Happily Ever Mock

Valentines Weekend

Happy Monday Friends! I hope you are spending the day in your pajamas like me and Hallie are! After a fun Valentine’s weekend it is nice to have the day off!

Hallie and I were spoiled by Daddy on Friday! She got a big bear balloon which she just LOVED running around and dancing with! I got these gorgeous flowers! On Saturday Hal and I had a birthday party to go to.  Then we had a fun dinner out with Tia Joyce.  When we got home we snuggled up with a movie (Tangled) and Oreo Popcorn until Daddy got home!
On Sunday Hallie and Daddy woke up to their last hearts (each day I added a new reason why I loved them to their door for them to find, Thanks Beth @ http://www.ourprettylittlegirls.com/ for that idea!.  Then the 3 of of went to breakfast before Daddy had to work! Hallie and I went to my parents for the day where she was spoiled by them and her aunties! After that we went to Church with Daddy and Hallie’s Pop.  After Church we ordered dinner in and Hallie and Daddy opened Valentines from Mommy. Hallie got a book, sparkle heart shaped crayons and new silverware which she used to heat dinner! It really was a great weekend! 
How did you spend your Valentine’s Weekend?
<3 Kelly and Hallie

This year’s Valentines

Happy Friday Folks! Today Hallie and I are so excited to be going  to our Play Group Valentine’s Party! We are bringing our homemade Valentines to share with our friends, but I also couldn’t wait to share them here with you! Here’s what we did:

We got a heart shaped silicone mold at Hobby Lobby.  Bought some Dollar Store Crayons and gathered up our old crayons.  Peeled off the paper. Broke them up and filled each tray until it was a little more than half way full.  Melted them at 350 for 10 minutes (or until melted).  Waited about an hour or so until cool, then popped them out! It was so simple and so fun!

 Hallie loved helping me break the crayons and match the colors in the trays

On Wednesday we passed some out to her friends at Ballet Class
 And today we can’t wait to give them to our little playgroup buddies! 
Here are some  photos of Hal from Last year’s party:

 It’s so crazy to see how much she has grown in one year…also look at those baby blues! They are now green!

This weekend Hallie and I will celebrate Valentines by taking goodies to our family and then having some mommy and baby time.  I will of course share what Hallie get’s for her special treat from Mommy and Daddy, but for now, here are some of the cards I have made for loved one’s this year:
Can’t wait to give them all out! 
We hope everyone has a fantastic Valentine’s weekend!
<3 Kelly and Hallie

11 years

Today marks 11 years that Christopher and I have been together! Partly it’s hard to believe it’s been that long, but I also feel like he’s been there for everything.  In so many ways we have grown up together.  We met so young and have stayed together through the many struggles and triumphs of becoming adults.  Finishing school, job changes, losing loved ones, buying a home, getting married, and the birth of our daughter, we’ve seen each other through thick and thin.

Today I want to thank my sweet husband for being a great friend, boyfriend, husband, and father to Hallie! She adores you and of course is JUST like you! You are always my rock and I love you so much! Here are to many more tenths! 
<3 Kelly

Toddler Valentine Food

Hi friends! Today I am sharing with you all of the fun heart shaped treats Hallie and I have been eating this week to celebrate Valentines Day!

Of Course we will be bingeing on Linzer cookies and other treats, but I have also found ways to bring the love into our regular diets!

For Lunches I have grabbed a hear shaped Cookie Cutter and experimented with:

Heart shaped Watermelon, Heart shaped Cheese and Heart shaped Sandwiches!

 This kid is loving it!

 We’ve also done heart shaped Strawberries and Oatmeal with a “kiss” of raspberry jam….of course Hallie had to stick her finger in it before I was done taking the picture! I had to pull it away for it’s Photo op!

If you are looking for more of a sweet treat (like we were on Saturday) Dunkin Donuts is doing heart shaped donuts!

 They were delicious!

For dinner we have tried heart shaped personal pizzas:

That was also fun and super delicious!

And of course even snack time at our house has had fun Valentine flair!

Frozen Strawberry Yogurt with heart shaped sprinkles! This is a staple at our house (minus the sprinkles) It is the only way I can get Hal to eat yogurt lately! (I tell her it’s ice cream! I know I am terrible!)

Are you experimenting with any Valentine foods?!
<3 Kelly and Hallie

Toddler Valentine Crafts

Hi friends! Happy Valentines Week! Now that Hallie is in full blown toddler mode, I was anxious to try some crafts with her, and with Valentine’s Day around the corner, I jumped on the opportunity for her to make some of her own Valentines! 
Finger painted Hearts:
This one was really fun! I just dropped some finger paint on a large piece of paper and let her go to town! Once she was done I let the papers dry, drew some hearts, cut them out and addressed them to some of Hal’s favorite people! She had a blast!

Ms Elaine is a lady at our local grocery store that Hallie just LOVES!

Toilet Paper Heart Stamping-
This one might work better for an older toddler. I saved a toilet paper roll, taped it to the shape of a heart and gave Hal a little paint and showed her how to stamp the paper…unfortunately I am not sure she quite “got” it and smeared the paint around like she was finger painting again…it was short lived for us, but I can’t wait to try it again when she is a bit older!

Shredded Paper Heart Mosaic-
 This one turned out pretty cute! I cut a heart out of cardboard and saved the scraps from making my homemade Valentines.  Then I showed Hal how to glue on the pieces! She especially loved all of the patterned pieces!

Have you done any Valentine crafts or made any homemade Valentines?
<3 Kelly and Hallie

Valentine Linzer Cookies

With Valentines Day around the corner, I thought I would re-share my recipe for those Yummy Linzer cookies! I make them this time every year and people just go nuts for them! These cookies are just that good! As soon as someone hears that I have made some, a mob of people (cough…Dad…cough) are salivating and offering up the shirt on their backs just for a taste!!! For the Friends Fans out there…it’s like Monica and the candy!

So finally I am offering up this tasty recipe! It is one I found several years ago on Pinterest and have changed and perfected over the years to make it even more delicious!
You ready?
Ingredients for 6 dozen (I know it sounds like a lot, but you can freeze the dough) 
-6 Sticks of Unsalted butter softened (yes my friends call me Paula Deen)
-2 Cups Granulated Sugar
-2 1/4 ts Vanilla
-2 eggs pre-beat
-7 cups of flour 
-1 3/4 ts salt 
-1 jar of your favorite jam (I use raspberry for Valentines Day, but have experimented with Strawberry, Blackberry and Lemon curd) 
-2 cookie cutters of the same shape one large one small
-Powdered Sugar for Dusting
I wasn’t kidding!!
Steps: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
1. In a large stand mixer or bowl (I mean LARGE) cream the butter and sugar together
2. Add beaten egg, vanilla and salt
3. Slowly add flour cup by cup mixing well after each cup
4.When thoroughly mixed start rolling out dough on a floured surface a little at a time (like I said you can freeze or refrigerate what you don’t use)  about 1/4 inch thick.
5. Cut out large hearts first and then cut holes in half of them using the small heart 
6. Add excess dough to unused dough 
7. Bake for 8 minutes or until lightly browned 
8. Cool on wire racks
9. Add jam to whole cookies and top with the ones with hole in center.
10. Dust with powdered sugar

11. Chill until ready to serve.
12. Enjoy!
Hope everyone enjoys this recipe! It is a labor of love but everyone will go bananas over them…seriously! 
<3 Kelly

Sadie Girl

Happy 9th Birthday to my little Sadie Girl! Sometimes I can’t believe that sassy little baby I took care of is now a grown up 9 year old girl! You are still as independent as ever! (I think that is growing by the minute!) You are a great friend and you are oh so smart!! You always keep Mrs Kelly on her toes and are  the most funny little girl I know!

I still can’t get over how quickly you learn and you are always good at everything you try! Things just come naturally to you, and they always have!

You have been such a special part of my life since you were a teeny! Now you have a new important role in my life because you have been like a big sister to my Hallie and she just adores you and looks up to you!

Ms Kelly hopes you have a wonderful day! Love you so much little girl!

XOXO
Ms Kelly

Valentine Photos with Purple Moments

I always am so excited for another holiday, because that means another photoshoot with our pal Larissa with Purple Moments Photography! And she definitely didn’t disappoint with our Valentine Minis!

 Valentine Dress: ForTay Fabrications 

Love how they turned out and this little hand made dress is just to die for! 
Happy Valentines Day Friends! We can’t wait to celebrate!
<3 Hallie and Kelly

Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People

That I will never have the answer to and will never understand.  Once again my heart aches for a dear friend. A friend who has been on a rough journey.  I do know that the journey is not yet done for you. God has a plan for you though it may be hard to see right now.  I love you and know that God is looking over you and your family right now. I know nothing I say, or that anyone says can make you feel better today, but know that I am here to talk if you need me.  

So today’s post is for those going through a tough time. I hope these words are comforting:

Matthew 5:4 

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Proverbs 3:5 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God
<3 Kelly

Cauliflower Fried Rice

I love me some carbs! It’s the reason I was skeptical to try this recipe and the reason I shutter when someone mentions cauliflower pizza crust…I’ve tried it…no it’s not the same…no it’s not a close substitute! Give me the thick warm flaky pizza dough and enjoy your cracker thin low carb “crust”. This recipe however was different! I almost didn’t even miss the starchy goodness of rice!!!
It was simple and you can prepare it with all fresh or frozen Veggies. I did a combination of what I had on hand.

Here’s what you need:

1 Small head of Cauliflower Riced in Food Processor (I say a small head because I feel mine made way too much!)
1 1/2 TBS Sesame Oil
2 small Garlic Cloves
1/2 Chopped Yellow Onion
8 oz Chicken or Beef
1 Cup diced Carrot
1 Bag Frozen Broccoli (or any other Veggie)
2 Eggs
Salt and Pepper to Taste
3 TBS Soy Sauce
Chopped Green Onion as Garnish

Gather Ingredients

Pour Sesame Oil Into Wok or pan with the garlic and Meat. Cook Meat Thoroughly.

Cube Meat and add Carrots and Onion

Cook until Onion is clear and carrots become soft

Add Riced Cauliflower and Mix for about 2 minutes while preparing Frozen veggies in Microwave.

Add Frozen Veggies and Mix again.

When all ingredients seem cooked through. Make a hole in center of wok for your eggs.

Crack eggs into the center and scramble in the hole you made.

When the eggs are scrambled, mix them in with the rest of the ingredients and mix in your spices and soy sauce.

Garnish with Green onion.

Enjoy!