2026 Barbie Holiday Display Walmart -Christmas & Hanukkah

Walmart had their Holiday Barbie's out this morning, so I thought I'd share a few pics:@) There are the more casual dolls dressed in sweaters, Christmas and Hanukkah. I do have to say if you want one, there weren't very many...

Nutcracker Barbie on a spinning base:

And a Nutcracker rainbow horse:

And of course there are the party dress dolls too...

The full display with glitter bow:@)

It was an impressive sight!

Grab it when you see it and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Barbie Dress Craft Stocking Stuffer -Dollar Tree Alert!

I've seen these little Barbie Dress Kits at Dollar Tree before, except this year they have both the magic marker version and some that come with fashion stickers. The packaging is on a cardboard backing that's stiff enough to give it some body for wrapping. I love the idea of a little craft that may keep the kids busy for a while. Especially if you break out some other markers for additional colors, or maybe rhinestones and glitter. This would be a great $1.25 gift for Christmas stockings, a birthday party, sleepover, or again, any rainy afternoon...

I know we're only approaching Halloween, but... Ya gotta grab it when you see it folks, things don't last long:@) Especially affordable creative items.

Let's plan ahead and

Have a Happy Day!

First Ripe Pepper from Garden 2026

Hello, it's been a minute! Popping in to show the first pepper from my garden to ripen this year... Gotta laugh, it's Barbie size:@) 

Philly Barbie asks, 

sausage, pepper and onion sandwich anyone?

I hope summer is treating you well!

Have a Happy Day:@)

Trick or Treating in Barbie's World

Barbie promised the kid dolls that if they ate dinner, they could do a little Trick or Treating early in the evening. The weather was beautiful, and as the sun was just beginning to set, it was still warm out so coats weren't needed. The kids were running around and excited (and just a bit hyped up on sugar). Until they stopped at Ken's... They were a little apprehensive approaching this spooky house...

But Frankenstein was the perfect host...

This year's costumes were a glamourous witch, little pumpkins, and a baby chick:@)

DIY Halloween Craft links:  Barbie Pumpkin No-Sew Poncho ~ K-Cup Frankenstein Mask ~ K-Cup Boo Bucket ~ Felt Pumpkin (or any day) Jumper Free Pattern (for Barbie, Curvy Barbie, Chelsea and Kelly dolls)

~This chick~ says Halloween can be fun for everyone!

Previous Halloween Dioramas:

Trunk or Treating Diorama

Halloween Party 2021

Loading Huge Pumpkin onto Jeep

Pumpkin Picking with Anthony Diorama-2023

Halloween at the Farm Diorama 2022

BOO!

Have a Happy Day🎃

Barbie/Ken Frankenstein Mask from K-Cup

I love to re-purpose k-cups any time I can, and here's a fun little craft for the kids. Or for an adult to make for doll play... These Frankenstein Masks, or Costumes, for Barbie and Ken can be as simple or elaborate as art skills -and patience- allow. I've made two, one an open face and the second has eye holes and more green. If this is a Halloween or birthday party craft, I suggest an adult have all of the k-cups pre-cut and let the kids color and decorate them. I used Sharpies for the boldest color. 

Bucket head and jagged bangs:

More of a hat look...

And a pull on mask:

I purposely used the most beaten up, dirtiest, well worn, black jacket I had to add to the Frankenstein look. Thrift store grab bag rescue:@)

My Barbie Pinterest Board here.

What I did:

1. Pull foil off of k-cup, tap out coffee grounds, pull out filter. Wash and dry k-cup.
2. The bottom of the cup will be the flat top of the head.
3. Using sturdy scissors, kitchen shears are best, cut off the ridge that had the foil glued to it. But leave two 1/4" pieces at the sides for the illusion of neck bolts.
4. If making open face mask, cut out enough of the cup in a rectangle shape to show the dolls eyes.
5. Make jagged cuts for the bangs.
6. If making eye hole mask, cut an arch between the bolts just high enough to expose the mouth and tip of the nose. Cut eye holes (I used a hole punch. Can use Exacto knife or utility knife.
7. Color with Sharpies as desired.

♻Let's recycle creatively and 

Have a Happy Day🎃

Easy Pumpkin Maple Meatballs -2 Ingredients

I don't think these Pumpkin Maple Meatballs could get any easier folks. Your favorite frozen meatballs, a jar of pumpkin maple spread from Aldi (or any store that has something similar), and a slow cooker. I used my Little Dipper Crock Pot and about half a jar of the jam. Only two ingredients Lynn? Ok, if you'd like to add a little something else... How about some pumpkin pie spice. Or dare I say... Maybe a few shakes of hot sauce? But honestly, my crew says it was perfect as is. And I mean the whole crew this time! This is a nice sweet seasonal treat perfect to snack on after leaf raking, a trip apple picking, or pumpkin hunting at the garden center. 

And of course it's great for... 

Football parties:@)

How to make a Barbie Crock Pot here.

Let's change up our hosting routine and try something new while the pumpkin flavors are available! Maybe even tuck a jar away for Thanksgiving... Just a thought.

The Aldi jam I used:

As a point of reference I used 14 bite size meatballs and half of a 12.5 oz jar in my Little Dipper Crock Pot. There was room for a few more meatballs.

Pumpkin Maple Meatballs

1. 1 lb+ frozen cooked meatballs
2. 12 oz jar Pumpkin Maple Spread
3. Place meatballs in slow cooker, cover and cook on high for an hour.
4. Pour jam over meatballs reserving a few tablespoons to stir in before serving. 
5. Turn temp to low, place paper towel under lid, and cook for about two more hours or until heated through. (My Little Dipper is only one temp, I use at least 2 1/2 hours).
6. Stir in reserved jam. 
7. Stir and serve with fun food picks. 

🍁🏈Enjoy a snack and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Just Bare Chicken -Good stuff folks!

I live alone and as the years go by I seem to be more drawn to the idea of convenience food. Things that cut out just a bit of prep, and most importantly, a lot of clean up. Can anyone relate? I thought so:@) The issue is, unless your budget allows very high end products, sometimes the quality is lacking. Most of you know Buffalo Chicken is one of my favorite things. Nothing better than tossing some nuggets into the air fryer, slathering with sauce, cutting up some veggies, and calling it Saturday (or game day) lunch. 

*Barbie's chicken is cut out of a sale ad... Just Bare needs to get ahold of the Mini Verse or Zuru people!

When it comes to chicken nuggets I've tried them all. Well, maybe not the dinosaur shaped ones, but all the rest-ha. I have finally found what I consider the most 'fried chicken' like nuggets. No extra spices, no funny after taste from the oil used in the breading, no excessive breading, and no ground up shaped mystery meat. Just whole white meat chicken breast cut to bite size appetizer pieces with a light breading. 

As the angels sing...

Have you tried Just Bare Chicken Breast Bites? My co-worker grabbed me a big bag at Sam's Club, but they are also sold in 22-24 oz packs at regular supermarkets. Not inexpensive, but not excessively expensive either. They go on sale for about $8. 10-12 minutes in the air fryer and I have a hot protein that satisfies. **Please note, I am not affiliated with or being paid for this post. Just sharing something I've been enjoying. But as I shamelessly always say, if they want to send me a little somethin'-somethin', I eat a lot of chicken. Just sayin' :@)

Don't hesitate to give them a try folks, they also have strips and fillets. I like the bites for charcuterie, appy's and dipping. Maybe put out a bunch of different sauces for your next football party or get together. Also good on salads, tacos, or as a short cut for chicken parmesan. Anything goes!

🏈Eat well and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Frozen Crushed Tomatoes -Small Batch Preserving The Garden

As the garden winds down and the season comes to an end the tomatoes start to look a little worse for wear. One way to try to use them up is to make some *simple* Frozen Crushed Tomatoes. The key here is it’s just an idea to eliminate waste and nothing too fancy. We can make as few or as many as we'd like or have. The excess liquid can be cooked out on the stove, or if you’d like, in a slow cooker. I used the stove because it goes a lot faster. My son adds some basil. I just made tomatoes, they can be used for spaghetti sauce, chili, soup, or stews. 

As a point of reference, I used four large tomatoes, cooked them for 1 hour and 15 minutes. This gave me about 1/2 C of crushed. Yep, preserving is a labor of love folks:@)

It was another good tomato year from the raised bed garden, although they did ripen almost three weeks later than last year. At this point I’m beginning to pull plants and clean things up.

My Preserving Pinterest Board HERE.

My DIY Barbie Pinterest Board HERE.

Frozen Crushed Tomatoes

• Wash and core tomatoes. Cut into quarters. Pushing the seeds out is always a nice idea, I didn't. Same with the skins, I left them on, just used the whole tomato. *Next time I'll run my thumbs through them to remove most of the seeds.
• Pulse about 6-8 times in food processor or chop with a knife. 
• Add a pinch of salt, bring to boil. Reduce to medium low, stir occasionally so they don't scorch or burn, and cook until reduced and liquid has evaporated. This will take time, plan this project for when you are home for a few hours.
• Cool, place in freezer bags or cups, label, and freeze.

🍅Let's use up what the garden gifts us,

and Have a Happy Day:@)

Memorial Day Weekend

 Thank You to all who have served!

Everyone here at Pig In Mud...

Wishes you a nice Memorial Day Weekend!

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies & other pink desserts...

I seem to always have a pouch of brownie mix in the cabinet, it's my one favorite store bought mix. And then my coworker picked up Red Velvet Peanut Butter Cups on clearance after Valentine's Day... So I just had to try some Peanut Butter Cup Brownies. I'm guessing the pink topped candy is out for Easter, and there's green at Halloween... So this is a fun way to add a little something-something extra to a favorite sweet snack:@) I used some pink, some regular peanut butter cups, and made some plain brownies. And we all know sprinkles make it a party...

Best Tips: If using cupcake liners, be sure to use the foil ones. Paper will stick. If using sprinkles, for best presentation, shake them on before adding the peanut butter cups, let's all learn from Lynn's mistakes...

Whether it's a Barbie birthday, 

planning for Easter,

or dreaming of spring...

Other Pink Desserts:

Two ingredient Strawberry Cupcakes, Pink Jello Fluff, Chocolate Covered Marshmallows, Sugar Cookies with Jello Frosting

Peanut Butter Cup Brownies

Your favorite brownie mix

Ingredients called for in the mix

Unwrapped Reese's Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Foil liners

1. Make brownie batter.
2. Place liners in cupcake tin.
3. Fill liner about half way, not more.
4. Variable: Baking time... I did 350 for 25-27 minutes. You'll have to try to gauge doneness as best you can, a test batch is always a good idea before a party:@)
5. Remove to rack to cool.

Pour a cuppa, enjoy a snack and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Seeing Green... Barbie's St. Patrick's Day

As we're gearing up for St. Patrick's Day fun: 

Ut oh... What's going on here?

Is Barbie sneaking up on Ken?

Looks like someone forgot to wear green 

for St. Patrick's Day Weekend:@) 

You know the rules...

I'd say the pinch caught him off guard...

And while Ken is a good sport, 

he's off to find his Eagles jersey:@)

Barbie Ribbon Tunic Here.

🍀Don't forget to wear your green!

Enjoy the festivities,

and Have a Happy Day:@)

Barbie Phillies Jersey

Baseball is inching closer folks... Oh this is cute:@) No doubt you can find any team you root for!

Have a great weekend:@)

Dollar Tree Sightings... Winter Treats & Early Easter Barbie

It's been a while since I've shared some of the fun things I see on my Saturday rounds, so here we go... They are putting Easter items out, and in with the basket filler toys are these Nerf Collectible Games surprise balls $1.25. Nothing about the packaging says Easter, so they can be put away for any occasion. Basketball, football, hockey, soccer, golf, bowling, cornhole, and even pickleball! But as luck would have it, I picked up the ball with the -only- game that isn't truly Barbie size...

Baseball...

But today is the first preseason Phillies game, so that's kind of fun. If I get another one I'll update this post to show what it is.

They also have 2" Barbie figurines. What I like best about these is, it's not blind packaging, you can pick the figure(s) you'd like to buy.

And finally, even though Christmas is behind us, there is still a lot of winter left... They just got some of these Chocolate Stuffed Marshmallows with Peppermint. Good for hot chocolate, great to dip in melted chocolate and then sprinkles as a snack or party appy, and they are just all around yummy:@)

Grab it when you see it and

Have a Happy Weekend:@)

Barbie's Winter Vacation-Leaving the cold behind!

While we may not all be able to hop a plane to warmer weather right now... Barbie and Joe headed to Cabo San Lucas for a week of toes in the warm sand and cold cervezas! Sunny days and temps hovering around 80 degrees. Yes, doll life is good folks:@) I've only been to a fancy resort in Mexico once but I have to say, if you get the opportunity to go, I encourage you to take it!

(Joe making sure the beach volleyball doesn't bother Barbie.)

I love sharing a peek behind the pic:

• Background is a calendar page.
• My sand is an old fat quarter of fabric from Walmart years ago.
• Folding beach chair was $1 from now closed AC Moore.
• Bathing suits from a Mattel fashion set. There's a shirt for Ken too, but when you look like Joe... You really don't need it😉

Here are links for a few quick ribbon or bathing suit tops: Diamond Mesh Top, Ribbon bathing suit or quick Ribbon tied top All cute ideas that come together in no time.

And if feeling really tropical...

Hula Skirt and Coconut Top:@)

Meanwhile back in Cabo...

Joe feels like the luckiest guy on the beach💕

It's 17 degrees in Philly right now...

🌴Think warm thoughts and Have a Happy Day😎

Super Bowl Babs... aka Tailgating Barbie & E-A-G-L-E-S!!!

I couldn't let the Eagles/Chiefs Super Bowl go by without a quick Barbie post... (Yep, that's Super Bowl 59, the same year Barbie was created.) When I found this cute Birthday Party set at Walmart, I just had to play:@) The story line: Cousin Rube opened the field at Peace and Pancakes Farm for a tailgating party to celebrate the Big Game, and Barbie arrived early to get her area set-up for the fun. 

Finger food munchies, a cooler of cold beverages, and tomato pie is a fan favorite here in Philly. It's a type of pizza that can be served at room temperature. 

And every tailgate needs cornhole 

and a football to toss around...

The playset I found. 

This would be so fun for a girl's birthday!

You know we're losing our minds here...

Everyone is so excited.

My office Friday:

Eat well, enjoy the game, and...

GO BIRDS!!!!!!!