Snicker Doodle Bars

We needed a snack, 

so I checked on my pins and found this doozy -

Snicker Doodle Bars!

I wanted something easy and 

made with ingredients I had on hand.

So I summoned my little baking helpers and got to work.

Ruby handled the butter, brown sugar,

sugar,

and vanilla.

We added eggs,

and then Walt took over with some cinnamon,

salt, flour,

and baking powder.

Once mixed, the dough looked like this -

and here it is spread out in a 9 x 13 inch pan.

Before baking, prepare a cinnamon and sugar mixture -

and sprinkle it on top of the dough.

Bake the bars for about 25 minutes until golden brown.

They are delicious fresh out of the oven.

Crusty on the outside, but warm and chewy inside.

Give them a try!

Snicker Doodle Bars

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 1/2 c. all purpose flour

Topping:
1/4 c. sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream together butter and sugars. Mix in eggs and vanilla, followed by dry ingredients. Mix until smooth. Spread dough into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar topping mixture. Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Baseball

Where did this summer go?

I can't believe it is already September!

Walter participated in his first team sport this summer.

Moorhead Parks & Rec Baseball!

His team was called the Cardinals and 

he had a great time playing ball.

Here he is manning first base -

At bat -

   High-fiving after the game -

And running for home!

Two of Walt's biggest fans!

Here's another turn at bat -

and run around the bases.

I loved getting my first team photo and a button of Walt to wear!

Batter Up!

Look at that swing!

 He did awesome!

A great first season of baseball is in the books 

and we couldn't be more proud.

Now it's time for hockey!

Banana Bread Pancakes

My babies love pancakes,

and I had some browning bananas to get rid of,

so this seemed like the perfect pin!

I gathered the ingredients -

and got started mixing bread flour, baking soda, sugar, and salt.

Then I added brown sugar and cinnamon.

 Next you just mash up some bananas, 

melt your butter and grab the buttermilk.

Add the bananas, buttermilk, 

and some vanilla to your dry ingredients -

 And finally, stir in the melted butter.

  You'll find the batter is a little thick -

 so I just spooned it onto the griddle 

and then spread it out a bit
with the back of the spoon before cooking.

 The pancakes fluff up and are full of flavor!

 My kids thought they tasted just like banana bread!

They liked them so much that we've already made them again.

They are very filling though,

so I bet you won't be able to eat more than one or two!

Banana Bread Pancakes

2 c. bread flour
2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/3 c. white sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
2/3 c. buttermilk
1 Tbsp. vanilla
2-3 large ripe bananas, mashed
2 Tbsp. butter, melted

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, white sugar and cinnamon. Stir until ingredients are combined. Add buttermilk and vanilla and stir until combined. Add in mashed bananas and mix to evenly incorporate. Finally, stir in melted butter and stir until smooth. Spray griddle or skillet and cook both sides over medium heat.

Chicken Avocado Lime Soup

We had a delightful soup for dinner the other night.

It was light and full of flavor.

If you want to give Chicken Avocado Lime Soup a try,

just chop up some green onions.

Then saute them in a few tablespoons of olive oil

in a large stock pot.

Next, grab some garlic -

mince it up and saute in your pot.

This is the time when the brave souls among you 

can add chopped jalapenos to the mix, 

but I skipped that step.

Next, chop up some Roma tomatoes -

add them along with chicken stock and spices to your pot.

Then add shredded chicken breast or 

take the easy route like I did and toss in cut up rotisserie chicken.

Bring the soup to a boil and simmer for about 20 minutes

to allow the flavors to combine.

Finally, add cilantro and lime juice to the pot.

Right before serving,

top each individual bowl with Monterey Jack cheese, 

sour cream, avocado, and crushed up tortilla chips, as desired.

This soup is quick and easy 

and the lime juice really kicks up the flavor. 

We'll certainly be having it again.

Go on, give it a try!

Chicken Avocado Lime Soup

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 c. chopped green onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 jalapenos, seeded & minced
2 Roma tomatoes,cubed
4 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth
1 rotisserie chicken, skinned & cubed
1/2 tsp ground cumin
Salt & pepper to taste
1/3 c. chopped cilantro
3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
3 medium avocados, peeled & diced
Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, & tortilla chips for serving.

In a large stock pot heat olive oil over medium heat. Add green onions, garlic, and (optional) jalapenos. Saute about 2 minutes, until tender. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, cumin, salt & pepper, and chicken. Bring mixture to a boil and then reduce to simmer over medium heat for about 15 minutes. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Just before serving add avocado, sour cream, and crushed up tortilla chips as desired. 

Feed the Birds!

If you need a little craft for the kids this summer,

here's a fun one.

Just collect cardboard toilet paper rolls around your house 

for a couple of weeks and make some bird feeders!

In addition to the toilet paper rolls,

you'll need some peanut butter and bird seed and sticks. 

You also need something to make holes with and string.

I couldn't find a hole punch, so I improvised with 

a tiny screwdriver and needle nose pliers instead. 

It worked out just fine.

Ruby liked spreading the peanut butter on the toilet paper rolls,

and rolling them in bird seed I placed in a shallow baking dish,

 until they were well coated.

Walt liked putting the sticks through the holes I created with the screwdriver and pliers to make a little place for the birds to perch while snacking.

Here's one almost finished product. Cute, huh?

It's only missing a string to hang it from.

We made a few of this kind -

but the remainder we just covered in peanut butter and rolled in the bird seed, quick and easy.

We liked this simpler method because you can
just slip them on tree branches or
onto my hanging feeder hook on the deck like this.

The birds liked it and 

the kids and I had fun watching them.

Whenever we noticed one of our rolls had been picked clean,

we'd just grab another one out of the ice cream pail we stored
them in and hang a few more around for the birds to enjoy!