This will be a new “favorite food” for my preschoolers! My son was so proud that “he made lunch”. These would be perfect with frozen pancakes, but as we had already consumed our stash Z mixed up some batter for us (see our make pancake letters post). We used bags to “squeeze” out our mini-pancakes. They were the perfect size for little hands to grab!
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How to make them?  Grab two pancakes, lather on the peanut butter, add slices of bananas and you have a hit …

Today’s Fantastic Friday shout-outs all have one splendid theme, “dessert”. I have a massive sweet tooth and am seriously itching to try making my very own thin mint cookies (why does Valentines Day mean Girl Scout Cookies in my mind?), these melt-in-your mouth mini-cheesecake cookies, homemade cream soda-pop, and fudgy molten chocolate cake. I am exploding in anticipation! Alas, I’m snowed in… I sense a grocery trip in my future. Till then, check out these “Fantastic Friday” posts… and if you have any sites to share …

Want to make a homemade, personalized gift for Christmas?  Something from this list should inspire or help you!  Have any ideas that were not listed?  Lets see if we can come up with more!  Have a blog with instructions on how to make one of the gifts mentioned below?  I’d love to hear from you and feature you!  Have a similar list of gift suggestions?  Join our Linky at the end!
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Jars of Fudge and Icecream fixings
Cake-in-a-Jar
Coffee Mixes with chocolate spoons
Hot Coco Mix with Chocolate dipped pretzels
Box of assorted cookies (Biscotti …

These rainbow cupcakes are a huge hit with preschoolers and kids of all ages!  They look fancy, but are super easy to re-create.  Try it yourself with these easy steps:
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What you’ll need:

Gel Food Dye
Toothpick
Decorating Icing Bag (or a freezer ziplock baggie)
Wilton Tip adapter (optional)

If you are going to use a tip adapter, put that into the icing bag first.  Make sure it is lodged securely into the bag.  Then pick out your colors and make several lines of food coloring inside your bag.  I use a toothpick and try to …

Biscotti is great dipped in coffee, tea and even chocolate milk.  We love making a variety of different flavors, like Mint Chocolate Chip or Chocolate Cherry or Vanilla Latte.  Here is our family’s favorite recipe and variations.
Ingredients:

1 Cup Softened butter
1 1/4 Cup White Sugar
4 Eggs
1 Tablespoon of Vanilla
4 Cups Flour
2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
1/2 Teaspoon of Salt
1 Cup of extras (1/4 Cup per roll)
Egg Yolk & Water for Brushing

Blend wet ingredients (butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla) until smooth.  Add dry ingredients, excluding …

I’ve had a problem lately cooking proteins in the morning, due to morning sickness, yet,  proteins last longer in my nauseous tummy. She said she would cook her breakfast stuff in the afternoon when she was feeling good, assemble breakfast burritos or english muffin sandwiches and freeze them individually. Then she could just pop them in the microwave and eat them.  I love it!
It also works great for mornings with early appointments or husbands who don’t take time to eat breakfast at home, but can eat on the go–an cheaper …

Have fun discussing the names and basic functions of parts of a plant while decorating this fun picture using various materials.
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Materials Needed (Improvise when necessary):

Straws
Colored paper
Pipe cleaner
Tissue paper
Scissors
White glue
Colored pencils/crayons/markers

Draw a basic picture of a plant including petals, stem, leaves and roots.  Using the various materials let your child decorate the picture while you help them name the parts and explain what they do.  We used bits of straw for the stem and roots because the plants use these parts to “suck up” nutrients and water.  We used small squares …

I have to admit, everything I see on the Food Network, I want to make. So, when Melissa D’Arabian’s new show called “Ten Dollar Meals” debuted I was super excited to check it out.
Two nights ago I decided to make her Potato Bacon Torte. Let me tell you, it is to die for. Even if you don’t make the torte, you have to check out the recipe for pie crust. It is hands down the most delicious and flaky pie crust I have ever made. …

These are incredibly yummy and freeze well.  I make a massive batch and put them in the freezer for us to grab for lunches as needed.  My favorite variations are Ham and Cheddar (pictured), Bacon, Mushroom and Swiss, Spinach and Feta, we’ve even made it with leftover pizza toppings!  Be creative – it’ll taste great!
Using the bread recipe here, roll out the dough about half an inch thick.
Layer first with the veggie if you are adding one (we love onions!), add the meat and top with the cheese.  You will …

I love this casserole.  It is so versatile.  You can make it with almost anything.  This is a great way to use your leftovers.  This is taken from the CDKitchen.
Ingredients:
8 ounces sour cream
1 cup milk
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper

Choose a Sauce:
10 3/4 ounces cream of mushroom soup, condensed — undiluted
10 3/4 ounces cream of celery soup, condensed — undiluted
10 3/4 ounces cream of chicken soup, condensed — undiluted
10 3/4 ounces cheddar cheese soup — undiluted
29 ounces diced tomatoes with basil, garlic and oregano — undrained

Choose a vegetable:
14 1/2 …