My Weekend Project

What you need to Create a Nursing Bracelet

Strong piece of ribbon, wire or elastic. If you choose ribbon or wire, make sure it's long enough to tie around your wrist. Elastic can be stretched, but also make sure it's comfortable.

Beads you like. You can use number or letter beads of different colors, or create your own design. Some people use animal beads instead of numbers, so the bracelet seems more decorative than functional. Do what works best for you.

A clip-on charm, etc. This should be something you can easily clip on the bracelet. You'll use it as a marker, placing it at the bead representing the time of your last feeding.

How to make a Nursing Bracelet

1. Knot the ribbon, wire, or elastic to keep the beads on.

2. String a starter bead.

3. String your first number bead, or whatever you're using to represent the numbers of a clock. This is 1:00.

4. Put on three other beads. These represent 1:15, 1:30, and 1:45.

5. String the second number bead, for 2:00.

6. String three beads for 2:15, 2:30, and 2:45.

7. Continue until you're strung enough beads to reach
12:45.

8. After your 12:45 bead, string a bead like your starter bead.

9. Knot the end of the bracelet. If you're using elastic, knot the ends together in addition to making an end knot. For ribbon, knot the end, and make sure there's enough room to tie it on your wrist. And for wire, after you make the end knot, twist the ends together, and push them under your last bead, so the ends don't poke you or your baby. (Wire really shouldn't be used for nursing bracelets, but many companies and moms still use it.)

10. Put on your nursing bracelet, clip on the marker, and remember to use it!

Nursing bracelets don't have to be expensive. They're fun to make and can also be a keep-sake item for you or your baby. Some mothers use beads the color of their babies' birth stones, etc. Making a nursing bracelet is also relaxing, and what new mom doesn't need to relax?

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**Disclaimer - No, I am NOT making a nursing bracelet for myself. I am not nursing nor did I have a baby. But my sister did! I will be sure to post videos and pics of the new niece soon!

Blog-a-thon - Cast your vote!

Help me decide what to cook for dinner tonight! Your choices are:

Chicken Salsa Verde Bake (From Rachael Ray magazine)
Shephard's Pie
Pork Chops with wild mushrooms

Upfronts

Upfronts were released today. What's coming and what's going according to tv?

Here are my thoughts on the shows that record on my DVR:

On loses: Not a lot going on here, but two shows I really did enjoy are out.

Life (NBC) - Really? We will never know if Crews and Reese really fall in, as alluded to by the almost hand holding in the season finale. We will also never know the end of the tangled web of drama that led up to Crews being arrested. I liked that show. It was quirky and interesting. I'm sad its not coming back.

Cupid (ABC) - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Cupid is one of my favorite new shows! It's so sweet and endearing! Please say that Trevor and Claire get together before its all said and done. This show is so happy and uplifting, and it made me smile every time I watched it.

Samantha Who? (ABC) - Honestly, I can live without this one. I wasn't on the edge of my seat waiting on it to come on. It was, at times, funny, but overall, not real catchy.

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Coming Back: Only the ones I am very excited about....

Chuck (NBC) - Guess the SAVE CHUCK campaign with Subway worked. (Was it really going away though?) Will Chuck and Sarah finally get together? What about Chuck's new intercept package that makes him a super spy? I think Bryce Larkin isn't really dead. He faked it, they moved his body, and then he got up and ran.

Bones (Fox) - Finale still very much in my opinion in need of personal critic. It was wonderful! I have watched it many times. I did predict that the episode would be a dream sequence where Booth would wake up and Brennan would be next to him in the hospital. Did not predict the amnesia though! Wow! The episode was really great for Bones fans because it brought in former characters and references to many pivotal past episodes. Very creative and fun!

Lost (ABC) - Of course it is coming back. It's Lost. I have 10 episodes on my DVR right now. I haven't seen much of this last season.

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The CW hasn't released their upfront listing yet. Its supposed to be out on Thursday morning. I really hope Privileged comes back though. I really love that show! It's cute!

Other shows I adore on other networks:

My Boys on TBS is pretty funny. (Tuesday nights at 9:30. Catch it tonight!) I also really love Psych (USA)! That show is freaking HILARIOUS! New season starts this summer, so I'm not worried about it disappearing quite yet.

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For those of us fans who have favorite shows with crazy cliffhangers, the fall 2009 season is a long way away. But we'll have to be patient to see what happens. Sometimes I wish I could just fast-forward time like I do commercials with my DVR! Ha!

Harmony

I have to admit, when I saw this during the Bones finale I was seriously impressed. One of the best TV ads I have seen in a LONG time, and it didn't even preview during the Super Bowl. (Season finale week is good though.)

Advertising Age ranked this as one of the top 5 for the week. Props to Toyota and the team at Saatchi & Saatchi in LA. Great commercial!



PS - Check out the other videos if you get a chance. Nomis is on to a great idea about connecting a product with the people! Go to where they are! Don't make them come to you!

Paula, Paula, Paula...

@Paula_Deen just tweeted about this. Ha ha!

Coming soon....

My analysis of the amazing Bones finale that took place last night. I really need to watch it again to properly review.

My nephew's "How to make salsa" video tutorial

My Sister's Salsa Recipe

roma tomatoes 4-6
2 stalks of green onion
1-2 hot peppers
2 cloves of garlic
balsamic vinegar (1 tablespoon)
lime or lemon juice (1 tablespoon)
fresh cilantro
spices to taste (chili powder, cayenne, cumin, salt & pepper)

Directions: first chop green onion, hot peppers (de-seeded), cilantro and garlic in blender or chopper. add tomatoes (cut into quarters and take out seeds to make the salsa less runny). blend again. add the balsamic vinegar and citrus juice. blend. add spices. blend. I add about a teaspoon of each to start and then play with it a few times until I get it the way I want.

What does each spice do?
chili powder and balsamic vinegar change the color and give a bite.
cayenne gives heat, you can also add in some pepper seeds for heat. sometimes i add red pepper flakes also. the hotter the hot peppers are, the better it will be. the spices never really give it the right flavor without fresh hot pepper.
cumin and cilantro...makes it taste mexican.

PS - He's only 2 folks. Yet he's a great chef! (He gets that from his auntie!) He is available to cater events before 8:00 p.m., but he's expensive!

The Great Hair Debate

For those who have known me long, you know that I fuss and fret over my hair a lot. Its just one of my "things." Well, I have been bothered with my hair again lately, and am desiring a change. I'm thinking of going back to short. For those of you who have only met me within the last two years, I'm sure you can't imagine me having short hair...or hair that is red or blonde. But, for those old friends, you know my hair was pretty much short between 1998 and 2007.

Above: Pretty close to the current hair.

July 2007

Christmas 2006

Easter 2006

Fall 2003

So...help me decide...Short or not short? I can always just get it cut and let it grow out again! What do you think???

Terrific Turkey Panini

Several months ago I had a hankering for a hot sandwich. I just love hot sandwiches. Since I go home for lunch most every day, I decided to break out the old panini machine my brother gave me and give it a go. I have been making paninis at least three days a week ever since!

Last night I decided to experiment with my panini for dinner. I was at the grocery store (which is never good when you are hungry) and bought the following items:

1/2 lb. Cracked Pepper Turkey (freshly sliced in the deli)
2 Roma tomatoes
Zesty guacamole dip
A small baby, brie
Romaine lettuce
Sara Lee Homemade Buttermilk Bread
Low-sodium bacon
Honey mustard dressing
Fat-free mayonnaise

And here is what I did:

First I plugged in and pre-heated my panini machine. I cooked the bacon (about 6 slices, but I only used one) in the microwave for about 6 minutes. (Usually one minute per piece.) Sliced one tomato into elongated pieces, sliced small piece of brie, and cut the lettuce into sandwich size pieces. Then I started putting it all together.

1. Spread mayo and honey mustard on each side.
2. Lay tomatoes on one piece and lettuce on the other.
3. Layer with 3-4 pieces of turkey
4. Place Brie and bacon on turkey
5. If desired, top with fresh avocado (which I prefer and they were out of at the grocery) or my supplemental zesty guacamole dip.

Next, I folded the sandwich together and laid it on the panini machine. I let it cook for about 3 minutes on one side, and then flip it to "press" it evenly. Remove and serve with chips, sliced fruit, potato salad, summer vegetables or whatever you desire!

This sandwich was exceptional, I have to say! I really enjoyed it, and might even repeat tonight. (I'm in to easy meals these days.) If you don't have a panini machine, you can always warm it in the oven, toaster oven, or in a skillet. However, if you have space, the Griddler is excellent. It also opens flat and works as an open grill or griddle! (Great for small orders of pancakes!)

Love. Love. Love.

Thanks for passing this along, Marg.

Goes along with what I'm currently reading.

Nooma Flame 002 `
Uploaded by holer24

Shake that money maker!

Last summer I discovered the wonders of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance," thanks to some fellow church friends. I fell in love! And...I just found out the new season starts on May 21. HOORAY! There were so many favorite moments from last year, but this is one of my absolute favorite couples. And yeah for Josh who won! He's a Fort Worth boy!!!!



Next - Bleeding love. One of my other favorite moments! This was a great dance piece!