A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

Fun Standing Abs Workout

I think it was FlyLady, the original organizing blogger, who said, “If it isn’t fun, it won’t get done.” I know life isn’t all fun and games, but if we can inject a little enjoyment into things like working out, why not?

I was reading about the Tracy Anderson workout method online one day when I came across this video. Set to Shakira’s “Did It Again,” it’s a quick and fun way to work your core. The instructor, Anna, calls the video “Get a V for Valentine’s Day.” I think the “V” she’s referring to is a tapered waist. All I know is that she looks great and my secret inner dancer loves routines like this.

So if you’re looking for a break from crunches, give this a try and let your inner Shakira out.

  • Could homemade microwave popcorn really be this simple? I’ll give it a try after school.
  • I think it would be fun to make our own birthday candles.
  • Bacon toothpaste? Seriously? Cupcake toothpaste is a little more up my alley.
  • What do you think of frame walls like this that combine kids’ art and other art?
  • This travel guide focuses on how you travel, not where. Interesting. This could be handy for keeping kids entertained on trips, especially during the tricky getting from here to there parts.
  • Day 53 of the 100 Push-Ups Challenge.

Man Crepes from Mad Hungry

{photo via Pinterest}

One nice thing about being snowed in is that it slows you down enough to make crepes for breakfast. What is it about these simple little French pancakes that makes me feel so fancy? It must be the swirling. Be sure to have a small helper on hand to sprinkle the crepes with powdered sugar.

I love this version from Mad Hungry by Lucinda Scala Quinn.

Man Crepes
Makes 12 crepes

3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspooon coarse salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
3 large eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup water
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Unsalted butter, for frying and spreading
Powdered sugar, for sprinkling
Wedges of oranges or lemons, for squeezing

1. Heat an ovenproof platter in a warm (200 degree F) oven.

2. Place the flour, salt, baking powder, eggs, milk, water, and vanilla in a blender and blend until completely combined and the consistency of heavy cream. The batter can be refrigerated up to 1 day in advance.

3. Heat a well-seasoned 6-inch skillet or crepe pan until very hot to the touch but not smoking. Swirl around enough butter to coat the pan. Gently and slowly pour a little less than 1/4 cup of batter, immediately swirling to cover the entire bottom of the pan in as thin a layer as possible. When the edges begin to turn golden and pull away from the pan, use a spatula to lift and flip the crepe. Cook until it is just set, about 30 seconds. Repeat until the batter is finished, stacking the crepes on the platter in the oven as you go. You can serve the crepes with some butter, sugar, and a squeeze of citrus. Or just a little dusting of powdered sugar (that’s what we do).

Live the Language: Beijing

One of my favorite bloggers, Gabrielle Blair of Design Mom, has moved her family of six to France for a year. My middle-schooler would have a fit if we did that, so while it’s not in the cards for my family I’m enjoying living vicariously through hers.

Gabrielle posted a Live the Language video about Paris from the EF Language School. It made me want to pack a suitcase and hop a plane right now. I loved the Paris video but then saw that there’s also one for Beijing. The next time we visit Beijing I want to be able to say more than “nihao” (hello) and “xie xie” (thank you). Maybe this will help. There are videos for London and Barcelona, too. Enjoy!

EF – Live The Language – Beijing from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

Chasing Fireflies

Have you ever seen a Chasing Fireflies catalog? I got my first one in the mail today. So many interesting and unique items! Like this Magical Miniature Fairy Garden. Can you imagine one of these in your backyard? I—I mean the kids—could play with this for hours. Oh, to be a tiny princess and come sweeping down that grand staircase.

It’s out of my price range, but it’s awfully fun to look at. Maybe we can make our own version with papier-mâché, tree bark, and some rocks….

Do you like this little tee with a young lady’s name spelled in roses? Although I wonder if Lily should be spelled with lilies.

These wedding keepsake books would be a great gift for a flower girl or ring bearer. The online store also sells a picture book called The Flower Girl. Lexie received a copy when she was a flower girl in a cousin’s wedding and it’s been a very sweet reminder of a special day.

Mermaid towels!

Lily is entering the tooth-losing phase, so we’re looking for a cute tooth holder for her. This pewter box could do the trick.

And last but not least, a very pink stable for the horse-loving girl in your life. Doesn’t every girl go through a phase where she dreams about horses, reads about horses, and begs for a horse of her own?

Filed Under: Gifts