Still looking for last minute 4th of July ideas or food? Check out some of my favorites.

The last minute prep going on for today's holiday can be stressful, exciting and completely crazy! This year, luckily for me all my preparation is over already. I took the boys to the neighbors' party last night for a little bit, it was a mixed bag for the two of them but, I think they enjoyed it. So, today is just about parades and firework shows tonight. Which allows me to share with you some of my favorite things shared by great bloggers like Cheryl from Tidy Mom, Laurie from Tip Junkie, etc.

First up, was the neighborhood boys' favorite! The Patriotic Popsicle was a HUGE hit! 

In our household, any milk protein and strawberries are a big no no. So, instead, I used some soy ice cream. Slightly melted it, put it into molds and used raspberries and blueberries instead. Not a single boy out there and let me tell you this neighborhood only boasts 2 girls for the dozen plus boys in a 1 block radius, loved these and never noticed it was soy ice cream!

Next up, again an allergy, food intolerance friendly recipe, is Almost Vegan's Summer Berries and Vanilla Sweet Cream.

Again, food allergies prohibited us from using strawberries but, I just again substituted raspberries for strawberries. I even cheated though, and added this atop one of my son's special brand of pancakes I blogged about in a previous post. Which again was a hit amongst the boys of the neighborhood and even the adults were loving this.

Nomnomnom! blogged about a Gluten Free Shortcake with Berries and Coconut Cream. A rather yummy treat for everyone!

Again, I used raspberries in place of strawberries. Another thing, it called for margarine, I used Earth Balance, If you've not tried it, go get it! The best "butter" for Vegans and allergy/food intolerant people I've ever had!

Our Best Bites had some amazing food and printables ready for us too. I always do the pancakes for the boys like this but, their picture was MUCH prettier! :P Here is the link to check out all their great links and ideas!

Speaking of printables, holy fireworks Batman! Jen from Tatertots and Jello has us all covered!

She has EVERY single one I found on my own or through another person! Here is the link, to head over there and check out the dozen plus cute printable ideas she passed on. Still looking for red, white and blue food? Jen still has you covered! Here, is the link to her post for yummy looking festive food. I think I speak for thousand of her loyal followers when I say, Thank you Jen!! :)

Another great resource, was Cheryl's, I'm Lovin' It Wrap Up - 4th of July Ideas. There were some really cute ideas there, like the Patriotic Crunch!

I saw these passed on from Tip Junkie but, fell in love with them and had to pass them on myself!

How cute are these?! Click here to go get the printables and see the tutorial.

I could go on and on and on really. I don't want to make this so long that it takes more time to read it then you've got to squeak out a few extra projects, or yummy food! I hope that you find something worth while in what I've shared and that you and your families have a safe, happy holiday!

My Valentine's Day Favorites!

I know, long time no ramble! :)

After a long struggle with my laptop, and the help of a good friend, I think it's okay. At least for now anyway, though since I did it myself, I am not completely ignorant of computers, I'm no genius. I'm still convinced that it will crash at anytime!

I had some posts lined up to give you wonderful people, unfortunately, I had not hit save before my youngest son came over and decided to hit a few keys while I was in the other room getting dinner the other day. So, I'm winging it today, bare with me.

Instead, or until I find my pattern for my favorite new thing to share, I'm going to share with you a host of Valentiene's Day links. I've shared all of them on my Facebook page but, compiling them into one list is always easier. Don't you think? ; )

So here we go.

I have to say that when I first saw all those subway art printables a while back, I thought it was just boring and not cute enough to even put in a frame...I'm a convert now. I can't get enough of any of them, the more colors, the happier I am! It seriously borders on a neurosis, I have to get them all! So, below is a list of some of the V-day ones.

1. One of my fav blogs, Eighteen 25 posted this Valentine's Day Subway Art.
2. Sprik Space has a whole host of  V-day Subway Art. I included a link here but, even if you just visit Aimee's main page, and scroll down, you'll see tons and tons of them. Some of them are very cute, like the one above.
3. Love Stitched also had a cute one, click here. 
4. Funky Polka Dot Giraffe had a cute one, here
5.  Less Cake More Frosting has one here as well. It's not quite subway art, with all the various words but, dang cute none the less! 
6. My Computer is My Canvas has a cute Valentine's Day Banner. As well as a few other freebies to check out, while there! 
7. Brassy Apple has this cute tutorials for two different Valentine's Day 3-D Love Art

Again, I can't say it enough, while at these blogs, take a look around! There are soo many other things there, printables, crafts, yummy food! They all have tons of different things to off!

Next, are some of my favorite printables from various blogs. 

1. This one is my favorite, maybe the fact that I have two boys makes me VERY biased but, it stole my heart! Mique from 30 Days (or 30 Handmade Days) made this  I Wheelie Like You printable and it is too darling! 
2. Valentines Printable Kit from Creative Mamma is adorable for any kiddo. 
3. The Parkers shared this Classroom Party Pack from Shindig.
4. Tricia Rennea, fast becomming one of my FAVORTIE places for printable and freebies, posted this   Valentine's. 
5. She's Kind of Crafty had these cute bag toppers.
6. Hi Sugarplum even has a list of Valentine's Printables from other bloggers!
7. The girls at Eighteen 25 posted a blank printable here, that can easily be used for Valentine's Day. 
8. Whipperberry has these cute bottle labels that you can use to adorn a V-day gift. 

No, Valentine's Day would be complete without food!! Have I mentioned that I LOVE food?! So, naturally, picking just a few was really hard but, I had to share a few from some of my fav ladies!

Cheryl from Tidymom, guest posted on She Wears Many Hats her Sweetheart Cherry Cake. My mouth was watering!

Kristan from Confessions of a Cookbook Queen posted her yummy looking Chocolate Heart Brownie Bites.

Last but certainly not least, Diane from Created By Diane, posted these cute Heart Shaped Pancakes. 

If this doesn't wet your creative appetites as well as your actual ones, then you're asleep. Or you've just eaten!

If that's not enough...two more things to get you going!
Cheryl from Tidymom has her list of here and I've said  it before, peruse the blogs of these ladies, like the ladies of Eighteen 25. They have loads of things there if you just look!

Hope this gets those last minute creative juices flowing! 

I Have to Share!

This time of year is often difficult in my house, starting just before Halloween. The week before the frightful night, there are two birthdays! My stepson's and one of my husband's nephews. So, planning presents, parties and costumes becomes all I can think about come September!

In Novemember, it's my big brother's birthday, my olest son's, my husband's other nephew and his sister-in-law. Oh and did I mention this seldom heard of holiday, called Thanksgiving?! Most of these birthdays all fall within 1 week of Thanksgiving no less!

So, by December I am at my highest stress point and am party, present and almost festivitied out (Yes, that is a word, even if it is in my own world!). Planning a get to together for friends, gifts for neighbors, close friends and even some family members can be very daunting!

I decided that this year for Holiday get together, I would have a cookie swap party. Nothing grand, just a few friends over for some girl talk, cookies and of course some drinks!

I was just desperately trying to come up with some decoration ideas when along comes Amy from Living Locurto. If you've not checked out her blog and party, decoration ideas and links to other fabulous blogs, you definitely need to! I put her on the side of this page along with several other fabulous blogs. If you've not checked her out of heard of her yet, go take a look!

Take a look at the free printables she's come up with if you're an email subscriber!







They are really cute and you can easily use them anytime of year! Enough said right? So head on over and check out some of her ideas!


For the gift giving portion of the Holiday season, I usually go all out baking treats for weeks on end! Pre-making and freezing them as needed. I was still on the fence about what to make, if I should bake or buy and if I buy, what to buy! Another GREAT blog to the rescue. If you've been in blogland for some time now, you'll have probably come across not only Amy but the wonderful ladies of How Does She?.

Another one of my favorite blogs, there is always something there of interest. Today was no exception, they passed on what I have to say is so far my favorite post of this month! Their 30 Neighbor Gift Ideas was not only a great source of inspiration but, witty on top of that! The perfect mix, at least for me!

I'd share some pics but, there are 30 ideas there and I wouldn't begin to know what to choose to post! Just take my word for it and head over there and check out that post!