9.28.2012

Investigating!

*Note: Since writing this, my mom went to B.R.U and loves Heidi's line- so go figure! Guess that is why there is so much variety out there- something for everyone! Bottom line...it is worth checking out! :)
On Tuesdays and Thursdays Izzy goes to preschool and gets out at 2pm. That means we have exactly one hour before going to sit in line at Ellie's school for pick up. In my dream world, I would pick Izzy up from school and we would go home for naps. Last year I had 2 girls in school 2 days a week from 9am-2pm then they would come home and crash from 2pm-4pm. That is not the case anymore...and dont get me started on Milly's nap schedule on these days!
Back to the point, this week I decided to take that hour and go investigate Heidi Klum's new line at Babys "R" Us: Simply Scrumptious. I must admit I had high hopes, I loved the Cynthia Rowley collaboration..I miss that line! Bottom line: Slight Disappointment. (I wish people would make simple, darling, affordable clothes for children...simple!) Please take no offense if you love the line- for me..it needs work! I found one onesie I liked and I did purchase it for Milly: Here you go-


I do love it- the little sleeves are adorable! (I love that little tummy too!) They have the same pattern in a darling toddler dress and other cute items- it could be a lot more "Scrumptious" and hopefully it will be if it sticks around. Moving on, our Baby's "R" Us got a bit of a "makeover", they reorganized it and added a darling shoe section. I would imagine they are feeling heat from Buy Buy Baby being so popular (amazing what a clean/tidy store will do)- now I need them to clean up Toys "R" Us- I have never been to a clean well organized T.R.Us. Back to B.R.Us- they have great shoes, my only complaint is they only go up to size 11- I wish I could get Ellie shoes there- adorable. I found these for Milly- sorry Toms, I cant purchase any more of your kids shoes until you reinforce the toe- I spent a fortune on your adorable children's shoes last year and they did not even last me one school year before the toe's poked through! SO, these are pretty cute knock offs for $13

That is all I have for you on Investigating- bottom line: love the "reorg" dont love the Klum stuff! 
Have a great weekend- let me know if you like it...I cant speak for the boys merchandise- I am no expert on boys stuff! 




9.26.2012

Birthday Dinner!

I know I discussed my pumpkin party being the next post- however, we had the pumpkin party and I took 0 pictures of the actual pumpkin painting! It was chaos! I did take some food pics...of course..so that post will have to wait until after our little birthday/house warming party this weekend.
For today, I decided you all needed the recipes for my husband's birthday dinner (which is today). His mother was amazing at making whatever the boys wanted for their special day- I think food is his love language :) She passed away 3 years ago, so I always try to make the holiday meals special and I try to cook her recipes for his birthday- I know he appreciates it. We are having a party for him on Sunday and I am making Mexican food (he is an Arizona boy...that is his absolute favorite) so for tonight- BBQ Beef, Broccoli slaw and...Buster Bar Dessert! I am just going to say one thing about my man on his birthday...Dave is literally the most authentically kind person on the planet, I am so blessed God chose him to be my husband and the father of my girls. He is amazing and well worth the hours of cooking today! ok...now on with the good stuff!

I started at 9:30am throwing the BBQ beef together- I did a previous post on the BBQ Beef: HERE. Two things, 1) this is AMAZING, I literally wanted to lick the "slow cooker" 2) the broccoli slaw is a MUST!

Slow-Cooker Open-Face Pulled-Pork Sandwiches With Tangy Broccoli Slaw

Serves 4Hands-On Time: 15m Total Time: 8hr 15m

Ingredients

  • medium red onion, sliced
  • 8 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 12-ounce package broccoli slaw (4 cups)
  • medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 1/2 pounds pork shoulder, trimmed and cut into 2 pieces
  • (JM NOTE: I used Lean Beef- just ask the butcher if you want to switch)
  • thick slices sandwich bread, toasted (JM NOTE: We used Whole Wheat Buns)

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together the red onion, 4 tablespoons of the vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 3 days.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of the remaining vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper. Fold in the broccoli slaw and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
  3. In a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker, mix together the yellow onion, tomato paste, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, Cajun seasoning, the remaining 2 tablespoons of vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the pork and turn to coat.
  4. Cover and cook until the pork is very tender, on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours (this will shorten total recipe time). Using 2 forks, shred the pork and mix it into the cooking liquid. Serve the pork and onions on the toast with the broccoli slaw.


Here is the buster bar dessert recipe- if you like a Buster Bar or Peanut Buster Parfait at DQ you will LOVE this!

Buster Bar Dessert:
Topping: Mix and Boil on stove top for 8 minutes (constantly stir on the stove for the 8 minutes)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups evaporated milk (1- 12oz can)
- 1/2 cup margarine or butter (I use 1 stick of margarine)
- 2/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1 tsp vanilla
Allow mixture to cool *do NOT refridgerate

Crust:
- 1lb bag of Oreo's with filling- crushed (I tried double stuffed today- its all the same taste)
- 1/2 cup or 1 stick of melted margarine
*mix and press on bottom of 9x13 inch pan
CHILL

DIRECTIONS: 
- On chilled crust, put 1 layer of spanish peanuts (Dave does not like this step- so it is optional, good either way!)
- Add 1/2 gallon of your favorite ice cream (when you start cooking set the ice cream out of the freezer to soften- then slice and spread with a wooden spoon. *Dave likes vanilla bean ice cream and peppermint at Christmas time
- Finally, pour cooled chocolate mixture over the top and freeze until you serve.

Here are some pics of the process!
{Oreo layer}

{Be prepared for this...little fingers are all over this!}

{On the stove....make sure to keep stirring!}

{After the ice cream spread!}

{Make sure the chocolate is cooled- do not pour blazing hot chocolate on the ice cream!}

{TaDa!} 

{We had one happy daddy tonight! Happy Birthday Dave!}




























9.24.2012

It's Delightful: Notes From The Weekend!

I do not have a recipe for today (sorry Recipe Monday lovers!)- just some fun things from the weekend and classic fall "yummies"!

{I love the Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks- Nonfat, Iced, 1 Pump- if you have not tried it iced, it is amazing! Usually I limit myself to "tall" but I had a free drink card (from the Starbucks Gold card) and when I have the free drink, I really try to get the most expensive drink, ha!}



{This is the most amazing find from Trader Joes- the Olive Bread and Artichoke spread- I cut the bread, drizzle with EVOO and put in the oven for 5 minutes- then pull it out and spread away- seriously...amazing!}



{I used the first ever "hair tool" on Ellie's hair this weekend- she has wavy hair and I do not have to blow dry or anything..but now she loves the flat iron- sad that I started that little idea!}


{We went to the pumpkin patch- this is literally my dream pumpkin that I found, I dont ever want it to spoil- I love it! We are pumpkin painting tomorrow, pics to come}


{Ellie went to a birthday party this weekend- how amazing is this face painting job!?}


{I LOVE Williams Sonoma Pumpkin Bread- it is in the store...along with some new Pumpkin brittle..YUMM!}


{Finally, we are so excited- my sweet friend Kelsey (who was a Jr. bridesmaid in my wedding...this picture makes me feel O.L.D}

{Anyway...she is getting married and asked the older girls to be flower girls!! They are SO excited! You never know what an impact you are making on little kids when you allow them to be part of a wedding- my girls will literally remember this time FOREVER. I am so blessed they get to be a part of it too! (notice that Izzy is already wearing her bride dress!)}

That does it- Have a great week- we have 2 parties at our home this week...so I have a feeling this will be a picture week on here! 




9.21.2012

House Stuff: Basement

Tomorrow is the last day for House Week- although, I am sure I will have many more updates. Just to clarify- we did not do all of this work ourselves- we hired wonderful people and have amazing family who helped us. I did not have a baby on the hip with a paint brush in hand..no thank you! I do have a delightful DIY for fall that I am going to work on this weekend...cant wait to share...if it turns out! If not, I will link to other crafty people's DIY projects! Happy Friday!!! (if you missed days 1-4 KITCHEN, DINING ROOM, LIVING ROOM and BEDROOMS)

{Staircase to basement..before}

 {Staircase After: Walls are Willow Creek, Wood is White Dove (Benjamin Moore)}

{The basement living area before}

 {The Basement living area after: just paint, carpet, removing popcorn and furniture- I love the natural light!}

{The playroom Before}

{This is the stage before- my girls saw this when we were looking for homes and once they came to this- suddenly no house was good enough because there was no "stage"- it is just really a box build over the sump pump- but the people before us had it "staged" as a stage- that was all they needed. So, we knew we needed to expand it- 3 girls can not fit on that stage}

{The brains behind the operation..notice the very necessary beer on the stage}

{This is Vernon and Caryn, as previously mentioned, we could not have done this without them. Dave learned so much from Vernon and Caryn is amazing...coming over after work to help paint, etc.. we owe them big time!}

{TaDa...The stage! The girls had to work to earn their "personal PA system" and it is a hit. Drapes are from Anthropologie..of course I didn't make them (I have been asked that by several people who need to get to know me better!) Paint color is Distant Gray by Benjamin Moore}

{They love closing the curtains and getting dressed up behind them}

{The highly important dress up area behind the curtains}

 {Another shot of the playroom}

{This is a print I had my friend Maggie make- the girls really wanted a rainbow themed room- my fabulous rug is on its way- check out Maggie's stuff on her Etsy Site}

{Here is the art section, although they prefer the art table in the main room...Ellie was in action this morning}

{The doll and art section of the playroom}

{Ellie wanted you to see our flag as you come down the stairs...so there you go! Paint color is Nimbus by Benjamin Moore}

{There is a full bath downstairs, and an office/guest room that you will not be seeing yet because it is a disaster!!! Anyway, here is the bathroom before}

{The Bathroom After: Paint is Van Courtland Blue by Benjamin Moore}

Tomorrow I will wrap this little series up with some misc. pics- thanks again for all of the kind comments! SO GLAD IT IS FRIDAY!!! 

Here is one more side-by-side of the stage- I think it improved a bit! :)












9.20.2012

House Stuff: Bedrooms!

This will be a long one today- all of the bedrooms (well...Milly's is still a work in progress, you will have to wait and see that another time}! Again, if you missed days 1-3 check them out:
Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room .  Only 2 more days of house stuff- thank you for all of the kind comments! I also have to say...please do not think if you have brown wood or dated light fixtures or popcorn ceilings- that I am bagging on your homes at all. I feel so blessed to have a home and I know that none of these "cosmetic enhancements" make my house any more of a home- this is just a fun way to show you what we have done and little tricks we have learned along the way! (and show you what a good job my mom did- she gets the credit really!) Happy Thursday!

{The Master Before}
{The Master After: wall color is Light Pewter by Benjamin Moore}

{This is before paint and light fixture but after we scraped the popcorn ceilings}

{I just love our fan, isn't it pretty!?}

{This is our major renovation of the house- the master bath before}

{Master Shower- we ditched the tub entirely- I am not a bath person and you have to clean it whether you take a bath or not- so we just did a large 7ft shower!}

{The inside of the shower}

{I didn't get a good shot of the sinks, here is one}

{This is our cousin Vernon- he and Caryn are amazing and we could not have done this without them- you can see the old sink/mirror set up behind him}


{The new sink set up- love my new mirrors and lights!}

{A close up of the sinks and our granite is Bianco Romano}

{A closer look at my mirrors and lights!}

{Moving on- Ellie and Izzy's Bathroom before}

{Their bathroom after: wallpaper, shower door and travertine floors)

{The bathroom after}

{A closer look at the wallpaper- it is really darling!}


{Izzy's Room Before}

{Izzy's Room After- this room fits Izzy to a T- wild and fancy and fun! In case you are wondering- bedding is from Pottery Barn Teen and window covering is from Pottery Barn Kids}

{A closer look at the chandelier- she LOVES it!}


{Ellie's Room Before}

{Ellie's Room After- she got my bedroom furniture from when I was a child- I am so grateful my parents kept it all of these years- they hauled it around to a lot of homes for me!}

{Her room had no electrical in the ceiling and we were just beyond doing that- so Ellie got a chandelier wall sconce- and a feather lamp (not shown) and she loves it! Below the sconce is a print I had my friend Maggie make for each girl- their name, the meaning of their name and Psalm 139:13-17 you can find her stuff on Etsy LilyCole Design

{This is our hallway built in cabinet- we just painted it white, new hardware and painted the walls Nimbus by Benjamin Moore- it is a great color!}

{Here is my man on demo- just had to share- :)}

I will share Milly's room and bath when it is finished- it is a fun room! 

Here is a teaser for tomorrow...the basement! 














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