Nancy Drew Swap & Day 31 of 56

Well, I got in my 3 miles again today before work. Feels really good, ya know?? Thank you, Leslie Sansone, for putting together walking videos!!

I joined a fun little swap over at Morning Glories and Moonflowers; the packages will be based on a Nancy Drew Mystery that is assigned to you.

There's only room for 19 participants, so hurry on over!!

Menu Plan Monday 4/27/2009

I'm late posting but I'm still gonna do it! Writing this down helps so much!!

Monday - Blackjack Steak (Chill MAMAs) with Steamed Cauliflower and Romaine Salad
Tuesday - Beef Stirfry
Wednesday - Breakfast for Dinner
Thursday - SUPPER SWAP NIGHT - Cinco Layer Bake (Chill MAMAs)
Friday - Parmesan Chicken Breasts on Spaghetti w/Marinara (Chill MAMAs)
Saturday - Mango Cranberry Chicken, Broccoli and Rice (Chill MAMAs)
Sunday - Baked Ham



More great menus are posted at OrgJunkie!

Next Club Swap Sign-ups Have Begun

I will not be running a new flirty apron swap until June. If you are looking for another apron swap to join you can BUZZ on over to the Sassy/Flirty Apron Swap Blog and join Lucy and Shawnee in the Busy Bee Club Garden Apron Swap Club.

Fitness Challenge - Day 25 of 56

Ha! I'll bet you thought I'd just given up, huh? Oh no, you other competitors aren't going to win so easily. I've just been tracking my nutrition/fitness over at SparkPeople. I'd post the link to my page but I can't find one, so you'll just have to trust me. Here's a one day glance.

I've been keeping so much more active than before starting this challenge. I exercised 60 minutes a day Monday through Friday last week, rest on Saturday, 60 minutes Sunday, two hours of mowing the lawn (operating heavy equipment) on Monday, then another 60 minutes on Wednesday.

Yet, I'm still struggling with not dropping as fast as I think I should --- do you know how much snacking I've given up? Do you know how much my new-found muscles hurt? I do NOT like being over 40. When I was in my 20's and 30's, my body really reacted quickly to small changes in my diet and activity levels. HmphfFF!

I know it will be "worth it" but I'm such an instant gratification person; trying to stay strong though.

I actually bought two new video sets that came with exercise tools from Leslie Sansone but have only used one so far .... I did like it, and must remember to wear my pedometer!

Tomorrow, I'll finally use the other new one, using weighted gloves!

Town Hall for Hope TODAY!!! Dave Ramsey

Mother Day Swap - Matches Posted, Emails to Follow

Matches are done!! Look for an email late tonight with your partner’s contact information, and please be sure to reply so I know you got the info. I'll add the blog links later, too. =)

Cara M (3M) and Lucy B (3F)
Gretchen M (3F) and Desiree S (2F)
Abby B (2M) and Casey RT (1M/1F)
Irene S (2F) and Megan P (1M/1F)
Cyndi B (1F) and Melinda C (1F)
Jodi W (1F) and April M (1F)
Amy K (1M) and Tara R (1M)
Bridget C (1F) and Shawnee H (1F)
Shawnee H (1F) and Alice S (1F)

Menu Plan Monday 4/20/2009

Mikey planned our menu on Sunday and I didn't get it posted with all the apron happenings around here.

THE PLAN:

Monday - Teriyaki Chicken (Chill MAMAs)
Tuesday - CP Beef Stroganoff (one of our freezer business recipes, contributed to Chill MAMAs)
Wednesday - Fajitas (Chill MAMAs)
Thursday - Leftover bonanza
Friday - Light Lasagna
Saturday - lunch Cinco Layer Bake, dinner Blackjack Beef (both from our swap group, Chill MAMAs)
Sunday - potluck

More great menus are posted at OrgJunkie!

Mother-Daughter Apron Swap - Who's In

Sorry for the delay, ladies. I'm waiting to hear from one more person. In the meantime, please let me know if I've left anyone off my list. Here's who I have:

Cara M + 3 boys
Lucy B + 3 girls
Gretchen M + 3 girls
Tara R + 1 boy
Desiree S + 2 girls
Casey RT + 1 boy/1 girl
Irene S + 2 girls
Abby B + 2 boys
Bridget C + 1 girl
Cyndi B + 1 girl
Melinda C + 1 girl
Jodi W + 1 girl
April M + 1 girl
Megan P + 1 girl
Shawnee H + 1 girl

Mother-Daughter Apron Swap for Mother's Day 2009

It’s finally spring time and that means that Mother’s Day is right around the corner. As most of you know, I have been coordinating Flirty Apron Swaps since 2008 and I have so much fun doing it! However, I also like to do special swaps on my personal blog that are a little simpler.

If you are interesting in swapping adult and child sized matching/coordinating aprons, join my second Mother-Daughter Apron Swap. The first was such a success that I'm excited for another mommy & me swap. We will each receive a new apron set just in time for Mother’s Day. This could be for a Grammy and Grandchild, too, and little boys are also welcome. Also, I know most of you have multiple kidlets, so indicate the number/gender of the child-sized aprons, and I'll do my best to match similar requests.


Sign Up Date: Now through April 17, 2009
Swap Date: May 4, 2009

Package to include two (or more) matching/coordinating handmade aprons, adult and child-sized, and a children's cookbook - recycled/thrifted is fine if in great shape. Any other little goodies would be an extra treat but not required.

To sign up, sign up here on the blog AND send an email to shawneehATyahoo.com with the following info:
• Your First & Last Name
• Your Mailing Address
• Your Email Address
• Your Blog/Website Link
• Do you want a specific color or theme? If yes, what is your preference?
• List age/size/gender of children's aprons needed and size of adult apron
• Are you willing to make more child-sized aprons than you receive? If so, how many?
Be sure to put MOTHER-DAUGHTER APRON SWAP and the number of children's aprons in the subject line!
• I will get your swap sisters assigned to you on or before April 19, 2009 and will post the names of the assigned swap sisters on my blog (as well as email you personally with the information). I will list only first names and blog links to my blog (unless I'm asked not to).
• Packages need to be mailed out to your swap sister no later than Monday, May 4, 2009.

Please do not sign up if you cannot fulfill this commitment. Little T and I have done several swaps together and most of them have flaked on us. She was so heartbroken!

Aprons need to be handmade but you can purchase from Etsy or at a craft market if you would like.

Fitness Challenge - Day 16 of 56 Part 2 - Walk Away the Pounds

WEIGHT LOSS SERIES - 30 MINUTE WALK
Phew, I did get in my second cardio session today! This one is at a nice brisk pace, too - hope I can sleep tonight with my blood pumping. I really enjoyed the 30 Minute Walk, the third in my new boxed trio. This workout had Leslie with six buddies all in a different looking setting than my other dvds. Keeps it interesting, that's for sure. No extra accessories needed, just a little room, some very brisk music and I got in another two miles plus met my 60 minutes goal for today! AND, I drank my full 8 glasses of water. Yahoo!!

Fitness Challenge - Day 16 of 56 - Walk Away the Pounds

5 DAY SLIM DOWN
So, in order to keep up momentum, I've committed to 60 minutes of exercise every day (at least this week). I did this newest video from Amazon this morning -- just 30 minutes this morning (the first walk), and then will add another 30 minutes tonight. Watch out ladies! =)

Fitness Challenge - Day 15 of 56 - Walk Away the Pounds

I'm trying to kick up my routine, so I did two workouts Monday. Walk Away Your Waistline before work and the Muscle Mile One before bed. This one uses weights and I could only find ONE of my Walk Away the Pounds balls (2 pound soft weights). BUMMER! So, I got creative with switching it back and forth. =)

Menu Plan Monday 4/13/2009

What a terrific weekend! I'm looking forward to another great Spring week, too. I invite you mommies to join my Mother's Day Mother-Daughter Apron Swap -- great for grammies and little boys, too!! Deadline to enter is Friday, April 17.

Monday 4/13 - Ham and Navy Bean Soup
Tuesday 4/14 - Sweet Chicken**
Wednesday 4/15 - CP Beef Stew
Thursday 4/16 - Sticky Drunk Pig**
Friday 4/17 - Chili with Red Beans**
Saturday 4/18 - Tess' Birthday dinner - chinese
Sunday 4/19 - Leftover Buffet

** Chill MAMAs meals

MORE menu planning ideas here:

Happy Easter

What a beautiful picture these three crosses are to Christians. I wish you all a blessed Easter. Thank you, Lord, for the gift none of us deserved.



Isn't this a fun, vintage Easter photo? Back in a time when the entire country celebrated Easter, although I don't know if it was any more of a religious celebration than today. Still makes me smile, though. =)

Fitness Challenge - Day 12 of 56

WALK AWAY THE POUNDS: WALK STRONG
This DVD is part of a special 3-pack at Target. In Walk Strong, it's a brisk walk combined with weights for strength training at intervals. Leslie tells us that by the end of workout, we've done the equivalent of 2-miles all within 30 minutes. I'd recommend this one!

As far as the challenge goes, I've maintained my calorie and fitness journals every day since Day One - Spark People has me eating between 1200 and 1550 calories every day, 30 minutes of cardio three days a week and strength training three days as well. I've been doing it! I love that website. I'm a big time gadget freak and love keying in what I've eaten, looking up in their extensive on-line database to track nutritional information/calories, etc. If you decide to join, come be my friend, SHAWNEEH.

Fitness Challenge - Day 10 of 56

WALK AWAY YOUR WAISTLINE: 3 MILE WALK
I just bought this DVD with waistband at Target in search of finding exercise that will keep me moving. This was a good one but does last 48 minutes so I have to be sure to get up early enough to fit it all in. I did it the first time this morning and it felt great, especially to FINISH. And, I didn't need to lean against a bedpost to do part of the moves!!

I know Leslie isn't for everyone, but she's perfect where I'm at!

Fitness Challenge - Day 8 of 56

BEGINNING PILATES FOR WEIGHT LOSS:

I am staying right on track with exercising three days a week but am having trouble locating all my old exercise videos. I found this one I bought at Costco (I think), and it darned near killed me. I am in SUCH horrible shape and don't even have the muscles for this BEGINNER dvd. I was sweating my bottom off within 5 minutes and could only do 20 minutes before I finally had to switch it off. I was actually leaning against the footboard, trying to keep my balance while standing on one leg, stretching out the other leg, opposite hand, etc...

I added in another 10 minutes of walking in place/marching on the stairs to get my 30 minute workout.

I DID lose 4 pounds this week, so it's incentive enough for me to keep on keeping on.

Menu Plan Monday 4/6/09

It's late, but I'm posting anyway!

Monday 4/6 - Party Enchiladas, Spanish Rice and Salad **
Tuesday 4/7 - Baked Ziti**
Wednesday 4/8 - Pork Roast, Potatoes, Salad
Thursday 4/9 - Rosemary Merlot Steak, Arborio Rice**
Friday 4/10 - Crockpot Beef Stroganoff**
Saturday 4/11 - Chili with Red Beans
EASTER Sunday 4/12 - Glazed Spiral Ham, Scalloped Potatoes, Asparagus, etc ....

** Chill MAMAs meals

MORE menu planning ideas here:

A little more swapping thanks - apron pictures

While I sent thank you emails to all my partners, I've been so behind in posting pictures on my blog. Please indulge me and enjoy the pictures!
Check out these cute goodies received during the Atomic Housewives Spring Cleaning swap. I LOVE the cool mini-broom and the commercial fancy cleaning gloves. She also tucked in lots of environmental-friendly cleaning products. My box was PACKED full of goodies!

THIS is my Winter Basic and Baubles package from Jennifer. This was her first swap and I ADORE how she packaged it! She found tons of pink and white goodies to brighten up my dreary winter kitchen.
This gorgeous apron came from Suzee in UT during Laura's Happy Birthday Apron Swap on Swap-Bot. Suzee went above the requirements and included that cute Happy Birthday kitchen towel she embellished AND a cookbook. Of course, my absolute favorite is this new apron. Thank you, Suzee, for using my favorite of cupcakes, pink, polka dots and brights and making this beauty. You are an amazing seamstress!
Here's the apron I made for this swap -- it's my first Lilly apron and it went to Laura's mom, Mary F. I DO like this pattern; I wasn't so sure the first time I saw it but it's quite adorable on. Hope she likes it; I was so very late in sending but hope it was worth the wait.

Speaking of amazing seamstresses, look at this adorable apron Joey whipped up for our St. Patty's Apron Swap over at Booming Aprons. She used vintage fabric for the waistband/ties, and those little tucks are just so perfect. I really like her sewing label, too.

This is the apron I sent to Joey. It's from the Two for Tea Apron Pattern, and I mixed up several green and St. Patty's fabrics. I must admit, I STINK at corners with bias tape!!! I'm sorry that you were the recipient of un-perfect corners!

Don't you want to SQUEAL when you see this cute apron?! Teri from Mary Jane's Farmgirl Connection made this especially for me! She knew I loved red and created this beauty just for me. Isn't so Minnie Mouse-ish?? I wore it while working in the church nursery last weekend, and I got so many admiring comments. It's just so cheery and bright -- I was tickled, too, that the bright red w/white polka dots actually matched one of my crawling babies so I carried her around so we were twinsies. =)

Here's the apron I sent to Terri - It is my first Chatterbox Apron pattern from Mary Mulari - I bought the pattern at the Sewing Expo. I was really stuck during this swap trying to find the "perfect" pattern and fabrics and just couldn't get the time to finish it so was very late, but I MADE time and really love it. I rarely use pastels but was so glad that was her preference because I'm so pleased with how it turned out. It feels very farmgirl-ish to me, and I adore the bodice.