Blog-Buddy Christmas Ornament Exchange

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I am so excited!!

The Natural-Nester Sisters are hosting their very first gift exchange....but this is not any ordinary gift exchange, this is the BLOG-BUDDY CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT SWAP! 

How fun is that! 

Here's how it works....

you go to the Elfster link below and sign up.  Share with us your information, of course include your mailing address, but also tell us some about yourself.  What is your favorite color, pattern, design, what Christmas theme is your house or tree...anything that will help your partner find the best Christmas ornament possible for you this year! 

Then, on December 5th you will get an email from us telling who your partner is.  You have a spending limit of no more than $10.00...take the info your partner gives and find them an amazing Christmas ornament.  You can buy a cute ornament or make them something great!  Just be sure you mail it to them by December 10th so that they can receive it and enjoy it for the holiday season! 

Once you receive your gift we want everyone in the swap to write a blog post about their new ornament.  Share about your partner and who they are, then show off the cute ornaments that you swapped with one another!! 

So don't be shy, let's have some fun and meet some new blog buddies! 

Sign up by clicking the link below, and be sure to grab a button so that others know about the event and can come over to join in on the fun! 

CLICK HER TO SIGN UP FOR THE ORNAMENT SWAP

How to Sign Up: Click on the link above and it will direct you to Elfster. Once at Elfster, Click Yes. Then click RSVP.  
If you already have an Elfster account, go ahead and login. Otherwise, click Join. You will then see the screen above and can either create an account or login with Facebook. 
After you have entered in your info, you will then be directed to the home page of the gift exchange on Elfster. Once there, you can send email invites to your friends {more the merrier!}, share something with the group {a crafting tip?}, and add your picture to your profile. You can also put a link to your blog, Facebook, or Pinterest page on your profile, if you’d like. You can also create an Elfster wishlist so that your partner can get an idea of what you like and what your style is. I just added a text wishlist with answers to the questions above, but you can also find links of things that you like and put them on your wishlist. 
A Few More things: 
You do not need a blog to participate!
How will I know who my partner is? You will get an email on December 5, 2012 with your assigned person’s name and information.

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Chicken Salsa Recipe

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Today I am so excited because I am going to share one of my newest favorite Pinterest recipes! 

Now I wish I could claim this and say that I am sharing one of MY original favorite recipes with you, but that is not the case! This is a wonderful and rather easy recipe from Pinterest, and I know you are going to love it as much as I do! 

So let me start off by telling you the first good thing about this recipe......IT IS MADE IN A CROCKPOT!

You know what that means, right!?? That means you can toss it all in the crockpot in the morning, at lunch, or before church, and leave it there until you are ready to eat! Crock Pot recipes are AMAZING like that! 

And this recipe can be eaten with either tortillas or over rice.  I have had it both ways, and it was wonderful! 

RECIPE: 

CHICKEN SALSA

-4 boneless chicken breasts (!Can be Frozen!)

-1 can cream of chicken soup

-1 packet taco seasoning

-1/2 cup sour cream

-1 jar of salsa

-Optional: 1 Can of Black Beans and/or 1 Can of Corn

Place chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker. Sprinkle taco seasoning on chicken. In a bowl, combine soup and salsa. Pour over chicken. (Put corn/black beans in at this time too) Cook on high 4 hours.  Shred chicken with two forks and stir in sour cream. 

Serve with tortillas or rice.

I'm telling you this is an amazing recipe! It tastes so yummy! I am actually making it for my family tonight.  I am putting it all on to cook when I go home for lunch :-) Please let me know if you have or will try this, or if you add anything else to it to make it better! 

-Little Sis

Blog--Etsy--Facebook--Twitter--Pinterest--Fitness Blog--Fitness Facebook

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Pie Class... What Fun!

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Last weekend my neighbor held a Pie Cooking Class! It was so much fun. I recently... like in the last six months... started making my own pie crust from scratch. I actually ended up using the same recipe she uses. I have always been so intimidated by making pie crusts.. anyone with me? But after I did it a few months back I realized how easy it was. The difference it is in taste is amazing as well!!! So it was nice to be 'forced' to make more pie crust. But the amazing thing here is that ALL of it was homemade. 

It was just a group of five girls and of course we had a blast. A class that we thought would last about 2 hours lasted close to 5! Girls can talk, right? We had so much fun. I learned lots of neat little tips from my neighbor. She is such a fantastic cook and now I am trying to get her to do a few more classes before we move: Bread Baking, Pasta Making.. etc. I have done all of those, but having someone patiently teach you... I feel like I learn so much more. 

We were able to taste Apple, Pecan, and Pumpkin Pies. Then we made our own Apple Pie and then baked it at home. The pictures here are my Apple Pie. Pecan Pie was SO GREAT! That is a pie that is VERY intimidating to me. But after she explained to us how to make it, I now realized it isn't THAT hard. I plan to make my very first pecan pie at Thanksgiving! The Pumpkin Pie was great to learn because she has her secret way of making it. Oh how I want to share these recipes to you, but I will need to ask her first. If I have a lot of interest from you for the recipes.. I will ask her if she minds. But man, they were so yummy and so easy. I highly recommend attending a cooking class if need be. 

The pie is beautiful and tasted so great. Do you have a favorite pie? A favorite recipe?

-Big Sis

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My Super Man

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Growing up we didn't trick or treat. There is only one time in my life I remember dressing up and it was when I was a teenager and did it with friends for fun. I am sure we attended church events, I really do not remember! But I always knew that I wanted our kids to be able to participate. Not teach them bad things about Halloween... but not shelter them the way my husband and myself were and not allowed to trick or treat. It isn't a bad thing, I do not feel like I missed out.. but I wanted to relive it with my kids! 

This year I asked my 2.5 year old what he wanted to be! He actually responded "Super Hero, like Super Why!" He has also learned about trick or treating from Super Why.. and Halloween, Skeletons. Etc. Someone try and say TV doesn't affect our young ones. Anyways, so super hero he will be! 

I have a friend who owns a boutique. You really should check her out over at Halo Collective. She does some awesome things.. when I find out if this new baby is a girl- I will for sure be shopping with her. So she put together my boy's SUPER N on the front of his shirt. I just loved it.. as did he! Thanks Karissa!! 

Little Sis had made my boy a super hero cape. I had intended for him to wear it the whole time I was planning this- but it didn't match very well with the front of his shirt AND it buttons around his neck. Which I love. But he never leaves it on longer than 5 minutes. He wears it after his bath.. naked.. running around being a super hero. ADORABLE! 

So I took it upon myself to attach a cape I made on his shirt. This might not look like much- but!!! I am the non-creative one. I am the one that stresses about ironing something vs. sewing. I am so proud of my little cape. Haha. This was so much better.. because he could not take it off and he loved it! My little Super Hero! 

All ready for our Halloween Festival! 

He was so stinking cute! He loves to do his little Super Hero Spin! He is such a blessing in my life! 

-Big Sis

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Halloween Linky Party (#34)

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Wa-ha-ha-ha!!

Spooky huh!? :-o

I am so excited today to be hosting a Halloween Linky Party! I know most of us bloggers love the holidays because that means new mantle decor, fun crafts, unique recipes, and more! So I know you all have done some amazing things for the Halloween/Fall season that is upon us and I cannot wait to see it! 

Before I do though I wanted to show you all what my Halloween mantle looks like.  Keep in mind though that I don't do "scary" Halloween decorations....I stay more towards the "fun" Halloween decorations with bright colors, and glitter :-) You will see more of that in my mantle project below. 

Like I have mentioned several times before I am big on reusing things like wine bottles and spray painting them for mantle decor.  

 So what I did was buy candle sticks and candle holders from the Dollar Tree, then I also took my old wine bottles.  I stuck the candle sticks in each holder and wine bottle.  

 Then I spray painted them all fun colors.  I used black, lime green, purple, and I tried to use orange but I ran out of paint and never got more.  

 See here are a few finished.  I also think for a darker look you could do a bunch just black.  The matte black paint looked great on the bottles and candle sticks! 

 Then I added those along with my BOO that I made last year out of 2x6's and scrap booking paper.  I love the way it turned out.  So simple and I only spent around $15 on it all after buying the pumpkins and stuff. 

Now it's time to see all your creative ideas!!! I would love for you to link up all your Halloween and Fall fun here, and grab a button under our buttons tab!!! 

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Keeping My Life Simple!

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Being a Stay At Home Mom who runs a daycare it is vital that I find ways to make things easier in our day to day lives. Being able to be home is a dream come true for me and it is important to me that my husband and son have hot meals most days/meals of the week. I have taught school the past five years and being home is something I never saw myself doing-- until I had a baby. 

I have many outlets to making life simple in our house and they include LISTS, no TV until baby is asleep, gardening, routines, oh and did I say LISTS? I have lived by lists the past few months as they are the only way I can even keep up it seems. But today I wanted to talk about something that is a bit newer in my house and something I am loving!! 

Batch Cooking! 

Somedays finding the time to ensure that all of my kids in daycare have a healthy, home cooked meal can be difficult. Though I plan our meals each weekend for the next week... there are some days that life takes over and I am not able to make our meals the way I do on all days! Also, with the schedule my husband works I am able to cook him a hot breakfast, but I have to pack his lunch and dinner... and to be honest, there are some days I am lacking a meal to pack if not two. What better answer to this than batch cooking? It did take a little bit of preparation and time on my part... but after the initial day of doing the batch cooking... I have had lots of quick meals that are frozen. So what did I do?

I spent one day preparing pizza muffins (similar to pizza bagels), pizza hot pockets, ham and cheese pockets, and burritos. After I cooked and prepped each of these meals, I packed them up individually and froze them. It is awesome because if I am in need of a quick meal for anyone in my family all I have to do is walk to the freezer and pull out one of these meals... pop in the microwave and BOOM! We have a meal. 

It seems about once a month I will spend a day batch cooking. I usually do it during Daycare so the kids can help.. they have a lot of fun. It is one of the best things I have ever done.... and I am quite addicted to it! I always try and make an extra 'whatever' to freeze... it is great for daycare, my family, AND for when I need to cook for someone in need... I like to cook for the families in my church who are sick, have had babies, or just need the extra help. 

If you have any other questions about this- please ASK! So far I have batched cooked:

-Pizza Muffins

-Pizza Pockets

-Ham and Cheese Pockets

-Pie Crust

-Pigs in a Blanket

-Salsa

-Lasagna

-Bread

-PotPie: My FAVORITE 

-Cheesecake

-Muffins

-Enchiladas (I will let you know how that turns out, I have read mixed reviews online)

Happy Batch Cooking! 

-Big Sis

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Home Sweet TEXAS

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Big Sis Here! I tried my darndest to put these pictures in order.. After two failed attempts you get them in this order! This post is picture heavy! We did so many things over the 10 days we were with family in Texas... we visited Aunt Britt Britt in Abilene and we had so much fun. We were surprised to have our Grandma and Aunt Trisha tag along for the weekend.. It was fantastic! 

Our mom riding the dragon with my boy and my niece! 

We went to the East Texas Yamboree. It is a huge festival our small little town has.. people spend thousands of dollars trying to be the next Yam Queen.. No seriously. I really don't think you realize how crazy it is until you... move away. My freshman year in college my roommate thought it was so funny. I did not understand what was so funny about it! I just knew that I had a great time getting three days out of school, riding rides, and eating great food. If you are interested in what is it.. google East Texas Yamboree! 

My boy and I

My boy had so much fun riding rides at his first Yamboree. He also had a blast hanging out with all of his cousins.. All 7 of them! 

Me with my oldest niece and nephew

He had so much fun at our ALL DAY affair at the Yamboree that he passed out in the middle of eating his Nachos. He was sitting on the curb and just started falling over with the nacho in his mouth. It was so funny. So I picked him up and he woke up long enough to get one more nacho and then fell out. Uncle Brian helped me put his jacket on him so he could go home and sleep with his Gammy and TawTaw. 

My boy, Mommy, Uncle Brian

Someone got A LOT spoiled in Texas. We have honestly been trying to retrain him since getting back home. It is crazy what a little lot of spoiling can do to a 2 year olds soul. He was so excited to get a new bike from TawTaw on his first day in Gilmer... he really learned how to ride that bike quickly. From day one until the day we left.. he changed so much. He has a tricycle he uses at home and he rides SO fast.. so this was new, but he did GREAT! 

Aunt Britt Britt and my boy

Someone got lots of loving from his family too! Times like these are when I HATE living so far away. I think my sister said this was only her 4th time seeing him. That is so sad.. and so weird. But Aunt Britt Britt gave him a bath and then had some funny face time with him! 

Love these two! 

Oh my! My boy got to experience LA FINCA! Not once.. not twice.. but perhaps 4x in our whole 6 days in Gilmer. This Mexican restaurant is one of the places I HAVE to go when I go home. Sister is the same way. I don't think I ordered anything to eat until the very last night I went there. Every other night, I just ate chips, queso, salsa, and GREEN SAUCE! This green sauce is the best. I have NEVER liked Mexican food anywhere else except for La Finca. Those that live in Gilmer and complain.. they just haven't lived outside of that area for very long- that is the conclusion I have come to! I miss it, love it, and will always eat it! :) 

My boy loved it JUST as much. 

The picture below is when we arrived at Little Sis' house. We got there after 11pm at some point. We had left California at 7am (woken at 5am) and had taken two planes and arriving in Dallas at 6pm (4pm Cali time).. we had spent most of our day traveling. The last hour in the car to Abilene was so hard for my boy. He was done.. he wanted out. He was so tired. I hurt for him. He just wanted to 'hold me'.... but once we got to Aunt Britt Britt's... he was a LIVE WIRE! As matter of fact.. because he went to Aunt Britt Britt's room that night.. he did not fall asleep until closer to 3am.. and we had him up around 730am for church. What a champ he was. 

Love! 

I would like to add that I did not get a single hug from my sister upon arriving. I even said something about it twice. All she cared about was getting that sweet boy in his hands. I love that he is loved so much. It makes my heart so happy. 

Below you see my sweet one. He became highly attached to the nephew's black angry bird. Precious. About the 2nd night in Gilmer he walked through the living room and told my sister and I "I be right back" and proceeded to walk out the door. It was pitch black outside. My little turkey just went to sit on the porch and enjoy the breeze. Isn't he precious. It amazed me how this 'city' boy immediately knew he was in the country and just walked out any door he could. He wanted to get in that dirt SO bad. I have never seen a child want to play in dirt so bad... made me feel guilty for living in the city. 

Cutie! 

One of the highlights of our trip was the race. Our mom did the 5K, awesomely I might add.. and Little Sister and I did the 1/2 Marathon. You can read about Little Sis' experience HERE... and I will be writing mine... soon. I would just like to say that I loved doing this with them.. and now we are ALL THREE signed up for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon in Florida- in Feb. So excited. 

These are my best friends! 

Below you see my boy. This was the night we arrived at Dallas Airport. Before we got off the plane he told me "I gonna run to my Gammy!" And run he did. I was so happy he did that. We are proof that SKYPE allows kids to know their family ... and I am so thankful to have it. Though we have not used it as much lately. Living away from family is SO hard.. but thankful for that. I am so glad they have this picture of him.. because it is precious- his little face! 

My heart and soul

My little one LOVED playing with his older cousins.. He really loves this one. He has asked about him every day since he has been home. This little man was so nice to his small cousin.. I loved seeing them play. I love they both have blonde hair.. and I know my nephew's daddy would be SO proud to see them playing together. 

Wow! Uncle Brian really put a mark on my boy. He won't quit talking about the "4 wheeWer" with Uncle Brian. He went through the 'nasty water' in the 4 wheeler and he talks about it all the time. As matter of fact, my boy just told his daddy yesterday that he needed to get him a big boy 4 wheeWer like uncle brian! :) Daddy told him to ask Uncle Brian for one! :) 

HOLY DIRT! All this boy wanted to do was play with his dirt. Little Sis and I had a vendor show, which went awesome, and mom took my boy home. He got to play for hours in the dirt with Gammy and Tawtaw. Now that we are home.. he loves to dig and play in our empty garden. I love having a boy and am so thankful for the things he does! Love him. 

Mimi didn't get too much time with him... but she did come and play in the dirt with him. My boy thinks that MiMi is SO funny! :) We all do. 

This is his future wife, Sanana, as he calls her. They got to ride some rides together and enjoy life. Mr. Clay told my boy that he was a 'nut' for my boy to say, "I not a nut, I Noah."

Yesterday we were looking at these pictures and we saw this picture.. Noah ran to his daddy and said "Sanana's daddy said I a nut.. HE A NUT" 

The picture above and below are at DFW Airport when we got there. I was pleasantly surprised to see my grandma and Aunt Trisha along for our short trip to Little Sis'... we had so much fun! 

Bath Time, Aunt Britt's

Doing school at Aunt Britt's work

The first day in Gilmer we went to the school to eat lunch with my two small niece and nephew. It was a blast. I had not seen these kids in almost a year and a half. My how they had grew.. and my how they look even more like their daddy, my brother, then when I last saw them! I got to see my older niece that night at dinner! :) 

Below you see Noah seeing his TawTaw for the first time in almost a year and a half... TawTaw big time spoiled him by bringing the bike, helmet, and bell.. :) He loved it. 

I can't believe the trip I have been waiting for, for six months, has ended. It was so wonderful and yet went so very fast. It always goes so fast. This time wasn't AS hard leaving though because I know we will be home sooner rather than later! I hope you enjoyed my trip through pictures! :) 

-Big Sis

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