Easy No Bake Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Last night I was trying to get caught up with Duck Dynasty because that show is awesome, and I might just find those beards a little attractive. Anyone else with me? And, since I met my quota for "real" and "deep" posts for the week (see post from yesterday), I figured it was high time I bust out a quick, easy and delicious recipe.

These little gems were served at Marcus' 1st birthday party. I was concerned these strawberries weren't going to turn out well. It appears I had nothing to worry about. After everyone had gone through the food line I went to try out the Easy Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries. They must have been good seeing as there wasn't a single one left by the time I went through the line!

Let's get to crackin'.

Easy No-Bake Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

16 oz package of fresh strawberries
8 oz cream cheese, softened
8 oz packet of whipped cream (I had no idea whipped cream came in powder form! Found mine by the puddings/jellos section)
1 packet cheesecake pudding
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Wash strawberries.
Slice an "X" into the top of the strawberry. Set aside to dry; you want them as dry as possible. After about 2-3 minutes chill the strawberries in the fridge.
Take dry whipped cream and packet of cheesecake pudding, fold them together until well blended.
Slowly add the softened cream cheese to the mix.
Add 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla to the filling.
After filling is fully mixed remove from bowl and place in gallon freezer bag (or use piping tools if you have them). Allow to chill for 30-35 minutes.
Remove filling and strawberries from fridge.
If you're using a zip lock bag snip one end corner, this becomes your piping tool.
Squeeze filling into the "Xs" of your strawberries.
Serve and enjoy!!

These will not disappoint.

Source: Just a Pinch

This recipe is linked up with Food Friends Friday

Forgiving

I juggled with whether or not to post this. It was a tough one to write. Tough because it isn't shiny and pretty. Often it seems we focus on how perfect things are and we leave out some of the real stuff. I went on a bit of a tangent not that long ago. You can read about it {here}.

Here's today's big dose of real...

Two nights ago Scott and I had a rather intense, and stupid, fight argument. Who was going to bring the dog bed to our room at the end of the night. What, that's not worthy of a good fight?!

Being the stubborn, hard-headed Dudding I am, I made a big stink about it. I'm talking full-fledged fuss. Looking back, I'm not really sure why I carried on in such a way. I just didn't want to carry that dog bed to our room. So dumb, right?

As we both laid in bed I knew I had to apologize. However, a simple "I'm sorry," wasn't going to cut it.  I'd unnecessarily crossed a line and "sorry" wasn't going to do.

Let's quickly rewind to a few years back during our marriage prep class:
During the class our instructors were going over forgiveness, and how easy it is to say "I'm sorry."
How many times growing up did your parents make you tell a sibling you were sorry? Mine did a thousand and two times (at least). More often than not an empty "Sorry," was mumbled. In reality, I wasn't sorry, I was just going through the motions. Saying what needed to be said. How many times were you asked "Do you even know why you're sorry?" and had no answer? 
What good is an empty "sorry"?

During the prep class our instructors (a married couple) told us how they would ask each other for forgiveness when conversations became heated, or actions didn't necessarily seem too thoughtful or loving.

Scott and I have implemented this in our own marriage. And, it's tough. You really have to own up to your mistake(s). Asking someone to forgive you for your faults and shortcomings takes a lot. Admitting your wrongdoings is downright hard.

I was about to fall asleep, but I had to do it, I had to ask him to forgive me for going so far out of line. Swallowing my stubbornness pride, I quietly asked him to forgive me for getting so upset for no apparent reason. And, he did.

Sometimes it's possible to forgive right away, other times we need some time to reflect, and forgive when we are ready. Asking for forgiveness takes a lot, but receiving forgiveness beats out an empty "sorry" any day of the week.

The next time "I'm sorry" seems too easy challenge yourself to ask for forgiveness instead.

Yep, this seems appropriate for this post.

In shinier, prettier news... There is still time to enter the custom infant/toddler/children's jacket.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Stylish Jackets and a Kindle Fire

Is it just me, or is it the Longest.Week.Ever?! Post holiday weeks always seem to be the longest. Whomp whomp.

If your week is going like mine perhaps the following two, fun, announcements will put a little pep in your step.

Just in case you forgot, the stylish infant/toddler/children's jacket giveaway is still open for entries.

The winner we be announced next Monday, April 8. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see who wins, and what fabrics he/she chooses. The possibilities are (almost) endless.
Head to {this post} for all the giveaway details.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And here's a HUGE giveaway...

Coming soon!

Isabelle from Le Chateau des Fleurs recently released a new Android app called Smartphone DNA, and to promote it she is giving away a Kindle Fire HD-which she is sponsoring entirely.  The giveaway will be hosted by My So-Called Chaos, and will be posted on a ton of blogs!  There will be TONS of ways to enter so get ready for this great chance to win an awesome product! Make sure to come back on April 10th to enter! So there you have it. Happy Wednesday!!

Polka Dotted Cake

The Big Bash seems like it was so long ago. It wasn't even two weeks. How did time slip by so quickly?

In can you missed the photos from our little man's bash, we made him a polka dotted cake. It turned out exactly as I had hoped.

Before I go on too much further, I need to make it clear my mother-in-law makes beautiful cakes. She made the cake for Scott and my wedding.

Gorgeous.

I was fortunate that she agreed to help me make Marcus' birthday cake. She made the whole thing from start to finish. I simply provided an idea and she ran with it.

SO CUTE! Crazy awesome, right?!

Cut into the cake and you get this:

Love it!

As a mere spectator, this was much easier than I thought. Here's how it works...

1) Make your polka dot cake balls in advance. You can bake them a few days prior to making the whole cake. If you make them ahead of time freeze them, and let them thaw fully before baking your large cake.
If you bake the polka dots the same day as your large cake allow them to cool fully before adding them to the larger cake.
Hang in there, this will all make sense in a minute.
* I suggest using a cake ball pan that has a top on it. That way your cake balls will come out nice and round. Be sure you use plenty of cooking spray to prevent the cake from sticking to the tin.

Source

The cake pan I picked up is like the one pictured above.
*We tried to use Red Velvet cake (I really wanted red polka dots). Red Velvet was a complete FAIL. If you're looking for red polka dots I strongly suggest using your go-to white cake mix and adding red food gel coloring.
2) To make the cake balls I baked at 350 for about 12 minutes. The cake balls were just under being done, which was exactly what I was hoping.
3) Once the cake balls have cooled there may be some rough edges. Simply use a pair of kitchen scissors to clean up the edges a bit.
4) Make your go-to white cake batter.
*Again, if you made the cake balls ahead of time and froze them, be sure they're thawed out by this point. Or, if you made them day of be sure they're totally cool.
5) Pour about 1/2 the white cake batter into the bottom of your cake pan.

6) Place your cake balls in the batter.
7) Use the remaining white cake batter to cover the cake balls.

8) Bake your cake according to your go-to white cake directions.
10) If you're doing a multi-layer cake repeat steps 3-6.
11) Layer your cake.

A few tips:
We My mother-in-law used a 12" round cake pan and needed about 15 cake balls per layer.
For ease and convenience we used a boxed cake mix for the polka dots, and one box was plenty for the number of polka dots we wanted.

Your end product should come out with polka dots galore!

Such a fun, and easy way to spruce up an otherwise ordinary white cake. And, I bet your guests will enjoy the unexpected twist!

I picked up inspiration for Marcus' cake {here}. Lilly goes into great detail with her steps. If you need a full blown breakdown of the polka dot cake be sure to check out her post!

Happy Marcus Monday!

Easter was quite eventful for us.

We were fortunate to have an Easter brunch with good friends (apparently Marcus didn't appreciate the outfit I chose for him).

Church was insanely challenging. We were too loud for the cry room, so a majority of Mass was spent in the court yard.

Our neighbors invited us to join them for Easter at the beach. Couldn't say no to that. Marcus enjoyed his first Easter egg hunt, at the beach! He collected a total of four eggs, but would have been content with just two - one for each hand.

We hope you had a beautiful Easter.

Happy Marcus Monday!

My Sweet Seala

She was my first friend when I moved to a new city on my own.
She was affectionately referred to as Pan Face, Smush Face, and occasionaly Mr. Bigglesworth. Her real name was Seala.
She was the best snuggle buddy when the Midwest winters were brutal.
Most days she would greet me at the door when I came home from work.
She got along with Drake surprisingly well.
She moved half way across the country with me, and took her sweet time adjusting.
She loved up on my very pregnant belly, and it was about the sweetest thing ever.
Her favorite spot to lounge was in the rocking chair. I love that she loved that spot.
She tolerated taunted Marcus, letting him get just within reach, and then would dart off before he could grab her.
She was the reason one of Marcus' first words was "yiee yiee." In Marcus tongue that roughly translates to "kitty."
She was a little sassy-pants, and I loved that about her.

Wednesday night we made an unexpected visit to an ER vet clinic. My poor little Seala was a very sick kitty, and I had no idea.

A gamut of tests and X-rays were run and I knew there was only one humane thing to do.

That night I walked out of the vet clinic without my little girl. And, my heart still breaks.

Easter Basket Blog Hippty Hops

Last year Marcus was all of 5 weeks old when Easter rolled around. He received an Easter basket, but let's be real, kid had NO IDEA what was going on. I'm pretty sure he slept through most of the day.

This year is a different story. While Marcus will probably still not have a clue what's going on with the whole Easter basket business it will be fun to watch him tear into it.

With all that said, I'm joining Sarah at Our Journey, and Darci over at [the good life blog] for a couple Easter basket blog hops!

Here's what we've got going on this year for our little monkey.

1. The Story of Peter Rabbit, book 2. Hoppity Hop Peekaboo, book 3. Sidewalk chalk eggs 4. Plush bunny 5. Chocolate cross 6. Lighted bouncy ball 7. Easter eggs filled with Starburst jelly beans 8. Reece's Pieces "carrot" 9. Bunny sippy cup

What are the odds I selected the candy with Scott and me in mind? Pretty good.

What's in your Easter basket? Head over to Our Journey and [the good life blog] to join in the fun!

Birthday Gift and an AMAZING Giveaway!

Yesterday there was talk of posting a few recipes from the big birthday bash. That will come, all in due time.

Right now I have to show you the cutest jackets Marcus received for his birthday from my mom. I'm talking A-FREAKING-DORABLE!

Representing my Alma mater. Go Cyclones! 

Look at that little man, strutting his stuff. Someone obviously enjoys his awesome new jacket.

Put Marcus in something he doesn't like, or a team that isn't his favorite, and you get THIS:

Clearly the ISU jacket is his favorite.

I kid, I kid. (Kind of.)

All better.

Here's a closer look at the detail in these amazing jackets.

Each jacket was customized to fit Marcus' (and our) likes to the "t."

From his monogrammed first name on the front, to the last name monogrammed on the hood, to the differences in the sleeves, to the lining, each is unique and beautiful! These will certainly get LOTS of wear.

I have to brag a bit, my mom in an amazing seamstress. She made my senior prom dress, and besides my wedding dress, that prom dress is the most gorgeous thing hanging in my closet. 

I digress. Back to the topic at hand.

Take a quick peak at a few other jackets she's made in the past:

She's made so many, I had a hard time picking out just a handful to share. 

For the sake of privacy, I did blur out the full names on the jackets. But each is too flipping cute for words.

So what's all the hub bub about these jackets? Well, we want to share one of these with you! One lucky winner will get a customized infant/toddler/child jacket! 

I totally get that Spring is here, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare for next Fall/Winter!

Just follow the Rafflecopter prompts below to get your name in the drawing.

Just a few housekeeping rules before you enter:

1) You must be a US resident.

2) You must be 18 years or older to enter.

3) Please note, not all collegiate or professional teams release rights to their logos, and fabrics may not be available. 

4) The winner does not have to have first and/or last name embroidered on the jacket.

5) The winner may choose between infant, toddler, and children's sizes only.

6) The winner may be asked to provide measurements for a more accurate fitting jacket.

7) Please allow 10-14 business days for customization and shipping. 

8) Contest begins Wednesday, March 27 and ends Sunday, April 7.

9) Participants may enter multiple times every day the raffle is open.

10) The winner will be announced Monday, April 8.

11) The winner has 48 hours to claim his/her prize. 

12) If the winner does not claim his/her prize within the 48 hours the winner forfeits the prize and a second winner will  be drawn. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One Big Bash

The big day came and went. So much time was put forth planning, organizing, and it all came together so well. Marcus won't may not remember his big bash, but I sure will.

Just a heads up, this post is photo heavy, so I'll try to keep the text to a minimum. Most of the pictures pretty much speak for themselves.

THE BIRTHDAY BOY!
A huge thanks goes out to my mom for making Marcus' whole birthday outfit!

Welcome! 

The main table.

THE CAKE!
A million and one thanks and compliments to my mother-in-law who made Marcus' cake. It was everything I had hoped for.
I'll be posting a how-to on the polka dots coming up.

A little close up of the main table.
Stay tuned for a post on the Red Velvet Monkey Mix.

Close up #2.

The kids at the party were so much fun to watch as they interacted.

Smash cake... FAIL.
I suppose if 27 sets of eyes were staring me down as I attempted to eat my cake I'd be a little less than thrilled. 

Most of the damage was done by me, trying to get Marcus to take a bite and/or destroy the cake. No such luck.
Later, after everyone had parted, Marcus had a second round with his cake and seemed to throughly enjoy it then.

The "real" food.
I'll be posting on the cheesecake stuffed strawberries soon.

After an exciting birthday all my little man wanted to do was snuggle and watch his baby video. I was more than happy to oblige. 

We are so blessed to have been able to spend such an important day with so many friends and family. Somehow we managed to pack 27 people into our humble abode. To everyone who celebrated with us, thank you so much! It means the world to us that so many joined in on our little guy's special day.

And, with the blink of an eye it was over. Just like with the blink of an eye my baby had somehow turned a year old...  

Happy Marcus Monday!

Month by month of our little man in the last year.

It's so crazy how he transformed and changed right before our eyes.

Happy Monday!

12 Months Old - Happy Birthday to Our Chunky Monkey!

To my sweet baby boy,

As I type this, tears stream down my face. Today is such a bittersweet day for me. 

I remember the first sound you made when you entered this world. The sweetest sound I'd ever heard. I didn't think life could get any better. But, with each day you bring us another surprise, another smile, another giggle, another moment that I want to hang onto forever. 

This year has gone much too quickly. You've grown much too fast. I want to freeze time and keep you my baby boy forever. 

My heart aches with all this love I have for you. I've never known anything like it. I can't imagine life without you. I don't remember life before you. 

When you arrived I thought of all the things I couldn't wait to teach you. In reality, it is you who is teaching me. To see the world through your eyes is breathtaking, and wonderful, and amazing. You've shown me so much.

Marcus, you have brought us so much joy, it is indescribable. I can't begin to express all the emotions that have flooded through me over the past year. But, the one thing I want you to know, without a doubt:

You are loved more than you will ever know.

Happy 1st Birthday!

Unofficial Stats

Height: 32ish inches(95th percentile)

Weight: 26 pounds (94th percentile)

Teeth: 11 

Those feet- HAHA!

To our Chunky Monkey, we love you to the moon and back.

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today I was bursting with excitement, and bursting at the seams (literally). I was anxiously counting down the hours, minutes, seconds until we would head to the hospital to meet our chunky monkey.

A year ago today I was HUGE!

The night before delivery. WOAH BELLY!

A year ago today I thought I knew how much our lives would change. I had no idea... 

Cruisin'

Someone went on his first bike ride...

 Don't let that grumpy face fool you. He was dealing with croup and we didn't know it at this point. According to Scott, Marcus didn't make a peep the whole bike ride.

See ya' later!