30 Day Mom Challenge

I found this Mom Challenge on pinterest that someone pined and i wanted to share it with all the mom's out there.

I think all Mom's can relate to wanting to be better to work harder for your kids. Well here is a 30 day mom challenge i encourage all you mom's out there to try with me. This will start the 1st of September and go all month. At the end of the month i want to hear for all you that tried it and how it turned out in your family and how it made you a better Mother. I know we as mom do these things often but it can't hurt to focus on them a little more. I am really exited for this and i hope you all will get as exited as i am. GO MOM'S.

For each day of the month, find the corresponding number and follow the tip. so, if you begin this a little late like the 10th then start on number 10 and go from there.

30 day Mom Challenge

Mom's ultimate to-do list

1. Ask: "What is one thing we can do together this month?"

2. Go the whole day without yelling at your children

3. Hug your child three times today.

4. Kiss your children while they are sleeping

5. Tell yourself, "He's only____ years old. He's still a child." then, tear him that way

6. Bake, make, or buy them their favorite food.

7. leave a sweet note for them

8. Calculate how many more weekends are left until your child graduates for high school

9. Picture yourself at your child's age. Try to remember how you felt

10. Today's mom focus: JOY

11. Tell your child, "I am glad you're my son/daughter

12. Pray for wisdom in mothering your child

13. Do not criticize your child today

14. Remember that being a mother is a gift

15. Be firm when needed, but not harsh

16. Picture what you want your child to be like at age 25. Mother with the in mind today

17. Laugh with your child today

18. Who is a mom you admire? What quality of hers can you live out today?

19. Teach your child one thing he can do on his own today

20. Today's focus: PATIENCE

21. Forgive yourself when you mess up

22. How do you want your child to remember you? Be that mom today

23. Replace sarcasm with kindness

24. Do mot interrupt your child when he is taking

25. Ask your child's opinion sometime today

26. Make it a point to encourage your child today

27. Do one thing that is good for your health: walk 10 min, eat a fruit, or get a good night's sleep

28. Teach your child a new word

29. Turn off your phone,computer, or TV today when your child is with you

30. Today's focus: LOVE

I hope you all enjoy this and it gives you home a happier feeling, I can't wait to hear how it all worked for you.

If you want a cute print out to hang on the fridge or somewhere so you can remember

click here

Pleated Dress

I love looking at blogs.  It inspires me to make or do something that that blogger has created themselves.  My pinterest boards {and before that my bookmarked folder} are quickly filling up with ideas that I myself want to try.

My Sister is getting married in less than two months, and we decided that it would be a little more cost efficient to make Five little girls dresses {five nieces all together}.  So we headed to Joanns and flipped through the various pattern books to find cute, but easy {because I am only a novice sewer} dresses to make.

We settled on a See & Sew pattern from Butterick {the one pictured on the right}

We thought it would look cute with the colors that she had picked out-black & pink.  I headed home and started cutting out the pattern, and then following the instructions on what fabric to cut.  As I started getting into the making of the dress, the simplicity of the pattern gave way to confusion.  And that confusion plagued me for awhile.  My SIL {who is a fantastic seamstress} was even confused by the patterns instructions.  In the end, I decided that this was not the dress to be made and even if I had figured out what to do, the time I had spent would be too much to again four more times.

So I thought about what I could do.  I began picturing a cute little skirt with tulle with a zebra ribbon accent somewhere.  I went to work.  I decided to create a skirt and sew it onto a t-shirt I had found at the store.

This is what I came up with {excuse the crying fit-she was having a hard day}.

Cute...yes.  But when I thought about it, it was a little labor intensive with all the gathering that I did, so I hung this dress up, and went back to the drawing board.

Now back to the beginning with the blog statement.  I've only been following/reading creative blogs for the last year and a half.  One of the first things that I remember seeing that I wanted to try was Ashley's {from Make It and Love It} Re-Purposed Shirt into a Dress.  I went back through the tutorial and told myself, "Why not".  I went to the store to pick up the supplies that I needed and 3 hrs later, I came out with this beauty:

I am so happy with the end result.  Ashley's tutorial was so easy to follow {thanks to her pictures & instructions} that I don't mind making more dresses like these.

So if you're looking to make a new dress  for your little girl {or even yourself}, you should totally give this one a try.

LINKING TO_
http://ourcountryroad.blogspot.com/

Class of T-Shirt

I've seen this shirt float around different blogs lately and thought that I would make one as well. I had a white t-shirt, thread, & some puff paint, so I went to work.

First, I laid out a piece of paper onto my t-shirt, and with a fabric marker, I outlined my square.

I also used the paper as my guide to draw the red line. I chose a blue marker for the outer paper because I would be sewing blue thread onto the shirt; this would also be the reason why the red line is red.

I sewed the red line down first, and then sewed blue all the way around. Then, starting from the bottom, I went back & forth sewing lines.

We got a little crooked towards the end, but I liked it.

I then printed out my saying, and cut it out. This was my template/stencil. I used a fabric marker again, to stencil out my words.

And then for the fun of it, I add some puff paint.

And here's the finished product {after drying a couple of hours}. Jaxson got way excited because I had made him a shirt :)

Later that night I realized that I counted wrong, and this little dude will actually graduate in 2025. But who would really know that now ;)

Fauxreo cakesters

I have been wanting to try this recipe for awhile, but have been a bit iffy about it.  I wasn't worried about them not tasting good, but I thought they would turn out more like whoopie pies than oreos.  Now, they don't taste like the real deal, but I like them. I think if I got my hands on some dark cocoa, they would be pretty close.  I am quite pleased with how they turned out.  In the words of my 2 1/2 year old "Mom!  They're 'licious!"

1 1/4 c. flour
2/3 c. cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. +  2 tbsp butter, room temperature
1 egg

Preheat oven to 375.  Combine flour, cocoa, soda, powder, salt and sugar.

Mix in butter and egg until well-combined. Make sure the butter is slightly softened or it won't mix in that well.  If you look in the picture below, you can see some butter chunks because I was impatient.  Then I had to let the dough sit for awhile while I waited for it to soften so it would mix right.

(not quite mixed enough)

Roll dough into small balls, place on greased cookie sheet.  Press the balls into circles, either using your hand or the bottom of a cup.  If you want fun shapes, press flat and then use a cookie cutter to cut out the shape.

cook for 9 minutes.  Let cool for a few minutes on the cookie sheet, then remove to a cooling rack.

When cookies are completely cool, pair up the cookies, place frosting on the bottom of one and place another cookie on top.  Easy peesy!

Frosting
1/2 c. shortening
1/4 c. butter
2-3 cups powder sugar (add until you get the consistency you want, you want it to be thick, but spreadable)

Filling flavorings:
3 tsp. vanilla extract
3 tsp peppermint extract

Combine shortening, butter, and sugar.  Mix until very well combined and you reach the consistency you want. If you want the cream filling, add 3 tsp vanilla.  If you want mint stuffed, add 3 tsp. peppermint, or divide the dough in half and do both.  To make them festive, add food coloring to the filling.

I think this would be a fun thing to do with the kiddos too.  They could spread the frosting and then make the cookie sandwich.  I also love how much you could change this up with different flavors of frostings.  I know someone (*cough*Teresa*cough*) who has a bazillion extracts and I think it would be fun to play around with teh different flavors for the frosting: coconut, raspberry, almond, strawberry, marshmallow, just to name a few.   You can add different colors to match the holiday or if you are doing them for a party, you can do it in teh colors of the party.  I am also going to try a pumpkin filling come fall.  I love pumpkin flavored things. =)

Print Recipe

Newspaper Nails

This is so much fun,easy and inexpensive

NEWSPAPER NAILS!

Choose a base color, something that the black will show up on. White is a good color but i thought i would try pink this time. Paint your nails with two coats and make sure they are dry completly before moving to the next step.

Use a small container and fill it with rubbing alcohol. fill it enough that all your nail will be covered. Dip your nail in the alcohol and let it sit for 10 sec, remove and press a piece of newspaper on it, then remove.(this is a up and down motion) Do this to all your nails.

Finally use a clear nail polish to seal it, If you do not do this the newspaper will not stay on your nail.

*** I got thinking that is might be cool to do comics instead of the writing. I have not tried it, it might be something fun to try

GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN WITH IT!!

http://www.skiptomylou.org/2011/09/05/made-by-you-monday-65/

Bubble Party

This was such a fun party and the kids loved it!

Plan your last party of the summer with these fun bubble ideas

We filled a swimming pool with hose water and then i put about 2 cups Dawn soap in the pool as it was filling up. It works best if you let it sit overnight but if you don't have that much time right before will work as well.

We took some yarn and threaded it through to straws and tied a knot to make a fun bubble blower. Hold the straws together and dip it in the pool, pull it out still holding them together, then pull them apart AND BLOW

These are the best bubble ever for outside. They are sticky bubbles. They are stick, so they stick to everything. You can find these at the Dollar store, or Michael"s

This was the kids favorite thing. Take a hula hoop and put it in the pool, have the kids stand in the middle and pull it up over their head. It is not everyday you get to say you stood inside of a bubble!

If you don't want the kids to get all wet and bubbly then you can have them stand on a stool.

We also used different things to make bubble: funnel, fly swatter, cookie cutters, pop bottles with the bottom cut off....you could use so many things.

Have your summer go out with a BANG with a bubble party. Your kids will love it!

Pretzel Bites

There are a few different kinds you can do

cinnamon and sugar, salt, Parmesan, or a glaze

What you will need:

Boiling water

melted butter

kosher or sea salt

cinnamon and sugar

Parmesan cheese

Take Texas size Rhodes rolls that have been thawed. Roll it out in a like a rope and cut it into 4 sections.

Once your bites are all cut, place on a large greased baking sheet. let them rise until they have doubled in size.

Bring some water to a boil in a large pot. Prepare a baking sheet with a clean towel. Heat oven 375. Pop about 10 bites into the boiling water. toss gently so that all sides are socked with the water. Boil 45 seconds. They will puff up.

Remove from water and let drain on paper towels. Let them cool slightly. remove carefully and place on greased baking sheet. bake them for 15 mins till they are nice and golden.

Butter generously with brush, roll bites in Parmesan, cinnamon and sugar or sprinkle with salt.

Vanilla Glaze

1 cup power sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1 Tablespoon melted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

combine sugar, milk. butter and vanilla and mix well

drizzle over pretzel bites

Oh George, You had it Right

Driving home from Denver a couple weeks ago, it was I that was driving across the Colorado landscrape; therefore, me listening to whatever I wanted. I decided to throw on some George Strait. Not one of James' favorite genres of music, but that kind of country reminds me of roadtrips I've taken with my family growing up. Anyway, with this one particular song came up, I sat in my chair and thought, "That is so true.....Mom's & Dad's".

A couple of days later, I decided to make something up that I could print off and have around the house somewhere:

{8x10}

The printable was made to be an 8x10, so if you decide to save the picture & send it off to print, that's what you'll want to do :)

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts

Okay I like doughnuts, really I like food!! But the homemade doughnuts I have previously had were dense and just not "store bought."  These heavenly treats/breakfast are totally "store bought!!!" They are super super close to the real Krispy Kremes if you eat them the day of.  I found this recipe on Divine Recipes.

Doughnuts--
2 pkgs of the yeast
1/4 C. warm water
1 1/2 C. lukewarm milk (scalded, then cooled)
1/2 C. sugar
1 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/3 C. shortening
5 C. flour
vegetable oil for frying


Dissolve yeast in warm water in a bowl. Add milk,salt,eggs, shortening and 2 cups flour. Beat on low for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in remaining flour until smooth. Cover and let rise until double, 50-60 minutes. (Dough is ready when indentation remains when touched.) Turn dough onto floured surface; roll around lightly to coat with flour.

Gently roll dough 1/2-inch thick with floured rolling pin. Cut with floured doughnut cutter or a cup and a small melon baller. (I totally forgot to let it rise the 2nd time)  Cover and let rise until double, 30-40 minutes.

Place dough in boiling vegetable oil. Turn doughnuts as they rise to the surface.
Fry until golden brown, about 1 minute on each side.
Remove carefully from oil; drain.

Creamy Glaze-

1/3 C. butter

2 C. powdered sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 C. hot water

Heat butter until melted. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla until smooth. Stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.

I didn't use the chocolate but thought I would add it for you chocoholics!!! ( I will try it next time.  I was just being lazy on Saturday morning and didn't want to make 2 frostings.)

Chocolate Frosting-

1/3 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1-1/2 tsp. vanilla
4–6 tbl. hot water
4 ounces milk chocolate chips or semisweet chocolate chips

 Heat butter and chocolate over low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat. Stir in powdered sugar 

and vanilla until smooth. Stir in water 1 tablespoon at a time, until desired consistency.

To frost the doughnuts you hold it and dip the top into the glaze. I used a pastry brush to smooth it and stop the dripping.  Also. when I didn't want to hold them and drop them in, I would brush it on.

Remember, eat the day you make them for the yummiest results! This made me about 3 dozen doughnuts and holes, so if you are a small family you might want to halve the batch. They were super fun and easy to make so enjoy!

Carmel Layer Chocolate Squares

These are SO GOOD and perfect for when you are having a ooey gooey chocolate craving!


Carmel Layer Chocolate Squares:

1 bag caramels
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 box German Chocolate cake mix
3/4 cup melted butter
1/3 cup evaporated milk
1 cup chopped nuts
coconut (optional)

*Melt caramels and 1/3 cup evaporated milk over low heat, stirring constantly. Set aside. Grease and flour a 9x13 pan. In a large mixing bowl, mix by hand cake mix, melted butter, 1/3 evaporated milk, nuts and coconut. Press half of dough in pan. Bake at 350 for 6 minutes. Spread caramel mixture over baked layer, Crumble remaining mixture over baked layer. Crumble remaining dough mixture over carmel. Bake 15-18 minutes. Cool slightly. Put in fridge 30 minutes to set carmel. Cut into squares.

Strawberry Sorbet

It's summer.  It's hot.  What do you eat to cool off?  Ice cream of course!  Well, I have a little boy who loves ice cream, but unfortunately can't have it.  I always feel bad when we have ice cream and either he gets an otter pop, or if we give him some, then he pays the price the next day.  I had some strawberries that needed to be used and my family loves strawberry ice cream.  So I figured this time I would make a treat that my little guy could have too.  We all loved it!  I can't wait to make it again and experiment with different fruits.

 1/3 c. water
1/2 c. sugar
2 1/2 c. pureed strawberries
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp strawberry extract (optional)

In a sauce pan, combine the sugar and water.  Cook over low heat until all the sugar is dissolved, about 3-5 minutes.  Bring it to a boil and let it boil for about 1 minute.  Make sure to keep stirring so the sugar doesn't burn.

Remove from heat and pour it in a bowl and let it chill in the refrigerator, around 30 minutes.

While that is chilling, combine the strawberries and the lemon juice and place in the fridge as well.  When both mixtures are cold, combine and place in an ice cream maker.

 Run the ice cream maker according to the manufacturer's directions.  Remove when done and enjoy.  If by some great miracle you have any left, place in a freezer-safe dish and freeze.

If you dont' have an ice cream machine, no worries.  You can still do it, but it just takes a bit more time.  Follow the directions above, except instead of putting in an ice cream maker, place in a freezer-safe dish, cover, and place it in the freezer until frozen.  This may take up to 4 hours so plan ahead.

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