Super Easy Super Tasty Fruit Dip

With all of the BBQ's and outdoor parties we have been going to this summer I needed a quick and easy go-to dip to whip up in a hurry. My friend Jodi is the women when it comes to cooking, this gal is the Queen of tasty yet easy. We showed up to her house for a party and she had made this dip with all of the cut up variety of fruit to go with it, heaven help me! It was delicious and I NEEDED to know how she made it. When she told me it was 2 ingredients I about fell over, now it tasted even better because it was so simple. The dip is sweet but also gives has a little tang to it, or something like that. All I know is it is good and I have since made it several times for several occasions and it has WOWED every time!!!


Ingredients:
1) 1 - 8oz pack of cream cheese
2) 1 - 7oz jar of Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme



Pick out several of your favorite fruits to dip, this time we went simple with strawberries and apples.





Step 1: Combine the cream cheese and marshmallow creme.

Tip: If the cream cheese is a little hard microwave it for about 20-25 seconds so it is a little softer to work with.


Step 2: Mix the two ingredients with a fork or spoon until they are blended really well together (or no lumps).


Step 3: Chill in the fridge for about an hour. Cut your fruit up into dipping size pieces while you wait.


Step 4: Dip and Enjoy!!!!


That's it, easiest thing ever. Hope you liked this treat, we ALWAYS do.

*Special thanks to my BFF Jodi for letting me "steal" her famous dip! Try it you won't be disappointed!

P.S. Don't you feel like the fruit cancels out any calories you consume by the cream cheese and marshmallow creme? I do.

Honoring 9/11

I was trying to think of a way to honor the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 attacks. I thought maybe a post about where were you, how did it effect you, what do you think about 10 years later but none of it seemed fitting enough to honor the day in the way it should be. For me I realized that it a reminder everyday to hug the ones you love, kiss the ones you love and be thankfully every day we have on this earth to be Americans.

We all have our own story of how it effected us and where we were and those are good stories. Write them down, tell them to the younger generation and be thankful for the men and woman of the Armed Forces, Fire Departments and Police Departments all over America.

My son is too little to understand what 9/11 means so for us we are watching Fireman Sam cartoons and being grateful for the country we love. We thank my sisters husband who served in Afghanistan in the Army, my brother who served in the Army and a close family friend Jodi for her husband who still continues to serve in the Army.

Children's Hospital Thrift Stores

I have been on a roll lately with my thrifting (not a real word but it is to me now ha!) it seems like I am slightly addicted. Oh dear. Well this time when we came across the Children's Hospital of Seattle Thrift Store on Bainbridge Island I knew that we had buy stuff to help this great cause. When my now 25 year old little brother was born he was very premature and sick. They did not think he had much of a chance to live, it that was so hard on the whole family. The relief that my parents did find was at the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles, where we living at the time. Needless to say they helped my family and my little brother and he is a healthy 25 year old aspiring "rock star" and we have them to thank.


I have been wanting to get JJ Dr. Seuss books to add to his home library because every kid has them or knows about them. We had them as kids and I have fond memories of reading these classic books. Honestly though at $8 a pop I was having a hard time justifying buying a bunch of them at a time, I know I could buy one at a time but buying in bulk is so much easier. So when we found these for just $1 each at the thrift store I scooped them up! They are in great condition and were most of the ones I was searching for, The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Are you my Mother? just to name a few. If you do the math if I had paid retail at $8 each x 6 I would have paid $48 and since I bought them second hand I only paid $6 for all. I saved $42 dollars, how frugal of me!!!




And while we were there we found this turtle for $3, the shell comes off to store hidden treasures. JJ is obsessed with turtles so we had to have him. Kind of cute huh?





Anyways, Happy Thirfting All!!!

Halloween Decor on a budget

I LOVE HALLOWEEN! It is one of my favorite holidays to decorate and celebrate. The kids are always happy this time of year and the decorations are everywhere. I seem to want to buy everything but I am on a budget you know and sometimes I have to real myself in. I am finding in my frugal state the Goodwill or any second hand store is a great place to check out when you are looking for holiday items. Like every second hand store there is good stuff and crappy stuff, you just have to search. I came across these two items the other day and for 99 cents each I knew I couldn't go wrong.

A vintage looking Ghost, cute and not spooky :)






A more modern feel with this spider web metal candle holder. See the glass pieces inside the web?

I love a good cheap find, something that I know I will use year after year. Not only do they have great items that you have to do nothing to or with, there are many DIY projects just waiting for you at any second hand store. Check them out, you won't be disappointed. In fact...I see another trip for me in the near future!

Kiwi Magazine Maylee's Moment Carrot Cupcake Recipe

 

 Maylee's Moment by Kiwi Magazine Carrot Cupcakes

  

I enjoy reading Kiwi Magazine and getting the email newsletter. Today I read this Carrot Cupcake recipe and loved it. I want to make these for Halloween. I LOVE the way Carrot Cake tastes and thankfully my son does too. I had carrot cake on my birthday and he ate most of mine and his! This recipe is from the Kiwi Magazine newsletter. I did not write this recipe I just wanted to share it.

Cupcakes are always delicious, but they're extra fun to eat when they're good for you, too. These ones are loaded with carrots, which are good for your eyes. Try making them with your parent and having one as an after school treat!

Prep time: 20 minutes
Bake time: 15 to 20 minutes

Carrot Cupcakes
1/2 pound carrots
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Glaze
1 medium navel orange
1 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1. Have your parent preheat the oven to 350° while you line a muffin tin with paper cups.
2. With your parent, use a grater to grate the carrots, taking extra care not to scrape your fingers! Set aside.
3. With your parent, measure the flour, salt, spices, and baking soda. Put them all in a large bowl and stir until thoroughly blended. Then, you can add the grated carrots to the bowl and mix to combine.
4. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk, your parent can help you combine the eggs and sugars and mix until well combined. Add the oil, and mix until smooth. Turn off the mixer and add the flour mixture. Turn the mixer back on and mix until combined.
5. Use an ice cream scoop to fill the cupcake liners with batter until they are about two-thirds full.
6. Have your parent bake cupcakes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes.
7. While the cupcakes are baking, help your parent cut the orange in half.
8. Use your (clean!) hands to pick out any seeds from the orange. Then hold one half of it over a medium bowl, cut side down, and squeeze as hard as you can until you get all the juice out. Do it again with the other orange half.
9. With your parent, measure the confectioners' sugar and add it to the bowl. Stir slowly with the whisk (or else the sugar will fly all over). When the glaze is smooth and shiny and there are no lumps, you can glaze the cooled cupcakes.

Makes 12 cupcakes
Per cupcake: calories 268, fat 10 g, protein 2 g, carbohydrates 43 g, dietary fiber 1 g