Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Our kids are obsessed with animals.  Like, if we're walking through a parking lot and there is a dog in a car, we have to stop to look at it, and faun over it, and pretend to pet it through the window.  Every.single.time.  And inevitably the owners always walk up while we're peering through their windows and they're all: "Oh hey, Creepy. Get away from my car."

Awk.ward.

And if an animal wanders into our yard there is much hyperventilating and freaking out and attempts to name it, capture it, and keep it for our own.  (Usually sufficiently enough to scare said animals away for life.  Sometimes a good thing.)

For the record we do have pets.

Anyways, want to know what's cool?


When your kids chase a cat around your yard one night, except it turns out to be a skunk.

If you need me, I'll be buying four cases of tomato juice.

Just kidding.  My kids are really fast runners.  The neighborhood just smells like musky burnt rubber bands that have been decaying for a few years.


Also.  Skunk is a weird word.

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These cookies are deliciously chewy and kind of addicting. The oatmeal is blended up before adding so you can't detect little oat pieces in these. These also have pecans but you can omit them if you need to.

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Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade

Now that summer has begun,  a pitcher of fresh-squeezed lemonade should pretty much be a staple in any refrigerator.

Just kidding.   Ain't nobody got time fo that.

Around here, the lemonade in my fridge usually consists of Crystal Light or Country Time (we're so refined it hurts), but every now and then I'll find the time & the mental brainpower to make some fresh-squeezed.


Really, it doesn't even compare, does it?


This is Chick Fil A's recipe for lemonade. I made mine diet using splenda, but you can use real sugar if you prefer.  I love this recipe because it doesn't taste like it's diet and you can have as much as you like.

Have a great weekend!

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German Chocolate Brownies

The brownie recipe I posted earlier this week was so good, I just couldn't stop there. I decided to make it again, and this time I topped the brownies with some homemade German Chocolate frosting.

Bestideaever.

Truly, these are incredible.  The sweetness of the frosting cuts the richness of the brownies perfectly and the pecans put these brownies over the top.  These are better brownies by FAR than I have ever purchased at a bakery or restaurant. 


The frosting is delicious on brownies, but it is equally wonderful on dark chocolate cupcakes as well.  Want to make a fantastic German Chocolate cake?  Use this frosting to top a Devil's Food cake.

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Fudgy Homemade Brownies

I think we have discussed before my love of the Betty Crocker red box.  Betty's fudgy brownies always come out perfectly chewy and are only a buck a box.  Add in some chocolate chips and they are pretty close to perfect.

This is the first time I have made homemade brownies that came even close to Betty's chewy brownies.  And these babies blew me out of the water.  They are SO dark and so chocolaty.  Totally worth the effort of homemade brownies vs. the beloved box mix.

Make these now.

Seriously. 

When the chocolate monster is raging inside of you- this is the recipe you need. 

Want to really take these over the top?  Add some german chocolate frosting to make German Chocolate Brownies. 

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Whatchamacallits

Because every now and then you have a peanut butter craving that must be satisfied-

These bars are crispy, rich, and peanut buttery.  The corn syrup makes them a little bit chewy so they have the perfect texture.

And the name?  It's just plain fun to say.

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Blueberry Lemon Spritzer

Let's address the elephant in the room, shall we?  The irony of the word 'elephant' here is hilarious. Summer is almost here, and chances are most of us are going to have to don swimsuits soon, at least every once in awhile.  While I never really stop making desserts, I do try to make some lower calorie options in the summer.  Everyone wants to feel good about themselves at the beach, and with so many fresh fruit options there are just so many yummy things you can make that aren't twelve million calories.

I have a little obsession with Torani syrups.  I probably have 12-15 flavors and I love to experiment with them and mix them in to drinks.

This drink in particular is delicious and it is 40 calories plus blueberries/lemon garnish.

(It's against my religion to count calories in fruit so if you really want to know exact calories, you may have to do a little math.) 

I hope you like these!

Looking for Torani syrups?  World Market has a limited selection.  Here in Utah I usually buy my syrups at Pirate O's in Draper; they have a huge selection!  Lollicup is a great online retailer for anyone living elsewhere.  The syrups are only about $5 at Lollicup and while shipping is $10, it doesn't change, even if you buy 6 bottles (which is a killer deal!).  So if you want to go that route, you might want to order a bunch of flavors, or get some friends to go in on an order with you.  Sugar Free Raspberry is my favorite!

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Frozen Cherry Garcia Brownie Squares

Up until this week I always thought I was a twelve year old at heart.  I would eat jelly beans for every meal if I could, and I refuse to talk to strangers on the phone unless dragged, kicking and screaming.  (Seriously.  Do not ask me to call someone I don't know.  Stranger Danger!)

Swim lessons started for my little this week, and after a week or so of people watching at the pool, I am fairly convinced that I am actually a grandmother at heart.

Water Aerobics? Coolest thing ever.  Unfortunately no one in the class is under the age of 70.  (And I mean that seriously because my parents are pretty close to being 60 and nobody in the class looks even close to being their age. There are walkers galore along the edge of the pool.)  I could probably sign up, but that might be all kinds of weird.  For all parties involved.

So instead I pine for the days I can take water aerobics classes every morning without looking like a freak, and hubby can retire so we can walk laps at the mall.  (Another old person activity I, personally, find enticing.)

Also I really like to feed children sweets and tell them to ignore the advice of their parents.

You can call me Grams if you feel so inclined.

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There is a little bit of a story behind these brownies. Typically, when I cut bars, I freeze them first so I get nice clean lines, especially if there are lots of gooey toppings.  So it was quite by accident that I decided these bars should be frozen.

They are supposed to be refrigerated;  And they are alright out of the fridge.

But out of the freezer?  They taste like a brownie with a big scoop of Cherry Garcia ice cream on top.

Could.Not. Stop.Eating. 

For real.  I think I ate the weight of a small child in these brownies.  And I didn't even regret it when I had to wear yoga pants for a week.

(If you're thinking, "These are the only pants that fit right now..."  I love you.) 

Please. Please.  Freeze these.  Make them.  Eat them. Cherish them.  Ben & Jerry would approve. Nobody can judge you for eating the whole pan if you don't tell anybody.  ;)

Have a great weekend!

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Coconut Syrup

 A lot of years back, A few years back, when I was in college I went to school in Hawaii for a summer.  You know, taking a serious course-load like Tennis and Principles of Education. (The tests were crossword puzzles.  Yes, there was a word box.  And we got cookies for finishing. Probably the most rigorous semester of my life.) 

Besides for going to the beach everyday, and legitimate Shave Ice, coconut syrup was one of the best things about living there.

Although I haven't found a dead ringer for real Hawaiian coconut syrup, this stuff is pretty darn close. We use it over french toast and pancakes, and I'm sure it would be great on waffles as well.  This is a great way to welcome summer.

Happy Wednesday! Thanks for visiting me today!

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S'more Brownies

My mom has been making these brownies for as long as I can remember.  She has always been a S'mores lover.  Also she regularly bought Rice Krispy Treat cereal when I was a kid, so Mom of the Universe award goes to her.

My oldest graduated from preschool this last week.  There were more tears than I imagined there would be...  Turns out I'm not going to be the mom that doesn't cry on the first day of Kindergarten. When I looked at this picture (far Right looking straight at ya), I just saw a big 18 year old kid who had grown up in an instant and was graduating high school.  Is it wrong to never ever want that day to come?

Other things we did this week include Frankenweenifying our cat:

Because normal people do that.


These S'more Brownies are our HELLO to Summer!  We have a lot planned to keep us busy and we can't wait to get started.

Have a happy memorial day weekend friends!

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Spiced Brown Sugar Carrot Bread

So, I get that this makes me a total technology fail, but I finally figured out how to get my scheduled posts to go out on time.  I'm hoping this is going to make me a much more consistent blogger, which is a great thing.

In other news, JT has finally managed to bring sexy back.

Just kidding.  That hasn't happened yet. 

Excuse my carbaholic tendencies while I post another bread recipe, will you?

This bread is lightly sweetened and perfectly appropriate for breakfast.  It's not one of those "cake" loafs; it really is more of a sweet bread.  Go heavy on the spices if you like a strong spice flavor.  I like to heap mine.

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