tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39432764024446531872024-03-06T04:10:28.604-05:00Counting On MeShannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-86703995045094110932016-03-28T19:19:00.001-04:002016-04-07T04:45:04.471-04:00Type One to Type None<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gKjZ3cLTi3E" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><a data-pin-color="red" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" data-pin-height="28" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_28.png" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">This is my daughter Kaylin. She is participating in JDRF One Walk™ to raise money that will help improve the lives of millions of people like her living with type 1 diabetes (T1D). T1D is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas stops producing insulin—a hormone essential to turning food into energy. It strikes both children and adults and is unrelated to diet and lifestyle. With T1D there are no days off, and there is no cure – yet. Your support of JDRF can help change that. </span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #cc0000;">By donating to JDRF One Walk today, you can help fund research that impacts the lives of the millions of children, adults, and families challenged by T1D every day. Together, we can create a world without T1D. Thank you.</span><br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Here's a link to her JDRF One Walk Donation Page: http://www2.jdrf.org/site/TR?fr_id=6087&pg=personal&px=10794709</span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08701421166079940954noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-59086627598427114092014-12-03T00:52:00.001-05:002014-12-03T01:09:00.642-05:00I'm a T1D Mom<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>One of the biggest changes in our lives during my blogging hiatus is that Kaylicious was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes or T1D last year on her first day of kindergarten. We've had a lot of learning and adjusting to do, but I'm happy to say that despite having to check her blood sugar 4-10 times per day and inject insulin 5 times a day, my little girl is healthy and thriving! <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81uv2KMQl_kyp58i136LdHNnI25gYqo3hY1wouzF6554cbZ2f1_4OkRa_BUviuxr4YSN2ZBPsYP0dVNvdxqaCMJGddcGUq69ImlKxmxj6_ve2JJ9YM-JYKViPpedZN_7obK7PUThLXP4/s1600/T1DMomsHaveTheSweetestKids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81uv2KMQl_kyp58i136LdHNnI25gYqo3hY1wouzF6554cbZ2f1_4OkRa_BUviuxr4YSN2ZBPsYP0dVNvdxqaCMJGddcGUq69ImlKxmxj6_ve2JJ9YM-JYKViPpedZN_7obK7PUThLXP4/s1600/T1DMomsHaveTheSweetestKids.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T1D Moms have the Sweetest Kids</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
For those of you who are not familiar with Type 1 Diabetes, Riva Greenberg Diabetes advocate, author, speaker and coach gives a very accurate description of day to day life with T1D here: <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/riva-greenberg/type-1-diabetes_b_4869238.html" target="_blank">Type 1 Diabetes Finally Explained</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm85NEOJhgLn9fEAzDIkUoGDicgEtrO_7a9oN9Oje7PJBskpdIOx8aUP68ka143jH2y5gg3I2t43__v5-plQdcvXgykgr7IiefA2CUb6VFxTw-igmkY53P1V5SJJzpWPEueL5sC5B2j3A/s1600/August2013+2013-08-26+-+2013-08-26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm85NEOJhgLn9fEAzDIkUoGDicgEtrO_7a9oN9Oje7PJBskpdIOx8aUP68ka143jH2y5gg3I2t43__v5-plQdcvXgykgr7IiefA2CUb6VFxTw-igmkY53P1V5SJJzpWPEueL5sC5B2j3A/s1600/August2013+2013-08-26+-+2013-08-26.jpg" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 26, 2013 -- Kaylicious's 1st Day of Kindergarten, 1st Ambulance Ride & The Day We Found Out She Has T1D</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Becoming a T1D mom, was and is one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. No mom ever wants to see her child suffer. Knowing that there is no cure for your child's chronic, life-threatening disease can be really overwhelming at times, explaining that and helping your five year old understand and cope with her diagnosis is even harder. To her credit, Kaylicious has been an amazing trooper through all the poking, prodding and diet changes.<br />
<br />
Since Kaylicious's T1D Diagnosis, I have actually worked through <u><b><i>the five stages of grief</i></b></u>:<br />
<ol>
<li><b>Denial</b></li>
<li><b>Anger</b></li>
<li><b>Bargaining</b></li>
<li><b>Depression</b></li>
<li><b>Acceptance</b></li>
</ol>
<div>
I didn't realize this was happening until I hit the Bargaining Stage, where I "what-iffed" myself crazy for a month or so trying to figure out what could have been done differently to avoid having my child get Type 1 Diabetes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We've made a few discoveries along the way that have made treating T1D a little more manageable and helped me get to Stage 5 . . . Acceptance. I'll be sharing some of the T1D tools that have been the most helpful for us in an upcoming post.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Until then, I will leave you with <b>one thought that both gives me hope and makes me grateful</b>. <a href="http://www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/insulin/discovery-insulin.html" target="_blank">Insulin was discovered less than 100 years ago</a>. Prior to that, a diagnosis of Juvenile Diabetes was essentially a death sentence. Today, Type One Diabetics have a life expectancy similar to the general population. T1D can be difficult to manage, but understanding of the disease, treatment methods and technology have come a long way in a short time and are improving everyday.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aMNcL6kCYAyBHQGTMm16RjRIppeJndiXPbFJowgoPsFILJYGy2jCn2YKUHWi4bCrbTsmg3G3-456sM9KlB9JxQAtMlrKVvHJs9yQcfK5VwBqNI04WQRosEwwcDD5rmO4c1YUcom0RvU/s1600/Shannon4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8aMNcL6kCYAyBHQGTMm16RjRIppeJndiXPbFJowgoPsFILJYGy2jCn2YKUHWi4bCrbTsmg3G3-456sM9KlB9JxQAtMlrKVvHJs9yQcfK5VwBqNI04WQRosEwwcDD5rmO4c1YUcom0RvU/s1600/Shannon4.png" height="137" width="320" /></a></div>
<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<a data-pin-color="red" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" data-pin-height="28" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_28.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-86093775153213241222014-11-24T14:55:00.000-05:002014-11-24T15:44:26.144-05:00The Crate's in the MailAs a homeschooling mama, I'm always looking for exciting, inexpensive, educational ideas for my daughters. This morning, I saw a link for <a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">Tinker Crates by Kiwi Crate</a> on one of the homeschooling groups I'm in on Facebook. My girls are way into science experiments and building things, so I decided to give it a try! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj3rtF41c8FfYWD5IESJxFAPBiwY1-FH7XjgXy20zCB3vUkj7mCbCajATpFlVolQ3qi8PUR6vbRImoS-THyPRlgSQXGivqtknUcVP6bgDiTLV-ftq-2atwCdhPnSMHLKA0F4id4ycwHQY/s1600/inside-a-crate-kid.png" height="116" width="400" data-pin-hover="true"/></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDjb0hyo-QUhJ-ikKmTQUGlXFgj_JAuAw6svbUCzY1S7-_M9PLYTJ7ODcJtgNpQ2giH4BRaeW4ANdF4CpowxFwZc4DKCakUuqY_wNtmCtbLZeGEmuQubBEaITZQGHkEQaQc_Nnw55YO8/s1600/c155843cc6aefd6c55413a762b410afe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDjb0hyo-QUhJ-ikKmTQUGlXFgj_JAuAw6svbUCzY1S7-_M9PLYTJ7ODcJtgNpQ2giH4BRaeW4ANdF4CpowxFwZc4DKCakUuqY_wNtmCtbLZeGEmuQubBEaITZQGHkEQaQc_Nnw55YO8/s1600/c155843cc6aefd6c55413a762b410afe.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Tinker Crate inspires kids to explore and learn about science, engineering, and technology—and have fun doing it. Every month, a new crate to help kids develop a tinkering mindset and creative problem solving skills.</blockquote>
<br />
I ordered our first <a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">Tinker Crate</a> for only $9.95 with free shipping! Can't wait for it to arrive! <b>You can get your first crate for $9.95 too</b>, and if you access <a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">Tinker or Kiwi Crate</a> from this <a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">link</a>, I get a $10 credit toward my next crate too: <b><a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">Shannon's Kiwi/Tinker Crate Link</a>.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeN_aHsUEL3EDVMdLkHyNb7hwAx_NvzMZCcAJqC-H07VIRgllkAFuPH0R6HEa3z4vTgVF8qzOCNr7cbNdxx_fzDi2XZZa7vcnBVFrF1ftCUU0b8FBYkxW6faWKfazK8kK2F282ZOeSLEo/s1600/1891042_333538066843393_5008831805945474662_n.png" width="520" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I didn't notice until after I ordered that the suggested age for <a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">Tinker Crates</a> is 9-14+, but with my help I'm sure it'll be fine. Zazu, my five year old, has solved the Rubik's Cube twice now, so maybe she'll be the one helping me and Kaylicious :-) <br />
<br />
<a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">Kiwi Crate</a>, the company that makes <a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">Tinker Crate</a>, also does crates for younger kids, so I may use their <b><a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">MERRYSUB</a> Black Friday Coupon for 60% OFF</b> on Friday and try a <a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">Kiwi Crate</a> for ages 4-8 too.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
With the holidays coming, I've been looking for alternatives to the never ending piles of plastic toys, my kids seem to accumulate. If these kits turn out to be as cool as they look, <a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank">Tinker and Kiwi Crates</a> may be a great holiday gift option! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://tinker.kiwicrate.com/Refer?i=ShannonB43" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OOkBPVGluf-FKokhw-_Siww6oAQkV_j7aKUzc82cakhux5MTqkjye3XU7dXGPMclsVa5SKQaF3nA5l0rW7vJX95b2Ox2id5auVfDapzpmIY1YAYNS_oPA0k6cHQuJCnOJ5h-TkWm18E/s1600/shop-gift-subs.png" width="520" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"><b><i>What kid wouldn't love to get an exciting package of fun in the mail?</i></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9T17wrQyiJfyAs0Em-kFZBZc55XeAjfZ2In2oHq8P3SZDfMrfTO6-Jc-oy4njgTi4SF4LS6GKOHUvTwZpa6HOdZQ2MqNS23I5yrZgIZ1YY6l3sXiT8nNSr8ZeJQZoi5KOyvJU_KQ-_k/s1600/gift-hero-img.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ9T17wrQyiJfyAs0Em-kFZBZc55XeAjfZ2In2oHq8P3SZDfMrfTO6-Jc-oy4njgTi4SF4LS6GKOHUvTwZpa6HOdZQ2MqNS23I5yrZgIZ1YY6l3sXiT8nNSr8ZeJQZoi5KOyvJU_KQ-_k/s1600/gift-hero-img.jpg" width="520" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">I'll be sure to share more, once our first crate arrives! In the mean time, h</span>ave you tried Kiwi Crate or Tinker Crate? What did you think? What did you little ones think? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqzls-ACypBWPaSoTQ4y7IvEt-8tc5S-rCB_Ue1Vyrbgbft_nLR2fn1eqs26zeFGM4mCgcwfHRBthwBlnWdpHcmwnXreFucZa_ot8ielfLNTBNeOEaiJqrmmVrjaIQym_n-BTAQ6mS-w/s1600/Shannon1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlqzls-ACypBWPaSoTQ4y7IvEt-8tc5S-rCB_Ue1Vyrbgbft_nLR2fn1eqs26zeFGM4mCgcwfHRBthwBlnWdpHcmwnXreFucZa_ot8ielfLNTBNeOEaiJqrmmVrjaIQym_n-BTAQ6mS-w/s1600/Shannon1.png" height="85" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
<a href="//www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/" data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" data-pin-color="red" data-pin-height="28"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_red_28.png" /></a>
<!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script type="text/javascript" async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-60588716343813384892014-11-24T11:44:00.005-05:002014-11-24T18:02:58.289-05:00Long Time, No SeeLife has been crazy. Lots of big changes and I haven't blogged regularly in way too long. But I'm home now, home-schooling my daughters, Kaylicious, who is 6, and Zazu, who just turned 5 yesterday. And I'm planning to begin blogging regularly again. My kids are a little older and my life is a little different, but more on that later. Right now, I'm just excited to say I'm back!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsrdSa9bMQqU5lhIuWFbMe6JhGKdBKyztZ0J9TXehDtQgn0RRwip4tDMHll7mSB5S5E1X22_XWaO1QeBOGJ5mIUH3UKDtUEhE_C-efKIgeAJh0FV2TAQbzVIc9sc1BO2EKLo_ZVzcAh4/s1600/Long+Time+No+See+from+Counting+on+Me.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPsrdSa9bMQqU5lhIuWFbMe6JhGKdBKyztZ0J9TXehDtQgn0RRwip4tDMHll7mSB5S5E1X22_XWaO1QeBOGJ5mIUH3UKDtUEhE_C-efKIgeAJh0FV2TAQbzVIc9sc1BO2EKLo_ZVzcAh4/s1600/Long+Time+No+See+from+Counting+on+Me.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Long Time, No See! I've missed you so much! {{{Hugs}}}</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cZAGe5R-DukQI-hfYxkNzo3XErFhNeEON3kWF0DjQ3aRcS2sbhrs6f3QR7H64WT9_vCmEGcDt1hSc89sV073Whhwc2XzMIyL5wsqmUfKXc0NRTd4n1quklAUQuU5XX8ZgLle6tbaIO0/s1600/Shannon1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5cZAGe5R-DukQI-hfYxkNzo3XErFhNeEON3kWF0DjQ3aRcS2sbhrs6f3QR7H64WT9_vCmEGcDt1hSc89sV073Whhwc2XzMIyL5wsqmUfKXc0NRTd4n1quklAUQuU5XX8ZgLle6tbaIO0/s1600/Shannon1.png" height="86" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page -->
<script async="" data-pin-color="red" data-pin-height="28" data-pin-hover="true" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-83593729877818070462014-04-04T18:29:00.000-04:002014-11-24T15:38:20.599-05:00Celtic Tide Creations Hair Clip Give-AwayI love making barrettes and hair clips for my girls. They always turn out cute and that makes me feel really crafty. Plus, it's an inexpensive hobby, I can make bows to match every outfit, and I don't feel terribly pained when my daughters lose them, which they inevitably do. <br />
<br />
<b>Here are a few of the barrettes I've made for Zazu and Kaylicious:</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekbu9E-Iix89mAbTFGdsoRCwequ7vZ1Or4G9xbLE6XtmNC1papeL-xtsUBi4Jlsps1k20Pos1K8oKyIEQin-ePacPEeA0t0C3OQ54rP-6C9-trQ2AcrXeUGflkLM24K8k0nreTORIlo0/s1600/hair+clip+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekbu9E-Iix89mAbTFGdsoRCwequ7vZ1Or4G9xbLE6XtmNC1papeL-xtsUBi4Jlsps1k20Pos1K8oKyIEQin-ePacPEeA0t0C3OQ54rP-6C9-trQ2AcrXeUGflkLM24K8k0nreTORIlo0/s1600/hair+clip+collage.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<br />
<div>
As much as I love my own hair bow creations, I know they don't even begin to compare to the hair accessories produced by the amazing talents on Etsy. Some of the most marvelous hairclips I've come across are actually made by a mom who is local to me. Heather of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/celtictidecreations" target="_blank">Celtic Tide Creations</a> handcrafts the ultimate in adorable ribbon sculpture barrettes!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Check out Her Sweet Colorful Hedgehog Ribbon Sculptures Hair Clips.
</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/79438001/hedgehog-ribbon-sculpture-hair-clip?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgnAAtzN8wJMaNRuRb7w9AbazpyrKrjXspKYTosmBNkVeqIzFcGvT8bZFQNbxzYkq1n-BO624dwBsPYRZO94XWmoP_sq7OBNdXGTfwN9K2COQgrDp04OYFHrdPtWOPNXPcgyvS8aRI3w/s640/1532034_10151852917555686_1408071606_o.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>These Lego Inspired Barrettes Make Me Feel Like Singing </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>"Everything is Awesome!"</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/171247447/lego-inspired-ribbon-sculpture-hair-clip?ref=shop_home_active_7" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-WBaYxDtQL4_mV4y3EAzoq2wnNYS0v1HuH6Q3E7I-J9JoiOiCI4zNmzch-7nQl8iDMlYJUsrRCEsRwBwXVlGazScS0tEZvg4a6yNiCzgPQj7_8HQOgUWKNnSqPQHm8FzKfVfkdMOSk0/s1600/1268776_10151915676740686_1685489951_o.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>And Kermit the Frog Here ... </b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>How could anyone not love Kermie?</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151943280140686&set=a.10150603020520686.391427.85246170685&type=1&theater" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkFdo344Vvz8Omk3NMoCBQ2fsQT-FN23THkPFEELlx_srdCA8xBln-5PotHIaUGGEC4AwMLSgIDdmUHi2YYeIsf-nFJJurvPNgWezW6pkaXnjhAP-fMosoFzDUwJwPonyAjXKm4rwbL0/s1600/48055_10151943057975686_1362349031_n.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
It’s hard for me to even begin to pick a favorite Celtic Tide Creation; I pretty much want every single one of them for my little girls. I just can’t help it. Her hair clips are obnoxiously cute and I’m greedy like that . . . so greedy in fact, that I almost don’t want to share the giveaway Heather’s having right now with all of you, because I've got my fingers crossed that I’ll be the big winner. But if it isn't me who wins, I sure hope it will be a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CountingOnMe" target="_blank">Counting on Me Fan</a>!
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CelticTideCreations?sk=app_228910107186452" target="_blank">Celtic Tide Creations Give-Away</a></u></b></h3>
Right now, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/CelticTideCreations" target="_blank">Celtic Tide Creations</a> is having a Spring Give-away. In honor of Spring, and as a way to say "Thank You!" to all the awesome Celtic Tide fans out there, They’re running a new giveaway! The Winner will receive their choice of an animal hair clip or pin (the pins are great attached to boys hats and book bags!). You may even request a new animal design! You can enter everyday until Thursday April 10th. Here's the link<a href="about:invalid#zClosurez" target="_blank"> http://tinyurl.com/mkrkfu6</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/mkrkfu6" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLoXdGqQG2kJVDFktbtb1Cr3KoOIjfzXbikJhbQNXeNF-2KpFgTSXWU7Ya04vB0OzkOzGyuqzSkU90VoQ0BExK-K1x2-U8FqBK88ek4N4hOlp7Qrbu_z31HEmI4aHwjXhgr8oGczIIpE8/s1600/1973548_10151967309395686_84678631_o.jpg" width="580" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-78522891335147531332013-03-12T18:08:00.000-04:002013-03-12T18:19:25.821-04:00200 Blunt Words for Divorcing Parents<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today, I came across this advice for divorced parents from Judge Michael Hass, a retired Minnesota Judge, and wanted to share. I think this advice could extend to all parents and grandparents. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBqn1_ES4hVY_kNPxq16hFM-2443MjuQq345R9MFK2coZThgQN1uZugPOKFMmvFLwJQC0lKFppMxNbDjJQ5sa8xiIf_Wec8VP7xMJkRq0UdaE8Xabu9Yj2XaLZFy3FEKpgiTLYO9kacc/s1600/206131_3852043853896_2141647612_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFBqn1_ES4hVY_kNPxq16hFM-2443MjuQq345R9MFK2coZThgQN1uZugPOKFMmvFLwJQC0lKFppMxNbDjJQ5sa8xiIf_Wec8VP7xMJkRq0UdaE8Xabu9Yj2XaLZFy3FEKpgiTLYO9kacc/s640/206131_3852043853896_2141647612_n.jpg" width="536" /></a></div>
<br />
<center>
<a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcounting-on-me.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F03%2F200-blunt-words-for-divorcing-parents.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-TbBu_9f_8q0%2FUT-lit5cqEI%2FAAAAAAAAHuU%2FFuoLHEEk8cM%2Fs640%2F206131_3852043853896_2141647612_n.jpg&description=200%20Blunt%20Words%20for%20Divorcing%20Parents"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"Your children have come into this world because of the two of you. Perhaps you two made lousy choices as to whom you decided to be the other parent. If so, that is your problem and your fault. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"No matter what you think of the other party -- or what your family thinks of the other party -- these children are one-half of each of you. Remember that, because every time you tell your child what an 'idiot' his father is, or what a 'fool' his mother is, or how bad the absent parent is, or what terrible things that person has done, you are telling the child half of him is bad. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"That is an unforgivable thing to do to a child. That is not love. That is possession. If you do that to your children, you will destroy them as surely as if you had cut them into pieces, because that is what you are doing to their emotions. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I sincerely hope that you do not do that to your children. Think more about your children and less about yourselves, and make yours a selfless kind of love, not foolish or selfish, or your children will suffer."</div>
</center>
Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-43720637515409315822013-03-08T17:06:00.000-05:002013-03-08T17:24:22.696-05:0065 Books for Three-Year-Olds<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Here's a list of books that are perfect for three-year-olds. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhvM7_kb3opRdas-3bZ_f-fW7xHa0NPGCOh3yNSRQa6tL5lT1SvudsMDjvGCFQNnt9WmqM7MZRCRpVXExpiMWGqEcpRmwtLZouClx1AdIJUlumt5zfx-5tUf4n9v2vadA-JosXfxL4Eo/s1600/Pooh-in-Chair-with-Books.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhvM7_kb3opRdas-3bZ_f-fW7xHa0NPGCOh3yNSRQa6tL5lT1SvudsMDjvGCFQNnt9WmqM7MZRCRpVXExpiMWGqEcpRmwtLZouClx1AdIJUlumt5zfx-5tUf4n9v2vadA-JosXfxL4Eo/s400/Pooh-in-Chair-with-Books.png.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcounting-on-me.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F03%2F65-books-for-three-year-olds.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Drnm5DIANBw%2FUTpezHwtB7I%2FAAAAAAAAHs8%2FKhKtVeb32_k%2Fs400%2FPooh-in-Chair-with-Books.png.jpg&description=65%20Books%20for%20Three-Year-Olds"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Three can be a hard age to pick just the right books. Many
simple board and picture books start to become just a little bit
too babyish, while lots of picture books still have too many words
per page to suit the attention span of toddlers and young preschoolers.
Although there are scores of great children's books out there, there are
also many that lead parents to believe that their own three your old could have
come up with a better story. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The stories on this list are not too
long, not too short and better told than the average three-year-old child's
tale. The list is in alphabetical order which should make them easier to find
in the children's section of most libraries.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I hope you and your little ones enjoy reading
these together!</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></b></div>
</div>
<h2>
<b>65 Stories for 3-Year-Olds</b></h2>
<ol>
<li>Monkey Do! by Allan Ahlberg</li>
<li>Duck in the Truck by Jez Alborough</li>
<li>Babies in the Bayou by Jim Arnosky</li>
<li>When I was King by Linda Ashman</li>
<li>An Orange in January by Diana Hutts Aston</li>
<li>In a Blue Room by Jim Averbeck</li>
<li>Be Gentle with the Dog, Dear! by Matthew J. Baek</li>
<li>Hickory Dickory Dock by Keith Baker</li>
<li>Little House, Little Town by Scott Beck</li>
<li>A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker</li>
<li>And the Train Goes… by William Bee</li>
<li>Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett</li>
<li>Two Little Trains by Margaret Wise Brown</li>
<li>The Dark, Dark Night by M. Christina Butler</li>
<li>If You're Happy & You Know It! by Jane Cabrera</li>
<li>Holly's Red Boots by Francesca Chessa</li>
<li>Sometimes I Like to Curl Up in a Ball by Vicki Churchill</li>
<li>Pigs Love Potatoes by Anika Denise</li>
<li>Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney</li>
<li>Dog's Noisy Day: a Story to Read Aloud by Emma Dodd</li>
<li>Horse by Malachy Doyle</li>
<li>Feathers for Lunch by Lois Ehlert</li>
<li>Knitty Kitty by David Elliott</li>
<li>Bark George by Jules Fieffer</li>
<li>Beetle Bop by Denise Fleming</li>
<li>The Perfect Nest by Catharine Friend</li>
<li>Three Billy Goats Gruff by Paul Galdone</li>
<li>The Most Perfect Spot by Diane Goode</li>
<li>Ginger Bear by Mini Grey</li>
<li>Fall Leaves Fall! by Zoe Hall</li>
<li>Kitten's First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes</li>
<li>A Good Day by Kevin Henkes</li>
<li>It's Moving Day! by Pamela M. Hickman</li>
<li>Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman</li>
<li>Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird</li>
<li>The Seals on the Bus by Lenny Hort</li>
<li>The Doorbell Rang by Pat Hutchins</li>
<li>Help!: a Story of Friendship by Holly Keller</li>
<li>Pearl's New Skates by Holly Keller</li>
<li>Bubble Bath Pirates by Jarrett Krosoczka</li>
<li>Green as a Bean by Karla Kuskin</li>
<li>Albert the Fix-it Man by Janet Lord</li>
<li>Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin</li>
<li>The Mighty Street Sweeper by Patrick H. Moore</li>
<li>Wake Up Engines by Denise Dowling Mortensen</li>
<li>Pillow Pup by Dianne Ochiltree</li>
<li>Bobo and the New Neighbor by Gail Page</li>
<li>Mouse Mess by Linnea Asplind Riley</li>
<li>Looking for a Moose by Phyllis Root</li>
<li>Kids Like Us by Carole Lexa Schaefer</li>
<li>First the Egg by Laura Vaccaro Seeger</li>
<li>Duck on a Bike by David Shannon</li>
<li>The Rain Came Down by David Shannon</li>
<li>The Stray Dog: from a True Story by Reico Sassa by Marc Simont</li>
<li>Gobble Gobble Crash!: a Barnyard Counting Bash by Julie Stiegemeyer</li>
<li>The Monster at the End of this Book
by Jon Stone </li>
<li>Winter Is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer</li>
<li>Big Smelly Bear by Britta Teckentrup</li>
<li>Duck at the Door by Jackie Urbanovic</li>
<li>Apple Farmer Annie by Monica Wellington</li>
<li>Pigeon Wants a Puppy! by Mo Willems</li>
<li>Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson</li>
<li>Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino</li>
<li>Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">How Do Dinosaurs Eat Their Food? by Jane Yolen</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EZpudZSRmAjSiiit3OBDFO-AC63Gzio13yM88OZyyfAxO2Aq90ZQabwHFoBUPzTZMv6sWIIpeThscFmWSX4k_0x_ioVNXFU2-5ibfR4d_9Ncsn1wege_CNRASXJWC3tyO40JAGCI79U/s1600/Pooh-with-Books.png.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1EZpudZSRmAjSiiit3OBDFO-AC63Gzio13yM88OZyyfAxO2Aq90ZQabwHFoBUPzTZMv6sWIIpeThscFmWSX4k_0x_ioVNXFU2-5ibfR4d_9Ncsn1wege_CNRASXJWC3tyO40JAGCI79U/s400/Pooh-with-Books.png.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a data-pin-config="beside" data-pin-do="buttonPin" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcounting-on-me.blogspot.com%2F2013%2F03%2F65-books-for-three-year-olds.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Wcl_WGisvpM%2FUTpe7Jw9XSI%2FAAAAAAAAHtE%2FQ-B1lvd24Do%2Fs400%2FPooh-with-Books.png.jpg&description=65%20Books%20for%203-Year-Olds"><img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pin_it_button.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-size: x-large;">"There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world.
Love of books is the best of all." Jacqueline Kennedy</i></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
</div>
Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-81575809590289028942012-12-18T23:00:00.001-05:002012-12-18T23:04:58.249-05:00Organic Grapefruit Body ScrubI made homemade citrus body scrubs to give this Christmas. This was my first attempt at making my own body scrub, and I love how it turned out.<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cxxmxyCH9fD8JggeP0we4irlRBN13BBMIU9enLbeKXjcICmSdhG5Z4Xl6gN3Zy7ARd07db_Ei635QYwHoyZ1KQq9TVrLns6c4XtFryfXZdn2XwuudzGjkDoll9abcV_RjPLPaD1bHLI/s1600/December+2012+050.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cxxmxyCH9fD8JggeP0we4irlRBN13BBMIU9enLbeKXjcICmSdhG5Z4Xl6gN3Zy7ARd07db_Ei635QYwHoyZ1KQq9TVrLns6c4XtFryfXZdn2XwuudzGjkDoll9abcV_RjPLPaD1bHLI/s400/December+2012+050.JPG" /></a><br />
<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcounting-on-me.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F12%2Forganic-grapefruit-body-scrub.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F2.bp.blogspot.com%2F-tl452sCx0mU%2FUM6ZKy3yb_I%2FAAAAAAAAHrM%2Fk_t1HSj9Ba0%2Fs400%2FDecember%252B2012%252B050.JPG&description=DIY%20Organic%20Grapefruit%20Body%20Scrub%20Tutorial--%20Great%20Gift%20Idea!"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<h2>
<b>The Recipe:</b></h2>
<div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Organic Grapefruit Body Scrub</i></span></u></b></h4>
</div>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div>
<b>Ingredients:</b></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
3 cups <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FL08AG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000FL08AG&linkCode=as2&tag=coonme-20">Organic Turbinado Raw Cane Sugar</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=coonme-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000FL08AG" /><br />
3/4 cup <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0042PB70Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0042PB70Q&linkCode=as2&tag=coonme-20">Organic Sunflower Oil</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=coonme-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0042PB70Q" style="border: currentColor !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
<a href="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=coonme-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004NTCE1M"></a>2 tbsp <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NTCE1M/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004NTCE1M&linkCode=as2&tag=coonme-20">Organic Coconut Oil</a><a href="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=coonme-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004NTCE1M" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a><br />
2 tbsp <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bathbody/body.html" target="_blank">Organic Aloe Vera Gel</a><br />
40 drops <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/aroma/f-l.html" target="_blank">Organic Grapefruit Essential Oil</a>*<br />
10 drops <a href="http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/aroma/m-p.html" target="_blank">Organic Sweet Orange Essential Oil</a>*<br />
*It took more essential oil than I expected to get the desired scent. Next time, I may try a tablespoon or two of grapefruit in lieu of about half of the drops of essential oils<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSGGk5LYKq2kimtH2j0_YXkEX-Jb0SewpM3O74eWjgH-RW-FRU4MAHEmhCEcCbRomwvjKhbPveyAeEYC2UtP_z5dl2pEpOqC0gXIslVV6XRPEFr8Nc2QKPIXMxWCD6NurrO8jmgS_7Eo/s1600/mountainroseherbs.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCSGGk5LYKq2kimtH2j0_YXkEX-Jb0SewpM3O74eWjgH-RW-FRU4MAHEmhCEcCbRomwvjKhbPveyAeEYC2UtP_z5dl2pEpOqC0gXIslVV6XRPEFr8Nc2QKPIXMxWCD6NurrO8jmgS_7Eo/s1600/mountainroseherbs.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h3>
Mountain Rose Herbs is my go to source for organic essential oils.</h3>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Directions:</b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Blend all ingredients thoroughly. I used a food processor to blend mine.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<h2>
<b>The Packaging:</b></h2>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b>5 <a href="http://www.specialtybottle.com/ecomasontaperedglassjar4ozwsilverlid.aspx">4-Oz Jars</a> </b>-- The recipe above makes enough to fill all five jars plus little bit left over for you to sample.<br />
<b>5 <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FKRZ0A/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B008FKRZ0A&linkCode=as2&tag=coonme-20">Avery Print -To-The-Edge Round Labels, Glossy White (22830)</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=coonme-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B008FKRZ0A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </b><br />
<ul>
<li>These labels are the perfect fit for the jars above.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I used the <a href="http://www.avery.com/avery/en_us/Templates-%26-Software/Software/Avery-Design--Print-Online.htm?int_id=quicklinks-dpo">Avery Design & Print Online Program</a> to create my labels and absolutely loved how easy it was to get beautiful, professional-looking results!</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<h2>
The End Result:</h2>
<div>
I couldn't be more pleased with these homemade gifts. In fact, I wish I had ordered more of the 4 Ounce Eco Jars. I think these not only make great Christmas presents, but would be great to keep on hand year-round for whenever you need a little thank you gift, hostess gift, etc. </div>
</div>
</div>
Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-73565507912333987612012-11-27T18:31:00.001-05:002012-11-27T18:33:35.681-05:00Home-made Christmas: Baking Soda Clay Ornaments<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EQLzBcPNh3YRJ6HvNw09zDA5CzVbaTwpY_lQlAELWBeMLwAvvYNxgqMUWWstqOCNoHMSsLu0p2dHDciW59SHMqhEwM7d769CNsdVioKDJ_sZZSwIe0M2jnRv9pVlY1Iy2pAVaOcgTAE/s1600/IMG_3308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7EQLzBcPNh3YRJ6HvNw09zDA5CzVbaTwpY_lQlAELWBeMLwAvvYNxgqMUWWstqOCNoHMSsLu0p2dHDciW59SHMqhEwM7d769CNsdVioKDJ_sZZSwIe0M2jnRv9pVlY1Iy2pAVaOcgTAE/s400/IMG_3308.jpg" width="400" /></a>Just saw these baking soda clay ornaments on <a href="http://playathomemom3.blogspot.com/2012/11/baking-soda-clay-ornaments.html?spref=bl">Play At Home Mom LLC</a> and can't wait to try them with Zazu and Kaylicious! <br />
<br />
We made <u>ALL</u> of our Christmas ornaments last year, and I'm looking forward to doing it again this year. Making the ornaments for our tree as a family was such a fun way to spend quality time with my little girls, get into the holiday spirit, and save my carefully chosen and collected "fancy" ornaments for years to come when my daughters can tell the difference between blown glass, crystal, fine china, porcelain and <i>toys</i>. It was so much fun and really helped decrease my holiday stress level. I will post photos of our own baking soda ornaments ASAP.<br />
<br />Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-36509347022537213292012-06-21T20:51:00.000-04:002012-06-21T20:52:25.215-04:001,028,460 and Counting!<b>That's more than a million page views!</b> When I started this blog, on my birthday last year, I would have been excited if a couple thousand people viewed it. As a matter fact I was. I was so ecstatic when I realized at the beginning of June 2011, just a few weeks after I began Counting on Me, that 1700+ people had already visited that I could hardly contain myself. I phoned both my husband and a few close friends to share my amazement that so many people were checking out my simple little blog. Fast forward a year and multiply that excitement by about a zillion and you'll know how overwhelmingly pleased I am with a more than million pageviews! Thank you all for visiting! I hope you'll keep coming back!<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHOxbHiwSQ0ucGcrSXFesFlOBl_hPoLnrevbQshXunZJSmQzsNtNCrbh2QmHt0gziKnzeqWOkA3BtCMdGLExoq-BxvtpN-Q6DTNF7rNlOEiG2JCad-qDmxr4ltns3-zNxjDLN3dH7RbE/s1600/Blogger++Counting+On+Me+++Overview+stats.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHOxbHiwSQ0ucGcrSXFesFlOBl_hPoLnrevbQshXunZJSmQzsNtNCrbh2QmHt0gziKnzeqWOkA3BtCMdGLExoq-BxvtpN-Q6DTNF7rNlOEiG2JCad-qDmxr4ltns3-zNxjDLN3dH7RbE/s400/Blogger++Counting+On+Me+++Overview+stats.png" width="510" /></a>
</div>
<b>A million plus pageviews! </b> Trying to fathom all those visitors, all the times something caught someone's eye and they clicked through to my little blog, all the times that had to happen to add up to be more than a million pageviews, I'm truly amazed! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-10308339943203034642012-05-13T16:54:00.002-04:002012-05-13T17:01:50.435-04:00Happy Mother's Day -- Free PrintableI love this quote from Agatha Christie:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>“A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>It knows no law, no pity. It dares all things and </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path.” </i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Happy Mother's Day to All My Mommy Fans! </b></div>
<br />
<b>Here's a free printable made by me for you:</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1CbAOysABXhlrS5bIh2wZd_L9LclQRUvqpz1ZI4J3C2k6Alu8ZCinQY_3xv0XuJ_hzi4oPIOhwTxcIdSEj10fpaqquB306bHiPYIuMjaiwvJu1f4PHTtkpVrsGsGqqs3yhocQ4oY5YE/s1600/A-Mother's-Love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1CbAOysABXhlrS5bIh2wZd_L9LclQRUvqpz1ZI4J3C2k6Alu8ZCinQY_3xv0XuJ_hzi4oPIOhwTxcIdSEj10fpaqquB306bHiPYIuMjaiwvJu1f4PHTtkpVrsGsGqqs3yhocQ4oY5YE/s400/A-Mother's-Love.png" width="530" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcounting-on-me.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F05%2Fhappy-mothers-day-free-printable.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-KGgVyspWNYQ%2FT7Ab6HJtFJI%2FAAAAAAAAHTs%2FJPyd7QLvJek%2Fs400%2FA-Mother's-Love.png&description=Free%20Mother's%20Day%20Printable%3A%20%E2%80%9CA%20mother's%20love%20for%20her%20child%20is%20like%20nothing%20else%20in%20the%20world.%20%20It%20knows%20no%20law%2C%20no%20pity.%20It%20dares%20all%20things%20and%20%20crushes%20down%20remorselessly%20all%20that%20stands%20in%20its%20path.%E2%80%9D%20--%20Agatha%20Christie" class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a>
<br>
Left Click on the Image to View Full Size and Print.</br>
<div class="shr_classic shareaholic-show-on-load">
</div>
<script type="text/javascript">
var SHRCB_Settings = {"shr_classic":{"size":32,"link":"","service":"5,7,313,309,78,304,88","apikey":"2fc518bd8c0bb3cf45bdade11877971c1","shortener":"bitly","shortener_key":"","designer_toolTips":true,"twitter_template":"${title} - ${short_link} via @Shareaholic"}};
var SHRSB_Globals = {"perfoption":"1"};
</script>
<script type="text/javascript">
(function() {
var sb = document.createElement("script"); sb.type = "text/javascript";sb.async = true;
sb.src = ("https:" == document.location.protocol ? "https://dtym7iokkjlif.cloudfront.net" : "http://cdn.shareaholic.com") + "/media/js/jquery.shareaholic-publishers-cb.min.js";
var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(sb, s);
})();
</script>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<h2>
Related Posts:</h2>
<div>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://mamahealthnut.blogspot.com/2012/05/i-am-mom-enough.html" target="_blank">I Am Mom Enough</a> (mamahealthnut.blogspot.com)</li>
<li><a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2012/04/101-things-to-do-with-your-toddler-free.html">101 Things to Do With Your Toddler </a>(counting-on-me.blogspot.com)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<script type="text/javascript" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-14765393909257625442012-04-22T15:38:00.000-04:002013-05-24T20:47:35.182-04:00Earth Day 2012<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG4vG7HRg16cCMFc0K5ALY6vJ1kUF9Il-a-PS-bEYuwIKidR72gHw0jkmLd-BuwWnjbThVpLl9Z6GJNYXtFfS3vU1g_zeHUcOW5IpT1NAid7B4Er8-ookD0S9XXC22ptW3saS7JDaTTw/s1600/earth-day-2012-counting+on+me.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJG4vG7HRg16cCMFc0K5ALY6vJ1kUF9Il-a-PS-bEYuwIKidR72gHw0jkmLd-BuwWnjbThVpLl9Z6GJNYXtFfS3vU1g_zeHUcOW5IpT1NAid7B4Er8-ookD0S9XXC22ptW3saS7JDaTTw/s400/earth-day-2012-counting+on+me.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large; font-weight: normal;">Happy Earth Day! </span></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: xx-small;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span>I love infographics and the one below from <a href="http://www.recyclebank.com/referafriend/?___store=us&bl=c2hhbm5vbmJyZW5uYW5AY29tY2FzdC5uZXQ=&utm_campaign=Refer-a-friend&utm_medium=direct%20link&utm_source=B3750812&cm_mmc=Refer-a-friend-_-direct%20link-_-B3750812-_-referral" target="_blank"><b>Recyclebank</b></a> is perfect for today! </div>
</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">Share Responsibility for the Planet</span></b></h2>
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;">Create a network effect on the environment with small changes to your everyday behavior --<i> Let's take going green viral!</i></span></b></h4>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b>Fill a Pool:</b> If all Facebook users shortened their showers by 1 minute we'd save enough water to fill 1,123,364 Olympic-sized swimming pools </li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b>Pin Your Green Idea:</b> If every active Pinterest user pinned one reuse idea per month, there would be 12 million new green ideas on the web</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b>Power Down:</b> If all Twitter users shut down their computers for one hour, it'd be like taking 9,128 cars off the road for a year</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b>Up your Eco-IQ:</b> If you set aside just two minutes a day to watching an environmental video, you'd set aside 12 hours a year to improve your eco-knowledge</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b>Donate to Illuminate:</b> If every smart phone was recycled at the end of its life, enough energy would be saved to power 199,800 homes for one year.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;"><b>Hit the Pavement:</b> If all Nike+ app users ran outside for just one day instead of on a treadmill $442,500 could be saved on electricity bills. </li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoaUmPYxBMOiQ2JL354hBP4ZbLTZaJRdLx84h69Q4Ta_k-Uw9sIz3Ev8mWXmMHxR-sm8M2Tz8jOML2KaBcdk6f_vNUHJkh6LmRHSx0VvguXbT92kKLiqRwqHk7RZOcP6LZkZb5bKb0dQ/s1600/infographic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Share Responsibility for the Planet Recyclebank Infographic" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFoaUmPYxBMOiQ2JL354hBP4ZbLTZaJRdLx84h69Q4Ta_k-Uw9sIz3Ev8mWXmMHxR-sm8M2Tz8jOML2KaBcdk6f_vNUHJkh6LmRHSx0VvguXbT92kKLiqRwqHk7RZOcP6LZkZb5bKb0dQ/s640/infographic.jpg" title="" width="475" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-6015262268054756822012-04-06T16:40:00.001-04:002012-04-22T18:34:58.891-04:00101 Things to Do With Your Toddler Free PrintableWith 656,004 page views to date, my <a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/05/101-things-to-do-with-your-toddler.html" target="_blank">101 Things to Do With Your Toddler</a> post has been one of my most popular. I've made it my goal to do everything on the list with my daughters this year. Little by little, we've been checking them off. Some of them have been a big hit, and we've done them many times already.
<br />
<br />
If you'd like to try to do all of these activities with your toddler or preschooler, I've made a <a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9OdHGlKCGHFZHRwdDZ2ZExRZU9hd1FobFc4SllVUQ" target="_blank">free printable checklist</a> to make it easier. Click the link or the chalkboard image below to open and print the printer-friendly checklist.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9OdHGlKCGHFZHRwdDZ2ZExRZU9hd1FobFc4SllVUQ" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">101 Things to do With Your Toddler Free Printable Checklist!</span></a></h2>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9OdHGlKCGHFZHRwdDZ2ZExRZU9hd1FobFc4SllVUQ" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="237px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZtEvPWWHAF5x2EQ7iOA5zPZHczgoBDRhJADx7rzROu00cVUzcldxhDweU-9DZQZsFCYzdBOA8FHo2GY-pMU65kgDZyWN9VJqmxLKHaXwv4lKCit-3bBKGHWzjtXPw8ZryPqp4Sj_fQ5Q/s400/ShabbyBlogsCBFreebie.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="pin-it-button" count-layout="horizontal" href="http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcounting-on-me.blogspot.com%2F2012%2F04%2F101-things-to-do-with-your-toddler-free.html&media=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-39O5UfIbpTw%2FT39OQD0rAEI%2FAAAAAAAAG7M%2Fs2agm42JV3I%2Fs400%2FShabbyBlogsCBFreebie.jpg&description=101%20Things%20to%20Do%20With%20Your%20Toddler%20Free%20Printable%20Checklist%20from%20Counting%20on%20Me%20--%20Lots%20of%20Great%20Activities%20for%20the%20Kids!"><img border="0" src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/PinExt.png" title="Pin It" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/p/places-i-share.html" target="_blank">Click Here to See Blogs Where I Like to Share</a></div>
<script src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript">
</script>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-27566644889250535912012-04-05T14:14:00.000-04:002012-04-05T14:14:35.779-04:00No More Sippy Cups<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">I cannot wait for Kaylicious' and Zazu's new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RJ8BGK/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=coonme-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B004RJ8BGK&adid=051KWKTAKJ8HYTXS6DQR" target="_blank"><b>Klean Kanteens</b></a> to arrive, so I can get rid off all this plastic nonsense. </span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbZOJRwZLFH_aJLMjjJsrqQ2yKDnEOJNADu0XmaO9ibuAIgKnaHoR0RFXAVgSkn5Ee_3O_YzCyOUi2w9g5nbFBGm3xrvbsdDDuqn0IbuEYOPfo8W-tl2ZTD7bfSgQc3sDfL-XlCEefYo/s1600/April+2012+001.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzbZOJRwZLFH_aJLMjjJsrqQ2yKDnEOJNADu0XmaO9ibuAIgKnaHoR0RFXAVgSkn5Ee_3O_YzCyOUi2w9g5nbFBGm3xrvbsdDDuqn0IbuEYOPfo8W-tl2ZTD7bfSgQc3sDfL-XlCEefYo/s400/April+2012+001.JPG" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
One of my Green Goals is to do away with toxic-leaching plastics in our home. I ordered two <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RJ8BGK/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=coonme-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B004RJ8BGK&adid=051KWKTAKJ8HYTXS6DQR" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Klean Kanteen Sets</a> for my daughters to replace all these sippy cups. I know the Klean Kanteens are going to being an environmentally friendly alternative that will make me very happy. I won't just be happy because they are healthier for my daughters and our planet, but because I hate dealing with all those different plastic cups and their ridiculous mismatched (nothing is universal on these cups) spouts, lids, three-piece straws, etc!!!</div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Kaylicious chose the Solar Yellow. Not surprising, since yellow is her favorite color. Zazu chose the Prevention Purple for herself. The ones we ordered come with both the sippy lids and the sport bottle caps, so they will grow with the girls. Our <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RJ8BGK/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=coonme-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B004RJ8BGK&adid=051KWKTAKJ8HYTXS6DQR" target="_blank">Klean Kanteen Sets</a><span style="text-align: center;"> shipped yesterday, so hopefully they should be arriving soon!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RJ8BGK/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=coonme-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B004RJ8BGK&adid=1F4H2W253X97KHW6EFMY" target="_blank"><br /><img alt="Klean Kanteen Solar Yellow" border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71fgvPwTpjL._AA1500_.jpg" title="Klean Kanteen Solar Yellow" width="200" /></a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004RJ6J6O/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=coonme-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=B004RJ6J6O&adid=0VNT72JHG43EWV107SMP" target="_blank"><img alt="Klean Kanteen Prevention Purple" border="0" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71vpS8KJBoL._AA1500_.jpg" title="Klean Kanteen Prevention Purple" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Klean Kanteen is an awesome green company devoted to doing what's best for their customers' health, their employees and suppliers, and our environment. I love when I find a company from whom I can truly feel good buying. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;">Do you have Klean Kanteens at your house? Are you using plastic sippy cups and bottles or greener, healthier alternatives? </b><b style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;">Are your kids' cups and bottles BPA and phthalate free? Are yours? </b><b style="color: #38761d; text-align: center;"><b>Leave me a comment telling me what you're using and why.</b></b></div>
<div class="zemanta-related" style="margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;">
<h4 class="zemanta-related-title">
Related articles</h4>
<ul class="zemanta-article-ul" style="clear: left;">
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://mamahealthnut.blogspot.com/2012/04/klean-kanteen.html" target="_blank">Klean Kanteen</a> (mamahealthnut.blogspot.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/08/muffin-tin-monday.html" target="_blank">Muffin Tin Monday</a> (counting-on-me.blogspot.com)</li>
<li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://mamahealthnut.blogspot.com/2012/04/hungry-for-change.html" target="_blank">Hungry for Change</a> (mamahealthnut.blogspot.com)</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_c.png?x-id=c6c54e8e-616e-40fc-bd49-525b916592e3" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-49275170286947778282012-02-02T20:57:00.000-05:002012-02-03T00:07:43.331-05:00Happy Groundhog Day 2012!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/58828338852350430/" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="169" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/27443878949135089_wXrpUFkr_c.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://luckymecraftsandkids.blogspot.com/search/label/Groundhog%27s%20Day%20craft">luckymecraftsandkids.blogspot.com</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://pinterest.com/shannonbrennan/" target="_blank">Shannon</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Happy Groundhog Day! Here in Maryland, we've been having a mild winter, so when our favorite weather forcasting rodent, Punxetawny Phil, predicted 6 more weeks of winter, I assured myself that I can definitely handle six more weeks of this. It was sunny and an atypical 70 degrees here yesterday. I even wore flip-flops!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To celebrate, the girls and I made these adorable Heart Groundhogs. I saw them on Pinterest late last night and knew we would be whipping some of these cuties up today. I love how both groundhogs and hearts are incorporated, making it a perfect February craft.<br />
<br />
I've been a little under the weather lately, so I was happy to find a simple craft to do with the girls that didn't require me to venture out for supplies. To make it more uniform and easier to cut out the various hearts needed for this project, I printed the hearts right on the paper and then cut them. Here's the template I made for myself:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B9OdHGlKCGHFOTgzMTUyZTktNjM4OS00MzgyLTk0OGMtMmQzMTAzOTk1ZWM1" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Heart Groundhog Craft Free Printable Template</span></a></b><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
The template makes two groundhog crafts. You'll only need a few other supplies:</div>
</div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><b>1 sheet of white paper</b> </li>
<li><b>2 sheets of brown paper </b>(Tan, gray, red or pink would work just fine too.)</li>
<li><b>scissors</b> -- My little ones are 2 and 3, so I did all the cutting in advance, while they donned their party hats and princess costumes in anticipation of Groundhog Day Craft Festivities. (See photos below). </li>
<li><b>glue sticks</b></li>
<li><b>4 googly eyes</b> -- In a pinch, you could easily let the kids color the eyes on instead.</li>
<li><b>Optional: Tape</b> -- We taped our Groundhog's ears on from the back.<b> Several pipe cleaners in a neutral color --</b> We used strips of white paper, but if I could have found some pipe cleaners around my house that weren't red and pink, I probably would have let the girls use those for whiskers. </li>
</ul>
<div>
Here's Princess Zazu showing off her groundhog and her fine fashion sense:</div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4T2TxMURiN4JXhsrnXoEqbbSrc4SfK0pj2M2nnGTyKyUHHe6d-61BKjC1Q_HFXP1EDIyJlGsRAFpH9VYZ1lwmBo7mQRaEdHGbiZLO_6UeLkY2SAeheKgh-lBAbCzE1-_cFukweP_Mt8/s1600/January+2012+026+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4T2TxMURiN4JXhsrnXoEqbbSrc4SfK0pj2M2nnGTyKyUHHe6d-61BKjC1Q_HFXP1EDIyJlGsRAFpH9VYZ1lwmBo7mQRaEdHGbiZLO_6UeLkY2SAeheKgh-lBAbCzE1-_cFukweP_Mt8/s400/January+2012+026+copy.jpg" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Here she is again admiring her royal craftiness:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLvxFj9jC3VPYxTCrsw0Y_NR4fZ7F1vd0oc1QSGen6kGEywkD2KHkjF5-NPRpan2OylvkKAath2DNWBZxV1qsDA8xM4y1i4FRKUTOkGGndqMrPvQcY1_gRkPzQst00PVUBr11H4Dm9Ck/s1600/January+2012+020.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLvxFj9jC3VPYxTCrsw0Y_NR4fZ7F1vd0oc1QSGen6kGEywkD2KHkjF5-NPRpan2OylvkKAath2DNWBZxV1qsDA8xM4y1i4FRKUTOkGGndqMrPvQcY1_gRkPzQst00PVUBr11H4Dm9Ck/s400/January+2012+020.JPG" /></a>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
And here, Kaylicious shows off her groundhog while sporting a Hello Kitty Party Hat!<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCDcCHQHKTV0zxcX090ULI-riq3ZGDqSHWQSAgIb3sdosO1xCP-VSxxeO9M1Knqie_3udTtnRbxSbvYjIBCcSllSOCEnGM8qCOsKSbpXdTu1IBWnQrI_RuXqFc-T7nxne657Na3LfuUQ/s1600/January+2012+031+copy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdCDcCHQHKTV0zxcX090ULI-riq3ZGDqSHWQSAgIb3sdosO1xCP-VSxxeO9M1Knqie_3udTtnRbxSbvYjIBCcSllSOCEnGM8qCOsKSbpXdTu1IBWnQrI_RuXqFc-T7nxne657Na3LfuUQ/s400/January+2012+031+copy.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>Happy Groundhog's Day, My Friends! We're wishing you beautiful weather wherever you are!</b></div>
</div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-1168786723153628292012-01-15T22:11:00.000-05:002012-01-15T22:23:21.691-05:00Organic Beer & Wine?<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<h3 style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 9.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I was both intrigued and inspired by Ridge Organics’ post “</span><a href="http://ridgeorganics.blogspot.com/2012/01/is-organic-alcohol-hangover-proof.html" target="_blank">Is Organic alcohol hangover proof?</a><span style="font-weight: normal;">” For me
the bigger question is why the notion of organic beer and wine never crossed my
mind previously? Regardless of whether
organic beer or wine is less likely than its conventional counterpart to leave
you with a hangover or the much dreaded wine flu, organic beer and wine are
surely healthier for you than those tainted with pesticides, fertilizers and
other toxins. <o:p></o:p></span></span></h3>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU0dJWis8EMCP0Mxc0920SI4Y21pxEgR2xZUCG_AJUB569SxwEsVZQzGu0AIttE2LfoxUBHhSh4-LUfS2cmGEoiCfxSnXFdbcbKYwTSWs3ea3EF3W5ZOgA7ql38Zy1z3_39kIH9hYfTI/s1600/Shannon+and+Colin+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU0dJWis8EMCP0Mxc0920SI4Y21pxEgR2xZUCG_AJUB569SxwEsVZQzGu0AIttE2LfoxUBHhSh4-LUfS2cmGEoiCfxSnXFdbcbKYwTSWs3ea3EF3W5ZOgA7ql38Zy1z3_39kIH9hYfTI/s400/Shannon+and+Colin+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Count & I Enjoying Some Locally Brewed Beers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4g57wFIylFsSd2ELTYHxS-IMGIitHmW5s7PFM23ApCluMUm2HWAf3pAKPrJyd7BubREwAPRlDmBUoEtSLRDHebcSwqIdyFu9OcjArZYVn0anHU7R060sBQXdXf2GQcThnZZXcC0gVYwM/s1600/MySpace6.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4g57wFIylFsSd2ELTYHxS-IMGIitHmW5s7PFM23ApCluMUm2HWAf3pAKPrJyd7BubREwAPRlDmBUoEtSLRDHebcSwqIdyFu9OcjArZYVn0anHU7R060sBQXdXf2GQcThnZZXcC0gVYwM/s200/MySpace6.jpg" width="173" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some Occasions Really Could <br />Use a Hangover Proof Option!</span><br />
(or possibly a tad more moderation <br />
than this crazy couple is exhibiting here <span style="font-size: 15px;">:-) </span> <span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The Count and I are definite beer fans. We love sampling
different craft beers, and The Count began brewing his own beer at home last
year. I am not sure why I never thought about organic beer before, since I
stress about the contamination and impurities in so many other things in our
lives on a daily basis. I have not noticed organic beer being sold here
locally, but that may just be a complete oversight on my part. I am definitely going to have to check into
it, and The Count is looking into buying organic supplies for his next batch of
home-brew.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Have you tried organic beer, wine or liquor? Do you have any favorites that you would recommend? Have you noticed any less after effects from drinking organic beer, wine or alcohol?</b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-88755422277987894422012-01-01T19:47:00.000-05:002012-01-01T19:47:41.778-05:00Homemade Christmas OrnamentsHappy New Year! As we start 2012, I know many of you are taking down and putting away your Christmas decor today or planning to do so in the next week or so. This year we did all homemade Christmas Ornaments and the "Un-Christmasing" at our house, something I usually dread, was so quick and easy. Here's what we did: <br />
<br />
<b>Our Adventure in Homemade Christmas Tree Trimming</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqPzlnDXtBvm4rmCgKoqscxr0uNQBY6iI6PGFPD3y4PfpWZloPz7XKRsESsgH6Ru9zvO9wKAFSLWaY0fEb3lk1S-NIbWpkQ1LGThdtL3cDgR4qMs0y0AP-J4zTHiFWERHe_BCcc2_BAY/s1600/December+2011+050+copy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqPzlnDXtBvm4rmCgKoqscxr0uNQBY6iI6PGFPD3y4PfpWZloPz7XKRsESsgH6Ru9zvO9wKAFSLWaY0fEb3lk1S-NIbWpkQ1LGThdtL3cDgR4qMs0y0AP-J4zTHiFWERHe_BCcc2_BAY/s400/December+2011+050+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I have a large box full of painstakingly wrapped and stored Christmas ornaments carefully chosen and collected over the last twenty five plus years. I love those ornaments, but since having children, I have found that they bring me more stress and aggravation than joy. Getting them out and placing them perfectly on our tree, only to have my fragile little treasures ripped off the branches and thrown into a bucket of Little People or jammed into Elmo's mailbox is nerve-wracking for me.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXY9UZFMkzpjgUrqi6DbR8AyJ0xrMvA0Omj9QPPvTnVkELRwRtYQPV0q5t_vDjbuixLFVAB0KVuq-g-LvZRZlpLzkLJ7m9vpVLsSCd34BJ_ANe-eIT4P12DNiO_IhFbZzu8ABe6qv-4Y/s1600/December+2011+058+copy+copy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzXY9UZFMkzpjgUrqi6DbR8AyJ0xrMvA0Omj9QPPvTnVkELRwRtYQPV0q5t_vDjbuixLFVAB0KVuq-g-LvZRZlpLzkLJ7m9vpVLsSCd34BJ_ANe-eIT4P12DNiO_IhFbZzu8ABe6qv-4Y/s400/December+2011+058+copy+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a>Seeing baubles I have saved for years and years carelessly tossed about or crushed by excited two and three year old hands, is not something I wanted to have to deal with this holiday season. I also didn’t want to have to play "Christmas Tree Nazi" guarding and hovering over the tree, putting an ugly play-yard gate around it, only putting my favorite "grown up" ornaments on the upper branches of the tree where curious little hands can't reach and/or never allowing my little ones to help decorate or touch the tree. With hopes of making Christmas decorating simpler, more fun and more of a family affair, The Count and I decided that this year we would forgo our tradition tree trimmings for all home-made ornaments.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT4Ds39pWyH9Cma_kaoBvvqsGVMqnwLoJQgWVjD0mrPcjYt5nHS6YAyoXZ8wKVe1sHzv1-4dBPFm6tZcunaZDEPvHrvTiUhKPVzh_b2N2nlWF3xW6xfjia2BsnZjY7Rui8Gi48N-JxV4/s1600/December+2011+044+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT4Ds39pWyH9Cma_kaoBvvqsGVMqnwLoJQgWVjD0mrPcjYt5nHS6YAyoXZ8wKVe1sHzv1-4dBPFm6tZcunaZDEPvHrvTiUhKPVzh_b2N2nlWF3xW6xfjia2BsnZjY7Rui8Gi48N-JxV4/s640/December+2011+044+copy.jpg" width="560" /></a></div><br />
<b>Quality Time and Crafty Fun with Our Teacup Humans</b><br />
In the weeks leading up to Christmas, we made every single ornament that went on our tree. We made salt dough ornaments, some stamped and some painted and glittered, paper chain garland, snowmen ornaments from a craft kit, and hand-print snowmen Christmas balls. I think The Count and I enjoyed making our own ornaments as much as our kids did.<br />
<br />
<b>Stress Free Holiday Decorating!</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxQKR8NezFKL1Dcou6H2UfvWCQeVUhtU3pvr_lhzTHh8n6qjve0k9doK90bJ_p6GGSPbZHjOB58ZWKhKPmXvuYJxxghesWaosuCObHtAefgvkDqEgJVsSk0U2AhKc5xFsI4K2XynFPLw/s1600/December+2011+410+copy+copy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxQKR8NezFKL1Dcou6H2UfvWCQeVUhtU3pvr_lhzTHh8n6qjve0k9doK90bJ_p6GGSPbZHjOB58ZWKhKPmXvuYJxxghesWaosuCObHtAefgvkDqEgJVsSk0U2AhKc5xFsI4K2XynFPLw/s320/December+2011+410+copy+copy.jpg" /></a>The girls and I decorated the tree with no fuss over being careful with the ornaments or getting them perfectly placed. Kaylicious and Zazu absolutely loved the whole process, and The Count and I were both pleasantly surprised at how pretty our tree looked. It wasn't just "our babies made this pretty." It was truly a good-looking tree!<br />
<br />
Beyond the fun we had making all the ornaments and decorating the tree, I loved not worrying about it. Some of our new home-made ornaments got broken over the holiday season, but it was no big deal. The kids danced and ran around the tree more times than I could count, lots of fun, no stress!<br />
<br />
<b>The Christmas Cleanup was a Breeze</b><br />
As a bonus, I was able to with the help of Kaylicious and Zazu take all the ornaments off the tree and pack them away it under ten minutes. I never look forward to having to put my ornaments away after Christmas. Wrapping and packing all those fragile porcelain and glass decorations is so tedious and never any fun. It usually takes me several hours.<br />
<br />
<b>A New Homemade Christmas Tradition? I think so!</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxZ4A03Zmb3wJ8EDorQEAGSoXguRAFwNgUi7Fu5Y-4fjTdXlScD1MIzdcp7c3ML5dQxzkKbyI_S_Zq0PgatWtqmzVhrzdnb46WrcAO3sso1s9N5potY-rzMtIBTwc1GiiBdTA7gNawoM/s1600/December+2011+405+copy+copy.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxZ4A03Zmb3wJ8EDorQEAGSoXguRAFwNgUi7Fu5Y-4fjTdXlScD1MIzdcp7c3ML5dQxzkKbyI_S_Zq0PgatWtqmzVhrzdnb46WrcAO3sso1s9N5potY-rzMtIBTwc1GiiBdTA7gNawoM/s320/December+2011+405+copy+copy.jpg" /></a>Our adventure in home-made tree trimmings was such a success that it may be a new family tradition. Who knows when and if that big box of fancy-smancy, fragile Christmas ornaments will grace the branches of our Christmas tree again? I kind of relish the idea of someday having a tree decorated entirely in ornaments made by hand by my sweet little children and maybe even their children and grandchildren one day. What a festive trip down memory lane that would be for our family!Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-82700394026900738042011-12-23T14:56:00.012-05:002012-01-12T00:13:48.998-05:00Sara the Elf is Not on the ShelfEvery morning when Kaylicious and Zazu wake up, they run to find out where Sara, our Elf on the Shelf, is hiding or what kind of mischievous elf adventures she may have had the previous night. Sara the Elf is never on our shelf. The girls always discover Sara in some silly hiding place or frozen precariously in the middle of a crazy adventure. They both think Sara's hi-jinks are absolutely hilarious. They laugh so hard every time, especially Kaylicious, that they crack me up too. Recently they’ve found Sara perched on a castle wearing a tiara, swinging from the ceiling fan, riding Kaylicious’ piggy bank and chilling out on our wreath.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/PrincessSara.png?t=1324667472" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/PrincessSara.png?t=1324667472" width="492" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/SaraParatrooper.png?t=1324667472" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/SaraParatrooper.png?t=1324667472" width="523" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/SaraElfPig.png?t=1324667472" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/SaraElfPig.png?t=1324667472" width="523" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/SaraWreath.png?t=1324667471" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/SaraWreath.png?t=1324667471" width="553" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-link-party.html" target="_blank">Elf on the Shelf Party</a> Going on Now!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Don't forget to check out and/or join my <a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-link-party.html" target="_blank">Elf on the Shelf Link Party</a> for more Elf on the Shelf ideas and adventures: </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-link-party.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ4hrmH8wKqthwQRski2JLVBMuc-miv4RzLm9FvUPs0mCbWRFm1EfLNq4LbYHnGrrDyC5azDhuOk5qR4daG_NSgPM-sdlJJzO6la3qR4IfjuUpLDyzcbNXwjzDGlKYLJ2DQL9B18d174/s400/Elf+Party+-+Counting+on+Me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-56490909212797468852011-12-23T12:13:00.000-05:002011-12-23T12:13:37.207-05:00I Caught Santa!This is so fun! Imagine the look of wonder and surprise when your kids receives a photo of Santa caught in the act in your very own home. iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tSLJlVdevtI/TQMNpnf_ZQI/AAAAAAAABV8/U-HiE9y61GI/s1600/i+caught+santa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_tSLJlVdevtI/TQMNpnf_ZQI/AAAAAAAABV8/U-HiE9y61GI/s320/i+caught+santa+2.jpg" width="320" /></a>In three easy steps anyone can upload a holiday photo, add Santa Claus and print it as proof… or share it via Facebook and/or Twitter. Last-minute shoppers can purchase Gift Cards and eGift Certificates for loved ones with children, making iCaughtSanta.com a great gift idea even if you don't have your own children. It costs $9.99, but you can make yours for half off using code: <span style="background-color: #630000; color: #eeeeee; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', arial; font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;">SANTA50</span><br />
<br />
I am definitely doing this, just need to wait until I get Kaylicious and Zazu's gifts all wrapped and under the tree, so I can snap a photo! They're going to love it! I will post our photo here once it's done! <br />
<br />
<b>If you get your own iCaughtSanta.com photo, leave me a comment with a link, so we can all check it out! </b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-22899866749373159342011-12-19T00:05:00.064-05:002012-01-12T00:14:36.299-05:00Elf on the Shelf Link Party<div style="text-align: left;">In this final week before Christmas, are you running out of ideas for your Elf on the Shelf? Are you actually considering hiding your elf on a shelf? If so you've come to the right place. I'm gathering the best Elf on the Shelf ideas in the entire Blogosphere right here at Counting on Me, so you'll find Elf inspiration galore to get you through the week and many Christmases to come! Don't forget to leave comments for the Elf on the Shelf posts that you like the best. <br />
<br />
<b>Join the Party:</b> If you got a great Elf on the Shelf post, please link to the party! We can wait to check it out. Please follow the rules and use the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Blue "Add Your Link" Button</b></span> below to join the party. You can add as many different Elf links as you want. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ4hrmH8wKqthwQRski2JLVBMuc-miv4RzLm9FvUPs0mCbWRFm1EfLNq4LbYHnGrrDyC5azDhuOk5qR4daG_NSgPM-sdlJJzO6la3qR4IfjuUpLDyzcbNXwjzDGlKYLJ2DQL9B18d174/s1600/Elf+Party+-+Counting+on+Me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ4hrmH8wKqthwQRski2JLVBMuc-miv4RzLm9FvUPs0mCbWRFm1EfLNq4LbYHnGrrDyC5azDhuOk5qR4daG_NSgPM-sdlJJzO6la3qR4IfjuUpLDyzcbNXwjzDGlKYLJ2DQL9B18d174/s640/Elf+Party+-+Counting+on+Me.jpg" width="525" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I made this graphic using PSE 8, an adorable freebie from <a href="http://shabbyblogs.com/">ShabbyBlogs.com</a> (I Love Them.) and what some might consider to be way too much time, but since I like the end result, I'm going to <i>chalk</i> it up to time well spent improving my Photoshop skills.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div><script type="text/javascript">
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=110409&' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
</script><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><b>Thanks for coming to the party! You can use the following code to provide a link back to this party on your page, just cut and paste it into your html editor:</b><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-link-party.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/ElfParty-CountingonMe-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Elf on the Shelf Party"></a></span></blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-link-party.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Elf on the Shelf Party" border="0" src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/ElfParty-CountingonMe-1.jpg" /></a></div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-65830980041589528222011-12-18T01:19:00.101-05:002011-12-19T01:48:59.267-05:00Sara the Elf on Our Shelf<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Our elf arrived last weekend from the North Pole and Kaylicious immediately named her "Sara." Zazu has bounced back and forth between calling her Sara and "Elfant" which seems to be a combination of elf and elephant.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5i8_JyzaQnZhpkimQ8_z9_T5g7EBpeIwUVJoyfpw_UroXn3cEvzQsG4n17fg4lbUeJGMtjylt1nxymVEB1uKtX8JF76-v4KOgPsHbAZbCXUt_c4kWw6hIm9LBFTwJqT_eoWKNh5duAc/s1600/Elf+Merry+Christmas_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS5i8_JyzaQnZhpkimQ8_z9_T5g7EBpeIwUVJoyfpw_UroXn3cEvzQsG4n17fg4lbUeJGMtjylt1nxymVEB1uKtX8JF76-v4KOgPsHbAZbCXUt_c4kWw6hIm9LBFTwJqT_eoWKNh5duAc/s640/Elf+Merry+Christmas_edited-1.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here's Sara hanging from our entry way light. <span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span><br />
<div style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I used PSE 8 and a free quick page from <a href="http://freedigitalscrapbooking.com/digital_scrapbooking_quick_pages.html" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">Free Digital Scrapbooking</a><span style="text-align: left;"> to make this graphic.</span></span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b>We've had a busy week with Sara.</b><br />
<ul><li style="text-align: left;">We've read Sara's Elf on the Shelf book multiple times.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Kaylicious was concerned that Sara wouldn't be able to fly to North Pole, if she didn't take the plastic off her box right away. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Had a make your own sundae party to welcome Sara.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Watched "<i style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&offerid=239662.814854010043&type=2&subid=0" style="text-decoration: none;" target="new">The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf’s Story</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&bids=239662.814854010043&type=2&subid=0" width="1" /></i><span style="font-family: 'Coming Soon'; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"</span> (Kaylicious spotted Sara in one of the elves' dance numbers).</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Taken Sara to visit Santa at the mall, after Zazu accidently touched Sara with her foot, zapping her elf power. Thankfully, Santa was able to give Sara her elf powers back, since it was an accident.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Talked extensively about Sara and discussed how she flies, and what she does when were not watching. Ever inquisitive, Kaylicious has endless questions and thoughts about Sara.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">She has also asked if we could keep Sara after Christmas. <span style="text-align: center;">She says she loves her and will miss her if Sara goes back to live at the North Pole.</span> </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Once I realized our Elf on the Shelf was a girl, I started thinking about more little elf outfits for her. I've seen the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976990768/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=coonme-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0976990768" style="color: #930210; text-decoration: underline;">Claus Couture Scout Elf Skirt</a>, but it seems like there should be a whole line of little elf clothes. What's a girl elf to do? One red leotard and one skirt most definitely does not qualify as a full Elf wardrobe. I thought for sure someone would have any Etsy shop selling Elf on the Shelf fashions, but so such luck. <b> If you know where to find elf on the shelf clothes, please leave me a comment. I know Sara's inner-elf fashionista is dying to come out.</b><br />
</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsOPZfEWsioHILwCXRkGonQxeJOyx0yf1DlKmE7g7WmM5UCLNzVQbNOMUMTu-iSD_fiV3R9u2yUXgqk9bHL-hi0gNyZlHleWJpHuKcf49-LvYMFjcUNy1iJikcUOgSrVmEi27SnP-r4A/s1600/December+2011+024.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggsOPZfEWsioHILwCXRkGonQxeJOyx0yf1DlKmE7g7WmM5UCLNzVQbNOMUMTu-iSD_fiV3R9u2yUXgqk9bHL-hi0gNyZlHleWJpHuKcf49-LvYMFjcUNy1iJikcUOgSrVmEi27SnP-r4A/s400/December+2011+024.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make Your Own Sundae Welcome Party for Sara the Elf</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyjc2169249O2dth-tjONYExdsHB_NETCue0WELKq2vTeMtS03BfwPqj05mZqMZlDhgmKET5ZdzS8q-hW8IrmMcrMFDjlwQcXT-wAXvw64e1_Igch6g0Grzl4QWJBClUz16RJEdG0wVg/s1600/December+2011+036.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixyjc2169249O2dth-tjONYExdsHB_NETCue0WELKq2vTeMtS03BfwPqj05mZqMZlDhgmKET5ZdzS8q-hW8IrmMcrMFDjlwQcXT-wAXvw64e1_Igch6g0Grzl4QWJBClUz16RJEdG0wVg/s400/December+2011+036.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Make Your Own Sundae Elf on the Shelf Welcome Party</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">We've found Sara getting into mischief and hiding all around our house. After losing her elf powers once </span>with the touch of tiny two-year-old toes, Sara has tried to stay up a bit higher out of Zazu's reach. Also, since Zazu and Kaylicious are only two and three years old, I think Sara tries not to make her hiding spots too difficult to find. Each time Kaylicious has found Sara, she has squealed and laughed with delight.</div><br />
<b>Here are some of Sara's hiding places this week:</b></div><ol><li style="text-align: left;">On top of our Christmas tree </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Going wild with streamers</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Hanging upside down from a ceiling light</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Sunning herself on the top our window blinds</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Sitting on top of our kitchen cabinets -- Sadly, she got her feet caught in the cabinet and banged around that night trying to free herself for her trip to the North Pole, but she was stuck. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Riding Kaylicious' Piggy Bank</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">Sitting on top of an alarm sensor in our living room, where she could hang out with us and watch us all day. <br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a 10";"="" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYreqSrJ3t_rauuHx510Abqj5OuVE8u2nUzBWeLYCv7v9InT_w0qcA-EN6WT2kPk3UOO-QdZ5fk3ULOHj0jR2jMMtPa9ERWnpjbBWKjhN-nzN8pn4j87uwmuPfKfM2QAIC8HQdkrQXEM/s1600/December+2011+074.JPG" style="margin-left: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYreqSrJ3t_rauuHx510Abqj5OuVE8u2nUzBWeLYCv7v9InT_w0qcA-EN6WT2kPk3UOO-QdZ5fk3ULOHj0jR2jMMtPa9ERWnpjbBWKjhN-nzN8pn4j87uwmuPfKfM2QAIC8HQdkrQXEM/s400/December+2011+074.JPG" width="398" /></a></td><td><iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="10" marginwidth="10" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&nou=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=9B000F&t=coonme-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&m=amazon&f=ifr&ref=tf_til&asins=B000XR6MBQ" style="height: 300px;"></iframe></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b>Sara the Elf on top of Our Christmas Tree </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-link-party.html" target="_blank"><img alt="Elf on the Shelf Party" border="0" src="http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s299/ShannonOBrennan/ElfParty-CountingonMe-1.jpg" /></a></b><br />
<b>Check my Elf on the Shelf Link Party.</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"></div></li>
</ol><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div></div></div></div></div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-45895407694293647672011-12-07T18:24:00.005-05:002012-01-12T00:17:09.138-05:00Our Elf is Here!<a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&offerid=239662.814854010043&type=2&subid=0" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="new"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/142260000/142265930.JPG" width="217" /></a>Our <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&offerid=239662.530&type=3&subid=0" target="new">The Elf on the Shelf</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&bids=239662.530&type=3&subid=0" width="1" /> is here. I've got our Tivo set up to record "<i><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&offerid=239662.814854010043&type=2&subid=0" target="new">The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf’s Story</a><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&bids=239662.814854010043&type=2&subid=0" width="1" /></i>" about an elf named Chippey who tries to help a young boy who is struggling to believe in the magic of Christmas. It will be on WJZ 13 Baltimore, our local CBS station, this Friday night at 9:30. Now, all I need is my little girls home from visiting their Nana in New Jersey, and we'll be ready to get this tradition started.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7kjn0DwbN6VY75b2bDbXLaLAjQgGk7n4bqq8HlZ6Z0MM4YrmuMaVhyikU14bw-zHMrs6lZrwQd0gT2LssDTnnkfu0_Zkh_Rt5rUnefH8ZHyQQBuVDa5uV2UEKRuaUWAEBqq0suxk0O4/s1600/Thumb-elf-on-the-shelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7kjn0DwbN6VY75b2bDbXLaLAjQgGk7n4bqq8HlZ6Z0MM4YrmuMaVhyikU14bw-zHMrs6lZrwQd0gT2LssDTnnkfu0_Zkh_Rt5rUnefH8ZHyQQBuVDa5uV2UEKRuaUWAEBqq0suxk0O4/s200/Thumb-elf-on-the-shelf.jpg" width="200" /></a>If you have any tips or creative ideas for introducing our Elf to my two and three year old daughters, please share them by leaving me a comment!<br />
<br />
<b style="text-align: left;"><br />
</b><br />
<b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-link-party.html" target="_blank">Elf on the Shelf Party</a> </span></b><b style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Going on Now!</span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out and/or join my <a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-link-party.html" target="_blank">Elf on the Shelf Link Party</a> for more Elf on the Shelf ideas and adventures:</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://counting-on-me.blogspot.com/2011/12/elf-on-shelf-link-party.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUZ4hrmH8wKqthwQRski2JLVBMuc-miv4RzLm9FvUPs0mCbWRFm1EfLNq4LbYHnGrrDyC5azDhuOk5qR4daG_NSgPM-sdlJJzO6la3qR4IfjuUpLDyzcbNXwjzDGlKYLJ2DQL9B18d174/s400/Elf+Party+-+Counting+on+Me.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-50445871188070418222011-12-05T18:28:00.001-05:002012-01-12T00:18:51.704-05:00Elf on the Shelf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&subid=&offerid=239662.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&u1=Elf1&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Felf-on-the-shelf-carol-v-aebersold%252F1018468021%253Fean%253D9780976990703%2526format%253Dhardcover" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="new"><img alt="icon" border="0" height="110" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/144620000/144626982.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&subid=&offerid=239662.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&u1=Elf3&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Felf-on-the-shelf-carol-v-aebersold%252F1018468021%253Fean%253D9780976990703%2526format%253Dhardcover" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="new"><img alt="icon" border="0" height="320" src="http://img2.imagesbn.com/images/144080000/144086704.JPG" width="212" /></a>Do you have an Elf on the Shelf? When I first saw the Elf on the Shelf a couple years ago, I thought it was cute but a little odd. After learning more and seeing so many adorable <a href="http://pinterest.com/shannonbrennan/elf-on-the-shelf/" target="_blank">Elf on the Shelf ideas on Pinterest</a>, I think I am going to head over to <a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&subid=&offerid=239662.1&type=10&tmpid=8432&u1=ELf2&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.barnesandnoble.com%252Fw%252Felf-on-the-shelf-carol-v-aebersold%252F1018468021%253Fean%253D9780976990703%2526format%253Dhardcover" target="_blank">Barnes&Noble</a> and take the plunge. Kaylicious and Zazu are visiting their Nana in New Jersey right now, and I think it will be exciting to have their Elf here when they return.<br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b style="font-size: x-large;">Here's the Story behind the Elf on The Shelf</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">:</span><br />
<i>from ElfOnTheShelf.com</i><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa knows who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.<br />
<br />
The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq"><br />
Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot! While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.</blockquote><blockquote class="tr_bq">On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy.</blockquote><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/58828338852184865/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/31384528622808073_Jdbxyn59_c.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/34670740@N06/5255268089/in/pool-948900@N20" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">flickr.com</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">via</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/shannonbrennan/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Shannon</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> </span><a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-align: -webkit-auto;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><b><img alt="icon" height="1" src="http://ad.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/show?id=tWQ3ODgcDjY&bids=239662.1&type=10" width="1" />I love the idea of starting a new holiday tradition with my daughters. </b>With virtually endless opportunities for mischievous holiday fun, I think The Count and I may enjoy "The Elf on the Shelf" every bit as much as Kaylicious and Zazu do.<br />
<br />
<b>You can check out my Elf on Shelf Board on Pinterest Here:</b><br />
<b><a href="http://pinterest.com/shannonbrennan/elf-on-the-shelf/" target="_blank">Elf on the Shelf Ideas on Pinterest</a></b><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Send Me Some Elf Love</u>:</span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><b>I Want Hear About Your Elves</b> . . . If you have an Elf on your Shelf, please share your thoughts. Leave me a comment, telling your best Elf idea or your funniest Elf moment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-25556767989687565262011-11-26T21:29:00.001-05:002011-11-27T23:54:20.917-05:00Knot Top Sewing Project<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">One of my goals for the year is to do 50 craft projects before my 35th birthday. I have definitely been crafting up a storm, but I haven't been so great about keeping up with all my projects here on my blog. Kaylicious wore one of my sewing projects from September on Thanksgiving and that spurred me to post about it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1779574938"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_pxucFmJLrdCHp9cx0PfeL2ENpwfdv1HflSaqp4qZsEdEieIwQd9BuDBz30tfUxJH1eZo21uOJDvtqoheGZcNx8Zf6_JKctKf5R8Co4pZsunYqA6Exp8EDN_3FXDjJIX61h414S3hk1k/s200/M6387.jpg" width="188" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QRYZ12/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=coonme-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005QRYZ12" target="_blank">McCall's Pattern M6387</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://c447742.r42.cf2.rackcdn.com/d12ca22f3aa197faf1f019391f22a094-540-Width-1-1-CenterCenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://c447742.r42.cf2.rackcdn.com/d12ca22f3aa197faf1f019391f22a094-540-Width-1-1-CenterCenter.jpg" width="162" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Matilda Jane Percy Knot Dress</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I absolutely love<a href="http://www.matildajaneclothing.com/" target="_blank"> Matilda Janes</a>'s knot dresses and tops, but my debit card<br />
doesn't like them one bit. So when JoAnn's had a sale on McCall's patterns in September, I scooped up <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005QRYZ12/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=coonme-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=B005QRYZ12" target="_blank">McCall's M6387 -- Children's/Girls' Top, Jumpers, Detachable Aprons and Pants</a> for $1.<br />
<br />
Before this project, the last time I had successfully used a sewing pattern was in 8th grade Home Ec. Class. The pattern was labeled as "Easy," but I was worried that it might turn out to be beyond my skill set. <br />
<br />
The knot <strike>dress</strike>* top was a bit of a challenge to say the least, but in the end it turned out really cute. The Count (my husband) helped me select the fabric and trim for this project. I wanted the fabrics to go together without being too matchy matchy. The Count is surprising good at that sort of thing. I am more of an completely matched or terribly clashing sort of fabric chooser. <br />
<br />
*I had originally planned to make a knot dress, but I struggled so much with the upper ruffle that I couldn't bring myself to try it again with even more fabric for the lower ruffle. Between broken and stuck thread while trying to gather the material, fabric that shouldn't have been part of the ruffle getting accidently stitched into the seam, and not being able to get the circumference of my ruffled "skirt" to line up with the circumference of the bodice, my seam ripper and I became very well aquainted. I am definitely going to need some more practice with gathering before I attempt this again. If you have a tried and true method or know of a great tutorial that has worked for you when gathering two yards or so of fabric while making clothing for small children , please don't be shy. I need help, please leave me a comment.<br />
<br />
Two things I learned during this project that were much easier than I anticipated were how to make button holes and sew on buttons using my sewing machine. If only the gathering had been that easy, my little ones would probably have a whole closet of these adorable tops and dresses by now.<br />
<br />
As challenging as the process was for me, I love the end result. The knot top is kind of tunic length right now and very versatile. Here's Kaylicious sporting it on a warm day with capris:<br />
<br />
<center> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFncObbTtEzMABjLorXFuVrnSDkBL7fop1nkzvDxlst_5kOU6If8XYW2MTYE6IcTc5sRhKeIh01P3dcK4KPz8kG2_Odaq9eT3kOgFJO7OCbrvH8RNynqiGjfJeKazsLmsFIdhD9B_VF0/s1600/September+2011+012.JPG" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDFncObbTtEzMABjLorXFuVrnSDkBL7fop1nkzvDxlst_5kOU6If8XYW2MTYE6IcTc5sRhKeIh01P3dcK4KPz8kG2_Odaq9eT3kOgFJO7OCbrvH8RNynqiGjfJeKazsLmsFIdhD9B_VF0/s400/September+2011+012.JPG" /></a></center><center style="text-align: left;">The apron with its green monkey trim is detachable, but it really makes the top, so Kaylicious hasn't worn it without the apron. The straps are adjustable, just untie them and re-knot however you like. </center><center style="text-align: left;"><br />
</center><center style="text-align: left;">Here she is wearing the same top with a white eyelet long-sleeve<span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-align: left;"> </span>swimsuit cover up (Sometimes, it's good not to discriminate about season or purpose when it comes to your wardrobe.), thick brown knit tights and furry boots on Thanksgiving.</center></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hOM3AB0bnfZUd7FwkJHQhp-vI0HISpF0Gu_ZvuvmKCW9vJ8KNbUm4QuqczxXyvTbOw2lp5OROKX4KOHc6dUv6lYMN6OX1cfTgJpXelsvGbVGHj2KASYn58ag52TO5nwrvklQK3c3Td0/s1600/November+2011+065+copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hOM3AB0bnfZUd7FwkJHQhp-vI0HISpF0Gu_ZvuvmKCW9vJ8KNbUm4QuqczxXyvTbOw2lp5OROKX4KOHc6dUv6lYMN6OX1cfTgJpXelsvGbVGHj2KASYn58ag52TO5nwrvklQK3c3Td0/s400/November+2011+065+copy.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't she a cutie?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJH2Rxi9fergqPteZfF0Z7_dySgCeKM7fs_hb8EoKQopytYd8SxL2jn8XC59CPW3LYg89D3bwsyPAExNJ5NeuCJCxkC1X9waH65E7KupUXeSKETR-zfrDmB7D3rSMqoLkTbPeBeX_qVw/s1600/November+2011+066_02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJH2Rxi9fergqPteZfF0Z7_dySgCeKM7fs_hb8EoKQopytYd8SxL2jn8XC59CPW3LYg89D3bwsyPAExNJ5NeuCJCxkC1X9waH65E7KupUXeSKETR-zfrDmB7D3rSMqoLkTbPeBeX_qVw/s400/November+2011+066_02.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I feel like I'm always crafting, but this is only my 5th project of the year that I have posted about. I am going to work on catching up, so stay tuned for more craft projects soon.</div></div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3943276402444653187.post-72181737531606211032011-11-24T22:00:00.006-05:002011-11-25T01:36:47.296-05:00Happy Thanksgiving!I hope you had a wonderful holiday and were able to enjoy some quality time with your loved ones. If you're like most Americans, you probably also overdid it with the Thanksgiving goodies. Did you know that to burn off the calories from the average Thanksgiving dinner you have to walk, jog, or run a full-length marathon? That's 26.2 miles. Scary, huh? Even scarier . . . the left-overs! Many of you will eat that same meal again tomorrow and the next day. Unless you're one of those wild and crazy ultra-marathoners (and I know a few of my followers are), I hope you will try to find some balance this weekend . . . a few less left-over Thanksgiving calories and a little more exercise. <br />
<br />
The Infographic below breaks Thanksgiving dinner down by calories and by the miles of walking, running or jogging required to burn it off. <br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/58828338852165342/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/58828338852165342_x9emDMd6_c.jpg" width="425" /></a></div></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.newmango.com/infographics/meal.html" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">newmango.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/shannonbrennan/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Shannon</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div><br />
If you can't read the print, you can click the image for a larger view of the graphic or press Ctrl and + at the same time on your keyboard to enlarge everything on your screen. (Pressing Ctrl and - at the same time will decrease the size when you are done.)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>A Thanksgiving Milestone for Me</b></div><br />
<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/58828338852165404/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="158" src="http://media-cdn.pinterest.com/upload/58828338852165404_AsOOHIKa_c.jpg" width="200" /></a>Since this is Counting on Me, I thought I'd also share a little milestone that I celebrated today. Today was the 22nd anniversary of the day I became a vegetarian. That's 21 years meat free . . . no red-meat, no poultry, no pork, no seafood. I chose Thanksgiving to officially go vegetarian because there are so many great meat-less side-dishes on Thanksgiving, I figured I would never miss the turkey. I didn't miss it way back then and I never have since. <br />
<div style="line-height: 0px; padding-bottom: 2px;"></div><div style="float: left; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px;">Source: <a href="http://www.meatlessmonday.com/cook-up-a-meatless-thanksgiving/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;">meatlessmonday.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/shannonbrennan/" style="color: #76838b; font-size: 10px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Shannon</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="color: #76838b; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div></div>Shannon Brennanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04277973435883437458noreply@blogger.com0