Free Stuff

So I'm following a new blog, and on her blog is a link to a giveaway for free Fiestaware! Go sign up!

Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Cards

This post is in honor of Stephanie!


So, I've already mentioned how much I love shutterfly.com for their books and cards. This year when I sent out Christmas cards to everyone I put a sticker on the back (printed from the computer) that gave a little update for all of us and described what was in each picture. I know that I stole this idea from someone else, but I can't remember who it was! I just printed off a sheet of Avery 5163 labels and they fit right on the back of the cards. It is a neat way to personalize your cards without writing 75 personal letters. I know some folks do typed letters, but I thought this would be eaiser. Hopefully if you got a card from us you checked the back for more info!

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!

Bear Creek Dry Soup Mix

With all three members of my family sick the week before Thanksgiving I needed a quick meal that would be nutritious and easy. I love these Bear Creeks dry soup mixes. We have had the Cheddar Potato before, but for a sick household I recommend this Cheddar Broccoli. I even added a half a bag of frozen broccoli florets, and served it with crumbled bacon and shredded cheddar. It was SO good and it definitely hit the spot on a cold and cloudy day.

The best thing is that you just boil water, stir in the mix (and the frozen veggies) and in <10 minutes lunch is served. The bacon and cheddar leftovers were already in the fridge from other recipes so even that was easy. It was even thick enough that my 17 month old son had his bowl of soup and he loved it. He even ate broccoli! Well, he tried it at least.

Sippy Cups and Potty Training: A Call for Opinions

I have been searching for the perfect sippy cup and I have already posted about one of the cups that I did not like. I will write about the other two types of cup we use later, but until then please tell me about the cups you use. Is there any cup out there that won't leak? If so please let me know.

Also, a recurring theme at our MOPS meetings lately seems to be potty training. My friend Janet already has reviewed a chair and a video. What products have you tried? I hear mixed reviews of chairs on the floor or seats for the regular toilet. Which is better? I have also heard about an Elmo video and a book. If any mom out there has tips (when to start, how do you know when kiddos are ready, etc.) please send them to me!

I have some good posts planned for the near future, so stay tuned. I look forward to hearing from some of you out there!

Tomato Paste in a Tube!

So, I watch my friend Giada use this stuff for years, but until about a year ago I had never seen this product in the store. I still haven't seen it in Knoxville, but I've heard it is carried in certain stores. I found this product at the Albertson's by my mom's house and bought like 3 tubes because I was so excited! Anyway, this stuff is awesome! You can add just one or two tablespoons to a recipe without having to open an entire can of tomato paste. I just used it tonight to stretch my sloppy joe recipe to cover a little more ground beef than it called for.

Frog Laundry Hamper

We registered for this hamper before Ethan was born because it went with our nursery theme. Disappointment is not a strong enough word to describe my feelings towards this hamper. It worked for about 3 weeks before the plastic bars that hold it open ripped through the mesh. I do admit that we bring this laundry hamper up and down stairs, but that is just normal wear and tear in my house. I still use the hamper and maybe one day it will just be a stuffed animal bin, but for a kids clothes hamper I would suggest your investment not go elsewhere.

Food Scraper

The following post is from my friend Betsy:

I have another [review] for you to add [to your blog]: the big scraper from Pantry Chef (it's white and is used to scrape stuff off of cutting boards normally). I use it to scrape food off my classy vinyl tablecloth when there's been a small bout of food throwing or food escaping "somehow" from its plate boundaries. I used it tonight to scrape off all the MILLIONS of noodles that had *ahem* just walked off those little toddler plates onto the table and floor. Works wonderfully! Don't know what I'd do without it! Then, it's an easy matter to simply wipe off the residue that's left. (I usually scrape the stuff onto a kid plate that's headed for the sink)

Thanks Betsy! I have three of these in my kitchen and I use them for their intended purpose, but I can't wait to try this out after our next meal.