Ducks 'n a Row

vacuum cleaner

How To Clean a Baking Pan

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Burnt on food is the number one reason that I used to avoid certain recipes. I didn’t want to face the tough job cleaning the pans. So often the recipes that are the yummiest dishes are also guaranteed to produce a burnt-on mess. It is just the way they are. 
 
cleaning tips, household hints, baking soda uses
What kind of dishes? I am talking about pot roast, beef stew and brisket: three delicious tummy warming dinners that my family loves. But how I dreaded the clean up. Whether made in the oven or a crockpot, the tough cleaning chore ahead was inevitable  – that is, until now!
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Finally, I discovered the so simple cure. It is really a dream come true. What is it?  Baking soda! Yes. Nothing fancy but you are going to love this.

I extolled the hidden virtues of baking soda some time ago in “15 Great Uses For Baking Soda” covering everything from insect bite treatment to a key ingredient in your child’s Erupting Volcano Science Fair Experiment – but this?   How did I miss this?

How To Clean Burnt-On Food In A Baking Pan

Supplies

Warm water
1/4 – 1/2 cup baking soda
household hacks, baking soda uses, cleaning, kitchen tips
 

Directions

Rinse the pan with water.
Pour in dry baking soda.
household hints, cleaning tips, kitchen

Add lots of very warm water to cover all the burnt on food.

Let the pan stand for at least 15 – 30 minutes.

 

clean pans, baking pans, dishes, cleaning, kitchen tips, household hints

 

Next, place the pan in the sink -if it isn’t already there- and rub the interior with a kitchen brush.
The burnt-on food will lift off easily!
Pour out the dirty water.
Add dish soap, clean warm water and,  using a sponge, clean it the rest of the way.
Rinse.
Dry.
Sparkling clean!
clean pans, baking pans, dishes, cleaning, kitchen tips, household hints
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Have you ever tried ceramic non-stick pans?  Oh, what a great invention! 
If you are going with new, try ceramic for easy cleaning!
ceramic roasting pan

16 Awesome DIY Cardboard Toys To Make That Your Kids Will Love!

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There are so many fabulous toys on the market but some of the best toys are homemade. Just ask that little toddler who plays for hours with a BOX instead of the toy that came inside… priceless! Here are 16 amazing DIY cardboard toys any kid would love to play with …
Toys made from cardboard boxes are some of the coolest toys around! #DIY
Here are 16 awesome DIY cardboard toys made by parents and kids. Whether it is a recycled cardboard box maze, store, parking lot, drive in theater or dollhouse, hours of fun imaginative play lie ahead for the kids who play with them!
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This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ❤️
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easy cardboard sandcastle fort

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16 Do-It-Yourself Cardboard Toys

homemade maze made of cardbaord boxes
1. Cardboard Box Maze – The Stir Cafe Mom
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DIY cardboard box car wash toy
2. DIY Car Wash – Non Toy Gifts
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wooden nuts and bolts construction play set
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
5. Recycled Box Dollhouse – My Cakies
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Sssh!   Don’t tell her cleaning is work.    She thinks she’s playing!  LOL   
Melissa & Doug toy broom dustpan set
 
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
6. Play Dog House – Ikatbag
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Plush toy Noah's Ark set for kids

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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
7. Fruit Stand – Ikatbag
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
8. Indoor Miniature Golf – Princess Pinky Girl
Minecraft building set play fort
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
9. Drive In Movie Birthday Party – Party Wagon
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
10. DIY Cardboard Box Oven – 2 Little Faces
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
11. Parking Garage for Hot Wheels Cars – Frugal Fun 4 Boys
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hot wheels cars
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
12. Noah’s Ark w Stuffed Animals – The Craft Train
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
14. Toilet Paper Roll Marble Run – Elhadadepapel
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
15. Choo Choo Trainville  – Ikatabag
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homemade toys, recycled toys, repurposing, family fun, kids
16. Cardboard Box Washing Machine – Apartment Therapy
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Do your kids love crafts?  This Elmer the Patchwork Elephant craft is fun and relaxing.  It is especially suited for preschoolers and kindergarten but even adults enjoy sitting down and making one of the pictures themselves!
Elmer the Patchwork Elephant

Holiday Wreath Breakfast Kuchen

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This holiday breakfast kuchen is so pretty on a holiday table. Easy to make. Enjoy the “oohs and ahs” when company comes!

Holiday wreath kuchen also known as a Swedish tea-ring.
This pastry makes a wonderful gift. Just double the recipe and you can get three nice sized rings out of it. 

*This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ♥

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Holiday Wreath Breakfast Kuchen Recipe

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Pastry Ingredients

1 pkg. dry yeast
1 1/4 cups water
1/4 cup and a “drop” sugar
4 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
2 cold sticks butter
2 eggs

Filling

ground cinnamon
sugar
chopped walnuts

Glaze

1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar
1 T. butter, softened
milk to the desired consistency
Green and red Maraschino cherries, drained … or pecans... for decoration.
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air insulated non stick cookie sheets

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Directions

 In WARM BOWL dissolve 1 pkg yeast, ¼ c water, drop of sugar
SECOND BOWL: 3 cups flour, ¼ c. sugar, 1 tsp salt, 2 cold sticks margarine, cut in using a pastry blender or two knives.
ADD 2 beaten EGGS, 1 cup water and yeast mix. MIX. Add 1 ½ cup more flour. COVER and refrigerate at least 2 hours…to 3 days.
Using a rolling pin, ROLL FLAT on floured surface.
Sprinkle generously with cinnamon, sugar and chopped walnuts.
Roll into a tube and connect the open ends making a ring.
Set the ring of dough on greased cookie sheet*.
Cut slices 1 inch wide and ¾ way through.
Twist sections onto their side, forming a “wreath”
LET RISE 20 minutes.
Bake 375° degrees 25-30 minutes.
Drizzle with a powdered sugar glazed icing.
 *No need to grease if using an air insulated baking sheet.

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pastry, tea ring

 

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OXO Good Ergonomic Cookie Press

Make AMAZING Cookie Press Cookies this Holiday Season  

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Pretty breakfast kuchen. So pretty you could give it as a gift! #recipes #pastries #foodie Share on X

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Holiday Wreath Kuchen with red and green cherry decorations

 

Enjoy!

Homeries Cake stand with glass dome cover

 

 

Keep your house super clean (pet hair???) for the holidays … even give this as a gift!

Shark navigator vacuum with LED headlights

 

 

 

Beautiful Holiday Wreath Kuchen pastry ring

When Chocolate Meets Cheesecake: 12 Best Chocolate Cheesecake Recipes

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12 Best Chocolate Cheesecake Recipes

12 Amazing Chocolate Cheesecake Recipes

 
“All this chocolate and cheesecake? You’ve got to be kidding!”  No, we’re not. Here are 12 amazing dessert recipes with one thing in common: they combine chocolate with cheesecake to make the most delectable dessert delights ever.
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This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ❤️
 
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cheesecake
Icebox Oreo Cheesecake from the Galley Gourmet
 
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cookie crumbs
 
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almond joy cheesecake
Almond Joy Cheesecake from Will Cook for Smiles
 
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Hot Fudge Brownie Cheesecake by Life With The Crust Cut Off
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Smuckers hot fudge sauce topping
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Peanut Butter Cheesecake
Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake featured on Better Homes and Gardens
 
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Turtle Cheesecake
Mini Turtle Cheesecakes from Six Sisters Stuff
 
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Snickers Cheesecake Bars
Snickers Cheesecake Bars from Domestic Super Hero
 
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Chocolate Cheesecake Dip
Brownie Cheesecake Dip from Lemon Tree Dwelling 
 
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Serving bowls for sauces and dips AD
 
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Marble Cheesecake Brownies by Ducks 'n a Row
Cheesecake Brownies from Ducks ‘n a Row
 
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brownie mix
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Snicker Bar Chunks Cheesecake by Titi Crafty
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No-Bake Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bites from Will Cook For Smiles
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Chocolate Cheesecake Recipe
Decadent Chocolate Cheesecake from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
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Chocolate Marble Cheesecake
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decorative blue ceramic pie pan
And now for our Bonus Surprise
in a Chocolate Cheesecake Class by itself ...
Potted Chocolate Cheesecake by Tidy Mom
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Do you love chocolate? Do you love cheesecake? How about #chocolate and #cheesecake TOGETHER??? Yes! 12 amazing #recipes that you are going to #LOVE! Share on X
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Enjoy!

cheesecake slicer

Pet hair problems?  This vacuum works!  

Shark vacuum cleaner

Little Ducks On A Pond Preschool Bulletin Board – A First Day Of School Activity

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Little ducks preschool bulletin board for preschool
Hey, it’s the first day of preschool! The first day of school at any age has its moments. Preschoolers, of course, are rank beginners. Many may never have been away from mom or dad for any length of time and they might be a little bit afraid. It is important that you make your students feel right at home. Getting-to-know-you games are great ice-breakers to help your little kiddos gain confidence on the first day of preschool.

This blog contains affiliate links.♥

laminating pouches
This little “ducks on the pond” name activity helps young students to learn names while having fun doing it. It works for preschool or kindergarten in a traditional school setting. It can also work well in Sunday school or even summer camp.
I created this “duck pond” poster myself. All parts are laminated, except for the blue water -which is bright blue colored copy paper– and a foam board. I printed clouds and the sun onto white cardstock using free clipart online. The “welcome” was sign was created using word art (part of the Microsoft Word program.) 
Ducks on the Pond getting to know you preschool activity

You can tell that the clouds, sun and “welcome” are laminated from the reflection on the picture! Try as I could to not have it shine, it still did! LOL
The little ducks were also created from free clipart. I added the names of each student, our assistants and myself, in text boxes – printed them on cardstock, laminated the pages and then cut out each duck.

This blog contains AMAZON  affiliate links. ♥

Preschool getting to know you activity with ducks & imaginary cars #kids
Using velcro, I put the soft side of a velcro piece on the back of each duck. The rough sides went on the poster. Each child had to “find” the missing ducky and “drive” it in their car to the pond. (Imaginary car – paper plate steering wheel – more about the game below.)

Place the foam board on a table, “landscape style.”
Glue together 2-3 sheets of blue copier paper. They will go across the bottom of your foam board as the water of the pond.
Cut a wavy line at the top to simulate the waves on a pond.
Using white school glue, glue the blue paper to the bottom of the poster.
Draw some waves on the blue paper, using a black marker.
Accent the marker waves with glue along on the wavy lines.
Add rays coming from the sun with glue, as well.
Sprinkle glitter on the glue.

 

Open up theFREE printable template with pictures of ducks on it.

Add the names of your students – one on each duck – in the invisible text boxes.
Now print the pages of ducks on white card stock paper.
Laminate the pages and cut out the ducks.
Print some clouds, a sun and the words “welcome” on white card stock.
Laminate them and cut them out, as well.
The clouds, sun and sign should be glued onto the foam board.
Make the little ducks with the student names on them attachable by using velcro (Get velcro dots here)

Velcro Tip: Put the scratchy side of the dots on the foam board in various places where you want the ducks to be placed. Put the soft side of the velcro dots on the backs of the ducks – it is gentler on little hands. 

 

Little Ducks Name Free Printable Template here

 

How to play “Find The Missing Duckies” name game:

Our opening activity on the first day of school was to make headbands. They were very simple. The band was a strip of colored paper. The students were given a coloring page with a cartoony picture of a car and the first letter of their name in a box. They colored them with crayons, cut them out and glued them onto the head band.
After each child put on their headband, we gave each student a paper plate which was the “steering wheel” of their imaginary car.

The point of the game?
To find the missing duckies!
We described a dilemma that mama duck could not find her duckies and she needed them to come back safely to the pond.

Our little drivers drove around the classroom (I was the leader) and pulled up their pretend cars at the spot where Miss Zara, my assistant, was standing. She had the duckies. She gave each driver the little duck with their name and they “drove” to the pond to put it on the pond. It was silly fun that everyone enjoyed!

Another important “first day of school activity” for preschool and kindergarten is learning “the rules!” Here are 6 Classroom Rules with colorful flip cards to help you get your year started right!

Enjoy!

Cheese Salsa Dip Recipe – So Easy To Make!

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Don’t you just love easy quick appetizer recipes that are so good you would be making it even if you had lots of time? That is the way with this cheese salsa dip. It is so popular that kids and parents alike request it for a party! Potluck suppers, sports get togethers, cookouts, holiday celebrations … any occasion is a good excuse for making this delicious 10 minute recipe!
appetizers, party food, microwave recipes, cheese dip, salsa, corn chips
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This blog contains Amazon affiliate links.❤️

Ceramic 26 ounce bowls

Ceramic 26 ounce microwavable bowls #Ad

Cheese Salsa Dip Recipe

Ingredients 
16 oz. processed cheese
1 cup medium to hot salsa
dipping tortilla chips

appetizers, party food, microwave recipes, cheese dip, salsa, corn chips

Directions
Cut the processed cheese into chunks.
Put them into a microwave safe bowl.
Add salsa.
Mix them together.
Microwave on high for 5 minutes.
Using a spoon, blend the melted dip.
Scoop the hot dip into a clean bowl.*
Serve with tortilla chips.

 
*Use a microwavable serving bowl in case you want to rewarm it.
appetizers, party food, microwave recipes, cheese dip, salsa, corn chips
Blending the heated dip mixture.
appetizers, party food, microwave recipes, cheese dip, salsa, corn chips
Serve with tortilla chips.
Wooden chip and dip bowl - gorgeous! #ad
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Cheese salsa microwave dip #recipes
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Chip and Dip Bowl!

 

16 Fabulous Fun DIY Fabric Baskets For You To Make

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You know what it is like to see a picture online that just catches your eye. It is “love at first sight.” You can’t stop looking at it. Well, that is what happened to me when I first saw these gorgeous DIY fabric baskets. I was finding so many of them that I wanted to gather them together to share with you on my blog.

Fabulous DIY Fabric Baskets #sewing #tips

OK folks, this post is growing! Today I have just added basket number 18!!! I know you’ll love it♥

 

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ❤️

 

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how to make handbags and totes

If you are itching to get started making your own DIY fabric baskets,  you can get some great ☑️ Sewing Patterns For Accessories– totes, purses, backpacks and more here on Amazon prime!

I just love baskets for all kinds of uses, like the wicker basket planter that I refurbished last week. So, when I first saw a fabric basket, I went “gaga” over them!

Whether you call them baskets, bins, pods, cubes or containers, fabric storage baskets are so special that I just had to share the best I have found with you. Each one of these projects comes with some kind of instruction on how to they are made. A few even include free patterns that you can use.

So, visit each one, pin them for later and enjoy!

This is the one that I just added so, it is #17…
Fabric Basket Tutorial – Free Motion By The River [Connie Kresin Campbell]
And, yes, here is number 18 and it also is from Connie Kresin! !!!
DIY fabric baskets for storage #crafts #baskets
Fat Quarter Fabric Baskets – Connie Kreskin
Pattern for making tote, baby changing pad and more #ad
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DIY, basket, patterns
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sewing
16 beautiful craft baskets #DIY #sewing
collapsible fabric storage baskets
crafts, sewing, baskets
sewing
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Sewing projects come with clean up?   Of course they do!  ad
shark pet fur vacuum
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crafts, projects, patterns
Storage Pods were originally found on a website called Secret Garden Quilting but I have not been able to locate a pattern for making this exact style.  Below is a tutorial on a website called Instructables for a Reverse Hanging Storage Pod.  Again, very similar but not exact.  I will continue to keep my eye out for the actual pattern. …Sinea
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16 beautiful DIY craft baskets
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16 beautiful sewing baskets
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sewing baskets
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crafts

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Best Pet Hair Vacuum Ever!

Shark liftaway vacuum for carpets and floors
Truly.  I mean it.  Read about how I found it and why I love it so much!
These fur babies were part of the quest. Yellow Labs produce more fur than any dogs I have ever had the privilege of knowing! LOL
Two yellow lab dogs
Big Lexi and little sis Sadie.
Now, here is a NEW one.  I only just saw it and have read the details.  What I love about it is the microscopic deep cleaning it does, especially on hard floors.  See the green light?  It helps you find even the smallest hairs and particles that you would normally miss with the naked eye.  I will always be a Shark upright user … it is still my “go to!”  However, this is cordless and you can clean up in a jiffy.  I think I would like to have this Dyson V15 Detect, too!  Check it out! 
Dyson V15 Cordless Detect Plus vacuum

Enjoy!

snuggly tubbie wubbie lion toy

free patterns, diy baskets, storage, bins, pods, crafts, quilting

20 Stunning Home Office Ideas – So Pretty That You Won’t Want To Leave!

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Hi there! I took a little “day dreaming” trip through Pinterest today. I was looking at gorgeous home offices – ultra chic.  And then I found some absolutely cute and adorable home offices that I loved just as well! Good thing I was only window-shopping!
20 Stunning In-Home Offices you will love! #decor
They really are superb. I could easily take any one of them and work there for hours on end! In fact, there are a few that my family might have to drag me out of. LOL

So, I pinned them all. Take a look. Which one do YOU like best? There are 20, including a few special office décor items. What do you think? Which one would be yours if you could have it?
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This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ♥
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waterproof desk pad designer colors
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 wall mounted hanging bulletin board vision board
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wooden chandelier pendant light
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3 canvas inspirational pieces of art for your home office
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PET HAIR VACUUM

 

Shark self cleaning brushroll perfect for pets upright vacuum
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succulent garden ceramic pots
Little succulent planters look great in a grouping or are superb on their own on a desk!  Give some away to your best friends if 5 are too many. They’ll love you for it!
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succulent plant on your desk
See?   I thought you might like it. ♥
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Big time wall clock #ad
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Trendy Right-Sized Desks!
Rustic small computer desk for your home office #ad
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Black drop glamorous wall clock #ad

Glamorous black drop wall clock    Ad

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Gold map of the world wall art #ad

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bloggers, work at home moms, home office, home decor, elegant decor, cute decorating ideas

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Great vacuum for picking up PET HAIR of all kinds (and people hair, too!)
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20 stunning home offices #homedecor

 

Make Minions Pizza For A Fun Family Movie Night

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I had no idea just how closely the kids in our family were watching their favorite characters, the minions. Kenzie (age 10) has been talking like a minion for weeks and I didn’t know it. As soon as I saw the movie trailer, I realized that she “speaks minion!” She sounds just like them. One talented girl:) I wonder if she knows what she’s saying?
pizza recipe for a Minions Pizza

Ever since I saw Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me 2 I, too, have loved those little yellow guys with their big-eyed goggles and blue overalls. It was only right that they’d get a movie all to themselves: Minions © 2015 Universal Studios. All rights reserved. When I heard about their new movie, I should have been faster. I wanted to take Kenzie to see it in the theater but her kid-at-heart Uncle Bob beat me to the punch. OK, I can adjust. I decided that I would buy the movie for all of us to see together as soon as it came out. This time I would not lose the race!

 

I made a note to buy the Minions movie Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack and that it would be available as of December 8, 2015. Easy to remember, that happens to be my birthday. But where would I buy one? I went to the Minions movie website to formulate my plan. On their website, I easily found a retail location by me.  Soon as school let out that day, I hightailed it straight to the store. Thank goodness, they had a copy and I bought it.  OK, I went a little crazy and got some cute stuffed minions, too. Happy birthday to me!

 

Family movie night with Minions

 

So just how could we really do up a family movie night with the Minions movie? It should be especially fun. Sure, we could make Minions desserts but I wanted to try something different. How about pizza? A minions pizza! Check it out. Does it look like a minion to you? Can you see his little pepperoni slice smile? Please say “yes.”

This blog contains Amazon affiliate links. ♥

Homemade pizza that looks like a cute Minion!
Here is how I made this special edition pizza for a fun Minions Movie Night!

 

Minion Pizza Recipe

PARTS NEEDED
Pizza dough* (recipe below)
Pizza sauce
Mozzarella, shredded
Mozzarella, slices
Black olive slices
Pepperoni
Prepare your pizza dough first.

 

Minions Movie, minion pizza
Pizza Dough Ingredients
Minion movie, minion, Minions Movie Night
Mixing Up The Dough

Pizza Dough Recipe

 
Ingredients
1 pkg. active dry yeast
1 tsp. granulated white sugar
1 cup warm water
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 T. olive oil
1 tsp. salt

Directions – Pizza Dough

Preheat oven to 450°
Using a room temperature or slightly warm mixing bowl* combine warm water, sugar and yeast. Mix. Let stand for about 10 minutes until yeast is frothy.
*Tip: A warm bowl helps to maintain the temperature of the water, increasing the effectiveness of the yeast.

Stir in remaining ingredients.
Beat until smooth.
Allow the dough to rest for 5 minutes
Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface.
Pat it with your fingertips it into a “minion” shape, about 1/2″ thick.
Spoon on sauce to the edges.
Arrange other toppings (instructions below) and bake at 450° for about 20-25 minutes.
Tip: Keep an eye on your pizza. Remove when it is golden brown.

Ingredients for making a Minion pizza

Minions Pizza Toppings

Directions – Toppings

Cover pizza dough with 2/3 cup jarred pizza sauce up to the edge.
Spread shredded mozzarella evenly over the sauce
Use pepperoni slices to create his overalls.
Sliced black olives form the goggles.
Reserve 2 sliced black olives for the pupils of his eyes.

Use a sliver cut from pepperoni for his little mouth.

making the pizza

Cutting Mozzarella Slices For Minion Eyes

Tip: if you don’t have a circular cookie cutter, use the end of a clean drinking glass or clean empty can. I used the black olives can!
minions movie pizza

Unbaked pizza.

 

Tip: For this picture, I put the cheese eyeballs and black olive pupils in place. I wanted you to see what it looks like. For baking, I waited until the pizza had baked for 15 minutes and  then I put them on. This way, the cheese eyeballs won’t melt much and it keeps the look.
 
Bake at 450° for 15 minutes.
Add the mozzarella eyeballs and black olive pupils.
Return to oven and bake until golden brown

Round Cookie Cutters!

Round cookie cutter set - ring cookie cutter set
 
Minion Bob plush toy

Enjoy!