Posts
Foodie Friday: Mini strawberry pizzas
Mini strawberry pizzas Adapted from Shannon's recipe 2 packages of pre-made sugar cookies (I like Pepperidge Farm because they are nice and sturdy)
1 package fresh strawberries, sliced into tiny pieces
1/2 tub or bag of strawberry glaze (I like Marzetti sugar-free glaze)
1/2 block of cream cheese, very soft
1 3/4 C of Cool Whip, thawed
1/4 cup powdered sugar (keep adding to it until it is as sweet as you like) While you slice the strawberries (I quarter them, then slice down the midd…
Read more
Birthday Thursday: Happy 14 weeks!
14 weeks, geez. Last week, our picture was on the beach (which was lovely), but we are glad to be home. I cannot tell you how relieved I am that Larkyn has finally adjusted back to her usual schedule! Because she is generally a happy kiddo, I tried to explain away and "fix" her fussiness on Monday. Was she teething? Was it because I didn't take her special Dr. Brown's mixing pitcher on vacation and now she has a week's worth of bubbles built up and is about to e…
Read more
Random Wednesday: Nursery Source list
I am amazed every time I look at my blog stats, you are all looking for the same thing: Pottery Barn Hayley collection pictures! This post has been viewed over 1,000 times (yay!), but I have a feeling it is not really that helpful. So, while baby is sleeping, I thought I'd take you on a tour of the nursery and tell you where everything came from. When I was planning my nursery or when I am looking for decorating inspiration, I love it when blog authors give me a source list! Click…
Read more
Mama Monday: Vacationing with baby
As you know from my previous posts here and here , we just had our first vacation. We just got home last night, and Larkyn is still adjusting to everything. I just thought I'd give a little (really not little at all, sorry) narrative of our trip to Bald Head Island and throw in some of my favorite pics.
So, we began our journey at 4:45 am on Monday, with Matt driving us to the airport and dropping us off (he could not get the week off of work). I was sooo sure that some kind soul …
Read more
Foodie Friday: Easy Pasta al forno
I made this for dinner last week, *hoping* it would not be a disaster. It was awesome and easy! I made a few changes based on what I had on-hand and possibly laziness. It makes a lot, so it is perfect for leftovers or a family dinner! Tomato and Mozzarella Pasta al Forno from Annie's Eats Ingredients: 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 2 garlic cloves, crushed (I used the jar kind, 1 tsp.) 2-14 oz. cans diced Italian plum tomatoes 1 tsp. dried oregano (I used Parsley and Basil) S&P (…
Read more
Birthday Thursday: Happy 13 weeks!
You will notice that this week's picture has a different setting. Larkyn hung out at the beach for a few hours (under our awesome UV protectant tent) and she seemed to love it. As I said in the last post, she has experienced so many firsts this week. My family has loved getting to know her and I am happy to hear the comments about the "happiest baby" they've ever seen! She has had a bit of trouble adjusting to sleeping in a strange place and at unfamiliar times, but…
Read more
Random Wednesday: So many firsts!
I will make this brief since we are on vacation, but there is so much to report that I just can't wait. In the last 2 days, we have had her first flight, first taxi ride, first boat ride, first golf cart ride (all of those were just to get to the beach house!), and tried out that pool for the first time! And most importantly, she got to meet her family for the first time. It is a powerful thing to watch your baby make others happy! More to come later...
Read more
Mama Monday
Here is the story of one morning. Baby hears mama coming, notices mama, and I'll just let the pictures tell the rest. Personalize a free digital collage
Read more
Style Saturday: How to get yourself on TV
So, I've been watching Good Morning America since I can remember. I grew up with Joan Lunden, Charles Gibson, Diane Sawyer, and now Larkyn watches it with me every morning. She decided she wanted to do more than watch it. She wanted to be on it. All she needed was the perfect holiday+appropriate onesie, and success! You can either watch it here (my ghetto version recorded off the TV) or click here and watch it on the GMA website.
Read more
Foodie Friday: Five cup fruit salad
I have a ton of marshmallows in my cabinet and I am not sure why. But here is what I like to do with them as soon as I feel like it is officially summer. Traditionally, you are supposed to use a "cup" of each, but I prefer to just dump in whole cans and eliminate leftover ingredients! Five Cup Salad From Elizabeth
Ingredients
1 cup of mini marshmallows (or more...can there ever be too many?!)
1 can pineapple chunks, drained
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
1 cup flaked coconut
…
Read more
Birthday Thursday: Happy 12 weeks!
12 weeks. 3 months. A quarter of a year! OK, I won't get carried away and get weepy on you. This week, Larkyn has been showing us her new "party trick". She stuffs her entire fist in her mouth quite often these days...and is drooling so much that I keep a bib on her all the time. I have been told that these are signs of teething, but I am pretending like I didn't hear that. Hear what?
When I was buying clothes for her before she was born (that's right), my cutest…
Read more
Random Wednesday: Accents, anyone?
I know from various conversations with you and reading some of your blogs that I am not that only one interested in accents and linguistics. It is something I notice right away and maybe envy a bit due to my Ohioan "non-accent". I personally challenge myself to figure out where someone is from without asking them and then doing a fist-pump in my brain if I am correct. Anyway...this is about TV again (hey, its Random Wednesday, I can touch on TV again)
There is a new show on …
Read more
TV Tuesday: Teen Mom and dancing!
Shall we start with my favorite SYTYCD routine from Wednesday? Lets. I was about to turn it off and go to bed because I wasn't wowed by any of the dances...until the last dance came on. Things to keep in mind: 1. I want Caitlin's dress to wear everywhere, 2. Mitchell is injured, 3. Look how athletic this dance is!! I pictured myself doing it and burst out laughing.
And as for my new trash TV obsession (I don't allow myself a LOT of it, but I dabble in it), we have Teen Mo…
Read more
Mama Monday: Naptime police
Well, we are nearing the 12 week mark. The 3 month milestone, when it seems that all the "fun stuff" begins. She will supposedly be able to fit into her 3-6 month clothes (not a chance), she can use the Level 2 nipples (still can't get used to writing that word without cringing), and we should be on somewhat of a schedule. My best friends laughed when I said she already was on a schedule like 7 weeks ago. I did not account for this naptime business. My idea of a schedul…
Read more
Addictive Black Bean & Corn Salsa
Are you ready for the only thing your friends will ever ask you to make again? Because I promise, once they've had this dip, they will want you to bring it to every gathering. Which is fine because it is very simple! Corn salsa (my most-requested recipe) From Mackenzie One can yellow corn, drained One can black beans, rinsed and drained One bunch scallions (chopped) One tub of feta crumbles 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup sugar 1/8 cup vegetable oil Mix all ingredients together, cover,…
Read more
Birthday Thursday: Happy 11 weeks!
11 weeks! 1 week shy of the 3 month mark. And what are we up to? This week, I have noticed that Larkyn has developed quite an interest in the TV. My hope is that she is just looking at the colors and shapes and not tuning into the details of wholesome shows like Ice Loves Coco and Locked Up. I try to turn her the opposite way, but she will twist around to see it!
She is also a big fan of her hands all of a sudden. Does this mean teething will start, or did she just simply discover th…
Read more
Random Wednesday: my favorite website
Maybe you have heard of it, maybe you haven't. I am hoping that it won't get as annoyingly popular as facebook and twitter, but I'd like to introduce you to it if you please. Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Pinterest . A month or so ago, I noticed that my favorite bloggers on younghouselove were referencing it more and more, so I had to check it out.
OK, picture this: You are planning a 30th birthday that has an 80's theme (I went to Jill's once and it was "…
Read more
TV Tuesday: More dancing and Made in America
Well I think I will take this little opportunity each week to share my favorite dance with you and maybe include something else I have enjoyed as well. I started it last week, and after watching this weeks' episode, I just can't keep it to myself! The story this week is: 2 best friends...he has been left heartbroken at the altar by his fiancee...she is there to pick him up and put him together...he realizes SHE is the one:o) Enjoy!
Ok, the other interesting thing I saw this w…
Read more
Mama Monday: Note to self
1. Just because the Diaper Champ bag isn't "full" doesn't mean that one should keep filling it to the brim. Empty the bag every week or face gagging your way through a REAL full bag later.
2. Bouncy seat after bottle= change of outfit
3. When you haven't had "Aunt Flow" visit in exactly a year, you forget what to do and immediately wish you were pregnant again (not really, but man was that convenient!)
4. Sometimes the baby starts crying after you start…
Read more
Foodie Friday: Ranch Potato Salad
With the holiday weekend upon us, here is a potato salad I actually like to eat. Since I don't eat mustard, pretty much all other potato salads are no-gos for me. Try this one and I guarantee you won't have leftovers. Or if you do, consider yourself lucky because then you can hoard it:o)
Ranch Potato Salad
Ingredients
one 5 lb. bag of red potatoes
one bottle of Ranch dressing (I used Hidden Valley)
one bunch of scallions
one package of bacon
one bag of shredded cheddar cheese W…
Read more