Oh, what a boy!

I forgot to mention that spaghetti is another one of Conner's favorite foods to wear, throw all over the place, feed Maggie, smear on his belly, rub in his hair, drop in his highchair and eat!

15 Months Old!

Conner William Kampen is 15 months old! 

I remember this time last year very, very vividly....still. Oh, how things have changed! But I just can't believe 15 months have flown by. Conner gets cuter and cuter everyday and we just fall more in love with him. 

Here's the latest and greatest with our lil' man:

Weight: 26lbs (68%)

Height: 33" (91%)

Teeth: He has 8 up front and then the poor little guy is getting in 4 molars and the 4 canine teeth at the same time so life has been a little rough for him lately. (and for me too!)

Favorite Foods: Gerber cheese sticks, milk, mac n' cheese and hot dogs (real healthy, buddy)

Favorite things: chasing Maggie, wrestling with Daddy, bath time, watching Mickey Mouse, and causing destruction around the house - he's our little tornado

Everyday is an adventure and a whirlwind with this little guy. Conner is:

extremely outgoing

not timid

fearless

adventuresome

messy

STRONG WILLED

stubborn

a wiggle worm

loud

unpredictable

silly

cuddly

cute

....to sum it up....he is ALL boy!

Love you, you little stinker!!

(and in the pic up top, we typically have to strip him down to his diaper at mealtimes because he's so messy. Notice food on his face, hands and shoulder.  Never a dull moment or a clean one:)

The Scarf

Here is the ruffly scarf I made! 

This was my first bigger sewing project after the iPhone Koozie. I made it a month ago but I needed Jeremy to take a picture of me wearing it (blah!) So, here it is! I got this great and easy idea from Make It Love It. If you haven't checked out this blog, you NEED to. Very, very cute ideas of things to make!!

A few things:

• I used knit, a heavy knit. Mistake. Use a light weight knit or a jersey knit as outlined on the blog instructions. That way your scarf will be more bubbly, fluffy and ruffly. Mine just kind of hangs there. 
• Don't judge me because you can see food or something on my scarf. I thought it was clean. Guess I got some Valentine cookie goo on it from my kids at Mackenzie's MDO party. I'm always a mess!
• Yes, that's a sticker on my left side. I don't know how it got there but I'm assuming my sweet little girl shared it with me. I'm a mom:)

Happy sewing!

Valentime's Day Party

Here are pictures from Mackenzie's "Valentime's" Day party at school.

On our way up to Kiki's classroom...Conner's favorite seat - on daddy's shoulders

Decorating cookies

Lil man got a cookie too

Yum!

My special Valentime!

I think Conner is ready to go to school! He loves to play with all the toys in Kiki's classroom

Me and my little nugget

Conner and Jeremy having a tea party

My handsome man!

(said in Carmela Soprano's New Jersey accent...gotta see Soprano's to know what I'm talkin' about)

Gooey Goodness

Oh. My. Word!!!!!! 

Have you tried The Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls recipe??? If you haven't, I'm yelling at you that you SHOULD! No, if fact, YOU HAVE TO!!! These things are freaking good!

Forget counting calories, restricting carbs or eliminating sugar for a few heavenly minutes. Trust me, these things are ridiculous!

But be sure to brush your teeth immediately because there is danger in losing a tooth from all the sugar:)

Click HERE for the recipe

(and be sure to try her other recipes...everything is wonderful!)

Soups

I know the weather has warmed up and I'm now
 a little late in posting these yummy recipes, but I figured, better late than never...eh? These are easy and delicioso!!

Lasagna Soup

(recipe from my mama)

1-1.5lbs ground turkey (or beef)
6-8 cups of water (depending on how brothy you want your soup)
1 box Hamburger Helper Lasagna mix
1 can corn drained
1 can diced tomatoes
1 zucchini

1. Cook ground turkey until no longer pink. Once completely cooked I drain and rinse the turkey to get rid of any extra grease. Yuck!
2. While the meat is cooking, bring your water to a boil.
3. Once boiling, add in Hamburger Helper Lasagna package goods into the water along with the ground turkey, corn and diced tomatoes and reduce heat to simmer (medium/medium low)
4. Cook until lasagna noodles are tender and then add in zucchini
5. Allow soup to cook simmer another 5-10 minutes until zucchini is softened
6. Serve it up with some grated cheese on top and a slice of cornbread on the side! I love Parmesan or mozzarella but use whatever you like!

Taco Soup

(recipe from Southern Living Slow-Cooker Cookbook)

*this recipe takes 5-6 hours using your crock-pot to be advised before trying to whip this up...you need time!*

1.5lbs ground turkey (or beef)

1 cup chopped red onion

1 pkg taco seasoning

1 pkg Ranch dressing mix

2 cans corn undrained

1 can black beans undrained

2 cans Rotel

1 (12oz) can light beer

1.5 cups water

1. Cook beef and onion in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring until meat crumbles and is no longer pink; drain.
2. Combine meat mixture, taco seasoning, and next 7 ingredients in a crock-pot.
3. Cover and cook on low 5-6 hours.
4. Serve with toppings such as: cheddar cheese, sour cream, cilantro, tortilla chips

Lil' Valentine

I have 4 Valentines this year: hubby, baby girl, baby boy and man's best friend! I  love my little family:)

But right now I'm going to feature my baby girl for a couple reasons (1) I think she's absolutely adorable (but I should, I her mommy!) and (2) I made her Valentine's Day outfit she's wearing!! Crafty mama, in effect!

Very easy and very cute and very affordable. 

I got the idea for the dress from here.

The headband idea came from here.

Chocolate Oreo Heart Pops

Are you interested in making something yummy and chocolatey for Valentine's Day? Are you interested in gaining 5 extra pounds...just kidding! (maybe) Then you HAVE to make these incredible little treats and that are impossible not to gobble up!!

These make great gifts or just a tasty little treat for yourself. But I would suggest sharing because this makes a bunch! Mackenzie is giving these little suckers as gifts to her MDO teachers for Valentine's Day. But don't feel like you need to make hearts out of them. Roll them up in balls or any shape you like. These are just like cake balls but BETTER! Way better!

Chocolate Oreo Heart Pops

1 8oz package of cream cheese

1 package Oreos

2 packages Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate (found in the baking aisle)

• Crumble Oreos in a food processor. 
• Make sure cream cheese is at room temperature and then mix crumbled Oreos and cream cheese together until well blended.
• Press Oreo mixture into heart moldings or roll into balls and then set in refrigerator for several hours or even better, over night.

• When you're ready to assemble your pops, microwave chocolate according to package directions.
• Dip your sucker stick into the chocolate to use as a glue and then insert into the Oreo heart.
• Then coat the Oreo heart with chocolate and set on parchment paper. Continue until all hearts are complete and place in refrigerator until chocolate hardens. 

• ENJOY!

I found these cute little containers to hold Mackenzie's teacher's heart pops at Hobby Lobby. Makes a cute, easy and affordable gift!

Rosette Necklace

I've created an unhealthy obsession with rosettes as of lately. I make them as hair bows for Mackenzie, friends and family. I make necklaces with them. I used them on pillows. I want to make a wreath with them. I need to stop. But until then, here's another little creation using my beloved rosettes....a (another) necklace.

1. The inspiration for this necklace came from Little Miss Momma. Click here to see her cute necklace.
2. I learn how to make rosettes from Edie at Life In Grace. Click here to learn how to make a rosette.

(sorry for the lovely picture of me in my sweats!)

Bread Baking!

I've been baking!! Bread baking to be exact. We've been cooped up in house since Tuesday due to the crazy ice and snow we've had in Dallas. I've been hungry and somewhat bored so I started baking and it turned out well!!

Banana Bread

1 cup sugar
8 tbsp unsalted butter at room temperature
2 eggs
3 bananas
1 tbsp milk
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups flour
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt

• Preheat the oven to 325* F. 
• Grease a loaf pan (mine is around 8x4)
• Cream the sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
• In a small bowl, mash the bananas with a fork. Mix in the milk and cinnamon. 
• In another bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
• Add the banana mixture to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Stir until combined. Add in dry ingredients.
• Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 50 minutes - 1 hour until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Enjoy!

Basic Loaf of Bread

(recipe from the Disney Family Fun Magazine with a few modifications by me)

2 cups lukewarm water
2 packets yeast (found in the baking aisle by the baking powder and such)
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup honey (feel free to use more...it's good!)
1/3 cup vegetable oil
6 cups flour
(makes 2 loaves)

• In a large bowl, stir together water, yeast, salt, eggs, honey and oil. Then mix in flour. 
• Loosely cover the dough and let it rise at room temperature until it collapses on top, about 2 hours.
• Lightly grease a 2 loaf pans (about 8x4, give or take)
• Cut the dough in half.
• To help the dough hold its shape while it rises, cloak it: dust it with flour, then quickly shape it into a ball by stretching the surface and tucking it under the bottom, then rotating it a quarter-turn as you work.
• Stretch the dough ball into a 2 loaf shapes and place them in the pans. Let the dough rest for 60 minutes.
• Heat the oven to 350*F. Brush the top of the loaves with egg wash (1 egg & 1 tbsp water beaten together) then use a sharp, serrated bread knife to make three cutes across the top. 
• Bake loaves until they are brown and firm, about 45 minutes.

Aaaaa!!!!!

I've been featured on a fabulous blog!!!! Wow! What a day!! The Pottery Barn pillow I made is featured on the Knock Off Decor blog! I am so excited! Sorry...had to post this! It's the little things in life for this stay at home mama:)

Beloved Baked Ziti

This is my "go to" recipe for just about anything and everything. You just had a baby - I'll bring Baked Ziti. Someone is sick in your family - Baked Ziti. Death in the family - Baked Ziti. Get the idea? 

The reason(s) it's so great is because it's meatless so it pleases all palates. Kids love it (at least mine do). I have the ingredients and directions memorized so I'm able to go to the grocery store sans a list. It takes about 10 minutes to make if you want to count boiling the noodles. And it tastes stinkin' good!

(sorry the picture is with the dish half eaten - it goes fast around here)

Baked Ziti

12 oz ziti

1 container (15 oz) part-skim ricotta cheese

¼ cup skim milk

1 tablespoon fresh, chopped basil or dried basil and sprinkle on liberally

1 teaspoon garlic powder (I use much more...at least 1 tbsp)

2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese (1 bag's worth)

4 cup tomato sauce (Ragu chunky garden style is the best)

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese 

Salt and pepper to taste

Dried oregano

• Preheat oven to 375 F. Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water according to the package directions.  Drain.
• In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, milk, basil, garlic powder, 1 cups of cheese and ¼ cup Parmesan. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper. And the pasta and toss to mix.
•  Place 2 cups of the tomato sauce in the bottom of a 13”x9” baking dish. Spread the ziti mixture on top. Add remaining 2 cups tomato sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of cheese and the remaining Parmesan. Sprinkle lightly with oregano (a little bit goes a long way).
•    Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and casserole is bubbling.
• I actually cooked mine last night at 425 F for 20 minutes and it cooked perfectly! Got the cheese nice and browned.

Pottery Barn Pillow

BED FACELIFT: phase I

About 2 or 3 years ago we got the bedding you see below. I love it! It's Ralph Lauren and it's right up my alley. Now, I'm telling you the brand not to big time you but so you'll understand why our bed is so boring. That stuff ain't cheap! But the comforter was on sale. That's why I got it. Unfortunately, at the time, none of the accessories (ie decorative pillows, etc) were on sale. Stink! So, we've lived with dull for the last few years.

Enter Pottery Barn. *Love. Me. Some. Pottery Barn!* But it doesn't fit within my perimeters of the shopping budget. So, I dream. I've had my eye on this pillow but once I bought the cover and the insert, it would have set me back $60+. Not sensible for a "decor" pillow. 

So, I decided I'd make it!

And here it is! I'm pretty proud of it (so if you don't like, please don't tell me:)!! It was very easy and even cheaper! 

Here's the breakdown of costs involved:

- 1 yd burlap: $3.99

- 1 pillow insert: free with my Pottery Barn gift card

- paint: brown paint found in the garage

- stencil: homemade from the computer

DONE! It cost me a whopping $4 to make this guy. Just another reason to love it even more!!

But I'm not done! I'm making 3 Euro pillows with a vintage "twist" to go behind all of this. So, stay tuned!

If you're interested in making something like this, here's how.

Tools you'll need:

• sewing machine
• pins
• fabric scissors or a rotary cutter
• ruler
• stencils - either homemade or purchased
• X-acto knife
• paint
• sponge paintbrush
• burlap or other fabric
• thread in a matching color
• needle

Here's how to make it:

1. Decide on the size of pillow and the fabric you want to use. I made mine 14" x 36" and used burlap...just like PB.
2. Cut your fabric into 2 pieces (front and back) leaving about a 1/2 inch of seam allowance on each size (ie I cut mine 15" x 37")
3. Play with fonts and sizes on your computer in either Word or PowerPoint. I used PP since you don't have some of the margin restrictions as I do in Word. I used the font "English" that I downloaded for free from here. 
4. Use your X-acto knife to carefully cut out your letters. I used both the cutouts and the "stencil". Cutouts are for placement, stencils are for painting.
5. Position the cutouts how you like them. Then lay the "stencil" over the cutouts, remove the cutouts and tape the stencil in place. I did one letter stencil at a time since they were so close together.
6. Paint away. I didn't fill mine in perfectly in order to give my pillow more of a "vintage/antique" look. But do what fits your fancy!
7. Once the paint dries, pin your pillow cover inside out. And then sew it together as you would a pillow.
8. Put the pillow insert in and then stitch up the bottom opening.
9. Viola! Finito! You did it!!