Seussa Paloosa Cupcakes {Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss}

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear Dr. Seuss,

Happy Birthday to you!

Dr. Seuss was born March 2, 1904! If he were still here, he would be 107 years old! Can you iMaGiNe? Think about how many more amazing books would be out there if he were still around! Dr. Seuss is among our favorite authors. We love Seuss' pure silliness! The crazy words and mixed up pictures make it soooooooo much FUN for my kiddos to get into! So, last year, when my oldest found out that it was Dr. Seuss' big day (he may actually still think the Cat in the Hat is Dr.Seuss), he wanted to share the celebration with his preschool friends. So, we made some Seussa Paloosa Cupcakes! They had to be red and white, just like THE CAT'S hat. Rather than monkeying around with red food coloring, we decided to try adding bright color and yummy flavor with Jello. Here's what we did:

Seussa Paloosa Cupcakes

Baked some plain old vanilla cupcakes. We let them cool for 15 minutes before using a straw to poke holes in each of them. Next, we mixed 1 cup of boiling water with one small package of red Jello - raspberry is what we had on hand. We stirred until all the Jello was dissolved and then we spooned the Jello over the cupcakes.

When all the cupcakes were bathed in Jello, we put them in the fridge for about two hours. Then we frosted them.

And sprinkled them.

 Now, just look at how pretty that raspberry Jello is! Yummy!

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. 

The more that you learn, the more places you'll go".... Dr. Seuss

What's your favorite Dr. Seuss quote/story?

*This post has been edited and reposted from last year.

Buffalo Wing Bites

Recipes for stuffed pizza rolls, like these chicken-bacon ones, seem to be floating around. I don't think I have found a flavor combination that I haven't liked, but I haven't seen one like my Buffalo Wing Bites out there. Buffalo Wing anything is my hubbys favorite (thank goodness no one has put those flavors into dessert yet), and so I thought I might surprise him with something a little different - and very yummy! How could you go wrong with buffalo chicken and gooey cheese all wrapped in warm bread? And to top if off, homemade blue cheese dipping sauce, or ranch if you prefer. Did I say homemade, well nearly homemade, Hidden Valley packets are as close as it gets at my house. I figure it it's not broke, don't fix it!  These little dippers make a fun lunch or dinner served with celery sticks, or would be a fun appetizer or game-time food. Afterall, the best part of football is the food, right?

Buffalo Wing Bites
*Recipe By Crazy Daisy


1 package Hidden Valley Ranch dressing packet, divided
2 Tablespoons 100% grated Parmesan, the kind that comes in a green canister
1-2 Tablespoons butter, melted
3/4 cup milk
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2-3 oz blue cheese or Gorgonzola, optional
1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken (you need small pieces)
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Franks Buffalo Wing Sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, I used fine shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar
1 roll refrigerated pizza dough, I prefer the thin crust because it is easier to roll out

Spray a pie plate, or dish of similar size with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, take 1 teaspoon of your ranch dressing mix and mix it with the 2 Tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and set aside.

In another bowl, stir the rest of your dressing mix with mayonnaise and milk. If you like blue cheese dressing, add about 2-3 oz. of blue cheese (depending on how strong you like it). Otherwise, leave it out to make ranch dressing. Place in refrigerator to chill and thicken.

In a medium bowl, mix together chicken and cheese. Add buffalo wing sauce and stir until everything is evenly coated.

Preheat oven, as directed on your pizza dough package.

Turn your pizza dough onto a lightly floured surface. Pat or roll until it's about  a 12"x13-ish" rectangle. Use your pizza cutter to slice the rectangle into 24 squares. Place about 1 teaspoon of the chicken mixture into the middle of each square. Pull corners together and pinch to seal. Then pinch the seams together to seal them as well. Place seam side down in your prepared pan. When all your Buffalo Wing Bites have been placed in your baking dish, brush them with the melted butter and then sprinkle your dressing-cheese mixture evenly over the top. Bake uncovered, as directed on your pizza dough package. They will be be nice and golden brown when they're ready. Serve warm with dressing and celery sticks. ENJOY!!!

When I have a big enough crowd, I like to make a double batch, using blue cheese for one of the dressing and leaving one plain as ranch. Yummo! If you double it, use 3/4 cup Franks Buffalo Sauce.

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Words to Love By {Don't Blink}

Teach my to number my days and count every moment, before they slip away

Since the day my first little one was born, I have told myself over and over - just don't blink, always afraid of missing something as my kiddos grow just that quickly! It doesn't seem to matter what I do, they grow much faster than I would like. There have been certain circumstances in my life that have led to understanding that just because a child is 6 months old, or six years old, tomorrow is not guaranteed. When I was in the seventh grade, we lost my baby cousin, 15 days after his second birthday. Tragically, I learned early in my life that even with their youth, there simply is no guarantee. And it is so easy to take them for granted as we eagerly look ahead and dream of our children's' future - it's just natural. Appreciating everyday single day, almost to the minute, with my kids is something I work very hard at. It's almost an obsession. But I need to expand this realization even broader, because life, not just my children's growing up, happens in a blink. Toys everywhere, who cares, have a play date - no one will remember those toys, but hopefully they will remember the friendship. Right?  Which is where this song comes in as it speaks to my soul, reminding me to live knowing my days are numbered. I don't want to miss a second or to look back asking what it is that I have done with my life. Slow it down before I turn around and its yesterday. I think it all comes down to presence. Once we learn to be present in our individual lives, then we can branch out giving others our presence. I can't think of better gift to give, as it substantiates our relationships and lets our loved ones know just how important they are to us.

Thoughts?
What or who do you take for granted? I love to know I'm not alone...

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Chili Meat

I have been working on getting this recipe posted for quite some time now. It is my husband's favorite meal, hands down and I have been promising it to a friend for just about forever! This ones for you, Melissa! The problem getting it posted was that in the past, Momma Daisy usually made it, and it was one of those recipes that she just knew how to make without paying attention too much to measuring. So I had her tell me the basics, guessing on the measurments and sent off to conquer Chili Meat. After all, knowing how to make the husbands favorite meal is bound to come in handy.... I am sure we all can think of a few instances in which we've used food to bribe beg for forgiveness  treat our husbands.

When you make Chili Meat, you will need to consider your heat tolerance. Admittedly, I am a weenie! I do not enjoy spicy foods. So I may not be the best judge when it comes to this, but, I can tell you that making this dish with 5 chili peppers and two tablespoons of chili pepper liquid leave this dish just about a spicy as I can handle. I found that my lips tingled a little from the hot peppers. I enjoy it tamed down a little with only 1 tablespoon of hot chili pepper liquid and about 4 hot peppers (AND I MAKE SURE NONE OF THOSE BABIES END UP ON MY PLATE). If you like things on the spicier side, feel free to spice it up! You may have to play around a little to get it suited to your tastes, but it will be totally worth it!

Chili Meat
*Crazy Daisy Recipe adapted from Momma Daisy

3 lbs. hamburger
32 oz. chicken broth*
4 packages of McKormick Brown Gravy Mix
4-5 Hot Chili Peppers from a 16 oz. jar (usually found close to the pickles and roasted red peppers)
1-2 Tablespoons of the chili pepper liquid
2 onions

4 sweet peppers, assorted colors

3-4 tomatoes

Roll hamburger into 1-inch meatballs. In batches, brown meatballs in a dutch oven pot. Drain grease. Pour chicken broth into dutch oven. Stir in gravy packets, pepper juice, and peppers. Return meatballs to dutch oven. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for an hour. 

Meanwhile, clean and prepare veggies. Cut onions and tomatoes into wedges (about 8 wedges each). Peel the onions wedges apart a little.  Cut sweet peppers into 1-inch pieces. After meatballs have simmered, its time to add veggies to steam on top. Place the onions on top of the meat, top with sweet peppers, and place the tomatoes on top. Cover, and let simmer until veggies are crisp tender, probably about 10-15 minutes. Serve over steamed rice. Enjoy!

*This recipe has been updated to a more user friendly version. Some of the prep dishes have been eliminated. I also find using the entire 32 oz. carton works just as well, if not better, and I don't have any left to contend with. I like how it gives a little more broth, without losing any flavor. The only difference I notice, is the broth is a little thinner, which I like. If you don't want to change, go ahead and stay with the original 24 oz.

PS - If you ever want to print any recipes from Crazy Daisy, just use the green button below!

So Stylilized Blog Design !!!WINNER!!!

So Stylilized is an amazing blog designing machine! If you are looking for a fresh design, you definitely want to check them out! They are amazing to work with, and don't stop until you are thrilled! Do you remember the So Stylilized blog design giveway? Well, we have a winner, Vicki, from Nave Family Food!!! Congrats!!!

Thank you So Stylilized for this fabulous giveaway!

Haven't all these giveaways been fun? I sure hope to have more soon! If you have any ideas, let me know!

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Confetti CandyLand Popcorn

My six year old, created his own recipe, Confetti CandyLandy Popcorn, for the Wyoming Chocolate Festival. He wanted to take popcorn, M&M's, mini gummi bears, and pretzel pieces, mix them all together and cover them with white chocolate. He did everything except melt the chocolate. It was great math practice and he measured and counted everything out! This was his display (his poor little fingers hurt from making the pinwheels).

Isn't it funtastic? He won Best Presentation and 2nd place in his category; Everything Else. I love how the sweet and salty mix together and the gummi bears add a fun little twist! Are you wondering how to make his yummy creation? 

Here's the recipe:

CandyLand Popcorn

*Recipe By Little Crazy of Crazy Daisy

20 cups popcorn, kernels removed

2 1/2 cups M&M's

2 1/2 cups mini gummi bears

2 1/4 cups of pretzel sticks that have been broken into 4 or five pieces

2 bags of white candy melts

Line two cookie sheets with wax paper. Spray wax paper with cooking spray. Set aside. Mix popcorn, candy, and pretzel pieces together in a LARGE bowl  we used a roasting pan. Melt candy melts as directed on package. Pour melted white chocolate over popcorn mixture and mix well to coat evenly. Spread onto prepared baking sheets. Let dry. Enjoy.

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PowerCapes Givewaway !WINNER!

Hooray! We have a winner! Danielle, from

is the winner of the custom cape with matching mask!

Congrats!!!

Thank you PowerCapes for such and amazing giveaway!!!

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Baked Reuben Dip

It's Super Bowl time! What do I we love about gametime? THE FOOD, of course! And here's another fun recipe, just in time! I have seen recipes like this one out there, but none were exactly as I wanted them, so I made one of my own. We had it for Christmas Eve and everyone raved about it! I think you will like it too!

Baked Reuben Dip

*Recipe by Crazy Daisy

Note: I find dips like this work best if you grate your own cheese. The additives in pre-shredded cheese don't lend themselves to melting as well as cheese you prepare yourself. You may also make this dip in the crock pot. Use a 3 qt. Crockpot on low for three hours, stirring occasionally to prevent burned edges.

2 1/2 cups deli corn beef, sliced thin and chopped

16 oz. sauerkraut, rinsed and drained well

2 cups swiss cheese, shredded

2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded

1 cup mayonnaise

1/8 cup Thousand Island Dressing

Combine all ingredients in a 2 1/2-3 qt baking dish. Bake at 350 until hot and bubbly, 30-45 minutes. Serve with chunks of rye bread, or crackers. We loved it with pretzel chips!

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