WINNER

We have another winner! :)

The lucky winner of the Dianapantz giveaway is:

 

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 30 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

#30

Steph Nelson

 

Congratualtions!!!

Be sure to email me within 48 hours to claim your prize.

 

Thanks to everyone who entered, and don't worry, I have another great giveaway tomorrow! 

Perfectly Spaced

I've been thinking lately about what is the perfect space to have between siblings...

In my family, I'm the oldest, and my littlest brother is 11.

He was born a week before I graduated high school.

There are 6 kids in my family, spaced out over 18 years.

It was perfect.

I loved always having a baby in the house.  

I was probably the only one in high school who always had a car seat in my car.

It has always been fun to have holidays at my mom's house because there are always kids around.

When I had my own kids, I felt very prepared.

I knew how to take care of a baby was beyond excited to finally have one of my own.

When I got married, I told my husband that 3-4 years was the perfect space.

Well, Saxon and Bridger are 23 months apart.

(I get asked ALL THE TIME if they are twins)

I loved having Saxon.

I loved being a mom.

From the minute he was born, I couldn't wait to have that experience again.

I've never felt closer to heaven than when I hold my newborn baby.

Bridger and Dalton are 25 months apart.

Clearly, my plan was not working for me.

However, as I watch them, I have to say, that they are perfectly spaced.

They are buddies.

They defend each other.

They look out for each other.

They pick on each other.

They always have a friend and someone to play with.

(Saxon forcing Bridger to look in the right direction for the picture)

I think having #3 has made the big boys even closer.

It gives them a distraction.

Bridger gets to learn to share with someone smaller, and Saxon is learning to be more helpful.  (This is a work in progress...I hear girls are naturally more helpful...we wouldn't know... :)

And Dalton, of course, basks in the attention of the 2 big boys.

Since my plan didn't go according to plan, I guess they may never remember what it's like to change a diaper or make a bottle, or have a carseat...

but they will know how to be a friend.

They know how to share (well...they will have a lot of practice anyway)

They know how to say "I'm sorry".

They know how to look out for each other.

This summer they are going to play soccer together.

I never regret having them so close because for us, it is perfectly spaced.

I don't disagree with people who want a lot of space either.

I grew up like that, and it was perfect.

So, for as often as I turn the subject over in my mind and try to decide what the "perfect space" would be...I have decided that the perfect space is generally, exactly how it is.

Chocolate Ricotta Icebox Cake

Did you guys have any big plans for Father's Day?

Ours was pretty low-key.

Each of the kids gave Nate a gift

(which was not a surprise because they told him about it last week after we bought it),

and we had dinner together (Nate's choice).

Since we didn't have any major plans, I wanted to at least make a fabulous dessert.

I found this recipe from Martha Stewart that looked promising.

It's called "Chocolate Ricotta Icebox Cake".

Nate lived in Italy for a while and his favorite dessert is cannoli.

The center of a cannoli is a mildly sweetened ricotta cheese filling.

This sounded somewhat similar, and since I love to experiment, I thought we'd give it a try.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 14 ounces semisweet chocolate (do not use chips)
• 2 containers (15 ounces each) part-skim ricotta cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 package (9 ounces) chocolate wafers (about 44 cookies)

Directions

1. Prepare pan: Remove sides from a 9-inch round springform pan (see note, below). Place a sheet of waxed paper over bottom, leaving an overhang; lock sides onto bottom, firmly securing paper. Spray inside of pan with cooking spray; line sides with a strip of waxed paper 28 inches long and 4 inches wide.
   
2. Make chocolate-ricotta mixture: Break 12 ounces of chocolate into pieces. Place in a heatproof medium bowl set over, not in, a pan of simmering water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chocolate has melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
   
3. In a food processor, blend ricotta until very smooth, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl. Add warm chocolate; blend until smooth. In a large bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. With a rubber spatula, gently fold in chocolate-ricotta mixture.
   
4. Assemble cake: Arrange half the cookies in an overlapping pattern to cover bottom of pan. Spoon half the chocolate-ricotta mixture on top of cookies; smooth top. Cover with remaining cookies; top with remaining chocolate-ricotta mixture, and smooth top. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 6 hours and up to 2 days.
   
5. Before serving, release sides of pan and remove waxed paper from sides. Using bottom piece of waxed paper, pull cake onto a platter; with a metal spatula, lift cake and remove waxed paper. Using a vegetable peeler, shave remaining 2 ounces chocolate over top of cake. With a knife dipped in hot water, cut cake into 10 slices (wipe off knife, and dip in hot water after each slice).
   

And here's the verdict:

We loved it!

There is no added sugar (other than the sugar from the semi-sweet chocolate) so the filling isn't overly sweet.  In fact Nate wanted to lick the spoon (and the bowl) because it reminded him of cannoli filling.  Layering it with the oreos definitely sweetened it up though.

It was actually really easy to make, and impressive to look at.

When I finished it, everyone's reaction was, "wow...".

Even better, you can make it in advance because it needs to freeze anyway.

I should give the disclaimer however, it is very rich.  Very.  A small slice is enough to leave you wanting a large glass of water.

But...this is definitely a recipe that I'll make again!

Do you have any favorite Father's Day recipes?

GIVEAWAY from Dianapantz!!!!

I'm so excited today to introduce you to a new shop:

DIANAPANTZ

Her cute etsy shop is a collection of handmade market totes, baby onesies, baby leg wamers, photography, and artwork and other cute stuff.

Her blog is about "crafty goodness, vegan cooking and mastering the sewing machine".

I love it!

I met Diana a few months back and we have been counting down to do this giveaway and review ever since.

Diana sent me this beautiful market tote for review

and

is offering one for a giveaway.  

I am SO in LOVE with my market tote!

Diana asked what fabric I wanted, and I told her to surprise me :)

She made me this beautiful black and white floral, with yellow handles, and red polka-dot inside.

(sigh) so in love with it...

I have big plans for this bag this summer.

I'm going to use it to carry all of my veggies back from my garden, I'm going to take it to the beach as my "beach bag", I've already loaded it up and used it as a diaper bag.

It's versatile, sturdy, and beautiful!

Plus, I can wear it over my shoulder like a purse, or across like a messenger bag.

These farmer's market totes are listed in Diana's shop for $20,

and she is going to give one away for free!

Are you excited yet?

Me too!

So, I'm going to give you a bunch of different ways to enter...

Mandatory:

1.   Head over to Dianapantz etsy shop and tell me what your favorite item is.

For bonus entries:

2.  Become a follower of cait + create

3.  Become a follower of Dianapantz

4.  Get my button

5.  Get her button

6.  Blog or facebook about this giveaway

7.  "Like" cait + create on facebook

8.  "Like" dianapantz on facebook

(leave a separate comment for each entry)

Good luck!

The giveaway ends Wednesday, June 22 at midnight and the winner will be announced Thursday, June 23.

We have a WINNER!

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 1 Powered by RANDOM.ORG

The winner of the Lizzie Starr hair ties is #1 Kasey

I've always wondered if it ever lands on #1.  
I guess it does, (LOL).  
Congratulations Kasey!

(you have 48 hours to email me to claim your prize or a new winner will be chosen)

For those of you who didn't win...

you're in luck!

Lizzie Starr is being featured TODAY on

Head over if you want to get a set of Lizzie Starr hair ties at the Very Jane discounted price!  They are sooo perfect for summertime.  You will LOVE them!

Vegan Vanilla Cheescake Ice Cream

I am dying to try this vegan vanilla cheesecake ice cream from Cheeky Kitchen!

I have yet to try a recipe from her that hasn't turned out amazing!

Cheeky Kitchen is my go-to blog for treats because they are creative, yummy, and generally, I have all of the ingredients for them.

(If I have to spend a fortune on new ingredients, sometimes, I don't try the recipe.)

Click HERE for step by step instructions and pictures.

Boys

These are the kind of things that happen when your 12 year old little brother is in charge:

Ha ha, I thought it was hilarious!

Maybe I'll try it the next time I need to multitask :)

My 12 year old little brother was just in town visiting and my kids were in heaven.

They love their Uncle Kasen and love having a "big brother" around.

He had to go home to California today and we've had quite a few meltdowns about it.

Wish us luck...Saxon has already informed me that 

"this is going to be the baddest day ever!"

Here's a quick story from having Uncle Kasen in town:

We decided to all go to the water park while Kasen (and his friend) were in town visiting.  I asked the big boys to watch the little boys while I went to rent some tubes.  They agreed.  When I got back, Kasen tells me,

"Umm, Dalton pooped.  He's holding poop in his hand, but we didn't take it away because we didn't want to touch it.  Here...you can take him."

Sure enough, Dalton had an explosion just as we get to the water park.  And can you guess the best part...I forgot wipes.  It was a disaster.

Land of the Free Home of the Brave

I'm doing a deal on Very Jane today for my

Land of the Free Home of the Brave

sign for 40% off!

Make sure to go check it out!