ReView: Lemon Fudge & Barbie Fairy Bubble Wands

If you're looking for a tasty little sweet treat that's perfect for spring, Easter, Mother's Day or any day... This Lemon Fudge will fit the bill. Fudge is also something different for folks that don't bake to bring to holiday get-togethers. Creamy, smooth and mild, it will appeal to most. Sprinkles are optional, but always fun:@)

As the weather begins to get nicer,

how about a little craft the kids can play with outside...

These Fairy Bubble Wands for Barbie

are an easy project most kids can help make from pipe cleaners and beads:@)

Boys can make them for their action figure dolls too...

🌷Have a Happy Weekend🌷

Inspirational Friday

 

Have a great weekend:@)

Jello Rice Krispy Treats

I was getting ready for Sunday dinner and wanted to have a little something sweet on-hand... I love the unexpected fruity flavor of these Jello Rice Krispy Treats. Since I'm always cutting recipes in half or less, I happened to have some lime Jello open, so that's the flavor I used. Also thought the slight hint of green worked well for spring:@) Sprinkles are totally optional, but are always an easy way to make things more festive, and holiday choices are everywhere. 

One note: I'm always saying 'you know your crowd'... 

I purposely cut back on the Jello, 

I just wanted a hint of flavor, not a big punch of flavor. 

I made a half batch and used sugar free Jello,

I'll list what I did below.

You can click the link to Kraft to see the microwave version.

Jello Rice Krispy Treats-adapted from Kraft

2 Tblsp butter

1 tsp sugar free Jello, flavor of choice, can add more

5 oz mini marshmallows

1 tsp vanilla

3 C rice krispy/krispie cereal

1. In non-stick skillet, over low heat, melt butter, add Jello and stir until mostly dissolved.
2. Add marshmallows, melt over low heat stirring constantly, still incorporating the Jello.
3. When marshmallows have melted stir in vanilla.
4. Remove from heat and gently fold in cereal.
5. Pour into parchment or wax paper lined bread pan. Pat top down to create a solid cookie.
6. Top with sprinkles if desired, gently pat sprinkles down so they stick.
7. Allow to cool.
8. Cut into squares, store in airtight container.

Enjoy a snack and have a happy day🐰

Bar-B-Joes -Barbeque Sauce Sloppy Joes

My favorite way to eat hamburgers off the grill is with bar-b-que sauce, raw onion and either dill pickles or pickled jalapenos. Yep, good stuff folks:@) But our weather is still a little iffy here in Philly so I haven't fired up the grill just yet... These Bar-B-Joes were a wink and nod to burgers, and made a great sandwich. Super simple, add what you like in burgers, cook it up, the BBQ sauce acts as a loose binder, add a cold drink, and wa-la... I can almost feel the sunshine!

Bar-B-Joes

No real recipe folks, add what you like:

1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 large onion, diced

1/2 green bell pepper, diced

a few hearty shakes of Montreal Steak Seasoning

BBQ sauce, your favorite brand

hamburgers rolls and pickles for serving

1. Cook meat with onion, peppers and Montreal Steak Seasoning. Cook until no longer pink.
2. Stir in BBQ sauce, make it as saucy as you like-you know your crowd:@)
3. Serve on rolls with dill pickles or pickled jalapenos.

Eat well and have a happy day:@)

Dollar Store Easter Ideas-Egg Game, Gummy Bunnies & Barbie Baby Carrier DIY

Popping in with a quick post to share a few things I've seen at Dollar Tree for Easter. Here's a fun idea for an Easter party after the egg hunt, a sleepover, or simply to keep the kids busy until dinner:@) Eggs In One Basket Toss. I love this Easter basket that looks like a basketball hoop. Simply hook the handle over a doorknob, have the kids stand back a distance, and toss empty plastic eggs into the basket. Each kid could have their own color eggs, most in wins. 

I don't know if these Gummy Rabbits are always out?

But this is the first time I've seen them...

Seasonal basket fillers for gummy lovers:@)

And over on DIY Barbie Blog,

I'll share how to make a Baby Carrier from a Plastic Easter Egg.

Cute!

Grab it when you see it,

and have a Happy Weekend:@)

Inspirational Friday

 

Have a great weekend:@)

Pepperoncini Pickled Eggs -No Brainer Recipe

Ok folks, it's that time of the year for a recipe you either can't wait to see, or ,well, I guess would rather not:@) Yep, it's time for my latest pickled egg recipe to help use up those Easter Eggs. This year I took another super simple short cut and made some Pepperoncini Pickled Eggs. Simply add peeled hard boiled eggs to the brine in a jar of pepperoncini. Yep, use the standard jar of peppers you can get anywhere from the supermarket, to Walmart, to Dollar Tree. And wow, after less than a week, I had some very flavorful, pretty, yellow pickled eggs. They are salty and vinegary with just the slightest hint of peppers. Also wanted to mention, these are the first eggs I've made where the outside got a little puckered while brining.

Some folks let them marinate for up to three weeks before eating.

That's up to you.

I seem to like my eggs after about 3-5 days.

The pic above is at day four.

The 12 oz jar just after I packed 3 eggs into it:

Last year I tried Dill Pickle Juice Brined Eggs here.

They weren't as pretty as these pepperoncini eggs.

Tasty... But kinda green:@)

I do have a Pickled Eggs label,

you can click here to see the different varieties I've made.

Pepperoncini Pickled Eggs

Remove peppers from jar, add to clean bowl/plate. Drop peeled hard boiled egg into jar. Add a few peppers, drop in another egg. Add more peppers and egg(s). Press down after each addition, making sure everything is under brine. You will need to pour off some of the brine. End by topping with peppers to help push eggs under liquid. Add lid, store in refrigerator at least 3 days before eating.

Let's use up those dyed Easter eggs and have a happy day🐣

Creamy Carrot and Pineapple Jello Mold -Easter or any day

What makes this Creamy Carrot and Pineapple Jello Mold a little different than the traditional Sunshine/Sunset Salad is, yep, you guessed it... The addition of cream:@) And I just ~love~ the color for Easter! I used the clear top to one of those 7"-ish plastic Easter eggs, you know the ones, they're at Dollar Tree and Walmart. The top holds 3 cups. I sprayed it well and laid it in an oval bowl for stability, then unmolded it like any Jello mold.  Use any fresh greens for the top, parsley, chives, dill, I used some leaf lettuce from my Aerogarden. The only thing I might do differently, use orange Jello if making a carrot for Easter next time. Or, maybe add a drop of red food coloring to the lemon Jello. 

Don't want to make a carrot shape?

The recipe below fills a 3 C bundt pan or any bowl.

Double, etc. for larger molds.

The Easter egg,

I used the clear top for the mold:

Have room on the buffet for two (or more) Jello side dishes?

This Two Ingredient Jello & Cream Cheese Salad couldn't be easier:@)

I made it in the bottom half of one of these eggs.

And my Jello Pinterest Board can be found here.

Creamy Carrot and Pineapple Jello Mold

4 serving size lemon Jello

1/2 C boiling water

3/4 C ice water

8 oz-ish can crushed pineapple, with juice

1/4 C cream, light or heavy whichever you have

1 C shredded carrot

1. Dissolve Jello in boiling water.
2. Stir in ice water and pineapple, then cream. 
3. Place in fridge until partially set, approximately 30-45 minutes.
4. Fold in carrots, spoon into mold sprayed with cooking spray.
5. Cover and place in refrigerator 4 hours, overnight is always best.
6. Dip mold in warm water, dry outside of mold. Plate on top, turn mold upside down to release Jello.
7. Poke greens under rounded side of "carrot" for garnish.
8. Cover and store in refrigerator until serving.

Have a happy day:@)

I'm Joining:

Handmade Monday

Creative Muster

Irish Potatoes Candy & Barbie Dress from Scrunchie & Jello Jelly Beans

We're covering all the bases today at PIM folks, St. Pat's, the Oscars, and Easter... Irish Potatoes Candy has been a part of St. Patrick's Day in Philadelphia ever since I can remember. Year's ago there was a gift store called Spain's and I used to stop in to buy one piece at a time. They'd charge by weight (the candy's, not mine:@) You might ask, only one piece? This candy is made with cream cheese and butter and is very rich folks. So rich I recommend making smaller pieces, and have cut the recipe in half too. 

Barbie's getting ready for the Oscar's.

This no-sew Very Fancy Looking Top starts

with a Dollar Tree scrunchie

and comes together in minutes.

And switching over to Easter:

My infatuation with Jello continues...

I saw these Jello Jelly Beans at Dollar Tree.

Grab 'em when you see 'em folks,

they're going fast:@)

Have a great weekend:@)