fruit pizzas and chocolate heaven

For the 4th of July we made some really yummy desserts and I forgot I actually remembered to take pictures. We were bringing 2 desserts with us to a pool party and wanted to do one super easy recipe and one homemade. So I made mini fruit pizzas (which are always one of my favorites) and Pioneer Woman's Texas Sheet Cake (but in cupcakes for easier travel). 

For the first I used basic store bought sugar cookie dough and cream cheese icing. Then grabbed some bright fruit and went with strawberries and blueberries to be 4th of Julyish. In the past I usually thrown in kiwi, pineapple, or any fruit at all. If you have the time it is worth make these homemade sometime, but for this day I had to mix it up!

Then for the Texas Sheet Cake I made them into cupcakes to avoid the mess when serving and for easier travel (since we were driving 30 minutes in Texas heat to get there). I can honestly say this was one of the best chocolate cakes I have ever had. I have had Texas Sheet Cake before and the Pioneer Woman recipe is the best (in my opinion). I got the recipe from her cookbook, but you can also find it online here. 

Also it looks like batter in the picture, but that is actually the amazing icing you pour on top right after they come out of the oven. The icing hardens and you have a super yummy cupcake. If you have been itching to bake something, go make this now...I promise you will not be disappointed!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday and baking something yummy this week!

pinterest loves

Since I love pinterest and have found so many wonderful ideas and great crafting projects to add to the "one day" list I thought I would take some time every now and then and share some of my favorite finds. Here are some that I am loving this week. 

tatertotsandjello.com

bumpsmitten.com

thesweetoccassion.com

marthastewart.com

gdanfamily.blogspot.com

These pins are a mix of ideas from things like Martha Stewart all the way to little family blogs with wonderful and creative ideas. I have attached the links to all of the pics so you can see where the inspiration came from. We hosted a baby shower with our community group this weekend and made these paper pom poms and they were super easy and such a fun decoration!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday! 

Happy Birthday to my sweet hubby!

Today is James' birthday and I LOVE birthdays! It is a day full of being able to plan things out and make lists of things to do(ridiculous I know!) But with summer and having the day off it is so nice to have the time to do this and I know that will not always be the case.

I was so excited to get up and be able to make him breakfast this morning without us both scrambling to get out the door. It was so nice to just sit down together and not be running around splitting up responsibilities as we both try to make it out the door to work. Tonight will be simple...making one of his Pioneer Woman Favorites and probably watching some Friday Night Lights (yes, we have jumped on that bandwagon and are loving it!)

So here is to a wonderful hubby who loves the Lord and leads our family, finds sweet ways to show love after almost 8 years together, kill bugs, gardens and remembers to waters my plants when I always forget, patient, amazing cook, going to make our grass green if it's the last thing he does, and so many more wonderful things! I am so thankful for you!

As for today, I will be working on trying to decide what birthday cake to make him. There are so many of my list to make this summer....I will share what I decide to make later this week!

So, how do you like to celebrate birthdays? Any fun traditions in your family?

great summer treat

After Amanda and Kory's wonderful wedding, wrapping up the school year, and spending a week in North Carolina with my sweet Young Life girls I am back in the swing. It is so nice that summer is finally here and I am trying to take advantage of my days off and making something yummy as much as possible. Since I have most of the day on Wednesdays and Fridays my goal is to try and make something each of those days. 

For today, I wanted to make a great summer treat (and something yummy for James to have when he gets home from work). I decided to make Kaki's Toffee Apple Dip. I took a wonderful cooking class this past semester through my church and they ended the series with a cookbook compiled of fabulous recipes from women in the church. This recipe came from that book and here it is...

Kaki's Toffee Apple Dip

1/4 c powdered sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 block of cream cheese

1 tsp. vanilla

3/4 cup heath toffee bits

Combine the first 4 ingredients then mix in the toffee bits. Serve with apples and you have a really yummy and sweet treat! 

Ice Cream Inspiration

First off, the move is over (and by over I mean we are still getting situated) but most of the big stuff is done! We were so blessed to have amazing family and friends who helped make the move unbelievably easy. 

Now, onto inspiration boards. I have been checking out the Tiny Prints Blog lately and have come across some great ideas and deals. If you like them on facebook you get some great offers to make free customized cards. I have done some in the past and they are so meaningful and great when you get to add a name or your own picture. But even better, they do these wonderful inspiration boards on their blog. They put together a collage of pictures and ideas to "inspire" you for a theme for a party. You can even take bits and pieces and add them in if you were just having friends over, or celebrating a birthday with the family and friends. This week's board caught my eye. I loved the cuteness and most people know I love anything with ice cream! 

And by the way, this is just my opinion on Tiny Prints and just want to share some lively inspiration! Here is the board for the Ice Cream Party. Think of somewhere to use this...Ready.Set.Go!

Tiny Prints

The wooden spoons are my FAVORITE! I love wooden spoons. They are such a fun touch to so many different things. They are great to tie to a dessert you bring a friend to make it convenient and cute! 

Take some time and check out the blog link if you want to know where any of the items are from. The hats are DIY, so that is always a fun craft project! 

Any great party themes that have caught your eye?

boxes, boxes, and more boxes

We are getting closer to getting completely moved out of the apartment. We have been moving little stuff all week and are moving the big furniture on Saturday (let's pray for nice weather!) I feel like everytime we move I learn something new. Here are a few things I have learned/been reminded of this time around...

1. There is SO much STUFF! Where does it all come from? I mean seriously! The moment I think we have made some headway, I open a closet or a cabinet! Luckily we have been clearing out some more stuff so that has been helpful.

2. If you call Central Market in the morning between 8 and 10 and ask them to hold several boxes for you, they will do it! Andddd you can come by anytime that day to pick them up. Getting free boxes is one way we really keep the cost of moving down.

3. NEVER...I mean NEVER use banana boxes. I don't care if somebody pays you to take them. We used these when I moved into our first apartment and were not aware that tiny little sugar ants love banana boxes. Ants + Lauren (who hates bugs) = no good.

4. Use dishtowels and old t-shirts to place between dishes. It avoids getting all of the annoying ink all over your stuff.

5. And last but not least, dream of the day when you will hire movers to do all of this craziness for you.

Honestly, this has been the smoothest move we have had, which is a true blessing for us right now. Since we have the keys and have been able to gradually move things over, it has not felt like I am living in box-ville like it has in the past. So thank God for that! Also, we are tremendously blessed with supportive friends and family that are helping on Saturday!

Anyone have any great tips or advice for when they have moved? I am sure you learn more every time!

Hope everyone is having a wonderful Wednesday! 2 days until the weekend and summer is SO close!

-Lauren

Moving and Painting

We are about to move in a week and a half and I am DREADING the idea of boxes, packing, unpacking, and the whole process of getting things from one place to another. On the flip side, I am overly giddy at having a new home with a garage, backyard, and more space to have friends over. Plus, Jaxon can't wait to have his very own backyard!! The huge upside to moving is feeling like you can get rid of things you haven't used in forever and get to organize at the new casa!

We are about to go look at paint colors for the bedroom. We are thinking of doing a bluish grey color. Although, we have to find one that still keeps the space pretty bright. Since we have all white bedding we want something crisp and clean.

or maybe this....

I know the probably look the same. Well we will have to see if we can find something that works! I will post pics of before and after with the new room. Can't wait!

Happy Thursday and Cinco de Mayo!