Easiest Football Snack Ever... GO BIRDS!!!

Presentation is everything folks... Team Color Jello Jigglers make the easiest kid friendly football munchie ever. Or, for an adult theme'd party, they can be deconstructed Jello Shots. I simply used a baking dish and cut them into squares. Is there still enough time to make them before the Big Game today? Absolutely. I put them outside in the 33 degree weather to set up quicker, they can also be put into the freezer for about 30 minutes, then finish firming up in the fridge.

Ha, Ha, just killing time before the game folks...

And as you're visiting thrift stores, there are specific sports molds floating around... I found this one back in 2015. Note: I'm tickled that this Jello Mold was for a Super Bowl that was held in New Orleans, just like today's game:@)

Cheer on your team and Have a Happy Day!

Barbie's Christmas In July -Arriving at Cocktail Party

Barbie and Ken were invited to a ~very fancy~ Christmas In July cocktail party... Oooh la-la:@) Much like the holidays, the occasion gave folks a chance to get just a little dressed up for an (air conditioned) evening of wine tasting and appetizers. And since nobody likes to show up empty handed... Ken brought a classic summertime favorite, Jersey Shore boardwalk salt water taffy.

And Barbie took a drive to Cousin Rube's farm store for a treat to bring. Rube made sure Peace and Pancakes Farm was ready for Christmas in July fun (and hoped to sell a lot of marked down Christmas trees)... A local bakery provides pastries and candy for the sweets cart. I'm telling you folks, that elf is everywhere...

Barbie came home with...

A gingerbread lighthouse...

Perfect for summertime festivities:@)

Barbie's Cousin Rube is a self proclaimed old hippie, a passionate farmer, and master marketeer who greets every season with childlike enthusiasm. He genuinely hopes ~you~ always look for something to celebrate too:@) And um, stop in if you need a new tree...

Details: I found the $1 lighthouse ornament last year at the thrift store and immediately knew I'd use it for Christmas in July. My door scene is a cardboard foldout from Dollar Tree. There are several room scenes to choose from, they can be fun:@) The barn is from the Sweet Orchard Farm playset. Cousin Rube is a 12" Rubeus Hagrid doll from the Harry Potter series. How to make a Barbie necklace here. Big man doll overalls free pattern here.

Previous Barbie Christmas in July:

2020 -Double Sided Pillow

2021 -Stocking Cap from Sock

2022 -Disco Ball Light from $1 Ornaments

2023 -Resort Vacation-Frozen Hot Chocolate

🌴🦩🎅Happy Christmas in July!

Small Valentine's Day Tree

I set-up a Valentine's Day Tree this year using my 18" silver tinsel tree. This is the first time I've added pink, and I ♥ it:@) I've been gathering ornaments and items for years, from stores, on-line and thrifting. The angel candle hugger up top was from a flea market, my G-Mom-B had some when I was a kid. Once again big shout-out to Dollar Tree, they had a good selection of ornaments and craft items for tree decorating this year: The scrolled glitter heart topper, red glitter balls, wooden love cut-outs, I used a set of 4 necklaces as my garland, heart ornaments, and if you want to do a little minimal crafting...

The blingy red rhinestone hearts are actually party favor rings. I used wire cutters to cut the ring part off, glued a string of pearls around the silver part on some, and added a ribbon for hanging. Looks like I made these back in 2016 here:@)

Mini snowflake tree skirt =Walmart, 

after Christmas clearance years ago.

💕Have a Happy Day:@)

Happy New Year! 2023 Popular Posts

2023 was a year of trying new things and re-direction here at Pig In Mud. I expanded the garden, and by end of season broke the far beds down and decided to keep it compact and at the patio. I also brought Barbie back to PIM in the fall, that turned out to be a good decision:@) Another thing that folks seem to like are my Dollar Tree posts. I've always said, DT is kind of like a scavenger hunt, you never know what you might find... And speaking of finding, I ♥ my St. Nick Foles $2 thrift store ornament:@) Thrift stores are still a big part of my Saturday morning rounds.

The blog remains a fun hobby for me, even as I'm entering my 14th year. Boy that's hard to believe... Looking ahead to 2024, I think I've created a posting schedule that's manageable for myself, and hope to continue sharing recipes, crafts, finds, and ideas that provide a little inspiration, or at least a fun quick peek while enjoying a cuppa!

On to the Top 3 Posts:

Always an adventure...

#3 Hooded Cape for Barbie and Kid Dolls

#2 Muffin Mix Waffles

And I am truly shocked...

#1 Pepperoncini Pickled Eggs!!!

Ha, I always chuckle as I create my picked egg post at Easter, and wonder if anyone really makes them? I'm glad to see folks do actually click to take a look:@)

Let's make 2024 an amazing year!

After all, 

we're the only ones that can do it:@)

Happy New Year!!!

Vintage Santa Ornament-Thrift Store Rescue & 2023 Christmas Tree

I wanted to share this year's favorite thrift store find... This o~l~d Santa ornament! Goodwill had bags of assorted balls on the shelves. He was just tossed into a bag and luckily, still in good shape (for his age) patiently waiting for me:@) I left half the balls there for them to re-sell, and in addition to Santa brought home four more balls for the tree, and...

Eight mini glass ornaments for a 4th of July tree!

This was a fun find indeed:@)

My Christmas tree this year:

The Dollar Tree Spirals are the star:@)

Too much egg nog???

I hope your holiday includes a fun surprise too!

Have a great day:@)

ReView: Bottle Cap Spiders, Cheeseburger Chowder & Barbie Ornaments

As we look forward to Halloween and begin decorating... Maybe you're looking for an easy craft for the kids, or need a few more ornaments for the Halloween tree. These Bottle Cap Spiders are a quick project that looks cute:@) Simply save a few caps from water bottles and glue on pipe cleaners for legs. Full tutorial and suggestions here.

If you'd like to try a nice, stick to the ribs, hearty soup, I think you'll like this Cheeseburger Chowder:@) As I mention in the original post, it might not be the prettiest soup, but it sure is good! Perfect as the days begin to get a little cooler.

And one of the things I love looking for at thrift stores is Christmas ornaments that can be used as Barbie toys or diorama props. Had to grab this wooden guitar for $1 the minute I saw it:@) The strings are wire and there's a ton of detail. The dolls are enjoying the nice weather and a quiet moment at Cousin Rube's Peace and Pancakes Farm...

Here's another one that's 2 for $1.25... While I do understand these ornaments are intended to resemble harps, I just love the scale as a guitar for Barbie. All I did was hot glue a strap to the back of the instrument and wa-la we have a fun toy for Barbie play.

 The ornaments I used:
I did rub some glitter off of two spots on the back before I glued the ribbon trim on.

🎃Happy Early Fall!

Have a great weekend:@)

Pumpkin Yeast Dinner Rolls & Fall Football Table Runner with Tiered Tray Tip

Looking for a nice weekend baking project as the weather turns cooler? Or maybe want to perfect that signature side dish before the holidays get here? How about some Homemade 90 Minute Pumpkin Dinner Rolls. The key to these fluffy warm rolls is using rapid rise yeast, also known as bread machine yeast. I dressed mine up a bit with sesame seeds, little pepitas would be a pretty seasonal addition too. Just look at that great color folks:@) Leftover pumpkin? More Pig In Mud ideas here.

And I wanted to share my new Fall Football Table Runner:@) Love the look with my tiered tray on the kitchen table. I've mentioned before, this tiered tray has to be functional (S&P, napkins, candy, food picks, etc...), and I like to add little seasonal touches. My tip for today, you can easily decorate a tier with nothing more than a candle ring. This one is nice and full. I'm a sucker for these retro hard plastic rings and pick them up when I find them in good shape at thrift stores.

Posts with tiered tray label here.

Pic from Amazon:

The footballs are 4" long.

🍁Happy early fall,

have a great weekend:@)

Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Ornaments -Thrift Store Find & Barbie Christmas in July 2023

Ack!!! I stopped by the thrift store and they were just beginning to set-up for Christmas in July. I've  always wanted to make an ornament to commemorate St. Nicholas Foles and the Super Bowl... Now I don't have to:@) Yep, I found both Nick and Zach Ertz for, are you ready??? $2.12 an ornament-love it! The balls are clear with midnight green glitter on the inside (even though they look opaque in this pic). That silver swirl is gorgeous glitter too. They are oversized and substantial at 5" x 3.5". 

Nick is already on my 4 for 4 sports tree in the livingroom...

For now, Zach is tucked away in the box I add Christmas gifts to all year... We'll see if he stays there😉

Fully gift boxed with letter of authentication

and NFL Licensing.

Really special for true sports fans:@)

Barbie's Summer Vacation 2023: One of the biggest reasons Barbie and Ken decided to go on vacation in July was, the resort had some Christmas in July festivities planned. And it wouldn't be Christmas without hot cocoa, but with temps hovering in the 80's (and above), it needed to have a little twist... Frozen Hot Chocolate was served all over the island, and it was a big hit:@) Every server had his own recipe or twist, and the little huts were hopping! Some wanted whipped cream on top, some marshmallows...

Ut-oh...

Looks like ~someone~ else is on vaca too...

Look closely,

I'm telling you folks,

he's everywhere!!!

Frozen Hot Chocolate-from Swiss Miss

*Makes two drinks*

1/3 C 2% milk

3 envelopes Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa mix

2 C vanilla ice cream

Whipped cream

chocolate syrup, optional

1. Heat milk in glass measuring cup in microwave for 20 seconds, or until warm.
2. Stir in cocoa mix until dissolved.
3. Pour cocoa and ice cream into blender, blend until smooth.
4. Add some whipped cream to bottom of glasses. Drizzle chocolate syrup around rim of glass if desired.
5. Pour cocoa into glasses, top with whipped cream.

🌴Happy Christmas in July🎅

Raised Bed Garden -Easy Solar Fountain

As with most things in life, it's the little things that make me smile. I had a big pedestal planter and thought it might be nice to turn it into a solar fountain in the corner of my raised bed garden. A simple $10 purchase on Amazon, and I have a pretty water feature, as well as the great sounds that go with it! Now, of course it wasn't ~quite~ that easy... Since I had used this for actual plants, I did drill holes in the planter for water drainage. Solution: An antique punch bowl I have literally stored in the closet for 30+ years. I placed a few pieces of broken paver in the bottom of the planter, punch bowl on top, fill with 2 gallons of water, sprinkle bottom with colorful gems (because, you know... I'm me), drop in fountain, add a little sunshine and wa-la!!! Lovin' it:@)

The fountain comes with various nozzle attachments,

everything from assorted sprays to,

I'll call it a gurgler, but it sprays higher that that.

These little fountains work great,

but make no mistake,

they do require ~full~ sun to be happiest.

And on windy days...

Yep, water does get blown out and it's needs refills.

Since this is not a permanent fixture,

I take the fountain out before I go inside on Sunday.

Also empty the punch bowl into the garden and store it in the shed.

Then when I'm ready for the weekend, 

it all sets back up in about 3 minutes:@)

Let the sun shine and,

Have a Happy Weekend🌞

Jello Jiggler Deviled Eggs & Barbie Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

This idea has been around forever folks, but I thought it would be fun to add it to my Deviled Egg and Jello Pinterest Boards. So here it is... Jello Jiggler Deviled Eggs. Yep, Jello Jigglers made in the egg mold ($1 at the thrift store), and my contribution is, you can use whipped topping or a cream cheese topping. Or, I saw some Brach's candy stars in the baking section, white chocolate with sprinkles, they'd be pretty... Super simple, very colorful, and really, really cute:@)

Now... You'll notice my eggs broke this time, yep, they didn't come out of the mold in one piece. But no worries, simply cut a little off of each end and stand the half eggs up, instead of laying down like traditional deviled eggs. It all tastes the same:@)

Vintage instructions:

They say using all boiling water makes the Jello molecules stronger...

Look at that, science here on Pig In Mud:@)

Topping -We have choices:

• Add a dollop of whipped cream or whipped topping. (Honestly, the whipped topping is easiest and kids love it.)
• Or beat 2 oz softened cream cheese with 1/4 C powdered sugar, and 1/4 tsp vanilla, pipe some onto each egg.
• Or, top with Brach's white chocolate star, this is the first time I've seen them at Walmart-see below.
• Optional-Add sprinkles to topping right before serving.

The Brach's Stars:

My inspiration:

And of course, you could make a whole rainbow of Jello eggs.

But Barbie decided to go with pink😉

As Cousin Rube's life long dream, Peace and Pancakes Farm, continues to grow (literally:@), the activities revolve around the seasons and holidays. This weekend they featured their main Easter event, Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, and everyone had a great time! 

Picnic tables were set up all around the barn to serve as many people as possible. There were donuts and pastries in addition to all the pancakes you could eat.

Rube made sure there were plenty of bunnies for picture opportunities.

The cook was busy flipping pancakes for hours! But did take time to stop out to chat and make sure everyone was enjoying their meal.

They had a mini petting zoo for the kids too.

We happened to have a ~very~ sunny warm spring day...

So much to see for curious little eyes...

The free-range peeps and chickens were very popular...

Kids could toss chicken feed and watch the flurry of activity.

It was a long tiring day,

but the event was a huge success!

Cousin Rube truly appreciates the community's support😊

And he wishes everyone a wonderful Eastertime,

with an abundance of...

Peace, love, and pancakes.

🐣Make something just for fun, 

and have Happy Eastertime🐰