Disclosure:  The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

I have to admit, I was a little intimidated at the thought of grilling a pizza.  I wondered how it would work logistically.  How would it stay on the grill grate?  How would I keep it from burning?  How would I get the dough onto the grill in the first place?  But, I like to think I am fearless in the kitchen (or at the grill) and will try anything so I was ready for the challenge.  

Actually, it was pretty easy to do.  I followed the easy instructions at Pillsbury.

I used a can of Pillsbury Pizza Crust.  I usually make my own pizza crust, but I thought the Pillsbury crust was really good.  This crust was super easy to use and would make a great quick meal on a busy school night or when I am just too tired to cook from scratch.

I prepared my crust on a sheet of aluminum foil.  I followed the instructions online at Pillsbury and grilled a pizza for dinner.  

It was delicious.  The boys loved it.  We made our favorite pepperoni and pineapple pizza.  

In addition to my giveaway below, you could win one of 5 grills from the Pillsbury Classic Pizza Pinspiration Sweepstakes!

Pin it to win it!  You could win one of 5 grills!
How to enter:

1. Create a Pillsbury Classic Pizza Pinspiration Pinterest Board
2. Pin at least 3 pizza recipes from Pillsbury.com
3. Head to Pillsbury.com to register your board. www.pillsbury.com/sweepstakes/pillsbury-free-grill

Win a gift pack containing:

• 19-piece grill set
• $10 gift card for ingredients

Retail Value: $50

Enter on the rafflecopter form.

Congratulations to entry #4280 N.R. for winning the Motor Oil Matters $50 Gift Card.  The winner has been contacted.  Thanks to all who entered.  

You can still enter to win:

Bendastix Giveaway

Oriental Trading Company $25 Gift Card

Disclosure:  I received products for review and a gift card for the giveaway.  All opinions are honest and are my own.  

My son just turned 6 and he is a Transformers fanatic.  He really wanted Transformer party supplies for his birthday party.  For months leading up to his birthday, I checked for Transformers party supplies in all the grocery and department stores in our area.  There was only one store that carried anything Transformers and it was a small selection.  Running out of options, I looked to the internet and was thrilled to find a large selection of Transformers party supplies at Oriental Trading Co.  My son was so excited and helped pick out the supplies.  His must haves were the Transformers cups and tablecloth.  He really wanted the tablecloth.  In fact, he insisted on it and it did add to the ambiance at the party.  

A very excited birthday boy!  He couldn't wait to open the box.  

Oriental Trading Company had everything we needed.  I didn't have to run around to several stores trying to find the perfect party supplies.  We found all these party supplies, thank you notes, a favor pack, and pencils online.  It was so easy.  

We set up the color coordinating Transformers napkins and cups on the serving table.

I love this yellow birthday banner that coordinates so well with the Transformers theme.  

The Transformers tablecloth that my 6 year old wanted looked great on the serving table.  

We used these fun Bumblebee dessert plates to serve the Autobot cake.

Planning a party?  Oriental Trading Co. has you covered.  
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Enter on the rafflecopter form to win a $25 Oriental Trading Co. Gift Card.

Winner of the Jack the Giant Slayer Giveaway:  Entry #225 Rebeka

We had baked potatoes for dinner last night and they were so big our family of 5 only finished 3 of 6 potatoes.  I decided to make a casserole out of the leftover potatoes tonight.  Everyone loved it.  It was thicker than mashed potatoes and had so much flavor.  It was delicious.  It was also super easy to prepare.  You don't really need a recipe.  Just peel and mash up leftover baked potatoes then add your favorite baked potato toppings (plus some cream or milk) and bake.  

Ingredients:  

2 1/2 lb. leftover baked potatoes
1 onion
4 T. butter
heavy whipping cream (or 1/2 & 1/2, milk, whatever you have)
sour cream
salt
fresh ground pepper
chives

Here is what I did:

I peeled three large leftover baked potatoes.  These were really big potatoes about 2 1/2 pounds total.  Then I microwaved them 3 minutes to warm them up so they would be easier to mash.  I let the boys mash them with the potato masher.  They all three took turns.  

I sauteed a diced onion in 2T. butter until it was golden brown.  I added the onion to the potatoes, then added 2 more T. melted butter, heavy whipping cream and sour cream (no measurements - just get the texture you want).  Stir all together and salt generously to taste.  You can add some fresh ground pepper if you like.  

Scoop into a greased pan.  The boys picked some chives from the garden so we sprinkled chopped chives on top.  Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until it is heated through and bubbling with golden brown edges.  

The ultimate back to school bash will begin on August 18th at 12:01 am and run through August 31st at 11:59 pm

Bloggers sign up to be a part of the Ultimate Back to School Bash Giveaway Event sponsored by 3 Boys and a Dog and SPONSOR COMING SOON.

Bloggers can sign up to be in the giveaway through August 10th.

You can get a free Puffs Fresh Faces sample.  This sample comes with a $2 coupon you can use at Target.  You can also check the box at the bottom of the form to receive a free sample of Boogie Wipes.   

Thanks for sharing Money Saving Mom.

I wanted to do something different for dinner the other night and came up with these grilled calzones which were surprisingly delicious.  We really enjoyed them.  There was only one left and my husband ate it for breakfast the next morning.  I used my pizza dough recipe kneading in a little extra flour to make it easier to handle. 

I let the dough rest a little, but that was just because I was busy.  I usually don't.  This is a sticky dough, so I kneaded in a little extra flour to make it easier to handle (no picture of the kneaded dough).  

Pizza Dough:

1 Tbsp. active dry yeast

1 cup warm water (105 to 115 degrees F.)

2 Tbsp. sucanat or 1 T. sugar
1 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. olive or vegetable oil

2 1/2 cups flour

Dissolve the yeast in the water. Add the rest of the ingredients in and mix.

Dump onto a floured surface.

Knead in a little more flour to make it easier to handle (five minutes or so).

Roll out half of the dough onto a lightly floured cutting board and cut into 3 pieces.  Repeat with the remaining dough.  

Sprinkle some corn meal on a large pizza pan or cookie sheet.  Place the dough pieces on the pizza pan.  Spread some pizza sauce on each piece of dough.  

I cooked a pound of Italian sausage with a sweet onion for the filling.  We didn't use it all, probably 3/4 of it so you could probably use 1/2 to 3/4 pound sausage.  

I picked this pepper from the garden and sliced it and added it to each calzone.  It is supposed to be a Yolo pepper, but I think it is a banana pepper that was mis-labled at the garden center.  It is not spicy yet, but I wanted some added dimension.  

I layered the sausage, pepper, and mozzarella on 1/2 of each piece of dough.  

Fold over each piece of dough to seal it around the fillings.  Press edges together and crimp them with a fork.  

Place calzones on a hot pizza stone or grilling rack on the grill.  I kept my grill on low (which is still pretty hot) to prevent burning.  Foil would probably work too.  I found it easier to lift them (when uncooked) onto the grill with my hands than with a turner.  

Grill for 10 to 15 minutes turning over halfway through.  

We loved the combination of flavors in these grilled calzones, but of course you can fill them with whatever you like.  

I got some great deals today at CVS.  My receipt says that I saved $58.00.  My total before taxes for all of this was $7.80 (revision-since I took the sidewalk chalk back today and it was 75% off, it reduced my total to $4.58), however, I just saw on my receipt that I was charged full price for sidewalk chalk at $4.29 that was marked 75% off so I will be going back tomorrow to get a refund which will bring my total down to around $4.50.  And I got $10 in Extra Care Bucks to use on my next purchase.  

Here is the breakdown:

2 Rolo mini pouches $3.00 each, I used 2 printable coupons for $2.50 each that are for Kit Kat mini pouches, but I asked if we could try them b/c they were sold out of the Kit Kats and it worked making the Rolos 50 cents a bag.  

1 bag Unreal candy $3.00, minus coupon for 50 cents off making it $2.50.

I bag onion rings $0.88

1 Huggies Pull-Ups $9.99 minus CVS coupon for $2 (mailed to me) and Pull-Ups printable for $2 off making them $5.99.

2 Huggies Slip-On Diapers $9.99 each, $2.50 and $2.00 printable coupons making them $7.49 and $7.99 each

Huggies wipes $2.99 minus 50 cent coupon equals $2.50

(The extra care bucks I earned were from buying the diapers and wipes.  If you spend $15 you get $5 back and if you spend $30 you get $10 back.)

I basic paper towel 79 cents minus 79 cents coupon from the coupon machine making them free.

Sidewalk chalk at $4.29 was supposed to be 75% off and will be going back tomorrow.  (I went back and they changed it to $1.07 b/c it was 75% off.  Glad I looked at the receipt.)

1 CVS hydrogen peroxide $1.67 minus $1.50 off first aid coupon from the CVS coupon machine making it 17 cents.

I used a $5 off $25 coupon from the CVS coupon machine and a $5 off $25 baby purchase coupon from the coupon machine.  (Both printed tonight.)

I used $15 in extra care bucks from my last shopping trip, but I earned $10 in extra care bucks today.

Total for trip = $4.58 and I earned $10 in Extra Care Bucks.  These deals should be good through Saturday July, 27th.  



 

My son like most two year olds loves to play with balls so we threw him a ball birthday party for his second birthday.  We kept it really simple by keeping the guest list small.  We didn't do a pinata or any party favors.  

I did find this blow-up ball pit with multi-colored balls in a second hand children's store and my 6 year old said we had to buy it for the party.  It was a hit. Unfortunately, the ball pit did not survive the wild party boys (it sprung a leak), but the balls have provided hours of fun on their own.  

I found these adorable cupcake liners at Meijer and thought they were perfect for a ball themed party.  

I made these vanilla cupcakes with chocolate buttercream and frosted some of them with vanilla bean icing.  

I swirled some of them with chocolate and vanilla icing.  I loved both icing recipes and would make them again.  I found the cupcake recipe good, but a bit challenging.  

I used these large ball sprinkles (also from Meijer) to coordinate with the party theme.

This boy is serious about his icing.  

I tried to keep the menu both manageable and delicious.  

The Party Menu:
Guacamole and Homemade Tortilla Chips
Pulled Pork and Cole Slaw
Hot dogs
Black Bean and Corn Salad
Fresh Berries
Cheese Balls (our only ball themed food)
Cupcakes and Homemade Ice Cream
Pop, Water, Juice