National Trail Mix Day

Attention, please!

Did you know that today is National Trail Mix Day?

Every year on August 31st, National Trail Mix Day is celebrated.

It is a day to celebrate how summer is winding down and fall's cooler temps are beginning to appear...somewhere.  (Although, it may still be really hot in your neck of the woods.)  To honor this day, you are supposed to whip up a batch of trail mix and go hiking in the woods.  Sounds like a great idea no matter what the temperature.

Trail mix is also known by many other names.  For example, some call in gorp; usually scouts.  Now, I was a girl scout leader for many years and threw around the word gorp, like any other knowledgeable scout leader :)...but, I had no idea it might actually stand for something.  The jury is still out on that.  Some say it means “Gobs Of Raw Protein,” or “Granola, Oats, Raisins, and Peanuts."  Either way or whatever you call it, trail mix is fun to make.  No measuring, no baking, interchangeable ingredients, kid friendly and ready to go IMMEDIATELY!  You many start munching before you even leave for a hike.  There are so many varieties out there and ones that are even holiday inspired.  Here is one my daughter and I put together in honor of National Trail Mix Day!

Doesn't this look good?  I have decided to call it...Terrific Trail Mix in honor of National Trail Mix Day.  Pretty creative on my part, right?  I combined cinnamon oat squares, pretzels, popcorn, dark chocolate covered raisins and caramel bugles.  I love the sweet and salty flavors.  Always a great combo!  Really, that is the key to a good trail mix.  Make sure you have a mix of sweet and salty flavors.  At least that is a requirement of mine.

Evidently, August 31 is also Eat Outside Day?  So here's the deal...make some trail mix, go on a nature walk and eat the trail mix OUTSIDE!  You have now celebrated all August 31 events.  What an accomplishment!  Family time, fun and food!  Love it!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Pizza Friday-No Calories?

Who's counting calories?

No one right?  If you are like me, I try to eat pretty well during the week.  But come Friday, I am so ready for a treat.  Besides, it is pizza Friday in our house, so I just don't worry about calories that day.  It's Friday!  Here's what we are making...notice I said we.  I enlist my family members to help.

Bubble Up Pizza

Yum and it even has a fun name...Bubble Up Pizza!  The recipe originates from www.plainchicken.com

Here's what you need to make this bubbling up pizza.  Bet you didn't know that was possible...

 

2 cans golden layer buttermilk biscuits

1 jar pizza sauce or your own tomato sauce

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

your favorite pizza toppings cut into bite size pieces

cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cut biscuits into quarters and place in medium bowl.  Toss biscuits with pizza sauce.  Add pizza toppings and half of the cheese.  Toss until well blended.  Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  Pour biscuit mixture into pan and top with remaining cheese.  Bake at 375 for 25-30 minutes, or until biscuits are done.

This is a super quick pizza casserole recipe with 0 calories!  OK, I'm lying.  But, it is super good and super easy.  There are also varieties of bubble up pizza you could create too.

 White Bubble Up Pizza

The directions at www.plainchicken.com are the same as the red sauce bubble up pizza.  Just switch out the red sauce for a jar of Alfredo sauce.  Add 1/2 tsp of garlic powder and 2 cups of cooked, chopped chicken.  Mushrooms are a great addition too.

Bubble Up BBQ Chicken Pizza 

Another fun variety of bubble up pizza is Bubble Up BBQ Chicken Pizza.  Stick with the biscuit rolls.  Cut them up into quarters and toss with 1 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken and 1/3 cup chopped bacon.  Set aside.

Mix together 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.  Take 1 cup of the mixed cheeses and mix into all the other ingredients you set aside.  Put into your greased 9 x 13 baking pan.  Sprinkle the remainder 1 cup of cheese on top.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes or so, until biscuits are done.  Top with some chopped green onions.

These would also be great to munch on while watching football.  The season is about to start, you know!

Three varieties of bubble up pizza!
Which is your favorite?
Pick one for your end of the week celebration or make all three!!!
Besides, it's also don't count your calories day! Who knew? :)

Take time to celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Berry Delicious Raspberry Muffins

We have raspberry bushes in our garden and are lucky enough to get two harvests from them.  One bushel in the spring and one at the end of summer.  It's like eating candy!  Seems like we do that with blueberries too!

Don't you just want to pop one in your mouth?

Before we had the raspberry bushes in our garden, we used to make a day of it and head out to the country for some pickn' time.  Once you arrived on the farm, you got one of these...

I know, this Florida girl was also confused.  This fancy contraption comes with a string tied around the handle.  You then loop the string around your neck.  Now your hands are free to pick as many berries as possible and just drop them into your "raspberry collection contraption."  Very efficient I have to say.

Look at my youngest cutie, in the dark purple hoodie, and her friend.  Where did the time go?  Those two are as sweet as the raspberries we were picking!  Don't they model the "raspberry collection contraption" so well?  So what do you do with all those raspberries you have picked?  Feed them to a donkey.  Yeah, we did that too.  Must have fed him a lot because their buckets are empty.  The rest of us ate them as is or ended up taking those berries home to make raspberry streusel muffins!

Raspberry Streusel Muffins

www.tasteofhome.com has a recipe that is pretty close to the recipe the farm used to hand out after you had picked the berries.  Really the only difference is adding some chopped pecans to the streusel topping.  I'll leave that up to you.  These muffins are delicious for breakfast!

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup fresh raspberries
• STREUSEL:
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup quick-cooking oats
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3 Tablespoons of cold butter
• Confectioners' sugar

Directions

• In a bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy; beat in egg. In a small bowl, mix sour cream, milk and vanilla. Combine dry ingredients; stir into creamed mixture alternately with sour cream mixture just until moistened. Gently fold in raspberries. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Combine flour, oats, sugar, cinnamon and salt; mix well. Cut in the butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over muffins. Bake at 400° for 18-22 minutes or until muffins test done. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack. Dust with confectioners sugar. Makes: 1 1/2 dozen berry delicious muffins.

Head out to a farm or farmer's market.  See what you can find and whip up your own creation.  If you run across raspberries, by all means bake some muffins.

Celebrate the little things that make life raspberry patch sweet!

Christine

Sunflowers Make Me Smile

How can you not smile when you see those larger than life flowers.  They are such a sign of the end of summer and the coming of fall.  Love it!

I started thinking about sunflowers and searching around cyberspace and came across some really cute projects that feature the sunflower.  Sunflower Inspiration!!!  Maybe they will make you smile too!

Could this be any cuter???  Not sure the source of where this came from, but wouldn't it be a great addition to your garden.  Create the sunflower from a large saw blade spray painted yellow, a bicycle rim spray painted brownish red, a t-post, rebar and bottles.  How fun that would be!  I bet the saw blade and bicycle rim could be found on free cycle or some other recycling resource.

Dollar Store Sunflower Chalkboard

Cheap and cute!  Start with a pizza pan and chalkboard paint.  Drill two holes at the top.  Paint the pizza pan.  It will take several coats and drying time in between.  Pick up some sunflowers from the art and crafts store.  Hot glue the flowers to the top.  Now add some pretty green ribbon by tying through the holes you previously drilled.  So creative over at lizardnladybug.blogspot.com

Sunflower Mini Gift

I couldn't pass this one by.  How cute to give and/or receive one of these!  Such a crafty girl at http://bethybrat-bloomingwhereimplanted.blogspot.com

All she did was make the sunflower pattern using yellow and brown paper.  You could use a die cut machine or just free hand it.  She then glued the sunflower onto a peppermint patty!  Can you believe it?  Two were placed in a cellophane bag and any kind of sentiment could be added with the ribbon.  Told you it was cute!

Next time you see a sunflower, stop and smile...maybe make a sunflower craft for others to enjoy that smiling experience too.

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Just Say Yes!

A day filled with no's!  Ever had one of those?

Work: No, you may not throw food across the lunch table!

No, you may not use the math manipulative links to chain up your friend!

No, you may not eat the glue stick!
No, it isn't lunch time...you just got to school!
(Can you tell I work with children?)

Home:  No, you cannot have unlimited data on your iPhone!

No, you may not leave your shoes in the middle of the floor so your mom can trip on them while carrying groceries!  Grrr...
No, I cannot take you to the mall!

No! No! No!

Ever get tired of saying that two letter word?

How about just saying yes?

Say yes to a Summer Spinach Strawberry Salad!

Summer Spinach Strawberry Salad

http://www.sweetlittlebluebird.com has the recipe for this cool, sweet salad that you will definitely say yes to.
Here we go...

Gather together 5-6 cups of cleaned spinach, 2 cups strawberries that have been cut to bite size, 5 oz Gorgonzola cheese, 8 strips cooked, chopped bacon, 1/2 cup dried cranberries and 1/2 cup chopped pecans that have been toasted.

Toss all together.

For the sweet balsamic dressing, whisk together 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/3 cup sugar, 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1/8 teaspoon of dry mustard and a pinch of ground pepper. Keep whisking until blended. Drizzle on top of the salad.

The salad just bursts with flavor and texture in every bite!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet, like just saying YES!

Christine

Pesto Presto

My basil plants are pretty much done for the season.  I have harvested, then frozen and dried some of this bodacious plant.  I love basil because it is so versatile.

So, today I am celebrating all things pesto.  All the following recipes have pesto as their common ingredient.  Make your favorite pesto recipe or use mine which I got at www.allrecipes.com

Basic Pesto

Pesto is so easy to make!  In your food processor, blend 3 cups of fresh basil, 4 garlic gloves, 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup of olive oil and 1/4 cup pine nuts.  That's it!  Now you can use the pesto in a variety of ways.

Pesto Shrimp with Pine Nuts

Easiest recipe ever!  You need your favorite pasta (already cooked), cooked shrimp, all of the pesto you have made and a package of pine nuts (just toast them up a little bit in a saucepan on your stove-top).  Mix together all of the above and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese.  Delightful and done in under 30 minutes!

Pesto and Goat Cheese Crostini

Another easy recipe is Pesto and Goat Cheese Crostini.  It can be used as just an appetizer or as the whole meal.  I am so very happy with a meal of appetizers!  Throw in some wine and I am good to go.

All you need is 1 baguette sliced thinly, 4 oz of goat cheese, 1/4 cup of pesto, 1-2 tomatoes sliced thinly and mozzarella as well as Parmesan cheese.  Mix together the goat cheese and pesto.  Spread that mixture on the slices of bread.  Top with round tomato slices.  Sprinkle with both cheeses.  Toast in a 375 degree oven until the cheese melts.  It is very addicting!  You will want several slices!

Once you have made the pesto...presto!  You will have a basis for several other basil inspired recipes.

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

A Camper's Delight

I saw this poem about camping.  As the poem mentions, "where the horizon meets the trees, a glorious view and lakeside breeze, the perfect ending of a day, before the moonlight makes way.  In awe of the beauty and perfect campsite"....whoa!, screech!, halt!.  Okay, I was totally on board with the perfect camping scene until...THE PERFECT CAMPSITE!

Let me come clean.  I really don't like to camp.  I mean not at all!  If someone mentions camping, I break into a crazy bundle of nerves and sweat profusely!  I like bits and parts to the process.  Overall, camping doesn't seem to be in my blood.  As a family we went camping once...ONCE as a family!  Never did it as a child.  But, I was game to try the experience with my husband and children.  We went to a campground barely 2 miles from the house, just in case things went bad.  You see, I did participate, but decided that it just wasn't my thang.  No perfect campsite, bugs, cold, hard ground and a TON of preparation AND clean up, never got to the relaxing part.  BUT, there was a little part that I really did like!  The campfire part with s'mores.  Wait a second.  I can do that in my own backyard or oven, sit outside to observe nature in all it's glory and then sleep in my own, warm, critter free bed. 

So when I found this recipe for s'more pie, I couldn't wait to try it.  I am going to let you in on a secret.  It is insanely good!!!

 

S'more Pie

I got this recipe from the Tasty Kitchen blog.  Click on the link above to find the list of ingredients and instructions or follow the directions below.  The best part is that it is made in the oven.  A bonfire isn't even necessary.  But, you could make the pie and just eat it in front of a bonfire.  Ambiance, right?  Or on a cooler night, eat in front of your fireplace.  Camping isn't even necessary!  Sweet!


Ingredients
1 stick Softened Butter 
½ cups White Sugar 
1 whole Egg 
1 teaspoon Vanilla 
1 cup Flour 
1 cup Graham Cracker Crumbs 
1 teaspoon Baking Powder 
7 ounces, weight Container Of Marshmallow Creme 
8 whole (1.55 Oz Bars) Hershey's Chocolate Bars, Unwrapped 
1 cup Marshmallows 
¼ cups Chocolate Chips

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and spray a 9″ pie pan with baking spray.

In a large bowl beat butter and sugar together until combined, then add egg and vanilla and stir them in. Stir in flour, graham cracker crumbs and baking powder.
Divide the dough in half. Press half the dough in the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pie pan. Evenly spread the Marshmallow Creme over the bottom crust. Separate chocolate squares and place on top of the Marshmallow Creme. Place 1 cup of marshmallows on top.
Using the remaining crust, pat sections of dough on top of and around all the marshmallows (they will still show through and that is great!). Sprinkle with 1/4 cup chocolate chips, then bake 20 minutes until lightly browned.
Remove pan from oven and set it on a wire rack. Cool completely before cutting, or you will have a gooey mess. Found that out the hard way...smells so good and it is hard to wait.  But wait just 10-15 minutes, then slice to your heart's content.

A bonfire only if desired, chocolate, marshmallow and graham crackers.  You will totally want s'more pie!

Celebrate the little things that make life ooey, gooey sweet!

Christine

What a Burger!

Whataburger! No, I didn't forget the spaces. Whataburger is actually a hamburger joint. None to my knowledge in the Midwest. It is a southern thing! I was first introduced to this hamburger restaurant chain while attending college in Tallahassee, Florida. It started back in the 1950s when drive ins were popular. The restaurant's founder wanted to create a burger so big that it took two hands to hold and people would exclaim...what a burger! Thus, the birth of the restaurant's name.

We love to grill all year long and even grill in the middle of winter. Grilled food has such a summer"ish" flavor but, I love it even during those cold, winter months too.

 Summer is still prime grilling season and boy do I have a burger recipe for you! You too will say, "whataburger!!!"

What A Burger

This recipe is from www.justapinch.com
ere we go...this recipe makes 4 burgers so double if necessary.

Ingredients:

1 lb of ground meat

1/2 c finely chopped sun dried tomatoes packed in olive oil, keep oil

2 Tbsp chopped garlic

1 1/2 Tbsp chopped oregano

1/2 tsp kosher salt

4 thin slice of beefsteak tomato

2 Tbsp chopped basil

3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

2 pinches of salt

4 oz whipped cream cheese

1/2 c crumbled gorgonzola cheese

2 Tbsp snipped chives

4 thin slice of red onion

4 ciabatta rolls, split

1 1/2 c arugula

1.  In a large bowl, combine beef, sundried tomatoes, garlic, oregano and kosher salt.  Do not overwork meat.  Mix with hands until just combined.  Make 4 hamburger patties to fit bun.  Cover and let the meat rest.

2.  In medium size bowl, add tomato slices, basil, balsamic vinegar, crushed red pepper flakes and salt.  Toss to coat. Set aside.

3.  In another medium bowl, combine cream cheese, gorgonzola and chives until mixed.  

4.  Brush red onions with the oil from the sun dried tomatoes.  Grill those over med. heat on your stove-top.  About 3-4 minutes per side. 

5.  Grill burgers to you liking.

6.  Brush some more of the sundried tomato oil on the inside of your buns.  Grill the buns slightly.

7.  TIME TO ASSEMBLE:  Spread gorgonzola cheese mixture on the cut side of each bottom bun.  Top with arugula, then a burger, tomato slice and red onion.  Finish off with the top bun.  Serve.

The flavors just pop in these burgers and you too will shout from the rooftops, "What a Burger!"

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine 

When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie...

Yay!  Made it to the end of the week!  Fridays are pizza days for our family.  Everyone has worked hard at school or work and it is time to celebrate with pizza!  In my book, pizza=a'more!

Having lived in South Florida, I had access to New York Style pizza. Slices of triangle shaped pizza just oozing with cheesy, greasy goodness is the New York style way.  This pizza even folds and can be eaten on the run.  Moving up to the Midwest, I was introduced to Chicago style pizza which is a deep dish pizza that needs to be eaten with a fork and knife.  Way more pizza sauce!  Way more crust!  Way more of everything!  'Cuz that is how things are done in these parts!  It is a heavy, dense pie that needs be eaten while sitting which is good because you may need to pop open a button on your pants. So worth it!   I am not sure which one I like more, but there is always some competition about which is best. 

My vote!  I like both!

Back to Fridays...each Friday our family does have home-baked pizza.  It doesn't matter what is going on, pizza is on the dinner menu and we squeeze it in if we have to. 

Today's Friday pizza feature is our tortilla style pizza, but check back again on Fridays to see what kind of pizza we bake next.

Tortilla Pizza

Our tortilla pizza is similar to a California type pizza.  The tortilla crust keeps the pizza light and crispy.  The tortilla pizza crust does not need olive oil or pizza sauce.  We like to add veggies from our garden, but you just add some of your favorite pizza toppings and top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.  Sprinkle on some spices too.  Keep the toppings sliced thinly since your pizza crust is light.  Pop the pizza in a preheated 375 degree oven and heat for 7-8 minutes.  Keep a close eye out, the pizzas do not need long to cook.  They only need enough time to melt the cheese and crisp the edge of the tortilla.

The process is SO simple, SO quick and SO delicious.  It is a great way for family and friends to get together and they actually help!  Each person makes 1-2 tortilla pizzas with his or her own chosen toppings.  This pizza just satisfies that pizza craving no matter where you live or what your favorite type of pizza may be.

Take time to celebrate the little things that make life "pizza" sweet!

Christine

Crescent Roll Craze

Did you know that THE crescent roll came out in the 60's?  Here's a funny blast from the past story...my mom like to serve crescent rolls.  However, no matter what she did with the timer, her crescent rolls always seemed to burn on the bottom.  There were times that even the oven was smoking!  Maybe the oven was too hot?  A faulty timer?  She was probably busy cooking 10 other things at once and would just forget about the rolls.  Who knows, but whenever I break out the crescent roll container, I have fond memories of the past!

News Flash!

There is a crescent roll craze going on out there!  Everything from dinner to dessert crescent roll recipes are being passed. Since there is this crescent roll craze going around and school has begun for many or is about to begin, I thought I would share some good, quick crescent roll recipes that I have found. 

Chicken Cordon Bleu Crescent 

You can find the link above or go to www.jamhands.net to find the complete recipe.  Here it is in a nutshell:

You need 1-2 cans of crescent rolls depending on the size of your family, honey mustard dressing, baby swiss cheese slices, ham slices and frozen chicken fingers that have been cooked.  Put a squirt of honey mustard on each crescent triangle.  Then add a slice of cheese, a slice of ham and a cooked chicken finger.  Roll the triangle up.  Bake at 375 for about 18 minutes.

  French Dip Crescents with au jus

Just as easy is this French Dip Crescent recipe from www.mamalovesfood.com

This time use roast beef and provolone cheese.  You can also add a dollop of horseradish to add a little zing.  Roll those babies up and bake for about 18 minutes at about 375.  The au jus can be made or just open a can of beef stock.  I won't tell!

Finally, a dessert using crescent rolls!!!

Cherry Crescent Roll Dessert

In addition to 1-2 packages of crescent rolls, all you need is a can of cherry pie filling.  Just fill about a Tbsp of cherry pie filling onto each crescent roll.  Roll those babies up and bake in your 375 degree oven for about 18 minutes.  Erin, over at www.lemonsugar.com, made a glaze for the top.  I just sprinkled each turnover with powdered sugar.

I know what you are thinking...not really homemade.  But there are days during the school week with after school activities, help with homework, etc that I need a quick, go-to meal.  I like to think of these as semi homemade.  Add a salad and the whole process from start to finish is about 30 minutes.

Having these quick, go-to recipes is something I celebrate that makes my life sweet, especially on those hectic days!

What's your favorite crescent roll recipe?

Until next time,

Christine

What's for dinner?

Something about those 3 little words used to really annoy me.  Working and running around all day and then the innocent "what's for dinner" question.  So to solve that problem, I began creating a weekly menu that was posted on the refrigerator.  Problem solved!  When the question was asked, I didn't even need to give a verbal response...just pointed to where to find the answer.  Now everyone is happy and I created independent thinkers, knowing how to find the solution to their question.  Well, yes and no.  Now I need to actually plan out the weekly menu, but it helps out tremendously with budgeting for grocery shopping, planning out meals based on after school activities and really using leftovers as a meal.  Yep, swore I would never have a leftover meal when I "grew up."  Now they are my favorite kind of meal!

Here's what's posted on the weekly menu...a salad.  Not just a salad, but an Oriental Chicken Salad.  My family prefers to have salad as a side dish, but when I incorporate some meat, everyone is usually pretty happy.  Me, I LOVE SALADS and could eat one everyday for my main meal.  So as a compromise, I try to do a main dish salad just once a week.

Applebees Knock-Off Oriental Chicken Salad

This is so good!  You can find the recipe over at http://mommyimhungry.blogspot.com or click the above link.  Here's how it goes.

Mix the following ingredients together to make the dressing first:  3 Tbsp. honey, 1 1/2 Tbsp. Rice Vinegar, 1/4 c. Mayonnaise, 1 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1/8 tsp. Sesame oil

For the salad ingredients you will need the following: 

A few pieces of crispy chicken strips per person (frozen or from the deli)
bagged salad of mixed lettuces & veggies(I like to get ones with spinach for extra vitamins)
bagged broccoli slaw
1 Tbsp. sliced, toasted almonds
1/4 c. fried won ton strips
1/4 cup mandarin slices that you have drained 

Just mix the salad and broccoli slaw together.  If you have lettuce from your garden, even better!
Then add the chicken, toasted almonds, fried won ton strips and drained mandarin slices.  
Drizzle on the salad dressing and you have quite a meal.

The dressing on this salad is really what makes it!  Between the salad textures and sweet dressing, AWESOMENESS on a plate!  Chopsticks would add a nice touch too!  There is even enough for lunch the next day.

Take the time to plan out a weekly menu; prevents that pesky "what's for dinner" question and leaves you more time to celebrate the little things that make life sweet,

Until next time,

Christine 

Batter Up!

Finally made it to a baseball game this season.  Not one of the two professional teams in our area, a farm team, more specifically an A team.

Hmmm.  An "A" team as in The A-Team?  Mr. T was going to be there too?
Right before we left, my husband decided he better give a "quick" lecture on a level A farm team.  Aren't you sad you missed that?  In a nutshell, this is the lowest level baseball team that could eventually lead to being on a professional team.  Now YOU too are more knowledgeable about baseball! I like baseball, but I just don't get all the stats and subtleties to the game. I leave that part to the hubby and I just enjoy being outside and snacking!

What's a baseball game without hot dogs?  Well, you could have a brat as did one member of our group, always someone who has to be different.  The rest of us had hot dogs!!!  So I got to thinking...how could you enjoy this great American pastime of eating hot dogs and watching baseball at home in a really fun and creative way? Easy!!!  Create your own hot dog bar!  Check out these really fun ideas..

 Hot Dog Bar

Could this be any more inviting?  Hostess with the Mostess has such fun ideas!  You can find this hot dog bar and many other ideas at www.hwtm.com

Loaded Oven Chili Dogs

Look at those dogs!  http://mostlyhomemade.com has a stupendous recipe for chili dogs!  They just ooze goodness!  You will be licking your fingers with this recipe!

Hot Dog Chili Bar

The best part about food bars is that your guests/family are involved in the process and it is customized to each person's particular tastes.  www.sheknows.com shows another great hot dog bar set up.

Put a baseball game on tv or better yet, set up an impromptu game in your own backyard.  Put out your own hot dog bar and it's like you are at a game! For sure, you won't STRIKE out!

Take time to enjoy the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Cookie Dough Cupcakes

August = Back to School

Yes, that is true.  However, in our house August = Birthdays!

Not only do both of our daughters have a birthday this month, but they are a day apart!  We usually take the weekends before to celebrate each birthday individually because we do them up big and I need a buffer of time in between to recuperate.

But, they have gotten older...

This year they opted for a combined, small gathering with something simple...wings and cupcakes.

I found the most delicious cupcakes!!!

These aren't just any old cupcakes.  They are chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes! On the inside of these babies is a surprise; cookie dough!  The cookie dough is frozen so that it won't melt while the cupcake bakes and it is made without eggs, so you can eat it raw!  Cookie dough buttercream icing finishes those cupcakes off.  Just add a candle for the birthday celebration!

Here is the recipe I used from http://wwwkevinandamanda.com

She is one of my favorite bloggers and I even got to take a workshop she presented at the Blogher conference.  She takes the most amazing photos!!!  I took lots of notes, but still have a long way to go in that department.  Anyway, here is the recipe she shared.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes
with Cookie Dough Buttercream Frosting

For the cookie dough:
2 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
4 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup mini chocolate chips

For the cupcakes:
3 sticks softened butter
1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed
4 large eggs
2 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract

For the frosting:
3 sticks softened butter
3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tablespoons milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
To make the cookie dough, combine the butter and sugars in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 mins. Beat in milk and vanilla until incorporated and smooth. Beat in the flour and salt until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips. Using a 1.5 tablespoon scoop, shape the dough into balls or tubes. Freeze on a parchment lined baking sheet overnight.
To make the cupcakes, preheat the oven to 350° F.  Line two cupcake pans with paper liners (24 total).  In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter and brown sugar.  Beat together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.  Stir together to blend.  Add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl on low speed, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients, mixing each addition just until incorporated.  Blend in the vanilla.
Using a 3 tablespoon scoop, fill the prepared cupcake liners 2/3 full with the cupcake batter. Place a frozen cookie dough ball on the top center of each cupcake.
Bake at 350 for 16-18 mins.
To make the frosting, combine the butter and brown sugar in a mixing bowl and cream on medium-high speed until light and fluffy.  Beat in the powdered sugar until smooth.  Beat in the salt, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips!
Makes 24 cupcakes.
Cookie dough adapted from Picky Palate. Cupcake and frosting adapted from Annie’s Eats.

Read more at http://www.kevinandamanda.com/recipes/dessert/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-cupcakes.html#ixzz2cQ57PPnp

 The recipe is a little labor intensive, but so worth it in the end!!!

The girls and I had an awesome time baking these together and eating the fruits of our labor later while celebrating their birthdays.

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

College Daze

I hope you all have heard of The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.  I LOVE this book!  The main character, Chester the Raccoon, is about to attend school for the first time.  He is feeling very apprehensive.  So Chester's mom lets him in on a little secret called the kissing hand.  Momma Raccoon places a kiss inside the palm of Chester's hand and closes his hand tight.  "Chester felt his mother's kiss rush from his hand, up his arm, and into his heart."  When Chester has those feelings of insecurity, he can place his hand by his cheek and feel his mother's love is close by.  Is that just not the sweetest sentiment?  I read this story with my own girls as they went off to preschool and then kindergarten.  Even as a preschool teacher, this was a first day activity must!  

But, now my oldest is leaving for college.  Is she too old for this book?  Probably, although the sentiment is still the same no matter how old your children.  I should probably reverse the role and have her leave a kiss in my hand!  As she gets ready to leave in a few short days, I wanted her to have some items to take with her that would be inspirational when she needs a little boost.

At her graduation, we gave the book by Dr. Seuss, Oh The Places You Go.

All about starting off in the world, Oh the Places You'll Go talks all about this new adventure in an honest, yet uplifting way.  I had all the graduation party guests sign the book with a little message that she can read and reread while she is away.

As she begins her new adventure, I wanted a piece of inspirational art in her dorm room.  I came across a free printable at www.thegirlcreative.com
Just go to her site and download the pdf.  Print it off and put it in a frame.  I found a really cute, glittery frame at the arts and crafts store.  You would need to find an 8 1/2 x 11 one that suits your tastes.  This "saying" says exactly what I want her to think as she starts the day...it's like a little piece of me, my voice, is there with her.  There are so many great messages out there, I will probably find another one or two or three to send throughout the year.

While our dining room is piled high with dorm room supplies and we are running around getting all those last minute items, it sometimes feels like we are in a daze, a college bound daze!  But everything is coming together and I can't wait to show you how the dorm room turns out!

Celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Christine

Are Your Ready for Some Football?

Preseason football has begun!  Are you ready?

I came from a house divided!  My sister and I went to THE top rival state schools in Florida and my dad favored a third state school in Florida.  Not sure why that was since lots of money was spent at the other schools?  Football season became quite the "friendly" competition in our house.  Saturdays were for college football and Sundays were for professional football.  So I learned a few things about the sport, which makes me a football expert.  What's that sound?  It's my hubby laughing boisterously from beyond!  That last comment about my expertise made him crack up.  Really, I know just enough to be dangerous...just don't ask me anything.  :)

Well, we haven't started tailgating or having game day snacks just yet.  But now is the time to make some clever, football themed crafts to display.  After all, it's the decoration and snacks that make game day, right?

Just saw this one...

Football Utensil Holder

Save a couple of tin cans and paint them with brown acrylic paint or cover with brown construction paper and paint on the white football lacing.  A very cute and quick idea from http://blog.purehome.com

Game Day Table Runner

How cute is this?  I guess the word cute shouldn't be used during football season.  Let's try again...this table runner is rockn'!  Get a green rug or some astroturf from the home improvement store.  Add some white electrician's tape and some mailbox numbers to create the hash marks...see I used my football lingo!  Instantly you have a football field table runner.  You can use this at home or out while you are tailgating so that you really look like a top tailgating professional.  Again, appearances!

Football Wreath

I really like this idea from http://messyjofu.blogspot.com because you can totally customize it to your favorite team.  This one is definitely on my "to make" craft list.  The colors even work for me too, just need to change the name.  You can purchase a grapevine wreath at the arts and craft store.  Letters can be purchased there as well and are usually around $1-$2 depending on how fancy your letter is.  Pick out some craft paint and ribbon in the colors you want, then just add a premade football that can also be found at the craft store.  This would be a great gift for a college student too or a way to celebrate your team or favorite kid football player in your house.

Since preseason football has just begun, now is the time to get started on a few crafts before the touchdowns are scored!

Take time to celebrate the little things that make life sweet!

Go Dolphins, Bears, Seminoles, Hawkeyes or your favorite team...unless it is the Gators.  Yep, the rivalry is still there!

Come back again for tailgating and game day snack ideas when the season gets going!

Christine

Awww Shucks!

This past summer our family really got into the game of cornhole, yes even the teenagers in the house participated WILLINGLY!  Now this was a new game for this Florida girl.  While living in the Midwest for the past 20 years, I have done my best to observe this game of tossing bean bags into a distant hole.  I am sure that this must be too simplistic of an explanation of the game.?.  But, why is it called cornhole when you use bean bags?  I often wonder these types of things.  My investigative side took over.  I needed to know why!

According to Wikipedia, the source of all things factual :), long ago Native Americans of the Midwest, specifically the Blackhawk tribe in Illinois, filled pigs' bladders with dried beans and then tossed them for fun.  Hmm.  That actually sounds kind of yucky, but I guess you have to do with what you got.  Sounds like a bean bag to me.  So where did the name come from? I guess at some point later, farming families began using corn, from their fields, to toss.  Again, use what you got.  Enough of the history lesson...

Now my inquisitive side had been satisfied and I could actually play the game.  We just toss the bean bags into the hole, well we try anyway.  Did you know that there are all kinds of terms from cornfusion to drano to screaming eagle to dirty bag.  As fascinating as delving into that would be, probably a conversation for another time!  We just play the game!

I can find corn fields to the north, south and west within 10 miles of my home.  While I am not using corn for our cornhole game, I do love to use corn in recipes.  Here are a couple for you to try.

Summer Corn Crostini

A baguette, goat cheese, cream cheese, grilled corn, tomatoes, garlic and basil...what's not to love?  Check out the recipe details at www.howsweeteats.com

The picture really tells it all!

Grilled Corn Summer Salad

Aimee, over at www.simplebites.net even shows a trick for cutting corn off the cob.  She uses a bundt pan, balances the ear of corn on that center part and then cuts.  All the corn falls into the pan.  Haven't tried that yet but may try because when I cut corn off the cob, it goes all over!  The grilled corn summer salad is a great way to have all those summer flavors in one delectable spot!  You could even change out the veggies based on what you have on hand.  Basically combine some grilled corn that has been cut off the cob, zucchini, red or green pepper (or both), a red onion, basil leaves, salt, olive oil and lime.  I also add a tsp of cumin and a little bit of chili powder to give it that smoky flavor, that's up to you.

Or you can just eat corn straight off the grill!  You would need to shuck it of course!  We soak our ears of corn in a pot for several hours before we grill it.  Then just slap those babies on the grill.  So fresh and good.  We slather on butter and salt, but I found some great alternatives to mix up your corn chomping taste buds.

Grilled Corn Toppings

What great ideas from foodnfeminity.blogspot.com

I can't wait to try some of those topping ideas!

Awww shucks!  Whether you play games with your corn or eat it...enjoy the little things that make life sweet!

Christine