Monday, November 30, 2009

CYBER MONDAY DEALS

HERE ARE THE DEALS THAT CAME TO ME VIA EMAIL - THOUGHT I WOULD PASS ALONG AND HOPE THAT THE BABY COOPERATES SO I CAN NAP AND SHOP BEFORE WORK TONIGHT!


**BATH AND BODY WORKS

25% OFF ENTIRE ORDER

ENTER CODE: CYBERMONDAY


**FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

BUY ONE – GET ONE HALF OFF + 20% OFF + FREE SHIPPING

ENTER CODE: CYBER09



**JCPENNY

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS OVER $25

ENTER CODE: 25MERRY



**GAP, BANANNA REPUBLIC, GAP KIDS, PIPERLIME, OLD NAVY

20% OFF ONLINE PURCHASE + FREE SHIPPING ON ANY PURCHASE

ENTER CODE: MONDAY

**THE GOLF WAREHOUSE (TGW.COM)

15% OFF


**BORDERS

BUY ONE – GET ONE 60% OFF

ENTER CODE: BCM1219B


**ROBEEZ

25% OFF ENTIRE PURCHASE

ENTER CODE: GIFT09

I'm the WINNER!!!!

My oldest blogging friend (actually we were friends WAY before blogging) - just made me a winner - sniff sniff Thanks Mrs T!  IF you haven't ever done so, please visit her blog - she always has some amazing giveaways!
Holiday Gift Guide







tot-to-go

Reading the About Us page of tot-to-go, I was holding my breath for a moment. You see, the story of how tot-to-go slings (and other great baby products later) was not an especially happy one. Thankfully though, the story had a happy ending!Based in British Columbia, Canada, tot-to-go is the home of sleek designedslings and nursing covers. Featuring fashionable prints (no cutesy bears here like the first sling I owned, how embarrassing!) and stretch cotton, tot-to-go's versatile sling can be used with babies and toddlers all the way up to 34 lbs.We checked out the Olivia design because I loved the hues of purple, pink and green. My daughter isn't much of a sling baby anymore but I wanted to see if she could be supported on my hip, which she was. I am hoping to use this sling daily should we ever make that decision on baby-three; it's so gorgeous that I can't bear to give it up as a gift to anyone else! How cute is tot-to-go owner Shani's youngest daughter?

The material of the sling has just enough stretch to 'give' a bit, making it comfortable on my shoulders and back, and the sleek feel of the material felt great against my skin and my daughter's too. Size is important, so make sure you refer to the sizing chart on the site for a perfect (non-adjustable) fit. No rings to adjust, no ties to deal with!
If someone on your holiday shopping list is expecting or has a newborn, tot-to-go slings and nursing covers are a really great holiday gift to consider. Being a new mom, many of us were hesitant to purchase something we weren't sure we 'needed' in those early months and instead suffered needlessly because of it. Slings are essential but especially if you have a high needs snuggly baby. I, for one, would have loved to receive a sling as a baby gift over countless items I had doubles or triples of at the time. Right now until December 4th readers can use discount code Feisty to receive 30% off any regular priced baby sling from tot-to-go!

Charm Design Bags and Totes $50 gift card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Charm Design Bags and Totes $50 gift card GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Who wouldn't want to win?

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Super Chocolate Cookies

If you like chocolate these cookies are for you!!  These are really rich and full of chocolate.  I sent these with my mom to a cookie exchange.  Needless to say the DH wasn't too excited to exchange - he wanted to keep all of these little chocolate gems for himself!



16 oz milk chocolate chips
1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
4 large eggs
1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 packages (24 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
Hershey Kisses chopped in half

Preheat oven to 350.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Microwave 16 oz. milk chocolate with the stick of butter until melted smooth ( for me I microwave 45 seconds and stir - then cook again for 45 seconds).

In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.  Set aside.

In a large bowl mix together eggs, brown sugar, and vanilla on high speed until light and fluffy.  Reduce speed and add the melted chocolate.  On low speed, add the flour mixture. Stir in chocolate chips, but leave out the kisses.

Drop by heaping tablespoons onto baking sheets.  2-3 inches apart.  Place a kiss on top of each cookie dough.

Bake until cookies are shiny and crackly yet still soft - typically between 12 -14 minutes.  Cool on cookie sheets for about 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack with a spatula.

Today when I made these cookies I got about 5 dozen (but I made them smaller than normal).  Normally 4 dozen.

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Oh, I've heard stories about that happening to people.....

My Thank You.....

I'm one of those people. You've heard stories about people like me. Many think we exist only as urban legends unless you know one of us. During this time of thanks, I'm so grateful to be one of "them". Looking at my brood, my life wouldn't be the same without everyone of my blessings.

My husband and I tried for years to get pregnant. We gave up. The money was running out, our marriage was collapsing as I tried to fill this void in my life to become a mother. Adoption was always an option. Why were we wasting all this money on a body that obviously had no desire to carry a child....it was Thanksgiving 6 years ago when we did our last fertility treatment. At that same time I was filling out applications to become adoptive parents fearing rejection. We were young and broke, did we stand a chance?

The next February, I was holding my son. He was two hours old when I first saw his beautiful brown eyes. He had me at WAAA! It was love, a love that I have never felt before but have felt twice since. The first moment when you see a child that you have been wanting and waiting for.

Fast forward 10 months - 6 pregnancy tests later and it was confirmed. I think that I am pregnant - huge shocker (this is when we become what urban legends are made of). My daughter was born - same love - overwhelming, just thinking about it makes me cry.

Now, fast forward again. I had just passed nursing boards and was moving to the night shift. Several stick tests later, confirmed I'm pregnant again.

There was a master plan. I am eternally grateful. Even when they are fighting or crying, I love the moment, remembering that this moment almost didn't happen.

Monday, November 23, 2009

50 Free 4X8 photo cards ENDS 11/30!!!

THIS IS AWESOME! Freebies4mom is offering 50 FREE 4X8 Photocards - but you must act fast - the offer expires November 30. I just ordered our cards tonight using this code - I saved over $25.00.

So - click on the link and order your Christmas cards today! You'll get the promo code on the other site!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Great Sale!!!!

As a mom of 3 with some baby weight to shed fashionista left my vocab a long, long time ago. But - here is a link to some great sales. Missoni, Tusk Ltd, and more!

There is also a link to a da-nang kids sale. The stuff was pretty cute!

Take some time and check it out! Perhaps you will find just the right gift for the to me, love me Christmas present (my personal favorite!).

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Apple Walnut Salad

This salad is excellent for Thanksgiving Dinner and Christmas Dinner.  I have brought this to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner the last few years...so good.  Even picky eaters like the dressing.

Dressing:
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup fresh cranberries
2 Tblsp honey
1 Tblsp white sugar
1 Tblsp chopped red onion
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
3/4 cup vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients except vegetable oil in a blender or food processor.  Slowly add oil.

Salad:
2 packages Spring Mix
3 medium red delicious apples chopped - coated in lemon juice if preparing in advance
1 cup toasted chopped walnuts

In a large bowl toss salad mix, apples, & walnuts.

Add salad dressing - toss and serve.

* I think that this salad would also taste amazing with candied walnuts or pecans.

Monday, November 16, 2009

What to do with all that art?

The amount of construction paper art that crosses our threshold is overwhelming.  The thought of parting with the art work is depressing.

Solution:
I am currently using my digital camera to photograph all of my art.

I then transfer those pictures to my digital picture frame.  Now not only do I have them, but I am constantly displaying their art.

The kids love to watch it and tell me whose picture is currently displaying!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Martha Anyone?

Who doesn't want to be Martha?

Here is a free download of her Thanksgiving Cookbook!  It downloads straight to your computer - really nice too!  56 pages of recipes from great Chefs, many of which you will recognize if you watch the food network!

Free Martha Thanksgiving Cookbook Download

Stick that on your power cord!