Praline Cheesecake Squares

Recipe shared with me by Holly M.

24 servings

Crust ingredients:

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup melted butter

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

1 Tbsp. powdered sugar

In a large bowl combine crust ingredients. Mix well then press into the bottom of an 8x8 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until crust is set and light golden brown around the edges.

Cheesecake ingredients:

12 oz. softened cream cheese

2 eggs

2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

In a large mixing bike beat cream cheese with an electric mixwe on low to medium speed until smooth. Add eggs; beat well. Beat in sweetened condensed milk, granulated sugar and vanilla.  Pour over baked crust. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes until set. Cool in pan on a wire rack.

Topping ingredients:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup whipping cream

1/2 cup chopped pecans

1 tsp. vanilla

In a medium saucepan combine brown sugar and whipping cream. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture boils; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in chopped pecans and vanilla. Pour over cheesecake. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours before serving. Cut into 1 1/2-2 inch squares.

*To make a regular 9x13 pan just double the recipe.

***OH HEAVEN!! I first had this yummy dessert at a baby shower that was thrown for me 7 years ago. I of course asked for the recipe from my friend. It has become the dessert that I request for Mother's Day. And just maybe I will share with those close by!

 

Sewing Projects

My daughter and I did these bags together. She found a pattern and decided she wanted to make some bags and try to sell them. I thought it would be a good teaching opportunity. I decided I would make one and as I made one, I would show her and she could make her own. She did an awesome job for her first sewing project. We thought the bags would be a good size for a scripture bag....They are a lot bigger! I actually use mine for a purse! I love how they turned out! And no, we haven't made anymore since because there was a lot more cutting out and detailed work to make it worth trying to sell them!

Crocheted Baby Slippers

My second ever pair of booty's that I have crocheted myself! I am really pleased with how they turned out. I made these for my cute little niece that was recently blessed.

Valentine Shirts

This was last years Valentine shirts. They still fit 3 of my 4 girls this year. My sis-in-law and I made these for our girls.

I found plain shirts at Old Navy on clearance. We used Valentine Doilies as stencils. We also used fabric paint but I'm sure your basic toll paints will work since I can never get them out of clothes that I accidentally spill on. I centered then taped the heart on so it wouldn't move, put a piece of card stock inside the shirt so the paint would go through to the back of the shirt, then used a sponge brush and tapped (like patting) the paint on. I Loved how they turned out! A very fun and cute idea for Valentines! 

My sis-in-law also helped me make these cork-screw hairbows to match the Valentine shirts. Sooo Cute!She made it look so easy...glad she could make mine look cute! 

I Love making hearts in their hair for Valentines!

Valentine Oreo Cookies

 

2 boxes strawberry flavored cake mix

1 cup vegetable oil (or 1 1/2 cups shortening)

4 eggs

Combine ingredients in mixing bowl til well blended. Form dough into a 1-1 1/2" balls. To shape into a heart I took a butter knife and sliced into one side of the ball just a little bit to make the top of the heart. I then took the dough that is on each side of the knife and pulled away from the knife, creating space between the slit I made with the knife. I then squeezed the dough together on the opposite end from the slit, creating the bottom point of the heart. I did have to flatten the top (face) of the heart just a bit too. Be creative and make a heart how you can.

Place on cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 min. Til the top starts to crack and lose it's gloss.

Let the cookie cool then make a sandwich with the filling...

Filling:

1 (8 oz) package cream cheese

1/4 cup butter

1 TB vanilla

2 3/4 cups powdered sugar

*I found this recipe on pinterest. I was worried the strawberry cookie was going to be too sweet, but the husband gave them 2 thumbs! Definitely a fun new Valentine treat we will be doing again!

Team Kenton

UPDATED...
Dear Family and Friends...
I want to share with you about an AMAZING young man.

Kenton Reynolds....

I first heard about Kenton from seeing on several signs around town that said, "TEAM KENTON". I was very curious to find out what TEAM KENTON was and it didn't take me long to find out on FB seeing as all my neighbors knew who HE was.

Then, my daughter, Brindley came home from school and told me about Kenton. She knew Kenton from school. She shared with me how funny Kenton was and that everyone loved to be around him. Brindley said that one time on the bus ride home they were talking and he told her how excited he was to go to Young Men's at church.

I have been following his story for awhile now. Kenton was diagnosed with Leukemia in June of 2012. He has gone through all the treatments along with a bone marrow transplant. Last week they shared with everyone the news that no one wants to hear.

I want everyone to know of this Young Man. With out even meeting him in person, he has taught me and my family so much. He is a Super Hero to me. Our family prays for him daily and I ask if all of you would remember him and his Dad, Mom and younger sister in your prayers.

You can find out more about Kenton and his family on his FB page: TEAM KENTON

From what I understand, the parents are taking time from work to spend their time with him. Their income will be cut and they will need help with expenses. Even $5 will help them. If you would like to help you can do a paypal donation at (chubby dog@comcast.net), or you can donate at Wells Fargo Team Kenton account. Thanks so much!

Kenton, you are one of Heavenly Father's choicest spirits.

Steak Marinade AKA Carne Asada Marinade

Recipe taken from Allrecipes.com.

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/3 cup lime juice

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup soy sauce

1 teaspoon finely chopped canned chipotle pepper (we substitute crushed red pepper for this) 

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped (we leave this out for the steak marinade)

1/2 cup olive oil

If using for steak marinade:

Whisk all ingredients together. Place 3 lbs of your choice of cut steak in a double zip gallon bag. Pour marinade in back. Zip it and massage meat with the marinade. Place in fridge and let marinate for several hours. The longer the marinate the more flavor in the steak. We usually start it 18-24 hours before. Turn steaks and massage them every few hours. (I don't miss my sleep to do this. :)) When ready, remove steaks from bag, grill them over medium high heat til cooked to your likeness. (When blood starts to sweat from the top of the steak, turn it over.) Discard the used Marinade!

If using for a marinade for Carne Asada:

Combine the orange, lemon, and lime juice in a large glass or ceramic bowl along with the garlic, soy sauce, chipotle pepper, chili power, ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, black pepper, and cilantro. Slowly whisk in the olive oil until marinade is well combined. Remove one cup of the marinade and place in a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for use after the meat is cooked.

Place the flank steak between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface. Firmly pound the steak with the smooth side of a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/4 inch. After pounding, poke steak all over with a fork. Add the meat to the marinade in the large bowl, cover, and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 24 hours.

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat, and lightly oil the grate.

Remove the steak from the marinade and grill to desired doneness, about 5 minutes per side for medium rare. Discard used marinade. Remove meat from heat and slice across the grain.

Pour the one cup of reserved, unused marinade over the hot meat and serve immediately.

**Jim found this recipe and used it for Carne Asada when we did our Cinco De Mayo dinner. I was hesitant to try it, but when I did...I LOVED IT! We now use it to marinate our steak. I don't use my Hienz 57 anymore! YUMMIEST WAY TO HAVE A STEAK!