Pour Me A Tall One!

Evey single person in this world likes smoothies! Seriously think about it! There is not one single person you can offer a smoothie to and there reply be.. "Oh no thanks, smoothies aren't my thing man..." Like that just doesn't happen!!!! So. That is why I am dedicating this blog to the worlds greatest liquid invention! ...

{The Fruit Smoothie.}

Now that I have convinced all y'all that smoothies are thee best I'm going to talk about the worlds second greatest love! {Obviously smoothies are number one!} Convenience. "Naw man.. Convenience isn't my thing either.. I like to take the long hard route bro..." Just doesn't happen. {Who the heck is this guy!?!??}

So lets put these two wonderful things together.. and we get...

{Premade Freezable Fruit Smoothies!!}

{Cut up fruit is seriously the most beautiful thing in the world! It makes me so happy!}

Alright enough chitchat! Let me throw this down for ya... 

Get all the fruit you want! Seriously there is no limits here! Whatever your heart desires! Go crazy! And a tub of yogurt, I do not recommend the plain kind.. its really gross!! {Learned that the hard way!} Its not horrible when its mixed in with the fruit.. but it could be better! The Light and Fit is a really good choice because its like half the calories than Yoplait! Or Greek yogurt is super good for you! Just make sure there is a little flavor in there!

{But in case you have a hard time deciding here is what I got.. blueberries {frozen}, blackberries {frozen}, strawberries, pineapple, kiwi, and bananas!}

So I suggest you use a mini muffin pan to freeze the yogurt, but if you don't have one a cookie sheet will work too. {That's what I did} So spoon a heaping tablespoon in each cup

{Or spoon it onto the pan in little piles and don't let them touch if you are using a pan!}

After you have popped the yogurt in the freezer start cutting up your fruit. Remember these will be frozen when you put them into the blender so don't make them too big, just normal size.

As I was cutting up the kiwi I was like how the heck do you get the skin off!? Right before my last one I was like A VEGETABLE PEELER! At the moment I felt like a super genius! Ha but now I look back and think.. duh that was totally obvious!! Just thought I'd share my blond moment just in case you have the same problem.

Dezi loves when we cut up fruit cuz we cant help throw her a piece every five seconds with that cute little face! 

And my daddy loves when we cut up fruit because we save the scraps and bring them over for his compost! {I'm all about the compost!}

Lay the fruit out so its not touching and freeze it.

Next lay them out like this and take a beautiful delicious picture like this! Haaa just kidding, just kidding

Put 2-3 yogurts in each bag, along with a mix of about a cup and a half of fruit. This is the fun part! Making different combinations and such. my favorite one was a pineapple strawberry blackberry one! It was so good!

{After I was all done and putting the bags in the freezer I found another tray of fruit! Ha it was a bitter sweet moment.}

So when you're craving a smoothie or your in a hurry just dump a bag in the freezer with some milk {and maybe some protein or spinach} and you got a ticket to a quick delicious meal!!

Tip to make your life easier: 

Make sure the yogurt and fruit freeze all the way! Especially the yogurt! Because if you don't when you go to put the bags together the yogurt will melt super fast and when you freeze the bags the yogurt will just refreeze with all the fruit and make a huge frozen ball and it will be horrible and INCONVENIENT when you go to blend it!

Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me

I am all about the sugar cookies! They are definitely my favorite! And because they are my favorite its resulted me to trying dozens of recipes trying to find 'the one' I have found a couple that I seriously thought to myself: this is it! It couldn't possibly get any better than this! Until a month or two ago when I came across this lovely recipe on Pinterest! Like no joke I was so excited that I went to the store the next day and bought cake flour so I could make them ASAP!

You know how Paradise Bakery always has that buy one cookie get one free deal?? Well I don't waste my free cookie to try new flaves.. No sir! I just cut to the chase and get two sugars! So as you can imagine I was super psyched when I found this recipe.

 {This is not a joke. They seriously taste just like them! And they are so addictive!!!!}

 {Yup. Two whole cups of shortening! Kind of a turn off, yeah?? But just for a second don't think about how fattening the stuff is.. and think about how amazing these are going to taste!} 

Now I male two different sizes, little fat bites like these^^ and giant Paradise Bakery size ones that you'll see in a bit.

 {These are a little bit bigger than my usual, but what I like about the little bites is that they are so cute and soft {because I make them super fat!} and there is just something awesome about popping a little baby cookie into your mouth!}

 {I'm not going to explain myself on why I make a giant batch, because I don't need a reason to make a giant cookie!}

 {So beautiful}

WARNING: I know I have you drooling over your computer and all... But don't make these. Yes, they are the best thing that will ever happen to you.. But You will become addicted and you will regret it the next morning.

Paradise Bakery Sugar Cookies 

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
2 cups shortening {I have tried only using one cup and omitting some of the dry stuff, it was still good.. They just didn't have that melt-in-your-mouth quality}
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 large egg, beaten
4 1/3 cups cake flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
Plain or colored sugar, for decorating

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a medium bowl, cream together sugars and shortening using an electric mixer. Mix on slow speed 30 seconds, then scrape down the bowl with a spatula. Increase speed to medium and mix for 3 minutes.

Slowly add vanilla and beaten egg while mixing.

In a separate bowl, combine cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Gradually add the flour mixture to the creamed mixture, mixing on slow speed until just blended. Do not over mix.

Scoop with an ice cream scoop and roll in sugar. Place on baking sheet. Flatten slightly with palm of hand.

{I just kinda do my own thing here^}

Bake 9 to 10 minutes.

Cookies are done when small cracks appear and are pale golden. Ideally, do not let edges brown

Everybody Love's a Copycat(:

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think 'moving out'..? Bills, money, growing up..? Well not me! …Though I should have... The first thing I thought of was making delicious dinners! I love finding great recipes on pinterest! Other than my Because I'm a Cowgirl board... I think my favorite board is my Moooooree Food(: board! Seriously filled with delicious things! And I just couldn't wait to move out and try them! {"Why do you have to move out first to make these delicious meals??!" -That is what my mother just said right now as she is read this... Silly mom,,. Ya just do okay!? ;)That's how it works!}

So I have tried a few pinterest recipes here and there.. Chicken Parmesan Wraps were my first in the new place

{Turned out amazing! And I recommend them to the whole world!}

Then I made Chicken, Bacon, Cream Cheese Mini Tacos

{I'll admit mine did NOT look like this! Haha but they still tasted amazing and I'm going to make them again for sure!}

But today as I was pinteresting I came across these Chick-Fil-A {Favorite place in the world!} copycat chicken nuggets! I’ve seen them before, and was just like.. yeah that would be cool to make.. But today I was like I must make these today or I'll die!!!! Luckily we had everything!

  

What I loved most about this recipe was that it was super simple! And it doesn’t call for anything crazy! We had everything!

{Seriously the best copycat recipe I've made! Taste just like Chick-Fil-A! No joke!}

THEN I was talking to Em about a side dish.. and she was like sweeeet potatoes friesss! So I made a special trip to the store {when I say special I mean it! I HATE running to the store just to get one thing, just goes to show how excited I was for the sweet potato idea!} to but two sweet potatoes and some seasonings.

{I just think it was a funny checkout, defiantly picture worthy!}

The thinner you cut them, the better! {Well I think so anyway}

{Cutting sweet potatoes is seriously no fun! But the color of them makes me so happy!}

All these spices gave them a perfect spice!{Not too spicy.. But still makes your lips burn a bit} Sweet&spice.. friends for lifee!

{Anything with this many seasonings has to taste good!}

I would suggest leaving the skins on because first, it’s really good for you! And second, it really adds to the flavor!

 {Can’t get over how beautiful they are!}

20 minutes did the trick for me! Cooked perfectly!

I also made homemade ranch, because I refuse to use bottled! The chicken anddd the sweet potatoes were both really good with the ranch! The chicken also goes fantastic with bit of honey it taste awesome!

{One of the best meals I have ever made! And it was not hard at all! I cannot wait to make this again!}

Sweet Chicky Nuggets

Serves 4

Ingredients

      3 skinless and boneless chicken breast

{Original recipe called for two chicken, but I was like I totally need to have this for lunch tomorrow! I think there is enough flour mix to even use four if you want.}

1 1/4 cup milk
1 egg
1 1/4 cups flour
2 T powdered sugar
2 t salt
1 t pepper
peanut oil (is best) or canola oil

Directions

· In a medium bowl whisk the egg and stir in the milk. Trim any fat away from chicken. Cube

 chicken into bite size pieces. Place chicken in milk mixture, and cover. Let it 'marinate' for 2-4

 hours in the fridge. This will make the chicken very nice and tender.

· In a gallon size resealable baggie combine flour, powdered sugar, salt and pepper. Seal and shake to combine.

· Place about 2 inches of oil in a medium deep pot. Over medium high heat (more towards the high side) heat oil until hot. If using a thermometer let the temperature reach 375°. If you don't have a fancy gadget like most people, I always test my oil by dropping a few drops of water into it. You want it to sizzle and not pop too much. Adjust your heat if necessary.

· Using a fork or tongs remove cut chicken from milk mixture and place in the flour mixture. Seal and shake until nuggets are completely coated.

· Place about a 6-8 nuggets into hot oil and let them cook until golden brown, turning half way through once the edge of your chicken starts to turn white. About 1 minute each side. Always double check to see if any chicken you make is cooked through. I always just make a tiny cut to see if it's pink. Remove and drain on a paper towel. Repeat until all nuggets are cooked.

Spicy Sweet Potato “Fries”

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
3-4 tablespoon olive oil

{The recipe is a little modified; I cut the chili powder, cayenne powder, and cumin in half because the lady said they are super extremely spicy! I like spice… Just not like a crazy person! And they still were spicy}

Directions

    · Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Coat a sheet tray with cooking spray.

· Cut sweet potatoes into 1/4 inch strips. Toss with olive oil, adding enough to evenly coat all the fries. Combine the spices and toss them into the bowl and mix to coat.

· Spread the sweet potatoes in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets, being sure not to overcrowd.

· Bake until the sweet potatoes are tender and golden brown, turning occasionally, About 20 minutes. {I didn’t turn them cuz i forgot! Haha still turned out okay... But I bet they woulda been crispier if I did!}

Mod Podge&Vinyl Love (New House Deco Part Two)

Sooo we all know that Mod Podge is thee best thing created on planet earth! It can be used for all sorts of awesome DIY projects! And for that reason, it is my favorite(:

Today I have three really easy mod podge projects that turned out fantabulous{fantastic&fabulous.. It's a great word}

We got this little side table from Emily's friend along with a giant mirror{that you will be seeing later in the far future} and a couch.. alllll for free! We love free! So it was quite outdated and old looking.. It had that 90's looking wood {that's the only thing I can think of to describe it!} and just a plain glass surface.. And when I saw it I knew exactly what I wanted to do with it!

First, I spray painted it black. Then I got some fabric and mod podged it to bottom {pattern side up} so it would show through the glass, but wouldn't get damaged! and then just trimmed the edges and I had the cutest little table ever!

{I'm deeply upset with myself for not taking a before pic because the difference is amazing! ...but what can ya do!?}

Isn't it just great!? And again.. sooooo easy and simple!

Okay so the next thing I did was refurnish a book case, and this one wasn't my pure creativeness like the side table, got it from the big P..

Got two of these bookcases at a garage sale for $15 each, probably could of got them for less if we bargained.. but not too bad of a deal...

 {Again.. Old 90's look}

Painted it white

And then mod podged scrapbook paper to the back of each shelf

 {I was going to do the sides also.. but that would involve me having to cut the paper perfectly.. and I'm all about doing as little work as I can get away with}

Lucky for me the paper was perfect size for the back!

I just love how it looks super classy and clean

        

                      Before&After

I didn't paint the tops of the shelves.. going back to the whole {Minimum work thing}... But just for this picture.. I wish I would have.. But just standing there nobody really notices....

{Right after taking these pictures Our parents gave us thee cutest silver owl that filled that empty space perfectly.. but it was just a little too late for the photo shoot!}

{Emily did the same with her shelf, except painted it black. It also turned out great!}

Alright! Lastly I made these adorable coasters! Also a Pinterest idea!

Very happy with how easy these were and hot cute they turned out! The tiles were very cheap! Got them at Home Depot, just plain while tiles. And they are sooooo cute! I want to make different ones for each holiday to put out, I thought that would be funnn(:

Vinyl

I feel like this blog is going on forever!!But I just wanted to show off some cute things I did with vinyl!

My mom actually did this for us, and she did it perfectly! I just love it!

{Anddd the detergent is homemade! Emily made it and I'm not really the homemade laundry type.. but I actually really like this one! I'll put the recipe at the bottom!}

"Laundry today or naked tomorrow" Hahaa I love it! After seeing this quote on Pinterest I just had to find something to slap it on!! Then Emily came home with this bucket for our towels and stuff, and I was like, bingo!

{And it just sits on our laundry shelf and is just absolutely perfect!} 

Immediately after seeing these bright red dog bowls on the shelf, I knewww we must have them in our house!! so I gave Emily a long spill about how they were just so fabulous! and Dezi deserved some new bowls because.. well... just because! Until she gave in and bought themm(: 

{And as you can see.. They look flippin amazing!!}

Homemade Laundry Detergent {Kelsey Approved!}

1 4 lb 12 oz box Borax (2.15 kg or 76 oz) found in the detergent isle

1 4 lb box Arm & Hammer Baking Soda (1.81 kg) found in the cooking isle

1 box Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda 55 oz (3 lb 7 oz) found in the detergent isle

3 bars of Fels-Naptha soap, found in the detergent isle

2 small containers of Oxy Clean or store brand Oxy Clean (try to get about 3.5 lbs total (1.58 kg)) found in the detergent isle.(this is optional)

You can also use pink Zote soap instead of Fels-Naptha. Which is found at Home Depot {I did! Because I'm in love with the stuff! Its really genius at getting stains out!}

Use 1-2 Tablespoons per load. I know that does not seem like enough but this recipe does not have fillers like the store bought detergent so you only need 1-2 Tablespoons.

This detergent is fairly mild smelling, it is not over powering. If you love a strong scent you may have to add a fabric softener to each load.

One Foot In Front of The Other (New House Deco Part Oneee)

Oh goodness its been a crazy month!! But things have finally been coming around! As you can see, since I'm finally putting up my first blog about the new house decorations!

My first Pinterest obsession I'm going to tell you about is the ruffles! Seriously my board For The New Place is crawling with them!!

These pretty babys are what started my ruffled pillow craze

Here are our ruffled pillow covers that I can not take credit for! Because my momma made them for us!

                                                              {She is so great!}

All she did was cover some old ugly pillows in fabric and then hot glued ruffled strips on and they look fabulous! She made those flowers out of felt, so it was all cheap and quite simple!

Now that's not all mother did! She also helped me with my fabulous shower curtain 

{It is seriously the love of my life!}

...Well besides the love of my life...

{Haha Love this picture!}

Anyways.. So the shower curtain is beautiful! As you can see.. And once again... I owe it all to my mom!

Basically we got a yard of each color {there was 5} and cut them in half then trimmed the bottoms down to about 15-16 inches, and then sewed the colors together.

 To make the ruffles you sew a single thread along the top with the widest stitching setting and pulled one of the strings to gather it.

Then after they are all ruffled, sew the colors on a sheet over lapping each other, and you might have to cut the sheet down to fit the shower.{I only had to cut a little of the bottom off, but I don't know what size it was!}

Sorry if this doesn't make sense... I don't really know what I'm talking about... But what I do know is that I wish we would have done 3 or even 4 yards per color, because we really didn't get a lot of ruffle out of them because they weren't as long as we wanted.

Here {Sister View} is the blog I copied, she does a much better job of explaining it!