• a little added summer fun

    Are the kids bored yet?  Out of ideas to make this summer something to remember?  Too much data being used from iPads and iPhones? It is time to take this summer to next level. Give each day a FOCUS By giving each day a theme you can get everyone excited for something new each day.  It all starts with making it memorable and ends with fun for all and that sounds like a summer I could excited about. Each day…something new Monday starts the week off by making something that will last.  Maybe a music video, or a TV show.  Create a storybook with illustrations or family photos.  Create a…

  • Weeknight Grilling Goodness

    I am all about the grill in the summer.  I will do anything to not have the oven on heating up the house.  So whether it is pork, steak or chicken I want it cooked on the grill as often as possible.  I love it even more if the sides can be cooked on the grill as well. With this Grilled Veggie recipe, my kitchen may get a 3 month break. SO many options As I was walking through the farmers market a few weekends ago I was blown away by all the great produce.  There was summer squash, zucchini, baby eggplants, peppers, onions…and so much more.  I couldn’t pick…

  • no spending and so fun

    As fun as summer can be it can also be VERY expensive.  All the day trips, theme parks, movies, family outings…etc can really add up quick.  After a busy long Holiday weekend I took a little down time to scroll though Pinterest and I got inspired…lets have a no spend weekend this summer. No Spending? Yep…you read that right.  All weekend and no spending.  It can be done and it can be so fun! Have fun inside or out There are no spend options for inside for super hot days like having a movie day, rearranging the furniture or you could explore a library.  For the not so hot days,…

  • perfect for any celebration!!

    I love chocolate chip cookies!  I mean I L.O.V.E chocolate chip cookies and have been on the hunt for the perfect one for a long time. In the meantime I have a found a M&M Cookie Bar that is pretty amazing and SO EASY…much easier than any traditional cookie recipe I have found and OH SO GOOD! Bring on the fun The beauty of these bars is you can really add anything you want to them.  You can use the M&M’s like I did, or add in oreo cookies, or your favorite candy chopped up a bit.  You could also add in nuts, or butterscotch or peanut butter chips.  Some…

  • A new way to sundae

    Confession time…I never once had a traditional strawberry shortcake until I was in my 20’s.  Growing up my mom and grandmothers made their own version of “shortcake” with pie crust.  Yep you read that right…pie crust. It is all about the crust My dad’s most favorite dessert is crust and strawberries.  It is really as simple as it sounds….it is pie crust topped with chopped strawberries.    The key is the super flaky and very tender pie crust, and how we cut it.  Trust me this will change how you think about pie crust! Double duty crust recipe My MeeMaw and Mom have been using this recipe for both these…

  • Plan it out

    As a food blogger I try to plan out my meals for a few weeks in advance, but that doesn’t happen all the time.  Even when I can’t plan a few weeks out I try to plan at least 1 week at a time.  This Printable Menu is one that I use every week…and I love it. It’s all in the plan Plan it all There is a space to plan out your breakfast, lunch, dinner and even snacks.  I use this to not only plan the menu but also my grocery list all at the same time.    I love that so I don’t have to have a ton…

  • A must make summer side

    The Holiday weekend is almost here and I am busy thinking about all the yummies I am going to fix.  One dish I know for sure is this Mexican Street Corn Salad.  It is a perfect side for this Holiday weekend. It is so much more than corn Ok, obviously corn is a HUGE part of this dish but that is not all there is to it.  There is also lime, cheese, herbs, chili powder, sour cream…and a few more things.   Let me tell you it all comes together to create a delicious corn salad, that you can serve warm or chilled, that everyone is sure to LOVE!! It…

  • a perfect side for Taco Tuesday (or Monday, Wednesday…or any day)

    Taco Tuesday is here!!  For me this is definately a favorite.  I love, love, love anything with a Mexican/Tex-Mex flair, so a whole day devoted just to tacos sounds like a perfect day.   It is so much more than just tacos I know tacos should be the star of Taco Tuesday but to me the sides are just as important (if not even more).  I love the chips, the salsa, the queso (like this one) and of course the beans and rice.   Now I am all about the more traditional Red Rice but I am obsessed this Cilantro Lime Rice.   It is AMAZING! So much flavor in so…

  • Take advantage of all this summer has to offer!!

    Summer is definately in full swing and I know for me it started without me.  Even though it is almost July it is not too late to take full advantage of all it has to offer.  OK, maybe not everything but at least a lot of it. My Summer Bucket List I am defiantly a list person so making a bucket list was a must do for me.  After I started I have to say I got super excited for the next 2 months.   I am definately going to make a conscience effort to enjoy it as much as I can and not the busy over-take. Make the most…

  • The ULTIMATE Rice Krispies

    My brother, James, is a HUGE fan if Rice Krispie treats.  So much so that that is all he asks for when his birthday rolls around.  I am, of course, more than happy to make them because he has to be one the hardest people in the world to buy for.  If rice krispie treats make him happy I am in. Family Affair My brother has now got my nephew loving rice krispie treats as well.  Truth be told I love to make Wesley just about anything so rice krispie treats are becoming quite the regular treat around our houses. Taking it to the next level Me being me I…