Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Funny sounds


Funny sounds from Pink Stripey Socks on Vimeo.

Yes, Virginia, Santa Claus goes to school

This year 115 Santa Clauses attended a three-day workshop at Charles W. Howard Santa Claus School, located in Midland, Michigan. Here, they learned various skills like beard bleaching, sign-language, and the art of responding to children's requests.  Boy, I'd give anything to see a hundred Santas ho-ho-ho-ing with their "little round bellies" shaking like bowls "full of jelly."   





Interested in learning more?  You can find the original photos and article here at the New York Times

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

5 magical hours

Today's post is brought to you by the number 5.


Last night Baby Norris (and I) slept for 5 hours straight through the night.  Hooray!  Will this performance be repeated tonight?  We'll see....

Monday, November 28, 2011

From trash to art

I often find myself saving plastic containers with the intention of using them for some project later on.  Last week I was introduced to Eric Barclay's artwork (via Foodiggity) and now I'm starting to see containers in a new light.  (Images taken from Eric Barclay's blog.)


Sunday, November 27, 2011

Tummy Times Comic-2

Here's my Thanksgiving comic strip: 
(Just click on the image to enlarge it.)


By the way- HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE!!!!

To see my first comic strip, click here

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Pre-Thanksgiving day jitters

Hubby and I couldn't travel back home this Thanksgiving*, so we're holding a small get-together here.  (Luckily, one of hubby's aunts lives nearby and is able to celebrate with us.)  It's my first year cooking a full Thanksgiving meal, so I'm definitely feeling nervous.  To lessen my load tomorrow I started preparing some items tonight.

 I successfully defrosted the turkey.  *Phew*

But my attempt at dessert didn't turn out quite so well.  
What went wrong?  Why does my cheesecake look CRAZY?

Hope you all have a wonderful time celebrating Thanksgiving with friends and family. 



    
*We miss everyone back home very very much.  Whenever you eat your turkey leg and sliver of dessert, please think of us. :)

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Yummy sleeping arrangements

Do you love food?
Are you entertaining out-of-town guests?
Do your out-of-town guests love food?
(If you answered "yes" to all three questions, read on, dear reader, read on!)

With Thanksgiving just a couple of days away, I'll bet many of us are scrambling to figure out sleeping accommodations for out-of-town guests.  Hubby and I are firm believers in the Aerobed, but if you're not interested in taking the traditional route (i.e., spare bedroom, blowup mattress, or small closet), take a moment to consider this option:  The Slice of Pizza Sleeping bag.

*Drool* *Snore*  Doesn't this look delicious and comfortable?

While sleeping in this baby your guests are guaranteed to have sweet savory dreams.

Click here to see these photos or purchase this gustatory masterpiece or others (like the Baked Potato Bean Bag Chair)
First spotted on Foodiggity
 

 

Monday, November 21, 2011

Letter to hubby

Hubby went out of town and will be back tomorrow.  Baby Chuck missed him so much that he wrote him a letter:

************************************************************************
Dear Daddy,

I miss you.  Do you like my new Harry Potter scar?  Mommy, Charlie, and I had a good day today.  I kicked Charlie, took lots of naps with mom, and made lots of dirty diapers.  I can't wait till you come home.


Love, Baby Chuck

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Tummy Times Comic- 1

Hanging out with Baby Chuck every day provides some humorous inspiration.  
(Sorry the image is so small.  Just click on it to read the details.) 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Twinkie-tastic Thanksgiving


When I think of Twinkies, I think of childhood.  Soft, sweet, slightly oily, and spongy, this oblong yellow cake has long been a staple in school lunchboxes and vending machines.  But, it should no longer be categorized as a mere childish snack because it's reaching adult tastes as well.  Take a peek at the official Hostess Twinkies Cookbook and you'll see how Twinkies can be incorporated into Thanksgiving Day menus.

Yes, you read that correctly.  Twinkies for Thanksgiving.  Close your gaping mouth and read on.

You can use the yellow cake portion to create stuffing.  Then, what to do with the white cream?  Don't toss it out!  Instead, use it to create a sweet glaze for turkey meat.  Mmmm.  If you're interested in reading the complete recipe, you can find it here from the Huffington Post

First read at Edible Crafts blog
image taken from here

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Hi everyone

It's me, Baby Chuck.


Mom's been kind of tired lately, so I'm helping out with today's post.  Guess what's new?  I've outgrown my newborn 0-3 months clothes and now I'm wearing my 3-6 months clothes.  Mom says that I'm getting to be a big boy.  She even put me in some big boy pants today.


Uh oh.  I gotta go.  Mom's waking up and I have to sneak back into my crib before she notices I'm gone.  Bye!    

Monday, November 14, 2011

I don't like a cappella...

I love it.

What can I say? I have a big ol' soft spot in my heart for a cappella music.  Maybe that's why I love watching NBC's The Sing-Off?  I love hearing the group's clever arrangements, the talented singer's blending their voices, and the range of sounds that humans can make.




Lazy Sunday


What a lovely, lazy Sunday,
when breakfast is eaten for lunch,
and a long-awaited nap helps the afternoon to 
slip right by 


Friday, November 11, 2011

What do 288,000 jelly beans look like?

After watching this video I couldn't stop smiling (and salivating.)
Who knew you could be so creative with jelly beans?



Special thanks to Alice for sending me this video!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Sticker to soap


Don't you just hate those stickers on fruit?  


You either try to to peel them off and they stick to your fingers or you completely forget that they're there and then you wind up with gross paper in your mouth.  Luckily, Amron Experimental came up with a clever solution.  They created a label that turns into soap when washed and rubbed.  How clever is that?!?  Poof!  Goodbye unwanted wax, pesticides, and bacteria! 


Information and photo first spotted on the Edible Crafts blog and originated from Amron Experimental

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Baby Manny meets Baby Chuck

If you've been following this blog, then you already know that hubby's sister gave birth around the same time that I did.  (To see those posts, click here and here.) Last weekend Baby Chuck and Baby Manny** chatted online.  I'd like to imagine that their conversation went something like this:



Or, perhaps their conversation went something like this:



Tee hee hee.  We look forward to Skyping everyone again soon. 


** Henceforth his pseudonym will be Manny Pacquiao.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Kitty Litter cake


You can eat this box of dirty kitty litter.  

No, I'm not kidding.  This isn't a real box of kitty waste; it's a cake.   This edible look-a-like is made from cake mix, instant pudding, cookies, and Tootsie rolls.  Whether you find this creation extremely creative, terribly gross, or both, it's sure to be a conversation starter at your next party.


Cake first spotted on the Edible Crafts blog and recipe originates from Amanda's cookin' blog

Monday, November 7, 2011

The great baby escape

This weekend Baby Chuck met hubby's aunt.    
She gave him lots of hugs and kisses and told him about the great state of Wisconsin.

Baby Chuck-  "Really?  You get that much snow?  I'd like to see that for myself."
 
"Mom, I'm all packed.  Can we visit Wisconsin?"

One day, Baby Chuck.  One day we'll trek across that big lake.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Meet my meat pie


Hubby introduced me to the meat pie, a delicious Australian goody, a couple of years back and my stomach  fell in love. Who wouldn't love this hearty meal of savory meat encased in a flaky crust, doused with ketchup, and served with buttery mashed potatoes and creamy sweet peas on the side?

Last night I attempted to recreate this Aussie treat and the combination of flavors brought hubby back home.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Day of the dead

This weekend our town held a Dia de los Muertos celebration as a way to remember deceased friends and family.  With the brightly colored paper decorations, twinkling lights, and dozens of costumed attendees (many with faces painted like skulls), the entire experience felt quite otherworldly.

It was a deliciously creepy and beautiful way to celebrate Halloween weekend.  

It doesn't feel like we're in Holland anymore!

Aren't these Fridas beautiful?