Indie Art (100th Post)

My 100th post had to be something good. I am priveleged to know such a talented photographer. Many of you have already had the pleasure of meeting/working with Anna. I am oogling over the latest she took of "W". Obviously, her work is protected, as a photographer, so you will just have to roll on over to her site to see my beautiful boy and a sampling of the photo shoot we had last Wednesday.......Thanks Anna!

http://indieart-blog.blogspot.com/

For more info on the mural, visit here.

aden + anais Swaddling Blankets

Not all babies love swaddling. "W" was one of those babies. We slowly had to take one arm out and then the other and pretty soon, no more swaddling. He hates restraint. The Duchess still swaddles JH at 7 months. He can't do without it. aden + anais have the best swaddling blankets out there, hands down. They are made of breathable muslin and they are extra large. "W" does love his blankies, but they seem way too hot in this 80 degree weather. When the Duchess was here with her, oh so cute aden + anais blankies for JH, it gave me an idea. So, I bought him a few of these. They work great as a summertime blankie. Land of Nod carries these patterns, which are my faves. I bought mine at Lactation Station, out of convenience.

International Peace Gardens

The first time I learned of the International Peace Gardens was when I had my bridal photos taken there. It is kind of a diamond in the rough (aka; in the middle of the ghetto). I always think that this would be the perfect place for a picnic. The landscape is beautiful. I think it's probably the best manicured garden in the valley, at least right up there with Red Butte, except it's free. It's also slightly adequate for older kids to learn about different cultures. Maybe I will take "W" there this afternoon after his 9 mo checkup.......that's if it stops raining.

Steve Madden Copula

This is my latest favorite color. I love flats.......I love patent........I love sales. Steve Madden's having a sandal sale.

Jenny Lee Fowler Silhouette

I have a thing with silhouettes and I just like that word. When I was in preschool, my teacher did silhouettes of all the students. I still have it. The one thing I would like to inherit from my grandmother is a silhouette drawing she did as a child. PBTB and I got our silhouettes done at Disneyland when we went. It's the only thing I bought while I was there. Ok, so I like silhouettes. You get the point. I thought this would be a good Father's Day gift. Jenny Lee Fowler has an etsy shop and will do custom work, even pets. Maybe I will get a silhouette for my Dad of his dog. :)

Jill Saxton-Smith

I am elated to learn that my favorite artist has a website. I have 2 of her blockprints (Lime Light, Gallery1 and Spring on Temple Square, Gallery 2) and I just love her work. I really love blockprints in general. I would like to learn the medium myself.

Memorial Day Weekend

I am not going anywhere for Memorial Day Weekend. I am going to relax and stay home. I guess we should have hamburgers on Monday. This looks good.





Tomato Basil Hamburgers:


1 pound lean ground beef


4 tablespoons breadcrumbs


2 teaspoons natural lemon juice


1 handful chopped fresh basil


½ teaspoon garlic powder


Salt and pepper to taste


Sliced fresh tomatoes to garnish


Mix all ingredients except the tomatoes in a bowl and shape mixture into patties. Place on a hot grill, turning as necessary and grill until cooked through. Serve on a bun and top with lemon dill mayonnaise and sliced tomatoes.


Lemon Dill Mayo:


4 tablespoons mayonnaise


2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill


Juice of one lemon

Mom's Club

I ran into a Mom a while back, she was a customer at my store. When I told her that I was going to be a SAHM, she invited me to join a Mom's Club in the area. I am just barely getting around to checking out the website. As it turns out, this Mom's Club is an international organization. There are chapters all over the US. The dues are $20 a year. They have activitites 2 or 3 times a week and also a Mom's Night Out, once a month. I don't know, maybe "W" would enjoy it a little more when he gets a little older, but good to know.

Dollhouse Kit

I know this is completely bizarre. I don't even have any little girls. I saw this Dollhouse Kit at Hobby Lobby today. I think it's so sweet. I want to make one. Maybe I will just find a real one and move there. That would be ok too.

Free Emergency Cell Phones

I would imagine that everyone I know owns a cell phone. If not, here is a website that might be able to provide you with a used cell phone that you can use to call 911 in an emergency. We have had a frightening last couple of days around here, it was either this or mace. Also, make sure that you have 911 programmed into your cell phone's speed dial.

Razor Scuttle Bug

One of my employees' little boys had one of these today. She said they just fold it up and take it in the diaper bag everywhere they go and he loves it. Very cool.......still keeping my eyes out for something for "W"s first birthday. This is definitely a contender. I love that it has urethane wheels so that it glides quietly. You can get them for as low as $36.99, a lot of them are on sale. It pays to discover things a little late, I guess.

Google Docs

I know I am revealing my nerdiness, but I think that this is a fantastic idea. Again, I apologize for being so "behind the times" for those of you who already know about this. Google Docs makes it so your word processor documents are online. Now I don't have to wonder which computer my documents got saved on or where they went if I get a new computer. I can access them from all the computers. Also, it's free, and we all know the price of Microsoft Office is absurd. There is also spreadsheet and presentation options available, for those of us who are extra nerdy. One more thing, you can use your existing google account to log in.

Llama Llama Mad at Mama

I love this book. It is so cute. I picked it up at new local bookstore, The Purple Cow. Llama Llama Red Pajama is cute too. As a knitter, naturally I am drawn to anything about sheep, alpaca, llama, etc., but this book is really sweet.

Banana Hands

I have extremely dry skin. My hands look like they belong to someone twice my age. When I started using Burt's Bees Banana Hand Creme, the wrinkles softened immensely. (The Marshmallow Vanishing Creme is great for smile lines too, but that's another day.) One problem, the price, it's $8.00 for 2 oz., needless to say it doesn't last long. This stuff is really thick, so I put it on at night before I go to bed. Oh, the smell is awesome.

Enter Bath and Body Works Look Ma, New Hands!. So, I like this stuff almost as well. It doesn't hold a candle to the thickness, but it seems to work almost as well. But still, $18.50 for 5 oz., keep in mind everyone usually gets things on sale at Bath and Body Works. So, if I get it for free with a coupon or half off, or whatever, a lot better deal, right? Except, who wants to have to pay so much attention? Again, great scent.

OK, so here is what I'm looking for, a lovely combination of the two.......great scent (nothing flowery), thick enough to last through the night, decent price, decent size......anyone have any suggestions?

Pomegranate Slurpee

It is now officially Slurpee Season. Did you know that the average age of a Slurpee drinker is 29? (More cool Slurpee facts here.) I am 28, I guess that explains my Slurpee obsession. I can't wait to try all the new flavors, namely pomegranate. Of course, I always love my favorites, pina colada and banana.

Moby Wrap

Ok, since I did the Mod Mum Sling yesterday, I had to do the Moby Wrap today. The Duchess raves about her Moby Wrap or the Mommy Ride, as she puts it. I tried it out and it is equally as comfy. There are advantages to both. The Moby is cheaper, but I think that the Sling is a little cooler to wear in hot Utah weather. Too bad the babies can't talk to put in their two cents. (PS, you don't have to wear the baby on your back like that, JH mostly rides face forward.)

Mod Mum

My Mum bought me this sling from Mod Mum when we went to "Oh Sweet Sadie" last week. It is a great way to carry around my 23 lb. 8 1/2 month old, especially when you are walking around in tight quarters and the stroller doesn't fit or when there are stairs involved. It is really comfortable and "W" is surprisingly a fan. I would have thought him annoyed by the constraint. And, it's way cute, which is always a selling point for me. I had originally tried to make one myself......let me just say, it's worth the money to buy one. It also makes a huge difference having someone show you how to use it. If you don't have it on right, it is not comfortable.

The Host

I am a fan of the Twilight Series, along with the rest of the world. The Host is not part of the series, but it's the newest book out by Stephenie Meyer. I picked it up at Costco last week. I have no desire to read sci-fi, it's about aliens, but I never would have picked up a book about vampires either. Who knew?

Easy Flower Arrangements for Mom, BHG

I saw this cute idea in Better Homes & Gardens a couple of weeks ago. Wouldn't your Mom love these boots that double as a vase? I saw some rubber boots at Costco.......

Gift/Craft Shows Galore

I haven't gone anywhere in a while. I finally had a day off today, thanks to my sweet niece. I planned out the whole day with my Mom. We hit every gift show along the Wasatch Front. We found lots of fun things and they are all continued through tomorrow. Click on the buttons below for more info. Thanks Mom, I had an awesome day.

SUGARHOUSE

DRAPER

PROVO

NPS Store

I have a dirty little secret, I mean literally dirty. I like to visit the NPS Store (freight & salvage recovery), it's pretty disgusting. I nick-named it Ghetto Fabulous. However, I just discovered that they have a website. This will be much easier on the senses, the smell is unbearable at times. I don't know how people can stomach to buy groceries there. There are some good, some bad things about the site. No pictures, so you really have to know what you're looking for, except for their e-bay store. (I also like that you can pick items up if you win on e-bay) They do tell you the day received. You can search by keyword or department. You can also ask them to e-mail you if they receive something in particular. You can find anything from garden bathtubs to high end clothing and shoes.

Norpro Nonstick Cake-Sicle Pan

I saw this on Minor Details this morning. I am such a magnet for gimmicky kitchen items. But what kid wouldn't love a cookie on a stick?

"My Mommy is Blogging This" Onesie

Ok, normally I can't stand stupid little animals and sayings on shirts, but this one is going to be a classic. You know, like the "What happens at Grandma's, stays at Grandma's" or "My Mommy Rocks" You can get them at Cafepress.com. (Also in toddler t-shirts.) What's even better, you can customize it with you blog address, maybe that's going a littler far. I don't know.

Hengstenberg Ceramic Crock München with Sweet Mustard

PBTB helped an elderly german couple (Heinz & Selma) remove an 82 foot tall pine tree that fell on their house back in January after a freak windstorm. Since then, they have employed him and his brother & dad to repair the damages and a few extras (pour cement, paint, etc.) Everyday that they work, their is a never-ending stream of delicious German treats supplied to them. Selma is an excellent cook. They give them double of everything, so one day PBTB brought me a one of his 2 pork sandwiches. It had this mustard on it. It is sooooooo yummy. I found it for sale at germandeli.com, but Selma buys hers at Siegfried's.

Mama's Home

I found this book in a forgotten box at my store the other day. I brought it home for "W" and he absolutely loves it, of course. It's so cute. It's the only book that he'll actually sit and listen to. He's soooo busy. I think he's like the repetition of a familiar word. I would absolutely recommend this book to any working Mama's out there. I am so looking forward to my final day, it's so close, woohoo!

MacBook Air

My little bro just bought a MacBook Air. I am so jealous. It only weighs 3.0 lbs. I love the sleek white color too. There is one downfall. Everything (hard drive, disc drive, wireless internet) is external, which kind of defeats the purpose when you haul all of that around with you, not that I really take my laptop anywhere. Oh well, still jealous.

Zippo Mini Pink Candle Lighter

I agonize over what to get my Mother when it comes to gift giving. But the truth of the matter is, she would probably be tickled pink with this mini candle lighter from Bath & Body Works......that and probably a mini sharpie marker. She collects these things, not sure why.