Seeing Green! 4 Things :)

Top of the morning to you! (or afternoon, really). St. Patrick's day always seems to sneak up on me as a gentle reminder that I need to add more green to my wardrobe. I am wearing the most drab army green t-shirt today and felt envious of all the other mom's at Target in their bright, pretty kelly green tops. Ugh. Maybe next year. To celebrate today, I've compiled a list of pretty things I am loving right now:

I have this adorable little number coming in the mail for my girl. I so wish they had it in my size. 

Ok, they're not green, but I couldn't resist getting this precious fringe sandals for her as well. I had seen them at Target the last time I was in, but they didn't have her size. 

I need to take a leap and order myself a Jadeite cake stand. I have wanted one forever. This one is just lovely.

I ordered The Stash Plan and am hoping it comes by tomorrow. I read up on the concept quite a while ago and am looking forward to poring over the book! Who doesn't love Laura Prepon?

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Valentine dinner and 4 things this Rainy Tuesday

I am beyond being over this weather. I could not be more ready for spring and to be able to be outside again. So would big dog. She doesn't understand this being cooped up in the house jam. 

We had a delicious Valentine's day over here. We decided to be old and stay home. The hubs went to the butcher and purchased some AMAZING filets. My favorite way to cook huge filets is to sear them in a hot pan, then finish them off in a 400º oven for about 5-7 minutes depending on preferred doneness. 

We had them with twice baked potatoes (I bake the potatoes in the crockpot, wrapped in tinfoil), and steamed broccoli. I wish we were having this dinner again tonight...

Now on to my ramblings.

1. THIS Eggs Benedict recipe is about to change my life forever. As in Eggs Benedict for everyone! Eggs Benedict on Tuesday! You get an Eggs Benedict, You get an Eggs Benedict!

2.  I just ordered some New Balance 555's and they are insane. The soles are reversible and have massaging nubs on the one side. Rain Rain Go Away! Mama needs to go for a nice long walk!

3. Me and the Mr have a special anniversary coming up. 10 glorious years together. We had started planning a romantic mountain getaway until yesterday I realized it is falling on Easter weekend. (wah waaahhh). So now we are looking for recommendations for a nice dinner out in Nashville. Oh well! (our anniversary has not fell over Eater weekend in the whole 10 years either. Nuts..)

4. I am super jonesing for a Smart Jump Rope. It counts your jumps and hooks up to your phone to track your progress. I have always loved jumping rope and they come in gold!

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Christmas Recap and Renovations

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I know that we really enjoyed ours.   We baked cookies

We looked at lights

We decorated cookies at home and with friends

I maintained my sanity

 

We remembered the birds

 

Santa came

 

...and then, when the tree came down we started ripping up our floors! Yes, we are insane. I've been wanting wood floors since we bought this house 6 years ago and we are finally getting around to doing it. It's a TON of work but I know it will be worth it in the end.

 I wonder if this beautiful linoleum is original to our 1994 house?

We are doing the whole downstairs, which includes the foyer, kitchen, dining room, living room and a half bath. We chose a darker pecan wood in varying widths. I'm totally ready to not be living in a construction site with 2 dogs and a 2 year old. More pics to come as we keep rolling on!

Happy New Floors Year!






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8 More Days till Christmas!

Slow down December! I still have 8,000 things on my holiday bucket list!! Per what is becoming a yearly tradition, we went to Opryland hotel in Nashville to visit with Santa. Let me tell you, middle of the week is the time to go. There were not crowds of people, and no line for Santa. Let me repeat, NO LINE FOR SANTA.

 

 

 

He was a really good Santa. They took another good photo of her looking up at him, telling him what she wants for Christmas but I couldn't pass up choosing this sweet smile.

 

 There was no way we were leaving without getting some delicious gelato. She chose peppermint and was a sweetie to share it with mama. Daddy got peppermint mocha and it was insane as well.

There were tons of little scenes set up all over. Lots of different snowmen figures. This set was see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil. Love that they let the kids touch and interact with the set ups. 

And of course we had to take our mommy / daughter photo in front of the magnificent poinsettia "tree". I have always been amazed by these huge displays since I was a child and my parents brought me to Opryland for the holidays. 

 

Here's last years:

Please slow down growing little one... Merry Christmas!

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Christmas Traditions

Growing up (and let's face it, now), if it's a Christmas activity I want in on the fun. I have always crammed as much baking and yuletide crafts as one possibly can in a short month. (The shortest month of the year if you ask me). 

 

When I was little, I always made a gingerbread house. But back in the day, you couldn't find all these perfect little gingerbread house kits that include everything you need. My mom, bless her, isn't so crafty. She never baked me up walls and a roof for my little houses. So, I used what we had around the kitchen. Usually graham crackers, sometimes saltines and squeeze cheese. My parents always told me how beautiful they were, but now that I'm a parent I know they were tossing back eggnog and laughing till they cried.  

 

I'm pretty sure those windows are made out of cheese...

This year was Mally's first time to do a gingerbread house with me. Needless to say, she love it as much as I do.

We got this tiny house kit at Target for like $2.50. It came with the house pieces, some small candies and the frosting! I added in some extra candy and sprinkles from our stash. (Yes, we have a massive stash of sprinkles for every occasion.)

Turned out adorable! I am so excited to start this tradition with my little one and hope she looks forward to doing it each year as I do!

Happy Holidays!

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Our Family Advent Calendar

We had such a nice holiday weekend. Full of too much turkey, a trip to the movies to see The Good Dinosaur (bring tissues...), and some Christmas decorating.

She loved, loved, LOVED adding ornaments to the tree. She brought in her little stool from the bathroom and hung every ornament I would give her on the same branch. I had to keep coming behind her and moving them. She also wants every tree and ornament to all be in HER room. She already has a nice little artificial tree but she needs MORE CHRISTMAS! I hear you little one, me too...

We also have started a new tradition in the house. The advent calendar! I never did these growing up. My husband's mom would get the little cardboard ones where there is a chocolate behind each door. Downside? Had to share with his 2 sisters. So that's only like 8 pieces of candy! I purchased an advent calendar from Pottery Barn Kids. For some reason, in my head, it was like poster sized.. Nope, it's enormous. And I love it.

I've filled it with little goodies like socks, gloves, candy, small ornaments for her tree and some fun activities for us to do together or as a family. Like making and delivering goodies or dropping off little secret gifts to friends. Of course we are going to also incorporate the true meaning of Christmas along with the fun.

     
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Thanksgiving Planning

We have two Thanksgivings each year. That's right, two turkeys, multiple pies, cranberry sauce you name it. The first Thanksgiving is at my mother's house each year. It takes place on actual Thanksgiving. We typically have shrimp bisque for the first course and fried turkey with dressing and sides. 

 

Our second thanksgiving is at my in-laws. It always takes place a day or two after actual thanksgiving (which is good news for us!). They always oven roast their turkey and stuff it with stuffing and serve it with traditional sides. 

I love to cook, but I am always delegated to appetizers, small sides or dessert. I make a pretty mean apple pie, but it's SUPER time consuming. I haven't made it since I had my daughter, but I'm sure I will get it going again soon enough. This year, I am making homemade rolls for T1, and THIS pumpkin cream cheese pie for T2. I may make some cinnamon butter to go with the rolls, or try and sneak in an appetizer to one of the gatherings. 

For those with a bread machine (one of my favorite appliances), here's my easy go-to dinner roll recipe:

Easy Dinner Rolls, makes 12

 

Ingredients:

• 1 egg, room temp and enough hot water to equal 3/4 cup when placed together in a measuring cup
• 2 Tbsp Vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 2 Cups All purpose flour
• 1 tsp Dry Active Yeast

Directions:

1. Add ingredients to bread machine in order shown. Set machine on "dough" setting
2. Place dough on a floured surface and divide into 12 pieces and shape.
3. Let rise on a greased baking sheet for 30 minutes or until double in size (you can cut time in half if your oven has a proofing setting)
4. Bake at 350º for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.

 

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Two year old wishlist

My two/almost three year old is SO excited for this holidays this year. This is such a magical age when everything, everyday is just so thrilling. I am relishing in it and trying to capture as much of that magic as I possibly can. Here's her wishlist this year:

Her jam lately has been to "help" in the kitchen. She drags her step stool from the bathroom and butts it against the cabinets so she can see and reach to stir or pour. I figured it was time we get her a little kitchen of her own. I love how affordable the ones from Ikea are. I plan on sprucing it up a little, but you can't beat the cuteness for the price!

You can find a million cute hacks online for this little gem. We also scored some tiny pots and pans, little utensils. Who couldn't love this $8 basket of felt fruit?

 

Keeping with the home maker them, we got her this little pink Dyson. It is supposed to actually pick up dirt, so I was all for that. I can use the help!

These wooden jigsaw puzzles are great. She has one already but we are getting her some more. They are a great price and are super durable. She is able to put them together all by herself and loves to do it over and over.

It's not Christmas without a new pair of festive jammies!

What's on your wishlist?

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Halloween Weekend

We had such a fun and busy Halloween weekend. Trunk or treat, a Halloween kids party, trick or treating and a grownup party - whew! Mallory was super excited to get to wear her Owl costume so many times. It made this mama happy since it took so long to make!  

I made some super tasty and super cute cookie balls for the kiddie party we went to on Friday evening. You process a bag of golden oreos with a block of cream cheese (I used greek yogurt cream cheese), shape into balls and dunk in almond bark. Add festive sprinkles for the win!

  The Mr and I decided to go as cowboys and indians this year. I am in love with my dress and kept asking everyone if they thought I would be weird if I wore it again just in a normal setting... So cute and comfortable.  

I have always wanted to make caramel apples, so I managed to cram that activity into all the fun this weekend as well. I rolled them in bourbon candied pecans. Can you say YUM?

What's your favorite fall treat to make?


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Weekend fun

Rain rain go away....
The leaves are turning such beautiful colors right now. I will be happy when all this rain clears out and we can enjoy some fall weather! This past weekend included a really nice date night in Nashville and a lot of sewing to finish up one little owl's Halloween costume. It melts my heart how in love with her costume she is. It makes all the time I spent on it worth it!

The hubbs took me out on the town Saturday night for a special little date night. We celebrated the anniversary of when we started dating, 16 years! Yikes! That's a long time! He took me to Germantown Cafe. It was amazing! Their fried green tomatoes are divine. I was too busy eating to snap any pics so just trust me!

Someone (me) woke up a little late for church on Sunday, so I suggested we go out for breakfast afterward so we would be on time. We headed to Pfunky Griddle. It was so much fun and WAY lots of food. You sit around a griddle and cook your own food. Mally enjoyed M&M pancakes and I had french toast (yum). Hubby isn't a huge pancake fan so he got hash browns and eggs. They give you an insane amount of hash browns so there were plenty to share.


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4 Things this Friday!

Four things I'm currently digging right now.

1. Grownup coloring books. What?! I am in love. Yes, I have a toddler and yes I can and do color with her, but she hasn't been too into crayons as of late so I had to take matters into my own hands. Coloring is proven to reduce stress and calm you down. Check out this one and this one.
   
   
2. With 4th of July this weekend, I'm feeling all things summer and red, white and blue. We had a festive little breakfast to celebrate with doughnut holes and fruit. I've also been eying this recipe for lime colada popsicles. Only 3 ingredients!
   
   
   
3. Foam Back rollers. Where has this little thing been all my life? I've been doing the 30 Day Shred and evidently I shredded a little too hard. This roller has been a life saver!
   
4. Watching Storybots videos with my daughter. The Down By the Bay one is hilarious! Fun to find out they have a free app. These little toons are by the Jib Jab Bros. If you have a toddler, get it!
   
   Everyone have a safe and fun 4th of July!!

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