Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Cleaning Stove Top Drip Pans In Two Easy Steps

Cleaning stop top drip pans. I'm pretty sure this is a universal job that every ones dreads! They just get so nasty and dirty and scrubbing them clean is quite the challenge! However, I'd found something that makes it so much easier than what I was doing before! Baking soda and vinegar!!


Yes, I'm sharing my disgusting drip pans on my blog! However I'm pretty sure anyone that cooks has a stove that looks similar to mine. I know Levi is way cuter to look at so he'll be back soon! 

Step One: Place your drip pans (I do this one at a time) in a large pot and cover it with water. Add a generous splash of vinegar and simmer for 20 mins. 


Step Two: Dump the hot water and your drip pan into the sink. Let your drip pan cool off a bit and then add a little more baking soda and scrub away with an abrasive scrubber


You'll have your drip pan looking *almost* like new!! Ok, maybe I'm dreaming when I say "like new" but they do look so much better!! 

And if that process doesn't work you can always buy new drip pans on Amazon for under $20. Win win! 





Saturday, February 25, 2017

Affordable Spring Pampering



It's always so fun to think about new pampering products when the weather gets warming and we starting thinking about Spring! I'm a huge fan of Perfectly Posh products so it's no surprise that these make up most of the products I'm excited to try (or have already tried) this Spring. I know how expensive it can be to buy body products so I've made sure to keep everything on my list under $20.00 so they are fun and affordable! 


I'm a huge fan of online shopping so all of these products can be purchased online and a few of them you can find at your local Target or drugstores and all of them can be purchased for under $20.  I’ve tried every single one of these products, and I love how pampering they are!! 

1. Lemon Wedgie Lip Scrub  - Scrubby sugar gently exfoliates lips while shea butter, cocoa butter, sweet almond oil smooth and hydrate. Apply this sweet lemon chiffon-flavored scrub to your lips and rub in to buff away dry skin.

2. Essie Nail Polish - It's nail polish so there isn't a whole lot to say but I love all the pretty spring purples and pinks!! 

3. Jamberry Nail Wraps - If nail wraps are your thing how cute are these!! Featuring bright and whimsical flowers on a purple ombre background, 'Sugar Blooms' will put a spring in your step year round! 

4. Hey Bae Snarky Bar - I LOVE SNARKY BARS!! I use mine on my feet every day and it helps keep scaly feet away. Hey Bae has an anti-inflammatory blend of chamomile and calendula soothes skin, and sweet sugar beads slough off any dry spots with a calming green tea and honey scent. 

5. Honey Honey Healing Body Creme - This is perfect for ALL AGES. Your skin needs to be healed, loved, soothed, and moisturized by absorbing apricot kernel oil like a dream, leaving only hyper-hydrated skin—no annoying, greasy residue. 

6. Complexion Perfection Face Wash - I've used this for a year now and I and my face are so in love with it. I can't imagine having to use anything else! Gently cleanse and soften your skin with Complexion Perfection’s exfoliating walnut shells, soothing peppermint, and softening aloe. 

7.  Moisture 911 Face Creme - Just like the Complexion Perfection this has also been my go to for the last year. I've never in my life used a face creme this long... Wake up your complexion with a blast of natural glycerin and a caffeine kick that tightens and brightens. Apply as needed to awaken your skin and achieve instant radiance.

8. Pineapple Face Mask - I often forget to grab my masks and using them regularly but my face always feels so soft when I do remember! Loaded with fruit enzymes bromelain (pineapple) and papain (papaya), plus açaí and mangosteen extracts, this exfoliating mask is a fun and effective pick-me-up for your skin

9. EOS Raspberry Pomegranate Shave Cream - This product isn't new and I've been using it for years and absolutely love it as does my skin! It leaves my skin soft and doesn't irritate it like so many other products I've tried in the past. 

10.  Paper Moon Hand Creme - Hands down the most awesome hand creme ever!! It's also one of the products that sold me on using Perfectly Posh products! Let lightweight apricot kernel oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera breeze across your hands and leave your skin smooth and moisturized without feeling greasy. Apply as often as needed for soft skin and the summery scent of citrus, strawberry, and kiwi with a hint of musk.

What are your favorite pampering products? 


Sunday, February 19, 2017

Weekend Rewind February Week Three

What a wonderful weekend this was!! The warm weather has been amazing and we are loving it!! We know it's going to get cold again so we are doing everything we can to enjoy this weather while we can. :)

Starting off with a little Valentine's Day cookie that Levi was thrilled to get <3


A perfectly yummy breakfast from Big Oak. Levi wanted a cinnamon twist which he enjoyed after he ate half of a egg and cheese breakfast sandwich. He also enjoyed a couple donut holes. The way to get this kid to eat a good breakfast is give him sweets... 



Some Saturday morning Leapfrog watching while we were cleaning the house. 


Levi enjoying some "coffee" because he hadn't had enough sugar yet... 


We found a nice little park to stop at in Frederick before heading to town for a walk. 



Walking along the Carrol Creek Canal. He's very ornery but I love his sweet smile.  










Thursday, February 16, 2017

Simple Waffle Recipe



We are HUGE fans of breakfast foods. Pancakes, Waffles, French Toast, Eggs, Bacon, Sausage... You get the idea!! And we are pretty sure this waffle recipe can't be beat. It's simple any so delicious!! 

Take your ingredients...


Add a super cute helper! 


And gently stir until everything is just combined - a few lumps are ok! 


Your end result *should* be absolutely delicious!! You don't need the extra special toppings like whipped cream and blueberries but they do add a nice touch! 


SIMPLE WAFFLE RECIPE

Ingredients:
  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour (I use white wheat)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt 
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 whole eggs, beaten
  • 2 ounce unsalted butter, melted & cooled
  • 16 ounces milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla 
In a medium bowl whisk together the flours, soda, baking powder, salt and sugar (let's be honest I never do this part, I just dump it all straight into my wet ingredients once they are mixed well - I'm sure I'm breaking all kinds of rules!). In another bowl beat together eggs and melted butter, and then add the milk. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and stir until combined. Allow to rest for 5 minutes. 

Preheat waffle iron. Ladle the recommended amount of waffle batter onto the iron. Close the iron top and cook until the waffle is golden on both sides and easily removed from the iron. Serve immediately or keep warm in a 200 degree F oven until ready to serve. 

Can be served with maple syrup, blueberries & whipped cream

Recipe from Alton Brown is slightly adjusted. 

Monday, February 13, 2017

Weekend Rewind February Week Two

Levi's weekend included enjoying some Dona Pepa chocolate cookies! These came all the way from Peru and an awesome co-worker of mine shared some of her remaining stash with Levi. He was very excited when I showed him his special treat! 


Saturday was such an awesome day. We started out making waffles and having a delicious breakfast!! You can never go wrong with such an adorable helper and homemade waffles!!


Saturday was gorgeous out! Unfortunately I spent most of the day inside and didn't realize until mid-afternoon that it was a beautiful spring-like day. However, we managed to salvage part of the afternoon by stopping by Rooster Moon for some coffee and then heading to Hagerstown park for a walk. 



Love this shaggy headed little man of mine (should have had Daddy get in the selfie too)!! 







Sunday, February 12, 2017

Disney Day Two - Magic Kingdom


When you go to Disney in September be prepared, it will be HOT!! We decided to spend our first day at Magic Kingdom since it's most toddler friendly. We spent the day riding rides and learning the layout of the land. 

Levi's first ride at Magic Kingdom was The Magic Carpets of Aladdin. It had actually started to rain a little bit but we stayed in line and eventually it stopped. As hot as it was the rain actually felt good! 


Our first stop to eat was at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. 
Levi tried some churros(didn't like them)! 


Prince Charming Regal Carousel 


A parade that we caught several times through out the 
week and Levi enjoyed watching it every time! 


First character meet and greet. Levi was SO HAPPY to see Donald!! 


One of Levi's favorite roller coasters - The Barnstormer!! 


Our first official sit down meal at Disney was at Tony's. 
We loved it and actually ended up going back later in the week... 
Per Mike's facebook picture "We enjoyed supper at Tony's. The Tramp had good taste in food..."




One happy little boy!! 




Previous Disney Posts:






Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Disney Bound Day One - Flying with a Toddler


Our Disney adventure was back in the beginning  of September 2016 and it just dawned on me that I never blogged about it. So here goes nothing... there are a week of Disney pictures  coming to you over the next several posts!! 

A HUGE part of me was worried about flying with Levi. Sure it's the easiest way to get to Disney and driving would be brutal. Levi has never been the worlds greatest traveler so thinking about getting to an airport early, maneuvering through the lines only to then confine him to one seat for several hours was a bit nerve wracking. However once we got on the plane I was pleasantly surprised with how well he did. It still felt stressful to me because I was worried about disturbing other passengers but I don't think any one else really noticed him...

Our excited for Disney face! 


What do you do with a small child at an airport? Important things... like eat donuts!! 


Just hanging out waiting for our plane. 


Things to do on the plane? Push buttons, push the window 
shade up and down, and make silly faces at Mommy.


What does a child do for several hours on a plane? I would say watch T.V. but really there 
wasn't anything on to watch and I didn't have headphones for him so silent T.V. gets old 
pretty quick. I packed several activities for Levi that were distracting and helped pass the time. 
And of course there has the ever so magical cell phone. 



Someone is getting mighty comfortable!! I was hoping for a nap but that doesn't 
normally happen and this week was no exception to the no nap rule... 


I finally got my way and had him put the window shade up. 
I love the view from an airplane. Really that's the only part of flying I like. 
I neglected to mention that we flew Jet Blue and thought they were fantastic! 


There is nothing like finally getting to your destination. I was tired and just 
wanted to get to our room so I didn't get any pictures between the plane and getting to our Disney room. Once the Magical Express dropped us off we found our room, found some food (oh it was so
crazy insane there the first night you could barely move!!) and then we crashed in the hotel 
room and relaxed getting ready for our busy week of Disney fun!! 







Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Family Pictures December 2016

Sharing some last minute photos we had taken (because I wanted a nice picture for our Christmas cards) in December. Deanna Martin was willing to brave the cold for a few minutes and captured these wonderful pictures(that apparently I am smirking a lot in) that are a reminder of how fast Levi is growing up!!






Love that mischievous grin!!