I have a new fave cookie recipe for you......

a box of cookies......................


Today,I had a chocolate attack and just HAD to have something good. I found this recipe online and just had to try it today. It's quick,easy,and soooo very good!

Brownie Cookies
1package chocolate cake mix
1/2 cup margarine melted
2 eggs beaten
1cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1cup rolled oats (I used quick cook oats)

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. (it will be very thick-that's GOOD)--mix well--drop by tablespoons onto cookie sheets and bake at 350*F for 8-10mins.

Mine didn't turn out as "pretty" as the pic on the Mennonite Girls website-mine were more "mountainy and lumpy" LOL but they were oh so good and gooey!

Brownie Cookies

FINALLY---Chicken and Dumplings

This turned out DELISH!!


Chicken and Dumplings
2 rotisserie chickens (from fave deli)
1 package of Mary B's kettle dumplings
1 stock pot of homemade chicken stock

I used the leftovers from the rotisserie chickens to make the chicken stock.I added in the shredded chicken and brought to a rolling boil.I added in the dumplings and turned to a high simmer for about 30-45 mins. Salt and Pepper to taste.


I have tried several times to make homemade dumplings and every time it all turned out to be a gloopy,nasty mess. I saw some frozen dumplings at the store and decided to give them a try. I'm so glad I did. This was soooo good! I can't wait till the hubby gets up from his nap to try it. The kitchen smells AMAZING!

the best of plans........

Had planned on making chicken and dumplings tonight for supper but by the time we were done with the morning studies,I was just tooo worn out to shred the chicken and make stock--so that will be tomorrow's dinner.I took the time after supper tonight to do everything except add the dumplings so it won't take much time to get dinner done tomorrow--yay! That's always a good thing!! Tonight the guys had burgers with mashed potatoes and gravy. I had the left over black-eyed pea patties and salmon croquettes--I didn't really have much of an appetite. The hubby went to the doc this morning because ever since he got the flu shot monday he hasn't felt well. He didn't know if it was the shot that made him sick or if he was getting sick before the shot. Twice this week he has come home from work early. He got a shot today and by afternoon,he was saying that he felt better already. Tonight's the last night of "mids" for a while---I HOPE! LOL He has worked nights FOREVER it seems like. He will be working a more "normal" shift now. He says he's ready for a change--I know I am. I'm sooo burned out on him being gone nights. We have a play date tomorrow with our homeschool group,so it's going to be a busy morning. We're still trying to play catch up on a few things we haven't gotten done the past 2 weeks. Hopefully that will all be done this weekend.

Fried Black-eyed Pea Patties......

I had leftover black-eyed peas from last night's supper,so I figured I would make fried black-eyed pea patties.I had seen Alton Brown talking about them a while back,but couldn't find his recipe,so I loosely followed one that Paula Deen has listed on the FoodNetwork website.They were sooo good-I could have eaten the whole batch!

Fried Black-Eyed Pea Patties
leftover black eyed peas
flour
salt/pepper

Mash your black eyed peas--add just enough flour to hold the patty together (I used about 2-4 cups of black eyed peas and about 1 cup flour)---Shape into patties and fry in olive oil--drain on paper towels and serve

Paula's black-eyed pea patties

went on a baking spree this morning..............

The hubby's fave bean soup--16 bean soup with kelbasa.



I used the same recipe as in the loaf below,just sprinkled top with almond slices and baked in bundt pan.




I've been wanting pumpkin bread for a few weeks and today the baking bug just bit me I guess. I was going to make some strussel muffins,but got tired LOL. So I will make those later this week.The pumpkin bread was very easy to make. I was out of a few items and had to make substitutions,but in the end,you couldn't tell. It was very good. One of the loaves was devoured by the hubby and grandpa. I have one loaf that is supposed to be for the freezer but I think I might leave it out and let the guys snack on it. I split the bundt and delivered to friends and neighbors.The hubby was feeling sickly today (blames it on getting the flu shot yesterday), so I made him a feel good meal--his favorite soup-16 bean soup with kelbasa. I usually throw it in the crockpot and let it cook all day,but today I cooked it on top of the stove-it still cooked most of the day. It turned out nice too-perfect eats for a chilly evening.


Pumpkin Bread

2cups all purpose flour
1 1/3 cups whole-wheat flour
2teaspoons baking powder
1teaspoon ground cinnamon
1teaspoon allspice
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 small can -15oz pumpkin pie mix
2 eggs
1cup splenda for baking
1/3 cup fruit juice (I used cran-strawberry)
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup vegetable oil
the peel of 1 whole orange

combine the flours,cinnamon,allspice,salt,baking powder and baking soda--
in another large bowl,combine pumpkin,eggs,splenda,honey,juice,orange peel-stir well--slowly mix in the flour mixture until it is just combined--pour into greased baking loaf pans (or bundt pan) and bake at 350*F for between 50-55mins ***if you would like you may add nuts to the mix or just sprinkle on top like I did with the bundt--

countdown till the hubby changes shifts.....

Well,the hubby's been on night-shift for about the past year (or so it feels like). Where he works,they change shifts every 4months or so,but he's stayed on nights the past few rotations. I'm burned out on it and he says he is. Since he's the only one working for a paycheck,I always tell him to work what he wants to,but personally I'm tired of him working overnight. Starting Tuesday (because of the holiday) he will go into work at 2 and get off at 10 and he will have a normal weekend with sat-sun off. He says he'll start going to church with us after schedule change. I hope so!

Tonight's dinner turned into an improv of sorts. I had planned on making "minute steaks" for the guys and scrounging for something for myself,but the hubby said that he would take quickie chimichangas and I had mentioned making a potato-ham casserole and for me to make that. Good,I won't have to scratch around for my dinner tonight. I can't handle alot of red meat,but I figured the hubby was ready for some sustinance. He is always saying that I'm going to turn him into a chicken--he's already a turkey! LOL For sides,I am making field peas with snaps-YUM. I got the recipe from another cooking blog that I follow. Check it out-she has other yummy recipes on her site. The only thing I changed in the recipe was that I sprinkled the top of mine with parmesan cheese....can't wait till it's done-the kitchen smells sooo good! Zachary will get samples of what we are eating and noodles and a grilled cheese sandwich cut into a fun kid shape with a cookie-cutter.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Casserole

Saturday supper and thinking ahead to Sunday ....

I really didn't plan on cooking tonight-thought I'd make everyone FEND for themselves,but at last minute,thought I didn't want a sandwich. I made SMOTHERED TURKEY BURGERS and brown rice-added in some mixed veggies for good measure and called it a night. Instead of regular "gravy", I used 1/2 a can of cheddar cheese soup and added in a little bit of chicken gravy mix. It turned out DELISH. And since Sundays are busier for me now,I have a roast in the crockpot to help make it less stressful for me. I added in a jar of mild picante sauce and plan on making myself something with chicken LOL.