Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Homemade Potato Chips

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I don't know if your family is anything like ours but on some days, especially when we have a houseful, we can go through several bags of potato chips in one sitting.

I have also always liked a variety so we usually have at least two different kinds on the table at the same time.

I have made homemade chips before but it had been a while and I wanted to make some to go with my Italian Beef Dip Sandwiches I made for dinner last week.

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Pumpkin Puppy Treats

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While making all the yummy pumpkin treats I couldn't leave out my four legged friend so I took my Peanut Butter Puppy Treats and turned them into a Fall treat that Harley LOVES!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Spooktacular Halloween/Fall Link Party

We are at it again this year!

We think everyone could use a few new recipes and crafts for Halloween and Fall this year so we are having our second annual Halloween/Fall Link Party.

It will run from Tuesday October 28th for two weeks until Tuesday November 11th and be linked on all three blogs so please make sure to stop by again and again to share and see what is new.
Facebook Page                         Facebook Page                     Facebook Page
Pinterest                                   Pinterest                                Pinterest
                                                 Twitter

Here's what your hostesses have been up to lately.....
Cutest Doc Around ~ Crafts, Cakes, and Cats
Baked Apple Cider Donuts ~ MorningNooNight
Pumpkindoodles ~ Michelle's Tasty Creations
Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal White Chocolate Chip Cookies ~ Michelle's Tasty Creations
Crock Pot Italian Wedding Soup with Turkey Meatballs ~ Crafts, Cakes, and Cats
Caramel Stuffed Gingerbread Cookies ~ MorningNooNight
Frankenstein Cupcakes ~ Crafts, Cakes, and Cats
Monster Eye Cookies ~ MorningNooNight
Pumpkin Maple Coffee Cake ~ Michelle's Tasty Creations

~ Now let's see what you've been up to ~

~A few things to remember~
Please only link up Halloween/Fall recipes, crafts, DIY, tutorials, printables, etc that YOU have created.
Please don't link up any Etsy shops, giveaways, or other link parties.
By linking to this party you give us permission to share your post on our blogs and other social media.
Please share this party by linking back to us in your post or by adding this party to your party page.
Be sure to stop by and visit a few of the other blogs that have posted; we all love to see sweet comments.


Sunday, October 26, 2014

Pumpkin Crazy Cake

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A while back I adapted the Chocolate Crazy Cake from Sweet Little Bluebird's blog into a Mocha Crazy Cake and while I was at it I decided because it's Fall I'd make a Pumpkin one too.

These are the easiest one dish cakes ever.  You can mix, bake, and serve all out of the same baking dish.

These are depression era cakes (when ingredients were scarce and they had to make do) so they are also completely dairy free (without the frosting that is) and perfect for those of you with egg or dairy allergies.

Friday, October 24, 2014

Pumpkin Maple Coffee Cake

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This is the Holy Grail of Pumpkin recipes!

You know, that one recipe that everyone begs you to bring to get togethers and functions.

That recipe that everyone ask for over and over again.

I kid you not.

This Pumpkin Maple Coffee Cake is the best reinvention of a recipe I have made so far.

I took my Coffee Cake recipe and added some pumpkin and other goodies and it turned into my new favorite pumpkin recipe of the year!  Maybe even the decade :)

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Mocha Crazy Cake

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While I was checking out Facebook a while back I found this recipe over at Sweet Little Bluebird blog for Chocolate Crazy Cake and adapted it slightly for a Mocha Cake.

What is Crazy Cake you ask?  It's a cake that was developed during the depression when some food items were scarce; like eggs, milk, and butter.  

This is a cake that is made without any eggs, milk, or butter.  This cake is dairy free; which is perfect for those of you with egg or dairy allergies.

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Pumpkindoodles

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Here comes all the wonderful pumpkin recipes!

I know not everyone is a pumpkin fan and I'm sorry that you have to endure (lol, not really) but I'll be posting plenty of apple recipes this Fall too.

I created two new pumpkin cookie recipes to date and I love them both just the same. 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Pan Grilled Pork Chops and Healthy Solutions Spice Blends


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Many of you know I don't do reviews very often because I like cook as much from scratch as I can.

So when Healthy Solutions Spice Blends asked me to do a review of their product I was completely on board to try these delicious sounding spice blends with my everyday cooking.

Healthy Solutions offers a line of 16 different spice blends made for busy families that prefer homemade meals over fast food.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Italian Beef Dip Sandwiches

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I know I've said it a million times but I LOVE pot roast!  There I said it again :)

I think it's because of how versatile this cut of meat is and all the delicious ways I can cook it that makes me love it so much.

Besides actual "Pot Roast" with potatoes and carrots, etc.  I love to make it into shredded beef such as Authentic Shredded Mexican Beef or Chili Colorado Burritos but my new favorite is Italian Shredded beef ~ Oh Yum!

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal White Chocolate Chip Cookies

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With getting back into the swing of blogging after several months off, I'm happy to say that I get to start up at one of my favorite times of year.

I love Fall because of the crisp cold mornings and evenings and all the pumpkin and apple recipes I get to test and create as well as all the slow cooker recipes I'll be making this year too.

So along the Fall baking line, I've been trying new pumpkin recipes this week.  

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Ham & Swiss Sliders

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I have been wanting to make these delicious Ham & Swiss Sliders for a while now.

I have three adults at home most days for lunch and we get tired of the same old sandwiches or salads and I love to test new recipes on my hubby and son.  Lucky for me they both also like ham & cheese :)

These were a huge hit and I'll definitely be making them again for a crowd.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Apple Crostata

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I have been wanting to make a crostata for some time now and also to perfect my pie dough.

I have always made pretty good pie dough and have used several different recipes such as my No Fail Pie Crust or one my friend Kathy gave me that used vinegar and an egg that always was a hit too.  But still and all not EVERY pie crust tastes the same when I make them and it can be very frustrating; so yesterday I did a little experiment with some pie dough.

I used my mini Cuisinart (that I bought at Costco) and made three separate batches of pie dough. One with all butter and some sugar that I saw Ina make, one with all butter flavored Crisco and half the amount of sugar, and the last one with butter flavored Crisco and no sugar added.

Friday, September 26, 2014

Melt in your Mouth Crock Pot BBQ Ribs

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I'm finally back after several months off planning my daughters wedding, whew!

I have missed you guys and blogging so much lately and with the way technology changes with the wind it'll be a miracle if I can even remember how to write a post.

With only three of us living at home most days I decided it was time to get myself a new (smaller) crock pot.  And beings as I LOVE my All Clad 7qt. slow cooker I decided to try the All Clad 4 Qt. Slow Cooker for smaller meals.  Both are available at Williams Sonoma or Amazon.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

I'm sure you're wondering where I've been???

I thought it was time to let you all know I haven't fallen off the face of the earth OR stopped blogging.

I'm taking a little time off in preparation for my daughter Jessica's wedding in September.

We have also been out of town on some much needed vacations and I haven't had time to blog.  

But rest assured I'll be back in full swing by October. 

Thank you for being so patient and loyal in your following of my blog and social media sites.

Xoxo,

Michelle

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Bloglovin' Giveaway for $150.00 in Paypal Cash ~ July 2nd - July 7th


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Do you need some Cash? Who doesn't right? Here's a chance to get a few extra bucks by following us on Bloglovin. Have you been to Bloglovin yet? It is where you can see what your favorite bloggers post all at one place. It's just not for food bloggers either, you can find crafts, photography, sewing, DIY and about anything you can think of. You follow your favorite bloggers and when they post it will show up in your feed so that you never miss a post again. Once you start using Bloglovin you are going to wonder how you ever did without it!
This Bloglovin Giveaway is sponsored by:
 

Monday, June 9, 2014

Chipotle Chicken Salad {Healthy}

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I have decided it's time to get in shape and start making better choices on what we eat.

I have been going to the gym now for a few months and we have been trying to follow Clean Eating as much as possible.

But let me just say, I'm not on a diet!  Every time I try a diet all I do is waste time and energy with loosing and gaining weight.

This time I want it to be a lifestyle change to healthier choices and keep eating this way for life.

That doesn't mean I won't still be making cookies and cakes.  I just won't be eating them on a daily basis like I used to.

We also cut out most of the bread products (notice I said MOST, not all) and are eating a lot more fruits & veggies with protein.

I can honestly say, I don't miss eating the way I used to and I feel so much better already.

This is one of my new lunch items I've been eating and it is so delicious that you don't even need to go to the restaurant to get a Chipotle Chicken Salad.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Fruit Bruschetta with Cheese Spread and Balsamic Reduction Sauce

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I was given the chance to review some wonderful products from Nazareth Secret a few months ago.

I was sent a wonderful Date Spreada jar of Honey, and some Beautiful Candles.

I was so taken with the honey.  It has the most subtle and delicate of flavors and has the most beautiful color.

The Nazareth Secret Honey comes from the Star Thistle flowers harvested in the hills of Nazareth.

I decided to finally make some Fruit Bruschetta that I have been wanting to try.  The honey pairs perfectly with the cream and goat cheeses to give them a little bit of a sweet flavor and it made a wonderful drizzle for over the Balsamic reduction sauce.

I have used this honey in my tea and stirred it into yogurt for a great breakfast.

I will definitely be using this for years to come and I would encourage you to try some today.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Garlic, Herb, & Cheese stuffed Crescents

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I was looking for something new to make as a bread side dish for dinner when I stumbled across this amazingly easy recipe over at Lauren's Latest blog.

She has a great assortment of delicious recipes and this one was perfect for what I needed.

I am always looking for new an inventive ways to serve my family some sort of bread at dinner; whether they need it or not, lol. And I knew as soon as I read the ingredients this one was perfect for my bread and cheese loving family :)

I decided to try them after school and the kids gobbled them up so fast that I ended up making a second batch for dinner!

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Individual Chocolate Chip Pizookie

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I am loving my individual cast iron pans!

I have made Oreo Cookie Pizookies in them and now I have made Individual Chocolate Chip Pizookies. Just wait until the summer fruit comes in and then the cobblers will start!

What could be better than a dessert you don't have to share!  Unless you want to, of course ;)

These are perfect to pop in the oven when you sit down to dinner and they are ready to eat when you're done.

Make them for company and you'll never hear the end of it!

What ever your reason for making these warm gooey chocolate chip pies of deliciousness, just make them!

Friday, May 16, 2014

Individual Oreo Pizookie

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My daughter absolutely LOVES the Oreo Cookie Pizookie at BJ's restaurant.

So I thought why not try and make them at home.

Much more fun and you can have them any time of the day or night :)  A plus in my book!

Since I got her approval on this delicious dessert, I'm going to share it with you. You should give it a try for your kiddos at home too (no matter their age).

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

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I've said it before and I'll say it again,  I love banana bread!

But once in awhile I need a change up to use up all the over ripe bananas in the house.

Last week I decided to try making banana cookies, ya know something I could eat for breakfast on the go maybe, but I still wanted the banana bread flavor.

These cookies taste just like banana bread; and just like the coconut I added to the last one, the oatmeal is a huge plus as an addition to these cookies.

They are like eating little pillows of banana bread, Mmm mmm.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Garlic & Herb Croutons

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Have you ever made homemade croutons?  I have and they're delicious!

I don't know why, but I'm rather picky about my croutons.

I don't really eat them in restaurants but I love my homemade ones.

I love that I can control the amount of seasoning and change the flavors depending on what I'm going to use them in.

Have you ever had croutons on anything besides a salad?  What about in a big bowl of soup or chili?

How about just eating them by the handful because they are crunchy, tasty, and you can't get enough?

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Coconut Banana Bread

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Do you get tired of the same old banana bread every time you have super ripe bananas? I sure do!

I always buy waaaaay to many bananas because there are weeks when all we do is eat 1-2 bananas all week and then there are those weeks when we tend to consume 2-3 bananas each day so I never know how many to buy.

But it's never been a problem because we love banana bread.

This past week was one of the "1-2 bananas per week" weeks and I had purchased about 10 bananas so we ended up with so many ripe bananas that I needed to try something new.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Thousand Island Dressing

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Do you have a favorite salad dressing?

Mine is usually just Good Seasons Italian dressing which I've been making for years, but every once in awhile I make a homemade Thousand Island Dressing and it brings me back to my childhood when my mom used to make it for us and then it becomes my favorite for a few weeks too.

This is a really simple recipe and will liven up your everyday salads with a little flair.

Monday, April 28, 2014

Homemade Butterscotch Pudding

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If you haven't tried making homemade pudding before, drop whatever you're doing and run to the kitchen and make some right now!

Homemade pudding is super simple to make and has the most luxurious texture and amazing flavor you'll ever taste.

I have made lemon, coconut, chocolate, and now butterscotch pudding in the last few weeks and I'll never go bake to the boxed kind again.  It is perfect for pies, trifles, poke cakes, or just in a bowl.

I challenge you to make a batch and tell me it isn't better than what you get in the store.

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Chicken Fajitas

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I make a lot of Mexican food around here and one of my favorites is Chicken Fajitas.

I have always used the same method the same seasoning and they were fine with everyone.

Then one day while I was making some Perfectly Grilled Chicken to serve on salads I decided to cut some up and put it in a tortilla and boy oh boy was it the best tasting fajita I've ever made!

I will let you know that the Grill Rub I use has some raw sugar in it so it lends a sweet and smoky flavor to these fajitas.

With Cinco de Mayo right around the corner, isn't it time to try out something new?