Thursday, October 25, 2012

Why not?

That is the question at hand. Why not? Why not document the crazy world I currently live in? Why not share how I manage to feed three children with very different food allergies? Why not give a glimpse into the world of allergies and how it's an awful world? So, here I am. I can't think of any answer besides let's do this.

We have been dealing with allergies for about 7 months. Seven months of side way stares. Seven months of doctors appointments. Seven months of rashes, reactions and ointments. Seven of the longest months I have ever experienced. All of my children are anaphylaxis free (knock on wood) but rashes, swelling and belly issues can sure drive any parent or caregiver to drink.

So with that said, I am resurrecting the blog. As you can see it hasn't been used in a very long time. I'll throw in some lovely recipes, a few everyday things and I'm sure I'll rant and rave. I don't care if anyone ever reads, I'm using this to vent and maybe I'll get someone that can share a experience or two with allergies.  As I sip on my tea (the only soy free tea in the house) and type this out... I already feel a little better.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

Thanksgiving Cards from Shutterfly

Stationery card
View the entire collection of cards.
I absolutely adore giving cards for absolutely any reason. I had a coupon code from Shutterfly that was about to expire so I decided to browse the website for some "card-spiration". I haven't done our holiday pictures yet so Christmas cards were not an option. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw these beautiful Thanksgiving cards! We had recently gone to a pumpkin patch and I took these gorgeous pictures of my girls... perfect Thanksgiving themed pictures! Can't wait to get the cards to mail out this Thanksgiving season! 

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

CPSIA CRISIS

As parents and concerned citizens I’m sure most of us at one time or another have been confronted with the question of lead poisoning. But have you asked yourself what your government is doing to protect your children from lead contained in toys? The answer? They're banning toys, taking books from schools and libraries, hurting low income families, killing entrepreneurial spirit and risking putting the economy in an even greater depression than we've seen in decades. I'd like to introduce you to their solution: the CPSIA.

Do you know about the CPSIA? No? Then I ask you to take a few minutes to find out about it.

The CPSIA stands for Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, a new set of laws that will come into effect on 10 February, 2009 and will impact many, many people in a negative way. Make no mistake, this is very real. View it for yourself. If Forbes, the American Library Association and numerous other media are paying attention, perhaps you should too.

How will these new laws affect you? Well, here are a few examples:

To the Parents of Young Students:
Due to the new law, expect to see the cost of school supplies sky rocket. While those paper clips weren't originally intended for your student to use, they will need to be tested now that your 11-year-old needs them for his school project. This law applies to any and all school supplies (textbooks, pencils, crayons, paper, etc.) being used by children under 12.

To the Avid Reader:
Due to the new law, all children's books will be pulled from library and school shelves, as there is no exemption for them. That’s okay though, there's always television. Our children don’t need to learn the love of reading after all.
Article from the American Library Association http://www.wo.ala.org/districtdispatch/?p=1322

To the Lover of All Things Handmade:
Due to the new law, you will now be given a cotton ball and an instruction manual so you can make it yourself since that blanket you originally had your eye on for $50 will now cost you around $1,000 after it's passed testing. It won't even be the one-of-a-kind blanket you were hoping for. Items are destroyed in the testing process making one-of-a-kind items virtually impossible. So that gorgeous hand-knit hat you bought your child this past winter won’t be available next winter.

To the Environmentalist:
Due to the new law, all items in non-compliance will now be dumped into our already overflowing landfills. Imagine not just products from the small business owners, but the Big Box Stores as well. You can't sell it so you must toss it. Or be potentially sued for selling it. You can't even give them away. If you are caught, it is still a violation.

To the Second-Hand Shopper:
Due to the new law, you will now need to spend $20 for that brand new pair of jeans for your 2-year old, rather than shop at the Goodwill for second hand. Many resale shops are eliminating children's items all together to avoid future lawsuits.

To the Entrepreneur:
Due to this new law, you will be forced to adhere to strict testing of your unique products or discontinue to make and/or sell them. Small businesses will be likely to be unable to afford the cost of testing and be forced to close up shop. Due to the current economic state, you'll have to hope for the best when it comes to finding a new job in Corporate America.

To the Antique Toy Collector:
Due to the new law, you'd better start buying now because it's all going to private collection and will no longer be available to purchase. “Because the new rules apply retroactively, toys and clothes already on the shelf will have to be thrown out if they aren't certified as safe.” http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123189645948879745.html

To the American Economy:
Already struggling under an economy that hasn’t been this weak in decades, the American economy will be hit harder with the inevitable loss of jobs and revenues from suppliers, small businesses and consumers. The required testing is far too costly and restrictive for small businesses or individuals to undertake.

To the Worldwide Economy:
Due to this new law, many foreign manufacturers have already pulled out of the US market. You can imagine the impact of this on their businesses.

If you think this is exaggerating, here is a recent article from Forbes
http://www.forbes.com/2009/01/16/cpsia-safety-toys-oped-cx_wo_0116olson.html

And for those of you prepared to be stupefied and boggled, The New Law
http://www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html

Did you know? If this upsets or alarms you, please react.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Giveaways Rock!

Smox and Maggies Rose Garden are having a giveaway at ­ Smox Workshop Blog for a tutu and hair accessories!

What a great way to get your shopping done for the holidays, how about winning something fantastic!

You can always go to ­ SMOX and
­ Maggies Rose Garden to fall in love with all the beautiful products!

Friday, October 24, 2008

I have been seriously slacking...

Just so everyone knows I still have a pulse and still care, here is an update. A few things that have been going on in the wonderful land of Turtle Girl Mama Land.

1. My brother in law got married. That was fun. I say that very lightly.

2. I have two craft shows coming up, that I am very unprepared for, so now I have officially lit the fire under my rump.

3. Madelyn has been sick, and everyone else has too, but she matters the most!

4. WE ARE LOOKING FOR A HOUSE! So when I am not crafting or taking care of a runny nosed baby, we are trekking around Northern Rhode Island looking for our dream house.

So now that you know I am not gone, tell me whats new with the wonderful lives of everyone out there!

Thursday, September 25, 2008

I am still here....

I just have been really busy. I still love everyone out there in the blogging world and I have a few new things to show everyone, but you must wait! I promise it will be soon!

Much love. Amanda

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Naner Bread

Ah, Betsy (Tuff as Snails ) has been talking about Banana Bread for weeks now, she even posted an entry on her ­blog not to long ago. Quite frankly I think she needs a twelve step program for her addiction to Banana Bread, but thats just me!


My husband walked through the door from a interview with a fire station and asked what I was making, when I told him Banana Bread, his eyes lite up like I said I just won the lottery! We love banana bread here, but for some reason bananas rot in her house in like two minutes. Not in the good for making banana bread rot either, more like moldy bug ridden rot. So I stole some bananas from my mom and began the journey to naner bread land!


Well anyways, I was going to try her recipe but didn't have many of the ingredients on there, so I made my own! Fancy I know!


Here is my version, Banana Oatmeal Bread:


1 1/2 cup of All purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oatmeal
3 tablespoons of light brown sugar
1 teaspoon apple pie seasoning (or cinnamon)
2 1/4 teaspoon of baking POWDER (not to be confused with its cousing baking SODA)
1/2 c milk
1/2 applesauce
1 egg
2 very ripe bananas


I used a 8x4 greased loaf pan, but you can really use any square or cupcake pan. Preheat oven to 350 F.


Combine all dry ingredients and mix together very well. In another bowl mix together bananas, egg, milk and applesauce; combine all wet together til semi smooth.


Combine wet into dry. Mix until all incorporated, don't overmix!


Bake for 1 hour, or until golden brown on top, and toothpick comes out clean when in inserted in the middle! Cool on cooling rack or keep in pan, your the boss!

Now ENJOY!

This is a very unsweet bread, so if you like sweetness, it may not be for you. It is a variation on a Weight Watchers recipe. It is worth 3 points if you cut the bread in 7 slices! Its pretty good, just not very sweet. Maybe I should work on making super potent sweet bananas..... stay tuned.