Dare to Share #224

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

It is time to Dare to Share! 

My son finished his work program this week. It was also time for our annual county fair.  My daughter had the chance to spend time with Lucy the pig who she first met three years ago. We also finally saw Finding Dory. Summer is flying by way to fast, and we are trying to make the most of it while we can. 

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Are you excited about the Olympics coming up next week.. If you kids love to make crafts and like to pretend to be an Olympian, be sure to check out this week's feature. Glowing Tealight Olympic Torches by Oh My Creative

My co-host Kim from Kandy Kreations has a special treat this week.. I would love to try one of these Most Addictive Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches  It two of my favorite treats, cookie and ice cream! 

Now it is time for this week's party.  You are welcome to share anything that you you would like to share.  If you are chosen as a Dare to Share Feature your post will be featured on the blog and on social media.  This party is also seen on Kandy Kreations for double the exposure. Kim also chooses post to feature on her blog and social media.  

Link up and HAVE FUN!! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

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Glowing Olympic Torch - Dare to Share Feature

It is hard to believe it is has already been four years since the London summer Olympics. In just one week  new games will begin in Rio, and the entire world will be watching.  A lot of times kids want to feel like they are part of the action and celebration.  This Glowing Tealight Olympic Torch by Oh My Creative is the perfect craft for them to pretend they are lighting the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony.  Stop on over to Oh My Creative to see how to make your own torch before the big night. 

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Dare to Share #223

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

It is time to Dare to Share! 

This week we had a lot of running around to do. It was the last week of my son's work program.  My daughter had a couple of appointments. It also feels like it is 1000 degrees out. Anyone else think the the summer is flying by too fast? 

Earlier in the week I shared how you can enter the Imagine This Photo Contest   Share a photo of your original LEGO creation and you could win $200 and be part of a national campaign. 

My son's favorite birthday party was when he was eight. He was really into Pokemon.  At the time there were no Pokemon party supplies available so I had to make everything, including this Pokeball Pinatal.  With the popularity of the new Pokemon Go app, I am noticing a lot of views on our Pokemon Party once again. 

My co-host Kim shared a gift idea that I would love to receive, and Ice Cream Cone Chocolate Covered Oreo Thank You GIft over on her blog Kandy Kreations.  It looks very yummy! 

Time got away from me this week for features,  look for a couple of extra ones in the week to come. 

Now it is time for this week's party.  You are welcome to share anything that you would like to share.  If you are chosen as a Dare to Share Feature your post will be featured on my blog, and social media.  This party is also seen on Kandy Kreations for double the exposure.  Kim also chooses posts to feature on her blog and social media.  

Link up and HAVE FUN! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

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How to Make a Pokeball Pinata

This post contains an affiliate link 

Several years ago we had a Pokemon Party.  My son LOVED Pokemon, and had a lot to do with the planning.  At the time there were no new games coming out, no Pokemon Go apps taking the world by storm.  I could find very little Pokemon party supplies, so I had to get creative and make my own.  I decorated our fireplace mantel with homemade 

Pokeball Pinatas.  

I used round balloons and blew them up to the size pinata that I wanted. Since these were for decorations and not for breaking, I made them on the small side. I put each of the balloons in a plastic bowl to hold them while working on the paper mache layers. It helped keep the mess down, and prevented the balloons from rolling.  

It has been so many years since I made the paper mache paste, I can not remember exactly the recipe I used.  There are many different ways you can make the paste.  Pretty much most of them include a combination of flour and water.  Some recipes say to boil the mixture and then let cool, others you do not need to heat.  If you would prefer not to make it, and buy pre-made paste, I did find a few versions like this one on Amazon. 

Using the paper mache paste, I added several layers of newspaper strips until it was thick enough you could no longer feel the balloon.I also left the end of the balloon out, so I would have something to attach the string to.  The paper mache needs to harden before the next step, so allow to dry overnight if possible.  

Once the paper mache layers were dry, I painted the entire pinata white including the tied part.  I had to use a couple of coats to cover the newspaper.  

Once the white paint was dry, I painted the top half of the pinata red including the tie. You want the tie to be at the top of the pinata.  As best as I could, I painted a line of black paint around the center of the pinata where the red and white paint met.  The latch of the Pokeball was two circles cut from paper punches that were glued onto the pinata. It is now ready to hang and enjoy.  We kept these pinatas after the party. I am not 100% sure where they are now, but I could probably still find one in my son's room I tried.  

If you make a large Pokeball Pinata and want to add candy, cut a small flap (a 3 sided square)  in the upper back part of the pinata and fill. Cover the flap with a piece of tape if needed.  

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Enter the Imagine This Photo Contest

Do your kids like to play with LEGOS and make interesting creations?  Post a photo of their original creation for a chance to win $200 and be featured in A NATIONAL BRICKS 4 KIDZ ADVERTISING CAMPAIGN.  

Here is how to enter.. 

Go to https://www.facebook.com/bricks4kidzcorp/app/577559595616814/ and submit  your photo.  Encourage your friends and family to VOTE for photo.  The person with the most votes wins. 

The contest runs from July 11 until Septemeber 12.  The person with the most votes will receive the $200 prize and be featured in the 2017 Bricks 4 Kidz Advertising campaign.  Second and third place winners will receive a $50 cash prize.  

Enter your creations today!  Good Luck!  

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Dare to Share #222

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

It is time to Dare to Share! 

This week I participated in the Ultimate Recipe Challenge with strawberries as the main ingredient. Stop on over to see all the yummy strawberry recipes.

I LOVE ice cream, so when I saw this Ice Cream Garland by The Scrap Shoppe Blog

Are you playing Pokemon Go.  My co-host Kim from Kandy Kreations shared 6 Pokemon Treats

Now it is time for this weeks party.  You are welcome to share anything you would like to share. If you are chosen are a Dare to Share Feature you post will be featured on the blog and social media.  This party is also seen on Kandy Kreations for double the exposure.  Kim also chooses posts to feature on her blog and social media.  

Link up and HAVE FUN! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

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Ice Cream Garland - Dare to Share Feature

I LOVE ice cream.  I seriously can eat it every single day.  I think this Ice Cream Garland by The Scrap Shoppe Blog is so cute I would want to leave it up all summer.  It would make a fun decoration for and ice cream or sweet shoppe themed party.  Be sure to stop over t The Scrap Shoppe blog to see how to make it. 

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Strawberry Chocolate Muffins

It is that time again, time for another Ultimate Recipe Challenge.  This month the special ingredient is STRAWBERRIES. 

Every once in awhile we like to make bread and muffins at our house.  One of our very favorite muffins were Strawberry Chocolate Muffins.  They are so good, and help fill  your chocolate cravings. 

To make these muffins, start with the dry ingredients.  In a mixing bowl add: 

1 3/4 cup flour 

2 cups sugar 

2 tsp baking powder 

1/2 tsp baking soda 

1/4 tsp salt 

Mix and then add the wet ingredients 

cut strawberries (amt is your preference, we like A LOT) 

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips 

1/2 cup softened butter or margarine 

2 eggs 

2 TBSP milk 

Mix well 

Place batter into muffin cups and then bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. 

This recipe is very easily adaptable. If you prefer not to add the chocolate chips, you can add a banana or two.  If you just like the strawberries, and prefer a loaf of bread instead of muffins, this recipe will do that too. You will need to bake at 350 degrees for 55-60 minutes instead of the shorter muffin time. I added a little glaze made from a little bit of powdered sugar and milk. The glaze  is super simple to make, just add a couple Tbsps of milk to some powdered sugar until it is the consistency you like.  

Want to see more delicious strawberry recipes, check out these here.. 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up
   



   

 
   

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Dare to Share #221

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

It is time to Dare to Share!  

Did you have a great 4th of July? This last week has kind of gotten away from me with the holiday and other stuff.  We also celebrated the birthday of this girl.  She is growing up so fast. 

Since I have celebrations on the brain,  I picked a fun party food for this weeks feature.  These Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers by Cherry Blossom Kitchen (in a guest post on Pink Heels Pink Truck) would make a great appetizer for many kinds of parties.  

My co-cost Kim from Kandy Kreations has some sweet posts this week. If you are having an ice cream or sweet party check out these Ice Cream Cone Party Light Printables  

Now it is time this for this week's party. You are welcome to link up anything that you would like to share.  If you are chosen as a Dare to Share Feature you post will be featured on the blog and social media.  This party is also seen on Kandy Kreations for double the exposure. Kim also chooses posts to feature on her blog and social media.  

Link Up and HAVE FUN! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

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Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers - Dare to Share Feature

With my daughter's birthday, the 4th of July, a BBQ I am attending tomorrow, and two possible upcoming events, I am in a party food kind of mode.  I have been thinking all week about what to bring to the BBQ tomorrow. (I still have not decided)  These Cantaloupe Prosciutto Skewers in this guest post  by Cherry Blossom Kitchen  on  Pink Heels Pink Truck would be a great appetizer choice.  I love that they are hand held food with several different textures and flavors. I could see this recipe served at many different types of parties, weddings, showers etc..   Stop on over to Pink Heels Pink Truck to learn more and get the full recipe.  

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Dare to Share #220

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

It is time to Dare to Share! 

So are you ready for the weekend?  Not only is this a holiday, it is also my daughter's birthday.  She has grown up so fast. I have no idea where the years have gone.  

This week I shared  Quick and Easy Ideas for the 4th of July that you still have time to make.  

If you are looking for a last minute holiday dessert you might want to try Patriotic Cheesecake Parfaits by The Kittchen

My co-host Kim from Kandy Kreations shared some 4th of July Candy Bar Wrapper Printables perfect for this weekend.  Be sure to print some out.  

Now it is time for this week's party.  You are welcome to share anything that you would like to share.  If you are chosen as a Dare to Share Feature, your post will be featured on the blog and my social media.  This party is seen on Kandy Kreations for double the exposure. Kim also chooses posts to feature on her blog and and social media  

Link up and HAVE FUN! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

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Quick and Easy Ideas for the 4th of July

This picture is one of my favorite 4th of July photos of my daughter  Our town has a big parade every year and she was very excited to dress up in her red, white and blue and special crown we made. 

We have made several 4th of July crafts and treats  over the years, and today is the perfect time to re-share them because there is still plenty of time to make them for your celebrations this weekend. 

*this post contains affiliate links 

One of our favorite desserts for the holiday is this Quick and Easy 4th of July Pie. One year when I made this, we had guests staying at our house. It disappeared so fast that this was one of the few pictures I got of it.  

Using Dollar Tree garland we have made Quick and Easy Patriotic Wreaths. They are not only a lot of fun to make but cost only a couple of dollars.  

You can make your own fireworks decorations with this Easy Fireworks Craft 

If you have colorful planters and red, white and blue plants, you can easily put together this Patriotic Planter.

Put some "pop" in your 4th with these Easy Pops. 

Hopefully you will be able to use a few of these quick and easy ideas, and have a wonderful 4th of July! 

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