Dare to Share #113

It's Friday night, and we survived another week!  So you know what that means,  

It's time to Dare to Share! 

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Homemade Lotion Bars - Feature of the Day

I have been looking into making  more homemade items.  I have a daughter who is allergic to a lot of scents, and  has problems with winter eczema on her hands.  I also have sensitive skin, and a hiving condition. Something like this Homemade Lotion Bar by Little House Living would help both of us with our individual issues. Merissa has a great picture tutorial   on how to make Homemade Lotion Bars,  if you would like to try to make some of your own.  Thanks so much Merissa for linking up this great idea/recipe to Dare to Share!  

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Chicken Bundles - Feature of the Day

Are your kids out for summer vacation yet?  I am literally counting the days.  One thing that I am looking forward to  this summer, is my kids are going to be helping make some of the family meals.  I have been on the lookout for some recipes that are relatively easy to make, and that they will still love to eat.  These Chicken Bundles from Peanut Life Adventures fits both requirements. Not only do the love the ingredients, but it is simple enough that they can make it quickly. My kids, especially Kyle, do not like to wait long to eat when they are hungry. (I think my son  is in yet  another growth spurt.)  Stop on over to Peanut Life Adventures, and see these quick and easy chicken bundles. Thank you so much Danielle for linking up to Dare to Share!

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Watermelon Salad - Feature of the Day

Have you recuperated from the holiday weekend yet?   My weekend was spent making kids catch up on their homework.  (but that is another story that you will see on Surviving the Crazy Life later today)    I had bought a watermelon for this weekend that is still sitting on the counter, which makes this Watemelon Salad Recipe by Stephanie of Spaceships and Laser Beams perfectly timed.  I have not tried anything like this yet, but it looks like it would be great to serve at your summer parties and cookouts.  You can see her recipe that even has a homemade salad dressing over on her blog.  While you are there, be sure to check out all of her great boy party ideas.  Thank  you so much Stephanie for linking up this great salad to Dare to Share!

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How to Make Perfect Bacon

Several months ago, I found the perfect way to make bacon in the oven.  Once I started making it this way, I never went back to making it in the skillet.   I personally have never liked making it in a skillet.  I almost always burned the bacon, because I hate standing around getting splattered by grease.  I would often walk away, only to find out that I should have come back sooner.   The oven method is so easy, and a lot less messy.  

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Memorial Day

This picture was taken several years ago, and it is still one of my favorites.  Kara was marching in the Memorial Day parade with her brownie troop.  Just as the parade started, Kara held her flag up high and excitedly  started waving it.   It is easy to forget what this day is really about..  a day to remember those who fought and died for our freedoms.  Many of us spend the day cooking out with our families and friends. While we are doing so, let's also be like that excited little girl who waves her flag proudly.   I hope you have a Happy Memorial Day. 

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Dare to Share #112

It's another week closer to summer vacation for my family.  We are still very busy finishing up with work here, both online and in class.  This week I was really looking forward to Friday and the three day weekend. I would like to sleep in a few hours later, and enjoy the nice weather to hopefully work in my garden. 

But for right now

It's Friday night, and you know what that means 

It's time to Dare to Share! 

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Pretzel Bars- Feature of the Day

If you love peanut butter and jelly, then you will love these Peanut Butter and Jelly Pretzel Bars by Winnie of Something Sweet. She gives a great step by step tutorial on how to make these yummy bars. If you have not checked out her blog yet, you really  should. She has recipes for many mouth watering treats. Thank you so much Winnie for linking up another great recipe to Dare to Share!

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Last Minute Ideas for Memorial Day

With today being the start of Memorial Day weekend, I thought I would do a round out of some of our Patriotic Posts to give you some last minute ideas for this Patriotic Weekend.   You can make these Patriotic Wreaths in just a couple of minutes, and they are affordable too. All of the supplies can be found at the Dollar Tree.  They were featured last year on Crafting with Kara.

*this post contains affiliate links. I will receive a small commission if you buy anything from the links. 

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Super Salad - Feature of the Day

 You can usually tell when I am hungry by the posts I chose as features. :) I chose this Super Salad by Wanda of Memories by the Mile for a different reason.  Exactly one year ago I started a weight loss journey. I ended up losing about 15 lbs, before I hit a plateau.  Then over this really hard winter, I gained it all back..  Well I am determined to eat healthy and lose the weight again, especially since I have a big high school reunion later in the summer.   This salad has many of my favorite healthy foods, and it looks like something I would really enjoy.  Maybe some of you want to eat healthy as well  now that summer and swimsuit season is here.  Be sure to stop over to Memories by the Mile and get the recipe for this Super Salad  Thank you so much Wanda for linking up to Dare to Share. 

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Companion Planting - Feature of the Day

Are you planning on planting a vegetable garden this year?  Here in Michigan we are usually safe to plant ours around Memorial Day weekend.  I have been so busy, I had not realized that is coming up in just a few days.   Mary from Back to the Basics shared a list of companion plants that if  planted next to your favorite vegetables, will benefit the plants.  They help each with natural pest control and possibly bigger yields.   Who wouldn't like that in their garden?  Be sure to check out  Mary's top 10 companion crops,  and other great gardening tips on her blog, Back to the Basics.  Thank you so much Mary for linking up your informational post on Dare to Share

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Win a Trip for Four from Atlantic Luggage

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Atlantic Luggage for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Now that summer is almost here, it is time to think about taking some time to get away with the family on a family vacation.  We try to go somewhere every summer, whether it be nearby or far away. Packing for a trip with three teenagers can be a bit of a challenge. They each have strong opinions on what they want to pack, but they also still need to a little bit of assisstance to make sure they dont forget to pack something important like socks or underwear. One thing that I really like about the Atlantic Ultra Lite Collection from Atlantic Luggage is that they are lightweight  and have plenty of pockets so the kids can bring everything they think is important.  They are also verstatile and affordable, perfect for busy families like mine who like to travel on a budget. It is important that  the luggage we use be durable and have a handle and wheels, so my kids can each take care of their own suitcase while in the airport or traveling to and from the hotel.  

Pictured is the Atlantic Ultra Lite 2 21" expandable spinner It comes in blue and magenta, so there is a color everyone in the family will like. 

From May 15 until June 15, you can enter to win a trip  to either Los Angeles, CA or Washington DC. in the Atlantic Luggage Spring Sweepstakes  If you win, you will receive

• Round trip Airfare for four (4) on Delta Airlines
• Choice of Delta Vacations Hotel 
•            Choice of Delta Vacations Activity Package 
•   Four (4) Atlantic carry on size suitcases 

For your chance to win the sweepstakes  head over to  AtlanticLuggage.com or use this link to for your chance to win a family trip for 4. Where will you go if you win?

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Dare to Share #111

As we are getting close to the end of the school, our schedules seem to be getting busier.  This week I had a lot of things to do away from the computer.  Even with everything going on, we made it to Friday, and you know what that means..   

It is time to Dare to Share!

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Tree Trunk Planter - Feature of the Day

I love this fun tree trunk birdhouse planter by Cynthia Banessa. It can be used inside or outside, and would make a great gift for the moms and teachers in  your life.  And did I mention she found the tree trunk planter at Hobby Lobby?  Be sure to stop over to see Cynthia's great tutorial  on how to put her Tree Trunk Birdhouse Planter together.  Thanks so much Cynthia for linking up to this week's Dare to Share! 

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Are Coupons Still Worth It?

If you live near a Kroger, you may have heard that starting this week, they are no longer doubling coupons. It has followed behind other stores like Meijer who stop also stopped taking double coupons last year.  For some couponers, double coupons can save them a lot of money.   A coupon worth .50, would double, saving them $1 instead.  With some coupons being as low as 25 cents, some people may wonder if using coupons is still worth it.  I am here to give you a gigantic YES, they are still very much worth it.  We  will just be saving and using coupons in  a different way.   

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