Cheesey Ranch Crackers (4-ingredients)

This recipe is similar to my (Garlic) Ranch Pretzels, but uses mini sandwich crackers instead.  

Actually, we couldn't find the sandwich crackers that morning, so we just used the white cheddar Cheez-its cracker...MMMM! 

These were delicious and a fun change from the 'regular' crackers right from the box.  

Our pretty granddaughter, Kaity, made them when she came to visit over the summer, and took most of them home with her.  

A great snack to make ahead...you're ready for drop in company. 

Use as 'croutons' for soups or for some crunch in your salad! Gotta love it!

These would be great to give along with soup to a needy family. 

CHEESEY RANCH CRACKERS 

2 (8.8 ozs each) boxes Ritz Bits cheese cracker sandwiches 

(or White Cheddar Cheez-its Crackers)

1/3 c. butter flavored oil (or vegetable oil)

1 pkt. (1 oz.) Ranch Salad Dressing and Seasoning Mix

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat oven to 250. In small bowl, whisk oil ranch dressing mix and garlic powder. Place crackers in large glass or metal bowl; pour oil mixture over and toss to coat thoroughly. 

Arrange crackers on a large rimmed baking sheet.  Bake 15 - 20 minutes,

stirring once. Cool to room temp; store in ziploc bag up to 10 days. 

You may also enjoy...

Simple Cinnamon Sugar Pretzels

"Lightened" Sweet 'n' Salty Cracker Treats

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2-Ingredient Chocolate Magic Shell Ice Cream Topping

If your family loves Magic Shell toppings - that go on liquid and harden within seconds - they're going to love this very simple recipe. 

It sort of tastes like the hard coating that ice cream cones are sometimes dipped in. And is pretty close to the 'real  thing'. 

Try other flavors as well...

Butterscotch or Peanut Butter would be great. 

How can you beat 2 ingredients???

Enjoy - You're welcome! 

MAGIC SHELL ICE CREAM TOPPING

1-1/4 c. chocolate (or butterscotch or peanut butter) chips

1/2 c. (solid) coconut oil (from a jar)

In a microwave safe (glass) bowl, heat chocolate chips and coconut oil in the microwave for about a minute.  Stir a bit, then let stand a minute or two while it melts together, then stir until smooth.  It will be runny, but hardens when poured over ice cream.  

If you want to add sprinkles, you have to be quick so they adhere before the chocolate sets up. 

Store any leftovers covered in the fridge; reheat, in increments of 20 seconds, when ready to serve. 

Keep cool!! 

You might also enjoy...

Crispy Ice Cream Squares (aka "UNfried ice cream"

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The Bryan Times - July 1, 2019 - Summertime Teaching Opportunities

​Happy 243rd Birthday, America!  May you all enjoy a safe and fun holiday week, no matter where you are in this great land we are blessed to call home. 

Summertime brings great opportunities for us to teach our children and grandchildren. I've always believed we're robbing our children of important life skills if we don't teach them to successfully do chores at home.  They want privileges?  Then teach them that responsibilities go along with that. 

I knew some wise young parents who, on each of their children's birthdays, would give them a new responsibility and a new privilege.  SMART!

Raspberry Sweeties

While it is sometimes easier just to do it yourself, take time to teach because children need to learn those skills that are important for a successful future. 

Kids can learn that life requires work. By loading the dishwasher, mowing the grass, or doing their laundry, "kids learn how the world works." 

To take the sting out of chores, set aside a time each week when the whole family does chores, Saturday morning from 8 to 9 for example. Then you don’t get into battles about when chores get done. Having the whole family do chores at the same time also helps. Your kid knows that every Saturday morning, this is what the family does.

And don't forget to add some fun in the mix.  Play upbeat music or a silly song. It can make a real difference in everyone's attitude. Vacuum or dust to the beat of the music and let the kids have a turn. 

Assign Chores By Age: Tasks that are clearly over your child’s head will make chore time dreadful for everyone. Don't forget to change up the chores from time to time. 

After dinner, do a "10-minute Tidy." Set a timer and have family members scatter through the house putting away the day's clutter.

Once chores are done, maybe the kids could have fun making some good snacks. Here's a few simple ideas to get them started. Kids will always be more willing to eat something they've helped create themselves. Spending time in the kitchen also teaches your kids about measuring as well as learning to do team work with other family members. 

GRAHAM CRACKER GOODIES 

1 tub (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 box (3.4 oz.) instant vanilla (or your favorite) pudding (4-serv. size)

30 graham cracker squares

sprinkles

In large bowl, combine whipped topping and dry pudding mix. Stir until pudding is completely combined. (It shouldn't be grainy.) Spread about 1 1/2 tablespoons of 'frosting' on a graham cracker square. Put second graham cracker square on top and squish it down just a little.(you'll want some of the filling to ooze out the sides just a bit because you need something for sprinkles to stick to). Dip each of the four sides in sprinkles. Place each 'sandwich' on a cookie sheet; freeze for about 2 hours (the hardest part is waiting!) Place all goodies in a freezer bag - the kids can 'grab and go', right from the freezer. 

RASPBERRY SWEETIES

Just wash and dry berries and put white or milk chocolate chips upside down in them. The kids will be so proud they made this sweet treat for you. 

My grandkids have really enjoyed this cooling fun treat. 

KID-FRIENDLY ICE CREAM IN A BAG

1 c. light cream (Try using half vanilla flavored creamer) MM!

3 Tb. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

qt. size ziplock freezer bag

2 gallon size ziploc freezer bags

crushed ice or cubes

rock salt

Mix first 3 ingredients together and pour into the qt. bag. Squeeze the air out and place it into a gallon bag (for safety sake). In the bottom of the second gallon bag, place some ice cubes and rock salt.  Place the other bags on top, then fill in the sides with more layers of ice and rock salt so that it is higher than the level of cream. Then let the kids toss the bags back and forth to each other, back and forth, and in about 10 minutes or so, they'll have ice cream.  Yield: 2 -3 servings 

Enjoy a wonderful summer! 

"I love how summer just wraps her arms around you like a warm blanket" - Kellie Elmore

The Bryan Times - May 20, 2019 - Memorial Day (by my hubby)

My dear husband (MSgt. Ronald E. Baker, Ret. Air Force) is the most patriotic person I know.  He served 3 tours in Vietnam and is now 100% disabled because of the effects of Agent Orange.  He has been a speaker for a number of military services locally. I want to share excerpts from the speech he shared at the Pioneer Memorial Day service in 2009. To say I am proud of him barely skims the tip of the iceberg.

"Our most precious asset as Americans is liberty. Most of Europe is free because American men fought to loose them from the bands of fascism, socialism, and communism. America is free because men were willing to die to preserve and protect our liberties as spelled out in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights. The rights and privileges of our society cannot be allowed to be squandered or given away to any person or group of people, no matter their ideology.

I believe there is a majority of Americans who want to preserve our freedoms, maintain the rule of law and order, and keep the pursuit of happiness as the forefront of our national policy. Those of us who hold to these goals will never stop fighting for freedom. We will never compromise on liberty.  We will not give in to totalitarianism. We will not give in, give up, or submit to any form of government, religion or ideology that would take away what this country has long stood for in the world, namely our liberty and justice for all her citizens. We can never take our freedom for granted. Our responsibility is to preserve it at all costs. 

Our freedom is the most precious legacy we can pass on to our children. There can be no alternative that would satisfy the sacrifices made by those who have defended our liberty with their very lives.  As we look back today over our nation's history,  we must also acknowledge those who are at this very moment fighting on other battlefields in our world to recapture or preserve freedom from the grasp of evildoers who would enslave men and families in false religious cults, dictatorial governments, and the insanely narcissistic men who consider themselves to be gods in their own eyes.

So then, what do we owe our fallen heroes?  Well,  I believe we owe them our very lives.  Their blood was shed so that you and I could be here secure in our freedom.  Our rights to assemble, speak freely, believe in our Creator, travel and trade amongst ourselves with relatively few restrictions,  are all just a few of the many wonderful opportunities afforded to a people who are truly enjoying liberty the way God intended.

The cost has been high. It may get much higher in the near future.  There are still those who would love to see our nation fall. They are of that evil empire that former president Ronald Reagan warned us about. We cannot forsake all that our nation has stood for and all that our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines have died for, as well as those who are carrying the banner of a freedom-loving country to various other nations in turmoil around the world. We must rally around our flag once more. We must pray for those in harm's way, today and always. It is our duty. It is our responsibility. And it is our honor. Let's not fail to take a stand for freedom. Let's pay our debt as fully as those who have gone before us...no matter the cost."

It's great to have foodie fun and celebrate the holiday with red, white and blue yummies. Use r, w & b sprinkles on cupcakes or jello. Make a flag shape on top of white frosted brownies or dessert with berries and marshmallows, using a pretzel rod for a 'pole'. Outline the shape of a star with strawberries and fill in with blueberries. Layer blueberries and strawberries between vanilla yogurt or pudding and angel food cake to make a parfait. Be creative, but whatever you do: Celebrate the holiday with a special foodie dish!

Enjoy a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.

Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.  We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream.  It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. ~ President Ronald Reagan 

Flashback Friday - Kid-Friendly Dishes fit for Mom

WELCOME TO FLASHBACK FRIDAY!

TOO! 

Hope all you moms enjoy a wonderful day!




Even the youngest of kids can manage to put these together...a great treat!

Raspberry Sweeties 

What could be more 'royal' than making mom her own individual cake?

It's E-Z  P-Z!! 

Amazing 3 - 2 - 1 Microwave Cake

Only 4 simple ingredients...dip them in syrup...they taste just like a pancake.

They can be made ahead also. 

Easy Mini Pancake Muffins

This simple 2-ingredient treat can be made by the kids with some supervision.

Such a special treat and the kids will love unwrapping and placing the pb cups on top of the cookies! 

Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Treats (2 ingredients!)

Tie Dyed Easter Eggs - So easy you can hardly believe it!

I was just mesmerized when I first saw these gorgeous colored eggs - 

Then I was in awe when I made them and they really were simple! 

I'm wild about them and want to be sure my friends know how

to dazzle everyone with these brightly colored eggs. 

Have fun with this one.  The kids will love being involved! 

I followed directions at One Little Project...
be sure to stop by there for pictures and even a video!!!

Keep scrolling for instructions!

1. Wrap the egg in either a paper towel or paper napkin. You want to be sure to wrap the egg as smoothly as possible, without creating very many creases.. You can cut paper towels in half. 
2. Secure the paper towel by wrapping a rubber band tightly at the top.
3. Fill a spray bottle with 2/3 c. water and 1/3 c. vinegar - spray the entire surface of the egg to make it damp.
4. After putting on your protective gloves (you will want gloves!), use the food coloring to directly blot small drops of color onto the egg. The color will spread as it touches the wet surface, so less is best. You can always go back to add more!
5. After letting the dye soak into your eggs, be sure to give them a little squeeze (so the dye soaks into the shell - squeezing the towel around the egg) and let them set on a covered surface. Wait about 30 minutes before unwrapping the eggs. The paper towels will have the most awesome designs! 

Brownie Monster Cookies (MMMM!)

Yes oh yes please!  

These thick and chewy treats are so easy to make and so quick to be eaten up!

Using a boxed brownie mix and adding oats, butter, an egg, a TB. of water, chocolate and pb chips, plus M & M candies, you'll have a wonderful treat in no time flat.  

And they're oh so chocolatively wonderful! 

These make a special treat for school lunches or after school snacks!! 

I always love the recipes I find at Kitty's Kozy Kitchen. Kitty and I

not only share taste buds, we share apron strings and heart strings as well!

She's a dear blogging bud that I do hope to meet face to face one day. 

She found this recipe at Betty Crocker - it's a sure-fire winner! 

Hope you'll enjoy soon! I do love recipes when I don't have to drag out the mixer...this one is stirred by hand!

BROWNIE MONSTER COOKIES 

1 box (1 lb. 3 ozs.) fudge brownie mix

1/2 c. quick oats

1/2 c. butter, melted

1 Tb. water

1 egg

3/4 c. M & M candies

1/2 c. peanut butter chips

1/2 c. chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.  Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or silpat. 

In large bowl,  blend brownie mix and oats.  Add melted butter, water and egg; stir until well blended.  Add in chips and candies. 

Shape dough into 2" balls (I make mine a little bigger). Place on cookie sheet about 3" apart; pressing each ball slightly to flatten.  (I like adding a few M & M's to top of cookie before baking too). 

Bake about 12 minutes or until tops of cookies no longer look wet.  Allow to cool 5 minutes before removing to cooling rack.  

Makes about 2 dozen, depending on size

Linked to 
Meal Plan Monday



You may also enjoy these cake mix creations...


Chocolate Caramel Cookies (with Rolo candies)

Individual Cheese Cake Cups

Gooey Bars

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