The 10 Most Clicked Slow Cooker Recipes of 2013

If I learned one thing about my readers and friends this past year, it has definitely been how much you all LOVE slow cooker recipes. :)

If it can be made in a crock pot, it moves right up in my most popular posts.  

(Pssssttt... guess what that means??  There will be even more tasty slow cooker recipes coming to Frugal Foodie Mama in 2014!)

I pulled up my blog's stats and pulled out the 10 most clicked slow cooker recipes on Frugal Foodie Mama over the past 360+ days.  

Marvelous Mondays Link Party #79

Good evening everyone!  I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend and had an amazing Christmas with your loved ones! Can you believe that this is THE LAST Marvelous Mondays of 2013??  Thank you all so much for making this link party so successful this past year!  I can't wait to see what wonderful creations & posts you all will have to share with us in 2014.  :) Each week you impress us all with your culinary creations, your craftiness, and your clever DIY projects.  Seriously.  You all rock! :)

Please feel free to spread the word about the party to your blogging buddies- the more, the merrier in my book!

Be sure that you are following Frugal Foodie Mama on Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest to catch the posts I will be featuring throughout the week from Marvelous Mondays!

This week I am featuring these refreshing Luscious Lemon Bars from my fabulous Marvelous Mondays co-host, Deb from Cooking on the Front Burner.  I don't know about you all, but I am ready for some citrusy flavors after all that peppermint, & gingerbread, & chocolate the past couple of weeks... 

Say merci with Chocolates & Coffee! {A Holiday Hostess Kit Giveaway}

I was provided a merci Holiday Hostess Kit for my enjoyment & was not compensated for hosting this giveaway in any other way.  All opinions are 100% my own.

The holiday season is coming to a close.  Undoubtedly, we have attended many a party or holiday dinner or get-together.

Or perhaps hosted one or two ourselves. ;)

Have you thanked your favorite hostess yet? 

You know, the one that pays attention to every detail and makes sure that everyone is comfortable and fed well.

Who makes sure to serve everyone's favorites and never lets a glass run dry.

Who always somehow makes putting together the perfect party or dinner seem effortless and natural?

12 Champagne Spiked Recipes

These 12 Champagne Spiked Recipes are perfect for planning your New Year's Eve menu or for using up that leftover champagne after wards...

If you happen to be anything like myself and my husband, we pick up a bottle of bubbly each year before New Year's Eve in anticipation of popping the cork at midnight and sipping on flutes of champagne until the bottle runs dry.

The reality?

I am lucky to make it to midnight without passing out on the couch first, and I rarely finish just one glass of bubbly at midnight. 

We undoubtedly will be left with half a bottle of champagne by the first morning of the New Year.  

Marvelous Mondays Link Party #78

Good evening everyone!  I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend and are ready for Christmas! Can you believe it is only THREE days away??  :) We are so happy to have you all here for another edition of Marvelous Mondays!   Each week you impress us all with your culinary creations, your craftiness, and your clever DIY projects.  Seriously.  You all rock! :)

Please feel free to spread the word about the party to your blogging buddies- the more, the merrier in my book!

Be sure that you are following Frugal Foodie Mama on Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest to catch the posts I will be featuring throughout the week from Marvelous Mondays!

This week I am featuring this savory Beer Batter Bread Recipe from my talented Marvelous Mondays co-host, Julie from This Gal Cooks.  I love a good beer bread recipe and you will not believe how easy it is to make...

Bacon & Sage Roasted Turkey

Bacon & butter make everything better! This Bacon & Sage Roasted Turkey will leave all of your holiday dinner guests raving this year...

This past Thanksgiving was my second time hosting the annual family dinner.  Last year, I was kind of flying by the seat of my pants. I did a little research on how to roast a turkey, and while last year's bird wasn't awful it also wasn't one that people were talking about when they left our house.

I wanted the Thanksgiving of 2013 to be different.  This would be the year that people would be talking about my roast turkey the second they had their first taste... and then after.

By golly, folks.  I did it. ;)

Everyone was raving.  Not only about how gorgeous it looked, but also over how tender and flavorful, and juicy it was.  

It is all in the bacon and butter, my friends.  

Easy Biscoff Snickerdoodles

These thick & soft Easy Biscoff Snickerdoodles are sure to quickly become a family favorite...

Post updated 1/10/19- These soft & thick Easy Biscoff Snickerdoodles deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals down below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

When it comes to holiday cookie baking, I like to have a few easy recipes in my arsenal to make.  I will set aside time and effort to make a few more labor intensive cookies (like cut out & frosted sugar cookies from scratch), but I also like to have a tasty variety of holiday cookies to have in the house and also to take to family and friends.  

But honestly with a toddler running circles around my ankles in the kitchen, I need a few little effort gems I can whip up in no time.

Needless to say, my Easy Biscoff Snickerdoodles will be baking in my oven this coming weekend. :) 

Slow Cooker Apple-Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Pork Loin Roast

This post brought to you by Campbell’s Dinner Sauces. Weekend-worthy dinners with only weekday-level effort needed! Learn more at http://www.campbellsauces.com/

Forget the ham and turkey this Christmas dinner, and reach for your slow cooker & a packet of Campbell's Slow Cooker Sauces in Apple Bourbon BBQ to make this delicious, tender, and easy pork loin roast...

I love lazy Christmases...  LOVE them.  I would be perfectly content hanging around the house all day in our PJ's, watching our fave Christmas movies on a loop, and smiling as the kids loved on their newly acquired toys and gadgets.  

But I still love that big Christmas dinner.... just not all the work that goes into it.  

No one in our families hosts a big ole dinner for us to go to either.  My parents stopped doing that years ago and took a cue from A Christmas Story and go to the local Chinese buffet restaurant on Christmas Day each year.

Sometimes we join them, but not this year...

This year I will be making this amazing, tender, and flavorful Slow Cooker Apple-Cranberry Bourbon BBQ Pork Loin Roast.

It is crazy easy- just 15 minutes of prep in the morning and then the slow cooker and Campbell's Apple Bourbon BBQ Slow Cooker Sauce does the rest! :)

Bananas Foster Cheesecake Bars with Caramel Rum Frosting

Raise your hand if you have ever worked retail during the holidays. (Raising hand.)

I am pretty sure it is one of the most thankless jobs to have during the holiday shopping season.  It is long hours with cranky, frazzled gift shoppers all while listening to that incessant company soundtrack of holiday music that is played on a constant loop.  (You all in retail know exactly what I am talking about, don't you? ;) )

I worked retail for a couple of years in my early 20's.  Not my thing.

My husband on the other hand?  He's a natural at it.  

But even the holiday season can wear on him. (Ahem... he cringed when I put on some holiday music while we hung ornaments on the tree and begged me to put Elf on instead.  I gladly obliged.)

Going Digital for the Holidays With Open Me

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Open Me, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #OpenMeHoliday  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

Confession time- I loathe going to the store to pick out a greeting card.

Not only at this time of the year, but pretty much any time of the year.

It never fails that someone with a shopping cart in hand will be blocking the very section of cards that I need to get to.  And then there is the awkward "excuse me's" while you crouch down and try to reach around the edge of their cart.

I always find myself in the greeting card section for a minimum of 30 minutes, but often longer.

Yes, I am one of those people who cannot just choose a card and go.  It has to be the perfect card for that particular person and occasion.  And if I can't find the perfect card, I would rather not give one at all...  

Boy, am I happy to see a site like Open Me pop up this time of the year!  We typically send out the one size fits all holiday card to all of our family & friends, but I usually go out and buy a special card for my husband each Christmas. 

Any time I buy a card for my husband, it is a grand quest.  Because when you are buying a card for the man that you love in your life, you want it to be better than perfect, right? ;)

I really want to let him know how much I appreciate everything he does for our little family, and how much I love him for all the hard work he does.

Marvelous Mondays Link Party #77

Good evening everyone!  I hope you all are having a wonderful weekend and getting yourselves ready for the holidays! We are so happy to have you all here for another edition of Marvelous Mondays!   Each week you impress us all with your culinary creations, your craftiness, and your clever DIY projects.  Seriously.  You all rock! :)

Please feel free to spread the word about the party to your blogging buddies- the more, the merrier in my book!

Be sure that you are following Frugal Foodie Mama on Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest to catch the posts I will be featuring throughout the week from Marvelous Mondays! 

This week I am featuring this holiday festive Cranberry Eggnog Coffee Crumb Cake from my wonderful Marvelous Mondays co-host, Paula from Call Me PMc.  The perfect breakfast or dessert for the holidays! :)

Shortbread Cookie Butter Truffles

A big thank you to Walkers Shortbread for making this delicious holiday recipe post possible...

A couple of weeks ago, I picked up a bag of those red vanilla flavored candy melts at the craft store.  I really had no clue what I was going to do with them, but I knew I had to buy them.  I have been seeing all kinds of fun sweet treats & candies made from them on other blogs.  I was intrigued.  Usually I just melt down chocolate chips or white chocolate chips when want to dip or cover something.  

(These melts are WAY better than that method! :) )

I was contacted last month by Walkers Shortbread to part of their holiday blogger program.  I am sucker for shortbread... and Walkers Shortbread?  I am pretty sure there is no question that they make the best out there, right?  

It has taken all kinds of self control to not woof down every single box of cookies that they sent me- Shortbread Petticoat Tails, Assorted Shortbreads, Festive Shapes, Mini Stars, Mini Mincemeat Tarts, & Stem Ginger Biscuits....  Yep, Walkers was VERY good to this food blogger. ;)

Peppermint Bark Mocha Mug Cake Gift {+ Free Printables!}

Need a quick, budget friendly, & delicious last minute holiday gift idea?  Look no further! This easy Peppermint Bark Mocha Mug Cake Gift is just what you are looking for...

It's that time of December.... time for that scramble for last minute holiday gifts!  

This Peppermint Bark Mocha Mug Cake Gift is the perfect teacher or hostess gift.  It is also wonderful to have a few made up and on hand for those unexpected gift givers (you all know who I am talking about- those friends & family who pop over & bring you a little something that you were not expecting and then you feel sort of like a jerk because you happen to be empty-handed. ;) )

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies

These rich, chewy Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies are chock full of gooey marshmallows & chocolate chips with just a hint of cinnamon...  

Post updated 12/3/18- These chocolaty & chewy Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals down below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face lift. ;)

'Tis the season for cookie baking! Am I right?

Lots and lots of cookie baking... ;)

Last month I signed up to participate in the Christmas Cookie Recipe Swap with White Lights on Wednesday, Real Housemoms, and {I love} My Disorganized Life.  Each blogger who signed up was paired with another blogger.  

They then swapped one of their favorite holiday cookie recipes via email. Then each blogger made and photographed their cookie swap partners cookie recipe, and today we are sharing them with you all!

I was fortunate enough to be paired with the fabulous Aubrey of Real Housemoms.  :) She emailed me her recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies- a recipe that her son was the inspiration for & that is now one of her husband's new favorite holiday cookies.  And after making these myself, I can definitely understand why! ;)

365 Days of Baking 365K Giveaway!

December is a fabulous month for giveaways, don't you all think?  Today I am helping my blogging friend Lynne from 365 Days of Baking & More celebrate reaching over 365,000 Facebook fans!!  Yep.  I said 365,000!  

WHOA... :)

10 lucky entrants will win fun foodie prizes ranging from a Kitchenaid Stand Mixer to a $100 Amazon gift card to A Year of Holiday Cooking Cookbook from The Pioneer Woman!

French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls

These French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls almost guarantee perfect homemade cinnamon rolls with my fail-safe "secret" ingredient- cake mix!

Lately I have been facing my culinary nemeses head on.  First it was fudge with my Mud Pie MoJoe Fudge.  And now, homemade cinnamon rolls with these delicious French Vanilla Chai Cinnamon Rolls.  

I can't tell you all how many times I have attempted to make homemade cinnamon rolls only to have them come out tough or chewy... or both.  The amount of time and effort I put into them just seemed silly, & I vowed to myself after my last cinnamon roll recipe flop that I would only be using the canned refrigerated cinnamon rolls from here on out. 

No more yeast based cinnamon rolls.  No more messing with punching down dough and letting it rise off and on for 2+ hours just so my family could grin and pretend that they liked my crappy from scratch cinnamon rolls.  ;)

Not All Babywearing is Created Equal

This is an informative post written on behalf of Boba.  All opinions presented below are 100% my own.

Granted, it has been some months since I have been able to wear my baby girl, but I am a huge fan of babywearing.  I always encourage my new mom friends to give it a go.  I offer to show them the proper way to wrap a baby in a hug hold & to lend a carrier to them if they need it.

I pretty much loved everything about being able to wear my baby girl.  I miss it still.

The closeness & security it provided her.

It catered to and made breastfeeding so much easier.

The ease and convenience it provided me and my family- have you tried lugging around one of those infant car seats or unfolding one of those monsters of a stroller?

And the whole new world it opened up to my daughter- I mean, who seriously wants to be stuck down in stroller looking at people's knees and shoes all day??

Baby girl and I babywearing & gardening in August 2012.

There are so many benefits to wearing your little one.  

But there are also so many ways to be doing it wrong and as a consequence, to be doing your precious little one more harm than good.

I cringe when I am watching a movie or television show and a baby is shown being worn in a carrier facing out.

I feel a very strong urge to run up to parents in the mall and first pat them on the back for choosing to wear their babies and then want to instantly flip their babies around so that they are facing inward.

You can ask my husband.  I cringe every single time.

Okay, some of you all may be asking just why is wearing your baby out so darn cringe-worthy?

I won't get into all the reasoning and scientific research about it here, but I will point you to this article on Boba of Nine Reasons Not to Carry Your Baby Facing Out.  You can also refer to the nifty graphic below. ;)

I will pose this scenario to you all- as an adult, would you rather be suspended in a harness by your hips from a pole facing inward or outward?  Which way do you think would be more comfortable and would provide the most support for your body?

Of course, not every baby carrier is right for every parent and baby.  We absolutely loved our wrap and the versatility it provided, but the wrap isn't for everyone.  Not sure which carrier is the right fit for you?  Boba has created a nifty Compare Chart to help you choose.  CLICK HERE to go check it out & see which baby carrier is right for you and your little one. 

Want to check out what I have been pinning about babywearing? Head on over to my Safe Babywearing Pinterest board and follow now...

Follow Carrie (Frugal Foodie Mama)'s board Safe Babywearing on Pinterest.

Want to learn more about Boba, safe babywearing, and how it can provide you and your baby freedom together?

Check out the Boba Family website, Boba on Facebook, & Boba on Pinterest. :)

To learn more and connect with Boba, "Like" them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Boba. The opinions and text are all mine.

French Vanilla Peppermint Bark Cookies

These festive 5 ingredient French Vanilla Peppermint Bark Cookies would be the perfect addition to Santa's cookie plate... 

Post updated 12/14/17- These festive French Vanilla Peppermint Bark Cookies deserved some updated photos. I did leave one of the originals down below just so you all can see for yourself why this recipe so desperately needed a little face-lift. ;)

If you have been following my Instagram, you are probably well aware by now of my newest obsession with Hershey's Peppermint Bark Bells. One of the perks of being a food blogger is getting to try delicious new candies for free (and sometimes getting paid to do that as well).  

The Instagram posts I got paid for.  

This recipe post?  

I am not getting paid for.  

Yep. I do really love these Hershey's Peppermint Bark Bells.  ;)