Ultimate Valentine's Day Round-Up

Love is in the air! Valentine's Day is around the corner and the Social Fabric Community has put together the Ultimate Valentine's Day Round-Up to help you prepare for the season of love. From tutorials to crafts to delicious recipes, we have something for everyone. We dare you not to fall in love with these ideas!

Craft/DIY/Tutorial:

Friendly Valentine Candy Jar - Creative Ramblings
Valentine Felt Envelopes - Good Morning Loretta
Valentine's Day Candy Filled Mason Jar - Savvy Saving Couple
Valentine's Day Love Bug Craft - Maryland Momma's Rambles
Last-Minute Quick, Cute Cut-Out Cards - Our Daily Craft
DIY Heart Shaped Massage Bars - Thriftanista in the City 
Valentine Memo Chalkboard - Southern Couture 
Valentine's Day Chalkboard Decoration - Pretty in Pigment
Flower Vase Craft - Polka Dotted Blue Jay 
No-Sew Ribbon Embellished Cocktail Napkins -  Atta Girl Says
Macaroni Art Lace Hearts - ABCs and Garden Peas
Cupid's Arrow Valentine's Day Favors - Home. Made. Interest.
Hand Lettered Valentine Notecards - One Artsy Mama
Instagram Magnetic Bookmarks - Happy Go Lucky Blog
Birdseed Heart Valentines - Made with Happy
Valentine's Day Burlap Wreath - The Farm Girl Gabs
Cute Flower Valentines for Kids - Love, Jaime
DIY Valentine Flower Corsage - Suburban Wife, City Life 
DIY Valentine's Snowglobes - Woods of Bell Trees
Valentine Envelop Chair Backers - 2Paws Designs
Reversible Valentine's Day/St. Patrick's Day Banner - Fearlessly Creative Mammas
Mini Bubblegum Machine Valentines - Bubbly Nature Creations
DIY Button Heart Picture Collage - Our Piece of Earth
Kids' Valentine's Day Gift with FREE Printable - A Cowboy's Life
 Easy Mesh and Ribbon Valentine's Day Wreath - My Pinterventures 
Snickerdoodle Sugar Scrub Recipe - Sunny Sweet Days
Valentine's Day Verse on Burlap - Life with Captain Fussybuckets
12 Days of Romance Scavenger Hunt - The Mama Zone
Candy Kiss Ring - So TIPical Me
Valentine's Day Hand Print Craft - As Cute as a Bug's Ear
How to Make a Valentine's Day Ribbon Banner - Aprons and Stilletos
Date Night with a Romantic Treasure Hunt - The TipToe Fairy
Chalkboard Gift Box - Organized Island
Easy Valentines Felt Pillow Cover - Creative Southern Home
Polar Fleece Ruffle Heart Wreath - Joy's Life
Making A Valentine's Day Rag Wreath with Fabric Scraps - Third Stop on the Right
Washi Tape Bubble Valentines - Moneywise Moms
Homemade Candles in 5 Easy Steps - Lemon Peony
DIY Felt Ornaments for Valentine's Day - 3 Little Greenwoods
Butterfly Valentine's Day Craft - Sarah in the Suburbs
Epsom Salt DIY Valentine Candles - A Day in the Motherhood
I "DOVE" You Printable with Candy - Newlywed Survival 
Rainbow Heart PomPom Garland - Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Wishes
Valentine's Day Printed Burlap Subway - Occasionally Crafty
Pom Pom Cupcakes Valentine Craft - Cute as a Fox
Valentine's Wooden Door Hanger - We Got the Funk 
Hearts Aplenty: Valentine's Day DIY Decor - Woman in Real Life
Love Letters Simple Valentine's Day Craft - Craving Some Creativity 
Valentine's Day Coffee Cup Sleeve - Craving Cynchronicity 
How to Make a Great Loves Print - My Sweet Sanity
Cross Stitch Heart Pillow - Cutesy Crafts
Free Valentine's Day Cards Kids Can Make - Happy and Blessed Home

 Recipe:

Valentine Cupcakes - Home Maid Simple 
Valentine's Day Cakes - Charleston Crafted
Red Velvet Pudding Cups - Mostly Homemade Mom
Blood Orange Panna Cotta - Mooshu Jenne
Candy Cane Chocolate Hearts - Drugstore Divas
Cranberry Bliss Bars - Swanky Recipes
Valentine Rice Crispy Treats - Midwestern Moms
Chocolate Valentine Sandies - Cindy's Recipes and Writings
M&M’s® Red Velvet Brownies - Julie is Coco and Cocoa
Nutella Filled Conversation Hearts - A Million Moments
Conversation Hearts Martini - JVKOM Chronicles
Valentine's Day S'mores Dip - Our Mini Family
M&M’s® Red Velvet Blondies - The NYC Talon
Valentine's Day Cheesecake Brownies - West of the Loop
Red Velvet Cheesecakes - Houseful of Nicholes
Chocolate Kiss Valentine's Day Cookies - Moscato Mom
Chocolate and Candy Valentine Popcorn - Made by a Princess
Easy Valentine's Peppermint Chocolate Chip Cookies - Janine Huldie
Strawberry Ice Cream Recipe - Scrappy Geek
Coeur a la Creme with Raspberry Sauce - Graceful Order
Love Dipped Wafers - Sparkles to Sprinkles
Valentine's Day Bento Lunch - Diana Rambles
"Blackened" Seafood Medley for a Low-Calorie Valentine's Dinner - Broken TeePee
Sweet Salty Fudge - Foody Schmoody Blog
Valentine's Day Covered Pretzels - Texas Type A Mom
Valentine's Popcorn - Mommy's Bundle
The Easiest Valentine's Day Fudge Recipe - Young at Heart Mommy
Valentine's Day Butter Cookies - Ilona's Passion
Valentine's Day Blondies - Saving You Dinero
Super Healthy Pomegranate-Cranberry-Almond Smoothie - Easy Cooking with Molly 
Brownie Cut-outs - Tramplingrose
Puppy Valentine's Day Cookies - Staying Close to Home
Valentine OREO Brownie Bar Recipe - As Mom Sees It
Strawberry-Vanilla Ice Cream Pie - Johanny's Kitchen
Strawberry Filled Chocolate Cake - Hezzi-D's Books and Cooks
Chocolate Raspberry Truffles - Food Lovin Family
Honey Bee My Valentine Cakes - I Don't Have Time for That
Red Velvet Valentine's Day Parfaits - Living a Sunshine Life
Homemade Strawberry Syrup - Day by Day in Our World
Cranberry Hootycreek Cookies - Momma DJane
Red Velvet Donuts - Frugal Family Tree
Strawberry Mocha Granola - Strength & Sunshine
Red Velvet Mini Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting - Tales of a Ranting Ginger
Chocolate Shot Glasses - The Bewitchin' Kitchen
Chocolate Pretzel Kisses - Just 2 Sisters
Valentine's Candy Bark - Life with the Crust cut off
Chocolate Kiss Shooter! - Housewives of Frederick County
Super Simple Valentine's Day Candy Hearts - My Real Food Family
Easy Strawberry Crinkle Cookies - Meatloaf & Melodrama
3 Ingredient Strawberry Brownies - Fun Things to Do in Central Mass
Nutella Baked Brie - Basil and Bubbly 
Easy Cupid Crinkles - Creative Southern Home
Valentine's Day Edible Tic Tac Toe Game - A Frugal Friend
Valentine's Day Ombre Sweet Treat - Tastefully Frugal 
Party How to Throw a Budget Friendly Valentine's Day Party - Amber Nicole Blogs
Valentine's Day Party for Tweens - Soiree Event Design
Love is in the Air Valentine Table - Not Just a Mommy
Valentine's Day Tea Party - The Peanuts Gang

 Printables:

Easy Valentine's Printables - I am the Maven®
Printable Valentine's Day Lunch Box Notes and Coupons - Gluesticks Blog
"I Love You Like" Valentine's Free Printable - C'mon Get Crafty
4 Free Valentine's Day Coloring Pages - Saving More than Me
Valentine's Day Scavenger Hunt Clues - Mom on the Side
Valentine Gift for Kids {Free Printable} - Fun on a Dime
Crayon Valentines Printable - Mom's Messy Miracles
Tic Tac Toe XOXO Valentine with Free Printable - Housewife Eclectic
Valentine's Day Activities for Kids - Simple Living Mama
 2 Free Printable Valentines (Owls) - Altamonte Family
 Love is in the Air Valentine Card - Making of a Mom
 Matchstick Valentine Free Printable - Frenchie
 Valentine's Day Lunch Box Notes & Jokes - Coupons are Great
 I "Wheelie" Like You Car Valentine Printable - Artsy Momma

 Round-Up:

Valentine's Day Guide - The Ranting Latina! 
24 Frugal Valentine's Ideas - Real: The Kitchen and Beyond
7 Gift Ideas for Valentine's Day - Downshifting PRO
5 Perfect Valentine's Day Gifts for Bloggers - That Chic Mom
Top 5 Romantic Restaurants to Eat at in East Greenwhich, Rhode Island - Mama Luvs Books
Other War Room Movie Night - A Beautiful Exchange
Pairing Chocolate with Wine & Spirits - In Good Taste
Valentine's Day Make-up Tutorial - Glam Hungry Mom 
Valentine's Day Dinner at Home - Natasha Byrd

Can you feel the love tonight with all these great Valentine's Day inspired activities?

One Pot Cookbook Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup Recipe

If I could, and money were no object, I would totally buy all of my favorite cookbooks. My kids tell me that I can find all the recipes I want online, and that is true to some extent. But nothing takes the place of holding a beautiful book in your hands, and using it to cook from.

Part of wanting to share more ways to be frugal on the blog this year, I wanted to say that I didn't buy the Martha Stewart Living One Pot Cookbook, but borrowed it from the library. I love my local library and it really does save me from buying so many books that I want to read. Or if it's a cookbook, books that I want to make the inspiring recipes that are in them.

I definitely encourage you to visit the library, check out books, and also see what kinds of special programs they offer, usually from senior programs all the way to toddler story hour. The library is often overlooked as a great resource for saving money.

I really like the ease of one pot cooking, it makes everything so much simpler, and cleanup is a breeze. This book is filled with delicious recipes that you can make in your Dutch oven, slow cooker, skillet, stockpot, and pressure cooker.

I use my Dutch oven all the time, especially to make soups and stews. It's been very chilly and rainy this winter, so we have had a big pot of soup for dinner a couple of times a week. There is just something so comforting to me about making and having homemade soup on a cold night. And I love that most of the soup recipes that I make are usually enough to have a bowl left over for lunch the next day.

The combination of Italian sausage, sweet potatoes and kale might seem a little unusual but they all blended together deliciously in this recipe. I followed the recipe pretty closely, but changed the shell pasta to small elbows, and used a little extra olive oil instead of just one tablespoon.

But I guarantee this soup is a keeper, and one that I know I'll be making again soon. I added big pieces of hot corn bread with butter, and it made a great dinner for us all.


Recipe for Sweet Potato and Sausage Soup

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion, cut into 3/4 inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
2 sweet potatoes (1 pound total), peeled and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 cups water
3/4 cup small pasta shells
4 cups coarsely chopped mixed leafy greens, such as kale and Swiss chard
freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, for serving

Directions:

In a stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until onion is translucent, about 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add sausage and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 5 minutes.
Add sweet potatoes, broth, and water; bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook 3 minutes less than package directions recommend. Reduce to a simmer, add greens, and cook until pasta is tender and greens are wilted, 4 minutes.
Serve with Parmigiano-Reggiano.


Serves 6.

So look for Martha Stewart Living One Pot Cookbook at your local library. It's filled with so many great recipes, the ones that you will want to cook on your own cold night for a yummy, comfort food kind of dinner.

Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Seattle has been living up to it's rainy reputation for the last few days. I love living here, and I really do love the rain, but even I can get a little down when it just goes on for days.

But one thing that always makes me feel better is getting in the kitchen and baking up something for my family to enjoy. Cookies are always welcome, and when my grandchildren get home from a long day at school, it's always a nice surprise for them.

I love being a Nana who bakes treats, and hopefully that is something they will always remember about me.

My granddaughter Ashley is only four but she is already my baking buddy in the kitchen. When we get ready to bake something, she'll ask if we need brown sugar, baking powder, the spatula? She makes me laugh because she's already familiar with what we need for baking.

And Ashley did help me with this very easy and delicious recipe for these cookies. They are soft and chewy, and filled with milk chocolate and chopped walnuts. If you don't want nuts in your cookies, you can leave them out, but they do add so much flavor.

These are the perfect cookies for a milk and cookies kind of afterschool snack. But grownups love them too!!

Recipe for Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed
• ⅔ cup sugar
• 2 eggs, large
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1½ teaspoons baking soda
• 2¾ cups flour
• 11.5 ounces milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped

 

Directions:

 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Beat butter, brown sugar, and sugar with hand mixer on medium speed for 2 minutes until mixture is very fluffy and turns lighter in color
3. Beat in eggs, vanilla, and baking soda for 1 minute on low speed. Scrape the sides of bowl as needed.
4. Gradually mix in flour just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts.
5. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto parchment lined baking sheet. Bake until golden around the edges - about 11 to 13 minutes.
6. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Makes about 30 cookies.

 

Big Game Day Fun and A Recipe For Spicy Beef Nachos

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GameDayGlory #CollectiveBias

Football season is a big deal in my family. We all love cheering for our favorite teams, some good natured team rivalry, and the chance to spend a Sunday together before getting back to our busy workweeks.

Nothing makes me happier that to see my grownup kids and their families having a good time with each other. Football might be all about the game for some, but for me, it's a great way to spend time with those I love.

My family loves to eat of course, and my recipe for Spicy Beef Nachos is one that I make all the time. Made with ground beef, TOSTITOS® Medium Chunky Salsa, and TOSTITOS® chips, it packs a spicy punch that is just so good.

Food and football just go so naturally together, and makes for a great day of delicious fun.

I've found that the easiest way to entertain on football Sundays is to put everything out on the table and let everyone eat and drink what they want when they want it. We make big platters of the nachos so everyone can help themselves, and they go quick!!

Along with the nachos, I like to include some of our favorite snacks like SNICKERS® Minis and Skittles®. These candies are long time family favorites, and I know by now to buy the big bags of them so there's plenty to go around. My kids might be adults but they still love their candy.

Since I love Pepsi™, it's always in the pantry and makes a great choice to go along with our nachos. When I'm doing my shopping at Walmart, it's super easy to pick up anything I might need for our family game watching.

For my recipe for Spicy Beef Nachos, I always get the TOSTITOS® Scoops Party Size. They are just like a tiny cup that you fill with the ground beef, and are the perfect size. Look for them and the regular TOSTITOS® in the chip aisle.

If you're a football and snack lover, have you ever thought about building your own snack stadium? It's a great way to have some fun, and you can share a photo of your own snack stadium on Instagram using #gamedayglorysweepstakes. Go here for recipes and snack stadium ideas.

You can also vote for your favorite snack stadium to enter the #gamedayglorysweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Walmart eGift card or Xbox One.

Game Day Glory Sweepstakes

My nachos are all about the spicy! I love spicy foods, and I season the meat with taco seasoning, hot sauce, and TOSTITOS® Medium Chunky Salsa. If you don't like your meat super spicy, don't add the hot sauce.

Start out by browning one pound of ground beef and half a chopped onion. Pour off the grease and add taco seasoning, hot sauce, and chunky salsa, and simmer for 10 minutes. Sometimes I'll make a double batch of the meat and put half of it in the freezer. This is a great way to be party ready, or just have the cooked meat on hand for tacos, burritos, or other meals.

When the meat is done, arrange the scoops on a platter, and spoon the meat into the scoops. You can top it with different ingredients of your choice. I love the classic lettuce, tomatoes, a three cheese shredded mix, and with a big helping of sour cream, which tones down the spicy beef a little.

Nachos are such an easy meal to put together, and a real favorite for me and my family while watching the game. It's all about making it simple in the kitchen so that you can enjoy sharing the time with family and friends.

Recipe for Spicy Beef Nachos

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1/2 onion, chopped
1 package taco seasoning
1/2 cup TOSTITOS® Medium Chunky Salsa
4 tablespoons hot sauce
1 bag finely shredded lettuce
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped small
1 bag Mexican 3-cheese blend
1 container sour cream
1 bag TOSTITOS® Scoops Party Size

Directions:

Place ground beef in a large frying pan and break up with a spoon. Add onion, and cook on medium heat until meat and onion are well browned.
Turn heat to low, stir in taco seasoning, salsa, and hot sauce. Let simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
Place scoops on a platter and fill with meat. Add lettuce, tomato, and sprinkle on blended cheese. Add sour cream on top of each nacho and serve.

Serves 6-8.

I found these cute little football shaped bowls for less than a dollar each, and they help make the table look more festive. Perfect for holding those SNICKERS® Minis and Skittles® that we all enjoy during the game.

You can find all of these products in the aisles at your local Walmart. I enjoy shopping for family favorite products that lets me make entertaining everyone simple and delicious.

I'm always a little bit sad to see football season end. I love my team, and it's so surprising to me how much I have learned to enjoy the game. I never really cared about football until my kids started wanting to get together to watch it.

But now the fun, the food, and my family make game watching season one of my favorite times of the year.

How about you, do you enjoy watching the game with family or friends? And if you do, do you have a favorite game day meal or snack that you'd like to share with me?

Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear about your recipe. And go here for more recipes and great game day ideas.

Go Team!!

LEGO FRIENDS: Girlz 4 Life Blu-ray And Lego Set Giveaway #Girlz4Life

*Warner Bros. Home Video provided me with some of the materials I used in this Blog Post/Giveaway. The opinions I share are my own.*

I have been happy to see the inclusion of a girls line into the world of LEGO. Having a son I do not have girly toys and such around the house but my sister who has two boys and a girl does. I can totally see my niece being into these LEGO Friends Girlz for Life characters. They teach about the values of friendship, wear fashionable outfits and have fun music to rock out to.

Join Olivia, Stephanie, Emma, Mia and Andrea, as they learn about friendship, fame and pop star fun in Heartlake City.

The girls’ friendships are tested when mega pop star Livi comes to Heartlake City. When our friends’ hit song “Girlz” is stolen by Livi’s manager, it’s time for a cunning plan.

As the girls try to tell Livi the truth about her latest hit single, they all learn that fame isn’t everything and sometimes friendship is the most precious thing in the world.

Own LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE on digital HD 1/19 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD 2/2

Also be sure to visit the official L2M website to stay updated with all things L2M!
www.L2MOfficial.com

Your kids will LOVE the LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE blog app: 

• Grab your pop star microphone because it’s sing-along night! Click the play button to watch the special sing-along music video for Girlz by L2M. 
• Listen to the song High Tops by L2M and click to watch the “Meet L2M” video that introduces the next girl-pop power sensation. 
• Download the “Girlz 4 Life” Activity Pack and to unlock your inner pop star! Kit includes Selfie props, a “Spot the Difference” game, making the Band DIY pop star instruments, Friendship Card and more! 
• Click on LEGO® FRIENDS: GIRLZ 4 LIFE Blu-ray Combo Pack for a link where the film can be purchased!




Enter to win Girlz 4 Life Blu-ray And Lego Set in Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts January 15, 2016 and ends on January 25, 2016 at 12:01 am EST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

**Each household is only eligible to win LEGO FRIENDS: Girlz 4 Life Blu-ray & LEGO FRIENDS: Pop Star Dressing Room Kit via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.