Just One Mom Trying

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Easy Valentine Chocolates

Looking for a homemade chocolate treat for your Valentine? These chocolate peanut clusters are super delicious AND they take only 3 minutes to make!

Ingredients:

1 bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Chips

1 bag of chocolate chips (use your favorite)

1/2 bag of Heath toffee chips

1/2 can of honey roasted peanuts

Directions:

Pour peanut butter chips and chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave chips for 1 minute. Stir. Return to microwave for an additional 1 minute.
Remove and stir until smooth.
Add Heath toffee chips and peanuts.
Drop by spoonfuls onto wax paper or parchment paper lined cookie sheet.
Refrigerate until firm.

Place them in truffle papers in a box, or wrap them up in a clear cellophane bag for party favors!

ENJOY!!

I Love You Because... Chalkboard

Emily 1:05 PM 3 Comments

This past Christmas I received this cute homemade chalkboard from my sister and her husband. This is one of my favorite gifts. I especially love it around Valentine's Day when I'm thinking of all the reasons why I love my husband (and my kids).

Think of all the reasons you love your "loved one" and let them know! You don't need a fancy chalkboard (though it is super cute) to show your love. Use simple Post-it notes or Valentine Day cards.

What would you write today?

If you would like to make your own board, I can tell you that it is a thin piece of wood spray-painted with chalkboard spray. The border/frame is made also from wood trim. The letters are vinyl. The outcome is cute!

# crafts # dating at home

Big Sister, Baby Sister

Emily 9:11 AM 1 Comments

One of the greatest machines that I own is my embroidery machine. I love it especially when it comes to personalizing gifts. It makes a world of difference when something is personalized.

This is my third set of shirts I've embroidered recently. This set is for my sister who's expecting her 2nd baby girl in a couple weeks. I can't wait to see my nieces in these!

# baby # embroidery

Monday, January 30, 2012

Baby Shower Game: Guess the Powder

Emily 9:36 AM 3 Comments

There are a lot of baby shower games out there. One of my favorites that is really easy to put together but is challenging if you're playing is "Guess the Powder."

Object of the game: Identify as many household powders as you can.

Set up: Fill 10 small, empty baby food jars with household powders such as baking soda, baking powder, corn starch, powdered sugar, cream of tartar, flour, laundry/dish detergent, powdered milk, baby powder, baby formula, etc. Number the jars 1-10. Make sure you make a key to check answers.

Pass out a pencil and paper to each player. Have them number their papers 1-10 or print out a game card here!

Playing the game: Players pass the jars around and write their guess on their paper. The number of the jar coordinates with the number on their paper.

Levels of difficulty:

You can make this game difficult by having the players only LOOK at the powder through the jar.

Make it moderate by letting the players open the jar and smell and/or touch the powder.

Make it really easy by letting the players taste the powder, though I don't recommend it.

Winner: The one with the most correct answers.

# baby # games

Donut Hole Topiary Tips

Emily 8:23 AM 3 Comments

I've been finding some very cute ideas on Pinterest. I LOVE the donut topiary idea. I decided to give the topiary a try for a baby shower brunch. It turned out okay but there are some tips that I'd like to share if you decide to try it out. There are some things I would do differently.

#1: Instead of wrapping your styrofoam cone in wax paper, choose a nice wrapping paper that matches the theme. Then, when people start picking the donuts off there will be a cute cone underneath and not a dumb ol' white cone.

wrapping paper vs. wax paper

#2 Stick the toothpicks in one at a time and put the donut on right after the pick is in. Stick the toothpicks closer together. You will feel like you are squishing them in but it looks so much better. Donuts are pretty forgiving so adjust the donut if you need to so that there aren't a lot of gaps.

non-squishing vs. squishing a little

#3: Instead of putting a donut on the very top, put some kind of decoration on the very top. Maybe a cake topper, or some ribbon streamers, or a flower. Also, if there are some little gaps that you don't like, try putting some tiny silk flowers in the gaps.

Donut on top vs. something cute on the top

My next topiary will be darn cute!

This post was part of The Shady Porch Rock N' Share. For other fantastic posts and ideas from the blogosphere, check out The Shady Porch!

# baby # birthdays

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Valentine Mailboxes

Emily 7:13 AM 3 Comments

This year for Valentine's Day I'm doing something fun for my husband and 3-year old daughter.

I found these two mailboxes last year. This year I'm putting little cards and treats in them each day leading up to Valentine's Day. When the flag is up, my husband and daughter will know to check the mailbox.

I grabbed one simple box of Valentines per person and wrote a reason why I love my husband and my daughter on each card. I used up all the cards.

My husband is getting some of his favorite treats. You may notice the chocolate bars from our previous chocolate tasting date and the cute love coupons from yesterday.

My daughter is also getting some special treats (from the dollar store) that will fit in her mailbox.

I love Valentine's Day!

# dating at home # Valentine's Day

Friday, January 20, 2012

Darling Debit Cards

Emily 5:44 AM 0 Comments

I love Valentine's Day. I love the colors, decorations, candy, and all the lovey dovey stuff. I found these darling gift card-like love coupons at the dollar store. There are 4 cards in a pack and there are 4 different packs. What a fun find!

Usually when I see "love coupons" they usually entail a really expensive coupon like "a weekend getaway" or "day at the spa." And then there are the absurd coupons like "you win an argument" or "servant for a day." ??

Anyway, back to the love. I like these love coupons because they are easy to do and are fun to do! Pick the ones you are willing to do. If you don't have money for a night on the town, don't give that one. Maybe save up and give it for a birthday!

Or you can get really creative and create your own "night on the town" cheap-o style. My night on the town would probably be an In-N-Out picnic dinner, a walk at the harbor, and star-gazing with blankets on the beach. Let your creativity fly!

If anything, these are good ideas to create your own coupons or just little things you can do for your significant other.