Day 2::::Cereal Box Christmas Trees

     Mini Christmas trees are just amazing. I'm not talking about actual mini xmas trees, but one that is cone shape covered in a variety of adornments. I've seen them made out of ornaments, glitter, bells, pine cones, sequins, rope and so much more. I also saw the price tag on most of them and laughed out loud at the store. To be honest, my holiday style is ever evolving and I want to be able to change it and not feel guilty. I scoured the internet, well actually my other cyber friend, Pinterest, and came across this blog that had exactly what I wanted.

Here are mine:::::::

     These were once boxes of pancake mix, Cheerios and rice,,,,,,,but now they are my new collection of Christmas Trees!!! I picked up a variety of adornments at my local craft store to cover the cereal boxes. On the left, is a small package of gold and silver garland. The tallest is gold garland with an assortment of red decorative foam balls. The silver one in the front is a different style of garland. The tree on the right was a package of beaded garland. 

The fun part of this is you can go crazy! From using left over Christmas decorations or picking up pine cones on the side of the road. 

  

    Have Fun!!!!!!!

12 Days of Handmade Xmas:::: Day 1:::: JOY

     The holidays is always such a hectic time of year. Last year I was in a "nesting" phase, waiting for our daughter to be born. She made her grand entrance a week early and we all celebrated xmas in the hospital. No Christmas present was more special!
     So this year was a whole different ball game; we are all going to be together to celebrate Christmas, I feel like I need to make up for not celebrating properly last year, its our first xmas as a family and we have a huge new house that needs decorating!!!
    I have went a tad overboard in some people's eyes, not mine of course, in my craft projects lately. So in light of the season and to share all the glue and glitter that is being tracked through our home, I am initiating my first blog series:::: 12 Days of Handmade Christmas!!!

Today's project started like most of mine, I was in the middle of a project and had an epiphany, so I went with it. (This is why there are a multitude of projects  around my house in "process")
 I wanted to "JOY" incorporated in my decor this year.

I stumbled upon these wood frames at Michael's Arts & Crafts a few weeks ago and figured they would get used sooner or later. They came as plain wood frames and I spray painted them black. The letters are cut out of music paper using my Cricut machine using the "A Child's Year" cartridge. I inked the edges to give them a distressed look. Behind the letter is glitter paper. I cut them to size and glued on the letters. I used temporary adhesive to adhere the glitter paper to the frame, because I am sure I am going to want to use these for another project!!!

Supplies Needed:

3 Picture Frames
Spray Paint or Acrylic Paint
Letters, cut out or you can purchase 3-D ones at a craft store
Background Paper
Adhesive
Ink


Tomorrow::::::Cereal Box Xmas Trees!!!!!! Come Back and Play Along!!!

Cauliflower Pizza Crust::::::

I have been 'thinking' about blogging quite a bit, as I scour Pinterest, other people's blogs and Instagram:)) There is so much to catch up on: We moved back to Southern California, we got married and G is now 9 months. But any-who::::what better way to start my way back into the blog world by getting inspired in the kitchen last night.

I've been watching, reading and researching about all these new ways of eating that people are trying, whether it be Gluten free, Paleo, Clean Eating-it's all quite interesting. I've been trying things out here and there and I'm sold and I feel great! 

Last night I attempted something I have had my eye on for a while:::::Cauliflower Pizza Crust. I'll admit, as an Italian, us and pizza go hand in hand, so I was willing to put the dough aside to see what all the talk was about. Let me tell you:::::it was delicious!!!! Thank goodness Joe was out of town, because I definitely did not make enough to share:)) 

So here it is::::::

Cauliflower Pizza Crust

{{{Preheat the oven to 400F}}}

Ingredients

1 medium size Cauliflower head

1 egg

1/3-1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese

1 tsp Oregano (((or any other spices in the dough that you desire)))

1 pinch of salt (optional)

Pizza Toppings

1. Put small florets of Cauliflower into the food processor and pulse, until a rice-like consistency is achieved. (Don't pulse too much-you don't want a puree:)))

2. Steam Time:::: 

    Fill a pot with water, just about an inch, and bring it to a boil. Add the Cauliflower 'rice' and cover. Steam it for about 5 minutes. Drain,,,make sure you use a fine-mesh strainer, so you don't loss the mixture. 

3. Strain the "Rice"

    Put rice on a thin dishtowel and squeeze as must water out as you can. 

           ((((You'll have to wait a few minutes, because it will be tooooo hot:)))

   This is an important step, because it allows the dough to not get a gooey texture after cooking!!!!

4. Get your Dough ready

   In a large bowl, combine your cauliflower rice, egg, cheese, Oregano and salt. Mix well!!!!

5. Shape your dough

   Line a baking sheet with Parchment Paper and shape away. I shaped mine in a rectangle shape, just because, but you can do whatever your heart desires-just make sure the thickness is 1/3 inch thick!

6. Bake at 400F for about 35 minutes. You can tell the dough is ready because it will be golden brown all over.

7. Top it Off!!! 

    Load your pizza with your desired toppings. I put on my homemade Roasted Tomato & Garlic sauce, a tad bit more mozzarella and homemade Roasted Red Bell Peppers (((I'll share those recipes too!))))

8. Bake for another 5 minutes, or until cheese is melted!!!

I hope you enjoy this new and healthier take on pizza~!!!!!!!

Miss Independent

Miss G has learned to sit up now and could not be more proud of herself. She takes playing on her mat to a whole other level. Although now that she knows she can sit, she always wants to be sitting-even when she happens to tumble over she'll let you know she needs help back up:))) We have hardwood floors throughout our house, so I created "crash pads" around her to avoid the inevitable tumbles.

I love her facial expression in this picture. Astonished that she can sit---now what do I do?!?!?!? G loves to have all her toys in front of her while playing so she can grab, throw it to the side and play with something else. Last night she had such a fun time playing with Daddy:)) It made my heart melt.

But it is bath time that has turned into a whole new experience for all parties involved.....who wants to lay down like a baby in the tub when one can sit up:::::not Gianna!!! She has always been a water lover, but watching her in the bath last night was hilarious. She made sure you were watching her while flashing a smile and playing with her bath toys. She did show a little frustration when she couldn't figure out why the toys wouldn't stay put----too cute!!! This little munchkin is such a joy I can't stand it!!!! I'm so thankful everyday to wake up to her and experience life as a Mommy.

...........XOXO........

We Have a Food Lover:))))

I knew even before I came a Mom that I wanted to make all of my children's food. I gained such insight from my friend/former employer of twin girls that I helped raise from birth to two years old. I witnessed the mass production of steamed fruits and baked veggies pureed in her food processor. She had a abundant supply of ice cube trays that would get filled-and when frozen, dumped in a ziplock bag and labeled. Although I did not partake in the grunt work, it was such an easy experience when it came to introducing new foods to the girls and mixing flavors. I was convinced and determined that I would do the same.

Introducing G to solid foods has been such a fun experience. She has loved all the bananas, rice cereal and avocado we have given her. But all that takes is peeling and mashing:::::I've been anxiously waiting to for the time to produce my own baby food. Yesterday, we introduced a new food:::::Sweet Potato. I grabbed some organic sweet potato and baked it until soft. I immediately dropped it into my handy dandy food processor-----baby making food was in full effect.

Once G saw her bowl and spoon , she knew exactly what was going to happen. First spoonful of sweet potato:::::success. We even got a smile. She that grabbed tightly onto her high chair tray, lunging forward, anticipating the next bite. I was excited that she enjoyed the food as well as the satisfaction of knowing exactly what she was eating:))))))

                           

Simply Serging::::::Or Not?!?!?!?!

Following the birth of G, we finally were able to celebrate Christmas as a new little family. I truly could not have asked for a better x-mas present. But in the spirit of adding to my crafting entourage, my Mom and soon-to-be Mother in-law (((only 58 more days until the wedding::::ahhh)))) surprised me with a Serger. I didn't desperately need one, but now that I have one I know I can accomplish much more with my sewing.

We used the machine briefly to finish up a skirt for G's bassinet, but it was my first day home from my 8 day hospital stay and I was not up to learn:((( So it's been sitting in its pretty case waiting to be used. Joseph needed some table runners for a convention he has next week. In my typical sewing fashion I would have just hemmed the edges and called it a day::::but I thought it would a great project to bust out the Serger.

After doing a couple test fabrics to get a hang of the machine, two of the threads broke. That brought up a whole other dilemma. The machine is so intimidating. After reading the manuel and figuring out how to thread it all by myself, I put that machine to work. The table runners turned out great and now I feel more confident in using this bad boy. If only I could find the time to play around, I'm dying to make some dresses for G::::maybe after the wedding:)))

XOXO

P.S. I love this little girl

Rewind:::::Mother's Day

Life at our house has been crazy::::wedding planning is in full effect (((only 61 days to go:))), getting ready for our first family trip next week to Nebraska, and some other 'stuff' that hopefully we will share with everybody soon!! But, let's rewind a bit since I never got the opportunity to share my 1st Mother's Day........

Celebrating Mother's Day as a Mommy this year was such a blessing!!! It was this time last year that Joseph and I found out we were going to be parents:))) Joseph's Mom was in town this weekend too, so we got to spend time with her as well too. With the help of some family members, Joseph got me a gist that I will treasure for the rest of my life!!! He purchased a leather bond journal filled with blank pages. He wrote me a sweet introduction letter inside, explaining what this journal would hold::::

"It contains the thoughts and thanks

 from her children.

Each page represents a stage

 in her life. Filled with all

the wonderful things she

means to her children. This

book will forever remain 

a testimony of their love!

Enjoy......"

On the first page, Joseph pretended that G could actually creAte a card and scribbled "Happy Mother's Day" for her, but had her stamp her hand:)))) I immediately was in love, with the idea, the book itself, the memory and excited for its future entires!!!!

I spent the rest of the day with my little, amazing family that I am so grateful for. I am also grateful for my Mom, who as been such an inspiration!!! I was super bummed I did not get to spend the day with her, but my Dad, Sister and Brother treated her well!!! XOXO