“American Girl” Birthday Brunch

I mentioned the other day that our “baby” girl turned 6 this past Saturday. It’s hard to believe she’s 6.

We decided to tone down the birthday party this year due to her birthday present which will be a very special 'big’ trip…

Dallas is starting to get into the American Girl dolls. She decided she wanted that for a theme. So, we went with a “doll” brunch. We encouraged her friends to either bring their American Girl doll or a favorite “friend” – a doll or stuffed animal.

We picked out American Girl plates, napkins, and place cards at Michael’s.

They had the girl/doll headband kits also. But for $18 it only made 4. Remember we need to keep this thing small.

I found some felt stickers on clearance and racked up. We bought headbands and elastic for the girls and their dolls. Dallas also wanted to make necklaces and bracelets, so we bought some beads and string kits.

Dallas was very helpful with the decorations. I made her birthday banner with my Silhouette while she decorated the party favor bags and making cards for her friends.

We decided on a light menu since it was a brunch. I made pigs-n-the-blanket, rice Krispy treats, and white chocolate covered strawberries. We also had some cut fruit, grapes, and Dunkin Doughnut Munchkins.

For Drinks we decided on Strawberry lemonade or water. I didn’t have time to make water bottle labels. But, I had several pieces of scrapbook paper left over from the banner and decided to use that for the labels.

Instead of a big cake we decided on homemade strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. They weren’t a Tara Edwards {Baby Sunshine} cake but they were delicious none the less.

I also made the cupcake toppers with my Silhouette.

I ordered straws and paper lanterns from one of my favorite party sites…Polk-a-dot Market.

The brunch came together without a hitch and was great. The girls had a lot of fun making girly crafts and munching on some yummy foods. I even let them serve themselves…super cute.

We’re having such a mild winter, it was a gorgeous day. The girls wanted to go outside and play, and so they did.

The brunch was a great success. We had a blast, especially Dallas.

Did I mention I can’t believe she’s 6!?

{Stuffed} Shells

My family loves stuffed shells. I was having kind of a hankering for them the other day so while grocery shopping I wanted to pick up the things to make them.

Funny thing, Wal-Mart did not have the Jumbo Shells anywhere…can you believe that???

So, in good Shana fashion I decided to make up my own recipe….{stuffed} shells.

Here we go:

12 oz. uncooked Penne noodles

1 small container ricotta cheese

2 cups Mozzarella cheese

2 eggs, slightly beaten

1 tsp. dried basil

salt/pepper to taste

sautéed veggies

Spaghetti sauce {optional}

Parmesan Cheese

1. Cook the noodles in boiling, salted water and drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Mix together Ricotta cheese, egg, 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, basil, salt, and pepper.

3. After cooling for a few minutes, mix noodles in with cheese and egg mixture.

4. I decided to add some sautéed veggies to our dinner. I sliced mushrooms and an onion. I already had shredded carrots. I sautéed all three together in some olive oil until tender.

5. Add the veggies to the noodle, cheese, and egg mixture.

6. Spread 1/2 cup sauce on bottom of lightly greased dish. Layer the noodle mixture on top of sauce. Top with remaining 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

7. Bake 25-30 minutes until heated through and hot and bubbly.

I have to say it was delicious! There are so many things you can do with this dish…you can just have it with the cheese or add veggies or meat. You make the call!

Hope you enjoy!

Boy, what a week!

 

I’ve been meaning to write for the last week, but have just been c.r.a.z.y.

I’ve pretty much finished the laundry room but can’t reveal it until I get a couple of more things finished. I will tell you I absolutely l-o-v-e it!!! It’s exactly what I want and pictured in my head…so excited about it.

I was pretty busy last week getting ready for Dallas’ birthday brunch. I was pretty proud of myself  by keeping it “small”. It was on a much smaller scale than I normally do, but I still had a lot of fun getting ready for it. Man, I do love a good party even if it is “small”. I really cannot believe my baby girl is 6! It seems she was just born. It’s crazy…time sure is flying by, but then again that’s what they always say happens.

Dallas started her track out last week, so she’s been home with me. I love having her home when she’s tracked out. We have had some fun. We went shopping one morning, and let me tell you she is one good shopper. She also helped a lot with her party. I had her do several things on the decorations and party favor bags. I love this age. She is so much fun.

Among all of these things going on, I seemed to have caught the cold Dallas had a couple of weeks ago. I had this same cold about a month ago. And it seems that every time I get a cold it moves into my chest and I get this terrible cough. When I had this the last time it lasted about 14 days. The cough finally went away but with this crazy weather we’ve been having, the congestion never fully went away. Well, in great timing, this cold has reared it’s ugly head again along with it’s cough. I’ve been coughing for days and even lost my voice for a day. So, off to the doctor I go tomorrow. I must get well…this is for the birds.

I sure hope y’all are all doing well. Thanks for stopping by, and I’ll be sharing details from Dallas’ birthday brunch soon.

Questioning

So, here I am I can see the finish line the “light at the end of the tunnel” if you will for this renovation project I have going.

I’ve been working almost non-stop on this “little” renovation project in my laundry room. This “little” project has become not so little after all…but then again, don’t all renovation projects turn out that way. You know…double the time, triple the expense??? I have to say that this project for me is seeming a bit the opposite which I’m sure will thrill my husband. I’m doing most of the work myself with a some help from the hubs. We have paid our carpenter friend to give our tee-tinty pantry a little face lift, and I’m waiting for a call from Lowe’s for an estimate on replacing the floor. Other than those two small things, we’ve done it ourselves. Eric’s helped a lot with watching the kids on the weekends so I can paint, paint, and paint some more.

I worked all weekend and I have to tell you that I am absolutely loving how it’s turning out.

But…

Yes, unfortunately there’s a “butt” there. I have been in this small room for so long {well, 2 weeks} and I can see the end result glimmering in the distance, but I’m entering the “questioning” phase. You know the part where you question everything…every decision you’ve made thus far in a project?? Yup, I’m there.

Don’t get me wrong; I LOVE the cabinets, and I LOVE the new color, and I LOVE, LOVE my bench and board and batten that’s been hung. I am however, questioning things…"should I have not gone pure white for the cabinets and lower walls?” “Should I have put another coat on the cabinets?” “Could I still paint another coat on the walls?” Oh, should-a, could-a, would-a.

I just need out of that room. I need to finish it and put it all together, but that will take some time. I need to find fabric to make a cornice board for the small window and a bench pad I want to make…not to mention the accessories. I need to shop!!!

I’m hoping that by the weekend it will be finished or at least most of the way.

In the meantime, the house is a wreck…I can’t clean because everything that was in the laundry room is now sprawled out in three….ahhh as I’m typing this my stomach is tightening up…I need this finished.

Breathe…breathe…

It will come and it will be beautiful!!! And I cannot wait to share it with YOU!!!

And if all that’s not enough my baby girl will be turning 6 this coming Saturday. We’re having a small brunch for her and a few friends, so I’m also wracking my brains on decorations and crafts. You know me and my party planning head. Usually by now, I’ve been planning for weeks…no months, but not this time. This is going to be small…if it’s the last thing I do. We have a “big” trip planned for her birthday and can’t do a big party too…so I am bound and determined to keep this thing small – but great none-the-less!

Nothing makes a tired, crazy lady’s brain better than a warm toasted marshmallow latte, right??

That’s exactly what I enjoyed. Today, the kids didn’t have school – Hunter had a teacher work day and Dallas began her track out – so we hit Jumping Beans. We tried last week but with MLK holiday all of Wake Forest had the same idea and we couldn’t get in. I promised we’d go again…today seemed like the perfect day…and it was.

So, the house is still a mess, and the food needs to be put back in the pantry…after I finish painting the new shelves, but not tonight. Tonight I am writing this and watching one of my favorite movies…Sex and the City {1}.

Time to relax and face the mess tomorrow.

Thursday Thoughts…

Well, I guess it’s technically Friday…oh well. I was going to write my Thursday Thoughts last night, but watched a movie with my sweet hubs instead. So, here I am today.

Y’all, I’m tired.

I don’t know about you but this week flew by so fast. Of course, I’ve found myself in the midst of a new room reno. I sat in carpool last week and started making a list of all the things I want to do to this house. Well, there’s A LOT, and it seems that every room but two {the two I did last year} needs something to get it “perfect”.

So, I mentioned this little “list” to my husband and in great Eric fashion, he smiled, shook his head, and said, “Ok, honey”. Later he would tease me that my “little” projects seem to turn into his projects. Yes, I needed some help cutting wood and measuring, but other than that, this “little” project is all mine. He caved and helped like a good man. He’s so good to me.

I decided to start with the laundry room. I mentioned this the other day. This room is probably getting the biggest overhaul. I can’t show you right now because I’m in the middle of this and I don’t want to spoil it. But, I can tell you that my cabinets are now white and I’m in love with them. So much more to still do in that room.

Painting cabinets is a tedious job. But, I will tell you that this new stuff that Rust-oleum makes is wonderful and a life saver.

First of all, there’s no stripping or sanding. All you do is use their “de-glosser” to prepare your cabinets. You then paint and put on the top coat. Yes, it’s been a bit time consuming only because the only time I have to paint is at night. I also had to figure out which brush worked best for my “faux” wood cabinets. I’ll give a tutorial soon.

I have found myself a couple of times this week walking around my small laundry room and dining room {where I was painting the cabinet doors} wondering what I should do next. I wouldn’t have much time before picking up a kid at school and wasn’t sure it was worth pulling everything out.

At one point during this aimless walking in circles with my head spinning I reminded myself of a certain person on a beach vacation a few years ago. If you know the story, you’re probably picturing me as this person and laughing hysterically. If you don’t know the story, it’s ok…just picture a damsel in distress running around in circles not knowing what to do next.

I digress, sorry.

I’m hoping this weekend I can finish my part of the laundry room for the most part. Accessorizing is not a priority this weekend…that will come later.

Next week I have my favorite carpenter coming to give my poor tiny pantry a little face lift and getting estimates on flooring…b/c it’s just awful in that room. I’m so embarrassed by it.

 

Today was Dallas’ last day before she tracks out for 2 1/2 weeks. So, we celebrated her birthday with her classmates. Hunter and I went and had lunch with her and she asked that I bring doughnuts for she and her friends. She was ecstatic. I will tell you though, that child does NOT like attention on her. Her class all sat in their seats all eyes on her and sang her Happy Birthday. Her poor face turned as red as her hairbow and she almost got teary-eyed. She does not like that sort of thing. But, the song ended and everyone gobbled up their doughnuts…whew she was happy again.

Do your kids have a saying that are just so precious you hope they will say it forever and ever? I’ve been thinking about this recently. When Dallas was little and we had our dogs, she couldn’t say Kodiak so she called him “Kak”. It was so precious but before I knew it, she grew a little more and called him by his right name. I just loved her calling him Kak…it was so innocent. She also loves to have her “chooses” in the morning for her clothes. Yes, I still love to have a say in what she wears so we compromise. I give her two “chooses” and she has the final say. Hunter used to always say, “Mommy, I’m hongry.” So cute. I think I finally got it on film one day and then that cute little saying was gone. Well, now he’s really into the Ready, Set, Go saying, but he says it “Ready, and Steady, and Go!” and usually it follows by him jumping off something. He’s pretending to be a pirate of course but I just love how he says that all the time.

One thing I’m not a fan of…snoring!!! And my sweet, tired husband is doing it right now…can you hear him??? Not a fan…not at all.

Well, hope you have a fantastic weekend. I’m hoping to share my room with you next week. Until then, thanks for stopping by and take care.

Sleep tight!

A Wreath, a Holiday, and a {small} project

Hey there! Hope y’all had a great weekend and a super MLK holiday so far. We’ve been pretty busy around here, as usual.

Last Thursday I promised you a tutorial on a new wreath I made, and realized I haven’t done that yet.

Well, here it is…the finished wreath.

I love how it turned out, and think it’s very “wintery”. You can find the tutorial on how I made it HERE in case you want to make one too.

As I sat in carpool on Friday, I started a “list” of all the projects I’d like to do around the house. You know, if we had a bunch of money and time…these would be things to get the house the way I want it. We’ve been in this house almost 5 years and we are not near finished with getting it the way we want it. We’ve worked a lot around here and every year seem to do a lot, but there’s just still so much to do.

After making a list I looked back and realized that every room but two in the house needs work…the only two that don’t are the two I did last year. Granted there will be lots of things we won’t get to in the next couple of years…you know like new couches and new carpet. We have two small children, that would probably not be the smartest move. But I can at least get them all cleaned.

Eric and I talked about it and we decided we’d start this weekend on the first room and work our way through…and that would be the laundry room. It’s the room we walk in and out of all day long, and let’s face it, it’s pretty much my “office”. So, I’m very excited to re-do this room. When I say re-do, I mean re-do…yes, I’m painting the cabinets. I’ve always wanted white cabinets and finally built up the courage to do so…cross your fingers they turn out! We’re also installing molding and trim and a bench, I’m painting the walls, and we’re finally getting new floors.

Here’s a sneak peak of before and current state. Please do not mind the mess…it comes with the territory of renovation.

Stage 1: a complete mess

Stage 2: cabinet doors are off and trim is mostly up.

Stage 3: Current stage – first coat of paint on the cabinet frames and doors.

Love it already and can’t wait to work more on it.

But, today was a holiday and that means no school. I tried to take the kids and meet some friends at Jumping Beans {one of those bounce house places}. Well, us and the rest of Wake Forest decided to go as well. They were at capacity and we couldn’t get it…what?! Now what?

We decided on lunch at Mellow Mushroom instead. After lunch we all went our separate ways. We came home and I set up our bounce house in the bonus room. The kids wanted me to watch them, so here I am sitting watching them jump and play and writing you. They didn’t want me to play…”just watch us, Mommy.”

So, how did you spend your holiday? Did you do anything fun over the weekend? Any fun house projects???

Thanks for stopping by! Hope you have a great week!