Gingerbread House -Family Magic!

Last night Brad and Noah constructed our, first-time-ever, family gingerbread house. We bought the kit from Trader Joe's. Brad, the engineer, put the walls together, then Noah added the decorations, with the help from Brad and the picture on the front of the box. Then i did all the "fancy" icicle work. I think Hannah wanted in on some of the action too, but she didn't get too far. We had a lot of fun playing with our food. Everyone should do one of these with their kids!
Ta-Da!

Breakfast Tofu Scramble Recipe

I love using tofu in my cooking. One of my favorite recipes is my breakfast tofu scramble. This is how it goes. I use a seasoning blend from my favorite store called "21 Seasoning Salute". You can also add eggs. But then it wouldn't be vegan anymore.

Ingredients:
Tofu - Firm style
Onions - diced small
Turmeric spice - enough to make the scramble yellow
Salt & pepper - to taste
21 Seasoning Salute - to taste

Directions:
First I chop up some onions and get them in the pan with some coconut oil. You can use any oil you like. When the onions are soft i add the tofu. In a separate bowl I mash or crumble the tofu and place in the pan with the onions. I then add the turmeric and mix it up really good so that the turmeric gets cooked through and the tofu is heated. Add salt, pepper and seasoning blend, if you prefer. I often like to eat it with fresh avocado and sliced tomatoes. Enjoy!

Unique Custom Christmas Cards Here!

It's almost Christmas! And it's not too late.....
Would you like to have your own custom and very unique photo Christmas Card this year for DIRT CHEAP? I've put together some designs for you to choose from. And you can have it printed before Christmas. And if you don't make it for Christmas, I can design you any other invitation, announcement, or greeting card.

How it all works:
For $15 I will send you an email with the card designed, customized with your photo(s) and family name as well as customized text and size. Then you can take the image to any photo center near you and have them printed anyway you'd like. You can print these for as low as .39 cents. Just send me an email with the design you want and size, along with your photos and text specifications. In the subject line write "Christmas Card Please" to card.designer@cox.net.

Or you can have a fresh new custom card designed!

Spread the word. There's still time before Christmas.
Let's get started today. See my designs below. Check back for new templates to choose from.

The Card Designs:


Snowflakes on Blad with Red Trim

Family Bios Snowflakes on Black

Family Bios Tree on Green

Family Bios Tree on Black

Snowflakes on the Green

Holiday Swirls

Holiday Stars

Holiday Snowman

Holiday Monogram

Holiday Birth Announcement

I Love My Baby Sling!

I've recently made a few baby slings and have had to show some friends how to use them. I hope this is helpful for you all. I use a maya wrap type sling. It is adjustable with 2 rings. I use them all the time with my kids. What I love most about my baby sling is that my hands are free and my back is supported. I have even cooked while my babies have been in the slings. I keep one in the car and one in the house.

If you would like your own sling I'd be happy to make one for you for $15. All you have to do is provide 2.5 yards of fabric and rings. $45 if you don't provide the fabric and rings. You can tell me what kind of patterns you'd like.

You can purchase the rings here: www.slingrings.com

This is the pattern I use if you'd like to sew your own: www.mayawrap.com or www.mammasmilk.com for many other types of slings and instructions.

Here is a list of videos from Tummy2Tummy on how to use a baby sling if you have never used one before. You'll find some other videos there by the same people for other sling positions.
Videos on baby wearing positions:

• cradle position
• kangaroo position
  
• legs in position
• legs out position
• back carry position
• toddler on hip

Feel free to email me with any questions. I'm not an expert, but will help anyway I can.
Happy Slinging!

Noah's Block Creations

Speaking of block towers... here are a couple of Noah's block creations.

Brad's Block Tower Bridge

Who ever said toy blocks are only for kids? Daddy loves to play with blocks too. We have been searching for a second set of these blocks that the company no longer makes. When we found them at our favorite kids' consignment shop, we were very excited. We started building right away. When Noah was taking a nap one afternoon, Brad decided to build a block tower bridge for himself. When Noah woke up from his nap, he crawled through the tunnel and promptly knocked the bridge DOWN! After all, isn't that the best part about building block towers?

Noah's New Bike.

Noah got his first real bike last week. Opa came to visit and brought it with him from Noah's cousin Carson in CA - Thank you Carson! He loves to ride his bike around the neighborhood EVERYDAY with his best friends, Kenadee and David.

Sewing My First Quilt.

I love to sew. Here is a picture of my first real quilt. It came as a kit without instructions, as it was in the clearance pile at the fabric store. But I managed to put it together with the help of a few experienced quilters by my side. I donated it to my church where it will be given to a foster child. I can't wait to start another quilt project.

Look who's been sleeping in OUR bed....

Sabbath morning I awoke to this. There's nothing better than to sleep with Mommy and Daddy...and of course doggy is there too.

Hannah Takes Her First Steps!

This last week, Hannah has begun to stand on her own and even take a couple steps. Soon she will be running after her big brother, Noah.

Babies & Dishwashers!

Why are little children so fascinated with dishwashers? As soon as it is opened, it seems as though a bell goes off and they come running, wanting to rattle the dishes and grab the silverware...

Vanilla Coconut Milk Ice Cream - Absolut Heaven

I have recently been experimenting with alternative and vegan desserts. When I came across "Coconut Bliss Ice Cream" - www.coconutbliss.com It is truly delicious! But it's hard to find and can be expensive. Coconut milk and oil have extraordinary health benefits, and a delicious flavor. Coconut milk acts just like dairy when placed in an ice cream maker. I prefer to use any coconut milk in a can that is all natural and without any preservatives. Most will have a minute amount of guar gum, which is a natural thickner and actually helps the ice cream turn out more creamy. With the addition of agave nectar instead of honey or sugar, this treat is even healthier. I use agave nectar in place of most anything that calls for honey or even sugar. It is a low glycemic sweetener that looks like honey but comes from the agave plant.

This is one of my favorite recipes. And there are so many other flavors you can make. My kids and family all love it. We now prefer it to cow's milk ice cream. Let me know what you think when you try it at home.

Vanilla Coconut Ice Cream
3 Cans Coconut Milk - I use 2 cans of the premium thick milk, and 1 can lite milk
1 Cup Agave Nectar
1-2 Tablespoons Vanilla extract

Place in your ice cream maker and let it go! it's all done. Delicious!

A NEW BEGINGING

I've decided to jump on the band wagon and start a blog of my own. As with all new things, I have a lot to learn about this new hobby. I have lots of very interesting topics to write about and share with others, as well as to show off our beautiful children to our friends, families, and well, the rest of the world.