whats cooking in my kitchen..and stuff

So we made it through the storm just fine. It really wasn't bad at all. I know other areas were hit  very hard and my prayers are with them. Had some good down pours, wind, and thunder storms, but never lost power! We were ready for it though! Very thankful for that. The kiddos were hoping we would loose power. They like the adventure of it!

But on a more fun note one of my sisters came over yesterday and we did some cooking. Well actually we did some frying of food! Yummy! Can't do that very often though ;-) But even better we had a good visit and I love to see her and to cook with her is fun too! She cooks tons like me, and enjoys it!
But about 7pm we decided that we wanted/needed some chocolate! So we whipped up these bad boys...

                                                Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Brownies!!

Who does that? Oh right I do!! hehe
They are really good, but super rich and I wouldn't want a whole 9x13 pan in my house all for me and my family. My sister took some with her to share. Phew! I would recommend them for a get together with lots of people to help you eat  them! We got the recipe from Brown Eyed Baker.
So if you have a get together or just wanna get a little crazy here is the recipe...

Brownies
4 oz chocolate finely chopped
1 C butter soft
2 t vanilla
4 eggs
1 C flour
2 C brown sugar
Preheat the oven 350.
***DO THIS STEP.  I REPEAT, DO THIS STEP*** Tinfoil a 9x13 pan, then grease the tinfoil.  These brownies will stick bad to the pan if you don't!!!!!
Melt choc. In a bowl beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, dump in melted chocolate, add the rest. 
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until knife comes out clean. Cool.

Cookie Dough
3/4 C sugar
3/4 C brown sugar
3/4 C soft butter
11/2 C flour
3 T milk
11/2 C mini chocolate chips
Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add milk and vanilla, and flour. Mix well! Stir in mini chocolate chips.
Spread on the cool brownies and put in the fridge for 1 hr before cutting. Enjoy

Yes we do eat good for you food like salads, but who really wants another salad recipe?! Maybe I'll post something good for you next time, but I just wanted to tempt you with these brownies...if you can be tempted! Hahaha
Have a great day all!

wild winds that do His will

Got tropical storm Sandy decending upon us soon. We are ready and hunkered down for the storm. I pray all of you that are in this storm are ready and safe. If I have power I'll let you know how we made it. When I have a minute! And catch up on the blogs! Just no time in the day for the computer lately. And thanks for all the comments. They don't go unnoticed!!!
Stay safe and take care!!!

happy birthday

Yesterday 10-23-12 was

                      This sweethearts First Birthday! Dandelion aka Dandie. Happy Birthday. 
She is a welcomed addition to our farm. She was born on a beautiful day, much like yesterday afternoon. We were so excited to have a little heifer calf!  She's very sweet and loves to be loved on. I swear she thinks she's a big dog! She will lick you and rub her head on you. She will even moo at us if we don't come see her, and she thinks we need to go give her a little pat. Yes I'm quite fond of her, and her mother. In case you didn't notice!!
I was gone all day yesterday and didn't get home until dark. I was helping my SIL give her house a "face lift". We were painting! So I had to get a pic of her this morning.
Have a wonderful day all!

what's cooking in my kichen

Oh these are sooooooo good!!! I told you some recipes were coming!!
And surprise, surprise I found them on pinterest. I've found a number of recipes on there lately that are really good. I've recently decided that there is not enough paper and ink to support my habit of finding and trying new recipes. No I don't have one of those phones that I can have in my kitchen and just use that as the recipe. I have to copy it and then cook it. And then if I didn't copy it I'd never find it again. Horrors!!! Oh I shudder to think of such things. So what new thing did I find?
These...

 No it's not corn bread. Although in this picture it really does look like it.
It's pancakes. Called Pancake Squares. What? You ask. Baked, not fried! OMW!!! I wonder where these amazingly good and easy things have been all my life. Waiting for me on pinterest is where! The blop of butter is there for looks. Honest. I made a double batch in a 9x13, and they were all but gone. The kiddos devoured them. OK I helped!!
So much quicker then the fried ones, and it allowed me to pop them in the oven and go finish up chores while they cooked. Sweet!
They taste very much like a fried pancake too without all the work!

OK now if you want to get a little crazy like me... make these...

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes!

Oh would you look at that!!!
It's another wonderful pancake!!  Baked. These are amazing and take the pancake to a new level of wonderfulness! I helped devour these bad boys too!

Now how do you make these? And I do recommend them!
 Simple, easy, and amazing!

Make your batter. Dump it into a greased pan. Bake it and eat with butter and maple syrup. See top picture. But if you want the Cinnamon Roll ones this is how!!! Below.

If your making the Cinnamon Roll pancakes make the cinnamon part and swirl it into the dough.  Pretend I didn't cut the hole in the bag too big and it just came oozing out  all over the place and it's swirled around there like a cinnamon roll should look. OK.

 Make the drizzling sauce for the cinnamon rolls and drizzle on top when cooked.

Now here is the recipes:
Pancake Squares
3/4 C milk
1 egg
1 C flour
1/4 t salt
2 T melted butter
1 T sugar
2 t baking powder
Mix dry, mix wet, and don't over mix!
Preheat oven to 350. Grease 8x8 pan.
Bake about 20-25 minutes or until stick comes out clean!! Serve with butter and maple syrup.

Now go crazy and make these!!!

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
11/2 C milk
2 eggs
2 C flour
4 T melted butter
2 T sugar
4 t baking powder
Mix wet, mix dry, but don't over mix. Grease a jelly roll pan. Dump in the dough. Then make the filling.

Filling
 4 T melted butter
2 T cinnamon
3/4 C brown sugar
Mix it. Put in a bag, cut a small hole . Swirl around the pancakes, the way a cinnamon roll looks.. Should make 12 "pancakes"
 Pop on the oven preheated at 350 for 8-10 minutes. Or until stick comes out clean.
While it's cooking make the drizzle for the top!!

Drizzle
2 oz soft cream cheese
2 T maple syrup
1 C powdered sugar
Add enough milk to make it drizzle. I used 2 T.
Drizzle on top of warm pancakes and eat them right up!! Amazing!!!
Have a great day all!

happy birthday

                                            Today is this big, beautiful, brown cow's birthday!

                                              Happy 5th Birthday Magnolia aka Maggie!!!!

good quote

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
Norman Vincent Peale

"Age is a issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."
Mark Twain

diy

What?

I'm going to start a new label. Or new category or posts, or whatever you want to call it. Once in a while I'll share some things with you that I do myself. It's DIY. Do It Yourself. I thought it would be fun!
SO here is my first post on that! What is it? Looks like you could eat it. But I wouldn't recommend that. I mean you could.. anyways
It's homemade potpourri for the stove. When I found it on Pinterest it was for the stove top, but I just throw it on the stove boil the water, and put it on my wood stove. That way I'm not running my stove all day.
All it is is half a pot of water, some cranberries, orange slices, lemon, and a little cinnamon. I used ground because I didn't have any sticks. But I'll be getting some. You can out whatever you want in it, and it makes the house smell good. I think some extract would work too and be a little stronger. But I don't want it overpowering. I boiled it on the stove to get it warm and get the smells working.  It says to only keep it 2 days, and refill the water as needed. Just a thought. I like it and smells great! Let me know if you've tried anything like this and what you like. I'd love  to try it!

Just so you know the month of November is coming and (I know shocking right?!) I'll be doing posts on what I'm thankful for. I've done it in the past and really enjoyed it, and have read about what others are thankful for too. It's fun. I think it's called the "Thankful Challenge" can be one thing a day or more. Depending on what you want to write about. So if your interested please join in the fun. Lots of other blogger's do, so I wanted to encourage you to join. Just a thought!
Have a great day all!

what's cooking in my kitchen

Lots and lots this time of year. I've been baking up a storm and eating it all with wild abandon! Boy I'm glad I work out to keep it all off too. I believe in eating whatever I want...in moderation. I like exercise and have 4 kiddos to stay healthy for. And my Man too!
Anyways after making and eating these brownies you may or may not like me!
They are called  The Brownie or The Very Chocolate Brownie. Either way they are amazing. I would like to point out that there is less butter and sugar in these compared to the other brownie recipe I shared. And those are amazing too. So

 I super sized the picture! Mmmmmmmmmm. This was actually the next day because the pic I took when I made them, didn't look so good. It was 8pm and the lighting is off on all the pics, but you get the picture! Here you can see the chunks of chocolate in there. When hot they are oooy gooey melt in your mouth amazing. These will satisfy any chocolate craving you have!

 SO how do we make these wonderful, fat filled, amazing little gems? You wonder?  Watch an learn.
Bring just to a boil water, sugar, and butter. Turn off heat and dump in some chocolate. Stir until chocolate is melted.

 Mix flour and baking soda.

 Mix eggs and vanilla.

 Dump egg mixture into melted chocolate, mix well. Dump flour mixture into chocolate mixture. Mix well. Dump in more chocolate.  Mix well.

Dump into a greased 9x13 pan and bake in a preheated oven at 325 for 35-40 minutes. But undercooked is the best way to eat brownies. But that's just me talking here;)

Now here is the recipe if ya want it. One last look at them before you run to the cupboard and make them for your selves!  If ya dare... It's actually a Taste of Home recipe. Who ever created them is genius in my book!

The Brownie or The Very Chocolate Brownie
11/2 C sugar
2/3 C butter
1/4 C water
4 eggs
4 C chocolate chips divided into 2 C each
11/2 C flour
2 t vanilla
1/2 t baking soda

Preheat oven to 325
In a sauce pan melt butter, add water, and sugar. Bring just to a boil. Turn off heat and move and dump in 2 C choc chips to melt. Stir until melted.
 In a bowl mix flour, and soda.
In another bowl mix eggs and vanilla.
Stir in egg mixture into the choc mixture. Mix well.
Stir in flour mixture into choc/egg mixture. Mix well.
Dump in 2 more cups of choc chips and stir.
Dump into greased 9x13 pan. If your brave and love to live on the wild side stick your finger in the batter, and scoop some out and lick your finger off. Oh ya! I love to eat the raw dough. I mean who doesn't?!
 Pop it in the oven and bake 35-40 minutes. Yes this makes a nice thick brownie and is wonderful undercooked and eaten hot when the chocolate is still hot. 
There you go. Quick and easy!
 And after eating these you may want to start a work out program...or not;-)

I also have lots more cooking coming soon. I told you I've been baking lots! Not everything is sweets, so that should make you feel better!
Have a great Monday all. And a brownie will make every Monday better!

monday confessions

Alright so I'm running late. It's Monday. Of course I'm running late. I don't know how, I woke up on time. Oh wait go back and read the Monday part. It's Monday! The girls and I are heading to my Mom's for a fun day with a sister an aunt and her grand kiddos. I walk out the door with out the casserole, turn around go back and get it. Drive down the road and turn around an come back home. I forgot something. Get back in the car and head down the road. Silently cursing myself for being late. I don't like to be late. Kinda drives me batty on all sides of it! Anyways! I stop at the post office and hurriedly get out of the car and walk briskly to the door. I keep going as I grab the handle and WhAm! It doesn't open and I hit the door. Well I guess they are closed. Oh right it's Monday. A holiday. Head down I quickly get in the can to leave. And yes there was another person in the parking lot...and yes I'm sure they saw me. OH the joy of small town living...
I also had to get gas. GAHHHHHHHH. Stupid gas. I put the gas in the car and hurry up the steps...and trip going up them. Thankfully the 5 people standing by the door are more interested in the coffee they are arguing over to notice me. I pay and head out to Mom's. Thankful for no more doors eerrr stops and iced coffee waiting for me!! Yay!
Had a great day oh and some amazing brownies! Oh I will be sharing that, and ya get some fat pants! OK. Sorry. But amazing! hahaha!! So check back in and I'll share, but I may have to tease and say they only have 4 cups of chocolate in them...
Have a great night all!!
Laugh everyday...even if it's at yourself! Ah my life!






 

whats cooking in my kitchen

Been a while since I put any cooking on here. And I'm sure you don't want any more pics of my mug on here either!! Besides cooking is so much fun this time of year!! At least for me. It's time for soups, roasts, casseroles, and lots of pie!!! Warm foods. Comfort foods. It's also time for me to start working out again after all this comfort food!
And speaking of soups that is what I'm posting today. It's called Autumn Soup, actually it's stew, but I'm weird and I don't like the word stew. I told you I was weird.
And speaking of autumn...

 Some trees across the street from my house. I don't have trees around me. I have wide open spaces! Ah I love that! It's one of the only good pics of have of "leaf peeping" so far. We were out and about and I forgot the camera. Maybe next time, if the rain we are getting doesn't take them all down. Whaaaaaaa. I hope it doesn't. My camera doesn't do it justice of the colors.
I know a bit of a bunny trail there. Back on track if your still with me!
 Here's the soup!

It's soooooooo easy. I'm going to have one of my kiddos make it next time. I've made it 1000 times before. I'm thinking about canning some without the hamburg in it next year. Oh man I'm already making plans for canning. Somebody stop me! I haven't even finished canning stuff this year!!!

SO here's the recipe if yer so inclimed to want it. The pic isn't that great, but it's the best one I got! Well here is how I made this. Feel free to add more stuff and adjust it to your taste!

Autumn Soup
Fry 1lb hamburg with onion and garlic. When it's cooked add some salt, pepper and basil. (To taste)
Boil about 1 cup ( I used way more) potatoes til fork tender. Don't over cook them.
In a big ole pot dump 3 C water, 1 Qt canned tomatoes, 1 Qt carrots, 1 chicken boullion cube, about 1C chopped celery, and 1 bay leaf (remove before you eat it).
When potatoes are done, drain and dump in the pot. Add hamburg. Stir. Adjust seasonings to your liking. Let sit on you stove to simmer and continue to cook potatoes.
Serve with pop overs or whatever you like for bread, or not!!  And pie for dessert! Don't forget the pie.

Simple, easy and tastes good too!
Let me know if you added more stuff to it and how it tasted, if ya want to!!
Have a great night all!

monday confessions

Because Mondays are never my finest days, and I haven't done a Monday confession in  while...I thought I'd share a drowned rat...

Oh wait that's me! hahaha (Not my finest pic, but I'm being honest!) 
So it rained a little (insert lots of sarcasm here) yesterday while I was doing evening chores. I was soaked and wanted to show my husband how wet I got. Oh and it stopped raining when I was all done with the chores. Fantastic! He and the kiddos went out for the afternoon for personal reasons, in support of his family.  I stayed home to do chores because they wouldn't be home in time.
But it worked out for me! I got a last minute invite out with my sisters!! We do that a lot, last minute stuff.  We went out to eat and then did some shopping. I got three new sweaters, well new to me. We went to Goodwill and other stores!! Awesome sweaters too! It's that time of year here. We had lots of fun and lots of laughs at each other. All in good fun. I love being with my sisters and just being silly with them. The relationship I have with them helps keep me sane.
Happy Monday all! Keep it real!