Thursday, October 25, 2012
Why not?
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
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
CPSIA CRISIS
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!
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...
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....
Much love. Amanda
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Naner Bread
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.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Its time to be Tuff





Check her out, I know you won't be diappointed!
Monday, September 15, 2008
With a name like world's best....
I used white onions and leeks! But you can use any type of onion you like, or a mixture of all the onions you like. Its your choice!
I served it in coffee mugs with garlic toast and then mozzarella cheese. You can use any cheese you like, though I wouldn't recommend any cheedar. Swiss is the traditional cheese! We had the soup with a salad and pizza made on whole wheat naan bread! It was delicous, and if you on Weight Watchers like me, it was pretty low in points for a lot of food!
I don't really have a recipe, as I guess, but I tried to give you the best guess as to what I did!
Madelyn ofcourse in her new Johnny Jumper and her fancy knee socks! She was watching us eat! Wishing she could eat it!
Monday, September 8, 2008
CLEARANCE SALE!

New Shop for Mama!

Thursday, September 4, 2008
Birthday Surprise!
The website I am featured on!
Happy Birthday to ME!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Fluffy Bum!
My next venture will be to try to make them, I don't think its going to work, and I will be left unsatsified, but I suppose, I can sew, I have a baby, and the internet. We shall see what happens.
Right now in my shop I have all my booties on sale! They are originally $14, now they are $10! Great deal! Its for this week only, in celebration of my birthday, so get them while they are hot!
Well I am off to make 30 bows for a cheerleading squad that is going to involve me getting off the computer and begin heating up the hot glue gun!!
Now to end this on a beautiful note, the cutest fluffy bummed baby in her new dipe! I can picture what she is saying, MOM WHY ARE YOU TAKING MY PICTURE AGAIN!!!!Saturday, August 30, 2008
There is no place like home...
Friday, August 29, 2008
Ahhh my neck hurts!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Feeling Lucky?

Well meet Humphrey! He is my newest creation and a great little blanket/lovey for your little one! I can make this baby beluga in many different shades of minkee as well as add more ribbons along the edge! The possibilities are endless!
So I have been keeping myself busy with a few new projects and ofcourse the polymer clay! I may have not told you aout my dirty addiction to polymer clay, but its really bad. I stay up late making mini chickens and frying pans! I am getting pretty good at it, but I am losing many hours of much needed beauty sleep!
Looking to get lucky? Get your minds out of the gutter, I mean get lucky and win something! KaytieBugs is giving away a custom skirt, just go check out her blog here and follow the instructions! Skirt Giveaway Good Luck Everyone!
Friday, August 8, 2008
I am a little machine...
But it doesn't end there!
Yesterday I was also a machine. I accomplished many projects as well, a tutu and five bows. Go me! Now I wish I could put it all in my shop, but I must wait for light to take pictures tomorrow for completed projects tonight, and I really should span out my uploading on etsy to get the most exposure. I hate waiting.
But a post wouldn't be complete without pictures, so here is a lovely picture that someone at cafemom edited for me. Thats my chubby little turtle girl.

Thursday, August 7, 2008
Sweet Satsification
The product of my labor:

Here it is being used by little lady:

All currently for sale at www.manda5463.etsy.com
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
I made the plunge..
Well here it is. In all its glory. Its plain, its simple, and its dirty. I don't know much about making it pretty so the aesthetics of this beast will have to do.
To get to know me better, I am a 23 year old (almost 24 years old) stay at home married momma. I love my family more than I ever knew I could. My husband is a paramedic, and currently trying to get onto a fire station.
I have a little shop on etsy, where I sell my late night addiction, crafts of all sorts. www.manda5463.etsy.com
This blog will be about that, the late night musings of my addictions, maybe a tutorial, some pictures, and just updates on my life. Who knows, there could be a surprise around the corner!
So welcome, sit back, relax, and enjoy your day.