We are Irish.  This is my month to shine.  Baking has nothing to do with Saint Patrick…but I bake my way through the high holy day every year.

Today we started with Shamrock Rice Cereal Treats.  Easy, little mess, and my little leprechauns were able to help me!  Wins for everyone! 

  
I followed the directions on the box of cereal, only change was I made it easier.  I took the butter and the marshmallow combo and microwaved it in a glass bowl for 2 minutes.  Less mess.

  
Once the mixture came out of the microwave we added the sprinkles.  We used an entire small bottle of a Kelly Green, Lime Green, and White combo of Non Pereils.  Then added the 6 cups of rice cereal.  The Non Pereils give a nice tint to the treats, without the harshness of food coloring.

I spread them in a greased jelly roll pan, and let them settle for 15 minutes before I used the shamrock cookie cutter to make the treats. 

Done!!!! Holiday fun round 1 complete.  

 

The two things my brother loves the most, beer and bacon.  Well he also love babes, but I was not going there.

So since he is happily a proud member of the bachelor for life club, I decided to throw his 40th birthday party. 

Most of the food had bacon in it, but we did serve more than just beer.  However thanks to my husband we did have a crazy beer selection.

Bacon Menu: BLT Dip ( found a few recipes onPinterest), bacon wrapped shrimp, Potato Skins (with bacon), mini grilled cheeses with bacon, and pasta with a fresh tomato and bacon sauce. 

There was plenty of other items for those guests who did not want to raise their cholesterol.  I figured the men would be in favor of the bacon items and the ladies would choose the “healthier treats”.  I was correct. 

  
For the table decor I filled these old beer mugs with yellow and white “M&MS” and I of course realized after the party that I could have made Guinness decor the same way.  Oh well, next time right!!!!!

  
I was going to do all bacon flowers, but it was so horrible looking.  So I made the rosettes and just stuck them between the white roses.  I used pre made bacon.  Everyone loved it…there is probably still bacon grease in my skin. 

I also had cookies made that looked like bacon and some that look like beer mugs.

He was surprised and over all it was an easy event for us!

I have a bad habit of taking on projects for class parties/holidays/kids events that I have no business doing.  I think I have more time and work space than I do.  Plus after 7:30 in the evening I am done!

This year I went hard core simple, based on an idea that came to me in the shower!

We are encouraged not to give candy or any food in our class treat bags…high five there.

This holiday the teachers even asked that we don’t put each name on the bag, so they just can put things in the cubbies with ease.  Brilliant.

I present: “You Left A Mark On My Heart”.  Total cost per child is under $3.

I was able to order from Amazon.Com bulk washable markers.  I chose red and purple.

Got little treat bags at Target in their under $3 section.  One bag of 8 bags was $2. They had a few different types.

I hunted online for a Valentine Coloring page that I could put into PrintShop so I could add a message.  I made them post card size so when cut they fit in the bag. I included the message “You Left A Mark On My Heart Happy Valentine’s Day Love,” with room for my daughter to write her name.

Stuff them in….fold the bag and you are done!

My daughter was a little upset that she did not get to create more. So we cut some hearts and stuck them on the bags.

We made some extra for her cousins and the hearts made great gift tags! So if you need to write the name of each student in the class that is an option.

This took 45 minutes and that includes cutting hearts.  Perfect for working parents or people who just are out of time, creativity, energy, enthusiasm…..so everyone with children under the age of 30.

I will let you know if some Mom shows up with an interactive Cupid.

 Happy Valentine’s Day Burbia….