Weekend In Rewind

Wow! It's amazing how quickly the weekends come and go.  Football, family time, birthday preparations and shopping, birthday celebration, re-cooperation, and family bike riding. I think that about sums up my weekend!

Saturday morning started out bright and early. . . 5 a.m. to be exact.  Of course, it wouldn't have to be so early if I didn't require the morning cup of joe.   It was also the first day of cheerleading for Football Fest and team photo's.  Cheerleading is very new to us, we are pretty much the typical "soccer family". The boys haven't ever played Football, which is probably because Mommy never let them. Yes, it's my fault. But now that I am seeing the boys play and learning about the safety measures the Coaches and Football League takes, I am not sure that I would mind it as much if they decided to give it a go.

Ryan's 9th birthday followed cheerleading. It's kind of crazy how 9 years ago while I was in labor with Ryan all of my high-school classmates were celebrating the 10 year reunion.  Am I showing my age now. . . Ha ha!  

We couldn't have asked for any better of a day. The weather was cool in the morning and pleasant in the afternoon, more like a September afternoon than August.  There were lots of family and friends there to celebrate with us, including the Editors of Cupcake Mag, Chic Style Modern, and The Bunch and Beyond.  They are such lovely ladies!

We skipped cake and went for cupcakes this year.  Our favorite so far are the Glorious Treats Perfect Vanilla Cupcakes.  Originally we were going to whip up a batch of Billy's Bakery cupcakes, but Glorious Treats seem to have better reviews.  If you decide to make this recipe, my only recommendation would be to fill the cupcake liners 1/2 full instead of 2/3.  Our first batch overflowed, and looked more like they had Mickey Mouse ears.  Due to time, we opted for Betty Crocker's icing but used a decorator's bag and tip to frost them.  The American Buttercream Frosting looks delish, so we might have to whip up a batch for the Labor Day weekend.

Mom Mom had the little one's full of laughter running around the yard.  I wonder how long they could have ran around, laughing all the while.

Meet Grayson, Cupcake Mag's littlest.  Isn't he just a doll? I think I had him stuck to my hip most of the day.  Grayson is such a happy baby, full of smiles and drool.  Momma and Daddy are supposed to be going on a little vacation soon, and I just can't wait to have him for the weekend!

Meet Nicholas, my oldest. Apparently once you hit high school, you are no longer interested in being photographed. Is this what my pictures of Nicholas are going to look like for the next 4 years? I certainly hope not!

Meet Madison, daughter to the Editor of Chic Style Modern, learning how to ride a skate board.  Madison excels in athletics (I think she must get it from her Mommy) and took right off on the skate board.

On another note, I must skip off on my merry way. Till next time friends...

Back to School: Shoe Shopping Tips

Have you completed your back to school shopping? 

Did you remember those shoes, backpacks, and socks? If not, we have some great tips from Famous Footwear that will make it much easier for you to choose just the right styles for those trendsetters!

September Photo-A-Day Challenge

Get ready to jump on board with the launch of a brand new photo-a-day community.  Stacey (Author of The Bunch and Beyond) and Stacy are excited to launch our first EVER photo-a-day on Instagram.  We are still working out all the final rules and details, but wanted to get the word out to all of our followers.  

Below is the word a day for the month of September.  We look forward to motivating and inspiring many people to get out and shoot.  It doesn't matter what type of camera you have, or the amount of experience.  

We simply ask that you be creative, and be considerate to others when sharing your pictures.  We do not want any nudity, profanity, or anything that might be offensive to others.

Simply add your picture to Instagram, and include #iswirlphotoaday.

I will be posting the monthly list to the website a few days before each month, but there is also a new page added above for quick reference.

Freezer Meal Series ~ Spaghetti Sauce

I have always wanted to grow my own herbs and vegetables in hopes of making my own spaghetti sauce and salsa's. Every year I plant a garden filled with different types of tomatos, peppers, onions, and a variety of herbs but never enough for more than a salad with dinner.

This year I was certain we had nailed it.  We dug a larger bed for the garden, mixed in manure from a local farm instead of the dirt you can get from the hardware stores, did a soil test kit, and added peat moss to the manure.  The summer has been mild, and we have had our fair share of rain so the plants have required minimal watering. Everything seemed to be in line for a great harvest, but for some reason we have ended up with cucumbers and a few tomato's.

So... we weren't able to harvest enough vegetables to use in our spaghetti sauce.  I searched the internet to find a recipe that looked like something we would enjoy. Ree Drummond of The Pioneer Woman shares her recipe, and goes into detail on each step.  The tomatoes she uses are canned, so we didn't have to buy a bunch of tomatoes and prepare them for the sauce.  I really like that she notes which ingredients are optional, and which ingredients can be changed out with something else.

Anyone that knows me, knows I do not like lots of vegetables in my sauce.  The hubbie was SHOCKED to see me chopping away at the onions and green peppers.  I even threw in a can of diced tomatoes, since I know he loves them.

The Pampered Chef Food Chopper and Mix 'N Chop made cooking so much easier. I originally began chopping the onions up, but my eyes were watering terribly. The Food Chopper worked like a charm!  The Mix 'N Chopl worked great to really crumble up the beef. Perfect for cooking up 5 lbs at one time!

Once the sauce was done, using a big ladle, I scooped about 4-5 spoons into each bag. This made a total of 5 bags, and a nice amount for one box of pasta.  Since the bags can slide around easily, I set them in a cake pan in the freezer. Once they are frozen I will just remove them from the pan.  If you have room on the door, that would be another way to keep hold of them.

One other suggestion too, add a description and the date to each bag. This will help you out greatly, especially if you plan to make and freeze other recipes.

We used the sauce for dinner at my brother's birthday celebration.  Everyone LOVED the sauce, from the littlest to the adults.  This will now be my "Go-To" recipe for all my spaghetti sauce.

New York City Day Trip

Some of our neighbors said we were completely crazy to take a "whirl-wind trip" to New York City, but there were so many things we still wanted to do that we couldn't pass up the chance. My Mother decided to come along with us since she hadn't ever been to the city.  I was so excited to take her with us, it was hard to sleep the night before!

Our first stop was Central Park. There is a great App (Best Parking) you can download that provides parking garage prices and a map to show you where each garage is located in the vicinity. Some parking garages require you to download a coupon at least 30 minutes prior to arrival in order to use it. Not a bad option if you plan ahead. I will note that not all prices are correct. The first garage we stopped at wanted to charge $50 for a couple hours. We located the next closest garage and were able to park for $27. A little shopping around can definitely pay off!

Our day began pretty eventful. On the way to the park, we found this (see pic below) pretty water fountain, just across the street from The Plaza. The kids started walking around the fountain, climbing up the stairs on the back.

Little E decided to walk around the fountain and up the front side. As I am sure you can tell by the picture below, she walked right into the water. She must have been thinking she could walk on water! Hehe... Fortunately it was a nice day outside, so she dried off pretty quickly.  And yes, she is wearing HOT pink lipstick. My little fashionista.

I think it's wonderful that there is such a beautiful park in the middle of such a busy city where people can escape from all the hustle and bustle. In just the short distance we traveled through Central Park, we were able to see a carnival, take a ride on the historic Carousel, catch a ball game, and enjoy many historic landmarks.

Ball Game

Dairy Visitor Center

The Dairy Visitor Center has been used for many reasons over the years. It was once used as a place people could go to get milk and snacks, and now it is one of the five visitor's centers.

Playmates Arch

Strawberry Fields

Strawberry Fields is a memorial for John Lennon.  My Mom has always been a Beatles fan, so I knew we just couldn't miss the chance to stop by and pay our respects.  This was one of the busier landmarks we visited.

Fun at the Mall and Literary Walk

The Mall and Literary Walk

Hopefully next time we visit Central Park we will be able to see more that it has to offer, and possibly visit the Zoo.

NurturMe Yum-A-Roos Organic Dried Fruit and Veggie Toddler Snacks

NurturMe, the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals, announced today the introduction of Yum-A-Roo’s, a new line of bite-sized organic dried fruit and veggie snacks for toddlers.  

Big nutrition designed for little hands, NurturMe’s new Yum-a-Roo’s organic dry toddler snacks are made from bite-sized pieces of fruits and veggies that easily dissolve in the mouth. Tasty and good for little ones ages 1 year and older, Yum-a-Roo’s are extra nutritious since they contain veggies, in addition to fruit, and are dried – a NurturMe process that preserves the nutrients, freshness and flavor. Kiddos love the taste, and parents love that there’s 1.5 servings of fruits and/or veggies in every pouch. Yum-a-Roo’s are available in four flavors Tropical Twist (Banana, Mango and Pineapple), Caribbean Crop (Pea, Banana and Pineapple), Happy Harvest (Peas, Sweet Corn and Apple) and Bountiful Bites (Banana, Apple and Broccoli).   Suggested retail is $2.99 per each .75 oz. resealable pouch. 

NurturMe Yum-A-Roos snack line is certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher and contains no added sugar, salt or preservatives.  Yum-a-Roo’s come in small, re-sealable pouches that are perfect for lunchboxes, picnics, road trips, playgrounds, airplanes and of course, zoos!

In conjunction with the launch of Yum-A-Roos, NurturMe has created a free iPad and iPhone App starring “Roo” their adorable Kangaroo character.  The fun and educational new App teaches tots about their favorite fruits and veggies.  The Yum-A-Roo App can be downloaded here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yum-a-roo/id656498831.

In addition to the new Yum-A-Roos toddler snack line NurturMe recently announced the expansion of their award-winning line of organic dried baby food – including the introduction of a 100% quinoa rice cereal alternative and a new line of blended NurturMeals organic dry meal pouches that combine delicious and nutrient-rich fruit and veggie flavors. The first “stage-free” food for little ones, NurturMe’s new convenient and healthy organic dry meal pouches and fruit and veggie snacks make it even easier for busy parents to ensure their children are getting maximum nutrition with every bite – from infants to toddlers, and everywhere in between.  All NurturMe products are made in the USA from specially selected organic super fruits and veggies that are lovingly harvested and quick-dried in order to preserve freshness, flavor, phytochemicals and other nutrients.

NurturMe products are available for purchase nationwide online, as well as in select Whole Foods, Kroger family and Babies R Us stores across the country. Please visit nurturme.com for pricing and where to buy in your neighborhood.

About NurturMe

A revolution in feeding little ones, NurturMe is the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals and snacks created for children 4 months to 4 years. The first “stage-free” food for little ones, NurturMe’s line of organic dry NurturMeal pouches and Yum-a-Roo’s dried fruit and veggie snacks were designed to meet every yummy need, from infants to toddlers, and everywhere in between. NurturMeals and Yum-a-Roo’s are certified organic, gluten-free*, non-GMO and kosher, with no added preservatives, sugars or salts – only the good stuff. All NurturMe products are made from specially selected super fruits and veggies that are lovingly harvested and quick-dried in order to preserve freshness, flavor and nutrients.

Please visit nurturme.com for pricing and where to buy in your neighborhood. Visit us on Facebook at Facebook.com/nurturme and on Twitter atTwitter.com/nurturme for news of special promotions, new product introductions and more.

*Excludes the NurturMeals “Sweet Potatoes, Oatmeal and Bananas” flavor.

Three Things ~ FMS Photo A Day

Daddy, Mommy, and Baby Girl sporting Converse.  

By now, pretty much anyone that follows fashion has noticed that Converse are all the rage.  They are the perfect pair for shorts, jeans, and even most casual skirts.  As you walk along the streets in Manhattan, you will find business women, teens, men and women wearing them.  These have become my new "fave", replacing my beloved Tom's.

Dose of Inspiration

"Remember when life is steep, keep your mind open."

- Horace

Image captured in Brunswick, Maryland, USA.  Taken as part of the daily photography challenge on http://fatmumslim.com.au.  

01.05.13 Movement #FMSPhotoADay

The View from Here #FMSPhotoaDay

This photo was taken from my front porch. Aren't the snow covered mountains just beautiful? Our last snowfall was Christmas Eve, so as you can see we have had some cold weather since then.  Fortunately for us, it hasn't dropped into the single digits yet this season.

01.02.13 Something New #FMSPhotoADay

Something new ~ with the passing of the 2012 Christmas Holiday there were so many "new" things to photograph.  From the colorful Vera Bradley bags to the lovely starfish Tiffany & Co. bracelet it was really hard to choose just what to capture.

As I was going through the new fabrics and patterns I recently purchased I noticed that the cute dress pattern had a copyright of 2013 and knew that the year, paired with the fab new fabric I purchased would make the perfect picture to show "Something New" for me.

Review: Camera Strap Cover

Wow! I can hardly believe there are only 13 days left until Christmas! Crazy how quickly time flies.  This year we are keeping busy with winter sports, and it has definitely made the Christmas season seem like its blowing by. 

This past weekend was all about Christmas shopping and crafting.  Both my Mother and Mother in Law are passionate about photography so I though they might like their own camera strap cover.  The local fabric store offers a daily fat quarter bundle deal, and they match up the colors so beautifully!  I was able to get a bundle of blues and purples, as well as a bundle of a pink and brown mix.

I found a great Custom Camera Strap Cover at Moda Bakeshop that I absolutely adore, even more so because the pattern calls for a charm pack. It isn't too difficult to trim down a fat quarter to charm square size (5x5).  The tutorial is easy to follow, and this is a great beginners pattern. I think the most challenging part of the pattern is matching up the seams. Fortunately this is the underside of the Camera Strap Cover, so it isn't that visible.  The camera strap cover shown above on the left is my version of the Moda Bakeshop camera cover.

After creating the first camera strap cover, I decided to modify the pattern somewhat and add a couple layers of ruffles to the top (shown above on right).  The solids are nice, but I think one of the brighter fabrics used on the top ruffle would have really made it pop.

In my next attempt, I found a great tutorial on The Cottage Home. I highly recommend this tutorial if your sewing skills are more in the intermediate range.  Her tutorial is easy to follow and works up great!  Since I didn't have any fusible fleece on hand, I substituted with a light-weight Pellon fusible interfacing.  This is a great product to keep on hand!  I also modified the instructions and serged the long sides of the camera strap as well as the ends so that there wouldn't be any fraying inside the strap.  Just thinking that if you were to have a few different Camera Strap covers, you might want to change them out every so often, causing the fabric to fray somewhat.

If you have any questions, or have created your own camera strap cover I would love to see it! Just drop a comment below or send me an email and I will be in touch!

Happy Holiday Crafting!

Christmas Decorating: Wooden Letters

A good friend of mine sent me a picture of a wooden letter she found on Pinterest the other day. She was wanting to know if I could make a large loopy bow for her.  Since I have been making boutique bow clippies, I figured the bow would be no problem at all.

What really inspired me was the wooden letter decorated for Christmas.  Now don't get me wrong, I have seen the monogram wreaths, and the wall décor others have made and posted on Pinterest, but something sparked in me and I just had to get my own letters to decorate.

Lets get this straight.... I love to make and create but drawing and painting are not my thing. Never done much of it, and what I have didn't turn out that well. So starting this I knew I was taking a risk.  So it was off to Michaels I went. I picked up some wooden letters ($3.00/ea), paint brushes, acrylic paint (on sale for @ $.89/ea), and some Sharpie paint markers in Green and White ($4.00/ea).

** Make sure you check which acrylic paints you are buying. I accidentally purchased the RED outdoor acrylic paint and I think that the base color didn't turn out so well because I used the wrong type of paint.

Here are the steps I took to create the NOEL display in the picture above.

 

1. Cover the wooden letters in RED acrylic paint. Apply 2 - 3 coats as needed, and allow each coat to dry in between.

2.  Make various size polka dots in GREEN and White using the Sharpie markers.  I found these to be really easy to use, and my circles came out consistent.  If you are experienced with painting, you could easily make the circles with the acrylic paints and a paint brush.

3. Add some small black dots between the white dots and all around the letters.

4. Once the letters dried I added a boutique bow to the top, and attached it by using a glue gun and a small piece of ribbon that ran around the bow and letter.  Click on the boutique bow link for a great tutorial by Supermom vs Me if you aren't familiar with how to make the boutique bow.



I stood the letters up in the window above our front door using the sticky pieces from Command Strips.  That way we don't have to worry about them falling on anyone's head.  They would also look great on a mantle, or even a shelf in the bathroom. 

The possibilities are endless! Create different words, or even just a monogram initial. Add them to a wreath, hang on your Christmas tree, or create for gifts.  Don't forget to explore other colors too!

If you decide to make some of your own, be sure to link up and share yours with us!

Happy Holidays and Happy Crafting!

Get Set for Winter with North Face

Winter is right around the corner and has got me thinking about what we need to stay warm this season.  Here on the east coast they are saying it supposed to be a cold one. Last year we were pretty lucky to have a mild winter.

I am sure many people remember the winter season we had a few years ago... even if you didn't live in this area you probably heard how crazy the snow was! I think at one time we had over 24 inches of snow.  That's for sure the most I have ever seen!

So, all thoughts are focused on the must have coat, footwear and accessories to stay WARM and COZY this winter.  What brands do you think of when you are looking for cold gear? Our favorite by far is North Face, the MUST HAVE brand to keep you WARM and COZY.

The North Face Denali Down Jacket is at the top of our MUST HAVE list.  I highly recommend this jacket for anyone looking for something light-weight and still keep you warm.  Not only is this jacket made with the famous North Face fleece, but also has down added to the chest, neck, and arm areas providing additional warmth. The collection includes styles for Men, Women, Boys, and Girls.  Children's jackets are $129 and Adults are $199.

The Classic Denali Jacket is another great option for Men, Women, Boys, and Girls in a variety of colors. The classic style jacket is a FAVE of the Teen's since it is so versatile.  Prices range from $79 for Toddlers, up to $199 for adults.

North Face also has a great selection of footwear. Whether you are looking for snow boots, hiking boots, or running shoes North Face has your answer.  Our TOP PICK is the Men's Ultra 105 GTX XCR Shoe.  There are two colors to choose from, the Alloy Grey/Sienna Orange or the Black/Pewter.  The shoe is made with waterproof and breathable gortex making it a great option for any fall or winter trail running.  North Face has developed a Torque Control™ platform for those who struggle with pronation. Now with the Torque Control, your low arches will be better supported and achieve maximum stability.  This style is only $120.00, very reasonably priced compared to competitor styles.

Make sure you add North Face to the top of your Holiday Shopping list this year.  North Face can be found online and at your local Dicks Sporting Goods, Nordstrom, and Macy's.

Gold Toe: Not your Average Sock

Anyone with a large family can probably agree that the worst part of doing laundry is matching socks.  And when you toss in many different brands of socks, it just adds to the fun!  That's why we are so happy to share Gold Toe socks with you.  Gold Toe has a great selection of socks for everyone!  They have styles for men, women, and children and the selections range from casual, sport, and dress socks.  Gold Toe socks feel and fit great! 

Our absolute favorite part of Gold Toe socks (besides they last a really long time) is the EZ Match system for children.  There are three sizes, and with each size there is an additional gold band around the toe box.  This truly makes matching socks so much easier, and takes the burden out of doing laundry. 

Gold Toe has you covered when it comes to the latest trends for boys.  They not only have the stylish Basketball Crew socks, but they come in several different color options.  We are sure that any boy who keeps up with his fashion trends would love the Basketball Crew socks with the added lime or pink.

For the holidays, we just adore the girls Dressy Turn Cuff Sock. These are such fun frilly socks that all little girls are sure to love.  The sock is not too thick, allowing them to easily be worn with a pair of dress shoes.

Head over to Gold Toe today to check out the latest socks today.  Gold Toe can also be found at JcPenney, Macy's, and Kohls nationwide.

Review: Ninja Kitchen Blender

If you are in the market for a new blender, I highly suggest the Ninja Kitchen Blender!  This is a great blender with lots of added features.  It is very strong and durable, able to take on some of your toughest kitchen creations!

The Ninja Kitchen System Pulse includes a dough blade, cookie paddle, and a standard blade.  It also includes two single serve cups, a smaller blade, and drink lids that can be used to quickly make a breakfast smoothie or (our family favorite) a milkshake.

So your thinking, what makes this blender any different from other blenders?  We decided to put the blender to the test and make a batch of cookies.

The cookie dough paddle works great to mix the dough.  It takes literally seconds to change out the blade to the paddle.  Once the blender is set up, add all of your ingredients into the pitcher.

The bag of Betty Crocker cookie mix fits perfectly in the 40 oz bowl.  There is just enough room for all of the ingredients.

To blend your smoothie, cookie dough, or pizza dough, simply hold down the lid.  There is no need to scrape the bowl edges, as the cookie dough paddle pulls the dough and mixes it all up very well.  Once the dough is mixed thoroughly,  you are ready to add them to the pan for baking!

We have tested the Kitchen-Aid blenders in the past, and have found that the plastic prongs on the base of the blender that break off.  Once they start to break off the blender will no longer mix.  We couldn't find any plastic parts that could potentially break off on the Ninja Blender.

There are five different styles to choose from, and the prices range from $99.99 to $169.99.  The Ninja Kitchen Blenders can be found at your local Costco Warehouse, Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy's, and Target.

For more information, you can also visit their website at www.ninjakitchen.com.