Heart Shaped Sopapillas

Last night my family took me out to eat at a Mexican restaurant for my birthday. Since I'm trying to be good and stay away from sugar and flour, I let the boys have this beautiful sopapilla. I took the picture, looked up and it was GONE!  I think they inhaled it! Of course, like they said, it's filled with air in the middle.  

How fun would it be to make your own heart-shaped sopapillas?  Here's a recipe for you to do just that!

Combine 4 c flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt. Blend in 3 heaping tbsp shortening, add enough water to make soft dough. Roll out to pie crust thickness. Cut into 3 " squares or HEART SHAPES. Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. Serve with powdered sugar or cinnamon sugar.  The one pictured is served with the cinnamon and sugar, but also drizzled with caramel and chocolate sauce, with a squirt of whipped cream.

Grandma Nell's Macaroni and Cheese

From Lori: Mom posted this recipe five years ago (NOTICE MY NOTE OF THE CHEESE I USE), but since I'm making it this morning for a youth lunch, I decided to post it again. This was my Great Grandma Nell's recipe. Even though it's still great, it's never like hers. I think the cheese just isn't the same as hers. I think her original recipe said Velveeta Slices.  Whichever cheese you use, you will find this recipe very adjustable!  

From Mom: This may seem like a strange recipe to post, or a very simple recipe to post; but, I visited with a lady one day, and she told me about the wonderful homemade macaroni and cheese she had eaten recently at a family get-together. I've always made homemade macaroni and cheese instead of buying the boxed. Not that the boxed isn't good. Some of my grandchildren prefer it over the homemade. I decided I should post my grandmother's recipe---it is definitely a wonderful homemade sidedish. It's the only one I ever make.

Macaroni and Cheese

Boil, then drain the macaroni--I always use a 16 oz. pkg. for our family of thirteen.

Butter the bottom of 9 x 13 baking dish. Put a layer of macaroni in the bottom of the dish. Put dollops of butter on top of the macaroni. Lay slices of sharp cheddar cheese (LORI USES KRAFT AMERICAN SLICED CHEESE) on top of the macaroni and butter. ( I like the Sargento cheese. I usually buy two 8 oz. pkg.) Put another layer of macaroni on top of the cheese. This time I put the cheese on top of the macaroni first. Then I put my dollops of butter on top of the cheese. Pour a can of  evaporated milk over the macaroni and cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until the cheese is beginning to brown.

There are times I have to add just a little more evaporated milk. You want your milk to come to the bottom of the TOP layer of macaroni. Usually one can is enough, but sometimes the macaroni soaks up the milk and you have to add just a little more. I'd rather have too little than too much.

(Note from Lori:  Sometimes I add more cheese....stir it half way through cooking....then taste it to see if anything needs adjusting. But that's probably because I am always making it in a HUGE catering aluminum pan and I don't do it the same every time!)

Chevron Bunny Wall Art

While decorating for Spring over "Spring Break", I decided I wanted some kind of bunny wall art.  I decided to look at Pinterest (unusual for me!) for "Easter wall art" or "Bunny Burlap"...something like that. I had this burlap canvas (purchased at Hobby Lobby on sale for $3.00), so planned to use it.

I saw a really cute Chevron fabric bunny, but I didn't have any Chevron fabric. Then I happened to remember that I had bought Chevron napkins and plates for Easter and a ladies' salad supper I'm having  next month.  I figured I could get two bunnies out of each napkin, and I would do two napkins - so four bunnies for my four children. But, to my surprise, there were SIX bunnies that cut out all at the same time! So, I figured I'd make our whole family!

The bunnies were quickly added to the canvas with a dot of hot glue in a few places. The cotton ball was hot glued for the tail. A quick Easter/Spring decoration for less than $4.00!!!

Happy Spring!

I'm enjoying Spring Break with the family....getting some piles of decorations taken care of, ordering items for the next few decorating events, and liking not having to watch the clock very much!  I hope you enjoy this first day of spring, as well! 

GF Spaghizza

(Photo and recipe by Amy J.)

I have made Spaghetti Pizza before, but it wasn't Gluten Free.  I use Gluten Free noodles often, so will have to make this soon!

.5 lb. ground turkey, browned (I only used 1/2 of a pound, more could be added)

1 (24 oz) jar of Organic portobello mushroom & green pepper spaghetti sauce

**8 oz. cooked & drained, Organic brown rice angel hair pasta

2 cups shredded mozzarella

Turkey pepperoni

***Notes from Amy J. - 

**BEFORE I cooked my pasta, I broke the uncooked noodles to about 1.5 inch pieces. Then cooked them.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 x 13 pan. 

I drained the noodles, added 3/4 or so cup of mozzarella cheese to the noodles and stirred together. I then poured the jar of sauce in the pot with the noodles and added the turkey.

Once it was all combined, I poured it into the greased dish. I topped with the remaining cheese and placed the pepperonis on top.

Baked about 20-25 minutes until it was bubbly and the cheese was melted. 

Mississippi Cornbread Salad

I have other Cornbread Salad recipes posted on here by myself and my mom, but couldn't find this one - the one I usually use!  It's such a great salad!

MISSISSIPPI CORNBREAD SALAD

1 (8 1/2 oz) package cornbread mix (I use Jiffy)
1 (1 oz.) envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1 can chopped Rotel tomatoes, drained well (I use tiny fresh sweet tomatoes, but then the canned green chilies, drained)
2 cans (16 oz) pinto beans, drained (I used Ranch Style Beans, rinsed and drained, but prefer pinto)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 jars or bags "Hormel Real Bacon Bits"
2 cans (15 1/4 oz.) whole kernel corn, drained

Prepare cornbread per package instructions. Cool. Stir together salad dressing mix, sour cream, and mayo until blended. Set aside. Crumble half of the cornbread into a 3 quart casserole or glass bowl or large salad bowl. Top with half each of beans, tomatoes, cheese, bacon, corn, and dressing. Repeat layers. Top with a little of cheese and bacon bits for decoration, if desired. Cover and chill for 3 hours.

Lady Bug Theme

Last night our church ladies had a Ladies' Night Out for ladies to come together for a time of devotion and fellowship.  We had 120 come to the event!

One of the ladies from the church made these cute little lady bug candies.  They're almost too cute to eat - ALMOST!

Hobby Lobby had this really cute lady bug burlap. They also had these garden pot hanging lady bugs - perfect to hang on the mason jars.  Fresh daisies were beautiful in the jars

Hobby Lobby also has a new line of lady bug party decorations.  They had the little baskets used as centerpieces.  This grass came from Michael's, but Hobby Lobby has some that we used, as well.  The little wooden lady bugs were from Michael's and Hobby Lobby.

We ordered these 2 1/4 inch terra cotta pots from Dollar Tree. They were really cheap, and come in sets of three.  Some of our young moms and young women got together to paint them red with lady bug spots, then filled a little heart envelope with seeds and taped to the inside. The directions are on the bottom of the scripture card.

It's so much fun seeing things come together.  Different ladies did different things, but it all came together perfectly!  Thanks to all who helped in any way!  

Brownies with Turtle Cream Cheese Frosting

Yesterday I needed to make a dessert for our county livestock show concession stand. I was rushed for time, so decided a brownie pizza would be best. Children like it a lot.  But then I thought of the adults who typically eat cheesecake when I bring it, as usual, and felt kind of guilty that I hadn't done something bigger!  

So, as I was baking the brownies, and after buying the brownie pizza toppings, I decided to switch gears.  I like cream cheese icing and turtle toppings of caramel, chocolate and pecans, so that's what went on top of the brownies! Apparently they were a hit! I got a small bite from a piece I had saved for myself on the counter by my things.  I looked up just in time to see one of the ag teachers eating it!!  Ha ha!!!  I told him he "stole" my dessert! He felt bad, but I didn't need it any way. I just asked to take a small bite off the edge, just so I would know what to post.  We asked him what his opinion was of it:  As he chewed, he said, "Mmmmmmmmmmmmm!"  Later he said it was great!  I think I need to make it again soon :).

BROWNIES WITH TURTLE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

1 pound (4 sticks) butter, softened (not margarine)
3/4 cup cocoa powder
4 cups sugar
6 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups flour
5 cups pecans (optional - I didn't use in the brownies, just on top)

Turtle Topping: Chopped Pecans, Mini Chocolate Chips, and 1 jar caramel ice cream topping.

DO NOT USE ELECTRIC MIXER, but mix by hand in order given above. Place in greased and floured (or sugared *** see note below) pan. The recipe says to use a jelly roll pan (10 x 15 x 1) or 2 cake pans (9 x 13). I used my large Doughmakers pan I've mentioned several times that's 13 x 18.5.  Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Do not overbake!! Cool and ice with icing below.


CREAM CHEESE ICING
2 sticks butter, softened
2 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature
4-6 cups confectioners' sugar (I probably used 6, but you might not like it as sweet.)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
(Add milk, if needed, to thin icing if you get it too thick.)

Beat softened butter and cream cheese until well blended. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until creamy. Spread on top of cooled brownies. Top with chopped pecans, mini chocolate chips and caramel. Refrigerate due to cream cheese icing, but set out for 30 min. or so before serving, if desired.