Freebie Friday [Halloween Countdown Printables]

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Since Halloween is only two weeks away I think a countdown is in order, don't you?

My little ones are going to be the cutest Woody & Jessie twins ever! I think I'm even going to get my husband to dress up for their trick or treating this year.... its going to be hilarious!

DIY Tuesday [Burp Cloths]

Our group of friends have caught baby fever and I've been making all kinds of goodies for little babies all summer.

And these adorable burp cloths are a hit!

I learned with my twins that the only burp cloths that work are cloth diapers, everything else was too thin and left my shoulders covered in spit up [times two!!].

These are simple to make; just add fabric in your favorite patterns to the middle...

Here's how I did it:

Make it Monday [Spicy Chicken & Pesto Panini]

I wish I would take credit for this warm and delicious panini, but I sadly I can't. Its my husbands creation and its a great one. We've been making this for years and its always been a crowd pleaser. Can be made quickly for a group of house guests or even a special lunch while you watch your favorite team during Sunday Football.

I paired this with an IPA Beer and some potato chips.

We sure enjoy Sunday Football during nap time :)

DIY Tuesday [Knitted Flower & Bow Accessories]

[a day late, but still fun!]

Last week I shared with you the Scarf I made for my two year old, since then I've been making different colored bows and flowers to accessorize her scarf.

I mean doesn't every little girl need matching accessories?

Both are quick patterns to make.

MOM Review [Photo Studio Tent Kit from YesComUSA]

I've been blogging for about two years now and over the years I've learned photography can really make or break a post. I still have a lot to learn about taking pictures but I now have a tool to help!

I saw this photography tent at YesComUSA  and knew it would be just what I needed to get my blog photos to the next level. 

Once I opened it I knew it was perfect for me and my blog. It's just the right size for the crafts & food I make.

I've been working on a few posts (coming soon) and I can really tell the difference in the pictures.

Tell me what you think...

Make it Monday [Sausage & Pumpkin Barley Risotto]

I love fall.

Lets be honest, its really the pumpkin flavored EVERYTHING that I'm really in love with... 

I mean pumpkin spice in my coffee? Yes Please! 

Pumpkin Pancakes? Duh!

Pumpkin desserts? Of course!

Pumpkin for dinner? Why not?

I keep pumpkin on hand from October through January so I'm sure this will not be the last pumpkin recipe I share this season.

This dinner came to be because I had leftover pumpkin from some pancakes...[yummy] and a I had made version of this that I made earlier with Sweet Potatoes.

I think this one is even better than the last!

Freebie Friday [Autumn Printable]

Good Morning All.

I'm working on our Fall/Halloween Mantel and I created an Autumn printable to use as some framed decor.

Simple and festive.

Can't wait to show you our mantel, check out my mantels from last year:

Fall Mantel

Halloween Mantel

Click here to download the Autumn Air Printable

Enjoy your weekend!

DIY Tuesday [ Knitted Toddler Scarf ]

Its that time of year; pumpkin flavored everything is out and the weather is starting to get that amazing crisp chill to it.

Well, ok maybe not a chill... I do live in southern CA but it is starting to cool off. 

I'm in my winter time knitting mode and I'm having so much fun with it!

My little girl loves being a princess and playing dress up, so I've made her this cute scarf that we can accessorize to match her outfit. I just love having a little girl.

Here's how to make it.

Make it Monday [Balsamic Glazed Steak & Vegetable Wrap with Goat Cheese]

This wrap was inspired by my new love of goat cheese with anything glazed in balsamic. I had something similar at Corner Bakery a few months ago and I've been playing around with the combinations since then.

When I served this for dinner my husband said it was a restaurant quality meal. A huge compliment!

How to make it:

Make it Monday [Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese]

I got this recipe from good old Martha Stewart... I changed up a few ingredients and finished it in the slow cooker but its basically her recipe.

Her version is here.

Its been WAY too hot around here to even think about turning on the oven so I have to be creative with our dinners. I know its September but apparently Orange County hasn't gotten the memo.

My husband and I enjoyed it... I'd love to tell you that my twins gobbled it up but that would be a lie. For some reason they aren't too fond of pasta dishes. I should be excited about that but sometimes easy dinners are necessary!

Anyone have any tips on getting toddlers to eat pasta? Are my kids the only crazy ones who don't eat it?

Freebie Friday [Potty Chart Printable]

It seems like ever since we hit the big 2 the twins have been maturing fast, too fast for this mommy.

This weekend we are converting them to their big kid beds and soon after we'll be tackling potty training [again].

I've created two Potty Charts for my kids and I'm sharing them with you.

Cake [Orange County 2013 Fair]

This year was my first year submitting a cake entry to the Orange County Fair. I had no idea what to expect, I've never decorated a "dummy" cake before... I've never had anyone "judge" my cakes before... So many things ran through my head, most of it was nerves but I set a goal to enter a cake so I did.

I got 3rd place! I cannot believe it! Especially after everything the cake and I went through....

Freebie Friday [Fantasy Football Draft Party]

Good Morning!

Tomorrow is National Fantasy Football Draft Day so today I've created some graphics to add to your Draft Party!

Stick these little guys on some tooth picks and add instant festive football fun.

Our Draft Party is tomorrow [last years party] so I'll snap some pictures of these guys in action and update this post Sunday.

Have a great weekend!




Download Printables
This post was linked here: Link Party Palooza

Five Ways to Help New Parents

Our dear friends [the baby shower] just welcomed their first baby earlier this week and it got me thinking about our first weeks as new parents. Those were some amazing days but also some utterly stressful ones. We had family and friends offering to help but I really didn't know what I needed or when to ask...

I've made a list of the top 5 things that helped us out in the beginning.

Freebie Friday [Creativity Printable]

Its Friday and that means its time for a freebie!!!

Today's freebie is a quote that I found moving and its going up in my craft room as soon as I get my peg board finished. More about that later....

Have a great weekend!

Make it Monday [Sweet Potato Barley Risotto with Italian Sausage]

Every Wednesday my girl friend Kate and I get together for a play date. Our kids are two weeks apart and they love to play together. These play dates are great for us moms too; we get to watch the kids play and socialize... win/win.

Since we spend most of the day chatting away, I always find myself at 5 O'clock with no dinner plans, scrambling to throw something together. Not an ideal end to any day. Then Kate told me about this crock pot Barley Risotto, [hers is vegetarian] so I gave it a try and my family liked it...my husbands only critique was that he wanted it to have meat.

I came up with this recipe and it was a huge hit. Play date days are now slow cooker days too, no more stressing about dinner!

Make it Monday [Watermelon Granita]

I'm back! I took an unplanned week off from the blog... I got wrapped up in making a cake for the Orange County Fair [I'll post about it later this week] and once that was done I jumped right into making party decor for the twins 2nd birthday! Can you believe they'll be 2 on Saturday? Crazy.

Anyway, back to our regularly scheduled posts..

Its summer and its HOT. Like our family I'm sure you'll be having or attending a few BBQs over the next couple months. A BBQ staple is watermelon, light and refreshing.. the perfect compliment to whatever is on the grill. Which leads me to this recipe....

We never eat an entire watermelon, always leaving us with about 1/2 left over. Then it dawned on me... Make a watermelon granita!

So easy to make and so darn tasty.

Here's how to make it:

Freebie Friday [Birthday Gift Tags]

Happy Friday!

Today's freebie is a sheet of Birthday Gift Tags! Some are blank and some are pre-filled in.

Our July is filled with many birthdays [mine included] so naturally I've got lots of birthday gifts to give and these Birthday Gift Tags are a great way to finish the look.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

Click here to download the Birthday Gift Tags


linked to these parties: Wow Me Wednesday, Sundae Scoop, Serenity Saturday, Weekend Wrap Up, Two Girls & A Party,  Monday Funday

Party [Little Blue Baby Shower]

Last Saturday my girlfriends and I hosted a baby shower for our other friend. We've been planning this shower for a few months and it came together beautifully. I really love how we combined our talents to make this gorgeous shower. And now all about the details:

DIY Tuesday [Knitted Baby Blanket]

As you've seen from my many posts about the Little Blue Baby Shower; my dear friend is having a baby boy in August. I'm so excited for them! My little ones received many loving gifts at their baby shower and to this day they still sleep with baby blankets their great Aunt made for them. I knew right away I wanted to make a baby blanket for the new little one.

The mom-to-be told me about their plans for a soccer themed nursery and I set out to find the perfect pattern. I came across this pattern from Red Heart for a Honeycomb Throw. It was perfect, I had to change the colors but the pattern itself was spot on. Doesn't it look like a soccer net blanket?

I followed the pattern but only used two colors.