Healthy Snack - Graham Cracker Rafts

Happy Friday!

I don't know about y'all, but Friday puts me in the mood for a yummy treat.

My son was in charge of snack for his class this week, so we had fun coming up with healthy and fun things to prepare.

These graham cracker rafts combine graham crackers, strawberry cream cheese, and sliced bananas and strawberries.  They're super easy to assemble, and delish!

*** Note: These are NOT a good make-ahead snack as they will get soggy and soft...yuck!

You'll need a box of graham crackers, a tub of strawberry cream cheese, bananas, and strawberries.

Spread some cream cheese in a thin layer on a whole graham cracker rectangle.  (I'm not a huge fan of loads of cream cheese, so layers for one I would eat would be even thinner than this...it's a texture thing.  Anyone else?)

Dice up some washed strawberries and cut your bananas into slices.

Place your bananas down the center of the cracker.  Top with a bit of cream cheese to be the "glue" for the strawberry.

Top with strawberries and repeat and eat!

These would also be fabulous with blueberries instead of strawberries.  However, the one food my Little Man won't eat is blueberries.  Weird.

These could also be made on mini rice cakes.  Maybe then you could make them ahead??

And there he is now!  Stealing strawberries!  The little monkey... :)

Hope you are your friends liked them Little J!

Anyone have any easy and healthy snacks you love?  I'm always on the hunt for something new to add to our routine.

Have a fabulous, Fall weekend everyone!  

Come back next week for some pumpkin scones, a painted pumpkin project, and more!

A Monogrammed Wall

I've been eyeing these picture frames from Target for a few months now.  I liked the goldy/silvery look to them.  

"Wouldn't we be perfect over your master bed?", that's what they said to me before I put them in the cart.

  When it has a red sticker, you can't mess around people.

I bought 3.  No, they didn't come with the pretty paper inside.  I just forgot to take a before, before picture. I get so excited about my projects!  You understand.

My original thought was to re-frame some photos I already have, but then I had an aha moment.  What if I created a huge monogram for our wall?  Um, yes.  I think so.  

Because everything is better with a monogram.

I took out the pics that come with the frames and inserted sheets of scrapbook paper I had trimmed to fit.

Then, I enlisted the help of my handy-dandy computer by enlarging the initials of my first name, Mister's first name, and our last name.

  

I wanted a very traditional look so I went with Times New Roman.

Next, I printed and cut out each letter.

I traced the cut-out computer paper letter onto the back of the cardstock paper I wanted to frame.  In the case of the "S" and the "J", I had to trace them backwards so they would be correct when I cut them out.  Play with it, you'll see what I mean.


Then, attached scrapbook paper stickers to the backs.  I don't know if you can tell, but I used a really cool polka dot black-on-black cardstock for the letters.

Then, I simply stuck them on top of the scrapbook paper I had already framed, removed the Target clearance sticker (although it is a thing of beauty), and hung.

No joke, this project took me 20 minutes.  Don't you just love a project like that?!?

Voila!  I have to say I am pretty darn happy with the result.  Our bed is one of the first things you see when you walk up the stairs and this definitely makes a statement.  But, hopefully a classy, sophisticated, chic one.

I don't know, but I think the monogram is making the paint look less purple/gray...

Maybe I won't have to repaint!

I just can't get enough!

I'll show you the rest of the master someday...when I decide how I want to finish it up.

Actually, I know exactly how I want to finish it up.  I'm just waiting for the green light to make the purchases I've plotted out.  A BIG trip to Ikea is in my future (near future???).

                                               And one more because I love it so much.

Go make a monogrammed wall friends!  You'll be so happy you did! 

( Ha!  I finally found a way to label the walls! )

Frames: Target

Scrapbook Paper: Michaels

Bedding: Blue - Target; Paisley - Pottery Barn

Jute Pillow: HomeGoods

Lamps: Had made out of vases from Target

Home Tour - Little Man's Room

All Aboard!  Next stop on the home tour...Little Man's train room!

Get ready for picture overload!!

I painted this letter for his door and trimmed it in ribbon.  I had an extra frame lying around so I ditched the back and the glass and mounted it to the door with command strips.

When you enter the room, there's a little reading area.

This chair was a family member's when she was little.  

We color matched the paint for this bookcase with the cubbies on the other side of the room.  The paint is from Sherwin Williams, but I can't think of the name of the color right now...

We have A LOT of books.  I guess that's what happens when your mom used to be a teacher!

This dresser is an antique that I absolutely love.  It adds so much warmth and character.  I'm a firm believer that every room in a house should have some antique element to it, even if it's just a side table.

It holds all of his clothes beautifully.  I'll show you how I organize his drawers in another post.  That sounded bad.  You know what I mean...

This burp cloth was the first monogrammed gift after Little J was born.  I love it so much I couldn't use it!  The burp cloth was a gift from my husband's aunt and the NYC was a gift from Little J's aunt, who lives in NYC.  We've got family all over this room!

My little guy loves to listen to music when he's going to bed.  It's not pretty, but it's real life folks.  The cubbies hold extra puzzles, blocks, etc.  Great for "room time" since someone decided to give up his nap...Hmmpf.

You're probably wondering at this point "what the heck kind of name is that?!?"  Don't worry, you're not alone.  It's a family name.  It's also a Bible name.  We pronounce it "Jayfit".  Or Japh, JJ, J-Buddy, etc.  

You'll get used to it!  And, yes, he knows how to spell it already!  Yay! Now we can focus on the last name.  Now, that's a doozy.

I painted the train sign art.  I was an art major in college (along with my education degree) so every once in a while the painting bug bites me.

Little J went through a phase where he liked to knock the paintings down when he first transitioned to a big boy bed.  If you look closely, you'll see a few scuff marks. Character, right?

My Mom and I stenciled the trains around 2 walls of the room.  It was a really fun project.  I created the stencil by hand and drew it on the wall.  Mom painted them in.  Yay teamwork!

Just found this awesome caddy at HomeGoods a few weeks ago!  The perfect shade of blue!  It's just the right place to store our library books.

Now, friends.  This is my absolute favorite part of Japh's room.  The rug.  Yes, that is a Pottery Barn Kids rug, but no, I did NOT pay $600 for it.

I found it on Craig's list, in mint condition, for...wait for it...$150.  But, I talked her down to $100.
Score. Of. A. Lifetime.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you like the space our little guy calls his own.  Kids' rooms are some of the most fun to design because the sky's the limit!

Cubbies: Target

Bedding: Pottery Barn Kids

Wall Letters: Babies 'R Us

Chair: Home Reserve

Chair Pillow: Pottery Barn Kids

Lamps: Target

Picture Frame: Hobby Lobby

Art: DIY

Door Letter: Michaels/DIY

Dresser & Rocking Chair: Vintage

Mirror: Target