Cinnamon Roll Waffles by Brooke

hey guys! today i have something very simple, yet so delicious! My roomate has this mini waffle maker, and we put cinnamon rolls in it! All you do is take 1 cinnamon roll, and put it in the waffle maker, and then put some icing on it when its done! so delicious, so easy, and so fast!!!

9.10.21: flower seed wedding favors

9.10.20: organizing and defrosting the deep freezer

9.10.19: TT how to use a shredding disk 

9.19.18: arm knit afghan

9.10.17: salad in baked meat cups

9.10.16: pineapple upside-down cake cocktails

Personalized Phone Case

Made this for my sis - she loves working out and does Peloton like every day, so I googled a bunch of funny things one of the instructors is famous for saying during his workouts (I googled because I don't do Peloton hahaha, I've just heard this Cody guy is pretty funny). Seemed like an easy, quick, crafty, personal thing to make her that she'd love...but I was wrong.

Not wrong about the crafty personal thing or about her loving it. Wrong about how easy and quick it was to make!

I made the letters using my Cricut Joy - the design part was easy, just type what you want to say and play around with scale and fonts until it looks good to you. Originally I had twice as many quotes but when I cut it out I had a terrible time with the tiny little letters! Weeding them from the vinyl sheets, transferring from the sheet to the transfer tape, then getting them to stick to the case - yikes. I cut out some of the quotes and made the rest a bit larger thinking that'd help but it didn't. Ugh.  The easy quick craft took me sooooooo long - the vinyl didn't cut right so I replaced the blade, then I changed the vinyl, then I contemplated just buying stickers (which would have been much easier haha), then I walked away from it for a few days and then had to finish it in a panic right before going to her birthday dinner.

In the end it came together, it turned out super cute and she does love it - but will I make another? Doubtful! If you want to make one I wish you luck, a steady hand, a Cricut that performs better than mine did on this project, and lots of patience. 

9.9.21: window signs (paint on old windows)

9.9.20: croissant bread pudding with bourbon sauce

9.9.19: DIY no-sew tutu

9.9.18: 🔥 week 36

9.9.17: wine cork flower holder

9.9.16: chopped champion aprons

Grilled Mini Pizzas

I've mentioned making grilled pizzas in the past but don't have a post devoted to it so I'm sharing this quick easy dinner idea today. It's more of a non-recipe recipe - you know I like to just wing it when cooking such easy dishes!

Start with store-bought pre-made pizza crust, I usually buy the thin crust individual sized package (there are  usually 3 really thin ones or 2 slightly thicker  in a package - I get one or the other depending on what's available). 

Brush the edge lightly with olive oil, sprinkle on seasoning if you want - I do salt and pepper, sometimes Italian herb blend. Spread pizza sauce almost to the edge, top with toppings of your choice (our standard is canned mushrooms and chopped canadian bacon, sometimes I'll add chopped spinach or tomatoes), finish with shredded or cubed mozzarella (feta is good too!). Grill until the cheese is melted, watch that the bottom doesn't burn. It doesn't take very many minutes to be ready to eat.

I don't have a picture, it looks like pizza haha. Yum, seriously - we eat these all the time!

You could do the same thing in the oven if you don't want to bother with the grill. 

9.8.21: mojitos

9.8.20: TT stovetop toasted garbanzo beans

9.8.19: 🔥 week 36

9.8.18: b.l.a.t. sandwich

9.8.17: crown braid by Brooke

9.8.16: rearranging furniture

Strawberry Cream Pie

When I first saw this recipe it reminded me of the great strawberry-pineapple pie that Cathy makes (click here for that post), but it's different and also delicious so it's going in my recipe stash alongside hers. 

The whipped cream filling was a little soft, maybe I didn't whip it long enough or it was too humid the day I made it but it really didn't matter - it's still fluffy creamy berry goodness. I followed the recipe and whipped my own cream, I'm thinking Cool Whip would hold up better if you want to try for a stiffer cream layer.

• 1 quart strawberries, sliced
• 1 (13.5 oz.) package strawberry glaze
• 1 (4 oz) package cream cheese, softened (1/2 block)
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 t. ground cinnamon
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream 
• 1 (9") baked pie crust (I used a pre-made graham cracker crust)

1. Stir strawberries with glaze in a bowl and place in fridge to chill. Stir cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla together in a bowl.

2. Beat cream in a separate bowl with an electric mixer just until it begins to thicken; add cream cheese mixture and continue beating until thick. Pour cream mixture into baked pie crust; top with strawberry mixture. Chill at least 1 hour before serving.

well I thought I had a picture of the sliced pie but can't find it - when I do I'll update this!! 

 recipe found here

9.7.21: TT - solo cup measurements, who knew?

9.7.20: face mask with filter pocket

9.2.19: wild mushroom and thyme soup (made myself laugh 3 years later!)

9.7.18: tomato tart

9.7.17: first aid certification

9.7.16: brownie, oreo, reese's ice cream cake

Tip-sy Tuesday: cream puff dessert

Today's Tip-sy Tuesday tip is for the easiest dessert ever - buy frozen mini cream puffs, put them on a plate a few minutes before serving them (follow packages directions) to slightly thaw, drizzle with warmed chocolate sauce. 

I don't have a picture, we ate it faster than I remembered to snap a photo hahaha. The cream puffs are in a plastic box in the freezer section, we like Saunders chocolate sauce (I put it in a microwavable safe glass container and micro it for a few seconds until pourable). 

Instead of drizzling overtop of the cream puffs you can also pour some chocolate on your plate and dip them yourself. 

9.6.21: 'welcome to the wedding' sign 

9.6.20: 🔥 week 36

9.6.19: plastic lacing gimp keychain

9.6.18: roasted tomatoes with pasta

9.6.17:  morning glory muffins

9.6.16:  Japanese steakhouse carrot-ginger salad dressing

Happy Labor Day '22

Here's a Labor Day post from '16 - we were camping and I didn't have access to my computer to post something new, I'm doing a repeat so I have something for this year! Hope everyone had a great weekend!

I couldn't find many cute Labor Day sayings, quotes or pictures - so I'm leaving you with this cute pic of Sarge...wishing you a day filled with friends, family, and a nice long nap!

Oh, and I'm totally wearing my white jeans after today - who's with me?

9.5.21: 🔥 week 36

9.5.20: stuffed tomatoes with grits

9.5.19: insta-pot tortellini by Jen

9.5.18: raw fresh tomato sauce

9.5.17: birthday party 

🔥 Around the Campfire (week 36)

Dear Campers ~

Here's a quick recap of what happened at camp last week in case you missed anything:

Posts ~

8/28: 🔥 week 35 

8/29: Man-day Monday: Dave made a sandwich (walleye)

8/30: Tip-sy Tuesday: RV organizing the spice rack

8/31: Hawaiian quilt

9/1: tamale dip

9/2: giant reese's stuffed cookie

9/3: cucumbers in vinegar

What's Cooking ~

• beef wellington, roasted potatoes, carrots, and green beans, salad bar
• grilled chicken, buttered noodles, roasted sliced zucchini and mushrooms with red sauce and mozzarella
• grilled mini pizzas, chopped salad
• bbq pork chops, seasoned rice packet, roasted broccoli

Well, well, well, I've done it again and didn't post this when I was supposed to - so I'm posting this review late so it will be in place on the blog! Ugh...life happens haha. 

Sincerely ~

Jill

camp counselor 

9.4.21: beer tap pull handles

9.4.20: Cathy's canvas painting

9.4.19: chocolate cupcakes w/peanut butter frosting

9.4.18: Tomato Jam

9.4.17: Labor Day (funny)

9.4.16: white beans in marinara, arugula salad

Cucumbers in Vinegar

 LeDonna gave me this idea for my new favorite way to eat cucumbers - my mouth is watering just thinking about them - cover sliced cukes with apple cider vinegar and let them hang in the fridge, oh my gosh this is SO good. I've been eating them straight out of the container, usually I sprinkle salt on them right before popping into my mouth! You can experiment with different kinds of vinegar but so far I've only used apple cider and it's amazing. 

You can peel the cucumbers or leave skin on, whichever you prefer. They will hold in the fridge for a few days  before the vinegar starts getting cloudy and the texture of the cukes gets too soft...I eat them faster than they could possibly go bad so can't tell you how many days. Just keep an eye on them. 

For the record, I don't love cucumbers so having them in a quick pickle like this is the perfect way for me to enjoy them :)

9.3.21: tiny wedding cake

9.3.20: drunken cherry bombs

9.3.19: TT - clear vanilla

9.3.18: tomato week: stuffed tomatoes

9.3.17: cauliflower waffles

9.3.16: Barbie soap - wrong but funny.

Giant Reese's Stuffed Cookie

Well I went and did it again - forgot to take a picture of this after it was baked! I will make it again and hopefully remember to get a pic and will update this post...in the meantime will you just trust me that it looks great? hahaha. Also tastes great, and got great reviews at the birthday party!

I borrowed a screenshot from Delish until I get my own picture :)

3/4 C. creamy peanut butter, divided

1/2 C. butter, unsalted (1 stick)

1/2 C. brown sugar, packed

1/4 C. granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 t. vanilla

1 1/2 C. flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt (I used coarse)

13 regular size Reese's peanut butter cups

1 1/2 C. mini Reese's, plus more for topping

1/4 C. Reese's Pieces, plus more for topping

melted chocolate for topping

Ice cream for serving

1. Preheat oven to 350' and grease a 10" cast-iron skillet with cooking spray. In a large bowl using a hand mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine 1/2 cup peanut butter, butter, and sugars and beat on medium until mixture is light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla and mix until thoroughly combined, then add flour, baking soda, and salt and mix until just combined.

2. Press half the cookie dough onto the bottom and up the sides of the skillet. Press Reese's cups into the dough, then top with remaining cookie dough. Gently press in 1 1/2 cups mini Reese's and 1/4 cup Reese's Pieces. 

3. Bake until cookie sis et, 15-20 minutes.

4. In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave remaining 1/4 cup peanut butter until melted, about 20 seconds. 

5. Drizzle cookie with melted peanut butter and melted chocolate. and top with more candy. Serve with ice cream. 

note: my cast iron skillet is 12" and I didn't know if that would work so I substituted a 10" oven safe skillet instead - worked just fine. 

recipe from delish.com 

before patting it smooth over the reese's cups

9.2.21: naked cake

9.2.20: crazy peanut butter chocolate pie

9.2.19: happy labor day

9.2.18: 🔥 week 35

9.2.17: birthday cake (heavy sprinkles!)

Tamale Dip

Cute story - I got this recipe from Al and Cathy a really long time ago and just made it over the weekend. Al says to me 'this is really good dip' and I said 'well I'd think you would like it, since it's your recipe' LOL They haven't made it in a long time and he forgot about it hahah. It's really easy, and so so good! 

One slightly weird/interesting thing is the canned tamales - they are individually wrapped in papers and then canned in sauce...so you have to stick your fingers in the sauce to get the paper off...weird. But delicious in this dip.

1 lb. Velveeta, cubed

1 can chili without beans

1 can tamales in sauce

1/2 small jar picante sauce

Remove the papers around the canned tamales, smoosh the tamales and mix all the ingredients together. Melt in the microwave; put in a small crockpot to keep warm. 

9.1.21: swiss meringue buttercream

9.1.20: TT- oven heating hack

9.1.19: 🔥 week 35

9.1.18: painted cow skull 

9.1.16: mini succulent shadow box