Digi Day

I feel like it's been a really long time since I did a digi day. February flew by and today is Leap Day. I've always thought Leap Day would make a really fun birthday. I wanted to do something fun for the kids and my sister-in-law gave me the idea to have cake batter pancakes and icecream for dinner. The kids are going to love that!

Anyway, there are a lot of great deals on line today. JessicaSprague.com is no exception. You can purchase 4 hybrid scrapbooking classes for $1.00 each. Very cool. More info. Here!




Also, it's Wonderful Wednesday and you can get over 10 items for 50% off. Oh, I love when you can take a day and make it fun!


Today I have a few pages for you. Thanks to those that take the time to look at my pages. I put my heart into them.

I love this photo. Aaron wouldn't like it, but he doesn't read my blog. :) I just don't get very many photos of Aaron, not enough anyway. He is such a good dad and we love him to pieces. Love this template by The Queen of Quirk. Full Credits Here.

This is Erica's lil boy. He is such a doll with that hair. He loved this balloon. Full Credits Here.

I love how this one turned out. I'm just digging grey. I love it. This is my sweet Maggs at one. What a beauty. :) This is another template by The Queen of Quirk. Her templates are my fave. Full Credits Here.

Happy Leap Day and have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

Menu Monday

Happy Monday! Life has pulled me into another whirlwind. Between trying to sell our home, taking care of a sick baby, and just living life, I feel pulled in so many directions. That's okay though. We're living and that's what matters.

I did want to say congrats to our cookbook winner. I'm jealous. I can't wait to get my hands on that new cookbook. Also, I put out a little bribery last week on this post to wish Erica a Happy Birthday. Thanks to those that did, I know I didn't need to bribe anyone but being a mom, I know a little bribery goes a long way. The random generator chose Shenell. I know you have girls, send me your address and I'll send you a couple of hair clippies.

Okay, hope you have a fabulous week! Onto March!

Moni's Menu

Monday
Leftover Lasagna

Tuesday
Chicken Rice Bowls

Wednesday
Italian Wedding Soup

Thursday
Oven Baked Stew

Friday
German Pancakes or Hootenannies

Saturday
Frito Casserole

Sunday
Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Erica's Menu

Monday
Creamy Crockpot Chicken


Tuesday
Taco Salads


Wednesday
Ham and Bean Soup


Thursday
Crockpot Beef Stroganoff


Friday
Simply Done Chicken Legs


Saturday
Homemade Corn Dogs and Fries


Sunday
Grilled Steaks and Fried Potatoes

Happy Monday!

English Muffin Bread

Have you missed us?  I hope so.  We've both been soooo busy!  I've had sick croupy kids, and our cows are having their babies.  So I'm on high alert.  Who knew I'd become a farmers wife.  I LOVE IT!  Exciting times around here!  

I thought I better whip something up for the blog, so I chose this AMAZING  bread.  And when I say amazing, I MEAN IT!  I think it has to be a new favorite of mine and my families.  It toasts up so nicely and you can put whatever on it.  My favorite has to be butter and jam.  Or honey butter.  Mmmm...It makes a huge batch of 4 loaves. I gave 2 away.  I'm sure it would freeze up nicely.  I will have to try it.  

It really is a beautiful bread.  Gorgeous!

English Muffin Bread

5 1/2 c. warm water

3 packets or 6 1/2 tsp active dry yeast

2 Tbsp salt

3 Tbsp sugar

11 c. all purpose flour

In your mixing bowl add your water and yeast.  Stir gently to combine and let it sit until nice and bubbly.  Add your sugar, salt and then the flour.  Mix until well combined.  Cover and let rise until it reaches the top of your bowl.  While it's rising grease 4 larger bread pans and sprinkle some corn meal in there too. Shake it around to evenly coat the pan.  Spoon dough evenly into pans.  Let it rise again until it reaches the top of the pan.  Bake at 350 minutes 40-45 minutes or a nice golden color.  10 minutes before the timer goes off brush on melted butter on the tops of all the loaves and continue baking.  Remove and let them cool completely on a cooling rack before cutting into them. 

Source-One Good Thing

Note-I used my kitchenaid for this.  It almost filled the entire bowl, but still worked nicely.  If you want to play it safe, use a huge bowl.  This dough is extremely runny and sticky, so don't worry when you pour it into your bread pans.   

I want more!  So dang yummy.  :o)

We still haven't heard from our winner, CINDY B.!  If we don't hear from her before tomorrow morning we will be picking a new winner.  So, Cindy, WRITE US!  PLEASE!  ;o)

Have a happy Thursday!

Just Pinned and a WINNER!

Hi!  Happy FRIDAY!  Have you discovered Pinterest yet?  I love Love LOVE this place!  It makes me happy.  It takes me places and it makes me think that I am very creative and a master chef.  I could easily pin and pin for a couple hours.  But, I don't unless I am in bed and pinning away on my phone when I can't sleep.  :o)  Here's what has been pinned this week by either me or Monica. 

Hahahahaha!...I wish!  :o)

Are you kidding me?  This looks so yum!

I love all the different outfits you can pin.  I wish I could have every single outift. 

Mmmm...

This is called Better than Sex Chex mix.  If you try it, let me know.  *lol*

So many adorable teacher gift ideas.

So if you haven't discovered pinterest yet, then I think you should go check it out now.  If you need an invite just leave us a comment with your email and we will send you one ourselves.  If you already have an account, and aren't following us yet, then you can go here to follow Erica, and here to follow Monica.

And here is what you have all been waiting for.  I had Monica pick a number this morning with the random number generator and the winner is...CINDY B.!!!!!  WOOOHOOO!  E-mail us immediately at enjvanbeb@yahoo.com with the address you want the new cookbook sent to.  If you don't contact us in a weeks time, then we will pick a new winner. 

Have a happy weekend!  It's supposed to storm here this weekend.  I really REALLY hope it does.  Stay safe!

Healthy Chocolate Muffins

I know when I hear "healthy" in certain things I think it is gonna be dry and bland.  Well...these are far from both!  And each one is only 58 calories for a regular sized muffin.  I whipped these up this morning, so I would have a great after workout treat.  I'm so happy I did, because these were amazing.  I don't know how healthy they still are when you have more than one in one sitting.  Tee hee!  O'well.  I think these would have been a lot bigger if I hadn't run out of baking powder.  I only used 1/4 of what it called for.  I think they were still quite pretty.  :o)

*drool*

Healthy Chocolate Muffins

1 3/4 c. oatmeal

3 egg whites

3/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 c. unsweetened apple sauce

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 c. plain greek yogurt

1/2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/4 tsp. salt

1 c. hot water

1 c. sugar substitute (Like Splenda) or 1/4 c. plus 2 Tbsp Stevia

1/2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin pans with liners or spray muffin tin with non stick spray.

In a food processor or blender add all your ingredients except your chocolate chips.  Blend until oats are ground and mixture is good and smooth. 

Scoop the mixture into liners about 2/3 full.  Bake 10 minutes, and then sprinkle tops with chocolate chips. Bake for an additional 3-5 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool and enjoy!  Yum yum YUMMY!

Source-From Flab to Fab

Seriously so happy I made these today.  You are probably wondering how my diet is going.  Well...I have my GREAT days, and my not so great days, but who doesn't?  I think you need to cheat every once in awhile.  I've lost a total of 6.8 lbs and numerous inches throughout my entire body.  I feel great!  I would like to lose about 10-15 more lbs, but we will see.  I feel great!  I'm now training for my 10k and I absolutely love running!  I never thought I would ever say that. 

Anyhoo...Have an awesome Wednesday!  And do not forget to enter out giveaway!  You only have until tomorrow night to do so!  GO DO IT NOW HERE!!!

Edited to ADD:
This is Monica. :) Today is Erica's 30th birthday. Please wish her a happy birthday. She is one of the most caring, giving, and kindest people I know. She's the best sister and I love her to pieces. If you wish her a happy birthday by commenting on this post, I'll send a random person a handmade surprise. Bribery. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I'm sure you have been all over Pinterest looking for Valentine's ideas. I know I have. One of my friends is quite the pinner and has lots of eye candy on her boards. Her name is Emily and you can find her Pin Boards Here.

Anyway, I wanted to make this day special for my kiddos. We started the morning with breakfast. I set the table with Heart plates, heart cups, heart twisty straws, and lots of pink. It was really a mishmash of lots of ideas I've seen. Then we had pink milk, pancakes, and bacon.























I made pancakes that looked like these but using my recipe. The kids loved them.

For lunch I got most of my inspiration from Three Pixie Lane, but I added my own touches. It was fun to pack up a fun lunch for the kids. I hope they like it.



I also added this cute little ensemble. I know the kiddos will love this.



And for their Valentines I did these. Soooo cute.

I saw these somewhere on the web a few years back. I finally did them and loved how they turned out. Ben thought they were pretty cool too.

I did see this on Pinterest and thought it would be perfect for Maggs. She loved the play on words and couldn't wait to pass them out at school. She's so cute.

Hopefully I've made their day extra special. I love these two kiddos and Valentine's is the perfect day to show them. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Menu Monday

Happy Monday! We woke up to white snow everywhere. I am completely content with snow in January and February. Once March hits I get antsy for Spring.

Last week I followed my menu to a T until yesterday. We were planning on a pork roast but I was not 100% sure about my roast. It just didn't seem right. I hate buying our meat from the grocery store. I grew up on farm raised beef and pork and of course occasionally deer and elk. Anyway, I live by "if in doubt, throw it out". Ten dollars in the garbage. Boo! By inspiration (Megan), we decided to have breakfast for dinner. Waffles with this Syrup was perfect.

This week we get two nights out! Very exciting. Hope you have a wonderful week, and Happy Valentines Day!!!

Monica's Menu

Monday
Tofu Stirfry

Tuesday
Valentines Day-I have a date. :)

Wednesday
Taco Soup

Thursday
Hawaiian Haystacks

Friday
Night Out

Saturday
Chicken Sandwich

Sunday
Lasagna (Request by Ben, I love when the kiddos request dinners)

Erica's Menu

Two nights out?!  Lucky!  I unfortunately don't get any nights out this week, so here's my weekly menu.  :o)

Monday
Hot dog Boats

Tuesday
Sweet and Sour Chicken

Wednesday
Tacos

Thursday
Lemon Butter Chicken

Friday
Bean and Cheese Quesadillas

Saturday
Steak and Fried Potatoes

Sunday
I think I'll do Lasagna too.  Sounds so yum!

You only have a few more days to enter our giveaway for the new Pioneer Woman cookbook!  Make sure you go and enter HERE!!

Happy Monday!

Red Velvet Valentines Cupcakes

I was in a cupcake mood. For those new followers, this blog started out as a cupcake blog. It has evolved and changed into Erica and my everything blog, but cupcakes are near and dear to my heart. For fear of becoming a broken record, I won't tell you why I love cupcakes. Most likely it's the same reason you do. There is nothing like a perfectly portioned beautiful tasty little cake. See, there I go.

This is a Martha Stewart recipe. I have a love/hate relationship with her cupcake recipes. Sometimes they are amazing and well, sometimes they are blah-se. The reviews on this cupcake are not that great, but my cupcake club did this recipe in December and they all enjoyed them. I trust my fellow cupcake loving friends so I gave it a go.

Overall, I'm glad I did. I do think this recipe could use some tweaking. It is an oil and sugar based recipe so the bottom of the cupcake liners were a bit oily although the cupcakes didn't taste oily themselves. They were moist, had a nice crumb, and very good. I'd be interested in playing with this recipe to cut down on the oil and still keep them moist.

You can find the recipe HERE. I frosted them in my favorite Cream Cheese Frosting. This is also a Martha Stewart recipe and by far my favorite Cream Cheese Frosting recipe. It's so basic and just plain delicious.

For the tags I used Samantha Walker's A to Z Linen Solids Paper Pack and the Pea Sarah Font.

Hope you've had a wonderful week. Thank goodness for Friday, right? :)

Don't forget to enter our Giveaway for The Pioneer Woman's new cookbook. Enter Here.

Hello My Pretties...

Monica posted these babies way back when.  And can I just say these have to be my absolute favorite cupcake!  They are simple to throw together and oh so yummy!!  I have some bananas getting a little to ripe and I might just have to whip up a batch.  I think if I eat just one it might help me with my cravings.  Or maybe twp...or three?!  Ha ha!  Happy Thursday!


If you want an absolutely delicious easy cupcake recipe, I have found the one for you. Oh, these are so beautiful and yummy. These are not in the Martha Stewart Cupcakes Cookbook. I found these on marthastewart.com. There are a bunch of fun cupcake recipes on there. I'm excited to try more. These are called Banana Cupcakes with Honey Cinnamon Frosting. The frosting and the cake together is delectable. They are moist and fluffy and really just fabulous. These are definitely a keeper as far as recipes go. AND when I say easy, I'm not kidding, very doable. They only took me an hour and a half start to finish.

I hope you like my retro 70's counter tops. We are renting a cute little home built way before my time. I do love the nostalgic feeling of the old counter tops, and cabinets.

I actually didn't try the cake this time b/f. The reviews on the website say the cake is wonderful even without the frosting. I guess for the non-frosting lovers.

I on the other hand loved this frosting. It was light and I loved the touch of honey and cinnamon. Very different (and gourmet) from the average ole' buttercream that I'm used to.

Pretty.

And oh so tasty. There really is nothing like a cupcake. :)

Digi Day and a Valentines Freebie

Hi all! Happy Tuesday! I'm excited about today because I have my first Freebie for you! This has been something I've been meaning to do and well I finally did it. I've been loving all the fun Subway Art all over the net and recently I took a class at JessicaSprague.com on how to make Subway Art. You can find the class HERE.

Cute, right? This is an 8x10 jpg image but could be resized if needed. You can download this image HERE. Please leave me feedback if you use this image. Also, this image is copyrighted. You are welcome to use this image for your own personal use but it can't be sold or claimed as your own. Thanks!

Also, I did a layout this week featuring Samanth Walker's Cotton Tail Papers. It's fun to see some Spring products coming out. It's right around the corner people!

That's my lil' cutie last year. You can find Samantha's papers HERE and full credits for this layout HERE.

Don't forget to enter our Giveaway. We are feeling mighty generous this week. :) We are giving away the new Pioneer Woman Cookbook. You can enter HERE!

Have a wonderful day! :)

Menu Monday

Yay for pre-planned menus.  I love that I don't have to ask my husband every night, "What do you want for dinner?"  I hate asking because I always get the same response, "I don't know or and I don't care". :o)  If I ask the kids they always want to eat out or have cereal.  So, it's nice to have it hanging on the fridge so everyone knows what is for dinner. 

Erica's Menu

Monday
Cheddar Broccoli Soup in Bread Bowls

Tuesday
Haystacks

Wednesday
Biscuits and Gravy

Thursday
Homemade Corn dogs and Fries

Friday
Sweet and Sour Chicken

Saturday
I'm headed out of town with my good friend...no kids...I AM SO EXCITED! 

Sunday
Homemade Pizza


Monica's Menu

Monday
Tuna Noodle Casserole

Tuesday
Parmesan Chicken

Wednesday
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Thursday
Taco Casserole

Friday
English Muffin Mini Pizzas

Saturday
Chicken Strips and Oven Fries

Sunday
Cranberry Dijon Pork Roast

Don't forget to enter our Giveaway for The Pioneer Woman's New Cookbook. You can Enter HERE. Yay for Free Stuff! :) Have an awesome week!

Sugar Cookie Bars and a Giveaway!

I think I found a new favorite treat.  Seriously.  These were awesome.  I didn't eat as much as I wanted, because of this silly diet I'm on, but I got enough of a taste that every time I walked by them, my mind was screaming, "EAT THEM!  GET YOU A BAR AND ENJOY THAT SUCKER!  YOU DESERVE IT!  YOU CAN RUN IT OFF LATER!"  I ended up taking half over to my in laws to share with the grandkids.  I needed them out of my site! 

These would make a cute Valentine's neighbor gift but with cute Valentine's Day sprinkles.  I think I will be doing that for mine. 

Sugar Cookie Bars
1 c. unsalted butter, softened
2 c. sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 c. flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Cream your butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Add your eggs one at a time mixing well after each one.  Add vanilla.  Add your dry ingredients and mix until well combined.  Press into a greased 13x18 in sheet pan.  A big cookie sheet.  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes.  Check them and DO NOT OVER BAKE THEM!  Let it cool completely before frosting.

Frosting Ingredients
1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c. shortening
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
4 c. powdered sugar
5 Tbsp milk or until you get your desired thickness

Beat your butter and shortening until light and fluffy.  Add vanilla and then powdered sugar.  Mix until well combined.  Add in milk 1 Tbsp at a time until your reach the thickness that you want.  Spread over your cooled sugar cookie bars and then sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles right after so they stick to the icing.  Cut and serve. 

Source-Crunchy Rock

We are so excited about how well our little blog has been doing the last couple months that we thought we would do a giveaway!  It's our way of saying thank you to all of our followers.  We appreciate you coming back to read our blog and leaving us comments here and there.  It really makes our day hearing from all of you!

So, as you all know, I love Ree Drummond!  She is coming out with another cookbook in March, so I thought since I'm ordering me one, I would order a cookbook for one of our followers too!  Yay!  I can't wait!

You can enter up to 3 times!  You can enter for each thing you do.

Leave a comment if you are a follower of our blog, and let us know how we are doing or what you'd like to see different on the blog. 

Leave another comment if you are 'liking' us on Facebook.

Leave another comment if you shared with your friends and family on facebook, or any other social network that we are doing a fun giveaway on our blog, and leave us with a link to see.

We will choose a winner on Friday, the 17th!  So you have until Thursday, the 16th to enter.  :o)

And there you have it!  GOOD LUCK!!  I can't wait to see who wins!  Have a happy Friday, and again thank you for coming back to read our blog.  We love and appreciate every single one of you! 

Cinnamon Roll Muffins

*drool*  These were so tasty.  I made them on a Saturday morning so I could share them with the whole family.  We gobbled them right up.  They were actually really simple to throw together.  That's why I decided on making them.  A great weekend breakfast or treat. 

Isn't it pretty?

Cinnamon Roll Muffins

1 c. buttermilk

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 egg

3-3 1/2 c. flour (I used 3 1/2 c.)

Filling-

5 Tbsp butter, softened

1 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Icing-

1 c. powdered sugar

2-3 Tbsp milk

1/4 tsp vanilla

In your mixing bowl combine brown sugar, baking soda, salt, vanilla and egg.  Mix well.  Pour in buttermilk and then the flour.  Mix until thoroughly combine.  You don't want this super sticky, so it's easy to handle.  Use your hook and knead it for a few minutes.  If you don't have the hook then knead on a lightly floured surface and knead for a minute or two until nice and smooth. 

Roll your dough out into a 12x24 inch rectangle.  Spread with softend butter for filling and spring with brown sugar and cinnamon.  

Roll your dough starting at the wide side and roll towards you.  Make sure it's good and tight.  Cut in half, and then cut the halves in half again  Giving you 4 pieces.  Then you want to cut those into 3 rolls.  Giving you 12 muffins total.  Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray or use paper liners.  Place your muffins in the cups and bake at 375 for 15-20 minutes or until they start to turn golden brown.  Let them cool on a cooling rack.  When they are completely cool, make your icing and and drizzle the tops.  I just dunked mine in the icing and it was perfect. 

Enjoy!

Source-Sprinkled with Flour