Well Look Who Has A Second Bathroom
1 week ago
Steph's Pick - Beaba Babycook
Nov 26, 2009
So - I'll be honest. I've really only used my Beaba Babycook maker once (tonight to be exact); however, I've been in love with the idea of using it since I received it as a gift at one of my baby showers. Why is it so special? Well - it's steams and blends!!! (and it's pretty cute too!) I'll be sure to keep you updated on how things go with this new kitchen appliance.
So if you're in the market for what appears to be a great baby food maker - check out the Beaba Babycook. I know you can buy it at Williams and Sonoma and Buy Buy Baby (a baby store owned by Bed, Bath and Beyond so you can use those 20% off coupons).
However - if you're looking for a less expensive option, a friend of mine uses a Magic Bullet and loves it. Just an idea :) Read more...
a first
Nov 24, 2009
I thought I'd post an updated family picture too - maybe not the best as Alan and I both look exhausted (which is expected) and Nora is looking off in the distance. Regardless - here's to imperfect people saved by grace and less than perfect pictures :)
Steph's Pick - a new scent
Nov 21, 2009
Take a sniff of this bottle next time you're in the fragrance aisle. You just might also fall in love with it! And if not, don't bother telling me b/c then I'd be afraid to wear it around you and it's my only perfume. :) Read more...
Steph's Pick - a family treat
Nov 13, 2009
Apple Pie
Ingredients:
Refrigerated Pie Crust (or see below pie crust recipe)
6 cups thinly sliced cooking apples (2 pounds – Jonathan apples are the best)
1 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. all purpose flour
1 Tbsp. corn starch
1 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of ground nutmeg
1 Tbsp. butter
Directions:
Combine ingredients. Put one crust in 9” pie tin and fill with ingredients. Adjust top crust and roll under bottom crust along edge. Flute edge. Cut slits in the top crust. Mist crust with water and sprinkle with sugar then mist again until sugar is wet.
Bake at 375 for 30 min. Reduce heat to 330 and bake until crust is golden brown.
Pie Crust
Ingredients:
¼ cup Crisco
¼ cup butter…softened slightly
1 ¼ cup flour
¼ tsp salt
¼ cup water
Directions:
Blend flour and salt. Add Crisco and butter and blend with pastry blender until mixture feels velvety. Add water all at once and stir quickly with fork until it forms into a ball. Roll out on pastry cloth, using plenty of flour. Roll out only once. Read more...
Steph's Pick - My Goodreads
Nov 6, 2009
I'm thinking it's about time for another Steph's Goodreads update. What do you think?
1. The Help - by Kathryn Stockett - I was encouraged to read this a couple months back but was still trying to figure out time to read with an infant. Boy am I glad I started this book - set during the civil rights movement in Jackson, Mississippi, this is an incredibly optimistic and uplifting novel.
2. MOPS New Moms Guides - by Susan Besze Wallace and Monica Reed - Perfect for the expecting mom or the new mom in the first few months of raising an infant I found all 4 of these books very informative, encouraging and practical.
3. Lone Survivor - by Marcus Luttrell - Those of you with a good memory might remember that this was on my previous goodreads list, but I hadn't read it at that point. It is back on the list b/c I have now finished it and would strongly encourage anyone to read this. If you're looking for a story that showcases both American heroism and Afghani humanity, this is the book for you. Ladies - although it might sound more appealing to the men in your life, it really is a great (and true) read about the service so many men and women are providing for this country.
4. Pursuit of Honor - by Vince Flynn - OK, again, I'm putting a book on my goodreads list that I haven't read. But - this is actually a suggestion to read ALL of Vince Flynn's novels. If you like 24 - or anything espionage - these are the books for you! I think Pursuit of Honor is his 11 book so you'll have to start reading :)
5. The Going to Bed Book - by Sandra Boynton - How could I not include a children's book? Seeings how I actually spend more time reading these than adult novels now :) This is one of Nora's favorite nap/bedtime books. We have a handful of Sandra Boynton books on her shelves and love them all!
Read more...
a sweet pea
Nov 5, 2009
...our little sweet pea...
For all of your photoshop-lovers - I found a great video tutorial on making the eyes "pop" in photos. Check it out at Becoming Mom's blog.
Read more...the Bib Club 2009
Nov 4, 2009
I have the greatest friends! Joy, one of our dear friends, watches Nora for us while we're both at work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Although it's only for a few hours I can't image what her home is like with two little ones. Her daughter, Reagan, was born just 6 weeks after Nora. Can you imagine? Two under 4 months! Some might think she's crazy, but she tells me she actually likes the challenge (I'm still hoping that isn't just to make me feel better about leaving Nora with her). The other week she took some pictures of these two together with their bibs and has since been referring to them as "The Bib Club" ever since. Are they not just the cutest??!!! 
Some might be wondering why these two little ones are wearing bibs already :) Well - I can't speak for Reagan, but as I've mentioned in previous posts, Nora is a Master Drooler. We're hoping that means she's teething early??? We'll have to see. I'll keep you posted.
♥
Oct 31, 2009
Love
I was having a hard time determing how to highlight the photos Kim Bee took of Nora (a couple months ago) and recalled a post Nealy did.
Perfect!
Steph's Pick - Pumpkin Cupcakes
Oct 30, 2009
Ingredients
1 18.5-ounce box yellow cake mix (plus the ingredients called for in the package directions)
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
2 8-ounce bars cream cheese, at room temperature
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
24 pieces candy corn
Directions
Heat oven to 350° F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with paper liners. Prepare the cake mix as directed but with the following change: Add the pumpkin pie spice and substitute the can of pumpkin puree for the water called for in the package directions.
Divide the batter among the prepared muffin tins and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean, 18 to 22 minutes. Let cool.
Meanwhile, using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Spread on the cupcakes and top each with a piece of candy corn.
For another great Fall Treat check out my Butterscotch Pumpkin Bundt Cake - it's incredible. Read more...
♥ me some baby legs
Oct 28, 2009
On another note (well kindof) - we've been wondering if we're supposed to dress up a nearly 4 month old infant for Halloween. I've been thinking no; however, now that I see these Hero BabyLegs I'm thinking a pair of these with a cute little super woman onesie might be worth it. We'll have to see... Read more...
Steph's Pick - DIY Mod Podge Letters
Oct 23, 2009
Before Nora (BN), I had seen dozens of nursery pictures with cute little letters. Now I knew I wanted to do something with her name, but I had a hard time deciding what. Here's what I did....
Supplies:
Wood Letters (can be found at any craft supply store)
Scrapbook Paper
Mod Podge
Paint Brush
Scissors
Pen
How to:
- Trace letters onto scrapbook paper and cut out (Note: be sure to cut paper a little smaller than traced letter so it adheres well to the letter)
- Brush a layer of Mod Podge on the back of the scrapbook paper and adhere to letter
- Brush a layer of Mod Podge on front of paper (after attaching it to the letter) to give it a nice glossy look
- That's it - super easy, huh?
** Note, you can also do this with many other things. I've Mod Podged paper to a cheap ($1) wooden frame at Michaels. Use your imagination.
Steph's Pick - Double Duty Decor
Oct 16, 2009
As I've said multiple times, I'm always looking for inexpensive ways to redecorate our place. One of the Double-Duty things that I have done is use what are supposed to be door mats for wall decoration. The above photo is a perfect example. I found this rubber door mat in one of the clearance sections in Target for $3 and have used it in multiple places throughout our home. Right now it sits on our fireplace mantle. What I love most about it (not to mention that it was cheap) is that at first glance you don't even think that it looks like a door mat. Most friends have said they just assumed it was an art piece :)
Do any of you have other double duty decor ideas? Read more...
Three Months
Oct 10, 2009
With Nora coming up on her three month birthday early next week, both Alan and I just can't believe how quickly the time has flown. Don't get me wrong - there have been very LONG days; however, as a whole the time has gone by so quickly. Although we don't have her stats for this month (those will come after her 4 month appointment) - I thought I'd highlight some of her happenings :)
3 months
Rolls from Back to Stomach
Recently found her tongue and loves to play with it
Drools a ton (hence the photo)
0-3 Month Clothes
Wears Size 1 Disposables (but mostly wears Bum Genius Cloth Diapers - one size fits all)
Still strongly dislikes her carseat
Smiles a lot
Loves to sit in the bumbo
Sleeps through the night (Yahoo!)
4 naps a day
Steph's Pick - Spinach Strawberry Salad
Oct 8, 2009
Spinach Strawberry Salad
1 bag of romaine lettuce
1 bag of baby spinach
1 large container of sliced strawberries
1 1/2 cup (8-10 oz) toasted pecans
1 large package Monterey Jack Cheese
Dressing:
1/3 cup Raspberry Vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. Grey Poupon Mustard
1 tsp. Salt
1 1/2 Tbps. poppy seeds
1 cup olive oil
Directions:
Whisk all dressing ingredients together except olive oil. Whisk olive oil in last and refrigerate.
Mix salad ingredients together and toss dressing in to taste.
**** On another note. Recently I've had a couple of readers/friends come "out of the woodwork" and tell me how much they enjoy our blog. Now here's the deal - I honestly think that I write these posts mostly for my own entertainment :) However, I realize there may actually be some people out there that enjoy the things I post about (even if you don't comment about it). So for those of you who regularly read The Flies Blend, I need your help! I'm curious what you like to read about..... recipes, crafts, Alan's Two Cents, Nora, product reviews, etc.???? So... I've created a poll on the sidebar (just to help me in coming up with more idea's). So vote now! Read more...
a HUGE thank you
Oct 7, 2009
So here's a HUGE thank you for changing lots of diapers, cleaning up lots of drool (that's right - our sweet little daughter already drools like the best of them), singing lots of lullabys, swaddling Nora a dozen or so times, going on miles of walks and for simply loving on your granddaughter! Love you... Read more...
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