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

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  Just a few quick housekeeping things before I get to all of this week’s awesome features…

I’m working a new gig over at Somewhat Simple as a monthly food contributor.  Stephanie let me share my Slow Cooker Chicken Ranch Pasta with her readers today, and I’d love it if you stopped over and said hello.  It’s so nerve-racking posting on someone else’s blog.  Especially one as awesome as Stephanie’s!

Also, if you happen to follow my little ol’ blog via Google Reader, you might have heard the buzz that Google Reader is going bye-bye sometime this summer.  I’d hate to lose any of you, so I would LOVE it if you’d follow me on BlogLovin‘.  I’ve just started using BlogLovin’ myself, and I have to say…I really do love it!  You can click the button below to follow me, or the one in my left side bar.

Okay, enough of the boring stuff…let’s get on to the features!

This week’s top viewed link were these Overnight Cinnamon Rolls from Confessions of a Baking Queen.  Elizabeth sure knows how to do breakfast right!

Obviously, I have breakfast on the brain, because I’ve been totally drooling ever since I saw these Banana Bread Pancakes with Peanut Butter Syrup from My Kitchen Addiction.

One of my favorite memories is eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde with one of my best girlfriends on a hot summer evening {long before we were married with kids}. These Cafe Du Monde Beignets from Your Hombased Mom brings back some really great memories.  And aren’t they gorgeous?

And holy moly, what about this Twinkie Bundt Cake from Pink Tiger in the Kitchen? Wowzers – I could sure go for a huge hunk of that right now!

You know I love my slow cooker recipes!  This Easy Slow Cooker Sweet Pork from Butter, with a Side of Bread sounds phenomenal.  AND it takes only three ingredients – awesome!!

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!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter.  We enjoyed beautiful weather here and spent the day in the company of loved ones and with lots of awesome food.

Now I’m on the countdown to the weekend, because my undergraduate alma mater {Wichita State University} is playing in the Final Four. It’s pretty exciting stuff here in my hometown. I’m planning a game watching party for Saturday night and am trying to brainstorm some black and gold themed food ideas…if you have any good ones, please share them with me!

Okay, let’s get onto the features!

This week’s top viewed post was this Orange Creamsicle Milkshake from A Cozy Place Called Home.  I love the idea of garnishing these with a Peep – my kiddo would go wild for these.

Butterfingers are probably my very favorite candy bar, so I’m sort of drooling over these Mini Butterfinger Pies in a Jar from Crumbs and Chaos.

Even though the Tall Boy doesn’t generally go for sweets, he loves Cadbury Creme Eggs. I might have to bake him some of these Cadbury Creme Egg Cupcakes from Annie’s Noms. Seriously, so cute!

You know I love overnight brunch recipes, and French toast is my ultimate favorite. This Overnight Banana Stuffed French Toast from Crazy for Crust looks absolutely amazing. Plus, Dorothy topped it with banana maple syrup.  O.M.G.

Even though Spring hasn’t yet arrived here in Kansas, I can easily eat ice cream any day of the year.  And this Single Serve (healthy) Raspberry Ice Cream from Heather’s French Press is going to make its way to my mouth – soon.

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

Ohmygosh.  Can you believe Easter is in just a few days?  I’m sort of in panic mode because I kept thinking I had “one more week” to get things together…except now that one more week is this week.

What are your plans?  Are you entertaining at your house?  If you’re cooking, let me know what you’re making – I need some ideas!

Okay…let’s get right on to the features!

This week’s top clicked post was Tagalong Peanut Butter Cake Bars from The Not So Perfect Mom.  Um, I’m pretty sure Christi’s a perfect mom if she’s making her kiddos stuff like this.

I’m a huge Peep fanatic…the word “Peep” just instantly brings an image of Easter to my mind.  How cute would these Party Peeps Eclair Cake Cups from Inside BruCrew Life look on your Easter table this weekend?

Eek! Did you know you can dye Easter Eggs in the crock pot? With Kool-Aid? Super cool. Check it out over at the Crock-Pot Ladies!

I love coconut.  And I love anything no-bake.  So these Coconut Funfetti No Bake Cakes from Back For Seconds just scream “spring” to me.  They also scream, “Get in my mouth quick!”

These Bunny Tail Lemon Cookies from the Plaid and Paisley Kitchen need to hop right on over to my kitchen!

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!  If you’re like me, your kiddos are on spring break this week.  While Doodle is spending the day punching and kicking away at karate camp this week, I’m still in my usual routine of working 8 to 5 and trying to fit in blogging, meal prep, house cleaning, laundry, etc.

So…I’m petitioning for an adult spring break.  Who’s with me?

And wowzers – I had my biggest link party ever last week, with 112 linkups.  You guys rock!  Also – you guys make me drool!  Seriously, how is a gal supposed to lose these last 10 pounds when she’s oogling and pinning so many wonderful recipes?

These {crock-pot} Roasted Red Pepper Chicken and Pesto Sandwiches from Your Homebased Mom were last week’s top viewed post.  I can see why!  These look amazing, and they are absolutely on my menu plan for next week.  Total.YUM.

How cute are these Bunny Pretzels from Miss Candiquik? This is a fun project that even a non-crafty person like me can manage!

Holy canoli – check out this Salted Caramel Pineapple Upside Down Cake from The Pretty Life Anonymous. It’s pretty much to die for.

One meal that the Tall Boy always hints around for me to make is lasagna…so I’m definitely giving this Seriously the Best Lasagna from I Dig Pinterest and I Did it Too a try!

Basically, if you combine chocolate and mint, I’m down with eating it. It’s probably my favorite flavor combination ever.  These Easy Mini Grasshopper Pies from Butter, With a Side of Bread look amazing!

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

Wow, is it Wednesday again already?  We have just a few more days until spring break here, and even though I don’t get a break from my full-time job, I’m still looking forward to it.

Friday after work we’re piling in the car and driving to Kansas City, and spending the weekend with our old neighbors and best friends…Steve and Chandra from The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen!

Come Monday morning, Doodle is starting a spring break all-day karate camp (in addition to the four-plus weeknight classes we’ve been attending).  He’s bursting at the seams for more time with Coach Brian, and I have a feeling that soon the Tall Boy and I will become superfluous.  Pretty much everything is “Coach Brian” right now.  At least he still needs me for transportation.  ;-)

Does anyone have any cool spring break plans?  And are you having spring weather where you are?

Okay, let’s get onto the features!

This week’s most viewed post was this Mint Chocolate Chip Popcorn Treats from Crazy for Crust.  Dorothy takes popcorn to a whole new level.

And, if you saw my post from yesterday, you know I’m into making your own takeout.  So…I’m pretty much in love with this Sweet Fire Chicken {Panda Express Copycat} from Feeding My Giant:

Samoa’s are my all-time forever hurry and get in my mouth quick Girl Scout Cookie.  In donut form from A Kitchen Addiction??  YES.

While we’re talking breakfast, take a look at these Mocha Oatmeal Muffins from Annie’s Noms:

Since we’re still having cooler weather here, this Meatball Minestrone Soup from Kim’s County Line needs to make an appearance on my dinner table soon:

But, because I’m trying to channel springtime, this Andes Mint Ice Cream from Your Homebased Mom is top on my list of things to get into my mouth ASAP.

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