Top 3 things to do online when the kids have gone to bed

Some people find themselves falling into a routine of getting up, going to work, coordinating around the kids and then flopping into bed to start the whole routine again the following day. It can be really difficult when you have kids to find time for yourself and you can lose motivation to do things that you enjoy doing. It’s a good idea to try engaging in some activities that you enjoy after the kids go to bed-you don’t have to even leave the house, so no babysitters required. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Watch the films you always meant to watch and never got round to. There are lots of online sites where you can watch films and also lots of subscription packages where you can find a wealth of movies to watch and enjoy in your leisure time.

Another thing you can do is start dancing. You don’t have to go to classes-there are millions of websites and YouTube channels out there with instructors teaching you in the comfort of your own home. Go out of your comfort zone-you can choose belly dancing, salsa, or even ballroom. There are lots of celebrity ones too and it can be a fun thing to do with your partner.

Online casino-if you can’t go to the casino, bring the casino to you. More and more people have turned to online casinos such as online casino Australia as a way of experiencing a past time they would normally feel too intimidated to try. There are lots of great sites and also downloadable software, and the great thing is that you can play for free for as long as you want and become really good at it before you start playing for real money. Imagine doing it regularly and then surprising your friends by becoming an expert poker player! You could showcase your new skills at a poker night with your friends after the kids have gone to bed!

Valentines Day Ideas

Disclosure: This is not a compensated post.

We do not make a big deal about Valentines Day every year. It was a sad holiday as a kid, not worth talking about now. Anyway, my kids are in school and they do card exchanges, so we go all out.

My kids get a bit upset, as I buy Valentine cards on clearance sales every year. So their cards are never new up to date shows. To me a card is a card, whether it has Disney Princess or Monster High.

I am not really a crafty person, but this year I came up with the idea of adding our own personal touches to the cards. Not personalizing them in ways of pictures or notes, but with bracelets and rings.

My kids have gone with the craze of Rainbow Loom, it’s one of their favorite past times. We have rubber bands and bracelets all over my house.
So my idea was to add a Rainbow Loom ring or bracelet to each card for a person in class. We have so many, it would not hurt giving some away or making more.

So they started making Sweetheart bracelets and ones with red and pink.

I think they came out cute and will look great for Valentines Day.

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This is my favorite, with the little heart in the middle.

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There are many different styles to make and colors. This is going to fun.

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Our collection so far!

Kontos Cocktail Flatbreads Get The Super Bowl Party Started

Disclosure: No formal compensation was received for this post. A product was provided for my review.

I have been trying so many different snacks and foods, fixing the perfect ones to have on hand during the Super Bowl.

Kontos Cocktail Flatbreads are perfect to get started. You can literally top them with anything. Hummus, cheese and meat, eggs and more. They contain no trans fat and are 100% vegetarian.

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I made them with pepperoni and cheese and they were literally gone in 5 minutes, my kids could not get enough of them.

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There are so many ways to dress the flatbreads, try some of Kontos recipes.

Burgers:
Using any preferred ground beef, make patties approximately 2” in diameter. Season and grill to taste.
Melt your favorite cheese – American, cheddar or Swiss – on top of burger.
Place cooked burger between two pieces of Kontos Foods’ Cocktail Flatbread. (Note: Cut 2” diameter pieces from regular Kontos Flatbread if you don’t have Cocktail Flatbreads.)
Top with relish, ketchup, etc., as desired.

Superbowl food ideas 3

Open Face Chicken/Tuna Salad Appitizer
Place dollop of chicken or tuna sliced to aptly cover one piece of Kontos Cocktail Flatbread.
Garnish with tomato, cucumber and/or fresh basil to preference.

What would you make with Kontos Cocktail Flatbreads?

Leigh Anne Tuohy’s Big Game Entertaining Tips #HormelFamily

Disclosure: I’ve partnered with Hormel Foods as part of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

The Superbowl is taking place on February 2, 2014 and I have been writing a lot about my favorite snacks and foods for the big game. Hormel has shared some of Leigh Anne Tuohy’s entertainment tips for the big day. Leigh Anne Tuohy is a football and entertaining expert, she was also the inspiration behind the hit film “The Blind Side”.

Here are her top 5 tips:

  1. Always smile. Don’t let your guests know you are stressed-bring a smile and remember it’s not what you do for someone, it’s what they think you do for them.
  2. Delegate! People are always asking how they can help, so give everyone something to do.   Even if it is something as simple as pouring the wine or putting napkins on the table, it’s one less thing for you to worry about.
  3. Tailgating means potluck in the south. Le everyone bring something-but have some guidelines. Create a theme for your party.  It gives people the opportunity to be creative and lightens the load on you.
  4. Don’t sweat the small stuff. My mother always taught me if you have friends, great lighting, and good music then you have a party. Use old Christmas lights for lighting, plug in your iPhone for instant music, and use cut flowers from your backyard for decoration.  You will be amazed how pretty it looks and how simple it can be.
  5.  Plan ahead. Do what you can the night before. Have everything in containers and ready to go-you mayor always have much time to prepare before a game, and you want to enjoy as much time with friends and family.

Leigh Anne Tuohy has put together some of her game day favorites for the big game.

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Spicy Chili Dip

  • 1 (16-ounce) package pasteurized processed cheese product
  • 1 (16-ounce) jar Chi-Chi’s salsa
  • 1 (15-ounce) can Hormel Chili No Beans
  • 1 (12-ounce) package Hormel Little Sizzlers pork sausage links, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • Tortilla chips

In saucepan over low heat, combine processed cheese and salsa.  Heat and stir until cheese is melted.  Add chili, cooked sausage and cream cheese. Heat thoroughly.  Serve in slow cooker with tortilla chips. Serves 16.

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Ham It Up:
2 (12-ounce) packages dinner rolls
1 cup butter, softened
1 onion, grated
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard or 1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 (8-ounce) packages Hormel Natural Choice cooked deli ham
12 slices Swiss cheese

Heat oven to 350°F. Slice each package of dinner rolls horizontally in half. In bowl, combine butter, onion, poppy seeds, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Spread mixture over bottom of rolls. Top with ham and cheese slices. Cover with top of rolls. Wrap in foil and place on baking sheet. Bake 20 to 30 minutes or until hot and cheese is melted. Serves 12.

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Cheesy Loaf:
1 (16-ounce) loaf French bread
2 cups grated Cheddar cheese
2 cups chopped Hormel Cure 81chopped ham
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream
1/3 cup chopped green onions
ÂĽ cup Chi-Chi’s diced green chilies

Heat oven to 350°F. Cut thin slice from top of bread loaf. Remove center from bread loaf, leaving ½-inch wall; reserve removed bread. In bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Fill bread shell with ham mixture. Place top of bread over ham mixture. Wrap loaf in foil. Place on baking sheet. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until hot. Serve dip with reserved bread and/or tortilla chips. Serves 8.

Will you be trying Leigh Anne Tuohy’s recipes for the big game?

Superbowl ready with Hormel

Disclosure:I’ve partnered with Hormel Foods as part of the Hormel Foods Extended Family Blogger Program. Throughout the year I’ll be receiving product, coupons, giveaways and promotions. However, no payment was given or expected for posting about the program, and as always, all opinions given here are fully my own.

The Superbowl is creeping up, have you decided what food you’ll provide. I have decided not to make a big deal out of it as it will only be my immediate family.
Definite check is pizza and chicken wings. The one thing my kids can not have a party without.

My kids favorite topping is pepperoni, so I am making the pizza myself with Hormel pepperoni.

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Another appetizer I am considering having is chili cheese for fries or chips, even hot dogs if anyone would like.

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What is your favorite game day dish? Do you have a tradition?

GE Lighting At Target With Gift Card Giveawayclosed

Disclosure: No compensation was provided for this post. Product was provided beforehand.  GE and Target are only providing the product and not running the giveaway.

A quick and easy way to makeover your home for the New Year is to switch your light bulbs to GE reveal for clean beautiful light that will make the colors of any room pop. GE reveal bulbs provide amazing clean full spectrum light that filters out the dull yellows of standard incandescent light bulbs.

Watch this fun and stylish video featuring four hip tastemakers discussing the importance of good lighting and how quick and easy it is to do a reveal lighting makeover.

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GE reveal light bulbs are now available at Target where all makeover needs can be purchased in one swoop and with great savings using Target’s Cartwheel savings app. With the Cartwheel app, you can browse for savings ahead of shopping or while at Target, you can scan the barcode of any product to see if there is a Cartwheel saving.  Download the Target Cartwheel app on your IOS or Android.

 $2 off GE reveal at Target – Print the coupon at home and use at Target. Expires 2/8

Read my review on GE lighting here. 

We have a great opportunity for you to win this makeover experience. You can enter to win a $25 Target giftcard + GE reveal light bulbs + a free download of the Herbert Bail Orchestra EP.

Open To US only

To enter: Tell me what room in your house could use new lighting?

Extra entries:

Subscribe to my feed- 12 entries

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Contest ends 1/28/14

 

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