Babs

Replying to @Duvall Braun Bye-bye Mr. Bear! #WalmartPartner

Liam the Leprechaun has been visiting our house since I was a Nursery School teacher back in the day.  Here are some of the naughty tricks he plays on us this time each year.  🍀 #naughtyleprechaun #stpatricksday #shenaningans

It’s open window season! I feel better, sleep better and I know I am saving money when I open those windows and doors. There is nothing I love more than to hear hints of nature outside and have a fresh breeze blowing in. I use this time of year (and again in the Spring;) to get all those window sills and door tracks clean in the easiest way possible!#windowcleaning #patiodoors #doortracks

Robin Egg Cake 🪺 Need something beautiful for your Easter table? Turn a store bought cake into something truly noteworthy in under 20 minutes! AND if you choose to make your own cake remember my cookbook Celebrate with Babs has many to choose from including my carrot cake on pg 94 📖 XO Babs INGREDIENTS: Store bought or homemade cake (any size - cupcakes work too!) White store bought or homemade frosting 10 drops blue food coloring 2 drops green food coloring ½ cup sweetened coconut, toasted 2 tsp cocoa powder 4 tsp vanilla extract Chocolate candy mini-eggs INSTRUCTIONS: Start with a cold cake. Remove all of the decorations if using a store bought cake. Mix the food coloring into the frosting until you reach your desired blue. Frost cake over white frosting with robin's egg blue frosting. Mix together vanilla and cocoa powder to create mixture for speckles. To make speckles, dip a paintbrush or pastry brush into cocoa mixture and using your fingers, flick bits of cocoa mixture all over the cake. To create the nest, make a small well of frosting in the middle of the cake and mound toasted coconut on top of the frosting mound. Place the eggs in nest - you can speckle eggs before putting them in the nest if you want 🪺 #easter #easterdessert #happyeaster

Did you know ⁉️ Your comforter is full of grime, body oils, lotions and other residue your washing machine can't get out! It is probably time you "stripped" all that gunk from your comforter. Stripping is a laundry soaking method that cleans your comforter better than any dry cleaner or washing machine can. Experts say to wash your comforter 2-3 times a year. I suggest you strip the comforter during one of those washes each year. 🛁 Fill the bathtub with the hottest water possible 🛁 Dissolve the mixture in hot tub water: ¼ cup baking soda ¼ cup borax 2 cups liquid laundry detergent or ½ cup powder laundry detergent 🛁 Add your comforter and submerge. Soak for 2-24 hours. Give it a stir every once in a while. 🛁Drain tub and squeeze out excess water from the comforter. 🛁Immediately following stripping, wash comforter on gentle cycle without detergent. 🎾Dry without dryer sheets. Use tennis or dryer balls instead to fluff up your comforter! Happy Spring (Cleaning)! XO Babs #springcleaning #laundryroom #Washingmachine

Don’t have a cupcake caddy? Try this! #cupcake #cupcakes #cupcakegrid

My son asked us if our granddaughters could stay with us for spring break while he and his wife went on a trip they had planned, for their 20th wedding anniversary. I was beyond excited to be able to spend one on one time with them... and of course Lelo my grand-puppy! As grandparents we won’t be around forever, so we want to make the moments we spend together are as special as they can be. It’s not always about going on a big trip for spring break, sometimes the little moments we get to spend together are even more memorable and priceless. This staycation will be one for the books! XO, Babs❤️ #springbreak #staycation #granddaughters #granddog

✨SLOW COOKER LOADED BAKED POTATO SOUP ❤️ A wonderful weekday rotation or weekend meal that will warm your whole family up! INGREDIENTS 6 cups peeled, cubed Russet potatoes 1 cup diced onions 4 cups chicken broth 2 ½ tsp salt 1 ½ tsp pepper ½ tsp garlic powder 4 tbsp butter ⅓ cup flour 1 ½ cup light cream or milk 8 oz cream cheese 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese INSTRUCTIONS: Add the potatoes, onions, chicken broth, salt and pepper to the slow cooker. Set the slow cooker on high for 4 hours. When there is 30 minutes left on the slow cooker, melt 4 tbsp butter in a medium pan. When butter is melted, add flour and stir until butter flour mixture is golden. You are making a roux. After the roux is golden, add the cream/milk and gently stir until well combined. When combined, add the cream cheese until melted. Add this mixture to the slow cooker and whisk until thickened. Add cheddar cheese (or you can add some mashed roasted cauliflower) and cover and cook on low for 30 minutes. Serve with shredded cheese, bacon and chopped scallions. Enjoy! #slowcookersoup #slowcookersouprecipes #loadedbakedpotatosoup

Many swear by it, what’s your take?? 🍇🍇 #stomachflu #grapejuice #motherlyadvice

Are you forgetting to clean 3 of the filthiest things in your home? 🦠 It’s time to spring clean - let's tackle those forgettable places together! 🚪Door knobs, light switches and remote controls. These high touch household items need to be on your "don't forget" list. 🫧Here’s my all purpose cleaner to wipe those germs away! In a spray bottle, mix: 2 cups distilled water 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol 3 drops Castile soap 🧽Sponge. Your sponge is one of the dirtiest things in your house. You should replace it every once in a while and in between - clean it the easy way. First, make sure there is no metal in the sponge. Soak the sponge allowing it absorb water until it's soaked through. Place the sponge inside of a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for one minute. 🏠Walls One of the highest touchpoints (especially when you have kids) is surprisingly the walls. My no fail wall cleaner won't take the shine off your walls and it takes away the marks and the germs. 🫧In a spray bottle, mix: 2 cups distilled water 1 tsp dish detergent 1 tsp vinegar #cleanhome #cleanliving #housekeeping

#ad #ad Spring is around the corner! Let’s tackle a big organizing hassle to get you ready! THE BASEMENT. @command has come to the rescue here for me. I used a few Command™ Brand Broom Grippers to hang my grandkids lacrosse sticks. I wrapped the cords of Mr. Babs power tools with Command™ Cord Bundlers, and my number one helper, my step ladder, I used Command™ 15 lb X-Large Hook to hang that. These are great because you can RE-organize if you want to later, without damaging your walls! #Commandbrand

Life continues to unfold in unexpected ways and we want to embrace every stage with excitement and gratitude, and we’re giving thanks that we have this new adventures to embrace. We are so looking forward to doing this project with YOU! It will be such fun. We’ll make decisions together, discover what secrets and magic this old house holds as we renovate over the next few months and witness bringing this old "Basket House" back to life TOGETHER. 🏠 Come along on this journey with us. And we’re forward to hearing all your ideas! XO Babs & Mr. Babs ❤️ #bignews #homerenovation

🏀FINAL FOUR MEATBALL PULL APART BREAD SLIDERS🏀 It is Final Four time!  And the boys AND the girls are playing… for UCONN! Are you watching the games?  You have to make my Meatball Pull Apart Bread - whether you are watching the game or not.  I have a Granddaughter at UCONN (and my Grandson will be going this Fall) so…I’ll rooting for the Huskies!!!! 🏀INGREDIENTS:   1 lbs 80/20 ground beef ½  lb sweet italian sausage ¼  cup breadcrumbs 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese 1 tbsp steak seasoning ½  tsp crushed red pepper ¼  cup whole milk 1 large eggs 4 ounces unsalted butter 1 tbsp garlic powder 2 tsp grated parmesan cheese 1 tsp dried parsley ½ tsp salt ½ tsp pepper 2 12-count packages Hawaiian sweet rolls or 1 24-count package 1 lb grated mozzarella cheese (you may not use it all) 1 ½ cups marinara sauce Fresh parsley for garnish (optional) 🏀INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat oven to 425°.  In a large bowl, combine the beef, sausage, bread crumbs, cheese, steak rub, and pepper flakes. Add the milk and eggs and mix gently with your hands until well combined. Roll the ground beef mixture into 24 balls, each about 1 inch and weighing about 1 ounce. Place the meatballs on one rimmed baking sheet with room between each. Bake meatballs for 15 minutes until golden brown.   🧈To make garlic butter.  In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, granulated garlic, Parmesan, parsley, salt, and pepper. Place Hawaiin rolls onto a baking sheet.  Using a serrated knife, cut small squares on the top of each Hawaiian roll and lightly hollow out the bread filling. Brush the rolls inside and out with garlic butter.  Sprinkle half the mozzarella in each roll hole. Top the cheese with a meatball. Pour about ½  tbsp of sauce over each meatball.  Top with the remaining cheese.   Lightly spray a sheet of aluminum foil with cooking spray.  Cover the entire baking sheet with the foil sheet.  Return sliders to the oven until the cheese is melted and the rolls are toasted, about 15-20 minutes. Carefully take the foil off of the sliders and place under the broiler for about 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and enjoy! #uconn #basketball #finalfour #gamedayfood

I recently said good bye to my four leaf clover of over 40 years. In our lives we all have those special friends that truly know us. Those friends that have been there through thick and thin with you. And even though they may not live next door anymore or even in the same town, the miles apart don’t separate your hearts. Those friends are your bouquets of 4 Leaf Clovers. I lost one of my flowers in my bouqet recently. After over 40 years it was hard to say so long. But until we meet again I will cherish special memories and retell the stories and keep her close in my heart. Today forward this to your bouquet of of 4 Leaf Clovers and count your blessings. Happy St Patrick’s Day! 🙏❤️☘️ #stpatricksday

Share this post with your spring breakers ✈️ 🏝️😎 Spring break is here! Do you know how to keep yourself and those you love safe while traveling? Watch to make sure you avoid these three biggest nightmares this Spring break XO Babs & Mr. Babs #vacation #springbreak #safety

Beauty sleep is REAL! If you don’t get enough sleep, your skin will suffer. Here’s what to do for a good night’s sleep for amazing skin at any age. #Ad ~ You don’t want a cocktail before bed, but try this mocktail. Mix ½ cup cherry juice; 1 tablespoon magnesium powder and a splash of lemon lime soda. You want to set the mood for a peaceful night, do it with something delicious! I’ve used magnesium powder for awhile because of how well it helps me sleep. ~ Make sure your room is as dark as possible. Use a sleep mask if you need to. ~ A good skincare routine will help no matter what. I’ve been using @Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum. Even on those nights where sleep doesn’t come easily, it helps my skin stay glowing and hydrated, reducing multiple signs of aging - like fine lines. I know it’s tough, but consistency is key, try to get to bed at the same time each night so you wake up looking rested and radiant! #AdvancedNightRepair #WakeUpReady

EASTER EGG BOATS 🐰Which Easter Egg Boat are you making this Easter? Gruyere, asparagus and pancetta or bacon, cheddar and red pepper? I can’t pick a favorite - they are SO GOOD. And so easy! Happy Easter! 🐰INGREDIENTS: 1 long loaf of bread with a boat like shape 6 eggs ⅓ cup heavy cream 2 ounces finely diced pancetta ¾ cup grated gruyere cheese 2-3 asparagus spears diced into bite sized pieces 2 thinly sliced green onions ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper Tarragon for garnish (optional) 1 long loaf of bread with a boat like shape 6 eggs ⅓ cup heavy cream 6 slices crumbled cooked bacon ¾ cup grated cheddar cheese 1 small red pepper diced 2 thinly sliced green onions ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper Chives for garnish (optional) 🐰INSTRUCTIONS: Preheat the oven to 350°. Cut a deep “V” through the tops of each baguette until about ½ inch to the bottom and remove the top (reserve for another use.) Un-stuff baguettes as much as possible, while keeping the shell of the baguettes intact. Careful not to puncture outside of bread. Sprinkle about tablespoon of shredded cheese into the bottom of each hollowed baguette. Whisk together eggs and cream, then stir in the remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Place baguettes onto a baking sheet and fill each with egg mixture. Bake for 35 -45 minutes or until golden brown and eggs have set. Cool for 5 minutes, garnish and cut each baguette into pieces for serving. #easter #easterbrunch #brunch

Adulting 101: How to be a good roommate - with love from your grandparents XO ❤️ Do you know how to be a good roommate? Well I have had the same “roommate” for many years. But whether you are sharing your home with one roommate or many, the rules remain the same.#roommates #housemates

Traditions become the fabric of a family. And it only takes 2 years to start a new tradition. So what are you eaiting for? The tradition of my Grandma’s Easter Bread goes back 5 generations. My grandmother brought this tradition from Italy and passed it down to my mother, then to me and I continue to pass the tradition on to my children, my grandchildren and now…you. Celebrate Easter with us by sharing your tradition below or perhaps….consider starting the Easter bread tradition. Tag your family and friends who you are excited to share Easter traditions with this year. XO Babs 🐣INGREDIENTS: 1 - 1⁄4 oz pkg instant dry yeast 11⁄4 cups whole milk,warmed Pinch of kosher salt 1⁄3 cup unsalted butter, room temperature 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar 1⁄2 tsp pure vanilla extract 1 tsp lemon zest 3 large eggs, room temperature, divided 31⁄2–41⁄2 cups all-purpose flour, divided Sprinkles, to decorate 6 raw, dyed Easter eggs 🐣INSTRUCTIONS: To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the yeast, milk, salt, butter, sugar, vanilla, lemon zest, and 2 eggs. Mix on medium speed until combined. Switch to the dough hook attachment. Add 13⁄4 cups flour and mix, working the our into the egg mixture. Mix in more our, a little at a time, until the dough is no longer sticky, up to 23⁄4 cups more flour.XO Babs Turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead it for 1 to 2 minutes. Place in a lightly greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place the dough in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Punch down the dough and divide into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 14 inches long and 1 inch wide. Take two ropes and twist together. Then with the twist, form a circle. Repeat to make 6 circle “wreaths.” Place the wreaths on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, place in a warm spot, and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 egg with 1 teaspoon water. After the wreaths have doubled in size, brush with the egg wash. Sprinkle with the sprinkles. Place a dyed egg in the center of each wreath. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the wreath is golden brown. #easter #easterbread

🔥ADULTING 101:  HOW TO BE PREPARED FOR A FIRE 🔥 🔥Fire blankets are a great addition to your home safety kit.  They are easy to use.  You can smother a fire with the blanket and it can be used as a barrier between you and the fire if you need to escape.   🔥Be sure you and your family all know how to use the fire extinguisher. 🔥Always have baking soda on hand.  When baking soda is heated it releases carbon dioxide which smoothers the fire.  I always keep a box under my sink. 🔥Always call 911 regardless of the size of the fire.  The fire department can come and verify the fire is out and has not unknowingly extended to the vent system or cabinets.🔥 🔥And don’t forget…we can replace things….we can't replace you! Nothing is more important than your safety.  When in doubt - GET OUT!   XO, Your Grandparents ❤️ #firesafety #grandparents #adulting