Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Is your summer flying by there like mine is here?  I’ve been contemplating the phrase “lazy days of summer” lately and wondering when those lazy days are going to kick in around here.  Between t-ball games, karate lessons, karate demo team, the swimming pool and various camp activities, I am one worn out mom!

Before we get to the party, I’d love it if you’d click over and vote for my Cherry Berry Smoothie! By voting, you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a$250 gift basket from Naked Juice.  Super awesome!

Okay, let’s get onto the features:

This week’s top viewed post was this absolutely stunning Mason Jar Picnic from Your Homebased Mom.  Leigh Anne, would you please come over to my house and set one of these up for me??

We’ve been spending a lot of hot nights out at the ballfield this summer, and all I can think about are cool, refreshing drinks. I think I could down a gallon of these Cherry Italian Cream Sodas from Mom on Timeout all own my own.

Twix are one of my favorite candy bars of all time. Back for Seconds shows you how to make Easy Homemade Twix Bars – with only four ingredients! Brilliant!

Are you already starting to plan ahead for the Fourth of July? Then you’ll want to put this Red, White and Blue Salad from Julie’s Eats and Treats on your list!

I’m a sucker for all foods Mexican, so these Creamy Roast Beef Enchiladas from Tastes of Lizzy T are right up my alley!

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley

Whew!  I’m just getting back into the swing of things after returning home from BlogHer Food in Austin…I’m keeping tonight’s post short and sweet because I’m spending time with my little Doodle rather than in front of the computer.  It’s hard for a mama to be away from her sweet kiddo, even for just a few days.

This week’s top viewed post was this Cookie Dough Layer Cake from Tastes of Lizzy T.  OMG.

Who doesn’t love fresh strawberries this time of year? And on pizza? Sign me up for a huge slice of this strawberry pizza from Your Homebased Mom!

The Tall Boy is a huge lo mein fan, so he’ll be thrilled when I make this vegetable version from The Salty Kitchen!

Who else besides me can eat two baskets of those cheddar biscuits from Red Lobster – before dinner is even served (I have a bread addiction!)?? Well, thanks to Chocolate, Chocolate and More, you can make your own at home. This is dangerous, Joan. Very dangerous.

Hello!  Check out these Hot Fudge and Kit Kat Rice Krispie treats from Crumbs and Chaos!  Plus, you can use these treats for an amazing ice cream topping – I’m ready to break out the ice cream right now!

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley

Hi guys!  I’m keeping this short and sweet this week, since I’m in full-on panic mode right now.  Thursday morning I’m on a jet plane to Austin to attend BlogHer Food.  I’m sort of excited and nervous and scared all rolled into one.  Mainly because this is my first blog conference and I have no idea what to expect.

And also…in real life, I’m shy and timid and wondering if I’ll be left alone standing in a corner trying desperately to look busy and like I know what I’m doing.  So if you see me, please come up and say hello – it would totally make my day.

On to the features!

This week’s top viewed post was Cake Mix Rolls from Busy Mom’s Helper – and I can see why.  Yeast rolls using a cake mix?  Sign me up!

And since we’re finally into warmer temperatures here, I’m ready to make some homemade popsicles – like these Mango Lemonade Pops from Silver Boxes.  YUM!

Speaking of summer temperatures, grilling is my favorite thing to do when the weather warms up. And next on my grilling list? These BBQ Chicken Skewers from The Rookie Cook.

And what about these Cherry Almond Squares from I Dig Pinterest and I Did It, Too?  I need these, pronto.

We’re ice cream fanatics at my house, and I know these Chocolate Salted Caramel Milkshakes from Just Us Four would be a huge hit!

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Memorial weekend with your families and loved ones.  My husband was out of town for the entire week and holiday weekend…off on a “guys trip” to the Indy 500.  I was a little nervous to have him gone for so long, mostly because he is an awesome helper and partner around the house.

And, I just like to have him around.  ;-)

But, Doodle was a perfect kiddo while Daddy was away, and we had some great bonding time together.  We did a few things that we wouldn’t normally do when Daddy was home: like eat ice cream for dinner and stay up past bedtime playing outside.  To be honest, I was a little sad when our Doodle and mommy-only time came to an end.

Oh, and if you haven’t entered yet, there are still a few days left for the Kitchen Aid Mixer Giveaway.

On to the FEATURES!

This week’s top viewed post were these Watermelon Margarita Cupcakes from Cooking with Curls. How perfect are these for a summer treat?

A little fact about me: I love key lime desserts. I also love cheesecake. So yeah, this Key Lime Coconut Cheesecake Mousse from The Brunette Baker needs to happen at my house soon.

And oh my…considering I just made a Cheesy Chicken Doritos Casserole, I’m in love with the idea of these Homemade Doritos from Heather’s French Press.

We’re always on the lookout for make your own Chinese take-out, and any version that has “skinny” in the title, is right up my alley! This Skinny Orange Chicken from Tastes Better From Scratch sounds amazing!

And, I think after eating a “skinny” dinner, I should get a huge slice of this Peanut Butter Snickers Cheesecake Brownie Pie from Inside BruCrew Life. I mean…just look at it!

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley

To Oklahoma and the city of Moore, you’re in my thoughts and prayers.  We’re no strangers to tornadoes here in Kansas, but the devastation there is simply heartbreaking.  If you’re wondering how you can help, there is a great list of resources here.

To the person whole stole our credit card number yesterday and tried to purchase a bunch of prepaid T-Mobile cards: I’m giving you a big thumbs-down.

And to those of you using WordPress and the Comment Reply Notification plug-in: have any of you had difficulties getting it to send your replies?  When I first started using this plug-in before Christmas, it worked just fine.  But then it.just.stopped.  Even my tech consultant can’t figure it out and I am at my wits end.  I’ve been giving it the stink-eye for nearly the last five months and still…just nothing.

Okay…let’s get onto the features!

This week’s top viewed post was Nieman Marcus Brownies from I Dig Pinterest and I Did It Too.  Don’t they look fab?  And easy, too!

And um?  This Coffee Heath Bar Crunch Cake from Confessions of a Baking Queen pretty much combines everything I love in one cake!

Basically, adding Oreos to a recipe guarantees I want to eat.it.all. Like this Quick and Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oreo Pie from Living Well Spending Less.  YUM.

Now that the weather is finally starting to warm up here, I chomping at the bit to break out our ice cream maker.  First on my list to try this season?  These S‘mores Sundaes with Homemade Marshmallow Ice Cream from Dress This Nest.

You know my love of Mexican-inspired dishes.  I’m kind of drooling over this Fiery South-of-the-Border Mac and Cheese from A Bright and Beautiful Life.

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley

So, we have eight school days left here, and then the madness of summer begins: basketball camp, karate camp(s), t-ball games, swimming lessons, and “Fun Factory” days…what ever happened to the “lazy days” of summer?  Also: can I sign up for some of this instead of work, laundry, and grocery shopping?

Do any of you have super awesome summer plans?  Or maybe just relaxing summer plans?  We’re tossing around the idea of driving to Silver Dollar City for a short family-friendly vacation in either July or August, which (1) could be really fun; or (2) could be miserable in the heat of the summer.

Before we get to the party, I still have two giveaways going on right now: one for a Kitchen Aid Mixer and a basket of surprise goodies, and another for a Samsung NX1000 camera/$50 Amazon gift card.  So make sure you’re all signed up to enter.  I’d LOVE for one of you to win!  Also, I’m posting over at Somewhat Simple tonight, so it would be kind of awesome if you stopped over and said hello.

This week’s top view post were these Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes from A Kitchen Addiction.  Wowzers, pancakes and cookies all in one?  Sign me up, please.

Ooooh, this Firecracker Chicken from Life With the Crust Cut Off sounds amazing. I’m always looking for new ways to jazz up chicken around my house, and this? Needs to happen soon.

I’m also kind of in love with these Chocolate Peanut Butter Pretzel Cookies from The Brunette Baker.  Plus, they’re gluten-free!

These Cheesy Bacon Bites from The Tasty Fork contain two of my favorite ingredients: cheese and bacon. You can’t go wrong! Unless you don’t like bacon; in which case, what?

Aaaaand, since I’m a total dip fanatic, I’m pretty much drooling over this Apricot Gorgonzola Cheese Spread from Crumbs and Chaos.  Must. Make. Today.

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley

Whoops – I inadvertently published this post early…so go ahead and start linking up!

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Well, we’re nearing the final stretch of the school year, and there are a still a million and one activities we’re trying to squeeze in.  In the meantime, I’m daydreaming about the idea of “summer vacation” for parents – the closest I’m going to get this year is a few days in Austin in June for BlogHer.  Who’s going?

Also, if you haven’t already entered, I have two really awesome giveaways going on right now.  One is for a Kitchen Aid Mixer and a basket of goodies from some of your favorite bloggers, and the other is for a $250 Amazon gift card.  So please – go enter!  I would love, love, love one of my readers to win one (or both) of these!

Okay…on to the features!

This week’s top view post was Berries and Creme Panini from Heather’s French Press, and I can see why.  Drooooooooool.

I’m also kinda-sorta in love with these Blackberry Lemon Glazed Donuts from A Sweet Baker.  You know I love my breakfast sweets!

Aaaaaaand, I’m also in love with all things Mexican flavored, so these Tequila Lime Green Chili Chicken Roll Ups from The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen are right up my alley.

The Tall Boy’s very favorite Chinese food ever is Lo Mein, so this recipe from Mandy’s Recipe Box is on my list of things to try – SOON (Mandy, my husband says thank you)!

Yeah, Chica Chocolatina combined two of my favorite things in these Churros and Chocolate Donut Holes.  Hey Jasmine, I do accept deliveries, anytime you want to send some of these over.  :-)  Holy yum!

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley

Hi everyone!  Wow, I can’t believe it’s this time of the week again – the days are flying by and the end of the school year will be here before I know it.  I’m tearing up at the thought of having a first grader in a few months.  Gah!

Okay, just a few things before we get started…be sure to check back tomorrow for a super fun giveaway.  I don’t want to spoil the surprise or anything, but it just might be a Kitchen Aid Mixer.

Also, I’m feeling really nervous about posting this, but I have decided to begin offering advertising slots in my sidebar.  See that lonely little category heading over there that says “Lovely Sponsors”?  If you’re looking to increase traffic to your blog, promote your Etsy shop, or online products, I hope you’ll consider Kitchen Meets Girl as an awesome place to promote your stuff.  If you’re interested, click on over to my “work with me page” to see what it’s all about (stats provided upon request – just shoot me an email).

Since this is all new to me, I’m also offering a 25% discount for the first 30 days.  Just enter the code SPLASH25 at checkout.

Okay, time to party!

This week’s top viewed post were these Lazy Morning Cinnamon Rolls from Busy Mom’s Helper.  Um, yes.  I’ll take a dozen, please.

One of my (many?) downfalls is snacky-foods.  That’s why it would be bad news (for my waist-line) if I made these Butterfinger Muddy Buddies from Crumbs and Chaos.  I’d eat the entire batch myself, it looks so good!

I’m also really intrigued at the idea of making my own baking powder, via A Bright and Beautiful Life.  It is so easy, and so much healthier for me!

Well, I love coconut.  I love toffee.  And I love chocolate chip cookie bars…so putting these Coconut Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Mom on Timeout in my mouth is a no-brainer.

And yeah…check out these (copycat) Cheesecake Factory Tex Mex Egg Rolls from Tastes Better from Scratch.  LOVE!

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley

Well, I sure hope spring has arrived in your neck of the woods.  Our temperatures were freezing overnight and we’re forecasted for some snow flurries and ice today…so much for the start of t-ball practice tonight.  Ugh, I’m beginning to wonder if we’re ever going to get spring weather here in Kansas.

 By the way, have you clicked over to enter the giveaway for the Canon Rebel?  There is still time to enter, so don’t miss out!

This week’s top-viewed post was Saucilicious Slow Cooker Pork Chops from Chatting Over Chocolate.  Starting this week, we have either karate or t-ball practice every weeknight, so you know I’ll be putting my crock pot to work.  This recipe takes only six ingredients – gotta love that!

Julie’s Eats and Treats served up this amazing Funfetti Overnight French Toast that has me counting down the minutes until this weekend.  I think this might be the best thing ever.

Aren’t these S’mores Cookie Bars from Chocolate, Chocolate and More just gorgeous?  Oh, but they have me wishing for summer {right now I’d just take temperatures above 50!

If you’ve been around my blog for awhile, you know that I live for Mexican food…and Mexican dips of any kind are my biggest weakness. I’m LOVING this Ultimate Queso, Salsa and Dip List from Crumbs and Chaos!

Speaking of loving Mexican foods, how about making this Mini Chile Relleno Casserole from The Tasty Fork for breakfast? YUM. Oh, and if you’re making it…bring me one, would you?

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

If you haven’t already, make sure you pop on over to this post so that you can enter to win a Canon EOS Rebel T3.  Who couldn’t use a seriously awesome new camera for summer?  Or, maybe just for food blogging?

I’ve just recently switched my e-mail subscription service from Feedburner to MailChimp.  For many of you, that may not mean anything, but for me, it  nearly caused a nervous breakdown.   Technology is not really my forte, so making the switch gave me some a lot of anxiety (thanks to Dorothy for answering all of my questions!).  Anyway, if something looks wonky on your end, please be nice when letting me know, okay?

Okay…on to the features!

This week’s post with the most views was this One Hour French Bread from Recipes for My Boys.  Knowing I can have a loaf of bread like this on my table in just an hour is dangerous information for me to have.  :-)

Who’s ready for spring? I certainly am – and doesn’t this Orange Dreamsicle Poke Cake from Mommy on Demand just scream spring??  Now, if the weather would just warm up where I am…

Umm, my diet is totally OFF this week, because I really need to have a piece (or two…or three) of this Dreamy Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cake from It’s a Lovely Life:

Also? I love pretty much any kind of burger…but this Chicken Ranch Burger from Julie’s Eats and Treats sounds and looks absolutely phenomenal!  These are definitely on my meal plan for next week!

I must be in a cake frame of mind this week, because I’m also totally salivating over this Key Lime Cheesecake Chocolate Cake from Young, Broke and Hungry.  Wow!

Thank you all so much for coming back each week to make this party a great success!  I love seeing all of your great creations, and it’s such an awesome way for me to find new blogs to stalk read.

Are you ready to share what you’ve been up to this week?  After sharing, please take a moment to visit some other links–we all love comments!

If you were featured, make sure to grab a button from the left sidebar!

XO, Ashley