So cute--so cheap!

Isn't this so cute? I've always LOVVVVVVVVED valentines day ever since...I can remember. Making those valentine mailboxes, sweet treats, cards...candy...its so much fun. I'm gathering all my valentine gifts and thoughts together, so after we get back from super-bowl sunday with grandma and grand-dad, Briggy and I can package up all of our love fun.
I am tempted to buy this, but I am trying to pack and downsize seeing as I'm moving in a month...but I thought I'd share this sweet suprize.


Peanut butter and Strawberry fluff, anyone? yummmm.

Here's the link if you want to buy it, its from one of my all-time favorite companies. They're the BEST!

Gooseberry Patch Valentine Link

A new Michael's Coupon

Just click on the picture and print it out :)

Any ideas on what fabulous crafting supply I should buy?

Valentines Gift for...ME!

I am just about out of my basic makeup, so I decided to order some more from my favorite online makeup company, ELF. I blogged about them ages ago, but if you don't remember...they sell all their makeup (eyeshadow, lipstick, eyeliner, bronzer, coverup...) for ONE DOLLAR. Having worked for clinque and been involved with makeup for many many years....I can let you in on a little secret. Its all the same dang thing. It's not going to make you break out because its "cheap" Wash youre face at the end of the day, and youre all set....I used to be a makeup snob and only wear Clinique--and don't get me wrong, I love their colors...but it wears just as good as ELF, lasts just as long...and I'm not spending $30 on my coverup anymore.
Anyway, thats my story and I'm stickin' to it!

I used to coupon code MUMMY for 50% an order up to $15.

www.eyeslipsface.com

Family Home Evening Site

I can't remember if I ever mentioned this site, but I wanted to recognize the lady that runs this blog, that she is WONDERFUL.
I have debated on when I would start Briggy on FHE and Im still not so sure...I'm thinking 2 years old...
When do you all think is an appropriate age?

I know they have a lot of books you can buy with week to week ideas, but it seems like most of them are for school-age children. I came across this blog awhile back, and love all her ideas...she just lays it all out for you...so helpful.

http://nataliesfhespot.blogspot.com

its geared for children 0-5 years of age.

just thought id share before I forgot to post about it again.....
my memory is so shot. preggo-brain is the WORST!

Baby Girl on the Brain

Since day 1 Tom has assured me that we are having a little girl. I was hesitant to think so--mainly because I want another cute fun little boy like Briggy---and a girl is a whole new territory that I'm not sure I'm ready to explore. But the past week or two, I keep thinking and referring to the baby as a girl.
I was right about Briggy, but the feeling was immediate. This time I feel so wishy-washy and I just want to know now!!!!
We have our ultra-sound appointment on Feb. 26th to find out the sex....and thankfully Tom will be there. (He's flying in the night before!)

I still can't stop thinking about girly things. Looking at girly clothes, how I will decorate her girly room....

Here are a few ideas for her room:

One of my favorite Heather Bailey fabrics:



I want the room to be bright/cheery and frisky. I'm not really into the baby pinks and pastels.
I want hot pink, orange, teal blue, yellow....
I think this fabric would make a great crib sheet/blankets.
The only thing I'm wondering about is if it would be practical as far as washing goes.

I like tutu tulle in those bright colors and would want them represented in some fashion throughout the room...either as a window valance, crib skirt, or table top...like this: (but in my much cooler colors :)



Not to mention ALL THE GORGEOUS girl outfits out for spring--I love all of Carters new little girl dresses. Bright colors, polka dots, flowers...matching cardigans. Who could ask for more?

The anticipation is driving me nutso! I want to shoppppp! helpppppp!

Rockin Rocky Road Brownies

First, I want to start off with a brag-session on my husband. He is so sweet and smoochable. He taught the 15-17 year old sunday school class for the past few months, and last sunday was his last at church--however, the snow storm prevented him from seeing the kids--so tomorrow morning, bright and early, Tom is heading out to the two locations where seminary meets and delivering a gift and treat to his students. He had me make bookmarks for each kid. He picked out an individual scripture for each student, and also a personal message from him to them. He is so sincere in his love for these young adults...it just makes me want to squeeze and smooch him forever. He is such a good mand and role model for me and for our family. The cute thing about it is, he had it all planned out and then asked me if I could help him assemble the bookmarks (and of course, make yummy treats)

So I decided to make my rockin rocky road brownies I planned on making over Christmas, but didn't get the chance to...and let me tell you, these fudgy brownies are ROCKIN...
I've never made a homemade brownie before that tasted this good---way moister and fudgier than any box....super super yum-o

Rockin Rocky Road Brownies

1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup oil
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 1/3 all purpose flour
1/2 t. salt
1/2 cup hot fudge

Topping
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup butterscoth chips
2 cups mini marshmallows


Combine first three ingredients in a small saucepan; heat until melted and smooth, stirring often. Remove from heat; set aside. Blend eggs in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy; mix in cocoa mixture and next three ingredients. Spread in a greased 13x9 baking pan; bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.
Sprinkle topping evenly on top and drizzle with hot fudge sauce. Continue baking 5 minutes; cool. Cut into bars to serve. Makes 15-20 bars.

Lots o' Meat Lasagna

Lasagna is a tricky thing for this family--reason being I have a SPOILED husband who served his mission in Italy and feasted upon pasta perfection.
He says he has never had a lasagna in America that compared to those in Italy.
The problem with me and lasagna is that I reallllly realllly don't like ricotta. I never liked lasagna growing up because of that lumpy icky cheese. I know some families use cottage cheese (even grosser for me...)
So I usually steer clear from lasagna-making. Did I mention that Tom doesn't like ricotta either?
Anyway, I had a major craving for a huge slice of lasagna. I remember seeing a Paula Deen episode a while back when she made a huge lasagna and a huge piece of garlic bread, slapped the slice on the bread and made a lasagna sandwich. As soon as that image fluttered in my mind I knew I need lasagna for dinner.

So I came up with a solution for the icky ricotta...and came up with this combo. Growing up in an Italian household, my sister thinks this recipe is sacrilege, but I think it was pretty darn tasty--and Tom loved it.

For my fake ricotta sauce I used:
4-6 oz of cream cheese
8 oz of sour cream
1 cup of grated parmesean
(I also sauteed peppers, onions and mushrooms and once they cooled, added them to my cream mixture)

My red sauce was a jar of prego mixed with a can of crushed tomatoes, a ton of garlic, oregano, basil, salt and pepper.
I added this to 1 lb of browned hamburger meat
and 1 lb of browned crumbled italian sausage.
I let it simmer away for about 30 minutes.

After the noodles were cooked a littler harder than al dente, I began to layer my lasagna.
A little red sauce, noodles, cream sauce, mozzarella, layer of pepperoni (hence the name lots of meat lasagna) , red sauce...and so on and so forth.
Top with a ton of mozzarella, and bake at 350 for about 35-40 minutes...when the mozzarella looks golden brown.

I know its not a "traditional" Italian lasagna, but it was like a Supreme Meat Lovers pizza layered in lasagna style....and anything with a ton of meat is always a winner with my hub!