Recipes

I have made some really good recipes lately that I had to share. Found them via Pinterest, of course, my current favorite site right now. Click on the title of the recipe and it will take you to the source and recipe.

Brownie Peanut Butter Cups

These were divine. Nothing better than the combination of chocolate and peanut butter.

Cream Cheese Banana Bread

I have tried a lot of banana bread recipes and this one is by far the best. I think its the cream cheese in the bread batter and there is a cinnamon sugary topping that takes it up a notch from the normal banana bread.

Poppyseed Chicken

I'm not a huge fan of casseroles, but last week I got lazy and made this recipe. It was delicious. Super easy and it makes a lot so you can eat for two nights. Ryan ate it up - he loved it which if the husband loves it, that is always a great sign :)

The Best Broccoli Ever!

Seriously, this is the best broccoli of your life. I am not a huge broccoli fan, but I will eat it because it is good for you. When I read the recipe, I would never have thought about roasting broccoli like you do asparagus, but try it, you will love it. The crispiness the roasting adds to the broccoli paired with the lemon zest and parmesan cheese makes you want to go back for seconds and thirds.

Bon Appetit!

More Soccer...

This past weekend we had a lot of fans to come watch Brayden play soccer...the most important was Daddy finally got to come! So far, he has had games to coach during each of Brayden's games, so he hadn't been able to come to one yet. Brayden did a lot better when Ryan was there - you could tell he was trying to impress him. He still is not 100% into it, but we will see. Mimi and Pappy came and Nana and Poppy and Aunt Kamilia, Uncle Ryan and Cousins Cooper and Charlee also came to watch! A big crowd!

Water break

Daddy giving a pep talk

Team huddled up

Tunnel after the game

Cousins :)

Cousins and Poppy

Painting Pumpkins

Last week we tried to get into the mood of the Fall, even though it is still pretty hot here. *I really wish it would get cooler soon!* So we went to the grocery store and bought a few pumpkins and brought them home and painted on them. We will get to the carving of a pumpkin later :) Anyways, it was fun and I took a few pics:

First Soccer Game - Go Team Barcelona!

Brayden had his very first soccer game today. I was a bit nervous because his second practice he really wasn't into as much as the first one and the game today was scheduled at 2 right in the middle of naptime but he did great! I was really proud of him. It was pretty hot and he was tired by the end of it, but he got in there and ran hard and tried to get the ball. They all looked so cute running around. Granted they have only had two practices so they still aren't sure of what they are doing, but it was fun. I think he had fun too. When he was asked to sit out, he would look at me and ask when he could go in again. Then after it was all over he walked up to his coach and said "Hey Coach, See you on Monday!" So I think he's back in it. :) Go Team Barcelona.

Warming up.

A little nervous...

Pre-game talk

Sweet boy

He's #2, next week I will have to use a different lens -- to zoom in.

Post-game snack and drink.

Proud mommy!

First Soccer Practice!

Brayden started soccer this fall. This is exciting for our household obviously with Daddy being a big soccer coach and all :) Ryan was able to go to his first soccer practice with him and he actually did really great! He got in there and did all of the things the coach asked him and listened and kicked the ball and had fun. We will see how it all goes - should make for an interesting season with a 3 almost 4 year old :) I will say all the little boys look adorable. His team is Team Barcelona!

PS - no, he is not crying here - he was just tired from practice and did not want to take a photo :)

Art Projects Galore!

It has been so hot this summer - I have been finding lots of art projects to do to beat the heat. Brayden has loved it and of course, I had enjoyed teaching him to be creative as well. :) Here are a few of the projects we did:

PAINTERS TAPE LETTERS

MORE WATERCOLORING...

RAINBOW COLLAGE PROJECT

SQUIRT GUN PAINTING

Canvas Silhouette DIY

So since Memorial Day I have been obsessed with this website called Pinterest. I have gotten so many great ideas on food, design, crafts, entertaining, fashion, you name it -- it is the coolest and most creative site I have ever come across. It is my dream come true. :) I came across this adorable project of a canvas silhouette of your child and had to do it. Thanks to www.justcallmechris.blogspot.com. Here is a tutorial:

Supplies you need: a enlarged printed profile photo of your child (or children, if you want to do more than one! in my case its just my sweet boy), paintbrush, 12x12 square canvas, white acrylic paint, color of your choice paint (Brayden chose blue :) ), a sheet of duct tape (you can find this in any crafts store

An example of the printed profile photo - my ink was going out of my printer but luckily it worked to my advantage. NOTE: I already had this photo somehow of him in profile - but if you take some of your child - it would be better to do it against a white wall.

First, paint the canvas all over with white paint.

While the white paint is drying trace the profile with a pencil. Sorry this is a terrible photo - the shadow dome at the bottom.

Once you trace the profile, cut it out.

Trace the profile onto the sheet of duct tape and then cut it out and then stick it on the canvas. Make sure the white paint is good and dry. Be sure and press it especially around the edges so when you paint the color on the color will not bleed into the profile.

Paint it the color you desire. ** I had to use a few coats. Also, I switched to a small roller brush, it made the color have a better all-over finish. I did not like the brush strokes the brush was giving me. Luckily acrylic dries very quickly. But I did paint about 4 coats on the canvas. Once dry - pull off the duct tape ...

Then voila! Finished profile!

Here it is with the actual subject :)

It was a really easy and fun project. And it really looks like him. :) Looks great in the playroom.