Elf Shenanigans 2012

- Bath Time -

(At some point during the day, Graham filled the sink with water- turning the marshmallows into mush and soaking Cutie Bell..... time to dry her off!)

- Super Elf - 
While Cutie Bell was pampering, Tree Stump was flying high in the Living Room.

- Sleep Tight! -

- Christmas Tree T.P. - 

- Snow Ball Fight -

- Hanging High - 
Sometimes, they like to just hang around.

- 12 Days of Christmas -
Reese and Graham get to take turns opening a book each day leading up to Christmas.
(Cutie Bell had me buy a bunch of Christmas books and DVD'a last year on clearance!)

- Missing Home -
Our freezer is the closest temperature to what these elves are used to!

 - Movie Night - 
The t.v. was on playing a Christmas movie when Reese and Graham woke one morning.

- Hot Chocolate Breakfast - 

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North Pole Breakfast 2012

Cutie Bell made her entrance last year with a 

North Pole Breakfast!

When she came this year, she made breakfast and brought a HUGE surprise!

'Brother Elf' came to our home with Cutie Bell. Graham didn't take much time to decide the the name of his Elf on the Shelf...
Tree Stump!
(The boy has some creativity!)

The Sister and Brother combo, set the table.....

And brought yummy treats.....

"Was it good?" You ask. I think the answer is YES!

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Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup

I've made this delicious, belly-warming soup a lot. 

And each time, I am so excited at how much it ACTUALLY tastes like 

Baked Potatoes!

Crock Pot Baked Potato Soup

What You'll Need:

12 slices of bacon

1 onion, diced

1/2 cup flour

5 1/2 cups chicken broth

5 medium baking potatoes

1 teaspoon parsley flakes

2 cups half & half

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1 cup sour cream

Garnish- extra cheese and extra sour cream

Here's How:

1. Scrub and pierce your potatoes. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet and bake at 400* for 30-60 minutes. Cool (enough to be handled) and then peel the potatoes with your fingers. Dice the cooked and peeled potatoes and set aside.

2. In a dutch oven, cook bacon.

3. Remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate and cook the onion in the bacon grease. Season with salt and pepper.

4. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly add the chicken broth and cook until thickened. (Be sure to scrape all of those yummy bacon bits off the bottom of the pan!)
5. Add this hot broth and onions to your crock pot. Add potatoes, parsley, half & half, and most of the bacon. (Reserve some bacon to use as garnish.)
6. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours. Stir in the cheese and sour cream and cook for a 1/2 hour more on high.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with cheese, sour cream and bacon. Serve and enjoy!



I adapted this recipe from Paula Deen's Baked Potato Soup recipe found here.

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DIY Headband Holder

Here's the headband nightmare that was in existence in my daughter's bathroom just a few short days ago....

(You'd think the girl has 10 heads to wear all of these!)

I started this project with 

1. a hate for the disorganized headbands,

2. a large oatmeal canister,

3. mod podge,

4. cute scrapbook paper.

Read closely, because it doesn't get much simpler than this...
1. Cut your paper to the size of the canister you are using. (I took the lid off first)
2. Brush a thin layer of Mod Podge onto your canister. Attach paper on top, using the Mod Podge as the glue.
3. Brush several layers of Mod Podge over the paper, allowing each layer to dry.

Accessorize and store!
(I did purge many headbands and the inside of the canister holds flexible, fabric headbands.)

I didn't put ALL of her headbands back on for this picture. I wanted you to get the idea without it looking 'over loaded' with hair pieces. She still has too many but they are so cute and she really does wear a lot! :)

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DIY Coaster Project

As usual, about the time every Pinner on Pinterest has tried a project, that's when I get around to doing it too!

See my beautiful coasters (sarcasm)? They match NOTHING in my house. In fact, they were wedding/shower gifts over 8 years ago!

But, we still use them all the time, they just need a little updating.

Enter some scrapbook paper I already had. Cut into squares a little smaller than the coasters I was covering.

Such a fun thing to have on hand- Mod Podge!

A thin layer of Mod Podge on the old coasters and then scrapbook paper on top. Another layer of Mod Podge and I let them dry before doing a few more layers.

When they are completely dry, I sprayed them all with a clear sealer to protect the paper.

Ready to use for hot or cold!!!!

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It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

It's beginning to look (and sound, and smell).....

A LOT like Christmas!!!!

(Mommy's cute, little elves were a big help in the tree decorating department this year!)

Happy to say we are all decorated, most of the Christmas shopping is done and I have a long list of Christmas cookies waiting to be baked!!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

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Blessings Mix

Happy Thanksgiving!

(I know,  I'm over a week late but I didn't want to go without saying it!)

I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with Family, Food and Gratefulness! 

We have been blessed with so much!

These fun treats called 'Blessings Mix' are what Reese handed out to her classmates and to family on Thanksgiving Day.
Such a cute idea and Carmel Potatoes has a printable over here!

These Blessings Mix were easy to put together for a fun Thanksgiving treat. All the ingredients were found at the grocery store and the tags were easy to print and cut out. They were the perfect size for snack size baggies. 
(Tuck this idea away for next years Thanksgiving get-together!)

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