I posted the recipe for these No Bake Granola Bars over at Pennies and Blessings! I made a couple crazy substitutions, but if you follow the original recipe they'll be even better than mine! See you over there!
Have a wonderful day friends!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
No Bake Granola Bars
If my list of no bake chocolate goodies wasn't enough for you, how about one more?
I posted the recipe for these No Bake Granola Bars over at Pennies and Blessings! I made a couple crazy substitutions, but if you follow the original recipe they'll be even better than mine! See you over there!
Have a wonderful day friends!
I posted the recipe for these No Bake Granola Bars over at Pennies and Blessings! I made a couple crazy substitutions, but if you follow the original recipe they'll be even better than mine! See you over there!
Have a wonderful day friends!
Monday, July 25, 2011
10 No Bake Chocolate Desserts To Beat The Heat
Are you suffering in the heat? We're hot here, but not suffering - it's our usual Summer temp. Either way - No Bake chocolate goodies to the rescue!! :)
And I just happen to have *10* recipes for you - in honor of Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda!
Without further delay, the no-bake chocolate...
Mmmmm...OK, which one are you going to try first? I do hope you find one you like!
Be sure to stop over at Top Ten Tuesday to see more fun lists!
Stay cool today friends!
And I just happen to have *10* recipes for you - in honor of Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda!
Without further delay, the no-bake chocolate...
Mmmmm...OK, which one are you going to try first? I do hope you find one you like!
Be sure to stop over at Top Ten Tuesday to see more fun lists!
Stay cool today friends!
Saturday, July 23, 2011
German Apple Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
In honor of my hubs' birthday this weekend (Happy Birthday honey - I love you!!), I'm reposting this delicious cake recipe. This is the cake he requested for this year. I think he has a thing for cream cheese - last year he had carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and the year before that was Creamy Baked Cheesecake! Maybe I'll update later with a better pic, but in the meantime go ahead and drool over that cream cheese frosting! This cake is sooooo yummy and you only need a small piece because it's so rich.
German Apple Cake
2 large eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups sliced peeled apples (I use Granny Smith)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F for a glass pan or 350 for a metal pan.. Grease 9x13 pan. In large bowl, beat eggs and oil until fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla and whip ingredients together. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spoon batter into greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour - toothpick should come out clean. Cool and frost.
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1- 8 oz. package cream cheese
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
(Enough to frost one 9x13 cake.)
Beat ingredients together until smooth. Frost cake. Store in refrigerator.
This is a great cake for Fall, but we love it any time of year! Do you like apple cake? Are you like us - you like cream cheese frosting on anything you can get your hands on?! :)
This post linked to:
~ Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
~ Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed With Grace
Have a fabulous weekend friends!
German Apple Cake
2 large eggs
1 cup oil
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
3 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups sliced peeled apples (I use Granny Smith)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F for a glass pan or 350 for a metal pan.. Grease 9x13 pan. In large bowl, beat eggs and oil until fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla and whip ingredients together. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Spoon batter into greased 9x13 pan. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour - toothpick should come out clean. Cool and frost.
CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
1- 8 oz. package cream cheese
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
(Enough to frost one 9x13 cake.)
Beat ingredients together until smooth. Frost cake. Store in refrigerator.
This is a great cake for Fall, but we love it any time of year! Do you like apple cake? Are you like us - you like cream cheese frosting on anything you can get your hands on?! :)
This post linked to:
~ Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
~ Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at Blessed With Grace
Have a fabulous weekend friends!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Creative Table Coverings
Those are not actually tablecloths on the tables! To find out what they are and how much less than 1$ they cost (and more ideas for table coverings), stop over to see my post at Pennies and Blessings today!
Have a wonderful day friends!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Rustic Italian Bread Salad
I told the story in a past post of how I got a cream cheese cookbook for free (I also posted the recipe for Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream - drool) and this is another recipe out of that fabulous book. The pics are actually from last year, but it was right before a blogging break and I never got the recipe posted. It's simple and really good!
Rustic Italian Bread Salad
4 oz cream cheese, cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon minced garlic, divided
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 ciabatta sandwich rolls, cut horizontally in half
1 large avocado, sliced
4 cups baby arugula (could substitute baby spinach or romaine or a mixture)
1 pound grape tomatoes, coarsely chopped (I halved them)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil (I used extra virgin olive oil)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper. Place cream cheese cubes on sheet. Spray cubes with cooking spray or oil. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, lemon zest, and fresh ground pepper. Bake 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool slightly.
Cut each bread piece diagonally in half and place on baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray or oil. Bake 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown on both sides.
Arrange bread slices and avocado on platter or in dish. Top with arugula, tomatoes, and cream cheese cubes. Beat balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and remaining garlic with whisk until well blended. Drizzle dressing over salad.
Enjoy!
I always enjoy having a new salad to try. And I love bread and cream cheese and balsamic and...well it's all good! Have you ever made bread salad?
This post is linked to:
~ Things I Love Thursday at The Diaper Diaries
~ Chic & Crafty at The Frugal Girls
Have a super day friends!
 |
| With all ingredients except cream cheese and dressing. |
 | |
| With cream cheese and dressing drizzled over - yum! |
4 oz cream cheese, cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon minced garlic, divided
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 ciabatta sandwich rolls, cut horizontally in half
1 large avocado, sliced
4 cups baby arugula (could substitute baby spinach or romaine or a mixture)
1 pound grape tomatoes, coarsely chopped (I halved them)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil (I used extra virgin olive oil)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Cover baking sheet with parchment paper. Place cream cheese cubes on sheet. Spray cubes with cooking spray or oil. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, lemon zest, and fresh ground pepper. Bake 8-10 minutes, until lightly browned. Cool slightly.
Cut each bread piece diagonally in half and place on baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray or oil. Bake 3-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown on both sides.
Arrange bread slices and avocado on platter or in dish. Top with arugula, tomatoes, and cream cheese cubes. Beat balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and remaining garlic with whisk until well blended. Drizzle dressing over salad.
Enjoy!
I always enjoy having a new salad to try. And I love bread and cream cheese and balsamic and...well it's all good! Have you ever made bread salad?
This post is linked to:
~ Things I Love Thursday at The Diaper Diaries
~ Chic & Crafty at The Frugal Girls
Have a super day friends!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
The Stocked Kitchen {Review}
I wanted to review this cookbook because I liked the sound of the idea. The concept is a good one to get busy moms back into the kitchen who have been relying too much on eating out or eating convenience foods because they're overwhelmed by the planning and prep time.
The Stocked Kitchen has several copies of one main grocery list. As long as you keep mostly stocked with the items on that list, you can make any of the 300 recipes in the book. Recipes include appetizers, salads, soups, breads, pastas, meat/chicken, beans/potatoes/veggies, desserts, and breakfasts.
I went through the list and actually had most of the items in my kitchen already. It wouldn't take much to get the extra things. And there aren't too many convenience/packaged foods on the list other than some canned goods and cake and brownie mixes. The list can be easily adapted to your specific dietary preferences.
Though I saw several recipes in The Stocked Kitchen to try, I wasn't quite as excited about them as I had originally hoped to be - but that could just be my own food preferences. Keep in mind that the recipes are supposed to be simple with a variety of types of meals and not a lot of specialty ingredients. I did try the Chocolate Peppermint Bars (they were fine, but I would have to add something more) and the Baked Penne Pasta (my family enjoyed this and classified it a "keeper"). There are a few pictures of the recipes, all with white backgrounds, grouped in the middle of the book.
Overall, I think Sarah Kallio and Stacey Krastins came up with a great concept! And even if you don't love every recipe - if stocking your kitchen keeps you from eating out even one extra time a week or reduces your stress level in the kitchen, then it's worth it. To get a little more info, watch the authors talk about the book, try out some of the recipes from the website, or just buy the book here!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this cookbook to look through and post a review if I wished. My opinions, as always, are completely my own!
How often do you rely on convenience foods or eating out for dinner? I admit - I used convenience foods (frozen - just heated up) last night for dinner as the boys had to head to Boy Scouts. The food was fairly healthy as it was all from Trader Joe's, but still definitely cost more than if I had cooked from scratch!
Have a wonderful day friends!
The Stocked Kitchen has several copies of one main grocery list. As long as you keep mostly stocked with the items on that list, you can make any of the 300 recipes in the book. Recipes include appetizers, salads, soups, breads, pastas, meat/chicken, beans/potatoes/veggies, desserts, and breakfasts.
I went through the list and actually had most of the items in my kitchen already. It wouldn't take much to get the extra things. And there aren't too many convenience/packaged foods on the list other than some canned goods and cake and brownie mixes. The list can be easily adapted to your specific dietary preferences.
Though I saw several recipes in The Stocked Kitchen to try, I wasn't quite as excited about them as I had originally hoped to be - but that could just be my own food preferences. Keep in mind that the recipes are supposed to be simple with a variety of types of meals and not a lot of specialty ingredients. I did try the Chocolate Peppermint Bars (they were fine, but I would have to add something more) and the Baked Penne Pasta (my family enjoyed this and classified it a "keeper"). There are a few pictures of the recipes, all with white backgrounds, grouped in the middle of the book.
Overall, I think Sarah Kallio and Stacey Krastins came up with a great concept! And even if you don't love every recipe - if stocking your kitchen keeps you from eating out even one extra time a week or reduces your stress level in the kitchen, then it's worth it. To get a little more info, watch the authors talk about the book, try out some of the recipes from the website, or just buy the book here!
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this cookbook to look through and post a review if I wished. My opinions, as always, are completely my own!
How often do you rely on convenience foods or eating out for dinner? I admit - I used convenience foods (frozen - just heated up) last night for dinner as the boys had to head to Boy Scouts. The food was fairly healthy as it was all from Trader Joe's, but still definitely cost more than if I had cooked from scratch!
Have a wonderful day friends!
Monday, July 18, 2011
10 Exciting* Things Happening This Week
2. Notes to Aspiring Writers ~ Your Dream, God's Plan ebook is launching - today!!! So excited for my friend Brooke! You've got to stop by the site because the launch day giveaway package is huge and amazing and includes a Kindle!
3. My hubs has a birthday this weekend - so this is of course his birthday week! He seems to be under the impression that I should be doing fabulous things to celebrate each day (er, maybe because I insist on it during my bday week - heh). I pointed out that I had neatly folded some clean clothes for him, but that apparently lacked the "wow" factor he was looking for. :) Love you honey!!
4. Speaking of birthdays, my best blogging buddy Kim from Homesteader's Heart has a birthday this week! Happy Birthday my friend!! Be sure to stop by and tell her Hi and Happy Birthday!
5. I get to have a root canal this week! Oh, that's not exciting for you? Come to think of it, I'm not too excited about it either.
6. I have a cookbook review to post this week for you - interesting concept for a cookbook which is why I wanted to check it out. I'll have it posted in the next day or two.
7. I'll have a post over at Pennies and Blessings this week - I'll let you know when it's up. Do stop over there and look around. There's so much good info from such friendly people - you'll enjoy it!
8. It's National Ice Cream Month. Yum. And Tina at Mom's Crazy Cooking has an ice cream linky party all this week! Go check out the ice cream links and add your own! And can I have a bite? I'm trying to avoid dessert this week. Sigh. That is n.o.t. exciting.
9. I think I have an idea for a blog series. I've never written a blog series so that's a little strange for me. I would love to have the first post up this week, but we'll see. Try to contain your excitement. ;)
10. I'll be playing with my new smart phone. OK - I've had it for more than a week, but I'm still learning. So by using the smart phone, will I get smarter? Hmmm... And I've yet to find an app that will do my housework for me.
What exciting things are happening for you this week? Do tell! You know what else is exciting? Hello - Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda! Go check it out.
* The word Exciting has a broad definition according to this writer. Not responsible for lack of excited feelings when reading above statements.
Have a fabulous day friends!!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
10 Things You Might Hear Yourself Asking Your 11-Year Old Son
2. MUST you keep making that horribly annoying noise?
3. Are you sure you didn't already hit me for that slugbug? Seems like the rules keep changing.
4. Is that what you're going to wear? Weren't we giving that shirt away?
5. Can you turn the volume down on that video game? I'm getting really tired of hearing the same tune over and over and over...and over.
6. Are you the one that got your friends to make the same annoying noises? Have you thought of using your powers for good?
7. Do I need to remind you that your shirt is not a napkin?
8. Have you seen the bottoms of your feet? 'Cause they are b.l.a.c.k.
9. Did you forget that we ordered you to stop growing? (He's over 5'3" and in a size 10 shoe.)
10. Can you PLEASE go make those noises somewhere where I can't hear them?
Can you relate to any of these? And who's making that noise?? ;)
When you aren't sure of what to write on your blog, a great place to stop for inspiration is Top Ten Tuesday at Oh Amanda! I'm linking up - maybe you should too!
Have a fabulous day friends!!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Watermelon and Lime Granita
I actually posted this recipe (found it in a Cooking Light magazine) a couple of years ago on my healthier blog, but I just *had* to share it here because it's so pretty, yummy, and refreshing at the same time - a fabulous Summer treat!
Watermelon and Lime Granita
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 5 limes)
1. Place sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Place sugar mixture in a small bowl; cool 10 minutes. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes.
2. Place sugar mixture, watermelon, and lime juice in a blender; process until smooth. Pour watermelon mixture into an 11x7-in. baking dish; cover and freeze at least 2 hours or overnight. Remove mixture from freezer, and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Scrape the entire mixture with a fork until fluffy. Serve with lime wedges, if desired. Yield: 6 servings (1/2 cup each).
100 cal, .2 g fat, .5 g fiber
Do you like watermelon? Do you have a favorite watermelon recipe? I hope you get a chance to try this out! Enjoy it and the rest of your weekend friends!
This post is linked to:
~ Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
~ Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at At The Well
~ Ice Cream Linky Party at Mom's Crazy Cooking
Watermelon and Lime Granita
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
4 cups cubed seedless watermelon
1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 5 limes)
1. Place sugar and 1/2 cup water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Place sugar mixture in a small bowl; cool 10 minutes. Cover and chill at least 30 minutes.
2. Place sugar mixture, watermelon, and lime juice in a blender; process until smooth. Pour watermelon mixture into an 11x7-in. baking dish; cover and freeze at least 2 hours or overnight. Remove mixture from freezer, and let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Scrape the entire mixture with a fork until fluffy. Serve with lime wedges, if desired. Yield: 6 servings (1/2 cup each).
100 cal, .2 g fat, .5 g fiber
Do you like watermelon? Do you have a favorite watermelon recipe? I hope you get a chance to try this out! Enjoy it and the rest of your weekend friends!
This post is linked to:
~ Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
~ Tempt My Tummy Tuesday at At The Well
~ Ice Cream Linky Party at Mom's Crazy Cooking
Friday, July 8, 2011
Ever Had An Urge To Write An eBook? Then You Need *This* eBook! {Review}
My sweet blog friend Sarah Mae (from Like a Warm Cup of Coffee) recently wrote a very successful eBook called 31 Days to Clean (affiliate link). Not only is it a helpful book, but it has brought in a nice income for her family. Sarah Mae has just written her newest eBook How to Market and Sell Your eBook - everything you need to know to make money in ePublishing in order to share how she found success in ePublishing.
A little about Sarah Mae:
I have had a few book ideas swirling in my head for years and then as I heard Sarah Mae talking about eBooks, I had a couple of new ideas. But then I read How to Market and Sell Your eBook and got another new idea that I may just try! That is Sarah Mae for you - real, helpful, encouraging, and inspiring. Whether you're just starting to think about writing an eBook or you've already written one and need marketing ideas, Sarah Mae has the info you need. I like what she says near the beginning of the book:
***Giveaway Closed*** Congrats to the winner - Mandy!!
But wait! I have an extra copy of Sarah Mae's fabulous book to give away! All you have to do is leave a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing. If you spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, or any social media of your choice - feel free to come back and leave another comment telling me what you did for an extra entry! I'll draw the winner on Monday 7/11.
Ready...Set...Go.Buy.Read.Write.Market.Sell. :)
Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of the book and offered to give an honest review. I also received an extra copy to give away. My opinions are my own as always! I have also signed up as an affiliate for Sarah Mae's books because I happen to think they're great books!
Have a great day friends!
A little about Sarah Mae:
Sarah Mae, listed as one of The Christian Broadcasting Networks Six Women Leaders to Follow on Twitter, is an influential blogger, conference host, and author of the bestselling Ebook 31 Days to Clean-Having a Martha House the Mary Way, which sold over 11,000 copies in its first two months of release.This book is easy to read and easy to follow. Sarah Mae takes you through all the steps of the eBook process. I think the book is best used by reading through the whole thing to get inspired to write your eBook, then going back through it in detail as you work on your book, using all of the resources Sarah Mae has given you. There are so many great tips and links to more information - you get more than your money's worth for sure!
I have had a few book ideas swirling in my head for years and then as I heard Sarah Mae talking about eBooks, I had a couple of new ideas. But then I read How to Market and Sell Your eBook and got another new idea that I may just try! That is Sarah Mae for you - real, helpful, encouraging, and inspiring. Whether you're just starting to think about writing an eBook or you've already written one and need marketing ideas, Sarah Mae has the info you need. I like what she says near the beginning of the book:
If you’re reading this eBook, I know you’re ready to go for it…and I’m excited to be your guide and to share my experience and knowledge in the world of successfully launching an eBook. I want to see you succeed and grow something incredible. I know you can, and you will. Let’s do this. ~Sarah MaeAre you curious? Are you ready to write? For more info on the book, stop by the website. To buy the book, you can go here (note - this is an affiliate link, so yes I'll make a teensy bit of $ on the purchase. That did not influence my review - if anything, it shows you how much I like the book because I was willing to sign up to be an affiliate!).
***Giveaway Closed*** Congrats to the winner - Mandy!!
But wait! I have an extra copy of Sarah Mae's fabulous book to give away! All you have to do is leave a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing. If you spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, or any social media of your choice - feel free to come back and leave another comment telling me what you did for an extra entry! I'll draw the winner on Monday 7/11.
Ready...Set...Go.Buy.Read.Write.Market.Sell. :)
Disclosure: I did receive a free copy of the book and offered to give an honest review. I also received an extra copy to give away. My opinions are my own as always! I have also signed up as an affiliate for Sarah Mae's books because I happen to think they're great books!
Have a great day friends!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Got Leftover Coffee? Make a Mocha Granita Parfait!
I'm trying to help save that last bit of coffee in your coffee pot! Don't throw it away - make this easy refreshing treat with it!
Stop over at Pennies and Blessings and I'll show you how to make this yummy treat! See you there!
Have a wonderful weekend friends!
 |
| Mocha Granita Parfait |
Have a wonderful weekend friends!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)