Sunday, January 31, 2016

Southwestern Flatbread and a "Design Your Own Flatbread" Table / #SundaySupper

What is the "Big Game" without food? Well, for me it is not nearly as fun! So for this years game I  am serving a Southwestern Flatbread and a "Design Your Own Flatbread" Table that has something for everyone!
flatbread, salsa, cheese, chicken, sour cream, avocado, peppers, onions
Southwestern Flatbread

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Chocolate Valentine Cups!

Valentine's Day is a fun day in our house, and I thought these Chocolate Valentine Cups would be a great way to celebrate! We love Valentine's day and we usually make plans to have a good time, like a movie, maybe dinner out, or a trip to the beach, but I don't like to take the day too seriously. I do love Valentine's Day treats and little things to commemorate the day, so I have more of these coming up between now and Valentine's Day!
chocolate, whipped cream, sprinkles

Thursday, January 21, 2016

Celebrate It! Blog Link Party!


Chocolate Bacon Banana Bundt Cake/#BundtBakers


Do you think that a Chocolate Bacon Banana Bundt Cake is a strange but good/weird flavor combination? So do I! Which is why I made the exact cake for this months #BundtBakers theme of "Strange but good/weird flavor combinations"! At the bottom of this post you will find many others that fit the description, so you can find the perfect one that fits you!
chocolate, bacon, banana, cake, drizzled, cream cheese frosting, bacon pieces, banana slices
Chocolate Bacon Banana Bundt Cake

Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Mini Cranberry Orange Bundt Muffins

These little Mini Cranberry Orange Bundt Muffins are a great way to start your day. Of course, they are just as tasty as a dessert also.  I used the Orange flavored Cranberries from Trader Joes to make these cuties. The orange mixed with the cranberry flavor gives these muffins a great taste with a little less tartness. I dressed up three of the muffins for dessert by adding an orange juice drizzle, fresh whipped cream and some orange zest. I left the others for breakfast and snacks!
breakfast, dessert, or snack
Cranberry Orange Bundt Muffins

Friday, January 15, 2016

Yummly and how it can work for you!

If you are familiar with Yummly, you know how handy it can be when it comes to keeping track of recipes you want to make later. If you are not sure what Yummly is, you will be excited to find out that it is a place where you can save recipes, like those from The Freshman Cook, that you want to go back to, or you want to remember for those special occasions. Yummly is also perfect for finding that special recipe, or just something different to make for dinner tonight!


Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Snowflake Thumbprint Cookies

Thumbprint cookies are some of my favorite cookies. I love their versatility, and how easy it is to creatively adapt them to any celebration or party. So these Snowflake Thumbprint Cookies are a celebration of winter and snow, and the fact that I am not in any snow!

These cookies are part of a care package that I am sending to my old neighbor, Skip. As I have mentioned before in this post, he was the best neighbor ever, and since we moved away from Utah, we have gone to visit with him a few times. We really miss him! My son was there a few months ago, and I asked him to go see Skip. I was a little worried that he seemed out of sorts and forgetful when I spoke to him on the phone. To make a long story short, Skip has dementia, and he is now living in a care facility in east Ohio, very near his family. While I am so glad his family is watching out for him,  I am so sad, because I know how much he loved his home in Utah, and his life there. Anyway, I know that Skip will be happy to get these goodies, and I hope they make him smile!

cookies, thumbprint cookies, snow
 Snowflake Thumbprint Cookies

Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Cinnamon and Apple Croissant Bread Pudding/FoodieExtravaganza

With the holidays over and some rather cold weather settling in for a few days, I was looking for something from the warm and comfort food category. That is where this Cinnamon and Apple Croissant Bread Pudding comes in. There are few recipes as basic as bread pudding, but it is also versatile, tasty and great for using up leftovers. This bread pudding is one of the lightest ones I have ever had, and I give credit to the croissants for that. The apples add a small bit of crunch, while the cinnamon and the chocolate drizzle tie up the comfort food in a bow.
Cinnamon, apple, croissant, bread pudding, dessert, comfort food
Cinnamon and Apple Croissant Bread Pudding

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Grandma's Fried Chicken / #SundaySupper

Grandma's Fried Chicken is a recipe from my mother in law. She is no longer with us, but my husband tells me that she used to make this for the family when he were growing up. She also made it for me, my husband and my son whenever she would come to visit us! She lived far away from us, but every year she would visit for my sons birthday, and she would make her fried chicken. It became a wonderful family tradition!
I thought this meal would be appropriate because this month is National Sunday Supper Month, and we are celebrating eating around the table, together as a family every Sunday! I just love the idea, don't you?! I’d like to encourage you to sign the pledge, and commit to sharing Sunday Supper at least once a month this year, along with me! Please follow this link and sign up! http://sundaysuppermovement.com/sunday-supper-pledge/ 
As we know, Sunday Supper starts off as one day a week and soon becomes a way of life. And that’s our mission, to get as many folks as possible around the family table. The biggest gift we can give to our family is to hug, laugh, share our stories and enjoy great meals together.

fried chicken
Grandma's Fried Chicken