Kid Food

This little pumpkin below has not been the greatest eater lately.  If I remember correctly, Sierra went through this stage when she was about Kam's age.  Makenna did too.  Of course, I'm a lot more laid back about it now, because I know that she will grow out of it.  I try to get them to eat their fruits and veggies, and to understand that they don't always have multiple choices when it comes to meals.  Sometimes, though, you have to pick your battles, and just pull out the "kid food".

I make these pizza pockets whenever the girls are getting tired of sandwiches and soups for lunch.
They're SUPER easy, fast, and they disappear quite quickly.



All you need is a can or two {we use two} of refrigerated crescent roll dough, grated cheese, and any other toppings you choose.  I used to spread tomato paste on too, but we don't love a lot of sauce, and after awhile, I just quit using it.  Unroll the crescent roll dough, but don't peel the sections apart.  Lay half of it flat on a cookie sheet.  Sprinkle plenty of cheese on top {we do, however, enjoy a lot of cheese}.  Then we arrange some Turkey Pepperoni on top of that.  You could even add olives and mushrooms.  {My girls don't care for either, and since this is supposed to be kid-friendly, I cater to them ;)}  Maybe another little sprinkle of cheese, and then top with the other half of the crescent roll dough.  Bake at 375 degrees until the top is golden brown {maybe 15 minutes?  I'm not sure I've ever timed it}, and enjoy!

Let me know if you decide to make these, or if you've made your own version.  And if you have your own kid-friendly {and easy!  Easy is always good} meal ideas, do share!

You can call me 'Mom mom!'

That's what Kam calls me now ;) At first I was thinking she was just babbling {as she always does}, but she only says this ~ 'Mom Mom!' ~ When I have put her down and she thinks she needs me ASAP. It is pretty darn cute, if I do say so.

In other news . . . I have a cookie exchange to go to this week. HELP!

We spent the better part of yesterday making cookies.

We made some jam thumbprint cookies. We also made a Sandies type of cookie with a cream cheese and peppermint filling. And lastly we made some chocolate and mint chip/cream cheese bars. Though, I don't know that bars are really cookies. Are they? Is it legal to bring them to a cookie exchange? Who's the authority, anyone know?

So, here's the thing. I can't decide which to take. I think the bars are out. They're a bit more work, and I'd feel like I need to cut them out into circles so they'd look more cookie-ish. Yeah, the bars are definitely out. I like the look of the jam thumbprints {in a taste test they were preferred 2 to 1~ my parents liked the jam, Sierra liked the peppermint/cream cheese. And I cannot taste right now, as I'm smack dab in the middle of a cold, so I couldn't tell ya which I like the best. Kenners didn't care for any of them. I'm sorry, but who doesn't like cookies? And Jeremy's been at work for the last 48 hours, so he hasn't had the pleasure.}

I don't know. Should I just take the jam ones? Are these over done at cookie exchanges? Should I find a different recipe altogether? Anyone?

{Or should I just shut up, bake the dang cookies, and not worry about it? I think that's my vote.}

Friend Makin' Monday ~ Cook Me Up Some of That!

Welcome back to another Friend Makin' Monday!

This week Amber asks us about our favorite recipes.

We spend more time in the kitchen {especially baking} this time of year than any other time.

I'd rather bake than cook, but that's not all that practical :)

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Chicken and Rice Dinner ~ super easy and quick!

Chicken breasts {4-6 or more depending on the size of your family and appetite!}

Rice {I make up 4-6 cups for our family}

Broccoli {2 cups chopped}

2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup

1 cup Mayonnaise

1 tsp. lemon juice

sprinkling of oregano and lemon pepper

Grated Cheese

Slivered Almonds

Cook and shred chicken. Cook rice. Mix soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and seasonings together. Spread broccoli in the bottom of a 13 x 9 pan, add rice to the top. Top the rice with chicken. Spread soup and mayonnaise mixture on top of the chicken. Sprinkle with grated cheese {if you like!}, and add slivered almonds to the top.

Bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted and casserole is heated through. {20 minutes}

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I love it because it's so easy to make up ahead of time and then just pop in the oven when you're ready for dinner!

Can't wait to check out more great recipes!

Happy Monday!

The Smells of Autumn

Alternately titled: What to make with all those stinkin' overly ripe bananas!

Around here, when the weather starts changing, there are other changes to look forward to as well. The jeans and sweaters get hauled out of storage. The candles, that have been put away for the summer, get brought out and burned. The house gets a bit of a Fall makeover. And the oven gets quite a work-out.

We love to bake, and some of our favorites are Quick breads.

On this drizzly Saturday morning, I thought I'd share a new Banana-Bread Recipe with y'all in case you're looking for a little warm-me-up comfort food.

This recipe is a little bit of Better Homes & Gardens, with a dash of Betty Crocker, and lots of Your Truly added in to truly make it my own.

Go on, grab your apron and mixing bowls!

{Edited to add the vanilla! How could I forget the vanilla???}

Banana-Bread a la Liz

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups Flour

1 1/2 tsps. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Baking Soda

1/4 tsp. Salt

1/4 tsp. Cinnamon

1/8 tsp. Nutmeg

2 Eggs

1 1/2 cups Mashed Bananas

1 1/4 cups Sugar

1/2 cup Butter {softened}

1 Tbsp. Vanilla {I personally think every baked good should contain vanilla. Mmmm}

Streusel Ingredients:

{Trust me, this is a must. It's super yummy!}

Oats, about 1/2 cup

{I used a packet of Quaker instant oatmeal in Cinnamon Roll, and can I say YUM, but feel free to use whichever Quick Cooking Oats you have}

1/3 cup Flour

1/3 cup Brown Sugar

2 Tbsps. Butter

Now that you have all the ingredients, let's get started. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease the bottom of two loaf pans. We used one loaf pan and two minis because, well, it's just more fun to have a personal-size banana bread!

Combine dry ingredients in one bowl and wet ingredients in another until both are well combined. Add the dry to the wet and combine. Mix up the Streusel Ingredients. Pour batter into pans, sprinkle with streusel, and bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes. And Voila!

Anyone else have some great recipes up their sleeve for these cooler days/nights ahead? I'd love to hear! Link up your own if you'd like, so we can all share!