Today its cold outside. Its the first real fall like day we've had and I relished in it. Fall and Winter are my ABSOLUTE favorite time of year. We went to Walmart today and the garden center is full of pansies and all the Christmas stuff is out. The Holiday Season is creeping up on and us and I couldn't be more happy. This year is so exciting. It will be the first holiday season that our house really feels like home and I plan to decorate and celebrate to my hearts content. Its CJ's First Christmas and its so exciting. We have already been buying gifts for him. :) I shop for Christmas all year and its that time of year to pull them all out and see what I've bought to see whats left to buy. Soon it will be Thanksgiving. And then Black Friday. :) The day I plan to shop shop shop and put up all my Christmas decorations.
We took CJ down the Christmas aisles and we played with all the singing animals. If only we as adults could be as easily pleased as he was watching them sign. dance and light up. The joy in his eyes was simply wonderful.
MrsB
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
How to Run Your House Without Letting It Run You
I received a new book from Paperback Book Swap yesterday. :) This books is filled with neat tips about homekeeping.
Some examples are:
~Put a dot of red paint or nail polish on the "off" marking on your stove and oven knobs so you can tell at a glance if they are off.
~When baking, break eggs into your measuring cup first, dump them out, and them measure the shortening. the shortening won't stick to the cup, but will slip out easily. (Note from MrsB- I do this to make sure no egg shells accidentially get in my food)
I had some time to do some sewing during CJ's nap today also. So I worked on a project I've been wanting to do but hadn't gotten around to. I made a new Ring Sling. :) It is really comfortable and CJ loves being in it. I can't wait to try it out really good on Friday at the State Fair.
MrsB
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Free Bath Salts!
Right now I am offering a FREE 4oz Bath Salt with ANY purchase at www.butterflyscentsations.com
To recieve your free gift visit our specials section and add the free bath salts to your shopping cart along with your purchases.
Also anyone how makes a purchase before 10am est tomorrow will be entered into a drawing for a free bath set and suprise coupon code.
And don't forget to use the code blog to get 5% off your order!
MrsB
To recieve your free gift visit our specials section and add the free bath salts to your shopping cart along with your purchases.
Also anyone how makes a purchase before 10am est tomorrow will be entered into a drawing for a free bath set and suprise coupon code.
And don't forget to use the code blog to get 5% off your order!
MrsB
Monday, October 8, 2007
Baby Food
CJ is eatting solids now and he can eat!! Those little plastic containers of organic baby food at WalMart is pretty expensive too. So a good friend pointed me to a great website about making your own baby food. http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/ She makes all of her sons baby food and he loves it. I can't wait to try making our own baby food for CJ. Here are a couple of example recipes.
Apricot Puree
(using dried un-sulphured apricots)
6-8months+
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium
1. 1 pound dried apricots
2. 2 c. white grape juice or apple juice.
Plain water is ok but the puree may be a bit bitter. Some babies actually like a bitter taste however. Consider using ½ water or ½ juice if you disagree with the juices or if baby cannot have juice. You can always mix in another fruit such as peaches or bananas and leave out the juice entirely!
3. Bring liquid and fruit to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Reserve any left over liquid to use for the puree
5. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
6. Add the reserved liquid as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree or
7. Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up
8. Note: puree will not freeze solid, but into slightly soft/slightly frozen cubes.
Have you ever Baked Fruits? If not, we highly recommend it! Baked fruits are naturally sweet, soft and oh so very yummy!
Apples/Applesauce
(Use Gala, Braeburn, Rome or Macs)
(4)6 months+
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium
This recipe is written so that you may use any amount of apples you wish!
1. Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks
2. Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples
3. Boil/steam until tender; be sure to check on the water level and stir, T hat's It! Easy Peasy!
4. Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency. If your masher will not achieve a puree type of consistency, then follow steps 5 - 7
5. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the apples
6. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
7. Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree
8. Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up the9. Ask your pediatrician about adding some cinnamon for new tastes!
HINT! You may also buy an "Adult" jar of Natural applesauce from your local grocers! Make sure you buy Natural Applesauce however! Read the labels if you are unsure. The only ingredients should be apples and water or just apples! A few companies may add ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or citric acid to their Natural Applesauce; this is fine!
Why do you suggest peeling fruits and veggies; Nutrients are found in the peels right?
Another friend, that also makes her own baby food, suggested the book Super Baby Food. I'm looking for a cheap copy now. :)
MrsB
Apricot Puree
(using dried un-sulphured apricots)
6-8months+
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium
1. 1 pound dried apricots
2. 2 c. white grape juice or apple juice.
Plain water is ok but the puree may be a bit bitter. Some babies actually like a bitter taste however. Consider using ½ water or ½ juice if you disagree with the juices or if baby cannot have juice. You can always mix in another fruit such as peaches or bananas and leave out the juice entirely!
3. Bring liquid and fruit to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Reserve any left over liquid to use for the puree
5. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
6. Add the reserved liquid as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree or
7. Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up
8. Note: puree will not freeze solid, but into slightly soft/slightly frozen cubes.
Have you ever Baked Fruits? If not, we highly recommend it! Baked fruits are naturally sweet, soft and oh so very yummy!
Apples/Applesauce
(Use Gala, Braeburn, Rome or Macs)
(4)6 months+
Vitamins: A, C, Folate
Minerals: Potassium, Magnesium, Calcium
This recipe is written so that you may use any amount of apples you wish!
1. Peel, core and cut apple into slices/chunks
2. Place slices or chunks into a pan with just enough water to slightly cover apples
3. Boil/steam until tender; be sure to check on the water level and stir, T hat's It! Easy Peasy!
4. Apples may be mashed with a potato masher to achieve a smooth applesauce consistency. If your masher will not achieve a puree type of consistency, then follow steps 5 - 7
5. Reserve any left over water to use for thinning out the apples
6. Place into your choice of appliance for pureeing and begin pureeing.
7. Add the reserved water as necessary to achieve a smooth, thin puree
8. Add cereal (if desired) to thicken up the9. Ask your pediatrician about adding some cinnamon for new tastes!
HINT! You may also buy an "Adult" jar of Natural applesauce from your local grocers! Make sure you buy Natural Applesauce however! Read the labels if you are unsure. The only ingredients should be apples and water or just apples! A few companies may add ascorbic acid (vitamin C) or citric acid to their Natural Applesauce; this is fine!
Why do you suggest peeling fruits and veggies; Nutrients are found in the peels right?
Another friend, that also makes her own baby food, suggested the book Super Baby Food. I'm looking for a cheap copy now. :)
MrsB
Friday, October 5, 2007
America Christmas
In houses all around the country it will be an All American Christmas.....all American made toys under the tree and its about time! Unforunately the reason for this is the millions of toys being recalled due to high levels of lead. And now its Baby Einstein. :( We bought CJ a set of the soft, textured blocks as a Christmas present b/c 1) they are Baby Einstein so they have to be safe right? ha! wrong! and 2) they aren't plastic, they are fabric.
http://www.cpsc.gov/
Luckily our blocks were not part of the recall. But I'm still not sure I trust them.
You can see all (I think) of the recalled toys at the link above.
There was also a massive crib recall. http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml07/07307.html
It looks exactly like the crib CJ has. :( Thank goodness he doesn't like to sleep in it. I need to check the model numbers tomorrow.
MrsB
http://www.cpsc.gov/
Luckily our blocks were not part of the recall. But I'm still not sure I trust them.
You can see all (I think) of the recalled toys at the link above.
There was also a massive crib recall. http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml07/07307.html
It looks exactly like the crib CJ has. :( Thank goodness he doesn't like to sleep in it. I need to check the model numbers tomorrow.
MrsB
Showing and Telling
I'm so excited to show off my kitchen table. This is the first time in our own house I've been able to decorate for fall. My wonderful hubby bought me the placemats, napkins and leaf shaped bowls which I'm using as candle holders. I bought the pumpkins and gourd on a recent grocery shopping trip with Sis and the plant was a birthday gift from my oldest brother.My kitchen now has a more homey feel.
Head on over to Theres no Place like Home for more Show & Tells.
MrsB
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Christmas Ideas
Did you know there is 81 days until Christmas???? Its coming fast! So I thought I'd share some gift ideas.
The first is a Spaghetti Basket. Get a colander (you can get them fairly cheap from the dollar store or Big Lots) and add a box of spaghetti (or you could use some other pasta), a can of tomato sauce, a container of parmesan cheese and a packet of homemade Spaghetti Sauce Mix :)
1 tbsp. instant minced onion
1 tbsp. parsley flakes
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. green pepper flakes
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. instant minced garlic
1 tsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
Combine all ingredients. Makes 1 package.
Add a nice recipe card with the following recipe written on it.
SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT SAUCE:
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. spaghetti sauce mix
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
2 c. water
12 oz. spaghetti
Grated Parmesan cheese
Brown beef in skillet; drain off excess fat. Blend in spaghetti sauce mix, tomato paste and water; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti; drain. Serve topped with meat sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Serves 6.
And now you have a wonderful Christmas gift that will actually get used :)
This recipe as well as more wonderful recipes can be found at http://members.tripod.com/~MaryMae/box.htm
MrsB
The first is a Spaghetti Basket. Get a colander (you can get them fairly cheap from the dollar store or Big Lots) and add a box of spaghetti (or you could use some other pasta), a can of tomato sauce, a container of parmesan cheese and a packet of homemade Spaghetti Sauce Mix :)
1 tbsp. instant minced onion
1 tbsp. parsley flakes
1 tbsp. cornstarch
2 tsp. green pepper flakes
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. instant minced garlic
1 tsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
Combine all ingredients. Makes 1 package.
Add a nice recipe card with the following recipe written on it.
SPAGHETTI WITH MEAT SAUCE:
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. spaghetti sauce mix
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
2 c. water
12 oz. spaghetti
Grated Parmesan cheese
Brown beef in skillet; drain off excess fat. Blend in spaghetti sauce mix, tomato paste and water; bring to a boil. Cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Meanwhile, cook spaghetti; drain. Serve topped with meat sauce. Sprinkle with cheese. Serves 6.
And now you have a wonderful Christmas gift that will actually get used :)
This recipe as well as more wonderful recipes can be found at http://members.tripod.com/~MaryMae/box.htm
MrsB
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Its Backwards Day at Rocks in my Dryer
OK Its Backwards Day for WFMW over at Rocks in my Dryer which means instead of posting a tip I get to ask for tips. :) It was hard to decide on just one thing to ask about.
So my question is for the blogging mamas. :) How do you find time to post and make your blog successful? CJ is such a handful and then with housework and the new business I'm having a hard time finding the time to blog. So how do you do?
MrsB
Monday, October 1, 2007
Baby Deals
Weekend before last me, MrB and CJ went to a baby sale. The first day we got there late, 15 minutes before they closed, so I didn't get to look around much and only got some burp clothes and nursing pjs. Sunday we went back since it was 50% and we did so good! Here's what we got: :-)
6 prefold diapers for less than $3
A nursing gown for $4, nursing pjs for $3 and a nursing tank for $1.50
A Diaper Genie for $2.50 and a brand new refill for $2
A Boppy pillow (yes it looks just like ou other boppy. lol) for $2.50 and a Boppy play center for $5
I also got 2 pairs of training pants for 25c (together!!) and some burp clothes for around 25c each. :)
6 prefold diapers for less than $3
A nursing gown for $4, nursing pjs for $3 and a nursing tank for $1.50
A Diaper Genie for $2.50 and a brand new refill for $2
A Boppy pillow (yes it looks just like ou other boppy. lol) for $2.50 and a Boppy play center for $5
I also got 2 pairs of training pants for 25c (together!!) and some burp clothes for around 25c each. :)
A CJ Update: He is 6 months old now and growing so fast!! He is sitting up sooo great! And says bye bye like nothing else! He also says mama and dada when he wants to. He absolutely loves his baby food and Yo-Baby yogurt, but refuses to eat cereal. :) My wonderful photographer sister took his 6 month pictures the other day so I'll post them soon :)
MrsB
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