This Oz Life

It's been a while since I have posted a recipe, but I thought this one was worth sharing. Every day this week, our bananas got spottier and less appealing and I knew I'd have to do something with them... Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins recipe from Taste of Home Preheat the oven to 350. Grease muffin pan. Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. In a separate bow, mix the egg, oil, and yogurt. Add your mashed bananas and chocolate chips to the wet mixture.  Fold the dry mixture into the … Read more

Yesterday's post was pre-written because I knew I'd be too depressed to wrap up Christmas the day after. I needed a list to distract me from seeing sad Christmas trees out on the curb and the 546 cardboard boxes taking over our garage.  She chose a Valentine dress for Christmas Eve at Grandma's. There was no talking her out of it. Christmas truly came and went too fast this year. And I didn't get nearly enough pictures. We spent Christmas Eve at Matt's mom's h… Read more

To all of you who catch up on our lives by reading this little blog, Merry Christmas!  This is a camera picture of our beautiful cards because...I have no idea how else to put them on here. Hope you have a fabulous time tonight and tomorrow, seeing family, giving and receiving fun gifts, eating good food, and pausing for a moment to appreciate the fun moments in life:) These pictures don't do them justice-- the quality is amazing. Even if they arrived forever late. Next year, ther… Read more

I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas Eve!  It seems like I was just watching the morning shows, learning how to brine a turkey 5 different ways. And then I put it in the oven upside down anyway. Well, 4 weeks later and the holiday season is almost over. There are so many things I love about it; even more things now that I am a mother. {one} The FOOD!  This topic is on my mind a lot. I look forward to seasonal menus, potlucks, parties, and things that only come around once a year..… Read more

Happy that :  I am officially on Winter break. Even though there was one less week to read all the fun holiday books to the kids and get them all worked up for the holidays, I was definitely ready. I don't think I could have taken one more story about someone's "Elf" being in the fridge or TPing the bathroom. In disbelief: that I am entering my last trimester of pregnancy. What?! I am well aware that it is about to slow down and feel like slow motion until he is born, … Read more

Prologue:  A mother who lives for photographic moments with her daughter, is anticipating seeing Santa and taking that rite-of-passage yearly picture with him. However, mall Santa lines and prices will not do. The mother waits for the $5 Pancake Breakfast with Santa at the high school yesterday, which coincided with yet another winter storm and the daughter saying "No. No Santa". Then at their fabulous grocery store this morning, a miracle. A sign that says "Santa this … Read more

Pretty much describes my brain. Today, I present a random collection of thoughts... First, let's take a minute to think about this brave man who truly did change the world. How do you spend 27 undeserved years in prison and not be jaded when you come out? Not only that, you become the president and lead a country out of oppression?  Seriously, an inspiration and someone we should all aim to emulate. In other news about Great Men, my dad is having a heart procedure as we speak. He … Read more

I'm a little sad to say that I am pretty much finished with Larkyn's Christmas shopping. Since her birthday and Christmas are so far apart, we have a lot of time to think about things she might like.  In case you need to buy for a 2-3 year old, here are some items I have spent WAY too much time researching and finding for the best price... Melissa and Doug pizza set Last year, she got her play kitchen with some basic one-piece foods. This year, she's more into assembling th… Read more