Easy Appetizer {Nacho Dip}

Have you ever been asked to bring an appetizer to a party?  Do you have a "go to" appetizer that you like to make? I always like to bring something that is simple, tasty, and doesn't need to be reheated.  I hate bothering the hostess to heat up something that I have brought. So, today I am sharing my favourite appetizer to bring to gatherings: My Easy and Delicious Nacho Dip.

For a plate of this dip, you'll need:

• one (8oz package) of room temperature cream cheese
• 1 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons of mild taco seasoning mix
• 3/4 cup mild salsa
• 1/2 green pepper (or whatever colour you have on hand)
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

1)  Combine the room temperature cream cheese with the sour cream and mild taco seasoning mix.  {I like to use a potato masher, and then a spoon.}

2)  Spread the cream cheese/sour cream mixture onto a large plate or platter, and then cover with mild salsa, green pepper, and grated cheddar cheese.

3) Chill in fridge until ready to serve.

That's it!  To make a large platter, you can double the recipe. (I often do this if I know there is going to be a crowd.)

Serve this dip with a bowl of nacho chips, and I guarantee there won't be any leftovers to take home. 

What is your favorite appetizer recipe?  I am always looking for new "tried and true" favourites.

♥
Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

10 Quick and Easy St. Patrick's Day Ideas

St.Patrick's Day isn't a major holiday, but the boys and I like to celebrate March 17 by doing a few things that are fun and easy. Check out this collection of 10 simple ideas that are guaranteed to delight your little leprechaun.

1) Lucky Penny {to share with friends} - Click here for free "lucky penny" printable postcards.  This is a really fun St. Patrick's Day treat to share with friends.

2) Dollar Store Frame - This St. Patrick's Day frame is a great way to get low cost St. Patrick's Day decor.  Click here for a full tutorial and free printable.

3) St. Patrick's Day Penny Banner - This charming banner is easy to make using things you likely already have lying around the house.  Click here for a full step by step tutorial.

4) Treasure to Share - Click here for a free printable bag topper.  Your little leprechauns will love sharing a St. Patrick's Day treasure with their friends.

5) Leprechaun Trap - Click here to find out how easy and fun it is to try to catch a leprechaun.  They are tough to trap, but it sure is fun to try.  :-)

6) Shamrock Hat - This easy craft is simple and lots of fun for kids.  Click here for the step by step tutorial.

7)  Shamrock Pancakes and Green Milk - A few drops of green food coloring, some pancake batter, and a shamrock cookie cutter are all you need to make these adorable pancakes.  Don't forget to add a few drops to some milk too.

Rainbow Seeds make a fun breakfast too! Get the FREE downloadable tag here.

8)  Rainbow Necklaces - String some Froot Loops onto some braiding cord, yarn, or shoestring liquorice to create these edible rainbow necklaces.  Your little leprechaun will love making and wearing this festive piece of jewellery.

9)  St.Patrick's Day Treats - Little ones will love decorating St. Patrick's Day cookies or cupcakes.  Make sure you have plenty of green icing, sprinkles and colorful candies on hand.

10) Leprechaun Bait - This a great way to share St. Patrick's Day fun with classmates, and it's a fun St. Patrick's Day party favor too. Click here for a free printable Leprechaun Bait bag topper, or here for free printable Leprechaun Bait tags.

Bonus 

11) Leprechaun Paper Dolls - This little craft is as fun to play with as it is to make.  Click here for a free printable leprechaun puppet.

What do you do to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Will you try one of the easy St.Patrick's Day ideas?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Refresh Your Flavours for Spring

I don't know about you, but I am totally ready for some warmer weather and some lighter fare. All winter, I am drawn to hearty vegetables like squash, carrots and parsnips, but this time of year, I start shifting toward salads, peppers, tomatoes and asparagus. {Asparagus is my absolute favorite vegetable!}

I like to pan fry fresh asparagus {with a little butter and salt} until it is bright green and still a little crispy.  Yum!

How do you like to refresh your flavours for Spring?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure: I am a member of the Sobeys Better Food Lovers program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation.  However, the opinions in this post are 100% my own.

Preschooler Craft {St.Patrick's Day Hat}

With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, I thought I would share a fun and festive St. Patrick's Day craft with you.  This festive hat is great to make with little ones -- it is simple enough for Preschoolers, but older kids will enjoy it too.

Here’s how you make one:

1)  Gather your supplies (which you probably already have lying around your house)… white and green cardstock, scissors, glue, tape, crayons, googly eyes, and something for the nose (e.g. a penny, a pom pom or a button).

2)  Make a headband by cutting two or three strips of white cardstock about 2 inches thick.  Have the child color a “rainbow” onto the strips.

3)  Fit the strips to the child’s head and use tape or a stapler to secure it into the shape of a headband.

4)  Cut a big shamrock out of green cardstock.  (You can draw it freehand or print one from the internet.)

5)  Make a face on the shamrock using a crayon, googly eyes, and a penny, pom pom or button.

6)  Tape the decorated shamrock onto the front of the headband.

Cute, right?  And, making a fun hat to wear on March 17, 2013 is just one way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your little leprechauns.  Here are a few more: 

1)  Wear something green. 

2)  Drink green milk.  (Just add a few drops of green food coloring to regular milk.)

3)  Set a leprechaun trap.  (They are hard to catch, but sometimes a good trap will cause a leprechaun to drop some of his treasure.)

4)  Eat green pancakes.  (Just add a few drops of green food coloring to your favorite pancake batter.)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  I hope it is a lucky day for you and your family. 

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

{Toy Story} Family Movie Night

Every Friday night is "family movie night" at our house, and last Friday we had a special screening of "Toy Story".  This is one of our all time favorite movies, so today I am sharing some easy and super-fun Toy Story snack ideas with you.

We started the night by having some "Pizza Planet" pizza for supper.  Then, it was on to the snacks.

To create the snack table, I dug out some of our Toy Story toys, purchased some snacks, and added some fun "word bubbles" for the characters to hold.  My boys thought the word bubbles were a lot of fun.  Here is what they said:

1)  Woody had some trail mix, and his sign said, "Howdy Partner!  Try some trail mix."

2)  Mr. Potato Head had some popcorn, and his sign said, "Try some popcorn... it is way better than chips."

3)  Alien had some Reese peanut butter cups, and his sign said, "Take me to your leader... and I will let you eat one of my delicious UFOs."

4)  Bullseye had some water, and his sign said, "Welcome to my watering hole."

5)  Buzz had some Smarties, and his sign said, "This snack is yummy... to infinity and beyond!"

Fun, right?  I think these snacks would be fun at a Toy Story themed birthday party too, don't you?

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Disclosure:  I’m part of the Disney Junior Mom program and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

10 Awesome Easter Ideas for Kids

Easy and inexpensive ideas are my favorite, and I LOVE this collection of 10 {awesome} Easter ideas for kids.

So... here are ten awesome easter ideas for you and your little ones.  {Click on the links for more details.}

1)  Egging the Neighbours: What neighbours wouldn't like a surprise treat from someone that thinks they are "egg"cellent?  I have even provided a free printable with a cute poem.  Click the link to see how easy it is to share sweets treats this Easter.

2)  Magic Jelly Beans:  Easter is full of magic for kids, and these magic jelly beans grow into a very special surprise for good little boys and girls.  Click the link to see how they work and to get a {free] printable jelly bean envelope.

3)  Toilet Roll Bunnies:  Empty toilet rolls can easily be transformed into an adorable family of Easter Bunnies.  Click the link for a full step by step tutorial.

4)  Easter Photo Cards:  These photo cards are so much cuter than store bought ones.  Click the link to see how simple it is to wish someone a "Hoppy" Easter.

5)  Easter Paper Baskets:  These little baskets are so adorable that it is hard to believe they're just made from paper and pipe cleaners. Click on the link for a free printable template.

6)  Dollar Store Easter Garland:  Anything goes with this super easy garland, and your little ones will be so proud of the adorable decor they have created.  Click on the link for the instructions.

7)  Easter Napkin Rings:  Easter dinner will taste better when the table is set with these adorable "kid-made" napkin rings.  Click on the link to find out how easy they are to make. 

8)  Felt Carrots:  These felt carrots are a great candy-free addition to Easter baskets.  Click on the link for the full step by step tutorial.

9)  Easter Egg Fillers:  Plastic Easter eggs filled with goodies make for a fun-filled Easter egg hunt.  Check out the link for some great "filler" ideas.

10) Tissue Box Bunnies:  Take a tissue box out of the recycling bin, and make this adorable Easter basket with your little one.  Click on the link to find out how it's done.

Which of these ideas would your little one like the most?  I think the "egging" was a highlight for my boys last year, and we'll definitely do it again.  Happy Easter!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

Bonus - Try these SIMPLE "bunny butt" pancakes with a whipped cream tail.

Find more ideas for easy and inexpensive Easter crafts, recipes, and activities here.

St. Patrick's Day Frame {and free printable}

Do you decorate for St. Patrick's Day?  Well... I have a fantastic, easy and inexpensive {$2} project for you.

I made this cute frame using a frame from the dollar store, a strip of scrap felt, and a button.  Cute, right?

All I did was make a simple felt flower {per the tutorial below}, and attach it to the frame with a glue gun. 

To make the flower:
1)  Cut a strip of felt about 1 1/2 inches wide.  
2)  Use hot glue to seal the sides of the strip together.
3)  Cut little slits along the entire length of the strip {being careful not to cut all the way through}.
4)  Start wrapping the flower, using glue to secure it as you go.
5)  Finish by adding a button using hot glue.

And you can download the free 8 X 10 printable here.

Easy peasy!  Happy St. Patrick's Day!

♥ 

Gina Bell (aka East Coast Mommy)

* You can find me on facebook here.