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Friday, January 30, 2015

Rich Chocolate "Brownie" Cookies (gluten and milk free)

Don't let the gluten and milk free title scare you away. Everyone who tries these, with or without allergies, LOVE THEM! These are the richest most chocolaty cookies I've ever had! "Richly Scrumptious" are the words I would use to describe these cookies. Maybe delicious, and marvelous too ;)


Rich Chocolate "Brownie" Cookies

3 c. Powdered Sugar
3/4 c. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 T. Corn Starch
3 Eggs
2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 c. Chocolate Chips

Combine powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and corn starch.

Add eggs and vanilla.

Fold in the chocolate chips.

Drop by rounds on parchment paper lined cookie sheets.

Bake at 350 for 14 minutes. 

**Cool ON the cookie sheets for 5-10 minutes (If you can stand to)

When ready to eat; Share with family and friends, hide and eat them alone, whatever way you choose to devour these scrumptious cookies, enjoy being you, because that's all that really matters!

DELISH!


-This is for you CIARA! xo


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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

Dip Me Crazy - 10 Delicious Party Dips

Dips, dips, DIPS!
Anyone throwing a party this weekend for a particular event?!
WE ARE! THE SUPERBOWL IS HERE! WHOOP WHOOP!
The only thing is, I'm having trouble deciding which dip I am going to make! They're all so good! Check it out!


Click on the title below the picture to take you to the recipe!












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Thursday, January 15, 2015

Copy Cat - Wheat Thins

I wanted a wheat cracker to dip, sandwich and smear goodness on. I knew I could just go buy them, but I wanted to try and make them! 
 I did it! I was so excited, I couldn't believe how much they tasted like real Wheat Thins. I wasn't expecting them to taste like that at all!
This was so easy and fun! The kids loved watching mom make "crackers!" 
In comparison to boxed crackers, this batch makes 1-2 "boxes" worth of crackers.
Just a little time spent keeps money in the bank!


Copy Cat - Wheat Thins

In a large bowl combine:
1 c. Wheat Flour
1 c. "Normal" Flour
1/2 tsp. Salt
3 T. Sugar

MIX

Then add:
1 c. water (add more water if needed by single tablespoon increments)
1/4 c. Olive Oil

Mix all together until well combined and dough forms.

Separate the dough in 2. Take the first dough half and roll in out on a floured surface. Make the thickness similar to pie crust. (if it's too thick, it's hard to eat and is more like a dog biscuit!)

Take a jelly roll pan or cookie sheet and line with foil. Spray the foil with non stick cooking spray.

Take the rolled out dough and "fold it" in half or 3rds. Move it onto the greased foil sheet, and spread it back out. (you may have to use your rolling pin again to make it flatter)

Take a pizza cutter and cut the dough into small squares. If your pizza cutter can't roll to the end of the edges, take a knife and finish your squares. 

Take a fork and poke each square in the middle to prevent bubbles from forming.

(This was my first attempt- I made these WAY too thick and too big! 
These were seriously dog biscuit/break your tooth status. 
This is just for you to see the cookie sheet and foil with the crackers on them!)

Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or until edges turn golden brown.

*Keep a close eye on them, it depends on how thick or thin they were rolled out, they might cook faster or take longer. 

Remove from the cookie sheet and place on a platter or in a bowl. Don't put them in a bag or storage container warm, the heat will make steam, and in turn make the crackers soggy. Let them cool, then, put them in your storage container. 

Eat just like this, or swipe peanut butter, tuna fish cracker lunch, cream cheese, the sky is the limit!
DELISH!



Needing DIP ideas?



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Monday, January 12, 2015

Baby Blankets turned into "Big Kid" Quilts

Is your linen closet like mine was? OVERFLOWING with baby blankets that don't "fit" your "babies" anymore?! I'm still not okay with the fact that my babies have grown to be toddler and kid. That aside, I was going CRAZY with so many baby blankets that weren't big enough to cover them.

We've been so blessed with family and friends who have given us such DARLING baby blankets. These blankets hold more memories for me, than they do for my kids. I just don't have the heart to give them away, for heaven sake, THESE HELD MY BABIES! (tear)

So, I made a decision, I would find a way to re purpose these dear baby blankets into "big kid" blankets that they could cuddle up when watching a movie, making a fort, or picnic on the lawn.
(Light Bulb) Sew them all together to make BIG BLANKETS!
Easy and AWESOME!

My kids won't do ANYTHING without them now- I really wonder what it was like a week ago when we didn't have them.


1.
Grab all of the baby blankets you have stocked up.

2.
Lay out the blankets on the floor and try to match them as best you can 
making them even on all sides. 

3. 
Sew the blankets together in sections.
First 2 blankets together - (set aside)
Sew the other 2 blankets together.
 Finish by sewing both sets together.
DONE!

These were the easiest quilts I've ever sewn, how about you?!


Cuddle, Play, Love




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Saturday, January 10, 2015

Almonds & Cranberries - Power Snack

Need a boost for your mid day slump? 
My favorite healthy snack is a handful of almonds and a few cranberries.
Sweet, crunchy and scrumptious! 
Grab a snack bag and take this on the road, to work, or eat at home.
Snacks help boost your metabolism and keep your energy flowing!


Raw Almonds

Dried Cranberries or "Crasins"

(try "less sugar added" cranberries to cut out at bit of unnecessary sugar)



Linking up here 

Thursday, January 8, 2015

"Ye have done it unto me"

This is one of my all time favorite scriptures and quotes. And it just so happens that they go hand in hand with one another. 

I've had countless experiences where my needs were met through another. Either someone mentioned something that I needed to hear that day, or someone called or texted me right when I needed a little extra motivation. Have you had that happen to you?
 Or have you ever had a little feeling to go and call a random person or text them to see how they're doing? You were probably given that prompting for a reason, someone, somewhere, needs you.

 I know that we were not meant to be on this earth alone. We have family, friends, neighbors and loved ones all round us who were not placed in our lives by coincidence.

We all need each other, our needs are met through those around us. You'll never know all the good you can do in this world. 

Let our hands be the Lord's hands.









Monday, January 5, 2015

Chip & Veggie Dip

This is one of our families most secret recipes. 
My dad loves to cook- he is AWESOME by the way, but this is his recipe. He's been making this since I don't know when, FOREVER! He takes it to ALL of our family get together's and parties. Whenever he asks if he can bring something, everyone says BRING YOUR DIP!

Well, I have now decided to send out this amazing rich and creamy dip into the world so YOU all can enjoy it, and maybe make it your tradition! Enjoy!


Ultimate Chip & Veggie Dip

2 c. Mayo
12 oz Sour Cream
2 T. Dry Ranch Seasoning
1 1/2 tsp. Garlic Salt
2 tsp. Super Salad Seasoning
2 T. Dried Minced Onion

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes. 

Dip your chips and veggies away!






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Thursday, January 1, 2015

2 Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip

2 ingredient Chili Cheese Dip. I bet you can guess what the 2 ingredients are in this easy dip. If you guessed chili and cheese, YOU'RE RIGHT! WHOO HOO!
This is seriously the easiest dip I've ever made! Two 8 oz. blocks of cream cheese and 2 cans of chili. Melt and stir. It really is that simple. 
Hello to my new favorite party dip!


2 Ingredient Chili Cheese Dip

2- 8 oz. Blocks of Cream Cheese
2- cans Chili with beans- I used the one with the "Thick" label

Cut the cream cheese into cubes and place in a small crock pot or fondue pot. Add the 2 cans of chili and stir occasionally until cheese is melted and smooth. 

Serve warm with chips. DELISH!



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