Orange Julius

More like orange dream. Making this recipe took me back to my childhood. I remember my parents making orange julius...and early on in this pregnancy I was craving that--it was so weird because I knew that I wanted the orange and milk together. And so I called my dad and asked him about it--he told me they had used a mix, so I had no recipe to go off of. Since then I came across this recipe and finally tried it tonight. Yum... just right. Orange and milk together. :)

Favorite Place

I love that this sweet little boy loves to cuddle with us still. This is my favorite place for him to be--only with me instead of with daddy, but I can't really take a picture of us like that. When he snuggles with me like this we are reading books and I love it! Maybe I should try to keep the camera close by so I could snap a picture somehow. :)

I'm taking part of this awesome project 52! If you want to join or see other great pictures, take a look here!

Book Lists

I recently had this crazy idea. After reading a friend's blog back in January where she shared a list of the 52 books she read during the year...I kind of want to read 52 books in a year too!
At first I thought it was crazy...but then I thought about it some more. I already love reading and she didn't read a book each week of the year. Some months she read 8 books and others she read 2. So far this year, I'm only three books behind...
So far I have read (not in this order...this is just the order I remembered them):

The Count of Monte Cristo
Princess of Glass
Revolution
Mansfield Park
Room with a View
Wuthering Heights
Bridge to Terabithia
Tuck Everlasting
The Gable Faces East

I also found this list of Newberry Medal award winners and books who didn't win but were honored...I think that is a great list of quick reads that just might make it possible for me to really read 52 books in one year!

And since we are talking about book lists...I found this great link to book lists for kids!

Jelly Roll Cupcakes?

I recently went to a baby shower where they served gourmet cupcakes and I tried one that was Jelly Roll...it was amazing! Probably the best cupcake I've ever had! This recipe looks like it could be similar! I can't wait to try it out!

Yummy Finds

These Lemon Sugar cookies look so delightful and fresh! I wan't wait to make a batch of these sometime soon!



Homemade wheat thins! I have been lamenting the fact that snacks like crackers seem to be so pricey--but you can make them at home! I can't wait to try this out!

Homemade graham crackers are also a must try soon!

Chillax

I thought this was such a funny place to sit, but he looked for so completely comfortable sitting there like this!
Also notice his laundry in the chair that is waiting to be folded still! As soon as I get one load washed there are already more of his clothes that need to be washed...

If you want to add your motherhood moments, or to see more, go here!

Another Random Post

I love these! What a lovely way to get your home ready for spring!



I think these look scrumptious...so fun for a tea party (or pretend tea party since I don't drink tea!)

These next ones don't have pictures, sorry!

I have been craving eggrolls...I found this recipe for spring rolls. Not sure how similar they are, but maybe you should try it out!

Mini apple pies...how fun! They look delicious (there is a video)!

Moveable cards! How fun!

A kids clubhouse for under the kitchen table!

Project 52

Every morning this cute boy asks for "stars" cereal. Every night for the past few days he always asks for "Lighting McQueen" jammies. This morning he could see a pack of gum (I think?) on the counter and was trying to reach it. Then he was grumpy because I wouldn't give it to him. I thought his grumpy face was cute and snapped a picture. I love, love, love the lighting in this picture.


If you want to join in on this great project 52, or simply see other great pictures, go here!

Leprechaun Eats

This looks so yummy and how fun for St. Patrick's day...or anytime really. :)


This punch looks good and festive for St. Patrick's day! I might try it without the seltzer water though...since I'm not a huge fan of carbonation!

Rainbows and Shamrocks

What a fun idea for kids to do for St. Patrick's Day!



What a cute little leprechaun-fairy! :) Pictures like this make me excited for having a little girl...maybe soon? Find tutorial here.

Right now I love...

I have longed to take a floral design class for many years now...but now I live in a place where things like that are just simply not offered. But I love this tutorial, how easy to make your house beautiful!




Recently I have been wanting to try Boston Cream Pie...I've really never had it! Here is a "lighter" or healthier version...I think it looks great!





I would love to make some of these for our upcoming arrival!

Rice Drawing

In an attempt to teach letters and numbers, we were tracing them in the rice with his finger. I was surprised how much fun he had! But once I stopped helping him trace, all he wanted to do was pick up the rice and drop it. Ha!

Check out more motherhood pictures or join yourself by going here!

Yummy Finds

I love making things I might buy at a restaurant at home for so much cheaper! Tuscan Garlic Chicken. It looks delicious!

I am planning on making these soon! I've been wanting to try homemade oreos for a long time!

I can't wait to make one of these for my little superman! He loves to fly around and be superman, how much more fun would it be with a cool cape?

All about St. Patrick's Day

I'm excited...can you tell?

I want to make one of these cute shirts in green of course! for my little leprechaun. :)

I made these last year but was lacking a shamrock cookie cutter...I'm excited to make them again!

I love ice cream sandwiches! How fun that you can make these for yourself, and make them for any holiday!
I think this is going to be our St. Patrick's Day dinner...it looks good and healthy too!

I like these cute little gift ideas for St. Patrick's Day! Check them out at this awesome website.


I think it would be fun to make Lime tarts for St. Patrick's day too...or maybe key lime pie?

Light Inspiration

I am in love with this idea from Simply Modern Mom. This would be perfect for out house!

Dr. Seuss

Today is Dr. Seuss' birthday! We are going to have a Dr. Seuss night this weekend! Here are some of the fun ideas I've found.

I've seen a couple variations of these cupcakes, this one is my favorite! Here is another idea though.

Make Oobleck! One of my favorite Dr. Seuss books growing up was Bartholomew and the Oobleck! I love this idea!


Make a Cat in the Hat hat!! I'm excited about this one, since my little guy has loved Cat in the Hat for at least a year now. :)

Substitutions

I just found this awesome list of ingredient substitutions. I was looking for a substitute for sherry...and found this great resource! If you're missing an ingredient...check this out! It might help!

amaretto: use ½ tsp almond extract in water for every ¼ cup called for
brandy: use in fruit juice in equal amounts called for;
cognac: peach, pear, or apricot juice in equal amounts called for;
red wine: cranberry juice, grape juice, tomato juice, even beef or vegetable broth can be used; sherry: apple, pineapple, and orange juices all make good sherry substitutions.

Special Sauce

I've been really wanting to eat a JDawg lately, but since Provo is four hours away and I don't think I'll be there anytime soon...I found this copycat recipe that I'm so excited to try! I hope it's close to the real thing!

Copycat JDawg Sauce

3/4 C ketchup

3/4 C barbeque sauce

1/4 C honey

1 tsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp soy sauce

1/2 tsp onion powder

Mix together and enjoy!