Momma Stylin' - Monday's Rainy Day Wear

My round pregnant belly likes to be shown off in style, so this winter I've found myself sporting these open sweaters with a dramatic draping quality. This is my newest find... I love the earthy browns mixed with a turquoise blue. I've paired it with a simple empire waist top with its own bit of detail across the bust-line. It's casual but I still feel pretty, and not clunky and bloated.

My Frugal Finds

Love is... This red hot little beauty that I found at Goodwill for a steal. The circles are made of real leather! Perfect find for Valentine's Day fun.

HAPPINESS IS... 2 Dozen Cupcakes

Mom Magic is turning a dozen cupcakes into a really cute simple little birthday cake for the baby's first birthday!! It was SO crazy easy that I started to feel guilty- I really went back and forth with the idea of ordering pretty cupcakes from one of the local bakeries. They had some really cute options with stuffed animal decorations, or popular character themes. There were some truly adorable first birthday options but I just really felt like there was something missing overall. Then I thought about the recent Christmas party we'd done for my kindergartner's class. We didn't just serve out a pre-made snack- the kids decorated their own reindeer cupcake using pretzels, candies, and they spread on their own icing. They had a BLAST at that party. And I have a friend who did a cookie decorating party for her twin daughters- that was so much fun and my girls still remember that party! The interactive aspect of those two parties was really a key element in getting the kids to feel involved and that they were all part of the overall party experience. I think that ultimately, what I wanted instead of just bringing out pretty little cupcakes and singing the requisite Happy Birthday tune, was to get all of my daughters to participate, and really feel like they were all a big part of the good time. This is sometimes a difficult thing when you have four children and four birthdays a year- six if you include Mom & Dad. I just really want my children to remember that birthdays are a celebration for the entire family- not just a party of one! They are are just another way that we can express that we are a family that loves each other, and it's a celebration of being so happy to have the birthday girl (or guy- in Dad's case) as a part of our family.

Baking cupcakes is just too sinfully simple- you follow the basic instructions on the back of the cake mix, but in most cases- cooking time is shorter! So, I was able to knock out a dozen cupcakes in about 3o minutes, about 5 minutes prep, and 25 minute baking time. I used baking cups and sprayed them with a little Pam before spooning in the mix to keep the cupcakes from scorching. When they were finished baking, I arranged them on a large circular plate and let them cool down. I had thought I would be totally Betty Sue Homemaker and make my own icing, but time didn't allow for it. If you want to make your own icing- it's simpler and TASTIER than you think! Here's a recipe to try out- Quick and Almost Professional ButterCream Icing. When the cupcakes were completely cool, I did the icing on the ones I was using for the cupcake cake. Then I used Pez candies and a LiveSaver Gummy to spell out the baby's name. It gave it a kind of easy whimsy that blended in with the whole homemade fun look. I also baked an additional dozen cupcakes for the girls to decorate themselves using different colors of Pez candies and Willy Wonka Nerds. Might I add that cupcake cakes are definitely A++ in my book. It's a single serving option! Each child gets their own cupcake- so no more fighting over the BIG piece. Cupcakes are just cute and cuddly... and TASTY... and somehow seem more sanitary. IDK! The girls really LOVED it- that's what matters in my book- And that's how we're making tomorrow's memories today!

Latest Etsy Buys- Vintage Jewelry from SmellyShoes Vintage

Just bought the CUTEST vintage pin from SSVintage's Shop on Etsy!

My favorite purchase is this really ADORABLE little old school car brooch... I LOVES IT!! It will look so cute on a Fall sweater... I like to think ahead (actually- any excuse to buy cute accessories, right.)

You can follow SSVintage on Twitter for updates on her cool vintage stuff for sale on Etsy. She sells a variety of things from cool vintage clothing, shoes, and accessories galore.



I also really love these lovely blue mountain earrings... I took a picture of them upside down, but they are still very pretty. It looks like they were probably originally clip-ons but were remade into posts. They are too lovely! I am very pleased with my ETSY fun finds.

My Lovely Container Garden

Me and the girls are doing a veggie garden this year! I may actually be cured from the "Curse of the Black Thumb!" My friend really encouraged me to start a container garden this year, and she recommended some great plants that would do well in containers... so far so good! I planted tomatoes, snap peas, broccoli, sweet basil, green pepper, and the marigolds are for a pop of color and to keep bugs at bay :)

Atomic City Mom Did It - Earth Day 2009!

This past Saturday, I had the awesome opportunity to volunteer at a booth for Earth Day 2009 at the Civic Center. I went last year, and I am so glad I attended this time, because this year's venue was SO much better! Last year, the festival seemed a little flat. This year- the music, the people, the vendors- it was ALIVE and breathing! The kids were so in AWE of the face painter, the images were just MAGICAL!

To check out some of the cool things that you may have missed - go to Oak Ridge TN Earth Day 2009 for a list of vendors and links to other websites!

Somebody Likes Me - I got an Egg Plant for Easter!

I just received the cutest Easter gift from my friend. She gave me an Egg Plant by Cobra Co. that she found at Lowe's garden center. It is a lovely ceramic egg with a snapdragon plant waiting inside. You crack the top, just like a soft-boiled breakfast egg & it already contains both the soil and seeds. Just add water and place in a sunny location! This is a really cool gift idea for your Momsy, the kiddies, your Ma-maw, a good friend... Really, it's so ADORABLY neat-o I think just about anyone would be delighted to find this in their Easter basket!

My camera is sick right now with the fuzzies, but here's a great pic from three swingin' chicks:



Check out three swingin' chicks Egg Plant post for more fun stuff about Egg Plants including a recipe using real eggplants!

More Grits-n-Gravy... PLEASE!

The movie schedule for the 2009 Grits-N-Gravy Southern Film Festival has just been announced and is posted over at www.secretcityfilms.com. One of two festivals hosted by Secret City Films in Oak Ridge, the festival will feature short films by Southern filmmakers. The line-up sounds very interesting... A music video featuring Knoxville actor David Keith driving a van in a music video... Check it out!

Oscar Party Fun...

If you are planning on watching the Oscars tomorrow night, and maybe having friends over, or even if it's just you and your hubby kicked back on the couch with your feet up, I found two really cool ideas for some Oscar night fun...


Download free Oscar Bingo cards courtesy of Jessica Jones @ How About Orange. This looks like lots of fun! (Photo courtesy of JJ @ How About Orange)

Also, you can make some yummy looking Slumdog Snacks inspired by this year's Academy pick, Slumdog Millionare, @ Shelterrific. This includes a recipe by Lisa Cericola of adinnerparty.blogspot.com of roasted chickpeas & a mango lassi.

Big Goings On in Oak Ridge @ End of February...

Glen Miller Orchestra
Feb 21st 8-11 pm at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge
hfhac.org or call (865) 482-7713

International Fest @ The Children's Museum
Feb. 21st 10am-4pm
childrensmuseumofoakridge.org or call (865) 482-1074

CASA's 5th Annual Barbeque & Bluegrass Bash Feb. 21st 6 pm @ Elks Lodge in Oak Ridge www.casatnh.org or call (865) 425-0888

Girls INC to host 31st Annual Basketball Classic
Feb 28th @ 4pm
www.girlsinc-oakridge.org or call (865) 482-4475

Get Ready for Spring Rowing Season 2009!
orra.org or call (865) 482-6538

If there are any Oak Ridge events I've missed, please let me know, or if there are upcoming local events you would like to see announced for March/April, please let me know and I will be sure to check it out!

DIY "Trashy" Valentines from Curbly...

Here's a really cute idea that I found on Curbly by swelldesigner. Make your own 'trashy' valentines by using your junk mail... looks like a fun way of recycling all that annoying junk mail!

If you like this kind of fun/funky art, also check out the shadowboxes by Baltimore Artstar. I really love stuff like this!

Top 10 Things to Do in Oak Ridge During Winter...

1. Check out the current exhibits at the American Museum of Science & Energy - Now until Mar. 29th "African Americans in WWII."

2. Your kiddies will LOVE the life-size doll house & rainforest @ the Children's Museum.

3. Oak Ridge Public Library for Storytimes - FREE!

4. Check out the cool little shops on Jackson Square.

5. Try EVERY locally owned & operated restaurant in Oak Ridge... at least once!

6. Take the Historic Driving Tour of Oak Ridge...

7. See a play at the Oak Ridge Playhouse.

8. Hike the greenways... on mild days _ FREE.

9. Ride the Secret City Scenic Excursion Train.

10. Listen to a concert at ORCMA.

If you can think of more, please feel free to let me know. If it's fun, I might feature it on an upcoming post!

My Superbowl Sunday Menu

Well, it appears that it is becoming an annual tradition around my house - the big Superbowl Sunday Meal! I think the only reason people keep coming over to my house for this event is really for the Buffalo Chicken Salad, a really great & EASY recipe that I learned from Rachael Ray, here's the actual recipe. It's really been a big hit for the past two years running now. You can really do what you like with this recipe, it's just so versatile. If you want to use spinach instead of romaine, go for it! It's just such a great quickie recipe... and even the guys love it!

We really are watching our budget this year, but still like to have fun with the family! So here is this year's Superbowl Sunday Menu at my house:

Homemade Chili - Three Bean
Barbecue Chicken Drumsticks for the Kiddies
Buffalo Chicken Salad - A Rachael Ray recipe
Salsa, Chips, & Dip
Southern Peach Cobbler from allrecipes.com

I gotta tell you, my cousin who is a big-time cook, actually turned me on to allrecipes.com and now I find myself using it on a regular basis when I am doing my brainstorming for meal planning ideas. There are really some great recipes, a 5 star rating system, and I like that there are critiques so that you can see how people who tried a recipe actually felt about it. I also love the fact that you can print out recipe cards, it's so cute.

That's it- my simple little menu for Superbowl Sunday... really for me it's all about the food & family. For me to do this, it's gotta be quick and easy and VERY yummy, stick-to-your-ribs kinda food...

What Superbowl food favorites do you guys enjoy every year?

bowl of chili image from Free-Stock-Photos.com

Resolve

I resolve...
1. to be resolute in character...
2. to actually use my planner for once!
3. to try to eat breakfast & lunch sitting down for a change
4. to take time out to just play
5. to live in the moment!

Spend All Hallows Eve at Moondollars Cafe

Hey fellow Oak Ridgers- at the Moondollar Cafe tonight they are featuring tarot readings by Victoria and you can settle in and watch the Rocky Horror Picture Show! I stopped by today, and got a sneak peek of tonight's menu and it looks fabulous! My stomach is growling just thinking of pumpkin sweet potato soup... it sounds so good! All hail all things pumpkin!

Speaking of pumpkins, my husband's carving skills will be on display outside in the form of a carved beauty he donated to Moondollars today. It's our favorite one that he's done this year. It's a scene he did from the animated Hayao Miyazaki movie "Our Neighbor Totoro." Go on down and see it in the flesh- or check out his new blog The Psycho Carver for more wicked pumpkin carving masterpieces!

In the Beginning, There Was A Pumpkin...

Did my husband out-do himself this year or what? I told you we take Halloween seriously in this household! In this line up you can see a dragon, Pinhead from Hellraiser, and Jack Skellington! He usually does one pumpkin for each member of the family... the kids really like picking out the pictures they want him to do. I believe the dragon came from one of those pumpkin carving kits you can buy at Target that comes with all the little tools. The patterns for Pinhead and Jack Skellington were found on The Pumpkin Wizard although my husband adapted them to suit his own pumpkin carving strategy.

This one is really this year's masterpiece... For all of you Hayao Miyazaki fans, this one's for you! It's from My Neighbor Totoro and this is our all-time favorite so far! My husband actually drew this by hand looking at a scene from the movie and adapting it to create his own pattern. Isn't it adorable! If you haven't seen a Miyazaki movie, you should really be bonked on the head. No, really, all of his movies are absolutely wonderful, stunning illustrations, great story lines, your kids will LOVE these movies! Although I recommend his movies, be aware that not all of his movies are appropriate for all age groups. Even though these are animated features, some of the movies have content that is not appropriate for young viewers. This is especially true for one called Graveyard of the Fireflies... it deals with really sad subject matter, and after watching this my hubby and I were glum for days. Make sure to screen it, or ask someone before you show it to the kiddies! I recommend Totoro and Spirited Away, Kiki's Delivery Service would be a fun one for Halloween, but Howl's Moving Castle is my favorite.

Here's A Little Reminder- PumpkinFest 2008 is going on this Saturday at Grove Center from 11am-5pm. Here is info. from their Facebook page.

Have a Tiki... or Two

I told you folks I that I am absolutely crazy MAD about Halloween! I hope you enjoy my little Halloween tikis design I've been working on... and yes, the flowers are supposed to be made of candy corn! In case you don't already know, I also like Hawaiiana. My 3 year old is a big fan of the surprised one. She was totally hovering over my shoulder while I was draw-ring them. I am still tinkering around with them, I can't stop myself! I have a whole page of this design that I am considering posting as Halloween wallpaper... wha-da-ya-think- trick or treat?!

"You didn't tell me you were going to KILL it!"

Well, Folks, I have been up to no good this week- learning new stuff, doing school stuff, just all kinds of stuff involving parental and kid things... So my post will be short and sweet- forget the presidential debates- ARE YOU READY FOR HALLOWEEN? The nostalgic in me needs to get in tune with my childhood and dig up my copy of "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown," so that I can force my kids to watch it as some sort of parent-child bonding ritual. Here's a little treat for all you Linuses out there!



Speaking of killing the pumpkin- here is a pic of last year's Great Pumpkin courtesy of my husband's mad carving skills... We'll see if he can out-do himself this year!

Oak Ridge in October...

Oct. 4th – Secret City Head Race - www.ORRA.org

Oct. 4-5 - The Velveteen Rabbit @ Oak Ridge Playhouse- www.orplayhouse.com

Oct. 9-11 – St. Mary's Fall Festival - 457-3552

Oct 9-12 - Secret City Film Festival tickets - www.SecretCityFilmFestival.com

Oct. 9-12- 29th Annual Tennessee Fall Homecoming @ Museum of Appalacchia - www.museumofappalachia.org

Oct. 11th – Anderson County Toy Run - www.andersoncountytoyrun.org

Oct. 18 - 19 - Street Painting Festival - RSCC Campus - http://rotaryor.org/streetpaintingfestival

Oct. 23rd – 26th Annual Children's Halloween Party at the Civic Center @ 5:30 p.m. - www.orrecparks.org

Oct. 25 - Pumpkin Fest from 11am to 5pm, Grove Center

Senior Moments at American Museum of Science & Energy Events - http://www.amse.org

Catch the Secret City Excursion Train for first glimpse of the beautiful East Tennessee countryside during the most scenic time of year. Sit back and relax while viewing some of the most spectacular Fall colors in the region. Every Sat & Sun 11am, 1pm and 3pm in October. http://www.techscribes.com/sarm/srm_scs.htm
Call 865-241-2140 for tickets.

Atomic City Mom Does Big Ed's Pizza!

Well, after about 4 years living in this area, I finally got to try out Big Ed's Pizza. Located near historic Jackson Square right across from the Farmer's Market, Big Ed's has been a neighborhood pizza joint for generations of Oak Ridgers. I really was excited to see what all the fuss was about. I mean, we had driven by the place countless times always seeing that giant caricature of 'Big Ed' stenciled proudly on the front window... Finally, on a hot summer afternoon out with my sis-in-law, curiosity, heat, and hunger pangs pushed us to take the plunge. With two toddlers and a baby in tow, my sis-in-law and I braved the hot August mid-afternoon to do pizza at Big Ed's. We pulled up right in front and were able to find a parking spot really close to the front door. This is always great for a mother of three small kiddies!

Everything was going swimmingly, I unpacked the kids, myself, grabbed the stroller, and then I noticed a sign on the front door that brought our little foray to a screeching halt... Big Ed's does not accept CREDIT-CASH or CHECK ONLY! How stone age! Who carries cash anymore, really? I certainly can't bother with it nowadays with the three kids. Everything is swipe-swipe. Well, although this was a bit daunting, we are a determined folk... I called my hubby and had him join us for lunch... An extra set of hands to help with the kids, and ahem- a side trip for him to the ATM for cash. Lovely!

WOW-I was surprised to find the cozy facade of the building to be deceptive, the actual dining room is HUGE... dark, but really large, and actually buzzing with people! It happened to be a weekday afternoon, and there were really a lot of folks there chowing down. We sat at a table near the window, and even though there were other people eating nearby, it still felt like an intimate setting. I was immediately transported back to reminisce about a neighborhood pizza joint where I used to go to hang out as a kid back in Baltimore. The pizza is greasy, but somehow mixed with the atmosphere it is all so comforting and friendly. The kids loved it, even the little one seemed to be soaking it all in... Admittedly, you could probably get a better deal ordering from your favorite franchise pizza place, but there is something about sitting there with family and friends joking and laughing over a pitcher of cherry coke [sorry no free refills, ordering a pitcher is your best bet.] It feels like you are making a memory... We ordered a large 'polka dot' pizza [that's translated into pepperoni for you folks without kids] with extra cheese to feed three adults and two and a half kids... the adults had 2 slices each and the kids had 1 a piece, while the baby happily gnawed on crust [she's teething.] We actually got a big kick checking out some of the memorabilia around the room. My hubby is an ex-Marine, and there was a cool bottle of what I initially thought to be a beer called Jarhead Red... It actually turns out, as was pointed out to me by my esteemed and knowledgeable friend, that Jarhead Red is a wine made "by Marines, for Marines, on California's Central Coast..." You can purchase this wine on the Jarhead Red website, and the sale of this wine benefits the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund. Very Interesting... On my way to the bathroom, I spied what appeared to be marble countertops at the bar! Yes, there is a bar where you can order alcohalic beverages...



Overall, if you are looking for a cool place to hang out, Big Ed's Pizza seems like a good place. The food was okay, the service was great [our server was so pregnant she was about to POP,] and the atmosphere was really fun. A good time had by all... and a few tummy aches had later from all that grease.













Big Ed's Pizza
101 Broadway Ave
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
(865) 482-4885