Chilled Chocolate-Covered Bananas

This treat was pretty easy to make.

4 large ripe bananas, peeled and cut into thirds
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1/4 cup shredded coconut
popsicle sticks
parchment or wax paper


1. Melt chocolate chips in microwave, 30 seconds at a time.
2.Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper.

3. Insert a popsicle stick into end of each banana.

4. Using a small rubber spatula or spoon, coat banana with melted chocolate.
REHEAT CHOCOLATE AS NEEDED TO KEEP IT MELTED.

5. Roll some in coconut shavings
6. Place lined sheet with bananas in refridgerator; chill.
7. Serve!

Rainbow Cake

Since my daughter, Sierra, is home for the summer from college (WVU!) I decided she could make the Rainbow Cake... She has made rainbow cupcakes but we thought we would do it a little different this time. It is a bit time-consuming due to prepping the different colrs but it is sooo worth it!! Check it out!

What you need:
2 boxs white cake mix
2- 12oz cans of Sprite
GEL food coloring - the gel coloring gives more vibrancy to the colors than regular food coloring.
2 cake pans

**No eggs, no oil, no water**


1. Mix the cake mix with the soda.
2. For the colors, divide batter into 6 bowls. Add about 1 cup per bowl.

3. Stir in color into each bowl.

4. For the first color into the pan, measure out as close to the midlle of the pan.

5. Use three colors for each pan. (or however many you want.)
6. Bake the cakes following the instructions on the box plus an additional 10-15 minutes. The soda makes the cake a bit denser so you will need some more baking time. Use a toothpick to make sure they are done. Keep an eye on them!

7. Once done, let them cool completely.
8. Frost....EAT!

Chcolate Chip and Cherry Cobbler

Oh my!! My second recipe of the day without any pictures!! I'll have to redeem myself by making these dishes again! LOL This dessert went quickly at a party I held over the weekend. Add some ice cream for a yummy summer treat!

What you need:
a 1 1/2 -quart microwave/baking dish
1 21oz can cherry pie filling
2 tbsp orange juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups Original Bisquick mix
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp butter, softened
1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1. Heat oven 350.
2. In Mix pie filling, orange juice and vanilla extract in bowl.
3. Microwave uncovered about 4 minutes or until bubbly around edge; stir.
4. In a bowl, mix remaining ingrediants until dough forms.
5. Drop dough onto warm pie filling.
6. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Black-Eyed Pea Salad (or is it Salsa?)

Now I love me some black-eyes peas and this was right up my alley. Sorry to say that I don't have any pictures to go with this blog entry (boring, I know!) but trust and beleive it was a tasty treat!

What you need:
1/2 tsp salt
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
2 large tomatos, chopped
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
1 15oz can black-eyes peas, drained
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped (optional)
1 bad of Tostitos Scoops

1. Combine salt and garlic in a medium bowl; mash together.
2. Add rice wine vinegar, olive oil and cumin, mixing well.
3. Add tomatos, cilantro, black-eyes peas and jalapeno pepper; toss well.
4. Serve with Scoops and Enjoy!

Pinecone Bird Feeder

Ok, now the birds are out singing thier spring songs, I thought why not give them something for all their hard, singsongy work? I found this craft to be very easy!

What you need:
a bag of bird seed
CRISCO shortening
twine/string
pinecones

1. I tied some twine around my pinecone. I figured that would be easier first instead of doing it after it was greasy and covered in seeds.

2. I poured some bird seed into a bowl. 

3. I use a spoon and spread, best I can, shortening all over the pinecone. Make sure to get it into the spaces!

4. I proceed to pat/roll the greased up pinecone in the bowl of bird seed.

My neighbors tree has overhanging branches in my backyard so I hung two feeders on the branches.

Funnel Cake

It's that time of year where the carnivals start setting up thier tents and kiddie rides. A time for candied apples, snocones, wispy cotton candy and funnel cakes. So I decided to try to make a funnel cake at home. I tried to use my funnel but the batter waswn't cooperating and did more of a drop-drop-drop into the fryer. I then poured straight from the bowl which was a bit better. I just think I need to practice more with my pour method. The end product was yummy!

You can use a deep-fryer set at 375 or a skillet to make this. I opted to use my cast-iron skillet on the stove-top.

What you need:

2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
oil for deep frying
powdered sugar, to shake over funnel cake

1. Combine the eggs, milk, and brown sugar; combine the flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Mix everything together until smooth.

3. Using a funnel (use finger to cover spout), hold several inches above the oil, move finger to release batter. Move funnel in circle or whatever fancy design yu wish. :-)
4. Fry each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

5. Dust with powdered sugar.

Glazed Lemon Pound Cake

Not that I needed any more dessert in my kitchen but this cake was fairly simple to make. Plus I'm not big into lemon cake -so why make it? Because I can scratch it off my been there-done that list. Who says I'm not well-rounded?  ????

ok, so here's what you need:

CAKE:
2 1/2 cups Original Bisquick mix
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter, melted
3 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 tbsp grated lemon peel or lemon juice (I used lemon juice)

GLAZE:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice


1. Heat your oven to 325. I sprayed my bundt pan with baking spray w/ flour.

2. Beat all the cake ingrediants except the lemon peel (or juice) with a mixer on medium speed for about 3 minutes.
3. Stir the lemon.

4. Pour into pan
5. Bake approx 45-50 minutes or use toothpick method; insert toothpick, if it comes out clean - you are done!
6. Remove cake from pan and place on cooling rack. Cool for 1 hour.
7. In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and lemon juice.

8. Drizzle glaze over cake.