Susie QT pies Scraps of Life

Happy Friday! Link up Chocolate

2012-01-27T06:00:00.000-06:00

This is so tasty and is always a huge hit! I made two bowls of this for my Christmas Open House and I had very little left at the end of the party! My teens really love this, too!

Chocolate Chip Dip

1 pkg cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla
2 T. brown sugar
1 c. chopped pecans (opt and I don't use them)
3/4 c. powdered sugar
3/4 c. chocolate chips, mini
1 box of Graham crackers; plain, chocolate or cinnamon, new Ritz Crackers with cinnamon or Nilla Wafers

Directions

Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until creamy. Stir in chocolate chips (save a few to top off the dip) and put in the bowl to chill for at least 2 hours and then serve. You can roll this into a ball and into the chopped pecans if you want. I don't do this to mine. I usually make this a day ahead.

Happy Friday! This is so easy! Just link up any of your chocolate post. No limit. If you ever want to cohost, just ask. I change the theme each week. I also pin my favorites on Pinterest. Next week the theme will be Valentines!

Amish Friendship Bread Cake Balls

2012-01-26T10:14:00.000-06:00

Amish Friendship Bread Cake Balls

This is one of my recipes on the Friendship Bread Kitchen Website. I love that place. Cake balls are quick and easy to do.

“Kids and adults of all ages love these cake pops/cake balls! Decorate them to suit any theme–baby or bridal showers, birthday or office parties–anything goes!”

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 1 hour

Servings: 40-50

Yield: 40-50 cake pops

Ingredients

1 baked Amish Friendship Bread, any variety

1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened

1 package vanilla or chocolate almond bark or colored candy melts

Lollipop sticks, cut in half (optional and not needed for cake balls)

1/3 cup crushed cookies (optional)

Decorative sprinkles, colored sugar, mini-chocolate chips or crushed nuts

Directions

Completely cool (4 hours or overnight) any Amish Friendship Bread variation.
Put cake in a large bowl and break it up with your hands into small pieces.
Add in cream cheese and mix into cake until well incorporated.
Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Roll into bite-sized balls and place on baking sheet. Put in freezer until firm, about 30-40 minutes.
When cake balls are firm, melt chocolate in melting pot, double boiler or microwave bowl.
Dip each ball into the chocolate with a toothpick until covered and gently tap off excess chocolate. Use another toothpick to push off cake ball onto the baking sheet. Use extra chocolate to cover the top where the inserted toothpick left a hole.
Add decorative topping right after you dip into chocolate. Top with extra chocolate for decoration once all the pops are dry.
ENJOY!

Kitchen Notes

Variation #1: Upside Down Cake Pop. Once the ball dipped into chocolate, place on a baking sheet with the stick up in the air. Decorate “upside down.”

Variation #2: Cake Pop: Once the ball is dipped in the chocolate stick it upright in a half a styrofoam ball until dry.

Amish Friendship Bread Cake Pops

2012-01-26T09:10:00.000-06:00

Amish Friendship Bread Cake Pops

This is one of my recipes on the Friendship Bread Kitchen Website. I love that place.

“Kids and adults of all ages love these cake pops! Decorate them to suit any theme–baby or bridal showers, birthday or office parties–anything goes!”

Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 1 hour
Servings: 40-50
Yield: 40-50 cake pops

Ingredients

1 baked Amish Friendship Bread, any variety
1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
1 package vanilla or chocolate almond bark or colored candy melts
Lollipop sticks, cut in half
1/3 cup crushed cookies (optional)
Decorative sprinkles, colored sugar, mini-chocolate chips or crushed nuts

Directions

Completely cool (4 hours or overnight) any Amish Friendship Bread variation.
Put cake in a large bowl and break it up with your hands into small pieces.
Add in cream cheese and mix into cake until well incorporated.
Cover baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Roll into bite-sized balls and place on baking sheet. Stick in lollipop sticks and put in freezer until firm, about 30-40 minutes.
When cake balls are firm, melt chocolate in melting pot, double boiler or microwave bowl.
Dip each ball into the chocolate until covered and gently tap off excess chocolate. Stick into Styrofoam to keep lollipops upright.
Add decorative topping right after you dip into chocolate. Top with extra chocolate for decoration once all the pops are dry.
ENJOY!

Kitchen Notes

Variation #1: Upside Down Cake Pop. Once the ball dipped into chocolate, place on a baking sheet with the stick up in the air. Decorate “upside down.”

Variation #2: Cake Ball. The quickest method for bakers on the run! Don’t stick lollipop sticks into cake balls. Once firm, use two forks or a toothpick to dip cake ball into melted chocolate and another toothpick to push ball off onto aluminum foil. Use extra chocolate to cover the top where toothpick was inserted. Decorate.

Kids in the Kitchen Cookbook

2012-01-26T07:00:00.000-06:00

I'm a huge fan of cooking in the kitchen with my girls. I have great memories of them as little toddlers in the kitchen playing with the pots and pans while I would cook. I loved having them in there and to make them feel ''at home'' they had a special cupboard within their reach to get out their supplies. I would give them a dash of flour and some spices here and there! We also had the ABC magnetic letters for them to play with on the fridge. These were a staple in the kitchen and became a wonderful learning tool. We would spell out names or words used in the kitchen for them to see.

This early kitchen play is important as well as letting them see you following a recipe. Soon, too, they will be doing the same! I love to teach in the kitchen! Besides reading, math is also a skill that gets baked in the kitchen! If your young one is having a difficult time with fractions, the kitchen will help give hands on practical lessons! To go along with the actual cooking, take your child to the store and let them get the ingredients to their recipe. This will teach them how to shop, find/match the right items, reading the aisle markers, reading products on the shelves, addition, money counting,etc.

Thanks to Gooseberry Patch for offering a review copy of Kids in the Kitchen: Recipes for FUN! My daughter had a fun time following the recipes to make some new creations for us! The recipe book is just the right size for a kid!

The spiral binding makes it easy for them to flip the pages. Each recipe includes a little pictures describing when to make this recipe (dinner, snack,etc), how many it serves and how much time from start to finish.

My daughter made Texas Straw Hats! The recipe was very easy to follow and included picture ingredients as well as written out words. A tool kit list is included with each recipe so they know what to get out for the recipe. The book also included very cute tips to make it an extra special meal. The tip with Texas Straw Hat was to line a cowboy hat with napkins and fill with the corn chips needed for this recipe!!! How fun is that?

Texas Straw Hat

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix
1 tablespoon water
15 oz. bag corn fritios
2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup lettuce, chopped
1/2 cup tomato, chopped
1/4 cup sliced black olives
Garnish salsa and sour cream

Directions

1) Crumble ground beef in skillet. Add in onion.
2) Cook beef until no pink remains and onion is soft. Drain.
3) Return beef to skillet, add in seasoning and water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4) Cover the bottom of 4 plates wiht corn chips. This is the bottom of the HAT.
5) Scoop out seasoned beef and onion mixture with a small ice cream scoop and place on a plate. This is the top of the hat.
6) Divide cheese, lettuce, tomato and olives equally between all 4 servings.
7) Serve with salsa & sour cream.

What I was most impressed with how easy it is for a kid to make this recipe. The directions were very easy to read and follow. She showed a lot of pride in her work because she did it all herself. This book is perfect for beginner readers and up!

Here is my lil' chef preparing her dish!

While the meat cooked, she chopped up the lettuce, tomatoes and olives! She has great cooking skills for being 10 years old. It is never to late to get your kids in the kitchen to cook and read! I strongly suggest this book for you to use in the kitchen with your Lil' chef! It is oh so much fun!

Link up One Skillet Meals with my Gooseberry Patch Friend

2012-01-25T09:09:00.000-06:00

(Thai Basil Rice)

Click here, Slow Cookers, Casseroles & Skillets to see more recipes that I have made using the featured cookbook by Gooseberry Patch.

(From Gooseberry Patch) What's better than a meal that cooks all in ONE skillet? Less dishes to wash, plus delicious flavor to boot! We love these simplified recipes that come together in a flash and we know you have some good ones to share. So, tell us...

What are YOUR favorite recipe for SKILLET MEALS?
Share 'em all in today's Recipe Round-Up!

Here's a recipe to inspire you from our cookbook,
Slow Cookers, Casseroles & Skillets...enjoy!

Quick Skillet Spaghetti
This recipe was shared by Lisa Parrish of Trinity, North Carolina. She writes, "My husband requests this recipe for dinner weekly! It’s so easy because you don’t even have to boil water for the spaghetti. Try it
with half sausage and half ground turkey too."

1 lb. sweet Italian ground
pork sausage
1 clove garlic, pressed
7-oz. pkg. spaghetti, uncooked
and broken into 1-inch lengths
2 14-oz. cans diced Italian tomatoes
15-oz. can tomato sauce
1 T. fresh parsley, chopped
2 t. dried basil
3 T. shredded Italian-blend cheese

In a skillet over medium heat, brown sausage for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring often. Drain; stir in garlic and broken spaghetti. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often. Add remaining ingredients except cheese and stir until well blended. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer about 20 minutes, until spaghetti is tender. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and cook for 2 to 3 minutes longer to melt cheese. Serves 4 to 6.

Link up your favorite recipe for a SKILLET MEAL below

Herb Frittata by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich

2012-01-24T15:00:00.000-06:00

Are you familiar with chef & author Lidia Matticchio Bastianich? If you are looking for some tasty Italian recipes then you will want to look up her books! They are well worth the price. I love looking at the photos in her cookbooks. Can you say :drool:?

HERB FRITTATA
Serves 2 as an appetizer, 1 as a lunch dish

From "Lidia's Family Table" (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004)

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons milk

¼ teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon butter

2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil

Whisk the eggs, milk, salt, and fresh herbs until just blended together.

Heat the butter and oil in the small frying pan until it just starts to sizzle, then pour in the eggs and turn the heat down very low.
Cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes. The eggs will start to puff up and sizzle at the edges. Lift a corner of the frittata with a spatula, and check to see if the bottom has browned in splotches. When it has, flip the frittata over by giving the pan a firm, quick shake up and over toward you so that the egg mass dislodges and flips over in one piece. Or, if that unnerves you, turn the frittata over with a spatula.
Cook the second side for 1 ½ to 2 minutes, again checking to see if the bottom has browned to your liking. Serve right away, or let cool to room temperature and cut the frittata in wedges.

Reposted with permission by By Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, Author of Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy: A Feast of 175 Regional Recipes

Pork Roast and Cranberry Dressing by Sandra Lee

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-06:00

What do you think of Sandra Lee? When we had the Food Network I always made sure that I watched her show. Is it still on? I know that I see her cookbooks all over the place. This recipe sounds great and it will be the next Pork Roast that I cook. I love that this can be used in the slow cooker. We do not like stuffing mixes so I will have to come up with something else. Let me know if you make this. I"ll have a picture soon!

Pork Roast and Cranberry Dressing - Entree

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 5 to 6 hours (Low) Stand 15 minutes

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 cups frozen chopped onions
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 3-pound boneless pork shoulder roast
2 tablespoons Montreal steak seasoning
1 can (16-ounce) whole cranberry sauce
1⁄2 cup dry white wine
1 cup vegetable broth
1⁄4 cup butter
1 box (6-ounce) pork stuffing mix
3⁄4 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Directions

1. In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine onions and celery. Sprinkle roast with steak seasoning; place on vegetables in slow cooker. In a medium bowl, stir together cranberry sauce and wine until combined. Spoon over roast in slow cooker.

2. Cover and cook on Low heat setting for 5 to 6 hours.

3. Transfer roast to a cutting board; let rest for 10 minutes before slicing.

4. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, over high heat, bring vegetable broth and butter to a boil. Stir pork stuffing mix and dried cranberries into pan. Cover and remove from heat. Let sit for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork.

5. To serve, mound some stuffing on center of plate. Spoon a portion of celery, onions, cranberries, and accumulated juices from slow cooker over stuffing. Top with sliced roast.

Free Gooseberry Patch Quick & Easy Dinners Cookbook

2012-01-23T09:45:00.002-06:00

Happy Monday from Gooseberry Patch! They are offering their Quick and Easy Family Dinners ebook for a very limited time. Click on Gooseberry Patch to go to their landing page which will give you all the links to get the book on Kindle, NOOK, Apple, Sony and Kobo. Remember you do NOT need an ereader to get this free book. You can get free software and have the cookbook right on your computer. The price could change at anytime. Make sure it is the price you want to pay before clicking buy!

Thanks for stopping in! If you want more free, quick & easy family dinner ideas click my Menu Monday where you will find my recipes for the day. You can also check my Recipe Database for more!

My Review of Quick and Easy Family Dinners from just browsing the book today. I post this on Nook and Kindle since I downloaded it on both ereaders.

First off, I'm a fan of Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks. So this is a biased review and I got the book for free today on my NOOK color. I have their print and ecookbooks. I'm a huge fan of the paper books just because I love curling up with a cookbook and marking pages with sticky notes. BUT I have to admit I'm becoming a quick collector of their ebooks, especially when they offer their freebies. I'm now getting copies of ebooks of paper books that I own. I love taking my ereader with me to the store. Never again will I forget an ingredient to a new, tasty recipe.

I LOVE my NOOK! It makes reading ebook so easy (sometimes it isn't so easy on the Kindle-not sure why but I couldn't find a table of contents on the Kindle.) There is a table of contents on the NOOK so I could quickly see all the recipes and go to the one that I wanted right away! Using an ereader isn't the same as pulling a book off the shelf but it comes pretty close! I"m also a huge fan of their new line of photos of every recipe. These cookbooks can be enjoyed with the paper copy and the NOOK color.

Gooseberry Patch has made a business out of collecting recipes from kitchen all across America and producing cookbooks chocked full of tasty recipes and helpful tips. Not every recipe is one that I would make but I love reading what other kitchen moms are making and trying. As with all cookbooks, being that a Gooseberry Patch or some other brand, I can almost always find something new to serve my family.

For this cookbook, I love looking at the variations of recipes that are already familiar with me. So for example, in this cookbook, a reader submitted Mom's Potato Salad. I'm a mom and I've been making potato salad since I was a kid. I don't even have my own written recipe for this salad because I make it different every time. That is why I appreciate reading another "Mom's Potato Salad" because now I have some new ideas to add to my ever so changing potato salad. The recipe in this book is mayonnaise based, red potato with a zing of horseradish. Bam! That is it. I'm going to add horseradish to my next batch of potato salad. See I found a new idea!

The recipes in this cookbook could easily be called Family Favorite Comfort Foods because that is what they are! Casseroles, fried chicken, baked spahgetti, apple pie (crustless), brownies and more! Pair any of their tasty mains with a healthy salad to balance out your menu that you serve your family. The book was full of such tips. I loved the "Spicy side" which instructed one to take frozen corn and stir in red roasted chilies, cumin, chili power and serrano chile. Yum!

I LOVED the chapter, "Keep these basic pantry items on hand & you can whip up just about anything!" which is helpful for any kitchen.

True to their Gooseberry Patch style, this cookbook will fill your heart, home and family dinner plate with loving, tasty goodness! Thanks Gooseberry Patch.

Menu Plan Monday with linky and photos recipes

2012-01-23T07:20:00.000-06:00

Welcome back to a new Menu Planning Monday! Thanks to all who stopped in and even linked up! I'm following two bloggers who started their new "Simple Dinners" series, 3 Boys and A Dog & Crystal and Company. They have a new theme each week and giveaways.

Here is my menu and I"ve included a linky so you can link up your menu plan or tasty recipes! We often eat the leftovers for lunch since everyone is home around lunch time.

Monday-Cranberry BBQ Chicken

Tuesday-Creole-Style Red Bean Soup with Shrimp

Wednesday-Don's Mexican Salad

Thursday-French Onion Pork Loin Roast

Friday-Pizza Soup

Saturday-Eggs Benedict

Bread-Amish Friendship Bread Starter Day 1

Desserts- Check out these desserts by Inspired By Charm. He made a post with some of his favorite desserts that he found on Pinterest. I was thrilled that he included my Soft Brown Sugar Cookies in his list!

I'm also linked up to orgjunkie!

Crunchy, Macaroon Cookies

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000-06:00

This cookie has been around for 60 plus years. My hubby's grandmother made these since his dad was a little boy. She would make these with the leftover egg whites when she baked the white cut out cookies. My kids love these!

Macaroons

Ingredients

4 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
1 c. sugar
1 c. coarse chopped pecans
2 1/2 c. cornflakes
1/4 tsp vanilla
parchment paper

Directions

Lightly beat egg whites. Add in cream of tartar. Continue to beat mixture until egg whites make stiff (could take up to 10 minutes) peaks. Add sugar slowly, 1/4 c. at a time. Keep beating while adding in the sugar. Once finished adding in sugar, beat in vanilla. Fold in nuts & cornflakes with spatula. Drop by teaspoon onto parchment lined baking pan. Bake at 275 for 20 min. Then turn down the oven to 240 and bake for 10 more min.

Crock Pot Cranberry BBQ Chicken

2012-01-22T03:00:00.000-06:00

Here is one of those crock pot meals that turned out even better than I had imagined.

Cranberry BBQ Chicken

Ingredients

6 chicken breast
2 cups cranberries
1 large onion, sliced
2 cups wine (I used cranberry)
1 bottle BBQ sauce (I used Sweet Baby Ray's)

Directions

Add everything except BBQ sauce to crock pot. Cook on high 3 hours (or low for 5-6 hours) and then pull out chicken and shred it. Put back into crock pot and add BBQ sauce. Cook for 1 more hour.

Kitchen Notes
We shred it to eat as BBQ sandwiches and nachos. You don't have to shred the chicken. Serve with sides of your choice.

No Bake Valentines Treat!

2012-01-21T15:10:00.000-06:00

Super easy, No Bake Valentines Sundae

Ingredients:

1 pound cake, cut into cubes
1 lb. strawberries, cut into 4's (use fresh if they are ripe, if not use thawed n' sweetened frozen berries)
1 jar hot fudge, slightly warm
1 can whipped cream

Directions:

You are going to create layers! Start with hot fudge, then berries, next use cake and finally whipped cream. Do this until your glass is full! Use more or less of the ingredients as you choose.   So easy and very tasty! Top with sprinkles or even candy hearts. My daughter hot glued candy hearts to pic sticks and stuck it in the glass. You can use a parfait glass, wine glass (that is what I used), etc.

Have fun with it! Use brownie chunks, nuts, caramel, cookies, raspberries, etc

Looking for more Valentines? Check out the Fairy Bite Marshmallow Pops, Cake Balls, No Bake Cake balls, No egg Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls, White Cut Out Cookies, Amish Friendship Bread Cake Balls and Cake Pops, and Gooseberry Patch Treat toppers.

Pinterest Favorites link up #3

2012-01-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Saturday!

Thanks for joining in for my 3rd week for the Pinterest round up. Each Saturday I'm going to list some of my weekly favorites, in no particular order.

In the spirit of Pinterest, please pin this post and a few of the links posted. In turn your post will get a pin from me and others who link up. Feel free to use the linky to post your pin address, blog post or some of your favorite links, including your own!

I'm always looking for cohost. If you are interested, leave a comment and I"ll contact you. Make sure you leave your pin name so I can follow you. Thanks to 3 Boys and a Dog and Crystal & Company for being cohost!

If you aren't on Pinterest and want an invite, leave your email address or go look at my top contact page and email me your address and I will send you an invite.

My fans! Check them out :)

1-Healthier, Crunchy Granola

2-Life Lesson on How to Change the Toilet Paper (hilarious)

3-Turtle Burger (not real turtle meat)

4-Revitialize carrots-so cool!

5-Easy Sesame Ginger Chicken

6-Sweets on a Stick- cookbook giveaway

Healthy Snacking Tips with #Snyders pretzels

2012-01-20T15:05:00.001-06:00

Do you and your kiddos ever find yourself having a snack attack a few hours after dinner? What do you do when this happens? Here are some healthy snacking tips that we use.

Have regularly scheduled meals. This will keep the kids from snacking excessively in between meal time.
Keep dry, low sugar cereals on hand.
When a salty snack is needed, choose from the huge variety of Snyder's of Hanover pretzels. They come in a large variety of shapes & flavors.
Keep clean, colorful, cut up veggies in the fridge as well as a yogurt dip. We just recently tried a new yogurt dip in the refrigerated section of the store that comes in a variety of flavors. The yogurt dip has protein in it that helps the craving as well as the crunchy, colorful veggies.
Frozen fruit is fun to top yogurt or eat straight out of the bag. Give the kids toothpicks or kabob sticks to make their own fruit kabob.
Use the frozen fruit with a splash of soy milk for a quick snack.
Keep ice cream cones on hand for them to make their own snack mix with healthy foods in your pantry. They can add in Snyder's of Handover mini pretzels, nuts, cereal, dried fruits, etc. or you can make my healthier, crunchy granola below. (Sorry I can't find my picture of the granola. As soon as I do I will post it.)

HEALTHIER CRUNCHY GRANOLA

Ingredients

2/3 cup chopped dates
1/3 cup chopped dried apricots
1 cup water
8 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup almonds, slightly chopped
1 cup cranberries (craisins), dried
1/2 cup blueberries, dried
3/4 cup oat bran
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup sunflower seeds (roasted and salted is good)
3 cups Snyder's of Hanover Mini Pretzels
1 1/2 cups unsweetened shredded coconut
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed

Preheat oven to 350. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine dates, water, canola and apple juice concentrate. Cook stirring occasionally until the mixture forms a thick paste. Remove from heat-set aside.

In a large bowl, mix together remaining ingredients. Spread out onto thin layer on a baking sheet. (1 full sheet or 2 half sheets). Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly toasted. Transfer to a large bowl and mix in date paste mixture. Bake an additional 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until lightly browned.

What snacking tips do you have to share? I would love to hear them. Do you have a favorite healthy snack recipe? I would love to feature you on my blog as Guest Chef.

If you want a sweet snack, try my White Christmas Bark. We do making it at other times besides Christmas. It is more of a "holiday" bark because you use seasonal M & Ms and well as seasonal sprinkles!

Check out Snyder's of Hanover for more tasty recipes! I could NOT believe how many new recipes I found on their page that I will be trying soon with my family.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Snyder’s of Hanover blogging program, for 6,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Win Sweets on a Stick by Linda Vandermeer

2012-01-20T11:54:00.000-06:00

(provided info) Sweets on a Stick by Linda Vandermeer is the only cookbook that provides recipes for cakes, cookies, brownies, pies, and candies that are convenient, eye-catching, and a treat to make. You will find everything from cake pops and mini pies to cookies and marshmallow kabobs. From fruity to chocolate, crunchy to smooth, there are dozens of tasty bites to tempt your taste buds.

Parents will encourage kids to play with their food when they get together to create these delicious and decadent desserts, including unique holiday creations such as:

· Coconut Christmas Wreaths

· Abominable Snowman Pops

· Gingerbread Cookie pops

· Christmas Tree Cookies

My take on the Cookbook- Can you say easy, tasty, and FUN? If so, that is exactly what you will get with this, Sweets on a Stick cookbook. I"m a huge fan of making these type of treats and I always hear "that takes too much time" to make. Well this book really took the confusion and difficulty out of making these snacks and gave easy directions to make any reader feel like they would have enough time to make them.

Most of the time when I make my cake pops, I use a boxed cake mix. Well the author provides simple, tasty homemade cake, frosting & dough recipes. They are so easy to make and are ingredients that most have right in there own pantry. Each recipe is easy to read and every step is explained.

Here are the tasty chapters and a few of my fav items:

Equipment and Ingredients: Everything needed to make these goodies are listed here. Very through and most of the items are right in your own home.
Cake Pops: Homemade cake & frosting recipes. Fun cake pots like Moo (milk)-Free and Gluten-Free, Abominable Snowman pops and Nutty about you pops.
Cupcake Pops: These are so easy to make! Great ideas like Sunny oreo cookie bouquet, Bitty Banana Cakes with cream cheese frosting and S'more cupcakes.
Cookie Pops: Wonderful cookie recipes with fun designs. Love the Play-Dough Cookies, Mustache cookies, Cowboy Hat cookie pops and Safari Mask.
Outside-The-Box Pops: Very fun and super easy to pull off. Love the Popcorn balls, Dunk me donut hole pops, Brownie Blast pops and Bitty Male Waffle Bites.
Cutie Pie Pops: Yummy dough recipes and fun pops like Lemon curd pie pops, Boston cream pie pops and Pirate pie pops.
Fruit On A Stick: Wonderful fruit ideas like Fruity flowers, Bitty banana split bites, and Dip-and Dunk fruit.
Candy On A Stick: Peanut butter bliss bites, Coconut ice Easter eggs and Fairy Bite Marshmallow Pops
The Icing On The Cake: Full list of recipes to make all the tasty frostings, icings, sauces and a yummy marshmallow fondant.
Decorating and Displaying Your Pops: Each chapter is full of fun decorating tips. This last chapter goes in to detail on items needed, where to buy and crafty tips!

This book was made by a busy mom! After reading this book, I was inspired to make fun treats including marshmallow pops. I made some chocolate ones using pretzels as a stick and Valentine Pops! Pick up this book today for some quick & easy Sweets on a Stick! Feeling lucky? Enter the super easy giveaway below to try and win a copy!

About the Author

Linda Vandermeer started cooking with her mother as a child and now encourages her three children to help her in the kitchen. Inspired by their creativity, she started her blog BubbleandSweet.blogspot.com, which features all of her delectable creations. Her recipes have been published in Peekaboo Magazine and Adore magazine. A stay-at-home mom, she lives with her husband and three children.

Fairy Bite Marshmallow Pops

10 oz pink candy coating

18 marshmallows

pink and or purple sprinkles

1)Line a tray with parchment paper.

2)In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the candy coating by heating at med. low in 60 second burst, stirring in between burst for a total of 4-6 minutes, until all the coating is smooth and lump free.

3) Dip the end of the lollipop sticks into the melted candy and insert into the marshmallows. Allow to set for 10 minutes.

4) Remelt the candy coating if necessary. Holding the end of the stick, dip the top of a marshmallow into the melted candy and then lift it out. Holding the pop over the bowl to catch drips, gently tab the stick against your hand or the side of the bowl to remove excess candy coating.

5) Move the pop away from the bowl. Working quickly, before the candy sets, shake the sprinkles over the candy-coated marshmallows. Stick the pop upright into a Styrofoam block to set. Repeat for remaining pops.

Kitchen Notes- I took creative license and used red candy coating. These will make great Valentine treats.

I was sent a copy of this cookbook by the sponsor for my participation in the Sweets On a Stick blog tour. My own tasty opinions are expressed here.

GIVEAWAY (ends 1/27/12)

To win- Leave a comment and tell me why you want this book!

Bonus entries- Follow me on Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook. Give this post a pin on Pinterest. You'll get one entry for each one you do. Leave a comment so that I know which entries you completed!

Happy Friday Salad Link Up with Chicken Tostada Salad

2012-01-20T07:00:00.000-06:00

These are SOOO good and a family favorite!

Chicken Tostada Salad with Salsa Verde

Makes 4 dinner salads. It is very tasty and can be low-fat if you use reduced fat sour cream.

For the salad:

4 8-inch round flour tortillas
3/4 cup coarsely shredded pepper jack cheese (we also used shredded taco cheese)
1 bag (8 ounces) shredded lettuce salad blend
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
1 cup jarred green salsa
kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 large tomato, cored and diced
1/4 cup sour cream
avocado- sliced

For the Tostada:

Preheat oven to 400°F. Place the tortillas on a baking sheet and evenly cover with the shredded cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crunchy, about 8-12 minutes. The long you cook, the crunchier the shell. Remove from the oven and transfer to serving plates.

In a large salad bowl toss together the salad blend, chicken, and cilantro. Add the salsa to taste. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon salad evenly over the warm tortillas. Garnish with diced tomatoes and sour cream. Serve immediately.

Kitchen Notes: Made from tomatillos, salsa verde, or green salsa, typically has a naturally sweet tangy yet mild taste. Look for it in your grocery store next to other jarred salsas. Substitute your favorite jarred salsa if you prefer. If you are lucky enough to find fresh tomatillos in your local store, you can make your our sauce.

Link up your Salad recipes!

Warm up with Breakfast & Brunch Recipes- link up

2012-01-19T14:22:00.002-06:00

(Bacon Cheddar Muffins)

Join in the Gooseberry Patch Recipe Round up with me this week. I'm late and getting it posted but you still have time to link up!

From Gooseberry Patch: Getting out of bed can be pretty tough on these chilly winter mornings, but when you entice your family to the table with piping hot cinnamon rolls, fresh-baked blueberry muffins or a savory egg bake, you can make it that much easier!

This week, we're rounding up all of YOUR best breakfast & brunch recipes for winter mornings and we'd love to have you join in the fun! So, tell us...

Here's a recipe from our cookbook, Comfort Foods, that will definitely bring 'em all to the table...we love the shredded hashbrown crust!

Savory Breakfast Pie
Shared by Sharon Tillman of Hampton, Virginia, who assures us "Nothing says 'Rise and shine!' on a lazy weekend morning like the heavenly aroma of this pie in the oven." Thanks, Sharon!

3 eggs, beaten
1/2 c. milk
1/2 t. salt
pepper to taste
5 T. butter, melted
3 c. frozen shredded
    hashbrowns, thawed
1 c. cooked ham,
    finely chopped
1/2 c. onion,
    finely chopped
1/2 c. green pepper,
    chopped
1/4 c. diced pimento,
    drained
1 c. shredded sharp
    Cheddar cheese

Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper; set aside. Drizzle butter over a 9" pie plate; pat hashbrowns into bottom and up sides to form a crust. Bake at 425 degrees for 25 minutes, or until golden; cool. Sprinkle crust with ham, onion, green pepper, pimento and cheese; top with egg mixture. Reduce heat to 375 degrees; bake for an additional 35 to 40 minutes, until eggs are set. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Link up your favorite WINTER BREAKFAST recipes below
and, if you're joining this hop, link back
here by using the handy button below.

10 Ways to get the kids fit & link up

2012-01-19T07:00:00.000-06:00

Click here to read Tips #1-5 from last week.

6) PE time can be difficult for homeschoolers if the weather is bad! Who really wants to go outside and play in the snow or rain??? Your kids do! Let your homeschool get dressed for the weather (this burns a lot of calories) and go outside and play! PE time is a great time to walk the dog. While the kids are outside you can break open the Wii and play some tennis! The teacher needs a workout too!

7) Lunch time becomes active time! Don't let your kids think that they can line up and get food! Have them in the kitchen making their own lunch! I'm a lunch lady on strike! They are in charge of lunch! This is not only an active lunch hour but a mental lunch hour! They have to give their brain a workout and make yummy food! Sometimes, if everyone is home we make lunch our main meal of the day and have a lighter dinner.

8) Out of groceries? Get those kids to the store! Look at all the muscle toning they can get going up and down the store aisles! They can build muscle mass lifting, stooping, bending and reaching for food items! Go to the self check out lane so they can work on their fine motor movements and pick up each item to scan and bag! Let them lift all the bags into the cart and load into the car! This is a great time for them to look for people to help in the parking lot. Little old ladies love help loading groceries into their car! This will provide a bonus workout!

9) Healthy eating is key to getting fit! Make sure you pick out healthy snacks to have at home for the kids to eat! Get them involved with menu planning for dinner too! Go to the library (walk to get in their step goals) and find books on healthy foods. The library is also a great place to work on muscle fitness! Those books can be heavy!

10) Get fit and have fun as a family! If you have a Wii use it! What a great way to play with your kids and get fit! We do not have Wii Fit or EA Sports but would love one of them! EA SPORTS says "Get inspired, get motivated and get active!" If you don't have one either then use this time to play bowling, tennis, etc with your kids on the Wii. Use whatever you have to have fun and get active!

What are you doing to get your kids fit? Post and let me know! If you have something on your blog leave the link so I can visit!

I'm cohost with Kelli's Homeschooling in the Cheap! educational & homeschooling link up! Join in the fun.

The Art of Baking Bread by Matt Pellegrini

2012-01-18T11:45:00.000-06:00

Here is a press release about a new book that I will be reviewing in two weeks! I can't wait to share with you the goodies in this book.

BEGINNER BREAD BAKERS’ BIBLE

EVERYTHING YOU’LL NEED TO KNOW TO GET

YOUR DOUGH JUST RIGHT ON THE FIRST TRY!

THE ART OF BAKING BREAD

What You Really Need to Know To Make Great Bread

By Matt Pellegrini

“And by the time your first loaf has completely cooled on the rack and you take that first bite, you will no doubt experience a state of bread-induced nirvana that, if you’re anything like me, will become contagious.”—Matt Pellegrini, author

Frustrated with your bread-baking skills? Yearn to have perfectly baked baguettes or beautiful brioche in your home?

Sidestep years of unnecessary trial and error and learn how to bake bread like a professional without ever setting foot in a cooking school. With over 230 color photographs, more than 150 step-by-step instructions covering basic to advanced techniques, over 200 tips, and sidebars filled with invaluable information and troubleshooting advice, The Art of Baking Bread will teach you to work, move, think, anticipate, smell, feel, and, ultimately, taste like a true artisan baker.

The Art of Baking Bread offers what no other book does—the secrets of successful bakers—in a language that anyone can understand.

If you want to possess the exceptional know-how and confidence it takes to make perfect ciabatta, focaccia, challah, sour dough, and more, then The Art of Baking Bread will be your new best friend in the kitchen.

This book will provide useful tips, including:

· How to properly shape a baguette

· How to make your own lame

· The difference between gas and electric ovens

· How to calculate the Desired Dough Temperature (DDT)

· And much more!

From the Eight Essential Steps of Bread Baking (preparing your Mise en Place, properly mixing and kneading your ingredients, properly fermenting your dough, to proofing, shaping, and resting your dough before baking) to recipes for straight dough, prefermented dough (baguettes, ciabatta, and focaccia), enriched dough (pain de mie, brioche, and challah), and sourdough, The Art of Baking Bread is the only book on baking bread you’ll need.

About the Author

Matt Pellegrini, a lifelong home baker and cook, is the coauthor of Cowboy: The Ultimate Guide to Living Like a Great American Icon, which includes an entire chapter on mastering the art of chuck-wagon cooking. In addition to a career in writing, Matt has worked as a strength coach, carpenter, litigation attorney, public policy analyst, and may things in between. He lives in Denver, Colorado, with his cattle dog, Appaloosa.

The Art of Baking Bread

What You Really Need To Know To Make Great Bread

By Matt Pellegrini

Skyhorse Publishing hardover

On Sale: February 2012

ISBN: 978-1-61608-537-7

Price: $24.95

Free- Year long online quilt classes

2012-01-17T12:00:00.000-06:00

I'm a quilter wanna so I am very excited to learn about this free, year-long online class that is instructed by expert quilter, Amy Gibson. There are 12 videos, with one posted at the first day of every month.

By the end of the classes you will have a full size, one-of-a-kind quilt. One of the things that I love about online classes is that you can watch them whenever it is convenient for you.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Steakhouse Salad with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Blue Cheese

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-06:00

Makes 6 dinner salads- Very yummy! I've had this recipe in a few steakhouse but never made it at home, until now!

Steakhouse Salad with Bacon, Tomatoes, and Blue Cheese

For the Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing:
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon minced yellow onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese (preferably Maytag)
3 tablespoons reduced-fat buttermilk
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the salad:
1 bag (3 pack) Romaine Hearts
2 large tomatoes, diced
1 red onion, finely diced
1/2 pound bacon (about 10 slices), cooked, drained on paper towels, and crumbled
1 1/4 cups crumbled blue cheese (preferably Maytag)
Freshly ground black pepper

For the Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing:
In a small bowl whisk the mayonnaise, onion, garlic, sour cream, lemon juice, vinegar, blue cheese, and buttermilk together. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For the salad:
Cut the heads of Romaine in half lengthwise. Place one wedge on each plate. Generously drizzle with the dressing. Top with the tomatoes, red onion, and bacon. Garnish with the freshly ground pepper. Serve immediately.

Tips: There is no substitute for freshly cooked bacon. Use either the traditional pork or turkey variety; but avoid the temptation to use processed bacon bits.

For a lighter version, substitute balsamic vinaigrette for the chunky blue cheese dressing.

This recipe came from the cookbook, Simply Salads by Jennifer Chandler. I've had the book for a few years now and it is one of my go-to books for quick and easy salad recipes.

Headed out to the store? Print off your coupons!

$1.00 off SMUCKER'S SUGAR FREE PRODUCT

$0.30 off 4 oz. or larger HARIBO product

$0.55 off two HORMEL Bacon Bits products

$3.00 off HORMEL Party Tray product

$0.55 off two HOMRMEL Pepperoni packages

$2.00 off LLOYD'S Barbeque Ribs

$0.55 off 2 HORMEL Premium Chicken Breasts

$0.55 off 2 HORMEL Chili products

$1.00 off TWO Great Grains cereals

$0.50 off ONE MARIE CALLENDER'S FRUIT PIE

$0.50 off one Newman's Own Salsa

$1.50 off two PLANTERS Peanut Butter

$4.00 off WYB participating NABISCO & Coca Cola

New Coupons to print!

2012-01-16T19:34:00.000-06:00

Food

$1.00 off SMUCKER'S SUGAR FREE PRODUCT

$0.30 off 4 oz. or larger HARIBO product

$0.55 off two HORMEL Bacon Bits products

$3.00 off HORMEL Party Tray product

$0.55 off two HOMRMEL Pepperoni packages

$2.00 off LLOYD'S Barbeque Ribs

$0.55 off 2 HORMEL Premium Chicken Breasts

$0.55 off 2 HORMEL Chili products

$1.00 off TWO Great Grains cereals

$0.50 off ONE MARIE CALLENDER'S FRUIT PIE

$0.50 off one Newman's Own Salsa

$1.50 off two PLANTERS Peanut Butter

$4.00 off WYB participating NABISCO & Coca Cola

Home

$1.00 off on any Glade Press & Spray starter kit

$1.00 off on any Glade Automatic Spray refill

$3.50 off Glade Sense & Spray starter kit

$0.55 off Glade Carpet & Room Odor Eliminator

$1.50 off TWO Glade Scented Oil Candle refills

$1.50 off on any TWO Glade 4-oz. Jar Candles

$1.00 off any Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator

$1.00 off Glade Expressions Fragrance Mist

$2.00 off Glade Expressions Oil Diffuser

$1.00 off any Glade Scented Oil Candle holder

$3.00 off Glade PlugIns Lasting Impressions

$2.00 off Glade PlugIns Scented Oil refills

$0.55 off Glade Premium Room Spray (9.7-oz)

Health & Wellness

$1.00 off (1) 4-oz. Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief

$5.00 off one Weight Watchers Scale by Conair

$3.00 off 2 John Frieda Sheer Blonde

$2.00 off 1 NIVEA FOR MEN Face Care Product

Post does contain affiliate links.

Menu Planning Monday link up & recipes

2012-01-16T06:30:00.000-06:00

Monday-Beef and Snow Pea Stir Fry

Tuesday-Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

Wednesday-MYOP: Make Your Own Pizza

Thursday-Chicken Tostada Salad with Salsa Verde

Friday-Manhattan Clam Chowder

Saturday- Bacon & Cheddar Muffins

Sunday-Slow Cooker Chicken and Mom's Cheesy Potatoes

Bread-Focaccia

Sweets-Chocolate Zucchini Cake

I'm also linked up to orgjunkie!
Here are the coupons of the week, too! Don't forget to print before heading out to the store:

$1.00 off SMUCKER'S SUGAR FREE PRODUCT

$0.30 off 4 oz. or larger HARIBO product

$0.55 off two HORMEL Bacon Bits products

$3.00 off HORMEL Party Tray product

$0.55 off two HOMRMEL Pepperoni packages

$2.00 off LLOYD'S Barbeque Ribs

$0.55 off 2 HORMEL Premium Chicken Breasts

$0.55 off 2 HORMEL Chili products

$1.00 off TWO Great Grains cereals

$0.50 off ONE MARIE CALLENDER'S FRUIT PIE

$0.50 off one Newman's Own Salsa

$1.50 off two PLANTERS Peanut Butter

$4.00 off WYB participating NABISCO & Coca Cola

Mom's Cheesy Hashbrowns

2012-01-15T19:40:00.000-06:00

Mom's Cheesy Hashbrowns (Click for printable copy)
These are so tasty!
Ingredients:

1/4 c. butter
1 sweet onion, chopped
2 c. shredded Cheddar Cheese
1 c. sour cream
30-oz pkg country-style frozen shredded hashbrowns, thawed

Directions:

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix in cheese and continue stirring until melted. Remove from heat; stir in sour cream. Gently fold mixture into hasbrowns. Spoon into a greased 2-quart casserole dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 60-75 minutes, until heated through and top is golden. Serves 6-8.

Pinterest Favorites link up #2

2012-01-14T08:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Saturday!

Thanks for joining in for my 2nd week for the Pinterest round up. Each Saturday I'm going to list some of my weekly favorites, in no particular order.

In the spirit of Pinterest, please pin this post and a few of the links posted. In turn your post will all get a pin from me and others who link up. Feel free to use the linky to post your pin address, blog post or some of your favorite links, including your own!

I'm always looking for cohost. If you are interested, leave a comment and I"ll contact you. Make sure you leave your pin name so I can follow you. My cohost this week are 3 Boys and a Dog and Crystal & Company.

If you aren't on Pinterest and want an invite, leave your email address or go look at my top contact page and email me your address and I will send you an invite.

Very simple! Happy Pinterest Saturday!

1-Fiesta Burger

2-Free iPhone Apps for Calorie Tracking

3-Buckeye Brownies

4-Homeschooling/Educational Cheap ideas

5-Mommy Solutions

6-2 Minute Clean up before guest arrive

7-Monday Menu Planning & Photo Recipes

8-Top 10 ways to get the kids fit