Brunch Made Easy by Eggland's Best with Giveaway

I was recently asked if I would like to host a brunch and share about Eggland's Best. Since Eggland's Best it my favorite brand of eggs, of course I said yes. 

Did you know that Eggland's Best has a ton of great recipes on their website?  When planning our brunch we chose to try  Ham and Swiss Quiche, and French Toast Cupcakes both of which were delicious when we actually made them.

April Fool's Cupcakes - Feature of the Day

Today's Feature of the Day is a double feature for April Fool's Day.   Phaedra from Phaedra's Adventures shared two fun cupcakes that look just  like other foods. Serving them would be a "sweet surprise" to serve to your friends and family.  You can see how to make the popcorn cupcake here, and the spaghetti and meatball cupcake here.  Thanks so much Phaedra for linking these fun cupcakes on Dare to Share.

Dare to Share #52

I can't believe that Easter is already here.  It looks to be a full but fun weekend for us.  Have you had a chance to color  your Easter eggs yet?   We will be coloring this year's eggs on Saturday, and will probably do some of the same techniques that we used on last years eggs. You can see how we made these eggs here.

 

I also shared me Easter Egg Buddies earlier this week. I have something exciting that I will be posting about in a few days that these sweet little guys will be a part of.  Until then you can  read more about them here.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to visit an IKEA store about 45 minutes away.  I have only been there a couple of times, and now I know why I should not go on a Saturday.  During our visit I did some IKEA product dreaming on what I would love to put in my craft room someday. 

Have you had a chance to see this week's Features of the Day yet?    

Easter Bunny Candy Pocket by Kims Kandy Kreations

Homemade Cat Treats by Watch Out, Martha

Free Easter Card Printables by Robyn's View

Now it is time for this week's party.  I do not require that you become a follower, but I would love it if you would. If you are chosen as the Feature of the Day, your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and G+.

Link up and HAVE FUN! 

Easter Egg Coloring Techniques

Have you colored your Easter eggs yet?  We will probably work on ours tonight or tomorrow.  I thought this would be a good time to show some of the fun ways we colored our egg the last couple years using things out of the junk drawer. 

Easter Egg Buddies

Today I made these little guys for something special we are doing this weekend. They are super cute,

 and easy to make.  

I started with a bag of plastic egg from the dollar store. I decided on using blue for the bunnies, and yellow for the chicks. 

I still had some chenille stems from when I made my Bunny Treat Boxes. I used a half of stem for each ear. 

I love that these particular eggs had small holes exactly where the ears should be.  The chenille fit perfectly in the holes, so I didnt even have to glue it. 

Disclosure: the link to the  4 mini  heart punch is an affiliate link. I think my punch has been discontinues but I found something very similar 

I used a 4 heart punch to punch small hearts for the nose.  I then hot glued on all the pieces, such as the eyes, nose and tail to the egg.  I used white craft foam for the feet.  

To make the chick's beak, I folded a piece of orange pipe cleaner in half. Then I folded it again into a V shape and hot glued it onto the egg. 

I thought I had a picture of the legs, but I must have missed taking it.  These eggs also have holes on the bottom of the egg there were perfect for the  chick's  legs.   I used a longer piece of pipe cleaner for the leg, and then twisted a smaller piece around it to form the feet.  I used yellow craft foam the wings. I would have added a feather, but I did not have any yellow ones in my supplies.   To keep the eggs upright, I places some dollar store accent gems inside the egg. 

I can't wait to show you what I planned for these guys in just a few days.. Stay tuned! 

Easter Card Printables- Feature of the Day

If you are thinking about giving Easter cards but have not bought them yet, you are in luck.  Robyn from Robyn's View shared some adorable printable Easter cards on Dare to Share that you can print out and make at home.  And did I say they are FREE!  Be sure to check out all of her Easter printables here. Thanks for linking up and sharing Robyn! 

Homemade Cat Treats - Feature of the Day

If you have been a reader for awhile, you know that my daughter Kara is wild about her cats (and other various animals). Seriously, she would turn our house into a zoo if possible.  A few months ago she shared how to make hamster treats, but has yet tried to make some treats  for her "babies."  When I saw this recipe by Amanda of  Watch Out, Martha, I knew I had to feature it.  I have no doubt that my daughter  is going to be trying this one very soon. Thank you so much for linking up to Dare to Share Amanda! 

Easter Bunny Candy Pocket - Feature of the Day

Easter preparations are in full swing this week. Its hard to believe it is just days away.  When I saw this Easter Bunny Candy Pocket from Kim at Kim's Kandy Kreations, I knew it would be a great feature. What kid wouldn't love an adorable bunny filled with candy. I would also look cute in a little ones Easter Basket. You can see how Kim put it get together at her blog here.  Thanks for linking up Kim! 

IKEA Dreaming

I have an IKEA about 45 minutes away, but I do not get there very often.  Today I was in the area and had the opportunity to go.  I probably should have realized that was not a good idea on a Saturday, with a preteen who kept asking to leave.  She survived, and even got a few things.   You will have to excuse the photos, they were taken on my phone, and it was so crowded I did not always get great picture taking  angles. 

I forgot what this is called, but I have been wanting one for a while.  I think it would be a great addition  to our kitchen/eating area.   I might have to dream a bit longer since $299 is not in the budget at the moment.

I would also love to have this in out family room.  Look at all that storage for DVDs and Video Games! Right now our family room holds several mix matched storage cabints. 

I want a combination desk and storage unit for the craft room.  This looks like a good possiblity someday... 

but to stay on budget, I might need to use small Expedit shelves.

I would also love to have  this in the basement or craft room. It is huge, but but would hold everything.

Finally something I was able to buy today.. The large Bygel bar is only $3.99, and fits perfectly in the craft room. We also got 6 purple buckets to hang from it. You will see this again if I ever have the chance to  finish the craft room.

Loving this floating book ledge.  At $9.99 it is in the budget, but I have no idea where we would put it .

These paint brushes for only $1.99/5 are perfect for Kara's Art Party this summer.  I may have to go back and get some more.. 

On the way out this billboard cracked me up.  It actually says on the sign that the giant 10 foot hotdog is not actual size.  For 50 cents, I would certainly hope not!

What IKEA items are you dreaming about? 

Dare to Share #51

It's Friday, which means it is time for another Dare to Share! 

Is is actually spring where you live?  I know the calendar says it is supposed to be spring, but this is how it has looked this week at our house.  When have been in the 20s and 30s all week.  Hopefully it will warm up in time for our spring break that is coming up the week after Easter.  Speaking of Easter we have something really fun that will be sharing next week.  

This week I shared how to start your spring seedlings even when it is cold outside. We had great success with this method last year.  

Did you have a nice St Patrick's Day.  We did. We found Lucky and his pot of gold and then went to the movies. Our theater was having it's last weekend of the free children's film festival. They were showing Rise of the Guardians.  I have to say it was a really good movie, especially for older kids.  

The Features of the Day this week were an eclectic group. Here they are again, in case you missed them. 

Easter Egg Centerpiece by Life on Lakeshore Drive

30 uses for Borax by Fluster Buster

DIY Sofa Table by Turtles and Tails

Now for the party. I don't have many rules. You are not required to be a follower, but I would sure love it if you did. If you are chosen for the Dare to Share Feature of the Day your post will be promoted on the blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and G+.

Link up and HAVE FUN! 

DIY Sofa Table - Feature of the Day

Have you ever wanted a piece a furniture, but knew something store bought wouldn't fit your needs. Barb from Turtles and Tails, saw a need when there was nowhere to put a glass if they were sitting on the couch. Since there was very little space to work with, Barb and her husband decided to make the sofa table themselves. They also added an outlet to the table so it could be easily reached. Genius! If you would like to see how they built this awesome sofa table, check out Turtles and Tails here.  Thanks for linking up on Dare to Share  Barb! 

30 Uses of Borax - Feature of the Day

I have to admit, I really do not know much about Borax.  I know my friends and I  used it to make crystal hearts recently, but that is about my only  knowledge of the product. Robin from Fluster Buster has been sharing a great series of uses for old time products on her blog.  When I saw the  extensive list of things you can do with inexpensive Borax, I knew it needed to be a Dare to Share  Feature of the Day. So if you would like to see all of the wonderful things you do with Borax, be sure to check out Fluster Buster here.    Thanks for linking up Robin! 

Start Your Spring Seedlings

Today is the first day of spring. You can not tell that by our weather outside. Where I live it is only going to be a high of 28, with the overnight lows in the teens.  Brrr.. Not a fun way to start off spring..(a year ago we were way above normal and in the 80's, can I have those temps back!) 

Since it is the first day of Spring, I am going to re-share an idea I posted about last year.  Even though your mind might not yet be on your spring/summer garden, you can start your garden seedlings now, even when the weather is not cooperating.  

Buying seeds and growing your own seedlings can be very inexpensive. It is also a fun experiment to do with your kids. 

Recycled milk jugs make the perfect container to start your seeds. 

Start by cutting the jugs about 2/3 of the way down,  leaving a  part the jug of it connected

Add some potting soil  a few inches thick to the container,  and then add your seeds. 

After you add your seeds, you will want to reattach your jug halves.  You can use things like duct tape, or a hole punch and twist tie like we did in the picture above. 

Use a Sharpie and write on each of the jugs what you planted.  Find a nice, sunny spot to place the jugs. We put ours on our deck that faces the south.  Its okay to keep the jug out there even when it is cold outside. The milk jug works like a terrarium and keeps the plants warm inside. 

Several weeks later, this is how our seedlings looked.  Our peas and beans grew the most.  Our seedling experiment was a big success, and we plan on doing it again this year. 

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