Weekend Fun with the Luck O the Irish

This past weekend, our family had some major "Leprachaun" time to celebrate our part Irish heritage :) The whole weekend was themed around St. Patty's Day!!

The weekend started on Friday when the kids were out of school for an Act 80 day. First stop...Chuck E. Cheese. How does this relate? Gold coins (tokens)

We stopped off at Giant Eagle to buy our Sunday Irish dinner foods and let the younger kids hang out at the Iggle's Nest to do some "green" crafts :) While they had their fun, we had some with the older kids watching them as they did a St. Patrick's Day scavenger hunt through the store. Clues and food samples made a nice hunt!

Saturday, we made some yummies for our trip to WV for my sister's 18th birthday party.

Marshmallow Pops!

Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies!          

Pot of Gold at the End of the Rainbow Treats~

After a nice Saturday with the family, we made our way home for our Sunday Irish Dinner!

Sweet-and-Spicy Glazed Corn Beef. Recipe found in Woman's World magazine.

 Beer Braised Cabbage. Found the recipe in Woman's World magazine.

Apple and Smoked Salmon Salad. Found the recipe in Woman's World magazine.


We had little mugs of ale (ok, it was just sparkling apple cider), the kids loved it!

After dinner, we had a game of Leprachaun Trail where the kids had to find all of the hidden coins.

The night ended with what else? Homemade Shamrock Shakes!!

What a wonderful weekend!!

I posted all of the recipes on my food blog. http://dede-kneadarecipe.blogspot.com/

Book Review: From Blah to Awe...shaking up a boring faith by Jenna Lucado Bishop

Book Review: From Blah to Awe...shaking up a boring faith by Jenna Lucado Bishop


"I received this book for free from BookSneeze for this review”.

Book Review: Do you ever feel like faith just isn't as exciting as you thought it would be? You know God loves you, but you don't feel very loved. From time to time, going to church and reading the Bible seem...well, a little blah.

Jenna Lucado Bishop shares her testimony and others' stories to explore what a radical, living relationship with God looks like and how the Bible can help you hunger and thirst for more of God. You'll discover how to keep your faith fresh and vibrant and alive.

My Review:  When I opened the package, I was immediately perked up by the cover that came on this book. Polk-a-dots, flowers, inspiring colors :) This was a great book! The author, Jenna, does a fantastic job in writing about ways to really get into your faith without putting you to sleep. Her quirky words and testimonies are what everyone needs in today's society where people would attend church more or even listen if it was in words they could understand. The author is a very fun person with a nice idea on how to get everyone back into their faith and stay there...enjoying every step of their way. The first chapter consisted of individual stories of people realizing their faith. I loved reading these little stories and actually wished there were more of them throughout the book. Sometimes it is easier to relate yourself with someone in a story than to just read what the author wrote. Jenna Lucado Bishop is fun, vibrant and above all...into her faith. This book has made me feel so good about mine...way to go Jenna!!!

Wordless Wednesday! Feel the Heat

Always a Great Show!!!

We made our annual trip to Hibachis in Morgantown this past Christmas Eve (I know, I am way behind). We continue to be more and more pleased with this dinner everytime we go. Each of our children have a different reaction to different parts of the show and that provides entertainment in itself:

The initial "hot" of the flame....

The irritation on Brandis' face after the chef tossed seeds onto his plate to be funny...Brandis was not amused...notice the chef's hand grabbing his plate to dump them off.

The Ooh.....flaming volcano.....

The Aaah.....The lava runneth over....

Through all of the fun and and not-so-fun (again, the chef is sorry about those seeds Brandis), we leave with a tummy full of yummy food and the memories that will last a lifetime :)

Book Review: The Crossing by Serita Jakes

Book Review: The Crossing, A Novel by Serita Jakes

"I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.

Book Review:

Imprisoned by memories, Claudia Campbell lives each day in the shadow of a ten-year-old murder. Who can set her free?

On the way home from a football game, a decade earlier, a masked gunman opened fire on a Texas school bus. Cheerleading coach BJ Remington was killed, but her murderer was never found. Claudia, who had a close friendship with the young, spirited teacher, constantly relives the anguish of that day, caught in one moment in time. When her husband, the assistant district attorney, becomes determined to uncover the mystery of that tragedy, the secrets buried over the years threaten to tear their family apart.

Officer Casio Hightower will never forget the day his dreams were destroyed. A star quarterback with a promising future, Casio was on top of the world--until one bullet changed everything. He is eager to help Victor Campbell find BJ's killer, the man who shot him. Maybe solving the case will help silence the demons driving Casio to hurt the woman he loves.

As the Campbells and Casio teeter on the brink of losing everything, will they be able to discover that what begins at the crossing ends at the cross?

My Review:

This book came with an enticing cover of a speeding train and the mysteries you know are coming :) Each section of the book is sectioned off by the character's name that you will currently be reading about.Very easy to follow :) Claudia Campbell is stuck back..way back...ten years back in the train that killed her friend and cheerleading coach BJ Remington. The murderer, still on the run, has Claudia's husband Victor intrigued in finding who caused this horrific crime and has kept his wife from living a normal life. However, while wading his way back in time, Victor chances losing the love of his life who does not want to purposely relive any of the past. While Claudia finds out secrets from her parents past, it slowly puts each puzzle piece together of the crime committed so long ago.

Casio Hightower, Claudia's high school boyfriend, also finds himself back in time quite often due to the vision and bullet that punctured him and ended his football career. Now a police officer following in his father's footsteps, he teams up with Victor to finally put an end to the terror that haunts himself and Claudia every day of their lives. But...can this man relive his past without destroying his future?

Product Review: Triple Action Purex UltraPacks

As a Purex Insider, I recently recived a free sample of Triple Action Purex UltraPacks.

These packs were super convenient, avoiding the mess of laundry soap everywhere :)

Just turn on your water, pop one in and watch it go to work. The scent was not very strong so I did have to use my Purex Crystals with the UltraPacks.

Easy enough the kids could even do it!!!

Product Review: Purex Crystals and Jockey

As a Purex Insider, I was recently sent a nice little package consisting of a 2012 Jockey Tech Terry Performance Sports Bra and a bottle of 2012 Tropical Splash Purex Crystals.

Although the Jockey Tech Terry Performance Bra was a little snug, I did manage to get it on and use it so I could test it and the Crystals to wash it with.

The bra is an extremely comfortable item. It is breatheable, soft, flush with the stomach area, etc...The Jockey sports bra features moisture wicking technology to keep you dry and your body cool while you work out.  Since Purex Crystals contain no oil, it will keep this bra in tact through many washes :) You can currently get a 20% coupon for Jockey to use on the sportsbra :)

The new Tropical Splash scent is very suttle, but nice and what I absolutely love about this fabric softener is that  it can be used on all types of laundry since oil isn't used in it . I am a huge fan of Purex Crystals after receiving a sample a while back of the blue ones. Personally, I still go with my favorite (blue) They are definitely a great product in that they do leave your clothing smelling very fresh and keep your clothes in wonderful condition!!

Buy these or any of the others in the Purex Crystals line...they are an awesome product!!!