Happy Halloween...and a Little Treat Too

Hi everyone! I found this little pumpkin pretzel treat idea on Pinterest and made them a couple weeks ago for the kids. My didn't turn out as great as some of the pictures on Pinterest, but they sure were yummy. That salty sweet combination can't be beat! I thought I would share them today in honor of Halloween.

Pumpkin Pretzels...

 
You will need...

• small pretzels (traditional shape)
• orange melting chocolate
• green M&M's (you can use a skinny pretzel stick dipped in green chocolate if you had them)

Easy steps...

• melt the chocolate in the microwave
• dip pretzels
• place on cookie sheet with waxed paper 
• stick on M&M before chocolate hardens
• place in refrigerator until chocolate sets (only a few minutes)

Mine look a little rough, lol. The chocolate wasn't as smooth as I liked, but they were literally eaten seconds after they hardened so looks didn't matter much!!

Enjoy!!

Happy Halloween!
~Karen~

The Best Apple Crisp Recipe...Ever!!

Nothing says autumn more than a dish of warm apple crisp. I've been making apple crisp for years using different recipes (including my mom's) and have never found one that we all loved (sorry mom). This past week, I tried a recipe I found on Allrecipes and it is not only easy, it is perfection. My family loves a crunchy topping and a soft apple filling and this recipe delivers both. It just moved up to #1 at my house!

Apple Crisp...

Easy Blueberry Cobbler Recipe...

July and August is blueberry season here in the northeast. They are plentiful and usually on sale in the stores or it's fun to spend some time on a farm picking your own. For me, on sale in the store was easier this weekend! It was hard choosing a recipe though...pie, muffins, cake or cobbler? We had lots of people in and out this weekend, so a very large pan of cobbler was the way to go!! I searched for a recipe on line and found a winner.

Blueberry Cobbler...

Don't forget the ice cream!!

This is the easiest recipe and so delicious...

Easy Breakfast Brunch Party Ideas...

We have lots of family functions and parties throughout the year, but I think the easiest party to put together would be a breakfast or a brunch. My husband's brother and his family were visiting from New York for 2 weeks. They rent a beach house to enjoy the sunshine and weather of the summer. We see them several times while they are here, but we did have them over one morning for breakfast before they went to the beach for the day.

I snapped a few photos of the breakfast I set up, so you could steal a few ideas for your next get together. The ideas are quick and easy and most can be set up the night before.

Self serve buffet style is the best. Here's what I served...

• fresh fruit
• coffee cake
• muffins
• breads, bagels and English muffins
• jams and jellies
• pancake bar
• scrambled eggs
• bacon and sausage
• yogurts
• coffee and tea
• milks and juices

Come in to see how I set everything up and served things so you can enjoy your guest too!!

Super Size Pound Cake Recipe...

Hi everyone! I've been wanting to share this recipe for pound cake with you for a long time. My mom made it for as long as I can remember for big family functions. This pound cake is one of my husband's favorites...second only to the ultimate chocolate cake!!  I love making it for larger parties or dinners, because of it's size. It's a Super Pound Cake, not just because it tastes great, but because it's extra large!! It's definitely a fan favorite.

Super Pound Cake

Super Size Pound Cake

Come on in for the recipe...

Easy Summer Salad Recipes...Perfect for this Weekend

Hi everyone! Happy Memorial Day weekend to you! I've posted these recipes on my blog years ago, but I wanted to share them again today because of this holiday weekend and the start of summer cookouts. I actually made them today and they are always family favorites. The pictures are below, but click on the link to the actual post for the recipes and directions!!

Hope everyone has a wonderful holiday weekend with family and friends.

Heavenly Hash or Ambrosia...a yummy, creamy fruit salad with coconut and mini marshmallows.

Click HERE for the recipe.

Broccoli Salad...Crunchy fresh broccoli with raisins, red onions, bacon and sunflower seeds with a delicious creamy dressing!! I could eat the whole bowl myself!!

Click HERE for the recipe.

The highest on the family favorites list...coleslaw that is a copy cat of KFC coleslaw. Perfect addition to any picnic, barbecue or cookout!!

Click HERE for the recipe.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy!!!

~Karen~

Rice Krispie Treat Easter Carrots...

My daughter Kelsie wanted to make something special to bring up to her boyfriend's family's house this weekend. She searched Pinterest and found a cute idea for rice krispie treat carrots. She only had a little bit of time to make them last night after work and she has to work today, so this was the best and fastest treat to make.

Riced Krispie Treat Easter Carrots!!!

These bunnies might eat them before Easter though...

Come in and see the easy steps to make these little delicious cuties...

Easy Microwave Fudge Recipe...and a Great Big Thank You

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am blown away by all the love and support I have received from my last post. The blogging world is amazing and so caring no matter what the situation. One great big world connected by one small computer. I am slowly but surely responding to each comment and personal email that I received. However, there were so many comments that where shared through a google plus account or no reply blogger account that have no email address attached for me write back. For all of you that don't hear from me, a great big hug is being sent your way today.

I have another way of saying Thank You to everyone...CHOCOLATE!!!!

I have used this chocolate fudge recipe for years now and it's always a hit with my family, my hubby in particular. I always make this for the holidays and it isn't Christmas if it's not on the goodie tray. However, I was thinking how perfect this recipe would be for a quick Valentine's Day present!!

Homemade Irish Cream Recipe...

Happy New Year to everyone!!! I hope you've had a great start to 2015 so far. Thought I'd share a recipe for homemade Irish Cream to celebrate the holiday. I've been making this recipe for almost 30 years and it's one of the most popular things I make. Everyone just LOVES it!! I make batches of it from Thanksgiving, straight through Christmas, til New Year's Day. I serve it for holiday parties and make jars full of it to give as gifts.

Homemade Irish Cream...

If you've never had Irish Cream, it's a creamy, chocolate, coffee after dinner drink with a slight kick in the pants from the whiskey!!

I hope you'll enjoy this recipe...it's so yummy!

Tip For Cooking Meatloaf...

Hi everyone!! I know there are a hundred different ways to make meatloaf and everyone has their family favorites, so I'm not sharing a recipe with you today. Mine is pretty basic too..breadcrumbs, egg, milk, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper. What I do want to share is a quick tip on which pan to use. My mom always made her meatloaf in the typical "loaf" pan…hence the name. Lol

However, I usually buy hamburger in larger size packages with 2-3 pounds of meat in each. One small loaf pan doesn't hold that much. Years ago, when the girls were younger, I made meatloaf and used a bundt pan for the first time. That pan holds so much more and the center hole allows the meat to cook evenly all around the ring.

That first time I cooked it in a bundt pan, the girls thought it was the funniest thing ever. That whole dinner we tried to invent a new name for meatloaf. They laughed so hard that night coming up with names, we still talk about it. What did they come up with…

Bundt-O-Burger…we still call it that to this day!!

A bundt pan fits so much more than a loaf pan.

We top ours with ketchup. What do you top your meatloaf with?

Bakes evenly all the way around.

Slices like a cake for perfect portions too.

The next time you need to make a larger meatloaf…try a bundt pan. It works great!!

Thanks for stopping by,
~Karen~

French Toast Casserole Recipe...

Hi everyone! I found this great recipe for French Toast Casserole. It's perfect for a large family or when you have guest staying over. It's quick, easy and can be made that morning or the night before to save you time. I found this on Pinterest, but the original recipe is from the Pioneer Women.

This is so delicious for breakfast, but it's very similar to bread pudding so a little vanilla creme sauce would make it a great dessert!

Corn on the Cob Chowder Recipe…

It's summertime and that means corn on the cob!! We love corn on the cob, but the first few batches that we've bought in the store haven't been great. For Memorial Day, I bought 2 dozen ears and of course there were left overs. I always buy extra, because I hate not having enough food for a picnic and it was only $1.92 a dozen.

Here's what I made with the rest of the corn…

Corn on the Cob Chowder!!

Easy Way To Fill Twice Baked Potatoes...

Hi everyone. I hope you had a great weekend. Saturday we had a big birthday party celebration for my 2 nephews and my daughter's fiancé Courtland. This week, I'll share a few pictures I took of the ice cream sundae party we had. Sunday morning was church, then Easter breakfast at my husband's parent's house. Since we celebrated Easter with my family last weekend, Easter dinner was just the five of us at home. We had the "go to" holiday dinner…a big ham, fresh green beans, asparagus, Brussels sprouts and twice baked potatoes.

This post was not planned, but in the middle of making the twice baked, I took a few pictures to share and easy way to fill the potato shells…an ice cream scoop!!

My husband was literally cutting the ham while I was taking the pictures, so this was a quickie, but I wanted to share the "scoop" on this helpful tip!

Appetizer Recipe…BLT Cups

Appetizers…they are my all time favorite food group. I could eat appetizers all day everyday, even over desserts.  I just love anything savory or salty! Here is a great appetizer recipe that is not only delicious, but easy and so quick to put together.

BLT Cups…

Pre-made fillo (or phyllo) shells and pre-cooked bacon are the keys to this quick and easy recipe!

Chocolate Covered Oreo Bouquet...

Our daughter Kelsie had one of her last dance performances as a senior in college last night and we drove up  to see her. Both our daughters have danced since they were 3 years old and we've always bought them flowers after a performance.

This time I wanted to do something a little different. Kelsie loves her chocolate and Oreos are high up on the list of favorite cookies, so I made her a chocolate covered Oreo Bouquet.

Come in to see the steps to make your own…

Fried Nutella Wontons...

Nutella…what's not to like about Nutella! We all love it, but it's my daughter Kelsie's favorite. She is home for spring break this week and her friend Louise from school is staying with us too, so we had to make Fried Nutella Wontons.

If you're not sure what Nutella is, it's a chocolate hazelnut spread. It's similar in consistency to peanut butter, but chocolate!!

These fried wontons are very easy to make…so come in for the step by step instructions.

Fat Free Key Lime Fluff Recipe...

I love anything with lime and key lime pie is my favorite. Here's a fat free version of Key Lime pie without the crust. It's more of a fluffy dessert, but the key lime flavor is definitely there. It also has the added benefit of yogurt in it too!

Key Lime Fluff…

This recipe goes together quickly and taste great!!

Pumpkin Fluff…Dessert or Dip

Hi everyone! I'm trying to get back into shape after a long holiday season. My theory is…so and steady wins the race. I've been back to the gym again every day and eating better. I never use the word diet, because that just sets me up for failure. I'll just make changes in my life that work for me and over time I'll be where I want to be…back in my favorite tan shorts (without the waist band cutting off my circulation, Lol).

I'm not a big dessert person to begin with (savory things are my absolute favorite), but when I do want something sweet I need to make it somewhat healthy. Pinterest to the rescue! I found this recipe for Pumpkin Fluff that can either be served as a pudding type dessert or used as a dip.

I just LOVE anything pumpkin, so this is perfect…

Cheese Crisps…Easy Low Carb Snack

I found this recipe for Cheese Crisps on Pinterest and this site. I made them this week and they are delicious!!

You can't even call it a recipe, because it really is just baking the grated cheese until they are melty and crisp.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Garlic Aioli Dip Recipe...

Hi everyone. I wanted to share a recipe I found here. I love brussels sprouts, but it was a new veggie for my family and they loved it. Well, not my husband…he wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Garlic Aioli Dip…

 Delicious!

Quick and easy recipe for a side dish or appetizer…