Learn to ride...

i just made this inspirational printout for carson, since he is having a hard time getting the courage to ride his bike without training wheels.  enjoy!!

cherisse!!!

No Sew Tree Skirt

 I was searching pinterest a while back and was so excited when I found a super cute no sew tree skirt!

Then while out with my mom she mentioned she wanted to get my sister one.

I told her I would make one 

half way through I regretting that. 

I wish I would have made it for MYSELF it is so incredible cute!

Here is what it looks like.

Didn't it turn out so cute???

I will be making myself one next year!

HERE is where I got the instructions!
Try is out, you'll love it!

Birthday Party Fun

I started planning Stella's birthday MONTHS ago.

I love doing fancy creative things for parties.

Sadly, I did not have the energy to do everything I wanted to do =(

But I was able to do a few of the things I wanted to.

First, I made a fun little banner:

I put balloons on a basket to make it look like a hot air balloon. I saw a picture of this forever ago and loved the idea. I think it turned out pretty cute. 

Too bad I didn't get a picture that actually turned out good!!! Boo!

I asked family to make different types of cookies and had a cookie bar! 

Finally, I made Stella's cake. It did not turn out exactly how I planned since I had never done it before but I'm happy with how it turned out.

We had so much fun celebrating her 2nd birthday with family and friends. She was spoiled rotten! I had a lot of fun planning and preparing to make the day special for her even if she didn't notice =)

Now I will start planning next year's party!!!

Melissa

Stella turned 2

I can't believe my baby is TWO already.

 Tomorrow I will be posting all the fun cute things we did for Stella's birthday.

I am way too exhausted to post it today.

I'm excited to share the crafty things I did for her birthday party.

Tune in tomorrow!

Melissa

i just discovered the best thing!!

okay, so i'm probably the only one who didn't know this, but i'll tell anyway!!  you can get a letter from santa post marked from the north pole!! here is what you do: you get said letter from santa, address it to your child and put postage on it. then, you put that envelope into a bigger envelope and address it to the following:
north pole chrismas cancellation
325 s. santa claus lane
north pole, ak
99705-9998

i spoke with a woman at the post office and she said to be sure to mail them to the post office before december 12th!! you still have time!!!  now, do you want to see what my kids will be getting?

isn't that fun!!  sooo easy!!!  if you want the template i used, please email me at fancifulshenanigans(at)gmail(dot)com please put nice list template in the subject line!!  have fun!! i hope you get on the nice list!!

cherisse

Frozen Hot Chocolate

I decided to participate in Black Friday this year. So today I am T.I.R.E.D!! But I wanted to share a yummy recipe with you.

I have a new love.

It's name is not just hot chocolate

but FROZEN hot chocolate.

Yes I know it is cold outside but seriously this is the best frozen drink ever. 

You HAVE to try it!

I originally got the recipe HERE but after trying it I changed it a little and made it much more simple!

Here is what you need and what I did:

3T granulated sugar

2 packages of hot chocolate mix

2T unsalted butter

12oz can evaporated milk

Ice

Whipped Cream

Combine sugar, butter and hot chocolate mixes in a double boiler. 

Heat until it's paste-like then add 1/2 of the evaporated milk

Cool to room temperature

Combine chocolate mixture, the rest of the evaporated milk, and ice in a blender.

Pour into a cup and top with whipped cream!

Oh So Yummy!!

The next time I make this I am going to skip the heating part and just melt the butter and add to everything and blend with ice. We'll see how that turns out!

Oh and I promise to try to remember to start taking pictures of my recipes I make!! I always forget!!!

Melissa

i can't believe i forgot!!

i totally forgot to post yesterday!!! aaaah!!  but i am here now, and i have such a fun thing to post!!  mini pumpkin pies!! i made these for carson's 1st grade class.  they were a HUGE hit!! i saw kids shoving the whole pie in their mouths.  this is no special recipe.  it's the one off the label of the pumpkin can!!  the crust i used was one i haven't used for any of my pies before, but it will be now!!  it is pate brisee (patay brizay)  it's an all butter crust.  it is so flaky and tasty.  i do add more sugar than is called for, that is the only way i'll eat the crust.   anyway, i made the pate brisee for a 2 crust pie and rolled it out (the recipe can be found anywhere on the internet).  i then used a 3 inch cookie cutter and cut out my circles.

from there, i put the circle of dough into my muffin tin and pressed very gently down.  then i poured in my filling.  i baked at 450 for 10 minutes then turned it down to 350 and baked for 10 more minutes.  so easy!!  this made 48 mini pumpkin pies.  i did make more of these last night, but a little bit bigger.  i used a 4 inch cookie cutter instead and the crust came up to the top of the muffin cup.  this way, i made 24 mini pumpkin pies.  these are seriously so much fun!!!  at our thanksgiving, we'll have about 4 children under 7 and these are a perfect portion!!

i  am planning to post the pencil skirt later today when we get home from our thanksgiving dinner!!! 
i also wanted to mention a few things i am thankful for:  my home, husband, children and my friends here in lubbock that we get to spend time with today and every day!! i also am thankful for the canadian geese that fly over our apartments at all times of the day during this time of year!! (seriously, i love them) it is such a wonderful sound and sight!! ( i also love that my kids love them too!!!)
have a very wonderfully fantastic thanksgiving!!! see you later today!!