fourth smoothie

we enjoyed this delicious strawberry banana smoothie at lunch on the fourth. spent the evening with some lovely long time friends. long time friends are a delight. you always just pick up right where you left off, even if you left off long ago.

~type to you soon~

how i roll

here is how i do chocolate chip cookies. double the batch...sometimes triple...bake a cookie sheet full...roll the rest into a cookie sheet servings (about 2 cups of batter) into wax paper rolls. then place the rolls in a gallon size freezer bag. plop those suckers in the freezer. pull out a single cookie sheet serving whenever you like and wha-la...home made chocolate chippers anytime without the big mess in the kitchen.

~type to you soon~

crispy, crunchy, yummy

last monday my favorite, favorite, favorite show premiered for the season. in celebration of the long awaited night i made some yummy treats for mr. dc (and me). mr. dc used to not like my show but now he watches it with me. i don't know if he likes the show or just the treats but either way it's nice to have him next to me. i used the carmel corn recipe that i posted HERE to make the carmel for the apples. then i just melted a few chocolate chips and drizzled the top. below is the carmel corn with a chocolate drizzle as well. so glad fall is here. and carmel apples are here. and carmel corn is here. and you are here. thanks for being here.

~type to you soon~

a weakness of mine

these are delightful...they were first found on a homegoods clearance rack in st. louis by one of my dearest friends. she busted those puppies open and we browsed the aisle munching on the goodness of salty and sweet. it may have been one of the more enjoyable homegoods trips i have experienced.

since they are not easy to find, and they are usually not on the clearance rack, and i ravished (like a wild beast) through a package of them that i found at homegoods a few weeks ago we made some for ourselves yesterday.

let me STRONGLY recommend you making yourself some! S-T-R-O-N-G-L-Y!!!!

we used ghirardelli milk chocolate chips and they were fantastic, in fact there are none left. i am currently considering making more here in the next 5 minutes or so, no let's make that now(i have no control over myself or will power). hold on, i be back in about 20...

ok i'm back (surely i can handle finishing this post before the lack of self control takes over)

i think these will be part of our christmas gifts to our friends this year. i can just see these little lovelies nestled in a tin with some waxed paper cut with some fancy edges.

let me know if you make some of these little goodies because goodness knows i won't be able to share mine until christmas when i will have to because that's just what you do at christmas time.

~type to you soon~

i need your help

i am trying to create a list of all of the places where kids eat free or provide really great specials that are unbeatable. in our family we are really trying to be as responsible as we can with our funds so eating places where the kids are free really helps. please comment with the places you are aware of and then i will make and exhaustive list and put it on the side bar.

~type to you soon~

photo credit: loudclass.com

organic vegetables and fruits

HERE is a guide that tell you what fruits and vegetables contain the most amount of pesticide when purchased conventionally instead of organic. in my mind, the "dirty doxen" as the chart refers to them will be the ones that i will strive to purchase organic and the others will only be purchased organic if they are comparable in price. this is a great piece of information.

thanks to keeper of the home for the tip

~type to you soon~

banana pudding

i enjoyed some delicious banana pudding this week with some friends. the recipe came from my mother-in-law (MIL) and was her mother's recipe. it is it the best pudding i have ever had. i didn't know that pudding could be made from scratch until i met my MIL. you have to try it. the effort that it takes, which is very little, is so worth the end result. i made the little banana flower using a vanilla wafer, sliced the edges of the banana pieces to make petals, and a mint sprig. wait until you are almost ready to serve the dessert to add the pretty little flower or your banana pieces will brown.

recipe:
vanilla wafers
bananas (about 3)
1 cup sugar
5 tablespoons flour
2 cups of milk
3 egg yolks
1.5 capfuls of vanilla

cook sugar, flour, and milk until thick
stir frequently and use medium heat
add the egg yolks (beat before you add)
add the vanilla while stirring in the yolks
cook an additional minute after you add the yolks

layer the dessert with the wafers first the bananas then pudding. repeat the layering until you are at the top of the dish you choose to use. i always double this recipe to make a larger dish. you will want to. trust me!

~type to you soon~

a friend gave me a few yummy salad recipes. thought you might like them.
CRANBERRY APPLE LETTUCE SALAD

2 bags hearts of Romaine lettuce
3/4 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
6-8 oz. cashews- whole or pieces
4 oz. fancy shredded Swiss cheese
2 red apples- cubed

dressing
3/4 cup sugar (or less)
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
1 t. dried mustard
11/2 T chopped red onion (I omit)
1 T salt
1 cup vegetable oil
2 T poppy seed (or less)

Try to mix the dressing at least 2 hours ahead.
Cut apples and add dressing just before serving.


CRUNCHY PECAN SALAD

1 bag hearts of Romaine lettuce
1/2 cup craisins
1/4 cup green onion
1 can mandarin oranges- drained
3/4 cup broccoli

4 T butter
1 pkg. ramen noodles Brown these 3 ingredients in pan for 5 mins.
1 cup chopped pecans

dressing
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
11/2 t soy sauce
pepper to taste

Try to mix dressing at least 2 hours ahead. Pour on just before serving.

my favorite snack

apples and peanut butter. what is yours?

picture credit:ehow

BOGO at Penn Station

go here to print a coupon for BOGO on superbowl sunday. http://www.pscincy.com/rewards.php

see you there. chicken teriyaki here i come.

~type to you soon~