Chocolate Pie

I heart pie, but this one is so easy and yummy that I think it's probably my favorite. Last week we had supper at my brother and his wife's house and I needed a quick and easy dessert. The store was out of almost everything because of the "blizzard" and this fit the bill nicely!

All you need is:
A graham cracker pie crust, or you could make one yourself
2 small (3.9 oz) boxes of chocolate pudding mix
2 and 3/4 cups of cold milk
Whip topping

1. Mix the milk and pudding mix with a wire whisk for 2 minutes... It seems like forever...

It's a little thicker than regular pudding!

2. Pour the pudding into the pre-made pie crust and smooth out.

3. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours prior to serving so it can set up fully!

4. You are done! Slice it up and eat it! How simple was that?

What I wore Wednesday...

This week has been cold and the kids have been a little crazy. It is that time of year. Spring is so close, yet so far!
But good news we have walls in the bathroom again!

Next up, texture and painting!

I was in so many meetings this week and I forgot to take pictures a few days, but here's what I had...

Last week we got trained for this awesome new writing curriculum that we are implementing 4th quarter and for 7th grade next year and I am SO excited about it!! I wore this to our little planning day, which included a lunch out, which we never do, which was awesome! I love the ladies I teach and I am so incredibly blessed to have them on my team!

Dress: Forever 21

Sweater: Forever 21

Tights: Very Jane

Boots: Kohls

I wore this sweater on a cold day and I was dying! My class is freezing in the morning and burning up by lunch, what is a lady to do??

Sweater: Amazon

Long sleeve tee: Kohls

Black jeggings: Target

Boots: Target

Snow day, Sunday. Church was cancelled and I had spent all Saturday in my pajamas, so I think leggings are closest thing to PJ's and for getting down on the floor to "watch" Kellen play.

Flowered long sleeve: Forever 21

Striped tank: Thrifted, H&M

Tights: Very Jane

Boots: Kohls

On the same day I wore this skirt , my student teacher wore little little skinny pants that were the exact same print! It's like we are mind readers these days! I was also being observed for my evaluation and I was trying to look the part of snazzy teacher.

Sweater: Old Navy

Skirt: Target

Tights: Target

Heels: Target

Necklace: Very Jane

And there you have it, the week in review. It was a long one, how much longer until spring break?!

DIY at home facials

Callie is a little obsessed with all things beauty these days. One day she was flipping through a book and came up with a brilliant idea to have a spa day. This "day" took about 20 minutes and included facials and painting our toes. Not exactly a DAY but it was pretty fun (and a little gross)

We found a few recipes in a book Callie had and took a trip to the kitchen to see what we had available. One of the masks required cucumber and that was what I was planning on eating for lunch this week at school, so I vetoed that. The next one was a strawberry mask. Kellen LOVES strawberries. He made it an entire meal last week. So I couldn't steal my little baby-man's favorite treat and put it on my face.

Next was an oatmeal mask--Jackpot!
You need:
1 cup of oats (any kind will do) we used quick oats
1 whole egg
3 tbsp of honey

Stir that up!

Healthy breakfast? Nope, skin tightening facial.

It smelled just terrible! I don't know what it was, the egg? The honey? The combination of the 2? I let Callie paint it on my face and I painted it on hers. Then we set the timer and let it dry a little while we relaxed and started watching a movie. 

When the timer went off, Callie said, "Oh, thank goodness" and sprinted to the bathroom. Beauty is torture! We rinsed it off with warm water and splashed our faces with cold water, as the book suggested. I have to say that my skin did feel really soft, smooth and tight. Hmmm.

So I guess we won't be doing any more masks with eggs and honey, but we can whip up something else with ingredients from the kitchen!

Snow Cream on a snow day!

Monday we had off, thank goodness, and it snowed a BUNCH. I was one of those glorious days when you don't even take your pajamas and really do nothing all day.

We have been wanting to make snow cream for a while, but we were never home to get that fresh snow. It's supposed be another blizzard this weekend (so far not a promising start) so get out there and make you some snow cream!

You need:

8 cups of FRESH snow

1 cup of milk

1/3 cup of sugar

1 tsp of vanilla 

OR instead of the milk and sugar you can use a can of sweet and condensed milk.

Mix up all the ingredient, except for the snow. Then go out and scoop up some snow...

BRRR!

Next pour the sugar mixture over the top of the snow. We added a titch more milk and sugar because it seemed a little dry. scoop immediately into bowls and top with sprinkles.

It was the perfect snow day treat. Maybe this weekend if this winter storm actually does some stormin' we will try it again with condensed milk and report back. Stay warm out there!

What I wore Wednesday...

Last week was crazy! We had conferences until 8:30 every night, I was sick, we had Valentines day parties and snacks and boxes to make.

Happy Vaventines day!

 Thank goodness for Brien! Plus, Callie was selling girl scout cookies like a boss. That girl has sold like 200 boxes in a week, who knew girl scout cookies were so popular?! Last year I couldn't give the things away, this year she is peddling them like a pro!

So because of the crazy I didn't get a chance to post much, but we are back in business!

This little Friday outfit came together well!

Cardigan: Target

Scarf: Target

Skinny Jeans: Target

Flats: Amazon

I actually do wear coats, almost every day, in fact, but I never ever post them for some reason, so here it is..

Jacket: Old Navy

Bag: Christmas present from my mom and dad

                                               

Keeping warm!

Tunic: Very Jane

Tights: Very Jane

Blanket scarf: Target

Boots: Kohl's

It looks like I am holding my breath but I am not, pictures were not great this day...Sometimes my camera woman wants a snack after school and she takes pictures too fast. 

Leopard cardi: Old Navy

Skirt: Loft, thrifted

Bronze heels: Target

My thrifty finds outfit!

Top: Kohl's, thrifted

Maroon pants: Loft, thrifted

Scarf: ? Thrifted

Another Thrifty finds outfit!

Sweater: H&M, Thrifted

Black skinny jeans: Target

Flats: Target

And there you have it! I am thankful that this weeks is in the books. It was wild!
 Valentines day was fun. We dropped off some glittery flowers for my grandma that Callie picked out and rushed up north for Aiden's Minecraft party! It was a blast complete with a bouncy castle. I mean let's be real, who doesn't love those?

I love Drew's little face peeking through as he tried to tame Christian, not happenin'

Thanks for the cool shades, Aunt P!

Brien's parents took the kiddos and we topped off the night with a date at the gun range and then back home for a Swamp People marathon. Nothing says romance like shootin' guns and watching Cajuns hunt gators!

Re-finished Jewelry Box

Since I got a new box for my jewels at Christmas, Callie decided that she needed to inherit my old one. It was a good thing too, because her treasures were becoming a tangled mess in her tiny jewelry box. The only problem was that everything in her room is bright and white and this jewelry chest was not!

Not really fitting of the white palace upstairs...

So she said mom, just paint it white, simple, right?  Nope.

This thing was a project for sure! 

First I took off all of the hardware. Then I sanded it down. But the finish on it was weird. and it made the sandpaper all gooey-like.  Once I finally got down to the wood we were back on track. I finally got on two coats of spray paint. I like to use the Valspar paint and primer mix from Lowe's.

Next the weather was against us. We had some super cold days and I couldn't paint it all. After 2 coats it still looked strange and splotchy and the red from the stain was showing back through. 

2 cans of spray paint and a few warm days later and it was done!

This little chest had more nooks and crannies and little carvings than anything else that I have ever painted! Whew, it was a process!

I finally finished it last weekend with the dresser project and now the princess can enjoy her very own WHITE jewelry box!

Finally...

This week has sure been productive. I love when that happens. Not a whole lotta time for relaxing, but got to hang out with our family and seriously, what would we do without them??!!

Kellen finally got a hair cut! He was so good. The lady who did it said, and I quote "This was the easiest first baby hair cut I have ever given." That's right, my kid, easy! He really was so good. He just sat in my lap and watched. I hope it's this easy next time too!

Before and after, Crazy to big boy...

Callie finally got a dresser! On Friday, I had an adventure. After spending most of Thursday scouring town for an affordable and cute white dresser, I finally ended up getting the original one that I saw months ago at Target. That's what I get for shopping around. I made my wise decision and then on Friday decided to go pick it up. I dropped Callie off at school and headed straight for the store, thinking, "Score I am going to have this done by lunch." Nope, not even a little bit.

The first snag occurred when I got to Target and I couldn't even get the dresser off of the shelf. It was SO heavy. It was in a weird, long skinny box. I pulled with all of my might and dropped it on the floor. Then I thought, now I will flip it up and into the cart. Duh, carts have wheels. Not happening. By this point and I am huffing and puffing and sweating and I decided to just give up.

I left the box right there on the floor of the furniture aisle of Target. When I got to my car, I made the brilliant decision to call my sister in law, who often works from home. Surely she would be up for an adventure. She was with a client and said she would be over to help as soon as she was done. Praise the Lord for sister in laws or this would have never happened!

A few hours later, Jenn came over (so much for being done before lunch, but maybe I would be done by like 1-ish, nope, not even a little bit) and we went to a different Target. I was a little embarrassed for just leaving a 200 pound box on the floor. At this store some nice guys even loaded it up for us. We were able to get it to my house and upstairs all by ourselves! Victory!

Jenn stayed for lunch and then offered, yes, offered to help my put it together. This girl knows how to see a project through! I was back on line for being done by one. Nope, not even a little bit. It took, two, capable, literate, college education ladies 2 and 1/2 hours to put together a child's dresser. We literally put in the drawers and tipped it into a standing position at 3:01, just in time to scramble to get Callie.

Many life lessons were learned and I was once again reminded of what an amazing family I happen to have!

So now, Callie and Kellen's closets are organized and life is good!

Yay for real dressers with ROOM!

Yay for a place to put all of Kellens socks and PJs!

We finally got our tub and vanity in the bathroom. I love them! But we are still trying to figure out some plumbing issues. Welcome to my house, where the plumbing always costs more and takes more time than. Anything. Else. The struggle is real, y'all...

Still a hot mess, but we are getting there!

Yesterday, I just sat in this empty tub and chatted on the phone with my April, just to get away from it all...

We finally have a new roof and sky lights! This has been an ongoing process since October, from storms in September. But it's finally finished! Hooray!

No more 1980's busted bubble skylights! They are covered in snow and I am not even worried about a cave in today!

Now that I have checked some items off my list, it's time to enjoy my snow day with my girl!

Cheesy Potato and Sausage Bake

Last weekend it was COLD! Snowy slushy yuck, that called for some good old childhood comfort food!

Callie took this picture on the way home from church on Sunday because the trees were "ever-so beautiful", her words!

When I was a kid it was hot dogs and potatoes. I have modified the recipe slightly (and probably added tons of calories) and it was a big hit!

It comes together pretty easily and is super yummy!

You need:

6 cups of peeled potatoes, I used russet

1 lb of smoked sausage, sliced and cooked

4 Tbsp butter

4 Tbsp flour

2 cups of milk

dash of salt and pepper

8 oz velveeta

 1 and 1/2 cup of sharp cheddar cheese shredded

Pre-heat the oven to 350.

Peel, cube and boil the potatoes for about 20 minutes. I used to HATE peeling potatoes, but on Christmas eve my mother in law introduced to me the "y" peeler. Where has this been all my life?!?

I immediately went home and bought like 5! It seriously takes half the time and does a better job!

Back to the recipe...

While the potatoes are boiling, cut the sausage into regular old circle slices. Then, I cook mine in the microwave for about 4 minutes. I suppose if you wanted them more crispy you could heat them in a pan, on the stove top.

Next, make the white sauce: combine the butter, flour, salt, pepper, milk and velveeta. Let that cook on medium until everything is bubbly and melty. Then add in the 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese and stir to melt it.

Drain the potatoes and toss with the cooked sausage and put in a greased 9x13 pan. Pour the cheese sauce over the potatoes and top with the remaining shredded cheese.

Bake uncovered for 35 minutes and you will have one amazing meal!

Thirfty finds last month!

Well last month I decided to venture out to my favorite thrift store and stock up on sweaters. I know it's almost spring, but here is what happens...I always start buying spring-y stuff about now and the weather doesn't get nice for about 2 more months. So I am stuck having spent my clothing budget on spring stuff that I can't quite wear and a closet full of winter stuff that I am done looking at. I am pretty proud of my preemptive strike!

H&M sweater. It so cute and cozy!! $4.99

Loft sweater $4.99

Loft scarf $3.99

Lauren Conrad top $5.99

Maroon pants! I have been searching high and low for maroon pants. I found some at Old Navy but I have been waiting for them to go on sale and ta-da, these appeared!

$5.99

HOT pink tee: Not sure where this brand comes from Activ wear?? $2.99

Overall a nice haul this month! I am thankful for days off with no kids, when I can actually take my time and shop!

What I wore Wednesday

This week, even for a short week has been pretty draining...It seems that there is so much coming up to take care of and no rest in sight! I am looking forward to a long weekend to be prepared for conferences,  girl scout cookie selling, observations, testing etc. It's never ending!

Top: Gap (old)

Skirt: Target

Vest: Gift from Callie's Meme

Shoes: Kohl's

Necklace:??

Top: Forever 21

Scarf: Target

Denim leggings: Target

Booties(still hatin' that word!): Target

I got so many compliments on this outfit, I had no idea blue was my color!

Sweater: Target, clearance!

Lace top extender: Very Jane

Leggings: Very Jane

Booties: Kohls

Necklace: Very Jane

Sweater: Old Navy

Stripy tank: ?, Thrifted

Grey jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Target

Scarf: Gift from Callie's Meme

Sweater: Old Navy

Chambray: Forever 21

Jeans: Target

Boots: Kohls

Necklace: Very Jane