Natalie's Friday Favorites {05-13-2016}

1.

Wolf'em Sticks

One of my brothers-in-law introduced these to us on a camping trip a few years ago.

In the photo above it may LOOK like a simple marshmallow roasting experience, but it is SO much more!

You actually spray the wooden roaster with cooking spray and then wrap biscuit dough around it before toasting it over the glowing fire.

Then the REAL fun starts! You can fill your toasted creation with Nutella, fruit, jam, a marshmallow, WHATEVER you want! They're so yummy, you literally "wolf 'em" down.

2.

This Firepit Setup

We are finishing our backyard and I wish I could magically make this appear!

{Image from House Beautiful Magazine}

3.

Mini Graham Cracker Crusts

These are so cute and so tasty! Some of our more creative creations include hot fudge, bananas, and vanilla pudding; strawberries, chocolate pudding, and cream; marshmallow fluff and chocolate pudding {the smores mini pie}. You can get these in the baking aisle!

4.

Once I Was a Beehive

What a FUN movie. If you've been to a girls camp before {especially an LDS one} then this movie will make you laugh and cry with nostalgia at the very least! It's on Netflix now so grab your girls and watch it tonight!

5.

Camping Printables

There are some for Mommy and some for the kiddos! They are so cute and what's better than FREE? You could use any or all of these for a real camping trip or a camping trip in your backyard or family room!

{Natalie}

Natalie's Friday Favorites {03-04-16}

1.

NieNie Dialogues

I started reading Stephanie Nielson's blog last year when I was pregnant.  I was always pretty sick in the morning and just wanted to sit and have my mind distracted.  I ended up reading her blog like a book {which she's also written a book and I really need to check out from the library!}.  I went back through her archives and saw her sweet, tragic, and beautiful story unfold.  Now I catch up on her blog once or twice a week {sometimes daily} to read her beautiful messages.  Her strength in mind, body, and spirit is inspiring.

Check out this video about how her life changed.

2.

Jesus Baskets

 
I read this post at Mercy River's blog about having a Jesus Basket for Easter.  I loved the idea.  As Easter is quickly approaching, I have already started to look for things to put in {E}'s basket this year that will help her recognize her Savior and the role He plays in her life.  I'm excited because last year she slept through the whole Easter morning experience.  {And I will ALWAYS put some candy in my children's baskets.}

3.
Fuller House

If you were a younger girl in the 90s, you loved Full House.  When I heard about this "remake/reunion" I rolled my eyes.  I thought, "There is no way that's going to be good."  Well, when Mr. Hardman was gone camping last week, I was looking for something to watch while not Netflix Cheating on him.  Fuller House came up on my recommended shows and I turned it on for background noise. Ummmm it's great.  It's super cheesy and there are a lot of forced moments to relive the old jokes {"Cut it out!" "Have mercy!" etc.}, but the wholesome lessons and moments are there, just like they used to be.  Plus, the kids in it are adorable! Especially Elias Harger...he is too cute!

4.
Baby Lit Books

I have an embarrassing number of these books.  I love these books because of their illustrations, educational material, uniqueness, and sturdy pages.  Each book is inspired by a piece of classic literature or a famous location.  But instead of telling a simpler version of the story, the characters are used to teach about colors, shapes, emotions, and more.  {E}'s favorite right now is Emma by Little Miss Austen where we learn about the emotions of Emma, Mr. Elton, Harriet and others.  You can shop at their online store or wait until they are featured on Pick Your Plum {they are on there at least once every four months it seems}.

5.
German Pancakes

This recipe is one I use at least once a month {whether it's for breakfast or dinner}. It might be the only recipe I've truly memorized...it's that simple.  We've topped these with pretty much every type of fruit, and it's always delicious {although our favorite topping combination is strawberries, bananas, syrup, and whipped cream..yeah it's pretty much dessert!}. Try them out for dinner tonight or breakfast tomorrow!  No one will be disappointed...at least they never are at my house.

{E} devouring her German Pancakes

{Natalie}

Val's Friday Favorites {02-26-16}

1.

This Primary Notebook.

I've been serving in my LDS ward as a Primary teacher for the last year and a half and I have LOVED having this notebook for my little kiddos!  It doesn't hurt that I come from a teaching background, so of course I love the educational worksheet approach vs. a coloring page.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love coloring, and I used that a lot before I found this.  It does include some coloring, writing, pasting, and it is an overview of the lesson, which I like.  Then each week, we collect it in their notebooks and they don't take home something every week.  At the end of the Primary year they will have this notebook to remind them of all the things they were taught and they can use it to share lessons with their family for Family Home Evening!  I have used it with 4, 5, and 6 year olds.  She sells the notebook for a very reasonable price and has one for the Primary 2 and Primary 3 manual.  I have both and LOVE both!

2.

This Cookbook.

I'm sure I'm not the only one that has a slight obsession with all things Pioneer Woman.  :)  I remember when my oldest was just a baby and I would nurse while browsing PW's website to look at recipes, pictures, and of course her stories.  I have tried a few recipes from the book, but mostly just like to look at all the pictures and imagine my cooking to turn out just like the pictures, even though it doesn't always.  HA!  The best thing about the cookbook is that if you don't have the money to buy it right now, you can search for recipes on her website.  She also has a fun cooking show on the Food Network that I watch with my kids and they love it just as much as I do!

3.

This Show.

I've been binge-watching a lot of Netflix lately, due to multiple illnesses that have plagued me for almost 8 weeks now.  :( After I had watched a lot of the new shows, I started New Girl over again from the beginning and I loved it just as much as the first time!  It's funny and light and kept me in a good mood while being sick.  It's not a show to watch with your kids and some people may not appreciate the general nature of the show, however, it is one of my guilty pleasures.  I can quote many scenes from this show and it makes me smile.

4.

This Book, and This One Also.

Again, because I've been sick, I've managed to read 2 books in the last month!  Shocker!   The first book I read was The Pact and the second was Dear John.  They were very different and both have either a lifetime movie or a feature film based on them.  The Pact is about a girl who suffers from a childhood trauma and as a teen decides to take her own life.  Her boyfriend doesn't want her to do it and he thinks he can stop her, by telling her he will kill himself also.  It's full of life's mysteries and what happens to the people you leave behind.  I really like Jodi Picoult and enjoyed this page turner.  If you like that one, you might also try, Plain Truth.

Dear John was about a young man that joined the army to grow up, and while on leave, he falls in love with a beautiful girl on the beach.  They fall instantly and hard in their love for one another, however, he is still in the army and the book unravels the reality of what that means for their relationship.  If you like that one, you might also try, A Walk to Remember.

5.

This Game.

I bought this game to practice alphabet recognition with my preschooler and he likes it so much he doesn't even notice that we are learning and reviewing.  It's very easy to play and all of my kids enjoy it, even my daughter who already knows her alphabet.  They also have Spot it! Numbers and Shapes, Spot it Jr.! Animals, Spot it! Sports, Spot it! Halloween, Spot it! Basic English, Spot it! Basic Spanish, and so many many more, including Spot it! Shopkins! (I know a little girl that would be over the moon for that one!)

{Valerie}

Natalie's Friday Favorites {2-19-16}

1.

Korean Pork Chops

At our house we love pretty much any recipe that has soy sauce.  So when I was looking for a new take on pork chops, I knew we had to try this!  If you like those flavors too, definitely give it a try!

2.

Free Fonts

One of my favorite things to do is make printables/invitations.  I love to find the perfect font to fit each individual purpose.  One day I would love to turn my handwriting into its own font {not because 

my handwriting is great} but because then there would be a font that would always fit me!  Here are links to the 5 fonts I use ALL THE TIME.

My Own Topher

PenelopeAnne

Lavanderia {Type in $0}

KBReindeerGames

Cinnamon Cake

3.

These Markers

I can't really remember why I first bought these, but I can't imagine not having them.  Unlike the review given at the link, I LOVE having colors that are close but not the same {especially when you're doing ombre work}.  I've used these for church, play, invitations, decorations, birthday cards, and more!

4.

This Movie Trailer

Classic chick-flick!  I'd never heard of this book before, but I really want to read it before this movie comes out later this year.

5.

Cuticle Trimmer

I have pretty much always been a nail biter.  But I go through phases of really wanting to make my nails look good.  This tool is super helpful!  I remember seeing something like this in my Mom's bathroom drawer growing up and I never knew what it was.  Then one day in high school a friend was using it and everything related to my cuticles changed!  This does get dull eventually, but it works really well for the price!

{Natalie}

Natalie's Friday Favorites {10-31-14}

1.

C.R. Gibson Baby Books

I bought my sweet girl her baby book this past week.  Since I can only online shop I tend to do a little more research on everything.  I looked at many different baby books and found this company's to be ADORABLE!  Every one I looked at was sweet and detailed.  My favorite part is that it goes from birth to 5 years old.  The later years are much less detailed but there's a spot to talk about your child and his/her personality as he/she grows.  Check them out! {I bought mine at Babies R Us but you can get them from their own website or Amazon}

2.

Chicken Pot Pie

I found this recipe on beloved Pinterest and it became a hit when it came out of the oven.  I changed/would change a couple of things including: add about a cup of chopped potatoes, use less basil, and unless cooking for a lot of people, half the recipe!

3.

This video.

I think I love it because: A) I used to do these same workout videos, which were previously owned by my Mom.  B) The baby is ADORABLE!  

4.

This poem.

I recited part of this poem during my preschool graduation {who doesn't remember their preschool graduation?!}.  This is a fun poem to use in practicing memorization skills, plus it's a coloring page!  If you like it as much as I do, I found a picture book version {with a little different wording} at Walmart.  So cute!

5.

All things Halloween!

Halloween is my favorite holiday for so many reasons.  It's hard to be away from family today but I do have my sweetheart {who proposed to me 3 years ago today!}.  Below are some of the fun traditions that our families do to celebrate {some old some new}.  Take what you like!

-Watch Hocus Pocus

-Bob for apples and then make them into caramel apples

- Throw darts at halloween colored balloons {which are attached to a piece of foam core}

- Go on a mouse hunt {hide fake mice around the yard and/or house}

- Mummy wrap {use toilet paper to wrap up a partner to look like a mummy}

- Carve pumpkins

- Trick-or-treat or hand out candy

- Bean bag toss into a pumpkin {real or plastic}

- Halloween Bingo

- Costume Parade/Dance Off

- Eat Halloween themed food/treats {we made these this year}

- Cake Walk

- Snag A Monster {I got the idea here}
This one was new and I changed a couple of things from Kelli's.  We taped two smaller sheets of foam core together instead of using plywood.  Instead of using nails, we drilled small holes into the foam core and pushed dowels through to hold the monsters.  The kids loved it!

What do you do to celebrate Halloween? 

From Ron Swanson and his Bacon and Eggs...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

JNatalie

Val's Friday Favorites {10-24-14}

1.

These Fun Songs

I bought this book/CD for Halloween 9 years ago this month.  It was so long ago, they don't sell it as a combo anymore!  I have loved it every year as a teacher and now as a mommy.  The songs are fun with a hint of spooky, but not too scary for little kids.  Plus, there are games, activities, and recipes in the book along with all the words to the songs on the CD.  My kids LOVE getting this out each year at Halloween time and we use it all month long.

2.

These Slushies

We made these last year for the first time, and OH MY!  Who needs to buy Slurpees anymore?  This recipe was great and my kids loved them too!  :)  It's very simple to make and you can dress up yours with these cute jack o' lantern faces on the cup if you so desire for the holiday season.  I have made many different flavors and have loved them all!

3.

This Halloween Countdown

I made this countdown to Halloween 4 years ago.  I have used it every year and it is by far and away the cutest holiday countdown I have made.  My kids adore this countdown calendar because every year I stuff it full of treats and Halloween activities for us all to do.  This year, because we were out of town, we didn't get to do the whole month.  We sure have missed getting in the Halloween spirit!  It doesn't even feel like it will be Halloween next week.

4.

This Spider Activity

I love linking fun activities to Non-Fiction books!  Kids love to apply things they have learned in a fun and different way.  Check out some books about spiders, read them together with your kids, then make some homemade playdoh and decorate it up like this cute spider here.  :)

5.

These Party Games

Whether you are hosting a party at your house or planning one for your child's class, here are some fun party games to try out this year.  They are patterned after the popular 'Minute to Win It' TV gameshow.  Fun and quick!  I'm planning on using one for my family party this weekend.  :)

Happy Friday!

Natalie's Friday Favorites {10-17-14}

1.

Halloween Costumes

I love to dress up.  I take it as a challenge every year to think of something fun and unique to dress up as.  I think the best costumes are ones that you can create using pieces of your existing wardrobe.  Plus it makes it easier/less expensive.  Since getting married, the challenge of a special costume has increased but so has my joy of when I decide on a costume.  With a baby in our halloween future I'm ecstatic for the opportunity to start doing family themed costumes {while I don't have to worry about my children's opinions}.  If you love to dress up like me...or are being forced to dress up, here are some of my favorite links for ideas.

Ideas for Teachers
Whole Family Themed Ideas
Ideas for Couples
Maternity Costume Ideas
{If you're in the same boat as me!}

And a couple of my favorite costumes I've done recently!

T-Bird and Pink Lady

Flo and Lady Gaga

Sam Sparks and Flint Lockwood from Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs {complete with a ratbird and spray on shoes}

Cinderella and Gus Gus {favorite!}

50s Housewife

Miss Frizzle!

 2.
Jim Shore Figurines
These are some of my favorite decorations.  I've seen many in various homes and knew I had to have one!  I love the details and thought that go into each piece.  I eventually want to own a piece for every season but for now I have a beautiful Santa.

 3.
Meet the Mormons

Mr. Hardman and I went and saw this movie earlier this week.  What I took away from the movie was that there are so many good people in the world {of all faiths} that can have an impact.  I love the idea of doing what you can to help even if it isn't globally recognized.

4.
Sherlock

I love this BBC series!  Each episode is like it's own movie.  Yes it is a pain to have to wait YEARS between seasons but the stories are so intriguing that I don't really care.  If you haven't seen it, love a good mystery show/movie, and have Netflix then you need to watch it!

5.
This Eyeliner

I never liked eyeliner.  I remember trying to use my Mom's pencil and felt like I was scratching my skin off {I know I was probably doing it wrong}.  So I never wore it.  Then one day this eyeliner pencil found it's way into my makeup bag.  I literally have NO idea how it got there.  Maybe it was a sister's or friend's?  I don't know.  But I tried it and LOVED it.  It's so soft and easy to control {no big crooked lines}.  I buy mine at Walmart or Target.

Bonus Favorite!

Feeling my sweet baby move around so much!   There's nothing quite like it. :)

Happy Friday!

JNatalie