Simple Halloween Decorations

It's hard to believe Halloween is almost here!  We're really starting to get into decorating for holidays since the babies are old enough to get excited.  Just thought I'd share a few of our favorites that make our home a little more "halloweenie!"

These little guys are two large pom-poms (or pom-pons depending on your dialect) glued together - pipe cleaner legs, googly eyes and upholstery thread string.  We hang these from our kitchen "chandelier" above the kids' high chairs for some spooky dining buddies! 

We love these cutout bats from Martha Stewart!  I bought the set last year but believe there's a DIY option somewhere.  I'll be sure to update if I can find the link!  These are on our back sliding door and I love the silhouette it makes.

This cutie spider was made courtesy of my friend Sarah at a Girl Scout event.  Made from a silver pot scrubber and soldering wire - these are super cute, easy and even look kinda elegant!  You can find instructions to this easy Halloween craft idea here!  

My mom gave me this lovely apothecary jar for my birthday gift.  I placed a white pillar candle inside to take up some space and help better fill the space with faux leaves and seed pods.

Another great Martha Stewart find!  It really pop with our green walls and is simply hung with two command adhesive hooks pushed through at the top.  You can still get this from Amazon here!

You may have seen these little guys in our recent post about our new family portrait!  My awesomely creative mom traced one of the bats from the ones on our sliding door - onto some fun foam.  We cut them out and threaded more upholstery thread through a little stitch on their back and hung them from the chandelier.  Brayden especially loves when I lift him and run him through the "batty bats" and let them dangle on his head.  These are one of my favorite things about Halloween!

Finally - a much recommended and much missed decoration.  We loved these little paper mice (again) from Martha Stewart.  They were so cute in our front foyer and were really festive.  Unfortunately, a rogue toddler constantly pulled them off the wall and would remove their tails.  They're all gone now, but hopefully we'll be able to replace them in the future!  This photo is the stock photo since ours are mutilated.  They're available for purchase here and M.S. even has a DIY template for the crafty ladies out there.

Hope you enjoyed your little tour and would love to hear about all your favorite simple Halloween decorations!

 

"Walkabout" Onion Cheese Soup Recipe

I know I'm not a food blogger (one glimpse at my pictures will tell you that) but I do love to share my favorite recipes from time to time.  I've been making "Walkabout" Onion Cheese Soup for almost ten years now and I'm always in the mood for it when the weather gets cold and I want something to warm me up.  It's based on a Outback Resturant Copycat version I found in Todd Wilbur's Top Secret Restaurant Recipes.

This soup is delicious and super simple to make but comes with a few warnings.  It is mostly cream and cheese - not diet friendly and not for the lactose intolerant.  It is for onion lovers and you will likely smell like onions if you consume large amounts of this soup (as I always do) and your house will smell like an onion factory for a few hours.  SO worth it though and I wish I could offer you a smell-o-vision wiff!

Walkabout Onion Cheese Soup

8 cups of water

5-7 small onions

9 beef bullion cubes

3/4 cup flour

Salt and Pepper

1 cup (1/2 pint) light cream

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded colby jack cheese

Pour the 8 cups of water into a large soup pan and bring to a boil. Unwrap the bullion cubes and add to the water.  Peel the onions, cut into petals and add to the water as well.  I typically do this by cutting the onion in half, and then in 6ths (with the center cut section down on the board).

Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer.  Let simmer for at least 30 minutes.  I like my onion with a little body so if you prefer yours more translucent cook for an additional 15 minutes.

Add the flour a sprinkle at a time using a flour sifter or sieve.  I use the sieve set on top of my pot, with the soup at a boil stirring constantly.  I lightly bounce the flour filled sieve on top until all has been added to the soup.

Add salt and pepper - about 1 t each or 8 cranks of your grinders/mills.  Allow to simmer another 15 minutes.

Add light cream and 1 1/2 c cheddar and 1/2 cup colby jack cheeses (reserving the rest to combine and sprinkle on top of each serving).  Simmer for an additional 15 minutes stirring frequently.

TADA!  That's it.  Serve, top with an extra sprinkle of cheese and enjoy.  

Picture Perfect DIY Family Photos with EasyCanvasPrints

I have been an amateur "momtographer" for a little over a year now.  After realizing that my point-and-shoot wasn't doing my gorgeous kids justice, I decided that it was time to find some better gear.  I got a DSLR, took a class and got to practicing - and the rest is history!  I was thrilled then, when Easy Canvas Prints got in touch with an opportunity to partner together for a post!

One of my "must dos" on every vacation to the beach is to get a steller family picture.  With two toddlers, this is much easier said than done.  While I'm no expert, I have learned a thing or two along the way just from experience.  Here are my four little tips for a great DIY family photo with kids!

1 - Happy Kids:  Start with kids that have napped and have full bellies.  Nothing sabotages a shoot more than cranky kids!

2 - Consider your Background: No matter if your camera is on a tripod or in the hands of an untrained family member, pose yourselves in front of something that is pleasant to look at, that won't be a total distraction from the subjects.  We chose the beach dunes which also made it obvious where we were.

3 - Watch your Shadows and Light: One of the hardest parts of getting great family shots at the beach is not having harsh shadows and squinting eyes.  A good rule of thumb for soft light is to always take pictures around the time the sun has set - with enough light to illuminate, but none to cast shadows on the face.  We adapted (sunset was dinner time) and used the time right after the sun set behind our building for a similar effect.  No squinting and no shadows.  Another option is to use a low flash to fill in the shadows and add catch lights to the eyes - but of course I'd left mine in the room and wasn't going back!

4 - Do Whatever it Takes for a Smile:  In our case, this was spinning around for "ring around the rosie" and when we'd turn around the bend, Julie still full of glee, the picture would snap and there we'd be.  Get creative with whatever makes your child smile!

Once we got the perfect shot, I was so excited to see what it looked like on canvas!  We chose the 16" x 20" size and got to work at www.easycanvasprints.com ordering our portrait.  I absolutely loved the ease of using the site - super easy to follow along and practically "goof-proof" for those who are technologically challenged.  I loved that the site allowed me to adjust the photo's cropping to make sure it was centered and balanced.  I appreciated the options for the canvas sides - black, white or a mirrored print of the image.

My canvas arrived expertly packaged and ready to hang.  The image quality was great and it was so sturdy that I knew it'll last the test of time.  Our canvas looks so professionally done that I was proud to hang it in our dining room!  

I am so pleased with my experience with Easy Canvas Prints that I'll definitely be ordering from them in time for the holidays.  What a great gift for family members!  Canvas prints would also make great gifts for new parents, or newlyweds with shots of their baby or wedding.


Easy Canvas Prints has generously offered to give away a free 8x10 canvas print for one of our readers!  Enter using the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win!

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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Easy Canvas Prints.  I did receive free product for my review, but all opinions remain my own.

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Healthy Mamas and Healthy Kids with Spray Active

In my book, one of the worst experiences of motherhood is when you find yourself sick trying to care for little ones.  As you lay there miserable on the couch, the chaos seems louder and wilder in your inability to help keep the calm.

As a busy mom running a business and a blog, I often push my body to it's limits, going on less sleep than I need and drinking coffee late into the night.  I know I'm draining my energy with each late night, but I have such a hard time shutting it all off and heading to bed.

I recently had the opportunity to try some innovative products from Spray Active and they are life savers for moms on the go!  Spray Active recently launched their line of spray vitamins, focusing on the needs of both adults and kids.  Anyone who has a challenge taking pills (like my dear husband) will love these products as two sprays under the tongue gives you a full dose!  Even those of us who are okay with pills will appreciate the simplicity of this delivery system.  No water is needed and the small bottle size makes them convenient to keep in your purse or bag.  I was truly surprised to learn that "Research has shown that intra-oral sprays are nine times more readily absorbed than pills" according to a recent fact sheet from Spray Active.  As a lover of all things efficient, this seems to be an incredible solution for so many people!

 I had the pleasure of trying out two of the Spray Active products - the Defense Spray and the Energy Spray.  Busy moms like me are desperate for both because who wants to be stuck sick on the couch or dragging behind from exhaustion?  Read on to find out how you too can try out these fabulous sprays to keep you at your best!

Both sprays had a bit of a citrus flavor and were simple to administer.  Two sprays and that's it!
The Energy Spray contains Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 along with Eleuthero Root Extract. The vitamins and nutrients in the Energy Spray boosts every levels and promotes mental alertness while supporting proper digestion and balanced food absorption. The Spray improves mood and the Eleuthero Root Extract works to enhance antioxidant defense systems in the body.  Personally, I definitely did feel like I had more energy after using the spray.  I was more alert and energetic without any jittery feelings.  This makes sense because the Energy Spray is sugar free and natural, containing no caffeine or stimulants.

*

As the weather chills, and school begins, colds and flu season unfortunately begins to take hold.  I've used numerous zinc products in the past and have always found them to be tremendously effective in their ability to fight off whatever bug I felt coming on.  The Defense Spray contains Vitamin C, Zinc, and Echinacea that enhance the immune system and help protect against colds and the flu. The Defense Spray also acts as a
powerful antioxidant. While it's hard to pinpoint causation, I have not been sick in my time trying the Defense Spray.  I'll be continuing to use the spray throughout the winter months as it is much easier, more appetizing and convenient than other immunity boosting products I've tried.

Overall, I'd really recommend Spray Active products to anyone who could use a little boost - whether that be for Energy, Defense, Vitality, Sleep or even carbohydrate Control.  Two of the products Defense and Vitality) are even approved for use by children over four - a great way to keep little ones healthy and strong!

The Defense and Energy Sprays, along with the other Spray Active™ sprays can be purchased at http://www.sprayactive.com.

We're excited to be offering one of our lucky readers the opportunity to try the Energy Spray and Defense Spray from Spray Active out for themselves!  Just complete the rafflecopter form below for your chance to win.

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Disclosure: I did receive free product in order to review and give my honest opinion about these products.  All opinions remain my own.

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Anything Worth Having - A Twin Mom Rant

I think back to those words I first spoke when I found out we were having twins - "how will we pay for college?"  I was so completely unaware to the challenges of parenting multiples that I was oblivious that the 18 years prior to sending them to college would be way more of an issue than figuring out the financial aid.

Today was a really tough twin day - one where my bag of Chic-fil-a burst open pouring onto the concrete as I struggled to carry both to the car, and then in an attempt to get my keys and open my van door, one child darts out of my reach, running though the parking lot as a drag the other to catch up and get him before a car did.

Thank God for the sweet (random) woman who came up and asked how she could help - I shoved Brayden into her arms, and went back to fishing for my keys.  "I think you lost a binky" she said.  "I think I'm loosing it all" I responded.

Being a twin mom is ROUGH sometimes almost all the time.  I've read too many Twiniversity posts where moms debate back and forth on what's harder - infancy or toddlerhood.  The reality is that none of it is easy, it's all impossible.

My mom has asked me lately why it is that being a "stay-at-home" mom isn't enough for me, like it was for her back in the 80s and 90s.  I wasn't able to put my finger on an answer when she asked.  Maybe it was because she'd already had a full teaching career before she stayed home?  Maybe it's because more women work today and I want to still be part of that world.  It wasn't until today that I realized that without this blog and GiggleBuzz, I'd likely go off the deep end.  If I was purely measuring my success on days like today, I'd honestly feel like such a failure.

I still struggle to not get frustrated by those who poo-poo the struggles.

• "Oh I have two kids too - I know how it is."
• "I'm sure in some ways twins are easier - they always have someone to play with."
• "I would never put my kids on a leash, I just taught them to stay near me in the parking lot."

To the writer of that last remark (on another twiniversity facebook post), I just want to say "bless your heart - I'm so happy for you."  My kids must be broken, 'cause despite my best attempts to persuade/baricade/duct tape them to my legs, they just aren't learning to stay.  It's these type of statements that really make me shake my head.  The first two are oblivious about this level of chaos, but moms - especially other twin moms - who try and act like they have it all together aren't kidding anyone.  And even if they're way better at this than I am (which I'm sure many are) it's certainly helping no one to shove your success in our failing faces.

I think though, about all of the ways I've changed in the past 21 months I've been a mom.  Two years ago there are so many things I would have "never ever done" that are now are just part of my reality.  For instance, prior to running through the parking lot, I allowed my child to walk around the restaurant waving at people.  She wasn't trying to escape, wasn't crying, and was within sight - I counted it as a good strategy.  Even while she was sitting on the floor in the middle of the restaurant walkway, I lost my drive to care what people thought about her antics and figured they could just walk around.

Before our lunch debacle, we ventured to pick some apples at a local farm.  While Brayden was scared of the branches and hid in his stroller (figures) Julie took the opportunity to bite every apple she could find from the ground.  She was a connoisseur of dirt coated, grass glazed, bug crawled apples - and I just turned around and let her have at it.  Meh - she won't die I figured.   

It's kind of sad that that is our new standard of success - not dying.  Truly Dan and I had this conversation today.  It went something like this:

Dan: Well at least they didn't get hurt, that's your job Heather - keep them from getting hurt.

Me: But that's part of the problem, how can I ever prevent that when there's only one of me?  There will be a day when one gets hurt because I don't have enough hands to protect them both.

Dan: Well then - at least they don't die.  There it is, your job is to ensure their survival.

Mom and I mused at the potentials on how to prototype some device that would join the babies together (with a strong belt around their chests, with a device somewhat like one used for guide dogs) to keep them running in the same direction so I could follow.  If they run in separate directions while strapped together, at least they'd slow each other down.

After my adrenaline had cooled, and my heart slowed down, I came to realize the truth of twin motherhood.  If every day was like today, I would gladly struggle through, than to have had only one.  They say anything worth having is worth fighting for.  Today may have been quite the fight, but it's one I'd gladly take on for the joy and abundant blessing of mothering my sweet babes.  

Twin mom friends - I won't pretend I've got it all together.  I'm a very obvious hot mess circus leader who has been broken to no longer care what people think.  To those new twin moms who'd ask "does it get easier?" The answer most will say is "it only gets different."  I can only agree.

I recently realized though, one amazing truth.  I am happier than I ever anticipated I'd be in my life.  Also more tired than anticipated, but definitely happier.  I'll take all the fits, the dirt, the binkies and tears, - so glad that I've been granted the beautiful opportunity to fight for these wonderful kids who are so worth having.