elephants …

April 27, 2011

how are things?
it’s been a while since i’ve been here on the blog.
how did you like the guest posts?  weren’t they great!  it was nice to have a nice little blogging break to snuggle with my new little thomas.  he will be one month tomorrow, i can’t believe it.  he’s still as tiny as can be.  i hope to be back to blogging, but forgive me if it’s not to regular, since it can be a little crazy keeping up with 3 kiddos.

anyhow, here are a few fun elephant things i picked up for norah the other day at crazy 8.  seriously, i have never shopped there before but have been on a mad search for a blessing outfit for mr. thomas that i have stepped into every children’s store around.  and, i was pleasantly surprised with a few of their items.  and, great prices too.  i love the white top with gold elephants.. too cute.

anyhow, speaking of elephants, i went to water for elephants the other night with my book club.  have you seen it?  we read the book a few months back, so we were excited for the movie.  it is a bit different from the book as they always are, but overall i liked it ok.  it did get slow at times.  i liked the book better.  have you read it?

images via crazy 8
gold elephant top, elephant leggings, elephant skirt, watercolor elephant shirt

L letterpress giveaway winner …

April 25, 2011

thanks to all who entered the awesome lifestyle crafts l letterpress giveaway.

the lucky winner is…..   comment #17!!!!

Blogger Suzanne said…

I’m a facebook fan of Lifestyle Crafts! Totally amazing products!
April 21, 2011 9:51 AM
Congrats Suzanne!!!
Please email me all your info so we can get the letterpress mailed out to you!

* to receive 20% off any items from lifestyle crafts, use the code ARMELLE at checkout!

20% off lifestyle crafts

secret ingredient ham …

April 22, 2011

As we are approaching Easter weekend, for many of us, ham is sure to be on the menu.   There are so many ways to prepare a ham, with all the different glazes, sauces, and methods.  So, if you are at a loss on how to prepare your Easter ham, look no further.  I have worked to perfect this recipe over the years, and I am even willing to share with you my secret ingredient, Coca Cola.
I am not a big soda drinker, but I purposely keep a little stash of Cola in my pantry for this purpose.  The cola adds a nice sweetness to the ham, as well as a nice deep flavor.
{Secret Ingredient Ham}
3-7 lb ham [I don’t usually get the pre-cut kind, because it doesn’t seem come out as moist, I also prefer bone-in, as the flavor is a little better]
1/2 cup brown sugar
3 cups coca cola
1 cup crushed pineapple with juice
1 tbsp dijon mustard
-place all ingredients but the ham in a bowl and whisk.
For crockpot: place ham in crockpot and pour mixture on top. cook on low for 4-8 hours or high for 2-4 hours. Pour juice over the ham every so often
For roasting in the oven: place ham in a roasting pan, and pour mixture over the top, bake in oven covered in a roasting pan, 18-24 minutes per pound of ham at 350 degrees. Pour juice (baste) over the ham every so often.  Uncover the ham in the last 20-30 minutes of roasting.
*more tips on cooking ham here.
*if you are using a larger ham, just increase ingredients accordingly.
enjoy!