Lil Missy's Domestican Blog

Movin' On Up

2012-01-11T14:13:00.002-06:00

(cue Jeffersons theme song) Well, the Locklears have outgrown our little, first home together and we're preparing to move in 2 short weeks. Luckily, we're moving a short mile away from our current house so it shouldn't be too difficult (keyword "shouldn't"). Although, I'm really excited to have more space, (but not particularly excited about more space to clean) I have grown very attached to our current home and I'm predicting many tears on my part.

Wish us luck!

RIP Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T11:49:00.003-05:00

Peanut Butter Eclair Cake

2011-09-30T11:00:00.002-05:00

I will try anything that includes chocolate and peanut butter- I love the combo. So when I saw this on Pinterest, I tried it the very next time the occasion presented itself.

The recipe came from a blog called the Plain Chicken and her photo of the cake came out way better than mine. But I'm sure it tasted every bit as awesome!!

*If you're in the Houston area, I finally found chocolate graham crackers at Kroger.

*I also agree with her suggestion to make it a day in advance because it's better when the crackers have had time to get soggy.

*Instead of a 9x13 pan, I split up the recipe into two (2) 8x8 throw-away foil pans. I took one to a pot-luck get together and kept the other for our family.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Éclair Cake from the Plain Chicken

1 box chocolate graham crackers (there will be a few graham crackers left over)
2 (3 1/4-ounce) boxes vanilla instant pudding
1 cup peanut butter
3 1/2 cups milk
1 (8-ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
1 can chocolate frosting

Spray the bottom of a 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with whole graham crackers. In bowl of an electric mixer, mix pudding with milk and peanut butter; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping. Pour half the pudding mixture over graham crackers. Place another layer of whole graham crackers on top of pudding layer. Pour over remaining half of pudding mixture and cover with another layer of graham crackers.
Heat the container of prepared frosting, uncovered in the microwave for 1 minute. Pour over the top of the cake. Refrigerate for at least 12 hours before serving.

Never Forget

2011-09-12T15:19:00.000-05:00

(a day late, I apologize)

Rhetorical question - New Moon

2011-08-24T17:14:00.000-05:00

Sometimes when I'm watching movies I'll think "why did he/she do that? That's dumb. No way in real life would that happen." I know it's fiction, blah blah blah, but still.

So today I'm watching The Twilight Saga: New Moon (my ultimate guilty pleasure). One of the final scenes has Bella running toward Edward to stop him from revealing himself to the humans. He thinks she's dead and wants to die too (think Romeo & Juliet).

Ok the running part is all fine and good, but why didn't she yell and scream "hey handsome, look over here! I'm alive!!"

Common sense Bella, come on!

A year goes by much too quickly

2011-03-02T11:56:00.000-06:00

My baby girl is turning 1 tomorrow and it's just not fair. I have to constantly remind myself to slow down and cherish each day because before I know it, my girls will be in school and too cool to be mama's girls. :(

Anyways, I'm planning Maren's birthday party this weekend and I'm getting crafty! First up, her t-shirt made with fabrics I got at Hobby Lobby and HeatnBond.

Owl Bibs

2010-09-20T16:07:00.000-05:00

I've never blogged about my love for owls. Simply love owls and there's no particular reason, I just think they're so cute.

My latest owl purchase were these adorable vinyl bibs for Maren, who is not really liking the whole solid food thing.

It's almost Fall!!!

2010-09-08T11:08:00.000-05:00

I'm so excited to get out my fall home decor and start baking with pumpkin. This is my *favorite* time of the year, no question; the weather, football, Halloween, Thanksgiving, my birthday, the food.....I could go on and on.

I found a Paula Deen recipe for a Pumpkin Gingerbread Trifle earlier this year and I've been waiting for fall to arrive so I could make it. Don't worry, a post and pictures will be included here!

The TomKat Studio has a really cute freebie on their blog and I wanted to share it with y'all. Check it out!!

So, it may be a little premature but HAPPY FALL Y'ALL!!!!

Stinky Lois

2010-08-03T15:15:00.003-05:00

We went to see Lois the corpse flower at the HMNS the day she started blooming. Luckily, we didn't experience any of her stinkiness but it was neat to say we saw her (corpse flowers don't bloom very often so this was a big deal).

S'mores Whoopie Pies

2010-08-02T15:53:00.003-05:00

Growing up, I was a girl scout for several years so I KNOW about s'mores and I'm a sucker for them. I've tried a s'mores cupcake recipe and it was so-so. Then I came across this recipe for s'mores whoopie pies and decided to give it a try.

Overall, I give it an A-. The graham cookies to filling ratio is a little off but that can easily be corrected.

Graham Cookie
1 1/2 cup graham flour
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
4 tbsp vegetable shortening
1 c packed dark brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp white vinegar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Place rack in the center of the oven and prehead to 375. Line a baking sheet with parchment or silpat mat.

In a medium bowl, stir together both flours, baking powder, and salt.

Using a mixer, beat butter, shortening, and brown sugar until light and cream, about 3 minutes. Add eggs and buttermilk and beat until combined.

In another bowl, combine milk, baking soda, and vinegar. Add this mixture slowly to the batter along with the flour mixture and beat on low speed until completely combined.

Drop about 1 tablespoon of batter onto baking sheet, repeat spacing them at least 2 inches apart.

Bake for about 10 min until the cakes begin to brown.

Remove from the oven and let the cakes cool on the sheet for 3-5 min before transferring them to a rack to cool completely.

Spread one cookie with marshmallow cream and another cookie with chocolate ganache. Put the cookies together.

Makes about 40 two-inch cakes, about 20 assembled whoopie pies.

Marshmallow Cream
1 1/2 c marshmallow creme
1 1/4 c vegetable shortening
1 c confectioner's sugar
1 tbsp vanilla extract

In the work bowl of a stand mixer fitter with the paddle beat together marshmallow fluff and shortening, starting on low and increasing to medium speed until the mixture is smooth and fluffy, about 3 min.

Reduce mixer speed to low, add confectioner's sugar and vanilla, and beat until incorporated. Increase mixture speed to medium and beat until fluffy.

Chocolate Ganache
1 small bag (12oz) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Place your chocolate in a large, heat proof bowl.

Heat the cream in a saucepan over medium heat just until in bubbles.

Pour the heated cream over the chocolate in the bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes, until the chocolate is melted. Stir with a whisk until smooth.

Allow the mixture to rest until firm enough to spread, about 2 hours. Or you can refrigerate it for about 30 min until it is firm enough to spread, shirting every 10 min.

So true....

2010-06-29T23:18:00.001-05:00

I saw this sign at Garden Ridge today; I love it!

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

2010-06-16T14:27:00.008-05:00

Jake and I received 3, yes 3 crockpots as wedding gifts. Luckily, I was able to get credit for 2 of them and I kept the 3rd. Fastforward to 6 years later, I finally opened and used the crockpot for the first time! Some girls on my favorite online community had been raving about this recipe so I had to see what all the fuss was about.

The recipe was pretty good and I've made it 3 times so far. Also, I'm hooked on crockpot recipes now; they're SO easy! Why did it take me this long to discover??

Anyways, here's the recipe:

Crockpot Chicken Tacos

1 chicken taco seasoning packet (you can use a reg. taco seasoning packet but the chicken kind is best)

6 FROZEN chicken tenderloins (or 3 frozen breasts)

1 container of fresh pico (or can of Rotel)

1/4 c. Olive Oil

1/4 c. Water

Cover the bottom of the crockpot with the taco seasoning.Lay frozen chicken on top.

Pour Pico/Rotel over chicken.

Pour Oil and Water over everything.

Cook on Low for 4-6 hours. If home, turn meat half way but not necessary.

Shred chicken with a fork and stir into juices.
Let cook/simmer for 30 minutes more (if time is tight, I skip this step)

Serve on tortillas with a shredded Mexican cheese blend, sour cream, guacamole, salsa.....whatever you want!

One tip: the tortillas can make or break this meal. I don't recommend store bought, unless you get the freshly made package from HEB. I usually make a quick trip to Taco Cabana and get 1/2 dozen, because theirs are my favorite.

*putting ingredients in the crockpot

*after shredding the chicken

Hipstamatic

2010-05-25T21:38:00.002-05:00

I found this new iPhone app that I love! It makes your pictures look "old-timey". Here's a few examples:

Can Christmas come early this year?

2010-04-05T15:32:00.002-05:00

I want this soooooooooooooo bad.....I'm talking really really really bad. But I'm going to have to sell a whole lotta cakes to afford it.

Product Rave - Toddler moms, you'll want to read this!

2010-02-11T14:22:00.006-06:00

I went to Babies R Us today to get some stuff for baby #2 and stumbled across this new line of cups. They had a BOGO 50% off sale and I'm always a sucker for a BOGO. Anyways, it's called Tommy Tippee and I bought a set of drinking cups (Maddie) and a set of closer to nature soft shield pacifiers (Maren).

Maddie got home from MDO, saw her cups and got so excited. I'm not sure if she got excited because she thought they were pretty or what, but she has never gotten excited over cups before. We had to open them immediately and let her try them out. SHE LOVES THEM! This is the same girl who hates using big girl cups and would be happily content to use sippy cups for the rest of her life.

So I felt the need to share this info with my fellow toddler mamas. This is the set I bought:

HaHa pic of the day

2010-01-28T12:10:00.002-06:00

I saw this picture on the community bullentin board I belong to and thought it was too funny not to share.

My Christmas Craft

2009-12-17T20:08:00.002-06:00

I saw this project last year but since the stores sell out of their christmas stuff in early Dec, I wasn't able to try it. But this year, I bought all my ornaments before Thanksgiving to make sure I had enough! Yes, I felt very silly buying christmas stuff that early, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?

This year, the blog writer had a wreath contest and I think those wreaths turned out better than mine. But nonetheless, I'm happy enough with it! Take a look:

Incase you can't tell, the colors are red, green and brown.

2 years of snow.......IN A ROW!

2009-12-10T15:59:00.003-06:00

My little Maddie is going to start thinking it will snow every winter! Last year, she didn't care for the snow much. But this year was way different; I had to practically drag her inside, soaking wet, to warm her up after almost 45 minutes of playing in it.

I tried to make a snowman but she thought it was more fun to stomp on it. So after a few attempts, I said "forget this, my hands are freezing." But I do have to say that making snowballs and throwing them at no one was her favorite thing to do.

Christmas gift BARGAIN!!!!

2009-11-17T11:07:00.009-06:00

We set a holiday budget every year and I try my best to stick to it. I'm also a sucker for good deals and bargains but not so much getting out on Black Friday and fighting the crazy people.

Some girls in my online moms group passed along this deal and I couldn't pass it up. Here it is:

Target has the LeapFrog Tag Junior on sale for $28.99 until 11/25/09. Target also has a coupon for $10 off any LeapFrog Reading System, which I received in the mail but you can also print it here. AND you can use a LeapFrog manufacturer coupon for another $10 off.

With a whopping $20 off, you can have this item for $8.99!!!! Man, I feel great after finding a bargain. :)

Happy Pregnant Lady

2009-10-13T16:51:00.002-05:00

An update to my previous post (because I know you're all losing sleep); I found my favorite candies at Walgreens!!! And a bonus, they're 99 cents!! Woohoo!!

My Favorite Halloween Candy EVER!!!!

2009-09-28T19:10:00.004-05:00

Mary Janes Peanut Butter Kisses!! Oh yum yum yum! It never failed that I'd get tons of them because no one else liked them each Halloween.

However, this year I can't find them ANYWHERE! I've looked at Wal-Mart, Target, HEB, Party City and CVS; no luck. It's going to be a sad Halloween if I can't get some.

It's official, I'm a terrible saleslady!

2009-08-27T15:43:00.002-05:00

I signed up to sell Uppercase Living in the Spring and to remain an active "Independent Demonstrator", you have to maintain a certain level of sales every quarter. Well, now I know that I would have a terrible career in sales because after 2 quarters, I'm being kicked out. But that's ok, I'm not crying over it or anything (besides I have my baking business now!).

SO, I wanted to let all my friends and family in on a little offer. As an "Independent Demonstrator", I get 25% off all Uppercase Living products (not including shipping + taxes). Before I get kicked out of UL, you can order anything you want, 25% off, through me. Trust me, I'm not getting a penny out of this, I just wanted to make the offer to everyone so y'all can get a great deal.

Unfortunately, they've already cut off my website ordering so you'll have to order directly through me, but it will still be shipped to you and I can still take credit cards and checks.

To see UL products go to http://mlocklear.uppercaseliving.net

I'll be kicked out of UL at the end of the 3rd Quarter, which is roughly the end of September. You can email me with questions or your order at missylocklear@comcast.net.

I want to Bunco

2009-08-11T20:16:00.005-05:00

My mom has been in the same Bunco group since I can remember (maybe elementary or middle school?). Heck, even my grandma belongs to two groups!

I have to say that I'm super jealous of them because I really want to belong to a bunco group. My problem is that I don't have many friends that live nearby.

Does anyone know of any Pearland groups that need a new member?

(I have no idea who the ladies are in that picture, I just googled Bunco and that was a picture that came up)

Has anyone clicked on the pink cupcake to the right??

2009-07-02T09:55:00.002-05:00

Wilton - Course 2 Class 4 - FINAL

2009-06-27T09:54:00.003-05:00

This week was my final Course 2 class. I had to make 50 Primroses and 25 apple blossoms for my final cake, but I ended up running out of room on my cake so I didn't use them all. My instructor says they last for a really long time so I think I'll keep the rest of the flowers in case I need them in the future.

The cake is french vanilla with buttercream icing, pretty plain huh? I put vanilla baking chips in the cake batter to give it a little extra "oomph" and I think it turned out pretty yummy.

I also learned how to do the basketweave and rope border. Overall, it was a pretty fun class. But I'm REALLY looking forward to Course 3 where I learn how to work with fondant and tiered cakes!!

Wilton - Course 2 Class 3

2009-06-23T17:51:00.004-05:00

More royal icing flowers this week. The reason they're all purple is because I was using left over icing from the previous class- I don't like to be wasteful!!

Daffodils
Pansies
Daisies
Roses

Wilton - Course 2 Class 2

2009-06-16T15:09:00.005-05:00

I started Course 2 this month and I'm pretty excited. The first class was learning to do a couple of flowers with buttercream but they weren't all the pretty, so I didn't take pictures.

But the second class we made flowers with royal icing, which is way different to work with than buttercream. We made apple blossoms, violets, violet leaves and the primrose. Our final cake (class 4) will have 100 apple blossoms and primroses, so I better get really good at them!

Violet Leaves & Primroses
Violets
Apple Blossoms

Graduation Cake

2009-06-09T15:44:00.003-05:00

In my last post, I mentioned that one of Jake's co-workers asked me to do a cake for her daughter's graduation party. It was a full sheet cake (my first ever), half vanilla and half chocolate, with buttercream icing. I haven't heard from Tannis how the party went, but I'm really hoping the cake was pretty and yummy enough for everyone. Here it is!!

Wilton - Course 1 Class 4 - FINAL

2009-05-27T11:10:00.003-05:00

I had my final Course 1 class last night but before I left the store, I had already registered for Course 2 so you haven't heard the last of my cake decorating adventures.

My cake was an 8" round classic white cake with strawberry filling. The cake itself could have been a little more moist so I'll keep working on that. Also, I used two mixes; one for the top layer and one for the bottom layer so this thing was HUGE! Jake and Maddie had a piece when I got home and he took the rest to work today.

The roses looked a little better than last week but there's always room for improvement. And my drop flowers (on the bottom of the cake) were a disaster. Here's the result:

And I'm super excited to say that I have gotten my first business as a cake decorator!!! One of Jake's co-workers ordered a sheet cake for 50 ppl for her daugher's graduation party next weekend. WOOHOO!!! Maybe I have finally found something I can earn some extra income with (painting = fail, uppercase living = fail, so far).

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T07:59:00.001-05:00

Wilton - Course 1 Class 3

2009-05-21T17:34:00.008-05:00

This week I learned the shell border and dots of various sizes. The cake was supposed to be a clown theme so I baked a funfetti cake by Pillsbury......HUGE MISTAKE!! I have concluded that Pillsbury mixes are terrible. Not only do they taste blah but I had the hardest time getting the dern thing out of my pan. So anyway, lesson learned; stick to Duncan Hines.

I used the colored icing from last week because I didn't want to waste it. So I grossly underestimated how much yellow icing I'd need for the clowns' bodies, thus I only have 1 clown. But I highly doubt I'll ever be making clowns again, I find them a little scary. Here's the result:

Then I learned how to make the "Wilton Rose"....can you say "intimidating?" This one is definitely going to take some practicing, that's for sure. But I really want to get good because next week's final cake is going to have 7 of them!!! The rose on the left was made by my instructor and the other was made by me;

I have some serious practicing to do.

Wilton - Course 1 Class 2

2009-05-17T20:28:00.005-05:00

For Mother's Day I asked for something a little unconventional; a Wilton cake decorating class. It's a 4 week course in basic cake decorating techniques and tips. So far I've had 2 classes. The first class was going over what supplies I need and we watched the instructor make buttercream icing and how to ice a cake. Nothing too exciting. I already had this

so I was ready for the actual decorating part.

The second class was using the star tip. We had the choice of decorating a character cake or this;

Not bad for my first real try at cake decorating. I discovered that 1. icing a cake is NOT as easy as it seems and 2. using the star tip makes your hand hurt really bad. The actual cake was a lemon cake and it was very yummy. Again I sent most of it with Jake to work so we didn't have to eat it all. Especially since the next 2 classes, I'll be decorating cakes and bringing them home. Talk about lots of cake!!!

Cookies & Cream Cupcakes

2009-05-11T14:07:00.008-05:00

I'm a sucker for anything flavored Cookies & Cream so I HAD to try this recipe that I found here. Only I used my muffin pan, not the silicone baking cups, so I got around 30 cupcakes instead of 24.

We took them to our Mother's Day celebration at the Schmidt Jrs. house and of course had left-overs. We let the Jrs. keep 5 and I sent the rest with Jake to work. I've already gotten one email from him asking for the recipe so I figured this was the best way to share it with others.

Grade: A+ per Jake and Maddie :)

30 Oreo cookies
1 package plain white cake mix
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup vegetable oil
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1. Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 24 cupcake cups with paper liners. Set the pans aside.
2. Count out 12 Oreos and separate the top and bottom wafers. Make sure each has some of the icing on it. Place one wafer, icing side up, in the bottom of each paper liner. Set them aside. Place the remaining 18 Oreos between sheets of waxed paper or in a large, closed zipper-lock bag and crush them by rolling over them with a rolling pin. Set these crumbs aside.

3. Place the cake mix, sour cream, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Blend with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds. Stop the machine and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat 1 1/2 minutes more, scraping down the sides again if needed. Measure out 1 1/2 cups of the crushed Oreos and fold these into the batter until well incorporated. Set aside the remaining crushed Oreos for the frosting. Spoon or scoop 1/3 cup batter into each lined cupcake cup, filling it three quarters of the way full. (You will get between 22 and 24 cupcakes; remove the empty liners, if any.) Place the pans in the oven.
4. Bake the cupcakes until they are lightly golden and spring back when lightly pressed with your finger, 18 to 20 minutes. Remove the pans from the oven and place them on wire racks to cool for 5 minutes. Run a dinner knife around the edges of the cupcake liners, lift the cupcakes up from the bottoms of the cups using the end of the knife, and pick them out of the cups carefully with your fingertips. Place them on a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes before frosting.

Store these cupcakes, in a cake saver or under a glass dome, at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If you plan to freeze them, don't add the cookie-crumb topping. Wrap them in aluminum foil or in a cake saver and freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw the cupcakes overnight in the refrigerator and top with cookie crumbs before serving.

COOKIES AND CREAM FROSTING

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cup confectioners sugar, sifted
pinch of salt
1/3 cup whipping cream
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
remaining crushed Oreos

Mix together butter, confectioners sugar, and a pinch of salt until it’s creamy. Increase your mixer speed to high and beat until its light and fluffy. Add whipping cream and vanilla. Beat until its smooth. Fold in crushed Oreos. Makes enough to frost 24 cupcakes.

Debbie's Banana Dessert

2009-05-08T16:27:00.005-05:00

No, I have no idea who Debbie is. But I thank her for making this super duper banana pudding dessert. My Nanny gave me a cookbook for 2006 Christmas which was compiled by a bunch of ladies from her church. She lives in a pretty small town in Central Texas which happens to have a very large population of German-Texans. With names like Koepp, Bierstedt, Tschoepe and of course Schmidt......you can't go wrong with these ladies recipes.

2 boxes vanilla wafers
1 stick butter, melted
2 (8 oz) pkgs. cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
3 (8 oz) containers of whipped topping
1 large pkg instant vanilla pudding mix (prepare according to directions)
1 bunch of bananas - (I use 4 bananas)

Crush 1 box of vanilla wafers & mix with the cup of melted butter - press this mixture into a 13x9 pan. Blend cream cheese, powdered sugar & add 1.5 containers of whipped topping - spread this mixture over crust. Cut up 3-4 bananas in round slices and place side-by-side over this layer. Layer prepared instant pudding next. Top with remaining whipped topping. Crush 1/2 the other box of vanilla wafers and sprinkle on top & line the sides of the dish with the remaining whole wafers. Refridgerate.

I've made Debbie's Banana Dessert on a few different occasions so I decided to share it with you. I made the latest batch last weekend for the Schmidt Jrs' Annual Crawfish Boil. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of it before I put it out. So I put it out on the table, turned around to grab my camera and this is all that was left in that minute of time, I'm not kidding.

ice cream + cupcakes = genius

2009-04-27T10:58:00.007-05:00

Coldstone Creamery must have Einstein working in their R&D department because they have created the most perfect, yummy thing ever; Ice Cream cupcakes!!!

If you've had a piece of Coldstone's ice cream cakes, you already know they're delicious. But the cupcakes are perfect portioned sized and did I mention they're yummy? Well they are.

The only bad thing is that the store by me only makes them once a week (sometimes every other week) and when they hit the shelves, they sell fast. So I've been calling like a mad woman to see when they had some for sale and I finally got some! They're sold in packs of 6, I lucked out and got a pack with 2 of each flavor (another bad thing, they only offer 3 flavors right now) so Jake, Maddie and I got to sample each. Sadly, I didn't get a picture of the inside Cake Batter Delux, but it was yummy!

If you like ice cream and cupcakes (who doesn't?) you must give these a try!

Ziploc Omelet

2009-04-23T22:37:00.007-05:00

I got this email from my mother-in-law about making a super easy omelet so I gave it a try. Here's the email:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

This works great !!! Good for when all your family is together. The best part is that no one has to wait for their special omelet !!

Have guests write their name on a quart-size Ziploc freezer bag with permanent marker.
Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the bag (not more than 2) shake to combine them.
Put out a variety of ingredients such as: cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa, etc.
Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag and shake.
Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.
Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes. You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make another pot of boiling water.
Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for everyone to be amazed

I followed the directions exactly but I had a bit of a problem. My ziploc bags melted on the bottom and egg started leaking in the boiling water. So if you try this recipe, I would suggest double bagging your omelets. But all in all, they turned out delicious! I made bacon and cheese, here's the pics:

I'm fiiiinnnnniiiissshhheedd!

2009-03-17T14:24:00.008-05:00

I actually completed the sampler about a month ago but then I took it to the cleaners to be cleaned and then to Hobby Lobby for framing. It turned out really pretty!! I just hope Maddie keeps it for a really long time.

Uppercase Living

2009-03-09T14:48:00.003-05:00

You are looking at Uppercase Living's newest independent contractor! Since I became a stay-at-home-mom, I have tossed around the idea of joining a direct sales type of company (Avon, Tupperware, etc), so when I came across this company I knew this is what I wanted to try. The type of products UL sells is very innovative and the market is not saturated one bit.

With the crummy economy, I have really felt the need to earn some supplemental income and hopefully be able to send Maddie to MDO a couple times a week (MDO is crazy expen$ive!). I just hope the economy isn't so crummy that no one will purchase from me!

I'm working to get everything started up and hopefully I'll have pictures of products in my own home to share with everyone! My website is http://mlocklear.uppercaseliving.net/ and I will be able to take orders via the web. Maybe in the next few months I'll have an open house to invite all my girlfriends over to see what I have in my home, and of course it's a good excuse to make yummy food and catch up on gossip, um I mean news.

Happy Mardi Gras!!

2009-02-24T12:16:00.006-06:00

I've only been to Mardi Gras once but I had a fantastic time! I was in college and a bunch of my sorority sisters decided to make a trip to New Orleans. It was my first time to NO and I fell in love. The old architecture, food, friendly people; I just loved it all.

My sister-in-law's mom and dad live in Slidell, just north of NO, so I've been exposed to Mardi Gras pretty consistently for the past 10 years or so. I would get so excited when they brought us real, Louisiana King Cake. So last year I decided that I was going to do it myself, since I love to bake and all.

A nestie friend of mine married a good 'ol cajun boy and inherited his momma's recipes. She graciously shared her king cake recipe with me and the rest is history, I was HOOKED!

This year I made: 2 blueberry cream cheese, 2 strawberry cream cheese, 1 regular cream cheese and 1 cinnamon cakes.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!!

I miss you Kerbey!!

2009-02-16T14:10:00.005-06:00

When I lived in Austin, I loved going to Kerbey Lane for pancakes and queso (weird combo I know). Since they're open 24 hours a day, I could eat pancakes whenever I wanted. But not just regular pancakes, gingerbread pancakes, yum!! Luckily, they sell pancake mix so I can make my very own Kerbey pancakes in the comfort of my home, 200 something miles away from Kerbey.

The last time we went to Austin in November for the big football game, Maddie had her first Kerbey experience; awesome food and a long wait for it (never fails that you have to wait forever to get your food, that's why you get the queso!). Naturally, I ordered the gingerbread pancakes but I bought the pumpkin pancake mix to take home. And I'll tell you what, the pumpkin are giving the gingerbread a run for their money!! They turned out so delicious! Maddie ate 3 of them, she's definitely her mother's daughter.

Why?

2009-02-11T13:14:00.003-06:00

Whenever I hear a sad story about loss, I tend to wonder why. Why would a God as great as ours allow these tragic losses to happen to good people? Then I realize that it's not in my mind's capacity to understand why God does the things he does. His plan is so far beyond my comprehension that I couldn't even begin to question it. All I can do it cry and hope that he brings me, and everyone else who feels the same way, some sort of comfort.

I read a blog today and wept uncontrollably. Even now, 2 hours after reading it, I'm still crying just thinking about it. The family had a beautiful 10 month old daughter, named Cora. After repeated ear infections, a doctor's visit revealed something alarming, she had stage 4 cancer. 2 weeks later, she was gone. It all happened that quickly.

http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

Of course, I couldn't help but think about my own little girl and how blessed we are to have her in our lives. Everything can change in a heartbeat.....everything. I can't even begin to imagine my life without her and I feel awful for this family because they have to go on without their little princess. I don't even know this family yet my heart aches for them. And I know this is just one family's account, a blog that I just happened to hear about. It kills me to think of all the other families going through similar paths but I feel so incredibly blessed that we aren't one of those families. So blessed that I don't think I could ever put into words my gratitude towards God for His blessings.....but I can try.

New Sampler Pics

2009-02-05T15:19:00.001-06:00

I'm so close to finishing I can taste it!

Sampler Pics - Updated

2009-01-13T16:49:00.003-06:00

This thing is taking FOREVER!!! But it's really pretty.

7 Things You Never Knew About Me

2008-12-16T09:38:00.002-06:00

Sarah tagged me to post "7 Things You Never Knew About Me," so here they are (sorry it's so late!):

1. I'll admit, I copied this from Sarah because it applies to me too. Whenever I find a shirt that I love and fits perfectly, I have the habit of buying a couple in different colors. Finding clothes that I like AND fit me are becoming more and more rare!

2. I have an annoying OCD habit of typing words on an imaginary keyboard throughout the day. I don't hold out my hands like I'm typing on a keyboard (that would look silly), just wherever my hands happen to be. Strange, I know.

3. I LOOOOVE to bake (I guess that's not really a secret) and I'd love to open up a bakery someday.

4. I really don't like to clean bathrooms.

5. If the bakery thing doesn't work out, I'd love to learn graphic design.

6. I belong to an online community of Houston girls who are young wives/mothers and I've really enjoyed meeting up with some of them in real life the last few weeks. With Jake in football all Fall, I've been pretty lonely and the nestie girls are my saving grace.

7. I'm an absolute control freak. I hate it but there's nothing I can do about it.

Remember that new hobby?

2008-12-06T12:12:00.007-06:00

I finally started my cross-stitching. An online buddy had done a birth sampler for her daughter and I fell in love with it. I knew I had to do one for my Maddie too. But boy howdy, it's taking a looooong time. I've been working on it for a month now and here's what I have to show:

(this is after a week of stitching)

this is about 3 weeks of work - almost 1/3 done!

30

2008-10-26T21:50:00.002-05:00

Today was my birthday and I turned 30. 30. I'm still in disbelief.

a new hobby that i don't need

2008-09-23T21:29:00.002-05:00

I've decided that I'm going to try cross-stitching. (yeah, like I need another hobby) I'll let you know how it turns out.

blah

2008-08-27T11:18:00.001-05:00

I am having one of those craptasic days and it's not even noon yet. curses!!!!

Gustav, come on over and shake things up!!

K is for Kate

2008-08-11T12:30:00.004-05:00

One of my oldest friends, Sarah, is expecting a little girl and I helped host a shower for her this past weekend. Everything was beautiful!! I painted this little ditty for Miss Kate's nursery. Her full name is Katherine or Katharine, Sarah and Jim haven't agreed upon the spelling yet.

Pray for baby Rhys

2008-07-29T17:35:00.001-05:00

3 people sent this link to me today, so I checked it out. What a small world? It turns out that I went to high school with the father!

Rhys was a twin who was born 13 weeks early. His twin passed away, but little Rhys is fighting for life. He has a grade 3 brain bleed as well as respiratory problems. He undergoes transfusions, stays on oxygen, and has several lines pumping morphine and several other drugs into him. I'm not sure how much Rhys weighs, but as you can see in the pictures on the blog, it's not much. He was born 2 weeks ago and has been fighting to stay alive every minute of every day and night. Please say a prayer for little Rhys as well as his family.

Here's his blog: www.ok-corral.blogspot.com

Dylan

2008-07-29T12:48:00.004-05:00

Debby from Rosharon, Tx was my most recent business. She works with Jake and had seen another canvas I did for another one of their co-workers' granddaughter, Hailey. So I whipped up this 12x24 sign for Mr. Dylan. The nursery bedding is Wendy Bellissimo's Petite Safari but I'm not very good at painting life-like animals, so I opted for something very simple and clean/classic. It was one of easiest signs I've done but it turned out to be one of the best!!

Fancy monogram

2008-07-22T10:40:00.003-05:00

I had a record 2 sales on my etsy site in the month of June!!! (sing "Celebrate good times come on!!" by Cool & the Gang) Tamika from Carrollton, Tx ordered a monogram wall hanging for her new home and I think it turned out so beautiful. The background design was a pain in the butt to paint but in the end, it was so worth it!

PawPaw Plant - UPDATE

2008-07-06T16:41:00.006-05:00

Oh wow, this spring brought me a BEAUTIFUL hydrangea plant!! The blooms are now all open and new growth has started for next spring. These pictures were taken about a month ago (I've just been too lazy to blog!)

My PawPaw plant

2008-05-02T16:18:00.011-05:00

My grandfather, PawPaw, passed away last April just after his 89th birthday. It was incredibly sad for me as he was the only grandfather I'd ever had. (I promise this isn't going to be a tear jerking post) At his viewing, my grandmother, Nanny, and I were commenting on one of the plants someone had sent. It was a blue hydrangea and I'd always loved hydrangeas. Actually, we used them in Jake's and my wedding. So, my Nanny told me she wanted me to take it home and to think of PawPaw whenever I see it.

That was 13 months ago and now it's finally blooming! When I planted it last spring, there were only 2 pititful blooms on it and I never had anymore. But now it has numerous buds just waiting to bloom and I'm very excited about it. What's funny though is the blooms are looking more purple/pinkish than blue. I read it has something to do with the soil but my thumb isn't quite green enough to know about that.

Here are pictures of my PawPaw plant this week (I'll post more as the blooms increase)