When I was little Clifford the Big Red Dog use to always amaze me how did the little girl has such a special big red dog.
How did Emily Elizabeth feed such a large dog?
How did she give him baths?
I wondered if my mom would let me have a big dog?
I had a dog Rusty he was kind of red mutt dog.. or Happy my basset hound he had big ears. Both dogs let me dress them, still they were no Clifford. As an adult still in search of my own Big Red the Dog I got Red Doberman 3 over the last 16 years Hersey, Mona and the current puppy Lyodd who is at a year bigger than my other I owned 2 at a year.. I finally have my own Big Red Dog.
It is hard to believe that my kids watch Clifford he big Red Dog and the show resonated with them as did with me.
Clifford the Big Red Dog is 50 this year and he is still big and red. Clifford has made the move from the small screen to the Stage!
Stage Show Coming to Philadelphia area THIS WEEKEND. Clifford the Big Red Dog is coming to the Keswick Theatre on Sunday, October 14TH for 2 BIG shows at 1 and 4PM to celebrate his 50TH Birthday in a special live theatrical show featuring new songs, dancing and laughter the whole family will love.
The Keswick Theatre is really close to me it is such a fun location to take the kids. It is a quality venue that has great shows but does not let your children feel over whelmed. The show promises to be a ton of fun.
Glenside is the Town where Keswick Theatre is located it is a cute little town. There is a pretzel place on the corner and a coffee shop on the same block. There is a greek place that is super yummy.
It is this weekend so there is still time to get tickets. Tickets start at $18.95.
Parking is free in the lot or street parking might be metered.
So there was a time before my current life of Kids, superhero capes, and blogging. When I designed clothes.. I am a award winning fashion designer. This past week I was asked to bring out my Senior collection from College to share in a plaid exhibit at Philadelphia University. So out it came. It was great seeing it all set up again brought back a fun time in my life.
My collection is a ski wear group. I designed all the sweaters and made everything including the hats. The clothes are all made out real ski wear fabric at the time it was a major investment financially in my future. I loved this collection it was a true labor of love and many sleepless nights. When I was awarded best senior collection then asked to show my collection around Philadelphia including John Wanamaker (when it was open) it was amazing. I ended up after college Going into Athletic wear and Team sports. I worked as a Design Assistant, Designer, Development Director and more 15 years in the apparel industry.
The evening was fun I was able to reconnect with a fellow design graduate Kate Scache and my mentor professor Clara Henry Show below.
My advise for a Aspiring Fashion Designer:
One of the younger graduates asked me a few questions, one that stuck with me was “When did you start making decision in your career?”
My response:
” I always worked for company’s where I could affect change, medium to small companies (under $50 mil in sales) .. I always felt working for smaller companies allowed for greater opportunity”
If your child wanted to go into fashion design or costume design.. My advice is start them sewing and drawing early. So they are not behind the curve when entering college. Also there are jobs in the apparel industry (which was my parents biggest concern) .. not every designer is Channel .. but every one has to wear clothes.
Ringing Rocks Park in Pa we went today. I did not tell the kids were we were going. Ringing Rocks Park is located in Upper bucks County in Upper Black Eddy. I can recommend it as a fun afternoon with the kids, that is free. The ringing Rocks are a sight to see a field full of giant boulder. Only 1/3 of the rocks make a bell like tone but it is fun figuring out which ones do. The rocks are 10feet thick. There is also a slate shelf type water fall in the park.
No one is sure why the rocks ring some say it is because of iron in the rocks. They think that the boulder were left during the glaciers and ice age. There is some more nature fact about natural phenomenon
Here are my recommendations of what to bring when you go:
Great shoes: Keens or sneakers avoid wearing strappy sandals or crocs
Kids should be over 6/7 years old the terrain of the rocks is rough so being a good walker is important.
Bring Hammers so everyone can hit the rocks
Wear jeans
Protecting eyewear or glasses- you are hitting rocks with hammers- things fly
If you have a walking stick bring it it will help you steady as you walking
Leave the bags in the car.. too much to carry them while walking into the rocks
There is a picnic area near the park area so you can eat before or after your hike
Bring a first aid kit (just in case)
There is no bathroom except for a porta potty
Park Guards are not always on location.
Ringing Rocks Park park is about an hour north of Philadelphia, 20 minutes from Allentown and 15 from Quakertown Pa.
Here is my video:
Ringing Rocks Park
Ringing Rocks Rd
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
My kids really loved it and thought it was a really cool place to go.
I ask my husband to make dinner, because I was going out to my Moms group. Now my husband grew up in a casserole family, which is means when he does cook most of his meals are made in one pot / dish. He was making dinner for himself and 2 kids.
So he looks in the freezer and finds the 2 packages Hillshire Farms Sausages. Note: I am suppose to create a recipe with them, write a blog post and then do a giveaway. At the time I was still working on the post in my head.
Well he was so helpful, he took the Hillshire farms and made dinner.. (there goes my blog post..) When I called to check he said he was using both packages..
I said “honey.. there for a tasty tues blog post”..
He said “Too late.. they are defrosted and I am using them”
He said “I will take pictures for your post”…(he is not me with a camera.. But I love him because he tried.. he could have cleaned of the stove before the pictures)
Serves 8 people : He was making dinner for himself and 2 kids.
He wanted to add a can of tomatoes but worried the kids would not eaten it. (My advice ADD the Tomatoes or serve with a tomatoes) or add any vegetable broccoli would have been yummy.. What is it with men and veggies or lack their of?
I say to myself ” Just be happy he is cooking, and don’t criticize”
His directions
Make rice as directed- 2 cups of rice with 4 cups of water- cook thoroughly
Mix rice, (veggies if you choose) and soup in large glass pan
cook 15 minutes
Lay Hillshire Farm Sausage on top
cook 10 minutes sprinkle with cheese
I was very yummy! I has some when I returned home and we had left overs for the next few days. The sausage was amazing, I would love to use it in a Potato and Sausage soup.. (now I think of a recipe- me slapping head)
The Hillshire Farm sausage has No artificial Color, Flavor or by products.
Hillshire Farm Giveaway
So want your man to cook? Have some Hillshire Farm on hand so your hubby can make dinner. Here is your chance to win 3 coupons for package of Hillshire farm Gourmet sausage. (that is 3 meats or 1 1/2 depending who is cooking. (est. value $18 ) Giveaway ends : Oct 9th Midnight est.
Simple entry: Leave a comment below telling me What you want to be doing so your husband can cook dinner?
Tweet if you want let me know below: How to get your husband to cook and win @HillshireFarms sausage form @Babypop https://superexhausted.com/?p=3345
Like My FB Page Superexhausted– let me know below you did.
Disclosure: I did receive coupons for this blog post 2 to keep and 3 to giveaway.
So this past week I walked the Runway at the Fashion Forward Conference. If you read my post on Tues about Facing Fears, I was concerned about walking..I did not trip!! The conference is about fashion for women who are not 20 something that are mothers and bloggers. The brand that provided the clothes was Sonsi and the women who styled me was RedBooks Stylist.
I also had Caitlin Wooters – Makeup Artist work on my face, she was great and spent time get the right make up for my walk and still being appropriate for a women over 40. I also got my hair in a side pony by Robert Stewart Salon.
So I faced my fears and walked check out the Ivillage Video.
So I have always lived by one rule. Never Live Scared. Which gives me a lot of room to try and fail. Yup, I am that friend that will do something once. I have been known to get on a plane the same day I booked the ticket- scared alot.. . Yes, I have gotten up and sang Karaoke in front of a room of 300 strangers and peers- I shook the whole time.. and sounded like crap. I went to a 3rd world country by myself alone, took cabs and navigate the county not speaking the language. Yea that is me in the fountain..Thinking please don’t fall please don’t look too crazy.
When it comes to relationships. I believe that people are inherently good. I trust easily and get hurt often.. I am that friend that is all I will be there and care for you. Yea I get disappointed alot by people. But yet I don’t learn and I trust the next person.. hoping for better, sometimes it makes me sad.. and vulnerable.
Last week, great inspiration for me and my favorite speaker Brene Brown, was on Katie Couric’s new talk show. I first saw Brene at Blissdom in 2011 , She was amazing and her words really resonated with me. I Brene Browns words, paraphrasing.. “people who are vulnerable leaving themselves open for criticism but at least they try”.. and I will try to be more vulnerable. Read Brenes Brown’s book Daring Greatly let her words be your guide for living life to the fullest. .. I try to Dare Greatly… or watch Brene Brown’s Ted Video If you live scared you will miss amazing experiences.. like taking a walk in a fountain.
So this week I am doing another 1st, walking down a Runway as a plus size model at the Fashion Forward conference. Yea it is a little nerve racking… I have had my own fashion designs go down a runway but I never have been on it.. Lets hope I don’t trip or look too big.. if I do ..oh well at least I tried. Because I am enough. Thanks Brene.
So what is your Runway.. How are you going to be more vulnerable this week, year, life?
Last night we went to see How to train your Dragon live show. The show was held and Philadelphia Wells fargo center. check out the kids thoughts below. I really enjoyed the show. The show creators definitely used there imagination when creating the show. The How To Train Your Dragon Stage show will be touring the US.
The Dragons pulled you in particular Toothless.. he was so cute and all the kids wanted to pet him. The effects we also amazing I don’t want to give too much away.
I will let you know that souvenirs do run from $15-$50 Souvenir cups are $15, Program menus are $20, The Light up viking Helmets are $20 or 25 and the figurines were $25.
My kids ages were 7-11 but younger kids 3up were there, some got upset when the thought toothless was hurt. Older teen though it was cool when I talked to another bloggers kids.
We really love the show and effects were amazing alot to look at. I got “Thanks You’s” through out the show and the way home from the kids. The word amazing and cool were used a ton by the 11 years olds. Looks at the smiles..
If you want to head to the show you can still get tickets on sale 25% off for Philadelphia.
Consignment sales they are a great way to find wonderful gently used and new items for your family. Consignment sale are bargain shopping on a grand scale. Here are my top 10 tips for making your shopping more sucessful.
Go with a plan look to see what you need for the kids.. take an inventory
Shop with knowing your kids sizes, take measurements before you go, or take kids with you if allowed (but beware you will buy more toys if you take the kids)
Know your brands, I shop high end when ever I buy 2nd hand the reason Quality. My favorite brands: Gap, Gymboree, Hanna Anderson, Landsend, Columbia, American Girl Boutique Brands: Hannah Banana, Deux par Deux, Lemon loves Lime, Queen Circus, Tea, Catimini, 3Pommes, Biscotti, Jean Bourget
Great Place to buy the dresses and clothes that don’t get alot of use- like holidays, church clothes and special occasion so look at your calendar and see what is on the schedule. Tip buy Jackets for dress up clothes like brand: Rothschild one of the best wool children’s coats out there.
To get some of the best picks of the sale volunteer your time at the sale- sale organized gives volunteers 1st pick.
Go the last day of the sale many items are discounted significantly some are 50% off
Consignments sales have a large amount of unopened toys.. so they can help you save on Santa gifts.
Think about bring something to carry your purchases while shopping- some people bring in kids wagons, beach wheeled carts. Check with your consignments sale organizers to see what they will accept as a carry item.
Review the website of the sale to make sure understand restrictions- such as you are not allow to shop with strollers. Also discounts might be given on website.
If you see something Do not put it down! Unless you are sure you don’t want it because someone might pick it up, there is only one of that item.
There are 3 women in my life that I can always count on to send card, this is a post to highlight my Hallmark card loving secondary family and friends. (Note: my mother and mother in law always send a card.) These 3 women who love buying cards and graciously send them. Preserving the beauty of snail mail, and creating smiles on the faces of people who receive them.
My oldest friends Dr. Dawn- she always send me a card that brightens my day for my birthday every year, I am always impressed because she has 2 little boys and an busy practice but she always remembers.. and always is understanding that I forget. Dawn has been my friend since birth, she grew up accross the street from me. She was always with my sister and I. I think of her as a family.
My Aunt Alice – she sends cards several times a year. She remembers my kids and my husband. We always look forward to getting the most beautiful cards from her. I love Alice because she is supportive and connected to all us and keeps tabs. When I had my babies Alice loved the fact I breastfed my kids, she made me feel very accepted when not everyone was accepting of my choice and thought I should hide. She took pictures and celebrated my nursing. She is also a reader of my blog.. so Shout out to Aunt Alice!!!
Carol- She is actually my mother-in laws bff and she send a card for every occasion even our anniversary. Carol became a good friend when I first had my son she had a grandchild around the same time and we use to talk and compare notes. The thought of Carols smile makes me happy, she is always such a pleasure to be around. When I visit my inlaws I hope I can see Carol because she feels like family.
These 3 women are the card lovers in my life.
Guess what ? I love getting card .. who doesn’t. So when Hallmark asked me to attend their Hallmark Tour event in Philadelphia, I jumped at the chance to meet with Hallmarks Designers and writers. We got to meet to the designers and spend time learning how the card design process evolves.
First: They had us run through an exercise of taking a picture and and coming up with the card. Then the choose one as the best.. They choose mine. Here is the card:
Picture courtesy of Hallmark
“Bundle Up Baby, Sometimes Life leaves you hanging.” -was my card
Then they told us about the background of the designers.. most of them come from various back grounds. They are all not writers or arts. Hallmark hires to the fit or feeling of a card creator. The one designer we meet had a background in music, she write the cards, but then the people at Hallmark realized she could sing/theatrical and added her to the voice overs the cards. Nurturing Talents – I was impress that Hallmark looks beyond training for is right for the company. Many of the employees are with the company for many many years.
Also many of the products are Made in the USA!!!
Check out the video Hallmark made from the mom’s who were in attendance.
Like any hallmark commercial. Did it make you cry?
I want to share some of Hallmarks has some great new items for this fall and back to school.
Text bands– you children can put in a message in and them bumb fist with a friend and share the message. My kids are having a blast they come in all different colors and you can switch bands.. they even have Star Wars.
I also love the New lunch notes for kids- which make it easy to bring a smile to a kids day while at school.
My favorite is Nugget Interactive Story Book and Story Buddy. Nugget reads the with you and que’s off of some of the phrases you say. So cool for a starting reader like my daughter who is in 2nd grade or for a parent to share with a child.
Hallmark has provided me with a Discount code so you can honor your children and family for 30% off at Hallmark.com Use code : BLOG30
Hallmark Giveaway:
Also Halmark has provide me with a Giveaway of Nugget from my readers. Answer on comment on Blog then confirm comment in Rafflecopter
Who is the Hallmark card giver in your life?
Please Leave a comment below on the blog then let Rafflecopter know you did so. *** You must leave a comment on the blog and then check that you did in rafflecopter to be eligible for the prize. Open to US residents only. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Disclosure: The lovely people at hall mark provided me product for review, this post is how I love there product and the emotion is really true, I am sap and cry all at Hallmark commercials.
When I was little Clifford the Big Red Dog use to always amaze me how did the little girl has such a special big red dog.
