New Years Resolutions...and messies manuals!!!!

Like a lot of you out there, the coming of a new year entails detailed planning of how my life is going to drastically change this next year. Then the new year hits, give me about a week and I'm already off track. My track record on my posting here on the blog, should show you that I am NOT a good time manager. Priorities tend to come and go and change more than the mind of a diva !
Although I still like to schedule how I would like to see my life next year. I do have a realistic view that life does not go as planned. So structure is necessary but I need to plan to be flexible with my time. I tend to freak out when things don't go as planned and end up quitting altogether instead of rearranging my schedule..
So I am now trying figure that out all with the help of this awesome set of books...The messies manual (thanks mom lol)

If you are like me and try to find what suits you here are some sites and blogs that might help you out...remember that YOU are ultimately who can decide what works for you and your family.
DO NOT get sucked into the expectations of this world...If you can't do it...then don't worry about it.
I just can't post whenever I want. My kids need me and there are a multitude of things that need to get done before I can sit down and type. There is nothing wrong with that!

here are some helpful (hopefully) blogs...

Cleaning & organizing: 

• Clean Mama : She has a great free cleaning calendar that's just so cute you will want to clean ;-) 
• Organizing Made Fun: She has a ton of great ideas. She has a lot of great motivational posts...I need motivation!
• The Confident Mom: Empowering moms, strengthening families and embracing God's design. She has a killer printable schedule that pretty much includes everything for the whole year!!!! I LOVE it. I am someone who needs everything in one place. I like browsing websites but I won't be able to keep up checking 6 websites every morning...I've got toddlers for crying out loud! I want a detailed list of everything I need all in one place. This schedule is just that complete with scripture verses to read every morning. by the end of the year you are somewhat closer to being organized and scheduled and you have read through the entire bible! (this however is not free but cost $9 for the simple version and $14 for the extra version)
• Alejandra Tv: She has been featured in a lot of big name companies like HGTV and family circle. She has a 7-day organizing video class for FREE!!! ;-)  although please don't get overly stressed by her take on organizing..she is not a mother of three and even though she has really good points and ideas, don't get over discouraged if your house doesn't look like hers...
• IHeartOrganizing: Oh my word my heart is already pounding uncontrollably...my house will NEVER look like this. but she has awesome ideas just look at her freezer storage! My biggest hurdle in organizing is the containers and stuff I need to purchase it's quiet a bt of money but then again...think one step at a time!
• Fly Lady: At first this site can be overwhelming. Take a deep breath and look for the "get started" button at the top right. you can figure it out from there. straight forward and really good lessons on knowing how to really clean your house without feeling stressed. all starting with your sink!

Meal Planning: 

• EMeals: This site does all the work for you, it's affordable and they even give you the coupons to go with your weekly meal plan. Choose from a variety of options both for families or singles. 
• Food On The Table: This website will base your meal planning on the store that you shop at the most. it will calculate the savings into your grocery list. This is totally free and if you are not a fanatic couponer it could really save you some time and effort! and it has it's own free app.
• All Recipes: this site is my go to for a lot of basics it's reliable and very very helpful. If you subscribe (not expensive) you can use all their nifty tools, like their meal planning and their recipe box upgrade.
• What's Cooking Chicago: She has a massive list of easy yet healthy meals to make and freeze ahead! 
• Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons: Being a mom of boys I can totally relate to this cute blog. If you are looking for doable and cute ideas for kids snacks just check this blog out!
• Annie's Eats: Still by far my favorite blog. Her recipes are easy glamorous and down to earth. I love her style and choice in meals. the fact that she is a dr and a mom of two under 5 AND a full time blogger is just plain amazing to me.

Parenting:

• Focus On The Family: Is by far the best resource for christian parenting. to the point and packed full of biblical truths.
• Christian parenting website from Family Life Today: Offers articles and audio form Dennis and Barbara Rainey. They offer a free monthly e-magazine, tips on manners and a Christian parenting forum.
• Christian Parenting at Crosswalk.com is a great resources for articles about Christian parenting. You can subscribe to their RSS feed.
• Today's Christian Woman: is a great resource for articles on parenting and how to love God and live fearless.
• LifeWay Parenting:  offers solid parenting advice and resources from a Southern Baptist perspective. LifeWay offers four different Christian parenting magazines target for local church distribution.

Mother and Wife-Hood: 

• MoneySavingMom: Love her down to earth way of writing and sharing...also love the deal updates ;-)
• Women Living Well: I love their blog, she and her friend coauthor on here and share with other bloggers. I have been blessed by this blog!
• Comfy In The Kitchen: great joy filled blog about motherhood and her joy of cooking.
• Good Morning Girls: A blog about the joys of connecting and having fellowship with other moms and women.
• Karen Ehman: Has a ton of great challenges and studies for us moms and women trying to find our calling.

Praying God reveals what He truly wants me to work on this next year. All things are possible through Him who gives me strength! Hope you have a great New Years!

Perfect Holiday Cupcakes - The ever loved Red Velvet

Red velvet cake or cupcakes are like the little black dress of cupcakes. Simple yet dripping with elegance.
A glamorous icon.
They are just the perfect dessert for a holiday get together. The moist rich cupcakes paired with the creamy and irresistible cream cheese frosting are a true crown pleaser.
Make these for any party, be it a birthday, Christmas or valentine party they are a win in my book.

Of course you can cheat and use a mix (no judgement here, a mix or two have touched my counter) but I must say at least try making them from scratch just once you might notice the extreme difference in flavor. Especially in the cream cheese frosting, you just can't beat homemade!

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and may Your New Year be bright ;-)

Red Velvet Cupcakes With cream

 cheese cupcakes

INGREDIENTS:

Cupcakes:

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 2½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons red food coloring
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1½ teaspoons distilled white vinegar

Cream Cheese Frosting:

• 4 ounces butter, at room temperature
• 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2½ cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cupcakes: preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard cupcake pan with liners.
2. Cream the butter and sugar on med/high until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Turn to high and add egg. Scrape down the bowl and beat until well incorporated.
3. In a separate small bowl, mix together the cocoa powder, vanilla extract and red food coloring to make a thick paste. Add to the batter and mix on medium speed until completely combined. You may need to stop the mixer to scrape the bottom of the bowl, making sure that all the batter gets color.
4. Reduce the mixer speed to low and slowly add half of the buttermilk. Add half of the flour and mix until combined. Scrape the bowl and repeat the process with the remaining milk and flour. Beat on high until smooth.
5. Again, reduce the mixer speed to low and add the salt, baking soda and vinegar. Turn to high and beat for another couple of minutes until completely combined and smooth.
6. Divide the batter evenly between the cupcake liners and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a thin knife or skewer inserted into the center of the largest cupcake comes out clean.
7. Cool for 10 minutes and then remove cupcakes from the pan and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely before frosting.
8. Frosting: Using the whisk attachment, whip the butter and cream cheese on high speed for about 5 minutes, scraping the bowl down as necessary. Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the powdered sugar until all is incorporated. Add the vanilla and mix to combine. Increase the speed to medium high and whip for a few minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping the bowl as necessary.

Recipe courtesy of Browneyedbaker

A Very Merry Belated Christmas

A little late...but we still hope and pray your Christmas was a blessed and relaxed one ;-)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!! And a Happy NewYear!!!

Holiday snacks-Peppermint kiss pretzels

Cute, Easy-Peasy and yummo! all wins in my book! 

These are easy yet very addictive little snacks, don't forget colorful too! 

I bought the butter snaps 

1. Place the pretzels on a cookie sheet and heat the oven to 350
2. Place one peppermint kiss in the middle of each pretzel
3. Place in the preheated oven for 5min  (keep an eye on it, you want to chocolate to melt but not burn) 
4. Take the cookie sheet out and let cool slightly (not too long) 
5. Top each pretzel kiss with a red or green M&M 
6. Let stand to cool 
7. Place in an airtight container until ready to serve
8. Enjoy!

Fall cuties - Adams kids

Aren't these kiddos just adorable? look at those cheeks ;-) 

My cousin called me, and asked if I could take her kids pictures. How could I say no!!!!

My kids had fun playing in the back yard while I walked around shooting pic's.