A Rainbow of Summer Fun - Skittles® Push Pops

 This fun, summer-inspired, recipe shop with Skittles® has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ShareFunshine #CollectiveBias

Skittles® Push Pops take just a few minutes to assemble and combine pre-made pound cake, frozen whipped topping, fruit and colorful Skittles®! Just top with sprinkles and a cherry and you have a quick and fun backyard treat.

Summer always inspires me to to make fun treats to share with friends and family. Of course, even treats should be fast and easy. The colorful rainbow of Skittles® inspired me to create this simple and light treat. Because we work and play hard all summer long, I like to serve up something fun at the end of the day.

Aren't they cute?

For even more fun, be sure to enter the Funshine Sweepstakes below for your chance to win a Walmart e-gift card. See the widget for more details and your chance to enter.

Share a Little Funshine Sweepstakes

I picked up a whole bunch of great Funshine products at Walmart. I stocked up on Dr Pepper® Vanilla Float, M&M's® Plain, Pedigree Dentastix® Beef Flavor, Starburst®, Life Savers® Hard Candy and, of course, Skittles®. Be sure to Download the Blippar app from your Apple or Android store to scan your packages and receive exclusive content.

Okay, back to those Push Pops!

Grab all your ingredients and start assembling. I like to use one of my extra push-pop containers to cut my pound cake.

Then the fun begins. I started my push pops with a layer of pound cake, whipped topping and then candy. The whipped topping helps to hold the candy in place.

Isn't that pretty?

To finish my push-pops I layered on another slice of pound cake, then whipped topping and assorted frozen berries.

To decorate I added just a little more whipped topping, multi-colored sprinkles and a cherry with a stem. The best part is, these will not melt in the heat. They will go a little soft, but are perfect for a backyard party or a treat to pack along to the park.

Skittles® Push Pops

You Will Need:

• Skittles®
• pre-made pound cake, sliced thin
• frozen whipped topping, at room temperature
• fresh or frozen fruit
• multi-colored sprinkles
• maraschino cherries

Start with a layer of cake, then add whipped topping and then candy. Repeat with a layer of fruit then top with more whipped topping, sprinkles and a cherry.

Tips: Cut the pound cake with an extra push pop mold for a perfect fit. Pipe the whipped topping into the molds with a zip top baggie. Just snip a small corner of the bag to pipe with. 

Enjoy! 

Click here to receive instant savings on M&M's®, SNICKERS® Ice Cream Bars, Dr Pepper® Cherry, Skittles®, Pedigree Dentastix®! I'd love to hear your favorite ideas for making summer FUN!

4 Simple Breakfast Hacks To Make Summer Smoother

 This breakfast solution shop for busy families has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WrapNGo #CollectiveBias

In the flurry of summertime activities, Jr. Golf, Cub Scout Day Camp, playdates and doctor's appointments, breakfast can be a Mom's worst nightmare when trying to get the family out the door fast. My kids are always up for cereal, but it is cold and far too messy for the car. My kids prefer a hot breakfast and my daughter is particular to pancakes, but when do I have time for that on a weekday morning?

Instead my breakfast strategy for on the go mornings changed. I have 4 easy breakfast hacks that any Mom can prepare ahead of time. With these tricks, you can have the family out the door with a delicious breakfast in hand in no time at all.

...And be sure to keep reading to learn how to save money with the Ibotta coupon app on your next grocery trip!

Simple Breakfast Hack #1:

Holy hand-held-goodness-on-a-stick! 

Foster Farms®, a brand I love, has a new breakfast option, Foster Farms® Pancake Wraps. All the goodness of a Foster Farms® turkey link wrapped in sweet pancake batter. And the best part, it comes on a handy stick.

My kids will eat anything presented to them on a stick and I love how portable this makes a warm breakfast. It is a delicious way to make our busiest mornings run smoother, and I think it is something we can "stick" with.

Simple Breakfast Hack #2:

Buy pre-frozen smoothie mixes that only require juice, or freeze your own fruit/vegetable mixes ahead of time in small zip topped bags. I mix 2 cups of our favorite frozen fruit with a cup of juice to make enough smoothies for the whole family in the morning.

See how easy it is to have a fruit smoothie, turkey sausage and pancakes for the whole family even when you are pressed for time?

Simple Breakfast Hack #3:

Serve your Foster Farms® Pancake Wraps poked through a cupcake wrapper to catch any syrup drips after dipping. I promise your car upholstry will thank me! 

Then to make this easy breakfast even more portable, put a small amount of syrup in a re-sealable plastic container and take the smoothie to go in a bottle with a wide straw and bite valve. True, the kids may through the containers on the floor after they are finished, but at least the contents will stay safely in their containers.

I found the new Foster Farms® Pancake Wraps Original Sausage at my local Walmart in the freezer section. Also keep an eye out for the Pancake Bacon, Egg and Cheese variety. I can't wait to try those myself! 

Simple Breakfast Hack #4:

And if you want to save money on your breakfast purchases, be sure to download the Ibotta coupon app. Hey, everything goes more smoothly when you have more money in your wallet, right? Right now you can  "Buy 1 package of either variety and get $1.00 off" coupon. 

Using the app is easy! Just,

1. Download the free app for your smartphone.
2. Search for the product under "Foster Farms®"
3. Select your coupon and complete the task asked, then scan the barcode to verify the product.

There are so many coupons and rebates to choose from, it is a great way to start saving on your next grocery trip.

Now that I have shared my 4 Simple Breakfast Hacks, I would love to hear what tricks you have for getting your family fed and out the door quickly.

What tricks work with your family?

How to Create a Personalized Shadow Box

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ProjectAmazing #CollectiveBias

I know it sounds cliche, but my kids are growing up so fast! Seems like just yesterday I was picking out toys, dolls and clothing for my daughter, but at 6, she has a big personality just waiting to share with the world. She has opinions and things she collects and treasures.

Currently, she loves ballet, anything pink and butterflies.

I have been wanting to create a shadow box for her, made up of her favorite things, to display on the wall of her room.This past weekend I decided to finally create one. And you know, it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. I just needed to find the right supplies for my project.

I searched for the perfect shadow box first. It is times like these that I wish I was better at woodworking. I was eventually able to find a shadow box though, that was 2 inches deep. Perfect for all sorts of items and souvenirs. It also had an added feature, it opens in front, and is kept closed with magnets. I love that it will be easy to update and change as she gets older.

Then I picked up a variety of tools to use to put the shadow box together.

I picked up several new items to help me create a shadow box. I picked up a Scotch® Titanium Utility Knife, perfect for opening craft packaging and cutting through tape. It was much more precise than a general box cutter. There were black grips along each side for easy handling. I kept it handy, because while crafting there are always little bits and things that need to be cut or trimmed.

For the back of my shadow box, I cute pink and grey scrapbook paper to fit my box. I secured it to the back of my project with the mini pushpins that were provided in the shadow box.

I knew with my daughter's love of butterflies they would have ot be included in this project. I cut out a few simple shapes with my Silhouette and then added a little pink glitter to dress them up. My daughter also contributed a pink butterfly she created this summer.

I put the 2-peice butterfly together with Scotch® Permanent Double Sided Tape. I love that it doesn't need to "dry" and will keep all my paper goods right where I want them.

I also used the Scotch® Permanent Double Sided Tape to create a little mini-banner with my daughter's name on it. The letters were cut off of a peice of scrapbook paper. I cut the pink paper into triangles and taped the letters on top. With a little kitchen twine and mini clothespins, my banner was ready.

Since I had so much depth in the shadow box I used Command™ Clear Hooks and Strips in mini size to place on the sides of my box. Since they can be removed without residue or damage and rehaning is so simple, I will be able to remove or reposition these for a later design.

I tied a simple knot around the clear hooks to hold the banner in place. The clear hooks are covered by the trim around the front of my box.

Then I added a few more details to the box. I printed out the meaning of my daughter's name. Audrey means, "Noble Strength". I also included a few trinkets my daughter has been saving, a crochet heart I made her for last Valentine's Day, a clothespin doll I painted for her, and her first pair of ballet shoes.

I used Scotch® Permanent Mounting Squares to add the ballet shoes to the box. They can hold heavier object, up to a pound, and are great for handing project. so I will be using them to add my oldest son's Pinewood Derby Car to his shadow box. Yes, once I made one for my daughter, I knew I had to make one for each of my boys as well.

So, is there someone in your life who would like to have a shadow box? Here are my top 3 tips for creating a personalized shadow box:

1. Find a shadow box deep enough for the items you want to display. I used a box that was 2" deep in order to hold my daughter's ballet shoes.
2. Grab the right tools for the job. There are a variety of Scotch® Brand products and Command™ Brand products perfect for creating the perfect shadow box. I like to keep them on hand for all my craft projects.
3. Gather and mix a variety of items. Feel free to mix paper, souveniers and sentimental items to personalize your shadow box. Don't be shy about using the depth and size of objects to make a unique arrangement.

My daughter just loves her shadow box and we already have a spot in her room all picked out to display it. Now I just need to find the time to make one for each of my boys. 

If you decide to create your own shadow box, be sure to check out the crafting aisle at Walmart for a selection of 3M products, now in a handy new location. Same products I love, new, convenient in-store location. Like they say, no matter the task, there's a Scotch® Brand product to match. And from spray adhesives to masking tapes, there is whole range of products for every crafting situation.

How would you personalize a shadow box?

Looking for more amazing summer craft ideas? Be sure to check out the Scotch® Brand #ProjectAmazing hub with even more fun craft ideas http://cbi.as/el2z

Malibu Chicken Sandwiches - A Grilling Favorite!

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc.  its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FireUpTheGrill #CollectiveBias

Our grill is currently getting quite the workout! I took a childhood favorite of mine, Malibu Chicken, and turned it into an amazing grilled chicken sandwich with grilled pineapple and crunchy sweet red baby bell peppers served on a ciabatta bun. Mmm... summer perfection on a plate!

As a child, there were a few go-to meals I would always order when we ate out. Malibu Chicken was one of those. The combination of Swiss cheese, tangy ham and a sweet mustard sauce was my favorite way to dress up a simple chicken breast. Just recently I was thinking about that Malibu Chicken, but I wanted to make it summer friendly by throwing it on a bun with a few more veggies and sweet grilled pineapple.

Did it work?

Yes! I think this twist on my childhood favorite is even better than the original. My secret weapon is marinading the chicken breasts in buttermilk first to keep them tender and juicy.

Honestly, buttermilk just makes it better. Marinating the chicken ahead of grilling keeps the chicken breast really moist and flavorful. No one enjoys dry grilled chicken, right? I just added salt and pepper, a little garlic and paprika to the buttermilk.

My other sandwich addition was to throw on some grilled pineapple. My kids are obsessed with the warm, juicy slices of grilled pineapple right now. Just throw them on the hot grill before cooking the chicken. (I like to add them to a clean grill.) Grill marks are optional, though always fun, as long as the pineapple is warmed through and starts to carmelize, they will be amazing.

And then throw on the chicken! I didn't do anything extra to these boneless, skinless chicken breasts other then the marinade and then a little salt and pepper.

But the real stars of this meal were all the great Kraft brand items I picked up my local Walmart. In fact, I was able to pick up Kool-Aid and a fresh Walmart Marketside Ceasar Salad kit to pull this all together for an easy weeknight meal outside.

With a warm grilled sandwich, side salad, and cold drink, does it get much more "summer" than that?

So once the chicken wsa cooked through, I piled on a few slices of Oscar Mayer Selects Natural Applewood Smoked Ham and topped it with a Kraft Big Slice of Swiss cheese. Just an additional minute or two on the grill and the cheese was sufficiently melted.

Then it was time to create my perfect Malibu Chicken sandwich! I picked up lettuce as well as red baby bell peppers for my sandwich, again all at Walmart. Don't you love it when you can get everything in one stop?

I put a little Kraft Real Mayo down first and then started to layer my ingredients on the fresh ciabatta buns.

And since I am a fan of sweet bell peppers and pineapple together, I thought it would add the perfect 'crunch' to my sandwich. We are loving those cute little baby bell peppers right now. My kids love to snack on them plain, but they also work well to throw into recipes.

Then I served up my Malibu Chicken Sandwich with my side Ceasar salad and a big glass of Kool-Aid. Yum!

Malibu Chicken Sandwich

You will need:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 c. buttermilk
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 2 tsp. paprika
• salt & pepper to taste
• 8 pineapple rings (2 per sandwich), drained and patted dry
• 4 slices Kraft BIG Slice Swiss Cheese
• 8 slices Oscar Mayer Selects Natural Applewood Smoked Ham
• 2 red baby bell peppers, sliced
• lettuce
• Kraft Real Mayo
• Sweet Mustard Sauce

Sweet Mustard Sauce

• 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp. Kraft Real Mayo
• 1 tsp. yellow mustard
• 1 tsp. honey
• 1/2 tsp. Worchestershire sauce

Whisk together the buttermilk, garlic, paprika and salt and pepper in a dish. Marinade the chicken in the buttermilk mixture for up to 4 hours.

Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.

Spray the grill with non-stick spray and then grill the pineapple slices for 2-3 minutes per side. Keep an eye on them so they don't burn.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Grill the chicken for 5 minutes on the first side. Then flip with tongs and grill till the chicken is cooked through. Check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. When done, place two slices of ham on each chicken breast. Top with a slice of Swiss cheese. Cover for a minute or until the cheese just starts to melt. Remove from the grill.

To create the Sweet Mustard Sauce, whisk together the Dijon mustard, Kraft Real Mayo, yellow mustard, honey and Worchestershire sauce. Set aside or chill until you are ready to assemble the sandwiches.

To assemble, spread ciabatta buns with Kraft Real Mayo. Place a lettuce leaf on the bottom, top with a chicken breast, then top with 2 pineapple slices and sliced red pepper. Drizzle the Sweet Mustard over the chicken breast and top with the remaining bun.

Enjoy!

And don't forget to grab all the ingredients for this summer meal idea at Walmart. They have have a great selection of Kraft brands as well as Marketside sides and a fresh produce section to help you pull it all together like a pro.

And if you are looking for even more great grilling recipe ideas? Ccheck out the Kraft digital cookbook full of inspiration for your summer meals.

Blackberry Vanilla Bean Milkshakes

This Blackberry Vanilla Bean Milkshake recipe shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SunsOutSpoonsOut #CollectiveBias

As a child we spent many summer weekends exploring the trails and waterfalls around southern Oregon. After a long morning hike, we would head in for lunch or dinner at a little place on the way home called, Munchies. They specialized in big hefty portions and catered to the log truck drivers passing through their rural community as well as hikers and tourists like us, In a tiny unassuming building you could enjoy fresh cut fries and burgers well suited for big appetites."Munchie", the stuffed beaver mascot was always dressed differently, and yes, that is still a vivid childhood memory. You don't soon forget a beaver wearing shades and a sun hat!  I loved several of their menu items but always looked forward to their seasonal blackberry milkshake.

It wasn't just a regular milkshake. No, it was bursting with seaonal Oregon blackberries, had ribbons of thick blackberry syrup and lots of big fresh blackberries in the milkshake cup. The milkshake itself was thick and smooth, just dotted with plump fruit.

It was the stuff childhood dreams are made of...

The nearby burger and sandwich hut has changed hands a few times and gone are the seasonal treats like fresh blackberry milkshakes. *sigh*

But, I still wanted to share the experience with my kids. So this past weekend we jumped in the car and headed to the berry patch to pick fresh blackberries for a special summer treat. Cold milkshakes are one of my favorite parts of summer fun. It has been a scorcher so far in Oregon. We don't typically get this hot, this fast. So both the people and berries have suffered a little. As you can see, picking was a little slim...

But, you promise 3 kids ice cream and then send them out to pick and somehow... they find enough berries for milkshakes.

My daughter is always fashionable, but we all had glasses and hats to stave off the hot weather we have been experiencing.

I know, some of you are more prepared for triple digits during summertime. Here that isn't supposed to be a common occurrence. Oregon is usually a bit cooler... and a whole lot wetter!

My oldest is such a big help when it comes to picking. He is also very good about sampling as he picks. I love the tell-tale berry streaks on his sun-kissed cheeks.

Of course, to make the perfect Blackberry Vanilla Bean Milkshake you need to use the best ice cream. I went with Blue Bunny Vanilla Bean because a milkshake is only as good as the ice cream used in it. It was also an excellent way to motivate my picking crew!

I recently stocked up on several flavors of Blue Bunny Ice Cream because, well... it is summer! There are so many fun ways to enjoy ice cream on a hot summer day. I also picked up regular vanilla and will be using that for a fun bundt cake recipe next week. I love the idea of using ice cream for baking. Stay tuned for all the fun and a new recipe coming soon.

Okay, back to that amazing milkshake!  Nothing is better than a sweet blackberry vanilla bean milkshake at the peak of berry season! And I love Blue Bunny because of it's rich flavor and smooth texture. I also appreciate how easily it scoops.

Let's get started, shall we?

Blackberry Vanilla Bean Milkshakes

You will need:

• 3 c. fresh blackberries, rinsed + a handful for garnishing
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. corn starch
• water - enough to dissolve the cornstarch
• 3 large scoops of Blue Bunny Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
• 3 oz. milk

Place 2 cups of fresh blackberries and sugar in a small saucepan. Let the berries come up to a simmer, stir to dissolve the sugar. Add more sugar as necessary for your berries. Add a little water to the cornstarch and dissolve completely with your finger to break up any clumps. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the berry sauce until thickened. Set the pan aside and allow to cool.

In a blender add the Blue Bunny Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and milk, pulse till smooth. Add in 1 cup of fresh berries and pulse slightly to break up the berries.

To serve, add a little milkshake mixture to your cup and then add a heaping spoonful of berry sauce, keep alternating until the glass is full. Top with a fresh blackberry and a straw or spoon.

Enjoy!

I have to admit, a hot day of picking berries is much more enjoyable when it ends with ice cream. I am pretty sure as long as I have Blue Bunny Ice Cream on hand, my kids will help me with all our local farm adventures.

You can find a big selection of Blue Bunny Ice Cream, like Vanilla Bean, at your local Walmart. Also be on the look-out for 4th of July in-store demos with Blue Bunny and Chips Ahoy. Oh, boy! Doesn't that sound amazing? Check the store list to see if there will be a demo coming to a Walmart near you.

Be sure to check out all the flavors at BlueBunny.com. You can also check out all the other great #SunsOutSpoonsOut recipe ideas. I'd love to hear your favorite!