The Day Started Off Awesome!

Time again for Writer's workshop over at Mama Kat's!

I have selected prompt # 4:

"Share a diary entry from when you were 13...
feel free to make one up"

I did not keep a diary or a journal when I was younger,

maybe sporadically, but nothing long term

(hmmm...I am sensing a pattern).

I did keep one when I was in my twenties...

now that would be a hoot to read, but for now,

I take you back to the 13 year old Holly...

April 4, 1984

Today started off great. In second period, Mrs McGee brought in her computer for us to work on. It is so cool because we are the only class in the whole school that gets to work on a computer. It is called an Apple. I have my Texas Instruments computer at home but I only have a typing program and I am soooo bored with it.

Then my day just got bad. It sucked! Terry showed up in the same outfit. I mean she knows I shop at Contempo. She knows I went shopping this weekend and l was totally excited about my new outfit. I even have totally cool earrings and socks to match. She does this all the time. I do not want to hang out with her anymore.

Jennifer and Gary are going-around now. He is so cute, but Ramon is cuter! He is a babe! He said hi to me today.

There is a big birthday party at Stephanie's this weekend. I am going to ask Chris to do my hair. She is really good at it. Maybe Ramon will come. He hardly ever gets to go to parties, but maybe he'll be there. He is a babe!

Maybe I can talk my dad into going shopping with my mom and I. I need a new outfit for the party and he always buys me something even when mom says no.

Off now to make posters for the student council elections.

Holly

IF YOU WANT TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY, THERE IS STILL TIME. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE POST

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Do I have something for you!...A Giveaway!

Way back in September when I decided to start this blog, I had no idea how much fun I would have...how many great people I would "meet"....or how many amazing ideas I would discover. Much less, did I think anyone would actually want to read what I had to say...but fast forward a couple of months and here I am with over 100 followers! WOW...who knew?

So, since I {heart} you all, I have decided to have a giveaway (and a pretty cool one at that!) to celebrate. Compliments of me and my pal Cynthia at A Legendary Affair (it is not just a wedding store...you can grab all kinds of cool stuff online at her shop), you can win one of these super cool personalized stampers from PSA Essentials. I saw these during my trip to L.A. in October...and I fell in LOVE! Check these out...so stylish! 

Here's what you get:

You win the stamper body and one personalized stamp. The great, no amazingly fun thing, is that you can then purchase other stamps, to use on the stamper because PSA Essentials has cool peel and stick technology.

Here's who can win:

Residents of the U.S. or Canada. I will ship to these countries only (sorry!).

Here's the requirements = 1 entry:

1. You must follow this blog publicly to win - this is in celebration of followers!
2. Just leave a comment and let me know you are already a follower.
3. If you are a new follower, leave a comment and let me know.

For more entries...BE SURE TO LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH:

1. 1 more entry = follow my other blog, Hip, Stylish and Totally Cool Weddings. 
2. 1 more entry = comment on Hip, Stylish and Totally Cool Weddings.
3. 1 more entry = Visit PSA Essentials web site and let me know which stamp design you like.
4. 1 more entry = Follow me on Twitter (504 Main) and tweet about the giveaway with a link.
5. 1 more entry = Follow me on Twitter (hipweddings) and tweet about the giveaway with a link.
6. 1 more entry = tell me what your favorite post (of mine) is.

And the winner is....

The winner will be selected on Sunday, November 22 at 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. I will randomly select a winner by pulling names out of a hat, unless I can figure out how to use the random number generator.

DISCLAIMER:

I am not good at the legal speak, but I am responsible for this stamp giveaway myself. The company did not and is not providing me with a sample or with the prize.

Good luck!

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Holiday Inspirations

I am determined to not get taken by surprise this holiday season. I am looking forward to crafting and enjoy this time with my family. So, I am participating in the DIY Show Off's Holiday Highlights Week #1 with my Christmas Tree Cards. Click on the button above to take a trip over and check out the DIY extravaganza and all the great projects for the holidays.

Holly

PS - I look forward to catchingup with everyone over thenext few days.I am just drained fromthe crazy (but WOW!) weekend!

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Awards Season...

I am about 30 days late a many dollars short of accepting
and passing on these awards in a 
timely manner. I apologize! I {heart} these bloggers
and if you have not already done so, go check them out NOW!
I think I managed to get them in the order in
which they were received! If not, sorry!
And If I screwed up..sorry too (but let me know so I can fix it!)!
It has been a very enlightening and busy weekend...
I will be back at you all tomorrow posting and commenting away!

From Low Expectations, the Your Blog is Fabulous award

There are rules for this one...share 5 things that you are obsessed with and then pass the award along to 5 of the most fabulous blogs you read.

I am obsessed with:

1. Fashion - clothes, shoes, purses, makeup, etc.
2. Motherhood - I try to be a better mother every day!
3. Sparkly things - the way they catch the sunlight and shine make me smile!
4. Putting my life in order - making time for me (even just 5 quiet minutes a day), feeding my family the proper foods, exercising again, fueling my creative side
5. Mochas - Oh, coffee - I {heart} coffee

This award goes to...

Hormones, Headaches, and Hot Flashes

The Mother Load

Stir-Fry Awesomeness

Life Laugh Latte

Leigh vs. Laundry
Batcrap Crazy

(Yes, I can count, that's 6! Report me...)

From Dirty Little Confessions, the Silver Shoe of Sincerity

This goes to:

Tattoos and Teething Rings

Who Has the Thyme

From Who Has the Thyme, Show Me the Mom, and Running with Letters (wholly cow!), the Superior Scribbler

The Scribbler award comes with some rules:
• Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.
• Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award.
• Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.
• Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we’ll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor
• Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

So, drum roll please, the 5 people I want to pass this along to, in no particular order are:

Pink Flip Flops and Wine

Simply Sweet Inspiration

Low Expectations

(yes...I can count and that is three, but I am burnt..and will figure the rest out later!)

From Pink Flip Flops and Wine, the Friend Award

This goes to...

Dirty Little Confessions

This Stop Willoughby

Show Me the Mom

From Leigh vs Laundry, the Heartfelt Award

This goes to...

Running with Letters

5th Sister

Sustaining Creativity in a Busy Mom's World

From Lee at Hormones, Headaches, and Hot Flashes

This goes to

Rook No. 17

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Is that a Banana in Your Bread...

About a week ago, on Getting Healthy, I talked about my friend Renee coming up to host a Healthy Happy Hour with me and some local gals....well it is time! So, if you re new, click on the link above and check out the whole story...there is still time for your input.

I am sort of freaking out too...I think, for the most part, that I eat healthy, and I think my family does...yes, there are the occasional trips to McDonald's and Subway...but now it is time to really talk about healthy living and healthy eating...and see all the things I can still change. I have been scrutinizing my cupboards and realizing not all of my produce is organic and there are some things with some very funky ingredients in my pantry.

To prepare for the visit and the Happy Hour, I am planning a delicious menu and trying out some new recipes...basically I am doing my homework. I will blog all about this get together and the recipes next week. For now, I just had a couple things to share...

First, this is the title of a book that Renee recommended to me awhile back..and I {heart} it! This book provides sound nutrition advice with logical answers.

Your Body Knows Best by Ann Louise Gittleman

Secondly...I am making some food for us too snack on while we prepare. Here is one recipe (it is a modified version of one of Renee's.)

Banana Buckwheat Bread

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, melted

2 eggs at room temperature

1/4 cup molasses

3 ripe bananas

2 cups of flour (use a combo of flours. I used 1 cup Buckwheat Flour and 1 cup Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Flour - I can find both of these at my regular grocery store or whole foods. You can also use Brown rice flour, etc.)

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. sea salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup finely grated carrot (I used my mini-food processor)

1/2 to 1 apple, peeled and diced (I got lazy and used the mini-food processor). If the apple is small use it all, if not use half.

1/2 cup nuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Use the melted butter to grease the pan and then dust the pan with the flour combo
3. Mix the butter, molasses, (room temp.) eggs, and bananas together
4. Sift dry ingredients together
5. Add dry to the wet in small batches
6. Fold in the carrot
7. Fold in the apple
8. Bake for approximately 55 minutes

Voila...super yummy, totally healthy, kid-tested Buckwheat Banana Bread!

If you have a question for Healthy Happy Hour post it here or drop me a line via email.

Also, since I have a visitor and a soiree to prepare for, blogging will be sporadic. Thanks for visiting and commenting and I will get back at ya on Monday..or sooner...I am not making any promises!

Happy Weekend!

Holly

P.S. Look for my super cool stamper giveaway coming up next week!

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No Poopy Pancakes for Me!

I did it last week...I am ready to try it again. So this week, my pick for Mama Kat’s Writers Workshop…#1 – “Describe the best/most creative punishment you have ever given your children or received yourself.” It will have to be something I have done to deeply damage my own children for life, as I was a perfect angel. No, really, my dad was a cop and I HATE getting in trouble.

No Poopy Pancakes for Me!

My son is persistent, insistent, and stubborn. Good thing he is cute as a button, bright, and likes to snuggle. He is the kind of kid, however that needs examples. I couldn’t just tell him not to pinch (he knows this…now); he needed evidence that it was bad…why it was wrong. So, yes, I did pinch hit to prove my point (no need to call CPS!). This leads me to the tale of the Poopy Pancakes…

My daughter had just been born and my (then) six year old couldn’t get enough of her. Her dad (aka my hubby) was a freak about everything (still is) – for the record, I am not. There was hand-sanitizing and hand-washing being enforced 24/7 in this house. Hubby was constantly asking: Did you wash your hands? Are you sure you are feeling OK? Did you use hot water when you washed that bottle? As if, I was going to go through labor to give my kid a funky disease by not washing properly.

Being the boy he is, Joe didn’t like to wash his hands – at one time he did, but I am not sure what happened. One bright and cheery day he finishes with his business in the bathroom and I can hear him…he does not wash his hands and comes jumping into the room chanting, “I want to hold my sister! I want to hold my sister!” I ask’ “Did you wash your hands?” Silence. “Go back and wash, then you can hold her.” Protests and screaming ensue (just a little trouble adjusting to not being the one-and-only). Then as if timed perfectly, Jules poops - a teeny, tiny, smelly, new baby poop.

I change her diaper and by this time Joe has changed directions…he wants a pancake…“I am hungry…NOW!!!” This lovely sound continues while I change Jules...and then I had my “A-Ha! Moment.”

I finish my business, put Jules down in the crib and tell Joe to come with me. We go into the kitchen and I began pulling out the items we need for pancakes. He looks at me, “Aren’t you going to wash you hands?” I am dumbfounded – this might actually work - a brilliant mom  moment to never be forgotten! “No” I say. “If poopy hands are fine for your sister, then poopy pancakes should be fine for you.”

Like a flash he was gone…to the bathroom, water a runnin’. He always washes his hands now.

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Bake It! Jar It! Can It! Cakes Baked in a Jar

About 15 or so years ago when I was  a single gal...who didn't cook - I mean, I occasionally baked chocolate chip cookies, stirred up some Rice Krispie treats, and threw together 7-layer cookies (the easiest, yummiest thing on the planet) - my mom bought me this book called Cake in a Jar. Great! Yipppeee!...What am I supposed to do with this? I kept it anyway. 

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Who's Ready for Christmas?

I'm not!...but here I am anyway, faced with the inevitable...

Christmas is coming!

Like many of us, every year I think I have more time than I really do, "Heck, it's only early November. I have plenty of time to craft and create and plan." But, before I know it, I am frantically on Kodak Gallery looking for a photo card and hoping it will make it here before December 22. Then, I can thoughtlessly scribble our names on them, stick them in the envelope and hopefully mail them by December 24.

Well, not this year! I am determined to get my craft on and go for it. One of my favorite past times used to be crafting, but it was first replaced by opening my own business and then by having kids. I used to hand make all of my Christmas cards and many of my gifts because it was fun and I liked it, and I want to do it again! So, this year I am going to start off by making my Christmas cards.

I first made these cards - or something  similar - about 10 years ago, and have always liked them very much...PLUS they are so easy and can be done really cheap! I have made a lot of stylistic changes since I first made them, and so here they are...

SUPPLIES

Cards: Packs of 50 cards and envelopes can be purchased  in stores (about $10 per pack). They have a flat surface. You can also purchase Watercolor Cards or Creative Cards, which have a heavier feel and more expensive look.

Paper: Scrap book paper, handmade paper, newspaper, tissue paper - whatever type of paper suits your style. I had some Christmas paper but I also used blue patterned paper and some other paper from paper packs in winter/Christmas colors....decide what fits your style.

Trim: Ribbon, crystals, trimming, craft paper (optional depending on design)

Cutters: I used a Portable Paper Trimmer, pinking shears, and regular scissors.

Paper Tearing Tool (optional): One of my favorite scrapbook tools ever. I used if for making tags too (tutorial on that one coming up next week!)

Adhesive: The type of adhesive will depend on the paper and trim you select. I used glue dots and photo adhesive. Glue will work too, and maybe necessary or easier for certain designs such as the trunk and if you are using small fabric trims (see green tree below).

INSTRUCTIONS

Tree

Cut lengths of ribbon: I used four lengths, 4.5", 3.5", 2.5", and 1.5". You may need to snip off a little here and there to adjust for placement and the size of your card. (The ribbon or paper doesn't necessarily stay these measurements once you trim it up)

OR

Rip/Cut: Rip the paper into long lengths using the paper ripper or trimmer (depending on if you want a clean edge or a ripped edge). Make strips approximately 1/2" wide (it will be larger in areas and smaller in other areas - if you use the ripper). The paper strips can also have a straight clean edge - just cut the paper into 1/2" strips. Cut them into lengths of 4.5:, 3.5", 2.5", and 1.5".

Decide if you want the edges of your tree to be a straight cut or a pinking shear cut and if you want them angled (if so, cut from the bottom of the ribbon/paper up and in about 1/2"). You can lay the pieces out on a flat surface to do this. I find it easier to affix the paper strips to the card (with adhesive just in the middle), place the trunk and then using a ruler draw a light pencil line. The I cut. After cutting, apply more adhesive.

Trunk

Decide what you want to use as a trunk. 1/4" ribbon - grosgrain or satin - works well, just trim each end off at an angle. Rick rack can be a trunk. You can also use a brown scrapbook paper cut into a thin 1/8-1/4" strip and then cut to the correct length. A paper bag will also work as the trunk. My original idea used brown thread and I actually stitched the paper and ribbon to the card with a sewing machine.

Layout

Place your paper strips on the card and when you are happy with the placement begin glueing from the bottom up. Lay trunk into position and glue down.

Topper

For some cards I used a star stamp and for some I used crystals, and honestly, the trees look great without a topper too.

Inside

I am printing a photo of the munchkins and using photo corners to affix it on the inside of the card (the photos are my favorite part of a holiday card). On the opposite side, I will write a personal greeting...I may cheat a little and print out a little something on the computer and glue it on the inside or even use a "Happy Holidays" or "Seasons Greetings" stamp and just sign our names. (see top photo)

I made a few different styles of cards to show you how much fun you can have and that is doesn't have to be out of Christmas paper.....and for those who don't celebrate Christmas, I am working on a design for that too.

Same paper - two different techniques, two different looks!

One with ripped edges and straight sides and

One with stragith edges and pinked sides

Black and White

Ribbon and Fabric Trims

Ripped paper, straight edges

The Original Idea...circa 1999

Happy Crafting!

Holly

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10 Years or Pay Up!

There was glamour...there was excitement...there was screaming...there were bad parents...there were self-centered brides, and egotistical grooms...and yes, there were a lot of really great people too, but does that make for a good story? Oh, I had it all, livng the life of a glamourous wedding planner in Tinsel Town.

So this weeks writing prompt, "Tell me your most humorous wedding experience," was tricky - do I write about the photographer who puked in the Ritz Carlton's palm trees, the mother of the bride who bribed the DJ to play a Garth Brook's song so her new son-in-law (who hates country music) would leave and then she drank a toast to what an asshole he was, or even my own personal wedding tale...Oh no, I will save those for later. Instead I shall share this little family gem with you. Please remember names have been changed to protect the guilty!

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Getting Healthy

Last week, I gathered up the munchkins, tried to brush their hair (OY!) and headed on over to Achor and Eden for a little photo shoot. I just had to share a photo or two, because I {heart} these photos! Now, this is a long post that may seem disjointed but it is all connected (at least in my mind!). Bear with me...

Jules in Zookini Kids Sweetheart Anna Dress

and her ruby slippers, of course!

Part I
So, I am going to begin with a plug for my very talented friend, Renee who designs these sweet, totally adorable, age appropriate dresses for her company Zookini Kids. I have known Renee for a long time - since middle school. We were more of acquaintances through middle school and high school, and had not kept in touch at all...our tie was really that we were both going to be attending design school. Some-odd years later, enter Facebook and a high school reunion and now, as adults, we are friends - in real life not just on Facebook! Facebook was my great time-sucker for awhile (I am currently cheating on it with Blogger), but it did help me connect and reconnect with some people who are having a major impact on my thinking.

My sweet boy!

When I saw Renee's designs I fell in love with them immediately. These dresses are exactly the way I want my daughter to dress...at least while I have a say. So, head on over to the Zookini Kids website and check out her other designs. You can also hop over to Hip, Stylish, and Totally Cool Weddings to see some of the dresses I selected as truly unique alternatives to the typical fluffy white flower girl dresses.

Part II
Once upon a time I was a vegetarian..almost a vegan (for health reasons). I felt great and looked good. I fell off the wagon, got pregnant and ate too many chocolate chip pancakes and too much mint chip ice cream (I was young and invincible...I thought). Since then, I have been fighting with baby weight (from the first baby...Jules was a breeze..only gained 15 pounds and that is gone). In recent years, I have been trying to jump back on the healthy bandwagon. Overall my family has a pretty healthy diet. My kids eat most vegetables without too much trouble, and hubby also has to watch what he eats. So my meals are heavy on the veggies and lean protein.


Now, have you seen the Slimquick commercials? You know the ones where the husband quits drinking soda and drops 10 lbs....that is my house. My hubby who considered potatoes to be his vegetable source, started eating salads and dropped white flour from his diet and lost a ton of weight without exercising in a matter of months. I however workout everyday, eat lots of veggies and NADA! Complete frustration. I began talking to Renee about this...

...you see, beyond being a fabulous designer, Renee is passionate about health and well being. She is a Holistic Health and NLP Practitioner, AADP. This is the description from her blog..."I received my training to practice Health Counseling at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, which is the only nutrition school integrating all the different dietary theories—combining the knowledge of traditional philosophies with modern concepts like the USDA food pyramid, the glycemic index, the Zone and raw foods." She sees Zookini Kids as "a conduit for education, nurturing, community, and a healthy mind and body." She is a wealth of knowledge and inspiring too. She has helped me transform some of my recipes, "Don't Tell the Kids It's Healthy" Apple Cake, and was the inspiration for A Perfect Fall Cookie (basically her recipe). 

One day, she and I were talking, really we were IM-ing on Facebook, about moms and kids and nutrition. I was feeling inspired and suggested she travel North and I would host a Healthy Happy Hour. So, next weekend, I am inviting some ladies over to chat about various health related matters, losing weight, and general nutrition. Some of the topics we may cover include:

1. Bring a recipe and we will healthify it!
2. Why it is better to read the ingredients rather than the calories, sodium, etc. Check out Renee's post about Calorie Counting.
3. The differences in sugars and flours. Refined sugars and flours vs. more fully whole flours and sugars.
4. Ways to make recipes healthier/better for you.
5. Connection of food to feeling good, not just about weight, but your health overall (hormones, disease, etc.).
6. Convincing our kids (and us) to eat better.
7. Overcoming obstacles (in our minds) to get healthy/lose weight.
8. Implementing what we already know (i.e. I already know some stuff about nutrition, etc...so why do I eat junk or let my kids do it when I know it is bad.).
9. Finding a balance between eating healthy and enjoying what we eat.
10. Curing ailments through the right foods.
11. Vegetarianism...better for you or not?
12. What are good proteins, good carbs, good fats?

The list is a work in progress...so what I am asking is:
Through blogland would you like to be involved?
Do any of you have questions related to these matters that you would like answered?
Do any of you have a recipe or two that you would like to make healthier?


I would love to hear anything. Renee is really practical and non-judgmental...I let Jules eat Cheetos the last time I saw her! If so, send me the questions - Post them in the comment section - I'd prefer you post in the comment section, but if it is personal or you just don't want to share with the world, email them to me at holly504main@yahoo.com. Please email recipes to me.


Thanks for bearing with me! Looking forward to hearing from you!


Holly

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Baked Chili Brie

Brie is one of my favorite cheeses...ever. Of course it is delicious chilled, but when the air is crisp, I love a spiced, warm hearty dish, and Baked Chili Brie is perfect for that. The combination of the melted brie and the spices is absolute perfection! Oh yeah...then you serve it with delicious sourdough bread...WINNER! While I love this dish at home, I also find it to be a great dish to take to a friends house or party...the bread bowl is portable and edible...so you never lose a dish. 

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