Recipes

Dutch Pancakes Amy Our kids love traditions too.  One family tradition we have is making Dutch Pancakes on as many Saturday mornings as possible.  My late Grandmother, Dorothy, taught me how to make these and they are a favorite!  We call them “Dutchies” and our son, Hunter, for the longest time would get up on [...]

Written By JenMy brothers, thought I was crazy when, they discovered that I had not yet heard of a “Magic Bullet”.  I got  one and it has revolutionized our home in the smoothie department.  We make these delicious treats all the time now.  Here is our favorite recipe.  Our advice is get a magic bullet. It is [...]

One fun Lunch idea is Surprise Sandwiches:  I cut the sandwiches into shapes or a message or word spelled out over the week.  One week I did a letter in her name each day.  I made the I heart U sandwhich the day after God reminded me of the ”If God is for you who can be against you?” scripture which [...]

If you are looking for an amazing high energy snack, these are for you.  They are quick to make and delicious!  Granola Peanut Butter Balls are great if you are busy at work, on the move, if  your kids need an after school snack or a quick bite before practice.  Try them, you just might fall [...]

Jen It’s soup season at our house!  I made this soup for dinner and, it was a nice meal on a cold Colorado day!  My kids enjoyed it too!  This recipe is from The Barefoot Contessa cookbook.  Ina Garten is one of my favorite chefs.  Every time I try her recipes they turn out wonderful.  Stay warm! You [...]

Written By JenWe LOVE this soup.  I found it in Cooking Rocks! Rachael Ray 30-Minute Meals for Kids cook book.  It’s easy enough for kids from 7-9 to make so you can do it.  It’s really good.  Good enough to serve your adult friends!  I don’t add the red peppers and I use fresh spinach [...]

Jen This IS my FAVORITE soup!  It takes a little work but it’s worth every second of it!  ENJOY!  The original recipe is from a book called America’s Best.  It was published in 1983 to benefit the US Ski team.  My mom bought it for $13 dollars at the time and it now sells for [...]

Written By JenOur Friday posts are going to stray off ‘theme’ and be about anything and everything.  Welcome to casual Friday!I don’t know about you, but I have a very important football game to watch this weekend at a friend’s house.  My mission is to bring an appetizer.  This is a good option!  Have a [...]

Jen Here is a great appetizer that you could enjoy while watching the Super Bowl.  This recipe is a sure hit.  Enjoy!  It came from my friend Stacey Mahaffie.  Thanks Stacey! Buffalo Chicken Dip 1/2 Chicken Brest, Boiled and Shredded 1 8oz package cream cheese; softened1/2 cup buffalo sauce1/2 cup ranch salad dressing OR1/2 cup blue [...]

Jen This is the BEST Guacamole! The lemon juice in this guacamole will keep it from turning brown.  It will look and taste great for hours.  Enjoy!  YUM!   Guacamole from Ina Garten on the Food Network Ingredients 4 ripe Hass avocados 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (1 lemon) 8 dashes of hot pepper [...]

Jen Now you know it…I love football and football food! YUMMY!  I was sampling a dish at a Super Bowl party several years ago when I came across this incredible Italian stuffed bread. Now, I crave it.  Plus, our house smells amazing after I make it.  Everyone starts pouring into the kitchen wondering what is creating such an amazing [...]

Written by Jen 2 Spice Cake Mixes 1 30-oz can pumpkin 1 12-oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips Pre-Heat your oven to 350 degrees. All you do is add all 3 ingredients to a bowl and mix. (that’s it, you don’t need to add anything else) Scoop mixture into lined muffin tins. Yields 36. They [...]

Written By JenThis is my FAVORITE salad dressing.  Shake these savory ingredients together and enjoy the flavor.  If you are searching your refrigerator for dressing and happen to be all out, try this one. These are all ingredients you most likely have in the house.    You can whip it up in 5 minutes and it [...]

Chicken and Sausage in a Crock Chicken BreastsSausage (Links/not ground) Tomato/Spaghetti sauce Garlic Salt Rotini pasta In crock pot, place raw chicken and sausage, and cover with the pasta sauce. Add garlic and salt to taste. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. When done, tear apart chicken and slice sausage while still in the crock [...]

Fall Apple Cider Pork Tenderloin for the Crock Pot 1 Jug of Apple Cider 1 pork tenderloin 2 Tbsp salt 1 Tbsp black peppercorns 1 tsp garlic 1 onion peeled and quartered Add it all to the crock pot and cook all day! This is a great fall dish! I peeled some potatoes and carrots [...]

Delicious Tuna Salad

Written By Jen This is one of our family favorites.  I think this tastes fresh and lighter than a traditional pot pie.  The flavor is really amazing.  I gave one to a friend and she loved it.   She called and requested the recipe.  I have made this several times, so I have adapted it [...]

No Knife-Pasta from Martha Stewart  * 1 pound pasta* Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper* 4 medium tomatoes, cored and torn into 3/4th inch pieces (I cheat   and buy diced tomatoes in a can!)* 1/2 cup coarsely torn basil leaves, plus more for garnish* 1/2 up extra-virgin olive oil* 3T coarsely torn oregano leaves* 4 [...]

This is my go-to recipe when I need to bring a meal to someone.  It works well for this purpose because you put it all together at home, it’s all pre-cooked, and the family receiving the meal just needs to pop it in the oven for 20 minutes before serving.I just happen to be dropping off a [...]

JenI grew up eating these amazing enchiladas.  There are a few tricks in here that make them easier to make.  These are quick and easy.  My kids LOVE them.  It’s a one dish wonder.  This makes 2 9×13 pans of enchiladas.  If you just want one serving cut it in half.  I make it just [...]

A Random Act of Grace by Sandi PattyMy dad, Ron Patty, was the youngest of nine kids. When he was a boy, he and his buddies would play football in the street of their small-town neighborhood. Invariably, someone would miss a catch or kick the ball too far, and then their one and only football [...]

Written By JenThis pie is amazing!  We enjoyed it after our Thanksgiving Feast last year and I can’t wait to make it again.  The recipe is from the William-Sonoma Kitchen.  Laced with homemade caramel sauce, this apple pie makes the perfect finale for an autumn meal. When preparing the sauce, stir only during the first [...]

Written By JenMy friend, Brynn, brought these to Kristina’s farewell bash and they were flying off the plate.  She was getting compliments left and right on how delicious they were.  One of the secret ingredients is a box of vanilla instant pudding.  If you are a cookie monster like I am you must try these! [...]

JenEveryone loved these!  The cakes are easy and the filling is a little tricky, but worth it!  If you ever need a filling for a cake, use this filling.  It tastes like it should be in a wedding cake.  Amazing! Chocolate DreamWhoopie PiesCAKES1 pkg. (18 1/4 oz.) chocolate cake mix3 eggs1/2 cup canola oil1 tsp. vanilla [...]

JenThis is one of my creations.  It’s combining a few of the other recipes to make a new one.  This is my husband’s favorite! Chocolate Peanut ButterWhoopie PiesCAKES1 pkg. (18 1/4 oz.) chocolate cake mix3 eggs1/2 cup canola oil1 tsp. vanilla extractFILLING1 pkg (8oz.) cream cheese, softened1 cup creamy peanut butter3 Tbsp. butter, softened1 cup [...]

JenThese were my favorite whoopie pies that we tried.  If you enjoy bananas and peanut butter, I think, you will enjoy these too!  I would add a whole banana instead of a half.  Looks delicious!Go Bananas Whoopie PiesCAKES1/2 cup butter, softened3/4 cup sugar1/4 cup packed brown sugar1 egg1 tsp vanilla extract1/2 cup mashed ripe banana1/2 cup [...]

JenThese are two flavors I would not have guessed went well together, but they do.  Interesting!  One of the Whoopin’ it up friends, told me these were her husband’s favorite. Lemony Gingerbread Whoopie PiesCAKES3/4 cup butter, softened3/4 packed brown sugar1/2 cup molasses1 egg3 cups all-purpose flour2 tsp. ground ginger1 tsp. ground cinnamon1 tsp. baking soda1/4 tsp. salt1/2 [...]

Written By Jen My friend Susan made these for our cookie exchange this year and I just couldn’t get enough of them.  I think the key to this cookie is keeping the cookie small, a one inch ball.  It makes the cookie just the size of one bite, so you get all the flavor at [...]

Jen These whoopie pies, my friend Jan sent to me.  Everything she makes is amazing and I am sure these will follow suit!  I can’t wait to try this fall delight.  She got the recipe from the Brown Eyed Baker’s blog .  It is amazing how many wonderful resources we have at our fingertips. Pumpkin Whoopie [...]

Jen The Red Velvet Whoopie Pies were a fun addition to the Whoopin’ it Up Party.  I am not a huge fan of red velvet cake, but I was really glad we tried them.   Red Velvet Whoopie PiesCAKES2 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped3/4 cup butter, softened1 cup sugar2 eggs1/2 cup sour cream1 Tbsp. red food coloring11/2 tsp. white vinegar1 [...]

Jen and Julianna:) Reeses Peanut Butter Cup Cookies This recipe is from my dear friend Julianna! We have been friends sense our AOII days at CU. She was the faithful freshmen who came to my Bible Study at the house and turned out to be a friend for life. In our post college days I have [...]

Whoopie Pies Ingredients:

Jen Have you seen any of these fun Valentine’s Day ideas?  These are a few things, from other blogs and websites, that I found fun to look at!  A quick note: Don’t forget to enter our Give Away!  See the post below for details!  There are some great ideas in here that you can have a [...]

4th of July Treats All by Martha Stewart.  There are 28 or so if you follow this link with the recipe.  Enjoy!  Beautiful and delicious! www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/red-white-and-blue-desserts#slide_1

Written By Jen MUMMY DOGS Ingredients: Pillsbury Crescent Rolls Hot Dogs MustardFor the Mummy Dogs, wrap a hot dog in a crescent roll. Place on baking sheet and cook according to crescent roll package. Before serving add mustard eyes to the mummies. Bones & Blood Ingredients: Pillsbury bread sticks Pizza SauceFor the Bones and Blood, [...]

Jen I hope someone makes these for the Super Bowl Party I am going to!  YUM!Chocolate Covered Strawberry Footballs This brilliant idea came from, From Glitter to Gumdrops at: http://christyrobbins.blogspot.com/2011/01/strawberry-footballs.html Thanks for the great idea!

Jen  Lee Casey just brought me a sample of these delicious Pumpkin Bars and they are a MUST!  YUMMY!  I told you all I was nuts about pumpkin.  Well here is another deleicous treat!  Here is a link to the recipe! http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/pumpkin-bars-recipe/index.html

Written by Jen 2 Spice Cake Mixes 1 30-oz can pumpkin 1 12-oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips Pre-Heat your oven to 350 degrees. All you do is add all 3 ingredients to a bowl and mix. (that’s it, you don’t need to add anything else) Scoop mixture into lined muffin tins. Yields 36. They [...]

Jen Hi Everyone!  Wow, can you believe Thanks Giving is right around the corner?  My kids and I are ready for a holiday!  I have the perfect snack for after school today OR just a nice project and treat for all of you to enjoy during the break!  This is SOOO YUMMY!  I know you [...]

Jen These whoopie pies, my friend Jan sent to me.  Everything she makes is amazing and I am sure these will follow suit!  I can’t wait to try this fall delight.  She got the recipe from the Brown Eyed Baker’s blog .  It is amazing how many wonderful resources we have at our fingertips. Pumpkin Whoopie [...]

Written By JenThis pie is amazing!  We enjoyed it after our Thanksgiving Feast last year and I can’t wait to make it again.  The recipe is from the William-Sonoma Kitchen.  Laced with homemade caramel sauce, this apple pie makes the perfect finale for an autumn meal. When preparing the sauce, stir only during the first [...]

Written By JenOne secret to stress-free entertaining is to use a timeline, which helps you stay organized and on schedule.  You can accomplish much of the prep work in advance, freeing up your time on the day of the feast.  This is a resource from Williams-Sonoma.  Each year they have a different timeline with different [...]

As these last days wind down to Christmas, I wanted to share a few activities to keep your kids busy before the big day.   My rule of thumb is they have to be easy, especially this time of year when everything is so busy!   The first two ideas are printables that hopefully have a little more of [...]

Amy Hey Friends! I wanted to share with you a fudge recipe that has been in our family.  It is passed down from my aunt’s mother-in-law, Pat Graham, a wonderful woman who we spent many holidays with growing up.  My daughter, Hannah, has perfected the recipe and now is the family fudge maker! Here it [...]

Put two cookie sheets into a 200 degree oven to warm.  In a dutch oven, melt butter over medium high to high heat.  Add sugar and almonds.  Stir occasionally.  It will be boiling.  After 10 minutes or so you should begin to hear the almonds “pop”.  It is usually ready at this point.  I use [...]

Snowflake Crunch You just can’t stop reaching for another bite of this!  It’s a great Christmas time gift!  The recipe’s from Stacey Mahaffee, who I got to know while waiting at our childrens’ Elementary for our girls to be dropped off or picked up from Kindergarten.  Thanks for sharing Stacey!  You are always generous! 1 [...]

These are amazing.  Another recipe I am hooked on from Stacey.  Thanks for sharing friend! 1 bag Snyder’s Butter Snaps pretzels, square or roundLarge bag of Rolo’s About 55 M&M’s (holiday colors are always festive)   Preheat oven to 215 degrees. Place a Rolo on top of a pretzel. Place on a cookie sheet lined w/foil. [...]