My mom makes a killer Cherry Crunch, a delicious dessert made with cream cheese, cherries, and more. With the shipment of a few new Good Cook supplies, I decided to use my new mixing bowls for good and adapt her recipe to make my own Strawberry Cream Crunch. It turned out really well, though I’ll adjust the recipe just a bit for you, as there are a couple of tweaks I would make the next time around. Either way, it’s a sweet treat that’s perfect for this time of year with all the strawberry patches soon to be opening.

First things first, have you checked out the Good Cook Touch Treasure Hunt? If not, check it out; you may also want to enter my giveaway while there! So, one of the Touch items happens to be a set of mixing bowls that have quickly become my favorite mixing bowls, even though I’ve only had them a few days. They are multicolored and come in 3 different sizes: 5-qt., 3-qt., and 1.5-qt. Probably my favorite feature is the non-slip rubber base on the bottom of each bowl. This means the bowl doesn’t slip around when I’m trying to mix something up. The bowls have pour spouts and handles to grip while mixing. The inside of each bowl is smooth as silk, so when stirring, you’re not going to get a sound much like the sound of fingernails on chalkboard (yes, there are bowls like that). I used the larger bowl to wash my strawberries and the medium bowl to mix up my crust.

So, how to make a delicious Strawberry Cream Crunch?

Below, you’ll find a printable recipe, without photos, for your convenience. The first step is to wash your strawberries; I like to soak mine in a water/vinegar solution for about 10 minutes and then rinse well. While the berries are soaking, go ahead and mix up the crust with a fork. Add pecans, if desired. Press crust into a 9×13 baking dish, no need to grease (pardon my fingernails, still a leftover bluish-green from 80′s night at SoFabCon). Bake crust at 350° for about 20 minutes. When done, let crust cool.

For the cream filling, mix the Cool Whip and cream cheese together, adding in powdered sugar. Spread onto cooled crust.

Finally, it’s time for the berry topping. Slice up the strawberries, and then crush with a potato masher. They don’t need to be completely crushed; it’s best to leave the berry mixture quite chunky. Add sugar, corn starch, and Jello, stirring or whisking well. Heat mixture until it begins to thicken. Then cool in refrigerator. The mixture will still be a bit runny, but it’ll have more of a jelly-like texture. Add strawberry topping to dessert, spreading evenly over the top.

It’s best to chill before serving. Slice it up, serve, and enjoy!

Finally, don’t miss out on the 30% instant savings on all Good Cook Touch items. You can also get an extra 10% off with the promo code: HUNT. This offer is valid through May 21, 2013.

(Disclosure: I received several Good Cook Touch items, free of charge, from Good Cook, as a Good Cook Kitchen Expert. All views/opinions remain honestly and solely my own.)

Wow, last week’s Inspire Me Wednesday linky party was hoppin’! So many creative posts shared, it was so hard to choose which ones to feature this week. You guys are awesome! Looking forward to this week’s link-up and everything you have to share! Happy Wednesday!

The Inspire Me Wednesday linky is a place for you to share your craft/DIY projects, your recipes/foodie posts, and the beautiful, interesting places you’ve traveled or visited. Every Wednesday you’re invited to link up your posts. Then the following week, I’ll gather 3-5 of your posts and feature them, along with the linky! (By linking up, you’re giving me permission to feature a photo from your post in next week’s edition of Inspire Me Wednesday here on mamabzz.com, hopefully sending some readers over your way.) If pinning, please go directly to each featured blogger’s post and pin from there, in order to give them the proper credit and recognition. Without further adieu, here are this week’s features; get ready to be inspired….

Who doesn’t love a good “no sew” project, and this DIY window valance is gorgeous, shared by Melanie from 2 Boys + 1 Girl = One Crazy Mom. Lovin’ the fabric she chose too!

Brandi, from The Creative Princess, shared a copycat recipe for delicious KFC Coleslaw, and it’s Weight Watchers friendly! Yum!

Take a little vacay to beautiful Jamaica with Lisa, from The Domestic Life Stylist. Her photos are gorgeous and will probably have you daydreaming of your own getaway.

I haven’t shown this to my boys yet, but I know they’d flip over this Minecraft party, decorated to the hilt by Jenn from Momma D and Da Boyz.

Finally, check out this delish-looking recipe for Sweet Potato Bread with Raisins and Pecans from Jess at Hungry Harps.

Now it’s your turn to link up your latest projects (whether craft, DIY, food) or your latest travel adventure. Please only submit posts/photos that belong to you and are your own, or that you have permission to share. Absolutely nothing is needed in return, but be sure to visit 1 or 2 of the other posts linked up, and grab a Pin, leave a comment, share a tweet or Stumble, etc. (Please note that while I really do make an effort to get to all of your posts to comment or share, it sometimes proves to be difficult, time wise. I’m so grateful to see you linking up each and every week, though. It’s exciting to share ideas and be inspired by your creativity.) Blogging is all about sharing and inspiration, hence Inspire Me Wednesday.



(Disclosure: Photos used with permission of featured bloggers.)

(Disclosure: This post is compensated via The Motherhood; however, the story and the memories are completely mine, as are all views/opinions.)

Do you ever miss someone so much it just hurts? Do you ever catch a whiff of something familiar…. maybe it’s an old house or perfume or maybe even DoubleMint Gum? I remember very clearly the scents of my grandparents’ home; in fact, when we visit my mom and dad, I sometimes catch some of those same scents. It’s funny how smell triggers some of the most amazing memories.

I’ve been encouraged to share a tribute to someone I love, so I’m going to tell you a little bit about my grandpa. My grandpa was the best grandpa I could ever ask for. He loved to garden, and he had an old soda machine outside his  garage/shop, where he kept orange soda, in bottles, for us kids.When I was in fifth grade, my grandpa went into the hospital for double knee replacement. All I remember that night is sitting in the waiting room with my mom, watching my dad walk down the long hospital hallway toward us, sobbing as he came closer. It was as if time stopped and everything else was a blur, save the tears flowing down my dad’s face…. my dad rarely cried. My grandpa had suffered a massive stroke, and for the time being, he was in a coma. I remember sitting by his bedside, talking to him about the Cardinals (he loved baseball), wishing he’d just wake up and call me “Goofball,” his favorite term of endearment for me.

Grandpa did wake up, but he was never the same. He was left without speech and paralyzed on an entire side of his body. Though he went through rehabilitation and met faithfully with therapists, the stroke had done permanent damage. We ended up making a major move, so we could help with the farm.

Grandma was a faithful caregiver, never leaving his side. Of course, she needed help too, so there were times when Mom would take her to the doctor an hour and a half away from where we lived (we lived out in the boondocks back then). I’d stay and take care of Grandpa while they were gone (me being a teenager by this time). I remember those days, not as hard, but as very special. Grandpa needed help, and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else but there, whether it was peeling an almost rotten banana for him (he liked them black) or just sitting with him, deciphering what he was trying to tell me. We’d watch old Westerns, I’d work on homework, and we were just in the moment. No words were really needed…. I almost feel like we were brought even closer through everything.

I miss both of them so very much. I’d give anything to go back to that time because the older I get, the more I appreciate what I didn’t really know to appreciate then…. if that makes sense.

Johnson & Johnson have put together a program in celebration of the theme “For All You Love.” This campaign celebrates the selfless and unconditional caring of caregivers, including moms, and all the ways they care for those they love. Take a peek….

Who will you encourage today?

So, since we are still basically living out of boxes and life is just a whirlwind right now, I thought I’d share some links to older recipes I’ve posted before. Don’t worry, though, normal recipes will be back in production, starting next week. I have a few under my belt already, but I’ve been saving them for a rainy day…. so this week, I bring you a compilation of recipes to enjoy this Mother’s Day.

If you’re looking for delicious breakfast-in-bed ideas, you might want to cook up a batch of these Heart Shaped Buttermilk Pancakes. Served with fresh fruit and a dusting of powdered sugar, they’d make any mom’s day special.

Another yummy breakfast idea is this recipe for Easy Bisquick Cinnamon Biscuits. Mmmm….

Or maybe you’re in the mood for Maine Blueberry Muffins.

Even though these appetizers were originally made for New Year’s, they’d also be the perfect addition to a Mother’s Day brunch.

Lunch is another opportunity to make something special for Mom, so why not try these Crunchy Chicken Salad Pitas?

Finally, who can celebrate Mother’s Day without dessert? This fresh Fruit Pizza with Puff Pastry is one of our family’s favorites.

Or this fluffy Lemon Cake….

Banana Pudding is always a sweet treat, and this recipe happens to be my mom’s recipe.

Or if you’re looking for something a little more on the ooey gooey side, Gooey Butter Cake might just hit the spot.

However you celebrate, may you have a delicious time, a memorable time, and a wonderfully Happy Mother’s Day.

Ready for another awesome creative linky party? I know I am! The last 2 weeks have been a complete whirlwind with moving, but this is something I look forward to every week! Can’t wait to see what you have to share!

The Inspire Me Wednesday linky is a place for you to share your craft/DIY projects, your recipes/foodie posts, and the beautiful, interesting places you’ve traveled or visited. Every Wednesday you’re invited to link up your posts. Then the following week, I’ll gather 3-5 of your posts and feature them, along with the linky! (By linking up, you’re giving me permission to feature a photo from your post in next week’s edition of Inspire Me Wednesday here on mamabzz.com, hopefully sending some readers over your way.) If pinning, please go directly to each featured blogger’s post and pin from there, in order to give them the proper credit and recognition. Without further adieu, here are this week’s features; get ready to be inspired….

If you love Tex-Mex, you may want to try this recipe for Turkey Cilantro Burgers with Tomatillo Sauce, from Shannah at Just Us Four.

Learn how to throw a Simple Lego Party with Alexis from Persia Lou. I’m lovin’ the awesome Lego marshmallow pops, so cute!

Pinning this Lemon Sugar Scrub recipe from Krysta at Krysta Steen. Such a simple recipe, yet so luxurious….Maria, from Krafty Cards etc., had me at Cheddar, Bacon, Ranch with this de-lish looking recipe for Cheddar, Bacon, Ranch Pinwheels.Now it’s your turn to link up your latest projects (whether craft, DIY, food) or your latest travel adventure. Please only submit posts/photos that belong to you and are your own, or that you have permission to share. Absolutely nothing is needed in return, but be sure to visit 1 or 2 of the other posts linked up, and grab a Pin, leave a comment, share a tweet or Stumble, etc. (Please note that while I really do make an effort to get to all of your posts to comment or share, it sometimes proves to be difficult, time wise. I’m so grateful to see you linking up each and every week, though. It’s exciting to share ideas and be inspired by your creativity.) Blogging is all about sharing and inspiration, hence Inspire Me Wednesday.



(Disclosure: Photos used with permission of featured bloggers.)

If you follow MamaBuzz, you know I love to share favorite recipes, and in the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing more, including a Lactaid recipe. Just to let you know that I am being compensated for this post, but all views/opinions still remain my own.

I’m going to be quite frank with you here. For awhile now, I’ve experienced stomach/intestinal issues. I won’t go into detail, but let’s just say that it can be pretty life-disrupting at times, just being real. I wouldn’t say I’m completely lactose intolerant, but I do tend to be quite sensitive to certain foods. And I completely and utterly heart milk and other dairy foods. I’ve honestly learned my body well, meaning I know when not to touch the dairy. Sometimes I’m fine, other times, not so much.Last week, The Motherhood hosted a webinar with celebrity chef Melissa d’ Arabian and registered pediatric dietitian Michelle Harrington. Melissa’s written the best-selling cookbook, Ten Dollar Dinners. She’s also appeared on The Today Show, sharing breakfast recipes, including lactose-free blueberry muffins; you won’t want to miss her again on June 25, when she’ll be sharing a recipe for a main meal entrée.

So, let’s get down to the nitty gritty.

What is lactose?

Lactose is the major carbohydrate in milk and other dairy foods that consists of 2 simple sugars, glucose and galactose. Lactose actually has to be broken down into these 2 sugars by the intestinal enzyme, lactase, before the body can absorb it. Most people do produce the natural enzyme, lactase; the amount of lactase your body produces, though, determines how much lactose your body can break down and absorb. I didn’t know this, but it’s possible that lactose intolerance can be progressive, meaning many people develop the intolerance later on in life.

What is Lactaid?

Lactaid has several products that actually help people with lactose sensitivity to be able to digest the dairy products they love without the intestinal discomfort so many experience. It provides the lactase that the body doesn’t produce enough of. Lactaid Dairy products are 100% real dairy, but they include a natural yeast-derived enzyme called lactase. Lactaid products include things like cottage cheese, milk, eggnog, and ice cream. Lactaid is the #1 lactose-free dairy brand in the U.S.

Lactaid Milk is real milk, just 100% lactose free. It is ultra-pasteurized and lasts about a week after opening. It’s calcium enriched, providing 500 mg of calcium in an 8 oz. glass of milk; a regular 8 oz. glass of milk contains only 300 mg of calcium. Lactaid Ice Cream comes in 5 different flavors, including chocolate, vanilla, cookies & cream, strawberries & cream, and butter pecan. All flavors, except cookies & cream, are gluten free. A 1/2 cup of chocolate ice cream is 160 calories and 8 grams of fat. You can find more information, including nutritional facts, on the Lactaid website.

Want tips for eating with lactose intolerance?

It’s best not to eat dairy products, containing lactose, on an empty stomach; eating lactose with other food helps it digest more easily. A lot of lactose-intolerant people find that yogurt doesn’t really bother them at all, mainly because yogurt has live, active cultures in it that helps to digest lactose. Melissa and Michelle also gave a rule of thumb for eating and enjoying cheese. The harder the cheese, the less moisture or whey in it, meaning less lactose. Aged Cheddar, Gruyére, Pecorino, and Swiss cheeses all have less lactose. Melissa suggested introducing these types of cheeses back into your family’s diet in small amounts, in order to see if they can be tolerated. Butter is also low in lactose, meaning you can probably eat and enjoy it with no worries.

So, you want to cook with Lactaid?

Lactaid tends to have a sweeter taste. Melissa noted that she enjoys it in her coffee, in place of creamer or sugar. She also shared that her kids prefer smoothies made with Lactaid. She swaps Lactaid for milk in recipes, cup for cup. When subbing in Lactaid for cream, she just adds a teaspoon of corn starch. It can also be substituted for buttermilk by adding vinegar. These are just a few tips…. I can’t wait to share a recipe with you all soon.

Lactaid Giveaway

So, now for the best part. One MamaBuzz reader will win a coupon for FREE Lactaid product, so you can try it for yourself! Please leave a comment (see below) to enter, but then be sure to leave a separate comment for each optional way that you enter. This giveaway will end on Friday, May 24. The winner will be chosen, via random.org. This giveaway is open to U.S. only (void where prohibited). No purchase is necessary, and the odds of winning are based on a number of entries. Good luck, and have a wonderful day!

1. Do you experience lactose intolerance or sensitivity? If so, how do you cope? Share a comment.

Other optional ways to enter:

• Follow @MamaBuzz on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway, one time only (you can use the easy sharing buttons at the bottom of this post).
• Subscribe to posts from MamaBuzz, using either the Subscribe button or Subscribe via email box in my sidebar.

(Disclosure: I am being compensated for this post, via The Motherhood. All views/opinions, however, remain honestly and solely my own.)

Well, we’re moved and slowly unpacking everything. I know I could use some inspiration right about now, how about you? So excited to see what you all have to share today! Be sure to link up!

The Inspire Me Wednesday linky is a place for you to share your craft/DIY projects, your recipes/foodie posts, and the beautiful, interesting places you’ve traveled or visited. Every Wednesday you’re invited to link up your posts. Then the following week, I’ll gather 3-5 of your posts and feature them, along with the linky! (By linking up, you’re giving me permission to feature a photo from your post in next week’s edition of Inspire Me Wednesday here on mamabzz.com, hopefully sending some readers over your way.) If pinning, please go directly to each featured blogger’s post and pin from there, in order to give them the proper credit and recognition. Without further adieu, here are this week’s features; get ready to be inspired….

Katie, from The Crafty Blog Stalker, made a super cute iPad Mini or Kindle Case from a pattern and some very cute fabric choices. Love it!

Make Easy Berry Freezer Jam with Sarah, from Hope In Every Season; it looks delicious! So ready for strawberry season.

Sonja, from The Happy Travel Bug, went with her family on an unforgettable excursion, Riding Horses in the Ocean. Such beautiful photos!

This recipe from Savvy Shopper Central looks absolutely delicious! Gluten-Free Panko Chicken….
Check out these 112 uses for Baking Soda, shared by Robin at Fluster Buster. From Health & Beauty to Cooking to Pets and much, much more…. you’ll likely find a way to use baking soda that you didn’t even know about.

Now it’s your turn to link up your latest projects (whether craft, DIY, food) or your latest travel adventure. Please only submit posts/photos that belong to you and are your own, or that you have permission to share. Absolutely nothing is needed in return, but be sure to visit 1 or 2 of the other posts linked up, and grab a Pin, leave a comment, share a tweet or Stumble, etc. (Please note that while I really do make an effort to get to all of your posts to comment or share, it sometimes proves to be difficult, time wise. I’m so grateful to see you linking up each and every week, though. It’s exciting to share ideas and be inspired by your creativity.) Blogging is all about sharing and inspiration, hence Inspire Me Wednesday.



(Disclosure: Photos used with permission of featured bloggers.)

The last week or so has been filled with packing, packing, and more packing. We moved a state away, and we’re still getting all settled. Before we moved, though, I had one last craft project I just had to do before packing up my craft supplies for the move. I wanted to create a spring wreath for our new front door. The best part is you can create one too, and it’s so easy, it’s not even funny. Check out the how-to below.

First, you’ll need to gather a few supplies, including the following:

• Grapevine wreath
• Faux flowers of your choice
• Wooden ornaments
• Wooden letters
• Hot Glue Gun with glue sticks
• Craft paint

Right now, you can find the cutest wooden ornaments and letters at Michaels. Our store has a whole aisle of beautiful, chic wooden frames, ornaments, and other decor just waiting to be painted and decorated. I picked up a few larger birds and an owl too…. cutest stuff ever and definitely craft projects I’ll be sharing soon. I chose small bird and butterfly ornaments for this project, and all they really needed was a quick coat of paint. I also painted my letters after mixing up some colors to create a darker pink for a couple of the letters. Super easy and quick to dry….

Next comes figuring out the placement of everything on the wreath. Then use a hot glue gun to attach everything securely to the wreath, being sure to pull any glue strings left behind. Finally, add a few flower sprigs for an added effect; they help to add a pop of color for spring.

I chose to keep the top of my wreath rather empty, mainly because it just felt like it was done…. it feels very uncluttered, colorful, and very spring-like. I absolutely can’t wait to hang it on our new front door. In fact, you might just watch my Instagram, because a photo of a certain wreath on our new door may just show up.

What types of spring projects are you working on?

My mom used to make the best salmon patties when I was younger; they had so much flavor, and she always knew just the right seasonings to add. While mine don’t really live up to hers at all, I still enjoy making these for dinner every once in awhile. I’ll keep perfecting the recipe as I get older, and hopefully, some day I’ll come close to Mom’s. You’ll find a printable recipe, without photos, below.

The first thing I always do is drain and rinse the salmon. I like using the flaked Pink Salmon from Chicken of the Sea. I’m pretty sure part of the reason my mom’s recipe was so good is because she used canned salmon that my dad had actually caught while out in Northern California, fishing. Anyway, back to the recipe. Once your salmon is ready, add 2 eggs. Then add a generous dash of lemon juice, about 2-3 tsp. Crush a pack of Saltine crackers with a rolling pin. Add crackers to salmon mixture. Add about 1/4 cup Miracle Whip, though it may take a bit more before the mixture is just right. Add salt and pepper. Mixture needs to be moist but easily formed, because the next step is to form the mixture into small patties. You could probably bake these, but I like to just throw them on a griddle to cook them. Add a sprinkling of chives as they cook. Cook well; outside of patties will darken and have a crunchy texture.

Remove from stove, and serve immediately. These are good with pasta, rice, veggies, and more. They’re actually also good as leftovers if you make enough. They make a fairly easy meal and one you may just keep coming back to on your weekly menus. Enjoy!

This week is a busy one for me…. we’re moving to another state! So, I’m just going to say, Happy Wednesday! Can’t wait to see everything you guys have to share today!

The Inspire Me Wednesday linky is a place for you to share your craft/DIY projects, your recipes/foodie posts, and the beautiful, interesting places you’ve traveled or visited. Every Wednesday you’re invited to link up your posts. Then the following week, I’ll gather 3-5 of your posts and feature them, along with the linky! (By linking up, you’re giving me permission to feature a photo from your post in next week’s edition of Inspire Me Wednesday here on mamabzz.com, hopefully sending some readers over your way.) If pinning, please go directly to each featured blogger’s post and pin from there, in order to give them the proper credit and recognition. Without further adieu, here are this week’s features; get ready to be inspired….

If you’re wanting to add a bit of variety to breakfast (or even supper), be sure to check out this Waffle Style Hash Brown Sandwich from Kristy at Mommy Hates Cooking.

Steal away to a Wine Tasting in Napa Valley with Chara from Viva la Vida. You may just find a little bit of heaven on earth. Beautiful photos….

With strawberry season just around the corner, you may want to try this delicious looking Easy Strawberry Pound Cake Recipe, shared by Dear Creatives.

Maria, from Krafty Cards etc., shared Free Fonts for Mother’s Day…. such pretty fonts, especially the Always in my Heart. Love it!Tonya, from The Traveling Praters, is writing a series about Cooking in a Hotel Room, and she has an easy recipe for those family road trips…. Beef and Bean Burritos.

Now it’s your turn to link up your latest projects (whether craft, DIY, food) or your latest travel adventure. Please only submit posts/photos that belong to you and are your own, or that you have permission to share. Absolutely nothing is needed in return, but be sure to visit 1 or 2 of the other posts linked up, and grab a Pin, leave a comment, share a tweet or Stumble, etc. (Please note that while I really do make an effort to get to all of your posts to comment or share, it sometimes proves to be difficult, time wise. I’m so grateful to see you linking up each and every week, though. It’s exciting to share ideas and be inspired by your creativity.) Blogging is all about sharing and inspiration, hence Inspire Me Wednesday.



(Disclosure: Photos used with permission of featured bloggers.)

Reading aloud to our kids has always been important to both me and Dan. We’ve always made trips to our local library, and the kids have a shelf completely overflowing with books of their own, books we’ve found at sales, online, etc. We’re hoping to instill a lifelong love of reading in both of our boys. A few weeks ago, we received a packet of books from Scholastic, one of their new Knowledge Quest™ Read-Aloud Collections. Jaden and I have gradually read through the books together, enjoying every minute snuggled up on the couch.

So, what is Knowledge Quest? We’d probably all agree that reading aloud to kids, from a young age, gives them the best introduction to reading, not to mention provides a myriad of learning opportunities for them. The Knowledge Quest collections are monthly themed book bundles for kids in Pre-K to 3rd grade. They can be used at school or at home. Since we homeschool, these fit perfectly into our learning activities. These bundles also meet the Common Core State Standards.

The bundles are meant to help build and enrich vocabulary and build a good knowledge base on each particular topic. According to research by Thomas Sticht included in the Common Core State Standards (Appendix A), children’s listening comprehension is greater than their reading comprehension until middle school, and young children who hear more words through reading aloud have larger vocabularies than their classmates by the time they enter kindergarten. The great thing about these collections is that they incorporate different subjects all into one efficient packet that can be used for days or even weeks…. so many learning opportunities. They give knowledge related to science, social studies, literature, art music, and social themes.

There are several topics to choose from; we’ve been using a collection centered around the senses, My Amazing Five Senses. The books in this collection are geared toward introducing kids to the senses, explaining what each one is, giving examples, understanding and perceiving our world and surroundings through the senses, etc. The collection comes with a guidebook that provides information, vocabulary words to discuss, descriptions of each book with concepts and guides, and activities that reinforce the concepts learned. The guide also includes a supplemental book list for further exploration and learning. The collection includes 9 books that are meant to be read in a sequential order. The books include Hello Ocean by Pam Muñoz Ryan; My Five Senses by Aliki; Rain by Manya Stojic; My Eyes by Lloyd G. Douglas; It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw; The Ear Book by Al Perkins; I Can Tell by Touching by Carolyn Otto; Spiky, Slimy, Smooth: What Is Texture? by Jane Brocket; and Seven Blind Mice by Ed Young.

One of my personal favorites was It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles G. Shaw. The whole book was filled with different white images, and they each one looked like a certain thing. It was fun to let Jaden guess before I’d read what each image was. In the end, instead of spilt milk, the image was actually a cloud that had just changed shapes throughout the pages of the book. Jaden also enjoyed counting the mice as we read Seven Blind Mice; the book incorporated colors, as well, and was just a fun book to read together. Hello Ocean made me want to be on the beach; I could almost feel everything the author talked about on every single page. Amazing the memories we hold in our senses….

We enjoyed reading all of the books together, but again, the guide book also provides activities. One activity included a Senses Collage. While we didn’t get as extensive with our senses sheets, Jaden still had fun cutting photos out of magazines and pasting them onto construction paper for the appropriate senses of Taste and Smell. There are plenty of other activities that we can stay busy with. Some of the activities seem a bit more extensive than we might do on a daily basis, but it’s easy to pick and choose and even come back to certain activities at a later time. Children can earn a certificate when finished with each collection.

It’s important to remember that these collections are not meant to be curriculum in and of themselves…. they’re more of a supplemental educational resource. I definitely recommend them, especially to other homeschool families. They’d be great for a classroom, as well. Scholastic also provides other downloadable free resources online for each collection. We enjoyed these so much, I’m considering incorporating more of these collections into our preschool and kindergarten activities. Each bundle starts at a special introductory price of $24.99; parents and teachers can purchase through Scholastic Book Clubs.

Do you enjoy reading aloud to your kids?

(Disclosure: We received the Senses Collection, free of charge, from Scholastic, for the purposes of review. All views/opinions remain honestly and solely my own.)

If you’ve watched The Lorax, you’ve seen those beautiful, colorful, cloud-like Truffula Trees. Well, back when I was in this cake pop making craze (right around Valentine’s Day), I racked my brain for a creative cake pop idea. That’s when I remembered Earth Day…. and then I thought of The Lorax and how perfect Truffula Tree cake pops would be for this occasion. So, I set out to try to create these whimsical trees, in cake pop form.

The process is quite simple, really. Anyone could make these. Below, you’ll find a printable recipe for the chocolate cake pops. The first step was to mix up my cake pop dough and heat up my Babycakes Cake Pop Maker. I chose to go the easy route in actually baking these cake pops, since I wasn’t sure how my process of creating the bushy trees would go.

You’ll need a few supplies, including the following:

• Cake pop dough (follow my recipe below)
• Pastry bag
• Candy Melts (I recommend Wilton)
• Paper Straws
• Cotton Candy (in as many colors as you can find)

After mixing the dough, add a bit of dough to a pastry bag, which I’ve found to be the easiest way to add dough to the reservoirs in the cake pop maker. Follow your cake pop maker’s instructions for baking the cake pops. When cake pops are baked, let cool on a paper towel. Once cake pops have cooled, place on a cookie sheet in freezer for about 10 minutes or until chilled well.

Now it’s time for decorating. Dip a paper straw in melted candy melts, and insert the straw into a cake ball. Continue to dip the cake pop in the candy melts until coated well. Place cake pop in a stand, and prepare a piece of cotton candy by pulling it and stretching it apart just a bit. Then wrap the cake pop while candy coating is still fresh. The cotton candy will stick to the candy coating and become your very own Truffula Tree. Beware, though, the cotton candy will dry out and begin to harden when left out for a longer period of time, so you’d probably want to complete the steps of coating your cake pops and wrapping in cotton candy right before your party or event.

These turned out so cute, and my boys absolutely loved them. They’d be perfect for an Earth Day celebration or even that next birthday party. Enjoy!

Less than 3 weeks now until SoFabCon, a conference that’s being planned and hosted by the company I work for, Collective Bias. If you haven’t made plans to attend, you may want to check it out. It’s going to be a blast! In the meanwhile, let’s get set for another issue of Inspire Me Wednesday. Heading to a conference can be one of the most inspiring things you can do for your blog, but so can sharing and inspiring each other from day to day, week to week. So excited to see what you have to share this week!

The Inspire Me Wednesday linky is a place for you to share your craft/DIY projects, your recipes/foodie posts, and the beautiful, interesting places you’ve traveled or visited. Every Wednesday you’re invited to link up your posts. Then the following week, I’ll gather 3-5 of your posts and feature them, along with the linky! (By linking up, you’re giving me permission to feature a photo from your post in next week’s edition of Inspire Me Wednesday here on mamabzz.com, hopefully sending some readers over your way.) If pinning, please go directly to each featured blogger’s post and pin from there, in order to give them the proper credit and recognition. Without further adieu, here are this week’s features; get ready to be inspired….

If you’re in the mood to switch it up a little and add a new chicken recipe to the menu, you’ll definitely want to try this recipe from Jasmine at Just Jasmine, Sweet and Spicy Apricot Jalapeño Chicken Tenders.

If you like making homemade clothes for your kids, check out these uber cute designs from Fritha at Tigerlilly Quinn. She utilized some creative Potato Printing on these pants and shirts, and I’m especially loving the little cloud and foxes.

April is Daffodil Month in Canada, a way to show support in the fight against cancer. Sylvia, from Sylvia’s Simple Life, invites you to join her for a cup of Daffodil Tea for a Worthy Cause, along with Lemon Poppy Seed Cakes.

Warmer days are ahead and with them the need for a refreshing drink, like this Pineapple Ginger Cooler from Lisa at The Domestic Life Stylist.

Jennifer, from Sassy Pants Studio, threw her son an Operation Rhino Birthday Party at a local wildlife park. Check out her cute party decorations, favors, and more.

Now it’s your turn to link up your latest projects (whether craft, DIY, food) or your latest travel adventure. Please only submit posts/photos that belong to you and are your own, or that you have permission to share. Absolutely nothing is needed in return, but be sure to visit 1 or 2 of the other posts linked up, and grab a Pin, leave a comment, share a tweet or Stumble, etc. (Please note that while I really do make an effort to get to all of your posts to comment or share, it sometimes proves to be difficult, time wise. I’m so grateful to see you linking up each and every week, though. It’s exciting to share ideas and be inspired by your creativity.) Blogging is all about sharing and inspiration, hence Inspire Me Wednesday.



(Disclosure: Photos used with permission of featured bloggers.)

Remember the Good Cook Touch Treasure Hunt I wrote about a couple of weeks ago? Well, it’s started, and as a participant in the Good Cook Blogger Outreach Program, I’m excited to tell you more! Good Cook is kicking off their Touch Treasure Hunt today, and you are welcome to participate! The hunt involves searching for and finding all the Touch icon codes, over 100 codes in all, including my code!

Where will you search? Participants will be searching the Good Cook website to find random Touch icons posted on select products. They’ll also be visiting these blogs to find more Touch icons. Those who find the most Touch icon codes will be entered to win one of three Good Cook Touch grand prize gifts. The hunt begins today, April 16, and ends May 21. You can find more details, including rules, at Good Cook.

Search for Good Cook Touch Codes on these participating products….

(Please do not confuse item numbers with the Touch Codes; I’ve just included the item #’s for your reference, if needed)
Item #20465- 3 Pc Mixing Bowl Set
Item #20445- 8″ Strainer
Item #20365- Spreader Spatula
Item #20380- Wood Turner
Item #20387- Wood Corner Spoon
Item #20430- 2 qt. Batter Bowl
Item #20317- Cheese Slicer, Adjustable
Item #20325- Folding Grater
Item #20343- Measuring Cup, 3 Pc “Measure from Above”
Item #20306- Double Handled Colander
Item #20327- Silicone Dripless Baster with Brush
Item #20316- Angled Head Silicone Basting Brush
Item #20352- Locking Can Opener

You can find the participating bloggers, where you can find more Touch icon codes, here:

And one more exciting bit of news! Good Cook is giving 4 MamaBuzz readers a 2 qt. Batter Bowl! Please leave a comment (see below) to enter, but then be sure to leave a separate comment for each optional way that you enter. This giveaway will end at the end of the Touch Treasure Hunt on Tuesday, May 21. The winner will be chosen, via random.org. This giveaway is open to U.S. only (void where prohibited). No purchase is necessary, and the odds of winning are based on a number of entries. Good luck, and have a wonderful day!

1. What is the first thing you’d make if you were to win the 2 qt. Batter Bowl? Share a comment.

Other optional ways to enter:

• Follow @GoodCookcom on Twitter.
• Follow @MamaBuzz on Twitter.
• Tweet about this giveaway, one time only (you can use the easy sharing buttons at the bottom of this post).
• Subscribe to posts from MamaBuzz, using either the Subscribe button or Subscribe via email box in my sidebar.

(Disclosure: I’m sharing this info/giveaway, as a part of the Good Cook Blogger Outreach Program. I am being provided a gift pack to enjoy in my own kitchen.)

Do you find yourself wanting easy peasy meals, especially on busy weeknights, when you’re running from activity to activity? I’ve found that the easier the meal on those busy nights, the less tempted I am to go through the fast food lane or order takeout. This recipe, from my family cookbook, is super easy; while it may not be the healthiest meal you could eat, it’s still a kid-friendly, quick meal option that will, at the very least, save you some moolah. Below is a printable recipe, without photos, for your convenience.

The first step is to add the veggies to the bottom of your casserole dish. Brown the ground beef, and drain well; add to veggies. Pour the soup in over hamburger, spreading well. For the record, you can use any creamed soup you want; we like cream of celery too.Cover with a layer of tater tots on top, adding as many as possible. Bake at 350°, uncovered, until tots are brown.

Serve while warm. The best part is that everything is included in this one dish, veggies and all. Enjoy!