Just As Good, Mall Pretzel Recipe

These pretzels are a real crowd pleaser.  My husband and kids love them!  They are a little more work than going to the mall, but definitely worth the effort.  They are best when served fresh, right out of the oven.

Ingredients
1 cup warm water
1 package dry active yeast
1 1/2 cups flour
2 tbs. vegetable oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tbs. brown sugar
1 1/4 cup flour

4 cups warm water
2 tbs. baking soda

2 tbs. coarse salt
2 tablespoons melted butter

Directions
  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in warm water and let stand for 5 minutes.  Add vegetable oil, brown sugar, salt and 1 1/2 cups flour.  Mix well.  Add remaining flour and knead the dough until smooth.  Cover the dough ball and allow the dough to rise for 1 hour.
  After dough has risen, divide the dough into 6 equal strips and form into ropes.  Shape dough into pretzel shapes.

 Roll

Twist Once

 Twist Twice

 Done

Prepare a solution of 4 cups warm water and 2 tablespoons baking soda in a bowl.  With a slotted spoon, dip the pretzels into the baking soda solution before placing them on a greased pan.  Be sure to fully submerge the shaped pretzels into the baking soda solution and to frequently stir the solution between dips.

Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown.

While pretzels are still warm, brush with melted butter and top with coarse salt.  You may substitute cinnamon sugar for the coarse salt if you wish.  Enjoy!!


Recipe adapted from:  http://www.food.com/

Picture turned TV Tray

 

  I've been looking for a tray to hold our remote controls.  While in Target today I found this map picture on clearance.  I quickly scooped it up and put it in my cart.  Although it wasn't the tray I was looking for, I knew exactly how to make it work!

 
  I removed the metal hanger from the back and added a pair of drawer pulls to finish it off.  Very Simple!

 

  Hopefully we will never misplace another remote again!

Sweet Potato Cheesecake

  Sweet potatoes are not just a Fall or Winter Holiday treat.  Sweet potatoes taste great in so many ways, as an appetizer, side dish, main dish or even dessert.  This is one of the best cheesecake recipes I have ever tried, rich, creamy and not too sweet.  My family loved the different spin on cheesecake and dessert!

  Ingredients

  1 prepared deep dish graham cracker pie crust
  1 cup mashed sweet potato
  3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temperature
  1 cup granulated sugar
  3 eggs
  1 cup evaporated milk
  2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  pinch of salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add sugar. Mix well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each. Pour in milk. Mix well. Add mashed sweet potato. Mix well. Stir in vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Mix well.. Pour the mixture into the pie crust.

Bake 40 minutes or until center is set. Cool on a rack. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight to chill thoroughly.  Enjoy!


Recipe adapted from: http://www.myrecipes.com/

Fun Rub-On Transfer Ideas

 Rub-on transfers are most commonly used for scrap-booking,  They are easy  to apply and can adhere to most surfaces.

I was looking for a few inexpensive ways to brighten up my home for Spring so I decided to transfer my images onto a couple of white planters I had on hand.

Plant flowers from Home Depot and use them indoors as houseplants.  They are an inexpensive way to add flowers to a room.

Once I get started no untouched surface is safe!  I added a little "love" to our glass, hot chocolate container, just because!

Happy Spring!

My First Giveaway Win!

  I am so thrilled to have won my first Giveaway!  Tine from Uruguay Life hosted a wonderful giveaway and I was lucky enough to win!  Tine is sweet and kind and has an amazing blog with beautiful pictures and inspiring home decor.

 After going through customs,

my gifts arrived packaged in such a beautiful box.

Each item was individually wrapped within the box of goodies!

It wasn't even my birthday, but I felt so spoiled!  Thank-you so much Tine for the very generous gifts! 


***not pictured are the delicious caramels my son devoured and I found under his pillow before I could take a picture!

What's on Your Playlist?

Source

 
  What kind of music do you like?  I like a little bit of everything!  I enjoy the one hit wonders from the 80's.  I'm a huge fan of Fleetwood Mac and Cat Stevens, but I also love Nina Simone and Sade...the list goes on and on.

  This weekend I'm headed out of town for a few days to attend my cousin's wedding.  The wedding will take place in Alabama, which is about a four hour ride traveling by car.  I do not enjoy long car rides!  But, to make the ride a bit more enjoyable I've downloaded music to my Itouch.    

  I'd like to know what's on your playlist. What songs or artist do you enjoy?  I love discovering new music!


 

Yogurt Blueberry Pancakes

 

 
I make pancakes all the time for my family and these surpassed anything I have ever made.  We loved each and every bite!  Wonderful way to start the day!

Ingredients
2 cups Bisquick Original baking mix
2 eggs
1/2 cups milk
1 cup plain Greek yogurt( I used Stonyfield)
1/3 cup melted butter 
1 cup fresh blueberries


1. Stir first five ingredients together with a whisk until well blended.  Fold in blueberries.  The batter will be thick.
2. Pour spoonfuls of batter onto hot, greased griddle, spread lightly.
3. Cook until edges are dry.  Turn, cook until golden brown.  Serve with your favorite syrup.  Enjoy!


Recipe adapted from:  http://www.bettycrocker.com/