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 My son came home from scouts the other day and in a very off hand, totally routine way, said, "Mom I told everyone that you would be bring cookies for the Court of Honor on Wednesday." Oh really!! Good thing he said this several days before because he is notorious for forgetting till right before we are to leave somewhere.  And I am so glad that he thinks my cookies are good ( remember this post --I think we've come a long ways), enough even to brag to his friends. But because he did volunteer me and because I have been meaning to teach him how to be more proficient in the kitchen, I told him that it was up to him to make the cookies.  He chose this recipe because he said it "would be easy" (total boy) and it "looked good" (his stomach rules his life I think already :). I had to help a little bit but he did all the measuring, mixing, and scraping.  He even made the frosting.  The only hard part was smoothing out the dough--which who cares, it will be ...

Seriously!!??!! Yep I'm totally serious and it's absolutely fantastic.   Okay so bear with me. I first heard of this idea from a friend (thanks Jaclyn!!) and was very intrigued.  And then what do you know, someone has pinned a recipe on Pinterest for the exact same thing.  It must be meant to be. Now you need to know some thing about cauliflower.  Cauliflower takes on whatever taste you give it.  Many foods are this way.  They are so mild tasting that whatever you combine with it, that is what it is going to taste like.  And as long as you are okay with the texture you should totally be fine. Now we try a lot of different things at our house.  I am constantly cooking new things so we are quite open to new recipes.  The kids were very leery of this so I did make them their own "normal" pizza but as we sat down to dinner, the hubs took one look at my pizza and asked if he could have a bite.  He said that he liked it way better than even th...

 I have heard many things about gluten free foods.   For example: it's super expensive to buy the mixes and they don't taste very good at all, you need to try recipes many times to get it right, the rice flours taste like sandpaper, once you find a mix that works--stick with it, and the list goes on. I haven't really experimented a lot yet with gluten free recipes, mostly because I have been trying to eat less carbs along with this gluten free thing (like spaghetti squash instead of gluten free noodles or cauliflower crust pizza --recipe to come soon because it was amazing!). My mom sent me this link and I was very intrigued.  Nothing weird in it (like xanthum gum), just your normal everyday ingredients.  Now that's my kind of recipe.  And if you like almonds and coconut, you are going to be heaven.  These cookies with a cold glass of milk is to die for.  I could hardly stay out of them--so delicious. Flourless Chocolate Almond Coconut Cookies ( click ...

 Boy am I getting ready for fall! I am ready for the weather to cool off, the chill in the air, clear skys (our skys have been full of smoke for 2 weeks straight now), and pumpkins. But most of all I can't wait for all the wonderful things to bake that are full of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger (okay this is sounding like a pumpkin pie--maybe I'm just in the mood for some of that). The other day I was in the mood for fall and we were in charge of desserts for a party so I thought why not, I'll just make some molasses cookies.  That always seems very fallish to me (plus lots less work than a pie). These cookies were a huge hit.  Everybody had at least 3 of them (they're pretty healthy right?) and the adults went crazy over them.  The hubs said they were pretty awesome and a make again cookie.  Sweet! Ginger Crinkle Cookies (click here for printable version) 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup light brown sugar, packed 2 egg whites 1/4 cup molasses 1 cup whole wheat flou...

 Sometimes are you ever at a complete loss of words? Today is one of those days.  Everything that comes out of my mouth starts with "like..." or "um..." because I just don't know what to say. And it's all in an amazing way.  Today I just feel particularly blessed.  And I just wanted to share that with all of you.  I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful readers that come back day after day and leave great comments.  It totally makes my day and sometimes it just melts my heart to know that you are out there. So thank you.  Thanks for letting me ramble on, thanks for making recipes, and thanks so much for letting me share my love of cooking and baking with you. I love you all.  Pretty cheesy I know--but this mood happens only randomly and instead of trying to suppress it and come up with a funny story to share, I just thought I would pass the sentiments on. But enough of sappiness.  We love mangoes at our house so this was a total winner in...

 This is such a weird zucchini year for us.   You see I usually plant 1 zucchini plant so I can have it on hand for summer recipes.  This year I decided I wouldn't do that since my friend Tara has had them coming out her ears (and she said I could have some :).  Well Tara moved away, this is me very sad :(, which meant all her zucchini plants were left with the new owners. So here we are at the height of zucchini season and I have no zucchini.  So sad, huh! I mean I could buy it...but really who buys zucchini this time year.  People are usually trying to give it away and leaving it on random people's door steps just to get rid of it.  But this girl...none. I finally gave in and bought two at a farmer's market here in town so I could make these delicious cookies.  My kids even loved the zucchini in them--which they usually throw a fit about--but it makes the cookies so moist and delicious.  A perfect way to use up your extra zucchini, that is ...

Boy I love to hang out with my sisters and my mom.  Last week we took a "Girls Vacation" and left all the kids and the hubs at home.   I have 4 sisters (who are totally awesome and my mom is pretty awesome too) so we lounged in our hotel rooms, did some serious shopping (and wow! when you live in a small town and get to shop at the new City Creek Mall in SLC--you get a little overwhelmed by all the choices), ate some delicious Mexican food (for pretty much every meal), and hung out at Lagoon (and that was a nauseous experience--no more roller coaster rides for this girl).   So good to just be a girl for several days but when you get home... I don't know what happens when you go away but man there are sure a lot of things to do when you get home.  But those are all done now and a shout out to the hubs who did a fabulous job with the kids while I was away! But now it's time to chill before we have to start school.  We have been having friends over to play since it...

Middle of August--wow! Anyone else out there can't believe that it's school time already?  My kids start in a couple weeks so we have been busy trying to fit in all our last minute summer plans.   Some of my plans include trying all the new summer recipes I have pinned.  I have a hard time choosing what to make because one of my very favorite things about summer is grilling.   Everything seems to taste better on the grill! These grilled avocados were a favorite.  Absolutely delicious.  I have been trying to branch out and try new sides for dinner and this one has definitely made the "make again list".  The hubs and I loved the flavor the parmesan cheese gives the avocado.  So yummy. Grilled Avocados ( click here for printable version ) 1 avocado 1 tbsp chipotle sauce, like Tabasco (completely optional--I put some on 1/2 for the hubs) 1 tbsp lime juice 1/2 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese Salt and pepper, to taste 1. Slice the avocado in half and r...

 Sometimes a girl just needs to suck it up and make something amazing! You see these Rolo's have been sitting in the pantry for awhile just begging to be made into something. (And bless my little heart--I didn't even eat any--well until I start making this deliciousness :) I just couldn't decide what to make with them--cookies, ritz amazingness, cake, dip, cupcakes, and then it hit me.  The hubs had a work party and he signed us up for dessert.  Perfect.  Cupcakes it is!  These were an absolute hit.  Everybody thought they were in heaven and the Judge asked me afterwards if he would take one home to his wife (who is a caterer so I was impressed that he thought she would like them), which I said, "sure, go ahead" and then I spied him going home with 4.  Sweet! The best part is that you find a surprise in the middle.  Love it. Rolo Cupcakes ( click here for printable version ) Cupcakes: 1 package Devil’s Food Cake mix 1 (5.9 oz) package instant choc...

 Oh how I love a good salad. When we go out to dinner, chances are that I am going to order a salad.  My husband usually groans and rolls his eyes and says that "we could just have that at home". True, but it always sounds good and I love how filling it is.  I can eat a gigantic plate and feel full but still great.  And if they have specialty vinaigrettes--so yummy! I love making my own dressing at home.  I know exactly what's in it and can taylor it to what kind of salad we are having.  This sweet orange vinaigrette is so tasty and we all loved it. Caribbean Salad with Sweet Orange Vinaigrette ( click here for printable version ) 1 large bunch Romaine Lettuce 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, grilled (however you like) 8 oz can mandarin oranges, drained 1 red bell pepper, sliced 4-5 green onions, sliced 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro 6-8 tbsp cranberries Black or regular sesame seeds, optional Diced fresh pineapple, optional (but awesome if you ha...

 Summer is such a fun time to have drinks that are out of the ordinary.  The kids think anything with a straw is pretty awesome so when we made this one night for dessert, they were so excited.  Whip cream and a straw.  Life couldn't get much better than that, especially on a hot summer day. This beauty can be made many different ways.  This is a our preferred version, especially the kids, and because all the ingredients can be found in pretty much every grocery store, including the flavorings (they just don't have a large variety).  We love to pick up different flavorings at World Market (this time it was Blackberry, Raspberry, and Blood Orange).   Italian Sodas ( click here for printable version ) *this makes enough for one drink. Sprite (or mineral water--my kids don't like that version so totally up to you) 1/4 cup half-n-half 2 tbsp flavoring Whip Cream (the can kind works awesome) Ice (we prefer crushed--like the Sonic kind) 1.  Fill your cu...

Did you know it's my birthday tomorrow? Yep it's true and we are going to celebrate by....probably watching the Olympics. I do love to watch and if you have been following my Facebook page, you know that swimming, gymnastics, and volleyball are my favorites. And it's a good thing they only come around every two years.  I have such a problem turning the tv off when I know the're on.  My poor house gets put on the back burner because I can "just do it later"! Seriously, it's like I'm glued to it and don't want to miss out on a single event, especially when 6 channels have different events.  Oh my what do I watch! Though I have found some time to make summer delicious food.  This was a hit with the kids.  They loved the bright colors and everybody loves Jello right? Jello Cookies (click here for printable version) 3 1/2 cups flour 1 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 cups salted butter softened 1 cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla 4 (3 oz) pkg jello (any flavors you ...