Tag Archives: blogging

M&M Cookies and Milk

Posted in 2018 Food, Adventures in the Kitchen by

M&M Cookies and Milk

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M&M Cookies

Ingredients:
2 1/4 cup flour
3/4 cup + 2 tsp of light brown sugar
3/4 cup + 2 tsp of sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup shortening (or butter flavor shortening) I use Crisco.
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup M&Ms

Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl

Beat the shortening, brown sugar, granulated sugar and vanilla together in mixer. Add the eggs, then slowly pour in the dry ingredients.

Stir in the M&Ms by hand and drop on cookie sheet.  I add extra M&Ms on top!

Bake for 8 to 10 minutes (depending on your oven) or until just golden brown. Cool then place on wire rack.

Sweet Potato Casserole

Posted in Adventures in the Kitchen, Inspirations in Life and in the Kitchen by

Inspirations in life and in the kitchen…“Sweet Potato Casserole and Carla”

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Sweet Potato Casserole and Carla

I first tried this recipe 28 years ago when I lived in Shreveport, Louisiana.  I moved there with my husband the first year of our marriage.  We visited a church one Sunday and  that is where I met Carla.  We became instant friends and she is still a dear friend to me today.

We took turns each week eating together. There I learned the value of friendship over sharing a table, laughter and recipes.  I was not a great cook and reluctant to try new things.  In fact, I had always stated that I did not like sweet potatoes and certainly not a casserole made with them. Then Carla invited us over for dinner one evening.  I could not believe what I had been missing out on all those years.

Needless to say, this recipe has been a favorite of mine during the holidays ever since.  It is not for the faint of heart…lots of butter and brown sugar in this one!

Even though we have not lived in the same city for over 24 years, I think of her often and miss her dearly.  Carla inspired me in the kitchen by encouraging me to try ALL the ingredients in a recipe first and not leave out the ones I don’t like. She is the ultimate hostess with the mostest and always inspired love and conversation in others around her table.

She inspires me in life to be “all ears”.  She never interrupts, listens as if she truly cares (and she does) and has a heart for others.  This is something I never forgot and I think of her often when listening skills are required.

God blessed me with a friendship like hers and I also have this wonderful recipe and many others to share around my own table. Make this and I think you will fall in love with it also!

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SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups mashed sweet potatoes (can)
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1/2 cup milk

INSTRUCTIONS:
Beat eggs well then add milk and mix.
Add to this sweet potatoes, sugar, salt and butter or margarine
Mix and put in greased baking dish

TOPPING:
Mix 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup flour
Pour over potatoes, then cover with 1/2 cup chopped pecans
Melt 1 stick of butter and pour over all.

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes, or until brown on top

Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

Posted in 2018 Food by

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Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos
I try to make these as healthy as possible.  You can make your own Avocado Lime Sauce or use the yogurt avocado dressing from https://www.bolthouse.com/product/cilantro-avocado/, which is what I used.  But whatever you like best will work and taste great!

Avocado Lime Sauce:
~ 1/2 cup sour cream (use light if you want to make it with less calories)
~ 1 avocado
~ 1 to 2 tablespoons cilantro
~ lime zest and lime juice from one lime
Mix together in blender and chill while you make the fish tacos
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Blackened Tacos:
We purchased 1 1/2 pounds of Mahi Mahi so we would have some left over

~ Brush fish with olive oil
~ sprinkle with favorite blackened seasoning, (on both sides) I used Paul Prudhomme’s Magic Blackened seasoning or make your own.
~ Heat oil in skillet and cook fish 2 to 3 minutes on each side
~ Serve in tortilla with tomatoes, cabbage, avocado, lime wedge and your avocado lime sauce

I added black beans; rice and quinoa

YUM

 

 

Cilantro Lime Chicken

Posted in Adventures in the Kitchen by

My daughter is home for the summer from College..WHOOP!  As we are trying to eat better and cook at home, we have discovered many recipes from other bloggers, TV personalities and our own recipes here at home.

We found this delightful recipe and it looked like the perfect summer dish.  Here is the recipe…give it a try and let me know what you think!  Cilantro Lime Avocado Chicken 

 

 

 

Cupcakes taste better in NYC!

Posted in 2016 Travel Adventures, Halloween/Fall by

These little cupcakes went all over New York with me and my sisters.  I carried them in my purse, in a souvenir bag, asked my sister to hold and even dropped some a few times, all for the sake of an iconic photo op.

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PUMPKIN with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
The Food Hall in The Plaza

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COCONUT and VANILLA CUPCAKE
from Citarella Gourmet Market in West Village
(fire escape at 39 Christopher St)
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HAZELNUT with VANILLA BUTTERCREAM
from One-Girl Cookie Bakery
(DUMBO-love the Manhattan Bridge)
if you look close you can see Empire State Building in between

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PURE VANILLA CUPCAKE
from Sweet Revenge in West Village
(one of my faves…and I dropped it right before I took this pic)
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LEMON CUPCAKE with LEMON ICING
Citarella Gourmet Market in West Village
(Washington Square Park)
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PISTACHIO CUPCAKE
Sweet Revenge in West Village
(lovely open window view)img_56691

These are just a few of my favorite cupcakes and bakeries!

When in New York, give one a try.

Just a walk in the park…

Posted in 2016 Travel Adventures by

 

 I could spend every day in this wonderful place called Central Park.  img_62981

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If I can ever get up the courage, I would like to spend one or two days alone in New York.  I would love to go the park each day and read, eat a cupcake, sit and listen to that young girl playing her cello or the old man playing his guitar to “Imagine” and just enjoy my surroundings.

This year I had to wait for my sisters for a few hours, so I did at least get to walk around, img_61611find a great bench and read for a little while alone.  Not to adventurous, but one step at a time!  Not a bad view at all! img_61581

I did find a few cupcakes along the way each day.  I love trying new bakeries as well as returning to my tried and true favorites!

APPLE SPICE CUPCAKE
from The Food Hall in the Plaza

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A look back at October

Posted in Adventures in the Kitchen, Halloween/Fall by

I love the fall.  It is a time for baking, sweaters, fires and cooler weather.  Even though I don’t get to experience  the cooler weather here in Texas, I still put on a big comfy sweater as soon as October arrives.

October, 2016

img_54031I love these molasses cookies. The perfect hint of spices that remind me of fall. Click here for recipe for Molasses Cookies.   It would not be Fall without a pumpkin muffin!  These are my favorite!  Click here for recipe for pumpkin muffins.

I love when my sister brings me special Halloween treats she knows I will love.  How cute are these cupcake toppers?

….My friend also brought over Trader Joe’s Pumpkin Butter!  I feel loved!

3 Day Quote Challenge (1)

Posted in Adventures in the Kitchen, Books I Love by

3-Day Quote Challenge
Day 1

I was recently challenged by Simply Homemade by Paula to the 3-Day Quote Challenge.  Thank you Paula!   I love her blog!  Go check it out.

My first “quote” is actually a verse found in Psalm 34:8.  I have used this verse many times when taking baked treats to someone special.  I also use this as a creative way to share a verse from the Bible to someone who may need to be encouraged that day.  I hope it encourages you.

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I even had this verse painted on a wall in my kitchen to remind me of God’s goodness in my life.  I think it is a great verse as  well as a challenge.  A challenge to give God a try and see that He is good!

If you accept this 3-day challenge, post 1-3 quotes for 3 consecutive days, nominating 3 fellow bloggers to do the same.

Happy Quoting!:)

I am nominating the following bloggers today to this challenge.

Inspiration Shots

Never A Dull Bling

Mommy Lane Adventures

One Cupcake goes a long way

Posted in Adventures in the Kitchen by

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One Cupcake can say a lot of things:
I am thinking of you
You are sweet
We are friends
You are worth it
I care about you
and last but not least…Happy Birthday!

One of my most precious friends has a birthday in April. She is so kind and always willing to taste my sweet creations and give me her honest opinion…too dense, too sweet, not sweet enough, etc. I love her feedback and trust her palate!! I asked her what type of cupcake she would like for her special day and she requested Lemon Blueberry Cupcakes.

I had made these previously and really liked them, so I was happy when she chose this flavor cupcake.  My husband was too!

This little cupcake says so much more than Happy Birthday.  It says “you are special” and “I am glad we are friends”.

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One last thing…does anyone else out there have a kitchen that looks like this while you are baking or is it just me???

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