Amazing Giveaway! ...

Not me.. not yet.

But check out these giveaways from Shasta Anne!

http://www.shastaanne.com/

Forever 21 and Exxon ...

So she's giving you the shopping money for the loot!

And the GAS to get there!

Wonderful giveaway!

WILW

What Im Loving Wednesday

This is short but sweet this Wednesday

Here's a couple things Im loving!

{spring is trying to come out and play..}

{Hello Kitty Easter Eggs @ Target}

I thought these were so cute to fill and put in SJ's easter basket.

She loves Kitties!

I think Im loving this next item....

Im debating on a two piece or a tankini.. I do have a tankini .. cause last year I was Full time Mom and MilkMaid to SJ.

But I love these JCrew suits!!

I love the aqua color & ruffle bottoms

{So Im thinking about loving it}

A little of everything...

Gosh, I feel like I haven’t updated in a while!

Some weeks/days I get so much done, and have time for 2 or three blog entries..

Other days/weeks, Im forgetting to eat lunch,

get the wet laundry into the dryer, and yep, even forget to go to the bathroom!

Ever have days like this?

Here are a few things we’ve been up to since my last post:

Grocery Store Finds:

I was super excited to find these two things the other day:

Alphabet Pretzels:

We're working on letters and numbers with her constantly.. and she knows quite a few letters already.. this is another fun way to keep up learning I guess, and they're really good!

{top of our stairs..3.25.11}

Jamba Juice Bars:

I have no idea why they sell these here.. no Jamba Juice for at least 500 miles or more.. the closest I've seen one was in the Charlotte,NC airport..

yogurt and Sorbet.. and 90 calories? Yes Please!

I think they have 3 other flavors, Vanilla Pomegranate Blueberry was one.. mmm.

uhhh.. so good! I plan to try them all!!

Sunday Playdate

We headed over to my Mom’s friend’s house Karen’s for a playdate with my childhood friend Nicole! I cant remember the last time I’ve seen her.. maybe when we were in grade school? Anyhow, the Moms have remained close, and Nicole has a blog so I feel like I’ve re-connected with her in that way too. She had her daughter Avery 1 week before I had Samantha. The girls were so adorable together..

{samantha was especially fond of the giraffe .. seen in the background}

{Avery.Samantha.Hugs}

It was a fun time, and I can’t wait to get the girls together again soon! Thanks Nicole for having us over!

We relaxed the rest of the weekend, we did a little shopping yesterday and I picked up a gift for my friend Julie who had a baby girl a few weeks ago. I dont think she reads my blog, so I can show you the adorable MudPie socks I got for her baby Annabelle

Im slightly obsessed with MudPie...

I was just dying to find out if she was having a girl!

I've had my eye on these for months! - Julie HAS to have them!! ha!

I would not mind if I had another girl the second time!!

Homemade Sauce:

I made a HUGE batch of Homemade Sauce on Friday.

I froze half for later meals...

It was so yummy...

My secret ingredient to make it extra good is Sugar though.

Yep.. plain white sugar.. makes the sauce taste sooo yum!

Last night I made Eggplant Parmesan for dinner too

Eggplants are hard to come by I've noticed.

I went to 3 grocery stores looking, and finally found them at the 4th store!

They were pretty pricey too! But after I ate dinner, I have to say it was worth the $5.00 for 2!

Happy Wednesday though... its smooth sailing from here!

Onto another weeekend, and I hope to find something fun to do!

Cupcake Re-Obsession....

I Heart Cupcakes

If you follow my blog you will see a tab called "cupcakes" - or "cupcake couture" or maybe both, I can't really remember ....

Anyways.. I love love baking.. My specialty over the years has quickly become cupcakes. I even did an order for a few birthday parties for friends of mine last year.

I noticed DC Cupcakes had returned to TLC... and my DVR thank goodness taped a few episodes for me that I was watching all weekend long... yes some repeatedly. I just love that show!

They have a bakery in Georgetown.. and Mathew and I used to meet up in DC for weekends when we couldnt fly to Ohio or NC to see each other..we'd walk up and down M Street in Georgetown and I NEVER went there.. I never even heard of it! .. Next time we visit.. I HAVE to go there..

Oh, and I just realized on their website... THEY SHIP ANYWHERE IN US!!!! What an awesome gift to get!

In my family Im known as the cupcake-maker.. and that is FINE by me... I love baking and mostly decorating with the buttercream.. so I will gladly bring cupcakes for any event, season, you name it.. baking is another form of creative therapy for me.. like my crafts/painting.

Next new episodes are on Friday 4/4 - and my DVR is ready!!

Slow..........FAST!

This week started off slow and relatively SLOW.. but boy did that change!

Work was VERY VERY hectic this week.

I was assigned to help with a project, and had only a few hours to get everything done..

but I was determined to get some things crossed off my

to do list(s) yes there are MANY

While out and about ... getting groceries mainly....

I got these cute Playmobil cars/trucks on clearance at our grocery store. Each one was under $4. And Samantha was loving putting the little girls/boys in their vehicles, hey.. it kept her busy while I got a few things done!

I started collecting stuff and putting together her Easter basket, and 2 baskets for my neices

and this is the only Easter decor I really have around the house..

I need a wreath or something.. but He's cute though...

And here's where my nice little week got SHOVED into overdrive....

Tumbling Thursday:

Work was a nightmare.... and I had to basically perform a miracle in about 2 hours.. which I did get done.. By the end my legs were numb and my throat was dry.. I forgot to eat Breakfast AND Lunch and I was now shaking..

I had to drop off some clothes for the MOPS clothing swap which is in a couple weeks. Basically .. if I bring in 30 items, I can take 30 items.. like a big free consignment sale!

And I had a few pairs of shoes, that I donated to go to Japan for the releif effort. Made me feel like I was doing a little to help.

Came home, ran around like a madwoman, throwing laundry in, bringing stuff in from the car.. When I slipped on ice and FELL so hard on our steps.... I was talking while I fell.. and the brunt of the fall was stopped by my elbow/right arm/right hand.. It feels so bruised and weird today..

Also.. It was my hubby's birthday yesterday..

I did not have ONE single gift wrapped or a card yet...

So I was dashing around (trying to be quiet while SJ was finally asleep)

Wrapping gifts/writing out a card/making a fast lunch..

God is telling me to slow down?

Im just thankful when I fell that I wasnt carrying Samantha.

Needless to say I was ready to end Thursday and begin FRIDAY..

Cute pic I snapped this week....

{she's rooting for Ohio State to take it all in the finals}

Today I really did go to a consignment sale .... and got some good stuff!

So in a nutshell.. I am so glad its FRIDAY!!!

Have a good weekend!

Blogiversary!!!!!

I missed my BLOGIVERSARY...

It was actually Monday, 3-21.

Shame on me!

I am a baby in the bloggy world compared to some out there..

but I still cant beleive it's already been 1 year!

My only regret is that I wish I would have started SOONER!!!

I could have documented our life in NC, my pregnancy, Samantha's birth, etc..

Oh well.. next baby will be on here for sure.. someday.

My very first post can be found HERE...

Samantha was a completely different baby...

I cant beleive she was just that little 1 year ago!

I feel like I should do a giveaway or something?

Should I?

Top 2 Tuesday - Dream Rooms

DREAM ROOMS!

I'd have to say my dream room would be a fabulous HUGE kitchen!

I love the look of this kitchen below, its my favorite picture that I found so far...

Oh, and an enormous walk-in pantry off the fab kitchen... like Ina Garten!

I love organization, and this is awesome!

{Another Cool Kitchen Idea..}

Im in the kitchen cooking all the time anyway...

The ideas could go on and on... I just picked these few pictures because honestly they are the first ones I saw and grabbed my attention.

Cant wait to see more fab dream room ideas!

Tell us at The Undomestic Momma

St. Patricks Day Party 2011

Every year my Aunt and Uncle put on a huge St. Patrick's Day party.

It is always fun, and the food is always delicious!

There were lots of snacks before dinner, including Pillsbury's Pot O' Gold..

which I had never ever heard of.. I plan to make it for SJ.. she LOVED it..

Good idea for a quick fun snack.

For the recipe click HERE.

(I bought a box of lucky charms today)

We had corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, sweet potatoes,carrots, rye bread, for dinner.

I was asked to make what else........

CUPCAKES!! ...

Which I did not mind at all.. I had not made them since December! I was due..

We woke up and Momma started making the green buttercream frosting for the cupcakes..

Of course Samantha wanted to help... She comes RUNNING everytime she hears the mixer ..

{Buttercream in action....}

So I set her up with a little "cooking station" to occupy her while I mixed..

{cooking station}

Dont get me wrong I HEART
my kitchen aid mixer, but I really hate cleaning it...
It has so many little grooves, and holes..

{yuck}


The party was so much fun!
There were 7 other kids there..
so Samantha loved playing with the great toys they had,
and running around with the other kids..


{Parker,Charlotte,Lily,Samantha,Clare, Abby and Aiden}



This is the Trio of Gals .... All born in 2009. They will all be turning 2 this year..

{the trio of '09 babies}

Lily in April, Samantha in July and Clare in June.



Samantha liked hangin' with the boys.. and having tea party


mmm tea...

Clare bear enjoying her cupcake


{Samantha and grammy havin'a cupcake..}

There was so much sugar in that buttercream..

I doubt any of the seven kids went to bed on time.. oops!

Great party with great friends and family.

We finished the rest of the weekend today with a little church, chalk drawing and ribs on the grill for dinner.. yum!

Irish Day 2011, Jill Kelly & Recipe

I attended MOPS this morning,

and got the priveledge of meeting and listening to Jill Kelly

speak about Prayer and Devotion...

One word.. AMAZING.

I feel totally inspired and refreshed, and throw a little Jesus, and relationships in there too. I could have listened to her all day.

She spoke to my heart with examples of being a Mother and Wife, and a Christian that I could totally relate to.. It has almost energized me into wanting a better relationship with Jesus. Im so glad I went!

She has a couple books out, that I think I may have to get and read!

If you arent familiar with her.. http://www.jillk.org/. Her story is amazing, and getting to meet her and hear her recite that story with passion and tears was something I wont ever forget.

Today is also St.Patrick's Day

and I had my Corned Beef and Cabbage

simmering away in my slow cooker all day.. mmm

The recipe is SOOOO darn easy..

I make it always on St. Pat's Day -- seeing as I am 50% Irish and all

.. but I've been known to just make CB&C just because why wait a whole year, its delish! ha!

Recipe:

(courtesy of my cousin Jeanne I might add)

Corned Beef Brisket - packet of seasoning inside

4-5 Potatoes (Red or Yukon Gold)

3-4 small onions - quartered

5-6 large carrots - cut into 3 inch pieces.

1 head cabbage

Add corned beef (thawed) & sprinkle seasoning over top.

Then add onions/potatoes/carrots

Cover with about 2-3 cups water

Cook on Low 8-10hrs

Add Cabbage in wedges and add to slow cooker at the last hour of cooking,

and turn up slow cooker to HIGH setting. (1hr)

Test to make sure tender.

I serve my meal with Rye Bread & Mustard for Corned Beef Sandwiches (hubby likes)

or on the side with yummy butter! (I like)

We're having my aunt over for dinner tonight, and she brought dessert...

{Irish Cream Cheesecake... mmm}

And she brought 2 huge shamrock iced cookies for Samantha.

Maybe that why she was screaming in her crib tonight before bed.. she never puts up a fight (hardly), but tonight she was a stinker and really got upset..

I tried to soothe her.. but as usual, just made it worse...

Eventually she did fall asleep... poor thing.

Hope everyone had a great Day!

I had a request for The San Diego Fish Taco recipe.. I am getting that going.. let me know if you want any other recipes as mentioned in this posting

{outside on a beautiful St.Patrick's Day today}

What Im Loving Wednesday

Since last Wednesday.. here's what Im loving these days...

1 - Shamrock Shakes

I must confess...

I've had 2 so far since they have been available,

and I feel #3 creeping up on me. They're just so darn good!

And I think the kid in me still loves that they are green! ha

2. Spring Weather.

{First Spring Walk}

Im trying not to get too excited this early

.. but here in the North, seems like a good spring day and everyone is out and about and in good moods, flowers are blooming, etc..

And I feel like I am motivated to GET MORE DONE!

We walked, and played outside, went to the park, and did chalk drawings for the first time.

I know there are probably a few cold days left.. but for now i'll take the 50-60's!!! Its been too long and we missed you warm weather!

3. New Recipes

I recently have been so tired of my same ole go-to recipes, and between a few great blogs and my mother in law I've made a few winners the past few weeks.

Let me know if anyone is interested in the recipes, and I'll do a post JUST for recipes.

I cant wait to try some of the new ones.

Here's my list: (I love lists):

Thai Coconut Chicken

Corned Beef and Cabbage (making Thursday)

Cole Slaw

Red Beans and Rice

San Diego Fish Tacos

Creamy Pasta Salad with Celery

Pastina with Carrots and Peas (for Samantha)

4. New Trend Jean Shorts

I found this picture,

and I really like this look.. I've been seeing these

Jean Shorts everywhere in magazines and online...

So this weekend I headed to the thrift store for some

old jeans to try and make my own long jean shorts.

Im going to TRY to make some on my own.

I bought 2 pairs of bigger jeans

One pair is American Eagle actually both for 5.00 total

so no big loss if this is a failed attempt to be chic!

5. Southern Hash Browns

I found these at Walmart and they are soooo good..

I made a bunch on Saturday morning and kept snacking on them.

We put a little ketchup on em and gave them to SJ with her lunch.. perfect for her.

So thats what Im loving this Wed.. How bout you?

Link up at WILW!