4th of July BBQ Chicken (Fast/Easy)

BBQ Chicken (Fast/Easy)

I love.....this BBQ Chicken....and so does everybody
else who has tried it.....I'm told......it's really juicy &
delicious..... I really like to BBQ (when it's not hard
& it ends up tasting really good!) I tried a few different
ways of BBQ-ing chicken & this (for me) is the fastest
& easiest way to get Great Results.....

1) I start with a 4 lb. bag of Boneless/Skinless
Chicken breasts...

2) TIP....I fry it on the stove first before I BBQ....
I do 1/2 of the bag at a time....Put a little canola
oil in a HOT frying pan...(you'll use less oil that
way) spread it all around, then I sprinkle garlic
powder.....lite salt.... and pepper on both sides
of the chicken pieces.

TIP..(seer on both sides to keep the juices in....)
Let cook on med. heat til 3/4 done..

3) Put on plate and ....TIP....brush each piece
with a brush or two of oil (on each side) so the juices will
stay inside the chicken...(that was a Bobby Flay's TIP....)

4) Pre-Heat BBQ grill to around 350F-375F....(you
may want to do this before you start cooking the chicken
on the stove so it'll be ready to go when you are)

5) When the grill is ready....put chicken on.....
let cook for a minute or two (with cover of grill
down...to get that smokey flavor) and then flip
chicken over and cook on other side......then start
brushing a coat of BBQ sauce (I used Kraft Honey
BBQ sauce) on one side, grill for a few min. (always
shut the lid in between... to keep the smokey
flavor in the chicken) then the other.....

6) Then repeat (I did it 3 or 4 times) just for a min.
or 2 each time...til they have finished cooking.......
and look done......and enjoy!!!

Samoa Bars/Wed. Blog Hop

Don't you just LOVE Girl Scout Cookies?????? We
do & so when I found this recipe on a number of blogs,
(I found this on love to eat weblog) I knew I had to try it
out....It does taste just like them, so if you like
shortbread, coconut & caramel, drizzled
with chocolate...your going to love these...

***Note...These taste alot like the Samoa cookies
but much easier (with less steps) to do.

They are a GREAT DESSERT!!!They do take a bit of
time though because you need to let them cool in between
each step, but everybody says it's worth it.


Recipe
Cookie base:
1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. butter (softened)
1 large egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 c. all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt

First, make the crust. Preheat oven to 350F.
Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. In a
large bowl, cream together sugar & butter,
until fluffy. Beat in egg & vanilla extract.

Working at a low speed, gradually beat in the
flour & salt until mixture is crumbly....(Mine
was more like a dough but I don't think it makes
that big a difference....)Pour dough mixture into
prepared pan & press firmly to make a even
layer. Bake for 15-20 min checking to see when
the middle is set & edges are lightly brown. Cool
completely before topping...

TOPPING:
3 C. shredded coconut
1 pkg. 14oz. caramels (I used the Kraft brand)
1/4 salt
3 Tbsp. milk
1c. semisweet choc. chips (to drizzle on top)

Preheat oven to 300F. Spread coconut evenly
on a parchment-lined cookie sheet (I used a
Slipat liner) preferably a cookie sheet with sides.
Toast the coconut 15-20 min. stirring every 5 min,
until coconut is golden brown (mine only took
15 min....I have a hot oven....go by what your
oven does) Cool on cookie sheet. Set aside.

Unwrap the caramels & place in a lg. microwave-
safe bowl with the milk & salt. Cook on high
approx. 3-4 min (it took mine almost 3) stopping
to stir a few times to help caramel melt. When
smooth fold in coconut with spatula. Put dollops
of mixture all over shortbread base. DO THIS
QUICKLY BEFORE CARAMEL STARTS TO
COOL. Using a spatula spread topping to make an
even layer. Let topping set until cooled.

When cooled, cut bars (with sharp large knife) into
30 small bars or 15 larger bars. Once bars are cut,
melt chocolate into Sm. microwave-safe bowl. Heat
on high for about 30sec. intervals, stirring thoroughly
to prevent scorching. (SEE TIP) Drizzle the melted
chocolate on top of bars in diagonal lines.

TIP: Place a baggie in a cup & spoon melted
chocolate into baggie..pick up baggie & snip a tiny
hole in the corner of the baggie. Drizzle a diagonal
design (on the cut bars).....Let chocolate completely
cool (even put them in the fridge if needed for a short
time) before storing in airtight container........Enjoy!!

4th of July Party Glasses

July 4th will be be before you know it. Are
you doing anything special for it to
CELEBRATE?

This is what I came up with. Festive Glasses!
You know how much I love dots...so I just
chose a Font, took some Red, White, & Blue
vinyl & cut out Happy July 4th..

I love these fun glasses...they make
the event that much happier...B'days,
Anniversaries, Weddings..

What wonderful projects have you guys
been working on??? You all are so
inspiring. I hope you will stop by each
others projects with nice comments..

We all could use some nice feedback..
once in a while.

I'm waiting for the Blog Hop Link to be
up from where I get it..Something happened
with the person who usually puts it up
so I'll try again a little later to add the
Blog Hop.

Personalized Room Decals/Wed. Blog Hop

I am going to attempt once again to post.. Blogger has been
giving me problems with that.

I wanted to show you what I've been making lately...
This was for an order but I really like how cute it looks
on a little girl's door.

The colors are really interesting & fun. They go with
bedding called "Raspberry Swirl" which is such a
cute name.

It's just done out of Vinyl Matte cut out with machine
& dots added for the Lollipop Flowers. Fun..Fun..Fun
What have you been up to lately?? Can't wait to see..
If this is working correctly the Blog Hop will be Below..
Have fun & leave comments for everybody..

Update your Cake/Cupcake Carrier/Mon. Blog Hop

This is my newset idea I've been working on this week.
I love these. What a great way to update your Cake/
Cupcake Carrier than with your Name & dots in vinyl.

It's a practical idea as well..If you take some cupcakes to
a church function or soccer game..you will know exactly
who's is yours..It's the Cute Flirty one with the polka dots.

What have you been doing this week?? I can't wait to look
at all your great things!!! Mondays' Blog Hop is Below...

Personalized Votives/Wed. Blog Hop

I love these Votive Candles..There are so
many ways you can use them..Wedding Favors
Birthday favors (as in the photo..16 & Sasha)
They are relatively inexpensive & they are so
beautiful.

This is what I've been making..Just cut out
your number in vinyl with your machine..
then you name & place on top of number on
votive..Easy..Peasy..

Now let's see what you have been working
on lately..Blog Hop is below next photo..

Monogrammed Initial Glasses/Mon. Blog Hop

Summer is just about here..It's getting warmer
& there are going to be parties at home, by
the pool, beach you name it.

Celebrations are great..to be with the people
we celebrate in our lives..our families & friends.

Make the celebration even more festive with
Monogrammed Initial Glasses plus dots. They
are so much fun to make..Do a monogram in the
font of your choice & colored dots & your ready
for partying.

I just designed my monogram & cut it out with
my vinyl cutter. So easy & I love how they
turned out!!

Now it's time to see what you have been working
on lately..Hope the Blogger will let me post it..

If it's working ok the Blog Hop will be below
the next photo..Have FUN..

Really Cute Aluminum Water Bottles

Sorry I haven't been able to post stuff lately...
Blogger has given me & a lot of other people
major headaches. I hope I will be able to
post this.

Don't you love these neat Aluminum Water
Bottles??? I do..so I decided to add a little
something to Personalize them..Names..Dots...
Initials..Football..They are so much fun.

I just made vinyl decal stickers & stuck
them on..easy peasy...My Fav is the one
above.

I'm having trouble with the Blog Hop..I hope
Blogger will let me post it on my Blog..Wish
Me luck..If it did it'll be below..I don't think

it's going to let me.

Just Married Vinyl Decal/Wed. Blog Hop

Well it's that time fo year..Wedding Season. I have
been so busy with so many Wedding items in my ETSY
Shoppe. It's been fun but BUSY...

This Just Married Vinyl for the Big Day Newlyweds
Car is so popular. I make a lot of these for couples.
It's so easy & so much fun with your vinyl machine.

What have you guys been working on lately?? Join
the Blog Hop & show & tell..below..Have Fun..

Father's Day Gift Ideas/Mon. Blog Hop

Happy Memorial Day Everybody..Especially
to all of you wonderfully brave Service Men &
Women who have fought & died for our precious
FREEDOMS!!! USA! USA! USA! YEAH USA!!!!
A TREMENDOUS THANK YOU!!!!! Hope you all
have a wonderful day.

Speaking of Men..Father's Day will be here
soon (June 19th) & I thought I'd show you
a FUN idea for the dad's in your life.

I made a vinyl decal of a sports type car with
the word Dad's (meaning his money Bank!) on
it. You can get the glass bank's @ Home stores
& customize it to your husband, dad, father-in-
law etc. with sports stuff or whatever he likes.
(You could also fill the glass bank with his
favorite Candy Bars..Have fun making it with
your vinyl cutting machine.

Wedding Favors - Monogrammed Votive Candles - Wed. Blog Hop

It's Wedding Season..I have so many things
connected to Weddings..People I know getting
married..a ton of orders from my ETSY store
with items for the Wedding..Rehearsal Dinner..
Wedding Car..A lot of neat vinyl items.

If you are having a Wedding this is a great
idea for a FAVOR from the Bride & Groom.
A remembrance of the Big Day with a Vinyl
Scripted Monogram on a votive candle..Simple
& Sweet..I love how they look..Don't you just
love the look & feeling they give????

Now it's YOUR turn to show us what you have
been working on..You know the rules..Follow
this blog...Visit each other..Leave Comments!

Wed. Blog Hop is below the photos......Have Fun

Hair Bow Holder/Mon. Blog Hop

Hi everybody..Hope you had a good weekend.
Sorry this is getting up so late. Thought I'd
show you something I made for a friend of
mine who has 2 adorable little girls. I wanted
to make them something special for each.

This is a Hair Bow Holder..really simple..

You can get the glitter Letters @ Michael's &
I just glued some scrapbook paper to the
back & put on a metal saw tooth hanger (with
prongs already attached)

I sewed a washer in a little pocket at the
bottom of each ribbon (to hold the ribbon down)
used some 1 1/4" Gross Grain Ribbon (approx. 3'
long) I then glued a white wooden heart at
the bottom & glued a bow on top of the heart
for embellishment. And your done..

Your turn..What have you been working on?

Blog Hop below photos..You know the rules..
Follow this Blog...link back to the party with
your post not your main pg. Have Fun!!

Father's Day Gift/Wed. Blog Hop

Thinking about what to give your Father this
Father's Day? Here is an idea if you have a vinyl
machine...An awesome Father's Day Tile to
remind him just how "Special" he is.

Just take a few words & type into your machine
put the vinyl in & out comes something you can
put on a beautiful tile (Tiles can be found a any
Home Improvement store)

Blog Hop underneath photo (still having problems
with Blogger & my sidebar photos & being able
type under each photo in my post..Please join
in the Wed. Blog Hop..Have fun..Leave comments.

Sweet 16 Candle/Glass/Mon. Blog Hop

Here is what I've been doing lately...
Celebrations of all kinds...It's that time
of year (Graduations..Special Birthdays..
Wedding Season!! Excitement & Fun..I love
it all.)

Below is my latest project...Easy idea &
so cute for the "Sweet 16 Teenager" in your
life. Surprise her/him (chose different colors)
with a beautiful "Personalized" goblet (or
you could change it up for the "Special
Graduate") whatever...the ideas are endless.

Just get that Vinyl machine out & cut out
"16" in 1 font.."Sweet" in another..& layer
on top of each other on a candle. Same
with the glass. Do the Monogrammed "B"
& then the name..Bailey in this case.

Now you have a beautiful way to start
their day with orange juice fit for a
King/Queen. They can use it all day long.
Sparkling Cider for dinner..It will make
them feel SPECIAL because they are!
Have fun making these..I did.

Blog Hop below..You know the rules...
Follow this blog..Something you've made,
etc....Leave comments for everyone...

Choc/Mint Choc.Chip Cookies/Wed. Blog Hop

Anything Chocolate we love..Right ladies??
Here is the Easiest/Fastest & Best Mint/Choc. Chip
Recipe I have seen for a long time...so I have
to share it with my Best Buds..You..

Choc/Mint what a great combination for
anything. The difference about these cookies
is that they start out so simple (with a Sugar
Cookie Mix from Betty Crocker..Check out
photo)

Here's the Recipe:
1 Pkg. Betty Crocker Sugar Cookie Mix
1/2 c. Butter or margarine softened
1/2 tsp. mint extract
6-8 drops green food coloring
1 egg
2 cups choc. chips

Directions:
1) Mix cookie mix, butter, extract, food
color & egg in bowl, until soft dough forms.
Stir in choc. chips.

2) Using small cookie scoop or tsp., drop
dough 2 inches apart on an ungreased
cookie sheet.

3) Bake @ 350 degrees F. for 8-10 min.
Cool 3 minutes; remove from cookie sheet
to wired rack. Store tightly covered @ room
temperture.

NOW FOR WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP
(See Below Photos) Have Fun..Remember
the Rules..Follow this Blog....etc.

Kids Room Idea/Mon. Blog Hop

Hi..Hope every Mom had a wonderful
Mother's Day yesterday..I sure did!

Today I'm showing you some fun ideas
to do with KID'S ROOMS..You have a Blank
Canvas to have a great time with your
creativity! Especially today with all the
different choices to use...Stencilling, Vinyl,
Paint...You are the artist of your child's
Bedroom.

This is a popular Owl around the world.
I just love him/her. Then to personalize
it for your child..put their name somewhere
by it. If you have a Vinyl machine you can
create endless story themes in a childs room.

Have fun with your own creative imagination
& make a Fun room for your child to grow in.

Blog Hop below Photo: You know the Rules..
Follow this blog...& join in.....Leave comments
for each other!!! You all are INSPIRING...
Thank YOU so much for being so Awesome.

Mother's Day Candles/Wed. Blog Hop

Mother's Day is this Sunday! Hope you Mother's
out there have a wonderful one & get to relax.

Here are a couple of ideas that are quick &
inexpensive for you.

The first ideas is to take your Vinyl Machine
Cutter & cut out #1 MOM in the font of yoiur
choice. (I did mine in Gold) & find a cute Votive
Candle holder & stick your Vinyl on..Then put
a beautifully scented candle in it..How special.
Then make her breakfast in bed! She'll Love it!

The 2nd idea is to take out take Cutting Machine
again & cut out some bright color polka dots &
Special Mom & place the words/dots right on
the candle...How Fun!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY...LADIES..

NOW FOR WED. BLOG HOP enter below..
You know the rules...Follow this blog..etc.
Have fun & leave comments....

Large Vinyl Monogram with Name Decal/Mon Blog Hop

I love to make these Large Vinyl Monogram
Initials with the name on top. They look
great in a child's room. I think it makes a
child feel "Special" seeing his/her name &
helps them learn letters/words.

Monday's Blog Hop Below..You know the
Rules..Be a Follower of this blog....Have fun!

Let's see the great projects you have been
working on lately...You're terrific!

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Mother's Day is May 8th!!! Whether it's for
your Mom, Grandmother, Mother-in-law,
Aunt, Sister....they all deserve the best.

Below are some ideas I have made for
Mother's Day....Hope you get Inspired too!

They are now up in my ETSY store..
if interested CLICK HERE

Mother's/Father's Day Gift Ideas/Wed. Blog Hop

Now that Easter is Past...Mother's/Father's Day
are fast approaching..May 8th/June 19th....

These Basket/Tubs were so popular for Easter
(And I simply adore them!) I decide it wasn't fair
for Mom & Dad not to have one for themselves, too!

They can be found all over the place & my Vinyl
Decals jazz them up a lot. The Vinyl will last a
long time, is made for the outside & is of the best
quality available.

There are so many things you can do
with them...

For Mom a Spa type basket with ..Bath & Body
stuff..head bath pillow..slippers or cozy socks,
towel, loofah, beautiful smelling lotions, eye
masks, her favorite book, chocolates, songs..
Anything to help her have a relaxing time.

For Dad stuff for a Movie night... fav DVD,
popcorn, candy bars, or Football/Baseball
stuff, glove, tickets to a game, jersey, ball.


Then afterwards it's so practical because
they can use the tub for all sorts of other
things.

Or if you would like to personalize it with
their name or Monogram on them...Endless ideas.

BLOG HOP BELOW..You know the Rules..& Have Fun!