Watermelon Refresher - Feature of the Day

I love watermelon. I could eat it everyday, and it is one of my favorite snacks in the summer.   With this week being a holiday week,  I am sure there will be a lot of watermelon served at parties and BBQs. This Watermelon Refresher by A Dose of Paige would be a great way to stay cool on these hot summer days. Be sure to stop over and to A Dose of Paige to get this yummy watermelon recipe.  Thank you so much Paige for linking up this week on Dare to Share.

Dare to Share #117

It's Friday night, so you know what that means.. 

It is time to Dare to Share!  

DIY Play Ice Cream Shop - Feature of the Day

We are a few weeks into summer vacation, are your kids saying they are bored yet?  Becka from Probably Crafting  has a fun and inexpensive idea for your kids to have hours of fun.   With just a box of ice cream cones, paper and some creativity, she set up a play ice cream shop for her kids.  Be sure to stop on over to see how to put together an ice cream shop of your own, and other think outside the toybox play ideas. .  Thank you so much Becka for linking up this great idea to Dare to Share. 

How to make Strawberry Bread

This is actually the second time we made this recipe this week.  I was originally going to post this recipe a couple of days ago, but something happened.....

Italian Pasta Salad - Feature of the Day

With the 4th of July just a little over a week away, it is time to start thinking about our holiday menus.  This Italian Pasta Salad by Wanda of  Memories by the Mile, would be perfect to serve at holiday cookout or picnic.  Just looking at this pictures is making me hungry for pasta right now.   Stop over to Memories by the Mile  to get this yummy recipe.  Thanks so much Wanda for linking up your Italian Pasta Salad to Dare to Share.!

Cooking with Kyle - Chocolate Strawberry Muffins

Kyle's back! If you have been following my blog for a couple of years you may know that my son who loves to cook, has been sharing kid friendly recipes.  During this past school year, he wanted to take a break.  Now that summer is here, you should see him on the blog more often. I asked Kyle if he would like to try a strawberry recipe for strawberry week, and he choose Chocolate Strawberry Muffins.  

It's Strawberry Week!

Strawberries are now ready where we live, so Kara and I went and picked almost 10 pounds of berries on Sunday. We have several recipes that we plan on sharing as we use those beautiful berries..  So stayed tuned... 

4th of July Votives - Feature of the Day

Can you believe that the 4th of July is less than two weeks away?  It is time to start thinking about decorating with everything red, white and blue.  Andrew and Dennis from the Crafty Lumberjacks shared a great way to decorate with colored rice that can be used in many ways. The rice makes a perfect votive holder layered in a mason jar.  Be sure to stop over to Crafty Lumberjacks and see how to make your own colored rice.  Thank you so much Andrew and Dennis for linking up this great craft to Dare to Share!

Dare to Share #116

It is Friday night, and you know that means.. 

It is time to Dare to Share! 

I have survived all the craziness of the last few weeks.  We have just one more day of the garage sale, and then I will actually have time to do projects again..  Here is a glimpse to what we have been doing this week. 

Oranges and Cream Cheesecake - Feature of the Day

Just two more days of the neighborhood garage sale, and I will finally have some down time after all the school work, dance activities and  sale prep work.   Being this busy I love that Oranges and Cream Cheesecake by 3 Generations Living Out Loud is easy to make and NO BAKE. Seriously putting something together that looks this good in just a few minutes, sign me up!   Be sure to stop over at 3GLOG.net and get this recipe.   Thanks so much Bobbie for linking  up your yummy treat to Dare to Share!

4th of July Patriotic Wreath - Feature of the Day

I have been busy preparing for our annual neighborhood garage sale, but I know as soon as it is over it will be time to get into 4th of July mode.  I LOVE this 4th of July Patriotic Flag Wreath made from burlap by A Mom's Take, She gives a wonderful picture tutorial so anyone can follow along and make one too.  Be sure to stop over and see how she made this beautiful wreath.  Thanks so much Janel for linking up you this great craft  to Dare to Share!

Frito Dessert Bars - Feature of the Day

Having three teenage kids in the house, I am used to buying a lot of snacks. A couple of my kids really love Fritos, so when I saw these Fritos Dessert Bars by Rockabyeparents I had to take another look.  This dessert is the perfect cross between sweet and salty, with  little bit of peanut butter thrown in. The perfect treat for hungry teens, and dessert lovers of all ages. To see how to make these yummy treats make sure stop by Rockabyeparents.  Thank you  so much Elizabeth for linking up to Dare to Share.

Butterfly Party Fun Finds

Disclosure:  This post contains affiliate links. I was not paid to write this post, and my opinions are 100% mine. 

Now that school is over for us both online and in class,  and  the dance recital performed, it is time to start working on Kara's Butterfly party for her special birthday this summer.  While searching online to get some ideas,  I found several items that we are now planning on using at our own party.  In fact, I  found so many great butterfly themed items, that I thought I would share them here for some Butterfly Party Inspiration.  

Dare to Share #115

Here we are on another Friday night.  This week was another hectic one.  Today was the deadline for my oldest daughter's online coursework. (which is also why the party is  a little bit late)   She was taking four difficult classes online, and does not have the best time management.  I am used to  it though. This was her 6th semester in this program, and she has yet to finish before the last moment.  But once again she finished just under wire, and I can happily say..   Junior year is now complete and she is now a SENIOR!  Now summer break can officially begin, and so can this weeks Dare to Share! 

Reese's Cup Peanut Butter Bars - Feature of the Day

We are in the final hours of online school with just under 10 hours to go.  Since we are in crunch time, I thought it would the perfect time for another feature.  With Sunday right around the corner we  are also in crunch time for Father's Day.  Have you decided what to do for dad yet?  If he likes Reese's Cups, he will love these Reese's Cup Peanut Butter Bars by Sweet Pennies from Heaven.  They are not that hard to make, but will make a big impression. You can see this recipe and several other great peanut butter treats over on on her Sweet Pennies from heaven blog.  Thank you so much for linking up your wonderful recipe to Dare to Share Jenni! 

Garden Yard Totem - Feature of the Day

\

Today's feature is from Kathe over at Kathe with an E. She put together found items from the thrift store and dollar store and turned them  into a work of art for her garden. This is a great way to get creative, and even get the kids involved.  Be sure to stop over to Kathe's blog to see how she put her garden totem together.   Thanks so much Kathe for linking up to this week's Dare to Share!

Girl Birthday Party Themes

This week is a busy one for me away from the computer.  It is recital week for my youngest daughter with rehearsals, banquet and the actual recital and ballet production.  It is also the last week of the semester for my oldest daughter's online classes.  She was a bit off pace this semester, so this week has been busy with Algebra 2, Brit Lit, Economics and Physics..  I now know why I did not want to take Physics in high school.  It is hard!  I am helping her  work on her Physics problems that even I do not understand.  I will be glad when this semester is over, and I do not need to worry about it again until my son takes it. (in a year!)  Since I do not have time to finish any new projects this week, and we are in planning stages for Kara's latest birthday party, we thought it would be fun to revisit some of her favorite parties from the  past.   

Fathers Day Coupon Book Printable - Feature of the Day

Father's Day is this week. Are you ready?  I have to admit, I am not.  Both my husband and my father have their birthdays the same week of Father's Day. It is also always the same week as my daughter's dance recital. This week usually means card overload!   Hand Me Down Mom Genes has a free printable coupon book, that may come to the rescue to many. You can't go wrong with a coupon book.   Thanks so much Laura for sharing this great idea on Dare to Share! 

Are you ready for Father's Day?  What fun things to do you for your husband or dad? 

Dare to Share #114

Today is a very happy day for me..  Why, you may ask..  

it's because, today was the last day of school so..  

 Schoooooooools out for the Summmmmmer!

 (do you hear Alice Cooper singing too?) 

I love summer break.  No more getting up at 6 a.m. to make sure my son catches his early bus.

No more nagging the kids to do their homework.  No more homework for three whole months!!

and top of that happy news, it is Friday 

and you know what that mean.. 

It's time to Dare to Share! 

Easy Frozen Strawberry Yogurt - Feature of the Day

I LOVE strawberries! We only have about another week or so until they are ready to pick in our area.  Jordyn from Almost Supermom recently went strawberry picking with her family, and her daughter came up with this 3 ingredient strawberry frozen yogurt recipe with the fresh strawberries that they picked. It looks and sounds amazing!  Be sure to stop over to Almost Supermom, and check out this quick and easy recipe.   Thank you so much Jordyn for sharing this delicious treat on Dare to Share!  

Summer Fun Challenge 2014

For the last couple of summers, we have consciously tried to get the most out of our summer. My kids are getting older, and they do not have many more summers of  their "childhood" left. This year is the last one for my oldest.  In exactly one year she will be graduating from high school, and will start preparing for the real world.  I want to make sure we make happy memories for her, instead of allowing time to just slip away.  

School is ending for us in just a couple of days, so we are putting together this year's list. It also helps to look at pictures from past challenges to remind us of the fun things we did.   

DIY Pallet Tiki Bar - Feature of the Day

I have summer on the brain.. we have just a few more days until summer break, and I can't wait! When I saw this Easy Pallet Tiki Bar by Crafty in Crosby, it screamed summer to me.   While we do not have a pool, I can think of other fun ways to use one.    It would be perfect at beach party, luau, and many other summer themed parties. It is a great way to have refreshments while in the pool.  If you have access to free pallets, you can put one together rather cheaply. Be sure to stop by Crafty in Crosby to see how to make your easy pallet tiki bar .  Thank you so much Leah and Jeanette for linking up this great idea to Dare to Share!