Twice the Fun Plus One

Oh, Mylanta!!  You have got to try this cake!! Granma's Earthquake Cake 1 German Chocolate cake mix (eggs, oil, water) 1 C chopped pecans 1/2 C margarine (I used butter) 1 lb. box powdered sugar 1 t  vanilla 1  8 oz package cream cheese, softened Grease 9x13 pan.  Place pecans on the bottom of the pan.  Prepare cake mix according to box directions.  Pour cake batter over pecans.  Mix margarine, cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla.  Don't let your sweet child, experiencing powdered sugar for the first time, blow it all over the table and her sister!  Gracelyn blew on the powdered sugar and didn't realize it was going to get everywhere.  She was so upset at the mess she came over to me crying.  I assured her the cake was still going to be plenty sweet, even without some of the powdered sugar.  She did enjoy sticking her fingers in it on the table and then licking them!  Drop the cream cheese mixture ...

Oh, so good pork chops!  I found this recipe in the spice aisle at the grocery store! It was on a packet of that had all the spices needed to make it.  I am not a huge pork chop fan, but you better believe I will be making these again!  Apple & Sage Pork Chops 1 1/2 t   rubbed sage 1 t   minced garlic 1 t   thyme leaves 1/2 t   ground allspice 1/2 t   paprika 1 T   flour 1 t   salt 4 boneless pork chops, 1-inch thick (about 1 1/4 lbs) 2 T  olive oil 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 2 red apples, thinly sliced 1/2 C   apple juice 1 T   brown sugar 1. Mix spices, flour, and salt in a small bowl.  Sprinkle both sides of pork chops with 1 tablespoon of the seasoned flour. 2. Cook pork chops in hot oil in large skillet on medium-high heat until browned on both sides.  Remove from skillet.  Add onion; cook and stir 3 minutes or until tender.  A...

Oh, Paula Deen!  That should be enough to tell you that you HAVE to try this! Easy Blueberry Skillet Cake Preheat oven to 375 Streusel Topping: 1/4 C slivered almonds 1/4 C granulated sugar 2  T  unsalted butter 2  1/2  T  all-purpose flour 1  t  ground cinnamon Combine all streusal ingredients in food processor and pulse until large crumbs form Coffee Cake: 2  T  unsalted butter 1  T  light brown sugar 1  (12 oz) tube buttermilk biscuits 1 C blueberries, fresh or frozen and thawed In a 9 inch oven-proof skillet, cook butter and brown sugar until melted.  Place biscuits in a single layer in the skillet.  Blueberries on top of biscuits, streusal on top of blueberries.  Bake until biscuits are golden--about 30 minutes. Gracelyn, Ellie, and I just had this for breakfast and it was delicious!!

I LOVE using my crockpot!!  Trying to cook at the end of the day when Ellie and Gracelyn need the most attention usually ends in a house that looks like a tornado came through.  The kitchen will be a mess.  The playroom will be a mess.  The girls' room will be a mess.  Ben's room will be a mess.  The living room will be a mess.  I think you get the idea.  They have to stay busy doing something when I am cooking so they like to take every toy from where it belongs and put it on the floor in another room.  Seriously, it is almost like they do it on purpose!  Whenever I plan ahead and can get something in the crockpot in the morning, though, the afternoon/evening goes much easier.  And, by easier I mean neater, quieter, happier.... Pot Roast is probably my favorite thing to make in the crockpot.  Unfortunately, Ellie and Gracelyn don't eat pot roast, but that doesn't stop me from making it from time to time and at least trying t...

I made this recipe Wednesday night.  It came from Rachael Ray's 30 minute meals cookbook.  Took a little longer than 30 minutes, but not much. Spinach-Artichoke Cheesy Tortellini 4 servings 1   10-ounce box frozen spinach 2   T extra virgin olive oil 3   garlic cloves, chopped 1   small onion 2   T all-purpose flour 1   C chicken stock 1   C heavy cream 1/8 t freshly grated nutmeg 1   14-ounce can artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped A couple of handfuls grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese 1   lb cheese tortellini or flavored tortellini Bring a large pot of water to a boil to cook the pasta.  Microwave the spinach on high for 6 minutes to defrost. Heat a deep skillet over medium heat with the olive oil and butter.  When the butter melts and is hot, add the garlic.  Using a box grater, grate the onion directly into the ...

I know, it is Thanksgiving week so I should be posting my favorite Turkey Day recipes.  But, I made this tonight and it was such a hit I had to share.  It is the perfect meal to prepare during this busy week because it is super easy!!  I have included the entire recipe as I found it on the internet but have made my changes in red. 3 large eggs vegetable cooking spray 2 T vegetable oil 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 t grated ginger (omitted) 2 C small broccoli florets 1 C shredded or matchstick carrots 1/2 C sliced celery (omitted) 1/2 C sliced red pepper (omitted) 1 C sliced snow peas (omitted) 1 yellow squash, cut in half lengthwise and sliced 1/2 C vegetable or chicken broth 2 T soy sauce 4 cups cooked brown rice 4 green onions, thinly sliced Directions 1. Scramble eggs.  Transfer eggs to a clean bowl and set aside. 2. Wipe skillet clean and add oil.  Heat over medium-high heat, add garlic and ginger, and cook 30 seconds.  Add broccoli, carr...

Back in January I asked for recipe ideas from all of you.  I have received a few that I have tried and enjoyed.  My good friend, Amber , went out of her way to help me out.  She sent me an email with 5 or 6 of her favorite recipes.  I haven't tried all of them, but the ones I have tried have been delicious.  Here is my favorite so far.... Garlic Lime Chicken 1 t salt ¾ t pepper ¼ t cayenne pepper ¼ t paprika 1 t garlic powder ½ t onion powder ½ t thyme Chicken breasts (The recipe calls for 6. Leftovers?) 2 T butter 2T olive oil 4 T lime juice ½ cup chicken broth Mix the first 7 ingredients. Pound out the chicken in a Ziploc bag until thin. Sprinkle mixture on both sides of the chicken. Heat butter and olive oil over medium high heat. Cook chicken 5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken and add lime juice and chicken broth to pan. Whisk the mixture around until it is reduced, mixing up the brown bits. Pour over the chicken. Enjoy! You need to ...

I started this post last Thursday.... I know I haven't had much to say on here lately and there is a good reason....We haven't been doing ANYTHING but staying inside and playing!  Gracelyn had a double ear infection 3 weeks ago and while we were at the doctor's office I asked the pediatrician if their prematurity could still cause problems if they get sick now even though they are over 1 year old.  Apparently, RSV could still be a potential problem.  I know it is never good for a baby to get RSV but since Ellie and Gracelyn were born so early, it could pose a greater threat for their little lungs.  The pedi said if they got it they would probably be fine, but she advised us to keep them out of the public until April again this year just to be extra careful.  This has put a serious kink in our social calendar!!  Thankfully, we have less than 2 months left!!  We officialy have two walkers on our hands!  I can't believe it!!  Grac...

Those are my two favorite words when talking about a homemade dinner.  I discovered a new recipe today, thanks Katie , that is definitely yummy and easy!!  I have been struggling a lot lately with cooking at home.  I feel like I make spaghetti and meatballs ALL THE TIME!!  It is time to start mixing it up a bit.  In order to encourage me to keep trying new things, I decided to share new recipes that I try.  I might throw in an oldy, but goody on occasion, too.  If you ever make something that you think the blog world, and me in particular, needs to know and enjoy, just leave me the recipe in my comments.  I would LOVE to try some of your favorites!!  My only requirement is that it be yummy, and, yes, easy!!  Here is what we had for dinner tonight.... Meat Cupcakes INGREDIENTS:3/4 LB. GROUND BEEF 1/2 C KETCHUP 1 T MUSTARD 2 T BROWN SUGAR 1 CAN BISCUITS 1/4 C SHREDDED CHEESE DIRECTIONS:PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 DEGREES. BRO...