Blog - Inside BruCrew Life

BruCrew Goes Carnival Cruising

Last month our family went on vacation. Ok, it really has been almost two months because I have been slow to get these pictures edited and shared. I hope you are ready for picture overload.

The school that our kids go to has a week off in February for conferences that the church holds there. Since it is always frigid and snowy that time of year here in the midwest, we like to take that opportunity to go on vacation as a family.

And when it is cold, warm tropical places are the best place to be. If you are looking for an affordable vacation for your family. I highly suggest looking into a cruise. There are so many out there that offer great prices and lots of activities. We have used the Carnival cruise line the past few times because if you book on one of their older ships, you can have 5 in a stateroom. Yes, it is a tight fit with teenagers, but it is totally doable. Believe me, there is so much to do and see that you only use your room for showering and sleeping.

What is there to do? Well, the first day is pretty much spent exploring the ship and seeing where everything is. We like to scope out the best places to grab a chair for those sea days. Of course, that is what everyone else is doing too, so good luck when it actually comes time to getting one.

This year we had the brilliant idea to wear matching shirts one of the days. Ok, so they weren't completely matchy matchy...we did a super hero theme day. So before the trip I was looking everywhere for different super hero shirts for everyone. The boys were pretty easy to find, but girly super hero shirts are not as common. We also did a Star Wars shirt day, but I totally forgot to get a picture of those! Bummer! [Read more...]

Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream Granola Bars

These no bake Peanut Butter Cookies and Cream Granola Bars have been kid-approved in our house. Peanut butter, chocolate cookies, and candy make these homemade granola bars taste so good.

Over the years we have gone through boxes and boxes of granola bars. My kids love packing them in their lunch boxes, eating them after school, or having one as a bed time snack. With three growing kids you can see how we would end up going through quite a few granola bars.

Fast forward a few years, and I realized that I could make my own granola bars customized with what my kids like to eat. We love coming up with fun new combos every time we make a new batch.

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Roasted Red Pepper and Bacon Egg Salad

Use those extra hard boiled eggs from Easter to make this Roasted Red Pepper and Bacon Egg Salad. It's great on sandwiches, wraps, or salad.

*I am partnering with the Ohio Poultry Association to share Easter recipes using hard boiled eggs.

A pita pocket filled with egg salad on a plate.

When I was younger my parents would have an Easter egg hunt every year for me and my brother and sisters to enjoy. We would decorate hard boiled eggs for her to hide, and then she also filled plastic eggs with candy. Each of us also got an Easter basket loaded down with candy and goodies. We even had a basket all the way through high school, although those baskets seemed to get smaller and smaller each year.

I have done the same thing for my kiddos ever since they were little. As babies, they got jars of carrot baby food in their baskets, then as they got older I started making a large peanut butter egg for each one.

When they were old enough to decorate eggs, I just couldn't do it. All those cups of colored water with kids trying to dip eggs in them just freaked me out too much!

Oh, we still decorated eggs, just not the same way my mom did with us. So, I'm sure you are wondering how those eggs got colored then? Our kids grew up coloring their eggs with non-toxic markers. It took all the stress out of egg decorating for me. No more cups of liquid stain for this family!

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Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole

Adding a few extras to a box of macaroni and cheese always has my kids asking for extra helpings. This Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole was a big hit at our dinner table.

Two bowls of mac and cheese topped with bacon and tomatoes.

When our kids were younger, I used to dream of the days when they would be just a little bit older and able to do more on their own. There was someone always into something, someone fighting, or someone that needed to be changed. It felt like none stop busy each day.

Then my kids grew up and hit the teen years, and we are even busier than ever. Part of that is because as they have gotten older, they have become involved in different activities. Now I dream about those days when they were little and wonder why I was so anxious to move past the toddler years.

Add all those activities to parents that work full time, and you get one very hectic schedule. We try very hard to have dinner together most nights though.

It is an important time for everyone to just breathe, relax, and regroup before going to the next thing. With a busy schedule, I sometimes have a hard time putting together a fancy meal.

Let's be honest, some nights it is even fast food or pizza around here. That's why I am always on the lookout for ways to create a meal that starts with something simple.

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Mint S'mores Brownies

Three times the mint candies and cookies and marshmallows make these Mint S'mores Brownies a dream come true for chocolate and mint lovers.

Our poor puppy dog is getting old. Lately she has been having trouble getting up when she is lying down, and she gets tired out very fast when playing ball.

But the other day, my husband dropped a piece of chicken on the kitchen floor. Let's just say our dog made it into the kitchen faster than I have seen her move lately. We were all laughing at how motivated she was to get into the kitchen for that piece of chicken. [Read more...]

Pizza Mac

Adding your favorite pizza toppings to macaroni and cheese is such a great idea. This Pizza Mac is a quick and easy meal that everyone will enjoy.

Your favorite pizza toppings added to macaroni and cheese is always a good idea!! This meal will disappear!

Friday nights are pizza night here in our house. Most weekends we do homemade pizza and either play a game or watch a movie together. Although as the kids have been getting older, they are wanting to do their own thing on Friday nights, either with friends or playing video games.

We do let them have their own time, as long as they have worked hard in school all week long. We may be all doing different things, but homemade pizza still reigns supreme for dinner.

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BruCrew Top Ten

You guys! Can you believe it has been 4 months since I have done a Top Ten post? The last one was right before the holidays, and then I just never got back to it. I have been a huge slacker on sharing randomness with you guys, and I kind of miss it. So my goal is to do one a month.

1. I want you to meet my new baking assistant, Ruby! Isn't she beautiful? I finally convinced my hubby that our new white tile backsplash needed a red KitchenAid for some fun kitchen color. One thing that I have learned with having a colored mixer is that you see all the flour you spill right away. Ruby gets cleaned many times a day since I like to bake like a crazy person.

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Blueberry Coconut Granola Bites

These Blueberry Coconut Granola Bites are easy to make and taste delicious. Little granola bites are a healthier way to enjoy a treat when you are craving something sweet.

A few weeks ago we headed out on week long cruise with our kiddos. Getting away some where warm was just what we wanted when the temps at home were only in the teens or lower.

Of course weeks before vacation, I was trying to watch what I was eating and doing some sort of exercise each day. I made up for that by eating everything and anything I wanted on the cruise.

Hey, it's a floating buffet...why not enjoy it, right? [Read more...]

Caramel Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

These easy oatmeal bars have plenty of caramel and peanut butter in every bite. Try these Caramel Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars to satisfy all those sweet and salty cravings.

I just can't get over salted caramel. It gets me every single time. Just ask my jeans because they are not too happy about these awesome bars you are looking at. But they were absolutely amazing, so it's all good.

These bars are a result of everyone posting about the new salted caramel peanut butter. I have been to every grocery store in my area without being able to find it. Sad face. [Read more...]

Lemon Cheesecake French Toast Roll Ups

Lemon and cheesecake inside a crispy french toast roll is a delicious way to change up breakfast. These Lemon Cheesecake French Toast Roll Ups are easy to make, but they look so fancy and pretty. Perfect for any brunch or breakfast parties you may be hosting.

Lemon cheesecake inside a crispy french toast roll is a delicious breakfast choice!

One of my favorite breakfast meals is french toast, but I do not make it that often. Me thinks that needs to change. Warm toasty bread drizzled with syrup should be a part of our breakfasts more often.

Well, maybe part of our breakfast for dinner, since I'm not really a morning person. Something tells me frying bread in the early morning hours might result in someone getting hurt or breakfast being burned. Or both.

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