Yummy, EASY Stuffed Peppers recipe

My pregnant girlfriend (shout out Ashley!) came over one day and saw me making dinner. She instantly said that she had been craving something for a few months and figured out what it was.... Stuffed Peppers! Then she texted me and called all day making sure her recipe was correct. That night she texted me to say that Brian said it was his favorite meal she had ever cooked. She thanked me for a LONG time and continues to ask for more easy recipes.

Start Solid Foods = Headache

Dear Diary,

What a nightmare starting solid food with Layla. I am nervous every time we start a new food. The pediatrician informed us to introduce a new food every three days to ensure she isn't allergic to anything. I always find the slightest blemish on Layla and assume she is allergic to carrots, or kiwis or...etc. I need to relax and understand side effects to having a food allergy, instead of making up my own ideas. Mike re-assures me every time I have a crazy idea.

Crafty McCraftersons Over Here

We had the amazing opportunity to have 3 craft shows in our first week of looking.

Our first show was hosted by Salon Tress.  The owner, Stacie, welcomed us with open arms and allowed us to test our products to the public.  There were many people who came through and purchased what we had to offer.  It feels great to know that we are doing something we love and people appreciate it!

Our second event was at the Mom2Mom sale at Orchard Grove Church. Holy cow, there were a lot of people! (pun intended) We were preaching to a different crowd and they were loving on us. We met the Mary Kay consultant who had a table next to us and she invited us to our third event. 

Maggie, the Mary Kay consultant, allowed us to set up a table at her training class with her friends.  They had many questions and had orders for our Mod Podge letters! Craft shows are in the cards for us and we will set up wherever people allow us to.

Thank you to all of the owners of the events and also our amazing customers who make us feel loved and appreciated every time they "oooo" and "ahhhh" over our goodies!

Annie Themed Birthday!

Dear Diary,

The Sun'll come out... TOMORROW! Betch your bottom dollar... that TOMORROW... there'll be sun!

Seeing as how we are still heavy into our family's birthday season, we will stay on this topic for a few posts. As I explained in my black tie post, we love to dress up and birthdays are a good excuse to do so. (Thanks uncle Rory for the photoshopping here.)

Blasting into the past, way back to 2010... When Mea was turning 3 years old, she wanted to dress up as Annie. To following theme we were Ms. Hannigan and Daddy Warbucks. This made for cute PHOTOS!

Black Tie Birthday Bash- Mea and Eva's Themed Party!

Dear Diary,

The girls' birthday party this year was a lot of fun! Months ahead of time, they started brainstorming.  Mea wanted to know what theme we should chose.  "What could we dress up like?" she asked.  This apple is not falling far from this tree. There is no denying it... we love dressing up! We invent reasons to do so.  And Birthdays are a perfectly good reason to do something silly.

Birthday Traditions

Dear Diary,

One more year has passed for each of my baby girls... time to celebrate!  My girls' birthdays are a month apart. Eva has turned 3 and Mea is turning 5! After giving birth, I gained a whole new appreciation for BIRTHdays!  My appreciation was exponentially heightened when I was able to witness Layla, my niece come into this world.  It was indescribable...other-worldly. breathtaking. mindblowing... it left me speechless and will go down in history as the most amazing thing I have ever witnessed.  There is a deep sentiment to consider what we are celebrating on a birthday...  on this particular day, so many years ago, a miracle happened.  It is such a great reason to celebrate: LIFE!

Now the question, how do we celebrate it?  What traditions do we carry over from our own childhood.  What new traditions will we start?  Things will be ever changing but some things can stay the same.  Here is a list of 10 BIRTHDAY TRADITIONS:

Making Meatballs... like a little old Italian lady

Dear Diary, 

I remember a few years ago, as a new mom and wife, I would call my mom or mother in law to ask them for recipes.  Normally, I'd come to find out I didn't have exactly what the recipe called for so I was forced to improvise.  If I didn't have breadcrumbs, I could smash up cheez its.  If we didn't have one kind of soup, I'd use another.  Slowly, as my repertoire for meals increased, I became more confident to open up the fridge and cupboards and answer the question, "Ma- what's for dinner?" Over the years, planning and preparing dinner for my family has transformed from a dreaded chore to something I am proud to do.  My meatballs are the bomb!

This is a recipe from my mother-in-law with some of my own twists and secret techniques.    
Behold... my meatballs!

... More Photo Tips! (Piggyback Post)

Dear Diary,

When I see a really great photo, I get goosebumps. I can stare at a good photo for a half hour, almost meditating on it. I think that qualifies me to say that I have a passion for photography. I love the kind of photo where you can hear, smell, taste and feel the subject.

One day I wanna get a sweet camera with a zoom lens. But in the meantime, we work with what we got and if we work hard enough, we can do sweet things! My panasonic point and shoot broke a few months ago and my only camera is the one on my iphone.

Want Professional Looking Pictures Without the Cost?

Dear Diary,
I recently went to a professional store to take Christmas pictures of my daughter. It was the first time so I made sure to take mental notes of how they took the most amazing pictures! Anyone remember their senior pictures? I remember going home and thinking I could have done that at home without spending almost $1000! Well you know I LOVE saving money (check out my couponing post) so here are some tips you should follow:

Chocolate Footballs?!

 Dear Diary,

For the Superbowl this year I was given the opportunity to bring a dessert to the party.  I knew I could be crafty with a deliciousness! I decided to make chocolate dipped strawberries.... and look like footballs! These can also be made into basketballs or baseballs with the choice of different colors and possibly flavors (white chocolate).