California Avocado Cake - Feature of the Day

Yes, my title  really does say that today's feature is an  Avocado Cake. I love avocado,  so this cake definitely got my interest.  I have never heard of this type of cake before Chris  of The Cafe' Sucre' Farine shared her post on this week's Dare to Share.  It is a must see if you love avocado too.  Thank you so much for linking up to Dare to Share Chris! 

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Garage Sale Tips, Part 1

Our sub is having a sub wide garage sale this coming weekend.  It starts in two days, and I am not quite ready. Since this is a yearly event, I have done quite a few of them. I thought I would share some of my favorite tips.

One tip is "DON"T to wait to the last minute to set up" which is what  I did  again this year..  This is how my garage looks right now.  It  seriously looks like a toy store exploded in my garage. There are toys everywhere!  Now that they kids no longer play with their toys, I told them it was time for them to sell them.  We have more toys than we know what to do with.   When it is all set up, there will be quite a nice selection of boys and girls toys.  Parents are either going to love me or hate me when they visit our house.  

Another tip for today is about tables.  Did you know that Ikea sells table tops for only $6 and legs for $3.50 each. I just found that out myself.  The legs can be removed, so it makes  for easy storing.  I bought two tables  for under $20 a piece.  They are a really nice size, and will hold a lot of stuff. After the sale,  I plan on putting them in my craft room. I am also going to use them for upcoming parties, because they make perfect banquet tables. 

Well I better get back to work, the sale is in only two days.   Stay tuned for Part 2 and more tips! 

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Leftover Chicken Casserole

I was recently asked to participate in a Casserole Challenge by Robyn of Robyn's View. For a couple of weeks, I wasn't sure what I was going to make.  We had a basic recipe to follow, but it was up to us on which ingredients we wanted to use.  

Hmm.. does this look familiar?  I got to thinking what if I made another variation of one our  favorite ham casserole recipe.  We had a rotisserie chicken the other day, and had some leftover that we needed to use.  Since we loved the leftover ham casserole so much, I wondered if we would like a chicken version. 

This recipe started the same way.  I used 2 cups of rice, a can of cream of mushroom soup and 2 cups milk.  I was out of  the frozen broccoli that I normally put in the ham version, because I forgot to buy it this week. I did, however, have fresh.  I added a cup of broccoli of the fresh broccoli, and a cup of leftover chicken.  (any type of chicken would do)  

Another change I made was to add a few extra ingredients which were part of the challenge. I cut up some garlic and added that to the mixture.  I was asked to use 1/4 cup onion, but since not everyone in our family likes onion, I hide it by using dried onion.  I sprinkled in a decent amount. I didn't measure how much though.  (Remember I am a Rachael Ray type of cook)  I covered it with foil and baked it at 425 degrees for 20 minutes. (the challenge was for 350 degrees, but I was not sure if that was warm enough since the ham casserole bakes at 425)

At the 20 minute mark, I sprinkled on a couple handfuls of cheese.  We love cheese so I add a lot.  

I put it back in the oven for 10 more minutes uncovered, to allow the cheese to melt.  The casserole came out all warm and bubbly.  

The verdict.. we loved this casserole too! Now we will try make versions depending on which leftovers we have.  

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Healthy Snack Choices - Feature of the Day

For today's feature I chose Healthy Snack Choices by Robin at Fluster Buster. There are a couple of reasons why I really liked this post.  I am having an extremely busy and stressful week getting ready for a garage sale and company.  When I am so busy, I don't always eat what I should.  I am also in week 4 of my weight loss journey. I really don't want to derail my progress by not eating healthy.  I also love that list of healthy snack choices she put together is great for all ages. Having three kids ages 12-16 home for the summer, means a lot of food and snacks are being consumed in our house.  Maybe seeing what the healthier choices are,  it will actually encourage to chose better choices when the make themselves a snack. To see the full list of healthy choices, go to Fluster Buster here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share Robin! 

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Six Flags Great America Premieres IgNight

Long time readers may know that my family, and I love amusement parks.   We try to go to one at least once a year.  Recently I was asked if I would like to work with Six Flags Great America,  and visit the park.  That would be a great big YES! While our visit will be a little later in the summer, I did want to share a bit about Six Flags Great America with you now.  We are really looking forward to their new nightly show igNight. 

Six Flags Great America is pleased to present the premiere of igNIGHT – Grand Finale, a mesmerizing and immersive nighttime spectacle bursting with energy, vivid colors, brilliant visual effects, lively performances, fascinating imagery, and pure imagination. 

The groundbreaking new high-tech show — the most advanced show in the park’s 37-year history! — plays on all your senses, taking you on a wonderfully wild journey to a beautiful never-before-seen world. Watch in wonder as igNIGHT illuminates the dark night, magically bringing to life a phenomenal bright and vibrant multimedia universe filled with music, singing, dancing, laser lighting, and pyrotechnics right before your very eyes. Guest interaction along with advanced audio, enhanced video projection, and special effects round out the brand new show that is sure to stun and delight audiences of all ages.

igNIGHT – Grand Finale will premiere in summer 2013 and will take place in the evenings right before the park closes because there’s no better way to end an adrenaline-filled day at Six Flags Great America than with a big bang!

My  Readers Save $20 Off One-Day Admission to Six Flags Great America http://www.windycitykidsguide.com/coupon.php?bid=11220&dealid=1287


Disclosure:  For being part of the Six Flags Blogger Promotion, I may receive two complimentary tickets to visit the park with my family. 

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Dare to Share #63

It's Friday, which means it is Dare to Share time.

It was another busy week for us.  While school was over for my younger two,  my oldest had until today to finish up on her virtual classes. As of 8 p.m. tonight we are now finally OFFICIALLY on summer vacation until the beginning of September.  Another big event this week/weekend is Kara's big dance recital and ballet production. Her toe has healed nicely, so she has been able to dance this week.  We had rehearsal for several hours on Thursday. This year she ended up with 2 black sparkly costumes, (not that she is complaining.)  The one in the picture is for Jazz.Hip Hop.   She will be playing part of Carbosse's evil posse in their version of Sleeping Beauty.  It looked great yesterday, so we are looking forward to showtime.

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Flower Wreath - Feature of the Day

I always love when you can make something that is beautiful, but  it is also easy and inexpensive. Nichole from Pinkie For Pink shared how she made this pretty flower wreath for her front door.  A wreath like this in a store would cost so much more than making it yourself. She has a great photo tutorial, and it is surprisingly simple to put together. You can see how to make one of your own on Pinkie for Pink here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share Nichole! 

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Patriotic Planter

Recently, Target had their plastic color planters on sale.  The big planter  was $4.94, the medium $2, and the small only $1.72.   I have seen many fun tiered planters on Pinterest, so at those prices I thought I would try to make one of my own. 

I loved the bright red planters.  With 4th of July coming up soon, I thought it would be fun to make it with a red, white and blue theme.   I filled each of the planters with potting soil and then placed the medium planter on top of the large. I pushed it down a little bit into the larger planter.  You don't need to go too deep, but  deep enough that medium planter is secure. 

We found our red, white and blue flowers at Meijers.  It was kind of difficult to find blue, but I came across some that were on sale.  I love it when that happens.  I don't remember exactly what their were called because I accidentally picked the packs without the plastic label. I know they had blue in their name.   Does anyone recognize them? 

I repeated the steps with the small planter and  then planted my red and white flowers.  I used white Impatiens, and red Petunias. 

Right now my planter  is sitting on the deck.  I might add some flags on the 4th to really dress it up. Kara also has an idea she wants to try if we have time. 

I will be linking up my Patriotic Planter on these wonderful linky parties here.

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Lilo and Stitch Dinner & Movie Party - Feature of the Day

When Kara was two  she was obsessed with Stitch.  She had several Stitch dolls and was even Stitch for Halloween.   When I saw what Marcie from I Got To Try That did to give her kids a special Lilo and Stitch night, I knew I would have to feature it.  She went all out with the luau wear, a special themed dinner and movie night.  Many of her ideas would be perfect for a luau or Lilo and Stitch themed birthday party. I am sure that their special Lilo and Stitch night will be something they always remember.  So if you would like to see what fun things her family did and have own special theme might, be sure to check out I Got To Try That here.  Thanks for linking up to Dare to Share Marcie!

A little added Lilo and Stitch  flashback bonus..Here is Kara when she was Stitch for Halloween.  She looked adorable!  I remember her getting upset when several people asked her while we were trick or treating  if she was Eeyore.   Lilo and Stitch  was a family theme that year.  Kristina was Lilo, and Kyle was the version of Stitch that had six arms. I wish I would have thought to have a Lilo and Stitch themed night for them, they would have loved it. 

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Save Money on Textbooks

As we all know summer  vacation seems to go way to fast. Before we know it, it will be back to school time once again, and recent graduates will  be off to college.  Being the parent of two high school students, the cost of college has been on my mind. In just a few years, I will have two kids in college at the same time which could be very expensive.   One  big expense in college is buying textbooks each semester.  There is a way though, to make those books a little more affordable.  Campus Book Rental is a great place to rent your textbooks at 40-90% savings over buying.  Some others perks of renting from Campus Book Rental include:

free shipping both ways
Campus Rental Books can be highlighted in
flexible renting periods
a donation is made to Operation Smile with each textbook rental

Something new to Campus Book Rental this year is their new Rent Back program.  If you have textbooks you already own, you can earn money by renting  them to other students.  Each time they are rented, you get paid. Students in the rent back program can earn 2-4 times  more than they would with  a typical buy back from the bookstore.

You can learn more about the Campus Book Rental on this video, see how to make money with Rent Back on rentback.com

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Campus Book Rental, but all opinions are 100% mine. 

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Make a Clay Polymer Cat - Feature of the Day

It could be because I have three cats. It could also be because I have a child who loves to work with clay, but I think this polymer clay cat from Liz at Howling at the Moon is adorable.  She has a great tutorial that shows step by step on how to make a feline friend.  This would be a great summer activity for kids who like to be crafty.  If you do want to give it a try you can see how here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share Liz! 

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Dare to Share #62

We just finished out last week of school. My oldest still has a few things to finish up with her online school, but we are now officially on summer vacation.  

What a last week it was...  

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Our End of the School Year Tradition

Today was our last day of school.  I took last day pictures so I could compare them to the first day.   Kara really hasn't changed that much, but she does look a bit older.  This year was a transition year. She was in the oldest grade in intermediate school, and will be moving up to the middle school.  In just two short years she will be old enough for high school. (I'm so not ready!)  

Most years, we go to Dairy Queen on the last day of school to celebrate summer vacation.  This trip goes way back. Kristina had  just finished the 1st grade, and Kyle preschool.  Kara not quite three, so she did not even go to school yet. 

There were some years when I did not remember to bring my camera, and no one had smart phones yet.  I know I have a few more DQ pics, but I have not been able to find them yet.

I did find this one from 2009. I am not sure why I only have a picture of the Kara and not the other kids.  Maybe they were not cooperating that day. 

This is the picture I took this year. Quite a difference! Kristina did not come with us this time because she was very tired after finals and was taking a nap.  I was disappointed, but understood.  We were nice and still brought her home a treat.  In addition to being much bigger, both of them have darker hair.  Kyle just finished 8th and Kara 6th. 

Our celebration this year ended up in the car anyway. It was a very cool and breezy 63 degrees out, and we were too cold to eat our ice cream outside.  I can't remember another last day being this cold.  

Here are a few other of my favorite last day pictures.   I think this one was in 2006, so Kyle would have just finished 2nd, and Kristina 4th.  Now both of them will be in high school in the fall. (again, a bit freaked out over that!) 

Here is another cute last day photo.  This year they had finished 5th, 1st and 3rd. I love how Kara was posing for the picture.  She still does that! 

Do you have any end of the school year traditions?  

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Summer T Shirt Backpacks

Last summer I shared a post about the T Shirt backpacks I made for our  trip to Cedar Point.  After using my backpack all day  today for Field Day, I knew I would have to share it again.   This little backpack I made from 2 T Shirts I got from Michaels for a total of $5, has been a much used accessory.  

In the last year I have more than 10 times
I took it to Cedar Point 3 times,
I  took it  to the zoo twice
I took it  to Frankenmuth
I took it  to the County Fair twice
I  took it  to 2 local festivals
I took it on a 3 mile walk with the Girl Scouts

All together counting today, that is at least 12 times and it is still holding up very well.  I bring it whenever I don't want to carry a heavy purse, but have things I need  to carry.  

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Mango Cobbler - Feature of the Day

I don't believe I have ever had Mango Cobbler, but I think i would like to try it after seeing this recipe by Jeni of I got this Martha.  She recently bought a large box of Mangoes and had to use them quickly.  She made the cobbler and got great reviews.  If you would like to see how she made this sweet dessert, be sure to go over and check out I got this Martha here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share Jeni! 

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