Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

Chocolate Nutella Bars

These easy Chocolate Nutella Bars have a creamy chocolate center and a white chocolate topping with lots of fun colored sprinkles.

Conversations around our house and in our car this week have consisted of all things Pokemon. The boys have talked non-stop about what creatures they have found and how high their powers are. They were happy when we got stuck in some traffic because that meant the eggs would hatch faster.

Our youngest even tried to convince my husband to take him for a "drive" one afternoon. Yes, the game that was created to get the kids out for exercise has a loophole. Apparently if you drive under 20 mph, you can get in the mileage needed for your new creature to emerge from his egg. No, we didn't give in and go for a drive.

We told the kids to go for a walk or a bike ride if they needed to get the miles in. Of course, that started a stern lecture on the dangers that go along with this game. We wanted them to be aware of their surroundings and of course, not be riding a bike and playing at the same time. [Read more...]

BLT Chicken Alfredo French Bread Pizza

Looking for an easy dinner idea? This BLT Chicken Alfredo French Bread Pizza is loaded with goodness and is kid approved.

One of the things we are enjoying about our move to Texas are the amazing skies we see. Sunrises and sunsets are absolutely incredible. Well, I imagine the sunrises are as incredible as the sunsets…I'm never awake early enough to see those.

Another thing we are enjoying are the crazy storms that pop up out of nowhere. The other day was hot and sunny all day until about 5:45 pm. Then the wind began to blow and these dark clouds swirled in the sky. On one side of the sky it was blue and clear and the other side had tall dark clouds. In front of all that was the longest, lowest rainbow I have ever seen.

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Cherry Chocolate Chip Waffles

Cherry Chocolate Chip Waffles are indulgent breakfast bliss! You'll swoon over the sweet flavor loaded into every bite.

Breakfast during the summer can be hit or miss around here. My husband and I are both up at a reasonable time of day because we still have to work that needs to be done, so we eat eggs or smoothies early. The kids on the other hand think it is perfectly acceptable to sleep until 11 AM and then eat lunch.

Part of me is ok with this because then I can get all my work done in the morning without any interruptions. But the other part of me thinks if I am up doing something productive, so should everyone else in the house. Lately I have been letting them sleep in one day and making them get up earlier on other days. It all depends on what we have going on for the day.

When they get up late, they think we should have breakfast for lunch. By this time my skinny cherry banana smoothie from breakfast is long gone, and I'm ready for some grilled chicken or salad to keep me going until dinner.

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Sparkling Key Lime Fruit Punch

This Sparkling Key Lime Fruit Punch is a refreshing drink to sip on during the heat waves that come through in summer.

This week has been crazy hot here in Texas. Luckily, the humidity here is a lot less than what we are used to in Indiana. 106 degrees without much humidity is doable...kind of. It's still hot, but I can handle going outside.

At least here I don't start wilting the minute I walk outside. I can even workout in the late morning or early afternoon without dying. Of course, a few rounds in and I'm wheezing and I want to die, but that's a whole other problem.

Yeah, I'm looking at you sweet tooth!!! [Read more...]

Oreo Banana Cream Icebox Cake

Layers of chocolate cookies and no bake cheesecake makes this Oreo Banana Cream Icebox Cake a delicious treat to enjoy on a hot summer day!

Last weekend we headed to the mountains to enjoy a fun-filled few days in the mountains of New Mexico with some of our church families. I came prepared for the sun, bugs, and no internet with a bottle of sunscreen, a bottle of bug spray, and everything for work scheduled out.

I have to admit that it was very, very nice to be completely unplugged from the phone and computer for a few days. All thoughts of work and food related things got put aside while we did some paint balling and rappelling and hanging out around the bonfire.

I could actually get used to this no work thing, I think...well, until the bills come due that is. [Read more...]

Honey Sriracha Barbecue Meatballs

These Honey Sriracha Barbecue Meatballs are a great appetizer or dinner choice. The sweet and spicy flavor from the homemade barbecue sauce will have you wanting more.

A white plate with a stack of meatballs covered in honey sriracha barbecue sauce

Our youngest son absolutely loves spicy food. I don't mean loves it…he absolutely lurves it with every ounce of his being. The hotter the better is his motto when it comes to salsas and hot sauces.

He even douses this Three Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with a generous helping of hot sauce.

A few weeks ago when we were on vacation we stopped at a craft mall. One of the stores there was a beef jerky outlet.

They also sold chocolate covered beans and different varieties of hot sauce, so I grabbed a bag of chocolate while the boys scoped out the hot sauce and jerky.

[Read more...]

Loaded Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs

These Loaded Bacon Jalapeno Deviled Eggs are the perfect picnic appetizer. Bacon, cheese, and bits of spicy peppers give the egg filling such a great taste and texture.

Right after we moved to Texas we were invited over for dinner from a couple in the church. When we got there they had appetizers ready for us to eat before having dinner. One of the appetizers were smoked jalapeños filled with cheese and wrapped in bacon. My husband went nuts over them!

These peppers were very similar to these bacon ranch grilled jalapeños that we did a few years ago. Bacon wrapped around the outside made these a little different.

Can you guess what my husband has been making and eating on the weekends? You got it. Jalapeños (and mushrooms) are now his favorite thing to make on the grill. Smoked mushrooms and peppers stuffed with cheese do make a pretty tasty dinner. [Read more...]

Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars

These Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars are a delicious and cool way to enjoy dessert this summer. Each sweet bite combines blueberry pie filling with creamy citrus cheesecake!

A batch of White Chocolate Blueberry Mousse Cheesecakes are another fun and easy dessert to make when it is hot outside.

*I am partnering with Lucky Leaf this year as a blog ambassador bringing you delicious recipes using pie filling.

Blueberry Key Lime Cheesecake Bars - these creamy cheesecake bars are loaded with blueberry pie filling and citrus flavor. Awesome summer dessert recipe! #cheesecake #blueberry #piefilling #cheesecakebars #keylime #summerdesserts

My husband has an old black Saab convertible that he loves driving around when the weather is warm and sunny. I don't mind riding in it with him, but when the temperature gets over about 85 degrees it isn't quite as comfortable. The black seats get hot very quickly, so getting in with shorts on is interesting.

And of course, the minute you stop moving, anyone sitting on those black seats starts to cook. These little things don't stop my husband from enjoying his car.

Although, this week the temperature is supposed to be over 100 degrees here. Something tells me he will be getting his other car fixed pretty quickly.

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Chocolate Chip Cookie Icebox Cake

This easy no bake Cookie Icebox Cake is just what your summer parties need. Layers of cookies and sprinkle-filled cheesecake will not last long at all!

A slice of no bake icebox cake topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.

The other day, our youngest son had two friends over to play. They rode bikes, played basketball, bounced on the trampoline, and did some video challenges. I was impressed that they stayed outside for such a long time.

A little while later, I walked into the kitchen to find a variety of food, condiments, and cups scattered all over the counter. They were mixing up "fun"...aka gross...combos to try.

Things like salsa, ketchup, and Cool Whip were being mixed together in one cup. One spoonful, though, and the rest was going down the drain. I'm glad they were having fun, but maybe next time they should use smaller cups to experiment with.

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Blueberry Key Lime Donuts

Blueberry Key Lime Donuts will make your summer breakfast awesome. Such a sweet combo to wake up to.

Any time I eat key lime, I can't help but go back 18 years to our honeymoon. It was the first time I enjoyed a true key lime pie, so now my mind always relives that trip each time I enjoy anything with key lime.

My husband and I had so much fun in Key West walking to the beach, eating free hot dogs at the pool, and enjoying burgers and shakes at Checkers. We didn't have a lot of money to do a bunch of big things on our honeymoon, just spending time together exploring was enough for us.

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