Ready For Some {Linky} Parties???

Hello blogging buddies!  I hope this blog post finds you all well and ready for a fun week!  Since it's Monday, there are lots of linky parties to attend so here we go....

I just love Tara's Monday Made It  party.  I has really reminded me that I need to nurture the creative side of myself throughout the week.  I made THREE trips to Hobby Lobby this week!  (Good thing it's close by!)  Here's what I made:

Take one pillow form.

(Found at Hobby Lobby)

Add one pillow cover. 

 (Found at Hobby Lobby)

Stuff the pillow inside the cover.

(Rosie is trying to help.)

Zipper it shut.

Hot glue some decorations on it to personalize it.

(Found at Hobby Lobby in the paper crafting section.)

And there you go!

Beautiful and so incredibly easy!! 

And it is Puggle approved!

 



At last week's Monday Made It party, I saw these adorable teacher gifts at Head Over Heels for Teaching and I knew I just had to make one.

 So here is my version:

This will come in very handy...especially since I can't ever find my Post-its when I need one!
You can click HERE if you want to know how to make one for yourself (or someone else!).  Super easy...all you need to do is be able to operate a paper cutter and a hot glue gun!  Love it!!

Moving on to Teaching Tales Along the Yellow Brick Road's Eating, Drinking and Linking party.  There are some great recipes here!  I hope you will check them out for yourself.

 Since simplicity is the name of the game this week, I will share my recipe for Loaded Baked Potato Dip.  It is my husband's favorite thing to have when we are having company.  Why not bring some to your Fourth of July picnic?

Loaded Baked Potato Dip
1 16 oz carton sour cream (I use light)
1 pkg dry ranch dressing
1/2 cup Oscar Mayer bacon bits
1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 T chives, finely chopped

Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix.  Sprinkle more cheese, bacon bits and chives on top. Serve with potato chips, fries, crackers or veggies.  Saves well (as if there is ever any left to save... : )

 

Photo source: http://ginamarieskitchen.com

 

Next, and staying with the simplicity theme, I'd like to share something that I can't live without for Sabra's Teaching with a Touch of Twang Must Have Mondays.   

 

I am TRYING to eat more healthy foods so getting my daily dose of veggies is very important.  I really, really dislike steaming my own veggies because it makes a big mess (two pots to wash) and very often, I overcook the veggies until they are mushy.

 

Enter Ziploc Zip & Steam bags...

Photo source:   http://jjdishitout.blogspot.com/2009/05/steam-fresh-bag-recipesgreat-idea.html

 

Simply rinse your veggies, pop them into the bag, seal it tight and microwave it as directed on the bag.  We sure are eating A LOT more veggies since I found these babies!

 

And finally.....THANK YOU for following me on Bloglovin'!!  I have been blown away by the amount of people who signed up to follow me and who entered my giveaway.  Congratulations to Layla H. & Charlene S. who were the two winners of my complete Word Parts We Know unit.  If you didn't win but would still like to pick up one of these for yourself, head over to my TpT store.

 

Thanks also for reading this VERY long post!!  :)  Lots going on today....I'm off to pick strawberries with my favorite aunt then we will be making freezer jam this afternoon.  Yum!

 

Have a great week!