These Dessert Grillers went together in about 15 minutes and were so delicious! We all loved them, and they were gone in minutes.

Pound Cake slathered with butter, a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar grilled to a golden brown, topped with a large spoonful of COOL WHIP Whipped Topping and a gorgeous skewer with fresh fruit…what’s not to love?

These Dessert Grillers are not only perfect for a quick treat while camping, they are also elegant enough to serve at a dinner party with friends. The sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar makes them sweet, but not super sweet. And the addition of COOL WHIP is always a hit!

And topping them off with fresh fruit really made them extra special! You could also add a Chocolate Dipped Strawberry or simply add a few sprinkles. Any way you serve them…I know everyone will love them!

Here’s a little look back at the #CoolWhipMoms recipes I’ve shared over the last couple months…

• Flower Pot Pie and Honey Bees
• Easy Strawberry Shortcake

Now that I have shared my favorite COOL WHIP dessert, I want to see a photo of yours! Share a photo of your dessert below for a chance to be entered to win a digital camera! Visit the COOL WHIP Facebook page to see more recipes and share your creations.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of COOL WHIP. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

Now that I have shared my favorite COOL WHIP dessert, I want to see a photo of yours! Share a photo of your dessert below for a chance to be entered to win a digital camera! Visit the COOL WHIP Facebook page to see more recipes and share your creations.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of COOL WHIP. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

I decided it would be fun to include all the things we enjoy during the Summer. Fourth of July and the Fireworks are a special part of the Summer Fun. Watch for another fun craft and then the big Summer Mantel reveal.

Let’s gather our supplies…

Paper Fireworks Supplies

• Scrapbook Paper – I found a sports package at Walmart that had red, white & blue and the solid colors are also from a pack at Walmart
• Paper cutter
• Glue Dots {they are super easy}
• Ruler
• Stapler
• Star buttons – Also from Walmart

1. Cut paper to size {see chart below}
2. Mark back of paper every 3/4 inch for smaller sizes and every 1 inch for larger {see chart below}
3. Fold paper, the first fold needs to be facing out
4. Continue to fold paper accordion style
5. Measure and mark paper in the center
6. Staple the center mark
7. Cut the ends at an angle, the ends should mirror each other
8. Using the Glue Dots, attach the ends together
9. Time to glue on the star {I used a hot glue gun for this}

Size and Folding Chart

• 8 inch Firework – Cut paper 8 x 12 inches – Fold every 1 inch
• 7 inch Firework – Cut paper 7 x 10 1/2 inches – Fold  every 3/4 inch
• 6 inch Firework – Cut paper 6 x 8 3/4 inches – Fold  every 7/8 inch
• 5 inch Firework – Cut paper 5 x 7 1/2 inches – Fold  every 3/4 inch
• 4 inch Firework – Cut paper 4 x 5 3/4 inches – Fold  every 7/8 inch

These Paper Fireworks directions were adapted from I Heart Naptime.

Join us in the Walmart Crafts Group and follow their Pinterest Boards for more great ideas!

Disclosure: This post is part of a campaign I am participating in with the Walmart Moms. Walmart has provided me with compensation and product for this post. My participation is voluntary and opinions, as always are my own.

Welcome to Cupcake Tuesday! I’m so excited you are here! Be sure to check out the ALL NEW Cupcake Heaven page! And if you are in need to a special cupcake design, use the “Be a Hero” area!

Summer has officially begun! Even though my boys still have a couple days left of school, we have definitely started planning our Summer fun. Of course, you probably know, Nick graduates this weekend, his party is next weekend, and we start travelling with Summer Baseball next week. We also surprised the boys yesterday with a swimming pool as a little gift for being on the Honor Roll all year.

Besides all of those exciting things, we have been chatting about other family fun. We thought it would be fun to share some ideas for Camping. Whether you just pitch a tent in the backyard, enjoy a stay-cation, or load up the camper and head to the park or campground for some family fun, you are sure to enjoy these recipes, games, and yes…Doug is even building a tent! So stay tuned all this week right here on Hoosier Homemade and be sure to follow us on Pocket Change Gourmet, where we will be sharing some delicious recipes with you!

When you think of treats around the Campfire, you almost always think of S’Mores. So what better way to kick off this Camping Week, than these Campfire Cupcakes.

These Campfire Cupcakes, that I spotted over at Betty Crocker, are the inspiration for our Camping Week. To make them taste like S’mores, you start with a chocolate cupcake and then top with Marshmallow Buttercream Frosting. But first, let’s make the fire…

Although I loved the look of the fire, and the ease of making it, I need to caution you, it’s not really kid friendly. After the candy is melted, you break it into pieces to create the look of fire, I was surprised that the pieces were very sharp, not something you want a child to handle.

So, my suggestion, if you are making these for children, you try using soft candy, maybe AirHeads, or even a fruit roll up for the fire.

The pretzels for the fire wood and the mini roasted marshmallows are perfect though.

Now it’s your turn…show off your cupcake creations! I’d appreciate a link back and be sure to check out the other cupcakes!

If you are reading this post in email, pop on over to check out all the cupcakes linked up to Cupcake Tuesday!

Casey was born in late June 1997, he was 10 pounds 3 ounces, yes, a very big baby. Shortly after his birth, the pediatrician told us that he suspected that Casey had some sort of genetic problems, but he simply couldn’t be sure until his 2 week check up. So we spent the following 2 weeks, praying and talking to every family member we could think of to see if there was anything they could tell us that might help the Doctor.

At the 2 week check up, the Doctor confirmed that there was something abnormal with Casey, but he couldn’t be sure what it was. He sent us directly to the University of Chicago, and within minutes the team of Doctors there confirmed that Casey has Saethre-Chotzen Syndrome.

I could bore you with a very long description, with words I can’t pronounce, but the long and short of it is that the openings in his skull were fussed before birth {craniosynostosis}, which gone un-diagnosed would not allow for any brain growth, and eventually death.

Over the next several years, Casey underwent many surgeries to correct the problems. I’ll save that for another post, but for now, let me tell you that we Thank God everyday for the Doctors who saved his life.

Casey is a straight A student, plays sports and has lots of friends that he enjoys hanging out with. He will turn 15 soon, and we have been blessed every single day with him in our lives!

So why am I telling you all this? Because May is the Month for Miracles for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Walmart celebrates 25 years of contributing to miracles at Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals® (CMNH) across the country.  These miracles occur because Walmart associates and customers care enough to support children in their local communities.

Since 1987, Walmart has supported CMNH by raising and contributing more than $600 million to help 170 children’s hospitals across the country.

Founded by Marie Osmond and her family, John Schneider, Mick Shannon and Joe Lake, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals has grown dramatically since its founding in 1983 from a televised fundraiser in a small studio to one of the North America’s leading children’s charities.

They were founded with two simple goals…

1. Help as many children as possible by raising funds for children’s hospitals.
2. Keep funds in the community in which they were raised to help local children.

So on your next trip to Walmart, if an associate asks you to donate $1 to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals…if you can…please help! You may just be helping a child like our son, Casey.

Disclosure: This post is part of a campaign I am participating in with the Walmart Moms. Walmart has provided me with compensation and product for this post. My participation is voluntary and opinions, as always are my own.

On Friday night, he played his last game as a LaPorte Slicer. As with most everything in life, when one door shuts, another door opens. Nick will be continuing his baseball career at Franklin College in the Fall. Not only are we super excited to see him play at the next level, we are also looking forward to the great education he will receive.

The next two weeks will be filled with preparation for Graduation, a Party and celebrating with his friends. Since we have a ton to do to get ready for the Graduation Party {and because I’m a list maker}, I thought I would share with you how I plan a large party and prepare for it.

Countdown to Graduation

• Send invitations: 4-6 weeks prior to party – we were a little late with this, but it’s done. I’ll be sharing the invitation and how we saved money on them
• Party: Decide what type of party theme {if any} you will have. Nick wanted a Baseball Themed Party instead of Graduation, stay tuned for party decorations and recipes.

Prepare your home: 2-3 weeks prior to party, make a list and start tackling the “large” jobs

• Power wash house
• Plant flowers in window boxes and planters
• Seed the front lawn – did this already
• Prepare back yard – cut back bushes, clean up around fence
• Reserve tables, chairs and/or a tent if necessary
• Work on any indoor projects that need to be finished up – for us…the kitchen island

5-7 days prior

• Plan your menu
• Make a grocery list
• Make a list of accessories if needed (plates, napkins, etc)
• Make a list of everything that needs to be done

3-4 days prior

• Buy groceries
• Prep and pre-cook any ingredients that you can

2-3 days prior

• Clean out fridge
• Do any “deep” cleaning that needs to be done, I clean finger prints on doors, stairway and walls
• Wash windows, not all of them, but the entry doors really need it
• Get extra leaves for table and extra chairs

The day before

• Bake the cake, cupcakes or dessert
• Get out serving dishes and add a sticky note to each dish with the food that will be added
• Deep clean bathroom, be sure this room is well stocked and ready for lots of traffic
• Dust and sweep
• Make a time-line of when food needs to be done. I start by working backwards. Say you are eating at 5 p.m., then plan your dishes according to how much time they need to cook, write it down and even set a timer if you need to.

Party Day

• Finish cooking food
• Prepare any serving plates that you can and place in fridge until party time
• Pick up house
• Swish and swipe bathrooms
• Check your time-line and see when food needs to go into oven
• Relax, have fun and enjoy your guests!

I tried to take pictures at every game this year, sometimes the weather didn’t cooperate, and sometimes I took over 200 shots. This is just a small collection of some of my favorites. Nick was the catcher and played 1st base also. He also led the team in Home Runs, the middle left picture is one of those celebrations at the Home Plate.

But above ALL the accomplishments in Baseball and also Football, we are VERY proud of the man that he has become! He is a loving and caring young man!

And yes…Nick inspires me to work hard for everything, just like he does!

Walmart has supported the needs of our nation’s veterans, military men and women and their families. Through local and national organizations Walmart works to address many of their unmet needs, one of the most immediate needs is employment after they leave the military. They are working to help veterans transition into civilian opportunities through job fairs and programs throughout the organization.

In the past year Walmart has doubled its’ commitment to support our veteran’s access to education, job training and reintegration assistance to $20 million through the Walmart Foundation.

A few examples of the Foundation’s recent support:

• American Council on Education (ACE) – The Walmart Foundation awarded ACE $2.5 million to support 20 Success for Veterans grants. The grants went to institutions advancing access and success in higher education for veterans and their families.

• Veterans Green Jobs – Through its ongoing partnership, the Walmart Foundation has awarded a total of $1.25 million to Veterans Green Jobs to support the development of four training sites, which will help veterans develop green job training skills.

• Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV) Program – The Walmart Foundation’s donation of $1 million will help send 300 veterans with disabilities to entrepreneurship bootcamp at one of seven major university partners. It will also facilitate the expansion of the program to two additional schools and support small business training for more than 100 military family members.

• SCORE Foundation– The Walmart Foundation donated $500,000 to support the new “Veteran Fast Launch” initiative. The program will help accelerate veterans’ ability to start a business and succeed as small business owners. Training and mentoring will also be available to the families of veterans.

• Goodwill Industries International – The Walmart Foundation awarded $1 million to support three Goodwill® headquarter agencies through Goodwill’s Operation: GoodJobs program. The program will connect 600 veterans and their families with job training and placement, but also plan for each participant’s continued success by supporting the entire family’s personal and financial goals.

So enjoy that backyard barbecue and make those summer plans but don’t forget to give thanks to our veterans at the same time.

Disclosure: This post is part of a campaign I am participating in with the Walmart Moms. Walmart has provided me with compensation and product for this post. My participation is voluntary and opinions, as always are my own.

We wanted to make the kitchen island surface durable while fitting our style and also coordinate with our existing countertops. We had quite a few concerns about using tile for the top of the island, neither Doug or I have ever laid tile. We put down some vinyl flooring a few years ago but never had the confidence to tackle using ceramic tile. And there were several questions we needed answers to before we got started.

How to get started…

The first thing we had to do was determine the size that the kitchen island would be. So we measured and marked out an area on the floor with painter’s tape. This not only gave us an idea of how big we could make the island, it also gave us some time to work around the kitchen and see if the size was going to fit without disrupting the flow of the kitchen.

The next step was to find a design we liked and we could easily adapt to fit our style. We headed to Ana White’s Blog, and found exactly what we needed. Printed out the directions and Doug made the changes that were necessary for the size we needed and added the supplies for the tile.

Now it was off to The Home Depot to check out the Daltile and see what we could learn from their experts.

I’ve never used mortar before, is there an alternative?

What is cement board?

Why is Daltile my best choice?

After visiting our local Home Depot and talking with their flooring experts I was confident that using Daltile for the top of our kitchen counter would work and with their expert advice I knew that I’d be able to do it myself.

Follow along as Doug builds a Kitchen Island with Tile!

For more information and advice on any flooring project check out The Home Depot video library…

Disclosure: This is a compensated post. The Home Depot has provided me with materials to build a kitchen island.