Easter Bunny Brunch

 

Yesterday we hosted an Easter Bunny Brunch- turned "Breakfast for Dinner" (due to rainy weather on Saturday morning) for our sweet friends. I've wanted to host an Easter gathering at our home the last two years and decided to make it happen. I love planning events that we would love to attend....festive celebrations!! Fun was had by the kiddos and the adults alike! Here are a few details of our afternoon.

Where to begin? Let's be honest. It ALL starts with the food...

Brunch Menu

• Glazed Ham Biscuits
• with Homemade Honey Butter, or
• Garlic Chive Butter
• Hash-brown Casserole
• Scrambled Eggs
• Cinnamon Rolls
• Fresh Fruit
• Juices & Sweet Tea

Not too long ago I saw a biscuit bar recipe for Ham Biscuits with Garlic Chive Butter that looked absolutely AMAZING. So amazing that I screenshot it and saved it to my phone. I love trying new recipes so I tried my hand at making two whipped butters for the biscuits.

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR.

WHY HAVEN'T I TRIED WHIPPED BUTTERS BEFORE?!?!

Seriously, homemade honey butter or garlic chive butter on HOT biscuits fresh from the oven. STOP. This was hands down my favorite item I've ever served guests in the history of.... EVER! Everyone raved about them and went back for (dare I say) three biscuits?! Shhhh. Don't tell the trainers.

For the kids table I found the cutest bunny plates and napkins at TJ MAXX (my favorite spot for inexpensive paper goods) and built a festive table around them. I wanted it to be colorful to coordinate with the happy Easter eggs- so I pulled out a Spring scrapbook book I scored at Michael's after Christmas for $3 (for the entire book of 100 sheets) and used the pages as place-mats. After setting the table I decided to cut simple bunny ears from the same paper for cute little bunny headbands!! Totally on the cheap- and LOOK how cute!!!

We had an Easter Egg hunt and then the kids played baseball in the street and in the backyard. It was such a laid-back, fun gathering. Exactly what I'd hoped it would be!!

And my own two two chicks!? IN HEAVEN. 

Jonah asked me about 25 times throughout the day "when does my Easter party start?! and Sutton Claire kept sneaking over to the table to grab the chocolate. She's no dummy!!

It is my greatest JOY to create and host celebrations like this. They make the the happiest memories and are worth any time and effort I put into them.

I can't wait to celebrate Easter and our RISEN Savior this week with my little family.
Happy Easter!!

WICTW: Episode 2

I tried four fantastic recipes from Creme de la Crumb before Spring Break.
Here's the lineup:

1. Spicy Korean Beef Noodles: This was SO good. So, so good. I made the noodle part again (minus the beef) for lunch another day when a friend came over to chat. It's a hit. Keeper recipe for our family. They're hot. Warning! But that didn't stop Jonah from eating them. The flavor is SO good!

I purchased a "value pack" size steak package (I'm not super picky about steak types...I'm kind of a wing-it girl) and refrigerated half of the pack for the next evening's dinner.

2. Garlic Steak and Potato Foil Packs: Great flavor and really easy to prep ahead of time! We love any kind of foil pack. I served with Roasted Brussels Sprouts.

3. Grilled Chicken Margherita: SO GOOD! Jeremy took the leftovers for lunch and raved about it the next day as well. He is NOT a leftovers kind of guy. At all. I served this with basic spaghetti noodles tossed with a couple TBSP of basil pesto (the kind in the jar). Was a huge hit! Definite do-over!

And, this week I found my way BACK to the same website and made this recipe in the crock-pot:
4. Cream Cheese Chicken Chili: I've had this a couple days for lunch leftover and it's delicious. I'll make this one again also!
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Thus far I've been super impressed with the Creme de la Crumb recipes I've tried. I found her randomly awhile back and wanted to mix up my weeknight SkinnyTaste rotation. Her recipes aren't as "light" as ST, but it's been great to try a few new things. My gang has all approved!

Now that I'm thinking about those Korean Noodles I'm going to add the ingredients to my grocery order for next week. SCORE.

California Disneyland Adventure

We completely surprised Jonah with a trip to DISNEYLAND in California for his very first “big school” Spring Break. It was an epic surprise- and an amazing trip!! We had the most fun together!! 

We explored LA, ate delicious food, put our feet into the Pacific and spent a day at Disneyland in Anaheim. 

Eight Week Update

So it's been eight weeks since the new year. Eight little weeks of hard work and a super fun, new workout routine. Y'all. I have to say.... I'm HERE FOR IT:

I've lost a total of TEN INCHES since January 1st and I am not EVEN MAD ABOUT IT!!!! The scale said 155lbs this morning and I'm grinning from ear to ear. The scale really is just a number... but I haven't seen this number since my teens.

Those who say you can't have your pre-baby body back? WRONG.
Those who say you can't have curves and confidence? WRONG.
Those who say you don't have enough time in the day to workout with kids? WRONG.
Those who say you don't have the money to join a gym? YouTube is free. Jogging is free.
Those who say you can't be a Mom AND have a sexy bod? WRONG.

Hard work pays off. I am more confident than I've ever been. I am stronger than I've ever been. I am more content than I've ever been. I am more joyful than I've ever been. I am healthier and happier than I've ever been IN MY LIFE. Change is difficult. Hard. It hurts. It takes fierce determination. Grit. But the payoff is tremendous.

You can do it if you set your mind to it.
Onward!

Sunshine Sutton is TWO

This morning we celebrated our SUNSHINE Sutton and hosted all of her sweet friends (and mine!!) for a "Good Morning Sunshine" Breakfast. I seriously couldn't have asked for a sweeter, happier morning. Totally low-key and stress-free.

It was absolutely PERFECT!!!

I decided to set up her breakfast decor in our sunny (only fitting, right?!) breakfast area because I knew the light coming in would be perfect regardless of the weather- plus I have sunshine yellow chairs now! I decided to keep the table decor simple, and really, there wasn't any other decor in the house. It made setting up simple and really stress-free!

I got up early this morning and made funfetti "birthday cake" waffles into the cutest little birthday cake- and we feasted on waffles, Krispy Kreme donuts, and quiche. I love trying new recipes and made two new quiche recipes (ham, spinach and mozzarella & bacon and egg) yesterday, stuck them in the fridge overnight and then popped them into the oven to reheat this morning.

Honestly, out of all the parties I've thrown this goes down as the least work, and most easy-going. I'm learning a few things the older I get!  It was the sweetest morning celebrating the happiest, and most beautiful little girl!!

Sutton wore a sunshine yellow tutu, adorable Wildflower's knee socks and her pink "boops". She looked absolutely adorable - as did all of her little friends!!

My heart is so full. Sutton was surrounded by her sweet friends, and women who love her. I'm blessed to be Sutton's Momma. She fills our life with JOY and I am so thankful to be able to watch her grow and SHINE.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sutton Claire!

I love you more than words could ever possibly say. You are full of sunshine, happiness and joy. You bring happiness and light to everyone around you- including our little family. Your arrival completed us! I am blessed to be YOUR Momma!  Your favorite gift today was necklaces and bracelets- you were SO excited to find them inside the purse- watching you open your gifts and giggle WAS a gift. You carried the funfetti waffles around snacking on them, playing with your friends....it was the happiest of mornings celebrating everything you are. I love you, Sunshine.

Love, 

Momma

How does your garden grow?

This week my baby girl turns two. I’m letting that soak in. The last two years have zoomed past- as every Mother would surely tell you. I’m so thankful for Sutton- the joy she’s brought into our life- how girly she is. Sassy and funny. She loves to make us laugh- and she’s absolutely beautiful in every way. I am so blessed to be her Momma...and really truly thankful for the days I get to spend with her. Trying to soak every bit of her little-ness right in!!

My Little Valentine’s