What's for dinner?

If your family is anything like mine then you are constantly hearing "What's for Dinner?" If you are anything like me you write up a grocery list and then forget what you were planning to make. I had recently switched over to typing up a list and sticking it on the fridge. I would then cross of the meals as I went. The only issue with this is my husband somehow got it in his head that the meals would be made in order of how they were listed. Also let's be honest...the white paper taped to my fridge wasn't exactly pretty. A few weeks ago as I was doing my morning routine of looking through blogs I ran across an idea that I knew would work for me!

This little craft was fairly cheap. I bought a small book for scrapbook paper, 2 packs of magnet sheets, and some double sided tape. The "laminated" look on the magnets comes from packing tape! I was a little worried it would look cheesy and cheap but it actually looks really good! I had started this project about two weeks ago, but when it was time for me to do actual measuring for the dinner tiles I put it away. I finally pulled it out Sunday night and went to work. It was actual extremely easy! I measured out 1 tile and then used it as a stencil for the other 30 tiles. I ended up using 5 different sheets of scrapbook paper, but only because I wanted more of a variety. You could easily use 1 or 2 different sheets instead. I finished up the craft yesterday morning while watching TV, and here is the finished product!







Notice how the weekend says we are eating out! Well it's not because I'm a lazy cook, but because we will be on the road! The kids start Spring Break on Monday and so we are off to...




TEXAS!! We are excited since we haven't been home in 2 years! We aren't looking forward to the drive, but being home again will be nice! I seriously can't wait, but still have so much to do to be ready for this trip!

Spring Cleaning

It's time to do some spring cleaning. While it's still chilly outside my house is begging for a scrub down. Every corner of my house is crying for attention. My house and my brain are screaming for organization! I NEED some sort of schedule something that I can follow daily and get things done, because lets face it most days this is me...



I'm not proud of this transition, and while my house is cleaned daily it's not as clean or as organized as I would like. However perhaps with a schedule...a reminder of things that need to be done I would be more likely to do them. Now I will say I have tried a routine with laundry and well it didn't work out so well, but in my defense laundry needs to be a daily chore, and can't necessarily be broken up into laundry days.



It is possible that if I could figure out a routine with washing ok not really washing more like FOLDING the laundry a lot of my issues would be cleared up. However truth be told who actually likes folding and putting away laundry? Luckily a good friend sent me a link to a Daily Schedule that she follows, and what do you know doing a load of laundry every morning is on the list!

I took a quick glace a the list from Happy Housewives, and realized not only was the list easy but it was doable for me! It's a quick easy list and hits all the important stuff! The Daily Schedule gives you a list of things to do daily as well as things to do during the week, on the weekends, monthly and seasonally! It's is such a great list to go by!

Here is the daily list to give you an idea:

Every Day

* Make the bed as soon as you wake up.
* Wash up—do your make-up, throw on some jeans and a tee.
* Wipe down the bathroom counter when you leave the bathroom in the morning. Wipe mirrors, my kids always spit toothpaste onto them, I keep Windex wipes under the sink.
* Do a load of laundry, every morning, fold it, and put it away as soon as it’s dry. If you leave the clothes in the dryer, they’ll wrinkle and you’ll have to iron.
* Get the kids off to school and immediately straighten up the kitchen
* Sit for a few minutes and meditate, pray, stretch.
* Do that day’s chores: Vacuum, bathrooms, dusting.
* When the kids come home from school, collect their hats, coats, and shoes and put them away. After first grade, start to ask them to do it themselves.
* Make dinner as the children do their homework. Clean up as you go. I never sit down to eat with a mess in the kitchen.
* Playtime.
* Get the children ready for bed.
* Relaxation time for mommy.

So, for the remainder of today I have vowed to get my laundry in order so that I can start this schedule next week and see how well it works for me! I'm so excited to try out this schedule and hopefully by the end of it I will have a clean and organized home!

Happy Cleaning!

Sunshine Award

Thank you to Mary at Peetie Pie for nominating me for the Sunshine Award! Mary and I met through a very special board, and have formed a common bond! I love looking at her blog because she motivates me, and well because Moose is just too dang cute and makes me smile! I love that I can "brighten" her day a little too! Here are a few bloggers who brighten my day!

1. Jacquie at Baby A is Brewing
2. Celeste at Celestes 101 in1001
3. Jess at Some call me Cake Lady
4. Amber at {aefilkins}


Rules of Acceptance:

1. Place the logo in a post or on your sidebar.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. Pass the award on to 4-6 bloggers who brighten your day.
4. Link the nominees with your post.
5. Let the nominees know they've received the award by commenting on their blog.

A little crafting

In my last post I talked about feeling crafty...wow was my last post really that long ago! I swear I get busy and start running around. I then start a few blog post a month that never get published. I think of things to blog about all the time, but when I come to type it out it never goes as planned. Life takes over and I get side tracked and before I know it it's been almost a month since my last post. I wish I could say I've been up to something brilliant, but in all honestly I've just been running around doing mommy and wifely duties, which I guess in itself is pretty brilliant.



Oops back to the subject at hand...crafts. So I've been feeling crafty. I've been to Michale's twice in the past week. I have purchased things for two wreaths, and for some magnets I plan to make. The magnets are taking me a little longer to get together because I can't find the magnet sheets to work on them. They will be used for some organization I plan on doing, but more on that in a later post.

In my last blog post I posted a picture of a cupcake liner wreath that I loved. The one shown was specifically for Valentine's day, but I ended up buying different liners, and it will now be my Easter wreath! I had so much fun making it, and found it to be super peaceful and calming. No fear baking is not taking a back burner to crafting, but it is nice having a calming hobby that won't expand my waist line as well!

It took me a few tries to figure out how to bunch up the cupcake liners but after a quick discussion with Jess I got it down!






It was beautiful and lovely and sat on my table for two days as is. It was lacking something but I wasn't sure what to add. I finally made it back to Michale's today and this is what I ended up with...







I am in love with the finish product. Of course I had to add butterflies to it. I almost walked out without the butterflies, but on my way to the register I saw all their spring bouquets on display and saw butterflies in them, and just knew they were SOMEWHERE in the store. I did one more walk through and found them! They add a special touch to the wreath don't you think! I will hang it up tomorrow, but I'm already sad that it will have to come down after Easter. I'm already trying to figure out how I will store it so I can use it again next year!

Feeling Crafty

I have been bitten by the crafting bug! It all started last week as I was looking for something cute to send with the kids to their teachers for Valentine's Day. I could have run for something cheap at the store but I knew I wanted to make them something cute. So off to google I ran...I searched high and low until I ran across some shuffles with candy attached. I then ran down to my local Michale's store and couldn't find the shovels that they used so I improvised, and created my own design.



These little beauties started my creative juices flowing, and now I'm on the lookout for something else to create. I ran across a few crafting blogs while I was looking for the prefect Valentine's gift to make, and since then I have ran across a few more.

Now if you know anything about me you know I LOVE cupcakes. I think I have an obsession with cupcakes to be honest. I love everything about them! But as much as I love cupcakes I also love the cupcake liners! A quick google search and you will see that there are tons of designs out there. So when I ran across this project today I knew I had to make it!


picture via Tatertots and Jello

I'm more then positive I'm going to do pastel colors for the spring time! Its such a cute and cheap project and I can't wait to get started on it!

Then I ran across something even cuter when I was searching for more cupcake liner wreaths. This one isn't actually cupcake liners but paper bag cut outs! I love the colors in it, and if I actually play around with it and do teal butterflies it would go perfect in our bed room...perhaps on our closet door!


picture via MaryJanes and Galoshes

The possibilities on these cute wreaths are endless! I can't wait to get started on this craft! I have ideas for all the seasons and holidays! I'll keep you posted and let you know how they turn out! I may be running to a craft store tomorrow so I can begin asap!

#57 Learn to make homemade icing

I did it! I finally completed a task on my list! Tonight I made Pumpkin Whoopie Pies for a friends husband and the icing came out perfect! I have tried making icing at least twice before and each time it comes out this horrible yellow color and looks more like a glaze then a thick icing. Well after asking around I realized it was because I've been using stick country crock and not BUTTER! So tonight I made that one single change and it was perfection!



I will most likely still grab a tub of store bought cream cheese icing every now and then, because I actually like the flavor more! I do look forward to working with the recipe...perhaps adding some cinnamon next time! However I'm proud to say I've accomplished my first task!

Are you ready for some football??

Truth be told I'm not! While I enjoy watching the commercials and half time show I'm just not a fan of the game itself. I do have to say that I'm a HUGE fan of the snacks that super bowl bring! I must admit I'm bummed we aren't having the game at our house this year, but Bryan then mentioned that I could still bring something to our friends house, and this got my brain churning.

But what do you take to someones house? Something low maintenance, something that can be served cold, and something that you can make at home or the night before of course! I learned the hard way you DO NOT want to make your husband wait when a game is coming on!

Now I know that the group would be expecting cupcakes from me. Cupcakes I can do, but when I think of football I want snacks...cupcakes can come after halftime! A couple of day ago I saw a picture of something I wanted to try! I knew from just the picture that it would be amazing. I patiently waited for this blogger to post the recipe and it finally went up.


Chicken Enchilada Roll-ups


Picture Via Annie's Eats

This recipe fits everything I'm looking for! It can be made the night prior to the party and it can be served cold! Not to mention they look pretty tasty!

of course I could always go the route of a dip! Everyone loves dip and it's so easy to scoop out on your plate and go. I have heard many wonderful things about

Buffalo Chicken Dip


Picture via Rachael Ray

I love that this is so much less messier then actually eating buffalo wings!

Now we come to dessert! Like I mentioned before I know everyone will be expecting cupcakes! I ran across a picture the other day and looked up the recipe. This "cake" makes me a little nervous because I'm not sure I could pull it off because we have to travel with it!

Football Cupcake Pull-aparts


Picture via Betty Crocker

Aren't they cute! My mind is turning wondering how I can transport them in one piece...did I mention I wish we didn't have to travel for this party!

Of course I could always go an easy route...and make something that will actually travel something like these cute...


Football Oreo Truffles


Pictures via Bakerella

These truffles come from the amazing Bakerella! Can I just say that I have tried a few things from her website and have loved EVERY.SINGLE.ONE! I also know this group loves Oreo balls because I have made them before for them!

Now you guys will just have to stay tuned to find out what I'm going to make for Game Day!