Playroom Art

I don't have a lot of time, because I have to get ready for a date with the hubby. BUT, I wanted to show you some art I made for Hudson's playroom. It's not as much art, as it is just things I typed up and printed off at home. :-) 

I got some inspiration from Pinterest and Bed Bath & Beyond. I could have paid for the items on Etsy and BB&B, but I decided I could make them myself and save a lot of money.

Some cute frames from Hobby Lobby and a little clip art and voila. They look better in person. They're both 8x10s but they look a lot smaller in the pictures.

I thought this idea was really cute and it was SO easy to do. They're also 8x10s and I might even get them blown up at Office Max or something to fill up the wall better. For now, they're fine like this.

Now I just need to fill other walls and try out this idea I have for more book storage. I've also got my eye on a little book case and TV at Target for the wall opposite the blue bookshelf. A little at a time......

Y'all have a great Saturday! I'm going to get ready for date night! :-)

High Five for Friday

Today's post is heavy on the Fall faves from the week.

1. A new Fall nail shade. Essie, Miss Fancy Pants. It kinda looks a little lilac-y in the picture but it's gray.

2. A new Fall candle. Got it at Target. It smells fantastic.

3. The best snack ever. Enough said.

4. I finally got one of our family pictures(from March) framed and hung. (Also note the cute pumpkin on the table. YAY!)

5. Nothing like a beautiful drive. The leaves are gradually changing colors and it is breath-taking. The picture doesn't do it justice. 

What were the favorite things from your week? Link up with Lauren at FMGD if you'd like to share them. :-)

Wordless Wednesday

Creamy Shrimp Pasta

I really didn't think I was going to do a blog post today. I've been so busy with an even busier toddler (who only took a 1.5 hour nap today), there wasn't anything exciting to write about, and it's just been a tough day(more on that later). Then, I started making dinner. I was tired of the regulars on my menu rotation and wasn't in the mood for some crock-pot chicken or beef dish so I decided I would do something with the shrimp in the freezer. I put together a creamy, rich pasta dish using things I already had on-hand and it turned out amazing! The best part...it was whipped up in a matter of minutes. It's going on the menu rotation, for sure!!

Creamy Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

appr. 1 lb raw shrimp (I use frozen raw peeled and deveined shrimp and they are just as good as fresh!)

1 stick butter

1-2 tsp minced garlic

appr. 1/3 block softened cream cheese(I just had this amount leftover in the fridge and it was perfect)

5-6oz spaghetti, fettucine, linguine noodles (whatever you like)

1-2 tbsp Parsley(I used dried herbs but will try it with fresh next time)

1-2 tbsp Basil

1 tsp Seasoned Salt

S&P to taste
1-2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

3/4 can diced tomatoes (you could use the whole can, I just wanted the shrimp to be the star)

1/2 pasta water

Parmesan cheese for topping

Directions:

Get pasta going according to box. This takes forever and the shrimp/sauce takes 10 minutes or less so start it first off.

Melt butter in skillet on medium-medium high.

Make sure you've thawed your shrimp if they were frozen(takes no time at all in a bowl of water), and dry them really well. I just let mine sit on a paper towel-lined plate, topped with more paper towels.

Sprinkle shrimp with herbs, seasoned salt, and a little S&P. 

Drop shrimp in melted butter.

Let shrimp cook a couple minutes, then add garlic. Get ready for your kitchen to start smelling heavenly!

Cook shrimp a few minutes per side. It doesn't take long at all, and it will continue cooking once the other ingredients are added.

Add the lemon juice, and you could totally stop here if you wanted to and serve it over pasta this way.

Next, add in your diced tomatoes. You could use regular diced, petite diced, whatever. I liked this size because they were the same size as the shrimp. You could also add peas, mushrooms, red peppers, etc. It's very versatile.

I let the tomatoes and shrimp do their thing for just a couple minutes, then added the cream cheese, a little dollop at a time. 

It only takes a couple more minutes for it all to melt together into this creamy, rich deliciousness.

Toss your pasta in the pan, and add in about 1/2 cup pasta water. Toss really well, and top with more herbs and some Parmesan cheese if you wish.

Y'all, this is a winner right here. I could seriously eat the entire thing, but I'd immediately regret that. It is SO easy and quick, and very versatile. You could add in all kinds of veggies, and even use chicken or no protein at all.

I hope you love it if you get a chance to try it.

Also, I ask that you keep the family of Joey Harkness in your prayers. He was a dear friend from high school and he passed away today from complications from a brain tumor and MS. His illness came on very suddenly and rapidly and it's very hard to understand why a precious soul such as his was taken. He was truly a bright light in a dark world and was loved by everyone who knew him. All I can see is that beautiful smile and spirit he always had about him. He was one of the best!
Just please keep his family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during the coming days, weeks, and months. Thanks, guys.

Rainy Days & Mondays

Happy October!! It has definitely been one rainy Monday, but it certainly didn't get me down! We've had a great day in and got to spend a lot of time doing some of our favorite things.

We played with and sorted the balls.... 

Then we proceeded to hoard all the balls under couch. Nice. As if I need more stuff under there. ;-)

We tried to figure out our new puzzle. It's going to take a little practice, but he'll have it mastered in no time. That's why I got one a little ahead of him.

We decided the legos needed in on the puzzle action. Ya know, whatever works.

We lounged around with the "goggns"

I can't tell exactly what Hudson's left hand is touching. Could be Marley's arm, could be Bryant's butt. I have an affectionate child, what can I say?

And got lost in the Bubble Guppies(on my DVR!! You know you're a mom when you have cartoons on your DVR!!) before our nap. Like that pant-leg? HA!

And we're about to have dinner and do it all again!! This rainy Monday has turned into a lazy Monday around here....which is nice, because I'm still kind of recovering from that ridiculously late Bama game Saturday. 

I hope you've had a great rainy, lazy, (insert sufficient adjective here) Monday too!