Showing posts with label baby girl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label baby girl. Show all posts

Friday, March 20, 2020

Just We Three

46 Trendy Cupcakes Illustration Printables
Just we three, Daniel and Danielle and me. 
This was how life was 4 years at 6:28 p.m. and that's how it was today due to the social distancing necessary for now. Our life as we knew it took a drastic change for the better on March 20, 2016, with the addition of our little princess, Danielle Nicole! Fast forward 4 years, and due to Covid-19, all of our lives have taken another drastic change. For the better or for the worse, will be up to us in my opinion! This is history in the making, and I want to be able to look back and be proud of my actions and attitudes. It affects us all in some way big or small, from those losing family members to the four year olds with postponed birthday parties who won't be able to attend Sunday School the first Sunday they are four.
With childlike acceptance and consideration of others, Danielle was happy to tell her friends and family that her birthday party would be be later because, "The whole world doesn't want to get the "b"irus." Bless her heart!
We woke Danielle up early to open her four presents, mostly wrapped in green trimmings and trappings! (If you don't catch on by the end of this post that GREEN is her favorite color, please reread lol.) She was delighted with her green remote control monster truck that she promptly named "Thunder." The lime green flip flops, dark green sunglasses, green/blue bath bomb, grow-in-water dachshund, bug-catching kit, and Lisa Frank calendar also got rave reviews! I think Daddy was as eager to try out the monster truck as daughter was. Our dewy yard was soon covered in tracks, and Thunder was covered in dirt and grass clippings! 
As the day continued; happy video calls, messages, and GIFs poured in. 7 caterpillars were re-homed into a clear plastic cage with a built-in magnifier. Our living room was bedazzled with balloons taped randomly to the walls, streamers running from the fan to the four corners, and a happy birthday banner draped on the curtain rod. Funfetti cupcakes were baked, frosted with greenish frosting, and plastered with sprinkles. (A certain little chef got quite frosted also.) Presents from Aunt Rhonda, Uncle Wade, Jacob, and Neil were deposited on our front porch with no human contact. Feverish unwrapping ensued, the lava lamp was immediately plugged in, the craft kit splayed colorfully across the floor, and the new hot pink gingham dress was nonchalantly cast aside only to be lovingly and gratefully plucked up by Mommy. Fried deer meat was devoured, along with green beans and Cutie oranges. A 4 candle was lit, Happy Birthday was sung, and faces were stuffed with cake and cookies 'n cream ice cream. Chocolate milk was drunk, favorite stories (Red Fish, Blue Fish & Wiggle) were read, prayers were said, and all but one went to bed. 
Life goes on, and life is good; just we three - Daniel, and Danielle, and me.
Love Never Lets Go Family Decorative Tile

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

An "Add-in" Win

Well, here goes! 
I want to see how much I can write in 15 minutes and just post it! 
Daily blogging is my goal, but so often I don't even start typing the posts I write in my head, because I know I won't have or take the time to do them justice! #downwithperfectionism

Several days ago, I joined a group of friends who have decided to give up something they feel is detrimental and add in something positive until Easter. Sorta "Lentish" although I'm not totally sure what Lent really is or means. We just want to become more self-denied and try harder to be our best selves! I have decided to give up phone time from supper until bedtime endeavoring to be fully present with my family instead of distracted with messages, browsing, shopping etc. And for my "add-in" I chose blogging! Thus this post! 

We have been having the best time ever with Alisha, Isla, and Jemma being here for a week over Daniel's mom's 60th birthday! Which makes me feel writers' overload; so many things I could touch on that I don't know where to even start! And if I'm gonna cover much in the few minutes I have remaining, I think I should just jot some random bullet points as they come to me!

  • Navarre Beach is truly Florida's Most Relaxing Place as advertised! Felt so blessed to be able to spend 4 nights together in THIS ocean-front townhouse, making amazing family memories, and basking in the blissful sunshine! The water was cold, but the weather was absolute perfection!

Navarre Beach isn’t Florida’s best kept secret anymore, but It’s my favorite vacation spot!

  • Two toddlers make a terrible combination in a kate spade outlet store.
  • Danielle is THREE as of March 20, 2019!
  • Throwing a simple beach-themed birthday party takes a village. #thankseveryone
  • It takes a little pink pair of scissors, a bottle of water, an iPad, a small Barbie doll with accessories, and a sucker for a successful "tee-tee" session. Who knew?!
  • Don't ask me how my courage with this whole potty training thing is going. Reference pic below. 


  • I love Taco Tuesday. So lovely to always know what's for supper! Tonight was simple stir-fried chicken tender chunks in olive oil with garlic salt and black pepper in a flash-fried white corn tortilla topped with cheese, sour cream, and blended mild Pace picante salsa. Mine had the additional essentials of green onion and a squeezed wedge of lime! Chips and salsa on the side and - voila! Faster than Blue Apron or Hamburger Helper! 

@sydneymichuda | It's #NationalTacoDay my dudes!

  • Ginger Lime Diet Coke! Wow. They got it right with that combination! 

Diet Coke Ginger Lime over ice and with a lime wedge or in the can

  • Now I want to try all the flavors! Have any of y'all developed new faves? 

Diet Coke's new cans and flavors are Millennial: Diet Coke is introducing four new flavors that are sure to tickle your taste buds, Diet Coke in Ginger Lime, Feisty Cherry, Zesty Blood Orange and Twisted Mango.

(Confession: It took me 40 minutes to write this instead of 15! But hey, at least it got me back in the groove again! An "add-in" WIN!)

Friday, March 1, 2019

Happy 2019!

Happy New Year!!
Don't you just love the freshness, the "clean slate," the "start-over" feel of a brand new year?! 
What? You say it's MARCH 1????! HOW did this happen?? Two whole months of 2019 have already slipped into oblivion?! Wow. Let me regroup. I guess I will post my New Year's Letter in its current state and MOVE ON!

Had family Christmas in Guntersville on January 1! Twas hard to believe that 2018 had already begun.

An anniversary in February called for some time away; so down by the beach in Navarre for a few days we did stay.

Party time for our princess in the third month of the year; we celebrated this donut-loving 2 year old who’s always in high-gear!

Practically zoomed to MS in April to witness Kyle say “I do”; certainly enjoyed seeing Grandma and Aunt Sue too!

Yehaw! Tried something new which was Blue Apron in May, a food service meal that only brought my hubby dismay!

Next in June was the nuptials of Cam & Mel; then of Isla’s 1st birthday celebration in Calgary I could tell.

(And the rest of the year was amazing as well!) 


OK. March 1, 2019. 
Here in the Sun-doesntshineitjustrainsandrains State, Spring is just around the corner! Everything is GREEN! Did I mention we have not lacked in moisture lately? And that I have done something wildly different for me?! I have decided to GROW ROSES AGAIN! This goal was one of the "not done" things on my "18 for 2018" list. It got plopped again on my "19 for 2019"  list, and this time I'M DOING IT! I've ordered 5 hybrid tea roses from Jackson & Perkins, and I could not be more excited! I'm nightly soaking my black thumb in essential oils... LOL not really!
But I do hope I can keep these babies alive and be able to pick gorgeous bouquets to place artistically about our home! I dabbled in rose gardening at the old home place prior to marriage with some success! And lots of spraying! Black spot is rampant down here Zone 9. If y'all have any tips for getting the flower of love to flourish, please send them my way!

Image result for mister lincoln rose jackson and perkins
(Mister Lincoln)

Image result for malibu rose
(Malibu)

Image result for gemini rose jackson and perkins
(Gemini)

Image result for clouds of glory rose jackson and perkins
(Clouds of Glory)
Image result for john f kennedy rose jackson and perkins
(John F. Kennedy)

P.S. Before I could get this posted, I got an email from UPS saying they had been delivered on my front porch! Yippity-yay!
And once I got home from work, there they were in all their ugly, bare-root beauty! Now, for the planting thereof.
Forward, MARCH!

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Monday Musing & Menus

Today was a really good day.
 It is our only hope to carry on!
It didn't start out that way...
after Danl left early for work, and Danielle was wide awake, be-bopping around, I hunkered down on the couch under a blanket for an hour, gloomy and glowering. 
Finally I hoisted myself up, brewed some coffee, started smiling, ordered Bloom planners from Amazon for Rhonda and me, completed my morning routine, did yoga, (Danielle joined me! Seriously, seeing a toddler doing the downward dog is just plain adorable!) fixed Disney Princess Spaghettio's and leftover fajitas for lunch, conquered a kitchen mission #flylady, ran to the bank(s), found Jacob an unread book, supervised Neil and Danielle, Instant Potted some venison chili, worked at my desk, ate supper, blended fresh fruit smoothies, hung out with my family, bathed and bedded Danielle, went to bed with Danl, got back up, made a pineapple-raspberry cake and orange 7-up jello for Sewing tomorrow, got hungry, devoured some "tortiyahs" chips & Diet Coke, and now I'm blogging! 

My gorgeous, wood-grain planner gets here Wednesday, and I cannot wait!

Image result for blue ox planner
Thanks to all of you who sent me suggestions via blog comment or whatsapp! I really appreciated y'all's input!


Here are my menus for this week... I planned them on my phone while in the deer stand. #hungrywhilehunting

SOUL FOOD SUNDAY

Fried Pork Chops
Tossed Salad
Cast Iron Skillet Fried Apples

MAKE WHATEVER YOU WANT MONDAY

Venison Chili
Cheese & Crackers
Pickles
Leftover Jiffy Corn Muffins
Fruit Smoothies

TACO TUESDAY

PW Fried Tacos (venison)
Chips & Salsa
Sliced Avocados

PIE WEDNESDAY

Stromboli
Applesauce
Del Monte Corn

THROW IT ON THE GRILL THURSDAY

Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Foil-packet Grilled Cheesy Fries
Grilled Green Beans

FISH FRIDAY

Creamy Crab Topped Tilapia Recipe - Food.com - 290148

Garlic Bread
Popeye Spinach

SANDWICH SATURDAY

Chili Cheese Dog Bake

(with leftover chili from Monday)
Jello
Cucumber Slaw

Hungry yet?! 
Goodnight!

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

a GRATEFUL heart

Margaret Berg : fall / halloween: "Give Thanks" Corn

I am thankful for life... and that it goes on.
For God's protection, our guardian angel, for my friend who breathed a prayer particularly for me earlier in the day...
For airbags, car seats, safety restraints, and crash-testing technology...
That no one was injured when I rear-ended a Dodge pickup yesterday evening in the gloaming...
that the couple I hit were not angry or upset...For family and friends who stopped so soon to make sure we were OK... and got my Jeep off the road before anyone hit it...and came and got my groceries and purchases from earlier in the day...that Danl was home and could come comfort us and sit with me for the hours we waited on FHP. That Danielle was not traumatized...and seemed to understand that the Jeep was seriously injured and needed to go the vehicle hospital...That the young officer who worked the scene was kind and considerate and gave me the least possible citation.

Image result for pecans watercolor

I am thankful for pecans... And that I had plenty to re-toast for tomorrow's candied sweet potatoes since I severely over-toasted the first batch! #burnt

I am thankful for family recipes with notes at the bottom. 
#auntrose #candiedsweetpotatoes #schneidercookbook

I am thankful for the MRGA Book Club. It has, and is, totally enriching my life in in so many ways!

I am thankful that Mel brought me coffee this morning and took Danielle home with her to "help" take care of Baby Ellie.

I am thankful for crispy, ice-cold Diet Coke.

I am thankful my parents lent us their extra van for me to drive until we get our insurance rental.

I am thankful for Katie's crumb-topped banana bread. #perfection

I am thankful for ibuprofen.

I am thankful for our cozy home, for the warm bed into which I am about to crawl!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING, Y'ALL!

Happy Thanksgiving!


Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Babies Don't Keep

Tonight was Jessica (Wenger) Koehn's baby shower... or "hen party" as I overhead Danl telling one of his buddies that he would be taking care of the rugrat while Sharon went to a hen party! Guys! Gotta love 'em! 
Anyway, it was a lovely shower; all done up so darling in vintage/retro toys, with old quilts, string lights, a coffee bar complete with a barista, delicious ham chowder in bread bowls, veggies 'n dip served out of the cutest vegetable train and Tonka dump truck, apples 'n caramel, and mini pumpkin tortes! 

Prior to eating, we all sang some old lullabies one of which was the song about "Babies Don't Keep," looked at tiny, footed sleepers, sniffed lotions and potions, and petted soft blankets... My mind went back to when Danielle was a tiny baby....and I realized anew just like those lilting lyrics that my baby did not keep! She's going on 3!!! And she's daily doing such grownup stuff! 

This morning she stood on the porch in her French fries t-shirt and diaper, (still a baby in that department.. argh.) with her little arms crossed and head tilted to one side in deep thought as she watched Daddy, Mr. Bucky, and Mr. Curtis loading up and preparing for the work day. Then she seriously proclaimed, "They not have a clue what they do'ning." 

Later on our way home from Aunt Rhonda's she sneezed, then told herself, "Scat, cat! Get outa my gravy! That what Nana says." And it IS what her Nana always tells her! lol 

She thinks Bass Pro is a "casserole" aka "castle" since it has flags flying from the peaks. 

She loves to have me sing "Old McDonald Has a Farm" substituting all the members of the Paw Patrol for the usual animals. Her new favorite song is "Down by the Station" thanks to Aunt Katie!

When she knows I'm on the last, or almost the last song before bed, she instructs me, "Sing SLOW!!!" 

She loves to hold Baby Ellie, always uttering, "Baby Ellie SO cuuuuute."

We were "helping" Daddy in the man-cave the other day, and she told him all her plans for it. "I put my crib here, baby tub here, all my toys too, and paint green and brown." She's planning to take over! 

But then, she already has. Our hearts that is! 


Birth announcement card by Lisette Spapens. Glass painting and digital. sweet little girl hiding behind a leaf.




Saturday, November 3, 2018

November Aspiration

9. 
Only 9.
 9 measly posts so far in all of 2018!
 I write constantly in my mind, but no one would ever know, and I do not have a nifty cloud-based brain drive from which to retrieve my archived thoughts! So... I want to prove to myself that I can prioritize writing again. I know I sound like a broken record, but please help me! I'm an Obliger (referencing Gretchen Rubin's four tendency framework) and I need lots of outward expectations, consequences, rewards, etc.to actually be able to meet my inward goals! So nag, pester, prod, comment, compliment, etc. IF you feel like it! I plan to banish the perfectionism that results in procrastination, and just simply write a little bit every day for the month of November! I do realize that it is now November 3, but hey! Present over Perfect! Some days I may not do any more than repost my fleeting WhatsApp status, but that's OK.


I love that it's November. October was awesome, but it finally seems to get seriously "Fall" in November, and I don't feel so fake wearing scarves and drinking PSLs! And I love the constant reminders to truly ponder on all we have to be grateful for. I love this quote below because even though I absolutely love my little life, I'm always trying to be better and make it better too.


And of course November means PIES. I just wanna make and EAT piles of pie!


I was in the office today. But instead of taking control of the day and being super efficient and productive, my computer took control of me. It was negative, very negative. I shall not further elaborate. But, I think I only have one remaining issue. I love new laptops, but NOT the stress of getting old but extremely important software to run properly on them.


My parents thought I had definitely overdressed for our 50+ degree weather today! But I digress. My long sleeve shirt, vest, and leggings felt completely cozy! Until I got too hot, but that's the beauty of cold weather! It's so easy to overdress and be happily warm, then simply shed layers as needed! I used to despise winter, but now I love it! Danielle is like me; she wanted to wear leggings today, and her sun hat! (Most popularly known as a stocking cap or toque! I'm not at all sure why she faithfully calls it her sun hat.)
Happy Fall, y'all!



Sunday, May 27, 2018

Play Day 2018







Last Saturday was Play Day 2018! We had witnessed the amazing Magic of Science program the night before and the graduation of six of “my kids.” 
But before I begin to wax sentimental, let’s move on the Magic of Ice Cream! 


This year I was in the mood to make a freezer of 
Raspberry Cheesecake Ice Cream! 

6 large eggs
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 small box of Jello cheesecake instant pudding 
1 T. clear vanilla
1 8 oz. pkg of cream cheese
2 cups heavy whipping cream
whole milk
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 T. sugar
1 tube of raspberry pie filling from bulk food store


Mix the crumbs, 2 T. sugar, and butter, spread on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Beat cream cheese and sugar together, add eggs and beat until smooth, light, and fluffy. Add vanilla and pudding mix. Then stir in cream. Pour into 6 qt. ice cream freezer. Add whole milk until 3 inches or so from top of can. Use 1.5 boxes (26oz) of salt alternately with ice to freeze. When totally done, remove dasher. Spoon most of ice cream out into a chilled bowl, and layer it back into the can with pie filling and graham cracker crumbs. 

I based it off my mom’s basic Homemade Vanilla recipe, and was happy with the results! I’ve since made it with blueberry pie filling per Daniel’s request for his birthday, and it was pronounced a winner as well! 
Like usual, the play day proceeded to get pounded with rain, but we had long gone HOME per my little homebody's request! 
Let’s just say play days aren’t what they used to be for me... 
but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle got married, Danielle splashed in the much-prayed-for puddles, and everyone lived happily ever after!
Related image





Monday, May 14, 2018

CURRENTLY...





(Disclaimer- I saw and saved this post idea, thinking it would be a good format to use to get me into writing again! So here goes!)

CURRENTLY... The 14th of May, 2018!  

INSPIRED BY... The moms on our BabyLife chat. #keepingitreal

WATCHING... Diesel begging to go out - AGAIN! 🙄

READING... The Four Tendencies by my favorite author Gretchen Rubin, and Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. I started and stalled on this one, but now I’m gonna read it through! 

THINKING ABOUT... How I’m going to blog more now that I downloaded the “BlogTouch” app which makes blogging from my phone so much more doable!! And how I'm going to keep my phone cleaner LOL. The cashier at Piggly commented that alcohol works wonders! 

LISTENING TO... The clicking of my Insant Pot as it turns whole milk into creamy yogurt. 

DREAM LIFE... The one I’m living! Daniel spoiled me rotten yesterday - He planned ahead and purchased the makings for a seafood feast! Once Danielle and I were home from church, he told me to sit and relax while he cooked his amazing garlic parmesan baked oysters, grilled Royal Red shrimp, yellow and zucchini squash with mushrooms, toasted garlic bread, and poured pink lemonade! Then later he fried homemade French fries and fresh grouper! I say the way to a “woman’s” heart is through her stomach! I also absolutely adored the handmade card he and Danielle created for me. 💗 #feelingunworthy #bestmothersdayever 

EATING... Piles of plain and lemon-filled Krispy Kreme donuts! #fundraiser

DRINKING... Too much Diet Coke! 




Thursday, April 12, 2018

Three Things on Thursday

I'm thankful for Little Debbie Oatmeal Creme Pies.
They pair perfectly with coffee and/or whole milk for a quick and satisfying breakfast, even packing 11 grams of protein with 1 cup of milk! And the oatmeal gives a nice illusion of health. We all love them; they're pretty much a staple for us. Danielle often toddles to the pantry and says, "Pie! Pie!" right after glugging her milk. And I'm happy to oblige. Let Little Debbie do the cooking on groggy mornings.



I'm thankful for Perfectly Posh products!
This face wash almost makes me want to get out of bed in the morning. Almost! It's that good! Fresh and zingy and tingly. And has those little scrubby beads in it for a good scour.

$
Shop with my friend Jill to get some for yourself! And check out all the rest of the amazing Posh products! I have more reviews coming!
http://jillkoehn.po.sh/

I'm thankful for my boss 
who told me, "Your most important job is being a mama..." when Danielle wasn't feeling well today. Just what I needed to hear. There will always be more work to do than we can get done. 
And everything will be OK.
"Love you, Dad."

Image result for mother and daughter


Saturday, December 2, 2017

Make It a December to Remember

Wednesday Words of Wisdom – December 4, 2013 | thesassylife 



Happy December! 
The Christmas Season began yesterday for me. Since we were ill over Thanksgiving and just now are feeling mostly back to normal, it felt like those days were like Black Week instead of Black Friday! The experience of having our whole little household all under the weather at once left me completely undone physically and emotionally! Normal, daily life and health are more precious than ever now...

Of overseas adventures, our wedding, birthdays, Christmas and NYE! So much to look forward to in a single month.

This pics are the ones that inspired me for my December avatars and yesterdays status...I love WhatsApp statuses and the connectivity and impromptu chats that result with my friends and family, but sometimes I get irked at myself, because posting current statuses squelches my need and desire to blog! And the bad thing about that is, WhatsApp statuses are fleeting and soon gone, while blogging is a forever diary!

Get ready for the holidays at AnniesCatalog.com!

I haven't put out any Christmas decor yet... and my cinema box still says, 
#BLESSED
#GRATEFUL
I💚AUTUMN


I did get out Danielle's Melissa & Doug snowman stacker and her Little People Nativity yesterday evening. She has been so enraptured with both since she hasn't played with them since last Christmas.

Image result for melissa and doug snowman stacker
Image result for little people nativity
This Nativity is adorable! When you press down on the angel, the star lights up and it sings Away in a Manger. 

The Heather Stillufsen Collection from Rose Hill Designs on Facebook and shop on Etsy. All materials copyright protected.

Well, even though I have so much more I could and would like to write, I have wedding cake to make! Suzanna Hiebert & Reuben Koehn will tie their knot tomorrow...and I wish very badly to witness their vows while wearing a new emerald frock. 
That means I must become a Desperate Seamstress before the day is over too!