Cyber Monday Sale

Hi everyone! In time for the holidays I'm having a Cyber Monday sale that runs through tomorrow (Tuesday). Please run over to my shop and take a look. Hope you find something that you would love! Use code CyberMonday at checkout. Merry Christmas!

39 Weeks Pregnant!

 I am currently 39 weeks pregnant with our second son. This pregnancy has flown by! I have been very busy (as you can probably see by my lack of posts on my blog.) When we found out we were having another boy we shared it with the family at Easter. I simply scooped out the center of cupcakes, mixed up some blue icing, put it in a bag and squeezed it into the holes. Super easy and a great way for each family member to find out. With our first we had a cake made with the batter the color of the gender.

 

Nursing Cover

Just finished the nursing cover that I'm going to be using with baby boy! Found the fabric at Hobby Lobby. And it has boning in the top. This is the same style I used with our first and I love it!

Best Chocolate Mug Cake- No Egg Needed-Dairy Free Option

I love this mug cake! I've made it so many times I have it memorized. I first made it when my son was a newborn and I wanted something easy at the end of the day. Something just for me, because we all know newborns take a lot out of us. So... this is it! The best cake (to me). If you want it dairy free you can use almond milk and exclude or substitute the chocolate chips.
I found the original recipe somewhere online. Can't remember where. Sorry!
Original Chocolate Mug Cake
3 Tb flour
3 Tb powdered sugar
2 Tb cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
dash salt
3 Tb canola/veg oil
3 Tb milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp chocolate chips

Erin's Chocolate Mug Cake
3 Tb flour
3 Tb powdered sugar
1 1/2 Tb cocoa powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
dash salt
1 Tb applesauce
2 Tb canola oil
3 Tb almond milk (Sometimes I substitute 1-2 Tb with leftover coffee)
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp chocolate chips (Sometimes a dollop of peanut butter too!)

Mix everything except for chocolate chips in a mug. Sprinkle chocolate chips in the center. Microwave 1:05. (You might have to vary it, but DO NOT OVERBAKE. You want to see some gooeyness) I usually race the microwave and try to clean everything up while the cake is cooking. Top with ice cream, leftover frosting, caramel/chocolate sauce.... and enjoy!

Look What Mommy Did! She Moved the Movies

Our basement is divided into two parts: my craft side where I run my home business & the rec side where my son plays. However, I noticed as he is nearing two that he loves putting movies and dvds in the player. He knows how to get them playing, including turning on the tv.
   Now, we have lots of fun toys in the basement so there is plenty to entertain him. And usually he doesn't tend to just sit around and watch the movies. Sometimes he does but sometimes he just puts movies in and out of the player.
   What's a momma to do? I could tell him no, and teach him not to play with it. We do have lots of things around the house that we use this approach for. But movies are just so enticing. Just look at the colorful spines! So.... I moved the movies. No, I didn't pack them. And this pregnant momma didn't want to hoist them anywhere. So I simply moved them to the bookshelf to the right of the TV and turned them so that all of the ends of the movies faced the room. Doesn't look as nice but I'm thinking it'll work. We're not House Beautiful anyways. We're House Lived-In.
   I then arranged his toys on the empty shelves and in front of the drawers he always liked to pull out. Hoping the new arrangement of toys will spur some imaginative play.
   And, oh yeah, I even unplugged the VHS/ DVD player. We can easily plug itnin when we want to watch a movie.

Peach Picking

We picked some peaches a week ago. I want to get them before the bugs do. I used a fruit spray a couple of times. It's called Nutria I think.  It's safe for organic gardening and I think it really helped!
   And then last night my one year old and I were out picking more before dark and before a storm with hail rolled in that night. He was a big helper... but he wanted to throw them around too! We picked two dozen more.
   And check out how far our tree is leaning over!
   What do you like to make with peaches?  We have an abundance, I love them all by themselves.

Chili Cheese Fries: A Pregnant Woman's Craving

Three ingredients: Canned chili, Ragu cheese sauce and frozen French fries. Chili cheese fries recipe, made at home. That's what we had for lunch today. This frugal, pregnant mama has been craving them for days. I wanted them a few nights ago, but didn't have the ingredients, or energy to go to the store. Then I wanted them for lunch, right after I got off work. But I had to go straight home, so I couldn't stop by the store. So... I got the stuff this morning when Little Man and I went grocery shopping. It's so easy!
Recipe follows at the end.

 Preheat oven to 400. Spread the fries out on a silpat lined cookie sheet, or crinkle aluminum foil and put fries on that. Bake as directed on package.
Heat the chili up on the stove. (The beans tend to explode in the microwave.)

 Pour 1/3 c. to 1/2 c. Cheesy Ragu Double Cheddar sauce into a microwaveable measuring cup. Heat 20 seconds, stir, heat 25 seconds. And then it's ready to pour over top your fries and chili!

 Little Man's plate.

 He loved it, but didn't finish it. (He enjoyed a homemade popsicle afterward.)(*Healthier anyways. ;-D)

 I topped our with fresh chives! Something FRESH! lol

Hubby's portion, and yes, I reused the plate! It saved me a dirty dish! He was busy watering our new tree out front. And yes, the dogs thought lunch smelled delicious!

I got my craving food!

And saved money by making it at home.

Frozen fries: $2.00

Canned chili: $1.38

Ragu Cheese Sauce: $1.67+.50 coupon = $1.17

(Using the Ragu instead of a jar cheese dip/sauce saved me $2.71)

(And it was just as good!)

Total Meal: $4.55

Serves 3

 

My husband finished his and asked if there were free refills.

We ate it all.

He wanted more! So, I'm glad I bought enough to make them again!

(We eat healthy a lot, but sometimes it's nice to splurge.)

 

Chili Cheese Fries

1 bag steak French fries

1 can chili

1/2 jar Cheesy Ragu Double Cheddar Sauce

Fresh chives or green onion.

 

Cook fries as directed on package.

Heat chili in a pan on the stove.

Heat cheese sauce in the microwave in a pourable measuring cup, 45-60 seconds.

Layer: Fries, chili, cheese, chives.

Orange Cherry Lemonade Water

I made this today because it's feeling like summer and citrus water is always refreshing. I'm also pregnant and have to drink like a gallon of water a day... so... plain old water is getting boring.

The recipe is at the bottom, but I had fun taking some pictures. :D

 

 Step 1: Entertain the toddler. Put him in the highchair and gave him an organic pear.
Step 2: Slice the orange and cut off the rind. My oranges were not organic and the rind looked quite sad.

 Step 3: Add in two maraschino cherries and 2 tsp of the juice.
**Baby bump in the picture!!

 Step 4: Add some nice cold water.

 Step 5: Check on the toddler... he's still chowing down.
**Notice the orange slice? He'll get to that in a minute.

 Step 6: Add a tsp of pink lemonade. Adds a smidge of color and flavor.

 Step 7: Pop it in your fridge and let it rest for 1/2 an hour or so.

 Step 8: Get the little guy down from the chair. He's eaten lunch, devoured his fruit and is ready for nap time!

 Step 9: Once your ready to kick up your feet, remove your orange cherry lemonade water from the fridge and stir.
Step 10: Fill your mason jar with ice and a big straw.

 Step 11: Pour in the water. (I'd add mint if I had any!)

Step 12: ENJOY!

 

Orange Cherry Lemonade Water

2 oranges, sliced and rind cut off

2 maraschino cherries

2 tsp of cherry juice

1 tsp pink lemonade (not a packet of crystal light!)

Mint (if desired)

Water

 

Mix everything in a pitcher.

Let sit in the fridge for at least 1/2 an hour.

Pour over ice and enjoy!

Easy Baked Tortilla Nachos

 

A simple recipe that toddlers can easily help with! This is a recipe from my childhood. It's one my mom used to make. Actually I think I remember her and my dad making these to eat with their movie after us kids went to bed. They ate them with jalapenos, which actually sounds good! I love the sweet jalapenos. Mmmm.

(The recipe and instructions are after all the pictures.)

 

 

 

Easy Baked Tortilla Nachos

2 tortilla shells

1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (mild cheddar)

 

Optional: chili powder & cumin or taco seasoning, jalapenos, sour cream

 

Spray baking dish with non-stick spray or use a silicone liner.

Tear tortillas into chip size pieces and spread on the pan.

Sprinkle on the cheese and spices and jalapenos(if using).

Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. 

Broil on low for the last few minutes if desired.

Top with sour cream if you want.

Enjoy while hot!