Snowman Ornament

I'm prepping for Adam's class winter party. Here's on of our student projects. It's fairly easy & affordable project for a class full of first graders. (This is not my original idea -- I found the project here.)

Supplies: (Makes 24 -- all from Hobby Lobby)
24 plastic ornaments (glass works, but we used plastic for the kids)
Orange Adhesive backed felt
1 pack of 1" red pom poms, 24 pack
1 pack of 1" green pom poms, 24 pack

1 green felt, cut strips 3/4 x 12 inch
1 red felt, cut strips 3/4" x 12 inch
2 packs of Pipe Cleaners - Christmas color pack, cut into 4" strips
Hot glue gun
Anita's black craft paint
Pencil with unused eraser

1. Cut triangle shape from orange felt. Remove backing and stick on.
2. Take 4" of two color pipe cleaners and twist together. Dab a bit of hot glue and stick on the pipe cleaners.

3. Add pom poms with hot glue.

4. Remove holder and stuff white tissue paper into hole with an unsharpened pencil. (You can also use white crinkle cut shredded paper)

5. Replace holder. Cut 3/4 inch strip from felt. Carefully wrap and glue around the "neck" area of the snowman. It doesn't have to be stuck on perfect. Just add glue here and there and stick it on. Trim length if needed. Trim edges with scissors for fringe.
6. Dip an new pencil eraser into black paint and gently put on for eyes & mouth. You could also use black glitter glue, or a black paint pen. (Black sharpie wasn't dark enough on the plastic ornament)

Mexican Style Chicken & Rice

You will be singing my praises after you make this dinner. Right there, in your kitchen, you will do a little dance because this is so good, and so easy! Just 5 main ingredients! (Thanks Jessica for giving me another rockin' recipe!)

2 Chicken breasts (you can use left over baked chicken or rotisserie, shredded...or you could use canned)

8 oz. cream cheese

1 can Rotel tomatoes and green chilies, drained

1 can corn, drained

1 can black beans
Optional: Rice, tortilla chips, tortillas

- Cook chicken using your preferred method. Shred it into bite sized pieces.
- In a large pan or pot, cook everything together until cream cheese is melted.
- Serve over rice. You can eat it with chips or in a tortilla, burrito style.

The Check -up

Yesterday, I had my checkup.

I think my oncologist was playing the gynecological version of minute to win it. He was done before I even have time to formulate a joke about him upgrading to fleece sheets with our colder weather.

(Dr. M has the greatest set up for exams. No tissue quality paper privacy wrap there. He has great big comfy, cotton sheets. You can wrap that thing around you and know with a surety that no one is going to see your butt crack, or that you are going to accidentally rip the entire thing down the front in the process.)

Luckily, there are no signs of cancer. I'm back to 6 months appointments, which is a relief.

Phew!