Seasoned Oyster Crackers

Need a quick and easy appetizer? This recipe will take you five minutes to assemble and you will most likely already have these ingredients in your pantry. Can't get any easier than that!

What you need:

• 1 box (14oz) of plain Oyster crackers
• 1/2 cup of Canola Oil
• 1/2 tsp of Parsley flakes
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp of Garlic Powder
• 2 tbsp of Ranch dip mix

{If you are a big fan of Dill weed, swap it with the Italian seasoning}

Step one:
Mix all of the ingredients together except the crackers.

Step two:
Put in the crackers, and fold it all together.

Step three:
Then into a container and you're done!

Enjoy!

Pumpkin Painting

Since the little one is still a bit too small for pumpkin carving, we have the next best thing... Pumpkin Painting!!

Use one of Daddy's old white t-shirts for a easy artist's smock. Just chop off a few inches so they are not tripping over themselves.

Okay, time to dive in!

The final result!!

Such a proud mama!

Pumpkin Patch

I love the fall. This was the second year of our new tradition and Emily had a blast this year! And of course Mommy and Daddy had a ball watching her.

I'm on a tractor!

Ah, bunnies are so soft!

I am soooo cute!

Wee!

Still looking Mommy, hold on...

Found one!

She wasn't so sure about the goats.

What a difference a year makes! Fall 2011

Fall 2012

Owls, Owls, and more Owls!

I have been on an owls kick lately, and I have had a ball on Pinterest searching for all things Owls.

Here are some awesome owl crafts for you guys to be inspired by, each one of these ideas includes the tutorial.

Need an absolutely adorable Halloween costume? This is by Lindsey at "Martin.Family.Times"

Potholders by Bea from "Beauquilter" {guest posting over at Madame Samm at "Sew WE Quilt"}

An cute purse by Virginia at "Gingercake"

Rice filled Heating pads for kids by Suzanne at "Just Another Hang Up"

Miniature Owls by Effie at "Efermera Ink"

A cute little tote bag by Kendra at "Traveling at the Speed of Life"

Hope you had a "hoot" of a time! {yea, I know that was cheesy}

Vacuum Sealing Salads

Imagine being able to keep romaine salads fresh in the fridge for up to 10 days. What a thought, right?! I can't tell you all how excited I was when I came across this pin on Pinterest.

All you need is the canister attachment for your vacuum sealer, and wide mouth canning jars. Let me repeat something very important here. {WIDE MOUTH} canning jars. If you don't get wide mouth, you will get this:

Still useful, but not for the intended purpose.

If you do not have a canister attachment (I have an older model), you will need to go online as I was not able to get this in the stores. But it was only $8, so it's not a big hit to the wallet. (I got it from Amazon)

Chop, wash, dry, and spin the lettuce like you normally would.  One suggestion that I would offer would be to really put in a bit more effort into the drying. Specifically using a paper towel, even after using a spinner. If you don't, you will end up with condensation inside the jar.

When sealing make sure that you hear a *ping*, and you will know for sure that it is finished.

So now go out to your local warehouse store and buy a big package of romaine hearts for $5 because now you have a chance to enjoy all of it and not throw your money in the trash. One of these packages has six large romaine hearts and will yield seven jars. And you could easily have more individual jars if you do not care for very large salads.

Enjoy healthy meals for a week!

My baby isn't a baby anymore

When does it hit you that your child isn't a baby anymore?

We had our moment a few days ago. It was going to be a cool day so I dress her up in a long sleeved shirt, jeans and her new big girl shoes. (hard soled shoes) I look down and see this 

and it made me realize that she isn't a baby anymore. She is a little girl! Make time slow down! When people say that time flies when you have children, they were not kidding.

When did you have this realization with your children?