Easter Treat Boxes

I am part of the Sharing is caring Easter Blog Hop hosted by Life with Lovebugs . During this hop, several blogs will be sharing Easter crafts. I decided to share Easter Treat Boxes. Two years ago, I shared my Bunny Treat Boxes, which has been one of my most popular posts to date. Who knew that a craft using dollar store mini containers and craft supplies would be so well received.

Since then I have also made treat boxes for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

I thought it would be a good time to add some new Easter treat boxes to the collection. 

Disclosure: the link to the supplies  used in this post are  affiliate links. 

I used craft foam, pipe cleaners and google eyes to make the chick. I had hoped to use feathers as well, but wouldn't you know it, I could not find them anywhere when I need them. I used a circle mini box found in the container aisle at the dollar store. They come in a pack of 10. If you can not find them at your local dollar store you can find them here on Amazon.  I then used a hot glue to glue on the little chicks features.  

I tried a couple of different ways to make the lamb.  I thought I might use cotton balls, but I found they were a bit big for this size container.  I also experimented with covering the whole lid, but that did not look quite right to me either.  The mini pom poms were the perfect size.  I used craft foam for the ears and mouth.  

Easter treat boxes would be great for class parties, and Easter Egg hunts, and easy enough for kids to make (you can use regular glue as well) 

 Happy Easter! 

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Frugal Easter Decorations - Feature of the Day

I really like frugal crafts. It really makes you feel good when you can create something beautiful, for very little money.  Jenna from Rain on a Tin Roof, shared how to turn a Goodwill find, into something quite unique. You can see how she transformed her golden bunny centerpiece, and decorated the rest of her table on her blog here.  Thanks for linking up your Easter table  on Dare to Share Jenna! 

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10 Frugal Egg Decorating Ideas - Feature of the Day

I am loving all of the fun Easter egg decorating ideas shared by Sheryl,  The Wilderness Wife on this week's Dare to Share.  I am always looking for new ways to decorate our Easter Eggs and with Easter right around the corner, we will need to do it  soon.  You can see her round up of great ideas here. Thanks for linking up Sheryl! 

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Dare to Share #49

You may have noticed that I have been a bit quiet this week.   Well  you know that old saying when it rains, it pours.. well this week it is has been a typhoon.  In one week's time we found out several family members were having medical problems, some very serious.

On Monday my oldest daughter was complaining of pain and  tingling  on her sides.  She said that it felt like it was her kidneys even though where the pain was located was not where her kidneys are.  I took her in to be looked at.  Our Dr does not work on Monday's so we saw another one in the practice.  During the exam the Dr  found that my daughter's kidneys were actually tender. She thought it was maybe a kidney infection, so she had a sample sent to the lab.  Early Wed. morning her Dr called saying she was very concerned with the results. She said we would need some blood work and ultrasound done asap.  The results were showing  possible cysts on her kidneys. We had the blood work done that day, and the ultrasound Thursday morning. This afternoon I got another call.  The ultrasound is okay, but the blood work is not.  There is some definitely auto immune issue going on. We have to do more tests and might have to see a specialist.  They are not sure what is going on, but it was brought up that lupus was a possibility.

On Tuesday  I found out that one of my brothers has to have his gall bladder taken out, and my other brother was having a MRI that day because he had been having a lot of pain on one side.  Tests were done and they found something going on with his bone marrow, which is why he needed the MRI. He is still waiting for  the results.

On Thursday my step dad had to have some tests to check the arteries in his legs.  They  knew he had some blockage and they were going to try and put a stent in.  Well I guess it was too bad for a stent, and was told he will need to have by pass surgery. This is going to be major surgery!

So between my daughter, my 2 brothers and my step dad, it has been a bit of a week.  

On a lighter note, I did  actually write one post this week.  I shared how I made Chocolate Pots of Gold.

There is also the matter of the Woolzie Dryer Ball giveaway..  The winner has been chosen and it is ...
Alissa A.. whose winning entry was tweeting about the giveaway.. Congrats Alissa!

Did you have a chance to see the fabulous Features of the Day this week?   If you haven't, here they are again.

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies by Butter and Jam
Spring Wreath with Burlap Flowers by Life on Lakeshore Drive
Cerusing a Nightstand by Turtles and Tails
Chalkboard Cupboard Door by Yearning to Create

Now onto this week's party.  I don't really have any rules.  You do not have to be a follower to link up, but I would love it if you did.  If you are chosen as the Feature of the Day, your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and G+

Now link up and have FUN!

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Cupboard Door Chalkboard - Feature of the Day

I have a hard time throwing things out, and now seeing the idea Delle from Yearning to Create shared on Dare to Share, I might have an even harder time.  Her daughter recently got married, and she wanted to upcycle items they already had instead of buying new.  When she came across an old cupboard door she had a great idea.  Using that  re-purposed cupboard door she was able to make the perfect sign for the wedding entryway.   You can see more pictures of that upcycyled door and  entryway here. Thank you for linking up Delle!  

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Refinish a Nightstand - Feature of the Day

Have you ever come across an old piece of furniture that you knew would be great if  you only knew how to refinish it.  I know I have.   Barb from Turtles and Tails gives a great photo tutorial on how she turned the nightstand on the left, into the beautiful piece of furniture on the right.  Pretty impressive, huh.  Now I have the urge to go fix up some of my own furniture.  Thank you so much for linking up to Dare to Share Barb! 

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Chocolate Pots of Gold

Chocolate Pot of Gold 

I have several candy molds that I really do not use very often.  When I saw the chocolate bowl mold, it gave me an idea.  

The mold could make 6 bowls of 3 different sizes 

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Spring Wreath with Burlap Flowers - Feature of the Day

If you are living in the midwest today, you are being hit with yet another snow storm  It looks like the heavy snow will go to the south of where I live, so probably no more snow days for us.  We are more than ready for spring to come which is why I like the wreath that Kathy from Life on Lakeshore Drive  shared on Dare to Share,  The flowers and fun spring banner remind us that spring really will be here soon.   Thank you so much for linking up Kathy!

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Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies - Feature of the Day

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love chocolate chip cookies, so this photo by Grace at Butter and Jam  caught my eye when I was looking at this week's Dare to Share.  On her blog she shares the recipe for the Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies, and the secret tip that makes them that way.  If you would like to see what that secret is, you will just have to go over to Butter and Jam and see it  here.  Thank you so much for linking up Grace, they really do look delicious!

l 

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Kids Eat Free at Bob Evans

On Friday, Kara asked if we could go to Walmart because she wanted to buy a new Animal Jam card. Since it was close to dinner time, I told her we could also stop at Bob Evans that was near the store for something to eat.   I checked my email to see if there were any coupons, and was surprised to see that kids eat free every weekday in March.  You could get one free kids meal for ages 12 and under for every adult entree purchased from 2 p.m-close.   I ordered the Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad which was big enough for 3 meals, and she ordered the Plenty-O-Pancake meal. There sure were plenty of pancakes, you got 5 of them with this meal. (she only ate 3!) 

She also asked if she could get the Reeses Cup Smile sundae.  When I saw it was only $1.59, I said sure why not. She shared it with me, and I have to say it was very good.

While I was there, I found out that Bob Evans has 10 take out family meals for 4 for under $20, and soups that serve 4 for only $5. This sounds like a great alternative to those nights when you are just too busy to cook, and don't want to hit the drive thru again.  You can now order online which make it even more convenient when you are on the go. 

Dinner for the two of us, that included a  dessert, and soft drink  and plenty of leftovers was only $12 before tip.  We would have also received a free cookie through their Sweet Treat Club, but I accidentally left the coupon on the printer.  I thought this was such a good deal, that it was worth sharing on the blog. So if you live near a Bob Evans and  would like a good inexpensive meal, be sure to stop in this month. 

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Dare to Share #48

Happy Friday! 

Did you have a fun week?  Ours flew by.  

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Happy Platypus Day - Playtpus Pops

If you have kids who like to watch Disney channel, you know that this Saturday is the 3rd annual Platypus Day.   All  day Disney Channel will be honoring Perry the Platypus from Phineas and Ferb. (you can read more about it here and here.) 

Last year in honor of Platypus Day, I made Perry the Platypus pops that my kids really enjoyed.  I thought they would be a fun treat to share again. 

They were not that hard to make, and you can see the full tutorial on how to make your own Platypus pops  here.

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Parmesan Chicken with Cream Sauce - Feature of the Day

Parmesan Chicken with Cream Sauce

Are you thinking about what to serve for dinner tonight? I am always looking for new recipes for my family.  I noticed that Nichole from Pinkie For Pink linked up an interesting looking recipe on this week's Dare to Share.  This is a recipe that my whole family will love, Parmesan Chicken with Cream Sauce.  It sounds really good, and is making me hungry at 8 a.m. If you would like to see her full recipe, you can find it on her blog Pinkie for Pink here.  Thanks for linking up on Dare to Share Nichole. 

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Woolzies Dryer Balls Review and Giveaway

I recently had the opportunity to try out Woolzie Dryer Balls.  I have to admit laundry has never been one of my favorite things to do, and with two teens and a preteen in the house the job is never ending. I had never heard of a dryer ball before trying this product.  When I received a long package on my porch, I really had no idea on what to expect.  

I have been using the dryer balls for about 6 to 8 weeks, now, and in that time I have grown to really love them. The balls have held up, and work just as well today as they did when I first got them. 

I have noticed that my clothes dry much faster, and there has been very little static.  They contain no chemicals like dryer sheets do, which is good for those in my family  with sensitive skin. I thought they would be noisy bouncing around in the dryer, but I rarely hear anything.  

The only complaint I had at first was the dryer balls would hide out in my clothes, and escape the dryer.  Now that I have been using them for awhile, I find that this only happens occasionally. I guess I had to get used to them being in the dryer, and now know how to remove only the clothes and not the dryer balls.  

There are some other facts about Woolzie Dryer Balls that I really like.   

They are handmade
They are eco friendly
They are hypo allergenic
They last for at least 1000 loads.
Even when you do as much laundry as I do, 1000 loads is a long time!  

Woolzie Dryer Balls can be bought through their website, and on Amazon.  They are around  $35 for a set of 6, but last a very long time so they are economical.   Woolzies has graciously offered to give a set of dryer balls to one of my readers.  If you would like a set of your own,  please enter the giveaway below.  Good Luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Making Gluten Free Bread

As many of you know, I am trying to cut back on the gluten in my diet.  I have been diagnosed with a couple of autoimmune disorders, and I have been reading up on the subject. Time and time again, I have read  that I might have  a sensitivity to gluten.  Many people with autoimmune disorders do.  Remember last fall when I shared about chronic hives?  During some trial and error, I have found out that my hives are much worse on days when I eat a lot of gluten.  I am able to eat a small amount of gluten without too much of a problem, but I have been feeling better when I try to avoid it. 

My Adventures in Baking Gluten Free Bread 

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