summer popsicles

this morning we decided we'd check off another item from our summer bucket list.  we opted for making our own popsicles. 

 
hope you are enjoying the summer sunshine! 

crab dip

this is one of my favorite things to make.  it's pretty easy and so, so good.  if i were to ever audition for a cooking show- this would be my signature dish :)  (don't worry, i have NO plans in ever doing that though!)

you'll need: 8 oz room temperature cream cheese- don't use low fat, 1/2 cup mayo, cup drained chopped artichokes, 1/4 cup onion, 1/2 cup red pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 cup parmesan cheese- not the powder kind, couple shakes of hot sauce- we use franks, fresh lemons and a pound of lump crab meat.

 mix everything except the crab meat-

 squeeze a little lemon on the drained crab then fold it into the dip.  cover the top with parmesan cheese.....

 bake on 350 for 25 minutes

 serve with toasted baguette or tortilla chips and fresh lemon.....

 enjoy!! 

chicken noodle soup

i'm sure there are a million recipes for chicken noodle soup.  this is just the way i make it- i imagine it's the way most people do.  two of my little ones have colds along with my mother in law- so last night i thought this would be the perfect dinner for them. 

in a hot pan add a couple tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and a tablespoon of butter.

add about a cup of chopped carrots and celery and a half cup chopped onion

saute veggies until they are soft- but not mushy- season with salt and pepper

add a large can of chicken broth

add cooked chopped chicken.  (i bake at 350 for 25 minutes coated with olive oil, salt and pepper)

bring to a boil

add 3/4 bag of egg noodles.  cook until the noodles are done (just follow directions on package) turn soup off when they are cooked.  if you continue to let simmer the noodles will continue to cook and turn into mush.

that's it!  i think they are feeling better already!

halloween bark

recipes are all over the internet for this yummy treat!  i think anyone will do!  the boys and i made this last night.  today after school we plan to deliver to daddy and his coworkers.

here's how we made our halloween bark:

you can use white or milk chocolate- i liked the way the candy corn popped out against the white.

remember to find two of the most handsome kids you can find.  again, these two are mine- you'll have to use your own :)

my helpers unwrapped the chocolate

jack broke the oreo cookies into our parchment lined pan.

will did the "pren-sle sticks" as he calls them!

jack- sprinkles, will- candy corn....

i melted the chocolate in the microwave according to the directions.  then we topped it with a few more candy corn and sprinkles.

we let it set over night.  (you probably could do it in less time)  then you just break it into chunks.

we filled ours into small mason jars- because they are cute!

tied on a bow and a bat ring.....ready!  these are perfect for teachers, neighbors and coworkers!

happy halloween!!

pumpkin chocolate chip muffins

my aunt terry is a great cook.  her specialty is sweet treats- she's nicknamed herself "aunt cookie" which my kids lovingly call her.  come to think of it- they wouldn't know her as anything else.  a few years ago she trusted me with her pumpkin chocolate chip bread recipe.  it's so yummy- i can eat it by the loaf.  i have adjusted it just a little- cause in my house we love muffins.

so instead of clove and allspice- i just use about a tablespoon of pumpkin pie spice. 

and i bake our muffins for 17 minutes

 gather up your supplies and favorite helpers:

 i ALWAYS let the kids measure and pour

 i said...."hey boys, what do you think is in this bag?"

boys say," CHOCOLATE!!"

 "how do you like that?"

 "will, what does chocolate make your face do?"

 i follow the recipe then stir the chips in at the end....

 always use an ice cream scoop for even muffins...

 your kitchen may look like this:

 your daughter may look like this:  (yes, i let her eat 5 chocolate chips......i have NO idea how she is so messy!)  i know my aunt would be glad she looks like this.  of course, she'd let her eat the whole bag!! 

 all that is worth it...because in the end you'll have these!

thank you aunt terry for this recipe.  it's one of my favorites.  i always think of you when i make them too.  xo-

total side note- for those of you with little ones- eating baby food.  you can mix the leftover pumpkin with a banana.....it makes for a yummy baby food.  ok, i've never really tried it- but anna michael loved it last fall.  happy fall!

pineapple....take 2

my boys are the best eaters and always have been.  ANYTHING you offer them they are willing to try and typically like.  the girl....well, she's a different story.  she doesn't like anything.   that's not true- she loves pizza, ice cream, crackers of any sort, oatmeal and olives.  i think that covers it.  i've spent a good part of the summer trying to "trick" her into eating fruits and veggies.  at her last check-up i was so proud to announce to her pediatrician that i did it!  i pulled one over on her- he just looked at me and smiled......then i realized, yes, she is pulling one over on me!

anyways- my super-duper magic trick is this.....freeze the fruit.  i cut her fruit into bite sized pieces and freeze them.  she loves it.  i think she thinks it's a popsicle or something??  blueberries are really good but the best one in my opinion is pineapple.  it's so delicious.  it's the way we are eating pineapple in our house.

simply cut your fresh pineapple like this.  the freeze it.  it's that easy. 

you just don't want them to touch otherwise they are a frozen block. 
i used wax paper- freezer paper would obviously be a good choice too!

we wrap the bottom with paper towels because they are so cold on their hands.

he says the frozen pineapple made his mouth happy.

will is sitting here with me, and wanted me to add this picture to the post.  notice his too small LONG sleeved shirt in august.....i let the kids all dress themselves yesterday.  he loves this shirt :)

these would make the perfect stir stick in a pina colada or any frozen kid-friendly drink too.  they may make it to a little pirate party coming soon.....