Gramma Elsie’s Sloppy Joes

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I really, really love church cookbooks. There is nothing more satisfying than making a dinner ONCE and having it be a winner. Most of the time that is exactly what I get from a tried and true church cookbook recipe. And while I like cooking for my family, I don’t always want something crazy new that I have to test drive a few times. I want traditional, tasty & quick. And who doesn’t love a good sloppy joe? So put down that can opener, don’t even think about opening another can before you try this easy recipe by hand. Trust me you will not be disappointed!

Snowflake Popsicle Ornaments

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You may have spotted this craft on my Instagram a few weeks ago. This year was the first year that I had to think of something for holiday teacher gift ideas. E is only in a once a week nursery school, but the program is amazing. There are over 10 teachers and staff that she interacts and learns with each week. While I wanted to gift something to each of them, even the smallest something adds up quickly. So I went back to my roots, my frugal, crafty beginnings. There had to be something that E could make that would be the perfect gift for her teachers. And who doesn’t LOVE a handmade present!

Simple Stromboli

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I love finding ridiculously easy meals that my family loves. Who doesn’t? It’s pretty much what this blog is based on. My kids are slowly finding out that there are foods they refuse to eat, and Hubbs has always been “sure of what he likes.” Making my job in the kitchen a full time one! I don’t often try new recipes, but some nights I am in a pinch and want to just do something quick. Google usually comes up with a few gems in my last hour of need.  This one turned out to be a winner. 

Here’s to 2016!

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I hope that all of you had a wonderful holiday, spending time with your loved ones. The last two weeks, I took “off” of posting and most of social media, in an effort to be more present with my family. There are so few opportunities to truly connect with your loved ones, and I hope that you make the most of these moments to do so!

Now that the holidays are over, and we are getting back in the swing of our regular routines, I wanted to share a bit of the past year with all of you. You see this coming February will mark my one year anniversary of blogging. And I am so excited to celebrate with all of you, since you are the reason I keep doing this. My little blog has turned into so much over the year, and I am excited to see where this next year will take us. I love seeing what posts from the blog become the most read, and I thought you might like to see a little behind the scenes. 

24 Nights of Elf on the Shelf: 2015 Edition

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Our Elf on the Shelf, Buddy, will be returning tonight for the girls to find him tomorrow morning. We are excited for our Elf’s return and the girls are both old enough to really enjoy him being here this year. So I wanted to start a series of sharing last year’s Elf on the Shelf ideas. Because I realize, that while the holiday (and the internet) are filled with all sorts of fun traditions, it can also be a stressful time of year. So many things are going on and you are ONLY ONE PERSON.

So I am here to help… any way I can! And since I am naturally a planner, I want to share what I have, in hopes that it will make having an Elf house guest even easier for you.

Is There an ELF Doctor in the House?

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Last year E was *just* old enough that getting an Elf on the Shelf seemed appropriate. She was going to be 3 years old by January, so really it *may* have been more for me than her! But I see all the fun the Elf has online, via Pinterest, and what friends post on Facebook. I can’t help but to get excited! Plus anything to do with making a new Christmas tradition with my girls, is right at the top of my list every year!

But I was surprised after opening our brand new Elf, that he was kinda limp. HOW was he going to hang from the ceiling? Or have a marshmallow fight with Mr. Potato Head with these floppy arms?

{Review} Jill & Jack Kids – Breaking Gender Stereotypes One Dino Tee at a Time

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When I first started my blog back in February of this year, I wasn’t sure where it would take me. I had lots of ideas (I still do!) but I just wanted to start somewhere. So I created the basics for the blog and then went with any topic I was moved to write about. Shortly after writing my first few posts, I had found a company on Kickstarter called Princess Awesome. I loved what they were about, and was moved to write my own piece on what I thought. After it was posted, I shared on my Facebook fan page and Princess Awesome commented on the link! I couldn’t believe it, I was stunned that they even saw it, let alone read it. Even more stunned later when another company, with the same core beliefs as Princess Awesome, tweeted me.

Jenn the creator behind Jill & Jack Kids saw my post, read it, and reached out. I was on cloud nine! Here it was my first month writing, and already TWO people (who weren’t my mom! *Hi MOM!*) liked what they saw. I was very excited and yet, at the same time, so humbled. I was doing something I love to do, and it was slowly turning into the “little something more” I was dreaming of. This was my first big step into the “blogosphere”! So when Jenn had tweeted me her offer, I was delighted to accept.

Steak and Ale Pie

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Some times you just want a meal that really “sticks to your ribs.” Or how about your husband’s request for a “man’s meal” of “meat and potatoes”? I know, weird cliche sayings right? But these are phrases generations before us have used, to describe a meal that just really hits the spot. Something hearty that fills you up and keeps you full. Well this recipe is one that I not only love to make, but my Hubbs also loves to eat… and that’s a rare find!

Pumpkin Muffin Cookies

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When it gets to be fall. The boots get pulled out of storage and dusted off. Sweaters and leggings are the new norm. Oh, and Starbucks starts making… oh, I can’t remember the name. You know it…
that drink…
the one we all go insane for…
Pumpkin something or other… hum, it will come to me. 😉

{Review} DIY Home Cleaning Solution

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I don’t know about the rest of the parents out there, but I spend most of my day cleaning up messes. Not just toys scattered all over the floors of my house, but the gooey, sticky, grime trail left behind by my two adoring kiddos. As my one of my best friends always jokes “I’d have kids… if they weren’t always so sticky!” She isn’t wrong either, they are just soooo… sticky! It’s not a secret, kids are just plain messy, they can’t help it! But what do we, as parents, do about it? I know for me, cleaning is never at the top of my to-do list, but it’s always there, looming in some dark, dirty corner…