Wine lovers unite!

Do you love wine? Do you dislike cancer? I don't know anyone who would not agree with at least ONE of those statements. So whoever is driving distance, should come by Mineral Hills Winery this weekend for a fundraising, wine tasting, extravaganza!

On Friday, September 23, we will be having a fundraiser weekend kick-off party! There will be snacks, a 50/50 raffle, freshly pressed cider available for purchase, and 100% of wine tasting costs will go to the Eileen Diemand Foundation!

10% of sales from the entire weekend will also go to the foundation, so you should come by and buy some apples and wine if you were thinking about it. Now's a great time!

Friday's event will be happening from 5-8pm so swing by if you can! Contact info and directions on their website if you need it. And see the attached flyer here as well for more details (you can click on it to view it larger, or download it as well!)! Spread the word!

p.s. if you are not driving distance, but still are interested, you can order via phone as well or simply make a donation online HERE Thank you all for your support! :)

Busy, busy!

That is how my day was. Woke up way too early, showered, got Joshua up and dressed, dropped him at day care, went to work, meeting about Friday's fundraiser (which I will post more on later!) Dinner, Joshua to bed, Washed about 20 bushels of cider apples. (phew!) That was how my day went, how was yours?!

Tomorrow is the first cider pressing day of the year. So tonight we were washing and sorting many apples. But it will all be worth it for a delicious glass of fresh pressed cider, or cider with spiced rum... mmm... so many adult cider based beverages to choose from. but I digress.

Today was Joshua's first day back at day care after a week off in New Hampshire. He is getting better and better every time at the drop off it seems. He still definitely does NOT want me to leave, and certainly knows where we are when he sees the house and even the general direction we are driving in. but once I drop him off and am out of sight, I am told he is quite the charmer, which I don't doubt. And today I was told he cried for no more than 10 minutes or so after I left then was ready to play with the other kids and enjoy the day. And when I went to pick him up he was playing nicely still and was all smiles and being his normal goofy self, which is awesome, because last time I went to pick him up I was told he would start crying every time one of the other kids got picked up and he was still there. :(

I am trying to be tough for him through it all, though I understand his pain a bit, I think. Joshua and I were home together for a year and a half all the time. I was lucky enough to work the majority of the time from home after I had him. and I feel very lucky that I didn't have to rush into day care (or paying for day care.... OY!) But part of me thinks day care may be easier on the little ones when you start them young. I feel like it can never really be easy on the parents. It is that constant battle between not wanting to need someone else to raise your children and not wanting to miss a single second of their lives as they grow and change so quickly vs. knowing how awesome the right day care can be, and how much kids really do get out of having a good place to learn and play with children around their own age. I did tear up at the first drop-off, I admit. I told myself I wouldn't, and really believed that until I actually had to hand my child who was crying for Mama to another woman for the first time *tear.* But all in all, I am feeling very happy with our decision to do part time day care, and I am very glad I stumbled upon the day care I found. It is about five minutes from where I work and right on the way. And the women who work there are awesome! I was also very lucky to find someone who is very familiar with allergies in children as her own have been through many of the same experiences as Joshua has. This was a big plus for me!

That's all for now. Sorry for the lack of pictures. I promise there will be a cute photo shoot happening in the near future! If you have read this far without pictures, I thank you.

Ok... maybe a few pictures... these are pictures of Joshua from about one year ago... aweee

Distance makes the heart grow fonder?

I dunno about that. But I do know that I am missing my boys like crazy right about now! This week my brother-in-law who lives across the country is back visiting, so my husband took the week off from work to hang out with family since no one has seen him in a few years. SO, because he was home, he also took Joshua back to New Hampshire with him for the week. (Boo for me!) Though, I know it is only fair since I have him with me most of the time for the time being.

I have to say though. It was sort of a nice break to not need to wonder about day care, or babysitters for a bit. I ended up working a fair amount of overtime, which is always good for the paycheck. Got to see some friends and catch up over wine. All-in-all, not so bad. I'm thankful to have a busy job and great friends and family down here to keep me occupied and same when my baby is gone for a week!

I'm sure as he gets older, I won't be so sad when he's gone, and people may not be so quick to want to borrow him haha (especially when he's not the only one anymore someday!)

I also can't believe that in three short days Joshua will be turning 19 months old. Where did that year and a half go?! I feel like I missed something! I promise, next week I am going to make a valiant effort to take some new photos and upload them to all of the usual spots. I am also sincerely hoping that my life settles down somewhat in the near future, and my whole family can be in the same place (and state) at the same time for more than two days in a row! Which will also mean that I can blog more, take more photos, and get back to freelancing, and maybe remembering things for more than three seconds at a time!

Please excuse my rambling blog tonight, just wanted to do a quick catch up on life! And share these two cell phone pictures of my boy being silly at the fair. :) I can't wait to bring him to the Big-E!

A summer in pictures . . . of Joshua.

Joshua looking serious on Memorial Day

So, I'm a bit behind.

It's been about, hmmmm . . . FOREVER since I wrote in this, and I apologize!

Things have been a little bit nutty in my world. I think last time I was writing about how I got a job in Western, MA, yes? Well, for those who didn't get that, or don't know. I did. I am now working as a graphic artist in the Whole Foods Market in Hadley, MA. It's a pretty awesome job. I am also still freelancing, though sparingly at the moment because of all the crazy. By crazy I mean, during the week Joshua and I live in MA at my parents' house (who live very near my new job) and on the weekends we are back in NH to see Jay and my pets and house (which we need to sell/rent...anyone?) The driving is nuts, and I can't wait until we can all be in one place again on all the days of the week!

Joshua has probably learned a ton since I posted last. So, in an attempt to keep this pretty short and sweet, I am going to just summarize the last like... 6 months? haha. (maybe not that long but you catch my drift) I will follow this post with a post full of pictures to catch you up on his cuteness. :)

15 Month Checkup

This is another catch-up post!

Joshua had his 15 month check-up last week and here is what we got from it.

Height: 31 inches

Weight: 24.5 lbs

He is right in the 50th percentile for everything except for his head, which was in the 75th or something (that means he's smart, right?)

We are still keeping him off of dairy for another 3 months because of his extreme reaction, though she told us we can give him tastes of whatever we are eating. We just need to keep a close on on him and his skin and mood, etc. and always have the benadryl handy just in case. Today he had a couple bites of my cheese stick, and he loved it, and did not get hives, or any other ill reaction, so I'm hopeful he will outgrow this fully, eventually.

Other than that, he's a strong healthy, and curious little boy who is always on the go and feels the need to taste everything he can fit into his mouth (still) Here are some 15 month pictures for ya. Enjoy!

How could anyone not love this face?!

He is such a goof. 

loves his marvin.

Big change is a-comin'

So, for those of you who do not know. Our little family is going to be moving in the near future! 

Recently I had been working freelance while hunting for a full-time job either here or down near the town where I grew up. We have always known that we wanted to end up back in that area (Western, MA) by the time Joshua was school age, because we aren't big fans of the area we live in here, for one, and because of the school systems in our area, which is a biggie.

Job hunting has been tough, and slow-going. It seemed like I'd get a couple bites, and an interview here and there, that I always though went great, only to find out they eliminated the position, filled it from within, or decided to go with someone who's experience matched more closely to what they wanted. So, earlier this week I had a short phone interview with the people down at Whole Foods Market about a graphic design/ in store sign maker position they had open. I was on the fence about it, because it's a big move, a big change, different that what I'm used to, but I felt like I could not afford to not at least go in for the live interview and see what they had to offer, and see if I'd be a good fit.

Long story short. I left that interview, pretty sure that it was the worst interview I had ever had in my life.  I went out to lunch with a friend, grabbed a beer, and, beer in hand, got a call asking me if I wanted the job. (WHAT?!) I knew I was the last one being interviewed and that they were calling that afternoon, just didn't think it would be that soon!

So I drove back up North to my boys, and we thought long and hard, and weighed out the pros and cons, and ultimately ended up deciding the best thing for our family right now would be for me to take the job. Jay should be able to transfer to a position down there, and we can live with my parents while we work on selling our condo and getting settled into our new lives down there.

I am so, so happy, to be able to get out of the city, especially the area we are in. Joshua loves being outside, and there just isn't anywhere really safe for him to play outside where we are without driving him to a park or something. It will be good timing, because my mom will be done with school for the summer soon and can provide some live-in day care for the summer too :) That said . . . I am SO SAD thinking about all the friends and family we can't take with us! Seriously. Can't everyone I know and love just move within a half hour driving radius of my parents house? I have such an amazing group of friends, and fellow moms, and family that have been so amazing to us, and such an amazing help when we've needed it. It's hard to imagine being so far from them. Though, on the same note, I have great amazing friends down there too! And now we will be driving distance to some more of my family! Which is awesome! Besides, we aren't moving across the country, just a couple hours away, so we can visit all the time! Plus, you can all use winery tours, and wine tastings as an excuse to come visit us. Plus the Big-E is coming back in the fall... who doesn't love that?! (If you haven't been, and enjoy fairs, you must go!)

So I'm sorry for the long post. But I just wanted to update everyone, and also thank everyone for the support and love you've shown us with this decision, I truly have the best people in my life a girl could ask for! And in return for your constant awesomeness. A cute video of Joshua jumping on the bed (sorry it's dark, it was nap time).

Mom's Birthday weekend

I know I owe you all some catch-up posts here because it's been awhile. So here's the first of a few for ya.

The weekend of May 15 Joshua and I took a road trip down to Western, MA to visit my family who we don't get to see nearly enough since they live so far away! And we weren't visiting just because we wanted to taste the new flavors of wine they have for sale, or because I needed more of my Mom's "Spicy Italian" herb blend, nope . . . it was my mom's birthday! I kind of have a new appreciation for birthdays now that I have had a son of my own. Generally in May I try to make it down for her birthday or mother's day if I am not lucky enough to have them both happen on the same day. We had to leave Jay behind because he had to work since I currently am lacking a full-time job. :-/ 

But regardless, we had a wonderful time! I loved getting to go out with my mom for a drink, and watch Joshua play with his Meme and Pepe and Aunties. He had a blast being able to play in a huge yard, a luxury we do not have living in a city. He also really loved running around and squeaking in the winery for some reason. He was a crazy man! We had a great weekend, and threw a fun birthday party for my mom with a few of our family's nearest and dearest friends and family. I was so busy having fun, unfortunately for you, that I did not get to snap many pictures! Here are a few that I did get though! Enjoy!

Joshua and Auntie Gina

Playing with auntie Krista

My mom getting ready to blow out the candles on her yummy cake!

she's still got it ;-P

Hello, again!

It's been awhile!

I've have a nutty few weeks and I'll catch you up soon. I just wanted to post something quick so you know I'm still alive and haven't forgotten about you, or my blog :) I have some updates and cute pics and videos to share soon! Stay tuned!

Many stories to tell

Joshua is a boy of many words. Or at least noises.

Our little musician

I think we may have a musical genius on our hands . . .

Whoa!

My meme is sorting through old photo albums, and she sent me an envelope full of photos of me when I was a wee-one. I never really thought Joshua looked much like me, 'till now.

Yes? Except I had more hair. :-)

Body for Life - First Shopping Trip

This was a busy weekend for me, as you readers know. Saturday I went to the mall to use a Body Shop groupon I had, had a wedding to go to, and did the first grocery shopping trip that follows my Body for Life challenge. Sunday was the official start day of the challenge, and I started out my day with a 5K road race. Joshua was spending the weekend with his Grammy Kelley so I was also baby-free!

Anyways, back to the shopping trip. I couldn't buy everything I wanted for lack-a-moolah. But I managed to do pretty well, I think. Here are the main things that I got for meals and snacks: Protein powder, vanilla flavored. I ended up getting the Jillian Michaels brand powder because it was on sale, and was low-calorie, and gave me the most bang for my buck this time around. I stocked up on greek yogurt, Hannaford had Chobani on sale for $1/each. Score. I got lots of chicken and ground turkey, beans, veggies, fruit, some hummus, bagel thins (my new favorite.) And milk, bread, and cold cuts of course.

I also had to get some foods that Joshua will eat, so I got him some turkey hot dogs, and cheerios, among other things. But those are for him, not me. ;-)

I think I am going to have to stick to mostly frozen veggies and fruits, at least for now. They are cheaper, and the real stuff goes bad too fast since I am usually the only one who eats any of it.

So I think I did pretty well for the most part. there was much more that I wanted to get, but just couldn't this time around. 

Today so far, I've eaten Greek yogurt with granola, coffee, lots of water, and a whole wheat wrap with turkey, hummus, and veggies for lunch. I am going to need to get better at the planning the meals part, and remembering to eat more often in smaller amounts so I don't get so hungry and keep up my metabolism. Maybe I should set an alarm or something?

I also took my before pictures. Which I will NOT be posting. Not until I have decent "after" pictures to go with them anyways. :) 

It's getting close!

This weekend Joshua is going to visit Grammy Kelley at her house (sniffle) but that means I get to go to a friend's wedding, and to my 5k on Sunday sans baby (hip-hip-hooray!) This Sunday is the first of May, which is the day of my Margarita's 5K, and it is ALSO the beginning of my new body for life lifestyle. I am NOT calling it a diet. Because if I call it a diet, I am going to get all freaked out about it and it's not going to last. (I've decided calling it a diet, is kind of like when you were in school and something was called a test, immediately drains the fun right out of it.)

So it's going to be a busy weekend! I also need to go grocery shopping and stock up on some of the essentials for my new healthy lifestyle. I won't be able to do a full grocery shop until early next week I think, but I HAVE to do a little before then otherwise I'll starve. Or be surviving on turkey hot dogs, cheerios, and yogurt, which is all we have in the house right now.

So I will update you with how Joshua's weekend goes, and how mine goes too early next week. Just thought I'd pop in and let everyone know why I will likely be MIA most of the weekend. Wish me luck! And if you see me eating junk, or hear me talking about eating junk, kick me in the butt, would ya?!

Here we go!!

Easter 2011

This past Sunday was Easter, as everyone probably knows. We ended up have a beautiful day! It was about 70 degrees outside when we left our house to head to Jay's grandma's. Joshua was dressed up in his Sunday best with his favorite hat (maybe ours... I dunno) and he was looking sharp.

He had a blast walking around outside. This was the first time he walked outside. He has been walking for awhile now, but whenever we'd bring him outside before, he would just sit down and not do anything. Not Easter, he kept trying to go back outside every time we brought him in, and he was doing laps up and down the driveway all day.

It was a great day full of ham, turkey, and all the other Easter foods you can imagine. Joshua is a bottomless pit so he was eating from just about the time we got there until the time we left. I'll keep this post short and sweet. Here are some more pics of him In his awesome Easter outfit.

the towel Grammy Nikki gave him. Adorable.

Five things I'm doing for Earth day.

It's Friday. And it's earth day! So I thought I'd share with you, some of the things I am going to do today in Mother Earth's honor.

1. In case you were unaware. Starbucks is giving away a free coffee or tea if you bring in a reuseable cup. So I will be heading to my local Starbucks, with a travel mug and filling up for free.

2. Another awesome Earth Day freebie I found. Origins, which is an awesome cosmetics and skincare company, will give you a free fullsize facial cleanser if you bring in an old one to recycle (can be full or empty.) Check out the link HERE and print the form and go grab your own!

3. I will be using my reusable coffee cozie instead of the cardboard ones. I even use it on my reuseable cups sometimes. I love it! I found it on Etsy at Christmastime and bought a couple for my sisters, and of course, I had to have one too!

4. I am going to go for a walk. (I know, I can do this any day really), It's nice out . . . so far . . . and I thought it would be nice to get out and enjoy nature, and take a minute to appreciate all we have around us everyday that so many take for granted by littering up with their garbage, and cigarette butts (gross), and other non-biodegradables. 

And lastly . . . 

5. Joshua wanted to contribute, by having extra nakie time. Happy Earth Day from Joshua.

He will kill me one day.

but look at the cute lil' bum!

Yay earth day!

Sunday Confessions: The Baby Itch

So I have to confess this lovely Sunday. Every time I see Joshua playing with other kids, especially smaller babies (Like Ethan, who is my friend Katie's baby and is completely adorable, and kind of reminds me of Joshua at the same age) it kind of makes me want to have another one so Joshua will always have a buddy.

I always knew I wanted more than one, or more, thought, I wanted more than one. I say it like that because until Joshua was out of me, I also thought I wanted twins. And still I say sometime, thank goodness there is only one of him. Don't get me wrong, he is all sunshine and rainbows most days, but those first couple of months may have been the end of me if he were two, instead of one.

Last time Ethan and Katie came to visit, there was a moment where Joshua wasn't trying to jab out Ethan's eye or throwing a toy at him, where he was just holding his hand and leaned in onto him a little. And it was super cute. And I actually caught myself saying out loud, "Awee, Joshua wants a baby sister!" Ha. Don't get all excited though you baby fanatics (you all know who you are ;-) ) We can't have one just yet. For two very good reasons. 1. We have no room to put two babies. and 2. We haven't even finished paying off the birth of the first one yet. So, that said, if anyone wants to buy us a bigger house, and sell the one we're in, or throw some cash in our direction, maybe we'll think about getting started on #2. In the mean time, we'll just keep enjoying Joshua, and I'll continue to get all mushy when I see him playing with other people's kids until he can have his very own sibling.

These pictures aren't of Ethan, (obviously) These are Joshua and his buddy Brandon. Joshua had a fun day Saturday playing with Brandon and Carter, I think Carter was napping when these were shot.) Doesn't he just look like he wants a baby sister?!

Don't forget to write your own Sunday Confession and link up here! (It doesn't even have to be written on Sunday, since I was so late today... I'll let it slide :-) Kidding, I'd let it slide anyways. So just write a confession blog and link up here! Go!)

Friday Five: Things on the top of my "wish list"

I think with spring now teasing us with warmer weather on a slightly more regular basis, it is making me get the shopping itch. I know I wrote about how I have been online window shopping lately in last weeks Sunday Confessions Post. So this kind of goes with that. I've been itching to do some minor landscaping so Joshua and I can go outside and play when it's nice out. I've also been dying to just go clothes shopping, and household things shopping . . . any shopping I guess. So my Amazon wish list just keep growing, and growing! So I'm linking up with Kat's Living Like the Kings Friday Five postings, with these 5 things that are at the top of my list, at the moment.

1. This swing. And these hooks for hanging it.

We have a nice big deck out back of our house, and under it there are little hooks for hanging things. Joshua loves, rocking, and swinging, any kind of motion really. I would LOVE to get this, hook it up and spend an afternoon watching him swing while I sit and read a book.

2. New cushions for our patio furniture. We've had the same ones since we bought the set years ago, and they are nice and faded and smelly now. Time for new ones!

3. An umbrella with a base so we'll have a little shade. Since there aren't any trees, it would be nice to have a little shade outside without having to go sit under the deck!

4. New red mulch. Under our deck is crushed rock right now, sort of. It's all washed away, there isn't really anything besides dirt now. I want to lay down some nice mulch, put some pretty shade plants down there and make it look nice again.

5. Some edging to go around the pretty new mulch. 

Is it weird that I have gardening and landscaping things on my amazon wish list? All I really want is to be able to bring Joshua outside to play this spring. Haha. I have been dreaming about making our little outdoor area look pretty for years now! But now, Joshua can walk, and it's getting nice out, so it's bugging me more than ever. I may do something crazy and open up a credit card just so I can redo our deck space so I can play outside on nice days! Watch out! 

Don't forget to link up if you do a Friday Five too!

Easiest pulled pork ever.

So I am still relatively new to the blogging about food thing, and suck at remembering to take pictures of things as I make them. But I thought I'd share will all you busy people out there, the easiest, most delicious pulled pork recipe ever.

Here is what you need:

• A crock pot. I have this one.
• An onion (optional)

• Some pork loin. I buy the Smithfield brand natural pork tenderloin. I usually get around a 2.5lb package. There is plenty if you have company, or it makes great leftovers if there are only a couple of you.
• About 16oz. of BBQ sauce. Whichever kind you like works. I used Sweet Baby Rays sweet and spicy for todays pork.
• Some rolls if you are making the pulled pork into sandwiches. I usually get onion bulky type rolls from the bakery in the grocery store.
• Cheese if you want, cheddar or something similar is amazing.

Here is what you do:

• Cut up the onion. I usually cut it in half the tall way, then slice it into little strips.
• Toss the onion into the bottom of the crock pot.
• Put the pork on top of the onion.
• Pour about half to 3/4 of the BBQ sauce over the pork, you want it to be covered.
• Turn the crock pot on low, and cook away. Usually I start it around 10 or 11 AM if I am home for the day, but you can easily let it cook all day if you are away at work.
• About an hour or so before you want to eat. Open the crock pot, and using a couple forks, or something similar, shred or pull the pork apart. Add more BBQ sauce and let it sit for another hour or until you are ready to eat.
• top your roll with the pork and cheese, and some cole slaw if you like it (sounds weird, but really great) add some extra BBQ sauce if you want to and enjoy!

I made homemade baked sweet potato fries today with the pork. I'll do that recipe another day, it's also super easy.

And that is all, my friends. you're welcome. Seriously, I have yet to encounter anyone who doesn't enjoy this meal. It's also great for pot lucks, and parties, not too expensive, and very easy to do!