May 25, 2012

Friday Faves {no. 8}

This week probably could not have gone any slower...we're still  waiting for baby girl to decide she wants out. Seeing as we tried to keep her in for 4 months I thought we would have no problem when it was time. Apparently, she's pretty content to stay where she is :) Here are some things I've been loving the last couple weeks. Let's not talk about how most of them are food related, I am pregnant.

1. I am LOVING that sonic has half off shakes after 8pm all summer. Let's just say I have sent my husband out a lot the last couple weeks to fetch me a chocolate shake...


2. I also love that Insurgent came out. (the sequel to Divergent) It was so good and now I can't wait for number 3 :)

3. I have been loving being able to cook again and since I have been craving chocolate chip cookies my entire pregnancy was so excited to make my mom's recipe AND have them actually turn out. That is a feat people. I will definitely be posting her recipe because her cookies are amazing. However, don't be mad when they don't turn out. I've tried them maybe 100 times and this was the first time they tasted somewhat like hers. I think she leaves out a super secret ingredient...

4. This is the best idea. ever. I either need to start making some asap OR convince my husband that remote start for our car is a necessity with 3 babies in AZ heat. I'm voting for remote start but pretty sure I'll end up making them...

5. I think this is such a great idea. I always use up so much counter space for fruit that this would be very convenient. Or maybe for bread?...I'm going to need make me one. I've been feeling very ambitious lately with the projects I want to take on but I think I need to remember I'm having a baby next week. Weird.

Happy Friday Everyone!!

May 22, 2012

Teacher Thank You & Printable

thank you
Our Thank You for Miss B’s preschool teacher this year was simple. Maybe we’ll get a little more creative next year ;) We love her teacher and think she is amazing with the kids so I knew we had to do something for her! We got the flower pot from Hobby Lobby and painted it with some fun yellow paint. Brynlee helped me make the flowers. Printed off the simple little messages and that was it…gotta love a project that is quick and easy! I know I’ve been MIA the last couple weeks but I have been thoroughly enjoying the time with my two little munchkins before our bundle of joy arrives. I have a feeling the divas will be feeling a little under appreciated once the baby comes and have been trying to spend every second playing with them. Hope you all have some fun summer plans planned! IF you haven’t figured out a teacher gift yet, feel free to print these off :) You could definitely use the bloom for real flowers, or fabric flower clips or pretty much anything flower related. And the Break I used to tie in the kit-kats. Who doesn't enjoy chocolate??

download here

download here

May 2, 2012

Yummiest Banana Cake


I decided to repost this because I've had a lot of people asking me for the recipe. I have to tell you this is the yummiest cake ever. My husband and I can clean out a pan in one sitting. Don't Judge.  Just trust me and make this and you'll never go back to baking banana bread again with those over ripe bananas...
So I've been in a baking mood lately...Yes it's a little crazy with two kids under 2 years old. But, when I get a total of 3 hours of sleep and there's no hope of getting a nap I have to keep myself crazy busy or I remember how exhausted I am...So after failed attempts at homemade bread and cinnamon rolls, I decided to use up my ridiculously ripe bananas and try this banana cake...yummm It's SO good and moist (I can't believe I just used one of my top 3 grossest words...) Here are the recipes and I'm also posting this to Basic Bites

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients:
  • 2 1/2 c. flour
  • 1 1/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 2/3 c. sugar
  • 1 1/4 tsp. soda
  • 2/3 c. butter, at room temperature
  • 4 mashed bananas, large
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2/3 c. buttermilk or plain yogurt (I used vanilla yogurt because Ialready had some and it turned out fine)
  • 2/3 c. chopped nuts (optional)
  • 1 tsp. vanilla
Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together: flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and soda. Then add: butter, and bananas. Beatthoroughly, then add: eggs, buttermilk, chopped nuts and vanilla. Mix until well combined. Pour into a greased & floured 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. When cooled, top with Cream Cheese frosting.
"Sprinkles" Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz of cream cheese, very soft
4 oz of butter, very soft
1/8 tsp salt
4 cups of powdered sugar, sifted
1 tsp of vanilla extract

Beat the cream cheese and butter with the salt until light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, and the vanilla - beat until smooth and creamy.