Something about cherries and chocolate together make me very happy!

I have come across some wonderful chocolate cherry recipe ideas that are perfect for Valentine’s Day treats. Whether you love to bake or not, these photos will make your mouth water!

Chocolate Cherry Coke Cupcakes via Coco Bean.

Triple Chocolate Cherry M&M Cookies via Tidymom.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Whoopie Pies via Food Family Finds

Dark Chocolate Cherry Thumbprint Cookies via Quick Dish Recipes

Chocolate Cherry Pie with a Chocolate Pie Crust via Domestic Fits

Dark Chocolate Fresh Cherry Cupcakes via Confections of a Foodie Bride

Cherry Chocolate Kiss Cookies via The Curvy Carrot

Chocolate Cherry Mice via Omnomicon (Maybe more Halloween than Valentine’s Day, but so cute!)

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I’m loving Pinterest and finding all kinds of great ideas. Here are my top 5 finds of the week for party ideas.

Come follow me on Pinterest to see more on my boards!

Enjoy…

Strawberry Margarita Jell-O Shooters

Winter Cupcake Ideas

Stripped Table Runner from a Black, White & Pink Wedding

Nutter Butter Flip Flops & Fun Party Food Ideas on a Lunch for Kids

Valentines Day Heart Cookie Pops

Please fill out my quick survey if you have a minute. I would really appreciate it!

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Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

I love to bake, but since I have a small family, I usually end up eating most everything myself. So that means, time to have a party so others can gain weight with me! ha! So tonight I’m having a casual, last-minute party to celebrate Christmas.

Along with cute printable decor, I’ll also be serving up some of my favorite appetizers, desserts and drinks. I thought I would share some of the easy recipes that I’ll be serving tonight to help you with your party planning.

Guests will love this Anipasto Bake recipe that I got from my sister-in-law from Boston.

Can I just say easiest and fanciest looking appetizer ever… Baked Brie.

As for the easiest dessert, I’m making Tidy Mom’s fudge wreath. I used gummy fruit as garnish. I’ve used M&M’s in the past as well.

Last night I added some Christmas colored M & M’s to my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe for a festive and easy treat that everyone will enjoy.

Pecan Chocolate Bars are another all time favorite sweet treat that I can’t stop eating!

Tidy Mom’s Beer Cheese Dip recipe looks delicious and is on my list to make today as well.

I hope you are able to spend some time with friends and family to enjoy the season!

Have a very Merry Christmas friends!

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Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

If you have an Elf on the Shelf, he’s probably a pretty fun little guy! Our elf, Peter, delivered a great present to us a few weeks ago and I wanted to share it with you!

Remember when I told you our elf brought me a disk with Santa’s stationery? This is when he did that, along with some magic seeds!!

This is what his letter said… (You might want to show your elf. Tell him to copy this text and insert it into Santa’s Stationery if he wants to do the same thing!)

Dear____________,

YOUR ELF’s NAME HERE  has told me you have been very good! He was so excited to get back to your house that he wanted to bring you a present. Because you have been behaving nicely, I told him he could take you some of his magic elf seeds.

These seeds are very special and you must be EXTRA good for them to grow!

* * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * *

Follow these instructions carefully:

Plant your seeds in a big bowl of sugar. Then sprinkle with salt, a little each day.
Please take note, if you sprinkle too much they will just fade away.

Be extra good and very patient for the magic to work on the seeds.
For if you misbehave, you might break the magic. I hope you will do good deeds.

If you follow these directions and behave just right.
You should get something special in two short nights.

* * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * * *  * *

If you keep being good, I will bring you both a special present on Christmas Eve.

Love,
Santa

We waited two nights. (Oh, that was HARD!)  Then look at what grew that afternoon? WOW! Magic cookies!

This HAD to be magic from the North Pole, because there is no way Mommy could make such beautiful gingerbread cookies!!

I have been looking around the internet and saw someone’s elf do this, so maybe our Peter is friends with their elf?

If you are looking for more fun ideas to show your elf, check out these 25 fun and easy ideas in my free “Elf Posing Guide“.

This includes 25 cute photos sent in by Living Locurto readers.

What has your elf been up to? I’d love to hear in the comment section here. Maybe we can all give our elf a few new ideas!

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Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!

Enjoy this round up with 12 of my favorite patriotic treats to help make your July 4th celebration extra sweet!

• An amazing American Flag cake by Amanda from I Am Baker.

• Sparkly Marshmallow Pops by me.

• Patriotic Candy Apples by Cheryl at TidyMom.

• Bomb pop cupcakes by Kristan at Confessions of a Cookbook Queen.

• Pop Rocks rimmed cocktails by Pizzazzerie.

• Star studded mini pies by Our Best Bites.

• Pinwheel Pancakes by Jenni Price Pancake Art

• Tie Dye Cupcakes by Bridget from Bake at 350.

• Patriotic Ice Cream Sandwich Pops by me.

• Stars and Stripes Toast by Emily Henson. Photo by Matt Armendariz.

• Patriotic Pie from Woman’s Day. Photo by Alan Richardson.

• Strawberry Treats via AllRecipes.com. Photo by Melissa’s Meals.

What is your favorite dessert for the 4th of July?

Be sure to join Amy on Facebook for more fun!
Also, be sure to check out Printables by Amy! Find easy and affordable digital files to download and print at home or at your local quick print shop. Each product is custom designed by Amy, a professional graphic designer. Amy makes do-it-yourself projects a breeze!