Valentine – Part 1

Valentine’s Day is approaching, which means I get to work up some crafty ideas for school. I took a quick trip to Hobby Lobby yesterday and found these adorable light bulb shaped jars.

They were $3.00, but 50% off. So, I got them for $1.50 each. I thought they could be perfect for a science teacher Valentine. Last year we gave mini flashlights to Luke’s class, so I already had a “light up my life” template for the tag. We filled the jars with M&Ms and printed the tag on pink cardstock. But truthfully, I like the white ones from last year better. Serves me right for trying to get fancy 😉

Still debating on the kids Valentines, so you’ll have to check back to see what we come up with. For a little inspiration, here are ones we have done in the past.

milkandcookiesvalentine

We attached the milk straws (with little beads of strawberry inside) instead of regular straws. Link for printable here

eyesonyouvalentine

Link for printable here

flashlightvalentine

Link for printable here

Pantry Makeover

It’s that time of year again, and I have to clean out my pantry. I’ve had it on my to do list for a week and I keep putting it off. I mean, who wants to clean out their pantry? And, mine’s the worst. It starts off pretty good in January. Then, over the year I collect and store and toss and shove until everything is spilling out everywhere.

Today, completely accidentally, I stumbled upon this blog and was inspired by her pantry makeover.

pantry

You can see the whole post here

Maybe a complete redo of the pantry will make it easier to bear? In my search I found peel and stick wallpaper that seems perfect for my purpose. Here are some options I am considering:

peel-and-stick-wallpaper-wallpaper-without-the-commitment-1.jpg

black and white wallpaper

The beige stripe seems the most calming for what will surely be a chaotic room. I’m drawn to the orange, though (as I always am). Maybe a navy stripe on the edge of the shelves? I’m out of control. Check back to see our progress!

Game Day!

We’re big Clemson football fans in this house, so today is very exciting for us. They are playing for the national championship for the first time since 1981! Avery has decorated our TV room with all sorts of Clemson fanfare and I’m off to the store to pick up goodies for a great game day meal.

AVERY: Every game day HAS to have nachos! Or, chips and guac. Oh, and queso!

Sounds good to me. My son, always the traditionalist, asked for sushi. Ha! It will be some crazy spread.

Here’s my recipe for Chili con Queso:

CHILI CON QUESO

This recipe was inspired by the queso dip we had recently at Chili’s. OK, so I may be the first person ever to say they were inspired by a dish at Chili’s. It is game day, afterall, so you’ll have to cut me a little slack.

Ingredients:

1 small block Velveeta
4 oz. cream cheese
1 can Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilis)
8 oz. breakfast sausage
1/2 tsp chili powder

*You can substitute HOT breakfast sausage for the chili powder, if you like it a little spicier

Cook breakfast sausage, drain fat, and set aside. Melt velveeta and cream cheese over low to medium heat in a small saucepan. Drain Rotel and add to melted cheese. Add cooked sausage and chili powder. Serve with tortilla chips.

Go Tigers!

Easy yummy fruit dip

One of Avery’s favorite lunchbox add-ons is this creamy, marshmallowy fruit dip. It has only 2 ingredients and is great for parties as well as lunches.

Cream cheese (softened)
Marshmallow fluff

Combine the two items according to how much you would like. The marshmallow will deflate a bit when added to the cream cheese, so I usually use a 1:1 ratio of fluff to cream cheese.

AVERY: I put in a little more fluff than cream cheese which makes it lighter and sweeter. Make sure that it is stirred so that it is sort of like a whipped cream. I like to use apples and grapes but you can use any fruit you want.

Enjoy!