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A few years ago, I shared our collection of books for kids about diversity and kindness. These books help foster an appreciation of acceptance and inclusion of others. Since then, friends and family have recommended books about diversity that they love too, and our collection has grown. I'm all about reading books to my kids that will help teach (and reinforce) different ideas or help them see different perspectives and be compassionate toward others. These stories cover a wide variety of sensitive topics and show us how we can be proud of who we are and the diversity around us. Books for Kids about Diversity and Kindness Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o Age range: 3-8 A beautifully illustrated story that made me tear up when reading it to my children. It follows the story of a young girl who wishes for her dark skin to be lighter. The story is ultimately about colorism and learning to love oneself, no matter one's skin tone. I saw this in the store one Fall and regretted not buying it immediately. I hunted it down for a few weeks and got it for my kids one Christmas. The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad Age range: 4-8 This is a sweet story about two sisters loving their culture and overcoming prejudice. This book shows the hijab as something kind of magical and empowers and celebrates a rite of passage for Muslim girls. We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrome Age range: 3-7 Another beautifully illustrated story told from the point of view of a young girl about the North American indigenous battles to protect our water. A call to action and celebration of culture. Written and illustrated by indigenous book creators! The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi Age range: 5-8 When the new girl from Korea moves to America, nobody can pronounce her name. Her classmates fill a jar full of suggestions for her to choose a name from. This book is about friendship and it really highlights the Asian culture and the power behind a name. The Wall in the Middle of the Book by John Agee Age range: 4-8 The contemporary relative to the Monster at the End of the Book, the knight is sure the wall keeps him safe from the horrible "other side" of the book. Or does it? As the water (and danger) rises on his side of the book, without him noticing, the other side comes to his rescue. Kids learn that sometimes "the other side" isn't as bad as we thought. Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian Age range: 3-5 Worm meets worm, they fall in love and decide to get married! All their friends are curious about who will wear the dress and who will wear the tuxedo. But, in the end, it doesn't matter because they love each other! You may also like our collection of LGBTQIA+ Books for Kids and Teens . All My Stripes: A Story for Children with Autism by Shaina Rudolph Age range: 5-7 This story follows Zane the zebra as he learns that all his stripes- his caring stripe, his curiosity stripe, and his autism stripe, are what make him special and unique. Learn to embrace the differences of those around us and all their beautiful stripes with this quirky and sweet book. She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World by Chelsea Clinton Age range: 4-8 These are the stories of 13 women who would not take no for an answer. Even when they had to fight to be heard, these tiny feminists changed the world with their ideas and bravery. This book is the perfect reminder for those who were told to sit down or move out of the way. Featuring stories of Ruby Bridges, Helen Keller, Sally Ride, and many more who overcame obstacles to show the world what they are made of. The World Needs More Purple People by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart Age range: 3-6 If you're like me, you're wondering what a purple person is. A purple person is one who brings their community together with kindness and uses their voice to speak up for what is right. In the light of the divided political parties, purple people blend red and blue together to help people become purple and encourage kids to look for similarities rather than differences. A sweet but simple sentiment and a good reminder for adults too. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena Age range: 2-6 A young Black boy and his Grandmother take a ride on public transportation and he wonders why they always get off at the dirty part of town and why they don't own a car of their own. His grandmother helps him find the beauty all around him. This is a good story of humanity and how to help people who in need. Butterflies Belong Here: A Story of One Idea, Thirty Kids, and a World of Butterflies by Deborah Hopkinson Age range: 5-10 This is a moving and beautiful story of a girl who recently immigrated to the United States and feels a little out of place, like a quiet little caterpillar. She makes a poster about monarchs, who followed the same migration path that she did. Soon she and her classmates make a garden for the traveling butterflies. This story is about building your community and the small changes you can make, that make a big difference. Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Simma Age range: 3-6 Kelp has always felt different than the narwhals in his family. When he discovers another mysterious creature like him, he finds a way to have the best of both worlds. A beautifully illustrated book about family, fitting in, and standing out! We love the underlying theme of the all-encompassing love and acceptance of family. We Are All Born Free Mini Edition: The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in Pictures by Amnesty International Age range: 6-10 After World War II, in 1948, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed and declared to protect all people from all countries. This book covers all 30 articles, written and illustrated with children in mind. This book brings these concepts to life, but at a child's level - that we all have the right to live, freely and safely. Noodlelephant by Jakob Kramer Age range: 3-8 "Famous for her pasta parties, Noodlephant is shocked when the law-loving kangaroos decide noodles are only for them!" This is a great book about social injustice as Noodlephant pushes back against this unjust law. She and her friends invent a machine that turns ordinary items into pasta, like pens into penne, and so on. It will get kids thinking about bullies, exclusion, and the power of the community standing up to injustice. Hello, My Name is Octicorn by Kevin Diller Age range: 3-7 Octicorn is a sweet character who is half octopus, half unicorn but totally loveable. He feels left out, like he doesn't fit in on land or at sea, and in this book he starts naming off the unique qualities that make him someone who should be appreciated. This is a clever book about differences that is told in a silly way. The Sneetches and Other Stories by Dr. Seuss Age range: 3-10 A beloved classic about prejudice and discrimination. The Sneetches wear stars on their bellies and think they are special, and the ones without feel lesser than them. A scammer comes in and starts selling stars to the other ones that don't have them. He makes a profit out of prejudice, proving that always trying to be different or better, can be costly. Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho Age range: 2-6 A lyrical book about a girl who notices her eyes are different than those of her peers. She draws strength from the generations of powerful women in her life, as she learns to recognize and embrace her own unique beauty. Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry Age range: 2-7 Zuri has beautiful hair, but it is full of tight coils and sometimes goes in every which way. When Mommy fixes her hair she feels beautiful, but with Mommy out of town, Daddy has to step in. This book is an ode to self-confidence and a celebration of the love between fathers and daughters. I am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde Age range: 3-7 This book is an easy read about what being human means. That it's okay to make mistakes and the power that our choices have. The main character explores how everyone feels different emotions, even sadness or anger, and how you can making different choices can turn things around. I love this illustrator as well, we have several of his books. I Walk with Vanessa: A Picture Book Story About a Simple Act of Kindness by Kerascoet Age range: 3-7 A powerful, picture-only book about how a small act of kindness against bullying can lead to a community joining in. When a fellow student sees Vanessa getting bullied she decides she wants to walk with her to school each morning. This book is a good reminder that sometimes just showing up and showing kindness is all that is needed to make a change. Mama The Alien by René Colato Laínez Age range: 6-10 Sophia finds her mother's resident Alien card in her purse one day and decides that her mother must be from outer space. She heads to the library to do some research but her mother doesn't look anything like the aliens in the books, with their big eyes and blue-green skin, so how could she be an alien? Through this great introduction to immigration and citizenship, Sophia learns that her mother is getting ready for her citizenship ceremony and that the word alien can also mean someone from a different country. Our Diversity Makes Us Stronger: Social Emotional Book for Kids about Diversity and Kindness by Elizabeth Col e Age range: 3-8 No matter your skin color, nationality, religion, or what you dream of becoming, this book shows kids that diversity makes us stronger. Nick gets new glasses but is afraid to wear them. There are a lot of different examples of diversity and reminders that it's okay to be who you are throughout this book. The Big Umbrella by Amy June Bates Age range: 3-7 When it starts to rain there is a big umbrella by the door with room for everyone underneath it. The umbrella is big and friendly and helpful and doesn't care what you look like, it welcomes them all. With a more subtle theme that includes kindness and hospitality, you learn that there is always room for others. Mixed: A Colorful Story by Aree Chung Age range: 2-5 In the beginning, there were 3 colors, blue, red, and yellow and they all lived in harmony. Until, Red decides that "reds are best", and that starts a whole disagreement. The colors separate and live in their respective parts of town. One day Yellow and Blue fall in love and have a daughter named Green, she is a mixed color and unlike anyone else! Soon more and more colors begin to mix. This book has great use of symbolism to promote thoughts of acceptance and inclusivity. The Capybaras by Alfredo Soderguit Age range: 4-10 The chickens are comfortable, safe, and secure in their coop, each one doing what they should be doing. One day a bunch of on-the-run capybaras appear. It's hunting season and they are looking for refuge in the chicken coop, but they don't follow the rules. This book shows how friendship can form in even the most unlikely places and teaches compassion and acceptance, as the chickens learn that including the capybaras in their community will only make it better. Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev Age range: 2-6 Today is Pet Club day, except no elephants are allowed. A tiny boy with his big pet elephant comes up with an idea to team up with others who are banned from Pet Club to make their own club where everyone is welcome. A sweet story about friendship, kindness, and acceptance. The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson Age range: 5-12 Sometimes we have to do things that scare us, and sometimes we walk into a room and nobody is like us. This book helps reinforce the positive message that it's okay to be different from others. The message of empowerment came from the author's award-winning memoir Brown Girl Dreaming and reminds kids that it is okay to tell their own unique story. My Shadow is Pink by Scott Stuart Age range: 3-7 This book is great on many different levels. It teaches kids that it is okay to love your true self. It touches on gender identity and self-acceptance and how to support others to let their inner self shine. While helping break outdated gender stereotypes, it reminds us that small acts of kindness can go a long way. For more books like this, check out our LGBTQIA+ Books for Kids and Teens . The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan Al Abdullah Age range: 3-7 Based on the real-life story of two friends. One liked hummus sandwiches, and the other liked peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. They both thought the other sandwich looked gross, but this story is a reminder that we sometimes judge things too early, and sometimes trying new things can lead to positive experiences. Embracing cultural sensitivity and finding similarities even among the differences. Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard Age range: 2-6 This book is aimed towards kids but also has a lot of messaging for adults - Native American History as well as a fry bread recipe in the back. This story is about fry bread - how it brings people together and keeps them connected to their culture. It talks about the cultural importance of food and also shows the diversity between different Native groups. Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You Hardcover by Sonia Sotomayor Age range: 4-10 Just as a garden with lots of different flowers makes it more beautiful, the same is true with people, all our differences make our world beautiful. Written by a Supreme Court Justice, this story embraces all our differences and encourages us to look at them as special powers. She talks about many different disabilities like tourettes, diabetes, ADHD, being blind, wheelchair-bound, and so on. She reminds us to be curious and learn about the person, differences and all. A good introduction for kids to people who are different than them. Laxmi's Mooch by Shelly Anand Age range: 4-8 A beautiful body-positive book for kids about a Native American girl who gets teased about the little hairs on her upper lip. Her parents teach her that hair is all over, no matter what your gender. Laxmi is proud of who she is and she helps teach that beauty standards are different all around the world. Cake Mix: Learning to Love All Your Ingredients by Mikki Hernandez Age range: 5-8 When Remy's classmates ask, "what are you?" she goes on a journey learning about cultures and loving her identity. She learns about different ethnicities and celebrates them with her class. An inspirational story of self-acceptance for those who don't fit a certain "mold". Boxitects by Kim Smith Age range: 3-7 Meg loves to build things out of boxes that impress her teacher and classmates. One day she gets a new classmate who also builds things out of boxes. She doesn't want this new girl to change everything. The girls are paired together for an annual Maker Match, but all they do is argue. They have to find a way to be a team and work together. A creative STEAM-centered book about acceptance and teamwork. Masterpiece by Alexandra Hoffman Age range: 4-10 This is an inclusive book about celebrating a child on the autism spectrum. When the class has to create an art piece, it becomes apparent that Samuel has a special way of looking at the world around him, and his teacher praises his masterpiece. Through his art, his classmates learn about acceptance, inclusion, and empathy. We love that the illustrations show a child wearing noise-canceling headphones, too! Have you read any of these books? Do you have any suggestions or any favorites?

These DIY friendship bracelet glasses are fun to make and cute to wear! Perfect for your Eras tour outfit, Taylor Swift party , or Valentine's Day goodie for your friends or besties! DIY Friendship Bracelet Glasses Supplies: Heart-shaped glasses Beads - I used these alphabet beads and these glass beads super glue tweezers - I used some old Revlon ones I have but use whatever you have or like I liked that pack of heart-shaped glasses from Amazon because they came in 14 gorgeous colors! You could probably make a pair of glasses inspired by each of her albums. But, we only did a few for my daughter's friends and kept the Valentine-themed phrases as well. Let's get started. Instructions: Once you've gathered all your supplies, decide on what color glasses you will create and what phrase you want on there. I picked out most of my beads ahead of time. The letters and the colors I wanted to go with it to make my friendship bracelet design. Choose 3 or 4 colors to create your design. 3. You're going to decide where to start your phrase or word. I started with my "be mine" beads about here (see above) and added a small line of glue near the edge of the top of the glasses. 4. I added a few beads at a time making sure to line them up correctly. 5. Once you've placed those beads, add another small line of glue and continue building your word. 6. Once you've got your word built, it's time to create the friendship bracelet effect by gluing your smaller beads in a line across the top of the glasses. I liked to pick three or four colors to create a pattern with my beads. 7. This part was a bit more tedious and required me to use the tweezers to get the beads placed how I wanted. 8. Imagine the glue is the string and place your beads oriented as if they are on string to get the most authentic look. One tip that helped me was to only do a few beads at a time and then let them dry a little bit before trying to add more. That way if a bead was crooked as I was placing it and I tried to fix it then it didn't mess up the whole line. TIP: You do want to be careful using super glue. It dries quickly and sticks to your fingers making it hard to work if you touch it. Work in sections and be patient. You can play around with colors, patterns, words, or phrases that you like. I did my Lover-inspired glasses by winding my friendship bracelet down to the other side but then I didn't like it as much. It's still pretty but I think I would stick to making my bracelet design only go across the top. But, maybe you want to make them look like bracelets going around each heart! That could be fun. One of my favorite designs to make was this King of My Heart-themed red glasses.

Halloween may be over, but it’s still Fall and we’re still obsessed with all things pumpkin around here. I may even be drinking a homemade pumpkin cream cold brew as I type this. Pumpkin Cheese Fondue Recipe Backstory One time when we were shopping at Trader Joe's, we were buying a few pumpkins to make a big batch of my Roasted Pumpkin Soup . At the checkout, the cashier was chatting with us and being extra friendly. When she scanned our pumpkins, she asked us if we were having pumpkin fondue. Pumpkin fondue?! I told her I had never heard of that before, so she told us that all it was basically a pumpkin full of different cheeses and baked in the oven. Of course that sounds awesome to me so I decided to make one myself! These little pumpkins create a great vessel to bake and serve your cheese fondue in and it even cooks the pumpkin inside, so that when you scrap your cheese out, it sometimes gives you bits of yummy pumpkin. The spices and wine and honey give it a sweet but savory taste that’s so melt in your mouth good! We served up this Pumpkin Cheese Fondue with sliced French bread, apple slices, sweet Gherkin pickles and different types of meat like salami and made a full meal out of it. Pumpkin Cheese Fondue Ingredients 1 pie pumpkin 4 oz Emmental cheese, grated 4 oz Gruyere cheese, grated 4 oz creme fraiche 1 tsp garlic minced 1 pinch ground nutmeg drizzle honey 2 tbsp white wine 1 loaf French bread Sides Optional: Apples slices, sweet gherkin pickles, salami Instructions Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Cut and deseed your pumpkin like you are going to carve a jack-o-lantern. Grate your cheeses and mix them together with your wine, creme fraiche, nutmeg, garlic and honey. Set it aside. Cut up some of the French bread into cubes and fill your pumpkin about 1/2 way full with the bread. Top the bread with the cheese mixture. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and melted. You can dig into the sides of the pumkin to mix in the pumpkin with the cheesy bread. So yummy! Serve with extra sliced French bread, apple slices, sweet gerkin pickles and slices of salami.

My kids are 100% committed to caring for our Earth and the animals and people on it. We recently learned about bees and our family decided to create a wildflower garden that bees would love. That inspired us to create these recycled paper DIY wildflower seed bombs – to beautify our community and help save the bees. Get this fun, kid-friendly DIY just in time for Earth Day and Spring gardening! Before creating our DIY wildflower seed bombs, we headed to our local nursery to get some tips on flowers that bees and other pollinators would like. We found out that bees are particularly drawn to blue flowers and that yellow flowers appear blue to them! It’s a good idea to find wildflowers that are local to your area. The bees will enjoy them and they will be sure to grow well in your local soil and weather. Our local nursery had several different wildflower seeds and blends to choose from. In the end, we chose the Arizona Summer Bloom Wildflower mix for our seed bombs since we live in the hot and dry desert climate of Arizona. DIY Wildflower Seed Bombs Supplies: Construction paper Food processor wildflower seeds silicone mold Directions: 1. Start by tearing your construction paper into small pieces. We chose 2 pieces of purple, 2 pieces of pink, and 2 pieces of green construction paper and kept them separated by color. Tip: 2 pieces of construction paper made about 4 seed bombs for us. 2. Soak the pieces in a bowl covered in water for 20 mins. Drain off most of water and blend paper in the food processor. 3. Once your paper is blended, squeeze out any excess moisture. Press some paper into the bottom of your silicone mold, just enough to cover the bottom. 4. Add a pinch of wildflower seeds to each mold. TIP: try to keep the seeds in the middle and away from the edges. We had some trouble with the ones my son did, being too full of seeds, and the top and bottom not drying together because there wasn’t enough wet paper to create a good seal. 5. Add more of the paper on top of your seeds and press down to seal and cover the seeds. Let your seed bombs dry overnight. 6. Once they are dry, gently pop out your wildflower seed bombs from the molds. We created a free printable that you can download and use! Wildflower Seed Bomb Printable PDF Click here for printable PDF We put our wildflower seed bombs in a clear bag, folded over the top, and punch holes in it. We tied off our printable and baggie with a pretty ribbon and surprised some friends with them. The instructions are easy. Just toss them out in your yard, water them and they will grow wildflowers in a few weeks! Check out these other posts you may like: Flower Garden Parfaits DIY Floral Bunny Headband

As we move into the new year there will inevitably be new trends that pop up. We are taking a look back at trends we noticed from 2024, that we are keeping in 2025. Beauty Trends Red light therapy - items like this facial massager that offer multiple color therapies as well as heat and massage, are great for lymph drainage, reducing fine lines, as well as increasing muscle tone and product absorption. Satin pillowcases - satin pillowcases aren't a new thing, but they made a comeback in 2024 and we are keeping them around for our skin and hair! Hydrating masks - keep your skin hydrated with this overnight hydro mask that turns white as the nutrients are absorbed into your skin. We're still obsessed with this. Pimple patches - No more picking at our skin, pimple patches can be cute or demure and help prevent scarring from skin damage. We like the discrete Mighty Patches or the cute StarFace patches . Home trends Air purifiers - help keep your home air clean by removing dust, smoke, and pollutants in minutes for better air health. Dopamine decor - Out with the beige mom aesthetic, we are creating spaces that bring us joy and are full of life. Find your style and embrace it in your home. Cozy wear - Being comfy in my own home, say less. Does anyone else immediately change when they come home? Whether it's my favorite pajamas, cloud shoes , buttery soft leggings , or a cozy blanket , I'm bringing comfort into the new year with me. Smart Homes - Adding things like the Echo Dot to create a smart home where you can dim lights with voice commands, listen to your favorite music, or ask questions. Smart homes are making things easier and I'm here for it. Being more sustainable - Whether it's through laundry sheets , reusable beeswax wraps , or creating a kitchen scrap garden, we're making small changes that we hope will have a big impact to our world. Food trends Chopped salads - Chopped salads went viral in 2024. With the help of gadgets like this vegetable chopper , we intend to keep chopped salads around for a while. They are easy and healthy and perfect to meal prep for lunches. Coffee at Home - Unless I'm having a really busy day, I focus on making my coffee at home. I know the savings aren't going to pay for a vacation or buy me a house but I enjoy making my personalized coffee at home. Would you like to see more coffee recipes? Cucumber salads - We are going to be keeping around all these bright and crisp cucumber salads that trended in 2024. Fun with food - whether it's cooking from a new cookbook, making your own pasta or bread, or trying new cuisines, we're going to keep having fun with food in 2025. Lifestyle Trends Hygee - learning it's okay to slow down and embrace and enjoy life's simple pleasures. We shared 10 ways to hygee this winter last winter and we're sticking to it again this winter. Micro-learning - Adding more books , podcasts, or classes to learn throughout the year instead of always doom scrolling. Mental health - embracing mental health, being aware of our boundaries, and realizing it's okay to say no to things if you are feeling burned out or overwhelmed. Saying yes to things you know would be good for you. Also, embracing self-care (see cozy, hygee, and beauty trends above) What trends will you be keeping in 2025?

I vividly remember having a version of this as a kid. It didn't seem appetizing to my kid brain, but I was given it at a party, and was very surprised at how tasty it was! Now I've made my own version that is just as yummy! This veggie pizza is good for parties and potlucks if you want to break up the dips and cookies with some vegetables but still have something that looks pretty and tastes good. Veggie Pizza Ingredients: 2 rolls of refrigerated crescent rolls 1, 8 oz block cream cheese, softened 1/3 cup sour cream 1 packet Ranch dip mix 1 tsp dried dill garlic powder as desired 1 head of broccoli, chopped 1 small red bell pepper, diced 1 small yellow bell pepper, diced 1 carrot, shredded 1 small can of black olives shredded cheddar cheese, as desired Bake crust Preheat your oven to the temperature on your crescent roll package. Unroll both of your crescent rolls and lay side by side, slightly pinching together the seams and perforated areas to make one large crescent roll crust. Bake as directed on the package, mine was 13 minutes. Take out and completely cool your crust before adding the toppings. I prepped my veggies during baking and cooling. Cream cheese topping In a small bowl, mix together softened cream cheese, sour cream, ranch packet, dill weed and, garlic powder as desired. Store cream cheese mixture in refrigerator until ready to add to pizza. Once you are ready and your crust is completely cooled, add a thin layer, like pizza sauce to your crescent roll crust. Add veggie toppings If you haven't already, prep your veggies. Note, you'll only want to use the head of the broccoli, chopped into small pieces as shown. Just like decorating any other type of pizza, add the toppings you desire in the amount you desire. I usually top it in this order - broccoli, peppers, carrot, olives, cheese. You can also use other vegetables you like - cucumbers, cauliflower, radish, whatever you think would taste good. I gently press my toppings into the cream cheese sauce to help them stick, but this is not a necessary step. Cut into pieces and serve immediately or store in the fridge for a few hours before serving. This recipe will make the bread soggy if you wait too long to eat it so keep that in mind when prepping.

My friend gave me this potato soup recipe years and years ago. I tweaked it a little over the years, however, it still remains one of our rainy-day favorites. I use heavy cream in my recipe, but you could substitute it for milk if you have it. I usually use whatever cheeses I have on hand. I usually have cheddar, swiss, and mozzarella cheeses in my fridge so that's become my base recipe. In the past, I've used a variety of different cheese combinations. That's the great thing about cooking. You can totally make changes to a recipe to suit your likes or use up things you have in your fridge. Three Cheese Potato Soup Ingredients: 1 onion, chopped 1 garlic clove, minced smoked sausage, sliced olive oil 2.5 cups chicken broth 4-5 medium potatoes 2.5 cups heavy cream or milk 1 cup cheddar cheese 1 cup mozzarella cheese 1 cup Swiss cheese Directions: 1. Start a large pot of salted water on the stove to boil and cut the potatoes into 1-inch chunks. Boil in salted water for about 10 mins or until tender. 2. Meanwhile, in a large pot sauté onions, garlic, and sausages in olive oil over medium heat until the onion is slightly browned and soft. 3. Stir in chicken broth. Dump in drained potatoes and mash with a potato masher until smooth, some lumps are okay. 4. Add in salt and pepper to taste (I've added smoked paprika before) and stir in heavy cream or milk. 5. Stir in cheeses, leaving a little for topping. 6. Feel free to adjust the milk and chicken stock if the soup is too thick. 7. Once it's heated through, scoop it into bowls, top it with cheese, and serve. These Soup Bowls are my favorite for presenting cute soups and stews! Shop them here: I like to serve my potato soup with a big German pretzel or some crusty bread and a cold beer!

This cheesy Rotel and Sausage dip is my go-to dip for holidays, potlucks, or game nights. It's cheesy, meaty, and always a crowd-pleaser. Cheesy Rotel and Sausage Dip Ingredients: 1 lb pork sausage 16 oz pack of Velvetta cheese, cut into cubes 2 - 10 oz cans of rotel, undrained Directions: In a large pot, brown your sausage and drain any excess fat. Add in your cubed cheese and both cans of Rotel, undrained. Turn the heat down to low and let the cheese melt down, stirring occasionally until all combined. Serve warm with your favorite tortilla chips (I prefer Tostito's Scoops) or sliced up vegetables for dipping like peppers or carrot chips. Crockpot version To make this in a crockpot, brown the sausage on the stove, and then add the sausage, cubed cheese, and Rotel in a crockpot on low for 2 hours stirring occasionally until melty. This is literally the easiest and best dip for parties! I'm serving mine for the Super Bowl!

I'm a creative person at heart and that carries on into the kitchen. I like creating and cooking new and novel meals for my family whenever I have time. Recently, I decided to try my hand at homemade pappardelle. I had a craving for luscious noodles and a rich beef ragu sauce with lots of parmesan cheese (check back soon for the sauce recipe). So, "for fun" I decided to try my hand at making my own pasta. It can't be that hard I thought, and they weren't, and let me tell you, they were delicious. You don't need any fancy tools for this recipe, just a clean counter, rolling pin, and knife. This is more time consuming so make sure to save it for a weekend night when you have more time to devote. I would say it took 15 minutes to create the dough, 20 minutes for it to sit, and then about 30 more minutes to roll it out. Overall, set aside at least an hour or even 1.5 hours of time to create this pasta. It's totally worth it though! Homemade Pappardelle *makes 8 servings Ingredients: 4 eggs 3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt small bowl of cold water plastic wrap Directions: On a clean counter, create a large mound with your flour, make a hole in the middle, and add your eggs, olive oil, and salt right into the hole. Make your bowl of cold water and set it nearby to have while you make your dough. Slowly, with a fork, start adding in flour little by little into your eggy middle. Once the side of my flour pile broke, but I just scooped it all together and started using my hands to mix it. It will look kind of fluffy and jagged. Keep working it together. Add about a tablespoon or two of the cold water to your mixture until it starts to form a dough. I think I added about 6 tablespoons to this batch. Using your hands, create a ball with the dough, kneading it until it's smooth and slightly elastic feeling, about 10 minutes. It should look like this below. If it's too sticky add a little flour until it's more like a playdough texture. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap or covered in a bowl, and let sit for about 20 minutes at room temperature. Once it's sat, take a knife or bench/dough scraper and cut the dough in 4 pieces like a pie. Place the unused dough back in the plastic wrap until you are ready for it. On a clean, floured surface (I used the counter) use your hands to slightly press down the dough and use the rolling pin to roll it out. Make sure to keep dough, counter, and rolling pin floured to keep it from sticking. Roll out your dough slightly thinner than you think because it will puff up a bit when cooking. I just eyeballed this part. Once you have it rolled out as thin as you like it, take a knife and cut strips about 1 inch wide and about 12 inches long. It's okay if they aren't perfect that makes it more homemade. Add a little bit of flour to a bowl, baking pan, or space on your counter, grab the noodles in the middle and drag them in the flour to lightly coat them. Swirl noodles into "nest" on a cutting board or baking sheet until ready. Repeat the same process with the remaining 3 mounds of dough. * I've found that each "nest" makes about 2 servings of pasta. Lastly cook or store your pasta (see below) and serve with your favorite sauce! Cook: To cook the pappardelle, boil a large pot of water. Cook for 3-5 minutes (depending on thickness) in boiling water until al dente. You can finish off the noodles in your sauce of choice. Store: I usually cook my pasta the same day, but you can store it, covered, in the refrigerator for a few days or lay it flat on a baking sheet in the freezer for a few hours, and then transfer it to a plastic bag for storing in the freezer. I think I doubled the cooking time when I froze my last batch, but test the doneness to your liking.

In our post, Trends We're Keeping in 2025 we talked about embracing dopamine decor in our homes and lives. If you're a Disney lover you're going to want to see this Disney kitchen cookware we stumbled upon. Faberware has released some gorgeous Disney-themed bake and cookware that is sure to bring a smile to your face, and some magic to your cooking. They have a wide range of things including pots, pans, and Mickey-shaped cake pans. 8 piece ceramic Disney cookware - This monochromatic set is inspired by Disney's black and white animations from their early era. Ceramic nonstick interior with Mickey-shaped knobs. These are both dishwasher and oven-safe. 6 piece Disney bakeware set - This baking set has little Mickey emblems embossed on the pans. Our favorite is the three-piece cake pans that create the iconic Mickey shape. Disney Cast-iron Dutch Oven - This 3-quart pre-seasoned black cast iron pan will be perfect for oven-to-table meals. Bake with Mickey Set - With a muffin tin, baking pans, loaf pan, and oven mitts you are sure to bake up something sweet with this set. Bon Voyage Dutch Oven - Complete your set with this large pre-seasoned Dutch oven from the Bon Voyage collection , it's perfect for soups and one-pot pasta meals . We literally want it all! What piece is your favorite?

In my most recent attempt to be a healthier, I created this healthy green smoothie. It's so yummy and recently has been my favorite breakfast, even my kiddos like it! I finally got a chance to make it for Richard this week and he's a fan. It's so simple and super healthy with all that spinach! I created measurements for this post, but usually for my frozen fruits and spinach I sort of eyeball it. The measurements aren't always exact when I make it but pretty close. This smoothie is so good you don't even feel like you're eating greens. It's a wonderful way to get some green stuff into your body making your day start off healthier! Green Smoothie 1/2 cup frozen peaches 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks 4 ice cubes 1 cup cold water 2 fresh bananas, broken into pieces 1 fresh kiwi, peeled and sliced 3 cups fresh baby spinach 1 small container vanilla yogurt (6 oz) Blend it all together for a few minutes, stirring to ensure everything is getting mixed and enjoy! This makes about 36 ounces of smoothie.

We aren't big on lofty New Year's resolutions. The truth is, we have made them in the past, things like "loose 30 pounds", and after a few weeks we stop going to the gym and lose all momentum. Last year, we decided to keep it light and fun and do 24 fun things in 2024. There is a science behind having small wins to celebrate as well. We decided to do it again this year! We created these free printable new year bingo cards ! We will fill it with random things like "try 5 new pasta shapes" and "create a secret handshake" and see if we can get BINGO by the end of the year. We made several color versions and one that just says "New Year bingo" for you to choose from. Just save the one you want below and print it on regular printer paper. I filled the page with mine so I had room to write in the boxes but you could print them smaller if you want and write tiny on them. Download Pink 2025 Bingo Card // Pink Free Space Bingo Card Download Purple Bingo Card // Free Space Purple Bingo Card Download Green 2025 Bingo Card // Free Space Green Bingo Card Download New Year Bingo Card You can print it off on regular printer paper size and put it on your fridge or pin board. Color them in as you achieve each fun thing. To start you off, we are sharing 100 things to do in 2024. Hopefully, this will jump-start some fun ideas for you! Obviously, you can do a few serious ones, unique ones, and ones specific to you and your goals for the year! Just have fun with it! Here are 100 things to do in the new year! Learn a party trick Try new pasta shapes - choose how many you want to try! Learn to play an instrument - ukulele sounds fun to me! Get a different hairstyle/haircut Try a new recipe Take a day trip - Go the next city over or see what's within 1-2 hours of you and make a day of it! Go to a live sporting event Read a new book - go outside of your genre for even more fun! Visit a natural attraction - look up what is near you and start there! Plan a party - it can be a birthday, holiday, or just for fun like "paint and pasta" Listen to a new musical artist Try a new cocktail - lavender haze is a good place to start Complete a puzzle - we did a 3d puzzle last year! Go on a trip somewhere new - can't travel this year, then plan it for next year. I would love to go out of the country this year! Do a new activity - geocaching, bingo, axe throwing, crochet, so many choices! Explore your city - play tourist, try out the best yelp restaurant, and visit a fun local spot! Thrift a "new" outfit Try a new restaurant - branch out and try a new culture too if you're brave Volunteer your time - find something that inspires you Visit a forest and do some forest bathing Go to a museum - Check for free days or fun events before you go Go swimming - try a new pool, lake, or beach! Watch the sunrise Play/learn a new game - chess, board games , shuffleboard, tennis Treat somebody for no reason - it can be a stranger or someone you know Host a dinner Visit a National Park Take a tour - beer tour, ghost tour, segway tour, what sounds fun! Teach somebody something you know Take a class - cake decorating, pottery, glass blowing, whatever you like Watch the sunset Grow a new plant or plant a garden Go on a boat - paddle boat, ferry, dinner boat tour Have a picnic Do something physical - yoga and walking are great low-impact places to start Go camping - don't forget your camping gear Visit a botanical garden Start a good habit - drink a glass of water every morning, floss daily, or leave work at 5 pm. Play something with a team - I think it would be fun to do a trivia night at a local restaurant Bake your own bread Write someone a letter/card Go to a live concert Stay overnight somewhere unique - a winery, treehouse, tiny house, ice hotel Painting trend - thrift a painting and add your own touches. I did this at Halloween and had so much fun! Visit a local market - craft, produce, etc Get a massage - it can be from a significant other or book a treatment Start a journal - this can be specific like a dream, book, or travel journal Make something crafty Take an online course Print your photos - turn one into a fun photo shadow box Declutter a room/space in your house Learn a new dance - tiktok dances are great for this Plan a movie/dinner themed nigh t. Redecorate a room in your house - paint it, rearrange the furniture, buy a functional piece See a live show - comedy, musical, ballet, etc Go on a walk Listen to a podcast Go on a hike Ride a Ferris wheel Go to an art gallery Ditch one bad habit - just one thing you'd like to stop doing Learn to make fancy coffee at home Try a weekly food theme like Meatless Monday or Stir-Fridays! Watch a documentary Do some self-care - I plan to focus on skincare this year Compliment strangers - If you see something you like tell them Start a gratitude jar - as the year goes on write down things you are grateful for, pull out your jar at the end of the year, and reflect Start a recipe box or journal - collect those favorite family recipes too! Go to a poetry slam - or perform at one! Create a death binder - sounds morbid but it's nice to have all your important documents in one place in case of emergency Learn to make a balloon animal or origami frog! Visit a drive-in theater Make a fun food - zombie brain sushi and Cheshire cat tails are both fun! Have a star-gazing night or watch a space event Build a sandcastle or fairy house Complete a challenge - reading challenge, 365 photo challenge, running challenge Go fruit picking - berries, apples, peaches, find a local farm and plan a trip Make a vision board - this is good for those bigger goals Have a fondue night - cheese, chocolate, or gravy Sing karaoke Conquer a fear - did we mention singing karaoke? Eat at a food truck - tacos, ice cream, Japanese sandwiches, there are so many fun ones! Create a blind taste test - bottled water, salsa, whiskey, whatever you want! Create a gift for someone - Book bouquet or Boo Basket Visit a neighbor - I like to take our cookies, older neighbors always have the best stories or if you have kids, see if any neighbors have kids your age and plan a playdate Host a trivia/ game night Start a book club (or join one) Go to a local festival - food, book, music, flower, craft, see what your city has! Be more present - put your phone down more, engage in conversations, find the glimmers Have breakfast in bed Plan one way you can budget weekly/monthly- limit movie outings, cancel one subscription service, limit lunch out - make it achievable and try to stick to it See how many dogs you can pet - keep track on your phone, always ask first Make a birdfeeder - I would love to befriend a crow! Take a sunset picture every time you see one - share your year in sunsets at the end of the year, the 1 second a day app would be fun for this Learn to solve a Rubix cube Discover a new author Forgive someone - this one could be hard but do it for yourself Open the window every morning - get some sunlight and fresh air to start your day off Curate a playlist - even better, share it with a friend think mixed tape vibes! Create a secret handshake!