Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful dads out there, especially my own dad and my husband! In honor of father's day, I bring you my Top Five Fave TV Dads of All Time! In no specific order...

Jake Morgandorffer
Helen:"Honestly, Jake, sometimes I wonder if you know even the most rudimentary facts about our girls. How old is Quinn?”
Jake: “Uh, eleven. . . ish? That was a guesstimate.”
Helen: “Jake, what's my middle name?”
Jake: “It's got a "K," right?”





Jason Seaver
Jason: "Boner, is your voice coming from your armpit?"
'Boner' Stabone: "Yes."










Red Forman

Red: "I didn't want to insult him by offering him some nothing job."
Kitty: "Oh Red, you insult him every day."
Red: "That's different, he thinks I'm kidding."











Cliff Huxtable
"Dad is great! Gives us chocolate cake!














Mitchell and Cameron
Cameron: "I got all medieval on the florists."
Mitchell: "Cam, I heard you on the phone, you said you were displeased, but that’s hardly going medieval."
Cameron: "Excuse me, I said very displeased and I used my cowboy voice."

GIVEAWAY!! Vermont Village Applesauce 'Pack the Pantry' Giveaway!

So having grown up in a family that owned (for 30 years!) a business here in Vermont, I have always been a very "buy-local" gal and still am! It's also no secret that I frequent the local natural food store and that we are really trying to instill in our daughter a love for organic foods at an early age.

I found a great combination of local, organic and *delicious* packed into Vermont Village Applesauce and am completely enamored with their product! Vermont Village is not only all natural and manufactured here in Vermont, but they work in collaboration with many local farmers, so not only do I feel great eating it, but I feel good buying it.

You may be wondering what the big whoop about applesauce here is, but let me tell you, this is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill, brown-bag-lunch applesauce. It has a rich texture- full of real, juicy apple and with a lively, full-mouthed flavor, it's almost like getting to eat dessert anytime, guilt-free! It tastes homemade because, well.. it is! They still make this the old fashioned way in small kettles, ensuring it's incredible taste.

The company sent us an assortment of flavors to try- all unsweetened and with fresh fruit varieties including Peach, Strawberry Banana, Mixed Berry, Raspberry and Tropical Mango, and the whole family has gone fruity (haha, get it?) over them! Vivi is enjoying the change from icky processed apples to this yummy variety (her fave is the mango!) and Mike (our resident chef) has been trying out some of their recipes, and is loving the applesauce salad dressing. And me? Well, I discovered they make Maple Applesauce and have been in 7th heaven ever since!

WIN IT!

We’re giving away a Vermont Villages Organic Pack the Pantry giveaway!! Our prize package will consist of 4 packs of each flavor pack in the following flavors:

♥Unsweetened♥
♥Cinnamon♥
♥Peach♥
♥Strawberry Banana♥
♥Mixed Berry♥
♥Tropical Mango♥

HOW TO ENTER:

To enter the Pack The Pantry Giveaway, leave me a comment (go to the bottom of this post and you will see a "click here to leave comment" button) and leave one of the following:

1. Your favorite recipe involving apples (it can be your own recipe or just one you've made)
or
2. Your favorite Fall photo

One comment entry per person, please read below for instructions on how to submit additional entries. Please include what state you are from with your entry! The winner will be chosen by random raffle after all entries have been completed. Contest will close on Friday, June 18th at 12:00 PM.

Additional Entries:

You can submit additional contest entries by doing to following:

1. “Follow” my blog and leave me a comment telling me why you think it is important to buy local.
2. Fellow bloggers can link my blog to yours and also gain an additional entry.

This product was provided free of charge by Vermont Village Applesauce. These are my honest opinions on the product. I do not post reviews on products I can not stand behind

" Every object, every being, is a jar full of delight."- Rumi

This morning my boss asked me how I managed to be so happy everyday, let alone so happy on a Monday morning. I would like to say that being happy comes as naturally as breathing, but that is both untrue and borderline obnoxious. It took me a long time to realize that happiness isn't something that falls in our laps, nor can we expect to find it in places we go looking for it. Happiness, for me, has meant rejoicing in the small things. The sun on my face; laughing with my husband until my stomach aches; the sound of my daughter singing from her crib in the morning; iced coffee and flip-flop days.... little things to celebrate each day.

Things that are making me happy today:

1. We moved into our house this fall, so I had no idea that come springtime we would have both lilies of the valley and lilacs blossoming in the side yard. Not to go all Anne Shirley on you all, but could there be a more perfect posies? The unexpected appearance of both of my favorite flowers deepens the love I have for living in the middle of nowhere.

2. My two shmoos :) Oh, and Vivi's new wagon!)

3. Creemees! Mmmm... vanilla-chocolatey goodness in a cone! Some of you may know this as a 'soft serve' ice cream, and to you folks, please let me refer you to this Facebook Group: It's called a creemee. If you don't like it, get the F$%# out.

4. Sitting in the sun reading a deliciously good book! Come to think of it... sitting anywhere reading a good book.

5. Having fun with food (especially when making food for someone else)

I could write some long [read: pretentious] testimonial here about how introducing my child to art at an early age will open her mind and awaken her senses... but no one needs (or has any desire) to hear about any of that, and I have no earthly longing to write about it. Sure, exposure to art can help develop the brain and provide and outlet for emotional expression, yadda yadda yadda and all that.

It's also (*most importantly*), what us common folk refer to as, ya know... fun.

Fingerpainting on a rainy afternoon? WIN! My little 'arteeest' was thrilled with her first go-'round with painting, and now that I know she will not try to *eat* the art supplies, I am equally as enthused.

Two mom thumbs up for Crayola Kid's Paint too! In addition to Viv being covered in paint, the floor and the tub were *shmeared* with color as well. Color me impressed (color, get it? ahhhh... I slay me) because this is one "washable" product that did not mean "scrub for hours and it should eventually come off."

(click to enlarge)

“Getting bored is not allowed"

This evening I introduced my daughter to what is, quite possibly, the best children's book ever written- Eloise, by Kay Thompson.

Who is Eloise? She is, undoubtedly what everyone with style wishes to become. She is a fearless female who speaks her mind, does what she wants and looks fabulous the entire time! I assure you, there is not a fashionista in the world that can come close to darling Eloise. She is witty, brazen and has the intelligence and vision of a Nobel Laureate.

Oh, and did I mention that she is six?

I adore this book for so many reasons! And while I never poured a pitcher of water down a hotel mail chute, it is certainly reminiscent of the whimsy and hilarity that is childhood. This is a story for every little girl (and boy... and grownup) to remind them just how deliciously fun life can be, no matter what age you are. And *that* is a feeling which I hope my daughter, (who giggled her way through the book) can keep with her forever ;-)

It's the simple things...

i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
ee cummings

Zumba Dance Fevaaah

I have never been what one would call 'graceful.' I have never been the star ballerina (despite desperately wishing I had the kind of talent that warranted being able to wear a tutu on a regular basis); In fact, I have enough trouble walking without tripping myself. Fortunately (for my own sake) I have a fairly good sense of humor about it and have oft compared my dancing style to that of Seinfeld's Elaine. For everyone's sake (and safety), I avoid dancing at weddings, parties and other social functions.

I am, however always up for a good workout. In fact, before having a child, I was a 7-day-a-week gym fanatic. Never the less, I no longer have time (or energy, or the major $$$ it costs to own a gym membership here) and have been looking for an alternative. Needless to say, when I heard about the Zumba dance workout, I was intrigued but hesitant to try it. After all, I am only an amazing singer/dancer *in my head* when I am alone and have my ipod on! Dancing in front of people is a whole different ball of wax! What if everyone was super coordinated and I just looked like a huge Jello jiggler (the likes of which Bill Cosby has never seen)?!

I decided to step outside my comfort zone and try it anyway. To my surprise, I LOVED it. It was fun, upbeat and was a great cardio workout (without the dullness of an ellyptical machine and skeevy gym guys). And while I couldn't quite master all the moves (I have hopes that that will change over time), I took a look around and found that everyone..well, almost everyone.. looked just as silly as me and were having just as much fun!

Love it! Can't wait to go back again this week!

An Easter Recipe

Recipe for a Fun Easter Party:

1. 5 dozen eggs, dyed and decorated
2. A heaping portion of great friends (a variety of personalities)
3. 1 fabulously smooshed birthday cake
4. Several dozen peep-tinis
5. Mix vigorously and serve with a side of witty commentary

Fun - Family - Food: Things I'm *luffing* this week

{Fun:} Handmade items are all the rage lately, and thanks to sites like Etsy, crafters from all over the country can sell their goods worldwide. I love one-of-a kind handmade items! I love knowing that real heart went into every stitch and that each item is unique.

I also heart coffee. A lot.

So I was thrilled to find these custom-made (and cute as a button) coffee cozies! I had seen CC's before, but not made to my (girly) specifications. I ordered mine here at The Crafty Cat, a fabulous craft blog that constantly has me wishing I was more handy in the craft department (I try though!) You can also find her stuff here on Etsy!


I refer to mine as the 'Shady Lady Design' because of the button- too cute!


{Family:} I may not have said it before, but my husband is a life-long hockey fan, current coach and jersey enthusiast. By enthusiast, I mean his collection is worth more than my car.

In addition to his love for all things rink-related, like me, he loves to read. Imagine my surprise (while perusing the shelves of a used bookstore) when I came across a childrens book called The Hockey Sweater.

I.Love.It. The Story- adorable yet meaningful. The illustrations- phenomenal. The ability to further bond daddy and daughter- spot.on.



{Food:} Okay, so this isn't a food, but close enough! While out for dinner the other night, I was introduced to a delicious drinkable dessert- a mangotini!

Not wanting to have to buy a copious amount of ingredients to make these myself, I hunted down an alternative to this tropical taste bud paradise....

Mix:

• 1 1/2 oz Vodka
• 1/2 oz Cointreau® Orange Liqueur
• 2 oz Snapple Mango Madness Soda

Blending Instructions:

• Pour the vodka, Cointreau and Snapple mango madness into a cocktail shaker half-filled with cracked or cubed ice
• Shake well, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.

**Warning: Cabana boy not included.

A good egg...

I hadn't made (or even thought about) an Easter tree since I was about 7. So yesterday, when I came across several on our walk I was delighted and inspired! I could not *of course* have any old half-a$$ed decorated bush in our yard, so I decided to get creative.

I created my own 'tree' by gathering together small branches and biding them with ribbon. This was trickier and messier than I anticipated! Using an X-ACTO knife, I made a small hole in the top of each plastic egg, and ran a hoop of ribbon through. With the same color of ribbon, I made a small bow, which I added to the top of the egg with [my fave] hot glue. For the base I decided to use a tall vase, securing the branches with glass craft beads (which I reused from Vivi-cakes birthday party- bonus!] And Vvwaaaaa-laaaah!

Easter Beag le, take note: leave my 'Reester Bunny' and black jelly beans here!

Signs of Spring

I should preface this by saying that the arrival of springtime in Vermont generally means that the minute everyone whips out the flip flops (which is at about 35 degrees) and pastel prints, we are hit with at least one more big snow storm. It's a cruel joke that nature likes to play on us every year. We fall for it every time, always hoping that this year will be the year the snow will melt for good in March.

It was almost 50 degrees out today, so I took advantage of the break in the weather and went for my first outdoor walk since last summer. On our journey, we came across some signs of spring. Crocuses? Nuh-uh. Birds chirping from their nests? Nice, but no... Here are a few lesser-known signs that spring has made it's way to Vermont.

Easter tree with half melted snowman in the background. Classic.

The ever-helpful "nature's speedbump." These are generally not fixed until late fall, giving everyone that does not own a truck the chance to bottom out.

Yup, sometimes stopping traffic is literally for the birds

Dear Mother Nature, and other open letters...

Dear Mother Nature,
:) You rock my socks! Thank you for blessing us with this beautiful (albeit still a bit nippy) day filled with sweet nearly-spring [read: pre-manuer spreading] air and sunshine to warm our long-awaiting faces!

Dear Gerber Graduates,
I contest your description of 'mess free!' Unless by 'mess free!' you mean 'just the perfect size and consistency for the tiniest of fingers to squish and grind into the carpet.'

Dearest Darling Daughter,
Thank you for coughing, tooting AND spitting peas on my face all at the same time. Epic.
It's a good thing you're cute! :) smooches!


On another note, here are some sites I'm loving this week...

Yay Everyday - fun art and inspirational images
It Made My Day - winning moments... a happy alternative to "FML"

Babes in Orange-Land

You've heard of Dante's Inferno, right? Dante has nothing on Mommy's Inferno... AKA flying (sans spouse) with a toddler as a lap passenger.

Now, my daughter is a very happy, good natured child. She very, very rarely fusses and is happy just about everywhere. That said, there are exception to every rule, and the exception here is airtravel as a lap passenger.

Two words: never.again.

Oh yes, Mommy was able to reach a whole new level of frazzled on this journey! Having traveled with my daughter when she was a newborn, I thought I had this baby-travel thing in the bag! I should have known. When will I ever learn to never assume anything when it comes to my child? Especially since she is now very vocal and very, very mobile!

Here are a few things I learned while traveling this past week:

1. It does not matter how 'travel-friendly' your stroller's reviews claim it is. The reviewers clearly never tested it's 'speedy foldability' while simultaneously carrying [wrangling] a child that is attempting to make her escape; 2 bags filled with 'necessary' baby products (which, incidentally, weigh about as much as bricks) and attempting to hand the flight attendant the tickets (you know, the tickets that said [flailing] child keeps attempting to grab and put.in.her.mouth.) Where was the 'One-handed, 5-second-fold' mechanism that my 'Mercedes of Strollers' had promised me? Don't get me wrong, I adore our stroller, I just think the reviewers need to up the chaos level in their review scenarios.

2. You do not need half the things you think you will need in your carry on bag. No really, your child will only want to try to wiggle their way out of your arms and into the Promised Land (also known as the aisle). This will go on the entire flight and any attempts to read/play/snuggle/feed/amuse them as means of distracting them from trying to get to the asile will not end well. For you.

3. By 'extra leg room' seats, they mean 'extra cost' seats that involve no extra room for anything.

4. Trying to steer a stroller one-handed in an attempt to drink your coffee and walk at the same time, will result in you looking drunk (this may only be MY stroller, which maneuvers a little too easily if both hands are not in control of the vehicle at all times).

5. Airport sushi can be delish. Thank you Deep Blue Sushi at the JFK airport!

6. Each airport really only needs one store to purchase polo shirts within a 4-gate radius, not four, hmmkay? Perhaps they should add a Starbucks and some of those chairs massage chairs in their place. Mamma looooves those.

7. Inevitably, your child will probably do something embarassing en route to or from your location. Like throw her sippy cup at the Lt. Governor who happens to be walking up the aisle. [*blush*]

Any old who... had a great time in Florida! Wish we could have stayed longer!! My little babers certainly enjoyed the sun and sand (well, at least she enjoyed trying to eat it!)

Ski-for-All Free-for-All

Another winter bucket list item complete! Today, we went cross country skiing, and IT.WAS.AWESOME. How have I not been doing this every winter of my life?! And while I can't say much for my coordination level, we made it through the afternoon without a single casualty. Well... unless you count wet tushes, but in our defense, the skis really weren't made to go down that hill!

We decided to forgo the traditional trail skiing and venture out into the fields behind my house. By 'fields' I mean one field and several people's property, none of whom we knew. But, in keeping with typical Vermont winter etiquette (which seems to mean that anyone and everyone's yards are a snowmobiling free-for-all) no one seemed to mind. :)

I wish I didn't have to return my rented skis tomorrow, because I would love to go again (gosh darn that whole having to work thing!) Not that they would notice if I kept them an extra day. Only in small town Vermont would a store go by the honor system and just tell you to pay when you bring them back!

Kipling had it right...

We can check 'Take my daughter sledding' off my winter bucket list. If today had a 'Like' button, it would be checked. Happy Monday all ;-)

Freezin' for a Reason!

Mission accomplished. The Plunge is officially over for another year, and I think this one was the most fun by far. Good friends, good times and for a good cause! When we ran out of the building I was quite surprised to hear someone yell "Go Lindsey!!!!!" from the bleachers. Thank you mystery yeller! I have no idea who you are, but it made my day!

Taking the Plunge

The time has come once again, to take the plunge. The Penguin Plunge that is! Bestie and I have made a yearly tradition (with the exception of the year we were both el preggo) of jumping into the icy waters of Lake Memphremagog. Not only do we voluntarily freeze our bajingos off, we pay to do it! While it is clear I am not a fan of the cold, this event is worth every penny. And in all honesty, it's so quick and such a rush you barely feel the cold!

So anyway, tomorrow is the day, and we were fortunate enough this year to have several other friends in tow! When the final numbers are tallied, our team, 'Fight Like a Girl!' will have raised over $900! It isn't too late to donate still! You can give (securly I mught add) via my fundraising website at First Giving. All procedes go to the Vermont Special Olympics!

Thanks all:)

10 Things I Did Not Expect From Motherhood

I did not expect...
1. ...that so many conversations with other adults would revolve around poop.
2. ...to have to wrestle a one year old into a diaper... and lose.
3. ...to find the unexpected at every turn. Like waking up to a certain cutie-patootie sticking cereal in my ear ;-)
4. ...that finding a good babysitter would be akin to the search for the Holy Grail.
5. ...that becoming parents would create a deeper love and admiration for my husband.
6. ...that I would breastfeed with such unabashed immodesty anywhere, anytime {Well, that's what they're for!!}
7. ...that I would have songs from 'Nick Jr.' memorized and stuck in my head 24/7... or that my husband and I would find ourselves randomly bursting into Laurie Berkner Band lyrics {"I don't wanna gooo slow I gooo fast! I'm a rabbit I hop and I jump and I dash!"} Yeah.. that's just about enough of that...
8. ...words like 'tushie,' and 'feetsies' would slip so seamlessly into my everyday vernacular.
9. ... that prepping for a 15 minute trip to the store can be a 2 hour process.
10. ...that s single tiny smile at the end of the day would have healing powers stronger than anything else known to man.