I Dip, You Dip, We Dip

Are you tired of me talking about football yet? Or better yet, football food?

Ok, good. Because it is just the beginning. Tomorrow, to be exact.

Saturdays in the Fall are the perfect excuse to eat dip. And more dip. And then maybe one more dip. You can add a chip or cracker in there, too, if you'd like.

Here are some of my favorite football food dips (and some that I want to try in hopes they become favorites, too). Although, I've rarely met a dip I didn't like.

Loaded Baked Potato Dip

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Skinny Taco Dip

Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Pizza Dip

Cookie Dough Dip

Isn't football food season the best?

Laura

Peaches and Cream Stuffed French Toast

Breakfast for dinner is not done enough in this household.

I need to change that. And with breakfast options like this Peaches and Cream Stuffed French Toast, I don't think it will be very hard.

This was a great way to use up some peaches that were on-edge (that sounds funny) and it is even hubster approved! The creamy, cinnamon-y filling is a rich contrast to the juicy peaches. I will most definitely be making this again and I'm already brainstorming how delicious this would be with fresh berries or juicy pears!



Yummm...

Click here for the link to the original recipe by Two Peas and Their Pod.

I wish we had leftovers...
Laura

Cleaning Time

Maybe it's nesting or maybe I just need a schedule to keep me from getting stressed out but I am loving all these cleaning tips and ideas. Now I just have to incorporate them and not just blog about them...oh, life.

Shower Cleaner

Keep this in your shower filled with half vinegar, half dish washing soap. Clean while you are showering and it will always be sparkly! Genius!

Dry Erase Cleaning Checklist

Surprising Uses for your Dishwasher

Manageable Cleaning Calendar

Let's do this!

Laura



Root Beer BBQ Pulled Pork

The hubster told me the other day that he doesn't like things made in the crock pot.

What?

Does that even make sense?

The crock pot is just basically an oven and one of God's greatest gifts to women.

Strange man.

Normally, I try to respect his opinions on things I make in the kitchen but this one I just had to say that he's going to have to deal with it. Because the crock pot ain't leaving. Because the crock pot makes delectable creations like this Root Beer BBQ Pulled Pork so easy!

My mom made this when I was in Oklahoma a few weeks ago and I made it last week for my husband's pot luck lunch at work...and stole some to eat for ourselves, at home, too!

 Root Beer poured on top...

Shredded and drained...

BBQ Sauce mixed in and ready to eat!



Root Beer BBQ Pulled Pork

Adapted slightly from The Girl Who Ate Everything

Yield: A lot...

Prep Time: 5 min. Total Time: 6-8 hours

Ingredients:

-Half gallon root beer

-2 Pork Butt (see picture) or tenderloin

-18 oz. BBQ sauce (plus more for serving, if desired)

-Slider buns for serving (I like the Hawaiian Sweet Rolls)

Directions:

-Place the pork in the slow cooker and pour the root beer over the meat.

-Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, until the pork shreds easily with a fork.

-After the pork has cooked, drain and discard the root beer. I pulled out the meat with tongs into a bowl and poured the rest of the liquid into the sink then put the meat back in the slow cooker.



-Pour the BBQ sauce over the meat and stir to combine. You can either serve immediately on buns or keep on warm until you're ready to serve.

(For the pot luck, I started the slow cooker at midnight, drained the meat and added the BBQ sauce at 6:30am before he left for work. He took the slow cooker to work and kept it on warm and added a little more BBQ sauce before serving.)

Enjoy!
Laura

A Friday Funny

via

Makes sense to me!

Laura

Peach Cake Bars

This recipe has been hailed as the "best" recipe on Pinterest.

And I wasn't just going to let that title go by without sampling!



Boy, oh, boy- it is good!

I made a few adaptations using fresh peaches but overall, left this recipe as is because it is delicious! Light, fresh and refreshing! Perfect to use up those scrumptious peaches that are in season right now but the base recipe would be great to throw in apples or berries, too.

Peach Cake Bars

Adapted slightly from Just a Pinch

Yield: 12 large bars

Prep Time: 15 min. Total Time: 1 hour (includes both cooking times)

Ingredients:

-1 box yellow cake mix

-2 eggs

-1/3 c. butter, room temperature

-8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature

-1/3 c. sugar

-1 tsp. vanilla extract

-Scant 4 cups of fresh peaches, peeled and sliced into 1/4 in. slices (I used 4 large peaches)

Directions:

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick spray.

-Combine cake mix, 1 egg and butter in a medium bowl with fork until crumbly. Reserve 1 c. for topping and press the rest into the prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

-Sprinkle the peaches on top of the partially baked crust.

-With an electric mixer until creamy, combine cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg and vanilla extract. Pour and spread over peaches.

-Top with remaining 1 c. reserved crumbs and bake for 30 minutes.

-Let cool completely before cutting. Store in refrigerator...if you have any left to store!

Enjoy!

Laura



I really love my...{can opener}

(see here for all previous posts in the I really love my... series!)

I really love my...{can opener}.

Why is it so hard to find a good can opener?

I found a good hubby before I found a good can opener!

In our first two years of marriage, we went through 3 different can openers- none of which opened cans successfully. Hey can openers- you have one job, ONE! Open a can! Come on.

Well, my friend was tired of hearing about this dilemma so he sent us an angel from heaven a new can opener from Williams-Sonoma and I haven't looked back since.



The Kuhn Rikon Can Opener is easy to use, creates a dull edge so you don't cut your fingers, automatically clamps on to the can and leaves the lid in place until you use the tool on the side to pry it off! What more could you ask for in a can opener?

Buy it here from Williams-Sonoma and you'll never think of another can opener again.

How many times can I say "can opener"?
Laura

Wendy's Frosty Copy Cat

Have y'all seen this recipe floating around Pinterest?

An at home version of a Wendy's Frosty- have there ever been better words said to a pregnant woman?

Most all the recipes are similar but here is how I made our version of an at home Frosty.

Wendy's Frosty

In the bowl of your ice cream maker (I love this one!) combine 8 oz. cool whip, 7 oz. sweetened condensed milk and fill to the fill line with chocolate milk (I made mine using this combination). Turn on the ice cream maker and let run for 20-25 minutes. Pour into a freezable container and let harden to the right consistency. Yum! 

Now we just need homemade french fries for dipping!
Laura

An Ode to Bacon

...I mean, my brother.

Today is my brother's birthday and in honor of his bacon-loving self, here is a round up of some scrumptious looking recipes, all using bacon as the centerpiece!

Bacon Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Bacon and Beer Cookies

Bacon Bread

Bacon Wrapped Green Beans

Maple Bourbon Bacon Jam

Happy Birthday to a loving, protective and bacon-loving older brother!

What if you put bacon jam on bacon bread? Hmmm...

Laura



Chewy Caramel Popcorn and Pretzel Bars

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

How does Martha Stewart do it?

Oh, she has tons of people actually doing it for her, you say? Ok, that's fair.

This Chewy Caramel Popcorn and Pretzel Bar is so simple, makes a LOT and I've yet to meet someone (even my hubby that typically turns up his nose at sweets) that doesn't like it!

My mom made a batch and brought it to Colorado a few weeks ago and the next week we made another batch for book club and I can already tell this recipe will be in our Fall "football food" rotation frequently!

Make sure you cook your caramel long enough to really have a strong caramel flavor to up the anty on this treat even more! Let it sit undisturbed until about 8 minutes and then, still without disturbing, keep your eye on it because it can quickly go from just right to just burnt.

You can find the original recipe here: Chewy Caramel Popcorn and Pretzel Bars

Enjoy!

Laura

Apple Butter Rolls

This is it. I've really done it now.

So long skinny jeans.

Goodbye mini skirts.

I've met your match. And they're delicious.

Apple Butter Rolls! This idea came to me one day and I could hardly wait to make them.

Buttery dough, filled with cinnamon and spice filled apple butter and topped with apple juice infused frosting. Do you really need more convincing? I didn't think so.

A perfect Fall breakfast that will most definitely impress!

Apple Butter Rolls

Inspired by Pioneer Woman Orange Rolls

Yield: 2 dozen rolls

Prep Time: 2 hours Total Time: 2 1/2 hours

Ingredients:

For the rolls:

-1/2 recipe of PW cinnamon roll dough found here (this is what takes the most time but I always make it a day before I want to make the rolls to save time!)

-Pint Apple Butter (this recipe is my absolute favorite! But you could buy premade at the store, too!)

-1 c. brown sugar

-1/2 c. melted, salted butter

-1/2 tsp. salt

For the icing: (this was plenty for us but it is easy to double if you need more!)

-1 lb. powdered sugar

-3 tbsp. melted butter

-1/4 c. milk

-1/4 c. apple juice

-Dash of salt

Directions:

Roll out dough into a long rectangle. Spread apple butter over the top. Pour on butter, and then sprinkle on the brown sugar evenly. Sprinkle with salt.
Beginning at the long side farthest from you, roll the dough in a long roll toward you; begin careful to keep it tucked tightly. Pinch edge to seal.
Cut rolls into 1 to 1 1/2 inch rolls and place into buttered pans. Allow to rise for at least 20 minutes.
Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown (but not overly brown).
While baking, mix together the ingredients for the apple glaze, thinning with more milk or apple juice to make mixture thin enough to be pourable.
Immediately drizzle apple glaze over the top. Serve warm or at room temperature.

P.S. PW does a great post here on making Cinnamon Rolls, the dough and freezing them! Check it out before if you're nervous!

Enjoy!

Laura





Tuesday Tune

I love seeing people from American Idol actually succeed (Ruben Studdard? Where are you?) and Phillip Phillips is doing great! I love his song, "Home," and especially have loved hearing it all over the Olympics!



So happy for him!

Laura

A Monday List pt. 3

1. Is everyone else so ready for Fall? Not just for the temperatures but for Saturdays at home watching football, eating tons of yummy food and for pumpkin decor. I'm not as excited for Fall this year since all the cute Fall outfits I want to wear are just a wee bit too small right now. Sarcasm on the "wee".

2. I really love this platter from Etsy! What a cute gift for someone...or yourself!

via

3. Another pro for Fall? You can make tons of sweets and claim them as "football food". These Salted Nut Bars will definitely be pawned off as football food but really I just want to eat them.

4. Good news- Charlotte (the sweet thing making me eat ice cream, have back pain and buy every cute pink outfit I can) was breeched and at the doctor's appointment last week, I found out she had flipped! I guess a few times of lying upside down on a propped up ironing board with hot and cold presses on my stomach did the trick. Oh home remedies.

5. Colorado earned about 50 brownie points last week when I was in Oklahoma and the temperature was around 118 daily. Plus humidity. I had never been happier to NOT live there. And that says a lot because I love Oklahoma.

Thanks for reading the randomness!

Laura

Facebook Shopping

My name is Laura and I'm addicted to facebook shopping.
Have you joined this new trend? It's super addicting so I won't even recommend it so you can't blame me when you fall in love.

I have been facebook shopping for baby clothes, cute boutique dresses and tops and jewelry! Here's how it works. You go to the certain vendor's facebook page and "like" it. Then, each week (different nights for each seller!) they have an auction at a particular time. So, each Monday night at 8:00pm central time, they post photos of their jewelry (or clothes, etc.), the price and the quantity they have. Keep refreshing your facebook page to see more stylish goodies and if you see something you want to buy then you QUICKLY (serious on the quickly part) comment under the picture with your email address and the quantity you want. If you were one of the lucky ones that commented while they still had inventory left, you win! When you comment to purchase you can add OOT (out of Texas) if you, obviously, live out of Texas and there is no sales tax! They email you an invoice and shortly after that you check your mail like a crazy woman because you're so excited to get your goodies!

Like I said, there are multiple boutiques and vendors I follow but here are my two favorite jewelry vendors and some examples of their gorgeous pieces....

Accessory Auctions
Auctions every Monday at 8pm CST.

Accessory Dash

Auctions every Wednesday 8:00 pm CST

(They have new Towne & Reese Jewelry too! Which I love!)





Did I mention they are both super inexpensive? $10-$30 per piece, average!

Don't say I didn't warn you...
Laura

Broiled Peaches

A huge pro of Colorado is that it is home to Palisade which grows some of the most delicious peaches I've ever had! They are at all the farmer's markets and grocery stores this time of year and for the cheap price, you can't afford to load up and eat juicy peaches to your hearts content!

This is our favorite way to eat them at the Ellison household.

Warm, juicy and topped with Greek yogurt and balsamic vinegar.

Broiled Peaches

Yield: 2 servings

Prep Time: 5 min. Total Time: 10 min.

Ingredients:

One peach, sliced in half (this recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, etc!)

Granulated Sugar

Greek Yogurt

Balsamic Vinegar

Directions:

-Turn the oven on to broil on high. Line a cookie sheet with foil and lay halved peaches skin side down (so the inside of the peach is up) and sprinkle generously with sugar.

-Place under the broiler for 3-5 minutes or until sugar is bubbling and light brown. Watch closely as they can burn quickly!

-Remove from oven and top each peach half with a spoonful of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

To kick it up a notch, I use Vanilla Balsamic Vinegar from my favorite local store, the EVOO Marketplace. But even mixing in a little bit of vanilla extract with your balsamic would be delicious!

Enjoy!

Laura



Baking Wish List

I cannot wait to bake all these things...or have someone bake them and then deliver them to me. Either way is fine by me.

Circus Animal Cookie Truffles

Apple Butter Cupcakes

Cake Batter Blondies

Peanut Butter Pie with Pretzel Crust

Chocolate Sheet Cake with Peanut Butter Frosting

Mmm mm good!

Laura

I really love my...{tervis tumbler}

(see here for all previous posts in the I really love my... series!)

Y'all. It's hot. Even in Colorado this summer the temperatures have been record breaking. And hot.

Being pregnant AND hot? Oh boy. I can think of more fun things I've experienced.

That being said, I have had to pay extra close attention to the amount of water that I consume daily and make sure that I constantly have some close at hand.

This is where the Tervis Tumbler comes in perfectly. I always keep it filled up with cold water in the fridge so it is easy to grab when I am working around the house, blogging or headed out the door to run some errands.



It's all dishwasher safe (even the straws!), comes in lots of fun designs, has an optional handle, various sizes and has multiple different lid combos for hot or cold drinks. It keeps hot drinks hot, cold drinks cold and is double walled which means no annoying sweating on the outside of the cup.

P.S. This awesome one comes in 4 different mustache designs. Hilarious.



Have I sold you on them yet? Because they're awesome.

You can get them online here (there are a million cute designs on here!) and I've seen a huge selection at Bed Bath and Beyond (including the fun college series like I have! Gotta show my Oklahoma State pride in the CO!) I have the 24 oz. tumbler with clear lid and straws and it's perfect. This would be a great stocking stuffer or Christmas gift!



images via

I'm using mine right now!
Laura

Cornflake Chicken

How have I not blogged about this before?!

I talk a lot about simple recipes that are "go-to" for me. This dinner hits the nail on the head for that.

It is one our favorite summer dinners and is perfect to take to lunch in the park, a picnic dinner or a casual night at home!

Cornflake Chicken!



I've tried multiple versions but the best one is found here by Kellogg's. The only modifications I make is using boneless, skinless chicken tenders instead of chicken pieces (as called for in the recipe) so they only take about 15 minutes in the oven.

Next time you're at the grocery store, look for the boneless, skinless thin chicken tenders to be on sale and stock up in your freezer! You can also pick up some boneless, skinless chicken breasts and ask the grocery store butcher to slice them into thin strips for you (free of charge!). They really are better as little chicken fingers because you get a lot of crunch from the coating that way!

We always have a box of cornflakes on hand for when I'm in a dinner rut. This is great because you probably have all the ingredients, except the cornflakes, at home so you can pick up one ingredient at the store and- voila!- dinner is served.

Click here for the original recipe!

Enjoy!

Laura