Summer Treats & Weekly Link Party

Summer is a great time to whip up scrumptious treats! The season is filled with backyard barbecues, neighborhood block parties, and cookouts that all beg for a sweet summer treat. From frozen to baked, here are several desserts that are sure to end your summer events on a sweet note.

The kids and I will certainly be trying out some of these recipes this summer. Which one would you and your family love?

1. Birthday Cake Ice Cream / From Playdates to Parties
What better way to top off a hot summer day than with a bowl of ice cream? And this homemade birthday cake ice cream looks delicious!

2. Reese's Peanut Butter Cupcakes / Simply Stacie
Chocolate and peanut butter are always a delicious combination. Here they're brought together for decadent cupcakes.

3. Bourbon Butterscotch Apple Pie / The Simple Sweet Life
Apple pie this summer? Yes, please! And this one looks amazing!

4. Boysenberry Thumbprint Cookies / 5 Minutes for Mom
Grab the kids and create memories and a tasty treat with these thumbprint cookies!

5. Raspberry Coconut Pops / From Playdates to Parties
What's summer without popsicles? And homemade pops like these are the best kind!

6. Coconut Macaroon Cookies / Crafting a Family
These cookies are a coconut lover's dream! One of my favorite parts is that the bottoms are dipped in chocolate. Yum!

7. S'mores Bites / The Country Chic Cottage
Few treats scream summer the way s'mores do! Enjoy a new twist on a favorite classic with these S'mores Bites.

You might also enjoy...

Frozen Pudding Bites

Fruit Frozen Yogurt Bark

Banana Split Brownie Bites

Now it's time for...

Mason Jar Ideas & Weekly Link Party

There is so much that you can do with mason jars! The molded glass jars with their metal rings and disc-shaped lids were invented in the mid 1800's and originally used for canning and preserving food. In more recent times, their uses have branched out to crafts, storage, organization, and even home decor.

Sure! You can still use them for canning like in the homemade jam recipe shared below. BUT there are so many other fun uses for glass mason jars! In this post, you'll find other creative ideas including some crafts inspired by the simple and timeless jars. Oh, and each one of these makes an ideal gift for family, friends, and neighbors. Whether for yourself or as a gift, enjoy these fun mason jar ideas!

Do you have a creative use for mason jars? Share it with us! We'd love to hear about it in the comments below. Oh, and don't forget to link up your own crafts, recipes, and family-friendly posts at this week's link party.

1. Mason Jar Planter Box / Abbotts at Home
This Mason Jar Planter Box would make the perfect centerpiece for a table! The flowers could be changed seasonally for a decor piece that could be kept out all year long. So cute!

2. Scripture Cookies in a Jar / Gluesticks
Here's a fun idea that you can get the kids involved with! Be sure to click on over for all the details and the fun printable to go with it.

3. Mason Jar String Art / Find It, Make It, Love It
Take string art to a new level with these creative sting art mason jars! Slip artificial flowers through the top of string-drawn jars and they're sure to add a touch of whimsy to your home! Oh, and don't sweat this being too challenging. The ladies over at Find It, Make It, Love It have a printable template for you--making it a super easy craft to try.

4. Mason Jar Garden Flag / The Country Chic Cottage
Welcome all your guests with this adorable flag! I love that it says, "Welcome, y'all!" because that's exactly how we say it here in the South.

5. Homemade Strawberry Jam / The Life of Jennifer Dawn
Made from scratch and canned in mason jars, this jam is simple and easy to mix up for your family. Oh, and don't forget to make a few extra jars to share with others!

Now it's time for...

Super Fun Activities to Keep Kids Busy ALL Summer Long & Weekly Link Party

Summer break is almost here! Below you'll find enough snacks, crafts, educational materials, and activities to keep the kids busy all summer long! There's no reason to hear, "Mom, I'm bored!" with these super fun and simple activities. Be sure to pin this post so you can refer back to it anytime you need a little inspiration this summer. Ready to play and learn with the kids? Here are some great ways to keep the kids engaged and build memories that'll last long after summer is over.

Counting around clockwise, here they are!

1. Taste Safe Sensory Play Mud / A Little Pinch of Perfect
Ready for mud pies? You can be with this quick and easy recipe for a sensory dough that looks like mud but it's taste safe.

2. Playdough Math Activities / Living Montessori Now
Break out the playdough and enjoy these fun and interactive learning mats!

3. Unicorn Milkshake / The Country Chic Cottage
Unicorns have definitely been trending lately. Here's a fun recipe that the kids and you can make together! It's a magical way to cool off on a hot day.

4. White & Dark Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies / Crafting a Family
It just wouldn't feel like summer without some homemade treats! Here's a unique twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie that's sure to be a winning recipe with the kids.

5. Book Activities for Zoey and Sassafras / Syncopated Mama
I recently got this book for my daughter, and I can't even begin to tell you how much we are loving it! Here's another mama that loves it too! Click on over to enjoy the free printables she has created for the book. It's a must for your child's summer reading list!

6. Measurement Garden / A Little Pinch of Perfect
Bring science and math together with this fun garden activity!

7. Space Sensory Bottle / The Chaos and the Clutter
Have a child who loves space? This space-themed sensory bottle would be an out of this world activity for them to make and play with.

8. Jello Science Experiments / The Chaos and the Clutter
Who says you can't play with your food? Here are several learning activities and experiments that all call for Jello!

9. Rainy Cloud Craft / A Little Pinch of Perfect
There's bound to be some rainy days this summer. And when they come, this is the perfect craft to make with the kids!

10. Ocean Sensory Bin / Living Life & Learning
The ocean is at your child's fingertips with this amazing sensory activity. I can see this turning into hours of fun!

11. Free Geography Printables / Hip Homeschool Moms
Travel the world this summer with these fun and educational activities! Well, at least pretend to... From biomes to ancient civilizations, there is so much to learn!

12. Grow Your Children's Book Collection / Simply September
One of the best things your kids can do this summer to prevent summer slide is to READ! Here are some tips on how to grow your kids' library and encourage them to love reading. Adventures await in the pages of a book!

13. Flower Stamping Potato Craft / A Little Pinch of Perfect
Here's a fun activity to go along with Eric Carle's popular book The Tiny Seed. I love when art and literacy collide.

14. Glitter Slime / Living Life & Learning
Here's another activity that's been super popular--SLIME! The best part is that it only requires four ingredients to mix a batch up.

Even MORE Fun!

Snacks

Breakfast Banana Pops
Fruity Frozen Pudding Bites
Fruity Frozen Yogurt Bark
Trail Mix Station

Sensory Doughs and Play Doughs

Birthday Cake Playdough
Foam Dough
Ice Cream Sensory Dough
Moon Sand
No-cook Play Dough
Scented Dough
Slime Dough
Taste-safe Oatmeal Playdough

Crafts

Collage Craft
Coloring Book Pillows
Coloring Pages
DIY Fairy Village
DIY Stamps for Kids
Melted Pony Bead Jewelry
Painted Picture Frame Craft
Treasure Jewel Magnets

More!
Memory Match Game
Printable Chore Chart for Kids

Now it's time for...

Ice Cream Pie

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

As the weather heats up, the treats get colder. Cool off this season with this super simple and scrumptious recipe for Ice Cream Pie made with Blue Bunny® ice cream.

My kids and I love to spend a lot of time outside during the spring and summer months. There are picnics, cookouts, playdates at the park, trips to the zoo, and just good, old-fashioned backyard fun. Even today we're spending most of the day outside getting the new chicken coop ready for our hens and working out in the garden.

All of this time outside time calls for some cold treats to cool off with. Blue Bunny® ice cream--our favorite--is a delicious way to top off a day well spent. The flavorful ice cream that my family loves can be enjoyed in a whole new way with this super simple recipe for Ice Cream Pie!

DIY Mother's Day Gift Ideas & Weekly Link Party

Mother's Day is almost here! Handmade gifts are my favorite to give and receive on this special day dedicated to honoring mothers. Below you'll find several creative ideas to make and gift. So if you're still looking for the perfect gift for your mother, grandmother, aunt, or honorary mom in your life, you'll hopefully find some lovely inspiration right here. Oh, and if your husband or children are a little stumped on what you might like for Mother's Day, don't be shy about sending the links to these ideas right over to them. Wink. Wink.

Happy mother's day to all the sweet mommas who read and follow along with this blog. I know things have been super slow around here, but I promise great things are coming. You get it, though. Because most of you are moms, too! There's just never enough time in a day. Hopefully, you'll find a few moments to yourself to check out these fantastic gift ideas!

Counting around clockwise, here they are!
1. Silhouette Locket Necklace / Lolly Jane
Mom can keep the sweet silhouettes of the ones she loves close to her heart with this creative craft idea! Oh, and these gorgeous necklaces are a lot easier to make than you might think. I can't wait to give this a try!

2. Lavender Goat's Milk Soap / Life-N-Reflection
Click on over to find this lavender soap recipe and four other lovely gift ideas for mom.

3. Crochet Coasters / Annmarie's Haakblog
These sweet coasters pair perfectly with mom's tea or coffee. Wouldn't it be fun to create an entire gift basket of tea or coffee and tuck these inside?

4. Mason Jar Succulents / Lolly Jane
How cute are these?! Be sure to also print off the gift tags that go with this simply adorable gift idea.

5. Beeswax Lotion / The Country Chic Cottage
Maybe mom or grandma would love a homemade lotion! Here's a nourishing, homemade recipe to try. It's the DIY version of Burt's Bees!

6. Mother's Day Art Printable / Lolly Jane
Simply print, frame, and gift! Pair it with some beautiful fresh flowers and you have the perfect gift for mom!

7. Color Block Water Bottle Holder / Gluesticks
Here's a fun sewing project to make for the active mom who's on the go. Water bottles never looked so good!

8. Tablescape / An Extraordinary Day
How about a special meal for mom? Click on over to find beautiful tablescape ideas for Mother's Day.

9. Orange Bath Bombs / Gluesticks
Give mom the gift of relaxation with these sweet-smelling, homemade bath bombs.

10. Mother's Day Coloring Pages / Simply September
Here's a perfect gift for the kids to make. Simple print and let them take over from there! The end result is work of art that's sure to be cherished.

Now it's time for...

Simple Ways to Add Farmhouse Charm to Your Home & Weekly Link Party

The Farmhouse Style is white hot right now! You don't have to live on a farm to embrace the look, though. It's easy to capture the charm of the Farmhouse Style with the simple and stunning ideas featured below. From mason jar decor, cotton, and even lush, green wreaths, you're sure to find something that would bring the style to your home. And, hey, these ideas might even give you a hankerin' for a few chickens. Not ready to take it that far? Okay, just enjoy the inspiration below...

1. Mason Jar Wall Hangings / Grillo Designs
These are a great way to add interest to a room. I could seem them used as candle holders or even planters. The choice is yours!

2. Farmhouse Front Porch / Thistlewood Farms
What an impressive front porch! Add farmhouse charm while boosting the curb appeal with these great ideas.

3. Numbered Dresser / Diane & Dean DIY
How charming is this?! Click on over to learn how to transfer letters onto wood without using stencils. It's a technique you might just want to try again and again.

4. Farmhouse Shelves / Lolly Jane
These ladies show that the Farmhouse Style doesn't have to just include neutrals. Add pops of color and farmhouse style with their terrific tips!

5. Herb Garden Planter / The Country Chic Cottage
Whether you place this herb garden in the kitchen or out on the porch, it's sure to add a little rustic farmhouse feel to your home.

You might also enjoy this tutorial for a DIY Magnolia Wreath that can be made for less than $15!

Now it's time for...

Breakfast Quesadillas

"I want hot breakfast today, mommy! Peeease!" pleads my youngest child.
"Yes, HOT breakfast!" pipe in the older two.
"Alright. Go feed the chickens and check for more eggs and I'll get started on cooking these," I reply with a chuckle.

This scene plays out frequently during our morning hours together. There are some mornings we have a cold breakfast of yogurt, fresh fruit, cereal, or breakfast bars for the sake of convenience or time. BUT my kids' favorite way to start the day is with a warm, home cooked meal that they fondly call hot breakfast.

One of the many perks of getting to stay home with my kids and homeschooling them is being able to leisurely enjoy breakfast together. The meal I'm sharing with you today is the best of both worlds. It's warm and delicious, but it's also quick and easy to prepare. Today we're enjoying Breakfast Quesadillas!

Our family has hens that give us fresh eggs every day. With such a plentiful supply of eggs, I'm always coming up with new ways to cook them. Breakfast quesadillas are one of those delicious ways. They are super simple to make and the whole family LOVES them.

One of the best things about this recipe is that you can enjoy the quesadillas right away or freeze them to enjoy later. They make a tasty convenient freezer meal. Simply prepare the quesadillas ahead of time, freeze, thaw, and cook on a morning when you need a quick, warm meal. They'll be done in minutes--getting even the busiest mornings off to a delicious start. This morning we're cooking them up and enjoying them freshly-made.

Let's talk about ingredients. This recipe lends itself to plenty of substitutions making it simple to prepare with what you already have handy. I'm using farm fresh eggs and produce. I'm also using sliced cheeses and meat in some of the quesadillas. These quesadillas can be made to order with the ingredients that each person prefers. That's makes them a winning recipe for everyone!

Ready to get your morning off to a great start with this delicious, healthy recipe? Grab the ingredients listed below and let's get started!