Superhero Valentine

You may notice a few changes on the blog - so feel free to 'pin' to Pinterest if you see something you like! I decided to try this really cute "Superhero Valentine" for my son's upcoming Valentine's Day Preschool Party. These are super easy to make and so cute! I even signed his name on the 'cape.'

Supplies:

- construction paper/card stock
- scissors
- tape
- hole punch
- tootsie pops

1. Print out this free printable with your 'capes' and 'eye masks.'
2. Cut all pieces out.
3. Punch a hole at the top of the cape and place up the stick of the lollipop. Cape should stay in place without glue or tape.
4. Wrap the eye mask around the lollipop and secure in the back with a small piece of tape.

 Construction paper, tootsie pops, FREE printable 

 Superhero Valentine

Superhero Cape!

Enjoy!
Brittney

Valentine's Decor and Lipstick Wine Glass DIY

I'm trying to be ahead of the next 'holiday' so I can share tips BEFORE the actual holiday occurs! So, it's still January, but my house thinks its February. I found a few *FREE* printables for my decor, which I will share. I also bought a cute wreath and "Love" sign at JoAnn's Fabrics for 50% off. I hope you like my Valentine's decor!

 Free "Be Mine" Banner printable here

Free "Love You" printable here

Printable and Valentine's Wreath

Well, tomorrow three of my sweet friends and I are going to Denver to see Justin Timberlake in concert! We even get to spend the night in a fancy hotel and be kidless/husbandless for about 18 hours! I CAN NOT WAIT! So, naturally we are discussing where we will be having dinner and what we will be drinking in the hotel. I thought it would be super fun to make these 'Lipstick Wine Glasses' for all four of us to enjoy while spending our special evening together. It was easy and inexpensive! I follow a cute fashion blogger - Southern Curls and Pearls, who posted about this DIY project. I just had to do it, too! 

Lipstick Wine Glass

- wine glass (already owned, or I bought a box of 4 at Target for $5)

- gold metallic paint pen ($3.99 at JoAnn Fabrics)

- 'lips' printable

1. Pick out a pair of lips that you like and cut it out.

2. Place the bottom part of the lips on the inside of the top of the wine glass and color it in on the glass with the gold paint pen.

3. Allow to dry for 10 minutes before washing/using!

 Wine glasses, gold metallic paint pen, lips printable

Left: Wine glass with bottom lip print to copy over with gold pen

Right: Finished "Lip Wine Glass"

Four Fancy Wine Glasses

Enjoy!

Brittney

Green Stovetop Side Dishes

I always struggle with making a side dish, usually a vegetable, more creative than my usual steamed broccoli with salt and pepper. So this year I have already found two new ways to cook veggies that don't take a lot of time, granted you could always throw some vegetables in the oven and roast them with some seasonings. I have been experimenting with brussel sprouts. I have never been a huge 'fan' of brussel sprouts, but when fried up with some olive oil and garlic - delicious! I have come around! Below is my recipe for brussel sprouts, which only take about 10 minutes to prepare.

Stovetop Brussel Sprouts

Ingredients
- 1 lb. brussel sprouts
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat 1 tbsp. olive oil at medium heat in a large skillet.
2. Add garlic and let cook for about 2 minutes.
3. Add brussel sprouts and remaining olive oil. Saute until brussel sprouts are soft in the middle (poke with a fork). It helps to leave the lid on the skillet while the brussel sprouts cook. And don't forget to have them cook on both sides!

 Brussel Sprouts in olive oil/garlic 

Turning brussel sprouts over to cook on the other side

Another side I saw on Pinterest and have been dying to try is Caesar Green Beans. Super simple to make, especially if you buy a bag of fresh green beans that you can just stick in the microwave to steam before you fry on the stovetop. I put some sea salt on my green beans, but found that the Caesar dressing was more than enough flavor and I did not need the additional salt. These green beans are to die for and I will probably be making them once a week!

Caesar Green Beans 

Ingredients

- 1-2 lbs. fresh green beans

- 1/2 bottle of Caesar dressing

- 1/2 tsp. sea salt (optional)

- 1 1/2-2 tbsp. parmesan cheese

1. Steam your green beans in the microwave or in a pot of boiling water for 6-8 minutes.

2. Add green beans to a frying pan on medium heat.

3. Pour salt, parmesan cheese, and Caesar dressing on the green beans.

4. Saute and stir until your side dish is heated through and ready!

 Ingredients

Caesar Green Beans

Enjoy!

Brittney

Pizza Dough... Perfected.

I have attempted to make homemade pizza dough about 4 times. Either too strong on taste, too thick, or just too dough-y tasting. But today, I finally made the BEST PIZZA DOUGH EVER!!! I knew it was going to be good because the dough smelled divine! I am so happy to finally share with you my own pizza dough recipe. I did use a recipe from here to base mine off of, but added a few seasonings and halved the recipe for one pizza, not two. Perfection.

Pizza Dough

- 2 1/2 cups flour (plus 3 tbsp. at high altitude)
- 1 package of dry active yeast
- 1 tbsp. sugar
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup warm water
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. oregano
- 1 tsp. rosemary flakes

1. Mix together water, 1/2 tbsp. olive oil, and sugar in your mixing bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top.
2. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until yeast is a foamy layer.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, and seasonings together.
4. With dough hook on mixer, slowly add flour mixture to yeast mixture and until a ball of dough forms.
5. Drizzle remaining 1/2 tbsp. olive oil on dough ball and place in a large bowl to rise.
6. Let dough rise for 1 hour. I leave mine in the oven (turned off) with plastic wrap on top.
7. Roll out pizza dough, place topping on it, and bake at 450 for 15-20 minutes.

Pizza Dough Ingredients

Foaming yeast mixture, flour mixture being added with bread hook

Pizza dough, pizza dough with olive oil, pizza dough that has risen

Kinley putting the cheese on... (which I later re-distributed!)

Rolled out pizza dough with peppers, pepperonis, mushroom and mozzarella cheese

 Yum yum yum.

Enjoy!

Brittney

Foods to Help Baby Gain Weight

I have a skinny baby. He eats all day, he's extremely active, but he is in the 3% for weight at 16 lbs. 14 oz. at 9 months old. Having a discussion with his Pediatrician, she is not concerned. Palmer is meeting all his milestones and then some - oh and he is a happy baby! But I'd feel better if we could get him to gain a little weight so we don't have to have crazy tests and blood work done when he turns 12 months old. Here is a list of some healthy foods you can give your baby to help "fatten them up" when they are less than 12 months old. I hope this list helps those mommies and daddies who are experiencing something similar!

Foods to Help Baby Gain Weight

1. Avocado - provides "good fas" for you child's brain and physical development, as well as is high in calories.

2. Cheese - whole milk based; loaded with fats and proteins. We either give Palmer shredded cheese or cheese that is torn into small pieces.

3. Whole Milk Yogurt - healthy fats plus probiotics. Try YoBaby Yogurt or Brown Cow Creamy Top organic yogurt.

4. Butter - provides fats that help with brain and cognitive development. Smother bread, bagels, or veggies with some butter.

5. Olive Oil - loaded with calories and fat. You can drizzle some on veggies or pasta for baby.

6. Beef - excellent source of protein and will help increase baby's weight. Ensure baby is at an age were they can eat meat.

7. Bagels - high in calories and carbohydrates. Top with some cream cheese or butter for baby.

Cheese, butter, olive oil, whole milk yogurt, and avocados

Enjoy!

Brittney

Chicken Caesar Salad

I meal plan each week and make a grocery list that consists of essentials and all the ingredients I don't already have to make the meals I have planned out. But some nights I am just tired of thinking about what to make for dinner. Good thing I have a simple "go-to" meal that is quick and healthy! My husband and I love salad and love chicken. Behold the Simple Chicken Caesar Salad.

Ingredients

- 2-3 chicken breasts
- olive oil
- lemon and pepper "Grinder" seasonings
- salad
- salad dressing

1. Line baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. Place chicken on pan and brush olive oil on each side of the chicken.
3. Sprinkle seasonings to your liking.
4. Bake chicken at 375 degrees for 25 min.
5. Place baked chicken on a bed of salad and top with your favorite dressing (or caesar dressing).

 Olive Oil and Lemon/Pepper Grinder 

 Chicken Caesar Salad

Enjoy!
Brittney

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years! What a crazy and busy year it has been for our family. We welcomed another son, we survived a deployment, and we ended the year together. Couldn't be more thankful for that. I have done lots of reflecting in the past few days and do have a few goals to share. I wanted to make sure they were attainable before I shared - so here it goes!

1. To be happy. Often I find myself too type A to just let loose and enjoy the chaos my family creates around me. I need to embrace it and just live in the moment.

2. To be appreciative. I have been blessed with more than I thought possible.

3. To maintain a healthy lifestyle. Continue to run and workout at my pace to stay fit and set an example for my boys. We will continue to eat healthy and enjoy the beautiful outdoors here in Colorado!

4. To challenge myself. I may have something up my sleeve, but will wait to share. Until then, I want to train for a 10-miler in June and maintain a 9 min./mile pace.

5. Read more. This year I don't even know how many books I read, but it was not enough to fill satisfied with myself. I will make more time for this.

Well 5 goals is a good starting block for me and realistic. I hope your 2014 brings you much happiness!

New Years FREE printable 

Ending the year right with a 5k family run!

Playing peek-a-boo at our New Year's Eve Dinner

 Cheers to a New Year!

Enjoy!
Brittney