Black Friday - Cyber Monday

As you all probably know by now, I am offering a free fabric, reusable gift bag with every purchase over $10 from 12:00am Friday November 25th - 11:59pm Monday November 28th. In addition to the giveaway, I thought it would be fun to see how many different states I get orders from this weekend. So here it is: I'm posting this map and with each order that comes from a new state, I'll put a pin for that state (no addresses though, obviously). Don't see your state on the map yet? Place an order and get your state pinned! :D Come on guys, this should be fun... let's play!!


http://www.pinmaps.net/map/1810/thewildflowerpatch/black-friday-weekend

The Best Veggie Burger Ever!

Last night I made a new recipe of veggie burger.  Now having been a vegetarian for 7 years before marrying my husband and getting pregnant with our first child, I'm ALL about some veggie burgers.  But if you've had a wide variety of them, you'll find that quite a few leave a lot to be desired.  Well let me just say that this particular one did not!  This burger was filling, tasty, hearty and overall satisfying!  Even my hubby, who is very much forever more a carnivore, said they were "doable" which is more than I've ever gotten out of him on a vegetarian meal I do believe.  So, without further ado, here is the recipe, because I felt I couldn't just sit on this one.  :)  Enjoy!

Ok here's what you need:

1 bag dried black beans (or any other kind you like)
1 bag dried northern beans (or any other kind)
1 bell pepper, diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, diced
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced
1/2 cup oatmeal (old fashioned, not quick cooking)
1 egg
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp Dales marinade (optional) Could also sub with 1/2 tsp "Liquid Smoke"
1 TBSP McCormick's Barbecue Seasoning (has a black label and lid)
Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 TBSP flour (wheat or white)


Boil beans together until completely done.  While beans are boiling dice bell pepper, onion, jalapeno, and mince garlic.  Put in bowl and set aside.

When beans are done, drain and run under cool water until you can manage them with your hands.  Remove two cups of beans and save the rest for another meal (OR MORE BURGERS!).  With beans in large mixing bowl, mash with hands as you would to make meatloaf.  You want the beans "mushed" but not pureed, so the blender is not ideal here.  When you feel you have a good consistency, add your pepper/onion/garlic mix.  Add beaten egg, oatmeal and seasonings and blend well.  Now add flour a little at a time.  It's only purpose is to help hold the patties together, so you may or may not need the full 2 TBSP.  Use your own discretion here.  When you feel you've reach the desired consistency, add grated cheese and blend well.  You want your mixture fully infused with the cheese.  :)
In a skillet (cast iron if you have one) heat what ever oil you like for frying.  I used EVOO, but I'm going to try coconut oil today at lunch... Heat oil over medium-medium/high heat while you form approximately 8 patties.  When oil is hot, place patties in oil carefully and cook roughly about 5 minutes on each side.

That's it!  They were fantastic with bbq sauce and the kids ate them with ketchup.  Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!  :D 

Newest Testimonial!!

I'm so excited, my day (no wait, my whole week!) has just been made wonderful by this sweet testimonial I just received from one of my recent online customers.  I just had to share this with ya'll!!  :)


"Just wanted you to know how beautiful the wrap is. My baby and I LOVE it! I have a "baby K'tan" that I "loved" but both baby and I would get overheated in it so quickly. Your wrap is incredibly comfortable and airy, yet feels amazingly supportive. It is now my favorite wrap."


"I've attached a photo of her in your beautiful summer gauze wrap! She is ten months old and weighs 19 pounds, yet feels light as a feather in your wrap."


"I just can't say enough about this wrap.....it is my new best friend!!!"
 
"This has been the most pleasurable online shopping experience I have ever had! Thank you for taking the time to address me personally."
 
Sincerely,
Leslie

Winner of the Free Giveaway!

I'm so sorry for the delay in posting the winner of the drawing for a free giveaway!  It's been a mad house around here this past week!  Birthdays, sick babies,  orders out the wazoo..... phew, I'm glad to see the weekend!  Never the less, I'm proud to announce the winner of the drawing is Dusti!  Congrats to you and thank you all so much for entering!  :)

PUL Diaper Covers on sale 50% OFF!!!

The Wildflower Patch is currently running a sale on PUL covers.  Normally they are $12.00 but right now are only $5.99!!!!  Stock up on covers while you can, this sale won't last long.

Covers are made from one layer of PUL, fold over elastic binding around edges, and three size snap options to allow a more customized fit on your baby.  These can be wiped out and reused several times without having to wash between each use.  They are WONDERFUL for night time use for heavy wetters.  I designed these covers for my own babies and use them on both children, so I can attest to their reliability.

Free Giveaway!!!

So I've decided to do my first giveaway.  Today is my birthday and I've received such an outpouring of love from friends and family that I want to share the wealth.  What better way than a giveaway?!  The giveaway is from today (March 16th) through March 31st.  The winner will have their choice of one (1) prize, choosing between:

*Set of 2 Wool Dryer Balls 

*1 Diaper Cover  (choice of boy or girl/ fleece or PUL )  http://hyenacart.com/wildflowerpatch/index.php?c=17

*1 Bib/Burp Cloth Set  (choice of boy/girl)  http://hyenacart.com/stores/wildflowerpatch/index.php?c=14&p=34187

*1 Felt Food (Play Food) Set  http://hyenacart.com/wildflowerpatch/index.php?c=21

The winner will also receive 10% off their next purchase with The Wildflower Patch

The winner will be contacted the first week of April to receive their prize.  So here we go...

Mandatory Entry:

Publicly follow my blog and leave a comment saying you've done so with your email in the form of "email AT mail DOT com" so I can email you if you win!  You will receive one (1) entry for this.

Additional Entries:

Refer my blog/store (www.hyenacart.com/wildflowerpatch) to a friend and have them publicly follow me.  Leave a comment here saying you've done so, with your friend's name (so I know who you brought) and your email in the form of "email AT mail DOT com".  You will receive two (2) entries for every person you bring.

Buy something from my store (www.hyenacart.com/wildflowerpatch) and receive five (5) entries.  Leave a comment here saying you've done so, along with your email in the form of "email AT mail DOT com" and the name of the item you bought.

"Like" my store on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wildflower-Patch/167413993274749 to receive one (1) entry.  Leave a comment saying you've done so and your email in the form of "email AT mail DOT com"

Blog about "The Wildflower Patch" and receive two (2) entries!  Leave a comment with the direct link to where the blog post can be found and your email in the form of "email AT mail DOT com"

Write a review of an item you've previously bought from me and receive two (2) entries.  Write your review here in a comment, along with your email in the form of "email AT mail DOT com".

Good luck to everyone and I can't wait to hear from all of you!  :)  

New Business Venture!!

Bumpkie Bottoms Giveaway!

To all the cloth diapering moms out there, you'll want to get in on this!  Bumpkie Bottoms is currently running a giveaway, now through March 21st, in conjunction with the KAM Snaps blog!!!!!  http://kamsnaps.blogspot.com/2011/03/bumpkie-bottoms-spotlight-giveaway-ends.html   Winner will receive a fleece diaper color in the size and color of his/her choice along with a $10 KAM Snaps gift card!  It takes a few minutes of uninterrupted peace to complete all the possible entries (to maximize your potential for winning), but with those kind of prizes, it's well worth it!!  Besides, what mom doesn't need ten minutes to herself?!  :)  So put on a cup of coffee, put the kids down for a nap, and get yourself entered for this giveaway.

All instructions are clearly stated on the site.

http://hyenacart.com/BumpkieBottoms/

Living in a War Zone

This one's for you, fellow mamas!  Do you ever feel like you live in a war zone?  Atomic bombs of diarrhea, booby trapped land minds of cheerios that explode when you step on them, cannons's of vomit that take out limbs, or what about the tanks that you step on in the middle of the night trying to navigate your way to the bathroom.  With all the destruction looming around every corner, some days it feels like you are a prisoner of war.  Well ladies, I bring good news!  There is a POW camp set up in every war zone just for us and it's a wonderful place that has long been discovered, although not shared, by our fellow "war parters", our husbands.  This POW safe-haven is none other than THE BATHROOM!  Yes ladies, I said it.  Men have been coming home from work and heading straight for the bathroom for centuries, leaving us abandoned in the war zone to fend for ourselves like a target in an open field.  Well I'm taking the camp back and I'm making it my own with candles, a CD player, and the best part... a lock on the door!  So join with me ladies and lets get some much needed relief.  Fight the open fires, eliminate the looming bombs and when there seems to be a tiny break in between enemy attacks, escape to your camp for a warm bath and a good crossword puzzle (or whatever your camp allows).  Let's all take a break from war to regroup and prepare for the next battle because you know it's coming.  Good luck and be safe!

Am I crazy?

Today was a crazy day.  Who am I kidding, every day in this house is a crazy day, but today had a little EXTRA crazy.  I love being a stay-at-home-mom and I love having my sewing business, but there are some days when I just feel like I've put a little too much on my plate and that I'm just a little crazy myself.  Today was definitely one of those days.  I found myself wondering why I even bother trying to have a business when I have children at home with me.  Maybe I should give up the dream of making something of myself (other than a mommy) and just accept that I have a full time job with no days off, no holidays, no vacation time... this is it.  I hear myself think these things and want to smack myself, but then again, that takes a lot of energy that I'm already lacking (hence the reason for these thoughts to begin with.)  Are we seeing a pattern forming?!  Ugh, I hate when I have these days.  I'd much rather stay with the days when I feel great, have energy, the kids are happy and play nice, and I'm inspired to create my items for my store!  That's not too much to ask, is it!?!?!?!  Ok, I've answered my own question... Yes, I AM crazy.