St Patrick Day Blondies

These are so yummy and they sport that green color that so many of us will be looking for on that great St. Patricks Day. Hope you enjoy

2/3 cup butter
1 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup green m&m’s

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray non stick spray in a 13×9 inch glass dish.
In a small bowl combine the flour, egg, baking soda.
Mix the butter and sugar together with a hand mixer or stand mixer. Add in the egg, mix well. Then add in the vanilla extract.
Mix in the M&M’s into the batter. Pour the batter into the glass dish and bake for 30-35 minutes. Until the top is golden brown. Allow to cool to room temperature then cut into bars.

recipe source here

Sugar Cookie Bars

These Sugar Cookie Bars reminded me oh so much of cookies that my grandmother would make us as a kid. They were iced sugar cookies that were oh so delicious. With green icing and sprinkles they look perfect for st. Patricks day

Cookies:

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 egg white

1 Tbsp sour cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 13″ x 9″ baking dish, set aside. In a mixing bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip together butter and sugar until pale and fluffy about 3-4 minutes. Stir in egg and egg white. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until blended. Slowly add dry mixture and stir until well combine. With buttered hands, gently press (so gently almost patting) mixture into buttered baking dish. Bake 16 – 19 minutes until toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and edges are lightly golden. Cool completely, then frost and cut into squares.

(I used half white and half whole wheat flour)

Vanilla Frosting:

1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

2 cups powdered sugar

2-3 Tbsp half and half (or yogurt, or milk)

1 tsp vanilla

Pinch of salt

Several drop food coloring (optional)

In a mixing bowl, with an electric mixer, whip together butter and powdered sugar and half and half until fluffy. Stir in vanilla and salt. Add in food optional food coloring and mix until well blended.

 

recipe source here

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weekend winddown
weekend potluck

Blending Colors Shamrock

1 coffee filter
scissors
yellow and blue liquid food coloring
squirt bottle with water
small paintbrushes

Put down several layers of newspaper or paper towels.
Adult precuts shamrock shape on coffee filter (You can trace one and cut several layers at once)
Provide children with yellow and blue liquid food coloring, slightly diluted. Children can use small paintbrushes, cotton swabs or eye droppers to combine yellow and blue dye on coffee filter. Once the child is satisfied with the result, allow him or her to squirt the coffee filter and watch the colors combine to make green as the coffee filter gets wet. Let shamrock dry

craft source here

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craftalamode

Spring Sweet Treats

This is a fun and tasty treat to make this spring Check out the Stained Glass Jello Recipe

Another sweet treat perfect for fall is this Strawberry Icecream Dessert

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The Project Stash
tidy mom

Surprise Pink Popcorn

I love this delicious sweet popcorn recipe. I also love the pink color. Hoping for the beginning of spring season what would make a brighter snack than this

2 c. sugar
2/3 c. half and half or evaporated milk
1 Tbsp. White karo
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
Red food coloring

Cook until slightly firm ball (230 on a candy thermometer) Stirring frequently.
Pour slowly over 6 quarts of popped corn. (I use 3/4 c. unpopped kernels for this recipe) Pour out on wax paper to cool. *Recipe does not make popcorn balls. Kernels cluster when poured on. 

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somewhat simple

Green Egg Casserole

 

Prepare this dish for St. Patricks day and they will think you are amazing. Its easy to make and the family will love it because it is St. Patricks Day right? Go Green or Go Home is what you must do today. So as they head out on their way remind all to wear green for this special day

 

 

(4 servings)    Printable Version

 

8 large eggs - beaten

1 cup chopped frozen spinach - thawed

1/2 cup low-fat milk

2 cups bread cubes or small torn pieces of bread

1/2 cup grated Swiss or Monterey jack cheese (optional)

salt and pepper to taste (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Prepare one large casserole dish or two eight-inch dishes with a light coating of cooking spray.
 In a medium bowl combine all ingredients (except cheese) until bread pieces are well soaked.
 Pour mixture into casserole dish and cook for 15 minutes. Sprinkle cheese over partially set eggs.
Cook for an addition 20 minutes or until eggs are fully set.

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Thursday Favorites
wildly original party

 

 

Happy Birthday Oscar Mayer

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When  I was a kid it was nothing for some of us kids to pack a good old bologna sandwich and head to the park for a picnic. The fun we would have and our lunch would be great as well. Those were the good old days but Oscar mayer still offers an awesome taste for a grown up version try this

1 celery stalk(s) 4 slices Alpine Lace Sliced Swiss Cheese (8 oz.) 4 Anzio & Sons Ciabatta Rolls 1 Oscar Mayer Salami Bologna Ham Variety Pack (10 oz.) 4 tbsp. World Classics Trading Company Black Olive Tapenade Stack bottom bun with 1 slice each of cheese, ham, salami, and bologna. Dice celery and add on top of deli meats. Spread the top bun with olive tapenade. Place on top of sandwich. recipe source here

Protect our Pets

March is poison prevention awareness month. The members of my personal family that I watch most are my grandbabies and my pets. Both are in the world with us and around the many things that we see daily. Our pets often stay by our side and want to do what we do. The thing is what is edible for humans can be toxic or deadly to our dogs and cats. There are dangers hiding in our homes, garages and yards that could harm our pets.

All sorts of foods may present a hazard to our pets. A few common foods to keep away from your foods

•     Alcoholic beverages
•     Avocado
•     Chocolate
•     Coffee
•     Fatty foods
•     Macadamia nuts
•     Moldy or spoiled foods
•     Onions
•     Raisins and grapes
•     Salt
•     Yeast dough

Medication should always be kept up where little hands nor pets can reach them. While we may think that a child proof cap is protected that a pet may not be able to get into it but take note that a dog can chew  right into It is recommended to keep all medications in closed cabinets out of reach of those that should not have access.

Dog medications should be kept for the dog just like the cats medications should be kept for the cat do not intermix. Medications such as the flea control medication prescribed to the cat may have additives that will harm your dog.

Pets like to investigate their surroundings and the kitchen to the pet has many places to be nosy. Kitchen chemicals such as dish washer tablets, steel wool cleaning pads and degreasers for the kitchen are all hazardous to your pet. If consumed they may lead to significant  intestinal issues. Baby proof cabinet locks help keep nosey cats and dogs out of the storage areas under your sink.

Pets are often attracted to sweet smells and poisons such as anti-freeze will entice a pet and may lead to their death as well. You may consider not allowing pet in the garage most important clean up all chemicals, spills and return to storage space. Yard chemicals help us achieve the beauty that we are looking for but if we are not careful to put away after use pets can lick and sniff and our pets can become sick.

A natural habit of our pets of getting into garbage cans and storage containers may lead to emergency vet visits. A better idea is to invest in tamper proof garbage cans and storage containers The outside world also hold lots of dangers . Lilies  can be fatal to a cat to find out which flowers are best for our pets do a quick online search.

research here

St. Patricks Day Treat To Share

This super cute treat is one that may be worth its weight in sharing. If you remember the old song about friendship. One is silver and the other gold. I am sure that you will gain lots of friends when you share this amazing treat. Muddy Buddies all dressed up for St. Patricks day what a great idea. I found this idea here

1 box rice Chex cereal
1 package semi sweet chocolate chips
3/4 Cup peanut butter
1/2 Cup butter
2 Cups powdered sugar
*add mini green M&Ms (at the very end) to make it perfect for St. Patrick’s Day
Microwave the chocolate, peanut butter and butter together in a microwave safe bowl for 1 – 2 minutes until slightly melted. Stir together and microwave for one more minute until mixture is stirred smooth together. Pour over the Chex cereal in a large bowl and toss around until all the cereal is coated with the mixture. Add half the powdered sugar to a large ziplock bag. Add the cereal and toss around to coat in the powdered sugar. Add the remaining powdered sugar to make sure all the cereal is coated. Transfer to an airtight container and add in the mini green M&Ms, right before serving or packaging.

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250 best meals in a mug review

 250 Best Meals in a Mug Delicious Homemade Microwave Meals in Minutes
by Camilla Saulsbury
 ISBN-10: 0778804747
ISBN-EAN: 9780778804741
Publisher: Rose, Robert Incorporated


Just what we have all been dreaming about an easier way to make delicious meals is here. The book 250 best meals in a mug that offers delicious homemade microwave meals in minutes. Camilla V. Saulsbury offers recipes for breakfast, super fast 4 ingredient recipes, bread recipes, as well as soups, meats, pastas and everyone loves a snack or two. All recipes in this book are ready in minutes just what you need for warm weather food on the go.

Singles, college students or those that simply don't have time to cook can easily prepare a quick dish in the microwave. Summer time will find us on the road traveling a lot in the RV and I believe many of these recipes will be tried while on the road. The individual sized dishes will take us through the day with breakfast, snacks , lunch and a delicious supper and mouth watering dessert. The best part is that all recipes can be completed within minutes.

A sampling of the recipes:
Super-Fast and Easy Recipes

• Mushroom Barley Soup, Broccoli Basil Soup, Apple Pancake Puff, Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Mix, Cheese Fondue

Breakfast

• Banana Bread, Almond Flour Muffin, Green Onion Bread, Zucchini Bread, Apple Cinnamon Bread, Boston Brown Bread

Soups, Stews and Chilis

• Loaded Baked Potato Soup, Quinoa Minestrone, Miso and Mushroom Soup, Poblano White Chili, Koshari, Red Clam Chowder

Meatless Main Dishes

• Eggplant Parmesan Mug, Green Chile Quesadilla Mug, Chickpea Potato Masala, Curried Lentils with Yogurt and Tortilla, Korean Pajeon

Meat, Poultry and Seafood Main Dishes

• Philly Cheesesteak Mug, Cauliflower and Ham Gratin, Shrimp with Roasted Peppers and Feta, Shepherd’s Pie, Teriyaki Salmon

Dessert

• Sugar Cookie, Chocolate Fudge Cake, Blueberry Dumpling, Bananas Foster, Lemon Pudding Cake, Butterscotch Blondie, Panna Cotta.

These tasty and healthy dishes move the focus off of the time- and labor-intensive oven, and reintroduce the ease and simplicity of the microwave. They take everyday meals to the next level and the handy nutritional analysis that accompanies each recipes takes all the guesswork out of planning healthy meals

I love the fact that Camilla includes a chapter called "Mug Smarts" that outlines what type, size and shape mug to use for best results.

 My review: This book I believe will be a great help at home. With our family eating at different times because of busy schedules I love that this book will allow me to prepare delicious meals and treats for them when ready to eat. I was very surprised to see the variety of recipes that was included in this book something to fit everyone's taste.

Courtesy 250 Best Meals in a Mug by Camilla V. Saulsbury © 2014 Robert Rose Inc. www.robertrose.ca. Reprinted with publisher permission.

Please stop by Robert Rose, Inc. and check out all their books!

Connect with Robert Rose, Inc. on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest

we were sent this book for review purposes. Thoughts and opinions are those of mine

St Patrick Day Cookies

1 ½ Cups softened butter
2 Cups white sugar
4 Eggs
1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
5 Cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Green food color

In a smaller bowl mix the flour, baking powder and salt.
In a large bowl cream the butter and sugar until smooth. Slowly beat in the eggs, one at a time, and then add the vanilla.
Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the large bowl and mix until all moistened. Add green food color until it achieves the color you want. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour, can sit as long as overnight.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Roll dough out onto a lightly floured surface until it’s between ¼ and ½ inch thick. Cut into shamrock shapes and bake for six to eight minutes. Don’t over bake. Move to a wire rack and cool completely.
Cookies can be frosted or outlined in frosting but this recipe is simply delicious as is.

recipe source here

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Pint Sized Baker

Rainbow Warms The Insides

Looking for that pot of gold will take a lot of energy so get your little gold digger up and ready with a bowl of rainbow oatmeal

Its easy to do you yourself can be creative or you can let the munchkins be creative learning the colors of the rainbow

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Chicken and Noodles

medium-size chicken, cut up
4 egg yolks
2 level teaspoons bacon grease
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons cream
enough all-purpose flour to make thick dough
1 cup whole milk + 3 tablespoons flour to thicken broth

Boil 1 cut up chicken in large pot, adding about 1 teaspoon of salt per gallon of broth. Remove chicken from broth, cool and debone, returning meat to broth.

Noodles
Add baking powder and salt to 1 cup flour and stir. Beat egg yolks. Add melted bacon grease and cream. Stir well. Add the flour with baking powder and salt to the liquid. Add more flour, until dough is very thick and resists sticking to kneading surface. Roll out with manual dough machine on thick setting, cutting to smaller pieces and re-rolling through the machine 2-3 times. Roll out dough to the thickness of a toothpick. Cut noodles with wide cutting blades on noodle machine. Add noodles, all at once to boiling broth. Fresh made noodles (not dried) cook in about 4 minutes or less. In a pint jar, add milk & 3 tablespoons flour and shake until not lumpy. Add to boiling broth & noodles, stirring, to thicken. Boil 1-2 minutes. Add fresh ground pepper to taste and serve with toasted homemade bread.
recipe resource here

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Happy Birthday Girl Scouts

This week is, in fact, Girl Scout Week, and Wednesday, March 12th, is the Girl Scout Birthday.
March 12th commemorates the day in 1912 when Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, officially registered the organizations first 18 girl members in Savannah, Georgia. It’s the official Girl Scout birthday!

I was a brownie and then a Girl Scout. I was so happy to belong and learn so many new things. I shared the privilege  of many others when I led my own girl scout troop. So thank you to Juliette Gordon Low to allowing us to incorporate as girl scouts and to learn so much about the world, our community, our selves

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craft o maniac Monday

Crab Salad

1/4 cup lime juice
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 cucumber, seeded and thinly sliced
1/3 cup fresh mint, chopped
12 ounces crab meat
4 cups mixed salad greens or romaine lettuce
4 lime wedges

In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, vinegar, sugar, cucumber and mint. Add the crab and toss to coat well.  Divide the lettuce among individual plates. Top with the crab mixture. Spoon any remaining dressing over the crab. Garnish with lime wedges and serve immediately

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mixed it up monday

  

March is Colic Awareness Month

We all have our secrets and one of mine is that I was a mother at 16 years old. In the mid 1980s in small town Illinois this was not something that was common but did happen. I stayed in highschool so that I could graduate, was married and took care of my very colicky baby girl. This was sometimes frustrating because I wanted to help her and I was not for sure what to do. I can remember walking to the pay phone and calling my mother for help many times. What I was going through and watching my little lady go through was a very rough experience but something many have suffered through and still are.

In 2012 , after my little lady had her first baby, my grandbaby the first Colic Awareness Month was declared. Now each march the date is observed and the mothers and babies that experience colic can rest assured they are not alone. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that about 20% of babies experience colic.

Colic is defined by a baby that is healthy baby that suffers from extreme fussiness. This fussiness last more than 3 hours a day more than 3 days a week for at least 3 weeks. The cry of a baby with colic is intense, high pitched cry that may or may not occur at the same time each day. Signs of gassiness, abdominal bloating, curling up or drawing up legs, clenching fists and arching back. Colic often starts around the third week of life and goes away on its own at about 3 months, with no long term effects. Cause is still unkown but researchers and doctors have looked at many possibilities such as how babies are fed, allergies, immature digestive system.

 If you believe your baby has colic, we recommend calling your pediatrician. It is helpful to keep track of your baby’s crying episodes, sleeping patterns, and eating habits and bring this information with you to your doctor’s visits.


 Colic can be stressful for both you and your baby. Remember that it is important to take care of yourself, too. Ask for help when you need it, and if help is not available it’s okay place your baby down in their crib for a few minutes and take a break before making another attempt at consoling him or her. Keep in mind that colic will end and you will have survived one of your first challenges of being a parent!

resource here

Happy Birthday Barbie

Happy Birthday to one of the famous girls of all time. Barbie who turns 55 years old today is one of the most beautiful , popular girls of all times. She looks as awesome on this birthday as when she was introduced.

Change Your Clock Change Your Battery

Did you remember to turn your clock back? Well there is a second part to this that often is over looked. My son in law being a fire fighter is one that will never forget. You see it is the day to not only change the clock but to change the batteries in the fire detector. Check Your Batteries Day is definitely highly recommended because it could actually save your life.

Change your batteries day is a day created to raise awareness of the importance of testing and having working batteries in important household appliances. Changing batteries in appliances like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors is very important task. Drawing attention to life threatening situations can give you time to get yourself and your family to safety. Check your battery day is a reminder to test your appliances to make sure they are working properly.

Since you are all ready checking batteries why not check the batteries in other household appliances as well. The TV remote control, your child's favorite toy, clocks, and other electrical items.