Salad in a Jar with Creamy Balsamic Yogurt Dressing

Now that summer is almost here and the weather is nice, our weekends are packed with
pool time, graduation parties, picnics and more. I just love this time of year!

Grilling and salads become the norm for dinner because who wants to be in the kitchen
when it's nice outside - not me! I also pack salad in my lunch for work much more during
the summer months too.

Cheesecake Trifles In a Jar {Random Acts of Sweetness}

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Sara Lee Desserts, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #SaraLeeDesserts http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

Make Ahead Pomegranate Blueberry Smoothies

This post was created in partnership with Stonyfield and Ball Canning.
As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Here in the south we have been drinking sweet tea and lemonade out of Ball Canning
jars forever, so I was super excited when I heard that Stonyfield and Ball Canning
were partnering together this month.  Everything tastes better in a canning jar!

Upside Down Cheesecake In A Jar Minis

Most of the time when I opt for dessert it involves chocolate, but every now and then
I crave something sweet and fruity.

I love cheesecake, but since I do not need an entire cheesecake sitting around tempting
me, I decided to make a few mini cheesecakes to curb my sweet tooth.

Strawberry Shortcake in a Jar

Sometimes the most simple ingredients make the best dessert.

I recently purchased my first quart of organic strawberries of the season and they were so sweet and tasty.  I could have just eaten the entire container by themselves, but I decided to make an angel food cake to go with them, which then lead to this cute little dessert :)

Besides the cake, you really don't even need a recipe to make these.
They're pretty self explanatory.
Heck, you can even use a box cake mix.
I won't judge :)

Angel Food Cake

1 1/4 cup egg whites (about 9)
1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
1 cup cake flour
1 1/4 tsp. cream of tartar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. almond extract
1/4 tsp. salt

Place egg whites into a large mixing bowl, let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
Sift 1/2 cup sugar and flour together twice; set aside.
                          

Move oven rack in the lowest position. Preheat oven to 350°. Add cream of tartar, extracts and salt to egg whites; beat on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar, about 2 tablespoons at a time, beating on high until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold in flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time.

Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets. Bake 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned and entire top appears dry. Hang pan upside down onto a heat proof glass bottle until completely cooled.

Loosen edges by running a knife around side and center tube of pan.

Remove cake to a serving plate.                                    

To make Strawberry Shortcake in a jar, layer cubes of angel food cake, whipped cream and sliced strawberries in a jar. 

Cake In A Jar

I'd like to share my new favorite dessert to bring to a party or picnic.
Cake in a jar.
Oh the possibilities!

I have been making this dessert in a trifle dish forever, but I think the jar is more fun and definitely
easier to transport.  I found the idea here.
The jars are available at Walmart and Target.

Here's how I put it together:
layer of cubed cake, prepared instant pudding, whipped cream, repeat.
Top with fresh raspberries and chocolate shavings.

There are so many possibilities.
Candy bar pieces instead of fruit.
Chopped cookies or maybe brownies.
I'm excited to make another one soon!

I happened to have some leftover cupcakes in the freezer for this version, but usually I bake a cake in a 9 x 13 inch bake dish.  I use half of the cake and freeze the other half for later or you could make a cake in a jar for a friend :)

Cake in a Jar.
It's my new thing :)

Rosemary and Sea Salt Rolls in a Jar

My mason jar mania continues.
I can't help it.
Everything is SO much cuter when served in a jar!



















I found this idea over at Whipperberry more than a year ago and finally got around to making them.
Frozen dinner rolls never looked or tasted so good!

Rosemary and Sea Salt Rolls in a Jar

12 frozen dinner rolls (I used Rhodes brand)
2 T olive oil
fresh rosemary, chopped
sea salt
olive oil cooking spray

Place twelve 4 oz. jelly jars onto a cookie sheet.  Spray each jar with cooking spray.
Place one frozen dinner roll into each jar.  Spray plastic wrap with cooking spray and place it over the jars. 
Let dough rise 4-5 hours or until doubled in size.
Remove plastic wrap and brush rolls with olive oil.
Sprinkle with chopped rosemary and sea salt.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12-15 minutes.

Linking To:
Pint Sized Baker Two Cup Tuesday
Skip To My Lou

Mason Jar Love

Oh mason jars how I love thee.

Your cuteness and endless possibilities are beyond compare.

When I discovered that Ball was celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the perfect mason jar

 by bringing back the vintage blue jars, I was in heaven.

I was also on a mission to find them as soon as I could.

I get obsessed like that :)

  After a few phone calls, the manager of one of my local hardware stores told me he was getting them

in the store in a couple of days and he would be happy to hold some for me. 

He called me two days later.

What service!

(The store is Randy's Do It Best Hardware in Bridgewater and Timberville for you local peeps.

If you stop by tell them Me and My Pink Mixer sent ya)

I love to drink out of mason jars.

My morning glass of citrus water looks especially refreshing in my new jar!

Want to see more mason jar awesomeness?!?

How about this pantry!

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Make yummy treats like these Chocolate Eclairs in a Jar.


I love this simple flower arrangement!



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Planning a wedding?

Use mason jars, chalkboard labels and flowers to number the tables.

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Feeling crafy?

Make a soap dispenser from a jar.

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Or a toothbrush holder.

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Hang them from sheperd hooks for a festive look.

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Let guests drink from pint size jars at your next party or celebration.
You'll be the talk of the neighborhood and everyone
will think you are the coolest party planner ever!

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Now aren't you as excited as I am about these amazing jars!
Go get you some!
Happy Tuesday :)