Happy Birthday Friend!

It was a dear friends birthday today! We were going to all go out to lunch but she was leaving early so we decided to do an impromptu breakfast for her! I have been waiting to try this recipe from the Brown Eyed BakerPancake Cupcakes with Maple Bacon Buttercream Frosting.... I mean WHAT!? :)


There is bacon in the batter as well as in the frosting. I mean really how can you go wrong?


Some people loved them and others were a little skeptical... Overall I would give them a pretty good review :) I was not a huge fan of the texture of the cupcakes, it was very much like a pancake, but for whatever the cupcake lacked the frosting made up for! OMG I will be making a maple buttercream frosting again... I can GUARANTEE that :) Let's end with picture of the day....
We are such dorks and I love it! Me and the birthday girl Kandi! She is showing off the present I got her... coral colored yarn and a crochet hook! She said she wanted me to teach her so I bought her the tools :)

Baby It's Cold Outside...

When it looks like this outside....

It inspires this inside....

Homemade Noodles!

Homemade chicken noodle soup... Noodles, broth and all!

I have so enjoyed the winter weather this year.... even more so then usual. I think that finding out that the bus is so close and runs right by my work takes the stress of "bad weather" driving off of me so I am able to sit back, relax and enjoy the peaceful white that winter has to offer :) Also being in my new home with my family inspires a new creativity and sense of "cozy". I hope everyone is finding the joy in the winter weather that I am!

(Disclaimer: Here in a few months this will no longer be my tune... Hey, at least I know this about myself!)

Girls Night

I had the girls over for a craft night this last Saturday! Lots of food and some crafts were in order :)

Sarah and Jess getting some food ready :)

Ladies at the crafting table.We made....

Tile Coasters!
Little Birdie Secrets gave us the idea to use the stamps....

One of my girlfriends' name is also Katy, but with a Y. Isn't her coaster darling!

Sarah did a black and white collection... "the bird series" look at the cute little hiding birds :)
You Really Made That inspired us with their coasters using scrapbook paper!

And this is a set I made for the co-worker of mine that provided me with all the tiles!

Happy crafting friends!

Shortbread Cookies

I love a good shortbread cookie... So when PJ requested homemade cookies I was glad to try a new recipe!

1 cup of butter

1/2 cup of sugar

1/4 cup corn starch

2 cups of flour

-Cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy

- Add flour and corn starch, mix well

This is where I ran into some problems. The dough was very powdery. So I decided to get my hands into it... this worked well! The butter started to mold into the flour.

Roll into 18 balls. Flatten with a shortbread cookie cutter.( I sugared the bottom of a glass and used that) It worked out perfectly!

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 9 - 12 minutes.

Ta Da! A plate full of buttery melt in your mouth shortbread cookies! I will be having a few of these with my coffee in the morning!

A simple go to cookbook I use often. From roasting questions to cookie recipes! A good staple for my kitchen. Plus it was a hand-me-down so it was free! Always a plus for this mama on a budget :)

Happy Friday Friends!

Sledding & Chili!

Nana and Bubs getting ready to head out to the hill!

Aunt Bef, Gramps and Bubby heading up the hill!

Gramps,Bubs and Argos heading down the hill!

Dad and the Bubs speeding down the hill!

And the best picture of the evening goes to.... Aunt Bef and Bubs!!!! Look at how much fun they are having!! (Oh and check out how much fun Nala is having)

And now this is where I am planted right in front of our first fire :) What a wonderful evening at home :) We are so blessed!

P.S. This monster hill I speak of is a small sledding slope in the backyard :)

Happy Sledding friends!

SnowDay

So everyone in the fam had a snow day except for me :( However there is light at the end of the tunnel.... they are all coming over for chili and sledding tonight!!!!! I am finishing up my work and then headed home to play in the snow! Hopefully i can snap some pics :) But in the mean time here is one to tide you over ;)

Me and Jillian went head to head....

Oh yes, The 30 Day Shred is back in my life! And yes, once again it kick my A$$! I never knew 20 minutes could kick my butt..... oh but it does.

I was telling PJ the other day how I have felt like a "fat slug" to use exact words. I feel like I have been lazy since the Holidays and needed a little pick me up... a jump start if you will :) And Jillian is just the trick! I felt great after my quick workout yesterday! And I plan to jump along to the video at least 3 times a week if not more. I will keep you update on my progress!

And I have to say... I am so glad it is not Monday! Yesterday sucked! Let's get going on a good Tuesday!

Cheers!

Sunday Morning

Both of my boys are fed, watered and down for a nap! So this is what my Sunday morning looks like! YAY for Mommy time :)

Lots of this for the next hour.... Perfect!

Loads of dishes piled up so I am going to ignore them for an hour or 2 :)

Chicken stock made and ready to go into the freezer. Its my first attempt at homemade stock so I will keep you updated on how it is in a recipe!

Happy Sunday friends! :)

Saturday Night

Luckiest Mama ever, right here..... ME!

Saturday Morning

HAPPY SATURDAY!!!

Thank you Mister & Miss Bus Driver!

I just wanted to send a quick shout out to the Metro bus drivers here in Kansas City. Driving in the snow gives me anxiety to say the least. I become obsessive.... planning the route with the least hills 2 days before the snow is even suppose to hit... Since moving a little further south, further away from my job downtown, I looked into the public transportation system here. I took the Metro for the first time today and it worked out great! The drivers were so friendly and willing to help and answer any questions. Which those of you who know me know that I ask a lot of questions :) So this is just my thank you to those who get us to our destinations safely each and every day!

Our Trip to the Mall!

This past weekend we had to run to Oak Park Mall to get my ring sized. So while we were there we made a stop by the small play area downstairs. Brody was in HEAVEN!

He stood there watching the other kids for a good 5 minutes before he took off to play. He is an observer for sure! But then he jumped right in! He cried when i hoisted him onto my hip when we were leaving. OH I almost forgot! A little girl came up to him and he gave her a hug! CUTEST THING EVER!!!!! PJ was just using my phone to get pictures and was off in lala land so did not get a shot of that :( Big surprise right people! lol

He wanted to walk everywhere in the mall.... somebody thinks he is a big boy! We need to start wearing shoes now I guess!

And last but not least we made it onto the carousel! Brody was not digging it though. lol too much moving and light and sounds.... oh well we will try in another year or so! All and all it was a great trip to the mall :)