Bacon Cheeseburger Roll Up

This Roll Up has been a big hit with the men in my family and they request it every chance they can get.

 It's also perfect for Sunday night football or if you're in the south like I am, Saturday night college ball. 

What you need:

1lb ground beef

6 slices bacon

1 package of pizza dough(I use Pillsbury classic crust)

1 small onion,chopped

1 cup shredded cheese of your choice(I used cheddar)

Ketchup

Mild and Creamy Dijon Mustard

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

In a large skillet cook bacon until crisp. Meanwhile in another skillet brown the ground beef and onion together. Once the ground beef is browned drain grease and set aside.

Chop the crispy bacon and set aside.

Place your pizza dough on a baking sheet and spread it out, just a little bit. 

Squirt a little bit of ketchup onto the dough and then spread it all over the dough. Do the same with the mild and creamy Dijon mustard.

Sprinkle your meat and onion mixture onto the dough and then top with bacon and cheese.

Roll dough into a loaf and make sure the ends are sealed.

Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and cover with aluminum foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes 

Let set for about 5 minutes before slicing.

Have fun and play around with different toppings. The possibilities are endless! You can even set out different dipping sauces to go with it. The hubbs loves to dip his in a spicy ranch or BBQ sauce

First Day of School

As usual, I'm late on getting this post up. Better late then never, right?

Jayla's first day of Kindergarten was on August 20th. She was so excited to be going to the "big girl" school and meeting new friends! I on the other hand was a wreck. I wasn't ready for her to enter public school. I could go on and on about my fears of public school.

Surprisingly, I didn't cry not once that day but I think I got it all out the day of Orientation. I did get choked up when she told me she was a little nervous when she woke up.

Her teacher said she did great on her first day of school and seemed to adjust really well. My mom works with the school district and went to Jayla's school to check on her while she was at lunch. I had no idea that my mom was going to check on her but it really put my mind at ease because I was reassured that she was eating her lunch and was having fun. 

If you asked Jayla what she learned on her first day of school she will tell you that she learned how boys leave the toilet seat up and girls leave it down. Of all the things to retain in the day that is what stands out the most to her. She cracks me up.

To complete the first day of school I picked up a giant cookie cake for her! She loved it and I scored a few cool mom points.

 

While she was enjoying her cookie cake she informed that I put her shirt on backwards and she fixed it at lunch. I guess I lost those cool mom points that I just earned. In my defense, it was early in the morning and I'm use to her nice shirts having the buttons in the back.  I don't think it was too noticeable. If you look at the pictures you can how some don't have buttons and the last one does.

 

 
 

One Pot Mac and Cheese

Like any other kid out there my child could live off of macaroni and cheese.  

The only down side to my child trying to live off of macaroni and cheese is that packaged crap. I hate it. 

This recipe takes almost as much time to cook as it does to prepare a box of the packaged stuff.

What you need:
macaroni noodles, or noodles of choice(I never measure my noodles out, I just pour it into the pot)
2Tbsp butter
1Tbsp flour
dash of Italian seasoning, garlic powder,

salt, and dry mustard
1 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Bring your water to a boil and add noodles. If your cheese needs to be shredded do it while you cook the noodles. Cook the noodles until al dente.

Once the noodles are cooked, drain the water and leave the noodles in the colander. Give the pot a quick rinse and return to the stove.

Melt your butter in the pot and then add the flour. Mix until a paste is formed.

Add your seasonings and then slowly add the milk constantly stirring. Once the milk has thickened and bubbly remove from heat. If it's too thick to your liking add a little milk and stir. 

Add your cheese, a little bit at a time, constantly mixing. When all the cheese is well mixed add your noodles. Stir to coat the noodles.

No Bake Chocolate Butterfinger Pie

I love this pie, it's easy, it's quick, clean up is a breeze, and it's delicious.

The beauty of this pie is that it's versatile and you can come up with so many different combinations by changing the flavor of the pudding and toppings.

What you need:

Graham Cracker Crust

1 package 8oz cream cheese, softneded

1 can 14oz sweetened condensed milk

1 package 3 1/2oz instant pudding mix

Whipped topping (I used cool whip)

Whatever topping your little heart desires. I used one king size Butterfinger.

Mix together cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk together. It should be creamy and well blended.

This is where it gets a little tricky. Add in the instant pudding mix and mix away. The pudding is going to set very quickly and it's going to get stiff. I added splashes of milk along the way to help it mix. Just eye ball it. It will be ok, you can't ruin this pie.

Pour mixture into pie crust and let it set in refridigerator for 20-30 minutes.

Top with whipped topping and the goodies you choose to go on top.

Return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Festival of Discovery

We are big barbecue fans in my house. I'm such a sucker for good barbecue and that is why the second weekend of July in my town is one of my favorites. I look forward to this festival every summer. The whole town smells like one big barbecue pit and you can smell it for miles. It is a Kansas City Barbecue Society event that just gets better and better every year. We've had Food Network's Guy Fieri, and TLC's BBQ Pittmasters attend the event before.

You can never go wrong with good barbecue,carnival rides,crafts, friends, family, and blues music playing in the background. This year me and Jayla went by ourselves and had a girls day while the hubbs was at work. 

They have a Taster's Choice where you buy tickets and you go around to the people competing and they give you samples of their amazing bbq and you vote on your favorite. The tickets are $1 a piece and you fill up quick. They give you nice size samples. I bought 12 tickets for Jayla and and I. I ended up giving 2 away to an older couple because Jayla and I were stuffed. You really do fill up quick. The competors serve you anything from pulled pork, brisket, ribs, and hash. I don't do hash so I'm on not wasting a ticket on that crap.

My favorite team was Big Red's Barbecue. Seriously the best ribs I have EVER had! They were beyond perfection and I'm already wanting more.

Jayla seriously enjoyed all the barbecue that she ate, and she ate almost as much as I did in barbecue. I'm still shocked at the amount she ate because she doesn't eat much. She said that piece of brisket was her favorite. 

After we got our fill of the barbecue we went and checked out the crafts. In the past, the crafts have seriously been lacking, to the point of not even going to look. There were only a few and the stuff they were selling looked cheap and crappy with a high price tag. I love my crafts and love supporting handmade stuff but they have just flat out sucked in the past. Luckily, it was the past. This year there were many new craft vendors with quality items! I even scored a new tumbler. I love my cups.

 

Once we were done with the crafts I headed on over to take Jayla to ride the rides. We always do the rides last because they are kind of out of the way from everything. It seriously is the safest and only place they can really have the rides. Seeing how the rides are out of the way and the last thing we do I always park near them. The people working the carnival were the nicest workers and they all looked presentable and clean. They definitely didn't fit the mold for carnies

I hate ferris wheels and Jayla loves them. Normally hubbs takes her on those but with him at work I knew I was going to have to suck it up and ride with her. It felt like the longest ferris wheel ride ever!

(excuse the crappy picture of me sans make up and crazy hair. It was a bit humid and had rained a little while we were there)

The view from the top of the ferris wheel. See what I mean by the rides are kind of out the way. You would never know about all the yummy barbecue right around the corner. The festival is kind of to the right of that white building(on the right) and past the trees a little bit.

Chewy Peanut Butter Bars

The other day I let Jayla stay home from school. I think we both just needed a break from the craziness that has been going on. After we lounged in bed all morning she wanted to bake something. I didn't want to go to the store so I had to figure out something to make with items I already had on hand.

After scouring the pantry for supplies we decided to make Chewy Peanut Butter Bars. They are quick,easy, and so addictive. The only thing I don't like about these is, they just never seem to last long enough.

What you need:
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs,beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large saucepan, melt butter and peanut butter. Remove from heat. Add sugar and flour. Mix well and then stir in eggs and vanilla. Spread into a greased and floured 13x9 baking pan. Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned and the edges start to pull away from sides of pan.

You may have to bake yours a little longer. My oven tends to cook a little quicker. Start at 20 minutes and then keep checking every few minutes if needed.

Balsamic London Broil

I pretty much marinate just about any steak with this marinade, but I especially love it on a London Broil! 

What you need:
1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce 
a clove of garlic, smashed,
1 Tbsp Italian Seasoning
2 Tsp brown Sugar
London Broil
  
Add everything into a ziploc bag except for the London Broil. Squish it around to mix the ingredients. Place London Broil into the bag and make sure the marinade is evenly distributed. Lay flat on a plate and marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours, turning every once in a while.

Before cooking on the grill, remove the London Broil from the marinade and let rest for at least 30 minutes. 

I promise, you will not be disappointed by this marinade! So good!

      

Glazed Strawberry Scones

My local grocery store had strawberries on sale this week and I knew I had to make some scones with them. I am in love with this recipe and it makes me want the Spring weather to get here that much quicker!

Spring fever has hit my household with a force. We are over Winter and ready to bring on the warmer weather.

For the Scones:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
3 Tbsp sugar
1/2 Tsp salt 
5 Tbsp chilled butter and cut into 1/4 inch pieces
12-14 strawberries, hulled and quartered
3/4 cup half and half  

For the Glaze:
3 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup half and half
1/2 Tsp Vanilla

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
 
2.  Combine flour,baking powder,sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter and cut in with a pastry blender. The mixture should look like crumbs.

3. Add the strawberries and toss to coat with the flour mixture. Add half and half. Fold gently until it begins to form a soft dough. More cream can be added if needed. DO NOT knead or over mix the dough.
 
4. Place dough on a floured surface and pat into a 1-inch thick rectangle. With a sharp knife, cute the rectangle into 6 squares. Then cut the squares on a diagonal to make 12 triangles. Place scones on the baking sheet. Bake 16-18 minutes or until they are cooked through and golden.

5.Place parchment paper under your cooling rack and let the scones cool for about 10 minutes.

6. Make the glaze by adding the powdered sugar,vanilla, and half and half into a small bowl and mixing until smooth. If the glaze is thick add more cream by the tablespoon. If the glaze is thin and more powdered sugar by 1/4 cup until you reach the desired consistency.

7. Dip the tops of the scones into the glaze and return to the cooling rack. This is where you will be glad that you put parchment paper under the cooling rack. the glaze will drip down. Once the scones are completely cool the glaze will firm up.  

Honey Bun Cake

This cake is another family favorite of ours! My brother request this cake every year for his birthday. 

What you need:
1 box of yellow cake mix
2/3 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup sour cream
1 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup pecans{this is optional, I left them out because my child doesn't like nuts. It is still just as good without the nuts}
2 tsp cinnamon
2 cup powdered sugar
2+ Tbsp milk

Heat ove to 350 degrees. Grease a 13x9 cake pan. 

Mix together cake mix,oil,eggs,and sour cream together in a large bowl.

In a small bowl mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and pecans{if you are using them}

Spread half of the cake mix into the cake pan and sprinkle the brown sugar mixture on top. Spread the rest of the cake mix on top.

Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Mix the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla together until thin. You may have to add a bit more milk.

Prick cake with a fork and pour icing on the cake. 

Let sit until the icing is set.

           

Valentine's Day

For me Valentine's Day was just another Thursday. I have never been one to get all sappy over Vday. It's just an over commercialized holiday and I don't need one day out of the year to know I am loved. I get that all year as it is!

 

My hubbs and I really don't do much for Valentine's Day but we do try to make it special for nut-nut but this year it was pretty much just me and her. The hubbs had to work all day and then go to school that evening.

 

I figured while he was at school we would have some fun in the kitchen and make heart shaped pizza. I knew she would love making the pizza because she missed her field trip to Pizza Hut when she was sick. She had an absolute blast making the pizza. 

 

Even though I didn't get to spend much time with the hubbs I still had the best little Valentine ever! 

  I'm also featured in a Sponsor Spotlight over at Carolina Fireflies

Go check out Kristyn's blog and show her some love! She is sweet as can be and I adore her blog. 

Redneck Caviar

There are so many different variations to this dip. I've heard it called Cowboy Caviar, White Trash Caviar, and South Georgia Caviar.

It is also great served on top of tilapia. Just a little FYI.

I grew up with it being called Redneck Caviar and this is my version of it.

What you need:
2 cans of black beans, rinsed drained
1 can corn,drained
1 can Rotel tomatoes, drained
2 onions,chopped
2 Red or green bell peppers
2-4 large jalapenos, seeded and diced. Add as much or as little as you like depending on how much heat you like. I used 2 in this one because my grandparent's were eating it.
8oz Italian dressing.

Add the black beans,corn,and Rotel to a large bowl. 
Chop the onion and bell pepper and dice the jalapenos. Add those to the bowl.
Pour in the Italian dressing and give it a good stir. 
Let sit in the refrigerator for 4 hours or over night to let it marinate.

    
 

Cinnamon Roll Waffles

Today I am joining The Pinspiration Project to share with your my little discovery from Pinterest.
 
Every now and then I will get in the mood to cook my little family a Sunday breakfast of some sort. I came across Cinnamon Roll Waffles on Pinterest and knew I had to make them SOON!! They were quick,easy, and really didn't make a mess in the kitchen. 

What you need:
1 package of Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla.

Heat waffle iron and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
 Place one cinnamon roll in the center of the waffle iron and cook for about 3 minutes or until the waffle is cooked through and golden brown.
In a small bowl mix together the icing, powdered sugar, milk,and vanilla until the glaze is smooth.
Drizzle the glaze over the hot waffles and enjoy!

 

Easy Cheesy Garlic Pinwheels

 Not only are these quick and easy, but they are yummy with all of the gooey, cheesy and garlic goodness. Even my picky child who lives off of chicken nuggets loves these.

First you will need to soften a couple tablespoons of butter in a small bowl or ramekin. Add some fresh minced garlic and Italian seasonings to your butter. Mix well.

Next, take a package of regular pizza dough and spread it out into a rectangle.Now smear all of your buttery-garlic goodness all over your pizza crust. Now grab some shredded Mozzarella or any cheese you have on hand and sprinkle it all over that bad boy. You can use homemade pizza dough but I normally don't have time for all of that. 

Then you just roll it up into a log.

 Then slice it up and place into a well-loved baking dish. If you are adventurous like I am, go ahead and sprinkle some more cheese on top.

Bake at 400 for about 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Enjoy!