Overnight Cherry-Almond Oatmeal

This oatmeal recipe was a big hit with my family I love how easy it is. I found it here at taste of home.
4 cups almond milk
1 cup steel cut oats
1 cup dried cherries
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 ground cinnamon

1. Spray a 4 quart crock pot with Pam. 
2. Combine all ingredients and cook on low 7-8 hours. Serves 6. 

Pumpkin Poppers

I found this recipe on pinterest. The blog I foiund them is Just the little things.  They make a good breakfast or a dessert. The kids loved them. Let's just say out of the 40 they made only 11 were left by the end of breakfast. So yummy.

1 3/4 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoons ground cloves
1/3 cup oil
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup pumpkin
1/2 cup milk

For coating
1/2 cup butter melted
2/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 and spray mini muffin pan with Pam. 
2. In a bowl whisk together the  flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ground cloves.
3. In another bowl mix together the egg, oil, brown sugar, vanilla, milk and pumpkin. 
4. Blend in the dry flour mixture until just combined. 
5. Fill mini muffins tins until almost full. Bake for 10-12 minutes.
6. Melt butter in a small bowl. Mix sugar and cinnamon in another bowl. 
7. After poppers have cooled for a few minutes coat in the melted butter and roll them in the cinnamon sugar. Makes about 40.  Betcha  can't eat just one? enjoy. 

Hearty Mushroom and Barley Soup

My kids found this to be a warm and inviting soup. the perfect supper on a cold winters day.

9 cups chicken Broth
1 package(16 ounces)  sliced mushrooms
1 onion chopped
2 carrots chopped
2 celery ribs chopped
1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley
3 teaspoons minced garlic
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 pound ham steak diced

1. Combine broth, sliced mushrooms, onion, carrots, celery, barley, garlic, salt, thyme and pepper in a crock pot. 
2. Cover and cook on high 4-6 hours. Near the end of cooking time dice and add in the diced ham steak.Serves 8.

Unbelievable Toffee

I found this on Pinterest Here. I am sure my mom make this when I was growing up as well. Anyway it is way good. Not to mention so easy to make even my husband could make it. A great Christmas treat to give away to friends or coworker too. Enjoy. 

1 cup butter( do not use margarine)
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups chocolate chips(milk chocolate is my all time favorite)
40 saltine crackers

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Line a 15x12 cookies sheet with foil and spray with Pam.
3. Lay a single layer of crackers out on the foil.
4. Measure out the 2 cups of chocolate chips and set them aside.
5. In a medium sauce pan melt and bring to a boil the butter and brown sugar.
6. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes until thick.
7. Pour brown sugar butter mixture over the cracker making sure they are evenly coated.
8. Bake 8-10 minutes or until toffee becomes bubbly. 
9. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over the toffee; let them sit and then when they melt evenly spread the chocolate over the toffee. 
10. You can add nuts cracker crumbs or whatever else you choose. 
11. Let them cool then break them into desired pieces. I prefer to break them into half of a regular cracker size. Enjoy. 

Downeast Maine Pumpkin Bread

I have always loved pumpkin bread, so I had to try this recipe. Let me tell you it is a keeper.My 4 year old daughter Kirsten said this about the pumpkin bread:"This is the yummyest pumpkin bread in the whole world." I would have to agree.  I found it here at allrecipes. 

15 ounces pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
2. Grease and flour 2- 9x5 inch loaf pans
3. In a large bowl, mix together the pumpkin, eggs, oil, water and sugar until well blended.
4. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cloves and ginger. 
5. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture just until blended.
6. Pour into prepared pans.
7. Bake for about 50-65 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when toothpicks inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Berry Cobbler

this is a yummy easy cobbler. So good with ice cream or cool whip. I found it here

24 ounces frozen mixed berries
1 box white cake mix
1 can of soda such as 7up, Sierra Mist, or any clear soda

1. Place frozen fruit in the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish.
2. Pour dry cake mix evenly over the top. 
3. Pour soda slowly over the cake mix.
4. Do not stir cake mix and pop. 
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-70 minutes. 

Taco Pasta

I found this recipe thanks to supermom found here. I love pasta and tacos. This recipe was the perfect recipe of both worlds. Enjoy

1 pound ground beef
12 ounces medium pasta shells
1 small onion chopped
1 garlic clove minced
14 ounce can tomatoes
1 package taco seasoning
3 ounces cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
salt and pepper

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. 
2. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. Set aside.
3. In a medium skillet brown the beef, and onions over medium high heat.
4. Drain the grease and add in the diced tomatoes, garlic and taco seasoning.
5. Let simmer over medium heat 3-5 minutes.
6. Stir in the cooked pasta, cream cheese, sour cream, and remaining pasta water.
7. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is well blended. 
8. Serve with fresh cilantro if desired.