A Mini Family Getaway

7.28.2012



















































































































































































































Each year Jedidiah and I love to celebrate our anniversary in Estes Park. And each year our girls beg to go too. If you haven't noticed, we're a bunch of outdoor nuts! So last week we decided to surprise the girls with a small trip to Estes Park. We must have come at the right time cause while there we got to enjoy a festival with free face painting! Our first day we enjoyed strolling through the shops and getting lots of souvenirs including homemade sweets, pretties, and of course a new hat for Spots! Also while there we showed Chloie the famous Stanley Hotel. Ever heard of it? From Stephen King's, The Shinning. Oooo creepy! Then the rest of the time we enjoyed exploring through the Rocky Mountain National Park. We even got to see a family of moose! If you haven't been to Estes Park, I completely recommend taking a visit. It's a little piece of Heaven! 

Hope you are having a wonderful summer!

Photos by: Heather & Jedidiah Gwinn

Take Care & Enjoy,


Wednesday Wears: Fabulous In Florals

7.25.2012


Dress: ModCloth Belt: ModCloth Shoes: ModCloth Earrings: Babblings And More

      My husband surprised me with this lovely dress after leaving up the link on my computer. Isn't he such a sweetie! I recently wore it for the first time on a small vacation we took to Estes Park. I'll share more about that in my next post. This is a perfect dress for walking around and doing window shopping in (at least that's what we did). It is completely comfortable and I wasn't attacked too much by the heat wearing it, which is a good thing! If there is one thing I hate, it's being too hot and sweaty in my clothing. Ick! I got a lot of complements on my dress and a lot of inquiries as to where I got it. I wore this with a pair of shoes by Shellys London. I just love these shoes! I could walk all day in them! Also not shown very well is a lovely pair of red rose earrings I'm wearing. I own nearly every color under the sun in these simple classy studs. Although you can find them anywhere I get mine from this wonderful shop on Etsy called Babblings And More. I know the seller through a business group we are in. Check her out and support handmade!

Enjoy the rest of your week!

Photos by: Jedidiah & Heather Gwinn

Take Care,
 


Homemade Jello Pinwheel Snacks

7.09.2012

These are almost too pretty to eat! But that didn't stop my kiddos!

The girls said this reminded them of sushi rolls on this serving dish! LOL!


During the summer I love to try new recipes and crafts to keep the kids (and me) busy. Recently we make our own homemade Jello pinwheel snacks, with great success might I add. I cannot take credit for this creative recipe, I am only sharing our fun adventure making it along with some extra photos and explanations I think the other sites lacked.


Nearly all the ingredients and items you need to do this. Not shown, wax or parchment paper and little helpers!
Helper #1 Pouring Jello Packet into bowl

Helper #2 Pouring the water

This is what your marshmallows should look like. Puffed but NOT completely melted.
What your jello/marshmallow mix will look like all whisked together.
After being peeled out of the pan and placed on parchment paper.
Helper #3 rolling jello pinwheel

Helper #3 Cutting jello pinwheel
Helper #2-3 Happily eating their creation

Helper #1
We hope you enjoy!



Ingredients:

1 - (3 oz.) box of Jello
1/2 c. - Water
1 3/4 c. - Mini Marshmallows

Directions:

 1. Ahead of time clear some space in your frig to allow your jello to lay completely flat.

2. Lightly spray a 8 or 9 inch square dish, pan, or even small cookie sheet. Be sure to spray the entire pan well! Then set aside.

3. In a microwavable bowl add water and jello packet. Whisk well and microwave for about 1 min. Remove and mix again to make sure your jello is completely dissolved. If you see that it isn't completely dissolved, microwave again for about 20 sec. Then remove and whisk again.

4. Add marshmallows to jello mix and return to microwave for 25-45 seconds or until marshmallows begin to puff up but are NOT melted! 

*Note this is very important! If you melt your marshmallows too much it won't give you that fun two layer affect.

Whisk marshmallow/ jello mix well till completely dissolved and well blended together.

5. Quickly pour your jello mix into your prepared pan. Make sure it has nicely spread evenly across your pan or dish.

6. Refrigerate for about 45min.

7. Remove jello from frig. By now your jello should be firm and easy to remove. Carefully run your finger or a spatula along the edge of your pan to loosen up your jello. Then slowly peel it out.

8. On a sheet of wax or parchment paper carefully lay out your jello. As long as your pan wasn't too small your jello should be pretty flexible and easy to move around. Smaller pans will create a thicker and a bit harder to remove jello (but not impossible).

9. With the marshmallow side up, begin to tightly roll up your jello.

10. Using a piece of floss, string, or even a wire cheese cutter slice your roll and enjoy immediately or refrigerate till ready to eat!

NOTES/TIPS:

This is insanely easy and quick to make (aside from chilling time). Our first try we did a 3 oz jello packet in a 9 using a baking dish. The second batch we used a 6 oz jello packed and doubled the rest of the recipe placing it on a larger cookie sheet. Between the two I found the baking dish easier to use and remove the jello from. Plus the larger recipe was harder to remove cause if it's heavier weight without tearing.

I'm wondering if I could try this with sprite instead of water next time. Hummm. Wonder if that is possible?

This whole recipe took only about 10-15 minutes with little helpers. Alone this could take 5-10min (minus the 45min chill time). 

Keep refrigerated!

P.S. We usually do our crafts at night after baths during the summer which is why my girls are generally in their jammies and photos aren't as bright.

Photos by: Heather Gwinn

Take Care & Enjoy,








Photo Friday: Fun Without Fireworks

7.06.2012

This year we didn't get to enjoy fireworks due to the fire bans. But even without fireworks for the forth of July we still had an amazing day! With the weather being so hot, even here in the Springs, we were pleasantly surprised with how much cooler it was just an hour north in Cripple Creek. There we enjoyed a small festival, face painting and exploring the old mining sites. A huge favorite of ours anytime of the year!

Wondering what I'm laughing about? Every time my hubby takes photos of me he thinks it's funny to take non stop photographs of me after I say done until I chase after him with the camera! So it ends up with a lot of cheezy photos of me laughing and chasing him. LOL! ♥

Photos by: Heather & Jedidiah Gwinn

Have a wonderful weekend!

Take Care & Enjoy,



Wednesday Wears: Color Me Green!

7.04.2012

During the summer I find I have even more time to myself at night since my kiddos aren't in school. Lately I've been wanting to find some new and different things to add to my blog. Among my many interests fashion is definitely one of them! Girly, vintage, and chic! So if  you're looking for some fashion ideas follow my blog and keep checking back for new outfit ideas!

This is my newest dress! I've been eager to play up my red hair with a green dress to compliment it.

Photo taken in front of The Poppy Seed in Manitou Springs. Love this area. Plus it wasn't smoky from the Waldo fires today! Yea!

Dress by: ModCloth. Belt: Forever 21. Shoes: Rue 21. Wooden Earrings: Vintage.



Photos by my lovely hubby: Jedidiah


Take Care & Enjoy,










































































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