Happily Ever Mock

Kid Valentine Ideas

Love day is almost here! Hallie and I enjoy creating the perfect Valentine each year to share with her sweet friends! Today I am sharing all of the Kid Valentine ideas we have made in the past, then a cute idea for this year.

(This post contains Affiliate Links) 

Finger Painted Valentines:

When Hallie was a baby/toddler, I put a few drops of paint on thick paper.  Then I let her go to town finger painting.  After her artwork dried, I cut hearts out of it to let her hand out to family and friends.  This is a hit, personal and so very easy!

 

Heart Shaped Crayons:

For Toddlers this is a fun Valentine to make and to receive! Purchase a heart shaped mold, similar to this one.  Sort broken crayons by color, remove from wrapping, and fill molds just over halfway full.  Melt at 350 for 10 minutes (or until fully melted) in the oven.  Wait until fully cooled before removing from mold.  Hallie loved sharing these with all of her friends!

Donuts and Milk: 

This was the Valentine we shared a couple years ago with playgroup and it turned out so cute! I just bought milk bottles, paper straws and dipped mini donuts in sprinkles.  I let her friends choose between strawberry or white milk and it was a total hit! You can print the Donut Tags we made here.

Ice Cream Valentines:

Last year since we had school friends and Playgroup friends to share with, I needed an easy and cost effective idea! I got some adorable valentines from Raeannekelly on Etsy. (unfortunately these aren’t available this year, but here is an adorable substitute!) Then I ordered color changing spoons from Amazon.  I just attached the spoons with a hole punch and some ribbon for the next time our friends eat some ice cream! You can even attach a free ice cream coupon from chick fil a or Baskin Robbins if you want to add a little something extra to it!

Sunglasses Valentines:

This year Hallie wanted to give out “Ash Sunglasses”- Have you seen Sing? If not it’s still a precious idea.  I created this little printable and I am attaching a pair of heart shaped sunglasses for each kiddo. What do you think?

What kinds of Valentines are your kiddos sharing with their friends this year? I can’t wait to hear!

Eat Like a Gilmore- Mocha Crunch Cream Cake

Lorelai Gilmore said it best, “If Eating Cake is Wrong, I don’t want to be right!” I learned a lot from the Gilmore Girls in the 7 incredible seasons, but most importantly, how to eat.  When Kristi Carlson announced the 2nd Eat Like a Gilmore Cookbook, Daily Cravings, I couldn’t wait to get cooking!

The 2nd official cookbook comes out today, November 6th, but author Kristi Carlson, was kind enough to share this recipe for the Mocha Crunch Cream Cake with me.  And oh my, let’s just say, she nailed it!

As an avid Gilmore fan, you’ll remember this cake from Season 2 Episode 3 “Red Light on the Wedding Night.” The episode opens with Lorelai and Rory taste testing cakes for Max and Lorelai’s wedding, at Weston’s.  Fran has a large assortment of cakes in front of the girls when Rory questions the morality of sampling wedding cakes at Weston’s when Sookie is making Lorelai’s Wedding cake.  Upon hearing Fran exclaim that she is bringing out a “Mocha Crunch Cream Cake” Rory abandons her ethics for the love of cake.  Who wouldn’t after tasting this cake?

The cake blends Lorelai and Rory’s 2 favorite things: Coffee and Chocolate into the most delectable and rich confection.  I may have slipped a bit with the coffee, but as Lorelai says.  “Coffee, Coffee, Coffee!” And she’s right, as a mom, can you really ever have enough?

This cake is so moist and creamy with just a hint of crunch thanks to the espresso. Kristi has mastered the Gilmore’s favorite foods and shares them with her readers in easy to follow instructions.  Now anyone can eat like a Gilmore.  Now, if only I had their metabolism!

To get this recipe along with almost 100 other recipe’s from the show, grab Kristi’s newest cookbook today!   I know I can’t wait to add it to my Christmas List! Which recipe are you anxious to try?

Eat Like a Gilmore Unofficial Cookbook Take 2

Where my Gilmore Girls fans at? Have you heard of the  Eat Like a Gilmore Unofficial Cookbook?  This cookbook is my favorite and my most used to date.  All of the recipes are delicious, and each one reflects a meal eaten in the show.  I love that there are a variety of recipes for both beginner and expert chefs like Sookie.  Each recipe fits into one of these 4 categories: Luke’s Diner, Town Favorites, Emily’s House, and Sookie’s Kitchen.  Luke’s Chili and Sookie’s Caramel Marshmallow Chocolate Chunk cookies are favorites around here! And if you have ever wondered how to replicate Luke’s Santa burger, don’t hesitate and grab the book now!

While there are many great recipes in this cookbook, it definitely left me wanting more! Evidently I wasn’t the only one who craved more, because author Kristi Carlson has a second cookbook in the works.  The new cookbook will include everything from Broccoli Tarts to Pop Tarts!  Carlson has promised to incorporate Lorelai and Rory’s love for Pizza and Chinese food as well as all of those recipes us fans have been requesting! Not to mention an entire chapter dedicated to pie!

Because Kristi loves her fans, and the town of Stars Hollow as much as we do, she created a Kickstarter Campaign to get the project started! The book will include at least 60 recipes from the show along with a throwback to the episode that made it famous!

Kristi is looking for $15,000 in funding for Eat Like a Gilmore 2nd Unofficial Cookbook and offering some great incentives for the generous backers such as:

  • Recipe Request
  • Cookbook Pre-order
  • Signed Cookbook
  • Hand Written Recipe Card
  • Cookbook Gift Set
  • Design Artwork for the Cookbook
  • Writing the blurb for one of the recipes

If you are a fan of the show, you are in for a treat! Let’s help Kristi take us all back to Stars Hollow for another amazing cookbook so we can all Eat like a Gilmore.

Oy with the Poodles already, what are you waiting for? Jump on over to Kristi’s kickstarter to donate!

Caprese Chicken Recipe

For those of you that follow me on Instagram you know that I made a seriously delicious Caprese Chicken last night. (Check my stories) I polled my audience and it was clear you needed this recipe in your life, so here we go:

Ingredients:

  • 4 Chicken breasts butterflied (or pounded thin)
  • Salt and Pepper
  • Ranch Seasoning Packet
  • Olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 3 diced Roma tomatoes
  • Fresh Mozzarella slices (about 8)
  • 8 fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
  • Balsamic vinegar

Steps:

  1. Once your Chicken is butterflied or pounded thin. Salt and pepper both sides.
  2. Mix ranch packet with a little olive oil so it creates a sauce and spread on the chicken.
  3. Heat some olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
  4. Cook chicken covered for about 6 minutes on each side until browned.
  5. Remove chicken and keep warm
  6. Add garlic to pan (with more olive oil if necessary) and cook until browned (about a minute) while scraping chicken bits stuck to pan
  7. Add in tomatoes and cook for about 3 minutes.
  8. Bring chicken back to pan and top with mozzarella.  Cover and let melt.
  9. Once mozzarella is fully melted.  Top with tomatoes and basil.  Drizzle Balsamic and serve

You could serve with pasta or fresh veggies. We did Brussels sprouts, and it was so good!! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we did! It was a hit for the whole family! Don’t forget to pin it to Pinterest!

Currently March

Seriously friends, how is March already half over?! This month has been crazy! Busy with Hallie on Spring Break, the store’s official opening, and 2 weddings, including my Dad’s at the end of the month. Hallie is the Flower Girl and we just can’t wait! Here is everything else we have been up to:

Reading:

Oh hey, it’s time for a shameless plug! I have been reading a ton of awesome posts on the Dallas Moms Blog.  One of which, yes I actually wrote! It’s my first one and I am beyond excited to be a contributor for them each month! This post is all about Candy Alternatives for your Child’s Easter Basket. Check it out!

Watching:

Christopher and I started watching The Good Place, it’s hilarious! What do you guys think?  I am also trying to catch The Voice this season.  I’ve missed some here and there, but I think it’s going to be a great season! LOVE Kelly Clarkson…not just because she has an awesome name! On that note, while trying to watch one night this week, this happened: (Hallie was playing with a Minnie Mouse watch that played the Hotdog song)
Hallie: Mom, say “Play” and I will make it sing. Me: No, honey, Mommy is trying to hear this. Hallie: (Whining for several minutes) Me: Hallie stop whining.  And if you aren’t going to play with your ponies, please pick them up. Hallie: (HUGE SMILE as she presses the watch) You said PLAY!!! Touche child!

Eating:

These Spinach Enchiladas are LIFE during Lent.  I found them on Pinterest! PS, don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest!

Image by: twopeasandtheirpod.com

Working on:

I just started party planning for Hal’s 4th Birthday! How is this possible?! We are also in the process of decluttering. With my Dad getting married he is selling his house and has been giving us some of my childhood things. Including beanie babies….remember when we thought those were going to be worth something? Any suggestions on what to do with them now?

Looking Forward to:

Watching the store grow! Christopher is doing just awesome! Big things are coming this year! I can feel it!

Loving for Mommy:

It’s Sandal weather in Texas! And I am digging these!

Loving for Hallie:

Hallie is in love with everything Rainbow lately, so we are definitely going to have to nab these sandals for her. What are you up to? I want to hear!

Thank You Notes For All Ages

I am such a stickler for Thank You Notes! After every holiday, birthday or thoughtful gift I make it a point to send a note to the gift giver to let them know I appreciate their thoughtfulness.  This is something I have been working very hard to instill in Hallie. So here’s a quick guide to getting kids involved in sending Thank You Notes at every Age.

Toddlers and Early Preschoolers– When Hallie was this age, I gave her paper and let her fingerpaint large sheets of thick paper.  Then I let them dry, cut them into cards and wrote out the notes for her.  You can also use crayons on cards or card-stock to make the job easier and less messy!

Advanced Preschoolers to Early Elementary– Have the child practice signing their name at the bottom of each thank you note. They can also practice their letters by copying each gift givers name at the top of each note.  Tips- Set a goal for a few each day so they don’t get tired, bored and grumpy. Also I like to use “hotdog folded” cards because they will have more room to write the names across the card. I am quite impressed with how Hallie’s Handwriting has improved since starting preschool in the Fall!

Later Elementary to young adults can obviously write their own thank you notes.  You can help them stay organized by keeping a list of everyone whom they received a gift from.  Setting a goal of a few notes a day can also help the task become less monotonous.

Do you send Thank you notes with your kids? How do you get them involved?

Gingerbread Recipe

Today I am sharing with you one of my very favorite Christmas recipes! My Perfect Gingerbread Cookies! I don’t know about you, but in my eyes, for a Gingerbread cookie to be perfect, it has to be firm, but chewy! And these cookies don’t disappoint!

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 Cup Molasses
  • 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
  • 1/3 Cup Water
  • 1/8 Cup Softened Butter
  • 3 1/4 Cup Unbleached All Purpose Flour (Plus more for dusting)
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Allspice
  • 1 teaspoon Ground Ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

Directions:

  • In a stand mixer or large bowl cream together molasses, brown sugar, water and butter on a low setting until smooth.
  • Slowly combine the remaining dry ingredients into the wet mixture.  Mix well
  • Let the dough chill either overnight or at least 3 hours.
  • Once you are ready to form your cookies preheat oven to 350 degrees
  • Dust a cutting board or hard surface with flour and roll out dough to 1/4 inch thickness.
  • Use your favorite cookie cutters to form cookie shapes.
  • Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes
  • Let fully cool before icing if desired

This year we used a standard gingerbread man, but flipped him upside down to create little reindeer! Hallie was thrilled!

Now I want to hear your favorite Christmas Recipes!

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

I made my first Pumpkin recipe of the season tonight, and it is going to knock your socks off!

Pumpkin Bread

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Cups Flour
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 Cup Pumpkin Puree
  • 1/2 Cup canola oil/vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients first then add in wet ingredients. Spread into a loaf pan or 2 mini loaf pans. For normal size loaf pan bake for 50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  For mini loaf pans cook for 35 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Let cool completely before removing from pan.  

While in the oven I mixed up this delicious cinnamon sugar cream cheese. I blended 1 8 oz block  of cream cheese with 3 TBS of brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.  

What are your favorite Fall recipes?

Currently- September 2017

Hi Friends and Happy Monday! I sure hope everyone had a fantastic weekend.  We spent our weekend with family and even attended the Fall Festival at our Church.

Besides that, I thought I would give you a little sneak peek at what else we have been up to:

Reading:

Hallie and I just finished up Charlotte’s Web and are on to Stuart Little.  She is also LOVING Say Zoop, an interactive book by the same author as Press Here. 

As for me, I haven’t picked anything up since the middle of the Summer.  I read The Woman in Cabin 10 and it was fantastic! Looking into books to grab at our next Library visit! Any recommendations?

Watching:

I am SO pumped for Fall TV.  Dancing with the Stars starts tonight and I couldn’t be more excited! We will also be watching How to Get Away With Murder and binge watching Jane the Virgin on Netflix! Who else watches it? We are on Season 2!

Drinking:

This Pumpkin Praline Coffee from Community Coffee. I am all about the Pumpkin Spice!

Eating:

This time of year we always have something baking, and right now I am DIGGING these Chocolate Chip Cream Cheese Cookies.  They are so moist and delicious!

  • Ingredients
    •   1/2 cup of unsalted butter (room temp)
    • 1 8 oz. block of cream cheese
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1/2 cup brown sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 3/4 ts salt
    • 1 ts baking soda
    • 2 cups flour
    • 1 12 oz bag chocolate chips
  • Steps
    • Mix butter, cream cheese, sugar and brown sugar
    • Add in all other ingredients one at a time mixing well after each addition
    • Roll into 1 inch balls and pat flat.
    • Place on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
    • Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until browned
  • Notes
    • Mine took about 14 minutes
    • They will start to brown but look fairly gooey still. No worries, they will set as they cool

Praying For:

If you don’t already know, Christopher and I are opening our own T-shirt shop.  Things have been moving fairly slowly.  My prayers are that we find the right people to help us build out our shop so that we can open very soon!

Working on:

Constantly working on growing our blog and instagram. We love connecting with all of you! If you like what you read/see please feel free to share! 🙂

Looking Forward to:

All things Fall! Pumpkin Patch, trick or treating, fall recipes and spending time with family and friends! Oh and cool weather! We so need it to cool off here in Dallas!

Loving for Mommy:

I know I shared these already, but on the off chance you missed it, these Old Navy Crop Pants are life!

Wishlist for Mommy:

This Gap Pullover sweater.

Loving for Hallie:

These Unicorn Pajamas from Carters.  Hallie just loves them and she looks too cute in them!

Wishlist for Hallie: 

This precious Old Navy Polka-dot Dress

What have you guys been up to? What are you loving? Have a great week!

Mushroom Garlic Chicken

There’s nothing better than a one skillet meal.  Especially when it tastes like this one!

Ingredients:

  • 8 pieces of chicken (I used a mixture of breasts and thighs
  • Salt and Pepper
  • 2 Cups of Chicken Broth
  • 2 TBS minced garlic
  • 1 ts red pepper flakes
  • 1 ts fresh or dried Rosemary
  •  olive oil
  • 16 ounces of mushrooms, sliced
  • 2/3 cup of diced green onions
  • 4 TBS butter
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • about 3 TBS fresh chopped parsley to top
  • (optional…but trust me you will want it for the sauce) A baguette for dipping

1.  Slice or pound chicken to about 1 inch thickness and sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides, set aside

2. In a small bowl combine chicken broth, garlic, red pepper, green onions and rosemary.  Mix well and set aside.

3. Heat oven to 375 degrees

4. In a large deep (oven safe) skillet heat about 3 TBS olive oil.  Cook mushrooms over medium-high heat. Cook until well browned then remove to a large dish. Keep warm.

5. Add another 2 TBS of olive oil to skillet and brown on both sides for 3 minutes.  (I did this 4 pieces at a time as to not crowd the skillet) Remove to large dish with mushrooms and keep warm. (You will continue cooking chicken in the oven)

6. Reduce skillet heat to medium and add the chicken broth mixture.  Stir vigorously while scraping the bottom of the pan for any stuck browned pieces.  Cook for about 5 minutes.

7. Remove skillet from heat and add in the butter and the cream.

8. Add the chicken and mushrooms back in and mix.

9. Cook in the oven for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

10. Top with parsley and serve.

I hope you enjoy this dish as much as we did! I was soaking my baguette in the sauce it was so good!