Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

When the air becomes crisp and the burnt orange leaves begin to fall from the trees, I can already taste the pumpkin spice. I love pumpkin: ice cream, soup, lattes, candles, body cream, bagels, and pie (although as far as pie goes, pumpkin is my second favorite. The tangy sweet strawberry rhubarb just can’t be beat, especially with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice cream).

I came across this recipe for a cream cheese layered pumpkin bread in a Kraft Food and Family magazine and I can’t wait to bake it this week. If you have some time for holiday baking, give this recipe a try and let me know what you think!

Layered Pumpkin Loaf

Prep: 20 minutes Total: 1 hour 25 minutes

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar, divided

½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

4 egg whites divided

½ cup fat free milk

¼ cup canola oil

2 cups flour

2 ½ tsp. baking powder

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

¼ tsp. salt

1 pkg, (8oz) Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese 1/3 less fat than cream cheese, softened.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a nonstick 9 x 5 inch loaf pan; set aside. Mix pumpkin, 1 cup granulated sugar, 3 of the egg whites, mild and oil in large bowl. Add flour, baking powder, pie spice, and salt; stir just until moistened. Set aside. Beat Neufchatel cheese, remaining 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar and the remaining egg white with a wire whisk until well blended.

Spoon half of the pumpkin batter into prepared pan; spoon Neufchatel cheese mixture evenly over batter. Cover with remaining pumpkin batter.

Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 5 min. or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Run knife or thin spatula around edges of pan to loosen bread; cool in pan on wire rack 10 min. Remove bread from pan to wire rack; cool completely.

Makes 1 loaf, or 16 servings, 1 slice each.

Cal 220, fat 7g, chol 10 mg, sodium 220 mg, carb 35 g, fiber <1g,>

Yum.

For those of you who love pumpkin as much as I do, check out these wonderful looking items from pumpkin loving Etsy shops

The first shop I would like to feature is A Breath of French Air, which is a bath and body shop that looks fantastic (in fact, I am waiting for a shipment of soaps to come right now. I can’t wait. You will see more of this shop in future blog posts, I guarantee it!). These Pumpkin Spice items look creamy delicious, and I’m sure they smell amazing too! Animal lovers, don’t worry. None of these products are tested on animals!

Here is a sugar scrub which exfoliates and moisturizes skin with a blend of pure white sugar, Pumpkin Spice Essential Oils, and Jojoba Oil, leaving your skin looking radiant, smooth and renewed. I love the feel skin after a great sugar scrub!

This Pumpkin Spice Body Butter is skin nourishing with shea butter and cocoa butter, infused with calming, pumpkin essential oils to soften and protect the skin. It looks so lush!

You can find this shop at www.abreathoffrenchair.etsy.com

I would also like to feature the shop Sweet Rush. My goodness (as two year old Gracie would say)! These candles look AMAZING!! At Sweet Rush, you will find soy candles and melts that are sure to smell as good as they look. All of their candles are made with 100% pure soy wax and the highest quality essential and fragrance oils. I would love to sit down and drink their Spicy Pumpkin Latte candle, it looks so good! And for those of you who prefer traditional jar candles, you can also find Spicy Pumpkin in a jar without the coffee!

You can find this shop at www.sweetrush.etsy.com.

If the smell of pumpkin spice just isn't your thing, don't feel down! Just grab this Jack Pin by Pea Soup and I'm sure your mood will lift instantly. This little brooch captures all that is happy about Halloween. This pin is made from wool felt and is about 1 ½ inches square-maybe a little larger, because all pins are slightly different from each other-- the beauty behind handcrafted items, if you ask me!

You can find this pin and dozens more at www.peasoup.etsy.com

Indulge your senses and your taste buds, everyone!

Dancing Queen

Two year old Gracie is a dancing queen. From the moment she could crawl - at nine and a half months- she would make her way over to the cd player, pull herself up into a stand and boogie for days. Her favorite cd : Elephunk by the Black Eyed Peas ( This is eight month old Annelie's favorite cd as well. You just can't beat the beat!). When she was one, and my husband and I would go to a party, Gracie would park herself in the middle of the room and dance to the music. If people weren't watching, she would let out a scream until she had everyone's attention again.

Gracie started her very first dance class - a ballet, tap and gymnastics class- last weekend. For the first time, she put on her pink leotard, tights and tap shoes, and walked into the dance studio with Miss Ruby, leaving me to watch through a window in the hallway. I nearly cried.

Gracie was in seventh heaven as she danced with four other girls, all between the ages of two and three. They wiggled their fingers, tapped their toes, danced and twirled to the music for a whole hour. When Gracie was done, she had the biggest smile on her face. My dancing queen was completely in her element.

After class, we walked over to Starbucks for a vanilla milk and a chocolate chip cookie (I had an iced coffee and a pumpkin cream cheese muffin, of course). Gracie has been talking about Miss Ruby's "ballet-tap" class ever since.

To celebrate little ballerinas everywhere I want to promote shops which have items just for little dancing queens.

The first shop I would like to feature is Tu Sweet Boutique. Here you will find gorgeous custom tutus for your little ballerina. The hand-made tutus will fit most 6 to 24 months, but if you would like to order a different size, just send a convo! I just love these tutus! You can choose from an assortment of colors, and even have coordinating ribbon woven in, creating a custom tutu perfect for your leading lady.

You can find this boutique at www.TuSweetBoutique.etsy.com. Your little ballerina will love it!

The next shop I would like to feature is Lindy Lou. Yup, my mom’s shop. Lindy Lou is a shop where you can find designer items for the home and gals (and little gals) on the go. I just love her toddler pillowcases, which are perfect for naptime! Annelie even has one that we keep in the stroller for when she falls asleep. These darling ballerina pillowcases made from fabric by designer Alexander Henry, are just perfect for daycare, naptime, or long car and airplane rides.

You can find this shop at www.lindylou2.etsy.com

In the shop Tutu Cute & Moore, you will find custom made clothes, accessories, and room décor made from tulle, chenille and lots of fluffy, fuzzy stuff! I love these wall hangings, especially the one declaring, “I’m tutu cute.” They are the perfect thing for giving your favorite girl’s bedroom some seriously cute style. I also can’t resist showing off the party hat. Even thought it isn’t ballet related, it is too adorable not to mention!

This shop is located at www.tutucuteandmoore.etsy.com

Baby ballerinas will be darling as well as dainty in these teeny tiny ballet slippers by Fue Go Designs. These slippers can be made in sizes newborn-3 years and are just the cutest things I have ever seen. I also love these flower slippers and had to show off the little hat (size 0-3 months) which matches. Too cute for words.

You can find these at www.fuegodesigns.etsy.com

For all you adults who love music and love to dance, check out the skirts from Tall Giraffe. You will be sure to burn the floor in these twirly circle skirts. I don’t have one yet, but it is only a matter of time because I LOVE THEM!!! You can find these skirts and others at www.tallgiraffe.etsy.com.

Put on your dancing shoes, everyone! It is so wonderful to move and groove without a care in the world except you and the music!!

One Lump or Two?

I love tea.

I come from a tea drinking family and have always looked forward to a sweet and milky cup with a scone, cookie or cake (Bakewell Tarts or chocolate Digestive biscuit when I am in England). My husband is British and believe it or not, I am the one who drinks the most tea in our house. Will usually has a cup on the weekend, I like to have a couple of cups a day.

Gracie had her first tea party with me when she was eighteen months old. She just flipped over her little cup and the plate of tiny cookies just for her. Tea time has been a tradition of ours ever since. Gracie doesn’t like to drink milk unless it is chocolate milk, vanilla milk, or strawberry milk, so slipping it in her tea is a good way for me to make sure she is drinking enough.

To celebrate our love for teatime, I have just added Tea Cakes and Party Plates to Tootsie and Grace. No tea party will be quite as sweet without these sweet as sugar cakes covered in sprinkles and a bright red cherry! They are perfect for hours of creative play.

Each set comes with:
Four play tea cakes and four shabby rag plates

They are made from flannel in Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla and Banana Crème. The sprinkles are made from knotted embroidery floss (you wont have to worry about beads falling off) and the cherry button on top has been sewn on as well as glued on the underside using a kid friendly glue.

This set also features the gorgeous designer fabrics in the Chocolate Lollipop collection by Anna Maria Horner for Freespirit. The prints are bright and fun and add a touch of whimsy to the sweet treats.

Love Chocolate Lollipops and want to see more? Check out my previous blog titled Chocolate Lollipops.

I would like to feature some other Etsy sellers who love their tea time, too!

The first shop I would like to feature is Tabitha Emma for Kids from Australia. I just flipped out over the darling little purses, especially this cup of tea with tea bag and the little teapot. All the bags are shaped like sweet treats such as ice cream sundaes, cake slices with sprinkles and frosting covered cupcakes.

You can find these sweet bags at http://www.tabidesigns.etsy.com

The next shop I would like to feature is Mulberry Muse a shop specializing in gorgeous cards and gift packaging (also from Australia!) I love everything in this shop! All the tags and cards are so girly and swirly chic with lots of pink and black. Very sophisticated, very fun. These tea pot and cupcake gift tags fit in perfectly with my tea party theme today! The holidays are just around the corner. Wouldn’t these tags be the perfect adornment to a gift of tea treats for a friend?

You can find this shop at http://www.mulberrymuse.etsy.com! Take you time looking around, because there are so many sweet things to see!

Are you looking to have tea party of your own, but you are missing your main ingredient? You can find specialty teas at Lilith’s Apothecary right on Etsy! This shop specializes in herbal products to aid your mind, body and spirit. I think this Bright Mornings Herbal tea blend looks delicious! You can also find detoxifying teas, as well as relaxation tea. You can find this shop at http://www.lilithsapothecary.etsy.com and be sure to return your containers. That will give you a nice discount!

Enjoy your tea time, and don’t forget the cakes!

Peek-a-boo!

I finally understand the magic behind Peek-a-boo. When Gracie was smaller, she enjoyed the game, but it wasn’t anything special. I would cover my eyes with my hand or a blanket, and when I revealed them, saying, “Peek-a-boo!” Gracie would smile, sometimes laugh.

Add Annelie to the mix and it is a whole new game. Grace loves to make her sister laugh, and Annelie loves to do the same. When the girls play together, the giggling never stops. Their favorite activity: Gracie puts a blanket over her head (or mine, if I am playing too). Annelie pulls the blanket off. We exclaim, “Peek-a-boo!” Annelie laughs her head off.

It can go on for twenty minutes straight!

To celebrate my playful little girls, here are a selection of my favorite playful Peek-a-boo Etsy items by other wonderful sellers. I hope you enjoy!

*Note: Yes, that is Hello Kitty underwear on Gracie’s head. A fun peek-a-boo accessory*

The first shop I would like to feature is Callipitter Creations. I came across this shop when the first round of Mattel recalls were going on. Gracie is not yet old enough for one of these Peek-a-boo bags (she will need to be about three), but I will get one for her (and me!) soon. They are so cool!

You can find this bag and others too at www.callipittercreations.etsy.com

The next shop I would like to feature is ODannysGirl. This is another shop I came across during the Mattel recall fiasco. I just think it is so wonderful buying handmade, rather than cheap, plastic (lead-infested) store bought items. This I Spy ball caught my eye because it is fun for children of all ages. It is the perfect toy for baby hands learning to pick things up, and equally fun for older children as they challenge each other in a game of I Spy through all of the colorful fabric.

You can find this ball at www.odannysgirl.etsy.com

The last shop I would like to feature is Hand Crafted Sock Puppies. I just love this peek-a-boo sock kitty! I just adore cats, but there are other darling little peek-a-boo pets in this shop. In fact, the whole shop is filled to the brim with adorable plushie creations perfect for all the kids in your life. You can find these at www.dmollison.etsy.com

Don’t forget you grab your cuddliest blanket and play peek-a-boo with a baby today! I’m telling you, the giggling is worth it.

I've Got the Teething Baby Blues

Four teeth at once. FOUR!!! That means non-stop crying, swollen gums, sticky medicine covered clothes, hands, and face, and painful "mmmma mmmma mmmma!" being shouted round the clock.

Yup, Annelie is teething and I am going nuts.

What was Mother Nature thinking? My wisdom teeth came in about eight years ago, and I still remember the unbearable pain as the teeth worked their way slowly through the gums. But I was eighteen and old enough to understand what was going on. Poor Annelie is only seven an a half months old, for crying out loud!!

To make matters worse, she bites like crazy with the two teeth she already has, and every time I yowl in pain (because seriously, who expects to be bitten while nursing? I can assure you, the sweet and happy nursing endorphins that are released while nursing are completely overshadowed by agony... and aren't endorphins supposed to be nature's painkillers?) she bursts into tears, making nursing time take about six years per feeding.

And yesterday, she bit me six times in one feeding.

I quit.

On the bright side, I did discover something that Annelie loves to teethe on. Forget Tylenol, teething gel, biter biscuits, and cold teething rings...

Annelie only gets relief from her electric Hello Kitty toothbrush.


I just pray the batteries don't die on me.

Bye Bye Baby Weight!

I very recently lost the last of the baby weight I put on during my pregnancy with Annelie. No easy feat, I assure you! I love to eat, and used every minute of my pregnancy as an excuse to grow larger than a pumpkin.

42 lbs. That's what I gained in only five short months. Can you say stretch marks?

But the weight is gone and I am so happy! I only have a few pounds more to lose before I am at my goal weight (I still need to finish losing the rest of my Gracie weight from two years ago!). Curious to know my weight loss secrets? Well, here you go:

Soup. Lots and lots of soup. I make a batch of low sodium, low fat soup every few days. Whenever I am hungry for a snack, I grab a bowl of soup. I'll include my Mix and Match soup recipe below for those interested!

Tea (with a little sugar or honey, and a splash of milk--yum) that I drink with a small cookie, pastry or scone when I am craving a sweet treat. The tea helps fill me up so I don't go overboard on cookies or pastries.

Walking. I walk everywhere. It helps that I don't drive, so if I want to go anywhere in the day, I have to load the girls in their double stroller and walk there. But on the days that I don't have anyplace to go, I load the girls up and walk to the nearest middle school, which has a track and a field so Gracie can run around (unfortunately there are no parks near me).

Here is my recipe for Mix and Match soup. I like to mix things up, so my taste buds don't get bored.

Marisa’s Mix and Match Soup

Use as many or as little as you like from each group to create a soup perfect for your personal taste!

Start With the Veggies: Fresh or Frozen

(add whatever you like. Here are a few I like to add)

Chopped Cabbage
Carrots
Green Beans
Celery (add only a few stalks or the broth tastes funny)
Broccoli
Yellow Onions
Minced Garlic (lots of it!!!)
Bagged frozens are perfect when you want to work quickly. I like Green Beans and California or Normandy Mix (Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower)

Broth: No, I don’t make my own. Who has the time???

Chicken
Beef
Vegetable

Look for boxed broths, they are the easiest and most economical. I prefer Organic, low sodium and low fat. I buy about 2 or 3 boxes per batch of soup, but buy as many as you need for whatever size pot you want to make.

Add Ins:

Grilled Chicken, cut up
Ground Beef
Italian Sausage
Noodles (whole wheat is best for you, and more firm. Watch out with noodles, as they tend to get mushy. You might want to keep these separate from the broth and just add them to your bowl)
Rice

Broth Enhancements:

Fresh Herbs chopped (my favorite is Cilantro)
3 Tbs Tomato Paste
Parmesan Cheese (low in calories and fat, so go crazy)

To Make:

Begin by grilling the onions, celery, and garlic in 1-2 tbs. olive oil. Add the broth, bring to a boil. Then add the veggies and meat. Last, add cooked noodles or rice, and the broth enhancements. Let simmer awhile—about 5-10 minutes or until it is hot enough for you.

The best thing about this soup is it tastes better the next day, so make sure you cook up a large pot of it!!

I'm a Barbie Girl, In a Barbie World...

Life in plastic…its fantastic.

Gracie is Barbie obsessed. Her second birthday was a Barbie princess party. She chose the theme. She has about eight Barbie dolls, seven Barbie movies, Barbie’s airplane, house, car, dog (Tanner—Gracie adores him), two dress up costumes from Barbie Fairytopia and Barbie Mermaidia, and she knows the entire chorus to “I’m a Barbie Girl” by the Scandinavian bubblegum pop band Aqua by heart (Me a Barbie girl, me a Barbie world. Issa fastic, ISSA FASTIC!!). Not to mention that she begs to watch the Aqua video on YouTube every single day and the most commonly heard sentence out of Gracie’s mouth is, “You play Barbie me?”

Is there a Barbie-holics Anonymous? Sign her up!

Because Gracie is only two, and Barbie’s clothes are so… teeny tiny (not to mention impossible for a two year old to put on her doll), I like to revamp Gracie’s baby wardrobe into Barbie ball gowns and summer dresses. From Baby Dress to Barbie Dress in 2.5 minutes. And because Gracie is only two, it doesn’t matter how poorly you sew or how little time and attention to detail you want to spend… to her it is a beautiful dress.

Here’s what you need:

1 Barbie in need of a new dress

1 Baby outfit with elastic around the feet, wrists, or a nightdress with elastic around the entire bottom (moms, you know what I’m talking about)

Sewing machine or needle and thread

scissors

Begin with a nude Barbie. If you have small children, chances are a nude Barbie is very easy to come by. For some reason, Barbie is always nude, in our house (no, my husband has nothing to do with it!).

Wrap the elastic hem of the baby outfit above Barbie's chest and snip off the bottom until you have the desired dress length. Then snip off the remaining bit of outfit from the back, taking care that you have about 1/4 inch extra on each side when you pull the dress together (this is to allow room for sewing).

You should now have a flat rectangular piece of fabric with the elastic hem across the top and an unfinished edge on the bottom.

You can hem the unfinished bottom if you want it to look a bit nicer. I don't, as Gracie could care less, but it is up to you and your child.

If you have a sewing machine, it only takes a second to sew a straight stitch to bring the back of the dress together. Don't forget to have the wrong side out when you do the sewing, so the messy looking part is on the inside of the dress. If you don't have a sewing machine, it should only take a minute or two to get the seam stitched up.

Voila. A Barbie dress that is easy for a two year old to put on her favorite fashionista, and a little less scandalous than the Barbie dresses you can buy from the shop! Isn't she a vision in pink?

If you are looking for a handmade Barbie dress that is a little more sophisticated than my five minutes or less tube dress, look no further than Etsy. Here are some of my favorite Barbie items and the shops that sell them:

The first shop I would like to feature is Sew Grandma Cathy. Her shop features dresses for Barbie, Blythe, Bratz, American Girls, and Ken dolls. I think this Halloween gown is just lovely and will get any little girl and her beloved Barbie ready for Halloween.

You can find this dress as well as many others at www.sewgrandmacathy.etsy.com

The next Barbie outfit and shop I would like to feature is this little knit sailor dress from Pamala's Pastime. It is so Yacht Club chic. I didn't even know people took the time to knit Barbie dresses anymore and was pretty impressed at how cute it is. I'd love a halter like this for myself!

You can find this dress and others at www.pamalaspastime.etsy.com

The last shop I would like to feature is Munzie's Shop because I just couldn't resist blogging this adorable Barbie play tent with blanket, two pillows and a matching tote bag. How seriously cute is this? And it doesn't have to be used to Barbie. Any other small doll or stuffed animal would be at home inside this tent or traveling with your little one in the matching tote. Barbie really does have everything! You can find this set, as well as others in a whole mix of fabrics at www.munzies.etsy.com

Enjoy, all you Barbie Girls!