Dear 3 Boys

I've always wanted to try to make one of these no-bake pies I have come across on Pinterest.  And this weekend, I decided to give this dessert a try.  I know these pies are usually popular in Summer, but my oven is used so much more often in the Fall and Winter, especially around the holiday season - so I feel like these no-bake pies can really come in handy now, too.  This dessert is best made the night before and can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.   This recipe is my own version of a no-bake peanut butter pie because I've seen so many recipes for this, but I decided to add in Nutella because we all know how well chocolate goes with peanut butter!  I'm not the biggest fan of peanut butter to begin with, but the chocolate and peanut butter combination just tastes amazing.  I am already thinking of trying this again though just with Nutella for my chocolate-loving husband.  I tried to save time by buying a ready-made pie crust (graham cracker,...

September was a difficult month for me, and definitely kept me away from blogging, or even showering to be quite honest.   My husband was away visiting family overseas in Montenegro, and I still remember telling my mom how I knew I could handle twins plus one on my own "because nothing could be worse than when the twins had Hand, Foot, Mouth disease this summer, so if I could survive that, then I can handle anything."  Well, little did I know, that something was brewing and the virus would be back for a second time for my twins, just a few days after daddy went away - it was precisely one month since they last had Coxsackie virus (commonly known as Hand, Foot, Mouth disease).  When my twins experienced Coxsackie in August of this past summer, I blamed it on our family trip to Lake George, but this time I was just speechless. It all started with my sweet Matthew being inconsolable one night and a trip to the Emergency Room to figure out why I couldn't control his feve...

We found a new way to make pancakes this week in the Dedaj home, and I must say, it has really been a hit with my twin toddlers.  You can use any kind of yogurt you have on hand for this recipe - we always use Whole Milk Plain Yogurt by Farmland Fresh Dairies .  There is something special about making homemade pancakes, and the yogurt in these pancakes truly makes these the softest and fluffiest kind with a bit of tangy flavor we love! This recipe is quick and easy for all my fellow busy mamas out there, and is a great way to sneak in some extra nutrition into a food the kids already love.  You can have pancakes ANY time of day, and they are easy to store flat in the freezer and warmed up for 40-60 seconds in the microwave when you're ready to eat them.  This recipe makes for about 12 pancakes, and you can easily substitute different kinds of yogurt, like vanilla, strawberry, etc for a sweeter flavor.                ...

Anyone who actually knows me, knows how much I love wearing foundation and curling my naturally straight hair! Using makeup has been like a hobby of mine - it's the only form of art I can say I feel confident using  (sadly, I never inherited my mom's drawing skills).  Since a very young age, I remember watching my own mother apply her makeup as she got ready to head out to work, with true awe.  Using makeup can just be fun and feel like a confidence booster, but when you're a mom of 3, there's not much time in the day for anything you-related.  Things like hair and makeup can easily take the back burner on my to-do list.  I spend most of my days at home with my boys, but I still choose to put on some makeup and and do my hair most days because that's just what I enjoy and makes me feel ready to go out and start my own day.  In the past year and a half, that's gotten harder to accomplish as my sons grow and demand so much of my attention - but I have a ...

David insisted on making cupcakes for Mommy's 30th Birthday My son is always excited and asking to help me cook in the kitchen, and I nearly always say "yes" as I'm constantly looking for opportunities to give him individual attention with younger twin siblings.  Something like homemade vanilla frosting is a very kid-friendly recipe that takes about 5 mins and always allows my son to take the lead in the "cooking."  There’s just something fun and special about making your own homemade frosting!  The ingredients are all commonly found in a typical kitchen, and as a mother, it’s a true delight watching my son’s face light up as he sees the ingredients transforming into something brand new.  Making our own frosting was kind of like conducting our own science experiment in the kitchen – very messy, but quick and delicious!  This took us just under a total of 5 minutes to make, and we only had to use 4 simple ingredients.  The frosting can be mad...

I’m really excited to have found yet another way to use buttermilk in something I know my family already loves to eat with practically anything:   potatoes!   Buttermilk adds such a natural creaminess to these mashed potatoes, and is lower in fat than milk or cream.   I love making mashed potatoes with Yukon Gold potatoes, but really, any kind will do.    Very thankful for my partnership with Farmland Fresh Dairies , which has allowed me to share some of my family’s favorite recipes with you all! Ingredients: ·       1.5 pounds (4 medium) potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks   ½ cup Farmland Fresh Dairies’ buttermilk ·       Salt & Pepper ·       2 tablespoons butter, cut into small chunks Directions: 1.   Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add enough cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Bring to a boil; add 1 tablespoon salt, and cook until potato...