Heart Cheese Pies - Feature of the Day

Heart Pies

If you follow many of my recipes on my blog, you know that  I love cheese! Cheese is a big reason that these cute pies from Chara at Viva La Vida, caught my eye on Dare to Share.  The hearts are perfect for Valentine's Day, and if you like Greek food like I do, you will really enjoy her recipe.  Be sure to stop by her blog and see how to make these yummy treats HERE.  Thank you so much for linking up Chara! 

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A Crafter's Dream Group Giveaway

The time is finally here.  It is time for  another A Crafter's Dream group giveaway.  This great giveaway was put together by our hostesses, My Merry Messy Life, Tutus and Tea Parties, and Earning My Cape.   As in past #ACraftersDream giveaways, there will be 40 blogs participating all offering their own individual prizes.

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Free Printable Chalkboard Valentine - Feature of the Day

If you have school age kids, you know this is an exciting week. The week they are taking Valentines to school for all of their classmates.  Many kids will buy store bought Valentines to give to their friends, but for many bloggers and crafters out there, they like to make their own.  The Thriftiness Miss  shared a great Valentine idea on this week's  Dare to Share . How about giving your Valentine  a cute chalkboard saying, and supplies to make their own Smore.   On her blog, not only does she show you how to make these cute Valentines, but also gives you the free printable.  She has both love and like versions, which you can see HERE.  Thank you so much for linking up!  

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Dare to Share #45

Are you in the path of the storm?  Where I live we did get hit with some snow, but it was not too bad.  We got maybe 5 to 6 inches, and a day off school.  We love when we have snow days!  This is an old picture of my snowy yard, because I did not take one today.  In addition to being able to sleep in a bit, I got to have a late lunch with a friend.  I love days like this.

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Lattice Hook Storage - Feature of the Day

I am always looking for new storage ideas.  Jenna from Rain on a Tin Roof shared an interesting and inexpensive way to make a decorative hooks out of lattice board.  This would be great placed in a mud room, laundry room or where the kids dumped their all of their belongings.  I also love that you can customize the lattice board to your desired size and color.  You can see more about this great storage idea on Rain on a Tin Roof HERE.  Thank you so much for linking up on Dare to Share Jenna!

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Cooking with Kyle - Pizza Bites

Pizza Bites

He's back!  Did you miss him?  Kyle is back with a new Cooking with Kyle recipe.  In this post he is going to share how to make pizza bites.

You will need:
refrigerated biscuits.. your choice on size
pepperoni
your favorite cheese.. we used tomato and basil string cheese
1 egg
Italian seasoning
Marinara or Spaghetti sauce for dipping
Parmesan if desired

Pizza Bites

He started by preparing his ingredients.  He flattened out the biscuits (we used jr size) and opened the pepperoni

Kraft just came out with a new tomato and basil flavored string cheese, that was perfect for this recipe.

Since he made 2 small cans of 10 biscuits, he cut 5 of the individual cheeses into 4 pieces about 1 inch long.

Inside each biscuit he layered a piece of pepperoni, the string cheese cut in half lengthwise so it laid flat and then another piece of pepperoni.

Pizza Bites

He then wrapped the biscuit around the filling and sealed it.

Pizza Bites

After laying the biscuits seal side down, he brushed on a little bit of egg on each one.

Pizza Bites

He sprinkled on some Italian seasoning on each biscuit.  He could have added some Parmesan at this step too, but we forgot to get it out.

Pizza Bites

If making small size Pizza Bites cook in a 425 degree over for about 10-12 minutes.  A few minutes more if you use a bigger size biscuit.

Pizza Bites 

These pizza bites were DELICIOUS!!  They are a perfect after school snack, party food, are even for a light dinner.

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Valentine Message Hearts- Feature of the Day

Can you believe that Valentine's Day is a week from tomorrow.. Wasn't it just New Years Day a few days ago?  Linda from With a Blast, shared a very interesting treat on this week's Dare to Share.  In her post she shows how to make candy hearts with a hidden message inside.  This is such a fun and original way to tell someone how you feel.  Be sure to check out her photo tutorial HERE.  Thank you for linking these wonderful treats Linda.

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Kroger 50% Plus Deals

As you know, one of my goals this year was to save money. I was very happy to be $10 under budget for January, and now have a great start for February. If you have a Kroger store near you, they have several popular items 50% off this week.  When you also use a coupon, you can find items for a fraction of the price.  Everything in the picture, I got for more than 50% off.

Full price Ken's salad dressing is $3.99.  It is on sale this week for $1.99, and there is a $1 off 2 coupon in the 1/13 Smart Source.   Final price for each bottle was $1.49 or 63% off.

Velvetta Skillet Meals  full price are $3.69. They are on sale this week for $1.84, and there is a $1 off 2 coupon from Coupons.com. Final price for each were $1.39 or 63% off.

Anytizers are a fun go to in our house. Full price they are $7.47.  They are on sale for $3.73, which is already an awesome price but there are also $1 off coupons in the 1/20 Smart Source. At a final price of $2.73 stock up! This will probably the only time you will see it this low at 63% off.

Birdseye Viola is also a go to meal on busy nights in our house.  They are normally $6.59, on sale this week for $3.29.  I also had a $1 coupon that I got through Smart Source.  Final price $2.29 which is 65% off.

Kraft string cheese is normally $5.99 full price. It is on sale this week for $2.99. I did not have a coupon for it so it is only 50%.  We have plans for the new tomato basil flavor for a new Cooking with Kyle recipe this week.

Dial soap is normally $1.49 each.  They are on sale for $1 each this week.  There is a $2 off of 4 coupon on Coupons.com, making each bottle .50 each or 66% off.

I could have spent $41.37 for all the items in the picture and only spent $15.77

In addition to these great deals  there is more to be found around the store.  Milk is $1.99 in my area (prices may vary) and large eggs only $1 a dozen.  This is a great week to stock up on your favorite deals.

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Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken

Mondays are our busy day around here.  Because we are pressed for time, I have started using my slow cooker more. I think I am going to start a series where I share a slow cooker recipe that we have tried each week.  Yesterday I found some chicken legs in the freezer, and decided to try a sweet and sour chicken.   I looked for recipes online, but I did not have the ingredients for most of them.    I found one on bhg.com that I had most of the ingredients, so I used that recipe as a guideline.

I am a Rachel Ray type of cook, so I don't really measure.  This might drive you a bit crazy if you need exact measurements, because I just eyeballed the amounts until they looked good.  I will do my best to guesstimate.

This is what I used to make my sauce

About a cup of pineapple juice

Brown sugar (my brown sugar was hard so I just broke off as much as I could) I guess I used a few Tablespoons to a 1/4 cup

Ketchup.  I added about 5 to 6 big squirts.

Just a teeny bit of vinegar

2 Tablespoons of corn starch

Mix sauce well

Sprinkle some salt on the chicken in the slow cooker,  and then pour on the sauce. Cook on high for a few hours and then turn down as the chicken starts to brown. I turned my legs once, and occasionally spooned sauce from the pot over them.

When it came out of the pot the chicken was extremely tender and falling off the bone. That is part of the reason why it was so hard to photograph.  I served it over rice with some pineapple on the side.  The family loved it!  We plan on trying this recipe again with other types of chicken.  

I will be sharing my recipe on these wonderful linky parties HERE.

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Indoor Snowballs - Feature of the Day

Today's Dare to Share Feature of the Day is a fun one.  I am not fond of real snow, I live in Michigan and we seem to get a lot of it.  I am however, fond of these Indoor Snowballs from Delle at Yearning to Create.  They were simple to make, and a lot less painful  if you get hit by one.  They were a huge hit "pun intended" in her family.  If you would like to read more about the snowballs, and her story behind them, you can check out Yearning to Create HERE.  Thank you so much for linking up Delle.

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Snickers Cake - Feature of the Day

I hope everyone  is  hungry today, when you see today's feature.  One of my favorite type of candy is the Snicker's Bar. Winnie from Winnish.net shared a delicious no bake Snicker's Cake to this week's Dare to Share Linky Party.  This cake would be such a hit at almost any kind of get together or party.  To see Winnie's full recipe make sure to stop by Winnish.net HERE.  She post's  her blog in Hebrew, but I have think I have linked to the English translation page.  If I have not,  you can find the translate button in the upper left hand corner of her blog.  Thank you so much for linking up Winnie..  This look's really yummy!!

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Dare to Share #44

It has been another hectic week at our house.  On Monday we had an unexpected day off of school because of an ice storm.  Also this week, the husband changed jobs for the first time in 10 years. He is moving to a new company, which means we had to turn in our cars leased from the old company. I loved my car, but had to say goodbye today. I got to say hello to my new mode of transportation. I like it so far, but I am still figuring out how to use it.

Tonight I got together with some girlfriends, and we had a Real Words with Friends night. I don't play Scrabble very often, so I was a little rusty. It was okay though, since we were not keeping score, we helped each out.  My expertise came into play when I helped a couple of friends with grown  children learn how to bowl  on the Wii. It was a fun night.

Earlier in the week I made a batch of Slow Cooker Lasagna, which was a hit and disappeared fast.

I started a craft project for the Super Bowl, but unfortunately it did not get finished. If I can get it done in time, I hope to post it this weekend.   I did have the chance to post some football themed party foods that would be great for the Super Bowl HERE.

We had some awesome Features of the Day this week. If you did not have the chance to catch them, here is another chance.  

Valentine Felt Rose Topiary by Life on Lakeshore Drive

 Easy Bento Bears by Meijo's Joy

Chocolate and Strawberry cookies by The Velvet Moon Baker

Re-Purpose Pool Noodles by Family Home and Life

Now it is time for this week's party.  I don't have a lot of rules.  Following is not required to link up, but I sure would love it if you would.  If you are chosen as a Feature of the Day,  your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and G+.

Link up and HAVE FUN!

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Re-purpose Pool Noodles - Feature of the Day

Today's Dare to Share Feature of the day is by Connie of Family Home and Life. What I really loved about her post is that it is full of practical uses for a pool noodle.  Who knew that dollar pool noodle sitting in your garage could do so many things.  Many of her tips will have you thinking.. why didn't I think of that, that is a great idea..  To see all the fun things you can do with a pool noodle, be sure to check out Family Home and Life HERE.  Thank you for linking up your great post Connie!

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Superbowl Party Food

Football Pops

Are you having a Super Bowl party on Sunday?  I have to admit,  I am not super excited about either team in it this year. I grew up in Ohio, and have always loved the Bengals.  Unfortunately they were out the first week of the playoffs.  Our family also roots for the Bears,  because there are a lot of family members in the Chicago area.  If I had choose a team, I guess I would be cheering on the Ravens.. You see, when I was at college at Ohio State, Jim Harbaugh who is now the 49ers coach, was the quarterback for our rivals the University of Michigan.  The OSU/U of M rivalry runs deep! I am not sure if John Harbaugh, went to U of M too, but at least he was not the quarterback while I was in school.  Even thought it was many years ago, it is very hard for a Buckeye to cheer for a Wolverine.  Go Bucks!

Anyway, back to the purpose of this post. If you are hosting a party, and need some ideas, I put together a list of some easy  football themed snacks and treats to serve at the big game.   In the picture above are some football pops that I made from Rice Krispie Treats.. you can see how I made them HERE.

 

These BLT pops cut in the shape of a football jersey look like a lot of fun. You can find them on BettyCrocker.com

If you are serving pizza, how about arranging the pepperoni in the shape of a football, like this one from Pillsbury.com

PartyCity.com shares how to make football shaped calzones and other great party food

Game day Guacamole can be found on  Snackpicks.com

How about some football shaped subs from TasteofHome.com

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Chocolate and Strawberry Cookies - Feature of the Day.

One of my favorite treats is strawberries dipped  in chocolate. so when I saw what Tash from The Velvet Moon Baker linked up I was in cookie heaven.   I have never had a chocolate and strawberry cookie, but I want one now.  I also loved that she was keeping it real with her display. If you want to know what I am talking about, you are going to just have to stop by her blog to read about it HERE, and get her delicious recipe while you are there.  Thank you so much for linking up your yummy cookies to Dare to Share Tash!

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