Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 cup shortening
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
2 tsp vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 package chocolate chips

Cream shortening and sugars together. Add eggs, vanilla and rest of ingredients. Bake at 350 degrees for 7 minutes.

Gingerbread Muffins

1/2 cup shortening
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 beaten eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup light molasses
2 cup sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspooon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:
Heat oven to 400 degrees. In a lage bowl, cream the shortening. Beat in the sugar until fluffy. Add the eggs, milk, and molasses. Mix well. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, giger, and salt. Stir into the molasses mixture. Blend well. Fill greased muffin tins. Bake 15 minutes or until a tester inserted into the muffins comes out clean. Makes one dozen muffins.

*These muffins can be topped with vanilla frosting and served for dessert.

Gourmet Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies

From Natalie Littlefield

Ritz Crackers
Peanut Butter/ or Nutella (Hazelnut Spread) or if you have a peanut allergy you could try frosting.
White or Regular Almond Bark

Make sandwiches with crackers and peanut butter- set aside.
Melt Almond Bark in glass bowl in microwave. Start 1 minute, then 30 seconds until melted.

Wax paper- dip peanut butter sandwich in almond bark pick up with a fork scraping the bottom on the side of the glass bowl, place on wax paper. Use the opposite color of almond bark to swiggle on top of cookie.

Shrimp on a Ritz

Ritz Crackers
Whipped Cream Cheese
Shrimp
Cocktail Sauce
fresh parsley flakes

Soften cream cheese and put in a pastry bad with decorative tip. Squeeze on ritz cracker. Place shrimp on top. Top with cocktail sauce and a parsley flake.

From Natalie Littlefield.

Bacon Wrapped Smokies

This came from a friend of mine who is a caterer here in Las Vegas. Her name is Natalie Littlefield.
Smokies
Sliced Bacon
Brown Sugar

Cut bacon down the middle then down each middle creating 4 sections of bacon. Wrap each smokie with a piece of bacon, place on a cookie sheet, spread brown sugar on top and bake at 350 degrees until done. Serve with tooth picks.

Chicken Tortellini Soup

I found this recipe here.

2 tbsp. olive oil
4 large chicken Breasts
1 large onion
2-3 stalks celery chopped
2-3 carrots chopped
1 clove garlic mined
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. thyme
1/4 tsp. sage ( I didn't have sage and didn't put it in. It was fine without it.)
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can chicken broth
1 c. beef broth
1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
1 small pkg. tortellini
grated parmesan

Saute chicken pieces in olive oil and brown. Add celery, onions, and carrots. Cook till soft. Return chicken to pan; add garlic, spices, tomatoes, broths, and tomato sauce. Simmer 1 hour. Meanwhile, cook tortellini in boiling water. Rinse and drain. Add tortellini to soup. Cook 3-5 minutes. Salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with Parmesan cheese. Makes 6-8 large servings.

Lindsay's Princess Belle Birthday Cake

I made this cake for Lindsay's birthday party tomorrow. She was so funny. She said, "Oh my gosh it looks just like Belle." Then a few minutes later she said to me, "How did you do that?" She is so excited for her party tomorrow. I am pretty excited myself.

Cute Christmas gift idea!

My really good friend Anne gave me this today, and I thought it was such a cute idea, so I thought I would share it. I figured it's an idea for next christmas, and Tara since your so good at planning ahead now you can have next year's Christmas done before this one arrives! Just kidding. So Anne gave me this really cute pillow case, and attached to it was this poem

"December the first starts a magical time,
with all sorts of colors, ribbons, and ryhme...
Sugar plum fairies will dance in your head....
If you put this special pillowcase on your bed.
The reason it's special, as you will soon see
Is that it's been dusted with Christmas Fancy!
Visions of candy canes, santa, and treasures
Will fill each dream with sweetness and pleasures.
When the time comes for it to be washed
Do it quickly so no magic is lost!
Merry Christmas"

Outback Steakhouse Alice Springs Chicken

I got this recipe from here.

Smothered Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Garlic powder and seasoned salt to taste
1 T. vegetable oil
8 oz. button mushrooms, cut in half or quarters
1 c. shredded Cheddar cheese blend
½ c. chopped green onions
½ c. real bacon bits (real bacon works best and tastes the best)
½ c. tomatoes
1 bottle BBQ sauce

Flatten chicken breasts to ¼ in. thick (or just cut chicken breasts in half horizontally). Sprinkle with seasonings. In a skillet, brown chicken in oil for 4 min., or until mostly cooked through (you could also grill them if that is easier) In a separate pan saute cut up bacon until crispy. Drain the excess grease. Add mushrooms to the bacon and cook until mushrooms are soft. Place chicken breasts on a cookie sheet or in a 9x13 pan. Squeeze a generous amount of bbq sauce on top of each chicken breast. Top the chicken with the mushroom and bacon mixture. Sprinkle the cheese all over the tops of the chicken breasts. Cover and cook until chicken is done and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. When chicken is finished, top the chicken breasts with the fresh tomatoes and green onions. Serve with garlic mashed potatoes and honey mustard sauce.


Honey Mustard Sauce

1 c. mayo (can use fat free or low fat)
3/4 c. Dijon mustard
¼-1/2 c. honey
1/8 tsp. Cayenne pepper
2 T. Lime juice
1 tsp. Ginger powder

Mix. Add extra honey or lime for desired flavor.


Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes

5 lb. russet potatoes (or red potatoes)
½-1 whole 16oz. tub sour cream (depending on how much moisture you need in your potatoes)
1 cube butter
8 oz. half & half or milk
Fresh or dried Parsley
1 clove garlic
Salt & Pepper
½ c. Parmesan cheese (optional)

Peel potatoes and cut into large chunks. Boil water and add potato chunks. Boil until potatoes are fork tender. Drain majority of water from potatoes. Mash potatoes with either an electric mixer or potato masher. Add half and half, butter, sour cream, garlic, salt, pepper & Parmesan cheese.

Cranberry Feta Pinwheels

4 flour Tortillas (10 inches)
1 8 oz container of cream cheese
1 up (80z) ccontainer of feta cheese
1 pkg of craisins (6 oz)
1/2 bunch of green onions (1/4 cup)

Mix all ingredients together and smear it on a tortilla, roll it up. Wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hours. Cut up into slices. Makes about 40 appetizers.

This came from a Caterer here in Las Vegas, named Natalie Littlefield.

Mom's Cheesey Dip

1 8 oz container of cream cheese
1 8 oz container of cheese whiz
1 half a stick of butter
onion powder
garlic powder

Mix room temperature ingredients together. Serve with crackers, or vegetables.

Baked Potato Soup

I found this recipe here.

¼ c. butter
¼ c. chopped onion
¼ c. flour
14 oz can chicken broth
1 can evaporated milk
2 large or 3 med. Baked potatoes
Salt and pepper to taste
Bacon (optional)
Grated cheese (optional)
Green onion (optional)

Melt butter in medium saucepan. Add onion and sauté until tender. Stir in flour, and then add broth and milk. Scoop pulp from one potato and mash; add to soup. Bring to boil and then add the rest of the potatoes (scoop the pulp and cut into cubes). Top with crumbled bacon, cheese, and green onion.

Holiday Simmering Potpourri

One of the ladies in my ward shared this recipe with me. You make it and simmer it on the stove all day long or as long as you would like. It makes your house smell so good. It smells like Christmas. She puts it in the fridge overnight and then in the morning puts it back to simmering on low.

1 slice of orange
1 slice of lemon
2 small pine cones (optional)
5 bay leaves
3-4 cinnamon sticks
3 Tbsp cloves

Boil a pot of water. Add fruit slices and other ingredients. Simmer on low on the stove. When you are finished, you may store it in the fridge. May be used over and over and over again.

Pomegranate Freezer Jelly

Look what I have been busy making. It is pretty tasty. I have enough pomegranates for about 4 more batches. We have also had soy butter and pomegranate jelly sandwhiches, pomegranate pancakes, and tomorrow we are making pomegranate muffins.

Pomegranate Freezer Jelly recipe

3 cups pomegranate juice
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 pouches of pectin

Stir sugar and juice together and let it sit for 15 minutes. Slowly add pectin and stir for 3 minutes. Let it stand 5 more minutes. Ladle into containers and place in the freezer.

Party Meatballs

1 14 oz can jellied cranberry sauce
1 12 oz bottle Chili sauce
1 2 lb bag frozen pre cooked meatballs

Combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 minutes or until the meatballs are heated through, stirring occasionally.

Pumpkin Crumb Muffins

1 2/3 C. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1 C. Libby's solid pack pumpkin
1/4 C. undiluted evaporated milk
1/3 C. shortening
1 C. packed light brown sugar
1 egg

Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and allspice in large bowl. In small bowl combine pumpkin and evaporated milk. Cream shortening and sugar in large mixer bowl. Add egg, beat until fluffy. Alternately add flour and pumpkin mixtures to shortening mixture; beat well after each addition. Fill muffin tins (greased) or paper lined cups 3/4 full. Sprinkle Streusel topping over muffins.Streusel Topping:Combine 2 Tbs. flour, 2 Tbs. granulated sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in 1 Tbs. butter until mixture is crumbly. Bake in preheated 350 oven for 35-40 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean

Corn Chowder

I found this on a cute blog.

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter(1/2 a stick)
6 tablespoons chopped onion
3/4 cup diced celery
2 1/2 cups hot water
2 cups cubed potatoes (1/2 inch pieces)
3 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 dash white pepper, or black
3 tablespoons flour
1 quart half and half cream

Directions
Melt butter in large saucepan. Once melted add celery and onion and saute for 5 minutes (not til brown, just til soft).
Add water, potatoes, corn, sugar, salt and pepper, making sure water covers everything, adding more if not covered completely. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender, usually about 30 minutes.
Whisk flour into 1 cup of the half and half and then stir into soup.
Add remaining half and half and simmer until soup is thickened to a creamy consistency (usually about 15 minutes).
Season to taste with additional salt and pepper if wanted. If the chowder is too thick, add some milk, if it is too thin, simmer for 5-10 minutes more.

Stromboli

I found this recipe on my friend Lindsay's blog. It turned out so yummy. The kids liked it and Pete thought I bought it from a restaurant. We will definitely be making this again. Thanks for sharing Lindsay.

1 loaf frozen bread dough
Favorite pizza toppings. We used italian cheese blend cheese, onions, green peppers, olives, pepperoni, and turkey sausage.
Pizza sauce for dippiing.

First, thaw out a loaf of frozen bread dough. When it is completely thawed, roll it out flat. Top it with your favorite pizza topping. Roll dough up aroung toppings (not sauce) and secure with tooth picks. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until deep golden/brown. Slice and serve with pizza sauce for dipping.

Healthified Cheesy Pizza Pasta

This was from the eat better america website.

3 3/4 cups uncooked regular or multigrain rotini pasta (12 oz)
3/4 lb lean Italian turkey sausage, casings removed
1 large onion, chopped (1 cup)
1 lb fresh mushrooms, sliced (6 cups)
1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen® organic diced tomatoes, undrained
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen® organic Italian herb pasta sauce
1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves
1 package (6 oz) sliced turkey pepperoni
1 bag (8 oz) shredded reduced-fat Italian cheese blend (2 cups)

Heat oven to 350°F. Cook Pasta.
Cook crumbled sausage in a skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink; drain if necessary.
Add onion and mushrooms to sausage in skillet; cook 7 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently, or until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomatoes; heat to boiling. Reduce heat; simmer uncovered 3 to 4 minutes or until slightly thickened. Stir in pasta sauce and basil. Heat just to boiling.
Add sausage mixture, pepperoni and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese to pasta. Stir until well mixed. Spread in ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish. Spray sheet of foil with cooking spray; cover baking dish with foil, sprayed side down.
Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly and thoroughly heated. Remove foil; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake uncovered 5 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Oatmeal Cookie Pancakes

I found this recipe on recipezaar.com. They were very yummy.

1 cup oatmeal
1 cup flour
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons chopped nuts (we obviously left nuts out.)
3/4 cup plain fat free yogurt
3/4 cup skim milk
1/2 cup egg substitute, or 2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 medium banana mashed
1/4 cup raisins
1 tablespoon butter melted
cooking spray

Mix dry ingredients, the first 7, in a bowl.
In a another bowl, mix the wet ingredients, the next 4. Whisk the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined, then fold in the mashed up bananas and the raisins.
Stir in the melted light butter.
Heat a griddle over medium heat and spray with cooking spray.
Cook pancakes, each about 1/3 cup, until bubbles form on the top, then turn.
Cakes will cook in about 2 minutes on each side.

Orange Chicken

I found this recipe on a blog. It turned out so good. Lindsay even said, "Mom this is so yummy."

ORANGE CHICKEN

12 CHICKEN TENDERS
3 EGGS
½ C. CORN STARCH
½ C. FLOUR
GARLIC SALT (SPRINKLE)
OIL

¼ C. CHICKEN BROTH
½ C. VINIGAR
¾ C. SUGAR
1 TBSP. SOY SAUCE
4 TBSP. KETCHUP

DIP CHICKEN IN EGGS THEN CORN STARCH, FLOUR AND GARLIC SALT MIXTURE AND FRY. PUT FRIED CHICKEN IN A BAKING DISH.

BOIL BROTH, VINIGAR, SOY SAUCE, AND KETCHUP. POUR OVER CHICKEN. BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 45 MIN.- 1 HOUR.

Halloween Spiders

Lindsay made this cute little spider using her hands at Joy School today. I thought it was so cute, so I am sharing it with you.

Homemade Snow Dough

This was in a Family Fun magazine.

1 cup flour
1 cup water
1/2 cup salt
1 T vegetable oil
1/2 tsp cream of tarter
2 T white tempura paint
1 T white or iridescent glitter
a few drops of peppermint extract

Combine all the ingredients except the peppermint extract in a medium size pan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture holds together, about 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Turn the play dough onto a waxed paper lined counter to cool, about 15 minutes. If you like, knead in pepperment extract for a festive holiday scent. Store the cooled play dough in a ziploc bd in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Landon's Pumpkin

I took Landon to Story Time today at the library. It was so fun. It was all about Pumpkins. They made this cute little pumpkin out of an orange lunch sack. We filled it with newspaper, tied it up with a green pipe cleaner, and glued on black cut out pieces of construction paper. It turned out pretty cute so we thought we would share. Happy Halloween!

Black Bean Salsa

You know how I always seem to have beans at my house. I am trying to find new recipes to use them. I found this one, though I haven't tried it yet, I am planning on it. I found this on a new blog called Sisters Stuff.

1 can black beans
1 can white corn
1 can dried tomatoes diced
1 T olive oil
2-3 T lime juice
1 bunch green onions
1 bunch cilantro

Mis together and let sit overnight. Serve with chips.

Visiting Teaching Idea for October

I saw a cute online today for little visiting teaching favors for October. I thought they were cute and that I could make them for the people I teach. Here is where I found the idea. They are little witches shoes filled with candy. The card says "'Witch' way will you support the rising generation."

Talk to Me Tuesday

I decided to do this post for Tip Junkie's Talk to Me Tuesday. She is having a Halloween Show and Tell and is looking for Halloween Ideas. I was so proud of the cute little Halloween costumes I made last year I thought I would share them. Aren't they so cute!

Little Red Riding Hood and The Big Bad Wolf!

More Watch Bands

Watch Bands

My Mom and I made these cut watch bands this past week. They turned out so cute and were easier than I thought they were going to be. We would have made more, but we ran out of a few supplies. I think I will be making more though once I get back to Las Vegas. They were fun to make and kind of addicting. The possibilities are endless!

More Candy Pots

Just a few candy pots my Mom and I made while I was home. They turned out really cute but we decided that waxy candy wrappers work better than the slick kind. Starbursts and Tootsie Rolls worked best, but the M&M's and Laffy Taffy's didn't work very well at all.

Baked Potatoe Pizza

I found this recipe here.

Pizza Crust
Combine:
1 T yeast
1 C warm water
1 tsp. sugar

Add:
1 tsp. salt
2 T vegetable oil
2 1/2 C flour

Mix together, knead with hands, let rise 10 mins. Roll out onto pizza pan. Poke holes in it with a fork. Now let it pre-cook for 5 mins @ 375.

When the crust is ready, put a layer of mashed potatoes (I made my own red mashed patatoes,which I would suggest, but I suppose you could just use boxed mashed potatoes). On top of that, put whatever baked potatoe toppings you like--example: broccoli, tomato, bacon, green onions and lots of cheese! With all the toppings on bake it again for another 15-20 mins (or until you feel like the crust is ready/the topping are warm).

Serve with sour cream. We dipped ours in Ranch Dressing.

Fancy Socks

I saw a tutorial on line for adding cute lace and ribbons to ordinary socks. Lindsay needed new socks. All of hers were getting too small and just plain worn out. So, we got new socks this week, and then I went to town making them fancy.

Trick or Treat Bags

Here are the Trick or Treat Bags I made for the kids. I think they turned out cute.

Aunt Rita's Froze Lime Treat

3 Frozen Lime Juice
2 liter bottle of 7-up

Stir and Freeze. Scoop out and add mor 7-up.

My Little Pumpkins

I saw a cute idea in an old Family Fun magazine that I had to tye dye t-shirts for Halloween. I have been super excited for Fall to get here. I think I am just tired of the heat. So, I got all the supplies and called a few friends over. This morning we all made our little tye dye pumpkin shirts. I think they turned out pretty cute. What do you think?

Halloween Hair Bows

Impossibley Easy BLT Pie

	12 slices bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled
1	cup shredded Swiss cheese (4 oz)
1/2	cup Original Bisquick® mix
1/3	cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
3/4	cup milk
1/8	teaspoon pepper
2	eggs
2	tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing
1	cup shredded lettuce
6	thin slices tomato

	Print these coupons...
	$0.40 off any flavor Yoplait® products $1.00 off any flavor Yoplait® products Plus 30 more...
	About Concordance™

. Heat oven to 400°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate with cooking spray. Layer bacon and cheese in pie plate. . In medium bowl, stir Bisquick mix, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, the milk, pepper and eggs with wire whisk until blended. Pour into pie plate. . Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Spread 2 tablespoons mayonnaise over top of pie. Sprinkle with lettuce. Place tomato slices on lettuce

Buffalo Chicken Wraps

This recipe came from a Kraft email I received. It was fast and easy, and tasted good too. That is my kind of cooking.

8 frozen breaded chicken breast strips (3/4 lb.), or about 12 chicken nuggets

1/4 cup Mayo
1 Tbsp. hot pepper sauce

2 cups shredded lettuce

4 spinach flour tortillas (8 inch)

1 large tomato, chopped

1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

BAKE chicken as directed on package. Meanwhile, mix mayo and hot pepper sauce until blended.

PLACE lettuce down centers of tortillas; top with chicken, tomatoes and cheese.

DRIZZLE with mayo mixture; roll up.

Serve with a side of celery and carrot sticks.

Ultimate Peppercorn Burgers

This is a pampered chef recipe

1 small onion
1 tbsp vegetable oil
2 slices bread
1/3 cup milk
1 tbsp crushed peppercorn and garlic rub
1 lb ground beef
4 onion rolls
Additional toppings such as steak sauce, sliced tomatoes, or cooked bacon

Heat pan and cook the onion in rings. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes and set aside.

Tear bread into pieces. Combine bread, milk, and peppercorn rub. Mix until a paste forms. Add beef and combine.

Form four patties. Cook until no longer pink.

Serve on rolls with additional toppings.

Mary's Broccoli Salad

Salad
2 bunches of broccoli, broken up
1 purple onion chopped
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
half cup of craisins

Dressing
1 cup mayo
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Mary's Chicken Fajitas

8 flour tortillas
Pineapple
1 lb chicken
2 small orange or redd peppers
2 tsp jamaican jerk or caribbean jerk seasoning
1/8 tsp pepper
tsp oil

Cut the chicken into chunks and cook in the oil. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook until veges are tender. Serve with the tortillas, and cilantro or lime wedges.

Barbeque Rubbed Chicken

I get several recipes emailed to me. This one came a long time ago but I just decided to try it. It turned out really good. I can't remember which email it came from and I deleted it already. Oops!

1	tablespoon packed brown sugar
2	teaspoons paprika
1/2	teaspoon ground cumin
1/4	teaspoon garlic salt
1/4	teaspoon chili powder
4	boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2	cup barbecue sauce

DIRECTIONS

1.	Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In small bowl, mix brown sugar, paprika, cumin, garlic salt and chili powder. Rub both sides of chicken with seasoning mixture.
2.	Place chicken in a greased 9 x 13 pan. Bake for 1 hour.
3.	Serve chicken with barbecue sauce.

Healthy Hamburger Helper

I found this recipe on A Daily Dose of Dieting blog. It turned out so good I thought I would share.

1-1/2 cups uncooked whole wheat penne pasta
3/4 pound lean ground beef
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) no-salt-added diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons dill pickle relish
2 tablespoons prepared mustard
2 tablespoons ketchup
1 teaspoon steak seasoning
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
Chopped green onions, optional

1. Cook pasta according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook beef and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.

3. Drain pasta; add to meat mixture.

4. Stir in the tomatoes, relish, mustard, ketchup, steak seasoning and seasoned salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes.

5. Sprinkle with cheese. Remove from the heat; cover and let stand until cheese is melted. Garnish with green onions if desired.

This was so good. It was just like eating a cheeseburger but much better for you. The kids even liked it. You could even use ground turkey to make it even less fattening.

Bed Canopy

I saw this on a blog and thought I could make that for Lindsay's room. I think theirs is cuter, but mine is not bad. Lindsay doesn't love it though. Maybe she will end up liking it. What do you think?

Candy Buckets

Just thought I would share the candy bucket I made. I think it turned out pretty good. I think that this is what I will be making for our Super Satruday too. I figure I can get lots of different candys and they can pick which one they would like. What do you think.

Here is the link where I learned how to do these. Candy Buckets.

Baked Swiss Cheese Chicken

I found this on my friend Rachel's blog. It was pretty good, but I didn't use swiss cheese. I used monteray jack because that is what I had.

6 chicken breast halves
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup chicken broth
6 slices swiss cheese
1 cup seasoned stuffing mix

Place chicken in a greased 9x13 pan. Combine soup and broth and pour over chicken. Top with cheese. Sprinkle with stuffing mix. Bake uncovered @350 degrees for 40 minutes. Serve with rice or potatoes.

More Washer Necklaces

I made a few more washer necklaces. These ones I think turned out a little better. I put a picture of a smaller washer like the ones I stamped and also of one next to my cell phone so you could see how big they are. What do you think?

The Perfect Oatmeal

I saw this recipe online. We had it for breakfast this morning and it was pretty good.

Oatmeal
1 cup quick oats
2 cups apple juice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tbsp butter
1/2 cup applesauce

Topping
1 cup blueberries
1 large banana
1/2 cup toasted coconut
skim milk

Cook oatmeal in apple juice in a pot over med heat for 7-8 minutes. Stir in applesauce, cinnamon, and butter. Prepare toppings and serve with oatmeal.

This was found on Oprah.com.

More Washer Necklaces

So I decided to make a few more washer necklaces. I think they turned out pretty cute. I think I may experiment a little more with different papers. What do you think? Here is the link where I learned how to make them. Click Here.

Strawberry Shortcake Cookies

I saw this recipe in a magazine and they looked good. I haven't tried them yet though.

12 ounces strawberries, cut and diced (about 2 cups)
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp sugar
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3 ounces (6 tbps) butter
2/3 cup heavy cream
sanding sugar for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine strawberries, lemon juice, and 2 tbsp sugar. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and remaining sugar in a large bowl. Cut in the butter until mixutre resembles crumbs. Stir in cream until dough starts to come together, then stir in strawberry mixture. Drop a tbsp of dough onto baking skeets lined with parchment. Sprinkle with sanding sugar and bake until golden brown (24-25 minutes). Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Cookies are best served immediately but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperatre for up to 1 day.

More Crafts

After/ Before

Before/After

Today I went to the store to get the washers to make those necklaces, but I ended up getting some different things to craft instead. The other day I was looking at a craft blog and saw these notebooks and decided to give them a try. You can go to Michaels or Target and they have notebooks that are usually $1. First I went to Roberts art and crafts to see if I could find a notebook and I found a cute little notebook thing that was just cardboard and paper with rings to connect it together so I got that and some cute paper to modge podge to it. Then I headed to Michael's for another notebook and I found the bigger one for only $1. So here are my final projects I thought they turned out pretty cute and they were really simple to make and CHEAP!

1 More Update on the Washer Necklace

So I decided to add a little more to my necklace. I saw online that you could make it like a Mother's Ring. I added a washer for Pete, and my kids. The picture is a little blurry but I think you can get the gist. It might be fun to add a birthstone too.

I also made a key chain for Michael. Shshhh! Don't tell!

Stawberry-Limeade Smoothie

I tried this recipe today from the Biggest Loser Cookbook. They were really good.

1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
6 ounces fat free key lime yogurt
1/4 cup fat-free milk
zest of one lim (about 1 1/2 tsp)
2 tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
splenda to taste

In a blender with ice crushing ability, combine the strawberries, yogurt, milk, lime zest and juice, and sugar substitute. Blend on high speed until smooth.

Makes 1 serving.

Updated Washer Necklace

I added a little charm to my necklace today. I think I may need a smaller charm or a larger washer. I think I am going to go check out the hardware section of Home Depot tomorrow.

Washer Necklace

I saw these on a blog and I thought they were so cute. The Idea Door shows how she made hers.I made a few today. It took me a few trys but I think it is pretty cute. I bought a few little charms to but they didn't fit on the chain that I had. I guess I will try again. What do you think?

Orange rolls

About 1 package of Rhodes Rolls
Place them in a bundt pan or a 9X13 pan

Mix together:
1 stick of melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup orange juice
Pour over rolls and let them thaw and rise bake according to package directions.

Strawberry Spinach Salad

My friend Heather made this for a Relief Society Dinner awhile ago. It was so good. I forgot about til this week when I decided to make it.

Salad: Mix the following in a bowl:

Spinach (you decide how much)

1/2 C red onion chopped

1 cucumber sliced

3 C strawberries sliced

1 pkg sliced almond (toasted) **or not for nut allergies!

Dressing: Mix together and then mix over salad.

2 small lemons (grated and juiced)

2 TB oil

2/3 C sugar

2 teas poppy seeds

4 TB white wine vinegar

Upside Down Deep Dish Pizza

This recipe was in a Parent and Child recipe. It turned out really good and even the kids ate it.

1 lb ground beef
1 jar spaghetti sauce
1 package frozen chopped broccoli, thawed and squeezed dry
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 can refrigerated pizza dough.

Brown beef in skillet; drain. Season with salt and pepper. Stir inn spaghetti sauce and bring to a boil. Turn into a 2 quart baking dish

Top with broccoli, then cheese. Press dough over dish, sealing edges.

Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes.

I put mine in a pie plate, but it didn't hold everything. I put half of it in a square casserole dish and froze it, so we will be having this again. It was really good.

Super Easy Sugar Cookies

1 vanilla cake mix
1 vanilla frosting
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil

Mix the cake mix, eggs, and oil well. Spoon into little balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool. Frost with frosting.

Variation:
You can add crushed candy canes to a Devils Food Cake mix to make thin mints.
You can add coconut to a German chocolate Cake mix.
You can add peanut butter chips to a Devils food Cake mix.
You can mix raisins with a Carrot Cake mix.
You can mix M&M's with a Butter Cake mix.
The possibilities are endless......

Sloppy Joes

These were super easy, super fast, and super tasty.

1 medium onion finely chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 60z package of mushrooms sliced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 lb ground beef
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 60z can tomato paste
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar

Saute onion, garlic, mushrooms, salt, and pepper with the oil over medium high heat. Add the hamburger and brown. Add the ketchup, tomato paste, and brown sugar til combined. Serve in hamburger buns.

Best-selling crumb cake

This was in the June 2009 Family Circle Magazine
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes
Cake:
1 box yellow cake mix
1 1/4 cups sour cream
3 eggs
1 teas ground cinnamon
1/2 teas. ground nutmeg
Crumb topping:
3 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup light brown sugar
2 teas. cinnamon
1/2 teas. nutmeg
1 1/2 (3 sticks butter)
Sour Cream Glaze:
10 tbs. confectioners sugar
2 tbs. sour cream

Grease 15x10 1 inch baking pan. Lightly dust pan with flour, shake out excess flour.
Cake:
Combine cake mix, sour cream oil, eggs, Cinnamon, and nutmeg in large bowl. Beat according to package directions. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Topping:
Blend flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and melted butter in medium bowl until mixture is evenly moistened and clumps together.
Remove cake from oven, Sprinkle with the topping (this will be a thick layer) Return to oven for 15 more minutes. Remove form oven and cool.
Glaze:
Whisk 8 tbl. of confectioners sugar with sour cream in a bowl. Dust top of cake with the other 2 tbl.of sugar. Drizzle the glaze over the cake. Store cake tightly covers for up to 3 days.
posted by Mom

Taco Tortilla Bowls

1 tbsp oil
1 medium red or green pepper
1 small onion
1 package taco seasoning
1 can diced tomaoes, undrained
1 can black beans, drained
2 cups shredded cooked chicken, or turkey (I used ground turkey)
1/2 cup water
2 cups cooked rice
4 tortillas

Heat oil over medium high heat and cook pepper and onion, stirring occasionally until tender. Stir in the next 5 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce eat to low, simmer occaionally 3 minutes. Stir in rice and heat through.

Meanwhile, spray both sides of each tortilla with nonstick spray and press into oven safe bowls to form bowl shape. Bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Let cool 3 minutes. Remove from bowls and cool completely.

Serve rice mixture in tortilla bowls with your favorite taco toppings, such as shredded cheese, lettuce, quacamole, and/ or sour cream.

Makes 4 servings.

Lindsay's Book Bag

Lindsay is going to be in a little Joy School Preschool this fall. I think it will be a good experience for her. She keeps telling me that she is going to go to school.
I saw on a blog a little cinch bag that I thought would be just right for her to carry her few little school supplies with her to school. I made one this afternoon. She loves it. I think it turned out pretty cute too. I just used fabric I had on hand. I wanted to use the fabric I have before buying more.
Here is the link that I used as a tutorial for the bag.
Click Here.