WHAT'S UP WEDNESDAY OH MY JULY

Happy middle of Summer, middle of the week, my friends! July has been jampacked, and I am absorbing every second. Let’s get to What’s Up Wednesday with Shay and Schaefer. This post is jam packed and I think you’ll love it!

1: WHAT WE’RE EATING THIS WEEK: All kinds of summer goodness including Fair food and a breakfast at a great diner in Cincinnati called Sugar & Spice. But I did so bad on 2 trips this month that it’s back on the healthy food wagon for awhile. 

I’ve also made my Sheet Pan Mongolian Beef, Turkey Crescent Bake, and lots of these salads.

 

2. WHAT I’M REMINISCING ABOUT: of course, always reminiscing about up north (Michigan), the hunt for property is on! 

3: WHAT I’M LOVING: Flowers and Hummingbirds. Friends, a hummingbird perch is really a thing. They will sit on there to overlook their food source i.e. my hummingbird feeders. Mom got it for us. It took one a while to start doing it, but now he is. I caught it on camera through the blinds. Get one here HERE

LOVELY LEMON Colored HIBISCUS

The Front of the HOUSE this Year and all the LOVELY Bubblegum Pink Petunias!

AND buying all the things for the baby girls. Recently I got them a bunch of outfits; this is one for next summer. Get these outfits HERE! (On clearance!!!!) LOTS of Baby Clothes on clearance.

4: WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO: So much! Just to name a few. We went to the country fair with mom to see the most amazing “clean” comedian (no vulgarity or cussing) named John Crist and Laughed for 2 hrs straight. Saw a drone show at the Fair, we went to Cinci to see a boy, his girl and had a blast at a Reds game and Mr. Nine got a new Raptor (truck, lol) 

 

5: WHAT I’M DREADING: Summer coming to an end BUT I LOVE FALL. 

 

6: WHAT I’M WORKING ON: The Baby Shower of course! SO MUCH FUN! It’s going to be absolutely spectacular. I will have a post or 2 completely dedicated to the shower because I know it’ll be fun for y’all not to mention inspiration for parties.

 

Many of the things I am buying, but of course I am crafting some of my own banners, posters, displays, etc. I created this of the daddy to be to go on the cookie table; a photo when he was one month old right after a feeding. So cute. 

How adorable is this Feather lamp?

Look at these two big sweet bunnies that are going to go up on a shelf. 

 

7: WHAT I’M EXCITED ABOUT: Well, I think that’s a given, having first time grand babies, celebrating with everyone at the shower; looks like there’s going to be dozens of people attending!

 

8: WHAT I’M WATCHING & READING:

Watching

The Bear, Hijack, and the reboot of Justified on FX.

Reading 

Twenty Years Later. Get it HERE.

 

9: WHAT I’M LISTENING TO: Always Country, classic country, 80’s and Classic Rock

AND

I’m finally on the podcast train: Smartless and Net Positive right now. Thinking about starting my own. 

 

10: WHAT I’M WEARING: mostly shorts, T-shirts, bathing suits, but occasionally getting dressier, lol

Top HERE // Pants HERE // Necklace Set HERE // Sandals HERE

Dress HERE (under $25..so flattering) // Necklace Set HERE // Sandals HERE // Earrings HERE

 

11: WHAT I’M DOING THIS WEEKEND:

Quick Girls Trip

Dinner with Friends aka the Work Wives

Working on Baby Shower Stuff

 

12: WHAT I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT MONTH: The Baby Shower, a trip to Mackinac Island, Soaking up lots more Summer…

 

13: FAVORITE AMAZON FIND: So much lately, which I will share soon, but HOW this makes me FEEL is definitely a Favorite. Electrolyte replacement with half a pack first thing in the morning has changed my life especially during this crappy menopause stage. GET IT RIGHT HERE!

 Hope your week is going GREAT!

LOVE YOU ALL!

 

 LINKING-UP with Momfessionals Friday Favorites // Metamorphosis Monday // Thursday Fashion Files // Mix and Match Mama // Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Sundays on Silverado

xoxo

 

 

CHEESECAKE FLUFF....LOW CARB..BUT YOU'D NEVER KNOW

Friends, I don’t know about you but coming off the holidays and winter hibernation, has me really trying to stay away from sugar, but I have such a sweet tooth that I’m always looking for low carb sweet treats! Remember the Cookie Dough Bombs? Well, enter this amazing cheesecake fluff, you can alter it with several different kinds of pudding mixes for various flavors, but this Cheesecake is my favorite! And I'm such a cream girl, I don't even want a crust, just the creamy filling of anything!!

This is so fluffy and I absolutely adore it with sliced strawberries but it's great as a fruit dip and heck, I stand at the fridge and just eat it with a spoon! Anybody else do that? LOL!! But here, I've put in it in little dessert cups which makes it even more of a treat. 

What you'll Need

INGREDIENTS

1 package sugar-free cheesecake pudding mix

1 8-ounce brick of cream cheese, I use third third less fat, softened

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup water

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract 

DIRECTIONS

In a med-large mixing bowl, with a hand mixer, mix the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract and abut 1/2 of the whipping cream on low-med speed. Slowly mix in rest of the whipping cream and water on low as not to splatter. Mix in pudding mix and turn mixer to high, whipping all ingredients until creamy. Refrigerate for a couple hours before serving.

 

YUMMY!!!

Low Carb, Keto, Diets of all kinds, this is sure to be a winner. Unless, like me, you eat the entire container of it in 2 days, lol! 

Enjoy and have a great week ahead!

LINKING-UP with Metamorphosis Monday// // Love your Creativity // Hello Monday // Inspire Me Tuesday // Farmhouse Friday

xOxO

SWEEPSTAKES PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

It just blows my mind that I realized I have never shared my award-winning peanut butter fudge with you! Many people love it so much, they request a whole pan to themselves. This yummy fudge won me my first purple sweepstakes ribbon many years ago at our county fair. It is literally the easiest fudge recipe ever! I cannot even begin to tell you how many batches I make each holiday season of this! I always prep ahead by sifting several pounds of powdered sugar and cutting all my wax paper to fit the pans. It saves so much time. The key to this amazing fudge is to use really really good butter. I’m talking like a European salted butter or an extra creamy butter and definitely make sure you use a salted variety.
Yum

The really cool part is that this is made in the microwave which makes it super easy and quick. I always have lots of powdered sugar sifted ahead of time as well as my wax or parchment paper cut to fit the pans.

What you'll need

Sweepstakes Peanut Butter Fudge

INGREDIENTS 

1 1/2 sticks salted butter

1 cup creamy peanut butter

3 1/2 cups shifted powdered sugar

1 tsp. Vanilla extract 

DIRECTIONS 

Cut two pieces of wax or parchment paper to fit an 8 x 8 pan. Spray that 8 x 8 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and line with a piece of the wax or parchment paper. Spray with nonstick cooking spray again reserve a piece of wax or parchment paper for the top of fudge. 

In a large microwave safe glass bowl or large glass measuring cup, place the butter and peanut butter and microwave for 2 minutes, remove, stir and microwave for another two minutes. The mixture will be bubbling so remove and quickly stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla until all the powdered sugar is blended in well transfer to your lined baking dish and smooth out the fudge as evenly as you can with a spoon or spatula. Top with the other piece of wax or parchment paper and smooth down again with one of your utensils. Place in the refrigerator for one hour. Remove and cut into squares. Store in an airtight container or if you like your fudge cold, the refrigerator.

 Here is my large measuring cup I microwave the butter and PB in. 

I went back under the waxed paper and smoothed down the bubbles.

HAPPY TASTY TUESDAY!

Linking up with Tasty Tuesdays // Wonderful Wednesday's Blog Hop // Full Plate Thursday // Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday // Creative Muster Party // Wow Us Wednesdays // Thursday Favorite things Blog Hop //Best Of The Weekend// Handmade Hangout // Grace At Home // Two Cup Tuesday // The SITS Girls // Create, Make, Take // Dishing It & Digging It // Feathered Nest Friday  // Pretty Pintastic Party // Metamorphosis Monday // The Scoop  // Best Friday Features //  Meal Plan Monday #140 // Delicious Dishes Recipe Party  // Clever Chicks Blog Hop // Cooking & Crafting with J&J // Sweet Inspiration Link-Party // Tuesday Talk with Erika and Ashley

xoxo

AMISH APPLE FRITTER BREAD

I make lots of goodies to give to family and friends over the holidays. Why is it, I never think to give someone a yummy loaf of bread? I know it is something that I’ve loved receiving in the past so I decided to use a local Amish favorite recipe to share with you all today. This apple fritter bread bakes up so nice and has the most delightful flavor that almost anyone would find yummy. I know someone who doesn’t really like apples, but still loves this delightful loaf of apple goodness! 

The drizzly powdered sugar glaze gives it that something extra special.

What you'll need
Oh and someone asked me my favorite Bread Loaf Pans..
It's the Farberware and Wilton ones.

Amish Apple Fritter Bread

INGREDIENTS 

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp. Cinnamon

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. Vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

1 1/2 cups diced apples (about 4 med apples) mixed with a little cinnamon and sugar to coat. 

Powdered Sugar Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 Tablespoon butter, softened

2 tablespoons milk

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350°. Spray loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray so it slides out easily. Mix the first two ingredients, the brown sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugar and butter until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until blended. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add this mixture to the other and stir until well blended. Pour the milk into the batter and blend until smooth. Pour half the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Then add half of your chopped apple mixture. Pour the rest of the batter on top of the apples. Top with remaining apples and pat them slightly into the batter. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture you had set aside. Bake in a preheated oven until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, approximately 60 to 70 minutes. To make the powdered sugar glaze, blend the powdered sugar and butter together until smooth, mix in the milk and vanilla until a nice, smooth glaze consistency. Let the Apple fritter loaf cool about 30 minutes before pouring the glaze on top. Wrap up to give as gifts or slice into desired slices. 

Middle apple layer with the apples mixed with Cinnamon & Sugar. 

More apples patted into batter on top and then topped with the brown sugar mix. 

Baking up golden brown like a giant apple fritter. 

Just look at those chunky moist apples in the middle. 

Make sure you check out these other 

GREAT GIFT GIVING RECIPES!

SWEEPSTAKES PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE

and

White Chocolate Dipped Snickerdoodles

HAPPY TASTY TUESDAY!

xoxo