Banana Muffins!

What did you make? Banana Muffins!

YIKES - I can't find my link! I will update after I do some searching...
How did it turn out? Yummy! We loved them! Noelle would stick a whole one in her mouth and then sign "more" before she even chewed it!

Did you follow directions or make changes? The only changes I made were that I made mini muffins instead of bread. I also added chocolate sprinkles to about 1/3 of the batter.

Would you make it again? Absolutely! They were yummy and low sugar so I felt okay about letting Noelle eat five in one day...
Any tips or advice? Nope! Easy peasy and delicious!

-Sierra

Penne Pasta!

(Plain Chicken original photo)
http://pinterest.com/pin/165736505/
Plain Chicken No Boil Baked Penne Pasta

What did you make?

Penne Pasta for Andy! 

How did it turn out?
I only got to try one bite as I was on my diet, but it was delicous! And Andy loved it. It tastes very similar to lasagna, probably because of the ricotta. It was so easy! And it made a ton, I put it in glass loaf pans lined with foil and froze them. Andy got 5 or six meals out of it.

Did you follow directions or make changes? I mostly followed directions. I didnt have any penne, so I used bow tie pasta, being careful to choose a pasta that had a similar thickness so it would cook through and be tender in the time listed in the recipe directions. Also, I used ground beef instead of sausage, and did not top with extra cheese as she suggested, there was plenty mixed in. I feel like this lady's recipes are usually smothered with cheese and I try to cut back a little.

Would you make it again?

Yes! Easy! Delicious! Freezable! Make some for dinner and freeze half for another night!

Any tips or advice?

Nope, it was a quick recipe to throw together, and would be easy to alter to fit what you want. Different meat, different pasta, extra seasonings etc. Make it!

Am I too old for this? No! Tangled paper doll!

http://pinterest.com/pin/189898165/

Retro Paper Doll- Rapunzel

What did you make?

Well I didn't really MAKE anything..but I printed and cut out a Rapunzel paper doll with all of her clothes. :)

How did it turn out?
Good! I did a pretty good job cutting if I do say so myself! I meant to print it on cardstock, but forgot to put the paper in. It used a lot of ink to print, so I figure I will stick with these until they get beat up, then I will re-print. This is fun! I feel 5!

Did you follow directions or make changes? There were no directions, other than to print, and cut them out. I used my Creative Memories mat and razors to cut along the little slits. It turned out very well! I am going to purchase some magnets to put on the back, and put them on our fridge.

Would you make it again?
Um..Yes. :)

Any tips or advice?

Using the razor along the little slits will make it clean. I cannot imagine cutting this out with it. While it is not extremely difficult, there are several little details to cute around, so it did take a little awhile. I did it while watching a movie. :)

Maple Cookies! Scream!

http://pinterest.com/pin/165732940/
Allrecipes Frosted Maple Cookies
What did you make?

The most delicious maple cookies you will ever have in your life! 

How did it turn out?
The most delicious you will ever have in your life! Haha! Not kidding, everyone raved about them! Andy must have had 30.
Did you follow directions or make changes? I followed directions initially, but as the reviews said, they were hard and flat (too much butter, not enough flour, eggs or maple). I made a second batch right away and we had a winner! They were soft, chewy, and SO DELICIOUS! Have I said that enough already?
Would you make it again?

I plan on making these as often as I can! Any excuse, any occasion! Its the first thing I am going to bake once I am off my diet. (I cheated cause I HAD TO TRY them and ate two already, they were ridiculous.)

Any tips or advice?

Yes, make them right away! Also, follow my recipe, not the original! 

Cookie:

• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 3/4 cup room temperature butter
• 4 teaspoon maple flavored extract (this sounds like a lot, but just do it)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

 Icing:

• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon maple flavored extract

Cream butter and brown sugar. Add maple, vanilla and eggs.
Add in baking soda then flour. Dough may be a little sticky.
Use a 1 1/2 inch cookie scoop (preferable, not necessary) and drop onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-9 mins.
Cool on a cookie rack.

For icing, combine all, put in plastic ziplock and cut tiny hole in corner. Drizzle or pipe icing onto cooled cookies. These cookies taste GREAT by themselves, and with icing have a taste similar to maple bar donuts. You choose, both are excellent!

These store great for a week in an airtight container. Don't refrigerate or they will harden. The unbaked dough also freezes really well when wrapped tightly with saran wrap. You may want to freeze half as the recipe makes 4 dozen!

Cleaning Schedule!

http://pinterest.com/pin/151447929/

What did you make?

I made a cleaning schedule. I needed some direction as everything is on the back burner with a baby in the house.

How did it turn out?
I think it turned out great! I made weekly, monthly, 3 month and 6 month lists with check boxes. I plan to laminate it and use dry erase markers, but for now until I make it down to staples I am printing them out weekly and checking it off as I go. I put my vintage flair on it with a cute old graphic of a smiling housewife shining her pots, and through the window you can see her husband washing the car!
Did you follow directions or make changes? I used the above queen of clean list as inspiration and a starting point, but I googled other lists for more ideas and to make sure I wasnt forgetting to clean any nooks or crannies.
Would you make it again? When I need to update the list, sure!

Any tips or advice?

Nope! (Please note in case you want to use the list yourself, I didn't put cleaning the bath tub, vacuuming, mopping the floors, and taking out the trash because those are Andy's chores. I can add them if you want to use my list, just let me know!)
EDIT: oops, wash bath mat should be under once a month, not every three! Will have to edit. Good thing I didn't laminate it yet!

Cheater Waffles!

What did you make? Easy Biscuit Waffles

http://pinterest.com/pin/150888572/

Plain Chicken's Easy Biscuit Waffles

How did it turn out? Pretty Good! You take a can of refrigerated biscuits and put them right on the waffle maker! I love the idea of quick waffles, they just don't happen more than once a year otherwise.

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I followed directions, even down to what type of biscuits to buy- Grands Homestyle Buttermilk. She said it takes 1-2 mins to cook, I found when I set my waffle iron to number 2, they were cooked through perfectly when the timer went off and it was 2 mins and 40 seconds! :)

Would you make it again?  Yes! This could be great when company comes over and you need something quick. Just have butter and syrup, or whip cream and strawberries on hand! Each person really only needs 1 biscuit because they squish out a lot and they are dense . That means you can feed 8 people for the $1.99 a can! (besides the toppings and some eggs on the side) Yay!

Any tips or advice? The homestyle buttermilk biscuits were very 'biscuit' tasting and dense, I would like to try with a different kind next time. I am thinking the Grands Flakey. Although they do flake off in layers, I like their flavor better and they are a lot lighter, as waffles usually are, rather than dense like the buttermilk.

This was a fun experiment!

- Michelle

Stuffed Green Bell Peppers

What did you make? Stuffed Green Bell Peppers

http://pinterest.com/pin/167322769/

kalynskitchen.com

 

How did it turn out? Really good

 

Did you follow directions or make changes?  Followed directions for the most part.  I added red bell pepper as well and I didn't have the spices called for, so I used a spice bled that I do have (Herby by Frontier).  I didn't have mozzarella either, so I used provolone slices (and I just realized I totally missed the Parmesan).  Oh, and I cooked the rice in chicken broth rather than water.  I guess I didn't quite follow the directions after all :)

 

Would you make it again?  Yes!

 

Any tips or advice? Definitely cook the rice in broth, it gives it so much more flavor.  Also, we thought it needed some cheese or something in the filling, not just on top.  Maybe adding the Parm as directed would have helped :)