GEORGIKIDS

NEW SUMMER PINAFORES

2009-05-28T09:33:00.003-04:00

Finally finished and ready for the shop are two sweet pinafore sets that I have been working on. I just had to show them off to you. Since I made them in a size 6, Hailee of course couldn't wait to try them on and has claimed both as her own. I just love the red and black one with the funky chickens all over it. They make me giggle every time I look at them. The blue one is just beautiful with big colorful corn flowers scattered all over it and the coordinating pink bloomers really make it stand out. The great thing about these cute pinafores is that the are reversible! The other side matches the bloomers and they can also be worn with jeans or with a blouse underneath in the cooler months. Available in sizes 2t to 6x, they are now for sale in my etsy shop so please stop in an take a look. I will be making more of these cute outfits along with many more fun summer dresses, shorts, and tops for your little girl or boy, so drop in frequently to check out whats new!

Erin

MAMA MERIT BADGES

2009-05-26T09:03:00.005-04:00

Finally! Is this a great idea or what? Merit badges for us moms! Somewhere stored away in all my "childhood treasures", I have a collection of merit badges from Girl Scouts, Campfire Girls, Brownies, and Bluebirds, all clubs that I belonged to as a young girl. Earning merit badges required a test of some sort or the completion of a project and they were usually handed out by our troop leader in a small informal ceremony with our moms and dads present. For the most part these badges came in the form of a cloth patch that our moms would sew onto our uniform but occasionally the badges would be in the form of a pin that we would attach to our lapel. I can remember working very hard to earn those badges and feeling extremely proud when awarded one. It actually became a competition of sorts between myself and a couple other club members to see who could acquire the most.

Now that I am all grown up, I no longer belong to the Girl Scouts or Brownies, however I now belong to a much more adventurous club. No there are no meetings on Tuesday evenings with the troop leader, and no, there are no camp outs at the nearby State Park, but there are those exciting nights staying up half the night with a sick baby (should be worth at least one badge at least), all those fast paced afternoons of carpooling kids to ball games and dance lessons ( I'd say this one is good for no less than two badges), and let us not forget all of those weary nights after a long day at the office, spent cooking dinner, bathing the kids, helping with homework, reading stories, packing lunches, and doing laundry ( the badges for this one should be trimmed in GOLD).

Ladies, Someone out there is thinking of us! Yes, it is true! Amy, over at Mama Merit Badges, has heard our cries! She has come up with the cutest iron/sew-on fabric badges for us mama's to display proudly on diaper bags, denim jackets, jeans, scarf, purse, fridge (attach to small magnet), or wherever you want to "show it off" proudly! These little cuties are 1 1/2 inches in diameter and are 100% embroidery. You can either iron them on or sew them on for added durability and they come individually wrapped and only cost $5.00 a piece. There are several to chose from and would make a great gift.
-------Below is a brief description of these wonderful badges of honor------

* The Sex Badge: This lusty badge is for the drastic changes in your sexuality since birthing.

* The Breastfeeding Badge: This badge is to commemerate the nursing relationship, whether for a week or for years.

* The Shopping Badge: For the first time you take your newborn to the grocery store and strangers come up and touch his or her face during flu season and you maintain control.

* The Birthday Badge: This one is earned after you throw your one year old a party that was as expensive and fancy as a small wedding.

* The Diaper Badge: Has your baby ever peed in your mouth while changing his diaper? Have you had to perform gymnastics in order to prevent your child from stepping in poop? How about finding and scooping out poop from the bathtub? Yep! This award is for you.

* The Medical Badge: Ever had to break out the tweezers to retrieve a pea from your little ones nose? How about having to hold you child down in order for the nurse to give him a shot? and yes, he is SCREAMING in your ear!! Well, you have now earned this one.

* The Travel Badge: This one is earned by having to sit in your seat with a child who is potty training or a curious, shreiking climber for an hour on the taxiway or having to take a sleeping baby from a sling so you can walk through a metal detector. Your bravery and grit are honored with this badge.

* The Sleeping Badge: Have your kids slept with you part of or all of the night? Have you ever woke up with a porcelain doll's head jammed in your neck? Does your babysitter have to attend a special training seminar to figure out your kids bedtime rituals? Only get about four hours sleep a night? This badge is for you.

*The Reading Badge: Have you read the same book to your child so many times that you have memorized the text, the images and even the wear and tear patterns? Iron this one onto your library bag to remind yourself of a job well done.

* The Eating Out Badge: If you have ever picked up pasta from a filthy restaurant floor, have ever gotten your kids to eat a vegetable, have maintained your composure while attempting to snatch you little one out from under the dining table while eating out, than you have deserved this one.

And last but not least,

*the Tantrum Badge: This badge is earned early on in most parenting careers. This one is for enduring all of those times when your 5 year old has thrown stuff at you while slamming doors and screaming " whatever! I hate you"!, or the times in the grocery store that your child has thrown himself in the floor screaming and kicking because you have refused to buy him the cereal with the toy in the box, even though it's a cereal he hates and everyone is looking at you like "OMG....what an awful child"! I think some of us could earn this one several times in one day for not shaking, striking, or screaming at our children when this occurs!

Please visit Mama Merit Badges to order several of these badges ( cause I KNOW you have earned them!)

After looking through all of the ones that Amy has come up with, I feel as if I should order them all. I know for sure that I have earned each and every one many times over. How about you?

LEST WE FORGET

2009-05-25T09:16:00.002-04:00

Many of us are off work today and enjoying a long weekend filled with barbecuing and outdoor parties. The kids are out of school and we are celebrating the beginning of Summer while planning our long awaited vacations to the beach, Disney World, or any place that we can get away for a few days and have fun with our families.

Let's not get so busy today however that we forget the meaning of the holiday itself. Memorial Day is a day set aside to remember and pay tribute to our brave men and women that are fighting for our country everyday. There are many ways to involve your children in today's festivities as well. Talk to them and tell them what this holiday is really all about. Show them pictures of how our soldiers are being remembered all across our great country. While the U.S. Department of Defense is asking us NOT to send letters or packages that are not addressed to a specific service member, there are some excellent ways to communicate your support to our military troops.

Here is a list of ways to show your support:

Operation Dear Abby

Send e-mail messages to deployed troops of any service from your home state at http://anyservicemember.navy.mil/

Defend America

Sign an online thank you card to troops at www. defendamerica.mil/nmam.html

Operation USO Care Package

Contribute to the purchase of a care package of items requested by troops such as sunscreen, disposable cameras, prepaid calling cards, and toiletries at www.usocares.org/home.htm

Operation Uplink

Contribute to the purchase of phone cards that will be distributed to military personnel and hospitalized veterans at http://operationuplink.org

Also to support our military and their families:

Offer your time and resources as an individul, an organization, or business to give families of deployed troops help with activities, such as household repairs, spring cleaning, or yard work. You can also volunteer by contacting one of your local chapters of one of the following organizations.

American Legion

American Red Cross

Boys and Girls Clubs of America

National 4-H headquarters

Veterans of Foreign Wars

You can also get more information on how to help our service members and their families on the Website of the USAFreedom Corp, a government-sponsored volunteer organization. USAFreedomCorp

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday today, but, please.....let us not forget the ones that put their life on the line everyday to defend our great country!

Happy Memorial Day!

Erin

2009-05-21T09:11:00.004-04:00

If you are like me, and probably alot of other mom's out there, there is a good chance your kids have clothing that they have either out grown or just don't wear any more, for one reason or another. If this is the case, than check this out!

There are numerous creative ways to turn no longer used items into new and fun things that are once again useful, in other words----RECYCLE that old tank top, pair of jeans, or tee shirt!! Here are a couple of great ideas to get you started......

Take an old tank top (see picture above) and cut a small slit in hem. Insert a ribbon and run it through the hem casing until it comes back out of the slit (this is MUCH easier if you attach a safety pin to the end of the ribbon and then push the pin through casing, as it will automatically pull ribbon through). This will make a "drawstring". Tie the two ends of the ribbon together, pulling the bottom of the tank top closed. Voila!! You now have a cute tote bag. The arm holes are used as "handles".

Now, those old jeans that your daughter claims are too short..... well, cut them off into shorts or even capri's and add some cute fringe to hem or jazz them up a bit with a little "bling" by adding rhinestones on the pockets. Use your imagination, and you can come up with all sorts of ingenious ideas to recycle those old, unwanted pieces of clothing and your kids will think they have something "brand new".

Have fun!

Erin

USE YOUR NOODLE!

2009-05-18T09:31:00.003-04:00

Mommy, I'm bored! Sound familiar? On those rainy days when the kids can't get outside and they can't find ANYTHING to play with (because of course, they have NO toys at all!!!), try trowing some pasta at them. Not literally of course, just gather the little ones up around the breakfast or dining table and then go dig out all of the boxes of noodles such as penne, lasagna, wagon wheels, bow tie, or any other pasta that you may have in the pantry. Now, this is where your imagination comes in. Use the pictures posted here as examples of fun little trains or princess tiara's that are easily stacked and glued together to create cute "toys". The kids will have a ball, and this project will keep them busy for quite some time. Like I said, let the kids use their imaginations while creating all sorts of fun things "using their noodle"! For the tiara above, all you need is a little plastic headband and of course some pasta. lay some newspaper down and either spray paint the little noodles different colors or use a paint brush and water colors to create a one-of-a-kind crown for your little princess! Just stack and glue the little pasta shapes into the desired shape on the headband, and voila! Your little Cinderella has a crown of her very own.

The train pictured here is also a lot of fun to make also. As you can see in the photo above, by using a little ingenuity, your little engineer can create a locomotive that all of his friends will envy! By gluing wagon wheel pasta to the bottom of lasagna noodles, and then stacking and gluing penne and other noodles together, you can create a a fabulous train. Also try painting it different colors. The trick here is to let your kids come up with all sorts of fun things using pasta. String noodles onto yarn or string for a fun necklace, glue onto poster board to make a sweet Fathers Day card for dad, paint and glue a few small pasta shapes to a hair clip for a cute hair accessory. The items that you can create are endless. All it requires is pasta, paint, glue, and a little imagination!

Have fun!

Erin

BOTTOMS UP TO THE NEWEST HEALTH CRAZE!

2009-05-14T08:41:00.004-04:00

With better health being on every one's mind these days, including my own, the market has become flooded with all sorts of drinks, powders, vitamins, etc... that claim new and improved well being, energy, immune builders, and more.

It seems that the newest and most popular antioxidant rich, exotic sounding "health food" out there at the moment actually comes in a bottle! Kombucha tea is flying off the shelves of all health food stores with it's claims of providing better health and improved energy. This drink, which actually is a "mushroom" tea that derived from a region in Russia, where studies show that people there live far longer and have much better health due to this tea's benefits, claims to detoxify your liver, give great energy boosts,and improve your overall sense of well being. Although it is is reported to have a slightly sour, vinegery taste, it is naturally fizzy (but not carbonated) and some say it is "refreshing" and "clean" tasting. Another enticing claim is that the bacteria found in this tea is a form of probiotic bacteria, similar to what you would find in yogurt, which helps maintain intestinal health as well as overall immune system health. HMMMM!!!!

We have all been there, done that with chai tea, yerba mate, the grassy tasting South American tea that is drunk from a gourd and through a straw, and roiboos, the antioxident rich (claims reported) tea from South Africa that is made from a red bush native to the cape region. We, or I should say, a large number of us "overly" health concious folks continue to try new and reportdly "better" health remedies no matter what the cost in hopes to revive our innerbeing (or live longer)!!

Kombucha is a form of tea that is fermented using colonies of bacteria and yeast, which results in production of various vitamins, amino acids, and mild acids including acetic acid found in vinegar. It is said too that you might even find bits or "chunks" of it in your drink, but not to worry, those are some of the strands of the live cultures dancing around.

Many health food stores carry this tea now, and one popular version of it is available at Whole Foods and is called GT's Synergy, which is 95% kombucha, but also 5% juice, and 60 calories per bottle. This particular brand also has about 8-14 mg of caffeine - and most kombucha has a lot less than traditional teas - which is considerably less than most bottled teas.

I don't know about you, but I am rushing right out to find some of this "miracle" tea so I too can live to be 120!!!! Theres is ALWAYS something, isn't there!!!!!

Erin

Erin

CLEVER IDEAS

2009-05-11T08:43:00.007-04:00

I am constantly thinking of new ways to use things that I have around the house. Take those little soy sauce packets for instance. You know, all the ones you have accumulated from your Chinese take-out dinners and stashed in a drawer in the kitchen for using later. Well, did you know that those little packets make great mini ice packs for those little boo-boos that your little ones frequently have? Just toss a few into the freezer and the next time you need something cold for that ever so tiny bruise, there you have it! You can also use those leftover mustard, ketchup, and mayo packets. They work great!

Here are a few more household items that you probably have around the house that can be used in ways you never thought of:

* Vinegar - For shiny hair, rinse hair after shampooing with a little vinegar mixed with water. Removes soap buildup and leaves hair super shiny.

* Coffee Filters - Great for little disposable snack bowls for the kids (for popcorn, chips, crackers, etc...). Also very good for cleaning mirrors with, wrapping around a Popsicle to stop drips, keeping in the car for napkins or quick cleanups, for use as a mini cutting board for chopping (not slicing) an onion or tomato, to line the bottom of a pot when re-potting a plant (water will pass right through but will keep dirt from washing away)

* Fabric Softener Sheets - Place one under the seat of your car for an "air freshener", tuck inside shoes in your closet to keep them smelling nice, place a sheet inside your underwear drawer to keep things smelling nice, I even place one in the bottom of the wastebasket in the bathroom to keep bath smelling fresh.

* Ice Cube Tray - Great for drawer organizing. Place inside a dresser drawer to store and organize earrings or other small trinkets. Also great for storing bobby pins, hair elastics, etc... so you always have them handy. I also use these with the kids when crafting. Ideal for organizing or seperating beads, or mixing different colors of paint.

* Baby Wipes - Last, but not least, you can never have too many of these stored in the car for messy cleanups, in your purse for a quick freshen-up, in the house for wiping of sink fixtures, wiping up sticky spills, or for use as a great quick cleaning on leather sneakers or sandals. These little jewels work wonders on so much more than the baby's butt! I keep zip-lock bags of them everywhere!

MOTHERS DAY TRIVIA

2009-05-08T09:35:00.004-04:00

With Mothers Day fast approaching, we all are making plans to send our beloved mom's flowers and cards or do something really special for her in some way. Well, I've always wondered how Mothers Day came about. Not to insinuate that all of us mothers don't definitely deserve a holiday all our own, but just out of curiosity. I came across this article on the history of this wonderful holiday and wanted to share it with everyone, just in case, you too were curious (courtesy of Real Simple magazine).

Buy bouquet of flowers, sign greeting card, eat brunch. This is the typical Mother's Day routine. But have you ever stopped to wonder how this holiday came into existence? In 1906, a year after her mother's death, a Philadelphia woman, Ann Jarvis began campaigning for a day on which all Americans would celebrate their moms. After spreading the word through church meetings and writing letters to government representatives and businessmen, she had nearly all 46 states observing Mother's Day within three years, and in 1914, it became a national holiday.

Since then, Americans have found different ways to show they care, including wearing pink or white carnations in honor of mom, making her breakfast in bed, and buying her expensive jewels. As for Jarvis, she devoted her last years to decommercializing Mother's Day, because she felt it's original meaning had been lost. So when you honor your mother this year, remember Jarvis's simple description of the day's purpose. " To let mothers know we appreciate them, though we do not show it as often as we should". Here is a a look at how we have celebrated our mom's over the years:

* People in ancient Greece paid tribute to Rhea, the mother of the gods, with honey cakes, fine drinks, and flowers at dawn. This was the earliest Mother's Day celebration.

* In Britain, during the Middle Ages, it was customary for the wealthy to give the servants the day off on Mothering Sunday (the fourth Sunday of Lent) so they could visit their mother's bedroom and gently tie her feet with ribbon or string. To negotiate her release, the mother gives the children small gifts. (Not much in it for mom, but she does get to lie down for a bit).

So how will you celebrate Mother's Day this year?

Erin

MOMISMS FOR MOTHERS DAY

2009-05-06T08:45:00.003-04:00

As a mom, I have favorite quotes, or tidbits of advice that I have learned from my mother and have since used on my children and now find myself using on my children and grandchildren. I honor of Mothers Day, I thought I would share some momisms with you that I love. We always hate hearing our mothers use these phrases to teach us a lesson or scold us as a child, but somehow find ourselves missing them as we become adults. These motherly sayings go a long way to build our character and strength and make us better people as we grow up, and I personally remember my mom using these harsh sounding bits of advise on me when I was younger and thinking how ridiculous they sounded. How ironic that I now find myself using these same momisms with my own kids. My two girls think that they sound ridiculous just as I did as a child and hate it when I spout one out at them. Stephanie and Ashley are all grown up now and have children of their own so I am anxious to see how long it will be before they too begin passing down these somewhat humorous sayings. Below is a collection of great "momisms" that I have been known to use from time to time and if you look closely, many are probably ones that are familiar with you as well.

* Money does not grow on trees you know.
* Don't make that face or it might freeze like that.
* If I talked to my mother the way you talk to me....
* Always wear clean underwear, you never know when you might be in an accident.
* Be careful or you'll put your eye out.
* So what if everyone else gets to do that, if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you do that too?
* You have enough dirt behind those ears to grow potatoes.
* Close that door. Were you raised in a barn?
* If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.
* Don't put that in your mouth; you don't know where it's been.
* Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it.
* Don't eat that, it will stunt your growth.
* I'll always be proud of you no matter what you accomplish.
* When you grow up and have kids, I hope you have kids "just like you" (also known as "the mothers curse")
* Because I am the mother, that's why!
* If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times.
* Eat your vegetables. Those poor children in China would be happy to have some broccoli to eat.
* If you fall out of that tree and break your leg, don't come running to me.
* Yes, I **AM** the BOSS of you! ( my personal favorite)
* Because I said so, thats why.
* Just wait til your father gets home.
* No dessert til you clean your plate.
* I brought you into this world, and I can take you OUT!
* I've got eyes in the back of my head, that's how.
* Just you wait til you have kids of your own....then you'll understand.
* I slave for hours over a hot stove, and that's the thanks I get.
* Honestly...you'd lose your head if it wasn't screwed on.
* Bored? how can you possibly be bored? why, when I was your age, I didn't have near the amount of toys that you have to play with.
* Maybe everyone elses mother does let them do that, but I am NOT everyone elses mother, and YOU are Not going to do that.
* I am so sorry you are soooo deprived!
* Get over it!
* If you think Jimmy's mom is such a better mom that me, then maybe you should go live with Jimmy!
* You have it alot better than most kids.

There are more that I probably use occasionally, but you get the idea. How many of these have you used with your kids?

Erin

HAPPY CINCO DE MAYO

2009-05-05T10:31:00.003-04:00

For those of you that celebrate May 5th, which is Cinco de Mayo, I hope you all have a wonderful time today eating lots of great Mexican food, listening to wonderful mariachi bands, and drinking some great tequila (responsibly of course)! For those of you that really don't know much about the Mexican Holiday, then let me tell you a little of the history behind it.

Many people think this day is to celebrate Mexico's Independence, but it is not. That is celebrated on May 16th and not to be confused with Cinco de Mayo, or the 5th of May. The Battle of Puebla occurred on May 5, 1862, when an army of more than 6,000 French soldiers descended on the town of Puebla in southern Mexico. A smaller Mexican militia force led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, consisting largely of peasants, routed the occupying French troops to earn a single, decisive victory.

In modern Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is not a National holiday. It is celebrated only in certain regions, namely in the state of Puebla. Cinco de Mayo is celebrated widely in the United States. It has become an annual display of Mexican Culture., much like St. Patrick's Day for the Irish or Octoberfest for the Germans. Typical festivities on May 5th in the United States include dancing, eating, and gathering with family.

I personally love Mexican food and look forward to this holiday every year because a favorite local Mexican restaurant in our town has live Mariachi Bands playing and has really good specials on Margarita's (although I have to take it easy on those). I hope everyone has a great Cinco de Mayo in their hometown!

ME?....IN A BIKINI?....I DON'T THINK SO!

2009-04-29T10:06:00.006-04:00

Lets face it, most of us, especially those of us that are, say, over the age of 40, DO NOT belong on ANY beach in a bikini! Me, personally.....well lets just say my body needs a little time at the gym....lets rephrase that....a LOT of time at the gym before I would feel comfortable leaving the four walls of my bedroom in even a one piece swimsuit.

Take the cute designs here, for example. See that adorable little blue two piece one there with the ruffles across the butt? Well, I don't know about you, but the LAST thing that my butt needs is more attention! And it certainly does NOT need any added accessories such as ruffles for god sake!! Don't get me wrong, its really cute alright, but do ANY of us really want to draw more attention to our derriere? And lets not forget the cute little price tag that goes with all those ruffles. The top alone is $88.00, and those little ruffled "Ava Gardner" bottoms, well they will set you back another $98.00 alone! Now take a good look at that cute little polka dot two piece there. Yes, it's quite fashionable. Yes, it would look great on someone about 110 pounds with NO cellulite and great abbs, but get this.....it has a price tag of $380.00!!! Yep, that's right girls, that's 380 smackaroo's!! For me to justify to myself, not to mention to my husband spending that kind of money on that small of an amount of fabric, I would have to have the body of...lets say......CENTERFOLD quality!!! Moving right along..... we now come to the black and white striped one piece beauty there. Now THAT one I really like. Yeah, back 20 years or so ago, I would sport one of those cute little bikini's that were small enough to have made out of a hankie, but even then, my butt didn't need to be emphasized by ruffles!! Now days, after having two children, becoming a grandmother, a YOUNG grandmother, but a grandmother non the less, my body would laugh histarically at me if I even thought about a bikini. This little black and white number, however, I think I could pull off. It is very classy, has just the right amount of conservativeness, yet would be flattering to most any figure. Yes, it is still a little pricey (to my standards anyway) at $177.00, but considering the price of the other two, it is not so bad, not to mention that you get a little more fabric for your money with this one!! Now the pretty green one here is, I guess the most conservative one in the bunch, yet is very fashionable and another one that I would consider wearing out in public these days. The price tag on this one is right up my alley too, with it running only $88.00. Isn't it amazing that the ones with the LEAST amount of fabric cost MORE than the ones with MORE??? Oh, and did I mention that this particular bathing beauty is sold at "J. Crew" ? HMMMM!! Wonder if we will see our First Lady, Mrs. Obama sporting this one this summer??

HOORAY FOR AWARDS!!!

2009-04-28T09:56:00.004-04:00

One of my very best bud's, Veronica over at "of Mice and ramen" has honored me once again today with two special awards. "the blooger buddy" award and the "zombie chicken" award". Really Veronica, you shouldn't have!!! Somehow she always knows how to brighten my day! If you have not visited her blog, PLEASE......I beg you to stop in on her over at "of Mice and ramen" because this girl ROCKS!! She has the most AMAZING pictures that you will EVER see and she will crack you up with her antics and good spirits! It's always a pleasure to visit her! Thanks so much Veronica for these two wonderful awards! Once again, I am HONORED!! I will pass these awards on to some other great gals that deserve them! And will try my very best to do these fab awards justice!!

I guess I do need to let you in on the "wrath" of the Zombie CHicken award! So here goes.....The blogger who receives this award believes in the Tao of the zombie chicken - excellence, grace, and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regulary produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all.....

I too fear the wrath of those two chickens, so I am passing this award on to at least five wonderful bloggers that I feel really deserve it!

Erin

PLEASE......NO ELBOWS ON THE TABLE!

2009-04-28T08:34:00.002-04:00

Okay, WHERE is it exactly that you draw the line? In the few years now that I have tried my hand at teaching Andrew proper table manners, it seems that there are a few of them that never really are remembered somehow! I came across this delightful book by Emily Post a while back while visiting a local bookstore and have found that it is really very helpful in teaching basic as well as not so basic table manners to your little ones. As she points out in this wonderful book, the suggestions here are not just for fancy parties and dinner at grandma's house. It's basic information you can teach your children to use every day to improve their social life. I don't know about you, but I have had a really hard time trying to convince Andrew that being GROSS is not a GOOD thing! Like any typical six year old, the more disgusting you can be, the better! So when I tell him that it is not nice to chew his food up and then open his mouth and show it to his cousin, Hailee, because it's GROSS, well, he just laughs and does it again, because after all, he WANTS it to be gross! I then try to explain to him that being GROSS is not a GOOD thing while at the dinner table. We DO NOT put our elbows on the table , we DO NOT chew our food with our mouths open, we Do put our napkins in our lap, we Do say please when asking for more of something, we DO say excuse me when we belch (accidently of course),etc..... are all of the things I have tried to teach him over and over and I must say that for the most part he has done pretty well. I have found the "Table Manners for Kids" book quite helpful in at least convincing Andrew that I am not "making table manners up", that there is actually a BOOK on the subject and that other moms and dads DO have these rules at their homes too (although he swears his friend Mattox's mom would NEVER actually make him use a napkin)! Oh, there are still the occaisional times that he "forgets" (conveniently) and finds it hilarious to slurp spaghetti noodles up through a straw, or fling a pea or two across the table at Hailee when I'm not looking, but for the most part he sits up straight (when I remind him), he uses his napkin to wipe his mouth (when he catches me giving him "the look" as he starts to use his sleeve instead), and says please and thank you ( when I pretend not to hear him when he says "pass the potatoes" instead), I guess the real test of how well I have done will be when he takes a girl out on a date in the future and remembers NOT to show her his half eaten food while sharing a nice dinner together! I only hope I live long enough to bask in my triumph!!

Erin

MANNERS.......OH MY!

2009-04-27T13:10:00.001-04:00

KREATIV BLOGGER AWARD

2009-04-24T08:16:00.004-04:00

There are so many wonderful ladies that I have met through my blog, and one in particular has been gracious enough to present me with a sweet award this morning. Jerri, over at Simply Sweet Home was very kind to pass on to me the Kreativ Blogger Award. I really appreciate the nice gesture and feel honored. There are times that I don't really feel all that creative while writing, but if I can make one person smile with a funny story, or make one person feel good inside with a nice comment, I guess that's all that really matters, isn't it? My hope is that I can leave at least one person that's visited my blog each day feeling better about their day ahead, and if I can do that, then that's wonderful!!!....I've accomplished my goal and I feel good knowing I made someone smile! So thank you Jerri for the terrific award. YOU have made MY day today!!

EARTH DAY .......AMAZING GOODIES

2009-04-22T12:05:00.006-04:00

Earth Day is becoming more and more recognized these days and I think that it's a good thing. Maybe we should consider making it a National Holiday that is a mandatory "day off from work" day. Yep, I think that our world, and at least our country would be better off if we all took a day off once a year and planted a tree, cleaned up litter in our community, or volunteered with a local organization to better our eco system for ONE day. Just think about all the newspapers and magazines we read and throw in the garbage, or all of the sodas and water we drink from plastic bottles that we toss away. Well, take a look at these wonderful (not to mention, fashionable) purses. Guess what? They are made from old rolled up recycled newspapers! That's right, and aren't they beautiful? Green Veranda, an online store that focuses on products that are made from recycled newspaper specializes in trendy, fashionable, stylish purses. However, they also carry many other wonderful items made from the same products. Each item is handmade and often takes the designer 1 to 2 full days per purse, making each one unique. The products offered are designed by Green Veranda in conjunction with a co-op of 32 women located in Brazil. They believe in the global supply chain and say that it's usually the laborer's physically making the products that are paid the least. With a strong belief and involvement in the "fair trade act", they make sure the producers recieve a fair percentage of the total.
Every item that you see at Green Veranda is Eco-Friendly and is guranteed to change the life of someone. For every item sold, Green Veranda will plant a tree in the USA. In addition, you have the option of selecting a non-profit organization which will recieve 10% of their profits for the sale.
Green Veranda was created out of a life long dream of one very special woman to do something about the social and environmental condition of our planet. The founder, Denise Marques,realized that she was not alone in her purpose. Thus, the birth of her company which is based on principles such as Saving Our Planet, Fair Trade, and Giving Back.

It takes a brave person to to truly realize that our world needs a change. It also takes a brave person to act and make a difference.

It's your choice.

Let's do it together! Choose Green Veranda! Choose Green for life! And still show off your good taste!

Denise Marques

Please go check out Green Veranda at www.greenveranda.com. You will be utterly amazed at the handwork of the wonderfully talented women of Brazil.

Happy Earth Day!!!!

Erin

FABULOUS KIDS BIRTHDAY CAKES

2009-04-21T09:16:00.003-04:00

I always love making Andrew and Hailee's birthday cakes instead of ordering a premade one from the bakery or grocery store because I have so much fun with it. I must admit that I don't always have as much time as I would like to spend on them, but I do the best I can with the time I do have. In February, I made a "pirate ship" cake for Andrew's 6th birthday and it really turned out cute. I just used my imagination pretty much and went to the dollar store and picked up a package of plastic pirates (there was even a cannon, barrels, and flags in the pkg.) for decorating the cake with. I baked a sheet cake, cut it into the appropriate looking pieces, and played around with stacking it, etc... until I got it the way I wanted. I took wooden shish-ka-bob skewers from the kitchen and snipped off the pointy end, and made paper flags, poked the skewers threw and stuck in the "ship" cake. I used brown frosting for the sides of the ship and ran a knife through it to get the "woodgrain" effect. Andrew, as well as everyone else at the party loved it. Last year it was a "race car" cake, the year before was a "John Deere tractor" cake (that one was amazing, I must say) with the farm, barn and all. I even made the top of the cake looked "plowed" just like a field with rows of "planted" veggies (which were actually candy corn(orange) pushed into the frosting "dirt" with a little green frosting piped on top to resemble carrots, rows of "cabbages" were also "planted in the frosting "dirt" using the same green frosting piped in little swirls to resemble tiny cabbages. Needless to say, it was a big hit at the party, and almost too cute to cut! For Hailee's 4th birthday last year, she requested a "tea party" themed birthday party, so I thumbed through the "birthday cake cook book" to get some ideas. There wasn't a teapot cake featured in there anywhere, but after looking at a few princess cakes, butterfly cakes, and cute "purse" cakes, I came up with something. It turned out really nice and she loved it. I just basically made a sheet cake, trimmed it into the shape of a tea-pot, with handle, spout, and all, and then had a ball with the frosting and decorations. Using pink frosting for the background, I piped white frosting to outline the tea-pot, and to make the "lid". Adding some glittery sprinkles and fancy (but easy) swirls here and there, it was very cute. I even made a few little "tea cups" and "saucers" with the left over trimmed off cake. It was a big hit at the party and she bragged to everyone that her "MiMi" made it! I was in histarics while watching all those little girls looking at me like I was some kind of "hero" or "celebrity" or something. Hailee's birthday is coming up again in June and I wonder what it will be this year.....a butterfly, a Barbie, a princess.....who knows with her, it could even end up being "Spider Man". LOL!! I really like this doll house one and think I will show it to her to see what she thinks. It reminds me a little of a "gingerbread house, except decorated a little different. Anyway, I came across these cute ones and thought I would share them with everyone. If you check out the Parents Magazine website, you will find these two along witha few more and they even provide step by step instructions (and a video) of how to make them. So head on over and try one for your little ones next birthday party. He or she will think you are "the greatest" and you too could become a "celebrity" for the day at their big bash!

Erin

GEORGIKIDS SPRING FLING SALE

2009-04-20T09:31:00.004-04:00

Okay, I keep telling myself that I am going to focus more on my etsy shop on this blog and share all of my creations with everyone, but until now it seems that I have been so excited about featuring other interesting and fun things, that I have neglected my poor little boutique. I truly have some really cute things to show off to you all too, so I've decided that today, I will feature some sweet Spring outfits that I have made recently and show them off a little. Oh, and also offer them to everyone at a fantastic price this week.

Thats right! Georgikids is having a sale this week and it's a big one! Almost everything in the shop is marked down for this Spring Fling event. If you haven't visited my shop over at Etsy, please take the time this week to pop in and take advantage of some real bargains on cute Spring custom boutique clothing for your little ones. I have added some sweet new outfits to the collection and will be adding even more wonderful items all week long (with equally great prices)! This sale is only through Friday, so don't miss out. I also take custom orders, so if you have something in mind that is not in my shop, just let me know and I will be happy to make it to order at a super duper price! I can make any item listed in boys or girls and in infant through size 6x. All items can also be made into your choice of shorts, bloomers, capri's, long pants, or jumpers at no extra charge. And don't forget, with any order totaling $25.00 or more, you receive a free hair accessory of your choice. How great is that??? I even ship international, so head on over there and check out the adorable outfits I've made for the Spring. I think you will enjoy yourself and it may just put you in the mood for Summer! Thanks so much!

Erin

GIVE YOUR BODY A TREAT

2009-04-17T09:08:00.004-04:00

If your like me, you love wonderful smelling and skin silkening bath soaps. Even though most of us mama's rarely have the opportunity to indulge ourselves with an hour of our very own to relax in a nice hot tub without the bathroom door being continuously banged on with a little voice on the other side crying out.....mommy, what are you doing?, I'm thirsty, can I come in?, I can't find my doll.....you get the picture, We do want the little time that we do have to be as enjoyable as possible. Well, a very good friend of mine, Johnette, over at FlintRiver Soaps makes the most luxurious, skin softening, glorious smelling bath goodies and is kind enough to have sent me a few to try out. Each one is cold pressed and handcrafted to make the most of your bathing experience. They ALL smell wonderful and I can truly say that I love the way they make my skin feel. The Fromme Pear is lightly fruity and fresh smelling and is one of my favorites. I also love the Lime in D Coconut scented one. It turns your bath into a "tropical experience". All you need is a Pina' Colada in your hand, some good beach music playing, and you will be transformed to the Caribbean while in your bath tub. I must say that I was hesitant to try the Banana Pudding soap she sent me for fear my hubby would take one smell of it and be chasing me around the house with a spoon and a can of whipped cream!LOL! Being a southern girl though and loving banana pudding, I had to try it. It was so dreamy feeling and the fragrance was incredible, with a very subtle smell of banana, and it felt wonderful on my skin. I have to admit I was surprised, but pleasantly with that one. I have since visited her etsy shop and have picked out several other luxurious soaps that I want to order. If you haven't visited FlintRiver Soaps over on Etsy, please do. You will find a treasure of yummy scented soaps to choose from and Johnette is offering a buy 3 bars, get 1 bar free special this month, so I hope you will stop by her shop and pick some up for yourself, a friend, or as a gift for someone special. I promise you won't be disappointed!

Enjoy!

Erin

GOT TO HAVE IT: GRAFFEETI SNEAKERS

2009-04-16T09:09:00.005-04:00

Aren't these so cool? I came across these in Parents Magazine and had to share. As stated in the article, as long as there is is school boredom and pens exist, kids will doodle on anything within reach. One shoe company, thankfully has been paying attention to that fact. Graffeeti Sneakers are kicks that can be drawn on... again and again. Available in low cut or high top style and many different styles, they feature three dry-erasable areas (one on each side and one on the toe) where kids can "channel" their inner artiste, as well as a holster for one of the six colored pens that come with the shoes. What's even cooler is that the pens are specially formulated so the artwork comes off with a simple swipe of the hand and the ink won't stain skin.

The two geniuses behind this concept are civil engineers for the city of Roseville, California, with no background in in fashion or children's apparel whatsoever. They came up with the idea from working with dry erase boards, tossing out too many of their own kid's shoes and being lifelong shoe doodlers themselves. Another great incentive to purchasing a pair of these adorable and fun sneakers are that a percentage of your purchase goes to children's charities. To purchase a pair for your little doodler, go to www.graffeetisneakers.com. Cost for a pair is $41.00 for high tops, and $39.00 for low tops. Oh, and get this... backpacks are now availble with this company using this same concept. What fun! Wish they had them in adult sizes too!!
I know Andrew and Hailee will be begging for a pair.

Erin

ARTISTA - Creative Safari's for Women

2009-04-15T09:01:00.003-04:00

Okay girls, this REALLY caught my attention so I had to include you all in this experience. Just think, a safari for US! To create, to express, to unite!! Wouldn't that just be glorious!

Artista safari's is the artistic branch of Manifesta Safari's, offering world premier vacations for Women since 1997. The commitment of this group of fantastic women is to help their guests reach their full potential by providing life altering experiences.

The inspiring location of Carmel-By-The-Sea, was established as a bohemian artist and writers colony after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. Since then, it's been the home and inspiration for such guests as Jack London, and Ansel Adams. Today's Carmel has that same sense of beauty and and promise.

Carmel-By-The-Sea is breathtakingly beautiful. It speaks to your body and soul. While hiking and and meditating among the rocky cliffs of the Point of Lobos Reserve, which is known as the crown jewel of California parks, the sea air rejuvenates, colors become your palette, and the hues and rhythms recharge your very being.

From the plein air painting festivalsto the Sand Castle Contest, Carmel-By-The-Sea naturally attracts and inspires a wide range of artists and their patrons.

It is said that "Here, fine art is a way of life and here is where we create".

"Carmel's Landmark Hotel since 1029", the Cypress Inn serves as accomodations for everyone that visits. Complete with courtyard, tapas restaurant, and full-service bar serving afternoon tea daily, the Inn is owned and operated by Doris Day and Dennis LeVett.

With just a short walk to the ocean, the Cypress Inn's Mediteranean facade hints of old world charm while making you feel right at home in the intimate lounge or garden courtyard.

Workshops and activities are scheduled throughout the day to best suit your own pace. Classes in Abstract Painting, Impresia Printmaking, and Encaustic Painting are all offered, along with massages, spa experiences, and other activities to enjoy while there.

This experience intrigued me so much and just reading all the details on the website had me wanting to call my travel agent right away. You really have to go visit them on their website to really appreciate all they have to offer. It is amazing!! I think this would be a great "girls" retreat and I personally hope to indulge sometime soon. If you are interested, please visit this fabulous site at Atista-safari's for women and be delighted as much as I was!

Enjoy!

Erin

THE MAYFLOWER INN AND SPA

2009-04-15T08:26:00.004-04:00

According to "Good Morning America", this is the #1 spa in America. Located in the idyllic town of Washington, Connecticut, and less than 2 hours from New York City, this wonderful Manor sits amongst the abundant and breathtaking beauty of 58 acres of century old rhododendron, endless trees, and luxuriant grounds. Guests also can enjoy the tranquil beauty of the lush lawn, the contemplative Shakespeare Garden and the meandering paths of the American Poetry Maze which offers superb relaxation and rejuvenation.

The perfect getaway to unwind and relax, this glorious retreat is now offering a stimulas package of it's own to help you shake off the less than positive projections and get you headed in the right direction for 2009. This package is designed for corporate teams to energize and stratigize for the year ahead, however, single packages are available and very much worth the price. The "Mini Luxe Experience" is tailor made for people with limited time who need maximum relaxation. This includes a luxurious two night spa experience.

This fabulous package includes:

* UNLIMITED access to all scheduled classes and activities.
* Accomodations in one of 30 sumptuous rooms or suites.
* Three healthy Spa cuisine meals a day with Personal Spa Advisor Services.
* Treatments and private fitness sessions available on an a'la carte basis.
* warm-up suits
* Logo T-shirts

Two nights from $1,350, normally $1,750 and offered Sunday through Thursday.

Are You ready to sign up?

Erin

EASTER PARTY WINNER

2009-04-13T10:07:00.007-04:00

Congratulations goes out to Rhonda over at Giggles and Sugar Kisses. She is the winner of the Georgikids Easter Party giveaway and as the winner, she gets to choose an outfit of her choice from the Georgikids Etsy shop to be custom made for her in the size of her choice. If you haven't visited Giggles and Sugar Kisses, you must stop by, Rhonda has a great blog and she has some great giveaways over there as well! Congrats Rhonda on being our winner and I hope you enjoy your outfit.

Everyone else that visited the Easter Party last week will be receiving "goody bags" filled with yummy and fun stuff, so make sure you get you address e-mailed to me so I get yours in the mail! Thanks to all that came to our party and I hope everyone had a great time! I know I did!!

Erin

UPTOWN BANANA PUDDING

2009-04-10T09:46:00.002-04:00

Does this look yummy or what? Down here in the South, we love banana pudding! After seeing this recipe for Banana Cheesecake, I almost drooled! Of course I had to try it and I don't think I've ever eaten anything as good! It is DELICIOUS! Of course mine didn't turn out quite as pretty as the one here in the picture, but it was darn close and everyone loved it! This is the perfect dessert for your Easter feast. It's rather easy to make and even the kids love it! If you like banana's or cheesecake (and who doesn't), than you must try this! You will be amazed at how fast it is gobbled up!

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups finely crushed vanilla wafers
1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 large, ripe banana's, diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
3 (8oz. pkgs.) cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon coffe liqueur
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Meringue

Preparation:

Combine first 3 ingredients in small bowl. Press evenly into bottom of a lightly greased 9-inch springform pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Combine diced bananas and 1 tablespoon lemon juice in a small saucepan. Stir in 2 tablespoons brown sugar. Place over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring constantly for about 1 minute or just until sugar has melted. Set aside.

Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer 3 minutes or until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup granulated sugar, beating until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Beat in coffee liqueur and vanilla. Pour into prepared vanilla wafer crust. Spoon tablespoons of banana mixture evenly over top, and swirl gently into cream cheese mixture.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes or until center is almost set.

Drop spoonfuls of Meringue gently and evenly over hot filling. (recipe below)

Bake at 400 degreesfor 10 minutes or until meringue is golden brown. Remove from oven, and gently run a knife around the edge of cheesecake in pan to loosen. Cool cheesecake completely on a wire rack. Cover loosely and chill for 8 hours. Release and remove side from pan to serve. Makes approx. 10 - 12 servings. YUM!!

Meringue

3 egg whites
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons sugar

Beat egg whites and salt at high speed with an electric mixer until foamy. Add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating until soft peaks form and sugar dissolves (about 1 - 2 minutes).

Enjoy!!

Erin

QUEEN FOR THE DAY!!

2009-04-10T09:33:00.005-04:00

I have been honored with the "Queen Blogger Award" this morning and it has made my day! Veronica, the wonderful gal over at " Of Mice and raMen" has kindly passed this award on to me, so many thanks go out to her. You have GOT to drop in on her and say hello. Her blog is terrific and has the most amazing photo's you've ever seen! This sweet lady has also awarded me the "Fan" award and the "Best Blogger Buddy" awards recently, so I am feeling very special today! I too am going to pass these awards on to some of my favorite ladies that I just love! Thank you again Veronica! Your the Best!!

Erin

MUST HAVE EASTER GOODIES

2009-04-09T08:40:00.009-04:00

As we all know, Easter is creeping up on us fast, and many of us are finding ourselves scrambling around looking for last minute "basket stuffers". I must admit that I am one of those people and have been dropping in on a few of my fellow Etsians for some handmade goodies that are "one of a kind". I came across some wonderful artisians the last few days and wanted to share a couple of my favorites with you. The first one is THE CUPCAKE GIRLS Etsy shop and do they ever have some CUTE things. I giggled out loud when I saw this cute bunny stuffed inside a carrot. Made of all felt, and measuring in at 5", it's the perfect size for a little one and fits nicely into a Easter Basket. The little bunny even comes out of the carrot for play and has a poofy little tail. Along with this sweetie, THE CUPCAKE GIRLS have lots more adorable little felt items that you will just love, so stop by their shop on Etsy and check everything out. These girls are fabulous!!!You will want to fill your shopping cart full!!

Next I want to tell you all about WHEEZIES! This little Etsy shop really packs a punch! Their adorable scrabble tile necklaces are so unique and well made that you will want to pick up several (not to mention, the price on them is sensational). I just love this cute Peter Rabbit one and it makes a perfect gift for the Easter basket. All you need is a sweet pastel plastic egg to stash it in. Every little girl (or even your big girl) will love wearing this charming scrabble tile necklace all year long. All the necklaces in this wonderful shop are upcycled from real scrabble tiles which makes them one-of-a-kind and oh so charming. With the purchase of this Peter Rabbit tile, you will receive a pretty silver chain free to wear it on, although they do offer several sweet coordinating pastel cords in which to chose from also. The great girls over at WHEEZIES also seal all of their tiles to be water resistant, although they do recommend that you do remove before bathing, showering, or swimming so as to not get them extremely wet since they are not water PROOF! WHEEZIES even packs these wonderful creations in their very own gift box so they are ready to give as soon as they arrive. Please stop by their delightful little shop and pick up an Easter basket full. I'm sure you will love them as much as I do.

HAVE A HOPPY DAY!!!

Erin

EASTER PARTY COCKTAIL

2009-04-08T09:09:00.004-04:00

Our Easter Party just wouldn't be complete without a signature cocktail to sip on while bunny hopping! This drink is one you've got to try! It's not only easy to make, but delicious and makes enough to share with a friend or two! So go ahead, whip a batch up and enjoy!

SANGRIA BLANCO

Ingredients:

1/4 cup sugar good white wine (750 milliliters ea.)
3/4 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves (optional)
1 cup orange liqueur (such as... Grand Marnier)
2-3 cups lemon-lime soft drink, chilled (sprite or seven-up)
2 lemons, thinly sliced
2 oranges, thinly sliced
1 pint fresh strawberries, thinly sliced

Preparation:

1) Bring sugar and 1 1/4 cups water to a boil (this makes a simple syrup)in a saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, and let stand 10 minutes.

2) Combine sugar mixture, white wine, and next two ingredients in a large container; cover and chill for 4 hours. Stir in lemon-lime soft drink and next 4 ingredients just before serving. Serve over ice if desired.

Enjoy this with Easter brunch, Easter dinner, or just for yummy refreshment anytime you like!

Erin

EASTER RIDDLES

2009-04-07T15:23:00.003-04:00

I hope everyone stopping by the Easter Party today is having lots of fun and picking up some great ideas! Here are some cute Easter Riddles that I came across and thought that you and/or your kids would get a good laugh! Enjoy!!

How do bunnies stay healthy? eggcercise

Why was the rabbit rubbing his head? because he had an eggache

What's the best way to send a letter to the Easter Bunny? Hare mail

Why do rabbits do so well in school? They're experts in multiplication

Why does the Easter Bunny have such a shiny nose? cause his powder puff is on the wrong end

Why did the Easter egg hide? cause he was a little chicken

Why is the Easter bunny the luckiest animal in the world? cause he has four rabbits feet

Knock, knock. Who's there? Lettuce. Lettuce who? Lettuce hide some Easter eggs

What do you call a duck that plays basketball? a slam duck

What did the rabbit say to the carrot? it's been nice gnawing you

Cute, huh? Hope you got a giggle!

Erin

HOT CHICKS FOR EASTER

2009-04-07T13:28:00.003-04:00

Maternal instincts come naturally to chickens. If your feeling broody, too, then Spring is the perfect time to begin keeping a clutch of your own.

* With more than a 100 breeds to choose from, there's a hen just right for you. Take your pick from fancy feathered to good layers.

* Space is not a problem. Hens come in two versions: large fowl and bantams, which are a quarter size. Even the smallest garden can keep two hens happy.

* Don't worry about annoying the neighbors - hens don't need a cockerel to lay eggs.

* No eggs will ever taste better than those from your own hens. Not only are they fresher, the yolks are yellower - and the food miles - non existent.

* It takes less than 10 minutes a day to look after your hens, but watching their antics will bring hours of pleasure.

Here are a dozen of my favorite......

The one above is the first mother hen and POULTRY PIN-UP!! Which one will you be taking home for Easter?

GOLDEN GIRL - WELSUMMER

2009-04-07T13:25:00.002-04:00

This beauty is like a ray of sunshine -from her bronze feathers down to her yellow stockings. And you've got to love her flower-pot colored legs.

MODEL MUM - BUFF ORPINGTON

2009-04-07T13:22:00.002-04:00

A clucky, caring parent who doesn't get in a flap about anything, this matronly birdhas everything under control.

CATWALK QUEEN - SILVER SPANGLED HAMBURGH

2009-04-07T13:17:00.002-04:00

The epitome of chicken-chic, this monocrhome madam will strut her stuff around the run. Her pie'ce de're'sistance is her china-white eggs.

A GOOD LAY - RHODE ISLAND RED

2009-04-07T13:13:00.002-04:00

Whether you like them "over easy" or "sunny side up", the eggs of this American beauty will be plentiful as she is a egg-ceptional layer.

BUXOM BEAUTY - SILVER-LACED WYANDOTTE

2009-04-07T13:10:00.002-04:00

Curvaceous and big-breasted, this voluptuous lady could easily rule the roost. But underneath the designer feathers is a nice-natured mum-to-be.

A BIT OF FLUFF - BLUE FRIZZLE

2009-04-07T13:07:00.002-04:00

A bird-brain if ever there was but who could resist this pretty princess? Like all well-groomed ladies, she does'nt like rain - it ruins her hairdo.

FRENCH FANCY - CUCKOO MARAN

2009-04-07T13:02:00.004-04:00

Ooh la' la'! This delightful French diva is an elegant belle femme who lays coveted dark-brown oeufs. You'll see little fowl play from this bird.

WORKING GIRL - LIGHT SUSSEX

2009-04-07T12:58:00.002-04:00

Often found going cheep, this bird is a popular buy and one of the best layers. She has no trouble tucking away the corn - a size zero she ain't.

TWINKLE TOES - BRAHMA

2009-04-07T12:55:00.002-04:00

With her statuesque vital statistics and her finely feathered shoes, this aristocratic dame is at the top of the pecking order.

SHOWGIRL - WHITE SILKIE

2009-04-07T12:52:00.002-04:00

She can certainly shake a tail-feather with her fan dancer's plumes and pom-pom hat, but this distinctive good-time girl likes her home comforts.

A GOOD EGG - LAVENDER ARAUCANA

2009-04-07T12:05:00.006-04:00

You might not chose her for her looks but she's got a great personality. And her unique true-blue eggs area kitchen-table talking point.

OPEN HOUSE TEA AND EASTER EGG HUNT

2009-04-07T09:56:00.003-04:00

Okay, I admit I am a southern girl, and as such, I love to entertain! Down here in the south, we love our iced tea sweet, our chicken fried and our desserts rich. Us southern girls love entertaining and do it in a big way, but there are times that we like things simple, even if we do break out the fine china for "dinner on the grounds".
For Easter Sunday, or even the Saturday before, consider gathering friends and family together for an afternoon of fun. The recipes today are simple yet delicious (and oh so southern) and can be made ahead of time, so plan a brunch on the lawn, a formal dinner outside on the patio, or just a simple, plain picknick lunch on a blanket under a tree. Whether it's setting up a simple folding table and decorating elegantly or throwing a beach blanket on the lawn for the kids to kick back on, it can all be done easily and made special. A little imagination goes a long way, so dig through the drawers and pull out that special linen table cloth, the fine china, or simple pastel paper plates and have fun with it.

Try this recipe and I promise you will give rave reviews!

**CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD TEA SANDWICHES**

**Ingredients:

4 cups cooked chicken, finely chopped
3 8oz. pkgs. cream cheese, softened3/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped.
1/2 cup sweetened, toasted coconut flakes
6 green onions, minced
2 ribs celery, diced
1 (2 1/4 oz.) pkg. slivered almonds, toasted
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
48 whole grain bread slices

Preparation:

Stir together first 11 ingredients. Spread mixture evenly on one side each of 24 slices of bread; top with remaining bread slices. Trim crusts from sandwiches and cut each sandwich into 4 rectangles with a serrated knife.

How easy was that? And to keep them fresh and moist, just stack sandwiches in an airtight container covered with a sheet of wax paper and then a damp dish towel on top of the wax paper. Cover container with lid and store in frig for up to a a day ahead. Makes about 25 servings.

Enjoy!

Erin

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED....TO HAVE FUN

2009-04-06T17:30:00.004-04:00

**YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED**

What: Georgikids Easter Party

Where: Right here (Georgikids)

When: Monday April 6th thru Friday April 10th

Dress: Casual (come as you are, p.j's welcome)

Bring: Easter basket and a great attitude!

Note: Be prepared for 5 fun filled days of Easter Partying! Great yummy appetizers (recipes); sweet tea, coffee or good ole fashion lemonade (along with some good red wine)and some creative ideas to make your Easter celebration the best, will be served daily! And a party isn't a party without some great treats to take home, so goodie bags filled with all sorts of Easter sweets and treats will be given to each attendee, along with an outfit OF YOUR CHOICE to be given away on Friday to ONE lucky party goer as a DOOR PRIZE!

** Goody bag contents will be posted tomorrow (and you will LOVE them) and each attendee to the party (those who stop by and comment on any of this weeks posts by Friday) will receive one goody bag by mail. Please e-mail me with address to send it to (www.georgikids@yahoo.com).

So come one, come all and have a GREAT time!

Erin

POLKA DOT EASTER BUCKET

2009-04-06T15:04:00.003-04:00

This has got to be one of the cutest Easter baskets...er...I mean buckets that I have ever seen! It's hard to believe that it was just a plain ole galvanized metal paint pail not too long ago. With a little sprucing up, look what it has become? And of course, you can do it in any color you want (maybe blue or green or even yellow would be sooo cute).

Here's how you do it:

You need:

Paint pail (available at any hardware or craft store)
White primer paint (spray, that's made for metal)
Pink (or whatever color you like) spray paint
large and small round stickers (available at any craft store)
Fine-detail paintbrush

1) spray bucket, inside and out, with primer. To avoid drips, several thin coats is best. Note: Make sure the white primer is even because this color is going to show up as the "dots" later after the stickers are removed. Allow primer to dry thoroughly (overnight is ideal).

2)Place large and small stickers all over bucket in pattern that you want or just random. Make sure that you place a few to overlap the bucket edge. Firmly press them down around sticker edges to prevent the other pink paint from bleeding underneath.

3)Spray pail with pink paint, being careful not to over spray and cause drips. Applying multiple thin coats is best. Allow to dry thoroughly.

4)Carefully remove the stickers. If paint has bled underneath the stickers, spray a bit of white primer paint onto a paper plate (or anything disposable) and touch up streaks or spots with fine-detail brush.

Now, all you have to do is use your imagination! Tie some pretty ribbon onto handle ( I like the look of several streamers of ribbon tied onto handle at the base on both sides so the streamers "run" down the sides of the pail) or make some cute ribbon bows like in picture out of wired ribbon and attach to handle. Hot gluing some cute ribbon around the top edge of the pail or rick rack would be really adorable too. You can pretty much decorate however you like. Next just add some good ole fashion Easter grass in your choice of color and of course some goodies and there you have it! One sweet Easter Bucket!!

Have fun and don't forget to enter to win the cute outfit from my Etsy shop! Go to FIRST post on Monday April 6th for details!!
Erin

RICE KRISPY EASTER EGGS

2009-04-06T09:35:00.002-04:00

Everone loves those sweet and chewy "rice krispy treats" and how fun and easy is this? Whip up that recipe as usual (posted on the box of rice krispies, or I will be happy to e-mail to you) then stuff mixture into those little plastic eggs that are ALL OVER your house this time of year! They mold great into that egg shape and the kids will LOVE them! One recipe goes a long way too, so you can have plenty on hand for friends. TIP: Use food coloring if you like to dye the treats pastel colors. Just a few drops in the mixture while making will do the trick!

ENJOY!!

Erin

GEORGIKIDS EASTER PARTY AND GIVEAWAY

2009-04-06T09:08:00.004-04:00

With Easter less than a Week a way now, we all are scurrying around making last minute plans for egg coloring, egg hunting, Sunday dinner, etc...so to make life a little easier for everyone this week, I am hosting an Easter Party here at Georgikids all week long. From now through Friday I will be posting how to's and answering questions on everything from simple and delicious Easter recipes, egg coloring tips and fun ideas, tablescapes, and more to help you out.

All you have to do is stop by and grab up goodies for YOUR festivities and no one will ever know where you found all of your wonderful creations. Along with fun activities and ideas to make this Easter the best (and easiest) ever for you, I will be holding a contest and it is sooo easy to enter. All you have to do is post a comment on any of the fun things that I post about all week (the more comments you post, the more chances you have to win because you receive one entry per post)and then post a comment on YOUR blog describing your favorite idea or recipe that you grabbed from my Easter party. On Friday I will be giving away to one lucky winner an outfit of their choice from my Etsy shop. You pick the outfit, the size, the style, etc... and I make it exactly the way you choose and ship it to you absolutely FREE!!!

SO LETS GET READY TO PARTY LADIES!!

ERIN

EASTER EGG TREE

2009-04-01T09:56:00.007-04:00

Good morning everyone! Everyone knows Easter is upon us and if your like me, you find yourself scrambling around at the last minute trying to dye eggs with the kids, find the perfect Easter dress clothes for the kids, attending school and church egg hunts with the kids, etc...Well, all this week I have been posting cute ideas, crafts and recipes to help you out a little. In Germany and Austria, it's customary to celebrate Easter by hanging hollow eggs from the branches of trees.Here is a sweet idea for bringing the season indoors and giving a room in your house some holiday cheer. This is a simple technique, and lends a beautiful addition to your mantle, a coffee table, or as a centerpiece on the dining room table for your Easter feast. You are sure to get lots of comments on this gorgeous display and not just from the grown ups!

Fill an Ice bucket (or pail) with floral foam, then insert grass and pussy willow branches. Or place pebbles and water into a vase, and make an arrangement using any type of branches, such as flowering quince, magnolia, forsythia, or cherry blossom.

To thread and hang the eggs, center a slipknot on a length of ribbon, and thread the ribbon ends through a large-eyed needle (or fashion a needle by folding a 12-inch length of 27-gauge wire in half; use the loop end to thread the ribbon). Gently pass the needle through both holes at the opposite ends of the eggs (you will need to take a pin and poke a small hole in each end of egg prior to this step and drain the inside out; these are raw eggs, not cooked) and pull ribbon through. Before inserting the needle, decide which end of the egg will be the bottom; the hole from which the ribbon ends protrude will be the top of your egg (see picture above). Double-knot the the ribbon above and below the egg, then tie the loose ends to a branch with a bow.

Have fun and even let the kids help out a little with this fun project! This may very well become your new Easter tradition. The kids will think of it as the Easter tree they get to decorate every year, just like the Christmas tree in December.
Also, use your imagination. Add some artificial little birds (found in any craft store), maybe paint the branches white or silver (easy to do with spray paint), or even hang some paper bunnies from the branches (just go to Martha Stewart living and download the templates free). The main thing is....HAVE FUN WITH IT!!

Erin

CRUNCHY CRITTERS

2009-03-31T15:22:00.002-04:00

Aren't these just the cutest things? And the best part is they are edible! Gather the kids into the kitchen to help out with this tasty Easter craft, or is it a dessert? Whatever you want to call it, one thing's for sure, its YUMMY!!!

*WHAT YOU NEED*

1 Cup unsweetened coconut flakes
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for bowls
3 cups mini marshmallows
3 1/2 cups finely crushed corn flakes
1/4 cup black and brown candy-coated chocolate pieces(such as M&M's), crushed
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
2 teaspoons smooth peanut butter
candies for decorating

*HOW TO MAKE*

1) Toast coconut in 350 degree oven until lightly browned, about 5 minutes, stirring once. Butter seven 3 1/2 inch bowls, set aside. Melt butter in saucepan.Add marshmallows; stir until melted. Stir in cornflakes. Set aside 1 3/4 cups of the mixture in a medium bowl.

2)Stir 1/2 cup of the coconut, crushed chocolate pieces, and melted chocolate into mixture in pan. Press into bowls to form nests. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

3)Form chicks with reserved mixture (make into approx. 1 3/4 inch balls and attach to each other with peanut butter). Decorate with candies (refer to picture). Remove nests from refrigerator, unmold from bowls, line with coconut (for nest effect) and add your chicks!

This is such a fun project for the kids to help with because they can get a little messy while having fun molding their chicks and nesting them. Try a little variation like adding a baby chick and mom and dad chick for the "chick family", or a whole nest of baby chicks with their little mouths open for feeding, etc... JUST HAVE FUN!!ENJOY!!

Erin

LACE EGGS

2009-03-31T09:41:00.002-04:00

This Easter, take hard boiled eggs to a whole new height by embellishing them with lacy patterns. Once the eggs are dyed and dry, pile them in a large bowl to use them as a centerpiece.

I came across this tip on egg dying and thought the lacy pattern was so sweet. They are so easy to make that I wanted to share the idea with everyone. I just love new ideas on decorating for Easter, and will be posting new discoveries all week long for you to enjoy.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Eggs
Standard egg dye
Rubber bands
Inexpensive lace trimmings or scraps from an old tablecloth or worn curtains
Scissors
Foam board fitted with flat head pins

LACE EGG HOW TO:

1) Cut lace into strips long enough to wrap around eggs and still have enough
extra to form a sash for holding.

2) Wrap eggs, securing lace with rubber bands. Dye eggs according to dye package instructions. Lift out, cut off rubber bands, and unwrap lace. Let dry on foambaord fitted with flathead pins. (Lay eggs on top of pins)

Enjoy decorating with these pretty eggs and use your imagination with colors. I think blue and pink ones mixed would be really sweet or maybe throw in some yellow ones for a splash of sunshine. Let me know how yours turned out!!

Erin

PAPER GRASS

2009-03-30T12:44:00.003-04:00

We all seem to be getting our "GREEN" on these days and with Easter approaching, we can even find some fun ways to include earth friendly crafts into our holiday projects.

Here is an ingenious way to recycle wrapping, construction or craft paper. Feed leftover sheets into a shredder for colorful strips to use as grass in a basket. Desktop paper shredders can be found in office-supply stores. To transform flat strips into spirals, crumple them in your hands, or curl with scissors. Feed the short side of rolled up paper through shredder to retain the curl!

The little ones can even take part in this project by helping cut (with safety scissors) or crumple paper with their hands. Just make sure to keep their tiny fingers away from the shredder.

HAVE FUN!!

Erin

**All recipes and projects are courtesey of Martha Stewart Living Magazine**

SUGAR COOKIE BUNNIES

2009-03-30T12:17:00.002-04:00

Aren't these just adorable? And so much fun to make with your little ones. These cute bunnies can be displayed on a cake plate or platter during your Easter feast to nibble on for dessert, can be wrapped in plastic and tied with a sweet ribbon for favors for your child's party, or delivered to someone special stacked in a pretty box or basket. No matter how they are given or displayed, they are sure to be big hit and become every one's favorite and gobbled up in no time.

TO MAKE

2 cups all purpose flour, plus more for surface
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1) Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl. Beat together butter and sugar with a mixer on medium-high speed until pale and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Reduce speed to low. With machine running, gradually add in flour mixture; mix until combined. Shape into a disk, and wrap in plastic. refrigerate until firm, at least 45 minutes (or up to 3 days)

2)Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface. Roll into 1/8" thick. Using a 5 inch tall bunny shaped cookie cutter, cut out cookies. Space 2 inches apart on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Reroll scraps, and cut out. (I like to sprinkle my bunnies with sugar before I bake)Refrigerate until firm, about 15 minutes.

3)Bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely on sheets on wire racks. Cookies can be stored in airtight containers at room temperature for up to 1 week.

IF YOU WISH, YOU CAN TIE A DAINTY RIBBON AROUND BUNNY'S NECK---- SOOOO CUTE!!

***OPTIONS: You can sprinkle with sugar before baking, add eyes and whiskers by piping chocolate icing onto bunny face after completely cooled, etc... JUST USE YOUR IMAGINATION.

ENJOY!!

Erin

EASTER GOODIES

2009-03-30T08:04:00.003-04:00

Easter is right around the corner and there are so many yummy recipes to celebrate the holiday that I thought this week would be a good time to share some of my favorites with everyone. These adorable cookies are easy to make but make such a beautiful presentation that you will want to admire them instead of eat them, but go ahead and try one, they are super yummy!

Included with delicious Easter recipes, I am going to throw in some fun Easter crafts and great kids party tips and ideas this week, so check back often so you can join in on the action! This week is sure to be jam packed with fun and food that you won't want to miss!

TO MAKE THESE CUTE EASTER "NEST" COOKIES:

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter at room temperature
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour, plus more for rolling out dough
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup heavy cream
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder
Gel-paste food coloring
2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
6 candy coated chocolate eggs

Directions

1) Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper, and set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine butter and sugar.

2) In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and cocoa powder. Add flour mixture to butter mixture; mix on low speed just until a stiff dough forms, about 2 minutes. Transfer dough to a piece of plastic wrap, wrap tightly, and chill until firm, about 30 minutes.

3)Place chocolate, heavy cream, and espresso powder in a medium heatproof bowl. Place the bowl over a gently simmering pot of water, stirring occasionally, until chocolate is melted. Remove bowl from heat , and set the chocolate ganache aside to cool, stirring occasionally.

4)On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to a 1/4 inch thickness. Using a 2 1/4" round cookie cutter, cut out 24 cookies; place them on lined baking sheets. Chill cookies until firm, about 20 minutes.

5)Bake cookies until set, about 14 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

6)For colored coconut, combine a few drops of food coloring with 3 tablespoons water in a medium bowl. Stir in coconut; mix until evenly colored. Spread on an ungreased baking sheet; bake just until dry, about 12 minutes, being careful not to brown. Let coconut cool; transfer to a small bowl.

7)When the ganache is cooled to room temperature, whisk until it becomes stiff enough to pipe. Transfer ganache to pastry bag fitted with a 3/8" round tip, and pipe around perimeter of cookies. Dip each cookie, ganache side down into coconut. Fill "nests" with candy-coated chocolate eggs, 2 or 3 eggs per nest. Store cookies in an airtight container, refrigerated for up to 3 days.

ENJOY!!!

Erin

**JELLY BEAN CARROT*

2009-03-27T15:55:00.003-04:00

It's been such a hectic and crazy day for me today! I don't know what it is. It's raining, the traffic has been awful, and people are acting like lunatics at the grocery stores today. I think I will remain held up in the confines of my nice, cozy, dry home for the rest of the day! I am trying to get in the last little bit of UBP today and am so sad that it is coming to an end. It just seems like it flew by this week. I have had a great time though and still have a few fun things to throw your way, so stay tuned through the evening for some crafts, yummy recipes, and who knows what else! Please remember that I am giving away a hair bow and set of clippies of your choice tonight to 3 lucky people. You must answer the UBP question in this post in a comment that you leave and then go to your blog and leave a comment about my giveaway. What were three places that the UBP live streamed from this week?

Please check out this cute idea for your little one's Easter basket:

**The Jelly Bean Carrot**

What you need:

Plastic pastry bag
orange jelly beans
green rickrack or ribbon
Easter basket, optional

How to make it:

1) Fill a plastic pastry bag 3/4 of the way with orange jelly beans.

2) Tie the bag closed with the rickrack or ribbon.

3) Include the carrots in an Easter basket or fill a basket with them and set them out as favors for a party.

*I am going to make these for favors for Andrew's class at school! I just love them and they are super easy to make!

PROVOLONE AND ROASTED RED PEPPER CRISPS

2009-03-26T15:24:00.004-04:00

Okay, I know we all just had lunch not long ago (us in the eastern time zone, that is), but Happy Hour is creeping up on us fast, so here is a yummy appetizer recipe to have with that Happy Hour drink! It's five o'clock somewhere!!! Right??

Heres what you need:

2 pitas, sliced in half to make 4 round pieces.

4 Tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 12 oz. jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strips

4 slices lemon

1 garlic clove, sliced

1 cup grated provolone cheese

Heres How To Make It:

Heat broiler to high. Arrange the pitas on a baking sheet, cut side up. Brush with 2 tablespoons of the oilthen sprinkle with the paprika, oregano, 1/4 tespoon of the salt. Place under broiler for about 2 miutes or until crisp. Set aside.

Heat the remaining oil (2 Tablespoons) in a skillet. Add the peppers, lemon, garlic, and the remaining salt. Saute' until peppers are hot and fragrant, about 3 minutes.

Spread the peppers evenly overthe pita halves and sprinkle with the provolone. Place back under broiler for about 2-3 minutes until cheese is melted. Slce into strips, if desired and serve. YUM!!

Do you know what kind of stores Janice and Susan have? (answer in comment to win)

Have fun ladies!

Erin

WONDERFUL LIP BALM

2009-03-26T12:24:00.005-04:00

Time for a little TLC ladies! All this partying can leave a girl's lips parched! Follow this guide to LUSCIOUS lips and you will say goodbye to that winter dryness FOR GOOD!!!!!

Mix up a batch of this yummy lip balm yourself and feel what a wonderful difference it makes! Add peppermint or eucalyptus oils to heal a chapped kisser, or opt for a soothing vanilla-and-rose scented version. Either way, you'll have lip softening relief right in your pocket!

Lip Balm How-To

***Makes 4 tins, 1/2 ounce each***

1 Tablespoon beeswax pearls (also called pellets)
1 Tablespoon pure shea butter
2 Tablespoons sweet almond oil
10-15 drops essential oils

Melt beeswax, shea butter and almond oil together in the top of a double boiler or in a heat safe bowl set over a pot of simmering water; stir continuously with a whisk. Once the ingredients are liquefied, remove them from the heat. Whisk in the essential oils. Working quickly, transfer the liquid to a measuring cup or a container with a pour spout and then divide it between four 1/2 oz. lip balm tins. Let balms cool completely until solid, about 20 minutes. Store in a cool, dry place.

Variation:: Peppermint - Eucalyptus Lip Balm
Use 6 drops of peppermint essential oil and 4 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

Variation: Vanilla - Rose Lip Balm:
Use 10 drops of rose oil, also called rose otto, and 5 drops of vanilla oil, also known as vanilla absolute. Do you know what prize #34 at the UBP is?

DOILY BASKETS

2009-03-26T11:30:00.004-04:00

How is all that partying going this week ladies? I, personally am havin a blast! What is prize #12 in the UBP? the To kick off today's shindig here at Georgikids, I have a sweet Easter craft for you to make! How cute are these little doily baskets?

To Make:

You will need a stiched (not paper) doily, a bowl in the shape of the basket you would like to make, fabric stiffener.

1) Soak the doily in bowl of fabric stiffener until saturated.

2) Remove doily from stiffener and place over bowl (bowl is turned upside down) to form a basket shape.

3) Allow to dry. Carefully peel dried doily basket from bowl.

There you have it! Wasn't that the easiest craft ever? And sooo cute! Just add some little "nest" grass and some tiny eggs (candy or otherwise) and maybe a little birdie to perch on the side!! Now isn't that just adorable???

Don't forget to post a comment answering the question in this post regarding the UBP (the question is hidden in ea. post) and leaving a comment on your blog about my Shindig here to be entered into a drawing to win a cute hair bow or set of clippies from my etsy shop!!! Will give away tomorrow night to 3 lucky winners!!

MOMMY OF THE YEAR AWARD

2009-03-26T08:51:00.009-04:00

OMG!!! I have been awarded the MOMMY OF THE YEAR!!! A BIG thanks goes out to Veronica Lee over at OF Mice and raMEN for this wonderful award! Thank you Veronica!! It's always so nice to be given a special award like this. I feel honored! I came across this little poem that Andrew gave me a couple of years ago along with a molding of his little hand (Mother's Day project in Sunday School)and thought it was appropriate to post along with my award. It is sooo sweet.

FINGERPRINTS

Sometimes you get discouraged,
because I am so small
And leave my little fingerprints
on furniture and walls
But everyday I'm growing
And soon will be so tall
That all these little fingerprints
Will be difficult to recall.
So here's a little handprint
that you can put away
So you will know how my fingers looked
on this special day!

***Author Unknown***

I get the pleasure now of honoring 5 other wonderful mothers with this award. There are so many super ones out there that is very hard to chose, but the following are mom's who I have met that I truly feel that deserve it.

1)Sandy from Tales from a Shop*A*Holic Mommy

2)Jacqueline from My Lil Guyz

3)Kim from Little Ladybug Designs

4)Erin from Closing Time

5)Mommy Mo from Growing up Mo

Congratulations to these wonderful Mommy's!!!

***Mom of the Year Rules***

- Rule 1 -
Admit one thing that you feel awful about involving being a mom! Wow, there are sooo many things! I guess a good one is that I feel really awful when I can't participate in EVERY school activity with Andrew. I try really hard to make ALL the field trips, but there are times (once in a great while) when I just can't make it, and that look of dissappointment on his little face just about kills me.

- Rule 2-

Remind yourself that you are a good mom!
Even though I can be tough sometimes, I know it is the right thing to do at the time to make them grow strong, have good values, and be respectful.
Spending quality time with them each and every day is very important to me, even if it only a few minutes.

- Rule 3 -

Send the award to 5 other Mom's Of The Year that you feel deserve credit for being great mom's and remind them they are the best mom they can be! Remember to send them a note to let each one know you selected them and add a link to the person who nominated you!

GEORGIKIDS UBP SHINDIG CONTINUES

2009-03-26T08:15:00.003-04:00

Good Morning Everyone! It's Thursday and that means the fabulous UBP will be soon winding down, but here at Georgikids, we are going to party on as long as possible. This has been a fantastic week and I have met sooo many wonderful people. It has been so much fun hopping around to everyone's blogs. It's great how so many people have been joining in on all the fun! Let's not forget to give a HUGE thanks to Janice and Susan over at 5 Minutes for Moms for all of the hard work they have put into making this week turn out so wonderful!!! I think they have done a GREAT job!! You rock girls!!!

I will be posting more yummy party recipes, fun Easter crafts, beauty tips, and lots more all day today and tommorrow, so please check in often so you won't miss anything! Also, don't forget that three lucky winners will recieve their choice of hair bow or set of clippies from my etsy shop ( I will be posting more of those to my shop today too) at the end of the day tommorrow. Read my FIRST UBP blog way down below to see how you can enter to win!

Now, lets get ready to party!!!

Erin

LETS PARTY

2009-03-25T20:24:00.003-04:00

Come on ladies..... Grab your hubby, grab your kids, turn that Aretha Franklin on, and shake that booty ( we ALL have one...although some more than others)!!!

It's PARTY time with the UBP. The week is slipping by, don't let yourself miss out!

Here at Georgikids... there is NO stoppin us!!!! We are gonna party til...til...til...well...til we fall into our bed exhausted I suppose!!!

Me? Oh, My name is Erin. Did I forget to introduce myself to you? Well, with all this partying goin on, it's no wonder! Please forgive me. I"ve just been a little (no, ALOT) excited the past couple of days about THE ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY 2009!!!

I LOVE Sewing and making beautiful custom children's clothes. I have an shop on Etsy, which I would LOVE for you to stop by sometime. I am married, have 2 daughters (ages 25 & 27)! I know, I know.... I am old! Well, not really! I don't feel old. I have two wonderful grandchildren (Hailee 4 1/2 and Andrew 6). I actually have full custody of Andrew (have had since he was 1 1/2) so I am actually starting all over with this "MOM" thing! Whew!!! I wish I had just an ounce of his energy!! And the BOY thing, well, that's a whole nother story!!! I had GIRLS!! Barbies, tea parties, and dance lessons...not hot wheels, football,and spider man.
Oh well, I LOVE it!!!

Anway, I have been having a blast this week at the UBP!!! I have had sooo much fun today hosting my own Georgikids Shindig, that I think I will extend it til Friday! Yep, three whole days of Georgikids Shindig in honor of the UBP! If you know me, than you know I LOVE a good party! So tomorrow... join me here again, same place same time for more yummy party recipes, fun Easter crafts, beauty tips and LOTS MORE!!! And don't forget to read my very FIRST UBP blog way down below to learn how to win great prizes from my shop this week! I will be drawing the winners names Friday night!!!

PARTY ON SISTERS!!!!!

Erin

RED PEPPER HUMMUS

2009-03-25T19:50:00.002-04:00

Ladies, how's the partying going? Are you ready for some more party food? Then get in your kitchen and whip up this tasty dip to have with that glass of Merlot. If your gonna party, then do it right! You can even eat it off a paper plate if ya want, we won't tell! How many prizes are there to win at the UBP? I have had a blast today blog hoppin thru the UBP! Have met some awesome gals along the way too! It's great! You don't have to get in your car, burn any gas, get road rage or even try to find a parking spot to visit all of these wonderful peoples homes! Heck, you don't even have to get out of your jammies if you don't want to!

Ready girls? Here goes.....

Ingredients

1) 4 whole wheat pita pockets, cut into triangles

2) Cooking spray

3) Garlic salt

4) 1 15 oz. can chick peas, drained

5) 1 cup sauteed red peppers

6) 1/4 cup Tahini (sesame paste)

7) 2 Tablespoons FRESH LEMON JUICE

8) 3 - 4 cloves garlic

9) 1 teaspoon ground cummin

10) Salt and ground pepper

11) 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place pita triangles on a large baking sheet and spray the surface of each with cooking spray. Season the tops with garlic salt. Bake 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and crisp.

Meanwhile, rinse and drain 1 can of the chickpeas. Place drained chickpeas in a blender and add red peppers, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and cummin. Process until smooth. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with parsley.

Serve hummus dip with pita triangles alongside.

YUMMY!!!

P.S. girls, don't forget to follow the directions in my first UBP post down below to try to win those cute hair bows or clippies from my shop.

BUNNY EARS

2009-03-25T16:19:00.002-04:00

Are you ladies partying like it's 1999? I have been doing some serious blog hoppin today in between posts and I'm here to tell ya, I have met some awesome mama's, mamapreneur's, grand mama's and mama's in training! There truly are some great blogs out there and I am so glad that I have found them!!

Okay, enough chit-chat, lets get back to the party! Grab your glass of wine, fruit punch (back in the day I think it was called HUNCH PUNCH---another story all together) diet coke, or what ever your choice of party drink may be, put on some dancing music and shake your booty! Or..... at least check out this adorable Easter craft project....

*****Turn your little one into an Easter bunny with these cute felt ears****

Tools and Materials

Child size headband
8 by 16 inch piece of pink felt
6 by 6 inch piece of white felt
scissors or scalloped or pinking shears
hot glue gun
hot glue sticks

1) Measure the width and length of the top of the headband, add 1/2 inch to all sides, and cut a strip of pink felt to cover.

2) Glue the felt strip onto the top of the headband, wrapping the extra material around the headband's edges.

3) Measure the underside of the headband, and cut a strip of pink felt to fit.

4) Glue the strip to the underside, creating a backing that covers the edges of the top of felt.

TO MAKE THE EARS:

1) Draw a "bunny ear" shape as outer ear freehand or trace on that you have a picture of (really just a pointy oval shape)and cut the shapes out

2)Draw a slightly smaller "bunny ear" as inner ear and cut out (2)

3)Trace the outer ear shape onto the pink felt twice, and cut along scalloped edge (will be scalloped if you use scalloped scissors)

4) Trace the inner ear shape onto the white felt twice, and cut out with regular scissors (see picture).

5) Glue each pair of ears together with hot glue, and let dry.

6) Crease each ear vertically down the middle, and press.

7) Fold up the bottom flaps on either side of the notch, and attach to headband with hot glue, pulling notches close so ears are slightly bent. Hold until glue sets.

There you have it! The cutest little set of bunny ears for your own little bunny!

****Remember to visit my original UBP post down below for instructions on how to win cute hair bows and clippies from my shop today!!!!

BEAUTY PRODUCTS EVERYONE NEEDS

2009-03-25T11:55:00.003-04:00

Having fun yet? Blog hoppin through the UBP today? Here are some great beauty tips that we all can use (especially us busy moms). Check them out and see if anything here will be something that you will incorporate into your daily routine.

The following is a list of products that have been tested by dermatologists and cosmetic chemists and are recommended that all women use on a regular basis to nourish and take care of our skin....

1) Gentle Cleanser: No matter if it's a bar, a liquid , or a gel, a cleanser your should suit your skin type and be mild enough to use twice a day.

2) Daily Facial Moisturizer with SPF 30: A high SPF ensures that skins protected every day of the year."Ones with antioxidants, like green tea, are terrific because they offer a second line of defense against UV damage", says David E. Bank, M.D., director of the center for Dermatology , cosmetic and laser surgery, in Mount Kisco, New York.

3) Broad Spectrum Sunscreen: Pick up another sunscreen to use in place of your daily one on day's that you're outside for an extended time, like vacation or in the summer. "It's the single best anti-aging product on the planet," says Ranella Hirch, M.D., vice president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery. Look for one with stable UVA shields, like Mexoryl and Helioplex, which can be used on the body too.

4) Lip Balm with SPF: You want the highest SPF you can find, since lips are ultra sensitive and susceptible to UV damage.

5) Hand Cream with SPF: It will help your hands from revealing your age. "Be sure to hydrate your nails well, too, to prevent splitting and ridges," says Jeanette Graff, an assistant professor of of dermatology at New York University
Medical Center, in New York City. Who is live in Nashville this week for the UBP?

6) Body Moisturizer: To fend off dry, itchy skin, use one with a rich mix of humectants (like glycerin) and occlusives (like petrolatum)twice a day.

Is your skin already thanking you? I know mine is BEGGING me to run right out and gobble this stuff up.
I don't know about you, but there are several of these products that I do NOT use regulary! I am going to try really hard to make sure that I do from now on though. Are these things that you keep on hand and use daily?

YUMMY BLT DIP*

2009-03-25T09:43:00.002-04:00

Since we will be partying all day, I thought it only befitting to offer my guests some yummy party food recipes! This dip is awesome and if you have never tried it, please do. It is super easy and delish! All you need is a good glass of wine (or maybe coffee this early) and a tray of this yummy appetizer to put you right on into the party mood! Ready to try it? Lets get started.....

* 1 cup mayonaise
* 1 cup sour cream
* 1 head iceberg lettuce
* 2 large vine ripe tomatoes (or maybe some sun dried tomatoes)
* 1 lb. lean bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
* sea salt bagel chips

Combine the mayonaise and sour cream in a small bowl with snap-on lid. When well mixed, refrigerate until serving time.(Like right about NOW!LOL!!) What year was the FIRST UBP given by Janice and Susan? Take the head of iceberg lettuce, slice off about 1/4 off the top, hollow out (as in picture), shred up left over lettuce for garnish. When ready to serve, spoon mayonaise mixture into hollowed out head of lettuce (you can actually just use a good ole fashion bowl if you don't feel like being that creative). Top mixture with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and bacon. Serve with bagel chips.

***OPTION: I make mine stirring in some of the tomatoes and bacon into the mix, then using remainder to sprinkle on top! .....Thats just Me!!!

ENJOY!!!!

Erin

GEORGIKIDS UBP SHINDIG---STARTS NOW!!!!!

2009-03-25T08:01:00.004-04:00

Okay ladies, the Georgikids Mid-Week UBP SHindig is officially underway! I hope everyone is having a lot of fun this week blog hopping and partying it up with THE ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY!!! I know I am, and there is plenty more to come, so lets get started here at Georgikids and have a blast today!!!

I will be posting yummy recipes, fun crafts, and wonderful beauty tips all throughout the day today along with a few tidbits here and there of other fun things I come up with, so drop by often to check out whats new and pick up some great ideas! Remember too that I will be asking a question in each blog I post today pertaining to the UBP and at the end of the day today will be picking three lucky winners of a hair bow or clippie set of your choice from my Georgikids Etsy shop. In order to qualify to win, you must post a comment to as many blogs as possible here today with the answer to ea. question in the appropriate blog, then on YOUR blog, post a comment (only one sometime today) about The Georgikids Shindig (please let me know where the post is so I can go there and read it). I will chose the winners based on how many blogs you comment to, how many answers that you get right and the comment posted on your blog or website. So, now that we have all that out of the way, LETS GET PARTYING AND HAVING SOME FUN!!!

*****EGG SHELL VOTIVES*****

Aren't these just Adorable? Just in time for Easter and a super simple project!

Everything is reborn in spring-- even Easter eggs, which can be transformed into votives for your table. Simple eggcups make a lovely base. First, make a hole in the top of each egg with a pin; enlarge the holes, and pour out the yolks. Clean shells, then dye them with food coloring (follow package directions). Nestle shells in a carton. Cut wire-core wicks to 4 inches long, flatten one end, and fasten in shells with a bit of warm wax. Using a funnel, fill shells with hot wax (tinted with dye pellets). Let cool. Trim the wicks, light, and enjoy!

ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY 2009

2009-03-24T10:45:00.008-04:00

It's here girls! Thats right, THE ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY (or UBP for short)! I have been anticipating this for months now and am SOOO excited about it. This is my very first year that I have been able to join in all the fun and I am PUMPED!! The wonderful ladies over at 5 Minutes for Moms (Janice and Susan) have done a GREAT job putting all of this together and have tons of exciting things planned for the week. There will be SUPER DUPER prizes given away, live entertaiment in several locations, virtual fun for everyone to join in on, and LOTS more! Trust me, you do NOT want to miss out. Go to THE ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY----NOW!!!

Thats right ladies--- GO NOW!!! look to the right on my sidebar and link right to it. See the little button? Yep, thats it! CLICK it---CLICK IT NOW!!!

For a little fun here at GEORGIKIDS, I thought I would invite everyone over for a mid-week UBP shindig to celebrate this years bash. so, tomorrow, everyone is invited here to GEORGIKIDS throughout the day "drop-in" style to pick up yummy recipes, beauty tips, fun kids and mommy craft FREE how-to instructions, and for even more fun, I will give away three hairbows from my Georgikids etsy shop at different times tomorrow (one ea.to three lucky women). In order to win one of these cute hairbows (winner chooses hairbow from selection in shop)you must post a comment on my UBP SHINDIG blog tomorrow answering a question that will appear in the blog pertaining to the ULTIMATE BLOG PARTY 2009. Then you must post a comment on YOUR site (let me know where it is) about the UBP SHINDIG here at Georgikids. At the end of the day (early eve.)I will chose three winners based on answer to the question I ask in the blog and the excitement and enthusiasum in their post here and on their own site. The top three will win a hair bow or set of clippies of their choice from GEORGIKIDS etsy shop. The winners will then be notified in a comment that I leave as a reply to their post.

There are also LOTS, and I DO mean LOTS of super prizes to be given away at the UBP site (5 minutes for mom). I have my eye on some great things that I would like to win.

1) $100.00 gift card to Pedal Cars & Retro (Janice and Susan's fabulous store)....Cause I LOVE that store!
2) $50.00 gift card to Target (given away by: Shoot Me Now)....Cause I LOVE to shop!
3) Kitchen Aid Artsian Stand Mixer (given away by: Moms Who Think)....Cause I LOVE to cook!
4)$50.00 gift card to Carrabbas Grill (given away by: The Divine Miss Mommy)....Cause I LOVE to eat!
5) $50.00 gift card to Paperlicious (given away by: Paperlicious)....Cause I LOVE to write!
6)$100.00 gift card to HomeGoods (given away by: HG Openhouse)....Cause, there again, I LOVE to shop
7)A beautiful bracelet (given away by: Sydney Andrews)....Cause I LOVE her jewelry!
8)$50.00 gift card to Target (given away by:The Beginner Baby Blog)....cause we all know that I LOVE to shop!
9)$50.00 gift card to Target (given away by: Agoosa)....Cause we know what? yep, you got it -I LOVE to shop!
10)Chicbud earphones (given away by: The IE Mommy)....Cause I LOVE great Music!

Lets have fun ladies, and please don't forget to join me here tomorrow throughout the day FOR the GEORGIKIDS UBP SHINDIG!!

GEORGI COMES ALIVE

2009-03-23T08:12:00.005-04:00

It's been a very hectic last few days for me, but I FINALLY was able to finish most of my Spring collection for "Georgikids". I even had a trunk show yesterday afternoon in Jacksonville and was very happy with the turn out and the number of sales that were made. My sister-in-law was kind enough to host the party for me and we all had a lot of fun (the red wine and hor'dourves were great). I had a great deal of positive feedback on my Spring items and took quite a few orders. I would say that the "Feelin Crabby" collection was the crowd favorite. It turned out sooo cute. Blue/white striped seersucker fabric with red crabs embroidered all over (shorts,capris,pants,jumper) and matching white t-shirt with big red crab appliqued on front. Red/white gingham fabric also made into shorts or capris to match made this collection adorable. I was able to show off this group in addition to "Bunny Lane" which is a sweet a-line jumper in soft pink with a bunny and carrots appliqued to front and has matching pink pantaloons. Both the jumper and pantaloons have white bows tied on shoulders and bottom of legs. A matching boy "Bunny Lane" outfit consists of light blue/white gingham shorts(same fabric that is used on bunny applique on jumper),white t-shirt with bunny and carrot appliqued to front.
The "Gator Tales" collection was very popular as well with green/white striped seersucker fabric with little green alligators embroidered throughout. A matching white tee with a gator appliqued to front pulled this together with a fresh, Spring look. The "Very Cherry" group turned out really sweet also and drew a lot of attention. It includes an A-line top that buttons at shoulders made from the cutest fabric that is white with red cherries scattered all over and a touch of turqoise. Big red grosgrain ribbon sashes tie into bows on each side of top. Pants include choice of capris or shorts made from beautiful turqoise fabric with cuff at hemline made from cherry fabric that matches top. This outfit is sooo sweet and also includes a matching white tee with appliqued monogram letter out of the cherry fabric. Also very popular was the "Pink Lemonade" group which includes light pink/white gingham capris or shorts with big bows attached at hemline (bottom side) of ea. leg made from pink grosgrain ribbon with white polka dots. A white tee with pink/white gingham monogram is appliqued to front and on ea. shoulder there is a matching pink/white bow attached with streamers hanging slightly down front and back of shirt which finishes this outfit off very nicely (This was my 3 yr. old nieces favorite)and is so light and cool for this time of year and on through the summer months. "Dahlia Blooms" topped off the collections shown for girls and the "Pirates treasure" for the boys. Both of these also turned out very sweet and include shorts (or capris for the girls) made from very pretty fabric from Sandi Henderson's Farmers Market collection with gorgeous large pink dahlia blooms over shades of green and for the "Pirates Treasure" outfit, the fabric is a little retro/vintage in a teal blue with splashes of bright colors such as red, yellow, green and black with images of pint size pirates sailing for their treasure.

I am very happy to finally have the majority of the Spring collection finished and I think it all turned out very nice. I have had so many ideas running around in my head that I think I changed my mind on what I wanted some of these outfits to look like at least a dozen times. I will be working on finishing the "Polka Dot Party" for the girls and the "Monkey Business" and "lil Sea Creatures" groups for the boys in the next few days and posting them. I exchanged the "All Hands on Deck" from the boys group for the "Feelin Crabby", as I was going to include the latter collection in my Summer line, but decided to switch them. I think it will turn out to be better suited for each collection this way. I will be posting pictures and details of each outfit in these groups this evening for everyone to take a peek at. I truly hope everyone is as excited as I am with the way they all turned out.

PLEASE take a look at all of the Georgikids new Spring collection on etsy at www.georgikids.etsy.com. Thanks and let me know what you think!! I would LOVE hearing from you. Have a good Monday everyone!!

Erin

UPSIDE DOWN AND BACKWARDS

2009-03-19T08:50:00.003-04:00

Sorry everyone for my lack in posting the last couple of days! I have been SOOO busy with orders (not complaining mind you)that I have had little time for anything else. Not to mention PTA and family reading night at school this week, my oldest daughter (Stephanie) having surgery, my husband losing his job (the layoffs do not exclude bank V.P's evidently)! It has been CRAZY and somewhat depressing! We are trying to all pull together and make the best out of it. You think that it will never happen to you, but then it does and turns your whole life upside down! I will try to get back with "the program" tonight and post something optimistic and uplifting to make us all feel better. LOL!! Thanks for your understanding! As the saying goes---This too shall pass!!Hope everyone has a great day!!

Erin

"LITTLE WOMEN" - THE STORY OF

2009-03-16T21:49:00.003-04:00

This is part five and the last of the recognition and "mini series" of Louisa May Alcott and the story behind the famous novel "Little Women".

Little Women is the lovely and heart rendering tale about the March family-- a family who loses its wealth and gains much more -- love and unity. Just as the past posts in this series has shown, this story was much like Louisa's own life. Young girls are only human, and they have natural yearning for worldly possessions. It is up to them how they cope with it, which brings us back to the March girls. Their desire to help others even when they don't have much themselves is indeed remarkable. This book shows in all times, love and hope are the most faithful companions, for when all else fails...we can depend on them. Honest and true intentions are really the most valuable possessions one can have. And this novel shows us the beauty of simplicity and the importance of the small human deeds that count even though they cannot be visibly seen. Some may not like this story but the unique thing about it is that it is based on a completely true story of Louisa May Alcott's own life. The unlikely twists in this story make it only more human, since we are all humans and we cannot evade such scenes in our life.

Little Women is a well-told story that features suspense, humor and engaging characters, as well as lessons about the importance of honest, hard work, true love, and family unity. Brilliant in its portrayal of nineteenth-century family life, the novel depicts a secure, placid world in which the the home serves as the center for children's religious and moral education.

In Alcott's novel, the family-as the most important of social units -gives its strength to overcome life's obstacles...
T
he March girls - Meg,17, Jo,16, and Amy,12 - bemoan the fact that Christmas will be lacking because their poverty prevents them from having gifts and their father is away in the Civil War. Resolving to be better people, they decide to play Pilgrim's Progress, an ongoing makebelieve in which they follow the allegorical travels Christian in Pilgrim's Promise. On Christmas day, the girls take their
breakfast to the Hummels, a needy family nearby. Later they discover that their wealthy neighbor Mr. Lawrence has rewarded their kindness with flowers and treats.

******Many thanks go out to The National Historical Women's Society and The Literature Network for the material used in these posts****

I hope you have enjoyed reading this interesting biography on Louisa May Alcott as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Erin

LOUISA, THE TOMBOY

2009-03-16T08:20:00.003-04:00

In part four of this "mini" series of remembering Louisa May Alcott I am going to share with you a little bit about of Louisa's childhood and how she grew up.

Most of her childhood was spent in Concord Massachusetts, where her days were enlightned by visits to Ralph Waldo Emerson's library, excursions into nature with Henry David Thoreau and theatricals in the barn at Hillside. Like her character Jo March in Little Women, young Louisa was a tomboy: "No boy could be my friend till I beat him in a race", she claimed, "and no girl if she refused to climb trees, leap fences..."

For Louisa, writing was an early passion. She had a rich imagination and often her stories became melodramas that she and her sisters would act out for friends. Louisa preferred to play the "lurid" parts in these plays, "the villains", ghosts, bandits, and disdainful queens." At age 15, troubled by poverty that plagued her family, she vowed:"I will do something by and by. Don't care what ,teach, sew, act, write, anything to help the family; and be rich and famous and happy before I die , see if I won't!"

Confronting a society that offered little opportunity to women seeking employment, Louisa determined"... I will make a battering-ram of a head and make my way through this rough and tumble world." Whether as a teacher, seamstress, governess, or household servant, for many years Louisa did any work she could find.

What most people know about Louisa May ALcott is only that after some success at writing short stories and well-received novels, she wrote Little Women. It quickly became one of the most beloved books of its time in the late 19th century, was celebrated around the world and is still read today. Louisa's writing came out of necessity to help feed her family.

Louisa was a strong-minded woman who was ahead of her time and far more complex than the portrait of the dainty lady that others remember. Most people don't realize that Louisa was such a prolific writer, often turning out pulp fiction thrillers with plots that included the use of hashish and smoking opium, things that no proper Victorian young lady was suppose to know about. But knew them, she did from a stint at a Washington hospital during the Civil War where desperately injured soldiers underwent amputations without the benefit of ether. "Go nurse the soldiers", had her neighbor said when Louisa had stated "I want something to do."In 1862-1863 Louisa served at the Union Hospital in Georgetown, D.C. during which time she contracted typhoid and was sent home. Louisa was treated with large doses of calomel, a mercury compound and never completely recovered from the cure.

Hope you enjoyed! Erin

THE ORCHARD HOUSE

2009-03-14T21:42:00.006-04:00

Number 3 in a "mini" series of the rememberence of Louisa May Alcott, pictured here is a photo of "The Orchard House", the very place where Louisa wrote the famous novel "Little women". This house was the family's most permanent home. The novel "Little Women" was written here in 1868 at a "shelf" desk built by her father especially for Louisa. She also set Little Women in this home, causing guests to comment that "a visit to the Orchard House is like walking through the book". The second photo is a photo of Louisa's chamber where she wrote a lot of her work. A room of her very own was a high priority for Louisa. With her often turbulent emotions, her vivid romantic imagination, and her constant proccupation with her family's welfare, she needed a haven in which to escape, where she could find solitude and where she could write.

Louisa's father built her a half moon desk between two windows and a bookcase to hold her favorite books. Her sister May painted a panel of calla lilies beside the desk and an owl on the fireplace. Also I have include a photo of Louisa's sister May's chamber where the youngest of the Alcott daughters, who became the model for Amy March in the novel "Little Women" was a talented artist. Her blue and gray bedroom is the most preserved room in the house to date. It contains sketches of angelic, mythological and biblical figures on the woodwork and doors, original wallpaper, and bracketed shelves to hold flower vases.

Tommorrow - a look at some of Louisa's other novels an more great photo's of her and her surroundings.

Please follow this wonderful journey!

REMEMBERING "LITTLE WOMEN"

2009-03-13T19:43:00.003-04:00

March is recognized as "National Historical Women" month, so I decided to recognize and remember one of my very favorite historical women, Louisa May Alcott. I can remember very well as a young girl reading "Little Women", "Jo's Boy's", and "Eight Cousins", all written by this famous author. I loved Jo and her sisters and I even remember not so long ago seeing the "Little Women" movie. You just can't seem to get enough of them. I have done a little research and in her honor, have decided to do a "mini" series of posts for the next few days of interesting tidbits of her life. I hope you enjoy.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, a very good friend of Louisa's father had a great influence over her. She visited his vast library frequently.Other great historical figures that played a large part in Louisa's life were fellow friends of her father, Margaret Fuller and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Also Henry David Thoreau, whom she went walking through the family orchard with often.

Louisa was the second daughter born to Abigail "Abba" May , a women's suffrage and abolitionist advocate. Louisa's father, Amos Bronson Alcott was a well known trancendentalist philosopher and education and social reformer.Louisa had three sisters, Anna, Elizabeth, and May.

The Orchard House in which her family lived in Concord was surrounded by acres of apple trees and served as the setting for her future novel "Little Women".

The sequels to this famous novel are: "Good Wives", 1869; "Little Men", 1871; and "Jo's Boy's", 1886.

At around the age of fifteen, Louisa began contributing to the family income by holding such positions as teacher, seamstress, and servant which was said to have inspired her later novel "Work: A Story of Experience", written in 1873. While she kept a journal from a very early age, she was always encouraged to write poems, sketches and plays, acted out by her and her sister's.

SPRING BLOOMS

2009-03-13T13:03:00.002-04:00

I have recently discovered some wonderful photographers on flickr and thought I might show off some of their work. Since we are in the midst of Spring, from now thru the end of March, I will be sharing with you some beautiful spring flower photos that these great artists have taken. I will be posting the photos in the top right hand corner of my page under the caption "One Pretty Thing". I will be changing the photos out every few hours, so try to check back often to view these wonderful pictures. You will be amazed! Enjoy!

Erin

HISTORICAL WOMEN

2009-03-12T21:20:00.003-04:00

Louisa May Alcott

March is Historical Women's Month.I thought it only befitting to shed a little light on and honor one of the many women in our history that brought a lot joy to many a girls childhood, including my own. Remember Jo and her sisters in "Little Women"? What young girl didn't love reading that story?

I will be sharing a little of Louisa's history each day with you for the next few days. I hope you enjoy!

Birthdate: November 29, 1832

Birthplace: Germantown (which is now a part of Philadelphia),Pennsylvania. Her family moved in 1834 to Boston, Mass. and then again in 1840 to Boston.

Date of Death: March 6, 1888, the date of own fathers funeral, of which she was unaware.

Place of Death: Boston, Mass.

Louisa was one of four daughters. Although her fathers association with the Transcendentalists allowed Louisa to grow up in an intellectual and non conventional environment, her own views challenged the transcendental philosophies. Her education served to foster her love and dedication to writing, acting, education and women's rights.Louisa attended a small school in Still River Village and a small classrom located in her family's barn for a short time although most of her early education was received by her father. Writers and family friends such as Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawtorne and Margaret Fuller instructed Louisa throughout her childhood

CAN'T GET ENOUGH

2009-03-10T22:19:00.002-04:00

I've been spending alot of time lately visiting blogs of all sorts. I consider myself a real newbie at this but I must say, I have been really impressed with some of the blogs I've read. I never realized there were sooo many out there. I have heard that it can become very addicting, and I NOW believe that. I have chosen several blogs to follow and I am sure as I dig deeper into "blog world" that there will be alot more that I come to LOVE! I am a grandmother of two precious little ones( one of which I guess I am more like a mother too since I have had full custody of him since about the age of 1 1/2 and he is 6 now)but I asure you I am a very YOUNG grandmother and have found myself really relating to so many issues that all of you really young mothers out there share. Though I may be a little older than some of you, I find that I truly connect with you on so many levels. Everyone that I have met in this "blog world" has been sooo sweet and welcoming!I want to say thank you and please keep up the wonderful writings that I so enjoy! I too need all the tips and advice that I can get and look forward to visiting all of your sites everyday! I have learned so much already and reading everyones postings makes my day a whole lot brighter! Thank you again, Erin

PICNIC AT HE BEACH

2009-03-09T16:39:00.002-04:00

I woke up yesterday to another warm, sunny ski! Andrew was complaining about being bored five minutes after his feet hit the floor. My step daughter (who is 10) was staying the weekend with us and she was also whining about nothing to do before I could even get breakfast fixed. I had all intentions on spending the day sewing and working on the "Georgi" collection, but soon decided that it would be a shame to be cooped up in the house all day when it was so beautiful outside! After giving it some thought, I decided that it would be a perfect day for the beach!It was really a little too cool to do any swimming, but nice enough to pack a picnic lunch and let the kids play in the sand and maybe wiggle their toes in the surf for a while. Of course it didn't take much to convince Andrew and Jami-Marie into agreeing with me. You would have thought that I just offered to take them to Disney World! They were so excited about the idea of going to the beach that it took them all of about 30 seconds to strip down out of their p.j.'s and pull everything in their way out of the linen closet for beach towels, sunscreen,and the beach bag. Andrew had his swimsuit pulled on before the words "we are NOT swimming" got out of my mouth! I decided to go ahead and let him wear it, as it wasn't any different REALLY than wearing a pair of shorts. Scrambling through the frig, I pulled out apples, oranges, chicken salad (that I had made the night before), and some deli ham. I knew the kids would'nt eat the chicken salad, so made a sandwich with that for myself. I figured I was safe making them each one using the ham. Andrew, in an attempt to hurry things along, pulled some juice boxes and crackers out from the pantry and grabbed a few bananas off the counter. There, we're all done Mimi, he said! Looks good to me I replied as I slathered some mayo on the slices of bread.

Uh oh Mimi! You know what, Andrew asked? No, what?, I asked back. We didn't call and invite Hailee (my 4 year old grandaughter) to go with us, he said. You know, your right, I replied. Let's give her a call and see if she's up for the trip! Andrew grabbed the phone and quickly began dialing his aunt Stephanie's phone number. You guessed it, it took about 5 seconds to talk her into it. Okay, I can do this I thought to myself! No problem! It's only 3 kids. How hard can it be? Well, before we got the phone hung up good, my sister was calling. Whatcha doin?, she asked. Funny you should ask, I said. I was just thinking that it would be a great day for the beach. Andrew and I are packing some lunch, Jami-Marie is packing the towels, and I just got off the telephone with Hailee, who is also now getting ready. Wanna go with us? Well, I would love to, but I have sooo much work to do online today for my class next week (she teaches online classes for a University), but Skylar ( her 14 yr. old son, and my nephew) would probably love to go! All of a sudden I felt like I needed a prozac! In a matter of about ten minutes, a nice little trip to the beach for the day with two kids turned suddenly into a forthcoming stressful trip to the beach with FOUR kids and just ONE me. All I could imagine was a lot of "she's touching me, make her stop touching me" going on in the car. Trying to convince myself that it really wouldn't be that bad, after all, I made a couple more sandwiches, threw a few more drinks into the cooler and packed the car with kids, food, towels, sunscreen and sand toys. It's ONLY a thirty minute trip, I thought. What could possibly happen?

Off we went! Smooth sailing all the way there! No fights, no squabbles, no whining. Wow! It was too good to be true, but yet, there it was, right in front of me, a car load of kids ranging in age from 4 to 14 with NO problems for a whole 30 minutes!
The beach was PACKED! I guess everyone else had the same idea and no sooner did I have the cooler sat down and my chair unfolded, than I look up and where is Andrew? IN the ocean! Not wading, not just wiggling his toes in the surf, but IN the ocean, head and all! OMG! I couldn't believe it (really, I could)! I sent Skylar down to fish his nephew out of the freezing water as I grabbed a towel to dry him off! It's GREAT Mimi! The water's great! Andrew was yelling! It's not cold at all! Come on in Mimi, it's really great! You said it was gonna be cold! Just when Skylar had a good hold of him, Hailee decide to challenge that fact! And she did NOT have a swimsuit on! Meanwhile, Jami Marie had plopped down in the sand and was complaining loudly that she was STARVING and was relentless with the whining about needing a sandwich! What have I done? Yeah, the trip over here was good, but what about now? What about the fact that we have been here less than five minutes and I have two kids that are soaking wet, and one that is thinking she will die of starvation in the next two minutes if she doesn't eat.

Okay! take a deep breath, I told myself! I handed the two little ones each a towel, Jami Marie a sandwich, Skylar the sunscreen (with instructions on slathering it on all the kids), and I sat down in my chair, pulled a book from the beach bag, slapped a hat on my head, and said to them " swim all you want, play in the sand all you want, eat all the food you want, just PLEASE leave me in peace for twenty minutes"! Remarkably, everything went a lot smoother after that. Andrew decided the water WAS too cold after all, Jami-Marie was finally full, and Skylar and Hailee were, believe it or not building a sand castle IN PEACE just a few feet away!

The two little ones slept the whole trip home and the older two played video games!
Will we do this again next weekend? Probably NOT!

SUNNY AND HOT IN SOUTH GEORGIA

2009-03-07T15:50:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone! I know I was just complaining the other day about it being cold here, but today I can't whine about that! It is 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky here! It finally feels like Spring! Actually it almost feels like Summer! It is sooo hard to be cooped up in the house on a day like this! I sent Andrew outside to play for a while, telling him he needed the fresh air. He responded with "That's not fresh air out there, Mimi, that air is stale"! Well, go on out there in that "stale" air and play for a while, I said! After about 10 minutes he came back inside and told me that it was too hot. Feel all my sweat, he said, pushing back his hair on his forhead! Yeah, well, that sweat is good for you, I said. I would much rather play my Wii inside the fresh air of the house, he said! You have about 1 minute to get back outside, I replied! Well, if you make me go back out there and I die of too much sweat, than you'll be to blame, he said! I'll take my chances, I said!

If I recall, as children, we played outside ALL the time. My mother even has a picture of me as a baby, (probably about 2) in a diaper and nothing else at the TOP of the jungle gym in our back yard! Another picture of me in same attire playing in the dirt with our neighbors little girl and my older brother. In fact most of the pictures from me from back in the day were taken OUTSIDE! We even lived in Florida at that time and it WAS hot! I don't think we even had air conditioning in the house! I think my mom even locked the door to keep us from coming in and out of the house so much! She would keep an eye on us, but would only let us come in to go to the bathroom. If she did that today, the authorities would be contacted by a neighbor and she would be accused of some type of abuse! Boy, times have changed.

I can remember riding my bike to school, walking several blocks alone to a friends house, sitting in the car alone while my mom went into the grocery store. During Halloween, a group of us would even walk for miles (seemed like it anyway) to trick or treat. I don't remember my mom worrying too much about it then. Now, sad as it is, I won't even let Andrew get out of my site for a minute! Would I let him ride his bike alone two blocks away? No way! We even live in a very small town, but these days you just can't be too careful! Did weirdo's just not exist back then, or are there just more of them out there these days?

This means of course, that if I send Andrew outside to play now, guess what? I have to go outside too so some "weirdo" doesn't kidnap him! Not that I mind so much, but it really defeats the purpose of getting some piece and quiet for a little bit while he is outside and I am inside!LOL!! Mom knew what she was doing!!!

Your right Andrew, it IS too hot out here! Lets go inside!!

Happy Weekend Everyone! Erin

SALE IN ETSY SHOP!!! DON'T MISS IT!!!

2009-03-06T11:53:00.002-05:00

OKAY GIRLS, I have decided to run a sale in my Etsy shop today thru Sunday! ALL hair accessories are 25% off, the "Giddy UP GIRL" and the " VVVRRROOOMMM VACATION" outfits are both marked down to an AMAZING $14.00! Even the "WYNDHAM" AND THE "RACING FOR THE FINISH LINE" outfits are marked down to $24.00 ea. for this weekend sale! Don't wait, get on over to my shop at Etsy and SHOP!!!! All shipping is free with purchases $25.00 and over also!! Don't miss out! This sale is too good to pass up and will end at 12:00 midnight on Sunday!! Spring has made me feel a little giddy, I guess, so it is to your advantage! Happy Shopping!!

Erin

TOO TIRED TO WORKOUT!

2009-03-05T15:33:00.002-05:00

Remember that New Years resolution? You know, the one where you swore that you were going to join the gym, lose 10 pounds, eat healthier, drink more water, etc...? Well, I haven't exactly forgotten mine, just kind of keep putting it off! I'm just too darn tired, I keep telling myself! Too tired for the going to the gym part, that is! I have yet to figure out WHY though! I don't do anything to BE tired! I SIT at the computer, I SIT at the sewing machine, I SIT while watching Andrew at Karate lessons, I SIT while on the phone, I SIT while driving, I SIT, I SIT, I SIT! Well, no, that's not COMPLETLY true! I do STAND while in the shower. But, I am TIRED of SITTING!! AH HAH!! (light bulb shining over my head),I think I know the problem! I am sooo tired BECAUSE of the sitting! Get off your lazy, always sittin, whining because your so tired rear end and MOVE, I tell myself!!! I am TIRED of being TIRED!

Okay, so I get my sweats on, put on my New Balance's, set the tunes on my ipod to " Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts (Andrew must have had this last)and strike out down the road. I am on a mission!! I figure out my route, the distance, and get movin! With nothing but determination behind me(and a little too much hips)I get to the end of the first block. Not so bad, I tell myself, this is a piece of cake. Why haven't I done this before now? I've GOTTA change this music though! It's killin me! O.K., Now we're talkin. Nothin like a little Aretha Franklin to get your butt movin!!
Two blocks now, still goin strong, and o.h, did I mention, LOOKIN GOOD too? Oh Yeah! You know I got my make up on, lipstck and ALL! Fixed my hair real cute just before hittin the road and I think I even sprayed on some cologne! A girl's gotta look good ya know! You never know who you might run into!!LOL!! So far, so good! Workin up a little sweat, oh yeah! That's what I'm talkin about!

I start walkin faster, swingin my arms, and begining to think I'm a real athlete after all! Heck, I might even try out for the Olympics in 2012! You know, in the speed walkin competition! What? they don't have that? The NERVE of them! Well, maybe they SHOULD!! I'll write a letter as soon as I get home! Ok, I'm comin up on the 6th, or is it the 7th, block! Are those shin splints I feel in the front lower part of my legs? Naw! Couldn't be. I haven't done anything strenous enough to get THOSE! Darn it hurts though! Shake it off girl! You CAN do this! Just keep pluggin along! I turn Aretha up a little louder. Maybe I won't feel my legs hurtin too bad if the music is louder! Quick, smile and wave! There's that CUTE single guy that just moved into the Wainright's old place! Oh yeah, he saw me! AND smiled back! I knew I put that makeup on for a reason! My legs are startin to feel a little better now. They must've just need to loosen up a little! Turning the next corner, the road starts heading up hill! This is NOT the time to break into a jog! Maybe I SHOULD though because Carlton's dog is headed this way, barking and growling! Hi there Buddy! How ya been? good dog, good dog! OMG! He isn't being friendly today!I guess he doesn't recognize me in sweat clothes! Come on Buddy, it's me! Erin! You know, your neighbor, good boy!! Buddy is hot on my heels now, I have NO choice but to RUN! NOT JOG, BUT RUN like H_LL! Okay! my legs start hurting again! I am panting, gasping for breath, and tripping on my shoe laces. I can't stop, Buddy is still chasing me! My house is another 3 blocks away! I can't make it. D__mn, I should have brought my water bottle! Not just for the water, but for amunition!! Wonder if throwing my ipod at him would work? Better not! Probably just make him madder! I kick it into overdrive, hoping he will give up. Guess what? He DOESN"T! Just one more block, just one more block, I keep telling myself! By the way, Where is everyone? On any other afternoon, every neighbor within the surrounding mile and a half would be out walking, riding bikes, etc...! Oh no, not today! Today there isn't ANYONE out! Figures!!! I reach my driveway, head to the garage door and grab the rake laying in the yard. Turning around, I notice Buddy is gone! I think I am gonna pass out! Water, I need water! I walk to the hose and turn the faucet on. Wham! I am knocked to the ground! Buddy! as I roll over, I grab for the rake again! What is that? He is LICKING my face! NOT barking, NOT growling, but LICKING my face! I can't help but laugh! No make that HOWL!! I just about killed myself trying to get away from this dog, and here he is LICKING me and wagging his tail! D_mn you Buddy!

I wonder if it's too late to join that gym? Outdoors exercise is NOT for me!

Hope that made you smile! HAd to share it with you!

HUMP DAY

2009-03-04T17:31:00.003-05:00

It's finally here! Hump day that is! At least that's what us SOUTHERNERS refer to as Wednesday! You know, the MIDDLE of the week! Maybe EVERYONE uses that term, I dunno!! Anyway, it's here and it's still cold outside. Suppose to start warming up a bit tommorrow, I think! I never know how to dress anymore when I get up in the morning! At least the sun is out!!! Remember me telling you all about Andrew and his "rock star" career that he was wanting to start? Well, last night I found him crying on his bed and when I asked him what was wrong, he mumbled " I don't have any fans yet" (I am assuming he meant rock n roll fans)! I tried hard not to laugh, and managed pretty well, but he caught me grinning a little! Can you believe it?? He was ACTUALLY crying because of this! I think he is taking this "wanting to start a band" thing REALLY SERIOUS!!! I had no idea just HOW serious until then! I patted him on the back and explained (what do ya say, anyway??) that he is only 6 years old and it takes even the biggest rock stars a while to develop a good fan base!!! He seemed pretty happy with that explanation and decided a popsicle might make him feel ALOT better! Whew!! Slid through that one pretty easy!

If I haven't told you yet, Andrew is actually my grandson, but I have had custody of him since he was about 1 1/2. I had two girls, so this boy stuff (especially this late in my life) is a whole new ball game! I must say though that it has been alot of fun and somewhat easier(although he hasn't hit those teenage years yet!!)so far. I have had him enrolled in sports ever since he was 3 and he LOVES all of them. I have spent NUMEROUS Saturdays cheering him on while he has played T-ball, soccer and now, this year, flag football! Oh, and lets not forget Karate, which he has been taking for about a month now! This Karate stuff has been pretty good though, now that he kicks and chops the punching bag in class instead of the furniture at home!LOL!! My sister's youngest son, who is 14 ( and more like Andrew's brother) has been taking kickboxing for a while and wanted Andrew to try it, so off we went to enroll!

I think T-ball starts again soon too, so I better get my cheerleading gear out of the closet and dust it off! Isn't it ALWAYS SOMETHING??? My car has a taxi light on top, doesn't yours?

Back to the dining room, uh, I mean the "studio" again for some more sewing!!

HAPPY HUMP DAY EVERYONE!!!

GETTIN SPRING FEVER

2009-03-03T13:59:00.007-05:00

Okay, I realize that I live in the South, and we don't have it near as bad as those of you that live in the North or Mid West, but to US , it has been COLD!! No we don't have the snow, and no we don't have the ice, but we are used to wearing fip flops and shorts most of the year, so when we have to lug out even a windbreaker from the closet, we get depressed! Just when I thought that Spring had Sprung, WHAM!! We were hit with another cold snap! I am SOOOO ready to break out my warm weather clothes! It IS March, after all!! I know, I know, all of you that are snowed in right know are REALLY feeling for me! LOL!!! If it makes you feel any better, I DO hope that YOU also get warm weather soon!!!

It's really hard working on the Spring collection when it is 30 degrees outside! While I'm all bundled up (hubby thinks our house is a meat locker, I think) in a sweater, I am cutting out and sewing together shorts and sundresses!! I guess I could wear a pair of sun glasses, lather on some sunscreen and play some hula music to make it more authentic!! Naw!! My family would think I had lost my mind!! If they haven't ALREADY!!!

The "Wyndham"collection is coming together (slowy but surely) and I even had a chance to work a little on the "Gator Tails" and "Pirates Treasure"collections last night! They are turning out SOOO cute!! Hailee, my 4 1/2 year old grandaughter, who by the way is ALWAYS in everyone elses business, loves to come into my sewing studio ( really it's just my dining room, but it IS a FORMAL one, so I call it my "studio" cause it sounds more professional. LOL!!) and wrap herself up in fabric and pretend that she is Cinderella, Ariel, or Snow White! It really is cute, but oh does she ever make a mess with everything!! No doors on my "studio" makes it hard to keep little, sticky fingers out! She DOES make for a great "model" to adjust sizes on though!!

I spent most of this morning catching up on e-mails and orders from yesterday, but I did take some time to visit a few other blog sites ( which, by the way, I was very impressed with)to see what was going on. I actually joined a couple that I thought I might like and it was fun to read about other women's drama for a change! Picked up some great tips and made some new friends also! Someone told me once that this is VERY addicting! I NOW believe them!

Have a HAPPY day!!! Erin

WHERE DID THE WEEKEND GO???

2009-03-02T08:20:00.001-05:00

Here I am, Monday morning, thinking about the two days that just past! Wasn't that the WEEKEND? Well, technically I had only ONE day off since I worked Sat. but Sunday seemed as though there were only two hours in the day! Okay, I'm telling myself to quit whinning and get over it, but I will allow myself a few more minutes of depression! Okay, enoughs enough!!

Not much of anything exciting happened the last couple of days unless you want to consider the part where Andrew (my 6 yr. old grandson) decided that he was starting his own "Rock Band" LOL!!! The seriousness of it was hilarious! Down to the moment he asked me how to find a website that sold "stage lighting"!! We all got a good laugh and it made the day a little brighter watching him as he sang along (loudly) to "Rascal Flatts" and thinking he was a BIG star! Oh, to be that age again!!! I DID think about making that SUPER WOMAN t-shirt, but thats about as far as I got with that idea! I convinced myself to stay focused on working on the Spring collection for Georgikids and I actually finished a few pieces! Woo Hoo!!! Taking great photos of my work has been a challenge for me though! The light never seems right somehow! I bet I took 20 shots of one item before giving up finally! I WILL get it right, I keep telling myself! But after adjusting and re-adjusting, it doesn't get any better! I think I need to study up on the subject of photo taking!!

Today I am determined to get down to work and stay focused at the tasks at hand, which is once again working on my Spring collection! I guess I will try to finish the "Wyndham" line, which I worked on yesterday! It is turning out sooo cute! I HAVE to finish these pieces and get them posted! I have given myself a deadline that I am determined to meet so I HAVE to stay on track! Like the little engine that could, I will keep telling myself - I THINK I CAN - I THINK I CAN - I THINK I CAN!!!!

Spring is among us, It is MARCH already!! Let me get sewing!!!

FIGURING IT ALL OUT!

2009-02-28T12:21:00.000-05:00

Here I am , trying to figure all of this blogging stuff out, and after reading some of the other blogs on this site (which I loved, by the way) I am feeling like an amateur at this! I HAVE finally figured out to download pictures, and will eventually (I hope) figure out the rest! In the mean time, I guess, I just hope that everyone enjoys my day to day adventures and maybe get a laugh or two!

I am working REALLY hard at getting my Georgikids Spring collection ready and I hope that it will all come together without TOO much of a hitch! I am sooo excited about the collections which will include "Bunny Lane", "Dahlia Blooms", "Wyndham", "Very Cherry", "Pink Lemonade", and "Polka Dot Party" (for the girls) and " Gator Tales", "Pirates Treasure", "Monkey Business", "Lil Sea Creatures", "All Hands On Deck", and "Bunny Lane" (for the boys). It has been CRAZY around my house lately with all of this going on and my dining room (my sewing studio for now) looks like a tornado has passed through recently, but as of yesterday, my bathrooms have been scrubbed clean, my carpets vacuumed, my furniture dusted, and the laundry caught up, so all in all I don't guess things are TOO bad!LOL!!! Oh yeah, and I have even squeezed in a game of "Go Fish" with my grandson!

Hang in there girl, I keep telling myself! Life will be back to normal soon! NORMAL? Whats NORMAL? Well, as close to NORMAL as it can get, I guess!!

Hope everyone has a GREAT day! Now, back to the dining room to wrestle the tornado!LOL!!!

Erin

HEEELLLOOO OUT THERE!!!

2009-02-27T11:06:00.001-05:00

Hi and welcome to the wonderful, wacky life of ME! A wife, mother, mimi, sister, daughter, friend, chef, maid, chauffeur, field trip taker, cookie baker, boo boo kisser, seamstress, designer, and the list goes on woman who somehow keeps my sanity through it all!! Sound familiar??? How DO we DO it ALL?? I swear my next project is to design myself a SUPERWOMAN t-shirt ( I don't know, I may have to come up with more than one so as to be able to wear one EVERY day!!) although I have NO idea when I will find time to do this!!LOL!!Oh yeah, I'm SUPERWOMAN! I will just wave my magic wand and MAKE the time (although I really don't think a magic wand is one of superwoman's tools).

After laughing a bit at myself, I realized this is GREAT!! It puts a smile on my face while allowing me to share with the whole world my success along with my failures of my PASSION. Who needs prozac when you can BLOG your stress away?? LOL!!

I DO hope that you will follow me in my journey of creating Georgikids! I can't wait to share my day to day DRAMA with you!!!