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Chonky Boys: The Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches that Scream Summer!

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Featuring my thick and nuggy Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookies, these ice cream sandwiches are the stuff that summer dreams are made of.  If you've ever had the Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich at Disneyland , you are going to LOVE these!  These big and bold chocolate chip cookies are based on a recipe from my culinary school studies at Auguste Escoffier, but with a few modifications to give them that Jennuine touch.  They make the perfectas book for a fat slice of real vanilla bean ice cream.  And those mini chips?  You just gotta have that extra cronch! Thank goodness this recipe only makes 8 sandwiches, otherwise I would be eating them for breakfast lunch and dinner.  This way, my big family can help save me from my inner child diet-saboteur.   Print With Image Without Image Chonky Boy Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches Yield: 8 Author: Jenn Erickson Loaded with chocolate chips and buttery, brown-sugary vanilla flavor, these mall-sized cookies form a perfect partnership with a
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Girl Scout Cookie Inspired Treats and Some Berry Healthy Recipes Too -- A Little Birdie Told Me...#10

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Welcome to  "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday If you're here to share a craft, recipe or project post, you'll find the linky and the specifics on how to  join the party after the features below. _________________________________ Last week, A Little Birdie Told Me... ...Some very sweet people shared some VERY sweet things... Got Girl Scout Cookies?  Yes! Inside BruCrew Life  has a recipe for  cupcakes with  Tagalong cookies baked inside and Honey Peanut Butter Cream on top! Got Girl Scout Cookies?  No. Not to worry... Here's a recipe for homemade Thin Mints from  " Mom's Of All Trades" ? Or perhaps you'd like something 'berry' sweet and healthy too... Marionberry Oatmeal Cookie Bars from  A Whisk  and a Prayer   Blueberry & Macadamia Nut Muffins from The Life and Times of the 21st Century Housewife ------------
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St. Patrick's Day Decorating -- Lucky Little Shamrock Wreath Tutorial

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It's always nice to greet guests with a  bit o' holiday cheer at your front door. With a shamrock wreath that I picked up on sale at Michael's ($2.99), a page of old sheet music, and some sweet little embellishments from my craft box, I was able to put together a quick, yet whimsical St. Patrick's Day wreath that's sure to shimmer a bit of good luck on all who pass through. Lucky Little Shamrock Wreath Materials 1 artificial shamrock wreath 1 page of sheet music, cut into 1/2" strips 1 die cut butterfly Mod Podge Dresden Clear Glaze (or any spray glaze) Silver glass glitter Gold micro glitter Spun cotton toadstools (Mine were purchased from Blumchen ) Lucky Horseshoe charms (I bought some on Ebay a while back, but there are some for sale currently on Artfire HERE) Needle-nosed pliers Hot glue gun Step 1:  Weave the sheet music strips throughout the wreath.  When you have achieved the desired balance and layo
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St. Patrick's Day Recipe -- Shamrocks on a Stick

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Here's an easy little tutorial for making  *Shamrocks on a Stick* out of ready-made marshmallow coconut  cookies  and green candy coating.   SHAMROCKS ON A STICK INGREDIENTS/MATERIALS Arco Iris Cookies  (these can be found in the Mexican food section of many grocery stores.  I bought mine in the Mexican snack foods section at our local Target store) Green Candy Coating Lollipop Sticks White Sprinkles (Nonpareils) (The Wilton brand can be found in the cake decorating aisle at most major craft stores) Cellophane treat bags and ribbon Step 1:  Line a baking sheet with parchment, wax paper or a silicone mat.  Insert a lollipop stick into each cookie. 2.  Melt candy coating according to package instructions.  I melt mine in the microwave in 1 minute increments on the lowest setting.  To thin the coating, I added a few small drops of canola oil.   Pour nonpareils on to a small shallow saucer and set aside.   3.  Holdi
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Transforming What You Have Into Something Special For your Child -- A Little Birdie Told Me...#9

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Welcome to "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday at Rook No. 17! If you're here to share a craft, recipe or project post, you'll find the linky and the specifics on how to  strut your stuff  after the features below. _________________________________ Last week, A Little Birdie Told Me... ...Creative people embraced the DIY spirit, used materials they already had, and made magic in their homes -- Giving ordinary objects an extraordinary new life! BOTTLECAPS BECAME "LUCKY BITS" Allie of "What Allie's Making Now" shows us how to transform basic bottlecaps into lucky charms for St. Patrick's Day, or any day! LOLLIPOPS GOT SOME GRAPHIC POP! Stephanie of "Silly Precious Piggies" created these fabulous lollipop covers that you can download for FREE! FELT SCRAPS BROUGHT A STORYBOOK TO LIFE Kerri of "Elle Belle's Bows" created a felt play mat  to keep
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Trash to Treasure -- Family Calendar Blackboard Tutorial

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It's not a new concept -- take something old, add blackboard paint...instant blackboard!   But it's a concept that I adore.  With a variety of blackboard paints available on the market, you can transform virtually any surface into a place to organize, to doodle, or sketch a blueprint of the plans for your empire! A while back, I found a beat-up old chalkboard that had reached the end of the road at our local salvage yard.  I was looking for a way to keep my whole family in-the-know about our day-to-day plans, and also had some blank wall space in our living room that called for something vintage, personal, and meaningful.  That old chalkboard and I were just destined to find each other, I think!   I painted and antiqued the frame and gave the blackboard two fresh coats of blackboard paint.  I sketched out a calendar using a yardstick and pencil, then went over the entire design with a white paint pen. This way, I don't have to draw a new calendar each mo
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A Little Birdie Told Me... #8 ~ Link-up and Share Your Creativity!

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Welcome to "A Little Birdie Told Me..." Tuesday at Rook No. 17! If you're here to share a craft, recipe or project post, you'll find the linky and the specifics on how to  strut your stuff  below. Just one quick reminder, as "A Little Birdie Told Me..." moves into week 8: If you join the "party", please take a moment to "sign the guestbook" by leaving a quick comment.  Thanks! And now, the features... _________________________________ Last week, A Little Birdie Told Me... ...Twinkle Twinkle Little Star... Star Anise Marshmallows from Culinary Adventures with Camilla ...Just look how sweet these dresses are... Daisy Kingdom Dresses from Ladybird Lane ...A tiny tin has been transformed... V int age style embellished tin from Chri stine & Co . ...And hearts and tummies duly warmed... Nutella Toffee Banana Bread from A Whisk and a Prayer
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Recipe: S'more Truffles on a Stick

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Earlier this month we served up the cupcakes at my daughter's Toy Story themed birthday party in little dump trucks filled with crushed graham cracker "sand".  I overestimated the amount of crushed grahams that I'd need, and as a result, ended the day with a huge bag of the stuff.  So, I decided to take the "Oreo Truffle" concept to the next level and created the "S'more Truffle" on a stick!   Here's how: S'more Truffles on a Stick (makes approx 30) 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 2 TB butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs 30 mini marshmallows 30 lollipop sticks or bamboo skewers 10 oz. melted chocolate (candy coating or bark) 1/4 cup crushed graham cracker crumbs Step 1:  In the bowl of a standing mixer (food processor or bowl with hand-mixer will work too), mix cream cheese, butter, and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes on  medium speed). Step 2:  On
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Blueberry Lemon Breakfast Cake featured on the "Saturday Sparkle"

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I was thrilled when my friend Bibiana asked me if I would guest post for her "Saturday Sparkle" at "Daily Organized Chaos".  Please pay her wonderful blog (loaded with great reviews, recipes, & tips and ideas for the traveler) a visit, and download a copy of the recipe to make your Saturday (or any day) start out with a sparkle!   BLUEBERRY LEMON BREAKFAST CAKE (CLICK HERE )
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