One of my fave online boutiques!

Little Dudes and Divas is a fantastic boutique...the customer service can't be beat!

I organized a donation for a family in Omaha and ordered the diaper bag from Maya at Little Dudes and Divas, and when she found out what it was for, she donated a couple items as well! THAT is amazing. :-) AND if you notice on my family blog, I have them linked as one of my favorite businesses! LDD has my loyalty in regards to online boutiquing! :-)

Go check them out...

Visit Little Dudes and Divas at www.littledudesanddivas.com

Check out the Little Dudes and Divas Blog www.diaperbagnews.blogspot.com

Join the Little Dudes and Divas Group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/diaperbags

Some Giveaways!!! :-)

Well, I have been contemplating a serious post to put up here, but just haven't been in the mood to blog lately...let alone about anything serious SOOO here's a super fun blog! There are THREE awesome giveaways at www.babywearsprada.com!

And before I tell you about these, I have to tell you that my SIL won the Baby Bella Maya giveaway of a matching blankie and booties! How cool is that?!!!?? :-) Knowing someone who wins is as fun as winning myself! :-)

#1: GiGi Blanki Giveaway....Gorgeous custom made little security blankis, bibs (aka drooli's) and all sorts of other fun stuff....the giveaway is for a blanki and a drooli! Goooo check it out! I had a ton of fun playing with the different options until I chose which one I would want. :-)

#2: Princess Patch Giveaway....Talk about some bling! These are super fun bling'd out shoes for your LO. I picked the Rock Star black converse shoes for The SB if I win. :-) The little girl shoes are sooo adorable too! A fun splurge item!

#3: Bling Around The Rosie Giveaway....this is a great giveaway for the little girls in your life! Fun sparkle on fun shirts that are washable and durable! Now THAT's a product that could only be designed by a mom! :-)

Just go to the website, pick what you want, make a comment and voila, you're in the running!!

Go Vote Folks!

I hope all of you who are eligible will get out and vote today! We are a blessed nation and people to be able to have a say in our government and it's not a right to take lightly or for granted!!

I also hope you will vote based upon truths rather than emotion. I hope you will vote based upon conviction rather than eloquent speeches.

There are even some businesses giving discounts or freebies with an "I voted" sticker. Check out Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Chik-fil-A, Ben and Jerry's....and maybe others???

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Speaking out again

A wonderful lady I know posted this video to her blog and I agree and like it so much that I am sharing it with you.



What this young man says has not been said enough and unfortunately is never reported in the media. They somehow always find the disgruntled soldier or soldier's family to put on the news...more sensational that way because who wants to hear that things are improving and going well? That sure doesn't help ratings!

And....that's all I am gonna say about that (for now anyway...wink)

Feeling a little sentimental...

I'm sitting here wrapped up in a throw that used to belong to my Gram.

It came in a box today that Mom sent me. I had forgotten she was sending it to me, but I was expecting the au jus mix, remote caddy, toy for The SB, birthday card and camera....but when I opened the box and saw this throw on top, I immediately knew what it was....I picked it up, buried my face in it and sobbed.

Gram has been gone for more than ten years now but I don't miss her any less. I won't ever get to hug her again, but being wrapped up in a blanket that belonged to her is a nice feeling. I think about her a lot, especially because I know my mom would give nearly anything to be able to tell Gram all about Mom's grandbabies.

She has missed some exciting things in my life, but anytime something extraordinary or special happens, I think about her and how fun it would be to share those moments with my little Gram...

Something on my heart...

As the election draws near, there is something on my heart. It has come to mind a couple times and then yesterday in my quiet time, I came across these verses that jumped out:

"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths." (2 Tim 4:3-4, ESV)

So, I implore you all to evaluate where you're at, seek truth and vote accordingly.

And...that's all I'm gonna say about that! :)

Guess what I did today?!

Well, I did something else today that a few years ago I would have probably told you I wouldn't do....I made my own baby food! I've been toying with the idea for a while. Here is why I took the plunge:

1--I raw feed my dogs, but jar-feed my baby?! That's messed up!

2--I can make time for it since I am a SAHM

3--We just got a food processor about a month ago

4--It is WAY cheaper

5--It is WAY healthier

6--I know exactly what is going into my baby's tummy!

7--I get some sort of odd satisfaction from doing things "from scratch"

So....here's my first adventure. I chose pumpkins because it's October, I love the fall and pumpkins are yummy!

Step 1: Go to the store to find a "sugar" or "pie" pumpkin....only to find the only baking pumpkins available are also the only painted/decorated pumpkins?! (Why does that make sense???)

Step 2: Talk to produce manager to ask if there are any non-painted baking pumpkins...to which he replies, "I don't think so, why?"

Ummm....because I plan to bake them?? ha ha

He said the paint is non-toxic and washes off so he will give me whatever painted pumpkins I want for the pie pumpkin price, rather than $5.75 each!

Step 3: Wash silly paint off of baking pumpkins

Step 4: Split pumpkin in half and place face down in 1-2 inches of water in baking pan

Step 5: Sprinkle a little cinnamon to add some spice taste!

Step 6: Bake at about 400 for about an hour

Step 7: Scrape meat out of pumpkin and put it in the food processor


Step 8: Food process. :-)


Step 9: Spoon into ice cube tray (each cube is roughly a serving size...how convenient!)



Step 10: Freeze!

(That's where I'm at now...)

Step 11: Remove cubes from tray, put in labeled freezer bag, and remove servings as needed!

Yay!

I also have sweet potatoes baked and waiting to cool so I can do the same. :-) Then it's peas and green beans and apples and apricots and carrots and bananas and avocados and.....well, you get the idea!

One serving in a jar of organic baby food? $.50


One serving of pumpkin made at home? $.04...yes FOUR CENTS!


The feeling of doing something healthy for my baby? Priceless....