Hot Outside!

On Thursdays we like to do something 'thoughtful', so we started our day by watering the flowers!  As we watered the flowers, I explained to Samantha how it is thoughtful to give nourishment to other people, pets & things- such as watering the flowers.  Next, we came in out of the heat and called GG (my mom) to let her know that we are thinking of her while she is in the hospital.  

Samantha is now working on a hands and foot butterfly project to send to both sets of her grandparents (I will post pics of her rainbow butterflies as soon as they are done) which they will think is very thoughtful. Then we will do something thoughtful for Daddy- maybe make some cookies or even a cake and definitely a card!  

Samantha's Rainbow colored butterfly!

Some of the flowers we watered this morning!

Scheduling Time

So, I have found that it is essential to have a schedule!  Amazing- I feel like the last person on earth who has found this wonderful 'gift'!  I sat down one morning and decided to make a daily schedule (I guess the way a teacher would make a daily lesson plan?!?!).  This has been amazing for my family- Samantha has a project to look forward to twice a day and I have free time when she has her free time.  The best part is that she has something fun to show her Daddy that she made while he was at work!  Our schedule is VERY fancy-- pen and paper and tacked to a bulletin board!

 See, it is very fancy! ;-)

We have done different projects this summer and this is a good way to be able to accomplish many things in a timely manner!  Yes, Momma, you were right for making me stick to a time schedule at my wedding and sorry it took me 14 years to say you were right!

Making play dough

Outside time in the morning

Hopscotch

   

 

Sugar Scrub

This is my jasmine scented sugar scrub.  It was really easy to make and it is all natural! 

First, you will need a jar or 3- I use mason jars (I'm obsessed with them!)

The 3 ingredients that you will need for this is:

Sugar

Olive oil

Scented essential oil (I used jasmine)

In a bowl, mix together equal parts of oil and sugar (I did 2 cups of ea.).  For the amount that I made, I added 8 drops of essential oil to the scrub mixture.  Stir and add to the jars.  Enjoy! 

Samantha's Granola Bars

Having a peanut/ tree nut allergy in the house makes buying granola bars impossible!  So, I took matters into my own hands and made my own!  I have made them with the Guittard's white chocolate chips and semi sweet chocolate chips.  I have also used David's sunflower seeds (shelled) to add the 'nutty' flavor to them.  I personally enjoy them plain with the Guittard's semi sweet chocolate chips.

Samantha's Granola Bars

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees

Grease a 9 x13 cake pan and set aside.

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and toast 2 cups of quick oats (plain) for 10 min

While the oats are toasting, melt 2 tbl spoons of butter, 1 cup of mini marshmallows, 1 tbl spn of honey, 1 tbl spn of syrup, 2 tbl spoons of brown sugar in a sauce pan on low.

In a separate bowl pour 1 1/2 cups of Rice Krispies and cup of chocolate chips.

When the oats are toasted and the marshmallows are melted and stirred, add the oats to the Krispies and the choc chips and then pour the melted mix on top.  Stir a few times- until everything is coated- and pour into the 9 x 13 cake pan.  Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the mix and press slightly to pack them into pan so they will be easy to slice.

Let them cool, slice and put in bags or wrap in plastic wrap.  We keep ours in the refrigerator,  but it is not necessary.  Enjoy!

Roasting Marshmallows

We have enjoyed evenings on the back patio with our family roasting marshmallows together!  It has been really fun for Samantha- she will roast 2 marshmallows to our 1 and try and make everyone else eat them! This is a picture with my Mom, Samantha and myself the day of the Kentucky Derby!  It is a very sticky evening, but totally worth it!  We use Guittard's white chocolate chips which is made in a peanut free/ gluten free facility along with Kraft jumbo marshmallows and plain Nabisco graham crackers!  YUMMY- "I'll Have Another!" 

Cake in a Mug

So, a friend of mine told me about a recipe called 3-2-1 using angel food cake mix and regular cake mix with water.  I decided to try it my own way and I used chocolate cake mix and a diet coke- my Dad also tried it and used French vanilla cake mix with diet coke.  Both were YUMMY!

Empty a cake mix (dry) into a ziploc bag.

You will need a Diet Coke (or any flavor soda) and a coffee mug.

Put all of this in the mug:

3 tbl spoons of cake mix

2 tbl spoons of diet coke- mix well

1 minute in the microwave

and out comes a yummy warm cake!

I could not believe how easy it was and how great it tasted!  I also think a scoop of Ice cream on top would finish off the warm cake perfectly!  Enjoy!!

My husband and my Daddy!

This is made with white cake mix and Sprite Zero.

Cheese Pizza Monkey Bread

Pizza monkey bread

3 cans Pillsbury biscuits
2 cups Sharp cheddar and mozzarella shredded
1 stick butter
1 tbl spoon minced garlic
1 tbl spoon Parmesan

Pre heat oven to 400 degrees and spray Pam in a bundt pan.

Flatten a biscuit add a pinch of cheese and pinch top closed. Fix all biscuits this way. While doing this have the butter and garlic in a sauce pan on low- this will let it melt and turn light brown. After all is done remove from heat and add Parmesan- stir.  Dip ea ball in butter mix and place around the bundt pan until full.  Bake for 30 min.

Dipping sauce

1 - 8oz can of tomato sauce
1 tspn basil
1 tspn garlic powder
1/2 packet of Truvia

Heat on stove top and serve with the Pizza monkey bread!

Here goes nothing!

Here it goes...

Recently I have hit a place in my life that has spun me around- call it mid life crisis, having the 'blues', OCD/ Anxiety- whatever it might be, ice cream has gotten me thru this time of my life... of course with the help of my husband, family and friends.... BUT ice cream has been the best therapy- shhh! don't tell my therapist!

The realization of both mine and my daughter's allergies (mine - all seafood and daughter - all peanuts and tree nuts) along with her congenital heart disease hit me like a ton of bricks!  So, with that, our family has decided to not eat out for now and we have come up with some fun recipes and and things to do as a family- picnics, movie nights, game nights, etc. instead of frequenting restaurants.  This has been fun and challenging all at the same time. The hardest part that I have found is the need to pre-plan before we leave the house.  Whether it is a homemade granola bar or Goldfish in my purse, I need to have something to hand over so no one will 'starve to death'!

Seriously, I believe that as Moms and Dads we all experience fears for both ourselves, our spouses and our children.  Realizing that I was not alone was such a huge relief- parents have been in this 'place' before and it will not end with me.  I am so happy to be able share my experiences, recipes and crafts with everyone. OH Yeah...  the ice cream- I LOVE Blue Bell Homemade in the Shade and I have a mug every night before I go to bed!