Pumpkin Shortage

There might be, because I have been putting pumpkin in everything; Pumpkin Pancakes, Pumpkin Waffles, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, Pumpkin Brownies, Pumpkin Oatmeal, Pumpkin and Granola... Should I keep going?  We've also made 4 pumpkins so lots of seed roasting going on around here.  I haven't found my favorite seasoning for the seeds yet.

Here are our jack-o-lanters and my little turkey.

I'm no chef

I'm no chef, but I am responsible for making something edible if only a few times a week. (The other days husband can eat Stouffers.)  Most of the time it's some type of meat, and sauteed or steamed veggies, but I have tried to find a few crock pot recipes that are easy and only require a  few ingredients.  I tried these two this week and they were great. You can tell by the recipes that I totally didn't put myself out by making a dinner that was actually fresh and warm.

Italian Chicken - Note: 1. I only used one italian dressing pack.  2. Your house will smell a little funky with those pepper rings, but the chicken doesn't taste anything like the smell.
Beef Tips - Note this DOES smell and taste yummy.

Just Faux Fun

Just Faux Fun.  Just Dance. Maybe sing a little, or rap. Whatever floats your boat, be happy it's friday. 

What's up with that?

Featuring an sweat-suited, dancing Jason Sudeikis

A Dancing Zoe from Nurse Jackie

That dancing "Real World" guy from She's All That  (give it to me)

Top That

Nailed It

So on a whim, I decided to make a diaper cake for a friend.  What? You're going to try to be crafty, that's a shot in the dark.  Well, yes, I consider things like this, 'If I can do it, you can do it,' because my arts and crafts skills maxed out in 4th grade.  So I found a tutorial and was surprised that the directions were so short.  Here's what I followed:


Diaper Cake Supplies
:: Bottle of Wine/Champagne/Sparkling Grape Juice - This caught my eye, and yes, I used champagne.
:: Platter - I used a cardboard base
:: Rubber bands - I used leftover rubber bands from Whole Foods. Reduce reuse recycle people. 
:: Ribbons and Accents - My favorite section of Michaels is the ribbon section.  Am I the only one?
:: Baby toys

:: Large Pack of Size 1 Diapers - I used size 2 to make it more substantial.

DIY Diaper Cake Instructions

{Step 1} Place the bottle in the middle of the platter. Fan out the diapers and wrap around the bottle. Secure the row with a big rubber band.

{Step 2} Repeat for the second layer of the diaper cake and set on top of the bottom row. Three rows should be enough and will be smaller as you work your way to the top of the bottle.

{Step 3} Cover the base of the platter by gathering fabric or tulle around the diapercake. You can even add a receiving blanket as well.

{Step 4} Once the “cake” is assembled add ribbon to cover the rubber bands.  You can additional accents, toys or gifts to create a theme to make it unique for the newMom

Done and Done - thanks to my mom for making the bows look pretty. f it wasn't so for her, there would have just been a lot of knots. 

Nailed it. I just need to cover the base. Thats a little giraffe christmas ornament on the top. 

Vivian liked it. She wanted to eat it as she does everything these days. 

Steps - A serious post for Moms

Throughout your life, you take "steps". Your first steps, stepping in to young adulthood, celebrating college graduation, etc.  I've stepped in motherhood, which I now know was the more like a long jump, triple step, pole vault or flying leap up a flight of stairs.
The problem is ever since I got here, I'm taking steps toward the changing table, grocery store, park, and steps toward a tragic wardrobe. I'm also losing those accomplishments I would have made had I stayed in the workforce. This is all a very difficult transition that no one seems to tell you about. Yes, Vivian is taking steps (not literal) or making new accomplishments everyday, but I am in a rut.  The thing to remember is that you are an integral part of your baby being able to make all those accomplishments by supporting and nurturing your little one.  So to you moms out there, put some make up on today, even if you don't go anywhere, just to make yourself feel better. Maybe take a shower or paint your toes. But do something for yourself today.  Vivian and I will, yes, be taking our steps to the grocery store, but maybe I'm wearing mascara and I real bra this time.