momnivore's dilemma

creative juice #60 {link-up and features}

2012-02-22T17:55:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to another edition of Creative Juice... This link party is in its golden years now, people! How do you like the new header??? It's a little gothic... My crafting has taken a backseat lately , because I've been busting my hump working on coding for a new TOP SECRET site that will be live in Spring. I'll give you a hint: it rhymes with "preaching" and it has something to do

how autism stole the birthday party {or the post where I butcher dr. seuss's how the grinch stole christmas}

2012-02-21T21:37:00.000-08:00

the invites for birthday party season roll in. and my anxiety level increases as my sons realize that their cake is different. our family is different. that their mother is a nutritional dictator. {that could be a great resume addition for the 5 year gap of SAHM} {with apologies to dr. seuss. you legacy lives on each night at bedtime}. now to butcher your greatest work. {Moose at

the many headers of momnivore's dilemma. a retrospective. {and a giveaway}

2012-02-20T23:57:00.000-08:00

Before I knew anything about blogging, this was my first header. I remember being so overwhelmed uploading this. I knew little in the way of pixels and size.But I loved the image.The photojournalism. The message behind my son's eyes.Then, armed with a few tutorials, I made this: A slight improvement, but far too wide. Getting better... I finally added a "tag line" so people understood the

real-life wardrobe for the SAHM: spring trends 2012

2012-02-20T09:05:00.000-08:00

It's easy, as a SAHM to wear "the uniform". Yoga pants. Tee. Whatever shoes are by the door. My husband said the other day, "If I were you, I'd never get out of my pajamas." Five years ago, yes. I wore my husband's sweatshirts covered in baby Moose puke. Now what's my excuse? That just makes me unproductive and blah. Lately, I've been making more of a concerted effort to feel "put

the imperfectionist.

2012-02-19T20:05:00.000-08:00

Don't worry about the dust. It will always be there. -Grandma Jensen I wave the little white flag. I believe that women who keep their homes "perfectly together" either a.) have a staff: a nanny, cleaning service, or a live-in grandparent. b.) have zero hobbies other than homemaking. c.) have closets overflowing with piles of crap just minutes before company arrives.* I admit to doing "c"

Creative Juice #59 {link-up and features}

2012-02-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

Wow. This blog is approaching 700 followers. I remember when the only people reading were my mom and aunts. I am blessed to have such an amazing community of readers. Thank you. If you {or any mothers you know} are interested in being intereviewed for the real mothers of autism series...please email me {contact listed in my sidebar}. Now back for my favorite time of the week. Creative

the greatest love of all.

2012-02-14T18:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day Love,The Estate The Napping House

how to cook old school: properly-prepared oatmeal

2012-02-13T07:28:00.000-08:00

My favorite breakfast during the winter when I was young was oatmeal. The overly-processed quick-in-the-microwave oats that came individually-packed and overly sweetened with dehydrated strawberries. Maple and brown sugar. I still have impure thoughts about that oatmeal. The more I study food and nutrition, the more I see the phrase "properly-prepared grains, beans, and nuts" pop up in

be your own healthcare.

2012-02-12T21:41:00.000-08:00

to every action there's an equal and opposite reaction- Sir Issac Newton, as drilled into me by Sister Fallon, Senior Honor Physics if doctors knew all the answers, he would still be here. when he died, there was no less than 30 different medications lined up on his dresser in every bottle a false hope and profits for the believer big pharma at its best. a pill for every ill. if doctors

calling all autism mothers: a new series

2012-02-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking. Hearing my story is not enough. I want to interview mothers about their stories, joys, triumphs, challenges, set-backs, struggles, and musings about the greatest growing epidemic in this country. Autism. Autism affects more children than childhood AIDS, cancer, and diabetes COMBINED. And it's the least funded. And most controversial. I already have the first four

sticks and stones

2012-02-10T13:05:00.000-08:00

It happened. My Moose was made fun of for the first time. We were at a birthday party. Two young boys looked on as I tried to talk to Moose. I asked him what he wanted to eat. He replied, "Dadas." The boys broke out in laughter: He said he wanted to eat his dad. He talks funny. There's something wrong with him. Luckily, Moose didn't respond. If he did understand, he didn't let on.

Creative Juice #58 {features and link-up}

2012-02-08T17:01:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to another edition of Creative Juice {and my Valentine's Day link party}. Here are the features from Creative Juice last week: From A Happy Place called Home: DIY'd faux capiz lamp project From Decorating Insanity: This $6 dollar dresser! From Raising Oranges: A New Workspace From Sweet Sewn Stitches: Frosted Windows {you'll never believe what Alyssa used!} Break all

25 Random Things

2012-02-08T14:00:00.000-08:00

1.) My youngest son painted on the floor and the wall. His love of art makes me melt. 2.) I still haven't cleaned it up. I should have made him clean it up, but I forgot. 3.) I stay up most nights til 1 a.m. 4.) When the world is sleeping, I believe more ideas are available. 5.) Speaking of ideas, I bought a dot org today. It's a few years from being a non-profit- I won't take it

joy above joy {an update on moose}

2012-02-07T20:33:00.000-08:00

The smallest improvement will look like a huge leap to you. You will marvel at typical development and realize how amazing it is. You will know sorrow like few others and yet you will know joy above joy. from WELCOME TO BEIRUT by: Susan F. Rzucidlo the morning started out hideous. {i promise you this gets better} moose's doctor ordered a round of activated charcoalbecause his diarrhea

Potty Training Tips and Must-Haves: Advice from the Pee-soaked Trenches

2012-02-05T20:30:00.000-08:00

Here at the estate: There's puddles. And piddles. And lots of "NO! MOMMEEEEE! I HATE THE POTTEEEEE. I LOVE MY DIAPER". The proverbial excrement has hit the fan, well, really the floor, far too many times over the past few weeks than I can count. I, in my insane state of mind, have taken on the Sisyphean feat of potty-training, not ONE, but TWO boys at the same time. An academy award for

Creative Juice #57 {features and link-up}

2012-02-01T14:34:00.000-08:00

Happy February... Welcome back to another edition of Creative Juice {and my Valentine's Day link party}. Here's some projects that caught my eye from both parties. Remember, if you pin them, please do so from the original source, and not this blog. From A Pumpkin & A Princess: Love Pillow I love that this pillow plays on both the famous I <3 NY and Robert Indiana's LOVE art. From

The Homeless Home Office: The After{math}

2012-01-31T17:29:00.000-08:00

In case you are just joining us...here's the before and during. I added a few finishing touches to make the space really work for me. In addition to the vintage suitcases that are my "home office", I also created a few more areas that I would have in a "real" office/studio space again. I tried to hide as much as I could, because clutter on my first floor is a real issue... 1.) First a

12 months of "me" time. {January: Take a Crochet Class}

2012-01-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

This year, I've committed hard-core to taking better care of "me". Especially since almost every waking hour I have, sans this blog, is consumed with some form of housework or child-care. Whether you have children or not, we all take little time to pursue our interests at the end of a work day. Back when I was teaching, I scarcely had the energy to even workout after I graded papers galore.

Creative Juice #56: Features and Link-up

2012-01-25T13:32:00.000-08:00

Hey all. Hope your week is going great. Don't forget in addition to Creative Juice Thursday, we have the Valentine's Link Party going on for the next 3 weeks as well. Feel free to link to both if you wish. There are over 50+Valentine's Projects already linked! Here are the features from last week's party: From Thistle Wood Farm: An updated boys' hangout From Artsy Vava: Easy Pendant

how to cook old school: easy bbq pulled pork recipe

2012-01-25T08:20:00.000-08:00

Welcome back to yet another installment of how to cook old school. Using the crock pot is a sure fire way to simplify your life, and kick "fast food" to the curb. Slow food is the new fast food. The time it takes for you to prep this meal, you would have barely touched the drive-thru line at your local burger shop. Sure Rachel Ray cooks things in 30 minutes, but something that's been

Say it Ain't So, Picnik: How to Use Stickers after Picnik's Death

2012-01-24T20:15:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, google sucker-punched blogging world. Our beloved cheap and easy photo-editing site, Picnik will be no longer as of April 19, 2012. At first I was in tears. Then, I put on my big girl panties and dealt with it. I was alarmed because I used Picnik to add simple shapes, arrows, and the occasion kiss on authors I adore. {like the author Gary Taubes, of the famed Good Calories

on fortune cookies and different paths

2012-01-24T04:49:00.000-08:00

in my early 20s, my life wasn't the easiest. my father was terminally ill. i pursued my master's full-time while working full-time as a classroom teacher, burning the proverbial candle at both ends. i left my home at 7, and returned home past 10 most nights. my migraines were constant. i mended a broken heart just before meeting the man to become my husband. one night, during this chaotic time,

The Homeless Home Office: The During

2012-01-22T20:35:00.000-08:00

Click here to see the before... and read about how I maintain a homeless home office Okay. This was as bad as giving birth, yet it took me four hours. I was in labor with Monkey for 30+ hours. First, I finally weeded out the hot steaming mess in suitcase #1. There was two Whole Foods shopping bags full of shredded paper, mostly in the name of junk mail, that I have avoided since before

Valentine's Day Craft: Love Letters & Beaded Heart Tutorial

2012-01-20T16:58:00.000-08:00

{reposted from last year} Believe it or not, this entire project cost me less than a gallon of $3.60 gas here in Chicago. Less than $2. -gift boxes {yup I ask for them whenever I go shopping}-Free-magenta colored Christmas picks {70% off at Michaels}-29 cents on sale-damask fabric that I scored for $1.20/yard at Joann's Black Friday sale- {used a half a yard}-scissors, packing tape,

gluten-free coconut macaroon recipe

2012-01-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

Since macaroons are the new whoopie pies, I thought I'd adapt the craze for all my celiac and gluten-intolerant readers out there. These incredibly chewy gluten-free coconut macaroons are simple to prep and delicious to eat. So easy, my 2.5 year old made a few. And impatiently awaited the cookies to come out of "their nap in the oven". I may use this baked dough for a gluten-free chocolate