Rolo Brownie Trifle

Chocolate, caramel, whipped cream, and rolos. Who could resist all that chocolatey goodness in one bite?! Ever since I was a kid I have loved Rolos. Maybe they are a comfort candy too because they were one of my mom's favorite candies. She lives across the country in California now so I take comfort in the little things that remind me of her. Right now, Rolos &  Mother Like Mine-The Band Perry are my go toos.

I found this recipe on the greatest and most addicting website ever...Pinterest. I've had it pinned for 6 months and I'm finally getting to it. Maybe I should start narrowing down my boards...naw I'll use them all...eventually ;). Anyways, this recipe comes directly from Bakingdom. Now I am not a professional baker by any means so I cut some corners by not making the brownies, caramel, or whipped cream from scratch. I know, I know...slacker. When I get a little more comfy in the kitchen then I'll try it.

Here's my take on this recipe! My in-laws said it was awesome and rich.

Ingredients:
1 box of Brownie Mix
   2 eggs
   1/2 cup vegetable oil
   3 tbsp water
Caramel topping (squeeze bottle is best)
Bag of Rolos
Cool Whip

First, start on your brownies. After you pour it in the pan, cut a few Rolos into pieces and drop them on top of the brownie batter. I found quartering them was best size.

Pop that in the oven according to the brownie box's guide and go to town on cleaning the bowl while you wait. That was my favorite part as a kid and still is now. My and the hubby fight over the bowl every time.

While the brownie is cooling, get out your cups, cool whip, caramel, and rolos. Once cooled cut the brownie into small bite size cubes.

Next comes layering. I started with cool whip on the bottom, then brownie, caramel drizzled over the brownie, then start the process over again. Cool whip, brownie, caramel. I also added a few more small pieces of rolo in there on top of the brownie too. You can't have too much chocolate right? Can you have a chocolate/caramel overload? All my taste testers seemed okay. 

I think my heart skipped a beat when I first saw this dessert because I love Rolos, caramel, brownie, and cool whip. My hubby & I always have to steal the Rolo bag from each other because you just keep eating them and before you know it you've eaten half a bag. Unfortunately for me, my hubby ate the whole bag the other day...grrr *deep breaths*. Anywho, this was an awesome treat to finish our night and I will definitely be making it again.

Our Third Anniversary!

 We finally got to celebrate our 3 year wedding anniversary on Saturday night. It was actually on October 2nd, but it was on a Thursday so it wasn't ideal for going out to eat since Koby goes to work at 9:30 at night. We went out to dinner while Raleigh got playtime with her godparents.

It doesn't seem like we've been together for 4 1/2 years. We have known each other for almost 5 years now, but I made him chase me for a little while ;) We've gone through living in an apartment with my crazy smoker of a roommate, to living in a barn (yes, an actual barn), and now we are in a house. Definitely the happiest place we have been so far. I also can't believe the changes in our lifestyle too. When we first met I was in college & he was staying with our mutual friend in his dorm. He lived the same party lifestyle as a college student, but didn't have to worry about going to class the next morning wearing sunglasses because you had too many beers the night before.

Action shot! Wow we look young. Crazy how 4 years makes a difference.

After only 7 months of dating, he proposed to me. I loved these engagement pictures! These are a few of the pictures that I just found. My computer is overrun with chunky faced baby photos so these got lost in the overload.

11 months later we were married! It all seems like a lifetime ago. I remember it like it was yesterday, but so much has happened since that beautiful October morning.

Yep I rocked my aviators on my wedding day. I think they match my dress perfectly ;)

 One of my favorite pictures even though we have no heads! Ahhh!

Just over a year later our world flipped again when we found out we were going to be parents. Seeing him as a daddy makes me fall even more in love with him everyday. I love when they have tickle fights, make funny noises, sing, and just be goofy. It warms my heart to see him in this light compared to the man he was 5 years ago. I like this guy more ;)

Nursery Makeover Tour

I realized recently that I have never shown Raleigh's room. I just painted and redecorated so I thought it would be a good time to give you a sneak peek.

 Before:

Moved around furniture before painting to see what I liked:

Wow Panoramic was much easier to get everything in at once.

After a layer of primer, because if any room has ever needed it then it was this surprising assault of a room. I had a couple of people say woah when they turned the corner. I have been wanting to change the color for months, but just never got to it. My plan to paint was off-white & gray bold stripes. The hubby didn't want that so I comprised to solid off-white on the top half, and if we didn't like it then I could do the stripes.

I ended up painting at 8pm, 2am, and then again at 7am. The primer we got in before the hubby went to work so I got help with that but was on my own on the late night shift. We had sweet Raleigh's crib in our room during the whole process, of course she didn't mind waking up and seeing us immediately. Yes, I think white would look better with the white & gray walls but I am fine with it this way.

 This bookshelf was actually mine as a kid so I was overjoyed to see that the color matched her crib & dresser. Most of the books are either my old books or my mother's so we definitely have some oldies on there ;)

I guess drawing during class & work finally paid off. This chalkboard is hand drawn.  

The baby monitor being in that corner was genius! Thanks Ashley Taylor! I can see the whole room since it pans & zooms. So when she's pulling all the books off the shelf or rolling on the floor then I can see her. Next to the mirror I am planning on getting some white single picture frames to hang there.

Recognize that yellow mirror & chalkboard poster???

There's the birthday girl pulling her blankies off. I had to get more than one since she loves them. I have to say they are ridiculously soft.

Sorry for the yellowy tint to the pictures. It was kind of gloomy that morning so there wasn't a whole lot of good light. I wanted to tone down after that bright yellow wall because all I ever wanted was a pop of yellow. Someone else *cough* painted since i was 7 months prego when we moved into the house.

Those floors are the big project for me to do in the bedrooms. I DO NOT like carpet. I have always had hardwood & I miss it *tear*. What's your favorite item or feature in her room?

Etsy & Halloween 2012

Hey yal!

So after getting some good feedback on my Chalkboard post. I got the nerve to post a few fall & Halloween inspired chalkboard designs on Etsy. More feedback on them would be awesome or even requests for a certain styles/sayings. I would love to make more if these do well. So start decorating with cute chalkboard signs in your home. I know I am gonna print them out myself and put them in cute frames around the house. Check out my Etsy!

Fall is by far my favorite time of the year! I love all the trees changing colors, fall fashions (I'm a scarf & boot addict), the smells of tobacco barns (you know what I mean if you live in the South) & bonfires, and of course Halloween.  Fall is the most beautiful season, plus the weather is perfect. If only we had these temperatures all year long.

I love pumpkins and hay bales for decorations on the porch. I am also excited because this year when we go to pumpkin patch, Miss Raleigh can enjoy it more. Last year she was a newborn so she slept most of the time. Didn't stop us from getting pictures though. My hubby was a baby hog there because he was worried about the hay ride being "too bumpy".

Here was my tiny newborn last October. These were Raleigh's Halloween outfits last year. The first one was my favorite. :) I don't have nearly enough this year *tear*. I need to go shopping soon. YAY!

Go check out the new shop & let me know what you think by commenting on here. 

My Birthday Weekend!

I never believed anyone when they said "Time flies". They were 100% right. Today I am 1 year old. This is the first birthday as a mother; I realized how much she really made my day perfect. Last year, I was almost 39 weeks pregnant and miserable. It was scorching hot here (well at least to a pregnant woman) and I was so anxious to meet my little girl. All we did last year was go eat because I was too tired and in too much pain to do anything else.

This whole weekend has been family oriented and wonderful. 

Friday: we went to the park down to road for the first time. It was fall weather so I wanted to get out and enjoy it before our crazy Tennessee weather changes. I swear one week it'll be a monsoon, then burning hot, then cool off, and start all over again. We have some crazy weather here. This was Raleigh's first time at the park so I was curious how she would do. Well after a few minutes she realized it was okay and had a heck of a time in the swing.

Saturday: I worked half my shift at home then hustled to get the family together to go Koby's work picnic. I got to meet his co-workers, but the faces never match to the ones you picture in your head. We got a free, delicious lunch, watched a barge launch, listened to music that was too loud, and had a nice family day. After that long day we went out to eat for my birthday at Olive Garden only because I can't handle making food decisions. I hate doing it :p Blah. 

Sunday: I worked another half shift until 8:00am then hurried to get us ready for church. I was very excited because I have not been able to go to church since I changed to 1st shift. We had a fun time keeping track of a 1 year old during the service. We just gave her a little crawling room between the chairs, toys, and paci so she was set to go. Raleigh, of course, got the attention of the people in front and behind us but luckily they loved cute babies. They were infatuated with her and so was the staff and customers at the Chinese restaurant after church. They all played her pointing game and peek-a-boo. I don't know if my Raleigh will ever be shy. 

After a nice long nap for the 3 of us, Koby left for his long night shift. We have been dancing, singing, and terrorizing the house ever since. Proof?

Her room after I leave her for probably 5 minutes. I always find he flipping through books, not usually throwing them. 

 Raleigh wanted to play a game of "How many things can I out in my mouth in the matter of 5 seconds". Her record is 3 so far. 

My birthday weekend was pretty awesome for my standards. Family, friends, and warm memories. Just having this beautiful girl sitting in my lap as I am typing this is a blessing. My birthday is more complete with her here. 

Hope yal liked the pictures. 

Chalkboard Mania!!!

Chalkboards are sweeping the nation! I jumped on this awesome bandwagon a few months back. I was amazed at what some people can do using this old school method. I have only 1 real chalkboard in my house & it's actually a bunting banner. Which I love because for every holiday I will write on it for Raleigh. I have found that I am not so skilled at free hand writing yet. I learned a few tricks that will come in handy when I make my nice big chalkboard soon, but for now I use the computer. Less messy & frustrating. ;) 

So I designed Raleigh's invitations & her poster in chalkboard theme. I printed her invitations on card stock at my local Fedex Kinkos (seriously when did that happen...little confusing if you ask me) for only $9.96. I made 30 invitations & they let me use their big cutter so I wouldn't go crazy at home cutting out each one & end up stabbing myself with scissors. Then I sealed the envelopes with cute washi tape that matches. They are on their way out now after forgetting them at home several times. The hubby finally just mailed them for me since I have the memory of a goldfish.

I just finished her 1 year poster today since she has pictures tomorrow. I know I know, PROCRASTINATION! I've always been bad at that. This I went to Office Depot & the lady printed it out on 18X24 engineering paper in color for $1.99 sqft. I should've done black & white, it would've only been $2.59 total, but oh well. Here's how that turned out.

Now I am going a little crazy & making seasonal posters & pictures for frames around the house. I love designing these. Shows my creative side a little, well it makes me feel like I have one. ;)

I will show you some of those soon. 

I am thinking of putting some on Etsy, but we'll see. ;)

I just opened my shop & I'm taking pictures to add new things. Chalkboard pennants will be on there soon, plus all my seasonal art. Get them while they are low priced. 

If any suggestions for any seasonal art (like sayings) let me know by email. :)

So what do yal think? Are you on the chalkboard bandwagon too?

Sunday is Funday

Now, Sundays around here are usually pretty laid back. The hubby goes into work at 4:30pm and works a 12 hr night shift so he doesn't get to put Raleigh to bed like usual. Which means this is mommy & daughter night!!! We turn off the TV & just roam around. We read books, throw books, play tag, hide-n-go seek, and be a little louder than normal. ;)

Today, I got brought waffles for breakfast while I was working (4am-12:30). Plus I got a few surprise visits from Raleigh when daddy would pop in because he knows I just like to see her sometimes. Seeing her smile makes all those terrible calls so much better.

Side note: all you folks who order off TV, be nice to the sales rep on the phone. They get crappy calls all the time. Be the one they remember as the highlight of their day.

We have a tradition on Sunday afternoon; we go eat Mexican food. Kind of weird, but hey who turns down something that delicious! It got started because after church we would go to the Mexican restaurant, then I had to start working first shift, but we still went to Mexican. Is it bad that the waiters know exactly what you want to order & know if you miss a week??? I call it being a loyal customer. ;)

Anywho, after Mexican we brought our sleepy, full baby home to take her afternoon nap. She knocked out so hard you would've thought that we gave her NyQuil. 2 hours of peace. I got some dishes done, laundry in, and then set up my pre-draft for my family fantasy football league.

Ms Raleigh woke up just in time to say bye to daddy. We always wave bye on the porch. This time I rushed us back in when I saw a massive, suspicious spider by the door. Reminder: get hubby to kill it in the morning or no steak for dinner! I am always afraid they are going to jump at me when I lean down to smash them to bits. Once daddy left the fun could begin!

First: LUNCH

This little pouty face was because momma wasn't feeding her fast enough. She has a 6th sense for when I'm making food.

 Next: ROOM REORGANIZING (on both our parts)

Peek-a-boo momma!

 Those are dirty little feet from crawling everywhere. Child just walk already!

 Can you tell she loves her blankie? I bought two because she loves it so much. Here it is blanket

Being lazy while we play

We learned how to close doors a few weeks ago. She thinks it's so funny.

Now as my baby girl snoozes away, I can't help but ask myself...How long will she want to play with mommy? I am going to try to keep her a happy, healthy, sweet girl for as long as I can. 

I am also very excited because my hubby has agreed to help me paint Ms. Raleigh's room!!!! I usually have to undergo big projects alone or with very minimal help, but we had to move the baby monitor today. Which got him to move the crib, then we slowly got into maybe changing the room around, then into painting. I got him to agree to help, but we'll see how that holds up. That post is hopefully soon to come. ;)