Before the year is over

I know it's been a little while since my last post {slaps hand} With life getting crazier and crazier during the holidays, I'm surprised that I even took pictures. This is going to be more of a Photo Blog this time because my old ass of 26 years old has thrown out my back and sitting up hurts more than you can imagine.

This year 2011 will be a fantastic year full of non back throwing, pictures, growing and loving.

 On our search of the perfect present at Target.

 Anyone and Everyone that knows me, will attest to my Grand fear of DOLLS....I had to travel down the 'girl' isle FULL of different dolls, talking dolls, pooping dolls, laughing dolls, crying dolls, MOVING dolls....DOLLS!!!

 This was the most favored toy this year.

 My very first Quilt... I will post more pictures later on my adventure of QUILTING.

Have a Safe and wonderful New Year ya'll and I will write you next year ;)

Vintage Pinup- LadySunshine Style

Model: Debi
MUA: LadySunshine

Meet the Lovely Debi, she is a woman with an open heart, always smiling...just plain fun to be around and a mother of two wonderful boys. Debi was looking to get some vintage photos done before the holidays, how could I pass that up?! We had a blast shooting, its amazing how fast the time goes by when your having fun in a session.
I look forward to doing more shoots like this, if you are interested in a Pinup shoot you can get a hold of me at ladysunshinevents@live.com or my Facebook page

Holiday Pin up Fun

I had the great opportunity to shoot with Hanah Reed from The Rockit Roost in Silverdale, Washington this week. What can I say about this woman? Hanah and Chuck have the most beautiful generous pair of hearts that I have met in a long time. They opened their store a little over a year ago in a small center in Silverdale and just to quote part of what she says " Being a single mother of two children, that seemed like a crazy dream without a money tree growing in the backyard. I am someone who loves a challenge and believes that with God all things are possible. I decided to go after my dreams full force. Being inspired by my faith, my father's legacy, and a determination that never seems to hear the word, "no". I went for it! " 
That was one of the things that caught my eye about Rockit Roost a year ago besides the Pin up culture.

Hanah started Desmona Lively Photography in her shop and it has taken off!! This past week I went in for a holiday shoot and was surprised at how fun and comfortable the shoot was, I am used to male photographers who have been very professional but I would advice anyone to try out a female photographer. Here is one of the pictures that were taken that day

Go check out The Rockit Roost and Desmona Lively Photography and set up a shoot, and don't forget to say " LadySunshine sent me"

I take inspiration from her and hope I will be successful in life and photography as well.. *wink* if your looking for a photographer, let me know *wink*

Week 1 of '24 days to Christmas'

I know I know I know, I'm a slacker. I've been trying to keep myself busy with projects, that I have over whelmed myself {insert eye rolling} and have not posted as much as I would like. Here are a few ....of my favorite things...no wait this is not a musical... here are a few things we've done this first week.

 This strapping young lad is Kayden*, he is part of our 'tattoo project'

 Oh how it wouldn't be Christmas with out COOKIES!!! these delicious ones are Ginger Crinkles.

 What can I say? In our family we have 'Tid-Bits', something blood is shed over for... Our family loves this every Christmas and although I am far from my family, I try to keep the tradition alive. One more thing, if you DARE call them trail mix, you will be hunted down and killed.....

I also mailed out the Christmas cards (I still have a few to mail out) and the Christmas packages

We've been working on our Advent list this whole week and unfortunately I have not taken many pictures this week {smacks hand} I will do better :-)

Ginger Crinkles

(sorry for the lack of pictures, I'm horrible I know)

Ingredients:

1 Cup Sugar
3/4 Cup Butter (room temp)
1/4 Cup Molasses
1 Egg
2 Cups all- purpose Flour
1 Tbs Ground Ginger
2 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tsp Ground Cinnimon
1/4 Tsp Ground Cloves
1/4 Tsp Salt
3 Tbs Sugar or Raw Sugar

1) Heat oven to 375. in large bowl, beat 1 cup sugar and butter until its soft and 'fluffy'. Beat in molasses and egg. Stir in remaining ingredients EXCEPT the 3 Tbs sugar until well blended.

2) In small bow, place 3 Tbs sugar. use 1 inch cookie scoop or "tablespoon" and roll into ball; roll in sugar. Place cookies 1-2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.

3) Bake 6-8 minutes (I baked mine for 6 mins TOPS, (this made it more soft and chewy) Remove from sheet and place on cooling rack..

My boys LOVED these cookies and were devoured in hours!!

For those that may want to know about calories and the such....do the math yourself,ha! NO NO NO I've got the info for you:
Calories for EACH cookie are 100, 4G fat, 15mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium.

Tattoo Fun...no really, its Fun!!

As an ongoing project I've decided to explore the fun and expressive way of tattoos FAKE tattoos that is. My boys LOVE fake tattoo, partly our fault, my husband and I combined have over 13. I wanted to express the child's personality with each photo. Here are our starter pictures for the set.

Crafting the Madness

This holiday season is starting out Crafty in the Reale household. We've got our Advent Calendar activities set, a Christmas Cookie swap party planned, and of course crafty projects out the wazoo! I checked out the Joann Fabrics ad that came in the mail and figured now was the time to buy some fabric. Over all the kids did good, given they needed lunch and were hyped from candy (ya, I know....bad mom).

Can you guess what project we have next? I bet you can't ;)

25 days to Christmas

Christmas is right around the corner and for years I've had an advent calendar hanging somewhere in my house, mainly for decorative purposes and no meaning but as the children get older I realize more and more that keeping traditions is a vital part in a military family besides it help teach kids patience. So I took to my advent calendar and came up with a creative way to use it other then eat chocolate to count down the days.

Here is what we have planned....

1. Make an ornament
2. Dance and sing to Christmas music
3. Bake Cookies
4. Share some of our baking with friends
5. Write or decorate Christmas Cards
6. Get dressed up for Crab Dinner (at home)
7. Give a gift to an underprivelaged child
8. Make a meal together
9. Play Flashlight Tag
10. Build a Gingerbread House
11. Watch a Christmas Movie
12. "Spread Joy"
13. Find or make puppets and make up a Bedtime Story
14. Candlelight bubble bath & paint nails ( might become mommy night)
15. Pick out a Christmas outfit 
16. Read favorite Christmas story
17. Bake Holiday cookies
18. Go for a drive into town to see Christmas lights 
19. Host a Secret Santa Party
20. Go to Snow
21. A neighborhood walk with our DIY lanterns 
22. Dessert before dinner 
23. Make a popcorn garland
24. Open Christmas pj's
    
    What will you be doing for the 24 days before Christmas?

Peppermint Patties

Photo credit- My recipes

• 1 1/2  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1/3  cup  Dutch process cocoa
• 1/2  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1/2  cup  granulated sugar
• 1/2  cup  packed brown sugar
• 1/2  cup  butter, softened
• 1  teaspoon  vanilla extract
• 1  large egg
• Cooking spray
• Filling:
• 30  hard peppermint candies, crushed (about 1 cup)
• 3  cups  vanilla low-fat ice cream, softened

Preparation

To prepare cookies, lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk. Combine sugars and butter in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add vanilla and egg, and beat well. Add flour mixture to sugar mixture, and beat at low speed until well blended.
Lightly coat hands with cooking spray. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a 6-inch log. Wrap logs individually in plastic wrap; freeze 1 hour or until firm.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Cut each dough log into 24 (1/4-inch) slices; place cookies 1 inch apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 11 minutes or until set. Cool completely on wire racks.
To prepare filling, place candies in a shallow bowl. Spread 2 tablespoons ice cream onto flat side of each of 24 cookies. Top with remaining cookies, flat sides down, pressing gently. Lightly roll the sides of each sandwich in candy. Wrap each sandwich tightly in plastic wrap; freeze 4 hours or until firm.

My baby is growing up

 That's my baby, my 1 year old baby.... we celebrated his birthday before his actually BIRTHday because well the hubster will be on a deployment before the actual date. We normally go all out for birthdays but this time a low key party was in order. In recent weeks the hubster and I were at ends with each other and were forced to spend some low key moments without interruptions. It never ceases to amaze me that kids can be entertained by simple balloons and cake, makes you wonder if spending all that money we tend to spend on bounce houses, clowns, food to feed and army and presents to give your guests are really worth it. It's their birthday, isn't it?
Back to my baby.... he is a stubborn lil runt who decided to come 5 weeks early with BREECH!! yeah Breech. It was the day I was going in to try to turn him around  and my water broke. Did I mention my husband was deployed? oh and I have two other children whom at the time were 3 and 2. So you can imagine I was NOT ready for my baby to come. After a C-Section, 1 1/2 weeks in the NICU out precious baby came home

 And now our LITTLE ( HA!) baby is growing into his own person, with his own likes and dislike...with the like being more then the latter. he loves to EAT,DRINK and follow his older brothers oh and EAT...did I mention EAT?

Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

So I know I've neglected posting this for a week now but tough nails, you'll get over it. haha. So whats a girl to do with pounds and pounds of pumpkin?.... make pumpkin cinnamon rolls that is! I found a recipe very similar that caused me to step out of my cookie making and try this one and trust me, you'll want to try it too.

 WHAT YOU NEED:

1/4 cup warm water
1 package active dry yeast
1/3 cup warm milk
1 egg beaten
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1 Tablespoon melted butter
2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cardamom or its substitute

Filling:

1 stick softened butter
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves

Frosting:

4 ounces softened cream cheese
1/2 cup softened butter (in the original inspiration they used 1 cup)
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or extract
3/4 teaspoon lemon juice
2/3 cup powdered sugar

In a large bowl, stir the water and yeast together.
Let it stand for about 5 minutes or until it is foamy.
Add the milk, butter, pumpkin, brown sugar, whole wheat flour, salt, and spices.
Mix well for 2 minutes.

 Add the flour (a little at a time, about 1 1/2 cups to start) until the dough comes together.

Knead until the dough pulls away from the side.  The dough will become smooth and elastic.

Put the dough in an oiled bowl.
Cover with a towel and let sit in a warm place.
Let the dough double, about an hour.

Make the filling.  Mix together the sugars and spices.

When the dough has doubled, turn it out on a flour surface.

 Cut the dough in half.

Roll the dough out into a rectangle, approximately 12x16 inches.  Spread the butter all over.

Sprinkle with the sugar and spice mixture.  Roll into a 20 inch log.
Slice the roll into 15 slices.  Place the slices in a greased 9×13 pan or two  brownie pans.
Repeat with the other half of dough.

 Cover the pans with a damp towel and let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for about 20 to 30 minutes.

 * If you would like to add the frosting, wait until the rolls have cooled or until warm before putting it on. my mistake and why you see no picture is I didn't wait.*

Cream together the butter and cream cheese.  Add the vanilla and lemon juice.
Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth.

Hot Chocolate Cookies

Well it's here, our 4th week of "12 weeks to Christmas". and what a delight these little cookies are, I tested them with mini marshmallows on half the batch but I prefer without.

Here is WHAT YOU NEED:

2 sticks room temperature butter
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/4 cups flour
5 oz.hot cocoa
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup each white and milk chocolate chips

Cream together both sugars and room temperature butter.

In another bowl whisk or sift all dry ingredients except chocolate chips.

Beat in eggs and vanilla extract.

this part was the hardest. I tried mixing with my mixer but preferred (for the safety of my mixer and self) mixing it by spoon....and of course I indulged in a couple licks too, I know I know, its not safe to do but it sure is good.

Preheat your oven to 350.

the recipe calls to chill the dough for 1 hour, you dont have to if you're short on time. I used a 1 inch cookie scoop and placed 8 cookies on each cookie sheet. Bake 9-11 minutes and cool on wire rack.

Here is the half batch I made with marshmallows... to add these you add the mini marshmallows about 7-8 minutes into baking and bake for the remaining time ( 1-2 minutes) . cool. ENJOY!