Make Ahead Stuffed French Toast

In mid March I shared a recipe for Make Ahead French Toast Casserole.  This recipe is similar, but not quite the same.  This time the bread is kept whole, and the french toast has a creamy filling.

You will need 2 pieces of bread per person.   This recipe tastes great with a cinnamon raisin  bread, but I did not have any on hand this weekend.  I used Aunt Millies Country Buttermilk Bread.    You can use any bread that you prefer. 

Spread all of  the slices of bread with cream cheese.   I spread the four bottom slices with strawberry cream cheese and the top slices with regular white.   If you like blueberries, this recipe would be wonderful with blueberry flavored cream cheese. 

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Place the top slices cream cheese side down on top of the bottom layer.  I made a cinnamon suger mixture from white sugar and cinnamon.   I am a Rachael Ray type of cook.  I did not measure but just eyeball the amount the sugar.    Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar liberally over the bread.  If you use a cinnamon bread as your base, you can skip this step. 

Mix 4-6 eggs and a 1/2 cup milk and pour over the bread.  I did miss some of the bread so after I took this picture I took a spoon and covered it more thoroughly.

Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. 

Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.  I turned my oven before the kids had their egg hunt.  

Bake the french toast for 30 minutes.

After we were done with the egg hunt the french toast was ready.   We added fresh sliced strawberries and Redi Whip that I got on sale this week at Meijer.  It was a simple but yet special breakfast for a special day. 

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Multi-Color Easter Eggs

Before

After


Our eggs are so colorful this year.  I LOVE how creative my kids were to get some really unique looking eggs..  

 

The rubberband technique makes cool looking stripe   Wrap rubber bands around the egg where you do not want color.

Dip in your favorite color

Let dry, and then remove the rubber bands.

This egg did something really unusal.  We got the stripes from rubberbands but when it dried there were also blue speckled splotches on the egg. 

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Easter Place Cards

Don't you just LOVE these  Easter egg inspired chocolate covered oreos?!!   Kim from Kims Kandy Kreations   makes all kinds of chocolate covered treats which are available on her blog.   I really liked her idea of using a treat such as her chocolate covered oreos   as part of place setting.    Make sure you check out her blog Kims Kandy Kreations  and her fun idea for your Easter table here.

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Bunny Bread

I think this is such a cute way to display your veggie and dip tray.  To make bunny bread you use frozen bread dough to form the bunny.  Once the bread is baked and cooled, you add the dip.   To see the full instructions on how to make bunny bread, check out  the recipe on Taste of Home here.

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Bunny Rolls

Need a last minute Easter dinner idea?  How about these super cute bunny rolls from Taste at home.   This homemade roll  recipe is relatively quick and easy.  You can see the recipe on how to make them here.

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Tip of the Day-How to make the perfect hard boiled eggs

It is best NOT to used fresh eggs because the fresher the eggs, the harder they are to peel.   I am using eggs that I bought 2 weeks ago. 

Place in a pot of cold water.  Make sure there is enough water to cover the eggs by at least one inch.

To prevent cracking,  let the eggs warm up to room tempature before you boil. Going from cold to hot too quickly causes the cracking. 

Bring water to boil.  As soon as the water starts to boil turn off the burner. Move the pot off the hot burner. 

Cover the pot for about 12-15 mins.

Place the eggs in the bowl of cold/ice water and let cool. 

Once cool peel and eat. (or color for Easter)

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Target deals this week

I had a GREAT night at Target.   A few of the deals were different prices than I saw on Totally Target, but still great deals...

Allegra Allergy on price cut $6.78.  I used a $2 Target coupon and a $5 man. coupon.  I made .22

Zyrtec (I bought the bigger pack because I need to take these often)  $18.19 for the 24 pack.  I used a $7 off man coupon (had to be for 24 pk or larger)  and a $4 Target coupon.  Final price $7.19

Lysol on sale $1.89.  I had a $1.50 Facebook coupon, final price .39

Natural Instincts Hair color..  Now this would have been an even better deal if I had the $2 Target coupon but I did not, still a good deal..  On sale $5.99.  I used a $3 man coupon, final price $2.99

Olay Regenerist.. again I did not have the $2 Target coupon, but had a $3 man coupon.   $5.99 reg price, after coupon, $2.99

Nivea Body Wash (the only bottle left)  $3.99.  I used a $3 man coupon, final price .99

2 Aveeno $2.99.  I used a $1 off coupon (only had 1) and $3 off 2 man coupon.  Final price .99 each.  Would be only.49 if I had the 2nd Aveeno coupon. 

Rimmel eye liner (for my teen daughers Easter Basket)  $3.14.  I had $1 off coupon, final price $2.14

NYC brow/ liner pencils $1.72.  I had .50 coupon, final price $1.22 for two pencils

I spent only  $21.42 and saved $37.50 ($34 in coupons)  for a 64% savings!

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Vgs deals this week

I didnt buy a lot at VGs mostly deals that I had coupons on since they double to $1. 

Pop Tarts on sale $1.88. I had $1 off 3 coupon that doubled, final price $1.21  each
2 PowerAde on sale .88 each.  I had a buy 1 get 1 free coupon, final price .44 each
2  40 oz Heinz ketchup on sale $2 each. 
2 jars Vlasic pickles on sale $2 each. I had two .55 coupons that doubled, final price .90
Paper plates $2.19
2 onion at .77 each.  I had $1 produce coupon when  you buy 2 Kraft salad dressing, final price .86 for two large onion
Hillshire Farm lunchmeat on sale $3.50.  I had $1 coupon that doubled, final price $1.50
2 boxes of Eggos $2.19.  I had a $1 off 2 coupon that doubled, final price $1.19 a box
2 Kraft dressing on  sale $1.88.  I had a $1 off 2 coupon that doubled, final price .88
2 Bagel Bites on sale $1.67.  I had two $1 coupons that doubled,  made .33 for buying them. (normally they double only to price, not sure why these didnt)
2 jars Miracle Whip on sale $2.50 each. I had a $1 coupon that doubled, final price $1.50 each
Zone Perfect Bar $1.25.  I had a .55 coupon that doubled, final price .10
Simply Perfect potatoes on sale $1.67

I spent only $22.20.  I saved $20.18 in coupons and $13.67 in sales for $33.85 in savings.

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My drugstore deals this week

Rite Aid..   I am a little bit bummed that I FORGOT my video reward coupons at home when I went to Rite Aid.   They did have some great prices on their Easter Candy.   Peeps on sale for .88 and Brachs jelly beans also only .88.      I spent a little over $6 here.

Walgreens

Scott Natural paper towels..  6 pk special priced at $5.  I used a $1 Walgreens coupon and a $1 man. coupon, final price $3 or .50 a roll. 

M & Ms were on sale 2 for $4.  They were sold out of Easter colors, but a worker told me that the regular M &Ms were also on sale.   I had a $1 off 2 Easter M & M coupon but since those were sold out, I used my $1.50 off 3 coupon. ( I wanted 3 bags anyway since I have 3 kids.. LOL)   Final price $1.16 a bag

Goody headbands on sale $3, get a $3 Register Reward, essentially making them FREE. 

I spent only $9.48 here.  I used $5 in coupons and  got back a $3 Register Reward. 

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Meijer Deals this week..

I bought most of my food this week at Meijer.. They have some really good deals! All of this was only $56.17 plus I got back a $3 off your next order catalina.

Buy 4 Kelloggs cereal at $2.50 each, get a gallon of milk free.   I had to buy 5 because I had $1 off 2 and a $1 off 3 coupon.   I bought 5 boxes of cereal, got the FREE milk all for only $10.50.

2  boxes of Splenda 100 ct on sale 25% at $3.59.  I had two $3 coupons and got back a $3 catalina.  I was PAID $1.82 to buy this.

Krusteaz pancake mix $1.99.  I used .50 coupon that doubled, final price .99

2 Club crackers on sale for $2.50.  I had a get a FREE chili or soup up to $1 when you buy two.  I got the Hormel chili that was $1.65, final price for chili .65

2 jars Mt. Olive pickles on sale for $1.67.  I had two .50 coupons that doubled, final price .67 each

Duncan Hines Brownie Mix on sale $1.25.  I had a .50 coupon that doubled, final price .25

2 boxes of Triscuits on sale $1.67.  I had two $1 coupons from Facebook, final price .67 each

Wheat Thins Stix on sale $1.67.  I had a $1 Facebook coupon, final price .67

Heinz ketchup on sale $1.69

Tyson chicken nuggets on sale $3.99.  I had $1 coupon, final price $2.99

2 Freshlike frozen veggies on sale .89.  I had .50 off 2 coupon that doubled, final price .39 each

4 Kraft Cheese on sale $1.88.  I had two $1 off 1 coupons and a $1 off 2 coupon.  Two packages were .88 each and the other two $1.38.

2 boxes of Band Aids on sale for $1.68.  I had two .50 coupons that doubled, final price .68

2 McCormick Food Coloring on sale for $2.56.  I  had a $1 off 2 Meijer Mealbox and a $1 off 1 coupon.  Final price $1.56 each. 

Buy 4 jello, jello pudding or Kraft mini marshmellow get 1 lb of strawberries for FREE.   I bought 2 jello at .50 and two puddings for .80 each.     4 packs and FREE strawberries for only $2.60

I also bought a pack of strawberries for $1.67

Redi Whip on sale for $1.89.  I had a .50 coupon that doubled, final price .89

NON coupon items, small ham for $6.68 and fish food for $3.48. 

I saved $30.66 in coupons and $29.09 in sales for a total savings of $59.75.

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Rainbow Jello Eggs

One of the blogs I  like to follow,  Chose to Thrive ,  has the coolest rainbow jello Easter Eggs  on her website.  If you  have the jello egg mold with a little bit of patience, you too can make these gorgeous eggs!  They are just so colorful, and would make such a fun at your Easter get together.  To see how you can make them too, check out her tutorial on Chose to Thrive.

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Easter Prep

This is the first day this week that I have been able to do my shopping..  I am going with another friend to several stores for my weekly groceries and Easter supplies..  I will be posting the best deals today from  Walmart, Target, Meijer, Rite Aid, Walgreens and CVS.    If you have any last minute Easter shopping to do like I do, this week there are some Super Deals!

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Horse/Western Party

Disclosure: This post has affiliate links to the items used for this party, and other horse/western party ideas. 

A few years ago my daughter was really into horses.  She had a ton of  My Little Ponies as many little girls do.  About six months before her birthday, I was so excited to find  the Fur Real pony on sale for 50% off after Christmas.   Luckily we were at grandmas house at the time, and she was willing to keep it hidden at her house until Kara's summer  birthday.     Knowing that she was going to get the pony for her birthday,  I talked her into a horse/western themed party.   I scheduled her party for 2 weeks after her actual birthday, because we were going to be on vacation in Branson, Mo for the big day.   She was shocked and thrilled to come back to the cabin one day and find Butterscotch waiting for her. 

When everyone arrived for the party, we gave out cowgirl/cowboy hats, bandanas and sheriff badges from Oriental Trading.  Each child then had the chance to pose with Butterscotch the pony.  I had made a cardboard corral out of a large piece of cardboard, but we had to keep the pony and corral inside due to high winds and the threat of rain.   

I don't have many pictures of the decorations from the actual party.   I wish I did, but at the time of this party I had no idea I was going to have a party idea blog.  =)    I know I found checkered tablecloths at the dollar store that I used on the main table and in the craft area.  I also used streamers, balloons and horse banners as decor.  At the end of the post, I am linking some items similar to what we used. 

We played several horse/western themed games.  In this picture my older daughter is showing how to run the pony race.  We had two horse sticks, and used them to run relay races.  The girls loved trotting around the yard, and it  was a good way to get some energy out. 

In this picture we are panning for gold in the sandbox.  I found a couple bags of gold coins, and hid them in the sand.  Each child took turns panning for gold, and then they were able to keep their coins.   While we did not have a Trading Post  at my daughter's party,  I really like the idea from Special Interest Day where the kids exchanged the gold they found for treats. This would be a good activity for this type of party because the kids would enjoy choosing their own prizes.   

We also played a game called lasso the pony.  I made a pony head out of foam board and paint. 

To make the lasso, I wrapped a dollar store hula hoop with rope.   Once they got the lasso moving they tried to catch the wild pony. 

YeeHaw! Look at that lasso go!

I do not have any pictures of the craft we made that day, but I know we made one even though I can not remember it.   A great craft for a horse/western party is for kids to design their own paper bag vest.  Crayola has a tutorial on their website here.

Oriental Trading  had this really fun paper plate horse craft kit. It is no longer in stock, but would probably be pretty easy to recreate with paper plates and craft foam. 

Other craft ideas could be to decorate horseshoes,  pony coloring sheets or paper bag puppets 

I made her cowgirl boot cake by cutting a sheet cake using a template I drew myself.   I know M & Ms and candles have an interesting look to them, but that is what happens when you allow a 6 yr old to decorate her own cake.     

I  also do not have pictures of the other food we ate, but I know we served BBQ meatballs, mini pizzas, chips, and baby carrots.  We also had pony punch (Hawaiian punch). 

S'mores would be another great option for this type of party.  

After opening presents the kids took home goody bags filled with horse stickers,  horse themed candy, horse finger puppets, and their gold coins.  They also kept their cowgirl/cowboy hats, bandanas and sheriff badges. 

Kara still has her Butterscotch pony and loves it to this day. 

Here are more horse themed items that you may like for your Horse/Western party. 

 

Brown Horse Pinata

Horse Themed Tablecloth

Horse Treat Bags

If you go with the Trading Post idea, here are some fun horse themed prizes 

Horse Cups with Straws

Horse Eraser Pencil Toppers

Horse Rubber Duckies

Squishy Horse Toys

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Operation Birthday

Since I was busy with Special Interest Day all day yesterday we met for Operation Birthday this afternoon.   We went shopping at Michaels, JoAnns, The Dollar Tree and Costco for some last minute shopping.  She wanted to have some goodie bag/favor type items and some beads for a crafting station.   We have some  fun activies planned for the guests.   We found some great deals and used coupons from the craft store flyers.  We finalized the menu and will be shopping for the food next week.  Hopefully it will be a good week of grocery sales next week.   I will be finishing up the decorations that I have been working on and hope to set it up a day or two before the party.     Look for a lot more pictures  in the coming days...  

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Guess What I Got Today

I was excited to see a package in my mailbox today.  I wasn't expecting the Peep book I won in Sweetology's  giveaway so quickly, but was thrilled when I saw it was already here.   For the most part the book is made up of simple recipes I have seen before,  but there are a couple new to me.    I hope to stock up on a few extra boxes of Peeps the day after Easter so I can share a few here.  

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