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Spring Mix Apple Raspberry Salad Recipe

Spring Mix Apple Raspberry Salad Recipe

Spring Mix Apple Raspberry Salad Recipe – Serve as a spring dinner idea, take to a potluck or serve at a party. A few simple ingredients can add so much flavor to a salad.

Whether you’re looking for a side salad to incorporate apples with like this one, or if you’re looking for an apple salad dessert… then you’re in luck!

Scroll down to get this apple salad recipe, and then visit the 25 apple salad recipes that I gathered for you that includes everything from more lettuce salads with apples, to dessert style apple salad recipes!

Then if you’re on a salad kick, you’ll want to head over to get ALL of the best salad recipes that we have here on the blog!

Apple Salad Recipe - Easy Side Dish Idea

Spring Mix Apple Raspberry Salad

Growing up, I was the “oddball” kiddo who loved when we went out to eat because that usually meant that I got to try a new salad from somewhere.

Nothing has changed really, because I absolutely love trying new flavors when it comes to salads at restaurants, and even creating new salad recipes at home.

More Apple Salad Recipes?

In case you love all things apples and salads, then you have to take a look at 25 Apple Salad Recipes.

Apple Salad Recipes You'll Want to Make

Sweet + Crunchy

One of my favorite ways to make a salad is to add something sweet and something crunchy! I mean, growing up, I was a head-lettuce, ranch dressing and bacon bit kind of gal. But as I’ve gotten older, I love having salads with a little twist from the norm and add things like fruit, nuts and sweet dressings.

This spring mix apple raspberry salad is the perfect example of a side salad that is the total opposite of a basic garden salad.

You’re going to absolutely love making this for dinner or taking it along with you to a potluck or dinner party because it’s GORGEOUS, yet takes very little time to put together.

Pro Tip: Keep in mind it’s not really the amount of ingredients that “make” this salad, but rather the flavors combined that do. So feel free to adjust accordingly when it comes to the number of ingredients.

Bulk or Individual Salad Servings

You can make either type of servings with this salad. Make it in a large bowl for your family/guests to serve themselves, or go ahead and build individual servings in salad plates.

No matter how you make it, you’ll still layer the ingredients and mix it all in the end anyway!

For the sake of this post, I decided to stick with the bulk serving, but again, feel free to mix it up. (No pun intended. Ok, well, maybe.)

Spring Mix

As with most of my salads, feel free to use whatever lettuce tickles your fancy, but for this one, I’d recommend spring mix or even romaine lettuce like I use in my best side salad recipe.

Mixed Greens for an apple salad - Perfect for fall apples

Salad Ingredients

Full recipe card also below for printing and easy viewing.

For 4 servings, I use a 5 oz. bag of spring mix and place it in a serving bowl.

I also buy the bag of dried cranberries and candied pecans to keep things super easy.

cranberries and candied almonds

Thin apple slices are my preference, but if you’re super short on time, feel free to use or even buy the packaged pre-sliced apples in the produce section.

Grab a container of blue cheese crumbles (and plan on using the leftovers to make these Blue Cheese Burgers!

Next, layer on all of the other toppings (except dressing at the moment), and drool over the cooked bacon (just me?) and get ready for delicious flavor combos.

Bacon on an apple salad - easy side dish
Apple Salad in bulk for dinner - side dish idea

Right before serving, the salad can be topped with the raspberry vinaigrette dressing and toss, or you can make individual servings and then let each person choose their dressing or top with their desired amount.

Individual Servings of an apple salad

I just used the Great Value raspberry vinaigrette dressing from Walmart, but feel free to mix it up! I’m not going to lie, I think blue cheese dressing may be pretty tasty on this one.

Raspberry Vinegerette Dressing on an apple salad
Raspberry Vinaigrette on a salad with apples

Recipe

Apple Raspberry Salad Recipe - Easy Side Dish Idea
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5 from 1 vote

Apple Raspberry Salad Recipe

Spring Mix Apple Raspberry Salad Recipe – Serve with dinner, take to a potluck or serve at a party! A few ingredients can add pizzazz to a side salad.
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 310kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 5 oz. spring mix lettuce
  • 3.5 oz. bag of dried cranberries & candied pecans
  • ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
  • 1 apple sliced thin
  • 4 slices cooked, chopped bacon
  • ½ cup raspberry vinaigrette dressing or desired amount of preferred dressing

Instructions

  • For bulk salad assembly, layer spring mix in serving bowl, and top with cranberries, pecans, blue cheese crumbles, apple slices, and cooked-chopped bacon.
    Apple Salad in bulk for dinner - side dish idea
  • Right before serving, toss with Vinaigrette dressing, or desired dressing.
  • Or, assemble salads into individual servings and divide the ½ cup of dressing to each salad accordingly. 
  • Store any leftover, undressed salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1salad (¼ recipe) | Calories: 310kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 630mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 490IU | Vitamin C: 10.3mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Love Salads?

Me too. Here are my favorite salad recipes here on the blog…

Best Side Salad Recipe

The Best Side Salad Recipe

Cold Italian Pasta Salad Recipe

Pasta Salad Recipe - These easy Italian pasta salad recipe is SO good!

Cauliflower Salad Recipe

Cauliflower Potato Salad Recipe - An easy low carb recipe with vegetables!

Deer Steak Recipe – On the Stovetop

Deer Steak Recipe – Skillet: There are many deer steak recipes, but this quick & flawless recipe using browned butter, salt & pepper in a skillet, is great!

Deer Steak Recipes - How to cook deer steak on the stove

Deer Steak Recipe – On the Stovetop

The other night, I decided that I wanted deer meat for dinner. I had been looking at it in the freezer for a little while, and I knew it was time.

Now if you saw my first deer meat recipe…my Fried Deer Meat as seen below…

How to Cook Deer Meat: Fried Steak, Tenderloin & Backstrap

…then you know it’s my ALL TIME favorite thing to eat, and favorite way to eat deer meat.

So when I love something as much as that recipe, it’s hard from me to steer in a different direction of cooking deer meat.

Grill Deer Meat or Fry it in a Pan?

But for some reason, I didn’t have the heart to cut up these perfectly cut steaks into small pieces and decided to give searing them (like I did with my beef steak recipe) a try. I’m so glad that I did, because it turned out pretty tasty, and my family thought so too.

Should I Marinate Deer?

Well honestly, that’s totally up to you. I actually had 4 deer steaks in the package that I was using, so I decided to cook the deer steak, TWO different ways, in case you prefer one or the other.

If you have some time to allot to cooking your deer steak, and you prefer to have a marinade flavor, instead of the deer flavor… then I’d say go with this recipe below…

Note: I grilled the steaks in the deer steak marinade recipe below, but you can easily marinate them and fry them in a pan too!)

Get the Marinade for my Other Deer Steak Recipe HERE

How to grill and marinate deer steaks

Not Much Time? Want to Capture the Flavor of Venison?

Then this is a recipe you’ll love. It only uses butter, salt and pepper and is ready in minutes.

There’s something about the flavor of browned butter, salt and peppercorn medley on a cut of meat.

So if you’re ready to cook your deer steak, let’s get to it! (My mouth is watering just thinking about it!)

How to Cook Deer Steak

As with all of the recipes here on the blog, I’ll give tidbits of how to make the dish, throughout the photos in case you’re a visual person, but feel free to scroll to the bottom of this post for a straight-and-to-the-point, recipe card where it lists the ingredients and instructions.

Earlier I mentioned that I had 4 deer steaks thawed out, but that I split them up so I could do two in the pan and two on the grill for a future recipe. But I’m so glad that I did for this recipe too because these two deer steaks were big, and PLENTY for the three of us that were eating it.

Deer meat recipes - how to cook deer meat

Room Temperature Deer Steaks

You’ll want your deer steaks at room temperature, before cooking them. But if you roll like I typically do, you’ll find yourself ready to cook them when you get home, and there is no way your family is going to wait for the steaks to come to room temp before it’s time to cook and eat them. I get it. So it’s not a BIG deal at all.

What Happens if the Venison Steak’s NOT Room Temperature?

It’s not the end of the world. You may just need to tweak your cook time a little bit to reach the desired “doneness” that you prefer.

So just keep that in mind if you will.

Kosher salt and peppercorn medley pepper for cooking deer steaks

It’s Not Just Salt  + Pepper

Alright, listen up… when it comes to my meat, I SWEAR by kosher salt, peppercorn medley, and salted butter. I do this with my favorite steak recipe, my cheeseburger recipe… and now this deer steak recipe.

Do you HAVE to have kosher salt and peppercorn medley? Well no, but if you see it at the store next time, grab it. Or buy it on Amazon now, so you don’t forget —-> Buy the kosher salt and the peppercorn medley.

Season deer steak with salt and pepper

Butter is Love

Yeah, I know. I always say butter is my friend. But when it comes to cooking deer in a skillet or on the grill, butter is important for the “dryness” that can tend to take over with this lean meat.

Deer is more lean than beef (usually), so the fatty juices may not be in abundance with your deer steaks. So cooking in butter, and even brushing with butter (like I’ll show you in my grilled deer meat recipe coming soon), can help with keeping the steak from drying out.

Brown the Butter…

You’ll want to brown your butter before placing your deer steaks in the skillet. To me, there’s a BIG difference in the taste of melted butter and butter that has browned a little bit. Like, a heavenly difference.

Browned Butter in a cast iron skillet for deer steaks

Quick Tidbit about Steak Thickness

For this recipe, I used deer steaks that were about ½ inch thick.

Keep this in mind when you’re cooking yours, and following my times and cooking temps. Your steaks may be thinner or even thicker.

Steaks are about ½ inch thick - when cooking deer steaks

Cooking the Deer Steaks

Once my butter has browned, and the skillet is at medium-high heat, I place my seasoned steaks right in it. (Make sure that skillet hisses at you when you put that steak in, so you know it’s hot enough, ok?)

Cook the steaks for about 3-4 minutes on each side. Here’s where you want to watch it, depending on how you really want your steaks.

If you want them well-done, then you’ll want to cook them longer than the 3-4 minutes on each side.

We wanted ours about medium, so we stuck with 3-4.

Longer = Tougher

*** Just remember that the steaks keep cooking after you remove them from the skillet, and when you let it rest. I say this because if you’re wanting your steaks a specific temperature, deer meat will begin to get “tougher” the more it cooks.

How to cook deer steaks and deer meat on the stove

Rest + Butter

Once the steaks were done, I pulled them off of the cast iron, so they could rest (well, and so I could snag these photos), and I added another tablespoon of butter for good measure. (Not necessary. Well, unless you’re having me over for dinner of course, cause… I like butter.)

Oh that green stuff? Not necessary. I just threw it on for a Pinterest-friendly image, and because it was the only little sprig left of my fresh herb garden. I scorched the rest of the herb plants this summer already. (SMH)

Deer steak recipes - how to cook deer meat

Now that’s a good deer steak…

Deer steak medium - how to cook deer meat recipe

More Steak Recipes

If you’re a steak lover like those in our house, then you’ll definitely want to check out the ever so popular steak recipe here on the blog where I show you how to cook a steak in the oven!

Slow Cooker BBQ Pork Steak Recipe:

This is possibly the easiest recipe on the entire blog! Toss your pork steaks in the slow cooker with some bbq sauce and a little salt & pepper and follow these steps for slow cooker pork steaks!

So, tell me… what is YOUR favorite way to cook deer meat? I think frying the backstrap in flour is still my favorite, but when I have deer steaks handy, this recipe is definitely a good choice.

Recipe

Deer steaks on platter topped with butter and parsley.
Print Pin
4.63 from 77 votes

Deer Steak Recipe – In a Skillet

Deer Steak Recipe – Skillet: There are many deer steak recipes, but this quick & flawless recipe using browned butter, salt & pepper in a skillet, is great!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
Total Time 28 minutes
Servings 2 steaks
Calories 156kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ inch-thick deer steaks
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
  • ½ teaspoon peppercorn medley or to taste
  • 3 Tablespoon salted butter

Instructions

  • Allow steaks to come to room temperature. (Approx. 20-30 minutes.)
  • Coat deer steaks with salt and pepper.
  • Over medium-high heat, add butter to skillet, and let melt and brown.
  • When butter is melted and brown, gently place steaks in the skillet, making sure they don’t overlap one another.
  • If the skillet doesn’t sizzle at you, remove steak and wait until skillet is hotter.
  • Cook steaks for 3-4 minutes on each side.
  • Remove steaks from skillet and place on a plate to rest for 3-4 minutes. During this time, you can coat with more butter if you prefer, to help maintain a juicy deer steak.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1steak | Calories: 156kcal | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 734mg | Vitamin A: 530IU | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Home Tour Part 18 — Craftsman Home Patio Reveal

Home Tour Part 18 — Craftsman Home Patio Reveal: It’s an outdoor oasis surrounded by white patio curtains, with a white cushion sectional from our craftsman style home.

Craftsman Home Patio Back patio with white cushions, yellow pillows! Craftsman style home

Craftsman Home Patio Reveal

I featured our “old” patio in our home tour a couple of years ago (see our other patio decorating ideas), and it has been a YEAR from the moment I started thinking about a new patio look, and I’m happy to say that I finally have it how I’ve wanted it. There have been incredible hurdles through this process, and the crazy part is… there’s really not much to it.

I mean, new furniture and some patio curtains. How hard can that be, right?! Well oh my goodness. This patio project quickly turned into a story similar to the storyline in the movie The Money Pit. Although I didn’t spend a lot of money on this project, it seemed as if everything kept going wrong from the start. I’d get one item figured out, and then something else would go wrong.

It definitely wasn’t as easy as the front porch of our craftsman home.

First the Furniture…

I originally ordered the new sectional to have for my Favorite Things Party, but the original seating set that I ordered never made it. (Lost in shipping.) Then after reordering, it went on back order for a few months. When I finally received it, the cushions were gray instead of white, and the furniture was black instead of brown. I kind of went a bit crazy during this time, but I must say that after about 5 months of back and forth… Wayfair sent me the white cushions, and I decided to just live with the wrong color of furniture. So, needless to say, THIS is why my patio wasn’t complete and ready to reveal last season.

Craftsman Home Patio. Outdoor curtains for a back patio. LOVE the white flow to this on this craftsman style home

Then the Patio Curtains…

I LOOOOOVE my patio curtains. (I talked about them a lot in the post about how to make DIY Patio Curtain Tie Backs) But our house is up on a hill, and the back patio can take a big gust of wind like nobody’s business. So through a bit of trial and error, I think we finally have these babies hung on hooks that can take a tornado. Bring it, mother nature!

You can buy the same patio curtains!

You can also buy the outdoor curtain rods!

Plus, get my DIY tutorial curtain tie-backs that I made for these, for under $5.00!

But I’m In Love…

Even though it has been a bit of a struggle here and there, I’m happy to say that the patio is now a place I refer to as my oasis. It’s simple and it’s relaxing.

Video Tour

Along with the photos that you’ll see below, I’ve created a quick video tour on my YouTube channel to give you an up-close visual experience too!

Craftsman Home Patio. Back patio seating area with couch/sectional and white cushions! Perfect with a craftsman home style.

I’ve included links to similar furniture pieces at the end of this post, in case you’re in the market for your own patio too!

Craftsman Home Patio. Back patio design with sectional and curtains. White and yellow pillows - Fantabulosity Home Tour

White Cushions? She-Crazy!

When shopping for a new sectional for the back patio, I knew I wanted white-white cushions. My friends thought I was crazy, and STILL think I’m crazy to have white cushions with two messy little boys at home. But I wanted to take the risk, and I’m happy to say that a year later… I’m still happy with the decision.

Scotchgard has been my best friend, and bleach and OxyClean have also been a swell thing to have on hand.

Craftsman Home Patio. Yellow outdoor pillows for a white sectional sofa

Yellow Throw Pillows

With dark brown (almost black) furniture, and white cushions and patio curtains, I had the hardest time deciding on a pillow color. But when I stopped in at World Market the other day, they had their outdoor pillows on sale and the yellow caught my eye. I’m still not 100% sure I’m going to stick with yellow, but they’ll work for now. I’ll be honest, I’m keeping my eye out for some pale pink pillows, and will just hope that my hubby doesn’t notice them. 

Craftsman Home Patio. Flowers for a back patio—craftsman style home with white cushions and pillows

Floral Touch

I’m a sucker for a green plant on my patio. I’m not much of a green-thumb, so if it’s a plant that can take care of itself, that’s even better. I snagged this one at Lowe’s the day I took these photos, and my poor little flower died the next day. Looks like succulents are in my future.

Or Fake Grass…

Better than succulents, is FAKE greenery. It may not look the best, but it at least adds a pop of color and can withstand that wind and nasty weather that may come about.

Craftsman Home Patio. Greenery floral for back porch and patio decor fantabulosity home tour

I put this arrangement on my dining table. I love having this table and chairs out for when the kiddos want to eat outside or when we have people over for a cookout.

Craftsman Home Patio. Outdoor dining table for patio. Aluminum - brown with white curtains

My Happy Place

The back patio is definitely my happy place. Feel free to virtually come over anytime! You’ll more than likely find me out here (yes, I’m sitting out here typing this now) if the weather is above 60 degrees here.

Craftsman Home Patio. Brown outdoor wicker with white cushions and yellow pillows - craftsman house plan

Sectional Details

Sectional seen here against the wall, but with gray cushions: Magari 4 Piece Deep Seating Group

Similar sectional with white cushions: Outsunny Rattan Wicker 7 pc Sectional

Similar sectional with white cushions: Varick Gallery Camron Lounge Seating Group

4–Piece Seating Group Details

Similar 4-piece seating set with gray cushions: Varick Gallery Ferreira Deep Seating Group

Similar 4-piece seating set with beige cushions: Overstock – Costway 4 Pcs Outdoor Seating Set

Similar seating set with white (or they look white) cushions: Best Choice Sectional

Tour the Other Rooms in Our Home:

Part 1: The Exterior

Part 2: The Master Bedroom

Part 3:  The Master Bath

Part 4: The Kitchen

Part 5: The Playroom

Part 6: The Guest Bath

Part 7: The Pantry

Part 8: The Patio/Deck

Part 9: The Nursery

Part 10: *Old* The Office/Craft Room

Part 11: Big Boy Room

Part 12: The NEW Nursery

Part 13: The Dining Room/Foyer

Part 14: The Guest Bedroom

Part 15: The Living Room

Part 16: New Office Reveal

Part 17:  Garage 

Craftsman Home Patio. Patio on craftsman style home—how to decorate

Apple Pie Nachos with Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Crisps

Apple Pie Nachos with Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Crisps — A recipe that you can whip up with a few store-bought ingredients, with an option to make them even easier!

Apple Pie Nachos - Cinnamon Sugar baked tortillas, topped with apple pie filling! fantabulosity

Wait til you see how you can think outside the box with a can of pie filling here! This is such a fun dessert, and I’ve actually also used pie filling in these Apple Pie Baked Beans! How fun is that?

Apple Pie Nachos

I can’t tell you the last time I devoured an entire platter of dessert, practically on my own. Well… until two days ago when my friend Kate came over, and we made apple pie nachos. I had texted her the night before and said:

Hey, I’m headed to the store. Do you have any fun dessert ideas that we can whip up really quick for the blog?

She replied with:

Yep, grab some soft burrito tortillas and a can of apple pie filling. We’re going to make some apple pie nachos.

Uh, hello! You got it, sister.

Apple pie nachos ingredients, quick and easy using canned pie filling

Apple Pie Nachos

I have seen others make cinnamon-sugar tortilla crisps/wedges/whatever… and serve them with fruit salsa. (I think I Heart Naptime has my favorite recipe for that delicious dish.)

But when Kate told me that we were going to pour apple pie filling over the top of them, I kind of fell in love with her.

UPDATE: While browsing Pinterest, I found this other recipe where Mandy’s Recipe Box Blog used tortilla chips to make Caramel Apple Nachos! So so cool! I love all of the different ways that you can make the “chip” part of these nachos.

But when you have a few minutes to spare, I have a feeling that making these cinnamon-sugar tortilla crisps at home will tickle your fancy a bit more.

Slice each burrito size soft tortillas in to 8 triangles. After baking, top with the apple pie filling
Slice a burrito size soft tortilla in to triangles and bake them with sugar and cinnamon for a quick apple pie dessert
Using canned pie filling, top the baked cinnamon sugar tortillas
Canned apple pie filling on top of baked cinnamon and sugar tortilla triangles - easy dessert idea when you don't want to make a whole pie

We literally ate the apple pie nachos just like this. The filling was poured right out of the can on to the crisps and we ate it. BUT, if you pop this in the microwave for a minute, I bet it would be OUT of this world.

Top the apple pie nachos with whipped cream for a yummy quick dessert idea
Using chocolate syrup or caramel drizzle, top the apple pie nachos for a delicious quick and easy dessert idea
Apple Pie Nachos with Baked Cinnamon Sugar Tortillas

I caught my kids AND my husband devouring their own little platter when we left the room the other day to work on something else for the Fabulously Fast Dinners Cookbook. So it’s safe to say that this recipe is family approved!

Recipe

Apple Pie Nachos - Cinnamon Sugar baked tortillas, topped with apple pie filling! fantabulosity
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Apple Pie Nachos with Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Crisps

Apple Pie Nachos with Cinnamon Sugar Tortilla Crisps — A recipe that you can whip up with a few store-bought ingredients, with an option to make them even easier!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 282kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 4 large burrito size tortillas
  • 1 21-ounce can apple pie filling
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • 2 Tablespoon melted butter
  • caramel or chocolate drizzle and whipped cream if desired

Instructions

  • Preheat over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Using a pizza cutter, cut each tortilla in to 8 triangles
  • Combine sugar and cinnamon
  • Place triangles in a single layer on a greased cookie sheet
  • Brush tortillas with melted butter, and sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar mixture
  • Bake for 15-20 minutes until crispy
  • Assemble nachos by layering tortillas on a serving plate, and top with a ¼ of apple pie filling.
  • Warm in oven/microwave for a few minutes if desired
  • Top with whipped cream and caramel/chocolate drizzle if desired

Notes

Nutritional information is figured WITHOUT drizzle and whipped cream. Also, please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (¼ recipe without whipped cream) | Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 462mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 2.1mg

Potato Soup with Instant Potatoes

Easy Potato Soup: This Quick Stovetop Recipe using instant potatoes can be made in under 10 minutes! I also added leftover chicken too, but it’s not mandatory!

Easy Potato Soup Recipe Using Instant Potatoes on the stovetop. So quick!!

I hadn’t gone grocery shopping in DAYS! Ok… WEEKS! Things were getting pretty slim in the house.

I knew I had leftover chicken tenders in the refrigerator, and wanted to utilize them to make something different so I didn’t hear:

Chicken tenders AGAIN!?

from my kids.

Easy Potato Soup: Quick Stovetop Recipe

Well we all know how I feel about slightly homemade recipes. (Recipes that are made at home, but utilize some store-bought ingredients and shortcuts to make things quick and easy.)

So when I saw the instant potato package in the pantry, I knew right away that I should utilize those in some way with the chicken. Who knew adding chicken broth and a little heavy cream to this would make a crazy quick and tasty soup for dinner! (You can even make my easy homemade chicken broth for this soup.)

NOTE: You DO NOT have to use chicken for this soup like I did. (Or I would call this Easy Chicken Potato Soup) But I found it a great way to add some protein and texture to the soup using leftovers, kind of like when I use leftover ham to make this bean soup recipe!)

Using instant potatoes to make a stovetop potato soup is sooo easy!

NOTE: I believe it’s HIGHLY important to use a loaded or supreme package of instant potatoes, or else you may need to add cheese, spices, sour cream, and other ingredients to give this soup some flavor.

Another favorite soup to make with rotisserie or leftover chicken is my chicken noodle soup recipe! Mmm… the herbs in it make a dynamite flavor.

What to serve with this potato soup

These garlic cheddar biscuits are similar to the cheddar biscuits at Red Lobster, so when I can fix them alongside a soup like this, it makes me feel all warm and cozy inside!

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Get the chicken noodle soup recipe!

The Best Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe - Quick and Easy

Freeze For Later

Another tip I love? Afraid that chicken will spoil if you don’t do something with it quickly? Make this soup and freeze in containers for quick lunches!

Easy Potato Soup Recipe Using Instant Potatoes on the stovetop. So quick!!

More Soup Recipes

If you love easy soups, then you’ll really love these other soup recipes here on Fantabulosity! You may also love this easy loaded potato soup too!

Recipe

Easy Potato Soup Recipe Using Instant Potatoes on the stovetop. So quick!!
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Potato Soup with Instant Potatoes

This Quick Stovetop Recipe using instant potatoes can be made in under 10 minutes! I also added leftover chicken too, but it's not mandatory!
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 217kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 package supreme or loaded instant potatoes I used a 3.74 oz package of Idaho Spuds Supreme
  • 4 cups (32-ounces) chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream

Optional:

  • left over cooked or rotisserie cubed or shredded chicken I used 2 cups of chicken
  • shredded cheese for garnish
  • parsley for garnish
  • sour cream for garnish

Instructions

  • In a stockpot over medium heat, combine the package of instant potatoes, heavy cream, chicken broth, and chicken if desired. Cook, stirring often, over medium heat and until heated through. (About 7-8 minutes for me.)
  • Serve!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (¼ recipe without chicken or garnishes) | Calories: 217kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 81mg | Sodium: 888mg | Potassium: 233mg | Vitamin A: 875IU | Vitamin C: 16.9mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 0.5mg

I Took YouTube Away from my Kids, and This is What Happened

I Took YouTube Away from my Kids for a Week, and This is What Happened. This isn’t another post on limiting screen time, or I’m a Better Than You Post…

In the event that this post gets shared on social media, I want to be completely up front with those of you who are visiting my blog for the first time. I write from passion, heart, and experience. I’m not a perfect mom. I’m not a perfect writer, and I’m sure as heck not a child psychologist. But I do speak from the heart, and adore sharing what I love and am passionate about. My children are by far one of those things that I’m passionate about, so here I go…

I Took YouTube Away from my Kids for a Week, and This is What Happened

I Took YouTube Away for a Week, and This is What Happened

Don’t worry, this isn’t a blog post about “spend more time with your children,” and how you should get on the “limit electronic time” train.

And I’m also not saying avoid electronics. It’s inevitable. It’s where the world is going. I’m an advocate for online presence and we use it daily in our home.

I’m not saying avoid YouTube. Heck, I have a YouTube channel and MY KID even has a YouTube channel. So don’t hear what I’m not saying…

We can’t avoid YouTube. We can’t avoid electronics. But when our children are just that—children—and they are unable to make rational decisions on their own while their tiny little brains are still forming and learning… it’s time we get in touch with what we want influencing our children.

The Free Babysitter

Truly, I put YouTube in front of my kids (ages 6 and 3) at times as a babysitter. It’s amazing. I’m able to clean the house, attend a quick meeting, make dinner, get some work done with little interruption. Yet, when I take it away, the iPad goes dead, or we forget it for a long car ride, the “gimmies” make an appearance. The whining amplifies. The ungratefulness soars.

So I began to notice where the gimmies started rising to the surface on a high level. I began to watch, observe, take notes and become aware of when the bratty attitude started showing more.

Friends, it was when my 6 year old had control of what he could pick and watch on YouTube (and yes, even YouTube Kids).

I took YouTube away from them for a week, and the difference in behavior was incredible. Respect started showing back up, the gimmies weren’t as plentiful, and the whining subsided. Not kidding. Coincidence? Maybe. But maybe not.

Kids on YouTube

SOME kids on YouTube are the stars of the show. They talk back to parents, get what they want by whining and complaining, and the parents let it happen. Why? Because (are you ready for this?) it sells.  (YES. If you did not know that YouTube makes money for some of these people on YouTube… you know now.)

They know exactly what they’re doing by giving kids what they want to watch. Kids at a young age are learning independence, seeing what they can get away with. So watching a young boy or girl on TV gain that independence by telling mommy “Meh, I don’t want that, I want this and I’m getting it,” is our child’s preferred behavior and they thrive on seeing someone like them get what they want.

• Endless amounts of toys

• “I want to go to McDonalds” OK!

• “I don’t want to Mommy!” — Ok sweetie. It’s your show. Whatever you want.

Impressionable Actions

You Can’t Avoid the Influence in Life

Our young children are so impressionable, and they learn by seeing. They learn by action. When they spend so much time watching a young kid on TV mouth back to his/her parents, whine, complain, get all of these fabulous toys… what do you think our children are soaking in and learning?

I could have 50 talks with my boys every single day about important roles in life, and about topics that I think will influence them in a good way. But when they see someone their age getting whatever they want by acting an absurd way on their favorite YouTube channel, over and over and over again (because let’s face it: our kids watch the same videos over and over again, yes!?), you might as well throw everything I said to them away.

“Alright Then, So What Should They Watch?”

“Okay then Jessica, what should they watch? Or should they not watch it at all?”

Well that’s up to you. The parent. The adult. The decision maker of the household.

If  you love the ease and convenience of YouTube, then maybe consider what show/channel you want influencing your child. Is it the Berenstein Bears? A kid who is amazing at science and does science experiments? Bible stories? Is it videos to prep him/her for the next school year?

It’s up to you. This isn’t a “I’m a better mom than you are blog post,” that tells you what you should do.

If you like the ease and convenience of YouTube and how it holds the attention span of your kiddo… fabulous. But maybe consider what they’re watching, and consider how whatever they’re watching is influencing and teaching our kids how to live and learn.

For me, I’ll continue to let them watch YouTube. I’ll just be more selective of what they watch. After our YouTube break last week, this week I reintroduced it and let them watch videos on kindergarten lessons. After a quick “Mom, this will be boring,” they were soon sharing their excitement for how they learned to add and subtract! Bonus!

I took youtube away for a week and this is what happened

Let the “Perfect” Parents Shine…

Now, some will argue this and say:

“Well it’s all in the parenting. We can’t avoid this stuff, and it’s up to us as parents to teach what’s right and wrong.”

Yep, I agree with you 100%. But why can’t we at least tackle some of what we know may be causing some of the non-preferred behavior upfront, instead of going back to try and erase it later? I’m a huge fan of using the term “baby steps.” We don’t have to conquer the world all at once, or find one major life changing tactic that will turn our children into perfect adults. But we can do baby steps, and small bits along the way to improve aspects in our lives. So why not start with something small, and with what we know causes behavior that we’d rather not see?

There may also be parents that comment below saying: 

“I knew this. I NEVER let my child choose what they want to watch on YouTube.”

…and yatta yatta yatta. Well that’s because some parents like to hear themselves say they’re doing a good job, and that they knew something before me. Well, if that’s true, yes… you realized something before me. And YES, you are doing a good job. How do I know? Because you saw a blog post about children and you came over to read it. You care for your children and want what’s best for them. That’s a good job as a parent, right?

I’m only sharing what I have experienced in my own home, and if we really want our children to grow in to something amazing (although we can’t control them, and we are certainly not perfect parents), I think it’s time we get in tune with our children and focus on who/what is teaching/influencing them how life works.

DIY Stenciled Anchor Pillow Cover for Guest Room

As part of the Martha Stewart “Make it Martha” program, I received complimentary products to make this DIY craft. Thank you Martha!

DIY Stenciled Anchor Pillow Cover for Guest Room using Martha Stewart Crafts® paint and stencil. This easy tutorial and craft made decorating a breeze!

DIY Anchor Pillow with a stencil

DIY Stenciled Anchor Pillow Cover Tutorial

If you’ve been on my home tour, then you may have kicked your shoes off and stayed a while in part 14, the Guest Room.

Fantabulosity's Home Tour Part 14- The Guest Bedroom https://fantabulosity.com

Well in that room, the adorable new chair that I purchased specifically for this space looked incredibly lonely sitting there without a pop of color. So when I saw this anchor stencil, I knew it would be the PERFECT accent on the guest room chair!

Martha Stewart Paint Crafts DIY Anchor PIllow

If you saw my flamingo drink serving tray that I featured last month, then you know how I run to my momma’s house anytime I want to stencil something. The woman knows her STENCILS. For real. For years I thought you just dip your brush in the paint and fill in the stencil.

Friends, to have the best results with stenciling, there are certain techniques you can follow. With approval from my mom, I get to share with you her favorite stenciling techniques. While tackling this project with my momma, on a warm summer day on her back porch, I captured the process and her pro tips to share with you all today!

DIY Stencil Pillow Tutorial

First, I’ll briefly show you the process of how we made the actual pillow cover, but to get started on the right foot for cutting and measuring your pillow cover, you should really check out this post: Three Ways to Make a Pillow Cover on MarthaStewart.Com.

Martha Stewart Crafts Satin Paint - Blue LOVE this paint!

Supplies Needed to Stencil Pillow Cover

• For this painting project, we used the “Greek Tile” Multi-Surface Satin Acrylic Craft Paint that you can also find on Michaels.com. The variety of colors that you can choose from is incredible.

• Anchor Stencil

• Martha Stewart Crafts® Stencil Brush, Large

• Fabric Cut to Size for Pillow Cover

• Tape Measure

• Painter’s Tape

• Paper Plate

• Pencil

Measure to the center of the pillow cover to know where to center the stencil

Measure the Center

When you have your pillow cover cut to size (front piece), grab a tape measure and mark where the center of the cover is, and place your stencil in the dead center.

Using painters tape, tape the stencil (if it's not adhesive especially) to hold in place. Using Martha Stewart anchor stencil

Tape Down the Edges

Using painter’s tape, tape down the stencil so it does not move during the stenciling process.

Dab stencil brush in to Martha Stewart Craft Paints

Paint and Dab

Next, pour a small amount of paint on your paper plate. (You’d be surprised that you don’t need as much as you think. So pour a little and you can always add more if need be.)

Using your stencil brush, barely tap your brush in to the paint and move to a clean part of you plate and begin rotating and pushing the brush down to remove any excess paint from your brush. (Having too much paint on your brush can result in the stencil bleeding, so better safe to apply two coats of stencil paint, than sorry.)

When the paint has moved up inside the stencil brush, take it to your stencil and begin dotting the stencil.

Stencil tutorial on to a pillow with this anchor cut out from Martha Stewart

Two Coats

For this craft, we did one coat of paint, and decided to make it darker. So a second coat was applied and then it was ready!

How to stencil a pillow. Using martha stewart crafts supplies from Michaels

TIP: To check to see if you’re happy with the color darkness of your first coat, barely raise one corner of the stencil to take a peek. This way, if you decide to do another coat, you won’t have to reapply the entire stencil.

Love this anchor look. She's making a pillow using a stencil with Martha Stewart Crafts

Time to Stuff and Sew

The stencil turned out perfect. Allow to dry (it dries really fast) and then you can move on with the pillow cover!

Remember, to get a FULL pillow cover tutorial, you can find that on MarthaStewart.Com.

Don’t be intimidated. If I can sew a pillow, you can sew a pillow cover. But if my crafty mom is around (like on this day) you better believe I’ll ask for her assistance. 

Cut out the other pillow square: How to make a pillow cover

Final Pillow Cover Steps

Next, she measured and cut out the back of the pillow cover to sew to the front that we just stenciled.

(Make sure when cutting your fabric for the cover, you add an inch in measurement, to make the cover one inch larger than the insert. (This way you’ll leave space for sewing the edge and room to stuff.)

Flipping the stenciled cover over, we placed it on top of the other sheet of fabric. You do this so when you sew, the stitching is on the inside of the pillow cover. (You’ll flip the cover inside-out before stuffing with the insert.) 

How to make a pillow cover then stencil a design on it.

Time to Sew

After pinning the edges together, it was time to head to the sewing machine.

I absolutely love her sewing machine. It has been around for AGES and it has so many stories and memories to go along with it. What a champ. I can’t even begin to tell you how many outfits and crafts this thing has made for our family.

Sewing machine making a pillow cover and stenciling with Martha Stewart Crafts paint

Flip It!

Once three of the sides were sewed up (leaving the bottom of the cover open so you can insert the pillow) it was time to flip the cover right-side out and insert that pillow!

Sew the Gap

Once the pillow insert is in, it’s time to sew up the opening. My mom chooses to hand sew this edge so it has a cleaner look.

Hand sew the top of the pillow cover for a clean look.

Decorate!

I mean for real. Look how adorable this little craft project turned out to be! Want to know the best part? It was the exact look that I wanted for the bedroom and haven’t been able to find online anywhere.

Another great tip?

My mom found the white fabric that we used at a yard sale. Anytime that she finds white curtains, a tablecloth, or anything in white fabric at a yard sale or flea market… she snags it up, because you never know when you’ll want a white pillow for something!

So so cute! This DIY stencil anchor pillow in the guest bedroom

Perfect Pop of Color

This pillow turned out to the best perfect pop of color for the guest room! Now… I’m already thinking of what other pillows can be made with a stencil.

This anchor pillow was made using a Martha Stewart stencil from Michaels.

Love DIY Projects

If you love this project to create DIY projects for your home, I think you’re also going to love this Wine Bottle DIY Vase we made, which would look beautiful in your home with your favorite paint colors and flowers!

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies made with a Devil’s Food Cake Mix: A spin on the original cookie with a touch of caramel drizzle makes these some of the easiest and best cookie recipes, that are made with a chocolate cake mix! (Along with this Rocky Road Cookies recipe and these Devil’s Food Chocolate Cookies that use a cake mix too, of course!)

Chocolate Caramel Gooey Butter Cookies

At first, I really didn’t think it could get much better than the original gooey butter cookie. Then, we made the strawberry shortcake gooey butter cookies. I believe I ate 15 of those bad boys in about 3 minutes that day. I swore it was the best cookie I ever had.

But now… although those are still amazingly delicious… I bring you the ultimate gooey butter cookie: Chocolate Caramel Gooey Butter Cookies. Chocolate and caramel together are a way to my dessert loving heart. Remember the chocolate peanut butter salted caramel toffee cake? My chocolate + caramel love affair was on high alert that day.

But then we also took things up a notch for Christmas and made these reindeer cookies!

Ingredients

With only a few ingredients (and ingredients that you more than likely have on hand), these cookies can be made in a jiffy and last-minute!

  • 8-ounce package cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter softened
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 1 devils food box cake mix (we also use this for these turtle cookies!)
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup salted caramel ice cream topping divided

The ingredients are similar to this Turtle Pie recipe if you find that you have extra and want to whip up something else too!

Ingredients for chocolate caramel gooey butter cookies

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
  2. Mix together cream cheese, and butter until well blended.
  3. Add in vanilla, egg, cake mix and ½ cup of caramel ice cream topping until combined.
  4. Roll into 1 in. size balls
  5. Roll each ball in powdered sugar
Rolled gooey butter cookies - chocolate caramel
  1. Bake on a greased baking sheet at 350 for 12 minutes.
Baked chocolate gooey butter cookies with caramel. This recipe is easy and delicious
  1. Remove from baking sheet and drizzle each cookie with remaining caramel and additional powdered sugar if desired.

Similar Gold Cooling Rack // Buy HERE

Easy chocolate cookie recipe with cream cheese, cake mix and powdered sugar

Caramel Drizzle Tidbit

Once the cookies have cooled, drizzle on the caramel sauce. (We used ice cream topping to keep things super simple. This didn’t harden, so if you’re looking for something to harden more, melting caramel candies may work better for you!)

After cooled, drizzle more caramel on to the gooey butter cookies

Love caramel in your cookies too? This Twix cookie recipe is definitely one to try.

Mmmm! Chocolate Caramel gooey butter cookie recipe. So easy and delicious!

They won’t last long, and you’ll eat WAY more than you should. As a mom who loves her children unconditionally and would do anything for them… I still hid this batch and ate almost every single one —without sharing!

Let chocolate caramel gooey butter cookies cool on the wire rack

Substitutions

Although the chocolate devil’s food cake mix is absolutely delicious, you can absolutely switch out the cake mix for your favorite!

Try red velvet cookies, or even funfetti cookies with a cake mix!

Oh my WORD! Chocolate Caramel Gooey Butter Cookies! These are so easy, and the caramel drizzle and adding it to the batter takes this original cookie to a whole new level with a chocolate cake mix

More recipes you’ll love:

Thank you so much for coming by, and don’t forget to check out the other fun dessert recipes, such as these caramel cupcakes with a caramel buttercream frosting and this chocolate bread and butter pudding.

Recipe

caramel drizzling on chocolate gooey butter cookie
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies

Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies: A spin on the original cookie with a touch of caramel drizzle makes these the best cookies ever. At least in our house.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings 30 cookies (number may vary depending on size)
Calories 122kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 8-ounce package cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup (1 stick) butter softened
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 egg
  • 1 devils food box cake mix
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • ¾ cup salted caramel ice cream topping divided

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Mix together cream cheese, and butter until well blended.
  • Add in vanilla, egg, cake mix and ½ cup of caramel ice cream topping until combined.
  • Roll into 1 in. size balls
  • Roll each ball in powdered sugar
  • Bake on a greased baking sheet at 350 for 12 minutes.
  • Remove from baking sheet and drizzle each cookie with remaining caramel and additional powdered sugar if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 122kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 15mg | Sodium: 162mg | Potassium: 58mg | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 120IU | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 0.7mg

Affordable + Adorable Swim Suit Finds – Zaful Review

Affordable + Adorable Swim Suit Finds – Zaful Review: I took a chance on this online store, and so glad that I did! Cheap and cute swimsuits! 

Black off the shoulder swimming suit from Zaful. So affordable and adorable! One piece! Zaful review

We’ve all seen it. The ad that pops up in our Facebook newsfeed, showing us the super affordable swimsuits at Zaful. I even found myself saying

Ok this is way too good to be true. Seriously, $12-$13 for a swimsuit?

So when I couldn’t resist anymore, I asked you all on Facebook what you thought. Some of you said “RUN!” While others said, “Well, check out ‘so-in-so’s’ review on YouTube. She kind of liked them…”

So I was STILL torn. Then, I decided that $12-$13 for a swimsuit was totally worth the risk, so I took a chance. I put two suits in my shopping cart and crossed my fingers…

Affordable + Adorable Swim Suit Finds – Zaful Review

First, I never thought in a million years I’d get the nerve to do a photo AND video review of me wearing a swim suit in front of so many people. But let me tell you… when I find something good, cute, and affordable… I’m not about to keep that from you. So I’ll risk showing you my mom-bod. Just please be nice!

Zaful Good or Bad?

Friends, please don’t hear what I’m not saying. You may end up ordering something from Zaful and have a horrible experience. But this being my first time ordering from them, I am totally pleased. It took maybe a week and a half to get my two suits, and when they arrived… they fit.

Now, I did pay attention to the reviews of each one, to see if I should order “up.” I did order a large in both suits, and I’m thrilled that I did. They fit perfectly! (I’m 5’4, 140 lbs and a 34 DD or 32DDD – according to Victoria Secret.)

Photos and Links Below to Each Swimming Suit…

Off The Shoulder Flounced One-Piece Swimming Suit

I think I love this one the most. It has a bit of ruffle (we all know from my Trunk Club’s how much I love ruffles, yes?) and I swear… when I wore it this week swimming, it literally felt like it sucked some of my stomach in. Hello bonus!

This also comes in other SUPER cute colors, like an army green, white, bright yellow and a pastel pink! So so cute! I would like one in every color!

Black off the shoulder swimming suit from Zaful. So affordable and adorable! One piece

Buy this Off-the-Shoulder Suit HERE!

Buy my Favorite Sun Hat HERE!

The image shows straps that come with it, and I’ll be totally honest: I forgot that it came with straps and have no clue what I even did with them. The suit fit great without them and stayed up on me just fine while swimming!

Cut Out High Leg Scalloped Swimming Suit

I love this suit a ton for the price too! My belly and back (ahem, flab) does tend to stick out the front and back a bit when I don’t stay on top of adjusting it… but it’s totally wearable and doable.

I love the scalloped look to the bust, so so much! This one also comes in more colors, like an adorable baby blue that I’m DYING to get!

Black scallop swim suit one piece from zaful! Zaful review, cheap and cute swimming suits! Such a good experience and review!

Buy this Scalloped Swimming Suit HERE!

Thank you SO much for coming by to see what I thought about Zaful. If you choose to buy from them, I hope you have a good experience like I did! I’d love to hear about your experience too, to help others out! Just comment below!

zaful reviews

Easy Party Appetizers

Easy Appetizers For a Party or For Snacking – A collection of party appetizers that are simple to whip up for guests or just for enjoying at home!

Image collage of easy party appetizers.

Easy Party Appetizers

Before any of my parties, I find myself thinking

Ok, now that I know what the theme is… what in the heck am I going to make?

Most of the time, I LOVE to fix appetizers for a party, more than main dishes. It’s easier for the guests to pick at all evening, and it leaves a ton of variety instead of trying to pick one or two main dishes, HOPING everyone likes it.

I’ve found that a lot of you are looking for party appetizers too, so I wanted to make it super easy for you to find some great recipes and ideas. Besides, that’s what we’re all about here, isn’t it? (Real life. Well Styled.)

So you’ll find all of the easy party appetizers from our archives right here on this page… all in one place! Simply select the one that tickles your fancy and it will take you right to the recipe!

Baked Brie with Maple Syrup and Bacon

Maple Baked Brie 

Gooey melty cheese, topped with crunchy nuts and sweet maple syrup makes a great appetizer that everyone will want to grab a second taste of.

Ham and cheese sliders stacked on top of one another.

Ham and Cheese Sliders

Sometimes called “funeral sandwiches” these sliders are the perfect party food or even an easy dinner idea!

Little smokies in grape jelly and bbq sauce, cooked in crockpot, in green bowl.

BBQ Little Smokies

Made in the Crock Pot, these little smokies are a crowd-pleaser at any type of party! Easy to make, simple ingredients, and tons of flavor!

Reuben dip in white pie dish, and a spoon scooping out a serving.

Reuben Sandwich Dip

Serve this cheesy meaty dip with crusty rye bread slices. This is a unique and tasty way to get the sandwich flavor you crave in a dish that can feed a crowd.

A plate of soft pretzels with cheese dip.

Homemade Soft Pretzels

Everyone loves a soft pretzel. Make these for a delicious appetizer that you can top with seasonings, or dip into melty cheese.

A platter of smoked stuffed mushrooms.

Smoked Stuffed Mushrooms

A platter of stuffed mushrooms is always a good idea for a party food to share. This recipe makes stuffed mushrooms even tastier by smoking them.

Pizza monkey bread with sauce in a bowl.

Pizza Monkey Bread

This take on pizza is perfect for a crowd. Everyone will want to dip this cheesy treat into sauce for a really delicious appetizer option!

Bacon wrapped dates that are stuffed with blue cheese.

Bacon Wrapped Dates

Make a tasty yet elegant option to wow your guests with these bacon wrapped dates. They are sweet, salty and so yummy!

Cheese board with pita, grapes, and nuts.

Cheese Board

Setting up an epic cheese board doesn’t have to be complicated. This idea uses fruit, cheese, nuts and crackers to set up a spread worthy of celebrating at your next gathering.

Mini potato trifles with sour cream on top with bacon crumbles.

Easy Potato Trifles

These trifles have all of the goodies you like on a baked potato like bacon and cheese, but they are served in little glasses for a parfait unlike any other!

Frito Chili Pie in food boat.
Frito Chili Pie with all the fixings!

Frito Chili Pie

Appetizers don’t have to be fancy! Tasty is enough to make it worthy of sharing. This recipe makes for a frito pie that your guests will work up an appetite for.

A bowl of pico de gallo.

Easy Pico de Gallo

Set out a bag of chips and a big bowl of this easy pico de gallo for a simple yet satisfying appetizer. Everyone is going to love these fresh flavors.

Close-up of chicken empanadas.

Cheesy Chicken Empanadas

These empanadas are loaded with chicken, cheese and rotel tomatoes for a really delicious snack. These are portable so you can munch and mingle at your next party.

Bacon ranch and chicken bites on a cake stand.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Crescent Cups

These crescent cups are filled with chicken bacon ranch flavor for a snack that everyone will hope to grab seconds of. Maybe you should make a double batch for your party?

Fruit and crackers sitting next to cream cheese dip in a small white bowl, all on a white platter.

Fruit Board

This easy spread offers fruit, cookies and the best dip! Set this out for your guests to graze on and you are sure to have a sweet party.

Slices of focaccia bread, on a wooden cutting board.

Easy Focaccia Bread

You can’t go wrong with homemade bread as a starter. This recipe is so easy to make, you might want to add it to your weekly routine for fresh and flavorful bread.

Berries stuffed with cheesecake.

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

I know you are going to love this recipe for strawberries stuffed with creamy cheesecake. This is easy and so elegant! Serve these at a party for a summer inspired snack.

A bowl of jalapeno artichoke dip.

Jalapeno Artichoke Dip

This dip is creamy, spicy and so good! Serve with chips, crusty bread or crackers for a crowd pleasing appetizer.

A pile of pigs in a blanket.

Air Fryer Pigs in a Blanket

You can’t go wrong with a classic like pigs in a blanket for a snack. This recipe is so easy to make as it bakes in the air fryer for perfectly flaky rolls with beefy franks in the middle.

Football cheeseball on platter that's made out of food to look like football field.

Loaded Cream Cheese Dip

While this appetizer is perfect for football party food, it is so tasty you can serve it at any gathering. Be sure to have a variety of dippers to go with this dish.

Southwestern egg rolls on a plate with green dipping sauce.

Southwest Egg Rolls

These egg rolls have the best flavor! They are made with chicken, corn, black beans and plenty of spices. You are going to love this tasty dipping sauce also.

Close-up of pinwheel sandwich on cutting board.

Pinwheel Sandwiches

These mini sandwiches are easy to make, using deli meat, cheese and your favorite toppings!

A plate of portobello mushrooms.

Baked Portobello Mushrooms

Baked portobello mushrooms with plenty of cheese and spices makes for a really tasty offering to serve to guests at your next party.

A platter of pinwheels shaped like a tree.

Christmas Tree Pinwheels

The presentation of this appetizer makes it the perfect holiday party food. This recipe is so delicious you can serve it anytime of year for a crowd pleasing snack.

A bowl of elote dip with chips.

Elote Dip

Mexican street corn flavor is going to be a big hit as an appetizer. This recipe is fuss free and makes enough that everyone can have a bite of this great dip!

A charcuterie board shaped like a Christmas tree.

Christmas Tree Charcuterie

Plan to make this epic and adorable charcuterie board for the holidays! It has such a colorful and tasty variety of ingredients so everyone can find their favorite combination.

Spicy ranch crackers close-up.

Spicy Ranch Crackers

If you want something simple yet so good to snack on with friends, then try this easy spicy ranch crackers! These are so tasty you won’t be able to stop at just one.

A cheesy biscuit.

Cheddar Biscuits

If you love those iconic biscuits from Red Lobster, then you will appreciate this recipe. It has plenty of cheese, butter and garlic to make a biscuit that will keep everyone coming back to the food table for another taste.

Air fryer buffalo chicken tenders on plate next to ranch dressing.

Air Fryer Buffalo Tenders

This finger food is perfect for a party or just to snack on! If you are a fan of bold buffalo flavor, then you are going to want to make these ASAP. Serve with blue cheese dip and celery on the side.

Cheese dip with soft pretzels.

Pretzel Cheese Dip

If you want a simple snack that was made to share, then try this cheese dip with pretzels. This is so cheesy and so delicious!

Orange bell pepper slice being dipped in to smoked queso.

Smoked Queso

You can’t go wrong with chips and smoky, cheesy queso as a starter. This recipe is perfect for taco night, or anytime you need some melty cheesy goodness in your day.

Texas toast topped with pizza toppings.

Texas Toast Pizza

Who could resist pizza as a starter? This recipe uses garlic bread to make a tiny slice of pizza that is bursting with buttery, garlic flavors!

A casserole with taco layer dip.

Taco Layer Dip

Taco dip is such a good starter or snack. But, it is so delicious that you could totally make a meal of this! Serve with chips and soft taco shells for a dish that you will fall in love with from the first bite.

A bowl of rotel dip with chips.

Rotel Dip

Cheesy, spicy dip with plenty of ground beef, chiles and spices makes for such a good starter. Serve this with taco night, enchiladas or just as a snack.

Close up of bbq meatballs.

Slow Cooker BBQ Meatballs

Pop these meatballs in the slow cooker with plenty of bbq sauce and grape jelly. This recipe uses sriracha to spice things up for a delicious flavor addition. I know you will love these as a party food, or serve them at the holidays for a light snack.

A skillet of queso with black beans, corn and lime.

Cowboy Queso

Make this queso with black beans, corn and plenty of cheese for a starter that is so tasty and filling! Serve with chips, but save a few spoons to top your taco with, if you can!

A bowl of saucy meatballs.

Instant Pot Frozen Meatballs

Go from frozen to fabulous in no time with this easy instant pot recipe that is great for any occasion. These are ready in just 4 minutes for fast and filling food!

A bowl of blue cheese dip surrounded by veggies.

Buffalo Bacon Blue Cheese Dip

Serve this extra flavorful dip with chips, crusty bread or fresh raw veggies for the best starter. This is great to offer guests, or to graze on before dinner. It has a pronounced flavor that you are sure to find delectable.

Close-up of blue cheese dip in white bowl.

Blue Cheese Dip

If you enjoy the flavor of blue cheese this is the dip for you! It has simple ingredients, takes no time to make, and goes so well with fresh veggies, chips or crackers.

Guacamole in a small white bowl.

Homemade Guacamole

A great appetizer doesn’t have to be complicated. This guacamole recipe uses plenty of fresh veggies to make a starter that you will want to serve with many future meals.

Air fried shrimp on a white plate, sitting next to a lemon.

Air Fryer Shrimp

Pop these succulent shrimp into the air fryer for a fast first course. Pair with your favorite cocktail sauce for a classic appetizer option.

A dish of hot taco dip topped with onion and tomato.

Hot Taco Dip

Serving something spicy tonight? Why not offer this tasty taco dip as a starter? This also makes a good option for parties as it is delicious and easy.

Close-up of pinwheel sandwich on cutting board.

Pinwheels

Make a few of these pinwheels, and cut them into rounds to share with friends at a party. These have so many fresh flavors to entice your guests to have a bite.

Marinated grilled shrimp kabobs

Grilled Shrimp Marinade

Make this marinade for grilled shrimp and serve this as your first course. These would be great on lettuce cups, skewered with grilled veggies, or on mini tacos.

Sliders with crunchy fried chicken and pickles.

Fried Chicken Sliders

Bring classic fried chicken flavor to your first course with these sliders. They are small in size but have such the big, tasty flavor of comfort food in every bite. 

A stack of Italian sliders.

Italian Sliders

Serve some super flavorful sliders as an appetizer if you want to indulge in sub shop flavors while serving a healthy dinner.

A bowl of fruit salad with honey lime dressing.

Honey Lime Fruit Salad

Start the meal with a bowl of juicy fruit salad with a tantalizing dressing for an appetizer that appeals to everyone! Use your favorite in season fruits to make this salad unique to your preferences.

Everything bagel dip with fresh veggies and bagel chips.

Everything But The Bagel Dip

Serve this flavorful dip with veggies, chips, bread or even bagel chips if you like. It has a great flavor that works as party food, or a simple starter for so many meals.

A plate of saucy sloppy joe sliders with cheese.

Sloppy Joe Sliders

Start the meal off with some saucy sloppy joe sliders. These are just the right size to entice your appetite for more.

A plate of wontons made with guacamole.

Avocado Wontons

If you love the flavor of guacamole, then you need to make these fresh and flavorful wontons. Make them in your air fryer for a super healthy appetizer everyone will love.

Strawberry jalapeno bruschetta.

Strawberry Jalapeno Bruschetta

Sweet, spicy and so good are the ways to describe this bruschetta recipe. Use in season berries and peppers for the freshest flavor.

Mussels cooked and in plate.

Mediterranean Style Mussels 

This fancy starter is so easy to make! They have a great Mediterranean flavor that feels elegant, but is fuss free for the perfect party food.

More Party Ideas

Whew! That’s a lot of party appetizer recipes! I hope you found one or 15 recipes that you want to make! If you now have your party menu planned and need decorating thought-starters, feel free to browse my easy party ideas to snag more simple and easy party planning ideas!

DIY Stencil Drink Serving Tray

As part of the Martha Stewart “Make it Martha” program, I received complimentary products to make this DIY craft. Thank you Martha!

DIY Stencil Drink Serving Tray: Using Martha Stewart’s new line of paints, we created the cutest flamingo serving tray for summer entertaining! 

Flamingo DIY Drink Tray using Martha Stewart Paint

DIY Drink Serving Tray

Since my childhood, I’ve been so infatuated with the creativity of Martha Stewart. She totally encompasses everything I love: DIY, cooking, home decor, flowers, and so much more. So I’m sure you can guess how I did cartwheels when I received the invitation to work with the “Make it Martha” program for Martha Stewart.

I may have jumped up and down, done a twirl, and left my husband saying “Uh, what’s going on, and why are you acting like that?” 

Martha Stewart Paint for DIY crafts

Here’s a peek at some of the Martha Stewart goodies that I’ve received. I canNOT wait to get to crafting a ton of DIY projects with the new line of paints and paint tools at Michaels!

Martha Stewart Paint for DIY crafts

DIY Stencil Drink Serving Tray Tutorial

The first craft I wanted to tackle was this drink serving tray. When the idea came to me, I knew EXACTLY where I was headed. To the FERGUSON FARM. My momma is the ultimate crafter, and she knows her way around a stencil or two. She was a huge help making this project!

This DIY tutorial was incredibly easy, since I was able to use the new adhesive stencils. Have you used these!? Oh my goodness. The adhesive helps so much with any potential paint leakage, and prevents the stencil from moving around while painting. These were MADE for people like me!

Flamingo DIY Stencil Drinking Tray

To get started, we used the following:

• White platter/tray

• Martha Stewart Crafts® Soft Gel Watercolor Paint, Pink Dahlia color

• Martha Stewart Crafts® large stencil brush set

• Martha Stewart Crafts® Adhesive Laser-Cut Stencil

• Painter’s tape

• Paper towel

• Paper plate

Martha Stewart Paint for the drink tray

Peel the stencil from the adhesive paper, and place the stencil where you’d like it on the tray. We preferred it centered on ours.

Flamingo stencils from Martha Stewart DIY crafts

Next, disburse a small amount of paint (a small amount will go a long way) on to a paper plate.

Pink paint for flamingo drink serving tray
We taped our paper plate to the surface so the wind wouldn’t blow it away while crafting outside.

Push the paint up in the brush for the stencil. Martha Stewart Paints

Dab the stencil brush gently into the paint, and blot it on a paper towel, twirling in a circular motion, pushing the paint up into the stencil brush.

Flamingo DIY Drink Serving Tray: Martha Stewart Paints

Next, dab the brush onto the stencil, covering the stencil cut-out. Repeat the process until your craft has reached the desired look.

Pink stencils for drink serving tray using Martha Stewart paint

Flamingo DIY Stencil Drinking Tray using Martha Stewart Paint for DIY Projects

When you’ve finished painting the stencil cut-out, remove the stencil very carefully.

Pink stencils for DIY flamingo drink tray

DIY Drink Serving Tray - Pink Flamingos

When the paint dries, it’s ready to use!

NOTE: Paint is not dishwasher or food safe!

Drink Serving Tray made with Martha Stewart Paint

Drink Serving Tray made with Martha Stewart Paint. Such a cute DIY

Flamingo DIY Drink Serving Tray using Martha Stewart paints

After crafting, the boys took a break from playing in the bubbles and mud, and thought they needed to partake in my little lemonade party.

Kiddo drinking lemonade

Martha Stewart Crafts® Line at Michaels

You can find all of the Martha Stewart Crafts® at Michaels.com, that I used on this DIY project here:

Pink Dahlia Martha Stewart Crafts® Watercolor Paint

Martha Stewart Crafts® Adhesive Laser-Cut Stencil, Flamingo

Martha Stewart Crafts® Stencil Brush Set, Large

Thank you!

Thank you so much for coming by! I’d LOVE to hear what you plan to stencil on your drink serving tray! Let me know below in the comments!

Fried Cake Bites — At Home Carnival Food

Fried Cake Bites — At Home Carnival Food: A sweet treat that your taste buds will fall in love with, and it will BLOW your mind how easy they are!

Fried Cake Bites - Carnival Food at Home

Fried Cake Bites

Oh friends… I couldn’t keep this from you any longer, and I may have stumbled upon a guilty pleasure that will engage your taste buds on so many levels.

While at the grocery store the other day, walking past the

“Oooops, I Baked Too Much”

sign, I saw this incredibly delicious cake sitting all by its lonesome on the shelf, with a bright yellow price tag. The cake was marked down so cheap that I didn’t think twice about putting it in my cart (with no plan in mind for this sweet treat at all).

The next day when my gal pal Kate came over (on the day where we get crafty in the kitchen), we started pondering over how we could use this cake for something incredible. Well friends, the thought “Fried Cake Bites” came to mind, and we ran with it. I can’t WAIT to show you how easy this was, and I especially can’t wait to hear how much you’re a new fan of fried cake bites too!

Fried Cake Bites Tutorial:

Alright, we’re going to keep things super simple here and you’re going to LOVE the outcome.

Fried Cake Bites - Using a store bought cake to make this super easy.

Frosted Store Bought Cake

You’re MORE than welcome to make your own cake and add your own frosting for these, but it was insanely easy to just use a store-bought frosted cake. The cake we used was a 2 layer, 8-inch vanilla cake with vanilla icing. But any flavor should do.

Stir/mash until frosting is evenly distributed with cake.

Fried Cake Bites - at home carnival food

Although a store-bought cake makes things super easy, these cake bites wouldn’t be NEAR anything special without the other stars of the show that make them to-die-for.

  • LouAna Peanut Oil –  See notes below
  • Pancake Mix
  • Egg
  • Milk
Peanut Oil for fried cake bites dessert idea

LouAna Peanut Oil

You’re going to use 2 teaspoon of Peanut Oil and mix it in with the pancake batter, but you’ll also use 2 cups of the oil to fry the cake bites in.

Fried Cake Bites - Carnival Food at home

Cake Bite Batter + Assembly

Using your hands, roll up individual cake bites into about one-inch balls and set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix together the 2 teaspoon oil, egg, milk, and pancake mix.

Fried Cake Bites
Fried Cake Bites - Carnival Food dessert idea

Fry those Babies

Heat up 2 cups of Peanut Oil in a pan/skillet (my favorite to use for these is cast iron), over medium-low heat. To test to see if the oil is ready (and not too hot), drop in a dab of the batter to make sure it’s ready for frying.

Once the oil is ready, dip each cake bite into the pancake batter and gently place each cake ball in to the pan.

Fry for one minute, rotating often, until each cake bite reaches a golden brown. Place fried cake bites on to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

Fried Cake Bites - easy dessert idea

Remove from pan and allow to cool for a few minutes, and sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

Fried Cake Bites - easy dessert idea

I Mean… For Real…

Are the insides of these a glance at Heaven or what? You could even dip them in to a fun ice cream topping for some extra tastiness, or eat them just like they are.

TIP: These are not the best leftover (just like any of your favorite carnival food), so make sure you make yourself sick eating as many as you can right away. 😉

Fried Cake Bites - easy dessert idea

If you love fun dessert recipes like these, then you’re also going to really love this cakesicles recipe!

Recipe

Fried Cake Bites - easy dessert idea
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Fried Cake Bites

Fried Cake Bites — At Home Carnival Food: A sweet treat that your taste buds will fall in love with, and it will BLOW your mind how easy they are!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 25 cake bites (number may vary based on size)
Calories 181kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 premade 2 layer 8-in cake frosted
  • 1 egg beaten
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 cups pancake mix
  • 2 cups + 2 teaspoons peanut oil divided
  • powdered sugar for garnishing if desired

Instructions

  • Crumble store-bought cake in a large bowl
  • Stir until frosting is evenly mixed with the cake
  • Roll cake mixture in to one-inch balls
  • In a separate bowl, mix together egg, milk, pancake mix, and 2 teaspoons of oil.
  • Heat 2 cups of oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-low heat.
  • Test oil by dropping in a dab of the batter to make sure it’s hot enough, or not too hot.
  • Roll each cake ball into pancake batter, then place in oil.
  • Fry each cake ball for about 1 minute, rotating often, until golden brown.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cake bite | Calories: 181kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 227mg | Potassium: 53mg | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 50IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 0.6mg
Fried Cake Bites - Carnival Food at home

I can see fried cake bites making an appearance at your next family gathering, or at a future birthday party! (Or on a random weekend in your house, just because you want something fun & sweet!) I can’t wait to hear how you topped them, or if you prefer them plain!

Thank you so much for coming by! If you’re in the mood for more recipe browsing, you can see all of our recipes here on the blog:

More Easy Recipes

What to do When Your Husband Doesn’t Come Home

What to do when your husband doesn’t come home: Ways to wrap your mind around what’s going on, and the action steps that can help during a tough situation!

What to do When Your Husband Doesn't Come Home

What to do When Your Husband Doesn’t Come Home

After writing How to Make Your Husband Want to Come Home, I’ve found so many readers stumbling upon it, looking for ways to encourage their husbands to come back home when they’ve left… after an argument.

Now, since that post is really geared towards ways to show your husband “love,” to make them excited to come back home at the end of the day, I’ve wanted to create this post for those looking for help that may be going through a tough situation with their husband at this very moment.

You May Also Love This Marriage Talk:

DISCLAIMER: Although I’m no expert, and not a therapist or marriage counselor, I do love to share what I’ve learned through experience within my own marriage, and through individual AND marriage counseling. As I always recommend, seeking counsel with a professional can be one of the most beneficial things you can do in your life. Especially when you’re going through a tough time. It can not only help YOU with YOUR feelings and emotions, it can help you gain a new perspective on what may be going on with those around you who you love.

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What to do When Your Husband Doesn’t Come Home

What to do When Your Husband Doesn't Come Home

Now when I say “What to do when your husband doesn’t come home,” I’m not talking about if he said he was on his way home from work, and it’s been an hour and still hasn’t arrived.

I’m talking about the times that he is temporarily staying somewhere else, expressing that he just needs some time away, and/or you’ve noticed that he’s been avoiding coming/staying at home with you and perhaps your family.

Also read: If Your Husband Cheats and How to Make it Through

Confront the Issue

In times of struggle, or in states of confusion, confronting the actual issue can be a hard task. Letting the emotions and feelings that we are currently experiencing, can quickly overrule any logical thinking that SHOULD be taking place. But I really, really, encourage you to tell your emotions to shut the heck up, so you can think for a minute.

  • What could be the actual issue at hand?
  • Was there an argument that took place?
  • Was there a traumatic circumstance in his life lately?
  • Have you noticed he hasn’t been affectionate as much?

Start with confronting the issue, so action steps and discussion can start with the right foundation.

Sometimes we can let our emotions get to us, and we just start spit firing what we think at each other, rather than dealing with the real issue at hand. The real issue then may never come up, or other damage will be done before even getting to the current issue.

Give Him Time. Don’t Force Him.

Could he not want to come home because he just needs some time? Maybe he has no intention of leaving for good. Is it possible that he’s the type of guy that never makes time for himself, rarely hangs out with buddies, and always puts his needs on the back burner?

I know good and well the kind of mental state that I’m in if I don’t make time for myself, or have been ignoring needs that I have.

So it could be possible that he just needs some time, and if that’s the case, forcing him to give up that time can just make the problem snowball for an even bigger disaster. Giving him much needed time may be something that he’s longing for.

Ego Can be a Nasty Thing

Whew. This one has been a tough one on me. Perhaps it’s because I struggled with this one so much. I don’t know about you, but I always had to “Be right.” I had to “be right” in every argument we ever had in our marriage, and I had to do/say what I could to make him realize that I was right.

It even went so deep that I wasn’t even aware of the fact that I always had to be right. It was as if he was automatically wrong with everything he said/did, and it was a challenge to make him apologize for it.

The thought of “Well maybe we’re both in the wrong” never came up. It was always, “He’s wrong. I’m right. And even if he IS right, I won’t admit it, because that would be weak. It would mean losing the argument, and losing my upper hand at any future argument.” (I told you ego could be nasty. I lived it.)

When it comes to your husband being gone, and not wanting to come home, don’t let the ego win. Confront the issue at hand (Step #1), and tell your ego to shut up.

If that ego blocks anything that he has to tell you, it will take THAT much longer to get where you really want to be. (Where your preferred outcome rests.)

Pick up the Phone. Don’t Text

Look, I totally get it. I’m a texter, and it’s how my husband and I communicate by phone 95% of the time. But when we’ve been in the middle of an argument, or have been through a rough patch, and have tried to have conversation… texting has caused more damage than good.

The emotion and tone are completely gone from the text. Words can be turned around in ways that you or he, never intended. (i.e. Making the existing problem an even bigger one.)

Pick up the phone and talk. If he refuses to talk, and you have time-sensitive questions that need answers, keep your text short, clear as can be, and to the point. But the “blame game,” explanation and detailed conversations are best heard instead of seen.

Tip: Before you talk on the phone, make notes of what you’d like to talk about. Usually, when the conversation gets going, the emotion can be so strong that you forget important details you may want to discuss.

Don’t Assume it’s You That Did Something or it’s You That Needs to be the Only Thing to Change

After reading those first few tips, I can hear some of you saying, “Crap. It was my fault. It was all me. I shouldn’t have jumped past the issue at hand. The ego stood in front of my rational thinking. I shouldn’t have texted him.” Please, please don’t take it this way.

Did you know that whatever may be keeping him away from home may be something HE’s going through?

Don’t assume that it is your fault. Don’t assume that you are the only one who should “fix it”.

There may be something going on in him that he doesn’t even know how to communicate or explain to you.

Ready for this, and to think even deeper??? HE may not even be aware of what’s going on with himself, and what’s keeping him away from home. We all know the saying of what “assume” means. So assuming that it’s you can cause unnecessary wear and tear on yourself.

So what can you do if you’re not sure what’s going on?

After moving past assuming that it’s you being the problem, take a look through his eyes.

  • Is there something that’s not right at home?
  • Has work been stressful for him?
  • Is there something that he’s briefly mentioned that could be the cause of him not wanting to come home?

Sit down, and grab a clear picture of what’s not right. Make notes of behaviors and actions that you’ve noticed lately.

  • Is he complacent/displaced?
  • Is he in a crisis?
  • Could these items have been a result of a certain activity that took place?

Look at the big picture and make note of anything that sparks a question, so you can be aware of what’s actually happening.

Question Everything

I don’t mean question him with everything. Question everything that you’ve noticed and made note of.

Look, if you’ve found your way to this article because you Googled “What to do When Your Husband Doesn’t Come Home,” I can almost bet that you love him, dearly. Right? Because if you didn’t… you probably wouldn’t mind that he’s not coming home right now.

Questioning everything can that’s going on can help you have a better understanding of what may be going on.

Questioning everything may even help protect him/you/your marriage early before it gets too carried away. It may help make you aware of what’s really going on, and how to move forward in the right direction.

Should YOU Fix This?

I don’t think there have been truer words spoken to me that have given me a “Woah” moment like this one…

You can’t make anyone do anything, and you can’t keep them from themselves. But you can fix YOU.

Read that a couple of times to really let that sink in. I’ll admit, the first 20 times I heard my husband and therapist say this, I let it roll right off of my shoulder. It just wouldn’t “click,” for me. Then one day, it did. For YEARS, I’ve wanted to “fix” him. I wanted to prove that I was right. So I spent so much energy and emotion thinking, “If he would just ‘X,’ this would be so much better.” If ‘X’ would just happen for us, life would be so much easier.”

But the moment that I realized working on myself would produce WAY better results (and faster results), I started down that path. Why is it better and faster? Because again, you can’t make anyone do anything, and you can’t keep them from themselves.

But you can fix YOU. You can seek counsel. You can train your brain to focus on the reality of a situation, instead of letting the emotions and feelings overrule.

Wrap-Up

What to do when my husband doesn't come home

Were you looking for a list of physical action items that would miraculously make your husband come home? Things like: Dress sexy, make his favorite cookies or plan a romantic weekend away with him?

Well I’m not saying you shouldn’t do those things. But I did want to touch on an even deeper level that may last a lot longer than cookies and a sexy outfit.

Again, I’m no therapist, but rather someone that’s learning through life as I go. After marrying my high school sweetheart, we’ve had the privilege of “growing up together,” and experiencing life’s ups and downs. With the blessing of someone telling us early on that seeking counsel can make a major impact on our lives, we’ve been able to take tough times by the reins (with guidance) and take one step at a time. We’re still learning, and will continue to learn. But I hope from our experiences, you can find a bit of encouragement in whatever it may be that you’re going through right now.

Cookie Dough Crescent Bites

Thank you SO much to Pillsbury for sponsoring this Cookie Dough Crescent Bites recipe! Although compensated, all opinions and views are those of Fantabulosity.

Cookie Dough Crescent Bites: A quick and easy sweet treat dessert using Pillsbury Crescent rolls and store bought cookie dough! Drizzle with chocolate syrup and BITE!

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

Cookie Dough Crescent Bites

Every Spring, our little guys LOVE to walk about our neighborhood leaving little surprise boxes of treats on doorsteps. It’s finally warm enough outside at this point, to spend a good amount of time, and to pop in at our neighbors to bring them a little happiness.

In my blog post a couple of years ago, “Spring Activity for Kids – Random Act of Kindness,” I mentioned how much that I love that doing this little activity every Spring, is a great way to teach our kiddos about doing something nice for others.

This year, we got a little creative in the kitchen, using only TWO ingredients. Yes, TWO!

My kiddos were able to help, and we were out the door with treats in NO time.

Quick Video Tutorial

If visual is more your style, make sure to check out the video tutorial here in this post!

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

For our Cookie Dough Crescent Bites, we picked up Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls, 8 count at Walmart, to be the star of the show! These have become a HUGE favorite in our kitchen. They can be the base of SO many meals, desserts, appetizers, and so much more. For our Spring baking, they don’t require a ton of oven time, so we’re not heating up the house to bake goodies, and we aren’t spending hours in the kitchen… but rather playing and enjoying time outside!

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

Using store-bought cookie dough, we’re set up for a quick dessert, and it leaves us with the second and final ingredient of our Cookie Dough Crescent Bites!

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

Separate the crescent rolls, and roll up a square of cookie dough, starting at the wide end. Seal the ends by pinching them together with your fingers, and gently roll between your hands to form a ball shape.

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe
2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

My boys may or may not have snuck a bite of that cookie dough during the process.

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe
2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe
2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

On an ungreased cookie sheet, line the bites up allowing about two inches between each one.

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

Mmmmm!!! Can I get an amen on this gloriousness?? Now… let’s make it a little better. Although unnecessary, if you wish to have a third ingredient, drizzle a bit of melted chocolate or chocolate syrup over the top.

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

Now for the surprise, that our neighbors will get when they bite in to them…

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

If you loved this recipe, then you’re really going to love these mini chocolate puff pastries too!

Recipe

Crescent rolls stuffed with cookie dough.
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Cookie Dough Crescent Bites

Cookie Dough Crescent Bites: A quick and easy sweet treat dessert using Pillsbury Crescent rolls and store bought cookie dough! Drizzle with chocolate syrup and BITE!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings 8 crescent bites
Calories 108kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 tub Pillsbury Crescent Rolls 8 count
  • 8 square store-bought cookie dough eggless

Optional

  • chocolate sauce
  • powdered sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Separate crescent rolls, using the perforated lines.
  • Place a small square of cookie dough (I cut mine in half because the brand I used were so big.), on the wide end.
  • Starting at the wide end, roll up the crescent roll, sealing the edges by pinching them together with your fingers. (You’re enclosing the cookie dough so it doesn’t spread when baked.)
  • Place on an ungreased cookie sheet, about 2-inches apart from one another.
  • Bake for 11-12 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Let cool before topping with chocolate sauce or powdered sugar.
  • Refrigerator any left overs, as cookie dough will not be fully cooked.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1crescent bite | Calories: 108kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 227mg | Sugar: 3g | Iron: 0.4mg
2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

We packaged the Cookie Dough Crescent Bites up in to cute little packages, and they were out the door!

2 Ingredients!!? Holy cow these look amazing! Cookie Dough Crescent Bites Recipe

For More Pillsbury Recipes:

For more everyday recipes, hop over here to get some new ideas for your Spring baking too! It’s a no-brainer when it comes to using Pillsbury for recipe creations. They’re a trust brand, and always give our recipes a quality flavor!

2 Ingredients!! Holy cow these are easy and looks ah-mazing! Cookie dough stuffed crescent bites!

Ribs on the Grill: Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs Recipe

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GetGrillingAmerica #CollectiveBias

Ribs on the Grill: Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs Recipe An easy grilled rib recipe, topped with a sauce that will flirt with your tastebuds!

Ribs on the Grill: Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs Recipe - This sauce and rub recipe is amazing!

Ribs on the Grill: Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs Recipe

When the temperature outside even grazes over the 60’s, we start the Spring grilling! (You know me, if it’ means less clean-up in the kitchen, then I’m totally game. Grilling tends to keep the mess and heat outside, so it’s a definite favorite cooking technique in our house!)

Like Quick and Easy Recipes?

If you’re in to quick and easy recipes, you’ll LOVE all of the recipes we have around here. Nothing complicated, and we only use ingredients you more than likely have on hand! Start browsing our recipes here:

Fantabulosity Recipes

Ribs… on the Grill?!?!

For YEARS, ribs intimidated me. I wasn’t sure how to make them. Do you bake them? Smoke them? Until I found out how easy it was to GRILL them on a charcoal grill, especially using my new favorite ribs! My girlfriend had me over the other day, and while visiting, I saw her prepping dinner for her family. Me, the nosey-food-loving gal, of course had to find out every little detail about what she was making.

She explained to me that one of her favorite ways to cook ribs was to grill them on her charcoal grill. After giving me the quick run-through of how she does it, I knew grilling the ribs would be in my near future.

This sauce was INCREDIBLE. So nice to switch it up from BBQ sauce. Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs on the Grill

Ribs of Choice:

Smithfield Fresh Pork “Extra Tender,” were the ribs of choice when I stopped by Walmart to attempt the grilled ribs recipe that evening. When I can get tender and juicy ribs from the start… then I’m already winning, right? I can’t wait to tell you what we put on these ribs to make them some of the most delicious ribs we’ve ever had.

Rub + Sauce:

The rub is made up of everyday ingredients, that you more than likely already have on hand, and well… the sauce may have been what caught your attention to come over here in the first place. You all, I can’t stress enough how delicious the two ingredients (apple butter + chipotle sauce) are together.

This sauce was INCREDIBLE. So nice to switch it up from BBQ sauce. Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs on the Grill
This sauce was INCREDIBLE. So nice to switch it up from BBQ sauce. Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs on the Grill
This sauce was INCREDIBLE. So nice to switch it up from BBQ sauce. Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs on the Grill
This sauce was INCREDIBLE. So nice to switch it up from BBQ sauce. Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs on the Grill
This sauce was INCREDIBLE. So nice to switch it up from BBQ sauce. Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs on the Grill

Tip: Wrap those babies in aluminum foil after applying the Chipotle Apple Butter sauce, to really trap in the flavor and juiciness of the ribs. 

This sauce was INCREDIBLE. So nice to switch it up from BBQ sauce. Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs on the Grill
Ribs on the grill - so easy! So nice to switch it up from BBQ sauce. Chipotle Apple Butter Ribs on the Grill
I didn't even think about putting ribs on the grill, until I found out how easy it is!

If I Can, You Can:

You all, if you want to impress your family, or even have guests over for a bbq this Summer, you’ll want to give this recipe a try. No matter your level of expertise, you too can grill ribs!

Now, if you have an Instant Pot, you may also want to try these Country Style Ribs!

Recipe

Grilled Apple Butter Chipotle Ribs on platter.
Print Pin
4.67 from 3 votes

Chipotle Apple Butter Grilled Ribs Recipe

Chipotle Apple Butter Grilled Ribs Recipe: An easy grilled rib recipe, topped with a sauce that will flirt with your taste buds!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Resting Time 13 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 8 servings (if ribs are about 2 lbs)
Calories 460kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 2-lb package Smithfield Fresh Pork Ribs

Rub:

  • 3 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 Tablespoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons table salt

Sauce:

  • 1 Cup apple butter
  • 4 Tablespoons chipotle sauce
  • 1 Tablespoon brown sugar

Instructions

  • Light charcoal grill. (Its ready for the ribs when the charcoal turns to an ash color.)
  • Rinse the ribs in water and patting dry with a paper towel.
  • Remove the membrane, which is on the bottom of the ribs.
  • Coat ribs with rub, and let sit for 10 minutes.
  • Place ribs on the grill over indirect heat. (Do not place directly over coals.)
  • Grill on each side for about 30 minutes, on each side.
  • Place ribs on a sheet of aluminum foil, and sauce both sides with the chipotle apple butter sauce. Wrap the ribs in the foil, cooking an additional 30 minutes to an hour for more tenderness.
  • Make sure ribs reach an internal temperature of 145 degrees.
  • Let rest for 3 minutes before serving. Serve with any remaining Chipotle Apple Butter Sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (about 2 ounces of meat) | Calories: 460kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 681mg | Potassium: 336mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 620IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 2.4mg

At Home Date Night Ideas & Budget Friendly Too!

At Home Date Night Ideas: Date night ideas at home that are easy, romantic, and budget-friendly. It’s the perfect list of ideas for when a date night is needed but you don’t want to leave the house.

My husband and I try to have a date night at least once a week.

But sometimes life gets in the way and we can’t squeeze a date night in. BUT… for the times that we can, and when we prefer to stay at home… creating a “theme,” to the night, can add a little spark to the evening. Plus, keeping things at home, can REALLY help with making date nights budget-friendly. (A major perk, if you ask me!)

(If we don’t, the default method of our date night at home is: “Take-Out, movie on Netflix, and I’m asleep on the couch in 30 minutes.)

So what themes do we have up our sleeve? Well let me share those with you, in case you’re looking for a few thought starters for a date night at home too.

But first, if you haven’t read Tips for a Romantic Weekend with your Husband,” you may want to. Although “date night,” may not be a “weekend,” you may find some helpful and “ahem,” personal tips in there that may help.

Make your Own Hotel Suite

stay at home date night ideas

One of my FAVORITE date night’s away from home involves staying at a hotel. There’s something about the fresh crisp linens, snacks/beverages nearby, and a relaxing atmosphere of lounging and tv binge watching.

When the budget is tight, or you don’t feel like going out, creating your own hotel suite may be something that you two would love.

Fluff up the pillows and blankets, place a tray of snacks and drinks nearby, and settle in for the night. Still hungry? Have a pizza delivered. One of our favorite things to do is to have a pizza delivered from a new pizza restaurant nearby.

Want to take it another step further? Know how the hotel rooms are pitch black and you wake up in the morning, not even sure what time it is? Throw thick blankets over your bedroom windows to block out any light in the morning. Sleep in and really get the feel of a hotel room!

Massage/Spa Night at Home

I really can’t think of anyone that wouldn’t love this date night idea at home. A massage/spa night? Count me in, and you can count my husband in. Even if “physical touch,” isn’t your love language, a nice romantic massage given to you by your other half, may just be what you need after a long week.

Now you can play it low-key and just say that you’re going to give each other massages on date night, or you can go all out…

Create a “massage station,” per say, and fill a tray/table with massage oils & lotions, eye mask, and warm towels. You can even play a little relaxing music to really set the scene.

Now this doesn’t have to be a one-sided affair. You can both switch, and give each other a massage. Ladies, there are two ways you can look at this type of date night at home. 1. You can offer to massage him first, so you can relax after your massage, instead of having to get up after yours and get to work, giving him one. OR 2. You get your massage first, and he’ll probably get so wrapped up in massaging you, that it may lead to something else, and he may forget all about how you’re supposed to give him a massage. 😉

Date Morning

Syrup pouring over French toast casserole in white plate with blueberries.

Sometimes switching things up from the norm, can add excitement to an occasion in itself. Instead of the standard “date night,” try reversing date night, and have a date in the morning.

Perhaps a babysitter would be easier to find in the morning, than a Saturday night? Or maybe the kids stayed at a friends house so you could go to an event with friends the night before, and you don’t have to pick them up until the afternoon?

A relaxed morning together, making breakfast, drinking coffee, or good heavens… just staying in bed all morning, cuddled up watching movies or your favorite tv series on the DVR that you need to catch up on. Date “nights,” can easily be filled with the high-maintenance expectations, but a relaxed-easy going morning may be just what the “date” doctor ordered.

Pallet Party

It sounds like something you’d hear on a “kids activities,” blog post, but you read that right. It’s a date night at home theme, that’s sure to please! It won’t take much.

Place a blanket (fuzzy is my favorite) on the floor, and line it with a row of pillows (a LOT). Make it look cozy from the start. Turn the lights down low, light a few candles, and turn that tv OFF. You can start out by having a picnic on your pallet with dinner, or just have it cozy and ready for when you finish dinner.

Turning the tv off will force that conversation, and more than likely… will lead to a little something else. Because let’s face it, if you’ve been together a while, you may not have much to talk about, unless it involves the kids or work. So silence + no distractions + nothing to say = every man’s next move.

Make a Date Jar

This is such a fun, and exciting way to keep the “spark” in date night! See how to make your own Date Night Jar and what that means!

Q&A

Jessica with Fantabulosity.com, lifestyle blogger

I’m a sucker for listening/watching Q&A’s when it comes to people that I admire. So when trying to think of new date night ideas, I thought, “Well why wouldn’t a Q&A session between the two of us be interesting, informative, and fun?!”

Even though we’ve been together 18 years, would you believe there are still things that I don’t know about him? (Or, have forgotten perhaps?) This could very well be the case with you two, as well.

My favorite thing to do is to compile at least 10 questions that I want to ask him, a couple of days before the scheduled “date night.” He will do the same, and then on date night, we take turns asking each other those questions. It’s incredibly fun, hilarious, and you may just learn something new about one another.

Need question inspiration?

• What was your favorite thing to do as a kid?

• If you only had one more day to live, what would you do, and be specific!

• If you could hang out with someone for a day, (dead/alive/famous/etc.) who would it be, and what would you want to do?

Backyard Romantic Dinner for Two

Pop Up Backyard Dinner Party: Entertaining Ideas, classy, easy simple, quick, fun, outside

I’m not sure what it is, about dining outside. Whether we are at a restaurant, or on the beach in Mexico, there’s something about that outdoor atmosphere that gets me going. So when we’re looking for a date night at home, an easy, out of the ordinary backyard dinner, is JUST what we need.

Feel free to make it super easy, grab some takeout, and mosey outside on the back porch or patio. Or, if you’re really wanting to “snazz,” it up a bit… grab a table, candles, glassware, and prepare an oven baked steak dinner for two, and enjoy it outside together. The sounds of nature/city life is sure to spark romance and dinner conversation, a lot more than eating pizza on the couch would.

Unplugged Wine & Cheese Tasting

date night ideas at home

Although you don’t have to make sure it’s a cheese board, with a side of wine to have an “unplugged,” date night, I thought it would be a nice (fancy-schmancy) snack to chat over. But feel free to have any snack/meal/appetizer you wish. Being in the line of work that my husband is in, he’s “on-call,” 24 hours a day.

He owns his own business, and although he’s intentional about work time/home time, his phone can still be a distraction. MY phone can even be a distraction with all sorts of beeps and notifications too. So having an “unplugged,” date night, can really help us be intentional with conversation, and experience fewer distractions. Turn those phones off, or stick them in the back room.

Cooking for Two

How to keep avocados fresh

Talking with my friend the other day, she mentioned how she and her husband LOVE to cook together on date nights. They send the kids to Grandma’s for the night, and they get creative in the kitchen. But what I love so much about this, is that they don’t make just plain ole spaghetti. They experiment with a whole new recipe. This way, the romance carries on into the “dining,” portion of their date night, and creates more conversation. The good, the bad, what they’d change about the dish next time, and so on.

My favorite part? If they create a dish that they love, when they make it again in the future, it will bring back all of those date night memories. And who knows… it may be referred to as “The Date Night,” dish. 🙂

marriage date night ideas at home

What is YOUR Favorite Date Night Activity at Home?

Of course there is nothing wrong with lounging on the couch, watching another episode of your favorite show on Netflix with your main squeeze. But in case you’re looking for a little something “extra,” those are our favorite “out of the box,” date night ideas. I hope they inspire you!

Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip

Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip – A quick and easy, no bake dip recipe that can be served cold or hot. Serve with chips, french fries, or even on top of a delicious steak recipe.

Buffalo Blue Cheese Bacon Dip- Easy dip recipe for a party, or to serve alongside french fries, chips, or a steak!

Buffalo Bacon Blue Cheese Dip

When making the Baked Fiesta Ranch Potato Wedges the other day, we got the hankering (yes, we say that in the midwest) for a tasty little dip to go with it. But as you know, if it’s coming from my kitchen, it better be easy, and slightly homemade.

So when our minds got to brainstorming about a dip with a kick, we realized that combining just a few ingredients… we not only made a dip that was tasty and easy… but it was a no-bake, no-cook dip too. I mean, how much stinking easier can it get!? (It’s just as easy as this homemade blue cheese dip, too!)

No-Bake Dip for a Party

Have you ever been in charge of a side dish for a party? You know, when the host says,

Oh just bring a side dish. Something easy.

Usually “something easy,” and “side dish,” gravitates towards chips and salsa. I mean, that’s easy, isn’t it? But when you’re wanting to actually make something… something that will make everyone say,

Who made this?

…and everyone in the room points at you, with gratitude for bringing something other than potato chips and french onion dip? Then my friends, give this Buffalo Bacon Blue Cheese Dip a try.

No Bake, No Cook, No Leftovers:

This dip is incredibly versatile. We serve it with the potato wedges recipe that I shared the other day, with french fries, chips, warmed on top of a juicy filet… I mean the options are endless.

So no matter if you’re looking for an appetizer, a side dish, or a garnish for a main dish for an extra kick, this one should tickle your fancy.

Recipe

Buffalo Blue Cheese Bacon Dip- Easy dip recipe for a party, or to serve alongside french fries, chips, or a steak!
Print Pin
4.20 from 5 votes

Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip

Easy Dip Recipe for a Party: Buffalo Bacon Blue Cheese Dip – A quick and easy, no bake, cold or warm dip that’s EXCELLENT for a party, to serve alongside chips, french fries, or a steak!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 38kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 16-ounce container sour cream
  • 1 1.6-ounce package McCormick Buffalo Wing Original Seasoning Mix
  • ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles
  • ½ cup real bacon bits

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, and chill until ready to serve.
  • Serve chilled for chips, celery, etc, or warm to use as a dip with warm foods like potato wedges, french fries, steak, etc.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (about ¼ cup) | Calories: 38kcal | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 37mg | Vitamin A: 25IU | Calcium: 18mg | Iron: 0.1mg

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PurexCrystalFresh #CollectiveBias

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket: A bright and cheery basket filled with goodies that anyone moving in to a new home will love!

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas: Love how it includes things that you need right when moving in, to help out! Plus a little decor to make it homey!

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket

It’s Spring, and that means if I can cram as much pastel and bright, beautiful colors in to just about everything I wear, create, and cook… then I’m a happy girl.

Recently, we had friends move in to a new home, and I wanted to make them a gift basket of goodies to help celebrate the big move, and that could hopefully help them until they unpack everything.

When I went to Walmart to find the goodies to build the basket with, I found the prettiest bottles of Purex® Crystals, and KNEW they’d look adorable in the gift with their bright colors! Plus, it would be a perfect item to help our friends with laundry in case they hadn’t quite unpacked their laundry supplies yet!

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas: Love how it includes things that you need right when moving in, to help out! Plus a little decor to make it homey!

Gift Basket Building Tips:

If you haven’t been around here very long, then you may not know my obsession with making DIY gift baskets, when it comes to gift-giving. They just seem so personal, and full of thought. So in most of my other DIY gift basket tutorials, I explain how my two main techniques for making a gift basket look great, is:

Say “NO” to Tissue Paper:

• Using something other than tissue paper, for the fluff. Of course it’s ok anytime to use it. I just prefer to use something else if it’s going to be visible. Now, I do shove it down inside a basket to give it some “umph,” if you can’t see it. But using something like dishtowels or baby blankets, work great! Plus, it adds to the gift!

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas: Love how it includes things that you need right when moving in, to help out! Plus a little decor to make it homey!
DIY Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas: Love how it includes things that you need right when moving in, to help out! Plus a little decor to make it homey!

Trash the Trash:

• Take items out of the “boxey,” boring, packaging that it comes in, and remove the tags. Removing the “store-bought,” look of items can really add a “cleaner,” touch to the gift basket. But when the packaging is as adorable and decorative like the Purex Crystals… leave it! I think these made the gift basket POP with color.

New Home Gift Basket Ideas: How bright and cheery is this! So easy.

A Little Decor:

As part of the housewarming gift, it’s always really nice to add a small element of “home decor.” Being able to put something decorative out in their new home, right away, can be JUST what a corner or shelf needs to make it feel homey, until they get all unpacked. Items like a small floral accent, (something seasonal, or neutral, so odds are it will fit the decor theme they’re going with) are a great choice.

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas: Love how it includes things that you need right when moving in, to help out! Plus a little decor to make it homey!

Incorporate Multiple Rooms

Well this little colander, spatula, candle and soap could be it’s own little housewarming gift if you ask me. But when making a gift basket full of all kinds of items, adding in a few items for different rooms of the home, like the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, living, etc. is always a good move.

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas: Love how it includes things that you need right when moving in, to help out! Plus a little decor to make it homey!

Plus, who wouldn’t love a mini colander, and an adorable little spatula? 

Adding Flair…

Sure, items in a gift basket are cute anyway. But when you can add things like ribbon around some of the items to add a little flair… it can make it THAT much cuter. Here, we simply wrapped a ribbon around the candle to give it a little more pop of color.

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas: Love how it includes things that you need right when moving in, to help out! Plus a little decor to make it homey!

In the back corner, we tucked a bottle of hand lotion that they can keep in their bathroom on the sink, for guests visiting to see the new home. Functional, AND pretty!

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas: Love how it includes things that you need right when moving in, to help out! Plus a little decor to make it homey!

Basket Buying:

Then of course shopping for the basket that you put it all in, can be just as fun as finding the items to put in it. But here’s my basket-buying tip: Buy a basket or container that has open sides like this one. That way, the recipient can see right in to the basket, and not have to dig through to see what’s in there!

Making sure the items are visible right away, when you hand it to them, can add such a “wow,” factor to the overall gift!

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket Ideas: Love how it includes things that you need right when moving in, to help out! Plus a little decor to make it homey!

If you love making gift baskets as much as I do, then you may want to see the other gifts I’ve created for friends and family recently:

Other Gift Ideas

Sunshine Gift Basket Ideas https://fantabulosity.com

RO*TEL Chicken Empanadas

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Conagra Brands. All opinions are mine alone. #31DaysWithRotel #CollectiveBias

RO*TEL Chicken Empanadas: A delicious blend of chicken, RO*TEL, sour cream, cheese and spices inside of small pastries, that will make your taste buds jump for joy! 

RO*TEL Chicken Empanada. Mmmm!!!

RO*TEL Chicken Empanadas

It’s the month of May and you know what THAT means! It’s fiesta TIME around here. When I shared the Sweet Confetti Fiesta party with you a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned that I’d share ALL of the recipes that we filled the table with.

So today, I’m sharing the RO*TEL Chicken Empanadas recipe with you, and you’re going to love the ease behind these little tasty morsels. Mmmm, the combination of cheese, chicken, sour cream and spices combined with RO*TEL (to banish the bland and bring on the bold) was incredible!

Cheese, chicken, RO*TEL! These sound amazing!

We use RO*TEL in so many recipes, whether it’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even snacks, because it’s add a spicy spin that we love, and it’s so easy to add a can to whatever we are making. Plus, it can be used in so many ways; toppings, dips, marinades, and so much more!

Fiesta Theme Party: A confetti and pastel fiesta party!

The Goodness:

Let’s get started with the filling of these babies. Seriously, I could have eaten this like a salad right out of the bowl. (But I didn’t, because it was about to get even better.)

RO*TEL Cheesy Chicken Empanadas

• First, you’ll mix the filling ingredients together in a bowl. Then, using a 2 or 3 in. circle cutter, (or a wide-mouth drinking glass) cut out circles of the pastry sheet.

• Place a dollop of filling in the center, and brush an egg wash around the edges to help it “stick,” when you fold it over.

Cheese, chicken, RO*TEL! These sound amazing!

• Use a fork to seal the edges together so it will lock in that yummy filling.

Cheese, chicken, RO*TEL! These sound amazing!

Pop ’em in the oven, and bake at 425 for approximately 10 minutes, or until they reach a golden brown.

Cheese, chicken, RO*TEL! These sound amazing!
Cheese, chicken, RO*TEL! These sound amazing!

I so hope you enjoy this easy recipe. They’re great for a weeknight meal, OR to serve as an appetizer for any part that you host.

Have an air fryer? Then try these air fryer empanadas too!

You’ll also love the Taco pinwheels recipe where we used Rotel too!

Recipe

Cheesy Chicken Empanadas
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

RO*TEL Chicken Empanadas

RO*TEL Chicken Empanadas: A delicious blend of chicken, RO*TEL, sour cream, cheese and spices inside of small pastries, that will make your taste buds jump for joy! 
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 16 servings
Calories 227kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken I used a rotisserie Chicken
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro
  • 1 can RO*TEL diced tomatoes with green chilis drained
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 2 puff pastry sheets 2 usually come in a pack
  • 1 egg
  • 1 Tablespoon Water
  • sour cream for dipping (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Mix together the first 7 ingredients.
  • Unfold puff pastry, and cut 2-inch circles with a cookie cutter.
  • Put 1 Tablespoon of the chicken mixture in the center of each circle
  • Mix egg and water together to make the egg wash.
  • Brush the egg wash around the edges of the circle and fold to make a half circle. Use a fork to seal.
  • Poke a couple of holes on top with a toothpick to let steam.
  • Place on a baking sheet or cake pan, and bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Dip with sour cream if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 78mg | Vitamin A: 125IU | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 1mg

Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle

Easy No Bake Dessert: Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle. Yes, it’s a dessert of the God’s, it’s quick and you don’t even have to bake or cook anything! 

Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle Recipe

Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle

So yes, I’m fully aware of the big title of this blog post. But seriously, would have even come here if you didn’t see that this dessert included all of those amazing ingredients?

Or possibly, it was the “easy” or “no bake” part of it that tickled your fancy, like in these no bake chocolate peanut butter bars? Either way, you’re here and I’m about ready to fill you in on this dessert that I made for my husband’s birthday.

This year for his birthday dinner, I made a ribeye with my easy steak recipe, and paired it with a healthy side dish: Roasted Broccoli, so I could cancel it out with the fiesta ranch potato wedges and buffalo bacon blue cheese dip.

The look on his face when I brought this trifle out to him after dinner, was absolutely priceless.

What did you do?

He looked with amazement at this beauty when I walked towards him, almost like when you see one of those crazy-wild milkshakes for the first time? But the look on your face, when you see how quick and easy it is… will probably be pretty similar to his.

Store Bought Brownie Bites:

Alright, I can hear all of you out there that love homemade desserts, and think that store bought anything is a sin. But I adore being able to buy things already made if it will make things in life a bit easier. So for this dessert dish, I bought brownie bites in the bakery of my local grocery store. First, layer the brownies in the bottom of a trifle dish…

Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle

Cheesecake Filling:

Yep, they make a cheesecake filling ready to eat, in the store too. Feel free to make your own homemade cheesecake filling for this! I’m sure it will be delightful!

Then spread the cheesecake filling on top of the brownie pieces.

Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake TrifleReeses Cups:

Sprinkle on chopped up Reeses Cups for tastebud “joy,”… (and use any extras to make these 2-ingredient peanut butter cup cookies!)

Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle
Yes, I got a little excited and started adding brownies before the peanut butter drizzle.

Peanut Butter Drizzle:

Then just get crazy with it, and drizzle on some Peanut Butter (or caramel) ice cream topping.

Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle

Repeat:

Repeat the process of the layering until you reach close to the top and add a layer of whipped cream, chopped brownies, Reeses Cups, and peanut butter drizzle. Before you know it, you’ll have a glorious trifle that’s ready to eat.

Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle
Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle
Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle
Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle
Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle
Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle
Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle
Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle

Is that not glorious looking!? If you have a sweet tooth needing conquered, than I would stop looking. This no bake dessert trifle should win you over.

Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle

No Trifle Bowl?

Would you like to make this, but don’t have a trifle bowl? Well you can buy one here for only $14.99, OR… make this in a baking dish for more of a “sheet,” style dessert.

Easy No Bake Dessert- Brownie Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Trifle

I’m sure he won’t like me telling you this, but I totally caught my husband eating the leftovers, directly out of the trifle bowl the next morning for breakfast. It was still his birthday, so I decided to just turn around and act like I didn’t see anything…

Recipe

Brownie Trifle Dessert in trifle dish.
Print Pin
5 from 4 votes

Brownie Trifle Recipe

Brownie Trifle Recipe: Layered with cheesecake filling, whipped cream, and peanut butter.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 418kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 12 mini brownie bites* see notes for substitutions
  • 1 24-ounce container ready-to-eat cheesecake filling see post for details
  • 2 cups Miniature Reeses Peanut Butter Cups chopped + more for topping
  • 1 cup whipped cream or Cool Whip
  • melted peanut butter for drizzle

Instructions

  • Begin by placing a third of the brownies in bottom of trifle dish, covering the bottom.
  • Next, layer on a third of the cheesecake filling.
  • Sprinkle on a third of the chopped miniature peanut butter cups.
  • Drizzle on some of the melted peanut butter.
  • Repeat layers 2 more times.
  • Add a layer of whipped cream and top with any remaining brownies (chopped) peanut butter cups, and peanut butter drizzle.
  • There’s no wrong way to make this recipe, so have fun with it! Refrigerate any leftovers.

Notes

Can use 1 batch of homemade or store-bought brownies – cut into bite-sized pieces.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (about 1 cup) | Calories: 418kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 393mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 60IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 52mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Home Tour Part 19 – Breakfast Nook

Craftsman Home Tour Part 19 – Breakfast Nook: It’s possibly the most used room of our home, and where we gather for meals no matter what time of day.

I’ll be honest. I can’t even believe we’ve lived in this house for almost 4 years now. We usually have a track record of moving once a year or so, but for some reason we’ve grounded ourself in this home longer than usual.

If this is your first time here, visiting a part of our home tour, you can see the other rooms on the craftsman home tour.

Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

Home Tour Part 19 – Breakfast Nook

But can I be even more honest? We’re getting the “bug,” and I’ve noticed the talk of “moving” popping up in our conversations more and more lately.

I really really really want to live in a small home again. Four houses ago, we lived in a small craftsman style home, and I fell in love with it.

No matter what room we were in, I still felt connected to other family members because they were close by. The bigger the house, the more space family members have to run and hide. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE our home now. But the idea of living in a small home again really tickles my fancy.

So we shall see. You never know what will happen around here. But no matter what, a goal I’ve had was to get this breakfast nook DONE. It took me so long to get it to a point of “done” because we were using a pub style table for so long here in this space, and it was on it’s last leg… literally.

It had seen better days, and I had always wanted a table like the one we have now. But getting rid of a dining table, just to get rid of it…seemed silly. So we waited and waited and then one day, decided it was time.

Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

The Table

I absolutely love this table. When it arrived, we had to attached the legs to the table, but that was it! It’s sturdy and I great for the kids to sit/eat at, because it has a “worn” look to it, so it’s forgiving if something happens cosmetically, to it.

Breakfast area and brown table with metal chairs - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home
Brown Farmhouse chairs Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

Metal Tub Chairs

I bought the metal tub chairs from Target, and they work perfectly with this table. A great height, and they slide in just enough to get out of the way, but still stick out to show side chairs.

Metal tub chairs - Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

Centerpiece

I couldn’t decide which centerpiece to have on the table when I took the photos of the breakfast nook, because I change this decor out at least once a month. I’m a sucker for seasonal flowers in a white pitcher, or incorporating holiday decor in this space. But I adore how white cotton stems really help pop the other white accents in the room, so I chose this one for now!

I’m often asked where I find white cotton stems like these, and I’ve found some here!

Cotton stems centerpiece - Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

Side note: Did you see this DIY farmhouse apron rack? This would look adorable in the kitchen!

Gather Modern Farmhouse sign - Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

DIY Gather Sign

I stared at the space between the two windows for the four years that we’ve lived here. Then, after seeing all of the adorable signs floating around on Pinterest, I finally decided I wanted a sign that said “Gather” right here in this space. We gather in this room at least 3 times a day, every day… for eating, crafting, and visiting. So “GATHER,” just seemed appropriate. (We save the formal/fancier dinners and gatherings for the formal dining room.)

I made this DIY Farmhouse sign, and it was really easy to do, and it adds so much to the room!

GATHER sign - Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

Cake, for Breakfast

If you’ve taken a peek at any of our parties on the blog, then this space in the breakfast nook may look super familiar. We style a lot of parties right here because of the abundance of natural light in photographs, and this adorable little table is perfect for a buffet party spread.

Eat cake for breakfast - Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

When we’re not styling a party, I keep a few favorite items on display on this little table. I found this “Eat Cake for Breakfast” sign at Hobby Lobby.

Cake stand - Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

Cake Stand

My Martha Stewart Cake stand is one of my FAVORITES. The scallop detail and the glass dome make me all giddy inside each time I look at it. So, instead of pushing this in the cabinet with the rest, I wanted this one on display ALL of the time.

Fake cake - Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home
gold silverware - Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

Serveware

I love having this gold silverware on display to add a little pop of gold to any space. I’ve stacked my white dinner plates from Target, along with fabric napkins that match whatever season we’re in.

Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

Thank you SO much for popping over to see part 18 of our home tour: the breakfast nook. If you’re on the hunt for more craftsman style home ideas, or even modern-craftsman decorating idea, take a peek at some of the other rooms in our home to see if any spark your interest!

Tour the Other Rooms in Our Home:

Part 1: The Exterior

Part 2: The Master Bedroom

Part 3:  The Master Bath

Part 4: The Kitchen

Part 5: The Playroom

Part 6: The Guest Bath

Part 7: The Pantry

Part 8: The Patio/Deck

Part 9: The Nursery

Part 10: *Old* The Office/Craft Room

Part 11: Big Boy Room

Part 12: The NEW Nursery

Part 13: The Dining Room/Foyer

Part 14: The Guest Bedroom

Part 15: The Living Room

Part 16: New Office Reveal

Part 17:  Garage 

Part 18: Patio Re-do Reveal

Breakfast nook ideas for craftsman style home

Wine Bottle Craft: Vase DIY Tutorial

Wine Bottle Craft: Vase DIY Tutorial – Such a fun way to make crafts using wine bottles. Create a vase for home decor or for party centerpieces.

I have a LOT to learn in the creativity department of repurposing, but it’s slowly becoming a thing for me. The idea of taking something that would normally be thrown in the trash, and turning it in to something that can be beautiful for a party tablescape or as home decor… really tickles my fancy.

Wine bottle crafts image: LOVING the colors of this summer soiree! Navy coral and gold. So classy and elegant!

Wine Bottle Craft: Vase DIY Tutorial

When my gal pal Kate came over the other day, we started thinking about ways we could tie in the color “gold,” to the Summer Soiree Party that we styled for Columbus Craft Meats last month. Somehow, no matter the topic, our minds tend to lean towards the subject of “wine.”

So when the idea of using a wine bottle as a vase with big, beautiful flowers in it for the party table came up, it was a no-brainer!

Since I’m incredibly lucky to be a part of the Make it Martha team on Martha Stewart, I had the PERFECT Metallic Gold Martha Stewart Crafts® paint in my craft room, and I knew it would look incredible brushed on to the wine bottle.

Wine Bottle Vase Tutorial:

Wine Bottle Crafts: Martha Stewart Crafts paint diy vase project

Paint + Brush

For this craft, we used the Metallic Gold Soft Gel Watercolor Acrylic Craft Paint, because it works great on glass. Then, to paint it on, we used one of brushes from the Martha Stewart Crafts® Watercolor Brush Set. Friends, if you haven’t tried any of the paint brushes from the Martha Stewart Crafts® collection, do it. I never thought that the quality of a brush really mattered… until we tried these. ESPECIALLY the stencil brushes that we used on the flamingo drink tray and nautical anchor pillow.

Wine bottle crafts Martha Stewart Crafts paint brushes for painted DIY vase

Using a wine bottle to make a vase for a party display or centerpiece - wine bottle crafts

Wine Bottle Transformation:

Step 1: Drink the wine out of the wine bottle. All of it. (Haha… totally kidding. Kind of.)

Step 2: Remove label. Clean the bottle, inside and out. Making sure to remove any glue left from label.

Gold metallic paint - Martha Stewart Crafts

Step 3: Pour a small amount of the paint on to a disposable dish, like a paper plate. This paint can go a long way, so start with a small amount.

Martha Stewart paint brush to make DIY vase - wine bottle craft

Step 4: Starting at the top of the wine glass, begin brushing paint strokes down the bottle.

We opted for a “sheer,” brushed look on the bottle, instead of fully covering the bottle, and LOVED the way it turned out. But you can do more of a fully covered look if you prefer!

Painting a wine bottle to make a vase for party decor - wine bottle crafts

Using paint, paint a wine bottle to make a flower vase. DIY project using a wine bottle.

wine bottle diy craft: paint to make a vase

Wine Bottle Vase DIY Tutorial

The wine bottle vase was dry in no-time, and ready for flowers! We ended up making two for the Summer Soiree Party, but we now have them placed around the house for an added touch of gold decor.

Wine bottle crafts photo: This is SO pretty and so easy! DIY Wine Bottle Gold Vase Tutorial

What Would Make This Craft Even Better?

Host a wine and craft night with your girlfriends, and serve wine from the new Martha Stewart Wine Co.! Have you heard of this? I’m super excited to try it! For party ideas for your own wine and craft night, browse our latest parties HERE!

Then, for more crafts and DIY ideas, head over HERE for more inspiration!

Low Carb Parmesan Chicken Tenders

Low carb chicken recipes are great for the keto diet or any low carb diet! These Parmesan Chicken Tenders are made with almond flour, heavy cream, parmesan cheese and eggs, and they’re packed with flavor!

This almond meal chicken tenders recipe is so easy and so good! It's perfect for Keto chicken recipes and low carb chicken recipes! This is also an easy chicken breast recipe idea

Low Carb Chicken Recipes

Ever since my son was diagnosed with epilepsy, we’ve been trying to incorporate low carb and keto recipes in to our home, as much as we can. With a picky eater, keto and low carb chicken recipes seems to be a popular “go-to” in our house.

Almond Flour vs. Almond Meal

While at Trader Joes the other day, I was on the hunt for almond flour, so I could make keto pancakes, and other low carb bread-like recipes. I couldn’t find it for some reason, and the nice lady working there told me they only had almond meal in stock at the moment. Then she said,

You know though, I LOVE making chicken using almond meal. Just bread it and fry it in a pan in butter or oil.

Well that sounded easy enough. So in to my cart the almond meal went.

Almond meal tends to be a thicker consistency than almond flour, and it’s great for breading meats. (Although I have used it in pancakes and bread like recipes too, when in a pinch. But I prefer it for breading meats.) I found this resource on almond flour recipes too, that has been SO helpful!

Low Carb Parmesan Chicken Tenders

I’ve baked chicken more times than I’d like to admit. I can switch up the seasonings, add cheese, so on and so on. But sometimes I just want a different way to cook chicken, for a different spin on things.

So while brainstorming over what to make for lunch, I remembered the nice gal at Trader Joes said how much she liked to cook chicken on the stovetop, and I thought it would be a great way to use the chicken tenderloins in the fridge. She was SOOO right. With a few spices and adding Parmesan cheese, this is will be a new go-to low carb chicken recipe in our house. Even my youngest said,

Mommy, dat chicken is willy good!

BONUS!

Almond meal chicken tenders recipe is so easy and so good! It's perfect for the Keto diet and low carb chicken recipes!

So if you’re on a low carb or keto diet, I’d love for you to give this a try and see if you like it! It’s super easy, and a kid friendly meal too! (Yay for only having to make one recipe for the whole family, right!?)

Recipe

Almond meal chicken tenders recipe.
Print Pin
4.16 from 13 votes

Almond Meal Parmesan Chicken Tenders

Substituting traditional bread crumbs with almond meal make these chicken tenders low-carb and delicious! Make this easy chicken recipe for your next weeknight meal.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Total Time 16 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 621kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 8 chicken tenderloins
  • 4 Tablespoons butter
  • 1 egg
  • 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
  • 2 cups almond meal
  • ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Mix together heavy cream and egg in a small dish
  • In a separate bowl, mix together almond meal, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper
  • Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat
  • Dip chicken tenderloins in egg/cream mixture, then into the almond meal
  • Place tenderloins in butter in skillet, and cook over medium heat 2-3 minutes on each side, until juices run clear and internal temperature reaches 165 degrees
  • ** I covered my cast iron with a lid to speed up the cooking process and to trap moisture.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (2 chicken tenders) | Calories: 621kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 153mg | Sodium: 1016mg | Potassium: 396mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 645IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 285mg | Iron: 2.8mg

Easy Chicken Breast Recipes

If you’re out of, or couldn’t find chicken tenderloins… feel free to use this as an easy chicken breast recipe too! I’m always on the hunt for a good way to use chicken breasts. I always make sure to have a bag/box of those in my freezer for a quick go-to dinner idea.

I’d LOVE to hear if you gave this a try. Can you let me know below in the comments? I’d also like to know what your favorite low carb/keto dinner meal is. We can always use help with new recipes for my little guy!

Low Carb Steak Recipe

Although I had no intentions of creating a low carb steak recipe, my all-time favorite oven baked steak recipe totally fits the “low carb” bill. It’s flavored with salt and pepper, seared in brown butter, and baked for only a few minutes… creating the BEST oven-baked steak recipe there is!

More Easy Recipes?

If you’re on the hunt for more easy recipes, don’t forget to check out my recipe archives where you can always count on quick and easy in the kitchen! See the recipes HERE!

How to Cook Steak in the oven! RecipeThis was so easy and incredible, with the browned butter! Easy Steak Recipe: Pan Fried and in the Oven Photo

Finding Your Purpose in Life – “Something Is Missing”

Finding Your Purpose in Life – Have you ever felt like something is “missing” in life, even if you feel like you shouldn’t? The guilt of feeling like something is missing, yet having so much to be thankful for, is a real struggle with so many women!

Finding your purpose and passion in life

I love today’s topic so much. As women, sometimes we feel like there has to be “more,” but we have a mental conflict of guilt. You may find yourself saying…

“Why should there be more? I have a great marriage, wonderful kids, and a great life. But why do I feel like something is missing?”

For some, they may say

“I want more children to take care of and love on. That’s my purpose. “

Or

“I’m the CEO of corporate America, helping provide jobs for others and making a difference in the world.”

Or you may find yourself confused and stuck, like today’s reader that I’m getting ready to share with you:

“I feel at a loss and without much of a purpose throughout the day … Don’t get me wrong I love being a stay at home wife, it has been one of my dreams since I was little.”

Joy is essential in life, and we feel that purpose and joy can go hand-in-hand. Well let’s explore this a bit more, shall we?

Finding Your Purpose in Life

office

I had someone reach out to me on Fantabulosity’s Facebook page the other day, (Have I told you how much I LOVE getting messages from you all!? It literally lights me up.) sharing her story and asking if I could help. So I sat my butt down on the couch, grabbed my coffee and got all warm and cozy, and ready to help this gal figure something out! Here’s what she said:

Fantabulosity Reader:

Hey Jessica, I accidentally discovered your blog, and fell in love with it and you almost instantly. I read some of your posts and the watched some of your videos, and you’ve inspired me to follow my passions! But I was wondering if I could ask you a few questions.

I’m newly married, barely 3 months. My husband works for an oil field, and is gone a lot. I’m not working outside of the home, and so I’m home a lot. I live basically in the middle of no where lol.

Don’t get me wrong I love being a stay at home wife, it has been one of my dreams since I was little. Before the wedding, I had been working almost continuously since my 2nd year of high school therefore I had no time for what I was truly passionate about.
Now I have the time, but I’m also struggling with the thought, I’m not doing enough, if that makes sense. I’ve been thinking about starting a blog, as soon as we get internet installed in our house.

Despite having the time to do all the things I love to do, I feel at a loss and without much of a purpose throughout the day, until my husband comes home late at night…I hope I’m making some sense. Anyways I was wondering if maybe you had some pointers or thoughts on the situation…I guess I’m just feeling very stuck. I’m willing to hear whatever you want to throw at me! Thank you for your time!

So Relatable Right?

Hallelujah we’re not alone in the feeling this way…

finding a passion

Oh how there’s so much goodness in the message that she sent. Do I have the all of the answers? Absolutely not. But I do love how I’m given the opportunity to help someone brainstorm and possibly find something that will help improve their life in some way.

THIS… this is the reason why I love to blog so much. It has given me a platform to have a million “girlfriends” to sit and chat about different ways to better ourselves and find out what our passions in life are… and I get to share things like this with all of you, in hopes it helps you too! (Especially when things are tough – read “I’m Sorry I’ve Gone Missing.”

Ok ok, so let’s get on to my response to her message.

I’ve Been There and Here’s What I Told Her:

Hi there! First, I’m SO happy that you found your way “here” and second, I’m so happy that you’ve messaged me about this!

I feel honored that you took the time to write me, and share your story with me about this.
Now, it TOTALLY makes sense, and I get where you’re coming from 100%. I was you.
I got married, and since we live in a small town, I suddenly became “Matt’s Wife.” I was good with that. He was a good man, I wanted to be a supportive wife, and I truly thought that I would be “ok” with being in his shadow for the rest of my life. Until I wasn’t.
But it wasn’t like I woke up one day and said “Hmm. I don’t have a purpose.” But it was a slow, unconscious realization over a period of time that I started to feel like I wanted something of my own. (Especially after having my babies.)

I think a lot of women go through this very thing, and we even start to feel guilty about it at times. Like “Why should I need more? I have a man that I love, children to raise and take care of, a home to live in and maintain, etc. etc.”
But I truly believe that each of us need that “something” in life that makes us feel alive and makes us feel like we have a purpose. Something that makes us get excited to hop out of bed in the morning. Something that we’re proud of to talk about with friends, family and STRANGERS!
I believe that every time we talk about something that we love, we get a boost of confidence, which does wonders for our mental health.

So… with that said, I hope by reading that, you know you’re not alone, and I hope you don’t feel guilty for feeling that there could be “more” or something out there that can give you the feeling of purpose.

We can be loving, supportive and wonderful wives AND still have something else in our lives that gives us the feeling of purpose/happiness.

So what is that for you? Could it be a blog? You bet! Could it be running a small Etsy business, selling things that you make at home? Sure!

Could it be buying books at yard sales and selling them on eBay?
Taking a photography class?
Or things that you can even do living in the middle of nowhere…
(without internet) painting, gardening (flower gardens or a veggie garden), tutoring young girls and become someone that they can trust and confide in during this crazy time that we live in, or even helping out at church, decorating for each weekend service!

Now those are all just random thoughts that I had… with some that could possibly turn in to a business, and some that are completely voluntary, but could also help you feel like you have a purpose in life.

You may find that you do a few things that you’d think you’d like, and not like doing any of them. I did this. I volunteered at certain events, tried shopping/reselling items on eBay to help contribute financially, etc. and they just weren’t for me.
But then I found the one thing that was for me, BLOGGING/helping others in different areas in life, and that was it. It was my passion and my purpose.

But it’s all about working through and finding what it is for YOU, that you were born to do. Sometimes it takes a little trial and error to figure out what that is, but you know what… it’s part of the journey.

I hope that helps, and feel free to kick any ideas my way. I’d love to help if I can!! It’s fun to brainstorm and help others find a direction in life! XOXO

Side Note:

Normally for a blog post, I edit and make it as pretty as I can… but I decided to skip that part this time. Why? Because I wanted the realness to overflow from our Facebook messenger, over to you. Sometimes if we focus on the “pretty” and “correct” it can really take away from the message. So excuse typo’s and run-on sentences in this one please!

I’ve received so many messages like this one, and if you can relate to her, I really hope that you find some inspiration, and encouragement to tackle whatever it is that is calling you, after taking a peek in to my Facebook inbox.

You May Also Love:

If you loved this post, I wanted to make sure you knew about a book my friend wrote, that you can get on Amazon TODAY! It’s called Holistic Wealth: 32 Life Lessons to Help You Find Purpose, Prosperity, and Happiness and I think it’s a great asset to help you in your journey!

Not Sure What Your Purpose Is Yet?

You know what, that’s ok! I find myself having conversations with other moms when their kids are exploring what to major in when going to college. But who says we have to know for college, as a mom, an older adult, a specific thing, by a certain time? No one.

Know that you’re not alone, and I feel like it’s important to keep our minds and eyes open for those signs that it may be right in front of us.

Thank you so much for coming by! If you’d like to hang around a bit, head over to my self work archives to find more content like this, or watch a few of the videos where I discuss important topics on how to find more happiness in your life!

Hot Strawberries and Cream Smoothie

Hot Strawberries and Cream Smoothie: Take a break from hot chocolate and fall in love with this easy to make HOT strawberry smoothie! 3 Ingredients, quick, and delicious! Add to a hot chocolate bar for a variety!

Hot Strawberries and Cream Smoothie

Hot Strawberries and Cream Smoothie

As part of the “Make it Martha” team for Martha Stewart, I’m forever so grateful to snag some adorable and fun Martha Stewart products from time to time. Over the holidays I received the Snowflake Enameled Cast Iron Collector’s dish, and couldn’t WAIT to use it!

You can find more of the Martha Stewart Collection Cast Iron Cookware, at Macy’s.

Martha Stewart Enameled Cast Iron Collection - Snowflake Casserole Dish

You know what my favorite part of the snowflake design is? It looks like a snowflake but also looks like a fun design that I can use all year long. Yay for justification! I can’t WAIT to show you below what I made in this the other day! (Full recipe and printable recipe card, at the bottom of the page!)

Martha Stewart Enameled Cast Iron Collection at Macy's - Snowflake Casserole Dutch Oven Pot Pan
Martha Stewart Enameled Cast Iron Collection at Macy's

How to Make a Hot Strawberries and Cream Smoothie:

Alright, so the other day I was standing in my pantry, looking at the package of smoothie mix that I had picked up during a recent grocery shopping trip. It was 17 degrees outside, and although I was in the mood to make something sweet, I didn’t want something ice cold. I wanted something quick, warm, and hot chocolate just wasn’t cutting it.

Then… it hit me. Why I can’t I use this mix to make a smoothie, but make it a hot one? Yeah. It had to happen, and I’m so glad that it did.

Almond Milk, Strawberries and Smoothie packet - hot Strawberries and cream smoothie

I began by dicing and muddling four strawberries…

Crushed/muddled strawberries - strawberries and cream smoothie

Then, over low heat, (or you can use the microwave in you like) I heated up a package of the smoothie mix, 1 ¼ cups of almond milk and strawberries.
(You can totally use regular if you like, but I wanted that almond flavor added to mine that day.)

Hot Strawberries and Cream Smoothie - Perfect for a warm drink treat, when you're tired of the same ole hot chocolate.

NOTE: I left some of the strawberries a little larger for the photos so you could see the deliciousness of the strawberries added in… but I may mash them more a little next time, so it goes down a bit smoother. You may want to do this too, ESPECIALLY if you’re a non-texture person when it comes to your food/drink.

Hot Strawberries and Cream Smoothie!

Once it was heated it over low heat, and it was fully heated through, I poured it in to my favorite coffee mug and topped it with whipped cream. Totally not necessary, but totally delicious.

Mmm!!! Love this instead of hot chocolate or white chocolate! It's an easy way to make a hot strawberries and cream hot drink! So fun! Especially to add to a hot chocolate bar!

Perfect for a Hot Chocolate Bar…

How fantastic would this be as an addition to a hot chocolate bar? It’s great for those who aren’t a fan of chocolate, but it also adds variety (and a pretty pink color) to your hot chocolate bar too!

Or Valentine’s Day?

If you’re looking for something for your kiddos to enjoy for Valentine’s Day, or looking for a hot and steamy treat for your sweet, this is a quick and easy recipe to whip up and sip on that evening in front of a warm fire!

Here’s the quick recipe so you can whip up your own too! This recipe made one LARGE mug full for me, but could easily make two small servings!

More Drink Recipes

Do you love fun drink ideas as much as I do? If so, you’ll love these drink ideas!

More Strawberry Recipes

We kind of have a thing for strawberry recipes around here! If you love strawberries too, you’ll want to make sure you see these:

Recipe

Hot strawberry drink in clear mug.
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Hot Strawberries and Cream Smoothie

Only THREE ingredients are required to make this sweet treat! Top with whipped cream for the ultimate dessert idea.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 1 serving
Calories 52kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 2-ounce package Strawberry Smoothie Mix
  • 1-¼ cup milk I chose almond milk, but regular is just fine!
  • 4 strawberries
  • whipped cream if desired

Instructions

  • Remove stems from strawberries, dice and mash/muddle in a small bowl.
  • In a saucepan, and over low heat, stir and combine smoothie mix, milk, and strawberries in a stockpot for 5 minutes, or until heated through.
  • Serve with whipped cream on top, if desired!
  • **Can heat up in the microwave too, if you prefer a faster approach!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 52kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 153mg | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 28.2mg | Calcium: 69mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Martha Stewart Collection:

If you love adding to your cast iron collection as much as I do, and ESPECIALLY love the Martha Stewart line at Macy’s (ahem, I’m kind of obsessed with her cake stand collection), you can shop it all on Macy’s.

Best Coffee Maker: Ninja Coffee Bar

Best Coffee Maker: How to Use the Ninja Coffee Bar – Tutorial and instructions on how to use the CF091 coffee maker! It’s easy to use, and now you can make your own lattes at home!

Ninja Coffee Bar

How to Use the Ninja Coffee Bar

So the other day on my Facebook page, I shared with you how much I love my Ninja Coffee Bar! A lot of you said you have been eyeing it for a while, but were either intimidated by it or wasn’t sure if you wanted to take the plunge and switch to one or not.

This is PERFECT for a small space! DIY Coffee Bar Ideas for the Kitchen!

Then, someone asked if I’d make a video on how to use mine, so they could decide if it was time to get one or not. Well you know me, and you know how much I love sharing things that I love… so a video it was!

Ninja Coffee Bar Tutorial

I hope this video showing you how I use it, and the different options that it has to make a simple cup a coffee, a latte, or even a whole pot of coffee… helps you with either your machine or helps you decide if you want one too!

I truly do believe it is the best coffee maker, ever. I’ve had a Keurig for many years, and now when I make a cup of coffee with the Keurig, it tastes like plastic to me. I’m spoiled rotten and am forever grateful that I have the Ninja now.

If you’re not in a good place to watch the video at the moment, I’ll highlight a few of my favorite things about the Ninja Coffee Bar!

  • You can make one simple cup of coffee
  • You can make a whole carafe for multiple cups
  • Need more than a cup, but not a full carafe? No problem, use the “half carafe” setting
  • Has built-in frother for lattes
  • Rich brew options
  • It has an iced brew option (Make this iced caramel latte or this iced coffee recipe!)
  • Washable coffee filter
  • Water reservoir
  • Self-timer
  • “Keep Warm” setting
This is PERFECT for a small space! DIY Coffee Bar Ideas for the Kitchen!

I even love the way it looks on my countertops. It’s sleek, and doesn’t take up a lot of counter space which is a huge plus!

Best Air Fryer – Ninja Air Fryer

I know, you’re probably wondering why I’m throwing in a “Best Air Fryer” tidbit in this post, right?

Because I found out while researching for the best air fryers the other day, that the Ninja Air Fryer is also my go-to pick for air fryers!

The reviews and specs of the fryer were a shoo-in for my top pick. See the post with all of the details of the Ninja Air Fryer and other air fryers I put up to the test, HERE!

New Here?

If you’re here for the first time, I’d LOVE for you to visit more! Head to the homepage where you can see all of the fun things we talk about around here! Home decor, fashion, easy recipes, and so much more!

How to use the Ninja Coffee Bar System! I have to get one of these!

How my Faith is a Necessity with Social Media

How my Faith is a Necessity with Social Media: If you allow it, the online world can diminish your thoughts on self worth and value in minutes. Let’s get in to your faith toolkit, and help you overcome these tough roadblocks in today’s world.

How my Faith is a Necessity with Social Media

Have you ever fallen victim to a social media “crap-storm”? I can tell you from experience that being on the receiving end is not fun, but maybe not for the reasons you might guess.

Now, before you go thinking that this is a rant about how unfair the world is, I’m a big girl, and I know what I signed up for as a blogger, and I fully understand that the negativity on social media comes with the territory, but I’m often left scratching my head at the extent to which some people will go to get your attention.

How my faith is necessary with social media

Faith First

So, let me tell you how my faith fits into all of this. I have a choice in how I respond to the negative things that people say, and to be honest, sometimes it’s not easy to hold my tongue. It takes a lot to not type exactly what I’m thinking, but I understand  that when I respond in a negative way, it’s a reflection on me, and that’s not a side I want to give to my community. I’ve learned that instead of focusing on the hurtful comment,  it’s much better to divert my attention to something more positive.

One of my morning rituals is to visit SandersWeb for inspiration. During one of those social media storms, I found myself on the site praying for a random Bible verse to show up and get my mind in a better place.

Then, this popped up on my computer screen…

“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” – Galatians 1:10

Seeking approval of man?

Well crap. Thank you, Jesus. It was like a virtual slap in the face that morning, and EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Now although it didn’t last… and I have to keep returning back to this verse from time to time, it still hits home when I need it to.

My Faith Toolkit

To be prepared when the enemy is trying to drag me down, I have my very own “faith toolkit” full of reminders to keep me from wallowing in a dark pit.

Having a faith toolkit keeps me centered and grounded, especially in those times when the dark side of social media tries to step in and take control of my thoughts and how I feel about myself. Not only have I included verses like Galatians 1:10 above, but I have other tools sitting there, well-sharpened, and ready for me to use.

A Few Faith Tools I Use:

  •  I reach in and recall stories and my own experiences and examples of how God has shown up in my life in the past, and rescued me from “man”. Remembering those times is a reality check, and a beautiful reminder that God is there.
  •  I reach out to God-fearing friends who are faithful, and there when I need them. Even if all I have to send is a simple text of “Please pray for me today.” Trust me, asking for help is a HARD one for me. But push through… the love you can receive far outranks the vulnerability.
  •  I look for the GOOD on social media. I’ll head to a Facebook group, an Instagram feed, or even Pinterest for uplifting, faith-based encouragement to get back on the faith-train.

Even only utilizing these three tools, I’m usually back on the up & up during a tough day online.

So Why Not Just Say “Good-Bye” to Social Media?

So you may be asking me:

Jessica, if social media is that “bad” then why don’t you just get off of it, and cancel your accounts?

Yep. Totally get that question, and that seems like the easiest way, right? But, then I’d miss out on all of the wonderful things my friends are sharing and the amazing experiences of those I follow. This is the positive side of social media that I love.

Plus, I understand that no matter what “platform” is used, there will always be someone out there trying to use it to hurt others. Whether it’s social media, a hard copy newspaper article or a stranger on the side of the road holding up a sign bashing someone, they’ll find a way to do it.

Preparation is key. As long as my faith toolkit is filled, and the tools are sharpened, I can handle whatever life throws at me, and however it’s thrown at me.

Just a Couple of “Hmm’s” to Think About

Faith and social media

Friends, as I share all of this with you… please know this is from my heart, and that I’m not a perfect person. I’m totally guilty of judging others, just as we all have, and have even been guilty of looking at my friend next to me, and saying “Oh my gosh, did you see that on Facebook about her?”

So know that I’m imperfect, and I write this to you… just as I’m saying it to myself too.

Now that the too-tight social media shoe’s been on the other foot, here are a couple of thoughts I think about when I find myself on social media, reading that viral post about someone and tempted to cast my opinion (maybe these will help you, too.)

Are You a Silent Troll?

  • Are you sure you’re not sharing or tagging someone in something on social media that could contribute to the hurt of someone else?

As an online media gal, I’ve learned some of the ins and outs of social media over the years, and realize that some may not fully grasp how viral some things can get, by innocently tagging a friend in the comments to read it, sharing, commenting with even just an emoji, or even “liking” a post that someone else has created.

When a post gets likes, shares, a tag and/or comments, the social media platform will see that as a popular post, so it will get “pushed out” to social media even more. In which, can then manifest in to more and more hurt for someone out there in the online world, if the post relates to them in some way.

Or NOT Silent? Well Please Just Remember This.

  • Even if you agree with a hateful post that someone created, wish badly for someone, OR… even create that hateful status update yourself … there is someone out there that hasn’t done anything to you.

These types of posts and comments could be indirectly hurting them, (their child, spouse, mother, sister, brother, etc.) by spreading hate in the online world. When it’s not happening to you, it’s easy to feel that your actions are justified, but what if it were you or your family member?

Which brings me to something else…

The Online World: A Real Person?

  • Because the online world is a virtual one, it’s easy to forget that there’s a real person on the other side of the screen.

Online it’s easy to feel that it’s just us with our laptops. We have a right to our opinion, right? What’s the harm in adding our two or three cents to the growing comment section? Before we know it, we easily slip in to the mindset that what we see/read/hear online, doesn’t involve REAL human beings. Suddenly, we’re pushing compassion aside and saying and doing what feels good at the moment without considering someone’s feelings. Words have power, even if they’re just on a screen.

Sure, we may convince ourselves by saying…

“Well, I just want to share it to protect others by letting “everyone” know.”

I’m sure that’s true in some cases, but is it really the reason we’re sharing it? Or is that just what we tell ourselves, to justify feeding on the negative?

I also truly believe that if you take at least HALF of the people that leave awful comments and status updates on social media about someone, and sat them down in front of the person they were “confronting”, that they’d either hesitate, change their mind, or change up their words in a less-hurtful manner.

The Real Story

Man alive. This. This is so huge.

A joke I often say is

Well I saw it on the Internet, so it must be true, right!?

Then we giggle, and move on with our conversation. But the truth is, anyone can get online and write just about anything they want, whether it’s true or not. Heck, even a newspaper can write something in just a way that makes it sound like something it isn’t.

Taking a second to consider that there could be a deeper story associated with what we’re reading and that we may not know all of the details, gives us a second to reconsider our reaction and take a step back before telling the world how we feel. Despite what we see, there could always be more to the story.

Final Thoughts…

I’m sure it’s far-fetched to say that “everyone” has been attacked, or trolled on social media at some point in their life; however, the reality is, that everyone has, in some degree, been the victim of some sort of hurtful comment or act that someone has created on a social network. (Whether it was towards them, or even towards someone that they care about.)

It’s the world we live in currently. Everyone can have a platform created in minutes to try and ruin someone’s day, or even life, and if you allow it to… your self-worth and value can be diminished, in a second flat, after reading it.

Mindfulness will go a long way toward curbing some of the negative behavior online. Until that happens, I’ll keep using my faith toolkit to get me through.

Need your own Faith toolkit?

I’m sharing my faith toolkit with you. It’s full of my favorite Bible verses and resources. I hope it comes in handy when you’re looking for peace and comfort, during your own “life storm”.

Download it the Faith Toolkit, or by clicking the image below!

Faith Toolkit free printable download

I’m so glad that you came by. I adore having conversations like this with you all, and tend to get deeper in conversation and share more real-life experiences in my love notes that I send out to inboxes every once in a while. To get on that list, just head over and subscribe, and I’ll be in your inbox shortly!

Creamy Crunchy Cucumber Salad Recipe

This Creamy Crunchy Cucumber Salad Recipe is light and delicious, and perfect for summer parties, and makes the most of fresh ingredients and can be made ahead of time so it’s ready to go when you are.

To go right along with the salad recipes theme we’ve been having around here lately, this cucumber salad recipe will be one to add to your list! Also love a tangy, vinegary cucumber salad? This Italian cucumber salad recipe is one to try too!

This creamy crunchy cucumber salad recipe is perfect for a summer dinner party side dish.

A Delicious Summer Side Dish

Hi guys! It’s Chris here, founder of Celebrations At Home blog, where you’ll find inspiration for stylish entertaining, party ideas, and recipes & diy’s to pull it all together.

Today I’m sharing a delicious summer side dish that will put that fresh produce to good use.

This creamy crunchy cucumber salad recipe is cool and refreshing and perfect for those warm nights. It’s a terrific dish to take to a potluck party or BBQ cookouts.

But let’s not forget about all-year long meals… this would also work as the perfect side dish for steak or even this Baked Salmon in Foil!

This creamy salad also lends itself well as a cooling side dish to spicy foods like Indian cuisine. It’s reminiscent of tzatziki sauce (or Benedictine for my Southern friends) so it pairs well with Greek food too. With all these options there’s no excuse not to make this salad!

Pro Tip: To keep the creamy cucumber salad chilled during a party, fill a large bowl with ice and nestle the serving bowl on top of it.

This creamy crunchy cucumber salad is a delicious side dish for potluck parties.

Creamy Cucumber Salad Recipe

I love the flavor of fresh vegetables in the summertime. If you’ve planted a garden and have cucumbers and/or radishes to pick, by all means make this salad. If you’ve planted dill then you get bonus points!

Prepare the Cucumbers

The first thing you’ll need to do is prepare your cucumbers. If you don’t drain the moisture from them with this first step, your salad will get very “liquid-y” after about a day. If you’re going to be eating the creamy cucumber salad right away it’s not that big of a deal; but if you’re hoping to have leftovers or taking it to a potluck party you’ll want to do this step.

All you have to do is slice your cucumbers as directed and sprinkle with salt. Toss them together in a bowl and set aside for about 30 minutes. When ready, you’ll drain the liquid and press the cucumbers dry with a paper towel and you’re ready to go.

Make this creamy crunchy cucumber salad recipe for all your summer parties.

Fresh Vegetable Salad Recipe

While the cucumbers are set aside you can slice your radishes and prepare the creamy dressing.

Once you’ve prepared your dressing and drained the cucumbers, you can mix everything together, cover and refrigerate for at least an hour so the flavors can fully combine. The marriage of cucumbers, cream sauce, and dill are classic and delicious. The addition of the radishes gives extra crunch which I particularly love.

Perfect BBQ Side Dish Recipe

If you want to add variety to your barbecue party, add this fresh and creamy cucumber salad recipe to the table. It’s a nice addition to other classic sides like pasta and potato salad. It goes so well with main dishes like these blue cheese burgers, chicken, this easy steak recipe, or plank grilled salmon.

This creamy crunchy cucumber salad recipe is the perfect summer side dish for grilling and summer barbecues.

Looking For More Easy Recipes?

For more great recipes to add to your weeknight dinner or potluck party lineup, check out more easy side dish recipes!

Recipe

creamy cucumber crunch salad recipe
Print Pin
5 from 5 votes

Creamy Cucumber Crunch Salad Recipe

This Creamy Crunchy Cucumber Salad Recipe is light and delicious, and perfect for summer parties, and makes the most of fresh ingredients!
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 57kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 2 large cucumbers
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 5 radishes
  • 4 ounces plain yogurt
  • ¼ cup light sour cream
  • ¼ cup fresh dill
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • ⅛ teaspoon pepper
  • ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Slice cucumber into thin slices and place in a bowl with ½ teaspoon of salt. Set aside for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, combine yogurt, sour cream, dill, lime juice, pepper, garlic powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt together in medium-sized bowl.
  • Slice radishes very thin and add to yogurt mixture.
  • Drain cucumbers and press dry with a paper towel; add to radishes and yogurt mixture, and toss until evenly combined.
  • Cover and chill for at least an hour. 
  • Makes 4-6 servings.

Notes

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is just a rough estimate and variations can occur depending on the specific ingredients used. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (about ½ cup) | Calories: 57kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 465mg | Potassium: 298mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 405IU | Vitamin C: 8.8mg | Calcium: 80mg | Iron: 0.5mg

Instant Pot® Review: How to Use an Instant Pot®

Instant Pot® Review: How to Use an Instant Pot® – With so many recommending the Instant Pot® pressure cooker, I knew it was something I had to try for myself when it wasn’t seeming like just a fad anymore. I’m so glad that I did. I unboxed it, and made chicken breasts, all in a few minutes. 

Instant Pot Review - How to Use an Instant Pot

Instant Pot® Review

So I’m not going to lie. I’ve heard about the Instant Pot® for a long time, I seriously thought it would be old news in about a couple of months. But then, I started seeing more and more recipes pop up on my Pinterest feed, and even from friends in my Facebook groups, so I knew it was time to try this thing out.

During my self retreat, it was the perfect time to try this bad boy out. So I tapped “record” on my phone, and started filming from the moment I plopped the box up on the counter, so we could go on this pressure cooker journey together.

Instant Pot® Frozen Chicken Breasts:

For the first round of cooking in the “pot”, I thought frozen chicken breasts would be easy and something that I’d cook often in this bad boy.

With just a little salt and water (you have to put a little water or chicken broth in the bottom of the Instant Pot when you cook it), I had chicken breasts ready to eat in about 20 minutes. Say whaaa? Well, just watch in the video below and you’ll see.

No Time to Watch?

No worries, I put my cliff notes of the review and I’ve put a recipe card below to show you how to cook chicken breasts in the Instant Pot® for your quick reference.

How to Use an Instant Pot®

So What’s My Overall Review of the Instant Pot®?

I’m in love. It took me a minute to get familiar with it, but the instruction manual helped me, and in just a couple of minutes I was rocking and rolling.

You do have to put some sort of liquid in it before cooking, determine which setting to “cook” it on, because each recipe will differ… and know that you CAN set the timer to whatever you want it to be.

For instance, if you’re cooking something that doesn’t have a “button” to match what you’re cooking (like “chicken”) no worries. You can choose which setting you want to cook it at, and put the timer on whatever time you want it to cook!

Instant Pot® How-To Cliff Notes:

  1. It will take a few minutes to build up pressure, before the timer starts and cooking starts.
  2. When the cooking begins, it will cook as long as the timer is set for.
  3. After the timer ends, it will naturally cool down unless the “keep warm” button is pushed. You can let it naturally cool down before taking the lid off (make sure the float has lowered back down)… OR you can let the steam out manually. Just be super careful!

Ready to Buy This Thing Too?

So for real… how fun is this thing? If you’re ready to buy one, I don’t blame you. I actually found this exact one on Amazon, and you get buy it HERE. (This is my affiliate link, which means that I could make a commission off of your purchase, for referring you to it… but it comes at no extra expense to you!)

Now I know some of you probably already have one of these, and use it up to 5 nights a week. I totally understand why.

But for those of you who have been intimidated by this thing… be intimidated NO MORE! It was a breeze to use, and now I can’t wait to see what else I can cook in this thing.

Instant Pot® Hard Boiled Eggs?

So before I left my self retreat, I decided I must try to cook boiled eggs in this Instant Pot® too. I had heard that the shells peel off so easy and fast, and if that was even CLOSE to true… then it would be a miracle. Way too many times, I’ve been hangry and grumpy on Easter morning when my boiled eggs for deviled eggs came out wonky.

Sneak Peek: Let me just tell you… they DID come out amazing, and I recorded that little experience too. Look for that video to come at you soon!

How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breasts in the Instant Pot®:

Recipe

Instant Pot Review - How to Use an Instant Pot
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Instant Pot® Frozen Chicken Breasts

Even with frozen chicken breasts, you can have ready to eat chicken breasts in 20 minutes! Chicken breasts cooked in the Instant Pot® is incredibly convenient to eat on all week! 
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 chicken breasts
Calories 257kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Equipment

  • instant pot

Ingredients

  • 4 Frozen Chicken Breasts
  • 1-½ cups Water or Chicken Broth

Instructions

  • Pour water or chicken broth in the bottom of Instant Pot, and then chicken breasts.
  • Attach lid, and turn Instant Pot on, then press the “chicken” setting button on the front. (This is the Instant Pot® that I use.) 
  • Instant Pot will read “on” while pressurizing, and then 15:00 should appear on the display.
  • Once the 15 minutes is up, you can let it naturally cool, or you can release steam from the float.
  • Chicken should be cooked and ready to eat!

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken breast | Calories: 257kcal | Protein: 47g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 144mg | Sodium: 262mg | Potassium: 836mg | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 2.7mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 0.8mg

What Are Your Thoughts on This Pressure Cooker?

So tell me… what is YOUR favorite thing to make in an Instant Pot?

Or tell me if you’ve had one for a while and this gave you the confidence boost to give it a try!?

I can’t wait to hear from you!

Easy DIY Floral Terrarium

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Love making DIY floral arrangements? Then you’ll also love this DIY moss arrangement too.

Hey there Fantabulosity readers! I’m Christene and I blog over at Keys to Inspiration. My blog is all about helping you discover creative, simple, and affordable ways to design a home you love!

One of my passions is creating home decor and teaching others how to create too. Even if you don’t think you’re a crafty person, I can show you how easy it is to create beautiful things for your home on a budget.

During the summertime, I like to keep my home decorations really simple. Afterall, the focus of summer isn’t on what’s going on indoors, but all of the natural beauty outdoors!

So when it comes to decorating my home for summer, I’m always looking for ways to incorporate natural elements. I love to decorate with greenery and flowers throughout the year. And summer is no different.

One of my favorite aspects of summer is seeing all of the gorgeous flowers in full bloom. I wanted a way to bring some of the beauty of summer florals inside of my home. I’ve done basic flower arrangements before, so this time I branched out and created a more unique display.

Let me show you how I made this beautiful floral terrarium.

Easy DIY Floral Terrarium

The items you need for this are simple!

Materials:

Choose a Terrarium

First, you will need to choose a terrarium. You can find terrariums at most craft stores, home decor stores or on Amazon. Terrariums come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. Considering we used a gold terrarium here, this DIY vase idea would look adorable next to this too!

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

For the purpose of this project, it really doesn’t matter which kind of terrarium you choose. Just find one that you love and will fit in with your home decor.

I have been eyeing this gorgeous gold one from Joann Fabrics for a while now. Last time I was there, I had a great coupon so I scooped it up!

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

With this terrarium shape, you can position it to have the opening on the top or the side. I decided that I wanted the opening to be on the side.

Pick a Base

Next, you will need to add a base layer of natural material to your terrarium. You can use things like rocks, pebbles, mulch chips, or even glass beads. But I decided to use a simple white sand as my base.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

I thought that it would be simple enough to let all of the florals stand out. And I just love the combination of white and gold. It’s so pretty!

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Speaking of florals…..

Choose your Florals

You can’t have a floral terrarium without a bunch of different florals.

Personally, I am a sucker for flowers and greenery. I just think they add so much life into a home. If you’ve ever taken a tour of my home, you’ll notice that I love to use florals and greenery to decorate. I tend to stick with the faux options though because I have a black thumb!

For this floral terrarium, you will need to gather a bunch of different floral options. When I was choosing my florals, I went overboard and got a lot more than I actually needed. (Hey…I wanted to keep my options open!)

The number of florals you’ll need will depend on the size of your terrarium. When choosing florals, you’ll want to get a wide variety of textures. The key to making your terrarium look good is lots of different textures!

Here are the best options to look for:

Greenery

Simple greenery stems are great filler pieces. And in my opinion, you can never have too much greenery! Stems like these are perfect for the background sections of your terrarium. (You may also love this DIY moss-covered plant idea!)

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Terrarium with Succulents and Air Plants

I don’t know why, but I’m always drawn to the weird looking plants. Succulents and air plants definitely fall into that category. They tend to have harsher edges and have a whole lot of texture. They also come in a variety of colors.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Flowering Stems

These are your showstoppers! You are going to want to get a few stems of gorgeous floral buds. I love the soft look of these garden roses, so I picked up a few of them. For your terrarium, you are only going to need one or two big showstopper florals. You want these to the be the focal point in your arrangement. You can also grab some smaller floral stems to be accent pieces.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Textured Accents

Remember how I said that texture is important? For your terrarium, you are going to want a wide variety of different textured floral options. Look for stems that have different colors, shapes, and heights. And pay attention to the scale. For my textured items, I tried to choose smaller scale buds and leaves. That way, I didn’t have all of the same sizes throughout my terrarium.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Tips on Finding Florals

My go-to stores for finding inexpensive florals are always craft stores. I am a regular at Michael’s and Joann Fabrics because both are so close to my home. But I also like to venture to Hobby Lobby.

You can always find deals on floral items at craft stores. And, there are almost always coupons available too so that you can save even more money! For this project, I actually got all of my florals from the clearance section because they were marked as “spring” florals. I saved so much money by not just shopping under the “summer” section and instead, looking at last season’s items.

I bought a mixture of full-sized stems and some wreath picks. Joann Fabrics always has a huge wreath pick section for each season. Most of those textured floral items are actually wreath picks and some were only $0.50 because of the clearance deals! #CraftingWin

Assemble your Terrarium

Now that you have all of your floral stems, it’s time to start assembling your terrarium. To prep your florals for arranging, take a pair of scissors or wire cutters and cut the stems down to shorter lengths.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!
Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

This next part of the project is more of an “art” — there aren’t really any exact steps to follow. And I know that might drive some of you, who are like me, crazy! I’m the type of girl who loves to have step-by-step detailed instructions. But some projects you just have to tweak and adjust until you get the “look” you are going for. Here’s how I assembled my terrarium.

First, I placed a large succulent in the middle of the terrarium. I wanted something to anchor the whole arrangement that was simple also interesting to look at.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Then, I grabbed a few of my greenery stems and cut them into smaller sections. I placed a few of these in the back of the terrarium to start building a backdrop.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Then, I added a textured floral stem to the middle back part of the arrangement. See how the different scales and colors are already starting to add interest to the terrarium?

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Next, I cut one of my red textured pieces and placed it off to the side, sort of sticking out a little. Look at that pop of color!

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Then I added one of the off-white textured pieces to the other side. This time I angled it slightly out to the side but also forward.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

Next, I decided to add my showstopper — my gorgeous garden rose! I placed the rose off to the side, but also in front of the other floral items. It really draws your attention and it’s so pretty!

Then, I added in my smaller floral buds. This stem had a bunch of pink florals all on one stem but in a smaller scale than my garden rose. I tucked it into the middle back part of the arrangement.

At this point, I thought that the left side needed a little more color. So, I grabbed another one of my red textured pieces and nestled it in behind the large succulent.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

And then I filled in some of the space right underneath it with this smaller blue-green stem. This was one of my favorite pieces because it added a whole different type of texture that the other florals didn’t have.

Finally, I added one last piece — a unique looking succulent with really sharp, harsh edges. This piece helped to break up all of the soft florals with a more rigid texture. I also love the light blue-green color!

Once my terrarium looked full enough from all angles, I decided that I was done.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

I absolutely love how this little project turned out! It was really simple and easy to put together. And overall, it’s just beautiful!

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

You can use your terrarium as decor almost anywhere in your home. I decided to display mine on our console table in our dining room. This is one of my favorite spots to decorate for each season.

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!
Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

A floral terrarium would also make the perfect centerpiece for a summer gathering. You can throw it together and have a unique display that your guests will love. The best part is, it won’t die like real flowers. 😉

Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!
Create this easy DIY floral terrarium using only a few supplies. This tutorial will show you how to make a beautiful terrarium for your home!

I hope that you enjoyed this easy DIY tutorial and that I’ve inspired you to create a floral terrarium for your home. Come visit me at Keys to Inspiration for more!

Let me know if you end up making one for your home. I would love to see pictures too! Have a great week!

Sugar Cookies with Nutella® Hazelnut Spread

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of my partnership with Nutella®. All opinions are mine.

Sugar Cookies with Nutella® Hazelnut Spread: Spreading Nutella® on to this sugar cookie recipe is an easy and delicious treat that your family will LOVE!

Sugar Cookies topped with Nutella

Sugar Cookies with Nutella® Hazelnut Spread

It never fails. During one of our family get-togethers during the holidays, someone asks,

“Jessica, can you bring a dessert?”

Well this year, I’m volunteering to bring a dessert to our family gatherings, because I can’t WAIT to have them all try these Sugar Cookies with Nutella® hazelnut spread.

I’m excited about these for a couple of reasons. One, they’re crazy good. Two, my nephew is allergic to peanut butter (but not to hazelnuts!) and I try very carefully to think of desserts and dishes that won’t put him at risk if he walks up to the dessert table.

He LOVES Nutella® hazelnut chocolate spread, so I can’t wait to include one of his favorites in this recipe!
Not only do I think he’ll love these, but the rest of the family will too!

Best Sugar Cookies for Decorating AND eating!

First, start out with my ever so favorite sugar cookie recipe, to make the base of this recipe. It’s a favorite of mine because it doesn’t have to be chilled, and the flavorful ingredients make this cookie the PERFECT base for this recipe.

Best Sugar Cookies for Decorating AND eating!

Pro Tip: I love using big-white, art paper, to roll my sugar cookies out. It keeps my counter “cleaner,” and I can just roll it up and throw it in the trash when I’m done rolling them out.

Sprinkle a little flour on the paper, that way the cookie dough doesn’t stick!

Nutella on top of sugar cookies is amazing!

Spread Nutella® on Top

Nutella® hazelnut spread has become a household favorite, and we love spreading it on to new things for fun creations, or to make a dessert centered around Nutella, like this No Bake Nutella Cheesecake!

Nutella as a topping on cookie
Round sugar cookies with nutella topping
Strawberries, walnuts, and pretzels on top of sugar cookies
Strawberries, walnuts, and pretzels on top of sugar cookies
Spread Nutella on top of cookies

A Little Bit Goes a Long Way

Once the cookies are baked and have cooled, it’s time to spread the Nutella® on. Keep in mind that a little bit of Nutella® goes a long way. The flavor of the Nutella® on top of the sugar cookies is heavenly. I’ll have a hard time making sugar cookies any other way from now on. I mean, how much easier can this get?

Spread Nutella on top of sugar cookies - chocolate hazelnut spread
Piped on Nutella, on to sugar cookies with strawberries, walnuts, pretzels.
Top the sugar cookies with Nutella and other toppings
Place sliced strawberries on top of the sugar cookies with Nutella

Fruit, Nuts, and Pretzels

How cute and fun do these cookies look, topped with strawberries, walnuts and pretzels? Not only cute but the flavor of the toppings combined with the Nutella® is INCREDIBLE. You can top your cookies with fruit, nuts, and pretzels… or with Nutella® alone. Either way, they’re going to be a crowd pleaser at your holiday gathering.

Pretzels on top of sugar cookies
Sliced strawberries on top of sugar cookies with Nutella

Skip the traditional sugar cookie recipe and make this sugar cookie recipe with chocolate chips for some added chocolate.

Walnuts on top of sugar cookies with Nutella

If you loved these, then you’ll also LOVE these:

Recipe

Sugar Cookies topped with Nutella
Print Pin
5 from 2 votes

Sugar Cookies with Nutella® Hazelnut Spread

Sugar cookies topped with Nutella and strawberries make the best dessert recipe! 
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings 24 cookies
Calories 160kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 1 cup softened butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon butter vanilla emulsion Can use regular vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond emulsion Can use regular almond extract
  • 1 egg
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3 cups flour
  • Nutella® 1 Tbsp. per cookie
  • Sliced Strawberries
  • Walnuts
  • Pretzels

Instructions

  • Heat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Cream the butter and sugar
  • Add in extract and eggs
  • In a separate bowl, combine flour and baking powder
  • Slowly add flour mixture to wet ingredients, until mixed
  • Place dough out on a rolling surface
  • LIGHTLY sprinkle with flour, IF necessary, to reduce sticking (too much flour can make the dough crumbly)
  • Knead dough, and roll out to a ¼ thickness
  • Cut cookies into desired shapes
  • Bake for 6-8 minutes
  • Once cookies are cooled, spread on about 1 tablespoon of Nutella® on to each cookie.
  • If desired, top cookies with sliced strawberries, nuts, and/or pretzels. Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 160kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 63mg | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Assorted sugar cookies with Nutella on top

I’m so excited to be able to bring along a dessert this year to our family holiday gathering, that will make my nephew and other family members smile. I have a feeling I’m going to be asked to bring these every year!

I’d love to hear what YOU like to spread Nutella® on too!

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies Recipe

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Chex, however, the opinions and text are all mine! #Sponsored

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies: Chex Party Mix is a crowd favorite that doesn’t require lots of time and effort. It keeps you out of the kitchen, and enjoying the party.

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies

Do you have those “go-to” recipes for when you’re hosting a party? I sure do, and you can almost guarantee that they’re recipes that are quick, easy and if possible… made ahead of time.

This hot chocolate dip recipe would also be amazing for a party, and you could even make these hot chocolate gifts as party favors!

A Party Favorite | Or Anytime Snack Favorite, Really

When I was a little girl, I fell in love the first time my mom made Muddy Buddies! I watched her make them, and when I realized how easy they were, I started making them myself. From that moment on, it has been a snack that gets made all year long, ESPECIALLY for parties. Whether it’s a savory or sweet recipe, Chex Party Mix is an easy, crowd-favorite recipe to make for the holidays, so I want to share this fun spin on a classic recipe with you.

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies Recipe

When thinking about a fun spin to put on the original Muddy Buddies recipe, we took the time of year in to consideration and thought that incorporating “hot chocolate” would be VERY fitting, and potentially delicious! Boy were we right. I can’t wait to share this recipe with you below, and walk you through the quick and easy steps.

Rice Chex with General Mills - Muddy Buddies Recipe

Chex

For this recipe, I chose Rice Chex, but you can use Corn Chex or even Chocolate Chex!

I love using ingredients that can shave off time, and Chex is NO exception! Chex gets the party started with recipes made in 15 minutes or less.

Hot cocoa muddy buddies ingredients recipe

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies Tutorial

You’ll start by measuring your Chex in to a bowl, and in a separate bowl you’ll melt the chocolate chips, peanut butter, butter, and vanilla.

Hot Cocoa Muddy Buddies Recipe using CHEX

Once melted, you’ll poor the chocolate peanut butter mixture over the top of the Chex.

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies Recipe

Stir to coat the Chex, completely.

Coat the Chex with chocolate and peanut butter - muddy buddies

You can then pour them in to a 2-gallon food storage plastic bag, with the powdered sugar and hot chocolate mix! Seal and shake!
(We mixed ours in to a super large bowl, but shaking in a plastic bag is MUCH easier!)

Add powdered sugar in for muddy buddies
Hot Chocolate Mix - Muddy Buddies Recipe with Chex
Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies Recipe

As much as I love the original Muddy Buddies recipe, I can’t help but swoon over the addition of the hot chocolate mix. It gave it a whole new fun flavor.

Once the Chex are fully coated, toss in some mini marshmallows to bring in a bit more of a “hot chocolate” feel! Then…you’re all set for snacking!

Hot Cocoa Muddy Buddies Recipe

Creative Tip: Take one of your “go-to” recipes, and add a little spin to mix things up a bit.

Adding a few crushed peppermint candies to the mix was a seasonal touch that brought in the holidays perfectly!

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies with Peppermint Candies Recipe

I so hope you enjoy this recipe! But feel free to take a classic Chex Party Mix recipe and add your own personal spin to spread the holiday joy! Visit Chex.com for more fun recipes like this one!

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies

To browse MORE quick and easy recipes, you’ll want to visit our recipe archives HERE to add to your favorite Pinterest board!

Recipe

Hot chocolate muddy buddies in white bowl
Print Pin
4.72 from 7 votes

Hot Chocolate Muddy Buddies Recipe

Rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and sweet powdered sugar cover these Chex mix cereal for a delicious snack! Make this easy recipe for a crowd-pleasing holiday recipe.
Course Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 18 servings
Calories 200kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 9 cups Rice Chex™ Corn Chex™ or Chocolate Chex™ cereal (or combination)
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • ¼ cup butter or margarine
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1-½ cups powdered sugar
  • 3 individual serving packets of Hot Chocolate we used .73 oz. packets
  • miniature marshmallows optional
  • crushed peppermint optional

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.
  • In a 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter, and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir.
  • Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated.
  • Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag. Add powdered sugar and hot cocoa powder. Seal bag; shake until well coated.
  • Add marshmallows and crushed peppermint candies if desired. Shake.
  • Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (½ cup) | Calories: 200kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 189mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 335IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 5.3mg

Easy Pico De Gallo Recipe

Easy Pico De Gallo Recipe: Doing this one simple step during the process will MAKE this your favorite homemade pico recipe! 

Easy Pico De Gallo Recipe - SOOOO so good with the lime juice and cilantro

Easy Pico De Gallo Recipe

My girlfriend Kate came over the other day, and we had cooking on the agenda to create some recipes for the Slightly Homemade Dinners cookbook. A Catalina Taco Salad (yes, yum… right?) was on the list, and we needed some pico for garnish.

I looked at her and said,

Does our grocery store even have fresh pico?

She followed with,

No, but we can totally make our own… really easy.

So we rolled with it, and I’m SO thankful that we did. It was incredible.

Easy pico de gallo recipe - the cilantro and lime mixed with the tomatoes and onions are to die for! So fresh with one little trick.

There’s a Secret

I’ve never really disliked pico, but I didn’t realize how much better making fresh pico at home could be… than pico that’s pre-made at the store, or even served in restaurants. It seems as if a lot of pico is runny and soupy, which is… well, ok. But when Kate told me the secret step to amazing pico, is to scoop out the seeds and juices from the middle… it became a GAME CHANGER.

By doing this, it creates a whole new CRISP texture that’s incredibly hard to beat.

Easy Pico De Gallo Recipe - With using this technique, it makes an incredible fresh pico!

Now we ended up putting most of this pico on top of the taco salad that we made, but we completely finished it off with a bag of tortilla chips, in no time.

Don’t be afraid to serve a side of this pico and chips as an appetizer at a party, or even as a side dish for your family dinner on a busy weeknight. You can make this recipe super quick and even eat on it for days as a snack!

Recipes that serve multiple purposes are my FAVORITE!

If you love quick and easy recipes, you won’t find anything but that in our recipe archives. Take a browse, and pin your favorite on Pinterest for a quick reference!

Recipe

Easy pico de gallo in a square dish.
Print Pin
4.50 from 4 votes

Easy Pico De Gallo Recipe

Fresh tomatoes, cilantro, onion with a pinch of salt and dash of lemon juice is all it takes to make this easy pico de gallo recipe. Pair with chips for the ultimate appetizer!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6 servings (makes about 3 cups)
Calories 16kcal
Author Jessica Burgess

Ingredients

  • 5 roma tomatoes
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 small white onion peeled and diced
  • juice of 1 lime or 3 Tablespoons of prepared lime juice

Instructions

  • Slice the Roma tomatoes in half, scoop out and discard seeds.
  • Dice tomatoes and onions in small pieces
  • Mix in the cilantro, salt, and lime juice. Serve!

Notes

Super important to discard insides of tomatoes. This helps reduce juices and capture the texture desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving (about ½ cup) | Calories: 16kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sodium: 390mg | Potassium: 149mg | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 440IU | Vitamin C: 8.4mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.2mg

Yogurt and Pudding Bar

This post has been sponsored by Wholesome. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Yogurt and Pudding Bar Ideas: How fun for a healthy option for kids

Yogurt and Pudding Bar

Each year when a birthday rolls around for one of my kiddos, I LOVE thinking outside of the box. Now, with blogging, I get to style a lot of parties all year long. So to mix it up a bit, and to keep things exciting, I love asking my littles what kind of birthday party they want to have, and what they’d like to have at their parties.

So with one of my littles parties this year, we sat down and talked out something fun that we could do for his birthday. When we started talking about his favorite things to snack on, the idea of a yogurt and pudding bar was born! We LOVE food bars for parties, so it was a no-brainer.

How fun to let him and his little friends, make their own yogurt or pudding creation with different toppings!

Kids Love It, Momma Loves It

I was thrilled when he was onboard to have a yogurt and pudding bar, instead of the traditional cake and ice cream. So I headed to the store and gathered all that we needed to build it.

Yogurt and Pudding Bar Topping Ideas

Filling the bar with fun and smarter choices for toppings, it helped me feel so much better about what my kids and their friends were eating while celebrating. This style of food bar is great for those that prefer a healthy lifestyle!

Yogurt and Pudding Bar - Kids party ideas

Yogurt + Pudding

To keep things simple, we only offered two different kinds of yogurt/pudding: Plain yogurt, and chocolate pudding. We also put them out in individual bowls, so it made it easy to grab and go!

Other Yogurt Options: Vanilla, Banana, Blueberry, Strawberry

Other Pudding Options: Vanilla, Tapioca, Rice, Swirl

Delish Fish candies on a dessert bar at a party

Candy

My little guy headed to the store with me, and helped me pick out a lot of the toppings for the yogurt and pudding bar, which made it part of the fun! He’s a “snacker,” so this was right up his alley. We browsed the candy aisle and took a good hard look at the Wholesome Candy line, and decided Wholesome DelishFish was the one!

He loves the Wholesome DelishFish, and I do too! They’re:

• Made with real, recognizable ingredients

• Organic

• Have no synthetic colors (like RED 40)

• Gluten-Free, Vegan, and Kosher

• No artificial flavors

• Contain no high fructose corn syrup

I feel a LOT better about letting him have these, when he wants something to satisfy his sweet tooth! I have to admit… I had quite the “taste surprise” when I tried one of these. It’s so nice to enjoy these, without worrying about what’s really in them. 

Toppings for a yogurt bar, and pudding bar! So fun for adults and kids at any party
Coconut flakes for a yogurt and ice cream bar topping idea. DIY yogurt and build your own pudding bar

Fruit, Nuts, + More

Then, you can also fill your yogurt and pudding bar with other fun toppings like fruit, nuts, granola, coconut, and raisins!

Kids make your own pudding bar

For Adult Fun Too

I absolutely love how this party idea can be a win-win for parents too. Parents love the option to create their own fun yogurt/pudding too! (Think how fun/adorable this would be for baby showers, holidays, bridal showers, etc.)

Adults make your own yogurt bar
Yogurt and Pudding Bar Ideas

Fun + Easy

Styling and creating a Yogurt and Pudding bar can be easy, and can be incredibly fun for guests. So the next time you’re hosting, you may consider thinking outside the box and creating your own!

Yogurt and Pudding Bar

Gift Basket Ideas – For Men, Women, Babies, Holiday’s & More!

Gift Basket Ideas – For Men, Women, Babies, Holiday’s & More! Easy gift baskets you can re-create, with fun themes for anyone on your list!

I’m not sure what it is, but when it comes to gift giving, creating a gift basket for someone is always my first thought. They’re full of goodies, and SURELY there will be something in the basket that the recipient will love, right?

I also feel like it looks like more heart and thought went in to the gift, rather than just picking something up at the last minute and throwing it in to a gift bag. (I’m totally guilty of doing that by the way.)

Gift Basket Ideas – For Men, Women, Babies, Holiday’s & More!

If you’re on a hunt for gift basket ideas, then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve compiled all of our gift basket ideas right here on this post. That way, you can take a peek to find one that tickles your fancy, and click through the one you pick and get the tutorial on how to re-create it yourself!

Aw, how cool is this! DIY Gift Idea: Sangria for Friends, housewarming, for women, new neighbor, anyone! Who wouldn't love this!? They can even use the drink dispenser again and again!

DIY Sangria Kit Gift Idea

Even though it’s not a “basket,” it’s by far one of the most popular gift ideas on the blog, so I wanted to include it here first! Fill a drink dispenser with the contents to make a sangria and it’s the gift that keeps on giving. Get the tutorial for this wine gift idea!

DIY Housewarming Gift Basket

Giving a housewarming gift basket is one of my favorite ways to welcome someone to the neighborhood, or to congratulate a friend on their new home. See what’s all included in this DIY Housewarming Gift Basket!

Gift Idea for Him- I think you're red Hot Gift Basket Ideas

“You’re RED Hot!” – Gift Basket for Men

Gift ideas for men can be hard to come by. So when it was time to give a gift to my husband for Valentine’s Day, I filled a toolbox that he could use over and over again with all things red! Get more “You’re RED Hot” gift basket ideas for a Valentine’s Day Gift Basket Idea!

This is so smart! Sending necessities to those who've recently lost someone, so they don't have to worry about having things on hand for guests. Sympathy Gift Basket Idea for bereavement, grieving, funeral, and condolence.

Sympathy Gift Basket

During a time of loss, it can be so hard to think of something to do for someone we love and care about. I’ll never forget when someone gifted us a gift basket like this when we lost my husband’s father. It was incredibly helpful, and something I’ll always remember. Get the tutorial for the Sympathy Gift Basket idea Sympathy Gift Basket Idea.

New Baby Gift Basket Ideas https://fantabulosity.com

Gift Basket for a New Baby

If you’ve found yourself in a position where everything has already been purchased from the baby registry, or if you just want to give someone a sweet gift after their new baby has arrived… our new baby gift basket idea may be just what you’re looking for. Get the tutorial AND free printable for this new baby gift basket New Baby Gift Basket!

Bread Basket Hostess Gift Idea: DIY and FREE Printable!! fantabulosity

Hostess Bread Basket Gift Idea

What is it about bread that encompasses “comfort?” If you’re attending a party, housewarming, or any other occasion where you find yourself visiting a friends home, take along this bread basket gift. Filled with wine, bread, and a yummy homemade fruit butter… your friends/family will be overjoyed! Get the tutorial for this hostess gift basket idea!

Sunshine Gift Basket or Box Ideas! fantabulosity.com

Sunshine Gift Basket Idea

Bring a little sunshine to someone in your life by filling a box, basket, bucket, or anything you can think of with everything YELLOW! Get the tutorial and free printable for this Sunshine Gift Basket Idea!

Gift basket idea for men or women

Take It Easy Gift Basket

If you’re looking for gift baskets for men or women… or even holiday gift baskets, a “Take it Easy” gift basket may be the perfect idea! Who doesn’t love to take it easy, and who wouldn’t LOVE to get a basket full of things to help them relax! Get the tutorial and links to purchase some of the goodies you see Relaxation Gift Basket!

"You're Sweet" Gift Idea. This is PERFECT for a hostess gift idea, or gift idea for best friend! fantabulosity.com

“You’re Sweet” Gift

If you have a friend that loves to bake, a “sweet” gift to give is an adorable little baking pan filled with baking accessories that they may not buy themselves. A small gift that packs big sweetness. Get the tutorial “You’re sweet” Gift Basket Idea!

Happy Pops Day! Father's Day Gift Idea! Love this! https://fantabulosity.com

Happy “POPS” Day!

When Father’s Day comes around again this year, keep this gift basket idea in mind. Or, if you’re looking for a gift idea for dad for his birthday or any other holiday… you can easily change this to “You’re the Best, “Pop!” Get the tutorial for this Father’s Day Gift Basket Idea!

I can SO do this!!! Coffee Bar Party: "You've Warmed My Heart," theme! LOVE what she did as a random act of kindness with her guests! DIY Coffee bar ideas galore, and SO easy! fantabulosity.com

“You’ve Warmed my Heart” Thank You Gift Basket

If there is someone in your life that you want to “thank,” a “You’ve Warmed my Heart,” gift basket may be fitting for the occasion. See how we incorporated these gift baskets in with a coffee bar party “Thank you” gift basket!

Teacher Survival Kit - Teacher Gift Idea https://fantabulosity.com

Teacher Survival Kit

What better way to thank a teacher, or prepare them for the school year, than a Teacher Survival Kit!? Get the tutorial of what all we put in our teacher gift basket idea!

Holiday Baking Kit, DIY Christmas gift idea

Holiday Baking Kit

If you know someone who LOVES to bake, gifting them with a holiday baking kit may be right up their alley! Filled with cookie and cake mixes, frosting and TONS of sprinkles… it will surely be a hit.

Meal Care Package

Did someone you know bring home a new baby? What about someone who’s had a rough go lately, and could use dinner delivered? This meal care package idea is a great way to show them you’re thinking about them! Get the tutorial for this Meal Care Package!

Red Box Movie Night Gift Idea fantabulosity.com

Movie Night In

What a fun way to give a family a head start to a fun family night in! A gift basket (or box) filled with the goodies to create a fun family movie night! Get the tutorial for this Movie Night Gift Basket!

DIY House Warming Gift Ideas. Mason Jar Drink dispenser with all of those "always need," items when moving in! Awesome! https://fantabulosity.com

Welcome to the Neighborhood Gift Idea

Filling a drink dispenser full of items that someone may need for all of the moving struggles and breaking in the new house, is a great way to show someone you’re thinking about them during the move! Plus, the drink dispenser can be used to fill with a favorite beverage to quench the thirst after all of that hard labor of moving and decorating! Get the tutorial for this Welcome to the Neighborhood Gift Basket Idea!

Sick Kit - Get Well Gift for Kids & Mom https://fantabulosity.com

TLC Kit- Get Well Soon!

Know someone under the weather? How amazing would it be to receive a gift box full of medicine and other goodies to help comfort during a time of feeling so awful!? Get the tutorial for this Get Well Gift Basket Idea!

Have I Forgotten Any?

Whew… now that’s a lot of gift basket ideas right?! I sure hope you found one that you want to create too! Is there a gift basket idea that you’d love to see added to this list? Let me know in the comments below, and I’ll see if I can create something!

Halloween Party Ideas

Halloween Party Ideas: A fun, easy party table for snacks for trick-or-treaters or for a party that you’re hosting!

Halloween Party Ideas for kids - Fantabulosity.com

A Wicked Play Date – Halloween Party Tablescape

My boys are at the age where just about ANYTHING is fun, or can be turned in to a lot of fun. So each time a holiday rolls around, they get extremely excited and love to get in to the theme.

Halloween is probably one of their favorites. They dress up in costumes all year long (and love making these Nutter Butter mummy cookies) so when they’re “supposed” to wear costumes to Halloween parties and for trick or treating… well they’re on cloud 9.

This year, as part of the Make it Martha team for Martha Stewart.com, I received fun goodies from the Martha Stewart line at Michael’s and thought I’d create a fun play date party table for the kids and a couple of their friends.

Halloween Party Decor

The party-ready Halloween decor made decorating for this wicked play date, SO easy. The dimensional decor, diecuts, washi tape, and other goodies all went together so well that it took out all of the guesswork of styling the table.

Martha Stewart Halloween Decorations for Party at Michael's - Fantabulosity.com
Martha Stewart Halloween Decorations for Party at Michael's - Fantabulosity.com
Halloween Party Decorating Ideas - Martha Stewart from Michael's
Halloween Party Decorating Ideas - Martha Stewart Die Cuts
Halloween Washi Tape from Martha Stewart from Michael's - Fantabulosity.com

I already had the kraft favor bags on hand, and decided to dress them up with the washi tape and stickers from the collection, and it was the perfect touch! (And SO SO easy.)

Fill treat bags with this Halloween Snack Mix and you’ll have very happy guests!

Halloween Party Favors - Washi Tape and treat bags
Halloween Party Die Cuts from Martha Stewart are an easy way to add tabletop decor
Halloween Party Favors - Monster Eye Glasses

Halloween Party Food

My boys LOVE a good donut. I guess it’s safe to say that they get that from their mother. (It’s my rainy day pick-me-up, kryptonite.) So after realizing that they were about to be overflowing with candy from the school parties and actual trick or treating on Halloween, I wanted something other than candy.

So donuts it is! (Besides… I secretly wanted an excuse to buy both kinds of donuts.) After seeing others put scary teeth inside donuts at Halloween parties, it was a MUST for these too. I literally chucked every time I looked at these. Then, with the white powdered donuts… well those just needed some googly eyes to make them a little more fun.

I wish I would have made this pumpkin patch with strawberry pumpkins too but I ran out of time!

Monster Donuts for a Halloween Party for kids - food idea
Halloween Party Food Ideas - Monster Donuts Fantabulosity.com

If you love these donuts, you’re also going to love how easy it is to make these mummy rice krispie treats!

Halloween Donuts - Candy Eyes and white powdered donuts. So cute for a halloween party idea

Halloween Party Drink

For some reason when I think of drinks for a Halloween party, I think of RED. So we loved making this fruit punch recipe and dicing up fruit to add some character.

The “poison” stickers really made a statement though! You can get these poison stickers if you’d like to do the same!

Halloween Party Drink Idea - poison potion
Halloween Party Drink Ideas - Poison Potion - Sangria Mocktail

Are You Hosting A Halloween Party?

The boys absolutely swooned over the table full of tricks & treats, and it was the perfect jumpstart for all of the Halloween festivities!

If you’re looking for a fun Halloween craft for kids to make, this Ghost craft idea is fun for kiddos as little as toddlers to older kids!

Halloween Party Ideas for Kids - Martha Stewart from Michael's - Fantabulosity
Halloween Party Play Date Ideas - Fantabulosity

I mean… those eyes, right?! I rarely say no to this one.

To check out more of our parties and holiday-themed ideas, you can browse away all things holidays, especially if you’d love to see another purple party like this one!

How to Respect Your Husband & How it May Save a Marriage

How to respect your husband and How it May Save Your Marriage – Respecting our husband is HARD at times, but it could be what saves our relationships.
 
How to Respect Husband - In marriage

How to Respect Your Husband & How it May Save a Marriage

Respecting my husband. I’m awful at it.
Can I get real with you for a minute? Our 9 year wedding anniversary (but 19 years together) is coming up this week. For all of those years, I THOUGHT I respected my husband. I’d even argue the fact when we would get in to quarrels.
I mean, in my head I did respect him for some areas in life. But my “always having to be right” attitude/personality crippled me/us more than I realized. Or the thought of “Well he’s my husband and my boy’s dad… it’s his job. He should HAVE to help/do this for me,” would become my snotty attitude.
Now, don’t get me wrong… I’m talking “past tense” in this post, because I’m still struggling and learning about respecting my husband today.
 
 

You May Also Love This Marriage Talk:

 
 

So Why the “How to Respect Your Husband” Jargon?

I started reading the book “Love and Respect,” (Thank you to who referred this book to me) a few weeks ago, and I haven’t even reached the part where it gives us tips on how to respect my husband.
BUT… it has covered WHY it is so stinking important in a marriage, and what kind of crazy good returns it can have when we respect our husbands. Our husbands want/NEED respect from us, while we want “love” from our husbands.

“Respect Testing” 

Now, I’ve started “testing,” if you will… being super intentional about respecting my husband, and holy smokes ladies. We still don’t have a perfect marriage, and we still get in to quarrels… but the closeness and husband superhero-tendencies, have REALLY shown through as an outcome of this respect practicing.
 
Perhaps I’m noticing these changes because he really does feel respected, so he’s showing me more love in the process… or it could also be that my mental mindset of respecting him has shifted, instead of focusing on what he does wrong and how I feel that he’s not loving me in certain ways. Whatever it is… I’ll take it.

For Real… Read It.

So do I think you need to read the book? YES.
Do you hate to read? I do. Here’s what I did…
 
Since I despise reading, I downloaded the Kindle version on my phone, and I read it when I’m going to bed at night and can’t fall asleep because I’m thinking about all of the stressful things going on in my life right now. (Instead of spending that time browsing Facebook and Pinterest like I used to.)
It makes my mind pause and push those awful thoughts to the back burner, and focuses on my marriage and the love and respect I want it to have.
I also read this when I wake up in the middle of the night, and can’t go back to sleep. (Reading puts me to sleep if you haven’t gathered this already.)

My Marriage Depends On It 

So although I can’t stand to read, I knew this was a book that I had to read and I had to find a way that I would. I hope if you decide to read this too, that you find a way that works best for you. Whether it be a hard copy, an audio version, or a digital version like me… please know that I truly feel my marriage depended on this, in this moment in life, and I’m so thankful already for the first few chapters of this book. It’s not a cure-all, and we won’t all have a perfect marriage because of this book. But after reading this, I’m able to say to myself… “I truly believe I’m doing everything I know how to do in this moment, to make my marriage better than it is.”

Gag. He Needs to EARN My Respect!

If you even have the SLIGHTEST feeling that you may not be respecting your husband like you could… give this book a read. If you find yourself saying, “Oh Jessica, gag. When he starts earning my respect, I’ll give it to him.” Know that I was/am still a bit there. But I’ve also learned that, that kind of attitude isn’t doing anyone any good. Including myself, my kids, or my husband.

Is It You? 

I woke up at 4:50 this morning, with this heavy on my mind so I jumped out of bed to share this with you all. I don’t know if that’s because someone needed to hear it, or I posted it just to acknowledge it myself… but either way, I hope it helps someone today.
 
You can snag the book on Amazon here: 

Love and Respect

(That’s my affiliate link, which means I could make like 20 cents if you use it. So don’t think I’m referring this book to you to get rich. I truly am referring this book to you to enhance your marriage/life, and I love using my affiliate links to track and see if any of you are interested in books/reading. Feel free to type in “Love and Respect” in to your Amazon search bar if you don’t want to use my referral link.)
 

What Others Have Told Me About this Book…

In our Creating Your Happy group (more on that below), other’s have read this book and this is what some of them have said about it:
 
Savanna:
“My husband and I actually went through the Love and Respect class….twice….PRE marriage. We still regularly remind each other to “speak pink/blue”. It’s difficult to do at times, for SURE…. but as you said… HOLY MOLY the results are a much happier marriage!”
Dottie:
“Read it yrs ago and it absolutely hit home. I think I’ll pick it up again for a refresher!”

The Fab Society Facebook Group 

I’d love to hear from you below if you have anything you want to share! Even if you just want to join my “I suck(ed) at respecting my husband for years,” club, so I know I’m not alone. 🙂
“The Fab Society” is a sister of the life + style blog, Fantabulosity.com, a place where we encourage women to find their passions in life, and overall happiness. Watch some of our recent Creating Your Happy videos on topics like marriage, finance, parenting and so much more, like this one here:

As a mom, wife, sister, friend, employee, boss, and whatever else society calls you… we sometimes need to be reminded what it is that makes us happy, so we can fulfill our duties with the best intentions and that way we choose and want.

DISCLAIMER from the owner/founder: “I fail each day, trying to be the “best,” mom, wife, sister, and friend. But if I can be intentional & recognize one LITTLE thing that I accomplished that day… I can be “happy,” with that, and should celebrate it.”

Please feel free to post in our group any celebrations (big or small) that you’d like for us to celebrate with you. Sometimes seeing it on “paper” can help us acknowledge and appreciate it even more. XOXO

Join Now for FREE!

How respecting your husband can save your marriage

Overnight Self Care Kit Gift Idea

This post has been sponsored by Philips Sonicare™ and I have received free product to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overnight Self Care Kit Gift Idea: A gift idea that keeps on giving, with the makeup bag and other goodies that she’d never buy for herself, who deserves so much!

Overnight Toiletries Bag Gift Idea - Self Care

Overnight Self Care Kit Gift Idea

I am such a sucker for giving gift baskets and gifts that are full of other little gifts. I’m especially a fan of giving gifts that keep on giving, by filling a container or object with something that can be used over and over again! It brings a whole new level to a gift when it’s something they can hold on to and use again and again, instead of tossing it in the trash. (i.e. paper gift bag)

Taking Care of the “Carer”

Someone on my gift-giving list, deserves to get a little extra treatment this year. My mom is not only the woman who took care of me from day ONE, but has continued to be someone in my life that I can turn to when I need support, and someone who will celebrate the special things with me.

When I sat and thought about what to get her this year, I knew it was time to repay her (although I’ll NEVER be able to repay her fully) for the love, hard work, and CARE that she has given me, all 34 years of my life. I decided to create a gift for her that she could take care of herself with for a change, and filled it with items she may never purchase for herself. With this gift, I’m going to encourage her to take this bag, take an overnight trip with one of her friends, and take some time for herself! I can’t wait to show you what all I put in this for her, to give you ideas of how you can create your own for someone too!

Overnight Care Kit Gift Idea

Philips Sonicare 2 Series

On my monthly weekly Target run the other day, I started scouting out goodies to include in my mom’s self care kit gift. The Philips Sonicare 2 Series is definitely the hero in this gift. (I usually try to include one “wow factor” gift in each “basket” I make, and then surround it with other, smaller goodies.) When I saw that it came in PINK, it was like the gift gods were smiling down on me. Not only would my mom love something like this, but being able to get something for her that she’d normally skip buying for herself, was perfect. Then of course, the fact that it comes in pink is a huge bonus for a gift all about her!

Sonicare toothbrush - self care gift idea

I love how it comes apart, so it fits easily in the overnight bag and looks super classy!

Now, if you’re making this gift for someone who’s not in to pastel pink, they come in other exclusive colors (only at Target) of blue, steel and aqua, so there’s a color for everyone in the whole family! But even if you’re not able to make an overnight gift bag for someone, solely giving the Philips Sonicare 2 Series if a brilliant gift idea. Just think… it’s another gift that keeps on giving; it gives a healthy smile all year long! I’ll fill you in more below on where and how to get one too!

Sonicare toothbrush - Overnight gift idea

Scented Epsom Salt

One of my favorite gift basket tips: Remove items from the containers, and put it in my own packaging. When it comes to epsom salt, isn’t it adorable in this little fabric bag with a cute tag (quickly made with a little stamp set + blank tag) and little scoop, than in the packaged plastic store bag?

It’s the little things that can really give your gifts a personal touch, and it’s so easy, right? You can also find different scents of epsom salt in the store, or you can make your own with essential oils! This way, Mom can take a hot bath and soak in epsom salts on her night away from home!

Epsom Salt - Scented Overnight gift bag idea

Makeup Remover Wipes

Who wouldn’t love makeup remover wipes in their overnight bag? You never know, Mama may stay out late on her night away from home, and she’ll need a quick solution to remove her makeup before bed.

Tip: Remember above how I suggested taking items out of it’s store packaging before adding it to the gift? Well sometimes it’s not the best thing to do. Removing the wipes from this packaging may make the wipes dry out. So to dress up the store packaging a bit, I simply added a matching ribbon to add a little flair!

Face wipes for overnight care gift idea

Nail File + Nail Polish

On her night away, she may want to really soak in her “me time,” and take care of some things she never gets to do at home. Providing her with the tools like a nail file and polish, to feel a little more pretty and girly is an excellent addition to the gift!

Self Care Gift Set idea overnight bag

Soak + Sleep

What better way to end an evening of self care with a warm bath and a peaceful night’s sleep. A bar of soap infused with relaxing scents and a luffa is an easy way to create a customized bath away from home. Then, she can head off to la-la land with an adorable eye mask to block out any light that may be poking through the curtains.

Sleep mask, soap, etc. for an overnight gift bag idea

Make-Up + Toiletries Bag

Once you’ve rounded up all of the goodies, fill a make-up/toiletries bag with everything and seal it with a cute tag and ribbon. Now, she has a new bag to use over and over again… as well as other fun goodies inside!

Overnight care for Mom - Gift idea Overnight Self Care Kit Gift Idea

Thank you SO much for coming by to see my overnight care kit gift idea! I hope you love it, and are inspired to create your own! For more gift ideas, you can see our gift archives HERE!

DIY Farmhouse Decor – “Gather” Sign Tutorial

DIY Farmhouse Decor – “Gather” Sign Tutorial: An easy way to make a farmhouse sign for your house, not matter what you want to spell! No professional craft experience needed!

Gather DIY sign for Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

DIY Farmhouse Decor – “Gather” Sign Tutorial

I’ve been seeing farmhouse signs all over, and I had the perfect spot for one. BUT… either I couldn’t find one that fit the space I needed, or I didn’t want to spend boo-koo’s of money on one.

So I took matters in to my own hands, and headed to Menards, and ordered letters online.

Cut board to size, use letters as a guide

Custom Letters

I started by going to CraftCuts.com. I’ve been ordering letters from this website for years for decor and craft projects. I ordered a big G for my son’s room, and had a FANTASTIC experience with them. So I decided that since I can’t draw worth a hoot, ordering letters for this sign would be the best bet.

I love ordering from them because I can select whatever size, font, letter color, type of material, etc. AND you get to preview it before ordering it, so you know what it’s going to look like! (This is totally not a plug for CraftCuts.com. I just really enjoy ordering from them for these types of projects, and I wanted you to know about them for your own projects!) You can pick your letters to spell anything you like, but for this space I knew I wanted it to say “Gather,” since it’s the main room in our house where we gather with friends to eat! #foodislove

Line up the letters and then paint

Board Selection

I simply measured the space where I wanted the board, and when I went to Menards, I looked for a board that would fit the space the best. The board I picked out was actually way too long for my space, so I (ahem, my husband) cut this for me with his miter saw.

Paint

I chose bright white paint for the board, to fit right along with the farmhouse look I was going for.

Tip for Placing Letters Perfectly

Once the board was painted/dry, we placed the letters on the board with glue dots to make sure they were even. They stayed on long enough to hot glue them for a permanent solution.

Use glue dots to position letters

Finished!

That’s it! It was an affordable way to make the sign that I was dreaming of for the breakfast nook. Once it was finished, I attached it to the wall with Command Strips. I love those things. They’re are ALL over my house.

GATHER sign - Breakfast Nook - Modern Farmhouse Craftsman Home

Thank you so much for coming by to see how we made some DIY farmhouse decor! I hope it inspires you to make your own too!

Spa at Home Gift Basket Idea

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Amopé. The opinions and text are all mine.

A Spa at Home Gift Basket Idea: A box full of goodies for someone special to experience a day of pampering at home when they can’t get out to the spa!

Spa at Home Gift Basket Idea - Fantabulosity

Spa at Home Gift Basket Idea for the Holidays

When a birthday or holiday rolls around, and I’m looking for a gift basket to create for someone, I always prefer to build my own gift basket instead of purchasing one of the pre-made baskets. The pre-made baskets are COMPLETELY ok, and are actually a great way to snag a quick gift for someone.

But what I love about creating my own gift basket, is that I get to personalize the gift so much more, and it shows some extra thought in their gift.

One of my favorite tips for building and creating the perfect gift basket, is to have one “wow” factor. This “wow” factor can be something big in size, more expensive than the others, or an item that could really excite the recipient!

For this “Spa at Home” gift basket that I created, I chose to have the Amopé Pedi Perfect Extra Coarse Electronic Foot File as the “wow” factor. My mom has been talking about this for months, and has been giving it out to all of her friends for birthdays. (INCLUDING snagging one for herself.) So when I planned to make a spa at home gift basket, I knew the Amopé Pedi Perfect Extra Coarse Electronic Foot File would be the heart of the gift.

Amope Pedi Perfect in a spa gift basket idea - Fantabulosity

I actually bought myself one from CVS, and I fell in LOVE with it immediately. The heels of my feet were so neglected during the summer, and within minutes it was like I went and had a pedicure at the salon. The extra coarse roller head with long lasting micro-abrasive particles comes with finely ground diamond crystals. It buffs away hard skin leaving you with visibly touchable smooth feet. Even my husband commented on how smooth my feet finally felt!

Where to Get It…

I found my Amopé Pedi Perfect Extra Coarse Electronic Foot File at my local CVS. Now, it can be a little hard to find, but you can find it in the foot care aisle.

So you can grab one for yourself or grab one for the spa gift basket you’re building someone for the holidays! (Or both of course! No judgement here if you want to gift yourself with something for a change!)

Spa gift idea - gift basket for her

Spa at Home Gift Basket Contents

Spa at Home Gift Basket Contents

I put the Amopé Pedi Perfect Extra Coarse Electronic Foot File front and center of course (remember, “wow factor”) and surrounded it with other goodies to carry on the “spa” theme. As I’ve mentioned before in my other gift basket tutorials, one of the most important tricks in making a gift basket, is to take what you can out of the store packaging. It can make all of the difference in the world; giving it  less of a store-bought packaged “look.”

If you’re making a spa at home gift basket, here’s a list of the items I included in mine so you can easily replicate! For the “basket,” or box rather, I chose one at a local craft store that wouldn’t be too big for the items I wanted to put in it, and that would color coordinate with the goodies. (A natural or white color worked best for this one!)

Contents:

  • Amopé Pedi Perfect Extra Coarse Electronic Foot File
  • Body Scrub (I actually removed the scrub from the store container and put it in to a glass jar with ribbon and homemade tag for a little personal touch. You can make your own DIY scrub too by searching for recipes on Pinterest!)
  •  Bath Gloves
  • Body Brush
  • Cute fabric for “fill” instead of tissue paper
  • Exfoliating Facial Sponge
  • Gel Eye Mask
  • Bath Salts

Spa and relaxation gift idea for her!

One-Stop Shop

I was able to snag what I needed (excluding the box) for this gift basket at CVS when I picked up the Amopé Pedi Perfect Extra Coarse Electronic Foot File. Talk about easy shopping!

Spa at Home gift basket idea for her. So easy and so cute!

Thank you so much for coming by! I’d love to hear what kind of gift baskets you love to create and give for a birthday or holiday!