Make Ahead Pancakes

Growing up my mom ALWAYS made a fresh, homemade breakfast. I never thought anything of it until I moved away. I now see how much work she must have put into making sure I always had a nice fresh breakfast. I found for my family, the best way to ensure a fresh homemade breakfast is to prepare ahead! When I want to make pancakes in the morning I prepare the night ahead.

First, I mix together the dry ingredients.

Second, I mix together the wet ingredients (note: not the best photo)

The next morning, I combine the two and make the pancakes! This saves lots of time but still gives you the ability to have fresh homemade pancakes!

Click here to see my Pumpkin Pancake recipe. Click here to see my Buttermilk Pancake recipe.

This post is linked to Tammy's Tips, Works for Me Wednesday, TipJunkie, Homemaking Link Up, Living Well, The Mommy Club, Frugal Fridays

IHOP Pumpkin Pancakes

Every fall I wait for one thing. Not the fall foliage or the feeling of a day that the temperature is below 90 degrees (this is Florida). I wait for IHOP's Pumpkin Pancakes. I love them. My mom found this recipe and mailed it to me and I have to share it with you. Although it isn't exact (I think when someone else makes something for you it always tastes better) it is VERY similar to IHOP's Pumpkin Pancakes. So....while waiting for November...these will just have to do!


Pumpkin Pancakes

2 eggs
1 1/4 cup buttermilk
4 T butter melted
3 T canned pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp allspice

Mix together the wet ingredients. Mix together dry ingredients. Combine right before you are ready to cook. Stir well until combined.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

I've been working on this recipe for awhile trying to perfect it. When the neighbor girl came by asking if I had made those awesome peanut butter cookies I knew I had perfected them! So now I am sharing the recipe with you!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Crunch Bars

For the crust
1 package graham crackers - crushed into crumbs
1/4 cup butter,melted
1 T sugar
1/8 tsp salt

Mix together ingredients. Press into a square 9X9 pan. Place in 350 degree oven for 10 mins or until browned. Remove from oven to cool.

The filling
1 cup chocolate chips (I use Ghiradelli Double Chocolate Chips)
1 cup peanut butter

Place ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave 30 seconds and stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds and stir until smooth. Pour over crust (the crust doesn't have to be cool). Spread until evenly distributed and smooth. Place into freezer.

The topping *optional I've made it without the topping
1/4 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
1 T honey

Place ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds. Mix until smooth. Spread over the top of bars.

I like to keep them in the freezer. You can cut into pieces and keep them in the freezer until ready to serve.

This is linked to Melt in your Mouth Monday,Tempt My Tummy,Tuesdays at the Table,Good Cheap Eats,Ultimate Recipe Swap, Foodie Friday, Sweets for Saturday

The Star Fish

This is another wonderful story from my friend Liz. I tease her that she needs her own blog, but I am happy to share her awesome photos and stories with my readers!!!

Photos courtesy of
Liz Stammel Photography

Liz is a photographer, a wonderful photographer. Liz is also a SAHM who makes extra money by watching other peoples kids (like mine). That is not always an easy job. On one particular not so good day she had forgot she had a photo shoot scheduled for after dinner. It was the last thing she felt like doing. Even though she was tired, she met her friend who is pregnant for the photo shoot at a nearby beach. This beach had very special meaning to her friend. It was the beach that her husband proposed on. It was the beach she got married on and now it is the beach she is having her pregnancy photos taken on. Somehow, at each special occasion Liz's friend found a starfish on the beach. I will be the first to tell you that they are not always easy to find.  I have tried finding a starfish myself on many occasions and still to this day have never found a starfish dead or alive on a beach! Well, while doing the photo shoot amazingly Liz and her friend found another starfish. The starfish symbolized to Liz that even though she was tired, even though she really didn't want to be away from her family, God provided a small simple gift. A star fish.

What are you thankful for today?

Have you ever had a "star fish" experience?

This post is linked to Two Questions and Thankful Thursdays

Viva Paper Towel Coupon

Take the Viva Paper Towel Tough when wet pledge and get a $1.00 off printable coupon!!!

Container Free Freezing Part Two

I did a post about container free storage before that involved freezing items with a high moisture content (casseroles, sauces etc.)

This is about how to freeze individual items.

Here is an example I love making my mom's Stuffed Banana Pepper recipe. It is a lot of work to make these peppers so I try to make a double recipe. Once the peppers are made I lay them out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and place the baking sheet into the freezer. Once the peppers are frozen, I place them in a freezer Ziploc bag.

I also use this method for cookies. I make the cookie dough, scoop the cookies onto parchment paper lined cookie sheet and place them in the freezer. Once frozen I place them into a freezer Ziploc bag. To reheat just place them frozen onto a cookie sheet and bake them by adding an additional couple minutes.

By freezing food ahead it can help save money and time. Hope these tips help.

This post is linked to Tammy's Kitchen Tips, Works for Me Wednesday, Tip Junkie, Homemaking Link Up, Living Well Wednesdays, Frugal Fridays

The Sunny Side Bed and Breakfast

One of my goals for my blog is to feature backyard chicken coops from the St. Petersburg Florida area. I have been very fortunate that my good friend took some amazing photos of her chicken coop. She also worked quiet hard to getting her coop in tip top shape for the photo session!!!!!! So here is a glimpse into the Sunny Side Bed and Breakfast!!




Welcome to the Sunny Side B&B




Feeding time!



Oreo laying an egg



Granny and Coco clucking up the stairs





City Eggs $3.00 a dozen!



This post is also linked to Miscellany Monday, Homestead Revival Barn Hop

Stuffed Banana Peppers

Stuffed Banana Peppers

The Sauce
2 Tbs. butter
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced celery
1/4 cup diced banana pepper (use the discarded pepper tops)
2 cloves minced garlic
28oz can crushed tomatoes
8 oz can tomatoe sauce
1 tsp. basil
1 tsp. oregano
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

The Peppers
8 long banana peppers (I sometimes use more if I can't find ones that are big)
1 lb mild Italian sausage
1 lb hot Italian sausage
1 1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 egg
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup of the above sauce

Cut off tops of peppers. Chop edible portions of tops and set aside fore sauce. Cut peppers in half, lengthwise. Remove seeds and ribs. Bring a post of water to a boil. Add peppers, simmer 5 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat butter in a sauce pan. saute the chopped pepper, onions, celery and garlic. Stir in crushed tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt and pepper. Simmer 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. Meanwhile mix together Italian sausage, bread crumbs, egg, cheese and sauce. Fill each banana pepper with meat filling. Place peppers into a baking dish. Top each pepper with sauce. Bake covedred for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Click here to see how I freeze these.

Add caption

This is linked to Savory Sundays,  Tempt My Tummy Good Cheap Eats Foodie Fridays, Ultimate Recipe Swap Thursdays

Baby Chicks for Sale!!!!!!!

My good friend Liz is selling 26 baby chicks today!! $5.00 a chick if you live in the Tampa Bay area and you are interested please click here for her information!

A Mamma chick laying an egg....this is how it
all begins :0)



This is linked to Camera Critters

Free Happy Baby Product

My Happy Baby loves his free Happy Baby Apple Puff's I got him!! I was hesitant spend the money to buy because I wasn't sure if he would like them. Then I found out about Recycle Bank! By spending about 20 minutes doing the little activites on Recycle Bank's site, I quickly earned enough points to get one free Happy Baby product. I used the coupon to by the Happy Baby Apple Puff's and my Atlanta LOVES them! Recycle Bank has many other rewards you can get with the points you earn. I was able to print off a $1.00 off Back to Nature coupon, and a $1.00 off Dagoba Chocolate coupon (we all know how much I LOVE chocolate!). If you click on the picture of my happy baby below, you will be directed to Recycle Bank. Note: This is a referral link and will earn me 10 points. I thank you in advance!!

Give Back Thursday #7

Give Back Thursday #7

This week we are doing things a little differently. My good friend over at Living So Abduntanly found an amazing cause to support!! Guideposts is hosting a Miracle Makeover.  This is a legitimate, worthy cause.

How can you give back? Kelee, from Design Gives Back, will donate $1.00 for each comment left(again, FREE for you!).  Last year was a success!  Let's help this year to be, too!

Living So Abduntantly has listed all of the blogs that are associated with this so you can help raise money for this worthy cause. Please jump over to her site and give back this week!

Johnson's Baby Shampoo Coupon

Save $1.00 off ANY Johnson's Baby Shampoo

Click Here

How to Make the Perfect Lemon Bars

I had no idea I would like lemon bars. I am pretty much a chocolate purest, BUT then I made these Zesty Lemon Bars. The secret to making these lemon bars so good is in the crust. That's right, the crust!

First, be sure to use REAL BUTTER. Once the crust comes together, press it into a 13 x 9 pan. Then place the pan in the freezer. The crust needs to be in the freezer for at least 30 minutes. Then place the pan directly into the pre-heated oven.

This will make the most perfect, flaky, tasty crust! Don't believe me? Try it yourself!

This tip will also work when making pastry crust of any kind.




Cut in the butter





Pour the crust into the pan




Press it out and put it in the freezer!

 Photos courtesy of Living So Abundantly

This is linked to Works for Me Wednesdays, Home Making Link Up Sweet as Sugar

How to make Brown Sugar Bacon

Breakfast. My favorite meal of the day. Breakfast became even tastier when I discovered brown sugar bacon. I am not talking about the brown sugar bacon you buy in the store, I am talking about making it yourself. You will be shocked at how easy it is and ask yourself why you never tried it before!

You start by placing your bacon on a baking sheet (I use my Pampered Chef Bar Pan). Then sprinkle a very small amount of brown sugar over each piece of bacon. Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for approx. 15 minutes. I find I check on the bacon every few minutes after the 15 minute mark. There is a fine line between the delicious caramelized brown sugar and burned bacon.

Take the bacon out of the oven. Do not place on a paper towel to drain as it will stick to the paper towel. One reason I like to bake my bacon is because if you are serving a crowd you can cook a lot of bacon in 15 - 20 minutes and still have your stove top available for other breakfast delights.



I served my brown sugar bacon with my whole
wheat waffles and real butter.



To see how to Bake Bacon without the brown sugar, click here.


This post is linked to Ruby Tuesdays, Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays  Whats Cooking Wednesday Foodie Fridays

Baking Bread with Fresh Eggs

One of the best things about having chickens is getting to use the fresh eggs. I bake bread once or twice a week. This last week I used a new recipe and made challah bread. I wasn't ambitous enough to braid the bread like the recipe called for, I made it into a loaf. However, I was super excited because the bread contained fresh eggs from my friends backyard, freshly ground flour, and locally produced raw honey. You can't get much fresher than that! And by the way the bread was AMAZING!

This is linked to Traditional Tuesdays, Raising Homemakers,Living Well Wednesday

Organic Valley Coupons

Organic Valley has 4 printable coupons on their website! Click on the icon below to access them! Enjoy!

Welcome Tracey Renee 8/8/2011

hi my name is Tiffany. and i have a little sister. she was born Monday  the 8 Th now she is only 6 days old . and she is the most cutiest baby ever i love my little sister so much. and when my mom sits her up with her hand on my little sister back she looks like a little monkey. she has red hair just like me but she has blue eyes i have green eyes. but the most part than matters is that i love my little sister more than any thing.

Due to the privacy of Tiffany's Mom, I am not able to post a picture of the new baby. Take it from me....she is adorable :0)


This post is linked to Miscellany Mondays, Blooming Tuesdays

The boquet of flowers given as a gift!

Johnson's Bedtime Product Coupon

$2.00 off any Johnson's Bedtime Product

Click here

Breastfeeding and Surgery

When you have your perfect baby you don't for see anything ever going wrong. You don't want them to get sick and you hope they never have to go to the hospital to have anything done. Since my son was born at 34wks and had some breathing issues at birth, we have dealt with our share of upper respitory issues. He had to undergo a bronchoscopy this week and I was astounded by the added benefits he had because he is a breastfed baby. Even as a nurse I would have never realized how much easier this whole ordeal was because of breastfeeding. So if you are on the fence about breastfeeding...read this. You never know when you little guy might have to undergo something like this. Also, if you are a breast feeding momma, it is good to know this stuff so you can advocate for your child!!

• He could have breast milk 4 hours prior to surgery. A formula fed baby has to be at least 8 hours with nothing to eat.
• He was able to breast feed immedietly after waking up from the procedure, a formula fed baby would have to have a "clear" liquid first.
• Because the procedure he had involved them going down his throat he had to be on clear liquids no solids for 8 hours AFTER the procedure. That would mean a formula fed baby would have ANOTHER 8 hours of no bottle! Evan could eat as much as he wanted, just no baby puree's.

This made things so much easier because they get so hungry and do not understand why mommy isn't feeding them! It was so nice to go right into the recovery room and nurse my sweet baby boy. It comforted momma and it comforted baby.