Teacher Appreciation Dinner & A Movie

This week is Teacher Appreciation week at my son's school. Some of the parents chipped in for gift cards for the teachers. We got one for the local movie theater and one for a nearby restaurant. I packaged this "Dinner & a Movie" themed gift and am hoping they will love it!

I made the popcorn box templates out of teacher-themed cardstock (for directions see my She's Ready to POP Baby Shower Favor post) and added a bag of microwave popcorn, a box of Milk Duds, some Sweet Tarts and the gift cards.

Don't forget to enter the Mother's Day Necklace Giveaway going on until May 1st!

Places I'm Partying:

 
 
 

 

 

Mother's Day Necklace GIVEAWAY!!!

Mother's Day is mere weeks away and I am happy to announce a new GIVEAWAY!!! This beautiful, handstamped, sterling silver necklace would make a great gift for your Mom, Grandma, or Yourself!

A sterling silver disc will be stamped with mom, grandma, nana, etc. and Swarovski crystal birthstone pendant or pink glass pearl can be added. Includes silver chain. This giveaway ends May 1st. GOOD LUCK!!!

Creme Brulee French Toast

I first tried Creme Brulee French Toast at a baby shower I attended. I remember it being so delicious, so I found this recipe online and decided to make it for Easter brunch ! You make it the night before and stick it in the fridge for morning so all you have to do is pop it in the oven!

Creme Brulee French Toast

Ingredients:

• 1/2 Cup Butter
• 1 Cup Firmly Packed Brown Sugar
• 2 Tablespoons Corn Syrup
• Loaf of French Bread, Thickly Sliced
• 5 Eggs
• 1 1/2 Cups Half and Half
• 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1 Teaspoon Grand Marnier (Can substitute orange juice if you prefer)
• 1/4 Teaspoon Salt

Directions:

• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Mix in brown sugar and corn syrup, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Pour into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
• Remove crusts from bread, and arrange in the baking dish in a single layer. In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, vanilla extract, orange brandy, and salt. Pour over the bread. Cover with foil, and chill overnight. 
• Next morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees (if using a glass baking dish, you may want to let it warm to room temperature first according to original recipe).
• Bake uncovered 35 to 40 minutes in the preheated oven, until puffed and lightly browned.
• Note: Don't be tempted to cook this at a higher temperature because the syrup will get very hard & sticky if overcooked in oven (although still delicious). Not that I know this from experience :)

Places I'm Partying:

 

 

Spinach Quiche

Somewhere along the line, someone told my husband that "real men don't eat quiche", but even he will eat this one without feeling like he has to "turn in his man card". I have taken elements from several different quiche recipes to make this one, perfect quiche recipe. I have made it countless times and always get raves. Perfect for breakfast, brunch or dinner.

Desperate Craftwives Spinach Quiche

Ingredients:

• One 9" refrigerated, unbaked pie crust (I prefer Pillsbury)
• 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup milk
• 4 eggs
• One 10 oz. package of frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
• 6-8 oz. of swiss cheese, shredded
• Finely chopped sweet onion to taste (no more than 1/4 cup)

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F).
• Combine milk and mayonnaise in a bowl and whisk together until smooth and creamy.
• Whisk eggs into milk mixture (make sure it is mixed well)
• Spray glass pie plate with nonstick spray and line with unbaked pie shell.
• In pie shell, layer spinach, onion and swiss cheese, making several layers of each.
• Pour in milk-mayo-egg mixture.
• Cover quiche with foil and bake in oven for 45 minutes.
• Remove foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes or until top starts to turn golden and center of quiche is set.

I have also made this quiche with different fillings and it always turns out great.

Suggestions:

• Bacon, Cheddar & Onion
• Asparagus & Cheddar or Swiss
• Ham, Cheddar & Onion

Places I'm Partying:

Magic Jellybeans

I came across this adorable printable at Nothing But Country and knew I had to do it with my kids for some Easter fun.

The Saturday before Easter, I had my son get the mail and thankfully our Magic Jellybeans had "arrived" in our mailbox just in time for Easter.

I had placed a piece of floral foam in the bottom of an old, chipped, dirty cute little pot I had living in my garage and filled it with potting soil. The kids ripped open the jellybeans and planted them.

Next, we watered our magic jellybeans and set them outside the front door.

The kids were so excited to see what they would find the next morning once the magic jellybeans grew.

Places I'm Partying:

www.bluecricketdesign.net