Dem Bones, Dem Bones

Isn't this guy very cute? I had intended to make these cute things but only got as far as molding the skeletons.

First you start by browsing through Michaels with your baby and see this cute mold you cannot live without. Then you get yourself some candy coating. I wanted to use Candy Melts but I was going to have to stab myself in the eyes if I had to go one more place (why I didn't buy them when I got the mold is a personal failing of mine I'll never understand) so I made due with Almond Bark from the grocery store.

Melt your candy in a microwave safe bowl in the microwave for 90 seconds, then in 15 second intervals until smooth. Be careful to not overcook or it will scorch and, just like in Gremlins, water is the enemy of candy coating and not just after midnight, so make sure everything is really dry. Let me stop here and also tell you that Candy Melts come in many fine colors, including a lovely Spooky Green, but the realist child in the family insisted on white. If you want to tint your own candy coating you must use candy coating coloring. Regular food coloring has water and you remember what I said about Gremlins :)

Place the melted candy in a pastry bag (never mind the sweet pinkness of my bag in the picture, a Valentine project gone very wrong). You really have to use a pastry bag for this because the lines of the mold are so narrow. Perfection is not a goal here, just try to not overflow the mold cavities. Place in fridge for 5-10 minutes or until hardened, then whack them out onto a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. No need to wash the mold in between fillings, you are good to go again. I left these out at room temp and had no problem with them getting soft which, sadly, is a possibilty in Texas on Oct. 29.

Then use in all the clever ways I know you can think of!

Apple Waffles

I saw this recipe for Battered Apple Rings on Pinterest and thought, "what a great idea!" Then we made Buttermilk Waffles the other night and I thought, "Why can't apples work in this?"

Hoo-mama! This was good and so easy! I didn't even peel the apple. My only regret was that I didn't sprinkle the tops of the apple slices with cinnamon-sugar first.

Go on. Make this. People will think you are fancy.

Apple Waffles

• Waffle recipe or mix of your choice. I used this one. It made 8 Belgian-size waffles.
• 1-2 apples, washed, cored and thinly sliced.

If your waffle maker is not non-stick, you may want to spray it with a little non-stick spray before you start.

Pour batter into your preheated waffle maker. Place 3-4 apple slices on top. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar if desired, then close lid and cook waffle until crisp and golden brown.

Finish off with REAL butter and REAL maple syrup because life is too short for anything else :)

Pecan-Molasses Granola

This was easy. This was delicious. This gave my house an instant smell of fall coziness!

When you find a great source for recipes you tend not to stray elsewhere. Some people might call this a rut but those people can hushie-uppie. It is hard to get dinner on the table E-V-E-R-Y night. I calculate that in the course of my marriage I have put 4125 dinners on the table and that is a low estimate.

Campfire Cake

I have had the privilege of making every one of my kiddos' birthday cakes. Some were from mixes, but lately I have really strived to not use a mix. There are a lot of unkown ingredients in cake mix and in the last few years I have tried to narrow down that kind of thing. Besides, the only extra steps are measuring flour, baking powder, salt, and vanilla.

Cakes can easily be made when you have the time and then frozen until you're ready to decorate; just wrap the cake really tightly before freeezing and then defrost at room temp still in the wrapping.

This year we had a campout birthday and I was inspired by this and this and this.

Lasagna of Shame

SO. Let's start right out with my most embarrassing culinary secret. Should you ever think while reading this blog what a food snob I am, you may refer back to this entry and remember my shameful secret. It's actually a secret my husband’s side of the family has been keeping for years but I am sooooo glad they introduced it to me!

Are you ready?

This lasagna contains:

Tomato paste

Ground beef
Lasagna noodles