The Best of Pinterest: My Favorite Pins

I love Pinterest.  I'll occasionally have a fail, but for the most part, Pinterest has given me so many amazing ideas for recipes, decorating, living the faith, crafts, DIY projects, and more.

I could probably give you a hundred or so of my favorite pins!  But I narrowed it down to one fave pin for 5 different categories: Recipes, Holiday, Kids, Faith, and DIY Projects.

Ok, ok, so I tried to narrow it down.  I added in a few sub-categories and had a few ties too!  Pinterest is just so awesome - it's hard to choose just one!

Favorite Appetizer Recipe

Dill Cucumber Dip
I found this while specifically looking up a cool and refreshing dip for the summer.  It is fabulous.

{Pin It}       {View It}

Bonus:  It's 'fancy' enough for a wedding or a baby shower, and it's 'hearty' enough for an outdoor barbecue or a game watch with friends.  It is perfect for any get-together!

Favorite Soup Recipe

 

Sausage and White Bean Chili
This chili is unique and has the perfect amount of spiciness.  It tastes amazing.  End of story.

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Bonus:  It only uses 1/2 lb. of sausage, so it's a fairly cheap meal to make.  Plus, it freezes very well so I always double the recipe so then we will have one for a later date.

Favorite Dinner Recipe

Beef and Bean Enchilada Casserole
We love Mexican food so this is one of many Mexican recipe pins I've tried.  This is by far our family favorite.

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Bonus:  It only uses 1/2 lb. of hamburger (so it's a cheaper meal), but it is still hearty.  Also, it can easily be converted to a meatless meal, which is perfect for Fridays for our family.

Favorite Kid's Meal (Tie)

Pancake Muffins
I could never get a hang of flipping pancakes.  I always, always burned them.  Plus, I was stuck next to the griddle making pancakes while everyone else was eating dinner.  These pancake muffins took care of both of these problems in one easy swoop.

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Bonus:  They can be frozen, so they are perfect to make ahead for busy days.

English Muffin Pizzas
So easy.  So versatile.  Everyone in the family loves them.

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Bonus:  They're fun for the whole family to make together.  And they're freezable.  I'm all about make ahead meals for the busy days.

Favorite Dessert Recipe

Christmas Cranberry Cake
I tried this recipe on a whim.  It is hands down the best dessert I've ever made.

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Bonus:  It only takes 6 ingredients.  Yes, you read that right - only 6 ingredients!

Favorite DIY Project

Hand Painted Dresser
I wanted to paint a tree on our kid's dresser as soon as I saw it on Pinterest.  It is so beautiful and so unique!

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Bonus:  It was well worth the time, and it's something the kids (and I) will cherish forever.

Favorite DIY Home Decor 

and Organization Project

Wet Bar turned Craft Space
Several pins came together to give me this idea.  Framed display area for the kids' crafts.  Mason jars for storage.  Spice rack turned into storage for craft supplies.  And so much more!

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Bonus:  It's beautiful and organized and my favorite space in our house.

Favorite Holiday Pin (Tie)

Hobbit Halloween Costumes
As soon as I saw this pin, I knew this was the perfect Halloween costume for our curly haired kiddos.

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Bonus:  It's a no sew project!  And the cloaks are one size fits all (for kids) so they can play dress up with it for years.

Shamrock Hair Bow
How cute is this for a little girl?!  Dainty, cute, and oh-so-easy to make.

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Bonus:  It is incredibly easy to make.  Plus, we're Notre Dame fans so our daughter wears it all year.  Go Irish!

Favorite Faith Activity for Kids (Tie)

Prayer Sticks
My sister Katie came across this awesome little faith activity for the family.  It's a great way to get kids involved in prayer!

{Pin It}     {View It}

Bonus:  It strengthens your family prayer life.  Need I say more?!

Felt Nativity Scene
I came across a Felt Nativity Scene when I was looking up ideas for a Felt Christmas Tree, and I fell in love.  I had to make it for my kids!  So one Christmas, Katie and I had a Pinterest Day and made it together for our little ones.

{Pin It}     {View It}

Bonus:  It's a fun, hands on way for the kids to learn about the Nativity Story.  And something they can play with for years to come.

Favorite Indoor Activity for Kids

Coloring a Box
Katie found this one as well and shared it with me - it is pure genius for giving kids a creative outlet when you're stuck inside in the winter!

{Pin It}     {View It}

Bonus:  The box keeps little ones contained.  It entertains the big kids for hours.  And you can do this activity outside with sidewalk chalk too!

Favorite Outdoor Activity for Kids 

DIY Sidewalk Chalk Paint
This is so easy to make, and there are tons of sidewalk chalk games and activities that equal hours of fun for the kids!

{Pin It}     {View It}

Bonus:  It's edible and washable because well, kids put everything in their mouths and they tend to make messes!

These are just a few of the awesome pins I've found over the years! 

So how about you?  What are your all-time favorite Pinterest successes? 

             

Visit Sweet's profile on Pinterest.

 

P.S.  Are we friends on Pinterest yet?  What is your Pinterest name?   Mine is @sweetlittle1s above.  Please share in the comments below so I can follow back!  I'd love to connect with you!

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Jess's Favorite Football Traditions: Kids Edition

Welcome to Tailgate Tuesday
with the hosts of Tuesday Talk and
Erin of Love, Fun, and Football!   

 

It's no secret that we're huge Notre Dame fans.  My husband and I grew up loving them because our families were big fans.  And it has been so fun passing down the love of the Fighting Irish to our kiddos!

So today I want to share my favorite Notre Dame traditions for kids:

 

Song and dance.

Every single game day we play this song.  And turn the volume way up.  The kids - ok, all of us! - punch our fists like the mascot and dance and sing and just have fun.  This song gets us ready and pumped up every Saturday in the fall!

We can't wait to take L for the first time this year!

Taking the kids to Notre Dame on a game day.
I just can't explain how amazing it is to be on campus on a game day.  It's just electric.  Everyone is so excited to cheer on the Irish.  You can't help but be pumped too!  I love that our kids will grow up getting to experience this fun atmosphere!

Corby Hall, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Golden Dome (as seen from one of the upper floors of the Hesburgh Library), and "God, Country, Notre Dame" over the side doors to the Basilica

The campus is full of fun activities, like the band, bagpipers, the football players parading through campus to the stadium, and more.  Plus, there is so much to do and see with the Grotto, Basilica, Golden Dome, library, beautiful buildings, and lakes.  But my #1 favorite part of taking the kids to Notre Dame is...

Playing football on the quads.  
When we were dating and first married, I'd watch the dads and kids playing football on Notre Dame's quads on game day, and it melted my heart.  I couldn't wait til that was our little family someday!

But it took so much longer than we expected to start our family.  With every passing football season, I just longed for the time that it would be our turn.  So now when I watch our kids play catch with their daddy on the quads, it makes me so grateful for what God has blessed us with - these beautiful little ones!

Cute outfits.
Football fashion for kids is so fun!  Cheerleader outfits.  Homemade shamrock hair bows.  Football jerseys.  You just can't beat the cuteness.

And as an extra bonus: we buy all the clearanced St. Patrick's Day clothes...because in a Fighting Irish house, you can wear them year-round. ;)

Proudly worn 365!

Brainwashing. 
I mean coaching.  You know, just inspiring your child to love the same team you do. ;)  Don't deny it - you do it too. ;)

The other day, we had a hilarious incident with our daughter that proves it's working ;)  My dad is a big Michigan fan so I actually grew up a Notre Dame and Michigan fan (insanely strange, I know).  Anyway, so I HATE Ohio State.  (Because my dad brainwashed me haha)  So he's been coaching J.  Well, the other day I overheard this conversation between my husband and our 4 year old daughter:

Jim:  Uncle J and Aunt K are going on vacation to Michigan.
J:  I remember Michigan!
Jim:  You do?  How do you remember Michigan?  (Because she's been there once and quite awhile ago)
J:  I don't like Ohio State.  It makes you throw up.

Bahahahahahahaha!  That's my girl!

Notre Dame fan since birth ;)

So who is your favorite team?

Most hated team?

What are your fave family traditions?

Fave tailgate recipes?  Football fashion?

I want to hear all about your football loves (and hates)!  I cannot wait to read all of your posts and comments!

...And our hearts forever, Love thee, Notre Dame!

And Goooooooooooooo Irish!!!!

               

P.S.  Check out Becky's blog BYBMG for a giveaway of a photo canvas today, and be sure to check back here next Tuesday for a great birthday giveaway from us! 

Ok, before you link up...! 

Link up any post that you would like to Tuesday Talk below, including your football post!  

Then, link up your football posts at Love, Fun, and Football with Erin!  

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Beth - Our Pretty Little Girls ~ Michelle - Grammie Time

Keri - Living In This Season  ~ Christina - Waltzing In Beauty

Tara - Mrs. Coach Sims ~ Lauren - Simply Free

Jess and Katie - Sweet Little Ones ~ Whitney - Polka Dotty Place

Becky - BYBMG ~ Elizabeth - All Kinds Of Things

Sarah - Abiding In Grace ~ Amy - Go Forth and Mother

Emily - Morning Motivated Mom

               

Can't wait to read your posts this week, especially the football ones!  
Thank you, friends!!!

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