I like it on top. #laundrywoes

When we moved into our house last April it came with a washer and dryer and we knew they were both going to have to be replaced at some point. Fast forward to the week before Christmas when the washer decided to not drain properly and then hold my clothes hostage for hours leaving me with a limited wardrobe to choose from to wear to work. 

This is can be especially annoying to anyone but being pregnant and my belly growing faster than my 4 year old has left me with limited options already.... I must confess I full on bawled! 

Oh I also forgot to mention the week before this we had to replace our leaking hot water tank!!!! (Yes, it's been an expensive month) 

We didn't need to discuss it long to come to the conclusion that both Kris and I hate front loader washing machines for a variety of reasons 

1. They smell. Accidentally close the door and go away for a week #smellslikeass
2. They break down more than top loaders
3. They are more expensive than top loaders
4. When you're tall (not me) you have to bend more to get clothes out and transfer clothes to the dryer #tallpeopleproblems 

So luckily we found a great deal at the same place we found the hot water tank (they know us by name now)  and purchased a nice new washer and dryer. Our first BRAND NEW washer and dryer. Nothing fancy, just the basics and of course a washer that loads on the top. 

Let's hope this trend of replacing major appliances is finished for a while now.. 

Deconstructed Black Forrest Cake - less work for the same delicious taste! #delicious #yegdessert #yegfood #blckforrestcake

Kris has the most awesome ideas for food and I love to bake so this dessert was an easy one for both of us.
Coming from a German background Kris's Oma made thee best Black Forrest Cake - wanting to recreate a little bit of this delicious and memorable taste was how the idea of a deconstructed Black Forrest Cake came to be! 

What do you need to create this tasty and easy dessert?

• Chocolate Cups - Bulk Barn
• Cherries with stems - Bulk Barn
• Chocolate melting dots - Bulk Barn  **I dipped the cherries in chocolate which is why I used cherries with stems. This is optional and therefore if you don't want the cherries dipped in chocolate you can use cherries without stems and eliminate melting dots from your list of things needed**
• Brownies - Using this recipe from All Recipes (or course). I made some from scratch
• Whipping Cream - We used our ISI but use whatever works for you. 
• Kirsch and/or cherry juice from cherries. 

Directions

Prepare brownie recipe and allow them to cool 

If you are dipping cherries in chocolate, use a double boiler to melt chocolate and dip cherries. Have them cool in the fridge enough for chocolate to harden **Ensure you are constantly stirring chocolate to get a smooth finish on the dipped cherry.**

Cut brownies in small enough pieces to fit into the chocolate cups, filling up half the cup. 

Pour a little Kirsch or cherry juice over the brownie in the chocolate cup. **Don't have Kirsch? Mix a little brandy or rum with the cherry juice and use a medicine syringe to put a little over the brownie.**

Put whipping cream over the brownie. 

Add the cherry on top and they are ready to serve.

Hopefully these are as much of a hit as they were for us at Christmas!

The one gift you will be thankful you now know about! #greatidea #diy #thoughtful #planit #yeg #dates #goodidea

Kris isn't that hard to buy for, but he is definitely that guy who likes gifts that are thoughtful. While doing some searching for ideas I came across one of the most awesome gift ideas. 

Date nights for a year! 

This is something that is so versatile! It can be given to kids, significant others, and even as gifts for other people that you know! 

So what do you need to do?

• Get 12 envelopes to hold your the plan for each month 
• Set a budget and remember that some months don't have to be as expensive as others
• Plan what you will be doing each month
• Utilize Groupon for some affordable options 
• (See below for some Groupon ideas) 
• If you have children, you may want to have a couple as a family
• If you know you are going on a trip at a certain time you can include things to do during the trip 
• The possibilities are endless and sky really is the limit! 

I can't wait for Kris to open up this gift!!! 

Looking for some inspiration? Check out these Groupon ideas! 
A night out at Beer Fest! for March 6th & 7th! 
Going out for something sweet at Pink Berry 
Mini golf @ Monster Mini Golf 
Rock climbing at Vertically inclined

The ultimate granola bar recipe.

I have been trying to be very consistent with making our meals at home instead of going out for the convenience. I am embarrassed to say what we spent last month on eating out. This also includes snacks. Ones that are healthy and appealing are important. 

To help with this commitment I chose to subscribe to Allrecipes  for a year, and we have definitely found some hits one being a granola bar recipe. If you have made a few granola bar recipes - you know that sometimes its all about finding the one that isn't going to break you teeth after it sets. Again it's also so important to find that balance between taste and nutrition. 

What I used was the Playgroup Granola Bars and switched it out with other ingredients. 

What you will need: 
2 cups instant oats

¾ cup coconut palm sugar (found at Costco and a great brown sugar alternative)

½ cup of wheat germ 

¾ teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup all purpose flour

¾ cup craisins  

¾ teaspoon salt

½ cup honey

1 egg, beaten

½ cup coconut oil  

2 teaspoons vanilla extract 



Steps
Preheat the over to 35o degrees fahrenheit 
Grease 9x13 baking pan
In large bowl mix, oats, palm sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, craisins, and salt. 
Pour in the honey, egg, coconut oil, and vanilla. 
Mix well and pat the mixture evening into greased pan
Bake for 30-35 minutes in preheated over, until bars begin to turn golden at edges. 
Cool for 5 minutes, cut into bars while still warm. 
Do not all the bars to cool completely before cutting as they will be too hard to cut. 

This is a recipe that was great for Carter to help out with. We kept the granola bars in our cookie jar and they kept pretty well for the week that they lasted.

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Move on over Target! Buy Buy Baby has Honest Company Diapers! And its open in #yeg TODAY!!!

So guess what guys! With the opening of Buy Buy Baby today, I have THE MOST AWESOME NEWS EVER!

Buy Buy Baby carries all sizes of the Honest Company diapers and the prices are awesome!





Want to shop at Buy Buy Baby - they're are located in South Edmonton Common.
The address is 2021-98 Street NW
780-391-7420
Want to see the sizes and styles they have available?
Check it out here

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