Skinny Funfetti Cupcakes

I made these awhile ago when I was still living in Ft Lauderdale. They were super yummy, especially if you're on a New Year's diet!

Skinny Funfetti Cupcakes

• 1 box funfetti cake mix
• 12 ounces Diet Sprite/Sprite Zero

Mix these two together & spoon into cupcake tins. I like using a springy ice cream scoop to get perfectly even cupcakes :)

Bake according to directions.

For the frosting, use one container Cool Whip with a few drops of vanilla extract. (The original recipe called for using a package of sugar-free vanilla pudding mix mixed in with the Cool Whip, but I found that it made the frosting really gritty.) Frost then add some rainbow sprinkles and VOILA!

Enjoy these delicious and healthy treats!

xoxo,
janie from scratch

Friday Happy Hour: Aperol Spritz

So I've been trying to organize all my pictures on my computer (there are a LOT), and have been coming across some pictures I meant to blog about but for whatever reason never got around to... so there might be a few throwback pictures and posts that are a LONG time coming... this is one of them :)

Ever since I visited Lutz a few Thanksgivings ago (way back in 2010 JEEZ!) and he introduced me to Aperol Spritzes, I've LOVED them!! Flossie and I met for drinks while I was still in Orlando and I had one at Brio and it was as good as I remembered. :) Aperol is definitely an acquired taste, it's a little bitter, but it's so refreshing when you mix it with champagne. I usually pour almost a full glass of champagne and just add in a topper of Aperol. A little goes a long way!!

Try something new for 2014!!

Lutz & I at a German Christmas Market (Nov 2010--told ya, throwback!)

xoxo,

janie from scratch

Aunty Lyn's Queso

Oh man, y'all, I LOVE queso. Of all sorts, but especially my Aunty Lyn's. I haven't had it in forever because it makes a LOT, but since we had family in town over the holidays, I made some to share. It's super easy, so quick, and SO yummy.

Aunty Lyn's Queso

• 1 box velveeta regular
• 1 box velveeta Mexican
• 1 can Rotel
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 lb breakfast sausage, browned & drained (I use the spicy kind!)
• pickled jalapenos & juice to taste

Melt everything together either on the stove or in a slow cooker. Over the stove, be careful that the cheese doesn't get burnt to the bottom of the pan -- this happened to me and it was UNPLEASANT to clean up. 

Get LOTS of scoops chips because this makes a lot of delicious queso. 

xoxo,
janie from scratch

Pickled Corn

Lately I am SO obsessed with anything pickled! Except actual pickles, I hate pickles. Over the summer I found a recipe for Pickled Corn in Bon Appetit and it is JUST the best. It's super easy, and it only has to sit for a few hours before you can eat it.

Pickled Corn

• 2 cups fresh corn (I used 3-4 ears)
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and thinly sliced
• 1/4 thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• pepper

Combine all of the above in a heat-proof dish.

• 1/2 cup white or apple cider vinegar
• 3/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons salt (I use kosher)
• 1 teaspoon sugar (I always put a little extra sugar)

Bring the above to a boil, and pour over corn mixture. Stir, and if needed, cover with additional water. Chill & let sit for a few hours or more. This just gets better with time! I can literally eat this with a spoon, no tacos needed, but it is also DELISH on tacos.

Also on this taco is some homemade queso fresco! I had no idea how easy it was to make cheese from scratch!!! Maybe I'll write a blog about it one day :)

xoxo,
janie from scratch

Brunch at Home -- Polenta with Salmon & Fried Egg

HAPPY 2014 my darlings!! 2013 was a very tumultuous year, I am glad it's over. I am proud to say I have a new job. I love going to work every day, which is a nice change of pace. I'm living back at home with Jane B, and it's so nice to be home and centered and stable. I've dedicated 2014 to focusing on myself, being happy, being loving, being grateful, being peaceful, being healthy and moving forward with my life. That being said, I hope y'all find happiness in 2014 too!

I live for Sunday Brunch. Like LOVE LOVE LOVE it. But this year, I'm trying to be more healthful, less boozing (a staple at brunch, let's be real), less eating out, saving some money. I don't know if you've heard, but I have a big race to prep for in September... THE BERLIN MARATHON!!! I am so psyched I can hardly contain myself. Unfortunately, my left knee has been bothering me for a few months and now that I finally have insurance again (it's great to have a full-time job! whoop!), I finally went to the ortho. He said I have patellar tendinitis, so I am unable to run, jump, squat, lunge, basically anything I do on a regular basis, for a few weeks. It bums me out, especially since I love running just to clear my mind. 

So this weekend, I wanted to recreate one of my favorite brunch meals from Dexter's in Orlando -- Mahi-Mahi with grits & a fried egg. My mom defrosted a piece of salmon for dinner Friday that I didn't eat, so I used that instead of mahi-mahi. We didn't have any grits (WTF Jane B??), but we did have corn meal, so I made polenta. And then a fried egg is a fried egg! My polenta turned out lumpy, I was so disappointed, especially since I whisked and whisked and whisked. I'll have to try it again. But the flavor was really yummy. The recipe on the back added in Italian seasoning, so I put that on the salmon as well. It turned out delicious!! 

Happy new year yall :)
xoxo,
janie from scratch

Holiday Place Cards

POST OVERLOAD!! Two in one week! LOL -- my mom asked me to make some place cards for our big Christmas dinner... I've been wanting to make these pie-cards but haven't had the chance, so I started making them, then I read the instructions and they need to dry for 3-5 days... so that wouldn't work for Christmas! I had to come up with a plan B, and fast! And there weren't a lot of options since I didn't want to run out at 3pm on Christmas eve. Then I came across these little cuties - number 17! I found some adorable ribbon and some craft paper I had lying around, and whipped them up!

I did the names on the computer, my secret (since I'm on a mac and I don't have Adobe suite) is to use powerpoint, and just resize the slides to 8.5" x 11". It seems to work better than trying to work in Word or even Excel. I decided to do women, men, and children all in different colors (since I'm a little spiteful I had to sit at the children's table WELL into my twenties). I printed the names in big ovals... maybe 4" x 2" and cut them out. Hole-punched the ends, then threaded some cut ribbon through them. I lucked out because my mom had ribbon with wire in the edges, so it made it a LOT easier. I made sure they could stand, then cut the ends of the ribbon to look like candy, and VOILA! Done :)

These were legit SO easy, and could very simply be made for ANY occasion or even a non-occasion dinner party.

HAPPY HAPPY!
xoxo,
janie from scratch

Friday..err Monday Happy Hour: Coquito aka Puerto Rican Eggnog

I've been remiss about keeping up with this blog this year :( and I've made so many delicious things! One of my favorite part of the holidays is hanging out with the bees when they make coquito (the bees are a group of girls in Orlando). I got a recipe from one of the gals at my new job (YES! new job in Tampa!) and decided to make some to share at Christmas this year. It's pretty simple... here goes:

Coquito

• 2 egg yolks, beaten
• 12 ounce can evaporated milk
• 14 ounce can cream of coconut (you can usually find this with the mixers in the supermarket)
• 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup white rum (okay, I used a whole cup)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Start by cooking the egg yolks & evaporated milk over a double boiler until it reaches 160 on a candy thermometer or it's thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

In a blender, combine the rest of the ingredients. 

When the egg mixture is cooked, add it to the blender and blend for 30 seconds. I left the little middle lid off and covered with a towel just in case it tried to explode like that one time at BTW's (cleaning gazpacho off blinds is NOT fun, FYI). 

Then I cleaned out two wine bottles and poured the mixture into both. It made a LOT! Almost two full wine bottles! 

Then, just let cool and sit overnight and you're ready to share with all your alcoholic friends and family! I should've made fancy labels but it's almost Christmas and ain't nobody got time for that! 

Hope you have a great holiday :)
xoxo,
janie from scratch

Hamburger Cupcakes

Happy Summer Yall!! This month has been such a whirl wind. I got home from Europe, and then it was Mother's Day. I made my favorite thing ever for my godmother, mom and friend for dinner that day -- Jerk Chicken with Jalapeno-Mint Glaze & Mango Salsa. THEN came birthday season... Within 1 week, I have the bf's, my friends Juan's & Brett's AND my birthday. And then was Memorial Day Weekend, so I am ready for some R&R this week by the pool! My mom is leaving on Monday for Maine until October, so hopefully we can have some QT this week too :)

I saw these ADORABLE cupcakes a few years ago on Bakerella's website (sidenote: she has the cutest ideas EVER) and made them for a 4th of July Party two years ago and they were a big hit. I got asked to make dessert for a Memorial Day Pool Party...which was SO EPIC, BTW:

Token Janie-face

So I whipped up these cute hamburger cupcakes again. They are adorable and so easy.

First, make a set of yellow boxed cupcake mix. I always use mixes for this recipe. For the cupcakes, I underfill the cupcakes a little - closer to half-full then 2/3 like the box says. Let cool, then take the papers off. I also sprinkle white sesame seeds to the top while they are cooling to make them look more like hamburger buns (if you forget, you can rub the tops with a little water to help them stick).

Then, mix up a brownie mix, and bake in a 13x9-ish sized pan. If you bake them in a smaller pan, they will turn out too fat to look like hamburger patties. While they are still warm, use a cookie cutter or empty can to cut out the patties. I've used an empty Campbell's soup can and also a small mason jar. Then let finish cooling.

Get a can of frosting, and dye half red (for ketchup) and half yellow (for mustard). For the lettuce, I shake sweetened coconut in a ziplock bag with a few drops of green food coloring.

To assemble, cut the cupcakes in half. I cut them close to the top little ledge. Put the cut-out brownie on the "bottom bun" with some "lettuce" and then squeeze some "ketchup & mustard" on the edges and top with the "top bun." This makes about 16 "burgers" so if you need more, make an extra batch!

 I had some leftover frosting and coconut so I put them in ramekins on the side if anyone wanted extra.

How cute are those?!?! And truly so easy and impressive for a summer BBQ or picnic. 

Hope everyone is having a great start to the summer! It's hot as blazes here in Florida, so summer has definitely arrived :)

xoxo,

Janie from Scratch

Painted Wine Glasses

Lately I've been so into crafting! Ever since I decorated those wine glasses for Relay for Life, I wanted to make some more. Plus, my godmother asked me to make her a new glass. So, I did a little online research to find out how to "cure"the glasses to make the paint stay on longer. There's no definitive answers online that I found, so we'll see how the system I used works out. I went to Joanne's and wandered in the paint/marker aisle and just kind of went with what I felt. I got two Sharpie paint markers and bought some stemless wine glasses from Target. I'm having a few people over for Mother's Day, so I wanted to make each of us a glass.

First, I decorated each glass with the Sharpie paint marker:

Then, according to one online instruction I found, I put all 4 glasses on a cookie sheet lined with foil, and put into a cold oven:

I turned on the over to preheat to 350, then once it was at 350, I let it "cook" for 20 minutes. Then I turned the oven off and let the glasses sit in the oven until they were completely cold. Then I took them out and VOILA!

They turned out super cute! I'll let yall know if they stand up to washing after Sunday!

Happy Mother's Day!
xoxo,
Janie from Scratch

**UPDATE: So far, so good. I used my glass last night and hand-washed it and the paint seems to be staying put. I even tried scratching a little with my nail and nothing came off! Also, I made a real cocktail in my glass, so there was a lot of condensation on the outside and still the paint stayed.

Fancy Burger

Hey you guys!!! (Make sure you read that in the Goonies voice) So I just got back Sunday from an 11-day transatlantic cruise, 2 days in Barcelona and 2 days in Berlin with the bf. The last part was a total whirlwind but the cruise was SO relaxing. It was totally different than the other round-trip-type cruises I've been on where I always feel like I'm racing against time to do everything and see everything on the boat. We had 10 days at sea and it was AMAZING!

Look how much fun we're having!!

But, while I LOVE traveling, it is nice to be home. My mom is actually also in Europe, just off a Rhine river cruise and spending a few days in Amsterdam so I've been eating whatever frozen meats she has in the fridge. (She always goes to Sams and gets a bunch and then freezes individual portions--super helpful and easy for us since we're either always one or two for dinner.) Last night I had a pork chop, and today I made a delish burger!

For the burger part, I used ground kobe beef (I know, Jane B is FANCY!) with some seasoned salt and pepper. I bought a ciabatta roll at Publix this morning and toasted it in the oven. I was just going to use regular ketchup, but we didn't have any, so I mixed some balsamic sauce with mayo to make a yummy aioli. I sauteed up some mushrooms and onions, and then topped the burger with swiss. I also baked a corn on the cob (350 for 30 minutes in the oven with the husk on). It turned out SO good! I even impressed myself with this quick dinner :)

Hope yall are ready for summer and more grilling and burgers and fun in the sun!
xoxo,
Janie from Scratch

Race T-shirt Redux!

Tomorrow night I'm doing the Relay for Life in Tampa with my godmother and I am SO psyched to be getting involved in the community finally! It's something I've really been wanting to do, but haven't had the time/opportunity/balls to do it by myself, so I kind of drunkenly agreed a few weeks ago, and I'm so glad I did! Earlier tonight, we spent some time baking and decorating items to sell - painted corks, wine glasses, candle holders. They are super cute, maybe I'll take some pics tomorrow at the event. I'm not SUPER crafty, but some of them turned out really adorable, hopefully someone will pick them up for $1!!

Tonight we also picked up our relay shirts, and I usually am not big on wearing the race shirt TO the race but apparently everyone does it for this one. It's gonna be HOT as blazes tomorrow, so I wanted to turn mine into a tank somehow. Our team captain, Sarah, is really into pinterest (just like me! check out her page!) and showed me this adorable and easy t-shirt redux (it's also a bonus this blogger is from New Zealand, I love it there!). I decided to whip it up tonight when I got home and my mom helped me, of course.

I didn't take pics along the way, the blog tutorial is pretty self-explanatory and easy as it is. I did tweak it a little. I serged the raw edges and then straight stitched them under to make the arm holes non-raggedy. The logos were a bit higher on my tshirt than on the blogger's so mine got a little cramped at the top :/ but it turned out super cute anyways!

Close up :) 

I love to make a crazy face!

This legit only took straight stitches, it was super easy!

I'm off this weekend to a transatlantic cruise then spending a few days in Europe!
xoxo,
Janie from Scratch

UPDATE!! I got so many compliments and "how did you do that"s at the relay! A very successful t-shirt redux :)

Friday Happy Hour: Basil Caipirinha

OMG YALLLL!!!! Why haven't I done a Friday Happy Hour post in like 23434534531123945 years?!??! Because, let's be frank, I've done a LOT of drankin' in the past 2 months since I've been enjoying funemployment. 

So, bear with me as I digress... I left Ft Lauderdale on February 20 for a short 2-week road trip to Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville (this trip was basically based around a few races I'd committed to). Well, this 2 weeks turned into 3... then 4... then a month... While I've been gone I was so lucky to spend amazing quality time with my long lost Tampa/Orlando peeps, run 3 races (10k, 15k and 5k) and met an amazing man :) But I am SO GLAD to be home again home again jiggity jog! I have a LOT of changes going on in my life and once things are settled I'll share, but until then, it's basically time for me to soak it all in and enjoy it!

I've been having a slight caipirinha obsession in the past few months. A caipirinha is similar to a mojito, but made with fancy pants Brazilian "rum". It's refreshing, semi-healthy, and tasty! I made a few regular ones the other night for the bf and again tonight with basil when I got home from Tap42 (side note: this place is AMAZEBALLS!). So... here goes nothing! (And a big apology to you cocktail snobs out there...)

Basil Caipirinha

• 1/2 lime cut into wedges
• basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 1/2 ounces cachaça (you can find this in fancy liquor stores, I got mine in Total Wine; there's several brands, Leblon seems to be the middle of the road)
• ice
• water/soda water

In a pint glass, muddle half a lime cut into smaller wedges, a few basil leaves, and a teaspoon or so of sugar. Before I cut the limes, I always roll them a bit to get the juices flowing. Then add 2 1/2 ounces of Cachaça (now listen here, you know I am HUGE proponent of "use what you have"... but do NOT use just regular rum... I promise you cachaça has a completely different taste, and since you don't put a lot into this cocktail, it will absolutely alter the taste). So, once you have all this, add ice until the top of the glass. The liquid will not fill up to the top. So, top it off with water or soda water. You can stir it to combine, or I like pouring it all into a shaker, then pouring it all back into the glass. You can garnish with a lime or basil leaf or just drink it! HAHA!

Then take your cocktail to your balcony and really enjoy it :)
xoxo,
Janie from Scratch

Homemade Road ID

Ever since I started running on a regular basis, I've always been SUPER concerned that something would happen to me, and since I don't run with a phone or ID or anything, no one would ever know who I was. It's a serious paranoia of mine (amongst many others). They have ones you can buy online but they are super boring and sterile looking. So I enlisted my mom to help make one for my friend Ryan and I. 

Using my mom's embroidery machine I was able to create this super cute design, and then my mom sewed the button holes for the shoe laces. 

Jane B's machine stitching away

Then I laced it on and voila! Now I'll never be lost if something ever happens to me while I'm running :)

I can't wait to try it out at the Gate River Run in Jacksonville this weekend!


Side note: Ryan and I did our first 10k this weekend!! It was a great race. It was FREEZING and rained the first 1-2 miles, but after that, we both settled in and had a great run. It was funny because she was a little ahead of me but when we compared notes, we struggled and found it easy at the same spots. Mile 4 was great for both of us and mile 5 was terrible for both of us. And we even matched:

Twinsies!

So get outside and have fun! It's so nice out lately:)
xoxo,
Janie from Scratch

French Onion Dip from Jane B

So, I haven't actually made this, but my aunt did and my mom tried it and said it was AMAZING. So I will share with yall :) It's supposed to be similar to the onion dip you make from the little packet from the supermarket. Hope you like! 

French Onion Dip

• 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter

• 2 pounds onions, chopped fine

• Salt & Pepper

• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne Pepper

• 1/4 cup water

• 2-1/2 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

• 1 cup sour cream

• 1/2 cup mayo

Melt butter in 12-in. skillet over medium heat. Add onions, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper & cayenne & cook stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent ~ 10 min. Reduce heat to med-low & cook until onions are golden ~ 10 min.

Add 2 Tbl water to skillet & cook, scraping up any browned bits, until water is evaporated ~ 5 min. Add last 2 Tbl H2o & cook until onions are caramelized ~ 5 min. longer. Remove from heat & add Balsamic vinegar. Put onions in med. bowl & let cool 10 min.
Add sour cream & mayo; stir to mix. Season w/salt & pepper to taste. Refrig. at least 30 min to allow flavors to blend.

Here's Jane B and my dad's sister, Aunt Marion and me!

Breakfast Burritos

Let's get the bad news out of the way first. I got laid off two Fridays ago. I've spent the majority of the past week drinking by the pool. But now it's time to focus, really get serious... and move my afternoons to the beach. HA! Anyways, last week I kept waking up super hungry, and I usually eat breakfast at work, but wanted to make something easy I could grab on my way out the door (TO THE BEACH!). I've been craving a breakfast burrito for awhile and have been wanting to make some so I ran to the store, grabbed some ingredients and whipped a few up! So easy (as always), so fast.

Janie's Breakfast Burritos

• breakfast sausage 
• eggs
• grated cheese
• frozen hashbrowns
• sauce -- you could use salsa, hot sauce, spicy mayo, anything!
• large tortillas

First, brown the sausage. I used half a roll of spicy breakfast sausage, but I think you could probably use the pre-formed sausage links. Then, scramble the eggs (of course I scrambled them in the sausage fat!). I used 5 eggs. Then assemble your burritos!

Put a spoonful of sausage, eggs, cheese and a few hashbrowns in the tortilla. I forgot to put the sauce, but some taco sauce or hot sauce would be super yummy! Save your mayo-based or non-microwave friendly for after you zap these. 

Roll up tight.

Then, roll up in a piece of plastic wrap.

And store in a big plastic zip lock bag in the fridge.

This made SO MANY -- 8 burritos in total! I microwave one for 45 seconds IN the plastic wrap so the tortillas don't dry out. Then, since I forgot sauce, I add a little sauce at every bite. (I actually had some leftover bloomin' onion sauce from a dinner party -- mayo-based -- and put that on as I ate, YUM!) Voila.. easy, quick and tasty breakfast. You could even make these healthier using egg whites, whole wheat tortillas, turkey sausage, and sauteed veggies instead of hashbrowns. 

For Your Mistle Toes - Holiday Gift

Of course, awhile ago I saw on pinterest what I wanted to make/give the girls at the office. Just a little something to brighten their holidays. So I found super cute nail files at Sally and bought some small nail polishes in Christmas colors and whipped up some homemade sugar scrub.

Sugar/Salt Scrub
1 cup coconut oil (I found some at Whole Foods)
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup raw sugar
essential oils (I used eucalyptus & lavender)

Mix everything together. I ended up adding more salt & sugar because I wanted the consistency to be a little thicker. But just make yours as thick or thin as you like.

I found these super cute jars at Michael's (but actually they turned out to leak), but you can also use canning jars (my fave!).

 I made a few batches!

 Then, I made these super cute inserts for the baggies I was putting together.

 And I wrapped up the bigger ones individually.

And the smaller ones went with the nail polish and see the SUPER CUTE ADORABLE nail file? I chose ones that matched whoever the gift went to.

These were a big hit!!

Hope you have a WONDERFUL Christmas :) And Happy New Year!

xoxox,
Janie from Scratch

AFTER THE FACT: So, the little plastic jars leaked :( Next time I think I'll use mason jars instead!

Bacon Jam

Last time, I told you about the $9 Crock Pot my AWESOME coworker got me from Black Friday. I needed to christen it and what better way than with a batch of delicious Bacon Jam?! I first heard of this from my friend Flossie who loves bacon just as much as I do.

Now, I know what you're thinking... bacon jam... EW! But, take my word for it, it is AMAZING. It will change your life for the better, nay, the best. I brought a jar to work today for everyone to try and it got RAVE reviews! My officemate and I thought of ways to use it: on sliders, on biscuits or egg mcmuffins, as a "sauce" on a thin-crust pizza with onions, with baked brie instead of fruit jam. The list is truly endless. And, of course, it's SUPER easy. :)

Martha Stewart's Bacon Jam
1 1/2 lbs bacon, cut crosswise into 1" pieces
2 white onions, roughly chopped
3 garlic cloves
1/2 cup cider vinegar
3/4 cup coffee
1/4 cup maple syrup (please don't cheat and use Aunt Jemima!)
1/2 cup brown sugar

In a large skillet, cook the bacon until the fat is rendered and the edges are just starting to brown.

Remove with a slotted spoon to the slow cooker. Add the chopped onions to the fat (Martha says to remove most of the fat first, but I refuse... fat=flavor) and cook until translucent.

Pour into slow cooker with bacon. Add the rest of the ingredients, stir to combine.

Cook for 3-4 hours on high with the lid OFF, until liquid is syrupy. Your house will smell amazing, as an aside.

Pour mixture into a blender or food processor, and blend/process until mixture is chunky, but not totally smooth.

 (As a reminder, if you blend hot liquids, leave the little middle lid off, and cover the hole with a dish towel to prevent blender explosions!)

Mmmm looks good!

Pour mixture into canning jars (I don't usually do the whole canning-jar boiling-water process because I put this right into the fridge, but you can if you want). Refrigerate until firm (the mixture will be runny when warm, but firm up in the fridge).

Then share with only your nearest and dearest!

Happy holidays lovies!
xoxox,
Janie from Scratch

Doggy Cookies/I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!

IT'S THE HOLIDAYS!! It's my favorite time of year. I am literally obsessed with all things Christmas. I just got back from a week and a half in Hamburg and I went to every Christmas Market I could find. In Germany, in every city, town, neighborhood, they have Christmas Markets. The closest thing we have in America are fairs. There are big ones and small ones, fancy ones and regular ones. There's booths and booths of everything, food, drinks, toys, crafts, anything you could want. My favorite part is the food (wurst! fried dough! latkes!) and the gluhwein, which is a mulled red wine served warm. And also just being surrounded by Christmas lights and happy people and being outdoors in cold Christmas weather. SO good. I love it and miss it.

Here's a gluhwein stand:

And here's one of the fancier Christmas Markets with all white tents:

Sigh, I digress.

So now that I'm back, it's time to get ready for actual Christmas. I LOVE making Christmas gifts from scratch, but don't have a whole lot of friends down here yet to give them to. I found something SUPER CUTE on pinterest for the gals at the office, and I might whip up some bacon jam for the guys with my new crock-pot (one of my AWESOME coworkers bought it for me on Black Friday for $9!). One of my good friends here has an adorable and sweet black lab, so I wanted to make something special for Smokey too. On pinterest, I've been keeping a board of things I can make for Christmas gifts and awhile ago I pinned a big list of doggy treats. They looked super easy, so I whipped up a batch last night :) I highly recommend making homemade doggy treats if you have pups. It was seriously so easy, and of course, all-natural, no chemicals, etc.

Kiss Me Doggy Cookies (supposed to help with bad doggy breath!)

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup oats
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 1/2 cup dried milk
• 1 cup peanut butter
• water as needed to combine

Mix everything together in a mixer. The recipe originally called for 2 tablespoons of water, but when it was all mixed, it was still very dry:

 So, little by little, I added more water:

And a little more, until it was balling up in my mixer. My mixer got a little angry at me!

All-in-all, I probably added close to 1/2 cup of water. A LOT more than the 2 tablespoons it called for. So, just add little by little until you get to a more doughy consistency. Remember, you can always add more, but you can't take out! Also, I just thought of this today, but you could probably add in some chicken or beef bouillon and/or use chicken or beef broth instead of water to give these more flavor. As-is, they taste pretty peanut-buttery (yes, I taste-tested a small bite). 

To roll them out is pretty easy. I didn't even use any flour! I rolled them about 1/2 thick and used some cute holiday cookie cutters:

Bake at 300 on a non-stick cookie sheet for 20-30 minutes, depending how chewy you want the cookies to be.

I did about 25 minutes, and they were crunchy on the outside but a little soft on the inside. Let cool on a normal cookie rack:

Then package them up super cute and give them to your doggy-owner friends! This recipe made 36 cookies.

I think Tutu got a little jealous while I was making them... she was keeping pretty good watch. And she taste-tested one for me and liked it too! :)

(She's pretty adorable when she's not knocking all the bulbs off the Christmas tree!)

Hopefully I'll get around to sharing the goodies I'm gonna make for my work peeps, but in case I don't, have a wonderful & happy holidays my lovely blog readers!! :)