Fresh Peach Pie

My oldest started Kindergarten last week.  I didn't cry.  I know that probably makes me a bad mom, but it was a happy day for both of us. He has been so ready for so long and really it's only 3 hours a day so it's not real school anyways.  It is weird to drop him at school and have my other little one all to myself for a few hours.  When I say weird I do mean weird, but I also mean reallynice.  A piece of me is missing while he's gone but I find I'm also a better mom (and way more patient) with one kid rather than two. 

Being a mom of an elementary schooler is weird as well.  I have to do adulty things like fill out forms and go to back to school night. Don't they know I'm not old enough for that?

I worry about kids leaving him out, or hurting his feelings, or calling him a nerd.  When you become a parent you think the hard part is going to be waking up 9 times every night or hauling a car seat on vacation.  Turns out the hard part is so much more than that.  It's all those fears and worries and the realization that they will never go away and there will always be things you cannot fix.


On a completely different note- Peach is one of my favorite flavors of the summer. There is a little farm stand just down the street from my house and I can't help but overload on peaches, melons, and fresh corn.  I know it is almost time for pumpkin so I've gotta enjoy them while I can! This recipe is one to make as a last minute summer hurrah, or you can tuck away some peaches in the freezer and make this pretty pie for Thanksgiving.  

Happy Thursday!

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Cherry Cheesecake Bars

Anybody craving cheesecake?  These bars are the perfect dessert for an end of summer picnic.  Smooth, creamy, cold, and delicious.

With their gorgeous ruby color, I think they would be perfect for Christmas as well.

You guys have started thinking about that little holiday right?  I already have a stash of Christmas gifts that is piling up.   (I have problems I know.)

I just have to find my five year old a venus flytrap and a declaration of independence.

Kids are weird.

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Root Beer Float Cupcakes

As far as I know, root beer float cupcakes came into being a few years ago.  To be honest, I always thought this was a completely bizarre cupcake flavor and never had any desire at all to try them.

However.

I have a 5 year old who is obsessed with all things root beer. 

And he has these little.  pug.  stuffed animals.

They are family members.  They go everywhere with us.  They navigate in the car.  I like to hide them in odd places and play #hidethepugshideyowife

Anyways.  It turns out the pugs' birthday was a few weekends ago.  Want to guess what flavor of cupcakes they requested?

And so I strapped my old lady panties on and sucked it up and tried my hand at root beer float cupcakes.

I adapted the frosting from a fluffy vanilla frosting recipe, and it. was. AWESOME.

Seriously amazing.  It tasted just like root beer.  And it was light like whipped cream and full of flavor.

I tried flavoring some cupcakes with root beer extract, but honestly you couldn't really taste it, and I think I would have been happier with French Vanilla cupcakes so the recipe below reflects that.

The conclusion is that these cupcakes are fantastic, and not just for pugs.  It doesn't even have to be your birthday.

The frosting isn't the simplest recipe (yes, it does require you to put a pan on the stove), but it is one of my favorite frostings, because it is so light, and it is worth EVERY SECOND.

Please make these for your pugs.

Happy Tuesday!

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Double Cookie Dough Ice Cream

Typically I'm not a huge cookie dough ice cream fan.  I mean it's mostly just vanilla anyways.  I don't even love the cookie dough bits that much because frozen chocolate chips don't melt in your mouth and that just takes away half of the magic of chocolate.

This ice cream, however is cookie dough flavored. 

An entirely different story altogether.

I really think the best part of homemade ice cream is the freedom to put in an appropriate amount of mix-ins. 

A 1:1 ratio, for example.

This recipe is one to try!

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Black Forest Cupcakes {Cherry Bomb Cupcakes}

Since Halloween costumes are starting to come out, I figured it was about time I posted this 4th of July treat. (Seriously- how is it August?  I am so disoriented!)

I don't know about you, but around here we celebrate America's birthday by blowing things up.  Nothing says the 4th like fireworks, smoke bombs, and sparklers.  These Cherry Bomb cupcakes therefore, are pretty patriotic, don't you think?

They are yummy any time of year, but if you want to make them for the 4th, the blue cherries make them extra cute. (Roland brand makes these.  You can find them at specialty shops or on the internet.)

Happy Super Ridiculously Late Birthday America!

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Boysenberry Crumble Bars

Sometimes you need a ridiculously easy recipe that you can put together in your sleep.  This is it.  4 ingredients people.  4 ingredients!!

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Big Fat Chewy Triple Chocolate Cookies {Peanut Butter Triple Chocolate version included}

Because I bake a lot, I don't repeat recipes very often.  This Bakery Cookie recipe however, is one that I make over and over again.  It is my go-to cookie because it has the perfect taste and the perfect texture. The cookies are huge and substantial, chewy and chocolatey.

Lately I've started playing with the recipe and adapting it to different flavors.  I haven't nailed a peanut butter oatmeal version yet, but this Triple Chocolate cookie is perfect!  Add peanut butter chips for a Peanut Butter Chocolate version that will knock you over it's so good.

Cookies are absolutely my weakness, how about you?

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Gooey Cinnamon Rolls {Breadmaker}

I have never been a great cinnamon roll maker.  I go a little crazy with the flour so they tend to come out too dry for my tastes.  This time I used a breadmaker to knead my dough, which kept me from adding too much flour and they came out perfectly!  If you have a breadmaker I highly recommend using it. I swear washing the breadpan by hand really isn't that bad.

(I wouldn't actually know because mine is still sitting in the sink from last week.  Ahem.)

Sweet rolls do not keep well, so if you can't polish off an entire pan, you can freeze the dough once you have cut it in slices  (Just place the slices on a cookie sheet.  Freeze completely.  Then throw them all in a ziploc freezer bag.)  Every time you want a cinnamon roll, just pull one of the frozen slices out.  Allow it to thaw and rise until doubled in size.  Then bake!)

You know you want a fresh cinnamon roll every day of your life.

This dough recipe would work well for orange rolls as well.

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Banana Split Popsicles

I am camera shy. 

Come within 15 feet of me with a camera and I will probably drop-kick you or otherwise incapacitate most of your limbs.

It's not you, its me. 

Some of us just aren't meant to be captured on film.

These pops have that problem.  They're not super photogenic but they are so pretty in real life, so don't judge them too harshly. 

You're not tired of pops yet, are you?

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Fresh Citrus Fresca

I have another zero calorie drink for you today.  I'd be hard pressed to call this a recipe, but adding some fresh orange slices and orange juice puts a whole new twist on Fresca.

Try it out sometime!

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