Out with Christmas, In with Baby!

All things Christmas got packed back up yesterday and baby boxes started coming out. Since it's been almost 5 years since L was born we had gotten rid of some things so we're having the task of going through everything box by box to see what we still have. L is having a blast looking at all the baby things and it makes me a little sad how big she is! There is an occasional preemie reminder in the boxes that I've found. This sign is one of those reminders. We were VERY protective of her when we finally did get to bring her home and rarely took her out when she was little but if we did this was always attached to her car seat or stroller. I always had positive comments from  people who saw it and respected it, especially when we explained that she was a preemie.

Even though I purchased these close to 5 years ago they still look great! I have no affiliation with the company, they are just a product I loved having. It looks like they are still available directly through the company - www.mytinyhands.com.

Weeding the Recipe Box

Does anyone else out there have a recipe box overflowing with recipes that you thought sounded good and had every intention of trying... someday? Or recipes you've asked for from parties but never actually made? I'm guilty of it and it needs to change! I want a recipe box I can go to that's filled with dishes I've made, have liked and will make again. I did a quick sort of recipes that I knew were staying but I had an even bigger stack that I don't know if I've ever made before or even like! I'm going to keep a stack at the back of the box that I can slowly go through and to see if they'll make the cut to the good part of the box or to the trash.

I also have TONS of recipes we've printed from the internet that are on 8.5x11" paper that I want to convert to recipe cards if they are a favorite. Tonight I made one of those recipes that I knew we liked but had forgotten about - Layered Meatball Bake from Kraft Foods. And you'll be proud to hear that I've already copied the recipe onto a card and put it into the box!

 And have I mentioned lately how much I love my marigold Fiesta bowls?

Made in the USA

While I keep saying that I'm not making any resolutions for 2012, my husband and I do have a goal for the future - buy more American products. We have already been in the habit the past few years if we have a choice between products and see one if American made, we buy that one. We would like to make more of a point now this year and in future years to find other American products and continue to buy them.

This weekend while doing our Christmas exchanges we returned a pair of snowboots to Big R and went off into the store to pick up some winter socks for me. About 9 years ago, when we lived in Kansas, my husband worked for Cabela's and he introduced me to the most wonderful and expensive socks I'd ever had. While not wanting to drive all the way to Bass Pro or Cabela's to buy them, or wait to order them I tried these Fox River socks last year. Much to our pleasant surprise this year when going to buy another pair, they said "Proudly made in the USA". I never knew they were made in the USA, in Iowa that we drive through all the time. I love that it doesn't just say Made in the USA, but they are proud to me making them in the USA! So my husband said get two pairs of them instead of just one!

Another American product that came into the house over the weekend was a few Fiesta ware bowls in 75th Anniversary Marigold color. We received 2 place settings in the dark blue from our wedding and they are the most used dishes in our house. Our plan is to slowly change out the Made in China dishes and fill the cabinet with a rainbow of Fiesta ware colors! For now it's just Cobalt Blue and Marigold.

No matter what country you are from and even if your whole house isn't filled with things made in your country, I hope you at least find some products from your country that you love that you can support.

Happy New Year!

I'm sitting here reading everyone's resolutions they've posted on Facebook over the past couple days and they mostly consist of weight loss, eating healthy, getting organized and decluttering houses. I don't have any resolutions for 2012 and I'm not going to make any. I just have one wish and that is for a healthy baby in 2012.