The Mandatory Mooch: May 2013

Tasty Thursdays #43

Thank you all for contributing to the last party. I can't wait to see what wonderful recipes and projects you link up this week.

I will do another great giveaway when I reach 2000 "likes" on Facebook.

So, keep spreading the word.

Have you seen my most recent post? This fun DIY Camping Bucket is a great project for

your next adventure.

Now on to the terrific FEATURES from the last party.

Be sure to visit them, pin them, and enjoy them!!

Bowling Party Cake Pops from Pint Sized Baker

Nautical Inspired Bead & Twine Vases from Lemon Tree Dwelling

Peanut Butter Choc. Chip Pretzel Bars from Dessert Now, Dinner Later

Calzoncini Ham, Mozzarella & Tomato from Pretty Elements

Congrats to you all. Feel free to grab a new "Featured" button.

Now on to the next party!!
New features will be posted next Thursday!!

Party Guidelines:

I would love for you to link back to Tasty Thursdays on your blog,
or add it to your party list.

Link something new or a great oldie that you haven't shared before...no limits.

No etsy shops, giveaways, round ups, business links, please.

My oldest daughter's Girl Scout troop leader came up with a terrific way for each girl to keep track of their camping supplies...a bucket. The girls were able to decorate their buckets and personalize them to their likes. My daughter loves decorative duct tape. So, that was her supply of choice. After the bucket is complete, she stashed all of her supplies in it for safe keeping. It keeps everything dry and even doubles as a seat around the campfire.

Supplies:
The only thing you need is a bucket and decorating supplies. Use duct tape, stickers, and permanent markers to create your own style.

If you are looking for more great camping games, check out this article from Globosurfer:

https://www.globosurfer.com/best-camping-games/

This post is linked up to THESE GREAT PARTIES!!!!

Please stop on over to say hi on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter.
Thanks ~ Nichi

Tasty Thursdays #42 and ANOTHER GIVEAWAY!!

Thank you all for contributing to the last party. I can't wait to see what wonderful recipes and projects you link up this week.

Congrats to Lisa E. for winning the $400 worth of gift cards in the Pre-Summer Giveaway. I will do another great giveaway when I reach 2000 "likes" on Facebook.
So, keep spreading the word.
Want to win a copy of this fun cookbook? Click HERE for all of the details on my current GIVEAWAY and a great recipe.

Now on to the terrific FEATURES from party #40 and #41.

Be sure to visit them, pin them, and enjoy them!!

Vintage Metal Cart Makeover from Posed Perfection

Flower Pot Cupcakes from Melissa Moore

Lime Dream Cake from Cookin' for the Seven Dwarfs

Mexican Bruschetta from Couponing & Cooking

Strawberry Julius from Busy Mom's Helper

Owl Cookies from Lizy B Bakes

Baked Penne Rigate from Memories by the Mile

Congrats to you all. Feel free to grab a new "Featured" button.

Now on to the next party!!
New features will be posted next Thursday!!

Party Guidelines:

I would love for you to link back to Tasty Thursdays on your blog,
or add it to your party list.

Link something new or a great oldie that you haven't shared before...no limits.

No etsy shops, giveaways, round ups, business links, please.

Jalapeno Mac Corn Bread - Mac N' Cheese to the Rescue Review and Giveaway

My kids love mac n' cheese. It is a simple quick dinner that they never turn away. So, when I got the chance to review the new cookbook Mac N Cheese to the Rescue by Kristen Kuchar I was thrilled! I can use mac n' cheese in other recipes? I had to check this out.

I'm lucky enough to give away a copy of this great recipe book too. Enter below for your chance to win!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This book is full of is full of 101 recipes that use leftover or box mac n' cheese. The author transforms this normal pantry item into amazing new recipes. This Jalapeno Mac Corn Bread was the first of many recipes that I will be trying. It is a moist and slightly spicy dish that will tempt the tastebuds of anyone that loves Mexican food in your house.

Ingredients:
1 (16 oz.) box package corn bread
1/4 c. finely minced and seeded jalapeno
1 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. leftover cooked mac n' cheese
1/4 c. chopped scallions or chives

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, prepare the corn bread mix batter as directed. Add in the jalapeno, cheese, mac n' cheese, and scallions, stirring well until combined.

2. Transfer to a 9 x 13 in. baking dish and bake for 25-30 minutes.

source: "mooched" and adapted from Mac N Cheese to the Rescue by Kristen Kuchar

Some of my other blogger friends have also reviewed this book. Go see there reviews and recipes here:

Kate of Osito made Carolina Pulled Pork

Carrie from Quite Carried Away made Amore Mac
Susie from SusieQTpies Cafe made Southern Fried Chicken Mac N' Cheese

This post is linked up to THESE GREAT PARTIES!!!!

Please stop on over to say hi on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter.
Thanks ~ Nichi

Tasty Thursdays #41 and GIVEAWAY!!

Thank you all for contributing to the last party. It has been such a busy week here at my house. The kids are almost out of school and my youngest turns 6 on Friday. With all of the chaos, I didn't have time to pick any features. So, next week I will double up.

I will do another great giveaway when I reach 2000 "likes" on Facebook.
So, keep spreading the word.

Want $400 worth of gift cards? There is still time to enter this great giveaway that I'm sponsoring along with 20 other fabulous bloggers. Click HERE for all of the details!!

Still need a great teacher's gift? Check out my fun and easy Teacher Wallet Gift idea.

Now on to the next party!!

New features will be posted next Thursday!!

Party Guidelines:

I would love for you to link back to Tasty Thursdays on your blog,
or add it to your party list.

Link something new or a great oldie that you haven't shared before...no limits.

No etsy shops, giveaways, round ups, business links, please.

Teacher Wallet Gift

Gosh, I can't believe it is already the end of the school year. My girls are finishing 4th grade and Kindergarten. I don't know about you, but this year has gone by way too fast. I think back about all of the fun events, parties, and projects that they have had. The teachers have been amazing and truly made this year so special for each of my girls. To thank them I came up with this fun gift....a wallet showing them how "priceless" they really are.

Now, I've heard that there are superstitions about giving an empty wallet. So, I found the following wording and put it on the inside of the wallet along with a gift card. Just a fun extra touch.

Supplies needed:

wallet

outside thank you tag

inside superstitions tag

money or gift card

ribbon or tulle

1. Put the money or gift card along with the superstitions inside the wallet.
2. Close the wallet and tie the thank you tag around the outside with ribbon or tulle.
3. Give to your teacher and watch their eyes light up.

I also did one for my daughter's Girl Scout troop leaders.

Please stop on over to say hi!!

Thanks ~ Nichi

I like linking my posts to THESE GREAT PARTIES!!!!

Tasty Thursdays #40 and a GIVEAWAY!!

Thank you all for contributing to the last party. I can't wait to see what wonderful recipes and projects you link up this week.

I will do another great giveaway when I reach 2000 "likes" on Facebook.
So, keep spreading the word.

Want $400 worth of gift cards? Enter this great giveaway that I'm sponsoring along with 20 other fabulous bloggers. Click HERE for all of the details!!

Now on to the terrific FEATURES.

Be sure to visit them, pin them, and enjoy them!!

Goo Goo Cluster Pie from Farm Flavor

DIY Cardigan Sweater Refashion from Resourceful Gals

Strawberry Cheesecake Tart from Sumptuous Spoonfuls

Homemade Cracker Jack Popcorn from Pint-sized Treasures

Congrats to you all. Feel free to grab a new "Featured" button.

Now on to the next party!!
New features will be posted next Thursday!!

Party Guidelines:

I would love for you to link back to Tasty Thursdays on your blog,
or add it to your party list.

Link something new or a great oldie that you haven't shared before...no limits.

No etsy shops, giveaways, round ups, business links, please.

HUGE GIVEAWAY!! Pre-Summer Gift Card Extravaganza

Good morning and Happy Monday! Yea, Happy Monday, you are probably thinking "Mondays, Happy? NOT!" Mondays aren't really that bad but they are a little difficult to adjust to after having two days off from work or having to get the kids ready for school and such. Well, you can turn those Monday frowns upside down because I have something fantastic for you to brighten your Monday. Drumroll please....

That's right, folks. It's a gift card extravaganza! The fabulous ladies who bring you the blogs listed below and I have come together to bring you the chance to win four fantastic gift cards (that's right, winner takes all!) What would you do with $200 to Amazon.com? Or how about $100 to Target? Need a coffee fix? (and we all need one of those on Monday morning.) We've got you covered with a $50 Starbucks card. And breakfast, lunch and/or dinner is covered too! With all of the fantastic choices at Panera Bread and your $50 Panera Bread gift card, you won't starve! Please note, if you live outside of the US and are selected as the winner, you will be given a $400 gift card to Amazon.com. Please see terms and conditions in the rafflecopter. Thank these wonderful ladies and then enter to win this FANTASTIC prize pack!

This giveaway runs from 8am est, Monday, May 6th and ends on Sunday, May 19th at 11:59pm est. A winner will be announced on Monday, may 20th. Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway