I saw these caramel cashew bites on Pinterest and knew I would use them one day. It turns out New Year's Eve was that day! My neighbors had a gathering and I decided to bring some sweet appetizers. Along with these caramel cashew bites, I also brought baked brie bites. Both were a huge hit! No photos of the girls and I making these tasty little treats as things were hot and required a lot of supervision. Besides being hot, and me worrying about burning things, these caramel cashew bites were super simile to make. Caramels, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cashews, chocolate chips, and vegetable shortening (I used margarine) are the only 6 ingredients you'll need! Head on over to My Baking Addiction for the actual recipe. … [Read more...]
St. Jude Red Carpet for Hope #GoldenGlobes Event #StJudeRedCarpet
As a pediatric intensive care nurse in my off-line world, I see the worst of the worst of what cancer can do to kids. I also see survivor miracles. Those miracles are what keep me going in my job. Without research, however, those survivor stories would be few and far between. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a world leader in childhood cancer research. Through their efforts, they have brought 5 year childhood cancer survival rates from 5-50% in 1962 to 65-95% today (survival rates depend on the type of cancer). St. Jude research is freely shared with doctors and scientists all over the world, including with the hospital in which I work. All of this is done with NO COST to the patients and families that go to St. Jude. That's right, they pay for NOTHING! That's where events like the St. Jude Red Carpet for Hope Golden Globes Viewing Party come into play. St. Jude is funded by donations from large companies and regular people like you and me. St. Jude Red Carpet … [Read more...]
Kool-Aid Valentines FREE Printable!
Looking for a unique Valentine for your child to give to their friends at school? Why not give them Kool-Aid Valentines! These Valentines are super easy to make and are relatively inexpensive. You'll just need: Kool-Aid packets The printable below Some tape A pen 1) Click on the photo below to print. Make sure you click on this download link and this one only! It is small and below the image. 2) Sign your name under "from" 3) Cut apart 4) Tape to the Kool-Aid packs 5) Add a silly straw for more fun! (optional) Kool-Aid packs are about 29¢ at my store. If my daughter's class has 32 children in it, these Kool Aid Valentines will cost me $9.28 (without the silly straws). I don't think that's bad at all!! What do you think? … [Read more...]
Goodbye Lindsi
A little over a year ago we said goodbye to Lindsi. A few weeks later, we said hello again. At that time Lindsi tried to leave but couldn't, partly because I would't let her go. Now we say goodbye to Lindsi again, this time for good. It's been a great year, but one that has not been fulfilling, as far as blogging goes, for Lindsi. A post by The SITS girls titled 10 Things To Let Go Of On Your Blog In 2014, solidified her feelings that, for her, Toys In The Dryer is becoming more of a burden than a passion. It is time for her to let go of some of the stress in her life, and this is one thing she needs to let go. Though Toys In The Dryer sparks ideas for doing things with her children, the time it takes to post about them is no longer worth the time away from her family. I understand 100%. I am extremely sad to see Lindsi leave Toys In The Dryer. We have had a lot of fun working together and we've learned more than we ever thought we would about each other through it. In a … [Read more...]
Scratch Off Valentines FREE Printable
Last Valentine's season we brought you some unique Valentines such as the Valentine Fortune Teller (which my oldest daughter gave to her friends), Birch Bark Valentines, and Surprise Valentines. This season we'll be bringing you a few more unique Valentines. Today it's scratch off Valentines! These scratch off Valentines are super fun to make and to give! To make them yourself you'll need: The scratch off Valentine template below card stock paper dish soap metallic acrylic paint (silver, pink, or red) clear contact paper paint brush scissors large circle or heart punch 1) Start by clicking on the image above to download it and print it. You'll see a ton of download buttons on the webpage. Click on this download button and this one only!!It is small and below the photo. 2) Cut apart each Valentine. 3) Next make the scratch off paint by mixing two parts of paint with one part dish soap. Don't mix too much or you'll get a bunch of … [Read more...]
Boiling Water Thrown In Freezing Air
It's -22° F with windchills in the -40° range in Minnesota today. The governor of the state closed all public schools so the girls get an extra day of Christmas vacation. What are we doing on this record cold day? We're doing freezing experiments! We can only be outside for brief periods, but long enough to throw boiling water in the freezing air, make frozen bubbles, and put water out to guess how long it takes to freeze. I know that a ton of people have tried throwing boiling water in the air and watching it freeze before, but believe it or not, we have never done it! What you'll need: Boiling water Below freezing temps outside That's it! Watch the video below to see what happens: Hubby didn't find it all that fascinating but the girls and I thought it was cool. Have you tried to throw boiling water in cold air to watch it freeze? … [Read more...]
