Hi Friends!!
This Blog has Moved to:
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Be sure to subscribe to that Blog as I will no longer be posting on this Blog.
Thanks for the support and warm fuzzies!!
Hugs,
Holly
Be sure to subscribe to that Blog as I will no longer be posting on this Blog.
Thanks for the support and warm fuzzies!!
Hugs,
Holly
Getting excited for Valentines Day!! I just made them some hearts. OK, a lot of them. Enough to give one each day the 1st through the 14th of February for both Lexi and Jack. I am planning on sticking them in pockets, in the car, in backpacks. Just about any and everywhere I think they will look. I am hoping it will remind them during their day how much I love them. Each one can turned in for a piece of Valentine Candy.
http://www.facebook.com/TheYummyFactory
Or saved to play games. Like Tic Tac Toe, Catch, or a Game of Toss with Heart Shaped 50- 100- 500 taped to the tile. 🙂
We (I actually mean, my husband) made Mexican food last night. (My very Favorite!! Hoping to get recipes down to blog about it. Too tasty not to share with you!) Anyway, I made heart-shaped tortilla chips from regular corn tortillas. Soooo ridiculously easy, yet, the kids had so much fun with them, you would have thought I invented sliced bread. I see a lot more shaped chips in our near future. Here is one of Lexi’s Heart Chips with her dinner stacked on it.
This is how I made them:
Easy Right? Now go make some. You’re kids will think you are a genius! They are too YUMMY not to!
My husband and I have been married since 1999. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be married to my best friend, my love, my sunshine… I made a list of 101 things I love about him. Thought I would share. He loved it! Maybe you can make your own list and make your Valentine smile too. Scroll down to see my list.
Here are some pictures of Danny and I went we were dating:
Laguna Beach, California. Still our happy place. Now we take the kids.
Our wedding Day
Our 1st Dance. It was so romantic, everyone blowing bubbles at us. Our song was “From this Moment” by Shania Twain. I STILL get goose bumps every time I hear it.
This one hangs on our wall in our family room
Here is my list of 101 Reasons I gave to my Husband:
You are sexy
You’re faithful
You are a great father
You make me laugh
You love Jesus
You remember the little things that make me happy
You hold my hand when we walk
You always go shopping with me
Your home improvement skills Rock!!
You love the beach as much as I do
You sing “Blue Christmas” (by Elvis) EVERY Christmas to make us laugh
You keep me safe from the Boogie Man
You always tell the truth, even if you’ll be in trouble
You are a really really good cook
You appreciate my artistic side
You bring a bottle of Dom every time we go on a cruise for our leaving port toast
You love my Family
My Family Loves you
You make funny faces with me when we take pictures
You gave me a Daughter
You gave me a Son
You gave me another Daughter
You always put the groceries in the car
People love you
You are a fabulous on the BBQ
You love to travel as much as I do
You will try new things, (almost all of my crazy ideas)
You are optimistic
You remember to take out the trash
You help the kids get ready when we go anywhere
You have great ideas
You are a stud muffin
You stand behind me in tough times
You make me Smile
You learn quickly
You get excited about new things
You laugh at ridiculous things
You snuggle with me
You have been by rock for as long as I can remember
You’re a Mr. Mom and great at it!
Your poker face
You fold our towels like I like them
You’re a Movie Buff
You love happy hour with me
You make my favorite mexican food, So tasty!
We can sit in a room together, not say word, and have a conversation
You help me make cakes
Spooning with you
You’re strong
You are creative
You can dive from the tippy top rock
You went on space shot with me, even though you hate heights
We can talk without using words
I love your laugh
We listen to Jimmy Buffett out by the pool every summer
You always say please and thank you
You love it when I rub your hand
You’re a hard worker
You are willing to go to Chuck E Cheese
I love pushing your buttons
You are a safe driver
I love that you tease the kids
You change Diapers
You wear the silly underwear I buy you
You have a piggy bank
You like to eat all the things I bake
You like to play Black Jack, and you’re good at it
I love the tone of your voice
You look amazing in Tommy Bahama shirts
You always call me when you are out
You go with me to plays
You whistle
You help me throw amazing parties
You go to all the kids functions
We share food with each other at restaurants
You let me put my cold feet on you in bed
We have a blast with our friends
You always take the kids to the doctor with me
You expect the best
You play games on Sundays with the kids and me
You have a great passion for life
You don’t put up with idiots
You’re my best friend
Everyone thinks you’re a fun guy to be around
I love Mommy-Daddy time!
Fireworks make you act like a 10-year-old boy
You teach the kids silly things
You make sure the cars are safe to drive
You kill ALL the spiders
You love Christmas
You are a practical joker
It’s easy to get you fired up
You like rollercoasters
You open doors for me
You take vitamins to make me happy
You always pump the gas so I don’t have to
I love the way you love me
I love to dance with you
You’ve make every one of my birthdays special
I love the way you kiss me
You are my sunshine…My only sunshine…
So there you have it 101 reasons I love my man!! Lord knows I have a million more!
The last one is special to us: I used to sing the “You are my sunshine” song to him when we were dating to try to get on his nerves. We actually have a swimming pool company called “Sunshine Pools” because of it. Maybe I should have Sunshine Embroidery??? LOL
Thanks for taking a peek into our little world. We are thankful for everyday. It’s the little things that make it all worth it!
Valentine’s Day is going to be here before we know it. I am throwing 4 different Valentine parties, and thought I better get my inner Cupid out!!
My Dollar store flowers turned cute little hair goodies for Ella Rose
http://www.theyummyfactory.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=399
Tulle Hearts all done in the hoop for Lexi Monet
http://www.theyummyfactory.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=399
Pink marshmallows! I had to Chocolate dip them. So easy, and the kids love them!
OK, so I made a few… Hundred. What? Everyone needed one. 🙂
Carmel Chocolate Apples for the Adults. I find carmel a little challenging. It always gets the best of me. But, I press on, and get them done. It’s for the greater good. 🙂
The Chocolate I use for dipping I get at a cake supply store (Pila’s Pantry in Norco, Ca) It is smoother than the Wilton brand, and they have so many colors available. I am not sure if they mail order, but I am sure you could talk them into it. Really nice family owned shop. Great customer service. 🙂
I must admit, I am a little obsessed with cupcakes. Not so much eating them, just that they are so adorable!
Lexi’s last birthday party was a Cupcake Wars theme. The girls LOVED it!!
Come take a look-see:
The girls arrived, and we paired them up into teams of 2. Each team had to pick a liner, a cake, a frosting, and could decorate however the wanted to. I also bought flavoring for the frosting, so they could make it bubble gum, watermelon, or cotton candy. They had food coloring for the frosting and cake if they wanted to change the colors along with some royal icing flowers and hearts I made a few days before, which are like eating candy dots. Ya can’t eat just one.
Each team had a turn in the kitchen with the mixer
They frosted
and Decorated
The made Charm Bracelets out of Shrinky Dinks. I bought blank Shrinky Dink paper at Michaels, and printed about 6 different cupcake outlines. Once they were done coloring and cutting out, I punched a hole with a hole puncher in the top of each one. Baked, and made them into bracelets. Cute little cupcake keepsake.
They also played with Cootie Catchers!! I made these in Adobe Photoshop. You can download my template for free and personalize them for your party or print a Birthday one. I loved these when I was a little girl, and still do. Aren’t they fun! Click here:
http://www.facebook.com/TheYummyFactory
http://www.facebook.com/TheYummyFactory
As for the table-cloth, I was happy to find this cupcake fabric at JoAnn’s. I just finished the edges. Easy Peasy.
Yes. I blinged the plates and cups. They loved it!! I also took jewelry wire and wrapped letter beads around their silverware and each girl got to take her set home with her.
I also bought Cupcake stands from orientaltrading.com to display their creations. They were great, just a little on the flimsy side. Not complaining for the price, just sayin, they aren’t Waterford.
Yes, Jack crashed the Girly Party!!
They are girly girls, so of course, they got silly silly!
Make a wish Lexi Monet!! You’re 9!!
Wouldnt’ you know it, I didn’t get a pic of all the finished cupcakes. Some of them were really cute. They all displayed the best ones in the cupcake stands, and all won prizes for prettiest, funniest, cutest, most loveable, and a few other fun titles. Then I packaged them all up in some clear cupcake containers I bought from the bakery. They each got an assortment to take home of everyone’s creations.
After all the cupcake fun, they went for a dip in the jacuzzi
Had make-overs
Told some ghost stories
Stayed up half the night giggling.
In the morning, they all went on a treasure hunt to find goodie bags.
It was a really fun doing a cupcake party. We have such great memories of it, it inspired me to designed the Bake a Cupcake game for her. Out of everything I’ve ever sewn for her, this is her very favorite thing. Take a look-see:
http://www.theyummyfactory.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=394
Free Wish for the Birthday Girl!!
Hope you enjoyed Lexi’s 9th birthday as much as we did. It’s a theme with endless ideas.
How fun are these! All you need is a Cutie and some Olive Oil!
Cut a Cutie, a.k.a. Clementine Orange, around the middle, peel in half, cut a cute shape out of the top, (hearts would be so cute for Valentine’s Day) use the pulp stem in the bottom half as a wick, fill with olive oil, light the pulp, and enjoy your little Cutie candle. Will burn for hours. Do not leave unattended, and always be careful playing with fire.
Perfect little gift for Baby! Diaper and Wipe Carrier done in one hooping!
http://www.theyummyfactory.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=392
Reindeer Feed is a yearly tradition in our house. Every year we make big batches of it, and pass it out to all the kids. On Christmas Eve, right before bedtime, we sprinkle it all over the yard, and a few neighbors. (Wouldn’t want Santa to miss anyone on our street!) The kids love running a muck in their pajama’s, as it is the last ditch effort to make sure Santa comes.
You can download this printable card on my yahoo group for free, under Christmas Fun. (You will need to add Reindeer)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheYummyFactory/join
We added our kids fingerprints ( I did the kids thumbprints) with a brown stamp pad, the antlers with a marker, and the noses with red paint. I use the other end of the paint brush, dip it in the paint, and it makes a perfect dot each time. 🙂
Recipe for Reindeer Feed: Oatmeal and Glitter. Reindeer love it!!
I painted Lexi’s nails to go with her outfit I made for her Christmas party. Easy Peasy. Just paint red, and add green glitter nail polish to the ends. Christmas French Manicure in minutes!! = Ten happy little fingers!
Mrs. MeMarkle has been really popular around here! The kids are loving our Elf on the Shelf having a wife this year!!
She bakes mini Elf Donuts
She Brought a Letter from Santa with Magic Christmas Seeds! You can download your own on my yahoo group for FREE!!
I used Candy Christmas Sprinkles in the Bags. You can download these printables on my yahoo group for free
Font is Blackadder on the letter
Elf Tea Party
Our Elf is Flying!! He used Fishing line to hang. Once the fan is on, he really gets going!!!
So Sleepy from all the shenanigans
He found some of our sand from the beach this summer. He’s a Mermaid Elf! Try saying “MeMarkle the Merry Merman” 3 times quickly! We have been trying, and laughing ourselves silly.
This is where he is today:
These little Santa’s Mrs. Memarkle is with today were made by my Grandmother. She passed away when I was only 9 years old. She made them by hand, and I can’t tell you how much they mean to me. My Mother used to hang them over our fireplace when I was little, and now they hang in my house each year. On each belt, she has our names. On for my Mom, my Dad, my sister, brother, and one for me. Each one has hand painted eyes to match our color. It wouldn’t be Christmas without them. Funny how little things like this are so priceless.
I spent the afternoon painting with the kids yesterday. I painted a case of wine, they painted all kinds of things! Rocks, plates, paper, even each other!! 🙂 I really love to paint, and so do the kids. We should do it more often. Lots of laughs, singing, and good conversation.
I’m giving these away for Christmas to Friends and Family. They go with my Game boxes.
I actually can’t wait to drink one, wash it out, and stuff it with a string of lights. Might be pretty. 🙂
These Bottles are from Trader Joe’s. Charles Shaw Merlot. $2 each bottle. Case for $24. = 12 happy people. I love these not only because of the price, but because the labels come off so easy. Just soak in cold water for a few minutes, and Voila! A fresh canvas! Once I finish painting them with acrylic paint, I spray then with clear acrylic spray. (Hence them out drying on my BBQ)