Celebrating Mardi Gras With Your Kids

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Fat Tuesday is Mardi Gras! My girls have learned a little about this fun holiday through the Marie Grace and Cecile American Girl books they have been reading. In the books, the two girls live in New Orleans during the 1850's, speak French and have exposure to various cultural celebrations.

Over the last few months we have learned new French words, made French beignets, sampled New Orleans/Cajun cuisine and most recently made masks for Mardi Gras. It has been fun learning about history, different cultures and celebrations through the American Girl books together.

Here are some pictures of the girls and their masks. The masks were made by cutting out a mask shape from an empty cereal box, stapling a craft stick to one side and letting the kids decorate the masks with anything they wanted (feathers were a big hit!)

There are some great crafts besides making awesome Mardi Gras masks you can do with your kids to celebrate with them. I'd love to hear what you will be doing with your kids on Fat Tuesday - leave a comment or picture below.

The Best Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

Pumpkin Muffins Rock!

I have been using this recipe all fall and winter and everyone here just LOVES it! The muffins are soft, full of pumpkin flavor and the crumble sends it over the top! These muffins don't last long around here and I bet you will have the same problem at your house too. 

This is a simple recipe that uses ingredients you probably have in your pantry already. So what are you waiting for get those mixing bowls out get baking!

Click HERE for the pdf version of this recipe

enjoy,
Erin

10 Simple Valentine's Day Desserts

Looking for some special Valentine's Day desserts to serve your family or friends to show you love them? Here is a list of 10 simple Valentine's Day desserts that are sure to please everyone.

1. Homemade Italian Cream Sodas: These "kid friendly" drinks are a great way to start off your meal or serve after dinner as an after dinner "mock"cocktail. (via Butter With a Side of Bread)

2. Chocolate Fondue: Simple yet so very elegant! Use dark chocolate to boost your antioxidant intake along with a variety of fruits to dip into it and you have a fairly healthy yet decadent dessert. (via Fox and Briar)

3. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes: This is two desserts in one, a cupcake + a chocolate covered strawberry! What is not to love. (via Lil Luna)

4. Individual Fruit Chocolate Brownie Trifles: A mouthwatering combination of gooey brownie, light fluffy cool whip and raspberries. (via Just A Taste)

5. Heart Macarons: Such a sweet little treat to finish off a Valentine's Day meal. (via Liv For Cake)

6. Amaretto Truffles: These look complicated but I promise this simple recipe whips together quickly and tastes amazing. (via Lazy Cat Kitchen)

7. Chocolate Chip Blondies: Here is a simple cookie recipe you can even make a ahead! A heart shaped cookie cutter adds a little pizzaz to this sweet dessert. (via Cooking Classy)

8. Chocolate Covered Pretzels: The salt from the pretzel just enhances the chocolate flavor making this one of my favorite treats. You can customize the sprinkles or toppings to your liking. Oh, and it is super easy to make! (via Love From The Oven)

9. XOXO Rice Krispie Treats: Looking for a gluten free and nut free dessert? Rice krispie treats are a winner! You can color them and shape them into a variety of Valentine themed shapes too. (via Two Sisters Crafting)

10. Cherry Delight: Doesn't this just look amazing! The name says it all DELIGHT! (via Life In The Lofthouse)

Happy Valentine's Day to you! I'd love to hear (or see) what dessert you serve this Valentine's Day to your friends and loved ones. 

xoxo
Erin

Etsy Finds

pixabay.com

Baby, it's cold outside!! Really, truly COLD - 8F on the thermometer this morning.

Yikes. Spring is a few months away yet so winter clothing and accessories are what I'm all about in an attempt to keep warm. If you are looking for a great scarf to accessorize an outfit with as well as one that will truly help keep the chill of your neck I have found what you are looking for!

This little Etsy shop Sweet2Sisters has some really great scarfs for sale. They are all handmade, knitted and super cute! Here is my favorite -

I have a few of their scarves and just love the soft texture, colors and how they look when I wear them.

Stay warm my friends!

Breakfast Inspirations

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small percentage

Breakfast has become known as the most important meal of the day. How about a sample recipe from the classic cookbook by Thomas Murrey to inspire your morning meal! The full cookbook titled Breakfast Dainties has many great ideas. I made the recipe below to try with my kids and we LOVED it! Healthy and it tastes like a sweet treat.

Apples, Baked.—Peel and core six large sour apples; mix together a cup of sugar, half a teaspoonful of mixed ground spice, a saltspoonful of salt, two tablespoonfuls of grated cracker crumbs, and two tablespoonfuls of milk or water. Fill the core with the mixture; put the apples in a pan, and bake; serve them hot or cold with sweetened cream. A border of whipped cream around the apples may be substituted for the plain cream.

Apples may be served sliced, covered with sugar and a mild liquor poured over them, and topped off with whipped cream.

What do you enjoy for breakfast? I'd love to hear how you get your day off to a good start.

Erin

Anne with an "e"- Coming Soon

The Anne of Green Gables series is a classic treasure that has been enjoyed by many generation after generation. I first read this collection as a young girl and fell in love with the characters and story, sometimes pretending I was right there next to Anne! Lucy Maud Montgomery's writing style draws the reader in allowing them to feel, touch and even smell the many experiences the characters in her story are experiencing. For true fans of Montgomery and her writing there are many stories outside of the Anne series that are just as engaging and enjoyable to read. If you haven't read the other stories written by Montgomery you won't have to wait much longer! Coming soon is a wonderful ebook collection of the Anne books as well as many other stories written by L.M. Montgomery. Once published I will post here with the link to purchase this ultimate collection! Stay Tuned......

All images courtesy of Sullivan Entertainment.

Are You Ready to See Your Fixer Upper?

The Magnolia Story

When we hear this question there is no doubt who is asking! Of course this famous line belongs to the dynamic husband-and-wife team Chip and Joanna Gaines, stars of HGTV’s Fixer Upper. Whether it is your first time watching or hundredth time you might find yourself asking different series of questions, like—Who are these people? Why do they only choose homes in the Waco area? What’s the secret to their success? And is Chip actually that funny in real life? Through the many episodes of the show Fixer Upper, fans have a front row seat into the delightful and engaging lives and work of the shows stars Chip and Joanna.

Fans are given a detailed look at their life together through their first book, The Magnolia Story. The story engages readers as Chip and Joanna take them through their first renovation project that nearly cost them everything, the story of how they met and many other twists and turns that led them to the life they share on their farm today.

The stories in their book allow readers to see the quirky, vulnerable, and real lives the Gaines live including their struggles and triumphs. Their voice is clear and consistent with what their fans see on the show allowing their down to earth family oriented style shine through. They have truly become America’s new best friends.

Pick up this book today on Amazon!

Improve Your Child's Fine Motor Skills With This Fun Game

Improve Your Child's Fine Motor Skills With This Simple Game

A lot is happening in those little growing bodies! For most 3-5 year old children their growth spurts happen rapidly and can create some frustrations when it comes to fine motor skills. Developing hand eye coordination through simple yet fun games is a way to help them as they grow. 

I've created a handmade game perfect for helping hone those fine motor skills! Oh, and did I mention you can use this game to help them with color recognition skills at the same time! 

This brightly colored felt fishing game comes with four felt fish in different colors. Each fish has one soft velcro "eye" instead of the traditional magnet eye most games have. The wooden fishing pole has a short leather line with a felt hook that has the rough side of the velcro. Since velcro sticks to felt (and the soft velcro eye) your child can use the fishing pole and hook to catch as many felt fish as they desire. 

When we play this game at home I like to call out a color and see if my little one can catch that color fish first. It is a great way to occupy your child while helping them as they grow!

Find these great games in my etsy shop here!

Instant Picture Camera

If your are looking for a modern twist on the old Polaroid look no further! The Fujifilm Instax Camera might be just what you are looking for! Want a chance to win a $100 VISA gift card that you could use to purchase this sweet little camera? Well there is a give-away happening now over at the great blog MADE . The giveaway began on 3/21/16 and end 4/30/16. You can receive 2 total entries (ways to enter are listed on the website blog). Good luck!

disclosure I am receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post

Thanks!
Erin

Two Months Old!

Josh is now 2 months old - can you believe it! Here are some pics of our little guy along with a great picture of all the kids in their pj's relaxing in the morning. Josh is staring to smile and almost giggle. He is a lot of fun and everyone is really enjoying him.