Creative Thursday Link Party No. 20

Hello blogging friends.  Welcome to Creative Thursday Link Party No. 20. 

Well we are one week into school and everything is going great!  My son just joined the soccer team for the high school and we couldn't be prouder.  We've been trying to get him to pick a sport for three years now. Whew!

The weather is getting slightly better with cooler nights so I can actually open my windows at night.  I just hope it's here to stay.

How is everyone else doing?  Are you preparing for 1st time pre-schoolers or kindergarteners?  Or are you just getting the kids back into the swing of elementary, jr. high, or high school?  Or maybe even preparing to be empty nesters?  Hopefully you are all well rested after a spectacular summer!

I'm in need of some new an exciting dinner recipes so I thought I might try something new in the coming weeks of Creative Thursday.  Let me know how you feel about a themed link party maybe bi-monthly, monthly, or maybe even on a different day of the week than Thursday.  I thought we could all share our favorite meals through the seasons.  Here are some ideas - fast weeknight meals, slow cooker meals, seasonal meals, holiday meals, etc. If you are interested in participating please let me know. 

Now on to the Featured Favorites from last week

1 thru 3 are your top visited features and 4 - 7 are my favorites for this last week

1.  Chocolate Upside Down Cake from Love Bakes Good Cakes what a scrumptious looking cake with some of my favorites - coconut, chocolate chips, marshmallows, pecans.

2.  Ta Da Dump from Pickin and Paintin the things Candy can do with what other people throw away is amazing!  This frame turned out Beautiful!

3.  Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars from Call Me PMc these bars are calling my name.  Nothing better than chocolate and peanut butter together.

4.  Wellesley Coffeecake, Cinnamon Roll Coffeecake from It's in there this is a super moist cake filled with cinnamon brown sugar nutty goodness.

5.  How to make Pineapple Cake Pops from Pint sized baker this is a wonderful tutorial for delicious looking cake pops.

6.  A Hidden Star in a Cupcake from Simply Sweet n' Savory this is an amazing tutorial on how to hide different shapes in cupcakes for an awesome presentation.

7.  Cross Stitch and Sampler from Highland Monkeys two amazing cross stitch pieces which make me want to get out my stitchery.

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.

Homestyle Biscuits and Gravy

A while back I posted several of our favorite breakfast dishes and I am adding another wonderful dish to the lot. This is an all time favorite with my husband and myself. Super easy to prepare and delightful to eat.

Here's what you need:

For the biscuits I use my Buttermilk Skillet Biscuits recipe
2 cups self-rising flour
1/4 cup vegetable shortening, cut into cubes (I use butter flavor Crisco)
3/4-1 cup buttermilk (depending on the humidity you might need up to 1 whole cup)
1/2 tsp. Kosher salt
4 Tbs. butter, melted
10" Cast Iron skillet

Preheat oven to 500 degrees.

In a mixing bowl place the self rising flour.  Add the shortening cubes and mix with your fingers until it resembles little peas. 

 

Add the buttermilk and stir with a fork until almost completely incorporated.  Use your hands to bring the dough together, making sure you are gentle with the dough.

 

On a piece of parchment pat the dough into approximately a 9-1/2 " circle.  It will be about 3/4" thick.

 

Pour half the melted butter into the bottom of the skillet and place the biscuit dough on top.  Then pour the rest of the melted butter on top and brush to completely coat the biscuits with melted butter.

 

Bake in the oven for 13 - 15 minutes until golden brown.  Remove from oven and cut into wedges.

For the sausage gravy you will need:

1 pound Jimmy Dean regular sausage, or any breakfast sausage will do (not links)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
2-3 Tbs. flour
3 cup warm milk

While the biscuits are in the oven make the sausage gravy ~  In a large skillet brown the sausage until no longer pink

 

Add the salt, pepper and flour.  Stir and cook for 2 minutes.  Add the milk and stir until mixed well.  Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and simmer about 10 minutes until the gravy is the desired thickness.

 

When the gravy is ready serve over the hot buttermilk biscuits. YUM!

 

Serves 3 - 4

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Homestyle Biscuits and Sausage Gravy 

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

Banana Split Brownie Dessert Pizza

I remember going to all the home parties when I was first married.  We used to have Tupperware, Pampered Chef, Longaberger Baskets, Southern Living, etc.  My favorite by far was the Pampered Chef because I not only got to see the newest kitchen gadgets, I always came away with a new yummy recipe.  This is a dessert pizza I remember from years ago but didn't have an exact recipe so this is what I came up with.

Here's what you need:

1 box brownie mix, plus ingredients to make the brownies (I use Betty Crocker Fudge Brownie 9 x 13 Family size)
1 - 8oz. package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 - 8oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 of an 8 oz tub of cool whip
2 bananas, sliced (approx. depending on size of fruit)
1 pint strawberries, sliced (approx. depending on size of fruit)
chocolate syrup, for drizzling on top

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Prepare brownie mix according to the back of the box.

 

Place a piece of parchment on a 15 inch round baking stone and pour the brownie mix directly into the middle of the stone spreading into a 12 inch circle (it will get bigger while it cooks)

 

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

 

When the brownie is done cooking remove from oven and let cool completely.

Drain the pineapple and set aside.  

In a medium bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Add the Cool Whip and mix until creamy.  Add the pineapple and mix well.

 

 

  Spread mixture evenly over the cooled brownie crust.

 

Slice the strawberries thinly and arrange over the top of the cream cheese mixture.

Slice the bananas and arrange over the strawberries.

Drizzle with chocolate syrup ~ as much as you like

Chill for at least 2 hours before serving, the longer the better.

Mmmmm, this is Amazing!

Serves 12 - 16

Enjoy!

~Hugs~

Michelle

Here's the handy printable - Banana Split Brownie Dessert Pizza

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

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.