Slurpee's

I couldn't wait to make my own Slurpee's

when I saw a post on how to make your own on

My World Made by Hand blog.

My family loves these and they are really simple

to make. Here's how you make them:

1 packet of Kool-Aid
2 cups of club soda
1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups crushed ice

Blend Kool-Aid, sugar, and 1 cup of the club soda on high

until the sugar is dissolved. Add remaining cup of club soda

and blend away until icy. Enjoy!

French Toast Bites

Recipe from Multiply Delicious

3 Tablespoons Sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 large eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of Salt
1 loaf french bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter

In a large bowl, stir together the sugar and cinnamon.
Set aside.

In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs,
buttermilk, milk, vanilla, and salt until blended.
Place the bread cubes in the egg mixture and using
a large spoon, toss gently until the cubes are
evenly coated and all the egg mixture has been absorbed.

In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon
of the butter. Add half the coated bread cubes and cook,
turning often, until golden brown on all sides, about
5 minutes. Transfer the cubes to the bowl holding the
cinnamon sugar and toss to coat. Repeat with the
remaining bread cubes and 1 tablespoon butter.

Divide the french toast bites into individual
servings and sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar.
Serve with maple syrup.

Lunch notes

It is hard to believe school will be starting next
week. This summer has flown by for me.
Here are some cute lunch notes you
could add to your kiddos lunches.

Lunch Notes from Fresh Picked Whimsy

Lunch Love Notes From Tip Junkie


Lunch Box Love Notes from Eighteen25

Pizzadillas

4 flour tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 ounce turkey pepperoni
Marinara sauce for dipping

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Brush one side of each tortilla with
a little bit of melted butter. Place tortillas buttered-side down on
a baking sheet. Sprinkle each tortilla with cheese and pepperoni.
Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and carefully fold each
tortilla in half. Bake an additional 10 minutes or until browned
and crisp, turning after 5 minutes. Serve with marinara sauce.

Orange Creamsicle Fruit Dip

Recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything

This is such a refreshing and yummy fruit dip. Perfect for summer!

1(8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1(3.4 ounce) small package instant vanilla pudding mix
1(6 ounce) container of frozen (concentrated)orange juice,slightly thawed
Fruit for dipping such as strawberries, apples, grapes, pineapple

Mix the whipped topping, vanilla pudding mix, and orange
juice together until well combined. If needed add a
little water to make it to the desired consistency.
Prepare the fruit by washing and cutting it.
Refrigerate dip until ready to serve.

Caramel Crunch Apple Dip

Recipe from Yummy Fun

8oz Cream Cheese
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/3+ Cup Chocolate Chips (or to taste)
1 Cup Toffee Chips (or to taste)

On the stove top melt cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Remove

from heat and add chocolate chips and toffee chips to taste. Serve with sliced
apples.

Root beer float Popsicles

Recipe from Smile Monsters

1 1/2 cups of Root beer
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

Mix root beer and sweetened condensed milk
together with a whisk. If it gets to foamy set
it in the fridge for a bit to settle down.
Pour into Popsicle molds. Freeze for a
couple of hours.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake‏

Cream together in order:
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. oil
1 3/4 c. sugar
2 c. grated zucchini
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla

Measure dry ingredients, add to batter, alternating with
buttermilk until mixed.

2 1/2 c. flour
4 T. Cocoa
1/2 tsp. each salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cinnamon
1/2 c. buttermilk

Pour into a 9X13 cake pan and sprinkle the following
mixture on top. 3/4 c. chocolate chips, 3/4 c. coarsely
chopped nuts and 3/4 c. brown sugar (mix together).
Bake at 350 degrees for 40-50 minutes.

Frosty Fireworks

Happy 4th of July everyone!!
Hope everyone has a fun and safe Holiday.
Here is a fun 4th of July drink.


Frosty Fireworks (Flavored Ice)
FAMILY FUN

Red, White, and Blueberry Skewers

Idea from Makes and Takes

Supplies for Kabobs:
skewers
strawberries
mini marshmallows
blueberries

A fun snack for the 4th of July. Also a great snack your kids
can help you with!

4th of July pancakes

When I saw this cute idea from The Idea Room
I couldn't wait to make them for my family.
I love making festive foods for different holidays.
All you need to do is mix up your favorite pancake mix.
Put half of the batter in another bowl and add
some red food coloring. Cook and serve with blueberries.
You could even serve with blueberry syrup.
Easy and cute!!

Chicken Lime Tacos

Recipe from Favorite Family Recipes

1 1/2 Lbs. chicken, cubed (I shredded my chicken)
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
juice of 1 lime
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
4-5 green onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 Tbsp fresh cilantro (or to taste)
Flour tortillas

Optional toppings:
Pico de gallo
cheese
onions
tomatoes
jalapeno
guacamole
cilantro
sour cream

Cook chicken in a medium skillet in a little oil until no longer pink.

You can cube or shred your chicken. Combine vinegar, lime juice,

sugar, salt, pepper, green onion, garlic and cilantro. Add to chicken.

Simmer for an extra 5-10 minutes. Add chicken to tortillas and

top with lettuce, tomato, cheese, avocado, cilantro, salsa,

sour cream, or any other taco topping you like!

Layered Fruit Smoothie

Recipe and picture from My Recipes

I love to make smoothies, especially in the summer.
This looks so yummy and refreshing. Can't wait to
make it for my family.

1 mango (peeled, pitted, and coarsely chopped)
1 1/4 cups plain low-fat yogurt
4 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
1 banana (peeled, and chopped)
10 medium strawberries (washed, and hulled)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

In a blender, mix mango; 3/4 cup plain low-fat yogurt;
2 tablespoons honey; the fresh lime juice; 2 ice cubes;
and the freshly grated lime zest until smooth. Divide
mango-lime smoothie between 2 straight-sided glasses and
set aside.

Rinse blender, then mix the banana; the strawberries;
1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 2 tablespoons honey;
the fresh lemon juice; 2 ice cubes; and the freshly
grated lemon zest until smooth. Layer banana-strawberry
smoothie onto mango smoothie, gently spooning mixture
around inside edge of each glass to create a clean horizontal line.

Bloomin' Onion Bread

Recipe from The Girl who ate Everything

1 unsliced loaf sourdough bread
12-16 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, thinly sliced
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup finely diced green onion
2 teaspoons poppy seeds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut the bread lengthwise and width wise without cutting
through the bottom crust. This can be a little tricky
but the bread is very forgiving. Place on a foil-lined baking
sheet. Insert cheese slices between cuts. Combine butter, onion,
and poppy seeds. Drizzle over bread. Wrap in foil; place on a
baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.
Unwrap the bread and bake 10 more minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Spanish Skillet Supper

1 lb. ground beef
1-2/3 cup water
1 can (8-3/4 oz.) whole corn undrained
1 package 5.6 oz Spanish rice
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Brown ground beef in a skillet, drain. Add water
bring to a boil. Stir in corn and rice; bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer uncovered stirring occasionally,
10 minutes or until rice is tender. Stir in 1/2 cup cheese
until melted; top with remaining cheese.