Snowy Weekend

We woke up to snow on Saturday morning.

I suppose if its going to be cold, I'd like it to be accompanied by snow.

We all bundled up and went out to play for a bit then Emerson and I headed in to fix a warm breakfast.

Keeping my loves fed makes my heart happy.

Especially when it involves warm cinnamon rolls.

After breakfast, Easton & I headed out to play while daddy & Emerson stayed inside.

We make a good team.

Saturday afternoon was a day devoted to mom.  I lucked out.

After our snow play, Lance said we were going to eat Mexican, then going to some antique stores, then going to find me some clothes.

Chips & Salsa, old rusted junk- that's my love language.

And we did just that.

Naps were skipped.  Babies fed in the back seat of the truck. Snacks from the gas station.  Together.

Sunday was a home day.

Breakfast of french toast for me, eggs in a basket for daddy & toaster strudels for Easton.

I made a batch of Zucchini Muffins, this time adding in an apple in place of carrots.

I substituted with whole wheat flour and coconut oil this time.

Are y'all aware of the benefits of coconut oil?

It is loaded with health benefits!

The most important for me, being medium chain fats- the fats that Emerson CAN process.

So I use coconut oil in everything now.

Even if you apply it on your skin, it soaks in to your blood stream.

It's good stuff.

But make sure you get the fresh pressed virgin.

I did a little meal planning with what we had on hand for suppers this week and made my grocery list.

The girls headed to the grocery, while the boys headed out to the lake to clean up the duck blind.

Easton loves to be included with the big boys.  If they suggested picking up trash, he'd be all in.

He worked so hard with daddy & Uncle Matt, he fell asleep on the boat on the way back to the ramp.

Sunday was capped off with taco's for dinner (mexican again!!) and a few episodes of LOST on Netflix.

Another wonderful weekend with my little family.

Did you have a good weekend?

Have anything fun planned this week?

It's Valentine's, followed by Lance's birthday so I'm sure I'll be making some sweet treats.

Happy Monday!

diy:: valentine freezer paper stenciling

this girl thing is so much fun.

i mean, gold glitter, hot pink...um...who am i???

i posted a tutorial on this once before but i thought i'd do it again.

it's valentine's day after all...the previous one was christmas. 

you will need:

a pre-washed t shirt

freezer paper

scissors

fabric paint

sponge brush

iron

cardboard or something to place between shirt

directions::

pre wash t-shirt

cut desired shape out of freezer paper

place cardboard between shirt

iron freezer paper, shiny side down, to shirt

squirt some paint into a little dish

fill in heart with fabric paint

let dry between coats 

{{this took 3 coats}}

peel freezer paper off slowly while paint is still a bit wet

admire the crisp straight lines

put it on your little cutie and take lots of pictures!

wash inside out

happy love month!

Weekend Happenings

Happy Monday!

We're staying put today.  

It's 32 today and misting rain.

Have I mentioned yet how ready for Spring I am?

It was a nice low key weekend again.

Friday night Easton spent the night with Honey.

The house sure is quiet without that little fella!

Daddy brought home a new boat.

We had a partial date-night (with a tiny tag-along).

Saturday my mom came to spend the day with us.

Lance had to work.

We went and picked up Easton, had Mexican for lunch and then tackled the grocery store. 

Super Bowl weekend and the impending snow storm had the store packed.

How does one go to the grocery with an infant and a 4 year old anyways? 

By the time you put the baby in the cart and the toddler in the front, there's no room for groceries.

So, we tag-teamed it with 2 carts!

Sunday we went to the mall and had lunch.

We came home and threw together a quick Super Bowl party!

Chicken legs- sausage balls- pigs in a blanket- veggies- cupcakes- pizza- buffalo chicken dip.

The whole 9 yards.

I love any excuse for a get together.  And finger foods!

Finger foods are my favorite.

Hope your Monday is great!

We have a few things on the calendar this week.

Cardiologist Thursday

Big Business Launch for my new Rodan + Fields business on Thursday night.

Studio Be Valentine's Market on Friday.

(as a shopper, not a vendor!)

At some point we're going to make a Valentine shirt for Emerson.

And practice letters with Easton!

Did you have a good weekend?

Anything fun on the planner for your week?

Emerson:: 2 Months

Emmy Boo:: Emmy Loo:: Apple Dumplin'

2 months old, little sweet thing.

Weight: 13 lbs 13 ounces

Height: Dr. Appt this week

Diapers: Target's Size 2

Clothes: most are 3-6 months

Nurses: around the clock

7-10-1-4-7-10{{ish}}

Mommys Diet Limitations: No milk, yogurt, etc. 

Some cheese.

Very limited caffeine.

Sleeps: in our room, beside me, in a bassinet

Naps: on the go, in her bed, in her swing

Smiling, talking, cooing, little laughs here and there

Such a little joy.

A pleasant little soul.

So very thankful she's ours.

recipe:: ganny's 'nanner bread

i love banana bread & i cherish this recipe.

i had one in my recipe book but on a whim i called my grandmother for her recipe.

it's fool proof.

it's perfect every single time.

i always have a mental debate in my head...add vanilla??  add pineapple??  add nuts??

but, i always stick to the tried and true recipe

so, here you go::

ganny's 'nanner bread

ingredients::

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 cups sifted flour

1 tsp soda

1 tsp salt

1 stick softened butter

3 tbsp buttermilk

{if you don't have buttermilk:: 1/8 cup milk with 1 tsp vinegar}

{{this makes almost 3 tbsp, but i always measure anyways}}

2-3 bananas

directions::

sift flour, salt & soda in small bowl

set aside

mix sugar & butter in large bowl

add eggs, banana & buttermilk

gradually add in flour

bake at 300 for 30 min or until golden brown

serve warm with a dolup of butter on top

enjoy!

happy tuesday friends!

Weekend

This weekend we had Lance home all weekend long.

No work.  No duck hunting.

It was a welcome weekend for sure. 

He'd been gone 3 days on a duck hunting trip to Arkansas so it was so nice to have him home all weekend.

Nothing fancy, just together.

Cooked together Friday night.
Steaks on the grill.  Fresh green beans.  Home made french fries.

Saturday morning the boys went to Lowes and got a donut.

We spent the whole day at home working on home projects.

The washer and dryer were moved to their rightful spots.

The pumps under the house were fixed so it didn't sound haunted when they ran.

Took a family nap.

Mexican for supper.

Sunday we all slept in.

We've yet to go to church since Emerson was born.

And probably we'll wait until February or March just to be safe.  

I think church should be germ-free.

We ran to Lowes and Joann.
We watched more episodes of LOST than I care to admit.
We cooked supper together again.  The boys had duck.  I had fish.

And- sweet potato hash.  Can we talk about Sweet Potato hash?!  It's my new favorite.
Chop up a sweet potato in small chunks.  Pulse in the Ninja till it's fine consistency.
Cook in the skillet with a little butter and brown sugar.
AMAZING.
Another way I've cooked it was to chop up an onion tiny too and saute it first with some olive oil.
Add in sweet potato and a generous helping of salt and pepper.
Cover and let cook.
Both are really good, even if you overcook a little to make it crunchy.

Also, apparently I've become the crazy bird lady.
Ever since we made pine cone bird feeders, the birds  have been coming around regularly.
We have an open lot next to us and it's filled with Blue Jays.
I got a bird feeder last week and the birds finally found it this weekend.
I so enjoy watching the little lovies.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

First Time Obedience

My little buddy.

I love this boy.

HOWEVER, with the new addition of little sister, we've had some adjusting to do.

Listening has been one of our biggest struggles.

I found myself asking him to do something over and over again.

I was so over counting to 3 or threatening punishment.

This would end in frustration and tears for us both.

And several calls and text to daddy.

I had read about first time obedience from a friend of mine and she recently posted about it again.

I had begun working on first time obedience but was having trouble with the follow through. 

However, with a little positive reinforcement it's really started to click.

It goes a little something like this:

ME: Easton, can you please get your toys picked up in your room so we can have lunch?

Easton: raises eyebrow and frowns as if to tell me no.

ME: Yes ma'am (and begin to help him with whatever the task is)

Thank you for doing that the first time I asked.

Something so simple, yet so effective.

For an entire day, I'd do this, every time I needed his help.

By lunch time the second day, he was doing it on his own.

He'd do what I had asked and then with a big smile look up and say 'one time, mommy?'

He knew he'd done the right thing!

I'd praise him for it and we went on about our day.

Some days we still have trouble, but it doesn't take long for him to remember.

It's also a nice reminder to me that raising my voice really isn't necessary.

As my nana has told me, speak softly.

It's amazing how just some positive reinforcement and a kind tone work wonders!