Cookie of the Week-Sees Delight!

With See's Scotchmallows and just a few extra ingredients, you'll create decadence in a matter of minutes. Scotchmallow® Rolls

• 2 (8 oz) cans refrigerated crescent rolls • 16 See’s Scotchmallows – cut in half (two halves in each crescent roll) • 1/4 cup butter – melted • Coarse sugar to sprinkle 1. Preheat oven to 375°. Line muffin pan with paper baking cups. 2. Separate crescent rolls into 16 triangles. 3. Place two half See's Scotchmallows towards the wide end of triangle. Roll triangles from wide to narrow point; pinch side ends and bring ends toward center. 4. Brush with butter and sprinkle with sugar. Place roll in lined muffin pan and bake 10-15 minutes until rolls are golden brown. 5. Serve warm. Two packages make 16 gooey rolls.

Even if you do not have these specific Sees candies, I think it's safe to say, that you could use any of your favorites! Maybe a Hershey bar and marshmallows?

Happy Weekend!

Some very good eats!!!!!!

Schools out for A and she is back to work full-time for the summer. On her first day back at the shop, A made-up a veggie platter to share with co-workers. It looked so good that I had to make one for us to enjoy at home. And, it was great! Such an easy "reach for" snack and we are now really loving pea pods. They are sweet and yummy.

Ranch dressing from the store is divine, but, don't forget the option of a lower calorie dressing, such as....1 cup plain yogurt mixed with 1 tablespoon dry Ranch Dressing mix. Or, you can replace the plain yogurt with greek yogurt or a low calorie sour cream. Or be daring....go plain!!!!

Hello Strawberries...

Just had to make jam the other day. Strawberries were $1.00 a container. That just screams "MAKE JAM" to me.

And, I still use my bread machine quite heavily. Does anyone else use a bread machine? To me, a bread machine is like a crock-pot....I can put all the ingredients in the bread container, pop it into the machine, and presto! I can leave the bread unattended for hours. And, when the bread is done, my machine shuts off. So nice. On extra busy days, the worry of raising bread and being right their for that exact moment to put the bread in the oven...and then watching over the bread as it bakes....all gone. So, I love my bread machine.
Bread and jam....how can you not smile and dig in!!!

Still Spring....

I took a little walk around our yard the other day.

From a distance, the fallen blossoms look like snow!

Sore spot in the yard. It is coming out of their!
Smooth and easy spring day!
Splash of bright yellow, buttercup!

Weekend SPECIAL!!!!!!!

We have been enjoying these lovely "yogurt-waffles."

I use this handy little waffle/crepe maker from Germany!

Here's where it all happens! So cute and just right!

Ooh-lala! Added a little vanilla yogurt, fresh strawberries, walnuts and some maple syrup. So delicious! Recipe for Yogurt Waffles

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup oats

3/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar

3 Tablespoons melted butter

3 large eggs

1 and 1/2 cups plain, low fat yogurt

Mix flour, oats, salt and soda together. Next, in another bowl, mix the sugar, butter, eggs and yogurt. Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Let batter sit 15 minutes. Heat waffle iron...brush with butter. Pour 1/2 cup batter onto iron and close. Cook until waffle is toasty brown..about 3 minutes.

Makes about 6 waffles.

P.S. I did not have plain yogurt on hand, so I used vanilla yogurt. It was divine.

xo Sydney

Some Smart Snacks

Here are a few ideas from a magazine for easy, healthy snacks:












-Spicy peanuts
An ounce of dry roasted peanuts (28 pieces or so) is about 160 calories. Sprinkle on cayenne pepper for a fat burning kick. 1/4 tsp burns around 15 extra calories.

-Sugar-Free Pudding
Thicker liquids (like pudding) satiate the brain's appetite helping you consume fewer calories.

-DIY Ranch Dip with Carrot and Celery Sticks
Mix 1/4 cup low-fat plain yogurt and 1/2 tsp ranch seasoning for a delicious veggie dip. Low-fat yogurt has conjugated lineolic acid that blocks fat uptake and also helps your body burn flab more efficiently.

-Watermelon
Melons-particularly watermelons-have a high water content which means they take up more space in your stomach making you feel fuller. 1 cup of diced melon is less than 50 calories.

-Frozen Banana Slices
They are like slices of ice cream minus the calories and fat! Make your own flavors by sprinkling on cocoa or cinnamon. (Bonus: cinnamon helps regulate sugar levels so your body may store less fat!)

-Tuna Salad
It takes more energy to digest protein than it does to break down fats and carbs so fish like Tuna is a smart snack. Mix in 2 tablespoons of light Italian salad dressing for lots of flavor without the calories and fat of Mayo.


I haven't tried all of these snacks yet but maybe today when the munchies hit you, you'll find something healthy and delicious!

The Writer and her Revenge

Ahhh it feels so good to be back home sitting at my computer eating my oatmeal (that I eat every morning). A week long vacation is just too long to be away from the sanctity and sanity of my own home. Especially when it includes the in-laws. And with only 6 weeks left of pregnancy, while I can't see my feet, I'm just glad they are still holding me up.

My topic of the morning is both to clear the bad air that seems trapped inside and to rid myself of the damp pressure that other people's actions have left pressing on my shoulders. Specifically one person's. The solution: writing.

I love to write. There is an absolute pleasure of getting lost in another world and of seeing characters come to life like a watercolor before my eyes. Writers are dreamers. I would be just as content to live a life through the pages of a book as in living it myself. To me, they are the same thing. Many drafts are fit for a ride down the porcelain express but as physical exercise releases the tension of the body, so does writing release the stresses of the mind.

Today what I like most about writing is that it's a purifying form of revenge. There is nothing like turning a real-life Mr. Nasty into a fabulously written antagonist to make you feel justified. While he/she is disguised under the guise of another name, other features and even a different accent you can show the world their true colors. Better yet, on paper, you--in the alias of your main character--always have the right comeback. The confidence to stand up to them when you can't in real life. Everyone can see the way they treat you, it's not a secret anymore. And it's all legal.

(On the other side, it's no wonder my favorite people in life become the most heart-rending and beautiful people in my stories. It's a tribute to them and their unfailing loyalty, humor and my desire to showcase their attributes).

While this in no way should replace the honesty of a confrontation or the sincere desire to seek out the offender and make amends, it sure helps me blow off steam in a respectable way. Sometimes, no matter how hard you work at a relationship the other person will never grow up even if they are much older and "wiser" than you.

My newest character has been slowly forming in my mind over this last year; a hologram floating in mid-air waiting unfinished until she finally broke out of the mold. This week sprung her out onto paper like a spontaneous birth. Somehow the mask of generosity and love slipped down over her nose and her true colors were revealed. Hello world.

Boyfriends who did me wrong, girlfriends whose own shameful behavior flung mud at my own face somehow all add effects to the characters in my novels. I feel like I have overcome those barbs by using the experiences in a productive way instead of letting them fester or shake my self confidence. These people haven't won! Their shortcomings and downright meanness have not prevailed over me! And if you happen to get published and they happen to read your story and recognize themselves you can smile serenely and thank them for helping you create such a despicable character. :)

Toasted Egg Muffin

So good and so very easy. In a large bowl, I whisked some eggs together (7-8), added in some green onion, green pepper and added in a little cheese. Ok, a lot of cheese-ha! I pressed some whole wheat bread into my "large" muffin tins...one piece of bread per cup. Then, I poured in my egg mixture. I was surprised when the eggs soaked into the bread..a lot. So, I added more and more until the cups could hold the egg mixture...as you can see below.

I then baked them at 350 for about 13-15 minutes. The egg mixture puffs up and looks really cool. You can tell when they are done....they look done and the bread looks like toast.

Yum! These little gems turned out so well. And, a little bonus, they are good cold. My husband and son love having these in their lunch, instead of a sandwich.
I think you can add just about anything to the toast cup that you would use to make your favorite omelet. So, get creative and give this nifty recipe a try. Good for breakfast, lunch or dinner!
P.S. We used this recipe at Jenna's Baby Shower Brunch.

Really NICE Envelopes

NICE.......

I had forgotten how fun it is to make my own colorful and bright envelopes. You can use any type of paper. Take an envelope that you already have handy. Undo the envelope and use as a pattern. After selecting a paper, trace the undone envelope onto your new paper. Cut out your new envelope. Use a regular gluestick to glue the pocket flap of your envelope, so that it is ready for your letter. I also use gluestick to seal my envelopes, as well. Hint...a little gluestick goes a long way. Makes a good project for little, busy, children's hands. Over the years, my children have made many envelopes out of Christmas wrapping paper, birthday wrapping paper, magazine pages, computer paper, etc.

Happy Weekend!!

Suns Win!!!

Growing up I never enjoyed watching basketball on tv. Not until college when I started dating my husband and many evenings were spent at his apartment watching the games with his roommates (5 out of 6 were from Phoenix). Most of the time my few comments were never noticed among the man-yells and no one thought to high five me after a breakaway or smashing dunk.
Now that we're married and I'm the only one here for Aaron to high five I find myself eagerly anticipating the Suns games. Wait, what? You actually enjoy your husband spending 3 hours sitting in front of the t.v. and ignoring you? Yes I do, and here's why.
I can tell you that Nash shoots an impressive 93% from the free-throw line, that Frye favors the shoulders for 3's and that Stoudemire is an amazing man. Grant Hill goes hot and cold each game and J. Richardson is one of the best over-all athletes on the team. I'm an amateur but when I speak a man's language, I get a response. When I ask about stats, percentages and predictions, I don't have to ask five times before being heard. Aaron emails me "Suns game tonight, don't forget!" from work and I find a particular delight in having a joint interest we can participate in together. We yell, we shout, we jump out of our seats, we high-five, we boo, we keep a running commentary while one is getting snacks from the kitchen and the excitement of a good game is infectiously uplifting. For those 3 hours I'm not just "the wifey"I'm his pal, his buddy, his game-watching friend and I get a certain respect for that. While I pat myself on the back for knowing more facts about the Suns team, I don't think anyone is more impressed than my husband.
So here's to the Suns! Who won game 2 against the formidable Spurs! And who made me my husband's buddy.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

source

The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, The 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at The Battle Of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition in other parts of Mexico, and especially in U.S. cities with a significant Mexican population. It is not, as many people think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16.
(http://www.mexonline.com/cinco-de-mayo.htm)

Mango Tomatilla Salsa
courtesy of Bobby Flay's Bold American Food

1 large mango, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
4 med. tomatillos, husked and chopped
2 Tbsp. finely diced red onion
1 Tbsp. minced jalapeno
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilatro
1 Tbsp. raw honey
sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Happy Cinco de Mayo----Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas

These Enchilades were fabulous. Everyone in our family just loved them. So, for me, that meant this recipe was a "keeper". If you like/love the Tortilla Soup at Max and Erma's...this recipe is for you.

In a bowl, combine 1 can of cream of chicken soup (do not dilute), 1/2 cup of sour cream, 1 cup of Pace Picante Sauce and 2 tsp. chili powder. Mix really well.
In another bowl, combine 2 cups chopped cooked chicken, 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese and 1 cup of the sauce above. Stir.
Time for the tortilla's. Warm 6 tortilla's, first, Then, divide the chicken mixture amongst the tortilla's.
Roll up the tortilla's and place seamside up in a baking dish. I used my trusty 13" x 9" cake pan.
Pour extra sauce over the top of the tortilla's.
Place in a 350 degree oven for about 40 minutes. Cover pan with foil during baking time.
Yum! After baking, I added some chopped tomatoes, chopped green onions and a little more grated cheese. Olives would have added a nice touch....next time.
Love this recipe. Tonight I am making amodified version using rice instead of tortilla's. And, serving with a side of refried beans. I also think that by adding a about a cup of milk to the cream soup, you could make this into a delightful soup...just skipping the tortilla's and going with tortilla chips crumbled on the top of the soup, instead.

Happy Cinco de Mayo! My daughter in San Diego said that the celebration for Cindo de Mayo began last weekend and will carry on through tomorrow night. Wow!

Original recipe...CampbellsKitchen.com/Paula Deen/March-April, 2010.

Monday Muffins

Back in the day, I use to make Friday muffins with my children. It was an extra special way of saying, "Thank-goodness we have made it to Friday. Let's celebrate". And we did...by baking and eating muffins. We, however, did not make these double delicious yummy chocolate muffins. This is yet another one of my secret, ever so easy, anyone can do this, recipes.

And, don't they look so good, cooling on this extra cute dish towel from my friend, Denise? Yes, they do! Ha.
So, it's in the box! Yep. Me, the healthy eating, nutrition guru of all foods good or bad.....a mix. This happens to be the best mix I have ever tried. It is so divine. I love making these muffins in my large muffin pan. You really get a little cake size muffin, which, is always fun. I have made baskets full of these muffins as gifts. They make a great gift. But, first things first...make some for yourself or your family and enjoy. Well, here's to a new week. Happy Muffin Monday, everyone!