Blue Cheese and Bacon Deviled Eggs

Bottle Bottom Turtles

No Bake Berry Icebox Cake

Delicious, easy Patriotic desert.

No Bake Berry Icebox Cake

Ingredients:
19 oz graham crackers
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 pkgs Vanilla Instant Pudding
2-1/2 cups cold milk
12 oz Cool whip
3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries
2 oz white chocolate chips

Directions:
Beat cream cheese and dry pudding mixes in large bowl with mixer until blended. Gradually beat in milk.
Gently stir in Cool Whip or homemade whipped cream, reserving ½ cup.
Spread a thin layer of cool whip in a 9x13 pan just to coat the bottom.
Layer 5 graham crackers across the center of the pan, then 2 more, breaking them as needed to fit around the top and bottom edges.
Spread a layer of pudding mixture over grahams and top with a layer of blueberries and sliced strawberries.
Place graham crackers on top of berries, then pudding mixture, then layer of berries again.

Repeat the graham-pudding-berries layers 1 more time (3 times total) and you should reach the top of the pan.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until the graham crackers have softened completely.
When ready to serve, melt white chocolate chips in a bowl as directed on package and drizzle over dessert.
You can use a spoon to drizzle it over the tops of the berries or you can put it into a small zip-top bag and snip of the corner for an easy "piping bag."

2 Corinthians 3:18

We ALL were created in the image of God, but that image has been defaced by our sin. But when we trust Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, we are forgiven and the restoration begins and once we invite Jesus to enter our lives as Savior, He goes to work to restore the original image. He transforms us to make us like Himself.

 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
-2 Corinthians 3:18

Slushy Cherry Old Fashioned Cocktail

Egg Roll Stir-Fry

All yummy flavors of Egg Rolls in one dish without a shred of guilt of the fried wrapper.

Egg Roll Stir-Fry

Ingredients:
1 pound ground pork or beef
6 green onion,
1 small head of cabbage
3 carrots
4-5 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/4 cup soy sauce

Directions:
Cook and crumble ground meat with onions in a very large skillet until meat is cooked through. Do not drain. You’ll need to select a skillet large enough to contain all the cabbage – divide everything evenly into two skillets if necessary.

While meat and onions are cooking cut cabbage into thin shreds; set aside. I cut mine in half lengthwise, set the cut side flat on the cutting board then thinly sliced the cabbage into strips.

Peel carrots with a vegetable peeler then either dice small or use the peeler to shave off thin slices; set aside.

Combine garlic, ginger, pepper, sesame oil, vegetable oil and soy sauce in a small bowl and stir to combine; set aside.

Add cabbage and carrots to ground meat then cook and stir over medium-high heat for 3-4 minutes. Add soy sauce mixture then stir well.

Reduce heat to medium and continue cooking for 5-10 minutes or until cabbage is tender.

Picnic Napkin Rings

Spaghetti Salad

This recipe is a staple at family gatherings and it’s always been a hit with kids because they love anything with spaghetti noodles.

Spaghetti Salad 

Ingredients:
1 lb thin spaghetti broke into 4"pieces
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 med zucchini, diced
1 med yellow zucchini squash, diced
1 green pepper, diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 red onion, diced
1 cucumber, diced
2 cans sliced olives, drained
8 oz cheddar cheese, cubed

Dressing:
1 (16 oz) bottle Italian dressing
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Directions:
Cook spaghetti according to package directions, then rinse in cold water and drain. Set aside and let cool.
Place tomatoes, zucchini, squash, peppers, onion, cucumber, olives, and cheese in a large bowl. Add cooled spaghetti noodles and mix well.
In a small bowl, mix together dressing, Parmesan cheese, paprika, garlic powder. Pour on top of the spaghetti and vegetables and mix until completely combined. Let sit in the fridge for at least 2 hours before serving (this salad gets better with time, as the flavors meld together).

Lotion Bottle Safe

Krispy Kreme Ice Cream

Hebrews 7:25

Often times when a difficult situation hits us we turn to family, friends and even Facebook to seek out prayers. And, even the thought of those prayers begin to ease our fears and make us feel better.

And, what it is even more comforting is knowing that Jesus was praying for me that very moment as well because He is always praying for us and always on our side.

Are difficult circumstances creating fear in your heart? By all means, ask others to pray for you. But don’t forget that you can count on the prayers of Jesus Himself. By faith, think of Him as praying around the clock for you, as if He were in the next room.

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
-Hebrews 7:25

Banana Pudding Martini

One Pot BBQ Cheeseburger Pasta

One Pot BBQ Cheeseburger Pasta

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey
2 cups hot water
4 cups milk
1 box (11.6 oz) Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Macaroni
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup bacon bits
1/4 cup barbecue sauce

Directions:

In 12-inch skillet, cook turkey over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly cooked; drain.

Stir in hot water, milk, uncooked pasta and sauce mix (from Hamburger Helper box). Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cheese and 1/4 cup bacon bits. Cover; simmer 5 minutes. Remove from heat; uncover (sauce will thicken as it stands). Sprinkle remaining bacon bits and drizzle barbecue sauce over top of skillet. Stir before serving.

Water Bottle Wind Spirals

You'll love the way these bounce and bob in the wind. The sunlight shining through the bands of colour looks so lovely.

Water Bottle Wind Spirals

Materials:
Plastic water bottles
Permanent markers in various colors
Scissors

Instructions:
Remove the lids and labels from your bottles and give them a quick wash.

Make sure bottles are thoroughly dry inside and out.

Once the bottles are dry, color them. Permanent markers are a must for this step.  Washable ink will not adhere to the plastic. Be sure to use a variety of colors on each bottle. 

When the coloring is complete, use scissors to remove the flat bottom of the bottle and discard.

Starting at the cut edge, snip around and around, from the bottom of the bottle to the top, to create a spiral. Stop cutting when you get to the smooth, rounded “shoulders” of the bottle.

When all of your spirals have been cut, head out to the yard and find a slender tree branch to hang them from.

Slide the neck of the bottles onto the branch and nest the bottle tops together by tucking each one into the one before it.

Homemade Mayonnaise

DIY Spray Paint Art

Looking for cheap and easy wall art that you can do in under a half hour?

DIY Spray Paint Art

Materials Needed:
Piece of art board
Spray paint, color of your choice
Rubber gloves
Flowers from your garden or fake flowers from a hobby store

Directions:
Place art board on a flat surface (either in your garage or outside).
Lay flowers or leaves flat on board and put rubber gloves on.
While holding the bottom part of the flower, start to spray paint the picture from top to bottom. Be careful to spray straight onto the board (not on an angle).
Spray paint all the way down, being careful to move your hand out of the way without moving the flower at all.
Let dry for a couple of minutes, remove flower and let the picture finish drying for about 15 minutes.
When finished, frame your picture and hang it wherever you like.

Chocolate Pretzel Flowers

1 Samuel 1:28

It’s often difficult for parents to “let go” of their children, allowing them to be independent, this is especially true of mothers. They like to keep their children close as long as possible.

Even releasing children to the Lord and His will for their lives demands great faith. As children grow up, we need to prayerfully entrust them to God’s care. If we do, we’ll experience the peace and joy of knowing that God loves them even more than we do.

Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1:28

Hookah Butterfly Cocktail

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar and Garlic Chicken

Who would have thought to pair brown sugar and garlic but what a fabulous idea?

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar and Garlic Chicken 

Ingredients:
4-6 chicken breasts
1 cup packed brown sugar
2/3 cup vinegar 
1/4 cup lemon-lime soda
2-3 Tablespoons minced garlic
2 Tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2 Tablespoons corn starch
2 Tablespoons water
Red pepper flakes

Directions:
Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Place chicken (frozen, thawed or fresh) inside slow cooker. Mix together the sugar, vinegar, soda, garlic, soy sauce, and pepper, and pour over chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours. (Frozen chicken will obviously need a longer cook time.) Remove chicken from slow cooker (it should basically fall apart) and pour remaining sauce into a saucepan over high heat. Mix together corn starch and water, pour into saucepan, and mix well. Let sauce come to a boil and boil for 2-3 minutes, or until it starts to thicken and turns into a glaze. Remove from heat and let sit for a minute or two (it will continue to thicken as it cools).
Sprinkle red pepper flakes on top.
This can be served over rice or noodles.

Classic Craft Stick Box Craft

This frugal craft is entertaining, fun, and useful. Finished boxes make 

thoughtful gifts for Mother’s Day.

Classic Craft Stick Box Craft

Supplies:

Wooden craft sticks

White school glue

Paint

Paintbrush

Instructions:

Begin gluing and stacking craft sticks together to form a square.

When satisfied with the height of the box, glue craft sticks all along the top. This will actually become the bottom of the box when it’s dry and flipped over.

As the box is drying, begin making the lid by simply placing two crafts sticks on the bottom, then glue craft sticks all along the top. Glue a little wooden knob to the top of the lid. Allow the lid to dry completely.

While the box and lid are drying, get ready to paint. Paint the box and lid. 

Allow the paint to dry. If desired, seal the paint with Mod Podge or clear acrylic spray.

Onion Dip

Lemon and Lavender Scrub

Rainbow Gumdrop Cookies

Acts 20:24

When our goal is to honor the Lord, He guides and guards us each step of the way. Whatever our hopes and dreams may be, when we place them in God’s hands we know that everything, including setback or success, is under His control.

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. - Acts 20:24

Green Apple-Lime Martini

Chili Rellenos Casserole

I love Chili Rellenos. This casserole offers all the same flavor with less calories or work.

Chili Rellenos Casserole

Ingredients:
2 cans green chile peppers, drained
8 ounces Jack cheese, shredded
8 ounces Cheddar cheese, shredded
2 eggs, beaten
1 can evaporated milk
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1 can tomato sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Lay half of the chilies evenly in bottom of baking dish. Sprinkle with half of the Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and cover with remaining chilies. In a bowl, mix together the eggs, milk, and flour, and pour over the top of the chilies. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove from oven, pour tomato sauce evenly over the top, and continue baking another 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining Jack and Cheddar cheeses, and serve.

Dish Soap Silly Putty

Lemon Curd

Lemon curd is a thick, tart, spreadable lemon cream that is versatile in many delicious deserts.

Lemon Curd

Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
3 eggs
1 cup fresh lemon juice
3 lemons, zested
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Directions:
In a large microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until smooth and thoroughly combined. Whisk in lemon juice, lemon zest and butter. Cook in the microwave on full power for one minute intervals, stirring after each minute. This process will take about 3-5 minutes depending on the strength of your microwave. You will know the lemon curd is done cooking when it coats the back of a metal spoon. Remove from the microwave, push through a fine, mesh sieve and pour into sterile jar.

Growing a Lemon Plant

Do you love lemons? Did you know that you can plant lemon seeds indoors and grow small lemon trees inside your home or office? Planting lemon seeds indoors not only provides you beautiful greenery to look at  but smells fantastic. 

Growing a Lemon Plant

Instructions:
Fill a flowerpot within two inches to the top with potting soil from an unopened bag. Take a lemon and cut in half with a sharp knife. Remove the mature seed – you can tell if a seed is mature because it will be plump. Rinse your lemon seeds in water ensuring that you remove all the sugarcoating. The sugar will encourage fungi to grow and kill your lemon plants. Plant your lemon seed about a half an inch deep in the center of your flowerpot. You need to do this immediately as dried lemon seeds will not germinate. Moisten your potting soil with water making sure not to over water it. Cover your flowerpot with plastic wrap, and place it in a warm location such as the top of the refrigerator until you notice your seeds have germinated. Move your flowerpot to a bright lit area such as a window and enjoy.

Tornado Cake

It is one of the easiest and most delicious cakes you can make and everyone loves it.

Tornado Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

20oz can crushed pineapple

Topping:

1/2 cup salted butter

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup sweetened coconut flakes

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350° and grease a 9x13" baking pan with butter. In a large mixing bowl, mix together your flour, sugar, baking soda, eggs, vanilla, and crushed pineapple. Pour into your baking pan and bake for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown. Poke several holes in the cake with the handle of a wooden spoon. In a medium sized sauce pan, heat your butter, sugar, evaporated milk, and vanilla until it reaches a boil

Mix in your pecans and coconut and continue cooking for about 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring constantly. Pour your topping evenly over your cake, slice, and enjoy.