Archives for March 2020

Some-bunny is One Cookies

March 31, 2020 Leave a Comment

A friend of mine contacted me a couple of months ago to commission cookies for her daughter’s first birthday party. I was so excited when she told me the theme was “Some-bunny is one!” because I had never done those before! With Easter right around the corner, I wanted to share these little cuties for inspiration! If you need to fill an Easter basket, trying these out is a great idea! (Grab the Cookie Recipe here and the Icing recipe here!)!

Isn’t her name just the most gorgeous thing ever?! And I love the blush, gold and eucalyptus color scheme!

This little set was so much fun to do! I got to play around with my bunny’s look, and test out a few new floral techniques as well. If you try them, post and tag me on social media- I would love to see!

Bacon Cheddar Scones

March 30, 2020 Leave a Comment

Back at the end of February, just before Lilliana was born, we threw Addilyn an early “Tea for TWO” birthday party. As a true baker, my menu was loaded down with sweets- chocolate covered Oreos, macarons, custom sugar cookies and of course cake! But planning a tea party, I knew that we absolutely needed scones in the lineup as well! In the interest of not adding yet another sweet, I started researching savory recipes and landed on creating a bacon and cheddar scone. Let me tell you guys… these did not disappoint!

Not only did they taste like heaven in your mouth, but check out how pretty the look, just hanging out on that plate! They absolutely completed the overall look I was going for and made it feel like a proper tea party!

Because I love you guys, I am going to share the recipe below! I was so intimidated by scones, but it turns out they are incredibly easy! Even if you don’t have a fancy tea party planned, you need to try these. They make an awesome breakfast and can be stored for up to a week!

Bacon Cheddar Scones

Servings: 16
Time: 40 mins
Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients:

3 Cups Flour (I used all-purpose!)
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 Tsp Salt
2 Tsp sugar
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
12 Tbsp butter, frozen and grated with a cheese grater
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
12 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 & 1/4 cup of heavy cream (you will likely need more to bring the dough together, up to an additional 1/2 cup!)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 400.
Cook and chop your bacon. I cooked mine to crispy texture because I cannot stand chewy bacon. You do you, though!
In a large mixing bowl, combine your dry ingredients. (Flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, garlic powder).
Using a pastry blender (far less messy, but if you don’t have one, your hands work too!), work your frozen butter into the dry ingredients. A crumbly dough should start to form.
Add the 1 1/4 cup of cream to the mixture, and work until large clumps of dough begin to form.
Add in the cheese and bacon and work until everything is incorporated. It is at this point that you may need to gradually add more cream to bring everything together. You don’t want it to be super sticky though!
Once your dough comes together, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface.
Divide your dough in half, and work each half into a 7-8 in round that is about 1 inch thick.
Slice each round into 8 wedges.
Transfer the rounds onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. (I love these pre-cut sheets! They make life so much easier!). You want the sides of each wedge to be pretty much touching so that they rise up instead of flopping to the side.
Using a pastry brush, lightly brush the tops with heavy cream.
Bake for 20-23 minutes, until golden brown.
Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes if serving immediately! If you are making them ahead of time (I did these the night before), store them in an airtight container. When you are ready to serve them, you can warm them in a 300 degree oven until they are heated through. They are also great at room temp!

While you’re here, check out the meal planning mom hack that saves me hours every week!

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

March 27, 2020 Leave a Comment

We are on a serious banana kick over here! Maybe because we are stuck at home, or maybe because the toddler decided one banana into a bunch that she is temporarily over them. In the effort of not wasting, I have been trying to come up with new ways to use them and we have had a blast!

Addie LOVES baking with me. The other day, she requested to make cupcakes, so I set out to create some super moist banana cupcakes. And what better frosting to pair it with than a smooth cream cheese? Still sweet, but not as sweet as buttercream and the perfect match.

The over-ripe bananas added just the right amount of sweetness, and look at how perfectly golden those cuppy cakes come out?!

These stoneware cupcake pans are my favorite. They cook things more evenly and are less prone to burning! The ones I have are Paula Deen and are discontinued, but I have also tried this set that you can get on Amazon and they work just as well!

Of course, when you help mom in the kitchen, it’s a rite of passage that you get to lick the beater when the frosting is done! I think more special than the treats we make are the memories. If you have a toddler, bake with them! Sure it may take a little longer and make a bit more of a mess, but the joy my girl has spending time with me is worth it all!

By the way, she thoroughly approves of the cupcake itself, too! Ignore our mix-matched PJ’s…she wanted to be “wacky!”

I hope that you love these as much as we did! Which I suppose is a good thing since we are quarantined and will be “forced” to eat all 24 by ourselves…

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Servings: 24
Time: 35 mins
Difficulty: easy
Print

Ingredients:

For the cupcakes:

1 stick unsalted butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
4 Large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups mashed over-ripe bananas
1/2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

For the Frosting:

8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
5 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups powdered sugar
2-3 tbsp milk, to thin as needed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line your baking pans with cupcake liners (you will need 24).
Cream the butter and sugar for the cupcake base together in your stand mixer until light and fluffy.
Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
Add the vanilla and banana and mix until smooth.
Combine flour, baking soda and baking powder together in a separate bowl.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing until well incorporated.
Fill each cupcake liner and bake for 15-18 minutes, until your cupcake is set and firm when you lightly touch the top. If you are using a metal pan, they may cook a bit faster, so keep an eye on it!
While your cupcakes are baking, go ahead and make your frosting! Using the whisk attachment on your mixer, whip the butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy.
Add in the vanilla and mix to combine.
Gradually add the powdered sugar a cup a time, mixing well after each addition.
If your icing is too thick, add a bit of milk to thin it to piping consistency. I like my icing firm enough to hold shape, but not so firm that I can’t squeeze it out!
Once your cupcakes are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool to room temperature.
Frost* and enjoy! Store the extras in the fridge!

I prefer to use these piping bags and tips to pipe my icing on for a bakery look! you can totally use a bag with the corner cut off if you don’t have them, though!

Must-Haves for Newborn Life

March 25, 2020 Leave a Comment

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With your first child, it’s super easy to get caught up in the registry check-lists, cute little socks and hair bows for days. There is so much out there that it can be hard to figure out exactly what you truly need, and what you can live without. Honestly, after our first I felt a little overwhelmed by some things, and opted to keep things simpler this time around.

We did not have the space to give Lilliana her own nursery, so I truly have kept things very minimalist for her and honestly, it has been refreshing! So if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure where to start, I am here to help! I have compiled a list of all of the items that I feel we have absolutely needed for our girls. Add these to your Baby Registry and you will be all set (and then add fluff as desired 😉 ).

Side note- we LOVE the Amazon Baby Registry Program! I have used it with both babies and been extremely pleased! We live in a small town without many shopping options, so people love the selection and ability to direct ship! Plus you can find literally anything on Amazon, or add items from external sites, too! They send you an awesome welcome box filled with full-sized products, samples and coupons. And maybe one of my favorite things- once your registry hits a certain amount, you get a discount on diapers for your baby’s first year! They also give a generous registry completion discount to tie up any loose ends before baby comes! We used this discount both times, coupled with gift cards, to buy some of our more expensive items such as the Owlet, our baby monitor, etc.

Anyway, the list… (click each pink link to go to the exact item!). And when you are done, check out my Meal planning hack that has made our life so much easier!

1. Diapers and Wipes

This seems like a no-brainer, but seriously bulk up your registry with these! They are literally the most essential thing you can get! We love Pampers Swaddlers for when they are tiny, but Huggies are good too! I also prefer the Huggies Natural Care wipes, because they are gentle on little bottoms! If you choose the cloth diaper route, I have heard great things about these Mama Koala ones! They are affordable and fit very well!

Edit to add- we also really love Hello Bello and their super convenient bundles with baby number 2!

2. Swaddle Me Velcro Swaddles

These truly are a must-have! Trying to keep a squirmy baby swaddled is tricky. If you are a first time parent that has no clue how to swaddle, even more so! Michael hated trying to get them wrapped properly, and then we had to worry about her working it loose and getting the blanket over her nose and mouth. A friend introduced me to these, and they are a total game changer! Go ahead and stock up on a few packs! We use them every night and every nap!

3. Owlet Smart Sock

I have no idea why I didn’t make this number 1, because it honestly has been my favorite item that we have gotten for our girls. It may be a bit spendy, but it is worth every single penny and then some! I have no idea how people sleep with a newborn without one of these, and it has done wonders for my anxiety. Heck, I didn’t sleep the first few nights even with the Owlet! Not to mention I have several personal friends that have had the Owlet alert them to serious issues with their babies and save their lives. Don’t believe me? Just hop on the reviews! Thousands of SIDS deaths have been prevented. Again, if you are able at all, find a way to get one! Use your completion discount if you do an Amazon registry. Save up gift cards. It will be the best investment that you make for your baby.

4. A Good Video Monitor

While we are talking monitors, another must-have for us! We tried a different brand with Addilyn, and it crapped out on us about a year later. After doing a ton of research, I landed on this Motorola one because it has all of the features that we wanted and great reviews! Some people that use the Owlet don’t use a video monitor, but I would never have been able to move Addilyn out of our room without being able to lay eyes on her. And even with Lilliana in our room, I keep her camera on so that I can see her from our bed in the dark. Night vision is a powerful thing!

5. Baby Sleepers

People love to gift blankets and clothes. It can be easy to wind up with far more than you really need, especially in those newborn days. It was honestly sort of stressful to me with Addilyn, trying to make sure that I got her in every outfit at least once (and grabbed a picture!). In all honesty, if you are anything like us, your baby will spend most of their first months either in swaddles (see number 2!) or in sleepers. Stack your registry with these! Add some staples (Onesies, pants, socks) that can mix and match and a few fun outfits and you really will have all that you need. Go ahead and expect to do laundry almost every day. Babies poop a lot.

6. Boppy

This is one of those things that you will hear people on both sides, but for us it’s a must! Even if you are bottle feeding (it’s absolutely necessary for breastfeeding) you can use this to keep your arm from dying while holding your baby. You can order a cover in all sorts of prints to match just about any nursery, too!

7. White Noise

For as long as I have been with Michael, we have slept with white noise. We were told that it also helps newborns to sleep better because it mimics the womb environment. We have used it with both of our girls from day 1 and it really does help! Simply turning the white noise on signals it is time for rest and helps them switch their gears, but it also gives a little more grace for house noise! This is a tried and true white noise machine (we haven’t had much luck with the “fancy” ones that do ocean waves, etc. It just isn’t the same). When they are teeny tiny, a Baby Shusher is also a game changer! We discovered these at our newborn session for Addie and I had Prime’d one to the house before we left the studio!

8. A Car Seat Cover

Our big world is so germy, and newborns are so teeny tiny. I wanted to do the best I could to protect our girls in any way possible (and discourage strangers from touching!). Not to mention taking your 3 day old into the germ-infested pediatrician’s office! A good carseat cover is the perfect way to do that! We prefer these stretchy ones that can double as nursing covers and make it virtually impossible for unwanted hands to reach in. Grab a couple if you plan to nurse with them- spit up will happen! I have a pretty floral one and a striped one for the hubby!

9. Cloth Diapers

No, I am not telling you to cloth diaper! I don’t have the stomach for that (hey, sister, if you do then go for it!). But let me tell you, boring white cloth diapers are the BEST burp cloths. The cute little ones that they sell in sets are not absorbent, and are usually very small. Your baby will likely launch far more spit than you are prepared for with those. Do yourself a solid and buy a few packs of these.

10. Probiotic Drops

I truly hope that you are lucky enough to not have a colic baby. Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing until you are in the thick of it and totally sleep deprived. We had the hardest time with Addie’s tummy her first few weeks of life. Her Pediatrician suggested getting her on a probiotic to help. Desperate to help her out (and get a few minutes of peace), we ordered these and tried them out. It took about a week to see a major difference, but once they kicked in she was a different baby! She felt better and we felt better. (By the way, they are way cheaper on Amazon than in the store!)

Armed with this knowledge, I went ahead and stocked up on a few bottles to have on hand for Lilliana’s arrival on our registry. Heck, I even used that completion discount to buy a couple more. We started them from the day we came home this time and so far, we haven’t had as many tummy issues! Get a bottle before your babe arrives, just in case!

Other things you will be glad you had on hand:

Gas Drops
Rapid Relief Desitin Rash Cream
Gripe Water
Buckets of Hand Sanitizer!
Baby Bottles (We loved the Dr. Browns for gas reasons. I breastfeed, so bottles are just occasional)
Bottle Brushes
Steam Sterilizer (This one is the best! Super easy and does the trick)
Pacifiers (We like the soothies and NUK pacis!)
Pack N Play (we used one like this with the bassinet built in so that we didn’t need an extra piece of equipment! Addie slept in this the entire time she was in our room)
Backpack Diaper Bag- Sure, the purse styles are cute, but the hands-free is what I fully recommend! We use this one and it has so much space!

I hope that this helped give you some guidance! I made sure that I put anything we used daily on here. If it isn’t on this list, we did not find it absolutely mandatory! Sure, there are all sorts of convenience items but these should cover the necessities to get you by. Good luck, and congratulations!

How to have a super smooth quick labor!

Addilyn’s Birth Story

Lilliana’s Birth Story

Morning Sickness Must-haves

Breastfeeding Must-haves

Postpartum Must-haves

Bedtime Must-haves

Want to stay home with your kids, while still making an income? Check out my Stay-at-home Mom’s Guide to Making Real Money Online!

While you’re here, check out my favorite meal planning hack that saves me hours every week!

10 Ways to Be a Light During the COVID 19 Quarantine

March 22, 2020 Leave a Comment

We are all stuck in quarantine right now, thanks to the spread of the Coronavirus (read some encouragement here!). There seems to be endless amounts of negativity floating around social media and it got me thinking- how can we find ways to shine light and be positive in our current culture? And what can I do that I can involve Addilyn in to teach her about spreading kindness when life is hard?

I made a list of 10 ways that we can share a smile right now, from the safety of our homes (for the most part). I would love to hear any other ideas that you may have!

Text or call someone just to check in on them!
Write encouraging letters or thank you notes to friends or family members. Like with a pen and paper and good ol’ fashioned snail mail!
Send something special to those that are working so hard right now. Healthcare workers, truck drivers, first responders, grocery store employees…the list goes on! While we are all stuck at home “relaxing and refocusing,” they are out there putting themselves in harm’s way and working their tail off! Send a cookie basket, or pizza, or donuts, or maybe just encouraging notes! This is a great project to involve your kids in! If you have a reason that you need to go to the doctor, etc, take a little blessing bag with you and give it to someone that is working! It will likely make their day.
Check in with elderly/sick/pregnant neighbors and family members. See if there is anything that you can pick up for them or help them get access to.
Send cards, puzzle books and snacks to your local nursing homes for the residents that are not able to receive visitors right now.
If you are able, collect basic necessities and food items and set up a table where people can come and take what they need. This is an awesome kid project as well! If you live in a secluded area, find a ministry that you can donate items to and let them get those items to the people that need them most.
Grab a box of sidewalk chalk and write encouraging messages or scripture on the road for others to see! I have seen people do this outside of hospitals and doctor’s offices. But remember, stay home if you don’t have a reason to be out! If you are already out, do this and then go home! 🙂
Make a gratitude list with your family and focus on all of the things that you are thankful for!
Post on social media asking how you can pray for others. And then sit down as a family and actually pray for them!
Join this Pay it Forward group and send random acts of kindness to strangers! We have been doing this so much lately. I will warn you…it is addicting!

Easy (and Delicious!) Banana Bread

March 21, 2020 Leave a Comment

I love me some banana bread! This recipe is super delicious, quick and easy! We have been cooped up in the house pretty much since Lilliana was born. Add in the Coronavirus quarantine and I’m not sure there is an end in sight! (I kid, I totally know there is an end, it just feels like forever!). I have been needing to come up with new ways to entertain Addilyn, and myself. I noticed we had a few bananas that were borderline black and needed to be used and my girlie loves to bake with me, so I figured banana bread it is!

This recipe makes two loaves, but you can easily halve it to make just one. We went ahead and made both to freeze one, although who am I kidding? I will probably thaw that in a couple of days. Banana bread doesn’t last around here! 🙂

This is a fantastic recipe to do with littles, by the way. If you get the measurements just a hair off, it’s okay! And for some reason, Addie thought throwing bananas into my mixer was hilarious. Add nuts, chocolate chips, a half cup of peanut butter…there are so many creative things you can do to spice it up!

I hope this gives you a little something to do while you are locked in your homes. Let me know what you think!

Easy Banana Bread

Servings: 20
Time: 5 mins prep, 60 mins bake time
Difficulty: easy
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Ingredients:

Cooking Spray
2 sticks butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
5-6 over-ripe bananas
4 cups flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup optional add ins (walnuts, chocolate chips, etc)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Line two loaf pans with parchment paper, allowing the excess to hang over the sides and then spray with cooking spray.
Cream the butter and sugar together in the bowl of a stand mixer.
Add the eggs and mix until smooth.
Add the milk and vanilla and mix until incorporated.
Add the bananas one at a time and mix until they are well incorporated. I prefer a smoother bread but you could leave it chunky, too!
Last, add in the flour, salt and baking soda. Mix until just combined and no more dry flour is visible. Stir in any optional add-ins with a spatula if you are using them.
Divide the batter between the two pans and bake for approximately 55-65 minutes, until a toothpick stuck into the center comes out clean.
Allow them to cool for 5 minutes in the pan, and then lift them out of the pan and cool an additional 10 minutes on the counter.
If you want to freeze one, wrap it carefully in cling wrap and then in foil or a freezer bag. You can freeze for up to 3 months!

Archives for March 2020

Bacon Cheddar Scones

Banana Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

Let’s be friends! Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!

Other things you will be glad you had on hand:

Baby Bottles (We loved the Dr. Browns for gas reasons. I breastfeed, so bottles are just occasional)

Pacifiers (We like the soothies and NUK pacis!)

Other posts you may like:

Easy Banana Bread