Monthly Archives: March 2011

The New Family Communications Center!!!

There is still more to do, labels to make, but the majority is up.  I am so happy to see the vision that was in my mind on the wall.  I am sorry for the quality of the pictures but since it is in my hallway off my kitchen, it is a bit of trick to photograph.  Across from it I have a regular paper calendar that I record milestones on to transfer into the kid’s baby books.  As Spring is finally approaching this should work out great to organize the sports games, work schedules,  and our appointments.  I will let you know how it works out.  Hope you are all enjoying your Sunday.

 

 


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I See Me! Inc. Personalized Children’s Books Review & Give-Away!!!

I was so excited when I learned I would be doing a review and give-away for I See Me! Personalized Books.  The first thing I needed to do, was to input my information that I wanted to be put in the book.  Their website and form allowed for this to be a quick and easy process.  The book that I was chosen to review was the Who Loves Me? book.  I personalized it for my son Luke.  When I took it out of the colorful gift box and started to read it, he just beamed everytime he heard his name and the names of his siblings.  This is such a beautifully illustrated book with bright colors that captivate both child and adult.  It is sweet and touching and the perfect length for a before bedtime read.

The company has so graciously allowed me to give-away a copy of this book ($24.95 value), that the winner will personalize for the child they intend to give it to.  If you would like to be entered in the random drawing for this book, please comment on the Mommy Ramblings  Facebook Page (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Ramblings/142284565832382?ref=ts) on who you would personalize this book for, if you win.   Please visit the I See Me! website at http://www.iseeme.com/.  Give-away will end at 12am Saturday March 19th, EST.  If you share the give-away on your Facebook page you can gain another entry in the contest, just post the link to your page showing that you shared.  They have so many great titles and I can vouch for the superior quality of these books.   Along with the books they offer personalized floor puzzles and gift sets.


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Rycraft Heirloom Cookie Stamp Review!!!

3 cookie stamps and cookies

I was asked to choose a couple of Rycraft Heirloom Cookie Stamps to review.  It was hard to choose from the vast selection of designs, but I finally chose the Scottie dog and the soccer ball.  I chose the Scottie dog because it is so cute and looks like my Westie.  It was also my mother’s favorite dog, so I knew that had to be one that I would try.  I chose a soccer ball for my sports crazy kids.  The stamps are so well made and beautiful.  The Scottie dog stamp had a beautiful blue glaze and the soccer ball a stunning white glaze.  The first thing I did was season the stamps with a bit of oil.  Then I chose a recipe out of the booklet that included recipes for Almond Butter Cookies, Brown Sugar Shortbread, Melting Moments, Fruit Jell-O Cookies, Unbelievable Peanut Butter Cookies, Peanut Butter Crunchies, Cookie Stamp Shortbread and Cream Cheese Candy.  These stamps are also great for crafting and you can go to their site at www.cookiestamp.com to see the online catalog and order kits and books on paper and clay casting along with dozens of inspiring project ides.  The booklet that came with the stamps also included basic clay casting and basic paper casting instructions.

I chose to just whip up some Almond Butter Cookies.  The recipe is very simple and is 1 cup of butter, 1/2 cup of sugar, 1tsp of almond extract 1/4 tsp of salt, and 2 cups of flour.  The only change I made is that I added some vanilla extract as well.  I had planned on just chilling the dough a few hours but it chilled for about 24 hours or a bit over.  It was hard as a rock when I took it out.  I put it on the counter to soften up but I had to work fast since I was taking Ethan out for sneakers.  I started to knead it and it softened fairly quickly.  The stamps were very easy to use and I put flour on them before each stamping.  I love the detail of these stamps and how well they worked.  The eye of the Scottie dog and all the detail was so visable.

This is before baking:

After Baking:

The cookie was buttery and rich and perfect with a cup of coffee.  I am looking forward to trying the other recipes as well as the craft projects.  I hope you will take a look at their website and be inspired.

Shortbread chocolate painted cookies


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Spring Cleaning!!!

I know it is only March 5th and still technically Winter, but I am on a Spring cleaning streak. I even put on one of my fancy vintage type aprons to make things more fun.   I am doing all those jobs that I put off for as long as I can.  Like deep cleaning my Thermadore cook-top which I love and hate.  I hate cleaning it but love cooking on it.  I have washed, degreased and shined every stinking component on that cook-top.  Soaked, scrubbed and polished for 2 days because I am a perfectionist and when I get started on something I can’t stop.  I have washed every utensil and my utensil crocks, taking down all my decorative molds and plates and washed and sanitized them.  Everything that could fit in the dishwasher has had its turn in there.  I don’t want to feel any grit, grease or dirt on anything.  We even washed the window over the sink inside and out, that meant  Jimi had to go out and stand on a ladder in the snow.  What a guy!!!  I have washed walls and scrubbed counters and purged junk.  I hope this motivation and energy I have stays with me because I am getting so much done.  Can’t wait until it is nice enough to open all the windows and clean out every nook and cranny.  We are planning on having a huge yard sale too,  so I can’t wait for that.  I even did a deep cleaning stint in the master bathroom.  I know Spring is coming, even though there were some snow flurries, it is not discouraging me, because I know it is right around the corner.  Last week, I even bought grape and blueberry bushes and seeds for the veggies I grow by seed, like peas and green beans.  I cannot wait to get my hands in the soil and start planting.  So what have you been up to?  Have you started the big Spring cleaning?  What are the things you hate to clean?  What are your favorite cleaners or tips?  Do share.  Let’s keep each other motivated through the big Spring Fling Clean Up!!!


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Great Idea for Toddlers and Pre-Schoolers.

If you have toddlers or pre-schoolers who are learning the alphabet, how to spell their name and other words, then you may find this helpful.  My kids have the Kidkraft Avalon table and chairs.  I love this table because it is big and sturdy and adults can sit comfortably on the chairs.  Anyway, I was in Sams Club the other day and saw this very large magnetic white board that happened to have a cork board on the other side.  It was under $16.00, so quite a good deal.  I bought it, and upon bringing it home noticed that it is the same size as the kids’ table.  I put it on and added some Melissa and Doug alphabet magnetic letters, then I called in the kiddies and they had so much fun.  Well, we had fun and it has been played with everyday since then.  Now any kind of magnet will work on the board and I also bought them the Expo washable dry erase markers for children.  Additionally I purchased the Crayola dry erase crayons, so they can practice writing their letters or other art on the board.  Just wanted to share this as it is an inexpensive and educational ideas that kids will love.

Please excuse the logs, we were building a fire..


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The Winners of the Sage Culinary Surfaces are…

Jennifer Howard, Donna Woody, and Rust Hawk.  Jennifer has won the large chop board and Donna and Rust have won the handy bar boards.  If you did not win please do not be discouraged.  We have so many great give-aways coming up.  Congratulations again Jennifer, Donna and Rust and make sure you have sent me your mailing addresses so I can get these out to you.


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Give-Away for the Sage Culinary Products.

I have three products from Sage Culinary Surfaces to give-away. 1 large chop board and 2 bar boards. To win you need to repost the contest as your FB status and leave me the link to your post in a comment on the Mommy Ramblings Facebook page,http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mommy-Ramblings/142284565832382?ref=ts . Then I will put all of you in a random name selector and have it chose three winners. The first will win the Chop Board, the second and third the bar board. Good Luck.  Contest ends Thursday 12am EST.


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