Reese's Valentine Day Cookies

If I could choose one candy to eat for the rest of my life, it would for sure be Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  Pair that with a peanut butter cookie?  I'm yours.  I saw these last year over on I Heart Naptime and made then right away.  Well I made them again today, and they are delish. One thing the recipe doesn't mention though...wait a minute or a few before putting the peanut butter heart on the cookie.  I had quite a few hearts melt the first time I made these. 

 

 

Reese's Peanut Butter Valentine Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 cups peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sugar for rolling dough in
• 1 package reese's peanut butter cups

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, stir peanut butter and sugar together until smooth. Beat in the eggs, then stir in the baking soda, salt, and vanilla. Place 1/2 cup sugar in a small bowl. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and then roll into sugar. Place the balls 2 inches apart onto a greased cookie sheet.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Place reese's peanut butter cup on top of the cookies after you remove them from the oven.

Valentine's Day Treats...

I have been back to pinning a lot now that I am on maternity leave and I have seen so many cute ideas for Valentines Day.  Because of this I thought I would bring back one of my posts from last year that seems to be getting a lot of attention on Pinterest this year.  These are all really cute and really easy ideas for your Valentine's Day party or just because.  In fact, Jack and I will be making the peanut butter hearts today, those are one of my all time favs.  So enjoy! 

1  valentine's krispie treats from babies, paper and song

2   i heart nap time's reese's peanut butter cookies

3.  valentine pretzels from the family kitchen

4.  valentine popcorn from give me some oven

5.  rachel cooks spiral sugar cookies

6.  pizzazzerie's red velvet milkshakes

 

P.s.  I also had to add a little pic of my little sleeping beauty....I can't believe that she is almost 2 months already!!!!

 

 

Please Welcome...

Anya Everly. 

Born December 20, 2013. 6 lbs. 12 oz, 20inches of perfectness. 

 

 She was the best Christmas present we could have asked for.  We even had her newborn pictures done already, and I am in love with them.

 

 

 

I was very worried how Jack was going to be.  I was worried about how he would feel, if he would be mean to her , or us, and if he would feel left out.  So far he is doing such a great job as a big brother....

 

 

I hope to be back blogging more now.  I thought about quitting and I know I took a long break, but I really wanted to keep it up, if only for me.   I hope you all had a good holiday and new year, and I hope you all didn't forget about me.

 

 

Holiday Peeps and How They Changed Me

I can't believe Christmas (and my baby's due date) are only 43 days away.   I am trying to get my Christmas shopping done as early as possible in case the baby arrives early, and I wanted to share a great addition to those holiday gifts. 
PEEPS.

I have to admit, my husband and I never liked PEEPS.  I don't know why...maybe it's because we never gave them a real chance.  Well when I was sent these tasty little delights to try, we had to give them a second chance..especially the ones with chocolate. 

 

We are now in love.  Especially with these little guys:

They are nothing but wonderful.  Candy cane flavored PEEPS dipped in even more wonderful chocolate.  I am now going to be stocking up on these for us and to add to my family's gifts this year.  There are so many other great flavors this holiday from PEEPS including:

 

• New Sugar-Cookie Flavored Marshmallow Chicks Dipped in Milk Chocolate (3 count)
• Gingerbread Flavored Gingerbread Men (6 ct and New 3 count)
• Chocolate Dipped Candy Cane Flavored Marshmallow Chicks (3 count)
• Chocolate (milk or dark) Covered Mint Flavored Marshmallow Trees (individually wrapped)
• Chocolate Mousse Flavored Marshmallow Reindeer (6 count)
• Trees (3 and 9 count)
• Snowmen (3 and 9 count)
• Peppermint Flavored Marshmallow Stars (9 count)
• Christmas Rainbow Pop (4 count)
  
  PEEPS has a wide range of Christmas offerings this year.  I know you or your children would love to find these in their stocking, and they make the perfect little gift for friends, co-workers, or family!

Disclosure:  I have received a free sample of the PEEPS Christmas offerings so that I may complete an honest review of their product.  All opinions are my own.   

Halloween

Happy Halloween from Mike Wazowski!

 

I hope you all had a great Halloween!

4

Today Jack is 4....I can't believe it has been 4 years already.  We had a party with his friends over the weekend, ate, lots of cake and Jack opened tons of presents.  Last night when we were talking about his birthday he said to me "I want to stay 3 forever, I like being 3".  I feel  the same way.  Happy Birthday.

 

Pumpkin Chocolate Bundt Cake

The above picture does not do this cake justice.  This is one of the moistest, simple yet delicious tasting cakes I have made.  Making this made me realize how much I love a bundt cake. There is just something about it. 

Anyways, my love of pumpkin continues with this recipe, and if you are a pumpkin lover, I suggest you give this one a try. 


Marbled Pumpkin-Chocolate Bundt Cake

 

 Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 2⅔ cup(s) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon(s) baking powder
• 2 teaspoon(s) baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 stick(s) (1 cup) butter, softened
• 1¾ cup(s) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs, at room temperature
• 2⅓ cup(s) canned 100% pure pumpkin
• 6 ounce(s) semisweet baking chocolate, melted as pkg directs and cooled
• 2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoon(s) pumpkin pie spice
• Garnish: confectioners’ sugar

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Coat a 10-in.-diameter (12-cup) bundt pan with nonstick spray.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with mixer on high speed 3 minutes or until pale and fluffy. On medium speed, beat in eggs, 1 at a time. On low speed, beat in pumpkin (mixture will look curdled), then flour mixture until just blended.
3. Pour 1⁄2 the batter into another bowl. Stir melted chocolate, then vanilla into 1 bowl, pie spice into the other. Alternating batters, drop large spoonfuls into bundt pan. Run a knife through batters to marbleize. Smooth the top.
4. Bake 1 hour or until a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack 15 minutes (cake may settle a bit). Invert cake on rack. Turn cake right side up and cool completely.
5. To serve: Place on a large cake plate; surround with pumpkins and leaves. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar.

Wordless(ish) Wednesday..first day of school

Yes, it was Jack's first day of Preschool Monday.  I couldn't sleep the night before, worrying that he will be scared or sad, or that other kids will be mean to him.  I worried about making friends and about him growing up.  But I knew the day had to come.

 

There were some tears (from both of us) but on our way out we peeked in to see Jack playing and smiling....and that's all I could ask for.  He even came home saying he loved school!  I hope you all are having a great week, it's almost fall!!!!

20 weeks

This is my last full week off of break.  I have been spending everyday with Jack, swimming, going to the park, going for walks, etc. ...just enjoying our last Summer alone together.  We are excited to have a new member to the family this Winter, but it's also a bit sad that Jack and I won't have as much alone time. 

So last week we went for our 20 week ultrasound.  I can't believe I am half way!  We didn't know what to expect, from it all, and Jack was really hoping for  brother.  Well this Christmas we will be having a......

 

 

GIRL!!!!!

 

Jack was a bit upset at first, and my husband was in shock, but it will be so nice to have girl in our family!

 

I will be back in action more once school starts and as the pregnancy progresses...now I need to start maternity clothes shopping!!

 



a few vacation pics...

I am a little late with these, but over the 4th we went to Disney.  We did all of the parks and had a blast.  Jack loved all the rides and the fireworks were amazing.  I think Jack's favorite part was the Art of Animation hotel.  All of the rooms were Cars themed and I loved it there!  I just wanted to post a few pics of Jack for you all.  I hope you are enjoying your Summer, it is flying by!

Clearwater Beach

Animal Kingdom!

S'more squares....no campfire needed

I posted this last year, and just had to post this again, they are a hit at home, easy for Jack to help me make, and no campfire (or mosquitos!) required.  

Have a great weekend!

Summer S'more Squares
Yields 24

Ingredients:
12 graham cracker sheets
12 large marshmallows
24 Hershey's Kisses

Directions:

Break graham cracker sheets in half. Using a knife (or clean scissors) cut each marshmallow into 2 halves. Heat oven to Low Broil and place oven rack two levels below broiler. Align graham crackers in the center of a cookie sheet about 1/2" apart from each other (be sure they are near the center so they are directly under the broiler and cook more evenly at the same time). Top each graham cracker with a marshmallow with the cut/sticky side down. Place marshmallow topped graham crackers under broiler (turn oven light on if you have one). KEEP WATCHING! Watch them closely as they will toast quickly, allow to toast until golden rotating pan with oven mitt as needed. (I burnt a batch becuase I wasn't watching, so be careful!). Once golden immediately remove from oven, place 1 Kiss in the center of each toasted marshmallow and gently press down. For best results serve warm, just like a real S'more.
*You will probably have to broil two pans, as only about 12 crackers fit on a pan.

A great deal....

I love deal sites...LOVE them, and lately it seems like there are so many great ones.  Well Lilly Lou Finds is one of the newest and cutest deal sites which features handmade shops. They have new deals daily and offer some really great things. 

And it just so happens that right now they are featuring prints from my Smitten Image shop on Etsy!
 

You can choose from the print above and have them personalized for your little one!  Check out my deal here, and be sure to check out all the other great things they have to offer.

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Moms Meet Jamba Juice Review

 Jack and I love smoothies.  So you can imagine how excited we all were to be chosen to try out the new fruit and veggie smoothies at Jamba Juice.  I ordered the Tropical Harvest Smoothie and Jack the Berry Beet It! Kids Smoothie.

I was a little worried that Jack would not like the fruit and veggie smoothie; I thought for sure he would taste the veggies. I took a taste and thought it was really good.... the berries tasted great, and I couldn't even tell there was spinach, kale, or broccoli in it.  

 

The Tropical Harvest smoothie was also WAY better than I thought it would be, it may be one of my new favs.. The flavor from the squash and sweet potatoes was a nice complement to balance out the sweetness of the mangoes. Over all, we really liked both flavors and will definitely be trying them again. The Apple 'n Greens smoothie is next on my list.

Jamba Juice smoothies have also really helped out with my morning sickness during this pregnancy.  They soothed my stomach and gave me the nutrients I need for my day 

Here is more information about the two smoothies we got to try' give them a try for your little ones and I'm sure they will be a hit!

 

 

www.jambajuice.com

www.facebook.com/jambajuice

image (c) Jamba Juice

Tropical Harvest Smoothie - 230 Calories, 16 oz 

Made with a blend of mangoes, peaches, and passion mango juice blended with juices from butternut squash, sweet potato, and carrot. It is dairy and gluten free and a great source of Vitamins A, C, B6 and fiber.

image (c) Jamba Juice

 

 

Berry Beet It! Kids Smoothie - 190 Calories, 9.5 oz 

Made with a blend of strawberries, mangoes, bananas, and mixed berry juice with carrots, beets, broccoli, spinach, kale, and lettuce. It is dairy and gluten free and a great source of Vitamins A, C, B6 and fiber.

Celebrate the 4th with these great ideas....

The 4th is next week.  Next week!?!?!?  I can't believe it.  One reason is probably because we just got out of school, but the 4th always seems to creep up on me and it's one of my favorite holidays.  I love the parades, I love the fests, I love the fireworks, and I for sure I love the food.

This year however, we will not be home for the 4th, we will instead be at....DISNEY WORLD!!!  We cant' wait and I can't wait to share our trip with you.

In the meantime, I have some wonderful 4th of July eats and treats.  Have a great weekend!

Two Pea's and their Pod's Blueberry, Strawberry and Jicama Salad

SnoCone Cupcakes from Bakerella

4th of July Marshmallow Pops

Cookin Cowgirl's Firecracker Cookies

Free 4th of July Printable from My Fabulous Life

Patriotic Popsicles from Just Another Manic Momday

Mom.me's Fruity Ice Drinks

4th of July Banana Splits

Just A Taste's Pinwheel Cookies

Makoodle's Patriotic Oreo Pops

Red White and Blue Jello at Brown Eyed Baker

Wordless(ish) Wednesday

Schoool is finally out!!!! I am so happy and can't wait to relax with Jack.  This will be our last Summer just the two of us so I want to be sure to do tons of fun things.  We will start by going to Disney next week....in the mean time, I wanted to share a few new photos of Jack (and lenny).

Enjoy!