Gourmet Gift Baskets Italian Dinner For Two

Disney’s new movie Frozen is making a splash with kids of all ages! So I was super excited to get to review 4 new Frozen books & 1 Frozen book app! Now my kiddos are not the book worms that I strive to get them to be…I’ve bought so many books over the years that I read to them, but they refuse to read again…but no joke, since we have had the Frozen books, they have read them several times..what several in two weeks!!?? FINALLY!! Maybe it’s all the hype and the fact that they haven’t seen the movie yet..but they love the books. The only one we haven’t dug into yet is the Junior Novel (that is our next on our list for bedtime reading). Here is a little about each book..
What I love about this book is that it avoids a simple retelling of the film. Children’s books based on movies tend to be bare-bone summaries of the storyline and they offer very little, giving no new experience or adding nothing to an existing pool of information. A Sister More Like Me touches on the story of Frozen — in fact, it’s recommended that you see the film before reading this book, either to yourself or to an audience — but it tells its own story as well.
It follows Anna and Elsa through thirteen years of their life and what they did in their time together, and apart. The book looks at aspects of both their hobbies, and personalities. Anna is the sort to wake up with her room looking like a tornado hit, while Elsa would meticulously make sure everything was in its proper place. The story follows what each sister likes and what they wish the other would be like. They recognize one another’s differences and think that it may be better to have a sister who was more like themselves. But of course, they learn that that’s not exactly what makes a sister who she is. This is a lovely story for anyone learning to accept that someone you love is different from you, but that’s the thing that makes them wonderful! The beautiful artwork by Brittney Lee say more than words can. She can communicate dozens of ideas in a single image. If your looking for a great book to go along with your love of the movie, this is the perfect book for you.
Frozen Read-Along Storybook and CD: This USA TODAY best-selling novel tells the story of fearless optimist Anna who sets off on an epic journey—to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls, and a hilarious snowman named Olaf, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. The CD offers the story narrated with sound effects and character voices (in parts), the boys will listen to the story over and over and at times follow along with the book. The boys love this set, and is the most read book out of the four (perhaps because they can follow along with the narrator).
Frozen: The Junior Novelization: This New York Times and USA TODAY best-selling novel retells the whole exciting story and features eight pages of full-color scenes from the movie!
What I like is the fact that you get to read what the characters were thinking or reading it describe their feelings. It does what books do, brings you more into the story. This one is great for your more evolved readers and is a great book to add to the summer reading que!
Frozen: A Tale of Two Sisters: This USA TODAY best-selling novel retells the story of sisters Anna and Elsa in this 32 page Step Into Reading Level Two reader which brings the adventurous tale of Frozen to early readers ages 4-6. My 8 year old is a delayed reader due to speech & dyslexia problems, but he loves to pull out this book and read it. He loves the story line and is proud of himself when he finishes and can tell me what happened. It is perfect for beginning readers. It hits all the major plot points in simple language. The illustrations are lovely – very colorful – and all your favorite characters are featured.

This isn’t a case of I did chores you’re going to do them too. It’s not even about punishment or earning an allowance…because they don’t. It’s about respect for the home you live in and learning responsibilities. Sure I may get the shit looks as if they want to gouge my eyes out with one of my heals…but in the long run I know they will thank me for teaching them these lessons…
Perhaps when I’m on my death-bed?
Life is full of fun responsibilities like paying bills and getting your kids to school on time, what happens if I just wanted to go out and play instead? Like on the computer as they so say I’m ALWAYS doing.
The bills would stack up like those dishes and start growing that funky white mold..I mean late fees.
I see their friends impatiently pacing outside as my kids begrudgingly do their chores..and it’s not like they clean the whole house here people! Since there is two of them doing chores (currently) they switch chores every other day…one day dishes/kitchen the other day floors/straighten living room + keeping their room clean.
Truly, I think that is where I broke the camels back!
Asking them to clean their room!? How dare I! I mean I’m the one that goes in there and tosses their clothing on the floor or pulls all the books and colored pencils off the shelving, I should pick it up right?
Maybe I should just let one of the pencils penetrate their foot…have a costly hospital visit and then apologize for not picking it up sooner.
I understand there is only so much daylight after school, but I also understand the importance of them doing my job…I mean learning responsibility. There are days where I will spend my day doing their chores (way better than they would ever do them btw) so when they come home they just have to drop their things and run…
Far Far Away
But, it hurts my heart because I don’t even get a Thanks Mom…you’re so awesome! Nope, not even one. I get instead a “what’s for snack?” or better yet the slam of the door as they take off to do what ever it is these kids on the streets do these days.
Despite the grunts and groans and impatiently waiting friends, who have no responsibilities, my kids will continue to do their chores
And LOVE it.
Because I’m trying to raise responsible young men who have respect for themselves, others and the places around them. I feel good knowing I’m sending them off into the world knowing how to do dishes, cook, clean, vacuum, and do laundry…
ohh! I almost forgot! My oldest mows the lawn now…thank god! But he’s also turned it into a business around the neighborhood…
SEE! RESPONSIBILITY!
I have the RESPONSIBILITY to raise 4 young men to be responsible, respectful fully grown men…and I’m not letting that lag anytime soon.
Unless you bring wine…Please bring wine!

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This blog post was sponsored by KING’S HAWAIIAN® but the opinions are all my own. #GameTimeGrilling #AD
It’s my favorite time of year…pumpkin pie baking in the oven and football on the tv! Being from Texas, we love our football…and we get to watch it 6 days out of the week! We watch my sons’ 8th-grade team (who is undefeated so far this year) on Tuesday nights & NFL or College Thursday-Monday! Since Sunday is really the only true family day we have during the week, we love doing backyard tailgating. Lots of food, variety of drinks and plenty of football on the TV.
When watching Football at home…just like the tailgaters at the major league games…it’s all about the food, so we headed over to our local HEB to grab all our favorites. There I can find everything we need for recipes new and old. I love creating new and exciting recipes our kids and guests will love. There’s nothing like ending a party with “can I have that recipe?”
We picked up lots of goodies like chips & dip, little smokies, hamburger meat, frozen meatballs, King’s Hawaiian® Rolls & BBQ sauce. HEB carries a large selection of King’s Hawaiian® products…We have used King’s Hawaiian® in many backyard tailgating Sundays. Everyone love the sweet Hawaiian rolls mixed with Texas BBQ.
The new King’s Hawaiian® BBQ sauces come in four flavors to compliment any meat.
Original Sweet Pineapple
Smoked Bacon
Kona Coffee
Big Island Lava (spicy-sweet)
I decided on the original sweet pineapple & Smoked Bacon. I’ve always used the King’s Hawaiian® rolls for mini pulled pork or ham & cheese sandwiches…but I thought it was time to create something new and fun…and of course delishious since they have new BBQ sauces to pair with the rolls! I have two recipes for you because I loved them both! We made Sweet Pineapple Mini Meatball Subs + Smoked Bacon & Pineapple Sliders.
Sweet Pineapple Mini Meatball Subs A sweet and tropical twist on a meatball sub
King’s Hawaiian® Mini Sub Rolls
Frozen meatballs
King’s Hawaiian® Original BBQ Sauce
Pineapple Dices or Slices (in juice)
Bell Peppers (Diced)
Pineapple Juice (from can of pineapple)
Place meatballs, BBQ Sauce, Pineapple Juice into Crock-pot.
Cook on high for about an hour then turn on low to keep warm for guests.
Place 3 meatballs on mini sub rolls top with BBQ sauce, diced pineapples & peppers.
My Sparkling Life https://mysparklinglife.com/
Smoked Bacon & Pineapple Hawaiian Sliders
King’s Hawaiian® Original Sweet Rolls
2 lbs Hamburger Meat
King’s Hawaiian® Bacon BBQ Sauce
Bell Peppers (Diced)
Pineapple Dices
Mix 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce into hamburger meat.
Pack meat into mini burger (slider) forms
Grill until done
Place mini burger (slider) onto sweet roll
Top with BBQ sauce, pineapple & peppers
My Sparkling Life https://mysparklinglife.com/ Which recipe will you try?
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value to write it. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Welcome to March and another 12 days of new and exciting recipes or crafts to celebrate St Patricks Day. Today’s recipe is for a Brownie Mint Trifle. This recipe is chocolaty, creamy, and minty! Visit SavingYouDinero.com for this yummy recipe. Make sure you check back tomorrow for a new craft of recipe for your family to enjoy!