2011

Twas The Night Before New Year’s Day

December 31, 2011 By Blonde Mom 3 Comments

Twas the night before New Year’s Day at our house

Champagne was on the agenda for me and my spouse

The stockings were still tossed by the chimney (but not with care),

Santa had loaded them with loot, they were definitely not bare

The children should have been nestled snug in their beds

But excitement over New Year’s Eve had them jacked up instead

And me in my Cuddle Duds

And hubby in his flannel pants

Had just settled down with Dick Clark, not a night of romance

When in my older daughter’s room there arose such a clatter

I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter

Away down the hall I flew like a flash

Tripped over the dog, nearly fell on my a**

My girls were fighting (again)

Over something silly you see

We’ve all enjoyed this winter break

But school starts back next Wednesday…squeeeeee!

Happy New Year’s Eve everyone! See you in 2012!

Filed Under: Parenting 3 Comments

There’s A Balm In Gilead, And If It Could Talk It Would Sound Like Curtis Stone

December 30, 2011 By Blonde Mom 2 Comments

Vicks, which makes my old school feel better favorite VapoRub, introduced their new Nature Fusion line of cough and cold remedies in 2011. Not only is Nature Fusion gluten and alcohol free, but it’s flavored with another old school favorite of mine…honey!

My mom came down with a bad cold just in time for Christmas, unfortunately, and I brought her the new Nature Fusion cough syrup to try as I’d just received a big box from Vicks filled with products for cold and flu season. My mama is not one to take medicine often but she tried this and immediately stopped coughing. She also noticed the almost pleasant honey taste, which is definitely not something I normally associate with cough syrup.

Speaking of things that are smooth and golden like honey, Vicks has signed on Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone to be the star of their new healthy living Nature Fusion channel on YouTube. I have to admit I wasn’t very familiar with Curtis Stone but now that I’ve heard him speak…well, I don’t know about ya’ll, but I could listen to him speak ALL DAY. I’ve got to figure out how to reprogram my phone GPS to sound like Curtis Stone. Surely there’s an app for that, right?

Curtis shares some great tips for incorporating healthier options at meal time. One of my ongoing quests is to eat a healthy, light breakfast, but I need one that is filling. Hubby and I have been on a smoothie kick, and I love this recipe that Curtis shares in the second part of this video for making one with a tropical twist. He also features a great recipe for homemade granola. I love granola with yogurt and fresh fruit. Smoothies are working for me lately, though, because they are the perfect, portable breakfast. Hubby and I can pour one in a to go cup and drink our breakfast on the way to the office.

What’s your go to on the go breakfast? Do you have a favorite smoothie recipe? Share in the comments!

Disclosure: I’m proud to be working with Vicks this winter. I am being compensated for my posts but, as always, the opinions expressed on this blog and all my words are totally my own.

Filed Under: Domestic Diva, Reviews & Giveaways 2 Comments

There’s A Reason Moment Begins With Mom

December 29, 2011 By Blonde Mom 3 Comments

Excuse me while I have a mom moment.

The jumble of shoes at our back door is corralled in an old laundry basket. But that’s not what catches my eye every time I walk by it.

My 4th grader’s feet are catching up with mine.

She’s only about 2 sizes behind me, if that. That’s right. The baby girl I had 9 1/2 years ago, whose tiny feet kicked me in the ribs when she was in the womb, is going to be wearing my shoes sooner rather than later. Granted I have smallish feet but still. She’s already slipping on my faux Uggs to go get the mail and trying on my flats.

A side-by-paw, I mean shoe, comparison of my girly pink shoe and one of my daughter’s new shoes.

As a baby, she was already scoping out the shoes in my closet.

We headed out to a local sporting goods store Monday to do a little shopping with her Christmas cash and being the sporty tomboy that she is, she chose black and white and silver running shoes from the boys’ section.

At the current rate her feet are growing she’ll be shopping in my closet for shoes by 6th grade.

But not if I continue to buy pink shoes.

Mwaa haa haa haa.