Pink Polka Dot Cupcake Party

A couple weeks ago Alexis had her 3rd Birthday Party. I did a pink polka dot cupcake party. I got alot of ideas from Melanna at http://rhapsodyofcacophony.blogspot.com/ . She made me the happy birthday banner that is above. I love it so much and im going to have to use it again sometime.

This is my cupcake corner. I have a box that has cupcakes on it on top, then on second shelf is the favors which were cupcake chocolate suckers. I ordered a mould and made them.

These are the other favors. A bus zipper pull for the boys and a cupcake one for the girls. I made them with pony beads and charms i ordered from Etsy.

I wrapped the cutlery in a napkin and made paper napkin holders, using polka dot cardstock and a circle with a cupcake stamped on it.

I made cupcake liner flowers with pipe cleaners and cupcake liners. I painted a pot with pink spray paint and then stuck white dot circles on it and modge podged over. In the pot is a foamy block that i stuck the pipe cleaners in with some tulle covering it.
The polka dot table cloth is 2 meters of fabric that i found for $4/a meter!

Wall Art! I painted some cheap ikea wooden frames pink and put sprinkle and cupcake fabric in the frames!

I made a Keep Calm and Have a Cupcake sign using word and put it in a frame i got at walmart.My cute cupcake tea towels my mom had gotten me !

The most important part of a party! Cake and Cupcakes!! I made the cake using a cupcake cake pan borrowed from my aunt! I love it. THe cake stand was made from 2 boxes wrapped in paper and then i taped circles on and put some tulle around the edges.

The punch was raspberry sherbert and 7up mixed together..Super yummy. I also added some lemon and lime slices to it.

The cups are just plain pink cups i got from Walmart with white polka dot stickers put on them. I ordered the straws from Etsy. White paper straws with pink polka dots on them. So cute.
Well this picture is upside down LOL..But i put streamers twisted on my back door.

The Birthday Girl!
I think thats all! It was alot of work ,but so much fun. I love planning things and making things!

Melinda

Ranch Mac and Cheese = AMAZINGGG

I found this recipe on Pintrest(duh!) and tried it tonight..AMAZING..

Ranch Mac & Cheese
adapted from Taste of Home

1 package (16 ounces) elbow macaroni
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Colby cheese
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1/2 cup crushed Ritz crackers
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a Dutch oven, combine the milk, butter, dressing mix and seasonings; heat through. Stir in Monterey Jack and Colby cheeses until melted. Stir in sour cream.

I used cheddar and mozzarella cheese cuz i dont usually buy fancy cheeses..Next time maybe ill buy some montery jack and colby cheese for this. I didnt put ritz in and i didnt have parmasan..But it was still really really good. Next time i am going to add bacon, cuz bacon makes everything better!! Oh and I only had 1/2 tsp left of lemon pepper seasoning.


I love finding super good new recipes> i get so tired of eating the same things over and over!

brownie coookies

THey are wonderful..Got the recipe from
http://merryweathermama.blogspot.com/2010/09/this-was-new-recipe-i-tried-from.html

Brownie Cookies

• ¼ cups Butter

• 1-½ cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips

• ¾ cups Sugar

• 3 whole Eggs

• 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

• 1 cup All-purpose Flour

• ¼ teaspoons Baking Powder

• ¼ teaspoons Salt

In a saucepan, or in the microwave, gently melt butter and chocolate chips until the butter is melted and chocolate begins to melt. Remove from heat and stir until all the chocolate has melted completely.

In a separate bowl, beat together the sugar, eggs and vanilla until they’re thoroughly combined. Add the melted chocolate mixture, then stir in the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate the dough for 1 hour or until manageable.

Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Using a tablespoon or mini ice cream scoop, drop cookie dough onto baking sheets, leaving a couple of inches of space in between each cookie.

Bake for 12 minutes.

From Melodysoul on Tasty Kitchen

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes

So i made amazing chocolate chip cookie dough cupcakes with cookie dough icing..

So i made up a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough (any recipe will do) if you need one message me(melindakepper@hotmail.com or my facebook :P) ..THen i rolled them into nice bite sized balls and put them on a cookie sheet and froze them for 2 hours.

Then i got a cake mix, made that up according to the directions, and put them in the cupcake tin with the cups, then put a frozen cookie ball on top. I set oven for the cake mix temperature and use the cupcake directions for the time baking.. CHeck the side side of the cupcake with toothpick for doneness(if you do middle, it wont come out clean cuz the cookie dough is in middle!)

This is the icing recipe i used.
frosting:
3 sticks unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
3½ cups confectioners’ sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
¾ tsp. salt
3 tbsp. milk
2½ tsp. vanilla extract

beat together the butter and brown sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until creamy. Mix in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Beat in the flour and salt. Mix in the milk and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.

Top with some chocolate chips!

Its that time of year again!

CANDY CANE BARK AND ALMOND BARK TIME!!! My mom and i have made almond bark for years but last year i wanted to change it up a bit.. so i came up with candy cane bark and it was such a hit! everyone loved it!

candy cane bark is at the end..

almond bark

350f

Place unsalted soda crakers on a GREASED cookie sheet.

Boil for 5 min: 1 cup brown sugar, and 1 cup butter or margarine

Pour over crackers and bake 7 minutes until bubbly.
Remove from oven and while hot, sprinkle at least 6oz of chocolate chips on top. Spread evenly as it melts. Sprinkle with slivered almonds(the really thin ones) . Press down. Put into freezer to cool. Break into peices after cooled and store in sealed container. It is best if kept in the freezer until serving.

For the candy cane bark i added a bit of peppermint extract to the butter and sugar mixture, and then once out of oven put white chocolate chips on and crushed candy canes.. The white chocolate chips didnt melt very well that way so next time im going to melt them in microwave first and then spread on that way after the pan is out of oven.

Ranch chicken

Creamy Ranch Chicken

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed (i usually use 4 chicken breasts)
2 Tbsp butter
2 Tbsp flour
2 cups milk
1-2 tsp dry ranch dressing mix
1/4 cup Hormel real bacon pieces
1 Tbsp fresh parmesan cheese
Hot pasta noodles(i usually use egg noodles..mmm)
Cook chicken in a small amount of oil; set aside. Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, then slowly whisk in milk. Stir in ranch dressing mix. Cook and stir till thickened. Add chicken and bacon to the sauce. Serve over hot pasta and top with parmesan cheese if desired.

peppered meatballs with dill sauce

I found this on a blog..its yummy


Peppered Meatballs with Dill Sauce

1 1/2# lean hamburger
3/4 cup quick oats
1 egg
1/4 cup finely diced onion
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp salt
2 tsp ground pepper
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp dry parsley
Mix all ingredients. Form in balls and place on a greased cookie sheet. Line with foil for easier clean up. Bake at 400 for about 18 minutes, shaking occasionally.
Sauce:
1/4 cup butter
7 Tbsp flour
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
2 tsp dry dill
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
Melt butter in a large saucepan or dutch oven over medium heat. Whisk in flour, then broth and milk. Whisk and cook till bubbly. Boil for at least 1 minute, stirring constantly. (Don’t skip this step or your sauce will have a floury taste. Not good.) Stir in seasonings, then hot meatballs. Serve over hot pasta.

spinach dip

spinach dip

300 g frozen spinach(drain well) then chop
1 can water chesnuts(sometimes i put this in..sometimes i dont)
250ml miracle whip
500 ml sour cream
1 pkg knorr vegetable soup mix
3 green onions chopped

Mix all together and let chill in fridge for a few hours at least so flavors go all together!!
Serve with sourdough bread!

Roasted Ranch Potatos

I got this recipe from another blog and this is how i did it

Roasted Ranch Potatos
6 large potatos
olive oil
salt
package of ranch dip mix( i used hidden valley)

Peel and cut potatos into bite sized peices. Mix in bowl with olive oil to coat.. Mix in salt and ranch dip mix. Spread on baking pan.. Bake at 375 f for 35-40 min or until tender and cooked to your liking.. So yummy

Sweet and Sour sauce

Ingredients:

* 1/3 cup white or rice vinegar (Note: rice vinegar gives better results)
* 4 tablespoons brown sugar
* 1 tablespoon ketchup
* 1 teaspoon soy sauce
* 2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 4 teaspoons water

Preparation:
Mix the vinegar, brown sugar, ketchup, and soy sauce together and bring to a boil in a small pot. Mix together the cornstarch and water, add to the other ingredients and stir to thicken.

(If desired, you can add 1 green pepper, cut into chunks, and pineapple chunks as desired after adding the cornstarch. For a thicker sauce, increase the cornstarch to 4 teaspoons while keeping the water constant.)

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AT

http://adriennesfoodadventures.blogspot.com/2010/09/cookwarecom-stores-giveaway.html

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Sweet and Smokey chicken

I got this recipe from my sister..its soo good..Serve with rice!

2 medium onions , sliced(or less)
3 lbs chicken legs(i use chicken breasts)
1 1/2 to 2 tsp hickory smoke liquid(its next to the bbq sauce..little bottle)
salt
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup vinigar
2 tbsp mustard

Place onions in greased 13x9x2 baking pan. Arrange chicken in single layer. Sprinkle with salt
Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken , completely coating it.
Bake uncovered at 350 for 1 hour until juices run clear, basting several times..

This could also be done in slowcooker on low for a few hours im sure!!!

YUMMM...Sauce is so good over rice

Cheesy Bbq chicken wraps

http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/cheesy-grilled-bbq-chicken-118911.aspx?cm_mmc=eml-_-rbecaen-_-20100901-_-1104

I got this recipe from the kraft website.. Only things different i did was not bbq it and cook chicken in oven, then mix the bbq sauce with the cut up chicken.Then i added miracle whip on tortilla..and added green onions chopped... SOoo sooo good

Perogy shells

I am planning on making this soon!!

40 jumbo pasta shells
4quarts boiling water
1 tbsp cooking oil
1 tbsp salt

1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup butter or margarine

6 medium potatos
boiling salted water

Half onion butter mixture
1 1/2 cups medium cheddar cheese
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Half onion butter mixture
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Fresh chopped chives for garnish

Cook shells in boiling water, cooking oil and salt. Drain. Rinse in cold water, Drain well

Saute onion in butter in saucepan until soft and clear. Set aside

Cook potatos in boiling salted water until tender. Drain, mash

Add 1/2 onion butter mixture , first amount of cheese, second amount of salt and pepper to potato. Beat smooth. Stuff shells. Arrange in baking pan in single layer.

Put remaining 1/2 onion mixture over top of stuffing followed by remaining cheese. If filling is hot, bake uncovered at 350 f for 10 min to melt cheese and brown a bit. if filling is cold bake covered for 10 min, and then uncovered for 10 min more.

Garnish with chives if desired. Makes 40 stuffed shells!

Oriental Pasta Salad

8oz. Medium egg noodles
2 1/2 quarts boiling water
1 tbsp cooking oil(optional)
2 tsp salt

1 cup sliced mushrooms( i omitted these)
2-3 green onions, chopped
1 handfull bean sprouts
1 cup grated cabbage
1 cup sliced cucumber
1/2 cup sliced radishes
1/4 cup grated carrot

I also added some chopped celery

Dressing
2 tbsp hot water
1 tbsp chicken boullion powder
3 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp white vinegar
1/4 cup cooking oil
2 tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper

Cook noodles in boiling water, cooking oil and salt. Drain. Rinse with cold water, Drain well. Return noodles to pot.

Combine next 8 ingredients with noodles.

Dressing. In small bowl , mix hot water with chicken boullion. Add remaining ingredients. Whisk well. Pour over noodle mixture. Toss. Put into bowl. Serves 8 as a side or 4 as a main course.

It would also taste really good with some cut up cooked chicken!

I love muffins!

i made these last night and they are sooo good!

Peanut butter Banana Chocolate chip muffins

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cinnamon

3 large ripe bananas

1 cup milk

3/4 cup smooth or crunch peanut butter

3 tbsp oil

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350f. Grease muffin tins or place papers in the tins. I got 23 muffins out of this recipe. In large bowl combine dry ingredients. Set aside.

2. Combine mashed bananas, milk, oil, egg, vanilla, and peanut butter. Mix well. Add dry ingredients till mixed in. Fold in chocolate chips

3. Bake 22-25 min until toothpick comes out clean.

cheesy Italian ravioli

I made this last night..super good

1/2 lb ground beef
1/2 lb bulk italian sausage( i used ground sausage i found in the meat area)
1 container (15oz) marinara sauce( i used a jar of speghetti sauce)
1 cup fresh mushrooms
1 can(14 1/2 oz ) diced tomatos, with italian seasoning( i just used diced tomatos from the can and added some mrs dash herb and garlic seasoning)
1 package(9oz) refrigerated cheese filled ravioli(i used cheeese torillini)
1 cup grated mozza

Heat oven to 375. Cook beef and sausage in skillet over medium heat until brown. Drain
Stir marinara sauce, mushrooms, tomatos into beef mixture. Pour half of sauce mixture into ungreased rectangular baking dish. Arrange ravioli in sauce in dish. Pour remaining sauce over ravioli.. Sprinkle with cheese.
Bake uncovered for 20-25 min or until ravioli is tender and mixture is hot!

Apple Cinnamon Muffins

So last night I made muffins.. I underbaked them a bit but they are so good

Cream together:
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup oil
1 tablespoon vanilla

Sift:
3 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon

3 cups diced apples

Add dry ingredients to creamed ingredients. The batter will be VERY thick. Add diced apples

Fill muffin cups to top, sprinkle with brown sugar. Bake at 350f for 20-25 ( i think i did mine for about 22 min and they were underbaked and a bit gooey still but i like them this way!) Makes 18-24 muffins.

My mom and aunt were over this morning and LOVED them.. Very good recipe find!!

Chicken Alfredo Pot Pie

Can you guess where this recipe is from? Hahah

1 can refridgerated soft breadsticks
1 jar(16oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
1/3 cup milk
1 bag(1lb) frozen veggies, thawed and drained (or fresh!)
2 cups cut up cooked chicken
2 tbsp grated parmasan cheese
1 tsp italian seasoning(i used mrs dash herb and garlic seasoning)

Heat oven to 375f. Unroll breadstick dough, seperate to form 12 strips and set aside
Mix pasta sauce, milk, veggies, and chicken in 3 quart saucepan. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Spoon into ungreased 9x13 pan.
Twist each breadstick, arrange crosswise over hot chicken mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and italian seasoning.
bake uncovered for 20-30 minutes or until breadsticks are deep golden brown.

Cheeseburger Pasta Toss

This is also from Betty Crocker's "Easy Family Dinners" Can you tell i like this cookbook? Best birthday present ever!

2 cups uncooked wagon wheel or tricolored rotini pasta
1 lb ground beef
1 large onion chipped
1 jar (8oz) process sharp Cheddar cheese spread
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 large tomato chopped
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cook and drain pasta.
Cook beef and onion over medium heat until browned and cooked, drain.
Reduce heat to medium. Stir in cheese spread, milk and garlic salt. Continue stiring until cheese is melted and mixture is well blended. Stir in pasta and tomato. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese, cover and heat 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is melted.

I think next time i make this i will add more cheese spread to it.. It was cheesy but not cheesy enough for me...