Use baking soda and vinegar to fix funky towels

Over time and with many washes, Your bath towels will build up detergent and fabric softener residue, leaving them both unable to absorb as much water and smelling kinda funky when they do. Rather then give Target another lump sum, run them through the wash once with hot water and 1 cup of vinegar, then again with  hot water and a 1/2 cup of baking soda or washing soda. That strips the residue from them, leaves them fairly fresh again, and makes your post-shower experience a dryer one, at that. I found this here. I also found that the towels dried faster in the dryer. So it is also a energy saver as far as that goes. Also never wash the towel with the vinegar and soda in the same wash. Very important that they be washed in separate cycles.

Cupid's Cherry Cheesecake

This cheese cakes were so easy to make. They went nicely with our valentines dinner. I adapted them from here.


15 vanilla wafers
2-8 ounce packages of cream cheese
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
21 ounce can cherry pie filling

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Place one wafer in each of 15 paper lined muffin cups. Set aside.
3. Beat cream cheese and sugar in a bowl on medium speed until light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time Mixing just until blended.
5. Spoon evenly into prepared muffins cups. 
6. Bake for 30 minutes. Turn off oven open oven door slightly. Let stand in oven 30 minutes.
7. Remove from oven cool completely. 
8. Top with pie filling. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

Ranch Potatoes

Another great find on pinterest. This is such a easy recipe to throw together. Thanks to April

2 pounds of potatoes (either red or Russets)
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
1 packet ranch seasoning mix (or us my recipe found here)

1. Cut potatoes into 1 1/2 -2 inch cubes and place into crock pot.
2. In another bowl mix the cream of mushroom soup, sour cream and ranch seasoning mix. 
3. Mix in with the potatoes in the crockpot.
4. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until potatoes are tender.

Ultimate Chicken Fingers

I found this recipe while browsing the bettycrocker site. They look just as good if not better then anything you'd order from a restaurant, except much less expensive of course. Enjoy. Ranch potatoes go great as a side dish.

2/3 cup baking mix
1/2 grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt or garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves cut crosswise into half inch strips
1 egg slightly beaten
3 tablespoon butter melted

1. Preheat oven to 450.
2. Line cookies sheet with tin foil. Spray with Pam.
3. Mix baking mix, cheese, salt, and paprika in a 1 gallon Ziploc bag.
4. Dip half the chicken strips into egg: place in bag of baking mix. 
5. Seal bag and shake to coat.
6. Place chicken on cookies sheet. 
7. Repeat with remaining chicken.
8. Drizzle melted butter over chicken.
9. Bake 12-14 minutes, turning after 6 minutes with pancake turner until no longer pink in center.
10. Serve with barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, or honey mustard.

Caramel Syrup

"Waffle syrup that will change your life, or at least your breakfast." Words spoken by Kara the author of this recipe. I would have to agree. It was so delish on our waffles this morning. It was just as delish on our ice cream this evening as well. Pancakes waffles and ice cream will never be the same served with this syrup on it. They will be so much better. But don't take my word for it. Make it and see for your self. SO Good.

1 1/2 cups half and half or buttermilk
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. In a large saucepan, bring sugars, milk, and butter to a boil over medium heat. 
2. Remove from heat and whisk in vanilla and baking soda.
3. It will bubble up a lot. 
4. As it cools it the bubbles will go away.
5. Serve over pancakes, waffles, french toast, or ice cream. Yum.

Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken

I found this on pinterest and adapted if from lakelurecottagekitchen. It sounded like the perfect meal to try out on the day I fed the missionaries. This meal was a complete success. Both the missionaries and my family loved it.

12 boneless chicken tender loins.(about a 3 pound bag)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup soy sauce
1/3 apple cider vinegar
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
4 1/2 teaspoons water

1. Place chicken in a 4 quart slow cooker.
2. In a bow, combine the sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger garlic and pepper.
3. Pour over chicken.
4. Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender.
5. Remove chicken to a serving platter.
6. Keep warm.
7. Place liquid in a sauce pan and bring to a boil.
8. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth.
9. Gradually stir into liquid and stir until sauce is thickened.
10. Serve with chicken and rice.

Easy Waffles

I was brousing the  Bisquick site trying to find other recipes to make with my mix aka Bisquick copy cat and came across this find. Ken wanted waffles this morning and sure enough there was a recipe for it. This is the perfect recipe for a rushed school morning. Loved it. 

2 cups baking mix

1 1/3 cup milk

1 egg

2 tablespoons oil

1. Heat waffle iron. Grease with Pam spray or shortening.
2. Stir ingredients until blended. 
3. Pour into center of waffle iron. Close lid.
4. Bake about 5 minutes or until streaming stops
5. Remove waffles and enjoy.