Timeout with Mom

Family, Life, Inspiration

Game Day Chili Cheese Nachos with Progresso Chili

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Nachos. Mmmm! One of my guilty pleasures and game day must haves. We hosted a few games at our house this year and everyone always raves about my Chili Cheese Nachos. Usually, by the time I get to them they’re almost gone though. That’s how good they are! In as little as 30 minutes, you can have some pretty amazing nachos to serve at your next game day or better yet, Super Bowl! So, with the big game almost here, get ready to indulge in some pretty great recipes from yours truly. Continue Reading

Lasagna Roll-Ups with Ragu Pasta Sauce and Giveaway

As a busy mom of two, I really try my best at managing my time. Some days are better than others, but I promise, I do my best. Some nights are a little tough and we get totally thrown off our schedule. Those are the nights that I am usually looking for something quick to prepare for dinner.
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Holiday Blossom Christmas Tree Cookies and Betty Crocker Giveaway

With the holidays fast approaching, It’s always been my goal to be sure that my children know the reason for the season and that it’s better to give than to receive. I want them to know that it’s the little things in life that bring joy to others, and something so simple as bringing cookies to a neighbor can brighten their holiday spirits.

Baking cookies for the holidays has been a long standing tradition for us. We bake them together for some quality time and then bring them to our neighbors to spread cheer.

Want to spread your own cheer? Enter the two giveaways below for a chance to win $20 Pay Pal Cash!

This year, good ol’ Betty Crocker is by our side! My little guy is finally old enough to help in the kitchen with simple tasks and he loves it! It gives him a bit of independence and helps him to feel accomplished once he completes the recipe with me. He is such a sweetheart and loves to do for others. Even at 3 years old, he opens doors and waits for me everywhere we go. He will make an excellent husband some day. I am sure of that!


For our cookies this year, we picked up a couple bags of Betty Crocker cookie mix, Betty Crocker cupcake gems and kisses while on our weekly Wal-Mart shop. We went with the traditional Holiday Blossom Cookies this year, but added a little twist. Literally!

These Holiday Blossom Christmas tree cookies are quick, easy and done in no time!


Holiday Blossom Christmas Tree Cookies
Ingredients
  • 1 pouch Betty Crocker™ peanut butter cookie mix
  • 24-36 Chocolate kiss candies, unwrapped
  • Betty Crocker™Gold Sugar Cupcake Gems
  • 1 tub, Betty Crocker™Rich and Creamy Vanilla Icing
  • Green food coloring
Directions
  1. Prepare and bake cookies as directed on bag
  2. Remove cookies from the oven and press one chocolate candy down into the center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheets and cool completely, about 20 minutes. 
  3. In a medium bowl or mixer, empty tub of icing and add a few drops of green food coloring.
  4. Mix icing and food coloring well, adding more color as needed.
  5. Fill a ziploc bag with colored icing and make a small cut on the corner of the bag.
  6. Pipe the icing in a swirl motion around the chocolate candy
  7. Sprinkle cupcake gems on top
  8. Store cookies in tightly covered container with your cheer printables
  9. Share with friends and family!

While your cookies are baking, don’t forget to print the adorable gift tags and coloring sheets for free!

DOWNLOAD HERE


You too can spread cheer this season with Betty Crocker products! Click HERE for a coupon and be sure to download the printables!

Now, who’s ready for some Giveaways?!?!

I’m hosting hosting TWO Giveaways on this post, because I think you should #SpreadCheer too! 

 You are welcome to enter both giveaways which are for $20 Pay Pal Cash each! Giveaways end on December 31st at 12:00am EST.

Giveaway #1 (Easy Entry)

  1. Visit the Betty Crocker #SpreadCheer website to download the printables and get a coupon!
  2. Create your own #SpreadCheer basket and post a photo on social media. Tag two (2) of your friends in your post to challenge them to #SpreadCheer! Be sure to use the hashtag #SpreadCheer in your post.
  3. In the comments below, link your post and tell me who you chose to #SpreadCheer to.
  4. ONE winner (with a valid post) will be drawn from the comment section and will win $20 in PayPal Cash!
Giveaway #2
I’m giving away $20 in Pay Pal Cash for one lucky reader to #SpreadCheer this season! Just enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveawayShow Betty Crocker how you spread cheer! Tag @BettyCrocker in your social shares and use the hashtag #SpreadCheer.



Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #muBarista #CollectiveBias The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older.


Tis’ the season for family gatherings, parties and of course, drinks! We had a great Thanksgiving this year. The food was great and the company was even better!! I am so thankful for my family, friends and of course all of you.

Every year, as we get closer to Christmas, we get together with a few of our friends for a Christmas party. Sometimes we do a cookie exchange, secret santa and a pot luck. The latter, usually brings some great treats and a few surprises. It’s being with family and friends that truly make Christmas so joyous.
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Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie Crescents

Thanksgiving has always meant so much to me. I have fond memories of our family being together around the table and sharing memories. I could listen to them laugh for days. It’s just pure happiness! I miss those days. They would be hectic, but we were together and that was the best feeling for me growing up.

Things have changed over the years. Everyone kind of does their own thing now and smaller groups of us get together to share the holiday. With everyone being in different cities and states, it definitely puts a strain on our big family gatherings.
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Chocolate Dipped Halloween Pretzels

Wow! I can’t believe we are less than a week away from Halloween already! Bunbun has decided to be Frankenstein this year. I’m not quite sure where this idea came from, but I find it cute. I found a minion costume which was much better than the usual ones so I was trying to convince her to wear it. She decided on Frankenstein in the end though! Her class did an activity for Halloween called, “Guess Who I am?”. The kids drew a self portrait of themselves and described what their favorite things are from Halloween. Such as favorite activity, candy and/or treat. Then they write what they will be for Halloween and the others guess who is who. Bunbun’s was a dead giveaway for me when I noticed it on the bulletin board. Her self portrait was a girl with pigtails, colored green, with stitches on her face. I knew it was Frankenstein!!! Or as she labeled it; “Franken Girl”.
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Mummy Snack Cups #SnackAndGo

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SnackAndGo #CollectiveBias


In our home, we are always looking for a twist on snacks. Having the same thing over and over can get boring and sometimes, you need to add some flair to make things fun and interesting. Kids love a good surprise and Halloween is an excellent time to add some flair to their snacks. You can take the  snacks they love and make them spook-tacular or build your own together. Today, I am going to show you how you can mummify a snack cup and make a tasty Halloween treat!
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Traditional Baked Ziti with Ragu Pasta Sauce and $50 Target eGift Card Giveaway #simmeredintradition #ragu

Some of my fondest memories growing up are in the kitchen. My grandmother is the type that can make something out of nothing. And believe me, we had some rough times where she had to do just that. I don’t remember a bad meal ever coming out of that kitchen. Even when the chips were down! That says a lot about someone’s cooking. If you can accomplish making a meal out of whatever you can find and it actually tastes good, I think you’re doing pretty good.

Nowadays, many families are just too busy to cook dinner. I mean, let’s face it, between working, school pick up, homework and after school activities, most of us barely have time to think! I am one of those Moms. As a matter of fact, throw my PTA duties into that equation as well. Sometimes, I come home and am so exhausted. I literally pop a pizza in the oven and plop down for the evening.
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