Pins of the Week - Wicked Good Ones This Week!

Crazy ass week last week.  Work was a complete roller coaster - one minute high the next the lowest of lows.  I was all stoked because it had seemed that Fall was finally here for good and then BAM - hello 90 degrees again.  In case you missed it before - I HATE hot weather.  So much for open windows and back to AC we went.

We had the chance to try a few pins and here are some of the best!

WHEN the weather was a little cooler I got the chance to try out a new soup and OMG - it was absolutely fabulous!  Easy to put together and the house smelled amazing.  Chicken, Bacon and Wild Rice Soup....

 

We had TWO great sandwiches that we tried.  The first was Roasted Red Pepper and Goat Cheese.  Again, super easy to put together - and I just LOVED the red peppers that we roasted.  I have to roast them more often for other things.

My FAVORITE was a Peach, Cheese and Bacon Panini - This is one that you simply MUST try!  The sweetness of the peaches and the saltiness of the bacon......OMG!  Trust me!  Really, trust me on this one.

 

Working next on a post for the Homemade Apple Butter I made.  It really has to leave this house though or I am going to get sick from eating it - I can't STOP!  It was my first attempt and we ALL say it is the best we've ever had.  Stay tuned!

Before that though I have to confirm a parent teacher conference........TEACHER initiated - this can't be good.  :(  Wish me luck...... 

Can't We Just Leave Shit Alone?

I like Snickers.  Plain, traditional Snickers! 

I like M&Ms.  Plain or peanut!

I like Popcorn.  Butter and Salt!

(I think I have a problem with junk food now that I am typing this)

My point is, some things should just be left alone and not tampered with.  Remember when Coke changed their formula?  Eventually Classic Coke came back because too many people were pissed off.  (Really?  What were they thinking anyhow?)

There are SO many choices for everything now.  The Fins stopped at Krispy Kreme tonight to pick up a dozen doughnuts (see?  that damn junk food thing again) and they had an amazing variety available.  Most were NORMAL - like chocolate iced, sprinkles, jelly filled and plain old glazed.  Then, they had these little gems.  WTF?  

I guess nothing says Autumn like Cotton Candy!  (completely dripping with sarcasm)

 

Chocolate, Caramel and Ice Cream - OH MY!

If there is one thing that we have to have in this house it's dessert!  We TRY really hard to balance everything out but it never fails - someone in this house is always searching for a "yummy" around 7:00 at night.

I was poking around my favorite recipes sites the other night and came across a few recipes that I thought I would scribble scrabble together so here ya go...... A cross between Rolo® Bars, Butter Cake, a sundae, a brownie..........YIKES!

Scribble Scrabble a la Mode!

First, you need to have a 12 year old that you trust with chocolate caramels in the house.  I am sure that any age will do but there is a knife involved so use your own judgement if they are trustworthy.  ;)  Count out 50 candies, unwrap and cut in half.

 

Then, mix together one yellow cake mix, 1/4 c melted butter and one small can of evaporated milk WITH A MIXER!  Seriously, you need to use a mixer to get it all incorporated.

Take half of the batter and spread it into a 9x13 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.  Bake just that part for about 8 minutes at 350.

After 8 minutes, remove from the oven (isn't it sad I feed the need to say that?) and place the cut candies caramel side down all over the top.  Take a 1/2 c chopped pecans and sprinkle those over the top.  Then, take the remaining batter and drop teaspoonfuls over the candies and pecans.  Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until the top browns.

 

Once cooled, cut into bars and sever with a scoop of your favorite vanilla ice cream and drizzle with chocolate syrup and caramel syrup.  Wowsers - DELICIOUS!

 Scribble Scrabble a la Mode

1 yellow cake mix
1/4 c melted butter
5 oz can evaporated milk

appx 50 chocolate carmamels like Rolos®

1/2 c chopped pecans

Vanilla Ice Cream

Chocolate Syrup

Caramel Syrup

Preheat oven to 350.  Spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray.  

Cut chocolate caramels in half and set aside

With a hand mixer, combine the cake mix, evaporated milk and melted butter until well mixed.  Spread 1/2 the batter into your 9x13 pan.  You may need to spray the back of a spatula with cooking spray to help spread batter and prevent from sticking to spatula.  Bake this layer for 8 minutes.

Once first layer has baked for 8 minutes remove from oven and place chocolate caramels caramel side down over the layer and then sprinkle with chopped pecans.  Drop remaining batter over chocolate caramels and pecans by teaspoonfuls.  This will not be a "spreadable" but just haphazardly "dropped" all over the top.

Return the pan to the oven for 20-25 minutes or until top is lightly browned.

Once cooled, cut bars and plate.  Top with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and caramel syrup.  Do NOT step on the scales for 3 days afterwards!!!!!  ;)  

ENJOY!

Pins of the Week - The Good, The Bad and the Really Awful!

I am so glad that last week is behind me.  It was a chore to get through some hours of the days as well, let's just say it wasn't the best week in a while as far as work goes.  Now, family?  That's another story.  I do have to say that spending time with J and L makes me so very happy and they keep me grounded.  The cheer me up, make me laugh and remind me that it doesn't matter what else is happening - they are what is most important to me.

We had time last week to try a few more pins.  They are definitely a hodge podge of pins but here goes.....

CLEANER!  Oh my goodness.  I had seen this one and was pretty much ready to blow it off.  You always find pins that make fantastic claims and they turn out to be a waste of time, effort and money.  NOT so with this one.  I used an empty (and clean) window cleaner bottle, mixed this one together and holy shit - it really worked!  Now, my showers and tubs weren't THAT bad but I do have to say that this cleaner shined the chrome and really worked on the shower doors and walls.  In our bathroom it was quick, painless and pretty much odor free.  It L's bathroom the smell was stronger (don't know why) and lingered for two days.  He was convinced it smelled like Salt & Vinegar Chips - he was right!

Tub and Shower Cleaner DIY

We tried some new cookies this past week and I have to say - they are some of the BEST we have ever had.  They were unique in that the recipe called for ground almonds in the dough.  I don't know how or why nor do I care - all I can say is WOW!

Chocolate Almond Sweet and Salties

I don't really want to post what we consider bad pins but if I didn't then I wouldn't be telling the truth.  I had seen this pin floating around A LOT and though "Ok, we'll give it a try - MUST be good".  OMG - it was simply awful!  I can't believe the money spent on ingredients for results that tasted like they came out of a can.  Seriously, for the Finley family there wasn't one redeeming quality about this recipe.  You are more than welcome to click the link and try it for yourselves - blech.

Spaghetti in Garlic Gravy

What do you do when you have a pin that you try and you don't like it?  Or even if you do like it?  I have gotten into the habit of commenting on my pins every time I try one.  Even if they are "bad" I leave them there with a comment so I know not to accidentally re-pin it in the future and/or to never try again.

Did you try any pins this past week that are worth sharing?  

I Bake When I'm Stressed - I Bake ALOT!

Wow, the day started out shitty and just kept going downhill from there.  I tried like hell to keep up with the pace and roll with the punches but I just kept getting more and more bruised.  Different people do different things to deal with stress:  Some drink alcohol, some clean, some cry, some scream......I BAKE.  I am not sure what it is but the whole process calms me.  There is nothing like looking at the Holy Trinity of butter, sugar and flour and creating.  I don't even have to eat what I bake - just bake and give away.

After my bruised day I grabbed the bruised bananas and got to creating.  Here is my recipe for Bruised Banana Coco(NUT) Muffins.  If you're like me and you like to bake - give them a try!  They work for me EVERYTIME!

Bruised Banana Coco(NUT) Muffins

Bruised Banana Coco(NUT) Muffins

Ingredients:

• 2 c AP Flour
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 c butter, softened
• 1/2 c sugar
• 1/2 c brown sugar
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 2 bruised bananas, mashed
• 1 tsp cinnamon (or more to taste)
• 5 tbs milk
• 1/2 c chopped pecans
• 1/2 c coconut

You will need 3 bowls.  One large and two small.  

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a muffin tin or use paper liners.  I don't care, I am not the muffin police!

Peel and mash the bruised bananas in one bowl and set aside.  The worse the day the more you can mash!  ;)

In second small bowl sift together AP flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Set aside.

In large bowl cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar until well blended.  Mix in slightly beaten egg, then the bananas then the cinnamon.  Slowly mix in the dry ingredients.  Once combined add pecans and coconut.  Honestly, I never measure the cinnamon, pecans or coconut.  I just eyeball the cinnamon in the palm of my hand and then just grab handfuls of pecans and coconut.  Mix all together.  Once mixed, add the 5 tbs of milk - stir SLOWLY!  If not, you'll have a mess all over the counter!

Once all combined distribute evenly among muffin cups.  I usually get 16 muffins from this recipe.  Bake in 350 oven for appx 20 mins or until tops are browned.

Enjoy and move on with your day!

Stranded Along Side the Road - I Need a Martini!

Yep, unfortunately that was me today!  65 mph down the beltline today and my clutch went out.  Like, smash it down to the floorboard no engagement whatsoever, out!  WTH???  I did the only thing I knew to do which was to coast off on the next exit.  Now, I realize that I didn't have a flashing neon sign on the back of my car that screamed, "Stressed out crazy chick in car with no clutch, back the fuck off" but holy shit were there some really unforgiving drivers out there today.  

I coast off the exit and onto the shoulder and spent the next 15 mins slamming my clutch down to the floor.  Ironically, that must be the remedy - it works!  I got tension back in the clutch and was ready to fly.  That was until I went to start the car again (why I ever shut it off I have no idea) and the battery was D E A D!  Like, mamacita, you may as well sit your ass down and order a drink or two, DEAD.

Panic started to set in and I mentally went through the rolodex in my head trying to decide who I could call that could help.  Person A?  No, they couldn't find their way out of a wet paper sack so there was NO way that I was going to be able to explain to them where I was.   Person B?  No, they are the ones that I would be forever indebted to.  You know the ones, I could offer to pay them and they will still 5 years down the road (pun intended) bring up the time they had to pick me up off the side of the road.  No thanks, I don't that hovering over my head for a lifetime.  So, I called my business partner.  And, sure enough, no questions asked, no hesitation and she was on her way.

What shocks me is that not ONE person stopped and asked if I needed help from the time I coasted off the exit until the time help arrived.  I had the hood up, windows down and it was quite obvious that I was in distress.  In a city of a bajillion police officers that are on you for EVERYTHING not ONE drove by.  

Anyhow, after a trip to AutoZone, a change of battery and a few hours later I can say that I am safe at home and eating pizza!  Pizza is always my go to stress food.  And to any of you that I should happen to see stranded along the side of the road - I WOULD STOP and make sure you were okay!

Since I am still a bit stressed out I think I need a drink and this one is going to have to do!

Cheers!

  

Kahlua Espresso Martini (taken from Kahlua.com)

Ingredients

1.5 parts KAHLÚA
1 part ABSOLUT VODKA
1 fresh brewed espresso

How to mix it

Fill a shaker with ice, add Kahlúa, ABSOLUT VODKA and a fresh brewed espresso. Shake vigorously, and strain into a chilled martini glass.

Sshhh, I Think Fall Is Creeping In!

Oh, thank god!  I am SO not a summer girl.  I hate the sun, I am miserable in the heat, mosquitoes really irritate me and I just don't look good in shorts!  ;)

Yesterday was the first day that we were able to turn off the AC and open up all the windows.  There were a few moments where I didn't think I'd make it but I soldiered through it.  Needless to say, we woke up this morning to a very chilly house and quite honestly, all was right in the world.  I don't think the rest of the family shared in my excitement though.

With this crisp, clean air today I can't help but think about Fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving.  There is so much that I should be working on but instead I think I'll start my lists for my Fall/Halloween shopping.  I have found some great projects that I want to work on so I thought I would share my Pinterest Halloween Board with you.  It is FULL of recipes, decorating ideas and free printables.

A few of my favorites that will definitely be making an appearance in our house this year are:

Free Halloween Printables

Adorable S'more Ghosts

Devils Dose Cocktail

Pins of the Week

Surely you all are on Pinterest by now, right?  You know, that highly addictive site where you can "PIN" a new recipe that you want to try, create a board of your dream vacation, cool DIY projects, artwork and on and on.  I can spend HOURS on that site and have actually been know to do so! 

I thought it might be cool if I passed on some of my pins through the week that I actually TRIED and let you know what I think of them.  So, here goes the first weekly post of "Pins of the Week".....

Oh, and by the by, come follow me on Pinterest - I need to share my madness with others!  Leave your comments below and I'll be sure to check out your boards as well.

Chess Bars, Butter Cake, St. Louis Bars

Oh my god, these were insanely sweet, decadent, fattening and just super sinful!  These bars go by MANY names but the end result is the same - DELISH!

Garlic Parmesan Tomatoes

Ok - we didn't grill these but I did do them in a 350 oven until cheese was browned.  Talk about an AWESOME side dish!  Sweet and salty all at the same time - these definitely made the menu rotation in this house!

Lemon Rice

Another favorite in our house!  The smell is absolutely intoxicating and the flavor?  You'll NEVER eat plain rice again - EVER!

Well, those are just a few of the pins I tried this week and I hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  See ya next week!

It Ain't Easy Being Perfect!

Really, it isn't and apparently I am!  I hear so many times that I have the perfect husband (he is FAR from it), the perfect kid (um, have they seen his room lately?) and just the perfect life.  I guess it means I hide my shortcomings, fears and inadequacies quite well!  Trust me, I am One Olive Short of perfection every single moment of every single day.  ;)

I thought I would start this little ole blog to post my random thoughts, those frequent "Why the hell did I get out of bed" moments and recipes.  Oh yes, I have to post recipes!  I get so many requests from friends and family that I just figured I could sprinkle them in between posts about menopause and gray hair.  I'll be sure to post often too about my perfect husband and perfect punk kid!  ;)

Thanks for checking me out and if I make you laugh be sure to comment!  If I piss you off be sure to comment!  If you think I have the perfect life DON'T comment - I'm sick of hearing it!