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alexa zurcher

Cookies, Milk and Coloring

December 14, 2015

Last week, I had one of those “less than stellar” days.
You know, the days when you’ve gone absolutely ca-ray-zy and you totally know it?
I found myself being grouchy, impatient, and downright irritable. Looking back, there wasn’t any specific reasoning. I just found myself grumpy over everything – the never ending to do list that wasn’t being completed, colds that hit us all hard, and a house that was not tidy. In fact, I found myself this close to yelling at my phone for giving me the wrong directions. Yeah, see what I mean? Crazy.
At one point, Ellie came up to me and said “I’m sorry you were grouchy earlier, mom.” Ha! I took one good look at myself (and the scowl on my face!) and decided to shape up. A few homemade cookies and milk did the trick (recipe below), as well as sitting down to color. Color, you say? Yes!

Ellie and I try to pull out our “art box” just about every afternoon. It seems to relax us both, plus we got to test out these festive place mats. Ellie “helped” me design them the other day, she loves to sit on my lap and be my little helper. Actually, she knows her way around Illustrator pretty well. Makes me so proud! šŸ˜‰ These place mats are perfect for the holiday season…and let’s face it, all the spills that come with! Are we the only ones that are constantly spilling milk? (I swear, I can never get those sippy cups lids on tight enough. Ah!)

Our art box is full of all sorts of things – stickers, construction paper, scissors, markers, glitter that gets evvverywhere – as well as our favorite Prismacolor Premier colored pencils. Let’s face it, they’re the only kind of colored pencils allowed in the house. We love stocking up on a few each time we visit Michaels. I think Ellie is determined to own every single shade of pink available! Make sure to check out Michaels coupons for additional savings, in newspapers and online.


If you want to have twinner place mats (Ellie would be sooo thrilled!), you can download your own copy below!

  • Download “Peace”place mat
  • Download “Joy” place mat

(And you can click here and select ā€œfree pagesā€ to download your own free Prismacolor coloring pages!

And…if you’re going to have festive place mats you may as well have some cookies to go with it, amiright? These are Brian’s favorite and most requested treat. Coming from a guy who typically picks salty over sweet, that’s saying something!

Peanut Butter Cookies
Chocolate kisses
1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 packed brown sugar
1 egg
2 tablespoons milk
1 tsp vanilla
1-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 salt
extra sugar for rolling

Cream together shortening and peanut butter. Add sugar and brown sugar and beat well. Mix in egg, milk and vanilla. In a seperate bowl, mix flour, baking soda and salt, gradually add in. Shape dough into small balls, then roll in sugar. Bake at 375 degrees for 8 minutes. Add chocolate kiss on top while cookie is still hot. Enjoy with a glass of cold milk!

Happy Monday, my friends! XO

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media GroupĀ® and Prismacolor, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #relaxandcolor  http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Frosted Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

November 10, 2015

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Tis the season for all things pumpkin! Ellie and Addie helped me make these cookies last week…and I totally ate some for a pre-birthday breakfast this weekend. šŸ˜‰ And then indulged in some waffles for my real-birthday breakfast. Ha! Birthdays only come once a year, right?

Truth be told, I don’t just eat cookies for breakfast on my birthday…it’s kind of a regular occurrence! I mean, I just cannot help myself. (Is it a problem? Probably šŸ™‚ Especially when it comes to these pumpkin cookies. Cinnamon buttercream frosting? Chocolate Chips? PUMPKIN?! I mean, why eat toast when you can eat a cookie! (Of course, I tell Ellie differently, but one day I’ll let in the cookie for breakfast club.)

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I grew up making this recipe every autumn and it makes a TON. Ok, I could probably eat them all (seriously, problems!) but I typically leave out a few for us to eat and freeze the rest in these bags. We’re heading to St. George for Thanksgiving this year and I made a few extra to bring with us for dinner. Or breakfast. Either way, they’re ready and waiting in our freezer. Find the recipe below!

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Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

Mix together:
1/2 cup shortening
1/2 cup butter
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup pumpkin

Then add:
2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/ teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup chocolate chips (+more if desired šŸ™‚

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Let cool. Frost with desired frosting* or freeze for later in Hefty Freezer Slider bags. Find tips HERE for storing and freezing all your Thanksgiving leftovers.

*Typically I frost these with cream cheese frosting, but since Brian’s not a cream cheese fan, I mixed buttercream frosting with cinnamon and its sooo good!

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Our cute little happy camper. She loves her highchair!

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This girl seriously loves to bake with me. She even helps wash dishes! šŸ˜‰ I’ve been trying to plan more indoor activities with this sweet one since it’s quite chilly outside these days. Baking is her favorite, but arts and crafts are her second love. We have this one on our list for this week!

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This handful did not make it into the cookie dough. šŸ˜‰

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Seriously love this little sunshine girl. I was so worried about having two kids (let’s just blame it on those pregnancy hormones šŸ˜‰ but having Addie girl has been a dream. Sure we’re late for everything and I’m currently surrounded by like every toy in our playroom (read: total mess!) but this two kid gig is pretty darn fun.

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And….now I’m off to sneak one from the freezer. Again. These may not make it till Thanksgiving. Wish me luck!

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P.S. This handy guide has the perfect tips for eliminating that Thanksgiving dinner stress. Bake ahead and forget doing five hundred bazillion dishes on Thanksgiving. šŸ˜‰

 

Winter Squash Guide

November 4, 2015

I know what you’re thinking…why in the world are we talking SQUASH!? Ah yes, this post is indeed rather random. But after wandering around the grocery store the other day, particularly the produce section, by head was spinning. There were so many choices of squash. Butternut squash! Spaghetti squash! Bumpy squash! Orange squash! And I knew absolutely nothing about any of them. After a little googling, and a little doodling, this little infographic on winter squash was born. Now I’m dying to try them in a few recipes. Know of any good ones? I’d love to hear your favorites below! šŸ˜‰


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p.s. let’s be friends!

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Homemade Pineapple Whip

September 2, 2015

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Backpacks are packed, pencils are sharpened, and school has officially started! Regardless, I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that our summer break is over (or that Ellie has started school – ah!) It’s still been quite warm around here and pulling out the baby pool in the backyard is still a weekly occurrence. Summer stay a little longer, please!?

On a particularly warm day, Ellie and I were in need of a cool, sweet treat. It was ā€œwitching hour,ā€ otherwise known as the hour before dad gets home and one particular toddler gets a little cranky! To cure the crankiness, and keep me from going insane, Ellie and I pulled out the blender and got to work. Five ingredients later and we had ourselves a delicious pineapple whip to enjoy on the front porch while we waited for dad to get home. Talk about turning our afternoon around! If I closed my eyes, I could almost picture myself on a beach in Hawaii…almost. šŸ˜‰

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Ready to make your own pineapple whip? It’s incredibly simple and takes only a few minutes to make!

Ingredients:
2 cups frozen pineapple
1/4 cup your choice milk
1 packet of Born SweetĀ® Zingā„¢ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener
Squirt of lemon juice
Whipped Cream for topping

In your blender, add frozen pineapple, milk, Zingā„¢ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener*, and a squirt or two of lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Serve with whipped cream and ENJOY!

*I love using Born SweetĀ® Zingā„¢ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener in this recipe. It’s made with only real ingredients – nothing artificial and has the perfect sweetness found in Mother Nature’s stevia plant. It’s also perfect for sprinkling into beverages, smoothies, and fruit. Zingā„¢ Stevia Sweetener – a taste of sweet excitement! If you want to ADD ZINGā„¢ TO YOUR LIFE and give your taste buds something new and amaZING to be excited about — try new Zingā„¢ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener for yourself! Get a Free Sample of Zingā„¢ Zero Calorie Stevia Sweetener here.

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I have a feeling we are going to be making this a few more times before the weather cools down! Do you have a favorite cool, summer treat? I’d love to try it – leave me a link below!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Father’s Day Dessert and Printables!

May 29, 2015

This post been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. As always, all opinions are my own. #ShareYourSummer

Fathers Day Printables 1

As mentioned before here on the blog, my husband is a HUGE Coke fan. Our house is typically stocked with some kind of Coke product – typically Coke Zero. Though we usually keep in all the way in the basement, you know to make sure that you really want it before hiking down the stairs and braving the mess, there’s a good amount that ends up next to us during baseball games and late night Netflix watching. Hence, when brainstorming for upcoming Father’s Day ideas, Coke made the list. šŸ˜‰

Fathers Day Free Printables and Coke Floats (17)Fathers Day Free Printables and Coke Floats (4) - Copy



Now, maybe I’ve been living under a rock, but I’ve never had a Coke float before! According to my husband, they’re pretty darn amazing, so dessert for Father’s Day? Check! Of course, we had to try it out first and it proved to be pretty darn delicious. Especially with the extra hint of lime! 


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This “recipe” is pretty self explanatory, but if you need a grocery list here it is:
-Your choice of Coke, though I recommend a personalized bottle! 
(Walmart has the best & most organized selection and you can find your name here!) 
-Vanilla Ice Cream
-Sliced Limes
Squeezing a little bit of lime juice in the float gives us that extra zing! I love my floats more ice cream-y vs soda, but Brian is the total opposite. Bring on the Coke, he says! 
(For more summer fun and to share your ideas, check out this hub here)

Fathers Day Free Printables and Coke Floats (8) - CopyFathers Day Free Printables and Coke Floats (20) - CopyFathers Day Free Printables and Coke Floats (21) - Copy

This year Brian’s birthday isn’t on the same day as Father’s Day, so I don’t have to combine my decorations like I did last year! I put together a few hand lettered posters and cards that you can download too! Ellie loved helping me fill out the “We Love Dad” poster, and drawing a few “scary monsters” on it as well. Two year olds. šŸ˜‰  You can download the posters and cards below. Please remember that they are for personal use only. Thanks!

DOWNLOAD POSTERS HERE
DOWNLOAD CARD & FOOD TOPPERS HERE

Happy Father’s Day! Who are you sharing a coke with this year? 

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

May 15, 2015

No Bake Peanut Butter Bars

If you’re looking for a super easy, super delicious, super sinful dessert, look no further! These no bake peanut butter bars are insanely delicious and so easy to make (no oven required!) They make a decent amount, perfect for summer parties, delivering to the neighbors, or eating for a midnight snack. šŸ˜‰ I won’t tell you how many I ate on this last batch, they’re just that good!

peanut butter bars recipe (1) 

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, melted
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup + 3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 1/2-2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:
Line 9×13 pan with tinfoil or wax paper. Mix together melted butter, graham crackers, powdered sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter in a bowl. Add mixture to the lined pan and spread evenly on bottom. Melt chocoalte chips and remaining peanut butter in microwave. (Be sure to only warm in 15-30 second increments and stir in between!) I prefer mine to have a little more chocolate, so I like using 2 cups of chocolate chips. Spread melted chocoalte over peanut mixture in the pan. Place in fridge for 1-2 hours. To cut, take the mixture and liner out of the pan for easy cutting!

*I prefer to keep these in the fridge so the chocolate doesn’t melt or get too soft when sitting out!

peanut butter bars recipe (2)

How to Become an Adult #487

March 25, 2015

cinnamon rolls (3)

 
#487: Stop hand mixing everything and invest in a grown up mixer already. šŸ™‚

For the past almost four years (four!), Brian and I have spent a lot of time experimenting in the kitchen. I love to bake, so we’ve tried out countless recipes of cookies, breads, rolls, doughs, you name it. And for those past four years, we have been mixing everything with our tiny, wimpy hand mixer. You know, the one that sounds like it’s going to die if you add more than one cup of flour. Which has resulted in lots of stirring ourselves, and don’t get me started on kneading bread. Arm workout!

So, we made a very adult like decision and invested in this beauty:
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Introducing the newest member of our family: Bosch Zurcher. Ellie could have cared less, but you would have thought it was Christmas for Brian and I! (And look at those sunburns, we’re not quite used to the southern Utah sun šŸ˜‰ This baby came slightly used and significantly cheaper (thanks for finding us the good deal, Mom!) and we are in heaven. No more kneading dough by hand! No more mixing by hand! Sweet hallelujahs!
 

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Of course, we enlisted my mom’s help to teach us her mixing ways (we knew nothing when it came to working this delightful machine!) so cinnamon rolls we begun. And my mom’s recipe of cinnamon rolls, heavenly! I haven’t had them in years and they were just as delicious as I remember. Turns out, our daughter has a slight addiction to these things (and so do we!) Recipe below.
   IMG_7624cinnamon rolls (1)   

Cinnamon Rolls

Ingredients:
1 1/4 Cups Warm Water
2 Tbsp Yeast
1/2 Cup Oil
2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Sugar
3 Eggs
5 Cups Flour

Cinnamon Sugar
Brown Sugar
Butter

Instructions:
Mix together water, yeast, oil, salt, sugar, and eggs. Add flour, one cup at a time, until dough pulls from the side of the bowl but it’s not too stiff. Let rise in a bowl until doubled. Punch down and roll into a long rectangle. Spread with softened butter and sprinkle generous amounts of cinnamon sugar and brown sugar. Roll into a long tube and slice into even rolls with a serrated knife. Place on greased cookie sheet and let rise. (We let ours rise about 10-20 minutes more) Bake at 375 for 9-11 minutes. Frost with favorite frosting or glaze.
 

cinnamon rolls (4)

An Afternoon Pick-Me-Up

March 23, 2015

This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KreateMyHappy

Rice Krispies 1

Are you ready for a sinfully delicious afternoon snack? This treat satisfies all my pregnant sugar cravings in one bite! This recipe contains all my favorites: chocolate, peanut butter, and Rice Krispies Treats. Does it get any better than that?! It’s the perfect treat to indulge in during nap time, or make for a girls night out. You can find the recipe and directions below!
Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars  (1)Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars  (4)Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars  (3)
Ingredients:
5 individually wrapped Rice Krispies Treats
4 oz Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate
5 tsp Peanut Butter
1 cup JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows
1 tsp Water
Peanut Butter M&Ms
Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars  (5) Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars  (6)
Unwrap Rice Krispies Treats. Spread 1 teaspoon peanut butter over the top of each Rice Krispies Treats. Set aside. In a small, microwave safe bowl, add 4 oz semi-sweet baking chocolate. Microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between each session until melted. Generously coat top and sides of each Rice Krispies Treat. Set on wax paper and allow to set in freezer for 10-15 minutes.

Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars  (7) Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars  (8)

Just before pulling out Rice Krispies Treats from freezer, add 1 cup JET-PUFFED Miniature Marshmallows and 1 tsp water to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave marshmallows for 10 seconds at a time, stirring in between each session until melted. Take chocolate covered Rice Krispies Treats out of the freezer and set on desired plate. Using a spoon, drizzle melted marshmallow on top. Adorn with Peanut Butter M&Ms. Serve immediately. Makes 5 servings.
 Rice Krispies Treats (2)
Rice Krispies Treats Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars  (9) IMG_20150223_121038~2

All ingredients can be purchased at Walmart. For more mouth-watering recipes check out Rice Krispies Treat page. (I’m dying to try all of these!) 
Rice Krispies Treats (3)

St. Patrick’s Day Float

March 13, 2015

I am so excited to have Miss Kallie guest posting today with a delicious St. Patrick’s day treat! Kallie is one of the sweetest girls ever (on the internet and in real life!) and I’m thrilled to share her talents and her darling blog with you today! After a week of being sick, this float is on the menu for dessert this weekend, I can’t wait!

 

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Is this even real life right now? I am so happy to be guest posting for Alexa today! How cute is she? Seriously I love her. Well, my name is Kallie. I am from Life Through a Lens, that’s my blog. You may remember me from Alexa’s #servingothers2015 post! I am the one that created that blog hop and I am so happy Alexa participated!

This me and my family. I am the second one in from the right. They (we) are crazy, and I love em’.

Wanna know somethin’ about me? I am not a mom (like most of you), I am a high school student. I think that surprises people a lot. I am not your average Sophomore. I would rather stay home craft, bake, blog,  etc. than go out with my friends till the wee hours of the night. Don’t get me wrong I like High School but, sometimes I feel like a twenty-somethin’ year old stuck in a fifteen year old’s body.
Ha! I would love for you to come visit my blog, I love visitors šŸ˜‰ My blog has everything from DIYs and recipes to outfit ideas and fashion posts. Come and join the party!

Okay, I know what your thinkin’ “Stop rambling and get on with the St. Patrick’s day treat”. This treat, I bet you have probably seen before. You saw it maybe on someone’s blog last year, you thought it was a good idea. You wanted to make it but, forgot and ran out of time and as soon as you knew it, St. Pattie’s Day was over. You missed out on making this super yummy treat! Yep, I knew that had happens so that’s why I am here to remind you about it. šŸ˜‰

So let’s start off with the basics, the ingredients. All you are gonna need is some Lime Sherbet, and Sprite. Easy!

 

Start off by putting some sherbet in your cup, then pour your sprite over it!
NOTE: Don’t try and pour the sprite fast. It bubbles up, fast. If you try to do it fast it WILL over fill and spill everywhere. Trust  me, I know.

A cute straw is not necessary but, adds a nice little touch. Seriously, how cute are paper straws these days? Love em’!


That’s it my dear. I advise you now to go the store, get a bottle of sprite and some lime sherbet. Make this treat, your kids will love you and you will hate me ;). Hehe..it is so yummy!

Your welcome. If you are like my mom, and probably a lot others, you really didn’t have hardly anything for St. Pattie’s Day. Well, now you do!

Over on my blog today I am sharing a little treat/goodie/sucker thing for St. Pattie’s Day. I teach gymnastics and dance at The Little Gym and my little kiddies, that have classes that day are in need of a treat. So I put together a little somethin’ for them. You know what to do..go check it out! Look how cute it is!

I hope to talk to you soon! Thanks again Alexa for letting me guest post today!

xoxo,
Kallie

Two year olds, man

February 17, 2015

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Never a dull moment with a two year old around! This little two year old has me convinced that this is my favorite stage thus far! (Ok, ok, I say that with every stage…:) After hearing such awful terrible two stories, I worked myself up into thinking this stage would be absolutely horrific. Knock on wood, this stage has been an absolute blast. She picks up new vocabulary and characteristics every day that are too cute to boot. (Like every Sunday when she twirls in her dress and exclaims ā€œI pretty as a princess!ā€ over and over again.) Granted, there have been a few minor meltdowns and ā€œLet me do it myself!ā€ outbursts, but all in all, this stage is too much fun with my favorite two year old around.
Speaking of favorites, here’s a few of my current favs around the web:
-I’m finally getting back in the kitchen after a few months of staying far, far away (talk about crazy pregnancy food aversions!) I’m loving these homemade spice blends and can’t wait to try them out!
-Our favorite toddler hats (from this post!) are currently on sale. And, I might be biased, but I think the model is pretty dang cute. šŸ™‚
-I’m dying to actually learn real calligraphy, but in the meantime, I love this video on how to fake calligraphy.
-Ellie is always asking to bake, bake, bake. I’m loving these adorable photos and the BEST peanut butter cookie recipe here.

-After slacking off for a few weeks, I’m loving these tips on how getting up out of bed and getting your work out on! Heaven knows I’ve been sleeping in and skipping my workout far too often. šŸ™‚
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Hi there!

Hi, I'm Alexa! Southern Utah Native, wife to B, and mama of four littles. I believe in seeking every day magic and make a mean chocolate chip cookie. Read more
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