Welcome Home Bars

1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. graham cracker crumbs
14 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. butterscotch chips

Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in 13X9 pan. Sprinkle crumbs evenly over butter. Pour condensed milk evenly over crumbs and then add chips. Bake 25-30 minutes. Cool, cut into bars.

Oatmeal Fudge

 Similar to no-bake cookies but in bar form...

2 c. sugar
3 T. cocoa
1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. butter or margarine
1/2 c. peanut butter
3 c. quick cook oats
1 t. vanilla

Combine sugar, cocoa, milk and butter. Heat in saucepan until in a full boil.  Remove from burner and add peanut butter, oats, and vanilla. Pour into greased pan. Let cool and cut into squares. 

Lemon Chess Bars

1 box lemon cake mix
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 stick margarine
8 oz cream cheese
1 box 10X powdered sugar

Grease 9X13 pan. Mix cake mix, 1 egg, vanilla, melted margarine and nuts. Spread into pan. Mix 3 eggs, powdered sugar, and softened cream cheese. Spread mix and bake at 350 for 50-60 mins.  Cool and cut into squares.

Punch Bowl Cake

1 box yellow cake mix
large can cherry or strawberry pie filling
large crushed pineapple
large can mandarin oranges
large box instant vanilla pudding
large Cool Whip (possibly a small one too)
small package pecan chips

Bake cake in two round cake pans per label instructions. Make pudding and allow to set while cake is cooking. Drain pineapple and oranges. Place thin layer of cool whip in bottom of punch bowl or trifle dish. Top with one layer of cake pieces. Spread 1/2 of pudding on cake. Add half of fruits and then layer cool whip on top Add second cake layer and repeat steps.  Sprinkle pecan chips on top. Refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Kimba's French Toast

I found this recipe today while blogging around at www.asoftplace.net and I think it looks fabulous. 



4 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
12 slices of bread
Butter 
Syrup

• Mix together dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl
• Beat together eggs, milk and vanilla then add to dry ingredients and combine
• Heat a large skillet or griddle
• Add butter to skillet
• Dip each slice of bread in egg mixture and flip once
• Cook each slice for about 1 minute per side or until golden brown

Cleaning...

I learned something about myself today.  I could not get in the "cleaning mood" as I like to call it because I really like a nice spring day full of sunshine and these chilly temps just were not cutting it.  I learned that even though I have spent the last couple of years making sure I have cleaning supplies in all my bathrooms and kitchen for convenience; I really prefer to just tote my little cleaning caddy from room to room.  This makes it feel official that I am on a mission to tackle all the messes.  I also learned that when I am fully dressed in "going out" clothes after taking the kitty to the vet I cannot get  in the mood.  I changed into a long sleeved t-shirt, sweat pants and tennis shoes and armed with my caddy I am now finally making much needed progress on my mission.  I did not realize until today that my process controls so much of my productivity.  Just thought I would share!

Broccoli Rice Cheese Casserole - Meredith's favorite

2 packages frozen chopped broccoli, thawed
1 small jar cheese whiz
1 stick melted margarine
1/2 c. onion
3/4 c. chopped celery (optional)
1 cup minute rice
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 soup can water

Melt margarine and add onion and celery if used and saute until onions are clear.  Add to remaining ingredients and place in baking dish and bake at 350 for 45-60 minutes.

All Season Bread

3 c. flour
2 t. soda
1 t. baking powder
1 1/2 t. cinnamon
3 eggs
2 c. sugar
3/4 c. oil
2 t. vanilla
8 oz crushed pineapple
Add 2 cups seasonal fruit (blueberries, strawberries,etc.)

Combine flour, soda, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and set aside. Beat eggs lightly in large mixing bowl and add sugar, vanilla, oil, and beat until creamy. Drain pineapple, reserving juice and stir in pineapple and fruit. Add dry ingredients. Spoon batter into 2 well greased and floured 9X5 pans. Bake 350 for 1 hr. Cool 10 minutes.

Turkey Roll Ups

12 flour tortillas
8 oz. cream cheese
1 head lettuce
6 oz. package deli sliced turkey
2 c. shredded carrots
2 c. minced tomato

Spread cheese on tortilla and top with lettuce leaves. Arrange turkey in even layers and then sprinkle with carrots and tomatoes. Roll. Cut on diagonal for sandwich option.

Spinach Roll Ups

10 tortillas
2 packages chopped, drained, thawed frozen spinach
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 cup mayo
1 cup sour cream
1/2 c. bacon bits
3 T. chopped onion

Mix and spread on tortillas. Slice into 1 inch sections no more than  3 hours before serving.