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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Recipes I Can't Wait to Try #22

Yay for Wednesday!  I really am going to post a recipe soon.  Don't give up on me.  Things have been kind of hectic around my house the last month or so.  We had a wonderful party last week!  I hope that you all looked around and all of the recipes linked up, there were some really good ones.  I'm feeling kind of "savory" today. So this weeks recipe I can't wait to try is the Pizza Casserole from At Home With Michelle!


Photo is property of At Home With Michelle


Pizza Casserole on At Home With Michelle














Michelle, I hope you made extra!  Can you add some pepperonis just for me?  ;-)


Now let's see some Recipes I Can't Wait to Try!  Link up your yummy recipes & fun crafts!  My request is that you please link back to me in some way and say, "Hi!" to another party goer!  Everyone loves getting a new comment, so show some love!  =)  Also, this week I've made it a blog hop, so feel free to add it to your own blog.  Enjoy!


If you were featured, feel free (but not pressured) [=)] to grab my button!
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If you are participating in the linky party and would like to add the Recipes I Can't Wait to Try button, here you go!
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Recipes I Can't Wait to Try:

Friday, March 25, 2011

Friday's Random Thoughts & Confessions

It's been a while since I did random thoughts and confessions.  So here you go, Friday's random thoughts and confessions that may not have anything to do with the purpose of my blog.

  1. It's not much of a secret that I don't always keep up with the laundry 100% of the time.  But you know when you're slacking off when you hear your 4 year old yelling, "Weeeeeeeee!" as he slides down the mountain of laundry on the couch.  SMH
  2. I have sat down to blog about a recipe 4 times this week and still haven't completed it to share with you.  Pitiful, isn't it?
  3. Yesterday I ignored a sink full of dishes to pull weeds outside because the weather was PERFECT!  I just couldn't stand to not be outside.
  4. James and I are planting a garden this year.  I still have SO much to do to get it done in time.
  5. Sometimes when I hug my kids I'm afraid their eyes are going to pop out of their heads.  I mean, wouldn't you?  Look at them!
IMAG0228
Excuse the blurry pic.  It is from my phone. =)

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Recipes I Can't Wait to Try #21

Oh man!  It has been 2 weeks!  I'm so sorry about the party sadness last week.  =(  The whole modem thing through me for a loop.  Then I wasn't able to get it together for Friday like I said I would...so I'm sorry!!!  The last party we had was EXCELLENT!  There were 28 recipes linked up.  Yummy!  I'm going to be one busy little baker!

A lot of you already know that I'm crazy about making things from scratch.  When I make things from scratch, I know that I am using good ingredients.  I also know that there isn't anything I can't pronounce in it.  It's not a very comfortable feeling when you can't comprehend the ingredients list. ;-)  Just the other day, a friend of mine (who also like making from scratch) told me that she wanted to make homemade vanilla.  Two days later, Mrs Happy Homemaker linked up Homemade Vanilla on Recipes I Can't Wait to Try #20!!!  Not being one that believes much in coincidence, I HAD to feature it.  Mrs Happy Homemaker, thanks for feeding my obsession!

Photo is property of Mrs Happy Homemaker


Homemade Vanilla Extract at Mrs Happy Homemaker

















Now let's see some Recipes I Can't Wait to Try!  Link up your yummy recipes & fun crafts!  My request is that you please link back to me in some way and say, "Hi!" to another party goer!  Everyone loves getting a new comment, so show some love!  =)  Also, this week I've made it a blog hop, so feel free to add it to your own blog.  Enjoy!

If you were featured, feel free (but not pressured) [=)] to grab my button!
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If you are participating in the linky party and would like to add the Recipes I Can't Wait to Try button, here you go!
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Recipes I Can't Wait to Try:

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Recipes I Can't Wait to Try....Postponed

Well friends, my modem kicked the bucket.  I am currently sending this via email on my phone.  My new modem should be here on Thursday. Due to my tech issues, Recipes I Can't Wait to Try will be postponed until Friday. I'm so sorry and I hope you will come back and party with me on Friday! I truly look forward to the yummy things that each of you link up each week.

Blessings and happy modems to you all! ;)

Thursday, March 10, 2011

100 Followers Giveaway Winner!!!!

Yay for the winner of my 100 followers giveaway!  What did she win you ask?  Well, she won a $10 gift card to Panera Bread and a Pampered Chef Garlic Press!  Oh...you want to know who "she" is?


This is what she had to say...
Click on the comment to be taken to the yummy recipe!

I want to say, "Thank you!" to my first 100 followers!  Like I said before, it is truly humbling that you would read anything I would have to say.  I would also like to say, "Welcome!" to the new followers as a result of the giveaway!  I hope you stick around!  

There were several recipes listed in the giveaway.  They all look DELICIOUS!  So here is a list of all the yummy recipes shared:  
Check the recipes out, and be sure to give Kayla a shout out and congratulate her for winning!

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Recipes I Can't Wait to Try! #20

Today is the LAST day to enter my 100 Followers Giveaway!!!!

Go Wednesday!  Go Wednesday!  It's your weekday!  OK, that was lame.  Can I get an E for effort?  ;-)  There were some super yummy looking recipes posted last week.  I have had the hardest time picking one to feature!!!  I want to try ALL of them!  But, I'm on a bread kick right now.  So this week's recipe I can't wait to try is:

Photo is property of Sweet as Sugar Cookies


No-Knead Bread at Sweet as Sugar Cookies












Isn't it PRETTY?!  Lisa, I hope you have plenty of butter because I'm coming over!  Now let's see some Recipes I Can't Wait to Try!  Link up your yummy recipes & fun crafts!  My request is that you please link back to me in some way and say, "Hi!" to another party goer!  Everyone loves getting a new comment, so show some love!  =)  Also, this week I've made it a blog hop, so feel free to add it to your own blog.  Enjoy!

If you were featured, feel free (but not pressured) [=)] to grab my button!
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If you are participating in the linky party and would like to add the Recipes I Can't Wait to Try button, here you go!
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Recipes I Can't Wait to Try:

Monday, March 7, 2011

Confetti Sprinkle Cupcakes

Don't forget to enter my 100 followers giveaway!!!





Saturday, my sweet baby, Joseph, turned 7.  It sounds so big to me!  I can't believe how fast it has gone by.  It seems like just yesterday I was holding him in my arms, waiting on his first smile.  He has been such a joy to watch grow up.  He has such a tender heart and is the sweetest little thing.  I'm so blessed to have him as my oldest son.  

On Friday, I took cupcakes to his school for him to share with his class.  He requested I make vanilla cupcakes with green icing.  I questioned him on that because he is a chocolate cake kind of kid.  This will go to show his heart for others, he said, "No.  I want vanilla because some of the kids might not like chocolate."  So cute!  Anyway, who am I to say, "No." to such a sweet boy?!  I opened up my trusty Betty Crocker cookbook and got this recipe.  It was so yummy!  My cupcakes were left in the oven a little too long, so they came out a little dry.  (Did I mention that I have a 4 year old and a 10 month old at home?)  They were still quite tasty.  I also put sprinkles inside the batter so that the cupcakes would have the colorful confetti look on the inside.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of this.  I wasn't about to try to snatch a half eaten cupcake from a 7 year old in Joseph's class for a picture.  Kids are crazy!  You're bound to loose a finger with that sort of reckless behavior!  Then I put a vanilla buttercream frosting on them.  I typically don't care for buttercream much.  But I have to make a confession...The only buttercream I really ever eat is the yucky kind off of store bought cakes.  I'm going to have to start making homemade buttercream more often cause it was much better than what I expected!    Overall, it was a yummy cupcake and Joseph was proud to have something to share with his friends on his special day.

Starlight Yellow Cake
Prep: 10 min; Bake: 45 min (Cupcakes - Bake: 20 min)
Makes 16 servings (Cupcakes - 24 cupcakes)

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening (I NEVER use shortening.  Gross.  I used butter...the real stuff.  It makes them taste so much better!)
1 1/4 cups milk
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 large eggs
Sprinkles

  1. Heat oven to 350.  Grease bottom and sides of rectangular pan, 13x9x2 inches, 2 round pans, 9x1 1/2 inches, or 3 round pans, 8x1 1/2 inches, with shortening (BUTTER); lightly flour.  Or, simply drop cupcake liners into a cupcake pan. =)
  2. Beat all ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly.  Beat on high speed 3 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally.  Lightly stir in sprinkles.  It is important that you stir as little as possible after the sprinkles are added.  If you over-stir, you will have swirl...not confetti.  Pour into pan(s).  If making cupcakes, fill liners about 2/3's full.  
  3. Bake rectangle 40-45 minutes, 9-inch rounds 30 to 35 minutes, 8-inch rounds 20-25 minutes, cupcakes about 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center.  Cool rectangle in pan on wire rack.  Cool rounds 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely.
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
Prep: 5 min
Makes 16 servings, about 2 cups

3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup stick butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk


  1. Mix powdered sugar and butter in medium bowl.  Stir in vanilla and milk.
  2. Beat until smooth and spreadable.  
  3. Add drops of food coloring to reach your desired color.  Frosts one 13x9-inch cake, fills and frosts one 8- or 9-inch two-layer cake, or frosts 24 cupcakes.
If you would like to make the frosting look like mine:
  1. Place a ziptop bag in a glass or tumbler with the edges folded over the top of the glass 
  2. Scoop the frosting in the ziptop bag and seal the bag shut
  3. Cut a corner out of the bottom of the bag to the desired size that you want to pipe out of.  
  4. Start from the outside of the cupcake and swirl around until you have reached the middle.
  5. Sprinkle the sprinkles on top as soon as possible after frosting.




Friday, March 4, 2011

Friday's Random Thoughts / Confessions

Here's my random thoughts & confessions for the week that have nothing to do with the purpose of my blog.


  1. My oldest son, Joseph, is going to be 7 tomorrow.  Wow!!!  Boy does time fly.  I'm going to take cupcakes to his school in a few minutes.  It should be good fun.  =)
  2. Snotty noses and coughs are so gross.  I know...huge shock there.  It's just that has been my life for the last 13 days.  That's right...13.  
  3. I feel so bad because prior to this week, I haven't visited anyone's blog that has linked up on Recipes I Can't Wait to Try.  Sigh.
  4. My husband's grandfather passed away on Monday.  =*(  He and his wife were married for nearly 59 years.  It's so hard to imagine myself when James & I are married that long.  I can't imagine loosing my best friend of that long.  It's hard enough to imagine my life without James now...much less 48 years from now.  My heart goes out to his grandmother during this time.
  5. Yesterday, I went to pick Joseph up from school only to remember that he was riding the bus.  The panic on those poor teacher's faces when they couldn't find him.  I felt like such a dork.  Thankfully, I beat the bus to my house.  Can we say, "Fail!"?  



Total side note...don't forget to enter my giveaway!!!  

Thursday, March 3, 2011

100 Followers Giveaway!!!!

Surprise!!!
As of yesterday, I have 101 followers.  =)  I am so honored and humbled that you care to read ANYTHING that I would write.  I hope that you have found some cool new blogs to read and have gotten lots of good new recipes.  Because I'm feeling so loved right now, I'm going to share the love with YOU!  This giveaway is for a Pampered Chef Garlic Press and a $10 gift card to Panera Bread!

HOW TO ENTER...  


MANDATORY ENTRY: (PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT TELLING ME YOU ARE A FOLLOWER)
  • Be one of my followers on Google Friend Connect! (1 entry)

BONUS ENTRIES:  (LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY)

  • Subscribe to this blog via email. (1 entry)
  • Follow At Home With Haley on FaceBook. (1 entry) 
  • Follow me on Twitter. (1 entry)
  • Tell me where to find your FAVORITE recipe whether it is on your blog or a friend's. (1 entry)


DEADLINE:
Hurry!  You have until Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 11:59 PM CST!  The winner will be chosen at random by Random.org and announced Thursday, March 10, 2011.


REMEMBER, IF YOU DON'T LEAVE A COMMENT ON THE BLOG POST, I CAN'T ENTER YOU IN THE GIVEAWAY.

Thanks for being a loyal reader!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Recipes I Can't Wait to Try! #19

It's that time again!  It's Wednesday.  Last week I confessed that I have been sick.  Well friends, today is day 11 and I'm happy to say that I almost feel human today. ;-)  I'm so gross to be around.  I have done a little bit of baking here and there, but I just haven't felt like posting them yet.  Don't worry...I will soon.  Once again, I wasn't up to leaving comments for everyone.  =(  I'm so sorry.  I really do appreciate you taking the time to link up here each week.  On a good note, I did try last weeks Recipe I Can't Wait to Try last night.  The homemade muesli recipe at Laurel of Leaves is delicious!  I highly recommend it if you are looking for a healthy yummy breakfast/snack.  OK, on to this week's Recipe I Can't Wait to Try...

Last week was healthy.  This week...lacking in the health department.  =)  Cream Cheese Pound Cake from Ms Not So Perfect It looks so yummy.  I'm a sucker for a good pound cake and this sounds so moist!  The best part is the recipe is so easy!  Go and check it out.

Photo is property of Ms Not So Perfect



Cream Cheese Pound Cake at Ms Not So Perfect
















Now let's see some Recipes I Can't Wait to Try!  Link up your yummy recipes & fun crafts!  My request is that you please link back to me in some way and say, "Hi!" to another party goer!  Everyone loves getting a new comment, so show some love!  =)  Also, this week I've made it a blog hop, so feel free to add it to your own blog.  Enjoy!

If you were featured, feel free (but not pressured) [=)] to grab my button!
Photobucket 


If you are participating in the linky party and would like to add the Recipes I Can't Wait to Try button, here you go!
Photobucket 


Recipes I Can't Wait to Try: