Thursday Thoughts

Sometimes a random thought will pop into my head and remain there for a number of days. These thoughts are always simple - it can be an observation, a useful tip, a feeling, an idea, a memory, or a quote I've just discovered. I usually don't do anything with these thoughts, but I don't want to forget them so I decided to create a place where I could share them. If you'd like to share your own thoughts, leave them in the comments, or email me and I may feature your thought in a future post.
Today's Thought:

Does anybody else put their child to bed and then proceed to stare at pictures of them all night?

Wordless Wednesday - A Boy and his Bike

Thursday Thoughts

Sometimes a random thought will pop into my head and remain there for a number of days. These thoughts are always simple - it can be an observation, a useful tip, a feeling, an idea, a memory, or a quote I've just discovered. I usually don't do anything with these thoughts, but I don't want to forget them so I decided to create a place where I could share them. If you'd like to share your own thoughts, leave them in the comments, or email me and I may feature your thought in a future post.
Today's Thought:

The first thing my son does when he comes home is run to the tree and turn the light on. So sweet!

Wordless Wednesday - Santa (AKA Daddy)

Happiness Comes In A Square

As a child, one of my favorite things to do was walk down the street to the drugstore and stare at the amazing display of yummy chocolate. The quality of chocolate at the drugstore is one of those areas where I feel that Canada is far superior to the U.S but I digress. It was at the drugstore that I first discovered Ritter Sport Chocolate.

Ritter Sport chocolate really is happiness in a square. It's delicious, high quality chocolate that was created with the thought that "Happiness Shared is Happiness Squared." The squares make the chocolate easy to break off and share with friends, and is also handy for saving for later enjoyment! There are several different varieties of flavors such as Milk Chocolate with Butter Biscuit, Milk Chocolate with Neapolitan Wafers, Milk Chocolate With Yogurt, Dark Chocolate with Whole Hazelnuts, and many more. You can view all of the flavors here. I was sent a few different varieties for review, and biting into them was like biting into several happy childhood memories of walking to the drugstore and buying my Ritter Sport. My favorite flavor was and always will be the Milk Chocolate with Butter Biscuit (there's something about the combination of smooth, rich chocolate with crunchy buttery goodness), but the new Milk Chocolate with Neapolitan Wafers is a close second.

Ritter Sport Chocolate is the perfect thing to make someone's day a little brighter. Makes a great stocking stuffer too!

WANT TO WIN? There will be four winners. Each winner will receive a box of Ritter Sport mini bars. To enter, visit Ritter Sport and tell me in a comment which variety you think you would enjoy most. Deadline to enter is Tuesday, December 29th at Midnight. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

Get Crafty with Project of the Month Club

I am not a naturally crafty person. Those people who can come up with fun, original projects to do with their kids? Yeah, that's not me. I really admire people who have the crafty gene, because when I walk into a craft store, I usually have no idea what I'm even looking at. That said, I'm grateful for services like Project of the Month Club, who do the hard work for you so that you can focus on the fun stuff!

Here's how it works: they supply all the materials you need to make fun projects like step stools, model ships, pillows and much more. There are different projects in a variety of categories to choose from. You can do mix and match and do a little of everything, or you can choose a category that suits your personal interests best such as Builders, Designers, Artists and Scientists. We received the step stool and tissue box cover to try out. Everything you need for the projects is included in the package, and literally all you need to do is have fun making them! It's that easy. I love how the projects are a way to get in some family bonding time and can give a sense of accomplishment once you finish them.

The projects are appropriate for children starting at age three, with some projects geared towards older children. There are a myriad of different membership options to choose from when you want to get started. Project of the Month club makes a great gift as well, and one that can last all year long!

Thursday Thoughts

Sometimes a random thought will pop into my head and remain there for a number of days. These thoughts are always simple - it can be an observation, a useful tip, a feeling, an idea, a memory, or a quote I've just discovered. I usually don't do anything with these thoughts, but I don't want to forget them so I decided to create a place where I could share them. If you'd like to share your own thoughts, leave them in the comments, or email me and I may feature your thought in a future post.
Today's Thought:

Comic-con memberships sold out eight months before the convention! Glad I was able to snag a one day pass though...can't wait!

Wordless Wednesday - Sunday Best

Child to Cherish - Keepsake Gifts

Still looking for that special holiday gift? Be sure to check out Child to Cherish. They feature unique, yet functional children's keepsakes and gifts. You can get personalized piggy banks, crayon aprons, fine plush animals, alphabet letters, birthday and holiday gifts and much more. I think this Handprints Tower of Time kit is gorgeous and would be a perfect baby shower gift:



Here's what I got for my niece: the Little Baker Suitcase includes an apron, rolling pin, spoon, recipe booklet and cookie cutters. They come in girl, boy, and holiday versions. The suitcase itself is adorable and can be used for so many other things as well. Perhaps it can be taken on a trip to Grandma's house to bake cookies!



To see the full product line and to purchase, visit Child to Cherish.

Whale Done!

As a new mother, one of the things I did nonstop was read baby and parenting books. Now my son is two years old, and still, I find myself drawn to reading material that promise to make me be a better parent. I've read so many that often, I'll just do a quick skim through because I find that a lot of the information is the same from book to book. That's why it was so refreshing to read and discover Whale Done Parenting, a book with a revolutionary concept that I found actually works!

Whale Done Parenting does for toddlers what SeaWorld did for killer whales. You know those super spectacular shows where the whales obey, do special tricks and seem to have absolute trust in their trainers? Turns out, the same training techniques can be applied to kids! The secret is focus on the positive and pretty much ignore the negative. The most important thing I learned was to concentrate on catching your kids doing something right and then reward them for it. Just as animals trust and want to please humans who reward them with praise and recognition, the same holds true for children (and basically the human race as a whole.)

I tried this technique out on my son, who has a tendency to make huge messes with his toys and then refuse to clean them up. In the past, I would scold him while he was making the mess, because I knew that he probably wasn't going to clean it up and I didn't want to get stuck with picking up after him. After reading the book however, I let him go ahead and make the mess - as long as he wasn't hurting anybody I chose to ignore it. Then, I encouraged him to help me clean it up. After much coaxing, he finally put one of his blocks away. I then made a big deal out of that, rewarding him with praise. And now? He's become a great little helper! He cleans up after himself without a problem (usually) and seems happy when I'm pleased with him. According to the book, the same principles can be used for mealtime, potty training, bedtime and naps, sharing of toys, care of pets, and more. The book also shows that the same basic methods can be used in dealing with issues appropriate to older children.

Whale done parenting is extremely easy to read and entertaining. It has a great narrative style that made me not want to put it down. Ever. For that I say Whale Done! For more information about Whale Done Parenting and how to buy it, go here.

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a copy of Whale Done Parenting. To enter, leave a topic related comment on this post prior to Monday, December 21st at Midnight. Please include your email address with your comment. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

Celebrate the Whoops!

I'm one of those people who, despite good intentions still manages to get myself in a pickle every once in a while. For instance, I may find myself wanting to write someone a letter but I have no stationery. Or I'll be out and see something that I need to take note of, only I have no notebook. Or I'll be having a bad hair day and have no comb or hair clips. This is where Whoops Bunny comes to the rescue.

Whoops Bunny is the kind of company that, instead of getting frustrated over minor setbacks, actually "celebrates the whoops" with a line of adorable, yet handy products. The All Natural Make Up Sticks I received from them for instance, are perfect for keeping in your bag when you're on the go and need to freshen up in a pinch. They're also made right here in the USA and are packaged in a stylish, recyclable tube. The Clippie Bows Hair Kit is also handy for carrying around on those days when your hair is a mess.

The Whoops Bunny product line also includes items like note pads, melamine dish sets, wallets, play apparel and so much more. I think everything is adorable and it's almost like having a special friend who's there for you when you have a whoops! Check out the full product line here and the next time you have a "whoops" don't be sad - be glad that you can celebrate it with Whoops Bunny!

Thursday Thoughts

Sometimes a random thought will pop into my head and remain there for a number of days. These thoughts are always simple - it can be an observation, a useful tip, a feeling, an idea, a memory, or a quote I've just discovered. I usually don't do anything with these thoughts, but I don't want to forget them so I decided to create a place where I could share them. If you'd like to share your own thoughts, leave them in the comments, or email me and I may feature your thought in a future post.
Today's Thought:

A last minute, spontaneous invitation to go to Disneyland for a day is my idea of a great time...especially during the Christmas season!

Wordless Wednesday - Looking At Christmas Lights

Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus

Having read and enjoyed The Legend of Honey Hollow by Jeanne McNaney earlier this year, I was excited to have the opportunity to read her latest book Miracle in Sumatra: The Story of Gutsy Gus. This new book explores the lives of orangutans and the importance of conserving their natural habitat in Sumatra. It tells the story of Gus, a gutsy, young orangutan, who discovers his parents have been trapped by hunters. It's up to him and his new friends, a little girl named Maya and Gabriella, the guardian of the jungle to save his parents and to teach the trappers an important lesson.

The book is engaging and sometimes sad. It really paints a picture of reality and how easy it is to lose sight of what's important and become consumed by greed. However, it is also a story of hope and how it is possible to change for the good - at times it almost feels spiritual. I read this to my two year old son who usually has limited patience, but he was engrossed from beginning to end. I know that in addition to the story, the magnificent illustrations by David Cochard helped keep his attention. They are rich, vibrant and a pure joy to look at. I'm happy that there are quality, educational books like this one out there that can help me teach my son to appreciate the world he lives in. To learn more about the book and to get your own copy, you can visit the website here.

Cooking With Vanilla

I've always loved the flavor of vanilla. It's my preferred ice cream flavor and I think it smells heavenly too. Besides that though, I really didn't know a whole lot about it, much less that you can use it to enhance your cooking and to create exquisite, tantalizing recipes.

A Century of Flavor from Nielson-Massey Vanillas has opened my eyes to the wonderful world of vanilla. This gorgeous, harcover cookbook contains fifty delicious looking recipes all using the flavor of vanilla as well as many Nielsen-Massey pure flavor extracts such as lemon, chocolate and orange. There are so many dishes that I never thought to use vanilla in such as salmon (which I make all the time), pasta with lobster and honey citrus pork roast. Who knew that vanilla was so versatile? A Century of Flavor also utilizes incredible photos of the food. When I cook, I like to know what I'm getting in the end. If these photos are any indication of what dishes I'll be getting, I'm going to try and make them all!

I have to admit that I've been using that fake imitation vanilla stuff to make my cookies, but after reading this cookbook I'm not going to do that anymore. I've now learned the value of vanilla. I thought my cookies were pretty good before, but the real thing truly makes a difference!

WANT TO WIN? One winner will receive a copy of A Century of Flavor. To enter, leave a topic-related comment on this post prior to Monday, December 14th at Midnight. Please include your email address with your comment. Winner must provide a US mailing address.

Thank you to A Century of Flavor for this review opportunity.

San Diego Saturday

Welcome to San Diego Saturday! Updated as needed, this column is where I'll provide info about noteworthy events, attractions and fun things to do around town.



One of my favorite things to do is eat, and thankfully San Diego has a lot of good food. Here are just a few of my absolute faves:

Lobster Bisque - Blue Point Coastal Cuisine

Ever since I moved to San Diego five years ago, I had been meaning to try Blue Point Coastal Cuisine. I finally tried it two months ago and it was worth the wait. What really knocked my socks off though, was the Lobster Bisque. I have never tasted lobster bisque this good in my life. It has a wonderful, creamy consistency, tastes really great at first and has an even better aftertaste. Sometimes I dream about going back there just for the bisque.

White Hot Chocolate and Surfing Goat Ping Pong Bruschetta with Maui Mango Chutney - Extraordinary Desserts

Okay, so pretty much everything is divine at Extraordinary Desserts. You can read my previous review here. I've never been to the Hillcrest location, just the Downtown one. Whenever I go though, I make sure to get the White Hot Chocolate. I don't know what makes it so good - I think there's a hint of lavender in it maybe. And they serve it with a light, frothy, delicious whipped cream. As long as I get this, I really don't need anything else - oh except for the Surfing Goat Ping Pong Bruschetta. Just try it. You'll thank me.

Mojito-lime Cookie - Azucar

Azucar is a delightful Cuban Pattisserie in Ocean Beach that specializes in yummy desserts and other specialty Cuban items like croquetas, pastelitos and Cuban sandwiches. All delicious. One time my husband ordered the Mojito-lime cookie and made an amazing discovery. The cookie tastes almost exactly like the White Hot Chocolate from Extraordinary Desserts! Say no more.

Caramel Flan - El Pollo Loco

That's right, El Pollo Loco, the fast food chicken restaurant has the best caramel flan out there. I've ordered it numerous times at other restaurants and they just can't compare to the rich, creamy texture that this one has. Get some chicken too while you're there...it's all good stuff.

Duck Tacos and Arugula & Pear Pizza - Sammy's Woodfired Pizza

Sammy's Woodfired Pizza has a lot of interesting menu items, including the mini duck tacos. Despite choking on them the first time I ate them and actually fearing that I might not be able to breathe again, I always order them whenever I go. There's just something about that duck with feta cheese, roma tomatoes, cabbage and creamy tomato cilantro sauce that makes me crave them. And the Arugula & Pear sounds weird but I guess that's the point. Doesn't matter to me as long as it's delicious, which it is.

Fish Tacos and Water - Ortega's Mexican Buffet & Pizzeria

Yes, it's a Mexican buffet and yes, it has pizza but I've never tried either. The reason I go to Ortega's is for the best fried fish taco in San Diego. Trust me on this. And the water? It's just regular tap water served in pitchers but for some reason it's GOOD. And you can get bendy straws there - perfect for the kids.

Hogs & Heifers Burger - Bare Back Grill

I know everyone has their preferred hamburger joint, and mine is Bare Back Grill. We're talking New Zealand burger and sandwiches made with 100% organic beef. I'm not even a fan of beef (in fact, for years I didn't eat it for fear of mad cow disease.) Now I only eat it on special occasions, and any trip to Bare Back Grill for a Hogs & Heifers burger is a reason to celebrate.

Salmon Relleno con Marisco - Costa Brava

Spanish tapas has always been a favorite of mine. It's fun to share yummy, little dishes and the ones at Costa Brava in Pacific Beach are delish. The real reason I go however, is for the Salmon Relleno con Marisco, or in other words, the fabulous stuffed salmon. Fresh salmon, stuffed with seafood in a lobster bisque sauce...come on now. You just don't argue with something like that.

How about you? What are your favorite things to eat in San Diego or elsewhere?

Easy Holiday Toy Shopping

When it comes to holiday shopping, I like to do my research online before hitting the store. While I do love going out to the mall and taking in all the festive displays, sometimes it ends up being more of a hassle than a joy especially when I'm not adequately prepared. Team Mom recently clued me into two websites that are extremely helpful when you find yourself in need of toys for the kids.



The first one is ToyInfo.org. This website is a great help is finding the toys that suit your family the best. There's a useful safety facts section (you can sign up for automatic recall alerts from the site), information on toy trends, videos, a guide for the best kinds of toys for kids at each stage in their lives, and so much more. You can also join in on the discussion board and talk with other parents to get ideas and tips. This is a one-stop resource to discover everything about toys and play, and helps to ensure safe and fun play in your home.



The second website is ToyAwards.org. This website showcases the best of the best! Recognized as the "Oscars" of the toy industry, you can view the top toys nominated for the 2010 Toy of the Year Awards. Not only can you view which toys the industry's experts thinbk are best, but you and your kids can also choose which products they think are best. Register on the site and be entered for a chance to win your choice of one or more of eleven prize packages! You can also download a free gift shopping list which you can take to the store to help guide you in selecting the most innovative and desirable toys this holiday season. Happy holiday shopping!

Thursday Thoughts

Sometimes a random thought will pop into my head and remain there for a number of days. These thoughts are always simple - it can be an observation, a useful tip, a feeling, an idea, a memory, or a quote I've just discovered. I usually don't do anything with these thoughts, but I don't want to forget them so I decided to create a place where I could share them. If you'd like to share your own thoughts, leave them in the comments, or email me and I may feature your thought in a future post.
Today's Thought:

Hot appetizers, sparkling cranberry cider, and Disney's "The Small One" makes for a very enjoyable evening.

Wordless Wednesday - Watching TV on Thanksgiving

Say Hello to Hello Hanna

If you know me, you know that I'm a serious fan of anything that sparks creativity and imagination. I'm also totally into anything that's cute. Hello Hanna is one of those places where you'll find simple, creatively designed products that inspire you to use your imagination. And I also happen to think they're pretty darn cute.

Their premiere products are the Get Set Placemats. With three whimsical designs to choose from, kids can have a great time customizing their own placemat while staying busy at the dinner table. These are no ordinary placemats. These have special pop-up characters, sticker sheets, an activity area on the back and a place to put a fork, knife and spoon. They are printed on heavyweight uncoated paper stock, making them ideal to take on the go, to picnics, restaurants, you name it. The three themes you can choose from are the Hello Robot, Hello Me and the Hello Jungle. Whatever one you choose is sure to be a hit! After taking a look at these fabulous placemats, I'm really looking forward to seeing more of what Hello Hanna will have to offer in the future. According to the website, a children's party line is currently in development as well as some design your own books and other items that I'm dying to see. For now, I'll have to be happy with my placemats - make that extremely happy. Get your own set of eight at Hello Hanna for $14.95.