Today, in a glance

Today was a good day. Rainy, but good. Started off the morning with some spiced pancakes! YUM!

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Pumpkin pie spice
• OPTIONAL>3 Tablespoons Ground wheat germ with flax and cinnamon (I use some from www.hodgsonmill.com)
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract (I prefer mexican vanilla, yumm)

Mix all you dry ingredients together, then mix your wet ingredients together, create a well in the middle of your dry, and mix all together. then cook on an oiled, medium heat griddle, or pan. Be careful to cook all the way, they do come out a little bit darker because of the seasonings! I used about a 1/4 cup per pancake.

ENJOY!

Also, I FINALLY got my hubby's packages sent out. 5 boxes, carried inside... In the rain! Made me decide I really need an umbrella and rain boots! My son really loved the rain too! Jumping in the puddles and getting his clothes soaked! haha, got to love that amazing, joyful energy! Where does that go? I used to love playing in the rain. Maybe i need to take him out to do that, and see if I can reconnect with it too!

I also got the hubby his Under Armour socks he's been wanting! Thank you U.S. Cavalry! I guess they are great out on patrol when he is gone. Hopefully he'll enjoy!

My peanut butter fudge also got sent out. My husband is a HUGE Reese's fan, so I took leftover Reese's, and made fudge with them (great way to get rid of some leftover Halloween candy!). It actually turned out amazing! Yes, that is surprising, because it was a complete experiment. I've never made fudge before to be honest. It even passed the mother in law test. So that was good.

Got the commissary shopping done! I love the produce they have available. So much better than what's available at the largest competitor. I'm sure you all can guess without me saying it. The big W. I'll leave it at that.

Got home, took a nap with both my babies. I always enjoy that. We had dinner, and then went to my friends for a hot chocolate date. MMMM..

Here's my ADULT Mexican Hot Chocolate

 (take out the alcohol for the kid friendly version)

(for regular flavored hot chocolate, omit cinnamon and chili powder)

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• 3 1/2 cups milk or milk substitute (I prefer a mix of vanilla hemp, with chocolate almond milk)
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (mexican kind for me)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/8 C per mug of Vanilla or Coffee Flavored Kahlua
• Marshmallows or Whipped Cream optional

Mix all ingredients in sauce pan (except Kahlua, and preferred topping) and bring to boil.

Have mugs ready with Kahlua in bottom, then top with marshmallows and/or whipped cream!

Great for a chilly or rainy evening!

Well that was my day. I hope you had a great one as well!

Another day exploring

Well, my son is out to a movie with his 'Meme', so I thought I would post a blog and get on with the day.

 I made three paintings this morning. They are in black and white. Not bad for not painting in over a year!
These were all inspired by Bromeliad: My DIY: Dollar Store Abstract Expressionism - DIY style, frugal home design, budget travel

Next, to reclaim so older paintings and make them look better. Then to start my homemade Christmas cards and and tags! I opened a shop on Etsy last night, under the name lilmamacoy. I'll be posting stuff in there soon. I'll have cookies, candies, cards, scrap booking pages, etc. If I start to do well, I may start listing some decoupage art, blankets and other homemade items. Let me know what you guys think when I start posting stuff, or if you have any ideas or tips for things yourself, let me know! All of you military SAHMs know what I mean when I say, I love my children, I love my husband, but I need to feel like I am contributing with more, and also doing things that I love!
Anyhow, my Etsy store is going to be only what I have made, and a limited number. If you want it, you have to buy it when it's in stalk. I don't want to stress myself by constantly doing what people want, so I'm just going to do me, and by my own schedule :)
Today, I've also got to get my husband's x-mas list sent out for people who want to send him something. Although it's rather easy, it's been a task I've been putting off. Same with packages.. I hate going to the post office with kids, but also, it's been over a year since I've sent a care package, I've honestly forgotten what forms I need. So I've traded with one of my good friends, I'll baby sit for her, if she'll make sure I have coffee when she drops her daughter off, and if she will mail my packages. God bless her! She said 'deal'. Now I don't have to worry about it anymore! PHEW! Well, before my break with only a newborn to care for, is over, I'm going to try and get some things done...

List for the day:

Paintings
Make cards and tags
list items on etsy
hang up cool coat rack from Pier One (scored yesterday on sale for 6.88)

Try on new dress from Kohl's (scored yesterday too for only 14.40) It is going to look great with some black panty hose, and my black boots, and pea coat! So excited to wear when it gets a little bit cooler!

Clean my room (if only I got allowance for doing so)
Search online for a dresser for the kids room
Start working on my decoupage project
Figure out what's for dinner tonight
Put away dishes
OH! before I forget again, something that should be at the top of the list HUSBAND's XMAS LIST!

Hope everyone has a great day, and I'm sure I'll be making some more short posts today!