Overnight French Toast Casserole

For those special times at breakfast or brunch.....whether holidays, birthdays or weekends, I like to make this Overnight French Toast Casserole.  Made the night before...it is delicious, simple and just plain ole fantastic!  Topped with pecans (Apple Cider Spiced Pecans would be amazing!), it is definitely a keeper!

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Streusel Topped Sweet Potato and Carrot Casserole

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Quaker. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #LoveMyCereal #QuakerUp

In the hustle and bustle of every day life, it is nice to know, Quaker® Cereals, a staple in our pantry, can be easily incorporated into delicious and satisfying meals and snacks.  One dish my family loves, is this easy to make, sweet and spicy Streusel Topped Sweet Potato and Carrot Casserole.     

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Dark Chocolate Mint Candy

'Tis the season to make candy for sharing or just enjoying at home.  If you like chocolate mint candy as much as the boys and I do, you will LOVE this Dark Chocolate Mint Candy....it is definitely a keeper!

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Mini Christmas Bread Loaf

Are you looking for something special to give teachers that help mold your little ones?  Or, perhaps, the neighbor that looks after your cat while you are away?  Then look no more, I have the perfect home baked gift for you to show your gratitude, Mini Christmas Bread Loaves! Rhodes Dinner Rolls, make it easy to make mini loaves,  baking one or 6 from one bag!  Please scroll down to enter another Rhodes Fantastic Giveaway!!!  **Giveaway has ended**

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Yeast Rolls

I love to bake and make bread, while time consuming, is well worth the rewards.  When you have the time....make these rolls.

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Chicken and Stuffing in Crock-Pot

Chicken and Stuffing cooked in the Crock Pot (or your favorite slow cooker) is a great way to free the oven and your time.   

                                                       
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Tortilla Pizza

When my boys want pizza...as in, Right. Now.....I grab tortillas and get started.  The hardest part of making these kid pleasing pizza, is waiting for the oven to preheat!  In as little as 8 minutes, you can have a great thin pizza.....made to order and certain to please.

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Pumpkin Cranberry Carrot Dump Cake

Tis the season for pumpkin and cranberries...in a dump cake!  I have never had any success with dump cakes and have never been able to get the simpliest of cakes right, until now.  This Pumpkin Cranberry Carrot Dump Cake turned out to be amazing!  We even ate some for breakfast!  


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Molasses Crinkles

These sweet and spicy cookies are perfect for the holidays to serve at home or give as gifts. I was greatly surprised when my boys requested these over and over again since they are not the spice in my dessert and snacks, kind of kids. 

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Brownie Cake

I have been wondering if making a cake out of a boxed brownie mix (I used Ghirardelli) would work for some time now. I finally decided to try it on my birthday and my boys had been asking for brownies.  To my, and their, delight...the Brownie Cake turned out great, if I do say so myself.

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Simple 15 Minute Chicken Noodle Soup

I'm sick.  My twins are sick.  The house is a mess.  We are tired.  We are fussy.  We are hungry and it's time to cook, as fast as I can so we can all crawl back into bed, eat and watch tv.  My go to is usually Chicken and Noodle Soup.  It is delicious and cooks in 15 minutes...could you possibly ask for a more simple, quick and delicious meal?

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Double Dark Chocolate Pound Cake

It's my birthday and I think I will make myself this Double Dark Chocolate Pound Cake.  Why.....because my boys and hubby love it and it's all about celebrating with the ones you love, isn't it?  ~heart~  

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Fresh Asiago and Pepperoni Beer Bread

We had this Fresh Asiago and Mini Pepperoni Bread for pizza night last week.  It was amazing using Authentic Fresh Asiago Cheese PDO, I received in a sample from a Asiago Cheese Consortium.  

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Personal Pot Pies and a Rhodes Giveaway

We all have those days when time is stretched to the limit, yet we feel the need for comfort in the form of food.  These Personal Pot Pies, made easily with Rhodes Dinner Rolls, and a few handy ingredients, are the perfect solution!

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Asiago Bacon Potato Wedges

I am still in the mood for Authentic Asiago Cheese!  When are we not, right?  Since I still have a bit of Asiago Cheese leftover from the samples I received, I decided to bake potato wedges for my boys and oh...my...goodness! They were a hit!   You simply cannot go wrong with potatoes, Asiago cheese and bacon, right?

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Asiago Green Chile Corn Muffins

We put cheese on just about everything, don't you?  If so, you can just imagine my excitement when I received samples of Authentic Asiago Cheese PDO, both Fresh and Aged, from an Asiago Cheese Consortium.  I immediately started cooking with it, and honestly, I think I used this delicious, Authentic Asiago Cheese every day for a week!  Sadly, the fresh cheese was gone in a hurry.  However, I am still using the aged, adding it to old and new recipes, like these Asiago Green Chile Corn Muffins!

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Mini Cinnamon Roll Chocolate Pecan Pies & Rhodes Kid's Baking Prize Package Giveaway

Rhodes has a new, fantastic cooking site for kids...Rhodes Kids Baking!  It is a great place for kids, and adults alike, to get delicious recipes and have fun, too.  My boys love to help in the kitchen and to simplify things...I often use Rhodes Bake-N-Serv Frozen Dinner Rolls or Anytime Cinnamon Rolls.  To celebrate good mid-term report card grades, we made these amazing Mini Cinnamon Roll Chocolate Pecan Pies.

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Apple Cider Spiced Pecans

I love fall!  And while it is still hot as blazes here, I can dream of cooler weather with the help of fresh pecans and apple cider.  These Apple Cider Spiced Pecans are perfect in every way.  Besides the amazing taste and crunch and goodness overall, my non-pecan eating son (I know, who would have thought?!) will now eat pecans!  Yes!

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Brown Sugar Apple Pie

I suppose this could be called a cobbler since there isn't a bottom crust.  However, I've made an Apple Pecan Cinnamon Roll Cobbler that had a bottom and top crust, so that could be considered a pie.  Or perhaps..

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#GetAShot at Walgreens to help Give A Shot to a Child

 This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GetAShot #CollectiveBias

We all know we need to #GetAShot during the seasonal flu season, right?  It's where you get your flu shot, and other immunizations, that make a difference.  You could call your physician's office, make an appointment and sit in the waiting room, for who knows how long, before being called to get your shot? Or, you could get a shot when it is convenient for you, no appointment needed, while you are shopping at Walgreens.  No second thoughts about this one!   A huge plus for me ... Walgreens has teamed up with the United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign, Get A Shot. Give A Shot.  It’s win/win all the way around!

Through my shop at #CollectiveBias and the amazing #GiveAShot program at Walgreens, I learned adults need a variety of immunizations also. I had no idea, did you?

It's great to know we can get our needed immunizations at our nearby Walgreens.  It is just around the corner and so convenient to do since we shop there weekly. Those of you 19 years old and older should visit here to see which immunizations you need to have, if any, to be up to date. 

When you #GetAShot, either a seasonal flu shot, or other immunizations, at Walgreens you help Give A Shot to a child in a developing country.  Walgreens is teaming up with the United Nations and Shot@Life to provide up to 3 million shots to children across the world that, otherwise, would not get their desperately needed childhood immunizations.  It is sad to know, one in five children around the globe do not have access to lifesaving immunizations.  

I took the pledge to get vaccinated at Walgreens to help #GetAShot. Give A Shot.  Will you pledge?  Please stop by Walgreens pharmacy, between September 2 and October 13, 2014,…and make a difference in a child’s life.  

Apple Cider Pound Cake

As soon as I saw apple cider at the market last weekend, I knew what I was going to make!

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Brown Sugar Streusel Coffee Cake

I have made this Brown Sugar Streusel Coffee Cake many times and even posted a picture on my facebook page.  Did I write the recipe down?  No!  Don't ask me why.  That tends to happen a lot.  I start something then have to stop....get to busy and totally forget to return and finish what I was doing to begin with.  You do know what I am talking about, don't you? 

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Snack recipes: White Chocolate Coconut Cream Dip and Cool Whip Cookies

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #AddCoolWhip #CollectiveBias  

Can you believe summer is over?  It seems like just yesterday, my boys were saying goodbye to their classmates and hello to summer.  In a blink of an eye, summer is gone and school has started once again.  My boys are excited to see their teaches, meet new friends and catch up with classmates they had not seen over the summer.  It's time to get back into the routine of things and part of mine is feeding my boys yummy snacks when they get home from school.

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Dutch Oven Italian Pull Apart Bread

I have wanted to cook in a Dutch Oven for the longest time.  This summer, I decided I would wait no more and bought a Lodge Camp Dutch Oven.   What an amazing way to cook!  And this, Dutch Oven Italian Pull Apart Bread, using Rhodes Bake N Serv Dinner Rolls, was the perfect recipe to start with!  

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Make it Your Way Overnight Casserole

Do you love the convenience of mixing everything together and having it ready to cook later?  If you do, this Overnight Casserole is just that.  You can easily make it your own by switching the soup, meat and vegetables.  Use all veggies if you know someone that is on a no meat tangent, like one of my twins.  Toss in some fresh herbs to make it pop with flavor.  Your meal...make it the way you and your family like it. 

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Baked Parmesan Zucchini Stacks

Don't you just love the bountiful vegetables of summer?  I certainly do!   Zucchini, yellow squash, tomatoes and onions are stacked and baked ... yes!  I made a meal of this while hubby and my boys ate steak and onions I cooked in the crock pot.

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Blueberry Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Pecan

It's July and it is hot as a firecracker outside and in!  I don't know who in their right mind would turn on the oven in this heat!  Well, except yours truly.  I had a reason behind my madness.   Wanna hear it?  Good....I thought so.  I figured, if I turned on the oven and made this fantastic Blueberry Coffee Cake for hubby and the boys, I could get a couple of breakfast meals, or snacks, out of it.....no turning on the oven a second time!  Make sense?  Maybe not but it was reasonable to me.  A huge plus since I, one....used up all the blueberries in the fridge that were going to go bad.  And two ..... I have been wanting to make this for a long time!

Hot out of the oven!

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Making Healthy Choices with Lifeway Kefir Smoothies

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #KefirCreations #CollectiveBias

We all need to make healthier choices.  This summer my boys and I have been exercising more, cutting back on sweets and adding Lifeway Kefir Smoothies to our daily diets.

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Okra and Tomatoes

It's hard to believe a dish so simple, that tastes so amazing.....cooks in just 15 minutes!   With only two main ingredients, Okra and Tomatoes, you cannot go wrong.

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Pork Chops Beans and Vegetables Casserole

The very first meal hubby made for me.  ~HEART~  Pork Chops, Beans and Vegetables in a Casserole. He made this for me 25+ years ago and it's still one of my favorites.   ~heart~

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Peach Mango Frozen Greek Yogurt

Sweet fresh peaches, honey and Cabot Greek Yogurt combine to make this amazing Peach Mango Frozen Greek Yogurt.  I opted to make this in the freezer.  As much as I like an ice cream machine...I cannot make a great ice cream, or frozen delight, with any consistency.  There have been a few....Cheesecake Ice Cream, Vanilla Ice Cream are two that I can think of.  Anywho,  I went back to my old ways.  Isn't that the way it goes?  Mixing the ingredients and letting the freezer work for me.  I made this in the morning and by afternoon I had a healthy frozen treat for my boys.

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Cold Crab Dip

My hubby's new favorite dip!  It's a cold dip...which means no heating up the kitchen.  A huge plus in these, already steamy, hot days.   This delicious dip would be great with shrimp or lobster if you prefer.  Imitation seafood would also be great.  

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Apple Pecan Dessert Pizza

I am thrilled to be a part of Rhodes Pizza Month!  At our house, Friday’s are reserved for pizza.  While I occasionally make my own crust, I LOVE the convenience of using Rhodes Bake N Serv Frozen Bread Dough. Rhodes Bake N Serve White Dinner Rolls and White Bread Loaves are perfect for making any type of pizza crust.  Some nights are thin and crispy, others are hand tossed, deep dish and/or dessert pizzas.  Our new favorite is this Apple Pecan Dessert Pizza.

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Easy Peach Cobbler

Perfect for Father's Day or any ole day at all!  It's easy to make this old recipe for Easy Peach Cobbler or Lazy Man's Cobbler.  Use any fruit, fresh or frozen, and make those special to you feel special.

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Chocolate Chip Bars made with a Cake Mix

I have to say, baking is my favorite part of cooking.  Whether it's from scratch or semi-homemade, I'm loving it. That is why you will find so many desserts on my blog. Don't get me wrong, I do love to cook meals.....just not as much..  Smiles are always plentiful when my boys smell something baking in the oven. These Chocolate Chip Bars are no exception.  They are so easy to make...which I definitely love, with the help of a boxed cake mix.

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Lemon Buttermilk Refrigerator Cake with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting and Blueberry Topping

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Chocolate Sour Cream Bread

This Chocolate Sour Cream Bread is very moist, not too sweet and will satisfy your craving for chocolate cake!

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Cinco de Mayo Round-Up

It's not too late to cook up a few Mexican dishes for Cinco de Mayo!  I've put together 10 of our favorites.

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Chocolate Chocolate Chip Angel Food Cake

My boys absolutely love the light, fluffy, pillowy bites of this Chocolate Chocolate Chip Angel Food Cake!

A Lego Mixel somehow found its way into the picture.  ~smile~

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Cinnamon Swirl Pull Apart Bread

A slice of cinnamon bread.  No, wait!  Perhaps, mini cinnamon rolls!  Or, maybe .. cinnamon toast!  What will it be?!  You can have it all with Cinnamon Swirl Pull Apart Bread.

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Roasted Okra

I haven't always loved okra.  I would eat it once in a blue moon roasted in the oven, the way my Precious Mama and Grandma cooked it.   However, for most of my life, I despised it.  The sight of slimy green pods just didn't make my heart sing.  Fast forward .. I now put it in stews, soups, peas and beans, loving the flavor and the way it thickens whatever it is cooked in.  I also love Roasted Okra!

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Chicken and Dumpling Casserole

If you love Chicken and Dumplings, you will love Chicken Dumpling Casserole!  I have certainly made my share of Chicken and Dumplings (check below for links) and love this easy casserole for a fast and fabulous meal made with Homemade Biscuit Mix and a Homemade Cream of Soup Base.

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Hash Brown and Sweet Pepper Kugel

Oh...My!  This Hash Brown and Sweet Pepper Kugel turned out so light yet full of flavor!  We all loved it and a couple of us ate this, skipping the meat, with green beans to complete our meal.  It is so easy to make, I do not know why I have never made this before!  It is a keeper and will definitely be added to our menu.

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Moist Banana Bread

Grab those ripe bananas on your counter and turn them into Moist Banana Bread!  It's easy to make and so unbelievably moist!  

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Spicy Creamed Corn

All three of  my boys love corn.  Two of the three loving spicy food.  This combination of sweet corn, cream cheese and Ro*Tel is perfect way to please.

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