Candy for a Carnivore!

Ian came home from a birthday party a couple of Saturdays ago, plopped down on a chair in the kitchen, and said, "Mom. Dad. I just experienced the most delicious treat ever created!" Now, we all know Ian doesn't eat cake, ice cream, cookies, candy (all things usually served at birthday parties). What had been served at this particular birthday party to create such excitement in my usually unexcitable boy?

Ian continued, "They served bacon wrapped kielbasa! And, it was covered with delicious brown sugar! It was seriously the best treat EVER!! You have to get the recipe!"

A gigantic thank you for this recipe to Tricia who literally made Ian's life with this Bacon Wrapped Kielbasa, a.k.a. Candy for a Carnivore. These little babies are truly as delicious as Ian described!

Bacon Wrapped Kielbasa

1 lb. bacon halved
2 1-lb Kielbasa (sliced into 1/2 inch thick slices)
regular size bottle of Chili sauce
1 cup grape jelly
1 cup brown sugar

Wrap 1/2 slice of bacon around each Kielbasa slice. Secure with a toothpick. Place them in un greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients together; pour over top of partially cooked meats. Bake for an additional hour.

Ian's Skillet Breakfast

I have never met a 13-year-old boy that takes such great pride in preparing himself large, beautiful breakfasts. Ian does not eat lunch -- he claims he doesn't like any cold sack lunch foods, so he ingests 2,000 calories at breakfast to tide him over till he gets home for a large after-school snack. This morning's breakfast -- 4 scrambled eggs, a diced baked potato, 2 handfuls of cheese, green onions, and Tabasco sauce. He named it "Got Rigged" after himself . . . Ian Riggs Heber.

Nyah's Dance Competition

Nyah performed in three numbers at a dance competition over the weekend. Her smile lights up the room. She "dances like no one is watching!" It makes my heart happy to know that she truly loves it.

Larry the Leprechaun Lost His Gold

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2012! Larry the Leprechaun lost his gold at our house so the kids had to help him find it! There was a trail of gold and green throughout the house. Traditions can be time consuming and expensive -- but so much fun! I hope they never stop printing $1 bills!

Off to Work!

After a fifteen year hiatus, I am finally rejoining the workforce. Sack lunch and all. Wish me luck!
Crockpot meals are going to be a daily affair around here now.
On tonight's menu: Crockpot Chicken Quesadillas

Crockpot Chicken Quesadillas
Submitted by Mindy ~ The Sisters Cafe

4 chicken breasts
1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
1 small can green chilies
1 jalapeno diced
8 ounces cream cheese

Combine all ingredients in crockpot and heat on low for 6-8 hours (or high for 3-4 hours). When the chicken is cooked, shred with a fork and return to the crockpot. Keep on low until you are ready to make quesadillas.

To make quesadillas: Heat skillet and drizzle with a small amount of olive oil, then sprinkle with sea salt. Warm each tortilla in the oil and salt . Sprinkle cheddar cheese on tortilla, add chicken and black bean. Top with another tortilla and cook for 2 minutes on each side. Serve with sour cream, cilantro and diced fresh tomatoes.

BABY BLESSING: featuring . . . ME!! Ha! Ha!

My ADORABLE baby brother, JOSH, and his BEAUTIFUL wife, Tiffany blessed their baby a few Sundays ago. ELLIANA looked so SWEET!

I was the ANNOYING AUNT that wanted to hold Elli constantly. Here I am with Elli and my mom.

Here I am with Elli, my mom, and my dad.

Here I am with Josh and Elli.
It started to get a little awkward with me in all the pictures, so I gave some others a chance.

Here's my mom with Elli. Mom LOVES this picture of herself!

Josh, you and Tiffany have a beautiful baby girl! I love being an aunt!!

Hyper Active Cake

Want a recipe for a moist, delicious chocolate cake that makes your kids hyperactive?! Here you go . . .

P.S. I couldn't eat it, because it contains GLUTEN . . . BUT I WANTED TO! It had the most BEAUTIFUL frosting. Plus, my mom said it was "THE BEST!"
P.S.S. The kids were actually quite calm after eating it! :)

Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake
by Mindy ~ The Sisters Cafe

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup Dr Pepper
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used milk chocolate once and they were great, too)
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup canola oil
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans (or 9×13 or prepare cupcake liners). Sift together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, cocoa and baking soda and set aside. Heat the Dr Pepper in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted. Remove from heat. With an electric mixer, beat the eggs, buttermilk, oil and vanilla for 2 minutes. At lowest speed, slowly add the Dr Pepper mixture and beat for 1 additional minute. Gradually add the dry ingredients and beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans, and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pans for 15 minutes, then invert onto cooling racks, lift off pans and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Dr Pepper Frosting:
1 cup + 2 tablespoons butter
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup Dr Pepper (I added an additional 1-2 Tablespoons once, and I actually liked that better. However it did make the frosting thinner…)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Using an electric mixer, beat the butter until light and fluffy. At low speed, gradually beat in the powdered sugar and cocoa. Add the Dr Pepper and vanilla, and turn mixer to high speed until frosting is light and fluffy ~ about one minute.