A Mother's Love

Happy Valentine's Day lovelies! The day is upon us at last, and how perfect that it should fall on a Friday. Since it's Friday, I thought that today's photo Friday post should be all about love. A while back I had the incredible honor of shooting one of my closest and oldest friend's baby shower. A mother's love? What bond could ever be stronger than that?  

Believe it or not, the cake tasted even better than it looked.

Probably the most photogenic baby I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA BATMAN!

I'm pretty sure this picture's my favorite just because of the expression on Jordyn's face.

"Everything in life I share, except of course my teddy bear!"

G is for Grayson Charles Scott Campbell

This was probably one of my favorite shoots to date. The amount of love this family has for each other is unparalleled and unlike anything I've ever seen before. Grayson is incredibly blessed to be entering into a family as awesome as theirs. His life will be filled with nothing short of love, respect, and incredible achievement. Grayson, Auntie Bri loves you so so much, and I can't wait to meet you (soon)! Jordyn, thank you for being such an incredible friend through thick and thin. I love you. But please, no siblings anytime soon.

Valentine's Day

Good morning lovers! I hope you all had a great weekend and are geared up for a week of love, because it's Valentine's week here at Matilda Makes! Since Valentine's Day is Friday I figured I'd spend the week gearing up for it by posting Valentine's Day related everything! So get ready for a week filled with pinks, reds, and lots of love. And since it's Monday let's kick off this week with the Monday movie which is...

Movie poster courtesy of IMP Awards.

Valentine's Day! How appropriately fitting, right?
A dozen lovers wake up in Los Angeles  on Valentine's Day only to find their lives and their relationships turned upside down because of the holiday. Three couples awaken together, but each relationship faces it's challenges. And and "I Hate Valentine's Day" threatens to bring the lonely and the lied to together and make it all come crashing down. Can Cupid finish his work by midnight?

Check out the trailer for Valentine's Day below:

The story of intertwining couples facing day-to-day relationship struggles is something I'm sure we can all relate to. Who hasn't felt the pressure to give the perfect gift, or christen the night with that special someone? Featuring one of the largest ensemble casts in box office history including Julia Roberts, Ashton Kutcher, Jessica Alba, Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, Taylor Lautner, Queen Latifah and Jamie Foxx among others, Valentine's Day is sure to leave you laughing. Who knows, Cupid may even aim his arrow right at your feels.

Valentine's Day is now available on blu-ray and DVD.

Wonderful Weekend v.2.3

Valentine's Day is coming up! Use fancy craft or wrapping paper to make some special valentines for a friend. This Girl's Life has some great free Valentine's Day printables. It's not the gift, it's the thought that counts, and they'll love the thought so much they'll hopefully forget all about not having that special someone (besides you) in their life.

Feel like the cold winter will never end? Hold a soup party with friends. Everyone can bring a favorite variety to share (or make my spicy black bean soup). Complete the evening with a fun film. You'll feel warm and cozy in no time!

Plan a clothing swap with a group of friends. Bring all the totally chic clothes you haven't worn lately, and trade with each other. It's just like shopping for brand new outfits - for free! What's better than that?

Grab a girlfriend and take a belly-dancing class together for a guaranteed night of exercise, laughter, and stories to tell for years to come. Check out US Belly Dance Classes to find a course near you.

Photo courtesy of We Heart It.

Plan a family heritage night with friends. Have everyone bring over family photos and keepsakes. You can create a family tree or just share stories. You'll learn a lot about each other's family history and have fun in the process.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. What are your plans?

Happy Birthday Bo!

Happy birthday to one of the sweetest, goofiest, lamest, and most intelligent people I know! I can't believe we've known each other for six years now, and no matter how much I change, you can still read me like your favorite book. I hope your day is filled with love, laughter and lots of smiles because no one deserves it more than you. So celebrate, because even though you're the youngest you're ever gonna be, you're getting old. 

Happy 24th birthday. I love you kid!

xo

Lent

Thanks to The Catholic Realist for the photo.

Happy Sunday beautiful people! I hope everyone had an amazing weekend.

I've taken somewhat of a prolonged break from this blog for a few months to focus on more pressing endeavors and to observe Lent. I'm not really one to discuss religion or politics on the blog because it tends to lead to arguments and unkind words being said. Everyone has their own opinions and who am I to tell someone that their beliefs are wrong? However, I will say that I am Catholic therefore I observe Lent.

The traditional purpose of Lent is to prepare for the celebration of the death and Resurrection of Christ through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial. It is normal to "give something up" as a form of sacrifice and penitence, for which I refrained from blogging and reading blogs (and eating candy, which I LOVE) in order to do some spiritual reading and commit more to prayer instead to improve my relationship with Christ and have somewhat of a better of an understanding of the sacrifices he went through so that I may live. I learned some wonderful things during my blogging break, about both myself and about my Lord Jesus Christ while I was away, and I can honestly say that I am better person for my experience. 

So now back to the fun stuff. Check me out tomorrow for a fun a sexy movie Monday!

Out of Commission

Photo courtesy of Peachtree Business Products.

Happy Sunday! I hope everyone had a beautiful holiday.

Just when it seemed like I was getting back into the swing of things the charger of my laptop crapped out on me, so I was out of commission for a little while. And just when I was starting to get into a flow of blogging regularly. The one good thing that did come out of not having a laptop for a week was that I had a lot more time to cook, watch movies, drink wine, partake in some DIY crafts and take pictures! Of course that also means I have more to share with the world in 2013.

I'm very excited about the new year. Everyone talks about how much they want to change things, but there are big things ahead for not only myself, but Wilfred and perhaps this blog as well.

Candy Cane Mice

You're probably not aware, but Martha Stewart is one of my absolute favorite people ever! The woman can do anything and everything. She wears many hats: chef, interior designer, wedding planner, and have you seen the woman's collection for pets at PetSmart? She's an absolute genius.

So when I found this candy cane mice craft on her website, I knew I just had to try it out. It's super simple and only requires a few things to make. You can even make one for every member of your family!

Tools:
a few sheets of felt fabric
scissors
pen or sharpie
photocopier/printer
candy canes

How-To:
1. On a photocopier enlarge mouse template by 150%. Print.
2. With a pen or sharpie trace body and ears onto felt; cut out.
3. Cut inner ears and a dot for a nose from felt in a contrasting color. You can also cut eyes from black felt. I  didn't have black felt, so I just used Sharpie.
4. Glue the face and inner ears in place. 
5. Make slits in body for ears and candy-cane tail where marked; to make cutting easier, fold felt across center of slits, and snip.
6. Slip ears through slits at front; then slide wrapped candy cane through body slits, tucking the end underneath the ear piece at the back.

Wilfred's is the blue one (because he's blue), and mine is the cute little pink one with the backwards ears.

12/12/12

Hello world! Today is December 12. Normally this means one thing to me: my best friend Kathryn's birthday, but today is December 12, 2012 or 12/12/12 which is something else in it's entirety. It's not just a triple date sequence on a calendar, it's the last one we'll ever see in our lifetimes. 

A lot of people are celebrating in a big way, for example GETTING MARRIED! However I will admit that is a pretty cool wedding date. Lots of other non-wedding events are occurring as well including the music fundraiser "12/12/12 The Concert for Sandy Relief" in Madison Square Garden.

So cheers to the last triple date sequence we'll ever experience! And don't forget to tune in to the Concert for Sandy relief tonight at 7:30/6:30c 

Vacation

Dallas from above via Instagram.

I went to Dallas to see my mom for Thanksgiving, and it was a blast! I hadn't seen my mom in over a year, so seeing her alone was eventful in itself. However, we not only cooked an amazingly delicious Thanksgiving meal, we explored the new parks, saw a few movies, and (of course) took a couple pictures which I shall be sharing later this week.

But alas, all good things must come to an end. I am back now. Shoved into a hectic world of endless studying, football games, photography assignments and final exams. And of course, more food and crafts. So stick around, because I've got a lot more up my sleeve.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo courtesy of The Daily Quipple

Happy Thanksgiving beautiful people! I hope everyone has a terrific day filled with food, family, fun and love. Let's not forget the true meaning of this day: to eat of course! 

But all jokes aside, take this day (and everyday) to give thanks for all the wonderful blessings in your life. I'm not very old, but through my 21 years of living I have learned that there is always someone out there that is not as fortunate and I am always humbled. So give thanks for everything and give back when you can. 

Have a terrific Thanksgiving! And don't forget to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Deep Dish Turkey Pot Pie

With Thanksgiving just one short week away, you're probably gonna be scrambling to figure out what to do with the rest of those turkey leftovers. Since I celebrated my Thanksgiving this week (as next will be my vacation) I've come up with a delicious recipe for turkey pot pie that will be sure to have you craving more of this classic comfort food.

Ingredients:
Pie crust or one recipe pastry topper (listed below)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
¾ cup sliced celery 
½ cup chopped red sweet pepper
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
⅓ cup all-purpose flour

1 packet General Tso's chicken seasoning mix

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1½ cups turkey broth

1 cup milk

2½ cups chopped cooked turkey

1 cup frozen peas and carrots

1 egg, beaten

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Prepare pastry topper; set aside. 

3. In a large saucepan cook onion, mushrooms, celery, and sweet pepper in hot butter over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Stir in the flour, chicken seasoning mix, salt and black pepper. Add broth and milk all at once. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Stir in turkey, peas and carrots. Pour into a two quart baking dish. 

4. Place pastry over chicken mixture in dish. Turn edges of pastry under; flute to edges of dish. Brush pastry with some of the egg. 
5. Bake, uncovered, in a 400°F oven (205°C) for 32-35 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand for 20 minutes before serving.

Pastry Topper Recipe: 
In a medium bowl stir together 1¼ cups all-purpose flour and 1¼ teaspoon salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in ⅓ cup butter until pieces are pea sized. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon cold water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to side of bowl. Sprinkle an additional 5 tablespoons cold water over remaining flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing with a fork, until all dough is moistened. Form into a ball. Form in pastry dish. 

This recipe will be sure to have your family craving more, I know mine did. Plus it's a great way to get rid of some of your leftover. The General Tso's seasoning mix adds a delicious sweetness to the flavor of the turkey while at the same time giving it a little southern kick. I haven't let you down yet, so just give it a try. I promise you'll love it!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Image courtesy of dgreetings.com. 

Happy Veteran's Day to all of our wonderful service men and women! Today is a day to honor those who serve, past and present, and remember all the great things our military has done for us. We are alloted so many freedoms that we often take for granted because there are amazing people willing to lay down their lives for them. As the daughter of a vet, I appreciate the holiday that much more. 

I hope you take the time today to say a prayer for our troops overseas, and to thank a veteran for their service to these wonderful United States.

Thank you!

Oven Barbecued Chicken & Creamy Potatoes

For some, Memorial Day is synonymous with family, poolside fun and cookouts. But for some who are lacking a grill to barbecue with (like me) there's still a way to have some amazing cookout food with just the stove in your home. I paired this recipe from the Better Homes & Gardens New Cookbook with some creamy potatoes with cheese and pineapple for a delicious meal.

For Potatoes:
4-6 Russet potatoes
1 large onion sliced into rings
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper
1¼ cups of milk
3 tablespoons butter


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°
2. Peel and finely slice the potatoes and onion
3. Layer the potato and onion slices and cheese in a lightly greased, shallow, ovenproof dish, sprinkling salt and pepper over each layer

4. Pour milk over dish, and dot with butter

5. Cover and bake for 1 hour
6. Remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes until the potatoes are soft and golden-brown on top. Serve warm

Ingredients for Chicken:
2½-3 pounds meaty chicken pieces (breast halves, thighs, drumsticks)
½ cup chopped onion (1 medium)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cooking oil
¾ cup bottled chili sauce
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon yellow mustard
½ horseradish
¼  teaspoon crushed red pepper


Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375°. Skin chicken. Arrange chicken, bone sides up in a baking pan. Bake in oven for 25 minutes.
2. For sauce, in a saucepan cook onion and garlic in hot oil until tender but not brown. Stir in chili sauce, honey, soy sauce, mustard, horseradish, and crushed red pepper; heat through.
3. Turn chicken bone sides down. Brush half of the sauce over the chicken. Bake for 20-30 minutes more or until chicken is no longer pink. Reheat remaining sauce; pass with the chicken


This dish actually turned out really well. The creaminess of the potatoes meshed perfectly with the sweet and spicy flavors of the barbecue chicken. If you're looking for a simple meal for Memorial Day, this is it. I hope you all enjoy your memorial day, but don't forget what it's truly about. It's not all just fun and food. Today is a day to honor our fallen servicemen and women and appreciate the ones currently alive and serving. So if you see a vet today, be sure to thank him. It means the world.