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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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Game Day Gourmet: Cranberry Balsamic Party Meatballs {be #CartonSmart}

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This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Carton Smart for SocialSpark . All opinions are 100% mine. In this sponsored recipe post, you'll learn about: A great way to make use of a common holiday leftover How to add a gourmet twist to a classic game day party food How to make your parties more earth-friendly with a primer on how to Be Carton Smart Ready? 1.  What can I do with leftover cranberry sauce? Every time we've hosted a holiday dinner, we always end up with at least one container of leftover cranberry sauce.   Sound familiar? If so, you're going to love this delicious and easy recipe for slow-cooker party meatballs.  In fact, with New Year's Eve and Super Bowl parties just around the corner from your holiday feast, you're probably going to wish you had more leftover cranberry sauce once you've tried these saucy little beauties.  2.  Party Food ≠ Junk Food You can still serve delicious party f
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Seeds of Friendship ~ Free Printable Seed Packet Valentine DIY

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  I'm really excited to be sharing the valentine project that I created for my girls to give to their friends at school this year!   I've made it easy for everyone to plant the seeds of friendship this Valentine's Day with these  DIY Seed Packets.    Simply print the packets on regular copy paper, cut out, glue the tabs and fold.  Fill with delicious and nutritious candy-coated sunflower seeds! Download the free printable seed packets HERE . Enjoy! I found candy-coated sunflower seeds in this great modern palette at Trader Joe's.  I portioned 2 Tablespoons per packet before sealing the envelope with an Elmer's Extra Strength Glue Stick. ---------------------- This post has been linked-up with: Think Pink Sunday @ Flamingo Toes BFF Open House Link Party @ The Answer is Chocolate  The Inspiration Board @ Homework
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Giveaway: Temp-tations Old-World 6-piece Stoneware Baking Set

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I love to cook and bake, enjoy beautiful presentation, and appreciate great value and high quality... ...which is why I'm enthusiastic to share my review of temp-tations® presentable ovenware from Tara McConnell.  In November I was provided with several pieces of the  temp-tations® presentable ovenware for review.  I've been living with these pieces and loving everything about them.  They've become my go-to baking and serving pieces -- not a mere passing fancy, but a line I've grown so fond of that I plan on adding to my collection and gifting temp-tations® to friends and family. It's easy to talk about what I love about temp-tations® , but here are the top 3 reasons I recommend starting your collection today:  1)  Save Time:   I'd rather spend my time with my family than in the kitchen washing dishes. temp-tations® pieces go from oven to table to refrigerator, which helps cut down on time otherwise spent on plating, pres
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Valentine DIY: "Nuts About You" Circus Peanut Valentines {free printable}

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An old-time candy (circa 1800) get's a new twist for Valentine's Day! I think the kids will go "nuts" for these, don't you?   Circus Peanut Valentines Circus Peanut Candy (4 per Valentine) Free printable Valentine inserts (download HERE ) Pretzel bags (sold in the cake/candy section of most craft stores) String/twine To assemble:  Download the sheet of valentine card inserts.  You can print directly on to the blank side of a piece of patterned scrapbook paper for an easy double-sided look.  Or, cut 4.5 x 1.75 strips from patterned scrapbook paper; then, print the inserts on regular printer paper.  Trim, then insert both pieces into the bag, back-to-back.  I found that the peanuts were easiest to place once the paper had already been inserted and centered inside the bag.  Once peanuts are in place, tie off ends of bag with string or twine.
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Crustless Spinach Gruyere Quiche -- Slimmed down for the New Year

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An opportunity to review the Old World 6-piece Stoneware Baking Set from Temp-tations® , combined with a family resolution to eat more healthily, led me to the creation of this slimmed-down version of a classic dish that is delicious for breakfast, lunch, or dinner -- Spinach Gruyere Quiche . My experience with the Temp-tations® ( by Tara McConnell ) stoneware has been exceptional.  The pieces are beautifully made, bake food evenly, and are easy to clean.  They are reasonably priced -- my 6 piece set which includes a 9" fluted deep dish pie plate and four 12 oz. mini pie dishes sells for just $29.95.  The set comes in your choice of 11 different colors. This week, I'll be posting a giveaway with for a chance to win a Temp-tations® Old World 6-piece Stoneware Baking Set of your own! In addition to the great selection, style and quality, the thing I like best about Temp-tations is the collection of incredible recipes available for free on the webs
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10 Creative DIY Valentine Projects

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  I'm a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal.  As you may have observed, by the time I post a tutorial for the holiday project I've done with my family, the holiday is likely to be 48 hours from being a memory.   So, this year, with plenty of time to plot, plan and enjoy with your family, I present 10 creative, fun, whimsical and sweet ideas for Valentine's Day: Remember these guys from your childhood? Roll the pencil between your palms and their hair goes wild.  Tutorial:  Crazy Hair Pencil Valentines   This project is a treat, an activity and card all in one. Tutorial:  Butter Cookie Tic-Tac-Toe These elegant cards are made from watercolor paper and contain a tiny love note in the beak of the messenger bird. Tutorial:  Par Avion Messenger Bird Valentines This is a frugal upcycling craft. The tiny crowns are made from cardboard tubes. Tutorial:  Mini Upcycled Paper Crowns Here's a sweet idea: Pre-made he
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Marzipan Pigs ~ Wishing You a Very Happy New Year!

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Happy New Year! I am thankful to a good friend for reminding me of the New Year tradition of making marzipan pigs.  Last night our families gathered and after a delicious dinner, a walk in the crisp evening air, and some rollicking conversation, we sat down with our children, got our hands nice and sticky, and created a passel of perfect pink porcines. The tradition of making and giving Glücksschwein (lucky pigs) made from marzipan during the winter holidays dates back to Germany in the Middle Ages, where the pig was a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.  According to German tradition, the "Schwein" (pig) brings good luck over the coming 12 months.  Other traditional symbols of good luck are the toadstool (Fliegenpilze) and four-leaf clover (vierblättrige Kleeblätter). Making the pigs was a fun way to connect with our past and look toward the future with our girls.  The project was easy to do too.  We purchased pre-made marzipan from the grocery sto
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