National Hot Mulled Cider Day

While today wasn't overly cool, 

it was still a perfect evening to 

celebrate

National Hot Mulled Cider Day

These little mugs of heaven made our home smell divine! I love fall!

Ingredients

• 64 ounces of apple cider (fresh is preferred)
• 3 sticks of cinnamon (put a few on the side for stirring)
• 6 whole cloves
• ½ teaspoon ground allspice
• ½ teaspoon fresh nutmeg
• 1 jar of Smuckers Salted Caramel Sauce 

 The directions are simple, simple, simple!

In your crockpot combine the 

apple cider, spices, cloves, 

and cinnamon sticks

Allow to cook on high for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours

Put a tablespoon or two of caramel in the bottom 

of the mug, pour in hot cider and stir with a cinnamon stick. 

Enjoy your beverage!

To be honest, 

I wish this day would have been 

a week or so later, 

because we haven't been to our favorite farms yet. 

We have a few that we enjoy loading the family 

up and driving to, 

and the foliage here is

really beautiful a few weeks into the season, 

so we enjoy driving for that reason as well...

Do you enjoy a drive through the forest

during autumn?

Do you have a mulled cider recipe? 

Share it with me! 

Tomorrow's National Day 

is...

National Homemade Cookies Day!

Share your favorite type of cookie to make

and give me a recipe! 

You may just be featured. 

Coffee, Coffee, Coffee!

I was pretty much chanting that today 

because it is

National Coffee Day! 

Did you get yours? 

Did you make your way to your local

 Dunkin? 

Starbucks? 

Caribou? 

Keurig? 

I wanted to make my way to my very close Keurig, 

but alas, 

we had errands to run after dropping the two oldest 

kids off at school... 

and 

the baby had to get her 2 month checkup. 

I've always had a love/hate relationship with those checkups. 

I love them because I get to see how the kids are growing, 

but hate them because there are usually shots involved... 

I'm a sensitive mama and I don't like seeing my babies hurt for any reason...

Especially reasons like that, but I also like to see the healthy so... 

Yeah. 

Anyway, back to coffee... 

I'm kind of lucky. 

I had a pretty hot coffee date... 

(no pun intended)

Check him out

                              Those eyes tho...   Those eyes are what got me in trouble a decade ago. LOL The coffee looks good too,                                but I think the Duke may look just a tad-bit better... Just a smidgen. ;-) 

 Okay... so I'm keeping this one short, 

but of course 

you know I'll tell you what day 

tomorrow will be

Hot Mulled Cider Day

I'm really looking forward to this one, 

especially with the cooler weather coming on, 

I need to perfect my recipe for the bonfire we're going to host 

next month. 

You can't go through fall without having at least one, 

surrounded by

good company, 

dishes made with apples

 and/or pumpkin, 

and of course  

(I keep saying that... LOL) 

Hot Mulled Cider! 

Stay tuned for my recipe 

and post! 

See ya later!

National Strawberry Cream Pie Day

Short and sweet this post will be! 

Today is

National Strawberry Cream Pie Day

and 

National Drink a Beer Day

I made a pie! 

 1 ready-made graham cracker pie crust
1 pound fresh strawberries, cleaned and hulled
4 tablespoons of sugar
4 oz cream cheese
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla flavor instant pudding mix
2 cups Cool Whip whipped topping, thawed, divided

Directions

1. Put the strawberry and sugar in a food processor, pulse until chopped.

2. Ad the cream cheese and continue to blend. 

3. Place strawberry mixture in a bowl and add the package of dry pudding to the mixture and stir until well mixed, about 3 minutes or so...

4. Add 2 cups of whip cream to mixture and fold in lightly. 

5. Spoon mix into the pie crust and place in the fridge. 

Leave it in there until ready to serve. 

I'd say prepare this dish at the earliest 1 hour from serve time, 

but it would be best served at about 2 hours or more later. 

It's light, easy, and delicious! 

*If you don't have a food processor, finely chopped the strawberries and combine the ingredients in a bowl, and begin on step 3 after all of the ingredients (minus the cool whip) are in the bowl.

adapted from here  

 

I'm not much of a drinker, 

but I did have a few sips of The Duke's beer today

in honor of the drink beer holiday. 

Tomorrow is:

National Coffee Day 

and I can't wait to have a cup of the good stuff! 

Are you joining me? 

Feeling a little Irish...

Today's national day 

has me feeling a little 

bit o'lucky! 

Today is

National Corned Beef Hash Day

and 

The Duke couldn't be happier... 

Of course, 

The Duke 

is an 

Irishman

so it's 

just in his blood to 

like this day. 

However, 

it's not in mine, 

and seeing how

I've never made

corned beef anything

I was dreading this task. 

I was especially dreading it

after spending a beautiful day 

lounging outside by the bay.

I just wanted to come in and curl up

with a book and do nothing. 

Ever have those days? 

It can't be just me... LOL

Alright, so here it is. 

• 1 pound corned beef (roughly chopped)
• 1 package frozen hashbrowns (any style will do, I chose southern)
• 1 small onion (finely chopped)
• 4 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fried Eggs as side dish (optional)

Directions

Melt butter in skillet and add the onions.

Saute onions until fragrant, then add the corned beef

Mix the corned beef and onions together for 3-4 minutes on medium heat

Add the potatoes and cook until potatoes are light/golden brown in color

Serve with fried eggs on the side

Alright...

Tomorrow is:

Strawberry Cream Pie Day

Yum! I can't wait! 

Cakes, Cakes, No... Pannnnnncakes!

Today was a good day

I was up early enough to get the kids to school

without rushing, I was able to go by 

Barnes & Noble 

to purchase a book 

written by a friend

(way cool!)

and 

I was even able to 

make good on the promise to feed ducks 

with the littlest ones today. 

I was rocking it. 

So imagine my 

dismay when around 3:30 

I began to get the warning signs 

of a migraine.
I was so very sad about it

because I knew 

 the one that I felt coming on

 was going to be a whopper

and it is... It's a big one. 

I didn't know how I was going to make it tonight, 

but I took some medicine 

and despite feeling 

awful, 

I was able to stick to my guns 

and make the family

funfetti pancakes 

in honor of 

National Pancake Day

They aren't the prettiest pancakes I've made, but they did the trick, and were edible, so I guess that's all that really matters LOL

I had planned to cook these 

bad boys from scratch, 

I had a recipe and all that jazz

ready to go, 

but alas 

my migraine said, 

"No way Lady. You're not cooking from scratch today!" 

Instead, I used 

the just add water 

pancake mix

(the horror)

and 

made the batch as quickly as I could 

so I could return to lying down position. 

I'm taking a reprieve from my 

slumber to write this post. 

I must ask, 

did you celebrate 

National Pancake Day? 

Were you up for the challenge? 

What's your favorite kind of pancake? 

I enjoy funfetti, 

but 

red velvet is a close second. 

Tomorrow is:

National Corned Beef Hash Day

and 

National Chocolate Milk Day

Chocolate Milk, I've got covered, 

but that hash... 

Stay tuned... 

National Comic Book Day

Today was

National Comic Book Day 

and 

the kids celebrated appropriately. 

We were going to make a visit 

to our local comic book store to 

pick out new comic books, 

but the dreary and gray 

weather put a damper

(pun-intended)

on those plans.

Tomorrow is 

National Pancake Day

and I know what I'll be cooking 

at some point during the day... 

Fun fact: IHOP celebrates National Pancake Day in March, but

September 26th is indeed the actual day. 

See ya tomorrow!  

That one time I made...

Cherries Jubilee! 

It's National Cherries Jubilee Day 

and 

again. I'm thrilled! 

I'm not thrilled because I am a fan of cherries

because well... I am not. 

I am thrilled because it means I get to get in my kitchen again! 

Woot Woot! 

I'm really loving this y'all. 

Really, really, really loving this. 

The best part is

so is my family!

The Duke 

was singing praises at the 

chicken pot pie today

(It was even better as seconds)

and totally mentioned 

something I noticed as well... 

He said, "We've been eating better in the last few weeks, 

than we ever have." 

I agree. 

We've been eating better, 

making more conscious decisions 

about what we put in our bodies, 

buying the better ingredients

because we're learning more about food, 

granted not everything I've made has been the 

healthiest, but we've sure tried to make it that way

and we're definitely balancing out all these desserts with

a healthy meal-plan (I despise the word diet) and working out. 

But we'll come back to all the healthy talk, let's make a left back to that 

Cherries Jubilee! 

Ingredients: 1 premade graham cracker pie shell, 1 (21 oz) can of cherry pie filling, 1 (8 oz) tub of Cool Whip, 8 oz of cream cheese, 3/4 cup of confectioners sugar, and 3 eggs

This recipe is simple as... 

well... 

Pie. 

Directions

Preheat oven to 375F

In a large bowl mix the cream cheese, egg, and sugar, beat until smooth and 

pour it into the pie shell. 

Bake 15-18 minutes until set. 

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for about 10 minutes. 

Spread pie filling all over the top, then cover the pie filling with the cool whip. 

Place in the fridge and allow it to chill until ready to serve. 

Enjoy! 

 See... Simple! 

Let me know if you make it.
I'd love to hear how yours turned out! 

Now, back to this health thing! 

Shameless plug. 

I'm an Independent Beachbody Coach 

and 

since today is also 

National Women's Health and Fitness Day

I wanted to share what I do. 

I help women (and men) get into the best shape of their lives. 

I'm their champion, cheerleader, confidant! 

I help people. I love what I do, I do it well. 

And I'd love to help you, 

so feel free to shoot me an email 

or comment here with your email 

and we'll get you on the way to being 

happy, healthy, and fit. 

Just don't eat too much of that cherries jubilee. 

I'm watching! Haha! 

Tomorrow is 

National Comic Book Day

I know a couple of kids who 

will enjoy this knowledge. 

Do you? lol

Goodnight friends!

Pass the Pot Pie Please!

Alright Folks, 

today's holiday 

rocked hard. 

National Great American Pot Pie Day

was thoroughly celebrated 

and we are all better off for it...

(my waistline notsomuch)

but good grief am I stuffed.

(Visiting with Shawn T after this post)

Okay, so let me tell you

I love me some pot pie.

When I was little it 

was almost all I would eat, 

no, I take that back, 

it was all I would eat. 

My grandma's made it so darn good

and so did my aunts, and my mom. 

Creamy, warm, filling chickeny

 (yes I know that's not a word, but that's alright) 

goodness. 

So just imagine how thrilled I was to be sharing 

one of my favorites with my family! 

Now to share it with you! 

 Pictures!!!

So, I won't win any awards for crimping dough. LOL

Or adding slits... I don't think I did too terrible on the slits.

Finished product, isn't it purdy?

Oooey gooey goodness! The dough cooked perfectly and it had that nice crackle sound when you cut into it. Perfection came out of my oven tonight. Perfection y'all.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie

Ingredients

1 cup peeled and diced potato
¾ cup sliced carrot
1 cup peas
⅔ cup diced onion
½ cup butter
1¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon ground pepper
¼ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning
½ cup all-purpose flour
1½ cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
3 - 4 cups shredded chicken from an oven roasted or ( quick-meal option rotisserie chicken)
1 package Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts
1 egg white together with 1 tablespoon water to make an egg wash

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Fit 1 pie crust into the bottom of a deep dish pie plate
Place potatoes and carrots in a small saucepan, cover with water, and

 bring to a boil for 5-8 minutes to soften. Drain carrots and potatoes, set aside. 

Melt ½ cup butter in a large sauté pan. Add onions and sauté until fragrant about 1 1/2 minutes.
Add in salt and pepper (to taste), then add thyme, and poultry seasoning and stir together. 

Add flour and whisk, cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.

Whisk in chicken broth stir for about 30 seconds, then slowly add the milk while stirring.

Grab those potatoes and carrots that you set aside and add them. Let the filling simmer for a minute or two to thicken.
Stir in the chicken and peas, 

then turn the burner off.
 Pour the pot pie filling into pie shell.
Place second pie crust on top and trim excess. 

Press the two pie crusts together to seal and crimp edge
Brush egg white on top of the pot pie and use a knife to cut 4 slits to let steam escape.
Place on a baking sheet (optional, I did not) and bake for 30 minutes.

 

Dinner Done!

 (adapted from here)

Alright folks,

Tomorrow is 

National Cherries Jubilee Day

National Women's Health and Fitness Day

Looking forward to celebrating them both! 

xoxoxoxo

National Ice Cream Cone Day

Today was 

National Ice Cream Cone Day 

and we celebrated accordingly. 

The Duke with an Ice Cream Cone

We each had an ice cream cone, 

the kids had chocolate, 

The Duke and I vanilla, 

and delicious they were. 

We tried Alden's Organic Ice Cream for the first time

and I'm pretty sure we'll be buying it for as long as they sell it. 

YUM! 

Today was also American Business Women's Day

which I think is completely cool 

since I own a business

and I'll be posting more about my business

in upcoming posts. 

Shameless plugs here and there never hurt nobody. Haha! 

So today business women 

we celebrate you!

Keep on rocking hard 

and doing big things. 

Shine bright like a diamond! 

Alright, 

Tomorrow's Holiday

is 

National Great American Pot Pie Day

I'm excited for this, 

I can't wait to share my adventure in the 

kitchen with you! 

Goodnight Friends!

Happy Wife, Happy Pecan Cookie Day?

Hi Friends! 

Today was 

Wife Appreciation Day

and 

National Pecan Cookie Day

Both of which I was 

completely okay with celebrating. 

The Duke 

(as he so affectionately wants to be called on this blog)

 really outdid himself 

for wife appreciation day. 

Not only did he do all of the laundry, 

but he let me do practically nothing all day. 

It was glorious! 

I mean, we did go to church, 

and to our son's baseball game, 

but after that I didn't have to do anything, 

no dishes, 

no cooking, 

nothing. 

I baked cookies that took about 20 minutes to make 

after he assembled all the ingredients. 

Seriously, he totally ROCKED Wife Appreciation Day...

but to be honest, he rocks wife appreciation day 

every. single. day. 

I'm a lucky girl . 

Now...

On to the fun stuff! 

PECAN COOKIES! 

I've never made pecan cookies before, 

so I went to my trusty sidekick pinterest

to find a recipe. 

I found one here. 

Averie is absolutely and completely

 adorable 

(seriously, check out her about me page)

and has a darling blog!

I want to eat everything she makes. 

I love it, 

I've bookmarked it, 

and

I look forward to reading more from her. 

Okay, so here's what you came for! 

Pictures! 

Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 3/4 cup light brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 large egg (not pictured), 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons cream, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice, 2 teaspoons corn starch, 1 teaspoon baking soda, pinch of salt, 2 cups of chopped pecans

 Directions

1.  Preheat oven to 350F
2. Combine the butter, sugars, egg, vanilla, and beat on medium-high speed until creamed and mixed. 
3. Add the cream, and beat on low speed until mixed.
4. Add the flour, pumpkin pie spice, corn starch, baking soda, optional salt, and beat on low speed until mixed.
5. Add the pecans, and beat on low speed until mixed.
6. Using your hands roll the dough into a ping-pong sized circle and space them apart about 2 inches on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. 
7. Place the sheet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Take them out at 10 minutes (they may not look done, take them out anyway) and let them cool on the baking sheet for another 10 minutes. 

The final result! They are completely delicious and taste as if you're biting into fall.

I enjoyed making these cookies. My daughter helped and she enjoyed the process as well.
I can't wait to share these with my girlfriends tomorrow. They're too good not to share...
Plus I can't eat them all.
The Duke and I are starting a fitness challenge starting in the morning
and even though I'm baking yummy stuff, I won't be eating as much of it as I'd like.
Bummer, but, I can't do all this cooking & eating and not take care of myself right?
Right!

So tomorrow's holidays are:
National Ice Cream Cone Day
American Women in Business Day

How to celebrate those two, I have no idea.
I'll come up with something though,
Until then,
Goodnight!

Leave love!  

Apples and Punch

Today we celebrate 

apples, since it's

National Eat An Apple Day

and the drink served at dances all around the world

punch, since it's 

National Punch Day. 

Can I just say, 

I don't particularly enjoy eating apples

UNLESS

they are peeled, cored, and sliced. 

I've been this way from childhood. 

Apples always hurt my teeth 

because the skin would get stuck in there

and I hated that... Well... I still do. 

However, for the sake of 

the blog, and at my daughter's prompting

I shall eat an apple... 

(a small one) 

today. 

National Eat An Apple Day celebration complete!

This morning at the breakfast table the kids were discussing
National Punch Day and were trying to figure out what it meant...
(they thought literally punch someone)
I said, "No,

not that kind of punch!" LOL. 

PUNCH DUDE! You know, like the drink?! Hahaha...
The Duke, witnessing all of this hubbub
 laughed, shook his head, and went back to his morning tea. 

I went back to pinterest 

to find a punch recipe where

I already had the ingredients on hand.

 

I'm quickly finding out that 

this little adventure

I'm taking is getting expensive...

(however, I do take donations... seriously I do)

GoFundMe

Anyway, back to the punch...
I remembered that I had a recipe.
(None of the ingredients, lol)
My grandmother and all her friends
used it for every special event we
went to...
Weddings, birthday parties, anniversary parties,
any kind of party really
you'd find this drink.
 Sherbet Punch.

Simple as pie to make,
refreshing and delicious.
 Today, National Punch Day
I introduced my kids
to a childhood favorite of mine.

Now I'm introducing it to you,
Enjoy

 Sherbet Punch

Ingredients: 1 - 2 liter bottle of Sprite,  1 container of fruit flavored sherbet (ignore the Gatorade, I thought the recipe called for fruit punch and this was the only fruit punch I could find in the store I went to. LOL)

Directions

Empty the whole container of sherbet into a pitcher,
pour Sprite over sherbet,
mix until about half of the sherbet has melted into the drink.
Pour into glasses, serve, and enjoy!

Tasting the creation, they were all smiles afterwards!

Butterscotch Pudding, Aarrgh!

Because it is the weekend 

I'm going to keep this post short and sweet! 

Today was 

(Inter)National Talk Like a Pirate day 

and 

the kids and I had a blast with it. 

We talked like pirates before school, 

we talked like pirates after, 

and we even 

made a video 

that won't upload for some strange reason. :-(

 It's pretty funny

and I promise to keep trying to

get it on here! 

Okay, so, 

National Butterscotch Day... 

I've never had butterscotch pudding

and to be completely honest, 

I wasn't looking forward to making it. 

 I thought it was going to be this 

tedious ordeal 

for some mediocre dessert.

Would you believe it if I told you I was

completely mistaken? 

Seriously, I was. 

  I found an awesome recipe here and

the whole thing took about 10 minutes
 to make from start to finish. 

Crazy right? 

It's chilling in the fridge as I write this 

and another kicker? 

It doesn't have to set for 3+ hours or overnight! 

This badboy is ready for you in about an hour,

if that long. 

Even better, 

it's delicious! 

I don't know if you are, but I'm a huge fan of 

salted caramel anything 

and that's kind of what it reminds me of...

It's so good guys, 

creamy good deliciousness. 

Ready for it? 

I know you are.

Here are pictures... 

Ingredients: 1/2 cup - Dark Brown Sugar, 2 TBSP + 2 TSP Cornstarch, 1/4 TSP - Salt, 2 TBSP - Unsalted Butter (cut into pieces), 1 TSP - Vanilla, 1 1/2 Cup - Whole Milk, 1/2 Cup - Heavy Cream

And of course I wasn't going to leave you without the recipe! 

Easy Butterscotch Pudding

Directions

Mix together sugar, milk, cream, salt, and cornstarch, 

bring to boil over medium-high heat

Let the mixture boil while whisking for 1 minute exactly!

Take the mixture off of the heat and stir in butter & vanilla

Pour the mix into a glass bowl and cover, 

place in the fridge for as long as you'd like. 

(I did an hour)

Come back, bowl up, and enjoy. 

So light and creamy, of course I had to add vanilla ice cream too (Cool Whip works just as good!). I think it's becoming a signature thing I do. Haha!

Enjoy!

Tomorrow is
National Eat an Apple Day
National Punch Day

National Cheeseburger Day

Today was 

National Cheeseburger Day

and I didn't mention it at all to the kids. 

You see, 

they love cheeseburgers. 

It's their favorite thing to eat. 

They could eat them any time, 

anywhere, it doesn't matter. 

They LOVE them. 

They each have their own way of eating 

cheeseburgers, 

such as, 

my daughter likes pickles and ketchup, 

my son ketchup, 

the Mister ketchup and mayo

and me...

I'm not the biggest cheeseburger fan...

However, I love a cheeseburger for breakfast after

a good "Girl's Night Out" 

if you catch my drift. ;-)

I take mine with the works. 

Everything on it. 

The messier the better, 

which completely grosses 

the rest of my family out, 

but 

I don't care.
They don't know what they're missing! 

Ha! 

Today I decided to be a little rebellious 

and make what I wanted to make to celebrate

such a joyous occasion as 

National Cheeseburger Day. 

So I decided we'd have 

Barbeque Bacon Swiss

 Cheeseburgers

and 

I made a good choice!

BBQ Bacon Swiss Burger on Hawaiian Bread Hamburger Bun! Sweet Baby Rays is a must!

My satisfied customers! :-)

Pairing the burger with those particular buns 

was a momentary stroke of genius!

The sweet and tangy flavors 

worked perfectly together

and still didn't overpower the swiss

that also made a nice addition 

(we usually just use a mild cheddar).

So my friends, 

I must make a confession... 

before tonight, 

I'd never made a burger 

on my own. 

My husband is the burger man.

In fact, he's so much of the burger king in our home, 

that my son didn't believe that I made this meal. 

He thought his dad did, 

and I just heated it up. 

No son, Mama hooked it up! LOL!

Now I share with you

how to make the perfect burger

in honor of Cheeseburger Day!

Perfect Burger 

Ingredients

1lb ground beef 

1 1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 1/2 onion powder

1 tsp worchestshire sauce

salt and pepper

(I add a dash or two of Old Bay as well)

Cooking spray (for the pan)

Directions

Mix all the ingredient up

and shape four even patties, 

you can get 6 or more for sliders. 

On a griddle or cast iron skillet

spray the pan until it's evenly coated, 

if you don't have cooking spray 

canola oil will work as well. 

You'll need 1 1/2 TBSP

Place  the griddle or skillet 

on medium high heat 

until the oil has a shiny look to it 

and then add your burgers. 

Cook the first side of the burger for 3 minutes, 

flip and cook the second side 4-5 minutes, 

this should make a perfectly medium rare burger, 

add 1 minute to each side for medium well, 

and cook 5-6 minutes each side for well done. 

Tomorrow is 

Butterscotch Pudding Day

and 

Talk Like a Pirate Day

I know we're going to have fun with at least one of those 

holiday's. I'll let you guess which one! LOL

Goodnight friends, 

until tomorrow! 

 

National Apple Dumpling Day

Okay...

So friends, 

I've never made Apple Dumplings before, 

but I had a fabulous recipe that 

I pinned a bit ago

from here  

and wow. 

I'm so glad I did! 

 Have you ever made them

or had them made for you? 

Woohoo! 

Today is 

National Apple Dumpling Day

and after eating my dumplings 

(yes plural, don't tell my thighs, hips, or waistline)

I'm so happy it was. 

Little factoid about me:

Apples and Pumpkin 

are my go-to's 

during fall 

for everything from 

decorations 

to

desserts. 

I just love using them

in and around my home, 

in dishes, 

and 

it doesn't hurt that they smell divine

when you cook them! 

What I've learned from this experience is that

 apple dumplings 

are

super easy

to make 

and 

super delicious as well.

 It's no wonder there is a day dedicated to them, 

and after you make them, 

you'll realize that they need

a whole weekend and not just a day. 

Haha! 

On to the fun stuff... 

Pictures! 

Ingredients: 2 Apples (cored and peeled.. I forgot the peel, but remembered before I put them in the crescents), 1 1/2 cup of 7up, 1 1/2 cup of Brown Sugar, 1 tsp - Cinnamon, 1 tsp - Vanilla Extract, 2 packages Crescents, 2 sticks of Butta, and your best southern accent. You must cook whilst speaking in a southern drawl. Trust me. It makes them taste better. ;-) 

The Apple Dumplings in their jacuzzi mixture of 7up, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Pre-Oven

This came out of my oven y'all! Amazing right?? Yes... Yes it is.

Okay, so here's the plural. It's taking all of my will power to not go fix another bowl. Seriously, this is by far the easiest and most delicious thing I've ever made in my life. So very good. I think I've found my go-to dessert, for every Bunco, 31, Scentsy, Lia Sophia, (insert party name here) I ever attend. Yep. Every.Single.One. LOL 

Directions

1. Butter a 13 x 9 inch baking dish.
2. Preheat the oven at 350 F.
3. Peel and core apples, than cut each apple into 8 slices
4. Roll each apple slice in a crescent roll and place in a buttered dish.
5. Melt butter, stir in sugar, vanilla and cinnamon, and when it’s thickened, remove from heat and pour over the dumplings.
6. Pour the soda in the middle and along the edges of a pan(not over the rolls)
7. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until they become golden brown.
8. Serve right out of the oven with vanilla ice cream

 No but really, 

I'm digging this day, 

I'm digging this blog, 

I'm digging this challenge

because before this challenge, 

you'd be hard pressed to find me baking anything, 

cooking on top of the stove 

absolutely.

Baking? Notsomuch. 

The kids mentioned today, 

that they love waking up to the good smells, 

and they enjoy me making new things. 

That right there makes this the best day ever!

I don't know how any day could top this one, 

but we'll see. ;-)

Tomorrow is 

National Cheeseburger Day! 

Let the recipe search commence... 

Or 

You could leave me your favorite cheeseburger recipe in the comments...

hint, hint... haha! 

Stepfamilies and Guac... Odd Combo, but it works.

Today is 

National Step-Family Day

and 

National Guacamole Day

The guy in this picture is my step-dad

My Mom and Step-Dad before church

He never tried to be my "Dad" per-say, but he did 

let me know that he'd be there for me

like a dad would

and that he cared about me. 

That meant the world to me 

and it still does...

See, life for an 11 year old 

is already a bit complicated. 

You're in that weird zone where

you're not quite a little kid, 

but not fully a teen, 

so things are confusing 

and you kind of don't know where you stand in the world. 

Add in 3 bonus siblings, a new house, new school, new life

with a new dad and things can get even worse. 

I was having trouble adjusting until that conversation with my step-dad... 

No I didn't become the perfect angel overnight, 

I was far from it, 

but 

I did make different choices... 

better choices because of the role model 

I had in my life

and for that I'll 

always be thankful 

to my step-father. 

Are you in a step-family? 

Celebrate yourself! 

Celebrate family in general, 

because family

step or not 

should be celebrated. 

I had no idea this day existed, 

but I'm glad it did. 

I tried to celebrate by giving 

my step-dad a call, 

but I couldn't get him on the phone

(A very big deal for an introvert like me. I hate talking on the phone!)

So instead I'm thanking him in this post. 

I listened to the song 

by Brad Paisley that 

reminds me of him. 

It's called,

"He Didn't Have to Be"

Now, the fun stuff! 

GUACAMOLE! 

I was so happy about this day 

that I practically skipped around the grocery store. 

What's funny about that is, 

we just had a new grocery store open up 

near our home and the people thought I was excited about that... 

Oh no... 

I was excited about GUAC! 

It's one of my favorite 

go-to healthy snacks to have 

late night, when the kids are in bed, 

and the man is busy doing something or another, 

and it's just me, HGTV, and a good book. 

Guess what I'm doing after this post? Haha! 

So, in honor of National Guacamole Day 

I shall share my simple and delicious recipe with you. 

Lori's Good Guac!

The Ingredients... Avocado, Lime, Shallot, Garlic (1 or 2 cloves), 1 Cherry Tomato, Salt & Pepper (The Owls)

Directions

1. In a bowl mash up the avocado

and set aside

2. Rough chop the tomato and add to avocado

3. Chop shallot into small pieces and 

mince the garlic. 

4. Saute the shallots and garlic in a tiny bit of EVOO for about 30-45 seconds, 

just enough to get the flavors out really well

5. Add shallots and garlic to avocado and mix,

 add salt & pepper,  half the lime and add the juice to the mixture to taste

Enjoy! 

I eat it it with a spoon, 

but it's also good with torilla chips. 

Doesn't it look good? I can't wait to eat it up!

I have a feeling this year will be full of food

Good food and I'm not the least bit upset about that! 

Tomorrow is 

National Apple Dumpling Day

I've never made Apple Dumplings... 

I'm not sure that I'll even try. 

See ya tomorrow!