Summer Berry Salsa

Pool Camping Bed

Cheeseburger Meatball Kabobs

Finger Pin Cushion

Mandarin Orange Pretzel Dessert

This classic dessert features a crunchy pretzel crust, a creamy center, and silky top with mandarin oranges and orange flavored gelatin.

Mandarin Orange Pretzel Dessert 

Ingredients:

Crust:

2 cups crushed pretzels

3 tbsp sugar

3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

Filling:

8 oz cream cheese, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

8 oz whipped topping, thawed

Topping:

1 box orange gelatin

1 cup boiling water

1 cup cold water

1 can Mandarins, drained

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Coat a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray. In a medium bowl, mix together the pretzels, sugar, and butter. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 15 minutes, or until mixture is lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar with a handheld mixer. Fold in the whipped topping until thoroughly combined. Spread evenly over the cooled pretzel layer, making sure it goes completely to the edges. Refrigerate until set, about 30-40 minutes.

In another medium bowl, whisk together the orange gelatin powder with 1 cup boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved. Then whisk in 1 cup of cold water. Gently mix in the mandarin orange slices.

Pour mixture over the cooled cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until completely chilled and set, about 3 hours. Slice and serve.

Note: Spread the cream cheese mixture over the top of the pretzel crust completely to the edges so the gelatin won't leak through.

James 3:10

Good grammar matters to me. I’m bothered when I hear the wrong word used by people I think should know better. There’s a proper way to use the language, and it makes me cringe when the standard is violated.

There’s another kind of incorrect word usage that is far worse. It happens when Christians utter words that fall short of the standard God expects.

Anytime we speak any form of God’s name irreverently or in a way that doesn’t honor Him, we displease Him. If we joke about sinful practices or we are speak in a way we shouldn’t we bring dishonor to the name of Christ. Such speech is hypocritical. Controlling our tongue is difficult because it is an “unruly evil”.

 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. -James 3:10

Seven and Seven

Sriracha Glazed Ribs

Patriotic Clothespin Wreath

A beautiful and creative way to show some love for America.

Patriotic Clothespin Wreath

Supplies:

Wire Wreath Frame

Wood Stars 1 to 4 inches each

Acrylic paint : White, Blue, Red

Mini Glue Gun  

Glue Sticks

Mod Podge Silicone Craft Mat

Clothespins 

                                      

Painted all of the clothespins. Then paint the wooden stars.  When the clothespins and stars are dry, it was time to put them on the wire wreath frame.

The wreath frame has 4 wires.  When putting the clothespins on the frame, skip using the top (outside) wire and use the other three.  Started by putting the pin on the second wire and extending to the third wire.  The next pin starts on the third wire and ends on the bottom wire.  This way the clothespins sit at different angles and they look nice.  Alternated the clothespins all the way around the wreath frame.

Put all of the blue clothespins together.  Then put 5 red clothespins followed by 5 white pins then continued the pattern around the wire wreath frame. 

Next hot glue the stars onto the blue clothespins.  When gluing the stars for this project, make sure you use a high temperature glue gun.  The high temperature will make sure that the stars stay glued to the clothespins, especially when the wreath is outside in weather.

Layered "Watermelon" Cake

Beautiful looking and delicious tasting. 

Layered Watermelon Cake

Ingredients:

1 pkg chocolate-covered raisins

20 drops red food color, divided

1 pkg white cake mix, prepared 

Vanilla frosting

8 drops green food color

Directions:

Reserve 2 tbsp of chocolate-covered raisins. Add remaining chocolate-covered raisins and 12 drops red food color into cake batter; mix well.

Bake according to package directions in two 8-inch round cake pans that have been coated with cooking spray, lined with waxed paper, and coated again with cooking spray. Let cool 10 minutes, then invert onto wire racks to cool completely. Place frosting in 2 medium bowls, dividing equally. Add green food color to one bowl; mix well. Add remaining 8 drops red food color to second bowl; mix well. Place 1 cake layer upside down on a serving plate and frost top with half of red frosting. Place second layer over first and frost top with remaining half of red frosting. Frost sides with green frosting.

Place reserved 2 tablespoons chocolate-covered raisins over top to look like seeds. Serve, or cover loosely until ready to serve.

Coconut Lime Scrub

Chili Cheese Dog Bake

Chili Cheese Dog Bake

Ingredients:
4 hot dogs
4 string cheese
1 can Pillsbury pizza dough
3 cups Chili
1/4 cup Butter, melted
1 teaspoon garlic power
1 teaspoon fresh parsley

Directions:
Preheat over to 375F
Pour chili into a 6 x 10 or 7 x 11 pan.
Remove the cheese from the wrappers and cut in half lengthwise. Set aside.
Open the can of pizza dough and roll out. Cut the dough into 4 equal sections. Take a wiener and sandwich it with the two sides of cheddar. Beginning at one end of the strip of dough, begin to wrap the bundle into the dough, covering the whole length of the wiener with the
dough. Place in the pan with the chili, seam side down. When all four are complete, bake in the oven for 15-18 minutes or until the dough is cooked and golden brown on top. Mix the garlic and parsley with the melted butter and brush the tops of the hot dogs with the garlic butter.

Proverbs 20:7

At times earthly fathers disappoint or hurt their children. But our Father in heaven is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy”. When a dad who loves the Lord corrects, comforts, instructs, and provides for the needs of his children, he models for them our perfect Father in heaven.

A life lived for Christ is the best inheritance any parent can leave for their children.

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. - Proverbs 20:7

Tequila Sunrise Popsicles

S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels

Say goodbye to boring squares and hello to these fun S’mores Pinwheels

S’mores Rice Krispies Treats Pinwheels

 

Ingredients:

10 oz miniature marshmallows

¼ cup butter (plus more for greasing)

5 cup Rice Krispies cereal

¾ cup graham cracker crumbs

7 oz jar marshmallow creme

6 Hershey's chocolate bars

Directions:

Preheat oven to 200°. Line a 10x15 jelly roll pan with wax or parchment paper. Butter the paper and set aside. Combine marshmallows and one quarter cup of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover and heat on high for 30 seconds, stir. Repeat until completely blended.

Stir in cereal and graham cracker crumbs. Press mixture into prepared pan. Spread marshmallow creme on top using an offset spatula. Place Hershey's bars on top of the marshmallow creme.

Place in oven for two minutes. Use an offset spatula to spread the softened chocolate.

Let cool for 10 minutes.

Roll up jelly roll style (like a cinnamon roll), starting on the long side. Peel away the paper as you roll. Pinch the seams together. Place seam side down and refrigerate for 30-45 minutes or until chocolate has set. Slice and serve.

Glow in the Dark Sand

What could be more fun than playing and exploring with glow in the dark sand?  

Glow in the Dark Sand 

Materials:
Epsom salts
Zip seal bags
Glow in the dark or fluorescent paint

Instructions:
Place the desired amount of salt in a zip seal bag, one bag for each color of sand you want to make. Then add a squirt or two of glow in the dark or fluorescent paint. Seal the bags and mix until all of the salt crystals are saturated in color.

 

Once the salt crystals are saturated open the bags and allow the salt to dry.  Drying will take roughly 24 hours.  You can lay the salt out on cookie sheets to dry faster, or you can let it dry right in the bag

The salt may clump together a bit as it dries but will easily break apart once it is handled.  Once the salt is dry pour it into storage container. 

Chicken Bella

Bella means "beautiful" in Italian. This is a perfect description of the look and taste of this dish.

Chicken Bella

Ingredients:
6 oz grape or cherry tomatoes
1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
2 oz pancetta
2 cloves of fresh garlic, minced
1 cup chicken broth
8 oz cream cheese
4 cups fresh spinach
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella

Directions:
Slice tomatoes into halves. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and roast the

 tomatoes at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

While the tomatoes are roasting, heat a cast iron or stainless steel skillet. If using full breast of chicken, pound it  to an even thickness. Trim any fat from chicken. Slice if desired. Add chicken and pancetta to the pan. Brown until nearly cooked through. Add garlic and sauté another 5 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate. Pour chicken broth into the skillet, using a spatula to loosen any browned bits from the base. Over medium heat, stir in cream cheese until melted. When the sauce is smooth, add in the spinach. Stir until wilted. Add the chicken and roasted tomatoes, stirring gently.  When up to temperature again, sprinkle with mozzarella.

Glue Art

Cherry Tomato Tulips

A really easy and frugal appetizer or snack that is festive, cute and not to mention, tasty! 

Cherry Tomato Tulips 

Ingredients:

15 Large Cherry Tomatoes

16 stalks of chives

8 oz. cream cheese

1 cucumber

1 teaspoon dried basil

Salt and pepper

 Directions:

With stem side down, cut a cross in the top of each cherry tomato (about ¾ down the tomato).

Using a spoon (grapefruit spoon works very well) to gently scrape out the tomato seeds.

Take a grilling skewer or toothpick and make a hole where the stem currently is. You may need to twist the skewer in a circle a few times to make room for the chive to fit through.

Finely chop or grate cucumber.

Mix cream cheese, cucumber and basil in a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Add a teaspoon of cream cheese mixture into each tomato tulip (adjust depending on size of tomatoes).

Insert a chive into the hole at the bottom of each tomato.

Use a damp paper towel to clean any excess cream cheese filling from outside of tomatoes.

Prepare the tulip bouquet on a large plate or platter. Use the extra chive stalk to wrap around the tulip stems to complete the bouquet.

Keep chilled until ready to serve. It is best served the same day as they are made.

Genesis 39:9

Today, it is popular to call sin by more acceptable names. But using euphemisms these offenses will only weaken our resistance and trivialize sin’s harmfulness to us.

God’s moral standards are absolute. It is only when we see sin as something abhorrent to the Lord that we will be motivated to make right moral judgments.

Calling sin by a softer name will change neither its offensiveness to God nor its cost to us.

 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? -Genesis 39:9

White Russian

3-Ingredient Crescent Sausage Bites

Super easy, super delicious sausage bites are always a huge hit.

3-Ingredient Crescent Sausage Bites

Ingredients:
1 lb hot sausage (pork or turkey)
8 oz cream cheese
2 pkgs crescent roll dough 

Directions:
In a saute pan, brown sausage; drain. Add a dash of salt and pepper. Blend in cream cheese until the cream cheese is melted. Unroll one package of crescent rolls and place on a baking sheet. With your fingers, gently press the seams together to seal them. Spread the sausage mixture evenly over the crescent roll dough, leaving about a 1/2-inch border along the edges. Unroll the remaining package of crescent rolls and place on top of the sausage mixture. Press the edges together to seal. Gently press the seams together. Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until crescent roll dough is golden brown. Cut into small squares and serve. (A pizza cutter makes really quick and easy work of the cutting.)

Paper Plate Cookie Baskets

Slow Cooker Beer Can Style Chicken

This recipe mimics the delicious taste of this famous recipe with a slow cooker. The ingredients are simple and easy to find in your pantry, but the taste is complex and finger licking good.

Slow Cooker Beer Can Style Chicken 

Ingredients:
1 6-lb chicken
2 tbsps smoked paprika
2 tsps salt
2 tsps coarse pepper
2 tsps dried oregano leaves
2 tsps dried thyme leaves
1 tsps garlic powder
1 tsps cayenne pepper
1/2 tsps onion powder
2 tbsps butter, softened
1 can dark beer
4 aluminium foil balls

Directions:
Place bunched rolls of foil in bottom of 6-quart slow cooker and pour in beer.
Wash chicken and pat dry. Pull skin gently way from bird.
Mix all dry seasonings together.
Mix 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning blend into butter. Spread butter mixture under skin of chicken. With clean dry hands, rub remaining spice blend onto chicken. Place chicken on top of foil balls in slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours, or low on 7-8 hours. Check the temperature - chicken is done when the temperature is 160-165 in the thickest part of the thigh. Continue to cook if needed. 

Spinning 3D Hot Air Balloon

Make this with your kids, they’ll love this craft.

Spinning 3D 

Hot Air Balloon 

Materials Needed:

5 colored pieces of paper

Toilet roll

Scissors

Glue/tape

Twine/string

Instructions:

Start by cutting out 5 hot air balloon shapes with different colored papers. Try to make them as close to the same sizes as possible! Fold them in half and glue each side to another paper to make it 3D.

Cut a little piece of a toilet paper roll off and tape some twine inside it. Glue on some dots or stickers. Tape the top of the pieces of string to the inside of two balloons.

That’s it.

Spinach Parmasen Zucchinin Noodles

Hebrews 6:19

All around us the winds and waves of doubt, discouragement, and spiritual attack by the evil one can cause us to think that we are adrift and salvation from God is not secure.

But be assured that your salvation is secure. Your hope is securely fastened in Jesus Christ who redeemed us once and for all when He died, rose again, and ascended to heaven.

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; - Hebrews 6:19

Tropical Green Jell-O Shots

Pork in Creamy Cabbage

Smokey pork, creamy mushrooms and crunchy cabbage make this dish a success everytime.

Pork in Creamy Cabbage 

Ingredients:
4 pork chops or 4 slices pork loin
5 thick slices of bacon
4 oz chopped yellow onion
1½ c mushroom soup
20 oz coarsely chopped green cabbage
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper

Directions: 
Chop bacon into ½” pieces.  Brown in skillet.  Then add the onion and saute until onion begins to soften.  Add cabbage and continue to saute 2 minutes only.   Add mushroom soup and stir to mix all ingredients.  Pour into glass casserole dish greased with bacon grease.  Wipe out skillet with paper towel and rub with dab (really minimal) bacon grease.  Sear meat on both sides and the place chops atop cabbage.  Bake at 350º for 40 minutes.

Minute Maid Bank