Ranch Snack Mix

After making the Taco Snack Mix I decided to change up the flavor and do one with everyone's favorite flavor - Ranch.  It was super easy and totally tasty. These snack mixes will be my go to snack for the summer, I can see it now.

Here's what you need:

2 cups Chex cereal, any flavor, I used corn
2 cups oyster crackers
2 cups cheese crackers, I used Cheese Its, but I bet it would work with fishy's too
2 cups mini pretzel twists
1 - 1 oz. package Hidden Valley Ranch Dip mix
1/3 cup canola oil

In a doubled large brown paper grocery bag pour all the crackers and pretzels, and give it a good shake to mix everything up.

Add the ranch dip seasoning packet and again shake the bag to mix it up.

  

Pour in the oil and fold the bag down twice and shake several times until all the crackers are well coated.

 

Place the bag on top of a baking sheet and let the mix sit for at least 1 hour and up to 3 hours to absorb all the oil and seasonings.

Mmmmm, my favorite new snack!  This is a keeper. Go make some now and put a smile on someones face :)

Enjoy!

Here's the handy printable - Ranch Snack Mix 

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

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 22

Happy Thursday!

How is everyone doing this week?  I've been super busy.  We were in the mountains over the weekend and are taking off again on Friday to get in one last boating trip before it's time to store the ski boat for the fall and winter.  The water is so low even now, I hope we don't run aground!

You ladies and gents just keep getting better and better with all the wonderful projects and recipes you've been posting.  I'm having a heck of a time picking my favorites each week.  I love them all so much. If only I had more time in the day, *sigh*

I am getting ready for Fall and will be trying out some new crafts and recipes over the next few weeks so be prepared.  You'll probably see a lot of pumpkin and apple recipes, and of course Fall decorations and crafts  :)  Oh come on, you know you love Fall too!

Top three were your most viewed posts last week and the bottom three are my featured favorites from last week (In no particular order)

1.  Keep Earrings together from Jewelry Making Journal everyone should have some of these.

2.  Simple Pumpkin Muffins from Organized Island Fall is in the air - Yum

3.  Honey Chipotle Chicken from The Recipe Crayon Box I want to eat this now!
4.  Blueberry Raspberry Crumble Bars from Life's Simple Measures I can't wait to try this recipe and you should too :)
5.  Amazing Tooth Brush Wrap from Four Marrs and one Venus this is the perfect gift for a trip, camping, vacations, etc.
6.  How to turn an old Jumper into a Purse from Adventures of a DIY mom I can't wait to make these for all the women in my life this Christmas :)

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

Now on to the good 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.

Crock Pot Peach Blackberry Dump Cake

I have been wanting to try a dessert in the crock pot for a very long time now and last week I finally got around to doing it.  I love the concept and flavors of a dump cake so I looked in the freezer to see what kind of fruit I had on hand and this is what I came up with.  You will LOVE this dessert.  It is super easy and the house smells delicious every time you open the lid to "take a peek" just to make sure it's actually cooking. Give it a try and let me know what you think.

Here's what you need:

16 oz. package frozen peaches, sliced
16 oz. package frozen blackberries
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
2 Tbs. corn starch
1 - 15.25 oz. box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup butter, unsalted, melted

Place frozen fruit in a large bowl and add the sugar, salt, cinnamon, and corn starch to the fruit.  Mix well.

Spray the liner of the crock pot with cooking spray.

 

Add the fruit mixture to the liner and evenly pour the dry cake mix over the top of the fruit mixture.

 

Pour the melted butter over the cake mix.  It won't cover all the cake mix but it will be fine.

 

Do not try to mix the butter into the cake mix.  The juice from the fruit along with the butter cooks the cake perfectly.

Cook on high for 3-4 hours.  When it's done the fruit will be hot and tender and the cake will be moist and cooked all the way through.  

 

Serve hot with ice cream or whip cream or all by itself (like me) if you are too impatient to taste this wonderful dessert!

Serves 8-12

Enjoy!

Here is the handy printable - Crock Pot Peach Blackberry Dump Cake 

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

Jenny over at The NY Melrose Family is hosting a Bloglovin’ Blog Hop with , Barb from Second Chance to Dream, Jacqueline from The Detox Diva, Tabby from Shipwrecked on Fabulous Island, Kimberly from Here’s What I Think About That, Jennifer and Nicki from Practically Perfect Princess, Stephanie from The Slogans, Ang fromJuggling Act Mama, Niki from Glossy Blonde and Jaime from Mom’s Test Kitchen for the month of August.

What’s Bloglovin’ you ask?  Well, only the greatest way to keep track of the blogs that you love.  With the discontinuation of Google Friends Connect (GFC) for non-blogger blogs, Bloglovin' is a great way to keep up with all of your favorite blogs that are not hosted by blogger.  

I have been using Bloglovin’ since April  and I am in love!  It is very similar to Google Reader, in that you can see the beginning of the post and the first picture attached to the post.  Plus, Bloglovin’ automatically updates your posts.  Another added bonus is there is a Bloglovin’ application for IPhone and Android devices.

So hop on over and link up your Bloglovin' account or join today if you haven't already.  This is a great way to make new blogging friends.

Crock Pot Creamy Ranch Pork Loin

I am always trying to come up with more inventive and delicious recipes for my Crock Pot so that I can spend more time doing my housework (cough, cough) or computer work (more likely).   I have a few new recipes to share that turned out wonderful and I'm sure you'll enjoy making for your family's too.

Here's what you need:

2-1/2 pound Pork Loin Roast
2 cans cream of chicken soup
1 envelope of Ranch dressing mix
1 Crock Pot

Super easy directions:

In a bowl or measuring cup pour the cream of chicken soup and the ranch dressing mix and stir until fully incorporated.

 

Place pork loin in the crock pot and pour the soup mix over the top, turning it over to fully coat the roast.

 

Turn on to high and cook for 4-5 hours or on low for 7-8 hours.  Turn the meat over halfway through the cooking time.

I served mine with cooked egg noodles.

It was a hit with the whole family and was very tasty.  Almost like a Stroganoff type meal.

Serves 6

Enjoy!

Here's the handy printable - Crock Pot Creamy Ranch Pork Loin 

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

Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole

I am always on the lookout for a new casserole so when I bought some tater tots, which I haven't bought in years, the other day I decided to use them to make a casserole.

I looked through my recipe box and decided that my All American Cheeseburger Ring would be delicious to turn into a casserole.  It was a total hit and was extremely easy and delicious.

Creative Thursday Link Party No. 21

Hello blogging friends!  How is everyone doing this week? 

We are finally all WELL (Happy dance) around here and just getting into the swing of things with college finally starting.  I don't know about anyone else but it amazes me how three months ago my daughter was fighting me left and right about what she wanted to take for college classes and having to go get ID cards, books, parking passes, etc.  It took her older sister (bless her heart) to get her schedule put together for her.  And NOW it's like night and day because she has already signed up for two more classes (on top of the four she already has) and she LOVES college.  Where was this child three months ago I ask you?

Anywho, how is everyone else adjusting to school schedules?  

I am so excited for Fall to get here that I am already starting to test new pumpkin recipes and I can't wait to start my holiday crafting. Anyone else getting the Fall or holiday bug?

I want to thank you all for all the wonderful posts you link up each week.  Without YOU I wouldn't be able to have my link parties and I would then have to hunt you down in blogland, so please keep showing up, okay?  It makes my life so much easier :)

On to the good stuff!

Top three were your most viewed posts last week and the bottom three are my featured favorites from last week (In no particular order)

1.  Chicken Cobbler from The Recipe Crayon Box I can't wait to try this delicious recipe.
2.  Blueberry Peach Dump Cake from Crazy for Crust two of my favorite fruits all cozy under a cake blankie.
3.  Cabbage Roll Casserole from Mandy's Recipe Box when the yummy casseroles start showing up it means Fall is on the way.
4.  Den Makeover from Marty's Musings a beautiful makeover for a room lovingly used by all.  I would love to re-do my family room now.
5.  Table Runner from The Crafting Fiend a lovely Fall table runner with free downloadable embroidery patterns.
6.  Collections from Art Club Blog this post shows wonderful ways to show off the little trinkets from vacations or memories of a day out, etc.

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

~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.