Crazy Good Saltine Crackers

This is a super easy recipe that anyone could make! If you are the type who just wants to throw something no bake together, this recipe is your new go to! The first time I had these crackers was at the Jimmy Buffett concert back in May. Eric's coworker Jamie brought them and we all LOVED them. I saw the recipe on my bloggin' buddy Elizabeth's blog here and knew I wanted to make them again!

Ingredients:
4 sleeves of saltine crackers (or you can get the mini ones that are meant for soups and stuff. That is what I used!)
1 1/2 cup canola oil
1 tablespoon dill weed
1 tablespoon red pepper
1 tablespoon caraway seeds
1 small envelope of Hidden Valley Ranch dressing

Combine oil and seasonings in a bowl and combine.  Put your crackers in a zip lock gallon size bag and pour in your oil mixture. This is the fun part - now shake and rotate the bag to coat! Yum!

City Mama's 94th Birthday!

Eric's grandmother recently turned 94 years old! We are all so fortunate we were able to get together and celebrate this momentous birthday! We all gathered at City Mama's assisted living home and enjoyed a fun night of pizza, presents, and cobbler. Some of you might be wondering where on earth did his grandmother get the name City Mama? It is a really cute story actually.  Eric's grandmother is a twin and they were the youngest of like 10 children. Eric's grandmother, Annie Laurie, lived in Houston and her sister, Bessie Laurie, lived on a farm outside of Houston. When Eric was a little boy, to distinguish the two twins apart, he started calling his grandmother City Mama, and his great aunt, Farm Mama and it stuck. I love the unique names and we still call her City Mama to this day! Here are some pictures of her birthday celebration.

Blair was on the go the whole time! She is almost walking!

Love that happy smile!

Uncle Eric teaching Blair how to play the piano.

The whole family! Happy Birthday City Mama!

Soft Brown Sugar Cookies

These cookies were the absolute best! They were the sweets I served at my Stella & Dot Debut Trunk Show Launch and I have been asked for the recipe no less than three time since, so they definitely deserve a post! These cookies are so soft, as the title says, they are almost cakey, not like a cookie. The icing was super easy! I made them again this morning to take to my mom's Stella & Dot trunk show today, so I am super excited to get to have them again!

Ingredients:
2/3 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream (Weird, yes I thought so too.)

Blend together the butter and brown sugar in the mixer.  Add eggs, one at a time and blend well.  Add vanilla and beat until light.  In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with sour cream; mix well.  Drop by rounded tablespoons onto non-stick or lightly greased baking sheets.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes (mine took more like 10).  Remove to a wire rack and cool. Frost with browned butter frosting. Makes 2 dozen or so.

Browned Butter Frosting

Ingredients:
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat until it turns golden.  Watch carefully as this will happen quickly.  Remove from heat.  Stir in powdered sugar and enough milk to make a spreading consistency.

Favorite Cheese Ball

Here is an easy recipe for a cheese ball that is sure to impress your guests!  I served this at my Stella & Dot Launch party and it was so good! The recipe comes from the Tasty Kitchen Blog and can be found here. Make this for your next party and I promise your guests will love it!

Ingredients:
8 ounces, cream cheese
3/4 cup sour cream
1 cup finely shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 pinch cayenne powder
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup dried cranberries, optional (I did not use.)
1/2 cup toasted pecans, chopped coarsely (optional)

1. Mix all ingredients except the pecans in a large bowl and beat with a hand mixer (I used our big kitchen aid) on medium-low until well combined.
2. Scrape the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and cover with the plastic wrap and form it into a ball or log. Place it on a plate and put it in the refrigerator to harden, about 30 minutes to an hour.
3. Roll the cheese ball in the chopped pecans and place on a serving dish. Serve with crackers. (We served with wheat thins.)

It is best if allowed to sit for at least an hour in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to blend.  The flavors are best if it is allowed to sit at room temp for 15-20 minutes before serving.

So good!!!!!!!!

Cheesey Corn Dip Appetizer

I made this super easy, super yummy corn dip for my Stella & Dot Debut Trunk Show Launch yesterday.  I found the recipe on the lovely Elizabeth Ann's Recipe Box blog. This was a definite hit and I couldn't stop shoveling Fritos full of it in my mouth!

Ingredients:
3 cans of Green Giant Mexican Corn (11 oz each  drained)

1 can of green chilies (4 oz) - I did not drain.

1 bag of Mexican cheese (2 cup bag) - I used 2%.

1 bundle of green onions

1 cup of sour cream - I used light.

1 cup of mayo

¼ of a cup of jalapenos (or less if its too spicy!)  

Mix it all together and voila! You have a very delicious dip. This is great for football season, which is about to start! This will for sure be made again! Thanks Elizabeth!

Stella & Dot Debut Launch Trunk Show!

So today was my debut trunk show launch for my new Stella & Dot business! I had so much fun getting ready for it and it couldn't have turned out better! I am so thankful to my family and friends who came out to today to check out some fabulous jewels, eat some yummy food and enjoy some good company! You can read about my starting this new business venture here. I had a blast picking out which recipes to try for this party. I found some winners! Be looking for them on the blog coming up soon....

 

 Cheese ball - so easy!

Brown Sugar Cookies - these were a definite crowd pleaser! So light and fluffy!

 2011 Fall Look Books

 The best saltines EVER

 With some of my guests - Thank you so much to everyone who came today! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your support and friendship!

 He was over it...

 Can't I run around and be wild and play yet Mom??

 Our Signature Pose :)

 Having a little fun, candid style

Wearing the La Coco Curbchain in Gold, the Heiress Hoops in Gold, and the Sloane Enamel Bracelet

If you are interested in shopping Stella & Dot, check out my webpage! I am still looking for  debut hostesses, so please let me know if you are interested in hostessing. The average hostess earns $250 in free jewels! You can email me at emilybase83@gmail.com.

 I am so excited for what this new venture will bring!

Chicken Spaghetti

I LOVE comfort food. Creamy, cheesy, and rich. Isn't that just so much more fun than grilled chicken and broccoli? Comfort food is not as easy on the waist line as that chicken and veggies though! I was brainstorming for dinner tonight and remembered seeing a recipe for chicken spaghetti that was on the healthy side, so I googled it and some other "healthy chicken spaghetti" recipes and came up with dinner! It was sooo good if I do so say myself!

Not the best photography (iphone pic!) and no step by step shots, but it is that easy! What is also great is that it is made with ingredients you are already going to have in your pantry. Next time you don't know what to make for dinner, whip this up and you won't be disapointed!

Chicken Spaghetti
Ingredients:
2 cooked chicken breasts (I boiled two large breasts and it was about 12 ounces... after Ollie got his portion. That dog loves chicken!)
about 2 cups (5 ounces) wheat or mulit grain spaghetti, broken up into 2 inch pieces
2 cans of healthy request cream of mushroom
1 cup 2% cheddar or mexican shredded cheese
1/2 green bell pepper diced
1/2 white onion diced
1 tsp season salt
1/8-1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (kick it up if you like spice!)
pepper

1. Boil your chicken.
2. Remove chicken and boil your noodles in the same water.
3. While the noodles are boiling, saute the onions and pepper.
4. Shred the chicken.
5. Drain pasta and put back in the pot.
6. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well together!

Some of the recipes called for putting it in a casserole and baking it for 30 minutes at 350 degrees with extra cheese on top, but it looked and tasted good after mixing so we ate!! Enjoy!

Here are some pics of a subdued Ollie.... rare form!!

 

 How does he curl up so small?

Mom, stop typing on the computer and pay attention to me!!