Rosemary Sea Salt Soft Butter Pretzels

Guys can we please just talk for one second about where the time has gone?! I do not understand how my little monkey went from this to this....

Ugh! She kills me she's so cute! And she gets so excited to help me in the kitchen!

Soft pretzels are one of my all time favorite things to make with kids. It's like bread turned playdough. Cover them in sugar and cinnamon and those kiddos will love you for life.

But today we are going more the savory route. We didn't have any fresh rosemary on hand this time around but if you do, use it! You won't regret it!

Rosemary Sea Salt Soft Buttered Pretzels
Slightly adapted from: King Arthur Flour

Dough
1 c. warm water
2 1/4 tsp dry yeast
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. dried rosemary or 1 Tbsp fresh rosemary
2 - 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

Topping
1 c. boiling water
2 Tbsp baking soda
2-3 Tbsp melted butter
sea salt

Directions: In a large bowl or stand mixer combine warm water, yeast, and sugar. Set aside for about 10 minutes until the mixture begins to foam. If your mixture does not foam, it is likely that your water was too hot and it killed the yeast, simply discard it and start again.

Next add salt, rosemary and 1 1/2 cups of flour. Mix until combined, Continue to add flour until dough is still very soft but just enough that it doesn't stick to your fingers. Knead by hand or in stand mixer for about 5 minutes.

Place dough in a large, lightly greased bowl and allow the dough to rise for 30 to 45 minutes.

Meanwhile bring 1 cup of water to a bowl. Remove from heat and immediately add baking soda. Stir until the baking soda has dissolved. Place the water in a 8x8 baking dish and set aside, allowing the water to cool.

Once the dough has had time to rise preheat your oven to 425 degrees F. and divide the dough into 8 equal pieces for small pretzels or 4-6 pieces for large pretzels. Roll each piece into a long thin rope and twist into a pretzel, or create another shape if desired. The rope can also be cut into smaller pieces for pretzel bites.

Next take your pretzel and carefully place it in the baking soda water bath for approximately 2 minutes. This will give the pretzel a nice golden crust.

Finally place pretzels on a parchment lined or lightly greased baking sheet. Allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes and then bake for 8-9 minutes.

Once the pretzels are done baking coat liberally with melted butter and top with sea salt and enjoy!

Shared HERE.

Cinnamon Honey Butter Popcorn

Its no secret that in this house we all have a special love for sweet treats. 

In fact, the one thing that will bring sissy running faster than anything else? Chocolate chips. All it takes is the krinkle of a little packaging and she's off as fast as her rolley little legs will take her.

This popcorn drizzled with cinnamon honey butter is my new favorite late-night snack when that "something sweet" craving inevitably hits.

Cinnamon Honey Butter Popcorn
Adapted from: A Side of Sweet

1/2 c. popcorn kernels
2 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
1/4 tsp cinnamon

Directions: Begin by air popping the popcorn kernels. Once popped, set aside.

Over medium heat, melt the butter in a small pot, add remaining ingredients and stir until well combined and heated through. Immediately pour over popcorn and stir with a rubber spatula until all of the popcorn is lightly coated.

Eat warm (with napkins) or allow time for popcorn to cool.

Shared HERE.

P.S. As I type monkey girl is singing yelling "I am a Child of God" from quiet time... and I'm dying over the cuteness of it all. Just a big sappy puddle of mom right here. Love that girl.

Gingerbread Houses 2014 + Free Printable Pattern

Making gingerbread houses is one of our favorite Christmas traditions. Last night after the Christmas Devotional we had some friends over for a little friendly competition. The couples were split and the teams were set.... boys against girls. The results are still to be determined. ;)

We all had a blast. Over on the girls' side we were joking we needed to record our husbands as they discussed different piping techniques and color schemes. It was adorable.

We used our favorite gingerbread recipe to make the houses. Also this was the first year we have used royal icing for our houses and oh my goodness it made a huge difference. It's a must from here on out!

You can download the free printable pattern for these houses by saving the images above or by clicking HERE. Or if you want to do smaller individual houses I have another free pattern over HERE.

Happy decorating!!

Shared HERE.

Holiday Warmth + Cranberry Salsa

My favorite part of this time of year are the evenings spent huddled in rooms too small for the laughter and friends they hold. Nights filled with food and family that just full you with warmth. Gatherings that you hold close to your heart as you remember the joy of the holiday season.

For nights like these I revel in the ease of simple recipes that are festive, fun to share, and easy to make. Today I'm sharing one of my favorite simple recipes for holiday entertaining over on my friend Natalie's blog, Let's Get Together.

So I just have to take a quick moment to gush over Natalie. We were neighbors at one point during college and I'm not even sure when it happened, but one day I woke up and found myself so grateful to know her and I've counted my lucky stars ever since.

Throughout our friendship she has always been that friend that has encouraged, lifted and inspired me to do and be better. I'm a firm believer that the friends that motivate you to make more of yourself are truly the best kind.

You can find the recipe HERE.

Chocolate Pudding Parfait for Two

So Tyson has been beyond busy with school and work. So the other night I thought he deserved a little break so we had a little at-home dessert date action. For these yummy treats I decided to try a new natural, gluten-free brand.

So with my whisk in hand I threw together some milk, whipped cream and Better Bowls Chocolate Natural Instant Pudding and the results were delicious! I was totally impressed with the Better Bowls pudding. The results were a rich velvety pudding with a truer chocolate flavor than other brands I have tried <<probably because it had less of the artificial stuff and more of the good stuff!>>

Definitely going to have to try their strawberry gelatin mix next... To give their products a try grab some on Amazon. And as an added bonus use coupon code: LIVEBTTR to receive 20% off your order from now until the end of June.

In the end, a mini-date night with Ty was just what the doctor ordered. Here's to having a full-blown-mega date once he's done with finals!

Chocolate Pudding Parfait for Two

Recipe from: Shannon, ikneadtobake

4 oz Better Bowls Chocolate Natural Instant Pudding

1 c. whipped cream

1 1/2 c. milk

1/2 c. fresh strawberries or raspberries

Directions: In a large bowl combine scant 1/2 c. pudding mix and 1/2 c. milk. Whisk for two minutes. Carefully fold in 1/2 c. whipped cream until combined. Divide between two serving cups. 

In a separate bowl combine the remaining pudding mix and 1 c. cold milk. Whisk two minutes and refrigerate until pudding it set up. Layer pudding as the next layer in your serving cups. 

Next place fresh cut strawberries or fresh raspberries and top each parfait with 1/4 c. whipped cream. Chill and serve. 

This post was sponsored by Better Bowls. The opinions and words are my own.

>>Linking up here: The D.I.Y. Dreamer, Sew Much Ado, Someday Crafts, Lil’ Luna, Gingersnap Crafts, Lady Behind the Curtain, Southern Lovely, Printabelle, Back For Seconds, White Lights on Wednesdays, The Well Crafted Home, Polka Dots on Parade, Seven Thirty Three, Show and Tell Wednesdays, Riverton Housewives Round-Up, What's In Your Kitchen Wednesday, The Hopeless Housewife, Off The Hook Link Party,

First Birthday Party

A few weeks ago we threw that cute little baby of ours a birthday party.. which meant lots of family, lots of fun, and lots of food. Our menu consisted of chicken sesame pasta salad and a fruit platter.

And of course cake! Banana cake with nutella buttercream for our little monkey and an assortment of chocolate [recipe coming soon] and banana cupcakes for everyone else. I found some cute scalloped cupcake liners at T.J. Maxx. Pretty much obsessed with them. I'm such a sucker for cupcake liners... and cake stands.

The girl got spoiled beyond belief. And she enjoyed every minute of it. 

 

>> Linking up here: the36thavenue, momnivoresdilemma, houseofhepworths, katiesnestingspot, aglimpseinsideblog, theshabbycreekcottage, somewhatsimple.com, thecraftyblogstalker, firefliesandjellybeans, delightfulorder, fivelittlechefs, twoyellowbirdsdecor, thrifty101, rhinestonebeagle, housewivesofriverton, domesblissity, beyondthepicketfence, madeinaday, thefrugalgirls

For my Birthday Girl + Easy Delicious Banana Cake

To my Favorite Birthday Baby,

You are one year old! It seems so hard to believe and yet at the same time I can't remember what it was like not knowing you. You are my little buddy and I am so humbled by the blessing and responsibility it is being your mama.

I remember the night you were born and the first time I really remember holding you. It was the middle of the night and Daddy was sleeping, so it was just you and me. I remember that heaven felt so close. And I just sat there breathing in your sweetness.

You are no longer that little tiny newborn that you were then. You are a big girl! And growing more every day. You love snuggling and bananas and bran muffins more than just about anything... except your aunt Kassi who you love more than anyone on the face of the planet. Yes, even including mom and dad. But that's okay cause we love her too!

There is so much I hope to teach you but if you only learn one thing from me I hope you learn that you are a daughter of God. I hope to teach you through out your life what that means... to be a daughter of God. Because it means a lot...

It means that you are beautiful... because you were created in His image. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It means that you not only have Daddy and me, but you have a Heavenly Father who knows you. He watches over you and he loves you even more than I can tell you. To be a daughter of God means that you are the daughter of a king, with a royal birthright. It means that you will never be alone... because Father in Heaven is only a prayer away. Being a daughter of God means that you are part of a heavenly family. It means that you have a brother...a Savior. His name is Jesus and He loves you so much that he paid the ultimate sacrifice for you because He wants you to be with Him forever. Being a daughter of God means that you have a light within you that only His Gospel can bring. Have confidence Tenlee and know that you are a daughter of God.

Let that little light shine baby girl. xoxox 

I love you sweet girl... to the moon and back!

Love,
Mama

Easy Delicious Banana Cake
Recipe from: yourhomebasedmom

4 ripe bananas
1 boxed white cake mix
3/4 c. water
1/4 c. oil
3 eggs
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder

Directions: Preheat the oven to the temperature stated on the cake mix packaging. Greased desired pans and set aside.

Mix together cake mix, water, oil, eggs, baking soda, and baking powder until well incorrporated. Add the mashed bananas and mix with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer until smooth.

Place the batter in prepared pans and bake for the recommended time according the box. (About 20-30 minutes depending on the size of your pan.) Allow to cool and cover with desired frosting.

Here are some ideas for complimentary frosting: hazelnut buttercream, cream cheese frosting, vanilla buttercream.

>>Linking up here: Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Making the World Cuter, CraftOManiac, The Girl Creative, Sew Can Do, The Organizing Junkie, Sew Chatty, Delicate Construction, Mad in Crafts, Creating My Way to Success, A Southern Fairytale, Jam Hands, Mom's Monday Mingle, Keeping It Simple, This Gal Cooks, Sweet Sharing Monday

Easy Black Bean Dip

Anyone else pumped about the 49ers being in this years Super Bowl?? My dad has been a die-hard fan my entire life so around here we are pretty excited! .... need proof?? here you go.

This is the first picture my dad and baby girl ever took together. She was less than a week old here.

This black bean dip is a super easy and inexpensive party appetizer. Perfect if you are getting together with friends to watch the game or if you are in need of a quick healthy snack!

Black Bean Dip
Recipe adapted from: pinchmysalt

1 can (15oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp cumin
1 1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
water, as needed

Directions: In a food processor or blender combine beans, garlic salt, cumin, and lime juice. Pulse until you have a smooth puree. For a smoother texture as 1 tsp of water at a time until desired thickness. Serve with tortilla chips.

Top 3 FAVORITE Recipes of 2012

Happy New Year! 2012 was a pretty great year if I do say so myself. Our year looked a little like this:

The arrival of our first little munchkin.
Half marathon.
Moving across the country... and back.
Tyson's barefoot running obsession.
Playing with friends and family.
Another year closer to Ty's graduation.
Yankees game.
California, Idaho, Utah, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, Massachusetts.
Learning more about faith and family.

There were also some dang good recipes we picked up along the way. Here are my top 3 crowd-pleasing favorites from 2012!

Chicken Sesame Pasta Salad

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

Sweet Slaw Salad

Gingerbread Recipe & Printable House Template

Making gingerbread houses is just one of those traditions that is just too much fun to pass up. I'll give it to you... making them from scratch can be a lot of work. But in the end it is oh so satisfying!

But if you insist that houses really aren't your thing... grab those cookie cutters to make some delicious gingerbread cookies.



Gingerbread 

[perfect for cutouts or gingerbread houses]

Recipe from: bakedbree

5 1/4 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp ginger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1 c. butter, softened
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 c. molasses
1 tsp. vanilla

Directions: Begin by sifting together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices into a large bowl. Set aside. Next cream together the butter and brown sugar. Beat in the egg and vanilla. Next add the molasses. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.

Next, slowly begin adding the flour mixture. Mix until the flour is completely incorporated and thick dough has formed. Place the dough onto a piece of plastic wrap. Wrap the dough in the plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Roll out the chilled dough onto a floured surface, about a 1/4 inch thick using a floured rolling pin. Cut the dough using gingerbread house template or desired cookie cutters. Place cutouts on a cookie sheet lined with parchment or tin foil. Bake for about 15 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the cookie sheet for a few minutes then carefully move to a cooling rack. Decorate as desired.

***If your cookies are cracking or the shapes are not turning out when you bake them, you may not be rolling your dough thin enough.

***For a crisp cookie [perfect for building] bake the full 15 minutes. If you want a cookie that is a little softer, reduce baking time to about 12 minutes.

Download the printable pattern by saving the image above or by clicking here!

Update 12/14 » Find another LARGER free gingerbread pattern HERE.

Bena: Chicken Sesame Pasta Salad

Hi, I have the privilege to be Shannon's Mom in law.    I am the mother of 4 children and the Nana to two beautiful grandchildren.  I have lived in Utah, Kansas and Connecticut.  I have been married to my husband Kent for 29 wonderful years.  We have been very blessed in our lives to have met some really amazing friends in all of the places we have lived. As we have enjoyed many holidays and shared meals with our friends, we have also shared many recipes. The tried and true recipes are always my favorites!  

I learned to cook from cooking with my Mom as a child and by experimenting with recipes throughout my life.  I have made a ton of mistakes trying different things but that’s how we learn...right?

My favorite part of being a mom...is spending time with my kids.  They make me proud every single day.  I love watching them interact with each other and seeing how much they love each other.  My kids are a gift to me, and I enjoy every second we spend together, whether it’s being at the lake together or simply sitting in the family room together chatting and laughing.

So I was trying to decide which recipe to share. I decided to share one that many people tell me they love. I got this recipe from a friend that I go to church with.  She is one of those cooks that has the reputation of being a great cook.  People seek out whatever she might bring to share and her food is always the first to be eaten . This pasta is so good that everywhere I take it, I get several people asking me for the recipe.  That’s when I know I have a GREAT one!  It is so pretty and delicious looking and the leftovers (if there are any) are really good too!

Chicken Sesame Pasta Salad

chicken & marinade:

5 chicken breasts

1/2 c. Terriaki sauce

1/3 c. balsamic vinegar

1/3 c. olive oil

1 package mesquite grilling powder

1 lime

pasta:

2 c. red grapes, cut in half

2 c. red bell peppers, chopped

7 oz bowtie pasta, cooked and well drained

1 jar artichoke hearts, quartered

4 green onions, chopped

2 small cans of mandarin oranges, drained

1 pear, chopped

2 Tbsp. sesame seeds

2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

3 c. baby spinach

dressing:

1/3 c. olive oil

2 Tbsp sesame oil

1/4 c. sugar

2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp minced onion

1 Tbsp. lime juice

Directions: Combine the ingredients for the chicken marinate in a gallon size zip-lock bag and allow to marinade for several hours or overnight.

To make the dressing combine the olive oil, sesame seed oil, sugar, balsamic vinegar, salt, minced onion, and lime juice in a blender or bowl. Blend or whisk until all ingredients are well combined. Set aside. 

Once the chicken is done marinading grill it until it is cooked through. Allow the chicken to rest for about 10 minutes and then slice into bite size pieces.

In a large bowl combine the cooked pasta, artichoke hearts, green onion, oranges, pear, sesame seeds, parsley, bell peppers, grapes, and grilled chicken. Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until well coated. Cover and refrigerate. Directly before serving toss in baby spinach. Serve cold.

Pumpkin Cupcakes

I don't know about you but I happen to love mini-cupcakes. Perfect cake to frosting ratio... and you can eat 3 for the price of 1. If pie isn't really your thing these pumpkin cupcakes with cinnamon buttercream frosting would make a great Thanksgiving dessert.

AND... if you still need help planning your Thanksgiving feast, download the Thanksgiving menu planner HERE.

Ina Garden's Pumpkin Cupcakes
Source: sparrowsandspatulas
Makes: 10 regular cupcakes or about 35 mini cupcakes

1 c. flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 extra-large eggs or 3 medium eggs
1 c. canned pumpkin puree
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil

Cinnamon buttercream frosting recipe here

Directions: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake tin with liners or coat with non-stick spray.

In in medium bowl sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg. In a separate bowl combine eggs, pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil. Slowly add the flour mixture and stir until completely combined.

Divide batter evenly between prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes for regular-sized cupcakes and for 12-17 minutes for mini-cupcakes.

Allow to cool and coat with cinnamon frosting.

Mini Molten Lava Cakes

Girl notices boy. Boy and girl meet. They become friends. They become more. They fall in love.  This is our story.

But here's a twist I bet you weren't expecting...

Boy leaves for two years. And the night before he left, we made these desserts... while I cried. Sappy, but true.

But eventually the boy came home. They saw each other again. And now here we are... married, baby, and another one on the way....



haha gotcha! Just kidding about that last part. Sorry I couldn't resist.




But despite its heart-aching history, this recipe continues to be one of our favorites. Chocolate cake. Rich gooey chocolate center. And start to finish in less than 30 minutes.

And feel free to prepare the batter up to 24 hours ahead of time. Then divide it out and toss it in the oven.

Mini Molten Lava Cakes
Recipe from: kraftrecipes
Servings: 12

4 oz. semi-sweet baking chocolate
1/2 c. butter
2 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
1 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. flour
whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Optional: 12 Oreos

Directions: Being by preheating the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. Set aside. Microwave chocolate and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl for 2 minutes, or until butter is completely melted. Stir until butter and chocolate are well combined.

In a separate bowl beat whole eggs, yolks, sugar, and flour together. Slowly add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture. Evenly distribute batter among 12 cupcake tins. Bake for 7-8 minutes until the cakes look firm around the edges but soft and wet in the centers. Cool in pan for 1-2 minutes. Remove cakes from pan, peel paper liners, and carefully place upside-down on a plate along side ice cream or whipped cream. Serve warm.

** If desired, place an Oreo cookie in each empty cupcake liner. Cover with batter and bake according to directions.

>>Linking up here: Chef In Training Thursday: the36thavenue, momnivoresdilemma, houseofhepworths, katiesnestingspot, aglimpseinsideblog, theshabbycreekcottage, somewhatsimple.com, thecraftyblogstalker, firefliesandjellybeans, delightfulorder, fivelittlechefs, twoyellowbirdsdecor,thrifty101, rhinestonebeagle, housewivesofriverton, domesblissity, beyondthepicketfence, madeinaday, designeddecor, Friday: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons, Not Your Ordinary Recipes, Simply Sweet Home, Simply Designing, Whipperberry,  Delicate Construction, Happy Hour Projects, My Romantic Home, Love and Laundry, Sunflower Supper Club, One Creative Mommy Saturday: Six Sisters Stuff

FREE PRINTABLE: Thanksgiving Menu Planner

Its official... only ONE week left to plan your Thanksgiving menus!! I'm so pumped because this is my first year playing hostess! To help me stay organized I made a handy-dandy Thanksgiving Menu Planner. You can download it HERE

Shared at these link parties!

Classic Caramel Apples

Classic caramel apples and just in time for Halloween! They make for such a fun Fall treat! But my least favorite part of the process???

Getting those dang sticks in the apples! Is it just me or are those suckers a pain for everyone? Well Tyson, being the logical man he is, suggested a hammer... and you know what? It worked like a charm!

So grab your toolbox because we are making caramel apples!!

Classic Caramel Apples

Source: kittenkalskitchen

1c. butter

2 c. brown sugar

1 c. light corn syrup

14 oz can sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. vanilla

8-10 wooden sticks/dowels

8-10 apples (we like granny smith)

Optional toppings:

nuts, milk chocolate, white chocolate, broken up candy bars, M&M's, crushed oreos....basically anything you can think of. Go wild... or be boring..like me.. the choice is yours :)

Directions: Wash and dry apples. Remove stem. Insert wooden dowels with a hammer (as if you were hitting a nail). Set aside. 

In a large pot combine butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sweetened condensed milk over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil making sure to stir often to avoid burning on the bottom. Cook until caramel reaches 248 degrees F or until it passes the cold water test.

Dip apples into caramel and spin to coat. Sprinkle on desired toppings. Place on nonstick surface or buttered wax paper.