It's me... {Jen}

my first real quilt

2012-01-20T19:38:00.005-05:00

i'd been wanting to make a real quilt for a long time.

real as in... pieced, and batted, and quilted together.

(ive made rag quilts before, but they are a little less complex.)

my sister got married in march last year.

a quilt! handmade with love.

i think that would make a perfect wedding gift.

we went out and got the fabric right away.

and finally put it together. in november.

while 8 months pregnant :)

a fun swirly stitch in red.

the top.

the back.

it's by all means imperfect.

the kids helped with pinning, and unpinning.

and pushing the sewing pedal, and laying out pieced strips on the floor.

dave helped stretch and tape down and pin the layers together.

all 4 (5) of us helped put it together with lots of love.

so i guess that does make it quite perfect.

packed tight in a box and mailed to brooklyn to its new home.

my favorite of the fabrics is the one i call peacock.

i reserved some to make a nursing cover :)

which has already been put to good use.

i'm itching to make another quilt.

someday :)

cream of broccoli soup

2012-01-15T18:47:00.002-05:00

i'm pretty sure this is my most favorite soup. ever.
my dad's cream of broccoli soup.
i loved when dad would make it while i was growing up.
now i get to make it myself.
and i make it a lot now that soup season is here :)
i don't mind one bit! (neither does dave, i think it's one of his favorites too.)

Cream of Broccoli Soup
http://itsmejen.blogspot.com/

12 oz. of frozen broccoli (or 2 or 3 heads of fresh chopped broccoli)
Cook broccoli in 3 to 4 cups of water, add 4 chicken bouillon cubes
Add 1 cup of chopped celery
Add 1 cup of chopped onions
Add 1 cup of diced ham.
Simmer for 30 minutes

In a separate pan Make Roux:
Melt ½ cup butter and ½ cup of margarine
Add 1 cup all-purpose flour
Mix until well blended
Add 6 cups milk to broccoli/veggie/broth mixture.
Add roux to soup mixture and stir until thick over medium heat.
Add 1 tsp pepper and salt to taste.

enjoy!! yum.

where has all the blogging gone?

2012-01-08T20:08:00.003-05:00

the blogging has fallen by the wayside.
though i still think about it a lot.
i wish i posted as much as i used to.
recipes. and crafts. and vides. and conversations.

i said i wouldnt join facebook, in fear of not blogging anymore.
i was right.
the ease of facebook (and the less amount of time i have now) is keeping me from blogging.

and then i went and joined pinterest.
another (fun) waste of my time.
but, we need to have some fun, right?

here are a few pics to share for those of you who are blog only readers :)

the little man is already a month old.

where can i find more time?

belly photo shoot

2011-12-29T10:03:00.001-05:00

we are 99% sure that baby weston is our last baby.

to remember and cherish this time in our life,

we had pictures taken by a friend of ours.

(thank you tracey!)

it was fun to get these back after weston was born.

a little bittersweet :)

these were taken 5 days before we met our new little man.

here are a few of my favorites :)

Merry Christmas 2011!

2011-12-26T17:05:00.004-05:00

each year... i torture my children (and myself) and i take

our own Christmas card pictures.

(mostly because i am cheap. and why not do it on my own if i can?)

usally, after about 100 pics... i can find one that i like well enough to use.

this year, i waited extra long to take the pics.

(mostly because we wanted to include our new little family member in the pictures :) (and also because i wanted to mail weston's birth announcements at the same time ;)

and i also wanted to be sure that the place i order our prints

was out of envelopes, so that i could wait even longer to mail them out.

next year, the cards should go out sooner.

and im sure everyone will love my photo session, as always.

and by the final card, you'd never know the drama that comes along :)

Merry Christmas to all my blog readers!

welcome Weston :)

2011-12-09T16:39:00.001-05:00

Weston Dean :)

December 7th, 2011

8:38am

9lbs, 20.5 inches

happy bday dave :)

2011-12-06T08:48:00.000-05:00

I love that my dad is very nice.

He's very handsome.

He's very special to me.

I like that he can skate really really fast.

He's unique because he's bald.

xoxo, Lilly

I like that he plays hockey.

I like that he's a fan of hockey.

He kisses me.

He hugs me.

He fishes.

xoxo, Cohen

I'll never forget seeing that 16 year old boy.

Sitting at a table at the ice rink.

Eating a personal pan pizza.

Wearing his letterman's jacket.

And a backwards black skull hat.

I knew I had to meet him :)

Not only is that boy now my husband

and the father of my most precious gifts,

but he is my best friend.

And for that, I am so very blessed.

happy birthday to my best friend ever.

i love you sweetie boy.

growing old with you is going to be wonderful.

the baby's room :)

2011-12-01T14:01:00.000-05:00

a gallon of paint.

3 white frames.

a dowel rod.

some things we had.

some things we made with what we had.

a very talented husband who loves me a lot.

the new baby's room :)

love love love love love.

600 post answers part 4

2011-11-29T20:51:00.003-05:00

the last of the 600 questions, answered :)

monica says... Congrats on 600!!
I'd love to hear more about your running:) Seeing as though i am going to start real soon...What motivated you to start running? When do you run? why do you run? and whats on your running music list?? Sorry!! That was more than one question;)

Oh running I have missed you. I started running about 2 ½ years ago after watching a biggest loser episode where they ran a 5K (I think it was a 5K, maybe just a mile?) It was one of those… ‘if they can do it, I can do it!’ moments. Now let’s pretend im not 9 ½ months pregnant… when do I run? Well, whenever I can… sometime right when dave gets home from work, sometime right before the kdis bedtime, sometimes in the mornings, on very rare occasions I ran while both kids were at school and I didn’t have any extra kids for the day. Why do I run… for health, energy, alone time, my sanity, for fun. Many reasons. My music list… well, if you’ve read any of my blogs about my extreme diversity of music tastes… my running music is about the same. Hip hop, Christian, musical, top 40… its an odd mix.

Amber said...
Since we're new friends, and I just started reading your blog... I'm curious about how you started your bakery business? Have you always loved baking? And what is your favorite thing to make?

Oh the bakery business :) the one I officially started the month we got pregnant ;) funny how things work like that. I baked orders for fun for about a year before I made SDB a real business… and soon realized that a growing belly and deadlines were not a good match for me. I have always loved baking, yes (and cooking. and eating ;) very much so. My favorite thing to make? At the moment… homemade cinnamon rolls. But I like cookies too. Though not sugar cookies… I haven’t eaten one since I’ve been pregnant ;)

Libby said...
Yay for 600! I'm super excited for you!
I'd love to get in on this drawing, as I know you are a super crafter, super baker and a super cook, so my question is... what is your all-time favorite crafting project (other than the embroidery, which you are so talented with)?
Oh my. My favorite crafting project? Im so bad at choosing just one of anything. And I go in spurts. I just recently made my first ever real quilt. That was pretty fun. A lot of love and time went into that… and dave and the kids helped with parts of it too, so that made it extra special. And of course im loving all things baby right now… burps, and a nursing cover. But… when I scrapbook I love scrapbooking, and when I bake and cook I love those. I think the feeling I get from making something out of nothing, or just seeing a finished product makes it special no matter what it is.

penuttpie said...
congratulations!! i'm coming up on my 500th! i was thinking of doing something special...but i'm not convinced that people even read! (other than you) ;)
this isn't so much a question as much as a request. how about a post about your favorite blogs? :)

oh. Favorite blogs. I do have a 'i {heart} this blog' label off to the right, were some blogs have been highlighted... so be sure to check those out. And I have weaned down my blog reading in the past number of months… I just followed too many and spent too much time on browsing when I should have been doing other things. Most of the blogs I read now are people who I know in real life… or people who ive followed and interacted with for so long that I feel like I do know them :) here are some of that mix off the top of my head…

arminda

katiej

sarah

karin

those are a few. i've left out tons. but i still love you whom i didnt name here.

Anonymous said...
600 posts..i just love reading them and seeing pictures of the kids. Thinking of a question.... so, do you have weird pregnancy cravings, or any pregnancy cravings at all? What's the strangest craving combo you have had?
Anonymous said...

by the way, the last anonymous comment was from me..Courtney B. i forgot to sign my name :)

Nothing too crazy this time around. I did want red meat and milk at the very start, which is very unlike me. and I’ve loved bagels with cream cheese the whole time. And if I eat something sweet I want something salty, and visa versa. And now that we are almost done… food doesn’t sound too good at all, but I can manage to eat chocolate very easily ;) I said to one of my friends the other day that I wasn’t really having any weird cravings… but rather the generalized excuse to be able to eat more than normal was nice.

denise said...
Are you still planning to continue running throughout your pregnancy? How long is it safe/possible to run?

Oh running. I miss you. I did run through 28 weeks (7 months!) which was a pretty huge feat for me, who was never and athlete or even excerciser for almost 30 years of life. Had I answered this question 6 months ago I would have proudly said that I was still doing a mile a day… I usally walked one day, then jogged the rest. As time went on and the belly grew (along with the sore hips and off balance body) my jogs got shorter and less frequent. But that is ok. when it became body over mind (which is opposite from my non-pregnant running) it was an issue of safety and running pregnant wasn’t worth it. When my uterus would cramp up after jogging past 2 houses, and getting a good deep breath was a challenge… I wasn’t going to risk anything. I’m sure it’s different for everyone as to what is safe. But I am no pregnant marathon runner ;)

here's me on one of my last jogs... in august.

and now, the questions are answered :)

600 post answers part 3

2011-11-12T21:45:00.001-05:00

Again, we will not mention the amount of time that has gone past since the last time I blogged.

Or even worse, how long it’s been since i originally asked readers to leave me questions to answer for my 600th post...

Ali asks… With Father's Day coming up... (ooops! embarrassing...)

What quality about Dave as a dad do you most love/appreciate/admire?
What is your favorite memory of your Dad when you were little?

There are lots of qualities that make me smile about dave as a dad. First, that he wanted to be a dad, and that he wanted me to be the mother of his children. That’s pretty awesome. He loves me, and he loves his kids. A lot. Even when we are all a handful. He teaches them about all sorts of things that he is great at. He plays games... inside and out, not just sports… but the care bear game and candyland. He takes them fishing and skating and to neighborhood and school events. He sometimes has more patience with them than I do, at just the right times. He’s also 'the Dad' too. He’s the head of the household, when he’s home ;) He works so hard for us… at work and at home, to give us all that we need.

I have lots of good memories of my Dad when I was little, not sure I can choose just one favorite… fishing, camping, bringing home a little gift when he’d be gone for business trips, football and hockey games, making soup, popcorn balls, picnics, cookouts, music… lots of music. Lots of those fond memories have carried over into my life as an adult... hello food and music ;)

Kelli asks… How are you going to decorate the nursery in your new house?

Well, we aren’t much for actual themes… but we are going for something cute, and cheap ;) Besides buying a can of paint, 3 picture frames and a dowel rod… we are using what we have. And luckily my husband loves me a whole lot to do some fancy painting patterns for me :) i will try to post pictures once it's done, and before the baby is here ;)

vicki said... I truly don't know how you do everything you do in a day! When are you going to answer all these questions!?

This is the best question yet!! Ha!! Apparently, I will answer these questions over the course of 6 months :)

ok... i am vowing to finish up the last of these questions before the baby is here.

you heard it here first ;)

hair feather

2011-10-07T18:29:00.002-04:00

i read somewhere once...

that it is good to let your kids participate in fads. and trends.

even if you think they are ridulous.

(as long as they are safe of course...)

the leather jacket. the silk shirt. pegging the jeans. an ID bracelet. permed hair.

i could go on. i got to do them.

(my parents probably thought those were ridiculous.)

lilly hasnt run into too many trends yet.

(that she's expressed interest in anyway.)

beyond the silly bands. which is now over.

but then came...

the feather in the hair.

(which i find a tad silly.)

(which proves just how uncool and unstylish i am.)

she really doesnt beg or whine to get anything.

she really is content with what she does have.

for that we are so grateful and proud.

im not about to spend $10 to have a feather put in her hair.

but lucky for lilly...

daddy is a fly fisherman.

and he ties his own flies.

and he just so happens to have a case full of feathery things.

so maybe the feather thing isnt so bad afterall...

especially when daddy is your beautician :)

october 6th, 1995

2011-10-06T07:30:00.000-04:00

october 6th a long long time ago...

this handsome young boy asked me out over the phone.

how could i resist?

i couldn't.

16 years later, and he is still hard to resist.

thank you for being my best friend.

i love you sweetie boy.

Happy Bday LBE!

2011-10-02T08:58:00.000-04:00

my little shop...

Little Bean Embroidery

... turned 3 this weekend!

I've decided not to host our annual Holiday Open House this year...

(mainly due to the state of my pregnantness.)

BUT....

to celebrate LBE's birthday...

I am having a little bday sale :)

-Take $2.00 off all designs for bibs and burps!

(That makes many designs FREE!)

-Applique onesies and bibs are $2.00 off!

-Blankets are $2.00 off!

Make it a set and save a lot!!

*This sale is for one week only, orders must be placed by

Saturday, October 8th, 2011 to receive discounts.*

Thank you to so many people who have made Little Bean Embroidery grow!

I so appreciate your love and support!

facebook rejections

2011-10-01T15:55:00.001-04:00

-My cell phone doing the low battery beep in the middle of the night = annoying.

-I have no bagels.

-Note to self: Next time you need to freeze bananas for a recipe… peel them before you freeze them.

-if you are going to complain about something... you'd better make sure that you aren't guilty of doing that something yourself. (i'm sure i'm guilty of both... but i'm also the 1st to admit it if i realize it.)

-sometimes it’s really hard to do something you don’t want to do.

-it’s a good thing there are no m&ms in this house right now.

-Why there is a diaper bag that costs one hundred and sixty-nine dollars, I will never know.

growing baby #3

2011-09-29T17:03:00.000-04:00

one of the many reasons for my lack of blogging these days...

(ok, it's the main reason.)

i cannot believe how quickly this little one is growing.

and that it only takes 40 weeks to grow a human being.

and how soon we will be a family of 5.

terrifying and amazing all at the same time.

reading

2011-09-18T18:23:00.003-04:00

i cannot stand sitting still.
it is really hard for me to do.
yes, i sit a relax and watch TV at night...
but i get up during the commercials.
to do something.
there is always something to be done.
or too much on my mind.

but this baby has other ideas.
this baby is making me sit down a lot more.
and put my feet up. and really rest.

i'm not a big reader.

but ive been reading.

ive read 4 books in the past two months.

it usually takes me 4 years to read 2 books.

i get books at garage sales. surprise.

yes, i know i could get them at the library too... but i dont love deadlines.
(and most of you who know me know that a nook or other electronic reader is definitely not a part of my world at the time being)

so here is a stack of books i've read more recently.
and they are looking for new readers.

if you want one (or two or three). they are yours...

for real, ill get them to you by hand or mail.

i'm on the lookout for more good ones to read.

and i'd gladly accept any good handme downs :)

next up. the last 'new' book in my pile...

the lovely bones.

which i may or may not be able to read.

we will see if i can handle it without any creepy dreams.

cohen kid convos...

2011-09-11T19:32:00.012-04:00

cohen is one funny little man...
(we got all of these in just 2 days.)

Lilly: Mom, don’t talk with food in your mouth.
Cohen: She’s mommy. She can do whatever she wants.

At breakfast.
September 10, 2011

Cohen: mom I can see your boob.
Me: no you can’t.
Cohen: yes I can. Put your bra up.
Me: (looking down to double check) you can’t see anything cohen. Where?
Cohen: (points to an inch above my bra cup) right there!

Me getting dressed in the morning at 6+ months pregnant, and apparently finally getting some cleavage.
September 11, 2011

I told him… ‘hey, I scored a goal. Give me a high five.’

Cohen talking about the goal he scored in his very first soccer game, and how we liked that he high fived his teammates. (and also telling him how much we loved that he high fived the other team when they scored :)
September 11, 2011

Me: I saw Paige at the party.
Cohen: awww, that’s why I wanted to stay!
Me: why do you like Paige so much? ;)
Cohen: cause she gives me kisses so many. She says to me…. ‘Come here’. And then I say ‘no’. But I go.

Chatting about one of Lilly’s friends that Cohen is a tad fond of :)
September 11, 2011

stay tuned...

training and fairies

2011-09-02T21:59:00.002-04:00

big brother in training :)

cohen has LOVED having a little one here during the week.

helping change diapers, and throwing them away.

cleaning up baby toys from the basement.

singing and saying... 'settle down kinsley'. so cute.

you name it. he is there to help!

lilly lost her 3rd tooth. finally.

(she lost her 1st last september. the second shortly after.)

she lost it at school and she did awesome :)

she wrote a note to the tooth fairy asking for a fairy.

the kids have been searching high and low to see if a fairy stayed behind.

how did i manage to get these amazing kids?

i am one lucky lady. that is for sure.

back to school 2011

2011-08-26T16:46:00.005-04:00

the kids started back to school this week.

miss lillian is in 2nd grade this year!

and mr. cohen is in his 2nd year of preshool.

in a transition room, which gets him good and ready for kindergarten :)

as much as the freedom of summer is nice...

it's great to be back in a routine too :)
we all made it through the first week!

600 post questions part 2

2011-08-19T19:30:00.003-04:00

ok. we wont mention the amount of time it's been.
but im just now getting around to another answering of questions....
from way back when.

ooty1 (molly :) asks... What is your best parenting advice? And what is something you struggle with as a parent? :)

Ah this question kicks my butt. I’d probably be able to come up with 100 different things to say. My best parenting advice… love your kids. Hug them and kiss them and let them know you are there for them. You are there to listen to them, teach them, support them, and cheer them on, build up their characters and their self-confidence and self-worth the best that you know how. Be honest with them. At all ages, tell them the truth at their level. And also let them know that you are the parent… they are not in charge of you. Pray for your kids. Pray with your kids.
I struggle with just about every aspect of being a parent, but I try my best to be the best parent I know how to be. I struggle with the general aspect of raising them in today’s society. Trying to raise them above what is considered acceptable in today’s world. I struggle with worry... that I am not doing enough, that I cannot provide enough. I struggle with giving them 100% of me… or at least the good parts me. I struggle with my own self-confidence and the last thing I want is for that to rub off on them. I struggle with patience, and control. To name just a few ;)

Julie P. asks... What is your favorite family meal to make? Are you planning on making your own baby food this time? If you do I can probably give you a few pointers for once :)
mmm… my favorite meal to make? Too many J I love soups. Chimmichangas and burritos. Salads. Pastas. Cinnamon rolls. (that’s a meal, right?) Home made mac and cheese. I cant pick just one.

And YES!! Totally planning to make baby food for the new little one. so excited!! I’m sad I didn’t even consider it for the first two, though they were both on table food by 11 months. And yes Julie, I will definitely come to you for baby food ideas!!

Sam said... OOO, I love these kind of contests. Okay, what are your top five musical groups/artists? (in no particular order)

Ah!! Another tough one. I like music. A lot. My variety is quite interesting. Not quite compatible even. And I don’t typiclaly go for just groups/artisits… I’m more of a song lover. sorry sam :( I cant comfortably just list 5 groups so… if you will, here is a splash of randomness into my music taste. Beauty in the World by Macy Gray, Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley, How He Loves by David Crowder Band (thought i like most all of theirs), What I Am by Will.I.Am, California Love by Dr. Dre and 2Pac, No Rain by Blind Melon, I like Alicia Keyes and Counting Crows. I like the Plain White T’s for 1,2,3,4 and Hey There Delilah. Carry On My Wayward Son by Kansas, No Diggity by Black Street. Missy Elliot is cool, so is Francesca Battisstelli. Corrine Bailey Rae. Mmmm, James Taylor. Gwen Stephani. Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap. Heartless. Gold Digger. Chris Rice. Oh yikes. See how all over the place I am here? I could list them by the pages. For real. I think I may have lost more readers after this one…

arminda said... I know you're a busy gal...what do you do to unwind? :)

Ah. Sit on the couch and watch tv. or sew. Occasionally I will read.

sarah said... congrats on 600 posts! my two questions were already asked... 1.) tell us more about this baby on the way! and 2.) how do you relax - you are one busy gal!

The baby :) This baby has been in our hearts for a very long time. We waited a long time before we decided that we really for sure wanted another. We did a lot of thinking it over. Discussing. Contemplating. Praying. Thinking. Wishing. Wondering. Asking. And now this little human being is growing inside my belly. (ok… uterus. Belly sounds much more fun.)

Relax… ah :) see the above to arminda's question... but add cook/bake and eat to that too :)

Rita said... What was the last movie you went to see? Is Dave a willing helper in changing diapers?

The kids and I went to see Rio at the dollar theater. It was cuter than I thought it was going to be :)
Dave and diapers :) Good question!! And it has a 2 part answer ;) Yes, Dave is definitely a great helper and willing to change diapers :) (it's actually weird for me to even think there are daddies out there who dont help...) For the first 2 he was very helpful with diapers, but really he is a very good helper in all parts of being a daddy. Now for part 2 of the answer… I am considering cloth diapers with baby 3, and he isnt too fond of the idea. But… I haven’t done a ton of research yet, and don’t know exactly the route we will go… so I can’t say his willingness for sure yet on this baby ;) disposables… yes. Cloth… TBD :)

Krysty said... What inspired you to cut your hair? Did you think about it forever or did you just chop it off? I love it! :)
Ah... the inspiration? A gift certificate that I got for mother’s day (or my bday I don’t recall its been so long ago). I just get in the mood to chop it off about once a year ;) and a gift certificate makes it even easier!!

alright so there it is! the 2nd part of the answers to the question all you awesome readers left on my 600th post. the next group should bring in the rest of the answers. whenever i get to it ;)

charity raffle.

2011-08-13T21:18:00.000-04:00

my blogging friend chloe is hosting a raffle.
with lots of great prizes.
including a Little Bean Embroidery gift certificate.
(and a few other things from some friends of mine :)

chloe is a Christian.
and a new mommy :)
and a runner.

like a real runner.
as in... she is training to run in the NYC marathon.
this november.
and she has a 3 month old.
(hello inspiration!)

while she is training, she is raising money for a cause.
for Team Samaritan's Purse.
raising funds and awareness for Children's Heart Project.
how selfless and amazing.

would you check out her raffle?
click here.
to see a cute little video... and all the amazing prizes!!

thank you :)

my beautiful girl

2011-08-10T19:34:00.002-04:00

our beautiful little lady...

sporting her new glasses :)

and just as beautiful as ever.

in so many ways :)

lilly couldn't wait to get her new glasses.

her very first pair.

dark purple with flowers on the inside.

daddy says he's going to water them.

i love your smile miss lilly.

and your style.

and your confidence.
and your heart.

you are one beautiful kid.

inside and out.

move

2011-08-08T15:58:00.001-04:00

our new best crank it up and jam song :)
the video is a bit on the cheesy side.
ok... a lot on the cheesy side.
but you dont have to watch. just listen :)
and move.
repeat as necessary.

more kid convos :)

2011-08-01T10:54:00.001-04:00

I think I know where we’re going… but I’m not going to spill the coffee.
Lilly thinking she knows everything.
June 9, 20111

On Fridays I’m gonna do all sports.
On Mondays I’m gonna work at Chick-fil-a.
Cohen discussing his future occupation(s).
June 15, 2011

Me: I’m so sad I didn’t learn how to play this game sooner!!
Lilly: im sooooo sorry I didn’t tell you mom.
Me: it’s ok lilly!! I had other chances to learn, its not your fault.
Lilly: well… im still sooo sorry.
Me: don’t be, lilly!!
Lilly: well, I am. I have feelings you know.
Discussing that I was 32 when I learned how to play mancala. While the kids learned at 7. And 4. (Which amazes me…)
June 22, 2011

Me: Don’t forget about your squash.
(minutes later, without having to be reminded...)
Cohen: Mom, I’m all done!
Me: Good job buddy! I’m so proud of you. Thanks for eating your squash!
Cohen: Now I don’t have to whine.
July 2, 2011

Me: (singing) I throw my hands up in the air sometimes! Sayin hey-o… gotta let go!
Lilly: oh mom. (with a tone to match the rolling of the eyes)
Me: what? If you only knew how cool…. (I wasn’t)
Lilly: if you were cool, you’d wear sparkles all the time. Like me.
Getting ready for bath.
July 24, 2011

date night

2011-07-30T08:44:00.006-04:00

'how about a date night tonight?' dave emailed me friday morning.

i'm always up for one of our date nights.
not sure i ever turned one down.
our date nights are simple.
and we don't mind at all.

a movie.
and some type of junk food.

last night...

a free redbox movie, thanks to a code in dave's email folder.

and chocolate covered frozen bananas, thanks to what we had on hand.

a totally free date night.

being at home with my best friend is really all i wanted :)

see... we started dating at 17. pizza and a movie were our dates.

and a few number of years later... it's still our favorite date.

i'd choose this over going out any day.

tonight?

catching up on the bachelorette, big brother and friday night lights.

i can't wait :)

and the bananas...

frozen bananas are the big rage all over blogland right now.

these? oh yum.

slice a banana (or 2) into inch-ish slices. whatever size you like really.

cover in melted dipping chocolate. (i used part chocolate/part white ghirardelli scraps for this batch... though adding some peanut butter sounds amazing.)
put on a wax paper lined tray, and put in the freezer.

i think ours were in about 3 hours.

take out just before eating.

delicious. tastes like ice cream :)

oh and the movie?
the adjustment bureau.
(pretty good one.)

baby 3 pics :)

2011-07-28T10:26:00.003-04:00

weighing in at 14 ounces... our newest little one!

i was so excited this baby measured in under a pound :)

(lilly and cohen were just over a pound at their 20 week appointments.)

though true to my baby growing skills...

my doctor said im measuring a little ahead of schedule.

(aka: it's another big baby in the works.)

gratefully, the technician told me to look away while she measured the baby's femur, just in case. and i turned my head. and i'm so glad...
because i have no visual inkling of whether it's a boy or girl :)

it is so hard to believe this pregnancy is half way through.

this is going way faster than i remember.

it only takes 40 weeks to grow a human being.

wow. amazing. totally amazing.

(you can bet i won't be saying that at 38 weeks ;)

a day at lakeside

2011-07-25T17:15:00.001-04:00

one of our favorite places. lakeside.
we went up for chip richter's concert the beginning of july.

we had fun riding the golf cart...

playing shuffleboard...

a picnic dinner and the concert!

and what's a concert without some video?

we are already planning a return day trip once the busy (hot) season is over :)

florida 2011

2011-07-23T09:21:00.001-04:00

a sampling of our florida pictures :)

first time on a plane!

the first hotel's pool....

cooling off...

looking cute...

dinner with uncle rick in daytona beach...

ready to swim...

downtown disney...

magic kingdom!

the view out our window at the 2nd resort! pools everywhere :)

it was hot.

very very hot.

but we had a lot of fun.

see you in a few years, florida!

long time no blog

2011-07-17T20:43:00.001-04:00

woah. long time no blog.
not too much of a surprise really though.
as much as i do love my blog...
there are other things i love ~~a bit~~ a lot more.

2011-07-04T11:18:00.009-04:00

life is getting a wee bit busy around here.
(or at least now i'm seeing the busy-ness that it always was.)
and i only expect it to get busier...
maybe we should substitute the word busy with the word... full.

my life is full.
with lots of great things. and people.
and i want to be the best i can be for the people in my life.
(and id like a few naps. please.)

and so i have decided to step away from Sweet Day for a while.
i'm reclaiming my kitchen (& many precious hours) for me and my family.
(gift certificates are most definitely still valid!!)

Little Bean is however up and stiching away!!
keeping me just busy enough. and helping our family in many ways.

thank you.
for supporting me.
and my full life :)

techies

2011-06-29T19:47:00.002-04:00

growing up in the tech world.

pretty rough.

600 post answers part 1

2011-06-27T13:02:00.017-04:00

Ok, so it’s only about a month later before I finally get around to answering some of these questions you asked :) (that may answer a few of your questions in itself!)

To the questions!!

Do you want another boy or girl? will you find out what the baby is beforehand or "patiently" wait for the surprise at birth?

Yes please… we will take one or the other :) Either way we are good. Well, I am good... Dave and Cohen would love another boy. Lilly would like a sister. (But I know they will all be happy with whichever we are blessed with.) I’m super excited to find out which gender will be majority in our family... but we will wait till delivery to find out :) That is the best surprise in all the world. And the one surprise I actually like in life :)

Compared to your first 2 pregnancies and deliveries, is there anything you know you will do again? Anything you know you will do totally different?

My first 2 pregnancies and deliveries were pretty much awesome, and I would be blessed to have a repeat the 3rd time around. One thing I am doing differently this time around is exercising (which I never did before). So I am anxious to see if that helps out anywhere… namely in the ‘trying not to grow a 10 pound baby’ department :). Another thing I am really doing different too, is truly enjoying this pregnancy as being my last. Not that I didn’t enjoy the other 2 pregnancies, as I really did… but this time, I have a totally different and appreciative mentality. Another thing I may do differently, is camp out in the hospital parking lot the week I am due :) Besides that, I feel like I am doing most things the same. I will definitely go with the flow of my labor, and let my body tell me what I need to do to enjoy the process. No shame in another epidural...

Can you come here and make me dinner? You can bring the family.

Oh Katy! I am not much for traveling… but if I ever do venture across that big pond, I would LOVE to make you dinner!!

Do you wanna come to Indy for a weekend? We have only the worlds best children's museum and for a very limited time I have guest bedroom?

That does sound fun Katie! I’ve been known to make random spur of the moment plans… so this may actually happen someday. Thanks for the invite ;)

Do u think this will b your last baby? Are u feeling the same or different than ur last pregnancies?

Oh yes. I most definitely think this will be our last :) (Though I’m sure crazier things have happened… and I'm not about to jinx myself.) We are already feeling happily complete with this little one on the way! And... so far, I am feeling more similar to my pregnancy with Lilly, minus the ability to nap at any given moment ;) But I still have a ways to go, so we will see!!

alright! that's the first set of answers :) more to come...

2011 garden!

2011-06-23T08:57:00.008-04:00

the 2011 garden :)

how sweet is it to have fresh home grown
no pesticide added food growing in your own backyard?

pretty darn sweet.

and our little city farmers make it even better :)

special thanks to my awesome husband who makes this garden possible!

(i pretty much just pick, prepare, serve, and eat what he grows ;)

"wholly cow! look how big already!!"

and here is what our gardens grow...

zucchini

strawberries

tomatoes (of a billion varietes)

snap peas

snow peas

green peppers

red peppers

jalepeno peppers

banana peppers

garlic

watermelon

honeydo

acorn squash

chives

basil

oregano

cilantro
(oh and forgot these ones too...)
raspberries
(and our fruit trees :)
apples
pears
peaches

and how does our garden grow?

good top soil, manure, lots of sun, water.

good plants from whole foods and cooley's greenhouse.

and a really good farmer.

summertime 2011

2011-06-17T10:42:00.007-04:00

here it is!

our summer 2011 list :)

we've already marked a few boxes off...

and hope to cross off many more over the next few months :)

(click the pic for a close up ;)

happy summer!!

600 post winner!!

2011-06-14T19:04:00.000-04:00

hey all :)
THANK YOU to all who took time to comment with a question :) (((HUGS)))
and thank goodness for my children... this video is halfway entertaining.
(winner: i will be in touch with you :)

and i will answer all of the questions in future blog posts.
sooner or later.
in all my free time :)

more fb loners

2011-06-13T08:13:00.001-04:00

i could have put these up on my facebook page.
but i didn't ;)

-I will not. I repeat. Will not. Eat more than one everything bagel with cream cheese a day.

-Wow. That bag of dark chocolate peanut m&ms lasted 24 and one half hours.

-Who let the dogs out?

-My husband really appreciates my sarcasm.

-Oh Nutella. You do not know what you do to me. Oh wait. Yes you do. You grow me 10-pound babies.

congratulations kyle and megan!!

2011-06-08T18:37:00.003-04:00

dave's (hockey) buddy kyle got married a few weekends ago.

and dave was honored to be part of the wedding party.

look how handsome :)

the hockey stick tunnel was dave's idea.

(why we didn't have this at our wedding... i am not sure.)

the new mr. and mrs.

lilly felt soooo special that megan let her hold her bouquet!

and just to prove i was there :)

sweet day also made an appearance....

(this was our gift to the newlyweds :)

megan and kyle had the most amazing photographer!!

britt lakin.

check out her blog post with tons of gorgeous pics from the wedding.

(including a few more with my handsome hubby...)

this one though, i had to share here :)

they are both mid air.

how i love my sweet littles :)

and can you spot lilly in this one??

congratulations kyle and megan!

600

2011-06-05T17:42:00.002-04:00

this is my 600th post.
400 went by.
500 went by.
but this time i caught it.
600.

ive gotten some crap about this blog.
but ive gotten lots more love. and that's what counts.

so. to celebrate.
a drawing.
the winner will win cookies. or embroidery. or a meal. what the heck.
the winner will have some choice... depending on where you live :)

to enter.
ask me a question.
(so that i may have some future blogging material.)

big hugs to all my faithful followers.
those who appreciate this little blog of mine.
i appreciate you. a lot.

summer!

2011-06-04T16:44:00.004-04:00

it's official!

summer is here :)

and here are a few 'self portraits' to celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

someday we will get fancy pics... for now, these will do.

happy weekend!!
(and thank you for all the congrats on my last post ;)

oh happy day :)

2011-06-01T20:31:00.000-04:00

what are these 2 smiling about?

we will be a family of 5 this winter :)

and yes. we are all very very very excited!!

crohn's walk 2011

2011-05-31T14:33:00.005-04:00

Dave was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in December of 2001.
last year we were lucky to participate for the first time in the Crohn's walk and we are happy to be able to participate again this year!

IBD, which stands for inflammatory bowel diseases, is comprised of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis — two serious, chronic digestive diseases that affect five million people worldwide (1.4 million in the U.S. alone). Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis directly affect the digestive system and cause intestinal tissue to become inflamed, form sores, and bleed easily. There is no cure, no known cause, and little public understanding of the pain and chronic suffering with which IBD patients courageously cope every day of their lives.
doctor's say dave in remission, and for that we are extremely thankful... but he still struggles with stomach issues more often than is liked and takes medicine 3 times a day to help control his discomfort.

finding the cause and a cure for this disease would be amazing.
to our family, and so many others.
we are supporting that mission. by taking steps for chron's and colitis.

would you consider supporting us?

thank you :)

10 years

2011-05-26T07:00:00.005-04:00

10 years ago i married my best friend.

may 26th, 2001.

1 year later...

2 years later...

3 years later....

4 years later...

5 years later...

6 years later...

7 years later...

8 years later...

9 years later...

year 10 picture coming sooner... or later.

the best is yet to come...

i love you sweetie boy :)

em and cohen dance ;)

2011-05-24T14:44:00.001-04:00

Em: Now we're married! Wanna dance together?!?

Cohen: I gotta go poopie.

Em: ok! Then we dance?

May 24, 2011

learn to like

2011-05-19T07:01:00.001-04:00

i find lots of great things on other blogs.
things that speak to me.

this is one of them.

$16.75

2011-05-13T13:31:00.002-04:00

we found a few garage sales while out running errands this morning.

garage sale season has begun.

oh i love garage sales. for so many reasons.

here is $16.75 worth of reasons.

brand new unopened rockem sockem robots.

chutes and ladders.

2 DVDs (disney's eight below, and dodge ball).

3 hardback kids books.

3 coloring books (2 brand new).

1 long sleeve shirt for lilly (children's place).

2 short sleeve shirts for lilly.

1 tank top for lilly.

2 pairs of girl boxers for lilly.

1 justice outfit for lilly. (shirt and capris)

3 long sleeve shirts for cohen.

1 set of PJs for cohen.

2 short sleeve shirts for cohen.

1 pair of sport shorts for cohen.

1 GAP windbreaker/jacket for cohen.

golf tie for cohen.

2 pairs of build-a-bear boxers.

1 pair of build-a-bear unders.

and here are my happy little helpers with all the loot :)

kids say the darndest things.

2011-05-06T14:32:00.002-04:00

these are heavy on the cohen side...
except for the last charmer i found scribbled on a sheet of paper in a long forgotten pile.
enjoy.

Dave: What are you going to practice? I think you should practice your stopping.
Cohen: But, when I stop… I keep going.
Before heading out on the ice at open skate.
April 2, 2011

Cohen: can I get up?
Me: yeesss.
Cohen: but I don’t want to.
Cohen asking permission to get out of his bed in the morning.
Or not :)
April 3, 2011

Me: I love you more than cookies.
Cohen: I love the cookies.
When Cohen came in to cuddle with me in the early morning.
April 7, 2011

I feel like I’m gonna be in here forever.
Cohen sitting on the potty with diarrhea.
April 16, 2011

Lilly: Cohen, you gotta teach me not to chew my nails.
Cohen: I tried it before. It doesn’t taste good.
Lilly: What?
Cohen: I tried it when I was a little baby. It didn’t taste good.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
After trimming Cohen’s nails.

Lilly: I think I need a bigger ice cube. It didn’t work.
Me: How do you know?
Lilly: It didn’t work! Nothing happened.
Me: What happened?
Lilly: It just went down and them came up.
Me: It came back up?
Lilly: Yes.
Me: Where is it now?
Lilly: I took it out and put it in the trash can.
Me: Lilly! You don’t put your hands in the toilet!
Lilly: Mom! I used toilet paper.
Lilly trying a new aged school ritual of flushing ice cubes down the toilet to try and summons a snow day.
Not dated.

homemade frapuccino

2011-05-03T20:55:00.004-04:00

so, i love a certain chain's frappuccino.

but caffeine and i are not friends.

nor is my wallet friendly with buying things i dont need.

especially from companies who already make billions of dollars.

they don't need my money, that's for sure.

so i hit the world wide web for some recipe inspiration.

man, i love the world wide web.

looky what i found.

jen's decaf frappuccino remix

http://itsmejen.blogspot.com/

3/4 cup cold water

2 spoons of instant decaf coffee granules

3 TBS sugar

1 cup skim milk

2 cups ice

Add 2 spoonfulls of instant decaf coffee to cold water and stir to dissolve. (Add more or less granules to taste.) Add coffee, sugar (more or less to taste), milk, and 2 cups of ice to blender and blend on high until ice is nice and crushed. Pour into 2 big glasses to share (or one glass and refill till you can't drink anymore.) No need for whipped cream... check out this froth. oh yum.

A decaf treat, which is good on my skittery heart.

And easy on my spending :)

Any time I want.

yay.

happy bday cohen!

2011-04-25T12:57:00.001-04:00

oh little man.

i can hardly believe it.

today you are the big 4.

your favorite number.

happy birthday cohen!

we love you a ton.

times a million.

rice pilaf.

2011-04-21T17:13:00.017-04:00

rice pilaf. mmmmmm.

this is one of my all-time favorite recipes.

it's orginally my grandma's.

passed down to my parents.

now to me.

i'd request it every time we went to see my grandparents.

or somehow it just managed to be on their table.

and now i just make it myself. a lot.

i've tweaked the recipe just a bit.

so it's now double the rice.

(leftovers are oh so good)

less butter and more mushrooms.

but still as delicious as i remember grandma making.

(i am only sharing this recipe because i do not see a 'jen's diner' in my future :)

jen's grandma's rice pilaf (one of my favorite foods ever...)

http://www.itsmejen.blogspot.com/

1/4 cup butter

2 cans beef consume

1 cup rice

2 - 4 oz. cans of mushrooms, drained

combine all of these in an oven proof baking dish.

bake at 350 for 1 hour and 10 minutes.

enjoy :)

lori, come on down!!

2011-04-18T11:03:00.001-04:00

my uncle emailed a few weeks ago about a special custom cookie order.

you see, his wife (my aunt lori), was taped as a contestant on The Price Is Right!

and it's airing tomorrow!!! tuesday, april 19th.

so he ordered cookies to surprise her with.

to take to school and share with her students.

isn't he the sweetest?

(and she was sooooo excited to see these cookies)

(and that made me smile ;)

i can honestly say that i have never been so excited
to watch some mid day TV as i am right now :)

congrats aunt lori!!

can't wait to see you in all your glory ;)

(now... go check and see when the show is on so you can watch too!!)

pre-soccer

2011-04-13T19:39:00.001-04:00

i'm not feeling the love for my blog these days.

but i am feeling the love for these kids.

(sporting their hand picked get-ups.)

and the little man's soccer shoes... at least 2 sizes too big.

and the little lady's personality... at least 2 sizes too big.

and our house... which is almost always this messy.

and our days... which are almost always full.

these kids make everything worth it.
i love them so so much.
(and their daddy too :)

(here they are waiting to leave for soccer practice.)

cheap labor

2011-04-07T20:30:00.000-04:00

5 tubes of extra frosting.

5 sugar cookies a little too crisp to sell.

a 7 year old.

and a 3 year old.

(while mommy is making dinner.)

the cookie on the right...

"rainbow with polka dots"

by lillian

the cookie on the left...

"boogers"

by cohen

not sure if these will end up at SDB

(only because i'm not sure i could ever recreate their beauty)

but at least i know where to get some cheap help ;)

fb rejects and kid convo combo

2011-03-31T18:28:00.004-04:00

coulda been on facebook...

-Finding a forgotten pair of jeans in your closet that actually fit = awesome.

-Ask permission.

-Who took away my natural light? Give it back. Please.

-Don’t expect what you aren’t willing to give.

and kid convos in the same post...

Mom. Pretty much you’re not gonna win.
Cohen while playing Candy Land against Mommy.
February 15, 2011

Me: You’re still sleepy, girl.
Lilly: No. My eyes can’t open.
To Lilly when she is up way before she needs to be.
February 16, 2011

Mom. This isn’t gonna be appropriate… what I’m going to say.
This looks like a little pink poopy.
Lilly, picking up and showing me a dried glob of pink frosting off the counter.
February 24, 2011

Mom look. He looks like coach Obama.
Lilly, in response to what Cohen picked out to wear… an OSU shirt.
(clearly sports and politics are big in our house.)
March 25, 2011

7

2011-03-29T09:19:00.000-04:00

my best girl in all the world...

happy birthday sweet Lillian :)

we love you.

a billion times over.

chalk wall

2011-03-24T21:09:00.006-04:00

i've been politely reminded that i need to put official chalk wall pics up.

dave sanding the wall... and taping after that.

cohen priming the wall (with leftover primer from his room.)

more priming...

and lilly too!

the priming is done!

(actually kind of a fun color by itself...)

next... the chalk board paint.

dave did 2 layers.

we've been enjoying the wall.

valentine's day cards.

welcoming friends.

practing spelling words.

tracing.

doodling.

just having fun.

here is one of my favorites :)

a group effort.

(i think i like santa on the rainbow the best ;)

peacocks

2011-03-22T19:26:00.003-04:00

i was commissioned by a great friend's step-mom to make four dozen

special order white peacock sugar cookies for a bridal shower.

here is what i came up with :)

the white peacock and i are best friends now :)

(we were up till the wee hours together.)

thank you lesley, for passing on my name and supporting me in so many ways.

and thank you deb, for your order and your glowing words!!

Sweet Day is doing very well.

and i am so excited about that.

(and p.s. if you arent already, be sure to like the SDB FB page for updates!)

hello market

2011-03-20T09:52:00.001-04:00

so spring break 2011 has begun.

we dont go anywhere fancy for spring break.

but we do try to make it special...

and do things we dont normally do :)

like go to the farmer's market and spend lots of money.

on delicious stuff like this focaccia bread.

and a half gallon of pure maple syrup.

(this should last through the summer)

the little man would eat daddy's homemade pancakes constantly.

(for breakfast. lunch. and dinner. snacks too.)

if we let him.

we also got a huge asiago breadstick (which we ate immeadiately)

and some bacon & cheese brats, which we will enjoy this week :)

can't wait for our garden and the outdoor markets!

soooo missing our fresh tasty food.

not superwoman.

2011-03-17T17:21:00.000-04:00

yikes.

these blog posts have been few and far between.

ive been cookie-ing.

and embroidering.

and parenting.
and cooking.

and reading.

and praying.
and hearing.

and this one little word has been popping up all around me.

simplify.
(ok. i hear ya.)

and i am trying to obey.
not sure what that looks like for this little blog.
but i do know what that looks like in my 'real' life.

it means i can't do it all. i shouldn't do it all. and it's ok if i don't :)

and believe me... i don't do it all.

it may seem like it here on the blog.

but this is just a teeny portion of my life.

i'm not superwoman.

i just play one on the blog.

deal blogs

2011-03-09T13:22:00.006-05:00

here are few blogs i follow with lots of deals. and coupons.

so many deals and coupons that they flood my google reader.

(lots of coupons for lots of junk that we just dont eat... or just dont need)

i am almost tempted to take them off my blog reading list

because of all the coupons i won't use.

(and a lot of them are redundant...)

but then i might miss that one deal that i want.

like return labels shipped for $3.95.

or 2 pairs of boots for $16.00 shipped.

or a cute pink land's end rain jacket for $14.93 shipped.

(i think it was originally $50ish)

or free redbox codes. yay!

so for now. they will stay on my blogroll.

http://hip2save.com/

http://www.couponingfor4.net/

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

http://mojosavings.com/

have fun couponing :)
(and let me know if you every score anything great from one of them!!)

gnomeo

2011-03-07T07:33:00.000-05:00

thanks to a very generous Christmas gift...

we enjoyed lunch at the movies on a rainy saturday.

and we rocked out the 3D glasses.

yes. we. did.

foodie blogs i love.

2011-03-06T08:00:00.002-05:00

ok. to some fun stuff today.
going to start sharing some of the blogs i follow.
i follow a lot. too many actually.
and i am in process of weaning some out.

but today. a few foodie blogs i love.

What's Cookin, Chicago?

Diane's Dishes

Sisters' Stuff

(this one has more than food ;)

The Pioneer Woman

ok. let those ones sink in.

i will be sharing more :)

praise Him in the rain

2011-03-05T18:18:00.025-05:00

I’m not gonna lie.

I had a hard week.
A number of things going on. Not just one thing.
I shed a few tears. I thought a lot. I prayed a lot. I did my best to see.
I prayed for patience. For clarity. For strength. For my words. For wisdom.

I am a full believer that everything happens for a reason.
That everyone in my life and every situation in my life happens for a purpose.
That everything happens to teach us something.
And that God does things in our life to get us to the place He wants us to be.
To teach us how to be.

But life is still hard. And I am not always right. Sometimes I disappoint myself, and I disappoint others. Sometimes things still hurt. And that is ok. And I am ok. And that everything will be ok. Even if I cry too much.

And you know what. It’s not all about me. And that is ok.
It’s about others. And what is best for them. And how I can help them and be part of their life.

I am so so so very blessed. By all the wonderful people in my life.
That alone makes me wonder why I get so worked up about things.
I am emotional. I can’t hide my feelings. It’s true. But that is who I am.
And I am ok. I am enough.

We are all wonderfully made. And with much reason and purpose.
We all bring our own thing to the table. And that is good.

I'm not in a storm. More like some gentle rain. But I LOVE this song.
I will praise Him in the rain, because there is usually a rainbow just around the corner :)

rollerblading...

2011-02-28T22:42:00.002-05:00

i came home from a jog to these little rollerbladers :)

we are so looking forward to more rollerblading weather!!

let's go Spring. we need you.

welcome sweet day bakery!

2011-02-27T08:09:00.000-05:00

if you haven't heard...

it's official!!

Sweet Day Bakery is live and open for orders!

...including the official SDB facebook page.

...and SDB's twitter too.

you are all invited!!

(and don't forget about LBE ;)
(and LBE's FB page too...)

(and LBE twitter!)

ok. enough self promotion for the day ;)

thank YOU for supporting my little hobbies.

chip richter concert!

2011-02-25T06:30:00.005-05:00

We were so very fortunate to welcome Chip Richter into our home last weekend!

For a very last minute in home concert :)

(I think some of my most fun decisions are made last minute ;)

We had an awesome group of family and friends show up!

We sang, and danced, and smiled :) (and of course we ate ;)

Cohen and his (my) cousin Jack listening very intently.

Lilly and her new friend Winnie singing along :)

We ALL had an amazing time!!

Thank you Chip. We had a blast.

Same time next year?

half hours of fun

2011-02-23T22:28:00.001-05:00

a pot.

expired beans.

3 cups.

3 spoons.

2 three year olds.

1 two year old.

half hours of fun.

(not sure if this will be a daily activity ;)

my favorite color.

2011-02-21T16:03:00.001-05:00

i've never really had a real favorite color.
now i do :)

september 2009. (office.)

summer 2010. (table.)

october 2010 (new plates.)

february 2011(new cookie business!!)

http://www.sweetdaybakery.com/

i {heart} you turquoise.

(i sometimes call you peacock too :)

tealy blueish thing you.

My Life People ~Meet Denise!~

2011-02-20T12:59:00.000-05:00

The 14th segment of My Life People...

meet Denise Hagan!

1.How do you know me?

I "met" you through our mutual friend, Erin, several years ago through your blog. I've been a fan of you and your blog for years now. I find it pretty funny that we have never met in person because I feel like I know everything about you! I know we will meet one day and I'm totally looking forward to that.

2.What is your favorite recipe at the moment?

Your frosting recipe! I'm hooked and have even started selling these bad boys in my area as well. They are truly amazing! Thanks for sharing and inspiring!!!

3.Do you have junk under your bed? (as in... what's under your bed?)

Nothing. But trust me. If there were a way to fit anything under our bed I guarantee that there would be something. It'd be the stash place when company comes over and I want to paint the picture that my house is always tidy. I'd throw all that junk under there that really has no home but ought to. I hate that stuff.

4.Tell me 5 things recently crossed off your to-do list.

- Finished several valentine's day cookie orders. Phew!

- Sold all three pieces of our nursery furniture.

- Sanded and primed a dresser that I got at a thrift store for cheapy cheap that's going in my oldest daughter's room once it's white and beautiful. I hope.

- Spraypainted a bunch of stuff black. I was tired of the decor around the house (candle holders, fake plant baskets, nick nacky stuff) so I spruced it up with some spraypaint. So cheap. So easy. SO FUN!!! I'm totally addicted. Yesterday I dropped a can off to my friend who was having a lousy day. It's a real smile maker :)

- And my favorite accomplishment is that we FINALLY got a full-time aide for our Delaney. She's in Kindergarten and has sooooo needed an aide the entire year. It took five IEP's meetings, a parent advocate, a clinical psychologist that we hired on the side, and a good fight to make it all come together at last. I hate that money gets in the way of a school district doing what's right from the beginning.

5.Do you think you will have any more babies?

Now that we have sold all of our baby furniture hopefully not. I used to think that I wanted three kiddos but I've come to understand that I'm absolutely sure that two is all I can handle :)

(Would you like me to link a blog/site? If so, please copy and paste your link here:)

Don't keep up with my blog anymore, but this is on my to-do list :)

My notes on Denise:

Ah Denise :) Just look at her gorgeous family. Those girls are too sweet. Denise feels like a friend who I've known forever... even though we have never met in real life. She cracks me up. Especially when she posts pictures of her with her cardboard Edward (and has no shame in doing so ;) She loves to have fun... and who doesn't want more fun in their life!! Denise and I have chatted over a few important things in life. She has asked for my advise... which is one of the biggest compliments I can get. I do not even flinch when people roll their eyes about meeting friends online... because this is the perfect example that you can have online friends :) If we lived closer I know we'd be offline friends too :) I can't wait to meet Denise in the flesh... and I know we will be dancing to whatever music is on!

My Life People (Me - Part 6?)

2011-02-18T07:29:00.000-05:00

more anwers to questions from My Life People ;)

15. I would like to know how far your craftiness reaches? You scrapbook, you are super awesome with the embroidery...what other hobbies/crafty fun to you have a passion for? :)
Let’s see here. Besides scrapbooking and embroidery I would have to add sewing, baking and cooking. And I like to say I am pretty crafty at making something from nothing when it comes to having ‘nothing’ in the fridge or pantry. I'll try anything crafty, once :) But not everything is for me... and about right now, I cannot let myself get into one more thing ;)

16. What is your favorite organization tip(s)?
Oh geez. Ouch. Who asked this question? ;) This is a hard question for me. I am not the most organized person in the world. In fact, I would not call myself organized in the material sense. At all. (Besides my coupons. In a little sorted plastic case/envelope pouch thing from the dollar store.) But… I am a little more organized in a timely ‘here is my to-do list' sense. I am organized when it comes to keeping a daily schedule, which is a list in my head. (Maybe I should add ‘organize the house’ to my list of things to do?) So… my favorite tips. 1. Keep lists. I am a big lister. Of things to do. Ideas for meals. Lists of what the kids say. Lists of groceries to buy. Lists of what’s on sale. Just make lists!! It gives you a sense of feeling organized, if nothing else ;) And 2. keep a schedule. (You can see just how organized I am by the organization of this answer alone ;)

coulda beens...

2011-02-16T06:26:00.001-05:00

-You know im cool when a new fancy thermometer (the kind you roll across the forehead) gets me excited.

-The new thermometer will work better if you take the cap off.

-(Dave) Is that dry skin or dough? (While looking at my lovely winter hands.)

-Why is it when I make the little man take a nap he whines in his bed for an hour, but when I don’t make him take a nap he falls asleep on the living room floor?

-2 attempts at making homemade yogurt = FAIL

-Somebody broke my 4 cup glass measuring cup.

-I would like a lemon tree. And a lime tree. Please.

-Don’t try to talk while you are yawning. You may pull a muscle. In your throat. And that hurts.

-Next time I get a 30% coupon to Kohl’s I am buying myself $100 worth of socks. And some slippers to keep those sock from getting holes.

-Decision making is not my greatest skill. But I am trying.

happy Vday :)

2011-02-14T06:31:00.000-05:00

happy valentine's day from us to you!

(idea found all over blog land)

though using our chalk wall was my idea ;)

hello, cookies!

2011-02-12T08:10:00.004-05:00

so. i'm about to do something crazy.

i'm pretty sure im going to make the cookie thing official!

i am very very excited. so very excited.

what's another business... right?

(these cookies made for my moms2moms group this past week)

(over 100 made. under 8 brought home.)

now i just need a name for me little bakery.

my mind is going.
and it's borrowing the talented minds of others for inspiration :)

any good name ideas out there?? there may be some cookies in it for you...

ruffle me up

2011-02-10T13:46:00.000-05:00

inspired here.

a few ideas...

2011-02-08T13:26:00.007-05:00

My mind rarely sleeps.
There is always something going on up there.
Here are a few things I’m thinking about in the world of my blog.

1. I am done with all but 2 of My Life People (reminders are out to them)…

but would love to add more to the list!! If you would like to
be featured as an upcoming MLP visit this post for all the details!!

2. I am thinking about compiling another community blog cookbook.

The one we put together in the summer of 2008(!)
is one of the top cookbooks in my collection. LOVE it.

What do you think?

3. I am also considering a new guest blogger series.

Where you get to be a guest blogger on my blog!!

Would you be interested in being a guest blogging here?

4. Another series I'd like to start is one sharing some
of the several blogs that I love. There are so many out there
that I enjoy and are inspired by… and I want to share them with you :)

So… what do you think?
How do these ideas sound to you?
What would you like to see on this little ole blog of mine?
Any other ideas for me?

(and thank you. for reading and being part of this blog!!)
(it means more than you know.)

LBE giveaway!!

2011-02-06T13:58:00.006-05:00

Want to win a gift set from LBE??

Head to Lyndsie Gives Away and earn up to 16 entries!!

You have until February 10th to enter!Thanks Lyndsie... for hosting :) Good luck to all my blog readers!!

oh my kids.

2011-02-04T13:10:00.000-05:00

these 2 crack me up.
and i LOVE it.
more kid conversations :)

You’re a busy lady.
You have 2 kids.
You have a husband.
You have to make cookies.
You have to make meals.
Lilly. Thursday Dec 23, 2010

“Two little socks on a mission.”
Sung by Cohen while folding laundry.
December 27, 2010

Daddy: it’s going to be warm out today.
Cohen: we can go to the beach?
December 31, 2010

Cohen: What if the monkeys get in?
Me: Cohen, there are no monkeys in our house. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen them running around in our neighborhood.
Cohen: They know how to get here.
Me: How?
Cohen: They use that little thing that shows the crazy ways to go. (holding his hands up like he’s adjusting a GPS on the windshield)
Me: The GPS?
Cohen: Yeah.
Me: But monkeys can’t drive.
Cohen: The people can.
February 3, 2011 Bedtime.

See that silver thing?
That’s the toilet.
I tried my best to make a toilet.
Everybody needs a toilet.
And a lamp.
February 4, 2011
Lilly, while making house furniture with her Ellos

well, hello there february.

2011-02-01T19:51:00.010-05:00

february came in looking like this.

some nice ice. which made for no school.

and i declared today a YES day.

(a day in which i try really hard not to say no to anything.)

which is hard sometimes.

we ate cinnamon rolls for breakfast.
we took medicine. and vitamins.
we kissed daddy to work.
the kids took a bath in the big tub.
we read gnomeo & juliet.
we got dressed.
we worked on valentine's day cards.

we played checkers.

we played war.

we played hockey.

we ate a cookie.

we watched alice and wonderland.

we ate popcorn.

we watched toy story. the first one.
we talked to aunt melissa.

we ate lunch on tray tables.

we ate popsicles.

we paid bills.

we read.

we watched the radar.

we played hangman.

we played memory.
we played guess who.

we practiced spelling words.

we got caught up on missed school work.

we listened to music.

we checked emails.

we got orders.

we took no naps.

(but cohen fell asleep on the floor at 3:30)

we made sugar cookies.

we painted toenails.

we watched videos on facebook.

we ate dinner.
we talked to great grandma.
we welcomed daddy home.

we shared a cookie.

we watched the weather channel.

we did more homework.

we roughhoused with daddy.

we took medicine.

and now it's bedtime.

today was a good day.

My Life People ~Meet Paula!~

2011-01-30T21:21:00.001-05:00

It's My Life People!

Segment 13 starring...

Paula, aka Aunt Paula!!

1. How do you know me?
The first time I met you was scrapbooking. You were a friend of my sister, Sandra. Over many crops and meals, we got to know each other=)

2. What is the one TV show that you just HAVE to watch every week?
Lost--oh yeah, it's over=( Project Runway, for the few months it's on. Regular season--House

3. Name 3 things always in your fridge.
Water, cheese and ketchup (and no, I don't eat them all together;))

4. What are your top 5 favorite books?

I knew I shouldn't have asked you this, cause it's come back to bite me=) Working at the library, I have too many, but I'll try. In no particular order:

1. My Most Excellent Year: a Story of Love, Mary Poppins and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger

2. Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

3. ANYTHING by Sarah Dessen--she's my favorite author and I can't pick just one of her books

4. The Harry Potter series with the exception of number 5

5. The following series, which are similar in there own way: The Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld, The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, The Lorien Legacies by Pitticus Lore (I Am Number Four is the first book so far, the movie will be released in Feb), and Matched trilogy by Ally Condie (Matched is the first book and was just released in November)

5. Bottomless gift cards to which 3 stores?

Hobby Lobby, Fashion Bug, and while not a store--overstock.com

Check out Paula's Etsy store! www.etsy.com/shop/psyouneedthis

My notes on Paula:
Paula is pretty much awesome. I am so glad she is Sandra's sister, and I got to meet her :) (So she is my friend now too!) Paula is one of the most kind, giving, selfless people that I know. She goes above and beyond as a friend, aunt, sister, employee, artist, crafter... you name it. She is there! She opened her home to our little scrapbook group so that we have a girls only place to scrap once a month. Paula shares her recipes with me, which of course, I love. And she is always there to tell us how to spell our words ;) Unlike me... Paula has style. Her house is bright blue. Definitely cool. And she always has fun and funky hair. And I mean funky in a very good way. Aunt Paula is the best :)

the kid room

2011-01-28T14:45:00.005-05:00

a loooong while ago i showed you this table.

and a sneak peak of it being painted.

well.... here it is!!

(it's been done awhile, i just forgot to show and tell.)

loving the mix-matched chairs. makes me smile.

and since then... dave put up one of my Christmas presents :)

it is SO fun to display the kids' work in an artsy way! i love it :)

and wait. there is more ;)

to be continued...

PW's cinnamon rolls!

2011-01-26T11:24:00.000-05:00

oh my.

if you never make anything homemade in your life again...

do yourself a favor and make these. really. please

The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls.

you will be the most loved person in your house ;)

goodbye store bought cinnamon rolls. nice knowing ya!

friendship bracelets

2011-01-24T12:56:00.001-05:00

look what lilly whipped up this morning before school.

a friendship bracelet.
i used to make these all the time as a kid.

it's even coordinated to her outfit.

she has all the style.

good thing i saved all that string from when i used to make friendship bracelets.

see. sometimes it's good to be a packrat ;)
sometimes.

other people's babies

2011-01-22T12:42:00.003-05:00

we got to meet 2 babies recently :)

first up. isaac.

isaac is my friend heather's little man.

little big man ;) adorable.

we had them over for dinner a few weeks ago.

next up. jillian.

jillian's parents are our old neighbors.

and now lesley is one of my great friends :)

we visited the new little lady in the hospital.

and took a meal to them a few weeks later.

(i LOVE doing that for families with new babies!!)

id been wanting to try out this buggy cookie cutter.

what better reason than to take some to a new baby.

jillian loved them, i'm sure ;)

don't worry. isaac got some dessert too.

ice cream cake.

(pics and tutorial coming sooner. or later.)

so sweet.

the babies that is.

p.s. the polar bear and squirrel on the bibs are 2 new designs over at the shop.

and you are invited to follow LBE on FB :)

(im thinking about a cookie FB page too...tbd)

oh. and btw. i know about 9 pregnant people right now.
wow.

more fb wannabes

2011-01-20T22:20:00.002-05:00

-Facebook just made me enter security words. ‘he’ and ‘moneybag’.

-I want cookie dough.

-Who took my rice pilaf?

-Why are all my thoughts about food? That’s an issue. I see it.

-You know you’ve eaten too much cookie dough when you don’t want anymore. And then you don’t eat lunch.

-Is it sad that I am sitting here cracking up at my own blog post?

-I had to buy garlic at the store. Boo. Note to self (ie:hubby): plant way more garlic. Please.

-I have 4 minutes to wipe a bottom, change a poopie diaper, get 3 pairs of shoes, 3 coats, hats and gloves on, grab the keys and cell phone, and get the kids in the carseats. Can I do it. Yes.

-I have a love/hate relationship with my hormones. Right now I am not liking them too much.

-Snow day :) Woot!

crack me up.

2011-01-19T13:30:00.002-05:00

what started as an attempt at a self portrait turned into this.

these kids. crack. me. up.

'staff man' is a character name made up by lilly's music teacher.

the rest is self explanitory. or not ;)

packing lunch

2011-01-17T17:03:00.012-05:00

we've been recycling for about 3 years now.

like really recycling.

we have about 2 bags of recycling to every 1 bag of trash.

when lilly started 1st grade, that meant packing lunch for school.

i cringed at how many plastic zip bags i was using and tossing.

so a quick search to the internet found some great ideas!

how to make sandwich wraps and dry snack bags.

my feeble attempt to save the world.

a no waste packed lunch.

here's how to wrap the sandwich.
(i typically send half a sandwich, as its made with thick homemade bread, but a whole sandwich and a sandwich on a bun fit also. tortilla wraps too...)

tada!

(and... the wrap can be used as a placemat on the school lunch table :)

ETA: i am not sure why i didn't post these originally (duh!) but here are the links to the tutorials i used for the snack bag and the sandwich wrap. that should answer a few questions. i just used cotton frabric. my wrap was 10"x10" and i used a cut ziplock bag as the liner. that was the safest material for food, in my opinion. dont limit yourself to just these tutorials though. there are tons all over the web. find what you like :) hth!

homemade holiday

2011-01-16T17:44:00.003-05:00

i dubbed this Christmas season...

"the season not to get stressed out over making homemade gifts" season.

i did well not stressing out over needing to make all the gifts.

but of course i couldnt go without making some :)

the littles made cookies in a jar.

(the making part was much more fun then they actually tasted...)

i made up some 'cookies of the month' coupon rings for a few great people :)

the little man now has his very own apron.

(made and embroidered by mommy ;)

so he doesnt have to wear his sister's cupcake one anymore :)

(hunting down some cute hockey fabric was an adventure of it's own.)

and lilly got another sandwich wrap :)

(this gets a post of its own sooner or later...)

we (as in i told dave what to do...) did make one more thing.

some glass hurricane vases for dave's mom.

they were pretty. why did i not take a picture?

boo.

i may just have to make another set.

jen-liners.

2011-01-14T14:00:00.005-05:00

Most of the time I don’t know what I am talking about.
But... sometimes some pretty classic things come out of my mouth.

Enter my new series: Jen-liners
Things I say that make me laugh.
(At myself.)
Especially when repeated in my head.

Like my coulda been on fb series...
I will be writing my lines down as they come to me.
And storing them up for future posts.

enjoy. or not :)

-You are not wearing handcuffs to church.

-You don’t get to whine about everything.

-I do not want to hear the word poopie again… unless you have to go poopie.

-Let’s not do anything that we have to change our pants about.

-You think you’re hilarious all the time. But you’re really not.
(That’s actually a 2 liner by Dave.)

(and just for kicks...)
the spell check did not like the word 'poopie.'
it did however offer these words as replacements...

*potpie
*pope
*poppy
*poppies
*people

My Life People ~Meet Arminda!~

2011-01-12T17:25:00.002-05:00

Hello 12th segment of My Life People...
meet Arminda!!

1. How do you know me?

We met through blogging. Which is weird considering we went to the same church at the time. :)

2. Tell us 5 positive addictions you have.

1. Blogging

2. Photography

3. Baking (it's positive because others benefit from it! ;)

4. Coffee (otherwise mommy doesn't act quite right)

5. Music

3. What is something you find interesting? Beautiful? Intriguing? Perfect?

The sky! I'm a sucker for astronomy and meteorology. Anything and everything up there, it doesn't matter. Clouds, the weather, stars, planets, meteor showers, the moon, all of it. There isn't much else that proves (to me at least) the awesomeness of our God!

4. 5 things recently crossed off your to-do list

1. Make a rag quilt.

2. Plan a lunch date with my mother-in-law.

3. Mail Christmas cards.

4. Finish Christmas shopping.

5. Be chosen for your My Life People. Like for real.

5. If you had to guess right now what do you think your children are going to grow up and become for their professions? and why?

Well my oldest son, R, who is days away from turning six is the most outgoing, friendly person I have every met. People tease that he's going to grow up to be a politician because he just HAS to meet everyone he sees! However I have seen him already witnessing to some of the neighborhood kids this summer so I wouldn't be surprised if he grew up to be a pastor. :)

My youngest, M, who is three is so gentle and quiet. This is a hard one to answer for him because he follows big brother around so much. :) But if I had to pick one thing I would say maybe a veterinarian? Or something with the zoo. He loves animals and is so gentle with our cat. He carries his little stuffed animals around and he "fixes" them when they are sick or have boo boos. So that's my guess. :)

Check out Arminda's blog. http://www.allthatriffraff.blogspot.com/

(you will be glad you did.)

My notes on Arminda:
Oh Arminda :) I love this girl. She is one of the few special "Me too.Same here.I hear ya." girls in my life. She has a way of brightening my spirits at the exact moment that I am needing a little sunshine. She is in my life for a bigger reason than I can imagine and I am so glad that we found each other. And I am so grateful for that one time I stalked her down at the grocery store to give her a hug in real life ;) When I think of Arminda... I think of many things. Her beautiful photography talent. Her craftsy abilities. Her heart. Her true spoken words. The obstacles that she has overcome and let grow her. The 3 handsome men in her life. But mostly I think this of Arminda. "Beautiful woman of God." And I am reminded again what a blessing I have in her.

marshmallow pop

2011-01-11T13:00:00.002-05:00

Sometimes we have to get crafty with the snacks around here.

I’m quite sure I’m not the 1st person to think of this.

But I like to pretend I’m the person that did.

hockey boy

2011-01-09T20:52:00.000-05:00

well. it's official.

we have 2 hockey players in the house.

cohen started his real hockey classes on saturday.

it was a very long wait for this day to come.

for the little man.

and his daddy :)

leaving the house at 7:20am for an 8:15am start time.

in the dark. in the snow.

ready to step on the ice.

this was his first time to take his stick on the ice.

oh the excitement!

dave said cohen was the smallest one out there.

but he handled the stick and puck like he was born with it in his hands.

notice his taped blade with black shading?

im sure dave had nothing to do with that.

is there anything much cuter than a 3 year old hockey player!?!

i tease cohen that we should have named him hockey :)

ice time is over. what are the first words out of cohen's mouth?

"i stinky like daddy. i need a shower by myself."
he even has a towel in his bag.

oh my.

cookies

2011-01-08T10:00:00.001-05:00

43 of these are coming scrapbooking with me today :)

(for eating of course. i will share.)

2 people at the crop will be leaving with a gift cert for a dozen cookies :)

and for more Pete the Cat... see my friend Erin's blog!
she posted another darling version :)

and i will try to stop posting so many cookie and pete the cat things.

but i just can't get enough.

and i like to know where to find them :)