I NEVER liked St. Patrick’s day growing up simply for one reason: the pinching!!

It seems like every year I would forget to wear green, and I felt like every single kid in the class felt like they had to pinch me for it!  It was pretty sad.  Haha

Well, now I really enjoy St. Patrick’s day.  I own a calendar, so I can mark down when it is and carefully choose my wardrobe for the day.

Not to mention that my husband is OBSESSED with the color green.  I’m sure if his entire world could be green, he would love it.  But St. Patrick’s day is about as close as he gets to that  What should I turn green for him this year??

Well, one thing that I decided to make green was Rice Krispy Treats.  They’re so easy to fancy up just a bit for occasions like St. Patrick’s Day.  But, I didn’t want to just go the whole food coloring route – too boring.  I decided to make them flavored as well!

Say what?!  A flavored rice krispy treat that is GREEN!?  Sounds freaking awesome to me.  (and not just sounds awesome – it is!  I was sure to taste test it )

Make these for St. Patrick’s day, and I guarantee they won’t last to see March 18.

Leprechaun Lime Rice Krispy Treats
Ingredients:
For the BARS:
4 Tbs. butter
6 Tbs. lime flavored gelatin mix
1 pkg. (10 oz) marshmallows
6 cups rice krispy cereal
For the FROSTING:
2 Tbs. softened butter
3 Tbs. lime flavored gelatin mix
2 Tbs. milk
1 to 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions:
1.  In a saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and gelatin powder together.
2. Add marshmallows and stir constantly on low heat until marshmallows are melted.
3. Remove from heat.  Stir in rice krispy cereal.
4. Press into the bottom of greased 9×13 pan.  Allow to cool.
5. Stir together butter milk, and gelatin mix for one minute (allows gelatin crystals to dissolve).
6. Stir in the powdered sugar until smooth.
7. Top rice krispy bars with frosting.  Enjoy!

This post is part of the Luck of the Irish week!  Be sure to check out all my friends’ St. Patrick’s day posts on their blogs!

Cranberry Almond Soda Bread
by theBitterSideofSweet

Kiss Me, I’m Irish (free Printable)
by Clarks Condensed


Shamrock Cupcakes
by Organized Island

St. Patrick’s Day Shamrock Hair for Girls
by One Creative Mommy

Lucky Bingo Printable
by SayNotSweetAnne

Leprechaun Lime Rice Krispy Treats
by A Pinch of Glitter

Bailey’s Irish Peanut Butter Blossoms
by From Gate to Plate

You know those sheet cakes that you can buy at your local grocery store?  Have you ever had one that seems like it has twice as much frosting as it does actual cake!?  Happens to me.  Every. Time.

However, I, being the crazy sugar lover that I am, quite enjoy that frosting.  And sadly, the only other people I know that enjoy it are under the age of 8.  No one else in my family likes that (much) frosting.  Just me and the 8 year olds… Oh well.

Growing up my mom frequently made cakes without frosting.  I wasn’t a huge fan.

But this cake.  THIS cake is one that I like – even without frosting!  And all of you non-frosting lovers will love it as well.

Promise.

Let’s play “judge the cake”.  5 points to win.

This cake is made with pudding.  It’s soooo moist.  ONE POINT.

There are nuts on this cake.  And not just any nuts – pecans.  Holy delicious!  (but if you don’t like them, you can leave them off!) Either way: ONE POINT.

Butterscotch chips are what makes the cake sweet…and you know I can’t live without sweet!  ONE POINT

This cake only has FIVE ingredients.  There really is nothing more simple!  (I could live off of easy recipes)  ONE POINT

It was gone in less than 24 hours!  ONE POINT

GRAND TOTAL = FIVE POINTS!!

This cake is a winner in my book!

Butterscotch Cake Bars
Ingredients:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 box (3-1/2 oz.) Cook-n-Serve butterscotch pudding mix (NOT instant!)
2 c. Milk
1/2 c. chopped pecans
1 pkg. (12 oz.) butterscotch chips

Directions:
1.  In a large saucepan, mix together pudding mix and milk.  Cook over medium heat until it boils.
2. Stir in dry cake mix.
3. Spread into a greased 9×13 pan
4. Top with butterscotch chips and pecans.
5. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.  Enjoy!

If you’ve ever had a bridal shower in your honor (or any type of shower for that matter), you’ll know what I mean when I say that opening the presents can be both the best and the worst part.

It’s the best for obvious reasons I suppose.

However, it can totally be the worst when you open up that one present that you have NO idea what you are going to do with.  No idea where you might be able to return it, you of course can’t see yourself re-gifting it, and you know that you would never be caught using it.  You put on a nice face and say “thank you!” and then stash it away for a few years until you figure out what exactly to do with the gem.

Please tell me I’m not the only one this has ever happened to!  My husband and I got probably two or three gifts like this when we got married.  And we’re still moving them around from apartment to apartment trying to figure out what exactly to do with them.

I remember sitting at one of my bridal showers, eyeing my gift pile and seeing a small (cute) basket with some canned food in it.  I had already received other gifts that had food and they were great!  But this gift I thought was… a little different.  All that I saw were some cans of beans in it.  Who wants canned beans for their wedding!?

Then.  I finally got to that gift and read the card.  It wasn’t from just anyone, it was from my (then soon-to-be) mother-in-law.  I read further.  She explained that in this basket were the makings to my husband’s (then fiance’s) favorite meal.  White Chicken Chili.  She included the recipe and instructions along with all the ingredients.

What a cute and meaningful gift!  I was so touched that she would give me something like that – as small and simple as it may be.  No longer will I be judging wedding gifts with canned beans in them

Returning from our honeymoon, we of course didn’t have much food on hand.  But what I did have was the makings for this chili, and I knew that my husband would love it.  I had never had it before, so I was excited to try it myself.  The results definitely didn’t disappoint.  He loved it as did I!

White Chicken Chili
Ingredients:
2-4 chicken breasts
1 onion, minced
1 tsp. cumin
2 cans great northern beans, undrained
1 can chopped green chilies
1 can chicken broth
1 pkg. white country gravy mix
1 cup cold water

Directions:
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes.
2. Cook chicken, onion and cumin in a large pot until tender.
3. Add beans, green chilies, and chicken broth.  Bring to a boil.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the gravy mix and the cold water.  Stir into soup.
5. Heat gently until ready to serve.  *Enjoy!

*This chili goes well with cornbread!

This past weekend I had an amazing opportunity to attend the hosted by the sisters of Six Sisters’ Stuff.  It was a two day conference held in Salt Lake City where hundreds of bloggers from all over the country get together to network and learn more about how to become a better blogger.

It was so much fun to get to meet so many other bloggers – people who actually *get* you and understand what your life is like!  And not only that, but I felt like every minute I would become star struck when I would turn the corner and actually see, in the flesh, my favorite blogger of all time (because, of course, I have way more than just one).

I learned so many things – I can’t even begin to tell you!  My brain is still trying to absorb it all! Have you been following me on ?  Well, now is the time to start doing so, because it’s going to be awesome.

?  How about ?  Yup.  Workin’ on that too!

All I have to say is that this blog is going to bigger and better places.  Get ready!

Anyway.  That of course has nothing to do with this AMAZING fudge that I have to share with you today!  So let’s talk about that

The best part about this fudge is that it is only made with THREE ingredients.

Yes.  You did read that right.  (And if you don’t count the 1 Tbs. of milk, it’s really only two!)

The second best thing: you make it in the microwave, so prep time is less than 5 minutes, and it’s ready to eat in less than an hour.

So, what’s stopping you from making this?  It’s sweet, cool, creamy, easy, and delicious.  It’s an orange cream dream!  Go make it now!

3 Ingredient Orange Cream Swirl Fudge
Ingredients:
1 container (16 oz.) Orangesicle frosting
1 bag (12 oz.) white chocolate chips, divided
1 Tbs. milk

Directions:
1. Set aside 1/3 cup white chocolate chips.
2. In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, pour in remaining white chocolate chips and the entire container of frosting.
3. Heat in the microwave at 50% power, stirring every 30 seconds, just until melted (about 1 1/2 minutes).
4. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, combine the 1/3 cup white chocolate chips and 1 Tbs. milk.  Microwave at 50% power just until melted (about 30 seconds).
5. Pour the orange fudge into a well greased 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish.
6. Drop spoon fulls of the white fudge on top of the orange fudge.  Use a toothpick or a knife to swirl gently (be careful to not mix!)
7. Refrigerate until set (about 1 hour).  Enjoy!

Happy Tuesday, friends!  Valentines Days is coming, and it’s coming quick!!  Are you ready!?!?  Well, if not, I have just the thing for you.  Love Coupons!  They’re just like the little coupons you would make when you were little to give to your mom on mother’s day for free chores (am I the only one who would do that?), but better.  Check it out!

I have teamed up with some of my blogging friends to offer you a great giveaway.  Hurry and enter, because it won’t last long!  The winner will receive their LoveCoups just in time for Valentine’s Day! (click on link at bottom of post to find the entry form!)

There is nothing more special than spending time together. LoveCoups.com is a new twist to the traditional love coupon. The LoveCoups character creator allows the user to edit their own characters to illustrate the book. With over 200 coupons, you can select 20 of your favorites. We print, bind and ship books anywhere in the world.

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LoveCoups.com has a special offer for A Peek Into My Paradise friends….

Visit LoveCoups.com, create an account and use promo code PARADISE15 at checkout to get 15% Off your order! And if you do, make sure to enter your account name on the rafflecopter for an extra 10 entries in the giveaway!

Good luck!

ENTER HERE:
a Rafflecopter giveaway

So I’ve been at my new place now for over a week.  You would think that I would be all settled in, right?!  Wrong.  Allow me to share a little story with you:

Two Fridays ago, we signed the contract for the apartment and were given the keys (*insert singing angel chorus here*) .  However, when we were signing the contract, our landlord told us that the following Thursday (which would have been just a few days ago) they were going to be spraying for bugs.  Inside the apartment.  This meant that we had to have all of our items taken out of the cupboards, every item in the kitchen put into a pile in the middle of the floor and covered up, and all of our baseboards ready to be sprayed.  We decided that it wasn’t too far off (only six days, right!?), so we just wouldn’t unpack the majority of the kitchen items, and basically live out of boxes for a week.

(You may be wondering why this wasn’t done before we moved in?  Well.  They have done this in a series of three spays for the entire complex.  So I suppose we should count our blessings that we have only been here for one, unlike all of our neighbors who have had to deal with this THREE times!)

Come Wednesday, we still hadn’t heard any details about the spray.  We call our landlord.  He said the spray was actually happening on Friday.  He had told us wrong.  Okay.  One more day….no big deal.  Later that evening, we get a call saying that one of the tenants is too sick to leave the apartment during the spray (the fumes are toxic), so they will have to reschedule it.

Are you freaking kidding me?!?  I mean, I feel bad that person is sick, but I’ve been sick of living out of boxes!  My kitchen is like my baby!!

Thursday rolls around, and I decide to actually unpack the kitchen.  Who knows when the spray will be rescheduled?

Friday we get a call saying the spray has been rescheduled for Monday.  Again: are you kidding me?!  I *just* spent all that time organizing my precious kitchen!  Not to mention we’ll be out of town most of the weekend for the Superbowl.

So, we stayed up late last night taking everything out of our cupboards and it felt like I was unpacking my kitchen again.  I was NOT a happy camper.  I spent this morning covering up everything, and I think/hope/pray that it’s covered up well enough and that I won’t get sick from toxic bug spray junk.  I also hope that all the other stuff that I *didn’t* spend time unpacking on Thursday isn’t in their way.

*SIGH*  I am SO ready for this to be over and to have my kitchen back!  And to be able to actually unpack, legitimately!!

Anyway.  Thanks for letting me vent.  If you read this whole thing, you’re a rock star.

Days like this call for Favorite Pinterest Finds of the Week!  I’m so excited for this post because I really have found some GREAT things lately!  I hope that you all like them too

Here are the RULES:

1. PIN FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCE!!!
2. Want to see these pins on Pinterest?  Follow me  3. If I featured you, go ahead a grab a featured button from my sidebar! 4. Enjoy!

Valentine Candy Tackle Box by Shaken Together Life
I seriously LOVE how cute this is!!  What guy wouldn’t just love this?!  Not to mention, it’s totally within my budget

Emmeline Apron Sewing Pattern by Sew Liberated
This apron may be the most flattering pattern I have seen yet.  Plus, I love making my own so that I can choose my own fabric!

Ranch Pretzels by Julie’s Eats and Treats
Oh my gosh.  My husband could eat that whole bag full without even thinking about it.  He’s a snack junkie!

How to Keep a Windshield Crack from Spreading by A Night Owl (On Lil’ Luna)
The last car I had didn’t get one crack in the windshield the entire time I owned it – which was for about 6 years.  Then, I got a new car, and I’ve only had it for 6 months and it already has FOUR chips in it!!  It must have something to do with the angle…

Cake Mix Peanut Butter Bars by Six Sisters’ Stuff
Gosh, just looking at these makes my mouth water.  And the fact that they’re made with a cake mix is even better!

Marshmallow Oreo Brownies by Inside Bru Crew Life
Marshmallows are my absolute favorite.  With oreos, they may as well be their own food group.

Puppy Chow Bars by Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
All that yumminess packed into a bar!?  Goodness gracious.  I’d probably eat too many and get sick…

Chicken Bacon Ranch Potato Skins by Will Cook for Smiles
My husband always attempts to make stuff like this.  Maybe I’ll show him this recipe for a guideline  I just know he would love it!

Strawberry Marshmallow Cake by Your Home Based Mom
Like I said: Marshmallow are my favorite.  Put them with STRAWBERRIES and CAKE –> Heaven on Earth.

Peanut Butter Snowballs by Six Sisters’ Stuff
If I had these all in front of me, I think I would eat them all.  I don’t know if that means I should make them or not…?

**Okay friends, today is the last of my guest post series that my friends have done for me this week.  They have been the greatest blessing to me the past few days!!  I am almost all settled into my new place, and I’m just dying to cook something other than a can of soup or spaghetti (if you even call that “cooking”).  Last night we got fancy and had pancakes…from a mix.  Next week should be back to normal!

I’m going to end these guest posts with a bang by introducing to you my friend Christina.  She is so wonderful and was right on board to help me out when I asked (Thanks!).  She has made these delicious looking ribs.  (Can anyone say “SUPERBOWL FOOD!”).  And even better, you make them in the slow cooker.  That’s a winner in my book!**

Do you cringe when your family asks you what’s for dinner? Do you wish you had more time to spend with your family and less time in the kitchen? My recipe for Slow Cooker Beer Braised Short Ribs comes together in a snap and get devoured every time I make it!

Hi! I’m Christina, the chief cook and bottle washer at It’s a Keeper. I’m a northeastern Pennsylvania food blogger and a self-proclaimed recipe hoarder who reads cook books cover to cover like most people read a juicy novel. I’m also a wife and busy mom.

One of the most popular recipes on It’s a Keeper, are these Beer-Braised Short Ribs. It’s no wonder. They are obscenely delicious, incredibly easy to make and it’s virtually impossible to them mess up. The ribs are fall-off-the-bone tender and the sauce is thick and rich.

I usually serve them over my Easy Parmesan Orzo with Parmesan Roasted Green Beans on the side.

My 7 year-old has declared this recipe his “favorite dinner of all time”. And, you can see why thousands of my readers have downloaded this recipe.

For more dinner inspiration, be sure to check out my Easy Crock Pot Recipes, and .

Beer Braised Short Ribs in the Slow Cooker

Compliments of It’s a Keeper
http://www.itisakeeper.com

3 medium onions, cut into wedges
3 to 3-1/2 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
1 bay leaf
1 bottle (12 ounces) light beer or nonalcoholic beer
2 Tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 tsp dried thyme
2 tsp beef bouillon granules
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold water

Place onions in a 5-qt. slow cooker; add ribs and bay leaf. Combine the beer, brown sugar, mustard, tomato paste, thyme, bouillon, salt and pepper. Pour over meat. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until meat is tender.

Remove meat and vegetables to a serving platter; keep warm. Discard bay leaf. Skim fat from cooking juices; transfer juices to a small saucepan. Bring liquid to a boil. Combine flour and water until smooth. Gradually stir into the pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.