Top 5 Girls Hairstyles Roundup

  My daughter has such pretty hair and although I give her ponytails, and braids I want to do more with it.  It's fairly thin compared to my thick hair and looks amazing even when she wakes up without brushing it.

  Someone had posted about learning something new each month and learning to do new hairstyles was one of them.  I thought that was a great idea in regards to my child. Maybe I'll even figure something out for myself but not right now.

  However for right now I am sharing some hairstyles from Pinterest to help get the creativity juices flowing.  I selected ones I thought were easy or manageable to do.

  This one must be as easy as it looks because it doesn't even have instructions!

  This one provided a great you tube video but it's basic braids made into a bun and I have made buns before and braids so I think I got this one!

https://youtu.be/td2Jdgbxfjs

The Chignon

The Chignon looks easy enough if I have a bun mastered.  I hope this is the hardest one I have to pull off.  Does it matter the length of the hair I wonder?

http://www.today.com/amp/style/no-more-tears-5-easy-cute-back-school-hairstyles-rescue-t102054

  

I like the look of this one and even though the video looks easy enough I think it will be a challenge.  It's such a fun luck though.  If I complete it and the child at least pulls it off for a couple hours before she rubs her head on a blanket or jumps it out I will be happy!

https://youtu.be/I0B6KMJIZEI

  Lastly the bow.  I have done this one before so a second time shouldn't be a problem.  It's also another cute look that I like.

https://www.beautylish.com/a/vpqwn/hair-bows

  Ok let's see how this works out.  Challenge is good and change is sometimes ok.  I look forward to trying some of these hairstyles on my daughter and I know she will like them too.

  Do you plan on learning something new this year or month?  Do you change your hairstyle?

Let's Drink to that (Strawberry recipe review)

  We picked up strawberries yesterday so I am able to try a few more recipes.  Today I decided to try a drink. Not a smoothie or a milkshake but good ol strawberry milk.

  I followed the recipe to a point but I actually didn't use all the strawberries but, most of them.  I looked at a few recipes and choose this one based on the maple syrup instead of the large quantity of sugar.

  I am very interested in trying to make strawberry milk minus all the other secret ingredients that come in the traditional strawberry milk.  It would be nice to make my own with minimal ingredients making it healthier!

  This recipe just required 3 ingredients.  I think as basic as that is it should be enough to accomplish the taste I want without the over abundance of sugar, artificial flavor and color.

  I cooked the berries down;

added the maple syrup and cooked for a bit longer then added it to the blender.

  I followed the directions to run the berries through a strainer to reduce if not remove the berries.

  Next you add the berry syrup

then the milk.

  Overall the recipe was very easy to make but I didn't taste a strong enough strawberry flavor.  I would make this recipe again and increase the berries, follow the cooking, blending and straining steps again just to see if I can reach that level I'm looking for.

For now bottoms up to the first round!   Notice the top of my drink! I strained it and this was still the result.  I didn't mind though it kind of looks like a special garnish.



 Find the recipe here: http://www.laurafuentes.com/homemade-real-strawberry-milk/

Hot Strawberry Dessert

  While I sit here and rummage through the Internet I always think to myself.  Is this a good recipe?  This recipe looks good! I hope this one is good.  We like strawberry shortcake so another strawberry dish with breading should be a hit so tonight we are eating Strawberry Cobbler!

  This was an easy recipe to make.  You should have all ingredients on hand.  Basic staples with an exception of the strawberries.  So put strawberries on your grocery list and make this for dessert!

  I didn't use as much sugar but I also didn't use as many strawberries.  Next time I will use more strawberries and double the recipe.  Start with your sugar and strawberries first to let the flavors blend together.

I did have my separate bowl of batter!

Then added the strawberries to the batter prior to baking!

  This was definitely a pretty dish.  My strawberries did fall under the crust.  I'm not sure if there were more strawberries if they would stay on the top more or not?  The crust was soft on the inside and a slight crunch to the sides.  The strawberries despite my reduction of sugar was just the right bit of sweetness.  This was delicious warm and I'm sure when I grab a piece in the morning it will taste just as good.

Check out the recipe here: http://divascancook.com/fresh-strawberry-cobbler-recipe-easy-dessert/

15 days of Strawberries

  So today I used up the strawberry mousse from yesterday in today's recipe.  See let me explain something real quick as with my pumpkin challenge in the fall when I have made enough recipes I start stepping out the box and getting a little creative.  Nothing to crazy just small simple recipes.

  So today I put the Strawberry Mousse in pie shells.  I placed a dollop of chocolate on each pie and splattered some of the leftover strawberry sauce on the top as well.

I can't say they were phenomenal as the major part of the pie was what we already ate yesterday but if we liked it yesterday it would mean we liked it today, lol.  

It was good.  That nice fluffy, creamy mousse in the graham cracker pie shell.  I would try to spread the chocolate on top more versus a dollop but it still was a nice treat.

No formal recipe today.  If your interested just use yesterday's and add it to the pie shell.

Strawberry Mousse

  Tonight's strawberries was a prep ahead.  I started it just before dinner and after dinner was done and dishes were taken care of the dessert was done.  Of course more organization would of had this dessert done in the morning but who needs all that organization.

  The recipe only requires a few ingredients and is really easy to make.  I did have to pick up heavy cream as that is not a staple in my house and I doubted myself in making it myself.  (I will be attempting to make my own heavy cream to see how easy it is, how it tastes and peaks up)

  For this delicious Strawberry Mousse you need strawberries, heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla.  In measuring equipment your only using a tablespoon, 1/2 teaspoon and 1 cup!   I did have to use the food processor and eventually the mixer so you did make a few more things dirty but it was well worth it in the end!

  Turn your heavy cream

into whipped cream by any means necessary!  I started by hand but needed to hurry up so pulled out the heavy machinery to speed up the process.

                     

Enter food processor to make strawberry puree!  I have had this food processor for years and just recently have built a good relationship with it.  I am slowly learning it's true capabilities and strengths.  It does make chopping some things easier.

  Add your powdered sugar and vanilla and mix again then fold in your strawberries!
            
Before                             After

The finished product was delicious!

I could see making this dish again as a quick dessert or even for a potluck.

I didn't think it was too sweet although I did have a complaint regarding that.  The strawberries were not sweetened so I think the little bit of sugar used just blended into to everything nicely.

Check here for the recipe: http://www.pumpkinnspice.com/2015/04/10/strawberry-mousse/

Strawberry Muffins

  I am a morning person.  No matter when I go to bed it may be a slow start to get up but I do get it going quickly thereafter.  So I have no problem making, baking, cooking breakfast.  I like to cook but dinnertime is so late in the day it's more of a nuisance.

  Breakfast with strawberries.  If your following me you know I do not make my own recipes.  Maybe one day but not yet.  Instead I search that world, wide Internet until I find one that sounds good but, not necessarily easy.

 Todays recipe comes from Sugar and Soul.  A delicious muffin filled with strawberries and topped with a crumb topping.  A delicious, sweet, moist muffin.  Did I say delicious?

 This recipe was easy with a little bit of some flare.  The crumb makes it look sophisticated and puts the appearance of your already delicious muffin on a whole new level.

 I like when a recipe challenges me.  This one allowed me to make the buttermilk.  Not a real challenge as I know the ratio by heart but it allows me as a home cook to feel a little better about how far my kitchen skills have come.

  Always make you buttermilk first and set it aside.  There are a few ways to make it; find which one fits you and set it to memory.  Why buy it when you can make it?

Mix your ingredients, chop your strawberries

and make your topping!

That's all.  If your quick enough you can do all of this by the time the oven is heated to the right temp.  Lol, although that's not me in this instance.

  Fill your muffin tray (love my silicone cups) with the muffin batter,top them with strawberries

and cover with crumb!

Bake and be hold the beauty of an easy home cooked, sophisticated muffin!

Good to the last crumb!

Find the recipe here to make your own:http://www.sugarandsoul.co/2014/07/strawberry-coffee-cake-muffins.html

Weekly Menu (week 4)

  I'm trying to squeak by one more week without going to the grocery store.  I still have some meat left and of course a pantry of supplies on hand.  So before I replenish I need to get rid of the old to bring in the new.

  This week meals include: shrimp, pork, there's always chicken and sausage.  Of course there is a meatless item because it doesn't hurt!

Chicken in the crockpot:
http://eatathomecooks.com/2012/03/slow-cooked-brown-sugar-chicken-and-sweet-potatoes-4-ingredients.html

Sausage:
http://childhood101.com/2014/07/easy-dinner-recipe-sausage-rice-bake/

Shrimp:
http://damndelicious.net/2015/01/16/easy-shrimp-broccoli-stir-fry/?m

Pork in crockpot:
http://www.food.com/recipe/bbq-pork-tenderloin-in-the-crock-pot-362883

Meatless pasta:
http://damndelicious.net/2014/10/11/one-pot-garlic-parmesan-pasta/?m

Weekly Menu (week 2 Feb)

  The second week of February is here! Winter has been pretty mellow this year I hope to keep it that way.  I don't mind the occasional snow fall but in order for that to occur it has to be cold. I hate the cold.  So until it heats up I will just keep it hot in the kitchen.

  This week's menu:

Pasta: Fettuccine with spinach
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/214183/quick-alfredo-sauce/

Meatless: Mexican Dish
http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/2014/04/black-bean-and-veggie-quinoa-taco-bake/

Crockpot: Chicken
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/11843/irish-chicken-and-dumplings/

Soup:  Potato
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/perfect-potato-soup/

Vegetarian: Fajitas
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/16683/veggie-fajitas/

Happy eating everyone!

Weekly Dinner Menu (Jan 24 week)

  Finally dinner time!  We went grocery shopping and I have food in the house! Food I can base recipes around and food I bought for specific recipes.  This week will include: soup, meatless and a Mexican dish to list a few.  I am also not going to label which day is what.  A majority of the pressure is off already just shopping for the ingredients and having a meal already figured out!

Meatless/pasta
3 Cheese Zucchini Stuffed Lasagna

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2014/07/three-cheese-zucchini-stuffed-lasagna.html?m=1#_a5y_p=2001719

 Mexican
Black Bean and Rice Burritos
http://gimmedelicious.com/2014/03/25/crispy-black-bean-and-rice-burritos/

 Chicken
Chicken Tortilla Soup
http://www.fivehearthome.com/2014/10/14/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla-soup/


Shrimp
Creamy Corn Fettuccine with grilled Shrimp
http://wholesomemommy.com/creamy-corn-fettuccine-with-grilled-shrimp/

The American classic without the fuss
Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and green beans
My recipe consists of something scribbled down from my mom and then twisted to fit my taste.

  There it is folks! That's what we will be eating here! Happy eating at your home!

Kids Crafts

  One of my resolutions this year is to make more crafts with my kids and start and finish DIY projects.  I think if I practice all year round by the end of the year I may have come up with some pretty cool gifts that are acceptable to pass out over the holidays.  As well as a bountiful array of cards for various occasions through the year.

  Todays craft with the kids was a card for next month.  It is a simple card that you can share with anyone your child may think is extra special!  

Supplies: glue, a heart and paper you plan to shred any color or texture

I choose to use tissue paper based on what I had on hand and what kind of paper I was putting it on.   I actually had some hearts from a previous project so I cheated and used those.

Little hands need to get busy ripping up the pieces of paper.  Size doesn't really matter.

We choose to use 3 colors! (although my daughter let me know mid way through she wasn't going to use the red since her heart was already red).

Glue the bits of paper to the heart! Any colors, styles or patterns they choose.  This craft is an all 100% kid made project.

Two hearts created by two different kids with 2 different styles.

  They are 98% complete I just need to write or have my daughter write

   I love you to pieces

Get it?  Cute idea,huh? I'm not sure on where I'm going to write the sentiment yet.  I think these came out pretty cute though and everyone will know they are made by kids with minimal adult help!

Holidays in the air

  What type of cookies are planned for you this year?

  I personally don't know quite yet.  I just kind of decided today we are making cookies and dig out recipes!

  Do you always make the same cookies each year?

  I make a few cookies from my childhood like gingerbread, anise cookies and pressed cookies but also try to make a few different and new to us ones!

  Do you me cookies solo or do you cook with your mom, grandma, children or siblings?

  Sometimes I make cookies by myself and let my older kids make some independently!


  Tis the season to get baking!  I would love some new recipes. Easy or slightly complex.  I get Betty Crocker's 25 days of cookies sent to my email but I don't think I can handle having that many cookies around in my house.

  I would love to hear your cookie stories feel free to post pictures or recipes!

Ragu for Dinner

  You know I post a weekly menu and it hurts me to not be able to eat what I planned.  However this week (although on day 2) is going great so far!  Tonight was Gnocchi!  What makes this Gnocchi even better tonight is the sauce is brought to you by @Ragu!

I had read about it and seen it on all the cooking shows and wanted to try it.  From the first day we had it my family has enjoyed it.  

  This is a very quick and easy recipe.  I buy my Gnocchi.  I would like to learn to make pasta but that hasn't happened yet so no homemade for me.  You can find it with your other pasta.  But you can also pick some up in the freezer section.

Cook your sauce and Gnocchi for about 10-15 minutes.  I do add some spices for extra flavor. Then add cheese before I pop it in the oven for another 15 minutes.

  Usually I make a sauce but it was so convenient and much faster to open up a can of Ragu sauce!  Not to mention Chunky 7 Herb was a fantastic flavor added to this meal.  Anything I made from scratch would never be that flavorful!

  Thank you  +Influenster  for the coupon for a free jar of Ragu for review purposes.  All opinions stated are my own.

 #Ragu4You

27th day of pumpkin

 I am in the home stretch of my pumpkin enjoyment.  I can even honestly say that I enjoyed every last sip,drip, crumb and bite of pumpkin.  I even managed another homemade concoction of my own.  As you know I am not a professional so try my recipes at your own risk.

  I have atleast one plan for another made up recipe but other than that; the remaining items will be made by someone else and tested by me!

Today's ingredients in their entirety!

1/2 cup of vanilla yogurt (always vanilla plain is plain for sure)

1 .5 tablespoons of pumpkin (not the pie mix)

Dash of nutmeg

Dash of pumpkin pie spice

Mix all together in the same bowl.

Enjoy!