yanky Doodle Treats

3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows
--or--
4 cups miniature marshmallows
6 cups Kellogg's® Rice Krispies® cereal
--or--
6 cups Kellogg's® Cocoa Krispies® cereal
1 1/2 cups white chocolate morsels
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons water
Red-, white- and blue-colored sprinkles

1. In large saucepan melt butter over low heat. Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted. Remove from heat. 2. Add KELLOGG'S RICE KRISPIES cereal. Stir until well coated.
3. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Crosswise cut in half, forming two 9 x 6 1/2-inch rectangles.
4. Meanwhile, in small saucepan melt white chocolate morsels over low heat, stirring frequently. Stir in oil. Add powdered sugar, stirring until combined. Add water. Stir until smooth.
5. Spread chocolate mixture over one cereal rectangle. Top with second rectangle. Sprinkle with red-, white- and blue sprinkles, pressing lightly into cereal mixture. Refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. Cut into 3 1/4- x 1-inch strips. Best if served the same day.


MICROWAVE DIRECTIONS:
In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Meanwhile, in small microwave-safe bowl heat white chocolate morsels on HIGH for 1 to 2 minutes or until melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Continue as directed in steps 4 and 5 above. Microwave cooking times may vary.

recipe source: SnackPicks

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  DIY Linky Party Just Something I Whipped Up

Craftastic Monday Trendy Tuesday

Southern Illinois Shares our World with Wolf Spider

This is one character I do not want to meet up with. It seems that there are more critters out this year than in the past. If you meet up with a wolf spider beware

The wolf spider is robust and agile and has good eyesight as well. Three things that are getting less and less on me. They like to live and hunt alone pouncing on the prey when they find it Wolf spiders are capable of defensive bites and some species from South America can leave bites that will need medical attention. These spiders are beneficial to us humans though as they hunt and eat bugs. If you are bitten you may notice swelling, mild pain, and mild pain and itching.

Southern Illinois provides the perfect habitat to these spiders as they often live in shrublands, woodland, wet coastal forest, and suburban gardens.

Easiest All American Trifle (quick 20 minute or less recipe)

have you ever been invited to a cook out and had to work that day or had no real time to prepare a dish to take with you. Well here is a perfect dish that takes a quick 20 minutes to prepare and oh so yummy and will delight those at the cookout as well.

EASIEST ALL AMERICAN TRIFLE

2 (12oz.) containers whipped topping, thawed
1 (5.9) ounce package vanilla instant pudding
1 whole angel food cake, cut into 1 inch cubes
Sliced fresh strawberries and blueberries
Slivered almonds (optional)

Prepare instant pudding according to package directions. Layer trifle ingredients as follows from bottom of trifle bowl to top; 1/3 Cool Whip, 1/2 of cake cubes, 1/2 of pudding, strawberries, 1/3 Cool Whip, cake cubes, pudding, blueberries, remaining Cool Whip, and top with slivered almonds.

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PinInterestingly link party

Chocolate Coffee Cheesecake with Mocha Sauce

This type of recipe I love to enjoy while sitting outside at night watching the stars.

3 cups crushed chocolate graham crackers (about 20 sheets)
1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
PAM Original No-Stick Cooking Spray
4 (8-ounce) packages PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup DOMINO Granulated Sugar
1/4 cup coffee liqueur
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
4 (1-ounce) bittersweet baking chocolate squares
Mocha Sauce

1. Stir together crushed graham crackers and butter; press mixture into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch springform pan coated with cooking spray.
2. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool crust in pan on a wire rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325°.
3. Beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until blended. Add coffee liqueur, coffee granules, and 1 teaspoon vanilla, beating at low speed until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears after each addition.
4. Remove and reserve 1 cup cream cheese mixture. Pour remaining batter into prepared crust.
5. Microwave chocolate squares in a medium-size glass bowl 1 minute or until melted, stirring after 30 seconds; let cool slightly. Stir reserved 1 cup cream cheese mixture into melted chocolate, blending well. Spoon chocolate mixture in lines on top of batter in springform pan; gently swirl with a knife.
6. Bake at 325° for 1 hour or until almost set. Turn oven off. Let cheesecake stand in oven, with door closed, 30 minutes. Remove cheesecake from oven, and gently run a knife around outer edge of cheesecake to loosen from sides of pan. (Do not remove sides of pan.) Cool on a wire rack. Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
7. Remove sides of springform pan. Serve with Mocha Sauce.

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Catch A Glimpse

Kraft Peanut butter Chocolate Banana Pie

35 NILLA Wafers, finely crushed (about 1 cup)

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided

1/2 cup PLANTERS Creamy Peanut Butter

2 bananas, cut lengthwise in half, then crosswise into quarters

2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) JELL-O Vanilla Flavor Instant Pudding

2 cups cold milk

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping, divided

2 Tbsp. PLANTERS Salted Peanuts, coarsely chopped

HEAT oven to 350ºF.
MIX wafer crumbs and butter until well blended; press onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate. Bake 5 to 8 min. or until golden brown. Cool completely. Meanwhile, make chocolate curls from 1/2 chocolate square. Refrigerate.
MICROWAVE remaining 1-1/2 chocolate squares and peanut butter in microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min.; stir until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended. Place bananas in crust; drizzle with melted chocolate.
BEAT pudding mixes and milk in large bowl with whisk 2 min. Stir in 1 cup COOL WHIP. Spread over bananas; top with remaining COOL WHIP.
REFRIGERATE 3 hours. Top with chocolate curls and nuts just before serving.

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Success U

Don't Throw Those Grounds Out

I jokingly often called my husbands grandmother the witch doctor. She had so many remedies and ways to take care of the earth. I grew up in a family that never really recycled always resold but never recycled so I was not used to all the ways of my hubbies family. Recently while reading an email from folgers I read about their tips for recycling coffee grounds and I thought I would share them with you

Use coffee grounds as plant food. Dilute your leftover coffee grounds to make your very own homemade plant food. To make, mix one part leftover coffee grounds with four parts cool water, and water your plants once every other week.
Touch up furniture and other wood scratches with grounds and a cotton swab. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to restore your furnishings.
Throw coffee grounds on ashes before cleaning out the fireplace to reduce the spread of dust. \
Use coffee grounds to dye clothing or paper.
 

What is Your Potato Salad Like?

Whats Memorial Day with out potato salad? I can remember my grandmothers always bringing the same sort of recipes but just a bit different. Like they would bring potato salad but one would be creamy and yummy and the other one would bring an equally yummy recipe like this

1 1/2 pounds new potatoes (about 15), halved if large

1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as flat-leaf parsley, tarragon, and chives)

2 scallions, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

kosher salt and black pepper

1. Fill a large saucepan with 1 inch of water and fit with a steamer basket; bring the water to a boil. Place the potatoes in the basket, cover, and steam until tender, 12 to 14 minutes; drain.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix together the herbs, scallions, oil, mustard, vinegar, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Add the cooked potatoes and toss to combine.

Yummy Meatballs

Meatballs:3 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup milk
1 cup bread crumbs
2 eggs
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 small onion, diced
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Sauce:1 (10-ounce) jar grape jelly
1 (12-ounce) jar chili sauce

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix all meatball ingredients in large bowl and roll into balls about the size of a golf ball. Place meatballs at least a finger-width apart on large cookie sheet with sides (so grease will not run onto oven floor).

Bake meatballs for 15 minutes, then remove from pan, and dispose of excess grease. Put meatballs into large pot.

In another small saucepan, melt grape jelly and then add chili sauce. Pour over meatballs and serve.

Serves 12

Red White and Blue decor

Some of the best decoration pieces to me are the easiest. Simple to make these red, white and blue glass candle holdors make perfect decor for a 4th of July celebration. Simple color rice using appropriate color. Use this easy method to color rice and layer in a glass container of your choice.  

http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

  Check Me Out Saturday

Disney Its a Small World LeSportsac collection

Disney has some awesome characters and when we dream a little dream and fall in love with those characters we just have to have them. LeSportsac and Disney have teamed up to bring together a limited edition of "It's a Small World" inspiring handbag collection. These cute handbags that will take you around the world and back again are inspired by the works of Disney and artist Mary Blair 

Spice Up Memorial Day Cookout

Want a bit of heat in your coleslaw? Then check out this recipe for coleslaw that incorprates jalepono peppers in the mix. Yummy or not so you choose

1/3 cup fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon sugar
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup thinly vertically sliced red onion
1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 (16-ounce) package cabbage-and-carrot coleslaw
4 jalapeño peppers, halved crosswise 

Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. Gradually add olive oil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add onion, cilantro, and coleslaw. Thinly slice 1 jalapeño half crosswise (keeping seeds), and remove seeds from remaining jalapeño halves. Cut the remaining halves into thin crosswise slices. Add the jalapeños to onion mixture, and toss well to coat. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.

cooking light recipe

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Thursday Treasures 
Full Plate Thursday

Movie giveaway

I once took a movie class in college and learned that there were many movies in the past that not only delighted me but I loved to watch. That is why I love the great movie giveaway over on the blog sage and savvy. They are offering a collection of awesome movies

The awesome part is that these movies are family friendly and ones that you can fall in love with all over again. You can enter this giveaway as well but do so before June 6, 2012

Red, White and Blue Cupcakes

This is an easy activity to do. Simply bake 5 dozen cupcakes (enough for the flag and few for good taste) and then ice 23 with white icing, 19 with red icing, and 12 with blue icing. Use stars or silver beads if stars are not available on the blue cupcakes. Then arrange in a flag shape. Kids can even help create this easy to make dessert.

Asian Pasta

One thing that I love about summer time is all the picnics and potlucks. If you are in search of a recipe that makes you look like you brought the best and a crowd pleaser then you need to check out this recipe I found here

1 lb. spaghetti
1/3 cup chunky peanut butter
1/2 cup hot vegetable stock
1 tsp. soy sauce
2 Tbls. rice vinegar
2 Tbls. safflower oil
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp. dry red pepper, crushed
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 cup broccoli

Bring large pot of water to boil; cook pasta until al dente. While pasta is cooking, steam broccoli florets. In a mixing bowl, whisk together peanut butter and hot stock until smooth. Stir in remaining dressing ingredients. When pasta is done, drain well. Pour sauce over pasta; toss to coat well. Add broccoli and tomatoes; toss again.

The little guy in our life is a go getter and better yet he loves life and everything about it. There is always something new to discover and he loves to go about finding anything colorful and makes news. Because of this I know that he will love the new Aurora Crinkle Friends Bright Collection.

I have long endorsed toys and games that help your child learn while having fun. Aurora World has had such a wonderful lineup of fun products that often help our children learn and the new collection is no different. Aurora World has introduced a new line of characters in their new Crinkle Friends Bright Collection. The four friends are Hedgehog, Crab, Alligator and Toucan. As you can see all with wonderful beautiful colors that make them very attractive. The four friends have been designed with bright vivid colors that will help stimulate a baby. The crinkle friends are designed for children 6 months and up. Each character is made up of various textrues that stimulte the tactile senses. The crinkle name comes in because the animals all have a sort of crinkle sound in the material that they have been created with.

Our Thoughts:

We were sent the alligator friend and most say that I am pleasantly pleased. He is 13 inches in length and is the perfect huggable stuffed animal that is meant to become that friend that is dragged about everywhere. The alligator is created of soft material that I must say I personally could just rub and squeeze for ever. My grandson will love to tote him about and he will gain developmental skills without knowing it because he will simply think that he is playing with his new friend. The alligator is the perfect friend for younger children as well because of the colorful material used will help to stimulate visiual skills as well. While exploring the textures on the alligator the squeak, rattle and crinkles will help to entertain. 

Buy: The Crinkle Friends Bright Collection are available online for $17

Suggest for ages 6mo+

Win: One lucky reader of Annies Home has the chance to win the choice of their Crinkle Friend as well. You simply have to enter using the raffle copter below

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It's finally here.... the Dad's Backyard Oasis Father's Day giveaway event!

ADD EVENT IMAGE HERE!

Hosted by Bella Savvy, and Mom to Bed by 8

Co-hosted by Giveaway Bandit, To Sew With Love, Living Unrefined, Mumblebee Inc., Some Call It Natural and What Mommy Wants

WOW YOUR DAD ON FATHER'S DAY!

This year, Black & Decker is making Father's Day extra special for one lucky dad by offering an amazing prize pack full of everything dad will need to create an oasis in his own backyard for summer-long grilling, entertaining and just plain, good ole relaxing. AHH! ADD HAND TOOL IMAGE HERE!

PRIZES:

• 20V MAX Lithium Drill/Driver -- MSRP: $122
• 2-speed Quick Clean Sprayer -- MSRP: $100
• 36V Lithium High Performance String Trimmer with Power Command -- MSRP: $170
• Garden IQ Hand Tools Series — including pruners, hedge shears, steel trowel, culti-hoe, heavy duty hose nozzle, water hand hose attachment, and miscellaneous safety items -- MSRP: $108 (includes work gloves)
• Work gloves

TOTAL VALUE: $500+ ADD BLACK & DECKER ENTER TO WIN IMAGE HERE!

EVENT DATES:

This event will run from May 20th at 12:01 pm. EST to June 3rd at 11:59 pm. EST

A huge THANK YOU to our sponsor... BLACK & DECKER for offering these amazing prizes!

* SPECIAL OFFER: * Cant wait to win these fabulous prizes? Black & Decker is offering all entrants a special 10% discount + FREE shipping on the purchase of items included in the Black & Decker's Father's Day Gift Guide. So get your orders in for dad, and be ahead of the game when Father's Day rolls around. Use code: FATHER10 at checkout.

Now head on down there and get your entries in because you can't win if you don't enter...

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