How to Make Snow Ice Cream!

Snow glorious snow!  Who doesn’t love the snow – well for starters MY MOM! Too bad she lives in West Virginia where they are blessed with plenty of it! I thought because of all the snow storms headed our way I would share one of my favorite child memories that I passed along to my daughter. - Snow Ice Cream! 

When my daughter was little, she and her friends would start with their “snow day ritual” any time the weathermen started predicting snow (they never figured out that the weatherman was usually wrong, we live in the South.)  If you aren’t familiar with it, it consisted of flushing ice down the toilet, wear your pajamas inside out and backwards, sleep with a spoon under the pillow, run around the table 10 times clockwise and place a white crayon on the windowsill. Now, what the girls didn’t know was that I had a counter ritual to prevent snow days!  This consisted of flushing hot water down the toilet, wear your pajamas the correct way, sleep with a fork under your pillow, run around the table 10 times counter-clockwise and place a yellow crayon on the windowsill.  Happily, mine worked more than theirs!

But, when the snow would actually come, WE never missed making Snow Ice Cream! 

Make Snow Ice Cream!

Yep, you heard me right – Snow Ice Cream. Follow the link to see how to make snow ice cream! This recipe from Sugar Pie Farmhouse is the most common, not to mention delicious!

Be sure to let me know if you try this! 

Enjoy! 
Angee 

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Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa!

Baby it's cold outside! Warm up with some Hot Chocolate! Try this recipe out. 

Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa

1 cup vanilla chips (I used Guittard Choc-Au-Lait Chips)
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 ½ cups milk
¼ tsp. cream of tartar (it’s what helps a snickerdoodle have its flavor)
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
Pinch of freshly ground nutmeg

For the Cup:
¼ cup vanilla chips
¼ cup cinnamon sugar mix
Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mix onto a plate.

On a plate sprinkle the ¼ cup vanilla chips, heat in microwave until they melt (about a minute).

Dip cup rim into melted chips and then into the cinnamon sugar mix. Let set up.
Combine the vanilla chips, cream, and milk in a heavy saucepan. Heat up slowly, not going higher than low-medium.

Cheers!
Angee

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Chocolate Dipped Peeps? Yes, Please!

I have a confession.

In addition to be a lover of Cadbury Eggs and candy corn, I also love Peeps. (Hmmm, all my favorite candies and holiday candies…) 

Yes, those marshmallowy covered in sugar little creatures you can buy at Easter (and other holidays now too!)

There’s something delightfully ridiculous about marshmallow Peeps. They seem to usher in all sorts of childhood nostalgia, kicking off the season of Easter candy with pastel flair.

 As any experienced Peep connoisseur knows, Peeps are best eaten after they have dried out for a few days.  It makes them oh so nice and chewy. I have been known to open them and set them in the pantry for a few weeks and go back for them for an extra special treat.

What could taste better than a dried out Peep? A Peep covered in chocolate of course! I’ve seen tons of different ways to do it on Pinterest and even saw that you can buy them at your local superstore!  But those Peeps were a bit costly and most of the pictures I saw on Pinterest were only pictures. (A HUGE Pinterest No No!) So I decided to make my own and show you how!

The first step was to melt the chocolate.  I had a variety of different products on hand chips, melts and bark. They all work basically the same. I melt my chocolate in the microwave but a double boiler can also be used. If the chocolate doesn’t melt smoothly, try adding a little vegetable oil to it to thin it out. I went with the chocolate melts for this round. 

Then I just held the little guys by their neck and dipped away! After a nice warm dip in chocolate I sprinkled them with sprinkles! Set on wax paper to hard and THAT'S it! 

I've created this bag topper as a FREE printable for you. I used Ziploc brand sandwich bags and two stables and I have the perfect little gift for friends and family.  

Please be sure to read the Terms & Conditions of Use before using

 So do you think you will make these in the near future? After Easter Sunday, peeps will be on sale and I just might make a Spring Peep printable! 

Keep Chillin' Peeps!
Angee 

 

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Cooking with Cadbury Creme Eggs!

There are two kinds of people in this world: People who love Cadbury Creme Eggs and people who think we are crazy. 

Easter is just a hop, skip and diabetic coma away, which means it's time to inhale as many Cadbury Eggs as you can before it's too late! I however, have been known to buy them in bulk and freeze them so I can have them well into the fall.

These recipes call for those most delicious of all candy eggs, so they should help you consume Cadbury Eggs in massive quantities just in the nick of time. My teeth are aching already!

Cadbury Egg Donuts! Cadbury Eggs + Doughnuts = The ultimate in indulgence. 

Cadbury Egg S'mores? It makes perfect sense. People love their s'mores and they love their Cadbury eggs. Why wouldn't you put the two together?

Deep Fried Easter Crème Eggs are a deadly--and delicious--Easter treat!

 
Candbury Egg Chocolate Lava Cake is a gooey, rich chocolate lava cake with a Cadbury Egg surprise inside. You may want to skip dinner and head straight to dessert.

Cadbury Creme Eggs Benedict. It combines all of the excess of the savory dish, but in completely sweet form, comprised of stacks made of doughnut, brownie, melty Creme Eggs (complete with oozing yolk!), and a topping of rich frosting, all accompanied by a mound of fried pound cake to give the effect of side potatoes. It's a sweet egg-stravaganza. 

Get all 'gooey' this Easter and make these rich, delicious chocolate pancakes using classic Cadbury Crème Eggs.

 

Cadbury Egg Crème Brûlée! There are few things better than breaking into the sweet protective layer of a Crème Brûlée. But if the path to the creamy goodness beneath was to be impeded by a large object, then it might as well be a Canbury Egg! So grab a blow torch, and put on your fat pants. Instructions for Creme overload can be found here.

 

Make Cadbury Egg Fudge and indulge all you want but remember swimsuit is also right around the corner. 

Caramel Cadbury Egg Martini, because candy is much more fun to drink! Skip dessert and head straight for this chocolaty martini. You'll feel like you bit into a Caramel Cadbury Egg.

 

Cadbury Eggs Decoded! Finally, you can make Cadbury-style Creme Eggs at home any time of year. 

 

Bon Appetite! 

Angee

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FREE St. Patrick's Day Activities and Printables!

Top of the mornin' to ya!  Kiss me I'm Irish! 

So I have been telling myself, don't get caught up in all of the cute Saint Patrick's Day STUFF, you have never decorated or really celebrated the holiday in the past, you will be fine...but then I became an instant Yaya when my daughter got married and became a mother to the most precious little girl! 

 Roni Rose & Starr! My 2 favorite girls!

For me, the main goal on St. Patrick's Day, while attending Elementary School, was to make it through the day without getting pinched. I was curious how this tradition of pinching began, so I Googled, (where does pinching on st patrick's day come from) and got several different answers ranging from warding off Leprechauns to just a child's made-up game. If you know the real history (or have a good guess) of how it all started please enlighten me!  Also, for those of you living outside of the U.S., do children pinch on St. Patrick's Day where you live, or is this unique to the U.S.?  I'd love to hear about how/if you celebrate St. Patrick's day.  

Since my daughter was little, St. Patty's Day has turned into something bigger, a WHOLE LOT BIGGER! We will now have a tricky little Leprechaun that comes the night before (March 16th) and leave shamrocks all over the house. He will also turn the milk green and will use our potty before he leaves. We might even catch him in our Leprechaun trap! No leprechaun will be able to resist the shiny gold inside this glittery leprechaun trap.  And your little ones will be almost as excited as they were with their Elf on the Shelf waiting to see if they catch a real live leprechaun with their sneaky creation. And we just might play this St. Patrick's Day Path Game.

Here are a few of my new found FAVORITE decorations, activities and ideas for this Magicial Holiday! 

This 1st print is designed with words that children may typically associate with St. Patrick's Day...including pinching!  

 

These free St. Patrick’s Day party printable’s are courtesy of How Does She?  If you’re hosting a celebration this year you can easily print these out just in time for the festivities. Designed by Chickabug, this collection will set the perfect mood. Water bottles, Cupcakes, banners and more. 

 

Looking for great printable activities for kids? This is the perfect way to get your bunch excited about St. Patrick's Day...and to spread the fun around to others. It's a St. Patrick's Day version of getting Booed or Elfed! Treat bag toppers are included for your goodie bags, too. All items are free printables for non-commercial use only.

 

I'm so Lucky to Have You! Here are some fun little ideas you can give to your kids, your sweetheart, your kids’ teachers or whoever else you feel like giving a pot of gold to.  

Oh, the fun of St. Patrick‘s Day but oh, the the lack of decor with Easter right around the corner! If you are having a hard time trying to find any green decor with spoiled Easter eggs taking over the retail stores then HERE ya go! St. Patrick's Day Subway Art! 

 

These Candy Bar Wrappers would make adorable little treats for co-workers and/or loved ones!

You remember "cootie catchers" when you were growing up, don't you? Those origami fortune tellers that you'd play endlessly until all the fortunes were discovered! Well, here's the perfect good luck fortune teller/cootie catcher for St. Patrick's Day!

If you are looking for a fun St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake Idea then you have come to the right place. These Lucky Charms Cupcakes are just that!  

Having a party? This St. Patrick's Day party invitation template features a happy Irish leprechaun (is there any other kind?) and a fun green polka dot background. He'll definitely help set the mood for your St. Patrick's Day party. 

Looking for a quick and easy favor idea for St. Patrick's Day? What about a Pot O' Gold? Simply fill pretzel cellophane bags with some rainbow Twizzlers and gold foil-covered chocolate coins or Rolos, add a custom 3" tag, and call it done!

These St. Patrick’s Day papers are perfect of card making, digital scrapbooking and any other project you can come up with. 

For the adults, In case you're still interested in drinking some festive beer, but maybe aren't so much into dyed beer, just pop these labels on any standard beer for a festive refreshment. You get 3 labels: 2 round, one square and some neck wraps from Benign Objects.

Green not your color? Try these super fun R A I N B O W printables for St. Patty's Day! 

Finally this ONE awesome quote caught my attention and reallly captured my snarky attitude. I've made this 8x10 FREE printable for you to share! 

 And a little Irish nod to our Southern roots... 

  

For more DIY ideas, recipes and crafts visit my St. Patty's Day Pinterest board.  I hope you enjoy this holiday as much as I will. 

Please share your activities with me in the comments below!

Cheers!

Angee

 

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Lucky Nibbles! St. Patrick's Day Foods

If you've have been searching for some yummy treats to make with the kids or for the family on St. Patrick's Day, all I can say is this may turn into a week long celebration as there are so many yummy things out there to make. Here are a few of my favorite desserts, smoothies, drinks, traditional Irish dishes, soups and so much more…

For more visit my St. Patty's Day Pinterest Board.  

Enjoy! 
Angee 
 

Rainbow Waffles |  Mint Chocolate Chip Pancakes | Rainbow Fruit Skewers | Lucky Charm Snack Mix | Creamy Broccoli Soup | Shamrock Smoothies | Cucumber Feta Rolls | Ice Cream Jello Shots | Green Velvet Cupcakes | Vanilla Pudding with Meringue Clouds | Leprechaun Hat S'mores | Leprechaun Crunch | Irish Soda Bread | Corned Beef with Vegetables | Irish Blue Cheese Fondue | Shepherd's Pie | Stout & Ice Cream Floats | Irish Beef Hand Pies | Shamrock Dirt Cups | Green Velvet Cheesecake | Leprechaun Candy | Green Mac-n-Cheese | Rainbow Pancakes | Green Sangria | Sparkling Clover Charm

Green Glowing Cupcakes

Broccoli Soup

Broccoli Soup

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Lucky in Love! A St. Patty's Day Wedding

If you have an Irish heritage or you just think St. Patrick's Day would be a lucky day to have your wedding, you are probably at a loss on how to plan a classy, elegant Irish celebration that is fitting to your wedding day dreams. Well, here are some great ideas to help you make your St. Patty's Day wedding as lucky as a pot of gold.

When you are picking colors for your wedding, green may not be on the top of your list. But, when you are planning a St. Patrick's Day wedding, green is the best color to use for this theme. The plus side is that there are so many different shades of green to pick from a shamrock green to a dark, hunter green, so finding a shade that looks great on everyone in your bridal party shouldn't be a problem. You may even want to mix it up and use a bunch of different shades of green that complement each other.

When you are choosing a design for your wedding invitations, you may want to go with a Celtic knot or cross as the focal point of the design. You could also incorporate the Celtic knot or cross into the rest of your ceremony maybe in a wax seal for your programs or as the decoration for your wedding cake. You may be able to find some napkin holders that have a symbol of the knot or cross on them. However, you choose to use it, it is definitely one of those extra little details that will pull everything together.

When selecting the music for your ceremony, some traditional Irish music would be a perfect touch to your special day. Not only is Irish music romantic and beautiful, but also its instrumental ballads will add just the right touch to take your St. Patrick's Day wedding from clash to class.

When choosing the foods for your reception, don't feel like you have to go all out with the green food coloring. Why not take a different approach and serve traditional Irish dishes such as Irish Stew, Bacon and Cabbage, Dublin Coddle, Irish Bread Pudding, and Soda Bread. Of course, no Irish wedding celebration would be complete without some stout Irish Beer or green ale! 

A great idea for wedding favors would be to purchase some four-leaf clovers and give them to your guests. Another interesting twist on the "green" would be to give them small potted plants with your names and wedding date on the side or seed packets (like this fun DIY project). This is something they can take home and plant and it symbolizes your growing love for each other.

When you are decorating you could use greenery, white Christmas lights, and candles. This is sure to set the right mood for your ceremony and reception. Don't be afraid to use colors like white and yellow to help contrast the green, and to incorporate those colors into your floral arrangements. Maybe you and your groom could stand in front of a huge Celtic cross wrapped in greenery and Christmas lights while you say your vows? 

Whatever you choose, don't be afraid to get creative and do some research to pull lots of ideas from traditional Irish weddings. 

May God be with you and bless you.

May you see your children's children.

May you be poor in misfortunes

and rich in blessings.

May you know nothing but

happiness from this day forward. 

~ Irish Marriage Blessing

XOXOX, 

Angee 

Inspiration board credit to: Project Wedding

 

 

 

 

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GNO Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

What’s girlfriendly about St. Patrick’s Day? Well, given that it tends to be a drinking holiday here in the U.S., not much, specifically. However, there’s nothing wrong with knocking back a few Guinness with your gal pals! If you have no plans for March 17, why not phone up a few girlfriends and meet them for a drink or invite them over for a quiet-or-not evening? I've scoured the web (mainly Pinterest, cause I'm still a Pinhead) for some other ideas to make your St. Patrick’s themed girls night just a little more special:

Green drinks (but not green beer)

Here’s a nice little illustrated blog post on Irish Beers so you can find them at your local liquor mart. And here’s a fabulous list of Irish/green cocktails to try.

Munchies that (sham)rock

Try serving this spread of green appetizers from YumSugar. Craving a blend of sweet and salty? Make a bunch of these pretzel-and-white-chocolate shamrocks for your girlfriends and watch them disappear! 

Irish I knew what to do…

Set the theme with some background music. The powerful, beautiful music of Celtic Woman makes a great backdrop for your Irish-themed celebration. A New Journey is one of their latest releases. You’ll enjoy hearing our girlfriend Siobhainn spinning some Irish tunes and chatting “round the kitchen table” with the ladies. An authentic Irish American experience! 

Plant clover with your girlfriends and you can each take home a pot of green to remind you of your fabulous friends. What better way to find a four-leaf-clover than to grow your own? 

The Luck of the Irish is for everyone on St. Patrick’s Day. Celebrate your good fortune together! Have your girlfriends complete this sentence: “I’m lucky because…”

Finally, Don’t forget to toast your girlfriends with an traditional Irish Blessing, perfect for any occasion!

There are good ships,
and there are wood ships,
The ships that sail the sea.
But the best ships, are friendships,
And may they always be.

May the hinges of our friendship never grow rusty.

I wish you the “luck o’ the Irish” this year as you celebrate with friends. And no matter where or how you celebrate remember the old Irish adage “Before you call for one for the road be sure you know the road.” Slàinte  I hope you find the pot of gold at the end of your personal rainbow. But wherever friends gather, you’re sure to find the treasure of friendship. 

Do you have tips on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with your girlfriends? Tell me how you do it and I'll add it to my post!

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Cheers! What is your Signature Cocktail Style?

Photo via It's a Brides Life

One of the hottest trends today in the wedding world is couples choosing a signature cocktail.

Signature cocktails are a great way to show your personality and uniqueness, and brides and grooms everywhere are creating their signature drink for their wedding.

The common wedding signature drink is often a classic cocktail drink like a martini. However, options for signature drinks aren't limited.

Almost any type of alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drink can be a signature drink, including mojitos, pina colodas, or margaritas and any other type of cocktail. Flavored teas & lemonades make great non-alcoholic options. 

Ideas for Wedding Signature Drinks

• Match your signature drink with your wedding theme. (i.e. Pina Coloda or Margarita would be perfect for a beach themed wedding.)
• Match colors from your wedding with the color of your signature drink.
• Create a unique name for your cocktail.
• Your signature drink does not have to be limited to one, it's okay to have one for the bride and the groom.
• Place a sign on the bar indicating the name of your cocktail so that guests are aware that it is available.
• Research different Signature Cocktail ideas.
• Discuss with your wedding planner or friends for more ideas.

Keep in mind that if you decide to have a Signature Cocktail for your wedding reception, you must not limit your cocktails to just the signature drink of your choice as guests may require and expect all usual drinks to be obtainable. This includes hard liquor, mixed drinks, beer and wine and of course soda and water. 

Here is my favorite mocktail: Fresh Squeezed Lemonade with Raspberry Ice Cubes. And my favorite cocktail is the Godiva Chocolate Martini.

What is your favorite go to drink? Let me know in the comments below.


Most importantly be a responsible host and don't let your guest drink and drive! Have options available for intoxicated guest. 

Cheers!  
Angee 

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