Diapers

Mom's have a love hate relationship with diapers. You hate to change them but you love that they (for the most part) contain all the crap (no pun intended) inside.

Here is a link to get 50% at diapers direct. They have all the name brand diapers and lots of other baby stuff and with summer HOPEFULLY coming you may need swim diapers so go check it out.

It is a groupon for Alabama so you need to click HERE if you want to get some for yourself.

HURRY the deal ends Monday!!!!!

Summer

Summer Summer where are you?

If you are like me and are dying for a little summer weather you can TRY to bring summer to you. I have decided I am going to surround myself with things that remind me of summer to curb my cravings of a little vitamin D. Yes I am addicted and I'm having with-drawls.




IF you would like this FREE printable then click HERE

"cool" summer

Stay "cool" this summer with this fun FREE printable

I paired it with some frozen pops to give out to the ladies I visit teach but you could pair it with anything that is cold. But I recommend doing these pops because if they aren't home you can still leave it at the door and not worrying about it melting all over their porch. . . . can you imagine.

To bad it doesnt feel like summer yet :(

To get this printable go check it out HERE courtesy of eighteen25

Dutch Oven Raspberry Cake

Last weekend I went to a dutch oven cooking class at the local Harmon's. It was a lot of fun however I don't like just watching, I need to get my hands working in order for me to learn. So, I just came home and tried it myself.

Okay, this cake is "UH"mazing! AND it is made in a dutch oven. Could you imagine going camping and having this desert instead of the regular peach cobbler? Maybe if I had this camping I would actually go. . . . okay just maybe.

My friend recently told me camping for her is like going to a 3 star hotel and I have to agree with her. I am not a "camper" but I always have wanted to. . . okay, I lied. . . . I want to now that I have a boy. I want to do everything for him so he can never say he didn't go camping or fishing when he was older.

If that isn't reason enough to learn how to cook in a dutch oven maybe thick about the END OF THE WORLD that was suppose to happen a couple days ago. I think learning how to cook in a dutch oven could be of use in case of an emergency.

Quick Tip. if you have a 12 inch dutch oven then you double that amount and put 24 coals on top of your dutch oven. and then you minus 4 and that is the number you put at the bottom of your dutch oven.

okay now to the recipe:

1 yellow cake mix
1 large cook and serve vanilla pudding mix

(follow directions on package but adding dry vanilla pudding and replacing mayo for oil.)

Frosting:
1 8 oz. pkg cream cheese
3/4 to 1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 12 oz cool whip

Cream sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. fold in cool whip. Frost Cake

Topping:

2 pkg frozen raspberries, thawed
1/2 to 1 cup sugar
about 1/4 cup ultra jell (enough to make it thick like jam)
1/2 tsp. almond extract

Mix all ingredients together in bowl. Spread raspberries on frosted cake and serve.




I know a lot of steps and ingredients so I doubt I would actually make this cake camping but I did make it in a regular dish at home and it turned out great and trust me when I say it IS worth making it.

Pirate Party

Who has seen the new Pirates of the Caribbean movie?

Last weekend my sister in law had a Pirates Party for a bunch of teenagers to hype them up for the movie. They were able to eat some food and grab some "loot" for the movie.

When each kid walked into the door they received one of these: (I know I look scary)

Check out the cute decor. . .

Every "pirate" got a sword

 Before the movie kids were told to "grab some loot" or "walk the plank"

They each got a fabric bag to fill with all sorts of "blimey fish, "gold," "booty," and other fun candies

"crunchy bones"

"Thar she blows Tamales"

Don't mind some of the ribbon in the back... isn't this a cool vintage bottle. It was from the D.I (thrift store) spray painted and then decorated. The candle next to it just has small detail but in parties like these ALL the details count.

"crows nest cupcakes"

During the party the kids went on a treasure hunt and whoever won got these sweet swords as a prize. My baby took over one of them . . .

(My niece Kelsey with my baby boy)

Projects

I have so many projects I am doing. When am I going to learn to finish one before I start the next?

 I have to finish:

*Two pieces of furniture and I plan on starting one.
*Laminating my family home evening lessons I have started
*finishing organizing my food storage
*decorate for 2 toy story parties
*finish my chalk board signs
*finish decorating my office. . . . . .

(my basement with all my food storage... yes most is expired )

Right now my house looks a little  a lot scary and I hate clutter and I hate being unorganized so when will I learn?
AHHHHHHH, breathe Bridget breathe.

Posts on finished projects hopefully will come soon . . . that is if I finish them :)


OH and coming soon is my FIRST giveaway!

Rock Salt Potatoes

I know this may sound weird but you will never bake a potato the same way. My mom taught me this technique last week and I found that a lot of restaurants bake a potato this way and so will you.

FIRST get some rock salt.

THEN fill a cookie sheet full of it like this . .  . (you can reuse this over and over again)

Next get you some potatoes and wash them. Then pierce each potato deeply with a fork or sharp knife four times on each side at approximately 1-inch intervals. This will allow steam to escape during the baking. Once this is done place them directly on top of the salt (don't cover with tinfoil-explanation why at end of post)




AND bake them for 45 minutes at 375 degrees F.

WHY is this better than just baking it like normal? It is because the salt will suck out all the moisture and it will give the potato a really good texture and flaky center basically it will be just divine. I know this may seem weird but try it and you wont go back.

Extra Tips:

How To Choose Potatoes for Baking:
Any potato can be baked, but for the perfect baked potato with the desired flaky texture, it is recommended that mature, baking-type potatoes such as the Russet potatoes be used. Russets are known as a starchy potato, a baking potato, or a mealy potato. The starch gives the potato it's characteristic fluffiness.
Make sure that the skin has a nice even brown tone without a greenish cast. Inspect the potatoes thoroughly to make sure that there aren't any significant bruises, discolored spots, or sprouts.

Tin Foil
Wrapping the potato in aluminum foil will produce a soft skin (not crispy). Technically this is steaming rather than baking (as the moisture in the potato remains trapped) and the light, flaky texture will be missing. The texture of a steamed potato is entirely different from that of a perfect baked potato. Save yourself the trouble and expense of wrapping in aluminum foil and serve perfect baked potatoes.

Office Makeover

Okay so I have been busy lately trying to turn this. . . .

into something magically. I need help though. I cant pick a color scheme and why is it that a blank room painted in a boring tan is SO hard to create in. OH YA that's why IT is because it's BORING.

Shopper's Envy

I know I am not the only one this happens to so don't act like you haven't thought of "clothes-lining" someone to get to that pair of shoes first. . . . (okay maybe it's just me at TJMAXX and Homegoods)

I hate when I go shopping and I see someone buying the last item and it's something I REALLY want.  OR when you both start at one end of the isle and you are rushing to shuffle through the clothes in order to hopefully look at each item before your "opponent" does.

Well, this happened to me the other day when I was at Homegoods. I have been a little M.I.A. from blog land for a while because I have been redecorating my office. That's right MY office. Before my husband and I shared this space but now that he is done with school and has his own office at work I can now take down all his plastic medals from winning dodge ball on our cruise and claim what is rightfully mine. . . (Que evil laugh . . . . BWUAAAAAAHHHHAAAA)

OKAY back to the point, when I walked into Homegoods I saw this amazing chair. It had wheels and was the perfect colors for what I dreamed my office/craft room to look like. Then I glanced again, NOOOOOOOO there is a "still shopping" sticky note on it. So, I waited and waited hoping this shopper wasn't going to claim it.

They did. . . tear :(

Here is what the chair looked like. (don't think I wasn't going to take a picture of what could of been)

2 Great Coupons

Who doesn't love a good coupon? That's right no one!

Well, Luckily for you I have 2 coupons:

FIRST:

click below to get 50% off anything at Old Navy until Sunday

http://static.oprah.com/images/tows/201105/20110506-old-navy-coupon.pdf

you can pick up something cute for summer. I am going today and I'm looking for something to help me cover up a little something something as I'm at the pool.

 What are you going to get?

SECOND:

Go to Smiths or Kroger's and get some FREE pasta

click below and use this coupon but only at one of those 2 places to get your pasta for free:

http://www.itpaystoeatpasta.com/coupons.cfm?cameFromHome=1

Traveling Tips update

I am back from my trip and I have more tips.


DON'T let your baby play with the instruction manual

(picture taken before tragedy struck ;) )

Because this could happen. . . .

YES a paper cut. I looked over and saw he was covered in blood and I frantically searched for where he could possible have a huge gash due to the amount of blood on his clothes and on the manual . . . who knew a paper cut could bleed so much.

This brings me to my second tip I forgot to mention in the last post; have a first aid kit in your diaper bag. I have a really tiny one and forgot about it until this happened. Glad I was prepared.

Luckily he is a good baby and after the tears he did this. . . . as I sat there feeling guilty that I let him play with that manual

For my last tip if you do bring your car seat on it has to be next to the window which can be a little chilly so make sure to pack a blanket.

OH WAIT, one more. . .  Always try to use the family bathroom rather than just the woman's. I almost got stuck in bathroom stall with the stroller and me all wedged into a tiny space. (can you picture it. . . . okay now stop that's gross!)

THE END!

Traveling

Traveling is fun . . . I mean VACATIONING is fun. The traveling to get there, well, not so much.

Tomorrow  I am taking my 7th month old baby to Texas (by myself ahhh). This will be his 7th and 8th time on a plane so by now I hope I have it down and can share some helpful tips to make the "traveling" with a small baby more enjoyable.

GENERAL TIPS:

First off is I have to have this stroller because when it comes to flying by myself  my hands are limited and this stroller is quick and easy to fold up one handed and to go through security.

Speaking of security, did you know if you have small kids in a stroller you can go through the family line. I always get right up to the front of the security line!

Second most important thing is make sure to have your baby's birth certificate. If your baby is under 2 they fly for free and people told me as long as they look under two you are fine. My baby clearly looks under 2 but on my last plane flight I got a long and I mean LONG lecture because I didn't have Jaxon's. They also said that I could get fined up to 500 dollars if I get caught flying with a baby with out their birth certificate. NOT worth the hassle, just bring it!

*Always ask if the plane is full. If not you can bring the car seat on the plane and it makes it a much easier ride for your little guy and for you.

*Always be prepared ahead of time when going through security. The more time spent before you get to the airport the less stress you will be. Have everything in plastic bags and in easy reach to put in a bin. Bring enough food to just get through the trip. I always go through with a mixed bottle because they will allow that through but if you bring a water bottle and just formula with the intentions of mixing it when you get on the plane they will take your water bottle. You can always buy a way-over-priced water bottle once you get through or you can ask at one of the restaurants for water.

*DON'T feel bad asking for help.

*Don't sit in the emergency exit OR even the next 2 rows behind it. You are not able to do so and once you get settled they will ask you to move. It happened to me when I sat 2 rows behind and they stopped the plane just for me to move back and it was a PAIN.

*Try to sit by a friendly woman. They are always helpful and understanding if your baby cries or heck, even if you have to go potty and you can have them hold your baby. I know some of you may NEVER do that but TRUST me when I say it is hard to hold a baby and go potty in an airplane bathroom :) Plus where are they possibly going to go, they cant get off the plane?

(dont call child services on me)

NOW. . .

A few things I have to have in my diaper bag:

(I have 2 diaper bags and one diaper bag is specially set aside for only traveling (the link above) and it is called BFF. Very fitting because it will be your best friend when you are traveling. It is one that can be a back pack when traveling but then can be a shoulder strap when you are vacationing and don't want to look like a 3rd grader going off to school. (To see more about my travel diaper bag you can watch the video on it by clicking the link above)

FOOD:
baby food (has to be smaller than 3 oz.) They will let you take more but they will stop you and run a test and it just takes even longer. My suggestions is if your baby still likes rice cereal then do that since it is powder form and they will let that go through security with out having to do a "special" test on it. Another suggestion is just bring an empty water bottle and you can fill it up once you get past customs and its free.

When it comes to feeding baby food to your baby you HAVE to have THIS. . .  it will make life a lot easier. It's called the boon squirt baby food dispenser. It is a spoon that when you squeeze it baby food with come out on the spoon therefore freeing up a hand. Heck, use this even when you aren't traveling.

*tip* feed them a light colored baby food like pears or bananas in case it gets all over you. Last time I did carrots, not good!

SNACKS:
 I like these because they keep them busy and when you are taking off and landing it is good for them to either be sucking on something or munching to help their ears pop. My baby takes a Binky so if yours does to then that's even better. But even during the ride if my baby starts getting fussy I give him one of the Mum Mums.

I like these as well. They aren't as messy as the Mum Mums but babies seem to go through them a lot faster.

TOYS:
bring toys that don't make noise. Who wants to sit next to someone who has a toy that plays obnoxious music? Not me!

CLOTHES:
*ALWAYS I repeat always have an extra change of clothes in your diaper bag. It has happened to me twice where he has pooped up his back and the last thing you want to do is put him back in his car seat all messy.

*Also dress your baby in layers in case it is cold or hot on the plane.

*Another surprising thing is DON'T put shoes on your baby. I always put him in the footed pj's. My sister in law went  through customs and they asked her to take off her 4 month old baby's shoes and that is just one more thing to do. (Hey, at least they don't discriminate.)

*This may be obvious but make sure you don't wear clothes that are complicated to take off and put on. You will be limited with hands and the quicker you are the less people behind you are rolling their eyes :)

MISC.

*I have to have a binky clip so if his binky falls out of his mouth it doesn't hit the nasty ground, but if it does I have these in my diaper bag. (don't buy them at that link, those are way too expensive. I buy mine at TJMAXX for $3.00)

*I also like to have my wipes and diapers accessible in one quick swipe of my hand. You can make one like mine here.

*If nursing a nursing cover that actually covers. People are paying for a uncomfortable plane ride to their destination, not a peep show!

* And FINALLY I like to have sunglasses at all times in my bag just in case we want to be incognito from the paparazzi. . . . ha ha, JK. but aren't they cute?

* REMEMBER these are my tips. They work for me and may not work for you but I thought they were worth sharing

"Oh Honey"

My husband knows I enjoy blogging but he doesn't understand why I take pictures of my cooking etc (honestly, I don't know why I do either but I can think of much worse hobbies to dabble in then cooking and crafting) So, while I was away he called me and asked me to hurry home. I knew something was up so when I got home and to my surprise I had a home cooked meal presented by the one and only, my husband. Now, as if that wasn't great it gets even better . . . I then went to upload my pictures to my computer and I found the pictures below. I was dying with laughter. After I composed myself I asked him to walk me through the pictures he took.

I still cant stop laughing . . .


okay . . . .

Chase: "the key ingredient is store bought BBQ sauce"

 "Then you cut your bacon"

(I love how he took a picture with scissors as if you don't know what to use to cut something open)

 "Then you make store bought potatoes."

 "Bake your cornbread" (he used a mix)

 "Grill your one piece of bacon and chicken"

 "Take a picture of yourself while it is cooking"

"brush on that key ingredient."

"Pour frozen apple juice in a glass jar."

 This is my favorite picture I found on my camera. When I asked him what this was he said it was how to make a paper towel into 2 napkins. WE both fell to the ground laughing

 Only a guy would set a table like this :)

I am one luky girl. love you babe.

DIY Vintage Tray

 warning in advance, these pictures are with my Iphone so they're not the best, lo siento!

WHAT YOU NEED:

* Any type of tray ( this is from TJMAXX but my mom did one to with one from a thrift store)
* Mod Podge
* sponge Brush
* Vintage inspired post cards.
         These are sooo funny. You can find them at boutiques or I bought mine off Amazon and shared the deck of post cards with my mom and there was still more for a 3rd tray. They are by Anne Taintor. You can also find them at chroniclebooks.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Pick which cards you want and lay them out on the tray how you want them. You may have to cut some to make them all fit.

2. Apply a small amount of mod podge on the bottom of the tray.

3.Lay down your cards and hold them down for a while so they will stick to the bottom of the tray.

4. keep making thin layers of mod podge and let it dry before repeating until all the cards become even on the tray. This will take a lot of coats of mod podge.

5. Display (I have mine holding my remotes for my TV in my basement on my coffee table.)

(pictures with iphone, sorry they're not very good)

 OR use it for yummy cookies like these: