Twinkie Strawberry Shortcake For MOM

So easy, the kids can make this surprise for Mom for Mothers Day!

Just stir a tablespoon of powdered sugar into fresh sliced strawberrys.....

Using these ingredients, Twinkies, strawberry's, and canned whipping cream

How easy could it be......    ENJOY!!!!!!                     -Buff-              

          

Fruit Bouquet For Mother's Day

Make a Fruit Bouquet for MOM, using your crafty side, make butterfly's out of pineapple, hearts out of cantelope, and dip some strawberry's in chocolate..... Put styrofoam in the bottom of a planter then slide the fruit on skewers, and sit back & enjoy the beautiful bouquet..she will love it....

                                                               

French Napoleons

These are a family favorite in our family.  They make the cutest Valentine's dessert, or any time of year, really.  They whip together super quickly and you can prep most of it ahead of time. 

Ingredients

• 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 cup cold milk
• 1 (3 ½ ounce) package vanilla instant pudding mix
• 1 cup Cool Whip
• sliced fresh strawberries

garnish (optional)

• powdered sugar 
• melted chocolate 

Directions

1. On a lightly floured surface lay out the puff pastry.
2. Cut out 9 Napoleons per sheet. You can use a cookie cutter or just cut them into squares.
3. Place on ungreased baking sheets (or use a Silpat).
4. (If your dough has become too warm, place in refrigerator to chill. The pastry will not "puff" well if warm.).
5. Bake at 400º for 8-11 minutes or until golden brown.
6. Remove to wire racks to cool.
7. In a bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Fold in Cool Whip.
8. Split puff pastry shapes in half.
9. Place bottom halves on serving plates.
10. Spoon filling over each; top with strawberries.
11. Top with pastry tops. (Add just a dab of filling on top of strawberries so the pastry top will stick.).
12. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and chocolate, if desired.

You can make the filling, slice the strawberries, and cook the pastries ahead of time and assemble when ready.  I've even assembled them completely and stuck them in the fridge for an hour and they tasted great. 

-marie

Chocolate Truffle Bundt Cake

Sooo Yummy but sooo Easy.....Chocolate Truffle Bundt Cake, just fill the center with the excess warm frosting. Then fill your mouth with a deliciously warm chocolate rush with  a large scoop of ice cream or cool whip on top.The day after when it is cold, just zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds & back comes the fresh baked chocolate rush again. Always a favorite at work or family event's. Sorry I am a Chocoholic enabler, see recipe below.

Whip up & pour into your bundt pan, it's prettier this way.

Cool till it is warm & easy to handle

Chocolate Truffle cake

1 Chocolate cake mix

1 small pkt. instant Choc. Pudding
1 bag chocolate chips

16 oz Sour cream

5 eggs

1 stick melted butter

1 tub of Pillsbury chocolate frosting heated (remove foil lid)

Mix by hand (it is a rather heavy dough):

Mix dry ingredients.  
Add chocolate chips to dry ingredients so they won't sink to the bottom.

Add sour cream, eggs, and butter. Mix well. Pour in greased Bundt Pan.

Cook 50 min.  350 deg.

When still a little warm, Pour 1 tub chocolate frosting that has been

heated in microwave for approx. 30-40 seconds.

Then pour warm frosting on top & in the middle as a bowl for the excess.

Now decorate it so it is irresistible.

"Lolly Leis"

Need a fun last minute valentine gift that no-one else will have???

Lolly Leis (lays) fun personal Gifts for all ages and genders.  
            Fun and fast valentine gifts for that someone special.
Find out first what their favorite candy is...then make a quick fun Lei for them that tells them you care....

All you need is their favorite Candy Bars (snack size)or for the man in your life put jerky in it, plus a roll of cellophane wrap, and some colored curly ribbon.

                             The kids thought they were AWESOME!!!!!

  

Cut a long strip and lay the candy along the middle & roll it over to cover.

Then tie off each section of Candy with a piece of the  ribbon, and tie the ends closed to create a closed necklace circle.

Then run the sharp edge of some scissors  along the ribbon to make it curl and you are finished...that easy!!!

Even Adults love them & feel special.

-Buff-

Frugal Friday - Spray Painted Beans

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Remember my spray painted beans from my guest bedroom? Well I decided to make some in Valentine's colors and figured I'd give a tutorial and share a few tips.

I've found the easiest way to do these is using a shallow box.  Spread the beans out in a single layer and give them a coat of paint.  Shake the box and spray some more; keep shaking and spraying to cover all sides.  Work quickly because they will start sticking together.  Once they are dry you can break them apart.  Let them dry completely before using them.

*I've found that flat paint works a little better than glossy -- they don't become so sticky.  But if you use glossy you can give them a coat of clear sealant and that will help.*

 

I also thought it would be fun to spray paint some conversation hearts.  I bought them on clearance last year since I don't like to eat them and figured they'd be cute for decorating.  They match my new plate perfectly! :)

Valentine Pretzel Buttons

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These are one of my kids' favorite treats. And mine, too! They are pretty to look at, are quick and easy, and are the perfect salty/sweet combo.

 What you'll need:

• square pretzels
• Hershey's Hugs (you can use Kisses, too, but I think the Hugs taste better and they definitely soften up better!)
• plain M&Ms

Directions:

Preheat oven to 200°.  (If your oven runs hot you may want to turn the temp down to 170°.)

Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or Silpat.  Place the pretzels on and top them with the hugs.  

Bake for 4-5 minutes until the chocolate is shiny and soft (but NOT melting - they should still hold their shape).  

Carefully place an M&M in the center of each hug and press it down to spread the chocolate.  

Allow to cool completely (a few minutes in the fridge works perfectly) and enjoy!

Quick & Easy Valentine Gifts

This would be a perfect gift for teachers, neighbors, friends, etc.  Just grab a box of brownies or cookies and attach the cute tag.  Keep a couple of these on hand for those last minute gifts.  :)

I made lots of these in different colors.  You can download them HERE - two per sheet - or just click on the images and save them individually.

Linked to:  The Girl Creative, An Original Belle, Destination: Craft, Craft-O-Maniac

Printable Valentine Jokes

Since Cailyn loves little jokes in her lunch box I figured I would make some for Valentine's Day.  You can download them HERE. 

*Thanks to Digital Card Fun for some of the cute, free clipart! :)

Linked to: Lil Luna,  Sugar & Spice, Blue Cricket Design

Countdown to Valentine's

My kids love doing any type of countdown to holidays.  Pretty much every holiday in our home is a big deal and Valentine's is no exception.  This is what we are doing for our countdown this year.

I've filled 14 paper bags with all kinds of Valentine goodies.  There are crafts we can do together, games we can play, and yummy treats we can make.


Here's what the bags are filled with:

• coloring & sticker book
• water color paint book
• foam picture frame crafts
• valentine bingo
• "pin the heart" game
• sugar cookie mix
• valentine decals for their windows
• tic-tac-toe craft
• heart cookie cutter for rice krispy treats
• hugs & pretzels to make holiday "buttons"
• crazy straws & juice boxes
• valentine memory game
• small valentine party favors
• foam door hanger crafts

I know it seems like a lot of stuff, and yes maybe I go overboard a little, but I love creating memories with my kids and this is a great way to make sure I set aside some time every day to spend with them.  I got everything from either the Dollar Tree or on clearance after Valentine's last year.  And a lot of things can be used year after year. The internet is also a great source to find printable games & crafts!





We also went to the library and picked up a bunch of Valentine's Day books and the kids get to pick out one a day to read.

I created a download for the numbers if you want to make your own countdown.  I used my 2.25-Inch Scallop Punch to fancy 'em up a bit but you can always keep them square and use them however you want!

Linked to: Michelle Paige, Destination Craft,