Saying Goodbye to 2012

December 31, 2012 By 11 Comments
NEW YEARS EVE

As I sit here waiting for the new year to arrive, I can't help to look back on 2012 and be glad.  That it's almost over. I won't lie, 2012 has been a tough one financially and emotionally.  When my husband lost his job last February, we were in shock. It was unexpected, unwarranted and left us unprepared.  What we thought was going to be our savings to purchase a new home turned out to be the money we lived on for the next seven months.  We made some decisions that left our family and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Our Life

Gluten Free Breads from Udi’s

December 30, 2012 By 4 Comments
Udi's Classic French Dinner Rolls

I'm not sure that I could live a life without bread.  Nothing tastes better to me during the cold winter months than a nice grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of creamy tomato soup.  I'm also a HUGE fan of bread pudding (I blame the four years I lived in the South) and let's face it, living in Chicago makes me appreciate a good slice of THIN pizza.  Unfortunately for some of my friends, being able to go to the nearest restaurant for a piece of thin (or thick) crust isn't feasible because celiac … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: gluten free

Family Entertainment with Talking Tom

December 29, 2012 By
Talking Tom

It always happens.  I end up buying a gift for my daughter and someone else in the family decides they want to play with it.  Last year it was my daughter's chair from Pottery Barn Kids (not sure why my husband thought it would be fun to sit in it) and this year, it's Talking Tom from Cuddle Barn. You may have heard of Talking Tom as the Talking Friends app series has been downloaded more than 400 million times, making it one of the most popular apps of all time!  The series of apps features … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Toddlers

Game Day Appetizers from ALDI’s

December 28, 2012 By 8 Comments
ALDIs

If you're a college football fan like me for the next week and a half, you'll be glued to the television taking in every bowl game that you can.  Watching bowl games means you'll want to have plenty of game day appetizers on hand.  Sure you could make them all yourself but why do that when you can pick of appetizers for all your guests at an affordable price from ALDI's. It's been years since I shopped at ALDI's and I was pleasantly surprised at the selection of foods they had available. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Food

Holiday Memories with Darden Gift Card

December 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment
GRA0135241 LOGO2

When I was younger, some of my favorite memories were spending Sunday afternoons having family dinners at my grandmother's house.  My grandma was a great cook and would make a feast that could rival any professional restaurant.  She would make everyone their favorites: I would get green beans, my cousin would get rolls and if we were all being extra good, she'd make one of her special pies. Growing up, we spent every Christmas Eve at my grandparents house.  Of course there would be presents … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas, Food, Restaurant Reviews

Give The Gift Of A Great Future

December 20, 2012 By 3 Comments
Boys and girls club give a gift of a great future

I've told myself that I'm not going to talk about the events that happened last week.  It's too painful, too emotional and definitely too political.  Instead, I'm going to focus on how I can make a difference in my community, starting with one child at a time.  The first child I'm starting with is my daughter.  As a parent, it is my responsibility, my duty, to make sure that she knows right from wrong and grows up to be a loving, caring person.  Teaching our kids to give back is just one of the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Community Service

Organize Your Online Shopping with Sweet Relish {Handbag Giveaway}

December 16, 2012 By 2 Comments
Sweet Relish

I've discovered a new online shopping site just in time for the holidays! If you haven't heard of Sweet Relish, you're going to be so excited after reading this post and not just because they are giving away 12 (yes I said TWELVE) handbags! Sweet Relish is a fun way to organize your online shopping and share all your great finds on the web. With Sweet Relish, you simply save your favorite products, organize them into lists, discover new items and then connect with your friends to share all … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas, Household Tips & Tricks

Betty Ford’s Cranberry Tree

December 16, 2012 By 4 Comments
Cranberry_Tree_

There are some books that you read cover to cover and other you skim through.  For me, Christmas with the First Ladies was a book that I couldn't put down.  Now, this isn't your murder-mystery or your love story gone wrong but more a glimpse into history.  I've always been fascinated with the women who have supported the POTUS (President of the United States if you're not a Tom Clancy reader) and loved the unique touches that each of them added to the White House during the holiday season.  One … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, DIY Tagged With:

Christmas with the First Ladies Pinterest Contest

December 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Christmas-with-the-First-Ladies-Pinterest200

Welcome to the Noise Girls Christmas with the First Ladies Pinterest Contest where everything festive, pretty, and creative meets the First Ladies of the White House. From great ideas on home decor for the holidays to sweet treats to enjoy with family and friends, the First Ladies have a few amazing ideas on how to celebrate the holidays. Get ready to pin some amazing creations and bring the celebrations of the holidays at the White House to your house! From December 10th through December … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Christmas

Where Will You Be Finding Nemo?

December 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Finding Nemo

When we lived in Arkansas, my husband's administrative assistant would babysit for us.  Being the grandmotherly type, she would always want to bring dinner for my daughter and some type of activity for her.  On her second or third time watching Brecken, she brought Finding Nemo.  Somehow she forgot to take the movie home with her and we ended watching it everyday for at least two weeks.  We finally gave the movie back to Beverly and my daughter has wanted it ever since. My close friends … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disney, Entertainment
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