Using Up the Food in My Pantry

In 23 days we will be heading out for vacation!! We are so excited here!!

Anyway before we leave for vacation I would like to try and use up everything in the pantry and fridge.

I still need to go to the food store for our dairy products and all of our every day necessities.

So I looked at the pantry today and decided to use up all our marshmellows, Rice Krispies, and Lentils.

I know what a great combination!!

I bet you know what I did with the marshmellows and Rice Krispies. That's right Rice Krispies Treat. However, I had a little fun with it!!! Are you ready to see my creation?

 Does it look like watermelon? The lighting is not working well for the red part.

If the red was darker it might look like a watermelon. I didn't have regular raisins so I had to use cranberry raisins.

Now the kids have a nice dessert if they finish their lentil dinner.

I cooked the lentils, carrots, and onions in boiling water for about 15-20 minutes.

While all that was cooking I made the dressing in the bottom of the serving bowl.

1tbsp Dijon Mustard

2 cloves of garlic chopped

Salt and Pepper to taste

The Juice of 1 Lemon

2 tbsp of Cider Vinegar

I whisked this up and then slowly added EVOO.

I chopped up some celery, roasted red peppers, heirloom tomatoes, and a mix of cheeses. Once the lentils cooked I added them to the bowl. I mixed everything together. Added some more salt and pepper to taste. I let it sit on the counter till ready to serve. Serve with some tasty bread.

I love making up recipes like this.

Gone Camping

With all this rain we've been having I decided to let the kids go "camping".

That's right "Camping"...

I am running out of things to do with the kids.

We've been talking about taking the kids camping this summer so...

Tommy told me that since I was heading to Wal-Mart to pick up a little tent for the kids. (Best suggestion EVER)!!!!!!

The Kid's tent!! Of course we had to get the turquiose tent. It was that or orange. YUCK!!!

We already had the chairs but the kids were using them to sit at the picnic table.

The back of the tent.

The picnic table with the kid's snack. Since we can't have a fire in the house, I had to come up with a way to make smores. I poured some Golden Grahams, mini marshmellow, and chocolate chips into a bowl.

The kids eating the yummy snack!!!

So Yummy!!! I don't usually let the kids eat upstairs, but since they were camping I had to bend the rules a little bite.

The kid's lunch. I needed to come up with something not so messy. So cheese and crackers, and some other goodies!!

The kids played upstairs all day. I was even asked to leave them alone, but it didn't stop me from going in from time to time to scare them by pretending I was a bear. ROAR!!!!

Since the kids had such a great time in the tent and they asked nicely, I let them actually sleep in the tent last night.

The tent all set up for the kids. Sleeping bags, pillows, dolls, and flashlights.

The kids ready for their big night "camping". Please don't ask where Speed Racer's shirt is. He is going through a phase...he doesn't want to wear a shirt to bed.

I told the kids that if the weather is nice on Friday we will pitch the tent outside for the day.

They are really looking forward to real camping this summer.

We're just practicing now!!!

Saint Patrick's Day

Top O' the Mornin to Ya!!

Happy Saint Patty's Day!!

Usually for St. Patrick's Day I buy my Mom Irish Potatoes.

I myself have never tried one but the other day I found a recipe and I thought that I would try making them with the kiddies!!

Recipe:

1/2 stick of butter softened

1/2 brick of cream cheese softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups confectioners sugar

2 1/2 cups sweetened coconut

2 Tablespoons cinnamon

Beat together butter and cream cheese. Slowly add the confectioners sugar.

Add the vanilla.

Add the coconut and mix until combined.

Roll the coconut mixture into a ball.

Roll the coconut mixture into the cinnamon and put on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Keep the Irish Potatoes in the fridge.

The finished product...

Of course I had to try the Irish Potatoes after all we made them.

My first bite, I was like OH MY too much cinnamon!!! I shook some off and then I liked it because I had the sweetness of the inside.

Ballerina had the same re-action and decided not to eat the rest of the Irish Potato.

Speed Racer loved it and continued to get Ballerina's.

Speed Racer was a little concerned because tomorrow Pops (my Dad) is coming over and he likes sweets. Speed Racer thought that Pops would eat them all up. I informed Speed Racer Pops does not like coconut so the Irish Potatoes are safe!!! (The worries of a 4 year old) I think Speed Racer did a Irish Jig!!! (However, the jelly beans in the background are a different story).

The Corned Beef, Cabbage, and Red Bliss Potatoes are in the Crock Pot and we are off to a flower show and if the kids are good I will treat them to a Shamrock Shake!!

Shhhhh don't tell the kids!!

Cookie of the Week and Magazine

This week's Cookie is Lemon Sugar Snaps

I am really into the color yellow and I thought it would be nice to make some cookies with lemons as one of the ingredients.

I gathered all the ingredients and and the kids to help.

1 ¾ cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar, plus additional for rolling

1 large egg

Fresh grated zest of 3 lemons

1 tbs. fresh lemon juice

In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, and cream of tartar and set aside.

 

 

Using an electric mixer, beat together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the egg, zest, and lemon juice, beat until combined.

 

 

 

Add the flour mixture and mix on low speed just until combined. Roll the dough into 1 inch balls, place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place additional sugar (about ½ cup) in a shallow bowl, and roll the dough balls in the sugar to cover completely. Place coated dough balls at least two inches apart on the prepared baking sheet and bake until the edges begin to turn golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

When the cookies have cooled place them in your favorite cookie jar.

Then pour your favorite cup of tea and have yourself a little sweet snack!!

Be sure to grab your favorite magazine!!

This is my favorite magazine. I'm a little behind on the times because this is the fall addition!! I will be getting the new one in the next couple of days!!



Soup, Dessert, and a Funny Story

Soup season is coming to a close at our house. This brought great concern to Ballerina who wanted to know what we would be eating on Thursdays. I stop making soup at the end of March, I feel that April is too warm for soup. However, I do make Matzoh Ball Soup for Passover.

This past Thursday I made Lentil soup. It was the best Lentil soup I've ever had. Ballerina even declared it her favorite soup!!! (That's a big deal.)

I got the recipe from Lucinda Scala Quinn's Mad Hungry TV Show.

 I doubled the recipe so I could freeze half of it for later this month!!

Serves 6 to 8

2 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped (3/4 cup)

2 carrots, peeled and chopped (3/4 cup)

2 celery stalks, peeled and chopped (2/3 cup)

3 garlic cloves, minced (1 tablespoon)

1 tablespoon coarse salt

1 small tomato, chopped (1/3 cup)

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 cups brown or green lentils

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 small bay leaf

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

6 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth

4 cups water, plus more if needed

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

Garlic Croutons, optional


Directions


1.Heat a large soup pot over high heat and swirl in the olive oil. Add the onion, carrots, celery, garlic, and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Reduce the heat to low and saute until the vegetables are lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes.


2.Add the lentils, thyme, bay leaf, pepper, and the remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Add the broth and water, and bring to a boil, skimming and discarding any foam as it rises to the surface. Reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, 15 to 20 minutes. (The cooking time depends on the age of the dried lentils.) Stir in the vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If needed, thin the soup with additional water or broth for the desired consistency. Serve in a bowl topped with fresh croutons, if using.

Now, this next recipe came from "The Pioneer Woman" Cookbook. In the cookbook it says that you have to make this Chocolate Cake right away because you haven't lived until you've eaten this cake.

The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake Ever!!

Image from Pioneer Woman Blog

Ingredients



•FOR THE CAKE:

•2 cups Flour

•2 cups Sugar

•¼ teaspoons Salt

•4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa

•2 sticks Butter

•1 cup Boiling Water

•½ cups Buttermilk

•2 whole Beaten Eggs

•1 teaspoon Baking Soda

•1 teaspoon Vanilla


•_____


•FOR FROSTING:


•½ cups Finely Chopped Pecans

•1-¾ stick Butter

•4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa

•6 Tablespoons Milk

•1 teaspoon Vanilla

•1 pound (minus 1/2 Cup) Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions


In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.


In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together.


Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.






In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.

While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.


Cut into squares, eat, and totally wig out over the fact that you’ve just made the best chocolate sheet cake. Ever!!!!!

Ballerina helped me make the cake

Our Review of the cake....

Tommy thought it was AMAZING!!!!

I thought it was very good. I'm not a big fan of chocolate cake I prefer a chocolate bar. I also woke up around 2:00 am with some bad heart burn.
Speed Racer sang the entire time he ate the cake and then he cuddled up with me and thanked me for dessert. (I think he loved the cake)
Ballerina also loved the cake.

If you want to be a rock star then you want to make this cake!!!

As you all know I decorate for every holiday. That includes St. Patrick's Day!! We are proud Irish people here!!! (Ballerina thinks that St. Patrick's day is a day we celebrate her second cousin Patrick.) I try explaining it to her but she wants to celebrate her cousin. What's the harm?

I have this decoration that I usually put by the kitchen sink, but this year I thought that I would put it on the coffee table.

Here is the cute little leprechaun that I thought the kids would like to look at.

The other day I heard Speed Racer say to Tommy "That little man is looking at me."

Speed Racer made a big mistake by telling Tommy that piece of information, because Tommy likes to tease Speed Racer. Tommy moves the leprechaun closer to Speed Racer when he is not looking so he thinks that the leprechaun is coming to get him.

Speed Racer laughs very uncomfortably and moves the leprechaun away from him. It's something that has happened a dozen times this weekend.

We have plans to move it all around the house where Speed Racer can find it!!!

I know we're mean but it's sooooo much fun!! LOL.

Hope you had a great weekend!!!

Cookies and My New Favorite HGTV Show

Happy Tuesday!!!

On Sunday we finished our brownie muffins which meant that I needed to make dessert for the kids.

So, yesterday as I cleaned out the pantry, I came across some chocolate cake mix. I thought I should use it up, instead of making a cake or cupcakes I decided to open a cookbook that Nana gave me a few years ago.

"Cake Mix Magic In Minutes."

Basically it's recipes that use cake mixes.

I try not to give the kids a lot of sugar during the day, but we do give them a cookie for dessert with a glass of milk.

 I opened up the cookbook and flipped through the pages until I came across this recipe.

Devil's Food Fudge Cookies. Yummy!!!

Ingredients:

1 package of Moist Deluxe Devil's Food Cake Mix. (I didn't have Devil's Food Cake Mix so I used regular chocolate cake mix)

2 Eggs

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I didn't)

1. Preheat the oven 350* place parchment paper on cookie sheets.

2. Combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil in large bowl. Stir until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. (Mixture will be stiff) Shape dough into 36 balls. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets.

3. Bake at 350* for 10 to 11 minutes. (Cookies will look moist) Do not overbake. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheets. Remove to cooling rack. Cool completely. Store in airtight container.

I recently came across this show on HGTV called "Cash and Cari."

With her razor sharp business sense and an eye for spotting diamonds in the rough, estate sale guru Cari Cucksey combs through her clients' basements, attics and garages in search of hidden treasure. And once she and her team have organized and priced the entire contents of the home, they hold an estate sale right on the premises. From antique furniture and vintage toys to retro electronics and rare cars, there's something for everyone, and everything must go!

The show is on Monday Nights at 10:00 on HGTV. I think that she might have my dream job!!

Cookie Recipe and Valentine's Day Project

I recently made these cookies and thought I would share them with you!!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for rolling

1/3 cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 teaspoon coarse salt

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup packed light-brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup chocolate-hazelnut spread or jam

Directions

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread oats on a rimmed baking sheet; bake until golden, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl; stir in flours and salt. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar on medium until fluffy. Add vanilla; beat to combine. Scrape down bowl. Add oat mixture; beat until blended. Form dough into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, 2 hours.

2.Preheat oven to 325 degrees, with racks in upper and lower thirds. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough 1/8 inch thick, dusting lightly with flour as needed. Cut out cookies with a 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter; place 1/2 inch apart on two parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until cookies are golden around edges, 12 to 15 minutes, rotating sheets halfway through. Let cool 5 minutes, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough, chilling if too soft (reroll and cut scraps). Spread filling on flat side of half the cookies; top with remaining cookies. (To store, cover and keep at room temperature, up to 2 days.)

Here are some of my pictures.

So Yummy and with the oatmeal in the recipe it must mean that it's healthy!! Right?

Now for a little Valentine's Day Project.

Several weeks ago I was at Target and noticed this in the Dollar Section...

I thought that this would be a great family project so I bought us each a mail box.

It didn't have a slot for the mail so I made one for myself.

I used my rotary cutter and put a plastic lid in between the card board so I wouldn't cut through to the other piece.

I put out all sorts of embellishments for us to decorate our mailboxes with.

When I told Tommy my plan he had to get his macho attitude on and say that is so corny. But he did it anyway.

Here are the results:

This is mine. I wanted to keep it simple but elegant!!

This is Ballerina's. She had a great time. She was so excited to see that the glue she had all over her box disappeared.

Speed Racer added a heart and thought the heart should have some frnge. He also wrote his name!!

Now, since macho Tommy was resistant to this project at first I thought I would share with you his masterpiece!!!

He added stickers and then drew in the vines. He stamped in some Valentine's Day sayings.

Tommy then made a frame for his daisy and added a picture of man's best friend.

He even decorated the sides of the box. Side 1

Side 2

That'll show him to give me a hard time. LOL!!!!!!!!!

My plan is that everyday in February we will give each other Valentine's. On the 14th we will open our mailboxes and read/look at our Valentines. I decided to do this project hopefully new tradition because Ballerina loves to send letters.

Do you have any traditions for Valentine's Day?