What I wore Wednesday day

Here is look at the past weeks outfits (I included some Callie outfits as well)!

Dress: Banana republic (thrifted)

Tights: very jane

booties: target

Aztec sweater: target

Little miss without her hair brushed had to get in on the action.

Whole outfit, dress, tights and boots: Target

Lacy skirt: target

lime green tank: old navy

cardigan: target

bronze heels: target

Sweater: forever 21

 floral skirt: target

tights: very jane

medallion flats: amazon

necklace: very jane

This was for dress for success day, where you had to dress like your future profession. Callie wants to be a teacher like her dear old mom.

Plaid top and skirt: thrifted

sweater tights and shoes: target

glasses: old sunglasses that we popped the lenses out of

Dress: forever 21

stripped sweater: forever 21

tights: very jane

boots: target

belt: target

Sweater and tights and tee: target

skirt: thrifted

ugg boots: hand me downs

"Valentimes" day!

The season of love is upon us. I love Valentines day! Until about a year ago Callie called it "Valentimes" day, and I thought that was darn cute. I am convinced that Valentines day is a favorite holiday all around.

Valentines garland from the $ bins at Target

When I was a kid, it was certainly the best. I mean, I really like Halloween and Christmas, obviously, but there was something about a day all about love that made me happy. I remember making my Valentines cards for my classmates. I would lovingly choose special Valentines for my best friends and that special crush. I remember decorating a tissue box with hearts, glitter and doilies to collect cards in. I loved taking my cards home and opening and reading them, imagining my classmates choosing that special card just for me. I know in reality, now, that the cards I received were totally random, but I like my way better. 

Our super old Valentines day door hanger

When my best friend was little, like kindergarten, she had on those white tights with the red velvet hearts (you know the ones) for her class Valentines party. She was having so much fun at her party she peed right in her little heart tights so she wouldn't have to leave the party to go the bathroom. That's how great v-day is, it's not just me!

      

 I took the garland off the string and re-hung the hearts using mini clothes pins and 

then draped them over the living room mirror!

So a day all about love, not just sappy romance love, but all kinds of love for family, friends, everyone important in my life,is pretty special. I remember back in my single mom days a friend told me, "Just enjoy the day with your sweet little girl. She will be the love of your life forever." I really liked that and needed to hear that at the time.Even now as an old married lady, there is something fun and sweet about "Valentimes day".

Bronco snacks!

The Superbowl is just days away and I can't wait to whip up some yummy treats for everyone to share. A few of the recipes on the menu are: Pinwheels, jalapeno poppers, and sausage balls.


Let's start with pinwheels!

You will need:
burrito sized tortillas- an 8 pack
2 packages of 8 oz cream cheese (no low fat this time, folks)
1 packet of  dry ranch dressing mix
1 large tomato or can of petite diced tomatoes
1 bundle of green onions
*sliced deli meat (turkey or ham) optional

1. Dice the tomato and finely chop the onions (I use scissors)
2. Mix the cream cheese, ranch packet, tomato and onion in a large bowl. I use an electric mixer or my kitchen aid for this.
3. Next lay out the tortillas and cover surface of the tortilla with the cream cheese mixture.
4. Layer the meat on top of this and roll tightly and allow to set up in the refrigerator for about an hour.
5. The slice up each roll into 1/2-1 inch sections!




Next up Jalapeno poppers:

You will need:
About 20 fresh jalapenos
2 packages of 8 oz cream cheese (you can use 1/3 fat for this one)
1 packet of dry ranch mix
1 lb of any kind of bacon

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Cut peppers in half long ways and remove all the seeds (DO NOT touch your eyes, I repeat DO NOT touch your eyes)
3. Mix the cream cheese and ranch powder together in a bowl.
4. Spoon the cream cheese mixture in the seeded peppers.
5. Wrap bacon slices around the peppers and secure with a toothpick.
6. Arrange the peppers on a foil covered cookie sheet
7. Bake for 20-30 minutes until bacon is cooked through. If the bacon isn't quite finished turn on the broiler and let them get nice and crispy.
8. Remove and wait a few minutes to serve.




Sausage balls

You will need:
1lb of hot breakfast sausage uncooked
3 cups of Bisquick mix
4 cups of shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 to 1/2 cup of milk just to help things stick together

preheat oven 350

1. Combine sausage and cheese in a bowl.
2. Gradually add in Bisquick mix, I use my kitchen aid  for this step
3.Add in milk until mixture hold together
4. Roll the mixture into 1-2 inch balls and place on a lined cookie sheet
5. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown and sausage is cooked through
6. We like to eat ours fresh out of the oven!

Taco cups!

Another super easy, yummy, picky kid eater approved recipe! It seems like lately that we have putting all of our food into a cup cake tin, hmm weird.

You will need:

Flour tortillas I used the medium size (the recipe called for wonton wrapper, but I search the store HIGH AND LOW to no avail)
1 lb ground beef (I use 92/8)
1 packet taco seasoning (I have heard that you can make this yourself, I am going to try that at a later date and time)
Refried beans (I use non fat)
Salsa (any kind will do)
shredded mexican blend cheese.

Preheat oven to 350.
1. Brown the hamburger meat on medium heat.
2. Spray the cup cake tins with cooking spray.
3.Tear the tortillas in half and fit them into the cup cake cups.

4. Once the meat is cooked through, add in the taco seasoning and add a titch of water just to mix everything together.

5. Then add the meat to the cups.

6. Then add the beans, straight from the can.

7. Next up, salsa.

8. Last top with the shredded cheese.

9. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes.
10. Pop the taco cups out of the tin and add your favorite toppings. The girl and I smother ours in sour cream, the mister slathers his in green chile sauce.

What I wore last week

Here are some of the things I wore last week. Callie has gotten on the fashion bandwagon too, this past year with choosing her own clothes and she asked if she could share her fun clothes too, so I will have to add those next week!

polka dot sweater: forever 31
plaid button up: american eagle (gift from MIL)
denim leggings: forever 31
necklace: Target
boots: target

Sweater dress: target
grey tights: kohls
boots: target

lace sleeve sweater: forever 31
maroon pants: thrifted
medallion flats: amazon
leopard scarf: target

cable knit cardigan: old navy
purple vest: izod outlet
grey dress pants: thrifted
nude heels: target
necklace: ?

Easy Peasy mac and cheesy

At our house, we love mac and cheese. Not as a side dish. As and actual, real life, meal.Sometimes we have a veggie with it, if we are feeling a little healthy. But there really is nothing better than a cheesy, gooey, buttery plate of macaroni and cheese, all by it's self. It's pretty much the only thing Callie would eat for about a year, and the only meal that we currently don't have to beg her to eat.

I served this with corn (we had to get a veggie on there) mmmm, yellow food ;)

I started experimenting with some recipes over the years and this super easy recipe is a culmination of a several other recipes. Here goes!

You will need:
1 box of elbow macaroni (has to be elbow)
2 eggs
1 stick of salted butter
1 can of evaporated milk
Cheese! (I use a combination of several kinds, I usually like to mix 4 cups/ 2 bags of sharp cheddar and colby jack, or you could shred it yourself.)
Velveeta (I know, I know. It's not real cheese but it's good and we all like it, so yeah)
Salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 and put your macaroni on to boil.

While the pasta is boiling make the sauce!

Mix the eggs, melted stick of butter, salt, pepper, and evaporated milk and one bag of shredded cheese in a bowl. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and rinse, then combine with the sauce in a lined or oiled 9x13 pan.( I use Reynolds pan liner paper and it is life changing y'all!)

Next I cube up the Velveeta and press it into the pasta so I gets all melty and delicious while everything is baking.

Then sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

That's it! Super delicious, unhealthy, kid approved mac and cheese!

Kellen is 4 months!

Wow! Time has gone by too fast with my little peanut man. He was 4 months old on Thursday. I would have posted on his actual birthday but this week was WILD! We have had meetings, parent conferences, girl scouts, we have been running from 5:30 in the morning until 10 at night.This weekend is going to be magical 2 whole days of doing nothing.

So Mister Kellen... You are my chunk! Grandma and papa got you a shirt that says "beach hunk", I am looking for a "c" to iron. You love to eat. All. The. Time.
We started cereal for the first time on Monday. You cried at first and spit most of it out, but you slept like a champ that night, I am talking 7pm-7am! We will just have to keep at it.

You are wearing a 3-6, so pretty average, but your cheeks are so chubby!

Your sweet smile is my favorite thing in the UNIVERSE! I love that when you see me, your face lights up! Your hair is staying pretty dark and straight so far and your eyes still seem brown to me.

Loves:
*Talking and making noises! You have found your voice little boy. You talk to your toys, talk to the wall, talk to everything and everyone!

*your hands, bibs, paci and burp rags. You love to "chew" on things

*Your snail toy and changing table mirror, you already seem to keep yourself busy, yay!

Not a fan of:
* You still hate getting in your car seat. It's pretty much the worst 30 seconds of the day for all parties involved.

*Napping during the day. Kid, you sleep all night and then some, but there is no tricking you. If there is day light, you are awake and ready to play.

*Tummy time. You would rather suffocate than use your neck.

Firsts:

*Christmas. You didn't have a clue what was happening, but you loved being held and watching the bright lights!

*First bible school class in the church nursery. You laid on the floor and loved watching the bigger babies.

* Time eating solid food. The jury is still out on this one...