Fall Cara Box

Hello!  I participated in the fall Cara Box and got matched up with 2 great ladies: Merry and Linae!  I received a great box from Merry.

Merry hit on all my favorite things: baking, reading, the color red, delicious smelling candles!  Thanks Merry for the great goodies.  I especially look forward to baking something.  I need a new recipe with ramekins!

Cara Box Reveal!!

This month I participated in something new (to me): the Cara Box exchange on the Wifessionals Blog.  You can paired up with a couple fellow bloggers and exchange a box of goodies.  The theme this month was seasons of life- you got paired up with someone who is in the same place in their life.

Contents of my box: photo book, baking goods, romance novel and card

I  got paired up with Rabia and Danielle.  I was really impressed with what Rabia sent me and even more impressed once I read the great note she included.  She took the time to include items that were specific to me and what I enjoy doing (cooking, baking, reading). I will definitely be participating again, and I like that it's now every 3 months even more.  There's more time to think and plan.

Great guilty pleasure reading

I

Seasonings!

What do I do with this Zuchini?

A couple weeks ago, my husband brought a zucchini as big as a house. There are so many things sweet and savory you can make with this veggie - ultimately - here's what I've done:

• Chocolate Zucchini cake - this was a very unique dish, using olive oil instead of butter.  Recipe from Food Network.
• Breaded zucchini  
• Zucchini tacos - my own creation

Ground beef

Onion

Zucchini

Summer squash

Cumin

Taco seasoning

1/2 can of butternut squash soup (or tomato sauce)

I served this with chips, shredded cheese, and lettuce- but you could do tortillas, sour cream or tomatoes!

• Sautéed zucchini as a side dish

Welcome back Liz!

After a long absence, I'm attempting to rejoin the blog world! My posts will mainly about good strategies and recipes for busy moms! Coming topics: crockpot favorites, easy cookies, what to do with zucchini and the best banana muffins!

Easiest lemon pie eva'!

1/2 cup lemon juice
3 egg yolks
1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1 prepared graham cracker crust
Cool Whip
lemon zest
fresh strawberries to garnish

Whip egg yolks with lemon juice and sweetened milk. Pour into pie crust. Bake for 30 minutes at 350. Chill pie for 2 hours. Frost with Cool Whip and garnish with lemon zest and strawberries.

Enjoy!

Baby Blue Punch

The wonderful DJ Fitzgerald (no relation) of DJ Delights made this for my shower. Make it next time you need something fun for a baby shower!

1 package blue, Kool-aid mix
1 (2 liter) bottle Sierra Mist

1 bottle white cranberry juice
8 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 cup white sugar, or to taste

In a large punch bowl, stir together the drink mix, lemon-lime soda, and white cranberry juice. Taste, and stir in sugar to your liking. Float scoops of ice cream on the top. You can then float duckies on top!

Easy Baked Mac and Cheese with Bacon

Mac and Cheese from scratch is the best and it's so easy!

2 cups uncooked mac
3 strips of bacon
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups cheddar cheese
1/4 cup parm cheese


Cook mac according to package directions. Cut bacon in small pieces and cook in medium saucepan. Once cooked, remove bacon and leave drippings. Add flour and cook for a minute. Whisk in milk, and bring to a boil, always stirring, until sauce becomes thick. Then add 1 cup cheddar cheese and parm cheese and heat through. Mix mac, cheese sauce and bacon, and spread into baking dish. Sprinkle last cup of cheese on top. Bake for 20 minutes in 350 oven.

ps: you can also add spinach or broccoli, if you want a healthier version!