A Proverbs 31 Kind of Day

We're going old school! Your mom might have called these magic cookie bars, or seven layer bars, or hello dolly bars. Regardless of what they were called, who doesn't remember these treats from your childhood? Honestly!  This was one thing my mom could . . .and would . . . whip up in a hurry! These treats are easy to make and even easier to eat! Originally, these were called magic cookie bars and the recipe was rolled out by the Eagle Brand Milk Company. Today, though, there are so many variations and possibilities, that it's crazy. But the basic of the recipe is still the starting point. And that's exactly where I started! But!  I didn't end up there, because I add a little treat of my own! While I was in the kitchen making this little dessert for dinner tonight, my girl cherub was doing school and she asked what I was making. I told her. "Have you ever made those before?" she asked. Yeah . . .but not in a long time. Like...

Oh my, it's been awhile! One might think that I have forgotten to feed the Mr. and the Cherubs! While I haven't forgotten, I certainly haven't had the time to cook as I normally do. I'm currently getting to do what I also love . . . and that's fulfill a long-term subbing position. It is extremely rewarding. However, when I do these, I have to put something to the back-burner. Like cooking . . . and other household work. For example:  it's mid-March and I just took down my Winter decor. Notice I didn't say, "Christmas." "Christmas" -- as in tree, Santa, and presents, went away in January. "Winter," on the other had -- as in snowmen, evergreen, and pine cones stay through . . . well . . .Winter! Thankfully, Spring decor doesn't take nearly as long to put out! Unless you are like me and you re-do the look. I really try not to do that, because it doesn't come natural or easy for me. ...

I don't know what I'd really call these? I made these by accident. Oh, I didn't make brownies by accident .  . . I knew full well what I was doing. Sort of! But what I wanted didn't work, so I scooped the messed up dough off the cookie sheet and started over. Let me start from the beginning. This was my week to feed the baseball team. In my dream, there would be plenty of time for the boys to sit and enjoy a feast that is brought to them. They'd chew with their mouths closed, say thank you and yes ma'am, and ask for seconds. They'd offer to clean up and ask if there is anything else they could do to help. REALITY!!! There's no time for any of that! Their lunch, dinner, heavy snack . . .whatever it's called has to be quick! They're throwing it down as they get dressed out and head to the field to take batting practice. It needs to be something easy, quick, and little-to-no cleanup for them OR me! After all, who n...

Image and recipe from Betty Crocker                                                                                                                                           We were going to have lunch with our friends the other day after church. This is my friend who is a good cook. This is my ...

We had company the other night for dinner. Not just any company -- interns. That means: single boys  . . .ok, they're 20-something year-old men graduate students they miss their mamma's cooking they're hungry Trying to figure out what we were going to have -- I was giving the Mr. several options. His reply, "It doesn't matter, just make sure you have alot!" I made fajita grilled chicken topped with Monterrey jack cheese and green chilies, my friend's green chili rice (on the blog), quick charro beans (on the blog), homemade guacamole (on the blog), and chocolate chip cookie dough brownies (now going to be on the blog!) I had worked all day and had to run to the store to grab a few things!  Dinner had to be thrown together in a flash!  I thought of an easy dessert:  a box of brownies, cooked to perfection, topped with cookie dough. Yummy! I've made this basic dessert before -- but this is just a smidge different.  If you're ...

Confession:  this is a trial and error recipe. The thought is there. The family liked it. I would change a thing or two. The family doesn't care what I change -- as long as I make it again! We debated what to call this. It's kind of like a sugar cookie. But it's thick like a cake. It's dense like a shortcake. It's moist like a  .  . . Ummm.  I don't know what it's moist like. It's just moist. I would add more frosting. The family says there's enough. What I think I like about this recipe is the flexibility!  If you want a buttercream frosting -- do it!  If you don't have time for homemade frosting, use a canned frosting.  I think a cream cheese frosting topped with some chopped fruit would be tasty too.  This dessert is like an artist canvas, just waiting to be colored!  (Gag!) Point is -- there's no wrong here!  Strawberry Sugar Cookie Bars 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 2 cups granula...

Not my picture -- this was found on the internet. I've posted a "blondies" recipe earlier -- but it was a cinnamon sort of dessert. This is just plain 'ol blondies.  Easy. Delicious. Quick. If you have company coming or just need a fast dessert, this is a keeper.  All of the ingredients are basic and if you have the time, energy, or interest to throw some "extras" in -- the recipe is both forgiving AND accepting! When my boy cherub and I made these, we threw in a small ton of chocolate chips . . .just because we could!  It was a Friday night and we were livin' on the wild side! Blondies 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 1/8 tsp. salt 1 cup flour Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8X8 pan with cooking spray. Beat butter and brown sugar together until fluffy. Beat in egg until well incorporated.  Stir in vanilla. Add salt and flour and mix well, but no need to over-mix.*  If you want to a...

Abra . . .  . . .Ca . . .  . . .Dabra! Brownies 1/2 cup butter, melted 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 2/3 cup flour 1/4 cup cocoa 1/8 tsp. salt 1 cup chopped nuts, if desired Preheat oven to 325. Combine the melted butter and sugar in a large bowl and stir together. Whisk in eggs and vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa, and salt. Stir into the butter mixture. Stir in nuts, if using. Pour into a greased and floured 8 inch pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a wooden tootpick inserted in the cnter comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.  Enjoy! 

Image from Taste of Home My oldest cherub just loves pumpkin! pumpkin pie pumpkin cookies pumpkin cake pumpkin dump cake pumpkin seeds The only thing the boy cherub doesn't really care for is pumpkin soup! For the sake of my cherub, I'm always trying new pumpkin-ish desserts and the other day, I tried these pumpkin bars.  I found it on another blog-site when I googled something about "pumpkin." I have to say, I think they're the best I've every made. The cake is so moist and the spice is just right and the cream cheese frosting is perfect. I made it for the family birthday celebration and it was gobbled up! I've just made it again this morning.  The Mr. is taking it to the office tomorrow to celebrate the birthday of an intern.  It smells so good baking on this Fall morning! I wish I had a candle that smelled just like this! Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting 4 eggs 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar 1 cup vegetable oil 1...

I had Oreo's in the cabinet. I don't usually buy Oreo's unless I need them for a recipe. These Oreo's were a "gift!"  They had sat there long enough that I decided I'd do something with them. So here's my little concoction. I'm not sure if it's a new favorite of mine or not -- but the Mr. and two Cherubs really loved it. Chocolate Oreo Cream Cheese Bars Cake Layer 1 cake mix; I used milk chocolate 2 eggs 1 stick of butter, melted Oreo cookies, broken Cream Cheese Mixture 1 package cream cheese, softened 2 eggs 4 cups powdered sugar (1 pound) 1-2 tsp. vanilla, depending on taste Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cake mix, 2 eggs, and butter together.  You'll have a very stiff dough. Grease a 9X13 pan and press the dough into the pan evenly. Using your hands, break the Oreo's and evenly sprinkle them on top of the dough.  I used 15-20 cookies; you can use as much ...

Oh my word! These are the best lemon bars I have ever had. E.V.E.R! E.V.E.R! This recipe, and picture for that matter, are from Ina Garten.  Maybe you're familiar with her from the Food Network.  I enjoy her recipes and this one is at the top of my favorites list. Matter of fact, there so good that I'm going right now to whip some up to share with a friend!  Yes!  They're a hit! No more typing, I've got to go bake! Lemon Bars For the crust : 1/2 pound unsalted butter, at room temperature 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 cups flour 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt For the filling : 6 extra-large eggs at room temperature 3 cups granulated sugar 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest (4 to 6 lemons) 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 1 cup flour Confectioners' sugar, for dusting Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. For the crust, cream the butter and sugar until light in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment....

It's Teacher Appreciation Week and in wanting to do something special for my little cherub's teacher, I kept thinking of "what to make?"  There are so many cute things out there to do -- but really what's "me" and what comes easiest are things from my kitchen! Then, the delimna comes . . .what to make? decorated sugar cookies? a cake? dinner for she and her husband? cookies? I could have spent hours trying to figure it out!  But instead, I went with a new twist -- Cinnamon Spiced Blondies.  They kind of reminded my of my cherub's teacher, who has become my friend.  just different enough to be noticed but still has the "basics" to be great a little nutty yet sweet soft at heart but firm when necessary Cinnamon Spiced Blondies  Disclaimer:  not my photo 1 cup flour 1 TBSP ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/8 tsp salt 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1/4 cup butter, melted 1 egg 2 tsps...

Oh yeah -- I know what came to your mind right away!  Oreos!  Oh sure!  I wouldn't have thought that either, but I'm telling you, it's a possibility! The other day I had to make a treat to send with Jackson to school for a special lunch.  While on the phone in the middle of Wal-mart (oh yes, I'm now one of "those" people), Kilie gives me this super simple recipe that she had been told about!  So as any good mother does, I put the package of cookies back on the shelf and tell her to repeat the ingredients again and I fly down the aisle, telling people under my breath to get out of the way -- I've got a new recipe to make and it's not even written down on paper!  These little gems are worth having around for a quick treat of unexpected guests . . .or even expected ones! Baked Oreos 1 package (9X13 size) brownie mix Ingredients to make those sweet little things 1 package oreos -- plain, colored center, double stuff -- whatever you like Mix the...

Go!  Go right now and make sure you've got all the ingredients to make this.  I'm serious -- get up, go check, because after you read this, you're going to want to make this, and you're going to say, "Ummm!  This is GOOD!" (just like my Madison Grace did!). Peanut Butter Brownies with Reese's Frosting 3/4 cup peanut butter 1/3 cup butter, softened 1/3 cup sugar 3/4 cup brown sugar 2 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup flour Frosting: 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips (I used 1 cup) 1/3 cup peanut butter Cream the peanut butter, butter, sugars, eggs, and vanilla together.  Mix in baking powder and soda, salt and flour until well blended but do not over mix. Pour into a 9 X 9 greased pan.  Bake at 350 for 25-35 minutes or until done. Let cool a bit.  While cooling, make the frosting.  Melt the chocolate chips, stir in the peanut butter until smooth and pour over brow...