Our Families Fall Bucket List

LOOK....our very own Fall Bucket List Art.  We were ready to get started like yesterday on this list!  I have been seeing them everywhere and couldn't wait to get started on making one.  I am going to print it out and get it framed so we make sure we don't miss anything!

Have you made your Fall Bucket List yet?

  

Chocolate Coated Marshmallows

MARSHMALLOW POPS! Before I start this post, I have to say that one of my husbands favorite sweet treats are chocolate covered marshmallows. Every once in a while, I make him something sweet just to show him a little more love. It really is true that a way to a mans heart is through his belly...and other things, but that is not this kind of post. Family friendly people! Again, you will hear me say over and over that why buy it when you can make it....so here is our homemade chocolate covered marshmallow pops recipe. 

Shove your sucker sticks through the center of your marshmallows and flash freeze them so they will stay on the stick when you are dipping.

Melt your white chocolate discs in a double broiler. I used a tempered glass bowl over a pot 1/2 full of boiling water.

 (around 20 discs heat over med and stir as they melt)

 Roll your marshmallow around to coat in chocolate.

 Roll it in graham cracker crumbles.

 Roll it in coconut flakes.

 Or you can roll it in both...coconut first because their will be open spots.

Place upside down and stick in the fridge for about 15 minutes to have a nice stable form.

Graham cracker covered marshmallow pops.

Coconut covered marshmallow pops.

 Graham cracker/coconut covered marshmallow pops.

White chocolate covered marshmallow pops.

These all were great and would be a great party snack for everyone...as long as you like them of course. They are a little messy to make, but well worth it once everyone is enjoying them. Our daughter has been sick lately and has been a good bit of time home from school this week, so this was something to also cheer her up a little. I hope you enjoyed this post and we would love to hear about your sweet treats!

BBQ Pulled Pork Sheperds Pie

Are you ready for this?  Wow, what a great idea my husband came up with.  He wanted me to call it "Hungry Man Pie."  Sounds good huh. BBQ pulled pork and sheperds pie are both really great examples of soul food, the kind you love to warm up with and fill your belly with. I will right to it, so you can make some too.

Boil potatoes, season and mix your potatoes

 When your pork is warm enough to touch, get your fork or use your fingers to get your pork pulled.

 Add your bbq sauce.

 Add around 1 1/2 cup veggies.

 Add the potatoes as the top layer.

 Bake in the oven until slightly crisp with bubbling juices.

Add your cheese and place back into oven.

 Specifics on the How Tos:

Boil 2 1/2 pounds potatoes.
Pull off the amount of skins you want or leave them on.
Mash potatoes up.

Add: 1/2 cup Heavy Cream, Sea Salt, Pepper, 1 cup Sour Cream and blend. You can always add a little more of the Heavy or Sour Cream for a smoother mix, but you want to make sure you don't make it too smooth because you want it to keep its form.

Shred around 2 1/2 pounds pulled pork and mix your favorite BBQ sauce. (I used Kansas City Style Cattlemans BBQ sauce) or enough to coat 1/2 of the bottom of the casserole dish.

Add around 1 1/2 cup of veggies on top of the pulled pork layer.  I used a little corn and a little broccoli. I didn't want to take away from the meat and potatoes with veggies.

Add your layer of potatoes.  Bake at 350 degrees around 30/45 minutes until the top of the potato layer is slightly crusty with bubbling juices from the side.

Sprinkle some cheese and let sit for about 10 minutes. Cut up and serve.

Happy Baking!



You Challenge- 7 Wants

Week 7 joining Lauren & Tiffany on the 10 Week You Challenge. 

 So this week is four books.  I usually end up reading more kids books than anything, but here are four books I have liked the most and would look at more than once.

This is the very first complete series I have ever read.  I tried to read the Vampire Diaries to see what happened instead of waiting for the following season, but it wasn't the same so I didn't finish them. I finished them all in like a month and a half.  I just couldn't put them down. I love that it keeps you guessing and you really couldn't guess what happens in the end. Out of the 3 my favorite was Catching Fire.  

EATING FOR LIFE

I love pretty much every single recipe in this book. It is by far my favorite recipe book. It isn't about calories, it is about getting the right amount of everything your body needs.  Its not about dieting it is about a healthy lifestyle.  A very informative and inspiring author.  I also like Transformation, which in addition to this book helped me lose 30 pounds previously.

THE HELP

I love, love, love this book and the movie. It has so much heart & you can just feel it, or at least I can.

As you flip through the pages you are like wow, wow, wow.....and what a great idea.  I caught this book on sale for only 1.99 and I ended up going back for 2 more so I could use one for each of the kids and keep one to make copies of.  That is how much of a awesome book this is.  I love every book that is creative, fun, thrifty and kid friendly. 

So there are four books I like.  What are four books you like?  

Are you linking up too?

Tuesday Pinspirations for Fall

I feel so bad, I have been neglecting my Pinterest.  Bad me!  I did want to share a few of my latest pins that I have put on my To Do list.

Make a:

We did that here.

 Make Apple Pie cookies....stay tuned for the recipe this week.

 Decorative paper wheels via the ever so creative Martha Stewart.

These are super cute and we have them on our to do list.

Time out bottles.

I have all of the supplies, but the bottles. This is VERY soon to be post, not only for my 4 year old but for my sanity...I hope. We made wonder bottles instead! You can check that post out here.

Mercury Glass! 

I love the look and I will be redecorating a few glass votives so stay tuned for that and the instructions.
We made faux mercury bells and faux mercury candle holders.

What are you loving this week on Pinterest?

 

Supporting Fellow Moms

This weekend my children and I went down to our local Art Fest and wanted to have some fun with chalk art.  My children had a good time making their masterpieces and the above art piece is my contribution to support our local mommies group.  Also, to get the word out there a little more in hopes of being that support that another mom may need. 

Central Foothills Mommies?  

A site made by moms that is ran by moms.  Every member is a mother so everyone has the opportunity to contribute online and offline.  The Mommies Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping moms find FREE support and friendship in their local communities.

We chat online in a private forum - discussing everything from the gardening to different approaches to effectively deal with temper tantrums and all that lies between. We meet up regularly at events around town hosted by fellow moms.  Whether it's a late night commiseration on a crying baby (there are 4 am posts to prove it) or a Mom's Night Out, CentralFoothillsMommies provides what our members need, when and how they need it.

CentralFoothillsMommies is more than just a community of moms. It's moms in and for the community. Our members work full time, stay home full time, work part time, represent many races, are pregnant for the first time, are adoptive moms, were adopted themselves, recently moved to the area, have lived here all our lives, have twins, are happy with one, are single moms, are searching out schools and have watched their kids graduate. In other words, we are a reflection of mothers in the real world. And we help out our neighbors as much as ourselves through organized fundraisers and other charity events - specifically those focused on providing for mothers and their children.  I know if I am in need someone will be there, and that means a lot.

What has Central Foothills Mommies done for me?

Central Foothills Mommies was a blessing to me when I became a part of this wonderful community. We moved to NC around 5 years ago and for many years I felt all alone while lacking a support system. My husband works a lot so it is often just me and it gets hard to feel like a functioning social person after so long of not being. I searched for support in other directions and they were just not what I was looking for or needed. Everything always felt like a one way relationship. I became a member almost a year ago and it was the best thing I have done in a long time. I feel like I belong and that I am not all alone when my husband is gone. Also, my children have a pretty good time at our special events and the playdates. 

I have somewhere to express happy things going on in my life, vent, receive prayers in hard times but I can also talk about anything on my mind and have others there as support and providing friendly feedback and advice. Another thing I LOVE about being a member is that it is not just about you, it is about every other mom as well. We take part in community events as much as we possibly can whether it is providing coloring sheets for an event, donating coats, volunteering at local events. It is sending something special to a member to congratulate them, cheer them up or just because. Central Foothills Mommies makes it all possible as a team.

We serve over 30,000 women in our mission to provide a safe and FREE place to find support and encouragement, advice and friendship.

Each dollar you donate allows our network to run for about 8 minutes. Your donation assists us in maintaining our chapters, expanding our network, upgrading critical technologies, and providing the very best place for moms to find what they are missing, online and in real life.

I look forward to being a part of this wonderful organization and being the best fellow mom I can be for a long time.  I am passionate about being part of a greater cause and feeling like I am making a difference.  I hope you will take time to visit our Annual Appeal Page for more information.  We are located all over the United States and hope to grow even more.

What kind of organizations or volunteering opportunities are close to your heart?

Candy Coffee & Cocoa

Yes!  I love cocoa mixed with my coffee, however this is not that kind of post.  It ranks at a better and more decadent level.  We often travel back home to the Gulf Coast every year, and it is SUCH a long drive.  With that being said I want to share a little secret we use to keep us awake when we start feeling the need to doze off.   Normally we buy a Milky Way or a 3 Musketeer and a 1/2 Cappucino 1/2 super strong coffee; then we drop the candy bar into the cup and let it melt.  Super sugar overload, but it does the trick and we can keep going. 

It is just delicious and certainly can't be limited to 1 time a year. 

Here is another way to get that yummy goodness. 

Buy one of the said candy bars or any other one that melts nicely without chunky ingredients.

Flavored Coffee Creamer

Coffee

One of those nice big Cocoa mugs you can get around CHRISTmas time.

Step 1:

Take a bite of the candy bar(3 Musketeer) and stick it to the middle of the cup.

 Step 2:

Pour a little flavored coffee creamer into the bottom of the cup.  I used chocolate caramel.

 Step 3:

Pour your coffee in right below the top of the candy bar.

 Step 4:

Squirt some cool whip and drizzle some chocolate and enjoy.

Now of course, you can't leave the kiddos out! 

We warmed up some milk and mixed some marshmallow cocoa powder in for the kids special drink.

Topped them with whip cream and chocolate/caramel drizzle. The kids enjoyed this very much!

Woohoo!  Today is the first day of Fall.  What a perfect way to cozy up with your family to celebrate this day than with a nice warm, chocolatey drink.

The Best Pasta Salad Ever

Simple & Quick Pasta Salad! 

Winner! Winner!

I love making meals that are quick and simple; they are perfect for not only me but our family.  Normally it is just me and my kiddos, so I like low maintenance meals.  So I wanted to share this tasty new recipe we tried this week.  I don't know if you have ever seen Pioneer Woman on Food Network, but she is my number 1 right now.   I am so glad I was bored one day searching for something to watch on tv and BAM there she was in the On Demand menu.  I have watched several of her shows I haven't seen on the tv via internet, checked out her blogs and scanned through recipes on Food Network.com.  Obsessed, slightly but it is for a good cause.

I really like watching things others create and even more when it relates to my family.  Complicated recipes with ingredients I have to google to find out what they are just do not excite me and more than likely I won't be too interested in searching for recipes from them for ideas.  When I can watch a show and have the ingredients already in my kitchen without having to make a special trip to the store to get the ingredients I am forever loyal.

I know, I know get on with the recipe already.  Ree had made a "Kid Friendly Pasta Salad," but I changed a few of the ingredients because that is just what I do. 

Pasta Salad

Beautiful!

Ingredients:

12 oz of Noodles

1/2 cup Mayo

1/2 cup Whole Milk

4 Tbl.White Vinegar

1/2 tsp salt

Dash of sugar

6 slices crispy Bacon

2 diced Tomatoes

8 oz. Sprinkle Cheese or Cubed Cheese

Sprinkle of Chives

Sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese

• Boil your noodles and drain. 
• Crispify your bacon and place on paper towels to soak up excess fat; then crumble.
• Dice up your tomatoes.
• Whisk Mayo, Milk, Vinegar, Salt and Sugar together in a bowl.
• Add the wet mix to your noodles, then the bacon and tomatoes.
• Add your cubed cheese or sprinkle cheese. (I didn't have enough block cheese on hand)
• Mix until blended and serve.

I sprinkled some parmesan cheese and chives on top and served with Focaccia bread.  It was a bit tangy for us the first go round, but the next day cold it was just delicious and the flavors blended so well. I would chill this before serving.  This will make a come back in our home for sure, but with cubed cheese of course. 

Who do you love getting inspired by to make delicious meals for your family?

Wooden Learning Puzzles

I am always on the look out for thrifty learning things for the kids.  There is this little store that is hidden in a little area located up in town that could easily be missed, but luckily I know where it is.  We don't go there very often, but we happened to stop in.

I found these awesome wooden puzzles.  Guess how much they were.....okay I will tell you!  They were only .99; you just can't beat learning and sturdy wood in one.  I just had to pick some up.

These are perfect for my 4 year old and they are nice and colorful.

I got this one for our 7 year old.  She hasn't started learning this yet in school, but it is never too early to introduce it to her.  Sorry if it is a little blurry.

I just love running across deals. I am a sucker for .99 finds especially. 

Don't you just love running across bargains!  What is your latest bargain?

Silhouette Paintings from Local Art Students

I love silhouettes; they are just so pretty.  It was only natural to want to snap a few pictures of all my favorites. These silhouette portraits that local high school art students painted and displayed throughout the mall. This is a wonderful way to show the talent of all of these students and open your eyes to the way some else views are and what their inspiration led to them painting.

This one is my favorite...it just reminds me of a romantic date night.

This one would be really pretty in my little girls room ad I love the sunset colors.

Could possibly be a big brother cheering up a little sister.  I think this would have been so much prettier with a little orange or pink in the back ground and the little boy and little girl a little further apart...just my take on it.

This would be a really great man den portrait for a man that hunts.  My husband doesn't hunt, but I really like this photo. It wants me to get an Autori and shoot some ducks. Yes, I am an 80's child and the duck shooting game, Mario and Pac Man were bomb games! 

I really like all kinds of silhouettes, how about you?

You Challenge- 5 Foods I Love

I am joining Lauren and Tiffany for week 6 of the You challenge.

I am a serious foodie!  It is so hard to pick just 5, because there are so many different cuisines I love.

Here's my top 5:

Ci Ci's Spinach Alfredo Pizza. It has the perfect blend of everything, not too little and not too much.  I will go just to get this pizza. I love many kinds of pizza, but this is my absolute favorite.

 Skip the salsa or bean dip, give me some Queso!  Queso Blanco Dip you get in Mexican restaurants is just to die for.  We recently tried queso with chorizo in it and it is so delicious, but it is SO greasy.

Pot Roast is my ultimate soul food. It takes me to a happy place.  I am not a big meat person, but I can eat pot roast all by itself with nothing on it.  This says A LOT, because I normally do not eat meat without something on it.

Philly Cheese Steak with all of its gooey cheese and the crunch of the toasted bun...mmmm.  I am a lover of cheese!

Truffles are the most delicate little balls of mouth watering sweetness. I love chocolate, so these are always on my love list.  There are so many options to try & they never get old.  A instant cure for a sweet tooth or a better mood.

Oh my goodness, now I am craving some delicious food. 

Whats on your top foods list?

~Check out my featured post for the Fall Crawl Link up today over at The Artsy Girl Connection! Come and link up your Fall creations. ~

Fall Crawl- DIY Centerpiece

Wow, there are only a few days until the official start of Fall.  We are blessed with beautiful Fall colors every year in North Carolina.

I am so honored to be a part of Marilyn's Fall Crawl with 9 other lovely blogging ladies! You can find all of their Fall creations over at the Fall Crawl link up. This is my very 1st feature in bloggy world; Yay!   It took me a while to figure out what I was going to do being the over analyzing procrastinator I am.  I have a great love of centerpieces, but have yet to create my own.

Fall Centerpiece:

Materials for Glitter Candle: 

Mod Podge Matte

Fall colored brownish/goldish/orangish fine glitter (on sale at Micheals for 1.99)

Artificial Fall leaves (picked up at AC Moore for .99)

Candle holder (Dollar Tree)

Candle holder Cylinder (Dollar Tree)

Glass Gems

Epoxy

Sandpaper(helps the Epoxy adhere better)

~Mix a some glitter with the Mod Podge and spread evenly on candles surface

~Sprinkle glitter around all sides(I put it on top of a cleaned out baby food jar to spread evenly along the bottom)

~Let dry

*Sandpaper slightly around the rim of the candle stick holder; clean off.

*Place Epoxy mix on surface and place glass cylinder on top; let dry.

*Epoxy gems around rim of candle stick for decoration.

Arrange artificial leaves around the bottom with corners facing up.
Place glittered Mod Podge pillar in the center.

Materials for Cinnamon Candle:

1 pack +1(10 1/2)cinnamon sticks cut in 1/2 (Dollar Tree)

Spool of sheer purple ribbon( $1 @ Walmart)

1/2 pearl bead

Rubber band

Glass candle plate(Dollar Tree)

Glass leaf gems

~Measure up your cinnamon sticks to your pillar and cut.

~Place rubber band around the top of 3 in. pillar & arrange your cinnamon sticks around.

~Fold your sheer ribbon in 1/2 and tie into a pretty bow; attach 1/2 sticky pearl onto center.

Pretty and smells like Fall!

Do you make your own centerpieces?

You can join the fun by linking up your Fall creations too.  We will be crawling all the way to September 22nd, so come join us @ the Fall Crawl linky party!