Pretty Princess' Teacher Gift

Hi You guys!

Tomorrow is the last day of school! It's kinda bittersweet for me. I LOVE that my Pretty Princess is home with me everyday,and we get to do fun things, but I'm sad that she is growing up so darn fast! She's going to be is sixth grade next year...Really? How did my "baby" grow up so fast?

TOO FAST!

 Okay, so I guess I should quit getting sappy and on with the gift I made. Her teacher is the best! I really adore this lady! She had taught my sweetie so much, I am so grateful to her!

 I knew that I wanted to recover a clip board with some scrapbook paper and I was looking through some linky parties and found that someone had made matching pens to go with the clipboard! I have searched and googled to see if I could find out who came up with this idea..but, I can't find you...so if you happen to be the one who came up with it,please let me know so I can give you the credit for the matching pen idea!GENIUS..I tell ya, pure genius! So, I did a clipboard with two matching pens,and added some "hugs & kisses."

{just had to give her some loves}

CA-UTE!  OK so let me share how I did this and what you'll need if you want one!

1.  Clip board {Dollar tree}

2.  Pens {Dollar tree}  They were Pentel

3.  Cute paper

4. Mod Podge/brush

5.  Ribbon

6. Tulle

7.  Round punch

8.  Hershey's hugs and kisses {walmart} $2.50 each

9. cellophane

10.  Stamps/ black ink pad

11.  Sand paper

First I traced the clipboard on to the paper, cut it out, then mod podged it to the board. The paper I used had print on both sides so I decide to flip the paper over and trace the clip part so that I could use the other side too...yeah, that didn't work out so well. 

What I ended up doing was cutting two separate pieces and then a strip to go under the clip part.  Then I used a piece of brown ribbon to "clean" it up a little..I liked how it looked so YAY!  Then I mod podged over the entire board, ribbon and all.   Next I sanded around the entire board (edges).  Used the punch and cut out circles and then I used letter stamps to write "Mrs. Shaw" and "Hugs & Kisses." 

Now the pens,  first I rolled the paper around a pencil...too big, then I decided to take the pen apart (which is very easy) and wrap it around the actual ink part...uh...kinda hard.  The paper has to be a exact,  meaning, if it is to wide, it won't fit, if it isn't wide enough it doesn't cover the entire inside. 

 I won't lie, I did get a little frustrated cause it was supposed to be as easy putting it together as it was taking it apart! 

{right?}

 Sorry, I didn't measure it either so I'm not much help, but maybe you won't have such a hard time!  After those were done, I was ready for a nap!  No...I'm just kidding!  I was happy that they looked so cute!  I poured so hugs/kisses into the bag put the label on and tied it with a matching brown bow.  My Princess signed the back with her name!  And then we were done!  This cost me about $3.00.  I had most of the things here. 

AND...

Hubby was happy because we had "Hug's & Kisses" left over for him!

Have a fan-tabu-lous day!

Linking up to these fabulous parties:

Between naps on the porch Skip to My LouThe Creative GirlMaking the world CuterSumo's Sweet StuffKeeping It Simple

Craft-o-ManiacCoastal CharmRun With GlitterBlue Cricket DesignDittle DattleEvery Creative Endeavor

Thrifty Decor Chick 1st Monday of the monthTip JunkieAll Thingz RelatedLady Bug BlessingsSugar Bee CraftsFunky Polkadot Giraffe

Not Just a HousewifeReasons to Skip the HouseworkIt's Fun to craftLil Luna Creations By KaraSeven Thirty ThreeSew Much Ado

Sisters StuffThe Shabby Chic CottageSome What SimpleFirefly's and JellybeansHouse of HepworthPaisley PassionsYesterday on TuesdayFinger Prints on the FridgeWhipperberryThe Shabby NestFinding FabulousPaisley Passions (food fun)Beyond the Picket FenceLolly JaneI heart naptimeTatertots and JelloSpunky JunkyBe Different Act NormalFlamingo ToesNifty thrifty Thingsladybird lane

Under the Table and Dreaming

Rainbow Cupcakes

Who doesn't like a really easy and fun cupcake to make? I just had to try my hand at these rainbow cupcakes. I wanted the cupcakes to look just like the rainbow with the bright vibrant colors. I found the recipe at Family Fun and the best thing about it is I didn't have to "guess" how many drops of food coloring to use because they already had it figured out! Just what I was looking for! YAY! These were so fun to make. I umm...did them a little backwards...ahem..blue should've been put first(in the bottom of the liner) then purple and so on...they still turned out cute though. The frosting kinda looks like a cloud sitting in the sky...No? OK, then please humor me and agree! {wink}



Rainbow Cupcakes
(Recipe from Family Fun)

Ingredients
• White cake mix (we used an 18-1/4-ounce box)
• Food coloring (red, blue, green, and yellow)
• Baking cups
• Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions:

1. Prepare your favorite white cake mix, then divide the batter evenly among six small bowls. Following the chart below, dye each bowl of batter a rainbow color.


RAINBOW COLOR DROPS OF FOOD COLORING
Purple 9 red and 6 blue drops
Blue 12 drops
Green 12 drops
Yellow 12 drops
Orange 12 yellow and 4 red drops
Red 18 drops

2. Line 16 muffin pan wells with baking cups. Evenly distribute the purple batter among the cups, then the blue, and so on, following the order shown. As you go, gently spread each layer of batter with the back of a spoon to cover the color underneath.

3. Bake the cupcakes according to your recipe directions. Before serving, remove the paper wrapping, and if you like, top each cupcake with a whipped-cream cloud.

Here's the Printable RAINBOW CUPCAKES Recipe I L.O.V.E it when I find a recipe and they make it convienant and easy for me to print it off...so here ya go!

The only thing that would've made these better is Martha Stewart....ya, 'cause Martha has a killer buttercream frosting recipe. I am now an official "frosting snob" I know...but the store bought is nasty compared to this!  I usually 1/2 the recipe it  makes enough. you want the recipe?
Oh, Alright I'll share..... here's Martha's killer Fluffy Vanilla-Buttercream Frosting.

Now,go make you some Rainbow Cupcakes..it'll brighten your day!    Promise!

Between naps on the porch Skip to My LouThe Creative GirlMaking the world CuterSumo's Sweet StuffKeeping It Simple

Craft-o-ManiacCoastal CharmRun With GlitterBlue Cricket DesignDittle DattleEvery Creative Endeavor

Thrifty Decor Chick 1st Monday of the monthTip JunkieAll Thingz RelatedLady Bug BlessingsSugar Bee CraftsFunky Polkadot Giraffe

Not Just a HousewifeReasons to Skip the HouseworkIt's Fun to craftLil Luna Creations By KaraSeven Thirty ThreeSew Much Ado

Sisters StuffThe Shabby Chic CottageSome What SimpleFirefly's and JellybeansHouse of HepworthPaisley PassionsYesterday on TuesdayFinger Prints on the FridgeWhipperberryThe Shabby NestFinding FabulousPaisley Passions (food fun)Beyond the Picket FenceLolly JaneI heart naptimeTatertots and JelloSpunky JunkyBe Different Act NormalFlamingo ToesNifty thrifty Things

Under the Table and Dreaming

"FHE"

What is Family Home Evening?

Family home evening is a special time set aside each week that brings family members together and strengthens their love for each other, helps them draw closer to Heavenly Father, and encourages them to live righteously.

Today,  I was searching LDS.ORG FAMILY HOME EVENING  looking for some inspiration on helping me to be better on doing family home evening at my house.  This is what  I found... tips on making Family Home Evening Successful! I LOVE it!  I copied this small section....but click on the link above and it will take you to the entire site. 

What makes family home evening successful?

Start and end with prayer. This invites the Spirit, increases love, and teaches your family how to pray.

Learn from the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets to help your family live the gospel.

Add music, such as hymns and Primary songs, to create an atmosphere of love, peace, and joy.

Make it fun by playing games, acting out scripture stories, and making treats. Keep the atmosphere light and loving.

Be consistent. Monday nights are set aside by the Church for family home evening. If that doesn’t work, find a night that does.

Add variety. Help a neighbor in need, hold a lesson at the park, or go for a walk as a family.

Not so hard right?  Spending time together as a family is so important. 

Here are a few more links to help you out!

Sugardoodle

Family Home Evenings

Family Home Evening LDS.ORG

FHE TIPS

 Go...Have a fun family night!

AND a great day while your at it!

"Me and my Indecisiveness"

OK, I have to be probably the most annoying blogger out there! I have changed my background,header and signature so many times....I can't find one that I am "in love with" Thanks for putting up with me and my indecisiveness.  i will most likely be trying out a few more...Do any of you have suggestions on someone who does custom work for a great price? I'm thinking about switching to wordpress also. Any Good/Bad thoughts on that? 

Have a great day!

"Jenika Time"

Okay. So I'm wondering...do any of you have a  kiddo that has no concept of time? As in....having to rush them every time you have to go somewhere? I think back and my Pretty Princess has always been that way. We would get to a store and I would go unbuckle her car seat and have to coax her out of it. "Come on honey,let's go..." Yeah, she still took her own sweet time. Now, I'm kinda mean... {Now that she's eleven} I will start walking toward the store,like I'm going to leave her there and she will fly out of the car! It is like this anywhere we go especially getting ready for school!  I am always telling her, "Jen, time does not stand still.  It doesn't wait for us!"  So yesterday morning after this conversation for the  ba-zillionth time I thought I would take this cute clock that I originally bought to repaint and put a piece of "SUMMER" looking scrapbook paper in and write "Summer Time" on it and decided to have it say "Jenika's Time." Kind-of as a joke...SHE LOVED IT!   It was super easy to do too.

What you need is:

- Clock
- Piece of Scrapbook Paper
- Number and Letter Stickers
- Screwdriver (to take apart the clock)
- OPTIONAL:
Mod Podge

Start by taking the cute clock apart. Be sure to remember how you did it so you can put it back together! Take the clock "hands" off the front. Take the circle out (the face)and trace it onto you scrapbook paper. To make sure that I got the numbers where they were supposed to be, I lightly wrote on the SBP where the numbers should go with a pencil so that I could erase them when I put the stickers down. Put the number stickers where they need to go, write out what you want the clock to say with the letter stickers,and  put this cutie back together,use some windex to clean your little fingerprints off the front and take a look at the cute clock you just made! Pretty easy right!

Some other fun ideas would be:

Spring Time
Fall Time
Winter Time
Birthday Time
Party Time
Ooh, you could make it a seasonal clock if you wanted. I didn't mod podge mine down because I KNOW that I will probably want to change it, but if you know you wantnot change it up, you can mod podge it right onto the face of the clock.

I'm not thinking this will help anytime soon with the "concept of time thing" but, It  sure made her smile and it was fun to do! 

Have a great weekend you guys!

I'm linking to these parties:

Between naps on the PorchSkip to My LouThe Creative GirlMaking the world CuterSumo's Sweet StuffKeeping It Simple

Craft-o-ManiacCoastal CharmRun With GlitterBlue Cricket DesignTip JunkieAll Thingz RelatedLady Bug BlessingsSugar Bee Crafts

Funky Polkadot GiraffeNot Just a HousewifeMy Frugal FamilyLil Luna Creations By KaraSeven Thirty ThreeSew Much AdoBeyond the Picket FenceThe shabby Chic cottageSome What SimpleFirefly's and JellybeansHouse of HepworthPaisley PassionsYesterday on TuesdayThe shabby Chic cottageFinger Prints on the FridgeWhipperberryThe Shabby NestFinding FabulousPaisley Passions (food fun)ladybird lane

I Heart NaptimeTatertots and JelloSpunky JunkBe Different Act NormalFlamingo ToesUnder the Table and Dreaming

My name is Kirsten and I make lists!

Heck ya! I am addicted to making lists...not just one or two...more like three or four or more!   I call  these handy little things my "dot lists" because  I put a dot or hyphen before each to do thing-y. It's just cuter that way! and yes, I just said thing-y, I even say thing-er too.  I know they aren't really words but I'm really good at making up my own vocabulary, and I'm also really good at getting off the subject and rambling...so anyway... oh yeah, I was talking about my lists.  It seems like I always have a small stack of papers that I am constantly moving from place to place.  Bills/my lists etc. I'll put them in the desk in our office,then I'll move them to the kitchen, to go through them and then I decide  I will go through them while I'm in my bedroom... Musical Chairs with papers.   Do any of you do this?  I swear I can drive myself crazy!

Here's a few that I sorted out last night.

Dot lists...Why do I make them?  Well, first of all I know that if I write it down, I will remember the things I was thinking I needed to do or things that I wanted to accomplish in that day.  I kinda think of them as my friendly reminder! 
AND...
I decided since lists help me in other areas that I needed a "Daily Workout & Good Eats Plan" I didn't want to have papers laying around or be wasteful, so this is what I came up with:

I typed up everything I wanted it to say  using MR. GIGGLES font then printed it off on a piece fun colored scrapbook paper, laminated it so that I can use my dry erase marker on it to change it everyday!  If you want you could put it in a frame and then just write on the glass of it, or even laminate it like I did but, put some magnets on the back and stick it to your fridge.  Pretty easy and the best thing is I can just wipe off and re use it!   Now for the other lists...Yeah, I will still probably make those cause I'm addicted to them....can't help it! 

I'm off to 'Workout"  Have a great day everyone!

We have a WINNER!

Hi Guys!

How are you all doing?   This morning I told you all we would announce the winner of the "What's Cooking"  Menu Board!

So today, I had Pretty Princess pick a number between 1 and 7 and  she chose the number 2!  So the winner of this handy dandy menu planner  is....Kate! 

CONGRATULATIONS KATE!   
Please send me an e-mail with your address and I will get it to you!  kirstgilesloves@aol.com

AND A BIG HUG AND THANK YOU TO MY NEW FOLLOWERS! 
Stay tuned because I will be doing another giveaway soon!

Some changes @ Mushki Loves

Hi Guys!

As some of you know Blogger was down for a couple days, and while it was down it got me thinking about MY blog, and what I share here. Right now I have  a "schedule" that I have been trying to stick with and I'm wanting to change it up, so here's my thoughts...Each week I'm finding myself feeling like I HAVE to make something and I'm starting to feel like I'm just "throwing" things together so that I can stick to the schedule! I definitely don't want to do this! I want this blog to be fun for all of you and me too! So, this is what I'd like to start doing... I love sharing everything I do with all of you, but instead of a What's Happening Weekly...It will be just random weekly things. I might post two times a day or maybe only two times a week. Maybe two will be just tutorials, or all recipes, it might just be a story I want to share or a really yummy recipe that you "JUST HAVE TO TRY", you know random stuff...Plus I  have been wanting to get my ESTY SHOP going so the things I make,and maybe you won't want to...you will be able purchase through an online store to get them from me! DON'T worry though I will still share recipes,tutorials,and crafts!

I have the most AMAZING followers and I don't want to let any of you down. You all became a follower for a reason and I hope that I can continue to do make and share things with all of you that will make you happy! Let me know what you guys think...I'm all ears!

Goodnight All!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is My Dad's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to YOU....

Happy Birthday to YOU! 

 Happy Birthday Dear D...A....D!

Happy Birthday to YOU! 

I hope you have the best day E.V.E.R! 

 We Love ya Lots!

Oh, and just in case you are wondering what we got you for your birthday...

Here's a little peek!       Don't ya  see it?      You can't?        Are you sure? 

Just Kidding..

No sneak peek .......you have to wait!

LOVE YA!

The Best Chocolate Cake. EVER.

It's "Tasty Thursday" And Holy Schmoly do I have a really good Chocolate Cake recipe to share. I found this over at The Pioneer Woman. Have you ever heard of her? If you haven't go check out her blog!  She has ba-zillions of recipes that you are going to want to try.

Let me give you just a brief description of this melt in your mouth goodness.
This cake is rich,moist,chocolate-y and so delish warm!  I wanted to give you the link directly to her blog because the pictures she took are uh-mazing!  She already had a free printable  too!   The only thing I did different was "sprinkle" the pecans on 1/2 of the cake for Pretty Princess {thinking that she wouldn't like them}  I know she doesn't like frosting so I thought she would just scrape the frosting off her piece and just eat a couple bites of the cake and that's it.  Boy, was I wrong! She liked the side with pecans and the frosting too.
This is the link...The Best Chocolate Cake. EVER.
Go get it and  make it for your family they will love you more than forever! period. 

Add some Whipped Cream...YUMMY!

MMMM....

Have a delicious day!

I'm linking to these great parties:

Monday: Between naps on the porchSkip to My LouThe Creative GirlMaking the world CuterSumo's Sweet StuffKeeping It SimpleCraft-o-ManiacCoastal Charm

Run With GlitterBlue Cricket DesignDittle DattleEvery Creative Endeavor

Thrifty Decor Chick 1st monday of the monthTuesday:Tip JunkieAll Thingz Related

Lady Bug BlessingsSugar Bee CraftsFunky Polkadot GiraffeNot Just a Housewife

Reasons to skip the houseworkFun to CraftWednesday:Lil Luna Creations By KaraSeven Thirty ThreeSew Much AdoThursday:The Shabby Chic Cottage

Some What SimpleFirefly's and JellybeansHouse of HepworthPaisley Passions

Yesterday on TuesdayThe shabby Chic cottageFriday:Finger Prints on the Fridge

WhipperberryThe Shabby NestFinding FabulousPassions (food fun)Beyond the Picket FenceLolly JaneSaturday:I heart naptimeTatertots and JelloSpunky JunkyBe Different Act NormalFlamingo ToesSunday:Nifty Thrifty ThingsUnder the Table and Dreaming

SNAP! The Blog Conference!

Ok so today I was doing the daily look around, my  weekly link up to Funky Polkadot Giraffe and see she's posted something about "Snap" Hmmm...  I've seen these words before, and I've even heard them repeated by my Pretty Princess..{You know off of "That's so Raven"}
But then I see it...A BLOG CONFERENCE...A three day creative blogging and social media conference!
April 19-21, 2012 in Salt Lake City, Utah,

by these A.W.E.S.O.M.E ladies:

(um, need I say more?)

Tauni (aka It's a Tradition)

Char (aka Crap I've Made)

Becca (aka Blue Cricket Design)

Jenn (aka Tatertots & Jello)

Mique (aka Thirty Handmade Days & QBM)

Shelley (aka The House of Smiths)

Kami (aka No Biggie)

Kendra (aka My Insanity)

Lara (aka Less Cake More Frosting)

Amy (aka The Idea Room)

Jessica (aka Allora Handmade & QBM)

Brittany (aka One Charming Party)

Sara (aka One Charming Party)

Steph (aka The Daily Blarg)

Amy (aka Designer Blogs)

I wanna go!  Then I see....

they're having a contest right now and I can possibly win a ticket ...Um, yeah, that is a no brainer! Sign me up!

Guess what? You can too! Go here and check it out! Please tell them I sent you!
Thank you Kyla!

Tuesday Tutorial....A Menu Planner!

HEY you guys!

Do you want to learn how to make a simple Menu Planner Today? Well then stick around cause today I'm going to show how to make one like this!

What you need is:
- A 8.5 X 11 frame
- Scrapbook Paper
- Computer/Printer
*OPTIONAL*
-Paint
-Stain

Okay, so let's get started. I got this frame at the dollar store. They had black ones, silver ones, all different kinds I just grabbed the plain one so I could paint it. Oh, and you could also check out your local thrift store too.

1.Paint it,  and stain it if you chose to.

2. Find a cute font on your computer that you want to use. If you don't have any that you like, I found this great "How To" atYour Creative Juices .Not only do
they have a list of some great places to get fun fonts and tell you how to download them to your computer.  It was  super easy and you end up with cute fonts that YOU like! Plus their blog is choc full of SUPER CUTE stuff!

*Revised* The font I used for this menu planner is called Mr.and Mrs. Popsicle.

3.Type out the header, here's an example of a few.
Bon Appetit....What's Cooking?...Menu
(Be sure to center it.)

4.Then type out the days of the week.
(Be sure to change the margin back to the right side, unless you want it all centered.)

5. Stick your cute scrapbook paper into your printer and print your menu onto it.

6. Cut your paper down to  the size you need it to fit in your frame.

I layed the glass right on top of the paper

Trace around the glass with a pencil so you know how much of the paper you need to cut off, and plus you can center it a little better too. 

Cut the paper to fit into your frame....put the paper inside of the frame and stand back and take a looky at what you did! 

Get a easel, and a dry erase maker and you are set to write down what's on the menu this week!

Does planning  a menu really work!

Yes...I find that if I plan out for the week what I'm having , I stick to it!  So yes, it does work.  Now, your might be wondering if I have days, that I just don't want to cook?  Sure do!   Good thing take out is convenient for my lazy days! But this really helps when planning a grocery list, plus If my hubby and Pretty Princess help with the planning it makes it easier too! 

What do you think?  Pretty easy?  Pretty darn cute?  There are so many possibilities to change this cutie up, you can embellish it to match your kitchen, change color of paint,paper and fonts! 

NOW.... Guess WHAT!?!?!?

I am having my second giveaway and this little cutie is it!

To enter to win this Menu Planner

1.  Become a follower of MushkiLoves and leave a comment telling me you are  my newest follower. Found on the left hand side of this blog.

2.  "Like" Mushkiloves on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mushki-Loves/185369438174854#!/search.php?q=mushkiloves&init=quick&tas=0.12096045115797849

Then come back and let me know your like me on Facebook too for a second entry!

**Be sure to leave a comment both times!  It will increase your chance to win***

AND

if you are already a follower or like me on Facebook!  ENTER! 

Winner will be announced on Tuesday May 17th in the morning!

 Good Luck everyone!


*Revised* 5-17-11  This giveaway has now ended

I'm linking up to these fabulous parties:

Between naps on the PorchSkip to My LouThe Creative GirlMaking the world CuterSumo's Sweet StuffKeeping It Simple

Craft-o-ManiacCoastal CharmRun With GlitterBlue Cricket DesignTip JunkieAll Thingz RelatedLady Bug BlessingsSugar Bee Crafts

Funky Polkadot GiraffeNot Just a HousewifeMy Frugal FamilyLil Luna Creations By KaraSeven Thirty ThreeSew Much AdoBeyond the Picket FenceThe shabby Chic cottageSome What SimpleFirefly's and JellybeansHouse of HepworthPaisley PassionsYesterday on TuesdayThe shabby Chic cottageFinger Prints on the FridgeWhipperberryThe Shabby NestFinding FabulousPaisley Passions (food fun)

I Heart NaptimeTatertots and JelloSpunky JunkBe Different Act NormalFlamingo ToesUnder the Table and Dreaming



Salad # 1...A HIT!

Really quick...I have to share this recipe!  I made the Chicken Fajita Salad tonight for dinner! Doesn't it look Good? I'm here to tell you...IT WAS! It is now one of  my Hubby's favorites and Miss Pretty Princess ate it too! YAY!
When I googled this recipe this was the first one that I looked at. I thought I would cheat a little and use a fajita mix that I had...Umm.. more like thought I had !  I ended up making the seasoning  mix the recipe calls for, I know no shortcuts or cheating , and I'm kinda glad!    It was a quick and yummy dinner. I found the recipe here !   I did change mine up a little though.  I didn't make the dressing, use olives,or tomatoes.  I DID  warm some corn tortilla's in a hot pan (without oil) just enough to get them a little golden and slightly crisp.  I layered mine in this order...warmed corn tortilla shell,  salad mix, chicken fajita mixture, pinto beans, shredded cheese,dollop of sour cream and the a Tablespoon of Pace salsa.  DELICIOUS!  This is definitely one I will make again!  So yummy!  I've included a printable recipe (from the website I found it from) for you if you want to try it!

Chicken Fajita Salad
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound skinned, boned chicken breast, cut into thin strips
Cooking spray
9 cups shredded romaine lettuce (I use pre-packaged stuff)
1 1/3 cups thinly sliced green bell pepper rings
1 cup sliced red onion, separated into rings
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons sliced ripe olives
1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium tomato, cut into 8 wedges or 1/2 pint grape tomatoes
Creamy Cilantro-Lime Sauce

Combine first 6 ingredients in a large bowl. Add chicken, peppers and onions; toss to coat. Place a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat until hot. Add chicken mixture; sauté 8 minutes or until chicken is done. Set aside.

In a large bowl, put salad, cheese, olives, beans and tomatoes. Top with chicken mixture. Serve with Creamy Cilantro-Lime Sauce.

Yield: 4 servings

CALORIES 520 (38% from fat); FAT 21.9g (sat 6g,mono 6.8g,poly 6g); IRON 5.4mg; CHOLESTEROL 101mg; CALCIUM 360mg; CARBOHYDRATE 34.7g; SODIUM 1061mg; PROTEIN 3.6g; FIBER 6.6g

It's a lot of calories, but a huge serving and so good. For Weight Watchers, 11 points - but yes, you'll kill your entire veggie requirement for the day, and have good lean protein too. Really, for lunch, you could do 1/2 a serving and be more than satisfied.

Creamy Cilantro-Lime Sauce

This recipe goes with Fajita Salad with Creamy Cilantro-Lime Sauce

1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
1/2 cup light mayonnaise
1/3 cup skim milk
3 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
2 large garlic cloves, minced

Combine all ingredients, and stir well with a whisk. Cover sauce, and chill.

Yield: 1 1/3 cups (serving size: 1/3 cup)

CALORIES 113 (65% from fat); FAT 8.1g (sat 1.2g,mono 2.4g,poly 4.2g); IRON 0.2mg; CHOLESTEROL 10mg; CALCIUM 32mg; CARBOHYDRATE 6.6g; SODIUM 254mg; PROTEIN 3.2g; FIBER 0.1g

Printable Chicken Fajita Salad Recipe

See you tomorrow for "Tutorial Tuesday!"

"Seven Salads in Seven Days"

I'm up for a little challenge this week! This is what I'm thinking.... last week I bought one of those big bags of lettuce at Costco, and I usually end up throwing away the bag after using it two times. You know, the lettuce turns brown, collects water in the bottom of the bag and gets all nasty. Not this time! I decided this week my family is going on a salad diet! I'm kidding!... OKAY, maybe not! I asked the hubs if he was up for a it..to see if he would even eat it. He's pretty easy to please and of course said "sure". Besides there are a few recipes that I have been wanting to try!

Now, if I'm being honest here, Pretty Princess will probably just think she is dying..but we'll see...hopefully I won't have to cook two dinners each night. (Yes, I am that Mom, if she doesn't like what we are having then I fix her something else!) She was diagnosed as a type one diabetic about two years ago so she does have to eat... so yes, I'm a sucker when it comes to making sure her blood sugars are staying in control and that she is a happy camper! I'm hoping if I have her help me do the cooking this week she'll be up for eating it! So the menu this week is...seven salads in seven days! MMMM....they're gonna be good!

OK so here's...
"Monday's Menu Madness"

Monday: Chicken Fajita Salad

Tuesday: Cafe Rio Pork Salad

Wednesday: Waldorf Salad

Thursday: Chef Salad

Friday: Grilled Steak Salad

Saturday: Taco Salad

Sunday: Spinach Mandarin Poppy Seed Salad

Sound pretty good? Pretty Meaty salads! I will definitely share some of recipes this week...where I found them and if they're a keeper or not!




Have a great Monday!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you!  

 Have you all had a good day so far?  I sure hope so!   I woke up to my Pretty Princess and Sweetie bringing me breakfast in bed with HUGE smiles on their faces!  LOVE IT! 

Pretty Princess made a really cute yarn pot holder for me.  She was so excited to give it to me.  {Love that little girl to itsy bitsy pieces.  Seeing her so excited makes me more excited which in turn makes us both a couple of giggly girlies! }

 I absolutely adore my sweet little family!  As some of you may know {if you have read my "About Me" page }I have two angel boys in heaven. {I will touch more on that another day} I am so blessed to know that although they aren't here for me to  see... or touch their sweet little faces, I KNOW that one day I will.  I will "Mother" them, hug them, and kiss those sweet little cheeks, and hold those sweet little hands as I do my Pretty  Princess!   I am thankful that I am a mother.  {Even though, I'm ashamed to admit, sometimes I tell my Pretty Princess.. that "She's gone and changed her name!"}  I am thankful for the love that my little family shows and gives to me on a daily basis. They love me uncondtionally!  I am grateful that my Father in Heaven knows and loves me and has given me the opportunity to be a MOM!   

 I hope that you all have a wonderful Mother's Day!

LOVE,

Featuring: "Mother's Day GIft Ideas"

Are you all ready for Mother's Day?

Today I wanted to feature some really cute, fun, and easy for Mother's Day! I found a couple  few ideas from fellow bloggers and loved  them! I JUST HAD TO SHARE!

A Personalized Candle

I am LOVING this...Find out how Jen did it at My Barrel of Monkeys.

Mother's Day Plaque

These are absolutely adorable! Suzanne has a monthly "Plaque Attack" Club where you can request the printable each month! Go visit her at Just Another Hang up.

I will try to post a few more after I search!
*Revised*

OKAY...I'm back!  I found a few more cuties!

Look at this cute floral bouquet that  Laura at   Live.Laugh.Photograph made!  She was  a guest blogger on Running with Glitter

check out this tutorial!

SERIOUSLY!  Yum... It looks like you could just grab one right outta the picture! Make ahead meals for busy Moms made this yumminess!

Love this!  Grab a mug  from the dollar store have the  kiddo's decorate it and bake a yummy cake right in the mug! This cutie is  from Chrissy at  Crissy's Crafts  super cute and easy!

Have a Happy Mother's Day tomorrow!

*These pictures and ideas belong to the owner of the blog who has been featured!*

"To: Mom.... Love: Kirst"

Hi Guys!

It's Mother's Day in a couple days! My Mom is a follower of my blog and a faithful "checker" everyday! Today I thought I would write a little something to my mom in honor of Mother's Day.

Mom.....

When we were little you read us bedtime stories and even taped a few...
so when we had a sitter with us we could still listen to them from you

Each morning for breakfast you made oatmeal or cream of wheat,  {Ummm...YUCK!}
Toast was my choice of breakfast cause the other stuff I wouldn't eat

You always had dinner ready by 5:30 everyday
As a Mom now I look up to you for that in every way

You taught us to work hard and play hard too
For this I am grateful because I now know how to "DO"

I find myself doing and saying some of the same things to My Pretty Princess that I vowed I would never say to my kids!  I now realize as a parent you were only teaching us to become the best we can be, and not "just being a big old meanie!" I am grateful to you for the person you have helped me to become. The relationship that we have today. The friendship that we share. Thank you Mom for everything that you do for me and my sweet family.
 I Love you very much! Happy Mother's Day!

Because I don't want to give you the  ick-a-bo-teet-us (aka cold) that I have we are staying home this year.  I'm sorry I can't be there to share this day..so I want to show you what will be waiting for you until I see you!

As we say in this house...

Love you more than FOREVER!