tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13454050543610624722024-03-19T06:01:52.521-05:00Snapshots of LifeMemories, Thoughts & Favorite ThingsAmberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.comBlogger235125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-1715268486656157292013-02-03T22:36:00.001-06:002013-02-03T22:36:31.817-06:00Food For Friday: Nut Free Homemade Larabars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnsrv-zv8OmjEgWGNRbEsuAxMYcGa_xZ7VoEDlWwBaZa0WscoP-fiqsAnFtNDbGfcpcLj-lZAjgLj5kabueyAjbWnL7ctov5PTRwiU5DYQIIVeuvBO_2HhLWJXe7vBIaFHRQOt0KSCAiY/s1600/Larabars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhnsrv-zv8OmjEgWGNRbEsuAxMYcGa_xZ7VoEDlWwBaZa0WscoP-fiqsAnFtNDbGfcpcLj-lZAjgLj5kabueyAjbWnL7ctov5PTRwiU5DYQIIVeuvBO_2HhLWJXe7vBIaFHRQOt0KSCAiY/s320/Larabars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Take two on Homemade Larabars! This version is allergy friendly and NUT FREE! It is also dairy free, and if made with gluten free oats, can also be gluten free.<br />
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With Hudson's extensive list of food allergies, I am always looking for new ideas of healthy and easy meals and snacks for him. I have come to love Homemade Larabars as a quick and easy snack for myself, so I set out to make an allergy free version for the little man. <br />
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Of course, Hudson wouldn't eat them, so I added them to the freezer pile of foods for him to try again later. But, we tried them and they are really good! I hardly miss the nuts in this version.<br />
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<i><b>Ingredients:</b></i><br />
1/4 cup oats<br />
1/2 cup Sunbutter (or any sunflower seed butter)<br />
2 1/2 cups pitted dates<br />
1 tsp. olive oil<br />
2 tbls. cocoa<br />
scant 1/8 tsp. kosher salt<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
<br />
<i><b>Directions:</b></i><br />
Grind oats in the food processor until powdered. Add sunbutter, olive oil, cocoa, vanilla & salt. Pulse until blended. Add dates and process until well mixed. Press into a 9x9 pan or roll into balls. (If making bars, you can line the pan with parchment paper for easier removal, but they come out of the pan fine without it too.) If making bars, refrigerate the pan for 1 hour, then cut into bars or squares with a sharp knife. <br />
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Store in an air tight container, with wax paper in between layers, in the refrigerator for one week. They can also be frozen. Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-42510549845253321022012-02-14T17:22:00.000-06:002012-02-15T18:27:03.625-06:00Happy Valentine's Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe_NrXu60lURyt5khhFNu-AxlPRKR8h49uqw_-I7Gu77gUnAxevC7EMWCmBVB04FZhsIaM16kWOKCEhjkOdfXXhRLEdYafTstZJer05jNLfei4TR4lrzOwgrJmm3dIF6pmyyY6X2HY6wQ/s1600/GeneralValentine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe_NrXu60lURyt5khhFNu-AxlPRKR8h49uqw_-I7Gu77gUnAxevC7EMWCmBVB04FZhsIaM16kWOKCEhjkOdfXXhRLEdYafTstZJer05jNLfei4TR4lrzOwgrJmm3dIF6pmyyY6X2HY6wQ/s320/GeneralValentine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-91577247064683956372012-02-10T14:04:00.002-06:002012-02-11T14:29:16.763-06:00Food For Friday: Homemade Larabars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I0eSue_Pmyc/TzbOEfDWthI/AAAAAAAADIM/HCR09ur0_9o/s1600/Jan31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I0eSue_Pmyc/TzbOEfDWthI/AAAAAAAADIM/HCR09ur0_9o/s320/Jan31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We suspect that Hudson might have a food allergy/sensitivity, so almost 2 weeks ago, I eliminated all dairy from my diet. That eliminated my favorite granola bars for a quick and easy snack, so when I saw <a href="http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2011/08/30/homemade-larabars/">this recipe</a> for <a href="http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2011/08/30/homemade-larabars/">Homemade Larabars</a>, I decided to give it a try! They were fairly easy to make with the help of my food processor, and a good snack to grab as I rushed through the kitchen in between nursing sessions, laundry, diaper changes, and entertaining my little man. <br />
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A disclaimer: I've never eaten an actual Larabar, so I can't comment on how these compare to the real deal. They were described on the recipe as tasting like Snicker's bars, and I definitely wouldn't go that far! These bars have chocolate peanut butter flavor, but they don't even come close to tasting like a Snicker's bar in my book, especially because the underlying date flavor is still very noticeable. Just had to get that out there! <br />
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With Larabars costing over $1.00 each, these homemade bars are definitely a more economical way to have a tasty energy bar on hand. They would also be an awesome addition if you are taking a meal to a family with a new baby because they are a perfect quick snack for nursing moms.<br />
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I adjusted the recipe a little and used 1 lb of dates, which came out to be about 3 cups, from the bulk section of our natural foods store. I also used vegan chocolate chips to meet my diary free requirement. The next time that I make a batch of these bars, I think I will add in another tablespoon of peanut butter to see if I can up the peanut butter flavor. You can find the recipe <a href="http://www.foodiewithfamily.com/2011/08/30/homemade-larabars/">here</a>!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-9880540273083818052012-02-06T14:29:00.006-06:002012-02-12T12:57:18.056-06:00Our Little Snowbaby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--sMaDH2UlYQ/TzgJiizjcpI/AAAAAAAADKU/b8KXEI2LkFE/s1600/SnowRuler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--sMaDH2UlYQ/TzgJiizjcpI/AAAAAAAADKU/b8KXEI2LkFE/s320/SnowRuler.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>This past weekend, we had a huge snowstorm that left us with 17 inches of snow over 2 days. We got another few inches the following day for a total somewhere around 20 inches! We enjoyed some cozy family time in our pj's and drank our fair share of hot chocolate. Just for fun, we took Hudson outside a couple of times to see the snow, and to "measure" how deep it was. The first day, the snow was about half a baby deep, and Hudson wasn't quite sure what he thought of it...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smWmSDKwZgk/TzbQrKTqwOI/AAAAAAAADIU/V59Ft2sAotM/s1600/Feb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-smWmSDKwZgk/TzbQrKTqwOI/AAAAAAAADIU/V59Ft2sAotM/s320/Feb3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On day two, it was nearly 2/3 of a baby deep, and Hudson was much more interested! It was so deep we didn't even have to hold onto to his arm because the snow itself propped him up. We laughed watching him explore the snow and captured some fun pictures of our little snowbaby!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szd0FYemiJo/TzbSJ1rSC8I/AAAAAAAADIc/8g4ADvuLOf8/s1600/BigSnow1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-szd0FYemiJo/TzbSJ1rSC8I/AAAAAAAADIc/8g4ADvuLOf8/s320/BigSnow1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Hmmm, what is this white stuff?</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXYHMv0C_Qk/TzbShnAV44I/AAAAAAAADJU/DNi18NS6f_M/s1600/BigSnow2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dXYHMv0C_Qk/TzbShnAV44I/AAAAAAAADJU/DNi18NS6f_M/s320/BigSnow2.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey, I can pick it up! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6JW_Ndq0Cc/TzbSladmilI/AAAAAAAADJc/RwzPLmMY5Lc/s1600/BigSnow3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E6JW_Ndq0Cc/TzbSladmilI/AAAAAAAADJc/RwzPLmMY5Lc/s320/BigSnow3.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's kind of fun! </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--d9p7q6vlpE/TzbSo5nqQ9I/AAAAAAAADJk/6UouctT9J4g/s1600/BigSnow4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--d9p7q6vlpE/TzbSo5nqQ9I/AAAAAAAADJk/6UouctT9J4g/s320/BigSnow4.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wonder what it tastes like? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCl1vY10Zy4/TzbSsSIoanI/AAAAAAAADJs/pvgenI04tXw/s1600/BigSnow5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YCl1vY10Zy4/TzbSsSIoanI/AAAAAAAADJs/pvgenI04tXw/s320/BigSnow5.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's kind of deep. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNMLIZBW1MA/TzbSvI7Wg7I/AAAAAAAADJ0/sSuol83fyd0/s1600/BigSnow6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LNMLIZBW1MA/TzbSvI7Wg7I/AAAAAAAADJ0/sSuol83fyd0/s320/BigSnow6.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's sticking to my mitten.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UmvFZP_7gEY/TzbSypT64II/AAAAAAAADJ8/7E1HdaHb_BE/s1600/BigSnow7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UmvFZP_7gEY/TzbSypT64II/AAAAAAAADJ8/7E1HdaHb_BE/s320/BigSnow7.jpg" width="213" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;">I think I like it.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Enyxsa2Ysw/TzbS1zV_88I/AAAAAAAADKE/tfBhxoQhC6c/s1600/BigSnow8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0Enyxsa2Ysw/TzbS1zV_88I/AAAAAAAADKE/tfBhxoQhC6c/s320/BigSnow8.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">See? I'm a big boy! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOgwi9uXW4M/TzbS4wWcZBI/AAAAAAAADKM/v2Kc3Af7Ba4/s1600/BigSnow9.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOgwi9uXW4M/TzbS4wWcZBI/AAAAAAAADKM/v2Kc3Af7Ba4/s320/BigSnow9.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UmvFZP_7gEY/TzbSypT64II/AAAAAAAADJ8/7E1HdaHb_BE/s1600/BigSnow7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzDwXdtqH70/TzbSMoN9uWI/AAAAAAAADIk/iC-xySo6HGo/s1600/BigSnow10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LzDwXdtqH70/TzbSMoN9uWI/AAAAAAAADIk/iC-xySo6HGo/s320/BigSnow10.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Happier.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2lw4Jc1eq9s/TzbSQAYQd_I/AAAAAAAADIs/teYGii3-M4M/s1600/BigSnow11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2lw4Jc1eq9s/TzbSQAYQd_I/AAAAAAAADIs/teYGii3-M4M/s320/BigSnow11.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Happiest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIlk0golGO0/TzbSTN1La5I/AAAAAAAADI0/vs9t3nRyYds/s1600/BigSnow12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hIlk0golGO0/TzbSTN1La5I/AAAAAAAADI0/vs9t3nRyYds/s320/BigSnow12.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Faaaaalllllling.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cORZrEJFM7I/TzbSWDPzAfI/AAAAAAAADI8/54KsdY-8a50/s1600/BigSnow13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cORZrEJFM7I/TzbSWDPzAfI/AAAAAAAADI8/54KsdY-8a50/s320/BigSnow13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Just chillin'.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oHbxR8DZ_o/TzbSeF0D8_I/AAAAAAAADJM/1NcUYQcZaXs/s1600/BigSnow15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3oHbxR8DZ_o/TzbSeF0D8_I/AAAAAAAADJM/1NcUYQcZaXs/s320/BigSnow15.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I'm not so sure about laying down in it!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">We love that Hudson will grow up experiencing all four seasons, and his Daddy is hoping he'll want to join him on the slopes in the next couple of of years!</div></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-66917259015841645262012-01-14T19:48:00.000-06:002012-01-14T19:48:21.988-06:00Felt Flower Embellishments<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiGR3clFRZU/TxIteaPhvDI/AAAAAAAADEg/tnBv1MFPCU4/s1600/DBFeltFlowers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DiGR3clFRZU/TxIteaPhvDI/AAAAAAAADEg/tnBv1MFPCU4/s320/DBFeltFlowers1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div>Before Hudson was born, I was on the hunt for a diaper bag that was both cute and functional. A lot of my friends had recommended Skip Hop bags, and there was a pattern with colors that I liked, but I wanted to add an embellishment to up the cute factor. I searched felt flowers on Pinterest for inspiration and used felt and embroidery thread in the colors of the bag to craft some of my own. I sewed the finished felt flowers onto a strip of felt with velcro to wrap around one of the diaper bag straps, so the flowers are removable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aORVzhQoSqw/TxItjxF_yEI/AAAAAAAADEo/SAsy5DDQ8rQ/s1600/DBFeltFlowers2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aORVzhQoSqw/TxItjxF_yEI/AAAAAAAADEo/SAsy5DDQ8rQ/s320/DBFeltFlowers2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JZ2yJhYRbU/TxItypDsczI/AAAAAAAADEw/_wUDpSw1MRo/s1600/DBFeltFlowers3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_JZ2yJhYRbU/TxItypDsczI/AAAAAAAADEw/_wUDpSw1MRo/s320/DBFeltFlowers3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div>This bag has been getting a lot of use!</div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-4340990927538941792012-01-06T23:40:00.022-06:002012-01-08T00:15:16.252-06:00Food For Friday: Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chip Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ComkV_HBnkM/TwksoWxcLyI/AAAAAAAADDw/IPF90GQE2n8/s1600/Oatmeal+PB+Chip+Muffins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ComkV_HBnkM/TwksoWxcLyI/AAAAAAAADDw/IPF90GQE2n8/s320/Oatmeal+PB+Chip+Muffins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These muffins make a delicious breakfast or quick snack. I love muffins and as I have been looking for ways to add more whole grains to our diet, the whole oats and whole wheat flour in these muffins were a great way to do that. And without all of the chemicals that come in most packaged muffin mixes. They have a hearty, dense texture, but not an overly wheaty flavor. They freeze well, so I often make a double batch and freeze half. Pull a muffin or two out of the freezer the night before to defrost for breakfast, and then heat for 15-30 seconds in the microwave just before eating.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4ar-DVevU0/Twksqb8bTiI/AAAAAAAADD4/OWgTIPY4S5U/s1600/Oatmeal+PB+Chip+Muffins2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-B4ar-DVevU0/Twksqb8bTiI/AAAAAAAADD4/OWgTIPY4S5U/s320/Oatmeal+PB+Chip+Muffins2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><i>Ingredients:</i><br />
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour (Be sure you are using pastry flour! I use Bob's Red Mill)<br />
1/4 cup sugar<br />
2 tsp. baking powder<br />
3/4 tsp. salt<br />
1 large egg<br />
1 cup milk (I use 1%)<br />
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats<br />
1 tsp. vanilla<br />
1/4 cup canola oil<br />
1 cup peanut butter chips<br />
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<i>Directions:</i><br />
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.<br />
Place 12 muffin papers in a muffin pan.<br />
In a bowl, soak 1 cup of oats in the milk for 15 minutes.<br />
In a separate bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder & salt. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture.<br />
After the oats have soaked, add the egg, vanilla, and oil to the oats & milk and stir to combine. Add the oat mixture to the well in the flour mixture & stir quickly with a fork until the flour mixture is moistened and combined. Mix in the peanut butter chips.<br />
Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-60573583288526472062012-01-02T01:31:00.000-06:002012-01-02T01:31:25.301-06:00Hudson's First 3 Months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have been wanting for months, literally, to share more photos of our adorable little guy! But, my days have been full of cuddling him and kissing his sweet cheeks instead. I am trying my best to soak in every moment with our sweet boy because I know how fast they grow. He has already changed so much! Mixed in with the love and joy I feel when I stare at his precious face is a little bit of sadness because every week I wish I could freeze him exactly as he is. Each new week brings new things learned, a little more chub, new expressions, and change. Even though we think he just gets cuter every week, I can't help but wish that each stage could last a little bit longer because we love him so much and there is nothing quite as sweet as holding your baby boy in your arms. Each week I think he will never again be the exact same kind of cute as he is this week.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I think of a word that sums up what Hudson has brought to our life, I immediately think of the word <i>joy</i>. He has brought a fullness of joy to our home and our lives beyond what we could have imagined. He has the sweetest demeanor and a huge smile that he can't keep to himself. He is truly a happy baby. My sweet husband has always brought smiles to my face on a daily basis, but I think our smiling has multiplied a hundred times over with this cute guy to love. We can't help but smile every time we look at that sweet face. I love that he brings a smile to the face of others as well. When we are out, nearly everyone that sees him smiles. What a blessing that our little bundle of joy can bring joy to others!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here are a few of my favorite photos of Hudson's first 3 months:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGaoo2mgLf0/TwFTuRI8HlI/AAAAAAAADC8/TwDb6z9jEXc/s1600/AwakeHospital.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oGaoo2mgLf0/TwFTuRI8HlI/AAAAAAAADC8/TwDb6z9jEXc/s320/AwakeHospital.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLCPDpdaf64/TwFKAhlrlbI/AAAAAAAADA8/P9VuTG9Y0Y8/s1600/SleepingMomHospital2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZLCPDpdaf64/TwFKAhlrlbI/AAAAAAAADA8/P9VuTG9Y0Y8/s320/SleepingMomHospital2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq4a3n4Inh8/TwFUO2Tb0HI/AAAAAAAADDI/49Dms-VG5SU/s1600/GoingHome5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq4a3n4Inh8/TwFUO2Tb0HI/AAAAAAAADDI/49Dms-VG5SU/s320/GoingHome5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Not sure what to think about his 1st car ride on the way home from the hospital.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZgWRhoaOb0/TwFKV0JaWGI/AAAAAAAADBE/vq3PGK4Fwu4/s1600/BouncySeat+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZgWRhoaOb0/TwFKV0JaWGI/AAAAAAAADBE/vq3PGK4Fwu4/s320/BouncySeat+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnBKWRtVMNY/TwFJ0qlbrAI/AAAAAAAADA0/D0JRYb-okIg/s1600/monkeygown1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PnBKWRtVMNY/TwFJ0qlbrAI/AAAAAAAADA0/D0JRYb-okIg/s320/monkeygown1+copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We figured out in his first days home from the hospital that he loves music. He loves watching his mobile and kicks his little feet whenever we lay him down and start winding it up.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XnSAyRIwYI/TwFR0vK-3qI/AAAAAAAADCI/EYYIfqgaCFk/s1600/watchingmobile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3XnSAyRIwYI/TwFR0vK-3qI/AAAAAAAADCI/EYYIfqgaCFk/s320/watchingmobile.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He LOVES his hands, and in his first months, they were always somewhere on or near his face if he wasn't swaddled. He literally fell asleep with his hands like this one afternoon and we thought it was so funny!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSEHfkcZqtM/TwFKteNdp3I/AAAAAAAADBU/Sh71AIp2uxk/s1600/EyeglassHands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nSEHfkcZqtM/TwFKteNdp3I/AAAAAAAADBU/Sh71AIp2uxk/s320/EyeglassHands.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">His first snow in mid-October.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9Xa2DhZAn0/TwFQ-ZynEuI/AAAAAAAADBo/iSRXFtbrSFk/s1600/Hudson1stSnow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v9Xa2DhZAn0/TwFQ-ZynEuI/AAAAAAAADBo/iSRXFtbrSFk/s320/Hudson1stSnow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Our little giraffe dressed up for Halloween.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msnjNaHhqxU/TwFQ5vcHjnI/AAAAAAAADBg/dXXPfQtcGoc/s1600/Giraffe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-msnjNaHhqxU/TwFQ5vcHjnI/AAAAAAAADBg/dXXPfQtcGoc/s320/Giraffe1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gteDLR14eR8/TwFKjsy5uGI/AAAAAAAADBM/qNuxJnkBDjw/s1600/8weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gteDLR14eR8/TwFKjsy5uGI/AAAAAAAADBM/qNuxJnkBDjw/s320/8weeks.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxMzwyLcFp0/TwFRDEVp4BI/AAAAAAAADBw/G7QZGB7vobA/s1600/Hudson8weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JxMzwyLcFp0/TwFRDEVp4BI/AAAAAAAADBw/G7QZGB7vobA/s320/Hudson8weeks.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>He really enjoys his playmat and he especially loves looking at and talking to himself in his mirror. He started rolling over at 5 weeks! So, he doesn't get much tummy time because he just wants to roll over so he can play with his toys.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvjtuF5rubI/TwFRguG83GI/AAAAAAAADB4/Tc_UWBpFfMI/s1600/playmat8weeks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvjtuF5rubI/TwFRguG83GI/AAAAAAAADB4/Tc_UWBpFfMI/s320/playmat8weeks2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EiT693bnkds/TwFRoYbQrhI/AAAAAAAADCA/HKmYRNDDLdY/s1600/sleeping2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EiT693bnkds/TwFRoYbQrhI/AAAAAAAADCA/HKmYRNDDLdY/s320/sleeping2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TaDeeNgZJG4/TwFSL_86GxI/AAAAAAAADCY/n-odMaClmcs/s1600/9weeks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TaDeeNgZJG4/TwFSL_86GxI/AAAAAAAADCY/n-odMaClmcs/s320/9weeks2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sks9A7RXhGs/TwFSF4HLC7I/AAAAAAAADCQ/5H5RuRMgbuA/s1600/1stBumbo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sks9A7RXhGs/TwFSF4HLC7I/AAAAAAAADCQ/5H5RuRMgbuA/s320/1stBumbo1.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="213" /></a></div> Our first Thanksgiving as a family of 3. We have so much to be thankful for this year!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fLd7pAwlmVw/TwFSQ-TD-2I/AAAAAAAADCg/sGFss6ER5dc/s1600/FamilyThansgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fLd7pAwlmVw/TwFSQ-TD-2I/AAAAAAAADCg/sGFss6ER5dc/s320/FamilyThansgiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> We even think his pouty lip is adorable!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdNRrTEy8XE/TwFSeAwrs5I/AAAAAAAADCo/mYo8s7r0CVI/s1600/poutylip1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VdNRrTEy8XE/TwFSeAwrs5I/AAAAAAAADCo/mYo8s7r0CVI/s320/poutylip1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2DcxKO0xo0/TwFSoDd7pKI/AAAAAAAADCw/5kv2_70vgWM/s1600/rockstar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V2DcxKO0xo0/TwFSoDd7pKI/AAAAAAAADCw/5kv2_70vgWM/s320/rockstar.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-30709034052008273632011-12-25T11:56:00.001-06:002012-01-01T23:59:26.805-06:00A Very Merry ChristmasFrom our family to yours, we hope you had a very Merry Christmas!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfEJAwmjBJ0/TwFHOvxFtmI/AAAAAAAADAo/nSP-LuWeBMs/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfEJAwmjBJ0/TwFHOvxFtmI/AAAAAAAADAo/nSP-LuWeBMs/s320/Picture+1.png" width="227" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-69884144450180097142011-12-16T21:46:00.000-06:002011-12-16T21:46:21.424-06:00Food For Friday: Taco SoupAfter Hudson's birth, my friend Rachel brought us Taco Soup for dinner. We thought it was delicious, and especially in the winter, I love easy, hearty soups. When it can go into the crockpot and be ready to eat whenever we are, that is even better!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FDBwAG-JNco/TuwA41DKy9I/AAAAAAAADAY/EVoRBkgjFso/s1600/TacoSoup1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FDBwAG-JNco/TuwA41DKy9I/AAAAAAAADAY/EVoRBkgjFso/s320/TacoSoup1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><i>Ingredients: </i></div><div>3-4 chicken breasts cooked and shredded</div><div>1 can of crushed tomatoes, 14.5 oz (you could also used diced tomatoes)</div><div>1 can of low sodium chicken broth</div><div>1 can Rotel</div><div>1 can of corn (I used frozen corn and measured it with a can)</div><div>1 can of black beans</div><div>1 pkg. <span class="il">Taco Bell taco</span> seasoning</div><div>1 pkg. dry ranch</div><div><br />
</div><div><i>Garnish: </i></div><div>Shredded Monterrey Jack & Colby cheese</div><div>Tortilla Chips or Fritos</div><div><br />
</div><div><i>Directions:</i></div><div>Combine all ingredients in a crockpot. Simmer on low for 2 hours. Serve topped with shredded cheese and crumbled tortilla chips or Fritos. </div><div></div><div>You can also cook it in less time on the stovetop, if you'd rather. Combine all the ingredients in a large pot. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20-30 minutes. </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-44759149521863024832011-12-02T13:45:00.000-06:002011-12-02T13:45:45.869-06:00Food For Friday: Chicken Pad ThaiFood for Friday is finally back! I tried a new recipe this week for the first time since Hudson was born, and it got two thumbs up from both me and Truman. I had turned on an episode of <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/ten-dollar-dinners-with-melissa-darabian/index.html">Ten Dollar Dinners</a> on the Food Network one afternoon earlier this week and she was making a <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/turkey-pad-thai-recipe/index.html%20">Turkey Pad Thai</a> dish as a suggestion of how to use Thanksgiving turkey leftovers. The flavor profile of the dish sounded delicious, so I made a mental note that I wanted to look up the recipe. While I was at the grocery store that night, I spontaneously decided to pick up the ingredients she used in the dish so we could try it. But that required me recalling the ingredient list from memory. Surprisingly, despite new mom brain being in full force, I made it home with all of the ingredients I needed that weren't already in my pantry. I made a few changes to the recipe, and used chicken breast instead of turkey, since we didn't host Thanksgiving and therefore didn't have any leftover turkey! It isn't a difficult dish, but there is a lot of chopping involved, which makes it a little more time consuming. But, the end result is worth the effort and we agreed that this dish is going to be in the regular rotation at our house!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YzAzMERKYig/TtkqhFskzYI/AAAAAAAADAQ/oG_capIiX8s/s1600/Chicken+Pad+Thai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YzAzMERKYig/TtkqhFskzYI/AAAAAAAADAQ/oG_capIiX8s/s320/Chicken+Pad+Thai.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<i>Adapted from a <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/melissa-darabian/turkey-pad-thai-recipe/index.html">recipe</a> by Melissa d'Arabian on <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/ten-dollar-dinners-with-melissa-darabian/index.html">Ten Dollar Dinners</a></i><br />
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<i>Ingredients: </i><br />
1/4 cup boiling water<br />
1/4 cup brown sugar<br />
2 limes, 1 juiced and 1 cut into wedges for serving<br />
1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce (you could also substitute fish sauce, but I used soy sauce)<br />
2 tablespoons rice vinegar<br />
1 tablespoon sriracha hot sauce<br />
1 1/2 cups shredded or cubed cooked chicken breast<br />
8 ounces whole wheat linguini, broken in half<br />
2 tablespoons peanut oil<br />
1/2 yellow onion, diced<br />
3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed<br />
3 eggs, slightly beaten<br />
1 large carrot, grated<br />
1/2 cup chopped peanuts<br />
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro<br />
2 cups bean sprouts<br />
3 scallions, cut into small pieces<br />
<ul class="kv-ingred-list1"></ul><div class="instructions"><div class="instruction"><i>Directions: </i><br />
First, make the sauce. In a medium mixing bowl, pour the boiling water over the brown sugar and stir to dissolve. Add the lime juice, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sriracha and stir. Place the cooked chicken in the pad Thai sauce and let it absorb the flavors while prepping the rest of the dish.<br />
Next, prepare the pasta. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the linguine according to the time on the box. Drain, and set aside.<br />
While the pasta is boiling, work on washing and chopping the vegetables. </div>Heat the peanut oil in a wok or large saute pan over high heat until very hot, almost smoking. Add the onions and stir fry 1 minute. Add the garlic and stir, cooking until the onions are soft & translucent. Then add the eggs and cook for about 30 seconds, stirring, until the eggs are cooked through. Add the linguini, chicken with sauce, and grated carrot, and cook for a few minutes, stirring until heated through. Remove from heat and put into a large serving dish or individual bowls. Top with the bean sprouts, chopped cilantro, scallions, and peanuts. </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-80562416148732262252011-11-30T20:16:00.000-06:002011-11-30T20:16:26.552-06:00Christmas MailOne of my favorite things is real mail. Stamped, handwritten, personal notes or cards that arrive in my mailbox. And one of the many reasons that Christmas is my favorite time of the year is the joy I get from opening the mailbox each day to find Christmas cards from friends and family. Starting after Thanksgiving, I get excited when I hear our mailbox hinge squeak every afternoon and can't wait to see what cards arrived that day. I love that photo cards have become popular in recent years and enjoy displaying the festive photos of loved ones during the Christmas season. I have a project up my sleeve for a fun new way to display all of those cards this year, and I was hoping to have it finished for this post, but that was a little ambitious with a 2 month old at home! Hopefully it will be coming soon, though!<br />
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We have sent a photo Christmas card every year since we've been married, and for the first few years, I struggled to find a card design that fit the look I envisioned in my head. So we ended up designing our own cards for several years. Last year, we received several Christmas cards & birth announcements from a company called <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/">Tiny Prints</a> and I immediately fell in love with their designs. Their modern designs are exactly the style that I would design myself and the quality of their cards is fabulous. I knew that this year, I would find a favorite design from Tiny Prints for our Christmas card. <br />
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I have decided on the styling for our Christmas photo, and even purchased a cute new outfit this week for the star of our family photo this year <i>(smile)</i>, and we'll be taking our 2011 Christmas photo this coming week. I haven't made a decision yet on which card we'll pick, but I took a quick look at this season's options from Tiny Prints and here are a few of my favorites:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/product/25846/flat_holiday_photo_cards_elegant_snowfall.html"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PC3ycLWtPOI/Ttba3Ja0hrI/AAAAAAAAC_o/XXeMr4TvUNs/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/product/20534/christmas_cards_peppermint_streamers.html"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6oOf29UWuHM/TtbbIB8GbgI/AAAAAAAAC_w/8DY6OyMhhzQ/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/product/28580/christmas_cards_modest_snowflake.html"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K2P40yrqd3g/TtbbImcKZQI/AAAAAAAAC_0/2livix3oFRw/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/product/27393/flat_holiday_photo_cards_bright_merriment.html"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cD22Vn0_Ee0/TtbbJaPJyII/AAAAAAAADAE/BVuG_LY7IdQ/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/product/27547/christmas_cards_flakes_of_joy.html"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tALjLxGCtKk/TtbbJOEcA2I/AAAAAAAAC_8/hhC3uT_bbTE/s320/4.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><br />
Have you designed your Christmas card yet? You can find hundreds of fun designs and some great sales right now at <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/shop/picture-christmas-cards.htm">Tiny Prints</a>! I enjoy designing our Christmas card for friends & family just as much as I enjoy receiving them, and I am looking forward to getting started on a card to wish our loved ones a very merry Christmas this year!<br />
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<i>This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of <a href="http://www.tinyprints.com/">Tiny Prints</a>. I am really excited about this new option for photo cards and wanted to share it with you!</i>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-87616434846957282852011-09-23T01:26:00.000-05:002011-09-23T01:26:33.029-05:00He's Here!<div style="text-align: center;">Introducing....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-viefjvsNrnQ/Tnwlir7u6RI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/OjjCrI-up0U/s1600/that%2527s+my+boy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-viefjvsNrnQ/Tnwlir7u6RI/AAAAAAAAC_Q/OjjCrI-up0U/s320/that%2527s+my+boy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hudson KaiYi Lo</div><div style="text-align: center;"> Born September 12, 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;">12:20 am</div><div style="text-align: center;">7 lbs 2.5 oz</div><div style="text-align: center;">20 inches long</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTXYWzLJcD4/Tnwj4mCO2uI/AAAAAAAAC_M/S3AfTHPTeAg/s1600/Scale1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NTXYWzLJcD4/Tnwj4mCO2uI/AAAAAAAAC_M/S3AfTHPTeAg/s320/Scale1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">We are in love! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdCUWN2GJHc/TnwlrisEL_I/AAAAAAAAC_U/4ouOVrVksMk/s1600/just+the+three+of+us.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wdCUWN2GJHc/TnwlrisEL_I/AAAAAAAAC_U/4ouOVrVksMk/s320/just+the+three+of+us.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> More pictures coming soon! </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-87720240194507087982011-09-09T18:01:00.000-05:002011-09-09T18:01:16.087-05:00Hudson's Blessing Ring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6SrRYcuuFiM/TmqWHLTLY0I/AAAAAAAAC_E/p4bCb_mOy9A/s1600/BlessingRing1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6SrRYcuuFiM/TmqWHLTLY0I/AAAAAAAAC_E/p4bCb_mOy9A/s320/BlessingRing1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I first saw the idea for a Blessing Ring over a year ago on the blog <a href="http://thedavisfamilynwa.blogspot.com/2010/04/blessing-ring.html">Bless Our Nest</a>. Shannon made one for her son and I thought it was such a sweet keepsake for saving all of the cards you receive during pregnancy and after the baby is born to celebrate your little one's new life. I bookmarked the idea to remember it for when we started our own family. I will add all of the cards that Hudson receives throughout his first year of life. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sAowK_vsAg/TmqWVyktp3I/AAAAAAAAC_I/KQXHiKrXSzw/s1600/BlessingRing2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_sAowK_vsAg/TmqWVyktp3I/AAAAAAAAC_I/KQXHiKrXSzw/s320/BlessingRing2.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It is a super easy project and only requires a few supplies! The ring is actually a silver necklace that I bought in the jewelry supply aisle at Hobby Lobby for less than $2.00 on sale. It comes in a cardboard and cellophane package. Make sure to get the type of necklace that is sturdy and holds its shape in a circle when it is clasped. Mine just has a U shaped hook on both ends that hook together to keep it closed, (no clasp) which makes it easier to add the cards. You also need 3-4 different ribbons in colors and patterns that you like or that match your nursery. You will simply cut lengths of ribbon as long as you like (I wanted mine to hang out beneath the cards 6-8 inches) and tie them onto the necklace with a simple knot, leaving a 2 inch tail at the top. Use a hole punch to punch a hole in the top left corner of each of your cards. Tie a ribbon onto the necklace, add several cards, then add another ribbon, repeating until you've added all of your cards. An optional step, that I did because I don't want the ends of my ribbons to fray over time where they were cut, is to add a drop of Fray Check to the ends of each ribbon. You can find Fray Check at any craft store in the sewing supply section. They even carry it at Walmart.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I love that just glancing at the Blessing Ring is a reminder to you and your child of how much they are loved and how many people are praying for them! </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-86636024017513212262011-09-08T17:06:00.001-05:002011-09-08T17:06:00.349-05:00PBK Transportation Art: My Version<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd7TFSQOoXY/TmL8aFgSe_I/AAAAAAAAC-E/9ojXMVAHIO0/s1600/transportationart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hd7TFSQOoXY/TmL8aFgSe_I/AAAAAAAAC-E/9ojXMVAHIO0/s320/transportationart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>When I first saw this <a href="http://www.potterybarnkids.com/products/transportation-art/popup/more-views.html">artwork</a> in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog, it immediately caught my eye, and I found it online to add to my <a href="http://pinterest.com/amberlo13/">Pinterest</a> nursery idea board. Their version is $207 for all 3 canvases. I would never spend that for nursery artwork. Definitely not in our budget! When we found out Hudson was a boy, I knew that I wanted to create a version of these canvases for his nursery.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QV_d6sndRdg/TmgwpJgPiKI/AAAAAAAAC-s/9TiyDX7rS54/s1600/PBKart1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QV_d6sndRdg/TmgwpJgPiKI/AAAAAAAAC-s/9TiyDX7rS54/s320/PBKart1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dbi2WH3BZ3M/TmgxKhCXm4I/AAAAAAAAC-4/qkrhJQPJ0_I/s1600/PBKplane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dbi2WH3BZ3M/TmgxKhCXm4I/AAAAAAAAC-4/qkrhJQPJ0_I/s320/PBKplane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11n-DbVk1XI/TmgxXLo91JI/AAAAAAAAC-8/aR7GC1vF9Rs/s1600/PBKtruck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-11n-DbVk1XI/TmgxXLo91JI/AAAAAAAAC-8/aR7GC1vF9Rs/s320/PBKtruck.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcdK6r_dfuk/Tmgw_f4soOI/AAAAAAAAC-0/kB1UGsDFDdw/s1600/PBKboat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gcdK6r_dfuk/Tmgw_f4soOI/AAAAAAAAC-0/kB1UGsDFDdw/s320/PBKboat.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>Truman used Photoshop to create the shapes in files that my Silhouette craft cutter could cut. I found an assortment of scrapbook paper in the colors I wanted to incorporate into the nursery and patterns that worked with the vintage theme. The canvases were purchased in a value pack at Michael's with a 40% off coupon. I used the font Minion Pro to cut the letters out of scrapbook paper as well. Each canvas was painted with a coat of white acrylic paint, then I used very watered down Burnt Umber acrylic paint and a foam brush to "age" them. I brushed on the watered down Burnt Umber paint, let it sit for a minute, then used a paper towel to dab and brush the liquid off and blend the edges. I did a second layer of "aging" with the same process in the areas that I wanted to be darker. After the canvases were painted, I used Mod Podge just on the back of each letter and shape to affix them to the canvas, being sure to smooth out any bubbles from the scrapbook paper.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XR2NxAfTE-c/TmgwzbwvItI/AAAAAAAAC-w/C4ZDvWnUn20/s1600/PBKart2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XR2NxAfTE-c/TmgwzbwvItI/AAAAAAAAC-w/C4ZDvWnUn20/s320/PBKart2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>My version came in at just over $10 for all 3 canvases! I like my price a LOT better! And I love that I was able to create the pieces in colors that coordinated with our nursery. Here are the two side by side:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmhlGd-CV6Y/TmgzmZ1pGdI/AAAAAAAAC_A/3fHpF1fpBow/s1600/transportationartsidebyside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AmhlGd-CV6Y/TmgzmZ1pGdI/AAAAAAAAC_A/3fHpF1fpBow/s320/transportationartsidebyside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I am so happy with how they turned out!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-36933618200425564102011-09-07T15:17:00.001-05:002011-10-13T21:21:38.816-05:00Nursery Progress: Refinished Dresser/Changing TableI've gotten a few messages checking in on me since it's been awhile between my posts! (It's nice to know I've been missed. Thanks, blog friends!) I'm here! And I have lots of updates to catch up on. I am just one week away from my due date and we have been busy preparing for Hudson's arrival. In the last few weeks we've made a lot of progress in the nursery and it is almost completely finished. I have a bunch of photos of nursery projects ready to post, so hopefully I'll be posting lots of updates from the couch in the next week (or maybe 2) while I wait for Hudson to make his appearance!<br />
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I knew the exact style that I wanted for Hudson's dresser/changing table and I wanted to refinish a piece with a painted vintage finish rather than purchase something new. We scored this dresser for cheap on Craigslist and while it was very worn and beat up with lots of nicks and scratches, it was sturdy, solid wood, had a nice shape, and was the perfect size to fit on the wall where we wanted to put it in the nursery. Here's the dresser before:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_1Q8DIWEdk/TmfIpm-2c4I/AAAAAAAAC-I/5qUHoFJ2Kg0/s1600/_MG_5809_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O_1Q8DIWEdk/TmfIpm-2c4I/AAAAAAAAC-I/5qUHoFJ2Kg0/s320/_MG_5809_2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QnH6e2NXVM/TmfIweLyZHI/AAAAAAAAC-M/kkr6evs0ZwM/s1600/_MG_5813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QnH6e2NXVM/TmfIweLyZHI/AAAAAAAAC-M/kkr6evs0ZwM/s320/_MG_5813.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>And after!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3MnJeDIIxtM/TmfI96Zr8KI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/6C0reOrX5To/s1600/FinishedDresser1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3MnJeDIIxtM/TmfI96Zr8KI/AAAAAAAAC-Q/6C0reOrX5To/s320/FinishedDresser1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqIbJ0Jl1h0/TmfJaduAKjI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/RD9shneKwdk/s1600/FinishedDresser3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HqIbJ0Jl1h0/TmfJaduAKjI/AAAAAAAAC-Y/RD9shneKwdk/s320/FinishedDresser3.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am thrilled with how it turned out! Hudson's daddy worked SO hard sanding, filling in the large scratches and nicks with wood filler, and painting....all jobs that I usually do when we refinish a piece of furniture. They are far from Truman's favorite tasks, but it was a labor of love, and he did an awesome job! I distressed the paint and added the glaze...wearing a mask, of course! </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WD8OXF0FWDY/TmfJMTS-ZKI/AAAAAAAAC-U/MhEiquQqh4s/s1600/FinishedDresser2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WD8OXF0FWDY/TmfJMTS-ZKI/AAAAAAAAC-U/MhEiquQqh4s/s320/FinishedDresser2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4h1X3mzU50/TmfJkzkZLpI/AAAAAAAAC-c/R8rhjLl9jCM/s1600/FinishedDresser4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4h1X3mzU50/TmfJkzkZLpI/AAAAAAAAC-c/R8rhjLl9jCM/s320/FinishedDresser4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClpHrBjj8Do/TmfJpkXIFiI/AAAAAAAAC-g/v4qEADwKw-A/s1600/FinishedDresser5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ClpHrBjj8Do/TmfJpkXIFiI/AAAAAAAAC-g/v4qEADwKw-A/s320/FinishedDresser5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We used Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint plus primer in an eggshell finish in the color Eminence to paint the dresser and Ralph Lauren glaze in Tea Stain. This was my first time using the Ralph Lauren glaze that I've read so much about on different blogs and I completely understood all the buzz! It is super easy to work with. I brushed it on with a Purdy brush in small areas, then used a damp rag to wipe it off, allowing it to stay in the cracks and crevices and leaving some aging on the edges and corners as well. Home Depot no longer carries the Ralph Lauren glaze, but RL does still make it, so I would recommend checking with a specialty local paint shop if you are trying to find it. In the Denver area, <a href="http://www.guirys.com/">Guiry's</a> carries it. We kept the original hardware from the dresser and spray painted it with Rustoleum's Heirloom White, then I used the same RL glaze on top of the spray paint to age it and make it less shiny & new. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1CtQC30PuA/TmfQ5H3VSGI/AAAAAAAAC-k/If3kmLrIBtg/s1600/P8111358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c1CtQC30PuA/TmfQ5H3VSGI/AAAAAAAAC-k/If3kmLrIBtg/s320/P8111358.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I'm not going to post an actual tutorial because there are awesome ones already out there that do a fabulous job of explaining the techniques that I used. Check out the <a href="http://altard.com/how-to-guides/">e-book "Paint Your Furniture</a>" from <a href="http://altard.com/">Altar'd</a> for lots of great hints & how-to's for painting furniture. <a href="http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/2010/03/glazing-furniture-101.html">All Things Thrifty</a> has a great explanation of how to use the Ralph Lauren glaze that you can find <a href="http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/2010/03/glazing-furniture-101.html">here</a>. And feel free to e-mail me with any other specific questions!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.altard.com/"> <img alt="Altar'd Furniture Creations Blog" height="125" src="http://altard.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/mm-wordpress-button.png" width="125" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-46824771083064723582011-08-04T10:50:00.001-05:002011-08-05T12:02:56.759-05:00Showered with Love in TexasDuring our visit to Texas, we also had our first baby shower! Hudson was showered with love, and some pretty cute gifts too! It was a blessing to be able to celebrate his life with friends and family that we don't get to see often enough.<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">The mama-to-be on shower day! 25 weeks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Jo_1xYF8YA/Th4lbE6MALI/AAAAAAAAC88/5NPQPB08CHU/s1600/MeShowerDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Jo_1xYF8YA/Th4lbE6MALI/AAAAAAAAC88/5NPQPB08CHU/s320/MeShowerDay.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPZ8xODm3e8/Th4li8RyXpI/AAAAAAAAC9A/8gDND-UDFXs/s1600/MeShowerDay2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BPZ8xODm3e8/Th4li8RyXpI/AAAAAAAAC9A/8gDND-UDFXs/s320/MeShowerDay2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>All of the guests who came to celebrate with us!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6LSfgB0-uY/Th4lGPP0UtI/AAAAAAAAC8w/fsOGlVDBPUU/s1600/GroupHoustonShower.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-C6LSfgB0-uY/Th4lGPP0UtI/AAAAAAAAC8w/fsOGlVDBPUU/s320/GroupHoustonShower.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Cute onesie decorations...<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khYJmBc4Ogc/Th4lNuJi7LI/AAAAAAAAC80/BBSdmjdekpk/s1600/HangingSocks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-khYJmBc4Ogc/Th4lNuJi7LI/AAAAAAAAC80/BBSdmjdekpk/s320/HangingSocks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVrekr1tT2M/Th4lyxoJvjI/AAAAAAAAC9I/oSC4V5VhAFU/s1600/OnesiesHanging.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bVrekr1tT2M/Th4lyxoJvjI/AAAAAAAAC9I/oSC4V5VhAFU/s320/OnesiesHanging.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The sweet blue & green train themed plates and napkins...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGBe9fFfg4k/Th4mPXBnodI/AAAAAAAAC9c/nYEycfpo0T8/s1600/plates.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YGBe9fFfg4k/Th4mPXBnodI/AAAAAAAAC9c/nYEycfpo0T8/s320/plates.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYbq2U1BBpU/Th4loUcBxkI/AAAAAAAAC9E/povsgPB-NEQ/s1600/napkins.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MYbq2U1BBpU/Th4loUcBxkI/AAAAAAAAC9E/povsgPB-NEQ/s320/napkins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A delicious cupcake cake! They had a train track set up around the cake table...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spoHq_FKG3A/Th4kDzUZYtI/AAAAAAAAC8M/0MtFsPZva_U/s1600/Cake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-spoHq_FKG3A/Th4kDzUZYtI/AAAAAAAAC8M/0MtFsPZva_U/s320/Cake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6brT5uc4XU/Th4kNVj8KhI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/B5jlseHpyWc/s1600/CakeTable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b6brT5uc4XU/Th4kNVj8KhI/AAAAAAAAC8Q/B5jlseHpyWc/s320/CakeTable.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t54lkDeed_c/Th4mcsBElII/AAAAAAAAC9k/Q6pDUAnSuOE/s1600/Train.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t54lkDeed_c/Th4mcsBElII/AAAAAAAAC9k/Q6pDUAnSuOE/s320/Train.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>Fun little baby booty favors filled my favorite, chocolate!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shXegVK5Ru8/Th4k8MERjhI/AAAAAAAAC8o/_rSjnBK52-I/s1600/Favors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-shXegVK5Ru8/Th4k8MERjhI/AAAAAAAAC8o/_rSjnBK52-I/s320/Favors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We played a memory game with a tray full of baby items...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--I8u9H_gv1g/Th4j5jAKISI/AAAAAAAAC8I/lfiDQpoBzzk/s1600/BabyItemsTray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--I8u9H_gv1g/Th4j5jAKISI/AAAAAAAAC8I/lfiDQpoBzzk/s320/BabyItemsTray.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICqyU6OFwYs/Th4mmSSaCoI/AAAAAAAAC9o/AkeUwFFxwOs/s1600/TrayGameGroup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ICqyU6OFwYs/Th4mmSSaCoI/AAAAAAAAC9o/AkeUwFFxwOs/s320/TrayGameGroup.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Everyone decorated onesies for our little guy... (they had some really cute ideas!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vTdAokiSF2w/Th4kihGOXYI/AAAAAAAAC8c/SHKfXXgHpiE/s1600/DecoratingOnesies1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vTdAokiSF2w/Th4kihGOXYI/AAAAAAAAC8c/SHKfXXgHpiE/s320/DecoratingOnesies1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFjFpwJX0zE/Th4k0-b-IDI/AAAAAAAAC8k/dMr35bvBRh0/s1600/DecoratingOnesies3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFjFpwJX0zE/Th4k0-b-IDI/AAAAAAAAC8k/dMr35bvBRh0/s320/DecoratingOnesies3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0dxYXe99TlE/Th4krH8ZxdI/AAAAAAAAC8g/Ry1TPFT0Mn4/s1600/DecoratingOnesies2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0dxYXe99TlE/Th4krH8ZxdI/AAAAAAAAC8g/Ry1TPFT0Mn4/s320/DecoratingOnesies2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And I opened some adorable gifts for baby Lo! It is fun to think that in just over 2 months, he is going to be wearing these cute little outfits...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7kUiA78MFM/Th4l3OEqpLI/AAAAAAAAC9M/NZDvjhYOkdY/s1600/OpeningGifts1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R7kUiA78MFM/Th4l3OEqpLI/AAAAAAAAC9M/NZDvjhYOkdY/s320/OpeningGifts1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATubNEzo8kk/Th4l8od2OhI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/yhOLvQdXkyI/s1600/OpeningGifts2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ATubNEzo8kk/Th4l8od2OhI/AAAAAAAAC9Q/yhOLvQdXkyI/s320/OpeningGifts2.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t03t1E67OHc/Th4mEwqfnZI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/5LrXoeijmXg/s1600/OpeningGifts4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t03t1E67OHc/Th4mEwqfnZI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/5LrXoeijmXg/s320/OpeningGifts4.jpg" width="213" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">He even got a tiny fleece perfect for our Colorado native baby. His daddy was super excited about his first outdoor "gear!" I think there will be lots of outdoor adventures, hikes & camping trips in their future...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FstGzqhhQm8/Th4mBK3r_AI/AAAAAAAAC9U/uBYZp_Xg4Dg/s1600/OpeningGifts3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FstGzqhhQm8/Th4mBK3r_AI/AAAAAAAAC9U/uBYZp_Xg4Dg/s320/OpeningGifts3.jpg" width="213" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With the hostesses, Truman's cousins, Cynthia & Emily, and his mom.... <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t03t1E67OHc/Th4mEwqfnZI/AAAAAAAAC9Y/5LrXoeijmXg/s1600/OpeningGifts4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5g6jf0QmTtA/Th4lU-Ez97I/AAAAAAAAC84/rLMCKpsHI2Q/s1600/Hostesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5g6jf0QmTtA/Th4lU-Ez97I/AAAAAAAAC84/rLMCKpsHI2Q/s320/Hostesses.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And two of the students I discipled in Texas with our college ministry at UT, Rachel and Joy. It was so special to me to get to visit with them. It was also the first baby shower they've attended!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_0kHAriSYg/Th4mWP1L3EI/AAAAAAAAC9g/_6tbneVb2KA/s1600/RachelJoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-F_0kHAriSYg/Th4mWP1L3EI/AAAAAAAAC9g/_6tbneVb2KA/s320/RachelJoy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We were so thankful to be able to celebrate our little blessing with our friends & family in Texas. We are excited for everyone to meet him! Thank you for showering us, and baby Hudson, with love!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-36493095659911493382011-08-01T12:28:00.000-05:002011-08-01T12:28:43.446-05:00Our Little Guy's Name...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQE3HXaD9Gk/TjbgvcLp7KI/AAAAAAAAC98/cxl2JPE4gn0/s1600/Hudson2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SQE3HXaD9Gk/TjbgvcLp7KI/AAAAAAAAC98/cxl2JPE4gn0/s320/Hudson2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Hudson, we are so excited to meet you! We can't believe that you will be here in just 6 weeks (or so!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JGIn-SUh_8/Tjbg18_cN7I/AAAAAAAAC-A/9b8uGkDgyrY/s1600/Hudson4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9JGIn-SUh_8/Tjbg18_cN7I/AAAAAAAAC-A/9b8uGkDgyrY/s320/Hudson4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-14606583954114147312011-07-24T22:52:00.001-05:002011-07-24T22:55:14.525-05:00Hydrangea LoveI shared back in April that my mom had gotten me 2 hydrangea plants for my birthday. Hydrangeas are one of my absolute favorite flowers. We had them in our wedding. I love the beautiful, huge blooms and how even just one bloom looks beautiful & full in a small vase. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IENpPtdSuWM/TizlciWgR3I/AAAAAAAAC94/gMHxrKNIGY8/s1600/Hydrangea2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IENpPtdSuWM/TizlciWgR3I/AAAAAAAAC94/gMHxrKNIGY8/s320/Hydrangea2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>This plant had major transplant shock after we planted it (and I'm sure the fact that we had a couple of late snows didn't help!) Its leaves turned brown and it was looking sad and small next to the other plant of a different variety that fared much better. But, in the last few weeks, after a nervous call to the nursery by me earlier this spring (during which they assured me it wouldn't die even if the whole plant turned brown) and lots of care & watering by Truman, tons of new bright green leaves popped out and it began to look much healthier. Last week, my little hydrangea plant bloomed and I had such joy in my heart to see this single beautiful bloom! I had to take a photo to document it. There are lots of other buds growing, so I am hopeful that there will be many more blooms before the summer is over.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-32898410148791259022011-07-22T22:41:00.001-05:002011-07-22T22:43:37.898-05:00Food For Friday: Pizza BitesI first heard about this <a href="http://annies-eats.net/2010/02/01/pizza-bites/">recipe</a> for <a href="http://annies-eats.net/2010/02/01/pizza-bites/">Pizza Bites</a> from my friend Wendy. She said they were delicious and I added them to our list of recipes to try. Mine didn't turn out as picture perfect as Annie's Eats did, but they were definitely delicious. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyDnLMdrk4E/Tio8f_K_FeI/AAAAAAAAC9s/Dlm2V_RSgGk/s1600/PizzaBites2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZyDnLMdrk4E/Tio8f_K_FeI/AAAAAAAAC9s/Dlm2V_RSgGk/s320/PizzaBites2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>These would make a great appetizer if you are entertaining or to take to a party, but we ate them for dinner as a modified "pizza." I served them with a side of spicy pesto spaghetti sauce for dipping.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3vIxn4Vckk/Tio8naYCEaI/AAAAAAAAC9w/zpG3ytEMKwg/s1600/PizzaBites3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b3vIxn4Vckk/Tio8naYCEaI/AAAAAAAAC9w/zpG3ytEMKwg/s320/PizzaBites3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I followed Annie's Eats <a href="http://annies-eats.net/2010/02/01/pizza-bites/%20">recipe</a> except that I used this same night pizza dough from the <i>Barefoot Contessa's Back to Basics</i> cookbook because it didn't require as long to rise and I didn't have any bread dough on hand. You only need half of the dough to make 24 pizza bites.<br />
<br />
<i>Ingredients:</i><br />
1 1/4 cups warm water<br />
2 packages dry yeast<br />
1 tablespoon honey<br />
3 tablespoons olive oil<br />
4 cups all-purpose flour (I use unbleached), plus extra for kneading<br />
2 teaspoons Kosher salt<br />
<br />
<i>Directions:</i><br />
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine the water, yeast, honey, and olive oil. When the yeast is dissolved, add 3 cups of flour and the 2 teaspoons of Kosher salt, and mix on medium-low speed. While mixing, add in 1 additional cup of flour so a soft dough forms. Mix on medium-low speed for 10 minutes. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface, sprinkle the top with a little bit of flour, and knead it by hand a dozen times. It should be firm, but smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a well-oiled bowl (I use olive oil) and turn the dough over to cover it lightly with oil. Cover the bowl with a kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 30 minutes. Dough is ready to be used after 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
Note: This recipe will make 2 large or 6 small pizzas. Use half a batch of dough for 24 Pizza Bites. Leftover dough can be stored in a ziploc bag in the refrigerator for several days.<br />
<span style="color: #222222;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 20px;"><i style="border-width: 0px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline-width: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span></i></span></i></span><span style="color: #222222;"><i><span style="font-style: normal; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></i></span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjajwxvbZNo/Tio8q05pIuI/AAAAAAAAC90/sVV2GaIfIEs/s1600/PizzaBites4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fjajwxvbZNo/Tio8q05pIuI/AAAAAAAAC90/sVV2GaIfIEs/s320/PizzaBites4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>The only other ways I deviated from the original <a href="http://annies-eats.net/2010/02/01/pizza-bites/">recipe</a>: <br />
I baked our Pizza Bites in a square 8 inch pan instead of a pie pan because it was clean and already out. I was going for fast and easy!<br />
I used fresh mozzarella cheese cut into 1 inch-ish cubes. I made half of our Pizza Bites with cheese only for me, and half with pepperoni for the hubs.<br />
I grated fresh parmesan cheese on the top before baking. <br />
<br />
One other thing to note, if you don't get the dough totally sealed around the cheese, or you stretch a tiny hole in the piece of dough as you are wrapping the bites, the cheese will ooze out during baking. I think this is especially true if you use fresh mozzarella like I did because it is softer and has more moisture in it than already cubed part skim mozzarella. They still tasted great and the little bit of oozed out cheese didn't bother me!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-82242081281746627892011-07-13T17:59:00.000-05:002011-07-13T17:59:39.934-05:00A Visit to Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N5S8zt4gl0Q/Th4b0mrEPJI/AAAAAAAAC78/qK31NrO97m0/s1600/MarcusJocelin.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-N5S8zt4gl0Q/Th4b0mrEPJI/AAAAAAAAC78/qK31NrO97m0/s320/MarcusJocelin.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>It has been two years since we relocated to Denver from Austin, and we hadn't been back to Austin to visit since our move. It had also been almost a year and a half since we'd been back to Houston to visit Truman's family, and our friends & ministry partners that live there. We decided that we should make a trip back before Little Lo's arrival, and in early June, we headed back to Texas for a whirlwind visit to both Austin and Houston. We got our fill of delicious Tex Mex, which is hard to come by in Colorado, including our favorites, Chuy's and Lupe Tortilla. Truman got his fill of authentic Chinese food from Houston's Chinatown, which he looks forward to on any visit back to Texas. We got to spend time catching up with a lot of friends, visit several churches that support us in ministry, and visit with some of our ministry partners.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AH66iCIMsC8/Th4b8o5TDlI/AAAAAAAAC8E/aP1yAr56gWc/s1600/WeylinRach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cNs4STK13EY/Th4btv_1lQI/AAAAAAAAC74/CboV2PBN7hA/s320/LeslieOliver.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are usually terrible about taking photos with friends that we see during our visits back to Texas, so I made a goal to be more intentional about getting pictures with everyone this trip. We weren't 100% successful, and we forgot to take a picture with several fun friends that we got to spend time with, but we did better than in the past! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AH66iCIMsC8/Th4b8o5TDlI/AAAAAAAAC8E/aP1yAr56gWc/s1600/WeylinRach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AH66iCIMsC8/Th4b8o5TDlI/AAAAAAAAC8E/aP1yAr56gWc/s320/WeylinRach.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The children of our friends are the biggest reminder of how long it's been since our last visit....they grow and change so quickly and several of our friends have kids that are now at least a year old who we hadn't yet gotten to meet! It's fun to think that on our next trip back to Truman's home state, we'll be introducing everyone to our son!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRVIVyorVTU/Th4b4D7YbBI/AAAAAAAAC8A/Ik4LBrAoM-o/s1600/SimonFaye.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRVIVyorVTU/Th4b4D7YbBI/AAAAAAAAC8A/Ik4LBrAoM-o/s320/SimonFaye.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-89005081090217186372011-07-10T15:03:00.000-05:002011-07-10T15:03:46.535-05:00We're an Aunt & Uncle!In March, Truman's sister & brother-in-law, Carita & Dennis, adopted a precious baby boy. We finally had the chance to meet sweet Jacob during our visit to Texas last month, when he was about 2.5 months old! We are absolutely in love with him. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taNTxA4yNSo/ThepOmyoi0I/AAAAAAAAC7g/jHr_R2N10b8/s1600/UsJacob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-taNTxA4yNSo/ThepOmyoi0I/AAAAAAAAC7g/jHr_R2N10b8/s320/UsJacob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jacob becoming a part of our family was a joyous miracle, and a huge answer to many, many prayers after a nearly decade long struggle with infertility for Dennis & Carita. I am not even going to attempt to share their journey or the story of Jacob's adoption, but Dennis shares it beautifully in a series of a blog posts that he wrote shortly after they brought Jacob home. You can read their story here:<br />
<a href="http://adoptedchen.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/it-all-began-part-1/">Part 1</a><br />
<a href="http://adoptedchen.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/are-we-interested-part-2/">Part 2</a><br />
<a href="http://adoptedchen.wordpress.com/2011/03/28/broken-promise-part-3/">Part 3</a><br />
<a href="http://adoptedchen.wordpress.com/2011/04/01/homecoming/">Part 4</a><br />
You might want to have some tissues handy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8XhI8uYolc4/TheplAxU0vI/AAAAAAAAC7k/mGoeuOwUPIo/s1600/UsJacobDC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8XhI8uYolc4/TheplAxU0vI/AAAAAAAAC7k/mGoeuOwUPIo/s320/UsJacobDC.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jacob seriously couldn't be any more adorable! Even his fabulous extra chubby, squeezable thighs are perfect. And they have seriously gotten even chubbier since we took these pictures last month.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ1m1IOBbUM/TheqMdYditI/AAAAAAAAC7o/zV6OMZ2rNCw/s1600/JacobAsleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HJ1m1IOBbUM/TheqMdYditI/AAAAAAAAC7o/zV6OMZ2rNCw/s320/JacobAsleep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t22eeiHKNZo/TheqacCnxEI/AAAAAAAAC7s/57ae4obCC1o/s1600/JacobThigh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t22eeiHKNZo/TheqacCnxEI/AAAAAAAAC7s/57ae4obCC1o/s320/JacobThigh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>When we found out that we were having a son, shortly after Dennis & Carita adopted Jacob, Truman was extra excited because the cousins will only be 6 months apart in age. We hope they'll have lots of fun memories together, especially with both of them being boys and being so close in age!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQN5qiajanY/TherCQsX8gI/AAAAAAAAC7w/BBZlsWAg-Ok/s1600/TruJacob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQN5qiajanY/TherCQsX8gI/AAAAAAAAC7w/BBZlsWAg-Ok/s320/TruJacob.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ-jQ71lYx8/TherJDmMILI/AAAAAAAAC70/tgyeaE0lSfc/s1600/MeJacob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tJ-jQ71lYx8/TherJDmMILI/AAAAAAAAC70/tgyeaE0lSfc/s320/MeJacob.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Jacob is already so loved! And his Uncle Truman and Aunt Amber are big fans!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-72329938212218370632011-07-07T23:09:00.000-05:002011-07-08T01:10:39.160-05:00Nursery Progress: Board & BattenWith just 10 weeks to go until my due date, we are in full preparation mode for Little Lo. We are making progress in decorating the nursery! We picked up our crib tonight, the bedding arrived earlier this week, I ordered extra fabric with the bedding to sew curtains this weekend, I bought a mobile off of Craigslist yesterday, and I have collected a pile of supplies to create some art for the room. I am so excited to see it all come together!<br />
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After moving my craft room to the basement & emptying out the future nursery, our first step was to install board and batten. Here are a few before photos of the room:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3AbBr9gfkE/ThaK8fL8QzI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/vt6ODNxmcro/s1600/Before1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X3AbBr9gfkE/ThaK8fL8QzI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/vt6ODNxmcro/s320/Before1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CURnxvJTKtY/ThaLCMm-yMI/AAAAAAAAC6c/FkmJGdpbiBs/s1600/Before2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CURnxvJTKtY/ThaLCMm-yMI/AAAAAAAAC6c/FkmJGdpbiBs/s320/Before2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>And after with the board & batten all finished!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRuoy0ir6ig/ThaO34xqqOI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/DZ1tJ5QzRNI/s1600/BB1WN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RRuoy0ir6ig/ThaO34xqqOI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/DZ1tJ5QzRNI/s320/BB1WN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptjW4kY2P3Y/ThaLLjSdCeI/AAAAAAAAC6k/ZN7O-uoI984/s1600/BB2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ptjW4kY2P3Y/ThaLLjSdCeI/AAAAAAAAC6k/ZN7O-uoI984/s320/BB2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3VyCIFiJpE/ThaLPg4O2BI/AAAAAAAAC6o/2Zj5gezD61A/s1600/BB3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z3VyCIFiJpE/ThaLPg4O2BI/AAAAAAAAC6o/2Zj5gezD61A/s320/BB3.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are so happy with how it turned out! Adding the board & batten gave the room a lot more character, makes it feel lighter & brighter, and the finished trim work turned out exactly as I had envisioned it in my head. (Don't you love it when that happens?!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6nnVqzOj3Ug/ThaLV1pdc1I/AAAAAAAAC6s/-hgv58vTDcg/s1600/Tru+painting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6nnVqzOj3Ug/ThaLV1pdc1I/AAAAAAAAC6s/-hgv58vTDcg/s320/Tru+painting.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>You will notice that I am absent from all of the "action" photos of the board & batten progress. That is because I didn't do any of the work! I helped to decide on the logistics of the project and brainstorm some ideas and "assisted" briefly a couple of times when Tru needed an extra set of hands to hold the longer horizontal pieces while he nailed them in, but otherwise, he completed this project entirely on his own over a couple of weekends and several evenings. He did an awesome job! He got a new tool (a nail gun) as a part of the job.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XkEny463ebQ/ThaLclmTdOI/AAAAAAAAC6w/nZni8YUzaqQ/s1600/Tru+painting+boards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XkEny463ebQ/ThaLclmTdOI/AAAAAAAAC6w/nZni8YUzaqQ/s320/Tru+painting+boards.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">For those of you who might be interested in installing board & batten as well, I am not going to write a complete step-by-step tutorial because there are already some detailed & very helpful ones out there. So, I will share the tutorials with you that we found the most helpful, and then just share some of the specific details of how we decided to execute the project in our space. We found <a href="http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-board-and-batten.html">this tutorial</a> from It's The Little Things incredibly helpful. Kimba also shares some valuable hints in her <a href="http://asoftplace.net/2009/09/board-and-batten-a-tutorial/">tutorial</a> on A Soft Place To Land.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fP7IBuLmTMs/ThaLkgDezlI/AAAAAAAAC60/WnhMsM8wTIA/s1600/painted+boards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fP7IBuLmTMs/ThaLkgDezlI/AAAAAAAAC60/WnhMsM8wTIA/s320/painted+boards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We used 1/2 inch MDF, which we purchased in sheets from Home Depot. We had them cut the sheets into strips for us. We lucked out because we were there on Father's Day evening and it wasn't busy so they were willing to take the time to make the cuts for us....all 30ish of them. If they are busy, they will be hesitant to make that many cuts and tie up the saw, so if you are hoping they will cut the strips for you, I would recommend going at an "off time" when they won't be as busy to increase your chances!<br />
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There are several different ways that I've seen people deal with their existing woodwork at the bottom, from leaving the overhang of the wider MDF where it meets their baseboards to cutting the bottom of each vertical strip up at an angle to make it thinner where it meets the baseboard, to ripping out the baseboard and replacing it with MDF strips to match. As we looked at our situation and our particular baseboard, we opted to do something I haven't seen done on any other tutorials. Our baseboards are significantly narrowed at the top, so we opted to cut the bottom of each board at a 45 degree angle, with the point facing down, so that the point of each strip would overlap the top of our baseboard just a little bit. (I forgot to take a close up photo of this, but will try to add one soon.)<br />
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We made our thicker horizontal strip around the top 3.5 inches wide and the vertical strips 2 inches wide. We spaced 12-13 inches between each strip. Unless you have long one really long wall, you will visually not be able to tell if they aren't all exactly the same width apart. Deviating a little bit will help you to avoid obstacles in the room like light switches, outlets, and vents so you don't have start and stop your trip pieces above and below them. We started with a tricky spot, under the window where the vent was, and then worked out from there (as recommended by the <a href="http://itsthelittlethingsthatmakeahouseahome.blogspot.com/2009/02/how-to-board-and-batten.html">tutorial</a> on It's The Little Things.) We then measured out from those first 2 vertical strips, and used painters tape to hold the tops of the strips in place while we moved around the room and adjusted the spacing until we had all of the strips where we wanted them. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXYUO0E-OxQ/ThaLr0kPt7I/AAAAAAAAC64/kigYVa0zJw0/s1600/taped+boards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pXYUO0E-OxQ/ThaLr0kPt7I/AAAAAAAAC64/kigYVa0zJw0/s320/taped+boards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We would highly recommend installing in this order:<br />
1. Mark off your walls with a pencil all the way around the room where you want the board and batten to stop, and then paint your walls white up to that mark. (We marked approximately the middle of where the horizontal strips would hang so we could be sure that those boards would cover our paint line.)<br />
2. Prime the top and sides of each strip of plain MDF with Kilz, then paint each one with two coats of white paint. We used Behr Plus Primer from Home Depot and had them custom color match the paint to the color that was on our woodwork when we moved in. It will be SO much easier to paint the strips with their initial coats of paint before they are on the wall, then you can apply just one coat after they are hung and you have filled your nail holes! <br />
3. Hang the horizontal strips first, being sure to use a level to make sure they are straight.<br />
4. Plan the spacing & placement of each vertical strip, and use a pencil to mark both sides of the strip onto the wall in the spot where you are going to hang each. You won't see your pencil marks after you caulk and paint the final coat.<br />
5. Hang the vertical strips. You will want to use a level to make sure these are also straight.<br />
6. Use paintable caulk to caulk along both sides of each vertical strip, which will fill in the seams and give it a much more finished look! Make sure to use paintable caulk! Thrifty Decor Chick gives a helpful <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2011/06/caulk-and-spackle-my-bffs.html">tutorial</a> on caulking & spackling if it is new to you.<br />
7. Fill the nail holes with spackle and sand down when dry.<br />
8. Apply 1 additional coat of paint to all the strips to cover the caulk & nail holes. Truman rolled the flat tops of the strips, then used a brush to paint the sides of the strips as he went along. After you've given one additional coat to all of the strips, you can touch up as needed if spackle is still showing through in some spots.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfs9R5aDjX4/ThaLy6Zpi3I/AAAAAAAAC68/tF_POT_gI7s/s1600/Tru+nailing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pfs9R5aDjX4/ThaLy6Zpi3I/AAAAAAAAC68/tF_POT_gI7s/s320/Tru+nailing.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Those are our hints & tips after installing board & batten and doing lots of research to decide how we were going to go about it. It isn't necessarily a difficult project, but it is tedious. But, it was definitely worth the effort (and Tru agrees too!)<br />
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I am excited to share the other projects & details of the nursery as it comes together over the next month or so! I am even more excited to have a finished room all ready for our little guy's arrival!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-2210431296328072692011-07-04T14:04:00.000-05:002011-07-04T14:04:30.607-05:00Happy 4th of July!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vLF_AUsnYSU/ThIJY902pHI/AAAAAAAAC5c/9kwSBuLl-GQ/s1600/Fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vLF_AUsnYSU/ThIJY902pHI/AAAAAAAAC5c/9kwSBuLl-GQ/s320/Fireworks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last night, we celebrated the 4th a little early with our friends David & Kelli at the Civic Center Independence Eve celebration in downtown Denver. More than 100,000 people filled the Civic Center Park lawns between the Capitol and the Denver City and County Building for a fun night of festive music & fireworks. The Colorado Symphony played a free concert that provided a patriotic soundtrack for a firework show & light display set off from the roof of the Denver City and County Building. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXDtPn_jb6U/ThIJfxC3g5I/AAAAAAAAC5g/VjcHdQ7Mnaw/s1600/UsMcKinneys4th2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hXDtPn_jb6U/ThIJfxC3g5I/AAAAAAAAC5g/VjcHdQ7Mnaw/s320/UsMcKinneys4th2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The light show was 3D, so we all received these awesome flag 3D glasses. It was a little too psychedelic for me though, so I stuck with traditional viewing once the fireworks started....my eyes.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPvEaTzDQFc/ThIJlJrJBGI/AAAAAAAAC5k/oG1NWu6XOuY/s1600/3Dus4th2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OPvEaTzDQFc/ThIJlJrJBGI/AAAAAAAAC5k/oG1NWu6XOuY/s320/3Dus4th2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzZ8tFvuOHE/ThIJpkXdqLI/AAAAAAAAC5o/rAbfq1yy_JI/s1600/3DMcKinneys4th2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VzZ8tFvuOHE/ThIJpkXdqLI/AAAAAAAAC5o/rAbfq1yy_JI/s320/3DMcKinneys4th2011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5EbOtjNwYqE/ThIJt8qN8YI/AAAAAAAAC5s/u3W4vEvx5vg/s1600/Fireworks2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5EbOtjNwYqE/ThIJt8qN8YI/AAAAAAAAC5s/u3W4vEvx5vg/s320/Fireworks2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We enjoyed beautiful weather with fun company and were again reminded why we love living in Denver! We hope you are having a fun weekend celebrating our nation's independence with your friends and family too.Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-5808797311523170432011-07-01T16:27:00.000-05:002011-07-01T16:27:10.991-05:00Food For Friday: Cheesy Baked Ziti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumanlo/5892102866/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Baked Ziti by trumanlo, on Flickr"><img alt="Baked Ziti" height="213" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5023/5892102866_1b49346e5f.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A few months ago, a friend from our church small group brought us dinner and she brought by this delicious baked ziti. We liked it so much we got the recipe from her and have made it several times since. It makes a huge batch of pasta, so unless you are feeding a large family, it's another great recipe to either freeze half of or make a double batch to freeze one for later (freeze after you assemble it and before you bake it.) When he has a choice, ziti is not my husband's favorite pasta shape, so I usually use farfalle (bowtie) pasta instead. It's quick and easy to assemble, faster than a lasagna, but with a very similar flavor to lasagna. Great, in my opinion, for a quick and easy dinner at home! Serve with salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i><b><br />
</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><b>Ingredients:</b></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 box (approx. 1 lb) of pasta (I usually use Barilla Plus Farfalle)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 yellow onion, diced fine</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 lb of ground beef (or a combination of ground beef & Italian sausage)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grated fresh Parmesan cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 jars of spaghetti sauce (I like to use Classico Roasted Garlic)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 package (6-8 oz.) of sliced Provolone cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 1/2 cups sour cream</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">6 oz. shredded Mozzarella cheese</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><i>Directions:</i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Boil pasta noodles according to directions on package, until tender. Over medium heat, spray a large sautee pan with olive oil and sautee onion for a few minutes. Add the ground beef (and Italian sausage if using a combination) and brown the meat with the onion until it is cooked through. Pour in the 2 jars of sauce and mix together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray or olive oil. Place half of the cooked pasta in the bottom of the dish. Layer 1/2 of the meat sauce, all of the sour cream, and all of the provolone slices on top of the pasta. Put the other 1/2 of the pasta on top of the provolone, then top with the rest of the meat sauce, the shredded mozzarella, and a sprinkling of grated parmesan cheese on top. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is bubbling. (If you assemble and refrigerate before baking, bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Allow extra time if baking from frozen.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After removing it from the oven, allow it to set for 5 minutes before serving. </div>Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1345405054361062472.post-58546996379094825282011-06-30T22:36:00.001-05:002011-06-30T22:36:37.944-05:0025 Week Maternity Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have several posts to share of what we've been up to for the past month, from a trip to Texas to working on the nursery! While we were in Texas, a friend & former student of ours took some 25 week maternity photos for us. We are planning to take one more set as we near the end of the pregnancy, but we thought it would be fun to have some in the middle as well. In most of my belly photos, Truman is taking the picture, so I appreciate having some with him in the photo too and not behind the camera like he usually is! Here are a few of our favorites:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumanlo/5889330809/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="25WeeksMaternity1 by trumanlo, on Flickr"><img alt="25WeeksMaternity1" height="320" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/5889330809_fed8e9a87f.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumanlo/5889331687/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="25WeeksMaternity2 by trumanlo, on Flickr"><img alt="25WeeksMaternity2" height="320" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6042/5889331687_b8950b2973.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumanlo/5889901118/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="25WeeksMaternity3 by trumanlo, on Flickr"><img alt="25WeeksMaternity3" height="213" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5156/5889901118_54fefec4d0.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumanlo/5889903948/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="25WeeksMaternity6 by trumanlo, on Flickr"><img alt="25WeeksMaternity6" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5316/5889903948_ac68affe5b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumanlo/5889337153/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="25WeeksMaternity8 by trumanlo, on Flickr"><img alt="25WeeksMaternity8" height="320" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5889337153_65bbfa3816.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumanlo/5889333561/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="25WeeksMaternity5 by trumanlo, on Flickr"><img alt="25WeeksMaternity5" height="213" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6048/5889333561_c862979058.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/trumanlo/5889901118/" title="25WeeksMaternity3 by trumanlo, on Flickr"></a>Thanks, J. Lau Photography!Amberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470745907344282143noreply@blogger.com0