Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Cherry Chocolate Cake

How to make cherry chocolate cake

Recently my daughter saw a recipe for making Cherry Chocolate cake using one of her favorite sodas.   While that recipe looked really good, there were a lot of extra ingredients needed to make the cake. We decided to try to make our own version with only a few ingredients.  We were very happy with the results.  

Ingredients for cherry chocolate cake


We used: 
a box of Devil's Food mix 
eggs
vegetable oil 
water,  
Black Cherry Faygo
Chocolate Chips
a jar of Black Cherry topping 



We followed the directions on the back of the cake mix.  The amount of eggs, oil and watedr you use will vary depending on the brand you use.  For our brand we used 3 eggs. 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 1/3 cups water.  After mixing well we added in 1/2 cup of the Black Cherry Faygo, and 2/3 cup chocolate chips. (we would have added a cup, but we only had 2/3 cup, which still worked out well.   We then baked the cake according to the box, which for our brand was about 30 minutes at 400 degrees. 


We used 9" pans and sprayed them with nonstick cooking spray.  We realized after we baked the cakes that we should have floured them too. We did have some issues with sticking.  Once the cakes had cooled,  we used some of the Black Cherry filling between the two layers. We then covered the top layer with the rest of the jar. 

How to make Chocolate Cherry Cake

We loved the results!   The cake was the perfect mix of cherry and chocolate. 



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Pepperoni Pizza Frittata- Feature of the Day

Pepperoni Pizza frittata that is great for dinner or breakfast

Now that school has started, and dance, scouts and robotics have too.  My family have quite a few busy nights during the week where we do not have a lot of time to plan out big meals. This Pepperoni Pizza Frittata byAdrian of  Life with Garnish would make a great meal for those busy nights or rushed mornings.  The meal can be ready and on the table in only 30 minutes! Be sure to stop over to Life with Garnish to get this recipe the whole family will love.  Thanks so much Adrian for linking up to Dare to Share.!


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Monday, September 8, 2014

A Tour Through Blogland

Today I am going to have a post that is a little bit different than I normally share.  I am part of something called A Tour Through Blogland.  Hopefully you will learn a little bit more about me and my blog, and meet a few other bloggers along the way. 

Pams Party and Practical Tips Party Ideas










Before I get started with my part of the tour, I want to take time to thank Cathy of Vintage Paint and More for her very nice post sharing about my blog. If you have not met Cathy she is a retired nurse who is being creative in her retirement.  She loves to paint, sew, craft, garden, cook, thrift, travel and play with her 8 grandchildren.  She has shared some beautiful wreaths and other home crafts, so be sure to go check out her blog or Facebook.


Now a little bit about me and why I blog. I have always enjoyed creating things for my kids.  I would throw them themed birthday parties, make their Halloween costumes, and create fun dishes with them in the kitchen.  As they have grown older, I wanted a place where I could share all of my creative ideas, while being able to stay home with them as well.  I have not worked outside the home since 1995, and with our schedule logistics working 8-5 would be difficult, so blogging seemed like a really good option.  I have been blogging for five years now, and I have to say I still love it. 




1) What I am working on..  

I am actually working on several things right now.  This time of year is very busy for a party/craft/recipe blogger.  I am working on two recipes with my kids.  Yesterday Kara and I were making a yummy dessert, but it go to be late and way too dark to take good pictures, so we are finishing up and taking them today. I hope to have that post up in the next day or two. Kyle is promising to share another recipe post that he has been promising for weeks. Hopefully that will be shared this week as well.   I will also be sharing a new member of the pumpkin gang very soon. I am very excited about him, and I think you will be too.  Also in the works are four party themed ebooks. They are still in the very early stages, but I have the concepts and all of the themes selected. Now I just need to find the time to write them, and put some of the projects together.  





2) How does my work differ from others from its genre?   

There are some big time party bloggers that share gorgeous high end parties that are styled and come with a big price tag.  While they are a lot of fun to look at, most people can not afford to throw parties to that degree.  I like to give ideas and tips that everyone can use to throw a nice party, including those who are on a very tight budget.  The recipes that Kyle (Cooking with Kyle) and I share are family friendly, and are always served to our own family. Kara's crafts are truly crafts for kids that are made by a kid. 



3) Why I create what I do?

I have been making things my whole life.  I even got a degree in college that specialized in costume design.  I am in my element when I am creating things.  I also have a very hard time spending a lot of money on something that I can make myself.  Creating things from nothing makes me very happy, and if I was not able to do that I would be very bored. 




4) How does your writing/creative process work? 

I don't think that it will come to a surprise to you that creative people are not very organized. They say that creative people tend to have messy work spaces.  This would be very true for me.  My craft room has not been fully organized and clean in the 11 years I have had it. The rest of the house is not the cleanest either. I am usually too busy creating to clean.  I have a lot of my ideas in notebooks, and work on projects when I can. Some days my children have to come first, and the creating second. When I do have a deadline I always finish on time, but I may be working on it until the last minute.  I know my way of doing things is not for everyone, but it works for me.  



Now I am going to introduce you to a couple of bloggers who I have met through blogging groups who I think you will enjoy meeting.


I met my friend Kim from Kandy Kreations at least three years ago.  We hit it off, probably because we are so similar.  She has teenagers, I have teenagers, and we both love to make our own parties.  One of my very favorite of her parties is her Alice in Wonderland party where she made this Tea Pot Chandelier that incredibly awesome. 


With a name like Kandy Kreations you would think that she specializes in candy, and you would be right.   I just love these Angry Bird Candy Cones that can be filled with candy.  She sells chocolate covered Oreos, candy bar wrappers, printables, and a lot more in her shop.
In addition to her blog, you can also find her on Facebook.




Another blogger I want to introduce you to is Aleshea  from Glitz N Grits. While I have not know her as long as I have known Kim, I really like her.  She is a southern girl who has lived in Texas her whole life.  She loves her southern food and shares yummy recipes from her southern favorites on her blog.  This recipe for smothered porkchops caught my eye. 

  


She also has recipes for yummy desserts like this one for Caramel Cupcakes. Yum!! So if you are looking for some delicious recipes be sure to stop by Glitz N Grits on the blog and on Facebook.

Next week Kim and Aleshea will be sharing their own posts with more about them and their favorite bloggers. I hope you enjoyed this Tour Through Blogland! 







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Friday, September 5, 2014

Dare to Share #127


Whew..  This has been quite a week.. My kids started a new school year, and you may have noticed some changes around here.  I have a few new things in the works as well which I will explain in a minute.  

My new design was done by a friend of mine who started her own business Girl on Fire Designs.  She was great to work with, and if you are interested in a new blog design you should definitely check her out.   Also new this month (though not visible yet ) is I am adding a Shop on the page. In my shop I will be selling custom party items, crafts, and miscellaneous party supplies. I have had a lot of people tell me that they love something they have seen on the blog, but they are not crafty or have the time to make it themselves. Now they will not have to, as I can make it for you.  I also have in the works four themed party ebooks that I hope to finish and sell at some point soon. 


I had mixed feelings about the start of this school year.  You might get an idea why when you look at the numbers on the signs.   You can read more about our First Day of School here.   Even though there were only four days of school this week,  it still had some excitement.  I will be writing more about our week on my second blog Surviving the Crazy Life this weekend.  




I love these Blue Muddy Buddies by 3GLOL. (3 Generations Living Out Loud).  They would be great for a baby shower and many other theme parties.   

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There is still such a love for all things Frozen, so we can expect to see lots of Elsas, Annas and Olafs this Halloween.  Make it Easy Crafts has a great Snowflake wand that would make a fun accessory for dress up and Halloween costumes.  


I had planned on sharing a couple more features this week but with the hectic schedule. I did not get the chance.  I will be sharing more posts from both last week and this weeks party on social media so you still may be featured.   




My co-host Kim from Kandy Kreations has a great tutorial this week on how to make DIY Tile Magnets.  They could make a nice gift as a holiday that I will not mention yet will be here before we know it.  

Now it is time for this week's party.  You are welcome to link up anything that you would like to share.  You posts will be seen on two blogs..  Here at Pams Party & Practical Tips and Kandy Kreations.   If you are chosen as a Dare to Share Feature of the day, you post will be promoted on the blog, FacebookTwitterPinterest, and G+

Now link up and HAVE FUN! 


   

   







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Thursday, September 4, 2014

How to Make a Frozen Wand - Feature of the Day

How to make Frozen Princess Wands for Dress Up and Halloween

With the popularity of Frozen, you can expect there  to be a lot of Elsa's and Anna's this Halloween.   Crystal from Make it Easy Crafts shared how to make a Snowflake Wand that would be perfect for a snow queen or even a princess.  And if you did not already hear the news, Disney announced this week that they are making a new Frozen short,  so you can expect that your little girl will love to have a Frozen Wand for quite some time to come.  Thank you so much Crystal  for linking up this great craft to Dare to Share.
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Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Our First Day of School


There are some moms who look forward to their kids going back to school each fall.  I am not of one those moms.   I much prefer the lazy days of summer over waking up before the sun comes up, nagging the kids to do their homework, and juggling multiple schedules at multiple schools. Luckily we have been at only two schools for the past year, but we have had years when all three kids went to different schools. They also leave at different times making our morning routine stretch  for a couple of hours.   Since they leave at different times in the morning, I had to wait to get a group shot until after school. You might also notice that significant number on the middle sign.  I am a bit in shock that it is already here. It really does not feel like that it has been 12 years..  Didn't she just start kindergarten a few years back?! 

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Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Blue Muddy Buddies - Feature of the Day

How to make Blue Muddy Buddes

I have seen several recipes for Muddy Buddies, but I don't believe any of them have been blue.  These Blue Muddy Buddies by 3GLOL would be a great treat for many types of parties. It would be great for a boy baby shower, an Under the Sea party, or for a Frozen theme.  They remind me of a show my kids loved when they were young,  Blues Clues.  My son even had a Blues Clues party on year.  Wherever you want to serve Blue Muddy Buddies, I am sure they would be the hit of the party.  Thank you Bobbi for thinking up this fun recipe to Dare to Share
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Friday, August 29, 2014

Dare to Share #126

It is the last Friday of the summer,  how can that be? 
But since it is Friday, it is time to  celebrate and party. 
at  this week's Dare to Share! 


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Thursday, August 28, 2014

Funny Mini Scarecrows - Feature of the Day


Today's Feature of the Day is fun craft that also has a purpose.  I think these Funny Mini Scarecrows by Wesens-Art are  just adorable.  They do not look like traditional fall scarecrows, but their sweet faces and ribbons keep the birds from eating her granddaughters flowers. Be sure to stop over to Wesens-Art to see how she made her mini scarecrows.  Thank you so much  Wesens-Art for linking up this great craft to Dare to Share!

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Homemade Pickles


This has been a season of firsts.  Earlier in the summer I made strawberry jam for the first time, because we had picked several pounds of strawberries. This week I tried my hand at pickles, because I have picked 8-10 cucumbers in the last two weeks. .

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Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Chrysanthemum Cake Pops - Feature of the Day



Today's feature is one that you can have fun making and eating.  Teri from The Freshman Cook shared a tutorial on how to make Chrysanthemum Cake Pops, which are a mix of cake, chocolate, nuts and popcorn. Yum!  I love the mix of sweet and salty together.  These would be great to serve at a garden party, baby shower, or  just because. Thank you so much Teri for sharing your yummy cake pops on Dare to Share!
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Saturday, August 23, 2014

Save More on Purex with Target #Cartwheel

Disclosure: I am a Purex Insider.  I was not compensated for this post, but I will be entered in a giveaway for a gift card for sharing the promotion. 


I have posted before about my love of the Target cartwheel app.   I also love using Purex on my family's laundry.   Now through August 30th, you can save 10% off Purex with Cartwheel, which makes me very happy.

If you are not familiar with Cartwheel,  it is an app that you can access through Target.com online, or through your smart phone.  There you can download a lot of extra savings that can be used in addition to Target  store coupons and manufacturer coupons.  Once you have selected your savings either print out, or show the special barcode on your phone to the cashier. It is that easy! The more you use the app, the more savings your can earn.  I have already saved about $100 using the app.  

So what are you waiting for, you can get your 10% off Purex and other Cartwheel Savings here.


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Friday, August 22, 2014

Dare to Share #125

Can it really be Friday again?!  
Yes, it can, and you know what that means, 
it is time to DARE to SHARE! 


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Time with My Teenage Son




This week we have been busy with back to school activities. Both of my older kids had their high school registration days where they got their schedules, and I got to pay fees.  This week we also had time to do something special... 

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Wednesday, August 20, 2014

How to Use Messaging in Pinterest - Feature of the Day

How to use Messaging in Pinterest

Did you know that Pinterest recently started a new feature where you can now send messages?  I had heard about it, but I admit that I had not taken the time to try it yet.  Bonnie from  The Pin Junkie  shared a great post explaining this new feature and how to use it. If you would like to learn more about this new feature, stop over The Pin Junkie for an easy to follow tutorial.  Thanks so much Bonnie for sharing this great tip on this week's Dare to Share!

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