The Acidental Hair Cut

Our little guy, the big A has had the same haircut since he started getting hair. I am his barber and have loved keeping his locks stylish.

Yesterday Big A was in need of a haircut. He was getting a little shaggy in the front, his bangs hanging in his eyes.

I started in the back like always, shaping the bottom with clippers and blending the top. It was going really good. I was about to start on his side burn area. Just as I was starting to clip the side Little A called out and Big A...turned...his...head, in mid clip!

ZZZZzzzzz right thru this bangs!!! Aghhh! The center was GONE! So no matter if I was ready or not Big A was going to get a shorter do!I redid the back and blended the new cropped top.

 I was worried he wouldn't like it but he thinks it's cool!

 I like it but he looks so much older.

Before

After

 

Perfect No-Rise Pizza Crust....Fast and Fantastic!

I love pizza and I think nothing beats fresh hot homemade pizza. The problem is that all the crust recipes I have seen call for 1-2 hours of raising time for the dough. I typically decide I wanna make pizza about an hour before dinner, no time for rising dough! I tried a bunch of the package crust mixes that don't call for rising and they are okay but expensive and not great. This is the recipe I have concocted for a perfect no rise crust from scratch.

No-Rise Pizza Dough

1 Package Active Dry Yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 Cup Warm Water (110-115 degrees)
2 Tablespoons Vegetable Oil
1 teaspoon Sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2- 2 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
Cornmeal (optional)
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon  Dried Italian Seasoning
Toppings of your choosing

Heat Oven to 425 Degrees

In a large mixing bowl dissolve yeast in the water.
add oil,sugar,salt and 1 1/2 cups flour
mix until smooth ( I use a kitchen-aid mixer with the paddle attachment on low)
Add 1/2 - 1 cup more flour until a stiff dough forms.
(Will be a bit sticky still, 1/2 cup always works for me)
Flour the counter and place dough on it, cover with bowl. Let sit for 10 Minutes.
Grease pan and sprinkle with cornmeal (optional)
(This recipe will make enough for one 12" pizza pan OR 1 cookie sheet (I use this)
Roll out dough and press into pan to fit.
 Pour olive oil onto crust and smooth over, sprinkle with Italian Seasoning.

Bake at 425 for 12-15 minutes till crust is browned.
Add desired toppings.
Bake an additional 10-12 minutes.

Fun in the Spring Sun

The sun has been peaking out the last few weeks and the Kids have been enjoying some fun in the great outdoors. They have especially been enjoying the amazing John Deere ride on kids tractor my parents got them for Easter (WOW!)

Then today I got out Big A's clothes and he said "Momma, I'm not wearing that! (My kids are very conscious of what they wear...little fasionistas!) "I'm wearing shorts and a Tee Shirt!" I then informed him that it had SNOWED last night. He didn't believe me until he looked out the window. He seemed totally perplexed by the change of weather.

I have to say I agree with him....I want the sun back!!

Here are some pics from the "Sun fun" of the last few days.

 

Like Mother Like Daughter

My Mom has always said that little a looks just like I did when I was little. She was going through some old pictures and now I have to admit, she really does look like I did when I was her age. I guess it's official she IS her mothers daughter.


My little a



Me at the same age....

 

Easter Decor

I was looking around at our Easter Decorations last night. I'm looking forward to Easter this weekend...brunch, egg hunts, baskets, CANDY! However I'm kind of sad it's going to be over, I feel like we just put up all our cute Easter decorations and now it's almost all over.Maybe it's because I've been re-doing it all month. The new built in shelves Jeff made last year have been such a treat to decorate in I have loved trying to find the perfect look. Here is a little peek at what I ended up with....

 

Fashion Forward Little A

Our little A has a definite style all her own. She knows style and is NOT afraid to think outside the box. With a little creativity she "Transforms" outfits into something new and unique.......
~smile~
 That's the way they would talk about it on "Fashion Star" or one of those shows right?!?!?
Here is what my little Kooky girl has been up to.

Cute Carters outfit Momma put her in.....

She was NOT happy with that!

Restyled by Little A....
shirt becomes a skirt and pants become a hat

Another pants turned to hat look

 

More Cookies??? YES! Swirled Almond Shortbread Cookies

I know what you are thinking... Has this woman gone completely Cookie Crazy? Is this all she does? Ha Ha. Actually I am not a huge cookie fan but the family has been loving my cookie adventures  and it's been fun breaking out the old recipes. Also Big A loves helping and has become a master at using the mixer and actually is becoming a big helper.

This one is a fun one that is SO yummy and you can customize it with whatever color sugars you want. We did a light and dark green combo for St. Patty's but they work for any holiday.

Swirled Almond Shortbread Cookies

 

1 cup sugar

1 cup butter softened

1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 egg
2 1/4 cups flour
2-4TBL Colored Sugars

Beat sugar, butter, almond extract and egg with electric mixer on medium for 2 minutes. Stir in flour.

Divide dough in half; cover half and set aside. Place remaining half on plastic wrap, roll and press into an 8-inch square. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of colored sugars (It looks best if you use 2 different colors. Use the plastic wrap to help lift, and roll up dough (Like a jelly roll). Repeat with the other half of the dough and colored sugars. Wrap rolls in plastic wrap and refrigerate about 1 hour or until firm.

Heat oven to 375ºF. Cut rolls into 1/4-inch slices. Place about 1 inche apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 minutes or until edges begin to brown (I turn the pan after 4 minutes for more even cooking).

Store covered or in an airtight container (Unless you’re like my Mom and like a rock hard cookie, these harden up fast)

The Cookies are DONE!!