Well it has been quite awhile since I blogged anything. I promise to catch up. Life has just been hectic. Hubby in and out of town, Little one just started school. I now feel like I never get a moment. If I do its a tiny moment. Well this morning started off by raining, I was thru off since its been warm all week(California weather). My kid wanted to wear her rain gear. So I have many friends that garden, I wanted to just didn't happen. Most make that mistake and plant too many tomato plants. I did the first time(lesson learned). But thanks to my wonderful friends, I was never without tomatoes. 

Just had to share my lil ones costume I made for a super hero party from last weekend. She loves IronMan and so at her request she had to be IronMaiden. But I have to give myself a pat on the back it came out pretty awesome for 3 hours of work. I also included a tutu tutorial below

Been on a nut butter making binge. Making it every two weeks it seems, so thought i'd share a recipe I like. Now that I'm working out more, nut butters are a necessity. Here's another one of my favorites. I love cashew butter and if you can't tell by now I love Ground vanilla bean more that the extract and my next favorite paste. Enjoy

I've been seeing many recipes on the net for tuna salad on avocado and I've been dying to try a recipe. So this is usually how I like eating my tuna. I just added the avocado at the bottom. I must say, yum, yum. So here's my fun recipe for a simple lunch or mid meal snack for you body builders out there.

Well here's my Almond version of my awesome Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe. Not gonna get to chatty just gonna jump right into the recipe so here goes.

Just gonna keep it simple don't want to embarrass you, but I cant help myself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE

you old goat, J/K

Hello All, Belated Valentines Day. I know, I'm a day late. I found myself so busy, with NikkiJoesSweets, volunteering for stuff, getting ready for the holiday and my hubby's birthday is a few days after. Just didnt have time to write or anything. . . .just one crazy weekend for me. I'm always excited for the valentine's holiday. It's always been family holiday for us, since the birth of our lovely daughter four years ago. We all get dressed up or dressed down in our Vday pjs, stay home, and plan fun activities accordingly. This year I don't know what made us decide to venture out of this crazy holiday. The gymnastics gym my little one attends has a "Parents Night Out," twice a month and add a extra "PNO" for Vday this month. So my hubby and I thought we'd take a chance & go out.

As I had mentioned on a previous page, homemade gifts for my two favorite people is a must for the Valentine holiday. As I went to the fabric store for a mission to find myself something to make a cute skirt out of, I found something for my daughter instead. Or shall I say she picked it out and said with those big brown eyes "Mommy Please and it has to have a tutu(which is my toddlers way of meaning tulle)." I've been dying to try this circle skirt tutorial, since I got my sewing machine from DANAMADEIT. if you've never been to her site. Its awesome especially for new sewist like myself. She has awesome tips, wonderful patterns, and great blog, laced with ideas. Cool tips for girls and boys clothing that any stylish mommy will love. So here's my version of DANAMADEIT circle skirt, peek-a-boo style.

Every year is always a challenge to figure out whats the most awesome thing I could make for my lovely hubby for valentines. Well took me a minute but then it came to one night while watching him perform his before bedtime snack or as he calls it "feeding his body/muscles while he sleeps." He has a protein shake and a spoonful of PB. So I figured making him some would be a big hit. So here's a simple recipe I have after playing around. Gluten free and taste great.

Nikkie's Homemade Peanut Butter

Makes about 2 Cups(16oz)

Ingredients:

4 cups of Dry Roasted Peanuts

2 Tbsp of Peanut Oil(optional but I like the flavor it brings, plus it makes it not as dry)

1 Tbsp of Kosher Salt(if you like salter PB add 1 more Tbsp)

Flavor Options:

This is my favorite version of pot roast and mashed potatoes. I post this on my instagram one day and got tons of emails and IM's on where they can get the recipe. So here it is. 

Well after having no rain at all, its been raining nonstop for the last week. Nothing like pot-roast on a rainy day. I've been craving it for 2 weeks now and I finally get my fix. Here's my simple recipe for yummy pot-roast in a crockpot. 

*****My Birthday Girl*****

My baby(not a baby anymore), Leila turned 4 in January and I felt bad because I didn't blog about it or anything. We had barely begin to unpack when her birthday was near. I planned a cool party for her but had to put on the brakes once i found out we had to move. She had her bestie over for a Smurf themed sleepover and for toddlers it went pretty good. I even made cute aprons which I will add later.

Well I am a big fan of trifles. I just love cake, with fruit, with some sort of cream or pudding. I can wait for summer to try some more recipes. But my hubby loves almond poppy seed cake , I love lemon, the midget loves strawberries and we all love pudding. So this is a trifle mix for us. Gonna see how well it does at a party later. 

Well its Superbowl XLVIII today and everyone's excited for the big game. For me its just another day to pig out. I love all the snacks, junk food and a good drink. Every Superbowl my husband and I usually stay at home but a buddy at work invited us over, plus my hubby has been raving about me being a chef at work. So what to make, I honestly didn't have any idea. I know I was in the mood for some chicken tortilla soup this weekend so why not for the party. I also will be making a Strawberry Lemon Poppy Trifle, recipe Here. The Chicken tortilla Soup can be done 2 ways, in the crock-pot or on the stove. I was gonna save this recipe for crock-pot week, so enjoy.

Happy New Year everyone sorry I haven't blogged in awhile but we bought a home and had to start moving Christmas day. We finished new years eve and it has been the most stressful ever. But all and all were moved, now to unpacking. The fun part is one week from now my hubs will be TDY for 2 weeks so I will be by myself to unpack. . . . .not including the toddler running around.

 As for new years we were so tired, watched a film, laid in our pj's and had snacks. Everyone has a new years resolution and mine is simple. Be happy, continue to be the best wife and mother, stay crafty, sew like crazy. . . , .keep up with this blog. I will update soon all my fun holiday stuff and other things I've been up too. Our computer is still boxed. So soon. . . .once again hope everyone had a blessed New Year enjoyed with family and friends.