Momma's Little Monster

I have always hated those t-shirts for kids that say "Mom's Little Monster" or "Here Comes Trouble" etc.  Tell a kid they are a monster, or trouble, and guess what?  They believe you.  And they live up to that belief.  (geeez I sound like my mother....)

But THIS little monster is ADORABLE!!!!!   Found the idea on Pinterest, my new obsession, addiction, whatever you want to call it, there are some really great ideas to be found on there!

So, I took a pair of Hunter's jeans that he blew the knee out of, and magically transformed them into these super-duper-cute monster jeans.   And the best part??  HE LOVES THEM!!!! 

I used a pair of jeans, complete with hole in the knee, a piece of t-shirt scrap left over from a t-shirt quilt I made, a piece of felt scrap left over from AJ's Native American Diorama, (which I still need to post photos of...), buttons, a needle & thread.  I used embroidery floss because I wanted it to have that big, wonky, uneven look.

First, I stitched the felt to the t-shirt scrap.  I did this part on my sewing machine because I wanted it to be on there really well. 

Next, I cut the white felt into triangles to look like teeth.  I took this part, and put it inside the pant leg, glued it in place with fabric glue, then stitched around the perimeter of the hole.  Add a couple of buttons for eyes, and presto-chango... plain old holey jeans are magically transformed in to super-cute Monster Jeans!!!  RAWR!!

Something New...

The hubby and I are trying to do the typical "eat at home more, eat healthier, lose weight, " routine.  Trying to ultimately lose some weight and save some money.  Sounds great, right?  Sure.  If you stick to it.  So far we have been doing pretty good.  We are not going overboard with it, but we are definitely doing better than we have in recent history.  We are both trying Body By Vi, which has been working well for us so far.  I love the fact that there are so many different recipes out there to use, so you don't feel like you are eating the same thing over & over.  I can't stand that.  My husband could eat a PB&J every day for the rest of his life, and never complain.  BOOORRRRIIING!!!  I demand more variety in my life.  But I digress...

The point of this post is really the fact that I have been trying some new things in the kitchen.  Trying to use my crock pot more often, which I love.  Trying some "freezer cooking", which I love.   Trying to combine the two and do some "crock pot freezer cooking" which I REALLY love!   Take an afternoon, spend it chopping up veggies, adding meats, seasonings, and what-have-you.  Ending up with several days, even weeks worth of meals all ready to throw in the freezer until you are ready to cook them.  I have found some recipes on the web that I have tried and have had pretty good results.  A few weeks ago I spent about 2 hours in the kitchen and had 7 meals in the freezer ready for the crock pot whenever I want.  Tonight's dinner was the best, though.   All 3 of my guys cleaned their plates, there was nothing left over.  Everybody raved about how wonderful it was, even the little grumpy guy!  I thought I should share.  I can't tell you that I found this awesome recipe you can make in advance and freeze, and it still tastes wonderful without giving you the recipe!  That would just be mean.  So, without further ado...

APPLE PIE PORK CHOPS

from onceamonthmom.com

‎8 cups apples, peeled & sliced
3/4 cup sugar
2 Tbsp flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/2 tsp allspice
1 1/2 pounds pork chops

  Place pork chops in bottom of slow cooker. In a large ziploc bag combine all other ingredients. squish around so apples are well coated. Dump apple mixture on top of chops. Cook on low 6-8 hours, or high 3-4 hours

FREEZER INSTRUCTIONS:
Same as above, except freeze apple mixture in ziploc bag until ready to use. On cooking day, let apple mixture thaw on counter top about 30 minutes before putting over chops in the crock pot.


ENJOY!!!

Scout, our Elf on the Shelf

Back in November, my Grandma got the boys an Elf on the Shelf.  She thought it would be so much fun, and that they would love looking for it every day.   I was a little hesitant at first, but after doing some looking around online at all the funny things other people's elves had done, I realized how much fun it could be!  Now that the holidays are over, all the decorations are packed up & put away, I wanted to share a few of the funny things our elf, Scout, did this year.  Sometimes he was a little bit mischievous...  :)

 

 

The boys were sad to see Scout go, and sad that they didn't get to tell him goodbye on Christmas Eve.  So Scout got special permission from Santa to come back on Christmas morning to tell them goodbye, and leave a letter for them.   

 

 We will be waiting for you next year, Scout!!