Crock Pot Veggie Soup

Today I thought I'd share this fantastic soup with you. I am very hard to please in the kitchen, I have become a real picky eater and hate it. I'm trying to fix that LOL. Well I was looking for some recipes for my crock pot that has been sitting in my basement for 4 years and along came my mother in law to the rescue. So this is a recipe she gave me and it is delicious!!!!

1-2 large cans of Tomato juice (46oz)
Whole Potato
Celery
Carrots
Squash
Canned/frozen/fresh Corn
Canned/frozen/fresh Peas

Chop fresh vegetables and add them to the Juice in the slow cooker first as they will take more time to cook than canned or frozen vegies. After an hour or so of cooking, add corn and peas. Let this simmer as long as you like for the flavors to come together – 6 or more hours.

Option: to make this Chicken or Beef vegetable soup, add chicken or beef pieces in the slow cooker with juice for about 2 hours – fresh vegis can be placed in the juice with the chicken or beef. Then add canned or frozen vegi’s later

Salt, pepper and other seasonings to taste!

This is a simple easy recipe and it is soooo delicious!!

Introducing my New Shop and a Thank you

I have finally decided to open my destash shop. It took some time but it is finally here. Introducing littlemamasdestash.etsy.com

I will have bunches of fabric, patches, buttons, zippers, Oh and yarn, anticipating a lot of yarn and so much more. Keep on checking back as I will be adding new items regularly.



I do want to thank everyone for their kind words and help while my little doggie Dylan was going through his sickness. I am very sad to say he lost his battle on Jan 22nd 2010, he has crossed over The Rainbow Bridge. We miss him very much and it is very quiet around now even though there are still 2 dogs and a cat but his sounds are not hear and that is hard since I do "hear" him everywhere. He gave so much love in his 10 years and was just the sweetest little guy to have ever found his home with us. We love you Dylan.

My Dear Dylan

My Little Buddy Dylan

Today I had to bring my little buddy Dylan to the vet ER. He hadn't been able to keep anything in for 24 hours, so off we go. I was pretty sure on my way there that he would be spending the night there, he was very dehydrated. So I'm waiting for results, the not knowing was so hard, I mean I know it was not going to be good news but how bad it would be was making me go nuts. Finally they called and I froze, thank goodness for a crying 1 year old and a 3 year old yelling mommy mommy I want a snack, to lighten the mood. Well he's very sick, he's 10 years old btw, they told me he is diabetic and has had it for a long time and that is what made him sick, they are also almost certain he has cushings disease, so both are treatable but not curable. He will need to be monitered daily, then weekly and 2 times a day insulin shots for the rest of his life plus meds.
Good news is he is starting to feel a bit better but will need to be on and IV for a bit more, so he will be at the ER until at least monday morning.

Here is a pic of him a couple years ago with my daughter.

For my major unexpected Vet bills I will be having a sale at my shop where all the money will be going to Dylans bills. Just mention blog in checkout and you will be refunded 10%. Heres a link.

I love you little buddy!

In Search of Crock Pot Recipes

I am very new to this cooking thing, yes I am 35 but I never really had to cook. I can do your basics, pasta, grilled cheese, cereal, scrambled eggs, pancakes, but never really ventured away from that. My problem is I get hungry and I want to eat now, not after I figure out how to cook, now, so my best friend has been the microwave.
My husband BTW is a chef, yes sounds great but he doesn't do much cooking at home since he's always at work, but he does bring food home, Plus #1 and plus #2 is it can go in the microwave and I can eat it now! I am a very boring eater so he really doesn't like to cook for me anyway, I don't like spice, really don't eat much in condiments except BBQ and parm cheese I don't even use pepper, so he really doesn't like to cook for me anyway.
Which brings me to where I am today, I am learning how to cook, I have 2 kids 1 and 3 and I have to figure out this cooking thing fast. This past Christmas I started baking cookies, they came out well at least thats what I was told. LOL Funny thing is for Christmas I received my 1st recipe box. Hahaha.
Now I've been hearing about alot of people using a crock pot. We have one, its in the basement in the box it came in for our wedding, 5 yrs ago. I've always wanted to use it but never new how or what to put in it, my husband doesn't really crock pots, I mean he's a real cook, its art to him, so many I can see that. But I need it!! I don't however have any recipes. So I'm calling out to the bloggy world Help me find some crock pot recipes...... please send me some, comment, email littlemamasdiapers.com, twitter, FB, something!! Please help!!
A big thank you to anyone who helps or benefits from the posts of others.

Take my poll

My husband and I have been at a constant battle about how to say syrup. It's now pretty funny, our daughter is 3 1/2 and we both try to get her on each others team on how to say it. I am from Connecticut and he is from Indiana, I say ceerup and he says surrup. So I want to know How do YOU say SYRUP????? While you are taking the poll have a look at some pancakes with syrup!!

If you like to follow a chef and computer builder on twitter follow chefbenito or a crafty work at home mama follow littlemamas

I'm Baaaack!!

So its been forever! I guess I've just completely neglected my dear ole blog. Well I'm back and hopefully weekly or bi weekly (at least thats my plan).
Littlemamas.etsy.com has some new products for 2010.

Tutus are the cutest IMO addition, they came about after a few customers asked for them and of course my daughter wanted one. Now they are available for everyone. I am tossing around the idea of a tutu of the month, just not sure how that will work yet.


My Crayon Rolls were a HUGE hit over Christmas. The kids love them, they can take them anywhere to keep themselves busy. They come with an activity coloring book and 12 crayons.

Alot of fun came with my Reversible Dog Coats, they have a fleece or flannel on one side to help keep your furry friends warm, I had a great time doing some custom coats and they are still available.







Now for my most favorite new item, my felt Playfood!! I have Cookies, chocolate chippers, sugar with Valentine hearts, a Big Breakfast; 2 eggs (sunny side up), 3 pcs Bacon, and 3 pancakes with butter and syrup!!
Listing more and more daily, keep on checking back to find all sort of fun things. I have
all sorts of ideas running through my head just need to find the time to get them out of my head and created. LOL

NEW NEW NEW

Yay, I finally got a real fun item added to Little mamas
A knitting needle roll organizer, so all you knitters out there with a big needle mess, come take a look. Its so handy I love it, you have room for 10 and 14" needles, circular needles, scissors, crochet hooks and it ties up so its nice and tidy and pretty too. Take a look and if you like, put in BLOG in checkout and you'll get 10% off.

Introducing my new knit section

While this CPSIA stuff is going on I really didn't know where to go, not sure about what will actually happen so I am figuring another route for my shop "just in case". I will still add baby things until I can't anymore if I can't anymore (I am just too small of a business to do all of the required testing and etc). But I do have a mama section, a pet section, cloth wipes section, and just added a knit dish and facecloth section. Kinda wish I can change the name of my shop now but I am still a reseller of
Wahmies and Drybees and sell them right now in my ebay store, so I guess my name is okay who knows I'm being hopeful that this change won't stop everything baby I make and sell.

Anyway please take a look at my new project of knits!! Let me know what you think.

Wahmies

I just wanted to let everyone know I am still a reseller of Wahmies and Drybees. I have some wet bags and pocket diapers in stock right now and am ordering more this week. I'd love to know if anyone would be interested in anything they have so I can order it in this weeks order. Wet bags, pail liners, fleece pocket diapers, hybrid AIO's, pocket lacies or wahmies one size diapers. Please email me at

littlemamasdiapers@gmail.com leave a comment and I will do my best to fill orders. Thank you so much to all my past, present and future customers.

don't forget to VOTE to Save childrens handmade items http://www.change.org/ideas/view/save_handmade_toys_from_the_cpsia

BOGO sale

So because of CPSIA new regs I am going to be on sale, really on sale trying to empty all my inventory. So its time to shop shop shop, if you need a baby gift, if you know someone whos having a baby, if you know a baby whos going to turn one soon, how about some great onesies and long sleeve t's for next years Christmas picture?

All stenciled onesies and T's are buy one get one 1/2 off and they are already marked down to begin with. Time to stock up!!

Stenciled burp cloths have already been marked down too they are too cute and very absorbent so no more wet shoulders.

Also let me know if you are interested in diaper cakes I can see what I can do for you take a look at my flickr pics for some that have already been made.


So if things change I will restock my store, but if they don't I need to either close or go back to sewing more adult clothing and doggie coats and maybe getting back to knitting. Only time will tell.

For now please go vote at change.org to save handmade toys from from the CPSIA or a whole lot of shops will be out of business no more creative toys/gifts for our children, only mass produced will be left. We all thank you!!

Happy New Year Contest

Happy New Year everyone!!
I hope everyone has a new year filled with health, love and happiness!! Not sure about a resolution yet other than losing my baby weight that would be awesome, trying to get to a kickboxing or yoga class on a weekly basis (not so much a resolution but finding the time and a sitter to do it), starting nursing school, getting a job, keeping my household a little more organized. So thats about it. LOL

Any other resolutions? I'll give 50% off anything in my shop for the best(in my opinion) resolution, just leave it in a comment and I'll let you know who it is.

I need a job

So as the holidays wind down and I'm not sure if I'll be doing much more in sales since its already come to a hault on both etsy and ebay I have decided to hint the pavement looking for work so I can make enough money to go to nursing school or at least enough money to pay my bills during school. So unless I get a miracle and can start school with keeping etsy as my only income I need a job. UGH I hate this, looking for a job, going on interviews, getting paid crap since I don't have a college degree. So as I am doing this I know that I will be better in the long run because I am that much closer to my goal of becoming a nurse and be able to support my children like I should be.

Anyone living in the central Ct area that may have a job opening for me I'd love for you to contact me.

Otherwise take a look at my quilts I made fro Christmas gifts this year and maybe I can make you one.

Odds and ends

Some price drops happening:

My stenciled sweatshirts have dropped from $14.99 to $9.99, only 4 left. Sports theme, recycle, sun, and moonface all size 4T. Check em out at littlemamasdiapers.com

My football onesies both girls and boys from $9.99 to $7.99

Little Mamas did a few trades this holiday season for my kids and only wish I started earlier to do the same for the rest of my family. So from now on we are trade friendly.

My f key seems to not want to work so well so everything with a f in it i've had to hit it 2 or 3 times, not sure whats going on but thought i'd let you know that. Also I am holding my 2 month old so as usual I am one handed typing, please excuse the mistakes.

Recently relisted a few items and added some new ones.

That about sums it up, I've been making quilts for friends Christmas gifts so I haven't been adding many new items lately, but will after these quilts are finished.

Still time to shop

So there is still time before Christmas to get your last minute gifts. So shop today at littlemamas. I have some new wipes (pink ribbon breast cancer) and also added dog coats reversible very warm ones for your furry friends. Go check out my ebay store too. I have some great Wahmies wet bag and Diaper pail liners over there as well as some Drybees pocket diapers and some ribbon blankets. I am working on patchwork quilts (baby blanket size) if you are interested in them let me know and I'll see what I can do to get it done on time. Lots of gifts lots of fun. If you shop from littlemamasdiapers.com let me know that you got there from my blog and I will give you 20% off. (sorry I can't do that on ebay but I can refund you to paypal over there ONLY on the items that I personally make-not Wahmies or Drybees). So shop shop shop!! Discounts at my blog, fast shipping ( I do ship same day or next day first class mail) I will ship overnight or priority if you don't mind paying the extra money!! Happy Holidays to everyone!!

Thank you and have a great holiday season!

Wyatt Stone

Its been awhile, but I'm back. Yes I had my sweet little baby boy Wyatt Stone he weighed 7lbs 11oz and 19 1/2". He is just awesome and his big sister is really super sweet to him and loves to hear all his "baby noises". I am trying to get back into life with no sleep again but its worth it when you have 2 wonderful children.
Here somes pic of my little Wy guy.

Give Away

This is the deal, I am pregnant and would love nothing more than to sleep but that can't and won't happen so I am going to make the day of the next 3 shoppers in my store. So the next 3 people to buy something from my shop will get a free gift. (hint: it is Red Sox, Yankees, Patriots related). If this goes well I may extend to more people and I will do a give away weekly or monthly. So shop shop shop, have fun then sleep for me.

click here to let the fun begin


Oh and just FYI I am due Oct 30th so if I'm a little late at getting back to you it means my son decided to make his entrance into this world.

Pregnant---tired---toddler, no not a toddler thats pregnant and tired--ME

Today I am trying to relax but it is very difficult to do when you have a little 2 yr old running around. So I am doing it now while she is napping, which is awesome by the way because she kinda "forgot" to nap the past 2 days. Oh and I'm 38 weeks pregnant which is why all the whining about relaxing. I'm soooooooo unbelievably tired, as anyone knows that has had children you really can't sleep anymore, comfort is just something you don't have when you have a bowling ball shaped belly to try to lay on and around. Getting up is a huge chore and don't try to pick up those toys on the floor from your daughter, you'll never get back up in time to get to the bathroom to pee. Oh and peeing so I am constantly leaking LOL the joys of being pregnant. Don't get me wrong I do love being pregnant and I am truly blessed that I am able to do so, I love that I can actually grow a little life inside of me and nourish him and keep him safe and wait until the day comes when I will finally meet him. But this one has been a very long 9 months, pretty much because I have been sick most of time, morning sickness for about 2 months all day long, then I had this horrible cold that I just couldn't get rid of and now its the problem of being to big to move, the shortness of breath and the overpowering heartburn. Also for about a month or so I've had some horrible cramps on a regular basis but not regular enough to do anything about. So all that and a 2 yr old that has been my life as of lately. Oh and yes I do have help 2 days a week from my husband, which is nice, but since he works late I still have to get up every morning when my daughter gets up so he can sleep. Haha SLEEP?? I have no idea what that is, but hey I have a great daughter and a son on the way and I guess as the old saying goes I'll sleep when I'm dead. So I am ready for my little guy to come into this world and I know Maya is ready to meet her little brother too. I hope he comes soon because he's been trying to push his way out for awhile now. :D

Marketing talk

As the holidays approach I am trying to get my shop out there. I blog here obviously and will be doing it more often, I tweet, is that what you call it, twitter anyway just started that and getting many followers although most all from etsy but still I sell and buy on etsy so maybe others will see my shop that haven't before, myspace not a big thing for me, it started as a friend/business page and then I tried to change it to just business, not doing much there other than adding pics and sometimes posting bulletins, facebook-but I really keep that strictly friends, although I do post my pics there and lastly I use flickr for my pics. That may be it online, well I do post in the etsy forums from time to time. I do bring my business cards with me everywhere but I haven't had much luck putting them places yet except for the post office, I've had one up there for awhile. Oh and I sell on etsy, ebay and craigslist.

So I do a bunch, I know I can do more but yes I am very pregnant and chase a toddler around so I get very tired and sometimes I just want to rest. But I need to try to get more things going on so I can hope for some great sales this holiday season.

I think if I utilize each of them to there fullest that may work out better, so that is where I need to focus now. So for this blog expect more blogging.

Focusing on international buyers

So we all know how bad our economy is. Now it's time to start marketing towards international buyers. I always planned on selling internationally but I never made it easy for them to buy, they would have to contact me into order to get a shipping quoate and that pretty much squashed any impulse buyers I may have had. Now I've done a few things, thanks to some of the international sellers on etsy advice, I added metric sizes to my listings (duh that is just something that should've been done long ago), I am currently adding specific shipping rates for different countries so they no longer have to ask me they can just buy if they'd like to. My problem is that there are so many countries and there is an option to adding a price for "everyone else" but they all range in price, so for now I am focusing on a few certain countries, I have Canada, Mexico, Australia and the United Kingdom. Now obviously I don't have even close to what I should but its just a start, I wish there was a way for us to just manually list our own "everyone else" and if you are not in that bunch then contact me or I will add more from there, because while there are many different costs to different places there are also many of the same. UGH!!! So I'm in need of help and advice from other etsy sellers as to what they do and how its worked for them.


So for now Happy October, this may just be my little boy to be birthday month we shall see. I can't wait!!