Flag Cookie Pizza

Working in a doctor's office - I have an entire gaggle of ladies I can try recipes on....with our two grown, and hubby working shift work (one on, two off - fireman), I do not have the mass audience I need when I get a cooking bug....thus the girls at the office are my laboratory. 

Today's creation is a Flag Cookie Pizza....a great way to celebrate; gives everyone a bite without going overboard, and lets me try my talents in the kitchen.  I of course found this lovely idea on Pinterest. 

This is what caught my eye -- gorgeous right!?! 

(thank you sabbyinsuburbia.blogspot.com/2010/07/happy-belated-4th-of-july.html)

I went yesterday and picked up my items.  Tube of sugar cookie dough, can of cream cheese frosting (sorry, didn't make my frosting), and fruit (strawberries, blueberries & bananas). 

Here's how mine turned out:

Bought huge pizza pan at Walmart (less than $4).

Frosted that baby up! 

Started loading the fruit.

Ready to serve!

Happy Birthday U.S.A.!!!

Hobo Cookin'

Loved doing this when I was a girl scout - now can do it in my backyard in the fire pit! Love the idea of everyone bringing something! 

http://www.cookingcomically.com/?page_id=183

Pineapple Coconut Slaw

This recipe is super fast; super easy; and super tasty!  Wonderful in summer when you're wanting a different salad than the norms. Stays crunchy for several days. A few times I have also added some macadamia nuts for a "Hawaiian feel."  Great with grilled chicken!

Drain pineapple and save liquid for dressing. In mixing bowl combine the salad dressing, pineapple juice and white sugar. Thoroughly whisk to combine. Mix cabbage, pineapple and coconut, then toss with dressing. Allow to chill in fridge for best flavor.

Ingredients:

• Couple bags of shredded cabbage
• 1 3/4 c salad dressing
• 3 tsp. white sugar
• 1-20 oz can pineapple tidbits
• 1 bag sweetened coconut

Shrek's Southwest O'the Swamp Mac & Cheese

While skiing this week in Colorado, my husband (known as Shrek) has been spoiling me by making dinner nightly.  This is last night's deliciousness. 

Ingredients:
1 box medium conch shell pasta (white or wheat)
1 can rotel
1 can cream of chicken
1 can cream of celery
1.5 lb. ground turkey (we used less and just did a tube, which I believe is 1 lb.)
Shredded cheese

Spices:
chili pepper (we used "Slap Your Mamma")
garlic powder
italian spices (we used McCormick's Perfect Pinch)
S&P

Cook pasta al dente and set aside (cool the pasta to prevent further cooking).
Brown turkey meat; add your spices.
Once turkey is cooked; add in Rotel.
Add cream of celery and chicken.
Add remaining spices if needed.
Stir in pasta.
Stir in portion of shredded cheese to your liking.
Place contents in baking dish.
To top off, we put some shredded cheese on top. 

It's ready to eat.  We had an activity so left it covered; came back and heated in oven at 400 for about 15-20 minutes and it was perfect!  Makes great leftovers! He added corn chips on the side, but a salad would be good too!  Shrek likes it really spicy so I added a dollop of sour cream on top of mine to cool it off a bit....enjoy!

Gardening - Pinterest style

I saw this pin and thought what a wonderful way to garden....

I showed this to my husband and we created our own version this past weekend. It made it especially nice as we are experiencing a very mild January...enjoying 70's on Sunday. The cost of materials was under $50. I had some bulbs in the freezer so hopefully come March/April, I will be snipping some beautiful tulips for vases throughout the house and to share with friends.

After the bulbs have bloomed, I plan on planting lots of lettuce and herbs. Being attached to the side of the shed will hopefully discourage Peter Rabbit (who lives under our shed) from partaking in eating my garden, as he's known to do. :)

Rice Krispies with cake flour

Here's the pic that made me want to make Rice Krispy treats....we have no little ones at home, just me and hubby....who is somewhat like a child when it comes to desserts....but they looked fun, easy and tasty!  Who says you have to have little ones to make RKT's...:)

My version: I did chocolate sprinkles instead of colored sprinkles.....and I made them in my lasagna/brownie pan so they'd be cut automatically. They were so much moister and tastier! Will definitely do these again!