Bananas about Apples

I know most people are pumpkin crazy this time of year. And while even I picked up some pumpkin spice coffee the other day my hear belongs to another farmers market find this time of year... APPLES! There is just something to be said for a good apple. It's a perfect snack any time of day. I am all about apple pie and pork chops and apples for dinner always hits the spot.  One thing I have never been too found of. Apple sauce.. or at least not the kind found at the local grocery store.  While my husband and kids can go through a jar every few days, I rarely partake.

But home made applesauce?... well that's a horse of a different color!

This is the basic applesauce recipe. I have made a few changes for personal preference.  This time I used Gala apples but I want to do a batch of honeycrisps next.  Also, I like to use cane sugar as apposed to white sugar.. no real reason I'm just a big fan of can sugar... ok a HUGE fan.  Experiment with different apples and different numbers of apples to find your perfect sauce.  Oh and we add quite a bit of cinnamon in this house ;)

After I cook the apples I change them over to a cool pot or bowl and pass it over to my pro-masher

He was happily mashing away when someone else wanted in on the fun.

They worked up quite an appetite.  The little chefs paired it with peanut butter and honey sandwiches.

I may have to invest in a bushel or 2 of apples because they may never eat the canned stuff again! And neither will you ;)  If you try it let me know what tweaks you make and how you like it.

Have a fabulous day.

It's just BOKEH

Ok so first off..... Notice some changes around here? I've been DYING to change the look of this blog for a while so finally I started making some changes! what do you think?? 

Ok so it's another Thursday! Photo-Challenge time!

It's never too late to join the fun!

SO last week was ORANGE. And if you hadn't noticed I didn't post a picture because apparently there is pretty much nothing Orange in my house! I was so busy that I didn't even have time to run out and pick up a pumpkin or SOMETHING... So I tried really hard to figure something out and then well NOTHING.  I'm going to stop  making excuses and just move on to this week...
BOKEH... which means BLUR... in case you didn't know ;)

This was the view outside of our hotel when we went to the beach..only at night.

I wish we would have been a tad bit closer to the pier so I could have had a lot more lights and blurry dots...BOKEH.

It is more commonly referred to when you have a close up subject in crisp focus and the rest of the picture is out of focus. This was hard to achieve with my P&S.. but here is a pic I took a while ago. One of my favorites of her...

I absolutely ADORE this picture.. the moment I took it I knew it was GOLD! haha But if not for the BOKEH one might actually look at the UGLY background and not the BEAUTIFUL little girl...  

have a fabulous day!

September's love letter

This being the last day of September it was a NOW or NEVER post decision. I'd been so busy last week that I didn't get to share my favorite day of the year with you. September 24th... AKA The hubs and I's wedding anniversary.

The Card I made him this year.  

But that's not the only reason it's such a SPECIAL day!

Fall in general has a special place in my heart.  Besides it being just plain beautiful with all the leaves changing color and falling all over the yard like mother nature's confetti... it's just provided many special moments in my life.  My husband and I met in the fall...we got engaged in the fall...we got married in the fall.. we brought home our first child in the fall.  Lots of little Autumn blessings! Even before that I always just liked this time of year.  Chalk it up to cool breezes, sweaters, and football I guess.  


But September 24th... that's just a story all it's own.  As previously mentioned it's the day we got married. THE ONLY day (And we checked for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in September, October, and I think even November!) that was available in any place that I could bare to have a reception.  Our son was born in the beginning of September but due to some issues stayed at the hospital for a few weeks... and while we spent our anniversary in the hospital we got news we'd be bringing him home in just a couple more days!  And Finally... our lovely 2nd child.  Because of the complications with our son I was scheduled for ultrasounds every 3 WEEKS for my pregnancy with the 2nd.  And the had to be timed perfectly. So when it came time for the one where they could tell me the sex of the baby they only day they had available in the time frame I needed was... yup Sept 24th! So that was the day we found out we were going to have a beautiful daughter.  


Our Anniversary is the most special, perfect day ever... we don't just celebrate being a couple we celebrate being a family!

The inside of the card (before I wrote over EVERY INCH of it!)

Little Hands, Big Smile!

Well it's Week 10..
see I told you I could do keep this up! haha





As soon as I read this week's subject: HANDS
I knew what I wanted to do! I wanted to capture the beautiful sight that has been pulling at my heart strings for weeks now.  Every meal time before we eat we say a prayer.  I say one with the kids for breakfast and lunch and then the hubs does the one for dinner.  We taught the kids to bow their heads.  At some point my son became obsessed with me holding his hand during the prayer... he would not bow his head until my hand was in his.  So it became automatic for me to no matter where at the table I was find his hand.  Well one week I said "amen" lifted my head and....

Yup that's my son's hand holding his little sister's hand.  It was just the sweetest thing I've ever witnessed.  No one asked him told him to... and I don't remember hearing either child request it. (I had them stay holding hands so I could snap this quickly before they ate their lunch. So it's not the best picture but still is sweet isn't it?)


Next week is ORANGE and I haven't the foggiest idea... yet.

Week 9.... yup.

OK so it's week 9 and the theme...MESS.  Yes this one could have taken so many turns.. my craft supply, the book shelf, a bedroom, pretty much ANY closet in this place... but I'll admit I just couldn't bring myself to show you any of these places.  And if I did my mother would drive the 10 hours to KILL me and then clean up the house a bit LOL.  So I was at a loss. Should a make it less messy?.. organize the chaos a little and then take the picture?.. cheating right??

And just when I was getting anxiety I was saved by 2 words...  Spaghetti night!

She makes that big mess look so cute right?

We just strip her down to her diapers because could you imagine what the outfit would look like?!

Remember it's never too late to join the fun!

Have a fabulous day.

I know.... I KNOW!...don't hate me

OK so I. m. HORRIBLE! I have not been keeping up with you AT ALL. and really there is no excuse except that my to do list is about a mile long and blogging is on it I SWEAR but it's a little low on the list and I just never make it that far...so today I moved it up! Which is why I am blogging so early HAHA. And I have to be honest I'm a little surprised my brain is functioning well enough to do this (oh i hope i don't read this later and think.."YEAH RIGHT! you sound stupid") Ok so you know how I was all excited about that photo challenge and was all "I'm gonna keep up with it" and then i..well..DIDN'T! GRRR so anyway the best thing about that is it's still going on and I can still hop back in there so today I AM and just in time for my favorite...

It's never too late to join the fun!
details here!

WEEK 8
BLACK &WHITE


I love black and white pictures...they bring the drama right? It's also a good way to take a picture that in color may be not so perfect and save it. These 2 shots where both taken in not the greatest lighting.  The thing I liked best about this week was that I didn't have to think too much about what I was shooting I could just snap away and later decide what I wanted to make black and white. Of course then I couldn't decide but narrowed it down to 2.

We were in the car and she was playing peek-a-boo with daddy's hat.

Lil Man ATTACKED by daddy AKA the kissing MONSTER.

I'm sure you can see why I couldn't decide between these two! Which one do you like best in B&W? Leave a comment and let me know!

Week 1! Self Portrait =/

Alright so here it is Week one of the photography challenge and it starts with a self portrait.  I had mixed feeling about this because 1 like most woman/mothers/people out there I HATE pictures of myself.  Well except the ones from when I was like 20 and then my wedding pictures which don't even look like me (in a totally fabulous kind of way) Any whoo... the thing that I did like about this was that it was easy all I needed was my camera and me! So after trying all kinds of nifty ideas that didn't exactly work the way that I wanted them to.  I did this accidental oops of a shot that totally spoke to me AND you can hardly see me in the picture BONUS! haha but I'm there and I think it's kind of neat. This is me as reflected by my horribly splotchy fingerprinted computer screen. I accidentally used my flash but it gave this vintagy (not a word) look to the shot.

Can you tell the kids have been touching the screen??

I cleaned my screen as soon as I was done BTW. Let me know what you think about it!

I also sort of like it a B&W as well.

So I'd say we're off to a good start. Next on the list is "what makes you smile"...it's either gonna be my little monkedoos or food most likely but you never know! HAHA Don't foget to check back next Thurs. and see.  Also you can see the details and the rest of the list here if you're thinking of joining in on the fun!

Point and Shoot is better than no shoot at all.

SO even though my beautiful DSLR is STILL in a unususable state and I have been mourning it's loss for quite some time now, I have decided to stop loathing my lil P&S that my mother-in-law kindly gave me so that I would have SOMETHING to take pictures with.
Step one was of course admitting that I had a problem. My name is Alicia and I am a camera SNOB (if only that were the only kind of snobery I was guilty of but I also have this thing about crayons... nevermind) Step 2 should actually be pretty fun! I came across this photography-challenge. Now there are quite a few of these that have been going around as of late and I have been passing on participating because again camera issues have clouded my judgement on me being able to pull this off, however I am ready to take a leap here. I like this photo challenge because 1.) It hasn't started yet so I can get in at the very begininning!
2.) It's being hosted by someone who seems fun and light hearted about the challenge NOT INTIMIDATING
3.) Comments indicate that other non pro P&S users are also planning on participating.
4.) it's a weekly challenge not daily like some others so I'll probably actually get to do the WHOLE list!



Tomorrow happens to be the first day. And the list starts with Self Portrait! So be sure to check out my post tomorrow to see what I come up with!

have a Fabulous day!

Landing on my business

I've got a new FB fan page for my business and I've made a brand new cool landing page for it.

My first time ever doing one of these.  I bookmarked how to do it ages ago and finally took some time to try it. Thanks to Melissa Love Design for the awesome easy to follow tutorial! I did this one kind of rushed and I like it but I may try out some others when I have some child free time. The best part is you can make it so that when they click on it they go to your website! nice right??? I wanted to have a pretty descent landing page because I just joined this Facebook Follow Friday  hosted by Shining 2 Save. You add your Fb page to their list and everyone goes visiting and liking each others pages.  AWESOME IDEA right? Great way for everyone to get more fans and their name out there. VERY EXCITING I've gotten some new fans already =) Just wanted to share.

Have a Fabulous day!

Toys? We don't need no stinkin' toys!

As my mom's visit is winding down I've been trying to take note of all her techniques, talent and genius.  Especially where the kids are concerned. while my mom is amazed by the crafts and projects I get together to do with the kids, I find it more amazing how busy she keeps them with little to nothing.  Yes I get inspired by many of the other mommy bloggers with their crafting know how and many toddler geared websites.  There is a lot out there to spark an idea (or sometimes just take and use) for some fun time with your toddlers but by the time I find a new idea and get supplies my mom has already made up 2 or 3 games with my little ones.  So I'd like to share some of these tips and tricks with you.

1.) Never underestimate a toddlers imagination.  Ok so although we all know kids have a vast imagination and we all encourage and support it how often do we use this to our advantage??  Here is where again my mother is a genius! The kids wanted to go outside on what was an extremely HOT day with a definite promise of storms ahead.  My little man started talking about going outside and throwing rocks in the pond.   So my mother starts throwing imaginary rocks in an imaginary pond in our living room all of a sudden this little boy is saying "wow! look how far that went." and "did you see that?" No more whining to go outside he didn't even think about it and he did that activity for about 30 min.  It was better than going to the pond... no bugs or sweat and an endless supply of perfect rocks! And for those kids who need a little more than just imagination you could get out a blue sheet and make some brown paper "rocks" for throwing. What a simple idea for a rainy day.

2.) Now that they're talking.... WORD GAMES! I'm not quite sure where these games started but one morning I awoke to my son saying "na na na TV"  followed by " NA NA NA... (about a million other things)"  And my mom would join in and finally explained that you  sing that little diddy and then add a word of something that you see.  My son and daughter love this and it happens almost daily now... it also gets them asking what things are called that they don't know!  

Another game my son calls "I like".  Simple you say I like (anything you like for food to animals to games to people" and the other person says "Me too!" and then something they like. That's it! and yet it is completely entertaining and you learn things about each other.

Best thing about these word games are you can play them anywhere. Just think of car rides and waiting rooms! Also these are great for when you're trying to do a chore and your kids want to play a game since you can walk and do this and no hands are needed to play.  

3.) Stories aren't just for bed time. While I have to admit this isn't quite a new idea for me or probably for you I am sharing it because it was by far one of my son's favorite parts of this visit.  My mom and little man made up a story together all about him.  She would get the plot going and let him put in all the details.  He drove a motorcycle (to my dismay he picked that vehicle himself) and decided what color it was. And went visiting relatives he'd sat who and what they did and my mom would add in things here and there.  We'd catch him acting out the story while playing in his room.  His best friend in the story is now the name that he calls his Teddy Bear!  And so the story is now also a game.  We keep adding more and more to the story and loves it! I was thinking that one day we'll write it down and when he get's a little older he can illustrate it and save it. Great if your kid is already old enough to do this. You can even scan the pictures and make a real book online for them to have! 

4.) SING IT! This is actually not one of my moms ideas.  When she arrived my kids had been OBSESSED with this old episode of blues clues where they sing song games (you can download it on itunes here!)  My mom helped me remember some of the others that we liked when I was a kid so that Id didn't have to sing the same 3 over and over again. They really like it when we pretend to forget the words or sing the wrong words and they have to help us.

So there are just 4 really great we don't need no stinkin' toys ideas! Enjoy them on a rainy day or a long car ride or even just a way to stay in the air conditioning a little longer today.

Have a fabulous day!

I want my mommy!

 Basically, I was a very independent kid.  I remember my first day of Kindergarten being SO excited and just ready to go.  At the bus stop with my mom and went to stand with the other kids that were waiting as my mom watched with the circle of other parents (from barely a foot away).  When the bus pulled up I rushed to be one of the first to get on it... I don't think I turned to wave bye to my mom until I was already safely seated and the bus was pulling away.  Had a been more observant at that age.. or less excited about my big day ahead, I might have noticed my mother was crying.  When we got off the bus at the school I saw a child being consoled by a teacher as he balled his eyes out. I remember thinking "I wonder what's wrong with him?"  I know now that clearly he was having trouble being away from his parents; a concept I had not been able to grasp.  Not then... maybe still not now.

  Now, I really never have come down with a case of homesickness.  Soon after I graduated I went of vacation with friends for about a month and my lovely hosts had to remind me that I probably should call my parents somewhere around weeks 2 and 3.   Now that I've been married for almost 5 years my husband still finds it necessary to ask (sometimes rightfully so) "when is the last time you talked to your parents?" He seems to talk to his parents every few days which is cool... but that's just not me.  And it's not that I don't adore my parents.  They're probably on the top 10 greatest parents of all time list somewhere I'm sure.  But unless there's some kind of news or special something I think a couple weeks between calls is totally acceptable.  And really by now my parents don't expect nor request more frequency than that.  I've always been fine with distance between us... however now that I've moved this is the most distance there's ever been.  I'm still not getting homesick.  But I miss the short trips every few weeks to go see my mom.  We've gone from a less than an hour car trip to an over and hour plane ride away.   It's the first time in my life I can think of that I've really dwelled on the distance.  Maybe it's because it's the first time that such a distance has been permanent.  Mind you,  It's not enough to make me regret moving... or to make me call her everyday.  I still have to live my life the way that I think is best... but it's enough to make me miss her.  And surely enough to make me SUPER excited that she is coming to visit TOMORROW!!!!

Me and my Mom! 

 She's going to come help me whip this place into some sort of livable shape and help with my little monkedoos while I try and get some work done.  She's going to be here for at least a couple of weeks =)  So hopefully I can get on a livable schedule and in a livable space!  I'm so grateful to have a mom who would volunteer to come and share our small space where she won't even have a room of her own to do this for me.  I told you she was top 10 material ;)

My mom is the most awesome mother I know. Everything that comes to mind when you think of that word Mom...she's that!  I strive to be her every day that I am figuring out this thing called motherhood. She's not perfect of course no one is but I wouldn't trade her for anyone else.  See you tomorrow mom!

Have a fabulous day!

Chalk it up to summer

Blow the whistle it's official....ly summer!  It's been great weather and we've been doing lots of outtings and swimming and everything already but there is just something about it being officially on the calendar that it is summer that just makes it better.  My kids don't even seem to notice how unbearably hot it is getting outside and are constantly begging to be let loose out there.  And while I love sports and games of tag there are some days I just can't keep it up without fear of fainting so here is a great outdoor activity full of fun but light on the sweat! SIDEWALK CHALK...wait for it....

PAINT! For those of you who haven't heard of it you're in for a treat and the best part you can MAKE IT!... easy, quick, and you probably already have everything you need.  Water.. (check)... corn starch.....(look way in the back there...CHECK) food coloring... any colors will do....ok so maybe you're out... oh wait (CHECK CHECK CHECK!!!).  That's it!  And of course a mixing bowl...cups for seperate colors...spoons for mixing... and eventually some paint brushes for when you're all set to paint.

Here's how I do mine.  Equal parts water and corn starch.  I usually do about a cup of each.  But you can make as much or as little as you need depending on # of kids and # of colors you want to make.  Then I just eye ball the colors mixing in a little of this or that or what have you.  I use the gel food coloring which makes good bright colors but any food coloring you have on hand should work great.  Make up as many different batches as you like grab some paintbrushes and head outside!

This little trick keeps my little ones occupied for at least an hour.  If I mix up lots and give them one set of colors and then wait and give them another set of different colors I can stretch it out even longer. They're both more of abstract artists so more colors means more interesting splatters and puddles!

Have a Fabulous (summer) Day!

Welcome back life.

So It was pretty dumb of me to start all this up right before a big move... in my defense at the time I didn't really KNOW we were going to end up moving.  Anyway, I am now getting settled in to my new home and lifestyle in the south.  I've been eating like a southerner my whole life! HAHA so that part won't take any getting use to.  Of course by those standards I could also easily move to Italy, Mexico, Puerto Rico and probably a dozen other places because let's face it folks I like to eat.  Which made swimsuit shopping a little painful last week but we'll save that chat for perhaps another day.

SO as I was saying I had all these new ventures into the works and this was one of them and needless to say they've been neglected the past couple months. But as I'm slowly getting my sanity back and getting things organized I'm ready to get back on track with everything.  So this was just a little note to say I'm still here!.. and hopefully you're sticking around as well =)

Have a fabulous day!

Sometimes it's Ok to be a follower!

"Don't be a follower be a leader!" My dad would constantly say this to me as a child sometimes as a correction for a poor decision I made join in on what seemed to me the coolest thing I had ever seen... without factoring in dangers or consequences of any sort. (cue image of me flying down the steep hilled street in my brothers too big for me roller skates) But most of the time he just said it as a passing reminder.  I remember at the time thinking being a follower didn't sound so bad to me if it meant that I got to take part in some awesome activities that where going on around me (cue skating image again).  For a long time I missed the point.  See he wasn't saying don't take part in things... that would be absurd.. what would happen to religions and organizations and sports teams if we all had that mentality right?  So, what is the point?? The point is to think about it and had good valid reasons and beliefs in what you're doing.  Don't do things just to seem cool or fit in.  Do them because you have a passion and an understanding.  If you're going to be a follower or a joiner do it with such a conviction that you draw others to you and maybe make them followers too because they catch the fever! I learned that lesson in my own time but now I live it everday. Thanks dad... but i'd still totally do that skating thing again!

Speaking of following... Find me on twitter @hautemum


Have a fabulous day!

Welcome to the Hauteline!

Hello fellow haute mommy's!


    I am very excited to be starting my new blog... yes I know I'm a little late to showing up on the blogosphere but the truth is I've tried the whole blogging thing in the past and just couldn't keep up with it because the ideas weren't flowing.... I didn't have a focus or a passion or a life for that matter.  Now that I have those things (Most of them are 100% related to motherhood) I also have the blog!


  So first off there are some things that you should know right off the bat.
-I'm by no means an "expert" on anything
-I tend to make up words. You remember learning about context clues back in your elementary school days?... they're going to come in handy!
-I'm addicted to ellipses...
-I watch too much reality TV including but not limited to the real housewives of ANYWHERE and any show where celebrities compete for ANYTHING.
-I hate laundry so much I've considered moving to a nudist colony to avoid it... then I took a good look in the mirror! HA!
-I don't just LOVE being a mom I LIVE being a mom.


Now about what this Blog will contain and why you'll want to keep up with it:


Haute: adj. fashionably elegant or high-class. Sound like you? GOOD you're in the right place! But here's the thing I'm not trying to keep up with the Joneses here. First off, I couldn't afford it if I wanted too and secondly, then I'd just look like one of  Joneses and not like me. Then there is the mommy rule that if you have lil ones it's better to not have nice things for them to break! And while I am a FIRM believer in that as a mom, the woman in me still wants some pretty and elegant things.   I want my house to look like a home not a daycare and I want to look like... well.. like I use to look... or at least not so far from it!  I'm trying to figure out how to be a mom and still be me and I'm inviting you along for support and sanity's sake.  But hopefully I'll have some fun and fabulous things for you too. I'm going to talk about awesome OOAK finds and do it yourself projects and fun crafts and all the things that I love and I hope you'll love too.  SO please join me not just in reading my blog but leaving comments  as well.  Let me know what things are catching your attention and what you liked and what more of.  Let me know what's on your minds because I'll be letting you know what's on mine.  Enjoy!


Have a fabulous day!