Root Beer Float Cookies

I use the same receipe as the Nestle Toll House Chocolate chip cookies but substitute the vanilla extract for root beer and use white chocolate chips instead of the semi sweet.

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon root beer extract

2 large egg

1 pkg of white chocolate chips

PREHEAT oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.               

Red velvet cookies

Today I played with my cream cheese cake cookie receipe and decided to try red velvet cake mix.  Turned out pretty yummy

1pkg cream cheese
1/2 cups of butter
2 eggs
1tsp of vanilla
1 box red velvet cake mix
white chocolate chips

Cream the butter and cream cheese together.  Add the eggs and vanilla, once mix well add the cake mix and bit at a time until well mixed together, then add the white chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 12-15 minutes.

Wine rack upcycled

I have been wanting a table for behind the couch for some time now and just haven't found anything.  Yesterday as I was looking in the living room it hit me.  There was on old wine rack in our shop, so I drug my son out there and after determining that yes it would do, we lugged the thing back to the house.  It was a perfect fit!

Home made rotel

 We had plenty of tomatoes this year,so I made home made rotel.  Depending on how many jars you want the amount of tomatoes will vary.  My first batch had around 30-40 tomatoes.  Place tomatoes in the sink, in a large pot bring water to boil.  Once the water is boiling take off the stove and pour over the tomatoes in the sink.  The hot boiling water will make the skin peel right off the tomatoes.

Peel the skin and quarter the tomatoes and place in the large pot.

 Once all the tomatoes are peeled and quartered, dice 4-5 jalapeno peppers (more for a hotter rotel and less for milder) and add to tomatoes.  Add palm full of canning salt.  Bring this to a boil and let simmer for around 30 minutes. While this is simmer, in a small pan place the mason jar lid flats in water and heat to small boil. Heating the flats will help to seal the jars.

Add to mason jars.  I did several in pint size and then all the rest in 8oz jars.  Let sit until all the jars are sealed.  You will know they are sealed when the lids start popping.  We use in chili and cheese dip.

Cream cheese cake cookies

I made these this weekend and omg are they yummy.  I got the recipe online but I did a cut and paste so I don't remember where online I got it.

1pkg cream cheese
1/2 cup of butter
1 egg
1tsp of vanilla extract
1 box of yellow cake mix
1 bag of milk chocolate chips.

Heat oven to 375.  Cream together the cream cheese and butter, add the egg a vanilla.  Add the cake mix a little at a time until well mixed together then add the chocolate chips.  Bake on cookie sheet for 12 minutes and enjoy!

CHlLI

Since today feels like fall, I thought I would post my chili recipe, there is nothing fancy or secret about it but our family enjoys it.

2lbs of hamburger meat
10 oz of left over brown beans or 1 can of chili beans
10 oz of home made hot tomatoes or 1 can of rotel
chili powder
garlic powder
seasoning salt
salt
pepper
Shredded cheese

Brown the meat and then just start adding the ingredients.
I didn't add amounts to the dry ingredients because I don't measure them out, I just add until I am pleased with the taste.  Simmer the chili for at least an hour, the longer it simmers the more the flavors really come out. Top with shredded cheese.

Headboard Lettering

Hobby Lobby vinyl phrase added to headboard

Front Door Decor

Instead of a wreath for the front door, how about your initials!  This was a pinterest idea that I found.

Recipe Binder

Yesterday I took all the recipes that I had printed off the pinterest and various websites and sat down and made a binder to organize them.

School, Elvis and Me

Well my kids went back to school today and while I am glad that school has started back it is bittersweet. My oldest is now a Senior and I can't believe that. Seems like just yesterday she was starting kindergarten. 

Of course on top of that is is the 35 anniversary of Elvis's death....LOL.  Even though I was only 4 when he died I am a big fan of his and one of these days I am going to make the trip to Graceland. 

Chicken A La King

1/4 bell peppers
1/2 butter
1/2 cup flour
2 cups of chicken broth
2 cups of milk
2 large cans of diced chicken
salt and pepper to taste

Sauteing the peppers in the butter on med heat until tender.  Add the flour and cook until mixture is bubbling.  Add the chicken broth, milk and chicken. Cook until thickened and add salt and pepper to your taste.

Serve over toast or biscuits.

Weather

The last few days have been amazing weather wise.  The temps have dropped from high's in the 100's to yesterday's high of 78.  Today will be warmer with a high of 95 but I am thanking the Lord for giving us this beautiful weather.