Hot Fudge Cupcakes

Ahhhh....a new year, a time for resolutions and rigorous diets and workout plans.  It seems like everyone resolves to lose weight and workout more or become a nicer person or spend more time with their family.  The sad part is, by February, most people forget about their resolutions or give up altogether.  I'd like to offer you a chance to take part in a resolution that is sure to be a success...a resolution that I can certainly handle as well.  EAT MORE CUPCAKES!!!  You can start with these...

Philly Cheesesteak Pasta

Most of you already know, I am temporarily a stay-at-home mom.  Let me say this, it is TEMPORARY.  I am currently in the process of jumping through hoops for the Florida Department of Health to renew my Massage Therapy License.  Let me also say that my hat goes off to ALL stay-at-home moms.  It is hard work, there is never a government regulated break after so many hours on the job and it is the most rewarding thing I have ever done.  I have learned a lot of things about my toddler.  He's way too smart, he climbs on everything, he can find Sharpie markers when I thought we had none and he has a very intricate filing system.  I did not know, until recently, that the couch stores Cheerios and my laundry basket stores everything else...but only in the very bottom.  On any given day, if a household item is missing, I have learned that it is most likely in the laundry basket.  Just this morning we found daddy's missing car remote, daddy's belt, mardi gras beads, daddy's work laminates...you get the point. 

Staying at home has also given me the opportunity to cook more, craft more and relax more.  I still hate grocery shopping, so at 5:00pm yesterday, I realized I had NOTHING to make for dinner.  Well, almost nothing.  You see, this is where the most delicious meals are created...out of necessity or laziness.  I'll say necessity.  Vegetarians beware...this one is NOT FOR YOU!!

Stella Artois Chili

I've been making chili for a long time.  It's one of those dishes that you first learn how to make and then spend years trying to perfect.  I think I finally perfected mine this time, with a little help from my friend Stella.  You see, we had a friend visiting for our wedding a few weeks ago, and he loves Stella Artois.  He drank a few, giggled on the couch, fell asleep, and ultimately forgot that he shoved two behind the milk jug.  Oh lucky day.  I love beer, but I don't drink often.  So, there Stella sat...behind the milk jug for two weeks.  I consumed one when I was making my Chocolate Covered Turtles post.  Because, ya know, chocolate and beer go together so well.  The other went into the most mouth-watering, satisfying, crave-inducing chili I have EVER made.  EVER.  So, here's to the perfect batch of chili, laced with Ms. Stella Artois.

Simple Stromboli

Something about Sundays feels right to me.  I'm not talking about the running around helter-skelter type of Sunday where you're trying to figure out this week's meal plan while juggling laundry and getting the family ready for the week.  I'm talking about "Lazy Sundays".  The type of day where no one in the family gets out of their PJ's.  The one filled with good movies and family naps, if you're lucky (like me).  Yesterday was that type of day for us.  We just finished up a LONG, ridiculous week of work where we only got to see each other in passing.  Not cool.  So, yesterday was our day...nothing on the agenda except relaxation.  And stromboli.

We have a favorite restaurant in Montgomery called Mr. G's.  Every time we go, my husband orders the stromboli.  It's the size of Texas.  Yes, he eats the whole thing.  Anyway, I've had the intention to make stromboli for some time now, it's just never come to fruition...until yesterday.  I don't know why I didn't make it a million times before.  It was so simple and so good and the leftovers accompanied us to work today.  I suggest you don't follow my example and make a stromboli today....now as a matter of fact.  Do it!!

Chocolate Covered Turtles

The day is finally here!! Today, I am a guest blogger on Frosting for the Cause.  This website is a gem among many, many charitable websites and causes.  I encourage everyone to make a donation to an organization, locally or nationally, that helps fund research for cancer.  Nearly every one I know has been affected in one way or another, losing a family member or someone close to them.  Please, reach out in your community and do what you can.  What you may consider a small donation, is a huge stepping stone in the future of cancer research.  It's not always about a monetary donation, volunteering is a great way to help out, too!  My post today is about Mrs. Sylvia Richardson.  Please, go read my post, donate if you can, and get out there and make a difference!  You can view my post at Frosting for the Cause.

Baked Chicken Alfredo

I haven't posted in a while, over a month to be exact.  I promise, there is a good reason for this.  You see, there was this guy, a prince charming of sorts and he convinced me to marry him.  Being the type of woman that I am, I spent time fretting over details, tying up last minute ideas, and worrying over every possible thing imaginable. I did not spend much time cooking.  Terrible idea.  While I enjoyed the break from the dishes, I never enjoy a break from making a homemade meal.  We ate at lots of wonderful, delicious restaurants.  I did NO dishes. Yet, with all these delicious, care-free meals I still wanted to get back to normal.  Back to cooking.

On September 17th at 6:00 pm, I married my prince charming and continued on the journey to my happily ever after.  It was a beautiful day with LOTS of wonderful food and great times spent with family and friends.  It is a day that will forever remain bittersweet to me, a day that is precious, a day when I married the man who forever changed my life.

We've been back home for a little over a week now, and I wasted no time getting back into the kitchen...with new gadgets, no less.    So here is my apology for being gone so long.  I made you one of my family favorites, Baked Chicken Alfredo.  I hope you forgive me.

Mushroom and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts

All you mushroom haters go ahead...say it...Yuck, gross, ewwwwwwwww.  Feel better?  Ok, for the rest of us "normal" folks, let's control our urges to lick the computer screen.  I wasn't always a mushroom lover but now it seems I can't get enough.  I want to put them on everything. 

My family had quite an adventurous outing yesterday with wedding shopping.  On the way home, with the mini me quietly snoozing in the back, I got a familiar craving.  Mushrooms.  And Cheese.  Like, I've said before, my family is only a few chicken dinners away from growing feathers and clucking, so it was only natural for me to want to pair this insatiable craving for mushrooms and cheese with some chicken.  Don't anyone dare to tell me it's "too cheesy" or I will put you in a straight jacket myself.

Bacon Parmesan Asparagus

Not many things shock me anymore.  I've either seen it, heard it, or done it.  We sat down last night to a lovely dinner of Chicken Florentine Quesadillas and Asparagus.  It was a typical night in a small apartment.  My husband on the couch and me on the floor with my plate on the coffee table.  This is the way we prefer to eat...not conventional, I know.  But, hey, we're not a conventional family.  My toddler, who had already eaten his dinner, was happily playing with the Shrek 3 DVD box.  As I was eating, this darling child came over and helped himself to my asparagus.  I was already sticking out my hand for what I knew would follow, I call this the "ick, yuck, and spit it out" response.  However, the exact opposite happened!  He looked at it, stuck it in his mouth, chewed and...wait for it, wait for it....SWALLOWED!  The most shocking part of it all?  He reached for more.  Yes, my friends, I DO BELIEVE there is a vegetable GOD out there.  Last night, he smiled on me.  Glory!

Firecracker Fried Shrimp

As a child, we can't wait to get older so we can drive, date, get married and have children.  Then, we wake up one day, and realize that we have achieved most of what we set out to do.  Some of us complain about getting older, and reminisce about being younger.  Some of us long for those carefree days when all we had to worry about was what to wear to school tomorrow.

Well, I guess I'm a little different, because getting older has been treating me well so far.  Of course, I could certainly do without some things, like bills.  Overall though, the most enjoyable thing about getting older is finding newness in established relationships.  My little sister is visiting.  The same "little girl" that laughed til she couldn't breathe when I walked in the room.  The same little girl who was terrified of frogs and police sirens.

That "little girl" is 17 now and we still laugh together like we did when she was 2.  The conversations have changed a bit, but the relationship is deeper and more profound.  She's no doubt related to me, she carries the same sarcasm and quick-wit that I consider some of my most enjoyable qualities.  Yet, when I'm around her, I feel a little more than sisterly-love...she has quickly become one of my best friends.  This, is absolutely one of the most beautiful things about growing older.  Tonight, we shared one of my favorite meals, and she vows to make it when she gets back home.  She has a love for cooking and baking that is quickly growing, and I couldn't be happier.  She's always asking for someone to write a blog about her.  Little sister-friend, this is all for YOU.

Very Strawberry Cupcakes

I like to do things the hard way.  I know at least one person who is currently agreeing whole-heartedly with this statement, but I'm sure he's smart enough to keep it a silent opinion.  So, when these little beauties were in the brainstorm stage, I was thinking of every way to make it harder than it really had to be.  I knew one thing for sure...I had a pint of strawberries that I really needed use.  Then I remembered that Duncan Hines makes a Strawberry Supreme cake mix, and the rest is cupcake history.  So, if you're interested in death by strawberries, I encourage you to indulge.  I'm eating one now and thinking about the 4,557 sit-ups I'm going to have to do to burn it off.

Caramel Coffee Cupcakes

Coffee used to be part of my morning ritual, everyday.  I have really cut back in the last few years, but every now and then I get a craving for Caramel Macchiato which can only be satisfied by waiting in line at StarBucks.  One particular day, as I was growing more and more impatient ( I know, what you're thinking...sweet innocent me being impatient?  No way, not this angel.) I got the urge to combine coffee with cupcakes.  Lucky me, StarBucks had a special on their Caramel Via packets.  Now, fast forward about 6 months (Me...procrastinate?  Not in a million years.).  Husband?  Out of town.  Baby?  Fast asleep.  Dog?  Upside down and drooling on the couch.  Mama?  Battling a sweet tooth from the underworld.  This, my friends, is when I remembered that glorious purchase 6 months ago.  I love me for thinking ahead.  Almost as much as I love cupcakes.....almost.

Easy Peach Cobbler

Peach cobbler.  It's a beautiful thing.  It makes me happy in the warm and...follow me here...ooey gooey inside kind of way.  You know, that true happiness that emanates from some place deep inside you.  The type of happy that makes you smile stupidly at passers-by and skip around humming sickeningly annoying songs.  The type of happy that I need on some days, like days when I feel like ripping the heads off of pretty pink stuffed bunnies.  No, don't hide your children from me,  just use this recipe and make me some peach cobbler.  I'll be hearing blue jays singing in no time.

Chicken Tostadas with Fresh Pico de Gallo

What a glorious weekend we had.  Saturday morning, we woke up and headed over to a festival in Gulf Shores, AL.  I've always said that "If I ever see a Foo Fighters Show, I can die a happy woman."  Well, I guess I can cross that wish off my bucket list. Oh....gush....I heart Dave Grohl.  It was amazing.  Hot as hell, but amazing.  The drive home was ridiculous...bumper to bumper traffic for an hour and a half.  Ugh.  Please explain this hold up to my protesting stomach.  By the time we got home, we were way too tired to eat.  I decided that Sunday we deserved a fabulous (yet easy) dinner.  These turned out way better than I expected and the fresh Pico de Gallo was delish!

Cajun Chicken Pasta

I'm sure everyone has noticed that I haven't posted much lately.  I promise, my friends, there is a good reason for this.  I have been having migraines for 3 weeks now and cooking has kind of been one of the last things on my aching mind.  I've made one E.R. visit and have spent many hours in bed or in the shower holding my throbbing head in agony.  Yesterday was the first day in 3 weeks that I've not had a headache.  I am hoping I am  on the other side of this now.  Last night, I was back in the kitchen...with fervor.  I was happy to be there, creating and cooking.  What made me even happier, was sitting down with my love and eating this delicious bowl full of comfort food.  A tummy "bear-hug" if you will.  I felt pain-free, full, and happy.  

Sweet Southern Cheese Muffins

Like most southerners, we love good barbecue.  Also, like most southerners, we know that good barbecue must be accompanied by a good piece of bread.  It can be garlic bread, texas toast...or, as my dad says, "a piece of light bread."  These mini sweet muffins are perfect for "sopping" up that extra barbecue sauce that's lingering on your plate.

Brownie Trifle

Oh.My.Goodness.  This was absolutely delicious and ridiculously easy to make.  A combination of brownies, chocolate pudding, sweetened condensed milk, whipped cream, with a little toffee bar in the layers....hello?  Can you say yum?  Better yet, don't say anything...just grab a spoon and stuff your face.

Stuffed Shells

This is one of the first meals I learned to cook by myself.  It has certainly evolved a little over the years, but the  simplicity and comfort of this meal easily makes it one of my favorites.

Chicken Florentine Quesadillas

I love the weekends.  I enjoy having nothing on my agenda except doing exactly what I want.  In my house, that usually involves some  quite a bit of cooking.  These little beauties came about one particular Saturday before my grocery run.  I must say, that I am glad we were running low on everything else, because these were absolutely fabulous and have become one of our favorite weekend lunches.

Vanilla Cherry Cola Cupcakes with Cherry Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

I think my favorite treat in this vast universe is Cherry Coke.  I love the stuff.  I can just imagine myself in a 1950's diner sipping a REAL cherry coke.  The kind from the fountain with coke and cherry syrup and REAL cherries.  Yes, I can see it now...me, just sitting there sipping....in a pink poodle skirt with a sideways ponytail and saddle shoes.  Ahhh....hey, I can dream, can't I?  So fast forward a bit...I'm in my kitchen....hair a mess, PJ's still on, and the cutest little kitchen helper ever babbling "ma-ma" at my feet.  I'm elbows deep in cake batter and happy as a lark.  Yes, I believe I AM dreaming.

BBQ Chicken Twice Baked Potatoes

 Ok, so it's no secret.  I make a lot a heaping number of dishes with chicken.  In fact, my family may be only a few chicken dinners away from growing feathers and clucking.  I like chicken, but I don't want to be one.  And if I were one, this is how I'd want to have my last hurrah.