Want My Feed?

I've finally done it. I've been meaning to for months and months. I just never got around to it. Take a look over there to the left. I've finally added a feed to my blog. You can now subscribe to my feed in a reader or by email. Go ahead and sign up. I'll try to provide some interesting blog posts for you.

Feel free to leave a comment and let me know if you subscribe to the feed.

No Photos

I was bad! I didn't take a single photo at Christmas with my camera. I did take a few with my mother's camera though. I'll have to see if I can get some pictures of the girls playing with their gifts later.

I hope everyone had a great time with family at Christmas.

Indulge with Yummie Tummie

The Holidays are here and it's a time for family, fun and food. And with food comes overindulgence especially during the Holidays when the food is richer and tastier. There's no better time to indulge than right now. Forget your worries about the economy and what to get your brother's uncle's girlfriend's father's mother for Christmas.

I've got a great site for you to visit to help with the indulging. EatDrinkandBeYummie.com has something for every one's appetite, whether you love desserts or the main meal or just love to snack on those appetizers. Find some amazing recipes, tips on places to eat or add your own favorite indulgence. While your there, check out Yummie Tummie, the amazing shapewear that is meant to be seen.

About Yummie Tummie:

Heather Thomson, the celebrity stylist who has dressed Beyonce', Jennifer Lopez and P. Diddy, and the founder and designer of Yummie Tummie recognizes that we need to overindulge now more than ever. And who better than Yummie Tummie to bring it to you, because when you've had your fill - and then you've had some more - Yummie Tummie has you covered!

Yummie Tummie, the first shapewear brand that is comfy, sexy, and meant to be seen will visibly slim, shape and smooth you. It's the first shapewear on the market that is actually comfortable enough to wear all day and evening.

Visit www.EatDrinkandBeYummie.com for a full list of all your favorite overindulgences, rate your favorites, and upload new indulgences, find recipes to all your favorite treats, grab the widget to add the daily indulgences to your site, and watch Yummie Tummie on Oprah!

Look for a review of the Yummie Tummie in the new year!

"Only Hearts Club" at Simple

Simple is giving away an Only Hearts Club prize pack. enter before Dec. 27.

These dolls are so cute. We have one of these dolls but would love to have some friends for her. Make sure you stop by and enter. There will be five winners.

"The Promise" (Music Tag)

Found this at Treeswing Reading and thought it would be fun.

Put your iTunes/Other music device on shuffle.
For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
Tag friends who might enjoy doing this.

Here we go:

• If someone says "Is this okay?" you say? - Crazy (aerosmith)
  

• What would best describe your personality? - Everybody Wants to Rule the World (tears for fears)
  

• What do you like in a guy/girl? - Gypsy (fleetwood mac)
  

• How do you feel today? - Always (bon jovi)
  

• What is your life's purpose? - Break on Through (to the other side) (the doors)
  

• What is your motto? - Right Here Waiting (richard marx)
  

• What do your friends think of you? - Simple Man (brandon heath)
  

• What do you think of your parents? - Tears of the Saints (leeland)
  

• What do you think about very often? - Tomorrow She Goes Away (the ramones)
  

• What is 2+2? - Who Needs Love (like that) (erasure)
  

• What do you think of your best friend? - All Day and All of the Night (the kinks)
  

• What do you think of the person you like? - Blue Savannah (erasure)
  

• What do you parents think of you? - Renegade (styx)
  

• What will you dance to at your wedding? - We Got Annie (annie soundtrack)
  

• What will they play at your funeral? - Take My Breath Away (berlin) (this one cracked me up)
  

• What is your hobby/interest? - To The Only God (david crowder and shane & shane)
  

• What is your biggest secret? - Live It! (paul colman trio)
  

• What do you think of your friends? - The Perfect Nanny (mary poppins soundtrack) (I think this one should be what my friends think of me and I agree)
  

• What's the worst thing that could happen? - You and Only You (ffh)
  

• How will you die? - True Colors (cyndi lauper)
  

• Does anyone like you? - You Drive, I'll Ride (ffh)
  

• If you could go back in time, what would you change? - A Man Has Dreams(the life I lead)/A spoonful of sugar (mary poppins soundtrack)
  

• What hurts right now? - Dedicated to the One I Love (the mamas & the papas)
  

• How do you feel about your day? - Fire and Rain (james taylor)
  

• How's your love life? - Hey (leeland)
  

• If your life was a tv show, what would it be called? - The Real Thing (gwen stefani)
  

• What's your party song? - Walk This Way (run d.m.c and aerosmith)
  

• What will you do for a living? - How Sweet It is (to be loved by you) (james taylor)
  

• what was the weather like today? - Peppermint Twist (american graffiti soundtrack)
  

• What was/will graduation (be) like for you? - Runaway (american graffiti soundtrack)
  

• What were your dreams like last night? - Spam (save ferris)
  

• What will you post this as? - The Promise (when in rome)
  

want to play too? Post a comment with a link to your blog post.

What is Beauty?

Have you ever looked in a mirror and not liked what you see or wished you looked more like someone else? I admit I've had these thoughts before. I don't like that I've thought them and have consciously tried to change my thinking. I'll take another look to find something I do like.

Did you also know that girls as young as 8 think these same things? There is a growing problem in the United States with regard to how young girls view themselves. Real Girls, Real Pressure: A National Report on the State of Self-Esteem, commissioned by the Dove® Self-Esteem Fund found that seven in ten girls believe they are not good enough or do not measure up in some way, including their looks, performance in school and relationships with friends and family members. I encourage you to read the entire report here (pdf file)(http://www.rocketxl.com/dsef/assets/DSEF_Report.pdf) . An alarming number of these girls with low self-esteem are engaging in harmful and destructive activities.

I have several young girls who I care deeply about in my life. They range in ages from 2 -18. I want them to be able to look at themselves with respect and to have a healthy and positive body image. It's very hard in today's world to have a positive self image when we are bombarded with media telling us otherwise. Take a look at this quick video from Dove. It really shows what we face everyday from the media.

With this onslaught of images you may wonder how do you build and support a girl's growing self-esteem? I have these same questions. My niece was given a nickname (that I do not approve of) by a friend of her parents. He calls her Chubby and has called her this since she was very young. My niece is a very slender and tall 4 year old. I wonder what him calling her Chubby will do to her self image as she grows? I know I have said things about my weight in front of her. Not on purpose, the comments have just slipped out. I wonder what that will do to her as well. I really try to keep a lid on those type of remarks.


Dove has been a driving force in changing how girls and women view beauty by widening the medias definition of what is beautiful. In doing so they are also changing how society views beauty. Dove created The Dove Self-Esteem Fund which was established to inspire and educate girls about these wider definitions of beauty. They are committed to reaching 5 million girls globally by 2010 with self-esteem programming. Thanks to the support of influential women globally, Dove has already reached 2 million girls and conducted nearly 2,700 educational self-esteem workshops since 2006. Way to go Dove!

Do you remember those questions I had earlier? How to build up a girl's self-esteem? Dove has created a website http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/ where you can get information and free self-esteem building tools for girls, moms, and mentors. These tools can be downloaded right from your computer and include a workbook, Trueyou! for mothers and girls do to together. There are quizzes and games for girls to play and information for moms too. There is also information on hosting your own Real Beauty workshop. I say if you know a girl under the age of 20, whether it be your daughter, niece, granddaughter or friend's daughter, head on over to Dove's website to find out how you can help build her positive self-esteem. Every little bit of positivity helps.

Visit Jolly Mom for Great Giveaways

I just found a great new site that is having an awesome giveaway from Plan Toys. Jolly Mom is having 2 weeks of giveaways and the largest is a wooden food set from Plan Toys. Make sure you check it out.

Pettiskirt fun at I Never Grew Up

I just found this great giveaway at I Never Grew Up. It's for a pettiskirt from Precious Car-Go. I'm not sure of the end date so you better head on over soon.

Extreme Babywearing

There are 4 babies in that mei tai. Well, 1 baby, 1 groovy girl, 1 snoopy, and 1 carebear.

Wrapped Up at Quiverfull Family

Quiverfull Family is giving away your choice of Sleepy Wrap. I've never tried a wrap and would love to. If you would like to try one as well, head on over before Dec. 14.

A Peek at my Bookshelf a Great Place for Book Reviews

If you like to read great books and also like to read reviews about those books, make sure to stop by A Peek at My Bookshelf. You can find information on the latest releases, read great reviews, and even win a book or two. I hear that there is going to be a great giveaway event happening in January. So make sure to stop by and say hi.

Along for the Ride

Win a Free Organic Embroidered Ergo Baby Carrier Hands Free System from Along for the Ride

Visit Mom Most Traveled for Some Great Giveaways

Mom Most Traveled is giving away a Rockin' Baby pouch. If you would like to enter, you have until Dec. 14.

Make sure to browse the other posts as well. There are some great giveaways going on.

A Keurig is on Mommy's Mind

I've got a great giveaway to tell you about but you've really got to hurry. What's on Mommy's mind is giving away a Keurig coffee maker. It's on my wish list. Go enter now before the end of the night tonight.

A Tutu for Pony and a Tututorial for You

A few weeks ago, Buttercup and I made her sister, Pony, a Christmas present. We made her a tutu. The tutu was very easy to make for a 4 year old. Buttercup caught right on and did lots of the work. She just got bored of all the tying towards the end and wanted me to finish it. Here's how we did it.

Materials:

2 colors of tulle rolls (I think they were 25 yards?)
scissors
a length of cardboard to wrap tulle around so you don't have to measure each one. We used a quilters cutting guide made from plexiglass. It was the perfect size and sturdy.
elastic to fit around waist (it does stretch as you make the tutu so you might want to make it smaller than you think or find better elastic than I had)

• Put the tulle roll on a long pencil or broom handle or anything else you have lying around.

• Take one end of the tulle and either hold it or tape it to your long rectangle of choice (cardboard, plexiglass quilting thing, or anything similar you have lying around (you do have stuff lying around right?))

• Next I just started flipping while Buttercup held the spool. We used the entire length of tulle but ended up not needing all of it. We didn't want too poofy of a tutu.

(no photos I was too busy flipping)

After you have all the tulle wrapped around the quilting ruler thing, cut along the bottom of each edge. You should now have long rectangular sheets of tulle all stacked together. This is what your stacks will look like after a 4 year old has worked with them for a bit.

• place elastic around a stool or chair or have someone hold it for you. It's easier to work with this way.

• put 2-3 (depending on fullness desired) pieces of tulle sheets together (any color combination, mix it up and have some fun)

• fold sheets in half making a loop at the top.
  

• Put thumb and finger through loop and hold up to front of elastic.

• bring loose ends from bottom of elastic around the back of the elastic and grab with thumb and finger through the loop. You should now have made a knot onto the elastic.

• Are you still with me? Did I loose you? Here I'll show a few pictures to help.

• Keep on tying on the tulle until you've reached your desired fullness.

Here's Buttercup showing off the finished tutu for her sister Pony. I think this project took less than an hour to do. Buttercup had a bit of difficulty figuring out the tying but she quickly got it and didn't need any further help until she got bored and wanted me to finish it.

Recital Frock Giveaway at Grosgrain

Recital Frock GIVEAWAY

Make sure you head on over and take a look. It's really cute.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day of family, food, and fun.

Living Life One Day at a Time's Giveaway

Living Life One Day at a Time is having a giveaway for a Rockin' Baby Sling. Make sure to enter before Dec. 5.

My New Header

I did it!  I made a custom header.  It took me weeks but it's finally up there.  I love it even though it's not exactly what I wanted but it's better than what was up there before.  

I used a photo of my niece buttercup.  She was blowing dandelions in the photo and I loved the side profile and thought it'd make a great silhouette.  I used the free photo editing program Gimp to create my header.  

I'm still working on the rest of my blog but it's getting there.  I'm hoping to figure out how to do a custom background as well.  

What do you think?

12 Days of Christmas with Thoughts from the Mrs.

Thoughts from the Mrs. is having a 12 days of Christmas giveaway now through Nov. 26. Make sure to enter some great giveaways.

Game Show Mania

The holidays always make me think of games. After dinner and between dessert, my family breaks out the games, much to the annoyance of some of our family members. I'm a game person. I love board games, trivia games, and card games. Actually, any game your going to play, I like. I'm also a bit competitive when it comes to those games.

Game shows are also something I've always enjoyed. When I was in high school, my family would watch Jeopardy and we would keep points for the answers we got correct first. Jeopardy has always been a favorite. I even have Jeopardy on my computer and I make my family play with me. It's been a while but I'm thinking of loading it up and having a family Jeopardy night soon.

What are your favorite game shows? This is a question Parent Bloggers is asking this weekend.
I think I mostly like older game shows. I'm not really into the new shows they have now. Too flashy and trying to be intense and just too much. One of the older shows I like that's in reruns on Game Show Network (love this channel by the way) is Match Game, a fill in the blank and match answers with celebrities show from the 70s.

I could probably list many game shows I've liked over the years but that list would get to be quite long. Let's just say I like game shows and leave it at that. Oh fine, I'll list a few of my favorites.

Family Feud - the old one but what is up with Richard Dawon and the kissing?
The Newlywed Game
The Price is Right
Double Dare - I always wanted to be on this show. It looked fun. The obstacle course was the best part.


Did you like the game show Supermarket Sweep? Well if you did, make sure to head over to Oliebollen between Nov. 28 - Dec. 1. They are having an Arm Chair Holiday Shopping Sweep. Each day, there will be five totally free items on their website. All you have to do is find them, put them in your cart with one other item you will pay for and complete the check out process. The Supermarket Sweep aspect comes in to play though because there is only a limited number of free items and you could loose them if you don't check out fast enough.

So get ready to run through that store, spin that wheel, press your luck, and stay away from those Whammies!

Harvesting Monster Sunflowers

Remember these beautiful, monster sunflowers? A few weeks ago, we harvested them.




A few of the heads we left outside for the birds.



One was used for roasting and snacking on and another was picked and used for bird seed.


(do you see how large that sunflower head is? That's 4 year old Buttercup behind it)

This was a fun growing project. Next spring we will be planting these again.

My New Hydration Vessel - Kor One

Water it's a necessary part of life. I like the taste of water and it's usually what I drink. Its almost always room temperature when I drink it. Occasionally, I'll add some ice but usually only in the summer.

I was one of those people who took plastic water bottles with me everywhere I went. I don't like to be thirsty. Then I noticed that my trash was filled up with a lot of empty water bottles. Yes, I know I could have recycled them but they usually went in the trash. Honesty is the best policy, right? I decided to do something about that and bought a stainless steel water bottle, which I love by the way. It holds up great (I should know I drop it all the time. I've even had to pound out a few dents.)

Just recently though, I received another option to carry my water around. A Kor One Hydration Vessel. This is a very unusual looking water vessel but I like it. It's made with with a new kind of BPA free plastic called Tritan™.



Isn't it great looking? You push a button to open it and the lid stays on so you can't lose it. There's a great place in the lid for you to put kor stones (empowering sayings or anything else you like). Every time you take a drink, there's a reminder to laugh often or to never settle or you can write your own favorite saying.

The spout is a great size and very comfortable against your mouth. I've yet to splash on myself using the Kor One, which I do often with my stainless steel water bottle.



All in all, I've been really happy with my Kor One Hydration Vessel.

My Christmas Wish for This Here Blog

If you haven't noticed lately, my blog design is rather boring. I mean really boring. I've been trying to learn how to make my own header on gimp. It's just taking forever to figure out how to do things. I have a design in mind, finally! That took me a long time to decide what I wanted, now that I do, I just can't do it.

I'll be plugging away at the gimp learning (its a free program that is similiarish to photoshop but FREE! and a bit hard to figure things out especially if you aren't familiar with photo editing and all the tools.)

If I'm really lucky though, I'll win an amazing giveaway over at Ruby & Roja. Have you seen their designs? Out of all the design companies I've seen, they are my favorites. I've really wanted them to work on a creation for me but just don't have the funds to spend on it. The amazing giveaway is for a Holiday themed design and then 4 designs for the next year! Amazing! I bet they could put together what I've been thinking about doing. Go take a look at the beautiful work they do. and I hate to say this but even possibly enter yourself. You have until Nov. 26 to enter.

Now ignore everything you just read and head on your merry way. Thank you.

You're heading over there aren't you.

I don't blame you. Their amazing designers.

Babylegs

Win 20 Pairs of Baby Leg Warmers from babySNAZZ!

Keurig - A Cup of Excellence in the Morning

How many of you are coffee drinkers?  I love coffee and have a cup every morning.  Just one.  I might have one in the evening but not usually.  There's a coffee maker I want that makes just one cup.  It's the Keurig.  You place a kcup (a little sealed cup with just the right amount of coffee in it for one cup) into the machine and push a button.  Out comes the elixir of mornings.  If you decide to have a second cup, you can change it up and have a different flavor the next time.  All the clean up that is needed is to pop the used cup out.

Now, I haven't tried one but have seen great reviews on them.  I also know that I'd love to have one.  How easy it would be to make coffee in the mornings.  No measuring water, no scooping coffee and getting grounds all over the place, and no waiting for an entire pot to brew.  If all it took was to fill the reservoir chamber, place in a kcup and hit a button to make my coffee, then yes, I would love it.  As Keurig.com says "Keurig Brewed Excellence: One cup at a time"  I'd like a cup of excellence in the mornings.  

I am in luck.  I can try to win one at I'm no supermom.  She's giving one away right now until Nov. 24.  I will be Keeping My Fingers Crossed for this one!

5 Minutes for Mom's Christmas Giveaway

Make sure you head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom and enter some amazing giveaways. These end on Nov. 28.

And please be sure to head on over to participate in the Under the Tree program to help families in need this Christmas.

Celebrate International Babywearing Week - My Mei Tai

In celebration of International Babywearing week (Nov. 12-18), Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing would love to see you wearing your babies. If you do, you could win a sling from Nonny & Boo

In all the times I've mentioned babywearing and how much I love it, I don't think I've ever posted a picture. The mei tai is a Bloo Kangaroo. One from her previous stock that she doesn't make any more. She now makes buckle mei tais. This is the very first day I got the mei tai. I put it on and off we went for a walk. Buttercup was 3 at the time.




Babywearing has so much to offer but my favorites are the closeness and convenience of carrying the girls. One of the main times I wear the girls is out shopping. Pony is not a walker, she's a runner/prancer. If I didn't use a sling while shopping I'd spend every minute running after her. I could put her in the cart but I'm sure she'd climb out even with the seat buckled.

I haven't worn Buttercup in a while. She's 4 now and can walk most places and will stay by us. She does get tired easily and wants to be carried. I'll usually just hold her on my hip. I know she'd still fit in the mei tai and I could easily do it, we just haven't had the need for it lately.

Here's my stash of slings: (*updated 3/1/2012)

Bloo Kangaroo mei tai
Posh Papoose ring sling
Lovey coastal blue lambswool ring sling *
Storchenwiege Anna 4.6 wrap *
Vatanai Koira wrap
Anna Carrie Baby bicycles in teal mei tai *
Zolowear ring sling *
Rockin Baby Sling pouch and ring sling
Munchkin Jelly Bean pouch sling
and two pouches I made myself using this pattern from Karma Baby

Stuffing Myself with Stuffing

One of my favorite holidays is almost here. Thanksgiving. A few reasons why I love Thanksgiving are: Stuffing, being with my family, stuffing, pie (pumpkin and pecan), stuffing, and stuffing myself with stuffing. I kind of like stuffing.

I like all the foods associated with Thanksgiving. This year I roasted real pie pumpkins to use for pumpkin pie instead of the canned pumpkin. I'm hoping it will be good. It was really easy to do, well accept for cutting open one of the pumpkins. The skin was so tough, I had to put it in a plastic bag and smash it on the ground outside. I then scraped the seeds and goo out and put it in the oven to roast until tender. When finished, I let them cool and scraped out the good stuff. A trip through the food processor until smooth and then into freezer bags until Thanksgiving Eve. I'll try and remember to let you know how they tasted.

One year, my aunt hosted the meal and made the turkey. Something looked wrong when it came out of the oven. She had cooked the turkey upside down. She was embarrassed. At least she had remembered to take out the baggie inside. This turkey turned out great though. It was moist and tender. I think every turkey should be cooked upside down.

Another year, with fire extinquisher in hand, we deep fryed a turkey. This one also tasted great but seemed too much of a hassle for cooking it this way every year.

My brother, would love to get a turduckin one of these Thanksgivings. I'm not sure how I feel about mixing my poultry. I guess I'd give it a try but definitely wouldn't want it every year.

I wish for everyone to have a wonderful Thanksgiving with their families. Don't forget the stuffing!

And if anyone needs any help cooking that turkey (so you don't end up cooking it upside down or with the bag of stuff inside) give butterball.com a visit. They'll help you with anything turkey related. And as an added bonus, on Nov. 11, 18, and 25 at 11 - 1 pm CST, you can chat all things turkey with Chris Jordan (Notes from the Trenches), Susan Wagner (Friday Playdate), and Roxanna (Miguelina).

“This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Butterball.”

Choose

Don't forget to vote today!

Conversation with Buttercup

Conversation with Buttercup while on the swings the other day:

Buttercup: Do you know how you get boogers?
Me: How?
B: It's dirt and dust in your nose.
M: Really! Then whats the slimy stuff in your nose?
B: It's snot!
M: How do you get snot in your nose?
B: It's smashed boogers. You smell yummy smells and the boogers don't like it and they get smashed. That's how you get snot.
M: Oh, Thanks.

Crowns for Jessica's Girls

I've been away for a few days staying with my friend Jessica's girls. I'll be heading back in a day but thought I'd show you all what I made for the girls.

You can go to Jessica's site to see the crowns.

I made 2 wool felt crowns. These are super cute. I'm getting better at making them and figuring out how best to put them together.

you can take a look at my first attempts here.

blog changes

I'm messing with my templates so if it looks different for awhile you know why.

Pets From My Past

Do you have any pets? Parent Bloggers wants to know.

I've had pets my whole life. Cats, dogs, fish, and birds. Just your basic pets. Right now we have a bird, a Ring Neck Dove. He coos and laughs all day long.

I've been thinking about getting another dog or cat but I don't want to mess with litter boxes or poop in the yard. So that's been keeping me from getting one. I've enjoyed being a litter box free house for several years now.

I can't imagine a childhood without pets though. I think it helps kids have responsibility in caring for something. They can learn to feed/water the animals. Pets also provide another loving relationship for kids. I enjoyed cuddling and playing with animals.

Here's a few of the pets I've had. I'd post pictures but the scanner isn't working.

Paco - a Miniature Schnauzer. He was the pet we had the longest. He would stand on his hind legs and do a little dance for a piece of hot dog or cheese.

Bugsy - an Abyssinian cat. This cat loved to sleep with me and also loved to curl up with the dog Paco.

Kitty - a white stray cat. I petted him one day outside and he just stayed around. I talked my parents into letting him come into the house. We only had him about 6 months and then he got hit by a car.

Wheeler - another stray cat that was crazy! We only had him a few months as well.

Tiffy (I hated that name) - a Manx cat. That was pregnant when we got her. She had 4 kittens.

Indy - an orange mix cat. This was one of Tiffy's kittens that we kept.

We've had other dogs but they were when I was very little and I don't remember them that much.

My niece Pony just got a basset hound puppy named Bandit. He is so cute and floppy eared. I saw him last night and it made me want a dog. But then I think of the work and decide against it.

If your wanting a pet but not the clean up and care Club BK is giving away iDogs in their Big Kid meals right now. They come with a costume, sticker and a light up dog. Great way to have a pet without all the work.

“This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as part of a sweepstakes sponsored by Burger King Corp.”

A Product We Love

In my house we have a product that the girls can't seem to go to sleep without. At least they both ask for it before going to bed and they often try to get at it during the day. You might have the same product at your house. In our house though I'm not sure if its an addiction or it just helps them to relax. Any guesses on the product? Oh, I'll just tell you.





It's Vicks Vapor Rub. The girls love it. They ask for it before going to sleep. They want it on their feet and on their chest. Buttercup wants it under her nose as well. A couple of weeks ago, Pony was sick and as I was putting Vicks on her chest she took a deep breathe, sighed and said "I love Vicks." Buttercup has even been known to find a bottle just for a smell. "I just want to smell it!" Off comes the lid, in goes the nose with a deep inhale and a sigh. The lid goes back on and off she goes to play some more.

I like the smell of Vicks as well but I usually only use it when I'm sick. Although, I have been known to take a quick smell if I see the container sitting out.

What can't your kids go to sleep without?

*This is not a paid post from Vicks. Just a product we can't live without.*

Bellaziza's Favorite Crib Mattress

Have you heard of Bellaziza's Favorite Things? If not you must head on over there right now. They area wonderful site with tips, tricks and reviews on great products. Right now, they are having a giveaway for organic crib mattresses from Netto. You have until Oct. 27 to enter.

Envirosax and Earthlust at Green Your Decor

Green Your Decor is having a giveaway for Envirosax and an Earthlust stainless steel thermos. I love my envirosax. They are great for keeping in your purse for quick trips to the store. Make sure you stop by to enter before Oct. 24.

A Peek at my Bookshelf's Fall Into Fantasy Festival

A Peek At My Bookshelf will be starting a new themed book month. Make sure you stop by beginning Nov 1 to see what it's all about.

Fantasy is a rather new reading genre for me. I've only read a bit of Fantasy. Some I like, some I don't like.

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

Marie-Therese Gown GIVEAWAY !!!!!!!

You have got to see some of the great kids clothes Grosgrain makes.

babySNAZZ and Beco Butterfly

Win a Beco Butterfly from babySNAZZ!


Make sure you head on over and take a look. They have some great products as well as the Beco.

Crowns for the Girls

I've been crafting again.

A few months ago, I saw some very cute wool felt crowns. I got to looking around and saw more adorable crowns. I wanted to get some for the girls but with funds low, I thought I would see if I could make some. I bought a wool blend felt and some cotton fabric for the backing. Oh and some stiff interfacing to make the crowns stand up.

Here's the crowns.

The left one is for Pony (it's smaller) and the right one is for Buttercup (larger). I think I like the the size of the smaller one the best. I'll probably use that size from now on when I make them and just adjust the elastic at the back for larger sizes.




Here's a a couple of shots of the first crown in progress.

I started with making a pattern and cutting out the felt pieces.




Buttercup wanted a heart on her crown so I sewed one on the front piece before assembling.




Next I sewed the pieces together.



And then sewed on the back with the interfacing between the two pieces. I used a cotton fabric on the back so the crowns would be less expensive and more comfortable to the girls' foreheads.

Oh, there's also some cotton covered elastic back there so that it's adjustable for a few different sizes. I'm still trying to figure out the sizing. The first one is too big for the 4 year old. It fits me. I have to put a hairband around the elastic to make it a few inches smaller. The second one fits the 2 year old good but I was wanting the elastic to not stretch when she wears it so there's room to grow. I'll keep working on that part. I have a few more crowns to make.




Here is the first one completed.






Do you see that bush the crown is sitting in? This photo was taken the other day and now the bush has very little leaves left. It was very windy last night and all the leaves fell off.

Fall Baking

I thought I'd share some more of the bread I've baked from this book - Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes a Day. These breads were made a few weeks ago. I'm getting ready to start another batch of bread soon.

I made an Onion Pletzel. It was so good. Fried Onions, salt, butter and poppy seeds covered this flat bread. It was sort of like an everything bagel. The smell while it baked was heavenly.

Here it is just before it goes in the oven.


It's just out of the oven. Look at all those yummy fried onions.




I also made a Challah. This bread was so sweet, soft and delicious. I could eat this bread at every meal.

Just before going into the oven.



Just before going into my mouth! Yum.




I've been in a baking mood lately. Maybe I'm getting ready for the cold, snowy winter and storing up food. The other day I roasted 2 pie pumpkins and pureed them. I didn't take any pictures of the process. But I got about 4 -5 cups of pumpkin puree for pies, breads, or soup. I also roasted the seeds and we've been snacking on those.

I love fall cooking and foods.

Dazzle in Blueberry

The Dazzle stroller from Silver Cross was the first of my prizes to arrive. It is a wonderful stroller. I've used it about 3 times so far at the store and on walks. It handles well and is very easy to open and close.

Let's take a look.

The box was the most fascinating part of the whole stroller. Both of my nieces were more interested in the box and the great photo of kids building a rocket ship out of boxes. The box is upside down and I didn't realize that until I had already opened it and was greeted by wheels instead of handles.




My building assistant today is my niece who will be 2 in a few days. I need a good alias for her but for today I think I'll call her Pony (she rarely walks and is almost always seen galloping. hmm that might be good, maybe that will become her alias)

First things first, lets get it out of the box. (those are rocks on the floor, the girls love playing with rocks)




Is everything out?



The stroller is almost complete out of the box. We just have to put on some wheels and the canopy. A rain shield comes with the stroller.




Pony helps put the wheels on. It's just a quick snap and it's on.




It's now complete and Pony takes off. Look out!



Here's the completed stroller. We took a quick walk up and down the block to get the feel of the stroller. And then played on the swing when we got back.

The Dazzle from Silver Cross in Blueberry.

A Big Thank You

A few weeks ago, I got an amazing email. I was the grand prize winner in the Chronicle Books/Serena & Lily giveaway. I still can't believe it and prizes have started arriving already. I feel really blessed to have won all the amazing prizes. Here's a listing of the prizes I won.

Prizes from Serena & Lily:

S&L Loft Crib by Netto collection
William crib bedding
2 gallons of low VOC paint
Market Sling
Sausalito Basket (moses basket)
S&L bunny
Take Me Home gift set

Chronicle books sent a selection of parenting/kids books. (they arrived the other day. I'll make a listing of all the books soon)

Belly bars is sending a selection of their products and a diaper caddy.

Bravado nursing bras and tanks.

The Dazzle Stroller from Silver Cross. (I have a post coming on the stroller)

I'm still amazed at having won. I've never won anything big like this before. The biggest items I've won in the past are a Chicco Stroller and an iPod.

I want to thank Serena & Lily, Chronicle Books, Silver Cross, Belly bars, and Bravado for their wonderful generosity. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

An Ordinary Life's Rose Cottage

An Ordinary Life is having a giveaway for a Rose Cottage. This looks like such a fun playhouse for the girls. Where would I put it though if I win?

If you would like to enter, visit An Ordinary Life before Oct. 17 to enter.

I'm here! I Really Am

I'm still here if you've been wondering. I'm just learning a few new things at PRIZEY so that's taking up most of my focus this week.

Make sure to stop by PRIZEY. There's always great things to be won.

They Were Newborns Yesterday, Right?

This weekend, Cool Mom Picks and Beau-coup are hosting a virtual baby shower for Kristen of Motherhood Uncensored and Rebecca of Girl's Gone Child. Kristen is having baby #3 and Rebecca is on baby #2. Let's get together and shower them with love (ok, that last sentence just put two songs in my head "Let's Get Together from the origional Parent Trap and "Shower the People" from James Taylor.) Never mind that, I get songs in my head all the time from things people say. On to the baby shower.

To participate, all you have to do is share some memories from those sweet newborn days.



Today, I held my cousins 6 day old baby. He is so small, floppy and warm. Why is it that new babies always seem so warm? They're just like little heaters.

Today, I also sat at the computer holding my freshly bathed, almost 2 year old niece. She was eating pretzels while watching Peep. There was a faint smell of cherries from her shampoo and she just cuddled into my arms to watch her favorite show. I can't believe she will be 2 in a few short weeks. It seems like she was a newborn not that long ago.

On Monday, my 4 year old niece will begin Pre-school. She is so excited to start school and asks everyday if she gets to go to school yet. I can't wait to hear all about her first day but wasn't she just a newborn yesterday? How can she be ready for school?

One thing for sure is the newborn stage doesn't last long and as the rest of the years fly by it's also hard to believe that they aren't babies anymore. It really was only yesterday that they were tiny, floppy, sweet smelling newborns.

Green Cleaner Giveaway at The Dietzel Family

Head on over to my friend Jessica's blog, The Dietzel Family. She is giving away some green cleaners from pHurity. I'ts a 100% green cleaner made in Michigan. You have until Friday, Sept. 19 at 8:00 pm EST to enter.

An Ordinary Life and a Cup of Coffee

I could of used a cup of coffee today. I fell asleep while reading. Does that ever happen to you? Reading often makes me sleepy. I wonder if it's because I often read at night right before bed.

Any ways, about that cup of coffee. Have you seen the one cup coffee brewers? I would love to have the Keurig. An Ordinary Life is giving one away and I would love to win it. Feel free to enter but make sure you invite me over for a cup. The giveaway ends on Oct. 2.

Scrapbook Supplies for Sale

Want to purchase some scrapbooking supplies? My friend Jessica is getting rid of everything. There are some great products. Take a look here.

The Women and The Women behind "The Women"

There is a great new movie coming out Sept. 12. That I can't wait to see. The movie is The Women. This movie has many great actresses that on their own would be great in any movie but here they are all together in one. It has taken 13 years to get this movie made. The issue the director was having was that it is a cast of only women. People (Hollywood people) didn't think the movie could be made.

A bit about the movie:
The Women is a fast-paced, witty and emotional look at all things female, including loyalties, betrayals, careers, families and most of all, friendships. A remake of the 1939 classic film, The Women features an all-female cast of distinguished actresses, including Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Eva Mendes, Debra Messing, Jada Pinkett Smith, Cloris Leachman, Bette Midler and Candice Bergen.

I'll be seeing it soon and I'll let you all know what I thought about it.

Until then, there is a great behind the scenes mini documentary that you can watch. It's a movie called The Women behind "The Women".



Dove (that wonderful beauty company) has teamed up with the film director Diane English to create the mini doc which follows 16-year-old teen journalist Cammy Nelson behind-the-scenes of The Women to learn, first-hand, how Hollywood creates the images we see on screen, highlighting the work and people involved in making a major motion picture come to life.


The documentary was wonderful. Not only are the lead actors female but the crew on the film also consisted of many females in the major roles. Directors, camera workers, set directors, producers, make-up/hair and many other positions were all women.

To learn a bit more about the movie, the director, the dove campaign for real beauty, and the mini documentary.

Visit Dove.com where you can:

View exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of The Women & The Women Behind “The Women”

• Read the Director’s Diary, written by Diane English
• Go Behind-the-Scenes with Dove teen journalist Cammy Nelson
• Download self-esteem building tools for girls, moms and mentors
• Enter for a chance to win a trip for you and a friend to the LA film premiere of The Women on September 4 (Sweepstakes ends 8/20. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.).
• Enter for a chance to win one of 100 pairs of movie tickets each day between 9/3 and 9/19 (No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited.).

Make sure to stop back to read my review on the movie.

Simple Things Babywearing Bonanaza

Simple Things is hosting a Babywearing Bonanza Aug. 31 - Sept 6, 2008. It looks like it is going to be a wonderful and informative event. Make sure you stop by. It looks like there are going to be some great prizes to be won.

I don't think I have to tell you all how much I love babywearing since discovering it a few years ago. I believe I've stated it before but I'll tell you again. I LOVE IT!

30 Books in 30 Days Giveaway Blowout at A Peek at My Bookshelf

A Peek At My Bookshelf is giving away a book a day in September in her 30 Books in 30 Days Giveaway Blowout. Make sure you stop by and enter to win.

I'm a Bread Baker

One of my favorite things is fresh baked bread straight from the oven. It's warm and yeasty and yummy. I've made bread the old fashioned way a few times and it was a lot of work. A lot of work! One year, I bought my mother a bread machine for Mother's day or something like that and we enjoyed fresh bread that way. The bread was okay from the machine, not wonderful just okay.

I've recently been hearing about the "no-knead" method of bread baking and instantly became interested. The book that had me intriqued is the Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day by Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois. I checked my library for the book but they didn't have it. Luckily our library is part of a book sharing system for our entire state. I ordered the book from another library and it arrived a couple of days ago.



I'm now a bread baker.

The "no-knead" method works by making a very wet dough that you let sit in your fridge for up to 2 weeks. Here is my dough after I'd taken some dough out for my first loaf. The batch makes 4 loaves.



You put the dough in the fridge in a lidded (but not sealed) container. Look at all the air bubbles in the dough. The bread will continue to make air bubbles that you don't want to knock out of the bread when you form it or it will be a very dense loaf.



My formed loaf resting/rising just before baking.



Can you smell it? It is starting to smell wonderful in my kitchen. The bread is baking on a pizza stone.


Here's the finished loaf. It baked just a tad too long. The crust was a bit dark but it still tasted great!



I've made another loaf the other day that we ate fresh from the oven. It was amazing bread. Next I'm gonna make an olive bread. That's on my "to do" list for today.

*update* The olive bread just came out of the oven and it smells wonderful. We'll be eating it with some great hummus.