Tis The Season For Hostess Gifts!

I always have a secret stash of ready to go gifts at my fingertips. Alright, maybe not right at my fingertips, but at least in a convenient place. You never know, especially during the holiday season, when you'll need a little something.

Traditionally, hostess gifts have been things such as a bottle of wine. While I still like the idea, I know that not everyone enjoys a glass or they may serve it that evening (if it works with the food!). For me, I like the gift to last beyond that night, to remind the person that I appreciate the effort they put in.

I have a friend that has a cute guest bathroom that she has recently renovated, so before heading over to her pre-holiday very mini shindig, I searched my stash...and found the perfect little gift.



Bath and Body Works Anti-Bacterial Hand Soap looks stylish and has a wonderful fragrance that fills the air even after...I picked Heirloom Pear from the Fresh Picked line not only because I adore the scent, but it could work for the remainder of fall and into winter when and if she doesn't want to use her holiday soaps! Plus, the foam version doesn't clog up the nozzle like the other versions.

It was just a little something to say thank you. And I may have brought cake balls. Because who doesn't love a little cake and chocolate?

Things I Love...Hot Apple Cider

A steamy hot mug in your grasp, warming your fingers and filling your senses with delicious aromas. Especially on a morning with first snow covering the ground. Sigh.



And, since caffeine is out of the picture for a few more months (no Ho Ho Mint Mochas...caffeinated, anyway), this was a perfect opportunity to visit a happy memory of my mom. Hot Apple cider (in fact, this exact brand!!) was our special treat, and only in late fall/early winter.

A season full of warm fuzzies and happy memories. All from a simple mug.

Christmas Time Is Near...Oy!! Need Presents Soon!!

Not to complain, but it suddenly hit me that it is almost Christmas time. And I have a two year old. Oy.

Sadly, the place that has been my second home for fifteen years has...well, not grown with me. Unfortunately, my former full time turned part time job isn't as mommy/pregnancy friendly as I had hoped. Which translates to no extra (though incredibly tiny!!!) spending mula.

What's a stay at home mama to do? (Besides teaching bellydance twice a week, of course.) Sell her extra clutter on eBay.

Truthfully, I've thought about a yard sale, but 1.) It's way past the season, and 2.) Most of what I have may just be above yard sale price. I know this, because I occasionally hit a few myself, and know that most people are intense bargain shoppers. Plus, who doesn't like shopping in their nice warm home with a steamy mug of goodness either on their phone or computer?

I'm a creature of comfort.

So, officially today, I am attempting to sort through the office that has become more storage than office/practice space, and seeing how much holly jolly I can find.

Wish me luck.

Things I Love...Cake Mix & Pudding Cookies

I admit it. Maybe, just maybe my awesome red velvet cookies are made from...cake mix.
Usually, I stick to funfetti or red velvet. Today, in honor of the crisp falling leaves decorating my front walk way and hot apple cider, caramel apple cookies it is.



I may not be the first person to try this...because I was definitely was the last person to know how yummy cake mixes are when you add a box of pudding (even when it's already in the mix)! So, why not try this trick with cookies, too?

Tips and tricks: Mix one box cake mix, one box pudding mix, two eggs, one third cup oil together and chill in refrigerator for half an hour (or in the freezer if you're impatient like me!). Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. I used the dulce de leche sweetened condensed milk recipe to top them off.



Yummy, soft cookies, perfect with a mug of hot apple cider!

Mommy Time, Take Two!

According to my pregnancy app, I've reached that milestone of glowing somewhat happiness.

The second trimester. The blissful place of no more fatigue, bye bye morning sickness, and joyfully sharing the news (no, I've not been consuming copious amounts of Twinkies, I'm expecting!). Truly, I'm hoping this will all come to pass. The sharing, check. Morning sickness so bad I actually had to ask my doctor for help (and I'm not big on meds) as well as trying to keep up with a two year old while constantly wanting to nap? Gladly, I will let you go!

Honestly, the nausea has slowed up its relentless onslaught of the last few months, although it still likes to remind me once in a while how much time we've spent together! Energy? Let's just say today, I washed AND put away the laundry.

And while celebrating, I've noticed that maybe my me time has, once again, fled with the sultry summer weather. Therefore, I'm starting the mommy ritual once again. Once a day (or even...gasp...twice!!!) this expectant mama of a two year old will be doing something for herself.

Today, I've decide to combine my Pinterest Addiction (yep, in caps) with mommy time to make a hearty fall soup. This may not be most mommy's ideal moment of snuck in bliss, but I love soup...especially during the first few days of fall!!

Zuppa Tuscana a la Olive Garden it is...from here...

Zuppa Toscana (in the crock pot). - http://pinterest.com/pin/373165519095145657/

I love how this fellow Blogger actually put in her blog that it is perfectly okay to adjust the recipe to what you would want. I think we get so caught up on making everything perfect, we forget that we can truly make anything ours. Personally, I like a more rustic feel to my soups, so I chose to leave the skin on (and I admit, it was easier with lil man to just clean and cube!) and use white as well as red potatoes. Plus, I used a lighter fat free base and am going to use whole milk vs. cream. Because you know I'll make up for it with bread with rosemary garlic butter ;-).



Of course, this is early stage crock cooking...but it still already smells delish.

And I really need to fit in some yoga sometime....

The Joys Of Lil Man And Mommy's Phone

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The above has been brought to you by my adorable and apparently tech savvy almost two year old lil man. After he rearranged the icons on my phone, of course.

All of this obsession with mommy's phone began, as most bad habits, with trying to make life easier. In July, mommy (that's me) took a trip.across the country to take part in a bellydance/yoga intensive for five days, leaving daddy to fend for himself. This would be the first time I would be leaving my boys for linger than eight or nine hours, and I wasn't quite sure what I was mire worried about, me or them!

Really, my husband is incredibly capable (besides asking what to give lil man for dinner every night and timidly changing the dreaded number two diaper!) so, really I wasn't to worried. The only thing I asked was that he try nor to get him into any bad habits, since I spend eleven hours a day with lil man.

And then, I came home. Of course, I received updates every day, a bit sad because at first he seemed to not notice mommy was gone (but then he started walking around the house saying "mamamama") and everything seemed good.

Until I went to change a diaper. Turns out, daddy decided to use his phone to distract our lil man and make his job easier. Not to mention, let him fiddle around with it after for a few minutes, too. And anyone who has tried to take a "toy" away from a not quite two year old knows the meltdown that usually follows.

Oy.

So now, it is almost impossible to do the dirty diaper change without the phone (it seems videos of himself and the commodities app are ever amusing) is impossible and the after effects are even worse.

Thanks, daddy. And, next time our son freezes up mommy's phone, or records mommy changing his diapers, I will forever think of you. (As long as he doesn't buy anything I wouldn't want, we are all good!) And the endless giggles as he watches himself are kinda worth it.

Lil Man's First Race...With Someone Special

When I was three years old, my mom took me to my first auto race. The open wheel series that took over our lake front airport for four days of roaring by the shore full of loud purring engines, the smell of burning rubber and fuel, bright colors and people from all over the world. You would think I'd have been terrified, but I loved it. And so began a love affair that still has a spark. The memories I shared with my mom are some of my favorites, the two of us walking pitlane or even just enjoying the sights and sounds.

Happily, the man I married loves it almost as much as I do. Note that I said almost.

When we found out we were going to have a little one, I secretly hoped that he would share in that love. Since the day we brought lil man home, he's watched all types of racing. Then there's the plethora of matchbox and toy cars that are floating around and underfoot.

This past Friday, we took lil man to his first race at the track where my parents and I camped at the actual track so many times. Trees, camping (in an RV, of course!), good times, and morning to evening racing. Of course, he is still a bit young to camp and stay all weekend, but for a few hours, we watched cars, walked around looking at the track, and smiled and giggled the whole time.

And I just knew there was someone special with us the whole tilme.