Happy Valentine's Day...early

Since Valentine's Day falls on a day that I work, I thought Logan & I would make our Valentine cupcakes a little early. This is the first year he actually was excited to help me bake & decorate. I cheated this year (being 33 weeks pregnant will do that to a gal) by using boxed Funfetti cake mix & icing.

I even put them in these adorable V-Day cupcake foils I found at Target

 

Here are some pictures from our baking today:

He added the ingredients to the bowl for me

Logan was very excited (for some reason) to put the cupcake foils in the pans

I love this photo! His little hands adding his own special touch to each cupcake :)

Every baker needs a taste tester

February Update

Outside my window . . . I can see the sun trying to come out even though it's been overcast & rainy for most of the day

I am thinking . . . that I have a very short time left to take advantage of our time as a family of 3

I am thankful for . . . a husband who helps out around the house whenever & however he can. It's becoming more difficult these days to do certain 'chores' that would normally seem so easy. I can't thank Brian enough!!

In the kitchen . . . there are beautiful flowers my grandma gave me at my surprise baby 'sprinkle'

I am wearing . . . yoga pants & a t-shirt. It seems to be the most comfortable thing to wear these days.

I am creating . . . my menu & grocery list at the moment

I am going . . . to 2 doctor's appointments tomorrow. Here's to hoping for some good news!!!

I am wondering . . .who Levi will look like. Any guesses???

I am reading . . .'Reshaping It All' by Candace Cameron Bure

I am hoping . . . to get a lot accomplished at work this week. I know I'm off until Wednesday but sometimes my mind wonders to work related stuff. :(

I am looking forward to . . .my doctor appointment tomorrow; my Girls Night dinner on Thursday with my grandma, mom, & 2 sisters; & the DU banquet on Saturday

I am hearing . . . the washing machine running

Around the house . . . there aren't a lot of things to be done. All of the cleaning has been done since we hosted a Super Bowl party yesterday. :)

One of my favorite things . . . is to budget with Brian. I know it's corny but it's a great way to make sure we're both on the same page. Plus, it keeps us both in check with what's going on or coming up.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .grocery shop, doctor's appointment, & work. I hope to squeeze in some time to hang out with some friends but we'll have to see what Brian's work schedule looks like for this weekend. Either way, it'll be a great week!!

Homemade Donuts

We had a great & rare surprise this past weekend...Brian didn't have to work. So, I decided to have a special breakfast on Saturday that consisted of something besides our traditional cereal. :) Brian is an awesome cook so any time he helps out in the kitchen I think it's a treat. Any way...we made homemade donuts & boy were they delicious!!!

This is about half of what we made :)
 

To make these fabulous guys all you need to do is take a can of biscuits (we used 2) & punch a hole in the middle of the biscuits by using a thimble. Pop the donuts into a Fry Daddy full of hot oil & let them do their thing. Once the donuts are nice & golden, take them out & cover them in your favorite topping. We used powered sugar & a cinnamon/sugar mix this time but I'd like to use icing & sprinkles next time too. The best part about making the donuts are turning the small pieces of dough you removed from the center of the donut into donut balls!!!

This was a fun & easy breakfast to start our Saturday off with. And I love how Logan can be involved by covering the donuts (and himself) in the toppings. :)

Taco Soup

Since it's absolutely frigid here in Evansville, I decided to make a nice pot of Taco Soup last night for dinner. It's an extremely quick, easy, & cheap dinner to make--plus it was a great way to warm up!! This entire pot of soup cost around $4 to make (not including the meat because we use deer meat).Here's the recipe I use but you can add or remove whatever you like to make it more of your own:

*1 1/2 lb. ground beef, browned (we use deer meat because that's what we have)
*2 cans of corn
*2 cans of beans (I use kidney beans)
*28 oz. can of diced tomatoes
*1 package of taco seasoning

Mix all ingredients into a pot & allow to simmer for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to low until you're ready to serve. I like to add more water to my soup so it isn't so think but of course that's optional. The best part about this soup are the toppings: tortilla chips, shredded cheese, & sour cream. Yum, yum! Enjoy!!! :)

January Update

Outside my window . . . it's sunny but very cold

I am thinking . . . that I have an amazing 3 year-old little boy who teaches me something new every day. He's going to make a great big brother!!

I am thankful for . . . nap time :)

In the kitchen . . . there are clean counter tops & bottles drying (nesting has kicked in).

I am wearing . . . yoga pants & a t-shirt. It seems to be the most comfortable thing to wear these days.

I am creating . . .a list of things to take to the hospital in case things happen sooner than expected, like last time.

I am going . . .to become a better blogger this year.

I am wondering . . .why General feels the need to shed so much hair all over the house. It becomes frustrating!!

I am reading . . .'Reshaping It All' by Candace Cameron Bure

I am hoping . . . to relax for a bit before Logan gets up. I'm one tired momma these days.

I am looking forward to . . .my doctor appointment on Tuesday. I love getting updates on little Levi. :)

I am hearing . . . Law & Order SVU on the TV

Around the house . . .are signs that a new baby is on his way.

One of my favorite things . . .having dinner with friends, which we're doing tonight. I'm excited to finally have a chance to catch up!

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .grocery shop, doctor's appointment, & work. It's an exciting life, I know.

Taco Pizza

Brian LOVES tacos & I swear he would eat them weekly if it were up to him. Since I do the majority of the cooking, I get tired of making what seems like the same 'ole things every month. Thanks to Pinterest (and www.realmomkitchen.com), I found a great way to quinch Brian's taco cravings while making something different. The best part about this recipe is you can put whatever you like on it!

1 lb. ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning mix
2 - 8 oz. cans crescent rolls
1 - 16 oz. refried beans
2-3 cups shredded cheese (I used Mexican cheese)
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes (I used Aldi's diced tomated w/green chiles for added spice)
1/4 cup sliced black olives (I left this out)
4 green onions, chopped

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Brown beef & drain. Add taco seasoning to the beef according to the package.
3. Unroll crescent rolls in rectangles. Place in 11 1/2 x 16 1/2 jelly roll pan or cookie sheet. Press dough over the bottom & 1/2 inch up the sides to form crust. Bake for 11-13 minutes or until golden brown.
4. Microwave beans in a microwave safe bowl for 1 minute. Carefully spread beans over warm crust creating a thin layer.
5. Top with cooked beef mixture, cheese, tomatoes, black olives, & green onions. Return to oven for 3-6 minutes until cheese is melted.

I also add a dollop of sour cream. This is a new favorite in our household!

July Update

Outside my window . . . it's sunny & will be VERY hot today

I am thinking . . . that I should start on the mound of laundry that's piled up in hopes of getting it all cleaned before I go back to work tomorrow

I am thankful for . . . Brian's job that allows me to stay home part-time

In the kitchen . . . there's a big bag from Kohl's waiting for me to sort through it. We went on a mini shopping spree last night. :)

I am wearing . . . soccer shorts & a t-shirt

I am creating . . .nothing at the moment

I am going . . .to read a little before Logan wakes up

I am wondering . . .how busy I'll be at work tomorrow after being off for 6 days

I am reading . . .the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy (again, actually!)

I am hoping . . . to cross everything off of my to-do list today

I am looking forward to . . . scrap booking this weekend w/my bestie!

I am hearing . . . silence  :)

Around the house . . .I see little reminders that a sweet boy loves to play w/his trucks & tractors

One of my favorite things . . .is enjoying a few minutes to myself each morning before anyone else gets up

A few plans for the rest of the week . . .work the rest of the week, go to church, & spend Sunday scrap booking w/my bestie (which is much over do!)