Lasso the Moon • Life is a Gift
Cooking for a holiday can be overwhelming, even for the uber-organized. Below are seven make-ahead holiday side dishes guaranteed to save you time. Thanks to Crystal Farms® for inspiring today’s recipe collection. “It just isn’t a proper holiday meal if we don’t have ____________.” ← (Fill in the blank for YOUR family…) Candied yams? Homemade stuffing? Mashed potatoes and gravy? Fresh cranberries? (Or maybe jellied… Read More
Looking to give a unique handmade gift for the holidays this year? Below you’ll find seven beautiful mason jar gifts that are perfect for Christmas! Mason jar gifts are the perfect sweet treat for teachers, co-workers, and friends. Here are a few quick tips for success when making this handmade gift: Cut the bottom off of a plastic cup and use it as a… Read More
Have you ever been traveling with your family and felt disheartened at the end of the day? Below are five tried-and-true ways to plan well and get more from your next family vacation. A big thanks to Vail Resorts for sponsoring today’s family travel tips. It was the fourth day of our trip. I sat on the end of the bed, looked… Read More
Feeling out of sorts? Check out this list of 21 easy things you can do TODAY to make yourself happier. Thank you to goodnessknows® for sponsoring this happy list. It always sneaks up on me. Even now. Even though I know the warning signs that it’s coming… I start to tap my fingers impatiently. I begin to feel my jaw clench with irritation. I’ll… Read More
Looking for a simple and unique way to wish your friends and family “Happy Holidays” this season? Steal this incredibly easy digital Christmas Letter idea to share with your friends and family on Facebook! Thanks to Animoto for sponsoring today’s post. One of my favorite—absolute favorite—aspects of the holiday season is opening and reading Christmas Letters from friends and family. I smile at the… Read More
Working with clay allows one to develop and strengthen hand muscles and express creativity in a three dimensional medium. This activity gives the look of a glazed project without the use of a kiln. Wouldn’t it make a lovely gift for Grandma and Grandpa for Christmas? Materials Air dry clay Rolling pin Knife Circle cookie cutter Dowel or bamboo skewer… Read More
Your family will love this fast Cheesy Ranch-Chicken Biscuit Casserole. Add a few more ingredients from the pantry, and you’ve got a Cheesy Bubble-up Chicken Pot Pie Bake. With either recipe, you’ll have a delicious family meal on the table in 30 minutes. Thanks to Crystal Farms® Cheese for today’s dinner inspiration. GET THE FULL RECIPE BELOW It’s not the heat that I don’t like; it’s the humidity…. Read More
FYI: This post contains an insanely delicious chicken pot pie recipe that your family will demand you make over and over (and over) again. It is the ultimate comfort food. I’ve had a fierce craving for chicken pot pie. Earlier this fall, my husband and I sneaked away to enjoy a weekend in Bayfield. We enjoyed a quiet lunch at a funky, slow-food deli called The… Read More
This recipe for slow-cooker Swedish meatballs is sponsored by Johnsonville Sausage. As the days start getting shorter and the nighttime temps drop, I begin to seriously *crave* winter comfort foods. The Crock-Pot takes a permanent place on my counter as slow-cooker recipes start to hold a regular place in our family’s weekly meal plans. I often find myself looking for traditional recipes that… Read More
This post on *slow* and simple holiday traditions is sponsored by Johnsonville Sausage. December is upon us, and I’ve already found myself getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. Last night, I sat down at our family calendar and penciled in the simple things I didn’t want to miss amid all the holiday chaos. I added dates for things like: making giant… Read More
These five Christmas pancake art designs are so simple, anyone can ROCK them — even the kids. This is the perfect family holiday tradition the week of holiday break. Making Christmas Pancake Art is the perfect family activity for a December weekend. It is also a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas morning with kids. Try it once and you’ll be hooked. Common Sense Disclaimer:… Read More
This Sausage Stuffin’ Muffins recipe is sponsored by Johnsonville Italian Sausage. When I was a little girl, one of my favorite meals was Sunday dinner at my grandmother’s house. Except our grand dinner took place right after church — at one o’clock in the afternoon. I loved the quirkiness of this tradition. The idea of eating a big roast complete with mashed potatoes and… Read More
Are you looking for a way to make your family breakfast special? Whether your planning for Easter morning, Christmas brunch, or simply prepping for a family gathering… this maple glaze is sure to make your French toast a family-favorite. Get the full recipe below! I admit, I am a bit of French toast snob. Here are a couple of cooking… Read More
This snowman snack mix is the perfect treat for the kids to hand out to their friends. I was shopping over at Abe’s Market, when I saw this adorable goodie bag printable. You only need three ingredients to get started. Get the full Snowman Snack Mix Recipe below. Snowman Snack Mix Recipe Let’s get started…. Supplies plastic baggies label/gift tag (free… Read More
Run, run, fast as you can! See the best from Pinterest below, if you’re a gingerbread fan. I’d ask my daughter, “Again? Are you sure?” When she was a preschooler, she was obsessed with The Gingerbread Man after doing a project at Montessori. I loved when she’d sing “Run, run, fast as you can. You can’t catch me, I’m the… Read More
When shopping for older kids it is easy to default to gift cards. Check out these creative Christmas gifts for tween girls instead. This is my daughter’s Christmas list: iTunes gift card. Barnes & Noble gift card. Claire’s gift card. Are you starting to see a theme? Let’s just say Grandma isn’t exactly happy handing out just gift cards at… Read More