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Tuesday's Tidings for July 9, 2013

July 9, 2013 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

1. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday! We celebrated with Josh's family this year. It was a ton of fun and we ate a lot of good food!

2. Remember how I mentioned last week that Josh decided to move all of our furniture around, well, we've finally got some new things in our living room now. We bought new curtains, new pillows, a new piece or artwork for the fireplace mantel. It looks great so far, I think. But I'm not a decorator. We still need to get a shelving piece for over our coffee bar and add some more pictures to the other side of the tv. I'm thinking something like this or like this! What do you think?

3. One of the great things about rearranging furniture is that sometimes less is more! We took out our old leather love seat that I've hated for 9 years, but Josh made me get and we got rid of this huge book case that we were using as an entertainment center. We sold them on craigslist and would you believe, the crazy people that came and bought the stuff didn't even try to barter the price down. Crazies!

4. The other day I tried the new Valencia Orange Refresher from Starbucks and fell in love! It's citrusy without being acidic and so so refreshing! It's a new fave of mine now.

5. Three times now in the last week and a half, I've bought something, only to get it home and realize that I don't like it. Or well, not that I don't like it, just maybe it doesn't look as good as I thought it did. Later this week, I need to go back to Target and make yet another return. BLAH!

6. My sister's boyfriend's family owns a marionberry field/farm. He gave us a huge box of these delicious berries last week. I cannot wait to make these crepes with them.

7. I'm finally getting around to updating some of our family pictures in the house. I still have quite a bit to do, but it's getting there. How often do you update family photos?

8. My mom just came over and helped me with some of my decorating and gave me a few pointers. It sure does pay knowing something that knows a lot about interior design. My mom is one smart cookie!

9. Christian LOVES his naps. I swear all of my kids nap more than the average baby does. But if he doesn't get a nap when he's ready for one, watch out!

10. I love my A/C unit-The end!

Happy 4th of July

July 4, 2013 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

I hope you all have a fantastic holiday celebrating our Country's freedom. Enjoy your family and friends, the food, the fireworks, the laughs, and your freedom! Just promise to be safe and responsible and I will see you back here bright and early tomorrow morning for another recipe! :)

Tuesday's Tidings for July 2, 2013

July 2, 2013 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

1. Yesterday afternoon, while Grace and I were deheading my hanging flower baskets, Eden was playing in our side yard. She looked up into our lilac tree which is known for attracting butterflies, she saw this gorgeous Tiger Swallowtail butterfly. It was so cute because she was actually out with her bug catcher net looking for something to catch when she looked up and said," I've never seen this kind of butterfly before!" Grace and I ran over and then I quickly ran into the house to snap some pictures. It was so beautiful! And it just sat there on the limb of the tree and then it closed it's wings and I got some cool pics of that too. I'm not sure I've ever seen one of these butterflies in my own yard before.

2. I started workout 2 of the six week 6 pack yesteday afternoon. It's so much easier to just watch it, lol! It is so hard. I hurt today! I can't believe I have 3 weeks of this killer workout.

3. Christian said," Dada" to Josh the other day. I can't believe he's trying to talk. Can we stop time please?

4. Sunday afternoon, while Christian was snoozing, Josh decided it was time to put talk into action and started rearranging our living room. We had been taking about it for awhile, and our plan is it brighten up the colors too. There's a lot of red, brown and beige in there and I'm tired of it. So we found a pinterest picture we both liked of a color scheme and were starting to implement the changes. The first step was changing the living room. It's cleaner now, but still kind of undecorated and disorganized. But I promise it's better than this picture. I can't believe how much space we have now. When we're finished, I'll put up a before and after. This is just the in between.

5. I'm supposed to get my hair done this week. I'm thinking about this color and these bangs. What do you think?

6. I'm stuck inside my house today. Even if I wanted to go somewhere I can't. Josh's car is in the shop. We're trying to fix an emissions problem so it will pass DEQ, but the city is putting a slurry on our street and my whole street is blocked off. It's kind of loud over here from the machines.

7. I just love these Patriotic Cones! Aren't they super cute?

8. Christian is trying so so hard to crawl. It won't be long before he figures it out. Then I've actually got to worry about baby-proofing the house.

9. I need to buy shorts and some tanks. I don't have any super casual tanks, they are all kind of dressy casual...nothing t-shirt like and I've only got a few pair of shorts. Sometimes I feel like they just don't make summer clothes for girls with hips and thighs, because they are either to tight on my hip, waist area and loose in the thighs or vice versa. Suggestions on where to shop? I don't want to spend a fortune.

10. We have Apple, Cocoa, Blue Ivy, Sparrow, North, and now Ace??? WHY????

JELL-O Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Pie

June 27, 2013 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

Josh and I were driving around on Saturday when we passed a huge white tent setup in a parking lot. At first I was confused. Then it dawned on my that the 4th of July was only a week and a half away! How did this happen? I feel like I just got done celebrating Father's Day and here it is the 4th of July already!

They don't tell you that once you start having kids, time has a way of disappearing. I mean, one minute I'm 19 years old and walking down the aisle to kiss my man and say,"I do" and the next minute, I'm 29 years old with three kids! When did that happen???

Anyways, remember that homemade graham cracker pie crust I posted yesterday? Well, you can use that crust on this recipe! That's right-no need to go buy yourself one of those premade things. Just make your own.

Let me caution you though...I had to make my pie crust twice the other day, because I didn't let my blue jello layer thicken up enough, so when I poured it into my crust, it destroyed my crust and it became a sog fest! Let me tell you, it wasn't pretty and I wasn't too happy to redo everything all over again. But, that's just how easy that crust was to put together! I had it made again in minutes!

So when you go to layer in your blue jello layer, make sure it's thickened...but not so much that it looks like the broken up pieces of jello. There is a video on the Kraft Foods Website where you can watch them assemble this pie...take a gander at it and pay attention to the consistency of the blue jello. I promise, it will help a ton!

JELL-O Red, White, and Blue Patriotic Pie
Sourced from Kraft Recipes
An easy, no-bake pie that screams Red, White, and Blue

Serves: 9

Prep: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 35 minutes
Total Time : 2 hours and 35 minutes

Ingredients
1 9 in homemade graham cracker pie crust or store bought
1 ½ cups boiling water
1 pkg (3 oz.) JELL-O berry blue flavor gelatin
1 cup ice cubes, divided
1 pkg (3 oz.) JELL-O strawberry flavor gelatin
1 cup thawed, cool whip whipped topping
Blueberries and sliced strawberries for decorating (optional)

Directions

Prepare homemade pie crust as directed and allow to cool. Or use a store bought one.
Boil ¾ cup water pour into a bowl and stir in blue gelatin mix. Stir for 2 minutes, until dissolved. Add in ice cubes and continue to stir until cubes are melted. Carefully pour into pie crust. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Remove pie plate from fridge and carefully spread cool whip on top of blue Jell-o layer. Set pie plate in freezer.
While the pie plate is in the freezer, boil ¾ cup water, pour into a bowl and stir in the strawberry gelatin mix. Stir for 2 minutes until dissolved. Add in ice cubes and continue to stir until melted. Remove pie plate from freezer and carefully, spoon in the strawberry gelatin forming a top layer.
Decorate with blueberries and strawberries. Return pie to fridge and keep cold for 2 hours or until firm.

How To Make A Homemade Graham Cracker Pie Crust

June 26, 2013 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

It occurred to me back in May when I was making the strawberry and chocolate cream pie that not everybody knows how simple it is to make a basic graham cracker pie crust. I think there is a misconception that it's easier and cheaper to just buy one of those premade ones from the store. While it certainly might be faster, it isn't necessarily any cheaper or easier. In fact, making your own pie crust from scratch is very simple to throw together.

You only need two ingredients, graham crackers and butter. You can buy a box of graham cracker crumbs in the baking section of your grocery store, but that will run you close to $5.00 for the box. So if you want to save some money, just buy a box of graham crackers. You'll need one and half cups of the crumbs. You can use your food processor which makes it real easy (just don't cut yourself on the blade like I always do) or throw them in a ziploc bag and and start mashing them with your rolling pin or a meat mallet.

Now once you have your crumbs in a bowl, pour in some melted butter and stir with a spoon. Just combine the mixture until it resembles wet sand. Once you've got some sand in your bowl, pour it into your pie plate and level the bottom out with the bottom of your hand or the back of the spoon, making sure to edge the crumbs up the side forming an upper crust.

Once your crust is all laid out, pop it in the oven at 350 degrees and bake it for 10 minutes and then allow to cool on a wire rack. That's it! You've got two ingredients and like 4 steps, easy peasey right?! Try it out yourself! You'll see how easy it is to make your own graham cracker crust.

Homemade Graham Cracker Pie Crust
Only two ingredients makes this the easiest pie crust ever!

Makes: 1- 9 inch pie (About 8-10 slices)

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 10 minutes
Cool Time: 10 minutes +
Total Time: About 30 Minutes

Ingredients
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions

In a food processor (or ziplock bag with a rolling pin) pulse graham crackers until they form into crumbs. Pour crumbs into a medium sized bowl. Melt butter in a saucepan or microwave. Pour melted butter into the bowl with the crumbs. Stir with a spoon until the graham cracker crumbs resembles wet sand and it evenly distributed.
Pour the crumbs into a 9 inch pie plate and press the crumbs down in the plate making a firm layer and with the back of a spoon, push the crumbs up the sides of the plate making an upper crust.
Bake for 10 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Remove and cool completely on a wire rack before preparing or pouring in a pie filling.

Tuesday's Tidings for June 25, 2013

June 25, 2013 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

1. My girls are home from their camping trip!!!!! They all crawled in bed with me Monday morning and it felt so good to have them so close, to hear their voices, and laugh. Yes, this is me before my shower, which means no makeup, no judging! :)

2. I burnt my finger last night on boiling hot water. I was pouring my pasta and the water into the strainer when some of it leapt onto my poor index finger on my left hand. Thank goodness it was my left! I hate burns. I used the old use an icepack trick and then covered it in aloe vera. What do you guys use for burns?

3. On Saturday, Josh and I and my Sister in love and her boyfriend went to dinner and to go see World War Z! I highly recommend the movie. But as I was walking out of the theater and checking my phone, one of my other sisters sent me this picture. My Father in love, went outside with Christian to watch the kitties play and he fell asleep in this position. I guess my FIL was in this position for an hour and half, lol! Look at how cute my boy looks, lol!

4. I cannot wait to see Despicable Me 2 with the girls!! We all can't wait, we loved the first one. I'm slightly obsessed with the minions. Have you seen these adorable cake pops from Bakerella? I want to make these so bad!

5. Not sure if you guys have noticed, but Starbucks is selling La Boulange Pastries in their stores now. Have you tried any of the goodies? Josh and I were grocery shopping the other day and I went ahead and got started and Josh went to get us some drinks and came back with Ham and Cheese Croissants that they gave to him for free. Can I tell you how amazing they were? I nearly DIED! I need to try their Cheese Danish and Chocolate Croissant next.

6. Sooo, the Fourth of July is next week. When did this happen???

7. Last Thursday, I went to a bread making class. One of my friends whom I actually met through blogging and lives not to far away was putting on the class so I tried it out. It was so so much fun! I learned a lot and I can't wait to try her cinnamon rolls. It was a ton of fun!

8. Josh and I signed Gracie up for a 3 day camp at our local Apple store. They are going to teach the kids how to make music on garage band and make a video and share it at a festival later that week. It's a free camp and I think Gracie will have a ton of fun. How cool that Apple makes something like that possible for kids.

9. North West, huh? I'm not entirely sure what to say about that. I guess I won't say anything then.

10. I've come to discover that I need to own silpats. Like seriously...they would make my life so much easier!

Weekly Menu 6/24-6/30

June 24, 2013 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

I'm happy to tell you that I got my baby girls back yesterday afternoon. After being gone for a week, I was a little emotional having them back in my arms. I missed them so so much! The house was way to quiet and I watched wayyy to many episodes of Desperate Housewives to help ease my pain. You guys, it is so much harder taking care of a one baby than having all three kids at home!

Can you believe this is the last week of June??? I can't believe it! I'm relieved and here's why. This time of year, spring has it out for me! Like, its mission in life is to make my life as difficult as possible. I wake up every morning sneezing and by the evening, my eyes are so itchy! But as soon as the 4th of July rolls around, all the farmers start cutting their hay fields and the cotton floating off the trees dissipates. Thank goodness!!!

At the end of the week, Josh's grandparents from Africa are rolling into town for 12 days! We love seeing them and it makes for fun evenings of 9 square, good conversation, and laughs! Not sure what next weeks menu will look like because we'll probably be over at his parents house most night...but we're not sure yet. But since next week isn't here, I'll share what we're having this week!

Monday

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti with Artisan Bread

and Corn

Tuesday

(Skinny) Turkey Meatloaf, Steamed Broccoli, and Rolls

Wednesday

Chicken, Zucchini, Black Bean Enchiladas and Mexican Rice

Thursday

Pizza- Peach, Basil, and Mozzarella with a Balsamic Drizzle

Friday

Crockpot Lime Chicken Tacos and Mexican Potatoes

Saturday

Elk Cheeseburgers and Fries

Sunday

(Grampy's Birthday)

Tuesday's Tidings for June 18, 2013

June 18, 2013 By Chelsia Rief Leave a Comment

1. Today was Christian's 6 mth appointment. His doctor is super impressed with Christian's development. Can you believe my little man is 16.12 lbs!!! That's like almost 17 lbs! Yikes!!! Anyways, he had to get a ton of shots today and he's not happy about it.

2. I had a nightmare about Grace missing last night. I think it's because she's camping and far away from me right now. This I do not like.

3. Here's the thing, I love growing out my nails, but then they get to a point where it is impossible to type without misspelling a million things. Ugh!

4. Don't care what Kanye and Kim named their baby. Im happy it's a healthy baby girl, but please forgive...but I feel bad for that child.

5. Josh and I are trying to plan something for our 10 year anniversary which is in August. I told him, it's not about where we go or what we do, it's only about being together. And while I mean that, completely...I do kind of want to do something fun...just the two of us. So we're looking into a night in Seattle or a night at the beach. We've only been to Seattle once and it was for the day and it was a ton of fun. I don't know...maybe we should just stay home and go out to dinner. That could be a lot of fun too, and cheaper!

6. I think we've learned the secret to grilling amazing steak. Brush canola oil over it. We had steak last night and it was amazing!

7. I have a confession. The other day, I wore a maxi skirt. And it was a MATERNITY maxi skirt! I haven't had a chance to buy one, so I used my maternity one. That was probably really bad, right?

8. As of this moment, I have 72 messages in my email that I haven't read :( Most of it are foodie posts. Hopefully, if Christian will let me, I can get my workout in, read my emails, and get all of the other things done that need to be done.

9. Why does there have to be fruit chunks in my yogurt? Blah!

10. Speaking of that workout, I should go do that now since he's sleeping. Bye!