Texas Cavier

 It's just a bean-dream. All kinds of yum. Makes a girl smile. I love this stuff.

Texas Cavier

Ingredients

• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped finely
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 tomato, cut
• 2 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained
• Dressing Mix Ingredience
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup corn oil
• 1 bunch chopped fresh cilantro 

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix together onion, green bell pepper, green onions, jalapeño peppers, garlic, tomato, black-eyed peas and coriander. Mix all the dressing ingredient and pour into bowl with chopped ingredient. Cover and chill in the refrigerator approximately 2 hours or overnight. Toss with desired amount of fresh cilantro to serve.

The Wedding Is Over, Now What?

The wedding is now over.....

The dress has been packed away, the presents opened and put in their proper place around your new place, and you’ve both returned to somewhat of a normal routine.  After months of anticipation and the excitement of planning a wedding, it is all the sudden over.

Maybe you are sad and a little disappointed that all the excitement is over.

You take a deep breath as you realize, "This is for real and I am really married." This is what I have always dreamed of and I am finally Mrs... ...

The fun and relaxing honeymoon is over.

Bridal showers have been replaced with grocery shopping, cleaning house, and laundry.

The beautiful wedding gown and veil have been replaced by every day clothes and bad hair days.

Your handsome groom dressed in his tuxedo has been taken over by a man snoring in your bed and wearing boxers around the house on the weekends.

This is where I have to stop and laugh...You are at that point now where you are starting to get to know your hubby in a way you never knew.

Didn't know he liked to sprawl the bed when he sleeps, did you?  And that he burps and much more...Maybe your husband is modest but YES ladies, it will happen! 

Ok. Back to what I was saying...

But while our everyday lives won't be as beautiful and dramatic as our wedding day, we can still keep a bride’s heart throughout the course of our marriage. Work pressure, financial struggles, and every day routine may fill your schedule, but the choice of love does not have to fade with time.  Not only is it possible to be as in love as on your wedding day, it is possible to be more in love as each day passes. 

 Now What??

First off, enjoy the silence.  Enjoy having time with your husband, family and friends.  Enjoy looking through the pictures of the wedding and anticipating the videos to come.  Enjoy all of the memories of the wedding that your family and friends have been talking about. 
There are so many exciting elements to a wedding, but also some exciting elements when it is all over.  Why do you have to stop pampering yourself?  Why do you have to stop having some alone time?  You should continue to do all of this, even if you don’t have the “excuse” of a wedding to plan. 
My favorite part of this time, was getting to spend the time with my husband.  Getting to have actual conversations, that don’t have to do with linen colors or flowers.  We can talk about our life together and what we want as the next step.  This is very exciting.  So, enjoy “Life after a wedding”.

Second. Love takes work — work that is harder than any wedding planning ever was! 

One of the best habits you can develop early on in marriage is to rehearse to yourself all the things that you love about your spouse. You love him for all his quirky ideas regardless.So that when he starts to leave the toilet seat up, the clothes on the floor, and he slurps his cereal every morning you can tell yourself that you love that man more then you did on your wedding day.

Don’t just keep things to yourself. Communicate. Tell your hubby what you love about him.Praise and encouragement will go further than any hen-pecking or criticism ever will.

Celebrate the milestones. Celebrate the first month, the first half a year, the first year, the first 1,000 days, 5,000 days, etc.  Long lasting marriages that are full of love and friendship are a rarity in today’s world. Make a big deal out of yours and make each milestone an occasion to celebrate what you have.

Continue to date each other. If at all possible, choose one night a week and keep it as your date night. This is hard to achieve with the busy, modern lives we all live, but it can mean everything to a marriage.  Having that one night a week to turn off the television, not get on the Internet, leave work worries behind, and just focus on each other can keep both of you centered on what’s really important –- your love and your marriage.You don't have to go out to this. You can make a favorite meal of his or yours and enjoy it together.

Love. Love. and Love some more!

 A great marriage can be better than any fairy-tale wedding ever was!

Colic in Newborns

 Brought to you by: Keep Kids Healthy

 A Pediatricians guide to healthy and safe kids

Colic

Colic is a common problem, affecting 10-25% of all newborns. It is defined as recurrent inconsolable crying in a healthy and well-fed infant. It usually begins at about two to three weeks of age, is at its worst at six weeks of age and then gradually improves and finally resolves on its own by three to four months.

The most common symptoms of colic are the sudden onset of screaming and crying that can last for more than two to three hours at a time. Babies with colic will often seem as if they are in pain and are difficult to console. While crying they will usually pass a lot of gas, draw up their legs and their abdomen may seem hard or distended. Most babies with colic have one or two episodes of this type of crying each day. In between these episodes they usually act fine.

Causes Of Colic

It is not known what causes colic, but it is not usually thought to be from abdominal pain, formula allergies, the iron in infant formula or gas. It is known that normal babies have a fussy period toward the end of the day that begins when they are two to three weeks old and that this may be their way of ‘blowing off steam' or dealing with the normal stimulus of their day. It may be that babies with colic are more sensitive to this normal everyday stimulation. It is also known that babies with colic do not have more difficult temperaments and are not more hypersensitive as they grow older.

Causes of Crying

There are medical problems that can cause crying in newborns, but in general, infants with these problems usually cry through out the day.

If crying always seems to occur during feedings or right after a feeding and your child is spitting up a lot, then he may have reflux esophagitis.

A formula or milk allergy may be suspected if the crying always occurs 30-60 minutes after a feeding and your child also has vomiting and diarrhea and does not seem to be gaining weight well. In this case a 1-2 week trial of a soy formula or an elemental formula (such as Nutramagen) can be used.
If you are breastfeeding and your baby seems to always cry after you eat or drink certain foods, then it would be reasonable to try and stay away from those foods. A one to two week trial off of dairy products and/or caffeine may also help.
Managing Colic
Unless your baby has reflux or a formula allergy, there are no medicines to make colic go away. Some tips to help deal with colic until it clears up on its own include:

• Reassure yourself and other family members that this is a benign problem that always clears up on its own without any long term effects.
• Some things that you may try to comfort your baby include:
  • swaddling
  • cuddling
  • rhythmic rocking
  • going for a walk or ride
  • warm baths
  • singing
  • rhythmic sounds
  • massages
  • using a pacifier, windup swing or vibrating chair.

None of these measures work for all children, but you can try one or two at a time until you find what works for your baby.
If nothing works, it is okay to just put your baby down and let him cry for short periods. Always remember that it wasn't anything that you did or didn't do that caused your baby to have colic and as a last resort try to take a break by having a family member or friend help care for your baby.
Important Reminders

• Be patient. This is a frustrating problem without good treatment options, but it always improves as your child gets older.
• It can be frustrating taking care of a crying baby, so get help if you are having trouble coping with your infant's crying. Remember that you should never shake your baby, which can cause shaken baby syndrome. Get help if you think you might harm your baby.
• Avoid frequent changes of your babies formula, unless instructed to do so and do not use a low iron formula.
• Call the office if your child has a rectal temperature over 100.4, has persistent vomiting, if she does not seem to be gaining weight, or if the crying is not improving or does not go away by the time she is 3-4 months old.

So Serene

Isn't this room a doll. I really like this look for a guest bedroom although it is really a master bedroom. I have been thinking about some different designs lately and want to share with you some room ideas. They will all be different because I have different kinds of taste for decorating, meaning, if I had a bunch of rooms to decorate I would do them all differently. Some would be chic, sophisticated, romantic, warm and fuzzy, modern, etc. You get the idea.

 

I think this master bedroom or guest room exudes a calming and serene quality.

The light turquoise walls, shiny blue bedside Parson’s tables and patterned pillow gives the room a layered look. Color doesn't have to be loud to make a statement. If you want to add color to a room then don't be scared. Add in your color with your fabrics, wall paint, and accessories.

You don't have to spend tons of $$ to get this look but you do want to enjoy the rooms that you live in.

This room has a simple fabric covered headboard that you could easily make yourself. Some bedside tables that you could find at a garage sale, wood shop, etc and paint. And the list goes on.
If you want specific ideas comment, e-mail me or join my community where I can chat with you about it.

{Tell All Tuesday}

Ask Away...

I have wanted to do a question and answer for some time now and what a better time then today.
Send me any questions or comments you might have. It can range anywhere from--well--I guess anything could be asked. (within reason ladies)
It doesn't matter who you are, if you are a women then drop your note or ask your questions either on the blog or send them to me at kaevans_321@yahoo.com.

You will remain anonymous and your questions will be answered in next Tuesdays post.
 Thanks for participating now let's get started!

Rainy Day

For the past three days I have had a pounding headache and couldn't shake it off (not literally because then my head would hurt worse, but you know what I mean.) Then today, I woke up and realized it was going to rain or at least looked as if it was going to. Ah Ha..That is why I have had a headache!?! 

So I decided to try and make the best of it.

Rain, Rain, 

 

Go Away, 

 Come Again Another Day...

Or at least stop long enough for us to play in the puddles, right?

I know most of you are thinking, " I can't believe his finger is in the water, he is going to catch something from it." But it was only for a second and he got a bath afterwards. :-)

Have a fun Monday!

Let's Take a Poll

Here are some fun questions I would like for you to answer. You may not have a chance to respond back but as you read them, answer the question. 

It is pretty interesting and if you get longer then a second, comment back with your answers.

Even if your not a mom then you could answer what you think you would do if you were a mom....

It's funny to see how things change when we actually have a child!

You will find my answers on the bottom

1. Has your baby/child rolled of anything without you catching them?
2. Have you forgotten to buckle your child's car seat?
3. If you work from home, how much do you actually get done?
4. Do you ever leave a poopy diaper for someone else? AKA husband?
5. How often does your family eat together?
6. Do you serve your kids food on plastic plates sometimes to avoid doing dishes?
7. Have you take a vacation without your kids?
8. Do you bathe or shower less now that your a mom?
9. Does your child watch TV shows/movies with you?
10. Do you lock your bedroom door at night?
11. Do you hide in the bathroom to get peace and quiet?
12. When is an outfit dirty? First wear, if it has food on it, if it stinks, etc.
13. Do you always wash new clothes before you put them on your baby?
14. Will you feed your child meat?
15. Does your child follow you to the potty?

My Answers:

1. Maybe the couch...I can't remember
2. Yes, only as my oldest has gotten older have I forgotten to finish buckling him in.
3. Don't work from home. But if I did I would get nothing done
4. Yes, Only as they get older
5. Every night
6. Sometimes
7. Only with the first child. I haven't had one since the second was born 
8. Sometimes
9. No
10. No
11. No 
12. When there is something on it or if it has a smell, I know that sounds gross but they can wear it and not get it dirty.
13. Yes, In most circumstances
14. My oldest-- yes only chicken/turkey, my youngest -not yet
15. Yes, that is why I don't get peace and quiet by hiding in the bathroom. :-)

Fun Morning

Having So Much Fun...

With my two favorite little guys.

 Can you tell who the clown is and who the instigator is?

We are just enjoying the morning with each other, as always.

These two little guys make me smile everyday.

 What would my life be without them? I think....umm...boring.

Now I am off to play some more!

Hopefully I can wear these boys out so at least one will nap!!

3 Budget Friendly Recipes

 

Three Easy and Budget Friendly Recipes

The first dish is a sesame chicken recipe that doesn't take alot of prep time and can easily be placed in the oven to bake while you cook the rest of your dinner. I find these dishes helpful so I don't have to cook everything on the stove. 

The second dish is a twice baked potato and since most of us keep potatoes on hand it will be a simple side to whip up. 

The third dish is a black bean salad and this is for those of you who don't want to have carbs in your diet or prefer to eat vegetarian and need the protein from the beans. You could always do a regular salad or add a vegetable instead of the beans as well.

Enjoy!

 Sesame Chicken

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 1/2 pounds meaty chicken pieces
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Asian sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 2 tablespoons crushed sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger

DIRECTIONS:

1. RINSE chicken; pat dry. Combine all remaining ingredients in large resealable food storage bag; add chicken. Seal. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight, turning once or twice.


2. HEAT oven to 350ºF. Pour 1/2 cup marinade into 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Add chicken. Discard remaining marinade.


3. BAKE 35 to 45 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center and reaches internal temperature of 165ºF.
    
   Cheesy Twice Baked Potatoes 
   
   Ingredient:

• 4 medium baking potatoes
• Cooking Spray
• 1 tablespoon olive Oil
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
• 4 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• Paprika

PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:

1. SCRUB and prick potatoes with a fork. Microwave on HIGH (100% power) 8 to 12 minutes, or until potato is soft and yields to gentle pressure. Cool slightly. Heat oven to 350ºF.


2. CUT thin slice from top of each potato. Scoop out inside, leaving a thin shell. Place cooked potato in medium bowl. Coat 8 x 8-inch baking pan with no-stick cooking spray and place potato shells inside.


3. HEAT oil in small skillet. Add onion. Cook and stir over medium heat until tender. Add to potato mixture in bowl.


4. ADD cheese, sour cream and milk. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy, adding more milk if necessary to reach desired consistency. Stir in green onions, bacon, salt and pepper.Spoon potato mixture back into shells. Sprinkle with paprika.


5. BAKE 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.
    
   Black Bean Salad
   
   
   
    Ingredient:
    
   • SALAD
   • 2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, rinsed and drained
   • 1/2 large sweet onion (such as Vidalia), chopped fine
   • 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
   • 1/2 cup (about 8 oz.) chopped fresh mushrooms (or chopped peppers, or whatever you have on hand that is crunchy)
   • 1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
   • DRESSING
   • 1/2 cup Vegetable Oil-or sunflower oil (or something of that type it you don't care to use veg oil)
   • 1 teaspoon chili powder
   • 1 clove garlic, minced
   • 1/2 teaspoon salt
   • Juice from 1 lime
   • Cilantro (optional)

   PREPARATION DIRECTIONS:

   1. COMBINE salad ingredients in medium bowl. Whisk together dressing ingredients in small bowl. Pour dressing over bean mixture; toss well.
   
   
   2. SERVE at room temperature or chilled. Garnish with cilantro sprigs, if desired.

    

Parenting: Boys Is the Topic

Raising healthy, well-educated, self-disciplined children who love God is I believe, the most challenging responsibility of all. And of course, the job is even more difficult today when the culture undermines and contradicts everything Christian parents are trying to accomplish at home. Fortunately, we are not asked to do everything perfectly as moms and dads. Phew-- Isn't that a relief? Our kids usually manage to survive our mistakes and failures and turn out better than we have any right to boast about.

Even though with young children, are role and influence is far from over.

I truly believe that the spiritual welfare of our children is our most important responsibility with them. The only way to build their faith is to pour scripture into them, model it personally, and to stay on your knees in prayer. Our desire should be for our children to have a heart that wants to know God.

A little side note: It is so special to hear your young children pray. It personally touches my heart to hear my 3 year old say his prayers, pray for food, and it especially makes me tear up when he prays for the rescue trucks as they zoom by us with there lights and sirens on.

Your kids that around your feet will grow and be gone before you know it. Don't let the opportunity of these days slip away from you. We only have one chance. No professional accomplishment or success is worth that cost in my opinion.

It saddens me to know that there are people who think that kids past a certain number are a burden.

God is the giver and taker of life and we are not to play God.
Sorry--I had to vent for a second!

 I have often thought about how important father's are in a child's life but until I had my own I couldn't really grasp how important the role of a father really is. 

Daddy's play differently, they discipline differently, they communicate differently, they build confidence, and they provide a look at the world from a man's view.

Fathers have a huge responsibility as the head of the home to lead and guide the family in the right direction. 

So it is important for us as wives to encourage, pray, and support our husbands.

For those of you who have little boys and little girls (but today I want to talk about the boys), wow-- You have a responsibility that as they grow to teach them how to lead, to be a gentlemen, to be honest, to be strong but sensitive, Godly men and the list goes on....

Don't forget that sons grow up to become husbands and fathers.As moms we probably spend the majority of the time with them and therefore we need to give/teach the basis of there foundation.

I hope that as you read this you don't take it the wrong way or think I am lecturing anyone, I am simply sharing from my heart.

Being a mom is a huge responsibility and I can not take my job lightly.

I pray that you feel the same.

{Tell All Tuesday}

"What Not To Wear"

My first reaction after reading this post was to delete it and start over but I decided to post it (obviously because you are reading it) but I hope to encourage some of you with this post.

We all have those pictures from the past that we look back at and wonder "What was I thinking";" What in the world was I doing with my hair"; " Why did I leave the house with that on"? 

Trends are fun at the time, but can later come back to haunt us. Think back a little bit (since most of us aren't that old) to a trend that we thought was cute but looking back wasn't so cute...

When I started thinking about the stuff I have that I am never going to wear again, I decided I was officially going to spring clean early. Well, my closets and drawers that is...

Join me this week and get rid of your old clothes. Don't keep your drawers/closets full of things you are not going to wear anymore.

Also, you can make some money by doing this!

Here's How:

Fi Fi's (which is a women's consignment store in Jacksonville) will except your lightly worn clothes, shoes, purses, etc and in return will pay you a percentage of the items they sell. 

Round Robin is another place that does the same thing but since I have never worked with (Round Robin) before I would recommend calling them to find out the details.

If you live somewhere other then Jacksonville check your local womens consignment stores to find out what season of clothes they are excepting and drop your items off with them.

 Let's get a jump start on that spring cleaning and start with our drawers and closets. It will make you feel pounds lighter, I promise!

{Good Morning Monday}

Homemade Granola

Back at Christmas we were given homemade granola for a family Christmas gift and loved it!  My sister recently gave us some from a batch she made. With as much as we enjoyed it, i have often thought about making some.  It is so much cheaper to make your own, you know exactly what you are putting in it, and it is easy.

After making your own granola, you would more than likely won't go back to buying it from the store.

Also, i really like adding my granola to yogurt.

Here is the recipe and don't forget to give it a try. Mix whatever kind of nuts and dried fruit that you prefer, but this recipe will give you a basis to go by.

Ingredients:
1 cup lightly chopped walnuts
1 cup lightly chopped almonds
4 cups whole grain old fashioned oats
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 to 1/2 cup pure maple syrup (this is different from pancake syrup - this is the refrigerated kind)
1/4 to 1/2 cup craisins or raisins (or both)
Note: you could add dry fruit if you wish as well, and if you really like cinnamon than you can add a bit more then what the recipe calls for.

Preheat the owner to 350. Spray pan with non stick cooking spray. Combine all ingredience and spread evenly on pan.

Bake 25-30 minutes and let cool.

(Completely cool before breaking apart.) This will allow you to have larger chunks.

Break apart and enjoy!

Running in the Cold

All day yesterday I was thinking about how cold it was outside and trying to talk myself out of running. I kept thinking-- my ears are going to bother me if I get out in the cold and run--. 

So what did I do?

Well after dinner my husband decided he would make banana foster and so of course I ate some (only a little) but I didn't want to hurt is feelings. You can feel my pain, right? 

You know I am just kidding with you, he did a great job and it tasted wonderful.

So after eating it I realized I needed to push myself into running--

 I found myself layering in warm clothes so I could go out and run...

Call me crazy, right??

Well I sure looked it. I had tights on, my pants, socks, tennis shoes, 3 layers of sweaters and a jacket, a hood, ear muffs, and gloves. You would have thought I was going skiing or at least that is how I felt--like a penguin.

But I made it and was glad I persevered through the cold.

Determination is the key when starting something new....Although my husband has lost 25 pounds and I have lost none through this process I am still going to continue to give it a try.

So come Saturday morning (when it is suppose to flurry--although I will believe that when I see it) I will be out running again. Call me crazy but I am not giving up!!

Have a great weekend everyone!! Enjoy your Valentine's Day/Weekend....

Sneak Peek

A sneak peek on my Valentine's Dinner

My sweet husband has made reservations for us at a "surprise" restaurant on Saturday evening but I am planning on making him an at home meal on Sunday, since he loves to eat at home.

This is what I am planning on making as of now: 

A Simple Salad

One of our favorite salads have the following items in it:

Strawberry

Blueberries

Feta or Goat Cheese

Lettuce

Greek Dressing

Dinner:

Steak and Chicken

Homemade Fettuccine Alfredo Or Mashed Potatoes

Green Beans

My husband loves his steak but he doesn't eat it much anymore.So for this occasion, he will get a steak and then I will have chicken (b/c I am not a red meat eater.) 

Dessert:

This is one of the choices I have thought about making but I have not completely decided yet?!?!

Isn't it divine looking? 

Mmmmm, I think this may be the winner....

 

but instead of the cream being white I am going to change it to pink.

I can't wait, it's going to be delicious :-)

A New Routine

This week my husband and I are starting a new exercising routine. Well I guess I should say we are going to try...I am not one who likes to sweat--Ugh--but of course with my husband being a guy he doesn't mind. 

The other night I decided I would join my husband on his, "new way of life" as he calls it.

We are doing the Couch to 5K!!

Have you heard of it?

What this basically allows you to do is to start off slowly with running (well jogging) and then eases you into running 3 miles in 9 weeks.Which isn't much, but it is a place to start, since we don't run at all! Now I know for some of you this sounds simple but I am NOT a runner. I have always wanted to be able to just take off an run but with bad knees it just hasn't been possible.

Even though I say I don't like to sweat I do love to spin!! I have missed it tremendously since I canceled my gym membership but I wonder if running will take its place.

I am finally going to give it a try and this time I will blog to you about it throughout the process.

This week I am running 3 days following this schedule:

Brisk five-minute warm-up walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.

If any of you have done this Couch to 5K or any other type of running program, please write to me and let me know how it worked for you!!

A Valentine's Meal

A Valentine's Meal

Here is a one dish meal and dessert recipes. No matter how little time you have to cook a dish you can easily make both of these recipes using normal pantry and refrigerated items.  
I recommend these recipes because they are easy and quick to make!

Basil Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

8 ounces (1/2 package) pasta
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes (I prefer the olive oil and garlic petite cut)
1 teaspoon sugar
2 cups boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cubed OR 2 Chicken Breast uncut, seasoned and cooked
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Procedure

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook pasta until it is al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
2. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook Chicken (I like to season my chicken with spices.) Then saute the onions and garlic. Stir in the tomatoes, sugar, chicken, basil, salt and hot pepper sauce. Reduce heat to medium, and cover skillet. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until mixture is hot and tomatoes are soft.
3. Toss sauce with hot cooked angel hair pasta to coat. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Feel free to add veggies that you really like in this pasta dish. It would taste yummy and be great!

Dessert: Chocolate Cake with Cherry Icing

Ingredients

1st Choice: Buy a chocolate cake mix and then add your cherry icing to reduce time in the kitchen

2nd choice: Make it homemade

• 3/4  cup plus 1 tsp. all-purpose flour
• 1/3  cup plus 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1  tsp. baking powder
• 1/2  tsp. baking soda
• 1/2  tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/4  tsp. salt
• 1/3  cup unsalted butter, softened
• 3/4  cup sugar
• 2  eggs
• 1  tsp. vanilla
• 1/2  cup sour cream
• 1  Recipe Cherry or Chocolate Frosting, recipe below

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease two 6x2-inch round cake pans or spring form pans. Mix 1 teaspoon each flour and cocoa powder; dust pans. Set pans aside.
2. In bowl combine 3/4 cup flour, 1/3 cup cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.
3. In large bowl with electric mixer beat butter on medium to high for 30 seconds. Add sugar; beat until smooth and fluffy. Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth. Beat in sour cream and flour mixture. Pour batter in pans; spread evenly.
4. Bake 22 to 26 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched and edges begin to pull away from sides of pan. Cool in pans on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pans; cool on rack.
5. Use serrated knife to horizontally cut cakes in half to make 4 layers total. Place bottom layer on plate; spread with 2/3 cup frosting. Repeat with layers. Place top layer on cake. Heap remaining frosting, swirling in peaks. Refrigerate.
Cherry Frosting: In chilled large mixing bowl combine one 8-ounce carton sour cream. 1 cup whipping cream (do not use ultra-pasteurized whipping cream), 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar, and 2 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice. Beat with chilled beaters on medium-high until fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Note-Whip whipping cream until it starts to form peaks then add ingredients slowly and mix.

You can also use a cream cheese icing and add cherry juice to it. This might be a little easier and less time consuming.

Top with chocolate covered cherries

Tell All Tuesday

Let's face it- we have all had our share of embarrassing moments. But sometimes it is funny and then other times it isn't. When you have children they are sure to embarrass you and there is NEVER a dull moment!

Yesterday was a beautiful day and after lunch I took the boys outside to play. We walked around the yard, played ball, went for a walk, and then decided to go to the park. Now the park is at the end of our street so it isn't to far to walk too but it is far enough where if you have to get home quick your out of luck!

So we are happily playing at the park and then all the sudden Ethan yells, " I have to go poo-poo." 

Then I asked, "Can you hold it and mommy will run you home?" I was thinking that I was about to do a mad dash home but instead my poor child couldn't hold it. 

I found myself telling him to quickly find a bush over in the woods and I grabbed Tucker up and headed that way. Thankfully it was a quick one but when he was done we headed home for a bath and a fresh change of clothes.

I did catch myself looking around to make sure no one saw us and I pray that no one did. 

 Can you believe I am writing about this?? I can't.... I am laughing at myself right now for telling you this story. 

But we did make it home and everything was fine.

So lesson learned--Ask your child if they have to go potty before you head to the park...

{Good Morning Mondays}

Valentine's Day

As we all know Valentine's Day is this Sunday and throughout the week I would like to share with you decorating ideas, crafts, recipes, etc  for the week. 

As I was thinking about the variety of women who read this blog I thought of women who are:

single moms, a fiancé, a wife, a mother, a friend, a girlfriend, etc. 

And

How each of you will spend your day or weekend differently. 
We all have certain things that make it special to us but it is fun to add new little things each year and as we start to have kids to include them in fun crafts as they start to get old enough.
So on that note:

Here are 3 cute ideas to do with your sweet kiddos for Valentine's Day...
Or if you don't have kids then some of these you can do with an adult twist!!!

Paper Bouquet

 Start with colorful card-stock, then add leaves and stems cut from green paper. Create blooming frames using a paper muffin liner and add a special photo.

This is a sweet thing to date and put in a photo book so you can look back on later.

Love Notes:

Personalized cards are special and show that you set some time aside to make and think of each card idea. 

Tuck a homemade mini card into a lunch bag, a backpack, or anywhere else a loved one will find the surprise. Have your kids make cards to give to family members or class mates with a small bag of sweets for a valentines gift. Heart-shape paper punches and rubber stamps make mass production easy.

Pink Plate Special

 

 

 When I saw this picture I thought I had to share this with you.

 Fix your child a pink and red meal with a valentine twist. Serve strawberry flavored milk with a peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich cut with a heart-shape cookie cutter. Yummy!

Coupon Sites and Links

Recently there has been lost of talk about coupons and how to save money on groceries, household items, and more.

Here are some sites that are good for that:

Baby Items, coupons, and Freebies

Regular Groceries and Household Items

Joni McCoy is the author and starter of  this site. She recently spoke on Focus on the Family about how to save money by using coupons.

Coupons for Target, the Grocery Store, CVS, etc.

Hope these will be some great sites to get you started!

Open Light Studio's Tip

 A while back I mentioned to you that Open Light Studio was going to write some tips for Mommy Buzz.

So for rest of this year each month they will have a new tip to share with you.

They are a husband-wife professional photography team who have been featured in The Knot twice and specialize in wedding and portrait photography.
You can visit them at Open Light Studio or visit there blog at Open Light Studio Blog

February Tip:

'Bring Props'
With kids, it is a lot of fun to add props into your photos. Props are often very simple and add dimension and creativity to your photo. Some simple prop ideas are an umbrella, rain boots, kite, bubbles, scarfs, wagon, etc. Be creative and have fun!

Nate and Laura

 

(All rights reserved)

Open Light Studio's Portfolio:

Here are 3 that I especially like:

  

  

  

  

 All photo's taken by Open Light Studio. All rights reserved.

What's In Your Pantry?

Do you ever look inside your pantry/refrigerator and wonder what you are going to make for dinner?

Are you tired of making the same things and wished you had a new pair of eyes?

Here is what I am going to do for you....

Choose from the list below and I will put a meal together for you.

You can choose as many or as little from the list and I will give you 1-5 recipes that you can use with the ingredients you have chosen. 

I will post an answer back to you with the recipes or you can email me your list and I will email you back.

Hope this will help out with a few meals....

1.Red Wine Vinegar

2.Fresh Mushrooms

3.Shredded Mozzarella Cheese or Cheese in general. (just not in your comment tell me what kind you have)

4.Olive Oil

5.Black Olives

6.Pre-made Pizza Crust

7.Artichoke Hearts

8.Eggs

9.Chicken breast

10.Crusted Red Pepper

11.Sun Dried Tomatoes

12.Fresh basil

13.Ground Beef

14. Cream of Chicken/ Or Cream of Mushroom

15. Noodles

16.Rice

17.Yogurt
18.Sour Cream
19.Corn
20. Beans

If you don't have very much that is on this list in the pantry then give me a list of some things you need to use that you already have and I will try and help out that way too.