Archives for December 2015

Year in review – 2015!

December 31, 2015 / By Courtney / Leave a Comment

What a year.

I have to say, this is always one of my favorite posts to write. The post Christmas glow is in full effect, the tree is still up and lit pretty much all day, the boys are (generally) content playing with all the new toys, M is home. Things are just….good.

This year was a lot for our little family. A lot of good, some bumps in the road, but we ended on a strong note. Solid. Let’s take a look back at ALFS this year….

Polar Vortex chili was born during the dreaded month of January and was a hit. I can’t tell you how much positive feed back I got on this one. And huge bonus, it’s pack full of health. Something that is always needed during the post holiday indulgence and germy months ahead….

A Life From Scratch did a bit of growing. We hit 500 posts written (!!!), have over 3K Facebook fans, Pinterest grew to 2.9K fans, and we are weighing in at around 15K visitors a month. Thank you for following along, sharing posts and pins, etc. Seriously, every single one is appreciated more than you’ll know.

In February the boys got their first real human cousin. Quite an exciting time! Will has been such a wonderful addition to our family.

Skillet parmesan and rosemary potatoes happened. And they were a huge success.

We made it through the dreaded winter months and celebrated by getting this caprese chicken on the grill practically weekly. Yummly picked it up and it’s got 8,000+ likes over there. Kind of neat.

We renovated. As in gutted our family room and kitchen and built out an expansion. March through July were spent with a lot of noise, a lot of mud, and a lot of improvement. I still can’t believe this was my kitchen. It served me quite well.

Traveling was in full swing and has become something that we all, especially B, just love to do. Places like Florida and Montana were visited over and over and we got to hang with the whole fam in South Carolina and wonderful friends in Lake Geneva. Amazing.

April through July was spent on the baseball field in which I had to experiment with something healthy and filling for poor little B, the baseball orphan. Mini banana muffins were born and were a serious grand slam.

I feel in love with a new skin care product and finally met my striped tee soulmate. Obsessed.

Apartment Therapy got wind of our reno and decided they wanted to pay us a little visit. So so fun.

Motherhood topics include thoughts on: sports, teeth, space, family dinner, age three, and tackle football.

We have a new crock pot recipe in our life: slow cooker Tuscan Chicken stew. Have you tried it out yet?

I started a cooking club and it’s been one of my favorite things about 2015. Sharing a love of food and entertaining is hands down one of the best ways I bond with people. I look forward to our meetings so much!

Obsessed, obsessed, with these leggings. Pretty much what I live in from November – March. Psst tall girls, they come all the way down to the bottom of your ankle. Life changing, right?

And let’s end with a bang, shall we? The year can’t go by without my giving credit to our top two staples in our home. These recipes appear over and over and over again and I’m pretty sure is why M puts up with me. Our wingless buffalo chicken pizza and chicken facile. Have you tried them out?

Happy 2015 everyone! Hope it’s been a wonderful year for you and your family.
C

Ring in the New Year with a DIY Photo Booth!

December 30, 2015 / By Courtney / 2 Comments

It’s pretty wild how the word ‘selfie’ has snuck its way into our daily vocabulary. It seems like yesterday when I would go and get my pictures developed at the store! Anyways, the holidays are a time for making memories, and it’s no secret that taking lots and lots of pictures will help make the time spent with family this season last a lifetime.

Whether you’re throwing a New Years party at your house or planning on heading out to visit friends and family, one awesome way to make these pictures unique is to set up a little DIY photo booth! I’m sure you’ve all seen quirky backdrops or themes at parties, but for little to no money you can set one up yourself and bring an extra level of excitement to your New Years get together.

Depending on the flow of the party, and if it’s outdoors or indoors, pick a spot that will be designated for a photo booth for the night and get creative. Check out these ideas that I’ve come across!

Bold & Bright Bed Sheet Backdrop

Source: http://hoosierhomemade.com/easy-diy-photo-booth/ – _a5y_p=2954020

I thought this one looked perfect for a New Years party with the flashy lights and clean backdrop, especially if people will be dressing up a bit. This will undoubtedly make everyone look his or her best (no filter needed!?), and it’s super easy to set up!

You’ll need:

A long white bed sheet (or some white plastic table cloths)
Cool white LED Christmas lights (50 strand)
White tulle (you can find this in the wedding section at Walmart)
Command hooks
Painters tape
Silver beads (optional)

Attach the bed sheet (or white plastic table cloths) to the designated wall with painters tape along the top. This will serve as the backdrop. Then, cut white tulle from the roll to about the length of the bed sheet or tablecloth. The easiest way to get these up onto the wall is to lay a piece of painters tape sticky side up on the ground and attach from there.

Carefully put the painters tape with the tulle over the backdrop that’s already on the wall. This will add an extra layer of texture.

Use the plastic command hooks to start hanging the light strands and silver beads (optional). Be cautious in hanging the hooks, since they can sometimes leave marks on the wall! Be sure that the plug is at the bottom for the lights, and use a power strip to plug them in. The silver beads (which can be found in the Christmas section at most stores) will probably need to be cut into sections to equal the lengths of the lights.

This is a beautiful backdrop that will make New Years pictures that much more suave and amazing.

Metallic Fringe Backdrop

(Source: http://www.mylifeatplaytime.com/home/2013/7/30/photo-booth-backdrop-with-metallic-fringe-diy)

It somehow seems that all New Years decorations end up being metallic. I’m not exactly sure why this is, but nobody really seems to question it so let’s go with it. I thought this idea screamed New Years and was really pumped about how easy it was to put together.

You’ll need:

3 to 4 packs of foil/metallic fringe garland (You can find this at any party store)
A large black bed sheet
Hardware clamps
Double sided Scotch tape
Clothes rack (optional)

For this one, it might be easier to set up the photo booth in a window bay so that you can hang the sheet from the existing curtain rod. If this isn’t an option, use a clothes rack (or see if one of your friends is generous enough to lend you one). You could also use painter’s tape, like in the previous photo booth idea.

Lay the fringe garlands out one by one, trimming them to the width of the black bed sheet. Place the lengths one by one on long strands of double-sided tape, and attach to the black bed sheet. I know, you might not think that it will stick, but the fringe is actually pretty lightweight so the tape should hold quite nicely.

Repeat until the backdrop is covered with the fringe, and there you have it! A bright and exciting New Years DIY photo booth.

Before the party, it could make things easier to make a Facebook event page so sharing the final products will be easy peasy. When taking the photos, be sure that you (or the person with the camera) mention to the party goers that the pictures will be posted on the event page so that they can tag anyone that took part in the fun!

Mocktail Recipes for the Kids

December 28, 2015 / By Courtney / 2 Comments

I can’t believe it’s almost 2016… eek! I can’t thank you all enough for stumbling across my little blog and sticking with me as I type away at the keyboard with stories and ideas about our family! I know Christmas just ended, but it’s almost time for new years so let’s get this party started.

With flutes of champagne and drinks a-plenty, New Years parties are always an outrageously good time. The kids (i.e. Logan) have always been a bit jealous of the decadent beverage selection, so I figured there has to be something more fun for them than some sparkling grape juice. Check out these mocktails for the kids (or even soon-to-be moms!) this New Years Eve.

Disclaimer: Be sure to use plastic cups with these…I don’t think I need to elaborate here.

Mint Chocolate Mock-tini

It’s pretty wild how much of a smash hit mint chocolate chip ice cream is in the house. In the freezer one day, out the next. This drink idea emulates a desert martini, and will bring a huge smile to the kids’ faces.

To make these even more fun, you could take a little break from the small talk with friends and serve as a ‘bartender’ for the kids. Start by coating the inside of the cup with thick chocolate syrup. In a blender, add about ½ cup of chocolate milk and a full cup of mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Pour the mixture into the glass, and even garnish with a candy cane that you probably still have sitting around from the Christmas festivities.

Pop Rocks Shirley Temple

This one is sure to garner some high fives. There’s not really a mocktail that is more classic that the Shirley Temple, so it’s remarkably easy to make. Just be sure to grab some red/pink Pop Rocks and grenadine syrup (if you don’t already have it) at the store, and you’re good to go!

Instead of rimming the cup with salt like many adult cocktails, dip the lip of the glass in the Pop Rocks. Then, add a shot of grenadine syrup over ice, and pour Sprite or ginger ale to the top!

Spruced Up Sparkling Juice

I know I mentioned sparking juice, but adding your kids’ favorite candy can take this one to the next level. I should mention that it could be a good idea to cut the sodas/juices here with water to avoid a long-lasting sugar high.

Pour light colored sparkling juice (such as white grape) into a plastic champagne flute and add your kids’ favorite sweets! Candies like Sour Patch Kids or rock candy work the best here because they contain food coloring and will change the color of their mocktail before their eyes! Magic.

While your kids might not be able to make it to the ball drop this New Years, try out these ideas to let them have a little fun of their own before it’s time for bed. Cheers to all!

Let’s Party! Healthy Snack Alternatives for Kids

December 26, 2015 / By Courtney / Leave a Comment

Much like peanut butter and jelly, a baseball and a mitt, you can’t have the holiday season without parties. The two just go hand in hand. We’ve been running around like banshees this year from house to house, enjoying the company and catching up with dear friends and family. So much fun. I love all the laughs, festive gifts, and beautifully decorated homes… but my favorite part of these get-togethers is, obviously, the food!

So much food, am I right? Delicious and let’s be honest, at times very rich foods, even for the kids. It can hard to come up with options to put out for the little ones that don’t induce a sugar coma the next day and keep them buzzing up way past bedtime. With a bit of digging, I found some easy and healthy alternatives that will leave your kids reaching for more. And you won’t have a little terror on your hand the next day. You’re welcome.

The Take-Out Fake-Out

If your kids are like mine, a delicious delivery pizza is almost too much to resist. I know, I know. Pizza brought straight to your door is oh so easy, but making the extra effort and throwing together a homemade pizza to put out at the party will make all the difference in avoiding the greasy, unhealthy alternative.

It’s honestly as simple as buying a whole-wheat pizza crust from the store along with some mozzarella, veggies and whatever your kids usually like. Not only will you feel entirely satisfied from making the pizza, but you’ll also provide a party snack with much less calories, fat, and sodium than delivery.

Switch the Chips!

Believe me, I know how easy it is to rush through the store and grab a big bag of classic potato or tortilla chips. As much as your kids like these delicious crisps, they literally offer no nutritional value and are incredibly loaded with saturated fat.

Stealthy alternatives like veggie straws/chips come in all sorts of fun, yummy flavors and often offer up to one actual serving of vegetables! They also come in fun colors that will definitely attract the wandering eyes of the kids peeking over the table. With much less sodium and fat, be sure to make the easy choice this season by switching the chips!

Smooth Move Smoothies (Source: http://www.jamieoliver.com/news-and-features/features/healthy-party-food-for-kids/ – LL7WTx7e4IDp47dv.97)

I saw this post and honestly couldn’t help but share it. While making conversation with family, the kids basically have an open bar of sodas and juices. It’s no secret that most carbonated beverages are loaded with sugars and empty calories. While the most logical alternative is water or fat-free milk, these aren’t going to win any little ones over at a party. Enter smoothies, to the rescue!

Try making a variety of smoothies, or even setting up a little smoothie bar for the kids! You could even go as far as naming the different options after popular cartoon characters to make them even more appealing! I know L + B wouldn’t be able to say no to Shrek or Mr. Incredible juice. Not to mention you could even sneak super foods like kale or spinach that would otherwise never even make it to the table. Making the extra effort here could go a long way, since everyone can relate to having to stay up past the kids’ usual bedtime because they drank three or four orange sodas at the party…

With minimal effort, these amazing alternatives can help replace the junk and provide your kids with healthy holiday party snacks this season!

Let your heart be light.

December 22, 2015 / By Courtney / 3 Comments

The month of December. So many joyful and festive things are jam packed into this month that, at times, it can be overwhelming to the point of it’s actually hard to enjoy. And then the whole point of the month is defeated as it just passes you by and we head into that dreaded month of January.

It’s crazy when you were a child the magic of it all. Do you remember? All the festive and merry moments just magically….appeared. And now that you’re grown you’re the one creating all those magic moments and as absolutely wonderful as it can be to see it through the eyes of your little one(s) it can also be a lot. December is a lot. A lot of good, a lot of crazy, a lot of merry and yes, at times, a lot of stress.

I found myself recently at B’s little preschool Christmas concert. He was dressed up as a snowman with the most adorable red scarf tied around his neck all the while rocking a BRIGHT orange San Francisco hat. How festive. As he belted out ‘Let it Snow’ and ‘Felis Navidad’ I, of course, enjoyed every second thoroughly but part of me was thinking ‘do I really need to come to the second performance of this?’ There are presents to wrap and cookies to bake and gifts to hand out and grocery shopping to complete….and so on and so forth.

And then I caught myself. It’s amazing how priorities can go askew, isn’t it? The whole point of the month is that singing little felt snowman. It’s a moment that is so fleeting that if I blinked it could have been missed, never to return. Because just like that he will turn four, and then five, six, seven. There will always be a to do list, especially in December, but he’s only three at Christmas just this one teeny tiny little time.

So while we wrap up these last few days of prep before the big day my hope is that you’re clinging to your own little singing snowman moments. Hearing my nine year old (that is the size of an eleven pushing twelve year old) barrel down the stairs in search for the elf each and every morning. ‘Mom!! I found him!!‘ Hearing B comment on every. single. home. we pass by that is decorated with lights ‘ooooooohhhhhh mom, loooooooook at that one.’ Hot coffee – lots of hot coffee – in a Christmas mug, your Dad sharing his passion through song at his church concert, joy filled Christmas cards arriving day in and day out filled with photos of dear friends and family. Christmas crack.

Finding those moments amongst the December chaos is what it’s actually all about. Even when it may be challenging, I’m choosing to focus on those things to keep my heart light. The rest, with a bit of work, will fall into place. I’m sure of that.

From my family to yours, I hope you have the most wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas!
C