Pirate Treasure

This summer as Gavin celebrated his 5th birthday he received an adorable stuffed pirate puppet. He really enjoys using it to tell his make believe stories. But, even more fun is the look on Gibson's face when Gavin shows him the puppet. He giggles hysterically and it is undeniably contagious. So, for Christmas I wanted to find him a stuffed pirate of his own.

I found something cuter than I could have imagined, perfect for a 1 year old pirate fan, at Growing Tree Toys.

This little mate is made by Manhattan toys, of which we are already huge fans as evidenced by Anne Hope's "fantabulous" Groovy Girl collection.

The Dress Up Pirate Toy is bold and colorful, created with fabrics of multiple textures and prints. He is the perfect size for little hands to carry around, at just 15 inches tall. In stead of being scary or dark like most pirate paraphernalia, Dress Up Pirate has a sweet and a friendly looking parrot pal.

I love that beyond just being cute, this is a toy that teaches. He happens to be a dressing doll with buttons, zippers, hook & loops, pockets, and ties for Gibson to learn to manipulate.
Growing Tree Toys has developmentally labeled, imaginative, colorful, and educational toys for kids of all ages. There site is organized and they stock many toys by well known manufacturers such as KidKraft, Doug & Melissa, Alex Toys, Playmobil, and more. They also carry the season's popular Automoblox that I am considering as part of Gavin's Christmas gift.

If you have any children on your shopping list this season, you will want to take some time to browse Growing Tree Toys. While you are there take a look at their fantastic Deal of the Day. In fact, check in often and buy quickly, as each day one toy will be offered at a significant discount until it is sold out!

Thank you so much to Green Tree Toys for sending this pirate treasure free of charge for the purpose of reviewing him, and their site, on my blog. I am so thankful to them for helping us make a Christmas wish come true.

Soup-er Saturday: The Holiday Ham Challenge

Last week I gave you a heads up about today's Soup-er Saturday. Every shared link to a recipe using ham will be an entry into a giveaway for a FREE Holiday Ham from Cook's. Not sure how to prepare a ham? What should you do with ham leftovers? To rub or to glaze? Before I found their helpful site I would have told you to, "Just ask Gramma." However, Cook's has many suggestions for you.

My soup recipe this week has been modified to include ham.

Ham, Cheese & Potato Chowder
3 cups fat free milk
1 can condensed cream of potato soup
2 cups frozen Southern-style hash browns
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup of bite sized ham pieces
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

Mix milk and soup in a large saucepan. Stir in hash browns and ham. Bring to a boil on high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and top evenly with cheese and onions. Serve with a whole grain roll or bread. Makes 6 servings.

MckLinky will be active for you to add your ham recipes until December 5th, at which time I will add in the participants from last week's Soup-er Saturday and today's to choose a winner! Your ham will be awarded via gift certificate to be used at your local grocer and will be available to you before Christmas!

A Tasty Turkey

This year I was asked to add a non-pumpkin dessert to the Thanksgiving meal. Since most everyone else enjoys pumpkin pie I figured the kids and I would be the only ones eating this dessert, so I made something I knew we'd enjoy. I've always been a fruit pizza fan, but wanted to give this one a special turkey twist. The kids thought it was so exciting to see it come together and really look like a turkey.

Fruit Pizza
1 package refrigerated cookie dough (I usually use chocolate chip, but this one is made with sugar cookie dough)
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sugar
fruit toppings

Press cookie dough along the bottom of a 12 inch pizza pan. Bake at 350 for 10-14 minutes. Cool to room temperature. Beat cream cheese and sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Spread over the crust. Cover and refrigerate until you are almost ready to serve. Before serving add cut fruit.

What Will Your Moment Be?

'Tis the season when many families attempt the once a year formal family portrait. This year we avoided the photo studio and instead had my dad try his hand at a casual picture of all 5 of us, hopefully looking at the camera. I must say he did nice work.

In fact, I may consider enlarging one of my family favorites, using Online Poster Printing. That is, if I don't use another special 1 year photo or the wedding group shot I've always wished I would have framed for our room.

The Silly Version


Determination


Love is Where You Find It


Too bad Yelp doesn't have a service for reviewing my photos and telling me which one to choose! Anyway...
It's your turn to dream of what special moment you'd like to enlarge. To be entered to WIN a 16x20 Canvas Print all you must do is leave a comment before December 5 suggesting how you might use your rolled canvas. If you blog or tweet about this giveaway please feel free to enter a second and third comment. Thanks for spreading the word!

Thank you to Online Poster Printing for offering me a free 16x20 for posting this giveaway. I will look forward to choosing how I will use it!

Happy Thanksgiving

It is not lost on us that in 2009 many of our friends and neighbors have suffered through underemployment and unemployment. It is a difficult time for many here in Michigan. "In many situations jobs have been eliminated, benefits have been reduced, and work place tensions are high because of financial stress.

Yet, we have been blessed beyond expectation with Kevin's new job, which happens to be at my fave alma mater;). He has a job he loves. A job he looks forward to going to each day. A job with built in friends for life. A job made for him.

For this, we give thanks!

There are sweet babies, similar in age to our own, who have faced severe health scenarios in 2009; wives and mothers have been struck by tragedy, impacting the lives of all those in their influence. Many families may likely spend this holiday in a hospital surrounded by the scary and unfamiliar.

Yet, our dear babe has grown and developed right on schedule with nothing more than the occasional fever. His siblings, Gavin & Anne Hope, are happy, healthy, learners, thinkers, and lovers of life. Kevin and I appreciate each day we live free of debilitating health issues of our own.

For this, we give thanks!

People around our country find themselves losing their homes or relying on shelters this Thanksgiving. Worldwide, meeting the needs of daily nourishment is a constant struggle.

Yet, we find ourselves with plenty to eat and the means to prepare it to our tastes. We enjoy a cozy home with rooms and beds for all. We have running water for all seasons and heat in the winter. Most importantly, we have an eternal home to look forward to.

For this, we give thanks!

Hands to hold.
Voices to speak.
Teachers to nurture.
Parents to encourage.

For all we have & have to look forward to, we give thanks!

Fit for a Squirrel

When I saw this idea on Pink and Green Mama I envisioned a large clear bowl full of colorful acorns and oak leaves - big enough for a showy centerpiece.

Who knew it'd be so tricky to find the stinkin' acorns? They are often found in fall motif, but in reality by Thanksgiving the squirrels have their acorns safely buried under leaves, mud, and gunk. Most of them we found were too decomposed to recognize in our project.

Interestingly, acorns are only found on adult trees and are often used to symbolize patience or hard work. Appropriate.

After a bit of exploring, here is the acorn "gold" the kids and I managed to hunt down.

Never-the-less it was a fun venture and is an unusual addition to our Thanksgiving decorations.

Sailing on the Silly Ship

Our crazy rendition of Mayflower head gear in honor of Thanksgiving.

Back story:
Before this picture the kids had also just finished putting together chocolate marshmallow Pilgrim hats, as evidenced by the ring around the mouth on these 2 monkeys! They also insisted on sitting in water, which is why the blue blanket is draped over the couch for some of the pictures. You'll also notice that Gavin made his hat reversible so he could tell the Thanksgiving story with it. And overall they thought the whole thing was quite hysterical!