getntogether

Pumpkin Pie Crunch Recipe

2011-11-25T21:34:00.005-07:00

I love this recipe my sister-in-law shared with me.....it's a twist on the traditional pumpkin pie we all eat over the holidays. My husband is not a big fan of pumpkin pie but he loves this recipe!

Ingredients:

1 pkg Boxed Cake Mix (white or yellow)
1- 16 oz can of Pumpkin (2 cups)
1- 12 oz can Evaporated Milk
3 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
4 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1/2 tsp Salt
1 Cup Butter
Optional-1 Cup Chopped Pecans

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350. Grease bottom of a 9X13 pan.
Combine pumpkin, evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin spice, and salt. Mix together.
Pour mixture into bottom of the 9X13 pan.
Sprinkle dry cake mix, pecans and butter over the top.
You can prepare this early and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Bake 50-55 minutes.
Cool slightly and serve with some vanilla ice cream...YUMMY!

Kiss to Keep Jewelry

2011-11-15T16:53:00.000-07:00

I am so excited about the spotlight this week! I just discovered Kiss 2 Keep Jewelry on ETSY and fell in love with their jewelry. Kiss 2 Keep makes high quality leather and sterling silver bracelets, anklets, and necklaces.

My favorite item is the Wanderer leather bracelet. It is made with a brown leather strap with turquoise and tiger eye stones set in sterling silver. The strap wraps around your wrist to make a fantastic bracelet. It can also be worn as a necklace.
You can brand in a quote, initial or special date to make the bracelet even more special. Kiss 2 Keep carries bracelets for both men and women.
Check out their shop on ETSY click HERE!!

Shoyu Chicken Recipe

2011-11-05T21:45:00.001-06:00

This delicious recipe is a popular Hawaiian dish. This recipe can be adapted to cook over the stove top, in the oven, in a Crock-pot, or grilled on a barbeque (basted with the yummy marinade).

Ingredients:

5-6 Garlic Cloves, pressed
1 Tbsp Fresh Ginger
2 tsp. Salt
1 Tbsp. Cornstarch (Mixed with 2 tsp. water)
1 1/4 Cup Soy Sauce
1 1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Vinegar
5 lbs. Chicken thighs (bone-in) skin removed

Optional Ingredients:

* Green onions, chopped

*Red pepper flakes--to give it a little kick.

Directions:

Combine all ingredients into a leak-proof resealable plastic bag. Marinate for at least a few hours (I like to do it over night).
Place chicken on the bottom of a pan and pour the marinade mixture over the top.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 1 1/2-2 hours.
Traditionally served over rice and side of macaroni salad.

Chicken Club Egg Rolls Recipe

2011-08-02T15:54:00.003-06:00

We love going to California Pizza Kitchen to get their Chicken Club Egg Rolls appetizer...they are delicious! We decided to try and copy cat, and made up our own recipe. They turned out great!

Ingredients:

2 chicken breast cooked and diced.
3 tomatoes diced
2 large avocados diced
6 pieces of bacon crumbled
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
1 egg roll wrapper package (makes usually 24)

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together, put a large spoonful of mixture into the middle of the egg roll wrapper. Fold according to directions on the egg roll package. Fry in oil until browned on all sides.

Dipping sauce:

1 pkg of Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch packet.
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk

Directions:

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate until serve.

Nail Wraps

2011-07-12T08:21:00.003-06:00

I recently came across the cutest newest way to accessorize your fingers and toes. Say goodbye to scratched and chipped nail polish forever!! These super chic nail shields can be applied in as little as 15 minutes with no drying time required. One of my favorite things about these shields is that they can last up to 6-8 weeks on your toes.

Jamberry Nail Shields are a solid film covering that can be applied directly to the nail to acheive a look not found anywhere else. This special material is both pressure and heat activated to create a water tight bond to your nail. The film is finished with a high gloss protective layer that prevents your nail shield from chipping or scuffing.

Tip: Press and heat the nail shield at the base of your nail first. Then slowly stretch and press the shield over the rest of the nail while heating with a blow dryer. Once fitted to your nail just trim off the excess with some nail clippers or beauty scissors.

I picked the Alice Blue Polka nail shield to test out. I was really impressed, they were easy to apply myself and they lasted the entire 6 weeks before I removed them.

Right now is a great time to check out Jamberry Nails ....they are having a great deal buy 3 nail shields get 1 free and free shipping!

Jamberry Nails is offering 1 lucky reader a $25 gift certificate to use on their site.

Here's How to Enter: Make sure to follow the link to Jamberry Nails. Leave a comment on this post answering the following question: What is your favorite nail shield design?" You have until Tuesday July 26th to enter...good luck!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas....so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter the giveaway you will get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:

Refer a friend
Subscribe to Get Together Ideas
Tweet about the giveaway....make sure to link to your tweet in the email.
Sign up for the Jamberry Nail's newsletter (subscribe)
Follow Jamberry Nail's on Facebook.

Leave a separate comment for each extra entry!

Sausage Meatball Soup Recipe

2011-06-30T17:04:00.000-06:00

If you are a fan of sausage you will like this one!!!

Meatball Ingredients:

1 lbs package of Italian Sausage
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1 tsp Thyme
Salt and pepper, to taste

Mix together and form into small meatballs. Brown meatballs on skillet until cooked all the way through.

Soup ingredients:

1 pkg. of tortellini
2 large carrots, chopped
2 stalks of celery, diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 garlic clove, crushed
3 cans of chicken broth
salt and pepper

Saute the vegetables, add chicken broth and bring to boil.
Once broth is boiling add meatballs and tortellini. Cook for about 8 minutes or until tortellini are cooked.
Serve...top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Lemon-Lime Refigerator Sheet Cake

2011-05-22T08:00:00.000-06:00

I am a huge fan of lemon anything...this cake is so good!

Ingredients:

1 lemon cake mix
3 oz. pkg. lime jello
1- 8 oz carton of cool whip
1-4 oz. instant lemon pudding mix
1 & 1/2 cups cold milk

Directions:

Mix and bake lemon cake mix according to package directions in a 9 X 13 pan. Dissolve jello in 3/4 cup boiling water. Add 1/2 cup cold water, set aside at room temperature. Cool cake 20-25 minutes. Poke deep holes through top of cake while still warm and still in pan with bottom of wooden spoon or with meat fork (space holes about 1 inch apart). With a cup, pour jello over cake and into holes. Refrigerate cake until cold and had set...best if you wait at least an hour before serving.
Topping...mix together the milk and pudding until smooth, stir in the cool whip. Frost cake and ready to serve.

Cake must be stored in the refrigerator and served chilled.

Slow Cooker London Broil Recipe

2011-05-18T08:00:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

2 lbs steak of choice
1 (10.75 ounce)can cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.75) can tomato soup
1 tsp Garlic
Dash of Salt and pepper
1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
1 cub beef bouillon.

Directions:

Place meat in the bottom of Crockpot.
Mix together ingredients and pour over the beef.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hrs.

Fried Ice Cream Recipe

2011-05-13T19:43:00.003-06:00

What you will need:

1 quart of your favorite vanilla ice cream.
3 + cups of crushed corn flakes cereal
2 Tbsp Cinnamon
1 cup Sugar
2 quarts oil for frying

Directions:

Scoop vanilla ice cream into 8--1/2 cup sized balls. Place the ice cream balls onto a cookie sheet and freeze 1 hr until firm (you can skip this step if your ice cream is alredy firm).
Combine cinnamon and sugar until mixed well. Remove the ice cream balls from the freezer and roll the balls into the cinnamon sugar mixture...until the ice cream balls are completely coated.
After rolling the ice cream balls int the cinnamon and sugar mixture roll the balls into the crumbled cornflakes. Packing the cornflakes around the ball until it is completely covered. Put back in the freezer at least 1 hr.
Use tongs and quickly dip the ice cream balls into the hot oil and quickly remove them. (Make sure that the entire ice cream ball gets covered with oil).
Serve immediately.

Optional: Flour tortilla bowls.

Take a flour tortilla (we like to get the uncooked kind) and push the center down with a ladle spoon into your Fry Daddy (deep fryer) and hold it until it turns slightly brown. This will form it into a bowl shape.
Remove and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.
Serve the fried ice cream in the tortilla bowls and for the topping drizzle honey, whip cream and of course a cherry on top. Delicious!!

Feather Hair Extensions

2011-04-28T14:55:00.004-06:00

When I got my hair styled last my hair dresser Clint at Metropolitan Salon convinced me to try out the new trend, feather hair extensions. I have been so bored with my hair style but not ready to make any drastic changes. I love how Feather Hair Extensions are a fun way to add style and texture to your hair in a matter of minutes; but in a non-commitment kind of way.

The feather hair extensions are applied somewhat like real hair extensions. They are removable and reusable. You can treat the feather extensions just like your normal hair. Feather hair extensions can be brushed, straightened, blow dried, and even curled. You can get them done at most salons or you can buy the easy to do yourself kits, from Etsy or other sites online. One of my favorite sites is Zeezoes on ETSY.

Revolutionizing What We Eat

2011-04-21T15:20:00.010-06:00

Want to add more healthy to your life? I love an enjoy good food! I am taking a stand and I am trying to serve my family only healthy nutritious food. I am trying to serve as much food from scratch and to stay away from easily prepared processed foods and sugars.

I watched Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution last week and I was astonished and quite frankly disgusted with what types of food's are kids are eating at school. Often times they are not even given one nutritious option. And if they are it is usually what ends up in the trash. I was quite oblivious to what my 2nd grader was eating in his school lunch. He told me the other day that he eats a corn dog just about everyday with a chocolate milk. Eeeww, gross! I can't even believe it that he has the option to eat this every day.

I came upon a blog called This Lunch Rox and just loved it so much I have to share. She is very passionate about revolutionizing food. She has simple great lunch recipes and fun ideas...healthy alternatives that our children can enjoy. She has motivated me to be better and more conscious about what I feed my kids.

What ways are you making your meals more nutritious?

Restaurant Style French Toast

2011-01-05T11:40:00.006-07:00

These are the BEST French toast I have ever tasted! I don't think you can be disappointed with this recipe.

Ingredients:

Loaf of french bread or Texas toast
4 Eggs
2/3 cup Milk
1/3 cup Flour
1/3 Cup Sugar
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/8 tsp. Cinnamon

*Optional: 1 tsp. Orange zest

Serving size 6

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together....(you can throw all ingredients into the blender to make sure you don't have any lumps).
Cut your French bread about 1 inch thick or desired thickness.
Dip both sides into the batter.
Cook on a griddle on medium until both sides are slightly browned.
Serve with butter, peanut butter, your favorite syrup.

Building a Gingerbread House

2010-12-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

One of our families holiday traditions is to build gingerbread houses together before Christmas. We usually allow our kids to invite a friend over and we have fun decorating. I found a great Ginger Bread house pattern and dough recipe...click HERE. We make one large house out of gingerbread to decorate as a family...and we use graham crackers to make houses for the kids and their friends.

What you will need:

3/4 Cup Buttermilk
6 tbsp butter or margarine
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 large egg
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:

Melt butter and buttermilk in a large saucepan...then remove from heat.
Add the brown sugar and molasses, then beat in the egg.
Whisk in the spices, salt and baking soda together with one cup of flour. Add this to the wet mixture and mix well.
Add the rest of the flour one cup at a time until you have a smooth, stiff dough.
Divide dough in half, flatten out the dough, wrap in saran wrap and then chill in fridge for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350. divide the dough into 2 pieces. Out one of the pieces back in the fridge while you work on the other half.
Roll dough onto a piece of parchment paper..makes it easier to transfer the dough to a baking sheet.
Roll out the dough into a large rectangle about 1/4 inch thick. Use the pattern and cut out your house pieces. Click HERE for the pattern.
Bake the pieces at 350 for 15-18 minutes.
After cooling 10 minutes free pieces from the baking sheet. Then allow the pieces to cool completely before assembling.

Royal Icing Frosting--used for the house glue.

Ingredients:

2 lbs powdered sugar
6 egg whites
1 tsp. cream of tartar

Directions:

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar together until foamy. Then add the powdered sugar gradually. (If you would like to paint with the frosting now would be the time to separate and add your food coloring).
If you need the icing thicker just add a little more powdered sugar.
You can divide your frosting into zip-lock bags then cut the tip of one corner to use as a pastry bag.
Use the frosting as glue and glue the Gingerbread house pieces together. Start with the sides and the front and back of the house. You may want some props to help hold the pieces up and together while the frosting is drying (I used Mason jars). Once these pieces have dried then add the roof.
Decorate once dried. Decorating ideas: M&M's, gumdrops, candy canes, red hots, Cotton candy, marshmallows, gummy rings/bears, fruit roll-ups, licorice, lifesavers, Vanilla wafers, etc...

Nail Impressions

2010-12-16T17:11:00.005-07:00

Are you looking for some last minute Christmas gift ideas? Last year I got a Nail Impressions nail stamping kit and love it! Here is how it works: You apply beautiful designs to your nails by using an image plate and a stamper tool. Nail Impressions have several different images you can purchase and all sorts of nail polish colors.

How to throw a progressive dinner

2010-12-11T17:06:00.001-07:00

I was invited to a progressive dinner this holiday season and it turned out to be so much fun! A progressive dinner is a great way to throw a dinner party. It's great for those who may be slightly intimidated by the thought of throwing a dinner party on their own. This way your friends and family join in on the planning and in on the responsibility.

A progressive dinner is when multiple homes host a dinner party together. It involves guests going from home to home, enjoying a different course of the meal at each home. All members of the dinner party meet at a different home for each course....one home for appetizers/drinks then they will move on to another for a salad, main dish, dessert, and if you want entertainment.

You will need 3-5 people to commit to hosting one course of the evenings meal. You will want to coordinate with friends, family or neighbors as to which house will serve which course. You can also make it a themed dinner party (Mexican, Italian, Oriental, etc...). If you choose to have a themed party you would want all courses of the meal to match the desired theme.

Tips:

Set your table prior to leaving your home for the first course.
The closer the participants live to one another, the better for minimizing travel time.

Russian Cream Cake Recipe

2010-12-06T16:03:00.002-07:00

Ingredients:

White cake mix...prepared as directed on box
3 Cups sour cream
1 & 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 & 1/2 Tbsp. Vanilla
1 & 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice (I like fresh squeezed)
1 Can raspberry pie filling
1 12-oz bag of frozen raspberries

Directions:

Bake cake according to directions on box. Let cake cool....and cut into cubes.
Mix Sour cream, powdered sugar, vanilla and lemon juice to make the Russian cream filling.
Mix Raspberry pie filling with frozen berries to make a Raspberry filling.
Layer white cake, Russian cream and then Raspberry filling. Then repeat several times.

Chocoloate Mint Brownies

2010-12-04T14:18:00.003-07:00

Found this recipe in the Worldwide Ward Cookbook. I made a few changes to the recipe. They are very rich but delicious!

Ingredients:

1 Cup butter, melted
1/2 Cup cocoa powder
2 Cups sugar
4 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups flour

Directions:

Mix butter, cocoa, and sugar
Add eggs one at a time, make sure to mix well after each egg.
Stir in flour
Spread into a greased 9X13 pan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes.
Cool completely before frosting

Mint Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Butter, softened
1 lb. Powdered sugar
1-3 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. mint extract
Green food coloring

Directions:

Mix butter and powdered sugar. Add only enough milk to make a smooth consistency.
Add mint extract and green food coloring.

Frosting will be thick. Spread over brownie layer. Refrigerate

Chocolate Topping

Ingredients:

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter

Directions:
Melt ingredients in microwave. Stir well and drizzle over the top of the brownies.

* Let brownies set for at least 10 minutes at room temperature before serving or your frosting may crumble.

Christmas neighbor gifts-cookies in a jar

2010-11-29T16:14:00.004-07:00

Chocolate Chip Cookies:

Ingredients:

1 Cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup White Sugar
1 1/2 cups Chocolate Chips
2 Cups Flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 wide-mouth quart jar

Mix the salt, baking powder and flour; then layer the ingredients, as listed above in the jar--make sure to pack each ingredient tight before adding the next one.

** Make sure to attach the instructions to the jar!

Chocolate Chip Cookies Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375
Sift dry ingredients, so we can separate the chocolate chips from the rest of the dry ingredients.
Beat 1 cup butter in a bowl. Mix in the sifted dry ingredients
In a separate bowl beat 1 egg and 1 tsp of vanilla. Mix beaten egg mixture into butter. Stir in the chocolate chips.
Make cookie dough balls and drop onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8 minutes or until done.

Brownie mix in a jar:

Ingredients:

2 1/4 Cups Sugar
1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder (wipe the inside of jar after adding this layer)
1/2 Cup Chopped Pecans
1 1/4 Cups Flour mixed with 1 tsp baking powder and 1 tsp salt
1 Wide-mouth quart jar

Layer all ingredients in jar in order. Press each layer firmly before adding the next layer.

**Make sure to attach the instructions to the jar!

Brownie Mix Instructions:

Empty jar into a large mixing bowl.
Add 1 1/2 sticks of Melted butter (3/4 cup), 4 eggs
Mix until blended
Spread mixture into a greased 9X13 pan.
Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.
Cool completely, cut and serve.

Baked Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Butter

2010-11-19T15:07:00.001-07:00

Ingredients:

1 Cup Butter
1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
1 tsp. Cinnamon
1/2 tsp. Pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. Salt

Directions:

Completely wrap the sweet potatoes in foil and bake like a normal baked potato, 375 for 75-90 minutes.
Blend the following ingredients until smooth and put a scoop onto hot sweet potato. Yum!

Sharpie Tie Dye T-shirts

2010-11-09T13:52:00.007-07:00

I saw this idea over at Crap I've Made and decided that I am going to send a Sharpie Tie Dye kit to my sister and her daughters who live out of state for Christmas. I am going to send all the supplies they need to complete the project including the T-shirts. This would also be a great project to do at a birthday party, girl's camp, etc...

What you will need:

Rubbing alcohol
Squeeze bottle or dropper
Plastic cups
Elastic bands
White T-shirts

Directions:

Place a cup inside your t-shirt. Put a rubber band around the top of the cup.
Color with a sharpie marker, using a variety of colors. You can start with drawing dots in a circle in different colors.

3. Dip rubbing alcohol into the center of the circle. (about 15 drops).

* Be creative with colors and designs.

Pumpkin Centerpieces

2010-10-13T08:46:00.000-06:00

I think that this idea of turning your pumpkins into lovely centerpieces from Martha Stewart is so fun!

What you will need:

Pumpkins and gourds
Miniture saw
Glass candle holders and candles

Directions:

Cut the top off the pumpkins and gourds that you will be lighting up with the miniture saw.
Scoop out the flesh from the pumpkins and gourds
Set candle and glass holder in each.
You may want to place pumpkins on a coaster..the pumpkin may mar the surface if it gets too hot.

Pumkin Tye Dye Shirts

2010-10-08T12:48:00.003-06:00

I saw these pumpkin tye dye t-shirts on Family Fun a couple of years ago and I had to try them out for my kids Halloween party. They were a big hit!

What you will need:

White t-shirts
Orange fabric dye
Rubber bands
Latex Gloves
Cardboard (for inside shirt)
Black permanent marker or black fabric paint

Directions:

Pre-wash and dry the shirts.
Gather a portion of fabric and wrap a rubber band around the portion of fabric. Make sure to wrap the rubber band around several times to make sure it is nice and tight.
Prepare the fabric dye according to directions on package. I used 2 Orange Rit fabric dye to make sure it was nice and bright. (found at walmart).
After all rubber bands are placed...submerge the shirt into the prepared fabric dye. Let the shirt soak until it appears to be darker then you want. It will lighten up when washed.
Rinse the shirt under warm water until it runs clear.
Cut off rubber band and dry the shirt.
Once the shirt is dry place the cardboard inside the shirt and now you can draw your Jack O lantern faces on your pumpkin circles.

Center Circle: For a centered circle on the front of the shirt, first lay the shirt out on a flat surface. Pinch and gather a section of fabric right in the middle of the shirt...pull towards you to make the shape of a tee-pee. The larger the tee-pee the larger the circle. Close one hand around the base of the tee-pee and then tie it off with a rubber band...make sure to wrap the rubber bands around tight.
Many Small Circles: For lots of small circles, pinch up fabric about 2-3”, insert a large marble (or Styrofoam ball) and tie it off with a thick rubber band or string so that the marble is secure.

A Modern Philosophy Jewelry Giveaway

2010-10-06T08:21:00.002-06:00

I have had my eye on a leather wrap bracelet...which are popular for both men and women because of their organic earthy look. I came upon A Modern Philosophy on ETSY and fell in love with their unique, stylish leather wrap bracelets. Their wrap bracelets are great for those who love to layer. And they are offered at a reasonable price. A Modern Philosophy offers high quality Leather wrap bracelets handcrafted from Gemstones selected from India, Brazil and throughout Asia.

My favorite item that A Modern Philosophy offers is the beautiful leather wrap bracelet with colored semi precious stones. I just love the endless multi colored gemstones and the idea that you can also wear the wrap as a necklace, belt or headband. A Modern Philosophy is offering one lucky reader a free rainbow wrap bracelet.
Here's How to Enter: Make sure to follow the link to A Modern Philosophy. Send an email to gettogetherideas@gmail.com and answer the following question in the email: What is your favorite Bracelet that A Modern Philosophy sells?" You have until Wednesday October 20th to enter...good luck! Make sure to leave your contact info in the email as well.

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas....so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter the giveaway you will get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:

Refer a friend
Subscribe to Get Together Ideas
Link to Get Together Ideas on your blog...include your blog URL in the email.
Tweet about the giveaway....make sure to link to your tweet in the email.
Follow A Modern Philosophy's blog...click here!

Halloween Phantom

2010-09-27T11:45:00.001-06:00

Print the following poem include it with a delicious treat. Leave it on someone's door step, ring the doorbell and run!

If you have received the Halloween Phantom cut out the ghost and place it in your front window to ensure that you won't be visited by the phantom again.

Treat ideas:
Cookies, candies, drinks, games, toys, bag of apples, etc... If you decide to make homemade treats just keep in mind that all your hard work may end up in the trash since people don't know exactly who made or where it has been.

Poem:

The air is cool the season fall

Soon Halloween will come to all

The spooks are after things to do

In fact, a spook brought this to you

"BOO" is a shield from witching hour

Just hang it up and watch its power

On your front door is where it works

It wards off spooks and scary jerks

The treats that came with crypted note

Are yours to keep, enjoy them both

The power comes when friends like you

Will copy this and make it TWO

Then others here among our friends

Will give warm fuzzies that do not end

We'll all have smiles upon our face

No one will know who "BOO"ed whose places

Just one short day to work your spell

Or a big ZAP will strike your tail

And don't forget a nifty treat,

Like something cute or something sweet

Please join fun, let's really hear it

And spread some "BOO"s and Halloween spirit.

Pumpkin Cookie Recipe

2010-09-22T20:52:00.003-06:00

These pumpkin cookies are so good! I bet you can't just eat one!!

Ingredients:

1 cup shortening
2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 (29 oz) can pumpkin
4 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp nutmeg
2 cups chocolate chips

Directions:

Cream shortening and sugar.
Beat in eggs. Stir in vanilla and pumpkin.
Add all dry ingredients and chocolate chips.
Cook at 375 for 12-15 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

Picture Scavengar Hunt

2010-09-16T08:00:00.000-06:00

Grab a group of friends together and do an around the town scavenger hunt. All you will need is some friends, a list, a couple of cameras, and transportation. This list contains ideas on things to find and pictures that need to be taken.

A photo of an out-of-state license plate.
Team member propose to complete stranger.
Someone walking their dog.
A team member pumping a stranger's gas.
Team sharing one soda (every needs their own straw).
Picture of a one team member with a police officer
All team member's feet in a hot tub.
All team member's with a Walmart Greeter.
One team member using a pay phone
The nutritional value chart for McDonald's food.
A bowling alley job application.
Photo of a team member doing something they've never done before.
One team member on a toy ride
All members in a tree
Team members in a tent
Team member kissing a bartender
Team member behind a counter with work attire
One team member hula hooping
One member reading their fortune from a fortune cookie
Photo of a team member standing back to back next to someone over 6 foot 6 inches tall.
A disposable coffee cup with a business logo signed by an employee.
One member riding on a shopping cart
One team member petting a dog
Picture of all members creating a human pyramid.

Split into teams and have a grand prize for the winning team. The winning team can be the first team back with all list items completed.

The Game of Things

2010-09-10T16:14:00.005-06:00

What a fun party game! I have learned a lot about my friends and family through the questions and answers during this game, and I always end up laughing hysterically. This game is hilarious! This is a great game to get everyone involved laughing. Some reviews say that this game is slow and boring but I think it depends on the group of people you are playing with. The level of fun depends on the creativity of your group and how risque you want to be.

To get your own copy click.....HERE!

Chicken Roll-ups

2010-09-03T13:14:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

2 pkg. Crescent rolls
3/4 cup Melted butter
2 cup Chicken shredded. (I will use chicken from a can from Costco a lot).
2/3 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp pepper
1 can mushrooms
2 (3 oz.) pkg. Cream cheese (1 plain and one chives).

Directions:

Mix cream cheese with 1/4 cup butter and 1/8 tsp pepper.
Fold in chicken meat and mushrooms.
Separate rolls and place some of the meat mixture in the center of each roll.
Fold into a roll or a ball.
Dip in melted butter and then into crumb mixture (mix bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese).
Place on an ungreased cookie sheet
Bake in oven at 325 for 30 minutes or until light brown.
Top with mushroom sauce.

For mushroom sauce:
Cream of mushroom soup, beef or chicken bouillon, and a little water. If I need to thicken the sauce I blend in a little flour.

City Deals Giveaway

2010-08-27T08:10:00.000-06:00

I recently discovered City Deals and I just can't get enough of their good deals! City Deals offers us consumers a place to shop to get huge discounts at the places we love. They are the source for discounted gift cards, gift certificates, and coupons to restaurants, spas, entertainment, hotels, clothing, movie tickets, and much more. I recently purchased season passes to several entertainment venues in my area at a 70% discount...who can beat that!

City Deals is offering one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate good for anything on their site.

Here is how to enter:
Make sure to follow the link to City Deals.....click HERE! Send an email to gettogetherideas.com and answer the following questions in the email: "If you won, what would you spend the $25 gift certificate on?" You have until Saturday September 4th to enter...good luck!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas...so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter the giveaway you will get an extra entry.

Peach Dessert

2010-08-23T13:11:00.000-06:00

Every year I can't wait until peach season to pick some fresh peaches and make one of my favorite desserts. My aunt owns a peach orchard and she shared this recipe with me....you'll have to try it!

Fruit Mixture:

2 Cups Water
1 Cup Sugar
2 TBSP Corn Starch
1 Small pkg Peach Jell-o
5 Cups sliced peaches

Filling:

6 TBSP Powdered Sugar--(if your peaches are not very sweet you may want to add a little more powdered sugar)
1-8oz. pkg cream cheese softened
2 Cups Cool Whip

Crust:

1/2 Cup Powdered Sugar
2 & 1/2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs
1 Square Butter

Directions:

Boil water, corn starch and sugar until thick, then add Peach Jell-o.
Set until chilled and then add sliced peaches.
Mix cracker crumbs, powdered sugar and butter together.
Put 1/2 of crumb mixture in a 9 X 13 pan, save 1/2 of mixture for the top.
Fold together cream cheese, cool whip, and powdered sugar.
Layer cream cheese mixture on top of crust. Then put all the fruit mixture on top of the cream cheese layer and top with left over crumbs.

City Deals

2010-08-20T13:40:00.001-06:00

I get so excited when I see a good deal, that I want to share it with everyone. I discovered City Deals today. Here is a great deal that they have in my area: They have a 4-pack pass that includes unlimited season passes to Trafalga in Orem, Trafalga in Lehi (aka Liberty Land), Seven Peaks, and one pass per ticket to an Owlz game and a Flash Game. The tickets are $130 for 4 (12 month) passes. For more information click...HERE!

Look to see if there are deals in your area...click HERE.

Too Tall Alice book review

2010-08-14T15:09:00.006-06:00

I have been frustrated for years with pointless children books. I have read hundreds and hundreds of children books, most I'm not sure had a point. My goal is to find meaningful children books that I can add to our family book shelf.

I discovered Too Tall Alice and had to add it to my collection!

8 year old Alice suffers from low self esteem because she is four inches taller than all the other girls in her class. She's tall -- "not T-Rex, Empire State Building tall" -- just that extra four inches. Alice finds herself being teased about her height by both children and adults. Crying herself to sleep, she drifts away on her fluffy bed "to the place where the TALL girls lived." After the tall girls explain life's possibilities to her, "Alice watched and listened and like a movie on a screen her heart told her the story of all the wonderful things she was and all the wonderful things she could be." Alice awakens to a world full of possibilities and she can be grateful she is unique.

This book teaches us to celebrate your differences and the possibilities they bring. And that it's okay to embrace who we are and how God created us. This book is great for kids "all the too tall, too small, too skinny, too fat, too smart, too silly girls who deserve to see, really see, and love themselves" - that true beauty comes from within.

Wake Surfing

2010-08-13T10:08:00.000-06:00

Most of my family was in town recently so we spent a lot of time together. One fun thing we did as a family was we rented out a boat for the day. We took the boat out on a local lake and tried wake surfing. It was such a blast! I hope we make it a family tradition every summer.

For more information on wake surfing click...HERE!

What are some fun things you do with your families?

Potato Salad Recipe

2010-08-09T09:52:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

8 medium potatoes
8 eggs, hard boiled, peeled and diced.
2 Tbsp sliced and diced (thin) purple onion, or green onion

Optional Items:

1/2 cup diced pickles
1/2 cup sliced olives
1/2 cup diced ham

Sauce Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup prepared mayonnaise
1 Tbsp prepared mustard
2 Tbsp pickle juice or you can use 1 tsp dill weed.
1 tsp garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp season salt
1 tsp paprika

Directions:

Place the potatoes into a large pot, and fill with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 20 minutes, or until easily pierced with a fork. Drain. Cool, peel and dice. Transfer to a large bowl and mix with other ingredients.
Mix all dressing ingredients together and pour over the top of bowl of ingredients, and stir. Refrigerate until serve.

What Knot Shop Giveaway

2010-08-05T08:23:00.001-06:00

I just found What Knot Shop on ETSY and just loved their unique line of Turks Head Sailor knot bracelets. They create handmade braided rope bracelets in a variety of styles and colors. My favorite bracelet is the Beaded turquoise cotton soft Bangle bracelet. I love it's unique look and beautiful color combination.
What Knot Shop is offering one lucky reader a $10 gift certificate of towards a purchase of their product. Here's How to Enter: Make sure to follow the link to What Knot Shop. Send an email to gettogetherideas@gmail.com and answer the following question in the email: What is your favorite Bracelet that What Knot Shop sells?" You have until Saturday August 21st to enter...good luck! Make sure to leave your contact info in the email as well.

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas....so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter the giveaway you will get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:

Refer a friend
Subscribe to Get Together Ideas
Link to Get Together Ideas on your blog...include your blog URL in the email.
Tweet about the giveaway....make sure to link to your tweet in the email.
Follow What Knot Shop on their blog....click here.

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

2010-08-03T08:33:00.001-06:00

These cookies are soooo good!!! One of my friends mom's would make these cookies growing up. I would secretly hope that she would make these cookies when I came over. I thought she was the greatest cook. These cookies are one of my favorite cookie recipes ever!!

Ingredients:

4 Cups Flour-then add 1-1 1/2 cups by hand later
2 Tsp Baking Soda
1 Tsp Salt
1 1/2 Cups Butter
1 TBSP Vanilla
2 Cups Brown Sugar
1 Cup Sugar
4 Eggs
1 Cup Coconut
1 pkg Milk Chocolate chips
1 pkg White Chocolate chips

Directions:

Cream the butter and sugar. Then add eggs and blend until cream.
Add vanilla, soda, salt
Add flour 1-2 cups at a time.
Add chocolate chips and coconut, and remaining flour by hand. Hand mix to stiff dough.
Refrigerate dough for 24 hours.
Bake at 350 for 8-13 minutes.

Print Your Blog

2010-07-29T15:02:00.006-06:00

Do you have a blog? Would you like to turn your blog into a professionally printed book? There are several companies out there that can do this for you. All you have to do is select a cover, the images and posts you would like to print in your book and then they'll do the rest. You are also allowed to edit and make any desired changes before ordering.

Here are a few companies that give blog owners and authors the ability to print their blog:

Lemon Poppy Seed Zucchini Bread Recipe

2010-07-28T14:51:00.006-06:00

Having my own garden I seem to have an endless supply of zucchini. I have been on a lookout for delicious zucchini recipes. I found this Lemon poppy seed zucchini bread recipe and it is sooo good!! I am one of those cooks whose banana bread always seems to sink in the middle so I was a little reluctant to try this recipe...but it turned out great!

Ingredients:

4 Cups Flour
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1 Package (3.4 oz.) Instant Lemon Pudding
1 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
1 Tsp Baking Powder
1 Tsp Salt
4 Eggs
1 1/4 Cups Milk
1 Cup Oil
3 Tbsp Lemon Juice (fresh squeezed is best)
1 Tsp Lemon Extract
2 Cups Shredded Zucchini
1/4 Cup Poppy Seeds
2 Tsp Fresh Grated Lemon Zest

Directions:

Place eggs, milk, oil, lemon juice, and lemon extract in mixer and mix until blended.
Add Flour, sugar, pudding mix, baking soda, baking powder, and salt and mix just until moistened.
Fold in the zucchini, poppy seeds and lemon zest.
Pour batter into 2 prepared bread pans.
Bake at 350 for 50-55 minutes or until tooth pick inserted comes out clean. Makes 2 loaves.

Optional Glaze:

4T Fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 Cup powdered sugar

Mix well and pour over bread while warm

How to MakeOoze

2010-07-23T08:33:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

1 cup cornstarch
1-2 drops desired food coloring
1/2 cup water

Directions:

This recipe can get kind of messy. You may want to cover your work area with newspaper.
Put your water in a bowl and add your desired food coloring. Then add in the cornstarch and stir until the cornstarch is wet.
The ooze will be runny until you pick it up. You can add more water or cornstarch if it is too thick or too runny.
Pick the ooze up...it feel solid until you open your hand and then it will turn runny and slip through your fingers.

Subway Bread Rolls

2010-07-18T08:14:00.001-06:00

I wanted to be able to make homemade subway sandwiches with homemade subway bread rolls. I'm trying to pinch pennies and I'm not a big fan of the store bought sub rolls anyway, so I set out to find the perfect recipe. I found a few that were good and tweaked the recipes until I got it just right. The result is absolutely delicious! Warm, soft, yummy, fresh baked subway rolls, just what I wanted.

Perfect sub sandwiches. I sliced this one in half, put ham and cheese on it, set my oven to broil and toasted it for a few minutes until the cheese was melted, then removed and added my favorite toppings. YUM!!!

Subway Bread Rolls

1 ½ C. warm water
1/3 C. honey
2 eggs
2 tsp. salt
1/3 C. butter, melted
5 ½ C. all-purpose flour
2 tsp. yeast

Directions:

Add ingredients to breadmaker and run dough cycle.
Divide dough into 8 even sections. Form into a subway roll shape, about 6-8 inches long.
Place on two greased cookie sheets and put 4 rolls on each.
Cover and allow to rise until double (about 30 minutes).
Bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes. Cool slightly and serve with your favorite Subway sandwich ingredients.

Tin Foil Dinner Recipes

2010-07-15T08:06:00.001-06:00

One of my favorite things to do on a hot summer night is to head up the canyon and cook tin foil dinners and S'mores over a campfire. One great thing about them is you can cut everything up and have your kids make their own.

Here are some Tin Foil Dinner Recipe Ideas: ( These ideas also work in a conventional oven!)

Traditional Tin foil dinner: Make a thin hamburger patty in center of your foil. Then add sliced/diced carrots, potatoes, onion, and any other vegetable that you see fit (squash, zucchini, peppers, frozen corn, green beans) then add some spices (salt, pepper, garlic, Lipton Soup mix, etc...).

* Put a twist on the traditional by using meatballs, or meatloaf instead of just a hamburger patty and add 1/2 cup gravy to each dinner.

How to make gravy, mix:
1 can cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup
1 brown gravy packet
1 C. water

Foil Fajitas:
Take your marinated fajita meat (steak, chicken), onions, green peppers, and spices. Serve on tortillas with cheese, salsa, sour cream, etc...

Foil Breakfast: Add sausage, egg, hash brown potatoes, and spices. Place desired ingredients in foil. Wrap and seal your foil. Place on coals for 15 minutes.

Ranch Chicken:
Dip boneless, skinless chicken breast into melted butter then into mixture (ranch packet, 3/4 cup corn flake crumbs or bread crumbs, and 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Place dipped chicken on foil. Add sliced strips of summer squash, bell peppers, potatoes, zucchini, and wrap. (The dressing mix will coat about 6 chicken breasts).

Baked Salmon Dinner:
For further instructions click HERE!
Tips:

Use heavy duty aluminum foil, spray inside with non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
Add moisture to your dinner. Add butter, gravy, milk, soup or even water...this will also prevent sticking.
Place ingredients in the center of foil. Get a good seal!...make sure to wrap with foil a couple of times. Fold the sides up creasing foil at the edge of the food. Then fold in the corners...make sure to pinch the folds tight.

4. Most Tin foil dinners require about 30 minutes of cook time.
5. Experiment...you can throw just about anything in there and it will turn out tasty!

Pea Salad Recipe

2010-07-11T07:33:00.001-06:00

Ingredients:

10 oz. Frozen Peas
1 Cup diced celery
1 cup chopped cauliflower
1/4 cup green onion
1 cup cashews
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup ranch dressing (best if you make it from the packet).
Bacos

Directions:
Mix the first 7 ingredients together. After you have mixed the ingredients add the bacos when you are ready to serve. Refrigerate and serve. YUMMY!

A Bit of String Giveaway

2010-07-08T08:07:00.004-06:00

The other day while searching on ETSY I discovered A Bit of String. They make handmade knit accessories and photo props. I love all their products! They put their own clever twist on a popular product. Each item is unique and so stinkin cute!!

These darling sandals are what first caught my eye. What a perfect little gift for a sweet new baby girl.
A bit of String is offering on lucky reader any product of choice $20 dollars or less.

Here's How to Enter:
Make sure to follow the link to A Bit of String. Send an email to gettogetherideas@gmail.com and answer the following question in the email: "What is your favorite item that A Bit of String sells?" You have until Saturday July 17th at midnight to enter....good luck!!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas....so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter the giveaway you will get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:

Refer a friend
Subscribe to Get Together Ideas
Link to Get Together Ideas on your blog...include your blog URL in the email.
Tweet about the giveaway...make sure to link to your tweet in the email.
Become a fan of A Bit of String on facebook....click, HERE

Indoor S'mores

2010-07-04T19:17:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

8 cups graham cracker cereal
6 cups (10 oz bag) miniature marshmallows, divided.
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
5 Tbsp butter
1/4 cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

Grease a 9 X 13 pan.
Heat 5 of the 6 cups of marshmallows, chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup in a sauce pan over low heat, stirring until smooth.
Stir in vanilla
Pour in the cereal and last cup of marshmallows and stir until cereal is well coated. Press mixture into 9 X 13 pan.

Step 2...you can also microwave ingredients in a microwave safe bowl on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring every minute, until smooth.

Salmon Fantasia Recipe

2010-06-30T09:51:00.001-06:00

This is my favorite fish recipe!

Ingredients:

1-2 lbs. Salmon Fillets
8 Tbsp. Honey
3 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
3 Tbsp. Ginger root grated
8 Tbsp. Olive oil
3 Tbsp. Mustard
3 Tbsp. Chopped Chives
3 Tbsp. Lemon juice
4 Tbsp. Butter

Directions:

Mix first 5 ingredients (reserve 1/2 for noodles).
Add salmon fillets, coat well. Transfer salmon and mixed ingredients into a ziplock bag. Make sure you squeeze the air out of the bag before sealing it.
Marinate for 1/2 hour.
Remove from bag and grill for about 3 minutes on each side. Remove to plate.
In a saucepan, melt butter, add lemon juice and chives. Pour over cooked salmon and serve.

Fried Noodles

Ingredients:

8 oz Angel hair pasta
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 Cup. Honey mixture (reserved from instructions above).
Soy Sauce
1 tsp. Sesame oil
1 tsp. Vegetable oil

Directions:

Cook 8 oz pasta, drain, rinse in cold water.
Spread sesame oil and vegetable oil on hot grill then spread mixture on grill, and onion powder.
Once heated, add noodles and mix until coated and hot. Add soy sauce as desired. Mix well and serve.

Tic-Tac Towel

2010-06-24T09:40:00.001-06:00

I saw this idea over at Martha Stewart and thought it was a great idea to entertain the kids on our beach house vacation next month.

This towel is not just for drying off! This giant tic-tac-toe board is sure to entertain!

What you will need:

Solid color towel
Ribbon...choose a color that will stand out.
Ruler
Pins, thread and sewing machine.

Directions:

Cut ribbon into four 24-inch strips.
Center tic-tac-toe pattern on the towel..each square will be 8 inches.
Use ruler to make sure ribbon is centered and straight
Pin ribbon in place, turn the ribbon under on the ends, then sew down.

What you can use for your X's and O's:
Find two different kinds of Seashells, rocks, toys, etc...be creative!!

* Optional you can sew on a checker board using similar instructions on the other side of the towel.

Francoise Studio Giveaway

2010-06-23T08:33:00.000-06:00

I can't believe how much time I can spend looking on ETSY! I just can't get enough of cute handmade items. While I was searching around one day I found Francoise Studio and instantly fell in love! You can check out her ETSY shop or to visit their website click HERE. Francoise Studio is a French boutique for parents and kids who love fashion. Every item is unique and hand sewn down to every tiny detail. Francoise Studio is offering one lucky reader a $20 dollar gift certificate. Here's How To Enter: Make sure to follow the link to Francoise Studio. Send an email to gettogetherideas@gmail.com and answer the following question: "What is your favorite item that Francoise Studio sells?" You have until Wednesday June 29th to enter...good luck!!!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas...so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter you get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:

Refer a friend
Subscribe to Get Together Ideas
Link to Get Together Ideas on your blog....include your blog URL in the email.
Tweet about the giveaway...make sure to link to your tweet in the email.
Become a fan of Francoise Studio on facebook..click here.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

2010-06-22T14:22:00.003-06:00

Powder:

1 cup baking soda
1 cup borax

Use 2 tablespoons per load

Liquid option:

1 part baking soda
1 part borax
1 part water

* Optional: 1 drop essential oil

Mix together. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons per load.

Options:
- Use less borax
- Use vinegar in rinse dispenser
- Use clorox in with soap
- Use 1/2 of store bought dishwasher soap and 1 tablespoon of homemade detergent

Neck Tie Cake

2010-06-18T15:53:00.001-06:00

There's nothing that says Happy Father's Day then a new tie. A large majority of father's receive at least one necktie for Father's Day. Why not stray from the ordinary and make your father a delicious necktie cake instead. Head over to Tiepedia and check out all the creative sweet examples.

Framed Family Tree

2010-06-15T07:08:00.003-06:00

Since we are all feeling sentimental around Father's Day and thinking about our families we wanted to post one of our favorite family history craft ideas. I made these framed family trees as a Christmas gift one year for my parents and my in-laws. I think they were the best received gift
I've ever given.
To see the original idea...click HERE

I'll refer you to their website for the instructions since they are well written, include pictures and you can even print out a pattern. I embellished on their idea by mounting the tree with hot glue on some textured paper I tore around the edges, framed the tree and added a nameplate.
For further instructions click HERE!

I made the nameplate with the leftover silver craft foil from the leaves. I printed out the lettering from Word as a guide (traced the lettering onto the back of the page so the front would be raised), used a ruler to design the box and then just traced it onto the foil. That may sound confusing but will make sense when you get going on it.

It's been a great conversation piece and a great way to remember our roots.

Beach Wrap

2010-06-13T00:00:00.004-06:00

I saw this cute and convenient idea over at Girls life for a Beach wrap. No more or those bulky beach bags! Just toss your swimsuit and sunscreen onto your beach towel then fold it, and roll it. This would be a great birthday gift idea!

Here is what you will need:

30-inche-by-60 inch beach towel
3 yards of 1-inch wide ribbon
Needle and thread
Ruler

For further instructions click HERE!

Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Pie

2010-06-10T09:52:00.000-06:00

When it's hot outside cool off with this light and refreshing dessert. I had this dessert at a party and I was so excited to find the recipe over at Favorite Family Recipes.

Pie Filling Ingredients:

1/2 gallon regular vanilla ice cream
1 1/2-2 pkgs pink lemonade Kool-Aid or 1 pink lemonade can from concentrate (for 2 pies).
2 graham cracker pie crusts

Directions: Soften the vanilla ice cream, stir in pink lemonade until completely mixed in and dissolved. Pour half into each pie crust. Cover and freeze. Tastes great with sliced strawberries. Garnish with lemon slices.

Tickle Monster Book

2010-06-08T09:24:00.004-06:00

As a parent of young children this is my new favorite book. The book is fun and interactive. The illustrations are vibrant and full of life. Any kid would be lucky to have this book in their collection. A cute lovable monster with big puffy mitts has just flown in from Planet Tickle. His mission is to bring love and laughter to Planet Earth...by tickling. This book comes with soft magical mittens. Once worn, they transform anyone into the Tickle Monster themselves. The mittens bring the book to life and a smile to your child's face. You can buy the book in a box set the Tickle Monster Laugh Kit. The kit includes includes a box with magnetic strips to help keep the box closed, the Tickle Monster book, and the Tickle Monster Mitts.

The Level Collection Giveaway

2010-06-06T13:35:00.001-06:00

I received a leather wristband and leather watch band to review from The Level Collection. The Level Collection sells a broad range of accessories including but not limited to leather wristbands and leather watch bands in many different styles and colors. Each item is stylish and made with high quality leather. But best of all their products are guaranteed not to bust your budget. When I received my wristband and watch band I was impressed with the craftsmanship of each and the quality of the leather used. The level collection is giving one lucky reader a choice from either leather wristband #108 or leather watch band #501 (both pictured above).

Here's How to Enter:

Make sure to follow the link to The Level Collection. Copy and paste the link (URL) of your favorite item in a comment on this post. You have until midnight Sunday June 13th to enter....good luck!!!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas....so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter the giveaway you get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry: (Make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry).

1. Refer a friend to Get Together Ideas and they enter the giveaway.
2. Subscribe to Get Together Ideas
3. Link to Get Together Ideas on your blog...include your blog URL in the comment.
4. Tweet about the giveaway..make sure to link to your tweet in a comment.

How to plan a twilight themed party

2010-06-03T08:10:00.002-06:00

With the release of the Twilight movie Eclipse right around the corner. What a great way to celebrate the release by throwing a twilight themed party.

I was invited to a friends twilight party last year for the premiere of New Moon. The party was so much fun!!! Some of these ideas are from my friends party.

Decorating Ideas:

Decorate with red and black helium filled balloons.
Decorate with twinkling white lights.
Decorate with red and black flowers.
Decorate with a checkered table cloth and chess pieces, apples, ripped ribbon or something else from the books.
Rent a fog machine or use dry ice to make the atmosphere look more like Forks.
Place red and black food/treats around the room.

Make life sized cutouts of the Twilight cast.
Have some photos of the cast, or quotes from the movie framed and placed around the room.

Activities:

Twilight trivia game. Come up with some trivia from the movie, books, or both. Or you can gather trivia from various websites. Make sure to have a variety questions ranging in difficulty.
You can also rent Twilight scene it from blockbuster.
Play Twilight "Who Said It". Read a quote and see who can guess who said it. Make some hard and some easier. Click HERE for quotes.
Play twilight bingo. Make bingo cards with nouns that relate to the movie. You can print some Twilight Bingo cards from HERE.
Watch Twilight, or New Moon or both.
Split into 2 teams, team Edward and team Jacob. Have a scavenger hunt for items such as an apple, a exotic toy car (Cullen car), fork, baseball, something that sparkles, band-aid, Picture in front of an old Ford truck, prom dress, etc...
Safety pin name. Pick a name that guests are not allowed to say such as Edward, Jacob, etc... use a safety pin with black and white checkered ribbon on each guest. If you are wearing a ribbon and you say the name, then the person who notices takes your ribbon. The person at the end of the party with the most ribbons wins a prize.
Play Murderer in the dark. There are several versions of this game. Click HERE for further instructions.

Prize Ideas:

New Moon cookies
A golden onion..(onion painted gold with spray paint)
Red fingernail polish
Vampire teeth
Dream catcher
A Chess game

Food/treat ideas:

Have all treats the color red....twizzlers, sugar cookies with red frosting, red punch, chocolate covered strawberries. You can label your treats and drinks with blood types. Ex: A,B, O.
Have a chocolate fountain and put red food coloring in the white chocolate to make it more appropriate.

Strawberry Lemon Pudding Dessert Recipe

2010-05-31T22:15:00.004-06:00

Crust:

1 Package Graham Cracker (crumbs)
1/2 Cup Sugar
6 Tbsp butter melted

Blend well with a fork and then press in to the bottom of a 9 X 13 inch pan.

Cream Cheese Layer:

2 Packages 8 oz cream cheese
1/2 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Milk

Spread over graham crackers (tip: use ziplock bag and spread to prevent crust from lifting).

Lemon Pudding Layer:

2 Small packages lemon pudding
2 and 3/4 cups milk

Blend. Pour over cream cheese mixture. Put in fridge to set and chill.

1 Container strawberry cool whip

Spread over the top....slice fresh strawberries on top.

Pink Fig Patterns

2010-05-27T12:40:00.000-06:00

I found the cutest pattern for my daughter's birthday outfit from Pink Fig Patterns. The Cuppy Dress is my sewing project for the month of May. For a novice, the pattern was pretty easy to follow.

All the Pink Fig Patterns are super cute...it was hard to just pick one!! My daughter's birthday is this Saturday, I hope to have her dress done in time. I will update with some pictures of the finished product.

Beach/Pool Party Ideas

2010-05-24T10:36:00.001-06:00

My daughter is turning 2 next week and I have been trying to think of a fun birthday party idea. However, since it snowed today I may be looking for other options.

What a fun idea to have as a birthday party or even just an end of the school year party with friends, that will surely be a big splash.

Food Ideas:

Have a BBQ with a variety of salads green, pasta, fruit, jello, etc...

Have a sandwich bar with all kinds of meat, cheeses and toppings.

Make it a potluck and have everyone bring their favorite dish.

Must have a yummy dessert--Make some pool/beach party cupcakes or cake pops as seen on Bakerella.

Decorations:

Use oversized beach towels as table cloths.

Fill plastic buckets with sand and attach helium balloons to the handle for a cute center piece.

Set up a table with a grass skirt around it (so it looks like a tiki hut) and serve smoothies with little umbrella's in them. Have lots of water bottles and soda's too.

Decorate with blow up beach balls and beach ball balloons. You can purchase them from Shindigz.com.

Activities:

Decorate some fun funky flip flops

Play a game of musical towels...played like musical chairs but instead of chairs you use beach towels. Play a summer CD like Beach Boys or Surf’s Up.

Play some water games: Water fight with water balloons and squirt guns, balloon toss, sprinkler under the tramp, rent a blow up waterslide, slip n slide, water balloon volleyball...with beach towels.

Rubber Duck Race: Using only their noses, each player nudges a rubber duck from one end of the pool to the other.

Bob for flip-flops...Place numbered flip flops into a pool/bucket filled with water. The player grabs a flip flop out of the water with only their mouth. Each flip flop is numbered and corresponds to a matching goodie/treat bag. Click HERE for further instructions.

A beach ball pinata is a must.

Party Favors: There are great pool party gift bags all you need to do is fill them with some fun pool/beach items.

Fun Beach/Pool Item Ideas:
Beach balls, squirt guns, water noodles, bucket and shovel, sunglasses, beach towels and hula hoops.

Southwest Eggrolls Recipe

2010-05-22T15:45:00.001-06:00

I love getting the southwestern egg rolls appetizer from Chilli's..this recipe tastes almost just as good. I found and slightly modified the recipe from AllRecipes.

Ingredients:

2 Tbsps vegetable oil
1-2 chicken breasts
2 Tbsp minced green onion
2 Tbsp minced green pepper
2 Tbsp minced red pepper
1/3 cup corn kernel (canned or frozen)
1/4 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
2 Tbsp frozen spinach, thawed, chopped and drained
2 Tbsp diced Jalapeno peppers
1/4 cup diced mushrooms

1 tsp chicken bouillon
1/2 tsp minced parsley
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 chili powder
1/3 tsp salt
1 dash of cayenne pepper
3/4 cup Monterey cheese
6 inch flour tortillas
1 quart oil for deep frying

Directions:

Cut chicken into bite size pieces...cook in a frying pan with 1 Tbsp oil until meat is no longer pink. Remove from heat and set aside.
Heat the remaining 1 Tbsp oil into saucepan over medium heat and cook green onion, peppers until tender. Add the other ingredients and then remove from the heat.
Wrap tortillas with a clean, moist cloth. Microwave on high for about 1-2 minutes, or until the tortillas are hot and pliable.
Spoon even amounts of mixture into each tortilla (about 1/4 cup). Fold ends of tortillas, then roll tightly around mixture. Secure with toothpicks. Arrange in a medium dish, cover with plastic, and place in the freezer for a couple of hours. Take out the Southwest Eggrolls and let them thaw slightly so you can remove the toothpicks.
In a large, deep skillet, heat oil. Deep fry stuffed tortillas on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels before serving.
Serve along side Spanish rice, salsa and guacamole...YUMMY!!

Thrift Store Party Dishes

2010-05-20T13:38:00.001-06:00

Instead of throwing out some of your old and unneeded dishes why not come up with your own recycled treasures. I made a nice serving dish with some old plates, candle sticks and wine glasses.

What you will need:

Old dishes, old candle sticks, lamp base, etc...
Glue adhesive..I used loctite and it worked like a charm

Ju Ju Beane Boutique Giveaway

2010-05-17T09:01:00.004-06:00

I came upon Ju Ju Beane Boutique looking for a pettiskirt for my daughter. With just one look I fell in love with their tutus and pettiskirts. They carry unique clothing for boys and girls from the hippest designers. You can complete any look with their one of a kind boutique flower hats, headbands, bows, crochet hats, hair clips or even browse their collection of Wee Squeak shoes.

You can spend the entire day just browsing their site! They have everything from clothing and accessories, toys, bedding, dishes, to furniture and much more. Ju Ju Beane Boutique is offering one lucky reader a $25 gift certificate towards their future order.
Here's How to Enter:

Make sure you follow link to Ju Ju Beane Boutique. Copy and past the link (URL) to your favorite item in a comment on this post. You have until Tuesday May 25th to enter...good luck!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas...so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter our giveaway you get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:
1. Send the names of the people you referred with your entry.
2. If they enter the contest you will receive an extra entry.

Bonus:

Link to Get Together Ideas on your blog.
Include the blog URL in the email to make sure you get the extra entry.
Post about the giveaway on your blog....include the blog URL in the email to make sure to get the extra entry.
Receive an extra entry by subscribing to this blog.
Become a fan of Ju Ju Beane Boutique on facebook...click here.
Follow Ju Ju Beane Boutique on Twitter...click here.
Subscribe to Ju Ju Beane Boutique's newsletter.

Make sure to send me an extra email telling me if you completed any of the bonus entries.

Congratulations to Kim, T. Rebecca S., Shelly B., Tiffny S., and Clint A., the winners of our Alfresco Unique Group giveaway!...courtesy of random.org.

Tomato Tortellini Soup

2010-05-14T08:47:00.001-06:00

I found this recipe over at Favorite Family Recipes. This is a great twist to the usual grilled cheese and tomato soup. We eat a lot of soup at my house and this is one of my new favorites. It was tasty and so easy to make. We served with grilled cheese sandwiches.

What you will need:

1 pkg (12-15 oz) of refrigerated cheese tortellini.
2 cans (10 oz) Campbells's tomato soup
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups half-and-half
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp basil
dash of salt and pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top

Directions:
Cook tortellini according to instructions on back of bag. In a large pot combine, soup, broth, milk, cream, and seasonings. Bring to a low boil, stirring frequently. Drain tortellini and then add to the soup. Stir in cheese and serve. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top. Serve with grilled cheese sandwiches.

Hapari Modest Swimsuits

2010-05-11T09:35:00.000-06:00

I was excited about an upcoming vacation to Puerto Rico, but was dreading shopping for a swimsuit. After trying on several other swimsuits I was lucky enough to be able to visit the Hapari store nearby and try on their selection. All I can say is that I loved them all!!! Now I am just looking forward to wearing my new suit out on the beach!

I am in love with Hapari! They carry shores, captain's quarters, and modest swimsuits for Men, Women, and Juniors. Here are the reason's why Hapari is now one of my favorite places to shop.

Shores:
Check out the Hapari "shores"...they come in cap sleeves and tanks. They are perfect to wear as under shirts for shirts and dresses so you don’t have that added bunch in your mid section. They are comfortable and they come in a variety of colors.

Swimsuits:
Hapari modest swimwear for women and for juniors. These swimsuits are amazing!! You can mix and match any modest swim bottoms with any tankini top. All tankini's can be worn 3 different ways; halter, tank, and criss cross. Every swimsuit also has pockets for silicone breast inserts "illusions" for those of us who may need a little extra help in that area. Each style provides comfort and appropriate coverage. Hapari's modest swimwear is designed to enhance your figure, and allow every woman to feel confident and beautiful in her swimsuit!

They carry a variety of swimsuit bottoms: regular, hot shorts, and tummy tuck....they also carry cover up skirts, and shorts.
Captain's quarters:
Hapari Captains Quarters are compression shorts you can wear under your boardshorts giving you comfort, support, and style!

How to make a coconut cream cake

2010-05-08T12:14:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 white cake mix...with needed ingredients
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can coconut milk
1 8-oz package of cool whip
1-2 cups shredded coconut

Directions:

Make cake according to directions on the back of the box; let cool.
Take the bottom of a wooden spoon and poke holes all over the top of the cake.
Mix the sweetened condensed milk and the coconut milk. Pour mixture over the top of the cake....the mixture will sink into the holes. Refrigerate.
Before serving top cake with cool whip and shredded coconut.

Alfresco Unique Group Leather Watch Giveaway

2010-05-05T12:04:00.001-06:00

Just in time for mother's day!

I am so excited about this weeks giveaway! I highlighted this watch previously in my favorite things for spring post. I found this company Alfresco Unique Group on ETSY one day while searching for a cute, unique watch to wear this spring/summer. I saw this watch and fell in love...I liked the double straps that you wrap around your wrist. You can get the watch face in sliver or gold and you can pick from a variety of leather straps, and choose from an array of different colors. All of their products are each handmade with high quality watches and straps. They not only carry high quality watches but they have a variety of unique handmade jewelry necklaces and pendants as well.

Alfresco Unique Group is offering one lucky reader a free watch. And 4 more lucky readers will receive 1 $25 dollar gift certificate each to use towards their future order. So we will have 5 lucky winners this week so make sure to tell all of your friends. This would make a great mother's day gift!!
Here's How to Enter:
Make sure you follow link to Alfresco Unique Group. Then send me an email with Alfresco Unique Group as the subject to gettogetherideas@gmail.com. In the body of the email enter your name and address and answer the following question: What is your favorite item that Alfresco Unique group sells? You have until Wednesday May 12th to enter...good luck!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas...so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter our giveaway you get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:
1. Send the names of the people you referred with your entry.
2. If they enter the contest you will receive an extra entry.

Bonus:

Link to Get Together Ideas on your blog..
Include the blog URL in the email to make sure you get the extra entry.
Receive an extra entry by subscribing to this blog

Make sure to send me an extra email telling me if you completed any of the bonus entries.

Congratulations to Amy H. the winner of our Peekaboo Bowtique giveaway...courtesy of random.org

Bountiful Baskets

2010-05-03T14:33:00.004-06:00

Last week I signed up for a food co-op called Bountiful Baskets. You make a $15 contribution and you get a large amount of produce from local farmers. It's the same produce you get at the grocery store but for half the price. Last week I got apples, bananas, cantaloupe, melon, 3 pkgs of black berries, kiwis, tomatoes, spinach, radishes, lettuce, cucumbers, artichokes, and more.

They have additional items you can purchase every week...they change weekly. Last week they had a Mexican themed produce pack that had jalapenos, cilantro, limes, squash, green onion, garlic, avocados, tomatillos, etc... I also got the extra tortilla package which included: 3 packs of extra large flour tortillas, 2 pkgs small flour tortillas, and 2 pkgs of small corn tortillas. With the extra packages I spent $30. The picture shows everything I ended up with excluding the tortillas.

Everything I have tasted so far has been tasty and fresh!

If you are interested check out the following link for pick up date/time and to see if they have pick up locations near you: Bountiful Baskets

Chicken Quesadillas

2010-05-02T12:55:00.000-06:00

My husband and I came up with this chicken seasoning to season chicken for quesadillas. We love chicken quesadillas with seasoned chicken, grilled onions, bacon bits and a large helping of guacamole and sour cream on the side. Sauteed mushrooms and peppers are also yummy additions to a quesadilla.

Chicken Quesadillas:
8 tortillas
2 chicken breasts – cubed
6 slices Bacon – cooked and crumbled
1 onion – chopped and sautéed in butter
4 C. cheese
Sour Cream
Guacamole
Put some chicken seasoning in a bag or bowl and coat chicken with seasoning. Butter grill or saucepan and cook chicken until no longer pink. Butter outer side of tortillas and fill with cheese, chicken, bacon and onions. Grill both sides of tortilla until lightly browned and cheese is melted. Cut and serve with guacamole and sour cream.

Chicken Seasoning (this will make extra, we like to make a big batch and keep it in our spice cabinet)
2 C. flour 3 tbsp. salt
1 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 tsp. black pepper
½ C. chili powder 1 tbsp. onion powder
2 tsp. garlic powder ½ C. paprika
2 tbsp. Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning
1 tbsp. Lawry’s Seasoned Salt

This one is ready for a buttered tortilla on top and to be flipped over to grill until both sides are a light golden brown.

Sweet Potato Fries with Southwestern Dipping Sauce

2010-04-29T07:44:00.003-06:00

I fell in love with sweet potato fries at a restaurant named Guru's. They served the fries with a southwestern dipping sauce that elevated the fries to a whole new yummy level. We moved and I just couldn't justify an hour drive for fries. When the withdrawals hit I started looking around and found that every grocery store I've been in has sweet potato fries in their frozen food section next to regular fries. So, I just needed to perfect the southwestern fry sauce. After many tweaks here is the finished recipe. We think it's divine. My husband loves it on his hamburgers too. If you are using heavily seasoned fries you may want to decrease the cajun spice. Enjoy!

Southwestern Dipping Sauce:

1 C. mayo

1 Tbsp. ketchup

4 Tbsp. BBQ Sauce (Jack Daniels Honey Smokehouse is our current favorite)

2 tsp. cajun spice

1 tsp. honey

Add ingredients to bowl and blend well.

Peekaboo Bowtique Giveaway

2010-04-27T08:41:00.003-06:00

If you are looking for high quality boutique items but for half the price take a look at Peekaboo Bowtique. They have an adorable selection of hairbow's, headbands, tutu's, dresses and much more.
No more fidgeting around with your baby's many layers. One of my favorite items is their Sweet Pea Onesie Dress. Sweet Pea Onesie Dresses are hand~crafted with high quality fabric and are secured to a Gerber brand onesie. Each dress has a short sleeved gerber onesie with attached gathered skirt and matching trim. All dresses come with a free matching 4” Bow attached to a soft headband.

Peekaboo Bowtique is offering one lucky reader choice of their favorite 2 hair bows (small, medium, large, flower stacks or MeiLi flowers) and 1 Alexis Headband to match.

Here's How to Enter:
Make sure you follow link to Peekaboo Bowtique. Then send me an email with Peekaboo Bowtique as the subject to gettogetherideas@gmail.com. In the body of the email enter your name and address and answer the following question: What is your favorite item that Peekaboo Bowtique sells? You have until Tuesday May 4th to enter...good luck!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas...so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter our giveaway you get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:
1. Send the names of the people you referred with your entry.
2. If they enter the contest you will receive an extra entry.

Bonus:

Link to Get Together Ideas on your blog..
Include the blog URL in the email to make sure you get the extra entry.
Receive an extra entry by subscribing to this blog
Become a fan of Peekaboo Bowtique on facebook...click here.
Follow Peekaboo Bowtique's blog..click here.

Make sure to send me an extra email telling me if you completed any of the bonus entries.

Meatball Recipe

2010-04-25T14:56:00.001-06:00

Ingredients:

1 lbs ground beef
4 slices bacon chopped finely
1/4 cup fresh parsley (dry spice is fine too)
2 garlic gloves, minced
3 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp plain dried breadcrumbs
1 large egg
dash of ground nutmeg
dash of salt and pepper

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Shape mixture (by rolling mixture between your palms) into about 40 mini meatballs.
Place meatballs in a ziplock resealable bag and freeze for 1 hour. You can freeze until ready to use.
To use the meatballs straight from the freezer preheat oven to 400. Cook about 15 minutes. I like to make a bunch of meatballs to freeze and use on a later date.

Recycled Handbags

2010-04-22T08:53:00.008-06:00

Since today is Earth day I wanted to post about doing our part in helping out the environment. If you are someone who is concerned about our planet and it's diminishing resources you will love Eco-handbas.co. I came upon they're website the other day and fell in love with their clever, chic, eco-friendly handbags. They have handbags made out of everything from gum/candy wrappers, juice boxes, old seat belts, chopsticks, bottle/pop tops and cans, to bike tires, old skateboards and much more.

Every year, there are so many products that are dumped into our landfills that can easily be recycled and transformed into renewable consumer products. All you need is a little imagination. I just love to see ways you take something used and unneeded and turn it into a treasure.
What can you come up with?

Funeral Potatoes Recipe

2010-04-21T12:31:00.001-06:00

This potato recipe is my favorite!! However, if you are on a diet these potatoes may not be for you!

Potatoes:
Boil 6-8 medium/large potatoes to boil until tender. Let the potatoes cool so they are easier to work with. Remove skins and dice potatoes into a 9X13 pan.

Sauce:

1 large can of cream of chicken/or mushroom soup
1/2 pt sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cube butter melted.
1 small onion sliced thin and sauteed.
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:
Mix diced potatoes with sauce and sauteed onions. Top with shredded cheese. Bake on 350 for 30-45 minutes or until bubbly.

Recycled Denim Jean Purse

2010-04-19T13:16:00.001-06:00

I found this recycled Denim Jean Purse at Olwoth shop on ETSY. This is the cutest Jean purse I have ever seen! I love the flap button closure and the pretty flower embellishments. You can purchase it or another one like it over on ETSY. This super cute Jean purse has inspired me to want to try to make one of my own. I found a super easy tutorial over at EHow that I am going to give a try. For further instructions click HERE.

Here is what you will need for this project:

Sewing machine
Old denim jeans
Scarf or colorful belt
Iron

Recycled Capri Sun Handbags

2010-04-17T13:15:00.002-06:00

What a great quick and easy recycling project!
You can have a super cute bag while doing your part to save the planet.

What you will need:

About 20 Capri Sun juice boxes
Needle (denim needles work best)
Thread
Material for straps/lining (use an old shirt or a used pair of jeans).
Scotch tape

For further instructions check out GirlsLife.com

Inbloom Designs Giveaway ETSY

2010-04-15T16:55:00.003-06:00

I found InBlooomDesigns shop one day while searching on ETSY and I fell in love. I love each unique piece. I would love to own the entire collection. They make their jewelry with high quality wood and stone. You can find anything from bracelets, cuffs, earrings, to necklaces and more.

Each item is one of a kind, exotic recycled wood and stone accessories.

InBloomDesigns is offering one lucky reader a free pair of earrings.

Here's How To Enter:
Make sure to follow link to InBloomDesigns . Then send an email with InBloomDesigns as the subject to gettogetherideas@gmail.com. In the body of the email enter your name and address and answer the following question: What is your favorite item that InBloomDesigns sells? You have until Thursday April 22nd to enter...good luck!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas ..so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter our giveaway you get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:
1. Send the names of the people you referred with your entry
2. If they enter the contest you will receive an extra entry

Bonus:

Extra entry...link Get Together Ideas on your blog. Include the blog URL in the email to make sure you get your extra entry.
Receive an extra entry by subscribing to this blog. Enter email address and then hit subscribe (top right hand corner of page).
Become a fan of InBloomDesigns on facebook.

Make sure to send me an extra email telling me if you completed any of the bonus entries.

Congratulations to JoDell O. the winner of our Baby Laundry and More giveaway...courtesy or random.org

Top 10 Must Have For Spring

2010-04-14T13:07:00.000-06:00

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. I love flowers, gardens, picnics and sunshine! Here is my top 10 must have's for spring:

1. Ankle strap sandals: Cocobelle, Sardinia

2. Modest Swimwear: I have fallen in love with this Hapari Swimsuit.

3. Mustard yellow, beige, turquoise and burnt red create an earthy spring vibe...I love this bracelet from Inbloomdesigns ETSY shop

4. Bohemiam top-from Alloy.

5. Keep that sun off your face in style with this embellished straw hat from Target.
6. I love the look of these knee length shorts

7. Must have sexy toes for all those sandals....do your own nail art from Nail Impressions.

8. A light spring dress...also from Alloy.
9. Wrap around wrist watch....I love this one from Alfrescouniquegroup shop on ETSY.

10. Get you a pair of some oversized sunglasses.

Chocolate Berry Cobbler

2010-04-13T12:00:00.002-06:00

This Cobbler recipe is so delicious!

Ingredients:

3 Cups fresh or frozen berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or blueberries)..I have even made this recipe with peaches.
1 Cup sugar divided
1 Tbsp. Baking powder
2 Tbsp. water
1 Cup milk
1/3 Cup butter
1/4 Cup chocolate syrup
1 cup flour
Vanilla ice cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Thaw berries if frozen...but DO NOT DRAIN. Combine berries, 1/4 cup of sugar, and 2 tbsp water...let stand 5 minutes.

In a 9 X 9 X 2 inch baking pan melt butter in preheated oven.

Stir together flour, 3/4 cup sugar and baking powder; stir in milk.

Remove pan from oven once butter is melted.

Pour batter atop of the melted butter.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup.

Spoon un-drained berries atop.

Bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool slightly...top each serving with vanilla ice cream....YUM!!!

Shepherds Pie Recipe

2010-04-10T19:21:00.001-06:00

My mom made this growing up...was one of my favorites!

Ingredients:

1 lb Ground Hamburger
1/2 tsp crushed garlic
1 small onion chopped thin
2 cans of green beans
Mashed potatoes (about 8 potatoes)...It also tastes good with potato pearls but I like the real stuff better.
2 cups cheddar cheese
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tsp beef bouillon granules

Directions:
Brown hamburger, garlic and onion. Add the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream and beef bouillon. Mix green beans and meat mixture. Layer meat and bean mixture on bottom of 9 X 13 casserole dish. Top with mashed potatoes and cheese. Cook at 350 for 40 minutes.

Baby Laundry and More Giveaway

2010-04-09T00:06:00.001-06:00

Baby Laundry and More offers high quality designer Minky blankets at an affordable price. I saw their products at a local boutique I visited and I just had to have one. They are the softest, cutest blankets I have ever seen. They come in a variety of designer fabrics and in all sizes from little cuddle to twin size blankets. The blankets are all machine washable. Baby Laundry and More is offering one lucky reader a Baby Minky Blanket of choice valued at $44.00.

Here's How To Enter: Make sure you follow the link to Baby Laundry and More. Then send an email with Minky Blankets as the subject to gettogetherideas@gmail.com. In the body of the email answer the following question: "which is your favorite baby minky blanket fabric combo. Make sure to leave your name and address as well. You have until April 15th to enter....good luck! We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas...so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter our giveaway you get an extra entry.

How To Get An Extra Entry:
1. Send the names of the people you referred with your entry.
2. If they enter the giveaway you will receive an extra entry.

Bonus:

Extra entry...link Get Together Ideas on your blog. include the blog URL in the email to make sure you get your extra entry.
Receive an extra entry by subscribing to this blog. Enter email address and hit subscribe (top right hand corner of home page).

Make sure to send an extra email telling me if you completed any of the bonus entries.

Congratulations to Jake A. the winner of our Sweat Block giveaway...courtesy of random.org.

Ribbon Water Bottle Holder Straps

2010-04-07T16:40:00.001-06:00

I made these cute water bottle holders for my nieces and nephews to take on a family hike. They are super simple and quick to make. I decided to use ribbon for the straps. Using ribbon was fun because there is such a wide selection to choose from, just don't spend an hour in the ribbon aisle like I did. The ribbon water bottle holder straps turned out super cute, work great and are very durable too.

You will need the following supplies:

4-5 feet of Ribbon

Iron-On Patch Material

#17 O-Ring *I bought at Home Depot

The ribbon needs a little reinforcing to make sure it won't fray so I ironed on a strip of iron-on patch that was the width of my ribbon and 1 1/2 inches long to each end of my ribbon. This will give the ribbon added strength where it is secured to the O Ring.

The ribbon is then wrapped around the O Ring and sewn with a strong stitch, I used a tight zigzag stitch. It's hard to tell from the picture but you should be sewing through 2 layers of ribbon w/ patch material. The end of the ribbon in the picture is lined up with where the patch material stops on the ribbon.

It should look something like this. Before you sew the last side onto the O ring make sure your ribbon isn't twisted.

Here is the final product, ready to hit the hiking trail.

Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

2010-04-06T09:47:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

1 C. Butter
1 Tbsp. Baking Soda
3/4 C. Sugar
3 C. Flour
1 C. Brown Sugar
2 C. Chocolate Chips
2 Tbsp. Vanilla
1/2 tsp. Salt
2 Eggs, beaten

Directions:

Cream the butter and sugars. Add vanilla, eggs and soda. Blend in flour well. Fold in chocolate chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Makes 2 dozen cookies. I love these filled with natural vanilla bean ice cream.

Fun Get Together Idea: Ice Cream Sandwich Bar

Invite some friends over and have them each bring a batch of their favorite cookies. Supply a couple different flavors of ice cream, toppings such as candy pieces and sprinkles. Have everyone make their own Ice Cream Sandwiches.

Put a big scoop of ice cream in between 2 cookies and then roll the sides over candy/cookie crumbs or sprinkles.

Egg Salad Sandwiches

2010-04-04T09:12:00.002-06:00

Looking for some recipes to use up all your left over hard boiled Easter eggs? This egg salad sandwich recipe my brother shared with me is so good!

Ingredients:

6 eggs, boiled for 10 minutes
1/3 cup mayonnaise (heaping)
1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard (you can use a little less if you like)
1 Tbsp. Lemon juice
2 tsp. dill weed
dash of salt and pepper

Purple onion thinly sliced
Avocado, peeled and sliced

Directions:
Crack and shell the hard-boiled eggs. Dice and smash the eggs, then add the rest of the ingredients. Top with avocado and purple onion....serve on multigrain toast or homemade wheat bread. YUMMY!

Skor Chocolate Cake

2010-04-03T12:16:00.004-06:00

Ingredients:

1 chocolate cake mix
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 jar caramel ice cream topping, warmed.
1-8oz cool whip
4-5 Skor candy bars, crumbled

Directions:
1. Bake the cake according to the directions on the back of the box in a 9 X 13 pan. Let cake cool.
2. Poke holes into the top of the cake using the bottom of a wooden spoon.
3. Drizzle can of sweetened condensed milk and the warmed caramel topping over the top of the cake. The toppings should sink into the holes. Let cake cool completely.
4. Top the cake with the cool whip. Then sprinkle Skor crumbles and a little more caramel topping. Refrigerate and serve.

Deviled Eggs Recipe

2010-04-03T08:25:00.002-06:00

Ingredients:

10-12 eggs
1/3--1/2 cup mayonnaise...(remember you can always add more you can't take any out).
1/2 tsp prepared mustard
1 tsp pickle juice or 1/8 tsp dill weed
1/8 tsp garlic
1/4 tsp season salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
sprinkle paprika on top

1. Remove outer shell. Cut egg lengthwise and remove the yolk to a separate bowl.
2. Mash yolk with a fork and add mayonnaise, mustard, pickle juice or dill weed, and other spices. Top with paprika.

Decorative Easter Eggs

2010-04-02T08:16:00.000-06:00

It's a tradition in our family to color Easter eggs for Easter. I found several creative ways to put a little twist in your Easter basket. Having an Easter egg hunt? Having an Easter party? No matter how you are celebrating this Easter holiday, decorated eggs are a must have!

Tie Dye Easter Eggs:
Check out Family Fun, for further instructions click here.
Glitter Eggs: Is a fun sparkling alternative to paints and dyes. You can find further instructions here.

More fun Ideas:

Stripes: Secure a rubber band around your egg then place the egg in your dye. Once your eggs are dyed, gently towel dry and pull of the rubber bands. There will be clear stripes where the rubber band once was. If you want different colored stripes place into another dye once the rubber band is removed.

Lace Print: Tie a piece of lace around the egg and secure together with rubber band or a little glue. Dip your egg into the dye. Once the egg is removed and dried, remove the lace. An imprint of the lace will now be on the dyed egg.

Tips:

Boil eggs for 15 minutes and then let them dry and cool completely.
When you eggs are still warm, towel dry. Then you can use white crayon to write words or color pictures on your eggs before you dye them. Once the eggs are dyed your original works of art will appear.

Autism Awareness Day

2010-04-01T22:38:00.004-06:00

Tomorrow is the official World Autism Awareness day. Tonight April 1st prominent buildings across America and the world including the Empire State Building will be lit up blue to raise Autism awareness and to commemorate World Autism Awareness day tomorrow April 2nd. To find ways how you can light it up blue click HERE.

After a couple months of meeting with Pediatricians and Behavioral Psychologists, my 5 year old was recently diagnosed with Asperger's Autism.

I felt a little relieved to find out why certain behaviors were happening...and his diagnosis has helped give me direction on ways to work with and help him. I am however, scared about the stigma that comes with the diagnosis that he is a certain way and that he cannot be helped, or that this diagnosis will be an excuse for his behaviors. I am excited about his future I know that he is going to require a little more love, attention and patience then most children...but we are ready for it. He will need to be continually taught boundaries, and social norms. We love him so much and want the best life possible for him.
This is all so new to us so we are still finding out with this all means....if you are interested here is a pretty good link about what this diagnosis will mean for my son and to others like him with autism.

http://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/tc/aspergers-syndrome-symptoms

Autism now affects 1 in 110 children, and 1 in 70 boys...for my son and for every other parent and child with autism out there, I will be wearing blue on Friday April 2nd.

Easter Egg Hunt

2010-04-01T20:25:00.000-06:00

Every year it's a tradition to have an annual neighborhood Easter egg hunt.

Here are some tips on how to plan your Easter egg hunt:

The first step is to come up with a location...we have ours at a park just down the street.
Pick a date and time.
Send out invitations: Send out invitations about a week in advance. Or just spread the news by word of mouth.
We have everyone bring a sack lunch and spend the first 45 minutes eating lunch and playing in the park.
Have a craft: After the kids have eaten their lunches we will have a little activity or craft for them to do. We usually make a batch of egg shaped sugar cookies. If you have a large group you could assign a couple of people to make sugar cookies, so you don't have to make them all on your own.....bring candies such as jelly beans, M&M's, and sprinkles to decorate the sugar cookies.
End with the Easter egg hunt. In the invitation we will ask each family to bring a specific amount of candy filled eggs. We will usually have a starting line...we will let the little kids have a head start...kids 2 and under go for 30 seconds, then we release those who are ages 2-3 for 30 seconds, then release the rest of the kids.

April Fool's TV Dinner Cupcakes

2010-04-01T12:14:00.002-06:00

The month of April to me means sun, t-shirts and flip flops. I woke up to a couple inches of snow in my yard this morning...what a mean joke!

Growing up I have always been a little bit of a prankster. So it may not come as a surprise that I love April Fool's day. Happy pranking!

I saw this recipe over at Favorite Family Recipes for some TV dinner cupcakes and thought they would be such a cute idea for a family treat on April Fool's day.
If you would like further instructions on how to make them click HERE.

Sweat Block Giveaway

2010-03-30T14:14:00.009-06:00

After using Sweat Block my armpit sweat is completely eliminated. I am at ease and no longer have to worry about what I am wearing. No more wet armpits for me! I would highly recommend Sweat Block to anyone who might have problems in this area. Sweat Block made a huge difference in my self confidence!

How does Sweat Block work?

Each week before going to bed, apply the disposable pad thoroughly under the arm. Allow to air dry for a few minutes, and then go to bed.

During the night while you are asleep Sweat Block will form a chemical block in your sweat glands that will last a week. It will not wash off, it does not leave a film, and you won’t even know it’s there, except that you won’t be sweating. In the morning you can shower, shave and get on with your life, sweat free.

Sweat Block is offering one lucky reader a year supply of Sweat Block...that's 6 boxes valued at $120.

Here's How To Enter:
Make sure to follow link to Sweat Block. Then send an email with Sweat Block as the subject to gettogetherideas@gmail.com. In the body of the email enter your name and address. You have until Thursday, April 8th to enter...good luck!

We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas ..so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter our giveaway you get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:
1. Send the names of the people you referred with your entry
2. If they enter the contest you will receive an extra entry

Bonus:

Extra entry...link Get Together Ideas on your blog. Include the blog URL in the email to make sure you get your extra entry.
Receive an extra entry by subscribing to this blog. Enter email address and then hit subscribe (top right hand corner of page).

Make sure to send me an extra email telling me if you completed any of the bonus entries.

Congratulations to Wendy J. the winner of our Matilda Jane giveaway...courtesy or Random.org

Decorative Flip Flops

2010-03-28T14:13:00.004-06:00

With spring time here and warm weather just around the corner, I've packed up my winter boots and pulled out my sandals. One of my favorite things about spring is flip flops! I found several cute ways to take an ordinary pair of flip flops and make them extraordinary. Perfect craft idea for a girls night out, birthday party, or just for fun!

Interchangeable Flip Flop Straps: I found this super cute tutorial over at Make It and Love It...check it out.What you will need:

One pair of flip flops
Some velcro
Colored ribbon
Accessory that puts you in the mood for spring

Rag/Ribbon Flip Flops:

Measure and cut fabric strips/ribbon 1/2" wide by 6 inches long. The length you need will be determined by how long you want the strips to be. Tie a fabric rag strip/ribbon around one of the flip-flop straps. Alternate the direction of the knot on each consecutive fabric rag strip/ribbon. Push the tied knots together and continue to cover the flip-flop--you can cover straps completely or only partially. Keep the knots positioned on top of the flip-flop straps and fluff.

Balloon flip flops:These flip flops are quick and easy to make. You can find a great tutorial over at The Craft Junkie...check it out.
Fuzzy Crocheted Decorative Flip-Flops:
I found a super cute tutorial for fuzzy flip flops over at Marlo's Crochet Corner.

Crepes Recipe

2010-03-26T17:39:00.000-06:00

Ingredients:

4 eggs
2 cup milk
1 1/3 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 tsp. vegetable oil

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in the blender. Blend until smooth. If you don't want the crepes sweet take out the vanilla and the sugar. Cover and refrigerate up to 1 hour. Heat pan over medium heat. Spray with cooking spray/oil or butter the bottom. Pour about 1/2 cup of batter into the pan, slightly tilting the pan until it has covered the entire surface. Cook until golden on both sides.

Filling ideas:

Strawberries, cream (see below) and drizzled with warm strawberry jam.
Nutella, peanut butter and bananas
Scrambled eggs and sausage, bacon or ham, and cheese....top with sour cream and salsa or ketchup.
Vanilla ice cream with caramel and chocolate sauce

Cream Instructions: Tastes great with sweet crepes and fruit.

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1/3-1/2 cup white sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice

Directions: Mix all ingredients and beat until smooth.

Thalia's Peanut Butter Bars

2010-03-24T10:03:00.000-06:00

My sister-in-law shared this yummy recipe with me...they are delicious!

Ingredients:

1 cup butter or margarine
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 cups oatmeal
1 tsp. soda

Directions: Mix all ingredients together and press into a large cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for about 10-12 minutes don't overcook. It should look lightly brown on top.

Frosting ingredients:

1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/4 cup peanut butter
1 3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 Tbsp. Milk
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions: Beat all ingredients together...layer on top of the peanut butter bars. Delicious!!

Crocheted Rag Rug

2010-03-23T08:16:00.001-06:00

I just can't get enough of making new stuff out of something that was old and unwanted. My Aunt taught me how to make rag rugs back when I was just a kid. I was happy to find a great tutorial for a crocheted rag rug over at Vintage Chica...check it out!

What you will need:

material, lots of rags, old worn clothes or sheeting...(I have even made one out of old jeans).
large crochet hook (I use a 11.5 size)
ruler
scissors

For further instructions check out Vintage Chica!

Matilda Jane Giveaway

2010-03-20T23:13:00.001-06:00

I am so excited about this giveaway! Matilda Jane is another unique clothing line that I have fallen in love with. I think that their kids and women line are absolutely fabulous. I love the colors, textures, and styles of each item.

Matilda Jane clothing was designed with the little girl in mind. The clothing was created for a girl to feel comfortable, but to also be proud of the way she looks. You can't find Matilda Jane clothing in any retail stores you can only purchase the brand through an in home trunk show. Each collection has a limited amount of items to be sold...you don't have to worry about every other girl in the neighborhood wearing the same outfit. If you are interested in purchasing something you will need to contact your local trunk keeper, and attend a trunk show in your area. I will be hosting a trunk show at my home in south, Utah County, UT, on March 3oth from 6-8 pm. If any readers are interested in attending the trunk show leave me a comment with a way to contact you and I will give you further details. Utah trunk keeper is Ashlee Alex, you can contact her directly at ashleea@matildajaneclothing.com.

There are many great benefits to being the hostess of a trunk show. Perks Earned for Guest Purchases: Benefits start at $300 in sales. Hostess benefits--$500 in sales equals 2 items at 50% off and $25 spare change. And the benefits just keep going up from there. Matilda Jane is offering one lucky reader a $50 dollar gift certificate towards their clothing line.

How To Enter:
Make sure to follow link to Matilda Jane. Then send an email with Matilda Jane as the subject to gettogetherideas@gmail.com. In the body of the email enter your name and address and answer the following question: What is your favorite item that Matilda Jane sells? You have until Saturday April 3rd at midnight to enter....Good luck!
We want to spread the word about Get Together Ideas ..so if you refer someone to gettogetherideas.com and they enter our giveaway you get an extra entry.

How to get an extra entry:
1. Send the names of the people you referred with your entry
2. If they enter the contest you will receive an extra entry

Bonus:

Extra entry...link Get Together Ideas on your blog. Include the blog URL in the email to make sure you get your extra entry.
Receive an extra entry by subscribing to this blog. Enter email address and then hit subscribe (top right hand corner of page).

Congratulations to Chacoy A. the winner of our Cosette's Closet giveaway...courtesy of random.org

Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue

2010-03-20T13:38:00.002-06:00

This recipe gives a little twist from the basic barbecue chicken. You can even throw in the chicken breasts frozen. This recipe is really good served over baked potato and sour cream.

Ingredients:

6 frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 (12 ounce) bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
1/2 cup Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Directions:

Place chicken in slow cooker. Pour over chicken the BBQ sauce, dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce.
Cover, and cook 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 hours on low. About an hour before serving shed chicken and then continue to cook until served.