tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87920006036464330202024-02-19T08:11:07.635-05:00Clouds In My CoffeeAn Adventure In Life, Love, and Parenthood!Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.comBlogger183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-68269379243369711302009-12-18T12:49:00.004-05:002009-12-18T13:20:15.093-05:00Let It Snow, Let It Snow...<div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416642257160109986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 273px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhak4Tdrjc1hVvGypgXURRTvzqLumyA9SEdb5h5ES2vIPTPKZYxdIJY8X12UA1oiL9KmmhKUnb47_5KybvAj04bM5W-eMyomLFmTFoB3VU8UHPy1NI824oue82lgoYzN3znCrUpC3hGWj14/s400/12-15-09+012.jpg" border="0" />In our area, tomorrow, Mother Nature is planning on dumping a whole lot of snow. Possibly up to twelve inches! For my friends and family up North and out Mid-West that doesn't seem like a lot...but for us Eastern shore folks it's quite a bit. I HATE to drive in the snow. BUT I LOVE being stuck inside safely with my hubby and little boy. </div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416642265041128370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh5_nitDDDe6wH3NLO3FtVylALkGQ83iPRxvLL3lt1tsr1hhtMjD4Y3a-MNDQ1ab2dWR4fEQiH8Y0y7WEY3k9pV3Y6yS6kIzRzk7mO4wAcPxY7jOlTHmZu_7qIuxfS5qXKeb5DtVVIxd3a/s400/12-15-09+018.jpg" border="0" /> <div>I've decided to do some cooking this weekend since my house is nice and clean, and we'll be stuck inside anyway. I wanted to make a soup... so I think I'll make my Lobster & Crab Seafood Bisque. This with shrimp appetizer, some bread and cheese, and possibly even a little glass of wine will be the perfect dinner for a snowy night! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416642276688287298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 280px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 280px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrvASJ8QyhsDe89U8Yf9KVRjDwEbqiiNp_MhZoYIqWsEbj1KjwlYbNyIRIFXdrm0r0PSdGafwez4zbP9X-dQpSwBPQGwyLRb-wA_NFUprjy-sy27EjvEuFr1yuXTBCnEFl30ZcbVnQDTXU/s400/bisque.bmp" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Bobbi’s Lovely Lumpy Lobster & Crab Bisque Soup<br />Serves about 8.<br />3 cans of Bookbinder’s Lobster Bisque Soup<br />3 tablespoons of butter<br />3 - ½ cans of milk<br />¼ cup of light cream<br />3 lump crab cakes any flavor, chopped up into small bits<br />1 dash or two of crushed red pepper flakes<br />1 dash or two of parsley flakes<br />1 pinch of cayenne pepper<br />Salt and Black Pepper to taste<br /><br />Directions: Add three cans of soup, butter, milk, cream, red pepper flakes, parsley flakes, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper together in large saucepan. Heat but do not boil. Once warm, add the crab cake bits. Allow to simmer for at least one hour.<br /><br />For variation: Cook 2 cups of Rice (directions on package – do not use instant), after it has finished cooking stir in a tablespoon of butter to keep from sticking. Spread cooked rice on plate, server warm bisque overtop. </div><div>Also - I sometimes like serve it alongside a nice grilled cheese sandwich - DELISH!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5416642270244396002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 296px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8xx77Rs58JHaefVSU7yJR3UcO72dvHmZkNTUAoeL17DH6cvgjsCSxvHSEIhLJEqwTDZbr99LEm17wi_KeIRwvia2NI1sYhgc9HNBFyXIXXMBmZX_PbAYSyYz0zhnvWdJ6OUrhdnBMnxM/s400/12-18-09+010c.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-87689261268214770592009-12-11T13:08:00.005-05:002009-12-11T13:35:33.586-05:00Lighting Up The Night<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 292px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414047603624431522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzkaSDHOSFRJPedeosABY0Xnsx4K9R_YHkwTvvIYx4-wqYePBD4rFxza7CnVqWKq_zFB060eBiGebNrjsz2rbowDwUv8Al1pG9bP2XMa1kWG3_RiTgbiO8xH6TP7Zi_c0cF3ZtZjuLWuh7/s400/12-06-09+067+favc.jpg" />I am so proud of my husband. Each year he sets out to make a holiday light display that is bright and festive - but also looks nice. He works really hard getting them all up, and making sure everything is not only working right, but looks good, and is secure for whatever the seasonal weather may bring. In other words...we don't just slap on some lights, throw some blow up "decor" on our lawn and call it a day. We plan it out, and each year we create our own decorations using wood, paint...and power tools! (This year's theme was Charlie Brown's Christmas - cute right!!) The light count this year came in just over 17,000!!! Amazing!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414047599428997234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56OU8t1AQF486P4BZzmIA6mGne1NxZR6D3MDAB01Ll0qqVZ_2hQQmHtft4Ac_vRPcEWpERPS_Ku7XaaEZ6vfJdbEM3J4wzztzA_2gJXwWFRlCG3-dp7w671RSskzPDw-Y900HQddhWT3x/s400/12-06-09+095+fav.jpg" />While I do have this picture to share with you...it doesn't do the lights justice. I had to stand across the street in my neighbors' garden just to get in most of the house and lights. Tony's already joking that next year we'll have to set up the camera on a tripod on the neighbor's roof just to get it all into a picture. I'm pretty sure he's joking...but I guess we'll have to wait and see.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414047614888911618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDn2fvyfyxJF1RAPAZDV1wjR8NhyphenhyphenOQc2nz7K08hjv8-5Li_uXCf_ZwtIDBuJ_WM0RdvGuNE5DF0oSSOcwUZrHqj_FibbXxMdhVcYYQ2qgxe4uJMmVkkBIAk5jRQ4mzNtl-Dg6XMOzMIRKz/s400/12-06-09+057+fav.jpg" /> We had a nice little party last weekend with pizza and coffee, hot chocolate and cookies, where good friends of ours came with their kids and we enjoyed turning the lights on for the first time - all together. It's a great night, and I am so happy to share it with them.<br /><br />I'm really very proud of my Tony. The house looks amazing honey...great job once again! <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414047618837157266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocg_rX2Vt4QAkIBxOJpG491s841_SyLFbv7ogz8kG0A8eamyPg3NlxpCPuSgL8jM9akct8xqLCL0B0OXtrcejwIFqYFEeaDMzQ6JTng6q0-JpGOwJaqRb-K4_JTSlOoZzEP0ouE-Sc2st/s400/12-06-09+075b.jpg" />Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-30895493221141975692009-12-07T06:54:00.005-05:002009-12-07T07:17:05.752-05:00Fun Wintry Decor<div><div><div><div><div><div>This year I wanted to decorate my home to look like a natural winter wonderland. Of course I couldn't go too wild with the theme since I have a little munchkin running around the house, but I really like the way the interior of our house turned out. </div><br /><div></div><div>During the summer and fall Tony collects the large branches that fall from the trees surrounding our backyard into a pile. I decided to take a bunch from that pile, spray paint half with white glitter paint, and use these branches as a way to bring the outside in! Also - we cut down a small tree in our yard, so I used the branches from that to also decorate with a little extra green around the house. The pictures don't do it justice. With candles lit and the lights turned low, it looks quite festive and pretty.</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412465826361085874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjPIUZph8ydDhbcwyC-LDzHe5MWgzY5nI0t5keIgY3yFlZ1nE7aIRTrtTVHGlf-vmu_LzDwknOcSMtyJjg08GH_4W8TbITRMyMo8mIlgYxlJt953D3nZI9bxYXgY_qMYo8d03GDyhzNxkv/s400/12-06-09+026.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>I placed little baskets of cheer all over the house, which added an extra little sparkle!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412465834207518834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0VkopP-PEOFdD06vc-yLdK_pCMddia8Znr4sE8TPzAMSRog-vCzf0hT96gtgPCncUBvXrqsuoYy0hvzJvc5jHZ3l8TYZ00Fy2m0c2lZ1jNqgf9-1A7ZafWKlFg3URy5q3qO7D5CwgOq1C/s400/12-06-09+027.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>Originally I planned on putting out my Christmas village on the shelves above our entertainment center...but once I got started with this year's theme, I just rolled with it. I created the "lanterns" in the middle out of paper using tape, funky scissors, and a hole punch. Tommy and I made white lanterns for the dining room table using the same idea, and dipping the bottoms into glitter. I love the way it turned out and they look so pretty when the battery-operated tea light inside is glowing. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412465819314417442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LJ3Ian6d9wr7fRTbPdhbjlXdwD2OFxFRgXW4-JX8xh2QF1ZxdbyBdSN-nM4Js8PhPcplgqXM1YqFgctq3O9ITOIsNpG6PqJhRgzYVzcyQidUv0hPrhyphenhyphencS67mGt5zMiXBCnTRzKn9VIWQ/s400/12-06-09+023.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>I carried the "natural" theme to our Christmas tree this year. I hung ornaments in silver and gold, and white lights. Then Tommy and I painted pinecones which we collected at a local park and let dry (GREAT Toddler art project!) and we hung those as well. I LOVE the way the tree looks. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412465816979902498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPRY-W_RMyVQeB57m3WvxoPJZID-ob2YPjfimfoVuqqAHWDLn3xF2Wul7ayQHDgibePO31X0P-MP-V9J3XdN5VGdV0xURkhPekoZF1Db0LPu-F3KZuyD1ojbHVLCRzWkBCFaHgHa268nFR/s400/11-30-09+012+fav.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>The last thing I made this year was my interpretation of a decor idea that I saw in the Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. I LOVE the way it turned out...so simple to make too!! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412465836081932514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSEjeZ72bmIdqFhtf_53R6VBR5zqXNIdvLwUByDy1cKy0wF3ywLYkHHx9OQ_WvPVTsl0LC02F1VYCjln2OgqVpgVtXZ_yWXfaQqNSioq8MhMVUPS-4P7Yju9K-c_726pr4WODNOvJYCBr/s400/12-06-09+114.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>The above welcome lantern is just outside on the landing to our front door. I also hung some holly branches to our porch lights...another easy thing to do which took about two minutes but added a little extra festive touch! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412466022984120594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFOczZ2_miO6FE0JEBykDid-dbCeLZRFw_duhoSiYGXNwKw9iGMb2rrKV1scBIZgz2IHwp148j7QL62hRqnSjIdvvW69mnQWpGtTZkjSP4AH89TEL6uVS8c3R7xsYm3_64_A5Wprv73-jY/s400/12-06-09+131.jpg" border="0" />More on our outside decor and lights in the next blog. ;)</div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-4952631896672186702009-11-30T19:41:00.003-05:002009-11-30T19:48:23.139-05:00Halloween....yeah, I know I'm late.<div><div><div><div><div>I know I know... but I wanted to make sure I shared these pictures. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410062777190340706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2XImxr7WeKjguEpkSjG-QZMg_-TABQaV9x9A4Eas1MQajg6HyRxBV2OLnzk-h2okSPits8JriRNdy2Rgq03nKJ96bol9GCWJh4BuZA-zrjyG9n4dk5M6mNY1nfmSK356tCsCg3AmFTFf/s400/10-28-09+007.jpg" border="0" />They are my favorites from Halloween. The first ones are Tommy...he went as Spongebob this year and LOVED knocking on doors for Candy. I made Tony take the candy into work...no need for that sort of temptation! :)<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410062778863847218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg545AIW1MzmbpMyZAw0b767_ybAlVwVOWO53NrZHWXAFOkCdgCuv7LRkwR3-KciYDqgzIoQolIN3L5bojkg__i82goX2khswIr0RJEL1ZASZJyL3CPNZaqitQpHVQ-EphyphenhyphenaUAQAJv1LyTl/s400/10-31-09+021.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>The other pictures are from the wedding we attended on Halloween night. I LOVE this black and white one I took...wish it hadn't been so fuzzy. Congratulations again to Pat and Anastasia...we had a wonderful time...the dessert table was AWESOME!! (Couldn't totally avoid temptation when they had tiramisu AND every cake I could wish for!!) Yikes!! YUM!!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410062800046985090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 303px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigi4FrpY3c4RMW60sSkcFuWjPlgB9LSzqWKvNlCLLSTxQ2D8FOlJaM3v5nBqL3G_0VSvgeihoZ5ycTDLABxdATZzsS_lya21ru42gZqcThhg5TIvY6xLT0vNyQxJS5LqQzXZzEsZHS4XZ4/s400/10-31-09+054.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410062791584467010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 298px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntPcWe4gB7Gc6X7RiFhQyiNYf1g1hBkBjXaWkrA691dtSWsk9hB2Q_PPNgKwhv0jAPK3FWhJkAHCB5lLExDpquijiE8hrz4sI4akcEiMj-_CrQXdgVG5jcl_lbq0rRhZFZR02hLxVASmf/s400/10-31-09+039bw.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410062784777088626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 297px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmG_kCMXyHs6znK8hyphenhyphenfD1NthZGjuP8nLLyFCNft25szSMMsP5pPL0mIzM6f9dwuQVyWqxmS0-xgo_cixCCjP15WiS8ljBwQW0heVTcVtTU7XnSjfnX0SiHCWghXn-3l4fUxCeL_79ij9M/s400/10-31-09+037b.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-11943434308790153212009-11-30T19:05:00.008-05:002009-11-30T19:49:30.020-05:00Hope I'm Not On The Naughty List<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I have been a very bad blogger lately. I always WANT to update my blog, but with the precious minutes I get to myself, it has just been easier to update facebook (I've even been behind in that). *Sigh* At some point I'll catch up. I'm planning to update more during december...some fun things are in store this upcoming month!</div><div></div><br /><div>I missed most of November, and on this - the last day... I's like to share just a few pictures from this month. In the beginning of the month I took some pictures of Tommy and his little friends playing in the leaves in our backyard. I liked this one of Tommy. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059066366395202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 292px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfV4wHpQFZpBeFjyiXB1yluGcJ5d2m9Tz-WT_25FJvprNdRqha3zyF_BW-sPlm3KR5aTKD49vkK2WMw6V2ZYHYB72jctHZ9SQ46JjyHXJg3A4jixmByMLSeq3xhoyaTns3j91_iA76q1Z/s400/11-01-09+043b.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Also - my parents adopted a new little puppy. Scooter is so so cute!! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059078323896290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12Ez2EiRGPn-TBbYoDOGlXw54iOsFg-4uHx7rc6DvC0NqdhjqFkv5qIVVNw_wAPDPesPwgzz6b0sw8yqgR7fEBCMd1WnXG1swoExYQy6IdcA0SjihyphenhyphendVTCTdQKRX7rgpXqKVSPQx0cqrb/s400/11-7-09+010.jpg" border="0" />He's always on the move and loves to climb all over you....he certainly matches his given name. Tommy absolutely loved scooter, as did I... Mav, well - not so much, but it is funny to watch scooter chase Mav around. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059072480255746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpF2bdb6dkd2KisLeo_abu6S2xI27i0ZV3BlNZ61vRAWzX_NJMiRV_Kc1GBYJldYVvCT9l18-DJ4qPS5k_DWG17zSpgsMTTzcn7eaR65ym8gCjxWju_z_dmgczj94lSzPSotS8juuxLaAr/s400/11-7-09+009.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059084983521538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdM5vIU_byXipA0bUXlaag41l0osK2e0ddz-aDc3w820RVq4EBjUGWSyI33WLoXWUCEfhhV9JqvWftphNM0IHwYv-QMlpd_1tXw9lx7UGhwgShfKP8zEtFmIjDU3ibZTYrsBPMKxcagjaM/s400/11-7-09+016.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>I took Tommy to a local park one day. It was such a beautiful day I had to take advantage and get some pictures of him exploring. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059332755080450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 290px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYGt2VBFQHffffig-XkoZOuzQxXiA23HE5wwjn_k4vlHBx9_9QECpi5wIQUszhTIXoRouGKVeF-iYVw3YHV1ThmFO2D4jXB6hXD-Il19uMvL3WOpSOw6KvOaGKkiW7bIhz8z3QNGVtJy4/s400/11-15-09+021+love.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059335541482722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzDr2qWrecRYauTt4bEXMTZyMJog2ghvkdM7J-z_wYrxJ2GPW5l0sv6hOCxxdTXXnnnehbPx6I90NISzgNoAhIbu-OqZbO_vVqAhuHl1JeK3FC7QVyN3mjcEZehMilyUZQybL_xYpUDQD/s400/11-15-09+033+luv.jpg" border="0" />He's getting to be such a big boy. He's using more and more words everyday, growing taller by the week, and losing the last of the "baby" face. It's bitter sweet for us. We love that he's growing up, communicating with us and making minor decisions for himself. He's such a character - loves to be silly and will do anything to make others laugh. BUT - I miss my cuddly chunky little baby. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059093316668850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibfBJoasy4kPkxwG-htxuiQ4eICJqFDTsFACQdt1H2gaSbDA7GE66ci-bA_d0etDU7hFL6QISBJ97OoLaKA01IQ7Etwp2vUW_F9UnY1Ki0vKIwYKXVWc7mo6nhCxRzOJMJjpjqd2e8m2gj/s400/11-15-09+005BW.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>We had a bit of a scare the week before Thanksgiving. One day Tommy went to bed with what I thought was dry skin across his lower back, by the following afternoon he had begun to get hives across his belly...which then spread to his entire body. We aren't 100 percent sure what he had, we're thinking it was an allergic reaction to something new he ate...but there is no way to be sure unless I reintroduce it...and I don't plan on doing that ANYTIME soon. It was scary for all of us. He couldn't sleep, he wouldn't eat, and was obviously itchy. The hives lasted about 4 days, and finally the last of them faded away the day before we went to Virginia for Thanksgiving. Doesn't this picture break your heart? Poor baby. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059342987465650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 358px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBg-L0pr1ab0P3QufFloFPCy_E7AjXW35Saf86_wXd-Ex3lllpfmENN6JRd2F8kjwQ1sJMqu_Eut3Z3Kk2PIt-o_1nMRj_IAiRpN7hS9-C7_Xh-dg2zQ9v9GpIjCg4qOOkhMtCogKL2PhF/s400/11-22-09+006.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Thanksgiving we spent in Virginia Beach with my sister and her husband. He had a great time visiting. Tommy really loves his Aunt Carrie and Uncle Brett. We were thankful we could spend some quality time with them. </div>The sunset on the drive down.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059350848538194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQXG8nwOT4HoruFnJ7rc_K8BRSWjvAAcJR8NxhLo0PbdhUaMWA8GbQo2U64j4JypN5op4Xa-bc_GB5Uuys0lC0aU-6pVAlBoCYGoQv3P1SS_UnWFx4EzwqCz7Vyf4addXcLKpCIzZwLbw1/s400/11-25+to+28-09+003.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>My little pilgrim and his daddy. Tommy painted his hat himself!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059356123251554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 343px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UdYe7suJ5zk-Xa7YmGjTEnA7XYUhYN1drld7_Ze8nugHZOMg7B4RaSOeR3zUi2wtCB0l0_7Ts98Q-8_Bn8Mz0G1ehDql3FIUwgzWWca6Fqum9j-AC_oidhSoSOkpZYzGrjl5qhY_kjJY/s400/11-25+to+28-09+033+fav.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Getting ready to feast.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059516767801362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 254px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHweUtNZfXgBFhZBmL_aon0t3c1p9msaBVCUUqXnz2i5xRYI0e938hUF7KdvsLbwjjU3YB5InE2-1BW8o35NTMKQDlsX8oQuINdBFIyL-6oJgUmij-OSvwzNcLZsearAvrGyIvQEAnvBl0/s400/11-25+to+28-09+035.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Tommy and I on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5410059521331943586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdEP3zo5Oc8kMAD32eo1StHBSQP2fBTgF1GlRjgeZq7cOQl-BRc3CQakD4kmjnohp-76d_zBz_A3AU0CRT2fKWK4wn7FdZqSOvNVCgcgvhuxqlHRTC5N2XPI6SEcT736celJzVQhR7U_a/s400/11-25+to+28-09+055+fav.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-76676943286600592422009-10-17T23:26:00.004-04:002009-10-17T23:37:46.069-04:00Ghoulia Child Cooks Here!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393778141202043730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiss5UE3RCWc6cCylmGXFpJ5qitxV5fpuW4mKthzK8EjMBITtJHOFdPtBYgBlWiKNg8pLBQBfNLD-BxsHGR252V8f9ju0oR59Ammu0AxECdTVc_H3mz7BK3k5UzWvdR2y9PG1EPRjgeIgSF/s400/10-5-09+to+10-16-09+018.jpg" border="0" />That title is for my Book Club girls…cause they’ll “get” it. Plus, I thought it was cute for Halloween.<br /><br />It isn’t always easy to find the time to cook and bake like I’d like too. At least, not while Tommy is so young and needs our attention focused on what he’s up too. I’m not complaining though, because when I do get the time to cook or bake, I truly enjoy it.<br /><br />We’ve had a lot going on both in our little family life and socially, since the beginning of the month. I find it’s nice to take a break from all the thinking, planning, and “doing” of things when I force myself to find a recipe that sounds interesting and to make it. So that’s what I’ve been doing. Fall always feels like the perfect time to try something new, or try a different recipe for a familiar comfort-food recipe. I’ve made a few different things from soups to meats to desserts. I thought I would share a couple with you. I don’t have pictures for all of them…but trust me – they were delish!<br /><br />My supermarket had butternut squash on sale so I decided to make soup out of it. I’ve only had BNS soup once, but I remembered enjoying the taste and texture. I found this recipe from <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/butternut-squash-soup-recipe/index.html">Food Network</a>, and after reading the reviews decided to change things up a bit and make it my own. Here’s my recipe:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393778111041407154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6gkULIWwf0GCISAVpE4Fl8Gxd-qRiQpe4sS444Eppz3Ivf87MMUQOb8A_7ZAeHQFcb3nWbiuonRdiMBqOg9Wny3MadR_yRwRrkiUqUR4P9ldLgron8EG8H1vl4KycUwFbBQOLJ52F5X_/s400/10-5-09+to+10-16-09+002.jpg" border="0" />Butternut Squash Soup<br />Ingredients<br />1 butternut squash, peeled<br />Nutmeg<br />2 tablespoons unsalted butter<br />Salt and pepper<br />1 onion, chopped<br />1 Red delicious apple sliced<br />4 cups chicken stock<br />Directions<br />Cut squash into 1-inch chunks. In large pot melt butter. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 8 to 10 minutes. Add squash, apple and stock. Bring to a simmer and cook until squash is tender. Remove squash chunks with slotted spoon and place in a blender (or food processor) and puree. Return pureed squash to pot. Stir and season with nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve.<br /><div><div><div><div><br /><div>* Note: I learned the hard way how hard it is to cut fresh squash…the tip from my friend Tana to you: Poke holes in the squash (like you would a potato), and put into the microwave for a couple minutes. This makes the squash more tender and easier to both cut and peel. Thanks T!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393778118687200850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp0jPNpIGUqmeWi6FsP6sksVLbGRwcI1IdpFYHG5kAdH6qmmq2eGETiiMKoTCuSdJhCoomA10fMEPKwGgaQSTQyGeuQEs_fE2qAUDTQgY5ekomTU8VdbRV9t-Upbv8K_2FLcDD3NCu9vRb/s400/10-5-09+to+10-16-09+007.jpg" border="0" />That night I grilled up some cheese sandwiches and served them along with soup. We all enjoyed it…Tommy even began to dip his sandwich into the soup before he ate it. Yum!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393778127772502802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWbYUQwOIgOO06BUY8yz4b_I9dCW0iunnoGhkpBaTRtwtJR3iDzGZWY6EnbgvNim0_-oBydDUUsj18LkbyeaMGAqSyC9iuULc5-AJy1bcwUoQGx06LTFca5jvK47r-wa_A8tOORYHvjG7G/s400/10-5-09+to+10-16-09+013.jpg" border="0" />A few days later I wanted to make baked macaroni and cheese, but use the recipe for <a href="http://ronzonismarttaste.newworldpasta.com/pasta_meal_search_results.cfm?start=1&brandId=5&mealCatId=0&pastaCutId=91&mainIngId=0&numServingsId=0&startToFinishId=0#">“Smart Mac.”</a> The recipe is not as cheesey as some others I’ve had and light too – I didn’t feel stuffed after indulging in a bowl of it! We use Barilla Plus elbow macs, so tasty! Here’s the recipe I copied from the Ronzoni site:</div><br /><div>Macaroni & Cheese </div><div>Ingredients:</div><div>1 pkg ELBOWS</div><div>3 tbsp margarine or butter</div><div>3 tbsp all-purpose flour (I use unbleached)</div><div>2 1/2 cups milk</div><div>1/2 tsp salt</div><div>1/8 tsp pepper</div><div>1/4 cup minced onion</div><div>8 oz shredded Cheddar cheese</div><div>1/2 cup bread crumbs</div><div><br />Directions: Cook ELBOWS according to package directions; drain. Preheat oven to350°F. In a medium saucepan, melt margarine. Stir in flour. Graduallystir in milk. Cook, stirring constantly over medium heat, until saucethickens. Stir in salt and pepper. Add onion and cheese; stir untilcheese melts. Stir cheese sauce into ELBOWS. Spoon into a greased 2quart baking dish. Top with bread crumbs. Bake 30 minutes.</div><div> </div><div>Since I clearly could not leave well enough alone…and I had book club the evening following the one where I made the mac n cheese…I decided to mix some of the BNS soup with some mac n cheese, and bake them in the oven together for a bit. The mac n cheese took on the sweet taste of the squash, and I LOVED it. Tommy and I had it for lunch the next couple of days. A great way to include a vegetable of the season into a comfort-food staple I’ve always loved. Sorry…no picture, just trust me – its good! Btw…I named my new dish: Squashed Mac n Cheese…get it! I know, I crack myself up!</div><br /><div>I usually make dessert for Book Club meetings, and since we had just completed reading about the Julie/Julia Project (and no, I don’t recommend the book) I decided to create my own version of a mini tiramisu. Some mascarpone cheese mixed with pumpkin spice and some coffee, layered in between butter cookies and topped with chocolate sauce…and here’s what you get. Believe me…it tasted as good as it looks! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393778147956479218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKSMPdLymh1mN1wMGk-G6BQBEoPQD_mI2c6fFWkiLxYEPwyVlnx3lX9or813VG56ZQoFuCLhVsjdMHHja6UF8qeHX_IhVipfQF2pb5kHVlVxmx4O5_9-bNs0_8INSolEwKFIjz8_Z2Zig/s400/10-5-09+to+10-16-09+040.jpg" border="0" />Oh, and I even hand made my own whipped cream to dollop on top! Cute, right!</div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-2302364384562422072009-10-08T13:26:00.003-04:002009-10-08T13:31:01.604-04:00Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk October 18th<div>On October 18, 2009 we will once again participate in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes in support of the Gandy Family who’s son was diagnosed with type 1 (Juvenile) diabetes in January of 2008. He was five years old. His pancreas does not produce any insulin. Without insulin, glucose (sugar) builds up in the body and causes severe damage. There is no cure and it is not a condition he will outgrow. For this reason, Matt's Wipeout Gang was established. </div><div></div><br /><div>Matt is an amazing and brave child. He is now seven years old. For almost two years we have watched him struggle to prick his finger to check his blood sugar and take insulin shots at least 6 times a day. In July, he started using an insulin pump. An insulin pump is attached to the outside of the body using a small needle and must be worn twenty-four hours a day. He continues to check his blood sugar multiple times a day, and must sometimes be checked while he is sleeping. After he eats, we program the pump to deliver the amount of insulin the body needs to process glucose. It is not a simple calculation. Everything he does factors into his absorption rate. Matt's pump injection site must be changed every other day, or more often, as needed. There have been too many times that he has had to stop playing with his friends and teammates because his sugar was low. The treatment used to correct the "low" can take at least 15-20 minutes to kick in. When he starts to feel better, he rushes back to join his friends. He will not give up.</div><div></div><br /><div>We need your help. On October 18, 2009. Matt will lead his team, Matt's Wipeout Gang, on a walk around Cooper River Park. We are walking to raise money to find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. Every dollar we raise will go directly toward research to help find a cure. No amount is too small. Each donation is tax-deductible. On behalf of the Gandy family, we greatly appreciate your support.<br /><br />To donate please visit my walker page... <a href="http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmID=87554342">(CLICK HERE PLEASE)</a> </div><div> </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5390282550973565106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 291px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWlJe_LxCgI7wfqGG5AoVmWs8stO-3DamIrLqslbWtEUkx5ewvb7xJQjEkNexDMKPqao-T5acwWBYMcJewg9bw9Lbjg04EwP-aVmz3SikfQxsw64-zXAd3B20dJ71x4ewuT9_Jo_yRoUu_/s400/JDRF+2008.jpg" border="0" />(Us At The JDRF Walk 2008)</div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-6507206015568317362009-10-05T18:56:00.003-04:002009-10-05T19:22:10.771-04:00The Battle With Infertility<div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389259571809744994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 234px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5tSXYGOyzVBJOPMcLElhvkwnWBJXlmGK14Qw7mBxUNEsHEQT_qvCpbiDJtDVNMu2GBO5VbjDnRgNsjUQQJc6ykQ7_huXbL7WTgq34wEjGXScA5z3Px1I8ph_PTYlL9M6VGHjGWR_J_lQh/s400/infertility.jpg" border="0" />This evening I was thinking about several couples we know who are currently in the midst or beginning to discuss options with their doctor's about Infertility. It is something that is becoming increasingly common, but still so many couples are either afraid to discuss their anxiety about it, and sometimes are too embarrassed to even bring it up. I'm here to say - DON'T BE - YOU AREN'T ALONE. Just because it was easy for friends or family members to get pregnant.... that doesn't mean that getting pregnant IS easy. </div><br /><div></div><div>Not being able to get pregnant can be stressful on both partners, and can affect your relationships with not only your spouse, but friends, family, and can even affect your job. Which in turn causes MORE stress. It's a crazy emotional roller coaster that sometimes spins so fast you're afraid you may lose yourself and fall off. We found it most helpful when we could reach out and talk about our infertility battle while we were going through it with others who had not only been through it, but were in the midst of it as well. I don't know if my cousin and his wife even know just how much of a comfort they were to us during this time. </div><br /><div></div><div>I know, it sucks not being able to get pregnant when you want...I've been there. Unless you yourself are going through it (or have gone through it), there is no real way to understand...though I can say from experience....even while going crazy and gaining weight on hormone treatments - it was nice to know I was still loved. And yes, I did know I was loved...I was just so miserable and frustrated, felt so helpless about the whole situation, that I couldn't get past it and feel the love all the way. </div><br /><div></div><div>BUT I am also lucky enough to know the joy of finally seeing the words "Pregnant" on a silly little pee stick. Shock and surprise when seeing a tiny little heart beating for the first time on an ultrasound. Of feeling my child moving around in my stomach, even kicking me in the ribs. And going through the hell that is labor. It's worth it. It's worth ANYTHING to try and have a baby. And its worth learning to have patience about your situation. </div><br /><div></div><div>I read an <a href="http://www.pregnancy.org/article/what-couples-need-know-about-infertility">article</a> today, that I found really insightful. If you're battling with infertility...or trying to get pregnant and want more information about your cycle, etc. I highly recommend <a href="http://www.pregnancy.org/">http://www.pregnancy.org/</a>. It's a great site. </div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-7979038804653091152009-10-05T07:14:00.007-04:002009-10-05T08:40:18.726-04:00*Fall*ing For Autumn<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091327133722770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-6u4MtXB4lfaFt6956rkN_nD9jzZcl3Z-PkUVWZ_giluFWv2bNq-wwyDZ6ltVIdvkkgRTU6_2rovyPY5ekmsTFw-mrEIM-9BjJFxxqkar-LyClZf98ZzIRHIxdRz7jNXbh2rIEGaRsRb/s400/10-3-09+041.jpg" border="0" />Like most weekends, this one was here and gone in the blink of an eye. We didn't think we had a busy weekend planned but, somehow we managed to stay out of the house for most of it. After Tony got home from work on Friday he set about giving the grass a good cut...which I'm hoping will be one of the last times he'll have too, until next summer. Tony and Tommy don't get to spend a lot of time together during the week, and much of that time is spent with us cooking dinner. So as soon as Tony gets home from work on Fridays, Tommy wants to do nothing but spend time with "Dadgy." Unfortunately, there are so many things that also need Tony's attention, that sometimes that isn't possible. We try to find a way of having Tommy get involved in the various projects around the house so that they'll get to spend that time together. Tony cutting the grass is no exception. We sat outside watching Tony cut the grass. I distracted Tommy by having him point out the trees, birds, squirrels, etc. and Tommy even "helped" Tony a little. Afterwards we set up our Halloween decorations at the front of the house, I LOVE the way it turned out this year. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389090992070837714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 362px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIBaB4e3PUd5eKslpNvbdzANk1XJUL0Px62KH9QS3hRPiZ3UhTCS3WpajCGiq_2zto18LicTyMl9yl3NBY1Os3oJBpyny0f2Rs8Bx8vDDRAlOWmKZdEYWq8RWSSLXk5fRIv4Isl0LGzv-T/s400/10-2-09+066.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091011120022434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSvrp81-GCUobDU9ZiXmFT9qiHzbLuVOJC5TOEy09FAtPq04Qyfl-tJwyM5EzsEjPcac7lbAE2xJTA3HFGrPMOqSIoHNIDB-LRZvD-QYJ1TnwQz7SXqK4SbtXEhvcYrjL3_ikGR2ws5kVW/s400/10-2-09+077.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091000770691090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyGbH-NZJ-2ykmzzbrT2Cxz1mtc3cplO7_AiXHpD-EU0xq6xzZAf_pgrBiGKks8B9lJ8kCfRM8IcSiaLR27SUmKVCfD88axM70Gz92pt9wGDXL5NecJGD-JjAdUglyRHeMDJ-g9jNNAJNe/s400/10-2-09+073.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>Saturday morning we got off to a late start. Tony wasn't feeling himself, and Tommy's still teething...oh, and my jeep wouldn't start...AGAIN. Hopefully Tony fixed it for good this time. Once we DID get moving, we stopped over at the Haddon Heights corvette car show and flea market. We attended the event last year as well. And just like last year we were able to spend some quality time with my Godparents Wayne and Karen, who own a classic corvette and entered it into the show. Station Ave, where the event is held each year has a variety of really cute little shops. Whenever we are there we make sure to stop into The Cheese Shop where we picked up some of my favorite cheese - which just happens to be Spanish - called Manchego - it's smooth but bold, a little buttery, and seriously delicious. I love to snack on it with a glass of wine. It's quite expensive ($17 a lb), but since we only treat ourselves to it a couple times a year, worth every penny. We had to leave early due to rain (and it being Tommy's nap time), but we really enjoyed spending time with W&K. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091345549230450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdTucyIG-rocOikHw_IvrQHxJXEnDwinPSgVQOim_eWF3YHJ4-x8mpNg4C-_6NAnXhiUtL-Atc0WmsCzoQoK9DFPCFgBIQlOzT1sfEMBKQb3a9raB7g5AvIzbqL03zKEJWst6MV7L2Obm/s400/10-3-09+060.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091019436111058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyaMdKjaieYrKSxc5o4b-6AB9gn5_JL48jcXQF5zrno20vfatO-yhu7Co-dWGN7rKGAQDL4PCyCVbeNR52Yer8uNZ7CFR-bol2TBgNGRVtfQEd3GXzbkF8r0lH_wHf64vJjdAJ1d-C8t_/s400/10-3-09+013.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091314982371330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8U32AOb8e5lYLPw4MY1831cq5dlMWFkdH71fQmcZ6_MJ6xylVS051o9GZLiyzICjoYd0F8dZ_Ogy52RvpexPtRtVJp5iyB90VZLBv6wN77WfG-N1ayd3axS7brDnKvyl6TBNZ5dUm7Uh/s400/10-3-09+019.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091324281484226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUOtm5QeOL4Dng_4N_DhxSSlh4uWAI8bywiq68a7Hjq04-L6hGEEwtpTVRYgS8wXpZPBOxKBH54vmrSgmtPugiPtor9W3bXXVpYFw4LZVb2oFiilClc6AO5sMHJadqACKmpoOFtzgEgCuq/s400/10-3-09+024.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091025875451442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4__fJ7RTqA0UFyAoefi5oABzJxbZh37D0kc2mbWCFwvZuQZkdjcrz8_81XPY8rd8Ige9XHXOBbbcDqcOb03_apeYSNfLCpcKQNhyphenhyphenWOeN9t6Zplw1PLn1GgXpTtuzo9P5mf82MA0fCoOKR/s400/10-3-09+017.jpg" border="0" />That evening it was rainy and gross, and Tony still wasn't feeling well, so Tommy and I worked on an art project. It was something I had made with my little guys in Daycare this week...so we made one for friends of ours whom we had plans to visit with the next day. I love using bits of nature in art projects with the kids. It's even more fun now that I can do a little more with them without the fear that they'll put whatever we're working with into their mouths. They get so excited about the art projects we make in school...it gives me motivation to be more creative while educational. Win/Win for all! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091342334202930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9W4NyqxmPLCR0S0TJR5mm_lolRuxDnAIVOyitWQB6eKeOqEDWyC9x8nGWfT0agcSAN5OUS0VCesd019QRK1s58WvjRm27okIqYDhIDa2adEHk1xaBUUd__9mZpnK_sHM_KkHNVq2veLd/s400/10-3-09+045.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091637271883138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKByEZCsDNjc-WxLsZsc8GxcOh5HfihKe8FxQUGnLbYsErox7u-D1K8BYypt3k4CoZUmfANJDzhP84ZtNq2B5LhJx6clP36vChrbSMGiOuWG7yFvs9vF-eTKW_mDOM0ai11Gf7EIVrZx-/s400/10-3-09+074.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Sunday we visited with our friends Lauren and Bryan. Bryan is in a band called Mr. Pink and is also a teacher (as is Lauren). The band practices in L&B's basement...so when we stopped over, they let Tommy check out some of the instruments. I'm pretty sure my boy is going to be a musician when we gets older. He had the time of his life playing the drum set and guitar. The amazing part for me was watching him pick up those drumsticks and with only a little direction started to play like he was born to do it. My kid's got rhythm! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091656813834290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2HZ3KofuwX6yqRIaNDCHDRUFkq_gaa4QUsrA87aV0WMjMjQbmmpxnH94K471RqsiDvd5nViODTvA_VGryrtJe7dy7yfQWye2FihyphenhypheneTyjWaDbdAe1R9r6DMh3n7mDP1B7OZOTjRy20_X82/s400/10-4-09+011.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091647887352322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Fcm0PbCKjPBhoX8RwNOIPMMgQ1Nm1DQvoFmHB6W3SnKrj8dayj9ATlwb8CvalRtQERb6ZjTvIi8CeWvsTX2sDC9uiqDCH6gNkkjABZIGgnsKuSye9TyHrj5OtgxfnbrPnFrNEkPzzYYJ/s400/10-4-09+008.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389091641403740322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVGxWaCUgXx0XAwimRj0NsavgG679wwaffK0r0Ik4k6k02ZUAOoXdNKMGCRY_RRV7uNSPVle5P1oWVloieaReby5cuD6yrC_DFVS93xZ4BCCumuMh1ObsvuwcJDTFrq4G1JkzMXciWMXo/s400/10-4-09+007.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-14946477178126910812009-10-01T18:57:00.005-04:002009-10-01T19:24:11.412-04:00One Of My Favorite Places<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I took Tommy on a picnic Monday. To a local historic farmstead close(ish) to where we live. </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387773759766205474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-z2ANpM3csOWLpgtbbYQlib2DiCFPXet_GXoYR7PNq3eP57JHeVjq8k__5_EOOpUdpXn_FgR5vZ1nO826ucfjA8E-0LV8v8m_NoO-pxuoZ2xdK5VW7Jy4e_ejTQLrpMJicxl6o1DxOlR/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+5+Picnic+Lunch.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387773743206101282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTxjfaMAVmMSWEtmAbQA1mgQLe7c2_5HyC3hr7jLCZP3YQYsFbAHwW29BlzzJWOq3WbZr5xfh-V-mItjGxUHJCH1ajNtwR1xbjzN5fDEzvvUyVLc6GuBShAOv6SQWdcOZ2ibmfpQwiogzN/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+1+Welcome.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>When I was trying to get pregnant, I would go there sometimes to walk the trails. Its a quiet, beautiful place that you can lose yourself in while you do some soul searching. Whenever I am there, I feel calm, restful, and happy. It's just THAT kind of place for me. I would love to live in the community surrounding Barclay Farmstead...maybe someday we will. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387773753884962898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 272px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RKD1TijNPXWZk5qydDh_nlnkMWObPRBw-wXHDkfb6OVZ18wGzOsZwNJeHWGWhifBqgDa6C8QLe-ES9g7ijTyK4YroPcUmFBjhqQ4wB9M6DFv9-bywq_6LKzFvyfPzHPJD5-mLG8UEL42/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+4+Farmhouse.jpg" border="0" /> <div>I've been wanting to visit the farmstead and take Tommy to see it for some time now...but there never seems to be enough time to see and do everything one Wants to do...time goes by so fast. The weather was so beautiful Monday morning that I knew I had to "seize the day!" And so I packed us a little lunch, and we headed over. Aside from a few farmers tending their plots of land (you can rent plots in an area of the farmstead to grow flowers, veggies, whatever...some plots are truly breathtaking in the late summer/early fall), there was no one around. We sat on an autumn inspired tablecloth I have, and shared our lunch. Then we stowed our things back in the car and walked around exploring. We had an absolute blast with the bonding experience. I know how lucky I am to have Mondays off and to be able to do something just to two of us. The day was filled with love and laughter, it is a memory I will always cherish. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387774166472195298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 294px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36zyjYdTbM9tLiKErV9uVkqX_nJVmVUvjcXQwLQMem7ypoUtRQh_KAzuA4HVaVGyKbSmTHGsrT7Nmh3pnncILQSRB8yyBl4GliZQj7XpkHm6GwuGVX-8pGy_jAshlPiK9IHo2FQg_i_Vp/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+104+blog.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387775151029735442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1gVKzjnewxMwkOimeWZfTiIV_bMmgvOcrP3DZNCxumnZlilBDdoryIUQzwF9HjbnmfMshANtvmW1xsJ3TLyD-7jMSHDA1Q62CH6ni_GJ2zkwYMnxrgUpIDPG38ExqcqKVvveqs4ZPfex8/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+081.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387775142235167234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 256px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiOWUu9BOxl2dSuhv0Sp6YMhw3L9Xw2GY0yFjm3fqSQ7TSUvamfF8q5rUBZFw1nNYatAAHJ1x1z_p8Vwc2h86VthtK8RjK2vQlsjPxrPSQTxqT6GJ1qwMb1iT2RIjJuSSdXWs8aLALphEr/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+044.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387774160855032642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2gHSrKUpi9pQOCGOZYH6c1Pz-TDFxSQ3_RdByj7L09GzR7DCj5y8Hm0YLIJKS2LI2EVvW5WHWAVqWgVqvpnX6gbXCMFm_WUssSKxsbbHP_uW6reaK_R0RXiS9N3496sjA3DfmVO0ccmMB/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+24+Organic+Farming.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387774149365177026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5QtcUKBck3H3WY2WhT467PqgPTVFlt0eoJfC0tSmWZYdAe4t5ZbSMgLeku3gGh2p3uKisUSPSuVC1lBBEen9r81tmnmHGK_4bSzdVccbekOQvDis1di4V9iXSeatFljIpJKSgD8DXJcX/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+21++Organic+Farming.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387774142187497794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOx3WBwo5iI-8xAgv-SHGut9e_XaOdcHfG0KCDjYfC41vIEapOgbWH_6Qt0ziqsO7VHdlPzSsH71LJAH8lb6bgRFn7-swjr6Dos7D4rgY7iXCdUAUTssL_KV79K14RdG2YEs0iCI-ubIn/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+19+Restored+Orchard.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387773768433226962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCFtLjLZTqNsTpfZ9QtTw4-TaCGX0FUvtpo3zCFYkLZyEu7PQzX2TEjRMPl7Tc1j5Pir10tVZ3_yn6iTAxTMST-c2c2iIA2l4_HQZCzKekRrxLUwcKJwiQkQ5RDTu5RJeJZ2c4A2R_9VR/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+9+Outbuilding.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387773779433031314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5OBr4YBnydjfYsvSvEFC36508QqK564bYt9IoCIEhqxHTJU7vgq_nM8JzujF69yfMMnnUpQOQDNz45b7S0LyW-REuZqAOF4s4cNj9OPobUqPs8kwh9IAd5bZ1D3jTXjsaxN0Mf6l-pW1/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+14.jpg" border="0" /> <div>I highly encourage any and all parents to look into their local history. It's a fun and cheap way to have an adventure with your kids. Have a picnic, or just stop by somewhere and explore! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387775158743264034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8072o5n-7IwmTQMNi9SSMP4fGLWKidCmzNuCd4asA5Okb6TYtBGYXvH3hF9Ei0FW12PrsgJBpjMNCyPzHud6o1SxOgKXW3e1QwU5HBb3LyFaK0Q3_ph43lltfGL_-U-gTwnZ-gaIRlLze/s400/9-28-09+Barclay+Farms+110b.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div><a href="http://www.barclayfarmstead.org/">http://www.barclayfarmstead.org/</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-7848237505379634942009-10-01T17:44:00.011-04:002009-10-01T18:56:35.080-04:00Everything, All The Time<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Some weekends we think we have "nothing to do" and the weekend ends up going by in a blur. Then there are the weekends where we have so much going on that it seems we don't have a moment to sit still. This past weekend was like that. </div><br /><div></div><div>On Saturday we attended Tommy's school friend's first birthday party at Johnson's Farm, in Medford, NJ. Neither Tony or I had every been there before, but we had expected a small farm with maybe a picnic table or two and a couple farm animals. We were WAY off. Johnson's Farm is HUGE, and bustling with activity. There was a large animal farm feeding area, the party pavilion (which had about 5 other parties taking place during the two hour time slot we were there), tractor/hay rides, fields and fields of produce - you can pick your own apples, a huge market area, and even a little rag-time band. Seriously, the place is enormous. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387768313664469122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2008o2ofiHSRmhKa_eCWlZSHl9jygPMfxhnr5itnQ6CjscDdFQtwIRX__6kb44rh94WakZOKhBhVBCGTl7j1UHc894eJ9ETGQB9m-vIHJsMdbpd_ChJuaDEc2O9Y5AP5QbQNZpxpdf4JV/s400/9-26-09+Johnsons+Farm+053.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387768307305268354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xogX3erjL_w3cvGs0L6smE3OmxSOkXVFhgUu9O9-nk7_gH6qvEamo1y2ayZf3EsUDqVZ2NWPE1Crbzgrl6IEItPicYsb7H-THngRb0ZQYA1WyYwnpRjwhmrPXl_qopPwtrD3_XPFMPfm/s400/9-26-09+Johnsons+Farm+050.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387768274416782450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 288px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cj_ElvoDIGgB-BmkVqXT1Bd3zJrdgP0DCKl8cF0JenRpCyDQ66hjQwa9SHQXfWziBJ5R-5TSJvCiTSSwgJi9U_rPyCu81GpohGbm4ZZTsqG21B9VrljWouTSKANe2rjJDydU3CkY-B-2/s400/9-26-09+Johnsons+Farm+016.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>We had a great time celebrating the birthday, and were excited to participate in the hayride, pumpkin picking, and animal farm activities. I especially loved watching how much fun Tony and Tommy had picking out Tommy's pumpkin, and snapping pictures of the beautiful fields. Before leaving we stopped in at the market for the ever-popular apple-cider donuts. Somehow, even with the wafting smell of cider and spices filling the car, we somehow managed to wait until we returned home to munch of the delicious confections. Seriously - they are melt-in-your-mouth good. If you find yourself at Johnson's farm you HAVE to buy one...or buy the half dozen, they come in a convenient bag all ready for you! <a href="http://www.johnsonsfarm.com/">http://www.johnsonsfarm.com/</a></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387768289038301730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 350px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZkp8RalWqG7ViLhTpUMtj_mN3P8fIV7GVytuRUOF3eJ-amVK8TennVWBcefYtbxWFV3Mt3Kog9RVUUw4mBQNRmevdAjyoTBlX7fwl07SOVDx6oWrnXsyAaV38FW_MzIOSUm4SgQF9KGn8/s400/9-26-09+Johnsons+Farm+038.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387768299337882210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyObHCy_t7QaYD5uc3dzUpQPScjFucdW6X10o_Zk-8GZhBcAzHsxQacW1J3ZWqeJAKKKKFH6oeHb6sn0L1cTO_Va4K_HKsUVuNTCV7Ss-lhmjd8zHl6Bf0oAAQS4lChxSsmdMtHxeSJpcD/s400/9-26-09+Johnsons+Farm+042.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387768396415685074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO8x4-71tDgzPvqAbRJseKxuSnZuQ3Z9SurmH5e9VTZ2GDK6AwO2eqxOXkCdXJxOIGprWrG1p4a6sC_6UkLTSFFFKZIEe9w14uyA3rpCuauoHPlVCzY-GHOLRVQ1G_JiF7yI13-S1yGHW9/s400/9-26-09+Johnsons+Farm+123.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>As if that wasn't enough activity for the day, we decided to catch a local high school marching band competition that evening. Tony and I were both involved in our high school's marching bands (he played quad drums, I was in the colorguard - colorguard and rifle captain my jr and sr years). Tommy really loves music, and the competition was about five minutes down the road from where we live...so we bundled up, grabbed an umbrella, and headed over to watch for an hour. Tommy LOVED it. He was clapping and dancing! We had a great time, and even had a chance to stop and say hello to our Pastor and his wife who were there to support their daughter's marching band. A great time was had by all. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387767886834329954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyeBXrz1ALeaYNj6P9b0fJZc8dUB9o6-_WCehw3_V1oEVdhClv9PVUqp6evT2xTn692wft392fD9pcD3aWtyu3SzNxUUaHaCi8OGOAVscVMRsnkV6Upb3zFJgO06NvaBHyP3yzqv8TZZoI/s400/9-26-09+MB+Competition+009.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387767877286952498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-ge63deHDTrIODB6ssbja400IqS03MJoFUIawYVi9tldIDzrI7KuudoQ40c6SYVBuwIQa_LTbQSTEPT_fbjyhHvw3taLfVj-XktppCe_APdL6ylCPsh2itNlFY7aFha1oC3-owCcvNR6/s400/9-26-09+MB+Competition+004.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>On Sunday we were up WAY too early because the munchkin is teething...seems those pesky molars have finally decided to make an appearance. I have been told that if adults had to go through the pain of our molars coming in, we'd have to be on morphine. Needless to say, the little guy is having a bit of a rough time. He's cranky crank cranky, and we don't blame him...after all, anyone who's going through that pain may be a bit of a bear. So instead of being on time for our friends' twins' baptism, we arrived in time for the celebration afterwards. Our poor lil guy was a bit of a handful, but we were able to catch up with some friends we haven't seen for a while, so that was nice. Afterwards, we arrived back home to an astonishing site...there was a brief break in the rainy weekend, and a lovely rainbow appeared in the dusk sky. A magical way to end a busy busy weekend. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387767889340557138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTfFZT7FB_wUAdLA58DyUf_Xydezr8a4_zDzpwquhAcLQbBMh2X-1JoX4Wk84jogddhz-Oj0VM421SIJ6eiYF9IcOZQQVoctGpalbdBzAR1t5AATTEIjazTT_YzyngeNRJpLPpSH5nFpF/s400/9-27-09+004.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-6569630928856018722009-10-01T10:03:00.005-04:002009-10-01T10:16:15.738-04:00Feeling Berry OrangeAlthough I can hardly believe October has arrived, it is finally starting to feel like autumn. The leaves have begun to change, and we’ve starting working on new display decorations for our Christmas lights. I’m anxious to delve into some “fall” recipes – including a tasty looking one I found for butternut squash soup. (I’ll post pics and the recipe next week.) <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387633237110717682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 312px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZrwEEUYdWdZIN7aLhipFX59WfO5nSySNVcsgJjfERNcTPwv9cPW8dCME1StUDSinCInfWd1QE-rlHF4qx5LyelxJnyLa6xf1jZuyRAiRPrv-JKfFwRkKy_jxFQ8V29VxxbYfdkISPyLOK/s400/9-19-09+012.jpg" border="0" />I love when October arrives. It is the first of three full months of themes! I love when events, etc, are themed. I already have my planner all set up with a ton of cute Halloween and autumn art projects to do this month with the little ones I’ve been watching in my daycare. I even decorated the playroom a little, just to get myself, the kids, and their families into the excitement. I made leaves for the tree using the kids hands! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387633444521489490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnypVpDk7i95mZaGp1tADByAzh6XLGtddqgin4JmJSmQV4kyg8_px1hBTwwvSokh-7B_o5wfWzXyRdaN44ZG7H0Xn0hb9UQ6tzsGWNAh99ZUbAtuezjHJneMG25d1Jm5r-Q4cU_UGkG59d/s400/9-30-09+039.jpg" border="0" />This week’s theme was leaves (I may repeat the theme in November, since we had such a good time with it.) I took the boys outside and we picked a bunch of leaves. I pressed them in one of my cook books overnight, and then we made wreathes using the pressed leaves, construction paper, and with a bit of sparkly glue (I watered down school glue and added some glitter – we used paint brushes to adhere the leaves to the construction paper, and brushed on extra of the glue/glitter mix to add sparkle and longevity). I think they turned out really cute! Very toddler-friendly - perfect! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387633450740455250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4CF75ilZo9-odJoa1LNz9PX049nZAaudP_ZjGfD3f-ooYRSJzJMrGfknjQ0rIpmqvB7gsAJpunrSomk3W57e31t5nVc5kCTgpZODnCY-dbadfdSO6vzVRBJchDyg6AX3BCIMYH9HhsBUr/s400/9-30-09+042.jpg" border="0" />I enjoy looking through decoration magazines. When I see something I think I could recreate…I challenge myself to do it. With a toddler running around touching everything, trying to stick things in his mouth and up his nose, and pulling things down (he can reach the stove now – scary!!), I decided to only set out a few country-chic decorations this year. I found fall berry vines at the craft store, and they became the “theme” for all decorations in the kitchen, dining, and family rooms. Here are a couple things I came up with. The little jars of berries are set in threes all over the kitchen. They are small so I have them set out of the way and not using up counter space. The Vase with flowers and berries, etc. is on a table in the dining area. The fall basket is in the family room, and the broom I made and attached to the front door. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387633436962125970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrxZ8jLd4pZ5HwnB28kM-AKaVBNaZLrUvNsFesstWTUoV-t3B_ToPyHic5tnXYsNsLJmrA6lzzTgsbRVRbrCc-OhtBZ9-g0KoUs-j3TM7OQd8ZiWafxBP3lxMg0qv3cluyHZu0FHwBK2N1/s400/9-19-09+014.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387633207714041426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 310px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8rI6hz6myzUmHOlpTBaC9FJ8OhKG5EZ3xOtxJgdk0tdY1UIqW9guq0lSgoOkLAzzuIEZ50SaM_D0A4OvwBSI-CvHIO4EuuSYTluKRQsuPF17HuQUhgxiJ7nX-YhVUbOOrlUuE4VCc6WV/s400/9-19-09+002.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387633231763441650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdU0X16ZAbV1YjEqXWlN12Ijut5li4dWRb7Rl2dD2t8wykvJlhJ9YmBMguIuFWb-21Fq8Viu6asAUxy-7JDpPKs_AuuCH0eRFAKxweDwBqZGW_fIEfAAw_DlAOmJgZATgiaqshg-uKcJP/s400/9-19-09+009.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387633218163503378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1ImBVsUOgyPbcT8V9F7bDciTQqqNXwEhaLiM-TPpkZ8p_ysJ3XCwqgopdgj8ZugA8W-luqy-ISTd3UnCtxjg-kr46SrmXoeX20GxmS8QNQ8vNoJpOXpfqMo2wTsVqRdS-MMIBUZ6ktgD/s400/9-19-09+003.jpg" border="0" />Also – We decided to make our own Halloween decorations this year. I didn’t want to make anything scary or gruesome…so instead I came up with these. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387633455552735090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9zM4Z1qSI1c44AoArimwAEe6QQ10y3AsxndaBGDkdUEJAK9u0WZ_Xaimno001wpVnmbm5souXi-TEdf0b0NjaoPQZBFdBxjNnsrAxdh4nx1Y9CL7jvAzwDoJNkhYL3iDFosvEcxIKGp2/s400/Creating+Halloween+Decor+with+Flat+Asia+9-24-09+2.jpg" border="0" />They were easy to make. I drew out the figures on plywood and Tony cut them out with a handsaw. Next I painted them using paints we already had (from our Christmas collection), and polyurethaned them so they’ll stand up to the rain and wind, and we’ll be able to use them again. We haven’t finished setting up the front yard yet…Tony is going to attach stakes to the back of these, and along with some mums, and some corn stalks…well…you’ll see once we’re all finished.Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-7714351507452338632009-09-19T21:03:00.005-04:002009-09-19T21:14:09.806-04:00Down By The Bay<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Last weekend we had a wonderful time down the shore (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">LBI</span>, NJ) with friends of ours. We did some shopping, some sight seeing, and most of the time we spent laughing and truly enjoying their company. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">picturesque</span> landscape was enhanced with lingering stormy weather, and it was beautiful. Thanks again T, F, and A! We heart you!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383350663611910850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimN8GrpQglNo_bFDOpts5WRCIsVrUuoODg7i8evUR05P8NxGxpHGN1jTnw_VaRDu6VCZAsAEJJZA2CvVrGMYgT0hkUalyqMUTmCX18tzN7ZIXG9XivaVCDHmW_8raqRvzanX_hKu34gXOx/s400/9-11-09+to+9-13-09+LBI+062B.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383350668002962290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3BxGEDyxv32RuXITU6AB3OzzWysSVW38AH103NjXxv_LzBcIUC9FJQdA0ZmGGFJIRWsLf2G334RV-md5cOeCyFg_P-ueQv_LUqClPV3uzBXvE51aNbNKNZPFC9Bd9JoEnTzySg0PJJe2/s400/9-11-09+to+9-13-09+LBI+068.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383350677965405842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeVq1PwAeM4Rld8PhODNwCXW2HyC0WLlEW9WYO0co7IvIl8xrkYvP3mTB-2OZfZ1EGWqkRa6GvPmqBeZyriaDK9LQDEgClV6osoUTpY_n8p5vXHeNwjThY4NBD3crOc5sqguXT4VvkEqW/s400/9-11-09+to+9-13-09+LBI+073.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383350688070319106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeTuq_2fKBsJiv5wdJ-PGdgxmVeZKzPVF8Jcee2hBdRXy_xOJPtD0ZI0y8F9xmmRU2iGWWs1K3QBatNxhyphenhyphen_usf93_SqEcZaFhNJAuqixIDv_HRQHdMm9ZLzGw_M8v7LyNoP9fQMAe-p4pa/s400/9-11-09+to+9-13-09+LBI+103+fav.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383350694437934290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtORb5GclYGM266RxdjkuKW1EQ2asmIlh7H57iFofOhxom1D9Bq0MsBmFZ1s6nIOcLLQ6Ka_KkCNIjwTaPz3IE93GN1XasppfFJhjfv8tsJwlV_SnpGNA3s5MWjSpocRue0Qc04E8Eyqz/s400/9-11-09+to+9-13-09+LBI+107.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383350838608142434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 293px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1WytU9EqB5xqghk7TjZCy7WSmDmmPAlLIuIiKSBwBwKhFL-XA1WkGKyikIx3Z2PhOqlrM_HlDY5DxCbX3mHSMJ6mPRUhNs13sSJt0sh0Zjwe2iE3xOdxEoExNcRj5IPSLBhymOMTXsNx/s400/9-11-09+to+9-13-09+LBI+156+luv.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383350843984683170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFSRKBJgr0_w6tfQFfAO1LOZv1CdpUM4lL2IugQblzGDkHG6Lj48W_mEoTpk7m1Iz1e7ms1SxQ1bmtAmzoaBKkO7b27VVJfdmy9YvM-9dTwmrxjoaQkyTn-IDEMyZJngYS73F4ZuQ-9sR/s400/9-11-09+to+9-13-09+LBI+169.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5383350854970133714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTwLId5KLQQMKkf29Xbs-EvVavjSN-4E-kxeJCF0eO8jtOycMzi7KOF5jew73i7VHAXxuRlrSHlErxLcFrI5aBOpYTI9Suu5uIphe0lDNnsKVkFiyz_7l6hnbv-HzboTPiwnZNNtrNE0C/s400/9-11-09+to+9-13-09+LBI+184.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-40390299308514653382009-09-18T14:26:00.011-04:002009-09-18T15:00:48.388-04:00See you in September<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382883380147857522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOiJ5RK-uYs3tiRbfyIxTpVjnNv3bMS8ZYWf5UGxlQpg0Tz4zF_amj-2Qg-0yEeCTpl_ydvFYTXrKRXbGrFW9PRJwUmXxzFioZrg3HLtWMrchBpScFurNxWnc0RF4ohyphenhyphenNkDaNq1cpZNnqn/s400/9-1-09+006.jpg" border="0" />Hi, we're back! Had a brief hiatus, and a broken computer, and so I decided to take the summer off. I think it's nice to take a break once-in-a-while. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382883199004151378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 342px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRAkjWG0RiTlXuf8aOQJV3HcEvaeNxbGjX7iXoN8H7UXmcP10DXPMLF3drnKGF9_VUZrmXBSTFPqywrXWdfHfVLL7vYZWmbov80FzTc46Z_18E6sJCNFh9_HaviNPEZUUTDma-BkixxrM/s400/7-28-09+011.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>The summer went by in a flash. Suddenly it's September! While we've been encountering cooler weather and rainy days for most of August...the date (and the return of the kids to school) really seems to finalize yet another seemingly short summer's end. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382883405326307298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxjKGTjIoDRBpc8ehP1CgDS1NvrhfLd5sXbKiwXv5-f6Ot_EPErJkMZ3c5zeAwJMaYRwH60HeNEDjeNYOGWTheuzSOJ2c5MLwLKRPznGlzOr-sQfMJ3kGs4JnXA3iEGTclzTScLkznUGx/s400/9-8-09+003.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Being the parents of a toddler is fun. Tommy is such a clown. He likes to do things just to get Tony and I laugh. And once we're laughing he does them over and over again....just to keep us going. He's our little comedian.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382883188469483074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq8NzdwZI5RWLwB4SEwWqz2e8KWEp3cBdQP52_ksk1OUJKHjQ9dcPJIOIkHR51ui3-B8FKAZYjQJ3NlINMhL37fOfZr8ngMnb2dmB-8Ty_yzUI25Hj2Og_cs-qbPatru7csHpq8QwGkZzS/s400/7-28-09+008.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Tommy is such a big boy now. He's begun to use the kid potty (or "Pot Pot" as he calls it). He's doing surprisingly well with it. We're taking it slowly though since it is rather early - what with him being a boy and boys having a reputation of starting later and taking longer with their potty training. I have been sending text messages to my family whenever he "goes" not only because I'm so proud of his progress, but also because I can't quite believe we're into that stage! It seems like only yesterday I changed his diaper for the first time, and now I can almost see an inkling of the 'end of diapers' light at the end of the tunnel. He's been doing quite well with feeding himself, at least with a fork. He's still working on using a spoon, but he'll get there. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382883224172412898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYJYHPEV-K3vyEhb_29iCS9GlzpTSC6D0plSEIQEpq2XB1mZ3n3pgBETMgw1_MdXUpgEFCnxgy_pFtfa9P3D0joB6Lt8DltSFZJQR-sikYSEP2E_stxUpzX7ndxj1pI4p-CAm0PmYM0XH/s400/8-30-09+004.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>He talks and babbles more and more every day, and also repeats (or tries too) everything Tony and I say. I can't wait to have a real conversation with him. It's still frustrating when we try to get him to understand why he can't do something, or why we want him to do as we ask...but we know this is a stage they all go through, and some day he'll get it. His favorite saying is "uh oh" and he likes to sometimes say this right before he gets into mischief. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382883206454099490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifxmsTFKB5IfQ12uwLUiPUUR0DqaZKilBGqQsIW03Zh7a5zVVC74ogFjiKR1BP6ijeFk4pFaOUyXLJOpOo0VDsNspGnK7q5pYEUN_2aNih9nzBCaABMAOSECdtX_O7hjyAQ7dMs3m37vjy/s400/8-20-09+013.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>Tommy is very affectionate with us. He likes to play games and sing songs with me, and is doing really well with sharing his toys with his daycare friends. We still don't let him watch a lot of television, but he does watch Spongebob with Tony. He yells "BobBob" every time that little yellow square pops onto the screen...and it's funny to see how animated he gets about the show. I like watching the two of them sitting together while watching their show. Tommy is usually hugging Tony or sitting on his daddy's lap while they share in a half hour of fun and laughter. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382883392048177282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipQKqXugUVM-chw24hUgr3g5JICNFB2oPbIlA2f_myxAWUBnHWU6Mhun70s8iahntgQ_S3uqKqgzX66qiRjPHv6JIAKwzGGCUD9KM-Nr_5y9vyydgGD5rqW6B-lOxuPH6cktxwCwt71hl5/s400/9-7-09+006.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-64443198102705267252009-06-29T20:04:00.003-04:002009-06-29T20:11:06.174-04:00What Up Dog?<div><div><div><div>Happy 4th Birthday Maverick Bear!! </div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352905651446627106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZyJ0y_uVO6wZjgLRAgxI9fyLJEgUnfCGz39oC7w3ht-HnwRRpL_-RtBIWCWFRccH0pRSsJpnq2Cm1h6gYFTW6m9oHw4J9njM4l0NOCAefvm406BZksNqznRpgvBx1EhpANPhGr53QF10/s400/6-19-09+025.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>He couldn't wait to get to that mound of peanut butter! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352905659440204674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1NpS8PICdK54ytIT9Nte4AulhjJF4IvnQTgKAAjZUyecWfFId2hokWSE1jve2HVPE0TrQD3BGyQvbpAGOWbsVBcj3opoWe4oTGgYqdX1rLYhbYSaPn5NE6Wk656P_K4vS9wCFZ1fFA6H1/s400/6-29-09+049.jpg" border="0" />And for the record...I did not sing to him! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352905665920645250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghu03B7tJ0hFc1F1KIJmmYw51ME34yOAbUwMSBYilQp2x7i7fBC6pxaKKcy22f9epY2S2CRc9RafaJ_T6oBEIMNiDCI8Y3BF4Us0IFz7MjmUfzyHhynpd-2_rEUXt2lNQpZy7iA6tTxEVG/s400/6-29-09+051.jpg" border="0" />Thanks for being my loyal pup!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352905669821135250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZt6NceFzJHBHF-54XY1OUC9FLcBbqC-WVNrVy4bQ_b7OXq45HXgZkRUofk-cbYfCdK2e-o03pWi0UMrn3lb4I8PR2CAnTtrc8eYzPHRzKd6KSfwsA8jpCX8Z_OKzJsDTSYyjyGgfwCmOK/s400/6-29-09+052.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-90410518779568280352009-06-28T20:54:00.008-04:002009-06-28T22:07:02.309-04:00Bonding, Bands, and Birthday Dinners<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>Wow, what a wild and wonderful weekend it was.<br /></div><div>Tommy and I were on our own Thursday, so we spent the day bonding. We lounged around the house in our pjs, played outside for a while, and laughed laughed laughed! He's such a clown, I love it. I am happy to report he is no longer sick, and has gotten his full appetite back. I am so relieved.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352561893894581042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFZBH4OZwDdiovuLUCyMWE2H0ypi-ASa2M3yOYIpayXOS1DEYAj-jgla0-gpHSp1bgfcV7NbL0yog1h2gEQsY9lxIxWYncOaKhX8rGza9WKzLIhg_P5fFr1UPK-Hv5_9JIdXCsdv5AEJr/s400/6-25-09+068.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>It was a hot and humid day here in New Jersey, so during Tommy's afternoon nap I decided to set up his new sprinkler pool. The set up took me about 35 minutes (the pool was a little heavy and I couldn't seem to hook the hose up correctly). Once Tommy was up from his nap it took me another 20 minutes to lather him up with sun block lotion, get on the special swim diaper, and get his bathing suit on. Finally after the hour or so set up we were outside, the little pool was all filled up and ready to go and Tommy happily stepped in to play. At that exact moment, the sun - which had been shining since earlier that morning - slipped behind some clouds, and the chilly water coming out of the hose attachment became less inviting than it had a few moments earlier. Never-the-less, we spent a nice 5 or 10 minutes in the little sprinkler pool with the sun peaking out once or twice. The time it took setting up and cleaning up afterwards, was totally worth it. Tommy loved the little pool, and I enjoyed being a part of something that made him so happy. </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352561109547705746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5pVzw6B12DjyViNv_5nlwuwsQhlbgPTWGC2AVYp8JBeESm0oaHM8bLRoxMYF-krlZkgA1oyjKSEVRYYu-QpIK4e6SZ_6d7-SO16EvVdXWWQ6arYGZaEDJkvJHvy0hOm5ghcOxB8WlYWE/s400/6-25-09+026.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352561113976244146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUkxQ_kknrNcQeTLRQhMFfyBkIlzbvw_-SIWD2_0Zy60ULPL3wgjIOC25OQ_NKBKvbqb1O_Fra3mG82eE0UKh8UcVTsqjCliLGNhkcHVgPlKwPI1SaS2cDEYdDjUqPx1qBTo0KftcX2dn8/s400/6-25-09+030.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352561106079951634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQYTQstglCW-KcmfNAqCSOLem1WE57Rcz2MO30zlWvHsMwWPuzxu1yoOnvov_IEvif6Mtm5NYOQvkOSoYooWGqF1xxLlk-cunt6NlxOp3CBEAbblXUEq93VdeEufgA6wiD0HY3Q8x0_3t/s400/6-25-09+010.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352561124639967794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTZv5l5PTBragglcSAYrrtLxfVyogKSvFxH0fE9uLm3fiJ9eu6xNIs5vVG5ejA-xcfSNbHuLK9027sfocCkDraovPnDvhFdoH1DgEflwf0tFOmPbxs5DSS2NOUxX2-L79FxvGx9GKbpQ-/s400/6-25-09+048.jpg" border="0" /> <div>Friday night my MIL stopped over to babysit for us so that we could see my favorite band in concert. 38 Special, Styx, and REO Speedwagon were together at the Borgata, and I was beside myself with excitement all week. I had missed the last show when Styx was here in 2008 due to mandatory bedrest just before giving birth to Tommy in April. I know I was hormonal last year, but I was truly upset at having missed the concert...so Tony and I immediately purchased our tickets for the "Can't Stop Rockin'" tour the morning they went on sale. We arrived early to the show and met up with a friend for a drink (I had the strongest Mojito EVER at the Gypsy Bar...yikes!), then proceeded to the show. 38 Special were pretty good. It was my first time seeing them. They had a lot of energy, and you could tell they were enjoying themselves. Next came Styx. I had worked my way up to the "second row" (standing room only, but you get the gist) by the time they came on. I proceeded to have the time of my life. I sang as loudly as I could, danced, and even caught a large mesh Styx logo bag which was thrown out into the crowd (and yes, I already used it, today in fact, when I stopped over to pick up groceries - Go Green!). Too quickly their part of the show was over, and to my surprise (and great luck), the man standing in front of me left and I moved up to the front row just before REO Speedwagon came on. REO was wonderful as well. Dave Amato's microphone was in front of where I was standing, and he was kind enough to throw me some smiles, and a few guitar picks (FUN! Thanks Dave!!). During the last song of the night both Styx and REO performed "Can't Stop Rockin'" together. It's a great song, and the perfect ending to an amazing night. I truly do not think I could have had a better night...well no I'm lying...it would have been even cooler to meet them...perhaps some day. Anyway, I Loved It, and I highly recommend getting out to see them during this tour (ahem...this means you Kristy!!) If I can find a way to see them again during this tour, believe me, I will! It was fantastic! I will post a few of the pics I took...the rest are on my facebook page.</div><br /><div></div><div>Styx<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352561909899873442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4C6SGNWBKfN5aEZIYNkpnRj-MWrv-PojhRdxEk8WpQ85U_mXXQJmS2Z8zFttLZWOCrVfNk3Iu8JnahXH7VxN3gVzuESyMqQryLMNHSIEfbjIlrYs7n4tJ155BbsVwVQ2GGwAR0q5Vip_/s400/6-26-09+118.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352561906592110866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MYdDystPgtkNA5P1Y0OWUXk2ShKzhM4MTEiT1GN6Q0V_uv9ifmERYgKb9yXZVbKXxGS1z9glFncYhtvP5k8l36rnVzTrKeJGwa6_N5TevtPo94AQdx6Cqig_ZBJOG_Y4RNewaWJVCFBX/s400/6-26-09+104.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352561896494166354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSqyxaKPMdzHFqfCW0BQQfec5uUJx0sP5YYFob4I1tkQtQfQIVk2rK9tTFjNP0AJlzx8R8R2yJgWXgcTVd8ss5I2JkGqolh1YmysF16zbiwwNfRVYRplO2LprWbDQMnV9EU5DFMX8YsYf/s400/6-26-09+073.jpg" border="0" /></div>REO Speedwagon<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352564367108189762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsmDKwV-9AgEtJNlkXhRZNKG786lhFBAV6oFUP-7HAHct8D0-CJU8-kDhbqJuL2kxwaKJGj9FP0QVHakDtzxeALqZi8rMG8p1IgB7uxwRsdj8-axDWMa7Crd-Y0V5Q2BalpAZxQafh_US1/s400/6-26-09+134.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352564380879563058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 296px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGzkGMiYIcolaQxeAaiC86JDQ3P3__isqSS1MKvu8sQ5U7hH5d9owVrdYnWtCcCjXZp94QGD8fF3ae2fgKHKHe649mSBUYCdueZOyGlsn0JFxTFdlKfcJl85idiX_fy_-XN196_Qxy1rj4/s400/6-26-09+141.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352561911302595298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdii-VldSi6BpXmmFx07oo8OHbavYbtPvUWKZvZNW0rhy73FT1Rt47J2xqHglyZM5W5q7AeJhg3rmUCWq4dxRzBbwrwaKhAyUqgYDb1ZjsOMaiqK952UXRaSU4OZs7eQ9BN9ABXa0KwLe/s400/6-26-09+143.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Styx and REO together...check out the latest video on Styxworld.com<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352562125085342882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj9edFwBCwQJeUqpJom2wqx3LjQ8oBaiMne0536dkVXuU3uNYCigEPIswvAWO1ddTo3R4_BMTAvC8zY8ZVsLmBkrQCRho76V-f3Xvn6LgZca70GkbDDKKI94U8L44BH50BHPlmoi_kO7kg/s400/6-26-09+152.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352562132212459778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNMcFYh_l6arKl7YGCpMz0dF46gAJRzFhGArL5xLcPt_V3VBxupEqU0pfSiskGctZqub5DO-YhNszS-8R9bH8OWYouHnUNxIjWB1_OjH7FVfaBlKN5ipHpFLRpwriYBuD1yltl3kxViajx/s400/6-26-09+155.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352562128311580130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7QttZbDldliAfZVpcdqA_huQzaveKX_M9Xckcc-4cloRmwMpPQ7-yynPZeZflM2VlJGxrl495yrCHiW0lJdbdmS5QtNgTuExYhdgD40WT8e7ZnjReP5P7-ZV3-yyuwax2XTLcMKQ9T6Mb/s400/6-26-09+153.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Most of Saturday we spent laying around and recovering from the previous late night (no such thing as late nights anymore with a 14 mo old in the house! haha). Thankfully we were able to get ourselves cleaned up in time to enjoy a delicious birthday dinner in honor of one of my closest friend's 40th birthday. We had a great time celebrating with her and the other guests. Happy Birthday Tana - I still don't believe you're 40 years young...you don't look a day over 25!! </div><br /><div><div></div><div>Today we relaxed and spent some time doing the boring yet necessary household stuff we'd neglected the rest of the weekend. We had such a great weekend, truly one of the most fun we've had in a while. Tony and I really needed the adult time out and about, though it was also very nice spending some time with our Tommy. </div><div></div><br /><div>You can see just how tired I look in this pic (I also think I look like I'm twelve, haha). Tired, but so so happy - and how cute is my Tommy??!! Life is good!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352564383252286194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 363px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTeFGE5lybMQFiVfg75VVYSKr2A89XTrgyNheomQ7NSXxWC5q_9SpmtqpH0w2DOjo0KQdNW4GM51eFfP5bkDGphzSuXXDBRrXeWNptv-TFmAkBW-XYWTWEtZAiY7u8fYckvrjGqkp_0MJL/s400/6-28-09+001.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-52242898197688586562009-06-23T09:29:00.002-04:002009-06-23T09:44:42.227-04:00Roseola InfantumSince midweek last week Tommy has been sick. At first we just thought he had a cold, then diarrhea began, then a wicked high fever came on and he stopped eating and drinking. We took him to the doctors but the best they could tell us at that time was that he had "a virus." Tony and I don't normally allow Tommy to sleep in our bed with us, but we were so freaked out by his lethargic behavior and him not eating that we held him cradled between us all night Thursday and Friday night. He lay clinging to my chest all night, with one hand clutching Tony's shirt, my poor sweaty baby. On Saturday, we had high hopes that he was beginning to feel a bit better, he ate a little breakfast, and his fever was not as high... but then all of a sudden we noticed a rash had begun to appear... three days later (yesterday) the rash had spread all over his stomach, chest, neck and face. Luckily his fever was gone by Sunday... but the rest of his symptoms have remained. We ended up taking him back to the drs yesterday afternoon and found out he has roseola infantum. It is a virus that many infants/young children get... but is one of the lesser known viruses. It is highly contagious, and there is no medicine for it. It can last up to three weeks!!! Hopefully, Tommy be back to himself (at least eating) by the end of this week. Here is some information for those interested. It's just one of the articles I've found on the virus. I found it most informative. <a href="http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/threedayfever.htm">http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/threedayfever.htm</a>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-48219182500242039962009-06-17T13:48:00.007-04:002009-06-17T14:02:41.886-04:00How Does A Big Boy Spend His Day?<div><div></div><br /><div>How does a big boy spend his day? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>He wears polo shirts and giggles a lot,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348356005104183042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfv5FlEFOTSAU-rMKe4NXaPbHZ5Js7W6Ss86OAh5vqgCNOAaOwEM64pN3qWRzwuCnLNLArOTDRqPGemma4n4tEqYefrlcp3s8rnPivoHhUEu0smB-GZ8duXt6NrM6RhYlQuvXZXv9UDK2/s400/6-15-09+002.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>He makes funny faces, just like PopPop.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348358210198178482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8om7FGJNwwESB6Tf9BQ6eJwyy2k4FZqD_-ZsF3J5K0e1PEl9pUcHqRg5HmwKdeeMQrfizreDIkipPgzj5txk3mkQYNiWqnM6RU5xDWvLUEUyKx0jOXNrk5nwjDMPc0S8W73TUOUs7o6E6/s400/6-9-09+029.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348356182623251906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHbhhRuq5aaxJhtCEKNeLIsvf5ia2DMTJQxT1NovHhh2YlJgMDYi_lN2tl6EKMfquFlwSDS2tvFz_xO_3k1-NBx3MWHs35CLNVeytWdkx6zOOsiECKeD-s2vs7a9K121szSSFbGtJbs45D/s400/6-17-09+012.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>He reads many stories from ole' mother goose,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348356172558707938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziF2-kwpa7EdaiM748_CbZ44XtrxCfk2EGNYpEyeHF39yjxS7U1mEhJzly659Vz8_fZxyBHkpoZdkfmbe13ZB4nVDyO0UUGjRYgXjxYAh6MXnqPjprFm72UyO_13oznrIrgf59VLXypt1/s400/6-17-09+009.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348356169380588674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPuxs_kWy0COTgydUbWfTjsAGclJLJ20c3TirDD2lJ0SXZTBsx-d6whAkf2Sk2U6AquJosdwW4ql2-smOrHm6goXMNloBwsvR8YNA_jkNHOg5QHGvapaYa7nEuOu2Kri8jNSv1eL3ZyZC0/s400/6-17-09+008.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Then sits on his bum to drink all his juice.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348356020532828866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 286px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix8VSLnX3EIQOcGn9k_doi_mKHWwpvqtwR7vdLkyi54uEz1Nyo35-zb7rHiMatk_pFECXaKGZyMhS8M4tVOAumj3sTibaMVtSlrLDMHijenqQdX_YffT5uAoFA1tQo8dFDagVYZP35kE3T/s400/6-15-09+028.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>He practices eating at the big boy seat,<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348356010175174802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7jkHj-gmoLT4SXu3lXCairj35Pb8fYAfPJ1ZekZdi-koZoLNnHFwiQc8BN-qs7N2NYFIViOy0MoUM43Ru5nZzvZYkILilWS3JO5ad6_PVEvr1YuI-DSZ-5XCeWihYMslW1NEFEmCLBbq/s400/6-15-09+020.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348356015360557186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqmv_68BzWD0EclWFG7BAmaNgaBz59D58KBnAGC-OnGFXmHvKtX2nKVUwaMoDO8H6IbYddnYPgCEFOn1L-yl2YHTDgkazzQPj1AweA8H0EY8dgnTVzI6SFXemuweUGBeqTvCoW4swRXOt/s400/6-15-09+023.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>And at the end of the day...makes sure he has clean feet!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348356004313074818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XrPyNDr7cXkWRpvYHqeg0oah4zS-X8A-LHSPNG5Jkk7HS5yN4vUnTv8DpYPdGQVfiBf-cAAtSYbggcQkK-Ph_qw1mcrYmel69fhi6MrN3_oA6HhSGBLFNsXyiVddSvsPktLu2PcKgZ6Z/s400/6-14-09+010.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348358218360204978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqqBJP9o7L6n54Za9ajgThoSBbUZacPnPj6vb_W4VsQmXnmckoNHTm6LVvPjutfLGByMRQj6S6oRjtAcZgxDiI3uQdvxfsLmH8jQk-LI_SRTztvjeRBM8NZXuKNYq_6dKyO10CM_oQhFfH/s400/6-14-09+011.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div> </div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-66197426106933432572009-06-15T17:29:00.006-04:002009-06-15T17:57:57.108-04:00Six Lovely Courses<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>I talked about the six course meal we enjoyed on our anniversary, but didn't get a chance to post pictures earlier... so here they are. I truly had a wonderful relaxing evening with my husband. And the food was truly delicious. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670873937495202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhysyCr2QkAE4BavaF1P__g7Se2ZRDXSwskuEf95q7G1cOFXDz4mn6qrDcZzEDgaUvFlafD4wp2bFQrGJ-sYkqNli_3WeFLCvu7ygaYb4xuU-OZ52QVjq_84uCS_fKf_FPyLR7cN14xHhU8/s400/6-12-09+072.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Course #1 - Sauteed mushrooms with arugula served over a crusty tuscan bread with cream cheese. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670378649109970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19S_YCH6mZmAaFrdM5dl0_dywAZF2NOo90nZdW9eW5SInh11ovN1_SHifTzWcW2xEXy6tmAA-eCNVC6fsRPq7D0oeVj8Oq5n0vfMgav3Cpht90_wMPVqKFpDBtHHD3eEJby8Wpz97TChE/s400/6-12-09+043.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><div>Course #2 - Potato leek soup with bacon and carrots<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670391595643778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7GP7ThOAawxufq4bzw5xEV2nzX7or695UWzRSOUMB4CvQ8HFGRhLwhsmKckSYG9184rH6Vl3LhdruieS_6K2Ve8Qkn0yX0Ba0LlBNogr9x8eJoyZ97NVb-ro69hJj2kLt980YIo0AIhB/s400/6-12-09+047.jpg" border="0" />Course #3 - Pesto pasta with roasted tomato and asiago cheese<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670395344521634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKQvDQEcBOaNBuYwi5CTHa0xHh7tWhHLaj6RBoc5hB8jgmJxVPWHrlKDpqH4XRdqcoLHcCuZ0xBAigcPP5LznrhrqVW-tw0k5jh1bnqney_1I15tX92abq14vJu-niEjZHS37lNq6KVi7/s400/6-12-09+049.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Course #4 - Raspberry sorbet with blueberry champagne drizzle<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670735208312930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYyXyIqTnmVBCFuApTY37Ii6q7lWwl9frh0l6pAQ1BMsreZIhrkneu1_-u2x8G-PmfacQWzACt-yW29zlzGtr8J8dS1HI7rOX9Sw5y5yTWj3z0fdnbGBf1EwXmrqy7T4jas0KoKm4BSChe/s400/6-12-09+052.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>AND a quick wine tasting<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670381765538114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCMckk1RlqckoVM47wD3TQH3lpxGDl46ZE3APnqr6JLVLWl1xdcBCWGHuefaB36LUyfkwjeFamnW3J9fUrf0DG6veU_T9_E7mEgTleBYT6hn7fB2U1QjfMd6Tu0UegOkDroCeAQ9ds382/s400/6-12-09+046.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670372166760370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EDp4G4wS3CEaGzTdiypKN1oOtCbar_WsLnVlo83oiKyNMl6MyZTjQqpMpSSB4DtsUuQVQ2RcpEondc6XUA98RFC-_01h2BuUOqi_cj3BMmtLakS4dAwmCvp-OVDNsKSwhZ3eN9pVQ0nY/s400/6-12-09+041.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Course #5 - The entree's. Mine: Filet mignon with spinach and truffle macaroni and cheese<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670746179022242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN4unHdu1yISVEGSo-Rok8PS9dvGUXE0HXcXccLORow5DgivyR6J5pxcVY0kWEa8wqQRGolTpip214yfkYQn5r3z0TBF0uLjMgHhuZZZMVjQyiISD1hqW8N7LaQMfRzPjXogzYizxfPjPA/s400/6-12-09+055.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Tony's: Shrimp and sea scallops with roasted fresh vegetables<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670750416443554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eLsLph7BKsOy8C26bJAA-Dx0RaNd774k862IQMjfQ0tcSSEm6UwvfI9zrLRnACKNZf5oHvHAGjmmWIpf-sv8UWRHwv2ASnlBoptgOFfdHb57t8XQoZYpYQB65eL02t-QTWCBEVvVDtli/s400/6-12-09+056.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Course #6 - Salad with sliced red grapefruit and cracker with blue cheese <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670754479490866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2GqZ2TCZTLZvjS_00QvJuEenbQeg047VuZmxDWOxwQzHw4uoGJZB16E7dQnDYLif_hXtMiSiLbzWcGvh2hEJfXL9kdUojJ48OU3OFI_7jaoNXAYBZFyU1VTezDXzekm35i9lwnqp9qzMq/s400/6-12-09+060.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Dessert - cause I just HAD too! Vanilla and chocolate tiramisu with a cappuccino<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347670758592743250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0WSh6zJ-iJx4z7CAfAZzMzls5yvFuCfuCoT-G_8oQndoVO-JFi2Ktlosf4qBPzjQgxNc8WVNhz6Vo_bpPcrACzl0Kmp5H48pMuaddhnBGpoUJXKsCG82v-NLo5CtWuBElIkBatnbwGbz/s400/6-12-09+068.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347676489743056754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKvrnpe2YezOTgzW-BwklAd0WyYMVxQiZPoemd4O2jWB7C1GGZwyndm3q0RBwCIHIPwZ4lPulETAfQbSq0kA15uhRwv3tKI_pu3PJzlREj_2D2Hbpgrov6gVcHh3jye87qlUMlcapoUc-/s400/6-12-09+064.jpg" border="0" />Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-86818372778728386012009-06-15T10:03:00.024-04:002009-06-15T14:37:26.432-04:00"A June Bride Is A Bride For Life" - Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, 1954<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>This past Friday was our fifth wedding anniversary. Originally, we wanted to go away for a long weekend somewhere tropical, but neither of us wanted to leave Tommy for that long, not to mention we're trying to be smart with our money in this economy and not be too frivolous - just in case. Instead we did something we've been talking about doing for years. We looked up a few wineries on the way down the shore, and off we went on a wine tasting and touring adventure. We didn't have a game plan per-say, which was different for us...we almost always have a plan. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347624285970502210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0McYxg1ATd_6KvPqXsmvXqCqiRrHW0E6ZRAIPijFyq9WQXFjfVVBjQ2vS5qzhE7QMvc3fkXaVpehSplb8VQfCr-Jp58S_AD0GUPx8eO_jA2fCuBOZYLRjnD7hPaddHzypccXfdLySolsS/s400/6-12-09+002+fav.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>On the road we chose the first of three wineries we were to visit that day. Sharrott Winery <a href="http://www.sharrottwinery.com/">http://www.sharrottwinery.com/</a> located in Winslow, NJ is a newer winery, and has only been open for a couple years. Despite this, they are already masters of the grape (ahem - and the blueberry)! Upon arrival, we were immediately greeted with a welcoming smile from the owner, whom is a wealth of information - and university trained. He not only served up his best wines - the smooth and breezy award winning un-oaked Chardonnay being my personal favorite, along with the delicious apricot noted Vignoles - but also taught us how to properly "taste" the wine (using both your nose and your mouth), the importance of the right wine glass, and some interesting facts about sugar. By the time we left the winery I had been able to correctly guess the hidden flavors found in several varieties of wines. We truly enjoyed every moment at Sharrott Winery, and I will be practicing my "vino nose" for future quizzing! We hope to go back and visit them again soon. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347624263888044642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWTe799DVc1fBIL_0kmMRzqJneXwSa5IP8mnl6-56w9tta8ztauUCrG3Ul7JO0JOzwQIb6qzcvNhyMf1y5zbMiW7YbxvtGCaYPQnlPXw5hBDEA03SVP6C68GUMRDufHKMUxoGQzysg2ls/s400/6-12-09+011.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347624277319724514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwHr7wmjrUFn_AL4dBm_LMidaYuSIF9GlIjEvOB4EZRGngOT9_5k8tHrHPpWEELBbe-jS6GojJDWkFMWYj4Wn8p2_1jop7OwSEMRT0NQCRVi2w2XslwyW8zA88R5hn_iGhjrXEORxMQzlo/s400/6-12-09+003+fav.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347624266837129922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFyWda1dr89MNaD2iWMLIiCHBCX-57bWFku-e-mb-gOfL-9ouuDbPDOZOqagwCufD3mCH9pSt7Ak58qn_T_lFlUf3X8EOeFtZZCD0pX1IDX1V7xkoNv06RhvAIqswa3XfH7hCmVkJqz0q-/s400/6-12-09+009.jpg" border="0" /></div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347624273653421938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGGWH4OPwhEC0awaYRnzyfIa6r5LJJmEpaZyomctyDRgyzhsvHsgjaELWRAgu3v8W9aNzlmsC6rIdRG3qsDl_nTlEdXagd0MmY2qY3EeNuNwxd5TuyPdp2k6KvsizitL9i1F0KZQBJUSn/s400/6-12-09+008.jpg" border="0" />We had such a great experience at Sharrott, that we decided to immediately head over to Tomasello Winery for another tasting. Tomasello has been around for more than fifty years, and I had heard several accommodating references from people whom had been there for weddings and other special occasions. Immediately upon arrival we noticed a big difference from our first winery experience. The air seemed somehow stuffier, the customer service colder, and the whole place had more of a corporate feel. They were not rude, per say, but we could tell that no sooner had we arrived than the woman who served us two or three tastings could not wait to usher us back out the door. She was a true saleswoman who told us the price of each wine we tried, and not much else. Needless to say, we did not stay long. We did however try their Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, and ended up purchasing a bottle with friends over dessert sometime soon. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347622528836169986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iR1Y0rj_6kBuCfcWSygo7zsDE1eU_bGV1OmbICbkYfWS4NOcZwiIPDYOJc9crgAeZKD9LGaA3pK_PO66xzI2doV-QNX-Xgfr_wKV6AAF6fjLPFqw_rOMj_bmu0TWZAtzSpl5SLp_gP3m/s400/6-12-09+020.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347622540447589458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWXvgWohceOeSJbuSvd27aAAm0Q5RaxbNTwabVhDYYl31pytbKMBx5C_O6tNnDr2KJZUxBZ7Ag4YXS7dx62SJkVsGBAixBNBqO4VUHSpvF4EdaTS3LXP5o4rkQF6hSVCCM0b4yDXMtQ70/s400/6-12-09+015.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347622545655388914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5Y45g5hnIvfzq_pVs1QBxtBN1GoloZtoOZrM3GYR_4ACG7S_fyjDvjRWQG1XACFkOwfo3oBORLKgMciHzRg68Y_gU3zgAJiUiCiqxLeLCkohqagQbpdjsdbZ5D48jjVZ6EzbwvTZUeKq/s400/6-12-09+013+fav.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347622535770999730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzkxmiWfuzYCDW3UgBpARyo2JN15LjOxGb1Ra2bXyt-a3mnCAdeDGGJRhx0NPfX_ifelRr7MU2h9NvrJy7EnJeUo45ACrin7Ws48PVVavMbvb_Tp5OJqU_x9P6HjphFQwzZy1rECUl9R5/s400/6-12-09+018.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Lastly, we arrived at Renault Winery <a href="http://www.renaultwinery.com/">http://www.renaultwinery.com/</a> - a resort boasting a wonderful gourmet restaurant, two pools, a bar, and a golf course. The grounds were lovely, and the room we rented for the evening was spacious and comfortable. We spent the rest of the afternoon on a relaxing and informative tour and tasting with our personal guide Richard. He knew so so much about wine, the history of not only the vineyard but also nearby Atlantic City, and during the tour encouraged us to try several different wines at once so that we could try and taste the differences in them. Our personal favorites were the Fresello and the Royal Rouge - since you can only purchase Renault's wine at the winery itself, we made sure we picked up a bottle of each for some time in the future. Admittedly, we were feeling quite loose by the time evening rolled in, so we quickly went back to our room, changed, and went for a delicious six course dinner at Renault's gourmet restaurant. The food was amazing. The only thing we chose was our entree, the rest of the courses were at the discretion of the chef, and I found it to be delightful anticipating what mouthwatering surprise dishes he would serve. One after another, we were not disappointed. We spend the walk back over to the resort talking about just how much fun we had during dinner, how truly delicious the food was, and how happy we were to have chosen to spend the day as we did for our fifth wedding anniversary. It was perfection. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347621063522741266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNFSULTggQqXH8UKU_DNWBIS1G2NaaQlM-6Jb_QW2ETsH8lE7gFM0gx-lWd2qK_sGA1HhBMaSqJTA7-qDAGy6xQHpM5Xnbjbe9A7CyDTz56k16VY8OGxyV3mldWC-ShcFUUnOxKevImRO/s400/6-12-09+106.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347622220198038770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8g2b8sJ3Ol6DdXk_rkNQhK14GhRRR_1foYVH1FsIhTXFrhTwMHlCdWNRL8qmO6J0-97Tx_vjsNNParUa7YIMl3awLC9CWnV29aIn-qcvvr0mZXLpDn9fiXpVTvC3Kwf4VuRwt3yZSZ6sr/s400/6-12-09+029.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347622525760004194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwJId_pz7uvqjdd7OWWGGDcqtyP6RWf22bljcipaUydRViyJZp73uIwoWcEV6a4aHqUVU9bxHGxqKpJmlc-COvEnTYb7zHKdkQlpJV1cSi8wjYOPZaIMIAkyjqD5gERyzLM4l_Be1HqmnN/s400/6-12-09+022.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347621070211701058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWakPR-HVe3SWnaZ4z1Y0e6Ebp5DDLGpYqeVNbEbBDkQuoQqItyHMovVgpnNjzbnsSmnaCL82GkkwHexuBmk2uV6LsWMKcwFmSAxVOBG8yI30R9BXOc00R3Ue0fVzmWPzYf7gWJ0l6C7Ox/s400/6-12-09+102+fav.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347621599923886626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRncr9q7Uqf-BAIjZxImrKlrwvP3Q9XN9FKiWr84Mx2JsMTve6_M6hVe2vjDy0iwFQvTG6AQdphkD-HY19pf3hUckajvRWNAJZo_TQIoX7oh0_yfr-PUgUwl45TZw0exGBiTI0eidE0qdE/s400/6-12-09+073.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347621596438257234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmgN3VOzWGbZcndX8mY_1duMiHxx3omunKhmI6yyP-sc67MAvmXHBWOOtfEscOGmehhTdUCkwuTyxHBHq72GqfTl54c6jt8tWwTU8-I6wUivdRVevKYn4qvIoObhqVoUUr6JImn_8ZaaY/s400/6-12-09+076.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347621081789483026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdbwN18GYkMvkOFERWz9SwuHe2IMPZMn3BUyyh9xxUAYdRV8u3XhaSgPMmPb_TV4fPRyBkcy1014LXPCQo88qYjoPFmdEP1yJgow29OIVMA7Hph3wjj0pz47Lvb6H86SHNIrPnIFmcnX7y/s400/6-12-09+089.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347621086055349106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3QonfZ3daAqyKVNatY8ny869PqiMliQTIeF43LV30Pmu_24x7Z-fMJS6MCphUpQ282VZ5jeTT1QF3sn_aNp3ulIAP8uinLIXLPsC9zpz3njXcdOeVuRLXOVPoGNnf9Q9Y6EuqrWHoQCR/s400/6-12-09+085.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-21782490759281584892009-06-11T16:24:00.007-04:002009-06-11T16:48:44.663-04:00Babies and Book ClubI wanted to say a big congratulations to Julie and Mike on the birth of their twin girls, and another congratulations to my cousin Christa and her hubby Alex on the birth of their new daughter. Lots of love from our family to yours, welcome little ones!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346172288604140258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbkG-ZEmNIjgWaTOVvWTBo6KdbwyQ4YfxfKaC9iUmSIYahWbTgfpGAL584Xp5FInJGitflbkE4wJ73HA90Yyu2Fx0B9AeKPt76NmK71Eyw4orYyLR5GMYoIVe284XagXXwa3yUFMO__BcM/s400/6-11-09+001.jpg" border="0" />Tonight is the first annual book club @ my friend Tana's. We read Diane Chamberlain's Before The Storm, and are getting together tonight to dish about the book. I'm really looking forward to it. Everyone is bringing something to drink or a little nibble. I, of course, wanted to bring a dessert - cause its what I do. haha. I wanted to make a chocolate torte...but in the end changed the recipe and frosting choices around about a million times, and made this scrumptious strawberry dark chocolate layer cake.<br /><br />The cake part is actually a dark chocolate brownie recipe, I added an extra 1/2 an egg to give it a little more of a cake consistency. The filling is mashed strawberries (with a little extra surprise inside), and the frosting is homemade chocolate whipped topping, which I garnished with twilight dark chocolate shavings... that I just HAD to sample while making...and fell instantly in love with it. Here's the cake pictures... doesn't it look delish??<br /><br />Quick pic before I start layering...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346172296483960210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqL0QtrtKK1hyphenhyphenQmm4TKAohxbwcwREq44IOw0XQFyZMm4dPIl3fyjuFsCgrKej3FcirZBU0QMzjG-imxRIcRZ3xAFUKv68r3XSplfXM62cwMhO0zVFg3OlgZZiIekzeP8-8MrogDIJB81N/s400/6-11-09+002.jpg" border="0" />Layer #1 complete...and oh so appetizing...<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346172297421332802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5THpbjTrq9bB1VNQgECVKScNIF9ifsG5wO-miT81sF2Rh4A7ynW1JnMS3-ZSWj2c0muaPq6GaGa3jE2wsp_f8tBpTM-ylOEcMY3dM21lV5MZ8bKobOj9iZKMpmt-NLdWurTxuqo7I9nc/s400/6-11-09+003.jpg" border="0" />Layer #2...I think the dark chocolate really adds a little pizazz....<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346172304275413154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFVCXycnvyH0DuuaI4Ms_YbK8G6Csy2zWyT87Mnp_uElM1QTf4DJH7G8aCF1YpbFJdZ53_SkP3B4Cb_oHiA8nF1xwEYdX-f_MZV4imFnXSy5bn-Aci3qFqWoY_Lty_3NKc6Ybf8XheSXo/s400/6-11-09+004.jpg" border="0" />Close up of the layers...I'm salivating!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346172309559483746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 289px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwpmSmGuIEvBBgBF8VRge2KR6UN36G7X7JnZIza1q85KqJAxQC5yjq60NHGEPDRU8to7ZGG2Y4GxNeMI_Ekarbj__tzI8Wx_IwauwybEQJOvZA9JzTi7flfM6yyNPqWMRdiod-_SDi_0Pp/s400/6-11-09+007.jpg" border="0" />YUM!!! Can't wait to dig in!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346172422949829714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkc4tdzJtytCFfyT3C51SUSHg1Ovy_UhG_WU33YJB8PYjVdbM672ASgE7uHyKTvaCfIx_Lx8iYYc-LQ8jTYttrHOBZzFVeuSAHMLJO81U7160bcFIMk80aRDGH1eOfurVpmWvADHu99E5F/s400/6-11-09+012.jpg" border="0" />Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-22968585922915622082009-06-09T20:23:00.008-04:002009-06-09T20:47:23.533-04:00Time flies when you're having fun!<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div>We were hardly home this past weekend. Between visits and baby showers, and a quick trip down the shore - the weekend positively flew by. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491077324820674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidyjhLrt0oxs5qZZeB4J9q2lRBRB47qB92Jk7lar7JBTJ6JGntBGsmkln5lWIpBvAxP6k6odfdNbYSxHUueRdquESqMbC0tjqI_dMmtwkHLTg70yzD0dszVvLgtf7ABWIF4Rqd3yRpYAHb/s400/6-5-09+006.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>In "School" (my daycare) on Friday, Tommy tried a brand new food - chicken nuggets. As I'm sure you can guess, he loved 'em. I gave him a peach on the side, and he was a happy happy boy. Truth be told, I haven't found a whole lot of foods that he doesn't like. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491074759042962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiFkcmXxTSCuvUbeSGd7cNURvsCTqIeJU2dre6TYyqKaVHx9mLAuwQxas2_cpG91xM-ufNY3zeAUxtYcDolFE7-C7-CX8Y8hnxX1HCg5aANNr7yqGc47OPqwmvn00XzJ5kti8nGd5ZXByy/s400/6-5-09+004.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491068689858482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQdHdEQmUeEAuFhLd8QWgyeSambq1SN37Wi9Vr5pSodTzr6aS0sPSaqt_UfKGhtKhQYzYytY07avlWnj9lEqGU8ik2VlNtWAzkCNNXWVcrUdqUEcfAF0TQ-oFKcKWYoar6HjV8sdyGaZf/s400/6-5-09+002.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>In fact, that night we ordered pizza in... and he made sure to let Tony and I know that he wanted some! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491076940765602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgS0pb4CDK0lszyaMtKBbryTcQNpPAMGVxwBLNaU4zst-J99vsS3d0PJijGFqgrRU7Fv-to3D57bjyBhH4k2PNizydWhCH6Cua-BOvQ9VAvlWs2SOFNYw8qe4mdFPNJlMGvLqRNxXuYeOW/s400/6-5-09+012.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>On Saturday morning my mom stopped over to hang with Tommy for a little while. He doesn't get much time to spend with others without Tony or I around, so it was nice that he enjoyed spending some time alone with Gramma. I took these pictures after we got home, they were taking a nice walk together in our backyard. It warmed my heart to see him walking through the grass holding onto his grammas hand. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491086205897714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LYRaPwbjl07lXahnE_KSDZgA-5oI7BpLEfZ_2NWxe5NeV-Zry5v0PjJNzPiQwJ1ZEPvDJvfqUdTcoqLdg1fVxUQj2VwZ324yTt0eF1_67z6hs36kkJvf2WgsDgYJlARXnWNDWRgUElgn/s400/6-6-09+007.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491936561712066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdG0YiRIaBuwfs-436Gn4o7f_2_mKNd5nKZq9IbauaG61qw8rVEOpdkLTM88wCwlzCHJyX5Ey-T9nuD-CpUhkU5V0Z6xObvKyEZsPQetMaOT0poWqYFXVDr1LvIP0xbBXRJ4yC6l_pygX/s400/6-6-09+008.jpg" border="0" /> <div>On Sunday we drove down the shore to catch a car show, I especially liked this truck...Tommy looks so tiny next to it. Hilarious. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491941786310498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnDqNbU3gKygQrOi1PZIX3iVzmTfCGlMpP_ylEfn1XmS7XG5MEovK14m5BXsFtb3UCeMExIuH_xDuzQHsHdqbMt5Dp28XodIFWPaHjyIEcc2mZ8v9tRjQUq5730vxbp1BsrwZ_-xtWPCE8/s400/6-7-09+011.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491945661339202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiPPo8Y2F8MjzDaRc-NRRB4hPhZhu9txYs6yrjAmHHaDkH4vY0RAauPZSc0arrY5rrBmwxsVMysE7hFmQH_I-P15g3p0GtA6HZPdYfpGX3uoZcGV5iRQa4_39bJG5Y2M4wb2VzyHet9Nl/s400/6-7-09+016+fav.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>Since we were already down the shore, we decided to stop over at Long Beach Island for lunch, and to take Tommy on the beach. He was ok with the sand and the beach... until we got closer to the waves. I think he was a little scared because the waves crashing were so loud. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345492910539476738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTq87HsLFnTR1tpE0sU5rg9MqK8XuDltIfA2Yy3p1JuYylWQK5eYj4VnNe1Q-CNhxe6onN-7v9HMmmF0PLUj5DLgZnnSatC1lu2qEBykqprcrzBixx0byULBP7_WQHDHHZdUTzWZPK4FAM/s400/6-7-09+047.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491951951465858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMur0UmbpMjCi5j0OH16Ozub9sI91QXUuHgx9QNbdUkGZCaHQdnLNAoR378CkUfzr00GC8CMo0tLLERRUoXp2yb8GYgTQWBwsDmTELd8YBauO6zOeqDZKF2zUPS6T73G4CVEMxo7kNS2H/s400/6-7-09+017.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345492757418356434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9H4YVakXtL-InDHx02-1mbv9kxmVLBwzk8n07ivkns_p010IgB8b3GPRTSwavgMR8pyAJ_KOGkyA2KKCwf98_lufDM18x0rHYlchKYAX-GEpvZJhGG29_Gwn5BhWIaqW5dqst4Pj2ztnV/s400/6-7-09+019.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345491953554730818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPzCETKZlh11bNAsu7lokheBUE7b5nXOviPR06lsfQDyf5xroF8fPLPiOx9wi1IvriiK3UkSw8ZyU04RUjjms2DJLJw7V4tt2wRp7-K0EnRnu5Uwio1nKQxHTBAI_mbWgER1jYnCAiChyphenhyphen/s400/6-7-09+018.jpg" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345492767285608818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqBWS1s9nbZh9afl39f5kqRq0zFW-g1p563V6ehlQTQHAgHUCsPsrUbc9xXZLajysrIXh7qheG7TNhSdtQpuKWXOtjOPpmhRqdv5NRURE617y5COvCoHzrBNqsB9yu-WyWd0OENkL-_yn/s400/6-7-09+025.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345492762370692498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-cAn1OuCmm3DI3pR3DMQdH8uVcoX833Gly6-tOhbbdm9vdFg-vCRBCHt_RGamWVG6v1-OP4jxerEVkMznH0PKy8B26fr0kmWcxPX0A1zCiGCFXBN_JGbb1Kfc9BLLnwhQBwGKh0-Lhig/s400/6-7-09+023+fav.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345492771643363170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidOy4E-fZmBoLRiPfE0nIx6d9ffAGu8NVz4PXcMyQ3A-dpGbCUsfSTkDyXFwDcT3Q2o9CwbqfdVDda-k4Ytvo1pQOKTNW5SNQ8j5OjHpe0fFE9-ivFN56WuaVsf76s_IqEna6bo2hyxPdB/s400/6-7-09+029+fav.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345492775698564162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLlS01hXEFgp01aSh9IpA4NUBczCdmvnZXgt-x-lq2LDIU180ajfi06G2CrnhsrXLq0gRJOOEwIbK3KvGf9TMMfzN3fOqe-sFIUl3-VMOzv5-p5qt960bvG17LbtTtCx85oFn15iKSE8R/s400/6-7-09+043+fav.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345492915399977394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Tv4GE136C9_hM7Q7u2khkDxm1vXIvOYpvONzmWptu6qGk5XnSak1IiMUIan8buRDxWooVLKEtG3T2ZuRx71b4S8EPTI6qsoQRrpBsE7qXCZZpcuYZFjHY7vr210opFLMbe9XvC0IqCqg/s400/6-7-09+051+best.jpg" border="0" />Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-35331052823140255452009-06-03T21:25:00.002-04:002009-06-03T21:30:39.210-04:00Betcha Can'tBetcha Can't Help But Smile When You See This Post!!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343278134994192898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpUdxrNDi-ZH0En6zzj3Pfv1xNfZ9CqS8nhF3Y42BuG5BpnSfE1JT45WoxhsuVHpxTUdGKIbsjkkjEn65zC4KeFVDi8leZHGIW01Iya190WShObRaXGZHCW4XG-BbyIOXetVKe5_3ImqR/s400/5-27-09+042+fav+B.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343278147262498338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrduAplO_c2hZasmPUPPp-ftBS4QBQTjxh2Iuo5itSSclc3Euv8QlGwEjnmSig2egeiz7niUPoDMR04Gxxl15WmHbP7CnmxSgHWCEvOV8y6Sa94E2DD45V6R0pZIpxFIQvLTwtVWu7Y77P/s400/6-3-09+022.jpg" border="0" />Gotcha!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343278147201181714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcOfGNroN-YlNwtT-AqrAIYDOp8JmG3vkASmzcKpO3c__CTQtHv33JN1j8RthHl5iTcT8RSpKb1Po0AoC6tFfJz-31OdJNqjY-baJjF4dyEruD0eBwLTOZKKG-wgzBfEdIyrmz8E42bxu/s400/6-3-09+024.jpg" border="0" /><br />For Tana, cause she encouraged me to blog more often, and for Kayla and Jenn...thanks for the smiles ladies!Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-42213372447981874682009-06-02T20:29:00.008-04:002009-06-02T20:57:57.183-04:00Tommy dancing, talking, and signing!Tommy had his first slice of pizza this past weekend. It was sausage, he knew exactly what to do with it as soon as I put it on his tray...and he Loved it!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342897536511607602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVuAYU-1zIRSPNfZqCAjSMCOrmcaUAfIB2xOfBhhHggZ5p76TmcGt-xUPFSp-UYRhwXoru4FSUQflv7bR0ut15uqLdyGMSSU_nFtOnk5U-GLCdhGvyDzX4rhCNCsEAN-mXOt6cQS2RHx4P/s400/5-29-09+011.jpg" border="0" /><br />On Friday I put some Led Zeppelin on for Tommy. He loves Led Zeppelin, especially "Immigrant Song." He dances and sings, it's hilarious. This video made me think of my sister though...I think she'll know why. Hey Carrie...what movie does his dance make you think of? Hahahaha.<br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mYRxDLoQ9ps&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mYRxDLoQ9ps&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />My sister and her husband Brett came up for a visit this past weekend, so we stopped over my folks house to visit with them, their dogs, and my Mom. It was a nice little lunch, I enjoyed spending time with them all. Tommy is having major separation anxiety though, and he wasn't as friendly as usual. I hope he outgrows this stage soon. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342897537925355874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgePkuul4bGdf7094NPjkia8h2tEpFd1DeLz-2swgIGD1fYBdTKQDileFhugy9qveVg9rLzPbN4u0MriJ4SWS53U1wYKFQgw1D-raENtxAtY3upMLnGLongm-4_AufaUmnvnetXmBsPgpCK/s400/5-30-09+010+FAV.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342897547918220914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB57nIrXV6JTmSBZqyTY_NFJhCRDFVLVvfv6POq-qC6Vq7xtEj5D_FrxEGCTwEPBA0rIsvoBvAstSMPMKnG32ornH7Xl05VPsZwXW7ARx5RJaxfgtfUsWSlvywNDOBOxpqK-xbz6FxuEqs/s400/5-30-09+018.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342897546792239890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVBlovv85aGJwMed6xmVTxWlTW952zXe8-AXlrCbCKVPzAOtN4METnya8Tz_fMf5LbH_0mNp5fIj81jIWl1XQmjIBLBF0jpkd0kcCWgQVbjjLGAC94oZvyF3kjz6e2cxTzDNYcOImAFYsi/s400/5-30-09+017.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342897552781671090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 369px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilEnadFavE4RFh6egjZQjMtUbv8FnDmfV4sOSEicoK4bZ3effR1xw7e0ixv7nAiethLb-LsJzjoUSN0n-q-2GfMfHvd4vHFbvSYIIGM_EcEtnvcoTzKnbMkXUaJLM6SuaCkpss__eJyt-9/s400/5-30-09+021.jpg" border="0" />When we got home we spent some time outback. He loves to just sit and relax in his swing, so I took a couple more videos of him responding, talking, and signing. He's been doing really well with learning his signs. He can communicate to me (sign language)"more", "yes", "no", "eat", and "all done." We're working on "thank you." He is also getting better at saying words, especially colors. His newest words are "purple", "orange", and "jump." Other words he's known are beginning to sound clearly like the actual words. It's really amazing being able to ask my child a question and have him actually respond to it. He knows what he wants, and is just as eager to learn as I am to teach him. I'm loving this.<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pu72uLQcMjg&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pu72uLQcMjg&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HdkcV7YQmGI&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HdkcV7YQmGI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8792000603646433020.post-42943676068882354412009-05-28T13:15:00.006-04:002009-05-28T13:58:21.629-04:00Relaxing Long Weekend<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340934549397873570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 329px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR6VAuWk54Bz_FgG_8Attf3KlzYKlXcdexECdUve2GryPLtO6va9EBwV-YLsJqbVjG2IiqCf14atewtkboixQdutLd5784LqkZRs8aYFvD5Qn2Gf01sihYl-jwnI-xQeXLdSptjIPquC3S/s400/5-25-09+Mem+Day+WKND+016B.jpg" border="0" />Despite the serious humidity over Memorial Day Weekend, the weather was beautiful. The sun was shining, everyone was in a good mood about having three days off, and the air was filled with music and the smells from friend and family barbeque's. I know it isn't the official start of summer, but to me this past weekend has always felt like it. My mind has constantly been thinking about what outdoor activities we can do next, when I can break out the baby pool and play-sprinkler for Tommy, and what else we can grill. This past weekend Tony and I made burgers stuffed with our favorite cheeses...mine was blue cheese, and his cheddar. They were sooo tasty! I'm going to make up some more for this upcoming weekend. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340932849690122658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG7NdPoh0zq1opfw35c6eq72o6tC78HPC09TJbZy6Mxo9ae4vJ8VnVWZlNaKqrR3T9QUG8y_4UHfxZvlCqJ_dW250QuCt7Lg_h7n9DT9wN8D2gfZ7arZCWPSTmwovTYoTjhRCbBzc1oFz/s400/5-23-09+Mem+Day+WKND+BBQ+013.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340932840521496738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBH-XXSj3oa8DOXtSlKBLlcYDtoNUC-jVQbH3LwQg767urgGG0KKMFMXAptSqzTRrrObJ-3obZV9_ibItfklE5a4TfrVli3vITYzP7X0oIQLrc0JeE7yaN2zFJZRSOZEUSCpQbsYdIdvf4/s400/5-23-09+Mem+Day+WKND+BBQ+029.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340932844536220706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT9si05fE5BvXoRdSXTUU2cJ2s5CmBIH4X0qbzlzOkZppKVo0wrAp9HYyWVf7qopXjJw55T5MnBtF-am7xUfRvTrpuC4lY1_XyisVPU9IfO1S_DRZWBDCsSAHyDscvFMbBr4FPO-RQjvx/s400/5-22-09+001.jpg" border="0" /> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340934238463020578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-kJlWhXXUkCH09SGaqT_4C_DOo474DB9_sn7FmaZIM5ychvS8UaCZfk4-yBZKl8fM74a52FL_zbtVB3tzuuB1vXyTIb2cn-waWqnu3xsGezTlssJ9AFfMVbQUfk5BsXNt5LQB_oztSq8/s400/5-25-09+Mem+Day+WKND+007.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340934242204775522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3LlkTJlgupo6Fc6vIK5yfGYLVkqbdgkWzfbGZ7JRyCZHE5zg-Vkpr-6rmgKsS5JbDLs-iD8FgSbVWJ6wUfLwyusdfIWQsnUw0lEracAJtiX1ROActljc7ZrL117_prfz1rY85yCDjsgm/s400/5-25-09+Mem+Day+WKND+004.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340934562728793026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQ2ghC2U3UufMcvYXF-qdao65u4RJUDZRdRWTYONlZB0Fw12mSVB2t6G_vmqHb-EIFTgchz2eo8dWJW6J6kzZVD7qg9mNf_qonPVoXjYaNcgnIzacs0u6fcoOTGmG_A9nrsgN0ePuUF5_/s400/5-25-09+Mem+Day+WKND+011.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div>Tony and I having been spending many quiet evenings sitting outside enjoying our fire pit. We spent so much time during the day and nights outside that I'm not even sure we turned the tv on at all this past weekend. I've been making some changes to the sitting area under our pergola, soon it'll be a nice little outdoor retreat - earthy and quiet, which is exactly the look I'm going for. Yesterday Tony and I picked out three large round tree logs that we're going to preserve so we can use them as end tables outside. I have a look in mind, and hopefully after this (or next) weekend it'll all come together...and all come in under this year's "outdoor" budget....Yay! Can't beat that! <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340934236061347138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7UJx_KQG3_l-l13pN_iHSq_vcnF8Ur6fyLK6_0cgli7a0TAdbH6mHrZqNrgR7o3XMKuf2Fh9YeG_1dlYgskvTQoGN_DWaeBYB2JUMLsfXrYSctCDf1QgxpB2mupX51UGtQXkAf71d1P0K/s400/5-24-09+Mem+Day+WKND+008.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340934230934763890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCML0JdIo8XdewOENW0WLZiR7oWb4KFF8ObAjA6WPvh6wLZ2QgZsn2w61I5NoSAQlGpU_4LtZPBhel3137uMInbzuGRGlLiXpqUWK4J8jUbYHpw7jfVGylXQY_iA1grVTKSGLPqV_Jyeqd/s400/5-24-09+Mem+Day+WKND+003.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340934552637154818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsPoxoGRQAmszvb83T5FISM1-Wf1GgAbGKoctFZD_ekjvwvhP0N3aL7rgyrCxBsDBP0XuCuoSn_eQpB3VIcM_V78jKb13amrVomq6pKlYIwvTBb3jDobtNHOQ22rHKV53v6HmfF05ii_Kq/s400/5-27-09+014.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340932835769900994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-1x-OVF8pSdeXX9catl_W5kAbEpUl7yGrfVcYRDzXQ4yXixxvjfPhBH5jXJzAmS9LrOqwI8DvMXUj0fNZbG_6-RJ12IgAwgzHdimIF-biX26y8NCkzCod7mWa8Qe507Ysj71S2PkBGA7/s400/5-27-09+022.jpg" border="0" /></div><div></div><div>I did some baking this weekend. My girlfriend Tana sent me this amazing looking recipe for Reese Peanut Butter Cups Cake <a href="http://www.parents.com/recipe/chocolate-cakes/peanut-butter-fudge-cake/">http://www.parents.com/recipe/chocolate-cakes/peanut-butter-fudge-cake/</a>... I decided to change up the recipe a little (as per usual), and also make cupcakes instead of the cake. It turned out AMAZING. We brought the cupcakes to a bbq at a friend's house which was a great idea...not only were they well received but also, if they had been left in our house, I guarantee we would have eaten them all before the weekend was over. They were truly THAT good. Seriously...if you like chocolate and peanut butter, you owe it to yourself to try this recipe. Just so ya know, I used Hershey's light syrup instead of the dark chocolate the recipe calls for, and also - you may want to refrigerate the peanut butter cups (I used two bags of them...it takes some time to unwrap them all, and serious will power not to nibble a few) before chopping...it helps them to chop easier. Oh, and if you're wondering, what else can I do with the leftover frosting (if you have any) - I chopped up an apple the next day and used a bit of the leftover frosting for dipping...it was like heaven. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340932857596132834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquPN4XhUYB19I171aZgA7wovXiSmD_hy9EJo0oBjkK724tMsH-IRN9ApEC16afOfBt89ONLQaUGzduiYW6G3gCR4lzyMvwBaOiD5QCsFLPd50tK8OvFCqO5q06O7OmwHqWYLyjicLu0tc/s400/5-23-09+Mem+Day+WKND+BBQ+005.jpg" border="0" /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340934224677058498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0t7egRdupM032g4hLCrAnFI5SVcG7GARdifnc1rmxERE4OerA2riVYkTxq6_HqBfwV-J1TXBgD76nqmKEed_HUJg9ULQ6Toxasy5eNOx8AD7hdIK8eMlhKyBsyClu6PsmSwOwYkZhrZ15/s400/5-25-09+Mem+Day+WKND+003.jpg" border="0" /> <div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Lil Miss Sunshinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10111748600674187762noreply@blogger.com1