Pumpkin Muffins

All you need is two ingredients! How much easier could it get? 15 oz of pumpkin and  one box of yellow cake mix!

Just mix the two ingredients until well blended. I thought it would be dry without adding any liquids, but it turned out fine.

Place batter into cupcake liners and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

You can dust the top with powdered sugar or add some cream cheese frosting.

I thought these turned out really good! Unbelievably moist, although not much of the pumpkin flavor came out, which is weird because I added a lot much pumpkin! I was fine with this however, considering I am not a pumpkin fan. Maybe next time I could add cinnamon? Yet another recipe inspired by Pinterest. <--- Seriously the best thing ever!

Had to use my Valentine's Day decorations before the month is over!

52 Reasons I Love You

I wanted to make something special and homemade for Valentines Day this year. I ran across this idea and ran with it, I really liked how it turned out, although it was a ton of work. I think it will be neat to look at this years from now and remember the things I loved about him :)

First I started with a deck of cards, {remember to use both of the jokers, you will need these for the front and back cover} I wanted to give them an "antique" look.

I used sandpaper on all of the cards to scratch them up.

I rubbed a white ink pad on most of them. I love how this technique turned out!

On others I put brown marker directly on the card and smudged with my finger, totally got the old dirty look I was going for
.

On a few of them I burnt the edges with a lighter. *Please be extremely careful if you try this, the cards burn fast!*

Antiquing the cards was the most time consuming part, but absolutely worth it! Let the cards dry for a few hours before moving on, the ink pad and brown marker were still a little wet.

Next, I made a template to make two hole punches {for the metal rings, or twine in my case}. I wish I would have made the holes a little further apart.

The most challenging part was coming up with the 52 reasons!! Ha. I thought this would be easy, but around number 20 you start drawing a blank. Here are some of my favorites...

Next I found a picture to put on the back of the front cover. It will be the first thing you see when you open the deck. It was hard finding a small enough picture that would fit, I used a picture we had on our wedding announcements. {What else do you do with all those leftovers?!} *Apparently I forgot to take a photo of this*

I did not have any metal rings, so I found some twine and strung it through the holes to make a bow.

Next, I put the date on the back...

I decorated the cover and TADA! The finished product...

I am SOOO happy how this ended up turning out. This just might be the cutest craft project I have ever done {Although the Christmas wreath was pretty good too!} I dipped the ends of the twine in wax to prevent fraying.

*Side note: He totally LOVED this! I gave it to him last night, he couldn't stop picking it up and re reading all the things I love about him!*

Happy Valentines Day!!

Valentine's Day

Because Valentine's Day is during the week this year {boo!} We celebrated over the weekend. The husband took me to Olive Garden for dinner. They had the most amazing dessert ever, it is like those dessert shooters from Applebees, you know those yummy little things that look like shot glasses but are filled with heaven?? I ordered a chocolate mousse one. To die for!

Then off to a movie we went, The Vow. I couldn't believe he even offered to take me! There were only about 5-6 guys in the theater, you could tell each and every one of them were drug there. The movie was good, however a little slow. Channing Tatum made up for the slowness though. There was even a naked butt scene!! Que drool now.

On actual Valentine's day I cooked a yummy dinner, teriyaki chicken, asian noodles and rice. And my first ever home made carrot cake! {Insert brownie points here}

We spent the night cuddled on the couch and enjoying our time together. He absolutely loved the gift I made him. {will post that soon, I had to wait to share because he reads my blog and I didn't want him to see it!} He came home with a pink rose, a chocolate covered strawberry, some Ben and Jerry's and the best part...look at what he made me!

He is a keeper after all ;)

Mini lemon pies

I found this recipe for mini lemon meringue pies and just died at how cute they looked! I knew this would be next on my baking list.

Ingredients:
Cooking spray
12 oz refrigerated sugar cookie dough, chilled
3 Eggs seperated
3/4 cup sugar
1 package of lemon pudding mix

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Coat a cupcake tin generously with cooking spray.

3. Place a ball of the sugar cookie dough into each compartment, pressing dough up the sides to form a cup.

4. Bake until edges are golden, about 8 minutes.

5. Prepare pudding as directed on the box.

6. Set aside the egg whites {the yolks are used for the pudding mix}.

7. When cups are done baking, pour the pudding directly into them enough to fill, but do not over fill.

8. Let the cups set up for about 30 minutes.

*Side note* The husband does not like meringue {don't know what is wrong with him!} So I made them without. If you would like to include the meringue here is the recipe.

Meringue:
Using an electric mixer, beat egg whites in a clean dry bowl until frothy, about 30 seconds. Gradually add the sugar one tablespoon at a time until glossy and stiff, about 3-4 minutes. Place a large dollop on top of the pudding, once they have been placed in the cups. Stick in oven on broil until golden brown, about 1 minute. Let cool for an additional 10 minutes then serve :)

Here are my cute little lemon pies!! They were super yummy, although missing the meringue.

See my CUTE banana holder?? Scored that at Value Village for $2! Yay for bananas!

Couponing

I have been trying to coupon lately, but nothing like those crazy ladies on TV. Who am I kidding?! I would LOVE to be as good as they are, I wouldn't even know where to start or where to find the time to dedicate 40+ hours a weeks to clipping coupons. Plus...where would I store 135 ketchups?? I get most of my coupons from the weeklies that come in the mail, but think it is time to start getting the Sunday paper!

Even the cat thinks it is exhausting! The savings are worth it though :)

 

No, I did not pose her like that, she just likes to get get in the way when I am trying to get things done!

Cupcake Liners!!

I found this bad boy at Target! Can you believe it was only seven dollars?! I love having a place for all my liners, and putting them on display like this makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside. Now I need to go find some more cute ones to fill it up! In other cupcake news, at Alberstons I had seen a giant pink cupcake container, on the inside was a carousal that held 24 cupcakes. I went to price check it...$29.99! BOO!! That is way too expensive and it was definitely too big to fit under my coat :( Will be trying to hunt down a cheaper one.

*Just kidding about the whole 'stick it under my coat' comment...kinda...I do not approve stealing of any sort, even if it is cupcake stuff!*

Negative

Four months into trying for a baby and the tests still come back negative. I tried one of those ovulation test also, I don't think I really understood how or when to use it, but that came back negative as well. Trying really hard not to get frustrated or place blame on myself for doing something wrong. If it is meant to be, it is meant to be. I have a feeling this will be a very long road for us both. We have been through tough things before, we can do this! This is new to me talking about something so personal, but I think it will be good to write about how I feel, and to look back at this one day and remember our journey.

"A baby will make love stronger, days shorter, nights longer, bankroll smaller, home happier, clothes shabbier, the past forgotten and the future worth living for."