Some things I did today

Took down our Christmas decorations and deep cleaned our house, organized my mess of a closet, began compiling homeschooling materials to start doing with Naomi when she turns 3, hung beautiful picture frames on our walls in our new basement so that it is finally finished, by now you should have caught on that I am lying and did none of these things today...

But we did have a fun day. First we went to Starbucks and got some delicious donuts and coffee, it really set the stage for our Saturday excursion. Then we went to the library where we got a plethora of books on tape and listened to a bit of a beautiful live concert going on in the library lobby- random. Then we snatched up a pass from the library for the History museum, our new favorite place (lest you be duped into thinking we are actually cultured or educated, there is a phenomenal kids play place in the basement of the museum, hence our frequent trips). It is the best:

there is a canoe

and a stable with hay and rocking horses

And an entire mini pioneer village with a little house, a one room school, a post office, a blacksmith, and a store... oh and a covered wagon... and fake hills with a little lake where they can fish for magnetized fish and cook them over a fake fire and there's a tepee. And you get in free with a library card. free. Yet ANOTHER reason you should all move to, or at least visit, SB. Moms and dads can just sit on the benches right there in the middle and let their children run wild and do anything (anything but take the hay out of the stable, you MAY NOT take the hay out of the stable- they are serious about this.) So I sat and drank my starbucks and ate a donut- bliss. We made it home in one piece with only one major tantrum throwing event from the Nomes on our way out but luckily the staff lady came to the rescue with a snowflake made out of q-tips and everyone was happy.

While the wee ones napped I busied myself finishing up altering another pair of old college jeans from Gabriel Brothers, if you've never been to one you have not lived. They're flashy and they have diamonds on them, that's right diamonds:

yeeaahh

So here they were the other morning

fresh out of bed with pajama shirt and bed hair

and now they are better, not great, but better

dressed in every day clothes

dressed in something I would never actually wear

While I was sewing these Naomi made her first honest to goodness pun. She looked at me and said "you're sewing jeans. mommy, you're a jean-ious" then burst out laughing, it was awesome. 

Alrighty, and lastly (you did not think you were in for such a looong mother of a post, I am killing like 5 birds with one stone)... we had some fantastic friends over last night and my dear friend Megan was donning what was, in my opinion, the cutest little handmade hair clip I had ever seen. And since my hair is at a super awkward stage where it doesn't fit into a normal looking pony tail and if I don't flat iron it I look like a grungy teenage boy, I have been wanting some cute hair accessories. Every time I go to the store I stand in the isle with the hair clips for at least 5 minutes and pick out a few cute clips and then put them all back because they are so darn expensive. Anyways, I tried my hand at this little fabric number and came up with this.

It is not that great good, but I am going to work on it, like maybe by purchasing some cute colorful fabric and using that instead of this brown on brown combo. Megan's was waaay better, but it is something and it works.

To those of you that stuck out this, I commend you. Good night and God speed.
Ana

Skinny Caramel Mocha Americano at home

I sometimes only think of coffee. I have a very nasty habit of "just stopping by starbucks" when we're out and just happening to spend nearly 5 big ones on some drink I probably could have concocted at home.
So knowing this, I often sit and think of how I can make something that I would want to but at the Bucks.
I came up with the "Super Skinny Mocha" not so super and not so skinny when you drink 3 in a day as I have been known to do.
And today I made a little spin off of that only in Americano form.
I like Americanos because there isn't any milk, like in a latte, sometimes milk and me don't get along and they are more mild than straight up coffee. SO here you go.

Skinny Caramel Mocha Americano:
What you'll need-ish:

Espresso coffee, french press (or even better, a real espresso machine!) cocoa and some kind of flavored creamer- this does not just have to be a caramel mocha, you could use any type of flavoring you want, or not even use flavoring and just stick with cocoa and some sugar/sweetener, and lastly some boiling water.

1) Put your scoops of espresso in the French press, for one cup I put 2 tablespoons

this is about how high I fill it

2) Once water is boiling pour into French press and let steep for 3 minutes.

3) Pour boiling water in your mug about 1/2 to 2/3 full, depending on how much espresso you want to put in.

4) Add cocoa powder- used 1 tablespoon, perfect

5) Once coffee has steeped, add it to cup leaving just enough room for cream.

6) Add your favorite flavored creamer, I used this *new* coffeemate one, Caramel Machiato- I am such a sucker when you it comes trying all of their creamers, especially the holiday ones.

Same trusty mug, the only big enough to please me

And there you have it, some tasty Americano action right at home.

The Super Skinny Mocha

Hahaha,
I don't know why I think that is a funny name for a coffee drink. I mean I think if I wanted to be "Super" skinny, I would not be spending a chunk of nap time making/drink/typing out recipe for my new delicious coffee drink, I would be grunting and sweating nap time away to the tune of Jillian Michaels.

Anyways, here is a little recipe I threw together for a low calorie, low/no sugar, high caffeine skinny mocha:

Ingredients:
1) non-fat milk- about 6 oz, or more or less based on how big your coffee mug is
2) coffee- ideally espresso made in an espresso machine, but if your more ghetto like me just use regular coffee and make it double strength.
3) splenda- if you are of the more granola-ish brand you may choose to use natural sugar or even sugar in the raw, but I always prioritize weight management to actual health, whatev.
4) cocoa powder 1-2 teaspoons
4) a dash of cinnamon

If you have a milk steamer, steam your milk, or if you don't (I don't) just microwave it for about 1 1/2 minutes

If you're using an espresso machine, make your 1-2 shots of espresso based on the size coffee drink. I used my French press and put 4 scoops of coffee in it but only added about 1/2 cups worth of boiling water. Let it steep for 3 minutes (this is the appropriate time, I know this from my Barista training).
If you only have a coffee pot, just make about 1/2 of coffee but put at least 3 scoops of coffee in, if you're anxious as to whether there will be enough caffeine add as much as you need to ease that anxiety- this is my method.

Once your milk is hot, add cinnamon, splenda (of whatever sugar type you'll be using), and cocoa powder- stir vigorously :)
Add coffee, stir again and enjoy. Repeat.

Happy nap time!
Ana