CTBaker in the Acres: ctbaker

Thursday, January 16, 2014

I've Been Featured...AGAIN!

About 2 years ago I did a post on some origami bookmarks I made with the boys. They weren't my idea. I just tried them out because I found them on Pinterest. {You can follow me there, too.}

Every once in while my blog stats sky-rocket and it makes me a little giddy that my post has been featured somewhere!

I'm just a lowly ol' veteran mommy-blogger of 7 or 8 years, on the brink of age 40, who posts about my average life with 3 amazing little boys and an adorable husband.

I don't fit the mold of a blogger with stats like this!
I'm not a writer.
I'm not a fashionista.
I'm not a DIY diva.
I'm not a decorator.
I'm not a blog-vangelist.
I'm not a diet and exercise junkie.
I'm not a foodie.
I don't live in a custom designed home that I can blog about.

I'm just ME!
I write like I talk.
I wear what's clean and what fits.
I may try a DIY thing or two and blog about it, but I know it's just for my own reflection.
I upfit and decorate my house practically and when I can afford it and may or may not post about it.
I write about my faith when I feel inspired to share.
I rarely write about my struggles with weight management.
I post only about tried and true recipes that 3 little boys enjoy.
I live in a very old house with REAL, functioning transom windows and floors that creek and you may hear me refer to it frequently.

My daily average is small potatuhs {250-350 visitors}. So it's always exciting when I click on my stats and see a jump like this...

Thanks for the feature, DIYcozyhome.com!

Go CTBAKERinTHEACRES.com!

So scroll back through my posts... over there on the right. =======>
You just might find another good one. ;-)

Thursday, August 30, 2012

GAME ON

It's game day, y'all!

You can feel it in the air! Everywhere you look there are Gamecock fans of all ages, shapes, and sizes decked out in their Gamecock spirit wear {including the Bakers}. It's an awesome sight to behold. Last year, I actually started a post on this particular phenomenon, but never uploaded the pics. Oh well! If you live anywhere near Cola., SC...you don't need my pics to understand.

Any who... I haven't posted about CTBakerDesigns.com in a while. And I realize I'm a little late in posting this, but I have recently created some fun theme invitations, as I had a client planning a tailgate engagement party. And NEVER FEAR! If you are not a Gamecock fan - I can change the culahs {colors}!!!

No need for fancy tailgate spots for a great party! Why not have a team spirit shindig in the comfort of your home?!?

Go for it! And GO COCKS!

Monday, January 30, 2012

The trouble with boys...

The trouble with boys is that they often get the raw end of the deal when you're trying to shop for age-appropriate "cute" stuff. I run into this when trying to buy outfits for special occasions, fabrics for clothing and decor, party ware, favors, etc. There is always an abundance of girly things available, but not so much for boys. I usually end up making something for them. Maybe I'm too picky, but I just don't want to do movie and cartoon characters for themes all the time. It seems that once they're out of baby/toddler stuff your choices become very limited.
What happened to cute and fun?

Ya know? Is anyone else with me?

My current holiday dilemma is Valentine's Day.

A lot of the things I've seen on the market for Valentine's Day are a tad too cheesy, especially for a 9 year-old. Unless you go the licensed character route, everything you see is plastered in hearts, pink and red, and frilly. As with any holiday, I like homemade better so I made the boys something to hand out and wanted to share it with you.

Here is a free Valentine's Printable for all you boy moms out there.

Go here to download. Print on card stock and cut. These cards will fit size A2 envelopes or you can punch holes and tie them to a favor.

{If you have trouble downloading, just email me and I'll send you a copy!}

Enjoy!

Let me know if you have a custom design in mind for Valentine's Day. There's still time for me to whip it up!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Once Upon a Pin 1

If you haven't already, you need to get on Pinterest. Pinterest is like Crack for the Crafty and everyone in between! I was introduced to Pinterest by a fellow blogger about a year ago and was instantly hooked.
I have tried a few projects that I have pinned and even blogged about one. I have a few I still want to blog.

This week I tried a recipe. I am a soup lover! There is just something more appealing about soggy veggies that float. I'll try most any soup, as long as there are no weird meats in them.

This recipe was right up my alley.

It originally came from a great website called 365 Days of Slow Cooking

Day 56: Tomato-Basil Parmesan Soup

Photo by Clair Buys/BYU Magazine

Makes about 2 quarts

2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, with juice
1 cup finely diced celery
1 cup finely diced carrots
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tsp dried oregano or 1 T fresh oregano
1 T dried basil or 1/4 cup fresh basil
4 cups chicken broth
½ bay leaf
½ cup flour
1 cup Parmesan cheese
½ cup butter
2 cups half and half, warmed
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

1. Add tomatoes, celery, carrots, chicken broth, onions, oregano, basil, and bay leaf to a large slow cooker.
2. Cover and cook on LOW for 5-7 hours, until flavors are blended and vegetables are soft.
3. About 30 minutes before serving prepare a roux. Melt butter over low heat in a skillet and add flour. Stir constantly with a whisk for 5-7 minutes. Slowly stir in 1 cup hot soup. Add another 3 cups and stir until smooth. Add all back into the slow cooker. Stir and add the Parmesan cheese, warmed half and half, salt and pepper. Add additional basil and oregano if needed (the slow cooker does a number on spices and they get bland over time, so don't be afraid to always season to taste at the end).
4. Cover and cook on LOW for another 30 minutes or so until ready to serve.

Review:
So it's starting to be spring and soup season is about over, but add this recipe to try someday when it's cold because it is delicious! This is a recipe from my family cookbook and I just adapted it to the slow cooker. It turned out great. I brought it to a church dinner and it was completely gone, so I'm thinking that means it was good. It is very creamy and rich. If you wanted to make it a bit healthier, you could leave out the half and half and put skim milk or evaporated milk in. I've tried that before and it has turned out fine...just not as rich and fattening. I give this recipe 5 stars.

I actually made a few changes but thought it was super tasty, nonetheless!

1. I did mine on the stove top because I forgot that it was on the menu for the night and missed my "crock pot window."

2. I strained the veggies and pureed them in the blender for 2 reasons... 1. to disguise any undesirable veggies from my boys and 2. for a thicker base

3. I used only 1 cup of the 1/2 & 1/2 and substituted 1 cup of skim milk.

Here's mine!

I served it with a yummy piece of cheese bread!!! I was surprised that the boys ate as much as they did. Another plus, the recipe made so much that I've got a big ol' bowl left over in the freezer

I think it's definitely a keeper.

Thanks, Pinterest.

Follow my boards here...

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Ollie turns 3!!!!

It's so hard to believe that this precious chunk of love, born with black hair and just shy of 9 pounds just turned THREE!

January 15, 2009

Oliver Shannon Baker

I just want to kiss those cheeks and snuggle with that sweet baby one more time!!!

2011

You're getting big so fast!

I cannot begin to tell you how much joy he has brought to our family.

Here's Oliver at 3...
Personality: He is spunky, sassy, feisty, and so incredibly sweet. He listens very well and minds the guidance we give him. He is helpful and compassionate. I have been told by his preschool teacher and several others that they are amazed by his good southern-boy manners. He's not so fond of sharing, but he's learning.

Toys: His favorite things are his set of Cars2 cars and racetrack, monster trucks, and Toy Story figures

Activities: His scooter! He loves his scooter that Santa brought. He'd ride it all day if I let him. His big brothers...he loves any chance he gets to play with them. Coloring and painting with watercolors seems to be a new fave too.

Foods: He really likes Mexican, but if he had his druthers, he'd eat breakfast food all day long! He loves chocolate milk and sweet tea!

Friends: He loves all his buddies, but his best bud is Hampton "Hanton" Dubose. He is the younger brother of one of Fulton's BFF's. They are so precious together!!

Books: Snowy Olie and There's a Wocket in My Pocket

Sam and Fulton continue to be the best big brothers to him. They all look forward to seeing each other when we get S & F from school. Oliver just lights up the second they get in the car!

He was really in to Snowmen and Santa this year. And when I asked him what kind of party he wanted, he said a "snowy rollie party" (after the book he loves). Since he's a January baby, that wasn't that hard to pull off.

We had a family-style party with family and friends who are close to Oliver. It was great fun and the kids had a blast! We had a snow party indeed... we had a {styrofoam} snow-ball fight, we made it snow in the den with packing peanuts, there was a delicious hot chocolate bar that was the BIGGEST hit, and marshmallow snowman party favors. We had a yummy pizza supper with a big salad and ambrosia. Even though it was pretty chilly out, the kids bundled up and played the entire time. They didn't seem to mind at all.

For his actual birthday, on Sunday, we took him to his place of choice for lunch. Then later that evening, mom and dad had us over for burgers and a chocolate chip cookie sundae! I think it's safe to say that he was well celebrated and had a great birthday!

Here are a few {thousand}pics...