Bloggity Blogging: June 2009

Recipe time

Food photographer I am not. The pictures don't quite do it justice, but this is a pineapple orange cake that tastes mostly like pineapple upside down cake. It's from a recipe booklet I got while standing in line at the checkout. Its super moist and as far as deserts go, not that bad for you.... I should mention that its delicious (or so said everyone at work) and super easy to make.

1 pkg yellow cake mix
1 can (11 oz) mandarin oranges, undrained
4 egg whites
1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce (instead of oil)
TOPPING:
1 can (20 oz) crushed pineapple, undrained
1 pkg (1 oz) sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix
1 carton (8 oz) reduced-fat whipped topping

Beat the cake mix, oranges, egg whites and applesauce on low speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a 13x9 bakind dish coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.
In a bowl, combine the pineapple and pudding mix. Fold in whipped topping just until blended. Spread over the cake. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Birthday Boy Connor...he's 5!!

Over Memorial day weekend it was my little cuz (or nephew, b/c he calls me Auntie cole) Connor's birthday party. And boy what a spongebob party it was.

Look at that swing. His dad is teaching him well. He even tapped the "base" before he swung.

Little Paula hanging out in the cold, yes it was that cold that a hat was necessary.

Justin with his swing. It was pretty impressive how well they took turns, and it took some time before that dinosaur was broken. I think I was more excited about what came out of it than the kids. They each picked up one thing and were happy with it. I forced bags upon them and made them fill them up. The parents thank me I'm sure.

Birthday boy with his new fireman raincoat and boots. When he first opened the coat someone asked what is it and he exclaimed "A Dress!" (not even the least bit dissapointed) Adorable.

That stinking silly string. All the kids came after me at one point and lets just say I was not all that fond of it.

I can't believe he's 5 already. Blow's my mind. Seems like not that long ago me and mom were babysitting him when he was just a baby. I can't see dora without thinking of little Connor.

Mmm...pizza

So this was my attempt to recreate a pizza I had. The pizza is called kickn' chicken. The best part about it?? There is cream cheese and green chiles in the crust. Ugh. So awesome.

I made it by mixing a block of cream cheese with a can of fire roasted green chiles. I used a can of pizza dough (I know, I know. It was good though) and then I put a line of the cream cheese mix all around the edges and rolled the dough around it. I used olive oil for the "sauce" but might try pizza sauce next time. I added garlic salt and crushed red pepper, Mozzarella cheese and then cubed, cooked chicken that I seasoned with a blend that was called kickn' chicken (I'm not going to lie, I was pretty excited when I found this).

If you do the cream cheese and chiles you are going to have quite a bit left. So, last night I used the leftovers to make chicken enchiladas with my leftover chicken, added some cheese and enchilada sauce and ugh, those were good too.

Please attempt this if you like cream cheese. It kinda makes me melt a little just thinking about it.

Here she is :)

Mallory Skye. Wish I could have been there but these are pictures from my mom and brothers phones.

Seriously, how adorable is this? McKenna and Mallory and McKenna's Berenstein Bears book, New Baby. Looks like she's going to be a great big sister.