little momma and company

Halloween and keeping up with the blog.

2011-11-17T11:52:00.000-08:00

This year, we went a little dark with our Halloween costumes. The boys were all about spooks and being scary. We used a whole lot of eye liner, and a whole lot of spirit gum and fake hair.
After a few YouTube make up tutorials, I tackled the Vampire and the Pirate with the greatest of ease.

Yes, the Pirate moustache is a bit heavy on the left side, but Pirates don't take care of grooming their moustaches.

And, we won't go into how mad I was that I let my oldest wear his nice church pants to school for the costume parade only to have him return home with a big hole in the knee. Next time, Vampires wear jeans.

My youngest consumed half of his facial hair at lunch. He came home with his half of his fuzz missing-- but, good thing a little fake hair won't hurt your innards.

Why am I finding it so difficult to keep up with my blogging? Way back when, I never missed a day, but today I blink and a month has rolled right on by without even a mention! This fall, I have made a new goal to be better about it. Look for more recipes, activities, and jolly-making. Little Momma is geared up for refocus!

outdoor movie party!

2011-10-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

Last month, I helped throw a fabulous birthday party for my sassy friend, Cristina. While my friends Colleen and Cassandra mulled birthday party ideas around in our heads- we finally decided on an outdoor movie bash. Then, we went to work-- and crossed our fingers that it wouldn't rain!

I was in charge of the cake! (my favorite part of any party!)

This was no ordinary cake!

This cake was studded with Cornfetti popcorn brought lovingly home from the Mom and Popcorn Company in Texas! This cake had a suprise inside.

Colleen, Cassandra and I all pulled together to transform a backyard into a perfect movie paradise-- popcorn of all flavors, candies, and soda by the bottle.

We piled the quilts and blankets up high in the middle of the yard, and got the movie started!

It was a bit magical if I do say so myself, and the weather was perfect. Not a drop of rain that night!

Happy Birthday Cristina! (Even though you are only 28 and make me feel like an old lady!)

it's already fall, and we've been a busy bunch...

2011-10-13T12:33:00.000-07:00

What has happened to my blog?

I don't know, but it's been in the back burner for a few months. We've been a busy fam. In fact, I find blogging hard to work into my schedule anymore (which is so strange since the boys are in school most of the day) ... but, I'm not giving up!

It's fall already! Can you believe it? The trees here in Utah have hit their color peak and are shedding their leaves. The roads near the canyons are covered in autumnal confetti of yellows, oranges, and reds. I've pulled out my scarves, my pants, and even my coats. Hot cocoa accompany my mornings. I can see my breath outside in the evenings. We've got pumpkins on our porch. I'm getting ready to turn *gasp!* 32 next month. Yes, fall is definitely here. There is no mistaking it now. Even the persistent little spider on the back porch knows it. He faithfully spins his ever stretching web morning after morning morning, even though I beat it down daily. I wouldn't normally mind, if it weren't for the fact that he chooses the entry to the stairwell, and he's lured me in a few times on my way down to the backyard. He's our own living Halloween decorations!

hunting, for the big red barn.

2011-08-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Last month, I was bored.

Jeff was out of town.

It was hot, and summers vacations were too far away to look forward too.

We needed something to do.

So, we loaded up into the car-- and away we drove.

We drove, and drove, and drove...

We got lost once (okay, twice) looking for:

What is this place?

An obscure little store, waaaaaaaay on the outskirts of any substantial town...

past lots of farm fields, cows, and nothingness.

Even my GPS was confused.

"Turn right here!" The GPS lady chirped.

I turned, and the road hit a dead end.

Luckily, the Big Red Barn is out on the open land, all alone... in the middle of nowhere.

So, we found it with old navigational indian techniques and cold, hard, luck.

So, why did I drive for miles and miles to this silly red barn?

Yes, watermelon ice cream.. and black licorice too. My stomach made me do it.

So, was it:

The journey was better than the destination, so I would say that

I never thought I would say this, but...

2011-08-04T05:00:00.000-07:00

I miss you winter.

I'm a fickle lass... I guess.

my awakening to scarves.

2011-08-03T05:00:00.000-07:00

Oh! Scarves!
.
How did I live without them for so long? It's like a long lost friend, giving me a hug as I wrap my newest scarf around my neck. I guess it took a cooler climate to bring out the scarfanista in me!
.
When my friend Shannon came to visit at the beginning of Summer, I was on the hunt for my first scarf. We found her! A gorgeous, rouged, cream colored with black polka dots. In fact, Shannon and I ended up buying matching scarves because we thought they were too cute to pass up. Everyone needs a scarf buddy.
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Now-a-days, you will always find me perusing the scarf section, hunting for my next favorite charmer. A black pom pom wrap? Sure! A scarlet silky? YES! I have a feeling they might move from my neck up to my hair. Hey, Mary Tyler Moore got away with it, shan't I?

my new obsession.

2011-08-02T05:00:00.000-07:00

My new obsession isn't shoes... it isn't clothes, or hats, or even food.

My new obsession is taking photos of:

I'm getting quite the:

We are so lucky that Utah is full of lush:

It's driving my family crazy... every few steps, it's a "stop right there!" a few clicks and then we are on our way again. See, I'm:

tahoe treats.

2011-08-01T05:00:00.000-07:00

{shaken} mint limeaid.

2011-07-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago my fabulous friend Cristina and I spent a Saturday morning at the Salt Lake City farmers market. It was a crowded mess of people, but an amazing display of produce, crafts, and food! I had the boys with me, so keeping them happy was my priority. I promised and gave into treats, knock knock jokes, and the threats of holding hands to keep us all together. The sun was hot, and beating wildly on our heads most of the morning-- so when the boys begged me for a drink, I had to oblige.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw 3 hippies shaking up mint limeaids in mason jars and pouring them into cups. At $4 a pop, they were a bit pricey, but there was nothing else around! My first sip proved to be so satisfying that as soon as I got home, I rushed to the store for limes and mint. After a quick ramble around my pantry for an old mason jar-- I was in business and mixing limeaid for myself for less than 25 cents a serving!

I don't have exact measurements, but I replicated as best as I could and the results were just as refreshing and tasty. If you decide to make your own, you might have to experiment a bit to get the flavor just right...

First, I cut up about 4 limes, juiced them, and cut them into quarters.

Then, I put about 4 lime quarters in the bottom of my mason jar, along with a few sprigs of mint:

Then I added about a quarter cup of lime juice (maybe a bit less, maybe a bit more... I did it all by eye instead of measuring cups).

Then, I filled the jar with ice about 3/4 of the way up.

1 or 2 teaspoons of sugar

Last, I filled the jar with water, just past the ice. I topped the jar with the lid (tightly!) and did a little:

After I poured it all into a glass (everything, limes and mint included) I added a paper straw and sipped to my hearts content. Mmmmmmmm....

Fun, quirky, and delicious! My new summertime favorite!

don't rock the boat {baby}

2011-07-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

While we were in Tahoe, we decided we couldn't leave without exploring the lake. So, after plunking down a pretty penny-- we bought 4 hours on:

One thing I found out about Jeff early on {as with any pilot} he has a need for speed! Why did I expect a leisurely tour ride while I climbed aboard the SS BREAKNECK? Who knows. But with Mario Andretti behind the wheel, I suppose I got my moneys worth.

First things first!
In the beginning, we took it slow. Lunching and lounging around Emerald Bay. The weather was supurb. The water was gorgeous! We lazily waived to the onlookers standing by on the sand. Fabulous! While bobbing around the island in the middle of the bay and looking for signs of Tahoe Tessie, we found that it was the perfect opportunity for an impromptu boating lesson. Both boys loved getting their turn behind the drivers wheel.

And then, we all hunkered down while the real ride began. We zipped and zagged from Emerald bay to Zephyr Cove to the crystal blue Sand Harbor.

But:

Our ride out to Sand Harbor was incredible. How could you not love crystal blue swimming pool-like water, nestled between pine trees and a sandy beach.
And, I am always amazed that you can see:

with a pinch of salt.

2011-07-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

On the way to Lake Tahoe, we drove right through the:

What a crazy thing! They look exactly like snow... confusing to the brain on a warm summer morning.

The first chance we had, we parked the car and walked around.
They were crunchy, but soft... and the salt stuck to the bottoms of our shoes.

We told the boys they could run and run and run. And of course, they did. I stayed behind and snuck a little taste, just so I could say I did.

Mmmmmm. It was well, salty.

Looking over the vast landscape, the radiant white blinded your eyes, but up close you could see the:

Fantastic and delicate. Sparkly and beautiful too.

Some of the salt even followed us home I am sure. It had a way of finding itself back into my camera bag somehow!

i'm back, for a while...

2011-07-26T20:02:00.000-07:00

We've been in Tahoe.
Camping.
Enjoying life.
You know, summer stuff.
But, I'm back now... for a while. We have another trip planned soon, and I can't wait.
I've got quite a job getting all of my pictures ready for the blog.
I'm trying!
I realized that I never finished my train story.
I will!
I have some juicy posts lined up.
For now, you get one picture.
It's my favorite from our Lake Tahoe adventure.
It's my youngest, and his face reads abundant joy.
That's the way summer should be.
Shouldn't it?
So far, this has been an amazing summer.
I am one lucky girl.

finding inspiration in abondoned trains.

2011-07-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Last week, we drove to Ogden to visit a friend.
Can I tell you just how cool this friend is... she brought us to an abandoned train yard.
This friend knows me all too well.
My love affair with rust.
My delight in all things old and vintage.
My camera had a hay day--- so much so, I didn't even get around to editing all of the photos yet! (And, I'm planning another photo session in the fall in the exact same location.)
My heart was beating double-time.
Thanks Nikki!

More tomorrow... along with my exciting story of finding a sleeping passenger among the trains!

sizzle, sizzle, pop!

2011-07-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

I hope you had a:

Ours was full of:

Mixed with a bit of:

And, of course...

I love the:

I love being free. I love you, America.

making snowballs in July.

2011-07-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

When we set off on our hike last week, we never thought we would find snow, much less-- be able to play in it. What an odd feeling to be making snowballs in July. My brain didn't know what to think!
My feet were chilly, but it felt good after sitting in the sun. Hiking in the hard packed snow patches was a different story. They were slippery and wet, a tricky feat!

As the trail wound around we found ourselves many times in the middle of a grove of Aspen trees. One of my favorite.

Finally, we made it to our destination! Stewart falls. A mighty rush of snow melt.

After the hike, we drove back down and decided to explore:

It wasn't hard to talk Jeff and my oldest boy onto the ski lift. My youngest, a totally different story.

What a fantastic ride. We enjoyed the warm glow of the:

It was mighty:

And, we got to swing our feet... ever so lightly. (Don't rock the seat!)

Perfect day.

hatless at a polo match.

2011-06-28T09:01:00.000-07:00

Last weekend, we were invited to:

It was a very posh affair. It felt like we had stepped into the pages of The Great Gatsby. Red carpet, bag pipe players, a giant white tent, and every other lady there was wearing a hat... but me!

We had a great day. The food was so amazing. I especially enjoyed the giant green olive and prosciutto skewers. I ate more than I am proud to admit!
But, I felt a little out of place. I spent most of the day:

Next year, I will for sure!

The boys were in heaven at the little gelato station. My oldest:

What an exciting game! We loved to watch the horses and hear the crack of the ball.

And, of course... any excuse to consume:

I loved the:

What a great excuse for:

But, soon the festivities came to an end.

weenie roast and ghost stories.

2011-06-27T09:06:00.000-07:00

We are really loving this new place we live. Here we are at the end of June, and we have only reached 90 degree temps twice.

Our new favorite family activity are evening weenie roasts. We drive up into the canyon, bring our dinner, and just enjoy! It beats camping since I can rest in my own bed after the sun goes down.

Don't you love the smell of a summertime campfire? Mmmmmmm!

And what kind of a mother would I be if I forgot the fixin's for S'mores. Those extra large campfire marshmallows are the best.

My youngest is a master at toasting marshmallows. I always give him the duty of making mine perfect!

I sit as close to the campfire as humanly possible. After the sun goes down, it gets chilly!

And of course...

the cabochon alternative.

2011-06-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

Dear, sweet little blog.

I've missed you so very much.

I've been a busy, busy, busy girl. Visitors in town, summer is keeping me occupied.

Actually, I found an amazing bead shop this last week... and what did my little eyes spy on the back wall by the cash register? Flower Cabochons! I've been looking for these, forever! I think I squealed and scared the shop owner. I grabbed my sisters arm and dragged her over. I loaded my fists full of those lovely flower cabochons. I couldn't wait to turn them into kitchy earrings.

I bought my very first pair of cabochon earrings about 3 years ago. They set me back about $9... but, they were worth it. Large yellow roses. I wore them everywhere! (and still do!) But, I wanted other pairs. I looked around, they were a bit pricey. But, now... I can have any color I want!
Do you want to know the very best part?

So inexpensive! I bought the supplies for 7 pairs of cabochon earrings all for less than the one pair that I found over 3 years ago. Be still my beating heart!

After a quick wave of the glue gun, and about 5 minutes later, a little magic happened.

Are you in love? I am!

the breakfast of champions.

2011-06-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

Good Morning! We have a busy day planned for today. The arrival of last minute visitors, cooking classes, cleaning house. It's one of those busy, busy summer days.
.

You're busy too, you say? Well, hop on board this band wagon... we're making our favorite breakfast!

No heavy waffles, soggy cereal, or greasy eggs to weigh us down today. Just a few simple ingredients and a quick whirl in the blender.

I always manage to find a way to fit in some:
The kids know and come running when they hear the blender motor running! Breakfast is on!

What do we put in our smoothies? Well, it's usually something like this. A cup full of ice, a container of yogurt, a hand full of berries or other fruit, a 1/2 C milk, a teaspoon or two of protein powder, and a teaspoon of flax seed. Blend to perfection, and voila:

cave dwellers.

2011-06-13T15:20:00.000-07:00

It's summer.

Dad is home.

What do we want to do today?

We have had so much fun exploring Utah this spring! We are always up for:

Don't forget to:
Hiking uphill is hard!

Finally, we made it to the caves!

Brrrrr.... It was so:

But oh! The formations were:

Do I look a little cold?

I was also not quite ready for my mega camera flash in that dark cave. Look at those startled eyes!
.

Jeff models the way they made us wear our backpacks.

It was so drippy, dark, and wet. I kept getting hit with drops of water (cave kisses) !

Back down the mountain... it took my toes forever to warm up!

We all came out:

but also:

sunprints on my heart.

2011-06-11T08:15:00.000-07:00

Every day I see the weeds that need pulling out in the back yard! Eeeeek! They grow bigger by the minute.

Who knew that those weeds could create beautiful art though?! I might as well put them to use until I can get out there this weekend and pull, pull, pull!

I was so ecstatic to find a art supply from my yesteryear at the craft store last week! Did you ever Sunprint as a kid?
I splurged on a large pack, and brought them home for the boys to create with. Weeds can create gorgeous:

I really like my younger son's:

But then, of course I had to have a turn! In a streak of inspiration, I ran to where I keep my old photo negatives (from a pre-digital age!) and with a little sun, I was developing old memories-- in my kitchen sink!

Of course, I completely took over the activity, and while the children had long lost interest, I was still out in the sunshine, arranging, checking, and watching my photos appear like magic.

I have no idea what I am going to do with the pages and pages of blue print photo negatives, the old photos from our first trip to Washington DC, the photos of the boys in their strollers, and emerging photographs from my first dabble with artistic photography-- but, they are mine, and I am in:

I'll let you know what I come up with soon!

family summer fieldtrip kickoff: Bridal Veil Falls

2011-06-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

If you know us well, you know that we love to explore. Exploring has become even more fun now that we moved from Texas to Utah-- new terrain! The mountains are a treasure trove of exploring surprises!

Only good things can be found when you have to cross:

And-- look what we found!

Of course, even though it is only 72 degrees, our shoes come off and we enjoy the water.

Pure ice water! The cold made our feet ache.

I took the opportunity to get a little sun on my:

Yikes! Sunglasses required!

Hiking along the river was so peaceful.

A happy day.

Lunch time!

Time to pack up! We've got to get back to our driving adventure!

Good bye Bridal Veil Falls, I'm sure we will see you again soon!

We decided to take the L O N G way home, through Heber Valley and Park City.

We are so excited that:

bring in the clowns... the circus is in town.

2011-06-08T07:20:00.000-07:00

Summer vacation has just started.

You know what this means!

I see lots of crafts, cooking, and craziness in my future. Monday morning I started things off right with a pile of craft books and a bunch of small paper bookmarks. I let the boys go wild.

"Pick anything and everything you want to do this summer!" I said, like a good mom should. We'll see just how long the "Ant Farm" activity stays on the list-- that bookmark might accidentally get lost. oopsie!

We are well into day three today, and I can say that things are going along great! We've got a craft under our belts, summer haircuts, and a field trip planned for today. I can't wait to show you where we are going!

Do you want the Cinnabon recipe?

2011-06-07T06:41:00.001-07:00

I think I've found it!

Really.
I have such a weak spot for:

Last Sunday, I decided to whip up a batch. After a whole lot of searching on the internet, I stumbled across a recipe marked "THE Cinnabon Recipe". So, we decided to give it a whirl.

If it's not THE recipe, it's pretty darn close, mostly when they were warm from the oven. I had to try a second one, just for you-- you know, to make sure it was the real deal.

The Cinnabon Recipe

Rolls:

1 1/4 oz package of yeast
1 C warm milk
1/2 C sugar
1/3 C melted butter
1 t salt
2 eggs
4 C flour

Filling:
1 C brown sugar
2 1/2 T cinnamon
1/3 C butter (softened)

Icing:
7 T butter, softened
1 1/2 C confectioners sugar
1/4 C cream cheese
1/2 t vanilla
1/8 t salt

...

Rolls: 1. Dissolve yeast in milk
2. Mix in sugar, butter, salt, eggs, and flour. Mix well.
3. Turn dough onto lightly floured surface and knead into a large ball. Cover and let rise one hour.
4. Roll dough out into a 20 X 15 inch rectangle.
.

Filling: 1. Spread the softened butter over the entire rectangle of dough. Sprinkle the filling generously over the dough.
2. Roll from long side to short side. Pinch the ends.
3. Using a serrated knife, cut the rolls about one inch wide. I got 12 rolls out of mine. You can cut them wider to make bigger rolls.

Baking: 1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Allow rolls to rise for 30 minutes.
3. Bake the rolls until they are slightly brown, but not doughy. I set the timer on my convection oven for 15 minutes, and they were perfect. Depending on your oven though, they may need more time.

Icing: 1. When done, remove the rolls from the oven and allow to cool for a bit. 2. Cream all of the icing ingredients together and spread on top of the rolls. Enjoy!

So excited to be featured here on Amy's 100 Days of Summer list!

Also, have you seen my latest SITS article, here? Finding your recipe heritage. Check it out!

bedroom makeover: cowboy edition

2011-06-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

Did you think I would never return with the next room re-do?
I had a few life priorities set me back for blogging last week.
.

First, my best friend from high school surprised me with a lovely visit. We shopped, baked, crafted, and chatted. It was lovely, a welcome break from the normal. More about that later...
.

Then, this week also brought the last day of school for the boys! Every day included a new activity, project, and experience. We had our share of busy afternoons.
.

But, this morning brings the first day of summer! I have the windows open, it's a bright blue sky day, and I sense an excitement in the air!

I see many projects in our future... but for now-- on with the next room makeover!

This room posed the challenge of space. It's a bit smaller than what we were use to in our other house. Furniture placement was key.

But, after our wood floors went in, I knew they would lend themselves to the "cowboy theme" well. We replaced the light fixture, added a peanut butter colored paint, and then the best part: DECORATIONS!

I made the curtains out of old denim. I added pockets to hold little treasures, notes, and trinkets. (Which boys have more then plenty of.)

I also used the shelf to display our great collection of western themed children's books that my parents had collected from thrift shops and antique stores.

The piece de resistance is the red work quilt my sister made for my oldest back when he was a wee babe. The detail is amazing! And of course, we can't have a cowboy room without a bit of Texas.

a bedroom makeover: aviation edition

2011-06-01T07:40:00.000-07:00

In preparation for summertime guests, I decided to totally re-do my boys bedrooms. I wanted to get it done quick, so I took 3 days total. Three days to paint, dry, decorate, and enjoy. They were three very long days.

My youngest helped me choose a paint color. His choice, a very dark violet blue. The perfect backdrop to our aviation theme.

I love how the blue paint looks with our new floors!

The old yellow airplane, a finishing touch.

The perfect little habitat for a pilot-to-be!

More makeovers tomorrow.

a slight obsession starts with black paint.

2011-05-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

Two weeks ago, I wrote an article about making your own silhouettes, here. It was my most popular article to date, bringing in over 35,000 hits in just a week!
.

After that, it made me think a little bit. How could I make the silhouette a bit more interesting? How could I raise the bar.

So, this time around, I started to think smaller--- I printed off the photos as usual, cut the face line, and got out my trusty black paint.

And then, I *gasp* decided to take it one step further:

I collect old and vintage books, so finding the best one to use for this project was difficult-- BUT, I am sure I will have another project in the future that requires old book pages-- so I donated it to crafting purposes! You can find vintage books anywhere from your local thrift shop, to a Friends of the Library sale, garage sale, or even online. I won't rip something that I paid more than $1 for though!

Next, I removed the inside of the picture frame I selected, and used it as a template for cutting the book page down to size.

When you do this, take a quick scan of the page and make sure there are not any strange words or phrases on it.

Find the middle of the page, and:

I would use an archival adhesive that is found in the scrap booking section of your local craft shop.
.

Place the silhouette in the frame, and presto!

I love it!

I think mine make the perfect:

the queen of hearts, and her strawberry tarts

2011-05-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

Sorry, if I am not answering my phone-- it's because I am off in my own la-la-land...

Around here, I am the queen of hearts-- making sure everyone stays happy, healthy, and fed. The old adage really is true, that a way to a man's heart is through his stomach-- I've seen it first hand! Today, the queen of hearts is making strawberry tarts-- to keep her guys happy.

I just got a box of puff pastry (I love that stuff!) and cut it into rounds. Then, I added a extra large, juicy, red, strawberry-- and a pinch of sugar.

I baked at 400 degrees until they were golden brown and puffy-- delish!

So easy.

So chic!

This afternoon I feel like I'm in Paris, instead of Utah. And, that's not a bad thing!

something is missing here...

2011-05-25T08:13:00.000-07:00

When Jeff is gone, you can tell.

The house is quieter, the jokes are not as funny, and there is always too many leftovers after dinner.

The night time TV only glows with girl shows, the left side of the bed is cold, and time seems to go slower. Really.

I'm looking forward to the weekend, when you land your plane and we can be together again.

Because, missing you is just no fun!

everyone loves a...

2011-05-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

especially when it matches your...

saying our goodbyes to Australia

2011-05-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

The last day of Sydney was for last minute shopping. Our morning started here:

Which Australian candy bars to bring home? It was a tough choice.
(My favorite pick? Turkish Delight!)

Then, we headed out for a little:
The boys had a grand old time climbing, jumping, and looking at these:

I think they are so interesting! Why are they here? Where did they come from?

Just a straight shot down the hill is the:

We got a one on one lesson from Jeff about:

It's not as easy as it looks!
.

The Botanical Gardens were amazing! I loved all of the interesting vegetation.

And of course, we had to have a sit in:

Walking back toward the Opera House was sad. We knew the end of our trip was near.

But, not without a stop for gelato!

It's always so surreal to experience the season that is opposite what you are use to.

As the day grew later, we headed to our last stop.

On the way to the bridge, it started to sprinkle. The wind picked up, and tossed us around a little bit. I was a bit disappointed because I was hoping for a blue sky, puffy white clouds, and a bright sunshine for a dramatic photo of the Opera House.

But, while we walked I saw something... a small bit of something starting slowly and growing all the way over the Opera House! It was even better than a blue sky!

And, just for a few seconds, the clouds parted and a beam of sunshine pointed directly at the Opera House. It was fantastic! I took a few photos, and then we continued on.

As we reached the middle of the bridge, I looked over and noticed that:

I was so glad that we had stopped when we did to capture the rainbow! It was so worth the walking blisters, and whipping wind, and even the cold sprinkling rain.

Bondi to Coogee beach walk.

2011-05-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

We picked the warmest day in Australia to trek from Bondi Beach all the way to Coogee. It was an amazing coastal walk with gorgeous views, breeze from the Tasmain sea, and interesting people along the way.

Bondi is one of my favorites! It's such a Sydney landmark, and I can tell why.

Being right there on the coast makes me feel like we are at the tip of the world-- you really realize that you are MILES and MILES away from home.

As the walk went on, we hit a few other beaches. Tamarama was next.

I love the colors of the water, so beautiful!

We could not have picked a better day!

We ate lunch along Clovelly beach... that is also where we all saw our first peek of something else! (hide your eyes, boys!)

Here I am contemplating if I should join in with the topless woman!? Ha, yeah-- maybe not.

I found myself saying these 5 words all along the walk:

The walk/stroll took most of the day-- it was 6 kilometers long or 3.72 miles.YAHOO!

the Blue Mountains really are blue...

2011-05-18T08:55:00.000-07:00

Day four in Australia started out with a:

We all brought our books, magazines, and newspapers. Time for a little:

After about 90 minutes, we had made it to our destination! The Blue Mountains.
First things first-- a trip on the Skyway!

I'm a little nervous, it's pretty high-- and it's got a glass bottom!

Finally, after a while:

It was worth the wait with:

Our tummys do a flip flop while we wait for the:

The worlds most vertical train. It goes 52 degrees straight down into the rainforest. YIKES!

Here we gooooooo!

We find ourselves right atop the:

So glad we survived!

We enjoy the views. The two brothers pose in front of the Three Sisters. See them in the background?

Here son, please take my camera worth hundreds of dollars and take our photo.

We follow our marked path.

The trail takes us deeper, winding us around and around.

I love all of the:

Once we hit the end, we end up on a:

Once we get back up to the top, we explore the various trails. Most of what I remember is a lot of mud--- trying to keep my Chucks dry, and keeping my boys dry was a full time job!

When we were up at the Three Sisters lookout, we notice people standing on a bridge between one of the Three Sisters. After a bit of looking around, we find the trail head-- and make our way to them.
.

My job was to head up the back of our hiking line-- I think that was the scariest vantage point! Those stairs, STEEP and a bit slippery! I remember constantly chanting my new mantra "Take it slow and easy, boys. Hold on tight. Take it slow and easy, boys. Hold on tight." all the way down, down, down.

"Take it slow and easy, boys. Hold on tight."

Finally, we made it!

WHEW!

taking the ferry to Manly Beach.

2011-05-17T07:42:00.000-07:00

Day three was filled with museums, meat pies, and exploring. About 2 pm we hit a bump- what should we do? Going back to the hotel is never an option! Jeff suggested Manly Beach. We jumped on that band wagon and hit the ferry docks!

The trip out to Manly beach is gorgeous! The listing ferry boat rocked us back and forth all the way over. The boys loved it.

Before we knew it, it was time to hop off of the boat and walk down the little main street area to the beach. Quaint and gorgeous!

Nothing beats an afternoon on an:

It helped that we had picked a beautifully:

My kids will pick beach over any other activity. They could spend hours upon hours with the sand, water, and sun.

It was so nice to kick off my restricting shoes and feel the:

I sat right down in the cool sand and watched the boys play for hours.

I was so excited to be in Australia, enjoying the beach, observing my boys, life felt perfect at that very moment!

What a fantastic way to spend:

More photos tomorrow!

Want to check out my latest post featuring tips for traveling with kids? Click here.

cuddling koalas (day 2 on our Australian Adventure)

2011-05-16T07:17:00.000-07:00

This trip to Australia, we totally utilized the:

The boys loved:
It was fun most of the time. Rush hour, not so much!
.
On day 2, we headed to Featherdale Wildlife park. We were anxious to meet some of Australia's most popular inhabitants!
This koala was the only one in the whole park that I saw awake! ! We took the opportunity to chat with him and take his photo! Isn't he handsome?

It was an early morning at the park, the animals were just waking up and getting their breakfast!

The wallabys greeted us as we entered the park, bouncing to and fro. As we walked along the pathway, we spotted 20 or more kookaburras, just welcoming the morning sun. They were close enough to touch, but with a beak like that-- we kept our distance!

Koalas like to sleep! The worker at the park said that they sleep 20 hours a day, and when they wake up-- they just want to eat. The eucalyptus leaves have a sedative in them that makes them drowsy. I think they are so adorable! Don't you just want to hug them?

Lucky for us though:

Seriously, do you think I could hide one in my bag and bring it home?

It's amazing to get to touch something that you have forever viewed behind the zoo bars. One of my favorite Australian experiences!

Look at this precious face!

We liked the big grey ones best. They would stand up on their hind legs and beg for treats. Such personality in those big, lashy eyes.

Of course, we waived to the koalas as we left the park-- but I don't think they saw us!

Hopping back on the train, to the city we go!

The time change is hard to work through! By noon, I felt like it was time for bed! But, no rest for the weary!

The magical and mysterious Sydney Opera House! So iconic, and so fun to explore. Of course, you need a souvenir photo in front of it! Smile boys!

My favorite part of the Sydney Opera House is climbing up close and touching the smooth cream colored tiles that cover it.

It's also fun to peek in the large sail shaped windows and see all the fancy dressed people eating at the restaurant inside! Should I press my face up to the glass? Maybe next time!

Okay, it's 4 o' clock.

did you miss me?

2011-05-12T07:57:00.000-07:00

Oh, my-my, have we been

Not just finish-your-homework-busy, or weeding-the-garden-busy...

We've been traveling on planes, trains, buses, and ferries... busy.

We've been on the opposite end of the world, enjoying FALL. We've been awake when you were sleeping. We've been eating new foods, and using words we are not use to. We've been walking miles and miles. We've been petting wild animals, and stuffing our suitcases with loads of imported candies (lollies) and chocolate.

But, do you know where we've been? Can you

We've been here:

and, I can't wait to share our journey! More to come tomorrow!

you've reached Little Momma & Company...

2011-04-29T09:14:00.000-07:00

I'm taking a week off from blogging. Don't fret, I'll be back soon! I promise. Please leave a message after the beep.

*BEEP*

the dime-store cowboy dance.

2011-04-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes we like to hit all of those western wear shops. You know, smell the leather, look at the lassos-- try on all of the:

We always pick out our favorite pair of boots, or what we would wear if we were really cowboys. I always gravitate toward the fringe. "A cowgirl has gotta have fringe!" I say.
.
The workers in the store give us questionable looks as we wander around. They've seen our type before. "Those dang city slickers!" They say.
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Then we talk about what we would have on our ranch. Horses and cows are a must. The boys throw in ideas like bunnies and cats. "Nobody likes herding cats!" I say.
.
We try out the chaps, the lassos, and the spurs. Wouldn't it be fun to ride the range?
But, I don't think we will every really be cowboys. The best we could be is a dime-store cowboy. I would never want to risk getting cow poop on my fringy pink cowgirl boots. It sure is fun to pretend though.

New Zealand on a stick.

2011-04-27T07:49:00.000-07:00

So, my obsession with dipping things in chocolate has landed me here:

It's the perfect shape for a pop, right? And wow! That spring green against the chocolate, what a perfect color combo. I think I'm in love.

My family loved when I pulled these out after dinner, a perfect little bite on a stick. (Because, everything is better on a stick!) The kiwi and chocolate go great together, a delightful refreshment for spring.

the day my sweater became my best friend.

2011-04-26T07:12:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I can be an odd person. I understand that. I accept that.
.
I mean, I don't buy accessories off of the shelf. I like to make them on my own-- an electric blue ric rac flower brooch to match my electric blue church skirt. A pair of ruby red button earrings to match my new shirt. It's become my "thing" to constantly find new tidbits to make my baubles and bangles, pins and clips.
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In fact, I've been known to put on an outfit and not have an accessory anywhere to match-- so I'm in my craft room, stitching one up. I'll yell out "5 more minutes" to keep the troops at bay while I am furiously stitching. Stitch, stitch, stitch... "5 more minutes, I promise!"
.
My vintage yellow sweater has been begging me for a while. She needs a pretty little something to cover up the pretty little stain that I didn't notice until I brought her home. A whopping 10 cents at a garage sale over 14 years ago, and I have still never addressed the stain. Well, I've tried washing it out multiple times-- but after 14 years with me, it's never been able to find a way out. So, I'm going to cover it. With:

I was perusing the craft store the other day and happened upon those great fabric button covers that I used to make earrings last month. Remember those? Well, I bypassed the smaller ones and stocked up on the:

I was certain that I would be able to come up with a way to use them! I let them sit on top of my book shelf and thought about the possibilities.
.
It wasn't until after my little yellow sweater screamed at me in the mirror one morning that I came up with a plan. I grabbed my huge button covers, my little yellow sweater, and went through my sewing stash. I decided to design something that replicated a grand prize ribbon... you know, the kind that you would win at the county fair? I picked out a turquoise and yellow 1930's fabric, and some other:

After I covered the button, I cut some felt... excuse the glitter suspended inside. It was leftover from making Christmas ornaments 4 years ago. Finally, the perfect excuse to use it up! I love felt. It is the base for so many of my crafts. In fact, my mantra for the day has become:

I opened up the bias tape, and started to stitch.

Ruffles, ruffles, everywhere!

I kept those ruffles coming! Three rows of pure ruffle-ness. It was heaven.

When I was finished, I sewed on my extra large button, and pinned it on my sweater. She looked fantastic! I could tell she felt fantastic too, because she made me wear her to the grocery store. What a show off!

It was like a grand prize for crafty perfection!
.

And, it was so easy too. 15 minutes of crafty time- tops!

Easter weekend, revisited.

2011-04-25T08:24:00.000-07:00

Easter weekend is one of my favorites. There is something about that fresh spring grass, budding flowers, hiding eggs, foil wrapped chocolates, and bunnies that makes my little heart beat pitter-pat.

Sadly, I forgot the vinegar this year-- and our eggs turned out more pastel than anything.

This year we were also excited to watch our youngest try his hand at soccer... and he rocked it! We have a natural born soccer player on our hands!

The mister picked these out at the store for me! Don't you love the purple ones? They instantly scream SPRING when you walk into my kitchen.

Hope you had a great Easter weekend!

crafting for therapy.

2011-04-22T07:16:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of a clean freak at heart. So, sometimes I just have to let my hair down and make a:

Last night, one of my gal pals came over and we got to make messes, eat cookies, craft, and chat. I love it. It's so therapeutic!
.

I mean, seriously-- chatting it up while your hands are busy making these--

Such fun!

And, if you don't believe me, invite some of your besties over, make some snacks, and have a craft night. Your house and your sanity will thank you.

I love how my wreath turned out. It screams: Welcome Spring! Welcome to my front door.

busy bees, made with honey.

2011-04-21T07:50:00.000-07:00

Spring is here.
So, we made these.

I love honey.
I could put it on everything.
But, I didn't realize just how delicious honey could be until I had this honey:

I picked in up in Arizona over Christmas. It's rich and dark, stronger, a bit nutty. I've used it all winter, and I was down to my last 1/2 cup. Perfect for my peanut butter honeybees.
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To make honey bees, just mix equal parts peanut butter, honey, and dried milk. You can mix in sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, or raisins too.
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Every good honey bee needs a sturdy pair of almond:

And some cocoa powder:

Yummy. Pure honey bee goodness.

Make honey bees for your own little honeys.

"no crank" ice cream

2011-04-20T07:22:00.001-07:00

A wise man once said, "Nothing bad can come as a result of making:

Well, not really a wise man. More like-- Little Momma. But seriously, only good things can stem from the whipping of cream. Right?

Like this little secret I am going to share with you. Did you know you could make ice cream without a bulky, cumbersome ice cream maker? YOU CAN!

This week, I made two kinds. Vanilla and:

It's as easy as whipping cream, adding a few other ingredients, and then packing it up in a container:

So, imagine my children's eyes when after they so perfectly cleaned their plates (as good little children do... yeah right) and I emerged from the kitchen with chilled little bowls filled with:

{AND}

Joyous! The heavenly angels are singing!

No Crank Ice Cream

...

1/2 C sweetened condensed milk

1 t vanilla extract

a pinch of salt

1/4 C sour cream

1 and 1/4 C heavy cream (whipping cream)

...

While your heavy cream is whipping on high: mix milk, vanilla, salt, and sour cream together in a bowl. After your cream has whipped to hard peaks, mix together. Place mixture into a covered container and freeze for at least 6 hours. Add toppings as desired.

tell tale signs.

2011-04-19T07:39:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness gracious. It's finally here. We are:

Enjoyed are the chalky fingertips used for:

Enjoyed is the basking in the warm glow of the:

Enjoyed is the running around with bare:

It's subtle, but it's here.

Thank goodness.

pizza: WAFFLEIZED.

2011-04-18T07:36:00.001-07:00

I love my waffle iron. I can whip out a pretty mean batch of waffles on a lazy Saturday morning. But, I love to come up with new ideas for tools I have in my kitchen. I love to multi task! Come on you lazy utensils, pull your weight around here!

So, I've figured out that a waffle iron isn't just for making waffles. I've used it to make dessert with pound cake, strawberries, and Nutella. Toasted tortillas. Made paninis. So, who's to say that you can't use it to make pizza?

Introducing:

Believe me when I say that this is delicious. It really is. But, there are a few tricks. Ready?

First: Make sure your dough is rolled very, very thin. almost see through.

Second: If you are using toppings that might get kind of juicy, put your iron on top of a lipped baking sheet to catch any drippings.

Third: Use a bit of non stick spray. Just for insurance, to make sure everything slips out of there. Nobody likes picking out between the waffle iron ridges. Nobody!

I just rolled a long rectangle of dough, and then rolled it over onto itself after I had tucked my toppings inside. See? Baking time would vary, I went by the color of the crust. I took it out when it was golden brown and crunchy. Trim the sides as you would a pie crust with a knife. They are easily removed, the edges kind of seal up with the heat and keep all of the toppings inside.

Delicious! And fun.

The reason for visiting California in the first place.

2011-04-15T12:19:00.000-07:00

Day 2 brought some excitement!

What can I say about Disneyland that hasn't already been said? Not much. But our visit in a few pictures says it all.

And that was EXHAUSTION with a capital E!

Adventure bound, on a Monday.

2011-04-14T08:15:00.000-07:00

This week, we decided very last minute to high tail it out of this snow, and head to warmer climates. Because, everyone needs to:

We flew in Monday afternoon to one of our favorite destinations: California. After picking up Grandma, we took a sunset:

It was time to:

Just a lot of:

Well, enjoying everything but the:

We were almost blown away!

More adventures tomorrow!

I'm someplace warm.

2011-04-13T02:00:00.000-07:00

I had to escape the cold. But, I will be back soon. Tomorrow. I promise.

doing the salsa, with a cinnamon side step.

2011-04-12T02:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, I loose track of the fruit that I have stashed away in the nooks and crannies of my kitchen. The strawberries that I bought last week, they reside behind the milk on the bottom shelf of my fridge. The bag of apples still sit in the wide ceramic bowl atop my kitchen table, and oh yeah--- I have two bunches of bananas turning more and more freckly brown with every passing day. It's got to be eaten!

So what do I do?

I make:

This time I added, strawberries, pineapple, oranges, apples, and lime zest. Sometimes a mix in a little strawberry jam, or a sprinkle of sugar. And then, the best part... chips! I just use one of the random bags of corn tortillas I have in the inner depths of my pantry. (Why do I always seem to have a bag of those hanging around?!) I place them on a cookie sheet, add a brush of melted butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar, a slice with the pizza cutter, and a bake in the oven until crispy and brown. But really, they are: And, you can't mess with perfection.

Spring Facade.

2011-04-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

Will these questions ever be answered?

feeding my family (for $5)

2011-04-08T08:12:00.001-07:00

Earlier this week, I challenged my readers on SITS to a contest, here.

Do you think you could feed a family of four for about $5 or less? I've done it, and I do it a lot. I have about a dozen or so penny pinching recipes that I pull out of my back pocket multiple times a month. So, in lieu of the Dinner on a Dime contest, I thought I would post my most favorite recipe for you! Beef and Broccoli noodle bowl. Here is how my estimations break down.

Fettuccine noodles: $1 for 1 package

Stir Fry Beef: $2.68 for .84 lb at #3.19 per pound.

Carrots: 2 for $0.25 (out of a $0.75 cent package)

Broccoli: 1/2 lb for $0.75

Hoisin sauce: 2 Tablespoons for $0.25 out of a jar for $2.50

Italian dressing: 1/2 Cup for $0.25 cents out of a bottle for $1.

Total cost: $5.18

...

Chop your veggies into bite size pieces. Meanwhile, heat enough water in a large pot to cook your fettuccine. In a large frying pan stir fry your beef until browned, and then remove from heat. When your water comes up to a rapid boil, add your fettuccine. Cook half way, and then add the veggies. Boil until pasta is al dente' and veggies are crisp tender. Drain pasta and veggies in a colander and add them to the beef. Return to heat. Add Hoisin sauce and Italian dressing. Stir well, coating the noodles and veggies. Serve and enjoy!

i wish i was a cheerleader.

2011-04-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

I vividly remember practicing cheers at the end of 8th grade with my best friend Michelle in front of the middle school parking lot-- waiting for our parents to pick us up for the day-- trying to think that I might have a chance at becoming a cheerleader once I hit high school. Ah, sweet naivety. I never did have the cajones to try out... letting all of those sweet high kicks and mock splits go to waste. I think 9th grade was the year I discovered that I was clumsy, and then my cheerleader dreams slowly faded with the onset of my new found awkwardness!

I just wanted to shake the pom poms anyway. I've always loved pom poms. So, when a fleeting daydream brought a little inspiration, and inspiration brought a little research... I figured out how to make the most amazing over sized pom poms.

Can you guess what they are made out of?

Well, my little bit of inspiration and research lead me to the thrift store... where I picked up:

And, this comes right after I got rid of all of my old clothes before our big move! Darn it! Next time, next time I have a plan for you old shirts of mine!

Are you ready?

First, you will need a piece of cardboard. HA! Lucky me, I still have a moving box or two stashed away in the garage. I used a number 10 can for the first big circle, and my camera lens cap for the middle. But, you can use ANYTHING! And then, cut. Okay, after you cut your cardboard, cut your shirt into 1/2 to 1 inch strips. Then:

Here is the fun part!

Every time you finish wrapping a strip, start the next strip at the top of the cardboard for ultimate fluffiness!

Okay, do you have dexterous fingers, because you have to wrap three times! I just put on some music and sang along!

Get your sharp scissors, and cut the edge... be careful not to let the pieces fall apart. It helps if you put your other hand on top to hold it down. I was doing this, but I had to let go to use my hand to take the photo... silly. Also, trust your Little Momma when she says to be careful with scissors! I pretty much took my pretty little thumb print completely off with the slip of the scissor blade. Yeouch!

Ohhhhh! It's looking good!

Now, remember that strip you sandwiched between the cardboard in the beginning? Tie it, really tight. You don't want those puppies slipping around. Of course you are going to do an impromptu cheer when you are done, it's a pom pom for goodness sakes!

Take those scary sharp scissors again and give your pom a nice:

Easy, right? I am in love! I feel like I am back in 8th grade!

I'm thinking about making a ton to decorate the house for Easter...

Every lamp needs a little pom pom bling, right?

snowy sunday and burrito babies.

2011-04-06T08:14:00.000-07:00

Sunday morning: It wasn't just a few flakes... it was: Do you know what this means! Lots of snuggle time, and:

We've been doing burrito babies for ages! It's great for an impromptu:

Even though the boys are older, they still:

And, I can't help it:

I hope they let me roll burrito babies for years to come!

Are you up for a challenge?! click here!

cradled in my tortilla.

2011-04-05T07:33:00.001-07:00

I really love Martha Stewart Food magazine. Some of the recipes that I find inside each month quickly become family favorites. This one is our newest faves.

Delicious! I made mine sporting my tried and true:

My aprons really are part of my cooking routine! I love them.

I had never tried warming my tortillas over an open flame, but it was fantastic! It added a ton of flavor and was so easy.

Ding, DING! Hear the dinner bell? It's time to eat! Seared-Steak Fajitas

3/4 pound top round steak

1 T soy sauce 1/4 C plus 1 T fresh lime juice (plus fresh wedges for serving)

1 T olive oil

1 garlic clove, minced

salt and pepper

1 green bell pepper, seeded and sliced

1 white onion, halved and thinly sliced

8 corn tortillas

1 large tomato, chopped cilantro, for serving

...

1. In a shallow dish, combine steak, soy sauce, and 1/4 C lime juice. Refrigerate for 1 hour, turning occasionally. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan heat 2 t oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (30 seconds). Remove from heat, stir in 1 T lime juice. Set oil aside. .

2. Remove steak from marinade and season with salt and pepper. In a heavy pan, heat 1 t oil over medium. Cook steak until medium rare (about 2 minutes per side) Transfer to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.

3. Add peppers and onion to pan. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, until veggies are crisp tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Stir in reserved garlic oil. Thinly slice steak and serve with veggies, tortillas, tomatoes, and cilantro.

a love for weekends.

2011-04-04T07:38:00.000-07:00

Weekends around our house mean one thing for sure...

Weekends at our house also mean:

(until about 7am, which is late for us!)

Goodbye weekend, see you again soon! Next time, bring sunshine with you!

scouts honor.

2011-04-01T07:23:00.000-07:00

I love my scout! He does his best. He is honest and true. He helps his mother. He makes me proud every day!

i'm kind of a {soda} jerk, sometimes.

2011-03-31T08:51:00.000-07:00

Hear-ye! Hear-ye!

Let it be known unto all of the land...

Sometimes, I indulge my hidden passion of:

But, who can resist? I sure can't. Sometimes:

My favorite thing about Jones soda, the fortunes under the cap! Even more of a treat!

use your noodle.

2011-03-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

My Texas friends on Facebook like to remind me daily that it's sunny and hot over there. They've got pictures of themselves swimming at the lake already up and posted for the world to see. They are wearing shorts. They are eating popsicles outside.

Meanwhile, over here in Utah... it's cold and snowy. It pretty much snows daily. I am so in denial that it is still snowing that I wore my Chuck Taylors yesterday with no socks and my toes froze. I have not seen the sun is a week! So, I'm still cookin' like it's winter. Roll out the soups and stews. You know what? . I never want to ruin a perfectly good homemade soup with a packaged noodle. That's just not fair! Do you wanna learn how to make your own noodles... in 10 minutes flat. Seriously!

All it takes are a couple of eggs, a little oil, and some flour. You mix your dough and then just roll it out. Don't forget to flour your work surface!

You can boil directly in the soup, or in separate salted water.

They are sooooo delicious! You should try them! You've got 10 minutes, right?

Homemade Noodles

2 C flour

1/2 t salt

2 beaten egg yolks

1 beaten egg

1/3 C water

1 t oil

Stir together flour and salt. In a mixing bowl, combine wet ingredients. Add wet to dry mixture and mix well.

Sprinkle work surface with flour and knead dough until smooth.

Roll dough out to desired thickness. Use a pizza cutter to cut strips of dough. Lightly toss in flour while waiting to boil.

Boil for 2 to 3 minutes.

EASY!

my pilot, flies again.

2011-03-29T08:45:00.000-07:00

I love you.

Be safe.

chocolate moustaches, and the people who love them

2011-03-28T08:05:00.001-07:00

Everybody should have the need for a:

Such an easy disguise! With a few simple supplies, you too can have your own:

Melted chocolate, lollipop sticks, and a large Ziploc bag. Nothing could be easier!

Don't forget to:

Even better, break the moustache mold and do something out of the ordinary-- kind of like my new: Guaranteed to make you 100%

And, they are so tasty too!

Even better! Dual disguise! You can be a manly, macho, fashionista!

Surprise your friends, fool your enemies!

Make some!

craft nite: button earring edition.

2011-03-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

My fabulous new crafty friend Colleen has officially introduced me to the:

She organized a whole evening dedicated to making these fabric covered button earrings that I had posted about on my blog last week.

Sweet Colleen, she did everything! Got the supplies, gathered fabric scraps, and even made coconut macaroons to munch on while we worked. I got to play teacher and give a little lesson and how to. It was so fun, and I am so excited about:

Besides, who doesn't like being the one that is allowed to make:

I know that I clean up plenty of messes every day. It is always relaxing when you can craft and not worry about a mess, just go with it!
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My new favorite craft! I love how they are so sweet and look:

Next time, my place!

Thanks Colleen!

doughnut(ty)

2011-03-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

Remember my love for anything miniature?
Well, it's hit a new level...

These diminutive sweets start out with a simple dough, shaped into:

It's simple, just take 2 teaspoons of dough and roll it into a rope.
Toss them in the oven!
But my favorite part is watching them come alive with the decorations! A simple almond bark (dipping chocolate) is melted down and used for frosting.
And, where would I be without my sprinkle brigade!

The melted almond bark does not take long to set. They are dry in a matter of minutes!

LOOK! So precious!

And, oh-so-much:

Fun to make and eat!

Would you like to try?

Just one note, these cookies are of the crunchy variety. They would pair great with hot cocoa or coffee to dip them in. They are delicious!

Doughnut Cookies

2 T vegetable oil

3 T butter, melted

2 eggs

2 t vanilla extract

1/2 t almond extract

3/4 t salt

2 t baking powder

1 C powdered sugar

2 and 1/2 C flour

to decorate:

2 or 3 squares of almond bark

sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly spray cookie sheets with cooking spray. Beat the oil, butter, eggs, vanilla, and almond extract together. Sift the dry ingredients together, and then add to wet ingredients and mix well. Dough should have the consistency of play dough. If it's a little dry, add a little oil.

Take 2 teaspoons of dough and form into a 4 inch rope. Coil rope into a doughnut shape and place on cookie sheet.

To decorate, dip tops of cookies in melted almond bark and top with sprinkles!

I'm branching out!

2011-03-23T07:52:00.001-07:00

BREAKING NEWS!

Meet the newest contributing editor to this fabulous site!
I am so excited, and I have a lot of great ideas!! This is going to be so much fun.
Today, you can read about my piece on Bento Boxes here!

And, if you missed my post on Monday, you can find that here!

I've also decided to jump on the Twitter bandwagon. You can follow me @littlemommaco

Come and say hi!

weekend roundup: Ogden Treehouse Museum

2011-03-22T08:07:00.001-07:00

We absolutely, positively, love-LOVE-love:

This weekend, we hightailed it over to the Ogden Tree house Museum! It's like stepping into a giant storybook. Each level of the tree house ends up in a different adventure.

The drums were fabulous!

And a dime store cowboy rodeo! We must be dreaming!

It's so much fun to play and:

My favorite were all of the little national villages. Reading a book about a Yurt-- in a Yurt is way out of the ordinary and very, very interesting!

But my favorite thing about museums, is the fun of learning.

petite pie.

2011-03-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

I'm a little obsessed with miniatures.

Especially edible miniatures.
There is something so fascinating about a smaller version of something else. Why? Why? Who knows, but...

this is sparked the idea for:

I've done "Sky High Apple Pie" and "Pie baked in a mug", but never a pie in a muffin tin, but what could be more perfect?!
.

I felt like a little girl again, playing kitchen, and constructing my little pies.

The filling of choice, ruby red cherries:

And, I found the perfect excuse to use my vintage french pastry cutters, even better! I love their scalloped edges.
They look so yummy and they are not even baked yet!
After a quick pop in the oven, they are ready to serve.
Too bad I didn't have any vanilla ice cream laying around!

They are --get ready-- as easy as pie!

...

a sweater for your soap.

2011-03-18T07:51:00.000-07:00

Recently, I've been intrigued by:

I did a little research and when I found out how laughably easy it was, I knew we had to make some! I love how it looks like your:

All you need is a few bars of soap (any size) and some wool roving. It's wool that's washed, carded, and dyed. This was the perfect opportunity to use up all of those hotel soaps I had under my sink! It is easier than easy. Take very small pieces of the wool and wrap your soap snugly, like a baby papoose. Cris cross your wool so it stays together.

Don't be too concerned with the placement of the wool. Remember, it an:

Next, Just:

Fill your sink with hot water. Gently scoop a few drops over your soap and tap, tap, tap. Don't rub too much in the beginning or the wool will fall off. Just keep tapping until you see some suds forming.

Once it's sudsy, you can rub all of the sides. Rub it around for about 10 minutes, or until the wool has "felted" or shrunk down and around the sides of the soap to form a cocoon.

Squeeze out the excess water, and allow to try overnight. They are perfect for gifts!

No washcloth required! Felted soaps create a sudsy soaping experience with just a touch of water!

wind indoors, and my favorite part of the day.

2011-03-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

Oh, sweet afternoon.

I love a good afternoon.
The kids are home, the windows are open.
We're relaxing, we are enjoying, we were releasing our:

We are:

It's the perfect time for games.

It's the perfect time for laughing.

It's the perfect time for:

It's the perfect time for:

licorice handlebar.

2011-03-16T08:58:00.000-07:00

I'm a little bit alarmed that holding an object between my nose and upper lip is a bit too easy for me!

Saturdays are good for...

2011-03-15T08:22:00.000-07:00

picnics and playgrounds.

And, pretending it's summer.

But, with coats on... and with grey skies.

a ring in my ear.

2011-03-14T08:49:00.002-07:00

This weekend, I finally found the time to make the fabric covered button earrings that I had been seeing everywhere. (EVERYWHERE!)

My philosophy in buying things for myself is always, "Could I make that for less than what they are asking?"

I usually see the earrings for about $10 to $18 a pair.

I knew I could make them for less! I KNEW I COULD!

So I tried.

First, I had to hit the craft store and:

(They were $3. I also got earring backs which were $1 on sale (50% off) and I used some leftover glue that I had from a previous project.) TOTAL SPENT: $4.

When you buy the cover button kit, make sure you get the one with the mold and pusher inside, not just the button refills.

On the back of the box there is a pattern to use for your fabric.

Then, before you do anything else, collect the button backs and:
I did this using a pair of pliers. I squeezed the loop together and it fell right out.
.
Next, using the button mold, you lay in your fabric (print side down), put in the botton top (raw edges up), tuck your fabric inside the mold. Lay the bottom on top, and then pop with the pusher. It seriously took three seconds.
Look!

Lastly, you can:

It was so easy, I pounded 3 pairs out in a matter of minutes.

$4 and 10 minutes later, I was the proud owner of three of the most beautiful earring sets ever! I couldn't be more proud!

Make some!

{refashion friday} Got 20 minutes?

2011-03-11T07:46:00.001-08:00

and $4?
Make an apron!

Start by going to your nearest craft shop and picking up these supplies;

a pre made handkerchief.
one and a half to two yards of wide ribbon.
one yard of ric rac, or other ribbon for the bottom.
matching thread.
a needle.

Step 1: Iron your lovely pre made handkerchief. How lucky that the edges are finished off so we don't even have to pull out our heavy sewing machines for this delightful apron. I'd bet your feeling cleaver already.

Step 2: sew the ric rac or other decorative ribbon along the bottom. (the handkerchief is a perfect square, so pick any side you like.) Use pins to minimize slippage.

Step 3: Sew your wide ribbon across the top making sure you have centered the middle of the ribbon to the middle of the handkerchief. Use pins to minimize slippage.

That's it sister! Model your creation proudly!

the thrill of blueberry {hill} muffins

2011-03-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

Ever since I have discovered home made muffin recipes, I never buy the mix anymore. In fact, the recipe is just as easy as a mix! I'm serious. All it takes is a few basic pantry items. (And, in this case...blueberries!)

First, you mix your dry ingredients...

Then you whisk your wet ingredients...

You mix the two together and add a fruit of your choice... we chose these little lovelies:
Easy-peasey so far, right?

Bonus: They make the house smell fantastic!

And then, here comes the hardest part... deciding how many to eat!

Your kids will love you even more than they already do.

Promise!

Blueberry Muffins

1 3/4 C flour
1/3 C sugar
2 t baking powder
1/4 t salt
1 beaten egg
3/4 C milk
1/4 C cooking oil

3/4 to 1 1/2 C blueberries

In a medium mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients and mix well.

In another mixing bowl, combine wet ingredients and mix.

Add wet to dry and mix well.

Fold in blueberries.

Spoon better into prepared muffin cups. Bake at 400 for 20 minutes, or until tops are lightly golden. Cool and enjoy!

a craving for summer.

2011-03-09T09:02:00.000-08:00

I am so tired of grey, and brown, and cold. I need some color. I am craving a little summer.

I need some sun like I need some sand. I need green grass, sweet tomatoes, candy shops, and lazy days.

I need melons.

I need singing birds.

I need sunglasses, and a reason to use them.

I need fishing poles.

I need road trips.

I need flip flops, and bathing suits, and sun screen.

I need a swing set, and a rosy summer sunset.

I need picnics.

I need a reason to paint my toenails.

I need shady park benches.

I need parades.

I need gardens.

I need summer.

my open refrigerator.

2011-03-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

The refrigerator is stocked.

So, why am I standing here trying to decide what is for:

I could use the:

and make pizza or caprese?

Ive gotta use up this:

But, that chicken is calling my name...
Or I could skip dinner all together and use up the:
Shortcakes? Dutch Baby?
.
But nothing is as easy as:
What should I do?

driving, without a map.

2011-03-07T07:04:00.000-08:00

Every time we have the chance, we explore. There are no maps involved, and no GPS units either, just good-old-fashioned-go-where-the-wind-leads-you exploring. It's so much fun to find what we find, and see what we see. Under the crisp blue Friday afternoon skies, we could not turn such an opportunity down.

Don't worry, we found our way home again.

I miss you, Texas.

2011-03-04T07:44:00.000-08:00

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with Utah, I really left a piece of my heart in Texas. There is just something about that place. I was going through some old photos the other day and just had to stop and look a little while. Pay a little homage. Reminisce. I really miss that place.

I miss the mild winters.

I miss the deep blue skies that never seem to end.

I miss the wide open spaces.

I miss the circular hay bales that dot the countryside.

I miss the pecan trees.

I miss bluebonnets.

I miss fried pickles.

I miss the abundant ponds and lakes.

I miss the no sales tax on groceries!

I miss Texas pride.

I miss the Dairy Queen slogan, "That's what I like about Texas!"

I miss Central Market, and the huge Whole Foods store.

I miss the culture, and the southern hospitality.

I miss all of those lovely trees.

I miss real BBQ.

I miss you Texas, I miss you so much.

Can't wait to come and visit you this summer!

"You can all go to hell, I am going to Texas." -- Davey Crockett

a soup named Lasagna, and indoor s'mores.

2011-03-03T08:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a day for:

It is one of our favorites, I make sure to break out the recipe at least a few times a month in the winter. It really is like lasagna in a bowl.

Now, did I wake up yesterday morning and decide I was going to make s'mores? Not really. But, while on the hunt for passion fruit, Jeff and I were strolling the isles of a local gourmet grocery store and:

I literally started screaming. Serious! Jeff had to calm me down and remind me we were in a public place! (Do you ever get excited about food?!) Why was I so excited about marshmallows? Because, these are not just any marshmallows, these marshmallows are:

They are about the size of four regular size marshmallows... so in other words:

AND, they were only 50 cents a bag, so of course... I bought two!

So, tonight-- for Family Home Evening, we decided to make use of our gas stove and:

It worked out beautifully! The marshmallows grew even bigger while getting all roasty-toasty.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmm....

And of course, a S'more has gotta be:

Now, go make some soup!

Lasagna Soup

2 t olive oil

1 lb Italian sausage (with casings removed)

2 onions, chopped

4 cloves of garlic, minced

2 t oregano

1/2 t red pepper flakes

2 T tomato paste

1 (28 oz) can of diced tomatoes

6 C chicken broth

8 oz fusilli pasta

1/2 C chopped fresh basil

8 oz ricotta

1/2 C grated Parmesan

1/4 t salt

pinch of pepper

1 C shredded mozzarella

1. In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the sausage and saute, breaking it into small pieces, until the sausage is no longer pink. (about 5 to 7 minutes) Drain any access fat. Add onions and saute until softened. (about 6 minutes) Add the garlic, oregano, red pepper flakes, and saute for 1 minute. Add the tomato paste and saute until the paste turns a rusty brown. (about 5 minutes) Add the tomatoes with their juice and the broth and bring the soup to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

2. Add the pasta, then increase the heat to medium high and boil the soup until the pasta is tender to the bite. Stir in the basil, and season with salt and pepper.

3. In a small bowl, combine the ricotta, the Parmesan, and the 1/4 t salt and pinch of pepper. To serve Place about 2 T of the ricotta cheese mixture in the middle of a bowl. Sprinkle with a bit of mozzarella and ladle the soup on top!

doing boy things, and liking it.

2011-03-02T07:47:00.000-08:00

Since I've had boys, I've really tried to embrace things that I call "Boy Stuff". You know, sports, camping, transformers, Superman, Boy Scouts... all of that stuff. Yesterday, we decided it was time to present the boys with a gift of 100% boy-ness. Something that my boys had been talking about for a while. A Red Ryder BB gun. Because, we always do fun things:
It was fun to hear stories that Jeff would tell about his first BB gun. And of course, we all took turns trying to hit the target.

My oldest:

But then, I feel a little too boy-ish and I have to come inside and do something that I LOVE to do. Like, cook.
And, I know I can always talk someone into helping me with that!

stop the presses!

2011-03-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

For a whole week!

I am so excited.

the sledding hill, and the best deal in town.

2011-02-28T07:23:00.000-08:00

Am I surprised?
I decided to be a nice mom and walk the boys to the end of the street to the sledding hill this weekend.
Can you guess how long we were there?
It was good fun!
No playing on my phone for me, I:
I saw:
And:

I even found the best deal in the neighborhood!

Who knew!

I miss you honey!