Pie and Pits November 24, 2009

If you have yet to make your Thanksgiving pie(s) for this year, may I suggest this beauty? Just looking at it makes me drool.  It’s like the best of three worlds–pumpkin, pecan, and cheesecake all rolled into one!

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Also, once I use up my shampoo, I’m considering going ‘poo free, and today I read this post about natural deodorant, and my mind is churning on that one, too.  After all, our skin our largest organ, and as Katie (in the deodorant article) puts it, “One of its job is to absorb.”  I want to be as aware of what I’m putting on my skin as of what I put in my mouth.  Have any of you ever tried either?  If so, what were your results?

Seven Quick Takes November 20, 2009

I’ve read this bloggy carnival over at Conversion Diary before, but never taken part.  Well, today it is the perfect thing for me, since I have some random things to mention, but not much of a coherent post.

1.  I missed my own 2nd Blogiversary.  Oops.  Does a blogiversary count when you only post about once a week?  These last few months have been insane, I tell you, and blogging really was on the back burner.  I’ve missed it, and I’ve missed my usual rounds and comment-making.

2. My blogroll disappeared at some point.  Maybe it was during a WordPress upgrade?  I don’t know, but all my linky love is gone.  I hope to resurrect that sometime in the near future, and maybe even update it a bit!

3. A guest poster (whom I love dearly) will be sharing here on Monday how to make lefse!  I can’t wait for you to read her tutorial and see all the fantastic step-by-step photos to go with it.  Also, remember that day will be the drawing for the Disney on Ice tickets, so sign up while you can!

4.  Pioneer Woman is here in the Twin Cities tomorrow!  Anyone else going to meet her or get your cookbook signed?

5. Another thing I’ve been slacking on is Anja’s monthly progress updates.  She has changed so much since her 23-month post (since she’s now almost 27 months!), and I have so much to share.  Be prepared for a doozy of those coming up!

6. Though I haven’t had the mind to put up any Christmas decorations yet, we’ve been listening to Christmas music around here for several weeks.  I have several favorite CDs that get played over and over.  Any you’d recommend I add to my collection?  I budgeted for one new CD this year.  Speaking of which, if you haven’t been over to see Tsh’s 12 Days to a Peaceful Christmas, I highly suggest you go.  We’ve been using it to plan our holiday season.  Probably my favorite exercise she’s had us do is describe our ideal holiday and make a plan to celebrate in such a way.

7.  What are you doing for Thanksgiving?  Do you have any family traditions?

And a photo of my girly girl, dancing in her tutu and jammies…

Disney on Ice Princess Classics – Giveaway! November 13, 2009

When my firstborn turned out to be a girl (I thought she was a boy—and was I ever wrong!), my main concern was, “What if she’s really girly and I can’t relate?” Turns out she IS quite girly. She’ll ask for a tutu so she can dance if I have music on, she grabs my makeup brushes and puts “pink on her cheeks,” and just yesterday she asked if she could wear a pretty dress to “be like a princess.” I don’t really ever talk to her about princesses, so I have no idea where she gets these ideas!

That said, we’ll be taking her to the Disney on Ice Princess Classics show when it comes to the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul December 10-13. And you can take your family, too! I have a package of four tickets to opening night (December 10 at 7:00 p.m.) of Disney on Ice to give away to one blessed reader! Simply leave a comment if you’re interested in winning, and I will randomly select a winner on Monday, November 23. If you’d like an additional entry, blog about the giveaway and leave a link to your post (not your blog home page, but the actual post) in the comments.

Additionally, if you would like to purchase your own tickets, here is a chance for a discount. Use the coupon code “MOM” to receive four tickets for $44 for weekday shows Monday-Friday and $4 off all tickets for weekend shows. The discounted tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster by entering the “MOM” code in the “MC promotion” box. Small print stuff: Offer not valid on Rinkside or VIP seating. Cannot be combined with other offers. Service Charges, facility & handling fees will apply.  Here are the showtimes:

Thursday, Dec. 10 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 11 – 10:30 a.m., 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 12 – 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 13 – 1:00 p.m., 5:00 p.m.

I’m looking forward to taking in this event with my family (Husband? Aren’t you going to just LOVE it?), and I hope you can make it, too!

Game Over for Stellan’s SVT!! November 12, 2009

Jennifer just posted this today; what a blessing!

Because it’s so funny October 1, 2009

Drug-related Violence September 11, 2009

This one made me laugh so hard…I had to post it.  It’s so “classic cat fight.”

There’s a Baby in There! September 9, 2009

We had our ultrasound yesterday.  So fun to see Baby P #2 kicking around in there.  Actually, he/she (no, we didn’t find out) did a whole lot of transverse lying and relaxing, legs crossed, sucking a thumb. This explains why I’ve been feeling so W I D E this pregnancy!  We couldn’t get him/her to budge from that spot.  But we got some cute pictures, anyway (which I’m too lazy to scan in right now).

Anja did pretty well at first, but since my placenta is anterior (in the front), it took a little longer to get clear shots of the baby, and she grew impatient.  Daddy would say, “Look at the baby on the TV!” and she would grab his face with both hands and say, “No!  Look at Anja!”  Hope this isn’t a preview of things to come…

Speaking of Baby #2, does anyone have any good recommendations for a double stroller?  Brands, types (side-by-side or tandem, jogger or non)?  I’m in the market.  :)

I got an hour and a half to myself this morning (Anja was at half-day daycare today since they were closed on Monday).  I read a book.  I’ve really been enjoying Bryson’s stuff this summer (this is the third I’ve read; also these two), even though he occasionally branches into the bizarre or lewd.  His descriptions of Midwesterners in The Lost Continent made me howl with laughter because they are so accurate.

We’re enjoying rather mild weather, and I’m loving it.  I had sunshine for all three of my photo shoots this past weekend, which was an amazing blessing.  It’s supposed to rain this weekend, but hopefully we won’t be rained out of senior pictures.

I’ve been contacted twice by a lady nicely asking me to link to this website and inform you about this buying local initiative.  I haven’t had a chance to read through it all, so hopefully it’s something I agree with!  Here’s an article that tells more about it.  And I happen to know a fantastic little photography business you can support if you’re wanting some treasures to put on your walls or in a keepsake album!  ;)

Oh, and it’s 09/09/09.  I just HAD to post today.

Sunday Sunshine 08.30.09 August 30, 2009

This is why you’re fat - Some of the stuff we’re about to eat at The Fair should go on this site…

Apparently, Facebook is not hard-up for cash. Look what they feed their staff.

I read Miz Booshay pretty much every day (she was one of my first “bloggy friends”), and I think this is one of my favorite posts she’s written.

Is using a minotaur to gore detainees a form of torture?

Probably the coolest Kitchen re-do I’ve ever seen… August 20, 2009

Right here!  Now if that doesn’t spell c-r-e-a-t-i-v-e, I don’t know what does.  Perfect fix for all those ugly, early 90s entertainment centers!

Summer Boredom August 17, 2009

Even though my daughter is a little young for some of these activities, this is the type of stuff I log away in my brain for later.  End-of-summer boredom is setting in for lots of kids, and instead of plunking them in front of the tube, try these ideas!

On a more personal note, I feel like a balloon.  I’ve received confirmation from most mommies that they got bigger faster the second time around (pregnancy), but seriously?  If I’m this big now, how will my skin have room for 5 more months?  Did it slow down so at the end you were around the same size, or will I be twice the size I was last time?