Fun Looking Toy

Zhu Zhu Pet Hamsters are suppose the be one of the HOT and top rated toys this season. They actually look pretty fun. I think you can buy them hamster for about $10, but the accessories are a lot more.

Awesome Excersize DVD

So, I am a runner. I love running, and I never miss a day (well except for Sundays). Running helps me maintain the weight I am, but I am not losing anything. So I have decided that I really need to start toning and building muscle. I just barely ordered the Jillian Michaels (biggest loser) "No More Trouble Zones" DVD. Tonight was my first night doing the workout, and it was awesome!!! I already know that I am going to be sore tomorrow. If your interested in giving it a try, you will need a set of hand weights (I used a set of 5 pounders). It is about a 60 minute workout and she goes through all the body areas.
I ordered mine for about $11 (with free shipping because of Amazon Prime) of Amazon

I am excited to drop some poundage.

pumpkin soup

I made this soup, and it was sooooo good. Definitely a keeper:

Ingredients:

3 cups of cubed fresh pumpkin

6 cups of chicken stock (I used chicken broth)

1t fresh thyme (I used about a 1/4 or a 1/2 teapoon of dried thyme)

2 cloves of garlic

salt and pepper

1 cup of heavy cream

Place all of the ingredients (except heavy cream) in a big pot and bring to a boil. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. Transfer soup to vita mix and blend. Transfer back to pot (I did crock pot because I had to leave for a bit) and then cook for another 30 minutes (I did crockpot on low for about 1.5 hours). The last step is to add the cream.

If you can find a substitue for the cream, great. Maybe milk would work? I used the cream, and it was very very good soup!!! I made some fermented bread to serve with it. Yummy.

Damask Baby Shoes

Taylor Joelle Designs will be doing a damask baby shoe soon. What do you think?

Baby Bump

My friend Heidi has entered a baby bump contest. It is the cutest picture! You can vote for her here. She is number 105.

Thanks!

Jenny

Metallic Baby Shoes

Coming Soon to Taylor Joelle Designs.

Shabby Apple

My friend just introduced me to a website with the cutest clothing for little girls and moms. Love it!!! It is called Shabby Apple.

Their clothing looks modest and it's all super cute!

Pillowcase Dress

I love this dress! It is called a pillowcase dress, and they seem fairly easy to sew. So go out and grab some cute Amy Butler fabric and give it a try. Here is a great turtorial on how to make one.

Home Preschool

I have been having SO much fun doing "preschool" with Cooper. Usually the other kids join in too. I only do it for about a half an hour a day, but he seems to love it! Right now we are working on shapes and colors.
I print off worksheets from the computer, and I also ordered a couple of workbooks from amazon that are on their way. A couple weeks ago we did a math lesson using mms.

Today we had a picnic in the yard, and I read some stories and played a game involving shapes. It was fun!

Free Nail Painting

This morning the kids were looking for something fun to do. Taylor came up with the idea of offering free nail painting to the neighbor kids. Cooper wanted to join in the fun, so he offered free Popsicles

Early Christmas Shopping

So, I did a little early Christmas shopping yesterday. Justice is currently having a sale of 40% off everything in the store. Taylor has been asking me for a camera. I found her a digital camera for $3.59 (regular $24.90).
I also got her a hair color stick so that she can do red and blue highlights (that are washable of course. The hair color stick was $5.70.

Good deals!

Baby Gift Idea

I love etsy! Here is a very cute set that would make a great baby gift! JolieBerry makes the cutest baby shoes, plus she often does onies to match. This set is only $27.95. Pretty good price for something handmade.

Wallpaper Bookshelf

Another fun thing you can do with some wallpaper is to add it inside your bookshelf. This could be a really inexpensive project. You can pick up an old bookshelf at a yard sale, thrift store, or ikea scratch and dent. Then buy or order online some wallpaper scraps.
There's some instructions at "Scanton Design Inspiriation".

Wallpaper is Back

Ok, so as soon as I get the energy (and some extra money) to redecorate, I would love to do my bedroom. And guess what? I am definitely going to include some wallpaper. I am not a fan of wallpapering the entire room, but I would love to wallpaper the wall behind my bed. I will be posting some before and after pics, when I get around to this project.

Here is a fun nursery pic using wallpaper.

After School Snack - Choco Banana Muffins

Today for an after school snack I am making banana chocolate chip muffins. My kids love muffins!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup mashed ripe bananas
• 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the egg, oil, yogurt and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in bananas and chocolate chips. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees F for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.