New Bows....

I just posted new bows on my Sweet.Bee.Bowtique Blog...take a looksy :)
www.sweetbeebowtique.blogspot.com

Layered Mint Chocolate Brownies

This is another GREAT recipe out of the Worldwide Ward Cookbook. While at Women's Conference I became hopelessly addicted to the mint brownies....mmmmmm, so yummmy!! Well, in this cookbook there is a recipe for these Layered Mint Chocolate Brownies. I thought I might as well give it a whirl and try them out. Maybe bring back some great memories....and BINGO....these are really, really, really GOOD!! I even had to make a little variation and they are still DELISH!!! You got to try them :) The Recipe is as follows.....

Brownie Ingredients:
1 Cup butter, melted
2/3 Cup cocoa powder
2 Cup Sugar
4 eggs
1-1/2 Cup flour

Brownie Directions:
Mix butter, cocoa, and sugar; add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each one. Stir in flour. Spread into a greased 9 x13-inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Let cool completely.

Mint Frosting Ingredients:
1/2 Cup butter, softened
1 lb. powdered sugar
1-3 Tbsp milk
1/2 tsp mint extract
Green food coloring

Mint Frosting Directions:
Mix butter and powdered sugar. Add only enough milk to make a smooth consistency. Add mint extract and enough food coloring for a light green color. Frosting will be thick. Spread over cooled brownie layer. Refrigerate until firm.

Chocolate Topping Ingredients:
1-1/2 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 Cup butter

Chocolate Topping Directions:
Melt chocolate chips and butter in microwave for 2-3 minutes. Stir well to combine. Pour over frosted brownies, covering frosting completely. Refrigerate until topping is set and hardened. Let brownies sit at room temperature for atleast 10 minutes before cutting. Cut into 24 small squares with sharp knife.

Ok....I had to make a few variations. First...I should have only baked them for about 22 minutes. 25 was too long and the edge of the brownies were very crisp...even though the center was good, it could have been baked less. Then for the frosting...it calls for only a half a cup of butter. I found that when I was mixing the butter and the powdered sugar together that it was not combinding like it should so I added another half of cup of butter. It worked much better. Oh yes, I was certain that when I started these brownies that I had mint extract....NOPE! I was wrong, but I did have peppermint so I used that in place of the mint and it turned out really good. Everyone who has tried them has loved them :) Finally...with the chocolate topping I think I would cut the recipe in half and drizzle the chocolate over the frosting rather than try to cover the whole pan of frosted brownies. Either way....they are really good. The top chocolate layer does set up very fast...I did not put them back in the fridge after putting the topping on.

I must be on a mint kick because as I am typing up this recipe I am eating mint M&M's...mmmmm!!! I love the holidays.

Jerrie's Cheese Ball Recipe

This is a really good cheese ball recipe that I got out of the Worldwide Ward Cookbook. I got it when I was at Women's Conference this past March and so far every recipe I have tried out of it is GREAT...including this one. (I forgot to take a picture of it.)

The recipe is as follows:
2 8-oz packages cream cheese, softened
1 8.75-oz can crushed pineapple, drained well
1/4 Cup green pepper, finely chopped
1/2 Cup green onion, finely chopped
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp seasoned salt
1 Cup chopped pecans, divided
2 Tbsp powdered sugar

Mix all indgredients, reserving half of the pecans. Form into a ball and cover with the reserved pecans. Refrigerate several hours. Serve with gingersnap cookies.

I am sure I used more then what was called for on the chopped pepper and onion, but it was GOOD!! I did serve it with gingersnaps but it is also really good with wheat thins. Enjoy!!

Scentsy Party Tonight....Yummy Treats!!

So my Scentsy party is tonight, and even though I am not quite sure what kind of turn out I will have...there is going to be some yummy snacking going on :) I am baking brownies right now...not just any brownies. Layered Chocolate Mint Brownies....MMMMMM (I hope they bring back Women's Conference Memories). Then I am making a Jalepeno and Artichoke Dip, and a Sundried Tomato Dip. Last but not least this Cheese ball thats sounds Great and you eat it with Gingersnap Cookies. How yummy does that sound. I will be sure to post all the recipes...so be on the look out.

New Blog.....

I have set up blog just for my bows and other fun stuff! Check it out at http://www.sweetbeebowtique.blogspot.com/. I just started listing the bows that I have for sale that are left over from the craft fair that Kira and I took part in this past Saturday. I still have a few to add and will continue adding my new creations.

Birthday Girl Emilee Turns 3

I cannot believe that my little Emilee is now 3! She is such a sweet little girl who has a personality like none other. SO...since mom was not in the mood to throw a birthday party we decided to go ChukeE Cheese'S. She had a GREAT time. All the kids had fun. It was well worth the 2-1/2 hours that we spent there...even if the pizza is terrible!! After our fun time we headed home to have birthday cake and ice cream....oh yes, and opened presents. It was a very good day :)

Where does the time go???

Emilee's Birthday Cake

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes.aspx/lets-party-cake?WT.mc_id=taf_recipe_BC

The cake that I wanted to make....well, I did make the one I wanted, but I did not follow it to a T!! Plus I was basing the colors off of Tinkerbell...Lime Green and Purple, and that part turned out good but...I could not find the Tinkerbell cupcake toppers that I had bought. All in all I guess it turned out good. The Birthday Girl liked it.

The bottom layer of the cake I did an 8" single layer cake and then the first cupcake layer was supposed to be 7 cupcakes...I only did 3. The second layer of cupcakes was supposed to be 4...I only did 2. The final cupcake was right on :) I did not read the directions clearly I guess, otherwise I would have had enough cupcakes. Since my count was short I used toothpicks to secure the cupcakes when I stacked them. I used skittles for all the dots.

Chalupa and Apple Crisp Update....

All in all both recipes were GREAT!!! The Chalupa was a BIG HIT!! It was very yummy. Everyone with the excpetoin of myself and my kids made it like a borrito. I made mine and the kiddos taco salad style. I am so grateful that I bought the electric roaster at Costco yesterday because I started the Chalup out in a 12 quart dutch oven in the oven and it was to the rim...as soon as I got home from Costco I transfered it all to the new roaster and it was great. Had I now done so I am afraid I would have had a HUGE mess in the bottom of my over. Once those beans cooked and all the juices from the pork came out it would have overflowed - Easily.

The Apple Crisp Desert was GREAT. The only variation I would make next time is to do more apples and less time. I started mine about 3:00 and by 7:00 it was done. Once I finally got into it to dish it out it was about 7:30 so it sat in the crock pot for another 30 minutes and cooked. I am guessing with more apples it may take the 4 hours but with the apples I used, which was 4 medium sized, it could have easly been done in 3 hours.

All in all, my dinner was a HIT and everyone enjoyed it. Our visit was GREAT, too!!

Praline Apple Crisp

Here is what I am making for desert tonight to go along with my yummy smelling chalupa....MMMMM. This is a new recipe for me, so I will update on how it ALL turns out.

INGREDIENTS
6 medium-size crisp tart apples (Granny Smith or Braeburn), peeled if desired, cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 6 cups)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup toffee bits
Ice cream, if desired

DIRECTIONS
1. Spray 3- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix apples and cinnamon to coat. Place in slow cooker.
2. In medium bowl, mix oats, brown sugar, flour and butter with pastry blender or fork until crumbly. Stir in pecans and toffee bits. Sprinkle crumb mixture evenly over apples.
3. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours. Serve apple crisp with ice cream.

http://www.pillsbury.com/recipes/showrecipe.aspx?rid=37949&tab=recipe

Chalupa Recipe

Now this is GREAT food for a big crowd or to freeze leftovers :)

3-1/4 Cup Dry Pinto Beans - soaked over night
3 lbs pork (pork roast, shoulder or butt)
7 cups water
½ cup onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves
1 tbsp salt
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
2 cans green chili's, diced

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker on low heat for 5-7 hours. Uncover for last 30 minutes to allow the liquids to thicken up. Serve like a taco salad with taco salad fixings.

I don't have a slow cooker large enough for this so I am doing mine in the dutch oven and the heat is set at 275 degrees. I plan on eating by 5:30 or so.

Taco Salad Fixings I am Using:
Shredded Lettuce
Crushed Tortilla Chips
Chopped Onions
Fresh Sliced Jalepeno's
Shredded Cheese
Sour Cream
Salsa

How cute is this....

The other night I was laying in bed and when I lay down at night is when the baby gets active. So...Shaelee had come in and I told her to put her hand on my belly and she could feel Kaylee kicking. Shaelee put her hand on my belly and Kaylee quit moving, of course. Then Shaelee asks "Is Kaylee in her camper?" Meaning was my belly Kaylee's camper. I chuckled and said "yes, you could call it her camper." Then Shaelee crawls up into bed between Tad and I and lays down with her hands behind her head and her legs crossed and says, "Kaylee is like this, she is in her camper with a pillow and a blanket just like this". This was a priceless moment :)

Southwestern White Chili....Yummy!!

This recipe is for posted just for Kira :) This is really good and I have never had any bad luck with it...Good Luck.

Ingredients:
1 cup chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
3 15-1/2 ounce cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
2 4-ounce cans diced green chile peppers
4 cups chicken broth
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (8 ounces)

Optional - For topping
Sour Cream
Crushed Tortilla Chips
Chopped Olives
Chopped Jalepenos or Dinced Canned Chile Peppers

Directions:

1. In a 3-1/2 to 6 quart slow cooker place the ontion, garlic, cumin, oregano, red pepper, beans, 2 cans chile peppers, broth, and cooked chicken. Stir to combine.
2. Cover and cook on low heat setting for 7 to 8 hours or on high-heat setting for 3-1/2 to 4 hours. Stir in the cheese until melted.
3. Ladle the chili into bowls. Top with optionalal toppings!

This chili is GREAT and so EASY :) Enjoy!!

My Favorite Bows....

I have been making A LOT of bows lately and out of all of them, and all the ones I have made in the past....These are by far my favorite. I love how all of them turned out. I wish I had enough of the plaid ribbon to make some more for my girls. I guess if I don't sell them at the craft fair, I will have plenty for my girls. I am seriously addicted to making bows.

Very Good Potato Soup Recipe

I got this recipe from my sister several years ago and it is a favorite.

Ingredients:
2 quarts water
6 medium potatoes, chunked
1 cup buter
1 large onion, chopped
15 chicken bouillon cubes
3 garlic cloves
1 (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sour cream

Directions:
Bring water and potatoes to a boil, lower heat and simmer until potatoes are very tender. Saute butter, onions and garlic together in small pan. Carefully spoon half of the cooked potatoes out of the liquid into a blender. Add onions, garlic and butter to the blender and blend until smooth. Return to pot with cooking liquid still in it and bring to a boil. Lower heat and add bouillon cubes. When cubes are dissolved, add cream cheese and sour cream. Stir until melted and serve. It is very YUMMY!!!

Snoozin' Kids....

So we sent the older three kids upstairs to play. I told Tad that they were being too quiet and I bet they had fallen asleep. So I had to go upstairs to check on them. When I did...this is what I found...the three of them snoozin' on the bean bag. It was way CUTE!!

Apple Muffins

Today I made these really good Apple Muffins. My favorite part of fall is baking. So... here is the link to the recipe (http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Apple-Muffins-2/Detail.aspx). I made 2 changes...I used about 2-1/2 cups of chopped apples and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. They were really yummy. Great for breakfast too, but I have left them out on the counter all day and there is only 4 left, I think. They are not too sweet either :)

Our Trip to the Orchard...

So, Tad worked on Saturday and I ventured to the orchard with all the kids. Had I known what to expect I would have liked it better. We went to the Gilcrease Orchard, which is in Las Vegas. I did not know until after I unloaded all the kids that you could drive through it, which I should have done. So between Shaelee saying she is tired and very hungry, and Emilee telling me she can't walk cause she will fall and get hurt, TJ falling asleep and Tate asking 1,001 questions....I HAD ENOUGH. We were there for an hour and all the trees were pretty much picked over. All that is in season right now is Apples, Pears and Pumpkins. People were only leaving there with pumkins. After all that we dedcided it was time to go and meet Daddy for lunch. It was quite an adventure.

http://www.gilcreaseorchard.org/