My 1st recipe contest!

Today I created my first recipe!  I was inspired by the website http://www.mixingbowl.com/.  The site has listed many recipe contests, the one that caught my eye was the quick bread contest.  I saw it and I immediately knew I was up for the challenge.  The grand prize is $250!  This would give me a nice start on Christmas,  I am already preparing myself and my wallet for this occasion.  Anyway, back to the bread.  I chose the main ingredient to be sweet potato.  Surprise, surprise no one else has submitted a sweet potato bread.  This I hope will help my recipe to stand apart from the others.  Now, I'm not sure that I've ever had this type of bread before, but it sounded pretty good to me.  After a couple of trial and errors,  I think I am ready to submit it.  Wish me luck!!  If you would like to see my submission (and vote for me) it will be posted on the mixing bowl website under the quick bread contest entries.   The recipe is named "Sweet Potato Bread with Caramel Pecan Topping".  YAY!! 

Thanks for the votes!!

A Creative Day.

Don't you just love the days when you look back and say, "Wow, today I actually got something creative done".   That was my day.  I started the day with an early shower at 6:30 am, I always seem to get more accomplished on the days that I get up and shower right away.  I'm not sure why, but that's how it works.   Then I sent the big kids to school and headed out to get paint and fabric.  I was on a mission to find some inspiration for our playroom.  And I did!!  The fabric is perfectly polka dot- which I am really liking these days and striped.  I then matched the colors for the paint and headed home.  I am soooo ready for some color in the new house.  These white walls are driving me crazy! 

When I got home I decided to finish the Halloween outfit that I had started for Natalie.  Take a look at the pictures, I think it turned out pretty cute.  Anyway, now I'm off to start dinner and play outside with the kids for a little while.  I hope this post helps to inspire you to get creative!

Online Recipe Community - Share Recipes - MixingBowl.com

Online Recipe Community - Share Recipes - MixingBowl.com

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Worthy websites.

Hey all,  hope everyone enjoyed the weekend.  Ours was a little bumpy, but nothing we can't get past.  Chuck came home with "The Flu", well, I'm not convinced it was the flu because it was really mild (thank God).    He is actually back at work today.  Wheww!!  It's a lot of work  having a sick husband, as you all know, I'm sure.  Anyway, I had some time over the weekend to do a little research for my new business, and while doing so, I came across a couple neat sites that I thought I'd pass on to you.  The first one is

http://www.mixingbowl.com/.  This site is really cool, lots of great recipes that are just passed around from one person to the next.  I like checking out the blogs associated with the site as well.  There are lots of different groups that are categorized according to the recipes.  Pretty neat!!  I actually came across some cooking contests also, I think I might enter.  :)

The next website is http://www.thegrocerygame.com/ .  During the planning of this business, I have tried to find the most economical way to buy food.   I, of course, want to make a profit from my business.  Anyway, I came across this site, which offers to lower your grocery bill tremendously.  Well, our bill runs around $250-300 a week, so if someone can save me a nice chunk of change, I'm in.  This is a subscription service, and there is a monthly charge, but they do offer a free trial month.  I'll keep you posted.  If you do decide to check it out, mention my name.  They  have a pretty awesome referral program too! 

Check it out!!

A Sweet Treat!

It's Friday, Friday, FRIDAY!  In my house, Friday is a good day.  Chuck is home from his weekly travels, and the kids are happy to get a little break from school.  For me, Friday means a little baking time.  Now, that may not sound like much fun to you, but for me it's relaxing.  The end result is always rewarding!  Yum.

This week is a little different, only because we will be sharing our end of week sweets with a few new neighbors.  I thought it would be nice to extend a little welcome with some Banana Pecan bread.  I found this recipe in a Southern Living magazine and we love it!!  It acually tastes more like cake than bread.  Mmmm. 

Cream Cheese Banana Nut Bread 

( makes 2 loaves, one for my neighbor and one for me- he, he)

1 cup chopped pecans

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened

2 cups sugar ( I add a little extra, well, it is our end of week treat)

2 large eggs

3 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups mashed bananas ( about 4)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 350*.  Bake pecans in a single layer in a shallow pan 6-8 minutes or until toasted and fragrant. 

2. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. 

3. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; gradually add to butter mixture, beating at a low speed just until blended.  Stir in bananas, pecans, and vanilla.  Spoon batter into 2 greased and floured 8x4in loaf pans.

4. Bake for 1 hour or until a wooden pick comes out clean and sides pull away from pan.  Cool bread in pans on wire racks for 10 minutes.  Remove from pans  to wire racks and continue to cool  for 30 minutes before slicing. 

They also suggest  a orange glaze, but I don't usually go there.

Orange Glaze:

Stir together 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp. orange zest,

and 3 Tbsp. fresh orange juice.  Drizzle over warm bread.  

Ahhh, happiness.