Miniature Marshmallow roast!!

Having a big kid or adult party? This idea is sure to gather a crowd and make some smiles!  All you need for your own mini marshmallow roasting station is tooth picks, miniature marshmallows and a candle. Set out a bowl or tray for used toothpicks and voila- Simple. Fun.

I originally discovered this fun idea on you tube, posted by a brilliant woman named Robin Benzle. She is seriously silly and she has amazingly good recipes also lots of great videos, it's fun to watch her personality shine. If you ask me she belongs on the food network. Visit her website here.

Toothpick photo Attribution: By Scarygami
Marshmallow photo Attribution: By atkivioslo
Candle photo Attribution: By Rickydavid

Bashas' Deal

Bashas' grocery store has a Blinkie coupon for $1 off any Langers juice and they are currently running a 2 for $5 special. Grab 2 Juices and 2 coupons to get 2 for $3.
Not familiar with coupon lingo? A blinkie is just one of those little boxes that usually sit next to the product and produce coupons, they usually have a blinking light on them.

I shop at Bashas regularly but the coupon blog sites I frequent don't list Bashas' deals. I will post deals as I find them, but if you really want to save with coupons, I highly recommend visiting a coupon site such as Coupon Mom or the Krazy Coupon Lady and if you are new read the Beginners page.

Know of a great coupon site that does Bashas deals? Please comment below!!

Rockabirdy Aprons

Check out these Ridiculously cute aprons!! Handmade by an amazing mom. She makes these in kid sizes too! They are all machine washable, reversible and totally adorable!!! Scroll down to see samples and the cutest model ever. To see the full collection visit  Rockabirdy Aprons etsy store. 





Click  logo to visit the Rockabirdy store



OR

Click here to visit the Rockabirdy Face book page

Garnier Fructis Deal

My Target has Garnier Fructis Shampoo with a trial size conditioner on clearance for $2.08.
I think that's a pretty great deal. I don't currently have any coupons for this but if you do, then lucky you! If you know of any current coupons for this please comment below!!! Target puts their clearance deals at the end of the isles, usually along the back side of the isle closest to the wall. Target deals are often global, meaning the same item that's on sale for me in AZ is likely to be on sale in your state too.

Got Bubbles?

Are  you still buying the typical bubbles found on the summer-time water toy isle in the supermarket? If so then I've gotta let you know you are missing out!! You can get great quality lasting bubbles for $1 or brand name bubbles for around $6 if you know where to go. For me it's a bit of a toss up between my two favorite  bubble brands so I'll cue you in on both of them. I will also include a recipe below for all the DIY'ers out there.

 Gymboree Bubble Ooodles - These are great, pour the bubble solution in the tray provided, dip the wand in and blow ooodles and ooodles of bubbles. The bubbles last much longer then the typical bubbles and tons of bubbles are expelled with little effort. The cone shaped wand makes it easy for toddlers to use. I first discovered these at the library during toddler story time, most of the librarians in the Phoenix area use these after the stories are read. I was curious for a while after seeing them at various libraries then suspecting it was a secret librarian solution, but I finally asked where in the world are you getting these great bubbles?!  You can get the set at your local Gymboree store for about $6 or you can go to their online store Gymboree . They also have a box set board book kit that comes with music from amazon - I've added a link below.

Touchable Bubbles- These are so cool! These bubbles last and last, sometimes I still find bubbles in the yard hours after play. They come in a test tube type container, they are easy to use and they make lots of bubbles. They are completely safe, made from a sugar solution. The only drawback is that they do leave a bit of a weird sticky bubble residue. You can find these in Fry's grocery stores for only $1.00! I also found these for a buck at the dollar store last week. If you prefer to buy online I have included a link below.

 





Friend Karen Blowing Touchable Bubbles




Bubble Recipes:

 Sweet Bubble Solution
1/2 Cup of Sugar,
1/2 Cup of Liquid Dish Soap
1 Quart Water
Heat water to boiling, remove from heat add sugar and stir till dissolved. Once the mixture cools add the dish soap and stir.

Jello Bubble Solution
1 part liquid dish soap
1 part gelatin powder
8 to 10 parts warm water
Mix all ingredients together gently until powder has dissolved.

No Tears Bubble Solution
3/4 Cup Water
1/4 Cup Tear free baby shampoo
3 Tbsp light corn syrup
Mix all ingredients together gently and let settle.

Big Bouncy Bubble Solution
3 Cups Warm Water
1 Ounce Glycerin
1 Ounce Liquid Dish Soap
Mix all ingredients together and let settle.

Now it's time to get your creative brain power out - you can find things around the house to use as a bubble wand. Here are a few ideas:
A New fly swatter
A funnel
An empty frozen juice container with both ends removed
A bottle opener

Pasta Fiori with Carmalized Veggies

    I had a whole bunch of veggies in the fridge tonight that I needed to use, so I ended up tossing them together in a stir fry kind of way and adding a few things as I went. It was one of those sporadic throw in whatever we've got nights, and it ended up tasting delicious enough to share. Chase ( my 16 month old son) and I ate it up and then had seconds. My picky 3yr old refused to taste it, she missed out! You may want to personalize this dish and use what you have, since there are a lot of ingredients  - but I wouldn't suggest omitting the red peppers or onions or garlic of course!! Actually, I wouldn't change a thing except maybe adding a bit of Parmesan at the end.

mmmm... Pasta!



Ingredients:

4 strips of Bacon

Hand full of Fresh Green Beans

1Yellow Squash chopped

1/2 Red Bell Pepper chopped

1 large clove of Garlic minced

1/2 Yellow Onion chopped

1/2 can of Fire Roasted Tomato drained

2 cups of Fresh Baby Spinach

Pinch of sugar

pinch of salt & pepper

splash of seasoned rice wine vinegar ( This stuff is great for cooking !! )

1/2 box of Past Fiori

Directions:

Cook and drain Pasta and set aside, Cook bacon and remove from pan and crumble it, remove excess grease from pan leaving about 3 tablespoons, adjust heat to medium, add red peppers and green beans saute for 5 minutes, add onion saute for about 3 minutes add squash and add pinch of sugar, continue cooking until you get a nice canalization, add garlic and spinach, cook for a minute taking care not to burn the garlic and follow with a splash or two of seasoned rice wine vinegar. Add the tomatoes, bacon and pasta, add salt and pepper to taste. Saute until all ingredients are mixed well and heated through. Enjoy!!

Rose Water Lemonade - a delicious exotic experience



Looking for a Unique Refreshing Drink?
Rose Water Lemonade  So simple yet so sophisticated, in a strangely rebellious kind of way -  this drink just makes me smile!



Many many years ago, in the heart of downtown Flagstaff, there was a little Mediterranean cafe called "Aladdin's" where I discovered this unique  treat. The food, the atmosphere and the drinks were all highly addictive. When I moved away, I found a Middle eastern Market that sold Rose Water so I made this mesmerizing concoction myself. I strongly encourage you to try this, of course It's best prepared with fresh squeezed lemonade, but works just fine with concentrate.

  

Edible Rose Water

  

A sip tip worth taking!!

 Suggestion -Buy all the same brand of sippy cups- Why?  Because all the lids fit! Trust me, when you have thirsty toddlers reaching and pulling at you, it’s nice to know, no matter which lid you grab, it’s gonna fit. This can be difficult at first with all the shower gifts and buying frenzy’s new moms go on, but it didn’t take me long to realize this was a tip worth taking.  I got rid of all the “sips” ( my 2yr old’s cute slang for sippy cup) except my favorite brand.

A shower Curtain's Unusual Uses

Swimming pool usage: Summer is here and we just bought my daughter a cool swimming pool for her birthday. The very next day monsoons hit, so we haven’t actually got to use it yet. Since we are up in the mountains we may be waiting a while for warm enough temps to use it, but a friend made a suggestion for warming the water.  Fill up your pool a couple of hours before you plan on letting them get in (make sure you move it to a sunny spot first), cover it with a cheap Shower curtain or a shower curtain liner ( these are usually around $5). It works like an insulator and keeps the bugs out. Of course I must add this is only suggested in a yard where NO kids have access without an adult. Let your kids splish splash in the nice warm water.  Go on, get in with em, you know you want too!!  Ahh just like a  jacuzzi minus the dirt those lil feet always find right before they jump in

Art and Craft time: This is a great time to spread out a shower curtain, whether painting, glueing, glitter or fake tattooing ( well – it rhymes anyhow!) So spread it out, have some fun, break out the bristles, paint someone, twist and shout, throw confetti in the air like you just don’t care, share some awe's and share some oooh’s,  paint those adorable baby toes And, ….when you’re done makes clean-up fun!

Going to the Beach? Take out that shower curtain and place it on the sand before you put your blankie or towel down. Can help keep your stuff a lot less sandy. You may prefer to keep it in the car for protecting your seats from sandy bottoms and feet.

Going for a Picnic? Same idea here, lay down the shower curtain so your blankie doesn't get all gunky from mud or wet grass or whatever. Also you could use it as a picnic table cover if you didn’t bring a table-cloth. These are great because they are waterproof and wipe-able.