Love is in the air...

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

Here's who has my heart...

Love my funny little valentine.

 

Here's hoping your day is filled with love.

Valentine Ideas

Is everyone excited for Valentine's Day tomorrow??  I sure am!  I don't know why, but I think Valentine's Day gets a bad wrap sometimes.  I don't care if you are single, dating, married or not even looking, Valentine's Day is so much more than just the romantic notions society has hyped it up to be.  To me Valentine's Day is about love, plain and simple.  I don't care who you are there is someone in your life that you love {whether it's mom, dad, significant other, friend, pet, etc.}, and you know what, there is someone that loves you too.  So why not celebrate it?  Go all out with fine jewels and fancy dinners with that special someone, send a care package to mom and dad or my favorite, celebrate with finds from the dollar aisle at Target and takeout at home.  Regardless, take a little time out tomorrow to tell someone you love them.

Ok, I'll step off the soapbox now.  I do have to admit, I'm a little more into this day of love this year thanks to my little man.  G was on top of things and got his Valentines in the mail to some certain family and friends, and although it took him a little coercing {he was not into mom's homemade project}, he was excited to send his love. 

Now that we got the out of towners taken care of, I have been focusing on what to do for G's first Valentine's party.  We just love his new school and adore his teachers and classmates.  He has to bring Valentines for everyone as well as a special treat for the party.  Thanks to Pinterest {which I swear in my indecisive case, is not a good thing}, I am all over the place with ideas.  Check out the ones below and stay tuned to see what little man ends up bringing.  Oh, and don't worry...I've got my big man taken care of too!  Cannot wait to show you what fun surprise I got him, but on the off chance he's actually reading this {are you B?}, I'll have to wait until Friday.  Cheers! 

Love Bug Valentines

Bouncy Ball Valentines

Blow Me Away Valentines

Heart Mini Pies

 Brownie Pizza

Marshmallow Pops

My favorite comfort food

Recipe Club was last night, and I was so sad to miss.  Spent the night snuggling with my sick babe {boo ear infections!}.  I was especially looking forward to last night's theme...Comfort food in comfy clothes.  I could not wait to put on my sweats and take my favorite comfort food, honey beer bread.  This is the best bread ever and hands down one of the easiest recipes I know.  Enjoy!

Honey Beer Bread Recipe
 
Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 1 bottle {12 ounces} beer
• 4 Tbsp. {half stick} butter, melted {I double this!}

Directions:
{Makes 1 loaf}
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9x 5x 3-inch loaf pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Using a wooden spoon, stir the beer and honey into the dry ingredients until just mixed.  Pour half the melted butter into the loaf pan. Then spoon the batter into the pan, and pour the rest of the butter on top of the batter.
Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until top is golden brown and a toothpick/knife inserted in the middle comes out clean. Serve immediately.

Scenes from the weekend...

Well I survived my crazy weekend.  A thirteen hour work event Saturday wore me out, but thanks to some incredible friends who watched G, we all survived.  B is still off in LA enjoying all that the Grammy weekend has to offer, but G and I enjoyed a day in our pjs Sunday.  A rainy day gave us the perfect excuse to lounge, order in and work on his Valentine's.  Sweet time with my little man is just what I needed.

 

Keep calm and carry on

This is my goal right about now.

We've established the first part, now just trying to work on that second line...

Crazy weekend ahead, but trying to recognize the light at the end of the tunnel.  See you Monday friends!

BCT Tartlets

I'm always looking for new recipes.  I love to entertain but lately find myself in a bit of a rut with repeating the same old recipes {I guess if ain't broke don't fix it?}. As much as I love {and think others do too!} my creamy salsa dip, I was in desperate need of a new appetizer to take to our Super Bowl party.  Then I remembered the tomato tartlets my mom made at G's birthday party.  

I was in such a frenzy putting out all the decorations, I literally never saw what went into these bad boys.  All I know is they were gone within minutes of guests arriving.  

Well here you go.

These five ingredients and a few minutes get you one tasty tartlet.

I've renamed these BCT Tartlets {bacon, cheese and tomato}.  Just mix the bacon, mayo, Rotel and cheese, and then scoop into each shell.  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes at 350 and

 Voila!

Be warned, these won't last long.

BCT Tartlets

Ingredients:

1 10oz can Rotel tomatoes, drained

1 cup mayonnaise

1 3oz package real bacon bits

1 cup shredded cheese

3 19oz packages mini filo shells, thawed

Directions:

Combine first four ingredients.  Fill shells and bake for 10-15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Scenes from the weekend...

Happy Monday!  Here's hoping your weekend was as relaxing as mine.  Hanging with my boys, lounging and enjoying G's first snow.  It doesn't get much better than that.  A little unsure about the icy cold stuff, he finally became quite the snow explorer {he was all over the place!}.  To warm up we hit up a new Cajun restaurant.  Nothing like crawfish etouffee on a cold day {even B said it was some of the best he's ever had!}.  Nashville folks be sure and check this place out. Tried a new recipe to take to the Super Bowl party {recipe to come tomorrow}.  These little BCT tartlets {bacon cheese tomato} were quite the hit {thanks, Mom, for the recipe!}.  Enjoyed the game but have to say the highlight was of course Beyonce. What a show!  B was in awe of how in awe all the girls at the party were.  I guess the guys just don't get the whole Destiny's Child thing.  Now if only my Monday was as showstopping as Beyonce's moves.