National Zucchini Day is today, August 8th and we are getting zucchini from our garden. We got about a half of dozen the other day! They were beautiful and my head started spinning as to what I should make with these.  I started going through my stand-by recipes and then decided to search for some new possibilities!  I quickly realized that I could make a huge variety of things from these two zucchini.  I could make the traditional zucchini bread that I always make.  I could add some variety to this by adding chocolate chips or dried cranberries.  I could make my families favorite chocolate zucchini cake for all of us chocolate lovers!!  I could bread it and deep fat fry it or Air Fry it, or I could bake it or have grilled vegetable kbobs. I could stuff it, marinate it in a salad or I could make zucchini lasagna or zucchini meatloaf . . . and I could even pickle it!!!  How does one choose what to do with these two zucchini??!! Well, I settled on the zucchini bread and some breaded fried zucchini for supper. I still have a little left - just about enough to bake the chocolate zucchini cake to satisfy my sweet tooth!!  LOL!

As I was grating the zucchini I was thinking about all the different ways to use the zucchini.  It can be made into sweet things, sour things, greasy things, starchy things, breaded things, fried things, stuffed things, marinated things - you name it can be done!!  

I was thinking about how we as people are somewhat like the zucchini, believe it or not!!   We can be sweet, sour, greasy, starchy, breaded, fried, stuffed, and marinated. We too, can be all of these things! Our personalities all vary with the amount of honor, integrity, faithfulness, truthfulness, and loyalty woven into our very character. We each possess characteristics that state who we are, what we believe in and what we stand for. When I look at a zucchini - I don't automatically think of "chocolate" like a chocolate zucchini cake!! But when mixed with other important ingredients like flour, eggs, cocoa, sugar, baking soda, etc. a green vegetable called a zucchini takes on the mix of a wonderful chocolate zucchini cake!  

Just like the zucchini adds other ingredients to become a chocolate cake - we have important characteristics in our character that help us become who we are. Who are you?  What do you believe?  What do you stand for?  I hope you are adding the other important ingredients that make you stand out or stand up for who you are and what you believe is important in life.  Weave some honor, integrity, faithfulness, truthfulness, and loyalty into your character. Let God measure the exact ingredients just for "you" and let God's mix state "who you are as a child of God" and "stand tall" . . .

. . . like one of those Chocolate Zucchini cakes in one of those glass cake stands with the glass cover on them. Don't be just a zucchini - be something "special"!

Apple Butter Ginger Snap Cookies

PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES, PLUS 45 MINUTES COOLING AND DRYING TIME
COOK TIME: 14 MINUTES
MAKES: ABOUT 36 COOKIES

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar, divided
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup molasses
1 egg
2 1/4 cups flour
2 1/2 t ground ginger
1/2 t cinnamon
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1 cup apple butter

Simple icing (optional):
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 T milk

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two large baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream butter, 1/2 cup sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat until smooth.
3. In a medium bowl, combine flour, spices, baking soda, and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture and stir until soft dough forms.
4. Form dough into 1 T balls, roll in remaining 1/4 cup sugar to coat, and arrange cookies 2” apart on prepared baking sheets.
5. Using the back of a round measuring teaspoon, create a depression for the apple butter (Tip: If you hold the sides of the cookies with gentle pressure as you create the thumbprint, it reduces the size and number of the cracks).
6. Evenly divide apple butter between cookies and bake for 14 minutes, switching baking sheets between racks halfway through. Transfer to a cooling rack and cool completely.
7. Make optional icing: Combine powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl and mix until smooth. Transfer to a squeeze bottle. Drizzle over cookies and let dry completely.

No Bake Praline Cookies

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups sugar
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup corn syrup
• 1 stick of salted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2.5 cups chopped pecans
• 2 cups sweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

1. In a bowl, combine coconut and pecans; set aside.
2. In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, milk, corn syrup, & butter. Heat while stirring until the mixture comes to a full rolling boil. Let it boil while stirring for 3 minutes.
3. Remove the pot from heat & stir in the vanilla extract along with the coconut/pecan mixture. Stir the mixture well to combine after you remove it from the heat.
4. Drop by large spoonfuls on wax paper or nonstick aluminum foil. Allow to cool so that the cookies harden completely.
5. Serves: about 2 dozen cookies

Ritzy Chocolate Pecan Nuggets

Ingredients

Ritz Crackers   36

Payday Bars    6

Chocolate Almond Bark
(24 oz)

Buttery Pam Spray

Directions

1

 Preheat oven to 350.

Cover cookie sheet with heavy duty foil. Lay out 36 Ritz crackers on cookie sheet.

2

 On wax paper, using Pam on sharp knife for non-stick, cut Paydays into 6 chunks per bar. Place on top of crackers. Bake in oven for 4 minutes (to soften candy). When finished, remove from oven and lightly mash Payday down. Use fork sprayed with Pam. (Need to respray about every 6 cookies. Return to oven for 2 more minutes. Set out to begin cooling.

3

 Melt chocolate according to package directions. Spoon onto cookies. Remove cookies onto wax paper and allow to cool until chocolate is no longer shiny.

This is quick and easy and oh, so good!!  Enjoy!

Strawberry Danish Heirloom Cake

CONNIE'S DANISH HEIRLOOM LAYER CAKE 

So Light and moist ~ Not Too Sweet ~Perfect after a heavy meal!! This recipe is so different from any cake you have ever tasted!! Give it a try....I know you will love it!!

You can Freeze the layers easily and have a picture perfect cake ready at the drop of a hat!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup of sugar
pinch salt
1 egg
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 + 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. vanilla
1 pint whipping cream - whipped and sweetened with 1 Tbsp. icing sugar
1 - 2 pounds sliced slightly sweetened strawberries - or fruit of choice

Directions:
In a medium bowl, mix together with a whisk or wooden spoon, yogurt, sugar, sour cream, egg, salt, baking soda, baking powder. Add flour and vanilla.
Grease or spray 3 - 9" layer pans and divide batter evenly between pans. (the batter will seem skimpy....but spread as evenly as you can with a spatula in each pan - layers will rise on baking).
Bake at 350 oven (325 if using Convection oven 325 oven) Bake for only 10 - 12 minutes....till Very Light Brown. Cool on racks...and remove from pans with a plastic spatula onto racks to finish cooling as soon as you can handle the cakes.

IMPORTANT: Do NOT over bake!! If not using immediately - put wax paper between layers, cover with plastic and refrigerate or freeze till ready to assemble cake.

Layer Cake Layers: 1/3 sweetened whipped cream and 1/2 sweetened sliced strawberries, or fruit of choice - then 1/3 sweetened whipped cream and 1/2 berries. Last layer - just sweetened whipped cream. Decorate with berries.
This cake tastes even better the next day and the day after that....if there is any left!! The Trick is Not to Over bake the layers...or it will be dry and not nice and moist.

This will soon become Your Favorite Family Cake too!!

Quick & Easy Butterfinger Pie!

RECIPE: Butterfinger Pie (can also use Twix, Snickers, or Milky Way)

INGREDIENTS:

1 (12.5 ounce) bag Fun Size Butterfinger candy bars, crushed 1 (8 oz) package  cream cheese, room temperature1 (12 oz) container Cool Whip1 pre-made graham cracker crust

DIRECTIONS:

Reserve ½ cup of crushed Butterfingers.
Combine remaining candy bars, cream cheese and Cool Whip in a large bowl.
Pour into graham cracker crust.
Sprinkle reserved candy bars on top.
Chill for 2 hours before serving.

Who is to NOT like a Butterfinger??!!!   When I saw this recipe, I had to give it a try.  So I tried it out on our Christmas gathering and it was a hit.  And it is so easy - that's what I liked!!  And . . . OH, SO GOOD!!  

Try it - I bet you will like it!!

Jalapeno Popper Roll-ups

1-8 oz package cream cheese, softened

8 slice cooked bacon crumbled (can use the already cooked kind)

1/3 c grated parmesan cheese (also good with cheddar cheese)

1/4 c finely chopped onion

1 medium jalapeno, finely chopped and seeded

2 Tbsp chopped cilantro

1 Tbsp milk

2-8 oz can refrigerated crescent rolls

Heat oven to 375 degrees.

Mix all ingredients together except crescent dough

Separate each can of dough into 8 triangles; cut each triangle lengthwise in half. Spread each dough triangle with generous tsp. of cream cheese mixture; roll up from ending with points. Place, point side down on baking sheet.

Bake 12-15 min or until golden brown. Serve warm with salsa.

Classic Cranberry Bread Pudding

This is a delicious recipe for cranberry and bread pudding lovers.

Cook time: 45 Min  Prep time: 20 Min  Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 1/2 c whole cranberry sauce

6 c bread,diced

3 eggs

2 c milk

1/2 c sugar

1/2 c raisins

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions

1. Combine cranberry sauce, bread and raisin in a bowl. Add the well beaten eggs,sugar, milk and cinnamon. Mix gently.

2. Pour into a well greased 2 quart casserole. Bake at 350' for about 45 minutes ( until puffed and firm ) Serve warm with cream or whip cream. Enjoy! 

Here's a quick and easy meal . . .

Cheese & Potatoes Pork Casserole

Ingredients

6 pork chops, boneless
2 large russet potatoes, thinly sliced
10 oz. can of condensed French onion soup
10 oz. can of condensed Cheddar cheese soup

---

Methods/Steps

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Layer potatoes on bottom of baking dish, trying to keep to single layer, but double layer is okay, too. Lay pork chops on top of potatoes. In small bowl, blend the two soups together. Pour over pork chops, trying to cover them evenly with mixture. Bake for 1 hour.

---

Additional Tips

Ready in 1 hour and 20 min

---

Makes

3 servings

Calling all Chocolate Lovers - Rocky Road Frosting

Rocky Road FrostingIngredients

2 1 oz sq. unsweetened chocolate

4 Tbsp butter
2 c mini marshmallows

2 1/2 c powdered sugar

1/4 c water

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 walnuts

Directions

1. In a 2 qt saucepan, combine chocolate, half the marshmallows, water and butter.
    Heat until blended stirring constantly.

2. Cool slightly. Add sugar and vanilla. Beat until thick.

3. Stir in remaining marshmallows. Add nuts if desired.

4. Frosts top on one 9 x 13 cake.

Pineapple Angel Food Cake

Take a box of Angel Food Cake mix (just the contents of the box, no need to follow the directions on the box), & combine it with a 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple in its own juice.

(No need to use a mixer, just stir it with a spoon) When you do this, something magical happens.

The mixture starts to froth & it turns into an amazingly airy, fluffy bowl of deliciousness right before your eyes.
Once it's all mixed up, grease and simply pour it into a
9 x 13 cake pan & bake 350 for 30 minutes

Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies

Easy, quick and delicious! And that is what I like . . .

CAKE MIX COOKIES

1 cake mix (2 layer size - any flavor you like)
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
Preheat oven to 350.
Beat all three ingredients together well with a hand mixer.
Roll dough into small balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
      (Helps to wet your hands a bit)
Bake at 350 for 7-10 minutes (depending on whether you like them
      chewy or crispy)
Makes about 40 cookies.

CHOOSE YOUR PATH...

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her 
life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know 
how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She 
was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one 
problem was solved, a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots 
with water. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second 
she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee 
beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In 
about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished 
the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the 
eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the 
coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you 
see?"

"Carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied. She brought her 
closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted 
that they had gotten soft. She then asked her to take an 
egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed 
the hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to sip the coffee.
The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma, and then 
asked, "What's the point, Mother?"

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced 
the same adversity - boiling water - but each reacted 
differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. 
However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it 
softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its 
thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior. But, after 
sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened.
The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they 
were in the boiling water they had changed the water.
"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When adversity 
knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, 
an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and 
adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes 
with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a 
breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I 
become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, 
but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit 
and a hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes
the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. 
When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and 
flavor.

If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you 
get better and change the situation around you. When the 
hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you 
elevate to another level? How do you handle adversity? 
~   ~   ~   ~   

Faith is the certainty that God's will is being carried out, 
even when it doesn't look like it.

Cherry Cream Danish

CHERRY CREAM DANISH

2 sheets puff pastry dough, thawed
1 large can cherry pie filling
2 (3.25 ounce) vanilla pudding snack cups
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tsp orange juice

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Lay puff pastry sheets on a clean surface and cut each sheet into nine equal squares. Spread one heaping teaspoon of vanilla pudding in the center of each square, on a diagonal. Top with a small scoop of cherry pie filling. Fold the side corners over the cherries, forming a cannoli shape. Press closed to seal them.  Continue until all 18 are done. You will need to bake these in two batches. If desired, brush the tops of each one with egg wash (egg whisked with water) for a shiny finish. Bake for 12 – 15 minutes or until golden brown. Once cooled, whisk together the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Add more juice if necessary. Drizzle over each danish and serve.

YUMMY - GOOD!

RESURRECTION ROLLS - Easter Rolls

There are good, tasty, and easy to make!

Recipe and Instructions for Easter Rolls that tell the true meaning of Easter
which is the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is an inspiring family project that can be done on Easter Morning.

Ingredients needed:
Crescent rolls
Melted butter
Large Marshmallows
Cinnamon
Sugar
Preheat Oven to 350 degrees
Give each child one triangle of crescent rolls.
Explain that he crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.
~ Read Matthew 27: 57-61

1. Give each child a marshmallow.
This represents Jesus.

2. Have him/her dip the marshmallow in melted butter.
This represents the oils of embalming.

3. Now dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar.
This represents the spices used to anoint the body.

4. Then wrap up the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.)  This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.

5. Place all in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
The oven represents the tomb--while you are waiting for the rolls to bake.
~ Read Matthew 27:62-66

6. Remove rolls from oven and let them cool slightly.
Now the children can then open their rolls (cloths) and discover that Jesus is no longer there! HE IS RISEN!!!!
(The marshmallow melts and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)

~ Now read Matthew 28:1-10

Gooey Chocolate Pudding Cake

If you like chocolate you are going to LOVE this one . . .
& I always say . . . you can't have too much chocolate!!! 


 Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Topping
• 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1 1/4 cups hot water

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a 2 qt casserole dish, combine flour, white sugar, cocoa powder and baking powder. Add milk and oil, and vanilla. Stir until well mixed. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Sprinkle over cake batter. DO NOT STIR. Pour hot water over top.
3. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until the top looks cooked. Serve warm (with ice cream if desired).

Crockpot Christmas Crack - Or Better Know As Peanut Clusters!

  This is super easy!  

Cook time: 2 Hr 30 Min  Prep time: 15 Min  Serves: a LOT
Ingredients

1 - 16 oz jar(s) unsalted peanuts

1 - 16 oz. jar(s) salted peanuts

1 - 12 oz bag(s) semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 - 12 oz bag(s) milk chocolate chips

2 - 10 oz bag(s) peanut butter chips

2 - 1 lb pkg white almond bark or vanilla candy coating

Directions

1. Layer all ingredients in a large crockpot (starting with peanuts). Turn the pot on low, cover with lid, and leave sitting for 2 hours. Then, remove lid and stir to combine. Replace lid and leave sitting for another 30 minutes. Stir again and then spoon mixture on to wax paper or non-stick aluminum foil. Allow to harden for at least 1 hour. Enjoy!

I tried this recipe out this Christmas and these were a hit! Everyone liked them and wanted the recipe!! I liked that you just put it in the crockpot and left it, stirred it and dropped them onto wax paper - super, super easy and yummy!!

Chocolate Kiss Cherry Cookies

(You Can't go wrong with Chocolate and Cherry!!)

Chocolate Kiss Cherry Cookies

1 Cup Powdered Sugar 
1 Cup Butter, Softened 
2 teaspoons Maraschino Cherry Liquid 
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
4 Drops Red Food Coloring
2 1/4 Cups Flour
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 Cup Maraschino Cherries, Drained and Chopped
48 Milk Chocolate Candy Kisses

1. Preheat oven to 350º
2.Combine Powdered Sugar, Butter, Cherry Liquid, Extract, and Food Coloring in a bowl. Mix well
3.Add Flour and Salt. Mix well
4.Stir in the Cherries
5.Shape Dough into 1" balls
6.Place 2" apart on ungreased sheets
7.Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until you can see that the lower edge is a light golden brown
8. Remove from oven and press a candy kiss into the top each cookie.

Mini Chicken Pot Pies With Just Four Ingredients

Mini Chicken Pot Pies with just four ingredients? Nope - you're not dreaming! 

Here's what you need: 

2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 cup diced cooked chicken
1 can (10 3/4 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can (16.3 oz) Pillsbury Grands! Flaky Layers refrigerated biscuits

Here's what you need to do: 1) Heat oven to 375°F.
In medium bowl, combine vegetables, chicken and soup; mix well.

2) Press each biscuit into 5 1/2-inch round. Place 1 round in each of 8 greased regular-size muffin cups. Firmly press in bottom and up side, forming 3/4-inch rim.

Spoon a generous 1/3 cup chicken mixture into each.

Pull edges of dough over filling toward center; pleat and pinch dough gently to hold in place.

3) Bake at 375°F 20 to 22 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown. Cool 1 minute; remove from pan.

I love these smaller potions!!! and so super quick and easy!! As the weather is getting cooler out these really taste good!

Holy Cow Cake
Chocolate Cake Mix (your preference), baked as directed
1-14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk
8 oz. jar of caramel topping
4-5 Butterfingers candy bars, crushed
1-8 oz. cream cheese, softened
12 oz. Cool Whip

Prepare and bake cake as directed on package. Meanwhile, blend caramel and sweetened condensed milk.

After removing cake from oven, use a skewer or fork to poke holes into the top of the cake. Pour caramel mixture over cake. Crush candy bars and sprinkle half of them over the warm cake. Chill.

Stir cream cheese and Cool Whip together until blended well. Spread over cooled cake. Sprinkle with
remaining candy.

(moo!)      (moo!)      (moo!)

Being the "farm-girl at heart" that I am and the fact that I have a whole herd of Holstein cows in my collection . . . this recipe definitely caught my eye!!!  Holy Cow Cake!  It didn't help that Butterfinger candy bars are my all-time favorite!! Of course, anything with sweetened condensed milk, caramel and cream cheese in it has to be a winner, don't you think??!!!  This one is a "keeper" in this "farm-girl at heart's" cookbook!!  LOL!  It's easy to fix and hits the spot.  All you need is a great cup of coffee to top it off!