Instant Pot - Boxed Mac & Cheese

Did you know that you can make boxed Mac & Cheese in the Instant Pot? It is so super easy.

To make boxed Macaroni & Cheese in your Instant Pot, you put your box of macaroni and 1 1/4 cups of water in the Instant Pot, close it, and turn it on. Cook for 2 minutes on High pressure, let the pressure naturally release for 5 minutes, than quick release the remaining pressure.  Add 1/4 cup milk, 4 tbsp butter and the contents of the cheese packet, stir and you are done.

Want to make 2 boxes? Again, super easy. You will just need to add enough water to cover the macaroni. Same cook time and pressure. Then add 1/2 cup of milk and 1 stick of butter and you are all set. 

Homemade Pickles #Recipe

I don't think I calculated the outcome of my cucumbers very well.  My garden usually didn't thrive very well so if some of them died... I still had a few. Well, let me tell you! This year has been the best gardening year I have ever had! So much stuff!! 

I am currently picking about 5 cucumbers a day and I am running out of things to make. I can only give so many away, too. 

Today I am going to make some pickles. Doesn't seem too hard to make. Here's what you will need.

• 1 quart jar with a lid
• 2-3 cucumbers (as many as you can fit into a jar)
• 1 Tbsp dill seed
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced
• 3 Tbsp white distilled vinegar 
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• distilled or filtered water - enough to top off each jar
• 20 black peppercorn

Directions:

Cut the pickles into discs, spears or sandwich slices and add them to the jar with all the ingredients except the water. 

Once you have everything in the jar, fill it up with the filtered water to the very top. Screw on the lid and make sure it is put on tightly. Then give it a really good shake! This will disburse the flavors all over. 

Now, just place them on your countertop for 12 hours. Shake them again and tun them upside down for another 12 hours. Make sure that the lid is screwed on tightly to avoid leaks. 

After the pickles have sat for a total of 24 hours, it's time to give them a taste. 

Store them in the refrigerator and enjoy them within a month! 

#Garden - #Recycle a Wheelbarrow & Look What You Get

This morning, after having my coffee, I noticed my neighbor put a wheelbarrow by the curb for trash. I stood there and looked at the wheelbarrow for quite some time. 

Then a lightbulb went on! I had such a great idea. I remember seeing something on Pinterest and this would be perfect. 

I quickly text my neighbor and asking if it was being thrown out and she replied, "Tossing it out, but you can have it if you'd like!"

I was ecstatic!!! I used the intercom and called my boys downstairs and instructed them to hurry and run outside to grab the wheelbarrow our neighbor has by the curb before the garbage man comes. 

My boys came racing down the steps and out the garage door! As fast as they left, they came back with the wheelbarrow! I was smiling ear to ear!

I had them take it to the backyard. I noticed it had a flat so I tried pumping it up. Only to find that it must have had a hole because the air wasn't holding. It was off to Lowe's I go! I ran inside and grabbed the tire tune and quickly checked out. I couldn't get home fast enough. 

I pulled into the driveway and rushed to the backyard! I've never changed a tire tube in my life but you know what they say...

YOLO!!!!

I figured out how to take it apart, put the new tube in and put it back together. Best part is, I had no spare parts lefter after I reassembled it!!! Hahahaha, that's always a plus!

Now that everything is put together I started working. My idea was coming together, perfectly!

Dirt was flying, kids were swinging, doge were barking...

I stood there and looked at my finished project! All the strawberries from my garden are now beautifully sitting inside the wheelbarrow. As the strawberries grow, they will hang off the side of the wheelbarrow, making it super easy to pick!

It's perfect!!!!

What do ya'll think?

Touch of Love - Can Holder

I came up with a clever way to store your soup cans (or other cans) in your pantry or stockpile. 

This is super easy and extremely fun to do with your children. 

Take any empty 12 pack case and a roll of brown wrapping paper. 

Once you have the carton wrapped... let the fun begin!

Give some crayons, markers, stickers and stamps to your children and let them have fun!

Once you are done, just fill it up with your cans! These stack perfectly on the shelf or the floor and you don't have to worry about falling on the floor. 

SCORE!!!

Super Easy Maple Syrup Recipe

 Don't you hate it when you are running low on something and don't have a coupon for it? LOL! Well, I reached the end of my Maple Syrup and there was no deal in sight. I started thinking to myself... I wonder how easy (or hard - depends on how you see the glass) it would be to make my own - without burning it. Yes, I have a tendency to burn things... quite frequently

I found this super easy (and trust me when I say super easy) recipe for Maple Syrup.

 Maple Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 c. water
• 1 c. white sugar
• 1 c. brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. maple extract

Instructions

1. Bring the water, white sugar and brown sugar to boil in a sauce pan over medium-high heat.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in maple extract.
3. Simmer 5 minutes and serve.
4. Can keep in fridge up to 2 weeks in tightly-sealed container.

How is that for easy? It tastes amazing, too!!

Thanks Housewife How To's!

  

Hard Boiled Eggs in the OVEN!

For anyone that may not know, the BEST way to make hard-boiled eggs is in the OVEN! 

Place the eggs in a muffin tray so they do not move around, turn the oven to 325 degrees, pop in for about 25-30 minutes and remove! 

Not only are they tastier, but they also are much easier to peel!

Toilet Paper Roll Bird Feeder

We had so much fun making these toilet paper roll bird feeders.

It's as easy and 1, 2, 3!

It really doesn't take much peanut butter at all!

Hairband Holder

I love this idea!

Now when I go for a hairband, I don't have to search!

They are all in one spot... TOGETHER!

SCORE!!

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage

I love using my Crock Pot! When I found this really simple recipe for Corned Beef, I just had to try it. It has now become a family favorite!

Ingredients:

5-6 garlic cloves, crushed

1 small onion, cut into wedges

3 cups of water

2 TBSP sugar

2 TBSP vinegar

8 oz beer

4 lbs corned beef brisket

1 (1 lb) bag of baby carrots

1 lb small red potatoes, quartered

1 head of green cabbage, cut into wedges

—-seasoning packet ingredients—–

leave this out if you are using the packet that comes with the meat.

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

2 bay leaves, crushed

8 Allspice berries

1/2 tsp salt

 1. First place onion wedges and garlic at the bottom of your crock-pot. This is going to act as a stand for your meat, so it doesn’t touch the bottom and dry out. Place beef on top of onions and garlic.

2. Next, mix together water, beer, sugar and vinegar. 

3. Pour over beef and then sprinkle seasoning packet over meat.  If you are using the homemade corned beef seasoning recipe, simply mix together the mustard seeds, bay leaves, allspice berries, salt and pepper and sprinkle on top of beef. 

4. Set crock-pot, cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

5. After 4 hours of cooking, add in potatoes and carrots. Cover and continue cooking

 6. When 1 hour remains, add cabbage to the crockpot. Cover and continue cooking for the remainder of the time.

After 8 hours, you will have an amazing dinner!

Come back and let us know how you liked it!

Thanks Family Fresh Meals

BEST Cream Cheese Frosting

Haha, yeah.... I have this photo enlarged for a reason.... can you see the deliciousness? I have tried my fair share of cream cheese frostings and this by far is THE BEST! I made these carrot cake cupcakes and frosted them with this frosting and they were a hit. They couldn't have just one... and neither could I! 

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:
2 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 cus sifted confectioners' sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Mix cream cheese in a mixer on med until smooth.

Add butter and continue to mix on med until well blended.

Add vanilla and continue to mix until well blended. 

Drop the speed to low and carefully add the powdered sugar 1 Tablespoon at a time until everything is well blended.

Leave the mixer running for a few minutes to really get creamy.

Enjoy!

Follow Me on Pinterest

 

I don't know about you but I love Pinterest. I love seeing recipes, crafts, DIY and more. I am constantly pinning new ideas and things to do. If you are on Pinterest, come follow me!

Dairy Queen: Buy 1 Blizzard & Get 1 for 99¢

Currently now through March 24th, anytime you buy a Dairy Queen Blizzard you can get a 2nd one for FREE! No coupons needed!

Making Memorable Mugs

 My kids had a blast making their own mugs! 

I picked up some mugs at the Dollar Tree, used sharpie markers and then baked them at 350° for 30 minutes!! 

Displaying Seashell Memories

Do you ever gather sand and shells when you are out on vacation or just walking the beach? I found a great idea to help preserve those memories and to enjoy them year after year. This is so simple.

On our last trip to Atlantic City (before Hurricane Sandy), my husband and I walked the beach to gather some shells and sand. I found the plastic ornament at Walmart for 97¢ and thought this was perfect for the sand and shells!!!

When we got home, I filled the ornament (some shells were too big and wouldn't fit) and then labeled the ornament with stickers "Atlantic City, NJ 2012). Now when we pull this ornament out of the Christmas decorations, we will always be reminded about our trip to the shore.

Follow Me on Pinterest

 

I don't know about you but I love Pinterest. I love seeing recipes, crafts, DIY and more. I am constantly pinning new ideas and things to do. If you are on Pinterest, come follow me! 

I would also love to follow you :) so leave your link in the comment section.

Free Queso at Moe’s Southwest Grill!

 

Did you know that today is Free Queso day at Moe’s! Limit one per guest.

Strawberry Shortcake Recipe

 

I made some Strawberry Shortcake the other day and it was so EASY and so YUMMY.

 Pour the strawberries into a colander. Wash thoroughly. Core them and slice them in two. Toss into a large bowl.

Add 1/4 C. of sugar to the strawberries and gently mix. The berries should be nicely coated. If not, add more. Add a little lemon juice to draw out the juices of the strawberries.

Cover with Saran Wrap. Let the bowl sit for at least 3 to 4 hours in the fridge. If you need to shorten the time, leave it on the counter. The warmth will speed up the process.

About 5 minutes before you are ready to serve, get your bowl, and put a layer of whipped cream (Cool Whip, Redi Whip or you can make your own) on the bottom, cut out squares of the angle food cake (or you can do slices) and layer some on the bottom. Then scoop some of the strawberries on top of the angle food. Continue with another layer of whipped cream, angle food and then strawberries. Top with the remaining whipped cream and ENJOY!

Pumpkin Fluff Dip

If you are looking for an easy and delicious dip to serve at your next holiday party, then take a look at this one. My kids love eating this with graham crackers. 

 Pumpkin fluff dip

16oz Cool Whip

Small instant vanilla pudding package

1 can pumpkin

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Super Easy Lemon Bars

Super Easy Lemon Bars

Ingredients
    2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided
    1/2 cup powdered sugar
    1 cup cold butter, cut into pieces
    4 large eggs
    2 cups granulated sugar
    1 teaspoon lemon zest
    1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
    1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    Powdered sugar

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line bottom and sides of a 13- x 9-inch pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil or parchment paper, allowing 2 to 3 inches to extend over sides; lightly grease foil.

2. Stir together 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup powdered sugar. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan.

3. Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

4. Meanwhile, whisk eggs in a large bowl until smooth; whisk in granulated sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir together baking powder and remaining 1/4 cup flour; whisk into egg mixture. Pour mixture over hot baked crust.

5. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until filling is set. Let cool in pan on a wire rack 30 minutes. Lift from pan, using foil sides as handles. Cool completely on a wire rack (about 30 minutes). Remove foil, and cut into bars; sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Thanks SouthernLiving

Bones - Halloween Treat For The Kids

Here's a cute (and super easy) Halloween treat for the kiddos! 

**Bones** pretzel with marshmallows covered in white chocolate