Sweet potato casserole is good anytime of year . Dressed up, it’s the perfect accompaniment to any holiday meal. This sweet potato recipe has no marshmallows. Just a crunchy Struesel topping to contrast with the deep sweet potato flavor! No sweet, sticky marshmallows fans in our house :-) Cook and mash the sweet potatoes before measuring. If you are in a hurry (or can’t get fresh sweet potatoes, as they are not always available), use a 40 ounce can and drain before mashing. If you use yams, remember they are a bit sweeter than sweet potatoes so you might want to reduce the sugar a bit. You can add coconut to the topping of this traditional dish. I usually don't, but when I made this I had a bit of coconut hanging out and lonely in the pantry. So I added it. Baking time will vary a ... [Read More]
Holidays
Celebrate Simply . . . Thanksgiving
Celebrations add richness and depth to our lives. They are a time to connect with others in our family and beyond. They call to mind our collective history in ways that can be adapted to the individual. The first time I heard of lasagna for Thanksgiving dinner I was surprised! But it is a perfect illustration of the dynamic nature of celebrations! They change to fit the situation and times in a way that is significant to the persons celebrating and, in the process, strengthen the bond of family and friends. I love to look at beautiful holiday tablescapes and gorgeous seasonal layered vignettes. I love to create them. But sometimes the weather does not cooperate nor is there time or energy for such things. Still celebration calls for something out of the ordinary. So . . . make ... [Read More]
A dozen ideas for Father’s Day
Candy Bar Posters for Dad Father's Day Printable Fingerprint Dandelion Card Printable Father's Day Coupons Father's Day Treats - Nuts About You Father's Day Shirt with printable A Book about Dad with printable template DIY and Thoughtful Father's Day Gift -- Things we learned from Dad Some SuperHeroes don't have capes -- Free Father's Day Printables Father's Day Party Printables M & M Bowtie Save ... [Read More]
Ultimate Easter Egg Guide
Abbie Living -- Polka Dot Eggs Design Sponge -- Ukranian Eggs Made Simple Oh Joy! -- Neon Dip Dyed Eggs Instructables -- P Susies Psychedelic Eggs Indie Fixx -- A Fun Easter Egg Dying Technique Frugal Girls -- DIY Tie Dyed Easter Eggs Bold Bright and Beautiful -- Easter Egg Decorating Ideas with Rubber Band Tot School -- Marbled Eggs Oh Joy! -- oops a duplicate! The Artful Parent -- Melted Crayon Easter Eggs Crap I've Made -- Rubber Cement Dyed Eggs Magic Onions -- How to Blow Egg for Easter Crafts Parent Hacks -- Muffin tin for Easter Egg Dye Mini Fashionista -- Removing Easter Egg Dye From Hands Tinkerlab -- Vegetable Dyed Easter Eggs The Chocolate Muffin Tree -- Naturally Dyed Eggs - Marble Technique Iron and Twine -- Tea Stained Easter ... [Read More]
9 Valentine crafts for kids
Cute and creative ways for kids of all ages to celebrate Valentine's Day! Or eight sweet hearts and a cute love bug :-) Sweet and Simple Love Bug - tutorial from My Kids Guide From the bottom of my feet -- a valentine from Toddler Approved DIY Flower Hearts Card Tutorial -- momdot Homemade Playdough Valentine's Day Kids Craft -- from The Suburban Mom Easy Heart Suncatcher -- Toddler Time Love Blooms -- The Creative Goddess Marbleized Hearts -- Cheap Crafty Mama Heart-shaped Pipe Cleaner Rings -- Make and Takes Colorful Puddle Painted Hearts -- Make and Takes Other Valentine Roundups by A Pinch of Joy No candy Valentines for Kids Valentine Crafts for Kids 27 Valentine Printables for the big and little loves in your life 26 Valentine Ideas ... [Read More]
No Candy Valentines
As a child, one of our sons had food allergies which really limited the kind of sweets he could have. Fortunately, he “outgrew” them and they didn’t stunt his growth at all as one elderly relative worried – now 6’2” and still growing I think! I was really surprised as a Den Mother to find that most of the kids in his Cub Scout den also had some kind of food allergy! (Shhhhhh! Don't tell him I referred back to his childhood for that bit of information!) It really was a struggle sometimes to find treats. One result was that I became very conscious of the need to find alternatives to candy. So -- just in time for Friday Favorites: Six Valentines: No candy required! Design Mom provides tags and shows you how she fastened the animals to them with ribbon. She also provides ... [Read More]
