Are you still buying your morning coffee at the coffee shop down the street? If you give it up and set up a home coffee station in your own kitchen, you potentially save yourself a lot of cash in the end. Is it worth it? Only you can decide. But make sure you check out these practical home coffee stations before you do!
[Read more…] about Practical Home Coffee Stations For Caffeine Hydration
DIY Christmas spice gifts are some the best homemade Christmas gifts you can give to your friends and neighbors. When you make DIY spice blends for Christmas gifts, you’re giving the gift of deliciousness–and adding a little extra spice to the season! Here are some DIY spice gift ideas you’ll love to give.
DIY spice blends are easy to make and easy to give, and you might find yourself the most popular neighbor on the block after you do this! They’re perfect for those who prefer not to hand out so many sweets, but still want to give the gift of good taste. To give DIY spice blends, you should have the following items:
If you have a mortar and pestle, it’s extra fun to take the time to grind your own spices. But if not, save time by blending spices that are already ground. For each recipe, increase amounts as needed for bulk gifting.
This is delicious on grilled meats! Combine all ingredients and pulse in a food processor.
Any of these DIY Christmas spice blends are sure to be a hit with your friends and neighbors this holiday season! For non-edible gifts, check out these ideas.
If you live in a great neighborhood with awesome people, November is the perfect time to celebrate with a progressive Friendsgiving party. And if there are a few new neighbors who you need to get to know better, a progressive Friendsgiving party is a wonderful way to do that. Here are some clever and easy ways to pull off your progressive Friendsgiving dinner with neighbors.
A progressive Friendsgiving party is a blend of a progressive dinner and Friendsgiving. Progressive dinners are fun because it spreads the dinner party responsibilities around to several different hosts instead of just one. The dinner is divided up into parts, with each part being enjoyed at a different host’s home. Friendsgiving is a large meal that is eaten with friends on or around the Thanksgiving holiday. Turn your Friendsgiving into a progressive dinner party and it’s extra enjoyable!
The best thing about a progressive Friendsgiving party with your neighbors is the chance to share the company of friends, get to know others better, and enjoy good food in an evening of relaxed settings. The menu for Friendsgiving doesn’t have to include turkey and all the trimmings, but it certainly can. Here are some planning tips to help you and your neighbors plan the perfect progressive Friendsgiving dinner.
Are you ready to bring these progressive Friendsgiving party ideas to life with your neighbors? Here are some healthy side dish recipes to help.
Today’s post is for the Halloween fans out there! There’s nothing like seeing all those cute little people parading down the street in their costumes. But it’s also disappointing if you buy a ton of candy, only to have just a handful of kids come to the door. If you want to be known as the “best house on the street” for trick or treaters, you need today’s trick or treat tips. Here’s how your house can become legend on Halloween.
The first step to be the best house on the street is to create as much Halloween ambience as you can. But be careful about how creepy you make it! Some kids, especially preschoolers, will refuse to trick or treat at your house if it’s too scary. Try to strike the right balance of good, scary fun and you’ll appeal to the biggest number of children.
The house on my street that is literal Halloween legend has tons of Halloween ambience. But that isn’t all! Parents and kids alike know to expect an extra treat and a good chat with neighbors. That’s because there is always a cold cup of freshly brewed homemade root beer on warm evenings. And if it’s cold, there’s hot chocolate! The homeowners dress up and serve everyone in costume. No one can resist this house, because it is the best house on the street.
You’re always going to have the best house on the street if you give out stuff kids actually like. Houses that offer full size candy bars, donuts or candy apples are always popular. When it’s a cool evening, go the extra mile and set up a fire pit in your driveway where the kids and their parents can warm up before hitting the next house. No one can resist a warm fire on Halloween night. And you’ll get the chance to meet more of your neighbors. That’s a good thing! Happy trick or treating!
Are you ready to become the hero of the next potluck you get invited to? Potlucks can be a little nerve-wracking. Either you don’t know what to take or you worry that no one will like what you choose. But with these deliciously easy potluck recipes, you’re sure to win the next potluck. Just choose your favorite and you’re on your way!
Everyone loves a good pasta salad! Take yours to the next level with a box of tri-color pasta, your favorite bottle of zesty Italian dressing plus an envelope of dry Italian dressing, cubed feta cheese, sliced olives, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil. Mix it all together and chill before you go.
Grab your crock pot and cook these deliciously easy cocktail meatballs while you’re at work and they’ll be read to go for the potluck party. Place frozen Italian-style beef meatballs in the crock pot. Mix together a bottle of your favorite barbecue sauce and one cup of grape jam–not jelly–jam makes these so much better! Pour this mixture over the meatballs and cook on low 4-6 hours.
Forget the canned fruit–if you want to be the hero of the potluck you need to make a fresh fruit salad. Choose a variety of your favorite fruits–bananas, strawberries and blackberries, pineapple, grapes and kiwi are all great choices. Wash everything and chop as needed. Combine in a large bowl. This fresh fruit salad can be served as is, or dress it with a mixture of lime juice, honey and fresh chopped mint leaves. Delicious!
Chocolate is always a good choice, and that means brownies always do well at a potluck. You don’t have to use a boxed brownie mix though–make your own one-bowl brownies! Here is what you need:
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with foil, and spray the foil with non-stick cooking spray.
In a microwave-safe bowl, place the butter, cocoa and chocolate chips. Cook on HI for 45 seconds. Stir until smooth and all chocolate chips are melted. Stir in vanilla and sea salt. Add eggs one at a time, mixing until incorporated. Stir in sugar and mix until smooth. Add flour, folding until no white streaks remain.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a pick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Cool on a wire rack. Lift foil out of pan and slice brownies into 24 equal squares.
Choose any of these deliciously easy potluck recipes, and you’re ready to win the next potluck. If you want to take something with some heat, try making this Jalapeno Poppers recipe!
