Raspberry- Lemonade Sweetheart Cake

1
cup very hot water
1
box (4-serving size) raspberry-flavored gelatin
1
box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® white cake mix
1/2
cup frozen (thawed) lemonade concentrate
1/4
cup water
1/3
cup vegetable oil
4
egg whites
1
container (12 oz) Betty Crocker® Whipped vanilla frosting
1
cup frozen (thawed) whipped topping
1 1/2
cups fresh raspberries, if desired
Lemon peel strips, if desired

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with baking spray with flour. In small bowl, mix hot water and gelatin until gelatin is completely dissolved; cool slightly.
2.
In large bowl, beat cake mix, 1/4 cup of the gelatin mixture, 1/4 cup of the lemonade concentrate, the water, oil, and egg whites with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Pour into pan. Reserve remaining gelatin mixture and lemonade concentrate.
3.
Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Poke warm cake every inch with fork tines. Remove 1 tablespoon of the reserved gelatin mixture to microwavable custard cup or small bowl. In another small bowl, mix remaining gelatin mixture and remaining 1/4 cup lemonade concentrate; pour slowly over cake. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In medium bowl, fold together frosting and whipped topping; frost cake. Microwave 1 tablespoon gelatin mixture uncovered on High 10 seconds to liquefy. Using 1/4 teaspoon measuring spoon, place small drops of gelatin mixture over frosting; with spoon or toothpick, swirl gelatin into frosting. Garnish each piece with raspberries and lemon peel strips. Store covered in refrigerator.

BBQ CHICKEN NACHOS

Hi,
I made these for dinner tonight and it is fantastic! So, I thought I would post it.
You can make it on individual plates like I did or in a big pan.

Tortilla chips
2 chicken breasts depending on how many your feeding you might need more.
1 jar BBQ sauce
1 yellow onion
1 bag Mexican cheese blend
1 can Campbell's nacho cheese diluted with half can of milk, heated

Cook chicken breasts in a grill pan. When fully cooked cut them up into bite size pieces.
dice 1 yellow onion and grill it.

Add chips to your plate and sprinkle with the shredded cheese place plate in microwave to melt the cheese.
Place the cooked cut up chicken back in the pan and add enough BBQ to coat chicken.
sprinkle chicken over chips and melted cheese. add the grilled onions and top with nacho cheese
and more shredded cheese place back in microwave for 25 seconds until the cheese is melted.

You can also make a big pan of these and put it assembled in the oven to get hot.
Here are some more ideas for the top
Smoked Gouda cheese
black beans
cilantro

These are yummy!

Orange Crush

Last night Daniel had a meeting for the new Orange Crush kickoff. Pepsi was giving away lots of good prizes so Daniel volunteered to go up on stage with 5 other people. Little did he know he would be imitating this guy for his prize. (Go to you tube evolution of dance 2 2008.) He had to do this in front of a small crowed of only 150 people or so for 1 minute. He actually one first prize. I am not at all surprised by this. Well, anyway Daniel won an i pod.

The 80's Orange Crush will be hitting supermarket shelves very soon along with Strawberry Crush, and Grape.

HERSHEY'S S'MORES MILKSHAKE

HERSHEY'S S'mores Milkshake
Recipe Servings:Makes 1 large shake.Serving Size:One person or share.
Ingredients:
2 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream
Milk
Approximate 4 Tablespoons HERSHEY'S Chocolate Syrup
Approximate 2-3 Tablespoons HERSHEY'S Shell Ice Cream Topping
1-2 Tablespoons Miniature Marshmallows
1 Square Graham Cracker (1/2 with two sections)
1 Heaping Tablespoon Whipped Topping
1 Tablespoon HERSHEY'S Mini Chocolate Chips or Chocolate Sprinkles
Instructions:
1. In a blender, mix ice cream, chocolate syrup, and enough milk to make desired consistency.2. Pour into large glass or cup.3. Add shell topping and gently stir with spoon.4. Top first with marshmallows, and crumbled (but not crushed) graham cracker.5. Then add the whipped topping, and sprinkle on the chocolate chips or sprinkles.6. Serve immediately with a spoon.

Banana Pudding

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups cold milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
4 bananas, sliced
1/2 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers
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DIRECTIONS
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.
Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers. Spread with pudding mixture. Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill.

Christmas 2008

We had a fun day at Barbara and Annies for Christmas Day. Ethan had a toy plastic ring around his neck made of shapes that fit together. When Bella (Annies Granddaughter)and her Daddy walked in it was love at first site! Bella took off her coat and walked over to Ethan. He took off the ring necklace and put it around Bella's neck. Everyone was watching, it was very cute! They took to each other like peas and Carrots. These are some of the pictures Barbara took of them. She is a very sweet little girl. The dogs Lucy with the blue eye and Junior. Looked especially sweet with their wreaths. But, their faces look like Oh Momma's not again! Anyway, it was a fun day!

A Day Out Of The Cave

We went to the mall today. It was Daniel's idea I was wondering if he was sick or something. :} He never suggests going to the mall. The mall in Boise is small compared to the Roseville Gallaria. We parked by Nordstrom and got a spot right in the front. How lucky! I thought for sure it would be very crowded. I stopped right after entering the store to look at the children's shoe area. Then Daniel reminded me we have lots to look at and, Nordstrom was not it. So, we made our way to the mall area. It was very nice and I noticed stores we did not have at the Boise Mall. We made our way around the first level. We went up to the second level and we noticed it was carpet. Kind of different. We quickly noticed this mall was humongous! There are halls leading to other parts of the mall. The stores just kept going on and on. After all that walking around it made us hungry. We found the food court and of course there were lots of food choices to choose from. They had big peoples tables and green little peoples tables (Kids) that was fun! I asked Daniel if he wanted to sit at a kids table. He said no of course. I really don't think he would fit. It is like this ~ have you seen the movie Elf. Where he is in bed and his legs stick out about 2 feet off the end. That's the image that came to mind. Anyway, Daniel ate at California Crisp, I ate a Gyro and Ethan had a Baked potato loaded with cheese. When I sat down with my food Daniel gave me the business about his business. My cup said Coke! "He said we better not see my boss." We finished there and we made our way to Sears where we purchased Daniel a pair of shoes for work and a pair of sketchers shoes on sale (almost free) I have been needing or wanting. Depends on which one comes first needs wants hmm! I have about 75 or more pairs of shoes so you decide:} I got some great deals on two shirts for Ethan at $2.50 a piece. After leaving Sears we went to the kids play area there are 2. Ethan rode on some of the cars and went down the slide a couple of times and then it was time to go. I could see nap time approaching. For Ethan not Daniel. On our way out I tried to talk Daniel into going to Harry and Davids for some free dessert tasting but, he said he had enough of the mall for one day. I did manage to stop at a table in Nordstrome to look at some Juicy Contour flip flops. I actually thought that they would be more then they were. they were only $54.00. I reminded Daniel that Jessica Simpson wears Juicy. I thought that might convince him that I needed the shoes too! No such luck. He said who is Juicy and, that was the end of that conversation. Until we got to the car. Then I told him he could give me an allowance so I could then afford the shoes.

I saw this cake Yummy! I had to post it so you can make it too!

Mississippi Mud Cake
Ingredients:
Cake:1 cup (2 sticks) butter, cut into big chunks½ cup cocoa4 eggs, beaten well1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 cups sugar1½ cups all-purpose flour1/8 teaspoon salt1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Mississippi Mud Frosting:One 16-ounce box (about 3 2/3 cups) confectioners’ sugar½ cup cocoa½ cup (1 stick) butter, melted½ cup milk or evaporated milk1 teaspoon vanilla extract4 cups mini-marshmallows, or 3 cups marshmallows, quartered
Directions:
To make the cake, heat the oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 13-by-9-inch pan. In a medium saucepan, combine the butter and the cocoa and cook over medium heat, stirring now and then, until the butter is melted and the mixture is well blended, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the beaten eggs, vanilla, sugar, flour, salt, and pecans, and beat with a wooden spoon or spatula or with a mixer at low speed until the batter is well combined and smooth, and the flour has disappeared.
Quickly pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake at the 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cake springs back when touched gently in the center and is beginning to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Prepare the frosting while the cake bakes; so that you will be ready to poor it over the hot cake. In a medium bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar and the cocoa, and stir to mix them well. Add the melted butter, milk and vanilla, and use a large spoon or mixer at low speed to beat everything together well. Set aside until the cake is done.
Remove the cake from the oven, scatter the marshmallows over the top, and return the cake to the hot oven form about 3 minutes, to soften the marshmallows.
Place the cake, still in the pan, on a wire rack or a folded kitchen towel. Pour the frosting all over the marshmallow-dotted cake, and cool to room temperature. Cut into small squares and serve.

My Favorite Shopping Web Sites

Bonnercreations.com also on Ebay. Ebay a little less.
Modbe.com
Downeastbasics.com
QVC.com Quacker Factory
QVC.com Sports Savvy
QVC Lemon Hill Handbags
QVC Kathy Van Zeeland Handbags
http://www.kruenpeeper.com/
http://www.countryhouse.com/
http://www.atticdecorating.com/
http://www.tenderhearttreasures.com/
www.kingarthurflour.com/shop
http://www.rosannainc.com/
http://www.morgankatebowtique.com/
http://www.molly
http://www.layersclothing.com/
www.christa-taylor.com

Potty Nightmares

I have been trying to potty train Ethan for about a year now. The very first attempt was going great a bm first and then pee pee. Great! Well it went at a steady pace from there but, not any further. Well now that he is 3 1/2 I really need to get the ball rolling faster. The problem is that he won't tell me when he has to go. I ask him all the time I put him on the potty he will go a little bit and do a bm in the training pants. I have tried the potty books, taking him every half hour, putting training pants on and letting him just go in his pants. He doesn't mind the feeling I guess of gushy pants. And sitting in the bathroom for 20 minutes. well, I started taking away toys and putting them in the garage. That got his attention especially when I took away his friend Dino. I found a new game. If he goes potty in the potty he gets to shop for a new toy in the garage. If he goes in his pants we take the toy away. Well, he now begs me to go potty. So, it is working well. I hope to have this potty training wrapped up in a few weeks:} whew!