Angelina Ballerina On With The Show DVD Review and Giveaway #sponsored

I have a soft spot in my heart for Angelina Ballerina. My daughters, who are all grown up now, used to love reading the books, and I loved how sweet they were.

So of course I'm thrilled that my two year old granddaughter, Ashley, now loves Angelina Ballerina as well. My girls didn't have the DVDs to watch, so I am happy that they are available for Ashley to enjoy.

A Lovely Lemon Tart

I don't know why I have never made a tart before yesterday. Maybe I was intimidated by my copy of a Martha Stewart Pies and Tarts book that I had in my kitchen, but never used.

But 2014 is the year for me to try new things, in and out of the kitchen. So, I made this lemon tart with a really tasty shortbread crust, and a zippy lemon filling.
And it was easy, who knew, right?

The tart took four medium lemons, so I bought a bag of them, with three left over for tea, and a lemon pound cake I want to make.

Soup Night - Recipes For Creating Community

Does it ever seem to you that in this crazy world of instant connections with others, whether it's through text, email, or computer, we are actually more disconnected that ever?

I recently read an article that said people don't even call each other much anymore, that they prefer texting. And it is pretty said to get a birthday wish from a friend or loved one via text instead of hearing a loving voice on the phone.

So what does all that have to do with soup?

#ad Enjoy Healthy Eating With This Quick and Easy Chicken and Veggie Pizza #cbias

I've always been a big believer in the fact that healthy eating is a part of a smart plan for living well.

Let's face it, what we eat is a big factor in determining our quality of life. This year I'm committed to healthy eating, but also want to find easy and quick ways to put my meals together. I don't want fixing healthy meals to be a burden on my time or my budget.

Tyson Grilled & Ready is the answer I need to put together those yummy dishes. I am a huge chicken lover, and having my chicken already cooked and grilled for me is a fabulous time saver.

I made this easy pizza with a thin whole wheat crust, some of my favorite veggies, and topped it with the Tyson Grilled & Ready Oven Roasted Diced Chicken Breasts. I threw on a little low-fat mozzarella cheese, and in the oven it went.

I know some people might not think of pizza as a healthy lunch or dinner, but it can be when you choose the right toppings. When you #JustAddTyson chicken, you are adding a great source of lean protein to your pizza, too.

One-Yard Wonders - Inspiration for the weekend!

The world of sewing is still so new to me and sometimes seems overwhelming, there are patters, lots of types of fabrics, and a great big machine with lots of buttons. But I found a way to make it seem less overwhelming, the book One Yard Wonders is full of seemingly simple ideas that only require one yard of fabric. There is a variety of patterns, ideas, materials, and styles to make and some really beautiful pieces. Here are a few from the book that I love:

Yummy and Fun - Make These Vanilla Sprinkled Donuts

I'm just going to go ahead and say this outright, donuts make me happy.

Pretty much any kind of donuts appeal to me, and they truly can cheer me up when things aren't quite going my way. Of course, I'm not saying one should eat as a solution to their problems, but a donut or two can make me feel a whole lot better.

Ever since I bought my fabulous donut pan, baked donuts are a cinch to whip up in the kitchen, and it barely takes any time at all.

Italian Pasta and Bean Soup

Now that the holidays are over, there always seems to be a bit of a let down emotionally, at least for me.

When my kids were little, that wasn't true because who has time for that when you have five children to take care of. But now that they are all grown-up, I have time to feel those emotions, and it can be a little sad.

So what does this have to do with soup, you might be wondering? Well, we all know that food can be comforting, and what is more comforting than a delicious, hot bowl of homemade soup?

I made this a few days ago, with corn bread muffins, and it was delicious. Last night I heated it up again, and it was even better than the first night.

4 Ingredient Pizza Bake

After all of the holiday food and fun, I wanted to make something simple for lunch the kids would also enjoy. I found this easy 4 ingredient pizza bake, the best part is I already had all of the ingredients. Nothing fancy but it was quick, easy and tasted good!

Ingredients:

2  pouches (7.5 oz each) Bisquick® Complete buttermilk biscuit mix                         

1 cup water                         

1  jar (14 oz) pizza sauce                         

1  package (8 oz) sliced pepperoni                         

2  cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)

Happy New Year!!

New Year's Resolutions for Living Frugally #sponsored

With the holidays over and a new year on the horizon, it's time to make a fresh start and think about getting back on track with spending. Making New Year's resolutions and keeping them doesn't have to be stressful. It can be fun, especially when you include the kids. It's a good time to reinforce your resolve to be a frugal family. Here are five New Year's resolutions for living frugally that you can make together as a family.
5 New Year's Resolutions for Living Frugally:

1. Spend Less-
Shop smart so you can spend less. Pay attention to what you're buying and where you're buying it. Routine trips to the discount store can help you spend less on everyday staples, school supplies, party supplies and craft projects. Resist the urge to buy what you need on a whim, especially when you're at stores where things are priced a little higher in exchange for their convenience.

2. Plan Ahead-
There are fun family activities you'll want to do with your children in the upcoming months, from birthday parties and indoor crafts to outdoor projects and family trips. Plan ahead for them. Mark them on a calendar. Work them into your monthly budget, and don't forget to budget in some fun. Pick up craft supplies and inexpensive party decorations when your budget allows, and make a conscious decision to buy them for less.

3. Get Organized-
Take an inventory of what you have at home, and organize your stash. Maybe it's time to buy a storage cabinet or put up some shelves in your laundry room. Whether it's cartons of cleaning supplies, a pile of notebooks for school or the extra paper products you bought last summer, put them in a distinct place and take stock of what you have. Use them up before you buy more.