christmas foodie goodies

this year i've been a bit of a procrastinator in the christmas department. it's as if i think it's still weeks away and here we are four days out. 4. days. out. are you reading that. i'm having a freak out inside my head right now! now that i've gotten myself in a handmade and baking dilemma, i'm still determined to come up with some sweet christmas goodies!

 wondering what's on my list?

Source: recipegirl.com via Kay on Pinterest

peppermint cookies with my latest obsession; candy cane kisses!

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grinch cookies.

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santa brownies.

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crinkle cookies.

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and the worst for you but best thing you'll ever put in your mouth, oreo cookies cookie brownie. 

 so what are you baking this season?  care to share your recipies? or maybe you could just send me a batch? pleaseandthankya!

wishes: december must dos

every year i have a list of things i must do during the month of december. sometimes i don't always get through it all but i try really hard. this year, T must also do these things with me. i'm sure he's hating it but he's so sweet he'll never say! 

1. christmas movies. my list includes all the harry potters, just friends, the grinch, a christmas carol, polar express, little women, charlie brown, love actually, you've got mail, a christmas story, it's a wonderful life, elf and the family stone.

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2. visit family on christmas eve and day. 

3. christmas lights. we must go see light somewhere. anywhere as long as their twinkling!

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4. play christmas music every day. 

5. baking. i don't care if it's cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, cakes, muffins, peppermint bark, etc. as long as it's decorated and smells heavenly. and has sugar, duh.

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6. craft. sew. craft. sew. 

7. decorate the house. although we started the weekend before thanksgiving this year, oops. i wish my house looked like this...

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8. wrap the presents in the most beautiful way possible. 

9. drink as much hot chocolate as possible.

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10. read christmas books with liv and lilly. 

11. make dallas wear his puffer vest.

12. play in the snow. 

13. celebrate myra's birthday.

14. turn the heat on. 

15. go see the nutcracker. ballet. on ice. play form. i've seen it all and i love it!

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16. make awesome NYE plans. 

 wow, that's a lot of stuff. and i just know i'm missing some. how's your december looking? any special traditions you want to share?

wishes: the wedding

let's talk cakes.

we want something simple. and plain.

sorry but i like most things plain jane.

vanilla cake with buttercream frosting is where it's at. in fact, buttercream icing is the way to my heart. it's also the way to me having a heart attack i'm sure.

(i'll let you in on a little secret though. i LOVE pumpkin flavored cakes so maybe, just maybe, we'll have one?)

here's some cakes i'm loving right now...

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Source: None via Ashley on Pinterest

thoughts?

wednesday's awesomeness

three things that are super awesome about today?

1. it's time...

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the world series starts tonight and we're totally getting it this year!

2. little bro is coming over for dinner. i can't wait to serve him this yummy soup. too bad it won't be as good as moms!

Source: tasteofhome.com via Kristina on Pinterest

3. i totally won a pillow cover on a fav blog of mine! can't wait to get it in the mail this week.

recipe of the week

Strawberry Shortcake Cake

i originally got the idea from the pioneer woman but changed it up a little!

ingredients

CAKE:

2 sticks of unsalted butter (i used margarine)

3 cups of granulated sugar (i used splenda)

6 eggs (yes, 6!)

1 cup of natural applesauce (she uses sour cream but i hate that junk plus this is way better for you!)

1.5 teaspoons vanilla

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

ICING/FILLING

i used this exact recipe for the icing (sorry, didn't even try to make this a bit healthier!)

2 cartons fresh strawberries (you might 1 need more if you want to garnish the top of the cake)

2 sticks unsalted butter

3 to 4 cups sifted confectioners sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon vanilla

up to 4 tablespoons of milk or heavy cream (i used milk and it turned out great!)

directions

CAKE:

beat softened butter and sugar on high until light and fluffy

add eggs two at a time, mixing thoroughly

add the applesauce and vanilla

sift the flour and baking soda and add slowly to the mixture

mix on low until all the of the flour mixture is added

be sure to mix thoroughly but DO NOT over mix!

spray your pan (i used three 9 inch round pans) with PAM or use butter and flour so your cake will not stick

put in a 350 degree oven for 25 to 30 minutes

ICING/FILLING:

slice strawberries and put in bowl with sugar (i used splenda) for at least 30 minutes (i left mine over night)

beat butter for a few minutes on medium

add 3 cups of the confectioners sugar and beat on low until sugar is incorporated with the butter

increase speed to medium and add vanilla, salt and 2 tablespoons of milk and beat for 3 minutes

if your icing needs to be stiffened add remaining sugar, if it needs to be thinned add remaining milk (i did not need to add anything)

once your cakes have cooled you can put the icing and strawberries between each layer and then ice the cake with the remaining icing. i also topped my cake with some extra slices of strawberry.

FYI: if you choose to do this the night before be aware that your strawberries will be very syrupy and therefore your cake will be runny. it made the cake very delicious but also very messy! but, i don't think my family minded the mess ;)

recipe of the week

i came up with this recipe after travis had a not so healthy version at cici's. after he ate this he told me it was the best thing i make (yeah right! stuffed peppers? ranch chicken? taco soup? dessert?). oh well, at least he's easy to please!

CHEESEBURGER PIZZA

ingredients:

pizza crust (store bought or homemade)

ground beef or turkey (i used turkey. fewer ww points!)

cheddar cheese (shredded)

onions (diced)

tomatoes (diced)

lettuce (shredded)

ketchup

salt and pepper or your choice of hamburger seasoning

directions:

preheat oven to 425 degrees

brown meat. drain.

put back in pan and add seasoning(s) and onions.

brush pizza crust with olive oil.

add 1/2 cup of cheese to bottom of pizza crust (this is key to make it cheesy since there is no sauce!).

add meat mixture on top of cheese.

put another 1/2 to 3/4 cup of cheese on top.

put in oven for 10 to 12 minutes (or until the crust browns and cheese is completely melted).

pull out of oven and add tomatoes and lettuce.

drizzle ketchup over the entire pizza.

enjoy!

with a knife and fork for a less messy dinner table!

this is so easy and the kids will love it! or in my case my 5 year old bf.

just kidding baby, i love you!

to do: cooking

here's my to do list when it comes to getting in the kitchen!

my top ten to do's...

1. parm knot rolls.

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2. lemon loaf.

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3. something, anything in a mason jar! corn bread and chili.

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4. parm tomatoes.

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5. a complete breakfast in muffin form? yes, please.

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6. pumpkin spice doughnut holes. perfect for fall. or anytime really, who doesn't love doughnut holes?!

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7. pineapple chicken salad pitas

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8. beef empanadas

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9. pizza

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10. engagement chicken...yes please! just kidding travis :) but serioulsy i want to make this because i've never mad a whole chicken before.

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feel free to check out some other recipes i can't wait to try out here.

let's get cooking!

wishes: all things easter

easter printables

easter crafts

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Source: easter.tipjunkie.com via Ashley on Pinterest

fun easter food

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Source: easter.tipjunkie.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: easter.tipjunkie.com via Ashley on Pinterest

recipe of the week

homemade salsa

ingredients:

1 28 oz can of whole, peeled tomatoes

2 cans of mexican style rotel (the pic shoes hot. DO NOT get this. you'll burn your tongue off and this is coming from a texas gal who likes her salsa HOT!)

1/2 onion

1 handful fresh cilantro

garlic powder, salt, pepper and lime juice to taste

one whole jalapeno

5 to 10 shakes of cholula hot sauce (depending on how hot you like it, i use about 8)

(pic also shows double of everything because i was making A LOT of salsa!)

directions:

chop your onion, cilantro and jalapeno. i used my hand chopper that jennifer got me for christmas!

but everything in your blender or food processor. pulse that baby for a good minute or two.

taste it and add things as you like. i usually have to add a little bit of lime, cholula or garlic powder.

put in a mason jar or tupperware

and make it all cute for your fam and friends, who will love it!

recipe of the week

oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

ingredients:

1 c whole wheat flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

1 c brown sugar

1 1/3 c old fashioned uncooked oats

1/2 c chocolate chips

2 egg whites

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tbs margarine (like smart balance or i can't believe it's not butter)

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

directons:

preheat oven to 375.

combine flour, cinnamon, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl and mix thoroughly .

combine brown sugar, egg whites, vanilla, applesauce and margarine in large bowl and mix thoroughly.

add flour mixture and beat together.

blend in oats and chocolate chips.

drop teaspoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet.

bake for 8 to 10 minutes.

makes 3 1/2 dozen

each cookie is 1 ww point.

enjoy them cookies!

yummo!

doodles

barclay and i had brunch at a new place in lex. it's been open for a while but we just went today. the wait wasn't too bad and the food was delicious. not too expensive either.

i had the huevos rancheros. sooooo good. i wished it had had a little more spice to it. the eggs were perfectly scrambled and you could tell the corn tortillas were handmade and fresh.

doodles uses local products, all organic and fresh.

the best thing about this place?

their famous beignets.

handmade. fresh. warm. delicious.

holy batman, these are so good. i brought one home and can't wait to dig into in the morn.

yummo!