Banana Milk Drink

So I found this recipe on allrecipes.com but changed it up.

1 large ripe banana
1 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons honey ( the original recipe called for sugar)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 dash ground cinnamon *optional* the original recipe called for it but it's good with or without.
Hand full of ice

Directions

Place the ingredients in a blender except cinnamon; cover and process until smooth. Pour into glasses; sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Serve immediately.

Cookies, Cookies, Cookies!

Coconut Macaroons

1 (14) ounce Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk ( I didn't have any on hand, so I made my own) *Recipe below*
1 egg white, whipped
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract
1 (14) ounce packaged flaked coconut

1.Preheat oven to 325*
2.In large bowl, combine the condensed milk, egg white, extracts and coconut; mix well. Drop by teaspoons onto foil-lined greased & floured baking sheets; slightly flatten each mounded with a spoon.
3. Bake 15-17 mins or until lightly browned around the edges. Immediately remove from baking sheets. ( Macaroons will stick if allowed to cool on baking sheets0; cool on wire racks. Store loosely covered at room temperature. Makes about 4 dozen.

SWEETENED CONDENSED MILK SUBSTITUTE
2 eggs
1 c. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
Mix all ingredients and use as a substitute for sweetened condensed milk in recipes for pies, bars and desserts.

*Pecan Pie Cookies*

Cookie
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
3/4 cup land O Lakes butter, softened
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Filling
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup firmly packe brown sugar
1/4 cup Heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla

Heat oven to 350*
Combine all cookie ingredients except flour & baking powder in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until creamy. Reduce speed to low; add flour & baking powder. Beat until well mixed.

Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls. Place 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Make indentation in each cookie with thumb; rotate thumb to hollow out slightly.

Combine all the filling ingredients in small bowl; fill each cookie with 1 rounded teaspoon filling.

Bake 8-12 minutes or until lightly browned.
Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets.

It's that time of the year!!

We had our family pictures taken on Saturday by the amazing Live View Studios : http://www.liveviewstudios.com/

Here some of our pictures:











We have family newsletter that I will be posting in the next couple days! Be on the look out for that! Have a blessed Monday!

Love never fails,
Sarah Nicholson


"Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men"
Psalm 07:8

Throw Pillows~

Last night I stayed up super late, but it was worth it to make these super cute throw pillows! I ended up using some curtains that I found at local thrift store for the fabric!

You will need:
fabric
pillow stuffing
ruler
pencil

I cut two pieces of fabric 15x15 right-sides together & doubled sewed all the sides together so they wouldn't come undone in the wash. Then I stuffed them with pillow stuffing & sewed the final hem!

My favorite Pizza Crust

Ingredients

2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar I have used Honey in place & it taste just as good.
1 1/2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
Directions
Very easy to make in kitchenaid or any other mixer.
In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast and brown sugar or honey in the water, and let sit for 10 minutes.
Stir the salt and flour all together in the bowl. After the yeast has set, add in the oil. Then add spoons of flour until its all mixed together. Let it knead in the mixer until the dough isn't sticky
Place the dough into a well oiled bowl, and cover with a cloth. Let the dough rise until double; this should take about 1 hour. Punch down the dough, and form a tight ball. Allow the dough to relax for a minute before rolling out.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). If you are baking the dough on a pizza stone, you may place your toppings on the dough, and bake immediately. If you are baking your pizza in a pan, lightly oil the pan, and let the dough rise for 15 or 20 minutes before topping and baking it.
Bake pizza in preheated oven, until the cheese and crust are golden brown, about 15 to 20 minutes.

2 new favorite recipes of mine!

Yummy Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
Ingredients

1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
Directions

Mix the mayonnaise, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice together in a bowl. Cover and chill in refrigerator overnight.


I made this & was in love with it! It's amazing to dip your french fries, or chicken into! Recipe for chicken is right below!


Honey Grilled Chicken
Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/3 cup honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Directions

Preheat a grill for medium heat.
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in honey and lemon juice. Reserve half for basting, and brush the other half onto the chicken breasts.
Lightly oil the grill grate, and place chicken on the grill. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, turning frequently. Baste often during the last 5 minutes. Chicken is done when the meat is firm, and juices run clear.




Along with the chicken, I made french fries, & sautéed apples! I just took about 3 tablespoons of butter, melted in a fry pan & threw the apples into the pan. Then I added about 2 Tablespoons of sugar & a few dashes of cinnamon & about a dash or two of nutmeg! Delish I tell you!! Delish!

New Recipe & Mini Update!

Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted in a long time! We went on vacation in August to the beach here in NC=) It was amazing & much needed!






Then September consisted of preparing to move & moving!


Our new house = )



Onto the goodies now!
The other day I made these amazing scones that were so simple to make & very yummy!


Cranberry Orange Glazed Wheat Scones



Makes 15 scones

Ingredients
2 1/3 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup butter (soften)
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries (i.e. Craisins®)
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup orange juice ( I used fresh squeeze orange juice from oranges that I took off the zest from)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a baking sheet.
In a large bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, wheat germ, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg. Mix in shortening until everything looks crumbly. Stir in the cranberries and orange zest. In a separate bowl, stir together the egg, milk and orange juice. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Stir until dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead briefly to get the dough to hold together. Roll out to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into circles with a biscuit cutter. Place scones 2 inches apart on the baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven until the tops and bottoms are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Then after they baked, I took some fresh orange juice , added some sugar & boil it for about 5 mins & pour it over the scones! It sure was yummy!



Have a blessed Sunday,

Love never fails,
Sarah