a large bowl.

• 6. Toss with half of the remaining white cookie crumbs and enough pudding to make the mixture moist but not soggy.

• 7. Place liner in litter box and pour in mixture.

• 8. Unwrap 3 Tootsie Rolls and heat in a microwave until soft and pliable. Shape the blunt ends into slightly curved points. Repeat with three more rolls.

• 9. Bury the Rolls.

• 10. Sprinkle remaining white cookie crumbs over the mixture, then scatter green crumbs lightly over top.

• 12. Heat up remaining Tootsie Rolls until almost melted. Decorate the cake with the rolls, place them on the sides, hang over the edge.

• 13. Place box on a sheet of newspaper and serve with scooper.

Enjoy. Happy Halloween.

My Pet Chicken's Birthday

My pet chicken, Turken, turned a year old.  So, I did what any loving, pet owner would do. I gave her a little birthday party....and I'm probably going straight to hell because bbq chicken was on the menu. 

I also made "dirt" birthday cake for the humans and the chickens. I even created Turken a little party hat.

In case you're wondering....I haven't lost my mind. I'm just always looking for creative outlets and to show my son to have fun with life and to not take things so seriously.

My son had fun alright...he was laughing pretty hard when the chicken pee'd all over my fun farm dress while we were singing Happy Birthday. And like any kid, he wanted seconds of that yummy cake!

Freckles gets some bday cake.

Let this inspire you to go and do something different. Be bold, be daring, be unique. Your family (and pets) will thank you for it!