5 Genius Budget-friendly Ideas for SUMMER... including FREE games and decor

Summer is definitely my favourite season. Who doesn't love decorating with cheerful colors, vacations, and warm temperatures? Today, I'm sharing a few genius ideas for summer... including food, decor, and more. I use a lot of dollar store supplies AND I have freebies too!

I even made a fun video with all the info you need!

Watch the video here.

1) Hand painted lemon slice coasters - I found a six pack of rounds at the dollar store, and I thought it would be fun to turn them into lemon slice coasters. They are super simple and fun to paint -- at any age. I'm not much of a painter, but I think they turned out really cute! You can find the full step-by-step instructions here.

2) Cheesecakes in jars - I love these individual cheesecakes. They are portable and perfect for camping, picnics, and bbqs. And... the best part is how easy they are to make. Find the instructions for these "no bake" cheesecakes here.

3) FREE Summer print - I love cute summer print, and this one is FREE and looks adorable in a dollar store frame.

To download the picture I designed: click on the picture you want (below), right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regular photo.

4x6

5x7

8x10

4) Printable SUMMER Tic Tac Toe - I'm obsessed with these little games I designed. They are perfect for summer days, camping, and road trips. I love the bright colours and the fact that they are an activity AND a snack. Cute, right?

To download the games I designed for free: click on one of the photos below, right-click, save it to your computer, and print it like a regurlar 4x6 photo.

5) FREE Summer decor - I love inexpensive seasonal decor, and these summer prints are super-cute and FREE. Grab copies here, pop them in a dollar store frame, and enjoy!

I hope you enjoy these budget-friendly ideas for summer. Let me know which one is your favourite in the comments below... and don't forget to watch my video for a closer look.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the summer DIYs here.

EASY Easter Desserts that are DELICIOUS and Guaranteed to Impress!

If you like EASY holiday desserts, you are going to LOVE the quick and delicious recipes I'm sharing today. I have short cuts to share... and a step by step video. Take a peek, and let me know which Easter dessert is your favourite!

1) No-bake Easter cheesecakes (from a mix) - Find the step by step instructions here.

2) Mini egg brownies (from a mix) - If you like a good short-cut, you are going to love this quick and easy Easter dessert. Check out the easy "how to" here.

3) Soft and chewy mini egg cookies - To make a delicious Easter cookie, all you need to do is add mini eggs to your "go to" chocolate chip cookie recipe. You can find mine here.

4) No-bake chocolate/oatmeal/coconut Easter cookies - These are my FAVORITE Easter cookies. They are the perfect chocolate cookie... and they are easy to make. Find my recipe here.

For a closer look (and more instructions) check out the 5 minute video I made below.

What's your plan for Easter dessert? I hope you try out some of my favourites!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

***Find more Easter ideas here.

EASY Valentine's Day Treats... featuring chocolate dipped goodies

Let's be honest... Valentine's Day is all about the chocolate. And homemade chocolate treats are guaranteed to impress family and friends. Today, I'm sharing EASY chocolate dipped goodies. You are going to be amazed at how simple the chocolate dipped heart-shaped strawberries are to make!

My favourite part of my Valentine's Day treat tray starts with heart-shaped strawberries. You halve the strawberries and cut a "V" from the top. (Check out the video below for step-by-step instructions.)

Insert a skewer, dip in melted chocolate, and place on wax paper to set.

Cute, right?!

You can also dip other things in chocolate. Try cookies, caramels, and cashews.

Then... when all the items have set... lay everything out on a tray. I added a bowl full of candies to the middle to add a bit of interest. Doesn't it look great? AND it tastes even better than it looks!

Check out this video for all the instructions / recipe video.

Thanks for checking out my latest easy and inexpensive Valentine's Day treat ideas! Let me know which one is your favourite. Happy Valentine's Day!!!

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

If you are looking for more Valentine's Day inspiration, check out more than 30 Valentine's Day ideas here.

 

The BEST Halloween Cookie Recipe... including a quick step-by-step video

This no-bake cookie recipe is a family favourite. I make it at Easter and add mini eggs, and at Christmas I make them and call them "reindeer poop". Today, I'm sharing my Halloween version. You are going to LOVE these simple and delicious Halloween cookies.

The recipe is at the end of this post, but you might want to check out this quick step-by-step video first.

To make these Halloween monster cookies:

1)  Mix together the following dry ingredients, and set aside:

• 3 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1/4 tsp salt

2)  Put the following ingredients in a saucepan, and bring to a boil:

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

3)  Remove from heat, and stir in dry ingredients.

4)  Before the mixture starts to dry out, drop the mixture from heaping teaspoons onto wax paper, and add candy eyes to each cookie.  Allow to cool completely.

They look adorable on a plain, white tray.

But I put mine on the tray I made in the video here.

You really should make this cookies. I guarantee you are going to think they are SPOOK-tacular. :-)

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the ideas here...

3 "C" Cookies -- Crispy, Crunchy and Chewy

Sometimes you need a break from the traditional cookie recipes you bake all the time, and this recipe is just what you have been looking for. It's simple to throw together, it makes a bunch, they freeze beautifully, and they are delicious. The texture and buttery flavour of these cookies is EVERYTHING!

To make these cookies, you'll need:

1 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup oil

1 cup softened butter (not melted)

1 egg

1 tsp real vanilla

3 1/2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup sweetened, shredded coconut

1 cup Rice Krispies

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2) Beat together: white sugar, brown sugar, oil, butter, egg, and vanilla together.

3) In a separate bowl, mix the flour, salt, baking soda, cream of tartar, oats, coconut and Rice Krispies.

4) Mix the two bowls of ingredients together.

5) Roll into ball, and flatten with a fork.

6) Bake until lightly brown in colour (approximately 10 minutes).

For a closer look at how I make these cookies, check out the short YouTube video here.

Seriously... sooooo yummy!

These cookies are fantastic for school lunches, and I love mine with a cup of coffee or tea. If you give them a try, let me know what you think. 

♥
Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also like the cookie recipes here.

Chocolate, peanut butter CAKE MIX cookies

Who doesn't love a good cookie... and a good short cut? These CAKE MIX cookies are perfect for when you have a chocolate craving, but don't have a lot of time. You can mix up a batch (in one bowl) in less than five minutes. It doesn't get much easier!

To make chocolate, peanut butter cake mix cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Then, in a large bowl, mix together the following:

1 box of cake mix

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

1/4 vegetable oil

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/3 cup peanut butter chips

Mix together, and then scoop 1 tbsp balls onto a silpat (or parchment paper) lined cookie sheet. I like to use a cookie scoop.

Note: If you find the dough too sticky, you can refrigerate it, or add 1-2 tbsp of flour.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Don't overbake. They should be cooked, but still soft in the middle.

For a closer look at how easy it is to make these cookies, take a look at the video I made.

I hope you enjoy these cookies. Let me know in the comments if you are a fan of combining chocolate and peanut butter.

♥ 
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

The Perfect SNOW DAY Treat: Chocolate Chip Pecan Snowballs

This is the perfect snow day cookie recipe. These chocolate chip pecan snowballs are crispy on the outside… and the insides melt in your mouth. I even made a video to show you how easy they are to make!

You’ll need: 1 cup salted butter (softened) 3/4 cup powered sugar (plus an additional 1 cup for coating the cookies after they are baked) 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 3/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted ... on a cookie sheet at 350 for 5 minutes) 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup powered sugar (plus an additional 1 cup for coating the cookies after they are cooked) 1 tsp vanilla 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 3/4 cup chopped pecans (toasted) 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

And here's a video showing you how to put them together...

 

1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2) Mix butter and 3/4 cup icing sugar with a hand mixer (on medium for about 1 minute)... just until light and fluffy.

3) Stir in vanilla and almond extract.

4) Add 1 3/4 cups of flour and mix on low (just until incorporated).

5) Stir in pecans and chocolate chips.

6) Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refridgerate for 20-30 minutes.

7) Remove from fridge, and roll dough into 1 tbsp balls. Bake on parchment lined cookie sheet for 15 minutes.

8) As soon as cookies are cool enough to touch (but still warm), roll the cookies in powdered sugar.

9) Allow to cool completely, and sift another layer of powered sugar to the top.

These cookies are soooooo good with a warm mug of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate!!!

If you give them a try, let me know what you think!

💗 

Gina (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in these easy and inexpensive winter DIYs on my YouTube channel. Don't forget to like the video and hit the subscribe button. It really helps my channel. 😃

Simple and Delicious HOMEMADE Ice Cream Cake... with an ice cream sandwich base

I love a simple dessert... and an ice cream cake is perfect for summer. My boys put this one together earlier this week, and it turned out great. You won't believe how EASY this 5 ingredient cake is to make.

To make this cake, you'll need:

• a box of ice cream sandwiches
• chocolate sauce
• Cool Whip (frozen dessert topping)
• Oreos
• mini M&Ms (candy coated chocolate candies

Then: layer the ice cream sandwiches on the bottom of a baking dish, add a layer of chocolate and crushed cookies, ice with softened Cool Whip, sprinkle with more crushed cookies, drizzle with chocolate sauce, and top with mini M & Ms.

For more detailed instructions, check out this 3 minute video.

Seriously... this recipe is a "must try"!

It tastes even better than it looks.

Let me know if you make this recipe, and let me know what you think. I know it was a hit with my husband and sons. 😀

♥

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also enjoy the recipe here.

The BEST Easter Cookies 🐰 No-bake, mini-egg HAYSTACK COOKIES

These no-bake mini egg Easter cookies are an annual tradition at my house. My boys and I bake them together, we eat too many, and we share them with friends. They are easy to make and absolutely delicious... and today I'm sharing the recipe, serving ideas and a short 2 minute instructional video.

To make these adorable Easter cookies:

1)  Mix together the following dry ingredients, and set aside:

• 3 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
• 1/4 tsp salt

2)  Put the following ingredients in a saucepan, and bring to a boil:

• 2 cups white sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

3)  Remove from heat, and stir in dry ingredients.

4)  Before the mixture starts to dry out, drop the mixture from heaping teaspoons onto wax paper (or use a cookie scoop), and add three candy covered chocolate eggs to the middle of each cookie. 

Allow to cool completely.

And... before you venture into the kitchen, take a peek at this short, instructional video.

These cookies are great served up with some hot chocolate.

And they make a great addition to a dessert charcuterie board too!

Do you have a favorite Easter Cookie recipe?  This one is definitely at the top of my list. If you give them a try, let me know what you think.

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

***Find more Easter ideas here.

Simple Weeknight Chicken, Broccoli & Peppers Pesto Pasta

Who doesn't love a simple recipe that comes together quickly... and that everyone loves? This pesto pasta is a staple in my house, and my boys love it. I think it's pretty good too! 😀 I can't believe I haven't shared this recipe before because it really is the perfect simple weeknight supper. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

For this dish, you'll need:

• a head or two of broccoli
• a red pepper
• 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 box of pasta (I like bowtie pasta, but any variety works)
• 1 jar of pesto (I like the PC Basil Pesto, but any variety works)
• salt, pepper and additional seasoning (if desired)

Then:

1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2) Season chicken and place in the oven for approximately 25 minutes.

3) Drizzle oil over cut up brocolli and peppers, season with salt and pepper, and place in the oven for approximately 20 minutes.

4) While the vegetables and chicken are in the oven, boil water and cook the pasta.

5) Drain the pasta, and cut up the chicken.

6) Place the hot drained pasta, cut up chicken and vegetables back in the pot the pasta was cooked in. Add a jar of pesto, stir, and serve. 

7) Top with pepper and grated parmesan if desired.

Here's a short video explaining how quickly it comes together.

This really is one of my family's favourite suppers... and it's super-easy to throw together on a busy weeknight. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

You might also be interested in the recipes you can find here.