tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8583364115689513182024-03-13T08:03:12.956-04:00punkinhoodpunkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-68266320675071410852014-01-22T16:00:00.001-05:002014-01-24T11:02:25.497-05:00in her own timeYou know how sometimes people want you to do something just because <i>they </i>think you should be doing something and they think they know <i>when </i>you should be doing it too? And how sometimes you think to yourself, I'll do that when I'm good and ready! I think babies are pretty much the same way. Only they can't tell you that (unless they're really, <i>really </i>advanced).<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sam was a terrible sleeper as a baby...heck, he's still not that great at it at 7. But eventually he <i>(mostly)</i> figured out the sleeping thing. Delaney has been a great sleeper from the very beginning. Like so great that a very mean nurse in the hospital would roll her bassinet over to me in the middle of the night & tell me I needed to wake her up and feed her, even though she wasn't crying and was sleeping peacefully. Thankfully, Delaney was my second child, and so I let her go on sleeping rather than wake her up unnecessarily. And even more thankfully, once we got home from the hospital, Delaney continued to be a rock star sleeper.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Well, I have no proof that Delaney's awesome sleep habits contributed to her taking a long time to reach some of her milestones, but I don't have any proof that they didn't either. So. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Delaney didn't crawl until close to 11 months. She wouldn't bear any weight on her legs whatsoever until about that time either. All that sleeping took away time from learning to get around.<i> It was kind of a wonderful thing to be able to put her down & not have to worry about her crawling away and putting her finger in an electrical outlet or anything. </i>But I digress.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Anyway, of course, we were still concerned at the lack of movement and we wanted to know that there wasn't anything physically wrong with her either. We've had a couple of visits to an orthopedic doctor and she's been in weekly physical therapy since this summer to help build her strength.</div>
<div>
<br />
Well, earlier this week, at almost 16 months old, I think she decided she was finally ready <i>(or she got really tired of all the nagging) </i>and suddenly this is happening: </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz21v2ZuqZ2GSC2TkN9YdRdawfXmc19Jekzmxi5NLRgUJLcsnLqbMwScXLUAdm7pp-VqEqE55BnU9dALq-qbA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She's so proud of herself. We're pretty proud of her too.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>Now, about those outlet covers...</i></div>
punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-13699896994486444812014-01-10T16:25:00.001-05:002014-01-10T16:25:54.922-05:00frozen in timeStop the presses... how on Earth is it January 10th already? TEN days have passed in this new year, and I'm not sure how that's even possible.<br />
<br />
I'm sure feeling trapped at home due to record cold & snowfall hasn't helped. Not sure if you heard, but we got 13 inches of snow in a day and then followed that up with -40 degree windchills (yes, <i>negative </i>forty). Sam hasn't been to school in three weeks! The roads haven't been passable until today, which is a bit ridiculous when you consider that the snow started falling <i>five </i>days ago.<br />
<br />
Regardless, we made it through. This weekend promises forty degrees and rain, so we might be out back building an ark very, very soon. We'll be more than happy to load it up with all the neighborhood school kids and transport them to school on Monday, because I'm sure every mom would agree that it is well past time!<br />
<br />
Before the arctic freeze set in, Sam & Brad were able to get outside and build a snowman.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KZ9zdgGc842gtIjakSER6u4LTGwH6K6Iqptkc9yT9Qd59xGhyphenhyphen9JVV_RyVUOeVOdXm1X6O5jDPsEqPaqHwY-lBwkYUDEstiV_hvDHCkzhq1AU57x3nlAMa9qav2UFWbWfJWwQsZN3DaY/s1600/snowman.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KZ9zdgGc842gtIjakSER6u4LTGwH6K6Iqptkc9yT9Qd59xGhyphenhyphen9JVV_RyVUOeVOdXm1X6O5jDPsEqPaqHwY-lBwkYUDEstiV_hvDHCkzhq1AU57x3nlAMa9qav2UFWbWfJWwQsZN3DaY/s1600/snowman.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Delaney had the greatest idea of how to survive a blizzard. She did a lot of this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdBd92JDoFTT5bFB566kfqWNhRU9fDeBs-HRX-GSpstNOjvnm-Qrh3XpjkqwcKBLTXGCpjDrW16HOkBhlTi-v_0S3O4wBXl4AgD0o452JBb7p6WRNaqbfeJXN0ohoI78DlqPi9Cdpa7Y/s1600/sleep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdBd92JDoFTT5bFB566kfqWNhRU9fDeBs-HRX-GSpstNOjvnm-Qrh3XpjkqwcKBLTXGCpjDrW16HOkBhlTi-v_0S3O4wBXl4AgD0o452JBb7p6WRNaqbfeJXN0ohoI78DlqPi9Cdpa7Y/s1600/sleep.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Which, just let me say, was fabulous! (And do I even need to point out: look at those curls!)<br />
<br />
And me, well, at the start of the year, I had big plans to really think about what I wanted to focus on in 2014, but seeing as I've lost track of ten days (TEN DAYS) of the new year, maybe I'll consider February a good starting point...punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-40867669016657494742014-01-01T21:08:00.001-05:002014-01-01T21:08:24.005-05:00forty fourteenHere we are, a new year has arrived. Much like any other year. Filled with much promise. Potential. Resolutions. Hopes. Surprises.<br />
<br />
But this year, 2014 also brings something more. I'm turning forty this year. Yes, that's right. The big 4-0. I'm not sure I'm quite ready for it.<br />
<br />
My whole life I've always wanted to be older. I'm not joking. When I was little & my parents had friends over, I always wanted to sit at the table listening to them talk rather than be downstairs playing. When I was entering high school, I couldn't wait to be a senior to sit at the back of the bus (never mind the fact that no senior actually wants to be still riding a bus at that point). When I was in college, I couldn't wait to get out and have a real job & work hard & be so successful (ha).<br />
<br />
For the longest time, I thought turning 28 would be the greatest thing ever and that I would feel so grown up and that life would really truly begin then. I don't know why 28 was the magical number. And really, I can't remember much of anything that happened when I was 28 that is noteworthy...not until the very, very end, when I was just about to turn 29 and started hanging out with the man who would become my husband. That feels like so long ago now, and yet, I still don't really feel all grown up.<br />
<br />
So, as you can see, I've never minded getting older & age has never been a big deal - at least not in a negative way. So maybe that's why the fact that I'm getting anxious about turning 40 surprises me. Maybe it's because I still don't feel like how I thought I'd feel when I was supposedly a grown up. Maybe it's because life doesn't look like what I thought it would look like. (I mean, when do I turn into Martha Stewart and enjoy cooking & cleaning??) Maybe it's because I've got two kids & there's so many life lessons I want to pass on to them, but I have no idea where to even begin.<br />
<br />
Well, it's time to start thinking about living life in the here & now. To stop waiting for someday.<br />
<br />
2014 may not be the year that makes me feel like I thought I'd feel when I was a kid.<br />
But 2014 will be the year I embrace life and live it to the fullest.
punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-41929494274395492232012-12-23T15:24:00.001-05:002012-12-23T15:24:12.889-05:00merry christmas 2012<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KwNc68r1lOF7vP8Pn6sZxYEMOvIyRbIkf2Jfotyto10KKaZLYCoLudlslfsLUqv4CV-Q1-cXWQtu1jWnHazmq_N7A4xNMF3U9FnqICOkhjx9buSW4t7CvAqSkyHrartqlJpCVyOxOwE/s1600/harmonXmas12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KwNc68r1lOF7vP8Pn6sZxYEMOvIyRbIkf2Jfotyto10KKaZLYCoLudlslfsLUqv4CV-Q1-cXWQtu1jWnHazmq_N7A4xNMF3U9FnqICOkhjx9buSW4t7CvAqSkyHrartqlJpCVyOxOwE/s320/harmonXmas12.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>front</i></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-6JtJpzXktimBXff3AJe5oPqvjqgEyQIMKthILAT-hAbCuSA5FEmN_VBJwSh1-m9KpKbqiw4zIsEYSNwMoOaLB9FeVrcheqig4JQJkc7CAn_lQuW-ivNzUiiakJ0q6UM6qzYEcLKszw/s1600/harmonAnnounce12brown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-6JtJpzXktimBXff3AJe5oPqvjqgEyQIMKthILAT-hAbCuSA5FEmN_VBJwSh1-m9KpKbqiw4zIsEYSNwMoOaLB9FeVrcheqig4JQJkc7CAn_lQuW-ivNzUiiakJ0q6UM6qzYEcLKszw/s320/harmonAnnounce12brown.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>back</i></div>
punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-69771358660997248082012-09-14T13:14:00.000-04:002012-09-14T13:14:21.612-04:00not that it's any of your businessYes, I know it's been <b style="font-style: italic;">six years </b>*gasp* since I was last pregnant. (Or so you think.)<br />
<br />
Yes, I know that is a long time.<br />
<br />
Yes, I know that it might be a little insane. But it might not.<br />
<br />
No, we didn't use any infertility drugs.<br />
<br />
Yes, we <i>were </i>happy with just one child.<br />
<br />
No, this wasn't an accident.<br />
<br />
Yes, I do think Sam will be a great helper.<br />
<br />
But, no, I'm not naive enough to believe there also won't be adjustment issues.<br />
<br />
Yes, I'm excited I'm having a girl. No, I don't think that makes my family <i>perfect</i>. I would have been excited to be having another boy too.<br />
<br />
Yes, I really am x months pregnant. Yes, I'm well aware you and everyone else don't think I look <i>that </i>pregnant. Yes, I'm sure there really is a baby in there, and believe it or not, she's measuring right where she should be. I'm not sure what else you want me to say about that.<br />
<br />
No, I'm not quite "ready". I will never be 100% ready.<br />
<br />
No, I'm not anxious for this to all be over. No, I'm not currently planning to request an induction. I'm quite happy waiting until things happen on their own. The whole thing has gone by way too quickly for my liking.<br />
<br />
Yes, I plan on getting an epidural. No, I don't think there's anything wrong with that.<br />
<br />
Yes, I do know what my plans are for feeding my infant, but I'm not sure why it's any of your business.<br />
<br />
And no, I won't feel guilty if things don't work out quite how I hope.<br />
<br />
Yes, we have a name picked out. And I'll probably even tell you what it is if you ask nicely. But my husband most likely won't. And we could still change our minds.<br />
<br />
And yes, you'll definitely be the first person I call when I go into labor. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(This one might be a lie. But I promise the others aren't)</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-66963619292077019492012-05-14T11:07:00.000-04:002012-05-14T11:07:31.464-04:00blue lipstick and television<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9cU_cfgMWrddR4x1LXHaHjOvHGC_EAdexP_SI-4c2DhQFesqrAcrO4IQkAEk4ThQwAtFG7RyLN3Os6N78vc1dDCR9qSRX2MV4aGfW17-oYkpSaZ50MW3g-SMknWsYcsLF4bbC7zucQI/s1600/mothersday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9cU_cfgMWrddR4x1LXHaHjOvHGC_EAdexP_SI-4c2DhQFesqrAcrO4IQkAEk4ThQwAtFG7RyLN3Os6N78vc1dDCR9qSRX2MV4aGfW17-oYkpSaZ50MW3g-SMknWsYcsLF4bbC7zucQI/s400/mothersday.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>My Mom</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>By Sam</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My mom's name is Chris. She is 38 years old. My mom's job is to go to work. My mom is happy when she gets flowers. My mom is sad when I don't listen to her. My mom always says "turn off the tv." My mom likes to watch lots of stuff on television. After I go to bed, my mom watches tv. My mom is really good at playing the Wii. My mom makes me laugh when she does silly faces. I make mom laugh when I tell her funny jokes. Mom and I like to play games together. I love my mom because my mom loves me. I know my mom loves me because she plays with me. My mom and I both have brown eyes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope everyone had a Happy Mother's Day!</div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-85802690916137710052012-02-24T09:59:00.000-05:002012-02-24T09:59:14.617-05:00arriving september 2012Ready or not, life is about to change drastically...
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWsnlSlwBDyuGjkFeG4_RkaDOU_ch2gjQ-TyvS95kSVgAt2uv1k96rN1u-79uOkMQvrejEf1Rlr47w3zyA5A2QqJfVFdPj9Z16nSsHnEWH-Rb7tCEZmiSN-CbaLHwSV7r2nBOzhE_0-s/s1600/CIMG0581_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWsnlSlwBDyuGjkFeG4_RkaDOU_ch2gjQ-TyvS95kSVgAt2uv1k96rN1u-79uOkMQvrejEf1Rlr47w3zyA5A2QqJfVFdPj9Z16nSsHnEWH-Rb7tCEZmiSN-CbaLHwSV7r2nBOzhE_0-s/s320/CIMG0581_2.jpg" width="320" /></a>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-26728847311325898052011-12-23T23:38:00.000-05:002011-12-23T23:38:37.634-05:00Merry Christmas 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8AHg7pda4H0/TvKIoTkzXII/AAAAAAAAAeU/IgO8Wx2ikD8/s1600/christmas+card+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8AHg7pda4H0/TvKIoTkzXII/AAAAAAAAAeU/IgO8Wx2ikD8/s400/christmas+card+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hope you all have had a wonderful 2011, filled with love, laughter, friends, and family. Praying 2012 will be an even better year.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
If you are sharing a card on your site, feel free to leave a link in the comments below, I'd love to visit!</div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">
For more warm holiday fuzzies, visit the <a href="http://meghangwine.com/2011/12/4th-annual-bloggy-holiday-card-exchange/" target="_blank">Fourth Annual Great Bloggy Holiday Card Exchange</a>. </div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-9366798631693221532011-12-21T21:28:00.001-05:002011-12-21T21:28:24.082-05:00vinyl familyYou know those decals of stick figure families that adorn so many minivans? I think they're pretty cute. Well, at least I did until I started seeing them everywhere.<br />
<br />
They just became too popular for me and lost part of their appeal. I'm fickle that way <span style="font-size: x-small;">(this does not apply to the iPad - I don't think that will lose its appeal ever or at least not until something cooler comes out)</span>.<br />
<br />
Anyway, my fried Bridget is pretty much the most creative person I know. Seriously, check out her <a href="http://theiveyleague.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, she has a ton of awesome ideas on there, as well as some really great writing. She started an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IveyLeagueMama" target="_blank">etsy shop</a> where she sells really cute car decals. And they're not the standard stick figure kind either.<br />
<br />
She sent me one a couple of months ago and it surprised me how much it captured my little family. My husband even asked if it was actually us.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yRaWOELx7Y/TvKQrZA-L7I/AAAAAAAAAes/fG9prztQuxE/s1600/cardecal1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5yRaWOELx7Y/TvKQrZA-L7I/AAAAAAAAAes/fG9prztQuxE/s320/cardecal1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-le7q-WzBMCQ/TvKS8CdwNaI/AAAAAAAAAfE/TUT76PNWs1c/s1600/2953531160103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-le7q-WzBMCQ/TvKS8CdwNaI/AAAAAAAAAfE/TUT76PNWs1c/s320/2953531160103.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
So, quick, go to her
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/IveyLeagueMama" target="_blank">etsy shop</a> and get a decal that represents your family. I know she'd be happy to work with you on something that you will just love. Then, you can say you were one of the first to own one!<br />
<br />
<b>The internet has brought me a lot of cool things. I think Bridget is one of the coolest. Thanks Bridget for the decal, but more importantly, for your friendship! </b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-51891144299702037812011-12-07T16:54:00.001-05:002011-12-07T16:59:29.488-05:00wordless wednesday: breakfast with santa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdKb9qEwBMh0cPSsnoRTOMOrxvbNsxhdDHtiyhXCfph_0bBSdxxwRISXQfOq2T6aFO1RlOTeb_fy69in0qS9xR3B-UIIXrMi1izTLvntV91q1HeHcAXVl_oGRxWAPEPzv6Z7JXI3h6xo/s1600/santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijdKb9qEwBMh0cPSsnoRTOMOrxvbNsxhdDHtiyhXCfph_0bBSdxxwRISXQfOq2T6aFO1RlOTeb_fy69in0qS9xR3B-UIIXrMi1izTLvntV91q1HeHcAXVl_oGRxWAPEPzv6Z7JXI3h6xo/s400/santa.JPG" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
Even though we didn't actually <i>eat with </i>Santa, Punkin enjoyed "Breakfast with Santa" at his school last Saturday.<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Linked at <a href="http://www.5minutesformom.com/47418/wordless-wednesday-rofl/" target="_blank">5 Minutes for Mom</a> and <a href="http://www.twoofakindworkingonafullhouse.com/2011/12/wordless-wednesday-thanksgiving-indian.html" target="_blank">Two of a Kind</a>.</span>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-21179612254127797312011-12-05T13:53:00.001-05:002011-12-05T14:11:25.097-05:00the best sweet potato casserole everNot that I'm bragging or anything.<br />
<br />
But seriously, I have never made sweet potato anything before, but when discussions of what food everyone was bringing for Thanksgiving came up, I found myself agreeing to bring sweet potatoes and a dessert (though the dessert is another post).<br />
<br />
I turned to <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">pinterest</a> (<a href="http://punkinhood.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-made-it-pinterest-inspired.html" target="_blank">of course</a>) for recipe inspiration, and pinterest did not disappoint. I went through many, many variations, before I settled on this <a href="http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Sweet-Potato-Casserole-1000065818" target="_blank">recipe</a> (<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/60798663689105095/" target="_blank">pin here</a>). I liked this recipe because it offered a marshmallow topping on half and a nut topping on the other half. I wasn't sure if everyone loved marshmallows as much as me, so I thought this would do the trick. Also, I liked that the nuts were cashews and not pecans, especially since my husband is allergic to pecans (and hello? cashews are delicious!)<br />
<br />
The recipe calls for a food mill. I had never heard of a food mill before. Apparently, they come in handy with sweet potatoes because of their stringy nature. I turned to twitter (specifically my friend <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/katyshecooks" target="_blank">Katy</a>) to find out what I could do instead. She suggested a food processor or a blender. I hadn't done that before either, but I figured it was worth a shot. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(And I found out how easy it would have been to make my own baby food... tons of dollars down the drain there, folks. Seriously, try it!)</span><br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm not a food blogger, so let's get straight to it. I didn't take any pictures during the process, and even forgot a finished product picture, so this half-way through lunch picture will have to do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgre1Tuh4YC9-VIgTt2UINQhyphenhyphenh6xIzvpfrFMB5aVgQsBOoPlvFAHhpLE1f9ztusCzv953EuJBq584aBCbDg9dtCtUhWja2fQypA7IpfO_qpGh0n5auHXTB7BOZrwC1tLj7myMNAqUtxUNM/s1600/sweetpotatos.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgre1Tuh4YC9-VIgTt2UINQhyphenhyphenh6xIzvpfrFMB5aVgQsBOoPlvFAHhpLE1f9ztusCzv953EuJBq584aBCbDg9dtCtUhWja2fQypA7IpfO_qpGh0n5auHXTB7BOZrwC1tLj7myMNAqUtxUNM/s320/sweetpotatos.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You can see which side was favored: marshmallows win!<br />
<br />But honestly, both sides were delicious! I'd definitely make this recipe again!<br />
<br />
I wish I still had some leftovers...punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-49398301861199314592011-11-30T10:45:00.000-05:002011-11-30T10:45:37.707-05:00the endI have completely shocked myself that I have posted something every. single. day. in November. When <a href="http://twitter.com/justshireen" target="_blank">Shireen </a>suggested I join her, I honestly didn't give it much thought. I just thought, s<i>ure, why not?</i> But deep down, I knew I would not follow-through. I knew I would start strong, but would eventually forget or just say <i>screw it</i> and just stop.<br />
<br />
But I didn't. Sure, some of my posts are completely throw away posts that I have considered deleting when December rolls around, but I have learned a few things about myself and about this blogging thing. I realize now, I won't be deleting them. For they show that I stuck with it and even when I didn't want to continue, I did. In the past, I would have never considered posting such filler, because <i>what's the point?</i> and <i>no one wants to read that</i>. And that would have made it easier to not post the next day or the next.<br />
<br />
I have learned that it's okay to be myself.<br />
To write what I want to write.<br />
To not worry about what other people might think.<br />
<br />
I learned that even though I wanted to be organized about this month's posts, and write some things ahead, that is not who I am.<br />
I think I already knew that.<br />
<br />
<b>I have learned that very few people comment on blogs these days.
<br />And that it's a lot less fun when there are no comments.</b><br />
<br />
I have also learned how important it is for me to leave comments on other blogs I read.<br />
Even if it's not much more than <i>I really liked this post. Thanks for sharing.</i><br />
<br />
I learned that I just have to sit down and start typing.<br />
And stop worrying.<br />
Or being self-conscious.<br />
<br />
I learned that I do enjoy blogging. Though I don't really like rules.<br />
<br />
So, I think what all this means is that I will be blogging more than I used to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(though that is not difficult)</span>.<br />
And I hope that I can find more of my own rhythm.<br />
And reveal more of who I <i>really </i>am.punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-34646975780138134062011-11-29T16:12:00.001-05:002011-11-29T17:02:14.622-05:00just write: first look<div style="text-align: center;">
I notice it before you do. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I point you towards the glass door so that you can see it too.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Your eyes grow wider, your lips form a huge smile.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Though I'm not fond of it, seeing your joy in discovering it melts my heart.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You let out a rambunctious cheer, <i>"Woohoo!"</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And so it begins. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The ground is soon covered in a thin layer of white.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
You dream about building snowmen and having snowball fights.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I dream about snuggling down with a blanket and cup of coffee.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Winter has arrived.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli5J32rn93szOJfG7m62-5wUXAK1OWLZ-tZNA0sJXvj4QmX4oQUTA7rcZoopf4AnSIqCxbRXoUT7Uyfhqpt0tX1XXeNLTKK5lIC_GDrBDtmGbxqY4vtISxY-bKCVjweeubM7eZvgbg6I/s1600/winter_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjli5J32rn93szOJfG7m62-5wUXAK1OWLZ-tZNA0sJXvj4QmX4oQUTA7rcZoopf4AnSIqCxbRXoUT7Uyfhqpt0tX1XXeNLTKK5lIC_GDrBDtmGbxqY4vtISxY-bKCVjweeubM7eZvgbg6I/s400/winter_3.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Linking to Heather of the EO's <a href="http://extraordinary-ordinary.net/2011/11/28/just-write-the-12th/" target="_blank">Just Write</a>.</b></span></i></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-48321135040828978002011-11-28T22:04:00.001-05:002011-11-28T22:38:57.005-05:00cyber monday: what a "deal"It never ceases to amaze me what some people will buy, just because it's on sale. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Today, as I was checking out the Lightning Deals on Amazon, it became apparent that many, many people were jumping onto Cyber Monday "deals" without a second thought. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you're unfamiliar with how these deals work, Amazon will tease you with a picture or description of an item that will soon be on sale. Many times, it lists the current selling price under the description. When the time comes for the deal to start, that price will <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(usually --see below)</span> be replaced with the retail price, which will then be crossed out and the new sale price will be displayed along with the % savings. Keep in mind, the % savings is based off the retail price, not the price you could have purchased the same item for minutes ago (since many items on Amazon are already on sale every day). Many of these deals will actually be only a few dollars different than Amazon's normal sale price.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My favorite example of this was for a <i>Bucket-O-Balls</i>, which was selling for $19.99 just a few minutes before Noon PST. Once the lightning deal started, the <i>deal </i>price was suddenly $29.99. Only Amazon forgot to update the retail price to the $39.99 price (which you would find if you clicked on the picture). So instead, the % savings was actually a negative 50% off. Yes, it read NEGATIVE.</div>
<div>
<br />And people still bought the deal.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHdAjd0PHqGSJ_zWZMY_6_bMffZRyHJWcq6wra_KlEZbMAsoR58QbLMRHI7ZDug9m08iqjqvzMKqhReIMpM4Eoz5QiE8UFxOq9vg4G0D-roWJXHJFpAQfau5tph-46eqbXDIe1rVp2PE/s1600/cybermonday1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinHdAjd0PHqGSJ_zWZMY_6_bMffZRyHJWcq6wra_KlEZbMAsoR58QbLMRHI7ZDug9m08iqjqvzMKqhReIMpM4Eoz5QiE8UFxOq9vg4G0D-roWJXHJFpAQfau5tph-46eqbXDIe1rVp2PE/s320/cybermonday1.JPG" width="296" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I didn't actually click on this item before the lightning deal began, so it's possible that the $19.99 is the actual typo. However, if someone was interested in purchasing this, you would think that the negative savings would make anyone pause and wonder what was going on. You would also think said person would click through to the reviews to determine if this was a product worth $30. According to many reviews, it doesn't appear this product was even worth the $20. And yet, by the time the deal was over, 100% of these products had been claimed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In a few weeks, when I need a good laugh, I may have to go back and read more reviews after these have been delivered...</div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-46280025194806256712011-11-27T21:32:00.001-05:002011-11-27T21:36:57.154-05:00what i've learned from #nablopomo - part 1I've learned that there is very little chance I will be posting on the weekends in the future.<br />
<br />
<br />punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-59166818872899691102011-11-26T22:19:00.001-05:002011-11-26T22:37:41.627-05:00cell phone saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH9x17gQH48pqdEOYQ8_pADDdPSvJKc22f7bOPSejmEgie1qobismb-BpVuXvlSD5izlroY971-9WVCSYpd0zkmxL5AFbAh6Sehbn9nXkht4WqkFqBogIqiHcVFAWdy9UyG9yVCgQfVA/s320/clay+terrace+1_2.jpg" width="238" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJRdayjrogGe9kgyCdTo1kGrGbH5pa3RWTAkHHLKNl7SQbsUJiVTfscxJAnMc655cbUnLTLB6Huxo-zLOJ5GgWfRPOuJG3HYXW5ztHdvNwEKF06G_Tvw5Eq4shMtWBK0UCBiWd-hz0EI/s1600/clay+terrace+2_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJRdayjrogGe9kgyCdTo1kGrGbH5pa3RWTAkHHLKNl7SQbsUJiVTfscxJAnMc655cbUnLTLB6Huxo-zLOJ5GgWfRPOuJG3HYXW5ztHdvNwEKF06G_Tvw5Eq4shMtWBK0UCBiWd-hz0EI/s320/clay+terrace+2_2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AWbAiqhOWPj-AAxYatOBVcsExlpMwD8nSd7IcRRiryy8lfz8dnrW292PdkFj6pYqOh-QFqzpXuGaMpkT1PXuoWn-mlsEvV1OXNuX_WF2KhrcfDaBhjPs_FpL3ECx5ZQ1bt8oMnHbB4Y/s1600/clay+terrace+3_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AWbAiqhOWPj-AAxYatOBVcsExlpMwD8nSd7IcRRiryy8lfz8dnrW292PdkFj6pYqOh-QFqzpXuGaMpkT1PXuoWn-mlsEvV1OXNuX_WF2KhrcfDaBhjPs_FpL3ECx5ZQ1bt8oMnHbB4Y/s320/clay+terrace+3_2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
Punkin enjoying the arrival of Santa & his reindeer & Christmas Tree Lighting at Clay Terrace.<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Photos via cell phone</span></i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-75051109000928016772011-11-25T20:59:00.001-05:002011-11-25T21:13:36.892-05:00thankfulI am thankful for the floors that need vacuumed.<br />
I am thankful for the piles and piles of laundry.<br />
<br />
<i>I am thankful for the never-ending questions.</i><br />
<i>I am thankful for the mid-night wakings.</i><br />
<br />
I am thankful for the toys that need picked up.<br />
I am thankful for the toilets that need scrubbed.<br />
<br />
<i>I am thankful for the dishes that need washed.<br />I am thankful for the beds that need made.</i><br />
<br />
I am so thankful for the house that is our home, the clothes that keep us warm, the everyday things we take for granted.<br />
<br />
<i>I am even more thankful for the son who loves to learn and discover, the husband who provides and loves so much, the God who has blessed us so.</i>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-24878368419963689582011-11-24T13:52:00.001-05:002011-11-24T13:54:46.214-05:00happy thanksgiving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P6DOf6bWEDFbnW0Cwnx_GXjThTJUu7rkvuIyzxKJ9H2W5lRCLBWfzuyKOrUalOq9-_klDvpRs-1ZZc6E4qNGVsv45MPZA2ym0gH9I7jPHdOh9q1JZebVk4QVO87ZMzXojQgBhrPfa7A/s1600/thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-P6DOf6bWEDFbnW0Cwnx_GXjThTJUu7rkvuIyzxKJ9H2W5lRCLBWfzuyKOrUalOq9-_klDvpRs-1ZZc6E4qNGVsv45MPZA2ym0gH9I7jPHdOh9q1JZebVk4QVO87ZMzXojQgBhrPfa7A/s400/thanksgiving.jpg" width="336" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Hope you are surrounded by those you love.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Happy Thanksgiving!</i></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-404175920274785312011-11-23T16:37:00.001-05:002011-11-23T16:55:59.818-05:00thanksgiving "feast"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Turkey, mashed potatoes, some gravy, a roll, and pumpkin mousse. Sounds delicious to me. Unfortunately, Punkin did not agree.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQvPoTNZ0zLwFkaWa29dliNMf6iADpLHObCJUcmXGwwXyW3DugjiliS4n4iZZLVogSSsoX8Ql8G6ov693aXpyfBM6gJokkLemw-ITY0NPmwF-w_OVxpN6_7cMO1aHQ0outDv1AntQ5bw/s1600/IMG_7520.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUQvPoTNZ0zLwFkaWa29dliNMf6iADpLHObCJUcmXGwwXyW3DugjiliS4n4iZZLVogSSsoX8Ql8G6ov693aXpyfBM6gJokkLemw-ITY0NPmwF-w_OVxpN6_7cMO1aHQ0outDv1AntQ5bw/s320/IMG_7520.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I should have taken an "after" picture. Oh wait, just look above, it would be nearly the same. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(He did eat about half of the roll and the mousse.)</span><br />
<br />
Here's Punkin before seeing his plate. Before the tears welled up. Before the red, splotchy face.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPg0y4kDuf5figbOIczX1RxBU74DFoJH4ZDL4g1tKBm-7cGa2-SLN5Pf00a2JqdMJMyQfo1AH8rk5vRQczUMM4wc4F7swQcScE2xwuzzyaZ6TZxtjuM_THFdcw-vyqTIA6SFo8yEPRQY/s1600/IMG_7517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPg0y4kDuf5figbOIczX1RxBU74DFoJH4ZDL4g1tKBm-7cGa2-SLN5Pf00a2JqdMJMyQfo1AH8rk5vRQczUMM4wc4F7swQcScE2xwuzzyaZ6TZxtjuM_THFdcw-vyqTIA6SFo8yEPRQY/s320/IMG_7517.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
You would have thought we were asking him to take a big bite of rat poop the way he reacted to trying gravy. (And besides, he had a choice of potatoes without gravy or with gravy. We compromised down to just trying the gravy on its own.) And he still couldn't really bring himself to do it. He finally did lick some off his fork, but it was so traumatic, I don't think he could even register the taste. I wish I knew why he can't process trying new things... or new things that aren't dessert anyway, because he totally tried that pumpkin mousse with no issues whatsoever.<br />
<br />
And, of course, I felt frustrated and guilty for making the whole thing unpleasant to begin with. I knew going in that he wouldn't want any of the foods they were having and yet, I couldn't resist trying to get him to at least taste it. My goal next time will be to completely ignore the food altogether and hope we can all have a better time.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_QkS3occvaWia7GtDtjioP4ha6c1QUS955NsfrCtoiDVnjAexQKxbnVekzVOTIhec8yHQZ4Cjs67tu6hUFYgCtbu3cG60CtzZkDgs4VPL9Ur87clwANDW7QCgPA2Ben-OwktX2O9nKA/s1600/IMG_7509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_QkS3occvaWia7GtDtjioP4ha6c1QUS955NsfrCtoiDVnjAexQKxbnVekzVOTIhec8yHQZ4Cjs67tu6hUFYgCtbu3cG60CtzZkDgs4VPL9Ur87clwANDW7QCgPA2Ben-OwktX2O9nKA/s320/IMG_7509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You can't really see it in this picture, but each child wrote what they were thankful for. Punkin's mentions he is thankful for his family. I hope he still feels the same way!punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-78130949805068871032011-11-22T21:11:00.001-05:002011-11-22T21:18:31.037-05:00dentist the menaceI went to the dentist today.<br />
<br />
<i>I hate going to the dentist.</i><br />
<br />
The smells, the sounds.<br />
<br />
The scraping, the polishing, the flossing.<br />
<br />
The small talk. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">How do you have a conversation with someone who constantly has their fingers in your mouth anyway?</span><br />
<br />
The weather is always terrible when I go to the dentist.<br />
<br />
The raining. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Or the snowing.)</span> Never the sunshine.<br />
<br />
The new toothbrush. The new floss. Those aren't so bad.<br />
<br />
The Starbucks giftcard... what's that? "Thank you for being our patient."<br />
<br />
Huh, I <i>love </i>going to the dentist.<br />
<br />punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-3351837657509723222011-11-21T14:45:00.001-05:002011-11-21T15:12:38.959-05:00on high alertWords you are never quite prepared to hear from your five-year old:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>"Mama, do you know what a lock down drill is?"</i></b></div>
<br />
I had read tweets about schools doing these drills a couple of weeks back, but it never crossed my mind that Punkin would be participating in them at preschool too.<br />
<br />
It's a fine line to dance with - wanting your child to be smart and prepared if he ever found himself in a dangerous situation but also wanting to protect his innocence and not live in fear of the what ifs.<br />
<br />
I'm glad his school did the drill, and apparently with a certain level of ease rather than alarm, as it was at least three days before Punkin even mentioned it. I'm also glad that when I told him that these drills are so we're prepared "just in case" and not something that we need to worry about every day that it's true and he believed me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(<b>I really don't want one more excuse for a middle of the night wake-up!</b>)</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-70322387124651341012011-11-20T22:17:00.001-05:002011-11-20T23:02:13.950-05:00is it spring yet?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD89XqPHbT5hJdVmsfnfq0rM2eO7wivS44iEF4sPXwPlrlVfjT4iSJ-CYvCui-onnaN6pfYg6mB5OLGSQ8Rs97XObvWu4qc3w_URGCvI-B_f2IGtiCDbcus5s9YIHKtPZ-ipYXQajPVLQ/s1600/4944887010103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD89XqPHbT5hJdVmsfnfq0rM2eO7wivS44iEF4sPXwPlrlVfjT4iSJ-CYvCui-onnaN6pfYg6mB5OLGSQ8Rs97XObvWu4qc3w_URGCvI-B_f2IGtiCDbcus5s9YIHKtPZ-ipYXQajPVLQ/s640/4944887010103.jpg" width="506" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-28818537736059256442011-11-19T21:24:00.001-05:002011-11-19T21:43:02.363-05:00repin thisI mentioned <a href="http://pinterest.com/punkinmama/" target="_blank">pinterest </a>in a <a href="http://punkinhood.blogspot.com/2011/11/i-made-it-pinterest-inspired.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>. It's quickly become a great resource that I use for organizing recipes, gift ideas, projects I'd like to attempt, and so on and so on... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(along with a huge time suck when I don't feel like doing much of anything else).</span><br />
<br />
Some day, I'll write a post with the different things I've attempted and how they turned out.<br />
<br />
But for now, I thought I'd share with all of you the pin of mine that others have repinned the most times. I always like to see what other people are repinning and I see this one get repinned so many times, that I thought it might be something you'd like as well.<br />
<br />It's such a simple idea. Maybe that's why people like it so much.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Reindeer Beer / Reindeer Root Beer</b></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN1Nt_edJe-aT2WQMKeksBGYH2ucJgDE_SnszgOYlvemXwNTkx_5tph179NY_8ihQXRKsXcUocY-32B3WVQhUHe0P0TeX8wDVIeIPbvaHB45SlgwJzUtUeSm5MwdF4xxDomkhJDHAqPE/s1600/reindeer+rootbeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXN1Nt_edJe-aT2WQMKeksBGYH2ucJgDE_SnszgOYlvemXwNTkx_5tph179NY_8ihQXRKsXcUocY-32B3WVQhUHe0P0TeX8wDVIeIPbvaHB45SlgwJzUtUeSm5MwdF4xxDomkhJDHAqPE/s320/reindeer+rootbeer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit: <a href="http://lifeofamodernmom.blogspot.com/2010/11/reindeer-rootbeer-beer.html" target="_blank">Life of a Modern Mom</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Here's the <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/60798663689053390/" target="_blank">link </a>to the pin for your repinning pleasure.<br />
And again, another link to <a href="http://lifeofamodernmom.blogspot.com/2010/11/reindeer-rootbeer-beer.html" target="_blank">Life of a Modern Mom</a> where the pin comes from.<br />
<br />
<i>Such a cute idea, don't you think?</i><br />
<br />punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-36490105708307507332011-11-18T14:24:00.001-05:002011-11-19T21:45:08.049-05:00five minute friday: grow---------<br />
<br />
When I was a child, I wanted to be a grown up so badly. I remember if we had company over, I always wanted to hang around the grown ups. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Looking back, I'm sure they weren't so thrilled to have a kid hanging around.)</span> But there was something I found so fascinating about those who were older than me. I wanted to know what it was like. I wanted to be "important". To be responsible. And to be in the know. I didn't want to miss a thing. How little I realized what it truly meant to be a grown up. So many burdens to carry. How overbearing those responsibilities I thought would make me important truly are.<br />
<br />
And yet, now that I'm a supposed grownup, I still look around and think, "Wait, this is it? Surely I've missed something." Like - when will I be the one cooking the Thanksgiving turkey? Because if it's up to me, that day will be never. I can't imagine having to stick my hand in that bird, remove whatever is in there that needs to be removed, and having to wash it, and then having to cook it to be the most perfect, tender turkey everyone had ever consumed. (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Because if I was in charge, it would have to be perfect, of course.)</span><br />
<br />
But yeah, I don't really want that responsibility. I can't picture myself as the one that everyone else looks to to provide the meal for the extended family. Yet I don't give it a second thought that my mom has done it for years. When do you grow up into that? Or maybe some of us don't. Cooking is not my gift after all. Sometimes I think it'd be fun to be more creative in the kitchen, but any time I get into preparing a meal with more than two components, I tend to think, "Why am I doing this? I am not enjoying this at all."<br />
<br />
So yeah, perhaps, I'll never be fully grown.<br />
<br />
-----<br />
Linking up with <a href="http://thegypsymama.com/2011/11/five-minute-friday-grow/" target="_blank">the gypsy mama</a> - go there to read more masterpieces written in just five minutes.punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-858336411568951318.post-17076485857999209362011-11-17T20:30:00.001-05:002011-11-17T20:32:21.770-05:00dance, monkey, danceI'm in a mood.<br />
<br />
You could really help me out by leaving your favorite joke or something to make me laugh in the comments.<br />
<br />
Don't make me beg.<br />
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">PLEASE.</span>punkinmamahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13189203032782891549noreply@blogger.com1