Great Ideas for Father's Day Gifts That Won't Break the Bank

Welcome to The Cherry On Top!

Father's Day is on it's way and The Cherry On Top has got you covered!  Check out all of the ideas.

Click on this image of these darling, little ladies and one heck of an awesome idea. You're linked up to a blog with several good ideas and FREE printable props, too.

I love this next idea. No link, just a great idea. Put all of your hubby's favourites in here. Their favourite lolly, beer, soda, some lotto cards or maybe tickets to a baseball game. Sweet!

Here's another great idea for a daddy who loves his nuts. Hehehe... Click on the image and download the FREE Printable. Recycle a glass or clear plastic jar or bottle and your set. Low cost, but we all know the way to a man's heart. LOL!

Maybe a little something easy from the little one? Right click and save to downloads if you like.

My hubby would love this grill and snack ensemble. Hmmm....Hehehe...No link, just an idea.

Here a nice, FREE, card printable for dad. Maybe you will make a combination of these ideas for pop. This image is linked up.

If you wanna do something scrappy/ hybrid/photo book here is some page inspiration.

So, there's a start to your hunt for the greatest gift for the greatest dad!

Thanks for stopping by. Make sure ya do it a'gin!

Ginger's Scraps N' Pixels, Beach Trip

Welcome!

Looks who is get'n scrappy?!  Yeeeeee haaaaaw!  Hehehe...

As you may know, I grew up on the beach in Florida.  So, when kits like this come out, they just call me.  They speak to me and this kit is no exception!  This layout isn't normally my kind of style, but I loved everything and wanted to use it all.  Hehehe...  The imagery is absolutely fabulous and every element smells of the sea.  How fabulous?!

Just look at these papers?!  I want to wall paper with them!  LOL!  If these were in my traditional paper stash, they would never be used.  Hehehe...

When you get a kit with this kind of quality and thought, you don't need 100 elements to make an exquisite layout or hybrid project.  I didn't use a lot of elements on this second layout, but I love it.  I want to put this on canvas and hang it on my wall.  The texture is die for!

Take a closer look at all of the different parts to Beach Trip and fall in love.

We gotta thank sweet Ginger for allowing me to make you a fabulous, FREE, quick page with her goodies.  Just plant your pictures in this baby and you're set!  Easy as that! (Click, then right click and save the image download.)

Visit one of her shops by clicking on any of the product previews above or check out her Facebook Page and grab another FREEBIE she has over there with a different kit!

Thank you for hanging with the Cherries!  Make sure ya do it again!

Week #10 TCOT's Weekly Menu Planner

Welcome to week #10 menu planner!

Plan your menu's weekly to save time hassle and money.  Eat real food instead of prepared meals, restaurant and fast foods.  Just keeping away from that stuff will help you tremendously, live a healthier life.  Food should really be a priority in your life.  We are what we eat in the most basic of meanings.

I've got you all set with links and recipes for easy, quick-ish meals made with real food that you can find in nearly any grocery store.

Monday:  We are doing a meat, starch, veg here with fresh cordon bleu from our local butcher.  I don't think it's all that quick and easy to make, so I'm setting you up with a delicious recipe that IS easy!  If you are not a good sauce maker no worries.  Simply simmer 2 packs of cream cheese or 1 cream cheese and one pot of sour cream in a pan, stirring continuously until melted.  Then pour it over your mix.  Done!  Do not melt it in the microwave.  I would also dare to add peas or some broccoli to this for the veggies.  Frozen would be fine, but at the least, lightly thawed.  I take my frozen veggie portions, put them in a big bowl then pour hot, hot water over them.  They will be ready to go by the time your sauce is made.

By the way, this is a kid approved meal!

Tuesday:  Sloppy Joes

MMMM.....a definite family favourite served over toast, in a bun or the neatest way, in a pita!  Click for the recipe and be amazed at how easy it is to make from scratch.

Wednesday:  meat, starch, veg

You choose.  Keep it a flex night.  Grab some rotisserie chicken on your way home from work or some hoagies.  Heat up the left overs from a previous recipe or pan/grill up some Italian style sausage or brat worst, bake some potatoes and serve with corn.  Them tater's might take you some time unless you nuke them.  Microwave food isn't nearly as tasty and the micro waves are not good for you, but it sure is fast!  Check out this recipe if you like.

Thursday:  stir fry

Man, I love me some stir fry.  It's a great way to clean out your fridge, too.  LOL!  Choose your favourite veggies and just about any meat.  I scoured and scoured my favourite recipe sites and couldn't find anything like my really easy and absolutely delicious recipe.  I'm gonna foo foo finagle, again.

Tip:  PREP EVERYTHING!  This goes really, really fast once you have all of your ingredients out.  So, ya gotta be ready.  My kids go crazy over that long, egg noodle pasta.  It's made in less than 5 minutes, too!

Sauce recipe:  1/4 soy sauce

                      2 TBSP honey

                      chill sauce

                      ginger either 1 tablespoon fresh grated or dried, 1/2 tsp  this also depends on how much you like.  Ginger is really good for you!

I've found that the kind of chill sauce you use is really important.  The best is a sweetish chill sauce that isn't too spicy. If you have something like this, then you can use 1/4 cup.  If you are going to use something like Sriacha, then only use a 1/2 tsp unless you like the fire!

Tip:  If ya wanna save a whole lot of time, buy your meat already sliced and grab that fresh wok mix they have in the fresh fruit and veg section of the grocery store.  Super easy!

This link has 15 different recipes!  Just watch all the sugar they require.  Ugh and yuck!

Fun Food Friday: taquitos

I'm not super keen on the cooking method.  Coconut and olive oil are always your healthiest choices to try.  I might try parchment paper and the oven, grilling and turning for a couple of minutes at the end.  You could use hamburger, chicken, ham...all different kinds of meat in these.

Saturday:  smoked salmon sandwiches

This is a totally awesome sandwich.  I'm not a super fan of smoked salmon, but this sandwich is amazing.  I also would not use the Feta cheese they suggest in the recipe.  We use herb and garlic cream cheese.

If this isn't your thing, make a tuna sandwich instead.

Sunday:  Fish, starch, veg

We try to eat fish at least twice a week. Make it with rice, rice or egg noodles, couscous, quinoa...I'll be making quinoa, again and I love fish with broccoli.  It's also one of the few vegetables both my boys can agree on.  Hehehe...Don't forget, putting the rice, fish and veg all in a steamer is a really easy and fast option as well.

Here is a fantastic recipe that you can use on just about any fish.

Boutique Cute Doll and Free Stuff

Hey there, Cherries!!!

I love teaming up with Boutique Cute Doll!  Today's blog is full of everything you and I want in a blog, FREE stuff and inspiration.  Yay!!

Take a look at the gorgeousness of this kit.  Great, eh?!  Know what makes it even better?  Yip!  That's right!  FREE!!!  LOL!

Click on the image to get the newest BCD blog I put together.  Grab this lovely baby because you're gonna need it for the amazing challenge I have planned in a couple of days and you're gonna wanna grab the other FREEBIE over there that is super, duper great, too.

Here's the FREE word art I made available on the BCD blog.

This is the free cluster I designed for my fantastic fans!

I'm a bit of a mitchy matchy.  So, I pulled out the like colours from the free kit for this layout and stuck in a picture of three wonderful ladies.  Don't be afraid to go big on those gorgeous embellishments, either!  Blow up that word art or slim it down.  There are so many options!

As for that challenge.  I'll give ya a hint.  BCD fans will be the ones making the FREE stuff and that means YOU!

If you're here for the FREEBIES, then you better take a look at my previous postings.  TCOT is FULL of FREEBIES!!!

What better reason to come back again?!

Have a fantastic weekend!!!

3 Freebies, Please?!

Welcome to The Cherry On Top,

I've got more FREE goodies for you!

MyMemories has so much stuff for us.  Freebies, tutorials, printing services, excellent customer service and SOFTWARE!

Check out my two most recent layouts made with Touched by A Butterfly's kit, "April Showers".

I whipped these up, in a flash with the MyMemories Suite 5 software.  Here at TCOT, I'm all about honesty and fabulous deals.  This is how I can promote for MyMemories.  They have a unique and amazing service as well as tons of FREE stuff and totally affordable, easy to use software for scrapping your memories.

Check out this coupon and use this code: STMMMS18837 to get $10 off the already low price.  Click on the coupon below to try a trial version or buy the software and get scrap'n!

Here are three more reasons to get on board at MyMemories.  FREEBIES!  They are only available for a week.  So get them while they are live!  They will go right into your MM stash which makes scrapping organised and easy.

Click on each preview for the link to download.  You'll be glad you did!

Thanks for stopping by.  Make sure ya do it a'gin!

Throwing Some Freebies Around

Hehehe....Throwing Some Freebies Around!

A super, happy day to you!

I've got Throwing Some Scraps Around back in the spotlight.  There's a new kit out, "Owl Love You Always" and of course, we rustled up some fantastic freebies that will go great with the kit!

Let's take a look!

Owls are so popular in the scrappy world and that's because everyone loves them.  They are so cute!

Here is a closer look at the papers available.

Check out the sweet mix of textures in the solid papers.

I am totally dig'n this classic,matching alpha, too!

In good 'ole TSSA fashion, she's got the busy folks all set up with these four beautiful quick pages.  Just put your pictures in and your scrapped!

I recently posted this sketch I got from Pinterest, on my Cherry On Top, Facebook Page.  It is what I used to make one of my layouts for this kit.  Why not give it a try yourself?

I've got another free quick page for you and so does Jodi.  I turned my layout into a quick page because I just loved it and wanted to share with you.  Click on the image to download.

You could have one nice book with these FREEBIES and the quick pages from the Etsy shop and all for a couple of measly bucks!  The prices in the shop are insanely cheap.  Grab the kit, the quick pages and these freebies and show us what you do!

You can find Jodi's FREEBIE on the TSSA FB Page.  Click the image to get there.

If FREEBIES are your thing, than head straight to the TCOT FB Page.  I've got four freebies in the tabs and I post FREE stuff everyday!

Thanks for hanging out at The Cherry!  You come back na, ya hear?! ;)

TCOT's Weekly Menu Planner #9

Welcome to The Cherry On Top's Weekly Menu Planner!  We are on week #9 already!

Keep it healthy, plan ahead and make a good grocery list and stick to it.  This way you don't have to go back to the store and spend even more money for things that are not on the list.

Monday:  Spaghetti with tomatoes, black olives, garlic and Feta

Doesn't that look just fabulous?!  Hit up the recipe and check out the alternative recipes on the bottom, too.  Add bacon or chicken if you don't want a vegetarian meal or ditch the cheese or change it for some parmesan or one the family likes.

You could also put different cheeses on the table and everyone can choose their own.

Tuesday:  meat, starch, veg

Meat, starch veg is a flex day.  Heat up some left overs, order some pizza or choose whatever meat, starch, vegetable the family enjoys.  We will be having schnitzel and stump which is  cooked carrots and potatoes all mashed together.  Served with a dark sauce, of course.  Click here for the recipe in an earlier blog or click on the recipe below for a traditional German meal.  (Replace veal with thinly sliced pork chops or just get out the grill pan and grill pork chops the way you like.)

Wednesday:  Truffled Lobster Risotto

This recipe sounds so darn yummy.  I've made similar recipes and I'm also looking for more recipes where I can use this truffle oil my hubby bought. 


In place of the lobster, I'm putting shrimp, but fish or chicken would be yummy as well. 

Thursday:  Slow Cooker Parmesan Chicken Sandwiches

Set your timer and let dinner makes itself while you are working!  The recipe is all hooked up to the delicious looking image you see here.  If ya don't want a sam'ich then leave the chicken whole or cut in bite sized pieces and served with some fresh pasta.

Fun Food Friday:  Buffalo Chicken Burritos

Does this not sound absolutely fantastic?!  My hubby is gonna love these!

Just a warning!  This recipe is a bit of work, but if you like cooking it's ok because it's not really all that difficult.  There is a marinade, a sauce and quite a bit of preparation, but it's all nicely set up in stages.  I think it will be worth it.  If you're not up to all of the work, then consider going back to another FFF recipe from a previous week.

Saturday:  Paella

I am really torn here!  I make my rendition of this Spanish favourite.  The original version takes a lot of time, but man, is it delicious.  My way is easy and a lot faster.  Paella is really great when it comes to ingredients because there are so many different ways to make it. If you don't like the way I write my recipes, then click on the image and choose your own!  Hehehe...

I have a paella pan, but if you don't, no worries.  Use the closest thing you have to one, which is low and rather sizeable, depending on how many folks you are feeding.  Heat up 4TBSP of olive oil.  Then add a small, chopped onion and as many cloves of garlic as you like.  I use 3-5.  Let it cook a couple of minutes 3-5 then add your chicken (if that's what you are using).  Let it all cook until he meat just isn't pink then pour your rice so it covers the top of your ingredients nicely.  It's about a cup or two for four people depending on appetite!  Stir it all up.  Pour over hot bouillon to just cover everything. Keep some bouillon in case your dish begins to dry out before the rice is cooked! Now is the time to think about your spices.  I use a paella spice pack from Spain.  If this is not available to you then consider using saffron (2 tsp or 15-20 threads). Then gather your other ingredients:  choice of meat (kilbasa, chorizo, shrimp, mussels...), choice of veggies (peppers, peas, tomatoes for sure...).  I make it all different ways depending on the meat that is available.  Chorizo and chicken is very popular as is a seafood mix.  Add either one large or two small, chopped tomatoes.  You can choose to give it a stir.  I do in the beginning because I don't want it to burn to the bottom and I like to let some liquid get underneath.  I only use frozen (but thawed) peas.  Cooking time depends on the meat you are using!  If using seafood, it doesn't need more than 10 more minutes to cook, but chicken will need at least double that.  Add your meat according to how long your rice needs. Try not to stir it towards the last cooking phase and make sure the rice is cooked to your liking.  (Stay away from long grain rice if possible.)  I love fresh queezed lemon over mine and I'm a nut about hot stuff, too.  That's all up to you.

From start to finish, this version takes about 45 minutes to an hour depending on your rice and preparation time needed.

(This picture is an actual, restaurant prepared paella from Spain.)

Sunday:  meat, starch, veg

More flex time here.  Maybe you have paella left over or you just don't feel like cooking any more.  Think healthy though and try to stay away from processed foods.  I've got a meal for ya here if you wanna stick to the schedule and  healthy choices.

A roasted chicken and potatoes recipe can be found here.  It's very, very easy and super healthy! I would totally chop up some carrots and let that cook along as well.  Then you don't have to dirty another pot for the vegetables. 

Another week is all set for you.  Thanks for taking the time to check it out.  Now just make sure you do it again!

Plan, prepare and take good care of yourself and family.  You'll never regret it!