It’s everyone’s favorite time of year…..our Elves on the Shelf will be arriving soon!  I like to prepare in advance for his arrival so I am not scrambling each night to think of something for him to do.  I have some fun tricks up my sleeve this year! Check out some of my ideas below and stay tuned for more ideas to come!

Christmas Sensory Kit

Christmas Play-Doh Scents

Mini Christmas Trees

Mini Presents

Cookie Cutters

Pipe Cleaners

Christmas Tin

I’m Back

When Jingles, our elf arrives he likes to bring some fun things for the kids to do and wear throughout the Christmas season.  This year he is bringing each of the kids pjs, holiday shirts, Christmas Hot Wheels and a Cabbage Patch for Stella!

Jolly Shirt

Ride or Fly Pajamas

Gingerbread Pajamas

Candy Cane Lollipop

Felt Christmas Tree

I found this giant Christmas Tree that you can hang on the wall and I thought it would be great especially for Stella to put ornaments on the tree.

Christmas Tree

Holiday Pajamas

Boys Holiday Outfits

Girls Holiday Outfits 

Boys Holiday Gift Guide

Pacman Arcade Game

Walkie Talkies

Laser Tag

Hot Wheels Garage

Drawing Pad

Electric Dirt Bike

Electric Scooter

Osmo

Girls Gift Guide

Purse Kit

Microphone

Little People Frozen Set

Kindle

Pizza Play Food

Barbie Dream House

Doll

Kitchen Play Set

Men’s Gift Guide

Ugg Slippers

Grilling Set

Wireless Charger

Spicelogoy Rubs

Griddle

Bose Speaker

Traeger Smoker

Women’s Gift Guide

Wine and Kendra Scott Necklace Gift Set

Magnolia Table Cookbook

Crockpot

Airpods

Cosmetic Case

Diamond Initial Necklaces

Makeup Gift Set

Parents/In-Laws

Men’s Slippers

Women’s Slippers

Echo Dot Smart Speaker

Custom Grandchildren’s Names Pillow

Wine Gift Set

Throw Blanket

Digital Picture Frame

Ingredients

2 Packages of Cream Cheese

3 Slices of Cooked Bacon, Crumbled

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 TBSP. Worcestershire Sauce

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Bunch of Parsley

Crackers of Choice

Directions

1.)  Cook Bacon, I like to place on baking sheet and cook in oven for 20 minutes at 350 Degrees.  Let cool and crumble

2.)  Mix together Cream Cheese, Crumbled Bacon, Garlic Powder, Salt, Worcestershire Sauce, and half of the Cheddar Cheese

3.)  Form Cheeseball into Carrot and place on serving platter.  Cover with remaining Cheddar Cheese

4.)  Place Parsley in the top of the carrot cheese ball

5.)  Refrigerate until ready to serve

6.)  Serve with crackers of choice

This past weekend we hosted a retirement party for my aunt!  The theme of the party was all things fall and pumpkins!  I love having a signature cocktail at each party so I made a Apple Cider Sangria and my aunts favorite Pink Lemonade Champagne Punch.  I also had several bottles of One Hope Wine at the drink bar as well!

Prosecco Pink Lemonade Punch

Ingredients

1 Can of Frozen Pink Lemonade

1  2 Liter Bottle of Sprite Zero

1-2 Bottles of Champagne (I used 2 Bottles of Prosecco)

1 Bag of Frozen Strawberries (they add flavor and act as ice)

**To make an individual glass of this punch follow this recipe

1/2 Can of Sprite

1/2 Cup of Pink Lemonade (Ready to serve juice)

1 Cup of Prosecco

Handful of strawberries

Apple Cider Sangria

Ingredients

1 Bottle of One Hope Pinot Grigio

1 Can of Sprite

4 Cups Apple Cider

1 Apple, diced

1 cup Cranberries

1.) Mix Wine, Sprite, and Apple Cider together and then add diced Apples and Cranberries

2.)  Chill until ready to serve

Ingredients

1 TBSP Olive Oil

1 lb. Ground Beef

1 Package of Ground Sausage

1 Onion, Chopped

2-3 Jalapeno’s, Chopped

1 Red Pepper, Chopped

1 Garlic Clove, Diced

1 20 oz. Can Diced Tomatoes

1 can Black Beans (Can also use Pinto or Kidney)

1 8 oz. can Tomato Sauce

1 TBSP Cumin

1 TBSP Chili Powder

1 TBSP Chipotle Powder

Salt and Pepper to taste

Toppings

Sour Cream

Cheddar Cheese, Shredded (or cheese of choice)

Jalapenos

Avocados

Directions

1.)  In a large pot over medium heat add the olive oil and onion, red pepper, garlic, and jalapenos.  Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally

2.)  Add ground beef and sausage.  Cook until browned

3.)  Stir in Cumin, Chili Powder, Chipotle Powder, Salt & Pepper, Diced Tomatoes, Beans, and Tomato Sauce.  Stir until all combined and bring to a low boil.  Cook uncovered 25-30 minutes.  Stirring Occasionally

4.)  Serve with cornbread and toppings of choice

Jalapeno Cornbread

Ingredients

1 Cup Flour

1 Cup Cornmeal

2/3 Cup Sugar

1 Teaspoon Salt

3 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

3 Tablespoons Honey

1 Egg

1 Cup Milk

1/3 Cup Vegetable Oil

3 Jalapenos (2 finely diced, and one sliced in rounds)

1 Small Onion, Diced

Directions

1.)  Preheat oven to 400 degrees

2.)  Dice 2 Jalapenos and Onion.  Slice 3rd Jalapeno into rounds

3.)  In a large bowl mix together Flour, Cornmeal, Sugar, Salt, and Baking Powder

4.)  Add in Egg, Milk, Honey, Vegetable Oil, Jalapenos, and Onions.  Mix until combined

5.)  Pour mixture into a greased baking dish and top with sliced Jalapenos

6.)  Bake at 400 Degrees for 20-25 minutes

**Once out of the oven I like to drizzle with additional Honey

Pumpkin season is here!  My favorite time of year!  Stay tuned all season for new recipes added to the blog!  First up is my pumpkin pie dip recipe that is great to bring to a party!

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Ingredients

2 Packages of Cream Cheese

3 Slices of Cooked Bacon, Crumbled

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 TBSP. Worcestershire Sauce

2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 Bunch of Rosemary

Crackers of Choice

Directions

1.)  Cook Bacon, I like to place on baking sheet and cook in oven for 20 minutes at 350 Degrees.  Let cool and crumble

2.)  Mix together Cream Cheese, Crumbled Bacon, Garlic Powder, Salt, Worcestershire Sauce, and half of the Cheddar Cheese

3.)  Form Cheeseball into a Pumpkin and place on serving platter.  Cover with remaining Cheddar Cheese

4.)  Place Rosemary in the top of the Pumpkin cheese ball

5.)  Refrigerate until ready to serve

6.)  Serve with crackers of choice

Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients

1 15 oz. can of Pumpkin

1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 Eggs

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1 tsp. ground Cloves

1 tsp. ground Nutmeg

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 pre made Graham Cracker Pie Crust

Directions

1.)  Whisk all ingredients together until smooth

2.)  Pour mixture into pie crust

3.)  Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes then reduce temperature to 350 degrees and bake for 25 minutes

Homemade Whipped Cream

Ingredients

1 cup of Whipping Cream

1 TBSP Sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Directions

**Use a metal mixing bowl and metal beaters and place in freezer for 10 minutes to get cold

1.)  Once bowl and beaters are cold add Whipping Cream, Sugar, and Vanilla to bowl

2.)  Using a hand mixer beat ingredients until soft peaks form

3.)  Place in fridge until ready to serve

Pumpkin Pie Dip

Ingredients

1 Can Pumpkin

1 Box Vanilla Instant Pudding

1 Container of Cool Whip

1 tsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 tsp. Ground Nutmeg or Cinnamon

Directions

1.)  Mix together Pumpkin, Vanilla Pudding, Cool Whip, and Pumpkin Pie Spice with a mixer

2.)  Place in fridge for at least 1 hour to chill

3.)  Sprinkle ground Nutmeg or Cinnamon on top

4.)  Serve with Nilla Wafers, Graham Crackers, or Apple Slices

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups

Ingredients

1 8 oz. package of Cream Cheese, softened

1 15 oz. can of Pumpkin

1 package of Cheesecake Instant Pudding

1 can of Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 container of Cool Whip

3 Teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 Cup of Graham Cracker Crumbs (you can buy the pre-crushed or crush your own with food processor)

4 Tablespoons Butter, melted

2 Tablespoons Sugar

2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar

Directions

1.)  Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and brown sugar together.  Place in the bottom of individual cups

2.)  Using a hand mixer beat cream cheese until creamy.  Add pumpkin, pudding, pumpkin pie spice, and sweetened condensed milk.  Beat with mixer until all ingredients are combined

3.)  Gently fold Cool Whip into pumpkin mixture with spatula.  Mix by hand until combined

4.)  Spoon pumpkin mixture into cups.  Set in refrigerator for at least an hour to set

5.)  Garnish top with additional Cool Whip and pumpkin pie spice.  Keep in refrigerator until ready to serve

Apple Crisp

Apple Crisp Recipe Courtesy of:  If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen

Ingredients

2 Cups of Fresh Basil

1/3 Cup of Pine Nuts

1/2 Cup of Parmesan Cheese

3 teaspoons of Garlic

1/2 Cup of Olive Oil

Juice of 1 Lemon

1/2 teaspoon Salt

1/2 teaspoon Pepper

1 package of Pasta

Directions

1.)  Using a Food Processor or Blender add in Basil and Pine Nuts and pulse until finely chopped

2.)  Add in Garlic, Parmesan Cheese, Salt & Pepper and pulse again

3.)  Add in Lemon Juice and slowly drizzle in Olive Oil while blending until all ingredients are mixed together

4.)  Cook Pasta according to package

5.)  Once Pasta is cooked mix in Pesto with pasta and serve

I can’t think of a better dessert that screams summer than s’mores!  I have a few desserts that kick up the classic summer staple up a notch!!  These are perfect for all your fall bonfires too!

S’Mores Bars

S’mores Bars Recipe Courtesy of:  If You Give A Blonde A Kitchen

S’Mores Pie

Ingredients

1 Graham Cracker Pie Crust (You can also crumble graham crackers and place into bottom of pie dish)

1 Cup of Marshmallow Fluff

3 Chocolate Bars

2 Cups of Marshmallows

Directions

1.)  Spread Marshmallow Fluff on the bottom of the Graham Cracker Pie Crust (If you are not using a premade crust, crush the Graham Crackers and place on bottom of a greased pie pan

2.)  Break Chocolate Squares apart and line the bottom of the pie crust with chocolate

3.)  Top with Marshmallows and additional crumbled Graham Crackers

4.)  Place in oven and bake at 350 Degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown

***If you have a creme brulee torch you can also use that to toast the top

Cinco de Mayo is another fun excuse to throw a party and make some festive food and drinks!  Here are some of my favorite recipes that I make all summer long for parties!

Mango Salsa Recipe

Ingredients

2 Mangos

1 Red Pepper

1 Green Pepper

2 Jalapenos

1 Small Red Onion

1 Small Bunch of Cilantro

Juice of 1 Lime

Pinch of Salt

Directions

1.) Chop mangos, red pepper, green pepper, jalapenos, red onion, and cilantro

2.)  Mix all together in a medium bowl

3.)  Juice the lime over the salsa mixture and add salt

4.)  Mix and Enjoy

**You can eat right away but I always refrigerate for at least an hour before serving

Margarita Cheesecake Bites

No Bake Margarita Cheesecake Bites

Peplum Top

Leggings