Head on over to Rusty and Rosy where I'm sharing a collection of great St. Patrick's Day books and fun food ideas for kids. And don't forget to share any fun food or books that you might have too. Continue reading

Zucchini Boats are one of my favorite appetizers and I make them as often as I can, always trying a new filling for them. These ones are somewhat filling and have just a hint of spice. Ingredients: Zucchini - I used 5 for this recipe 1 pkg Ground Turkey 5 strips Bacon 1 cup Kale 1 tub Elli: Quark (plain) 1 tsp Crushed Garlic 1 tsp Dried Thyme 1 tbs Crushed Red Pepper Flakes 1 tbs Olive Oil Pinch salt and pepper. Preheat the oven to 350F. Grill the bacon, I like to use my small electric grill. Set aside... Continue reading

On my bucket list this year I want to bake a pie. Not just any pie, a fresh fruit pie. I don't want to make a semi-homemade pie though, one with store-bought crust, or fruit purchased at the grocery store. I want to do it all, from picking the fresh fruit, rolling out a handmade crust and preparing a delicious filling. Don't these fruit pies all look amazing. If you have a delicious fruit pie recipe, please leave me a link. Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Foodie.com Continue reading

It's supposed to rain later this week. I'm preparing. Flannel pyjamas have been washed, blankets have been located, the fireplace has been inspected and hot chocolate will be made. I'm a wimp, I know. If you love mint and dark chocolate then you will love this hot chocolate and all ingredients are available at Smart & Final. Note: This recipe makes approximately 3 mugs of hot chocolate (depending on mug size) Ingredients: 1 1/2 cup First Street Half & Half 1/2 cup First Street 2% Reduced Fat Milk 1 sachet Nestle Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix 1 tbs Ambiance Vanilla... Continue reading

You know how much I love to make a piñata. Any chance to cut up an old cardboard box and pop some fringed crepe paper on it and I'm like a kid in a candy store. I have the full tutorial for making these mini shamrock piñatas for St. Patrick's Day over at The Centsible Life today. Continue reading

I'm really behind on posting photographs from our trip to Australia. So I decided to compile five of the wonderful places we visited in Victoria into one post. These locations are well worth a visit, most are not typical tourist destinations, and they are all kid-friendly. Wirrawilla Rainforest walk - Toolangi State Forest The Wirrawilla Rainforest trail is primarily on a boardwalk through a cool temperate rainforest that winds its way through ferns and mosses, under Myrtle Beech trees and over Sylvia Creek. It's a lovely walk, with just the sounds of the many bird species and the water falling... Continue reading

The past couple of weeks, as we've gotten closer and closer to Valentine's Day, traffic around here has been crazy. You see, Sarah from The Winthrop Chronicles posted super cute Minion Valentine's Day gifts. Basically they are Twinkies wrapped in my Despicable Me push up pop wrappers. Adorable. That got me thinking. What else could those wrappers fit around for last minute gifts. So I printed one and headed to the grocery store and found that they are the perfect size for raisin boxes too. Guess what Flynn took to school today to hand out to the class for Valentine's... Continue reading

Just two more days until Valentine's Day. Surprise your kids with a fun lunch made with love. Full details can be found over at Rusty and Rosy. Continue reading

So if you are looking for me today I'll be making another 20 of these. The tutorial for these adorable lollipop owls for Valentine's Day is over at The Centsible Life. Continue reading

If you love coconut and banana as much as I do, then you'll want to try this yummy Banana Coconut Shake that is made with Outshine Frozen Fruit Bars. Ingredients: 2 Outshine Frozen Fruit Bars - Coconut Waters 1 1/2 cups reduced fat milk 1 banana 4 scoops vanilla bean ice cream 1 heaped tsp flaxseed meal 1 extra scoop vanilla bean ice cream toppings: dried bananas (chopped) and sweetened flaked coconut Roughly chop the Outshine Frozen Fruit Bars and place in a blender with the milk, banana, ice cream and faxseed meal. Blend until smooth. Pour into a glass... Continue reading

About 65 kms north-east of Melbourne is the Kinglake National Park. Well worth a drive if you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the CBD and get into nature. We headed to Masons Falls where there are about 13 kms of trails to walk, however we just wandered along the path (about 1.4 kms round trip) from the picnic area to the viewing platform at the waterfall. You might get lucky and spot a lyrebird or two, unfortunately we didn't despite looking hard, although we did hear them. A wallaby hopped across the path in front... Continue reading

On Valentine's Day I'll be waking up to my three loves at home with me. I plan on making their favorite breakfast, giving them each a special card and showing them how important they are to me. Well, you know, after I convince the teen to get out of bed ... probably closer to midday. A breakfast tray is the perfect way to start your loved one's day off just right. This is what you need: Their favorite breakfast food Their favorite beverage/s A Hallmark card Napkin Flowers Don't forget condiments and utensils if they need are needed. This simple... Continue reading

It's February. The month of love, of Valentine's Day, of spending time with those you love the most ... friends, family and your true love. It's the time for flowers, candy, and sweet treats in the shape of hearts. Here are 17 sprinkle covered sweet treats you will want to share with someone special. Got any other fun sprinkle covered Valentine's Day treats I should be trying? I'd love to see them. Disclosure: This post has been sponsored by Foodie.com Continue reading

During the week a friend sent me a text message asking if I knew how to make a diaper cake. My response - sure, of course I do ... okay I've never actually made one before, but surely it can't be that difficult ... I didn't actually tell her that part. If I can make regular cakes, and a classroom supplies cake, surely I can whip up a diaper cake too. And so I did. I think it turned out pretty cute. I found a really simple tutorial here for arranging the diapers inside cake pans, and thankfully I had... Continue reading

When you have a teenager, the chances of last-minute entertaining is pretty high, especially on big sports days ... okay, let's be honest, it's quite high any day of the week. Putting together food for them can be done in no time and with little cost. Pizza is always a big hit and it's so quick and easy. If you have a few minutes to run to the grocery store, my Vons (Safeway) store had DiGiorno pizza on sale for $3.99 a box today. Much cheaper than ordering delivery. Setting up a table for entertaining can be just as quick... Continue reading