Not much to say today.

Still saddened and heartbroken, still grieving for those who are suffering…

And yet, I was chosen to participate in an opportunity to enjoy soup at Panera Bread.

It doesn’t feel right, to write about randomness or to do restaurant reviews with all that is wrong today.

It’s not time to move on, not yet.

I can’t stop thinking, wondering, hurting for the lives that were lost on Friday.

At the same time, I am loving, cherishing, and clinging to each moment with my children like never before.

Dropping the kids off at school has been painful.  Picking them up a bit tearful.

The thoughts, the questions, they won’t stop coming.

But I do need to eat so…

After picking up my kindergartner today, we headed to Panera Bread for lunch.

I ordered the Creamy Tomato Soup, hoping for a little warmth and comfort, while my little ones drooled over the delectable cookie display.  Within a matter of minutes, my soup was ready and we headed home.

I made the kids their usual, their favorite, Peanut Butter and Jelly.  Then I set about preparing my lunch.  Cutting into the fresh baked Panera bread to make my bowl, pouring the still hot Creamy Tomato soup inside and then topping it off with the Asiago cheese crusted croutons.

As I placed my lunch on the table next to my children’s plates, I noticed the sandwich crumbs sprinkled on the table and the yogurt smears still left over from breakfast.  Without the slightest urge to clean or wipe away the mess, I made a mental note. I AM THANKFUL.  Then I sat down to eat.

The soup was creamy with just the right amount of texture, the flavors melded perfectly.  It was just what I needed.  Hot soup on a cold day, comfort food when my heart aches, a moment to enjoy and to reflect on all that is still good.

*As a part of the DailyBuzz Food Tastemaker program, I received a Panera Bread gift card and a stipend for my review.  Thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Mommy guilt is something that has haunted me since I was pregnant with my firstborn.  I felt guilty if I went a day without eating any sort of vegetable.  I felt guilty for “overdoing” it and going into preterm labor.  I felt guilty that I wasn’t making a scrapbook of my baby’s first year.  The list goes on and on.  I wish I could say that with the second and third child, the guilt lessened.  However, now there is even more to feel guilty about! 

One of the things that I am continually feeling guilty about is the picture dilemma.  When Caleb was born, I was printing up pictures regularly and keeping them in albums.  That process stopped shortly after the birth of Bella.  Now a days, I take pictures, I upload them onto the computer, and there they remain never to be seen or looked at again.  I feel awful about this.  I really need to come up with some sort of a system but I have three kids and I don’t have time!

With all that said, you can understand how extremely excited I was to be contacted by Megan from Easy Canvas Prints to do a review for them and receive a canvas print of my choosing.  I knew just the picture I wanted put on canvas.  It was actually an easy decision since it is the only picture I own of all three of my children looking at the camera and smiling at the same time.  The fact that they were standing in the ocean in Hawaii was a total bonus.

I was surprised at how easy it was to upload my picture directly onto the Easy Canvas Prints website.  I selected my canvas size and then was given the option of a standard wrap (.75″) or a gallery wrap (1.5″).  I choose the gallery wrap.  I was then able to select my border.  I was very impressed with this feature.  I could choose to have my image wrap around the canvas, have a mirror image or choose a solid color to compliment my picture.  I chose to have my image wrap around the canvas.  After that, I was given some options for finishing and retouching of the image which I declined.  The entire process took me no more than about 5 minutes.  It was so easy!
My canvas came in the mail sooner that I had expected.  It was packaged well and I love how the photo turned out.  There is even a hanger already mounted to the back. 

I would highly recommend Easy Canvas Prints if you are considering putting any of your images onto canvas.  Right now they are offering 50% off a canvas print plus free shipping if you “like” them on facebook. 

I am thrilled to have one less picture lost in my computer and instead displayed on my wall.  I will sleep well tonight…

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