Chicken Nachos

This recipe is perfect for a busy evening where you need a fast dinner! It's also great if your tortilla chips are starting to get stale and you need to use them, or it's perfect for a family night of snacks while you're watching a movie!

I've made this a few times for my family and we all love it every time! Especially, G, because it has 'chips'.
You'll want to start by browning chicken strips. I used a chicken breast and just cut it into strips. Season with fajita seasoning.
While the chicken is cooking, spray a cookie sheet with no-stick cooking spray. Layer the cookie sheet with tortilla chips, a can of corn (drained), and chopped bell peppers. You can also add a can of drained beans, or refried beans.
Add your cooked chicken.
Layer with tons of shredded cheese.
Bake at 350 until cheese is melted. Top with salsa, sour cream, guacamole, or your other favorite toppings and enjoy!

HPA: A Few New Products

Being off over the last few weeks has allowed me some time to create new products and custom orders. I've enjoyed the time spent sewing and crafting, and I wish that i'll have more of it! Sadly, I'll be going back to work in the next two weeks, but I won't be going back full time (You can't see me, but i'm doing a happy dance right now!)MC will be wearing the above TU shirt for football games, and as soon as I can find a shirt for G in the right size, she'll have a matching one! To be honest, it's not my favorite. The blue isn't exactly right, and the stitching didn't come out as I had planned, but it'll work.
Miss S. will be showing off this anchor appliqué at her first birthday party in October and she has a bow to match! I can't wait to see birthday pictures!
I've been working on this bib for a few months now! Ha- it's about time I finally get it done! The wipe case was for an auction winner who requested the material, and I took the liberty to add in the fabric rosette to give it an extra pop of color! (I hope she doesn't mind!) But, I took the photo of them together, because something like these would make a fabulous baby gift!
This caterpillar clip pie was also created for Miss S. Her mom requested primary colors, and let's face it- it'll match so many outfits!
This turquoise ribbon wrapped headband is ready to ship! The hair bow also comes with it, and will easily clip onto the headband, or you can wear them separate for different looks. G is really starting to love headbands, and I don't have to stress over getting her to sit still for me to brush and stye her hair while we're running late for preschool (practically, every morning!)

To check out these items and more, please visit my Facebook page!

MC is 3 months!

MC turned 3 months old last week! I feel extremely blessed to have her in our family and that I've had the privilege to watch her grow and be home with her, especially over the last few weeks, while G has been at preschool.MC finally started to sleep through the night about two weeks ago. She'll go a few nights without waking, and then might have one or two nights of getting up around 4 am. She wakes up for the day around 7 am, but sometimes, she'll sleep until 8 or 8:30, if she had a 4-5 am feeding. I can tell that she's not going to like getting up in the mornings! She's okay when I pick her up, but as soon as I lay her down to change her diaper, she starts to whimper and cry. It's very pathetic!
On a typical day that she is up around 7, she's back to sleep around 8:30. She eats around every 3 hours. Sometimes 30 minutes earlier or 30 minutes later. And she naps fairly consistently around 11, and then again around 2. It feels so good to have her own a schedule, so we all know what to expect during the day!
She's sleeping in her crib at night and for at least two naps during the day.

Her favorite toys are her swing, musical seahorse, and she's enjoying the bouncy seat more- so long as she can see the lights from the t.v.
G has decided that MC's nickname should be "Meggie", and we'll catch her calling her by that name several times a day! I'm interested to see if G decides to keep it around.

MC isn't rolling over, but she is able to tolerate tummy time for 7-10 minutes at a time and I do let her sleep on her tummy during the day. At night though, she's swaddled and on her back!

She has a fun personality and loves to smile when you're talking to her. She also makes a 'k' sound and we'll make the sound to each other back and forth, and she thinks it's pretty funny! We've also started playing peek-a-boo and she enjoys that game as well!

I'm just so thankful for how we're all finally adjusting and getting into a great routine and that God has blessed us with MC!

Phew, What a Week!

Last week was busy, well, that may even be an understatement, see how tuckered out MC is! She's been so tired, that she started sleeping through the night last weekend! And, it's continued almost every single night this past week. Thank goodness, because this mama needs her beauty rest!

G went to preschool 4 days this week. She loves going. People don't believe me, but she literally cries when I pick her up. I'm lucky if I get a hug and a kiss goodbye from her in the mornings, and I have to somewhat battle a three year old that does not want to leave school!

I've also realized that my dream of her looking like a fabulous three year old diva has gone out the window. She comes home an absolute mess every day! On Thursday, she had woodchips and dirt all over her face from the playground. Thank goodness for spray and wash and bath time!

G also had her second week of dance class last week. I have to confess, that I was unable to sneak a peek at her through those tiny little windows. One, because I don't want to be, 'that parent'. But, also because it was hot and I was just trying to keep MC happy.

On the bright side, there is a little girl in her class that also goes to her preschool, and her mom and I have chatted both weeks. They also don't live far from us, so i'm hoping that I may have met my first friend here in Oklahoma! (That sounds completly depressing.)

(You can see that I have way more pictures of MC this week, since I've been home with her, and not G.)

On Monday, I scoured the phone book for every speech therapy place listed begging them for a job! I had had an interview with the school district the week before, but I just felt that I needed to turn down the position, and did that Monday afternoon. After feeling like I shot myself in the foot, because it didn't appear that anyone in the phone book was hiring, and none of the staffing agencies had called me back, I went to the football office to email my resume' to two places who said they'd keep it on file.

Thankfully, one company I called, knew of another company that was hiring and gave me their number. By Tuesday, I had scheduled two interviews for Wednesday!

On Wednesday, I took G to preschool, dropped off a deposit at MC's daycare, and then headed to the football office, so DJ could watch MC while I went on my first interview. It went well, and I hope to work with this company starting two afternoons a week and building up as needed.

After my morning interview, DJ and I, along with MC, headed to Abolini's for pizza- um, it was the most spectacular pizza ever! Maybe, because we're finally getting out of our box of just pepporoni and sausage!

After pizza, I headed off to my afternoon interview, and I was blessed that MC could tag along! With this company, I'll be doing contract work and seeing 2-5 year olds at local headstarts, and a few kiddos in their home. Which, is an amazing opportunity! It gives me the flexibility to be home and off when I need to, and to go into work as I please. Friday's will be my flex day, where I can stay home with one or both girls, or I can go in for a few hours and make up any kiddos that I missed during the week.

I should start at least one of these positions right after labor day weekend!

I somehow convinced G to stay home from preschool on Friday. With a promised trip to the library, it wasn't too difficult! Although, she did miss water day at preschool, we decided we could have our own water day at home (although, SSSHHH! we haven't done that yet, and it's now Sunday!)

But, we headed off to the library to pick up some books and a DVD, and then to a local boutique to pick up a football onesie for MC- you'll have to wait and see what i'm going to do with it!

MC was in a good mood on Friday, so I put on her flower-butt onesie and took the opportunity to snap some photo's, because I also wanted a new photo for Honey Pie Accessories facebook page.

Friday afternoon, I kept G busy with stickers. I did give her some paper, but she decided that her face (and legs) were a better spot for them!

I really hope this upcoming week isn't as busy, but I'm afraid it will be. So, i'm going to take today easy, and be a pretty worthless bum!

Recipe: Fried Apple Pies

I love my grandmother's fried pies! When we were visiting her a few weeks ago, I insisted that she taught me how to make them. So, here's her recipe- you must try them for yourself!

First you'll need to stir together 1 can of canned apples, brown sugar, butter, and about a tablespoon of flour in a sauce pan. Cook everyting together to make it thick and then refrigerate for 24 hours. (I apologize for the lack of measurements, my grandmother doesn't really measure anything!)

Next, you'll mix together 4c of flour, 1 tsp. salt, and 1 to 1 1/4 c. of crisco with a pastry mixer. Once mixed, add in 1-2 cups of very cold water. My grandmother actually added ice to a cup of water, and then strained just the water out. Continue to mix in with your pastry mixer. Once it's mixed, you'll knead the dough, and then pinch into balls. Roll out each ball, place in a heaping spoonful of the apple mixture fold over and pinch together. Fry each pie in crisco oil until golden brown on each side. If you have some pies where the apple mixture is leaking out, fry those last or your oil will burn.

For the icing, mix powder sugar, vanilla, and hot water.

Lay cooked pies onto an old towel, and spoon the icing over each one.

Seriously, these are amazing! I hope you'll try it out for yourself.

Sibling Shirts

My friend Lydgia, is welcoming a little boy in October, and I was thrilled when she asked if I would create Big Sister and Lil Brother shirts for her kids.

Her daughter, L, is 1 day older than G, and it was perfect timing when last summer and early fall that we were both trying to get pregnant again. I was heartbroken for her family when Lydgia had to have a D&C, especially when I found out I was pregnant with MC a few weeks later. It was because of their story that we waited a few weeks before telling the world about MC. Their loss reminded us of the reality of how precious life truely is.

But, I'm super excited that she will be welcoming baby P in just a few weeks, and that they'll L will have an amazing little brother!

Lydgia gave me full creative abilities with her sibling shirts, so I chose a turquoise and green polk a dot fabric. I decided that I would stitch L's big sister shirt in pink, since she would also have a pink big sister hair bow, and that P's shirt would be stitched in the green.

I'm shipping these shirts out to my mom to monogram "Sister" and "Brother" underneath the applique's and Lydgia and I are in the process of deciding if they should be monogrammed in different colors or both in turquoise? Regardless, I can't wait to see baby P welcomed into such an amazing family that is full of fun and tons of love!

Infant Gift Sets

HPA can offer you amazing gift sets for your own infant or they'd make a fabulous baby shower gift!

Pair a fabric paci clip with a matching burpie.

Or pair a bib with a wipe case!

To place an order, please visit our facebook page.

Picnic and TU Fountains

TU had a scrimage game this morning, so I packed up the girls and we went. We had a fabulous time getting to know the coaches wives and kids!

And afterwards, we were able to have a picnic with DJ and let G play in the TU fountains. Lunch consisted of pb&j, grapes, and chips, but since it was TUs move-in weekend, there were ice-cream trucks driving through campus offering free ice cream, so we all had a treat!

MC spent the picnic chillin' on the towel.

It was so nice to spend some time with DJ this afternoon! He's been going in to work around 5:30 am and not getting home until 8:30. We miss him! G had a fabulous time running through the fountains, playing with her bucket in the water, and walking along the outside tiny wall, practicing her "balance beam" act.

I even took MC over to the puddles and let her stick her feet in the water; she loved it!

G's 1st Week of Preschool

G started preschool this week. She has done such a fabulous job adjusting to her new school, friends, and teacher. I've dropped her off every day this week, and on a few days, she would run straight in and not even tell me goodbye or give me a hug! On the other hand, she has cried when I've picked her up this week~ she's having so much fun that she doesn't want to leave!





Her teacher sends wonderful notes home every day that lets me know what the classroom did, and even writes an extra note on the back letting me know more specifically how G did.

Here are some hi-lights from her teacher notes:

~ Aug 15~ Her classroom practiced walking with duck tails and bubbles! Ms. B. (her teacher) said that G was excited to try all the new toys in the classroom and that she was helpful with cleaning up! She found her name with no problem and answered a lot of her questions during circle time.

~ Aug 16~ Ms. B read "The Kissing Hand" and they made racoon puppets. G earned a kidness coin for following directions!

~Aug 17~ G's classroom had chapel for the first time! Ms. B said that G sat very nicely in chapel, but that she did move seats a few times! And, she earned another kidness coin. ~Aug 18~ G's class had music today and they used rhythm sticks. Ms. B said that G was doing amazing with name recognition, counting, and recognizing numbers. She didn't eat a lot at lunch because they had taco salad! Her classroom painted pictures of the Earth, and Ms. B said that G had a little problem when painting; after her paper was done, she started painting her arm! So, they had to talk about where paint belonged!

~Aug 19~ Today was water day at school, so G took her swimsuit and played with water tables and sprinklers outside! She also earned another kindness coined and played with play-doh.

I'm so proud of G and how she's developing already this first week! I can't wait to see what this year has in store for her!

Meet the Players

A few weeks ago we were able to take the girls to the football office, so the players could be introduced to the staff's families. Of course, I had to take a few photos and make their football hair bows! Although, I did not have time to complete their football outfits for the season! But, MC was all smiles before we left the house!

And G finally cooperated for a picture! I went ahead and made G a pigtail set of bows rather than one large over the top bow, but i'm thinking I might make each of them another because I have enough ribbon left over!

That evening, we explored daddy's office for a while, chatted with the secretaries, and then went upstairs to meet the team pastor and have a little devosional. I'm thrilled that we're working for a staff that is so excited about Christ and realizes the need to include God in many aspects of their program! I know that DJ has commented a few times about them opening their staff meetings with devosionals, which I think is amazing!

Afterwards, we went to the school cafeteria to eat with each other and the players. I can tell you that TUs food is way better than what I endured for 5 years at ASU!

We were introduced to all of the players right after dinner, and that was it!

Thankfully the girls behaved and I hope we made a good first impression.

Vacation from Football!

Every August, fall practice starts, and DJ is never home. To avoid it just being me and the girls, we make an annual trip to my mom's house.

Here are a few hi-lights from our vacation!Our first day I got to babysit my neice A, along with keeping MC. Now, I thought, my mom and G were just going to the grocery store- turns out they also went out to eat with grandpa and to the bank!

When Gee and G got home, they were all smiles from their sneaky little trip!

A few days later the girls and I went to my grandma's house. My cousins son came up to play with Gretchen, and after they played outside for a while, they came in to enjoy some jello with fruit!

MC spent her time at grandma's practicing holding her head up high!

These girls love their great-grandma! And, I must say that she's pretty special too, even though we have disagreements (hehe).

And, on that note, i'll have to tell you that later that week my grandmother brought down her great-grandsons, and my aunt, brought over her grandchildren for us to all go swimming together. We also ate lunch. While I was inside getting MC settled, my grandmother was outside pouring all of the kids Mountain Dew! Now, I don't know about you, but, I don't let my three year have any sort of soda. Needless to say, she was not happy when I took it away and gave her orange juice instead, and my grandmother and I had a disagreement of sorts! Thankfully, it ended somewhat peacefully!

On Saturday we went shopping (again) and went to eat at McCallister's.

I think we literally shopped until we dropped, and G got to spend some cuddle time with MC while G watched a movie in Gee's bedroom.

Your Little Honey's: Cowgirl J!

J's mom sent me these photos of her wearing a cowgirl hat applique' shirt with a detachable bow and a matching cowgirl hair bow! I love these photos! I'm thinking Miss J could have a modeling career in the future!

Thank you so much for sharing these!

Gee's Girls

The girls and I spent some time at my mom's house while DJ has started football practice. We tend to make this an annual trip seeing as to how he isn't really home, and it gives us a great chance to catch up with my mom and family.


This past weekend we took all of Gee's girls (both of my girls, and my neice) to get their pictures made.
Gee made them each a coordinating pillowcase dress and I made matching hair bows for each of them. I was thrilled that the two babies cooperated and we were able to get at least 1 picture of them both looking at the camera.

We took individual photos as well, and while I won't share the ones of my neice in respect for their privacy, I will share these of G. MC wouldn't cooperate, so I have zilch of her!

I love how G popped her foot in the photo above.

And while I was trying to calm MC down, G begged to have her picture made in the fireman boots and hat!

Just had to share....

I just had to share this photo I took of MC this week. I needed a new photo for my facebook page, so I decided to dress her up in a ribbon onesie that I made her with a matching pair of leg warmers and hair bow.

How stinkin' cute is she!