Life is occasionally too busy sometimes

    It has definitely been a very busy month. Between work, school, and spending time with my son it leaves very little time for relaxing. As I've learned over the past 18 months, as a mom you give up relaxing and me time. Instead we replace it with teaching, learning, and experiences. To me it's the greatest trade in the world. As fall is just around the corner I've been spending what little me time I can get on planning fall inspired activities to share with my son. Here are a few relaxing and fun seasonal activities you can do with your kids too: 

P.S. I love edible crafts

Colorful Candy Apples

Melt Jolly Ranchers at 250 degrees for 5 minutes. Pour over apples. 

Add edible glitter for a sparkle effect

Cinnamon-Sugar Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Snack on these sweet, crunchy pumpkin seeds all autumn long. Tossed in sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg and toasted until golden brown, these addictive morsels steal the show on any appetizer table. Get the recipe.

Fall Leaf Prints

Paint the leaves and roll on paper. For detailed instructions click the link above.

Leaf Wreath

Just cut a circle from a cardboard box or use a paper plate. Cut a hole in the middle so it looks like a doughnut. Then get your glue and leafs and start decorating!

I like to watch him sleep

    I think every mom can agree that watching your baby sleep is one of the most peaceful and relaxing things you can do at the end of your day. Their innocence and tenderness just ooze out as you watch that tiny chest rise and fall with each breath and the pacifier shake as they suckle and dream. I always wanted to be a mother, I love children and enjoy teaching them about life. But you're never fully prepared for motherhood until you are thrust into it. They say being a parent is like watching your heart walk around outside your body. Nothing could be closer to the truth.
    My child is my whole world. He is what keeps me going when I feel like giving up, what makes me smile when I want to cry, and who helps me remember patience and understand when all I want to do is scream and shout. At only a year and a half he has already taught me so much. My son relies on me in so many ways, to dress him, feed him, nurture and love on him. I never thought about all the ways I rely on him. He is there for me when I need a hug, when I have knowledge to share, and when I need a smile.
    Being a parent, whether you do it alone or with a spouse, is one of the scariest, hardest, rewarding things you can ever do. From the moment that little human is placed in your arms you become forever changed, a part of you becomes vulnerable and yet that makes you stronger. As a parent you start out facing the battles for your child head on, you are the front line. As they get older you become the coach, the one who teaches them how to fight their own battles and to know what is worth fighting for. Eventually you become the cheerleader, you are no longer giving them the knowledge but now you are behind them cheering them on every step of the way as they make it through the world on their own. Each step is special in it's own way. Each phase of life you grow with your child and you learn things you never learned the first time but this time you see it through their eyes.
    Ever morning I wake up and am still in awe that I have a child, a son, someone so small and amazing. I smile, knowing that I have made the hardest and most rewarding decision in being a parent. I know I'm not a perfect parent, but I think I do it pretty damn well.

Blogging About Buttermilk

I have an unopened quart of buttermilk in the fridge with an impending expiration date. Since I hate to waste I decided to take to Google to find some good recipes that use buttermilk. Here I will share a few that I have found.

Raspberry Buttermilk Pie

Serves 8; The pie can be prepared up to 2 days in advance; 

Ingredients and directions found at Real Simple

Nutritional Information

Calories 480; Fat 29g; Sat Fat 16g; Cholesterol 195mg; Sodium 234mg; Protein 7g; Carbohydrate 51g; Sugar 31g; Fiber 1g; Iron 2mg; Calcium 88mg

Buttermilk Pie

Serves 8

Ingredients and directions found at Food Network

Nutritional Information

Calories 251.1; Total Fat 4.6 g; Cholesterol 106.9 mg; Sodium 61.5 mg; Total Carbs 46.9 g; Dietary Fiber 0.4 g; Protein 6.7 g

Blueberry Buttermilk Pancakes

Makes 16 (4-inch) or 8 (6-inch)

Ingredients and directions found at Chow

Nutritional Information

Serving Size 1 pancake (6") (77 g)

Calories 175; Calories from Fat 64; Total Fat 7.2g; Saturated Fat 1.4g; Polyunsaturated Fat 3.5g; 

Monounsaturated Fat 1.8g; Cholesterol 45mg; Sodium 402mg; Potassium 111.65mg; Carbohydrates 22.1g; 

Dietary Fiber 0g; Sugars 0g; Protein 5.2g; Vitamin A 2%; Vitamin C 1%; Calcium 12%; Iron 7%

Mashed Potatoes With Caramelized Shallots

Serves 6-8

Ingredients and directions found at Real Simple

Nutritional Information

Calories 358; Calories From Fat 40%; Fat 16g; Sat Fat 9g; Cholesterol 41mg; Sodium 164mg; Carbohydrate 48g; Fiber 7g; Sugar 5g; Protein 6g

I hope to be able to try these out very soon, especially since the buttermilk will be expiring in a few days. I also hope that you all will enjoy these recipes too as I have no idea if they taste good or not. Now I am off to bed as I prepare to make the blueberry pancakes for breakfast. Goodnight.

Crafting For My Kid

Today I was feeling a little crafty. Of course my schedule was to busy to create anything. As a mom of a toddler I have to schedule craft time, spontaneity doesn't always fit well. So instead I decided to look up some cute crafts to do. These are crafts for me, as a mom, to make FOR my son. I will post crafts to do WITH my son in my next post.

SOCK DRAGON
Who doesn't want their very own colorful sock dragon? This adorable creature will cuddle your little ones socks off.

Visit Craft Passion for instructions

PILLOW NAP MAT/ PILLOW MATTRESS

Need a nap mat for kindergarten or just something nice for your little one to rest on? Here are two simple DIY mats using already made pillows.

This mat involves the use of pillows and a duvet cover. Sewing machine is very helpful and easy for this project. Instructions found at Southern Disposition

This mat is much simpler and easier for those who might not own a sewing machine. Just take between 3-5 pillow cases and sow them together long side against long side. Then insert pillows. At this point it is optional whether you choose to then sow up the pillow cases completely or leave them open for easy pillow removal. That mostly depends on how you choose to wash the mat and if your washer can handle such a large item.

If you're really lazy and would rather spend a lot of money instead of making it. here is a place you can purchase them online at Great Little Trading Co. (be forewarned this is a European site)

SUPERHERO MASKS

What kid doesn't like to run around serving justice and capturing "bad guys"? Bring out the inner superhero in your little one with these wonderful DIY superhero masks!

You can find templates and instructions here at Cutesy Crafts

Well that's all the crafts I found today. I'm hoping to do at least one or two of them in the near future. When I do I will post pictures and tell you all about how easy/hard it was. Now it is late so I must get my little man into bed before he starts whining because he is so tired. Hope everyone else had a good day and have fun making these awesome crafts!

My first blog post.... Ever

    This is my very first blog, ever. I'm going to keep it short and sweet due to it being so late and I'm so new. Not really sure what I wanted to say tonight just felt compelled to write a blog. Any kind of blog. I'm at a cross-ways in life right now, battling between what I want and what I need. I've never been an openly religious person, I always believed in God and spoke to him often but never much into devoting my life path to him. I've been feeling his pull lately, I know it is him. There will be some difficult decisions and choices I will need to be making very soon in my life. I may or may not write about them at that time, but for now I will revel in the joy of watching my precious baby sleep.Yes, I have a beautiful baby boy. He's almost 1 1/2 and he is my pride and joy.

    I think I will end it here for tonight. I must finish my search for recipes that include buttermilk and then lay my head down and sleep. I may get on tomorrow, I may not post for another month. I'll let you know when it happens. In the mean time, goodnight.