Blog Delurking Day...

Come out, come out wherever you are :)

So, I've learned from other blogs I follow (and lurk) that today is Blog Delurking Day. I lurk in the shadows of MANY blogs (too many to admit to!) and seldom post a comment. Today I tried to comment on a lot and on blogs I haven't ever. Now it's your turn...if you are out there and haven't commented yet do it today :) Tell me where about you are from, how long you've hung around for, what you enjoy doing... anything really. I'd love to know if there are more then just my family and a few friends who are interested in what goes on in our family! :)

Pumpkin Pie Spiced Nuts

I've had requests (okay, one persistant sister mostly) to blog more. I told her the other day that I don't always have new and exciting things to write about so I said maybe I should just put up a recipe. She thought it was a great idea...so here is my first blog recipe! Let me know if you try it and how they turn out!!


Pumpkin Pie Spiced Nuts

1 egg white
1 tsp water
24 ounces salted, mixed nuts
1 cup sugar
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

In a large bowl, beat together the egg white and water. Add nuts and toss to coat. Combine sugar and spice. Sprinkle over the nuts and toss to coat. Line a 15x10x1 inch baking pan with non-stick foil or spray pan with non stick cooking spray heavily. Spread nuts in a single layer. Bake at 350’F for 20 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before transferring to waxed paper for complete cooling. Break apart before serving.

Five Question Friday

I really want to try and blog more this year, so I am trying to find ways that will get me to commit to doing it a little more regularly. I found this idea on another blog I follow and thought it would be fun. So, here goes my very 1st 5 Question Friday!!!

1. What's your "comfort food"?
It's not technically a "food"...but whenever I can wrap my hands around a hot cup (or Iced in the summer) of Dunkin Donuts Decaf Blueberry Coffee I sigh and all is right in the world. Okay..well maybe not everything is right in the world, but you know. It's my one indulgence and I love when I am able to pick one up when I am out and about.

2. Do you send Thank You's (handwritten or email)?
If I send thank you notes they are handwritten, but I only send them for the "major" life events (wedding shower, wedding, baby shower, baby gifts). Even with those I am pretty bad and doing them...in fact, I don't think I have sent any thank you notes for things we were given after Ruth was born (in JULY!).

3. If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which show would you choose?
Little House on the Prairie! I have loved this show since I was a little girl and I have always said I would have loved living during that time, though I know it would have been very difficult.

4. What is your favorite online recipe site?
I've recently stumbled on Our Best Bites and have found many yummy things to make and that I gave as gifts at Christmas time. Also, if I'm searching for a recipe idea I tend to head to Allrecipes.com and have had some success there as well.

5. If you had to choose: "Friends" or "Seinfeld"?

Definitely Friends. I have NEVER been a fan of Seinfeld and quickly change the channel if I see it on. But if I see a rerun of Friends I will usually watch it, even if I've already seen in many times before!

Happy Friday everyone!!! :)

Taggies

(Spoiler Alert- Mari...if you don't want to see what baby girl's looks like don't look at the last picture!!! The real one should get to you tomorrow!!!) :)

I have been making Taggies for the past (almost) 6 years. I never knew "real" or "professional" ones existed when I made my 1st one for Isaac. All I knew is that he liked to chew or suck on any tag he could find. Most of the tags on his blanket came from tags he like to suck on from other things. His is by far the most "rustic" and rough one I have made. I seem to improve on their design a little more each time. Each one has been different in size, shape, color, and number of tags. So far I have made one for each of my kids, my 2 nieces, my nephew, and one for the son of a friend from college! I've put up the pictures of the ones I've made so far... I just finished my most recent for my niece who was born on Christmas day. :)

Isaac's Taggie-The Original:

Gracie's Taggie:

Hannah's Taggie:

Elijah's Taggie:


Ruth's Taggie:

Sophie's Taggie:

10 years, A decade, a whole new life...

In this post I reflected on the significant events of the past decade and am still amazed by how my life has changed in such a seemingly short amount of time. Last night, Francis and I watched the ball drop in Times Square (not in person, just on tv!) with Ruth crashed in my arms (waiting for the perfect time to lay her down). It was nice to talk about our past and what we've done in 10 years. I laid Ruth down, he headed for bed, and I was left with a moment to think...not good. :) I crawled into bed and whispered in his ear "do you realize in 10 years we will have an almost 16 year old son (getting ready to drive) and a 13 year old daughter (hello teen years!!!)?" I just know how quickly the last 10 years have gone...I'm praying that somehow I can slow the next ten down. Maybe I just need to slow down my day to day life, try not rushing from one thing to the next, and just enjoy my babies as they are now. Maybe I need to stop what I am doing and just be with them. Maybe I need to stop worrying about the perfect time to lay Ruth down and just enjoy the moments I have her in my arms. Life goes by so fast, the last 10 years are proof of that. I want to treasure the moments I have NOW with my family knowing they won't last...

New Year, New Adventures!

Tonight was Ruth's introduction to the world of real food. She has been more then ready for a few weeks now...but we wanted to wait until the craziness of Christmas and New Years was over. She has been VERY interested in us eating and reaching out for anything we were trying to eat or drink. Here she is in her Bumbo seat, ready and waiting...


Her very 1st bite of rice cereal

Mmmmmm...yummy!

She kept leaning her head forward to try and get the next bite...

And she tried helping with her hands too!

She was all smiles at the end. She ate every last bite of what I made for her and loved it!

This is what she looked like about 20 minutes later... such a beautiful little girl. :)

I can't believe we have entered the world of solid food with Ruth. It seems just like yesterday I was nursing her for the very 1st time. It is amazing how quickly it all goes by. I just wish I could hold on to all my babies just a little longer...

Happy New Year (I Concede)

Well I contemplated writing my Happy New Year greeting in multiple posts...but decided that would have been cheating to reach my goal. So, instead I will humbly concede and just wish you all a very Happy New Year and many blessings in 2010!!!