The Allison Show

Or at least a facelift.  I have been publicly blogging for 2 years this March and I need something new.  The last year {2011} I barely blogged because I was so busy with our new business and the kids and what not but I also think because blogging had gotten old. So I realized that I need a change and this is the blog!!  I changed the name from You Have How Many Kids to The Allison Show because while I still get asked stupid questions every day when we go out as a family I want this blog to be about ME!! I also realized that I am not a "mommy blogger" and that by trying to be one, it was hiding the true me.  I love photography, reading and cooking.  The Allison Show will have my fave pictures, recipes, and books but also so much more.  I {in real life} swear like a "drunken sailor" so you may see some cuss words now.  Oh no.. ;)  I am also VERY sarcastic so I am taking the italic font and changing it to the sarcastic font. I am also very opiniona...

This post is pretty much safe to read anywhere but is intended for adults 18+  You may know Eden Fantasys is an adult shop but did you know they also carry lingerie in every size {even plus size for us big girls?} I have decided that since I love photography, I want to do something extra special for Hubby for Christmas.  A friend of a friend is a photographer and she is offering a special Naughty or Nice photo session.  For $250 you get your hair and makeup professionally done, an hour long photo session, a CD of 20-25 edited images, and a leather bound photo album.  I decided that this gift of boudoir photography is perfect.  So now I need to decide on the outfits!!  And for that I turn to Eden Fantasys . I am thinking that for my shoot I want 4-5 outfits.  I want a bra/pantie look, a lingerie set or 2, and a robe/ sheer shirt look.  Found them on right here!! This is just what I was looking for, for a shirt/robe look.  I love that it...

I can't believe Cody is 4 already!!  He is such a fun little boy.  He has a great sense of humor and loves to giggle!!  He had a great birthday!! He brought donuts to school for a treat {he doesn't like cake. LOL} and then he got Squikies Cars {a army tank and space ship} and what he has wanted for almost a year ALPHIE!!!  LOL

The kids had such a good time last night.  We went to a friend of mine's house and had some munchies {I made Mummy Dogs and Spider Eggs} and then we all went out Trick or Treating.  Mason at 2 years old, has an obsession with Batman but a fear of costumes so we did pj's that come with a cape.  And I figure this way he can "dress up" all year long!! Blake is finally {at 10 1/2} brave enough to wear a mask!! Cody loves werewolves but was scared of the costume.  So Blake dressed up and Cody loves his costume!! This is Cody's girlfriend Caity!!  She is 10 days older and calls him her boyfriend. LOL Cody went the same way Mason did and got a pj costume with a cape.  He had fun with Caity!! I think this is my favorite costume any of the kids have been ever!!  Jacob looks just like Harry Potter!! Well minus the blue tongue. LOL Kayla dressed up as Draculaura from Monster High. She is Dracula's daughter.  I think her favorite par...

I saw a couple really cute ideas for Halloween parties. One is like Pigs N a Blanket but instead you take a hot dog and roll it in "strips" of croissant dough and then bake it.  They are Mummy dogs!!  Another idea I saw was for Spider eggs.  You make deviled eggs then cut an olive on top to look like a spider. I will definitely have to try these at the Halloween party we are going to at my friend Michelle's house. Here are some Halloween cupcakes we made at the shop!!  

This post is pretty much safe to read anywhere but is intended for adults 18+ It is almost that time of year again!!  I love Halloween especially dressing up ;)  Sometimes in fun costumes but mostly in fun {ADULT} costumes.  You may know Eden Fantasys is an adult shop but did you know they also carry lingerie and costumes in every size {even plus size for us big girls?}  I think it would be super fun to dress up in a costume that has meaningful for you and your man!  Maybe one that matches his career?  Is he in the military or maybe a police officer ? Does he own a German restaurant or is he a pirate? {OK I might have been pushing it with those last 2 LOL}   Or what if you just dressed up as his fantasy come to life? Gives new meaning to  Fantasy Football huh? Or does he love racing ? or you could just be a sexy nurse!! Whatever costume you choose you are sure to have a fun night!!  The only thing that would make it better i...

I find this prayer hilarious so I had to share it with you!!  Enjoy! Get the <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/a-mothers-prayer-tina-fey">A Mother's Prayer -- Tina Fey</a> widget and many other <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com/">great free widgets</a> at <a href="http://www.widgetbox.com">Widgetbox</a>! Not seeing a widget? (<a href="http://docs.widgetbox.com/using-widgets/installing-widgets/why-cant-i-see-my-widget/">More info</a>)

* Right Now: I am at work * Right Now: I frosted Margarita Cupcakes for Cinco de Mayo. * Right Now: I am doing computer work because it is slow.  And by computer work I don't mean bookkeeping, I mean FB. ;). * Right Now: Blake and Kayla are in school. * Right Now: DJ and the little boys are playing outside at home.

 Title: Friendship Bread Author: Darien gee Publisher: Ballantine Books  Published: April 5, 2011 ISBN: 978-0345525345 Summary: " An anonymous gift sends a woman on a journey she never could have anticipated. One afternoon, Julia Evarts and her five-year-old daughter, Gracie, arrive home to find an unexpected gift on the front porch: a homemade loaf of Amish Friendship Bread and a simple note: I hope you enjoy it. Also included are a bag of starter, instructions on how to make the bread herself, and a request to share it with others. Still reeling from a personal tragedy that left her estranged from the sister who was once her best friend, Julia remains at a loss as to how to move on with her life. She’d just as soon toss the anonymous gift, but to make Gracie happy, she agrees to bake the bread. When Julia meets two newcomers to the small town of Avalon, Illinois, she sparks a connection by offering them her extra bread starter. Widow Madeline Davis...

And our winner is...#26 Emillie Rose!!!  She said, "I follow GFC"  She has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.  Thanks to everyone who entered!!!

I am so excited that it is time for our SUPER huge and AWESOME giveaway event.  I am co-hosting it with Shair @ The Knit Wit.  My giveaway is open to US residents only {SORRY!!!!!} One LUCKY reader will win: $20 E Gift Card to Starbucks $10 E Gift card to EcoMom Libre Tea Glass 1/3 pound sampler box from Cowgirl chocolates $15 E Gift Card to Amazon.com A surprise or 2. More info later!! Mandatory Entry: *Follow me via GFC.  Leave me a comment with your name and email address. That's how I will notify the winner. Extra Entries:  {Leave a separate comment for each with your user name} * Follow me on Twitter @how_many_kids * Follow me on Facebook * Follow me on Networked Blogs GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Make sure to check out all the blogs participating so you can enter to win tons of great stuff!!!

Don't forget A Moment for Mommy Giveaway event starts this Friday and ends Sunday at 11:59 pm.  I will be offering a bunch of great stuff.  Most will be E Gift Cards so that my Mommy winner can pick out what she wants just in time for Mother's Day.  Some cards will be for EcoMom, Starbucks, and maybe a secret one or 2.  My winner will also get a Libre Tea Glass {see my review on that tomorrow}and a 1/3 pound sampler pack from Cowgirl Chocolates.

Our bakery is doing awesome!!  We opened 2/6 {Superbowl Sunday} and had our Grand Opening 2/11/11.  In Feb we made XYZ.  In March we made XYZ plus $3000!!!!!  We are doing better then we hoped {truthfully better then we even dreamed we would}.  I can't wait to see what April will bring.  If these are supposed to be the slow months of the year we will definitely need to hire some help before summer.  We have the grad student who lives in the building next door help on Saturdays.  On Saturdays we make about 20 dozen cupcakes!!  During the week we make at least 10 dozen.  It was hard to just bake them and hope that we would have enough customers to buy them all. But DJ keeps saying "If you bake it, they will come." {BTW I haven't even seen Field of Dreams but at least I knew that's where his quote was from} So i ahve faith and bake them every day. On the occasional night when we do have leftover cupcakes we have been donating them to lo...

When I was little and came running into the house, sweaty and caked in dirt, my mom would cry, “What the- have you been rolling around with wolves?” Well, here I sit, sweaty, caked in various layers of dried mud.  And I have indeed been playing with wolves.  While promoting the release of my Naked Werewolf romance series, I visited the Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge in Nicholasville, KY .  Wolf Run, a state- and USDA-licensed non-profit educational facility, provides a safe, loving and permanent sanctuary for 23 adult wolves and wolf-dog hybrids . The refuge is also home to two full-grown lions, deer, goats, sheep, monkeys, and other exotic wildlife.  And Rowdy, the most obese raccoon I have ever seen.  Most of the animals are former pets that were either confiscated by or surrendered by their owners.  Because it turns out, wolf hybrids do not make great house pets. As Savannah Massey, director of animal care and education at Wolf Run told me, “These anim...

No, I am not talking about a trip to the zoo or an African safari but a new book about  my favorite TV show House, MD. It stars Hugh Laurie as an obnoxious, but brilliant diagnostician.  If you have loved the show from the begining or are a new watcher you should check out this book!! Title:  Chasing Zebras: The Unofficial Guide to House, M.D. Author: Barbara Barnett Publisher:  Ecw Press Published:  September 1, 2010 ISBN:  978-1550229554 Summary: "I look for zebras because other doctors have ruled out all the horses." — Dr. Gregory House Medical students are taught that when they hear hoofbeats, they should think horses, not zebras, but Dr. House's unique talent of diagnosing unusual illnesses has made House, M.D. one of the most popular and fascinating series on television. In Chasing Zebras: The Unofficial Guide to House , M.D., Barbara Barnett, widely considered a leading House expert, takes fans deep into the heart of the show's centra...

The winner is #122 The Prickly Pinecone!!  She said, "I follow April Shower on GFC."  She has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.  Thanks to everyone who entered!!!

Welcome to You Have How Many Kids and the Hand Made with Love Winter Giveaway event!!  Just as a reminder the giveaway runs from 2/2 until 2/6 at 11:59 pm.  There will be 1 winner who will win: * A new blog design by April Showers {retail value $150!!} * A $35 gift card to Studioahimsa 's Etsy store * Any hat in The Knit Wit by Shair 's Etsy store {retail value $10} * The Dew Drops necklace by For my Sweet Daughter {retail value $45} Now you want to know how to enter right??   Mandatory Entry:  *Follow me with GFC Extra Entries: * Follow April Showers with GFC *Like Studioahimsa on Facebook * Like The Knit Wit  on Facebook *  Follow For My Sweet Daughter with GFC * Follow me on Facebook http://facebook.com/how.many.kids   or on Twitter @how_many_kids Leave a separate comment for each entry, up to 6 entries max!  Make sure to leave an email address so I can notify you if you win!!  And that's it!!  Have fun and Go...

#43 Joy!!!  She said, "I like them on facebook and thanked them."  She has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be drawn.  Thanks to everyone who entered!!!

My readers rock!!!!  The winner of my SHMILY Coins giveaway is #13, SweepMom.  She said that she would include the coins in Valentine's for her nieces and nephews.  She has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond.  Thanks to all who entered!!

Day 1's prompt was WHAT THEY DO .  It just so happened that Hubby and I were making cupcakes for a special order so I got to photograph him doing what he does: Baking!!  I bet if you asked him if he would ever bake or if we would own a cupcake bakery, a year ago, his answer would have been HELL NO!!!  But look at him now!!  ♥ Seriously baking...    Seriously goofy!!!! It's not too late if you want to join in the fun in Willette's Joy of Love class.  It is free and runs through the entire month of February.  She emails a prompt and tips everyday to help improve our photography and the way we look at our everyday life and loved ones!!!

Sorry for the delay!!!  I bet you were all sitting on the edge of your seats in anticipation huh??  The winner of my Chalkboard Tee is.....#82 Trixx!!!  She said, "I follow your blog." The winner of my $50 GC to Just Paper Roses is...... #14 Sara Jane!!!  She said, "Follow you on Networked Blogs." They have both been emailed and if they don't respond in 48 hours random.org will pick a new winner. Wanna know why it took me all day to get the winners drawn??  I had to make 2 dozen mini cupcakes for a special order and meet the Health Inspector.  He gave us the green light so we are all set to open!!!!!!!!!!!  I am so excited I can hardly stand it.

Studioahimsa specializes in stationery and (limited edition) prints. Linocut is their specialty. They love creating paper goods w/ 100% post-consumer recycled paper !  All jewelry and paintings are now on  http://twobearsoneheart.etsy.com Inspired by Canadian and other landscape, animals, and nature generally, we strive to respect all living things. Based in Vancouver, Canada , studioahimsa is the joint creative venture of Tazim and Greg.  All envelopes, paper and cards in our greeting cards and letter sets are 100% post-consumer recycled!  What is your educational and/or artistic background? We both have a background in Art History. Greg has a background in graphic design and Tazim has a background in interior design. What are your hobbies? We enjoy travelling, hiking, reading, watching movies and creating.  Where are you from?  We both grew up in Calgary, Alberta Canada but have lived elsewhere, as well.  What was the main inspiration for your sh...

 To me!!!!!     I turn 29 on Monday, January 31st.  So to celebrate,   I will be doing a week long giveaway extravaganza!! You can win stuff for you, the kids, and maybe I'll even throw in a surprise or two. Giveaways: **  $50 GC Just Paper Roses {this one is more for Valentine's Day but I always get Valentine's Day gifts for my birthday since they are so close so I added it. } **  Thirty One Insulated Tote ** Chalkboard Tee **  SHMILY Coins **  2 Jumbies

Happy Birthday to me!!!  The first present {a Thirty One Tote} goes to Melissa N!!!  She said, "follow you on FB."   She has been emailed and has 48 to respond. 

I first saw  Jumbies a couple of weeks ago in an auction to benefit Coupon Mom of 2 (3)'s daughter who was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  I thought they were so cute so I showed the kids the pictures of them.  Not once or twice but once  a day.  LOL  So when I got received the opportunity to review them, I knew the kids would be so excited!!!!!!!!!!!   In case you don't know what I am talking about here is their story.  " There were more babies being born than ever before. The storks had to deliver them from shore to shore. There were baby elephants, bears, dogs, and cats. They had tigers, skunks and even baby bats! You could also find raccoons, deer, mice and whales. There were camels, sharks and dinosaurs with long tails. There were koalas, kangaroos and chimpanzees. The storks had all kinds of fish and even bumblebees ! They had to deliver them...

I bet you are thinking what the heck does SHMILY mean?   See       How             Much                      I                       Love                               You. Here is the SHMILY story "My grandparents were married for over half a century, and played their own special game from the time they had met each other. The goal of their game was to write the word "SHMILY" in a surprise place for the other to find.  At one point, my grandmother even unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave "SHMILY" on the very last sheet. There was no ...

Jacob is totally into clothes.  Even though he is only almost 5, he picks out what he wears everyday.  He has tons of shirts and he is always changing his mind on which one is his favorite.  That is until we received the Chalkboard Tee!!!!!!!! Chalkboard Tees are shirts that actually have an area where you can draw with chalk on.  The chalkboard part is not thick or heavy.  It is just like a regular silk screen design would be. Jake is very sensitive to tags and certain material so I was kind of worried that the chalkboard would bother him but it didn't bother him at all.   He loves it.  He knows how to write his name so he loves to write it on his "tie".  LOL The black tag on the bottom left is actually a CHALK holder.  How cool is that??? Chalkboard Tees sell for $25 on their website.   One lucky reader will their very own Chalkboard Tee!!!  Sponsored by Tomoson.com Open to both US and Canadian residents. How To ...

Have you heard of Thirty One Gifts ?  I had but really had never looked through the catalog or given it too much thought.  I knew they did purses and bags, and that they offered personalization through embroidery when you bought something.   When Charlene Richards contacted me about doing a review/giveaway I was so excited!! The first thing I did was read through her whole site so that I could learn ore about this company. Here is the back story on Thirty One.  "Our mission is to celebrate, encourage and reward women through offering quality products and an outstanding opportunity to become successful business owners. We have seen this mission played out across the years in the individual lives of so many women who now have their own “Thirty-One Story”. Our products are exclusive to Thirty-One and provide style and convenience at an amazingly affordable price. From our key product line, to our “direction” line for teens, or our uniquely crafted “31kid” li...

Want to give your Hunny something unique and different this Valentine's Day??  Then you have to check out Just Paper Roses .  They actually have tons more stuff than just Valentine's Day Gifts.  They have gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, Sweet 16, and even gifts for him.  One of my favorite Valentine's Gifts of theirs is the toilet paper !!  We received a roll and Hubby and the kids could not stop laughing.  It says I love you from top to bottom!!  The toilet paper itself is nice and thick like the Super Thick brands. They also have a great selection of anniversary gifts.  Hubby and I were married 10 years on Dec 26 and we got a super cute aluminum rose.  Why aluminum you ask??  Why that's the 10 year gift material.  I had joked that I was going to buy him a can of soda!!  This was much better!! Just Paper Roses will make any holiday or celebration more fun and the recipient feel more special and loved. Do...