Merry Christmas!

Sorry for the long break everyone. Holidays (and a baby who doesnt sleep!) make life a little crazy! Hoping to be back with weekly posts in January! (I have been trying lots of new things, but not posting, oops!) Merry Christmas! Have a wonderful time with your families!

Paleo Pumpkin Pie!

http://pinterest.com/pin/216313588321756929/
fastpaleo perfect-paleo-pumpkin-pie
What did you make? Perfect Paleo Pumpkin Pie!
How did it turn out? GREAT! So exciting to have it taste like real pumpkin pie! 
Did you follow directions or make changes? I tried to follow the directions, but wound up making a ton of changes! I decided not to do a pie crust because I was short on time. I just mixed up the filling and put into ramekins. The directions called for a small can of pumpkin, I only had a big can, and since the recipe didnt specify how many ounces or cups a small can is, I just had to guess. I also ran out of my pumpkin pie spice, so I just added a little of everything. It also called for honey as its sweetener, which would have been just fine, but I am using agave nectar because it has a lower glycemic index. Lastly, I didnt have coconut milk in the can, only refrigerated in the carton, it was exactly what the recipe said NOT to use, but I didnt have a choice so I used it anyway. It turned out just fine!!
Would you make it again? Yes! It would be interesting to see how it turns out if all the ingredients and measurements were correct, I am sure it will be similar since my end result was just like pumpkin pie! We will also be making our own whipped topping, so it will be fun to try those together.
Any tips or advice?  Just to make it! I know its a little different, and it calls for coconut milk (you should have all the other ingredients on hand) but its totally worth it because it doesnt have any gluten garbage in it, nor any sugar, so its super healthy! Eat it and be guilt free! Then eat another one!
-Michelle

Quite the Gap!

Pardon me for the huge gap in posts ladies! (Hey, where are you guys? :)
I have been busy trying lots of new things, just running a mile a minute and havent stopped to blog about them. I currently have a backlog of 24 things to post! Yikes! And thats just whats in my list, I need to add the things I have done in the last two weeks as well.
Anyway, I will try to catch up as soon as I can.
Happy Thanksgiving!
-Michelle

Smashed Potates! (yes, you read that right)

{for the love of cooking original photo (did get one, we were hungry and it was dinner time! shoot!)}
http://pinterest.com/pin/257332208/
fortheloveofcooking crash-hot-potatoes
What did you make? Crash Hot Potatoes!
How did it turn out? Good! Mine didnt look as pretty as the picture, but they tasted good! 
Did you follow directions or make changes? I followed the prep instructions, but I didnt have little red potatoes, so used the little fingerling ones instead. They are long instead of round, and so they didnt stand up, and I think thats why they turned out a little less pretty when I smashed them. Several were smashed on their side rather than smashed from the top down. Flavor wise I dont think it makes a difference.
Would you make it again? Yes! It was a nice side dish, and easy too.
Any tips or advice?  No, I dont think so. I guess just to take your time and actually drizzle the olive oil. I was rushed and so I brushed it on instead cause thats faster, but I think using the brush there was a little bit too much.
-Michelle

Oatmeal Snickerdoodles!

(plain chicken image, I ate all mine without a thought of getting out the camera!)
http://pinterest.com/pin/151249777/
Plain Chicken Cinnamon-oat-snickerdoodle-cookies
What did you make? Cinnamon Oat Snickerdoodles! I make a lot of cookies dont I?
How did it turn out? Good! I also got the stamp of approval from Andy. They are everything I want in a cookie, oats and cinnamon!
Did you follow directions or make changes? I tried to follow the directions! I doubled the cinnamon as I always do. But, I didnt have the 1 3/4 cup Fiber Plus Cinnamon Oat Crunch cereal, so I substituted a cup of oatmeal and 3/4 cup crunched up raisin bran crunch cereal, sans the raisins.
Would you make it again? Yes! I have a million other cookie recipes to try, but I find myself always going back to anything with oats and cinnamon in it, yum!
Any tips or advice? Just that the baking time says 12-14 mins at 375 and they turned out hard. I baked mine 12 mins at 350 and they were good. I think next time I might try 11 minutes, I sure do love a soft cookie!
-Michelle

Cream Cheese Cookies!

http://pinterest.com/pin/90112113/
I went to get the link, and its gone! Says its pinned from "none" ??

What did you make? The Best Cream Cheese Cookies!
How did it turn out? Pretty good! I thought the flavor and texture turned out nice. I wasnt super excited about them, but I think its because I am more of a cinnamon and oats girl when it comes to cookies, and these were so different. But then today I ate a ton, they are good.
Did you follow directions or make changes? I followed the directions exactly, except that they needed to bake 9 minutes, not 7. 
Would you make it again? Yes, I think so! I think next time I am going to use lemon extract instead of vanilla and see what happens. I think these cookies would be great with a hint of lemon.
Any tips or advice? No, I dont think so. They were really easy. Just make sure your cream cheese and butter truly are at room temperature so you dont get any chunks when you cream them with the sugar.
-Michelle

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip No Bakes!

(Morgan Moore photo) I forgot to take a photo because I was eating them all!
http://pinterest.com/pin/290907025/
http://morganmoore.typepad.com/one_more_moore/2009/04/when-its-too-hot-to-bake-we-nobake.html 
What did you make? "Its too hot to bake so we no bake!"
How did it turn out? Good! I was craving sugar and the end of the day was nearing... I knew Olive had little time left in her before she fell apart. So, it was something quick or nothing at all! No Bakes! You combine some ingredients in a saucepan, boil 1 minute, stir in the rest of the ingredients and drop onto wax paper to set. I was able to eat one within 5-10 minutes. I like them best cold though, because then they hold together even better.
Did you follow directions or make changes? I followed the directions to a T!
Would you make it again? Yes! Great when you are short on time or dont want to turn the oven on.
Any tips or advice? Make them!
-Michelle

Popcorn In A Bag!

 http://pinterest.com/pin/89750822/
Squawk Fox popcorn-recipe
What did you make? "How to Microwave Gourmet Popcorn in a Brown Paper Bag!"
How did it turn out? Great! Piece of cake. Much less expensive and healthier that the prepackaged version. In fact, I thought I was never to eat popcorn again because I was unwilling to eat the trans fat in a bag from the grocery store. I am glad I found an alternative that's easy!
Did you follow directions or make changes? I followed the directions, but there really wasnt much to it. Get yourself some kernels. Get some paper bags. Bag 'em and mic 'em! Done in 2.5 minutes. We melted a tab of butter and drizzled it on, added a dash of salt and then shook the bag to coat more evening. Then we sat down with our popcorn and watched Limitless!
Would you make it again? Yes! We decided we would anytime we watched a movie... however often we get around to movies eeps. Anyway, it was a fun stay at home date!
Any tips or advice? Nope!

-Michelle

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal!

don't mind the little sample I took from the corner!
http://pinterest.com/pin/235114067/

http://budgetbytes.blogspot.com/2011/09/baked-pumpkin-pie-oatmeal-277-recipe.html

What did you make? Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal! This blog is great because she breaks each recipe down, so you know how much each serving costs. This one was $0.46 per serving!
How did it turn out? So Good! Initially I was surprised because I expected it to be sweeter, but then I thought about it, its oatmeal, its breakfast, it really was the perfect amount of sweet! It was really easy to throw together, it took about 5 minutes to mix it up and pop in the oven. The recipe suggested topping it with whip cream, maple syrup, or milk. I have only had it plain, it was great, but I should try it a few other ways as well. Andy ate his with milk and loved it.

Did you follow directions or make changes? I mostly followed the directions. I did put 3 cups of oats instead of 2.5, omitted the salt, and added a dash of cinnamon. (Recipe had just called for pumpkin pie spice for the seasonings)

Would you make it again? Heck yes! Cant wait! We have been slacking in the breakfast department in this house, I want to remedy that so we start out our day right. This will be one of the recipes I go to, along with some crockpot egg casseroles. I am thinking about adding some protein powder to it next time just to make it a little more balanced of a meal, hehe.
Any tips or advice? Just make it asap! Also, I think this would be a great easy breakfast when you have company- quick and delicious! (Recipe only serves 4-6 though, so it would need to be doubled.)

-Michelle

Pumpkin Scones!

http://pinterest.com/pin/168249578/
Sweet Peas Kitchen, Pumpkin Scones

What did you make? Starbucks Pumpkin Scones

How did it turn out? Pretty dang good! The scone itself is not very sweet, but it has both a glaze and a spiced drizzle- both very sweet, the two together are perfect! Andy ate three in a row. We ate them both warm and cold, both are  good.

Did you follow directions or make changes? I doubled the sugar! The reviews said the scone wasnt very sweet (the recipe only called for 1/4 cup!) so I put in 1/2. It still wasn't very sweet, but I am glad I did it, cause 1/4 wouldn't have been enough. I also doubled the cinnamon (as I always do!) and I put slightly more pumpkin. The recipe only called for 1/2 cup and I thought to myself, 'thats not very much, lets make it more pumpkiny and more moist!' I put 3/4 cup and boy was that a mistake! The dough was very very VERY sticky. I had to really flour my surface heavily, flour my hands, and pat flour on every side of the scone so that I could pick it up without it sticking to my hands like glue. Some were so sticky the shape was getting ruined during the transfer and so I had to flour my hands again, roll it into a ball to get it to hold together, and then reshape it into a triangle. It worked alright just to get me through my sticky mess but those ones puffed up more during baking and looked like little loaves of bread. The ones that I was able to just cut and transfer to the baking sheet had that nice bumpy texture on the sides, signature of a scone, and I liked that a lot better.

Would you make it again? Yes! Andy has requested that I do. It seems like a "special treat" and so I would save it for such, its not like baking your everyday cookie. These taste like something you have on a holiday or at a party. Or maybe to spice up a family day if its rainy and we stay inside playing games or watching movies!
Any tips or advice? Dont add too much pumpkin! The only other thing is I like mine on the smaller side. The recipe said to pat your dough into a 4x12 rectangle, cut into thirds, and then cut each third with an X to get 4 triangles in each section. They are really small when raw, but grew 4x times their size while baking. I think I will pat my dough into a wider rectangle, maybe no more than 3" tall, and however wide it turns out with that height. They are going to look ridiculously small, probably bite sized, but remember they grow a ton in the oven. Make these! Yum!

-Michelle

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!

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

Andy's Birthday: Lego Bag!

What did you make? Lego Bag!
http://pinterest.com/pin/104865179/
Crunchy Catholic Momma Lego Bags

How did it turn out? It turned out just fine! I bought a circle punch from Joann and punched 8 from another bag. I used the foam command strip to stick the circles on so that they stood out from the bag. It was cute! The yellow bag I drew a lego head face on it. 

 Did you follow directions or make changes?  I dont know if there were instructions, I think just a picture of what she did for her lego party. I just looked at the picture and went from there.

Would you make it again?  Why not, if there is the occasion?

Any tips or advice? Nope! Easy peasy and cute.

-Michelle

Andy's Birthday: Lego Head Freezer Paper Shirt!

What did you make? Lego Head Freezer Paper Shirt!
For shirt idea:
http://pinterest.com/pin/105031259/
Etsy Lego Man Shirt
For freezer paper tutorial:
http://pinterest.com/pin/80715405/
i am momma hear me roar Freezer Paper Shirt

How did it turn out? GREAT! I bought a regular t-shirt at target for about $6, some freezer paper, fabric paint for $3, and used foam brushes. I made my lego head template in the computer, printed it out, cut it out, traced it out onto the freezer paper, cut it out again! Then I ironed on the shirt, and painted away! It has to lay flat for four hours for drying. Andy was ecstatic!

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I followed the directions perfectly! And it turned out perfectly! 

Would you make it again?  Heck yes! And Andy is excited to make all kinds of shirts with me! This is a great way to make awesome homemade presents for cheap!

Any tips or advice? Just make sure your freezer paper is ironed on really well, check all your corners. I also recommend using a regular paint brush as my foam brush was leaving little fibers behind. I found another freezer paper tutorial last night that said when your paint is completely dry to put a piece of cloth over it and iron it again to seal it. I did not do that as Andy's present was already opened and on his body! Will remember for next time. Also, just an FYI- the paint dries and it leaves kind of a scratchy texture, but I believe it softens up with washing and drying.

-Michelle

Andy's Birthday: Lego Cake!

What did you make? Andy's Birthday: Lego Cake!
http://pinterest.com/pin/90691354/
Betty Crocker Block Cakes

How did it turn out? OK! It was definitely a lot of fun. It was really hard though! Who knew it was so hard to get frosting smooth? I need to get myself an angled spatula and stop using butter knives. I had a major bummer moment, the cake hadn't cooled enough and I went to get it out of the pan and it broke! It was supposed to be rectangular and twice as tall. The little square was all I was able to salvage. It worked out ok though because it was less space to frost and Andy wouldn't be able to eat all that anyway!

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I pretty much followed all the directions. I cant think of any changes. I really liked her advice on spraying your scissors with cooking spray before you cut your marshmallows and they glide right through. Never would have thought of that!
Would you make it again?  Sure? I dont think I need to anytime soon, maybe one day again for my little boy's birthday! It was interesting experience, but may never make again.

Any tips or advice? Get yourself an angled spatula! Frost your cake on a different plate and move it to the final plate when you are done. Also, since you have to trim off the dome because you want a flat cake I definitely recommend doing a crumb coat before your final coating to seal in all those loose crummy sides and top.

- Michelle

Andy's Birthday: Lego Head Pops!

What did you make? Lego Head Pops!
http://pinterest.com/pin/105037065/
Living Locurto Lego Cake Pops & Marshmallow Treats

How did it turn out? Great! Andy LOVED them! He even took them to work to show them off. But it was harder than I thought. It didn't dip well, I actually had to spoon the candy melts on and then smooth it out over the marshmallow.

Did you follow directions or make changes?  The directions were pretty basic. I didn't do any cake pops, just jet-puffed marshmallows because they were the perfect shape with cut in half mini marshmallows on top.
Would you make it again?  The lego heads- yeah if I had an occasion to! I will definitely be making plenty of other cake pops in the future! Such fun!

Any tips or advice? The more melted the candy melts are the better. I will have to read my cake pop book and see if there are any tips in there. I feel like it needed to be runnier. I remember reading that you dip it and shake off the excess, there was no excess being shaken off, it was thick and staying right on that marshmallow! I will edit this if I find any tips on getting it thinned out but still hardening right.

- Michelle

Apple Spice Cookies!

 (Allrecipe original picture)
What did you make? Apple Spice Cookies!

http://pinterest.com/pin/148581765/
Allrecipes Apple and Spice Cookies

How did it turn out? They were good! At first, tasting the dough and again straight out of the oven I thought they were a little heavy on the nutmeg, and especially the cloves, but Andy disagreed. When they cooled and I tried them again, the seasonings were perfect!

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I replaced the shortening with butter (always!), and left out the apple juice because I didn't have any. Also, I left out the raisins and the walnuts, because I am not fond of those. I think I also did more apples, cant remember if I did 1.5 cups or 2 cups. The recipe only called for 1 cup. I thought I might as well since I left out other chunky items.

Would you make it again?  Yes! They were really good, everyone who tried them liked them. I ate way too many.

Any tips or advice? I chopped my apples really small, time consuming but I think its better. Also, I stored them in the fridge which made them sticky, I didn't think I liked that quality, but then I realized that I thought they tasted better cold! Other people didnt seem to have a preference.

Sorry, again no pictures. I made this before we started our pinning challenge, and so they were all eaten a month ago!!

- Michelle

Bacon Cheese Dogs!

(Allrecipe original picture)
What did you make? Ultimate Bacon Cheese Dogs!

http://pinterest.com/pin/118145798/

Gourmet Mom on the Go: Ultimate Bacon cheese dogs.

How did it turn out? I didn't get to try them as I am dieting, but Andy really liked them! You slit the dog down the middle, stuff it with string cheese, wrap two pieces of bacon around it, and sprinkle brown sugar on top.

Did you follow directions or make changes?  I followed the directions, except that I had no string cheese, so two of the dogs I stuffed with stripped up cheddar cheese, and the other two I stuffed with shredded mozzarella.

Would you make it again?  Yes! I still need to try them, and I think it would be really fun to roast them around a campfire one day. 

Any tips or advice? UGH YES! It says in the instructions that you can broil them, or cook over a fire. So I set my oven to 500 and popped them in and what a mistake. They smoke too much, I set off the fire alarm, scared baby, and the house smelled smokey for two days. Also the bacon grease did a lot of popping and splattered the inside of my oven door. I took them out early and had Andy pop them on the BBQ and they were perfect! Will definitely keep this in mind as a BBQ only dish.

Don't have a picture as I couldn't find my camera and Andy ate them!

-Michelle