Let's get crafty

Wow!  It's been a crazy last few days!  My girlfriend Holly, from high school and college was in town for a long weekend and we had a blast!!!  Dinners and shopping and hanging with the kids.  It was great to catch up as she lives in Denver so we only get together once a year or so.  So much fun-but I am playing catch up around the house now that she has gone.  

We are also getting our first snowflakes today as I look outside.  I'm not a huge fan of the white stuff unless it's winter and it sticks around for outdoor fun but never the less it is here and the kids are extremely excited to see it coming down.  

As we prepare for the winter months, one of the things I look forward to is saving some of the herbs from our herb garden.  I thought this year I would use all of the rosemary for a wreath that we can hang in our mudroom-right off the kitchen.  What a great way to preserve a little bit of summer for the upcoming holidays.  So festive and wonderful smelling!

I went to Michael's to grab a few supplies I used for the wreath:

First, trim a bunch of rosemary from your outside plant.  Our winters are very harsh so it does not survive outdoors.  This is a great way to use it before it dies during the winter. 

With the floral wire begin to place the rosemary sprigs around the wire frame making sure it is all facing the same direction.  Cut small pieces of wire to secure each sprig to the form.

This is what your wreath will look like after you have attached about 1/2 of the rosemary.

Continue to fill in the gaps until the rosemary is all secured to your wreath frame.

Add a beautiful ribbon to top it off and you are set with an beautiful seasonal wreath.

 The finished wreath.  I love the fact that we can enjoy this in the weeks and months to come.

Super easy!

A Good Book

As a former Kindergarten teacher nothing makes me happier than kids who love to read!  We have so many books in our house and I encourage all four kids to read every day.  The older kids read before bed and the little boys read every chance they get. 

 These are some of our preschool fall favorite books!  

Autumn Leaves by Ken Robbins

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

Pumpkin Moonshine by Tasha Tudor

Pumpkin Soup by Helen Cooper

When Autumn Comes by Robert Maass

How do Apples Grow by Betsy Maestro

Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell

All books can be purchased here.

Great books on a great fall day!

Happy Saturday-Have a great weekend!!!

Crazy Ladies

OK, so my neighborhood ladies and I signed up for the Chicago Muderella in May!!!  It is an endurance course that we will do together as a team.  We did the 1/2 Marathon last spring and loved it!  Now we are going to take this new challenge head on.  I'm going to start to look at a few new fitness plans to mix things up and work hard to meet this goal.  I'm going to need it after eating a lot of marshmallows the last couple of days!!!  I traditionally run on the treadmill 3-6 miles at the same pace.  I think it is important to incorporate some interval training for an extra cardio burst.  Love The Leap  has a great example of a basic plan to help get me going.  

Modge Mango has this quickie workout that is great to do as a warm up before my weight training routine.

Gunna give this one from Sizzle Eats a try.

Pumps and Iron has this sprint workout that is going to kick my bootay!

Can't wait to give it a shot.

Love this!

It's time to get the fitness party started especially with the holidays knocking at our door.

I'd love to hear about your new fitness goals!  

MMM…..Marshmallows

It's the perfect day for leaf crunching and hot chocolate!  

The leaves are in full color and the weather is perfect for going out collecting and then 

coming inside for a warm cup of cocoa.  There is no better way to enjoy our steaming cups than with fresh homemade marshmallows.  These are the best, and you will never want jet puffed again!  The recipe is far easier than I could have ever imagined.  Just a few simple steps and some time and you will be lovin' these awesome creations in your cocoa or all alone.

Come inside and make some ohhh so yummy hot chocolate with these babies!  And when your finished make these tasty treats with the marshmallows you've made.  Yum!!!

MMM… Marshmallows Recipe

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

4 small packets of unflavored gelatin 

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup light corn syrup

1/2 vanilla bean scraped if you don't have a been use 1 tsp vanilla extract

3 large egg whites

pinch of cream of tartar

1/4 tsp salt

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

-Spray a baking dish or rimmed cookie sheet with cooking spray.

-In a small bowl whisk together powdered sugar and cornstarch. Dust the pan/sheet generously with the mixture.

-In a small bowl, add gelatin. Pour 1/3 cup of water on top and set aside to soften.

-In a small saucepan, add 1/2 cup water, sugar, corn syrup, and vanilla bean. Stir with candy thermometer and clip to side of pan. Turn on medium-low heat and heat to 246 degrees, about 15 minutes. 

-Meanwhile, add egg whites, vanilla, cream of tartar, and salt to a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Begin mixing on low speed once sugar mixture hits 230 degrees. Once mixture hits 246 degrees (firm ball), remove from heat and whisk in gelatin until completely incorporated. Into a medium bowl, pour mixture through a fine mesh sieve to catch any remaining lumps.

-With the mixer still running, add sugar mixture slow and steady. Once added, increase speed to medium high. Continue mixing until bowl has completely cooled and a meringues has formed, about 15 minutes. 

-The meringue is ready once it begins to hold strong peaks. The mixture will begin to pull away from the sides of the bowl.

-Scrape mixture into prepared pan. Smooth top with a spatula. Cover for about 4 hours to set.

-Once ready, sprinkle cornstarch mixture on top and spread evenly with your hand. Carefully remove marshmallow sheet and place on a cutting board. 

-Cut 1-inch squares or use cookie cutters to make cute shapes and roll individually in cornstarch mixture until evenly coated. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.  Don't worry they'll go fast!  Makes me want to make rice krispie treats with these.

MMM… Enjoy!!

And if you want to try a great "skinny" hot chocolate recipe check it out here.

Steppin' Out

Got some new booties this weekend after a major bootie hunt!  I wanted a timeless pair that would also be comfortable for running the kids around.  These are sooo comfortable as well as neutral so they will go with everything!  I threw them on with a pair of dark washed cuffed skinnies today but can't wait to wear them out with my black waxed jeans or leather leggings.

They are the Sam Edelman Maddox Chateau Grey Suede bootie and you can find them here.

I also found a bunch of other faves that are great too and remember the Nordstrom Women and Kids sale starts this week!

1. Frye at Nordstrom

2. Tory Burch at Nordstrom

3. Rag and Bone  at Nordstrom

4. Joe's at Nordstrom

5. Rag and Bone at Nordstrom

6. Jimmy Choo Youth Biker Boot at Nordstrom

I'd love to hear what boots are on your list for fall?  

Day After

Happy kids on Halloween despite the rain!

This is how I spent my morning.  No workouts despite the skittles splurge, no skinny jeans or flat iron.

Our home has sleepy children, sleepy dad, sleepy mom!  Halloween is a favorite but it always brings the dreaded Halloween hangover-Late night, too much candy, too much fun!   Each year leaves us with wonderful memories and the hopes that we will create many more in the years to come.  

Get off the couch it's time to pack it all up!

Halloween Nails

I love a reason for fun nails.  These spider webs are super easy and oh so cute on your tips!

I used Essie Licorice to paint 2 coats.

Then I used this nifty nail art pen from Sally Hansen.

I just made a web design on each nail using this awesome and easy nail pen.

Easy Peasy!

Here are some other fun nail ideas for Halloween.....

Marine from Marine Loves Polish has these really fun skeleton nails.

I must love the stripes.  The Model Stage has these cute skeleton inspired nails.

Love these cute candy corn tips from The Polish Aholic.

So many fun ways to dress up your claws for Halloween!!!

Have Fun!