Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas week friends! The calm before the storm? Not in my case, my kids are crazy excited for Christmas this year. I am loving the kids ages right now. Hayden is 8, so I know I don't have many more Christmas' with him believing in Santa, and Maddox is 4, so she is in prime Santa phase and I LOVE it!

Now on to my favorite thing, COOKIES! It is so hard to find a sugar cookie recipe that is easy (no chilling), and cuts/cooks perfect (every time), and most importantly is soft! I don't waste my time eating hard cookies, no thank you! Without further ado, the best sugar cookie recipe!


The BEST Sugar Cookie Recipe EVER ;)

• 1 C. Unsalted Butter
• 1 C. Granulated White Sugar
• 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 tsp. Almond Extract
• 1 Egg
• 2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 3 C. All Purpose Flour

1. Preheat oven to 350* F.
2. Cream butter and sugar until smooth.
3. Beat in extracts and egg.
4. In separate bowl combine baking powder and salt with flour, add a little at a time to the wet ingredients.
5. Divide into workable batches. Roll out onto a floured surface (the thicker the better, at least 1/4") and cut.
6. Bake at 350 for 6-8 minutes.

TIPS:
You can omit the almond extract, but it really does add a nice flavor.
I used a hand held mixer and towards the end of adding the flour I did have to turn it off and hand mix a little bit. it does get stiff and hard but that's fine!
Baking them for 7 minutes was really the sweet spot for me, even if they don't look done I promise they are and will be super soft and delicious.
Seriously the thicker the better, at a very minimum a 1/4"!
We used Wilton cookie icing and sprinkles, it was so easy for the kids to use and its super yummy!

There you have it, easy and delicious! Please let me know if you try it and your thoughts! A very Merry Christmas to you and yours!

xoxo Jenn

i'm back!

I'm baaackkk, and here to give a PSA. I found this company through Instagram, crazy right? I. Am. In. Love. They are releasing new items tomorrow at 12pst, and there is this sweater dress that has my name on it! I love small companies with amazing products and Jax & Lennon has it all. I have bought this shirt for myself. The fabric is a bamboo blend which makes it extremely soft, and stains come out easily. Plus this color is called "Succulent" so it was basically made for me!

 

 

The hi-low of this shirt is perfect, and it is flowy in all the right places. Did I mention the have a kid line (mainly what the sell.) Maddox currently has a couple dresses, romper, hoodie, and bloomies that she wears constantly. We also bought her another romper & leggings {in succulent of course, we need to match}, and shorts for Christmas. 

 

 

 

So if you need the softest and cutest clothes for you and your babies look no further. Instagram: jaxandlennonco Facebook: Jax and Lennon Co.

 

 

xoxo jenn

 

 

 

PS: All opinons are my own. I was not paid for this post, just love this company!

 

 

 

amazing grace

I have been trying to find the words to write this post. So while it might not be too eloquent, it is something I need to write, to process. My Grandpa died last month, and the emotions have been difficult.

I am mad. Mad at the cancer. Mad that we didn't get more time, that my kids don't get more time with him. I am beyond sad. That while I live on this earth I will never get to hear his voice or hug him. But I am happy. He is no longer in pain. He suffered longer that anyone should, and I know he did that for his family. I am happy that he is finally reunited with his wife, my beloved Grandma. This last month has been harder than I could have ever imagined. I find myself breaking down over little things. I cried at Hayden's baseball game. My Grandpa always came to his baseball and soccer games. I cried getting a sno-cone, I tear up at the sight of waffles.

But I truly want to thank all who have called and checked on us. It has meant more than you will ever know. And I know he is in a better place. At his funeral there were 2 songs that were sang, Amazing Grace and I Can Only Imagine. I listen to KLove in my car, however i'm not in my car often. A little over a week after he passed I Can Only Imagine came on. I have been listening to KLove exclusively for 8 months and I have never heard it. Then the next week Amazing Grace came on. Again I have never heard it on that station as long as I've listend, and then the week after that Amazing Grace came on again. I know those songs were his little reminders to me that is fine, better than fine.

I love you Grandpa, more than you will ever know, and I pray I see you again someday.

smoothie

Who else loves smoothies?! I love them but it is SO hard to find somewhere that makes them healthy, you know with real fruit. So I made this super yummy, easy, packed with protein smoothie. No protein powders, just good wholesome ingredients. So here we go! I always make it with strawberries but I am sure you can add just about any fruit you like.

 

Seriously you just throw it all in a blender, and blend to your desired consistency. I use frozen fruit so I don't have to put ice in. The best part of this smoothie is it is so filling. I just drink it in place of breakfast or lunch. Plus don't pretty cups make everything better?! 

 



 

 

Now I am no health food expert. But I did do a little research into the protein of this smoothie. 

 

2 c. Organic Baby Spinach - 10 grams Protein

1/2 c. Bob's Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Oats - 7 grams Protein

2 c. Organic Frozen Strawberries - 7 grams Protein

1 c. Fairlife Whole Milk - 13 grams Protein

Local Raw & Unfiltered Honey

 



Tips: Always use local raw honey. The health benefits are outstanding if you suffer from allergies. We also love Fairlife Milk. It has 50% less sugar than regular milk and an amazing taste. I know that it looks like A LOT of spinach, but you can not taste it at all!

Hope you enjoy!

xoxo jenn

handwritten love

Handwritten notes have turned to text messages. Handwritten letters have turned to emails or Facebook posts. Handwritten recipes have turned into printed recipes or a Pinterest board.

Things are so much more meaningful when it is handwritten. I want to have something special for my children to look at when they are older. I thought about starting a journal, but unfortunately I think I would stop writing in it eventually. I absolutely love to cook. I also love to cook recipes that my mom used to cook for me. 

So I found these adorable recipe cards on Etsy. $5 and I can print as many as I want for the rest of my life. Which is important because I am writing three copies of each recipe. One for me, one for Hayden, and one for Maddox to be given to them when they move out or get married. I haven't exactly decided when yet.

 

These recipes are what they will have eaten growing up. Their favorite chocolate chip cookies, the snow ice cream we make every snowstorm, the pickles I've canned that they eat like candy, and the handmade rib rub that their daddy made. Some are even what I ate growing up. My Mom's meatloaf, my Great Granny Clete chicken and dumplings, and my Grandpa's famous 7 minute icing. One day I hope they make them for their children and these recipes are passed down. 

What are some of your favorite recipes to make for your family, or that were made for you?
 

xoxo jenn 

netflix

Y'all I LOVE Netflix. I am the type of person who loves to have noise when I'm at home and music only works for so long. Because let's face it the radio ends up playing the same songs over and over again.

So since I know most everyone is always looking for some good series to start I though I'd list ones I have watched and loved! Side note: there will be a wide range of types because I'm complicated 😂 

• Once Upon A Time - Seriously obsessed with this one. All seasons are on Netflix except the current season which returns this Sunday on ABC (or Hulu Monday for other fellow cableless people) 💃🏻

• Friends

• Gilmore Girls & Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life - Such amazing shows, although I need another Year in the Life. Anybody else?

• Charmed

• Lost - We are currently watching this and are on season 3. We are hooked!

•  Pretty Little Liars - I had started the 1st season of this many times and never could quite get into it but once I did I loved it!

• Bones

• Grey's Anatomy

• The Ranch - Such a funny series.

• Stranger Things - If you have not seen it set aside your weekend! Once we starting we couldn't stop. Season 2 is coming this Halloween.

• Sons of Anarchy 

• Breaking Bad 

• Jane the Virgin 

• Young & Hungry - Definitely an adult show, but it is cute and funny.

• Longmire 

• Making a Murderer - This is a documentary but once you turn it on you can't stop. 

• Californication - Absolutely an adult show but pretty good. 

• Santa Clarita Diet 

• Fuller House - Not as good as the original but did it even stand a chance? 

• A Series of Unfortunate Events - I had read these books in Junior High and the series is so cute. My kids loved it!

• New Girl - SO cute! 

• The Walking Dead 

• Trailer Park Boys - ADULT show. My husband loves it and thinks it's hilarious (as do I) but it is a little silly. 

• Hart of Dixie - Love Love Love

• Drop Dead Diva 

• Witches of East End - Only 2 seasons before it was canceled but worth the watch!

• How to Get Away with Murder

• Dexter 

• The Following 

• Cedar Cove

• One Tree Hill 

• Weeds 

• Private Practice 

• Parenthood 

• Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp - If you have not seen the movie watch it first. 

• Ghost Whisperer 

• Army Wives - Emotional and amazing. 

• Gossip Girl 

Which ones have you watched and loved?! I'm always looking for new ones! 

xoxo
jenn 

seventeen

Welcome to my blog, wild and unruly. While I know there will most likely be a ton of new blogs with the new year, I really wanted to make a space that was encouraging and uplifting to fellow women. So in honor of 2017 lets start off with seventeen things about me and things you might see on the blog!

1. I am a 27 year old wife and mother.
2.I love to sew and have a small Etsy shop. In case you wanna check it out heres the link. → www.etsy.com/shop/MaddiPieBoutique
3.I love to bake and cook, so be on the lookout for easy (and healthy) recipes.
4. Essential oils make me happy.
5. I am constantly striving to choose healthier, safer options for my family.
6. Trying to be perfect is a fault of mine, I tend to fail miserably.
7. Recently relocated to the Pacific North West from New Mexico.
8. Disney & Harry Potter movies are my favorite.
9. I am horrible at makeup, so any tips are greatly appreciated.
10. I love every single holiday!
11. I am horrible at getting up on time.
12. Favorite TV shows: Once Upon A Time, Walking Dead, New Girl, This Is Us, Greys Anatomy.
13. Yoga keeps me sane.
14. Vanilla cream Dr. Pepper & sweet tea are my favorite drinks EVER.
15. Netflix & chill is basically my life, so any cool series send them my way!
16. My word for 2017 is "Present." I am going to work on being more present with my husband and kids. Less time on my phone. Realizing that the cleaning can wait to play legos with my son or play doh with my daughter. That the work can wait until later.
17. I am human. I achieve and fail. I cry and laugh. I am moody, hello I am a woman. But the one thing I know is I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Every part of me makes me, me.

The internet (hell the world) is a dark and scary place where people sit behind screens and decide to lift others up or tear them down. I will do my best to lift you up. Now tell me one thing about you?

xoxo

jenn