Creative Thursday Link Party No. 19

Happy Friday everyone!  Hope you have all had a wonderful week so far.  

I just got back for Disneyland late last night and we had a BLAST!  

I would like to thank each and every one of you who faithfully show up each week to share your wonderful projects, recipes, techy tips, tutorials, DIY's , etc.   I know haven't been able to thank you individually for the last couple of weeks while I've been away from home or fighting this cold, but I sincerely do appreciate YOU! 

Here are the fabulous featured favorites from last week ~

1.  Perfect Chicken from The Recipe Crayon Box this sounds delicious and I can't wait to try it.

2.  K-Cup Holder from Crafts, Cakes, and Cats great idea for those of you who use the Keurig Coffee maker.

3.  25 Best Ways to Organize Spices from Craftionary what a brilliant use of space!

4.  10 Freezer Meals in 2 Hours from Pretty Providence I could use a few extra meals in the freezer at all times!

5.  Caramel Apple Cupcakes from Cooking Morning Noon Night do I really need to say anything?  The picture speaks for itself ~ Downright Sinful and Scrumptious looking!  Can't wait to eat one :)

6.  Pecan Pie Muffins from Call Me PMc drooling here!  I love pecan pie and can't wait to try this yummy looking recipe.

Congrats to all who were featured ~ Don't forget to grab a button from the sidebar

Now on to the fun stuff ~ Party Time!

Party Rules:

Link to the specific post for something YOU have created – recipe, DIY, craft, idea.  Link to a specific post NOT your main blog page.

  Please NO ETSY shops or giveaways.

   Please link back to me somewhere in your post or post my button on your blog

 Party runs through Monday night each week so link up as many times as you like.

 Be sure to spread the love and visit other posts and leave a comment.

I'm off again :)

I know I haven't been home all that long but I am off to Disneyland to take my daughter and her friend for a couple of days for her 18th birthday.  I can't believe 18 years have passed so quickly since she was born.   

I've decided to wait until Friday to post my link party instead of just posting a generic one with no features again.  Have a wonderful rest of the week and I'll look forward to seeing you again on Friday.

~Hugs~

Michelle

Sweet & Salty Chocolate Chip Cookies

These cookies were inspired by Sally over at Sally's Baking Addiction who posted this amazing recipe on my link party a few weeks ago.  I decided to use my trusty Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and change the add in's to make my own Sweet and Salty Chocolate Chip Cookies.  They came out perfect, if I do say so myself.  A total hit.  The perfect combination of chocolate and pretzely goodness. Don'tcha like how I make up my own words too?  hehehe

Here's what you need:

3 cups flour, all purpose

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. kosher salt

1 cup, butter, unsalted, at room temperature

2/3 cup sugar

2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed firmly

1 large egg

1 large egg yolk

2 Tbs. light corn syrup

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 cups milk chocolate chips (semi-sweet work well too)

1 cup small broken pretzel twists (measure after broken)

In a medium bowl mix together the flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside.

 

In the bowl of a stand mixer beat the butter and sugars until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

 

Beat in the egg and egg yolk, corn syrup, and vanilla and mix until creamy, scraping down the sides as you go.

Add the dry ingredients and mix until just incorporated.  

 

Add the chocolate chips and pretzel pieces and beat until just incorporated.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour and up to 4 hours.

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment or a Silpat.

Using a medium cookie scoop (I use my trusty Pampered Chef scoops) scoop dough onto lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart and bake for 9 - 11 minutes depending on if you like chewy or crispy cookies. Most important ~ Do Not Over Bake!

Let cool on cookie sheet for 2 - 3 minute before moving to wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy with a tall glass of milk or whatever your beverage of choice is :)

Serves - 3 dozen approx.

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Sweet & Salty Chocolate Chip Cookies 

You can find me each week linking up to these wonderful blogs

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 18

Welcome to Creative Thursday Link Party No. 18. 

We are all still recuperating from our bout with what I have dubbed "Justin's Zombie Virus"!

Jessica is the last one to catch it and hopefully it will be cleansed from our house by Friday because we have her 18th birthday to celebrate on Saturday.  I can't believe all the milestones we had this year and how fast the year seems to be flying by.  

Do you know that it is only 139 days until Christmas?  I know, huh.

I better get a move on the holiday crafting soon.

Hopefully everyone has had a wonderful summer like we have and are enjoying the hot summer days.  We are starting school again next week if you can believe that, but we are ALL ready for it even my son who usually drags his feet about school.

Well, enough about me ~ how are you doing?  You guys have been posting some of the most delicious looks recipes and coolest ideas for parties, households, DIY, etc.   I am super excited to see what you all link up this week :)

Here are your top 3 viewed and my 3 favorite features from last week's party, in no particular order.

1.  Gooey Butter Cake Bars from Cooking Morning Noon Night and don't they look delish!

2.  Fast Pizza Dough from Chocolate, Chocolate and More I can't wait to try this ~ we love pizza

3.  The Value of Vinegar from Confessions of an ADD Housewife can't wait to start making my own household cleaners for a fraction of the cost!

4.  Lemon Raspberry cheesecake bites from Shugary Sweets I can't wait to try this little beauties, they look divine!

5.  Strawberry Shortbread Creams from Tartan Tastes in Texas the best of two worlds shortbread with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, YUM!

6.  Image to wood transfer from Salt Tree coolest project ever ~ can't wait to make one.

Congrats to all who were featured ~ Don't forget to grab a button from the sidebar.

Party Rules:

Link to the specific post for something YOU have created – recipe, DIY, craft, idea.  Link to a specific post NOT your main blog page.

Please NO ETSY shops or giveaways.

Please link back to me somewhere in your post or post my button on your blog

Party runs through Monday night each week so link up as many times as you like.

Be sure to spread the love and visit other posts and leave a comment.

Cinnamon Sugar Crisps

I found this recipe over at Six Sisters' Stuff blog and knew I immediately wanted to make the cinnamon chips from that post.

If you haven't yet been to Six Sisters' Stuff blog you really should stop by and check it out. They are a wonderful group of ladies and have the most amazing recipes for everyday life.

These are a slightly adapted version of Six Sisters' cinnamon chips.  And they are the most crispy tasty treat around.

Tacos ~ My Way

For those of you who follow me on Instagram you saw these amazing Tacos I made a few weeks ago.  For those of you who don't follow you get to see them now :)  I have always had compliments on my tacos so I thought I would show ya'll how I put them together.

Here's what you need:

2 pounds ground beef, I use an 85 - 15 fat ratio
2 packages of Taco Bell Taco seasoning (I buy this at Winco)
1/2 - 3/4 cup water
2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
1 avocado, diced
1 lime, cut into wedges
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
1 can refried beans
sour cream
salsa
hot sauce
1 bunch green onions, diced
flour tortillas (as many as people will eat, I use the medium burrito size)
vegetable oil for frying

Line a sheet pan with a brown paper bag (or two) and a few paper towels and set aside.

 

In a large skillet brown the ground beef until it is no longer pink.

 

Pour in the two packets of taco seasoning and stir until mixed well.  Add 1/2 - 3/4 cup water (no matter what the package says) you don't want the meat to runny. Simmer on low for about 15 - 20 minutes, long enough for the tortillas to be cooked and the veggies to be chopped.

How about those nice paper plates?  Disposable!

Heat about 1/2 inch oil in a skillet over med-hi.  When the oil is hot enough the tortilla will immediately start to bubble and fill with air.  This process is very fast and the oil is very hot so BE CAREFUL.  Cook about 15 - 30 seconds on each side folding in half when you flip it the first time.

 

When they are the color and crispy that you like remove to the paper bag lined tray and drain on paper towels until ready to serve.  Repeat until all the tortillas are cooked.

 

Now the fun part ~ you get to fill these babies with whatever you like.  Here's how we do it at our house.

Fill a tortilla with refried beans, then meat 

 

next comes the lettuce, cheese, and sour cream.

 

Avocado, salsa and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.

 

Mmmmm, these are the tastiest tacos in town!  You need to make these soon.  Super easy and fast.

Serves 6 - 8

Enjoy!  

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Taco's My Way

You can find me linking up to these wonderful parties each week.

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 17

Welcome to Creative Thursday Link Party No. 17.  

I would like to send a special thank you to all my Guest Bloggers  ~ Lisa, Robyn, April, Julie, and Robyn ~ who kept my blog from getting cob webs while I was gone.  You girls ROCK!

Welcome to the new followers I picked up while gone ~ It always puts a smile on my face to see new friends following along.

I will be getting to the the featured favorites from the last three weeks over the weekend.  We got home last night and although I absolutely LOVED my vacation, it's always so nice to be home.  Well, except for all the cleaning and washing I now have to do!

We had a fabulous vacation with my family and I'll get pictures posted soon.  We unfortunately came home with colds; my son with the worst because he came home with an ear full of liquid and had to be seen by a Doctor in Venice 5 hours before we flew home.  It was hectic and we are all exhausted.

Well enough about me ~ how are you doing?  Hopefully you are enjoying your summer to the fullest.  I am super excited to go through all the wonderful postings I've had since I've been gone and can't wait to see what you all link up this week :)

Now on to the fun stuff !