Nikkie Did It

Santa Advent Calendar

2018-12-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Its the first day of December. I just love Christmas for all the crafts, lights, love and fun. Only thing missing this year is my mom & dad. Found this amazing sewing craft from the wonderful Mike of The Crafty Gentlemen. Thought it would be amazing addition to my Christmas décor and fun to make. Since my Princess Knight is totally into Advent calendars now, figured she'd love it. So if your interested in this craft check out the tutorial Santa Advent Calendar.

I made a few changes at the request of my daughter. First it needed to be soft, aka huggable. So used a very soft felt. She wanted it to be fat(stuffed) and darker skinned(look more like her). He used medium weight cotton(which I used with back triangle), the issues I had with the super soft felt is front triangle had to be slightly bigger to fit all the pockets. But I was able to make different size pockets, which was cool for different size goodies. Also because of fabric choice and I live in Oki, Japan. Iron on letters are hard to find and I'm not sure they would have stuck well. So I hand painted with fabric paint. I probably should have made his head bigger but he still looked great. Never got a chance to stuff but I will for next year.

My oldest got a kick out of it and every time a friend came over they just loved it. Once midget #2 is old enough I look forward to making a version for her. I suggest you check it out, its pretty easy for a whole month worth of happiness.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas

What the Hell Ive been Up toooooooo.

2016-08-30T22:22:00.000-07:00

So, I haven't blogged in quiet awhile and I hate say it. I got overly busy. I still am overly busy but I thought with all the latest updates in life. I should get back to blogging. First I hope everyone is doing well. I still continue to keep this blog as cool and simple(at least to me) as it was. I still love food, all things fitness, family(military life, constant), sewing & crafts when I can and of course life.

So, first things first Family. I've been keeping myself busy being part of spouses group on base and before I knew I some how went from being a 1 month help to 1 year later thrift store representative. I wouldn't change a thing, I love volunteering there and when the thrift store gods are letting the day flow like they' re suppose. Its great. Of course life never gives you straight lines, only squiggly ones(straight ones only last a bit it seems). Keeps me on my toes with everything that life seems to throw at you. My midget is doing great, growing tall as a weed, happy, funny and giving me a run for money with her classic conversations. I hate to say shes such a mix of me and her dad, especially his knack for arguing or negotiating(I wonder if this means i have a lawyer on my hands). This also means the teenage years will be very interesting. Hubby great, busy as always but thats what happens when your married to the military. Our bond is still amazing and even when im angry at him(i cant stay mad long), hate to say it he has that affect on me. Family life is great and wouldn't ask for a better one. I'm so lucky to be surrounded by awesome family, its the best part of being military. moving new places, meeting new people and creating new bonds.

With that said, Food. Yes, I still cook up a storm. I have some awesome recipes to share and once life cools down a bit, I will add recipes galore.

Sewing & Crafts, I hate to say this stuff only happens with certain friends or I get lucky enough to be allotted some time to spend in my space. Which is not too often. I love to sew, Cant wait to share my newest addition to my sewing room. Im also excited for the update in the craft room. Looks amazing now.

Last but not least fitness. Crossfit, will never go away. Im addicted, I just love it. When my day is blue it makes it better. Plus i love my box, CFsolano is the best ever, I'm so lucky I was blessed with a amazing box that has become my new family away from family. Yoga, arrrgghh. So, teacher training, while great and learned a lot. My yoga teacher went insane at the end and didn't work out. I could stay angry at the situation but I'm just glad I gt out when i did because I could have been way more upset at the end process. So that's ones thing I still have to add to my plate of things to do. It had me emotional for awhile but now I've moved on and my yoga practice is well on its way to where it started. I now teach at cfsolano (privates as well) and seeing where my teaching/practice has gone is amazing. Only one way to go, Up. I also would like to get my CFL1 cert one of these days. But one step at a time.

Life is great, crazy, amazing right now. Had many hiccups in 2015 but excited where 2016-17 is going to take me. I hope you still continue to follow my journey. Its going to be amazing and cant wait to share the news on our new adventure. Take care & Namaste

Simple Tomato Soup

2014-09-19T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well it has been quite awhile since I blogged anything. I promise to catch up. Life has just been hectic. Hubby in and out of town, Little one just started school. I now feel like I never get a moment. If I do its a tiny moment. Well this morning started off by raining, I was thru off since its been warm all week(California weather). My kid wanted to wear her rain gear. So I have many friends that garden, I wanted to just didn't happen. Most make that mistake and plant too many tomato plants. I did the first time(lesson learned). But thanks to my wonderful friends, I was never without tomatoes.

This time around felt like I had a ton.

So what to do, make tomato soup and sandwiches. . . . .panini that is. My midget has been wanting to get in the kitchen so today was the perfect time. So here's my take on a old time favorite, its a recipe off the top of my head, with ingredients I had on hand and hope you enjoy it

Iron Maiden to the Rescue w/ Tutu Tutorial

2014-03-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Just had to share my lil ones costume I made for a super hero party from last weekend. She loves IronMan and so at her request she had to be IronMaiden. But I have to give myself a pat on the back it came out pretty awesome for 3 hours of work. I also included a tutu tutorial below

Roasted Cashew Honey Vanilla Bean Butter(Chunky)

2014-03-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Been on a nut butter making binge. Making it every two weeks it seems, so thought i'd share a recipe I like. Now that I'm working out more, nut butters are a necessity. Here's another one of my favorites. I love cashew butter and if you can't tell by now I love Ground vanilla bean more that the extract and my next favorite paste. Enjoy

Spicy Tuna Salad on Avocado

2014-03-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

I've been seeing many recipes on the net for tuna salad on avocado and I've been dying to try a recipe. So this is usually how I like eating my tuna. I just added the avocado at the bottom. I must say, yum, yum. So here's my fun recipe for a simple lunch or mid meal snack for you body builders out there.

Nikkie's Homemade Roasted Almond Butter

2014-03-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Well here's my Almond version of my awesome Homemade Peanut Butter Recipe. Not gonna get to chatty just gonna jump right into the recipe so here goes.

Happy Birthday My Love

2014-02-17T17:25:00.000-08:00

Just gonna keep it simple don't want to embarrass you, but I cant help myself.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE

you old goat, J/K

Belated Happy Valentines. . . .

2014-02-15T22:28:00.000-08:00

Hello All, Belated Valentines Day. I know, I'm a day late. I found myself so busy, with NikkiJoesSweets, volunteering for stuff, getting ready for the holiday and my hubby's birthday is a few days after. Just didnt have time to write or anything. . . .just one crazy weekend for me. I'm always excited for the valentine's holiday. It's always been family holiday for us, since the birth of our lovely daughter four years ago. We all get dressed up or dressed down in our Vday pjs, stay home, and plan fun activities accordingly. This year I don't know what made us decide to venture out of this crazy holiday. The gymnastics gym my little one attends has a "Parents Night Out," twice a month and add a extra "PNO" for Vday this month. So my hubby and I thought we'd take a chance & go out.

Valentine's Circle Skirt for my Midget

2014-02-15T22:19:00.000-08:00

As I had mentioned on a previous page, homemade gifts for my two favorite people is a must for the Valentine holiday. As I went to the fabric store for a mission to find myself something to make a cute skirt out of, I found something for my daughter instead. Or shall I say she picked it out and said with those big brown eyes "Mommy Please and it has to have a tutu(which is my toddlers way of meaning tulle)." I've been dying to try this circle skirt tutorial, since I got my sewing machine from DANAMADEIT. if you've never been to her site. Its awesome especially for new sewist like myself. She has awesome tips, wonderful patterns, and great blog, laced with ideas. Cool tips for girls and boys clothing that any stylish mommy will love. So here's my version of DANAMADEIT circle skirt, peek-a-boo style.

Homemade Peanut Butter. . . . for my Hubby for Valentine

2014-02-15T22:10:00.000-08:00

Every year is always a challenge to figure out whats the most awesome thing I could make for my lovely hubby for valentines. Well took me a minute but then it came to one night while watching him perform his before bedtime snack or as he calls it "feeding his body/muscles while he sleeps." He has a protein shake and a spoonful of PB. So I figured making him some would be a big hit. So here's a simple recipe I have after playing around. Gluten free and taste great.

Nikkie's Homemade Peanut Butter

Makes about 2 Cups(16oz)

Ingredients:

4 cups of Dry Roasted Peanuts

2 Tbsp of Peanut Oil(optional but I like the flavor it brings, plus it makes it not as dry)

1 Tbsp of Kosher Salt(if you like salter PB add 1 more Tbsp)

Flavor Options:

Honey-Add 1/4 cup of Honey
Chopped nuts-1/2 cup for chunky, 1 cup for extra chunky
Choose a different nut(cashew, almonds, macadamia)

Directions:

Setup food processor, add peanuts, start processor.

Add Oil and salt. A ball will start to form, keep processing. Will start to look chunky, like thick peanut butter(this is the final stage before it turns creamy), keep processing. I stopped (picture below)when its still pretty thick but not to thick, my hubby likes thick or chunky PB better. So I stopped here

Last 30 seconds add chopped nuts for chunky. Viola Peanut butter, it will seem thin but once in the fridge it thicken up. Process will take about 5 minutes. Will refrigerate up to 1 month.

He loved it and now I'm his Peanut butter maker Queen. Coming soon, more flavors and chocolate peanut butter.

**** Updated Flavors ****

Roasted Almond Butter
&
Roasted Cashew Vanilla Bean Butter

Happy Valentines Day

Loaded PotRoast Baked Potato

2014-02-09T21:13:00.001-08:00

This is my favorite version of pot roast and mashed potatoes. I post this on my instagram one day and got tons of emails and IM's on where they can get the recipe. So here it is.

Simple CrockPot PotRoast

2014-02-09T18:39:00.000-08:00

Well after having no rain at all, its been raining nonstop for the last week. Nothing like pot-roast on a rainy day. I've been craving it for 2 weeks now and I finally get my fix. Here's my simple recipe for yummy pot-roast in a crockpot.

My Baby Turning 4

2014-02-05T13:57:00.003-08:00

*****My Birthday Girl*****

My baby(not a baby anymore), Leila turned 4 in January and I felt bad because I didn't blog about it or anything. We had barely begin to unpack when her birthday was near. I planned a cool party for her but had to put on the brakes once i found out we had to move. She had her bestie over for a Smurf themed sleepover and for toddlers it went pretty good. I even made cute aprons which I will add later.

Strawberry Lemon Poppy Trifle

2014-02-02T23:05:00.000-08:00

Well I am a big fan of trifles. I just love cake, with fruit, with some sort of cream or pudding. I can wait for summer to try some more recipes. But my hubby loves almond poppy seed cake , I love lemon, the midget loves strawberries and we all love pudding. So this is a trifle mix for us. Gonna see how well it does at a party later.

Grilled Chicken Tortilla Soup

2014-02-02T22:45:00.000-08:00

Well its Superbowl XLVIII today and everyone's excited for the big game. For me its just another day to pig out. I love all the snacks, junk food and a good drink. Every Superbowl my husband and I usually stay at home but a buddy at work invited us over, plus my hubby has been raving about me being a chef at work. So what to make, I honestly didn't have any idea. I know I was in the mood for some chicken tortilla soup this weekend so why not for the party. I also will be making a Strawberry Lemon Poppy Trifle, recipe Here. The Chicken tortilla Soup can be done 2 ways, in the crock-pot or on the stove. I was gonna save this recipe for crock-pot week, so enjoy.

Happy New Year's

2014-01-01T09:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone sorry I haven't blogged in awhile but we bought a home and had to start moving Christmas day. We finished new years eve and it has been the most stressful ever. But all and all were moved, now to unpacking. The fun part is one week from now my hubs will be TDY for 2 weeks so I will be by myself to unpack. . . . .not including the toddler running around.

As for new years we were so tired, watched a film, laid in our pj's and had snacks. Everyone has a new years resolution and mine is simple. Be happy, continue to be the best wife and mother, stay crafty, sew like crazy. . . , .keep up with this blog. I will update soon all my fun holiday stuff and other things I've been up too. Our computer is still boxed. So soon. . . .once again hope everyone had a blessed New Year enjoyed with family and friends.

DIY Cozy Blanket

2013-12-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

So I'm making my midget a simple but awesome blanket to tote around the house. She seems to love a soft and fuzzy blanket and I think this gives her what she wants. It made with 2 layers of fleece with satin border. Fleece is fairly easy to work with and you don't have to prewash it, which i love. But I just love a cozy blanket

Cauliflower Mash

2013-12-16T23:06:00.000-08:00

I love mashed potatoes, but if I want my hubby to eat them I have to make the healthy kind. To achieve this, the next best thing is cauliflower mash. Here's a simple way to achieve the same yummy texture and the kids love it too

Christmas Photos 2013

2013-12-14T22:58:00.001-08:00

In the spirit of Xmas just wanted to share a few photos of me and the hubby and my adorable midget with Santa. Tis the season.

White Wine Herb Salmon

2013-12-14T22:39:00.003-08:00

Well after hitting up the fish market at the commissary today came home with some very nice farm raised salmon. Between me and my hubby being busy this week, cooking has been simple chicken and veggies. I needed a change of poultry today. Most of the time I marinate my meats/fish/poultry because 1 Flavor and 2 I can just come home and cook. I'm a big fan of Weber marinade mixes and always trying to duplicate the recipe. As mom and wife when the tot and hubby are hungry, their hungry. So here's my White Wine Marinade, goo for fish or poultry. . .not so much red meat but hey you can do what you want with it.

Updated Blog. . . .Yay

2013-12-13T09:37:00.000-08:00

As you can see readers, thanks to my lovely friend Megs I have an updated new blog. Its good to have awesome friends all over the world. Thank you military life. Big thank you Meg, you've always been a great freind pushing me to new things and take it to the next level. Love you and miss you. She has a blog as well, Taking Notes, from coast to coast, if haven't checked it out, please do so. Its a lovely blog about daily life, her awesome photography, and of course her wonderful pups.

Also wanted to give a big shout out to KotrynaBass and her wonderful template for making my blog look awesome, its just what I wanted and needed. Looking for a cool template or even a template for your own blog check out her Etsy KotrynaBassDesign. She also has a cool blog(Girl with a Movie Camera) about life, beauty and tons of fun stuff. Shes currently doing a giveaway ladies so check it out

Peanut Butter Fudge Drops

2013-12-08T13:00:00.000-08:00

As always . . .Im waiting till the last minute to make a goodie for a squadron event. So I had to think of what I wanted to do. I know I wanted to make easy fudge and I also wanted to do peanut butter. I also knew i only had 2 hours, to make treat, get me and my midget dressed. I came across this recipe Here and thought how cool. I used dark and semi sweet chocolate instead of milk/semisweet, too sweet for me plus i love dark chocolate more than anything. PB Fudge Cups here we go. . .

Leftover Cranberry Sauce Greek Yogurt Popsicle

2013-12-05T13:30:00.000-08:00

When I make my cranberry sauce its jellied, so its not chunky as you would call it. Doesn't mean you have to discard all that goodness. I love making homemade Popsicle with my tot and for myself all the time. So i thought I'd share this fun, simple, recipe. So whether you have leftover sauce or leftover pulp like me this is a great recipe.

Christmas Eve Gift Box Ideas

2013-12-02T07:00:00.001-08:00

So I was browsing ideas for Christmas eve and came across the Christmas eve box. I think my toddler and hubby will love this one. One box with all the goodies needed to have a fun Xmas eve.