Gigi and I after a lesson!

Sorry for the poor quality :(  Getting ready to ride.

A beautiful fall day photo op :)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!  It's been awhile, and I would be totally and utterly astounded if anyone read this today :)  The past couple of years have been crazy...with no end in sight!  Been going through some items and came across some great pictures of Gigi and me.  I miss her so much.....and riding for that matter.  Hope everyone is able to enjoy something they love this weekend!

Father's Day and some fun cards

Ah, it's been a while and life has been super busy....preschool graduation, summer camp registrations, vacation planning and the like. Right now, I have just created some super fun and great father's day cards for the men in my life. I love Shutterfly! They have some wonderful and super easy products to make unique and creatively yours gifts. Mine are the cards. Looking for a great gift for the dads in your life, really, check out Shutterfly! Personally, I prefer Shutterfly over Snapfish....better quality books et al.

To take a quick peak, check out the following:

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

Winter Fun

Isabelle's first time on skates and she had a BLAST! So much so that she kept on asking if she could join the boys who were playing hockey. That's my girl :) Our town has a man-made rink that is just perfect for beginners. She did not want to stop - even when tempted with her favorite winter drink...hot chocolate.

Tomorrow's adventure...sledding with Hannah!

Just love winter fun!!

Super Great Craft Idea!

(Above image from Little Bit Funky's Blog....not mine!)

I follow a few blogs. Some are okay and others are just plain awesome! One such blog that I follow is A Little Bit Funky. Crystal is a wonderful person who is super creative and artistic. Something I truly envy and wish I had half of her creativity :) I'd like to share with everyone one of her many great craft ideas.....I like it so much I am planning on doing this at a playdate soon! The idea is using freezer paper to stensil a design. Simple and easy...not to mention fun. For instructions, simply check out A Little Bit Funky's blog.

It has been snowing a lot recently, and I was able to capture Isabelle one post-snowy afternoon while playing outside. To be young and enjoy the cold, wet snow again :)

Discovered and LOVE eBates!

I have been using eBates since October and really do like it a lot! I was a little hesitant in using it at first. Thought it was one of those silly scams. Happily, I have discovered otherwise. Not sure if anyone has used a third party company to buy things. Most of the time, the places I like to shop online are not included. I was thrilled to find Hanna Andersson and Shutterfly on eBates! Love both of those sites.

Anyway, if anyone is interested, check it out. eBates not only gives you money back (usually about 2-8% of your purchase....some places do specials of a lot more like 30% - though not usually the places I shop), it also lets you know if the company has a special and for how long. Really awesome if you do a lot of online shopping.

Here's the link to eBates...maybe you can get a little extra holiday cheer by trying it out :)

Seriously, I love to share good deals....and am trying not to sound like a giant walking advertisement (lol)!

The Day Before Thanksgiving

Yes, new excitement and some time have found their way in my life again....and just in time for the holidays too! With Thanksgiving a day away and so many things yet to be done. Isabelle is on Thanksgiving Break until next week, and we have some fun adventures ahead of us over the next five days.

Today, we are going to make Turkey Cookies for tomorrow as a special surprise. Found this cute "craft/recipe" on NickJr of all places. Looks like a super fun project for the two of us. Of course, I've made some adjustments to the recipe...such as making my own cookie dough :)

(picture from NickJr website of delicious and fun cookies!)

Then, the day after we will be making gingerbread cookies. Lots of gingerbread cookies. With a young cat in the house who *loves* to get into everything, my beautiful glass ornaments (collected over years and many are one of a kind) are safely tucked away until Natasha is old enough. So, we decorate the tree with great gingerbread cookies (angels, reindeer and santas). The house smells great for the entire Christmas season, and if a cookie breaks, so be it. Everyone is happy all around!

This morning, we are heading to a couple of stores to get some foil wrapping paper to complete the decorating of the three-season porch. Pictures will be posted of the completed project.

Oh yes, and a couple of apple pies are on the agenda today....what is Thanksgiving without apple pie?!

Enjoy your busy day too!

Awesome Deal from Shutterfly

Occasionally, I post about a great deal or two. I love it when a company I like offers a special promotion. Shutterfly is doing just this right now. Anyone with a blog will receive 50 free holiday cards. Awesome deal! (Visit Shutterfly's blog for more info. and to submit request.)

I am a HUGE fan of Shutterfly. And, have made many a card and photo album with them. I especially love the great selection of holiday cards they have - even ones on card stock! Our family holiday card will be including the picture below of Isabelle when she visited a butterfly sanctuary.

The card I have chosen in one that allows for more than one picture - love this option! This is going to be my first time with holiday cards from Shutterfly. And, I expect no less than when I normally order prints, photo albums and other occasion cards - excellent product and easy to navigate website. Seriously, Shutterfly has it all over Snapfish. And, I truly enjoy the ability to view the finished product (online of course!) before ordering. Fixing any problems (red eye for example), centering subjects, opting for sepia or black and white is just wonderful for creativity and originality!

There are so many cards to choose from that it can be hard to pick only one! Highly encourage you to check on the holiday card selection - once you get there you will not go any where else!!

An early Thanksgiving

Hello friends...it has been a little while since my last post....okay, more like A LOT while (lol)! Somehow life with a child has increased my inability to focus and stay organized. Why or how is a mystery to me.

As a nice way to begin blogging again, I wanted to share a simple thankful thought for this festive Thanksgiving holiday. With so much happening in the world, it is hard to remember the simple things, and I am very thankful for both my beautiful daughter and loving husband. Both provide me with many hours of joy and remind me what is important! Take a moment to stop and hug the ones you love in your life. I do every opportunity I can :)

More later.....

Red Velvet Cupcakes, fish and more

Nothing is ever still in our lives and that is wonderful! Isabelle will be the proud new owner of two fish on Sunday. She has fallen in love with "Nemo" at school and was very disappointed - okay, in tears really - when on her Lucky Star Day she was not able to feed Nemo because of all the other activities that particular day. So, she asked to buy her own fish. Yes, my four-year old has a been saving account than I. Pretty pathetic on my part! The tank is up and running in her room - 2-gallon one for small fish. I am not really a big fan of fish. Alas, both Isabelle and Al love them.

Today I was able to complete part one of the red velvet cupcakes (24 in total) for tomorrow's fundraiser. Myself and fourteen other people agreed to make cupcakes for a pasta dinner fundraiser for a family in one of my mom's groups that is in need. They look awesome. Tomorrow, the frosting will be made and applied. We are expecting about 300 people! Kudos to Marie for all the hard work she did in organizing the event!!!

Then, there is tomorrow. My Day as I am calling it. Facial and Pedi in the late morning and then off to the pasta dinner and afterwards, Girls Night with friends. I'm loving it!

Now, I am thinking of joining Foursquare. Why not - I do a lot of the other social networking, so why not this one. Now the world can know all that I do....like it really wants to know (lol)!

Quote to ponder

Interesting quote that has been attributed to Abraham Lincoln and it truly was made by the Rev. John Henry Boetcker in 1916 - quite some time after President Lincoln's death. Despite who said the following, it is so true and we should as try to remember the truth behind these words:

• You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
• You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
• You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
• You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
• You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
• You cannot build character and courage by taking away people's initiative and independence.
• You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves

(What the Easter Bunny left for Isabelle)

Happy Easter Peeps!!! One could not ask for a more beautiful day for Easter Sunday in New England. It is in the 70's and sunny. Making all the rain so worth it!!! Wishing everyone a wonderful Easter and hoping you are spending it with family and friends.

Spring in New England

For the next few days, it will be Spring in New England. And, I will be enjoying it so very much. One reason (outside of sunny skies and warm weather) is the start-up of a new non-profit that myself and two friends will be undertaking. The non-profit will focus on Moms and kids and is seriously in the beginning stages. We are a bit dissatisfied with a current moms group we are a part of and know that we can do so much more.

What would you like to see in a moms group if you were to start one? We have some great ideas but there is always room for more!!

And, now to leave you with a picture of Natasha who decided to find a spot to sleep after removing the sheers from the dining room windows. She is such a monkey ;-)

Strawberry Tarts

Cooking with Isabelle is always fun, and until recently I have done the basics with her...pizza, applesauce, cupcakes, muffins, bread etc. Then, for some reason, I finally remembered about one of my all time favorite children's cookbook authors, Annabel Karmel. Her stuff is so yummy for both children and adults. (Not a huge fan of Deceptively Delicious by Jessica Seinfeld - recipes are okay though not my favorite.)

After buying one book and checking out her website, decided to make the apple meringue tarts. Of course, as is usual with me, I need to make a change...mainly as my strawberries were going to go bad well before the apples. So, the tarts are made with strawberries in place of apples and they look/smell awesome. Cannot wait to taste a bite!

For the recipe, simply check out Annabel Karmel's website. (Hopefully, will get pictures of my creation on here soon!) Thank you Annabel!!

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!!