From the first day my daughter sat in her car seat I had planned on using a blanket to cover the car seat. It is a bit cold for a newborn, so I needed something to protect her from the elements. There are also many very nice and friendly people who wanted (and still want) to touch her and I need to protect her from them (meaning germs), too. Usually the blanket that I choose to cover the car seat is one that I also need to use for her. And these are nice blankets that get dropped on the ground when the wind blows by or gets very dirty when brushed up against the car. I was tired of it.
I searched for a day for the perfect cover but did not find anything. Instead, I was told about this great d0-it-yourself idea for an adorable, and functional, car seat cover. And better yet, I could actually do it with my limited, but growing, sewing abilities.
Want to make your own? This is how I did it:
I used 2 yards of coordinating material and wide grosgrain ribbon, also coordinating. (I had three yards of material that I purchased before I went on bed rest, and since I never got around to making the blanket I wanted the material was perfect for a cover!)
I placed the two pieces over the car seat to see how long and wide I wanted it to be, trimmed it where needed and then put the materials back t0 back, ironed and pinned them together. I did a pink zig-zag stitch all the way around.
I placed the cover over the seat and played around with the placement of the ribbons until I found the perfect position, pinned the ribbons into place and then sewed them into place with a straight stitch.
And VOILA! the cover was complete. Of course I had to do all of this between several diaper changes, feedings, rockings to sleep and ‘Mommie naps’. So it took a bit longer for me 
If you want more techincal instructions (because mine never, ever will be) then visit this blog and this blog, both of which vary in style but are just as easy to do.
No more blankets flying through the air, brushing up against dirty cars or dangling in rain puddles
*warning: must have tissues before reading this*
Before I was a Mom
I made and ate hot meals,
I had unstained clothing,
I had quiet conversations on the phone.
I slept as late as I wanted,
And never worried about how late I got into bed.
I brushed my hair and my teeth everyday.
I cleaned my house each day,
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to lullabies,
I didn’t worry whether or not my plants were poisonous,
I never thought about immunizations.
I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit on, chewed on, peed on or pinched by tiny fingers.
I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, and my body.
I slept all night.
I never held down a screaming child so that doctors could do tests or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried,
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin,
Never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn’t want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn’t stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew I would love being a Mom.
I didn’t know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn’t know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby,
I didn’t know that special bond between a Mother and her child,
I didn’t know that something so small could make me feel so important.
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay,
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache, the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn’t know I was capable of feeling so much…
…before I was a Mom.
For New Years Eve our family of three had our own little party. I made a big pot of beef stew with chunks of red potato and carrots for dinner, and on the dessert menu was hot chocolate, of course. For special occasions we usually have cookies to go with our hot chocolate, but since I was cookied out from Christmas I decided to make scones.
My first attempt was great – or at least I think so. The original recipe is from AllRecipes.com of course (Lemon Drop Blueberry Scones), but because I never follow a recipe, even the first time, I will share what I did with you. PS – the glaze is divine!
Steph’s Lemon Blueberry Yogurt Scones
Ingredients
4 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 – 6 oz blueberry yogurt cups (which is 1 1/2 cups of yogurt)
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
Glaze:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
Directions
Turn oven to 400 degrees.
Combine first five ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
Mix last five ingredients in separate bowl.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and stir until moistened.
Drop large spoonfuls of dough onto greased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes or until tops are slightly browned.
Drizzle (heavily!) with lemon glaze and serve.
Enjoy!
Chocolate. Hot, steamy chocolate.
Minty, carmel-y, frothy or plain, I love you just the same.
Topped with marshmallows over and over again gives me so much pleasure,
Sipping you slowly over a long period of time is such a treasure.
I love you made at home or by another.
You give me joy during the Winter, Spring, Fall or Summer.
I love you during the day, I love you all through the night,
I love you for all reasons…yes, that is right.
Okay, so my ode was really silly, but I couldn’t resists!!
The year was 1998. My roommate/BFF and I were suffering through our first awful Utah winter after moving from sunny Hawaii. We were always so crazy-cold that we stopped at the corner gas station and get hot chocolate almost every day. And that is when my addiction began.
My favorite hot chocolate drinks are Stephen’s Gourmet Hot Cocoa, specifically Candy Cane and Mint Chocolate Truffle. Mmmmm! Each cup of hot chocolate always has marshmallows, and usually needs more after I eat them all off the top. I always use soy milk in my cocoa (because of lactose intolerance) and believe it or not it is pretty darn good. Even my husband drinks it with soy milk and loves it! I like creamers, but don’t always use them because I don’t buy it very often.
What is your favorite hot chocolate recipe, or way to drink your hot chocolate?
