Homemade Chocolate Syrup

Delicious and so easy to make. I've never drank so much chocolate milk before! 
This will be a permanent fixture on my list of foods to make myself.

No Bake Cookies

Maybe it was the snowy day, whatever the reason I was feeling nostalgic.
So I dug out a recipe for No Bake Cookies. These bring me right back to High School Home Ec class and our teacher we all loved Mrs. Stewart. These were easy to make and I'm sure Mrs. Stewart had to know that in order to keep us happy, you need to feed us. So the No Bake was a very needed staple for our class!

So here is a piece of my High School.
No Bake Cookies
1/2 cup butter
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup milk
4 Tbspn cocoa
1/2 cup peanut butter
3 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
2 tsp. vanilla

In a pot mix the first 4 ingredients and bring to a boil. Add the next 3 ingredients, stir it all together.
Drop onto wax paper, let cool and sit.

The only difference is I no longer throw them in the freezer so they set up faster. I have self control to wait the old fashioned way :)

Fun fact about me. I love pancakes

A couple weeks ago I ran out of pancake mix which was rather bothersome being as I was on a straight week bender of pancake breakfast. And I wasn't ready to say goodbye yet...
So I turned to the internet, pintrest to be exact and searched homemade pancakes. The wonderful world of delicious pancakes that came up changed me. I went a little crazy and pinned 20 new recipes to try.
The great thing about pancakes, is they are easy to make and you already have all the ingredients at home to make them from scratch.
So I set off to create "old fashioned pancakes"
They were fluffy, and so good. This recipe carried my bender into the next week.
Sadly I ran out of maple syrup... so now I have to find a recipe to make my own. Then the pancake breakfasts will continue again!
For the recipe, head over to my pintrest page under "I can do that"

New Routine

I have a new outlook on things.

Well, it's actually my old outlook on things, but I've just newly restored it. Kind of....

I made some adjustments here and there, and added a few extra kinks.

Anyways, this old-new routine I've picked up starts in the morning when I get up.

Every morning.... or at least the morning that I get up in time for I enjoy breakfast.

I like to think it keeps me focused.

It gives me the energy to say "Stick it" or my personal favorite "You know I just REALLY need closure." when the times calls for it.

My new routine aka. breakfast addiction.... is

Sunflower, flax and some other melody of seed bread toasted.

Spread butter on and top with a slice of cheese.

Pop it in the microwave for 15 seconds and you have breakfast.

Enjoy it with a warm cup of Joe.

Seriously, it's so good.

It's the perfect way to start a Friday.

Speaking of Friday, Thank goodness it's finally here.

Have a good weekend.

TGIF

My goodness work has been crazy. This week has been really busy.
I have been going, going, going, gone.

I'm so happy it's Friday.
The only thing to make this weekend sweeter is if I changed my phone number.
That was my biggest mistake to give the boss man and his wife my phone number.
AHHH They call ALL.THE.TIME.

I think I'm going to screen my calls and when they ask where I went I will tell them deep sea fishing in Africa.

On a better note:
My plans for the weekend? Nothing! And it's so wonderful.
I'm going to lay outside! Eat Ice Cream! Lay Outside! Make Sun Tea! Eat Ice Cream!
seriously this is what I have planned for this weekend and I couldn't be happier.

Last Night.

For dinner I made what I wanted, of course it took me a while but I finally decided on Shrimp and Pork Chops with a side of rice. Ahhh it was good.

During the dinner preparation and cooking time I sat in the kitchen and enjoyed my favorite wine. I'm not sure what it's called but it's good, good like "OMG I just drank a whole bottle of wine, BY MYSELF" (Ha I really didn't drink the whole bottle but I did once, with my Mom)

Once I was done with dinner I decided to dabble in my kitchen some, I just love to dabble when I'm bored. When I was finished dabbling I had made this bread. It came from the Pioneer Woman. Sadly I haven't tried it yet. WHAT? I was full, I had a big dinner. Anyways this is how it turned out...

On a different topic:

Last night while eating I was talking to the other soul on the couch.
Did you know that if one morning we woke up who we were way back then, I would stay. I would fight and stay another million moments. I will always love and care about that person.

Power Outages?

This morning on the radio they said
"We are on a winter storm watch, until Thursday afternoon. We are expected anywhere from 8 to 15 inches and 4 feet in the mountains."
"This storm will be hard on livestock, roads, travel and may even cause several power outages."
I guess this means all the track meets scheduled this week are cancelled?
It's kinda hard to triple jump in 15 inches of snow I suppose.

So? Do I have anything to look forward to for the rest of the week? Doesn't sound like it....
I hope we have enough food stocked up in our pantry if we get snowed in.
If not, I will rest easy knowing I have plenty of Ramen Noodles. I will be okay, but I wonder what my husband will eat? Um, coffee??
I'll tell him he could detox with a liquid diet. Because it's like so cool right now and all the stars are doing it. (If only he'd believe me.)

For dinner tonight, I thought about being creative. What do I have in my fridge? Hmmm
Ricotta Cheese (Love that stuff), frozen spinach, artichoke hearts, eggs, biscuits, milk, ramen noodles....
this could be interesting. Not sure what I might throw together, if it's good I'll write the recipe down. If it's horrible, I always have mac and cheese to fall back on, that and cereal. (oh and brownies)

So do you have snow? If your answer is no.... why don't you go to the north pole, then you will know my pain that or send me a plane ticket, get me outta here!

Aren't you dying to know?

I made cookies last night!
I only baked 6 of them and put the rest of the dough in the fridge for tonight, but I did make the dough!

Today I was wondering around this place. They have lots of different things, however this place could be very very dangerous.
When I started spending some money in my head I slowly backed away and clicked the little X button in the top right hand corner. It was a close call.

Today it's snowing, this makes me sad. We are on winter storm warning until Thursday. Is it technically supposed to be a winter storm warning in the middle of spring?
This makes me want to move to Tahiti and drink cocktails by the pool or ocean ALL DAY. Of course that will never happen, unless some one buys me a place there. Any takers? Anyone? Anyone? Buller?
No? oh that's what I was afraid of.
(Funny story? At work just now, I got a "Vacations To Go" email. No seriously I just did and I deleted it. Why must they taunt me?? WHY?)

Tonight I'm going to finish baking my cookies and frost them and decorate them all pretty and then put them in bags and tie them off with pretty ribbons.
Then I'm going to give them away because my jeans can't get any tighter. New jeans aren't in the budget just yet.
I talked to my Mom today and she said I needed to eat more salad.
Um, do you even know me? Salad? All I do is drench it in Ranch anyways so it's just as fattening as chocolate. So I might as well just eat the chocolate from the beginning.
Plus I have grapes in my fridge Mom! GRAPES, and I ate a handful, see I'm healthy.
She must have noticed that my jeans were getting tight. Don't worry I'll get off the couch when it quits snowing. (This gives me another 4 months of sitting on the couch)

Seriously though, I'm going to be healthy I eat better in the summer for several reasons.
Fruit is in season and it's not nearly as expensive. (Weird you can't grow fruit in Montana year round) Plus it's hot out and you don't really want a 5 course dinner every night.
And (Mom are you reading this) there are nights in the summer where all we eat for dinner is SALAD! (and then my ice cream desert after but it's summer it doesn't count)
See I'm such a health nut aren't you proud Mom?

The possiblilites are ENDLESS!!

Yesterday while browsing the Internets I found a fun cheeky little blog.
More importantly I found a super easy, really yummy recipe.
The best thing however is you can change this recipe up and make it into a gazillion different things.

I think every kitchen or recipe holder should have a recipe like this.

What you will need:

1 pkg./ container/ roll of Pillsbury Croissant rolls
*each container will make two


That's it.... no seriously that is it.
The important part, the filling.... that's the part that can be changed!
What you are really learning is the technique (I heard Rachel Ray say that one time.)
The Technique:
When you open the croissants they are all connected by two's. You should have 4 pieces.
You want to keep them this way.
You spoon whatever filling you desire onto the bottom piece.
Cover with the top piece and then you seal all the edges.
I topped mine with cheese!
Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 min. Or until golden brown.
Serve and bask in the glory of a quick fixed dinner.

Filling Ideas?

If you are feeling like BBQ:
1 lb ground beef (brown in a pan) or Shredded cooked chicken
Add:
1 Cup BBQ Sauce (I'm diggin Jack Daniels at the moment)
1 Tablespoon dried minced onion
Mix it all together and spoon onto the croissant dough.

Feelin like a Fiesta?
Cook the meat of your choice
Add taco seasoning and cheese.
Spoon onto the croissant dough
Serve with Sour Cream and Salsa

Want a little pizza?
spoon a little pizza sauce on bottom dough
Add pepperoni, canadian bacon, olives, anchovies whatever you desire
Don't forget the cheese
Cover with the top piece of croissant dough.

Can you get any easier? Seriously I don't think so.
I got home late last night (we went to basketball open gym)
I made these in seriously 20 minutes. They were so good and so easy.
Go forth and take on the world of easy peasy cuisine!

For the weekend I plan on making taquitos!
They do my body good.

Carmel Chocolate Shortbread

Are you proud of me? I remembered to bring the recipe with me today!!

Are you ready for this mouth watering brownie concoction? It will truly change your life and make your jeans tighter.

Prep:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a shallow square cake pan & line the bottom with parchment paper.

Makes 12

First Layer

Mix:

1 1/4 cup Flour

1/4 cup golden superfine sugar (I used olden day normal sugar)

4 0z unsalted butter (room temp)

Mix together (in food processor is best) until they begin to bind together.

Press the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the top.

Bake for 20-25 min or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Second Layer

In a pot add:

7 oz butter

1/2 cup golden superfine sugar (I used old forgotten sugar)

3 Tablespoons corn syrup

14 fl oz Sweetened condensed milk

Heat gently until the sugar is dissolved, then bring to a boil and simmer for 6-8 min stirring constantly, the mixture will become very thick and should begin to turn a Carmel color.

Pour the mixture over the first layer and smooth the top. Place in the refrigerator until firm.

Third Layer

Melt:

7 squares of Bittersweet Chocolate (or 1/2 bag of chocolate chips)

You can melt the chocolate in the microwave (Don't burn it or it will be ruined. Ruined I tell you!) Or you can place a heat proof bowl over a pan of gently simmering water, stirring constantly. Once melted spread the melted chocolate over the Carmel.

Chill in the fridge until set
Cut into 12 pieces with a sharp knife and serve and enjoy.

Repeat as necessary.

Brownie SUCCESS

I made the brownies and all I have to say is "OH my LORD"
This is a recipe that will be thrown into my go to "I'm having a sweet tooth craving and if I don't intake chocolate NOW, I will go crazy."

They are so good, I literally sat on the couch all day and ate them. I could eat them like I eat Ramen noodles. My personal life necessities are ramen noodles and these brownies without them I will surely perish.

These brownies will change your life, they will make your neighbors happy, your mail man will love you. They will make your significant other unload the dishwasher for days.

Now lets get down to the description.
They are technically "Sheet Cookies" But I call them brownies, special sweet brownies.

They have 3 layers.
The first layer is shortbread cookie-ish
The second layer is Carmel, decadent yummy delish Carmel.
The third and final layer is sinfully wonderful melted chocolate.

Then you throw it in the fridge to set and then cut those babies up and serve them.

Do you want the recipe?
Well, it will have to wait for another day, cause I forgot to bring it with me to work.... sorry.
Don't hate me, I'm giving you the wonderful mouth watering experience of anticipation.
Your welcome in advance!

Rollin Rollin Rollin

Today doesn't feel like Friday to me. Feels like Thursday. This week has be Rollin by.
Yesterday I had the day off, so I took that time to sit on the couch and go through all my cookbooks looking for the PERFECT desert.

I found several yummy brownie recipes that called for "Golden superfine sugar" WHAT?? What is the world is that?? I'm stumped, I've never seen or heard of such a thing. Maybe if I found it, it could change my life. Sugar has that affect on people.

I also took the time to make a wonderful dinner. Home made bread (okay, the pre-made bread dough that you buy frozen) and BBQ Beef. We had BBQ Sandwiches, they were so delectable, so delicious. I was looking forward to coveted left overs.
Unfortunately Ryan ate it all, the coveted leftovers never had a chance to be.

As for the wonderful brownie recipe I wanted to try.
The farthest I got was taking out butter and a pan. Eh, I'll give it another go tonight! Maybe tonight, I'll get the pan greased and the first layer cooked....
Once I create this masterpiece I will share the recipe.

The girls have another basketball game tonight (away) and tomorrow (home).
McDonald's Hot Fudge Sunday here I come!
(just because I'm looking forward to it now, will prob. go to Arby's or Burger King....)

Spring? Are you there? I've missed you

Well today had potential to be a good day.
I woke up, kinda well rested. But not really
(I won't go into detail about what I witnessed last night in my living room I will tell you it involved a cat and a mouse. It was loud, it was scary and it woke me from my humble slumber) I'm afraid I won't ever be the same.

But I had time to make a lunch to take with me. (Okay so I just grabbed a couple slices of cold pizza and a water bottle) But you have to start somewhere right?

I drive to work, and notice wow it's kinda nice outside (besides the wind, but that's an everyday thing) I'm working away and notice the time.
"Hey it's time to eat lunch!"
And that's when things begin to slowly go down hill.
First off the wind picked up, we had small trees flying across the pasture.
Then it began to snow.
Then the temperature dropped.
That's right that wicked winter isn't over yet.

For the love of Pete, I would like to have one nice Easter in the state of Montana.
No wind.
No cold.
No snow.
I've always pictured being able to wear my spring pastel's and sit outside while enjoying my easter basket.

So to make myself feel better, I've printed off several different recipes that I'm going to try.
One being a 14 layer cake. Yep I said 14 alright.

And tonight I want to make chocolate chip muffins. So I can eat them in the mornings with my coffee.

Because really what gives better comfort then chocolate?

In sports related news:

Middle school girls basketball is going good. Those girls crack me up. We have our first games next weekend.

State tournament is currently taking place.
Belt played Big Sandy today. (I hope Belt won)
The winner of that game is scheduled to play Twin Bridges tonight.
It's single elimination.
Currently I'm rooting for the home team.
Which technically is both teams.
Here's hoping to a good game.
Go Belt!
Go Twin Bridges!

Edited to add:
I was told the tournament was a single elimination. Thankfully it isn't, it's a double elimination tournament.

This is normal right?

I have a problem. It's a very serious problem. I've had this problem for years and years.

My current problem:

Ryan and I have bought a pig to go to the butcher. So we may fill our freezer with yummy bacon and pork chops.
Some of my family members have also decided to buy pigs.
Right now they are at my house in a trailer, waiting for their final hours to pass.

My problem? I am soft at heart, especially when it comes to animals.
I can never be one of those people that raises an animal, gives it a name and then eats it.
All I would ever see on my plate is poor "Wilbur" and I can't eat my pets face. It just isn't happening.
So what did I do? I looked at the little (well they really aren't little) pigs in the trailer.
And that's where I went wrong. They look like pets with sad eyes. I already feel guilty.
I told my Mom and you know what she said? "Don't you open that trailer door!"
(I'm that girl that always brings home lost kittens, abandoned baby birds, starving puppies. I don't know how many times I got in trouble for bringing home and hiding in my room litter's of kittens.)
I'm trying to be tough and think of them as food, but I just can't help it.

They go in today at noon. I'm at work, trying not to think about it. I'm repeating in my head "Bacon, bacon, bacon." "Pork chops, pork chops, pork chops."

I will be strong, I will be strong.


On a happier subject. The first day of "Official" Basketball practice starts today. (Please light a candle for me) For some reason I'm anxious to coach basketball.

On a partly gruesome note, I'm glad I'm not a cow. To be more specific, I'm glad I'm not an older female cow.
Why? (and I'm sorry in advance) We had to pull a calf out of an older cow, and we found the feet, put the chain on and went to grab the jack. That's when it happened. It, was the sucking sound coming from the older cow's hoo haw. It was more powerful sounding then a Dyson Vacuum. It sucked that calves legs right back in. But that noise, the horrible farting/ sucking noise will stay with me forever.

This just in: I am looking out my window at work and the buffalo are stampeding. They are going wild. I'm glad I'm in the office. Plus if you want me to eat the buffalo my contact with them has to be minimal or I may try to make a pet of them and name it "Betty"
I think I have problems.

So.... who won?

Superbowl Sunday.
Did you watch the game?
I caught part of it, then I passed out from chocolate overload.

I missed out, who won?

Oh the food was wonderful.
I made those brownies with cookie dough in them. (recipe to follow later)
Home made Pico de Gallo
Fresh Guacamole (YUM)
Jalapeno' Poppers (double YUM)

You outta see my kitchen, it's a disaster area. I'll get to it tonight.... maybe.

Superbowl Sunday!

Bring on the
1. Jalapeno Poppers
2. Fresh Salsa & Guacamole
3. Fudge/ Cookie dough Brownies
4. Mozzarella Sticks with Ranch!

Don't forget the beer or in my case wine!

Superbowl Sunday... Whoohooo! A time to eat, a time to veg on the couch, a time to drink!

I hope you all enjoy the party and the food. Oh and I hope you catch some of the game.
Who is playing again??
Just kidding.... I think.

You Decide

Is it Friday yet?

Don't answer that question, unless you are going to lie to me and tell me "Yes, it actually is Friday."
The heater I have in my office left. It went on vacation, died, retired? I'm not sure but it has failed. Failed severely in life. And my extremities (hands and feet) have frost bite to prove it.
(Did I use the word extremities correctly in the sentence above? I'm not sure but had a fleetingly smart moment and wanted to use it before it expired.)

I'm huddled in front of my little space heater... seriously I am. If you saw me now, you would laugh, and pity me at the same time.
I don't think I would ever make it homeless, I'd freeze to death in the middle of summer.

There is a cure to this frozen syndrome. Brownies (although, they don't help my butt) they do help my body temp.
Should I call my husband and ask him to make them?
Do you think he would know how?
I mean the directions are on the box... he should be okay right? RIGHT?
Well, maybe not. I mean think about it. And this goes for most males.
(Every now and then, there are those gems that like to bake and keep their loved ones contented with food and other goodies)
But my gem that I married does other things especially well, he can even cook.
Baking however.... I don't know if that is in his arsenal.
I have never come home to him in the kitchen preparing an apple pie, or baking cookies.
I wonder what he would do, if I broke both my arms and he suddenly had a craving for brownies (oh yeah, that happens in our house. a lot)
He would have to bunker (bunker? Oh lord) down and make his own. Okay okay, so lets be honest. If this were to happen, we would probably run to town to get our sweet tooth craving fixed.


Do you ever notice how most of the time I can start out talking about calving, or being cold, or money and it always comes back to food? Do you happen to notice this?
NO? Oh, okay so I don't have anything to worry about right? RIGHT??

Yeah, I didn't think so either.

Candies, calories and calving

Ahhh, I feel rejuvenated? refreshed? refurbished?

I got Friday off of work, this allowed me to run some much needed errands in town.
Unfortunately I didn't get to attend my much needed errands at home. Whoops.
Oh well, I know they will be there forever, or until I do them. Whatever is first.

I did however go to the grocery store and got prepared/ ready for the Superbowl. We aren't having a party, I don't think anyways. BUT, we are having delicious snack foods and deserts that will stick to your butt.
Speaking of butts do you ever catch a glimpse of yours in the mirror?
I did, and felt like screaming. I didn't recognize it. Then I immediately went out and got a gym membership.
Okay, so I didn't get a gym membership. But I thought about it, seriously. I blame my foreign butt on the winter months. It's cold and miserable and there is NO way my butt is leaving my house unless I absolutely have too.
I have made a vow to get my thee butt back into shape once summer hits, for I will no longer have any excuses.
Hopefully, it will be more recognizable in the summer months. My butt that is.

Oh, and let the night calving begin tonight. Full nights, oh lordy.
25 calves on the ground and counting.
I'm going to be looking into a vacation in Maui during these full night calving months. Seriously.

Mother May I?

Please Please puhhleassse??

Can I have this thing?

Oh, and some of these?

And while we are at it, why not one of those?

Also, please don't forget to add in this beauty.

That should suffice.

Thank you and good night.

Last Night

I made a wonderful new dish! It was fairly easy, and really goooood!
It has a few steps to it, but it's so worth it.
And holy cow it makes enough to feed an army.
I'm telling you, you should try this little dish, it may just change your life.

Am I driving you crazy yet? Crazy with anticipation!

Okay, Okay. I'll just tell you...

Last night I made THIS.

Go check it out, make it for dinner tonight.
Your friends, family, pets, neighbors will all love you.

Oh, and even without some of the ingredients it was awesome.
I omitted the tomatoes, onions, garlic and corn. Why? Cause I plum ran out.
* let this be known to you all, this was the first time I cooked without garlic.