Eye Balls

My son has the fruit and half time and the treat after his soccer game tomorrow and I couldn't resist. I googled Halloween cupcakes and found these. I love them and soo easy.

1 Cake mix made in to 24 cupcakes
2 one tube white frosting
3 2 tubes red gel
4 blue food coloring
5 M&Ms
When the cupcakes are cooled frost with white frosting then draw the red lines. Add food coloring to what is left of the frosting. I put it in a baggie and piped a small blue circle then added the M&M to each one.

I only grabbed one tube of gel and next year it will be 2 for more sore eyes.

Witches Fingers

We have made these for years now. When October starts my kids start asking when are we going to make witches fingers. We had 4 12 year olds here Saturday and they had a great time making them when they weren't playing tag in the circles of our house.

Sugar Cookies
2/3 c Butter
2 c Flour
1 egg
3/4 C sugar
1 T milk
1 t baking pd
1 t vanilla
Green food coloring

cream butter, sugar, eggs. Add remaining ingredients roll in to fingers/snakes.
Die almond slices with red food coloring in zip lock bag. It only takes a few drops, then shake. Place almonds on the fingers.
Bake 375 for 8-10 min

Mummy ,Mummy,Yummy,Yummy

I saw these Here and had to try them with the kids. We all had fun. They turned out way cute and yummy too.

The Bet Was On

Seeing my Hubby drink one of these made my kids curious to what they tasted like. But we didn't think that they would finish once they started. So the bet was set, If they could drink the whole V8 then they could forgo the veggies at dinner, I laughed to myself as 3 kids drank and said that they liked it. Not one of then asked what it was, they just wanted to have what Daddy was having.

I missed it

My life is busy I understand that but still I feel a little cheated when I miss something that I wanted to celebrate!!! like maybe my 100th post, Sorry life was too busy yesterday and I didn't even realize it so here's to my 101st post, complete with cake.





This is the cake that I decorated for my daughter Tuesday for her 4th birthday,

Tomorrow I will post the one for my son who turns 1 today!!!

What I do for my Sweetie

I love to do little things for my sweetie especially since his main love language is service. He is a golfer. Well has been for the last few months. Thanks to the army, live on a golf course at the 4th hole. My sweetie will call as he tees off on the third hole to let me know he will be coming by soon. This is when I pull out the blender and mix up a smoothie.

All fruit Smoothie

2 Oranges
1 banana
1/3 pineapple
5-6 frozen strawberries
Mix in blender, If you don't have a vitamix(I don't) put the oranges in the bottom.

Easy to make and he feels my love.



What do you do for your sweetie?

Busy Week

The last week before school starts is always super busy, not only are we trying to get what the kids need for school but trying to fit in as much fun as possible. And to top that off I started a new blog (well kind of). It is not a story blog it is a recipe blog, more like my recipe box. I have been trying to figure out the best way to store them and have come to the conclusion that with tagging and blog search the easiest way to find what I want was to put them all in one blog. come check it out and see Who is in the kitchen.Please leave a comment with your favorite recipe so that I can add it. Please even those of you who normally just read and leave. Thanks

Pizza Bubble Bread

This is one of my kids favorite lunches to make. They love to get their hands dirty.

2-3 tubes biscuits( the old small ones)
1 can pizza sauce
Grated cheese
Topping optional










Cut biscuits in quarters, dip in pizza sauce, arrange on pan,








sprinkle with cheese and other toppings if wanted. bake 350' for 15-18 minutes, enjoy






This is what was left.

Banana Bread

Last week my 5 yr old asked if the bananas on the counter were good for Banana Bread?
I had just bought them so sadly the answer was no but for some strange reason they didn't all get eaten. Yesterday she asked again and I said that we could make it today. It turned out great and disappeared very quickly. Too bad bananas don't go bad more often around here.

Food Experiment

Food Experiment 101 Fruit leather. We had a great time making this and it was super easy. First peel fruit and put it in food processed




Blend until smooth, add cooked squash (no one will know)



Smooth on dehydrator tray



Put in dehydrator




Wait until dry and enjoy




Things that I learned, spread it thick and don't dry until crisp.

Cooking Lessons

My girls love to cook and my oldest loves lasagna. Not to mention the comment made last week that I once Made lasagna. I decided that It was time for a cooking class, everyone should know how to make their favorite food right? So the last shopping trip I got the supplies:

Chunky spaghetti sauce, What's in there hides better in lasagna
Whole wheat lasagna noodles, I switched to whole wheat noodles about
18months ago. Only one kids commented but she eats them.
Ricotta cheese
Cheddar cheese, I buy it in bulk shredded from Costco

My 12 yr old did the rest with a little help from a 3yr old who couldn't be left out. She did a great job. We did do something new we never drained the noodles just took them straight out of the hot water and one less dish to wash. Plus they never stuck together.



Everyone enjoyed the meal as a family. What a great out come.

Some Things Are Still Cool

It surprises me how somethings that I consider old technology are still so cool. The one that has been in my mind this week is hot air popcorn poppers, We seem to have moved on to microwave pop corn but my kids love to have popcorn popped by good old hot air.



I think that they like to watch it come out just as much as they like to eat it. It tastes great.

What "old technology" do your kids like?

Fondant

I love to watch cake decorating shows and see them work with fondant. So yesterday I tried it. I loved working with it. The cake was simple but very cute. All white with a pink border and flowers on top. I will definitely use it again, maybe I will flavor it next time.

100 % Whole Wheat Waffles

You know I love my man if I will make waffles from scratch, that take multiple bowls. But they are good.

100% Whole Wheat Waffles

2 c ground whole wheat flour
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 egg yolks
2 c Rice milk
3/4 c Applesauce/safflower oil(use half of each to make the 3/4 cup)
2 egg whites

In a large mixing bowl mix Flour, baking powder and salt. in small bowl beat eggs with a fork. Beat in rice milk and applesauce/safflower oil. Add to flour mixture and mix until slightly lumpy.
In a small mixing bowl beat egg whites with mixer till stiff peaks form. Gently fold in egg whites. Do not over mix.
Pour batter in to hot greased waffle Iron.
Makes 6-7 Belgian waffles

I enjoy these also and the kids will eat them which is a big plus. They are great with fresh sliced strawberry.

Mango Salsa

I have been in the mood for this so I thought I would post it. Sorry the amounts aren't exact It is just to taste.

Mango pico de gallo

3 or 4 large mangoes or 3 large and 2 small (ripe)
3 large red tomatoes
1 red onion
cilantro
1-2 Serrano peppers
1-2cucumber
lemon
salt

Dice mangoes, Serrano, onions, tomatoes, cucumber and cilantro. Mix all ingredients in a a bowl, add lemon juice and salt to taste. Chill for an hour or overnight.


For salsa mango you can vary by adding other fruits such as pineapples or peaches. Experiment and have fun with it. I love to add pineapple.

Strawberry Pie

As I went through my recipes this morning to figure out which one to post I realized I have everything to make this, and will today.

Strawberry Pie

1 pre-cooked pie crust cooled
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1 T sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla
5 c sliced strawberries
3/4 c sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 c water
3 heaping T corn starch
red food coloring

Mix cream cheese, T sugar and vanilla until smooth, spread in bottom of pie crust

mix sugar,salt,water,cornstarch,and red food coloring unlit smooth, heat until thick, mix with sliced strawberries, place in pie crust over cream cheese, chill in fridge for 2 hours to set.

Farmers Market

I finally made it to the local farmers market today. After finding a place to park in a old down town with no parking. I walked a few blocks and really enjoyed myself. Most of the vendors are organic but the prices weren't that bad except the strawberry, they were expensive. So I stopped by the local save mart on the way home and picked up them for a much better price. I love having fresh fruit in the house for my kids to eat. If it is there they eat it.

I am excited to take my kids back and let them pick out foods they want to try.

Favorite Friday Cheesy Apples

Today recipe was first brought into my house when I had my first little boy, by a wonderful neighbor. It has been a family favorite for almost 8 years now. It is great because it works for both a breakfast and a desert and I know people who serve it as a side dish.

Cheesy Apples

8 apples peeled cored and sliced
1/2 lb velveta cheese cubed
1 C sugar
3/4 c flour
1/2 c butter

Place Apples in a 9x9 pan
Mix remaining ingredients until soft dough forms, easily done with a mixer.
spoon topping over apples, Bake at 370* for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Can be served right from the oven or cooled and is great with Ice cream.

I must admit that I have never made a single batch.

Dishes made easy

I have spent the last few days with extended family and have really enjoyed the time. I am every grateful to the modern invention of paper dishes. When you add me and my 6 to a group most times you at least double it and paper dishes have come in very handy. So I say yes it is OK to use paper plates when you have company. The meals have all been delicious and clean up very easy. So here's to paper plates and more time with family.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies

While I am away from home I decided to put a favorite recipe that I can remember without my cookbook. It is also a great recipe to make with kids, because it is so simple.

Pumpkin spice cookies

1 spice cake mix
1 14 oz can pumpkin

How easy is that. Optional ingredients are one egg, and my kids love to add chocolate chips.

Mix ingredients together and drop dough on a cookie sheet. bake at 350 for 15-20 mins.

I hope you enjoy.