Dad's day...

Father's Day is coming up and we are all preparing around here.  Kenzie and Katie got their baths and Cedric and Rose go to the groomers on Friday so that they'll look spiffy for Josh's day. 

What?  Well, yeah we celebrate Father's Day for Josh. 

Ummmm...yes, I know they are just dogs.

There are all sorts of dads in this world.  Josh just happens to be a dad to dogs, turkeys, and cows.  He's pretty awesome at it too.  The girls have saved their money and have bought him a pretty great Father's Day gift.  They always spoil him.  It's a bit ridiculous, I agree.

For those celebrating dads of daughters or sons, I found some really fun free printables from Poppytalk that you should certainly check out.  The best thing about it is that they are downloadable and you can do them at home.  So fun!



Poppytalk

Happy Wednesday!

Spring cleaning...

I need to do some BIG time spring cleaning!  After being sick for quite awhile, let's just say that we have a few stacks of junk around here and it's time for it to go. 

I've needed a little motivation and have found a few blogs that have been discussing their spring cleaning, decluttering, and organization techniques.  I decided it would help me if I made a list of what I am going to tackle.  A list always helps.  Actually it's the act of crossing off things on the list that really makes me happy! 

Here's what I've come up with so far.  Now, I'm decluttering in 30 days...I figure that gives me a small goal each day (so that I don't overwhelm myself or set myself up for failure) and by May I'll be looking at a lot less junk. 

Are you doing any Spring cleaning?

Happy Friday, loves!

Eloise's special day...

My very good friend, Hannah, recently shared pictures of her daughter's baptism brunch with me. 
Hannah hosted such a beautiful event to celebrate Eloise's big day in her home.  She kept things simple, personal, and still so beautiful.  I had to share these pics with you!

This is such a pretty dessert table.

I LOVE the antique china, buffet setup, and simple florals.

 Pink pom-poms make the table fun and festive.

 Mason jar love!

 She had special monogram cookies made and displayed them on such a beautiful table cloth.

 The soft pink and yellow are so pretty together.

 The precious family...Cameron, Hannah, Presley and Eloise.  Love them!

All photos courtesy of Angelica Rodriguez.

Aren't they adorable!? 

Don't you just want to eat baby Eloise up?!  She's just too cute. 

Such a truly blessed family.  Thanks for sharing with me, Hannah!

Hope you are all having a great week. 

XOXO



Weekend plans...

Well, what do you have planned this weekend?  Romantic night out?  Soccer games?  Day on the couch with a good book?
I'm planning on working on this...

I'm very excited to plant my first garden.  I'm bringing in an expert to help me plan and prepare my harvest ground...my mom is headed out in the morning to spend the day helping me figure out exactly what I want to grow, how I plan on growing it and where I am going to put it.  I'm ready to play in the dirt!

I hope you have some good clean (or dirty) fun planned as well!

XOXO

All photos are from here.

Rave reviews!

Last night I received rave reviews for the dinner that I served.  Normally I receive a sign of appreciation and a comments like, "It was good!" and "Thanks, babe!" but not the standing ovation that Josh gave me last night.  I'm not going to lie...it felt pretty good!
What did I cook?

Well, let me ask you this...do you like Chick-fil-A?  Do you like those delicious nuggets? 

Well, I LOVE those golden chicken bites and found a recipe yesterday on Pinterest for them. I highly recommend the nugget recipe and the baked oven fries that I sliced up to accompany them. 

Do you think your family would enjoy these? 

My Name Is Snickerdoodle Sweet Chicky Nuggets

With a side of these?

Annie's Eats Baked Oven Fries



I bet they will.

Now don't be intimidated by the frying part of the recipe.  I'm a frying virgin and was able to do it.  Trust me, if I can do it...you can do it! 

Oh, and I also bet you are a Tuesday night hero and that you make these again.  Bon appetit!

XOXO

Love!

Happy Valentine's Day, loves!

I hope you have something romantic planned.  It doesn't have to be big, just something that reminds the one you love that you love them. 

A few simple ideas for you (just in case you are a last minute procrastinator like me)...

A romantic picnic...in your living room. 

Grab a blanket, a bottle of wine, your hubby's favorite treat, and some romantic music.  Ta-da!



Bake a cake...it doesn't have to be fancy, but this one is really cute!

Click here for instructions on how to make the heart on the inside.

If you make this, please send me pics!

Order in...and make takeout a little more romantic! 

A knife and a little trimming of the pepperoni could make pizza an expression of your love. 

Easy, cheesy!

Pug love, enough said. 

If you need to borrow one of these cuties, call me. 

Josh will happily hand one of them over to you. 

Just let 'em know how you feel...a letter or note really does go a long way.

I'm reminding Josh that I do love him more than Pinterest (he does need the reminder, don't judge). 

I'm hoping he reminds me that he loves me more than turkeys and jeeps.  Ha!

If none of these expressions fit your style, that leaves just one thing...

Nothing says love like a little make out session. 

A guaranteed Valentine's Day hit!

Now go...refrain from changing into the pajama pants and extra large t-shirt you normally jump into bed with, keep your night mouth guard on the nightstand, and turn off the rerun of Finding Bigfoot (all are notes to self...again, don't judge). 

Tonight's the night for love.  Happy Valentine's Day!

XOXO!!

Yummy things to make...that I've actually made!

So, I'm pretty much obsessed with Pinterest.

If you haven't checked it out yet, click here.  If you need an 'invite' in order to setup an account, just comment below with your email address and I'll invite you.

But, I warn you...it's terribly addicting.  Think crack.  It's scary...more addicting than Facebook!

One of the boards that I am constantly 'pinning' to is my "Yummy Things to Make" board.  There are so many delicious recipes that I keep adding.  They look so incredible...basically food porn.  Lately, with the excess of at-home, sick time, I have had the chance to try out some of the easier recipes that have been calling to me. 

Here's a handful of Pinterest recipes that are making the rounds that I had to try out...

Alexandra's Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast Cake

This awesome cake from originates from Alexandra Cooks blog.  Awesome blog...and fab recipe.  This was fluffy, moist and delicious.  It was also devoured so quickly that I didn't even get a pic of it.  My husband loved it!  I actually substituted raspberries because I didn't have blueberries.  I will be making this again...soon...using blueberries next time around.

Martha's Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups

Of course these cute guys come from Martha Stewart.  I made these with turkey bacon and used whole eggs for a few of the muffin cups and an egg white mixture (4 egg whites and one whole egg with the yolk scrambled with a dash of fat free milk) in the other cups.  

My attempt...

The darker, crazy looking ones, have the egg white/yolk scrambled mixture...

not as pretty, but so tasty too!

My review:  Delish!  These are perfect to make ahead and throw in a Ziploc for busy weekday mornings when we are in a rush.  I didn't have a perfect circle cookie cutter to cut the wheat bread for the base so I used the top of a measuring cup as a template and trimmed the bread with a knife.  These were so easy and you could add in anything that you want to include...onions, mushrooms, cheese, turkey sausage, etc.  

A definite 'make again'! 

The Tasty Kitchen's Greatest Queso That Ever Lived

My take:  Yum!  I've always wanted to know how people got their queso so creamy.  I finally know because of this recipe!  Two words...cream cheese and cream of mushroom soup.  This was a great recipe and so easy to make.  It was a big hit while we watched the Super Bowl.

Lemon Pull-Aparts from Creations by Kara

I love lemon anything!  So these called to me and called to me.  I also love Rhodes Rolls, which are used in this recipe.  If you've never tried Rhodes, you must.  Put them on your grocery list now. 

Ok, my rendition...don't judge.

Mine aren't as pretty...my pull-aparts are a little more browned on top, and I suck at making powdered sugar icing.  I can never get the icing to not end up too 'soupy' or tasting too much like powdered sugar.  These were good but weren't exceptional.  They were incredibly easy to make, but they just didn't blow us away.  Maybe they would be better if I could get the icing right, but I just didn't love them and wouldn't 'waste' my calories on them. 

My Own Road's Strawberry Skewers 

These gorgeous skewers were SO easy to make.  I bought an angel food cake from my grocery store, cut up fresh strawberries, layered the two on wooden skewers that are often used for grilling, and drizzled chocolate sauce on top right before serving.  Done!  It looks like Jen originally used something like Hershey's Chocolate Shell sauce, but I couldn't add that much fat to these simple little guys.  I wanted to keep them as lean as possible for cake, strawberries, and chocolate, so I used basic Hershey's Syrup. 

My skewers...

I will be making these again!  These are perfect for a party or easy dessert to throw together at the last minute. So good and not too bad for you either.  You could add any type of fruit to these.  Adding blueberries would make these perfect for the 4th of July!

Alright, time to get back in the kitchen! 

What have you made from Pinterest that you have really liked?  What would you make again?

XOXO 

Getting back on track...

Hi loves!  I feel like I start too many of my blog posts with apologies for not blogging more.  So, I won't say I'm sorry...instead, I'll say thank you for sticking with me during looooong lapses in blogging.  Really, thank you! 

December and half of January just flew right by.  It's all a big blur. I wasn't neglecting the blog intentionally.  I started some big treatments for this crazy neurological disorder that I have that really set me back during the holidays.  We visited the ER twice and Urgent Care once between December 25th and January 5th.  SO fun!

So, let's get back on track...

Before Christmas I was sharing with you what we had been up to a year ago...remember?

I'll refresh...we were getting ready to travel to Jackson Hole, Wyoming for my sis-in-law's wedding. I have to share a few lot of the photos from her day because it truly was a one of a kind event.

Courtney's full ball gown...unbelievably gorgeous!

The bride...complete with a handmade rich dark purple cloak to give her a little more warmth on the ride up. 

She was stunning. 

A sleigh ride to the mountain top complete with apple cider and lots of handwarmers. 

Courtney was given away by Josh.

Courtney and Korbin were married by her dad, David, overlooking the National Elk Refuge below.

  

Unforgettable views from the mountain tops...amazing.

The happy couple.

Courtney spent months on the details...all from Texas. 

The reception was held at The Jackson Hole Flower Company, a quaint flower shop that had been transformed for the night.  It was rustic and still so elegant.  The perfect venue for a small, private night of dinner and dancing.

All of the details were incredible...

real wood chargers, monogrammed linens, and all natural greenery dressing the table. 

The guest book incorporated more of the woodsy feel of Jackson Hole as well.

Take home ornaments for each guest that also served as placecards.

Cozy and yet still so elegant...perfection.

The happy couple dancing in the glow of candlelight...gorgeous.

A little impromptu piano playing with 2 of my favorite guys.

The precious newlyweds!

Courtney and Korbin celebrated their first anniversary on two separate sides of the world...Korbin was on his aircraft carrier serving in the Navy and Courtney was back in San Antonio, holding down the fort until he returns.  They've sacrificed much and have grown as individuals and as a couple this past year.  It's awesome to see what God has in store for them.  We love and adore them very much and were very honored to be part of their big day!

Happy Friday, loves!

XOXO



A year ago...

A year ago on December 1st I clearly remember my hands being raw from all things...needlepointing! 

Yes, I am still in my 30's.  No, I don't need a walker to get around.  Yes, I know the needlepointing sterotype of grannies sitting in a rocker needlepointing with little glasses on the tip of their nose.  Ok, yes...I do wear glasses sometimes and they do tend to slide down every now and then.  Let's move on...

Now, how does needpointing, sore fingers, and a year ago fit together?  Let me explain...

Rewind to December 1st, 2010...My sis-in-law, Courtney, was only 27 days from her wedding day and I had volunteered to make some of the special gifts for guests.  She and her fiance, Korbin, planned a destination wedding in Jackson Hole, WY on December 28th.  It was truly an incredible destination and provided for some unbelievable photos and memories. 

Courtney did most of the planning herself since her husband was deployed at the time while serving in the Navy.  She did it all while here in Texas, which made things a challenge at times, but she allowed me to be part of this special day and help with some of the really special details.

One of the things I volunteered to make were the 'take-away' gift for guests.  THANKFULLY it was a small wedding of only immediate family and a handful of friends!  I needlepointed and made mini-champangne bags for each guest to take away to toast the New Year.  On each bag was Courtney and Korbin's last initial...K.  I couldn't find burlap bags at the time that would fit the champagne bottles that Courtney wanted to use so I made those too.  Thankfully my mom gave me a quick tutorial on how to operate a sewing machine so that I could quickly stitch up 20 bags.  For a good 3 months I would needlepoint whenever I sat down to watch tv, on long car rides, while sitting in doctor's offices, and anywhere I was sitting or even standing for more than 5 minutes. 

Josh about had it with all things burlap, eggplant purple, and anything involving a K by the middle of December.  And I was to panic as the days ticked by and the number of K bags very slowly grew...very slowly.

Here are a few pics of the completed bags...I'll admit, I did really love them.  Do I think anyone knew how much time and effort went into them?  Um, no.  Hell, no.  But, it was totally worth it.  The little details make everything in my opinion. 

Another guest gift that I made for Courtney and Korbin's special day...the welcome bags.  They were also stitched from burlap and had their signature C and K monogram that we designed.  We cut the CK monogram out from a deep eggplant purple satin fabric and used an iron transfer paper to adhere them to the bags.  These bags were filled with hot chocolate and marshmallows, peppermints, maps of Jackson Hole, handwarmers, lotions, chapstick, etc.  Everyone loved them and used the goodies inside throughout the entire weekend.  



There is a lot more to share from this incredible event and I will in the days ahead.  So stay tuned!

XOXO

Gobble...Gobble...Gobble!!

Well, are you ready?  Do you have the turkey defrosting?  The potatoes peeled?  The pies baking? 

Yeah, me neither...

I've spent the morning frantically cleaning, trying to find my favorite recipes, searching Pinterest for table setting ideas and checking the online pre Black Friday deals.  Priorities.

Here are a few fun ideas that I've found for Turkey Day...

What are you grateful for?

These free printables from I Heart Nap Time would be great on each place setting at your table.

These will be an excellent reminder of what the day is really all about.

Need an easy and adorable idea for an inexpensive table runner...

This would be really easy to do...buy a few yards of burlap, cut them the length of your table, pull the loose strings from the bottom to create the fringed edge, and stencil with the first initial of your last name.  Craft or fabric stores like Hobby Lobby and Joanne's carry burlap.  I've even seen it at Home Depot in the lawn and garden section to be used in flower beds.  Burlap is a definite favorite of mine because it's inexpensive, durable, and easy to use.

 Another way to style burlap...cut as a table runner and tie with a simple burlap string. 

The Kitchn

So easy...this would be cute too tied with satin or velvet ribbon. 

We all know that Martha always rocks it. 

Martha Stewart

 I love the idea of stacking desserts together so that your table isn't a flat, boring, table with desserts scattered all around.  By using cake platters and even small wooden boxes, Martha layers the pies at varying heights to create interest and uniformity.  Smart!  I've also see this with books stacked underneath.

And when it's time to pack up and go and take a piece of Grandma's pecan pie with you...

Petit Moulin's Etsy Shop

These are the greatest to-go pie boxes that I've ever seen. 

These would be perfect for the holidays or as a wedding takeaway. 

Precious.

Oh, and of course...how can you make Thanksgiving 'stretchy' pants stylish...

Pinterest

I'm thinking this look will be comfy, cozy, and step up from pajama jeans at least.

Alright, I'd better get some kind of prep done. 

Perhaps I'll start by chilling the wine...priorities!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!