recipe: easy 3 ingredient meatball party appetizer

My New Year's Eves look a lot different than they used to...instead of getting all dolled up and staying out all night, we opt for a quiet night in with our little family {and I'm not complaining!}

Even though we stay home, we still like to put on a bit of a party atmosphere, complete with confetti, noisemakers, and a full spread of yummy food.

One appetizer that is a crowd pleaser...all the way from my 1 year old up to my husband...is meatballs.  The best part is that they're a such a snap to make...you probably have the majority of the ingredients in your cupboard right now!

To prepare, you'll need:

jar grape jelly
bottle sweet BBQ sauce
2 bags Johnsonville fully cooked meatballs {because convenience is key!}
slow cooker or crock pot

Thoroughly combine jelly and BBQ sauce in small bowl.

Spray slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray and add meatballs.

Pour jelly mixture over meatballs.

Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.

Serve warm and enjoy!

Happy 2016, friends!

xoxo

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Johnsonville . The opinions and text are all mine. As always, thanks for reading!

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diy: merry + bright christmas doormat

As the days inch closer to the 25th, it's now or never to finish up my craft projects...so I spent a little nap time crafting yesterday and now I have a super cute Christmas doormat welcoming friends in our home.

The design is completely Kelly's idea...I loved her doormat so much I didn't change a thing about it!

To make your own, you'll need:

doormat {this one is from ikea for about 5 bucks}
craft paint
brush/foam
freezer paper
iron
cutting machine or Xacto knife
hole punch

**I didn't have any vinyl to use as a stencil like the original, so I used freezer paper that I had on hand.  I was worried paint might bleed underneath on the uneven mat material, but it ironed on well enough and turned out just fine. :)

Start by cutting your design out of freezer paper.  I used my Silhouette Cameo...Happy Fox font sized to 470 and for the heart I just used a craft punch.  I used a scrap of freezer paper and punched holes for dots.

Iron the stencils to the mat.

and fill in carefully with paint.

Let the paint dry, peel off the stencils, and enjoy!

xoxo

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diy: 5 minute christmas apron

It's Christmas cookie season in our house, so that means for pretty much the entire month of December you'll find me in the kitchen preparing goodies...and usually looking around for a towel to wipe my hands so I don't use my pants.

I'm only slightly more sophisticated than my 6 year old who likes to use his sleeve as a napkin. Ha!

Anywho...I'm not really crazy about wearing full aprons, but found pretty tea towels at Target, that I knew would make for a super cute Christmas apron.  {I've got a thing for tea towels.  These napkins are still going strong!}

This project is the most basic of sewing {just a few straight lines!}, but if you're not comfortable using a sewing machine, it could be done with fabric glue just as easily.

You'll need:

tea towel
2 yards ribbon or twill tape
clear nail polish or fray check

Start by deciding how long you'd like your apron to be and trimming your towel to size.  I made mine about 18 inches long, which sits about Steve Urkel pants height and hits mid-thigh.

Fold over the top edge and iron an inch down on the wrong side of the towel.  Hem using a sewing machine or fabric glue.

Trim ribbon or twill tape into two equal pieces.  Place one ribbon on each side of the hemmed edge.  Sew or glue in place.  Use clear nail polish or fray check to seal the raw ends to prevent unraveling.

There you go...a pretty and festive apron perfect for Christmas baking...and in only about 5 minutes...make more than one and gift it along with baking items and a favorite recipe or just make a few for yourself and keep them in rotation.  It won't take long!!

And when I finish my baking and need to throw my aprons in the wash, I've been using method's new 4x concentrated laundry detergent.

Visit method's site to learn more about the new 4x concentrated laundry detergent products for yourself.

My readers can use the coupon code YAYFORLAUNDRY for $3 off at checkout.

This post was sponsored by method, but I have loved their products for years.  As always, thanks for reading! xoxo



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diy: 3 ingredient cinnamon christmas ornaments

I shared this project on the Babiekins blog last December...and since we're planning on making these after school one day this week, I thought I'd post the directions here.  This project is super easy and will make your whole house smell so Christmasy! xo

To make about two dozen ornaments {depending on the size of your cookie cutters}, you’ll need:

1 cup applesauce

1 cup cinnamon + a bit extra for rolling out dough

2 tablespoons ground cloves

*I buy spices for projects like this at the $1 store or in the bulk bins at the grocery store

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until everything is well incorporated and a dough forms. It's easiest just digging in and using your hands.

**even though only food ingredients are used, don’t eat these!

Roll out dough, sprinkling extra cinnamon as you would flour to prevent sticking to the rolling pin and counter.

When dough is about 1/2 inch thick, use cookie cutters to cut out ornaments.

Use a wooden skewer to poke a hole through each ornament.

Place ornaments on a cookie sheet and bake in a 225 degree oven for about an hour. Ornaments should be rock hard and completely dried out when they’re done.

When the ornaments have completely cooled, thread a piece of twine through each hole and hang on the tree!

And after you've made your ornaments and decorated the tree, why not grab dinner and movie?  Explore the galaxy, sing with the Chipmunks or solve a Sherlock mystery—and dine out with Special by Restaurant.com’s Dinner & a Movie deal. 

Now through December 20 for $30, you’ll receive two tickets PLUS a $100 Restaurant.com eGift card to redeem for a star-rated restaurant.

Spend family time discovering the perfect table and flick. Use your movie tickets to see any winter blockbuster hit here. Hurry - this offer ends Sunday, December 20 at 11:59 pm CT or when it’s sold out.

Of course this post was sponsored by restaurant.com, but all opinions are my own.  As always, thanks for reading!  xoxo

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diy: gold leaf bottle stopper + moscow mule printable

It's barely December and already our weekends are packed from now until the end of the year.  Parties, open houses...so much fun!

I never like to show up empty handed...but I hate it when I have to stop at the store on the way over because I forgot to think ahead for a hostess gift.

Here's a gift that's pretty and functional and you can totally make a bunch ahead of time to have on hand for any holiday party invites!

You'll need:

plastic animal
gold leaf paint
cork
strong craft glue
satin ribbon

Start by painting your plastic animal with gold leaf paint.  Let dry completely.

Then glue the cork to the belly of the animal.  Let dry completely again.

If you'd like to add an extra festive touch {or just cover the gap of glue} tie a bit of ribbon around.

And if you'd like to up your gift even more special...nestle a couple of tiny copper mugs in with your stopper.

A favorite cocktail recipe would also be a fun addition.  Click here for the free printable.  Print on heavy cardstock, trim, and stick it in the box, glue it to the inner lid, or tie it atop with a bow!

Merry Christmas, friends!

xoxo

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recipe: candy cane crunch popcorn

Happy December 1st!

We're feeling festive {who am I kidding...we've been Christmasing for weeks!} and party popcorn {that I've shared before here and here and here} is one of our fave snacks.  I shared our festive Christmasy twist on the DIY Candy blog...get all the details right here.

Merry Christmas...only 24 more days!! :)
xoxo

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