free family event

Whatcha got planned for this weekend?  If you live in the Jackson Hole area how about hitting up the National Museum of Wildlife Art for the Harvest on the Hill?!  Sunday, November 1st between 1:00pm to 4:00pm head north of town for their largest celebration of the year.  Free t-shirts for the first 600 guests, entertainment, kids's crafts, live music and yummy treats!  FREE for all locals.  Oh, and don't forget to check out the new fall exhibits while there - Tom Mangelson has a beautiful showing of his latest photography collection "The Natural World"...something not to be missed.

no treats for halloween

Last night I was too tired to put together the treats for G's halloween party.  I was disappointed but just couldn't bring myself to doing much more than watching 1/2 hour of television before calling it a night.  I thought I would put something together this morning but since we are leaving on vacation tomorrow I really need to concentrate on packing and laundry.  This got me thinking...didn't I buy a bunch of non-edible treats last year?  Where did I put them?  I dug around in the pantry and found 3 bags of halloween tattoos and tiny tins of play-do.  Whew!  His party is at 3:30pm today.  I am looking forward to seeing Kiki as a little kitty and my son in his "batman-fireman" costume! 

surprise birthday trip

My husband is turning 40 next week!  For this very special birthday I have been planning a surprise trip since May.  I did really well keeping it a secret until extreme lack-of-sleep overcame me and I let the information slip out last week.  Tomorrow morning the entire family is heading to San Diego for a week of sunshine and fun.  I have planned many extras for the trip but can't write about them just yet in case he is reading this post.  I chose San Diego as it offers warm weather, the zoo, Sea World, Wildlife Safari, Lego Land, and the beach.  More on our trip and the adventures coming soon!

halloween treats for G's class

Last week I wrote asking for ideas on a healthy snack to take to my son's halloween class party. I had some great suggestions from friends and have decided to go with Banana Ghosts. It still has sugar involved but I plan on keeping that a thin layer.  Hopefully they will be a big hit!  I found this recipe and many other healthy snack ideas at my ol' stand by site Familyfun.go.com

farewell to cookie magazine

First it was Domino then Gourmet and now my beloved Cookie is bidding farewell.  This month's issue, with Rachel Griffith on the cover, offers some good reading including a eye opening feature about Postpartum Anxiety - not depression - but about experiencing the panic and nausea that come with anxiety attacks.  It is here I found out The Gap commissioned Stella McCartney to design a line of kid's clothes - out in stores November 2nd and a fun story about the 40 years of Sesame Street.  I read this magazine cover to cover and refer to back issues often.  The website is full of great finds for family life - vacations, clothing, decorating, etc.  I am really going to miss you Cookie.  I have been a faithful subscriber since your inaugural issue in 2005. If you haven't browsed the website, I highly suggest bookmarking all your favorite links before it is gone. 

easy halloween project

I am always looking for an easy way to decorate for the holidays.  I really like this craft as it is 100% recyclable after Halloween is over.  Perfect way for little trick or treaters to find your front door and you don't have to worry about candles blowing out with possible rain or (in our case) snow.  To take this idea a step further think about Thanksgiving and Christmas.  For Thanksgiving use red, orange and brown markers to draw autumn leaves, a turkey or pilgrim hats.  For the holiday season use red and green for Christmas trees, stockings, or Santa.  Use black to outline a snowman or add silver to draw snowflakes.  Make it a family fun project with the kids on a rainy afternoon!  Find this project and more at Familyfun.go.com. 

is it safe to post your kid's photos on the web?

A thought provoking article from the New York Times regarding whether or not it is wise to post your kid's photos on the internet.  My husband and I have an agreement that I will never post photos of our (or any of our friends/family) kids on my blog but I do share that information on other sites.  This brings up quite a debate.  What are your feelings on this subject?  Read Guardians of Their Smiles and let me know.

20 worst kid's foods in america

Oscar Mayer Maxed Out Turkey & Cheddar Cracker Combo Lunchables
680 calories  22 g fat (9 g saturated)  1,440 mg sodium  61g sugar

With child obesity a growing concern it is no wonder we see articles like this warning us of foods readily available to our families - and thank goodness.  Notice that all the items are "fast food" whether from a restaurant or from the aisles in the grocery.  I admit that I take shortcuts once in a while by serving frozen chicken nuggets for dinner but I try to buy organic choices that offer less sodium and no added sugar.  I pay a hefty price for these items but it gives me a little peace of mind that outweighs the cost.  Am I fooling myself that this is okay?  What happened to slow food at home?  I am a working mom with two young children.  I admit that there are days that I don't consider dinner options until 4:30pm - too late to thaw something from the freezer and too late to run to the store to buy fresh.  I try not to be too hard on myself but I don't like the fact that this is a reality two to three times a week.  Is this an excuse?  I am not sure but I am not going to dive too far into it right now.  I am way too tired from lack of sleep.  I figure once Kiki stops waking every 2 hours at night I can get back to having productive days and planning our meals.  Check out the list from MSNBC.  Shocking.  After looking at kid's meals read the 30 worst foods in America.  Yikes!  I saw items that I may have ordered in restaurants without realizing the damage.

rancho bread

Since my posting about Rancho La Puerta yesterday I wanted to share some of my favorite recipes from one of their cookbooks.  The Whole Wheat Ranch Bread makes a healthy, dense loaf.  I like it best toasted with a generous schmear of butter and honey.  My husband likes it thick sliced with turkey, mayo, mustard and provolone cheese .  Since it is made with simple ingredients it is best eaten within a a couple of days of baking.

Whole Wheat Ranch Bread

1/4 cup Honey (I add more for a sweeter bread)
2 TBLS (2 packages) active dry Yeast
2 TBLS Canola Oil
6 1/2 cups Whole Wheat Flour, plus more as needed

In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups tepid water, the honey, yeast and oil.  Stir and set aside for 5-6 minutes, until mixture bubbles and foams.  Begin adding the flour, 1 cup at a time, mixing with your hands or wooden spoon until the dough comes together and forms a manageable ball.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes, or until our hands come clean when lifted from the dough and the dough is smooth and elastic (see note).

Divide dough into 2 equal-sized pieces and form into free-form loaves.  Put the loaves on an ungreased baking pan.  Alternatively, shape dough into loaves and put in two 5x8-inch loaf pans.  Cover with dish towels and set aside in a warm, draft-free place for 40-60 minutes, until doubled in bulk.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Bake the bread on the center rack of the oven for about 40 minutes until the crusts are golden brown and sound hollow when thumped on the bottom.  Cool slightly on wire racks before slicing. (I find that the bread doesn't turn a typical "golden" brown so watch you don't over bake).  Sometimes I brush butter over the top of the bread prior to baking to give it a nice color and shine.

NOTE:  to test if the dough is well kneaded, insert a clean thumb into the dough and count to 5.  If your thumb comes out clean, the dough is kneaded properly and you do not need to add any more flour.  Store the bread in a well-sealed plastic bag and foil to last longer. 

rancho la puerta

Before I met my husband and way before kids I hit a wall.  My job was not working out, I had gained 20 lbs and I felt awful, mentally and physically. My life was not on the right path.  I was single with no dating prospects and I had followed the money trail instead of fulfillment with my job.  One night during this period I awoke at 4:00am with horrible pains in my left side.  I ended up in the emergency room with kidney stones.  My stress levels were at an all time high.  A girlfriend who worked at Rancho La Puerta asked me to come down for a week to visit.  It was late October, the weather was changing to winter and I knew if I didn't get away then I would fall deeper into depression.  I was desperate.  I am forever grateful to my friend for her generosity and compassion that week.  My experience at the Ranch changed my life.  It is a beautiful retreat nestled in mountains and surrounded by flowering bushes, rosemary, and grape vines.  I decided to start each day with a 3.5 mile sunrise hike up Pilgrim Way trail and then, after an organic breakfast, try my hand at a yoga, kick boxing or a T'ai Chi class.  After lunch the temps would rise above 90 degress so with my excercise complete I would spend the afternoon relaxing in the pool or having a treatment in the spa.  After dinner I would slowly make my way back to my cottage stopping to sit in a private corner reflecting on my day.  I didn't think much about my plan once I returned home instead focusing all my energy on healing my spirit.  I cried a lot.  I laughed a lot.  And I regained the strenghth I had lost.  Upon my return home I immediately started looking for a new job.  It took me six months to leave that company and then another six months of "time off" before I settled into my current position.  I attribute my time at the Ranch to waking my soul which allowed me to create my destiny.  I left with a renewed energy that opened my heart and eventually brought my husband into my life.  It may sound like a miracle happened while there but it took me almost a year to move forward and complete the circle.  The Ranch gave me the tools to start my journey.

Rancho La Puerta is a one hour drive from San Diego in a sheltered valley in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico.  Surrounded by rosemary bushes, flowering trees, grape vines and meandering paths, the 3,000 acre Ranch opened in 1940 as the world's first destination spa.  With a sustanable, organic farm they follow a slow food concept creating an all-natural menu that is low in fat, sodium, and refined flour and sugar - while high in energy, fiber, and complex carbohydrates.  They offer fitness, spa, cooking classes, and art classes and are open year 'round.  Between the ocean, mountains and desert the Ranch experiences a mild, Mediterranean climate characterized by cool, moist winters and warm-to-hot, dry summers.  I quote from their website: "We provide space—that which is most lacking in today's life. Space to breathe freely amidst nature. To relax. To renew, reflect and redirect one's longer-living life. To explore the possibilities of changing course in one's life. To that end we often refer to our program as “The Door to the Future...Glorious Wellness” which refers to your future, one strengthened and emboldened by good health and fearless life-long learning, which unleashes the willingness to change…for the better." 

quinoa...southwestern style

Our new fridge arrived yesterday (yahoo!).  With it came all of our food piled into the refrigerator in the garage.  I couldn't find much of anything let alone complete a dinner.  This is where a little imagination and basic staples came in handy.  I whipped up a 20 minute meal - from start to finish.  Here is what I did but feel free to improvise with spices and vegetables/proteins as I don't think you could go wrong.  Just remember that quinoa is a  2 to 1 ratio (water to grain) cooking for about 10-15 minutes.

Southwestern Quinoa

1 cup Quinoa
2 cups Chicken broth
1 tsp cumin + more for dusting chicken
chili powder
olive oil
1/4 onion finely diced
1-2 tsp of lemon or lime juice
chopped cilantro (I used about 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup frozen or fresh corn
1 can black beans
1 to 1.5 lb of boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2-3)
salt and pepper

In medium saucepan heat 2 tsp of olive oil.  Stir in cumin and onion.  Cook until fragrant and onions are soft.  Add quinoa, stir and cook about 5 minutes until it starts to pop.  Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, cover with tight fitting lid.  Turn down heat and soft boil for about 10 minutes or until liquid is absorbed but quinoa is still moist.

While quinoa is cooking pour about 1-2 tsp of olive oil (or use a non-stick spray) in skillet and heat.  Sprinkle salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder on both sides of chicken breasts then place in hot skillet.  Cook about 5 minutes on each side or until done.  About half way through I added a bit of chicken broth then covered the pan to "poach" the chicken keeping it moist.

When quinoa is soft (but still offers a little "bite") stir in cilantro, corn, beans, lemon juice and add salt and pepper to taste.  Serve with chicken sliced over top.  I added a fresh salad for the side.

homemade face paint

Grainger wants to be "Batman Fireman" for halloween. What does this mean? Well, he originally asked to be a fireman so I bought the costume. Then a friend at school wore a batman outfit into class one day and he was hooked. We can't return the fireman costume so I decided to combine the two into one fantastic kid design. To pull off the "batman" part I plan on making him a black mask. I have had allergic reactions to the costume make-up you buy at the store so decided to make my own. Here is a recipe I found. Super easy with most of the stuff already in your pantry. And the best part? Edible so you don't worry about your toddler licking it off! (can't imagine it tasting too good though)

Homemade Face Paint

3 TBLS + 1 tsp cornstarch
2 tsp white flour
5 tsp vegetable shortening
1/8 tsp food coloring or fresh juices
1/4 tsp glycerin (cake decorating & craft stores)

In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and flour. Stir in vegetable shortening. Add any food coloring you would like. Stir in the glycerin; mixing until well combined.

Use your fingers or a makeup sponge to apply face paint. Use small brushes or your fingertips for detailed designs. Pat with powder to set.

50% off halo!

More great deals from babysteals.com!  Today they are offering 50% off HALO® Technical Comfort System® ~ 2 Piece Set.  For only $11.48 for both pieces this would make a great base layer for those cold outings.  Only while supplies last so act quick!

win a family trip to jackson hole

I have lived in JH for over 17 years.  I moved from Des Moines while single and in my twenties and have never looked back.  I love my home so much that I want to share it with everyone.  I found this sweepstakes through REI.  Want to visit Jackson or (if you already live here) know of anyone who would like a free vacation to this beautiful area (be crazy if you didn't!)?  Marmot has teamed up with REI to offer a Family Fun Sweepstakes. This amazing prize for 4 people includes roundtrip air, 4 night's lodging at the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, 5-day lift passes, Marmot ski jackets, pants, base layers and gloves, and K2 skis with bindings and poles, or snowboards. WOW! Contest ends December 15th so enter now. Imagine winning - you and your family could be skiing in the Tetons this winter!

things i want for GiGi's room

Grainger loves to hide.  His favorite places are behind the big chair in the family room and behind the bookshelf in the kitchen.  He creates a "secret cave" complete with blankets, books, flashlight and an occasional stuffed animal.  This gorilla cave would be so much fun in his room.  Throw in the gorilla puzzle chair and he would be one happy kid.

I must be on a gorilla kick right now as this poster makes me laugh.  Although he has no more wall space in his room, the thought of this poster hanging in his bathroom or in the hallway between the kid's rooms makes me smile.  You can find all this and more at Huset.  Specializing in modern Swedish design, they offer everything from clothing to home goods to really cool clothes.  Am digging the tight little black jackets and rockin' tunics.  Oh, and for anyone looking for a cheap and simple way to change the look of a tiled wall - here is a great solution - Tile Stickers!  A package of eight will set you back $25.00.  There are four different designs to choose from.  This is my favorite:

chariot carrier

Found this article on the Skinny Skis website and liked Robin's "new mom" attitude regarding exercise.  We use our Chariot carrier all year round and find it fits our active and non-active activities.  The Chariot isn't cheap but since it offers tons of options so it was a worthwhile purchase for our lifestyle. Its flexibility has made it the go-to for the group gift at all our friend's baby showers.  Skinny Skis is having their 35th Anniversary Sale through Sunday (Oct. 25th) with everything in the store 15% off!  Check it out!

_______________________________________________________________

Article by Robin McGee

Pregnant with my first child, I was excited and nervous about what lay ahead. People’s reactions to the news varied from “Parenthood is the best”, to “You better ski and ride your bike now, because you will never be able to again." Hmmm… I knew that my family would come first, but coming from a background of competitive Nordic skiing and mountain biking, I had hoped to be able to continue to enjoy these activities postpartum.  Fortunately, the doomsayers were wrong. My son is now 11 months old and I have been able to exercise plenty and even do a few races here and there. This is in addition to being an involved parent and working full-time. Do I have the same time and energy to train and exercise like I used to? No. Do I recreate enough to keep me happy and healthy? Absolutely!

Being flexible and creative are crucial, as your new exercise schedule will revolve around your family. Childcare is an option for some parents and a great way to get in some recreation, but it can get expensive. Trading childcare with your partner or other families is free and is an easy way to allow for time for yourself or with your partner. Another good choice is training with your child in tow using a Chariot or similar carrier system. The Chariot CTX system is quite innovative and made with the athlete parent in mind. With just a few adjustments, with the same sleek unit you can ski, run or bike with your child riding in style. Most kids love exploring the outdoors and are soothed by motion.

When you have the opportunity to get out, use your time wisely as your time and energy are limited. While you might not be able to train for long periods, you can still fit in all the principals of good training - distance, interval, strength, and recovery – in shorter workouts. Depending on your situation, you may have to adjust your training expectations and goals as a new parent to reflect your available time and energy.  Of course, your family comes first and there will be days when you cannot train for a variety of reasons. You child may be sick, the weather may be adverse, or you simply may be too tired. It is important to do your best, improvise, and enjoy your new role as a parent.
You don’t have to give up your fitness goals when you become a new parent but parenthood may require some modifications in your routine.  Embrace the change, be creative, and have fun with your little one!

-Robin McGee, is a Skinny Skis Nordic Ambassador, Team Alpina member, and former Professional Mountain Bike racer.

swaddle blankets - BIG SALE!

I love the Aden + Anais swaddle blankets! We use them for swaddle, cuddling, wiping a drippy chin, burping, and general blanket use.  Babysteals.com is offering a 4-pack of these amazing blankets TODAY ONLY for $24.20!  This is a huge savings of 44%!  Only until supplies last so hurry!

halloween treats

HELP!  I am finding it difficult to find a homemade treat to take to Grainger's preschool Halloween party next week.  I want it to be healthy, somewhat organic and not have a lot of sugar.  It would be fun if it was "goulish" and offered individual servings.  Any suggestions??

skin issues

As long as I can remember I have had problems with my skin.  Eczema around my mouth and nose, a few pimples here and there and a shiny t-zone.  Years ago I found a cleaning and moisturizing routine that worked so I vowed never to sway.  Famous last words.  Jump to the present with a recent shopping trip to Sephora where a very friendly and helpful sales woman turned me on to two products that I now swear I cannot live without!  I love a reason to buy new makeup!

Living in the mountains leaves my skin very dry.  Korres Natural Products Thyme Honey Cream has given my skin an inner glow, firm texture and has all but eliminated the eczema.  Made with all natural ingredients this thick 24-hour cream is paraben, mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol and ethanolamine free.

I don't wear heavy makeup especially when it comes to foundation.  I like a clean look that allows my freckles to show through but provides enough coverage to hide the flaws.  I have been using Prescriptives for years but again, this very helpful sales woman turned me on to Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer.  Not only does it offer lightweight coverage but it gives a boost with moisturizer AND spf 20.  You can't get any better than that!

I have fallen in love with these two products.  My skin has never felt or looked better (even with a lack of sleep from the kids!)  Sephora is great for on-line shopping too.  With free returns (no questions asked even if you have sampled the product) to free shipping with orders over $50 to 3 free samples with every purchase this is a simple way to stock up on the winter essentials. 

sleep my child (part IV)

She slept!  He slept!  Everyone slept!  We went to bed at 10:30am to awake at 5:15am with Kiki fussing.  It isn't a full night's sleep but close enough for me.  I am thrilled.  After such a rough night Sunday I decided to try ibuprofen.  This is a decision I made without advice.  The label clearly states for infants 6 months and older and Kiki is 5 months but her weight fell in the middle of the dosage instructions.  She nodded off 10 minutes after taking the medication sleeping peacefully all night.  (sigh of relief)

happy chickadee

This super cute 0-4 girl's on-line boutique happens to be from an old friend from Jackson.  She moved years ago, had a baby girl, then started this store for unique and hard-to-find items.  Check out Happy Chickadee to see the entire collection and the thrifty thursday deals.  Add BIRTHDAY when you checkout for $10 off any purchase of $10 or more!  

 

I have been looking for a girly chandelier for Kiki's room.  Her room needs a this kind of ultra femme touch. 

Love these leggings!  I wonder when Kiki will have enough hair for a little accessory??

breakfast for dinner

Last week I returned home from a business trip to find two cartons of eggs in the fridge.  Why?  I have no idea but decided not to ask my husband.  I am sure he forgot we had plenty already while shopping with two children in tow.  With 24 eggs to eat and hardly any time to prepare a meal (you will understand why from the post prior to this one) I decided to make "breakfast for dinner".  While growing up in the midwest my mother often created a dinner of bacon, pancakes cooked to order, scrambled eggs and juice.  My brothers and I loved it as it felt like a treat to get syrup, butter and hot griddle cakes at night.  She would put the electric griddle on the dining table cooking the cakes while we munched on crispy bacon and eggs.  This is the recipe I came up with for last night.  Makes for a super quick breakfast the next day too.  I ate it cold, like a quiche, this morning.

Egg Casserole

Day old bread (I had a bag of leftover whole wheat hamburger buns) - torn into small pieces
   *good with whatever bread you have on hand
10 eggs (use half whole eggs and half egg beaters or egg whites if watching the fats)
2 cups milk (I used 1c of fat free milk and 1c fat free half & half)
Shredded cheese (I go by "look" but would say 1.5 cups)
   *sharp cheddar is super yummy but any kind will do - whatever you have in the fridge
Cooked Meat (optional) I used diced ham but good with turkey, pork or turkey sausage, bacon, etc.
   *again, whatever you have on hand - be creative!
Fresh Vegetables - I used spinach.  Other options:  corn, peas, broccoli, asparagus, tomatoes, leeks, etc
1/8-1/4 tsp of red pepper flakes (optional)
1 tsp salt
pepper to taste
1 tsp ground mustard
(optional) 1 tsp herbs (I didnt use this but thought it would be good with Italian Herbs mix)

Grease a 9x13" baking pan.  Line bottom with torn bread.  Top with diced meat and vegetables.  Cover with shredded cheese.  In large bowl beat eggs with milk.  Add salt, pepper, ground mustard and the other spices or herbs you choose.  Beat until well mixed.  Pour over cheese mixture.  Cover with foil and let soak for (at least) 2 hours to overnight.  Bake at 350 uncovered for 50-60 minutes until center comes out clean and the edges are crispy brown.

Serve with a green salad.  This makes a big batch so you could cut the recipe in half for no leftovers or plan on eating it the next day.  Also a great idea for large gatherings, holidays, buffets.  Enjoy!

another idea:  should have put this in as options as well:  go southwestern with green chilies, black beans in the casserole topped with sour cream, chives, black olives and salsa. 

sleep my child (part III)

Wow, what a day and night we had.  Kiki cried and fussed 12 straight hours.  She would only settle down if you held her and didn't move.  Then, out of nowhere she would start crying again so we would rock and sway her back to a light sleep allowing us to rest in between fits.  She turned 5 months old yesterday and her gifts are two new teeth.  They haven't popped through yet but we can feel them; two little teeth on the bottom gums.  Nothing helped yesterday, I tried teething medication from the organic grocer, baby tylenol, a frozen teether, wet washcloth, my knuckle and my finger rubbing the swollen area.  Finally around 12:30am she settled down enough to be placed in her swing where she stayed alseep until 5:30am.  All the books and doctors say this will only last a few days - thank goodness!  Any suggestions on what worked for you?

P.S.  sugar-free red bull is helping me get through the day

bottle feed sling

I have a 5 month old daughter who uses a bottle.  When I first saw the bebe bottlesling I said "NO WAY!" as I can only imagine how lazy I would become with her feedings - especially while trying to make dinner, wash laundry,  and run after a 3 year old, but I couldn't do this.  Never.  So, originally, I was going to write a sarcastic and funny post about this product.  Then I started to think...how does a mom of multiples handle juggling the feedings?  What if there are older siblings that need her attention as well?  Wow, that could be difficult so I have decided not to give an opinion but rather just put it out there for you to comment.  What are your thoughts?

been thinking....this would be a good idea for our long 18-hour car rides to Des Moines.  I wonder if Kiki would be as happy as the baby in the photo...

sleep my child (part II)

Another night without much sleep.  You start to wonder how long a person can survive without REM.  Kiki woke throughout the night complaining.  I say complaining since it wasn't a full blown cry but enough to know she was distressed.  I am stumped.  Is it time to stop the swaddle?  Is it time to let her "cry it out"?  She starts this routine most nights at 1:00am, sleeps for 1/2 hour to 1 hour then cries enough for you to have to hold and rock her back to sleep, sleep lasts another hour before it starts again.  By 3:30am I am done,  I scoop her up and bring her to our bed where she sleeps (somewhat) peacefully until 7:00am.

Grainger was locked in his room again last night.  No crying, no complaining.  This could work for awhile or at least until we figure out how to get Kepley to sleep six hours in a row.  I am really tired.

Enough jibber jabber...I have laundry to do, de-clutter to takle and a letter that needs to get in the mail.  Must run.  Tomorrow is the PTA Pumpkin Sale on the Jackson Town Square at 10am.  If it is as nice tomorrow as it is today we should have a fantastic time!

sleep my child

Most nights Grainger wakes anywhere between 2:00am to 5:00am.  We wouldn't mind his desire to talk and play for a little while in the early morning if he would just stay in his room.  Instead, he sneaks out with his blanket and stuffed animal, wanders downstairs to the kitchen, turns on all the lights and burrows himself in his "secret cave" behind the bookshelf.  He is only 3 years old so we feel it could be dangerous.  "What if" keeps running through my mind.  What if he decided to turn on the stove?  What if he got a knife?  What if he unlocked the front door to go outside?  What if??!!  Add all that to a 4.5 month old not sleeping all night and you have two very worried and very tired parents.  We put the baby gate on this door thinking he would be okay if the door was open but he couldn't leave.  That resulted in screaming, tears and busting through the gate.  We tried the positive reinforcement of sticker charts.  Yes, I wrote a glowing post about stickers and I still stand by my love of them but in this case stickers worked less than two weeks.  Next, we experimented with the Magic Light.  I thought this one was our answer - and it still could be as he is asking for its return.  The magic light idea came from a friend who was researching advice on transitioning a two year old from crib to bed.  We took a small, soft light attached a timer (similar to the one you use with a Christmas tree) then into the wall jack.  We set the timer to go on at 7:00pm and turn off at 7:00am.  The "magic" part is that Grainger thinks the lamp tells him when to go to bed and when to get up.  He is not to leave his room until the light goes off.  While it is on (all night) it serves as his nightlight.  It worked ONE night.  Last night we changed the lock on his door.  My husband switched the door knobs so the lock is now in the hallway.  After G fell asleep last night I locked his door.  He woke sometime during the night and played quietly until I went to his room this morning at 7:00am.  He questioned the lock but didn't complain.  I told him that it was for his safety and that if he could sleep all night in his room then the magic light would come back. 

I am sure we will discuss it tonight over dinner as G never forgets anything.  I plan on locking the door again but maybe we can try the light once more.  At this point I am willing to try most suggestions as long as it doesn't result in tears.  All I can say is that we parents really need our sleep so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Do you have any suggestions for me?  Please post them below!

still working on...

I am still working on a post about my breast feeding experience.  To be honest, I have hit a wall on how to express my feelings about what happened.  Just writing about it will help sort out the emotions but I can't seem to get started.  I will continue to work through this and hope to get it done soon.  If you have any breast feeding experiences you want to share, please comment below.  I appreciate all points of view.  In my personal opinion, we Moms need to stick together to support one another through the difficulties we sometimes face.  I know this is a touchy subject and emotions can run high but if you find yourself facing a tough decision sometimes a simple "pat on the back" from another mom is all it takes to move forward.  Kristine

hello hanna

Brittany from Tangled and True got these great placemats for her kids.  She says they transformed her children from "dinnertime rascals to angles, quiet and entertained".  I think I need to try these cute and fun mats at our next meal!

Priced at $14.95 I think these would make a super gift for birthday parties and holidays too!  Check them out at Hello Hanna

chicken and noodles

I realize I have been posting quite a few entries about cooking lately.  When the weather turns to cold I get busy in the kitchen.  I start off with soups then work my way to baking breads and then finish off with a roast chicken or beef with lots of root vegetables.  I am still in my soup stage.  Yesterday I whipped up my Chicken and Noodles.  This is an easy stand by for any cold weather weekend.  The only part of the soup that isn't homemade are the noodles.  I just don't have the time or the patience and have found that Grandma's Frozen Noodles are as close to homemade as you can get. The whole process takes 3 hours but most of it is spent simmering on the stove.

Chicken & Noodles

1 whole chicken - cut up (if you can't find one already done have the butcher do it for you)
6 carrots
6 celery ribs and the leaves from the bunch
peppercorns
1 medium onion
parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme
chicken bullion (I prefer the paste over the cube - better flavor)
1 box (8-10 cups) good chicken stock
1 package of Grandma's Frozen Noodles
salt and pepper

Remove as much skin off the chicken as you can.  Place in stock pot.  Fill the pot with cold water until it just covers the chicken.  Add 3 washed but unpeeled carrots, 3 celery ribs with the leaves, half of the onion (cut in very large pieces), 3-5 peppercorns, and 1 tsp each of rosemary, sage, parsley, thyme.  Bring to a boil then turn down the heat and simmer for about 2 hours.  Remove chicken and place in large bowl to cool.  Strain the liquid and vegetables into another large bowl removing all vegetables and peppercorns (throw that away as you have cooked the nutrients and flavor out).  Pour liquid back into stock pot and keep at a low temp on the stove.  Now you will be removing the chicken meat from the bone.  I don't wait very long for the chicken to cool as the heat doesn't bother me.  Pull the chicken off the bone in small pieces adding to the stock pot (I like to shred it between my fingers).  Careful that there are no bones or skin included.  Discard the bones and fat.  Add the chicken stock and return to a boil. Add 3 peeled carrots and the remaining celery ribs, cut into 1/2 - 3/4 inch pieces.  Dice remaining onion and add to the soup.  Add 1 TBL of chicken bullion.   Slow boil for 5 minutes.  Follow directions on package for the noodles and add to the soup.  Bring back to a boil for 10-15 minutes.

This is where I allow my taste buds to finish the soup.  I add about 1 TBL of salt and some pepper to taste.  If I think it needs more flavor I add some of the herbs from before and I may throw in a little more bullion if need be.  Play with it!  When I was growing up we served this over mashed potatoes.  If I don't feel like such a heavy meal I serve it alone with a side of fresh-out-of-the-oven cornbread or biscuits. My 3 year old LOVES this soup!

*NOTE:  the noodles soak up quite a bit of the liquid.  For leftovers just add a little chicken stock to the soup to create the consistency you desire.  This recipe makes a large amount but freezes really well.

new fridge

 I am in heaven.  For Columbus Day Sears offered a great discount on their Kenmore Elite Trio fridge so we splurged and got one!  Our current fridge dates back to 1979 and is a dark maroon/brown side by side.  Although it still works it is an energy sucker.  We figured that the new fridge will save us $200 a year in electric bills.  ahhh....I can hear a sigh of relief from our wallets already.  Oh, and for those who have been to my house you know this is NOT a photo of my kitchen (but a girl can dream).

bean soup

While in Boulder last week I went to the Whole Foods store to stock up on "road" food for our drive home.  While there I decided to check out the prices of bulk foods compared to our local organic grocer.  Prices were a little lower but I expect that from a chain store.  Overall, I was pleased that I pay about the same price for brown rice, quinoa, etc.  As I was looking over the beans I struck up a conversation with a gal buying the 35-bean soup/chili mix (are there really 35 beans?  Maybe they included the vegetables too?).  She told me how easy it was to create a  great soup with 2 cups of this dried mix.  I decided to try it.  I soaked the bean mix last night.  This morning after a good rinse I was pleased to find plump corn, split peas and jalapeno peppers as well as the many variations of beans. 

I didn't have a recipe so decided to "wing it".  First, I sauteed 4 cloves of garlic and 1 heaping teaspoon of cumin in olive oil.  Then,  I added 10 cups of chicken stock (you can use vegetable too) and all the containers of fresh frozen tomatoes, broth, etc from my freezer.  I didn't measure as it is just soup...you can improvise and have fun.  After it came to a slow simmer I added the bean mix and some cooked ground beef.  I thought about going meat-less but again, was cleaning out the freezer so why not?  At this point, STOP!  Don't add any salt or additional flavorings to beans.  Let them cook until soft first.  Two things to note:  If you add salt to beans while cooking they tend to get tough and if you cook at a fast simmer or boil, they can become mushy.  Slow and steady is the rule.  After the soup simmered for awhile the beans offered a firm but soft bite.  I then added Fiesta Chili Powder (about 1 TBL) from the bulk spice section at Whole Foods and a little more cumin.  It offers a nice heat, is full of flavor, doesn't require any salt or pepper, and was very easy to make.  I think I will serve it tonight with cornbread, honey and whipped butter.  YUM!

traveling

I got home on Friday night from a long week on the road.  I am spending the weekend catching up with family and errands so posting will resume tomorrow.  Hope you all have a great weekend.  Kristine

donna hay

I discovered Donna Hay when in Seattle for my bachelorette weekend.  While in Sur La Table I bought one of her cookbooks.  She had been in the store the week prior so my copy was signed.  I now own three of her books which are my go-to for quick easy meals.  Donna Hay is Australia's version of our Martha Stewart.  With books, a magazine, and television show she offers suggestions on all things domestic - Aussie style.  Her website has been newly updated with Autumn ideas.  Here is her menu for a 45-minute dinner party.  Quick and simple allowing you time to enjoy your friends instead of slaving in the kitchen.

45-minute dinner party

Bringing friends together for good conversation and company should be just that. There's no need to worry about the food side of things with our 30-minute menu for six. Let's drink to that!

• starter tomato, basil and parmesan salad
  
  
  
• main    prosciutto-wrapped chicken
  
  
  
• side      brown-buttered beans
  
  
  
• sweets  sugar-grilled fruit with cinnamon yoghurt
  
  
  
• step-by-step menu planner + style ideas
  
  
  • after-dinner mint
    
  
  
  

queenbee creations

 This bag is the "must have" for my winter wardrobe.  Queen Bee Creations is a small hands-on company based in Portland.  All their one-of-a-kind pieces are created with PVC-free materials.  Beautiful handbags for me, diaper bags (below) for my pregnant girlsfriends and really cute bike panniers for everyone.  Check them out at http://www.queenbee-creations.com. 

kid-sized buffet

This post came from Party Perfect.  I visit her site often to find great ideas for all occasions.  

She writes:

I'm still planning to one day replicate the kid-sized buffet in this back issue of Blueprint (pictured in the bottom far right). The 'buffet' appears to be composed of three LACK tables from IKEA (cheap enough to buy just for a party at $8/table) scooted together. How fun would it be to have a kid-sized 'favor buffet' or have small snacks set out their level? Or perhaps an Amy Atlas-inspired mini treat table? It would definitely have to be for the 3+ year old crowd (I can't imagine my almost two year old being able to control himself with a small table of treats), but perhaps something I will contemplate for his next birthday.

Cute, huh?  Looks like a near perfect idea for next summer's birthday party.  She is worried about her 2 year old controling himself?  I think we would run into the same issue with our 3 year old but, who cares!  It is a party!

steak...yum

I am hungry.  This photo makes my tummy rumble and crave a great big steak.  I found this recipe for Grilled Ribeye Steak with Onion-Blue Cheese Sauce on the Pioneer Woman site.  If you haven't stumbled upon Ree Drummond's site, I suggest you check it out.  As she states, "I write about my decade-long transition from spoiled city girl to domestic country wife."  Over the past year I have found many recipes and tips that I have put into my daily routine.  Her photos are gorgeous and she has a great sense of humor.  How she has time to update her site, write a cookbook, raise four children and work on their cattle ranch is beyond me. 

for the working mom-to-be

I have a friend who is pregnant with a job that requires a more professional attire than what I wore. (I work from home so my postpartum wardrobe consisted of simple, casual clothing).  I found this option for her from the My Mom Shops.

Hadley Stillwell offers a collection of nursing clothes that transition easily between work and weekend.  Nice prices too.  My favorite?  The Signature Jacket.

goodbyn lunchboxes

 I am totally obsessed with bento boxes.  Anything that allows neat little compartments within a clean organized container is on my must have list.  This fun lunchbox was found at Kids Haus.  It comes with stickers so your little one can stretch their creativity.  And, what's even better is that they are BPA and phthalate-free.

the orange treat

I found this on the super healthy kids site.  Easy and yummy made with ingredients you normally have on hand.

• 2 oranges
• 1/2 tsp grated orange zest
• 1 1/2 TBL lemon juice
• 2 TBL honey  (can use cream honey)
• 2 1/2 TBL low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt 

Simply whisk together the last four ingredients, and pour over sliced oranges.  You can peel the membrane off the orange to make it easier to eat, and the yogurt honey could permeate the orange.

spaghetti dogs

It looks too odd to be true and (a little) unappealing but it made me laugh knowing my 3 yr old would love it.  I wonder if it would work with broccoli?  I found it at Plum Pudding.