A New Grocery Cart Staple

We have a new favorite. We can't go back to the generic brand we got before..

we are hooked. this is a must in the grocery cart.

A while back Welch's contacted me about trying out their new Welch's Natural Spreads.

I never turn down something edible. It think it's a blogger rule. ;)

A few days later 2 jars showed up on my door step!

The girls were excited..not only did we get mail..but they could EAT IT. haha...

Was officially the best mom ever. they appreciate the little things at this age.

But I realized, after the jar was ALMOST COMPLETELY GONE...

That maybe I should blog about it before it's empty. haha.

The husband was actually the one who loved it the most I think.

He's trying to eat nothing with high fructose corn syrup in it.

tougher than you would think..but this spread has none.

The girls loved it..but they aren't hard to please.

Welch's did a good job of camouflaging the good stuff in this

that the girls had no clue that I was going all healthy on them.

With this pregnancy I am loving eggs and toast in the morning..

so this morning we whipped some up and of course put some of the spread on it!

We've been eating it on everything.

I think it would be really good in greek yogurt...

or on top of pancakes with powdered sugar...trying that next.

Have you tried their spreads before??

Check out Welch's on Facebook.

Split Pea Soup Recipe- Pregnancy Craving #1

With this Pregnancy, nothing sounds good to me...

so when something does..I jump on it!

Split Pea Soup sounded amazingggg..

So at the grocery store I pulled up a recipe on my phone,
grabbed up some potatoes, peas, onion and bread,

 and made it for dinner last night!

I used Ina Garten's Split Pea Soup Recipe on Food Network to know where to start..

Here's my take on the recipe.. check out the comments on the

food network page above to get even more ideas

on how to tweak the recipe to make it how you like it!

I almost followed it exactly..****with my changes marked underneath.
it's delicious. and SO EASY.

Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

1 Cup chopped yellow onions

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/8 cup good olive oil

**I used what I had

1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1-1/2 Teaspoons Salt

1 Teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

2 Cups medium-diced carrots (3 to 4 carrots)

1 Cup medium-diced red boiling potatoes, unpeeled 3 small

**I put in 4 potatoes

1 pound dried split green peas

8 cups chicken stock or water

**I used 4 cups water & 4 cups Vegetable Stock (What I had)

Directions

In a 4 quart stockpot on medium heat - saute the onions and garlic with the olive oil, oregano, salt & pepper until the onions are translucent..10 - 15 minutes.

Add the carrots, potatoes, stock/water and ALL the split peas (her version says 1/2)

Bring to a boil, then simmer uncovered for 40 minutes.

Stir frequently to keep solids from burning on the bottom.

Taste for salt and pepper and simmer for another 40 minutes.
(Add in more water if you want it less thick..I added in a cup or so..)

Serves 5-6

So yummy served with a piece of french bread.

mm..I want leftovers now..... ;)

Pregnancy Craving #2

I made a pumpkin pie tonight....... hehe.

(I followed the instructions on the can.. was heavy with the spices. :)

I had some pre-made dough in the fridge.

(I grabbed it up because someone left a

coupon on it in the grocery store. so nice right??)

I love my husband so much..

I realized as I was about to put in my evaporated milk it was old..

so he ran to the grocery store to get me some..

only I said condensed milk by accident...........

so he went BACK and got me the right ingredient.

because he loves me so much. :)

he texted this the other night.. he knows I'm having a hard time being SO sick..

things like this help. :)

Easter!- Sophie, 3 years old: "Jesus Saved us!"

Hope all of you had a wonderful Easter!

Thought I would share our Weekend..(I love being able to click back each year!)
The Easter bunny hopped through our house

and left some fun stuff to celebrate Jesus' Resurrection.. and a fewww sweets. ;)

Sophia was so funny..she kept telling us

"Jesus was trapped but then he went like that (does a wiggle) and got out!.. and he got the bad guys(??) and Heaven won!.....Jesus saved us!" haha...

It was a fun day of visiting with family, playing, eating & going to Church.
We even got in a 3 hour family nap..Easter miracle! seriously....
Thank you Jesus. haha we needed it.

Easter Baskets found at Jo-Ann's on clearance (only because I'm horribly last minute..)

I loved them! They are nice and sturdy too.

We have an Easter tradition that the Easter Bunny
and her stuffed animals have an Easter Tea Party!...
and when the girls wake up they can join in on it!

I found a tea set this year that a bit "fancier" for an older sophia..
(a tin one from Babies R Us)

Sienna immediately grabbed up a muffin as soon as she saw them..

she held it the whole morning until she put it in her Easter Basket for later. ;)

The Bouncy Balls the Eater Bunny found at Target were a hit!

I loved the colors..the girls loved rolling on them..

daddy loved throwing it at them and watching them giggle...............

I was so happy with the Tote Bag the Easter Bunny found at the Dollar Store

(and the bible drawing pad too!) The Bag said "Jesus my Forever Friend"..

they had a bunch of cute ones.

I LOVED seeing sienna open the eggs and discover what was inside!

She then went on to hoard all of the jelly beans... in her mouth.

It was an "Adventure" at mass on Easter...Sienna was feeling a bit...wild.

But we MADE IT! haha. and nap time soon followed.
*dress from target maternity

The only family photo I have.. :) Easter Dinner with Ben's Family..

It was fun seeing all the kids play together..

and  a polish get together wouldn't be complete without some Kielbasa. ;)

We were sent home with leftover ham..

I am making Split Pea & Ham Soup with it tonight. yummy.

  

Family Floor Snuggles before bed time..

and sienna snuggling with the baby bump ;)

I love the shot of Ben snuggling with one of his ballerinas...hehe.

I grabbed up, the day after Easter, some discounted dresses from Target.

(Sophie is wearing hers) They call them their Wedding day dresses..

They posed for these photos. Sienna is wearing her ballerina

gear the easter bunny brought them. SOOO CUTEEEE.

The night before Easter Ben and I went with his

little brother, sister & her boyfriend to the phillies game!

I mean Pirates game.. ;) We lost. but it was still fun.. a fireworks night!

Can't wait to see all of your posts on your Easter!

Love seeing how everyone celebrates it.

The Last 2 Easters- Bunny Tea Party, Recipes & Free Jesus Printables

One of the best parts about blogging...

is that you can look back at past posts and be able to remember all the fun!!

The girls and I sat down and looked at the last 2 Easters I blogged about..

So crazy how the first I was pregnant with sienna and Sophia was sienna's age now!

And how both were in different houses....we're in a new place now too!

I thought some of you might appreciate the ideas and cuteness..

so linking up both posts here for easy viewing.

2010 Easter

Some recipes that are sweet...

but..you HAVE to try the broccoli salad recipe in this post. uh..mazing.

(I'm 22 Weeks Pregnant with Sienna!)

2011 Easter

I loved putting together this Bunny Tea Party on Easter Morning!

I think sophia was even more in love with the idea as we read back on the post..

Attempting to track down her tea set......#toomanytoysinthiscrazyhouse

This year for the baskets we are going simple..with "busy" activities... I need those types of toys right now just so I can sit for a minute. With baby #3 making itself known alllll dayyy longggg it will be very helpful to have some fresh activities for them to do. Messy free ones. well...as messy free as you can get with these two.

Details after the weekend!

Click over to the post to print off the free Jesus is Risen! coloring pages..

Using these again this year.

Can't wait to share what we are doing this year on Easter Morning!

I love making it special for them...

Sophia has been busy brushing her dolls hair getting them ready for Easter. hehe.

I would think it's even moreee cute if she wasn't using MY hair brush........

DIY Easter Ideas - Kid Activities, Basket & Eggs Inspiration Board

I wanted to put together some ideas

for Easter Activities with kids...

DIY details to put in the Easter basket..

and Egg inspiration!

I love the little Peep Pal and the He is Risen Donut Tomb....

How are you connecting the Easter Bunny to the

reason for celebrating Easter?? (Jesus' Resurrection!!)

I told the girls the story..that after Jesus died for us on the cross..

he was put in a tomb with a biggggg rock blocking the door.

But Jesus moved it and angels came and he went to heaven and opened it up for us!!

So one day we could be with Him there too!

And the little Easter Bunny saw allllll of this amazing ness happen and

ever since has been bringing treats on Easter to celebrate Jesus rising from the dead!

The girls love the story. Would love to track down a book that is similar.

let me know if you have the name of one!

Enjoy these great links. (all listed below)

1. Intense Egg Dyeing Tips by Design Mom

2. Glittered Eggs by Martha Stewart

3. Bunny Finger Puppets by purl bee.

4. Little Peep Pal by Michael Ann Made

5. Kool-Aid Egg Dyeing Guide found on Pinterest (original source unknown. do you know it??)

6. Neon Dip-Dyed Easter Eggs by Oh Joy

7. Easter Egg Finger Puppets by wild olive

8. Chevron Easter Eggs by BonBon Rose Girls

9. Washi Tape Easter Eggs by lovely indeed

10. Creative Play Easter Basket by modern parents messy kids

11. Jesus is Risen Paper Craft by Totally Tots

12. He is Risen Tomb Snack Activity ound on Pinterest (original source unknown. do you know it??)

13. "Hands on" Easter Chick Activity by that artist woman

14. Cookies in Egg Carton (great gifting idea/inspiration!) by cheryls.com

15. Paper Plate Easter Bunny by free preschool crafts

DIY Easter Ideas - Sweet & Yummy Treats Inspiration Board

As promised...some sweet and yummy treat ideas for a DIY Easter this year!

I included some of my printables in this inspiration board...

all of which will be e-mailed out same day as ordered!

so you have time to make up a sweet treat bag for gifting.. or cupcake toppers for a cute display!

My favorite......the tuxedo peeps. so cute! and yummy. ;)

Enjoy this Easter Inspiration Board!

Check out all the links below to get all the

details on these recipes & sweet ideas!

1. Tuxedo Peeps by Babble

2. Easter Bird Nest Cookies by With a Grateful Prayer and a Thankful Heart

3. Peep Treat Bag Tags by The Pretty Paperie Printables (my etsy shop)

4. Hot Cross Buns with Dark Chocolate & Dried Cherries by Cookin Canuck

5. Coconut Macaroon Nutella Cookie Nests by Two Peas & Their Pod

6. Easter Egg Lunch Hunt by Gluesticks

7. Easter Rice Krispie Treats by kidscooking.about.com

8. Chick Deviled Eggs found on Pinterest (but originally from the recent issue of Taste of Home)

9. Easter Cupcake Topper Printables by The Pretty Paperie Printables (my etsy shop)

10. Resurrection Rolls by Surreality

DIY Easter Ideas - Pretty Table & Decor Inspiration Board

Easter is just around the corner..

Here's some DIY Ideas for your Easter Table and Decor!

Follow the Links below to check out all the details on each fun project!..

More fun Easter Inspiration Boards coming tomorrow and thursday!

(Sweets and DIY's to fill the easter baskets!)

1. Wheatgrass place settings by my insanity

2. Tablescape by nestofposies

3. Carrot Centerpiece by wants & wishes

4. White Tablescape (pinned from citrus and orange )

5. Tissue Paper Tassel Inspiration by confetti system

6. Fabric Garland by sugar lander

7.Candy Centerpiece by Martha Stewart

8. Doily Place Setting via intimateweddings.com

9. White Tablescape found via pin on Good Life of Design

10. 'Hoppy Easter!' Thumb Print Cards or Place Settings by sarahndipities

11. Tissue Paper Tassel Garland Tutorial by Visual Vocabulary

12. Vintage Easter Brunch on Hostess with the Mostess, by Julia of In Good Company

13. Floral Centerpiece by chatelaine

14. Doily Wrapped Drink from Hostess with the Mostess, by Julia of In Good Company

15. Cheery Yellow Table Setting by my sweet savannah

16. Tablescape with Moss Runner by between naps on the porch

17. Colorful Floral Arrangement on the wedding chicks 

Tried to link up to the original source for as many as possible.

(I think 1 I couldn't find! so let me know if you know.)

Hope you are having a great week so far..

We are great here! but today was one of those Can I make it to bed time?!?!? type of days....

And lately...Every night it seems like my children are SHOCKED that we do bed time...........

Surpise! bed time.. I know..it's not like we do this every night...

thought I would shake things up for you little ones.......?!?! ;)

Enjoying the silence right now and sweet sleeping babies.

Not enjoying the morning all day sickness from Baby #3..

I don't have time to be sick with these two girls running around! ;)

Hoping I can get through this rough part of the pregnancy soon

and start getting that mommy glow.....ha.