Darling Pillow

Look at these darling bunnies. I love the idea of using a tooth fairy pillow as lovely as this. I'm going to whip on up.

School Pictures

Our little Taylor is such a ham. Look at her super funny first school pictures.

(This one is my favorite)

This week for dinner

Sorry I'm a little late with this post.

Sunday: Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, green beans and garden salad

Monday: Southwestern Chicken Salad, and homemade rolls

Tuesday: Slower cooker mushroom pork chops, egg noddles and steamed peas

Wednesday: Stuffed Shells, garlic croissant rolls and garden salad

Thursday: Portabello Mushroom and Swiss burgers, crinkle fries and corn on the cob

Friday: Left Overs

Saturday: I have dinner plans with some girlfriends so Dusty is on his own with Taylor (my guess, McDonald's)

On Monday Taylor and I made the most lovely chocolate chip cookies for Dusty. Taylor loves to help me in the kitchen and I love to have the chance to talk about measurements and work on counting. I used the toll house recipe but switched out 1/2 of the butter for Crisco. They were amazing. I'm not sure why I haven't used Crisco more but it really made a difference in the texture and flavor. Thanks for the hint Allie!

I love my little family

Can't wait to add another player to team Dunaway.

Pretty

I can't wait for my sisters/ sisters-in law to get married ( there are 5 in all!) ... Nothing on the horizon but I love to look at wonderful weddings and picking out which pieces would be the best for each sister. Plus Taylor would be the most lovely flower girl.

I love this wedding from Cup of Joe

This would have to be for Heather's wedding since they have wonderfully spacious backyards in Ohio. { Please note that she is FAR to young to be married} but we could make this happen, and it would be lovely!

New Place

At LAST! Here is a quick video of our new place. Sorry that the house is such a mess. I didn't have time to run around after I finished my work day and I wanted to get the video before the sun went down. I promise I am not this messy!!! I also realized that I didn't get any video of myself.... I wanted to show you what a fatty I've become. I'll get some pictures this weekend and post them asap. Can you believe that we are already 32 weeks? This little man is going to be here in a blink of an eye!! Can't wait :)

Forgotten Video

I can't believe I forgot to post this Easter video... So two for one special today!

Did You Know?

Earth Day Facts & Figures about Celebrating and Saving Mother Earth!!

Did you know that the first Earth Day was first celebrated on April 22, 1970? At the time, 20 million people got in on the celebration. In 2000, 500 million celebrated Earth Day. In 2009, over 1 billion people in 175 countries around the world will participate in Earth Day celebrations.

Did you know that the Earth's population has grown faster since 1950 than over the previous four million years combined? Today, there are 6.5 billion people living on the planet, with another 74 million people are added every year. Yet just two hundred years ago, there were barely 1 billion people on Planet Earth. The term "population explosion" seems like a ridiculous understatement.

Did you know that greenhouse gas emissions in the United States increased 75 percent between 1970 and 2005? A large part of the problem is the more the doubling of cars and trucks on the road during that same period. Vehicles account for more than half of our air pollution today, even though cars are 20 times more fuel-efficient than they were in the 1970s.

Did you know that the overall rate of recycling in the United States today stands at approximately 28%? That's double what it was a decade ago. By contrast, Austrians recycle fully 60% of their post-consumption waste products. The United Kingdom, on the other hand, has a recycling rate just above 17% and Greece pulls up the European Union rear with an abysmal 10%.

Did you know that recycling just one glass bottle saves enough energy to keep a 100-watt light bulb lit for four hours? Recycling glass uses 40% less energy than making new glass from virgin materials. Glass can be recycled indefinitely and never loses any of its quality.

Did you know that if everyone on Planet Earth lived the way Americans do, we would need 5.3 planets to sustain ourselves? Americans comprise just 5% of the Earth's population, but we produce over 40% of the world's waste. Do you know what your carbon footprint is?

Did you know that Americans recycle 53.4% of the paper products we consume? Even still, Americans throw away an average of 600 pounds of paper per person every year. Recycling just one four foot stack of newspapers is enough to save one 40-foot fir tree.

Did you know that Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every single hour? Eight out of 10 of them will end up in a landfill, despite the fact that 63% of American communities now have plastic bottle recycling. It takes 700 years for a plastic bottle to begin to decompose in a landfill.

Did you know that Americans consume enough plastic film every year to shrink-wrap the state of Texas? Less than 10% of communities accept Saran wrap-type plastic for recycling.

Did you know that up to 1 trillion plastic bags are used in America every single year? That's one million bags per minute or 326 plastic bags per person per year. Less than 20% of those bags make it to a recycling center.

Did you know that Americans use well over 2 billion gallons of oil each year to produce its plastic bags? In 2001, Ireland passed a tax on plastic bags and saw a 90% reduction in their consumption. San Francisco recently passed a ban on plastic bags.

Did you know that the process of bottling water is ironically water-intensive? It takes three liters of water to produce just one liter of bottled water. Americans drank 31.2 billion liters of bottled water last year.

Did you know that Americans recycle more than 65% of their aluminum containers? And yet, we still throw away enough beer and soda cans every three months to rebuild the entire U.S. commercial air fleet? Recycling aluminum is incredibly energy efficient -- it uses 5% of the energy that making a new can from virgin materials does.

Did you know that 100 acres of Amazon Rain Forest are being cut down every minute? Continued deforestation, combined with global warming, will lead to the irreversible destruction of up to 80% of the rain forest over the next 21 years. The loss of the Amazon will rapidly accelerate global warming in countries as far away as India.

Did you know that one in every four mammals faces the threat of extinction? The world has so far lost 68 animal species, including the "Dodo" bird, the Tasmanian wolf and the Caspian tiger. In fact, all great cats currently face mortal risk. Less than half a century ago, there were 100,000 tigers roaming our planet; today, fewer than 5,000 are still alive in the wild.

Did you know:

The average residential solar system will save the equivalent of:

· 244,000 lbs of CO2 a leading cause of global climate change

· 168 lbs of NOx, a leading cause of smog

· 42 lbs of SO2, a leading cause of acid rain

· 49 lbs of particulates, a leading cause of asthma

· Driving a Car 267,000 Miles

· CO2 Absorbed by 116 Trees

· 82,000 Gallons of Water Used to Make Electricity

Help Spread the Word about Solar Energy

We want to help everyone realize the benefit of going solar and to reward your efforts we’ll send you a check for $400 for every person you send our way who ends up getting connected with Solar! If you would like a simple e-mail template to forward to friends, family or co-workers please shoot me an email and I’ll prepare one just for you!

http://www.paramountequity.com/solar/dusty-dunaway

Need to save money?

Here is a good way! Follow the link to my wonderful husband website. This is such an exciting time for us. We both have jobs that we love and a growing family. Could life be any better? Well yes... you could save money on your energy bill and save the planet. It's a win win people.

Here ya go.... not from Pickled Bean but a great idea for you.

Look at these super crafty super hero capes I have had many people ask me to make little capes for there toddlers. Truth be told I haven't had time to come up with a pattern and cape line but I came across this wonderful tutorial that I wanted to share. This is a great site to get some templates. If you are not a seamstress and need me to whip one up, I can do that {I just don't want to take credit for a pattern that is not mine} I would charge based on materials and my time. If interested.. or if you have another craft idea you need me to whip up reach out to me directly for pricing.

Make one for your little hero!!!

Just a little longer

Sorry you will have to wait just a little longer for our house video tour. I've been busy with work today and I wanted to spend every little minute that I had one on one with Taylor. The video just didn't make my priority list today. But I'll get on it asap, promise. To tide you over here are some pictures of the house before we moved in. These will be fun for comparisons.

This is a picture of the front room/dining room....right when you walk in the front door. Boy are the valences in this house SCARY. They are ALL being removed next week { thank heaven} We need an extension ladder to get some of them down.

Kitchen, with very pink tile... yummy. Like I said, classic California, 1980's track home that hasn't been updated..... EVER.

Taylor's room. Cooper room is identical and right next to hers.

Master bedroom

Room idea's

I've been trying to come up with some ideas for our guest bedroom/office. The bed that we have in there is to large with head and foot board to make a comfortable space for my desk. Plus... I hate the bedding. I've had the quilt since I was 25, it's time to move on!!

The plan is to get a simple bed frame and make a darling {flat} head board with a light colored duvet and pillow set to open the room. Here are some ideas that I liked from Better Homes and Gardens.

The BIG move

Thank heaven my dad made it for our move. It would have never been as streamlined and successful without his help. Moving when you are 31 weeks pregnant is no easy feet. I have NEVER been so tired! Little Cooper took such a beating, poor little guy. It took us just under 4 days to pack and move from one little house to another.

The best part about moving is organizing every nook and cranny. Every little thing has a perfect place, every closet is organized and picture hung. Lovely. Here are a few pictures, I'll do a walk tour tomorrow when the sun is shining.

Thursday morning... all packed up and ready to go

Taylor helping me pack the silverware. She is a great little helper.

Every night Taylor and Papa snuggled on the couch and watch a video before bedtime. Two peas in a pod.

This is what happens after an afternoon playing with Papa.

Knocked out for 2 hours. While I started dinner, and did laundry. Dad was hanging pictures and hammering on the walls and she didn't even flinch. This was after nap time and she still went to bed at 7:30 ( right on schedule) This girl is as pooped as the rest of us.

{ A little side note, We are so grateful that Taylor has adjust well to all of the changes in our life. New house, new pre-school, big girl bed and new baby on the way all with in the span of 2.5 months. It's like she hasn't even noticed. We are soooo lucky! }

This week for dinner

{ back a little bit yearly! First I want to thank my wonderful girlfriends for the most amazing dinners during our move. I truly have the best friends in the world. 4 days without Taylor and 5 incredible dinners delivered to our door.... make for an extremely easy move}

Monday: Dad's spaghetti!!!! green salad and garlic bread

Tuesday: Dover Sole, new potatoes and zucchini

Wednesday: Cream of asparagus's soup and grilled cheese sandwiches

Thursday: Corn beef and cabbage and mashed potatoes.

Friday: Mini Pizza's for family sleepover/movie night.

Vacation

Well not really a vacation! But I need to focus 100% on moving into our new little house ( and I'm also going to put in 30 hours of work next week... during the move, CRAZY I know!)

The Pickled Bean will be back up and running Wednesday April 21st. I will be filling all Pickled Bean Orders that were made this week but will not be taking orders again until the 21st. I can't wait to show you the new place... and to get settled... and to have room for Cooper... and a backyard for Lucy.... and a room for guests... and an OFFICE!

XOXO

Yikes

Packing your house while 7 1/2 months pregnant = brackston hicks contractions. Not sure how I'm going to move our family in one week. Thank heaven my dad is flying in town to help. But.....so excited to move to our new little house! We signed the lease last night and move a week from today.

Easter Picture Wrap Up

Here are a few for pictures of our Easter...

This year... Taylor Ella and Makenna

Last year... Taylor, Ella and Makenna

Making princess easter eggs with Daddy. Yes, in the nude! That afternoon all she wanted to wear was her Seaworld hat from Nana.

Taylor's easter basket. 3 books, a bunny, mr. potato head and redvines. There were many other little gifts from grandparents and family from all over the U.S. but we opened and played with them before easter sunday. A BIG thank you for all of the little goodies!!!

This week for dinner

{ Alert... on another sandwich kick}

Sunday : We had the most lovely Easter dinner with wonderful friends. We had garlic and horseradish crusted prime rib, Mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh steamed green beans, rolls, moms house salad and lemon tart. The dinner was great the company was EXCELLENT.

Monday: Cream of asparagus soup and sandwiches

Tuesday: French Dip sandwiches, oven fries and fresh fruit

Wednesday: pesto and shrimp pasta and a garden salad

Thursday: Meatball subs and corn on the cob.

Friday: We are starting to pack on Friday when Dusty gets home from work... I'm thinking take out Pizza but we will play this one by ear.

Quaking in our boots

Thank you to all of our friends and family who have called and emailed to make sure that we were okay after our little California earthquake. This was the first earthquake that I have ever felt. As many years as we have live in San Diego, I have slept through or not felt any of them. This was a totally different experience. Dusty, Taylor Lucy and I stood in the doorway and rode out the waves. It lasted a good 30 seconds. Strong enough to knock over the wine glasses on the Easter table,nothing fell off the shelves. Pictures were crooked and our cabinet drawers were opened but other than that just rattled nerves.

Thank you Jesus... and you too (your prayers worked!)

Yes, we found a place to live and the best news is that we can move in right away. We will be our new place in 2 weeks! The specs...

it's just minutes, 6 to be exact, from where we live right now.

4 bedrooms 3 bath.

3 car garage

nice little backyard.

The guest bedroom in on the ground floor with a full bath so our guest can get some rest when little Copper gets here. ( and more people can visit since we now have the space!)

Classic California style nothing special, I'm just thrilled to have a place to move before I get any bigger... and more uncomfortable.

There will be much more as we make the move but a million thank yous to all of our family and friends who listened to my bitch about finding a place and the many prayer we received for a quick move. Love Love you all.

xoxo

Easter

We have had a wonderful start to our weekend. Here are the first found of pictures, more to come as we head to more festivities. Yesterday Taylor and I went to an egg dying party and had dinner with the Horton's. ( Dusty was in L.A. at the Lakers game) Taylor is so creative, she loves getting dirty and painting ( hence the shirtless picture).

This morning we went to the Del Mar egg hunt. 75 degrees and beautiful. You really can't beat looking for eggs while watching the waves. Amazing! Taylor had a great time and brought home a basket full of eggs.

running to the park.

Waiting in line for the Easter Bunny. How cute is my family?

This bunny was not funny... Taylor was not amused!

Waiting for the hunt!

She is such a good girl. She just sat and waited with her friends until we were given the sign to go.

Some of her best friends ( from mommy group) Taylor, Jason, Ella and Makenna

Running to the biggest pile. Tutu is smiling from heaven. Look at her super cute Hawaiian dress.

Gathering her eggs. My favorite part.. no candy! The eggs were filled with little toys.

This afternoon, after nap time, more egg dying with Daddy and a trip the the park. While I get ready for Easter dinner.

We are having some good friends over for a little Easter feast tomorrow. On the menu. Rosemary and garlic infused Prime Rib. Margie's Mashed Potatoes ( still working on making these as perfect as she does... hopefully practice makes perfect) and gravy, steamed green beans, moms house green salad ( which is really called Rasmussen salad, but I changed the name because it make me think of my mom) homemade rolls and lemon tart for desert.

Little Cooper

We had an ultrasound yesterday for my 28/29 week doctor appointment. It's so nice to see the cozy little guy swimming. He is healthy and getting bigger by the minute. He weighs just over 2.7 lbs and is stretched out, head down arms out and feet in my ribs. I can't believe he will be here in 11 weeks! Here are some belly pictures that we took yesterday.

Serenity Now

I've found myself saying this quite a few times lately. Ohhh how I wish Dusty and I could have foreseen how difficult it would be to find a new place to live. Everyday that goes by makes me a little more nervous. Unless we have a miracle ( yes, we would love some prayers for one) It looks like we will me moving in May, when I'm 8 months pregnant. Who knows stranger things have happened. Maybe we will find a great place and move next week... or maybe when Cooper is born we will be living where we are now. ( this option give me heartburn) I just don't like not knowing where we are going to be in a week or month from now. Oh well, at least we have our cute little family. But for now, Serenity Now!

With Preschool....

Came a runny nose. Arghhh!