UTV plowing deep snow by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

UTV plowing deep snow
How much snow can a UTV push? Let's see if it can plow 8" of heavy wet snow on long runs over a gravel driveway. Also show how NOT to push up the gravel when snowplowing

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Styrofoam Christmas Trees

Deck the Halls! Oh My Goodness, I Simply Cannot Wait to Decorate This Year! Just for Fun, I Created These Gorgeous Styrofoam Christmas Trees and They are Sparkling Beautifully in Our Home. Because We’re Spending...

The post Styrofoam Christmas Trees appeared first on Smart School House.

by Kelly via Home And Garden

15 Fun Kid Gifts (and most are under $50)

***This post is sponsored by Zulily and Shopstyle. All opinions are my own (and we own a lot of these toys personally!).***

Christmas prep is going on FULL FORCE around here. I’ve put up all my decorations up EXCEPT my tree, and I’ve been trying to get all my gift shopping done EARLY. One of my go-to, online shopping stops, is Zulily. I wake up daily and check the site for the BEST prices on so many recognized brands, but also a TON of unique finds! 

 I love that Zulily has new deals each day so there’s always something new! They’ve also recently shortened shipping times too! This means you don’t have to wait long for all your goodies. Plus, those savings are amazing!

Did you know when you place an order on Zulily with paid shipping (Friday-Saturday), it opens a window of free shipping on additional orders for the rest of the weekend. Once you’ve paid that first shipping charge, we’ll try to consolidate subsequent purchases into a single shipment, and we’ll give you the lowest-priced shipping option for free for all items ordered by 11:59pm PT on Sunday. How cool is that?

I thought it might be fun to round up a few gift ideas for a varied age of kiddo. From little one to teen, there’s at least one idea that might stand out to you.
Plus, almost all are under $50! 

Bristle Blocks: 
If your kiddo likes to build, these are super fun building blocks. We have a huge set, and all ages of kids enjoy them! 

Space mission rocket ship: 
You’ve seen dollhouses for imaginary fun, but have you ever seen a ROCKET SHIP play set?

American Girl paper dolls: 
A modern twist on a classic favorite. 

Picasso Tiles: 
If you don’t know what these are, you need to. They are THE most played with toy in our house for years. They’re magnetic building blocks and they are so fun to create with. These are some fantastic prices on sets!

Thinking Putty: 
It’s like, play dough for big kids and it’s NOT as messy as slime. These make killer stocking stuffers too!

Latch board: 
Toddlers especially love these latch boards. Open and close all different kinds of latches and closures. This will keep the little ones busy for awhile! By the way, all Melissa and Doug toys ship FREE when you spend $15+. That’s so easy to do!

Poke A Dot books:
These are my absolute favorite for infants and toddlers. They’re super interactive books that have little places to “poke” on each page. They remind me of bubble wrap. There are about a million different versions, but I spy some Christmas ones!

Grow your own Crystal Jewelry: 
What happens when you combine fashion and science? This kit happens. This is a fun gift for a tween!

Woodburning set: 
Here’s another DIY/Crafting set with a rustic twist. Woodburning anyone? You can make some awesome things!

Gun and Target Alarm Clock: 
Have a teen that refuses to get out of bed? Maybe this will help! They can SNOOZE their alarm, but shooting it! I want one for MY room!

Metal Detector lab kit: 
Maybe you have an adventurer at your house? I thought this was a unique gift idea! Now they can find treasures anywhere!

Lava lamp: 
 A blast from the past, I used to have one of these in my room as a teen and I LOVED it. Did you have one?

Mini air hockey table: 
If you don’t have room for a FULL size air hockey table, check out this mini version! This is bound to bring hours of (little) fun!

Hop and Bounce cow:
These little guys are a blast for younger kids. They can bounce around everywhere on their cow. My kids would race on these and it was hilarious!

Playmobil nativity: 
This is a great way to teach the true story of Christmas and focus on Jesus and the Nativity. Kids can learn by play! Plus, I adore this brand. Such good quality!

Such fun, affordable treasures! I think a LOT of kids are going to be happy to receive of these unique gifts, and a lot of mamas are going to love the money they saved by shopping Zulily for quality gifts!

The post 15 Fun Kid Gifts (and most are under $50) appeared first on How Does She.

by Andrea via Home And Garden

MY Healthy Habits & Rituals 2020 (Spiritual, Mental, Physical) by Rachel Talbott

MY Healthy Habits & Rituals 2020 (Spiritual, Mental, Physical)
Thank you for watching.. Please share below some of your rituals and healthy habits. Try Ritual vitamins using my code: TALBOTT for 10% off www.ritual.com/talbott My "Healthy Habits" Quiet Time- Even if it's just a few minutes everyday, some time devoted to silence is so important for my personal mental health. I find that (especially during this pandemic) and everyone being at home together ALL DAY means there is always some type of noise. My boys take a "quiet time" everyday, and I also choose quiet tasks to accomplish during this time. Silence, reading, prayer, or studying. On colder days I do this inside, on warm days I love to spend quiet time outside. Hygiene- Believe me when I say, although I make pamper videos on YouTube, it truly is not a part of my everyday experience. Most days I'm lucky to get these few hygiene habits in. A shower, brushing my teeth & flossing, face wash, moisturizer, brushing my hair. As a reminder, even if we can't get epic days to ourselves, a basic hygiene routine is a crucial part of healthy habits. Strength, Flexibility & Conditioning- My goal for "fitness" is to be strong, flexible and condition my body for today and the long term. The farm chores have been keeping me in shape during this year, but I also LOVE Pilates, Yoga & Dancing. All three are fun and great for my body overall. I recently got this handstand bench to add to my routine.. It has been a TOTAL blast.. You can do entire Yoga flows with it, or just practice inversions. https://amzn.to/32GEVBR Health- No one has a "perfect" diet. Fads and diet trends can make us feel like whip lash with our routines. I've been there. As I get older I'm trying to focus less on that and stick to the basics. Where does my food come from? How is it grown and handled? How much does it cost? Can I preserve or make better use of our food? This took a shift in thinking, and for me it's been an evolution and a process. Once I became more aware, these habits slowly became more second nature, but I'm still working on this everyday. Self Education- I'm learning now, more than ever, what a privilege it is to educate ourselves. The internet can be suuuuch a nasty place, but what a blessing to have access to so much information. I use OverDrive and rent out library books constantly. I read several books a month. I recently made the plunge and purchased a kindle, and it has been amazing during this pandemic. I have read and learned so much... https://www.amazon.com/shop/racheltalbott?listId=AVN10B9PTGYA Self- Education- An online course can cost money, but there are a lot that are free as well. I recently took a FREE course on canning & bread making from youtube.com/homesteadingfamily , and I'm finishing up my Herbal Academy course which offers a certification upon extensive studying, testing, and completion of the course. There are a lot of options for FREE or affordable education from home. Choose a course that will enhance your business or personal life. Journaling- Writing down my prayers, what I'm grateful for, and my thoughts and goals has always been so helpful. Even if my journal looks like a scribbly mess, it's still an essential part of my "healthy habits routine." Vision Board- If you're a visual personal, a vision board can be very helpful. Pinterest has been a great place for me to look at ideas, and visuals to get inspired. Check out my vision board https://www.pinterest.com/racheltalbott/ Making Promises To Yourself- Music is a huge passion for me. Since I enjoy creating content, farming, and being home with my family, I can still make music a priority by practicing, composing, & creating music from my own home etc. It's a small promise I make to myself to slowly keep working and honing my musicianship skills. The more I learn, the more fun I can have with creating my art. I share many of my original compositions on my spotify (https://spoti.fi/38zV000) and my instagram page @RachelTalbottMusic http://followgram.me/racheltalbott http://www.youtube.com/ByronTalbott https://www.facebook.com/rachel.talbott * DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are true &my own. I link affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the exact products I mention.....and... I LOVE YOU!!!! =) Thank you for supporting what I do!! ♥♥♥

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50+ Nice Things To Do For Your Man Just Because

You don’t need an excuse to do nice things for your man.  Let him know how amazing he is with w of these thoughtful gestures, generated with help from our fabulous Facebook followers! Let’s get started on the 50 nice things to do for your man.

{Get the PRINTABLE LIST HERE.}

Special Things to Do for Your Man to Show Your Love

1. Buy him car wash coupons.

2. Or, wash his car yourself.

3. Write him notes and stick them in his pants pockets when you fold them.

4.  Read The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts, and find out his love language.

{Try this Love Language jar}

5. Come to bed in your birthday suit.

6. Give him a foot massage when he gets off work.

7. Stay with the kids or put them to bed and let him catch a nap.

8. Make him a “man bouquet” with his favorite things, like HDS Facebook follower Sarah.

 

9.  Let him sleep in.

10.  Send him a quick text during the work day to let him know you love and appreciate him.

11. Find out something on his bucket list and make it happen for him!

12. Iron his shirt the night before.

13. Surprise him with a gift card to his favorite store.

14. Let him have the last piece of cake.  (Have you tried our German Chocolate Drizzle cake?)

“I always give him the bigger helping, the last piece…and when I cook grilled cheese and burn the sandwich, I eat the burnt one.  It may sound small, or dumb, but I always want him happy and the best for my man!”

–FB follower Jessica S.

15. Cut his hair, or learn how to do it.

16. Give him a “Man”icure and pedicure.

17. Make his favorite weekend breakfast.  Try our extremely popular Cinnamon Bun pancakes!

18. Take the kids to grandma’s and make a romantic dinner for two, including candles and very little clothing.

19. Buy his favorite candy bar and leave it in his car.  Check out these cute candy bar saying from The Dating Divas.

20. Sneak out early to buy him donuts and chocolate milk (guys are kids at heart, right?).  Put them in his car or enjoy together.

21. Buy bathtub crayons and write special messages to one another on the shower wall.

22.  Bring home a rented movie and take out that he likes (not necessarily what you like).

23.  Surprise him at work by dropping off a small treat.

24. Surprise him by taking him out for lunch.

25.  Make his favorite cookies so they’re warm when he gets home.   Here are our favorite cookie recipes!

The remaining 25 fabulous things to do for your man HERE!

The post 50+ Nice Things To Do For Your Man Just Because appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

Beat the Chill and Chill: My Fave 15 Winter Outfits

Thanks to UpWest for collaborating with us on this sponsored post. We are huge fans of their comfy winter outfits!

There’s no one who likes bundling up in the winter more than me. I’m the one with all the layers when I drop my kiddos off for school and if I’m not cozied up by a fireplace, I’m head-to-toe in a sweater, joggers, and a beanie. Perhaps one of the greatest things about winters in Idaho is the chance to hit the streets (or slopes) in fun winter outfits.

UpWest is one of my favorite places to shop online, especially during the winter. Their clothes are comfy, high-quality, and trendy. I dig their casual, cool style. If you like to beat the chill and chill, you’ll love them too! Here are my 15 favorite winter musts from UpWest that are perfect for dressing up or winding down.

And remember...if this is your first UpWest order, you can use the code FIRSTORDER to save 20% off your entire cart!

My 15 Favorite Winter Outfits

1. The Sherpa Puffer

I am crazy insane for this super-soft sherpa puffer coat. It’s like hugging a puppy! So cozy, so cute, and it comes in three colors (but I think I love this Blushed Rose best). 

2. All-Day Cardigan Sweater

I could easily spend all day err day in this long cardigan. Pair it with jeans or joggers and wrap it around you like a blanket.

3. Waffle Twist-Front Tee

A breakfast in bed kind of day? I love the way this soft tee twists in the front. It’s minimalist fashion at its finest and a cool take on a waffle tee. Hey, did somebody mention waffles?

4. Cabin Check PJs

I remember winter weekends spent snowmobiling into my friend’s cabin in Island Park, Idaho. We’d build a fire, cooks s’mores inside, and watch movies while the snow blew outside. These pjs are quintessential winter jammies and one word: ruffles!

5. Cozy Weekend Romper

Speaking of cozy weekends, this adorable romper is the next best thing to hanging out in your robe. And it’s flattering too! There’s a snap closure in the back for easy on, easy off. Imagine how cute this would be with leg warmers! 

6. Curved Hem Crewneck Sweater

I love pieces with a unique subtlety, like the feminine curve of this gorgeously soft sweater. It comes in so many sophisticated color options and is made with recycled yarn. How cool is that?

7. Snow Day Bobble Beanie

One size fits all on this playful winter beanie that makes me want to go out and have a snowball fight with my kids or pull a sled up a hill for some snow day fun.

8. Snow Day Bobble Scarf

And you’ve gotta match the hat with the scarf. What a great combo to top off your winter outfits. Designed to give you a comfy fit for those cold winter days and nights.

9. Starfish Project Triangle Dangle Earrings

For the minimalist chic style, these dainty earrings say so much without screaming. 14K gold plated convertible earrings made in collaboration with the Starfish Project, which helps care for women in need.

10. Cozy Legwarmers

Cue up your favorite 80s film because leg warmers are back baby! But they’ve got a modern, chic vibe that fashionistas everywhere are pairing with their favorite jeans, leggings, and rompers. 

11. Lightweight Jogger

Admittedly, I’ve never met a pair of joggers I didn’t like, but this one is especially rad. It’s lightweight, super comfortable, and made from a wood pulp fiber derived from sustainably managed forests. Being green never felt so cool.

12. Easy Tie Dye Mock Neck Sweatshirt

Here’s an elevated take on the tie-dye craze that I think is absolutely lovely. Tie dye doesn’t need to be loud to be heard. 

13. Color Block Sweatshirt

It’s got the pep of a cheerleader coupled with the coziness of a fireside favorite. This sweatshirt is an easygoing staple for your winter outfits.

14. The Weighted Blanket

This blanket goes beyond the regular comfort of any old blanket. It’s a 15-pound soft sherpa designed to holistically stress and anxiety. Weighted blankets are known to boost your oxytocin, the hormone that increases your sense of wellbeing.

UpWest has a great home section too!

 

Fashion Steals!

15. Fireside Fleece Sweatshirt

The sweatshirt you want to snuggle up to a good book in. It’s HALF OFF for a steal of a deal and comes in two great color choices.

Check here for more UpWest fashion steals! (So many fall favorites for 50% off!)

So whether you’re hibernating in the comfort of your own home or stepping out, UpWest has all of the cozy winter outfits to help you stay warm and fashionable.

 

The post Beat the Chill and Chill: My Fave 15 Winter Outfits appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

A NEW Boss back plow by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

A NEW Boss back plow
Boss has a new back plow. They now have 2 models-a heavy duty model designed for Commercial work -the other for residential. We compare and contrast the 2 and then compare their NEWEST one to our sno-power back blades to show the differences side by side. We do the walk through with the engineers that designed the new snowplows.

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Simple DIY Pie Slice Boxes Made from Paper Plates

*Thank you to maurices and ShopStyle for teaming up with us on this sponsored post; it’s a fun one! We invite you to discover maurices and try this easy Thanksgiving place-setting craft.

Thanksgiving is one of the greatest holidays of the year in my opinion because it revolves around 1) eating, and 2) family. No gifts to buy, no agenda to follow; just relaxation, camaraderie, and did I mention food? While Thanksgiving may be low-stress, it doesn’t mean it’s not a time to grandstand a little bit. In my family, everyone pulls out all the stops when it comes to cooking, decorating, and showing up dressed to impress.

We’ve got you covered on all of our favorite Thanksgiving recipes (have you tried Penny’s Perfect Pie Crust? It’s incredible!), a fun Thanksgiving table setting craft below, and some hot fall fashions from maurices that your pocketbook is going to love. You’re going to be all set this Thanksgiving.

Simple DIY Pie Slice Boxes, Plus Easy Chic Fashions from maurices

When it comes to crafting, I’m all about easy and inexpensive. The same can be said about my style. I like pieces that flatter all the right places, feel good all day long, and make a put-together yet approachable statement. Girl next door meets fashionista. If you haven’t discovered maurices recently, you owe it to yourself to get reacquainted. I’ve found the cutest hoodies, jeans, tops, and boots all at an excellent price point. More about my fave maurices picks below, plus the tutorial to some easy pie slice boxes that look really cute on your Thanksgiving table.

DIY Pie Slice Boxes

I was looking for a cute way for guests to take a slice of pie home after Thanksgiving dinner. There were a few options online, but not enough time to ship before the big feast. So I went to the drawing board and decided to make my own using something that everyone has on hand: paper plates. These DIY pie slice boxes are easy to whip together the day before Thanksgiving and are the perfect vessels for those yummy pie slices.

Materials Needed:

You’ll need: paper plates, scissors, a hot glue gun, and string.

Directions: 

1. Create a triangle by folding the paper plate so that there is a triangle inside. Imagine a piece of pie fitting inside.

2. Cut a 1-inch slit at each of the three corners.

3. Make a bow-tie fold at each slit.

You should have three little bow-tie folds when you’re done.

4. Bring each side up and hot glue them together until you have a triangle-shaped container.

That’s it! Add a piece of pie and tie it together with string or butcher’s twine.

It really is such a simple Thanksgiving craft that adds a farmhouse flare to a tablescape and serves a practical purpose–a sweet take-home treat for your guests.

Easy, Chic Pieces from maurices

I always choose my Thanksgiving pants wisely, you know what I mean? Jeans with enough stretchhh, but that hug the curves just right. ‘Cause ain’t nobody want to have to unbutton that top button after turkey dinner.

Jeans

I got this pair of Everflex high rise black skinny jeans because I loved the buttons and the color. The fit wasn’t as tight as I was expecting so I would probably size down one size, but they have great stretch and flexibility. (Definitely great Thanksgiving pants!) The cuff was more like a boyfriend jean and I’ll probably roll them up. 

maurices always has great promos on their jeans, so check in often.

Tops

I love flannels and this top just spoke to me when I was scrolling. I also snagged this hoodie, which I absolutely LOVE (it’s so soft!), and this pullover (which is amazing as well!). They’ve both become my recent fall favorites. 

In fact, you’ll want to check out all of these pullovers and hoodies because they are adorable.

Shoes

When browsing maurices trendy shoe section, I immediately gravitated to these boots. I love the fur on them and the fit is perfect. Make sure to check maurices frequently as I’ve seen some GREAT promos on their boots and shoes!

Pre-Black Friday Deals

Starting right now, every single day maurices has some awesome promo going on. It’s so exciting! Go discover maurices for yourself and get some really cute clothes for a great price. 

Happy holidays!

 

The post Simple DIY Pie Slice Boxes Made from Paper Plates appeared first on How Does She.

by Nicolette via Home And Garden

“The Age of Adaline” and More Movies This Cottage Has Appeared In

If this charming, ivy-covered cottage los familiar to you, it’s probably because it has starred in many movies and TV shows over the years. It had a memorable turn in the 2015 romantic drama The Age of Ada. But it has also appeared in the 2019 thriller The Intruder and on popular TV shows like “Riverdale” […]

The post “The Age of Adaline” and More Movies This Cottage Has Appeared In appeared first on Hooked on Houses.

by hookedonhouses via Home And Garden

Warm and Classy: A Versatile Look for November

**This post is sponsored by Kohl’s and Shopstyle. All opinions are my own.**

November means rapidly dropping temperature for most of us. Every morning, I’m out in the dark scraping the windshields to get the kiddo to school. I can’t lie – I dread it, but one thing I don’t dread is cold weather clothing. I guess I just like to be cozy! More often than not, you’ll find me in my college hoodies and joggers, but occasionally, I do get “dressed up” as my kids call it. I love a versatile, and comfy look that will stand the test of time. 

I found the most wonderful cozy wardrobe pieces at Kohl’s. I remember shopping at Kohl’s as a kid with my mom and now I’m doing it for my own family! They have exclusive brands that you won’t find anywhere else, along with brands you’ll recognize. I feel like everything there is well priced and often you can find promotions that will sweeten the deal. For example, right now, you can take an extra 15% off purchases of $100+ using code CATCH15OFF! 

Let me show you what I found!

Obviously, the eye catcher of this outfit is the gorgeous fringe ruana.
I had to google what a “ruana” was, and I learned it is “poncho-style outer garment native to the Colombian and Venezuelan Andes.” Learn something new every day! This particular version is from the popular Lauren Conrad line at Kohl’s, which is one of my favorites. Don’t you love the colors? They’re unexpected for this time of year. Muted, but vibrant! 
This piece is incredibly versatile. You can pair it with simple long sleeve tee and jeans, as I did hear, or even with a dress! It’s so incredibly soft and warm! I even wrapped up baby in it! Cozy as can be!

These jeans deserve a post of their own.
They are a classic style that fit like a dream. They’re high waisted, (which is necessary for this mom of 6), but fit super comfortably! They don’t have a ton of stretch, but didn’t feel stiff either. The dark wash pairs nicely with absolutely anything and is easily dressed up, but if dark wash isn’t for you, there are a few other options!
I liked that these jeans have a tall option for those of us that need a little extra length. I wear a 4/6 in most jean and went with a size 4 tall in these. To note: I’m 5’8″.
I would recommend sizing down if between sizes. 

(My daughter’s sweater)

I love these booties and their little side slits. 
They pair perfectly with the muted tones of the ruana, don’t you think?
I chose the taupe color, but it comes in 3 other colors AND a print. The heel on this is perfect for me. I’m not a fan of a huge heel because I’m not a fan of feeling like I’m going to fall on my face (I swear I’m the most uncoordinated person.), but this was enough of a heel to feel feminine. 
The shoes are comfortable, but I do recommend getting a low cut sock so the socks don’t peep out of the fun side slits. 

Lastly, winter isn’t winter without really cute beanies.
Am I right?
Not just a way to cover up that extra layer of dry shampoo, beanies and winter hats are a fashion forward way to stay cozy. I am absolutely in love with this beanie. This is also from the Lauren Conrad line at Kohl’s. This is the Adobe Rose color and it pairs perfectly with the rest of the outfit’s color. And can you EVEN with those details?
So pretty! Just proves that being cozy and fashion forward go hand in hand any time of year! Did I mention they also have matching mittens?

I was so pleased with the quality and style of the pieces I got from Kohl’s. One thing that is especially important to me is sizing. I don’t like ordering a bunch of things and only having to make my way BACK to the store to return things that  don’t fit correctly. Everything I ordered fit VERY well, and true to size. That’s a big plus for me!

My son’s henley onesie is CRAZY soft. Grab it you have a babe. They have a few different colors and I ordered in blue too!

Also, Kohls has curbside pickup! I had to order my daughter some tennis shoes a few weeks ago last minute on our way out of town, and I did a curbside pickup. I was so impressed with how smoothly the process went and how quickly the shoes were brought out to my car. If you’re in a hurry, or don’t want to go in store, be sure to check if your local store has this option!

Such a warm and cozy look for your cold weather days! I feel like these pieces can all be interchanged with other outfits easily. One things for sure, Kohl’s is a great place to find unique, stylish pieces to carry you (and your family) through all seasons!

The post Warm and Classy: A Versatile Look for November appeared first on How Does She.

by Andrea via Home And Garden

Plowing the First Snow of the Year. by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

Plowing the First Snow of the Year.
8" of heavy, wet, heart ache snow hit us on October 20th. The Ford breaks down, we move snow pushers out to the site, we test the new ASV skid steer, We plow with the Sledge Compact loader.

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Rainy Day Head-To-Toe Herbal Pampering by Rachel Talbott

Rainy Day Head-To-Toe Herbal Pampering
So excited to share my new Pacific Thyme CBD Bath Bombs. Visit PacificThyme.com to get yours and keep an eye out for more great products soon! Find everything I've purchased and shared on Amazon in my shop - https://www.amazon.com/shop/racheltalbott Facial Dry Brush - I've tried many of these and wasted money on poorly made dry brushes. Either it's too stiff, the bristles fall out, or it falls apart over time. I was skeptical to spend this much, but I also don't want to keep buying poorly made products that don't last. https://amzn.to/32r03Mc Poultice- https://amzn.to/3kfhCoD Facial Mask Brush- https://amzn.to/2Iie9IS http://followgram.me/racheltalbott https://www.pinterest.com/racheltalbott/ http://www.youtube.com/ByronTalbott https://www.facebook.com/rachel.talbott * DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed are true &my own. I link affiliate links to make it easier for you to find the exact products I mention.....and... I LOVE YOU!!!! =) Thank you for supporting what I do!! ♥♥♥ THIS IS NOT A SPONSORED VIDEO

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30 Cookie Exchange Recipes that will make you the Queen of the Party

Cookie Exchange Recipes

 

You’ve got an invite to a Cookie Exchange.  Now you’ve got to find that amazing cookie that will knock everyone’s socks off.   Look no further.  Here’s 30 of THE best cookies out there.  You’ll be the Queen of the party!!

1.   This is a great one to start off with!  These Turtle Thumbprint Cookies look divine!

2.  Don’t you just love those peppermint kisses found this time of year?  If so, you’ve got to try these Peppermint Kiss Thumbprint Cookies!  Can’t wait to make some!

3.  These Christmas Cookie Sticks in a mason jar are a guaranteed hit!

4.  These bite sized Peppermint Sugar Cookies are bound to be loved by all!

5.  These Easy Pretzel Hugs might have to be on my list this year!  Hubby’s coworkers: You’re welcome!

6.  Easy Christmas M&M Cake Mix Cookies can’t be easier!  Or yummier!

7. Minted Oreo Truffles are sure to be a hit of any party!  Love that there’s only 4 ingredients!

8. These Gingerbread and Snowman Heads are stinking cute and absolutely kid approved!

 9.  Nothing says Christmas cookies like these Snowball Cookies.  YUM!

 10.  These Olaf Cookies will be the kids’ favorite!  In fact my kids are dying over them right now!

11.  A must have at any party would be these Spiced Gingerbread Man Cookies.  YUM!

12. I’m a sucker for anything traditional.  Here’s some Classic Spritz Cookies that will take you back to days gone by.

13.  Orange Creamsicle Cookies have the perfect amount of orange zest for a delicious treat!

14.  My 12 year old is loving anything Peppermint right now.  I think I’m going to join her and we’ll try these Peppermint Chocolate Cookies together!

15.  Mint Chip Sugar Cookies.  Easy and Yummy!

16. I’m liking how easy these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies are!  Also great for a last minute gift idea!

17.  Oreo Fudge. YUM!  Need I say more?

18.  Loving these Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies!

19.   The Cranberry-Orange Pinwheels look divine (and I’m sure smell divine too)!

20.  The kids would love to help make these Reindeer Pops!

 

21.  Or if you want to use some nutter butters for Snowmen Cookies that works too!

22.  Homemade Peppermint Patties. The store bought ones have got to be one of my favorite treats from the store.  I can only imagine how much better homemade would taste!

23.  Need a basic Soft, Sour Cream Sugar Cookie recipe?  Here’s a good one!

24.  Lump of Coal Cookies.  Perfect for this house on some days! Ha!

25.  These Santa Hat Brownies are super cute!

26.  If you like the sweet-salty dessert combo, this Salted Caramel Chocolate Shortbread Bar is for you!

27.  Eat these Grinch Cookies while watching the Grinch movie.  Sounds like a perfect holiday tradition to me!

28. How about these for breakfast Christmas morning?  Cinnamon Bun Cookies.  Awesome!

29.  Andes Mint Cookies.  These look to die for!

30.  The Colorful Slice and Bake Swirl Cookies are a definite winner! Check them out!

 Throwing in #31  The rolo cookie!

And I just have to share this tip to get the perfect cookies!!  How to Bake Cookies that Don’t Spread!  YES!

Now the only problem left is trying to decide which one to do…. they are all amazing!

Now that the cookies are made, use these darling gifting tag that we designed just for you!

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The post 30 Cookie Exchange Recipes that will make you the Queen of the Party appeared first on How Does She.

by Katie via Home And Garden

Walking Banana Pudding

This fun and easy Walking Banana Pudding Dessert is wonderful for get togethers, holidays, parties, or even quiet family movie nights at home. This is a special, unique, and deliciously adorable treat can be enjoyed...

The post Walking Banana Pudding appeared first on Smart School House.

by Kelly via Home And Garden

New skid steer shows up! & rebuilding a front stoop with Pavers?!? Start to finish 4 k by Stanley "Dirt Monkey" Genadek

New skid steer shows up! & rebuilding a front stoop with Pavers?!? Start to finish 4 k
We demolish the front staircase, landing & sidewalk and start all over. Then a New skid steer by ASV shows up so we check that out, then rebuild the front porch, landing, stairs and sidewalk with pavers.

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*A big thanks to our good friends at Blue Apron for partnering with us on this sponsored post. Recipe fatigue is a real thing and they’re here to help with easy dinners! (Oh, and they’re giving HowDoesShe gals $60 off too!)

2020 has got me tired. Like bone tired. Every week is a new obstacle course to navigate–will my kids be in school today or learning from home? (It changes every week in our school district depending on COVID-19 cases.) Our social circles vacillate from allowing groups of 50 to mandating groups of 10, meaning I never know if I can attend my kids extra-curricular activities or if I have to give them a kiss good luck and drop them off at the door.

I’m tired of never knowing what to expect and tired of always having to be on high-alert. What I’m thankful most for in my life right now are the constants I can count on and look forward to–my socially-distanced book club once a month, a new episode of my favorite TV show every night, and three meals a week that I don’t have to plan, shop for, or pick up.

Blue Apron has been a life-saver for me this year. It’s one of those “constants” that I look forward to every single week. When I couldn’t go to the grocery store when COVID hit, they delivered fresh meals to my doorstep. And now, with so much up in the air all the time, I can’t tell you how nice it is knowing that every week I’ll get 3 delicious restaurant-quality meals dropped off on my doorstep that I did nothing to prepare for except choose the recipes that looked yummiest.

If you’re tired of the rigamarole of planning meals and shopping for them, give Blue Apron a try (it’s $60 off your first three boxes right now!). They’re easy, delicious meals for when you’re sick of cooking.

Easy Dinners for When You’re Sick of Cooking

Blue Apron is a gourmet meal delivery kit that brings everything you need to cook a healthy, hearty dinner to your doorstep. I’ve been ordering it for a few months now and everything inside is always fresh (even seafood). I’ve been thoroughly impressed by the quality of ingredients and the unique recipes.

It’s made cooking fun and exciting for me again. We’ve tried new ingredients (spaghetti squash–so yum!) and recipes that I probably never would have done on my own. (These chorizo enchiladas were amazing! A little spicy, but delicious.) Easy dinners made exciting.

Go see what’s on the menu at Blue Apron this week!

Convenient & Flexible

Every week there are 23 recipes to choose from, with something for everyone’s taste and health preference, and it’s very simple to manage. (I’ve tried a few different meal kits and I like Blue Apron’s meal manager the best.) I use the Blue Apron app on my phone to view upcoming menus and skip a week if I don’t particularly like what’s on the menu or if we’ll be out of town. You can also monitor your credits and cancel at anytime.

Yep, they really are easy dinners. (About 30 min.)

Don’t expect a frozen lasagna scenario where you just toss something in the oven. Blue Apron meals do require some work, but if you can follow a recipe, you’ll find them pretty easy. They’re for people like me who like to cook, but don’t necessarily have time for planning and shopping for meals.

From start to finish, it takes me about 30 minutes to get a Blue Apron dinner on the table. And the pay-off is enormous! I made salmon avocado bowls for my father-in-law and you’d have thought I took him to a 5-star restaurant. He still raves about that dish and it makes me smile.

Meal Favorites and Not-So-Favorites

I have sworn an oath of honesty in all my writing, so I’ll dish on the favorite Blue Apron recipes we’ve had and the ones I would pass on.

All-time favorites:

• Salmon Avocado bowls – So fresh! If you like salmon, a must. The textures and flavors are fun and exciting.
• Pimento Cheeseburgers – A bit spicy, but so juicy! Again, exciting flavors I’d never tasted before. This one is a must if it comes back again. (All the burgers I’ve tried have been amazing.)
• Sautéed Salmon and Kale – I love salmon, so I loved this dish. Also, the filets came deboned, beautifully packaged, and so fresh.

Not-so-faves:

• Anything ground turkey – I personally don’t like the taste, but thought I’d give it a try in a pasta dish. Still not a fan. My fam didn’t love it either so I’ll probably skip on the ground turkey recipes.
• Calabrian Chicken – This one was probably my fault. I think I terrorized the chicken (aka overcooked it), but I didn’t particularly like the spiciness of the dish. Next time I’ll cut the chicken breasts in half for a thinner cut, which I prefer, and lay off the spice. And that’s the good thing about Blue Apron recipes; you can always leave out the spice if you so desire.

The chorizo enchiladas we had last night were delicious! Perfectly light spice and lots of bold flavors.

Price Point & Quality

For anyone who goes out to eat regularly, Blue Apron is going to save you money–it’s around $7 per serving and they’re big servings. And when you order now, you’ll get $60 off your next three boxes. It ends up being an even better deal!

Honestly, at around $40 plus free shipping, it’s LESS than I’d spend on groceries for three meals. Totally worth it in my opinion. Another thing I love about Blue Apron is that I never have to measure a thing; all of the portions are done for you! Just cut a packet and add to the skillet.

Snag a gift card!

Give the gift of home cooking this season. I can’t think of a better gift for a busy parent or a budding home chef. Grab a Blue Apron e-gift card for easy dinners or wine and give someone on your list the best surprise! You don’t need to wait for a card to come in the mail, simply print it out at home or email it to your recipient. Perfect last-minute gift idea!

​​​​​​​In a year with so many questions, the one I don’t have to ask is, “What’s for dinner.” There’s no headache, no hassle, and no reaching into the back of the freezer for a frosted bag of mixed vegetables. Go give Blue Apron a try! It is a thankful constant that I can always count on and while easy dinners may be a small thing, that makes my life so much easier.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

 

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by Nicolette via Home And Garden