Caleb's Birthday

So, for Caleb's birthday, I made cupcakes that any boy would love!

They were actually very simple. Simple chocolate cupcake. Chocolate frosting. Then we dipped the top into crushed oreos to look like the dirt. (use a food processor to get a fine grind). The gummy worms went right in. :-) Loved seeing the look of the kids faces when we brought these in.....some were a little unsure....but most couldn't wait to get their little hands on them....and i left totally satisfied seeing all the chocolate goatees. lol.

Claire's Birthday

So the kids are at a new school this year. I was delighted to find out that we can make homemade goodies for snacks, birthdays, and parties! Yay! So here are the birthday treats. I think they turned out adorable. :-)

We made rice krispie treats, shaped them in a Popsicle shape, stuck in a color stirrer (instead of the stick), dipped them in almond bark, and then sprinkles! We made strawberry and chocolate flavors. The kids LOVED them!

Hello friends!

Bet you thought you wouldn't see me again. lol. Truth be told. I love blogs, I still love cooking, I love planning out meals.....my problem is time! My husband is deployed now, and I'm running a military wives ministry. Oh, and we have 3 kids! Yikes!

One of the things I'm trying to figure out is why is it so hard to cook with my husband gone? If you are a military wife, you know what I'm talking about. It's so hard for me to find motivation to cook a homecooked, creative, healthy meal for just me and the kids. Like I said, I'm working on it. Tonight was victorious!

Caleb choose dinner.....speghetti and salad. I know what your thinking....creative???? NOT!

Well, if I can toot my horn for a sec......I made our own tomato sauce. You would think with as much cooking as I have done, I would have made my own tomato sauce. Nope. Tonight was my first....and....it was a success! Did I mention, the tomatoes came from my garden...oh, I didn't....well....tooooot, tooooot. (that was my horn again, lol)

So the recipe......is not going to be precise. It was a dash or this and a dash of that kind of recipe.

5-6 Ripe Tomatoes

4-5 cloves of garlic

Italian seasoning grinder (mccormicks)

Olive Oil

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Cut tomatoes in wedges. Chop garlic. lightly drizzle olive oil over tomatoes and garlic on a cookie sheet. Use as much or as little Italian seasoning as you'd like. Salt and pepper. Roast for about an hour. (It smells great!) Spoon all into food processor or blender and pulse until smooth or desired smoothness is reached. oh, and salt and pepper again. (if you want)

Granola

I'm re-posting this granola recipe....because....well it's that good. :-)

4 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla extract

optional: raisins, cranberries, any dried fruit, coconut, any nuts or seeds.

Combine oats, almonds, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon in a large bowl.

In a sauce pan over med heat, combine honey, oil, and sugar.

Simmer until bubbly.

Pour hot liquid over oat mixture. Combine with hands until all is coated.

Spread the granola on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Bake for 20-30 min at 300 degrees until golden brown.

If you like your granola with big chunks, do not stir or touch until completely cooled. If you like it all separate, stir half way through baking and once you take it out of the oven.

Store in an air tight container. Eat with milk, yogurt, or just as a snack.