Double Chocolate Candy Corn Cookie Cups

Milk chocolate and white chocolate come together in these delectable little bite-sized candy corn cookie cups.
Perfect for Halloween.....because, really, you can never have too much candy!

Of all the birthday parties I ever had as a child, there is one I remember above all the rest. It was the year my parents capitalized on the fact that my birthday is just 4 days before Halloween. I don't remember much of it, but what I do remember involves spiders and pumpkins and black cats and skeletons....and a Pin the Nose on the Witch game my dad made just for me. What a great party! And what a great time to have a birthday...!

Creamy Southwest Dipping Sauce

This Creamy Southwest Dipping Sauce combines mayo, roasted red peppers, honey, and seasonings in a delicious sauce that is perfect for french fries, chicken tenders, crab cakes, or your favorite appetizers!

For ten years of my life I was a strict vegetarian. And then I wasn't. Just like that. It was a pretty sudden decision on both ends - first, the decision to stop eating meat and then, the decision to start again. As a vegetarian, I never really missed meat. And as a non-vegetarian, I never really miss NOT eating meat. Although I still can't bring myself to eat pork or beef, I now enjoy chicken and seafood just as much as the next person. Especially when there's sauce involved!

Funny Pumpkin Pails

These Funny Pumpkin Pails are easy to make using store-bought materials
and add an extra element of fun to your Halloween celebrations!

I've gotten really good at not making plans. I know....not something to be proud of, right?? I agree - it's not a source of great pride for me. But it IS true! I've gone from being the person with the always-full social calendar to being the person who, at best, has a couple things on the calendar each month. And most of those are NOT things I planned! I'm pretty sure I can blame it on having 3 kids....since I was finding that every time I had plans they ended up feeling stressful. So....to lessen my stress....I just stopped doing things!

Caramel Apple Bars

These ooey gooey Caramel Apple Bars combine all the flavors of caramel apples, along with shredded coconut & chopped walnuts, in a delicious magic bar that is perfect for fall!

If you would ask me today if I'm a competitive person, I would tell you no.....and, of course, I'd be lying. The truth is I'm extremely competitive....and I always have been! Just not in the most typical ways. When it comes to sports, for instance, my competitive drive is almost nonexistent. But you better believe I want to be GOOD at the things that are important to me. Like cooking. Or parenting. Or blogging. Or throwing a fun party. Or being a good daughter, sister, or friend.

Pumpkin Spice Krispie Cups

White chocolate, pumpkin spice, and Rice Krispies come together in these miniature candy bites - 

easy to make and perfect for fall!

Well....I am headed out this morning to join Greta on her first field trip of the year! We are going to the Safety Building, which houses our city's police and fire departments.....and she could not be more excited!! As you may know if you've read my recent posts, Greta is struggling a bit with the transition to kindergarten. She misses being home with me, staying in her p.j.'s if she feels like it, and having slow, lazy days together. So, needless to say, when she found out I was joining her on her field trip she was ecstatic! And I'm excited, too....to meet her classmates, see her in her element, and spend some extra time with her! Although....I have to admit....when the form came home asking us to check which volunteer opportunities we'd be interested in, I thought about sending it back blank....!

Stuffed Shells w/Pumpkin Sage Cream Sauce

3-cheese stuffed shells smothered with a creamy pumpkin sage alfredo sauce. Fall comfort food at its best.

Woo hoo! The weekend is finally here! And I am READY. I am ready for slower mornings, more relaxed afternoons, and a couple nights of no rushing around to get everything done before bedtime! I don't know about you....but I look forward to weekends like nothing else. Even though I'm a stay at home mom, and it sometimes feels like all my days blend together anyway, there is something about weekends that I NEED! Especially during the school year.

Dark Chocolate Salted Caramel Corn

Dark chocolate, sea salt, and rich buttery caramel corn come together in this highly addictive, highly delicious snack. Perfect for those times when you just need to treat yourself....or someone else!

Before we had any kids, when we were pregnant with our first, Jorden woke up one morning in a huge panic. He had had the WORST dream, he said.....that he had been taking care of the baby and had LOST her!! She was so tiny.....and he was eating a chili dog....and somehow he lost her....INSIDE the chili dog! Totally unrealistic (of course) but dreams always have a way of feeling so real! Poor guy. I guess he was more nervous about having a baby than I realized.....!

Pepperoni Pizza Panini

These ooey gooey paninis combine the delicious flavors of pepperoni pizza with the comfort and ease of a sandwich!
A meal the whole family will love....in no time at all!

Well....after 37 weeks and an emergency c-section, my brother and sister-in-law had their baby last night! A little girl, 5 pounds 9 ounces, named Willow. And I can't WAIT to meet her! The only problem? I have to wait until Jorden gets home tonight....which actually means I'll be waiting all day! Torture! NOT that I have any shortage of babies in my life.....my sisters both have 3 month olds, two friends have 2 month olds.....but waiting to meet a brand new baby always feels a little....well....torturous!!

Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria

Fall is time for apple cider....and this Sparkling Apple Cider Sangria puts a whole new spin on it! 

The perfect blend of cider, sparkling wine, cinnamon sticks, and whole apple slices in one delicious drink!

One of the sweetest things to witness, as a parent, is the relationship your kids develop with one another. Okay....let me clarify....it is sweet to witness, when they are being sweet! Just the other night, after all the kids were asleep, Jorden made the comment that Ellia and Greta really seem to be growing closer.....and he's right! I'm not sure how or why, but their relationship seems to have blossomed recently. Not only do they share a bedroom, but for the past few months, they have also wanted to sleep in the same bed. They have been playing together and laughing together, helping one another and having fun! There have been several weekends where they've spent the entire day hanging out together....and the only reason we even knew they were home was the occasional request for a snack!

Cookie Butter Pretzel Dip

The delicious taste of cookie butter...in a sweet and creamy dip! Perfect for dipping pretzels, crackers, apples, or cookies....or just eating by the spoonful!

I am always curious about what my kids will take away from me being a food blogger.....a love of trying new things? An interest in coming up with their own recipes? An appreciation for the beauty of food? An understanding of the way flavors work together? Or....on the flip side....maybe a Facebook/Pinterest/Twitter/Google+ addiction of their own?? There's no telling how all the hours I spend baking, cooking, sampling, photographing, and posting recipes will affect them....or if it will affect them in any real way. What I do know is that, for now, they are definitely interested in what is going on in our kitchen.

Salted Caramel Pumpkin Muffins

Deliciously light and fluffy pumpkin muffins topped with a sweet salted caramel glaze - 

a delicious flavor combination any time of day!

A couple years ago, one of my favorite places to go for lunch closed unexpectedly. We literally drove up one day to find the doors locked and a sign hanging in the window. It was a sad, sad day.....and for months, we watched and wondered as the building was razed and new construction finally began....what could possibly take its place!? And then....one day....we got our answer. In a sign that said, "Coming Soon: Culver's."

Pumpkin Spice Smoothie

Pumpkin Spice Smoothies - all the pumpkin spice flavors you love, in a smoothie!
A quick, easy, and delicious way to start your fall days!!

There is nothing I love more about mornings than waking up, heading downstairs, opening up all the curtains, toasting myself a bagel, and starting a pot of coffee. Strong coffee....of course....(is there any other type??) As silly as it sounds, it is something I look forward to - the stream of morning sunlight, the toasted bagel, and the hot, strong coffee (especially the coffee)! The only thing that makes it better? Those days when, by some small miracle, the kids are still sleeping. I love having a few moments of peace and quiet - with my bagel and coffee in hand - before they wake up. And although I don't make waking up before the kids a regular thing, on mornings when it just happens, I can tell it's going to be a good day.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Crescent Rolls

Pumpkin Cheesecake filling, rolled up and baked inside flaky crescent rolls, and topped with pumpkin spice drizzle. It's pumpkin cheesecake you can eat for breakfast.....need I say more??

Of all the behaviors we have dealt with between our three children (and there have been many) the most obnoxious, by far, is the one we are currently dealing with with Nora. To give you a little background, Nora spent the first nine months of her life sleeping.....literally! To the point where people would come to our house and never even see her...because she was sleeping! To the point where people would actually forget that we had three kids! And when she was awake, she was sweet as can be.....calm, peaceful, easy.

Pumpkin Nutella Muddy Buddies

Pumpkin Spice and Nutella join forces in this simple, delicious fall treat.

Perfect for your next get together, after school snack, or just because....you deserve it!

Well....we have officially started soccer season, which, as you probably know, means that for the next two months our lives will basically be consumed by it! This year we decided to sign both Ellia and Greta up....which obviously doubles our commitment....and on top of that, Jorden decided to volunteer to coach! BOTH teams!! The funniest part about all of it? We are totally not an athletic family!!

Pumpkin Pecan Spice Macaroons

Moist, delicious macaroon cookies smothered in pumpkin-spiced white chocolate and crunchy pecans.
A little taste of fall....in one delicious bite!

So I've come to the conclusion that life is really trying to teach me a lesson....particularly in the area of child rearing, and specifically in the area of other people's opinions of my child rearing. Ever since Ellia was a baby, I have had an uncanny ability to attract the opinions and advice of others....especially people I don't know, and most often in grocery stores! The first time it happened, Ellia was just a couple months old and very colicky....and I had stopped to pick up a few things we desperately needed. Because she was colicky, I had her strapped to my chest in a Baby Bjorn, and because it was 90-some degrees out, I had her in a one piece outfit with no socks. Those were my first....and second....mistakes!

Buffalo Chicken Potato Skins

Potato Skins stuffed with creamy buffalo chicken and topped with cheddar cheese, blue cheese, and a dash of hot sauce. For those who like it a little bit hot!

Happy Friday! The last day of what has been an important week. The first week of September, the first week of school, the first week of me being parent to one (!) for most of the day..... It feels a little bit like order has been restored around here. Everyone seems just a little bit happier now that we are back in a routine, Nora has gotten a little more attention than she is used to, and I have had a little more time to be creative in the kitchen! This first week has been good to us....and by the end of it, I have learned some important things. Like.....

Bacon Jalapeno Nachos

These Bacon Jalapeno Nachos are crunchy, creamy, a little spicy, and bursting with flavor!

So....for some reason I am not entirely clear on....my younger two kids have an obsession with nipples. Yep, you heard me right.....nipples! I will never forget when Greta was two and our good friends were over. At one point she ran over to the husband, lifted up her shirt, and asked, "Do you like my nipples?" And when he didn't respond, she asked again.....and again.....louder each time, until he finally said, "Sure, Greta. They're fine." Which satisfied her for the time being, and she finally left him alone.

Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms

Pizza Stuffed Mushrooms combine all the things you love about pizza, minus the crust! Stuffed with cream cheese, Italian sausage, green peppers, onions, and mozzarella, they make the perfect little bite-size appetizer!

Happy Hump Day! For those of you who started school yesterday, I hope all went well.....we had very little reporting when mine got home other than a few stories about "jitter juice", playground dynamics, and the fact that I forgot to send Greta's nap mat. (Of course I forgot to send Greta's nap mat.....) But overall, it sounded like a pretty good day. When I asked Greta if she wanted to go back today, her response was, "Well.....I have to." Good point.

Bacon Blue Cheese Poppers

Sweet mini peppers stuffed with cream cheese, blue cheese & ranch dressing, wrapped in bacon, and baked until bubbling.....the perfect little weekend or game day bite!

Well....today is the day. The long-awaited first day of school (long-awaited by me, that is...the girls had their own ideas about it...)! After a summer that sometimes felt like it never would end, here we are. At the end of summer! Amazing how that happens, isn't it? To be honest, now that the day is here, I have mixed emotions. I am both relieved and a little anxious....both excited and a little sad. Ellia is now in 2nd grade and little Greta is starting kindergarten! Kindergarten!! So suddenly it's just Nora and me home together, all day, every day. It will definitely take some getting used to! But at the end of the day, I know it will be good for us.

Chipotle Lime Little Smokies

Little Smokies, kicked up a notch with the addition of lime juice and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.

Just as quick, easy, and delicious as the original.....but so much more FUN!
Perfect for holidays, game days, or any days you are looking to kick it up a notch!

Happy Labor Day! I hope you are spending the day with family and friends, enjoying the last bits of summer while you still can! We are heading over to some good friends of ours to spend our day eating, drinking, talking, laughing, and......bouncing!! That's right - my friend rented a bounce house to help us send summer out with a bang....SO FUN, right?! And right on par with our entire last week of water slides, amusement park rides, zoo trips, eating out, birthday parties, staying up late, eating too much....and really living it up!! We have definitely sent summer out with a bang, and I think it's safe to say that by the time today is over, we all will have had our fill!