Gift Ideas

When it comes to gift giving, I am a perfectionist. That being said, I either a) don't give gifts (unintentionally) or b) give them really late. Same thing goes with thank you notes- the more time that passes, the more I have to say, hence the more of a chore it becomes. Needless to say, I am very behind on a summer that was filled with weddings, showers, and any other gift giving occasion.

I need some opinions and ideas:

My labor and delivery nurse was actually my basketball coach in grade school. (Funny, isn't it? Same technique, different situation). What do you think I should get as a little thank you? One of those Edible Arrangements? Gift certificate to a Salon? (You pampered me, I'll pamper you)? Or a dinner date with her husband? Or something totally different?

And what are you supposed to do for a wedding which the couple is older, second (or more) marriage, and request no gifts? I was thinking monogrammed towels, but I have zero sense of etiquette.

I'd love to hear input

Moby Wrap

I love my Moby Wrap! There is no comparison to a sling or a something with lots of straps- I've tried them all. Basically it is a piece of Jersey cotton, about 8 feet long. It comes with an instruction booklet on how to tie (super easy, super quick) and you can hold your baby in many different positions. And it can hold a big kid too- like 40 pound big kid. I love it, love it, love it.

Hands free and it doesn't pull on your back or shoulders.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Did you know that there is a canned pumpkin shortage this year? Well yes, yes there is. This may be common knowledge, but if any of you readers out there are like me, you don't keep up on current events. Luckily my mom snatched up a can for me when she spotted one, so I was able to make this delicious recipe (found on Design Mom):

Old-Fashioned Soft Pumpkin Cookies

2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup butter (1 stick) softened
1 cup 100% pumpkin (you can find cans of this in the pie-filling section of the grocery store)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
Glaze (see below)
Optional: 1/2 cup chocolate chips or nuts.

Preheat oven to 350. Grease baking sheets.

Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and set aside. Beat sugar and butter in large bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.

Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle glaze over cookies

For Glaze:
Combine 2 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1 tsp vanilla in small bowl until smooth

I did not make the glaze, I thought that they would be great without. And I think the chocolate chips are a must!

Overall, these were spectacular. They were like perfect muffin tops. So So So Good.

And Then There Were 5

There is a good possibility that my long blog break was a plea to the blog-gods to let me have my baby... soon. Well I did! We're all healthy and happy and settled in, and I think I may be ready to get back into the blogging swing.

I may or may not think of things to catch you up on since I'd been gone. I'm pretty sure that all you've missed out on are some terrible mood swings. (That are now gone- I think)

and by the way I don't really believe in blog-gods. Just for the record.