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Quick BBQ Salad 26 May 2014 6:42 PM (10 years ago)

Yep, it's Summer time! Diet time! And Salad time! My twin daughters are home from college and this mama is happy. We all want to loose some weight, exercise more frequently and eat healthy!

Effortless Meals from Walmart 24 May 2014 2:00 AM (10 years ago)

Summer is all about quick and easy dinners, relaxing by the pool and having movie nights with friends (even when you have a broken foot)!


It's Friday night; school is out for all these college girls what better way to bring in the summer then with a fun get together.

I would say the pizza was a HIT! But my favorite part was the garlic cheese bread, this bread was so delicious and something I normally would have never bought, but I am so glad I saw the big EFFORTLESS MEAL sign by the pizzas and bread.






Dinner wouldn't be complete with out a little dessert so along with the Effortless meal we picked up some ice cream and made homemade chocolate chip cookies, and created individual pazookies for everyone. Once we figured out it was one of the girls half-birthday, no better reason then to add in a candle, sing Happy (HALF) Birthday and celebrate. Yes, we celebrate HALF birthdays. Why not?!?!?!

Homemade Family Pizzas 22 May 2014 8:39 PM (10 years ago)

I am super thrilled about the Blogger iPhone app (I know I am behind the times)! I am sure it's been out way longer then I care to admit but I am just thrilled that I have it now and believe me this will increase my blog posts tremendously.

Coppertone Clearly Sheer Sunscreen 22 May 2014 11:06 AM (10 years ago)

I love trying new products and this one is WONDERFUL! Got my bzzzzzzzz going on and am just loving all these cool things to try-out. Our family goes through about 10 bottles of sunscreen on a one-weeks family vacation. So, we know a thing of two about a GOOD sunscreen.

The Counter - Custom Built Burgers 8 May 2014 8:27 AM (10 years ago)

 You can read all about The Counter and check out their web site here to see if there is one near you!


The new menu also boasts five (5) new Expert Builds with unique flavor combinations showcasing the numerous protein options available (beef, turkey, bison, tuna and chicken):

• Red Eye: hormone and antibiotic free beef topped with melted tillamook cheddar, applewood smoked bacon, ripened red tomato, a sunny side up egg on an English muffin with a side of sweet sriracha
• Un-Brie-lievable: 100% natural ground turkey on a bed of organic mixed greens topped with soft-ripened brie, ripened red tomato, dried cranberries on a multigrain bun with a side of apricot sauce
• Bison with Bite: organic bison topped with tillamook cheddar, spicy pickles, sliced red onion on a brioche style bun with a side of house mustard and spicy worcestershire
• Southeast Asian Ahi: ahi tuna topped with pickled carrot and daikon slaw, ripened red tomato on a brioche style bun with a side of nori-soy sauce and sweet sriracha
• Anaheim Jack: 100% natural chicken breast topped with jalapeno jack, Anaheim peppers, red onions on a ciabatta bun with a side of roasted garlic aioli 

All three burgers unique in their own way!

a little BRIE on my hamburger YES, PLEASE! YUMMY!

They have some AMAZING burger choices and endless possibilities of creating your own, which of course was the way I decided to go (I am a picking eater, so this place is perfect), it's so easy with the clip boards they hand you to order your burger just EXACTLY the way you like it.


It was my husband's birthday so what better way to celebrate then going out to eat, The Counter was a perfect choice.


My husband, my son and myself all enjoyed the excellent food options and our burgers were all made exactly how we liked them. We had the pleasure of actually having a very friendly and helpful waiter at the Irvine location, good and friendly waiters are hard to come by these days, so this made our dinner more enjoyable. Our favorite thing were the Parmesan Fries, one order was enough for our whole table and yep, they were all eaten, every last bite.


And it wouldn't be complete without a Birthday Cake Shake for the birthday boy, brought by our waiter compliments of The Counter, how sweet is that ?!?!?! You can check out The Counter on Twitter @CounterBurger , Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheCounter or #thenewgoods .

TOP 10 RECIPES 2013 26 Mar 2014 3:45 PM (11 years ago)

I know! I know! I know! It's already March (oh wait March is almost over?!?!). Where does the time go? I want to get BACK in the heart of blogging, I continue to make recipe after recipe after recipe, but never find the time to post them! I hope 2014 is the year I change that. But, before anymore time goes by I want to share with you all the recipes that you made POPULAR in 2013!

And just to let you know these are some of my own favorites too! Those of you who follow my blog know that I HATE making the same thing twice, so if a recipe gets made twice at my house then you KNOW it's a good one!

Thank You once again to all my loyal followers, guests, family and friends! You make this BLOG possible and I truly enjoy cooking and sharing with all of you! Now, for the TOP 10 RECIPES to date on my blog...


#1 Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce {copycat recipe}

NOW CASTING Rachael vs Guy Kids Cook-Off 19 Mar 2014 12:48 PM (11 years ago)

For more information and how to apply, please visit our website at www.RachaelvsGuyKidsCasting.com.

My Food for the Week 6 Jan 2014 1:00 AM (11 years ago)

Sunday's are relaxing days. I am still getting use to my NEW NORMAL with my twins away at college (far away 1837 miles) and my boy golfs with his dad every chance they get. That leaves this MAMA with way too much time on her hand. Yesterday was another quite Sunday and the boys were golfing and I decided to clean out the refrigerator, make up all my healthy meals for the week and get prepared for this healthy eating.

I am embarking on a new diet this week. Egg Whites, Oatmeal, Protein Shakes, Chicken and Sweet Potatoes, including eating all the green vegetables I want (as free food). I made my egg whites with peppers for my morning breakfast (I hope to wake up an extra half-hour early all this week in order to whip up these eggs). I finished my first day and I was actually FULL all day long, maybe even too full. I was stuffed.

I prepared all my food for the week. All lunches and dinners so they are easy to heat up and eat on the go. The first thing I prepared was Sweet Potatoes (three different recipes). I am only eating 4 oz of potatoes per day, so these three recipes will last for 6 days. I divided each recipe in half.


First Recipe: Sweet Potatoes with Pecans - sprinkle with olive oil and melted butter, sprinkle with brown sugar, pecans and cayenne pepper. Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes.

Second Recipe: Roasted Sweet Potatoes - sprinkle with olive oil and melted butter, sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of ginger. Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes.

Third Recipe: Roasted Vegetables - Sweet Potatoes, zucchini, grape tomatoes, minced garlic and chopped onions. Bake at 375 for about 45 minutes.


My goal is that each weekend (or each Sunday) I will continue to make my meals for the week at least while I am on this first "8 weeks" of this Eat Yourself Skinny challenge, and my challenge to myself is to come up with different sets of vegetables to cook each week.


I also made chicken breasts to eat for lunch and dinner this week. I am eating a 4 oz chicken breast twice a day. This is going to be easily done this week, because I created 7 large chicken breast today and cut each of them in half, which makes them about 4 oz each. I then marinated them in all kinds of different things that were already in my refrigerator. That last tbsp of BBQ sauce that's been hanging around, a tbsp of salad dressing and hot sauce; jelly and Catalina dressing and a multitude of other random things. I've already eaten two pieces of my chicken and it was wonderful.


I am also drinking my water. Goal is 3 smart waters or 6 bottles of water per day. And these lovely salads I prepared with all green veggies to have just a few days this week. My plan for the 3 salads is to cut up my chicken breast for that day and add it to my salad for a healthy lunch-time meal (beats fast food anyday)!

I am on my way to loosing weight and eating healthy!

It's a NEW year and I am "under construction" (STILL)! 5 Jan 2014 2:12 PM (11 years ago)

2009 My HAPPY weight (right side) 150lbs

I have been on this weight-loss roller coaster for many years. The biggest accomplishment was in 2009/2010 (about 4 years ago), when I got down to my current goal weight. But, since then I have tried and tried; again and again and it's so exhausting to re-start this cycle over and over again. I've blogged about my Biggest Loser Challenge from the beginning of 2013 and my Shrinkvivor Diet from 2010, when I actually finally got down to a wonderful acceptable weight for my own self.



I was mortified when I stepped on the scale in 2013 and realized I was at 182 lbs.  After seeing several pictures of myself (over and over again), I knew this was reality and I needed to do something NOW! (The last picture was after my 13lb weight loss at the end of 2013.) I was happy, but I am still pushing forward.

But today, I begin again. And my hope as it is every time that this will be my last and final time that I have to struggle with this up and down roller coaster. I want to be at my happy weight and then be able to eat healthy and maintain that happy weight with diet and exercise.


I just started a Facebook Private Group Page with friends, family, neighbors and new friends invited by other friends and in just the few days we've had this going it is a HUGE inspiration, a HUGE accountability partner and it's going wonderfully. We are weighing in on Wednesdays with each other posting our weight and goals. We have our first goal which is 8 weeks from now and we will continue throughout 2014, I am sure we will have more people join in, and we will fall off the wagon a time or two, but having each other inspire one another and help each other with motivation and checking in with each other will make our group successful.

I believe it is impossible to take this journey on by yourself, and I also believe sharing and speaking your goals and weight out loud helps you stay accountable to others. And that is why, I will share it here too.

1st Annual Pinterest Baking Party 16 Dec 2013 11:50 AM (11 years ago)

Need to BLOG! Need to BLOG!

Yes, those are the words I keep repeating to myself. I MISS, MISS, MISS blogging! But everyday comes and everyday goes and life just gets in the way. Good thing this is NOT my full-time job, I would be failing miserably.

A number of things have come in my path... 1) LIFE 2) KIDS AWAY AT COLLEGE (means less cooking) 3) A HOME FLOOD 4) PURE LAZINESS!!! But baking, it's Christmas time and I can FOR SURE find lots of time to get my baking in. The kitchen is OPEN FOR BUSINESS and the baking has begun in my home. I hope to share with you a few ole' recipes and of course a few new ones too!

Yesterday was my first ever Pinterest Baking Party, which I hope there will be many more baking parties in my near future with this new tradition. The plan was for each person to bring a recipe (or two), we went with two because we only had 4 people commit to this 1st EVER Baking Day. We all spent approximately $100 dollars buying all the stuff for 8 batches of goodies (but we all left with 8 batches of goodies). So, for my $100 bucks and my ONE ALL DAY baking event, I left with the 8 batches of stuff I received and I was able to package up 7 teacher gifts, 1 extra large tray for the entire school office, 6 add'l medium size containers to give away (one to a neighbor and five to needy families in our community) and then 2 small individual gifts for the orthodontics office and one more container for my new house cleaner (a Christmas gift to myself this year). Plus there was at least a plate full left at home to munch on and a dozen or two cookies left I put in the freeze for my son to snack on (Spice Cookies, his favorite)!

We all shopped and brought enough stuff to make TWO items (and since there were 4 of us) we bought and brought enough stuff to make 4 batches of EACH of the two items. This way we would all go home with 8 batches of goodies, 1 batch of each item = 8 items = 8 batches of per yumminess!!!  It's a little complicated, but actually quite simple.

Tina (myself) picked 2 recipes = Cranberry Crunch Bark and White Chocolate Spice Cookies
Sandy picked 2 recipes = Snickerdoodle Cupcakes and Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cynthia picked 2 recipes = Cookie Butter Rice Krispy Treats and Cinnamon Pecans
Ashlyn picked 2 recipes = Hershey Kiss Cookies and Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

We made 4 batches of each of the above recipes.


We used Pinterest for some inspiration on some of these recipes and some were just ole' time favorites. We made a Pinterest Board for everyone to pin too and follow for ideas so that no one made the same items.

Then we all gathered at my house from 11am to 8pm (it went over about 2 hours more then originally planned), but it was our 1st time. Everyone began creating and make 4 batches of each of the 2 recipes they brought. I had huge 6' tables set up, one for each person. This helped with organizing and collecting all the goodies at the end of the day.

4 Batches each of all this Deliciousness: Cranberry Crunch Bark broken up and then packaged into little baggies. The White Chocolate Spice Cookies were easy but required alot of cooking, so watch the recipes that need the oven and space them out. Cynthia made two recipes one used NO oven and went into a 9x13 pan (which even brought their own pans needed) and then these cut into nice squares to package, and the pecans were easy to also add to goodies bags and just tie with a bow. The Snickerdoodle Cupcakes worked great for me to send a plate to my son's school office and also for my daughter to take to work on leave on the break table. And of course cookies and Homemade Peanut Butter Cups were another huge hit in the containers I packaged up.

This was such and easy way for everyone to only be able to worry about making 2 recipes and yet leaving with 8 different items! This takes on a whole new level of the Cookie Exchange.

Here are some great photos and we made some great memories too, like my daughter who now calls herself the one-sock baker. She was hot/cold, hot/cold and got comfortable with one sock on, one sock off. I guess it's kinda like one foot out of the covers! Overall it was a great baking day and I can't wait to plan next year's baking extravaganza.

I am still ALIVE, and will begin blogging again SOON! 6 Sep 2013 11:44 AM (11 years ago)

I am here! I am alive! So much has happened since May 2013. I am just going to say a QUICK HELLO and share a few pictures and then I promise I will be back soon!

My twins came home from their first year of college, they went on an amazing Study Abroad trip to Italy, and now they are already back in school in Missouri for year number two. Bitter Sweet! My little guy just started High School, I don't know how that happened. And we enjoyed a few family vacations this summer, quick but fun.




Creative Memories and the scrapbooking program I have used for years and years is NO MORE. I have moved over to a new company, which was actually the original makers of the Creative Memories program, Panstoria Historian 4 photo management and editing software check it out.



This is how I make all my scrapbooking pages on my blog, so I've gotta do a little switching over and before I even had begun this process, my computer CRASHED three nights ago, yep CRASHED! Thank the Lord for Carbonite, in the process of re-storing everything now. So, that too will help me get back up and running.

And then, YEP it just keeps getting better and better! Just as I was going to begin "blogging" again, my house flooded. Yep, the entire thing from an upstairs supply hose. Needless to say, the below pictures are from my home and I have no home right now, let alone any kitchen to cook in. AH, looking at the bright side, I will be getting a brand new kitchen (again!)! Yeah, I've already remodeled once or twice before, so here we go again. Not only is it a new kitchen, two new bathrooms, the stairs, the hallways, the bonus room, the scrapbook room and the Master Bedroom Closet and part of the room too! FUN TIMES!


Yep, that's ME! My cute painted toes and all reading my Food & Family Magazine waiting for the many many contractors to arrive on a daily bases. And YEAH that was my kitchen you are looking at. So, now that you are all caught up on my life, I WILL BE BACK as soon as I can cooking and blogging in my brand new kitchen (and home!)

Raspberry Dream Muffins 15 May 2013 4:14 PM (11 years ago)

Here is a delicious muffin recipe to make with those hand picked raspberries this season (or fresh ones from the store, or frozen work well too). It's almost raspberry picking time (just a few months away), so I am getting excited about having my freezer filled with fresh hand picked raspberries again. I can't wait to get back in the kitchen and create some magical new things, but today I am sharing a muffin recipe, from one of my favorite bloggers. This is by far one of the best raspberry muffins recipes I've made so far.


Raspberry Dream Muffins
original recipe found at Your Homebased Mom

6 oz raspberries (fresh or frozen)
1 cup sugar, plus 2 tbsp for topping
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
1/2 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2-1/2 cup flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup milk
1 cup white chocolate chips
2 tbsp brown sugar

In a bowl combine raspberries (washed) and 1/4 cup sugar and let sit while you assemble the rest of the muffins. In a mixing bowl cream butter and 3/4 cup sugar. Beat in eggs and almond extract and vanilla.

In another bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Add to butter mixture, alternating with milk and cream. Stir in white chocolate chips. Gently fold in raspberries.

Line muffin tins with liners and fill 3/4 full.

Combine brown sugar and remaining white sugar. Sprinkle over the top of batter. Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Best served warm.

G'ma Spaghetti {Pasta for the Dorm Room} 5 May 2013 6:55 AM (11 years ago)

We are celebrating my twins birthday by making their favorite pasta for a dorm room full of college girls (and boys). This was so much fun, I flew out to see my daughters in September for their 19th birthday (yes, I've been holding onto this post for a while now) and I even got to watch them perform at the Cardinals Baseball Game and while I was there they had a list of favorite foods they were missing from home, one of them was G'ma's Simple Spaghetti.

And since I was asked to create a pasta recipe for the National Pasta Association (NPA) working on a campaign called Pasta Fits, I knew this was the perfect opportunity and the perfect recipe. It's light, it's simple and it's delicious. We love pasta at our house, it's pretty much a staple every week and with all the healthy and light ways you can fit it into your diet very easily. It's also great on your budget, and as a Dave Ramsey fan, pasta totally works.


I was sent a VERY COOL pasta pack that included Dreamfields® Spaghetti, Mueller’s® Whole Grain Spaghetti, Heartland® Gluten Free Wheat Free Penne, Ronzoni Healthy Harvest® Spaghetti, Ronzoni Garden Delight® Rotini, and an Ultragrain Pasta® Spaghetti Spoon, and you can find some super cool recipes you can try from the National Pasta Association (NPA).

{Candy} Graduation Hats 1 May 2013 7:09 PM (11 years ago)

WOW, what a difference a year makes. I can't believe my little girls just finished their first year of college. These were such a cute treat for my girls High School Graduation party last year. I just never got around to posting them, so for all you moms out there with graduates this year, ENJOY!


The cookies in the photo are delicious too, see recipe here.


The party was fantastic and the dessert bar, oh MY! It was a big hit and I would recommend anyone doing this for anytime of big party.


Of course we served up some of our favorite cupcakes of all-time
Pineapple Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting


I saw many versions of this and still went out to create my own yet another completly different version that was quick and easy.

Graduation Candy Hats
created by me; inspired by Taste of Home

24 miniature peanut butter cups (freeze overnight)
24 Dove (freeze overnight)
24 mini-chocolate M&M candy pieces (chocie of color)
1 pkg sour straw candy
Melting Chocolate (to use for the glue)

Remove candy from the freezer and upwrap all candy and place upside down on waxed paper. Melt chocolate metling candy in microwave to use for the glue to put hats together. Cut the candy rope/straw sour candy into thin strips for the tassel. With a tooth pick dip into the melted chocolate and then place the tassel onto the top of the hat and the M&M on top of each candy.

Cucumbers in Greek Yogurt 26 Mar 2013 11:00 PM (12 years ago)

I go back and forth from healthy to Better than Anything Brownies or Cake. I just need to find that happy middle ground, one where I can enjoy the delicious {bad things} and also enjoy the healthy things, and maybe the healthy things a little more often. Today I am sharing a quick and easy healthy snack, Cucumbers in Greek Yogurt. We love cucumbers around here and what better way then to pair them with a healthy greek yogurt to make them even more scrumptious.

Cucumber in Greek Yogurt
created by me: Tina Hudgens

2 cucumbers (peeled and diced)
1 small container plain Greek yogurt
1 tbsp sugar (or less to taste)
1 tsp fresh pepper

Peel and dice the cucumber into small pieces. Mix together yogurt, sugar and pepper. Mix all together and enjoy for a delicious and healthy afternoon snack.

Fresh Dish {Broiled Cut with Couscous and Zucchini} 22 Mar 2013 9:28 AM (12 years ago)

Need a quick and easy meal, with very minimal work on your part, no thinking just throw it all together and you've got it DONE. Dinner has never been so EASY! I was contacted by Fresh Dish, to try out their quick and easy meals and I can tell you that it was just that QUICK and EASY!

My box arrived in the mail in an insulated container with big blocks of frozen ice and was packaged very nicely, it included EVERYTHING. And when I say everything, they even included the olive oil, salt and pepper (how cool is that?!?!). I was home when the package arrived and immediately put it in the refrigerator, but it was very very cold when I got it, so no concerns there.



The meat was Flat Iron Steak (my favorite), and the Zucchini (another favorite of mine), was already diced and ready to throw in the pan. The food was fresh, the directions were easy to follow and dinner came together in a snap. For those of you who hate to grocery shop, are too busy plan out meals this is easily a great solution.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs {Copy Cat Recipe} 19 Mar 2013 11:00 PM (12 years ago)

This is my all time FAVORITE store-bought Easter candy and now that I can make it at home, that's even better. These are so delicious, and last year when I made them I took them to the hospital nurses of my niece and they too fell in love. I know these will be an annual treat in my kids Easter baskets from now on... Fresh and NOT store-bought.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Eggs
adapted by me, recipe found at The Whimiscal Princess

1-1/2 cups Creamy Peanut butter (we use chunky, and I love it)
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 to 3 tbsp milk
3 cups chocolate melting chips (we make two batches, one milk and one white chocolate)

Mix together the powdered sugar, peanut butter, and butter. Add the milk one tablespoon at a time until it becomes a nice workable dough, it will be crumbly (but when you squeeze the batter together it will form up). It will be just like play dough, it will be really easy to work with. Form the dough into egg shapes, and place in the refrigerator for about an hour or more.

Place the melting chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave 40 seconds at a time stirring in between until completely melted.

Dip each egg in the melted chocolate and place on waxed paper until set. You can use a toothpick, a fork or a skewer, whatever you are comfortable with or whatever works best to get the excess of the chocolate off after dipping. With the left over chocolate use a fork and go back and forth across to make the fancy swirls on top of the eggs. We do chocolate on white and white on chocolate. 

Let them set up on the wax paper in the refrigerator (freezer tends to crack them, so to avoid that use refrigerator or room temperature to let them set up. Enjoy your homemade Easter treat.

Peanut Butter-Banana Pancakes {gluten-free} 10 Mar 2013 11:00 PM (12 years ago)

Here is an easy recipe for GLUTEN FREE peanut butter-banana pancakes, with NO flour at all.



Banana Pancakes {gluten-free}
recipe found at Gluten Free Fix

2 over ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1/2 cup almond butter or peanut butter
dash of cinnamon

Whisk together all ingredients. Cook on a greased griddle or pan on low-medium heat, flip pancake as needed. Serve with fresh banana slices, walnuts and warm honey syrup.

Breakfast Fried Rice {gluten free} 8 Mar 2013 11:00 PM (12 years ago)

This was so fun and such a different breakfast to make on a lazy morning. The girls had friends over and this was a perfect breakfast for some lovely teenagers/young adults that I often wake up to on a Saturday morning.

Breakfast Fried Rice
recipe found at Lynn's Kitchen Adventures

2 tbsp olive oil
4 eggs
4 tbsp soy sauce (gluten free if you need too)
1/2 lb sausage (we love Jimmy Dean, cooked first)
2 cups cooked rice (cold leftover rice works best)
2 tbsp rice vinegar

Mix together 2 tbsp of soy sauce with the eggs and beat well, I add a dash of milk too. Heat tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet on stove top. Add egg to pan and cook, but leave a little running do not over cook. Remove egg from pan and set aside.

Return pan to stove and add a little more oil. (you can a use a little grease from the sausage if you wish). Add cooked rice and cook for 4-5 minutes or until rice is starting to lightly brown (rice must be pre cooked you can not use uncooked rice). then add the egg back to the pan along with the meat, remaining soy sauce and the rice vinegar. Let cook for 2-3 minutes more, add some soy sauce if you desire and serve. A great easy breakfast.

Servings can be stored and frozen to be eaten later.

Better Than {Anything} Brownies - {Better Than Crack Brownies} 8 Mar 2013 7:50 AM (12 years ago)

First off, I just wanna say I didn't name the brownies, I just made them. That's why we are calling them Better Than Anything Brownies (more family friendly).

I wanted to create and awesome dessert for my niece who was celebrating her birthday near by (she lives in Oregon, me in California), so this was a treat for me to met her and her sister at the hotel for her birthday celebration. I only had a few hours to throw something together, and I was working, but that didn't stop me. I set out to find something with two of her favorite things chocolate and peanuts (and peanut anything). She has a son who is highly highly allergic to peanuts, so we she leaves town, YAHOOO for anything with peanuts.


I scoured my Pinterest boards and found many Better Than Crack Brownie recipes and well, I just devised this recipe myself from a combination of several recipes. I ran home on my lunch hour, threw the brownies together, while baking (jumped in the shower got ready), finished them up so they could set in the refrigerator for 2 hours, ran back to work for a couple of hours and then back home to pick up my twins, the brownies and still meet them at the hotel by 4pm. Yep, it can be done!


A perfect dessert for the birthday girl. And yes she is my NIECE.. we are only about 5 years apart. That's what happens when you marry someone 10 years older then you, and he is the second to the youngest baby in the family and has brothers and sisters older then my parents. AH, FAMILY! I LOVE IT!





Better Than Anything Brownies (Better Than Crack Brownies}
original recipe author unknown

1 pkg chocolate chunk brownie mix (but make in a 9x13 pan instead of traditional 8x8)
1/2 cup peanuts (salted or unsalted but add a little sea salt)
1 cup chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (chopped)
2 cups miniature marshmallows or Marshmallow BITS work better
1-1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1-1/2 cup peanut butter (chunky)
2 to 3 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Mix brownies according to directions (it's better if you have brownies with chocolate chunks or add a 1/2 cup of chocolate chips, why not). Bake for 20-25 minutes (a little less time then the box says because it's thinner) in a 9x13 pan (instead of the 8x8), brownies will be alot thinner, but that's what you want. Remove from oven and top with peanuts, chopped Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and marshmallows, return to oven and bake for about 4-6 more minutes.

In a medium (microwave save) bowl, combine chocolate chips and the peanut butter. Microwave for 1 minute or until creamy. Add the Rice Krispies cereal and stir until completely coated. Pour the cereal mixture over the brownies and spread evenly. Refrigerate for about 2 hours before cutting into squares. (I like to lined the pan before baking with parchment paper, this allows for easy cutting. Just pull the whole batch out of the pan and use a super sharp knife to cut even squares.) ENJOY!

Macaroni Grill Penne Rustica {copycat recipe} 4 Mar 2013 9:45 PM (12 years ago)

It's freezer cooking time, I am in the cooking mood and my kitchen is on fire. I've made 5 dinners in a row this week and doubled every recipe in order to get 5 extra freezer meals for my cousin. I was so excited to share these extra meals with my aunt who is visiting from Washington, my cousin, her husband and their brand new baby girl Nikki. My cousin just had her first baby 3 weeks ago and I wanted to share some of my freezer meals with them to help make dinner time a little easier.

Today, I made this amazingly delicious pasta recipe. I might even go as far as to say "this is the BEST pasta dish I've ever made". This recipe is wonderful, it's out of this world delicious and it will for sure be repeated in my house (probably sooner then later) and you can bet it will make it into my Volume 3 Family Cookbook. It's a copycat recipe of the Macaroni Grill chain restaurant Penne Rustica recipe, I don't eat at Macaroni Grill, I think I've only been there once or twice in my life, so I have no idea how this recipe compares to the real recipe, but I can tell you this recipe here is amazing.

This recipe makes ALOT and I mean ALOT of pasta dishes. It's a perfect freezer meal, a perfect meal to share with a new mom or a friend or family member who may need a little help with the dinner time blues. You can always half the recipe if you wish, but I will be sharing the FULL recipe here, it makes about (3) 9x13 pans. Since my family is only a family of 3 I made our dishes in very small Purex baking dishes and I was able to make (2) 9x13 pans that I shared with my cousin and (5) smaller baking dishes that I keep for my family, and boy am I so glad I have 4 more of these left in my freezer.



I've already had the opportunity to make up one of my small dishes. It worked out wonderful for this small one/two person serving dish to be cooked up in my toaster oven. A-MAZ-ING!
2 full packages of turkey bacon
48 oz. (3 boxes) penne pasta (or your favorite pasta); cook al dente about 6-8 minutes
2 large red bell peppers; diced
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese; use fresh
½ to 1 tsp paprika
Sauce:
2 tsp butter
2 tsp chopped garlic
1 cup liquid (I used half 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1/2 cup apple juice with 2 tbsp of red wine vinegar or you can use 1 cup marsala wine)
1 tsp dijon or dry mustard
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chopped rosemary; use fresh for best flavor
¼ tsp (or more) cayenne pepper
8 cups heavy cream (yes 8 cups is alot, and you will need 4 small pint containers)

Chop and prepare everything first. Shred chicken, dice up red peppers, and start cooking your bacon. Chopped up the turkey bacon first before you cook it, saves time later and it's so much easier to cook. Then get your water boiling for the 3 packages of noodles, use a really large pan if you are cooking all 3 packages at once.

Sauté garlic in butter in large pan. Add liquid (chicken broth mixture), mustard, salt, rosemary, cayenne pepper, and heavy cream. Cook to a soft boil.

Combine sauce, cooked pasta, shredded chicken, cooked bacon, bell peppers, Parmesan cheese, and paprika and mix thoroughly. Spread into pans; top with Monterrey Cheese and sprinkle of paprika.

Cover with foil and bake at 375 for 1 hour. Remove foil during the last 15 minutes, cheese with brown on top and it will begin to bubble.

FREEZER MEAL: Thaw in refrigerator the day of cooking and then follow above directions.

GLUTEN FREE Banana Bread {from a cake mix} 25 Feb 2013 8:37 PM (12 years ago)

This has got to be the easiest and simplest banana bread (and GLUTEN FREE) to top it off. You can make it either way though, gluten free or not, choice is yours.

After the Banana Bread is baked and cooled, I wrap them individually and freeze them for my daughter. This gives her a fresh gluten free banana bread slice anytime she wants.

Banana Bread from a Cake Mix {gluten-free}
adapted, original recipe found at Betty Crocker

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Bars 24 Feb 2013 10:46 AM (12 years ago)

This is an ole' time favorite of my families, it's actually already in my Family Scrapbook Cookbook (Volume 2) and it's a dessert I've made before, just never photographed and blogged. So, today here it is a good ole' fashion homemade cookie dessert bar.

It's a Sunday afternoon and the reality of my twins being 1837 miles away at college, is really starting to set in (it's been 7 months now and I miss them terribly). It's very lonely here without all my kidlets at home. I still have my 13 year old son at home, but he is away at a birthday party and today mama is all alone and needs a few more hobbies.

I am coming off of having the flu for 7 days, trust me when I say this, "you do NOT want this horrible flu in your home", it's so awful. I haven't been sick like this is many many years and it's been over a week and I am still recovering. Let's move on though to this delicious dessert instead...

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Cookie Bars
recipe source unknown

1 pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1 pkg Pillsbury Refrigerated Chocolate Chip Cookie (or a homemade cookie dough)

Heat oven to 350. In small bowl beat cream cheese, sugar and egg until smooth.

You can use refrigerated cookie dough or make your favorite homemade cookie dough from scratch. In ungreased 8x8 square pan, break up half of the cookie dough and with floured fingers press dough evenly in the bottom of the pan to form a crust.  Spread cream cheese mixture over dough. Crumble and sprinkle remaining half of dough over cream cheese mixture before baking.

Bake for 35 - 40 minutes or until golden brown and firm to the touch. Cool for 30 minutes and then refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving. Cut into bars and store in refrigerator.

Pizza Bites 18 Feb 2013 7:28 PM (12 years ago)

It's been a few months now, with several plane trips back and forth from California to Missouri, but my daughters are away at college and having the time of their life. I will admit facebook and txt'ing make it a whole lot easier. And God knew what he was doing when he blessed me with twins, because I have one twin who calls me almost everyday (thank GOODNESS) and I have another twin who I hardly hear from at all. Good thing her sister keeps me up to date on all the happenings around there. I think I've talk to them almost every single day in some way shape or form, txt, email, or facebook. It sure makes being 1837 miles away so much easier.

Here they are enjoying their very first ride down the slopes. These California girls are learning all about their first winter, not just the fun on the slopes, but the 25 degree days, tornado warnings, and finding their car covered in snow in the mornings. Let the FUN begin, they are experiencing their first ever White Winter.


Before my daughters left I was trying to make all the things they wanted and one of them had found this on Pinterest and begged for me to make it, it was one of those things I keep putting off, but I did finally make it for her before she left and she loved it.


Pizza Bites
adapted by me, recipe found at The Gunny Sack
original recipe from Pillsbury - Appetizers Dec 2005

2 - 3 cans Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits (10 biscuits per can)
approx 56 pepperoni slices (or use sausage, pineapple or just cheese for my little guy)
1 small block of cheese (Colby Jack works great), cut into small squares
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
Italian seasoning
Garlic powder
Your favorite Homemade Pizza Sauce (works great with left-over spaghetti sauce too)

First flatten out all biscuits. You can use a small rolling pin or even just your hand. Layer on a small tsp of sauce, a pepperoni (or sausage, pineapple or whatever filling you like), add in a chuck of cheese and then fold. You will fold like a square (gather the bottom, then both sides, then the top), you will end up with a round'ish-square'ish bundle.

Have a 9x13 glass baking dish ready with non-stick spray and then line up the pizza bites into rows in your baking dish. Brush the rolls with the beaten egg and then sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese, Italian Seasoning and Garlic Powder. Bake at 425 degrees for 18-22 minutes. When dough is done and cheese is melted they are ready to go.

You can reserve some pizza sauce to serve as dipping sauce, or since sauce is already inside they are ready to go. My kids dip them in ranch. Pizza and Ranch they just go together.

Texas Trash {Warm Bean Dip} 16 Feb 2013 7:51 AM (12 years ago)

Yep, this replaces all other bean dips I've made (or posted) in the past. Sometimes you just come across those recipes and no other recipe will ever take it's place. Yep, this is one of those recipes. You can bet on it that this will for sure make it into my Volume 3 Family Cookbook/Scrapbook. And I just LOVE the name too.. how CUTE is that and since I have a step-son who lives in Texas, this ones for you Brandon!



Texas Trash {Warm Bean Dip}
recipe found at Life as a Lofthouse, original recipe from from allrecipes

1 cup sour cream
2 (16 oz) cans refried beans
1 pkg taco seasoning
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
2 cups Monterrey jack cheese, shredded
diced green onions (mixed in or just garnish on top)