Merry Monday Link Party #18

Welcome to the Merry Monday Link Party #18!

Hey Y'all! Did you have a good week? We had a busy last week of summer, and did lots of fun things with the kids. I'm sooo sad to see them go back to school! But, I'm looking forward to a little routine around here ~ I might actually find time for my blog! 

Are you ready to link up? Okay! But first...

Merry Monday Link Party #17 Announcements:

• The International Bacon Day Recipe Roundup is posted! *See the link below* Thank you to everyone that contributed a recipe for the roundup :-)
• We've added an Instagram link up at the bottom of the party. If you'd like to grow your instagram accounts, link up!
• Have you entered our Fall Dollar Tree/99¢ Store craft Contest? You still have time! It runs until September 10th and we'd love to see your fall crafts, recipes, home decor, party decor, and more! The winner will win a $25 Visa Gift Card or Paypal cash. We'll be running a separate inlinkz link up in conjunction with the Merry Monday party where you can link up your creations. *Open to the U.S. and Canada. The majority of your craft project must be made with Dollar Tree/99¢ Store items to be eligible to win. * See this post for the rules and link-up*

 

CLICK ON THE BUTTON TO LINK UP TO 

THE DOLLAR STORE CONTEST

• This week's party guest hosts are Bernadyn from B is For, Paris from My Big Fat Happy Life and Shonee from Hawthorne and Main.
• If you're interested in being a featured co-hosts for the party, please sign up! We have party spots open in the month of October.
• All features will be pinned to the Merry Monday Linky Party Pinterest board, so follow along to see the top features of the party.

On to the Merry Monday Link Party #18!

Meet the hosts of this party

 *We would appreciate a follow in at least one of our social media platforms. Let us know you followed via Merry Monday so we can follow back!*

• Host Erlene @My Pinterventures ~ Twitter  Facebook  Pinterest  Google+ Instagram  Hometalk  Bloglovin
• Co-host Julia @Happy House and Home ~ Twitter  Facebook  Pinterest  Google+ Bloglovin
• Co-host Misty @The Lady Prefers 2 Save ~ Twitter  Facebook  Pinterest  Google+ Instagram  Youtube
• Co-host Amanda @The Kolb Corner ~ Twitter  Facebook  Pinterest  Google+  Instagram  Bloglovin

On the Host's Blogs

My Pinterventures

 

Bloggers Wanted! Blogiversary Giveaway Event ~ Back to School Lunch Tips - Part 1 - Containers & Tools

International Bacon Day Roundup 

Happy House and Home

 

 Homemade Croutons ~ Dollar Store Sunburst Mirror & Craft Contest

The Lady Prefers 2 Save

Cupboard Clearing Cake ~ Homemade Easy Bake Oven Chocolate Cake Mix & Frosting Kits, For Only $0.20

Remove Rust with Cream of Tartar ~ DIY Hand Sanitizer, $0.15 a bottle

The Kolb Corner

Oven Roasted Zucchini

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Meet the Guest Hosts

If you're interested in being a featured co-hosts for the party, please sign up! We have opened up party spots in the month of October.

B is For

Guest Co-host Bernadyn @B is For ~ Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Stumbleupon Bloglovin Sverve

• I stay busy tackling various creative projects while juggling my life as a mom, wife and friend. Some of my favorite things to do include writing, reading, traveling, photography, baking, cooking, DIY, arts, crafts and spending time with my family as we go on adventures. I am married to my best friend and together, we created two awesome kids, Brody and Brielle, who are the driving force behind this blog.

My Big Fat Happy Life

Guest co-host Paris @My Big Fat Happy Life ~ Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ 

• My name is Paris. I love to travel, take photos, drink coffee, scrapbook and make desserts. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my 4 year old daughter while she learns through play. We are Disney addicts and spend our summer afternoons at the pool.

Hawthorne and Main

Guest Co-host Shonee @Hawthrone and Main ~ Twitter  Facebook  Pinterest  Google+  Instagram

• I am a girl who loves to craft and create. I enjoy paper crafts, wood projects, creating home decor, sewing, gardening, you name it, and if I haven't done it before I probably am interested in trying.When I get going on a project it takes up my whole life until it is finished. That can be a good thing and bad thing. I whip out my projects usually pretty quick but leave the disaster of a tornado behind me.

On The Co-host's Blogs

B is For

Have a Ball Stunt Video for Fruit Shoot ~ Back to School in First Grade

#AskAwayFriday with Mrs Tee Love Life Laughter

My Big Fat Happy Life

Creating Nature Wands ~ Citrus Lane: July & August 2014 Review

How to Create a Photo Travel Map ~ 6 Tips for Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party

Hawthorne and Main

Command Center Reveal ~ Fall Subway Art - Free Printable

DIY Reading Nook 

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 Feature Posts

Most Clicked

Garlic Ranch Pizza with Bacon @Somebody's Dinner

• This pizza is definitely on my "to try" list. This will be a nice change in flavor that I'm sure the kids will love! Not to mention, it has bacon and that's always a plus :-)

*Don't forget to visit the other hosts to view their feature picks too.*

My Featured Pick

Apple Pie Jars by With a Blast look so adorable, not to mention, delicious! I can't wait until apple season is in full swing! 

Features will be pinned to the Merry Monday Linky Party Board

Follow My Pinterventures's board Merry Monday Linky Party Features on Pinterest.

If you were featured, grab the Merry Monday Linky Party feature button and display it on your blog, feature page, or sidebar.

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  Permalink back to the blog: http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com

 

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Help Grow this party!

Help us grow this party by posting this party button in your sidebar, on your party page, or on your linked post. 

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<a <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.74" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">href</span>="http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.75" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">happyhouseandhome</span>.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.76" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">blogspot</span>.com" title="Happy House and Home"><<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.77" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">img</span> <span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.78" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">src</span>="http://i845.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.79" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">photobucket</span>.com/albums/ab20/<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.80" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">ErleneA</span>/c0ea0111-43bf-4a80-a72c-acac8d4e97ff_zpsffc3965f.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" id=":12.87" tabindex="-1" role="menuitem" aria-haspopup="true" style="background: yellow;">png</span>" alt="Happy House and Home" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Time to link up!

If you're interested in being a featured co-hosts for the party, please sign up! We have opened up party spots in the month of October.

Sharing is caring! Tweet the party

  ***Your party hosts will be busy sharing your link ups on either Twitter, FB, Pinterest (some to several group boards), Stumbleupon, and Google+, so follow us and see how we're promoting your link ups. One or more of us will visit your blog and promote your link up on at least one of our social media platforms. Type in the hashtag #MerryMonday in the search boxes on Google+, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter to see what we're sharing. *** Not sure who to visit? Visit the two link-ups before you. 

An InLinkz Link-up

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Instagram Link-Up 

If you link up, please follow at least one or two  other people.

Dollar Store Sunburst Mirror (and Craft Contest)

The host and co-hosts of the Merry Monday Link Party are holding a Dollar Store Craft Contest. Y'all knew that, right? Saw it on CNN? 

As a co-host, I thought I'd join in the festivities. So I bought a dollar store mirror (the back side of it pictured below), and decided to make a sunburst mirror for a half bath off of our kitchen. 

I really would like a convex mirror, but unfortunately they don't have them at the dollar store. Time for Plan B.  (Yes! It was a plan!!!) 

This classy green plastic dollar find came with those handy suction cups attached to the back. Nice, right? 

The first thing I did was cut them off with a utility knife. 

For the sun rays I used paint sticks ~ I have a bag full of them (don't we all?). I lay them out the way I wanted them, and attached them with hot glue, to a sturdy piece of cardboard, that I had cut into a circle. 

I then glued the mirror to the center of the "rays". (The mirror was raised about half an inch above the cardboard, but I didn't worry, I had the faint squeak of an idea.) 

Note: It would probably make sense if you painted your paint sticks the color you want them PRIOR to gluing them down. I am stoopid live on the edge, so I painted them after they were glued down. 

I first painted the sticks black, and then when that was dry, white. 

Once the paint was dry I sanded away some of the white, so that the black would come through a bit, and to give it a weathered look. I also made sure to sand down to the wood in other areas. 

Next I had to bring forth that squeak of an idea to cover the gap between the sun rays and the mirror. 

Enter twin, and jute rope (from the Dollar store, of course):

Wind and glue...

I like how it looks a little convex. 

To hang, you know the drill! Pop tops, glue and wire. 

And there you have it. 

(Mine sports a finger print on the bottom left, 

but you could actually clean yours!) 

See how easy that was? What have you got to link up with us? LINK HERE! 

Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) 

If you would like to join in some fun link parties, 

head on over HERE!  So much inspiration! 

Homemade Croutons

Homemade croutons are so much better than store-bought, I can't even begin to tell you. Plus, they're so easy. 

Make these, eat one, and then eat a store bought crouton, and you'll never go back. Ever.

Plus who doesn't throw out bread crusts, and old bread every week. Well don't.

Save the bread that's beyond it's best. (I'm not talkin' bread that's growing cultures or anything here ~ just beyond peak freshness.) 

Here's how easy:

CROUTONS

• 10-15 slices of stale bread
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp course sea salt
• 2 tsp dried basil

Preheat oven to 350f. 

Chunk the bread in to about 1" cubes. 

Pop it into a large bowl. 

Stir in 1/2 cup of good extra virgin olive oil. Add salt, garlic powder, and basil. 

Mix well. 

Spread evenly on a cookie sheet, and bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. (Watch them, they can brown very quickly)

When done, cool. Store in air-tight container (or freezer bag) in fridge or freezer. 

IDEAS:

Use on top of Caesar salad, or any salad.

Use on top of soups and stews. 

Grind and use as breadcrumbs. 

Use them mixed into meatloaf. 

Crumble them on top of any pasta using seafood. 

Use them for clams casino 

What ideas do you have for croutons? Let me know! 

Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter! (Above) 

If you would like to join in some fun link parties, 

head on over HERE!  So much inspiration! 

Merry Monday Link Party #17

Welcome to Merry Monday Link Party #17!

Hello and welcome to another week of Merry Monday! First a few announcements, and we'll get right to it! 

Merry Monday Link Party #17 Announcements:

• We have a new host on the Merry Monday Party! It's Amanda from The Kolb Corner. She has a wonderful blog and I hope you all hop over to visit her.
• Our Fall Dollar Tree/99¢ Store craft tutorials contest has officially started! We'll be running a separate inlinkz link up in conjunction with the Merry Monday party where you can link up your current Dollar Tree or 99¢ Store fall craft tutorials, recipes, home decor, or party decor. The winner will win a $25 Visa Gift Card! *Open to the U.S. and Canada. The majority of your craft project must be made with Dollar Tree/99¢ Store items to be eligible to win. * See below for rules and link-up*

• This is also your last chance to share your recipes featuring bacon on the Merry Monday Link Party for the August 30th bacon recipe roundup. The Saturday before Labor Day is the unofficial International Bacon Day and My Pinterventures will be featuring some of your bacon recipes in a post celebrating International Bacon Day. *Not all recipes will be featured*
• This week's party guest hosts are Bernadyn from B is For, Paris from My Big Fat Happy Life and Shonee from Hawthorne and Main.
• If you're interested in being a featured co-hosts for the party, please sign up! We have party spots open in the month of October.
• All features will be pinned to the Merry Monday Linky Party Pinterest board, so follow along to see the top features of the party.

On to the Merry Monday Link Party #17!

Meet the hosts of this party

*We would appreciate a follow in at least one of our social media platforms. Let us know you followed via Merry Monday so we can follow back!*

• Host Erlene @My Pinterventures ~Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ Instagram Hometalk Bloglovin

• Co-host Julia @Happy House and Home ~ Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ Bloglovin

• Co-host Misty @The Lady Prefers 2 Save ~ Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ Instagram Youtube

• Co-host Amanda @The Kolb Corner ~ Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ Instagram Bloglovin

 

On the Host's Blogs

My Pinterventures

Shoyu Chicken ~ Back to School Palooza Giveaway ~ Tour Through Blogland

Happy House and Home

Firefighter Sign ~ Easiest. Cookies. Ever

The Lady Prefers 2 Save

10 Creative Ways to Recycle Newspaper! ~ DIY Aussie 3-Minute Mask, Only $0.50 A Treatment

Freezer Cooking Session: Frittatas! ~ Fall Dollar Store Craft Contest

The Kolb Corner

Easy Homemade Granola

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Meet Your Guest Co-host

If you're interested in being a featured co-hosts for the party, please sign up! We have opened up party spots in the month of October.

B is For

Guest Co-host Bernadyn @B is For ~ Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Stumbleupon Bloglovin Sverve

• I stay busy tackling various creative projects while juggling my life as a mom, wife and friend. Some of my favorite things to do include writing, reading, traveling, photography, baking, cooking, DIY, arts, crafts and spending time with my family as we go on adventures. I am married to my best friend and together, we created two awesome kids, Brody and Brielle, who are the driving force behind this blog.

My Big Fat Happy Life

Guest co-host Paris @My Big Fat Happy Life ~ Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ Instagram

• My name is Paris. I love to travel, take photos, drink coffee, scrapbook and make desserts. I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my 4 year old daughter while she learns through play. We are Disney addicts and spend our summer afternoons at the pool.

Hawthorne and Main

Guest Co-host Shonee @Hawthrone and Main ~ Twitter Facebook Pinterest Google+ Instagram

• I am a girl who loves to craft and create. I enjoy paper crafts, wood projects, creating home decor, sewing, gardening, you name it, and if I haven't done it before I probably am interested in trying.When I get going on a project it takes up my whole life until it is finished. That can be a good thing and bad thing. I whip out my projects usually pretty quick but leave the disaster of a tornado behind me.

On The Co-host's Blogs

B is For

Filipino Dish - Palabok with a Twist ~ The Bouq's Company Review by B

Brody & Brielle's Visit to MOSH Megaladon Sharks: Part 1 {WW} ~ #AskAwayFriday

My Big Fat Happy Life

Dinosaur Swamp Small World Play ~ Guest Co-hosting - Wake Up Wednesday Linky Party #30

Well, Hello There Scrapbook Layout ~ Tips for 1st Day of School Photos

Weekend in Galveston, Texas

Hawthorne and Main

Fall Banner - Free Printable ~ Favorite Things Friday #5

Bewitchin' Projects Block Party 4 ~ Kitchen Cart Turned Gardening Station

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Feature Posts

Most Clicked

How to Replace a Headboard for FREE @The World of Suzy Homemaker

Photography for Bloggers - Part 1 @The Official Blog Guide

{FREE PRINTABLE}After School Checklist For Kids @My Paper Craze

Daily Planner Page {Free Printable} @Denverista

My Feature Picks

*Don't forget to visit the other hosts to view their feature picks too.*

I love this DIY Fall Wreath with Sparkly Leaves! Go check out how to make your own at Sparkle Living! 

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Features will be pinned to the Merry Monday Linky Party Board

Follow Erlene Amat | My Pinterventures's board Merry Monday Linky Party Features on Pinterest.

If you were featured, grab the Merry Monday Linky Party feature button and display it on your blog, feature page, or sidebar

<div align="center">
<a href="http://www.happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com" title="Happy House and Home"><img src="http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/ErleneA/Co-hostFeatureButton_zps013324ef.png" alt="Happy House and Home" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Permalink back to the blog: http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com

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Party Guidelines

• Link up to 3 family friendly posts that teach us crafts, DIY projects, recipes, a helpful tip/trick (gardening, cooking, crafting, beauty, party planning, travel tip, etc...). Link parties and giveaways are also welcome.

• DO NOT link up posts you have linked to a previous Merry Monday party, personal shops (Etsy) or things you are selling, posts that do not teach us one of the items in the first guidelines - these links will be deleted.

• Linking your posts gives us permission to share your link up on your host/co-host's various social media platforms.

• By linking up, you give us permission to add your email to the Merry Monday Linky Party mailing list. You will receive an email once a week for this party only.If you do not wish to be added to the list, leave your email blank when linking up.

• DO NOT link up and run. Please visit at least two other fellow party link ups and comment/share.

 

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Help Grow this party.

Grab our party button and place it on your sidebar, party page, or link post.

<div align="center">
<a href="http://happyhouseandhome.blogspot.com/" title="Happy House and Home"><img src="http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab20/ErleneA/c0ea0111-43bf-4a80-a72c-acac8d4e97ff_zpsffc3965f.png" alt="Happy House and Home" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

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Time to link up!

If you're interested in being a featured co-hosts for the party, please sign up! We have opened up party spots in the month of September.

Sharing is caring! Tweet the party

***Your party hosts will be busy sharing your link ups on either Twitter, FB, Pinterest (some to several group boards), Stumbleupon, and Google+, so follow us and see how we're promoting your link ups. One or more of us will visit your blog and promote your link up on at least one of our social media platforms. Type in the hashtag #MerryMonday in the search boxes on Google+, Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter to see what we're sharing. ***

Don't forget, to link up your recipes featuring bacon. My Pinterventures will be gathering recipes from the party to be featured on her bacon roundup for the unofficial International Bacon Day post on August 30th.

Not sure who to visit? Visit one link-up before and after you OR the two before you.

An InLinkz Link-up

Fall Dollar Store/99¢ Store Craft Contest

An InLinkz Link-up