Welcome Back!

I made an old-fashioned pound cake with chocolate glaze. I found the recipe here. One of my goals has been to get back to basics with my cooking, and learn how to do more baking from scratch. This cake was one of my first attempts (I also made this cake, which was delicious hot out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!).

I made a Valentine's Day centerpiece, following instruction that I found here. In an attempt to be frugal, I didn't buy a pretty white urn, but instead recycled the vase that my roses from 1-800-flowers.com came in and tied on some ribbon that I found at our thrift shop for $0.25. The ribbon is only a temporary fix because there was simply too.much.red, so I'm on the lookout for something a little prettier! Still, it brightens up our table with Valentine's cheer!

I was up late baking, cleaning, and working on my centerpiece. Ares stayed up to help me!


This morning I made Jeremiah blueberry pancakes for breakfast, using my favorite buttermilk pancake mix, which comes highly recommended by Aunt Ruthie of Sugar Pie Farmhouse. After giving it a try this morning, it's going to definitely become a staple around here!


So, the blog makeover isn't finished yet, but I'm still working on it. I really liked this background and I didn't want to stay away from blogging too much longer! I missed it. From now on my posts are going to revolve around my domestic adventures rather than a daily journal. I'm going to focus on homemaking skills, crafting, and budgeting. Don't worry though, you will still see plenty of Jeremiah!

Stay tuned.

Blog makeover in progress.

Interesting information regarding infant formula!

First, please keep in mind that I'm not endorsing formula feeding over breastfeeding in any way! Breast milk is best for babies!

Recently I received an email that gave information about a court case against Mead Johnson, maker of Enfamil LIPIL infant formula, for engaging in false advertising practices by claiming that store-brand infant formulas (including Walmart, CVS/pharmacy, Target, Walgreens and other stores) does not provide the same nutritional benefits as Enfamil. A jury found that this information was false and misleading because store-brand formula does, in fact, contain the same nutrients at the same levels as Enfamil.

Details of the original complaint can be read here.

Basically, store brand formulas are nutritionally equal to Enfamil! There are no less developmental benefits. What does this mean to consumers? Parents could have saved up to $600 a year on infant formulas had they known that buying a brand-name formula would get them no closer to the benefits of breastfeeding!

Here are a few more links if you are interested in learning more about this landmark case:

http://www.pbmproducts.com/press.aspx?ID=310

http://industry.bnet.com/advertising/10004868/a-desperate-mead-johnson-loses-135m-jury-verdict-over-false-claims/

http://www.brandweek.com/bw/content_display/esearch/e3i6328aaffeb014c13fbcc5dbedc3d4fd7


So, in summation:

• Breastfeeding is best for infants.
• Enfamil does not offer any developmental benefits that store-brand formulas do not offer.
• If you are going to buy formula, you can save money by purchasing store-brand formulas. They offer you a significant savings (on a $25,000 a year budget, $600 is substantial savings!) for the same product.

Please read the above links for more information. I was fascinated with this case and will continue to bring you updates!

I'm a Secret Santa!

1-800flowers.com has a wonderful new Facebook application here called Secret Santa. You can be a Secret Santa and send a warm, fuzzy gift to a friend for free. Your identity won't be revealed until December 21st, reveal day!

This is for a wonderful cause. 1-800-flowers.com will donate $5,000 to Toys For Tots if the warm and fuzzy Secret Santa gift is sent 10,000 times! Help spread the word by sending a Secret Santa gift and making Christmas brighter for the children!

I'm not telling who I sent a gift to!