Time to Party!

I love an excuse to throw a party.
Birthday Party ideas:
1) Ice cream party
2) Fairy party tutus included
3) Tonka truck party; dirt, mud, trucks a must
4) All sweets party

These are just a few. Find what your child love and go with it. Here is Austin's 2nd birthday party. All for a boy!

Kids spaces

My Austin Tyler just turned 3. I can't believe it! Months ago I realized how small his toddler bed had become when half of his body was hanging off the bed. He likes to sleep side ways, weird I know.
This gave me the best excuse to convince my husband I needed to redecorate Austin's room. Love a decorating project!
The only thing I am waiting to do is build a headboard. Look for that in the next months with instructions on how easy it is to make one for less than $50.

My current home

I love things that are old mixed with modern. I found this great bed in the US for a couple thousand dollars and would never spend that much. So I found a local wood worker and asked if he could build my dream bed. For $250 this is the bed! I love it!!! Looking online at fabric I came across the perfect brown fabric with yellow and teal birds. Trimmed my curtains with it and made pillows. Cheap idea for wall art in a bedroom or any room 1) find something old and hang it. Got this old window for $8. 2) Go take some photos of things you love and frame it.
I love clutter free spaces so to make the room feel more organized and to be cheaper on my budget I found these shelves for beside the bed. So total of my bedroom including the new bed set on sale at JcPenny-$350! Hope this inspires you to make the master suite of your dreams.

On The Road

Missionaries spend a lot of hours on the road. This week we drove from Zacatecas, Mexico to the border which was flooded. Then to San Antonio, TX to stay with some friends. I love staying with people especially when they say "make yourself at home" and mean it. Not all people really want you to, just the nice thing to say. This was the kind of house where you could come downstairs in your pjs forget the touch of makeup, put your feet up on the couch and curl up with some coffee and their big dog. It was so nice.
Their daughters offered to watch Austin who just turned 3 so I could replace all our worn out clothes and shoes. Girls if you need sales go to Kohls! I saved $200 on just the clearance racks. I was so happy to get such great savings. Ross was next door and believe me I loved it. (Kevin stayed at Starbucks for this store) What is more fun then searching through a rack of random things hoping and looking for a one of a kind shirt?
One thing with shopping I have found is there are coupons online for everything! Couponcabin.com is a great resource and also just googling for coupons for ___ works too. I got free popcorn and drink at Target, 15% off at Old Navy just buy looking online. Happy shopping ladies!

No room for guests?

Carve out a corner for guests. One of our jokes in our family is that Kevin really doesn't have an office. Every time someone comes to stay it gets transformed to the guest room. Here is a great idea for any room to be made into a simple guest space. Perfect if you have an office.

Lunch

Chicken salad, chips, fruit salad with dip
(chicken, mayo, s/p, dill, nuts, grapes optional) boil chicken, shred, add ingredients. Can add garlic and onion. Serve on a fresh roll from bakery or toast bread
Fruit salad with dip (1 avocado, 1 banana, 2 tb. frozen pineapple juice, 1/4 cup water) Blend and pour over fruit.

Crockpot pulled pork
(pork roast, 2 beef bouillons, water) place all in crock pot cook for 8 hours on high or until tender. (overnight works well too) Drain water add 1 bottle of bbq. To crisp bbq put in over for 30 min. Serve on bun, with macaroni salad, fruit.

Dinner
Chicken, Vegetable Alfredo Soup
1 cup chopped broccoli
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/2 chopped onion
1 garlic clove, pressed(or you can finely chop it if you don't have a press)
1 can 14-14 1/2oz Chicken Broth
2 cups diced cooked chicken
1 Tbsp snipped basil added about 10 min. b/4 serving
1 jar prepared Alfredo sauce
Literally thow it all in a pot or crock pot and let it simmer until the veggies are tender, then snip in the basil.

Bread Bowls
These can take awhile, with all the rising involved...
The easiest method I've used, is buying Prepared frozen White Bread dough. Kroger has it in the frozen food section in the same area as the Pillsbury Frozen biscuits and the Monkey Bread. Then I thaw them over night and cut them in half first thing in the morning, gently shape them into ball shapes and follow the directions on the bag for rising. Then right b/4 I bake them I shred some Parmesan Cheese on top and bake. Then just cut off the top and hollow them out.

Chicken Foil Packs
(chicken breast, moz. cheese, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, s/p) Take foil piece rub oil over it place sliced tomatoes, zucchini, on top. Cut 4-5 slices on top of chicken push cheese inside slices, then place on top of vegetables. Roll up foil, place on foil pan bake for 40 min. 400 degrees. *make mashed potatoes and a cobbler for dessert.

Comfort Food

When you have guest in your home the last thing you want to do is to be cooking the entire time. Here are a few of my favorite recipes that is going to make your guest feel at home and want to stay longer and you will be able to relax.

Breakfast

Baked Oatmeal (mix 3 cups oatmeal, 2 cups apples pieces, 2 cups milk, 1/4 cup butter melted, 1 egg, 1 1/2 tea. baking powder, 3/4 tea. salt, cinnamon, nuts which optional) Bake 400 degrees for 40 min.

Scones (2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 2 cups all-purpose flour,
5 tablespoons of butter, 1 egg, 3/4 cup of milk)
Heat your oven to 400º F (200º C). Mix together flour, salt & baking powder. Add in the butter until your mixture is crumbly. Whip milk & egg and add to mixture. Stir until a soft dough ball is created.
Knead gently on a lightly floured board, turning a few times. Split dough in half and pat or roll out dough to one half-inch thick circles. Slice into wedges or use a shaped cutter. Place on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake for approx 15 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 10 *can be creative- orange peel with chocolate, cranberry nut, cream cheese, apple cinnamon.