Nutella Rice Krispie Treats!!

Do you love Nutella???  I am a newcomer to the Nutella fan club.  I bought a jar to make these treats for my daughter's birthday as she loves Nutella and Rice Krispie Treats so I thought this would be perfect for her.  I had a little left in the jar and now I am a big fan.

Nutella Rice Krispie Treats

4 T. butter
4 C. mini marshmallows
1 C. Nutella
6 C. Rice Krispies cereal

Melt butter in a large saucepan over low heat.  Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.  Remove from heat and stir in the Nutella until melted.  Add the cereal and stir with a wooden spoon til well coated.  Press mixture into a 13 x 9 pan coated with Pam (or something similar). 

Cool.  Then, cut into desired squares.

I found this great recipe at one of my favorite blogs - Palmabella's Passions.  And, you can click here to see how she did this recipe and even decorated them with Nutella frosting.

I chose to adorn the birthday treats with some special toppers that you can see in the post prior to this one -

I'm working with Lucy on posing for some pictures.  How is she doing?

I am linking to Boogieboard Cottage's Masterpiece Monday.  Please click here to see many great ideas!!

Childhood Photo Toppers

Aren't these the cutest toppers to use for a birthday??

For my daughter's birthday I made some Mini Cheesecakes and Nutella Rice Krispie Treats (recipes to be posted soon) and made these photo toppers to adorn them. 

These photos were from 2-6 years of age.  I copied them onto white cardstock.  I drew the party hats on scrapbook paper then just used a glue stick to put them on.  I drew them on the wrong side of the scrapbook paper so no pencil marks could be seen.  I just taped a toothpick on the back.

A couple of the photos were very small and I chose not to put party hats on them.  But, they looked cute just as a topper.  Here they all are -

Here's the Birthday Girl with her treats -

Lucy didn't want to be left out -

The possibilities with these Birthday Toppers are endless - not only for children, but for adults, too!!!!

I am linking to The DIY Showoff's Project Parade.  You can see plenty of ideas by clicking here.

Silhouette Ornaments for Christmas

These are cute to make for yourself or as a gift.  I made them for my daughter's birthday with the images of her sons.

Now, let me first say that I did not create this idea.  Some have said they remember making them in school, but I found it at this great gal's blog and you can click here and go check out how she did hers.  Thank you Ice House for sharing this.

These are the materials I assembled to make the ornaments -

I found the paper mache ornaments at Michael's and also found the paint there at a deep discount.  This is how they looked painted -

I had my grandsons stand next to the wall and took several photos of them.  I then printed them to be wallet size on white cardstock -

I used small scrapbook scissors to cut their silhouette out -

I traced their silhouette on red and green scrapbook paper that I had -

Cut them out -

Applied them to the ornaments using Mod Podge -

I applied Mod Podge a couple times to make sure they would be sealed good -

I then took a black painter pen and wrote their name and the year on the back side after they were completely dry.  I also tied a coordinating ribbon to the hanger.  The first photo shows them complete.  A very simple and cute idea.  These would be great gifts for grandparents, too!!!

I love to look at older pics of Lucy.

I found her on top of the dryer in this box waiting to go in the trash!!!  Although she still loves to explore -- she has found better sleeping spots!!!!

I am linking to Tatertots & Jello's Weekend Wrap Up Party.  Please click here for plenty of ideas to keep you busy!!

Chocolate Dipped Potato Chips

The best of sweet & salty!!!!!  This was my first time making Chocolate Dipped Potato Chips and will certainly not be my last!!!!  These were very good!!!!

My daughter loves these and I have found these a few times for her in the past.  I had ordered them thru Malley's when someone was having a fundraiser - click here for more info on their version -

And, I have special ordered them from a local chocolate shop - Tre Sorelle Cioccolato - you can check their web site here.  They had them available a few years ago during Easter but I do not see them now.

Here is what I need to make these delicious treats -

I wanted a sturdy potato chip and I used the candy melts you might use for making candy.  I melted the chocolate in the microwave on medium heat 30-40 seconds at a time.  It took about 3-4 times to get them melted this way - but you want to do it slow to not ruin the chocolate.  You will want to have everything ready because you will want to work quick before the chocolate starts to harden.  I put some chips in a bowl so I could access them easier.

Here I am doing a quick dip of the potato chip -

I spread wax paper on my kitchen island and set the potato chips there to harden -

I still have half of the chocolate left so I may be making more very soon!!!!  As for how my daughter liked them - let's just say they were gone in 'record time' - LOL!!!!

Please give these a try - you will not be disappointed!!

I was taking a picture of Lucy, but she got distracted by the open window - maybe some birds out there!!!!

I am linking to Designs by Gollum's Foodie Friday.  You can see lots of great recipes by clicking here.

Inside-Out Ravioli

Love this dish!!!

Inside-Out Ravioli

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 C. onion, chopped
1 - 10 oz. pkg. frozen chopped spinach
16 oz. jar spaghetti sauce (I usually double this)
6 oz. can tomato paste
8 oz. can tomato sauce
8 oz. large shell macaroni, cooked & drained
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 C. soft bread crumbs
2 eggs, well beaten
1 C. vegetable oil
dashes of salt & pepper

In a large skillet, brown ground beef and onion - then drain.  Cook spinach according to package directions - then drain and reserve liquid.  Add enough water to the reserved liquid to make 1 cup.  Add this to the browned beef, along with the spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, tomato sauce, salt & pepper.  Simmer 10 minutes.  In a large bowl - combine spinach with macaroni, cheese, bread crumbs, eggs & oil.  Mix well.  **Spread the macaroni mixture into a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Pour the beef/tomato sauce mixture over top.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

**I have started to put a thin layer of the tomato sauce mixture on the bottom of the pan to prevent the macaroni mixture from becoming too dry.  I have a gas oven and things tend to get extra done towards the bottom of the oven.


Here is a pic of the spinach/macaroni mixture being put together -

The tomato sauce mixture simmering -

Macaroni mixture in the pan -

Ouch - that pan has been thru a lot!!!!!  I only use it just for us at home!!
Now, the tomato sauce mixture has been added to the top -

Ready to go in the oven!!

I like to serve it with a salad and garlic bread.

I showed you Lucy on our washer machine - her "safe place" while I vacuum.  What is it about pets and the vacuum?  She gets settled up there and takes a nice nap!!  Although, it doesn't look like she is too happy about it!!!

I am linking to Tasty Tuesdays at 33 Shades of Green.  You can click here to see some great recipes!!

Simple & Easy Beaded Rings

If you do any beading as one of your crafts then you may have everything that you need to make these simple and very easy beaded rings. 

I made the above to give to my daughter for her birthday and loved them so much that I have sat down two times to make more for me!!!!

All you need is this elastic/stretchy thread (sold in the beading craft area), assorted beads, and I used E6000 glue over the knots. 

I just cut a piece of the stretch beading thread about 6" long.   I did different variations - only small beads which you could wear alone or stacked - or a larger bead in the middle with sometimes smaller ones on each side followed by small beads or spacers which would be on the side and back of your finger.  The hardest part if figuring what size is best for you or whoever.  Once I figured that out then the size of the beads sometimes determined which finger I would probably wear it.  Don't forget the thread is stretchy so it is not limited to one finger.  It is a little tricky knotting it - I would do a couple double knots.  Then, when all finished trim the ends of the knot and use a little glue to secure it.  Let it dry thoroughly.  I wish you couldn't see the knot on the underside of the ring, but I am more about making sure that it is securely knotted and will not come apart and beads go flying!!!!

Enjoy!!

You've seen several times how Lucy likes to "hang out" on the back of the couch.  She looks like she is just hanging with us and chatting.  This is how she looks from the back side!!!!

Front view!!!  She is so funny!!

I am linking to The DIY Showoff's Project Parade.  You can see lots of ideas by clicking here.