favorite toy...ever!

sweet shoppe birthday party

Okay,  I am 40 {sigh} and I would love a birthday party like this! The attention to detail that went into planning this party is just amazing. My absolute favorite is the gumball necklace...my little girl would wear one of those every day, until she realized she could eat it! If you want to recreate this adorable party for your kiddo, you can find all the elements here and here.

littleton museum

Our days in Colorado are never boring! We find new places to visit every time we turn around...like the Littleton Museum (and it was FREE!). The museum included two living history farms, one from the 1860's and one from the 1890's, which is where we spent most of our time. I loved the fact that nothing was off limits like in most historical buildings, you are able to explore the various structures, like the cabin, barns and old school house, and nothing was corded off! And the kids were free to roam around and watch the farm animals in a natural environment...including all the new spring lambs. A fun day!

strawberry season recipes

Strawberry Milk Shake via Create With Mom

Strawberry Baked French Toast via Butter 

Rustic Strawberry Tart via A Taste To Toast

Strawberry Bruschetta via Annie's Eats

Strawberry and Cream Squares via Betty Crocker

books on my nightstand

1. The Sociopath Next Door ~Martha Stout
2. Let's Pretend This Never Happened ~Jenny Lawson
3. Peace Like A River ~Leif Enger
4. The Other Boleyn Girl ~Philippa Gregory
5. Cutting for Stone ~Abraham Verghese
6. The Glass Castle ~Jeannette Walls
7. The Hunger Games ~Suzanne Collins
8. Fifty Shades of Grey ~E L James
9. Shutter Island ~Dennis Lehane
10. A Dog's Purpose ~W Bruce Cameron

my book recommendations for you

1. Water for Elephants ~Sara Gruen
2. Before I Go To Sleep ~S J Watson
3. The Art Of Racing In the Rain ~Garth Stein
4. Half Broke Horses ~Jeannette Walls
5. Heaven Is for Real ~Todd Burpo
6. Running With Scissors ~Augusten Burroughs
7. The Five People You Meet In Heaven ~Mitch Albom
8. The Help ~Kathryn Stockett
9. A Painted House ~John Grisham
10. The Kite Runner ~Khaled Hosseini

warming up pizza

Margherita Pizza recipe from The Spinning Plate

Love this tip for warming up pizza (and it works!). Put leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet, set heat to medium-low and heat until warm. This keeps the crust crispy. I tried this tonight with homemade mexican pizza and it tasted great. Others suggest using a lid, which should help warm up the entire pizza quicker.

yes, please

Croatia

Tahiti

Azore Archipelago, Portugal

Amalfi Coast, Italy

St. Lucia

image via Pinterest

cast iron skillet brownies

image via Simply Food Love

I haven't tried these amazing looking brownies, nor do I have a cast iron skillet. But the photo alone makes me drool! Try these cast iron skillet brownies from Simply Food Love if you dare...and let me know how they were!

spring at the family farm

happy easter

Better Homes & Gardens

easter cupcakes

image via Martha Stewart

image via Fun Cupcake Ideas

image via Martha Stewart

nest and eggs

image via Better Homes and Gardens

not your mama's easter eggs

image via Better Homes and Gardens

image via Family Circle

image via Better Homes and Gardens

image via Martha Stewart

image via Not Martha

girly girl drinks

Aqua Pearl via Bon Appetit

Lemonade Sparkler via Valley & Co.

Peach Bellini via The Novice Chef

Hurricane via My Life As A Mrs.

Summer Fruit Sangria via Martha Stewart

Don't these all look delicious!?! To see my full list of girly drinks, take a look at my Pinterest board. Yum!

chili's copycat salsa

CHILI'S COPYCAT SALSA

image & recipe via Deals To Meals

Just made this last night and the Hubby has already requested some more before we leave for Spring Break! This salsa is delicious and super easy to make! And the way we go through salsa, this should save us some money as well. These go perfect with Tostitos flavored tortilla chips {my latest addiction}!

2 cans whole tomatoes, drained
1 small can diced or whole jalapenos (not pickled)--about 4-5 jalapenos (or less if you don't like a lot of spice)
1/4 c. yellow onion, cut into quarters
1 t. garlic salt
1/2-1 t. salt

1 t. cumin
1/2 t. sugar

1 t. lime juice

Cilantro (as garnish)

Place all of the ingredients together into a food processor or blender and puree until smooth. Serve with tortilla chips.

{Note: I didn't understand why you would drain the tomatoes, but if you don't it is a bit too runny. Also, I used a blender and I think I pureed it a bit too long...I would definitely just give it a few seconds to keep some of that chunkiness. Delicious regardless though!}

waterton canyon

Another great day in Colorado! Waterton Canyon had been closed for over a year, so this was our first visit. This 6 mile dirt road runs through the canyon along the South Platte River. It is a phenomenal spot for families (of all skill levels) to walk, bike or run together. 

At about the 3-mile point was a spot for the kids to play in the river and throw rocks {the last photo shows a crying Drew after a rock thrown by his sister went amiss!}. Not to mention the herd of long horn sheep waiting for photo ops! There was a one-horned sheep that insisted on being petted. We realize that's a no-no, but he just kept following us until we paid attention to him and had his head rubbed! What could we do? Colorado, you never cease to amaze us!