Weekend SHow Off Party, It's February Addition

Welcome to the Weekend!

Can I just say I am so happy to be done with January, January was tough for me.  It has been so cold, and gone be slow, and I got in my first accident, my kids are going stir crazy, and I can't seem to get anything done... By the way the accident was just a little finder binder, no one was hurt, but man working with insurance companies is NOT on my list of favorite things to do.

Last Week..

More Sister Stuff shared her ideas for Dates that you do not need to leave the house to do.

 

Our Prairie Home shared her incredible before and after in her girls room, it is breathtaking!

Or so She Says, shared 100 movies perfect for a family movie night!

 

The Best Blog Recipes shared Chicken Mexican Casserole, that looks quite edible!

On the Pinterest Scale: Banana Bars with Browned Butter Frosting

So the other day I had a whole bunch of ripe bananas, I wanted to do something more exciting then banana bread... so I do what any modern mom does, head over to PINTEREST.

I kind of have a love hate relationship with Pinterest, so many recipes and ideas, all claiming to be the absolute BEST in the whole wide world... and whose to say they are not they have one beautiful picture, and 500 repins.  Well I found a recipe pinned from one of my blogging buddies the Lolly Jane Sisters, for Banana Bars with Browned Butter Frosting that claimed to be a family favorite.  

So I thought I would try it.  The recipe is from a darling blog called Life's Simple Measures.  After reading the ingredient list and being so happy that I did not need to go to the store for anything special, I gave it a shot.

The Result

FIVE STARS, this is even more delicious than it looks!  The cake is moist and light, while the frosting is rich and sultry, it really makes the cake! 

I have never made browned butter frosting, and was a little intimidated, but it was easy, and probably (gasp) the best frosting I have ever tasted.  I am trying to figure out what other cakes it would work well with.

What are you waiting for go get the RECIPE from Life's Simple Measures, you will not regret this one! I usually do not fall in love with recipes that do not involve chocolate, but I fell head over heals for this one!

Weekend Show Off Party 1/24/13

Welcome to the Weekend!

I am so glad you are here, I had a lot of fun looking at the links last week, and had a few favorites!

I love a good before and after.  This kitchen from a Few of My Favorite Things is now so bright and airy, I love it!

And to eat, look at the delicious Baked Spaghetti from Happy Hour Projects, I wish I had that ready for dinner tonight!

And for dessert how about these Key Lime Tartlets from the Sewing Chick, doesn't it looks delicious?

10 cures for CABIN FEVER

I don't know about you, but I am already sick of winter... and for me 'sigh' winter is here to stay for quite some time.  Alas our current budget does not allow us to runaway to a sunny tropical island, so we will have to find our own way to combat cabin fever.  

This weekend I noticed myself and my kids just moping around, sick of watching the same movies, coloring pictures, doing puzzles etc, etc.  So we brainstormed some things we could do at home, which led to this post.  Most of these things are no brainers, most are things that we do, or want to do.  So hopefully it will just refresh you on some fun ideas to do indoors! 

This is my criteria for my list

1. Does not require I buy any special items.
2. It is a project the kids can do, and does not take excessive time on my part to set up or clean.
3. It is fun, of course:)

 So here we go!

1.   Build Forts

 

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Yup that is right, get out the blankets the clothes pins, your tables etc, and let the kids have at it!  This is guaranteed to keep your kids occupied for more than 15 minutes.  Sometimes your kiddos might need some ideas, get out the card table, make different rooms, etc.  When you are all done give your kids some flashlights and picture books, and you will be all set!

2. Sort Things

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Kids love to sort things, and it is good for them too! This winter we sorted all of our coins and counted them.  You can also sort things like buttons, crayons, beads, pom poms, foam shapes, etc. You can sort these items with your fingers, or take it up a notch and sort them with tongs. I did a lot of these activities in my Special Ed classroom.  You can also clean organize something like your junk drawer, or craft area, and have your kids help you sort out things. Kill two birds with one stone... I like it!
 
3. Art Fun, 

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Wow, there are so many things that can be done with art.  One of our favorites is crayon rubbings, simply using copy paper and a crayon rub things like the bottoms of shoes, door knobs, anything.  
Make picture collages take old magazines etc, and let your kids make collages of things they like, or things that start with the letter P, or things that are blue, or places they want to go, etc., etc., etc,
Jello Art, let kids make a design out of elmers glue, then put magic dust (jello) over the design, and see it take color.
 Play Dough:  Make some salt dough, then become sculptures! Easy cheap entertainment.
 
4. Scavenger Hunts

 

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There is something about a 'hunt' which gets everyone excited. Hunt for colors, letters in the alphabet, smells, etc. etc.  It is really fun to have kids pick from a hat something they will have to 'hunt' for. They could find things that are small, orange, the letter s, etc.  Have a time limit and come back and share your spoils!

5. Games, the obvious, and not so obvious ones

 

Everyone loves a game, sometimes finding a game for kids of different ages can be challenging, these are a few of the games my kids enjoy.
Uno, Animal Game (act out an animal and we have to guess), Duck, Duck, Goose, Indoor crawling Tag, Hide and Seek,  Twister, Indoor hop scotch.

6. Play with your Food

This past weekend my lunch options of hot dogs, sandwiches, or mac and cheese, seemed pretty grim, and unexciting.  My oldest daughter whos favorite phrase is 'What are we going to do next?', was not impressed.  So I simply put the options for the main course, a side dish (carrots with dip, grapes, or oranges), and our drink options in three separate bowls.  Each of my kids got to pick one of the items that we would all have for lunch, and all of the sudden lunch was fun.

Growing up my sister and I would come up with elaborate funky coded menus.  We would have clever (or so we thought) false names for each course, main dish, meal, drink, and even a utensil.  Everyone would then pick there meal, not knowing what they would get or with what utensil they would eat it with. So if you chose the 'Fish bate, Yellow Mush, Witches Brew, to eat with a rake, you might be eating Spaghetti, apple sauce, and chocolate milk to eat with a fork.  We had a lot of fun doing this!

Have an indoor picnic, enough said! 
 
7. Make Music

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You can (1) find the 80's youtube channel and jam out with your kids like it is 1987, they will appreciate you for this, I promise.  Or you can (2) get out the old jars, jingle bells, oatmeal containers etc, and make your own band!
 
8. Mad Scientist

 

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 Kids love to get dirty with science.  Fortunately you can do a lot of fun science experiments with stuff you have around the house.  This past weekend we did the milk experiment, from one of my favorite blogs, 'Come Together Kids'.  This blog has so many fabulous activities, and science experiments for kids.
 
9 . Internet Games

 I do not let my kids play on the computer much, so if they get to, it is a big deal. For my younger kids we stick to Starfall.com, for my grade schooler we play pbs.org! Or if we are in the mood for an adventure we can all crowd around the table and see what the latest 'Cake Wrecks' are.
 
10. Snail Mail      

 

Make someones day brighter by sending them a letter the old fashioned way.  Or even make a post card. I love getting snail mail that does not involve bills! 

I like to Link to these great parties!

 

Weekend SHow Off Party

Welcome to the Weekend!

Sorry about the glitch last night in the party, you should not schedule a post until it is all the way completed, Oops!

Here are some features from last week!

 

 I love gooey desserts,  Chica Chocolatina made a fantastic looking cupcake that looks both messy and delicious!

 
Melanie from Bear Rabbit Bear, shared how to make a no full skirt ruffle, yup you heard me right NO FUSS!

Crafty Misadventures shared a darling three hour baby quilt!

Now I want to see what you have been up to!

A Simple Cereal Solution!

Well as 2013 rolls around we all have goals!  Even though I have NO resolutions on losing weight this year (In case you missed the memo I am pregnant).  I still need to watch what I eat!

Left to my own devices I could probably eat 1/2 a box of cereal for breakfast, or who am I kidding this could occur any time of day!  Have you ever glanced at the serving size on your box of cereal?  Well if you have not you may want to close this page pronto and live in bliss!  

The average serving size for cereal is usually 1/2 cup to 1 cup if you are really lucky. If you have never measured the serving size of your cereal give it a try.

 

So here is the solution measure the correct serving size for your cereal, and put the cereal in a plastic zip top bag. 

 

Place those bags back in your cereal and you are ready to go!  If you do Weight Watchers you can put the amount of points the cereal is on the bag.  This way if you are eating a bowl of cereal of just snacking you will be right on track! 

Simple right?  I have noticed since doing this my cereal lasts longer~ 

I like to LINK to these great parties!

 

Weekend Show Off Party, 1/10/13

Welcome to the Weekend Friends!

I am so excited to see all of you again... I was going to post a fun picture of us from Christmas or something, and realized, well they are all still in the camera! 

Lets just pretend OK?  I am so excited to see what you have been up to, I miss you guys!

Some Exciting News on the Homefront!

In case you have been wondering NO:

• I did not contract Dengue Fever
• I did not get captured by pirates,
• And most unfortunately, I have not been stuck on a Tropical Island.

But I do have an excuse here it goes...



Wait a minute, if you read this blog you may realize I only have three kids.  Well that is about to change,  I am so excited and a little nervous to be pregnant with my FOURTH baby!

I am due July 7th, so I am 14 weeks along, and hopefully getting over, -the-always-nauseous-feeling.

So hopefully, I can visit Ladybird Ln and all of you more.  I am planning to have the weekend show off party on Friday!

Anyway, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season and new year season with your family:)

Carlee