Sugar Bananas!

Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup

2012-01-14T14:02:00.001-06:00

My good friend, Katie shared the original recipe with me. I added a few things and this has turned into a much-loved family favorite dinner. Hubs went from being a "Please NEVER feed me soup for dinner!" kinda guy to a "Hey, do you think you could make that chicken tortilla soup for dinner tonight?" kinda guy. The secret is in the chipotle.

It's SO good. It's very filling. ...and It's perfect for warming your belly in January.

Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup

1 T canola oil
1 lb Bone-In, Skin on Chicken Breast and Thighs
8 cups Water
1 onion, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves
2 (14 oz) cans fire roasted tomatoes
1 bunch fresh cilantro
1-2 chipotle peppers
1-2 tsp adobo sauce (chipotle peppers usually are canned in adobo sauce)
1 cup frozen corn (optional)
1 can black beans (optional)

Topping:
Tortilla Chips
Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese
Sour Cream
Cilantro

There are two ways to make the broth. The alternative, time-saving method is listed below the recipe instructions.

In a large soup pot, brown the chicken on both sides in oil on medium-high heat. Once chicken is deep brown, pour water in the pot, covering the chicken completely. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat back to medium-high and let the chicken boil for about 20 minutes (semi covered), or until the meat falls off of the bone easily. Transfer chicken to a plate. Remove skin and discard. Shred the remaining chicken meat and set aside.

In blender, combine the onion, garlic, cilantro, and ONE can of the tomatoes.

Also, ladle into the blender enough (semi-cooled) soup broth to help the ingredients blend. Pour blended mixture into soup pot containing chicken broth.

Add the remaining can of tomatoes, shredded chicken, chipotle pepper(s) and adobo sauce to the pot.

Chipotle

If you like, also add corn and beans. Let soup simmer on medium heat for about 20 minutes and serve with toppings.

An alternative method for preparing the chicken broth is to simply use a store-bought broth or bouillon concentrate and already-cooked chicken.

(Chicken Stock Concentrate - 'Better Than Bouillon' Brand)

Thank you thank you thank you to Katie for this delicious recipe!

Brownie Accessories

2012-01-05T14:19:00.005-06:00

I'm a brownie junkie. I can eat 'em raw, cooked, frozen, ...whatever. They're my favorite.
This brownie habit just got worse when I found the recipe for the best fudgy brownies I've ever tasted. Sometimes I even frost them with Martha's super shiny frosting.

So, this afternoon, I checked out all-things brownie on amazon. I've always baked them the old fashioned way...in a glass 9x12 dish. Nothing fancy. Who knew there were so many options for baking brownies?

Brownie Baking:

Baker's Edge Brownie Pan

You may have seen these before. I'm enticed by the chewy edges and I'm really wanting to try this pan, given it's 5 star status on Amazon.

Chewy Brownie Pan

Same outcome as the previous pan...just a different design.

Perfect Brownie Pan Set

It apparently bakes each brownie in a separate divider, creating evenly cooked and perfectly cut brownies.

Wilton Brownie Squares Baking Mold

This is a great idea for making brownie pops or covering brownies in chocolate. This reminds me of the brownie bites at The Melting Pot.

Wilton Brownie Lifter

I had no idea they made brownie lifters. I'm sure a fork or other utensil would work fine. This just looks all fancy and brownie-ready.

Brownie Appliances:

Ultimate Brownie Maker

This is a quick and easy-to-use brownie baker. I like that I can make brownies in the summer without heating my kitchen.

Brownie Bite Maker

It can crank out 7 mini brownie bites in 5-8 minutes!

Brownie Bar Maker

If you need a little more substance than a small brownie bite, here's what you need! A full brownie bar is more my speed.

Storing and Gifting:

Wilton Brownie Treat Box

It comes with the inserts and a sticker sheet.

Brownie Liners

Just place on a cookie sheet and fill with brownie batter. The paper peels away like a cupcake liner. Or, use to hold already cut brownies.

Brownie Heart Cutters

Perfect for Valentine's Day treats. The two hearts interlock into one large square to reduce brownie waste. (Is there such a thing as brownie waste?)

Brownie Heart Plunger

This sounds like something you'd find in an OR. Nonetheless, it's a heart-shaped cutter if you're ok with brownie waste :)

Cookies and Cream Brownie Crunch

Brownie-flavored brownie topping.

Brownies Everywhere:

Essie's "Brownie Points" Nail Polish

Brownie Cologne

To smell like rich, chocolatey brownies. This cracks me up.

Please Clean Deep Inside Your Dryer Vent NOW!

2011-11-02T10:59:00.005-05:00

Clogged dryer vents can cause a fire. It's the perfect combination of heat and lint. Even though I swipe the lint trap clean after each drying cycle, there is still a lot left inside the unit. Removing it is such an easy process, given you have the right tools. It takes me less than five minutes to clear out a month's worth of lint.

Here's what happens if a dryer vent is NEVER vacuumed...

source

Here's how it goes.

Purchase a dryer vent cleaning kit. I've seen them in hardware stores, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon, etc. I happened to find mine on Fly Lady's website:

They cost $10 - $25 dollars. Money WELL spent! I think they should be sold along with any dryer. Here's a link to a dryer cleaning kit on Amazon (with the highest reviews)...

LintEater

Before I start, I empty my vacuum canister - I love to see how much I've collected when I'm done.

I also have to clear away the large objects (Like Jack, the train).

Next, I remove the lint trap and look down inside to see how much lint is left behind.

The purple arrows above are where I took the next picture...

What a fire hazard!

Next, I use the long brush to loosen the lint.

I then fit the hose onto the top of my vacuum.

And go to town!

The RESULTS:

Out of here...

...and into here...

It's amazing how much lint can build up after just one month.

Such a simple process that could save your family and home.

Puffy German Pancake

2011-10-29T11:39:00.002-05:00

There's nothing so satisfying as a warm, puffy oven pancake covered in hot maple syrup and fresh strawberries!

The best part about making this easy breakfast is how much fun it is to watch it rise in the oven. My kids call it a swamp monster.

Puffy German Pancake (Oven Pancake)

6 T Butter, sliced
1 C Flour
1 C Milk
6 Eggs
1/2 tsp Salt
Powdered Sugar
Strawberries
Maple Syrup

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400F. Place butter in 9x13" baking pan and let it melt in the oven. Meanwhile, mix flour, milk, eggs, and salt with mixer. Remove pan with melted butter from the oven and pour batter into the pan. Return the pan to the oven for 15-20 minutes. The sides will rise considerably so make sure it is in the middle or lower section of the oven.

Cut and serve hot with powdered sugar, strawberries, and maple syrup. Enjoy!

Oregano Overload Greek Salad

2011-10-23T09:18:00.003-05:00

Oregano is a rich source of Vitamin K and Omega-3's. However, what first brought my attention to this aromatic herb was McCormick's free recipe booklet I picked up in the grocery store. It's a mini flip-book, centered around the antioxidant value of specific herbs and spices.

In order of their antioxidant power...

CINNAMON, OREGANO, TURMERIC, CURRY, GINGER, THYME, PAPRIKA,
ROSEMARY, GARLIC POWDER

Some recipes included are Mango-Blueberry Cobbler, Orange-Ginger Beef Stir-Fry, and Citrus Salmon. Mmm!

In my hunt for more recipes using oregano, I came up with this delicious Greek Salad.

It calls for lots of flavorful oregano which makes for a meal like you'd find in a restaurant.

Salad:
5 Cups Romaine Lettuce, torn
1 Cup Red Onion, thinly sliced
1 Cup Cucumber, skin removed, quartered and sliced
1 Cup Tomatoes, sliced
1/2 Cup Black Olives, pitted
1 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese

Dressing:
2 T Lemon Juice
1 T Red Wine Vinegar
3/4 tsp Dried Oregano
1/2 tsp Salt
2 T Olive Oil

Combine all salad ingredients in a large bowl. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine first four dressing ingredients and slowly add olive oil, whisking constantly. Pour dressing over salad mixture and toss. Garnish with optional pepperoncinis.
Enjoy!

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-10-21T10:12:00.000-05:00

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Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-10-14T08:27:00.001-05:00

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Incredible Lightning Storm

2011-10-09T09:02:00.000-05:00

We're dying for rain here - DYING! The rain deficit is around 15" now. So, when a storm heads into town, it's a big deal. As I'm writing this, there's a gorgeous, all-day storm going on just outside of my window. AMEN!

Recently we had a lightning storm - no rain, just lots of amazing electricity. I set my camera to rapidly take shots of the sky. I ended up with about 700,000 pictures to weed through. However, I also ended up with a handful of beautiful shots of lightning.

It's was an entertaining and VERY LOUD show! My favorite is the last one - lightning shaped like a heart.

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-10-07T08:26:00.002-05:00

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Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-09-30T08:32:00.000-05:00

Last week was a big success! There were so many lovely Fall and Halloween creations added to Sweets This Week.

Take a look at Mega Spooky's Broomsticks. These look like a lot of fun.

Athena from The Stuff of Success made these very helpful travel snack trays. What a great idea.

On to this week's party!

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Well, Butter My Crumpet!

2011-09-28T11:48:00.002-05:00

Crumpets are just like English muffins. However, if the only English muffin you’ve tried has been the bagged brand from the grocery store, you have NO IDEA what you’re missing. These are tender, chewy, buttery, and bubbly goodness.

Toasted, buttered, and topped with some fruity jam - I’m in heaven! You must sit down to enjoy these warm treats. They’re so heavenly delicious that you’ll need something to keep your balance. They’re THAT good!

There are several things to remember when making these buttery beauties. They’re poured onto a hot, greased griddle into a form to hold its shape. Make sure you allow for plenty of preheating time so get that SIZZLE when you pour the batter.

Also, you’ll need a metal ring form of some sort. I bought these rings and they were just right.

I’ve heard you can also get away with using small cans that have been opened on both sides and rinsed. I did’t try them since my other rings worked so well.

I made these last night, planning on serving them for breakfast. They were so good that we barely had enough this morning. I’m going to double the recipe next time - I can’t wait to make a bacon, egg, and cheese crumpet sandwich.

Enjoy!

Buttery Crumpets

3 1/4 tsp active dry yeast

1/4 c warm water (110°F)

2 tsp sugar

1/3 c warm milk (110°F)

1 T butter

1 egg

1 C flour

1/2 tsp salt

Directions

1. Proof the yeast: In a small bowl, combine yeast, warm water, and sugar. Allow mixture to sit and become foamy.

Proofed Yeast Mixture

2. Pour milk into a glass measuring cup. Add butter. Microwave until temperature reaches 110°F.

3. In a mixing bowl, combine proofed yeast mixture, milk and butter mixture, and egg. Mix well.

4. Add flour and salt. Beat until smooth. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.

Crumpet Batter

5. Preheat griddle over low heat. Spray griddle and metal rings with non-stick cooking spray. Place rings on griddle. Pour batter into rings to fill up to 3/4”.

3" Ring

Fill about 1" full

6. Cook for about 5 minutes and until the top starts to become dry. Remove rings. Flip crumpets and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until golden.

Ring Removed

7. Serve warm or slice and toast crumpets. Butter and jam are great toppings!

Golden and Buttery

Split and Toasted

Delicious nooks and crannies!

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-09-23T08:37:00.000-05:00

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Last week, Life Currents made a homemade version of Samoa Girl Scout cookies. Wow! They look even better than the boxed brand. I can NOT wait to make these!

Let's see what's sweet this week...

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Homemade Chocolate Syrup

2011-09-22T10:46:00.000-05:00

Here's a perfect recipe for gooey chocolate syrup (without preservatives and other chemicals).

This is so thick and chocolatey! It's great for making chocolate milk, topping ice cream, adding to brownie batter, or (my favorite) adding to my iced coffee!

3/4 CWater
1.5 C Sugar
3/4 C Cocoa
1 tsp Vanilla
Pinch Kosher Salt
2 T Corn Syrup

Boil water and sugar together. Whisk in remaining ingredients and cook over medium heat for about two minutes. Let mixture cool and pour into storage container of choice. (I use glass). Once it's cool, I keep it in the fridge.

mmmm! Look how rich!

I like to use a high quality cocoa for a very chocolately flavor.

My favorite is Sharffen Berger.

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-09-16T08:25:00.001-05:00

Check out some of the great additions to last week's link party...

Jenni at Beautiful Nest STENCILED her porch!

and...

Amber at Paint Chips and Frying Pans made
PEPPERMINT PATTIES!

On to Sweets This Week!

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Raw Strawberry Mango Avocado Salad

2011-09-09T07:10:00.000-05:00

This summery salad is juicy and so flavorful - just delicious on top of some baby spinach.

My good friend tried an intriguing diet this summer. She saw the documentary, "Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead" about a man on a mission to lose a considerable amount of weight to reverse his obesity-related symptoms. He lost 100 lbs in eight weeks, eating a raw, fruits and vegetables-only diet. Most of his meals came from juicing. After the weight loss, his auto-immune disorder disappeared and he felt great.

(I found this little tool for hulling strawberries.

If you're working with lots of strawberries, it's a big help!)

Sooooo, my friend decided to go on a lighter version of his diet. She ate only fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts for three weeks. She juiced most of her meals and found new ways to prepare dinners (lots of salads).

love LOVE my new citrus juicer!

Right in the middle of her diet, she was supposed to come on over to our house for a play date. She offered to bring her own lunch and I said, "No!". She didn't want to inconvenience me by requiring a raw lunch. I was up for the challenge and came up with this crazy delicious lunch (with no specific measurements).

LIME juice mmm!

Strawberry Mango Avocado Salad
2 cups strawberries, washed, hulled, and chopped
2 firm avocados, chopped
2 mangos, chopped
1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
Juice of 1 lime

Mix all of these goodies together and let them sit in the fridge for a few hours. When you're ready to serve, eat it as is or place a few scoops of the fruit salad on top of some salad greens and top with walnuts and balsamic dressing (and hunks of goat cheese if you're feeling naughty!).

This is one of my favorite summer lunches now. I'm glad she inspired me to think raw. On a side note, my friend lost 15 lbs in three weeks. Food tastes so much better to her now. She's slowly added back whole grains and some small amounts of meat. She said the three weeks of detox was exactly the boost she needed to change the way she eats and thinks about food. Great job, girlfriend!

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-09-08T19:00:00.051-05:00

Check out some of the great additions to last week's link party...

Tracey over at The Kitchen is My Playground made these tasty
Mocha Cake Ball Truffles complete with coffee buttercream.
I think this is my new favorite cake ball combination.

Erin from Making Memories With Your Kids made these super easy
cinnamon roll pancakes. I tried this out and the kiddos LOVED them!

On to Sweets This Week!

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Teacher Gift Idea

2011-09-02T09:19:00.000-05:00

Happy Back-To-School to you!

Some have already started back to school and many kids begin tomorrow.

Here's a re-post of an easy, inexpensive, and much-loved gift for teachers.

I had some crazy idea to make a Christmas gift for my daughter's teacher. I've never made anything like this before so I wasn't sure if it would even turn out. Well, it did! And, it was super easy - much easier than it looks.

Supplies:
Shadowbox frame Exacto blade
Box of 24 crayons (I bought one of the huge box of about a zillion crayons thinking I'd need them all. Nope, 24 would have been fine.)
Glue
Scrapbook paper

I finished it in about two hours - I thought it would take a lot longer.

After attempting to print an outline of a large letter "E", I gave up and decided to draw it freehand. It was a lot easier that way.

I lightly outlined an "E" with pencil and then arranged several crayons horizontally to make sure the height of letter was about right.

Then, I started cutting and gluing the crayons to the paper.

Once finished, I gathered up the colorful shavings left over and glued them to the border of the name plate at the bottom.

I was very happy with how this turned out - It was inexpensive and fun to make.

But, best of all... Ms. "E" was very happy with her special Christmas gift!

I'm thinking this would be cute in a kid's room or playroom too.

Here's to an exciting school year!

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-09-01T21:41:00.003-05:00

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Easier Way to Seed an Avocado

2011-08-27T08:38:00.000-05:00

The avocado seed can be such a pain to remove. Then, once it's out, I feel bad for just throwing it away. I recently found an easy seed removal technique AND a way to preserve it - even how to use it in my decor as a house plant.

For the longest time, I've tried to dig the seed out with a spoon. It's messy and frustrating. One night I was watching Food Network before bed (bad idea if you're watching your weight!) and saw Giada cut and seed an avocado in seconds. First, she cut it in half and then here's what she did...

It was like a karate chop with a large knife, a twist, and it popped out with ease. I love how it left the flesh in tact.

Here's another way to seed an avocado, cutting it into quarters.

What to do with that seed?

Check out avocado.org for more info about growing an avocado tree or just training it as a house plant.

There are a lot of avocado gadgets available - who knew?
I need to get one of these avocado slicers for the next step.

...and then there's the avocado storage...

I recently made a fresh summery salad recipe using avocados. It's a new favorite around here. Pictures and recipe coming soon!

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-08-26T07:01:00.001-05:00

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Everything Smurfy

2011-08-20T11:28:00.000-05:00

Smurfs are back! It's so exciting to share them with my kiddos. Many a Saturday morning was spent singing "la LA la la la la LA la la la la"

Smurf stuff is popping up everywhere. Check out what I found...

Smurf Bento. Do I see blue rice? Love it!

source

Homemade Papa Smurf Beard

source

Peek-A-Boo Smurf Cupcakes

source

Smurf Hat

source

Gorgeous Cupcakes

source

Smurfy Mushroom Party Favors

3D Smurf Toppers

Smurfette Hairbow

Cakepops

Smurf Party Favor Bags

source

Smurf Nails!

source

And finally...

Smurf Yourself at Be Smurfed

Sarah as a Smurf is "Smurfarah"

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-08-19T08:31:00.001-05:00

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Ikea/Target Picture Facelift

2011-08-12T06:51:00.000-05:00

I posted this last year after I bought this at Ikea. I recently saw the exact print in Target this week so I thought I'd 're'post my 're'painting for new readers.

...

This picture has been in my closet for-ev-er and I decided I was either going to trash it or doctor it a bit. I found a few bottles of acryllic paint at Walmart and thought I'd have a go at painting over all of the DARK areas. I have no idea what I was thinking when I bought this deeply saddening print. It looks like it belongs in an pamphlet titled, "Are you Depressed?" Blegh!

I couldn't find my good brushes but I did find a kiddie water color paintbrush that worked just fine.

So, it was pretty simple - I sprayed the frame white and then went to town with my white and blue acryllic paint just adding more petals. A little here, a little there. Then, I ended up with a huge white blob - not worried about it too much. Ultimately it looks WAY better than before. It may end up in my bathroom - or a pamphlet. :)

It's kind of fun to attack my prints with paint.

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-08-11T08:06:00.002-05:00

Today I'm missing my momma a little extra. She passed away 12 years ago this morning. She was only 38 - I was a teenager and the oldest of five kids. My mom taught me so much about cooking, baking, and making a home. She was such a sweet spirit with a lot of love to share. Her passing left a huge hole in many hearts. I miss her like crazy every day! In fact, she's the reason for the name of this blog. It was her way of not cursing. If something crazy happened, she'd say, "Sugar Bananas" instead of the "S" word. Here's a picture of us just ten months before she passed.

I have a feeling she'd love blogging too.

I'm sure she'd add lots to Sweets This Week :)

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5 Star Mocha Cream Icebox Cake

2011-08-06T14:27:00.000-05:00

This cake is just divine and would be perfect for a party dessert. Amazing flavor and requires no baking - if you're anywhere near Texas, you air conditioner will thank you.

Out of 93 reviews on Food Network's website, this cake rated 5 stars.

You know it's awesome!

Recipe below...

Here's an up close of the cookie dough I made for this cake. The recipe calls for a thin chocolate chip cookie. But, I went for an all-chocolate thin cookie. Think oreo. See the next picture - you'll see how dark they are after they're baked.

I could just mix all of these in a bowl and call it a day!

Whipped to form firm peaks.

Line the bottom of a springform pan, breaking cookies as needed to cover the bottom.

Cover with mocha cream mixture.

Cover with more cookies.

Finish with cream on top. Cover and let chill for at least 8 hours. The cookies will absorb the moisture from the cream and become cake-like, creating some structure.

Loosen from pan with a sharp knife.

Garnish with chocolate. mmm!

Here's my version of Ina Garten's

Mocha Ice Box Cake:

Ingredients

2 cups cold heavy cream

8 oz mascarpone cheese

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup coffee liqueur (I used Kahlua)

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon espresso powder (I ground regular coffee beans to be extra fine)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

24 oz thin chocolate cookies (I made my own. Ina Garten recommends Tate's Bake Shop)

Shaved semisweet chocolate, for garnish

Directions

Combine heavy cream, mascarpone, sugar, Kahlua, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and vanilla in bowl of electric mixer fitted with whisk attachment. Mix on low speed to combine and then raise the speed until firm peaks are formed.

Arrange cookies on bottom of an 8" springform pan to cover the bottom. Spread a third of the mocha cream evenly over the cookies. Layer more cookies on top, followed by another third of the cream. Continue once more, ending with the cream. Smooth the top, cover with plastic, and refrigerate for 8 hours.

Run a small knife around the outside of the cake and remove the sides of the pan. Sprinkle the top with the chocolate, cut in wedges, and serve cold.

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-08-05T08:11:00.008-05:00

Well, last week I was hoping for Tropical Storm Don to dump on us.
No such luck.
We're just riding out this heat wave.

I've been making dinner in the crockpot...on the porch.
It gives the air conditioner a break!
Just take a look at this week's forecast...

Pretty much all of July looked like this.

Well, since I'm not doing much baking, I'd love to see what you've been cookin'.

On to Sweets This Week!

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How To Make Sun Tea

2011-07-30T15:10:00.000-05:00

A nice, cold glass of iced tea on a hot day is just so refreshing! Here in Texas, we've had many 100+ degree days in a row. It's getting out of hand - and there's no end in the 10 day forecast. It's times like this I like to make sun tea (for two reasons).

#1. It doesn't involve heating the kitchen!
#2: It has a great flavor.

The tea isn't going to boil so it won't be killing bacteria. So, make sure to start off with a very clean pitcher AND only keep the tea around for a day or two.

2.5 quart glass pitcher

Pick your favorite tea.

I'm a Lipton child.

It's what my momma always made.

I use 8-10 teabags depending on how much caffeine I ~~need~~ want that day.

Fill the jar with filtered water (for the best flavor) and drop in the bags.

Move the tea to a sunny spot. I put my pitcher on my back porch in direct sun for over 2 hours. It can stay and brew longer. The sun does all of the work. Just make sure the pitcher is sealed (bugs like tea, too).

After it's done sunbathing, add some sugar already!

Chill and serve.

I like my tea SA-WEET. Hello, Texas!

Enjoy!

Here's a link to the glass pitcher with a twisty, sealed lid.

I hope you're staying cool and enjoying this lovely summer!

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-07-29T08:42:00.003-05:00

It's so dry here.
We're in the middle of a nasty drought -
everything is parched. Our grass is crunchy.

Come on Tropical Storm Don!
image credit
I'm watching The Weather Channel's website like a nut.

In the mean time, I'm thinking of making some more of my
favorite brownies if the rain cools the temps lower than 105.

Baking in this crazy heat is just ridiculous!
(...but for chocolate...I may be willing to sacrifice)

On to Sweets This Week!

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Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-07-21T23:19:00.004-05:00

We're triple-digit roasting here in the South.
...and wishin' and prayin' for some RAIN!

In the mean time, we're staying cool with
watermelon, popsicles, and the splash park.

(ahhh, thank you splash park.)

What have you made this week?

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Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-07-15T08:13:00.000-05:00

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Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-07-07T22:25:00.002-05:00

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Latest Craving

2011-07-02T21:31:00.004-05:00

In search for something else to make with my apricot preserves, I kept coming across this savory treat.

At first, there was no way I was going to eat goat cheese.

Now, I can. not. get. enough!

THREE large packages of goat cheese later...

I'm still craving this snack.

Buttery cracker topped with:

Goat Cheese schmear

Apricot Preserves

Dried Cherries

Pecans

I've gotta hurry up and finish this post

so I can go make some more!

What did I do with the rest of the apricot preserves...

Apricot Pinwheels

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-07-01T08:25:00.001-05:00

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My Favorite Parenting Gadgets

2011-06-27T15:34:00.010-05:00

I love when the kid catalogs pop up in my mailbox. They're filled with all kids of gadgets and toys to make parenting easier. Some of the items seem like a big help while others look like a waste of money.

Here's a list of my favorite products that I've found to be a HUGE help. I'd love to personally thank the engineers...they've made my life easier.

Counting down...

10. Popsicle Drip Catcher

The top has a slot to hold popsicle sticks and the flip side has an opening for ice cream cones. They've saved me from having to mop the floor a few times.

9. Food Catcher Bibs

Another big help - especially when my kiddos started to feed themselves. What I like most is they're machine washable.

8. Invisible Potty Seat

This has been nice for clearing the floor space where a potty chair used to be. There's an extra seat hidden under the lid so all my little one has to do is raise the lid and go. (Just remind guests or else they'll wonder why you use little potty seats. It's one more flip of the toddler seat to get to the adult seat.)

7. Juice Box Holder
Yes! No more CapriSun geysers! This has also saved me a few mopping jobs.

6. No-Drill Top Lock

This looks funny but it clamps to the top of a door and only allows it to be opened about 5". It opens quickly and easily for those who can reach. I keep this on the door to the garage. My little escape artist was way too interested in playing out front without mommy.

5. Cooshee Booster

Love this! It feels just like a Bumbo seat, stays put on our dining chair and is SUPER easy to clean. It boosts my toddler up just enough. Plus, his legs fit comfortably under the table. It's also easy to climb in and out of for meal time. (My spine thanks this company!).

4. Johnny Jump Up

My kids really enjoyed this! The spring action kept their little legs jumping for a while - long enough for me to make dinner or fold some laundry. This was really convenient when my kids started crawling. It gave me a break from constantly chasing little ones. Word has it that this was one of my favorites as a baby, too.

Now, my TOP 3 favorite gadgets!

3. Peapod Travel Tent

Ahhhh! Who came up with this?! It's a huge help on overnight trips to visit family and friends. I can zip my baby into the tent at night without having to worry about him getting into things that are not baby-proofed. If we go on a day trip, I'll bring it along for nap time. Our travel tent has been across the U.S. and to a few beaches and pools. Love this tent!

2. Swinging Gate

I have extra-tall kids. My first baby grew out of her crib quickly and went into a big girl bed. The big problem with that is she never wanted to stay in her room. I was worried she would get out of bed at night and try to go swimming in the back yard. So, I had to get a gate. I read what seemed like hundreds of reviews on gates and found this gem. It's extra tall which means my kids cannot climb over AND I don't have to bend down too far to open it. One review said, "My kid runs across the room and slams into this gate and it doesn't budge." Yep, that sold me. It lives up to its promise. It's very sturdy and easy to use. My favorite part is that it swings shut after you walk through. The extensions are included for larger doorways but I didn't need them for a standard bedroom doorway.

1. Crib Tent

Remember I said I have tall kids? Well, when my daughter started to climb out of her crib one morning, I knew I had to do something to keep her from hurting herself. I just knew she was going to land on her head. When my baby boy started to climb out of his crib, he was a little more crafty...he threw all of his bedding on the floor to cushion his fall. Sheesh!

This tent is NOT EASY to install! (Especially if you're pregnant!) But, once it's on, it's not moving. Mesh makes this airy and see-through so my kids had no problem being zipped in at night. It gave me a HUGE peace of mind knowing they wouldn't fall out of their crib.

There it is. My favorite parenting gadgets. I'm a gadget-y type of person so I love when new products are invented to make parenting/potty training/feeding simpler or easier.

I'd love to hear about your favorite parenting or kid-related products.

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-06-23T19:12:00.001-05:00

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Puffy Sopapillas

2011-06-22T15:11:00.005-05:00

One lone sheet of puff pastry was hanging out in the freezer. After making the apricot pinwheels, I thought this time I'd make something savory.

Nah... sweet wins again.

This time I made a puff pastry version of sopapillas. (from Pepperidge Farm)

Preheat the oven to 400.

(Yes, I started making treats at 9:19 pm. Hey, I do what I gotta do)

Open the thawed sheet of pastry onto a cookie sheet.

(...excuse the dimly lit pictures. There's no natural light at 9:19 pm)

Cut 25 squares using a pizza cutter.

Separate the squares.

Bake for 15 minutes. Toss warm squares in batches with 3/4 cup of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon in a ziplock bag.

Top with a drizzle of honey.

Enjoy!

mmm - flaky, sweet, and warm.

Meanwhile, over at amazon...

My kids would love these boiled egg shapers.

Before they go to bed, they always ask, "What's for breakfast tomorrow."

"Egg cars and stars" would be a nice answer.

Apricot Pinwheels

2011-06-17T09:45:00.002-05:00

I've had this 'thing' for apricots lately.

Sweet with a little zip.

So, I bought a jar of apricot preserves and thought of making something sweet.

After some searching, I found this very easy, yet delicious recipe from Pepperidge Farm.

It only calls for four ingredients and ends up tasting/looking like a gourmet treat.

Things have been so hectic around here that 'easy' and 'sweet' are just what I need! Flaky and buttery are also good for stress.

Apricot Pinwheels
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup sugar
1 pkg puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 cup apricot preserves

Preheat oven to 350. Stir the cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl.

Unfold 1 pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface. Roll the pastry sheet into a 16x8" rectangle. Cut into 8 (4-inch) squares. Repeat with the remaining pastry sheet.

Spoon 1 tablespoon apricot preserves in the center of each pastry square. Using a sharp knife, cut diagonal lines from the corners of the pastry to within 3/4" of the preserves.

Fold every other corner up over the preserves to the center, overlapping the points and pinching to seal. Place the pastries onto a baking sheet. Sprinkle with the cinnamon mixture.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown. Remove the pastries from the baking sheet and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

* I have a convection oven so I baked the pinwheels at 350 for 15 minutes.

** It's definitely advised to line the baking sheet with parchment paper. Baked-on preserves are no fun to scrape off of a baking sheet.

*** I'm sure this would also be delicious with raspberry or apple preserves too.

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-06-16T20:48:00.001-05:00

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Sick-of-Soy (A Better Meat Alternative)

2011-06-14T19:14:00.015-05:00

I'd love to be a vegetarian. I really would. I just can't do it. I love a cheesesteak sub (remembering Maryland...) way too much to ever say "never again." ...and then there's bacon. Just forget it. I'll never be a vegetarian if I can help it.

In the mean time, I do try to make some meatless dinners a few times a month. For a while there, I was making a meatless meal every Monday night. Then, in early Spring of this year everything changed around here. We're on a completely different schedule temporarily so meal planning has been a challenge.

I've found that most meat-less "meats" are nothing more than some veggies pureed with soy protein. Soy is EVERYWHERE! (Soy milk, soy cheese, soy noodles, tofu, pretend chicken, 'burgers', etc.) No thanks.

According to the National Institute of Health,

"Soy's possible role in breast cancer risk is uncertain. Until more is known about soy's effect on estrogen levels, women who have or who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer or other hormone-sensitive conditions (such as ovarian or uterine cancer) should be particularly careful about using soy and should discuss it with their health care providers."

Once again, no thanks.

So, I've found an alternative to a meat alternative (hehehe). Well, when making spaghetti at least.

Garbonzo Beans!

(Chickpeas)

It's almost too simple. The kiddos love it ...and it's good for them.

Pick your favorite spaghetti sauce and noodles. I use rotini a lot since it's easier for little ones to keep on their fork.

Drained beans in the blender.

Pour entire jar of sauce on top.

Puree

The texture is meaty and thick and the flavor is great.

The best part is garbonzo beans contain 6 grams of protein and only 1 gram of fat per serving. They also contain a good amount of folate, fiber, and iron.

Although the sodium is on the high side, it includes the liquid. That's drained before pureeing so I'm sure it cuts a lot of the sodium.

One more thing -

yep, now it's ready.

Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-06-09T20:27:00.001-05:00

Wow, what a crazy time around here. Super stressed with lots going on. I promise I'll update soon - once everything is settled. Not to worry, it's all good stuff - just stressful and requiring an immense amount of my time and energy. I do carve out some time though to check out your "sweets". You're so creative and seem to know exactly what I'm craving each week! Keep 'em coming...
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Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-06-03T09:11:00.001-05:00

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Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-05-26T21:35:00.001-05:00

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Sweets This Week - Link Party

2011-05-20T07:09:00.001-05:00

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