Panty Poem

I found this adorable gift idea on Pinterest and you can go to the original site here. I thought this would make a great lingerie shower gift. Personally, I still have some of my lingerie with the TAGS on them. And I've been married for almost five years!!! I get more wear out of sexy undies than anything else because you can have them on during a date and be instantly ready for dessert ;) I bought all the panties from Victoria's Secret and tried to find pairs that fit with the poem but that also were fun, different, and (most of all) sexy!!!

I typed up each line of the poem and made my own gift tags to tie on the panties:

To last all the way to old age - starting with your wedding day

Here are panties for every season - A sexy underwear display!

(I picked a pair in one of her wedding colors)

We have a pair for March 31st (frilly, lacy and white)

Raise a toast to the Sexy Bride on your wedding night!

Racy red ones for the Honeymoon - a sexy thong with lace

We hope you leave the hotel room and see the rest of the place!

Slip these on for your first big fight as a married couple

When Jordan sees you in this set, he'll forgive you on the double!

White ones for the 1st Anniversary - you'll be feeling naughty

Jordan won't believe his luck for marrying such a hottie!

When the time is right for you and Jordan 

(and don't be saying maybe)

You'll wear a little pink or blue in honor of your baby!

As the years go by your marriage might hit the 7 year blues.
Just remember this feisty animal print and your love life will never snooze!

After 10 years of married life, you'll still be going strong

But if you need a little boost, just put this number on.

When your years of wedded bliss ring in the big 2-5,

Slip on this spicy number and keep the sparkle alive

(these were my favorite panties...they have little bells on them!)

Finally when you're old and grey, with these you can't go wrong

Sorry Jordan, but at this age, she won't be rockin' a thong!

(for this pair you buy a pair of "grannie panties")

I put all the panties in a large hat box (found at Hobby Lobby). She can use the box to store all of her lingerie or other sexy surprises!

Birthday Banner

I am not very good at crafts but I refuse to pay a bunch of money on Etsy for someone to make something that I can totally make myself. I've figured out a simple way to make a cute birthday banner and I use this same technique for all the banners I make (great for parties, showers, etc!). It's SO easy and they always get lots and lots of compliments! Here's how I do it!

Supplies: I'm a big fan of over-buying. I buy WAY more than I need for a project so that way I don't stress if I mess up and then I just return all the left over stuff I don't use.

• 12x12 sized patterned paper (I buy one piece per letter that I plan to do)
• 8 1/2 x 11 sized plain paper (Again, I buy one piece per letter)
• Photo stickers
• Chipboard letters (I get ALL my supplies at Hobby Lobby, these are kinda pricey but often go on sale and you can get 40% off coupons all the time online. The packages come with two of each vowel but one of every other letter so, for me, I have to buy THREE packages in order to spell out "Happy Birthday Kye" because all those dang y's!)
• Paper cutter. I have one from my scrapbooking days. Make sure it has a good ruler on it too, makes life easier!
• Hole punch
• String or ribbons or twine
• Hole protectors (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut the patterned 12x12 paper into 6x6 squares (so yes, you can get two squares out of each sheet)
2. Cut the solid 8 1/2 x 11 paper into 4x4 squares (so you should be able to get four squares out of each sheet)
3. Cut the pieces of photo stickers to fit on the chipboard letters and place in center of each solid square
4. Place photo stickers on back of solid square and stick on center of patterned square.
5. Punch holes in the top corners or along the center edges (but not too close to the edge or they will rip) of each patterned square. When I made this one I had an after thought that it'd be SUPER smart to use hole protectors on the backs (those little stickers with holes in them) of the patterned squares to protect the holes from ripping. I'll probably do that next time!
6. Thread the string or ribbon through the holes, leaving extra space to be able to separate the letters. I have also made these where I tie a ribbon from one to the next instead of having them all on one long string. It just depends on the look you're trying to achieve. For this one I wanted a western type look so I used some string I had a roughed it up a little bit. I also put it through the top of the patterned squares so you could see it and it added to the look.

Finished product (you can click to make pictures larger)

Toilet Paper Roll Favors

I found the instructions for these cute favors on Pinterest (from this site). I'm using them as a way to pretty much butter up the hospital staff when I go into labor, but they'd be great party favors too! I contacted my FAVORITE Etsy seller, Chickabug, and she came up with the little labels for me. I'm not very good with wording and she ROCKS. Plus, aren't they super cute?!?!

Here's how to make these favors yourself!

What You Need:

toilet paper rolls (I ended up making 32 total...Zach jokes that I'm giving them out to the entire hospital but I just wanted to have PLENTY!)
12x12 scrapbook paper (you can cover 4 rolls per sheet)
Mod Podge
Paint brush for Mod Podge
Ribbon
Labels (I ordered the PDF from Chickabug then cut them out using a 2" circle cutter)
Treats (I used M&Ms)
Scissors

What To Do:

1. Cut out all labels
2. Fold paper in 4ths then cut out the squares. I then put one roll on one of the squares and cut it narrow enough to fit the roll. I used that piece of paper as a guide to cut all the other papers.
3. Cover roll in Mod Podge
4. Roll paper around toilet paper roll. I put extra Mod Podge over the seal to keep the paper on the roll
5. Fold down ends on one end of roll then pour in candy and fold down the opened end
6. Wrap ribbon around roll and cut. Then I wrapped it where the ribbon came together in the front of the roll so the seal of the roll was covered by ribbon in the back. I put Mod Podge where the ribbon came together in the front and held it in place for a few seconds.
7. Put more Mod Podge on top of spot where ribbon came together as well as on the back of the label. Then put label on top of ribbon and hold.
8. The instructions on the blog I found said to cover the label in Mod Podge as well...and I tried that but it smeared my labels so I just held it down for awhile and it worked fine!

It was VERY inexpensive and VERY easy. Although, it was time consuming. I didn't mind it taking the time since I am doing nothing but waiting on a baby anyway ;) But for a party favor it may be a little bit tedious! I think they turned out cute though and can't wait to be handing them out at the hospital!

Cheddar and Cracker Chicken

I found this recipe on Pinterest from What's Cookin, Chicago? Kye and I made it while Zach was out of town and LOVED it. I'm excited to have it re-heated once Blitzen arrives!

Ingredients:

1. 16 buttery crackers (Ritz), crushed (about 3/4 cup)
2. 6 ounces sharp cheddar, graded (I used shredded cheddar that I had and stuck it in the food processor to grind it up)
3. 1 clove garlic, finely chopped (again, used my mini food processor)
4. 1-2 stalks scallions, thinly sliced (I didn't use this at all)
5. salt and black pepper
6. 4 6-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts
7. 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 350
2. In a bowl combine crackers, cheese, garlic, scallions and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper
3. Pound chicken to about 1/4-1/2 inch thickness with a meat mallet. 
4. Dip pounded chicken in the butter then in the cracker mixture. Press gently to help it adhere and place on a foil-lined baking sheet
5. Sprinkle any remaining cracker mixture onto the chicken and drizzle with any remaining butter. Bake until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (15-20 min)

Freezer Version:

Prepare chicken as directed above. After coating it in the cracker mixture, place chicken in a gallon sized freezer bag, seal and freeze flat in the freezer. When ready to prepare, place onto a baking sheet and drizzle with melted butter. Bake as directed from frozen until cooked through, possibly 30-35 minutes depending on thickness

Minestrone Soup

This is a low point Weight Watcher meal, can be easily frozen for storage, is super quick and easy, and is YUMMY!!!

Ingredients

• 2 cans (14 1/2 oz each) chicken broth
• 1 can (16 oz) stewed tomatoes, un-drained and coarsely chopped
• 2 cups kidney beans (I used 2 cans)
• 1 pkg (16 oz) frozen mixed veges
• 1/4 cup shell macaroni, uncooked
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried basil leaves

Your soup will be more "soupy" than mine, I added a lot of extra shells then ended up adding extra broth and tomatoes to give it more liquid before freezing :)

Directions:

1. Pour tomatoes (and juice) into small food processor and chop (or chop by hand)
2. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan
3. Bring to a boil on medium-high heat
4. Reduce head to medium-low and let simmer for 20 minutes

I doubled the recipe, added extra noodles, added extra cans of broth and tomatoes, and then froze a TON of it for after the baby arrives. To freeze I used Ziploc brand freezer bags and then got all the air out before closing it and put that bag inside another freezer bag. 

Chocolate Champion Cereal Cookies

I got this recipe from The Sneaky Chef With a new baby on the way I thought it'd be smart to start freezing several different snack and food options for Kye to make my life a little easier while adjusting to having two kids! This recipe sneaks in spinach and blueberries and have less sugar and more whole grains than most kids breakfast cereals. Sounds like a winner to me!

Kye and I actually made them together and he and I BOTH licked the bowl! They were THAT good!!! Very similar to cocoa no bakes actually ;)

 Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup flour blend (I have never made the blend she recommends so I just used plain old flour)
• 3 cups whole-grain cereal flakes, such as Wheaties or Total (I used Total)
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup purple puree (you can see how to make it HERE, I have some pre-made and frozen)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper (I didn't have any parchment paper and they turned out fine)
2. Place the oats in the blow of a food processor and process on high until oats are finely ground
3. Add cereal flakes and pulse several times until flakes resemble crumbs
4. Transfer processed oats and cereal to a large mixing bowl and whisk in the flour blend, cocoa, and baking soda (Kye LOVED to help whisk!)
5. In another bowl, whisk together egg, purple puree, sugar, vanilla and cooled softened butter
6. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix just until combined
7. Drop single tablespoonfuls of batter onto the baking sheets, leaving about an inch between each cookie
8. Flatten the cookies with the back of a fork that's been sprayed with oil to keep from sticking to the batter
9. Bake 12-15 minutes, until lightly browned around the edges
10. Remove from pan and let cool. Store in airtight container or freeze in sealed plastic bags

These were a big hit! Kye loved helping make them, we both enjoyed the batter, and he gobbled up his helping of the finished product. While I liked the batter, I didn't so much care for the actual cookie. But as long as he likes them that's what matters! I have them stored in the freezer ready and waiting for baby :)

EASY Applique Tutorial

I found the tutorial I used for this project on Pinterest but you can find the tutorial on this link from Saltwater Kids! I followed her instructions exactly and she has a pattern printout for the tie which worked perfectly. I'll still go over the instructions here for you too though :)

Materials:

• tie pattern (see the link above) cut to desired size - I used the 2T size for Kye's shirt
• material for tie (or whatever you want to applique) - I bought an entire YARD of fabric b/c I was worried I'd mess up a lot and run out. Haha. I only needed maybe 1/4 a yard...I'll still probably buy 1/2 a yard next time just to be sure though!
• t-shirt - I got mine from Hobby Lobby - they have them 1/2 off ALL the time
• coordinating thread
• 1 sheet of double stick fusible web - the Saltwater Kids tutorial said she used Steam-A-Seam2 so I bought the same thing from Hobby Lobby just to make sure I did it exactly how she did
• iron
• sewing machine with zigzag stitch

To Applique:

1. Trace the pattern on the fusible web and cut it out. She suggested to cut inside the line you traced so it's slightly smaller than your fabric and will make less of a mess on the iron so I did that.

2. Position your pattern on the fabric to get the design effect you like. We wanted as many Mickey heads as we could with them in varying positions so this took us a bit to get just right (Mom is much more of a perfectionist than I am...if you can imagine that haha)

3. Pin and cut out the tie (use fabric scissors)

 4. Place the fusible web onto the back of the tie. Just peel off one side of the paper and stick it on! If it doesn't line up exactly right then just undo it and re-stick it :)

5. Once it's in the correct position, peel off the other side of the paper and line the tie up in the center of the t-shirt. Adjust as needed until it's just right. (she suggested folding the shirt in half to find the exact center but since my shirts were brand new they actually had a convenient crease in the center!)

6. Follow the instructions on the fusible web packaging and iron the tie into place. If you buy the same brand I did (the one suggested in the materials list) then it says to iron on the steam/cotton setting for 10-20 seconds.

All of the first 6 steps took less than 15-20 min to do. It was the last step that took the longest!!!

7. Sew using zigzag stitch around the tie!

It took us so long because we had to totally set up the machine...fill the bobbin...get the thread all rigged up right...etc. Plus we had to pick our settings for the zigzag stitch (how large we wanted the zigzags and how far apart we wanted them spread...this took a bit of deciding and practice stitching on scraps until we picked one). The actual sewing part took less than 10 minutes!

 finished product!!!

Today I decided to make Kye another shirt using the left over material (I have enough to make the kid like 10 Mickey shirts haha). I used Microsoft Word and printed out a large font of a "K" and used this as my pattern.

I followed alllll the same instructions as above...

And in less than 30 min total (so glad I left the sewing machine all ready to go!) I had another adorable applique shirt!!!

 Love this!!!

I'm pretty proud of myself for wanting to try it out and actually doing it. I'm sure Zach's happy too b/c instead of spending $20 each on these from Etsy I made them BOTH for around $10 total! And I can reuse a lot of what I bought on future projects. I plan to get more fabric and try out different patterns...I'll post any tutorials of anything in the future I try, but I'm going to stick to applique for now. It's easy and super cute! If Blitzen's a girl then I do also plan to try out some pillow case dresses ;)

I'd love to hear how this works for you!!!