CDR's Profile

We started using a floor bed when our daughter was about 7 months old and she stills sleeps in it (at 19 months). We love it. We took the glider out of the room, though. All that we have in her room is an IKEA expedit bookshelf/changing table with all her books, a dresser bolted to the wall, a soft bin with stuffed animals, and her crib (that she has never used). I was worried that a rocker or glider would result in pinched fingers or falls when she was pulling up and just learning to walk.

Good luck!

I haven't tried Trader Joe's, but I use the Red Mill almond flour to make the best pie crust:

Crust:
2 cup all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
1/2 cup finely ground blanched almonds or almond flour
16 Tbsp (2 sticks) unsalted butter, very-cold, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 tsp salt
1 heaping tsp brown sugar
3 to 6 Tbsp ice water

1 In a food processor, combine flour, almonds, salt and brown sugar, pulse to mix. Add butter and pulse 6 to 8 times, until mixture resembles coarse meal, with pea size pieces of butter. Add water 1 Tablespoon at a time, pulsing until mixture just begins to clump together. If you pinch some of the crumbly dough and it holds together, it's ready, if not, add a little more ice water and pulse again.

Remove dough from machine and place on a clean surface. Carefully shape into 2 discs. Do not over-knead the dough! You should still be able to see little bits of butter in the dough. These bits of butter are what will allow the result crust to be flaky. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

I would love this for our much-anticipated little one!

The giraffes are my very favorite! I splurged on the sculpture a while ago, but I would love the lamp for our nursery...

Brie and granny smith apple slices with whole grain mustard...

Yes! Well, I actually got this as a gift, but I would definitely pay $150. First, its huge - it can render the biggest pork butt imaginable into tender, tasty deliciousness. And I love the long timer, since my previous crock pot kept shutting off before I was ready. It has nice, even heating rather than scorched hot spots (okay maybe my previous slow cooker was decades old). Its pretty. Its sturdy. We use ours all the time. Makes a great wedding or shower gift (if you're feeling generous...).

I love the chocolate brown with the orange changing pad. I would pack a few bumgenius diapers, various wipes, burp cloths, a change of clothes, snackies (for me and baby), books (for me and baby), things to amuse the kiddo, camera, journal... oh plenty of other essentials. I pack a full bag.

a perfect chocolate espresso cheesecake

Oh, I must have that piggy. We like to stash away books and blankies in this house...

Love it!