After reading one of my favorite blogs, a blog that warms your heart, and makes you smile, I decided to post some pictures.
Bean, love of my life, sometimes, when people ask me how you, are my response is, you are kicking my butt. Reality, is I might complain, moan, and even bitch, but I would have you NO other way. I am SO proud to be your mommy. Thank you for being you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don’t change!!!!!!!
From our family to yours….wishing you a very Happy Easter!!!!!
(Please excuse the dishes in the background of the picture~we declared it a lazy weekend.)
I don’t know about you, but lately all I have been dreaming about is Spring. Anything, and I mean anything, that has to do with Spring catches my attention. Since I have been bitten by the Spring “bug” I am totally indecisive on what wreath I am going to make for our front door. I go back and forth on what to choose. Also, since we really don’t celebrate St. Patrick’s day, although this year we are marching in the parade since Mr. Man is a Rotarian, my front door is naked.
That is why I am asking for your help! This door needs some love.
Below please find the wreaths, also known as craft eye candy, that I have I have been admiring and help me figure how to dress this door.
a
C
[will adjust to have spring paper]
The votes are open. I am looking for your help. Please comment below.
What will it ???????????
~Lauren
Good Morning!
February is traditionally viewed as the month of love. One where we express affection and gratitude to those we love. With Valentine’s Day only ONE week away, join me in jump starting the celebration and participate in a Valentine’s-themed discussion. This live chat, on theMotherhood and sponsored by Dr.Oetker Ristorante, will discuss how we spend quality time with loved one and managing your time to maintain strong relationships. He will even be giving away four FREE prize packs will goodies during the talk.
On Wednesday, February 9th, at 1pm EST, which is THIS Wednesday, we will be talking LIVE with Dr. Oetker founder of Dr. Oetker Ristorante Pizza. Click here for the link to the talk. You are REQUIRED to have a theMotherhood account to participate so click here to register. I would suggest doing this before Wednesday.
Looking forward to “seeing” you there.
~Lauren
Can you believe that Valentine’s Day is around the corner. January quickly came and left and now love is in the air. While Bean might not understand the concept of making her own valentines I still want to send cards to friends and family.
That being said, Mr. Man and I use Tiny Prints to print our cards. If it is birthday invites, holiday, or New Year’s. So, why wouldn’t we use them for Valentine’s Day! Since they have the most adorable Group & Photo Cards, Party Invites and even take care of gift ideas with their Photo Gifts they are who we are turning to. But, the big news for 2011 is the Tiny Prints Greeting Card Collection, which lets you create individual personalized cards with photos starting at $1.99. According to an email I received this morning, they have everything from romantic to sentimental to hilariously funny cards. In a matter of seconds you can create personalized cards for your loved one, mom, dad, friend or anyone else important in your life and Tiny Prints will mail the card directly to that person.
Here are couple of my favorites:
Happy shopping!!!!!!!
~Lauren
The benefit of living close to Bean's maternal and paternal grandparents is: we rarely take LONG road trips. To clarify, in the Htothe3 family, we define anything over 2 1/2 hours as a long car ride. That being said, when we went to PA to visit Mr. Man’s brother and friends of ours, which was 4 hours away, I was NOT a happy camper.
Many of you are probably shaking your heads, since in the grand scheme of things 4 hours isn’t really that long, but we have gotten so used to everything being no more than 2 1/2 hours from us. What is so funny about this outlook is, when Mr. Man and I were dating we lived in Washington, DC. We used to take 6 hour plus weekend road trips to visit his parents lake house in the Catskill Mountains without thinking twice. We did it often and we LOVED our time in the car. Maybe it’s old age (LOL), but I HATE being stuck in the car.
My biggest fear of this trip, especially since we have never gone 4 hours with Bean, was how she was going to react. Obviously, she wasn’t going to take a 4 hour nap, so I could plan on half of the trip being a nap, but what was I going to do with her for the other half. Plan was to stuff the front of the car with toys and push them over to keep her entertained. Glad to report the planned worked…..every time I pushed one over she would laugh. We did have some melt downs, but we made it.
The BEST part of the trip was the joy on Bean’s face while she played with her cousins. As I shared in my the simple woman’s daybook entry on Tuesday “joy through the eyes of a child for me defines the joy in simple things.” This outweighs the the sacrifice of the 4 hours. Being able to watch Bean interact and appreciate the company of her cousins was the greatest gift.
Here are some pictures from the weekend:
For Christmas morning Mr. Man, Bean & I planned to celebrate as a clan. Since this was a treat, to be just the three of us, I wanted to make something decadent and special. First thing that came to mind was my gooey and totally yummy Crème Brule French Toast recipe.
This recipe is special to us since it was served at my unofficial “first” Mother’s Day brunch. While I was pregnant with Bean, Brett and I hosted our first Mother’s Day at our new house. The original recipe calls for half-and-half, but I use whole milk to slim it down. Not only does it help with the calories, slightly, but this minor change helps with my tummy issues by reducing the richness - - again - - not calories!
Also, instead of Grand Marnier I use orange juice.
Hope this dish makes a debut on your table when you celebrate a special moment. Don’t forget to plan ahead: the recipe requires that you chill the mixture at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
From our table to yours:
~Lauren
Gooey & Totally Yummy Crème Brule French Toast
(adapted from Gourmet Magazine | July 1998)
Yield: Makes 6 servings
Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons corn syrup
1 challah
5 large eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon orange juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
In small heavy saucepan melt butter with brown sugar and corn syrup over moderate heat, stirring, until smooth and pour into a 13 – by 9 – by 3 – inch pyrex pan. Cut 6 1-inch thick slices from center of challah. Arrange bread slices in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit.
In a bowl whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, oj, and salt until combined well and pour evenly over bread. Chill bread mixture, covered, at least 8 hours and up to 1 day.
Preheat over to 350 degrees and bring bread to room temp.
Bake bread mixture, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 35 to 40 minutes.
Serve immediately.
We have a busy rest of the week and weekend - - - see you in 2011 Health, Happiness, Hamstrings readers.
Ever since Mr. Man has started his business a full weekend, with him home, is few and far between. Not that I am complaining, since this is the reality of life right now, family time with just the three of us was exactly what I asked Santa for.
Santa, thank you for my Christmas present!!!!!!!
Here are some photos I took of our area. While they DO NOT show the true extent of the snow it gives you a taste:
HOLY MOLY!!!!!!! Too bad Bean has a cough. Today would have been a PERFECT day to play in the snow. East Coasters enjoy your snow day 
From Our Family To Yours
~Mr. Man, Lauren & Bean~
