Dream Destination: Tuscany, Italy

Locanda dell'Amorosa

When my children are older, my dream is to move to Italy for a couple of months, rent a house in the Tuscan countryside, take some cooking classes, and explore. Doesn't this place look dreamy? I can't wait to spend some serious time traveling around Italy and really experience it.  This place is so picturesque, I would love to spend some time taking pictures of these grounds.

Santa Ideas

I'm trying to find some fun, unique toys that my two littlest ones will like.  I have enough toys that make noise and music, so I want to find some toys that are good for their creativity without driving me looney!  Here are a couple of fun things I've found so far.  Any good ideas out there?  Santa always needs help!

Hape Toys

Aren't these darling Safari animals?! I think my boys will love them.

Kid-o Bilibo

Designed in Switzerland, this toy has won countless awards for design and play value. Its simplicity is deceptive and modeled after extensive study of children's play patterns. Bilibo is a completely open-ended toy that stimulates a child's imagination. It can be a helmet, sit and spin, doll cradle, train tunnel, shovel, water basin and much more! Let your imagination run wild!

Sassy Earth Brights Wooden Toys 

Scrambled States Game

I think that my 6 yr old would really like this educational game.

He is really into learning about animals and geography right now. He also loves drawing and writing books, so this next item might also be a good pick for him.

Illustory

Wild Planet Hyper Dash

My kids love to play games, so Santa always brings them a couple of new games to add to our wee collection.  These two look like they could be fun.

Giraffalaff Limbo

Mind Blowing Science

Hop Scotch Mat

Microphone 

Stamp Set by Melissa and Doug.  I'm such a fan of their toys!

No Stress Chess game to teach kids how to play Chess... I think I could use this too! 

These are just a few things that Santa is looking at for our family.  Let the season begin!

Amazing Hand Soap

My sister-in-law gave me this amazing hand soap and lotion.  When I say it is amazing, I'm really not joking! Every-single-time I wash my hands and put the lotion on I take a mental trip to the Mediterranean.  

I have the Fleur D'Oranger, but every other Savon de Marseille soap I have smelled are fantastic too.

Also loving their graphic and simple packaging. 

You can find it at Modern Palm Boutique, which is a fantastic online boutique!

Tortilla Soup

This soup is soup-er yummy!  I've already made is a couple of different times this fall.  Basically, I combined a couple of different recipes to come up with this end result.

Tortilla Soup

1 lb. frozen chicken breast
3 Cups of chicken broth (or 2 cans)
1 can cream of potato soup
1 to 2 cloves of garlic (minced)  
2 11 oz. cans of corn with peppers (or just normal corn)
1 can black beans (sometimes I add this...it just depends on my mood)
1 can diced tomatoes (sometimes I'll add another can if I feel like more tomatoes)
1 can tomato sauce
1 can diced green chiles (add an extra can if you like green chiles)
2 Tablespoons cilantro 
1 envelope taco seasoning
Velveeta Mexican Cheese Spread with jalapenos (add about about a 1/2 hour before the soup is done.  Just enough time for it to melt and mix well.  Add to taste.)


I usually cook this in the slow cooker for 6 hours.  When it is done I take out the meat and pull chicken apart until it is all shredded, then I add it back to soup.  
Garnish with tortilla chips, sour cream, avocados, cheese, fresh cilantro, lime, or whatever you like!
 Bon appetite!

image via martha stewart

House Love

I only have the after pics here, and I'm sad to say I'm still trying to find where I save these from.  When I find, I will share.  I love how fresh and simple all of these rooms are.  That rock fireplace rocks!

Salt Lake Parade of Homes

These are a few pics that I took of some ideas that I liked from the Salt Lake Parade of Homes.  I want to do that wall of mirrors in my home!  I also love how the granite counter is taken all the way to the floor.  And I like the simple and countemporary look of the black back splash.  I was only able to squeeze in a couple of homes this year!  Darn! Going to the parade is a love/hate thing.  I love going and getting ideas, but then I hate coming home because I want to redue everything with the latest and greatest! 

Lovely Suitcases

these would look darling in my children's rooms.

I'm Lovin': Dav Rainboots and Umbrellas

It's raining and snowing today...so how perfect are these boot beauties?!  I'm so lovin' how fun and unique they are!

dav rainboots come in many different styles: equestrian, sporty, city, cowboy, fashion, english, laceup, etc. I wish that I could have one from each category!

Happy Halloween Week

Happy Halloween Week!

These pics are from last year, but I didn't blog last year and I thought these were so fun, I had to share.  A-girl had a Halloween dance performance to the Purple People Eaters.  It was too cute!

We love the tradition of going to Gardner Village to check out the witches and decorations.

I love how they go all-out for every holiday.

 

We had an obsession with batman last year.  I mean a serious obsession!

Thus the batman, batgirl, and batbaby!

I can't wait for their theme this year...