tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58469036153478128022024-03-12T21:12:57.878-04:00SweetStanleySistersAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-64768600291827235922010-10-19T10:28:00.003-04:002010-10-19T10:34:04.329-04:00Spare TireWhoa...not that spare tire...I do have one of those too, but I was really talking about the real spare tire that goes on your car...<br /><br />Anyway...<br /><br />We were on our way out and Sara and Rachael were milling around in the front yard waiting for me, when all of a sudden Sara bursts back into the house...<br /><br />Sara: Mommy, MOMMY...look! You have to see this! <br />(She leads me to the back of the SUV and makes me get down real low.)<br />Can you believe there's an extra tire under here?! Can we use it for a tire swing?!!!<br /><br />Me: Um...I think you should go ask your father.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-87867630342989644892010-10-14T13:49:00.002-04:002010-10-14T13:56:54.346-04:00My the Lord bless you and keep you...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmNLQy9Tq6hk-zBFd-n1tBYtuIcjZ0DguEgK2knPWkmGvQ-CcB9E5C6H0aFuoP3whk2P2gPoMXVEEA_LIdEl_S0H_z-Cc9Gyh8pBPCXUfoJF5Ii4lmBdVi_UbS-XsN_svjmUK8bnQzYU/s1600/DSC_0003-1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmNLQy9Tq6hk-zBFd-n1tBYtuIcjZ0DguEgK2knPWkmGvQ-CcB9E5C6H0aFuoP3whk2P2gPoMXVEEA_LIdEl_S0H_z-Cc9Gyh8pBPCXUfoJF5Ii4lmBdVi_UbS-XsN_svjmUK8bnQzYU/s320/DSC_0003-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527960671200542194" border="0" /></a>This my husband's sister and her beautiful family. You may recognize little Joey from my post yesterday. I am excited to announce that Joey has made it though his open heart surgery!!! Praise God!!!!! Please continue to pray for Joey and his family as they begin the road to recovery.<br /><br />I love you guys and you are in my constant prayers!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-56065184532623581442010-10-13T21:33:00.003-04:002010-10-13T22:30:45.191-04:00Not your ordinary Joe<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfWxEB6EitdvJaxf1QfjPtoDoTG41Vm2cDg7tto3Z2N6GWOTey3JztYbDrflsBPZg0oKf6rkDAwqwAcjbXU-NDDYsdyi5jkvoyO3grGolOPbLPLo8U16oo4Bq069o5VFyiqN9rTuLZ9c/s1600/DSC_0004-1.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfWxEB6EitdvJaxf1QfjPtoDoTG41Vm2cDg7tto3Z2N6GWOTey3JztYbDrflsBPZg0oKf6rkDAwqwAcjbXU-NDDYsdyi5jkvoyO3grGolOPbLPLo8U16oo4Bq069o5VFyiqN9rTuLZ9c/s320/DSC_0004-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527722997153662498" border="0" /></a><br />Dear Joey, my sweet nephew,<br /><br />You are such a joy...a true gift from God! You are one of the happiest babies I have known. You are always smiling and cooing and laughing. You love to watch your sisters and cousins running all around you and you squeal with joy when one of them stops to give you a kiss or a tickle. You are very attentive.<br /><br />You are growing wonderfully and I am sure the last two pounds settled right in each of those cheeks. For all you have been through it is miraculous to see you thriving like you have. I always say that fat babies are happy babies and you definitely fit the bill on both accounts! It was the greatest honor of my entire life to help provide food for your momma to feed you. I cried right along with your mom when she realized that resuming nursing was no longer an option. You are special and keep life interesting, so why should feeding you be any different?<br /><br />What most amazes me about you is how you communicate through your eyes. You had several weeks where you couldn't make a sound. We could tell what you wanted just from the look in your eyes. Your eyes sparkle when you're happy, plead when you're sad, and observe so closely when you are in the mood to just sit back and watch. You don't miss a minute of the action in your house!<br /><br />In your four months of life you have managed to bring out the best in everyone. You have taught your sisters gentleness and compassion. You have allowed the Church to demonstrate its selfless giving to a family in need. Your life has solidified the bond of family that I always knew was there but never fully realized how deep it ran. Your life has brought people closer to God through the constant prayers for your well-being...I can't think of a greater gift you have given than that. I can't wait to see what other amazing things God has in mind for your life!<br /><br />Tomorrow you have quite a busy day ahead of you. You will undergo your final open heart surgery. You will then be back to "normal"...I won't tell you how long I have been trying to be normal and you manage to get there in four months! You take your surgeries and procedures in your own special way and I am sure this will be no different. Know that you have countless people praying for you every step of the way.<br /><br />I love you more than words can possibly say. I will be praying for you, your parents and sisters, the hospital staff and all involved in your care.<br /><br />Aunt Angela<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-49734761528175142082010-10-13T08:47:00.003-04:002010-10-13T08:53:39.633-04:00As long as I have my thumb...Both Sara and Rachael were/are thumb suckers. Sara sucked her thumb and played with her belly button. Rachael sucks her thumb and twirls her hair. The greatest sign of affection from her is when she lets you be the one to twirl her hair! <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mfvRnrrKBu4eO096hsGQF-JFYGiaa5Zze1HU58UY25Okpfv9WO2XmFev0oaiIP7lWDScsuzzBKqxF5lTVSGGYe9YS71MFSk8CFLeWm1kekUUPtvvOC8iUBSypHhZ6o6zHQzFWXufwws/s1600/DSC_0422.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527512222660460050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5mfvRnrrKBu4eO096hsGQF-JFYGiaa5Zze1HU58UY25Okpfv9WO2XmFev0oaiIP7lWDScsuzzBKqxF5lTVSGGYe9YS71MFSk8CFLeWm1kekUUPtvvOC8iUBSypHhZ6o6zHQzFWXufwws/s320/DSC_0422.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-51508599932982497952010-10-12T09:00:00.000-04:002010-10-12T09:00:08.098-04:00Blizzards Soccer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFcVlGFrl1Q1jW1Z1Z-vj87OegH05XBHGDLgrboQNQYmhpwr-azkQmuK5Bkx1wbYU1efhhlq-X-Ogi8IwaI4n2e95SM9o-7VGMhyphenhyphenpg3ekmCTPbBraoiiU-DdSXmznE3ImFxm5H5j5agU/s1600/DSC_0463.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFcVlGFrl1Q1jW1Z1Z-vj87OegH05XBHGDLgrboQNQYmhpwr-azkQmuK5Bkx1wbYU1efhhlq-X-Ogi8IwaI4n2e95SM9o-7VGMhyphenhyphenpg3ekmCTPbBraoiiU-DdSXmznE3ImFxm5H5j5agU/s320/DSC_0463.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526842057976598514" border="0" /></a>Sara is really progressing in soccer this year! It turns out she is a great defender...she holds good field position and can really clear the ball!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3buOuoHAyExSBTfChonGhl9sJwmDIn8FRf37cBUuX2euPvjwAl71QBB7lW16AmZaRC8VAkdk-ZYRFAlcyMoFjbND6Po0muUR8JD4JAXQDYiYPCWpA8glfIRqUcTfcQLW52AwowxOlO8o/s1600/DSC_0461.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3buOuoHAyExSBTfChonGhl9sJwmDIn8FRf37cBUuX2euPvjwAl71QBB7lW16AmZaRC8VAkdk-ZYRFAlcyMoFjbND6Po0muUR8JD4JAXQDYiYPCWpA8glfIRqUcTfcQLW52AwowxOlO8o/s320/DSC_0461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526842050736407282" border="0" /></a><br />She has her first loose tooth, so sometimes that's more interesting than the game.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNazE-L8AaAGN2CHzmRtFx2grQjzQNIR5EQg2Vi7mvyRxLKt2h-fof7bPUAsgpmt04iMHreG95QTBGkmAXqH6zVwNHgsyab0KtqaHVy8qGTdXBb-KrFICd6VQLfYOtV6gB0IYJoG2fqPk/s1600/DSC_0483.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNazE-L8AaAGN2CHzmRtFx2grQjzQNIR5EQg2Vi7mvyRxLKt2h-fof7bPUAsgpmt04iMHreG95QTBGkmAXqH6zVwNHgsyab0KtqaHVy8qGTdXBb-KrFICd6VQLfYOtV6gB0IYJoG2fqPk/s320/DSC_0483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526842041982452242" border="0" /></a>But either way, she is having a great time and the whole family is enjoying cheering her on!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-6834163855409587422010-10-11T13:22:00.000-04:002010-10-11T13:24:44.741-04:00We all scream for ice cream!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-V2rElVm3UpTDzl3Dho7gmbRHB5JxT3ZbkmZSNXYeEZIEEAhuamEHN4b0blR2uhN-7Z-QOTCQujZKwLhRXYc4nBxjefQUiP4XhlYi4C2tr4FjGZKZCLsb0BjlDMy_4Y63zE2-5vv566k/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-V2rElVm3UpTDzl3Dho7gmbRHB5JxT3ZbkmZSNXYeEZIEEAhuamEHN4b0blR2uhN-7Z-QOTCQujZKwLhRXYc4nBxjefQUiP4XhlYi4C2tr4FjGZKZCLsb0BjlDMy_4Y63zE2-5vv566k/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526840564752655538" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-33703755099637717132010-10-10T16:00:00.000-04:002010-10-10T16:02:09.045-04:00Fall Fun!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm8IaVAh9l_N-8Gf2ezjd7FImwnj1aPWH0TkEVrijA2tNdgPTgPmNtioouTPsVS3yTxnUsftE57vYR9FS_rnMWsdRorNN5WBvfDwXCcDekg3-cDULBxNWGvUwMESByeXPtE5O5tNqLOg/s1600/DSC_0526.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm8IaVAh9l_N-8Gf2ezjd7FImwnj1aPWH0TkEVrijA2tNdgPTgPmNtioouTPsVS3yTxnUsftE57vYR9FS_rnMWsdRorNN5WBvfDwXCcDekg3-cDULBxNWGvUwMESByeXPtE5O5tNqLOg/s320/DSC_0526.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526510048782781314" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="border: medium none; background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent;" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-64221576509114277892010-10-08T22:02:00.001-04:002010-10-08T22:11:26.808-04:00Silly Girls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZIitavNzGmN-JFWPcluF76ivFdeo-z_jseVvNXFGqAT4Qx7rtEuc7VBgaLqlYE0IWjWwK2G8urUfLQjmrQlI7Ceik7YtUtLK8pQFCJgdIvnL6lj3RjkNsDx3eed6q5X5kFrziMD2eZg/s1600/DSC_0659.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZIitavNzGmN-JFWPcluF76ivFdeo-z_jseVvNXFGqAT4Qx7rtEuc7VBgaLqlYE0IWjWwK2G8urUfLQjmrQlI7Ceik7YtUtLK8pQFCJgdIvnL6lj3RjkNsDx3eed6q5X5kFrziMD2eZg/s320/DSC_0659.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525862889563892034" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-8706247505928082572010-10-08T09:03:00.002-04:002010-10-08T09:13:35.920-04:00Approaching my 2 year anniversary of NOT posting!Shocking, I know! Well, not really. <br /><br />I read an article called <a href="http://motherhood.yourway.net/how-i-do-it-all-secrets-from-a-perfect-wife-and-mother/">How I Do It All...Secrets for a Perfect Wife and Mother </a>and the concept really resonated with me...for everything we do, there are things we don't do. Here's my list to add to theirs...<br /><br />I do keep the family's schedule...I don't keep my husband in the loop as much as he deserves to be.<br />I do pack my daughter's lunch every day...I don't ever pack my own.<br />I do like to fold laundry...I don't like to put it away.<br />I do work full time...I don't get to volunteer at school.<br />I do have my children involved in several activities...I don't have any activities of my own right now.<br /><br />Do you have any to add to the list?<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-86291008505332901132008-11-11T21:26:00.009-05:002008-11-12T08:53:22.280-05:00Canning Weekend 2008This post is intended to chronicle exactly what I did for this year's apple canning season so that I can repeat or improve upon my process for next year.<br /><br />I purchased about 17 pounds of mixed variety apples from the grocery store for .99/lb. This was the same price it was at the local orchard for pick your own apples when you picked greater than 20 pounds. I opted to skip the actual picking this year...maybe next year I will do it with the kids just for the experience. A few years ago, I took Sara (then about 15 months) and picked about 60 pounds of apples. Did I mention that it was only me and Sara...and 60(!) pounds of apples? Not the brightest idea I've ever had, and probably the main reason I skipped it altogether this year. <br /><br />In addition to the store-bought apples, I bought 2 big boxes (24 pounds each) of apple seconds from the Catoctin Orchard in Emmitsburg. They were $6 a box for a total of $12. I was not exactly sure what I was going to be getting with "seconds" but I was pleasantly surprised! The apples were not the prettiest things. There were lots that were misshapen, too big, too small, or with a small defect on the peel. But they were all most certainly edible and you can't beat .25/lb! Also, I was able to have the orchard make up my boxes of seconds with the kind of apples I wanted...I only specified red vs. yellow/green, but I think next year I will ask if they can avoid adding certain varieties of apples. (I will have to figure out the type, but there was one kind that was a very soft fleshed apple that totally fell apart when cooking.) For next year, I will definitely go with all apple seconds and no store bought. I think<br /><br /><br />After I got all the apples home, I cut them into about 6 pieces each and tossed them into this big tub that Sara so (un)willingly let me borrow from her toy room. It didn't occur to me to take a picture till we were well underway, but at the beginning the bin was very full!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/vZonURmTpmrryyacXUez_w"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_AHNKT6mQH3w/SRgqj8Rs4HI/AAAAAAAAAV4/DUXN_94fa8c/s288/100_0416.jpg" /></a><br /><br />In the midst of chopping, I began cooking the apples. They needed to cook for about 15 minutes, so I had a sort of rotating schedule of starting each pot about 7 minutes apart.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/IS3clvAEbi1jRJFQnJAr0w"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_AHNKT6mQH3w/SRgqmYh7b0I/AAAAAAAAAWA/zxZ5OQYzmvo/s288/100_0417.jpg" /></a><br /><br />When one pot of apples was done cooking, I processed them down to sauce using my Kitchenaid mixer and some amazing attachments (the food grinder and the fruit & veggie strainer)! Sara was a big help with this step mixing and pushing the apples down the chute to be processed. She also dubbed the waste coming out the end of the strainer the apple poop. She thought that was hilarious!<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AwrjkfnAQd95IrPeKSOj-w"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_AHNKT6mQH3w/SRgqheXWx0I/AAAAAAAAAVw/H13T3V9yOhY/s288/100_0415.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The next step in the process was to cook the applesauce with sugar and cinnamon and then to process the jars. For the applesauce I added about 1/2 c sugar and 1 tsp of cinnamon per quart. This was not scientific at all. It looked more like 2 c sugar and a heaping hand full of cinnamon added to the pot on the right in the picture below. As for the jars, some people run them through the dishwasher to get them sterile/hot, but I decided to boil them empty in the canning pot for about 10 minutes before filling them with the hot applesauce. After the jars were filled I processed them in the canner for about 20 minutes. It worked out well once I got my system going. 20 minutes of processing time plus 10 minutes to prepare the next set of jars was just the time I needed to cook up another pot of applesauce. Rinse, lather, repeat...and repeat, and repeat, and repeat...<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/xbqkO6rrhhim-g-DuVRvZQ"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_AHNKT6mQH3w/SRgqrd2mJ4I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/X9pX-5dbi3Y/s288/100_0423.jpg" /></a><br /><br />So here's the final tally...I canned 15 quarts and 13 pints of applesauce and 11 pints of apple butter. Why both quarts and pints of applesauce?? I really have no idea. I wish I had a good explanation...I had enough quart jars to do it all in quarts. At first I thought I would only do the cinnamon applesauce in the smaller jars, then do plain in the quarts but I liked the cinnamon so much I did it for all of the jars. I am wondering if it will work out OK throughout the year to have some smaller jars to use when we don't want to refrigerate leftovers. I will have to see how it goes and plan better for next year.<br /><br /><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/j9AIvAnxzqqyXnEdCo4LqQ"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AHNKT6mQH3w/SRo-eHFUoxI/AAAAAAAAAXg/IIj3JDD1Zqk/s288/100_0443.jpg" /></a><br /><br />A note about the apple butter--pick a recipe that starts with cooking the apples in cider vinegar. Don't add too much (if any) of the cooking liquid back into the processed apples...it makes it take forever to cook down again. Spices to be added include ground cloves, cinnamon and allspice. The more the better in my opinion!<br /><br />So now let's talk about cost effectiveness. I will preface this by the fact that I already had the quart-sized jars and I bought the pint jars for $3 a dozen at a local thrift store. Because they are reusable, I am not going to count them in the cost. Also, the rings are reusable so I won't be counting them either. It wasn't a huge money-saver, but it was alot of fun!<br /><br />lids $2/dz (x4)<br />apples $29<br />Extra ingredients for apple butter $10<br />TOTAL: $47<br /><br />This compares to a retail value for similar products of:<br />Applesauce qts: $2 (x15)<br />Applesauce pts: $1 (x13)<br />Apple butter pts: $2.50 (x11)<br />TOTAL: $70.50<br /><br />I am adding this post to the <a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2008/11/works-for-me-th.html">Works for Me Wednesday </a>series over at <a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/">Rocks In My Dryer</a>...go over and check out some other great ideas!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-12635102701784506272008-11-10T12:05:00.013-05:002008-11-10T14:54:01.863-05:00Babywearing--Crazy Name, Amazing Results!In another realm of the blogosphere, <a href="http://www.adventuresinbabywearing.com/">Adventures In Babywearing</a> is having a fun little contest to win a new baby sling. A stipulation of the contest is that you link to the company donating the slings, so here goes: <a href="http://www.nonnyandboo.com/">Nonni&Boo</a>. I had trouble getting the pictures on their website to load, so I will admit that I am not sure exactly what it is I stand to win, but I do love Love LOVE my baby carrying accessories, so I am happy to write a post about my experience...well, my second post on the topic actually...<a href="http://sweetstanleysisters.blogspot.com/2008/06/wfmw-babyhawk-carrier.html">here's</a> the first.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-qSmldjn73dP6YUlrOWfcdmTexQE4O9jxR2psEExCPcmMW17d0RL9Hgcj4eov9Y3QJRACjgKOnXk3M-G58cLdKDVSmWJLV2U_AhSjNKCuLKHat-SHC9jvfGp6s6VVYTfZXji06bvQso/s1600-h/0423071745.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5267077686918623778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-qSmldjn73dP6YUlrOWfcdmTexQE4O9jxR2psEExCPcmMW17d0RL9Hgcj4eov9Y3QJRACjgKOnXk3M-G58cLdKDVSmWJLV2U_AhSjNKCuLKHat-SHC9jvfGp6s6VVYTfZXji06bvQso/s320/0423071745.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />When I had my first baby (pictured above) I was a basket of raw emotion, and admittedly, not all of them were good. I felt very useless sitting around all the time just holding my baby in my arms. (So naive I was! That's probably the most important thing I could have been doing at that very moment!) It is shocking really how such a tiny baby can make your arms/shoulders/back ache after all that holding. <br /><br />When I finally got my wits about me after about 10 weeks of moping, I started doing some research on baby carriers. I found several very helpful sites with information that really spoke to what my heart already knew about the importance of holding your baby as much as possible...for the baby's sense of security, for the mother's ability to sense when she needs something. One of my favorite sites was <a href="http://www.mamatoto.org/">Mamatoto</a>. I especially liked the pictures explaining how to use each of the different styles of carriers. <br /><br />Ultimately, with my first I decided on a ring sling. When I looked for one to buy, I found their prices to be outlandish for the simplicity of them. I decided I could definitely make my own and got the pattern and the weight-tested rings (this was very important to me) from <a href="http://www.slingrings.com/index.php">SlingRings</a>. I learned that for the best result, you should choose a fabric that doesn't have a "wrong side". I love brightly colored batiks and they worked perfectly! Sara, in the picture above is wearing her doll baby in my first sling that I carried her in from about 10 weeks until about 2 1/2 pretty much every day. <br /><br />When Rachael was born, I couldn't wait to bring out the sling! It was such a lifesaver with Sara and an absolute necessity with more than one child in the house. My beloved sling did have a drawback though. While I did have use of both hands, since it only goes over one shoulder, I couldn't use both arms equally. This proved to be a major challenge while chasing a toddler! I picked up a <a href="http://www.babybjorn.com/en/American/products/Mobility/BABYBJORN-Baby-Carrier-Original/">BabyBjorn</a> for cheap at a thrift store but felt that it wasn't quite right for me. I didn't use it for longer than a month or so. After <a href="http://ordinarytime-bremberg.blogspot.com/2008/02/worth-hype.html">the recommendation of a friend </a>and an opportunity to try her carrier out in person, I *invested* in a <a href="http://www.babyhawk.com/">BabyHawk</a> carrier. I do not use the word invested lightly--it was very pricey in my opinion. However, with two small children, what little time I thought I had was officially gone for good (or for at least 18 years) so I resigned myself to buying instead of making. Now that Rachael is walking, I find that I most use it when we are out and it's only practical to have the 1-kid stroller. (I think I have a collection of strollers to rival my collection of baby carriers!) <br /><br />All in all, I love all of my carriers for different reasons...I can't wait for the opportunity to use them again!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-55062406534177053162008-11-05T08:52:00.002-05:002008-11-05T09:30:59.367-05:00WFMW: A sibling...the best toy ever!Over at <a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/">Rocks in my Dryer</a>, this week's <a href="http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2008/11/works-for-me-to.html">WFMW </a>series is all about the best toys. In my embarrassingly overindulgent middle class house, we have seen our fair share of toys come through...if only they would make their exit in the droves that they seem to come in! When we just had one child, the toys that we *stockpiled* (Little People...AHEM!) were admittedly more for me than for Sara. Now our basement overfloweth...there is no space for variety, and the Little People have lost their splendor...with Sara too.<br /><br />Now that we have our second beautiful baby, we are really feeling the space crunch...more kids, more toys, right? But here's the truth--the girls really prefer to interact (read poke, sit on, hug, carry, wrestle, etc. all with the grace & gentleness of a 3 & 1 year old) with each other than with most toys that are so widely available...hmm, littering...our home. I have come to realize the more kids you have, the less toys you actually need.<br /><br />What's the toy that my kids enjoy the most? It's each other!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-43385047736579998012008-11-05T07:19:00.004-05:002008-11-05T07:33:20.078-05:00Fall Means Fun!When was the last time you stopped to admire the beauty of God’s creation with your child(ren)? Almost every day during the fall, I am amazed by nature…a bright orange and yellow tree that hasn’t lost it’s leaves quite yet, the cool breeze that blows in a gentle reprieve from the summer’s heat, the apple trees at our local orchard whose branches are so heavy with fruit I for the life of me can’t figure out why they don’t break under the weight.<br /><br />Preschoolers are naturally observant and mine in particular has really been receptive to my directing her attention to the things that make fall…well, fall. This past weekend, while my husband was home caring for our sick baby, I was able to spend some one on one time with Sara. We took a “nature walk” around our little suburban block and talked all about the trees and the leaves. We found deer footprints and collected pinecones to make birdfeeders. When we ran errands in the afternoon, we bought about twenty pounds of apples that I am hoping she will help me can as apple butter later this week. We have been reading several fall-themed books as bedtime stories over the past several weeks.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265150176229143810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBPJ1xXFhxgVEIjDP-qAJnnxOIvfVNMHTjrKGV-kx36T6Syz_4GkA924HCNbbyBiRcOfWpfGUhIs6WbVWIN6yXlTI0GZyiZc0zt3smFNk_7j6SfXgbNsT3pueIMGZ03KM9z8fKL8vh7g/s320/100_0405.jpg" border="0" /><br />While I have not personally tried any of these yet, I have been thinking about a few more ideas to infuse a fall theme into our ordinary routine.<br />--Make leaf rubbings with leaves found in our own yard<br />--Have Sara participate in fall chores like raking the leaves and cleaning out the garden<br />--Roast one of our Halloween pumpkins and eat it for dinner<br /><br />I would love to hear what your family is doing to celebrate fall!<br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-17011140460864622052008-10-10T08:26:00.003-04:002008-10-10T08:37:12.123-04:00Only one more day...So tomorrow is the big day...the 1/2 Marathon. I have run about 10 miles per week for the past 4 months with several longer runs in there too. (I choose to not think about those!) I did a local 5K just to see what organized running is all about. I feel physically prepared. <br /><br />Yesterday I picked up my race packet...it reminded me of my experience at the one and only bridal show I could stomach. You think for a minute that you are about to do something that makes you unique, then you enter this twilight zone where everyone is doing the exact same thing you are, and for that matter probably about to do it even better than you ever could. I find it humbling to say the least. <br /><br />To get myself in the spirit today I am wearing my race shirt to work...good thing it's Friday! I have my "13.1" sticker posted on my computer monitor and the map of the course posted right above my phone. I am looking forward to a day full of eating so I can have lots of energy...who doesn't love that?! <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-66114740711434250702008-10-01T09:40:00.002-04:002008-10-01T09:49:29.169-04:00Aldi Menu Planner LinkYou might remember how much <a href="http://sweetstanleysisters.blogspot.com/2008/04/wedensday-wfmw-aldis.html">I LOVE Aldi</a>...now I am loving it even more! Check out <a href="http://www.momadvice.com/index.aspx">MomAdvice </a>for a great <a href="http://www.momadvice.com/food/aldi_meal_plan_fall.aspx">Fall/Winter Menu Plan </a>using ingredients available at Aldi. The recipes look fairly easy and family friendly. Most make a ton of servings, so I am guessing this plan could last my family about two months. She even includes a grocery list with prices so you will know about what you might pay. (As an aside, I have also been working on a price list for the Aldi stores that I tend to frequent...maybe I will share it in a future post.)<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-26657975159025704292008-09-29T10:29:00.003-04:002008-09-29T10:34:17.707-04:00This made my day!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hz17kY8HQeRb9hrpK2f48PA6Ie29-C7vPhcKFULtpW_ZOrxCU2Zj8DRauTCefxmK2-dtHP7u83Vsd2vLvdHJBlmSOECODBDybZ_rvIEOarFv2X1kUROMcH0wx0gXQuqJhboXuzI85YY/s1600-h/678340_200x200.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251451358730313842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hz17kY8HQeRb9hrpK2f48PA6Ie29-C7vPhcKFULtpW_ZOrxCU2Zj8DRauTCefxmK2-dtHP7u83Vsd2vLvdHJBlmSOECODBDybZ_rvIEOarFv2X1kUROMcH0wx0gXQuqJhboXuzI85YY/s200/678340_200x200.jpg" border="0" /></a>I stopped by the post office to get stamps and they had <a href="http://shop.usps.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10152&storeId=10001&categoryId=21902&productId=39453&langId=-1">these</a>! They put an instant smile on my face!<br /><br /><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-49834421703317552842008-09-29T09:40:00.003-04:002008-09-29T09:57:27.330-04:00Last Long RunOn Saturday, I did my last long run around <a href="http://bikewashington.org/routes/bwi/index.htm">BWI Airport </a>(10.6 miles) before the <a href="http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/Race_Info/half22d8.htm">Baltimore 1/2 Marathon</a>. It was the longest distance I have ever run and a real learning experience more than anything. I am prone to low blood sugar so the longer distance gave me an opportunity to practice eating while running. Eating was not something I ever thought I would need to "practice"!!! The running gels were totally gross, but the upshot was I didn't pass out. I guess these are the trade-offs we runners must make. I got to run some nice hills too. Where I normally run is very flat and not representative of the actual course, so the hills did me some good. I ran for just under 2 hours straight, with only three brief stops to walk...one to figure out where we were, one for a friend to answer her everloving cell phone, and one because I inhaled rather than drank my water (not recommended BTW). Overall, I feel much more confident about my ability to actually complete the 1/2 in my annoyingly consistent 10 minute mile pace. The next two weeks will be spent recovering my aching legs by x-training for the next few days, then back to running about 3 miles per day. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-92177037027888216602008-09-16T09:19:00.010-04:002008-09-16T10:16:09.050-04:00Run, Mommy, Run!<div>I am all registered to run the <a href="http://http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/Race_Info/half22d8.htm">Baltimore 1/2 Marathon</a>, so being that there is less than one month(!!!) till the race, I decided that I should <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">actually</span> enter an organized running event to see what they are like. This past Saturday, I ran a 5K to support <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/stmichaelsworkcamp/">St. Michael's youth group </a>summer work camp projects. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246620341440850802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguBZNnEhB7I-Ifq0pl_slI7G0AD6K0_zQVZGNZimpkotXb1QjG6VCu3zKeroyYK2G3vc5Y-GGE9eENwhlqJ6Db1U3drQoDE8jZ-5Q-tbU-Fto05ljllKST11er-NfVCm8GmFFayPaKVEw/s320/DSC_0076.JPG" border="0" /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>There were about 70 runners...a very small town event. It was less intimidating that way, so I was happy. As it turns out, the fewer runners there are, the more likely it is that you might win. I got a medal for being 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">nd</span> in my age category! Sara also participated in the kids fun run. She was so so cute! The run was 1/2 mile around a field and the church. She was most interested in the cows that were mooing at us as we ran-walked-skipped past. (I did mention small town event right?!) The best part of the whole day was when another little girl who ran the fun run came and met Sara about 100 yards from the finish line and took her hand and ran with her till the end. So sweet and such a great display of sportsmanship!<br /><div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246621286407895666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyc1aXzqXywi_U794cXmm4Gyjylr7BryZGnq_9K2SCpWqNiRNW4nEQX-Y3F6TW6qoz8pQALvVFNT5L3wmw4zVL8VrluWHaijFzGak6JH3vAD90WQYtLU1p7jVUBt_Ytr9EiPqxnj8a-o/s320/DSC_0061.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div><div></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a></div></div></div></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-49731469315510504942008-09-15T08:00:00.001-04:002008-09-15T08:00:00.721-04:00Help for the Working WoundedThat's me...the working wounded. I have just learned that the part-time schedule that I have enjoyed since returning to work after maternity leave will not be approved to continue beyond the end of this month. There are many reasons for this, all logical on the part of my employer, and none having to do with my actual work performance, so there's nothing really worth discussing further here. It is what it is, and while it doesn't make me happy, I do understand. I have spent alot of time grieving over this, but it's not helping me come to terms, nor is it going to change the situation. So as of now, I must decide to look at this for what it is; a God-given opportunity. Did you read that?...God-given....opportunity. In my mind it seems so contradictory to the situation, but in my heart I know that it is true. My career is a perfect example of the work of God in my life. I am actually doing the work I went to college for...how rare is that?! I am affording a single family house for my family...a fullfillment of a childhood dream. I actually like what I do at work, but more importantly, I like the people I work with and for. I can afford my bills...and even the rising gas prices! God has blessed me with a great job! <br /><br />I am so thankful for the opportunity to be home with my children for the extra time that my part-time schedule allowed. As I return to my full time schedule in October, I see this as an opportunity to continue to thank God. I thank God for my husband who is the primary caregiver during the week. He gives me the security I need to leave home and go to work without spending all day stressing over the wellfare of my kids. He is a loving, devoted, protective father. I thank God for my mother-in-law who will be caring for the girls one day a week. She adores Sara and Rachael and it is such a gift for them to spend so much time with their grandparents. I thank God for the extra income that will come with full time status. Although not needed to meet our regular expenses, I am praying we will find a purpose for it that seeks to advance the needs of others over ourselves. <br /><br />Please pray that as October approaches I will adapt well to this change and become content in the fact that I am doing work that is pleasing to God.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-60276386430631118302008-09-05T08:12:00.007-04:002008-09-12T10:33:54.257-04:00Motorcycle Mom learns a lesson<p>Between each of my children, I have made it a point to accomplish a life goal. Think "bucket list" but without the morbid connotation. After I had Sara, in typical Stanley style, a whole group of us took a motorcycle course. BIL Pat, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">SIL</span> Kate, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">SIL</span> Julie and I made up half of the class! I am proud, if not a little scared, to tell you that I got my motorcycle license while having only actually driven a motorcycle for less than 20 miles. Around a parking lot. Never exceeding 20 mph. Are you worried yet?! I can say with relative confidence that I do not have any intention of ever riding a motorcycle again. (You can start breathing now...) </p><p>The experience of completing the class was the end goal for me. I did something that scared me to death and I didn't quit. It is a few and far between opportunity to do something like that in one's adult life. Without anyone there to force you into a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">challenging</span> situation except for yourself it's all too easy to wimp out. But as a parent, in the coming years I will be encouraging my children to do just that...grow and learn and try new things. Taking the motorcycle class was a great way to remind myself of the feelings that go along with that...fear, uncertainty, doubt, worry. May I strive every day to encourage my children with a compassion for these emotions as they are meeting life's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">challenges</span>. </p>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-3522993434703151062008-09-05T08:12:00.001-04:002008-09-05T08:12:19.923-04:00<a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-11441849989563800382008-07-02T08:22:00.004-04:002008-07-02T08:37:05.400-04:00Summer means Sno-cones!Myfriendconnie, who blogs over at <a href="http://www.smockityfrocks.blogspot.com/">Smokity Frocks</a>, invited us to share our favorite sno-cone flavor in hopes of winning a good summer read from her stash...so here goes!<br /><br />I love our local sno-cone stand...it is owned by the wife of one of the members of our local fire department. Since Scott's an officer there, we know the family pretty well. In fact, the stand sits in the parking lot of a shopping plaza in town that is owned and managed by another member of the department. I do love small town living! I only hope that in the not so distant future I too will be able to contribute to my community in a meaningful way.<br /><br />Ah but enough musing...on to my favorite flavor... it's called Fire & Ice and it's a mix of cinnamon and spearamint...yum yum! I love the marshmallow topping too! I never knew this, but adding the marshmallow topping might be a regional thing...I had some friends in college that were totally grossed out by the idea...I can't imagine! The more marshmallow the better, if you ask me! The trick is to pace yourself so there's enough marshmallow for the last bite.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-15569887181939999362008-06-23T19:31:00.003-04:002008-12-08T17:51:22.080-05:00Sara's First HaircutForgive me for the posting of old news but Sara got her very first haircut EVER last month...She got about 8 inches of sweet baby curls cut off. Right before my very eyes she's making the transition from toddler to pre-schooler...in her looks, in her interests, and in her behavior. We are so blessed!<br /><br /><style type="text/css">.nobrtable br { display: none }</style><br /><div class="nobrtable"><br /><table border="1"><br /><tbody><tr><br /><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUxOea2kjRds1acO8_7F8JZt5CtJiK20LwOjYXcWzImevEUtG0_yT-xeK0Sv0mrup4-Ch2GuQXjRSZ_WSfOEm-KcY215gh9ty2Wi4J6GGUNJ7ugHl42jixs4LPanR01NYCHqXV2fI6bw/s1600-h/CIMG0366.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215224157675161058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUxOea2kjRds1acO8_7F8JZt5CtJiK20LwOjYXcWzImevEUtG0_yT-xeK0Sv0mrup4-Ch2GuQXjRSZ_WSfOEm-KcY215gh9ty2Wi4J6GGUNJ7ugHl42jixs4LPanR01NYCHqXV2fI6bw/s320/CIMG0366.JPG" border="0" /></a></td><br /><td><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215224176236685954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwAWrxhvWIACc4SZZuNC9dB3dodorqUo8BPWJo2KXcNN2iFeIC7esHAuwojFnLej_KxICCZfF9llYcQq3Ejw9si9Npc5hEVNXqXFlxJ5zCCnC4xrbvx4K7ejKU_nZt95VsWnbc4CIxisc/s320/CIMG0372.JPG" border="0" /></td><br /></tr><br /></tbody></table></div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-33675136445250644162008-06-23T19:15:00.000-04:002008-12-08T17:51:22.200-05:00Garden UpdateSpring is my most favorite season. I love the break from the long cold winter. I love how everything slowly comes back to life. I love the vibrant colors of Spring found in new leaves, flower blooms, and growing grass. Recently, alternating bouts of heavy rain with warm sunny days have really made everything in my garden just explode! The incredible rate in which everything seems to be growing has really caught Sara's attention. She often asks to go watch the garden grow. The past few weeks almost makes it seem like you could see the plants actually growing if you stood there for a minute! Sara is learning that plants need sun and rain in order to grow. I tell her this is just like her needing food and rest to grow. We checked out a book from the library called <u>Inch by Inch</u> that is a sing-song rhyme about growing a garden. She can practically sing the whole thing by herself. We sing it together when we are working in the garden or flower beds.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgJQhZmt3aZ4z5Va-Ga44xWTxMAF531OOTZkFFbaXtF5VkspGoGOuZUJnH7UPtZpBK2GKq209ndV9yizy4lz6vcbvpQpw7GeXLcFsXiEzujSjT5ELcvHNjgkSpGKiNv3Rltx40SLBcq4/s1600-h/CIMG0597.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5215220445631920370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgJQhZmt3aZ4z5Va-Ga44xWTxMAF531OOTZkFFbaXtF5VkspGoGOuZUJnH7UPtZpBK2GKq209ndV9yizy4lz6vcbvpQpw7GeXLcFsXiEzujSjT5ELcvHNjgkSpGKiNv3Rltx40SLBcq4/s320/CIMG0597.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here's how my garden looks now...please don't mind the decking materials, etc, in the background...that may be a topic for another post. Remember that my garden is only 4ft by 8ft and that I loosely plant according to the Square Foot Gardening method. According to this method, I really could have fit a lot more plants into my garden...I just ran out of ideas and the stores' supply dwindled as I decided I really could fit some more.<br /><br />Here's an inventory of what I planted this year...<br />1 yellow squash<br />1 zucchini<br />1 bush cucumber<br />2 bush beans<br />2 yellow bell pepper<br />2 red pepper<br />4 green pepper<br />3 cherry tomato<br />6 regular tomato<br />5 okra (1 of one kind and 4 of another)<br /><br /><p>Oh, and GREAT news! My sister-in-law has caught the <a href="http://lavitabella-tramma.blogspot.com/2008/06/me-gardener.html">gardening bug </a>too! I am looking forward to her success!</p><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; BORDER-TOP: medium none; BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54486/149/611722770A70839567D59FEF32FEAF6F.png" /></a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846903615347812802.post-25122951146599176782008-06-20T08:58:00.001-04:002008-12-08T17:51:22.466-05:00Babyhawk CarrierI am so crazy for my new <a href="http://www.babyhawk.com/">Babyhawk</a> baby carrier! I ordered it upon the recommendation of a friend who blogged about it <a href="http://http//ordinarytime-bremberg.blogspot.com/2008/02/worth-hype.html">here</a>. Since it is pricey, I knew I needed to try it out first before I shelled out the cash...it was a big hit! Rachael fell asleep in minutes! Maybe it was just timing, but any Momma can appreciate a device that will sooth those little ones into a snugly slumber. I raced home and ordered my very own the next day. Since I HAD to have me one IMMEDIATELY because of its sleep-inducing properties, I chose one of the patterns they had in stock. For those who can stand to wait two weeks, the company has a great selection of patterns to choose from.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin9AnAs_xbAM_6qFSqRzdXD8mpRy-Jo3XX3Jkye-7BNSN16EVQUmvLjXcQ3uwuCzz_EPlP_R45CBdImYC0c8qEoSgVgGGuzj1IygiPcWowjXW7Jaia6eB2HYaywjYcxzLHnII3FhyuYo/s1600-h/CIMG0274.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204297941190025794" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjin9AnAs_xbAM_6qFSqRzdXD8mpRy-Jo3XX3Jkye-7BNSN16EVQUmvLjXcQ3uwuCzz_EPlP_R45CBdImYC0c8qEoSgVgGGuzj1IygiPcWowjXW7Jaia6eB2HYaywjYcxzLHnII3FhyuYo/s320/CIMG0274.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div align="center">This is Maria and I with our youngest babies.</div><br /><p>Here's another thing I just love...I can just as easily carry my 2 1/2 year old as my 8 month old. Either child does equally well on the front or on the back.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_tq0i6ek3_HJa4FMXOKUamzDX52LtiUwYFxEvNdvmRObmc1R_5-u-d5suE5oiyoGnhx_hQ3hsp7U2x0cwHLgzY3U1ZDj5X-LK_OQPEeeEupCCzoL53rneQefiVnE8aOdnB98ukm1l80/s1600-h/CIMG0279.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204297954074927698" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3_tq0i6ek3_HJa4FMXOKUamzDX52LtiUwYFxEvNdvmRObmc1R_5-u-d5suE5oiyoGnhx_hQ3hsp7U2x0cwHLgzY3U1ZDj5X-LK_OQPEeeEupCCzoL53rneQefiVnE8aOdnB98ukm1l80/s320/CIMG0279.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p><br /></p>So if you are a new Mom or a Mom to many little ones, give yourself a treat and check out the Babyhawk baby carrier!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06729995918073520538noreply@blogger.com2