Better in Bulk - Family photographer with a large family

Look at the Stars – Photostory Friday/GMYBS

Lolli — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:41:36 +0000

This has been a rough week. First, Susan Niebur, my friend and fellow DC-area blogger died on Monday. Her passing was not a surprise. She has been valiantly fighting cancer for the last 5 years and had not been doing well of late.

I’ve found that funerals are emotionally taxing, but they are cleansing as well. There’s nothing quite like sharing a good cry with family and friends, and friends who feel like family, because that’s what this group of Maryland-DC-Virginia bloggers is for me. I am so grateful to have them – and to have known Susan, who was and still is such a shining spirit.

I saw this sweet memorial at the school across from the church where Susan’s services were held on Wednesday. All week there has been a beautifully clear, bright, full moon in the night sky, surrounded by stars more vivid than normal for our metro area. I thought of Susan, our resident planetary scientist, every time I saw that moon and the stars this week, and I think I will always think of her when I see a full moon.

My friend, Amie (@mammaloves) took this beautiful photo of the moon – Susan’s moon.

Thank you, Amie. It’s gorgeous.

In other news, my health has taken a turn for the worse this week. I’ve had a cough now for nearly 5 weeks, I think (really, after 2 weeks it just seems like forever. I may have lost count). Now, I’ve got chest congestion and a fever and a racing heart to go with the cough. Oh, the joys of a warm winter?! Pray for me?

Hosted by Cecily and Lolli

To play Give Me Your Best Photo Story Friday, check this. Copy this code into your post and sign the link list:
<center><a href="http://betterinbulk.net/tag/give-me-your-best-shot" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://mychaosmybliss.com" target="_blank"></a><br/>Hosted by <a href="http://mychaosmybliss.com/" target="_blank">Cecily</a> and <a href="http://www.betterinbulk.net" target="_blank">Lolli</a> <p/></center>

Mini Doughnuts for Valentine’s Day

Lolli — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:52:01 +0000

These might possibly be the cutest and easiest little treats for Valentine’s Day. My kids have gone crazy over these miniature donuts (or doughnuts or however you care to spell them…). My teenager even commented that they were surprisingly yummy.

Pin It

The best part (beyond how cute they look?) is the fact that they require no cooking and only take 3 ingredients:

Cheerios (we used honey nut)
nonpareils
a small handful of chocolate chips, melted

Process:

melt a small handful of chocolate chips (this takes a very small amount of chocolate)
sprinkle some nonpareils in a shallow bowl (you can match the color to any holiday or occassion)
dip the top of a Cheerio in the melted chocolate and then in the nonpareils
let the chocolate cool to harden
I used a toothpick to clear away the sprinkles from the middle of the Cheerios, so that I could see the "doughnut hole" more clearly

See....I told you they were easy!

I swear...kids love these!

Note: this was not my original idea. I saw a picture of these somewhere and had bookmarked it in my brain to try someday. Unfortunately, I did not bookmark any links, so I don't know who came up with this originally.

Tips for Hosting a Successful Party

Lolli — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:10:50 +0000

Those who know me currently might laugh at this post’s title, considering the fact that I am totally not a party person. I have a great time when I attend parties but I really prefer not to be the one in charge.

The funny thing is, despite my discomfort at being the hostess, I admit I have put on some pretty enjoyable get-togethers over the years. Yes, even introverts can throw a good party.

Here are a few of the tips that keep me sane and my guests happy:

Open floor space and adequate seating really helps people enjoy themselves and be comfortable. Because we have a small house, that usually means moving furniture around.
Set the mood with some background music.
Need photos? Ask a guest or two to snap some pics. It’s too tough to be hostess AND photographer.
Most parties will “run” themselves – get friends together and they are sure to chat and laugh the night away. I have loosened up on the planning and just let my parties “go natural.”
Food, food, food. Really….who needs games or fancy decorations if you’ve got plenty of good food for guests to snack on? I concentrate MOST of my pre-party energies on the food, and it always pays off.

We didn’t throw a SuperBowl party this past weekend, but I did whip up some Big Game style food for my family. What better than buffalo chicken and blue cheese to celebrate football (even if you’re not celebrating football…)?

Curious about the recipes? I’ve got recipes for the Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Cresents and the Blue Cheese Cole Slaw that we made this weekend with Tyson’s Any’tizers. Holy cow, were they good!

Don’t miss the Buy 4 Get $10 Any’Tizers Promotion that runs now through February 17th. For information visit Tyson’s Facebook Page.

Ready to win BIG?

Tell me what tips you have for hosting a successful party for friends and family for the Big Game and be entered to win a 42” LG flat Screen TV!

Tyson Any’tizers are a great snack that satisfies your kids (and YOU) on game day or any day!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Tyson Any’Tizers. The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Tyson Any’Tizers Brand. Official Sweepstakes Rules

Buffalo Chicken and Blue Cheese Crescents

Lolli — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:01:39 +0000

I’ll let you in on a little secret before I share this recipe with you: I have never been a huge fan of buffalo chicken, and I typically have to be in the right mood to enjoy blue cheese (or is it bleu cheese?). However, in honor of SuperBowl weekend, I was determined to try a recipe that I had found on Pinterest for Buffalo Chicken Rolls….except that I was a horrible planner and totally dropped the ball on ingredients.

On the night that I decided to make the recipe, I pulled it up on my iPad and realized that I had everything wrong (boneless buffalo chicken bites instead of shredded chicken and crescent rolls instead of egg roll wrappers), so I made do with what I had and whipped up a completely incredible dinner that was quick and easy to make (who would have known?).

Pin It

Buffalo Chicken & Blue Cheese Crescents

Recipe type: Main dish or Appetizer

Author: Lolli Franklin

Prep time: 10 mins

Cook time: 15 mins

Total time: 25 mins

This “accidental” recipe turned out to be one of those dishes I will make again and again.

Ingredients

One bag of Tyson’s Any’Tizers Boneless Buffalo Chicken Wings
Two rolls of refrigerated crescent rolls
One bag of coleslaw mix (or your own mixture of green and red cabbage and shredded carrots)
Half a cup of crumbled blue cheese
Blue Cheese or Ranch salad dressing

Instructions

Heat the boneless buffalo wings according to package.
Unroll the crescent rolls and lay them on a flat surface.
Place a small amount of cole slaw mix on each crescent roll (near the wide end of the triangle), followed by a sprinkling of blue cheese, and one buffalo bite.
Roll the crescent around the chicken and filling (carefully – the cheese has a tendency to fall out) and place each roll on a greased cookie sheet.
Bake at 375 for 15-18 minutes, or until crescent rolls are golden brown.
Serve with Ranch or Blue Cheese dressing and Blue Cheese Coleslaw.

A peek at our preparations….

Here’s a link to the must-try blue cheese cole slaw recipe that paired perfectly with the buffalo chicken.

Blue Cheese Cole Slaw

Lolli — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:00:59 +0000

I have tried many cole slaw recipes over the years and this is definitely on my list of favorites. I searched for a coleslaw that would compliment buffalo chicken for Superbowl weekend, and this was the perfect solution!

Pin It

Blue Cheese Cole Slaw

Recipe type: Salad, Side Dish

Prep time: 10 mins

Total time: 10 mins

The grapes and blue cheese in this cole slaw add a surprisingly delightful tangy sweet flavor. I loved it!

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) package shredded coleslaw mix
2 cups seedless red grapes, halved
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup prepared Dijon-style mustard
1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Instructions

Mix mayonanaise, mustard, cheese, sugar, and vinegar in a large bowl. Toss in cole slaw mix and halved grapes. Enjoy!

This recipe is based on one I found on AllRecipes.com

It happens to go VERY well with buffalo chicken (I ate this salad with Buffalo chicken and blue cheese crescents. It was a huge hit!

Puppy Love – Wordless Wednesday

Lolli — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:10:28 +0000

Just in time for Valentine’s Day….Reese fell in love at the park.

By the way, notice that Reese is wearing short sleeves at the park in February?? Unheard of!

PS – the puppy is NOT ours…

For more inspiring photos, check: 5 Minutes for Mom, High Impact Mom, The Bonafide Life, Shanamama, From Dates to Diapers, Not Your Mom Blog, The Divine Miss Mommy, Colorado Moms, Rajean Blomquist and Zensible Mama and link your own photo stories.

Linked up to Wordful Wednesday, Wordish Wednesday, and Wordless Wednesdays all over.

Are you playing along with Wordless or Wordful Wednesday today? Link up!
Want to grab my button?

10 Valentine’s Day Books for Kids

Lolli — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:03:51 +0000

Valentine’s Day is on the horizon, and one of my family’s favorite ways to celebrate this holiday (and any holiday) is to find holiday-themed picture books to enjoy during the month. Here is a list of some Valentine’s Day books from some of our favorite children’s authors and illustrators.

Pin It

10 Delightful Valentine’s Day Children’s Books

Happy Valentine’s Day, Curious George by N. Di Angelo (Author) and Mary O’Keefe Young (Illustrator)
Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff (Author), Felicia Bond (Illustrator)
The Day It Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond
The Berenstain Bears’ Valentine Party by Jan and Mike Berenstain
Happy Valentine’s Day, Little Critter! by Mercer Mayer
Fancy Nancy: Heart to Heart by Jane O’Connor (Author), Robin Preiss Glasser (Illustrator)
Valentines Are For Saying I Love You (Reading Railroad) by Margaret Sutherland (Author), Amy Wummer (Illustrator)
Roses Are Pink, Your Feet Really Stink by Diane deGroat
The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll (Author), Jeni Bassett (Illustrator)
The Valentine Bears by Eve Bunting (Author), Jan Brett (Illustrator)

Happy reading!

Do you have any favorite Valentine’s themed books that I missed? We might need to check them out!

Note: The books above link to my Amazon affiliate account. These books are targeted for preschool and elementary school aged kids.

Goodbye, WhyMommy

Lolli — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 23:02:43 +0000

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I am saying goodbye to a dear friend today. Susan Niebur, the blogger behind Toddler Planet, has finished her fight with Inflammatory Breast Cancer.

The cancer might have taken Susan, but Susan left an indelible mark on so many of us. It’s hard to imagine not seeing Susan again, but I know that her spirit lives strong in those of us that she has touched through the years.

My heart aches for her husband, Curt, and her two sweet boys, but as a child of a parent who died of cancer when I was a toddler, I know that healing is possible. I hope that some of OUR prayers and love can lift them up.

This is a picture I took of Susan in Asheville last June. We were heading out to lunch and stopped by a little shop where Susan found the most gorgeous dress with the night sky as it’s design. It was perfect for her.

I’ll miss you Susan, but I will never forget you.

Project 365 {Week 5}

Lolli — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 23:36:15 +0000

This week was very full. Full of birthdays and park days and swim meet days. But really, all I wanted to do was make every day a lay on the couch with a book day.

I think tomorrow will be that day for me.

Here are the daily pictures I took with my phone’s camera. Gives you a little peek into my life, doesn’t it?

In case you’re wondering, Rachel wrote that note about being sick. I think she was hoping for another day off school. We’ve had too many sick days lately!

I Used to Have a Beautiful Belly. Now I Have Beautiful Kids.

Lolli — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:41:04 +0000

Reality after 5 kids…

Yesterday I stumbled upon a post on Babble, written by my friend Casey Mullins (aka Moosh in Indy) on what postpartum bellies REALLY look like.

The photos of other mothers inspired me, and although I am 6 1/2 YEARS postpartum my stomach still does, and always will, bear the scars of childbirth times five.

There is so much I could say. I could talk about my diastasis recti. I could mention my mom’s similar struggle and her years of exercise. I could whine about the fact that my body doesn’t look like it used to.

My stomach, though, is something I am proud of. Like my friend, Elizabeth (aka Party Planning Professor), I am embracing my wrinkles and sags as battle scars, signs of the miracle of these 5 children who call me Mom.

“You know how in Cars 2…..Mater refuses to have his dents fixed because they are proof of adventures he had with McQueen? Well, I would say these dents or scars are ones you had with your best friend too? And I think that is beautiful and awesome.” – Elizabeth