Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Chocolate Bundt Cake





1 Chocolate Cake mix
1 small box instant chocolate pudding
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup oil
3 eggs
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix all ingredients except Chocolate Chips, mix well. Add chocolate chips. Bake in greased and floured bundt cake pan. Bake 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes.
Cool slightly and remove from pan. Dust with powdered sugar!

One of my favorite recipes!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Grandpa Braegger





This is one of my favorite people,my grandpa Braegger. He is no longer living but today is his birthday and I have been thinking of him alot lately. He was one of the sweetest men ever!He was always found doing something for someone and never asking for anything in return. He was also hardworking and had an amazing garden both flowers and vegetables. He was always so kind to the grandkids and we loved to visit because that meant we were in for a swig of pepsi and a cookie:)The pictures I put on here some him up hardworking, always had time to play, and came to see us in Oregon even though he didn't like to leave home. I have so many good memories of him and could probably go on for a few pages but I wont for the sake of you who are reading. I just wanted you to know a little bit about one of the sweetest men I have ever known.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Waverly Park





This park isn't to far from my house and it was such a nice day that I decided to go walk around there. I think as soon as spring is here and the trees have leaves it will be so gorgeous. There are so many ducks there to feed its fun to watch them attack the bread.

Friday, February 20, 2009


Slow Cooker Barbecue Chicken

4-6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (I used 4 large breast that were partially frozen)
1 (18 oz.) bottle of barbecue sauce (hickory smoke is the best!)
1/2 cup prepared Italian salad dressing
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

Place chicken in crock pot. In a bowl mix 2/3 of the bottle of barbecue sauce, Italian Salad dressing, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour over chicken. Cover and cook for 3 to 4 hours on high or 6 to 8 hours on low. (I cook on low) Remove chicken from crock pot. Pour juices from crock pot into a large bowl. Shred chicken and place back in crock pot. Add remaining 1/3 of bottle barbecue sauce to chicken and mix. Then add some of the liquid removed from the crock pot to make the chicken the wetness that you like it. Makes at least 8 sandwiches.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Southwestern Eggrolls














These are as close as I've found to Chili's Southwestern Eggrolls, though they're really more of a chimichanga. They are still very tasty!



2 chicken breasts, shredded (or canned chicken works too)

1 can black beans

1 can corn

2 cups monterey or pepper jack cheese (cheddar works too, just a milder taste)

1 cup fresh spinach chopped (frozen works too)

1 green or red bell pepper chopped

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

2-4 T chili powder (depending on how spicy you like it)

1-2 T cumin (half as much as the chili powder)

1 T lime juice

1 t. salt

20 tortillas

enough oil to shallow fry in

For a fast prep time, put everything but the chicken, beans, corn and cheese in a food processor. Add chicken, beans, corn and cheese. Mix well and roll into flour tortillas. They can be frozen at this point for a quick meal later, or shallow fry them till brown on both sides. Use a toothpick to keep it together if necessary. For a healthier option, they can also be broiled in the oven till crispy.

These aren't nearly as good without the dipping sauce though, so here's the recipe for it:

Avocado-Ranch Sauce

1/2 avocado

1/2 cup ranch dressing

1 tsp lime zest or lime juice to taste

smash avocado and mix together. The lime zest really gives it a great flavor, but since I don't often have limes on hand, when I buy one, I zest the whole peel and freeze it for later use.Enjoy!

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Mountains




Since moving to Oregon I have really been missing the mountains. They are so beautiful back home and they help me find my direction easier. I found a couple of pictures I took in December and thought i would post them.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

more disneyland pictures






I know I have already posted some of these but I came across more and since its been a year since we went I thought i would post some more. It really is the happiest place on earth!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Valentine Cake





Sweet Heart Cake













1 18 1/4-ounce box white cake mix (plus eggs, water, and oil, as directed on box)
1 3-ounce box strawberry-flavored Jell-O
1 16-ounce package frozen sliced strawberries, thawed and drained
1 cup butter, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Red or pink candies
1. To begin, heat the oven and grease and flour two 8-inch baking pans, one round and one square, as directed on the cake mix box. Add the Jell-O to the cake mix, then prepare the mix as directed on the box. Fold half of the strawberries into the batter. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake according to the package directions. Remove the cakes from the pans and allow them to cool completely on wire racks.

Step 2 2. To make the frosting, beat the butter, sugar, and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Add the remaining strawberries and beat until well combined.

3. Cut the round cake in half and place the two semicircles against two sides of the square cake, as shown.

4. Spread on the frosting and decorate to your heart's content with the red or pink candies.

Sorry its another recipe but its sooo good and I wanted to post it so you can all try it :)

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Fun Valentine Recipe

Crescent Hearts


INGREDIENTS:

~ 3 tablespoons red sugar

~ 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® refrigerated crescent

dinner rolls or 1 can (8 oz) Pillsbury® Crescent Recipe Creations™ refrigerated flaky dough sheet
~2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted



DIRECTIONS:

1. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Sprinkle cutting board with half of sugar.


2. If using crescent rolls: On sugar-sprinkled board, unroll dough and separate dough into 4 rectangles; firmly press perforations to seal. Lightly press dough into sugar. If using dough sheet: On sugar-sprinkled board, unroll dough and cut into 4 rectangles. Lightly press dough into sugar.

3. Brush rectangles with 1 tablespoon of the butter; sprinkle with remaining half of sugar. Place 1 rectangle on top of another. Starting with both of the shortest sides, roll up each side until rolls meet in center. Repeat with remaining 2 rectangles. Refrigerate dough rolls about 30 minutes or until dough is firm.

4. Heat oven to 375°F. Grease cookie sheets. With serrated knife, cut each roll into 8 slices, forming a total of 16 slices. Place slices, cut side down, 2 inches apart on cookie sheets. Pinch bottom edge of each slice to form a heart shape. Brush with remaining tablespoon butter.

5. Bake 9 to 13 minutes or until golden brown. If necessary, gently reroll cookies. Immediately remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack.


I know its not Valentine's Day but I thought these looked so cute I had to post them in case you wanted to make them for a fun treat:)

Monday, February 2, 2009

Happy Groundhog Day!

I am sorry I havent posted anything for awhile as far as adventures or pictures. I am in the recipe mode so I have been doing lots of those. To all the cooks out there it has been a great thing:) I am busy in search of a job and it has been very time consuming and overwhelming. I am hoping to find something soon but with the economy the way it is that is hard to do. I will try and get something exciting written soon but until then enjoy the recipes!:)