Halloween Subway Art {Free Printable}

Today I finally got around to decorating for fall and Halloween. I'm getting a bit of a late start this year, but I figure at least I'm getting to it, right? I still have quite a bit more to do though. I needed to make a trip to Hobby Lobby, but of course, by the time that I was ready to leave my little man was ready for a nap. Oh well. Hopefully we'll find some time next week to make our way there. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll have everything decorated by Halloween!


I love subway art. It makes for a great decoration, yet it's simple and cheap. Last year I came across a super cute Halloween subway art printable. All that I had to do was print it out on some cardstock and pop it into an old picture frame. Unfortunately, I don't think that I saved it and can't seem to remember the site that I found it on. Instead of spending a bunch of time searching for it, I decided to make one. You can find it here. Feel free to print it!

Fiesta Quinoa

Cilantro, cumin, and lime. I'm addicted to these flavors. I always think it's crazy when I hear people say that they don't like cilantro or cumin. I mean, to each their own, but really? Crazy. We pretty much have all three on hand at all times. That's probably because we eat Mexican food, or Mexican inspired food, a lot. Like 3 times a week a lot. Tacos, quesadillas, burritos... they're all pretty quick to make. And tasty. That's always nice too. These days, I really like quick and tasty.

This dish? It's quick and tasty. Plus, it's healthy and full of flavor. This quinoa recipe is a great side dish alternative for a Mexican meal. But it can also be a meal all on it's own. As much as I love rice, I've really come to appreciate quinoa. Not only is it super healthy, but it takes no time to cook. Okay so it takes some time to cook, just not as much as rice or pasta.

Nursery Inspiration

Even though we don't know the baby's gender quite yet, I've been thinking a lot about how we're going to decorate the nursery. Honestly, I started thinking about our nursery theme not too long after we found out that we were expecting. I spent quite a bit of time looking online at different ideas and when I found it, I knew immediately that it was what I wanted to do. I showed it to the husband and it took him about a second to jump on board. You see, we found out at the start of hunting season - his favorite time of year - so we already had antlers and nature on the mind.

I think that it's perfect for us. We really love the contemporary rustic theme and can't wait to get started on decorating!  Okay, fine... I can't wait to start decorating. He does love the theme though.

Today, I decided to put my ideas together on a nursery inspiration board. The first one ended up leaning towards more of a boy's room, so I altered it a bit to create a second board for a baby girl. Essentially, I just added a splash of pink. Either way, I adore both of them. I've included links to all of the items, some of which are no longer available. Even if they aren't available, they still give inspiration and ideas for how we want to decorate.

I've found quite a few fabrics that I've fallen in love with. I'm hoping to make the curtains, crib bumpers, crib skirt, and blankets. I'm sure that we'll end up buying some of the bedding as well though.

As far as furniture goes, we've already snatched a glider and ottoman on Craigslist for $40, which I plan on reupholstering. I'm hoping that we'll stumble upon a good deal for a dresser that we can paint to match the room. As for cribs, I'm pretty set on the Baby Mod Modena Crib in Cool Grey that's sold at Walmart. After reading all of the reviews and comparing it to other similar cribs, I'm pretty much convinced that it's the crib that we'll end up going with.

Only a few more days until we find out and can get started!

Baby Boy Room

Baby Girl Room

1. Baby Mod 3-in-1 Modena Crib in Cool Grey at Walmart

2. "To Go To Sleep I Count Antlers, Not Sheep" from Indigo Chic Creations on Etsy

3. Woodland Party Circa 52 Organic Fabric by Birch Fabrics

4. Tree Stripes Circa 52 Organic Fabric by Birch Fabrics

5. Deer in the Forest Wall Decal from Kinky Wall on Etsy

6. Color Scheme - Cream, Grey, Turquoise, and Lime Green

7. Splendid Dot Fabric at Hobby Lobby

8. Reclaimed Wood Deer Painting from Rustic Wood Originals on Etsy

9. Turquoise Chevron Fabric at Hobby Lobby

Girl Room Additions

6*. Color Scheme - Cream, Grey, Turquoise, Lime Green, and Pink

10. Happy All Over Dots Fabric at Hobby Lobby

11. Zig Zag Candy Pink/White Fabric at Warehouse Fabrics Inc.

Brownie (No-Bake) Cheesecakes for Two

I have sad news... we didn't have our ultrasound yesterday. Unfortunately, we still don't know if we're having a boy or a girl. Good news is that we have an ultrasound on Monday, so we should find out then!

I must say, though, that this is a good little exercise in practicing my patience (something which I'm lacking greatly). Luckily, I still have 5 months to practice!

Needless to say, I needed a little cheering up since I didn't get to hear my exciting news yesterday. And what better to cheer me up than brownies? And cheesecake. Either one will usually do the trick. But both together? Let's just say, I'm feeling much better. :)



I didn't want to make a big batch of brownies or a full cheesecake because that would require me to eat them all. That's why I made a small batch split into two ramekins. They were pretty quick to make, especially with the no-bake cheesecake. If you're impatient like me and want to eat them ASAP, you can put them in the freezer for 30-45 minutes instead of the refrigerator for a couple hours.

Ingredients

Brownies
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 1 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
No-Bake Cheesecake
• 1/2 cup whipped cream
• 4 oz. or half a bar of cream cheese (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Chocolate Drizzle
• 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
• 1 1/2 teaspoon milk

Instructions

Brownies
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray two ramekins with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a small mixing bowl, cream together butter and cocoa powder.
• Mix in egg, sugar, and vanilla.
• Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix until well combined.
• Divide batter evenly between the two ramekins.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
No-Bake Cheesecake
• While brownies are baking, prepare the cheesecake.
• In a small bowl, combine whipped cream, cream cheese, sugar, and lemon juice. Mix together until creamy and smooth.
• Set aside.
Chocolate Drizzle
• Place chocolate chips and 1/2 teaspoon milk in a small microwave safe bowl.
• Microwave for 20 seconds. Stir.
• Add another 1/2 teaspoon milk. Stir well.
• Microwave for 10 seconds. Stir well. Add the last 1/2 teaspoon milk, if needed, to get a drizzle consistency.
Assembly
• After removing the ramekins from the oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes.
• Divide the cheesecake batter between the two ramekins, smoothing the top.
• Drizzle the chocolate over the cheesecake.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, allowing the cheesecake to set.
• Enjoy!

Chocolate Almond Butter Banana Smoothie

Anxious.

Excited.

Nervous.

Yup, I'd have to say that I'm very anxious, excited, and nervous!

Tomorrow is my next OB appointment. And it's the appointment. The one that we've been impatiently waiting for the past 4 months. We're finding out the gender! Boy or girl?! Pink or blue?! Plus, we get to make sure that our little bean mango (our fruit comparison for week 19) is happy and healthy. I just can't wait to start buying baby clothes, decorate the nursery, and not have to refer to the baby as "it."

Just one. more. day.

I started off my day with a delicious concoction of a three of my favorite things - bananas, chocolate, and almond butter. These days I find myself craving dessert at all times of the day. Sad thing is, I'm pretty sure it was pretty much the same pre-pregnancy. Either way, this smoothie is a great, healthier way to satisfy my sweet cravings which seem to be never ending.

I recommend using frozen bananas, if possible. Generally, when I see that my bananas are getting pretty ripe and probably won't get ate or used before they are too ripe, I'll freeze them for smoothies or "ice cream." If you use frozen bananas, you don't need to use as much ice. Also, if the smoothie isn't sweet enough for you, feel free to add some honey or agave. You could even replace the cocoa powder with a sweetened chocolate milk powder, like Nesquik. Just see what you prefer!

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk (I use refrigerated coconut milk or almond milk)
• 1-2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1-2 tbsp almond butter or your favorite nut butter
• 1 medium ripe banana
• Ice

Instructions

• Combine milk, cocoa powder, almond butter, and banana in a blender. (Start out with 1 tbsp each of cocoa powder and almond butter.)
• Blend on medium speed until well blended.
• Add ice. Start with less ice, as you can always add more. You don't need a lot of ice if your banana is frozen.
• Blend until smooth and frothy.
• Taste. Add another tbsp of cocoa powder and/or almond butter if desired. Blend until smooth.

Sugar Cookie Bars

Who doesn't love a good sugar cookie during? I sure do! But let's face it... Sometimes you want the cookie, but just don't feel like waiting for the dough to cool in the fridge, rolling it out, cutting out cute little shapes, and then having to decorate them. This recipe is sugar cookies made simple.

Behold... the Sugar Cookie Bar.

These are just as delicious as your traditional sugar cookie, but not quite as time-consuming. They're a bit like brownies. Well, except they're not brown. You know what I mean though, right? And the cream cheese frosting that tops them is blissful. You can still have fun with them by decorating with different sprinkles and toppings or using different extract in the frosting to change up the flavor. Peppermint frosting topped with crushed candy canes, anyone? :)

Ingredients

For Cookie Dough
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups flour
• 2 tsp cream of tarter
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
For Frosting
• 8 oz (1 bar) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tbsp milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

For Cookie Dough
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x13 baking sheet.
• In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla.
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, cream of tarter, baking powder, and salt.
• Mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture, adding 1/3 of the flour at a time.
• Spread the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 17-20 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
For Frosting
• In a medium bowl, cream together cream cheese and butter.
• Mix in powdered sugar and salt.
• Add milk and vanilla. Continue beating until the consistency is smooth and fluffy.
Assembly
• Allow the cookie bars to cool completely.
• Spread the frosting over the cookie bars.
• Top with sprinkles or decorate as desired.
• Cut into 24 squares.

Banana Quinoa Granola Parfait

By now I'm sure that you've heard about the many wonders of quinoa - protein, fiber, iron, and more! So have you tried it yet? If you haven't, you should. At first I was a bit intimidated by it, but have discovered that it's nothing to be scared of. It's simple to make and delicious. While many quinoa recipes are savory, there is also a sweet side to this ancient little seed. This recipe is a great example of that.

The best part about this recipe is that it takes a simple coconut almond granola and makes it that much more nutritious simply by adding quinoa! Plus, with a dollop of whipped cream this breakfast parfait becomes dessert!

Ingredients

Quinoa Granola
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/4 cup quinoa, rinsed well and dried
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut
• 1 tsp brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 1/2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Bananas
• 3 Bananas, sliced
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Yogurt
• 2 cups vanilla yogurt

Instructions

Quinoa Granola
• Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, combine oats, quinoa, almonds, coconut, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
• Mix in honey, coconut oil, and vanilla.
• Spread evenly onto a cookie sheet.
• Bake for 10 minutes, then stir. Bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown.
• Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
Bananas
• In a small bowl, gently toss bananas in maple syrup and cinnamon.
Assembly
• In the bottom of 4 bowls/parfait cups/mason jars, spoon in 1/4 cup yogurt.
• Spoon in a layer of bananas and a layer of granola.
• Repeat with 1/4 cup yogurt, bananas, and top with granola.