Picture "Name" Tags

I got this idea from my wonderful Grandma, in Idaho.

This year, I decided to do all our Christmas Gifts with picture "name" tags. Our daughters are 3 & 1. Not really able to read names yet. So I printed pictures onto card stock, cut them out, and had instant tags for presents. Super easy. Super adorable.

 

 

We even did these tags for our extended family. I loved it. My 3 year old totally loved it. She was able to pick out the presents and hand them out without any help.

Make your own Cooking Spray FAIL

Tried THIS
FAIL.
I will continue to buy real cooking spray.
Plus, after I tried it out, I read in the comments about keeping it in the fridge and stuff. Good post. HERE

Cheesecake Dip

Merry Christmas Eve!!!
Today, our family decided to all get together and watch a movie at my parents house. I saw this on Pinterest, and thought this would be an excellent time to try it out.
Cherry Cheesecake Dip!
Super easy, super yummy!! It was kind of addicting to me.

The recipe was found HERE.

I was reading some of the comments, someone said that theirs was gritty. Mine was when I first made it, but I let it sit in the container overnight so all the "grittiness" dissolved. I guess. Ha.

Anyways.

 

Here is the recipe:

Mix Jello No-Bake Cheesecake mix with one container of Cool Whip.
Chill.
Top with a can of cherry pie filling.
Serve with graham crackers.

 

It didn't say how big of a Cool Whip to use. I used the smaller of the 2 available. When I took it out of the fridge, it was kind of stiff (in the picture the original one was super fluffy). Which that didn't bother me, I thought it looked great as it held the shape of the cool whip container.

All in all, it was a hit. I would totally make this again.

Shut the Front Door

Yup. This really did just happen.
This is now on my front door. Not sure if the hubs is too fond of it yet, but I find it hilarious. I always say this... So. Why not?

 

Ha. It makes me giggle. It also puts a smile on my face.

Young Women Torch Handout

A couple weeks ago, I made these handouts for our Young Women. Soooooo cute! They were such a big hit. What a great idea! You could totally change these up for any YW occasion, just change "Arise & Shine Forth" to the new theme, or whatever you want it to say.
I found the torch idea HERE. Mine are totally not as perfect as hers, but I (along with the help of my cute hubs) made these in about 30 minutes. The longest part was trying to find the ding dong lemon heads that she used in her torches, but after searching store to store, we purchases Reeces Pieces. I do not regret it. I love me some Reeses. Yummmm.
I found my clear bags at a fabulous place called "PAK-N-Wrap" in Sandy. HERE is the link to their Facebook Page.
They have a ton of great stuff- these clear bags, gift wrap, ribbons, bows, greeting cards, stationary, envelopes, & etc. Awesome place. Will be going there more often.

Daily Cleaning List

Ok. So I didn't find this on Pinterest. *gasp!* I know right???
I don't know about you, but I strongly dislike cleaning. I know I'm probably the only one out there, but dudes. It's bad. I will start, and have awesome intention. Then.... I get distracted and totally go off on something else. Ugh. Oh. I super hate laundry too. I swear, adding a 2nd kid into our family has totally like tripled our piles of clothes. Ok, ok... Maybe not tripled, but it sucks. I am lazy. I can admit it, but last night I had this crazy idea. What if I made a daily cleaning checklist?? Hmmmm.... And what if I hang it above my computer screen so when I am scrolling around Facebook & Pinterest, I might have a little guilt. Hmmmm. Yes. This might work!!
So. I made THIS beauty after the kids went to bed.

Kind of cute, right? Maybe pink isn't your color.... But for me, it so is.

I mean, check out my old VW Beetle... Ahhh, what a beaut.

My laundry room....

CRAP! See, DISTRACTED!
Anyways. The frame was fun, quick, and it's super cute!
I found an old wood frame, did a quick paint job, frame- done.
I made a list of all the chores that we needed to get done to keep up on things, separated them between the days, some have more that others, printed them out, cut them out, lists- done.
Cut a piece of scrapbook paper, glued it down on the black backer board thingy, glued the lists- done.
Put it all back together.
Cut some vinyl. Stuck it on.
BAM! Done. Super cute.

Also, since it's in a picture frame, I could use a dry erase marker & check-a-roo stuff off!!
Another good thing about the list, when I'm not home, the hubby could see what needs to get done... Sooooooo, no excuses, righhhhht??? Heehee....

Here is what I have for each day, you might want your days different than mine, of course:

Monday:
Make Beds
Sweep after each meal
Do Dishes
Wipe down kitchen & bath
Empty kitchen trash
Vacuum upstairs
Laundry- kid clothes
Sort mail
Clean out fridge
Pick up whole house

Tuesday:
Make Beds
Sweep after each meal
Do Dishes
Wipe down kitchen & bath
Empty kitchen trash
Vacuum downstairs
Laundry- Sheets & towels
Sort mail
Wipe doors & light switches
Pick up whole house

Wednesday:
Make Beds
Sweep after each meal
Do Dishes
Wipe down kitchen & bath
Empty kitchen trash
Vacuum upstairs
Laundry- Reds
Sort mail
Deep clean bath (toilet, tub, mop, mirrors)
Deep clean kitchen (microwave, stovetop, chairs, mop)
Pick up whole house

Thursday:
Make Beds
Sweep after each meal
Do Dishes
Wipe down kitchen & bath
Empty kitchen trash
Vacuum downstairs
Laundry- darks
Sort mail
Dust
Pick up whole house

Friday:
Make Beds
Sweep after each meal
Do Dishes
Wipe down kitchen & bath
Empty kitchen trash
Vacuum upstairs
Laundry- Jeans
Sort mail
Pick up whole house

Saturday:
Make Beds
Sweep after each meal
Do Dishes
Wipe down kitchen & bath
Empty kitchen trash
Vacuum downstairs
Laundry- whites
Sort mail
Pick up whole house

Sunday:
Make Beds
Sweep after each meal
Do Dishes
Wipe down kitchen
Empty kitchen trash
Pick up whole house

 

 

 

I'm not a professional crafter, by any means. So don't judge.

Off to enjoy Sunday dinner!

Pumpkin Better Than ... Cake

My husband's favorite cake is BTS cake. Mmmmmm. For his birthday & our anniversary, I always make it for him. When I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I wondered if this would be a huge hit as well!

 

This was super easy to make. It's major yummy! Definitely super sweet & rich, but that's how BTS cake is. The day after I made it, I wanted it for breakfast, naughty me. I was able to take 2 bites and then I was done. I guess I'm not as young as I feel... Ha!

Keeping this on our Yummy list.

Anyways, here is the recipe.

The recipe is from Something Swanky.

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 small can pumpkin puree
• 1 - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 - 8 oz. tub cool whip
• 1/2 bag Heath Bits
• Caramel Sundae Sauce

Instructions

1. Mix together the cake mix and the pumpkin puree (DO NOT add the other ingredients on the cake mix box).
2. Pour batter into a well greased 9x13 baking dish. Bake at 350º according to the directions for a 9x13 cake on the cake mix box.
3. Let cool for about 10 minutes after baking. Using the bottom of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the top of the cake.
4. Pour the sweetened condensed milk over the cake, filling the holes. **I actually put caramel over the top of the milk, yummmm** Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Spread the cool whip over top of cake. Sprinkle on the heath bits, and drizzle caramel over top (just to your liking). Refrigerate for 3-4 hours, or overnight (best).

Notes

DO NOT USE PUMPKIN PIE FILLING. YOU MUST USE PUMPKIN PUREE IF YOU WANT THE CAKE TO BAKE CORRECTLY. The cake mix + pumpkin puree version of pumpkin cake may not be for everyone. I like it just fine, especially when it's soaked in SCM and caramel. But if you're not sure about it, feel free to substitute your own pumpkin cake recipe as the cake base. DO NOT mix together the pumpkin, cake mix, and the other ingredients on the back of the cake mix box!!!! ONLY mix the cake mix and the pumpkin puree. You must let the sweetened condensed milk soak in all the way. Letting it sit overnight will yield best results. Use the bottom of a wooden mixing spoon to poke the holes in the cake-- it's just the right size.