Great Gift Idea

Not for me... I have one. But this is a great gift idea for mommies and mommies to be. Truly Mom Planners I love mine, nothing better than a well organized mom!

Gobble Gobble Yum Yum

We had the most lovely Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanksgiving day was perfect, we headed down to our friends house and had the most wonderful dinner. The guests were amazing and we left with full bellies and lots of thanks. That evening we finished off a few bottles of wine and fell asleep watching a movie. Here is the picture play by play of the next few days. Video to come.

Getting a BIG snuggle from Nana after nap time.

Very first big girl panties! Nice diva pose. Thanks Nana

On Friday we went to Sea World. The weather was a little chilly but we had a great time.

Taylor loved the Shamu show, Dust and I were a little worried that she wouldn't sit, but we were wrong!! She sat on Nana's lap like a perfect little Peanut. I wish we would have had a camera video recording her reaction to the whales. It was classic! and that hat you ask, Nana let her pick it out. It's her new favorite accessory.

Taylor met Elmo

....and Santa. She liked Elmo, not so much Santa

On Saturday the girls headed to the mall for some Christmas Shopping. In the afternoon Nana helped me set up our Christmas decorations. No tree this year since we will only be here for another 2 weeks.

That evening Nana set up our Christmas presents so we could celebrate the holiday. Santa and Nana brought us a gaggle of wonderful goodies.

We had a nice/typical San Diego Christmas dinner, chicken enchiladas and than moved onto celebrating Dusty's Birthday.

My favorite picture of the weekend! so funny.

Tackling Aunt Tara.

We miss Nana and Tara already. We were so lucky to have them in town to celebrate all of our little holidays!!!

This week for Thanksgiving!!!

We are headed to a dear friends house to celebrate Thanksgiving and I am so happy that my mother in law and sister in law will be here. I'm going to take a billion photo's! Taylor hasn't seen her Nana is over a year ( she was 7 months old)! Where does the time go?

I can't wait for them to get here, we have been making plans and getting ready the past couple of days. Here are some of our ideas. Aunt Tara will be here this afternoon, I'm making her Gemelli with turkey italian sausage and roasted vegetables in a Parmesan cream sauce and a side salad. We will most likely spend the evening home so that I can get some baking done and so Taylor and Tara can do some "serious" playing.. I have a little project for them too.

Margie will be here at 8am tomorrow and we are all heading to the airport to greet her. I'm putting together a brunch that will tide us until the BIG event. I'm making my moms amazing quiche, country potatoes, sausage and fresh fruit... ( I'm going to through some mimosa's in the mix too)

For Thanksgiving dinner I am in charge of all of the deserts. The plan: Homemade apple pie, Costco Pumpkin Pie, and my famous chocolate tart. I'm also making spinach artichoke dip and brussel sprouts with crispy panchetta. It should be quite a feast with over 15 people: 5 Grandparents, 4 college student, 3 toddlers and the rest of us. I can't wait.

The rest of the week will include a trip to Sea World, shopping and playing with Taylor. I'm giddy just thinking about it.

Happy Turkey Day to all my lovelies. Chat with you on Monday!!

If I had a million dollars...

I would buy this perfectly lovely owl necklace for all of my Chi Omega sisters. Seriously... why didn't they have these when I was in collage? Darling. Buy one for your Chi O sister.

Diva

( no! I do not put this stuff on her, she dresses herself and NO! she does not get this from me, this is straight from Aunt Allie and Sinead... Diva Genes)

Taylor is a diva. She goes into my closet and pulls out my scarves and shoes, puts on her sunglasses and says " pretty". This is what she was wearing before nap time yesterday. Please note that the sunglasses MUST stay with her at all times. They even accompany her at nap time.

What I have been up to.

Hey Lovelies... I wanted to give you a quick up date on my progress. I've been up to my eye balls with Christmas cards, clippies, announcements, and scrapbook orders. And I have to tell you I'm having the time of my life. Now, my housework and regular "mommy/wife" duties have taken a little hit, but this work is so fulfilling for me. My scrapbook and announcement orders are backed up until the end on January and I plan on launching a new clip line and little boy accessory line at the beginning of the year.

In the spirit of Thanksgiving I have to say... I have never been more grateful and thankful than I am right now. This next year is going to be filled with big changes for the Pickled Bean and my family. (cross your fingers that we can find a perfect little house to buy!) I'll continue to keep you posted. A million Thank Yous for all of your support and KEEP THOSE REFERRALS COMIN!!!!!

xoxo

Ash

Visit from Grandpa Jack

This weekend we had a brief visit from Grandpa Jack and Uncle David. It had been over a year since they had seen her. Aren't they darling? This time of year it's hard to be so far away from family. I wonder if we could convince Dusty's family ( all 50+ of them) to move from Ohio to California. Because it will be a cold day ( you know where) when we move there :)

(fyi... my family is darling)

This Week for Dinner

{ Taylor eating her 1st Birthday cake, She has a sweet tooth like her Daddy}

Sunday: Subway sandwiches... I've been sandwich crazy lately!

Monday: Lasagna, garlic bread and green salad

Tuesday: Corn Chowder and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Wednesday: French Dip Sandwiches ( told you i am sandwich crazy), Stake Fries, and Broccoli

Thursday: Shrimp Taco's, corn and Green Salad

Friday: Dinner with Friends

Saturday: Date Night... I hope :)

For Christmas...

I would like a complete set of this perfect luggage. Thanks

Hummm

Sorry for the issues with my background. Not sure what happened. But I'm not it! Thank you for all of the emails regarding the issue. I'll be back up and running asap. Promise :)

Perfect!

These are the best vintage inspired baby clothing I've ever seen. Swoon...

Seriously funny

Seriously, Glee is my new favorite show. It is so funny and I love the music. Can't wait for next week. Here is the tease from Fox. The boy in the middle sang Defying Gravity ( from Wicked) last week and it was breath taking. You must download from itunes.

Need to giggle?

{Taylor nine monthish)

So pretty

Don't you love the idea of framing doilies?

{ from poppytalk}

This makes me laugh

{ for thechie.com )

This week for dinner

Sunday: Surprise baby shower/ BBQ with my favorite ladies

Monday: Southwestern Spicy Chicken salad

Tuesday: Dover Sole, wild mushroom and herb rice and butter nut squash

Wednesday: Dinner from the Genoveses... Thanks Felicia!!!

Thursday: Chicken and Noodles

Friday: Left Overs

{ Chicken and Broccoli Casserole and rice... my favorite!}

{ Roasted Chicken, fingering potatoes and spinach}

Tutu's cheese bread

Tutu ( my grandma) used to make this wonderful cheese bread. It's so easy ( not healthy) and absolutely wonderful with soup and/or salad.

One loaf of French Bread cut in half. One stick butter, softened. 3/4 can or Parmesan cheese ( the green package kind) Mix the butter and cheese and spread on the French Bread. Broil on high until golden brown. It's to die for! Dusty and Taylor love it... but who wouldn't?

{ I served it with spaghetti and meatballs last week}

oh... here I am!

I hear ya... what a slacker! I am so sorry friends for my absence last week. I've been a little under the weather, crazy busy with Pickled Bean orders and dealing with a teething toddler. but no excuses! I'm back and oh how I've missed you.

Halloween

We attended our second annual Halloween Mommy Group Party, and we had the best time. Taylor loved her ladybug outfit and flapped her wings for all of her friends. Dusty took her trick or treating with the other dads. Imagine 10 20 month olds showing up on your doorstep. The homeowners were cracking up and after the 2nd door the babies were running up to the doorstep and trying to walk into the houses. I was shocked that she actually understood that every house would give her candy.

cute little lady...bug

off to the party

10 20 month olds, can you believe they sat for this picture?

First trick or treat. Look how cute Taylor is waiting for her candy.. and I love Dusty's BIG smile

I made her take a picture at our door, she was so sad that there wasn't any candy. Look at that sad face.

Soccer Practice.

{She got this sweet Jersey too!}

Taylor... and Dusty were so excited to start soccer practice on Sat. I know, extremely silly to have a 20 month old in soccer but it's a great daddy daughter treat. I tagged along this week to take pictures but trust me I will be using these sat mornings to sleep in! They had a wonderful time. Playing red light/ green light, kicking the ball, running and goofing off with friends.