Easy skillet monkey bread

It's quiet.  I started preschool this morning with Weston, my littlest.  He cried and we didn't even leave the house.  I will leave that story for another day.  There is a calmness at my house that I haven't seen since. . . well. . . I don't remember.  It's peaceful.  I may never leave the house again.  Oh, wait.  We have to eat.  Well, I will leave the house to get food. . . and Starbucks.   Oh, and maybe to pick up Ethan from school.  But other than that, I am going to be a home body this year.  

Anyways, Now I am rambling and it's still quiet.  So, let me share this amazing breakfast treat (I am really sure that it's not good for you. . . which is perfectly fine every now and then, if you ask me!).  This recipe uses one of my favorite kitchen skillet. . . the Cast Iron.  Feel some Cast Iron love!  

Take a tablespoon or two and rub it all over your skillet.  It's already seasoned and if you forget this part, it probably won't matter.  It just helps add some butter to underneath.  

My skillet is the Lodge 8inch, so if you are using the 12 inch., you will need 2 packages of biscuits.  Put some sugar and cinnamon in a bowl.  No measuring required, just eye ball it.  I usually go heavier on the cinnamon, but it is completely up to your taste preferences.

Cut your bisucuits up into pieces. I just cut them into fourths.

Roll them around a few times in your cinnamon sugar mixture.  Get them nice and covered.

Throw them in your skillet.

Melt some butter.

Add some brown sugar

Give it a good stir until it is nice and smooth.

Pour it over your biscuits.

Stick in oven.  I did mine at 375, which is what is recommended by Pillsbury.

While that is baking, mix some powdered sugar with a tablespoon of softenend butter.  Then add some milk to taste.  I also added a smidge of cinnamon to the sugar for extra flavor.

Stir until nice and creamy.  And drizzle over the top of cooked biscuits.

Happy Eating!  

Back to School & Ethan's First Day!

The summer is over!  I am ecstatic!  I am completely ready for all things fall and pumpkin spice lattes.  But, first, the new school year!  This year, I officially have a kindergartner.  Not a whole lot has changed from last year to this year with our schedule and routine.  But, I did get a little creative, even though I did pretty much the same thing as last year (the printable is still there, if you want to print it).   But, this year, I changed it up a bit. . . and I think I like it.

 I really like the yellow chalk look!  Plus, it had to have bunting (because, I love bunting!).  I have one made for preschool and kindergarten, and if you want me to send you the link, feel free to comment with your email address and I will get that to you as soon as possible.

 This year, I had a thought about making the cookie look like someone took a bite out of it.  I had see some Cookie Monster like themes for birthdays, but I thought it might look cool.  I am pretty happy with it.  At the bottom of this post is a link to the printable and the directions are on it.  There are also two different size options.  Have fun!

 And now for this cutie!  He is just growing up way too quick!  Hard to believe I started this blog just after he was born as an outlet.  And now look, we're starting Kindergarten!  He's kind of a pro at this whole going to school thing since he did TK last year.  It's going to be a fun year. . . I just know it!

And yes.  He wants to be a Jedi.  A Jedi, so he can fight Darth Vader.   He's kind of a Star Wars fan!


free printable can be found here.

Making progress and making lists

I'm making progress on one of the littles quilts.  Most likely for Weston, our little surfer boy.  I fell in love with this fabric one day during spring break.   It has been cut up and is now being sewn up.  But don't let the 9 patch fool you. . . it's going to disappear shortly.  I have made the same pattern way back here.  It's a super fun quilt and I am sooo very excited to see it finished.  

I need to iron Ethan's rectangles, but my ironing happens in the garage and quite frankly it's just too hot.  So until then, my focus is on this quilt and Ethan's birthday party.  

Lists are starting to happen like crazy.  I have avoided them all summer.  But, now as school approaches (next week, folks!), I feel like I need to get things done.  

My house is a fairly clean.   But, you wouldn't know that by the piles of activities piled on our dining room table and counters.  I must de-clutter.  soon.  it's driving me crazy! 

I am starting Weston with preschool this year.  He has really developed a love for learning this year, where as last year he could have cared less.  I am excited to get things going and start playing with some of our new things!  

Ethan's birthday party is coming soon and I need to get things going with that.  The invitation is almost complete and then to start getting crafty and making preparations.  I think it's going to be super cute!  

I just ordered some new stamps to play with and I am sure some play time will need to be scheduled.  

So, for now, I am going to go play with my boys.  And enjoy them  both being home for one more week.  But, to keep it real, I CANNOT wait for school to start. . . he is ready!  

Happy Monday! 

Peach Cobbler deliciousness

 We survived the second to last week of Summer vacation.  It helped that it wasn't 110 outside. We actually celebrated seeing it at 99 one day.  We even joked that we would have to bring out the sweatshirts (ha ha ha).  We hung out with friends and ate free Jamba Juice and saw my parents, who were back from their very long 2 month summer trek (our fridge has the postcards to prove it!).  This week, the hubby even brought up the fact that I haven't baked a single cookie all summer.  In fact, I haven't done much baking at all. 

 So, this afternoon, I had a crazy thought. . . why  not make some cobbler?  And wouldn't they look cute in those jars I bought for this?  So I spent some time (really, it was a lot) perusing Pinterest and searching for just the right recipe.   I didn't want a huge batch, just enough to fill up a couple jars.  I finally found this one, and decided to play with it a bit.  I really wasn't sure how it was going to turn out, especially since I opted not to add butter, decreased the sugar, and substituted almond milk.  Sometimes it doesn't work because recipes thrive on the milk fat.  But this worked.  And it worked beautifully.  It may have even been better because of the sweet, vanilla flavor of the almond milk (pure speculation, of course!).  It even tasted wonderful with some So Delicious Coconut Milk Vanilla Bean ice "cream".  I may also be obsessed now with baking desserts in cute jars.  Don't judge.  

Amazing Peach Cobbler
adapted from here

Ingredients:
3 heaping cups of sliced peaches (I didn't peel mine)
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbs flour
1 Tbs lemon juice
1 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbs sugar
3 Tbs shortening
1/2 cup Vanilla Almond Milk
cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425.
Slice your peaches. I recommend cutting them into 1 inch chunks if you are going to be making them in jars or ramekins.  Sprinkle sugar and flour into your bowl of peaches.  Toss to coat.  Drizzle with lemon juice (Confession: I didn't measure mine).  Set aside.  Sugar will help release the natural juices in the peaches.
In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt and sugar.  Toss with a fork.  Add shortening and stir with a fork until light and crumbly.  Pour in almond milk and stir until it looks like you could make biscuits. . . it will be almost in a ball.
Spoon peaches into your jars (or pour into a 9x9 inch baking dish).  Take a spoon full of dough and spread it out the size of your ramekin and press it in to cover.  Or just put spoonfuls all over the top of your peaches, if you are making in one dish.

Put your ramekins/jars on a baking sheet lined with a silpat or parchment paper (you will thank me for this. . . as some of the juices will bubble out the top).  Stick in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Mine made about 7-8 little jars.  They were the perfect serving, too!

Late Night Stamping

I've been staying up really late this summer.  I can't help it.  It's so peaceful and quiet.  I've been reading books and cutting out fabric, but one of my favorite things I has been just sitting and stamping.  

I came up with this card one night and was instantly in love.  I absolutely love the grey, turquoise and yellow color scheme (It does match my bathroom after all!).  The stamp set used was Tape It, by Stampin Up and the "hey there friend" stamp is from a My Paper Pumpkin Kit.   

I am probably going to stay up late tonight and stamp some more.  I borrowed a few stamps from my mom and I am pretty sure she's going to want them back when she comes up tomorrow (she's been gone for 2 months).  Maybe she'll forget about the Perfect Pennants?  I am having too much fun!