Baby Shower- Monkey Style!

It's baby shower time!

Monkey and Banana style!

It's awesome to have a friend that makes balloon animals of every kind! Adorable!

The color scheme was brown and yellow (with a hint of baby blue). These fabulous banners - no sew btw- were made by my co-hostess.

She also happens to be the world's best sugar cookie maker! They are always a big hit! Check her out here.

We also had a banana split bar and yummy tropical banana punch.

It's just not a party at my home without a candy bar! This time it was all banana or yellow. Who knew banana Laffy Taffy would be so popular?

"go bananas for Blake" favors

These favors are a cinch! Find banana candy here.

I used the Wilton favor tins and printed the stickers here.

The best part of the shower was that this sweet mom was showered and this baby boy was honored!

Beijing - First Impressions

* disclaimer* these thoughts are my natural human instincts of observation. some will sound like generalizations and stereotypes but not meant to offend and may be innacurate. just what i observed.

Hubby and I just arrived back from our "fact finding week" in Beijing. I am sure this will be the first in a series of posts, but I wanted to jot down my first impressions.

• very, very cold
• overcast, though soon found it was not overcast but the famous smog and pollution
• eating means business. they do not casually eat and talk. they chow down and concentrate on every bite of food.
• they have no idea how to use forks and knives (just like I have no idea how to use chopsticks). while using them I saw a man cut his meat and put it into his mouth with his knife instead of fork. I saw one lady resting her fork and knife on her shoulders while she chewed her food.
• they say there are many, many expats here. we did not see any anywhere, besides the ones from church and mark's office. we've also been told by more than a few that once you come to China as an expat you never want to return to America.
• most buildings there are medium height, though they are not close together like NY or SF, or even Tokyo or Hong Kong. sidenote, Hong Kong has the tallest buidings I've ever seen!
• there is not much worth shopping for here, despite everything we have in America being made in China...it is all exported.
• even new buildings are not built up to American standards. most buildings are shabby. they are not pretentious at all. I feel like we, Americans, are kind of snobs. we would not tolerate our grocery store being shabby, they just don't mind.
• Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way! Crossing major streets is like the old school video game "Frogger". No joke!
• The subway system is efficient and very easy to use. Thank goodness!
• there are police everywhere. although the rules for driving are not enforced at all. I am not sure any rules are enforced by the police (jay walking, etc). I did get reprimanded for taking pictures of buildings in the Central park area.
• the women do not dress up or wear a lot of make-up.
• children liked to stare at hubby and I.
• chinese food really is what we think of as chinese food. Lots of sauces with meat and veggies served over rice. I got tired of it very, very quickly.
• things are reasonably priced, except rent.

That is it for now. Jet lag has set in. I will post more later.

Xia Xia for reading!

Beijing- Here We Come!

This map represents how I feel right about now...

It's been a long time coming but we are headed East to visit Beijing in just four short days! We found out yesterday, so my organization skills are being tested with arranging all the details in such a short amount of time!

But I am excited, despite the fact that I can't fly business class :( Don't judge, in times of uncertainty we grasp onto the oddest things.

It will just be hubby and I, which will be nice. The in-laws have graciously rearranged their lives to come up and supervise the kiddos for the week we are gone.

What I am excited about:

• a long flight where I can watch and read whatever I want.
• seeing the executive lounges that hubby always brags, I mean talks, about.
• staying in a nice hotel in a big city I've never been to before.
• trying new food (see below).
• meeting my "email buddies", who are sisters from church ,who've already welcomed me with open arms.
• seeing this place and this place in person. They seem amaaaaazing!

What I am not so excited about:

• a long flight where I am in an uncomfortable seat.
• being in a big city where I don't read or speak the language.
• trying new food.
• finding out we can't live where we want to live or send the kids to the school we want to send them to. (cross your fingers) . My pre-planning often leads to disappointment down the road.
• Jet Lag!
• MISSING MY KIDS!!!!

If you are ready for the adventure of My life I will take you with me every step of the way!

Happy New Year!

There was once a time when this blog was my home away from home. Now I am lucky to even enter each week. What has changed? I guess it is the evolution of life.

Happy 2011

This year I will:

• Have a more positive attitude in my heart and to those around me.
• Try not to take "things"personally.
• Read the New Testament.
• Run more than I walk.
• Tell my loved ones I love them every single day.

Thanks for reading!

Jen

2010

Click here to view this photo book larger

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

welcome to our home for Christmas!

our new flocked tree

nothing says Christmas like candy! runner from here

family room

kitchen tree with kitchen gadgets and goodies

entryway tree~ tea cups, roses and tea pots



living room


living room with new tree

dining room tree~ crowns in pink, silver, aqua on white feather tree

my mom has been helping me collect antique silver, love it!

my non-traditional dining room~ my favorite room in the house

wishing you a very merry Christmas!

Dipped Caramel and Chocolate Marshmallows

It was time for the annual cookie exchange! While visiting Disneyland

over Thanksgiving I found a little piece of heaven. Chocolate Caramel Dipped Marshmallows! I knew I had my treat for the cookie exchange!

1. Sticks found at Michael's.
2. Dip sticks ends in light corn syrup, put on marshmallow.
3. Unwrap caramels (this took me 90 minutes!). I totally recommend buying the caramel balls in the bag.
   
   

4. Using a double boiler (or a pot/glass bowl on top of pot of water) to melt caramels.

5. Be sure to spray top pot with PAM before beginning.

6. Add a little milk or butter for smooth caramel.


7. I recommend laying them on Silpats. I sprayed my wax paper with PAM and I still had problems lifting the caramel off. But they look so pretty!

8. Repeat process with chocolate (milk or dark).

9. I add a tiny bit of parafin wax (located in the canning section of the grocery store) to harden chocolate and add glossiness while dry.

10. Lay on wax paper to dry.

enjoy! they are so yummy!