YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH ♥

I had ever intention to make heart shaped, pink & chocolate chip pancakes for the kids on Valentine's day. I had everything out on the counter awaiting Daycen's arrival home from school. I knew he'd be SUPER excited.However, his bus was almost forty-five minutes late because they got behind at the play at the Grand Theater. By the time we walked home, it was already after noon & it was almost time to head over to Grandma's.

So the pancakes had to wait.

Until today of course. :-)



I've have a difficult time getting Daycen to pose for pictures without screaming "SMILE" at the top of his lungs or hollering REALLY loud. So, capturing these were priceless. My little man model is back sort of. He will still throw a fuss every now & than when it comes to pictures --- but at least I am finally getting some decent ones! ♥







After burning my fingertips last year, I invested in a actual heart shape pancake mold (yes, grabbing a cookie cutter out of a scorching frying pan will result in burned fingers. No thank you needed for being the "test" subject on this theory.) The best $2.50 I have ever spent.





Not to toot my own horn or anything, but these pancakes sure did turn out looking like ACTUAL hearts & not some smashed up triangle. My awesome pancake making skills may have finally surfaced after all these years. (or perhaps, the new mold had something to do with it.)



I never make pancakes.

I really, honestly, never do. I buy this mix once a year because I like to see this excitement.



I'm a firm believer that fun food makes for a happy heart.



I'm also a firm believer that someday, she'll get it.
Until than, I'll just keep trying.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY 2012! { heart-shaped pizza }

Tradition.
— n
the handing down from generation to generation of the same customs, beliefs, etc, esp by word of mouth


For those of you who have been a follower of my blogging over the course of the past three years have come accustom to seeing our Heart Shaped Pizza on the eve of Valentine's Day. This being one of the most viewed pages from our blog (thank you, thank you.) So, without further adieu & in a lot more pictures --- here is this years ♥



When making the crust of your pizza, be sure to follow the directions exactly. We always mix ours in a medium sized mixing bowl & cover it with a towel for the time suggested on the package. When they say cover, they don't necessarily mean you need it in an air tight container. Just cover it enough to trap the air inside to help the yeast in the bread begin doing it's thing. Whatever you do - DON'T SKIMP ON THE FLOUR. Load it up. Load the table, load your hands, load the dough, & load that rolling pin!! You can never have enough, & when forming it into a heart, you want it as easy & non-sticky as possible. I've learned in the past few years, when you roll the dough out; shape it like a triangle.



You can try to roll the dough out to form the heart, but I've found it easier to just roll the triangle shape & with a knife just slice out a small piece of dough. I never throw this piece out, I just mash it into a spot on the crust that perhaps I rolled out a little too thin.



Transfer the dough to a greased pizza or cookie sheet. If you have more than one set of hands available, I recommend asking for a little assistance. The dough is thin & floppy, so slide you hands underneath & try to lift all corners at the same time. Once placed on the pizza sheet, pinch the sides of the crust up. This will help keep your sauce in place & the pizza toppings from burning.



Be sure to perforate the crust slightly with a fork. This allows the crust to breath as it cooks.



My husband insists on spraying the dough with cooking spray, I however, do not. It's all your preference. I haven't really noticed a difference between the too - but I'm not a professional pizza buff like those guys down at the Pizza Hut. This is where you add the pizza sauce; we use a ladle to spread it. Anything with a nice round bottom makes this task easier.





At this point, it's time to load the pizza up with your favorite toppings! Have fun with! ♥ We added colored peppers to ours this year for a little color splash & a bit of crunch! Delicious!


Once you have the pizza created, pop it into the oven following the directions on the crust.



At our house, this is when the aroma circles the kitchen -- & that smell brings visitors from the other room. Ones with wide grins, & very hungry appetites!



Remove the pizza when the allotted time is over. Remove from pizza sheet & allow to cool slightly. Cut into small squares. & Enjoy!



Homemade is always better.
♥ Happy Valentine's Day everyone! ♥

WINTER HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN.

With a football team that normally plays on the frozen tundra, this winter has been oddly... warm. No, not just warm, but completely beautiful. Where normally we are used to the temperatures below zero, & the snow scaling up to be waist high. The thought of going outside was dreaded because the second the cold air circled your lungs it was hard to breathe.



but no, it hasn't been like that at all so far this winter.





The snow hadn't come at full force, infact, the snow barely grazed our green grass. You could see bits of spring still living beneath the inch layer that covered most of the year. The temperatures were at an astounding 40 degrees. Let me tell you, it was starting to feel like Winter had chosen to skip right over us this year!



Yes, it was feeling like Winter decided not to visit.
Until...


Until, of course. Yesterday. Winter came. It came fast, & it has decided to stay. Now, don't get me wrong, it's nothing like we are used to - but for a family that was anxiously awaiting spring it came as a disappointment.


(not so bad, but I already miss the grass.)

Baby sister still has the lasting end of her ear infection, so we stayed in. We enjoyed Beauty & The Beast, Hot drinks (except for Ripsi, she is quite set on Enfagrow), & cozy blankets.








Welcome Winter. I promise, as of tomorrow, we will try to enjoy you while you are here. For today though, we'd just like the sulk over the fact that our Spring hasn't begun.

FORGIVE ME FOR MY ABSENCE.

I've gotten nudged, suggested to, & yelled at for not posting lately. So, while I write something up ---- enjoy our last couple weeks in photos. ♥

HE FINALLY JOINED OUR TRADITION { helping make the cookies }

Last year, I so dearly wanted my son to join our tradition of creating the cookies. He was far more interested in his cars than some flour. This year, there was no way I could keep him away from the dough. It's funny how drastically things can change over the course of just one year. Heck, maybe next year baby sister will be nudging her little fingers into the action instead of contently watching the Bubble Guppies holiday special.



I rolled out the dough & began to cut the cookies per cutter of Daycen's choice. Each time a cookie was cut out; laughter & excitement filled the room.







We focused on making a variety of sizes & shapes in our cookies this year. We actually got to use the miniature cutters that have been sitting in the bottom of the package. & oh goodness! They came out tasting more delicious than the larger ones, & they sure are cute!

Also the perfect size for someone else I know....



As soon as the cookies were cooled enough to be frosted, Daycen was ready. He was more than ready. He had the sprinkles spread across the counter in a buffet style. Ready to create. & create.

AND CREATE.





It was his absolute favorite part of the cookie making process (other than the devouring part.) As for me, my favorite part changed this year. I'd have to say, I no longer love the cutting process the most - My favorite part has turned into seeing this flour faced smile brighten up the room.



I'm so glad he's decided to join me & my mom in this tradition. We now have three generations creating beautiful cookies for our holiday ♥ What a special treat for 2011.

Happy Friday everyone!;

BABY SISTER TURNS ONE { she's not such a baby anymore }

This may be a few weeks overdue, but I still wanted to share baby girl's First Birthday with everyone. ♥ That way, if you were invited & decided that you had something else to do - these pictures just might make you a tad bit jealous. Despite her having an undetected (at the time) ear infection, her vintage couture owl party went fabulous!


owl printables from jinjerup.com. They have some fabulous Christmas ones as well if you have any last minute needs. ♥


The party originally was going to be strictly a Vintage Couture color patterns with lace & doilies, but when I saw this printable set --- I just COULDN'T pass up the opportunity to incorporate it into her theme. As well as the price tag was almost unbelievable! $12.70 for the entire party set & photo frame favors!



The biggest dilemma that came with planning her birthday party was figuring out the menu. Normally the hit of our parties is the large, creative food selection. With Ripsi, it was more about what she would eat (since she is solely a table scrap baby.) So, between making it a brunch setting with tons of eggs or ordering her second favortie food; we chose the easy route...



It sure was a hit for everyone! (except our gluten free friend, who failed to inform us of the new discovery prior to our decision. Sorry, Kait!)



Happy birthday, my gorgeous Aripsemae.
I'm so excited to have gotten to spend an entire year by your side.



She partied hard despite being miserably sick (& sleeping during the opening of her gifts) & enjoyed every minute of her party. Thank you so much to everyone who came ♥ we were grateful to have you apart of our little girl's unforgettable milestone.

Of course, after a big day - every girl likes a little wake me up the next morning in their sweats. ♥


disclaimer; empty cup. she isn't really drinking coffee.

IT'S STARTING TO FREEZE OVER { let's cuddle. }

IT SNOWED!
& snowed. & snowed.

We were literally dumped on a couple of nights ago, & the weather has been cold enough to let us keep it. Winter has officially begun around here, & the holidays are looking to be a bit more festive! In the past couple days it has been warmer, & in parts of the yard you can see the grass peeking through. Not your typical Wisconsin winter - I dearly hope this doesn't mean the snow won't leave to May. I like my Easters where we can find the eggs outside, not them sinking deep into a pile of snow.

Daycen however, is excited about the snow this year. While getting ready for school the other morning, he saw a glimpse of the white landscape outside & squealed with joy. "IT SNOW! IT SNOW!" He's even been a little helper this year...

(please excuse the pink gloves, it's the only pair we could find at Grandma's. He sure does ROCK them though, eh?!)

The best part about the snow, is the rich foods that come with it to make our tummies warm. Various soups, Slow cooker meals, & one of our family favorites - Lasagna.



Fabulously delicious, & easy peasy to make.
My mother seriously makes it the best.
(at least, from what my taste buds have tried.)



I can't wait to try some more tummy warming recipes this year. I have a feeling that stuffed portabella mushrooms will be high on our lists. Anyone have any favorites they recommend? I always love previously tested recipes, it saves us from having to order pizza if they don't turn out!


Winter also means....


FANTASTIC hats; made with love : baby gap

Speaking of Ripsi, she is feeling better. The hat helps keep the ear infection at bay & her medicine is almost gone (meaning, so is the infection!) Plus, lots & lots of cuddling seems to help her progress faster.


Jealous? I sure would be. ♥ She's an amazing snuggler.

I hope everyone stays warm, & healthy in the next coming weeks;
Oh, & since it's Friday;

I love making these, idk why. :)