Nutella Bread Pudding

Here is the promised "Happy Birthday to Joel" breakfast recipe...
(And my reason for such bad pictures... I didn't take a lot because I knew they would turn out unfocused. Which they did. The reason? I dropped my camera. The unfocusedness is due to the rattling I hear in my lens. Not good. I know. Shopping for a new one now.)


Nutella Bread Pudding
Source:  adapted from Inspired Taste

Here's What You'll Need:
4 Large Croissants
Nutella
2 Eggs
1 Cup Heavy Cream
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/4 tsp. Salt
1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar + more for dusting

Here's How:
1. Preheat the oven to 350*.
2. Slice the croissants (as you would for a sandwich) and slather one cut side with Nutella. I didn't specify an amount because I don't think you should limit something like Nutella.
(he he)
Put the slices together, creating a Nutella sandwich. Then cut into 2 inch pieces.

3. Add those pieces to a 10x9 loaf dish.

4. For the custard- Whisk together the eggs, cream, vanilla, salt and sugar. Pour over the Nutella croissants. Press the croissants down to absorb the custard.

5. Cover pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until golden brown and custard is absorbed.
6. Cool slightly. Sprinkle with powdered sugar to serve.

Only one word needed to describe the bread pudding- Y-U-M.

Happy Birthday to Joel!

Today is the birthday of someone oh, so special to me. My BEST Friend,
My husband.
He is so many things to me!

My favorite date...

Best IT guy I know....

ND fan...

Jeep lovin'...

Adventurous...

Caring....

Starbucks getter...

Mr. Daddy...

Family man...

Mr. Fix it...

(Technically Mr. "Fish" it here. He was going after something Reese put in the potty.)

Coach...

Handsome...

My favorite person to travel with...

ALL these things (plus a million bazillion more reasons) are why we did this...

Happy Birthday Hon. Every day is better with you.
-Lins



Here's a sneak peak into his special day so far....
Breakfast together:

(Nutella Bread Pudding)

Lunch dessert to work (and, keeping with tradition, a Happy Birthday balloon tied to a box of DOTS candy):

(Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino Cupcakes)

And this guy is in the oven...

(His request and my experiment.. Pepper Chicken)

Alright, wipe the drool off your chin and come back tomorrow for recipes and reviews!!!

It Never Hurts to Ask...

When I shopped at Gymboree last week, I had every intention of ONLY buying Reese new school shoes.

(This is the second year in a row that she has outgrown her current shoes with only months left in the school year. )

Well, if you have ever been in Gymboree, you know that they have some really irresistible (well-made) clothes for kids!

I ALWAYS head straight to the clearance rack. They were having a clearance sale, so an additional 20% came off of all the clearance clothes at check-out. Plus, I was armed with a 20% off coupon.

(I was feeling pretty savvy.)

I found the shoes I needed and then searched all the clearance racks for winter clothes to buy ahead for next winter for the kids.

And, of course, I found a few things....

For Graham:

Red Sweater Vest- $4.47

Long Sleeved Truck Tee- $5.11 

For Reese:

Life Is Sweet Long Sleeved Tee- $4.15

Twinkle Toes Tee- $6.71

Undies- $2.09 a piece

The undies came from Crazy 8, Gymboree's sister store. I also bought Graham these long sleeved t-shirts from there:

(Each shirt was $2.79)

When I didn't see any other Winter clothes for the kids, in Gymboree, I noticed another rack with Summer clearance clothes.

I was soooo excited!

These Summer clothes were from Gymboree's 2011 line. And some of the things on this rack I already had tucked away in Graham's "Clothes To Wear Box". (Learn about that here.)

What was more exciting? The prices!

I paid $1.27 for this long-sleeved collared shirt.

I pictured it by these black socks I bought (that Graham needed).

The socks were $1.30.

It's crazy the socks were more 'expensive'!!!!

There really wasn't much else on the rack I saw that would fit. The long sleeved collared shirt was a 2T so I knew it wasn't going to last the whole summer. I figured for $1.27 I'd get my moneys worth, even if it was only worn a handful of times.

I had been in Gymboree about 30 minutes (time flys when you're having fun) when I noticed that I was the only shopper. (Other than Reese who was glued to their little t.v.)

I also noticed that there were two employees. And as I was shopping, the one lady had continually been going to the back and bringing out MORE clearance things.

I decided to talk to her, to get a feel for her mood. I didn't want to bother her with questions if she was trying to get stuff done to go home.

She was trying to get stuff done, but was MORE than happy to help me.

(Thank you Lady, you are about to make my day!)

I let her know that I was looking for clearance summer clothes for boy's in a 3T. I had the $1.27 shirt in my hand, so I wasn't willing to pay much more.

I asked her if she could find things under the 5 dollar mark, specifically around $2.99. 

THREE different trips to the back and this is what this savvy shopper came home with....

Red Polo- $1.91

White Polo- $3.83

Black Polo- $1.91

Snappy Tank- $1.91

Football t-shirt- $3.19

Gnarly t-shirt- $2.55

Denim Shorts(with white stitching)- $1.91
Denim Shorts- $2.55
Patchwork Shorts- $1.27

When I got home I was excited to see if what I bought that night went with what I already had (from buying ahead last year.)

New Gnarly t-shirt goes with shorts Graham wore last summer.

New Navy football t-shirt goes with new shorts and t-shirt I bought last year.

And now, Graham's "Clothes To Wear Box" looks like this....

We just need warmer weather to get all of these clothes out!!!!

Come on SPRING!

Now, every time I don't see clearance clothes I need, I know to ask.

Do you think they'd just let me go to the back with them? (he he)

10/10 Challenge

I have a feeling that the challenge of purging 100 THINGS can be a little overwhelming for some. That's understandable!
(Remember that I took several days just removing things from my closet. Then another couple of days to get it 'put back together' and organized. )
It's certainly not a 10 minute project.... but wait... this is! Let this be an encouragement to you because this is something EVERYONE can do!

10/10 CHALLENGE
(10 Minutes/10 Things)
Do you think you can purge 10 THINGS in 10 Minutes?

Here's how:
1. Pick your designated spot to sort/organize. It can be a pantry, under the bed, computer cabinet, sock drawer... wherever you feel a space that is getting cluttered and needs THINGS removed.

2. Make sure it is a small space. I doubt you can clean out your entire attic or basement in 10 minutes. The purpose of the 10/10 CHALLENGE is to finish, be effective and be encouraged.

3. Gather anything you need to complete this project. Cleaning supplies, organizational things, a box for your 10 THINGS, trash can, etc. Since you only have 10 minutes, you don't want to waste that precious time trying to find a basket for shoes or a folder for paper, etc.

4. Set a timer for 10 MINUTES. No, I'm serious. If you don't set a timer, you won't finish in 10 Minutes.

5. GO! Clean, sort, organize and purge your little heart out for 10 MINUTES. Keep your eye on the time so you aren't surprised when the timer goes off. 10 MINUTES is NOT a lot of time and it will fly by. Keep focused on your project for the entire 10 MINUTES.

Here's My 10/10 CHALLENGE:
1. I chose our mud-room closet. It's the closet right by the garage door- how we enter the house daily. The mud-closet holds our shoes we most regularly wear, our current coats and my long cleaning things (broom, mop, swiffer, etc.) It is also where Reese keeps her book bag and where we have our winter accessories (hats, gloves, scarves, etc.)
Needless to say, this little closet gets A LOT of use everyday. And it is in constant disarray. Enter the 10/10. :)

2. It is a small closet so I knew I could fix it a little in 10 Minutes.

3. I grabbed a trash can, a vacuum, a box for my 10 THINGS, and a magic eraser.

4. I set my timer on my stove right around the corner.

5. GO!

I pulled the shoes rack out and removed some shoes that don't belong in the closet.

I vacuumed the floor and wiped the walls down- lots of shoe marks gone!

I replaced the shoe rack and some shoes.

I removed some coats that we hadn't worn all winter to donate. And organized the other coats.(Hung them properly, arranged them- short in the front, long in the back.)

I removed the black rack, to the left on the floor,  that was pretty much useless in this space.

I organized the scarves on the scarf hanger.

I went through each teal basket, on the top shelf, to sort out missing or too small gloves. We each have our own basket for winter hats and gloves.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!

(That was my timer.)

And here is my closet now....

My 10 THINGS:

Black rack

4 Pairs of shoes (taken upstairs to be put away in kids rooms)

1 Pair of my shoes (to donate)

2 Pair of shoes put away in my closet

3 Pairs of gloves that were too small (to donate)

2 Sunday School papers that were crushed in the back (trash)

4 Coats removed to be put away in my closet

3 Coats to be put away upstairs

2 Coats (to donate)

You will be surprised at what you can get done in such a short amount of time! And by getting ride of/ removing just a few things and a little organization you can clear up that troubled, cluttered spot!

100 THINGS +

So..... remember my '100 THINGS Challenge' from just a week ago?

Well, I'm here to tell you my progress!

Let's look back, shall we?

Remember this upstairs, hallway closet? (The one that is being turned into a toy closet?)

In this picture, it is storing our summer clothes and lots of other, well.... stuff (and junk).

And do you remember this closet? (This was our master bedroom closet.)

 Full of only winter clothes....

So I starting purging things that I didn't 

LOVE, NEED, or USE.

(Read about my purging questions here.)

IT. WAS. AWESOME.

I felt so good getting rid of that stuff!

In fact, when the Hubs got home, he wanted in on the action.

(OK, really, the conversation went like this...

Me- Babe, I'm trying to get rid of 100 things out of our closet. Do you think you could part with 50 things?

Him- Yeah, I'm not emotionally attached to anything in there.

Me- OK, well I think I'm getting ready to reach 100 THINGS on my own. Do you think you want to try for 100?

Him- Sure.) 

I later found out that there were a few items he was a little attached to. But who doesn't have their favorite pair of jeans and t-shirt?

I also found out that I was the one to purge for him. No problem there, I was on a roll.

A couple of days later I was finished. I had the Man of the house take the 8 boxes of clothes down to the basement.

And if you were to walk in our closet right now, this is what you would see........

OK, I know you are saying, "Lindsey, it still looks full."

Yes, I know. But keep in mind that I combined TWO closets.

And, it's organized.

And, I have proof that I got rid of a bunch of stuff.

Here's my LIST:

My Clothes:

65 shirts

11 skirts

5 belts

10 pairs of shoes

3 purses

7 jeans

3 dress pants

8 t-shirts

4 shorts

7 carpi's

13 sweaters

9 dresses

2 robes

5 coats

7 p.j. pants

MY GRAND TOTAL: 159

Joel's Clothes:

21 Polo's

12 sweaters

14 dress shirts

5 ties

17 t-shirts

2 shorts

2  4 suits (He thought the jacket and pants should be counted separately. I reminded him this was not a competition- wink, wink.)

2 sports coats

1 dress pants

4 belts

1 sweatshirt

2 hats

2 jeans

3 p.j. pants

1 running pants

HIS GRAND TOTAL: 91

I WIN!!!!!!

We did it! :)

Together purging 250 THINGS!

Now, down to the nitty-gritty...

HIS side:

Top Shelf- Sweatshirts, Short Sleeved T-Shirts, Long Sleeved T-Shirts

Top Hanging- Sweaters, Long Sleeved Polo Shirts, Short-Sleeved Polo Shirts

Bottom Hanging- Dress Shirts, Work Shirts, Ties

MIDDLE:

(Top to bottom)

My Summer Pants/Shorts

My Jeans/ Winter Pants

The '3 black tubs' is my new laundry system. I did laundry over the weekend, and so far, so good!

Into the top tub goes RED and WHITES

Into the middle tub goes DARKS

Into the bottom tub goes Sanitary wash (undies, socks, towels, etc.) 

The tubs have handles. So, when the tub gets full, I take it to the laundry. Wash, dry, return (in tub) and put away.

MY Side:

Top Shelf- Long Sleeved T-Shirts, Short-Sleeved T-Shirts, Sweatshirts

Top Hanging- Cami's and Tanks, all other Shirts (grouped by color)

Bottom Hanging- Sweaters, Dress Jackets, Skirts

Now, if you turn to look behind you (if you were in my closet) you'll see the 'other' side...

TOP Shelf:

Joel's Summer shorts/pants, Jeans, Brown/Tan Dress Pants, Gray/Black Dress Pants

HANGING:

(left to right)

Joel's Suits and hanging pants, Our Jackets, My Dresses, My long Skirts, My Hanging Pants

continue on...

Scarves, Belts, Extra Hangers

(And below, my jewelry cabinet that is screaming

"PAINT ME!!!!")

To the left of all of that...

SHOES

In an attempt to have more floor space, I got rid of the previous laundry 'system'...

(enter great back tubs!)

And, I got the ironing board off the floor...

So, I still have some fun ideas.

I have great envisions of really cute baskets lining the top of the shelves.

New Curtains?

A rug?

(and the list goes on...)

Just remember, your closet will never be completely done. As you use things daily, get rid of things, buy new things, seasons changing, you share a closet.... all of these things can quickly upset your clean closet.

 You need to constantly keep it organized!

Bow Making & Baby Bliss

Baby things are by far my favorite things to buy and make. 

These super cute Baby Girl socks started out as, well... just socks...

Enter a small bow. Well, two if you're getting technical.

Here's how I make mine:

You'll need to start with your choice of ribbon, cut to 20 inches long.
Fold one side over to 3 1/2 inches:

Fold it back at the 4 inch mark:

Continue wrapping the ribbon around the folds you have already created.

Stick a straight pin right in the middle:

The pin gives you the ease when 'spreading out' the ribbon into the desired shape:

Thread a few stitches right through the middle of the bow:

Gather and pinch:

Wrap the thread around the pinched part (the center of the bow) to secure:

I covered the thread with a piece of ribbon (same color, smaller size) to hide the thread and give the bows a 'finished' look.

Then I stitched the bows onto the socks by hand.

Wha-la!!!!

Super cute... it ALMOST makes me want to have a little girl!

(Mom, I said 'almost'.)

For now, I'll enjoy seeing another cute girl wear them to Church! :)

Even better than making a gift for a baby...

holding a PRECIOUS baby (and a brand new one at that)!
Sorry Buddy, Aunt Lindsey doesn't make pink bow socks for little boys!

Reese and new cousin Ryder (only 11 hours old).




To see where I learned how to make this particular bow and to find out how to make different sizes of the same bow, go here.