WallPops!

For the next few blog posts I will stick with recommendations.  There are definitely some great things out there, praiseworthy things, even if they only have to do with my temporal needs/wants.  They still make life pleasant.  Doctrine and Covenants 59: 17-21: states,

"17 Yea, and the herb, and the good things which come of the earth, whether for food or for raiment, or for houses, or for barns, or for orchards, or for gardens, or for vineyards;
18 Yea, all things which come of the earth, in the season thereof, are made for the benefit and the use of man, both to please the eye and to gladden the heart;
19 Yea, for food and for raiment, for taste and for smell, to strengthen the body and to enliven the soul.
20 And it pleaseth God that he hath given all these things unto man; for unto this end were they made to be used, with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion.
21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments."

SO....today's recommendation is: The Wall Sticker Outlet!  http://www.wallstickeroutlet.com/

After much research I have found this site to be one of the very best for vinyl wall stickers.  Every now and then I found a cheaper item on ebay, but that is a lot of combing through listings and time-wasting.  Wall Sticker Outlet has a HUGE selection of wall stickers, low, low prices, and FREE shipping to the continental USA.  I recently ordered a product called WallPops! They came (all the way from Connecticut!) in a week's time.  I spent a good part of the day, yesterday, measuring and putting them up for the baby's room.  Tell me what you think:

(the crib doesn't match, but I guess I can paint it

later if I feel like it....what can I say, it's had

previous siblings, but is still a good crib with

more than enough use for baby #5!)

Anyway, check out http://www.wallstickeroutlet.com/ !!!  It's great!!!

Yummy--cinnamon rolls!!!

Making any sort of bread product that requires three rises should only be done for that occasional special occasion.  Husband's birthdays are one of those rare times that I take on such an ordeal.  So...

...if you're itching to use a full pound of butter/margarine...

and

...if you're craving to spend more time in the kitchen...

and

...if you like using every cookie sheet in the house...

and

...if you want cinnamon rolls as big as dessert plates...

and

...if you won't try and calculate how many calories or fat grams each of these babies has, than...

THIS is the recipe for you!


Cinnabon-like Cinnamon Rolls
1/2 c. warm water
2 pkgs. dry yeast
2 Tbs. sugar
1-3 1/2 oz. pkg. vanilla pudding mix (milk, as package directs)
1/2 c. margarine, melted
2 eggs
1 tsp. salt
6 c. flour
1 c. soft butter
2 c. brown sugar
4 tsp. ground cinnamon

In small bowl, combine water, yeast, and sugar; stir until dissolved and set aside.  In a large bowl, mix pudding mix according to package directions.  Add margarine, eggs, and salt; mix well, then add yeast mixture.  Gradually add flour.  Knead until smooth.  Place in a greased bowl.  Cover and let rise until doubled.  Punch dough down and let rise again.  Roll out on a floured board to a rectangle about 34" x 21".  Spread with softened butter.  Mix brown sugar and cinnamon in small bowl.  Sprinkle over butter and gently press down.  Roll up and notch every 2".  Cut with thread or knife. Place on greased cookie sheets about 2" apart.  Lightly press down on each roll.  Cover and let rise until doubled.  Bake at 350 F for 15-20 minutes--remove when turning brown.  Don't overbake!!  Frost with cream cheese frosting or powdered sugar glaze.  Makes 16-20 large rolls.

Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz. cream cheese
1/2 softened margarine
1 tsp. vanilla
3 c. powdered sugar
1 Tbs. milk

Mix all ingredient until smooth.

***Notes from me:  The cream cheese frosting recipe makes more frosting than you need, you might want to half it.  Also, some times I freeze half the dough, after the 2nd rise, to keep myself from being tempted by giant cinnamon rolls all day.  If you do this, make sure you only use half the butter and brown sugar and cinnamon. ***

Changes over 5 years....

Five years doesn't seem that long to me.  But, it's enough time for things to change.  Being in my present condition, I can't help but compare things that are different for me in this pregnancy than they were only 5 years ago.

1. Maternity bottoms:
I think they were coming out when I was pregnant 5 years ago, but I never bought any then.  Anyway, I'm referring to all these under-the-belly skirts and pants.  They are driving me crazy!!!  I feel like my pants are gonna slide right off, since my waist and hips have fused in to one mass and/or that my underwear is falling off.  Over-the-belly clothes at least are held up by your belly!  Fortunately, I've found a consignment shop that sells maternity clothes and I think I'm gonna go over tomorrow and check again (for like the 10th time in two months) to see if they have any over-the-belly pants.

2. Testing your urine:
Now, maybe it's just this doctor office, but, I never had to test my own urine before.  In pregnancy they are testing your urine at every time and for everything.  This I understand.  What I do not understand is why the nurse has me doing this (and everyone at our clinic). Weird.

3. Maternity tops:

Again, some of these styles were probably around 5 years ago.  But, maybe it's just my mindset.  While I am happy to be pregnant I don't like to flaunt it.  Thankfully the tent-only option, that many of our mothers and grandmothers had to go through, is non-existent.  However, we've gone completely in the other direction.  I do not like these ruched, tight, maternity shirts and dresses!  The last thing I want to do is enter a room in a skin-tight shirt or dress with my belly being the first thing, and only thing, someone notices. 

4. 3-D Ultrasounds:

These have been around for more than 5 years now, but they still creep me out.  I haven't gotten one and I don't want to. 

Thankfully, not too much else has changed.  At least, not anything I've noticed :).