Terrarium

Have you ever bought a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and wondered how you could use the plastic container to recycle it? No? Just me huh?

I had found this pin recently and decided to save a container to make a terrarium with the kids for scientific research. Which in essence means after I found this pin, I quickly dedicated one night's dinner specifically to that heavenly smelling chicken specifically for my Pinterest addiction. But as projects typically do around my house, it got put on the back burner for a few weeks.

Until my Kylie Bug found a new pet and asked if we could keep it. Meet Spotty McDotty. She found her beloved ladybug at her kindergarten field day. I was so proud of how well she shared the ladybug, as she and her friends continuously passed it around. But inevitably it was my turn to babysit the darn thing while they jumped in the bounce house. I just knew what I would be up against if I lost it. Twenty plus 6 years olds all giving me that knowing look. I quickly polished off her juice barrel, stuffed some grass in and made him a nice little temporary home. I take my babysitting responsibilities very seriously you know.

Too bad I don't take my research quite as seriously. Apparently an enclosed terrarium is not the ideal place for a wild ladybug to live. (maybe next time we should try a domesticated one) So Spotty only survived the Rude household for about a week. However the plants in the terrarium are doing well. It's been a month and they have only been watered the initial first time. It's pretty cool to see how the terrarium makes it "rain", leaving you free from watering.

I have to say this makes a pretty good rainy day project. You should try it sometime. (Minus the dead ladybug!)

Mmmmm

Sorry it's been awhile. I was so excited to show you guys our newest project- our new coffee station, but it hasn't been completed yet. Did I mention it was for Mother's Day? Weeks ago. Yeah. My list of unfinished projects is getting longer and longer, I know.

So anyhow, last week I was blessed with the opportunity to switch to the day shift at my work and I am soaking it all up for however long or short it lasts. You would never know how much you miss dinner, baths, and bedtime until you get stuck on night shift. Last Friday night we got to enjoy one of my favorite family past times- movie night. Best of all- the kids are on a superhero streak and the hubster chose The Green Lantern. Ryan Reynolds in a tight green costume, you think I was complaining? Mmmmm.

All this presented me with the perfect opportunity to try a recipe I found on Pinterest.

Now, we had already had the pleasure of tasting this recipe at a prior family get together. My sister in law made it a few months back but with so much going on with such a big family I wasn't sure if my little family got any. Check out her recipe on her blog here.

I digress. The recipe is for a large bowl size so it does make a good go-to for parties or get togethers. However, by the end of the movie the bowl was pretty scraped clean. Even my pickiest eater devoured two bowls. So it's definitely a winner at our house. And I feel just a little less guilty since it has the word salad in it's name.

With no further ado I give you:

Snicker Caramel Apple Salad  

What you need:

1 large package of vanilla instant pudding
1/2 cup of milk
1-16 oz. container of cool whip
4 apples ( I prefer the tang of green apples with this.)
6 regular sized snickers bars
1/2 cup of caramel ice cream topping

What to do:

Chop the apples unpeeled into bite-sized cubes
Chop the snickers into bite sized cubes
In a large bowl mix the pudding, milk, and cool whip together
Fold in the apple bites
Fold in the snicker bites
Drizzle the caramel over the top
Chill in the fridge for about an hour before serving.


Okay so here's the small changes I made. First off , don't forget I usually have 1-3 kids with me as I'm shopping. So when I was picking up the snickers I thought I was being clever by getting the 12 pack of fun bites. You know, two of those would equal one regular right? So in reality it would probably take three of those to equal one regular, but hey I'm blonde! So ours didn't have as much snickers as the recipe called for, but truth be told I thought it was plenty. Then you know how it says to chill for an hour. Yeah, well we couldn't wait that long. But it was gobbled up in no time anyway.

It was relatively quick, easy and delicious. Totally makes you say "Mmmmm".

What are you waiting for?

 Go get your snickers.


Don't forget to check back soon. You never know, I might just get the whim to finish a project.