Thursday, March 25, 2010

Jellybean bracelets

In the spirit of Easter I came across this idea and had to share. How easy too! I remember candy bracelets as kids but never thought of jellybeans! Looks like I might have to test this idea out on a few neighborhood kiddos!

http://www.gourmetmomonthego.com/2010/03/retro-jelly-bean-bracelets.html

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Why Making Healthful Foods Cheaper Isn't Enough

Stumbled onto this article from a friend today and thought I'd share.

"sin tax" — charging more for unhealthful foods — I definatly need that to sway my decision making when grocery shopping!!!


Why Making Healthful Foods Cheaper Isn't Enough

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124610428&sc=nl&cc=nh-20100315

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Tastefully Simple | Shop Our Products

Our NEW Spring/Summer products have arrived!

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Click below to view:

Tastefully Simple Shop Our Products


I just know you'll love the delicious products in our NEW Spring-Summer Catalog - from fabulous freezer drinks like
JUICY WATERMELON™ MARGARITA MIX
to unique dips and grilling goodies such as
SMOKY BACON GRILL SAUCE

And if you'd like to be among the first to try them, I'd love to schedule a taste-testing party for you, your family and friends. By hosting a party, you could earn many of these products FREE!

I can't wait to hear from you!

Laura Thompson
Your Independent Tastefully Simple Consultant - #28048
Lothian, Md 20711
LauraLThompson8@hotmail.com
Shop online anytime at www.tastefullysimple.com/web/lthompson1


P.S. Can't decide which ones to try first? Check out The Essential 4 Collection for the four basics that should be in every pantry.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn. ~Andrew Mason


I still can't believe my little guy is now making the transition to preschool! He is truly growing like a weed!


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Getting him prepped the night before school, he was very excited about wearing his 1st backpack


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The morning of, still pretty excited!

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Of course little brother can't wait until it's his turn too!!!


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We arrived so early the teachers were just arriving themselves :) At least it gave him time to get his barrings before I left him there!

He did an awesome job, tears at first but after finding a tractor and tow truck to play with he was in little boy heaven! I stayed out in the hall for 5 minutes to make sure all was well and then Carter and I left. I really felt like I was leaving a piece of my soul in the school and was really overwhelmed sitting in the parking lot! But I did get 1-on-1 time with Carter that I haven't been able to get so that was nice for the both of us! It made it all better when we went to pick him up and Gavin had the biggest smile, but I think I was just as glad to see him!

Here's to the fun of learning and making new friends!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Flowers and Fireworks

"When you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it's your world for the moment."...Georgia O'Keefe, New York Post (1946)


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Just recently I came across a St. Patrick's Day container from 2 yrs ago that swore I'd use one day to hold flowers. So just this week I was able to afford some fresh cut flowers to adorn our home. Paying so much for these tiny creations that last but only a week or so... these are the times of winter I really miss my garden!

But as I marveled at their beauty I couldn't help but remember how I always associated flowers and trees as living fireworks.

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When ever I saw trees by themselves I always pictured them rising up from the ground and bursting with color, especially in the Autumn months, that's a truly magical time for a tree! Driving down the road with rows of trees in full bloom of dazzling colors, it's just like a fireworks show, but you can enjoy it longer.

Flowers also have that same tendency...

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Photobucket The stem rising up from the earth to then explode with numerous colors and designs, it's always fascinated me so I had to post about it and share in the 'explosions' of the bouquet I have on display.



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Photobucket These golden fireworks are always my favorite at any event, they always remind me of weeping willows!


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Hope you enjoyed the show! And may you enjoy your own little fireworks show each time you admire the flowers and trees!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Breakfast O's with chowmama

"As the gardener, such is the garden."...Hebrew proverb


I'm not a stickler by any means when it comes to organic foods and feeding my family, I go by the fact that I was raised fine with the foods local supermarkets provide us, so why conform when something is working for us, and our budget. So if I add a few organic ingredients or 'natural' products to our weekly meals I feel I'm living up to the health craze at least a little bit.

Now here comes breakfast... the sweetest meal of the day. Every breakfast item is sugary, from pancakes and muffins to oatmeal and cereal. Most of the time I try my best to cut the sugar by adding the natural sugar of fruits into every breakfast; like stirring purred fruits (or go the easy route and use natural applesauce) into oatmeal or offer cereal mixed with raisins or dried fruit.

I came across this article and thought that since this new wave of eating organic is everywhere it seems, maybe it'll give a few ideas to those who could use it. But some of the recipes I definitely will be trying out, especially the Pumpkin Walnut Cream Cheese, but minus some of the 'organic' in front of the ingredients :)

chowmama Breakfast: "Here’s the skinny (or not-so-skinny, as it were): Cascadian Farms is owned by General Mills who recently quietly reformulated Purely O’s adding THREE times the sugar, fillers including corn meal and sweeteners including tapioca syrup....

Saturday, February 13, 2010

Gavin's 3rd birthday!

If you carry your childhood with you, you never become older- Abraham Sutzkever
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Here's the day before when both boys were helping to make the cake. They were good helpers... cleaning the mixer and bowl that is :)

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Super cute idea I found in using Oreo cookies and melted chocolate for Valentine's treats! Made some for party favors and extras for neighbors with an 'It cool being your friend' message.

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The finished flyboat cake. This was the first time I worked with fondant and it was fairly easy to use. It was the almost hour of kneading it from the color white to red that took alot out my hands though!

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But it was worth every bit when Gavin saw it the next morning and thought it was his flyboat toy!

So after playing save the baby animals with stuffed toys, coloring the Wonder Pets, and playing with balloons, the only thing Mommy forgot was some celery to end a great day!

Happy birthday to my big guy!!!


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Go Wonder Pets!