Friday, December 22, 2017

Holiday Sweets 2017


This year I made my families tradition the Buckeye candies, sugar cookies, and Snicker doodles but I added a few tasty treats like the Chocolate covered strawberries from my earlier post, this year I decided to indulge in a treat I love! White chocolate (almond bark) covered pretzels! I used sugar cookie sprinkles on them before the chocolate dried.

 I must say I started with drizzling of the white chocolate on my already chocolate covered strawberries to make them pretty, and then I started dunking pretzels. Once I made it through all the white chocolate I still had plenty of pretzels left over for the kids to snack on while they wait on dinner to be ready! :)

Chocolate Covered Strawberries


Today I realized I had no idea why I bought the strawberries. Once you get started shopping for holiday dinner and treats you kind of lose yourself with so many choices. I already knew I was going to be making Buckeye Candy a holiday treat tradition going back to when I was a child. So when I finished making my candy I had some melted chocolate left over and decided to dip the strawberries in it. They looked like something out of a high end candy shop if you ask me!

Unfortunately, it was my first time making these and I was told the strawberries became soft after a day or two. But they sure look so darn pretty, don't they?

Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Iced Sugar Cookies 2017


My daughter and I are required to make iced sugar cookies every year or my husband turns into a Grinch. This year we went with holiday trees similar to last years design and we also chose wreaths. My daughter had the brilliant idea of using the Tupperware cookie cutter tool we used for stars on our trees, to cut circles out of the center of the wreaths, that didn't work out but the idea was so good we used the lid from the sugar sprinkles container instead. My photos do not do them justice, it was pretty late into the night when I took the photos. :) 




Monday, November 27, 2017

Homemade Apple Pie with Pillsbury Crust


Seriously, when the pie looks like that in the oven, you know it is going to be good! This is homemade apple filling, but I cheated on the crust on this pie, since I used my homemade crusts for Thanksgiving Turkey Pot Pies, I bought Pillsbury pre-made crusts for this pie, and look how well it turned out! It tastes even better than it looks, and I have never been someone who likes cooked apples. But this time it was so good!

Mini Apple Crisp Tarts



 I had left over dough from Homemade Turkey Pot Pie. I put it in muffin pans, to make this! Mini Apple Crisp Tarts! Topped with a brown sugar, pecan, and butter mix that was baked onto the tart, and then add a drop of cool whip! 

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Dinette Cake


Oh how I love Dinette Cake. It is not too sweet, but so scrumptious! It takes me back that is for certain. This was one of my mother's quick fix sweet tooth recipes from her Betty Crocker's Cookbook. With just a few ingredients and an 8 x 8 pan, baked in 30 minutes and you have delicious warm cake to eat in no time! You can put icing on if you like, but I prefer it just like you see! 

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Betty Crocker's Cookbook a Family Tradition


One of our families favorite cookbooks, Mom's trusty Betty Crocker's Cookbook. Whenever we had a craving for something sweet Mom would grab Betty Crocker and head to the kitchen. Over the years, poor Betty was left on the shelf because my mother had the recipe memorized. Look it up, if you ever get a chance. It is called Dinette Cake. It is so good it doesn't need icing! I also recommend a couple of good recipes, the Taco shells, and the doughnuts are both so worth making! Tonight we are baking Dinette Cake!



Friday, August 18, 2017

The Disco Biscuit


One bite was all it took to realize this is photo worthy! The Disco Biscuit from Guyutes in Oklahoma City! Wow, it was sweet but with a little spice, and oh so good! If I hadn't recently had a tooth pulled I could have enjoyed it even more, so now I have to go back and have it again! :D 

If you are in the OKC area and need a place to try, don't be deceived by the tiny building or small parking lot because the food is great! Get there when they open during week and there is plenty of parking, by the time you leave the parking lot will be packed! 

When I visited they were about to celebrate 2 years in the business! They were going to have Drunken Spelling Bee on Thursday night, so if you like a rockin' atmosphere with great and unique dishes to try, I don't think you will be disappointed! 

Saturday, August 12, 2017

Homemade Dog Food Update

BAMBI & JINXY


Hey there cookin' friends and followers!
 I wanted to give you an update on my homemade dog food recipes I had found on Pinterest! It has been at least 5 weeks since I had posted. So my first mixture was of ground turkey, and it was into a loaf, that was not a hit with my Pomeranian's. I then tried a crock-pot chicken with sweet potatoes, carrots and green beans, they picked out the beans, and they picked at the meal for a few hours. I tried the ground beef in a crock-pot meal, and boy did they clean the bowl! So, I have remade the chicken, leaving out the beans and putting in peas. They loved it the first night, and I alternated between chicken meals with the beef meals, they love the beef! They are still going strong on their homemade dog food! 

MICKEY

We also adopted a cat from Pets & People at the local Petsmart.  I will not be feeding this kitty any 9Lives, that is for certain! He will not replace my Kikimochi, but he helps a little. I never had a cat that couldn't jump, but I do now. Apparently he needed me as much as I needed him. He lost his mommy in May 2017. With as much flabby skin he has hanging under him I believe he had to of been severely obese at one time. Now that he has been here a month, his fur is thickening, he isn't shedding like I don't know what, when we first took him in. He doesn't feel bony. Top that off, he was relieving himself under my bed. As soon as I noticed that the kitty box was not being used I nipped that in the bud! I started treat training him. Yes, you can treat train a cat! I did it! I trained him to follow me to the cat box, sat the treats down and rewarded him when he did. Eventually, I had him going in on his own! Thank goodness or I was seriously contemplating taking him back, even though it would break my heart to do it. Now, he's using the box, walking around the house, very carefully of course. He meows for me to pick him up at night and bring him to bed with me. Because he cannot jump apparently. Before you know it he will feel completely comfortable I hope! 

Sunday, July 2, 2017

Crockpot Rosemary Chicken Dog Food


I know, blogging friends it feels kind of crazy making my own dog food, but it's a crazy good feeling! This chicken meal only used two chicken breasts! My girls love chicken, but apparently this evening  they are not in the mood. I made beef and turkey yesterday, so I tried what was left over of their turkey yesterday, and then I gave them beef since they didn't touch the turkey. I will continue to attempt to get them to eat the food, but it looks like I may need to change up the ingredients or try a different recipe for chicken and turkey. 

http://lifeinthehundredacrewoods.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-to-make-your-own-dog-food-easier.html?m=1

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Crockpot Ground Beef Dog Food


Hey there again! After this morning, and the fuzzy girls hardly touching the ground Turkey "woof" Loaf, for dinner I made them Beef & Rice. They ate it so fast the bowls looked brand new! I also found this recipe on Pinterest. I can change it up, add kidney beans and what not. But this blend is a definite keeper! 



http://lifeinthehundredacrewoods.blogspot.com/2014/02/how-to-make-your-own-dog-food-easier.html?m=1

Homemade Meatball Sandwiches


I found this great meat ball recipe at AllRecipes.com. Check out Chef John's recipes. He has a ton of delicious ones I have tried. These meatballs were delicious!

Want the Meatball recipe?

Chef John's Meatballs

Turkey "Woof" Loaf


Hey there my blog following cooking friends! Yes, you read that title right! This is Turkey Woof Loaf. It is a ground turkey meat loaf for your dog. And yes again, I am now making homemade dog food for my fuzzy babies. No, I have not gone insane.

What on earth gave me this idea?



 My kitty,  he was about 5 years old. I ran out of his usual food, and I chose another brand in a can. It didn't even look real. He ate it, but started throwing it up. I didn't think it to be odd because I changed his food. Within a week he was meowing like his tummy hurt, we rubbed his tummy he felt better, the next day he laid around all day didn't eat, barely drank water. The following day he was gone. It all happened that fast, a healthy fit kitty beating me to every room I headed for, to no kitty. I have been devastated. It is hard not having a kitty around, but I am not ready for another. I had him trained so well.

 So, as you see, as soon we started noticing my Pomeranians were being picky over their usual food a few months back we had discussed making them food ourselves. It wasn't until we lost our only beloved Kikimochi- our kitty, that we decided no more store bought crap food for our fuzzy babies. Today, was their first meals, I started with Pinterest, found tons of recipes and decided to go for it. 


The food sat there over 30 minutes untouched. 
So they obviously don't like this mix this morning. 



Thursday, June 22, 2017

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Manicotti Tonight


A delicious family favorite! Stuffed Manicotti noodles with ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan and italian seasonings with a wonderful meaty Italian sauce. It tastes amazing! 

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Happy Birthday


Duncan Hines Strawberry cake mix, with two containers of the Duncan Hines Strawberries and Cream icing using a 1M tip and an icing decorator bag. Very easy to create! 

Duncan Hines Strawberry Cake Mix with Strawberries and Cream Icing

 


Duncan Hines Strawberry Cake Mix with Strawberries and Cream Icing. I had never iced a cake other than smearing the icing on there and eating it up when I have bought the store bought tubs of icing in the past. This year I wanted to make that box cake mix into something a little special for my daughters birthday. Using the 1M tip and a decorator bag filled with the icing I made rosettes all over the cake any gaps I just filled with a little dab of icing and dropped some pearl sprinkles on top. I wish i had added a birthday tiara on top.. but I didn't have one, still kicking myself for not getting one! 

Friday, May 12, 2017

Happy Mother's Day!


Oh my goodness what a delightful surprise! Our son Brian and his wife Chantel had a special delivery sent to me from Sherries Berries! And Wow! These are amazing! I must say I highly recommend them! Thank you so much you two, you made my day!

Sunday, April 16, 2017

Italian Easter Bread




Since finding out my husband is Sicialian I have tried to find recipes that we can try. I had never made Italian Easter Bread and from my research it is a family tradition in many Italian families to make this bread every Easter, and to give to friends. I had to see what all of the fuss is about since I love using my bread machine. And WOW! This bread is the perfect texture! I had to remove mine from oven about 10 minutes early and it was melt in your mouth perfect. The glaze recipe needs to be doubled in my opinion. That is a little mental note to myself for when I make it next! :D The eggs are colored while raw, and then baked in the bread, photo in bottom left shows texture of the egg, it is still very good to eat.  Great Recipe from AllRecipes.com

Happy Easter


These are raw eggs that I have colored today for a special recipe. Also the Easter Egg dye kit says it comes with six color tablets, and it only comes with five. Not sure where my husband picked it up at, I usually get Paas. I just mixed red and blue and had a shade similar to purple and they really surprised me with their vibrant colors.

Italian Bites


Saturday night I made Baked Rigatoni, I still had just a dab of meat sauce left over so I saved it for this little treat. Italian bread topped with Italian cheeses, Italian sausage and beef sauce, topped with more cheeses! A very nice afternoon snack on Easter Sunday!

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Easter Candy Baskets


Today I whipped up another tasty treat, a handmade Easter Candy basket. I figured I could share with all my cooking friends since it consists of some edibles. ;)  I crocheted both baskets and eventually I will find a pattern for an Easter basket large enough for my sweet tooth! 





Sunday, March 5, 2017

Chocolate Chip Cookies


Okay so I cheated a little here. I used cookie dough from the local Papa Murphy's Pizza with my small stainless steel scoop. It made the cutest little cookies that reminded me of some my Grandma Georgia Dessie use to keep in her cookie jar. Although her cookies were store bought these turned out the same size! It is so fun to have tiny little cookies to snack on, feels like your saving calories! ;)

Friday, March 3, 2017

Oatmeal Cookies


Okay so my recipe called for 3 cups of oats. No one in my family ever touches the oats so I knew I had to have a whole full thing of Quaker Oats. I start mixing it all up, and I come to the end where I need to add in the oats. What's this? I have 1 1/2 cups of oats, that's it? Yikes! I tossed what I had in the mix and baked them using my medium stainless steel scoop to drop them on my baking sheet. When you have a sweet tooth and not enough oats it still works! :)

Thursday, March 2, 2017

Sugar Bunny


I did not make the food in this Sugar Bunny, however I did make the bunny and it has tootsie rolls in each hair roller, so because of that I felt it deserved a place on my cooking blog. :)