Christmas Cooking...

So, what Christmas goodies are you making this year? Can you believe it's already time to start thinking about teachers, parties, etc...?!?! I've had these bookmarked since last year and thought these were really great ideas!

So, here's what made my list...

Frito Candy
Oma's Peppermint Cookies
White Chocolate and Peppermint Popcorn
Empty Tomb Marshmallow Delights
Hot Chocolate on a Stick - with Christmas sprinkles or even crushed peppermint!

I'd love to hear your ideas - I might even need to adjust my list!!! ;)

School is in session!!!

So, that means I am in desperate need of quick and easy meals!!!! This is definitely a kid favorite in our house! Thanks Big Red Kitchen for coming to my rescue :O)

White Castle-like Sliders

1/2 cup dried onion flakes
2 pounds ground chuck- 80/20 ground beef
1/2 t. seasoned salt
6 slices cheddar cheese
24 small party rolls
24 dill pickle slices

Evenly spread the onions on the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Gently press the ground beef on top of the onion flakes. Press evenly making one giant patty. Sprinkle with seasoned salt. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes. Using a paper towel, pat the excess grease from the top of the patty. Top with cheddar cheese, return to oven for 2 more minutes. Remove from oven, let set 5 minutes then cut into 24 patties. Slice open and separate each party roll. Place bottom of rolls on a large platter. Using a spatula lift patty with onion layer onto each bun bottom. Top each slider with a pickle slice then the bun lid. Serve immediately.

Makes 24 Sliders.

* I think next time we will cut back on the onion flakes - just a tad too much for our tastes!

Summer Favorite!!!

My kiddos requested this all summer long!!! We had it several times - not only is it to die, for but it is soooo easy!!! So, how could I say no? Thanks Robin Sue for a great idea!!!

Cookie Dough Pie

15.25 ounce package Chips Ahoy Cookies- Original kind

8-12 ounces Cool Whip
1 1/2 cups milk

Quickly dip cookies in milk, shake off excess liquid, and layer in 9 inch pie plate, breaking cookies to fill any gaps. Once the first layer is complete, top with a thin layer of Cool Whip. Repeat twice more making last layer of Cool Whip a bit thicker. Garnish with chocolate syrup if desired. Place in freezer 2-3 hours before serving. Serves 6-8.

Back to School Breakfast...

Man, where did the summer go? I can't believe the kiddos have already been in school a whole week?! I need some back to school breakfast ideas!!! What are y'all cooking at your house? My oldest loves French Toast and this is his favorite recipe! It's my favorite because it's quick and easy!!!

Favorite French Toast

4 eggs
3/4 cup milk
3 Tbs. brown sugar
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
12 slices white bread
1 Tbs. ground cinnamon
Toppings: syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream, strawberries, etc...

In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs. Add the milk, brown sugar and nutmeg; stir well to combine. Soak bread slices in the egg mixture until saturated. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Brown slices on both sides, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve hot. Add whatever toppings you desire. Enjoy!

Summer Snackin' with the Kids...

Okay, this photo was taken way back during the spring, but who says you can't use a bunny plate in the summertime?! And this cute little cookie is good year round!!! It's also very easy so the kids can help out, if you can get them inside. I love to make fruit dip for our strawberries and decided that it would be a good combination with sugar cookies. This kid snack was a BIG hit - even with the adults!!!

Strawberry Shortcut Cookies

Fruit Dip
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
1 (7oz) jar marshmallow creme

Using an electric mixer, blend cream cheese and marshmallow creme until mixed thoroughly. Store leftover dip in refrigerator.

Sugar Cookies - make according to directions or your favorite recipe.
Strawberries - Rinse, hull, and slice strawberries.

Once cookies have cooled, layer them with the fruit dip and top them off with your strawberries!

Another Kid Favorite :O)

Melanie, this one is for you! You said you wanted some quick and easy meals - well it doesn't get any quicker or easier with this one! My kids give this one a 100 stars!!!!!!

Fish Po'Boys

1-2 pkg. fish tenders, we like Gorton's the best
1 bag coleslaw, with mix included
1 bag hoagie rolls

Mix your coleslaw and refrigerate until ready. Bake your tenders according to directions. Then assemble your sandwich!

Kids in the Kitchen...

I've seen this called Pretzel Turtles used with Rolo candy and a pecan on top, but this is our favorite way of making an old favorite! The kids love to get in the kitchen and do this themselves and give them to their teachers before the Christmas break!

Candy Cane Christmas Treats

30 Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses
30 Pretzels, I prefer the waffle shape
30 M-n-M's

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Arrange the pretzels in a single layer on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Place one Kiss on each pretzel. Bake for 3 minutes. While the candy is warm, press an m-n-m onto each candy covered pretzel. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!

A true Kid-Pleaser!

Here's a picture to go with an old recipe on here. This is a fun recipe that my kids ask for all the time. It's Burger Bites! Using my MIL's recipe for burgers, we just make them smaller and serve them on Hawaiian Rolls! To make them extra fun, you have to serve them in cute little baskets with french fries or chips on the side. My kids are so crazy that they'll eat these for leftovers the next day!! ;) lol... You'll have to let me know if you ever give these a try!

An Award and Pizza Casserole...

Or what my kids like to call "Bubble Pizza"! This is so good that even the BIG kids in your house will love it!!! Yes, you're the BIG kid I'm talking about!!! ;)

Bubble Pizza

2 cups pizza cheese
16 oz. browned sausage (or pepperoni, hamburger, or bacon)
1 jar of pizza sauce
2 tubes buttermilk biscuits
*Note: I don't put veggies in this b/c my kiddos don't like them, but feel free to add whatever you would order on your own pizza.

Brown and drain the meat. Cut the 2 tubes of biscuits into quarters. Put the biscuits into a bowl along with the jar of pizza sauce. Add the meat and any other toppings you may have. Mix it all together. Pour into a baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. After baking for 20 minutes, take it out and add your cheese. Now pop it back in the over for 10 more minutes. Enjoy!



Heidi, from Tried-and-True Cooking with Heidi was so sweet to send me the Kreativ Blogger Award. Thanks Heidi, I sure appreciate it!!! :o)

There are rules to this award, so here they are:

1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated.


I don't know if anyone will find any of these things interesting, but here goes:

1. Been married to my best friend for 17 years!!! I know this is wierd... but I really love watching him do yard work! One would think it would be nice of me to help him out - nope, I just watch!!! I do visit with him to keep him company though!!! What a sweet wife he has!!! ;) lol...

2. I love summertime because that means I have all of my kids home with me! I hate it when school starts in the fall!!! I know, you're thinking I'm not normal!!! So, please forgive me for not posting more - I'm taking advantage of these precious few months I have my kiddos all to myself!!!

3. I HATE to shop! I hate going to the grocery store and Wal-mart weekly! And believe it or not, I even hate shopping for myself!!! Which is why I tend to not buy trendy clothes! I need things that will always be in style. I only really go what you would consider "fun shopping" twice a year - once for school clothes and the other is for Christmas gifts. And I try to do online shopping whenever I can get away with it! I know - I'm definitely not normal!!!

4. I hate getting shots but I don't mind getting them in the mouth from the dentist!!! Yes, I'm a wierdo!!!

5. I have a bad habit of eating ice! I know - pretty annoying!!! That just reminds me... it's time to schedule my dental appointment!

6. I'm donating my hair to Locks of Love at the end of summer!

7. I LOVE to eat and try new recipes. I don't eat low-fat anything!!! I eat what I want when I want - as long as I'm hungry for it. If you're interested, here's how I stay thin!

I would like to pass this award along to:
Jamie from Mom's Cooking Club
Penny from Lake Lure Cottage Kitchen
Tina from Mommy's Kitchen
Teresa from A Blog About Food
Delectable Dining
Rachel from Rachel VS. "The Kitchen"
Kim from The Ungourmet

A vintage recipe for you...

Do you remember eating this as a child? Really brings back all those wonderful memories, doesn't it? I found this recipe over on Food, Friends, and Fun and thought I'd give it a try. It turned out really great! The kids loved it - even the adults too! ;) It's perfect for this gorgeous weather we've been having!

Jello Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
0.6 oz box strawberry jello
3.4 oz box vanilla instant pudding
1 container cool whip

Bake cake mix in 13x9 inch baking dish according to box directions. Pull out of oven and poke holes into the top of the cake. Combine strawberry jello with 2 cups BOILING water. Mix well, then pour over hot cake. Refrigerate over night. (I only refrigerated for about 4 hours and it was fine) Prepare instant pudding according to box directions and spread over cake. Spread cool whip over pudding and enjoy!

Two Fun Favorites for the Kiddos!!!

Taco Chicken Fingers

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 Tbs. milk
3 cups crushed tortilla chips
3 Tbs. mild taco seasoning
garnish: salsa, sour cream, guacamole

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut each chicken breast into 1/2 inch strips. In a large shallow bowl, whisk mayonnaise and milk until blended and smooth. Place tortilla chips in a resealable plastic bag. Using a rolling pin, crush chips into fine crumbs. In another large shallow bowl, toss crushed tortilla chips with taco seasoning; mix well. Toss chicken strips first in mayonnaise mixture, then in crushed tortilla chips. Place on prepared baking sheet - do not overlap. Bake until just browned and chicken is cooked through, 10-12 minutes. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. Serves: 8-10



In the background is Potato Slabs, that I found over on Amber's Delectable Delights. These were awesome!!! My entire family devoured them!!!

Pizza for breakfast?

Making this dish sure brought back memories of my Mom, and when I was little. We used to love eating cold pizza for breakfast. Well, this sure isn't pepperoni pizza but it was wonderful just the same! My family gobbled it up in no time!!! The kids loved it so much - I'm making it again this week! You won't be sorry if you give this a try - I promise!!!!

Breakfast Pizza

1 can refrigerated pizza dough
1 pound bulk pork sausage, I used Sage
1 cup frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
3 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Unroll pizza dough and place on a greased 12-in. pizza pan; press up sides of pan to form a crust. In a skillet, brown sausage over medium heat; drain and cool slightly. Sprinkle sausage, hash browns and cheddar cheese over crust. In a bowl, beat eggs, milk and pepper; pour over pizza. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 375 degrees for 28-30 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

Kid Favorite...

Well, tonight is burgers on the grill and no one makes a better burger than my mother-in-law!!! Whenever we go home to visit, it is our tradition to always have burgers Sunday at lunch before we all leave. She only uses one ingredient too - Worchestershire! She just pours it over the meat and pats out the patties. OMGosh, they are the best!!!

** It took me 17 years, but I finally figured out why my MIL's burgers are the best in the world - #1 it's the loving hands that make them, but #2 it's the meat that she buys from Granzin's Meat Market!!! Now everytime we go home, we buy several pounds to take back with us!!!

Anyway, another kid pleaser that's a favorite in our house is Burger Bites... Make your patties the way you normally would, but much smaller. When they come off the grill serve them on Hawaiian Rolls!!! My kids LOVE these!!! Such a unique combination. My kids especially love it when I serve the Bites in the cute little restaurant baskets. Don't forget the fries on the side! :)