St Patrick Day cookie Bars

These are so yummy and they sport that green color that so many of us will be looking for on that great St. Patricks Day. Hope you enjoy

2/3 cup butter
1 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 cup green m&m’s

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray non stick spray in a 13×9 inch glass dish.
In a small bowl combine the flour, egg, baking soda.
Mix the butter and sugar together with a hand mixer or stand mixer. Add in the egg, mix well. Then add in the vanilla extract.
Mix in the M&M’s into the batter. Pour the batter into the glass dish and bake for 30-35 minutes. Until the top is golden brown. Allow to cool to room temperature then cut into bars.
recipe source here

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Crock Pot Mexican Mac n Cheese

Crock=Pot Mexican Mac n Cheese 

5 to 6 cups hot cooked macaroni, drained -12 oz dry
2 tbs butter
1 can 12 oz evaporated milk
1 can nacho cheese soup
2 cups shredded Mexican Cheddar cheese
1 - 4 oz can chopped green chilies
1 - 4 oz can sliced black olives
3/4 cup thick medium salsa
salt and pepper to taste

Grease your crock pot lightly. Toss the hot macaroni with butter; add remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.

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Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

1  French loaf - 2 days old
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter - melted

Custard:
3  cups buttermilk (or half-and-half)
4  large eggs
1/2  cup granulated sugar
1  tsp. vanilla extract (or Buttery Sweet Dough Flavor*)
1/2  tsp. Espresso Powder*
1  cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark chocolate)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Slice bread into 3/4" slices, brush melted butter on both sides of bread (I use a jelly roll pan)

To make custard, beat together buttermilk, eggs, sugar, flavoring, and espresso powder at medium speed until well blended.

Pour some custard into an UNgreased 2-quart baking dish (enough to cover bottom about 1/2 inch). Sprinkle some chips over custard. Arrange bread slices in dish all around bottom, overlapping as necessary. Pour remaining custard over bread; sprinkle the rest of the chocolate chips over mixture. Push down bread carefully so that all of it is soaked in custard.

Bake bread pudding until golden on top, 50 - 60 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool. Dust with confectioners sugar, if desired.
*These items may be purchase from King Arthur Flour Company


can be made with blueberries instead of chocolate chips when in season. Just leave out espresso powder; use vanilla and not Buttery Sweet Dough Flavor.

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friday favorite

Frugal Meal Cooked In Crockpot

2 lbs round steak ($4)
pkg dry onion soup mix ($1)
can cream mushroom soup ($1)
1/2 c water

Slice stea into 6 to 8 serving size pieces. Place in slow cooker. Add dry soup mix, 1/2 c water and can of soup. Cover cook low 6 hours to 8 hours If you desire more gravy you can use 2 packages of dry onion soup mix, 2 cans of soup.

Serve this with a salad or vegie and your family will be pleased.

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Stir Fry Pasta Primavera

3 cups broccoli florets
12 ounces fettuccine pasta
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 red onion, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/4 inch thick
4 carrots, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
Salt and pepper
3/4 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the broccoli until bright green, about 30 seconds. Transfer to a colander, reserving the water in the pot. Add the pasta to the pot and cook until al dente; drain, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Meanwhile, heat a 14-inch, flat-bottomed wok over high heat until a bead of water vaporizes upon contact. Swirl in 1 tablespoon oil. Add the onion and, using a metal spatula, stir-fry until it is fragrant, about 1 minute. Swirl in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Add the broccoli and carrots and stir-fry until the carrots begin to wilt, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper and stir-fry for 1 minute. Swirl in the cream, bring to a boil and remove from the heat. Stir in the parmesan and basil. Add the pasta and the reserved cooking water to the wok and toss to coat; season with salt and pepper

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Quick Meal ---- Meatballs

                                

The weather is getting warmer and and for our family that means the days will get busier. We all still like good tasting food but we have less time to cook it. So, that means we have to find good tasting and quick meals like this one I share here.

                              Meatballs

1 lb. of ground beef

bread crumbs

2 eggs

salt, pepper, marjoram, thyme, garlic

SAUCE

2 large can of tomato sauce or stewed tomatoes (but if you use stewed you need to add a can of tomato paste and a can of water with each can you use - I use 2 cans)

chopped onion

1/2 cup of brown sugar

2 tbsp. vinegar

2 tbsp. barbecue sauce

2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

MIX TOGETHER

Spring noodles Cook noodles put it in a flat pan- add meatballs once fried and cooked- pour sauce on- mix all together- sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (I also sprinkle with shredded cheese too) and bake at 300 for 45 minutes.

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Carmelitas

2 C flour (I tried 1 C whole wheat, 1 C all-purpose, and it tastes great!)
2 C oatmeal (regular or quick cook; we use quick most often)
1 1/2 C brown sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 C butter, melted (I use less, about 1 C)
2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate!!)
1 jar Smuckers caramel ice cream topping (Fat Free... not like it matters here....)
6 T flour

Preheat oven to 350. Combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt together. Stir well. 
Add in melted butter and mix well to form crumbs.  Press half of the crumbs into a 9x13 pan. Then, bake crust at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove from the oven, and sprinkle chocolate chips over the crust. Blend caramel and 6 T flour together.  Then, pour the caramel mix over the chocolate chips. Sprinkle with the rest of the oatmeal crumb mix. Continue baking for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. (The bars may look gooey, depending on how much butter you use... do not over bake! Mine don't look gooey because I use less butter; they're a bit crumbly, but excellent none-the-less) Chill for 1-2 hours before cutting and serving. 

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Hungarian Goulash

1. 
   
2. 
   
3. 3 lb boneless beef chuck, blade or 1.5 kg
4. cross rib roast, cut into 1-inch
5. (2.5 cm) cubes
6. 1 tbsp vegetable oil 15 mL
7. 3 onions, thinly sliced 3
8. 4 cloves garlic, minced 4
9. 1 tsp dried marjoram or oregano 5 mL
10. 1 tsp caraway seeds (optional) 5 mL
11. Salt and pepper
12. 2 tbsp tomato paste 30 mL
13. 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour 60 mL
14. 11⁄2 cups beef broth 375 mL
15. 1⁄4 cup tomato-based chili sauce 60 mL
16. 1 tbsp sweet paprika 15 mL
17. 1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 15 mL
18. 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced 1
19. 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill or parsley 30 mL
20. Sour cream

Place beef in a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic, marjoram, caraway seeds (if using), 1 tsp (5 mL) salt, 1⁄4 mL (1 mL) pepper and tomato paste; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Stir in flour. Whisk in broth and chili sauce, scraping up brown bits from bottom of pan; bring to a boil. Pour over beef and stir well. Cover and cook on Low for about 8 hours or on High for about 4 hours, until beef is tender. In a small bowl, combine paprika and lemon juice until smooth. Stir into slow cooker, along with red pepper. Cover and cook on High for 20 minutes, until red pepper is tender. Stir in dill. Serve garnished with a dollop of sour cream. Serve over noodles
Serves 6.

Notes

1. We use tomato paste in many of our slow cooker recipes because it greatly boosts flavor and richness. The long, moist cooking dulls other aromatic ingredients, such as onions, garlic and herbs. Microwaving or browning a dollop or two of tomato paste with these ingredients makes all the difference.: We use tomato paste in many of our slow cooker recipes because it greatly boosts flavor and richness. The long, moist cooking dulls other aromatic ingredients, such as onions, garlic and herbs. Microwaving or browning a dollop or two of tomato paste with these ingredients makes all the difference.

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Bubble and Squeak #Recipe common to the British and Irish

With St Patrick Day coming up I thought we may take a look at a few dishes that are common in Ireland. Bubble and Squeak is a traditional British breakfast dish made from potatoes and cabbage. The dish is often made up with leftover veggies that may have been cooked with a roast. Potatoes and cabbage both dishes that are common in Ireland are the main ingredients.

4 tbsp butter  
½ cup onion, finely chopped 
Leftover mashed potato 
Any leftover vegetables, cabbage, swede, carrots, peas, Brussels Sprouts, finely chopped 
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large frying pan melt the butter, add the chopped onion and fry gently for 3 mins or until soft. Turn the heat up slightly and add the mashed potato and vegetables. Fry for 10 mins turning over in the melted butter two or three times ensuring the potato and vegetables are thoroughly reheated. Press the potato mixture on to the base of the pan with a spatula and leave to cook for 1 min. Flip over and repeat.

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strawberry bread #recipe

3 c flour
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
3 t cinnamon
4 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 c oil
2 c sugar
2 (10 oz. ) frozen sliced strawberries, thawed (3 1/2 c undrained)
1 c pecans, chopped

Mix first 4 together Thaw berries, do not drain. Mash Add all together: mix well to a soft dough Makes 2 large or 3 medium loaves Bake at 35o degrees for 50 to 60 minutes.

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Shepherds pie #recipe

Shepherds Pie

1 2-pound package prepared frozen mashed potatoes
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cups meat loaf mixture
1 large carrot, chopped (1 cup)
1 celery stalk, sliced (1 cup)
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup frozen peas
1 14-ounce can whole potatoes (drained and cubed).

Heat oven to 400 F. In a saucepan, gently heat mashed potatoes and milk, stirring occasionally, until well combined. Remove from heat and stir in butter. Set aside. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add meat-loaf mixture and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add carrot and celery, and cook 5 minutes. Sprinkle in flour, stir, then add chicken broth. Simmer 3 minutes and remove from heat. Add peas and whole potatoes. Spoon into an ovenproof casserole and top with the mashed potatoes. Bake until the top is golden, about 40 minutes.

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Help Your Child Learn To Love Reading

Help your child learn to read as well as enjoy reading. Books are here to stay and reading is something that we do every day in life.

Birth to 12 months:
Yes even at this young age according to Parent magazine will allow your child early experience in reading. The lil ones are able to find patterns in what he is able to hear and helps to boost their structure and use of language. The best books at this level are chubby books. The pictures in these books are often larger and can help infants develop eye muscles. Textured books also introduce the tiniest readers to new world expectations. By playing games of pat a cake and reading nursery rhymes your child learns to model speech in a playful nature. Reading is a lot more than books learning symbols such as the golden arches or daddy's car sends messages that they can read and understand what is going on in the world.

12 to 24 months:
your child has gathered a large listening vocabulary and soon will be talking in understandable speech. Its time that the baby talk takes a break and that proper words are use model of ts. Regular spoken language is the best model. Read often and let the books become part of every day life. Start asking questions to your child to make sure they are following along, being sure they understand what they are hearing, as well as predict events. Teach your child that there is more to read than books. Read the cereal box, recipes, or newspapers any where there is printed material for your child to read. Open up the world of interest and conversation by posing questions that take thought such as "will we get mail today" Reading has many steps built into it and many of these can be taught without a book.

2 to 3 years:
By this age the child's language begins to develop even further. There are favorite books that are read often and have become so familiar that your child may be able to share the story with you. Allow them to do this it is good practice for them and this skill will become important when they begin to write. Themes become fun at this age they may have their favorite characters and it would be so fun to read books about these characters. The seasons, home, holidays etc... will be fun themes to share and read about. Riddles are good learning tools both asking them and having them repeat them are building skills. Hero's at this age are real whether they see daddy or mommy as a hero or a character or person they are familiar with. Hero's can help teach skills in a fun interactive manner.

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Recycle Those Soap Slivers

Many individuals including myself use body wash but there are some that still use bar soap. One issue I find with bar soap are those little slivers that eventually are at the end. 

• One great way to use up those slivers is to make a bath helper for the youngsters or elderly in your life. Simply put the small slivers in a clean old sock and tie it shut or make a slit in a small sponge where you can insert the soap. Doing this makes it easier for little hands or arthritic older hands to hold onto and wash. 
• Another use for those soap slivers is to make liquid soap out of them. Take the soap slivers and dissolve them in a little hot water. Place the mix into liquid soap dispenser The mixture is a bit more watery but works as well  

• Use up those soap slivers by placing in a little sack of sorts in your dresser drawer they still have that wonderful scent that you love so it will help you drawer and whats in it to smell great 
  
• Use soap to remove that broken light bulb or pick up glass pieces First wet the bar of soap and then the glass will stick to the bar You simply then throw the soap away 

• 

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Ways to prepare potatoes

                                                       Potato Soup
6 medium potatoes
2 medium onions
6 cups stock or milk
1 T butter
parsley
salt/pepper

Peel and dice the potatoes and chop the onions. Melt the butter and gently cook the onions and potatoes in a covered saucepan until soft but not colored. Add the liquid, adjust the seasoning to taste, Top with parsley season and serve

Other ways to enjoy potatoes
fried:

peel up and slice some potatoes, dice some onions if you like, mix together and fry in pan with a bit of oil

make up a hash:
I prefer to make this with hamburger but other meats can be used as well. place the word hash in the search blog for this and you will find several great recipes. Primarily the way I make ours is to boil potatoes season and mix with browned meat.

How will you be fixing potatoes??

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Giveaway Time ::: Girls Can!!

The world we live in today is one where we must teach our children to be strong whether they are a boy or girl. While our daughters may still be sweet they also must learn to stand alone and up for their selves Introducing Girls Can!! Crate.

Girls Can !! Crates are designed to build confidence and curiosity that will allow the girls of the world to grow up fearlessly. But it does more than that because each Girl Can!! Crate purchase allows for other girls to learn as they are donated to nonprofit organizations that will help empower other young girls as well.

Giveaway!!!!

The blog Michigan Savings and More along with other bloggers like A Rain of Thought, Deliciously Savvy, Here We Go Again Ready, Home Jobs by Mom, Java John Z’s, Lisa-Queen of Random, MarksvilleandMe, Michigan Saving and More, My Crafty Zoo, My Silly Little Gang, SaraLee’s Deals Steals & Giveaways, Simply Jennifer, SimpleStepsForLivingLife, Tales From A Southern Mom, This Frugal Family have brought you a chance to win a girls can!! crate for yourself to check it out Simply enter here