Thursday, December 10, 2015

Get Your Christmas Craft On!

I am reposting this form last year 
just because I love these so much! ;)
I am making more this weekend and will share when done!

So what can a mama and her baby girl do with some 
old jars, old books, ribbon and miniature Christmas trees?
 A LOT
says 
Mama
A LOT!


Miniature Trees - Dollar Store
Ribbon - Mama's Closet
Old Glass Jars - Mama's Garage
Old Books - Mama's Basement

Mama 
is
a
HOARDER
YES
SHE 
IS

Sad but true!


How cute are these little guys?
Way Cute
says
Mama

Hot glue the trees in place.
Add a little shredded book pages 
or 
fake snow
Put the lid on nice 
and 
tight
AND
YOUR DONE!






Not a creature was stirring
not even 
a
Mama

Looking for more fun?
Check out some great recipes for Christmas

Peace Out

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Prayers For Paris


There is so many things that happen that I will never understand.
There is so much pain and suffering
that I struggle to comprehend.
I have no words or thoughts that could offer any comfort to those
who are suffering in France today nor can I begin to comprehend their loss, fear, pain and suffering. I do know one thing to be true.
I know that God can and will answer our prayers.
I know that He is with those who are suffering.
I know that He will send a band of angels to comfort and protect 
the people of France. We must pray and pray hard
for all of those affected by the terrorist acts against
the people of France.  Our prayers will bombard their hearts
with our love and hope. Our prayers will flood their broken souls and hold them up when they have no more strength.
Get on your knees and lift them up.
Lift them up so they may see a ray of light and hope.





Leave your individual prayer requests HERE.







Sunday, October 18, 2015

I SPY!




I SPY
DANNY!

Danny spies a new baby brother!





I seriously can't get enough 
of this sweet family!









Tips on shooting large families



  1. Start early and before lunch. The lighting is great in the morning and the kids are perky.
  2. Have snacks and water on hand.
  3. Bring a partner in crime or have mom help to run behind you acting like a fool to get their attention all at once!
  4. Shoot in sports mode so you can take as many photos as you possibly can! I usually just hold the button down and it sounds like a paparazzi attack!
  5. Potty Talk - I use potty talk and it gets a smile and laugh every single time! (Did you ever hear Santa fart?) This makes me sound very unintelligent but I get a spontaneous laugh each time!
  6. Catch them in their element. Try to take many photos in the moment when they are not looking. These will be mama's favorite.
  7. Patience! Wait for it! That shot will come I promise!
  8. Have fun and don't stress. If you don't get that shot you want, you can always try again.









Thursday, October 8, 2015

Just Like That She's All Grown Up



So it is true, mu hubby and I are officially empty nesters!
Oh it is so strange and yet so freeing all the same.
As a mama you are happy, proud and excited 
for the fruits you bore 
to take off and fly yet it is also so very sad at the same time.
So much work. Some of the work fun and some not so fun but
all part of the beautiful life we weave as mamas.
And then one day it is over well kinda.
You are still a mama and they will still need you 
but things change.
We change and they change as well. 
It is all good but it definitely is an adjustment for sure.

So I now have TWO Horned Frogs at TCU!
and a Bobcat at Texas State!

I am loving my Texas road-trips to see them!
I miss and love them way more than they will realize.
Go take on the world
Pea Pie Man, Cookie Joe and Mooshka
but don't forget to come back home every now and then.









Friday, September 11, 2015

Darling Photo Boards

How stinkin cute are these I ask?
Pretty stinkin CUTE!

You can pin up a new photo, recipe, note or quote!
So much fun to make and give away!

The possibilities are endless I say!
Endless!








Materials Needed

Wooden board to the size you desire. 
(I prefer 7 1/2 " by 7 1/2")

Scrapbook paper of your choice

Ribbon, Scraps of Material, and or Fringe 

Paint (I use acrylic)

Metal Clip

Hot Glue Gun

Clear Gloss Spray Paint

Instructions
Paint the board and then glue down the paper with thinned glue or Mod Podge.
Let it dry and then spray on a coat of clear gloss paint.
Now you can start decorating your board how you like.
Hot glue the clip in position and also hot glue any embellishments you add to your 
board to dress it up!

Have fun giving these cuties away!
People go nuts over them!
Dress them up for school colors or holidays!
The possibilities are endless I tell you!
Endless!




Sunday, July 12, 2015

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I pulled out one of my Granny's old cookbooks.
This cookbook is very old and is a collection of recipes from the 
Catholic Daughters of America
Court Sacred Heart No. 797
Hallettsville, Texas


Just a small sweet little collection of recipes 
from some sweet women!


Granny would save a spot in the book with a clipping from
the newspaper. This happened to be a wedding announcement!
How cute is that!


Helen weds David!


These are super yummy!
Crispy on the outside and chewy in the middle!
Thank you Mrs. Gus Werner Jr.


I already ate three!! 
These puppies are super dangerous!

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Tex Mex 7 Layer Dip


If you have ever lived or visited Texas 
then you have tasted this all time favorite dip.
It is kind of a staple at Texas parties.
It is pretty basic but you can add your 
own personality to it. 
If you are a little spicy, you can fire up the heat.
If you are perky you can throw in a new layer 
to wake up your guests. I usually adapt it to what
 I have in the frig at the time needed. 
I usually make it in the morning on the day I need it.
If you use fresh avocados then you will want to make it 
the day needed because the fresh avocado 
will turn brown if it is made too far in advance.
If you use store bought avocado dip 
you can make it the day before.

Tex Mex 7 Layer Dip

Ingredients
1 can of refried beans (I use nonfat and organic)
1 16 oz Sour Cream
2 Cups of Shredded Colby and Monterey Jack Cheese
4 diced green onions
1 medium tomato diced
1/2 cup of chopped cilantro
1/2 stick of butter
1/4 tsp season salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 Tbl of cumin
1 Tbl of chili powder
1 Tbl of Tabasco Sauce
1/2 tsp onion powder
3 or 4 medium avocados mashed with a Tbl of fresh lime and a dash of sea salt
OR  1 16 oz container of store bought guacamole dip

Soften refried beans with butter in a medium saucepan over low heat. 
Add 1/4 tsp season salt and 1/4 tsp garlic salt into beans. Once softened pour in the dish you will serve the dip in. Allow it to cool about 15 minutes until adding the next layer. In a medium bowl mix sour cram with cumin, chili powder, onion powder and Tabasco. This is where you can add more sauce or seasoning if you like. Just taste it with your cute little pinky finger and tweak it as you wish. When you are done tweaking the sour cream just dump and spread it evenly over the beans. Next up is the guacaMOLE! 
I like saying that....guacaMOLE!  Can you hear me? So here is the deal. 
You can cheat and use a store bought guac fake dip or make your own with a few avocados. It is up to you and how much time you want to invest in this dip. I have done both. So make the decision, own it and then spread it over the sour cream concoction. Next up the cheese. Spread the cheese on top of guac and then sprinkle the onions, toms and cilantro. Cover it up with plastic wrap and chill for a couple of hours or more. Serve it up with some good tortilla chips and of course some Big Scoop Fritos! 
Fritos are a must! If you really want to be daring add some freshly diced jalapeños on the top. If you do that then run and hide from your guest who can't take the heat. They will not be happy and surely will be looking for you! 

AND......You are going to want to make some QUESO!
So go HERE for the BEST (Mama doesn't lie) Queso recipe you will ever find!


AND.......You are going to want to make this amazing main course to dump all the dips on top of!    King Ranch Casserole is to die for!

 




Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Amazing Cake and Beautiful Baby Girl!









Oh Mama Is So Proud!
Proud of this sweet Baby Girl
and all that she is and will become!
She is so talented and beautiful inside and out
and while I could brag about her for days, today I'm gonna brag about her baking and cake decorating skills!

I promised you a recipe so here ya go!
This is the one she tweaked and tweaked after many attempts and taste tests! Not that we minded the taste testing sessions but this recipe was the final product and it is oh so good!

I have named it Bella Cake!

Bella Cake

1 cup sifted flour
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 1/3 cups of tap water
1 cup sour cream (whole milk)
2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
1 1/4 tsp Almond extract (organic)
1 1/4 tsp Vanilla extract (organic)
4 medium egg whites
Dash of Cinnamon
1 box of white cake mix (I use Duncan Hines)

Directions
I double this recipe to make 6 pans (2 of each size)

Grease and flour pans to be used.
Preheat oven to 325.
Gently stir the cake mix, flour, salt and sugar in a medium size bowl.
Add to the bowl water, oil, sour cream, extracts, cinnamon and egg whites.
Beat on low for about 3 minutes.

Pour into greased pans and bake until tops are brown about 25 minutes.
Test with a toothpick to see if it is done before bringing out of the oven.
Cool on wire racks.

Frosting recipes:
Inside layers - HERE
Outside Rosettes - HERE






Sunday, May 10, 2015

Mama's Day!


Happy Mama's Day to all of the mamas
in heaven and on earth!
Wishing my Mama a GREAT day!
May we cherish out time with our families
and love with all of our hearts!
Blessings to you all on this special day!

I am sharing some photos from my adopted girl's Facebook Page.
She celebrates her mama in heaven today.




If you are needing a little extra help maneuvering your grief
please pay a visit to Laura's Facebook Page.
She shares so many uplifting articles and offers such amazing support to help 
you move forward from loss to light.


Sunday, April 26, 2015

Is Spring Here?




It is COMING!
Or at least they say it is.
SPRING!



We go from this……...



To THIS!!
SNOW!!


Yes we do need patience!
But is is so very hard to wait!



I Want MORE of these BEAUTIES!



And fill my vase up with these little DARLINGS!


Oh and check out this little guy! 
He is a BUSY BEE!  ;)


Send me your Spring photos and I will post them up here to share!
Message me at hjoi_nuc@yahoo.com and send your 
photo, title and name!

Friday, March 27, 2015

Newborn Photo Shoot - Mama LOVES Babies!

What joy it is to be able to capture 
those precious early moments with 
a new baby in the house!

PRECIOUS
BEYOND
WORDS

WELCOME TO THE WORLD
SWEET BABY GIRL