St. Patrick's Day Recipes

Today I am sharing a few delicious St. Patrick's Day recipes for you to share with your friends & family.Here are some starters and desserts ....

Can't have a St. Patrick's Day celebration without potatoes! Here is a comforting,delicious soup recipe.

If you want a little green for on your menu, this soup fits the bill.

Irish Soda Bread is a staple on any St. Patrick's Day  table. No currants or seeds in this one.

I'm all about desserts on any occasion, so here are a few delicious treats with a hint of green.
Mint Brownies

Chocolate Chip Mint Ice-Cream Pie

Irish Creme Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Bites

Truffles

Chocolate Peanut Butter Clovers

Chocolate Covered Oreos..to make these, simply melt some chocolate(I use Merckens) and pour a small amount into the mold. Place an Oreo on top and cover with more chocolate. Place in the freezer for about five minutes,then pop them out of the molds. Drizzle a little melted chocolate on top and add sprinkles if desired, or leave them plain. There are many molds with a variety of shapes to choose from. I like this one and this one.

You can do the same with chocolate covered pretzels. I use these pretzels. I like to add seasonal sprinkles along with mini m&m's ,chocolate chips and nuts to finish them.

Enjoy!

Sweet Valentine's Day Recipes

Today I am sharing a few tried and true sweet recipes with you. They are perfect  for your Valentine's Day celebrations. Enjoy!

  One of our all time favorites around here are these crepes. They are filled with chocolate mousse and served over a cold white chocolate sauce. Definitely high in calories and full of flavor.

These cupcakes are made with a hint of coffee and are absolutely delicious!

Not everyone loves chocolate, and these cookies are the perfect treat for those who don't. Easy and always a hit.

Bananas and chocolate are a wonderful combination. Bake a batch of these for your sweetie and your day will be off to a great start! No special pan needed, bake them in any pans you have.

A sweet breakfast is allowed every so often, right? No need for syrup on these pancakes, they are sweet enough just the way they are.

Decadence.. Nothing further.

One of my favorite french desserts. These can be dipped in chocolate, served plain or with a sprinkling of powdered sugar. Yum!

A little spice and the perfect combination of chocolate and cinnamon. Delicious fudge.

This one is for the peanut butter lovers in your life.

Here is a different take on the usual brownies. Red and delicious!

Who doesn't love chocolate pudding?

This next recipe is for those of you who really want to go above and beyond. It takes time and patience, but if you love it,go for it. I suggest finding a similar mold on Amazon or at your local craft store. The one pictured here made it difficult to release the chocolate.

Lastly, here is another popular treat around here. My Triple Chocolate Delights are a tart/brownie/cake all in one. There are a few steps involved making them, but well worth it.

I hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day and get to share some of my favorite sweet treats with those you love. Enjoy!

Children's Book Club Picks for February

Today I will be sharing some fun stories that you can use for the children's book club idea that I shared in this post.. These are a few that incorporate themes of love,Black History Month ,winter and ,of course, Valentine's Day. I'm offering  suggestions to make your gifts of reading easier, but there are so many wonderful stories out with the themes I've mentioned. Hopefully, a few of these will be what you are looking for to help foster a love of reading in the special children in your lives..

Remember Nancy Drew? This longtime favorite character is back with her Clue Crew in this Valentine adventure. Someone sent a mean Valentine and Nancy and her friends have to find out who and why. This is a great chapter book series for young kids with so many stories, the kids will be reading all the time!

Natasha Wing is a favorite author of ours. Her silly stories make any holiday fun and this one is no exception. This story is a great pick for younger children ,and is sure to become an annual favorite.

This book introduces children to some of the best female scientists and their contributions to our world. It is not only informative, but it takes a look at African American women,their strengths,determination and successes.

We can't forget the great African American men and their achievements! In this book, children will learn about some amazing men who overcame tremendous obstacles and achieved their dreams.

In this story, Hoda Kotb tells of the unconditional love between a parent and child. The perfect book to snuggle up with and spend some special moments with your child. Very sweet with beautiful illustrations.

This next book is all about children learning to love themselves and others. A wonderful way to encourage children to be proud of who they are and accept others for the same.

Children learn all about how animals in the wild survive cold winters in this book. From finding shelter to hibernation,it's a journey into the world of animals during the winter.

These are just a few suggestions for your book club gifts. There are so many more to choose from, especially for Valentine's Day..the selection is endless! I hope you enjoy a few of these and have fun sending some new books to the special children in your lives!