GO BREWERS!!!

photo courtesy of  brewers.com

National League Central Champions!!

Way to go Milwaukee!!!!!

Can't wait to see what happens next!



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"Leftover Rice" Pudding

Hi Friends.  I have so many things I want to share, I hardly know where to begin.  But I do know where to begin because I don't have a lot of time, that's been a huge problemo of mine.  I have all kinds of ideas in my head and no time to act on them....GRRRRR....  it is beginning to be my very favorite time of year and I want to decorate and shop and make my house into a fall festivity....hopefully I will find time before fall is over to do that!!  In the meantime, I will just share with you a recipe that my boy practically did a dance over.  In fact, his words were.."dad, you have to try this, it's so good.  No, dad, it's not just good, it's REALLY good."  In other words... if you don't have an overly picky kid, they will probably like it and if you are like us, there is always leftover rice after chinese takeout...a perfect ingredient for this!

Leftover Rice Pudding with Cinnamon and Raisins (adapted from Robin Miller)

2/3 cup skim milk

1/2 of an 8 oz. container of light cream cheese

2 cups leftover rice

1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (actually, apricots would probably be delish too)

2 T honey

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla

-In a medium saucepan, stir milk and cream cheese until blended and smooth.  Add remaining ingredients and set over medium heat.  Bring to a simmer, then continue to simmer until the liquid reduces and the mixture thickens...about 10 min.  Make sure to stir frequently!  Serve warm, cool or at room temp.  I served it warm right away and YUM!   Also chilled and served...YUM!  Also, chilled and reheated 2 days later and yep, still YUM!

**  Ideally I would like to make this with brown rice (just so much healthier!) but I can't stand the boxes of leftover rice we get with Chinese food just sitting there so I had to make something.  This was a nice sweet (but not too sweet) snack and side dish.  I cut out some of the sugar and replaced with honey and I think it was absolutely perfect!  A great fall treat!  Let me know if you try it and more importantly if you like it :)

Until I get more time to blog...

Parent's Independence Day!

or..first day of school!

Just wanted to share a little treat that I made for some of my very favorite kiddos!  (yes, my own, but also others...)

Saw these many different places but here is my version and what I used!

Apple Rice Krispie Treats

Followed the "typical krispie treat recipe"

3T Butter

1 bag large marshmellows

6 cups rice krispies

red food coloring (I used Wilton gels)

pretzel pieces

green tootsie rolls cut into leaf shapes or green jelly beans sliced long

-Melt butter and marshmallows over low heat.  Add food coloring when almost melted and stir until all red! 

-Remove from heat, add rice krispies and stir until well coated and everything is red!

-Spray your hands with cooking spray and grab a handful and shape into balls.

-Smoosh a little pretzel stem in there and a tootsie roll leaf (or whatever you decide to use..just make sure it is sticky or it'll fall off!)  Let stand 20 min. or so to "harden"

Serve or dress up in a little bag and deliver to some awesome kids!