Last Minute Halloween Stuff

Well, Halloween is tomorrow and I don't know about you, but we are still putting our costumes together (typical).

I thought I'd take a quick trip down memory lane and I have a few last minute ideas too!

2007

Lion

Printable Straw Flags

We're less than one month away from the 4th of July! Our Independence Day tradition is attending a big shindig at my parents' house and one thing that we're never short on is good food.

This year, I'm adding some festive straw flags into the mix. And the fun part? I'm sharing them with you so you can use them too!

They are super easy to put together. 

St. Patrick's Day Food

Can you believe March is here already? February really did fly by. I feel like I blinked and it just passed by. Since St. Patty's Day is coming up, I thought I'd share some festive recipe ideas!

I know not everyone loves Corned Beef & Cabbage, but if you do, this recipe looks like a winner! Afterall, it IS the traditional Irish meal.

Last-Minute New Year's Eve Ideas

Tomorrow night is New Year's Eve and we will be ringing in the new year! 2015 here we come! I've rounded up 15 last minute ideas for a great party.

InstaFriday-ish

Today I'm sharing some of my phone photos from the last month for InstaFriday. On a Saturday. Just a little glimpse into our everyday life. It's been a fun and eventful December!

We braved the elements and went to cut down our tree. The kids love playing on this engine that is at the farm.

Crockpot Cocoa

I've got a serious treat for you today...Crockpot Cocoa! This is the creamiest, richest cocoa. It's like drinking a chocolate bar!

Cookie Exchange 2014

Last weekend, I hosted our 6th Annual Cookie Exchange! I switched gears from the jewelry party and put on a green and silver themed cookie swap, with my favorite garland and straws from Twigs & Twirls.

Last-minute Gift Ideas for Men {for under $40}

We are just 9 days away from Christmas. NINE! I'm always on the look out for gift ideas for my man and because I tend to wait until the last minute, I've made a list of ten items that can purchased and shipped before Christmas! All can be ordered through Amazon Prime (yay for two-day shipping!) and are under $40. Score!

Gifts from the Kitchen: Hot Buttered Cider

There's nothing like a warm drink on a cold day to warm you from the inside out. Today I'm sharing a yummy drink that is easy to make...Hot Buttered Cider (or Rum) Mix.

This makes about 10 cups of concentrated mix so it makes enough to give away! It would be a great gift for neighbors, teachers and co-workers.

Thanksgiving Menu Schedule {with printable}

In past years, when we've hosted Thanksgiving at our house, I made up a schedule to keep me organized for such a big meal. I recently mentioned this schedule to a few of my friends and they requested a copy.

I thought it would be a helpful list to have on the blog, so for those of you that are Thanksgiving newbies or just want to be more organized for Turkey Day, this list is for you (scroll down for printable).

Thanksgiving Menu

Thanksgiving is just 2 weeks away and we will be hosting our family this year. So we will have a full house for Thanksgiving dinner. Here's what's on the menu:

Holiday Giveaway Pack

I'm so excited to introduce you to some awesome Etsy shops and give you an opportunity to win a rad giveaway package...just in time for the holidays!

Enter to win at the end of the post and then go check out all of their shops! So many fun things!

Halloween 2014

Halloween has come and gone and we now need a major sugar detox! If you need some ideas on what to do with all that Halloween candy, I have a few ideas here.

Here is a little recap of the festivities...

My mom planted pumpkins in her garden for the kids and they had a great time harvesting them

We then got to carve those suckers!

I love dressing up. I think it's fun to put on crazy costumes and make-up. So when we got invited to a costume party we, of course, said yes!

My hubby and I went as hippies

On another evening, while my hubby went to a football game, I went to a neighbor's party. This time, I went as Cleopatra.

I found a Cleopatra make-up tutorial here. FYI, you need A LOT of black eyeliner.

The kids had their fair share of dress opportunities too...school carnival, church trunk-or-treat night, school parties and Halloween night.

Bigfoot & Snow White at the school carnival

Craft-makin' Froggie at her preschool party

Sumo wrestling at the church Harvest Party

Trick-or-Treating with monks (Daddy & Uncle Willy)

Another fun holiday in the books for the Turcos. I hope you had a fun and safe Halloween!

Last Minute Halloween Costumes

If you know me or have been following my blog for any amount of time, you know that I'm a last-minute type of girl. I try to be organized and early for things, I really do, but last-minute is just how I operate most of the time.

My Favorite 4th of July Recipes

Happy July all!!

We are just 3 days away from Independence Day! Every year we go to my parents' house for a potluck and LOTS of fireworks.

I always bring the lemonade (flag) cake

And usually THIS

I could eat this by the spoonful! It's so good!!

A few of my other favorites include...

7 Layered Salad

My good friend, Kaitlin has brought these S'mores Bars to the potluck in the past. They are to die for!

My sister-in-law makes a killer hot artichoke dip

And my mom makes this most amazing and easy berry pie

What are your tried and true favorites?

For more patriotic recipes, hop on over to Lil' Luna

My baby daddy

Today is Father's Day!

My hubby is one great daddy! He makes time for our babies and makes them feel loved.

He reads to them

Throws the ball with them

Coaches their sports teams

Dances with them

Takes our girls on dates

And is just plain silly with them

But most of all, he loves the Lord and their mama

He is a man of integrity and I am honored to be his wife and mother to his children.

Happy Father's Day, my love!!

"For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just..."

Genesis 18:19

Happy Mother's Day

To all my mommy friends...

Happy Mother's Day!!

Mexican Breakfast Casserole

I'm over at 30 Days today, sharing a new twist on a family classic...Mexican Breakfast Casserole.

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo :) Go get the recipe here

Easter Weekend Update

I hope you had a wonderful Easter! Easter is always a wave of emotion for me. It's overwhelming to think about Jesus' sacrifice, His love for me and His power to overcome death! We serve a LIVING God!

On Friday night we went to Good Friday service. Always meaningful. And I always cry.

Saturday morning was spent at the Easter Egg Hunt. My hubby got a selfie with the Easter Bunny. HA!

The kids had a great time with their friends

Sunday was church and off to my parents' house for our big Italian Easter dinner. We always make homemade pasta and ravioli

My mom always makes Braciole too, which is an Italian rolled, stuffed steak. YUM!

She uses my Great Grandma's recipe, but Giada has a good Braciole recipe too.

And we had another Easter Egg Hunt

They had color coded eggs so that everyone got the same amount of eggs to find. Had to make it fair so that there weren't any fights or tears.

It was a great and memorable weekend! I hope you had a great Easter too!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Growing up, my mom had the Irish Blessing hanging at our front door.

via

May the road rise up to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

And the rain fall soft upon your fields

And until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of His hand

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!