Cheddar and Jalapeno Popcorn (serving suggestion) -Aldi Alert!

Calling all jalapeno lovers... Aldi has a new seasonal flavor out called Cheddar and Jalapeno Popcorn, and it's a spicy one! I love me some heat, and on a scale of 1 to 10, I'd put this at about a 6, maybe 7.  But I have a suggestion to tone it down just a tad if interested... The gold colored popcorn is Aldi's, the white popcorn is my homemade kettle corn. Yep, the addition of a little sweetness was just enough to mellow the 'peno and allow me to enjoy a bigger bowl. I'm all about the bigger bowl:@) Don't hesitate to grab a bag if you see it, good stuff folks.

The popcorn:

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Lighter Homemade Kettle Corn-One/Two servings:
1/4 C popcorn 
1 Tblsp vegetable oil 
1 Tblsp sugar 
Salt to taste

1. Add oil, sugar, and 3 kernels to 2-3 quart pan with lid, heat over medium heat. **Be very careful, melting sugar is very hot**
2. Once the corn begins to pop add the rest, add lid, and give pan a good shake.
3. Shake vigorously until popping slows down. Be careful to remove popcorn from pan before it burns.
4. Pour into bowl, add salt.
5. Carefully mix the two types of popcorn and allow to cool for a couple minutes.
6. Once it has completely cooled down, leftovers can be added back to the bag, or a Lock-N-Lock, for storage.

Enjoy a snack and Have a Happy Day:@)

Spin-Achos *Spinach Nachos & Early Spring Garden...

My spinach plants got big and needed a little trimming, so I thought I'd whip up a little snack. These Spin-Achos came together quickly and used just a few ingredients, all were items on-hand. I added sliced spinach and cheddar cheese to a bed of tortilla chips, then I asked, what could make it better? Bacon:@) Now, the bacon is truly optional, but highly recommended... I gave it a few seconds in the microwave, and topped them with a little drizzle of ranch dressing, some reserved crunchy bacon crumbles, and freshly chopped chives. Spinach and chives from the garden-yay!

I gave this a rough chop, about 1/2" wide. Want your spinach more wilted? Simply slice it thinner. My test batch was about 1/8" wide, and the spinach did cook more. Baby spinach will wilt faster than the mature curly leaves I used too. Another good addition would be some small diced fresh tomatoes.

My thyme has been replanted several times, this is the second year in its final home. Thyme has a tendency to grow tangled and maybe even get a little matted. I like to run my fingers through it in an upward motion, to free up the stems and give it a little lift. The best part about this, the stems are lighter and sway gently in the wind. I likey:@)

And finally, every September I buy one small 3" pot of pansies to add to the large planter on the patio. They are in bloom at the time, and depending upon how harsh winter is, may send up occasional flowers all winter. But by March and April they are spectacular! I always consider this $3 well spent:@)

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Spin-Achos with Optional Bacon

1. Lay a bed of tortilla chips on microwavable platter.
2. Top with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced fresh spinach.
3. Add bacon to above if using.
4. Microwave for a few seconds, until the cheese melts. About 10-12 seconds.
5. Top with more bacon, a drizzle of ranch dressing, and some freshly minced chives.

Have a Happy Day:@)

Cinco de Mayo Mini Party Hats -for Kids and/or Barbie

I picked up a pack of these Mini Sombreros at Dollar Tree. They are intended for people, but I thought they'd be fun for dolls too. Obviously oversized for Barbie, but a party is a party, and silly fun is always in style:@) Simply add a cotton ball or two to the inside to help it fit Barbie and Ken. It looks like the dolls went to their favorite restaurant for a bite to eat to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Gorgeous scenery and a nice casual atmosphere... 

Ut oh...

Is Ken reaching for the hot sauce,

or one of Barbie's Churros???

Barbie likes Churros...

Whew, looks like the hot sauce after all…

A man after my own heart:@)

The hats:

They have elastic so the kids can wear them.

Another option are these mini sombreros in the party section at Walmart. These are cute, colorful hats as is, but it's always fun to do a little embellishing with items from our craft stash... The easiest, and most impressive, decoration is to hot glue a some pom-pom trim around the brim. 

But anything goes, glitter, beads, rhinestones, stickers, ribbon or sewing trim. I used lots of blingy rhinestones on Barbie's hat.

What I started with:

Maybe have some for the girls and some for their dolls😉

Would be great for 18" dolls too.

Grab it when you see it, and 

Have a Happy Day:@)

Two Ingredient Sugar Free Jello Fluff or Whips -Retro Recipe

This Sugar Free Jello Fluff or Whips Recipe has been around forever and was on my to-try list for a long time. As we're looking forward to warmer weather (hello...  Mother Nature???) I thought it was time to whip some up. This is a light and creamy dessert or snack, and honestly, a pretty one too:@) I like the foamy fluffy tops. Choose any flavor of sugar free Jello, and maybe even a make a couple colors for a Mother's Day Brunch. The only other ingredient we need is non-fat plain Greek yogurt, it will add a little tang. This is a diabetic friendly, low carb, low Weight Watchers points, treat. Ma tried this with me and we both give it a thumbs up. Don't hesitate to give it a try folks, I think it will appeal to most. 

A great way to use up that last yogurt that may be flirting with the expiration date:@)

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Sugar Free Jello Fluff or Whips

Four serving size sugar free Jello, any flavor

3/4 C boiling water

1 C ice water, add ice, fill to equal 1 C

8 oz yogurt

1. Dissolve Jello in boiling water. 
2. Add ice water to Jello, stir.
3. Add yogurt and Jello to blender, blend on high for 30 seconds.
4. Pour into glasses or bowl. Makes 4 servings.

Eat Well and Have a Happy Day:@)

Nora Fleming Minis for Any Occasion (Literally...)

To cap off Baseball Week I wanted to share a collectible that's new to me... Have you heard of Nora Fleming Minis? The idea is, you pick a base, anything from a serving dish, to a paper towel holder, to a charcuterie board, and then add the mini. Mini's are small figural pieces that commemorate any occasion, every holiday, and just about every day... I scrolled through the Amazon page, and counted roughly 22 bases and 136 minis to chose from. You can go to Amazon or find her web page here. Now, I'm not saying this is an inexpensive gift, but it is certainly one that can be added to over time:@) There is even a scalloped edge square that's blank so you can write whatever message you'd like on it.

How it works:

More examples:

And I'll leave you with...

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Just sharing a fun idea,

Have a Happy Day:@)

Baseball! Candle Ribbon Wrap, Krispie Cookies & Phillies Pinterest Board

I started a new Phillies Baseball Fun Pinterest Board, so this week's posts have had a bit of a baseball and tailgating theme... The next, no-brainer, idea for decorating the candle on my tiered tray, Wrap a Flameless Candle in Icon or Logo Ribbon. You only need about 10" of ribbon to cover a 4" wide pillar candle. I secured the ribbon closed with glue dots. And of course, this doesn't need to be sports theme'd, any pretty ribbon would be nice. Dollar Tree usually has a display of seasonal choices, as well as the glue dots:@) Planning a wedding, bridal shower, baby shower, etc? You could have custom ribbon printed up. But please, only use flameless candles or wrap it around glass jars...

Need a little snack that travels well...

May I suggest these Krispie Mmmm's Cookies.

Good stuff folks:@)

And finally,

You can see Barbie's trip to the ballpark HERE.

Let's start humming the song now...

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⚾Make something just for fun, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

Inspirational Friday

 

Have a Great Weekend:@)

Baseball Marshmallows -Take me out to the ball game...

I was curious to see how these Baseball Marshmallows would turn out, and I think they're kinda cute. In a perfect world, I would have had a red food writer marker, but I didn't. So I added a couple drops of red food coloring to a small bowl and painted the laces on with a paint brush. Once they dry they can be added to a serving bowl, or mixed in with some peanuts, and maybe even some Cracker Jack:@) This is just a neat little idea to add some fun to your ballgame, whether tailgating or enjoying it at home. Or maybe a little something extra for a baseball theme'd birthday party...

*The food writer pens would be best though. I also suggest Googling a baseball, the laces are in more of a V shape... I used the Chocolate Stuffed Marshmallows from Dollar Tree.

⚾Make something just for fun, and

Have a Happy Day:@)

How to Make No-Sew Barbie Tops from Ribbon -Lots of Options...

I wanted to share an idea for a simple Barbie doll top. All that's required is about 6" of ribbon, some velcro and a hot glue gun. A couple folds in the back create darts and add a little shape. These tops kinda remind me of a tube top, although not as form fitting. I also like that straps are optional. Embellishments... If you have some cute trim, pom-poms, zig-zag, ruffle, etc, you could add it to the bottom. I had just enough silly 4" fringe left in my stash to make this one tunic length, yet sill look cool and breezy for a summer baseball game:@)

These tops were made with 1 1/2" wide ribbon:

✂What I did:

Standard Barbie = 6" of ribbon, Curvy Barbie = 6 1/4" of ribbon.

Fold the cut ends over 1/4" and hot glue in place.

Fold two glued ends in half, and glue together.

Place middle of ribbon over doll's bust. If you turn the folded ends up you'll see that it creates a dart on each side creating shape.

Glue velcro to each side of back.

Add straps and embellishments.

Three more variations:

Use short ruffled ribbon for off shoulder look. 5/8" ribbon with necklace as bathing suit top, and I've added a sheer ribbon capelet to the last one.

5/8" ribbon simply tied in front,

or wired ribbon scrunched up...

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Barbie says, yep, 

all it takes is a little ribbon for a cute top! 

Have a Happy Day:@)