These HEALTHIER kid-friendly Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins are perfect for busy fall mornings. Just grab and go!
A big thanks to Nellie’s Free Range for sponsoring this post, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. All opinions are my own.
Can you feel it in the air? Fall is coming…and far too soon, if you ask me! The start of the school year brings preparation for cooler temps, including our morning meal prep routine. The kids love when I make sweet breads and muffins for busy school mornings, so I whipped up one of our favorites – pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.
recognize your favorite teachers through the #100thankful teacher contest!
This post, back to virtual school, is sponsored by Juicy Juice. All opinions are my own.
It’s hard to believe it’s already time for our annual back to school pictures. It’s even harder to believe their back to school plans will not involve classroom orientations, bus routes…or anything resembling a typical school year.
Nothing says summer like this pretty pink lemonade sheet cake!
Thank you to Nellie’s Free Range Eggs for sponsoring this recipe, pink lemonade sheet cake. All opinions are mine alone.
You might say I have a thing for lemons. Over the years I’ve shared recipes for lemon ice cream (a must-try), lemon poppy seed bread, and my daughter’s first birthday was even a pink lemonade party theme! Inspired by the pink lemonade cupcakes I made for sweet Eve’s birthday, I decided to make a slightly more sophisticated pink lemonade sheet cake to kick off summer.
You’re going to want to try this. It’s the perfect combination of sweet and tangy.
This post, easy DIY teacher gifts, is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of The Quaker Oats Company.
School is out and it’s officially time for the kids to take a break from e-learning and enjoy the summer. This spring, as we transitioned to e-learning, our school didn’t miss a beat.
When life hands you lemons, serve them up on a plate with the best lemon poppy seed bread.
A big thank you to Nellie’s Free Range for sponsoring this recipe, the best lemon poppy seed bread. All opinions are mine alone.
This year has been a wild ride so far, hasn’t it? I think every single person could come up with an example of how this season has come with so many hardships…but also so many blessings.
I am so grateful that my family is healthy and spending lots of quality time together. We’ve spent a lot of time baking lately, which inspired this sweet and sour recipe: The best lemon poppy seed bread.
Decadent chocolate brownie cookies with a creme de menthe filling, fashioned after the popular grasshopper cocktail.
A BIG THANK YOU TO NELLIE’S FREE RANGE EGGS FOR SPONSORING THIS RECIPE, Grasshopper Sandwich Cookies. ALL OPINIONS ARE MINE ALONE.
Nothing goes together quite like mint and chocolate chips! As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, I thought it would be fun to whip up an ode to these flavors with Grasshopper Sandwich Cookies.
Cinnamon Eggnog Bread is a Christmas favorite. Great for breakfast, dessert or gifting!
Ingredients
CINNAMON CHIPS
2/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons cinnamon
2 tablespoons shortening
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
CINNAMON EGGNOG BREAD
2 Nellie's Free Range Eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup eggnog
1/2 cup oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
Dash of ground nutmeg (to taste)
1/4 - 1/2 cinnamon chips
EGGNOG GLAZE
1 cup powdered sugar
3-4 tablespoons eggnog
Instructions
CINNAMON CHIPS
Combine ingredients, mixing with a fork until well combined.
Place parchment paper on baking pan, then spray liberally with oil.
Press the mixture onto the parchment paper in a thin layer (about 1/4").
Bake at 225º for 30 minutes, until the mixture has baked into a solid layer.
Allow to cool, then cut cinnamon into small pieces.
Add to oatmeal, breads or sheet pan pancakes.
CINNAMON EGGNOG BREAD
Combine eggs, sugar, eggnog, oil and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
Combine flour, baking powder, and nutmeg, and add to the egg mixture slowly.
Once well combined, add cinnamon chips, to taste.
Pour in to a greased and floured loaf pan. Bake at 350º for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
Let cool. Remove from loaf pan and drizzle liberally with eggnog glaze.
GLAZE
Whisk ingredients together, then spoon generously on Cinnamon Eggnog Bread.
This recipe, Cinnamon Eggnog Bread, was sponsored by Nellie’s Free Range. All opinions are my own.
One of my very favorite treats of the holidays is eggnog. So, as I thought about new recipes I wanted to try this season, this ingredient was at the top of my list. I’m happy to report that this new recipe, Cinnamon Eggnog Bread, is a real winner. It combines the sweet taste of eggnog with dreamy pockets of cinnamon throughout.
Ready to try it for yourself? Keep reading, and I’ll show you how!
It’s that time of year, where I begin over-thinking gifts. Guys, I struggle with gifts giving…which is why I love passing along inspiration when it strikes me—hostess gifts, teacher gifts, or neat ideas for those “favorite things” gift exchanges. Today I’m sharing a few of my favorite things; simple but perfect gifts for the cooking enthusiast in your life.
KID-FRIENDLY, NUTRITIOUS LUNCHBOX RECIPES PACKED WITH FRUITS AND VEGGIES
A big thank you to Juicy Juice for sponsoring these lunchbox recipes. All opinions are my own.
One of the biggest challenges of the back to school season is packing lunches. We pack our own lunches most days to keep lunchtime affordable and nutritious – while making sure their bellies full for the afternoon of learning ahead! Today I’m sharing two of our favorite lunchbox recipes that can be prepped ahead of time: Savory Veggie and Cheese Muffins and Fruit Leather.
Perfect for an easy and filling breakfast, or to pack in lunch, these sheet pan pancakes will make your school day morning prep a little sweeter.
Ingredients
2 3/4 C. flour
1/2 C. sugar
1 t. baking powder
1.5 t. Baking soda
1 t. salt
2 eggs, whisked
1 t. vanilla extract
2 3/4 C. buttermilk (you can sub 2 ¾ C. whole milk with 2 ⅔ T. lemon juice)
2 T. butter, melted
Mix-Ins, to taste (per quarter sheet):
1/2 C. blueberries
1/2 C. strawberries
1/2 C. mini chocolate chips
2 t. light brown sugar
1 t. ground cinnamon
Confectioner's Sugar to garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 425º. Line large bar pan (approximately 10.5"x15.5") lined with parchment extending over the edges.
Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk in eggs, buttermilk, butter and vanilla until just combined. Batter will be slightly lumpy. Fold in berries, chocolate chips, or other mix-ins of choice and pour into lined pan.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes
Time Saving Hacks
For a shortcut, prepare the pancake batter using 4 C. pancake mix combined with 2 C. milk and 4 eggs.
Freeze leftovers in a ziplock, using parchment between layers. Microwave for a hot breakfast, or add to a lunchbox to thaw by lunch.
Perfect for an easy and filling breakfast, or to pack in lunch – Easy Sheet Pan Pancakes will make your school morning prep a little sweeter.
A big thank you to Nellie’s Free Range Eggs for sponsoring this recipe for Easy Sheet Pan Pancakes. All opinions are mine alone.
As much as I love to cook, there are a few things I’m just lousy at in the kitchen. Generally speaking, any food that requires careful flipping in order to create a perfect golden brown is out: grilled cheese, quesadillas, and of course, pancakes. If you don’t like them slightly charred, you don’t want me making them. That’s why I’m super excited about this recipe that we’ve been making for quick and easy back-to-school breakfasts – Easy Sheet Pan Pancakes.
25 Simple Crock Pot Soups, Stews, Chilis and Comfort Foods for Fall and Winter.
On a brisk fall or winter day, there is nothing quite like the feeling of coming home to the aroma of dinner in the crockpot, ready to serve. From hearty soups, stews and chili, to pastas and your favorite beef and chicken comfort foods, I’ve got 25 easy slow cooker recipes for fall – and you’ll want to try them all!
The delicious sweet taste of almond pound cake balanced with the slightly tart red and blue berries make this red white and blue almond trifle recipe a showstopper at your Independence Day gathering!
Today I’m sharing my favorite EVER strawberry shortcake recipe…with a twist. This Fourth of July, wow your potluck guests with this Red, White and Blue Almond Pound Cake Trifle.
This post, my summer routine as a work from home mom, is sponsored by FAGE; however, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Last year, I wrote a post my daily routine as a work from home mom. I was a little surprised by how many of you were interested in the ins and outs of my typical day. Because my children are all school age, that routine changes significantly in the summer! Today I’m going to share my summer routine as a work from home mom.
Thoughtful, homemade Mother’s Day gifts on a budget
I know I can’t be the only one who wracks my brain for Mother’s Day gifts every. single. year. Not only do the moms in my life all live out of state from us, but we are on a super tight budget! Today, I’m sharing some of the best ideas I’ve found for the top 20 best DIY Mother’s Day gifts on a budget.
Homemade Watercolor Tea Towel – It doesn’t get any easier than this watercolor technique! Perfect for even the youngest kids to help out with. Even better, it makes such a pretty and practical gift!
Bathtub Tray – I love this idea for a super simple DIY lucite bathtub tray! Totally waterproof, and matches any bathroom decor!
Lavender Bath Soak – Take the Bathtub Tray idea up a notch by adding a relaxing Lavender Bath Soak and presenting it in a pretty jar. Get the recipe here.
Cement Succulent Flower Pots – I’m still obsessed with these cement flower pots, and they are super easy to make! Cement doesn’t have to intimidating at all – check out this easy tutorial for creating your own!
Garden Stone – We love to make handprint garden stones as precious markers of how the kids have grown over the years!
Give her a hand – Okay, I really hope allll the husbands and kids out there are giving Mom a hand on Mother’s Day, but if you can’t be there to help, I love this simple idea for making life a little easier on Mom.
Pamper Her with this DIY Leather Pouch – This no-sew leather pouch is easy to make and totally stylish and practical! Drop in a few of your favorite pampering gifts – like yummy hand lotion, or my favorite EVER lip balm for super dry lips (if you can get past the super crazy name!).
Handwritten Heirloom Recipe Tea Towel – I absolutely love the idea of taking a handwritten heirloom recipe and putting it on a tea towel. Totally sentimental and useful. Check out how to make one here.
Book Lover’s Gift Set – If she loves to read, give her a mini vacation basket, complete with a good book, chocolates, and a DIY leather bookmark. If you don’t sew – no worries! Just use a super strong, flexible all-purpose glue. Budget tip: upcycle an old purse from the thrift store to course your leather!
Garden Gift Basket – This is attractive all on it’s own for a flower container, but I love this gift basket idea including custom garden markers and garden tools.
Potted Picking Garden Flowers – I’ve been trying to grow my own flower picking garden, so lately I’ve been loving receiving peonies, hydrangeas, lilacs and more for Mother’s Day! Truly the gift that keeps on giving.
Brunch – If you’re lucky enough to be with your mom for Mother’s Day, make her a special brunch (disclaimer: if you’re a mom yourself…schedule this for a day other than Mother’s Day so you can sleep in and get pampered by your kids!). I’m a huge fan of these Ham and Cheese brunch squares. Or, for something extra simple and a lot lighter, try these overnight Peaches ‘N Cream oats.
Sunshine in a Basket – Okay, there just might be a floral theme on this list, but I’m obsessed with this cheerful gift basket idea. This collection of candles, chamomile, citrus, herbs, and a charming potted cactus would brighten anyone’s day.
Framed photo or Photo Book – I mean, what mom wouldn’t love a photo of her kids or grandkids?
Leaf Print Fabric – Am I overdoing it on the tea towel love in this list? Didn’t think so! 😉 They are such a great idea because they are inexpensive, thoughtful, and practical! I love this idea for leaf printing on fabric for more charming tea towels.
Send Flowers – I’ve often sent flowers, simply because it can be hard to give a special Mother’s Day gift from out of state. It’s not always frugal, but flowers are always a good idea! Click here to get 20% off from FTD.
Something Sweet – My mom and I both have a serious sweet tooth, so I love this cool idea for saying it with ice cream! Whip up a batch of your favorite homemade ice cream (like creamy lemon vanilla or cookie dough frozen yogurt), add a few toppings, and top it with this cool gift tag.
Handwritten Card – Trust me – you can’t go wrong with a caring, handwritten card. Let Mom and Grandma know just how much you love her, and list every. single. reason. why.
Digital Frame – Okay, so this one isn’t truly DIY…or frugal, but I’m obsessed with this digital frame because multiple family members can update it in real time, right from their phones! And, it’s so stylish and sleek compared to the digital frames of yesterday.
Last Minute Gift – If all else fails and you’ve totally blown it this Mother’s Day…well, Mom doesn’t have to know. Give her a call (or even better, show up in person), tell her how much you love her and bring a card with a gift card to buy whatever she wants. Amazon gift cards are always a good idea! Buy and print (or e-mail) one in minutes.
Simple, budget-friendly mom hacks and must-haves your grandma would be proud of.
This post is sponsored by Cascade pure essentials. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
My grandma Edith lived one of the most simply abundant lives I’ve ever witnessed. Having lived through the Great Depression, my grandma lived a life that many consider trendy and novel now. She reused. Recycled. Upcycled. Ate from her farm and garden, and prepared meals from scratch. Dried clothes outside on the line. Many of her cleaning products were homemade… and her potpourri was, too!
This past year has been all about simplifying for our family. Inspired by my Grandma Edith – I’m sharing some easy tips for bringing spring indoors with simple, budget-friendly mom hacks and must-haves.
This rich and creamy Avocado Egg Salad makes the perfect side dish or protein-packed lunch. Even better - it’s low carb, Keto and Paleo-friendly.
Ingredients
2 small avocados, pitted, peeled, and diced
5-6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and diced
8 strips cooked thick cut bacon, crumbled
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Fresh salt and fresh pepper, to taste
Instructions
Hard boil the eggs by covering with an inch of water and bringing to a rolling boil. Turn off the heat and keep covered for 10-12 minutes before placing in an ice bath.
Meanwhile, dice the avocados and place into a bowl with the Greek yogurt and lemon juice. Mix until blended and creamy
Peel and dice the eggs. Place into a medium sized mixing bowl along with the chopped bacon and cilantro.
Mix the avocado mixture into the dry mixture until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste.
This rich & creamy Avocado Egg Salad makes the perfect side dish or protein-packed lunch. Even better – it’s low carb, Keto- & Paleo-friendly.
Low Carb, Keto-Friendly Egg Salad with Avocados
A big thank you toNellie’s Free Range Eggs for sponsoring this recipe. All opinions are mine alone.
Is anyone else out there sticking with their healthy eating resolutions for the year? I’m a little behind the ball and just starting to make improvements to my diet. I tend to get really bored when I try to eat healthier, so I’m constantly trying to switch things up. Today, I’m super excited to share my latest healthy recipe – an amazing Avocado Egg Salad.
The Avocado Egg Salad is a rich, creamy recipe that’s perfect as a side dish, or for a protein-packed lunch.
Our last link party for The Creative Circle. We are featuring twelve posts this week. Thanks for linking up with us every week.
Welcome to The Creative Circle – a place to share and find decor and DIY inspiration for your home!
Greetings friend! Well, today is the day. Our last official party but we are thrilled to be featuring your amazing posts once last time. Each of us is sharing two so make sure to stop by your hosts. Thank you so much for linking up with us, we’ve had a blast getting to know new blogs and being able to provide inspiration from your wonderful posts to our readers. Please stick around as non of us are going anywhere! I encourage you to follow all of your hosts using the accounts below. If you would like to receive weekly updates from me, I send out freebies, printables, and new posts on a quarterly basis, just subscribe to my newsletter.
We’ve got a wonderful library of featured posts on our Pinterest The Creative Circle board showcasing our favorites from the last four years.
My first feature is so clever – I’m loving this deconstructed couch makeover by One Thousand Oaks. Such a stylish budget project! Hop on over to get all of the details.
My second feature follows the furniture makeover theme. I love this inspiration for flipping furniture by Orphans with MakeUp.
