After rearranging Siena's room, her bare wall was even more hideous. So I stole this idea from NieNie and killed two birds with one stone: 1. decorate a wall and 2. put my stash of scrapbook paper to use.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Bye Bye Bare Wall
After rearranging Siena's room, her bare wall was even more hideous. So I stole this idea from NieNie and killed two birds with one stone: 1. decorate a wall and 2. put my stash of scrapbook paper to use.
Another Page Added to "The Housewife's Simple Fixes" Book of Knowledge
Question: What do these two pictures have in common?
Answer: They are both wearing the same nail polish.
I made the mistake of trying to paint Siena's toenails over a carpeted area (what was I thinking?!) All it took was one flying book, and there was hot pink nail polish everywhere!
I initially tried scrubbing the area with nail polish remover, thinking it was my only chance at getting a stain like that out, but it just made it worse; however, after some advice from a co-worker, I tried using hydrogen peroxide and VOILÀ! I can't believe it worked! Obviously, using h.p. would only be effective for lighter carpet, but I'm going to keep that in mind for stain clean-ups in the future. I learned, though, that when using non-diluted h.p. to clean, one should wear rubber gloves; my fingers first turned white (that was expected,) but the next day, they felt like they were bruised they were so sore. At least we don't have to deal ($) with that stain later when we move.
I initially tried scrubbing the area with nail polish remover, thinking it was my only chance at getting a stain like that out, but it just made it worse; however, after some advice from a co-worker, I tried using hydrogen peroxide and VOILÀ! I can't believe it worked! Obviously, using h.p. would only be effective for lighter carpet, but I'm going to keep that in mind for stain clean-ups in the future. I learned, though, that when using non-diluted h.p. to clean, one should wear rubber gloves; my fingers first turned white (that was expected,) but the next day, they felt like they were bruised they were so sore. At least we don't have to deal ($) with that stain later when we move.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
The Countdown is Sort-of Starting
...We're talking less than 4 weeks, people! I'm so anxious it's not even funny. I'm holding off the "baby ticker" widget until the last week... then, and only then will I start an official countdown to the day we start the Pitocin.
(Still looking for a name, though. Any ideas out there?)
(Still looking for a name, though. Any ideas out there?)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Summer Family Pics
We have never really been strict on taking family pictures, but we spontaneously (as evident by our unmatched clothes, pre-photoshop) decided to take advantage of the overcast weather the other day. We snapped these pictures at a beautiful nearby historical estate. Though they are definitely not professional, I did try to use some pointers given to me by a darn good photog. (Sigh) It's actually good to know after your best attempt at something new, that there are professional people out there who can do it way, way better. The best shots here were taken by Juan. Anyway, it was poor timing because baby #2 (yes, still nameless) is coming soon and we're going to have to do it all over again. Oh well, practice makes...ummm... better.
Sweltering heat on an overcast day= not right.
Sweltering heat on an overcast day= not right.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
The Closest to Camping We've Got Here
I love camping. Juan is so-so (thanks to the million scout trips he took as a kid,) but supportive. So why don't we take advantage of the great outdoors more often?
Allow me to expound:
1. The mountain issue. The nearest mountain range is the Poconos (about 2 hours away.) I hear it's worth the drive, but when you are limited to a two-day excursion, your time may be served better somewhere else.
2. No camping gear. Sure, we could scrape up enough loose change to buy a second-hand tent, but then you have to buy sleeping bags, and a portable camp-stove, and lanterns, etc. It's going to be a big investment when we do finally decide to get geared up for camping, so we'll have to wait a little while longer.
3. What "camping" means out here. If you've got an RV, camping chairs, and bikes and if you have been to a KOA in the last five years... you're considered an "outdoors man" here in Philly. My co-workers were shocked at hearing that not only do my dad and brothers go to the mountains a lot, but my mom and sisters go often as well. And lastly, if you want to build a small fire to roast marshmallows, you have to make that 2-hour drive I mentioned before you find a fire pit. This brings me to our weekend:
K & A suggested that we get together to make tin-foil dinners and roast mallows, and we were two-thumbs up for the idea. Getting all the food prepped was easy as well as clearing our schedule for the day. The only hitch came in finding a place to build a fire. They made calls, we made calls, but no one was finding success. Juan said that he called Parks and Recreation at Ridley State Park, the local fire department, and even the Parks and Rec for outlying towns. He eventually called the Branch President, who happens to work for a nearby township and who suggested a place we've been before, the Willows; it's a beautiful drive through spacious neighborhoods to get to this hidden haven in Radnor, PA. We decided that it was our best bet and piled in the car. When we all arrived, we searched high and low for the so-called fire pit. It was nowhere in sight; it was then that we realized that the stand-up grills were only form of fire-pits in the area and we surrendered our camping ideology to build a fire in one of them. Anyway, it was still nice to get back to nature at least in a small way, and the s'mores still were as tasty as ever.
And for fun, here's a delicious new tin-foil dessert recipe we tried out:
Campfire Upside-Down Cake
What you need:
6 Cake donuts
Canned pineapple rings
Brown sugar (abt. 1/4 cup)
Butter, melted (abt. 1/4 cup)
Aluminum foil
Cut the cake donut in half. Place a slice of pineapple on one side. Combine the brown sugar and butter together and slather the mixture over the other side of the donut. Close up the donut like a sandwich and wrap in aluminum foil. Place on a grill above hot coals, but NOT directly on them. Turn after about 7-10 minutes and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes. The end result is melt-in -your-mouth goodness.
- There are no close-by mountains.
- Our camping gear is limited to two camping chairs.
- "Camping" is defined differently here.
Allow me to expound:
1. The mountain issue. The nearest mountain range is the Poconos (about 2 hours away.) I hear it's worth the drive, but when you are limited to a two-day excursion, your time may be served better somewhere else.
2. No camping gear. Sure, we could scrape up enough loose change to buy a second-hand tent, but then you have to buy sleeping bags, and a portable camp-stove, and lanterns, etc. It's going to be a big investment when we do finally decide to get geared up for camping, so we'll have to wait a little while longer.
3. What "camping" means out here. If you've got an RV, camping chairs, and bikes and if you have been to a KOA in the last five years... you're considered an "outdoors man" here in Philly. My co-workers were shocked at hearing that not only do my dad and brothers go to the mountains a lot, but my mom and sisters go often as well. And lastly, if you want to build a small fire to roast marshmallows, you have to make that 2-hour drive I mentioned before you find a fire pit. This brings me to our weekend:
K & A suggested that we get together to make tin-foil dinners and roast mallows, and we were two-thumbs up for the idea. Getting all the food prepped was easy as well as clearing our schedule for the day. The only hitch came in finding a place to build a fire. They made calls, we made calls, but no one was finding success. Juan said that he called Parks and Recreation at Ridley State Park, the local fire department, and even the Parks and Rec for outlying towns. He eventually called the Branch President, who happens to work for a nearby township and who suggested a place we've been before, the Willows; it's a beautiful drive through spacious neighborhoods to get to this hidden haven in Radnor, PA. We decided that it was our best bet and piled in the car. When we all arrived, we searched high and low for the so-called fire pit. It was nowhere in sight; it was then that we realized that the stand-up grills were only form of fire-pits in the area and we surrendered our camping ideology to build a fire in one of them. Anyway, it was still nice to get back to nature at least in a small way, and the s'mores still were as tasty as ever.
And for fun, here's a delicious new tin-foil dessert recipe we tried out:
Campfire Upside-Down Cake
What you need:
6 Cake donuts
Canned pineapple rings
Brown sugar (abt. 1/4 cup)
Butter, melted (abt. 1/4 cup)
Aluminum foil
Cut the cake donut in half. Place a slice of pineapple on one side. Combine the brown sugar and butter together and slather the mixture over the other side of the donut. Close up the donut like a sandwich and wrap in aluminum foil. Place on a grill above hot coals, but NOT directly on them. Turn after about 7-10 minutes and continue cooking for another 3-5 minutes. The end result is melt-in -your-mouth goodness.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
New Member Temple Trip
Saturday, we went to the DC Temple again with the new members of the Branch. It was an awesome experience for them as they got to do baptisms. I loved hearing their personal experiences with the temple as they shared their feelings about them in church the next day. All of us come from different backgrounds and are at different stages in life, but we all found the same peace and comfort while at the temple.
(I had to change out of my skirt to take care of our rambunctious little Nena.)
(I had to change out of my skirt to take care of our rambunctious little Nena.)
The Making of the Piñata
This week, I made my first piñata for Siena's birthday party. It was too fun... and I think we'll start it as a family tradition (as long as we have the time and patience, that is.)
Introducing...... the "Laby-gug" (as Siena says) piñata:
Here are some simple steps to follow for making piñatas.
Step 2: Blow up a large balloon
Step 3: Help your working buddy blow up the balloon
Steps 4-6: cover the balloon with phone book strips dipped in flour and water paste; let dry; balance dried product on head as a hat.
Step 7-10: Fringe crepe paper and glue it all over the piñata's body; create a loop/hook on top from the inside for the string; decorate it up; and resist the urge to fill it with candy right away... little hands do not wait for parties.
Introducing...... the "Laby-gug" (as Siena says) piñata:
Here are some simple steps to follow for making piñatas.
Step 1: Find a good working buddy
Step 2: Blow up a large balloon
Step 3: Help your working buddy blow up the balloon
Steps 4-6: cover the balloon with phone book strips dipped in flour and water paste; let dry; balance dried product on head as a hat.
Step 7-10: Fringe crepe paper and glue it all over the piñata's body; create a loop/hook on top from the inside for the string; decorate it up; and resist the urge to fill it with candy right away... little hands do not wait for parties.
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