DIY Fireworks Suckers

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Planning the perfect celebration? You want your treats to be just as festive and colorful as the rest of your decorations! Setting the mood from your decor to your food doesn’t have to be difficult. When you think of the 4th of July, you can’t help but think of fireworks.  The two go hand-in-hand like milk and cookies.  These fun and colorful DIY fireworks suckers are the perfect addition to your Independence Day celebration table of treats!

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

 

These fun and colorful DIY fireworks suckers are the perfect addition to your Independence Day celebration table of treats!

 

[bctt tweet=”These fun and colorful DIY fireworks suckers are the perfect addition to your celebration! #recipe” username=”diyadulation”]

 

These fun and colorful DIY fireworks suckers are the perfect addition to your Independence Day celebration table of treats!

 

Ingredients

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 250°. 

Step 2

Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.

 

These fun and colorful DIY fireworks suckers are the perfect addition to your Independence Day celebration table of treats!

Step 3

Place sticks on baking sheet and arrange Jolly Ranchers in a star pattern around the end of the stick.

Tip:

  • Depending on the size of your pan, you can fit 2-3 suckers at a time.  Be sure not to overcrowd the pan or your suckers will spread and stick to each other.

Step 4

Carefully place your pan on the middle rack of your oven. You don’t want your candies to roll from where you’ve placed them.

Step 5

Bake for 5-10 minutes, checking periodically to ensure that your candies don’t burn.

Step 6

Remove the suckers from your oven. Gently twist each sucker stick to ensure that it adheres to the candy. Do this as soon as you have removed the candy from the oven before it begins to solidify.

Tip:

  • This is another reason not to overload your pan. You want to be able to be able to twist each stick before they cool too much.

Step 7

Using a clean sucker stick, spread the candy outwards from the center.

Tip:

  • You need to work quickly because the candy will cool rapidly.  Again, this is why you don’t want too many suckers on the pan at a time.

Step 8

Let your suckers cool completely completely before removing from your parchment paper.

Tip:

  • Be very careful when removing from the pan. The edges will be fragile.

 

These fun and colorful DIY fireworks suckers are the perfect addition to your Independence Day celebration table of treats!

These fun and colorful DIY fireworks suckers are the perfect addition to your Independence Day celebration table of treats!

These fun and colorful DIY fireworks suckers are the perfect addition to your Independence Day celebration table of treats!

These fun and colorful DIY fireworks suckers are the perfect addition to your Independence Day celebration table of treats!

All that’s left to do is serve and enjoy! These are perfect for all kinds of celebrations, not just patriotic holidays. Serve these at a candy bar at your wedding, birthday party, or more. Don’t forget to check out even more party ideas here! 

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Protein-Packed Freezer Breakfast Burritos

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I am not a morning person.  I have tried and it just doesn’t seem to work for me.  Something happens at night and I am transformed into this super-charged go-getter that can conquer a to-do list in 8 minutes flat (or at least it feels like 8 minutes until I look at the clock and see it is well past midnight).  Come the morning, I am tired, cranky, and in desperate need of coffee.  Sound familiar to anyone?

I’ve come to accept that mornings just aren’t my thing, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be a little bit easier.  One trick I’ve learned is to prepare a lot of breakfasts that can be made whenever you have time and then frozen for a quick morning meal.  These protein-packed freezer breakfast burritos are truly perfect; they’re healthy, tasty, and can be served in less than 2 minutes in the morning.

 

These protein-packed freezer breakfast burritos are a great way to save time on busy mornings!

Ingredients

Step 1

Scramble your eggs and cook, seasoning as desired. (We just add a little salt and pepper.)

Step 2

Drain your black beans and stir into eggs.

These protein-packed freezer breakfast burritos are a great way to save time on busy mornings!

Step 3

Fill tortillas with egg and bean mixture and sprinkle with cheese.

**If you want to eat some now, roll up your burrito and serve.

Step 4

Roll each burrito up and wrap in plastic wrap.

These protein-packed freezer breakfast burritos are a great way to save time on busy mornings!

Step 5

Place wrapped burritos into a freezer bag and throw them in the freezer.

**Be sure to label the bag with the name and date of the food. 

These protein-packed freezer breakfast burritos are a great way to save time on busy mornings!

Step 6

To serve, place wrapped burritos on a microwave safe plate and heat for 1-2 minutes each in the microwave.  You can barely cook toaster pastries that fast and these are so much healthier.  Cheers to happier mornings!

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission. Read the full disclosure here.

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5 Ways to Find Free Summer Activities

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Summer vacation is approaching! This thought may excite you or it may fill you with anxiousness. The summer is so much fun but let’s be fair, it can also be expensive. When you are having more meals at home, doing more activities as a family, and all of the other inherent expenses that go along with summer time it starts to seriously add up.  Does that mean summer is hopelessly doomed to either boredom from doing nothing or extravagant spending you can’t afford?  Lucky for you, the answer is a resolute, “No way!”.  There are tons of free and cheap activities out there just waiting for you and your family to enjoy.  The trick is knowing how to find free summer activities and these tips will help you have a fun and frugal summer!

 

Summer doesn't have to break the bank! These tips for finding free summer activities will help you have a fun and frugal summer!

 

[bctt tweet=”Summer doesn’t have to break the bank! Tips for finding free summer activities! #frugal #summer” username=”diyadulation”]

 

 

1. Check Your Local Library

This is the easiest way to find all kinds of fun activities to do totally free.  This summer our family is getting to get up close and personal with sea turtles, create fun crafts, and attend an ice cream social all completely free at our local library.

 

Summer doesn't have to break the bank! These tips for finding free summer activities will help you have a fun and frugal summer!

2. Free Magazines

A lot of areas have free publications that are geared towards families.  These are available in multiple places; I have just had the best luck finding ours at our grocery store.  When you are leaving the store look at the racks that have the apartment guides and auto-sales guides as this is where there usually are.  These magazines have a lot of great information and ideas in them, but they also have a monthly calendar of events in your area that are free or inexpensive.

 

Summer doesn't have to break the bank! These tips for finding free summer activities will help you have a fun and frugal summer!

 

3. Free Days

Tons of theaters offer free matinee showings throughout the summer for families.  There are free or discounted bowling days (often throughout the year) as well.  One in our area actually has $1.50 games and rentals weekly.  Also be sure to check museums near where you live.  Many offer free admission on certain days every month.  Our family has taken advantage of these multiple times and always had a ton of fun.

 

4. City Websites

Many cities put on free events in the summer.  These can range from Independence Day parades to free music performances.  We have been to a firetruck pull, got to pet and learn about exotic animals, and more through our city’s website.  A little research can give you free plans all summer long. 

Check neighboring cities too for activities! We recently got to go to a Touch-A-Truck event completely for free in a city about 30 minutes away.  We were able to get behind the wheel of Air Force vehicles, sit in the back of a S.W.A.T van, and climb into a helicopter (among others) all completely for free!  So always check out neighboring areas, too, because you might find something spectacular to do there as well.

 

Summer doesn't have to break the bank! These tips for finding free summer activities will help you have a fun and frugal summer!

 

5. Keep Your Eyes Peeled

 

Keep your eyes on city signs as well when you are out and about.  The signs on banks, at fire stations, and schools will all have local events coming up advertised on them.  This is a great way to find out about free events in your area. A lot of churches and festivals will also put banners and signs in the neighborhood advertising upcoming events. Being observant can save you tons of money on summer fun!

These are just a few great ways to find free summer activities! You can keep the fun going all summer long and it doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. What is your favorite free (or frugal) activity to do with the kids in the summer? Let me know in the comments!

Keep all the fun coming with our Summer page!

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