Crafting with kids: DIY butterfly snack bag

 

Today is day 2 of my week of Easter crafts. Be sure and check in with me on my INSTAGRAM so you don't miss out on any extra goodies I may only post on that account.

I am having so much fun already making extra time to craft with my little ones. If the words "craft" or "DIY" scare you, fear not! These are simple activities that I have my 2 1/2 and 5 year old doing mostly themselves.

I love giving my children reasons to use their imagination and creativity. In this day and age there is so much brain drain with TV, electronics and toys with instant gratification and entertainment.

I love to watch my children's faces as homemade projects come together and they are so proud of their work.

 

DIY Easter daffodil kids craft

 

 

This morning my little man woke up with a cough, so we cancelled our busy day and stayed home. He still has lots of energy so I thought it would be really fun to make some Easter crafts. We started out with some paper daffodils, and we had so much fun. We wanted to show you how, so you can make some too!

 

Creamy broccoli medley

 

 

Recipe: Creamy Broccoli cheese medley

Recipe source: Emmy in her Element

 

Better than store bought ALMOND ROCA

 I promise you this almond roca is better than the kind you get at Christmas from your work office party! And the best part is, it is super easy to make at home! Only 4 ingredients and you will have a batch whipped up to share with friends or hoard for yourself (like me).  

DIY baby shower on a dime!

This past weekend I hosted a baby shower for a sweet friend of mine. She is the most beautiful girl, inside and out. She is a strong mother who has quiet a story to tell. I was excited to share this special day with her. I wanted to share with you how I put together this party start to finish in case you are hosting and need some ideas!   Luckily Rachel agreed to let me take her maternity photographs so that I could design my own invitation. This was really fun and I loved the practice! Here are a few of my favorites...

DIY easy yarn tassel for decorating

 

This past weekend I hosted a baby shower for my friend. Being the thrifty chick I am, I tried to make as many decorations from scratch as possible, saving me money and giving my party a unique and original look.

Sweet cherry Pocket Pies

 

 

Recipe: Sweet cherry pocket pies

Recipe source: Emmy in her Element

 

What you'll need:

1 can cherry pie filling

1 batch homemade pie dough or store bought dough

{For homemade dough you will need: 2/12 cups all purpose flour, 1 cup Crisco shortening, 1 teaspoon salt, and about 8 tablespoons ice water}

1 beaten egg

 

A heart shaped cookie cutter

 

Free Baby shower invitation template and floral wreath clip art

 

  Good morning friends! I have been busy designing a little invitation for a baby shower I am throwing in a few weeks. After making it, I decided I would clean up my version and make a generic card for you to use if you want!

Anniversary Questionnaire

Today is my anniversary! My handsome is taking me out to breakfast and I had an idea come to mind about starting a new tradition. I thought it would be fun to come up with a little "Anniversary Questionnaire" to document feelings from each year shared together. Feel free to (right click) save this to your picture library and print for your own use. I think it will be really fun to go back and read these memories when we are 80. Ok by then we will probably rather have a nap.  

Luscious Layer Bars

 

 

Want to know what treat I have been making lately that I can't keep my hands off of? These delicious layer cookie bars that are full of chewy sweet addictive flavors! I mean, anything with chocolate, butterscotch and a sweet caramel topping can't be bad right?

These are super easy to make, and sure to gobbled up at any party or event you take them to.

 

Vanilla cranberry layer cake with orange buttercream

There are no words to describe my love for this cake, so I'm not going to try. I selfishly thought about keeping it to myself (especially after creating a creamy frosting that tastes just like an orange creamsicle) but thanks to your encouragement on my instagram account, I decided it is too special to hide away.   I hope you will try this recipe, it may look intimidating but it really isn't hard. Just a few steps to put together this towering beauty!  

New Year's Eve 2014

 

  It's New Years Eve and I'll bet you have a party to attend this evening. If you need an easy fancy looking dessert idea to take along, look to further. I am making this recipe semi-homemade so that we can shorten baking time, but not compromise on that baked-from-scratch flavor.   Ill walk you through step by step to help you get that perfect look for your New Years Eve bash.  

Easy Gingerbread Man cookie glaze

  If you saw my favorite gingerbread man cookie post you will probably be wanting my easy gingerbread man cookie glaze. This is a very simple yet beautifully glossy glaze. I usually help my kids spoon it on and let them go crazy with sprinkles and decorations.  

Favorite Holiday Gingerbread Man cookies

 

 

Can I officially call it Christmas week? With school being out and all other activities being postponed until next year (that sounds weird), presents wrapped and kids at my heels, I have decided we are fully submerging ourselves in everything Christmas.

I am going to find a service project to do with my little ducklings this week but since today is lazy Sunday, we thought it best to spend time together making the cookies we will leave out for Santa. This is a favorite recipe of mine I have been making for years.

Chewy, soft, spiced, delicious, and just plain adorable! I couldn't decide which pictures to cut so I just used them all.

Make these cookies with someone you love! Happy Christmas week.

How to create an AWARD WINNING Garnish in a few easy steps

 Last weekend I had the opportunity to help out one of my family members by creating a few delicious desserts to enter into his Holiday work party.

We decided to make my mini cheesecakes with raspberry swirls as well as these cupcakes with a beautiful garnish. I guess I am going to have to come up with a name with them huh?

To my great surprise, the cupcakes took the grand prize! I was so excited I had to share with you how easy it was to create this beautiful garnish. It looks intimidating but really in just a few super easy steps, anyone can make it.

DIY mini burlap trees

 

 Have you seen those darling mini trees at TJMAXX that you can use to decorate your mantel? I really like them but they are around 20$ each! I decided to make my own for much cheaper.

I think they would be so fun to hand out to friends instead of candy. They smell like Christmas and add a fun decorative touch anywhere they are!

To see some of my other Christmas décor go here.

Dinosaur Birthday Party {On a dime}

 

  My (not so) little Benson turned 5! We had a wonderful birthday, all in Dinosaur theme of course. I wanted to share my ideas with you, in case you have a dinosaur lover at your house!   The invitation: Designed in pic monkey with free clip art from google.  

DIY Christmas Burlap banner

 

 

Normally Christmas does not make any kind of appearance until after Thanksgiving at our house. This year? I broke the rules! I couldn't help it, the Christmas spirit got a hold of me early and up the tree went. I have enjoyed it's cozy glow every evening for two weeks now.

I am not much into cluttery décor, this year especially I have cut back and simplified everything.

I do not have a pretty mantle to decorate so instead a made this quick, easy and beautiful burlap banner to hang from my headboard. I love the simple hint of Christmas it adds.

I am going to show you how I did it so you can make one too. Wouldn't this be fun to hand out to friends?

Chicken and lemon broccoli alfredo

Dear friends, as you have probably noticed I have been away for a few weeks! Oh my goodness between all of our family birthdays in October, a new photography class, Halloween, trunk or treat party planning and setting up for the holidays I have sadly missed out on one of my favorite things, posting creations and sharing with you.

A few weeks ago on my Instagram account I made a goal to cook dinner every night for an entire week. The goal also included making meals we had never tried before (since I tend to make the same ol' thing over and over). Luckily with your encouragement each day I was able to keep this goal with the exception of one day! I am really excited to share one of my favorite and most interesting combination of flavor dishes with you. It is healthy, fast and surprisingly delicious!

 

On another note, if you would like to see my second blog I created to share pictures I have taken since I started my photography class, go here. 

 

 

Grandma's Best Chili

 

Fact of life: Any recipe starting with the word "Grandma's" is always sure to be tasty. Grandmas are like little treasures that hold the secrets to a happy tummy. They just have a magic hand for making comfort food that is classic and always tastes delicious!

Here is my little spin on my Grandma's Best Chili. I hope you like it, especially for a crisp cold fall evening. You can simmer it in a crockpot for hours, so it makes for a perfect no-fuss party food!