I have a rather extensive blogroll (n., a list of blogs that have been bookmarked to be read frequently).  I frequent most of them every day, all of them weekly.  They provide inspiration to me.  Many of my ideas are sparked from this list of blogs.  Including this new one.  Each blog I read always has some kind of post about where to get 'free' stuff.  In this sense, the word 'free' is used for downloadable items only.  No mail-in rebates, no going to the store with a coupon and walking out with a box of something. 

See?  Inspired and loaded with a new idea!  Why not share with my readers what I find 'free' per chance they need/want it too?  And that snowballed into another idea!  Why not have a weekly post of 'free' items?  Not only will people be able to indulge in something they might/might not but want need, but it will be free and that equates Guilt. Free. Spending. 

My first item? 

Many of the items that I dont budget for, are usually the items that cost me the most when I need them.  I never keep envelopes or note cards of any kind around.  And when I need them, I am shelling out more than I should had I planned better.  This just adds annoyance to the whole situation and makes the experience a wee bit negative for me.  A couple of weeks ago I was surfing many of the blogs in my blogroll and came across a website for free downloadable invitation templates.  Knowing I have an event coming up that will require invites, I browsed this website and actually FOUND a template that I can use.   

Here's a sample of the invitation template I have downloaded and will be using in the near future.  (mind the data in the invite is not accurate!)

 
Invitation Template: Square Polka Dots

Most of these templates are 'wedding' inspired, but once you download and open in Microsoft Word, you can edit to your desire. 

Check back next Wednesday for more ideas!

Edit: Be sure to use good quality scrapbooking cardstock when printing the invitations. 

This morning as I sit here trying to quickly post this, eat breakfast and shower all while Max sleeps for the next hour, I realize the following:

Summer is in full swing.
Feeling nostalgic for lazy summer days spent at the beach on Block Island. 
I have certain goals and dreams that I want for my life, Max's life, and balancing and prioritizing them 
is exhausting and stressful.
Though, first time in my life, I have something that trumps anyone else's priorities 
(including mine!).

All of which are good things.

This is my all time favorite granola.  Its nice and crunchy and has just the right amount of peanut butter.  This is perfect anytime of day.  I have eaten it for breakfast with yogurt and for lunch with granny smith apples.  Yum. 

Here's the link to the recipe, by Hillbilly Housewife. 

Here's my version of the recipe. 
2TBS unsalted butter
1/3 cup all natural peanut butter (I use Smuckers All Natural Crunchy)
1/3 cup honey
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 cups rolled oats 
1/2 cup silvered almonds
1/4 cup flaxseed

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2.  Melt butter, peanut butter and honey over medium-low heat in small saucepan.
3.  Add vanilla.
4.  Stir until mixture is smooth and hot throughout.
5.  In seperate bowl, combine oats, almonds and flaxseed. 
6.  Pour peanut butter mixture over the oat mixture.  Stir thoroughly, it will become chunky.
7.  Cover baking sheet with parchment paper.
8.  Pour granola on to baking sheet, flatten/spread evenly with spatula. 
9.  Bake for 10 minutes for lightly toasted, 15 minutes for crunchy granola.  (my personal fav is crunchy)

Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

You can add any items to this granola.  My friend Robin adds chocolate chips.  I've made it in the past with sliced toasted almonds and dried cranberries. 

This is also one of the cheapest things to make ... you have most of the ingredients in the house already!  And its good for you too! 

Enjoy!

My mother has said for as long as I can remember, 'work on the smiles', when I was complaining about a bad day, a negative thing or whathaveyou, something that wasnt positive in my life. 

'Work on the smiles!' she says, as she is working in the kitchen or reading the mail. 

Well, that's exactly what Max and I have been doing lately.  According to the books, and the pediatrician, a genuine conversational smile exchange between Max and I is to occur between six and eight weeks.  Here we are at the tail end of week seven.  A couple of smiles appeared yesterday and today.  Mind you they are not perfect, but we are getting there.  Makes me a very proud mom. 

(yes, he is smiling! not crying!)

(and yes, I will be taking this feature of my mother with me, it actually works.  You smile when you are feeling blue, annoyed, etc at life and it seems to dissipate, whatever that negative thing was ... thanks Mom!)

Ali Edwards, as you can see I follow her blog, wrote a post about a quilt she had commissioned someone to make for her.  I read that post and thought to myself, I have a house full of family heirlooms!  This quilt, made by my beautifully talented Aunt Syrl, for Max.  Its absolutely gorgeous.  I love it, and I am sure Max loves it as he has tummy time on this quilt.  He works so hard on focusing on the different patterns. 

This will be an item that will get stored away and saved for Max when he is older, to pass along to his family.  Along with a afgan that belonged to my step-father's mother.  It was her wedding gift from her mother.  It sits on the edge of my bed.  I love it.  Love all the colors, love the fact that its a twin bed size (because you know they slept in twin beds way back when!), love the fact that it was made with love from a mother to a daughter.  I was honored when I was told I could have it.

I love the fact that my home is filled with these types of items.  They just radiate love and warmth.  I so prefer that over anything else. 

I meant to take this picture when we were in the hospital, just after he was born.  I got caught in the newborn baby fog.  So here we are today, 6 weeks, 6 days old.  Ten perfect little toes.  That was one of the first things I checked when I was handed Max after delivery.  His hands and his feet.  Ok, really the second thing.  Couldnt bypass the forehead.  Its clearly obvious this is my child! 

I nibble on these things daily.  We do the 'This piggy...' rhyme.  And best yet, I dont get any complaints.  Thank you Max for letting Mommy celebrate all things you! 

Though I use this blog to journal my life and to share with others, I wanted to have something, a journal of some-sort for Max.  I found this mini journal.  Perfect for the busy mom, like me.  I am able to capture the day, the feelings, thoughts, likes and favorites.  I cant wait for it to be completed and for Max to review it when he is older, to know that on June 11th, my favorite smell is freshly brewed coffee. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
As of tomorrow, I will be one month away from going back to work.  I want to spend as much time as possible with Max, just he and I.  I wont ever get this time back, so I want to make it the best it possibly can be.  

Seems either we really like Mortimer or he just wiggles his way into our pictures.  (you can see Mortimer in the corner of the pics below)

When I started up this blog again in August 2008, I was taking the 'green' approach.  I was going to talk about green things - recycling, reducing my waste, how to live a more healthy lifestyle with little effect on the planet.  That didnt work out so much.  And that's okay.  My efforts have not stopped in trying to preserve Mother Earth though I dont write about them. 

I diligently recycle all products I can in my house.  I bring reuseable bags with me when shopping.  I recycle the plastic bags I do have to take home with me.  I only wash clothes when I have a full load.  I run the dishwasher only when its full.  I turn off lights as much as possible. I unplug items that still receive electricity though they arent being used.  And as of late, with the arrival of Max, I purchase gently used clothes for myself and Max. 

The reason for this is one, maternity clothes are super expensive.  Two, Max will be wearing outfits for like one day and be too big for them the next time.  So why spend all that money?  Especially when I can go to Once Upon a Child or From My Room, and walk out with name brand clothes for a FRACTION of the price.  Yesterday, I spent approximately $7 and some change on the following items:

-White Gap Polo onesie - $2.75
-Navy Blue Gap Polo onesie, with Gap khaki shorts - $3.75
-Carters never used, with tags, onesie - $.50

You see that?  A brand new onesie for fifty cents! The Gap items look brand new, in excellent condition.  When in the Gap yesterday, shopping for myself, I ventured into the Baby Gap and priced out the baby polos, and get this, full price $15. 

I am not ashamed of this practice of recycling children's clothing, or any clothing for that matter.  How many times have you purchased something with the intent to wear it and then a few months later you have buyers remorse and wish you could get that $50 back?  So if you were smart, you'd sell to a resale shop, or consignment shop hoping to recoup some of that money. 

By doing so, my child looks super cute in his outfits.

*$3.00 Gap shortall onesie w/$3.00 Carters blanket.

1.  lazy morning, waiting for Max to rise and shine.
2.  Rain.
3.  Playing with the twinkies at Mom's, answering all their 'what's that' questions.
4.  Going to Bass Pro to look at the waterfall, fish, bear and other large things.

5.  Inflating the giraffe pool, for the boys, only to find it was more of a task. 
6.  Watching the boys play in the giraffe pool.

7.  Brownies from Boston Chicken.
8.  Bathtime for Max.
9.  Chores late at night, during thunderstorm. 
What is this feeling? 
A real nice memory was made today.

Ever wonder how people view your life? Or how they interpret it? It dawned on me while laying in the hospital after giving birth to Max, that I have a story.  Everyone has a story.  And people who dont know me, assume what my story is, as I am sure I do to others unconsciously.  However, recently I've been really aware of not passing this judgement and trying to get to know people's stories. 

I believe this was all triggered by the birth of Max.  I want him to understand my story before he came into my life.  I want him to understand and enjoy our story that we will write together.  This is uber important to me.  I can look back on my life and smile, laugh, frown, on my experiences, my story.  I want Max to have the same experience. 

Today, this is my story.  I am a mom to Max.  I am a single parent by choice.  Not something that is as taboo as it once was generations ago, but still not the 'normal' family dynamic.  I am proud of my decision, as I have been blessed with this awesome human being to share my life with. 

*photo by Kelly

What is your story?