Fabulous Friday- Because of Him

Today was a great day for my little family. My husband is almost done with some training for work and they had a very special recognition day today. It was so wonderful to be able to take my kids and have them see their dad in a work environment.

Plus he got most of the day off which was super awesome. We ate lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, hung out with my in laws and played Mario Party on the GameCube (oh yeah, rocking it old school). Overall a great day and then tomorrow starts Easter festivities. 

I love this time of year when we celebrate renewed life. This year takes on an extra special meaning as I remember my cousin Christopher who took his own life earlier this year. Although his death was devastating I know that I will be able to see him again.  I am so grateful for that knowledge and the comfort that it can bring.

I am grateful for my faith in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. Because of Him our lives may also be renewed. 

Hope your family has a wonderful Easter!

Fabulous Friday- Coconut Cream Fruit Dip

I was looking for a fun fruit dip to serve at my daughter's 4th birthday party (that was almost a year ago, yikes!) and I found one on Pinterest that peeked my interest.  I figured I would give it a chance and I am so glad that I did.  It was the biggest hit.  I was constantly being asked what was in it and where I got the recipe.  This is one of those staples you can bring to a party, even if it is last minute.  I like to keep some cream of coconut on hand to add to my coconut quinoa or for virgin pina coladas.  It's just nice to have on hand, and the fact that it tastes good is just an extra bonus, right? I make a double batch (which makes a ton just to be aware) and use the leftovers to make the most amazing fruit salads.  You could always use the dip and fruit and toss it all together for a fruit salad to bring to a potluck which I personally think would be a huge hit. Hope you like it as much as I have!

Coconut Cream Fruit Dip by Dessert Now, Dinner Later

Hawaiian Lava Flow

Coconut Berries Quinoa

Triple Coconut Cake

Bread Maker Coconut Bread

Fabulous Friday- Heavenly Smore's Bars

My in-laws were in town last weekend doing some house hunting.  They are moving to within just a few hours of where we live and we are super excited.  We won't even have to leave the state to see them!  My kids are beyond excited and ask almost every day if Grandma and Grandpa have moved yet.

We met up with them to have some pizza which we took back to their hotel to eat.  We thought it would be fun to bring a dessert to eat but I was having a beast of a time trying to pick what I wanted to make.   We wanted pies but the ones that sounded good to everyone were pies that needed to be refrigerated which wasn't going to work.  I also didn't want to have to spend a whole ton of time making one.  I was feeling seriously lazy that day.  I'm a big fan of bar cookies because they actually give me the time to go get ready instead of having to man the oven.  I saw these bars and thought it could work but then I was feeling too lazy to make a crust from scratch (anyone sensing a theme here?).  So I grabbed a pre-made graham cracker crust from the cupboard and pressed the cookie mix into it and threw it in the oven.  It worked out just fine, although the top edge of the graham cracker crust was just a tad overcooked.  If I do it as a pie again I would make sure to put one of those pie crust protector thing-ys on it (technical I know).  Otherwise this was a big hit and my 14 year old sister in law lit up when we said we would leave the rest of the pie behind, all 2 slices of it.

Heavenly Smore's Bars by U-Create

Triple Coconut Cake

White Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars

Raspberry Cream Cheese Brownies

Strawberry Valentine's Oreos

Fabulous Friday-Key Lime Bundt Cake

On Monday, instead of doing the St. Patrick's meal thing, I forgot completely about it and went to the beach only to come home and realize I had totally missed it.  Sooo, we did it on Tuesday.  Ha ha.  We've learned in our family that we have to work with our schedule and celebrate holidays whenever we have the chance. When my husband was in the Army he missed many a holiday and with his current job it will be much of the same. We've determined the actual day doesn't matter, it's the opportunity to be together and celebrate that is most important.

As part of our Belated St Patrick's Day celebration I wanted a fun dessert.  I went through some of my boards on Pinterest, threw out a couple options to my hubby, and he decided on this Key Lime Bundt Cake by The 36th Avenue.  It was amazing!  It's a denser cake with a chewy outside almost like a crust.  The lime cream cheese frosting was just the ultimate kicker.  I couldn't find Key Lime frosting at my local supermarket  (on a side note my local store has the saddest baking section, it is so frustrating to go looking for something specific) so I used regular cream cheese frosting and the juice of 1 1/2 limes and my leftover lime zest.  It worked out perfectly.

Key Lime Bundt Cake by The 36th Avenue

You may also be interested in:

Triple Coconut Cake

White Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars

Baked Apples With Cinnamon Ice Cream

BYU Mint Brownies

Fabulous Friday- Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork

I have made this particular pork several times now and I love how simple and easy it is.  It takes just a minute to throw together which is generally the beauty of all crock pot meals.  I serve it with potatoes or rice, my vote is potatoes and my hubby's vote is always for rice.  It works great either way.  The sauce/glaze is SO good and I like making enough of this to have leftovers.  I like it paired with broccoli or asparagus or brussel sprouts.  I've also done this with wild rice and quinoa, there are just so many variations that you can do with this meal.  And I've done this with a pork loin and just a regular pork roast, either works really well.

I've also used the leftovers for pizza with the pork tossed in leftover sauce, green apples, pineapple, and red onion and pork sandwiches.  It's really versatile and I enjoy being able to cook just once and get several different meals from it.

Make sure you use gluten-free tamari instead of regular soy sauce for a gluten free version.

Brown Sugar and Balsamic Glazed Pork by C and C Marriage Factory

Fabulous Friday-Strawberry Valentine's Oreos

I made these cookies yesterday for our Preschool Valentine's Day party.  They were a super big hit with all the moms who were there.  I couldn't find any strawberry cake mix at the grocery store.  So I kind of made my own with yellow cake mix and some Strawberry Nesquik.  They turned out really well and my hubby might have had 4 when he got home from work.  They come together really fast so it's not too late to make them for someone special today.

Strawberry Valentine's Oreos by Six Sisters' Stuff

Fabulous Friday- Low Fat Baked General Tso's Chicken

I've made this a few times now and it quickly went to the top of my husband's favorites list.  The sauce on these is amazing!  It has some amazing kick to it which is easy to temper if you don't like things that spicy.  Baking the chicken gives it a crispy finish without the hassle, mess, and extra fat that comes from deep frying the chicken.  It's a great addition to have to the recipe box.  I love to serve it with some white rice, edamame, and pot stickers or chow mein.  A perfect make-your-own-takeout kind of a night.

Low Fat Baked General Tso's Chicken by N L Rock Recipes 

Fabulous Friday- Legendary Lion House Rolls

Have you ever heard of the Six Sisters' Stuff?  They have a great blog and some fabulous recipes that they share.  These Lion House Rolls are one I am planning on making next week for Thanksgiving.  They are super delicious and make a ton which is great for the 27 people we will be celebrating with.  I love Thanksgiving and the time to reflect on my many blessings.  This year we got some great news regarding my husband's employment that we were not expecting.  My list of blessings just got a little bit longer.



Legendary Lion House Rolls with Honey Butter by Six Sisters' Stuff

Fabulous Friday- No Bake Granola Bars

I didn't want to pay through the nose for some granola bars to take with us on a trip so I searched through my Pinterest to find a recipe I had everything for already.  This recipe fit the bill and I loved that it was a no-bake recipe.  It meant they were ready even faster.  They almost didn't make it out of the pan because they were that good.  I love the ability to make a lot of different kind of granola bars without having to make lots of different batches.  I ended up making smores, chocolate chip, white chocolate cranberry, and butterscotch flavors and they all were awesome.  This recipe uses really basic ingredients that I always have on hand which means it will be a staple in my house.  The original creator gives lots of other mix in options and I would love to hear any other ideas you all have.

No-Bake Granola Bars from Made From Pinterest

Fabulous Friday- Pumpkin Chili

This is another great recipe from Miss Emily over at One Lovely Life.  I love the added nutrition the pumpkin puree gives to chili and it added just a hint of the pumpkin flavor but not enough to make you overwhelmed with pumpkin.  I'm thinking this would be really good with some squash puree too.  I'll have to try it that way and let you all know how that goes.  It's a great, quick, weeknight meal that is super hardy and I always love something warm on a cold night.  I always enjoy a good recipe that is just as good meatless as it is with meat.  It is super easy to change up the meat in this to be lighter using ground chicken or turkey or do as Emily suggest and add some beans to make it vegetarian. So many options from a simple recipe.

Pumpkin Chili from One Lovely Life

Fabulous Friday- Rosemary Olive Oil Bread

There is nothing like homemade bread and this is another great bread just like last week.  I love the aroma this bread gives while baking and it's a great addition to a dinner in.  It's a pretty simple recipe with great flavor.  And I love how it seems fancy without the work.

Rosemary Olive Oil Bread by A Hint of Honey

Fabulous Friday- No Bake Energy Bites

It's been a long week and I am so glad that it is Friday!  Boy did I need a weekend.  But my week was made a little better when I found out that my Disney Felt Potato Heads had been featured over at Artsy Fartsy Mama.  That totally made my week!  Hop on over and check out the other bloggers featured.  

My little family has a busy weekend ahead of us spending time with family and friends.  I hope you also have some fun things planned over the weekend!

These were a huge hit on our little family vacation we had with my in-laws at Disneyland.  These have been a popular staple in my house for a while now.  They are absolutely delicious and I love how my kids think of these as treats.  They are made of simple ingredients mixed together to make something awesome.  They kind of remind me of no bake cookies but a little less sweet which I am a fan of.  They got a little smashed after being in a backpack all day but they held up very well.  The perfect little pick me up to help carry us through a long day at Disney.

No Bake Energy Bites by Smashed Peas and Carrots

Fabulous Friday-Easy Homemade French Bread

Last winter I finally decided to give bread making a try and I found a couple easy recipes that I have really like.  They are quick and easy and I think I have yet to really mess them up.  That works for me.  The first one I really like is this french bread from Deals to Meals.  I have made it countless times and love having it stocked in my freezer.  We have used it for paninis, french bread pizzas, and home made garlic bread.  I am a big fan of warm bread fresh out of the oven and this is a good one to add to the recipe box.  Hope you enjoy it as well as I do.

Easy Homemade French Bread  from Deals to Meals

                       

Fabulous Friday- Hawaiian Lava Flow

I love to do themed dinner nights and adding a festive themed drink always makes those dinners over the top.  It's the perfect finishing touch to a delicious dinner.  I've shared my favorite Horchata to do with Mexican night.  We do Hawaiian food fairly often, I mean, I am Hawaiian so that only seems right.  When I go all out with the food I love to surprise my kids and hubby with an awesome drink and I happen to love these Hawaiian Lava Flows from Coterie.  They are simple, non-alcoholic and wonderfully tasty.  Plus they look gorgeous too so what more could you want.  Check them out and look out in the near future for a traditional Hawaiian dish that you can make at home in your crock pot.

Hawaiian Lava Flows from Coterie

Coconut Cream Fruit Dip

Coconut Berries Quinoa

Triple Coconut Cake

Bread Maker Coconut Bread

Fabulous Friday- Soba Noodles with Sweet Ginger Scallion Sauce

These are some killer noodles.  I really liked their flavors and I loved that my little miss ate them up too.  She's a picky one so anytime she eats that is a thumbs up in my opinion.  These are great with some Asian chicken and rice for another option for make-your-own-take-out.

I couldn't find soba noodles at my local store so I used whole wheat spaghetti noodles which worked well for us.

Soba Noodles with Sweet Ginger Scallion Sauce  by Simply Reem

Fabulous Friday- Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas (gf,df)

Have I mentioned I love Mexican food.  It's such a staple in our home that we probably have it at least 2-3 times a week if not more.  This recipe from Miss Emily at One Lovely Life is simply wonderful.  I'm in love with these carnitas and the fact that they are made in the crock pot.  

Emily and I go back to our good ol' college days when we were both newly married.  Our husbands knew each other from high school and we happened to show up late to church when Mike was introducing himself and Emily.  We had a little bit of an awkward moment when he saw my hubby and threw out that he knew Mitch as we were trying to sneak in unobserved.  Mission failed.  Oh well.  It's a funny moment to remember.  If you don't read Emily's blog I think you should.  Not to be bossy but she is such a ray of sunshine and such a happy person and that totally comes across on her blog.  She is perhaps one of the kindest people I know and a darn good cook.  I still use all of the recipes she shared when she was teaching a cooking class to some of the girls from our church.  She has always been my inspiration in blogging.  I've watched her blog come a long way so it gives me hope for my little blog.  And now that I have thoroughly embarrassed you, Emily, let's move on to the link to this absolutely divine crock pot recipe.  Check it out, put it on your list to make, and I really hope you enjoy it as much as we have.  It's simple and downright lick the plate good.  And that makes it a keeper in my book.

Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas

I have made no changes to this recipe.  Let me repeat, it's that good.  The end.

Slow Cooker Beef Carnitas by One Lovely Life

Fabulous Friday- Qinuoa Fried Rice (gf)

There is a serious lack of good Asian food here in Georgia.  My skills and recipe rotation in that particular genre have expanded quite a bit.  A friend had posted her review of this recipe and I thought it sounded good and a better alternative to the regular fried rice.  My hubby who has been a bit wishy-washy about me using quinoa gave a big thumbs up for this recipe.  I love how filling it is and how much healthier it is.  We paired it last with some teriyaki grilled salmon and broccoli.  A wonderful and light alternative to the traditional Chinese food fare.

Quinoa Fried Rice (gf)

The only changes I made to this recipe were to change out the peas for edamame and to add half a block of extra firm tofu which I added before the veggies to give it a chance to brown a little.  Use gluten free tamari to make this a gluten free dish.

Quinoa Fried "Rice" by Cooking For Keeps

Fabulous Friday- Broccoli Beef (gf)

I've complained before about how there is no good Chinese food here in Georgia.  I shall say no more on that point.  I happen to love broccoli beef and this recipe was so good and super fast.  It made my night...and lunch the next day.  I won't say anymore but put this onto your make-it list, right now!

Broccoli Beef (gf)

As always, you can substitute gluten free tamari for the low-sodium soy sauce in this dish.

Broccoli Beef by Iowa Girl Eats

Fabulous Friday- Triple Coconut Cake

Once upon a time I had coconut milk and got sick.  I have avoided it for over 20 years but after seeing so many recipes that looked delicious I decided to give coconut another try.  Man, I have missed so much deliciousness.  Don't pity me for too long.  I have been making up for my lack of coconut by having it often and savoring it completely.

For my husband's birthday back in May we went through my cake board on Pinterest and I told him to choose one for me to make.  He had chosen a coconut cake but that recipe I had pinned was outrageous.  It was supposed to soak for like 3 days and people said it wasn't that good anyways.  Wow.  So I was off to scour the internet for a new recipe.  I finally found this particular recipe and we enjoyed every last morsel of that cake.  We may have hidden the last big slice from the kids just so we could savor it one last time after they had gone to bed one night.  Don't judge us, it's that good.  And that last 1/4 cup of reduced coconut milk didn't go to waste.  Look out for a delicious use for the rest of that milk.

Triple Coconut Cake

Isn't he handsome!  Love that man!  My daughter and I had lots of fun making this cake together.

Triple Coconut Cake by Three Many Cooks

Fabulous Friday- Pesto Ranch Chicken (gf)

In talking with my husband one day during dinner, he asked why I wasn't taking pictures of what we were eating.  Ha ha, talk about the plight of a blogger's spouse always waiting to eat until your wife has finished taking pictures.  Any who, I informed him the meal I made was from a fellow blogger and I had made it as it, and loved it.  I realized I need to be sharing these recipes.  There have been a few recipes that I have tried that we have hated.  Only one thus far was really awful but sometimes it can be hard to pick out the good from the bad.  So I've decided that each Friday I will feature one recipe that we have adored and hopefully you will go check out that recipe from that blogger and enjoy their wonderful recipes, just as we have.

Onto our first featured recipe.  I made this last week and we enjoyed it immensely.  Absolutely delicious and a crock pot meal using just 4 ingredients.  Few things are better than that.  The only thing I changed was using boneless skinless chicken breasts.

Crock Pot Pesto Ranch Chicken (gf)

Pesto Ranch Crock Pot Chicken by Picky Palate