Girlfriend Inspirations In Portland

As I mentioned in yesterday's post, our family went out of town this past week. We used to live in Portland and it was good to go back and see family and friends while we were there.

I had brunch with a couple of girlfriends one morning and we had so much fun! We all used to teach 2nd grade together and I have missed these girls so much since moving away. 

I don't miss the Portland weather, but certainly miss these Portland girlfriends! :)

My girlfriend Shauna was the hostess and she made everything so cute! 

She had the most adorable straws I've ever seen. I can't remember exactly where she ordered hers from, but I did find them along with alot of other fun things over at The Sugar Diva.

My girlfriend Stephanie is the cutest pregnant girl ever. We were loving our sugar-rimmed glasses. It made our OJ taste oh-so fancy. :)

Check out this adorable play area Shauna and her husband put together for their little girl! The teacher in me is "all kinds of lovin' this!" :D My little guy loved the little mirror that was just his height.

I even got inspiration in the guest bathroom! I LOVED these pictures and knew immediately that I wanted to try to make some for my little guy. What great gifts these would make! Just a bit of wood, paint, mod podge and scrapbook paper and you can go to town! I think I know what I want to do for my nieces next year! :)

The nursery was adorable. Shauna had decorated quite a bit with Pottery Barn Kids as inspiration. Check out the butterflys. Don't they just make you happy? Shauna gave me two that she had leftover to use as a template. I can't wait to try it! If I still had a classroom, these would totally be going up on the walls every spring! :) She got the idea for the dollhouse shelving from PB Kids. She showed her husband the picture and he built it! I SO wish I had that kind of skill! The things you could do!

The PB Kids mobile was adorable. I took a picture so I could store it away for a future project. I really liked the simplicity of it. So perfect for a little girl's room.

I loved the different letters she used to spell out Emerson's name....

Let me know if you try any of these projects! Hope you've been as inspired by Shauna's place as much as I was! :)

Baked French Toast Casserole

I was going to post this recipe this past weekend, but due to two different family emergencies, my husband and I had to make a quick and crazy trip out of town and we've just returned. (Sorry, Tori!) :( My husband's father had to have an unexpected surgery and his grandmother took a turn for the worse. We drove 750+ miles but were able to make it back in time for my husband to see his 93 year-old grandmother before she passed. We were able to take our little man up to the hospital to see his grandpa and make him smile. Lots of travel. Lots of stress. However, I'm so glad we got there when we did. 

This past Easter, we celebrated the day with some wonderful friends. 

My girlfriend Michelle made this french toast casserole and OH MY GOODNESS!! It is so good! I've lost track of how many times I've made this since Easter. It's a Paula Deen recipe, so you know it's good. Just plan a trip to the gym shortly before or after you make this one. :) 

Okay...so enough rambling. Here's what you'll need. :)

1 loaf of French bread

8 large eggs

2 c. 1/2 & 1/2

1 c. milk

2 T. sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

1/4 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. nutmeg

dash of salt

*Praline Topping (recipe below)

*Praline Topping Ingredients and Directions*

1/2 lb (2 sticks) butter

1 c. packed light brown sugar

1 c. chopped pecans

2 T. light corn syrup

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/2 t. nutmeg

For praline topping: Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and mix well. 

Begin preparing the casserole by slicing your French bread into 1-inch slices. Arrange the slices in two rows in a buttered 9x13 baking dish. Be sure to overlap the slices. 

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, 1/2&1/2, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Beat with a rotary beater or whisk until well-blended, but don't make it too bubbly. 

Pour mixture evenly over the bread slices. Spoon some of the mixture in between the slices. Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. 

The next day, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread praline topping over the bread and bake for 40 minutes, until puffed and lightly golden. 

Just a couple of side notes....

• The original recipe calls for you to serve this dish with maple syrup. However, I think it is PLENTY sweet without. 

• I usually put all the ingredients for the praline topping into a bowl the night before and just cover with clear plastic wrap or a lid. I don't mix it until I'm ready to spread it over the casserole the next morning. It's nice to have it out and all ready to go when I get up though. :D

• Place a cookie sheet covered with foil below your casserole while baking. Believe me! It's worth it. I've had to clean the oven several times because I failed to do this. :)

• Try serving COLD slices with coffee at a brunch. My husband loves this dish cold. He says it tastes just like bread pudding.

• I usually serve this dish with bacon. So yummy! :)

Paula Deen's French Toast Casserole = Sweet Treat for Hungry Runners - Just Don't Tell the Coach. :D

Hope you enjoy! If you try it, let me know what you think! 

THANK YOU, MS. PAULA DEEN!!! :D

Check out these link parties! 

So Much Cuteness!

Well, it's been ages since I had the chance to sit and look at some of my all-time favorite blogs and explore some new ones. The other night the baby was sleeping and my husband was in the other room watching a movie with a friend. Perfect time for me to slip out and do what I love! 

As I mentioned the other day, I have ZERO crafting supplies here with me in Mammoth. The nearest craft store is down in Bishop. I may have to make a trip pretty soon. However, between cooking, keeping up with my little guy, running errands and trying to fit in a little fitness, I'm content to take a brief project respite and look through the blogosphere to admire the many amazingly creative women and their projects. Here are a couple I've come across that I thought were so cute and are totally going in my, "Do This Someday" file. :)

Tales of a Trophy Wife (how cute is that title?) made this adorable pinwheel wreath. So perfect for summer and this coming July 4th!

Speaking of cute pinwheel decor, check out this adorable wall art Make It Perfect did for her kids' room! I HEART this project!

Make It Perfect recently used pinwheels to top birthday cupcakes as well. I may have to store this idea away for the future. 

What an easy way to add color and even a little take-home toy for guests.

Love Sweet Love made this cute Qtip jar.

 Qtips make me smile nowadays. They remind me of this picture of my little sisters who happen to be twins. 

Don't they look like little matching Qtips? :) LOL.

Grey Luster Girl gives a great tutorial on how to make this thread holder. I love it and totally want to make one for my little craft corner!

So many cute projects, so few hours in a day......

The Blogging Dilemma

So you probably thought I was dead. Sigh. I've been gone SINCE EASTER!! That's craziness! I'm working really hard to keep all my priorities in the right order and, as much as I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all things crafty and creative...It's number 4 on my priority list.

I decided back several months ago that the new order of things in my life would be this...

FAITH

FAMILY

FITNESS

FRIENDS 

(Blogging falls under the "friends" category 'cause that's what I consider you :)

 If the truth be told, I'm doing a really, really good job at only one of the top four priorities right now. Which one, you might ask...

Well, it's this one.

 My little man is growing so fast, I don't want to miss a second. We're up in a condo in Mammoth Lakes, CA. How do you like that make-shift toy box? :) He ignored all the familiar toys and went right for the cardboard box. Awesome. :)

It's June here and we got snowed on the last days in May. It was our little man's first time to see the snow. Happy Summer.

The only way I'm getting some blogging in now is that my two little men are napping. :)

Mammoth Lakes mornings go something like this. :) My little guy watches Baby Einstein on mommy's laptop while I have a cup of coffee and try to gear up for a busy day. :) 

My husband and a friend of ours are both up here to train at altitude. They're gearing up for the marathon olympic trials that will be taking place in Houston this coming January. My husband has had an incredible running career and I'm so proud of him. He's persevered through so many obstacles and injuries. This is his last big push as an athlete before we transition over to the coaching side of this sport. I'm up here taking care of our little man and cooking like a crazy woman. You try feeding two elite runners who are training like mad twice a day. These boys can eat! If you have easy, healthy and make-ahead meals in your kitchen arsenal, please do a girl a favor and share your recipes!! :D If I make 'em and the boys like 'em...I'll feature it here with your permission! :D 

I won't have my crafting supplies up here until later this summer, so this blog may be leaning more toward the family news and family meals for the next month or so. My goal is just to show up here several times a week and keep in touch. :)

Please bear with me and my incredibly sporadic blogging. I WILL get more consistent....after my little man goes to school. :) My goal is to still fit in a run and a devotion today. It's 2:45pm and it's raining outside. Hmmm....what are the chances??? :D

What are your secrets for keeping life in balance? I'd love to hear from you. :)

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter From Our Family to Yours

Hope you have a wonderfully blessed day. 

He is Risen! 

Creamy Chicken Casserole aka "Chicken on the Ritz"

This is one of my Southern Living recipes that we love. My husband has renamed this "Chicken on the Ritz." This is an EASY recipe. So fast to make and so yummy! All you need are 6 simple ingredients. 

6 cups cooked, chopped chicken breasts

2 cans cream of chicken soup

16 ounces sour cream

2 T. poppy seeds

2 pkgs. buttery crackers (I use Ritz)

1/2 cup butter

Mix together the first four ingredients and spoon into a 9x13 baking dish . Crumble the crackers over the top and spoon the melted butter over the crackers. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. 

How easy is that? Perfect for a busy day when you really don't have time to "cook." 

Check out these link parties! :)

Southwest Dressing and Cobb Salad

Remember the dressing that I referenced here? It's a favorite in the house and I've got to start doubling this recipe because my husband goes through it so fast I can't keep up. We use it for not only this and other salads, but as a veggie dip as well. I got this dressing recipe from my Pampered Chef Casual Cooking Cookbook. Here's what you need...

 1/4 cup milk

1/3 cup mayo

1/3 cup sour cream

1 T. lime juice

1 T. Southwestern Seasoning

Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and voila!

For the cobb salad, I cook 3 or 4 chicken breasts seasoned with a bit of salt and pepper in a little bit of oil in a skillet over medium heat. 

Chop romaine lettuce and keep in a separate bowl. 

Here are the toppings for the salad: 

Hard-boiled eggs

Avocado

Red Bell Pepper

Black Beans, rinsed and drained

Red onion wedges

Bacon

Cherry or Grape Tomatoes

Pretty Salad and Happy Husband :)

Check out these link parties!

Southwest Seasoning

One of my favorite salad dressings (and my husband's VERY FAVORITE) is a Pampered Chef recipe that calls for their Southwest Seasoning. I didn't have their brand seasoning and I couldn't find it in my local store, so.... I turned to Google.

I tried this recipe and it was great. I've actually copied it into the recipe book that I travel with so that we won't be without it. :)

• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano

Directions

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

As you can see, I'm starting to get a little low. Just about time to mix up a new batch!

Check out these link parties!

Let's Talk About Food!

I thought I'd dedicate this week to a couple of my family's go-to recipes. These are some of my husband's favorites that tend to make regular appearances around here. 

My husband runs for a living, so the man can eat! When his runner friends come and stay with us for a day or two, you wouldn't believe the amount of food they can go through. We had one get in yesterday actually. We'll be plowing through the fridge and the pantry in short order, I'll wager. :)

I've started copying down some of our favorite recipes into this nifty little notebook. 

We travel ALOT - whether it be to races, training camps or to see family. This way, I have some of our favs on hand and don't have to travel to a two month training camp with ten of my cookbooks, etc. I can just grab this one and maybe one or two others that I want to try out. 

We'll be heading to a training camp here in the near future and I'll be cooking up a storm for my husband and one other runner. That, along with taking care of our little dude and trying to fit in a little exercise for myself, is going to be keeping me pretty busy! 

So get ready for a week of food! Some recipes are healthy (I'll post these to my fitness blog as well) and some, not so much (we'll NOT be posting those over there, :D LOL).  Let me know if you try any of them out and tell me what you think!

Front Door and Porch - Before and After :)

Well we finally did! I've been NOT lovin' my porch for quite some time. It was just so very.....

P-L-A-I-N

See what I mean? 

We finally got our slow as molasses HOA people to approve our new paint color for the door and shutters. Yea!! 

Then yesterday, we stopped by an awesome plant sale in Coronado (I DO love Coronado). Check out my smiling husband bringing it to the car...

And this is how we fit it into my little Honda mobil. :)

My little man thought it was hilarious.

He could see all the leaves in the mirror in front of him and seemed to think it was pretty funny.

We added this to the very empty corner of our porch...

and when it was all said and done, here's the finished product.

Much warmer and more welcoming, don't ya think?

Linking up to some of these great parties.

Because I'm A Coffee-Crazed Woman...

I couldn't resist sharing this post from Kassandra over at Coffee and Their Kisses. 

Check out her project! So cute. :)

Consistency Wanna-Be

I so want to blog everyday and share incredible projects that I've worked on while my sweet little man has been napping. The problem is, he doesn't really nap. I'm not kidding. This little dude can sleep 20 minutes twice a day and he's good. He's still waking up three to four times a night to have a little snack. This momma can't even remember what a full night of sleep feels like, much less two+ hours to call her very own. By the time he actually crashes in the evening, I'm doing good to get my kitchen cleaned up from dinner (oftenwhich was prepared while wearing him out front in the bijorn) and drag myself upstairs to maybe catch a snippet of news before falling asleep. I'm trying, ladies. :) Thank you for bearing with me. I have so many great projects swirling around in my head and piling up in my "to do" file. Just you wait til I can carve out a little time for myself and I'll be amazingly consistent. :) 

For those who have just recently joined me, I'm so happy you're here! Thanks for sharing my little piece of the blogosphere. Please jump right in and let me here from you. Here are a couple of pictures of our life the last week or so...

 Our little guy sitting in the grass for the very first time

 Our baby and furbabies chillin' together

First time in the pool! :)

Lots of home life goin' on around here. I'm loving every minute of it. :)

This coming week I'm going to share the story and the recipe behind these two pictures...

Lovely.

Leggings for the Birthday Girl

My friend over at MonkeyMomma's Crafts now has a two year-old and she is downright adorable. For a little birthday "happy," I made a couple of pairs of leggings for her. 

Here she is modeling one of them for you in an "action shot." :)

And here's a close-up...

I'm playing with the idea of someday opening an etsy shop and selling these. Do you think there would be much interest????  What do you think?

Linking up to some of these great parties.

LoveStitched Giveaway Winner

The winner of the LoveStitched $5 Gift Certificate is:

Kristen said...

10

i'd get some of the little lou hair clips for my little girl!

April 2, 2011 12:55 PM 

CONGRATULATIONS, Kristen! Please send me your email address so that your gift certificate can be emailed to you! Now you CAN get those hair clips. :D Enjoy!! 

Thank you to all those who participated in the giveaway! I hope to have another one soon. :)

Notice that I DID finally figure out how to post the results correctly. I won't even tell you how long I've spent today trying to figure out what turned out to be a pretty simple and painless process. If you have a blog and are new to hosting giveaways (as I am), let me save you a TON of time....

Check out this helpful post over at Resourceful Mommy to find out how to post a picture of the random.org results.