Shannon’s World

Look how much Libby has changed since the last sweet girl photo!

If you haven’t checked out etsy.com you need to - what a great site filled with amazing handmade things from around the world. There are a lot of talented people out there and etsy.com is a great showcase and a great place to find a unique and special gift for the hard to shop for person on your list.

Speaking of special (although not exactly unique) gifts…Not many of you have known me since I was 11 or 12 but there are some of you out there. When I was 11, American Girls were introduced AND I WANTED ONE SO BAD. Since I was on the verge of my teen years and since I (SUPPOSEDLY) no longer played with dolls I never got one…I got the books instead. My love of the American Girls is still strong. I get the catalogs. I’ve visited the store in Chicago and NYC (a few times). I play with my cousin Cydney’s dolls and the dolls our neighbors have.

Mike snapped this picture of Libby and I looking at the American Girl catalog on Friday. Libby sat on my lap and read through the magazine 2-3 times with me. I couldn’t tell which historical doll Libby liked the best, but I don’t blame her - I’ve always had a tough time choosing!

This is what happens after you change your 8.5 month old’s diaper and leave the area to go wash your hands.

I apologize for taking the week off, but I somehow contracted a killer stomach flu that took me out of commission for close to a week - not fun especially with a little one at home. At one point I broke down and put in a Disney movie and layed on the floor in the fetal position hoping the movie would entertain Libby for an hour!

Every once in a while Libby will wake up and I’ll make comments like “you look bigger today” or “you like thinner today” (crawling really burns the calories). Lately I’ve been saying “you look like you have more hair today” and Mike’s noticed it as well. We had some fun during Libby’s bathtime the other night and I thought you’d like to see the photos.

Commentary - it’s hard to tell in the bath photo: L’s sporting a mini (very thin) mohawk!

Mike’s got the latest updates (including pics of Libby crawling!).

Many thanks to Deanna (new Mom to Connor - yeah!) for this quick, easy and delicious recipe.

Baked Shells and Turkey Marinara
2 cups medium-size shells (I used entire box)
1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil4 ounces ground turkey (I used entire package)
1 cup quartered mushrooms
1 medium-size red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
1 medium-size yellow bell pepper, cut into thin strips
¼ cup finely chopped onion
1 large clove of garlic, crushed
2 8-oz cans of tomato sauce (when I make this again, I’ll use 2, 15 oz cans)
2 tablespoons of fresh parsley
1 teaspoon basil
Freshly ground pepper
Grated Parmesan cheese

Cook macaroni shells according to package directions. Meanwhile, heat over to 350 degrees. Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat; add turkey; cook and stir for 3 minutes (I do it until the turkey is cooked all the way). Remove turkey to plate. Add mushrooms, peppers, onion and garlic to drippings; cook and stir for 5 minutes until vegetables are tender. Return turkey to skillet along with tomato sauce, 1 tablespoon parsley, basil and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Spread a little sauce in to a 1-1/2 quart baking dish. Drain shells; add half to dish. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Top with half of the remaining sauce. Repeat layers; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake 10-15 minutes until heated through. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Libby learned on Oprah the other day that according to Lloyd Boston (author of Before You Put That On: 365 Daily Style Tips for Her) ”women should feel hot and sexy at any age—he suggests an animal print piece to do the trick.”  How hot and sexy does Libby look in her zebra striped leggings and red ballet flats?!  YEAH, BABY!

As you can see: still not much hair, no teeth (although she has all the signs of teething) and Libby is not crawling yet.  She is SO CLOSE and has been for months.  She crawls backwards from one end of the house to the other, but can’t seem move it from reverse to first gear.  I am looking forward to Libby reaching this milestone, but I am really enjoying having a still-somewhat imobile baby girl!
 

A big congratulations to everyone at IU that participated in Dance Marathon. I can’t believe “we” broke the $1 million mark and I couldn’t be prouder to be alumni of such an awesome group with such an amazing cause. Mike already made a similar post with similar pictures, but I just love these photos in front of the Sample Gates so much, that I wanted to post my own.

While in Bloomington, we ate lunch at Dagwoods (which is in a new location!) and I was so excited when I heard that there’s a Dagwoods in Broadripple! With a Pizza Express, errr I mean Hot Box Pizza and a Dagwoods, Broadripple is like a little slice of Bloomington in Indianapolis. . .I like it . . .I like it a lot!

“We can’t all be heroes. Some of us have to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.”
–Will Rogers

Happy Veteran’s Day… take some time to thank a veteran today… and everyday.

Wow - Christmas is right around the corner! It didn’t take long for the Halloween stuff to be replaced by Christmas merchandise…one radio station in Chicago is already playing Christmas carols! I saw this recipe in Kraft Food and Family Magazine and think it sounds like a great, easy holiday treat. Note: if you do not currently receive the magazine - sign up! It’s free and is always full of good recipes and entertaining ideas.

Mint Thins
1 pkg (8 squares) Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1/4 t peppermint extract
1 sleeve Ritz Crackers
1 peppermint candy cane (6 in), crushed

Microwave chocolate in small bowl as directed on package. Stir until completely melted. Blend in extract. Dip crackers in melted chocolate, completely coating crackers with chocolate. Carefull scrape off excess chocolate. Place on wax paper covered baking sheets; sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Refrigerate for 30 min or until chocolate is firm.

Makes 35 crackers.

It would be cute to fill a Chinese take out box with these treats…such a cute and easy homemade gift!