banana caramel milkshake

1/2 cup Caramel Sauce

1 large ripe banana

1 pint vanilla ice cream 

1/2 cup milk

Preparation

1. Process all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Serve in individual glasses, and top with additional Caramel Sauce, if desired.

have a Beautiful Wedding on a budget

June is the month for weddings. While I believe brides should always have their fairytail weddings there are ways that this can be done on the frugal end as well.

First try to find a beautiful place like in a friends backyard, a park or another public place that will allow you the beauty without having to pay for a church or a facility. My brother and sister in law were married in the park next to the water and a beautiful fountain was very pretty.

Look for dresses for the bride and bridesmaids on sale or locate a seamstress sometimes dresses can be made cheaper. My aunt had her dresses made by a family friend and had beautiful dresses at a discount while my daughter found all the dresses at a going out of business sale. Both ways worked and all dresses were beautiful.

One way to decorate is to use baloons or candles both of which can be found at discount prices. My daughter used candles that she found at the local dollar store very pretty and the wedding tables were adorned with matching flower runners that were found at great prices as well

Look for those who are great in the kitchen to help with the cake or food for the dinner. This may save money and make others feel welcomeas well.


Save on photography fees by buying disposable cameras and letting others take pictures of the wedding as they see it Often this is a great way because pictures may be captured that you other wise may not have seen. Guest often have great taste and want to share it.

If you are having a summer or spring wedding ask guest with beautiful gardens to bring a few cuttings these flowers placed in jars can help make wonderful decor and allow others to share off and feel pride.

Look Great for Less

If you are like me then you love to have fun with what you wear. Sure there are those days when color is the best thing to wear and you want to be bold and stand out. But when you want to be yourself, look great and wear some darker colors then you will want to check out the kardashian Kollection as well as the Chinese Laundry Collection at Sears.com Both looks will make you look like you spent a fortune on the look you are wearing and you will feel great knowing you saved a bit as well.

Fresh Strawberry Lemonade

1 1/2 cup strawberries (hulled + halved)
1/4 cup agave nectar
2 1/2 cups fresh water
juice of 2 large lemons
extra strawberries for garnish


Blend strawberries, lemon juice and agave on high until quite smooth. Pour into a pitcher and add water. Whisk to combine and refrigerate until well chilled. Serve over ice and garnish each glass with a strawberry. Makes approximately 6 8 oz glasses. Note: Using only two lemons gives it that tart lemony flavor without having to add tons of sweetener. To get the most juice out of your lemon, put it in the microwave for 10 seconds before squeezing. If you want it more lemony, add the juice of 2 additional lemons (4 total) and another 1/4 cup of agave (1/2 cup total) to the blender before adding water.

recipe source Cooking with Kids

Valued Meat Package for Barbq

Great Buy for Dads Grill Out

Planning a grill out for Dad? Well then you have to check out this great deal from MeatHub. This great Summer Grilling Combo Pack includes

· (6) 5 oz. Top Sirloin Steaks

· (4) 5 oz. Chicken Breasts

· (12) 4 oz. Angus Burgers

· (10) 2.5 oz. Bratwurst Sausages

· (6) 2.5 oz. Beef Hot Dogs

all meat is five star restaurant quality and perfect for family barbecues, dinners or special days like fathers day. Sausages and hotdogs are all made up of 100% natural ingredients with natural casings. One of my favorite things about this pack is that the meat is vacuum selaed protecting it from freezer burn and allowing you to keep it for up to 12 months. The meat is shipped frozen with dried ice

this package would normally valued at $165 can be purchased for a short time for $69 to take advantage of this package check it out here

Call For Bloggers From Diamond Candles

I simply love the way the house smells when I light the soy candles that I have. Such awesome scents are available and the aroma they all put off delights me, my family and any guest that happens to stop by. While the smell in the air is delightful on its own, imagine watching as something begins to appear out of the wax. Diamond Candles does just this very thing If you have not had the opportunity to check this out you may just want to do this and share with your readers and the great thing is now may be the time to do just that

The Diamond Candles Company is inviting bloggers to review and host a giveaway of their precious soy candles. They are considered precious as each candles harbors a ring that is valued between $10 to $100 to $500 to $5000 each. The fun part is waiting for the candle to burn and melt to reveal the glittery pouch hidden inside the soy wax.

To qualify you must live in the U.S. and be able to create a review and giveaway post that includes the sponsor's facebook and twitter as well as a couple of keywords within your review. You will have to blog about this event and fill out this form with information about your blog.

Summer Pea Soup Recipe

k

1 large shallot, minced (about 3 Tbsp)

1 1/2 Tbsp unsalted butter

2 cups low sodium chicken broth or vegetable broth (for vegetarian option)

2 sprigs of mint, about 6 inches in total stem length

1 pound of frozen petite peas (available at Trader Joe's)

1/4 cup heavy cream

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Crème fraîche for garnish (can substitute sour cream diluted with cream)

Strips of fresh mint for garnish

1 In a medium saucepan (2 1/2 to 3 quart) melt the butter on medium heat. Add shallots and cook until softened, but not browned, a couple minutes.
2 Add the broth and mint sprigs to the shallots, increase the heat and bring to a boil. Add the frozen peas and salt and pepper to taste. Return to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until the peas are just tender, 3-5 minutes.
3 Discard the mint and purée the soup in a blender until completely smooth. Blend in the cream. Taste and correct seasoning.
Reheat to serve warm, or chill to serve cold. Serve garnished with crème fraîche and mint strips.

recipe source here

Nacho Potatoes

1 package Simply Potatoes® Red Potato Wedges

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon taco seasoning

1 pound lean ground beef

1 cup Crystal Farms® Salsa Con Queso (from 15.5 ounce jar)*

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups chopped lettuce or spinach

1 cup chopped tomato

1/4 cup chopped green onions

1/4 cup chopped black olives

Sour Cream

1. Heat oven to 450°F. Spray 15x10x1-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. In medium bowl combine Simply Potatoes, oil and taco seasoning; stir to coat potatoes. Place potatoes in single layer on prepared pan. Bake, turning Simply Potatoes occasionally, 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and slightly crisp.

2. Meanwhile, cook ground beef in 10-inch nonstick skillet until browned; drain grease. Stir in salsa con queso and salt.

3. To serve divide potatoes evenly onto 4 dinner plates. Top each serving of potatoes with one-fourth of meat mixture, generous 1/3 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup tomatoes, 1 tablespoon green onion and 1 tablespoon black olives. Top with sour cream if desired.       

found recipe here

Trop50 Giveaway

I love refreshing drinks like juice and lemonade when it is hot outside. Trop50 has some of the best. If you have not had the chance to try it for yourself you should check out the giveaway sponsored by Sage and Savvy. The giveaway ends soon on June 7, 2012 so you need to hurry.

Dr. Scholls High Heel Insoles

When I was younger I loved to wear heels where-ever I went. I felt like a starlet wear heels to the grocery store with my mother, out shopping , to school or any where I went. I started wearing heels when I was in my tweens and now that I have hit that big 40 I no longer have the great ambition. The ambition now is to be comfortable in whatever I wear. That includes avoiding heels whenever possible but there are times that I must wear them or I think it looks better if I do. It is not done with the same pride as when I was young and in fact it is often met with dread. Recently though I had the opportunity to try the Dr Scholl's For Her High Heel Insoles. These are gel like in material and have a sticky back. You put them into the bottom of your shoes and they really stay put.

Dr. Scholl's have been trusted for quite some time normally being worn in my work shoes because of the concrete floors I am on for the 8+ hours a day. The help prevent foot pain in both the work shoes an now the high heels. Since I believe that feeling better also makes you look better I love the new heel insoles as I believe they help make me look the best I can. The new insoles for high heels offers an unique ultra soft FabuSTEP gel arch that helps shift the pressure off the ball of the foot. The offer immediate and all day comfort and stays firmly in place. Don't worry yes theres not alot of room in those shoes and Dr. Scholl's high heel insoles are made in a slim design that is nearly invisible as not to make the foot feel tight.

My Thoughts:
As I mentioned Dr. Scholl's insoles have been trusted for quite a bit and love the fact that they are now made for high heels as well. The gel in the insole offers a soothing to the foot feel and were easy to use. 


If you visit Dr Scholl's you can find a $2 off coupon which will help when you purchase (who doesn't like saving money!!) Of course as always you can find these at your local retailer or online at Amazon.com!

Strawberry and Chocolate Sunflower

a friend made this and sent me the photo. It is a sunflower made from strawberries and chocolate shavings what a special summer treat

Nothing Better Than Grandmas Veggie Soup

2 tablespoons canola or olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 rib celery, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 quart broth (vegetable, chicken or beef—any will work well)
1 (28-oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 envelope Knorr Vegetable Soup/Dip mix
1 (10-oz.) bag frozen mixed vegetables
1 tablespoon balsamic or pure apple cider vinegar
1 (16-oz.) can beans (white, pinto, black—whatever you have on hand)
Chopped fresh parsley, to taste
Salt & Pepper, to taste

Heat a large (4-quart) heavy stock pot over medium heat until drops of water bounce before evaporating. Add oil, chopped onion and celery; sauté until translucent. Add garlic and sauté until it becomes very fragrant.

Add broth, tomatoes, soup mix and cook for a few minutes; then add remaining ingredients except parsley and seasonings.

Simmer for 30 minutes; taste to check seasoning, and add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Stir in parsley.

Serve with homemade cornbread.

Serves 8

recipe source Grandparents.com


shared at

What I Whipped Up Wednesday

MAM Smile Party

There must be something in the water because the last several years have seen many additions to my family as well as to my friends families. It seems that the celebration of the announcement of a baby being born is so wonderful that it is has become nearly contagious. Recently I was able to host a MAM smile party with the help of ChildsPlay PR. What an awesome idea, we could celebrate all the little ones and learn a bit about caring for their teeth. Since we were planning on celebrating another birth announcement we decided that we would have a party that would help celebrate both.

Our little ones many know as the Princess and Prince Gager. They are my little ones my only grandchildren at this time. I love them so much that I try to care for them in every way and since there have been past dental problems in our family getting them started early caring for their teeth was very important. Both babies were only given the bottle on scheduled times and never took them to bed. Princess was a paci baby and often took it wherever she went. Gager never was a paci baby. Now they are both broke of the paci but dental visits and bills start early in life and the more we know the better off we are

We wanted to share our knowledge and celebrate with friends so we invited them to our house for a Mam Smile, Baby, Smile party to try out some of Mam’s newest oral hygiene products and play some fun games. Everyone had a great time and I believe that we all learned a bit as well Everyone attending the party recieved a gift bag containing each of the following items.

MAM oral care rabbit is an early tool for cleaning gums on the littlest ones. The long ears makes it possible to easily reach to the back as well. It is so cute who would not love the cute little rabbit available in pink or blue. It also aids with sore gums due to teething.

MAM Massaging brush helps to clean baby's first teeth and massage their gums. This is the perfect firt toothbrush and has an extra long handle for mom and baby to hold together for learning.

When they get old enough to do things by theirselves then they are ready for the first brush. The MAM first brush has a short handle that will fit tightly in their hand. Since children learn a lot through imitation then the first brush is perfect for them as they can imitate exactly what they see others do. The rounded head of the brush is perfect for baby's mouth.

The training brush is perfect for baby and mama to use together. The proper technique of how to brush can easily be taught as the handle is long enough for both baby and mama and bristles nicely clean the little ones teeth.

As you can see we all had a great time getting together and learning more about how to take care of our little ones thanks to MAM and ChildsPlay PR.

I am a member of Child’s Play Party and received Mam products in order to host the party.  The thoughts and opinions I shared here on my blog are those of mmy own.

Summer Berry Muffins

I just simply love berry season. Here in southern illinois there is such a grand variety. You may want to check out this recipe to make some special muffins

Summer Berry Muffins








2 cups self raising flour
1 cup caster sugar
2 pottles (300g) sour cream
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 1/4 cups of mixed berries (we used frozen...)

Combine sifted flour and sugar. Whisk together the sour cream, eggs and oil and stir through the flour mixture. Fold in berries and spoon into 12 medium muffin tins.

Bake for 20-25 minutes at 180C. Dust with icing sugar to serve. Yum

shared at

Win a FirePit for your backyard from Duraflame

 Want a chance to win your own firepit? Well duraflame is offering you the chance to win one. You simply click on the picture and fill out the form to enter You will your own fire pit for your backyard but also a supply of duraflame campfire roasting logs. Monthly winners.

Dreaming of The Back Seat Being Organized May Come True by Entering this Giveaway

wouldn't it be nice to have a backseat that looked this great? Well by entering the giveaway on the blog Two of a Kind Working on a Full House like I did we get closer to having this dream come true. The sponsor Prince Lion Heart has some awesome products and through this giveaway a lucky winner will get a chance to have your backseat organized as well. Simpy enter by June 11, 2012

Get Out and About for Less

 looking to get out and about this summer then look for great deals at DealChicken find them by simply hitting the picture

Yummy Summer Potluck Dish

Fancy Fruit Dessert Pizza

1 20-ounce package store-bought sugar cookie dough, refrigerated
Fancy Fruit Dessert Pizza “Sauce”:
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
Fancy Fruit Dessert Pizza "Topping":
Fresh or canned peach slices, drained
Whole strawberries, cut in half
Fresh or frozen blueberries, drained
Kiwi fruit, peeled
Raspberries
Grapes, no seeds
Bananas
Pineapple chunks or rings, drained
Apples, washed, peeled and cored
Mandarin oranges, drained
Fancy Fruit Dessert Pizza Glaze:
1/4 cup orange marmalade (can also use apricot, strawberry or raspberry)
1 Tbsp water

Optional Drizzle:
1/2 cup chocolate chips, melted

Directions:
Pre-Heat oven to 375F
Slice cookie dough as directed on package
Arrange cookie dough in single layer in bottom of a 15x10x1-inch baking pan. (A large pizza pan will also work).
Using floured fingers, press dough evenly onto pan to form crust
Bake at 375F for 16-20 minutes or until golden brown
Cool crust completely
While crust is cooling, in a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until fluffy
Spread mixture over cooled cookie crust
Refrigerate several hours
Arrange fruit in attractive layers or designs over cream cheese "sauce" layer
Combine marmalade and water into a glaze and carefully brush glaze over fruit
Drizzle warm chocolate chip mixture for additional sweet topping . You can also use spray-can whipped cream to make a fluffy border around the edge.
Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving
Cut into slices or squares and serve immediately
Store any leftovers in the refrigerator

Family Picnic and recipe for Picnic Chicken

One of our favorite things to do as a family is to have picnics in the summer time. I find this option not only a great time to share food whether homemade, fast food or store bought with each other but a great way to share with each other and enjoy the outside. I can remember as a young girl my mother loved to treat us whenever she could but the money was not always there so she made it as special as she could. One of my favorite memories is heading to a park that was shortly out of town and enjoying a hamburger with my mom, there are also great memories of moms homemade picnic chicken that she made early in the morning whenever we would head to a fair so that we could enjoy ourselves and mom could save money by packing up a picnic. This taste of home recipe brought those memories rushing back and I so am placing this on the to do list with my family this year

3 eggs

3 tablespoons water

1-1/2 cups dry bread crumbs

2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon each dried marjoram, thyme and rosemary, crushed

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 cup butter, melted

12 chicken drumsticks

12 bone-in chicken thighs

CREAMY LEEK DIP:

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1-1/2 cups plain yogurt

1 envelope leek soup mix

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Colby cheese

• In a shallow bowl, whisk eggs and water. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs and seasonings. Divide butter between two 13-in. x 9-in. baking dishes.
• Dip chicken pieces in egg mixture, then coat with crumb mixture. Place in prepared pans. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 1 hour or until a meat thermometer reads 180°, turning once. Cool for 30 minutes; refrigerate until chilled.
• For dip, in a small bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form. In another bowl, combine the yogurt, soup mix and cheese; fold in whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate until serving. Serve with cold chicken. Yield: 24 servings (4 cups dip).

shared here

 Melt In Your Mouth Monday

Free Online Organizer

If your family is like mine and gets a bit disorganized during the summer and school year then you will want to check out this online organizer. It is free and will help you keep it all together. Simply hit the picture to go there

Dale & Thomas Gourmet Popcorn Giveaway Win som for dad

I have had the opportunity to have some special men in my life. My father, my grandfather, my brothers and yes my husband and father to my children. They all were very special men and I have fond memories of all of them. The month of June has a special day set forward to celebrate fathers everywhere. On this special day dads everywhere will be greeted with gifts. Some of the past gifts that I have gifted the fathers in my life with include tools, breakfast, a cookout and the list goes on. One great gift that fathers everywhere will love is the awesome Dale and Thomas Popcorn Father's Day Four Pack Sampler The delicious taste of gourmet popcorn will offer a smile to each father that gets this special gift.

A delicious 4 pack sample of gourmet popcorn comes wrapped up with a blue bow scripted with a special #1 Dad message. Inside the box is the famous Dale and Thomas Hall of Fame Kettle Corn, Dale's Caramel Corn, White Cheddar and Black Peppercorn, and Cinnamon Sugar Swirl popcorn. The combination offers a sweet and salty gourmet flavor packed to match the preferred taste buds.

Whether it be your first fathers day like ours over 20 years ago or its for your own father the gift of a tasty snack shoul delight all. We were able to sample a few flavor of our own and have decided that they are all fathers day gift worthy. I simply giggle at the fact that the father of 6 hid a bag simply for him to enjoy without sharing. Great sign that the father in your life may enjoy it as well.

You can purchase this and many other gourmet gifts at http://www.daleandthomaspopcorn.com. You can find them on Facebook too. Then enter to win this Four-Pack Sampler below! To enter, just fill in the Rafflecopter form below. You must be at least 18 years old and live in the 48 contiguous US states (no PO boxes). Only the first entry is mandatory; all other entries will increase your chances to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Summer Fun Birthday Bash

Want to have a bit of summer fun? Then join in the birthday bash hosted by Jacqui of Woman of Many Roles and Cristina of Tailor Made Momma It is a Free Event that will start on July 9th and end at 11:59 pm on July 23rd. For more information check it all out here