This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Dollar General. All opinions are 100% mine. Get your home ready for this holiday season by adding in some new Home Decor from Dollar General. Where you can get quality home goods at a great price! Years ago, I fell in love with this super fun old dresser that was re-painted and distressed in a pretty milky blue … [Read more...]
Fall Bucket List Free Printable
While the leaves are changing and the weather is getting chilly you can print out this super cute Fall Bucket List to check off activities together with your kids!I think it's safe to say that over the last few years my favorite season has become fall! I just love the chill in the air and the change of clothes from tank tops, shorts, and sandals to flannels, jeans, and … [Read more...]
2016 Fall Family Photos
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, friends! I hope you all had the most wonderful and magical holidays ever and were able to spend lots of time with your loved ones! I can never quite believe how quickly the holidays go by. Starting with Thanksgiving and on, it just seems like each year the days fly by faster than the last. We were lucky to have the kids home for an … [Read more...]
Thankful for You: Gift Idea
With Thanksgiving happening later this week, I put together some fun "Thankful for You" teacher gifts for all our wonderful teachers who we appreciate and adore dearly. I feel like I say this every year, but it's just so true...and worth saying again...my kids really do have the such wonderful teachers. We are lucky and very blessed to have teachers who care so much for … [Read more...]
Apple Cider Sangria Recipe
This weekend I had a Girls Night with some lovely ladies and I thought it would be fun to make a fall-themed drink as the weather here finally started feeling more fall-ish (hooray!) Since it is apple-picking season and everything apples is everywhere, I figured making an Apple Cider Sangria was the perfect choice! I love sangrias because there is that little part of me … [Read more...]
Family Photos 2015
Hey friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas holiday spent with your family and friends and all your loved ones! We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas. It's always so magical seeing Christmas through your children's eyes, isn't it? We were lucky enough to have four days off to spend together as a family, living it up in our pjs, playing legos and board games … [Read more...]
Fall Themed Thank You Gift Idea
With Thanksgiving coming up in just a couple of weeks I thought it would be fun to put together a little gift for our teachers, something to let them know we are thankful for them (because we are)! I know I say this a lot, and I probably sound like a broken record, but we love our schools and our teachers. Each end every teacher that has come into our lives has just been … [Read more...]
Hot Cocoa Break Gift Idea
Oh man, it has been cold and wet here this week. No fun for someone who hates being cold. I thought I would go for a run this morning when it seemed there would be a lull in the rain and a half mile in it started pouring, for reals man! And it kept up for the rest of my run. Gah. I kept telling myself, "When I'm done I'm making a giant cup of hot cocoa, I deserve it!" :-) … [Read more...]
Charlie Brown Dipped Peanut Butter Sandwich Crackers
Every year around this time my littles love, love, love watching the Peanuts movies, in fact we have just added the movie, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, into our rotation in our car! And we couldn't be more excited for November 6th when The Peanuts Movie debuts in theaters nationwide. To help celebrate this movie release and I thought it would be fun to create … [Read more...]
The Peanuts Movie Carved Snoopy Pumpkin!
Over the past few weeks we have been hitting up pumpkin patches like they are going out of style. It's one of our favorite things to do in October. We have quite a few good ones not too far from where we live and like to visit as many as we can before the weather gets really cold and windy…and you know that happens quickly in Chicago! And with all those visits we have … [Read more...]
Gift Idea: Apple and Caramels Gift Boxes
Happy Fall, y'all! I know the start of Fall was technically back in September but I have been so busy and time has just gotten away from me this year, it's seriously crazy in this house these days. The other day I put together a few little gifts for our teachers, these adorable Apple and Caramels Gift Boxes. I have been meaning to get these packaged up and sent out in my … [Read more...]
White Chocolate Candy Corn Blondies Recipe
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Hershey Company. All opinions are 100% mine. Ooh! I always get so excited when the aisles at my favorite stores start getting switched over to the Halloween goodies. I love seeing all the new decorating ideas, the costumes, the party supplies, and of course all the new fun candies, isn't Fall the best! I found these … [Read more...]
The Easiest Pumpkin Pie Pop Tarts Recipe
It appears that the cooler weather is finally here to stay in Chicago. At our house that means lots of baking. It's one of the reasons I love Fall so much. Baking is one of my love languages and this time of year you will always see my oven on and warm breads, cookies, and other baked goodies on our kitchen counters ready to be eaten. And since Fall is about all things … [Read more...]
Easy Gluten Free Apple Crisp Recipe
One of our favorite family activities to do in the fall is to take a few hours out of our busy week and pick apples together. We are blessed with a large number of great apple orchards here in Chicago and we try to hit up at least one each weekend! Our favorites are the smaller mom and pop orchards because you get lots of lovely heirloom and not super-popular grocery store … [Read more...]
The Failynn Fox Cowl
You guys! I am so in love with these Failynn Fox Cowls!! Are they not just the cutest things you have ever seen? I have been dying to make them for over a year now but just never could get around to it. Finally, a good friend pushed me over the edge by talking up how easy they were to make and I bit the bullet. Boy, am I soooo glad I did…and so are my girls as they love … [Read more...]
Recipe: Dairy Free Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
With all the cooler weather we have been getting here in Chicago, it can only mean one thing…Fall is coming!! Hooray, my favorite time of year. Fall means jeans, and boots, and apple picking, and football, and pumpkin patches. All the good stuff, am I right?! One of my absolute favorite things about cooler weather means I can make soups and stew and chilis again. And one … [Read more...]
Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Read Aloud and Movie Party
Last week my littles had an early release from school and what better way to celebrate it with than another story read aloud and movie party! This time around we did 'A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving' as this book and the movie are so fitting to this time of year! … [Read more...]
Thankful November: Chocolate Dipped Spoons
This week we decided to treat our wonderful teachers to another small and simple gift that is also really fun to make: Chocolate Dipped Spoons! These are so easy to make and can be decorated in so many fun ways for different holidays or party themes. They are perfect when you crave a little something sweet and they are great stirred into a hot mug of tea, cocoa, or coffee! … [Read more...]
2 Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe
The one nice thing about the weather getting colder already is that I get to whip up yet another batch of our favorite Hot Cocoa Mix. It's super yummy and soooo easy to make and the bonus? It only needs two ingredients! It's so easy to make even my littles can do it. Mmmm, I think I need a warm mug of it stat! … [Read more...]
Thankful Jar with FREE Printable for a Thankful Paper Chain
At the beginning of November my littles always look forward to starting our Thankful Jar. It's a simple but powerful idea, I think. I place a bunch of strips of colorful paper in a large mason jar and everyday my kids stop by sometime during the day and fill out a slip, "I Am Thankful For…" with whatever they are thankful for that day. Then they staple the slips of paper … [Read more...]
Thankful November: Simple Teacher Gifts
We consider ourselves very lucky that our kids go to a great school aaaand have wonderful teachers who love what they do and truly care for our children. So every November I like to do a little something I call Thankful November and I try to give our teachers or our school staff some fun little gifts once a week just to say thanks for their hard work and to show them we … [Read more...]
Happy Halloween 2014!
Happy Halloween! I am soooo happy to say that all our Halloween costumes are done!! Woohoo! We had a bit of a last minute change of heart with costumes these last couple of days so I spent the last few nights up late trying to create costumes for everyone. With all those last minute costumes to make I honestly didn't think I wasn't going to finish..but I did! And if you … [Read more...]
Halloween Party Poppers
Whoa! Less than one week until Halloween, are you ready? We had a bunch of pre-Halloween festivities this weekend…Halloween parade at my littles' school, trunk-or-treat, and a pumpkin carving party! And I'm happy to say all costumes survived and are ready for my littles' school parties this week and HALLOWEEN! A fun thing we had at our halloween party were these cute … [Read more...]
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Movie Party
Yesterday my littles had an early release from school so I decided it was the perfect day for us to finally watch, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. My kids love the Peanuts gang so we have come to watch this movie every year before Halloween. Charlie Brown is good like that, timeless, and perfect for the holidays. … [Read more...]
Easy and Healthy Bento Lunch Ideas: Halloween Edition!
Aww yeah! Another round up of some of my littles' past school bento lunches this month except this time it's the Halloween edition!! Who's excited?! Booo yeah <---get what I did there, heheh! … [Read more...]
Gluten Free Baked Apple Cider Donut Recipe
Every fall we pack all of our littles up in the car and we head to our favorite apple orchard(s). Is it weird that we visit more than a couple? Is it weirder that we have multiple favorites too? Cause we do. And no matter what time of day we go, like, we could have just had a huge breakfast or a ginormous lunch, we will always, always, beeline it over to the apple cider … [Read more...]
Gift Idea: Hot Cocoa Concoctions with Spooky Mix-Ins
Here's another fun gift idea or just all around fun activity you can do with your kiddos this fall. Last week, after our popcorn party from this post here, we did a hot chocolate bar of sorts after school one day. When my littles came home from school I had this fun little "Hot Cocoa Concoctions" table all set up for them to "make their own potion", it was a blast! … [Read more...]
Happy Anniversary to Us!
You guys!!! Today is our 10 year anniversary! Holy cats! Somebody pinch me because it couldn't really have been 10 years since we started our life together. Since we said 'I do', since we danced to our song in the chilly air with the sun shining down on us, since we celebrated along with our closest friends and family? I just cannot believe it. … [Read more...]
DIY Monster Treat Cups
I have been surprising my littles with lots of Halloween goodness over the last few weeks. (If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook you have seen some of our fun Halloween-y dinners already!) Because, why not. I love Halloween!!!! I made these fun Monster Treat Cups so we could fill them with popcorn for an after school snack one day. Popcorn is always more delicious … [Read more...]
Boo-tiful Stacked Pumpkin Topiary
I am so super excited to be sharing some fun Halloween decor with you today! You know, Halloween is only 3 weeks away…are you ready? We just decorated the inside of our house this weekend and we took the kids to one of our favorite pumpkin patches so our front door is slowly getting decked out to be ready for all those trick-or-treaters. We are getting there!!! … [Read more...]
Gift Idea: Halloween in a Box
My littles and I decided we should send our sweet little cousins a box full of fun for Halloween because as we all know Halloween is one of the most magical holidays of the year for kids...full of candy and dress up and non-stop ringing doorbells and of course, more candy! We were excited that we found lots of fabulous goodies to package up and now our Halloween in a Box … [Read more...]
More Non-Candy Halloween Treats and Favors with FREE Printables
Ok, Ok, Ok. So not to overload you with all my little ones Halloween favors right now buuuut here are just a few more fun NON-candy Halloween treats/favors for you! I just can't stop! These are so fun to make and my kids and I have been loving digging through all the cute Halloween trinkets in the Dollar Spot at Target. Can't. Get. Enough. … [Read more...]
Soccer Life: Team Snacks and Capri Sun
These days if your child is participating in any kind of sport you have a very high likelihood that there will be some sort of team snack schedule that you will be a part of for the duration of said sport. We have had our two oldest in soccer and team snacks after every game are a just a part of soccer life. The kids look forward to them after each game. Every child can't … [Read more...]
Just Add Apples: Caramel Apple Kit Gift Idea
Helloooo October, it's so nice to see you again! You know, I think October juuuust may be my most favorite month of the year, aside from my birthday month (June) of course. And then November and December tie for third cause they are just so much fun and so darn festive…cooler weather, Thanksgiving, crunchy fallen leaves, pumpkin pie, apple cider, Christmas...oh you know … [Read more...]
Gluten Free Pumpin Donut Muffin Recipe
Now that Fall is here you won't mind the onslaught of pumpkin recipes I post, will you? Just kidding, I will post waaaay more apple recipes than pumpkin, hehe! Anywaaays, now that I've got you either excited or annoyed, let me share with you my newest spin on one of my super popular, oldie but goodie recipes, the Donut Muffin recipe (see recipe here!). They shall be named … [Read more...]
Elmer’s Early Learners Academy Kids Project: Tissue Paper Pumpkins
Since my little Ellie Belly turned 3 this summer and she started preschool a few days a week this fall, we have been using her "off" days to do some fun crafts that help to develop her fine motor skills. You know, the fine, precise thumb, finger, hand, and wrist movements involved in writing, cutting with scissors, buttoning up shirts and sweaters. She isn't … [Read more...]
RECIPE: Easy Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Over the past couple of weeks we've been to 3 different apple orchards and I think I've peeled, chopped, and sliced over 6 bushels of apples. Holy cats, I think my right arm could actually win an arm wrestling match which is saying a lot if you know me personally. I've made crockpot after crockpot of homemade applesauce (using my favorite crockpot recipe here), plates … [Read more...]
Homemade Applesauce with Mason Jar Gift Packaging
We went to the apple orchard last weekend for the first time this fall, ahhhh one of my most favorite activities :-) It was the perfect weekend outing, the weather was cool and crisp and the apples were plentiful which is exciting in itself as last year the apple crops here were a total fail due to an earlier than normal heat wave and then a horrible frost that killed off … [Read more...]
RECIPE: Perfectly Pumpkin Cake Mix Waffles
After a very long heat wave this September, we are finally getting some nice, cool fall weather, hooray! I don't know about you but I have been totally craving fall. I want my tall boots, puffy vests, pumpkin spice lattes, and trips to the local apple orchard stat. There is just something about getting back to all things pumpkin and apple, right! It's like comfort food … [Read more...]
TUTORIAL: Gold Accented Decoupaged Pumpkins
I was contacted by Michaels and asked to be a part of their Great Pumpkin Challenge and with my deep love of the Fall and Halloween I was pumped to participate. They sent me a box of their craft pumpkins and was told to create a look for them...how fun, right! These are what the pumpkins looked like. Michaels has a whole array of awesome craft pumpkins in stores now. … [Read more...]
Crockpot Apple Cider-RECIPE
I played host to another one of our Momma Get Together's recently and I thought I'd share my go-to recipe for some of the best apple cider out there! This recipe is so easy, hello? you make it in a crockpot, and it's perfect for a group gathering on a chilly day. It always gets rave reviews and recipe requests although I'm a little embarrassed to say that it isn't really … [Read more...]
Pumpkins, Pumpkins Everywhere
Last weekend we took the kids to one of our favorite pumpkin patches to pick out our soon-to-be jack o'lanterns, they were so excited. If they had it their way we would make a trip out there every day. And our home would be filled with pumpkin goodness from floor to ceiling. Maybe it's a good thing we make the rules. The kids had a lot of fun searching for the … [Read more...]
Cardboard Pumpkin Craft and a Makedo Giveaway!
I have always loved decorating for Halloween, it's one of my favorite times of year but now that I have two preschoolers under my roof Halloween has taken on a whole new meaning. Noah and Penelope started asking to decorate our house back in September, begging like no other, that is how excited they are this year. I held them off until October 1st and ever since then our … [Read more...]
Oldies but Goodies…Halloween Style!
I thought today I would do a little Round Up of a few of my favorite past Halloween/Fall crafty tutorials and recipes from my blog. Many of them would be perfect for an upcoming Halloween party if you are hosting one! They can all be done in one afternoon so if you have a bit of time to kill this weekend maybe you might want to give one or two a try. Enjoy! Happy … [Read more...]
Red, Yellow, Green and Blue…These Are the Colors Over You
We have a lot of these on the ground these days. I suppose this is one reason why living in the midwest is a good thing. We get to experience all four seasons, some shorter than others, but four seasons nonetheless. The one we are currently in is my all time favorite. Part of the joy of Fall is the ever changing leaves. From green to yellow, gold, orange, and … [Read more...]
Apple Strudel {Recipe}
I was browsing through my Recipes section of this here blog and realized that I have never, never ever, posted this Apple Strudel recipe for you, whaaat? This dessert is a staple at our house every apple season. And if you so happen to visit my house in the months of September, October or November chances are you will be served this awesome plate of apple … [Read more...]
Appliquéd Turkey Placemats with the Go! Baby Fabric Cutter {Tutorial}
So I received a Go! Baby Fabric Cutter from Accuquilt a while back and can I just tell you how much I love this machine! It's seriously rad to the tenth power. It makes cutting out appliqués a breeze which is the part I always dislike when I want to appliqué clothing. The Go! Baby is the smaller of the two machines that Accuquilt offers although I think it is perfect for … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Sundaes {Recipe}
So yesterday I told you that I would share one of our favorite ways to eat the homemade caramel sauce I showed you how to make here. Did you guess it was on an ice cream sundae? But not just any sundae, a Caramel Apple Sundae! We love these and tend to bust these out after dinner in the fall, although really they are delicious anytime of the year You only need a … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Muffins
Looks good, right? That up there is one of my newest food crushes. Caramel. Apple. Muffins. Need I say more? They are really tasty to just say a wee bit about them. We had a fun conversation on the Smashed Peas and Carrots Fanpage on Facebook and Twitter where I asked if I should post this recipe and well, you all said a resounding 'heck ya'...soooo you ask and you … [Read more...]
Happy Bat Crayons
So, did you all have a fun weekend? The hubs and I had a full day date yesterday, it was awesome. We took Ellie with us due to our current breastfeeding situation (she's my little sidekick these days :-) )and headed down to Chicago. We did a bunch of shopping at a ton of places that we have been wanting to go to for, like, ever but just never do because of the crazy … [Read more...]
Caramel Apple Cookies
Holy cats! TWO cookie recipes in TWO weeks!?! You are going to kill me but I just had to post this one! You see, a sweet friend of mine, came by my house a couple of weeks ago and not only did she drop off some lovely little dresses for Eloise but she also dropped off a whole bunch of Caramel Apple Cookies...that were promptly eaten that night! Every. Last. One. Yes!! … [Read more...]
A Warm Noggin
Last week we had a nice welcome to Fall with some very chilly weather. Even at the beginning of this week we woke up to a rather freezy home. Since Fall brings lots of walks in the neighborhood crunching on pretty leaves I thought I would make Ellie a little something cute for that sweet little noggin of her's to keep her warm. Anyone else take an hour to get around the … [Read more...]
Fall Boo Frames
So, with the Fall season on our heels I was in the mood to start doing a little decorating in my home. I really love Fall, especially for the rich orange, yellow and brown colors as well as for my favorite holiday...Halloween! I made this fun Halloween frame collage this weekend: I love it! Not only does it have all those lovely Fall colors I think are rad, orange, … [Read more...]
A Donut Morning
So we bought a dozen of these today while we took in some more apple-y orchard goodness with the little ones. Apple. Cider. Donuts. So good. They just scream 'Hello Fall' to me. We ate the first 6 in the car on our way home and then these babies were tucked away ever so well so we could have them for breakfast in the morning. Yay for some self-restraint! Happy … [Read more...]
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