bloomin' fantastic

Jalapeno Popper Pulls via Plain Chicken

Cheesy Mushroom Pull-Apart Bread via Beantown Baker

Cheddar Bacon Ranch Pulls via Plain Chicken

Bloomin' Pizza Bread via The Girl Who Ate Everything

Bloomin' Gooey Cheese Bread via Ex-PressO

justin boots giveaway!

Farmer's Trophy Wife {also a great blog!} is giving away a free pair of boots from Justin Boots. Go here to enter! Mama needs a new pair of boots!

single deep dish chocolate chip cookie

Single Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookie

image & recipe via The Happy Life

1 tbsp. butter, melted

1 tbsp. white sugar

1 tbsp. brown sugar

3 drops of vanilla

pinch of salt

1 egg yolk

1/4 c. flour

2 tbsp. chocolate chips 

In a bowl, mix together butter, sugars, vanilla and egg yolk. Add in the flour and salt. Mix until combined. Add in the chocolate chips. 

Put the dough into a small microwaveable bowl, ramekin, or coffee cup. Microwave for 40-60 seconds or until the cookie looks done. 

Best served warm…enjoy!

flavored water...my new fascination

Not Enough Thyme

The Yummy Life

The Peach Kitchen

Mount Evans

our little princess

summer snack ideas

Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip

Watermelon Cookies

Crunchy Peanut Butter Mix

Baked Oatmeal

100% Real Fruit Snacks

butterfly pavillion

memorial day

image via Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty Images

let the cookouts, picnics & parties begin!

Classic Cobb Salad

image via Style Me Pretty

Fruit Salad with Honey Lime Dressing

image via the kitchn

a hike at roxborough state park

pepperoni pizza grilled cheese

PEPPERONI PIZZA GRILLED CHEESE
recipe (adapted) & image via Forkful Of Comfort

4 slices of bread
Butter
Mozzarella, shredded
Pepperoni, quartered
Italian seasoning or basil
Parmesan cheese
Pizza sauce for dipping

Warm a large skillet over medium heat.

Butter bread on one side. Top unbuttered side with mozzarella, Italian Seasoning and Parmesan. Top with desired amount of pepperoni. Cook until golden brown on each side. Serve with pizza sauce. Wahla!

three cheese manicotti

THREE CHEESE MANICOTTI

recipe & images via Cooking Classy

Another winner! This was scrumptious! I didn't change a thing, but would think fresh herbs might make it even more delicious? This top photo is to show the manicotti...before ALL that yummy sauce is poured over it. Yum!

1 (8 oz) pkg Manicotti noodles

1 (15 oz) container Ricotta Cheese 
1 lb freshly grated Mozzarella Cheese (about 4 cups)
3 oz finely, freshly grated Parmesan cheese (about 3/4 cup)

2 large eggs

1 1/2 Tbsp dried parsley

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Marinara Sauce, recipe follows

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta according to directions listed on package and drain. In the meantime prepare Manicotti filling, in a large mixing bowl, using a fork blend together Ricotta cheese, eggs, parsley and pepper. Stir in grated Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese and mix until well blended. Divide cheese mixture evenly among the 14 manicotti noodles stuffing each one full. Align noodles in a single layer in a 13 x 9 baking dish. Pour marinara sauce evenly over filled manicotti noodles. Bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes. Serve warm.

Marinara Sauce:

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 (28 oz) cans crushed Roma tomatos

1 Tbsp dried basil

1 tsp dried parsley

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan, simmer 20 minutes (do this while preparing the filling and pasta).

run faster: workout song mix

1. Flo Rida ~ Good Feeling
2. Neon Trees ~ Everybody Talks
3. The Wanted ~ Glad You Came
4. Train ~ Drive By
5. Adele ~ Set Fire To the Rain
6. Cobra Starfish ~ You Make Me Feel
7. Katy Perry ~ Part Of Me
8. Eminem ~ Love the Way You Lie
9. Kelly Clarkson ~ Stronger
10. Pink ~ Raise Your Glass

coloring books for big kids

THIS is my new form of meditation! I originally bought one of these coloring books for my Mom a couple years ago, but Drew and I ended up coloring all the pages. These coloring books from Phil Lewis are so fun, I start one and can NOT put it down until it is done. It is completely relaxing and I just love all the detail he puts into each page. Would highly recommend his books {and some ultra fine point markers from Sharpie} for yourself or anyone in your life who STILL enjoys coloring! And I just discovered he is from Colorado, one more reason to love him!

image via Natural Curiosities

old gringo boots, i think i love you

Abby Rose Boots via Allen's Boots

Ellie Boots via Allen's Boots

Brass Mayra Boots via Allen's Boots

no-bake peanut butter cookies

NO-BAKE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

image & recipe via My Soul Is the Sky

I have been trying really hard not to bake lately...more focused on losing weight and getting back in shape! BUT, these little guys kept calling to me. So good! They remind me of my Grandma's peanut butter fudge. 

2 cups sugar
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup milk
1 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 cups rolled oats (old-fashioned)

In large saucepan, mix sugar, butter, and milk; bring to a full, roiling boil over med heat. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla, stirring until peanut butter is melted; stir in oats.

Working quickly, drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper (I use aluminum foil sprayed lightly with cooking spray.). Put in the refrigerator to set (I keep mine there). Enjoy!

stairway to heaven

image via Tumblr

The Haʻikū Stairs, also known as the Stairway To Heaven, is a steep hiking trail on the island of O'ahu. Wow!