Pretzel Rod Sparklers

Today's Fourth of July post is all about these cute Pretzel Rod Sparklers! They are a quick and easy treat that the kids could help out with and they will be super cute for the 4th! My oldest daughter helped me make these last night. I dipped them and she took care of the sprinkles. Oh, forgot to mention that these little sparklers taste pretty good, too! They would also make a fun party favor for guests at your barbecue or celebration. Just package a few of them in a cellophane bag and tie on a cute ribbon. Get the recipe below!



Pretzel Rod Sparklers
pretzel rods
vanilla almond bark
red, white and blue sprinkles, jimmies
wax paper or foil

Melt almond bark on low heat until smooth. Dip or spoon on almond bark covering about half the pretzel rod. Sprinkle on jimmies or sprinkles. Lay flat on wax paper or foil and let dry.**I used 1/4 of the block of almond bark and made 10 pretzels, but their was more almond bark left. I could have made about 6 more, but I was just out of time.**

Festive Fourth Centerpiece

I've got a cute centerpiece idea today that would be great for your July 4th table, an outdoor barbecue or just as decoration in your house. I used a metal striped bucket I found at the Target dollar spot and filled it with red and white carnations. Mine are fake or as I like to say, faux.(That makes them sound better.) Real ones would be prettier I'm sure and smell nice,too. Hydrangeas would look very nice, but I didn't have real ones and the faux were quite expensive, so I passed on those. I finished the centerpiece off with a blue ribbon around the top to give it that Independence Day feel. I think I'll take it to our celebration with my family on July 3rd to liven up the table a bit.

Peanut Butter Pie

As you know, July 4th is Sunday, so I wanted to take this week to share some ideas for your 4th!
That's the plan anyway. Hopefully I will get to blog everyday to share these fun things with you.

Today I thought I'd share a peanut butter pie with you that would be great for your 4th of July dessert table. I figure you can always do the traditional apple pie and watermelon, which is yummy. Don't get me wrong, I love both of those. Why not add a rich , peanut butter pie to the mix. Have your glass of water nearby because it is sweet and rich with it's chocolate crust, peanut butter filling and peanut butter cups to top it off. Find the recipe below.



Peanut Butter Pie
1/2 c. smooth peanut butter
4 oz. cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1 (8 oz.) container Cool Whip, thawed
1 Oreo pie crust
2 regular size Reese's Cups, broken apart

In a mixing bowl, whip peanut butter and cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Place Cool Whip in another bowl and fold peanut butter mixture into it.Spoon mixture into pie shell and top with broken up Reese's Cups. Refrigerate pie until firm.

We Are Fa-mi-ly

Our vacation to Panama City Beach was great! I think I could have stayed another week. The weather was beautiful the entire time we were there. We couldn't pass up the chance to take some family pictures of everyone in our blue & khaki. A special thanks to my husband for hobbling down to the beach with his bum knee. It was a real task for him since his knee is still healing. Thanks honey. You're a trooper!

Lena,Kyle,Sam,Dana,Dad,Mom,Laci,Trent,Will,Ivy and Missy

This picture is the best one I had of all of us even though my bro. in-law's eyes are closed(sorry Sam), Laci is flashing the peace sign and Trent is looking away. I love it anyways.

Laci, Ivy and Trent outside our condo.

My family. I love this one too with the palm trees in the background. It was so hot, though.

My nephew, Kyle, Trent, Laci and Ivy.

My dad and mom.They looooove the beach!

Fun At The Beach

Well, I have been a blog slacker lately. I have either been busy getting things ready for vacation, then on vacation and I am trying to get back into the swing of things. However, summer break is always busier with all the kids home. Maybe I can manage to get a few more things posted this week. Who knows?!

Our vacation was to Panama City Beach, FL a couple weeks ago and we had the best time!! We went with my parents, sister, bro. in-law, nephew and his girl friend. The beach was gorgeous and there was no oil or tar balls to be found. We had so much fun with our family! Yay!!


The kids loved building sand castles, boogie boarding, swimming in the pool and playing in the ocean. We discovered that Ivy, our 2 yr. old, LOVES being in the ocean. She probably could have stayed out there all day.

Ivy burying Lena's feet in the sand.