Grocery Contest

I just purchased some Ronzoni pasta and there is a great grocery contest going n thru October 30, 2009. You need to simply complete a basic entry form (name, address, email, phone only) and you are entered to win one of five grand prizes of free groceries for a year ($5,200 each). Who can say no to such a great contest!

To enter, simply click on ItPaystoEatPasta and complete the form.

Good luck!!!

Another great Vincent Shoe Giveaway

Who cannot love a giveaway and especially one for Vincent shoes?! Not me for one!! Mommies With Cents blog is doing just that right now. It is super easy to enter, and all you need to do is visit the Mommies With Cents blog and complete the entry form. Be sure to check out how to get extra entries and post your favorite Vincent shoe.

Right now, my favorite is the new boot - Kajsa. They are so cute and I a know a certain little girl who would totally love wearing them ;-)

For those of you who are not familiar with Vincent Shoes, the company makes outstanding shoes for children. The quality is excellent and can take quite a beating and still look awesome. A truly invaluable aspect when buying shoes for any child!

So go now and enter the contest :-)

Where did the summer go?

Okay, this summer if flying by way too fast! I cannot seem to keep up with everything. I thought summer was a time for slowing down, enjoying life and taking it easy? Hmmm, wonder what happened ;-) Maybe it has something to do with summer finally arriving in New England. It is hot and humid right now with a high in the 90's!

One day next week, we are considering heading to the beach again. Isabelle loved it so, and Al's company's frisbee team is going to play again, so it it perfect. Should be another fun evening...and hopefully, no as late!!

Little Bit Funky's giveaway

I so love Crystal's blog, A Little Bit Funky - My Life As A Beautiful Mess. This week she is doing a great giveaway. She is such an inspiration and has a beautifully creative mind. Her giveaway this week is a silhouette pillow. To enter simply go to her blog, A Little Bit Funky.

Good Luck!!

Beach Fun!

Another beautiful summer day, and what better way to end it than an evening on the beach! We headed to Salisbury Beach (Seabrook, NH) for a great evening with friends - Al and his co-workers have a frisbee team and they play on the beach occasionally. Isabelle totally loved playing in the water - despite her shivering when the sunset, she wanted to stay as long as possible. The promise of ice cream convinced her it was okay to leave!!

Afterwards, off to Markey's for some fried clams, fish and other summer delights...oh yes, ice cream ended the whole affair. Everyone was tired a

n happy when we returned home (around 11pm). Cannot wait for the next frisbee night on the beach!!!

Happy Monday!

Happy Monday! And what can be more exquisite that some fabric wall decals?! Not much! Check out Mae's store on Etsy for a great line of fun and fantastic wall decals. They are removable, so no worries about changing rooms or houses - these decals come off and go with you! They are beautifully made and will add to any child's (or child at heart adult's) room.

Speaking of Etsy, I so love this site. All things handmade. You know it will be wonderful and there is just so much to choose from on the site - not just children's items. You name it, they've pretty much got it! I've purchased tons of kids stuff from them: soap, adult clothing and more. I have yet to be disappointed![

Great Children's Book

I am always on the lookout for a great children's book - one that is both interesting to adults and kids. I have found one such book, Little Hoot by Amy Krouse Rosenthal.

It is basically the story of a little owl who wants to go to bed and his parents make him stay up. Little Hoot pleads with his parents to let him go to bed, but as they are owls, they must stay up late. Much to Little Hoot's chagrin! It is terribly cute and is a twist on the tired theme of children's bedtime stories. The art work is just as wonderful! Ms. Rosenthal has done two other great books (Little Pea and Little Oink), though I have not had the pleasure of reading them as of yet.

So, if you are seeking a great children's book for the summer, looking for a birthday or holiday gift for a child, this is a perfect winner! Isabelle enjoys the book, and she is 3.5 years old. I would say this book would be good for ages 2 to 5 years.

Happy Reading!!

Pinnie and cupcake giveaway!

One of my favorite blogs and children's clothing designers is Lassie Girl. Ashley finds the greatest fabrics and makes the best pinafores and skirts a little girl could ever want! She also has a great love for cupcakes, Sprinkles in particular.

(How can a cupcake that looks this good be bad?! The winner of the contest actually get a mix from Sprinkles in the flavor of her/his choice!)

So she has combined the two in a fabulous giveaway. It's easy to enter, simply visit her blog, leave a comment or link to her blog or make a purchase from her store. It's that simple!

BTW, her pinnie giveaway is a cupcake pinafore! The fabric is as delicious as as the real thing! Don't wait, check out the details and her fabulous blog now!

(Isn't this the cutest fabric?! Lassie Girl will make one pinnie for the winner in any size between 3 mos and 4T.)

Thank you Ashley!!!

Very Cute Upcycling Idea

I love Design Mom's blog. Gabrielle Blair has a lot of energy and some awesome ideas. Her most recent idea/find is to remake empty Altoids boxes into super cute tool boxes. What a great party favor for any kids birthday! To check out the idea and how to make them, visit Design Mom's blog. I am so thinking of doing this for Isabelle....maybe not her birthday, but another party that I am going to be having for her later this summer.

Vincent Shoes and BusyMom.com

This is one awesome giveaway and too great not to share!  

BusyMom.com (a blog that any mother would totally love) is giving away a $75 gift certificate to Vincent Shoes!  Isabelle loves these shoes as do I.  They are very well made and come in some great styles.  She has worn Vincent shoes since she started wearing shoes!

To enter this super-duper giveaway, simply go to BusyMom.com's blog and enter.  Also, don't forget to check out Vincent Shoes!  The fall season will be showcasing some great shoes.  The one below is one of my favs!

Day at the Currier Museum of Art

Beautiful Sculpture on Second Floor

Being inspired

Fountain on First Floor

A quick pose 

We had a great time at the Currier Museum of Art.  So much so, that Isabelle did not want to leave.  Of course, having hands-on painting play and a Discovery Section were she could draw and play with wooden blocks (in the theme of the current exhibit - Making Art out of Wood) certainly added to her excitement and desire not to leave.  Overall, a wonderful afternoon.

If you are ever in the Manchester (NH) area, you need to check out this museum.  It is not large in any way, but it has some pretty interesting items and a varied lot from modern to colonial represented in its galleries.  Well worth the trip!

It is still quite chilly here - being not even 60F before 7am!  This is July....need I remind the weather patterns.  A little warmth and sun would be nice before the fall and winter come in less than two months!

Dreary Day Fun!

It is another rainy and cool day in New Hampshire.  This is totally amazing the amount of rain we have had.  The weekend was beautiful, but until July 3rd, we had over six weeks of rain!  And, it started again on Monday.  Wonderful.  If I were  mushroom farmer, I'd so love it....cool and dark days.

So, what to do with a preschooler after a zillion days inside....okay, maybe not quite a zillion!  I am not happy about the bugs, so outside is sort of out of the question - though I have been sending her out in the rain on her own to play.  Not heavy rain, nice misting or light rain.  It's worse than winter!  Anyway, I am digressing.  Then, I thought - Currier Museum of Art in Manchester.  Perfect!  So off we are this afternoon for a little culture and fun.  I cannot wait!!

Currently on exhibit at the museum: Turning Wood into Art...looks very interesting.  For more info on the museum visit www.currier.org

Stay dry :-)

Great weekend

What a holiday weekend.  Isabelle and Al had a wonderful time at his sister's house.  They had a firework display that Isabelle loved!  Not to mention spending the whole day in the pool.  What a lucky kid!  

A little squiggling firework

Some more fireworks - the whole display lasted over an hour!

a little quality time with Cousin Erica - who is adored by Isabelle!

Cousins, Isabelle and her aunt & uncle having fun

In the pool with Auntie Cassandra

I spent the day with my Mom and a friend of our family's.  We had a great lunch at Max-A-Mia.  Followed by a leisurely stroll through Barnes and Noble - even bought a few Christmas gifts...crazy, I know, but the items were on sale and perfect for the people I had in mind!  Ended the day with a walk down a trail, a quick dinner and we all watched 'Good Morning Vietnam'.  Forgot how good that movie is!

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!  It feels like summer....at last!

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth of July!  I hope those celebrating the holiday will be having fun.  The rain seems to have subsided....so far....  I'm off to my Mom's and Al & Isabelle are going to his sister's house.  Isabelle *loves* her cousins, Michael and Erica.  She has been looking forward to seeing them all week.  

The above picture was too yummy looking not to share with everyone - festive and delicious!  It is from martha Stewart (oh, who else could do something so divine?!)  Here's the direct link to the above picture... recipes etc all included!

http://www.marthastewart.com/summer-food?lnc=0ad3452be04c1210VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&contentid=a2d97cb018b3a110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

More rain...and some new music

Okay, this is just getting plain ridiculous.  It is still (insert expletive of your choice here) raining!  It is july 1st and the high today was 60!  Seriously, where is this infamous global warming?!?!?!  For the past few years, the summers have been getting *colder* and the winters too.  

I should be taking pictures of the interesting fungus growing in our yard.  Our garden is water logged.  The plants are so "desperately seeking sun".  I think they are getting prison pallor - if plants get such.  Rumor has it that there may be some sun heading this way for the weekend.  One can only hope.

So, what does one do on a crummy and rainy day?  Work? Play?  No, listen to music and download from iTunes some new tunes.  That is just what I've done...music from Omar Souleyman, Ingrid Michaelson and Ray LaMontagne.  Crank the tunes and pretend it is summer....somewhere it is!!!!

Okay, I lied.  I did do a little shopping.  I've just ordered this super-duper skirt from A Little Bit Funky.  How awesome is it....again, pretending it will be summer someday before I die.

Highlights of the Big Day!

Isabelle's big stage depute was wonderful.  All of the little girls in her class did remarkably well.  Especially considering they

 had never been on the stage before the performance day.  They all rocked!!  Isabelle stayed for the full recital and even made it back stage for the Grande Finale.  After her part of the Grande Finale was over, she cried that she "did not want to leave.  I want to be on stage".  A Diva in the making!!

In the dressing room - all ready to go!

With Mommy before the performance

Backstage before the big depute!

After the performance - every little Diva needs flowers!!

Big Day Today

This is the big day for Isabelle - her ballet recital and debut on stage...a real stage!  Should be very exciting, and hopefully she has a great time.  Fingers crossed :-)  The sun seems to be working in our favor so far, though the forecast for the next few days is rain.  Should I be building an Ark?

Question of the day: What would you exclude from your Ark?  Top on my list would be ticks and mosquitos.  Do they serve any purpose other than to pester every living creature?!  Oh yes, and many (if not all) politicians.  No matter who they are and what country they serve, they make the messes in this world.  I've noted on my FB page that the UN is not much different than a bunch of preschoolers or toddlers...all bickering and saying they know what is best.  Right.  Okay, I digressed a bit there.  

Enjoy the day - sunny or rainy!  Will post some pictures of the recital later this weekend.

YIKES! More rain!

Ugh.  It is the end of June and there have been more rainy days than not.  And, it is cold.  What ever happened to Global Warming?  It sure is taking a long time to "warm up"...maybe those greenhouse gases need to beat up more sun-rays (hahahaha.......and those who know Futurama will get that quote).  

Okay, so I had to vent mildly about the weather.  The problem is once the rain stops the bugs are out in full force.  Never ends, right?!

Last night we had a wonderful visitor in our yard.  Just as Isabelle was being tucked into bed, a deer came into our yard to eat our apples.  Isabelle thought it too cool to watch the deer.  She (or he - young one with no antlers maybe) ate for about 20 minutes before deciding to head into the woods.  With over four apple trees in the yard, we tend to get a lot of deer.  Oddly, only one showed up lat night.  Or, at least only one that we saw!  It was just a perfect way to end the day.

Dress Rehearsal and the weekend

Start of rehearsal - in line for grand entrance on stage!

Saturday was Isabelle's dress rehearsal for ballet.  Hard to think the year is over for her ballet class.  Of course, we are all set for the summer session - ballet/tap.  The girls looked so darn cute.  Saturday's performance will be awesome.  Will be fun to see how she does on a real stage!

Very cute outfits - guess the song?  You are My Sunshine!

  

Group pose - bummer my flash didn't work too well!

Spent the weekend with my Mom.  Had a delightful dinner with my mom and a friend of the family.  Ended up talking almost to midnight!  Love those kinds of evenings.  Isabelle was a peach too.  She's truly a great kid!!  Think I'll keep her ;-)

Today I am planning on making some chocolate covered strawberries with freshly picked berries from Lull Farm and freezing them for a later date.  Thank you Inger for the idea!!!  Another awesome use for fresh strawberries.  Bummer the strawberry season is so short in here.  Alas, makes them the more divine when they are in season!!!

Pink Martini in concert

Wow, I forgot to mention that I went to see Pink Martini last friday.  Wow, are they awesome or what.  Plus the newly renovated Boston Opera House is just awe inspiring.  It is great to see old building being saved rather than demolished and some new yucky construction in it's place.  The past is just as vital to preserve as the present and future.  

Afterwards, we headed to Finales for some super delicious chocolate molten cake, lattes and great conversation.  Thank you Beth and Peri!  I had a great time!!!

Plus, I've also taken a moment to update the playlist on this blog.  Enjoy the summer-like music!

Been too long!

Okay, I have been the worst blogger since the creation of blogging.  It's been almost three months since I last wrote, and so much has happened.  As a result, I've been much too emotionally drained to write.  But, hopefully, all is getting better and I am back!

Isabelle's dress rehearsal for ballet is today.  It is going to be so darn cute.  We bought lipstick for her - basically so that the lights do not wash her out on stage

.  It is the most exciting item in her room at the moment.  She had to carry to the carry after we

 bought it.  Wow, is she all little girl or what ;-)

Recently she went to lunch with some of her friends.  The scary part was it made look into the future and what she will be like in high school.  it was so darn freaky and scary!!!  My little girl is growing up.

Eating and sharing a plate of french fries - all with no fighting!

Gossiping and doing what three year old girls do best 

Fast forward to high school on this one!

Off to CT for a couple of days.  Will post again early next week.  Enjoy the day and may it not be raining where you are!  It has been raining for days here :-(

a chilly and rainy day

Today brings us a sick child and a rainy raw day...boo to both!  On the bright side, I am beginning to plan some summer excursions for Al, Isabelle and I.  Nothing too outrageous, but a few overnight trips to various locations...one being Newport, RI.  I'm so ready for summer and it's hard to believe that I have most of it planned already!  

Wishing everyone a Happy Easter!  And, may tomorrow bring all the hope and love of Spring!

Been awhile...too long

Life takes us on many different paths and sometimes we change course without even knowing it.  That is how my life has been over the past few weeks.  The news both nationally and internationally is stressing me out beyond my own belief.  I keep reminding myself that I cnanot change or fix all the problems in the world.  Not an easy task when one has so many opinions as myself ;-)

I have discovered an excellent deal from Kodak for Mother's

 Day cards.  Basically, they are offering one free Mother's Day Card to one million people.  You download your own pictures and choose from about 15 different cards.  It truly is awesome.  You only pay S&H - a mere $0.99 - cannot get a customized card for that price anywhere!!!  If you are interested, go to:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/fullpages/promo/free-photo-card.html

I've already done one, so there are 999,999 left ;-)

Also, my favorite shop on Etsy is having a clearance of some of her items - Lassie Girl.  To see her great items, visit:

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=82327

I just purchased this cute pinnie and some fabric.  I so love Et

sy.com.  Handmade items can be the best and you tend to be the only one wearing an item verses buying from the big chain stores.

Right now, my little cutie is not feeling so good.  Booo....just in time for the Easter holiday weekend.  We may be canceling our plans if she is not better by Saturday.  Oh well, the first of many little illnesses in life!

Have a wonderful Easter weekend!

Found some pictures

Wahoo!  I have been searching for some disks with photos on them.  I actually found some...still seeking others.  But, I found some of the pictures I was seeking.  Other than Al and Isabelle, Gigi stole my heart.  I had the wonderful pleasure of "owning" her for three glorious and wonderful years!!  Here are some pictures of my beautiful dark bay 16.4 hand thoroughbred mare:

National Grammar Day is Coming!!!

The Society for the Promotion of  Good Grammar

National Grammar Day is March 4 National Grammar Day—March 4—is nearly upon us. We can hardly contain our excitement. There will be grammartinis! Radio show appearances! Punctuation personality profiles and lame punctuation puns! We'd love to hear what you're doing to celebrate the word nerd's equivalent of the Super Bowl. Last year, we had clever folk throw grammar potlucks at work, complete with custom sandwiches and rousing games of grammar bingo. Do let us know about your plans by sending e-mail to info@spogg.org. We hope you check out our blog partners. Some of the Web's best language sites are participating. Visit the National Grammar Day site.

Valentine's Day Craft Fun for Kids

In browsing one of my favorite places on the web, Etsy.com, I came across this really great and fun craft.  Alas, I wish I could say I created the idea.  It is simple and fun and what better way to get your little one involved with a craft and then play with it afterwards?  I think of none.

Enjoy!

"When you think Valentines, what comes to mind? Hearts, red & pink, and crafts, right? Well I've included all three of those elements into the classic game of Tic Tac Toe.

(Oh, and chocolates are included too, which I was eating as I was crafting these red & pink hearts!)"

By Marie LeBaron, care ofAlphaMom.com.

Coffee Powered Vehicles...intriguing

A newsworthy, interesting and somewhat disturbing tidbit from The Harvard Business Review Daily Stat...okay disturbing in the fact of how much coffee is consumed.  Gives the next cup an new outlook!

Coffee-Powered Vehicles? 

Coffee grounds could be an inexpensive source of biodiesel, according to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Spent coffee grounds contain 11%-20% oil. (Other major sources of biodiesel are rapeseed oil, palm oil, and soybean oil.) The more than 7.2 million tons of coffee produced each year could yield about 340 million gallons of biodiesel.  SOURCE: guardian.co.uk

Some fun pictures!

In going through my pictures, I came across some fun ones!  Enjoy!!

Me and Al - Mount Washington Hotel (NH)

Center of Hollis (NH)

Gizmo - snuggled and happy!

Ann and me (early 1990's - Boston)

Saratoga Springs (NY)