Happy Valentines Day

Hope it's wonderful for everyone!

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Valentines Banner and Decorations

Like I said before, I'm not really feeling the Valentines Day thing this year, but I had all kinds of paper, and glue and bakers twine leftover from the Birthday Parties that I thought I might as well make something.

I used the cricut and cut out the banner pieces and letters, then just glittered the letters and stuck them on with the mounting tape so it wasn't as flat, used bakers twine to string it up. 

Here are some of the rest of this years stuff, nothing too exciting!

In fact I didn't like this XOXO thing AT ALL anymore, it's drying right now!

And this is missing the mailbox I usually keep in the middle, pretty sure the little boy has figured out if he slams the door it falls off and he can play with it, stinker.

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Valentine's Decorations

I realize that Valentine's Day is less than a week away and I haven't shared our decorations! I think it's because I don't like them!! I feel like they are just not my style so much anymore, and I don't have nearly as many as I thought! So I have been hesitant to share them, they aren't pretty or vintage or handmade or crafty. They are just random things from different places over the years.. YUCK!

But I am working on a banner for the mantle, that might make me feel a little better about it and I know what I WANT to do, it's just finding MAKING the time to do it!

Its that whole balance issue again. In the big scheme of things decorations for a month out of the year just aren't THAT important, but I feel like I am kind of letting the kids down, because they love it and expect it. So I am stalking Pinterest and all the fun blogs and I WILL be making new stuff for next year (hopefully with clearance supplies)

What did you all make this year?!

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Valentine's for kids!

I really tried not to go overboard on the Valentine' stuff and to wait until 3 weeks before. I seriously think I was seeing Valentine's Posts before Christmas!  Poor January gets no love!

So here we are just a week to go and I still have plenty of time for all the school valentines, treats and parties!

I'm sure many of you have seen a lot of these already, thanks to Pinterest!

But I am sharing my favorites!

These are by far my favorite! If I can find a good deal on full size Rolo's! If not, these would be a cute teacher Valentine!

And I love these with Rolo's also!

"O Fish ally"CUTE!!

NO idea where this came from, but it is SO clever!

These are DARLING and not TOO much candy!

Martha!

Family Fun

Also Family Fun

We are doing a couple different ones from these this year. I will share them once I get them ready!

I have totally been slacking on Valentines Day this year! I still have pictures to take, not that I did anything new this year! Birthday Party Overload!

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Valentine's Day Menu

Only about a week and a half until Valentine's Day! Still being in Birthday mode I haven't thought a whole lot about what we be doing that day but I am thinking we for sure need to have some heart shaped stuff! This is what I have planned so far~

Heart Shaped Pizza



source

And I think we will probably have heart shaped sandwiches for lunch, just using our Wilton cookie cutter, this one is pretty big so you don't lose as much bread!

We don't usually let our kids have flavored milk ( tooo much sugar!!) but we do let them have special stuff on special days sometimes, and really who wouldn't love pink milk?!  So here is what I do to make their little treat extra special.. I used my favorite old jelly jars, dipped the edge in some melted white chocolate (it's easiest if you put the chocolate on a saucer or small plate,and I don't put on too much because I don't want any drips, then cover the chocolate in some sprinkles!

I am sure heart shaped pancakes will be around at breakfast time with whip cream and sprinkles, pretty much cause the mini heart sprinkles are just TOO cute!

I have a heart shaped mini pancake pan that makes these perfectly every time, although I think it is easier if you make your pancake batter a little more runny than usual, you kind of have to spread the batter around a little and if it is too thick it doesn't work as well.

Think it is this one, and I haven't seen it anywhere but ebay lately.. there are some other really cute ones though!

And this year for a dessert I think I am going to use a heart shaped ice cube mold like this one

And fill it with the Yoplait Whips Raspberry or Strawberry yogurt and freeze them, they are SO good frozen, better than ice cream! And I won't feel too guilty about the strawberry milk then!
I am using a bigger mold because I think it will be easier to get the yogurt in.. here is what I hope to do, scoop some yogurt in and tap it on the counter to get the air out, you can't really stir the yogurt or it loses its mousse consistency.  I might have to do a test run before next week! If I have sprinkles left over I might put some of those in the bottom too!  Then they can each have a few little frozen hearts for a treat! I think they will love em!

Previous Years
HERE, HERE, and HERE

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Valentine's Day Link up!

Because I need HELP! 2 years now that I have barely done any Valentine's day stuff, last year we had surgery coming up and I was stressing! This year I am still in full Birthday mode!

So feel free to link up YOUR favorite Valentine's Day Projects, craft, food.. whatever! I just need a little kick to get me started!



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Valentines

Finally had a few extra nap time minutes to work on our kindergartners valentines!

I actually BOUGHT a pack just in case I didn't get to these, that is how busy it has been here!

There are less than 20 kids in his class so it isn't TOO much work, and I know he is excited to help with them!  Here are a few

Yeah, they don't look too special do they?!

Well they aren't, you have to add a CUTE kid to make them fun!

SEE, much better once you add the kid!

I am making the lips for the girls and some muscratches (what our older kids call mustache) for the boys! Just need to find the brown paper around here somewhere, maybe nap time on Monday I can get those done!

They are really easy to do too!
I drew half of these then traced it and flipped it over so they were symmetrical (well more symmetrical than I can draw)  then I cut the whole lips out, traced it as many times as I could on my paper and cut them out, cut a little x in the middle where the sucker needed to go and put the sucker through!

Linking up here

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Valentine's Day Graham Crackers.. more like a cookie!

These Graham Crackers  Cookies, are a favorite here, and SO easy to make!

Here is the recipe

Preheat oven to 350*

Chill a foil lined cookie sheet in the freezer while you work

Ingredients

1 C. whole wheat or graham flour 

1/2 C. Oat flour 

1/3 C. + 1 T sugar 

1/2t. Baking soda  

1/3 C. Butter or margarine 

1 t. honey 

1 T. milk

Directions

Sift flours, sugar, and soda in bowl together

Heat butter, honey, and milk until melted together.

Pour into dry ingredients

Stir until smooth

Pat into pan.. the thinner they are the more cracker like they are

bake for 15-20 minutes

Prick with fork as soon as you take them out of the oven

Let cool for a 1/2 hour (NEVER happens here)

Now if you want to add sprinkles, I do that before we bake them! And I especially like the tiny sprinkles!

So cute with the sprinkles!!

I think I could convince my kids these are a better treat than cupcakes!

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Hope Everyones Valentine's day was great!

Hope everyone had a great Valentine's day!! We stayed home and tried to relax! Made some cute biscuits.. and I cheated, I used the premade biscuits this time.. And I made the stew in the crockpot.. It was much easier this time.. and leftovers are JUST as good! Our kids are quite the little cookie monsters... so we made sugar cookies and decorated them.. The frosting is powdered sugar, milk, marshmallow flavoring (I was out of Vanilla) and a little Light Corn syrup.. I think it makes them a little more shiny! And my favorite pink cocktail (or only, since I don't drink much) It's just 1 1/2 oz of Tequila Rose (tastes like strawberry) and 1 oz vanilla coffee creamer mixed and then the glass filled with milk.. I have seen other versions that also add an ounce of Creme de Cacao.. that is a little too strong for me, but it sounds yummy! I took down allll that pink and red yesterday.. now I am cleaning and working on St.Patricks day stuff (I hardly have any) I plan on doing the same kids things as I did last year..

I will take pictures of the jars this time though. I did get a couple new things since last year.. a little green vase and a green tray that has a cute little shape.. I snagged a couple colors I liked it soo much! I just have 1 little clover candy dish but I added some skittles to it.. for the Rainbow look. I have been looking for a couple other rainbow things.. finding NOTHING! I will post some pics once I have stuff up!!
 
I dont think I mentioned it on here at all, but our littlest kiddo is having surgery next week.. I JUST started a blog so family (and whoever else wants) can see the before and after pics and get some info.. it's hard to explain it over and over to family and friends... I am pretty emotional about it.. He just seems SOO tiny to be having surgery (he will be 5 months the day before his surgery). So it will be quiet over here but hopefully busy over THERE.
I can't wait to have it all over and done with.. Once we are home I will feel much better about everything.. and I am READY to Spring Clean.. so I might post a few more times between now and his surgery.. I like to PLAN before I do any cleaning! The other big thing we have going on is the baby stuff sale I participate in 2 times a year.. I have bins and bins of stuff that need to be organized since last time and prepped and all that.. Every sale I hope to sell everything... but it doesnt usually work that way...By the way Oregon Mommy's, Sale is March 13th in Salem at Blanchet Catholic School 9am!!

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Even though I said I wouldn't!!

I did end up finding 1 Valentines Day item that I couldn't pass up.. when I first bought this bunting, or banner, pendant whatever you call em, it had hot glued letters that said Be My Valentine... the letters just weren't my style.. but I can use this one for SOO many holidays, I just couldn't pass it up! This is not where I plan on putting it ever.. but I am short and cannot reach the insides of the top of the windows.. Waiting for my hubby to put it up when he has time.. hopefully this week, or I will just put it away for my Summer Stuff!! The red with just barely off white polka dots and the fluffy edges were just perfect!!

And I took a couple pictures of my Home Management Binder too.. My photo skills are lacking though, but I think you get the idea!

Happy Tuesday!!

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Check out Etsy.com for Valentines Day Goodies!

I am one of those parents that really doesn't let the kids have candy often, so sometimes I struggle to find them a small treat for Valentines Day and Easter. I could browse Etsy.com for hours and find a hundred new cute things I would have never guessed existed! I found these and think they are PERFECT for Valentine's day instead of all that candy the retail stores have or a stuffed animal that will soon be collecting dust. There are a couple different styles, but the hearts are perfect! They are stuffed little felt heart shaped cookies with embroidered numbers on them, and they come with a little customized bag.. SO cute! I prefer to shop Etsy.com knowing that I can get the kids some handmade stuff!

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Valentines Day 2010

I posted all my decorations last year.. you can find them HERE. I did do things a little different though... maybe I will try to take a couple pics in the next few days!
I don't think I have any new ones. Been looking for vintage inspired goodies but have had a hard time with it.

Our 2 oldest kids birthdays are the beginning of February so I try to hold off on doing Valentines Day stuff until after their party... But then I try to make everything pink or heart shaped for them! These are some of the kids favorites for
Breakfast
~Pink Cream of wheat.. and I use a candy mold and make the brown sugar heart shaped, or instead of brown sugar and pink dye you can use strawberry syrup, then its pink and sweet! (pic)

~Strawberry instant oatmeal with a few cupcake sprinkles

~Pink scrambled eggs

~pink heart shaped pancakes!

(you can do red, I prefer not to because to make it red you need a WHOLE container of red and I really don't want them to get that much food coloring)

Lunch

~Heart shaped sandwiches

~heart shaped quesadillas.. I cut out a few hearts before I cook them!

There is also some heart shaped pasta you can get at a few places I got these at Cost Plus World Market. They take much longer to cook.. but if you add some pink food coloring to the water for boiling your regular pasta it will make them pink.. but it is pretty pale colored!

Snacks

~I am sure there are way more but mine LOVE apples.. so apples with PB and a few sprinkles!

Alright.. and these aren't pink or heart shaped.. but the name alone makes them sweet! Thanks to Robyn at Housewife Cooking for the recipe!

Love Puffs
1/3 cup shortening*
1 cup sugar, divided
1 egg
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
6 tablespoons butter, melted
In a small bowl, beat shortening, 1/2 cup sugar and egg until smooth. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg; add to the sugar mixture alternately with milk. Fill greased muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Meanwhile, combine cinnamon and remaining sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll the warm puffs in butter, then in cinnamon-sugar. Serve immediately. Makes about 1 dozen.*I like Butter Flavored CRSICO for the shortening. Picture at top is Love Puffs!

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~Valentine's Day Dinner ~

Since I only grocery shop once every 2 weeks (other than milk and veggies) I am making our meal plans for the next 2 weeks including Valentine's Day. Of course we want to do something special that won't cost a ton, like going out does. This is what I have planned so far. This stew is SO good, spicy and sweet and soo good! Cowhand Stew ( from All-American Cowboy Cookbook )

3 Pounds Beef -- Cubed

2 Tablespoons All-Purpose Flour

1 Teaspoon Paprika

1 Teaspoon Chili Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

4 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil

2 Onions -- Sliced

1/4 Teaspoon Dried Minced Garlic

1/4 Cup Soy Sauce

1 16-Ounce Can Stewed Tomatoes

1 11.5-Oz Can Spicy Hot V-8 Juice

2 Tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce

1/2 Cup Chunky Style Mild Salsa

1 Teaspoon Chili Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Cloves

1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 Cup Yukon Jack Whiskey

1/2 Teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper

2 Cups Potatoes

2 Cups Chopped Carrots

1 Cup Chopped Celery

Coat the beef in a mixture of flour, paprika, 1 teaspoon chili powder, and salt. Brown in oil in a Dutch oven. Stir in remaining ingredients. Stir a couple of times while cooking. Cook until vegetables are done, about 45 minutes. It can be served then, or let it simmer awhile. I have never tried it in a crock pot but I think you could probably do it AFTER the meat browning.
That's the recipe but we aren't big fans of onions so we don't use the onions or garlic and it still works great for us, I am sure you can omit what you don't like as far as veggies go. Same with the Yukon Jack, If I have some I add it, if not it's still good!

I plan to bake some cute heart shaped biscuits and use my old fashioned heart cookie cutter with the little knob handle.

I will of course be making some cupcakes! Probably Chocolate since it is the kids and Ryan's favorite! BUT I have been working on some cute little shavings for them that are easy enough to make.
You have to layer the candy melts or chocolate (whatever you are using) you can use anything to hold it as long as it can handle the heat/cold from hot to fridge without being damaged. I used a plastic hot dog holder. Just melted the chocolate and poured it in, put it in the fridge to set then did the same thing with the next 2 layers. Once it is cooled you can use a cheese slicer to make curls or a carrot peeler to make shavings.. and they are all 3 colors as long as you slice on the sides where you can see the 3 layers.

No pink or red cocktails here for Valentines Day.. Maybe some Wine though. Our fave is Willamette Valley Vineyards "Oregon Blossom"!

I have already started thinking about what I have for ST. PATRICKS day! Doesn't seem like 2 weeks till all this pink and red goes away for another year!

Tomorrow and the next day are the wee one's birthdays so I will be busy I'm sure! Hope everyone has a great week!

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Another V-day find and project!

An entire book of Vintage Valentines! So cute, so cheap, only $5 and there are coupons for Borders ALL the time, get you a coupon and check these out in the kid section.. Entire Display of Valentines Stuff!

This is what they look like up close! Some are flocked ( like fuzzy posters ) I absolutely love these!

I had some old Ric Rac so I just sewed em on real quick and attached em to the Fireplace.. I have a obsession with ric rac and vintage things.. really how could I NOT do this!

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