Wednesday Weekly

What costumes will your family be wearing for Halloween this year?

Baby Einsteins

Have you seen this? News to me...

Poor Disney.

Swine Flu

Well, I don't know a single mother who is not conflicted with this question; "If it becomes available to you, will you vaccinate your children against the Swine flu?" Even though every physician I've spoken to says you absolutely should, I just can't get over that fear of the unknown, with it being new. I'm so worried I'll regret my decision, either way I choose. One thing is for sure though, it is rampant. Just yesterday I found out three people I know have it, and one is a two year old who is not in any preschool or daycare. I'm starting to think that no matter how careful we are, there just won't be any avoiding being exposed.

So, what are your thoughts? Have you made a decision?

Wednesday Weekly

Do you have a good falling story?

Brainstorm

Hey Sugar & Spice readers/contributors! I'd love to brainstorm a list of things that you can do in October and November in preparation for the Christmas season. What can you do now to make December less stressful?

Snack Ideas

And I'm not asking for my toddler! I am about 9 1/2 weeks pregnant, and extremely sick. This is nothing new to me, it was the same way with my daughter. I'm really struggling this time around with ideas for things to eat though. I get even sicker when my stomach is empty, but NOTHING ever sounds appealing. I would prefer to eat healthy snacks since I gained a massive amount of weight with my daughter, but again...I do better when I eat protein and a little bit of fat. An apple just doesn't cut it. Anyway, once I throw up a certain thing about three times, I'm done. So I'm quickly running out of options. I also had to go on a gluten free diet a few months ago, which narrows the options too. I was curious if any of you had the same problem when you were pregant, or even if you didn't, if you have some good snack ideas that are filling, and have some protein. (Don't worry about giving me gluten-free options, I can filter those myself, and sometimes there are substitutions I can make!) Thanks!

Landscaping

We just bought our first house a couple weeks ago. It is on a fairly big lot (for the suburbs) that is just under a 1/4 acre. The back yard is an overgrown mess of shrubs and weeds. We have a lot of work ahead!

Anyway, I wonder what you guys love/hate about your yards? We have 2 boys (2 1/2 yrs and 3 mo) and love to be outside. In Albuquerque, NM, we can play outside nearly year round. We plan on a fair amount of grass, a spot for a veggie garden, and some areas for flowers.

Any tips, tricks, suggestions would be appreciated. Is there anything you wish you had in your own backyard? Or a feature you always get compliments or a ton of use out of?

Wednesday Weekly

Which of the Seven Dwarfs are you most like?

Doc, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Sleepy, Grumpy, or Dopey?

#2---Potty Training Help Needed

I apoligize if this has already been talked about--I tried to look through lots of previous posts and see.

I am due in about 3 weeks to have #2. We've been working really hard with our nearly 3 year old to potty train. He will go #1 very easily, but he refuses to go #2in his "big boy" potty. What do I do? We recently ran out of clean underwear and so I put a pull up on him and he went #2 like a mad man (sorry for the grusome details) I think he was all backed up.

Any suggestions?

Also, he won't go to the bathroom in a normal sized toilet, only his little one. It makes it really difficult when we are at church or at someone elses house. Should I buy a cushiony thing to put on our big toilet?

Help! :)

Share Your Kitchen Tips!

I love kitchen tips- things to help food stay fresh longer, shortcuts and substitutions when cooking, ways to stay organized... so I thought I'd share a few things that work well for me and ask you girls what kitchen tips you have to share!

Here are a few of mine-

* Bananas seriously stay fresh longer if when you get home from the grocery store, you separate them from the bunch... I always thought this made them go bad faster. Not the case!

* Wrapping a bunch of celery in tin foil before putting it in the fridge will keep it fresh and crisp for a looooong time! I just threw away a bunch I'd had for almost 3 weeks and it was still crisp.

* Adding a slice of bread to hard brown sugar will soften it in a short amount of time... the other day I needed brown sugar and mine had gone hard. I put a piece of bread in the container and an hour or so later, enough of the brown sugar had softened that I was able to use it.

* White grape juice makes a great substitution for white wine in recipes.


That's all I can think of for now... please share your tips! I can always use new ideas.

Dinners

I recently took dinner to a family in my old ward. Just a couple months ago I was on the receiving end of dinners - several women from church brought my family dinner after our second son was born.

I am curious - when you are asked or volunteer to bring dinner to someone, what do you bring? Also, what are some of your favorites that you have received?

Organization

Next Wednesday I am teaching a class on organization for our Relief Society swap meet activity. I love to organize and I have some ideas but I am not sure I can talk for 15-20 minutes on organization. So that's why I am coming to all you wonderful ladies!! Any tips on organization, favorite rooms you have organized in your house, cheap ways to organize etc.? Please let me know I would love the input and if you have pictures to e-mail me of organization in your home send them to susan(dot)Schacher(at)gmail(dot)com.

Sweet!

Check out this link.

And you can print it as much as you like. Coupon lovers unite!

Don't forget you can stack at Target i.e. use a manufacturer coupon and a Target coupon together on one product. Find that product on sale and you're golden!

Wednesday Weekly: Habits

What is one really great habit that you have?

What is one habit you wish you didn't have?

Toddlers and Service

After Conference today, I have a strong desire to help Cecelia learn to serve. We use to go visit a senior citizen once a week and though Cecelia didn't realize what she was doing, she was definitely providing service to the woman we visited... to the point that after Ruth passed away, we received several letters from her niece telling us what an impact Cecelia had on Ruth's life. Ruth also left some money to Cecelia for her future education. It was a fantastic experience for both Cecelia and I. Thing is, ever since, I've struggled to find a new person to visit. I know I need to find someone because it was a great way for us to serve together, but I'm still missing Ruth so much. :(

After President Monson's talk about service, I'm feeling motivated to find a new senior citizen to visit, but I'm also trying to find other ideas for service and wondering what ideas you girls have. Have you found fun ways to serve with your little ones?

Udder Cover Deal

My darling friend Natalie told me about this great deal that "Udder Covers" is having right now. Type in the promo code "chatter" when purchasing your nursing cover and pay only $8.95 for a cover valued at $32. I'm not a sewer, but I'm fairly certain you will pay more than that making one yourself! I ordered one this morning and it really worked. I'm not sure how long the deal will last, so act now! (I feel kind of like an info-mercial!)

Happy General Conference!

Enjoy General Conference this weekend! Share your favorite moments with us!