Fantastic Finds Friday

I am obsessed with Pinterest.  I have wasted so much time found so much useful information and the neatest ideas.  Every Friday, I will share with you some of the stuff that I bookmarked or "pinned" that week.  I hope you enjoy ... and if you're not on Pinterest and need an invite, let me know!  :)

Please note, due to copyright, you will have to click the links to see any pictures.  I have posted the links to each site.

My favorite thing from this past week, comes from the folks over at Something Swanky ... Deep Fried Cadbury Eggs ... seriously, OMGosh!  I need these like I need another hole in my head, but I'm guessing these will be consumed in the near future anyways.  ;)

Something else I don't really need, but wanna try, comes from Just Another Day in Paradise  ... Cinnamon Churros Chex Mix.  I love how something as simple as Chex cereal, can be turned into so many neat and tasty snacks combinations!

The next find, is for our new house.  We have two bathrooms upstairs in which the showers are in the weird slant of the roof-line.  They are dark and well, the shower is just not the way it should be in my opinion.  I love this idea from Better Homes and Gardens ... not so much the teal color, just the idea :)

I bookmarked this next one for the Mister.  He likes Boston Cream Pie.  It's not really my thing.  Occasionally, I'll treat him to stuff like this Boston Cream Poke Cake from The Country Cook.   It does look quite tasty!  This will probably be our Sunday dessert once he gets wind of it!

This last one, I will call the perfect compromise of all things yummy!  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Peanut Butter Cups from How Sweet It Is.  I feel like Pavlov's dogs!  Let the salivating begin  ;)  

I hope everyone has a safe weekend!  Enjoy some time with your favorite people and make some memories.  

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Jalapenos ~ (Picture Tutorial)

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Chocolate Mint Donuts

My normal breakfast consists of toast and coffee.  Occasionally, I'll have leftover rice with scrambled eggs.  Boring, I know.  Probably not the healthiest way to start the day off either, but I'm not really a breakfast eater ... except on the weekends.  Even then, I think it's more about eating with my family and spending time together.  I think the Mister and kiddos look forward to weekend breakfasts too.  

 A few months ago, I really wanted a donut pan and my husband was nice enough to get me two of them.  We tried a few recipes and they were all good ... but this one blew them all out of the water.  If loving a donut is wrong, well, then I'm wrong.  ;)  The folks over at insidebrucrewlife really know a thing or two about making Chocolate Mint Donuts!  Seriously, these are perfect ... minty and chocolaty ..... "cakey" and delish!  The only reason I subbed Mint Chocolate Chips was to avoid making an "extra stop" for one item.  I just don't have the time patience to drag four kids into a store for one thing if I can avoid it.

If you're ever wanting to make donuts, make these!  Make the extra trip for fudge mint cups if you wanna, or just use regular ol' mint chocolate chips.  Either way, be prepared to fall in love!

Chocolate Mint Donuts

Slightly adapted from:  insidebrucrewlife
Printable recipe

Yield:  15-18 donuts

1/2 c. butter

2 tsp. vanilla

1/3 c. brown sugar

1/3 c. sugar

1 egg

2/3 c. sour cream

2/3 c. buttermilk

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 c. dark cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 c. flour

1 c. andes mint chips - (I used regular ol' Mint Chocolate Chips)

2 bags mint fudge cups (from Dollar Tree) - (Again, I used Mint 

     Chocolate Chips)

Sprinkles (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cream butter, vanilla, and sugars. Add the egg, sour cream and buttermilk and beat again. Combine all the dry ingredients and slowly incorporate them into the butter mixture. Stir in the andes chips by hand. Lightly grease donut pan or spray with cooking spray. Fill donut cavities at least 3/4 full. Bake 9 minutes. Let sit in pan for about 2 minutes, then remove to wire racks to cool completely. Melt mint fudge cups with 1 Tbsp. shortening. Stir every 30 seconds so it doesn't burn. Dip tops of donuts into the melted mint. Sprinkle with desired sprinkles, jimmies or sugar. 

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Macaroni Salad

I have to admit, when I was younger, I didn't like any kind of  macaroni salad, potato salad or coleslaw.  Weird, I know.  Man, oh, man ... I had no idea what I was missing!  In my much wiser adult years, I enjoy these salads ... especially in the summer.  There's just something about a cold salad.

I have my preferences, doesn't everyone?  My mom likes to make her potato salad with more of a mustard base, I prefer more of a mayonnaise base.  This macaroni salad is a little on the sweet and tangy side.  Again, my mom likes her macaroni salad a little bit different than me.  Eh, to each their own is what I say!

However, this macaroni salad is perfect .... I swear, I could eat just the dressing by the spoonfuls.  It's just that good!  This is a nice salad for potlucks, baby showers, church functions, every "you name it" event you can think of.

Macaroni Salad
Originally from allrecipes
Printable recipe
Yield: 16 servings

16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni
4 carrots, shredded
1 large red onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup chopped celery
2 cups mayonnaise
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup white vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.  Add macaroni and cook until tender, about 8 minutes.  Rinse under cold water and drain.

In a large bowl, stir together the carrots, red onion, green pepper, red pepper and celery.  Mix in the mayonnaise, sweetened condensed milk, vinegar, salt and pepper.  Add the cooked macaroni and toss gently.  

Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.  Serve cold.

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Menu Monday {3-26-12}

Last weekend we moved into our new house.  Needless to say, it has been a very long and busy week.  It seems like I have had to "make" more messes just to be able to put all this stuff where it belongs.  I hate moving.  We've discovered a few other things we need to take care of with the house (like the AC - geesh) ... but, on the bright side, it is nice to have more space!  I know in the end it will be nice ... and I'm trying to stay positive!  We're getting through all this and I'm so glad I have my husband by my side to reassure me when I need it.   :)

I'm also loving this weather. Spring time! We have our windows open ... partly due to lack of AC ... but, it has been refreshing (other than the pollen).  I love hearing the birds chirping and I love watching all the plants and trees come back to life.  Sometimes, I wish spring time lasted longer than a season.  Maybe year-round?

Here's what we're eating this week ... I'm still trying to be somewhat easy on myself in the cooking department without depriving my family since we still have so much stuff to still do with the house this week.

M - Baked Gnocchi with Zucchini and Tomatoes
       from chewnibblenosh, Corn, Rolls
T - Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Chips, Fruit
W - Broccoli Cheese Soup, Rolls
R - Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken with Rice
       from pipandebby, Green Beans, Rolls
F - Italian Club Calzone, Fruit
S - (B) Cinnamon Rolls, Fruit
      Bubble Chili Dog from forkfulofcomfort, Mixed
      Veggies, Fruit
N - (B) Pancakes, Sausage Links, Fruit
      Grilled Bratwurst on Buns, Mac and Cheese,
      Baked Beans, Brownies

What's on your menu?

I hope everyone has a great week!


I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Snickerdoodles

It's almost the weekend ... Thank the Lord!  Saturday is usually the day my husband and I have our date night (sometimes we stay in, other times we get out). Not gonna happen this weekend I'm afraid.  This Saturday will be extremely busy ... it will be on the verge of chaos.  Moving day - a necessary evil.  We need the space in the new house, but it's just getting all our stuff there!  There's the sorting ... the packing ... the unpacking ... the resorting ... finding new homes for all your "stuff" ... this is the time I wish I could be like Samantha on "Bewitched" ... just wiggle my nose, and poof!, it's all done.  A girl can wish, right?!?  

After this weekend, I may need something to help me smile ...

Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies ... the name alone makes me smile!  These little gems are nice and soft ... reminiscent of a sugar cookie ... but a little bit spunkier!  I love the smell as they bake - apparently, so do my children  :)

Snickerdoodles

Printable recipe

yields approximately 48 cookies


1/2 cup salted butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1-1/2 cups white sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. white vinegar
1 tsp. baking soda
3 slightly heaping tbsp. white sugar
3-1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cream together butter, shortening, 1-1/2 cups sugar, the eggs and vanilla.  Blend in the flour, vinegar and baking soda.  Shape dough by rounded spoonfuls into balls.

Mix the 3 tbsp. sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl.  Rolls balls of dough in cinnamon-sugar mixture.  Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets.

Bake exactly 8 minutes.  Remove from oven and let cool on baking sheets about 2-3 minutes.  Transfer to cooling rack to cool completely.

Featured at Mom's Test Kitchen

Linked up @ Crazy for Crust

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

The Long Week Ahead

Happy Monday!  Seems it's going to be a busy week at our house this week ... lots of packing and cleaning to do so we can move into our new house next weekend!  I'm praying the weather is cooperative for the move and our transition is easy!  Moving has never been my (or my husband's) favorite thing to do, so I really hope things go smoothly for us!  I hope everyone has a good day and a great rest of the week!

I hope you enjoy! Shared at these fun parties!

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved

Tastes Like Summer Fruit Salad

This has been a weird "winter".  At least in this area of the country, winter seems to have skipped us.  Believe me, I am not complaining either!  I do not get along with snow and cold ... those are "bad  four letter words" to me!  I always get excited about this time of year - when I start seeing the flowers returning ... the birds chirping ... the grass starting to grow ... the springtime rain showers ... I just love it!  I'm reminded of Louis Armstrong's song, "What a Wonderful World" ... and truly, I thank God for all the beauty He has given us in the world.  I also know that means summertime is creeping up on us and all the great things that go with it - like picnics, barbecues and trips to the beach!  One of my favorite side dishes is fruit salad.  It's like summertime for your mouth.  The great thing about it is, you can change up the fruits to what you have on hand or to your family's taste.

Tastes Like Summer Fruit Salad
Adapted from: Allrecipes
Printable recipe
Yields: 6-8 Servings

1 (20 ounce) can of pineapple chunks, juice reserved
2 apples, cored and chopped into bite-size pieces
2 bananas, peeled and cut into bite-size pieces
1 (21 ounce) can peach pie filling
2 kiwis
1/2 cup grapes, cut in half
1 pint of strawberries, hulled

In a small bowl, toss the chopped apples in reserved pineapple juice.  Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes. (This helps prevent browning).

In a large salad bowl, combine the peach filling and pineapple chunks.

Remove apples from juice and add to pie filling and pineapple mixture.  Add chopped bananas to reserved pineapple juice and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

Peel and cut kiwi and strawberries into bite-sized pieces.

Remove bananas from pineapple juice and add to pie filling mixture.  Add chopped strawberries and grapes;  toss together.

Chill and serve.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!  I am looking forward to homemade pizza and a game of Pictionary with the family tonight.  

Featured at Carole's Chatter

Don't forget to share and comment ♥ Copyright © Love Bakes Good Cakes 2012-2013 All Rights Reserved