Gingerbread Waffles

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I have a huge apology to offer.  I am soooo sorry to leave the post of Chocolate Cake up for so long.  I had one of my friends tell me the other day that that picture was killing her.  She had gone to my blog to find the Marinara recipe and all her kids could say was, "Please make that Chocolate Cake!"  I'm afraid to admit I was out of town for a week and didn't look, but now that I'm back, it's haunting me.  The recipe today probably isn't much ... ...continue reading

Chocolate Cake

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Isn't this the prettiest pic.  I'm going to send it to Sam's and get a 20x30 made to hang in my room.  Next to my children:)I needed chocolate cake.  So I made a chocolate cake.  And it was delicious!  I loved it.  The kids loved it.  James didn't love it so much.  It gave him a tummy ache, but that's what you get when you eat a honking huge, gi-normous piece and then go to church meetings all night.  Fact of life. A few months ago I saw an ... ...continue reading

Pad Thai

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This was a vegetarian version.  I was out of chicky.  It tasted just as good:)James and I have a certain conversation every once in a while that makes us laugh and also makes us realize how small the world really has become.  When we were growing up the most exotic food we ate at home was tacos.  Hard shelled with ground beef.  Maybe you could throw fajitas in there as exotic, but they weren't invented at my house until I was a teenager. ... ...continue reading

Homemade Caramel Apples

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It just that time of year.  You know.  The time when you can smell the apples ripening on the trees, and there's just that little bit of crispness in the air.  I have to say I am loving it right now.  The colors here in Utah are absolutely AMAZING!!  It has been so dry and hot this summer I didn't think we'd have anything but brown as fall came.  But let me just tell you it is awesome!  There are some red trees above my house that look like they ... ...continue reading

Raspberry Coconut Macaroons

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I'm always on the lookout for a good recipe to use up some of my garden's treats.  I found this recipe yesterday at Tasty Kitchen, but the original was from Smitten Kitchen.  It looked so good, and I decided I had to make it today.  I've had a great season this year and my raspberries are doing soooo good.   This recipe found me on the perfect day.  I had just picked an ice cream bucket full of those red jewels, and I wanted to use them in ... ...continue reading

To Frost Or Not To Frost (Banana, Zuchinni, Carrot Bread with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting)

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That is the question?  So dang it............what to do?  And those of you who know me well will see that I frosted.   My family's new favorite bread recipe is being shared today, and as you can see I did frost.  I figured since the batter was placed in loaf pans, then it technically isn't a cake and therefore frosting isn't THAT indulgent.  It just added a little bit of pizazz to a lovely loaf of bread.  (And if you remember correctly, the fact ... ...continue reading

Corn Cakes with Tomato and Avocado Salsa

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We love cakes!  Chocolate Cake, Crab Cakes, Banana Pancakes................you get the idea.  And we have a new favorite at our house as well.  These Corn Cakes were fantastic!  Right now, I have an abundance of fresh corn just waiting to be used in my garden.   It just came on.  I'm trying to use it up faster than the racoons can eat it each night though.  (Those dirty buggers are enjoying quite a feast each night.  Between the 4 deer who call ... ...continue reading

Oriental Pasta Salad

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Last weekend we attended one of the great Mormon Traditions, the "Farewell".  It's a day of utter pride and joy and happiness.  Not the bad pride, but pride in a young person who has made a decision to serve the Lord for two long years!  Last Sunday we said good-bye to a favorite nephew Brian who will be serving in the Philippines.  He's going to learn a new language, new customs, and live with and teach and serve a people he has never met. But ... ...continue reading

Roasted Green Beans with Goat Cheese

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*Disclaimer- My dad hates these beans.  He says it's the goat cheese, but I take everything he says about veggies in general with a grain of salt.    He won't eat carrots.  EVER!  So that just shows you what his vegetable thinking is.  I don't want to paint this post a little too rosy, so I thought I'd get that off my chest.  BUT- Everyone else loves these beans, so at least give them a try:)See large bean wall next to glorious Zinnias:)Is this ... ...continue reading

The Wedge

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I love the Wedge Salad!  I order it everywhere I go if possible.  So do you love it too or are you wondering what in the heck is a Wedge?  Well I believe it is the only salad that is going to save the poor Iceberg Lettuce from extinction:)  True!  I never use Iceberg, but it now has a place in my home. (Or crisper.)  If you are a lover of Blue Cheese, bacon, tomatoes, and creamy salad dressing, then you will love this!  And while I'm on the ... ...continue reading