Saturday Dishes - Dips & Finger Foods

Welcome to Saturday Dishes
Where every week is a new theme...

Your job is to post your recipes that coincide with that theme!

Easy peasy, right?

Don't have a recipe that goes with the theme?
No worries!
Just sit back, relax, enjoy the other posts,
& be sure to check out the index & upcoming themes
to see what you can post in future weeks!

This week's theme is:
Dips & Finger Foods

I love yummy finger foods & finger lickin' dips...
I think they make eating more exciting for the kids too!

Saturday Dishes is hosted by:

- Marissa @ Life is Fantasmic -
Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Google+ ♥ Pinterest ♥ Bloglovin' ♥ SoundCloud

- Lisa @ Pebbles and Piggytails -
Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Google+ ♥ Pinterest ♥ Bloglovin' ♥ Instagram

Check out our blogs & show us some love!
We love seeing new faces & new followers on our social media,
& comments make us smile (:

Last week's theme was Fruit Recipes
I decided to feature a few recipes that contain my favorite fruit...
PINEAPPLE!

Coconut-Pineapple Bars from Anna Can Do It

Pineapple + Coconut = Heaven

Aloha! Quinoa Flakes from Strength and Sunshine
Again with the pineapple & coconut!!!

Easy Pineapple Upside-Down Cake from Yesterfood

Pineapple Upside-Down is definitely one of my fave cakes!

Speaking of Pineapple Upside-Down Cake...

Have you checked out these Pineapple Upside-Down Cake Balls

that I made for Little Princess' Lilo & Stitch Luau?

Lisa's faves might be different than mine,
so don't forget to swing by her blog too! (;
Oh yeah...
& if you were featured
feel free to grab a button!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://lifeisfantasmic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Life Is Fantasmic" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img834/3923/21jg0.jpg" />

Next week's theme is:
Freezer Meals
Come back next week to share your meals that can be frozen ahead of time...
I'll be wanting to try them soon since Baby #3 is due in a few weeks!

Now on to the linky...
Link up your Dips & Finger Foods,
visit other posts,
& make new friends!

If you'd like to be a guest host send us an email so that we can get you on the calendar,

& let us know what themes you would like to see in the future.
We'd love to use your ideas!

By linking up at Saturday Dishes, you are giving permission for Life is Fantasmic & Pebbles and Piggytails to feature your posts with one image on social media with links back to you.

An InLinkz Link-up

xoxo

Sneaking Suspicions by Jan Hinds - Book Review & Giveaway

I have another great book to share with you today!
"Sneaking Suspicions" by Jan Hinds
is the first book in the Tharon Trace Mysteries.

"Sneaking Suspicions" occurs in the year 2056
after a flu pandemic killed off almost half of the world's population 5 years prior.
It takes place in Northeastern Indiana in the Fort Wayne vicinity
which made the story much more real to me
since I knew many of the locations mentioned in the book after having lived there.
It's a somewhat plausible future which gives it an eerie feel.

Eleven (almost twelve) year old Tharon Trace & her friends are kidnapped after witnessing a murder
& overhear a conversation while abducted that unveils a much bigger plot within the plot.
They have to escape & let someone know what they heard
but don't know who they can trust.
Their parents & local police are risking their own lives
while doing everything they can to find the missing children.

The children in the book are at that awkward stage in life that I absolutely loathed.
I remember it all too well & connected to Tharon instantly.
Middle school.
Wanting to fit in with the cool kids & grow up,
but also wanting to keep your childhood life & friends.
I wish I could go back in time & give myself some extra guidance...

Anywho, I really enjoyed the close friendships throughout the story,
as well as the faith, love, & dedication the families have in finding their children.

Here's a little bit of insight from the author as to how the story came about...

I thought I'd share with you a little bit about how the process started.

I used to work in the window coverings department at JCPenney and one day I had a customer whose first name was Tharon. As soon as I saw the name I told her I was going to use that name for a character in a book.

Tharon started as a medieval huntress and evolved to the tween of the not too distant future. Current events played a major role in the evolution of the story as well, to shape a frighteningly plausible future. Some of the current events that influenced the story have to remain a secret to prevent too much of a spoiler.

I actually wrote Book 3 first but when it was finished, I decided to write two books to span the time leading up to it, otherwise, too much of the story would be told as a flashback.

I am hoping to have Book 2 available in September and Book 3 in the early part of 2015. The final book in the series will be in the latter part of 2015. I have two or three short stories or novellas planned as well.

- Jan Hinds

"Sneaking Suspicions" is available on Amazon
in both Kindle & Paperback formats.
If you're interested in purchasing the Kindle version,
there will be a Kindle countdown deal running from Friday, July 25th until August 1st.
During that time you can buy it for .99 cents in the Kindle format!

Remember that you can always download the free Kindle app on your smartphone or tablet
to read the eBook even if you don't own a Kindle!

I am hosting a giveaway
for a signed paperback copy of "Sneaking Suspicions"
& a $10 Amazon gift card
so make sure you enter below!

Don't forget to follow Jan Hinds on:

Facebook

xoxo

Saturday Dishes - Fruit

Welcome to Saturday Dishes
Where every week is a new theme...

Your job is to post your recipes that coincide with that theme!

Easy peasy, right?

Don't have a recipe that goes with the theme?
No worries!
Just sit back, relax, enjoy the other posts,
& be sure to check out the index & upcoming themes
to see what you can post in future weeks!

This week's theme is:
Fruit Recipes

Fruit is absolutely amazing
& fresh fruit is one of my favorite summer snacks!

Saturday Dishes is hosted by:

- Marissa @ Life is Fantasmic -
Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Google+ ♥ Pinterest ♥ Bloglovin' ♥ SoundCloud

- Lisa @ Pebbles and Piggytails -
Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Google+ ♥ Pinterest ♥ Bloglovin' ♥ Instagram

Check out our blogs & show us some love!
We love seeing new faces & new followers on our social media,
& comments make us smile (:

Last week's theme was Cookies
Here were some of my faves...

Soft Spiced Cocoa Pumpkin Cookies from Strength and Sunshine
Guilt-free & scrumptious - I'll definitely give these a try this fall!

Chocolate Almond Joy Cookies from Fabulous Farm Girl
You had me at Almond Joy (:

GF Peanut Butter Cookies from What a Girl Eats
Not only are these pb cookies simple & tasty,
but she shares THREE gluten-free cookie recipes in this post!

Lisa's faves might be different than mine,
so don't forget to swing by her blog too! (;
Oh yeah...
& if you were featured
feel free to grab a button!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://lifeisfantasmic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Life Is Fantasmic" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img834/3923/21jg0.jpg" />

Next week's theme is:
Dips & Finger Foods
so come back next week to share foods you don't really need utensils for,
& any delicious dips that you have as well!

Now on to the linky...
Link up your Fruit Recipes,
visit other posts,
& make new friends!

If you'd like to be a guest host send us an email so that we can get you on the calendar,

& let us know what themes you would like to see in the future.
We'd love to use your ideas!

By linking up at Saturday Dishes, you are giving permission for Life is Fantasmic & Pebbles and Piggytails to feature your posts with one image on social media with links back to you.

An InLinkz Link-up

xoxo

Grandma's Apple Crisp

I have another nostalgic recipe to share with you!

My Grandma's Apple Crisp (:

It's super easy & definitely delicious!

5 medium apples - peeled & sliced (I use Granny Smith)

1 cube butter

3/4 cup brown sugar

3/4 cup oatmeal

1/2 cup flour

Place sliced apples on bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Melt butter & mix with remaining ingredients. Crumble mixture over apples & place in oven at 350 degrees for 42 minutes.

NOTES:

- Peach slices may be used instead of apple slices. I've even used the topping with blackberries before... It was pretty awesome!

- When my mom makes it she often doubles the topping ingredients & sometimes uses a little less butter than the recipe calls for. I now do the same thing (:

   

xoxo

Saturday Dishes - Cookies

Welcome to Saturday Dishes
Where every week is a new theme...

Your job is to post your recipes that coincide with that theme!

Easy peasy, right?

Don't have a recipe that goes with the theme?
No worries!
Just sit back, relax, enjoy the other posts,
& be sure to check out the index & upcoming themes
to see what you can post in future weeks!

This week's theme is:
Cookies

C is for Cookie.
That's good enough for me! ;)

Saturday Dishes is hosted by:

- Marissa @ Life is Fantasmic -
Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Google+ ♥ Pinterest ♥ Bloglovin' ♥ SoundCloud

- Lisa @ Pebbles and Piggytails -
Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Google+ ♥ Pinterest ♥ Bloglovin' ♥ Instagram

Check out our blogs & show us some love!
We love seeing new faces & new followers on our social media,
& comments make us smile (:

I was out of town last week
so this week I have two sets of features for you!

A couple weeks ago the theme was Red, White or Blue
& although I loved ALL of the posts,
these ones were my faves...

14 Fourth of July Themed Meals from Eclectic Lamb
I love seeing fun muffin tin meals & bentos (:

Berry Sparkler from Bitz n Giggles
This looks so refreshing!

Red, White, & Blue Fruit Cones from The Mad Mommy
Fruit cones - what a great idea! Who'da thunk?

Last week the theme was Salads
& they all looked absolutely wonderful!
Here were a couple of my faves...

Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad from Yesterfood
Chicken salad sandwiches are delicious & you can't go wrong with cranberries & pecans!

Layered Salad from Diary of a Recipe Collector
An easy make ahead salad to bring to get-togethers? Awesome!

Lisa's faves might be different than mine,
so don't forget to swing by her blog too! (;
Oh yeah...
& if you were featured
feel free to grab a button!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://lifeisfantasmic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Life Is Fantasmic" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img834/3923/21jg0.jpg" />

Next week's theme is:
Fruit Recipes
So come back next week
to share anything fruity & delicious (:

Now on to the linky...
Link up your Cookie recipes,
visit other posts,
& make new friends!

If you'd like to be a guest host send us an email so that we can get you on the calendar,

& let us know what themes you would like to see in the future.
We'd love to use your ideas!

By linking up at Saturday Dishes, you are giving permission for Life is Fantasmic & Pebbles and Piggytails to feature your posts with one image on social media with links back to you.

An InLinkz Link-up

xoxo

Sunday Cookies

While growing up, we had this Sunday tradition

of eating roast for dinner after church & chocolate chip cookies for dessert...

My mom STILL makes a delicious roast every Sunday
& then makes these yummy cookies for dessert!

1 cup butter (softened)

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

2 cups chocolate chips

Cream butter & sugar. Beat in egg & vanilla. Add dry ingredients & combine; stir in the chocolate chips.

Bake with love at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes.

Note: These cookies taste best when you reserve a tiny handful of chocolate chips for each person to eat on the side while they are baking ;)

xoxo

Saturday Dishes - Salads

Welcome to Saturday Dishes
Where every week is a new theme...

Your job is to post your recipes that coincide with that theme!

Easy peasy, right?

Don't have a recipe that goes with the theme?
No worries!
Just sit back, relax, enjoy the other posts,
& be sure to check out the index & upcoming themes
to see what you can post in future weeks!

This week's theme is:
Salads

Everyone loves a refreshing summertime salad, right?
I know I do!
There are so many different ways to make so many different kinds of salads...
Leafy greens.
Fruit salad.
Potato salad.
Pasta salad.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some!
Which kind comes to mind first when you think of salad?

Saturday Dishes is hosted by:

- Marissa @ Life is Fantasmic -
Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Google+ ♥ Pinterest ♥ Bloglovin' ♥ SoundCloud

- Lisa @ Pebbles and Piggytails -
Facebook ♥ Twitter ♥ Google+ ♥ Pinterest ♥ Bloglovin' ♥ Instagram

Check out our blogs & show us some love!
We love seeing new faces & new followers on our social media,
& comments make us smile (:

Last week's theme was Red, White, & Blue
but I will have to do a separate post with my features
since I've been out of town & haven't had the chance to look through your lovely posts!

Lisa's faves might be different than mine,
so don't forget to swing by her blog too! (;
Oh yeah...
& if you were featured
feel free to grab a button!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://lifeisfantasmic.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Life Is Fantasmic" src="http://imageshack.com/a/img834/3923/21jg0.jpg" />

Next week's theme is:
Cookies
Get your fresh baked, no-bake, & cookie dough recipes together
for a party that I'm sure Cookie Monster won't miss!

Now on to the linky...
Link up your Salad recipes of sorts,
visit other posts,
& make new friends!

Let us know what themes you would like to see in the future.
We'd love to use your ideas!

If you're interesting in guest-hosting Saturday Dishes one week,
send us an email & we'll get you on the calendar (:

By linking up at Saturday Dishes, you are giving permission for Life is Fantasmic & Pebbles and Piggytails to feature your posts with one image on social media with links back to you.

An InLinkz Link-up

xoxo