Double Chip Oatmeal Cookie Bars

Homemade cookies are so much better than store bought ones.  Don't get me wrong.  I am very happy with a package of Oreos.  But they can't compete to homemade treats. 

It had been a while since I'd whipped up any homemade cookies.  These cookie bars sure hit the spot.  We all loved them.  I'll definitely be making these again.  Thanks, Cookin' Mimi, for the recipe!

Double Chip Oatmeal Cookie Bars

1-1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups quick or old fashioned oats
1-2/3 cups of mixed chocolate and peanut butter chips (Nestle makes a combination bag)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
Mix together flour, baking soda, and salt in a small mixing bowl. 
In a large bowl cream butter and sugars together.  Add eggs and vanilla and beat until mixed thoroughly.  Slowly add flour mixture and mix until just combined. 
Stir in oatmeal and chips by hand. 

Grease a 15"x10" jelly roll pan and spread mixture to the edges. 

Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. 

Cut, serve, and enjoy!

A Nicholas Sparks Book + Kleenex

These two things really go hand-in-hand. 

I finished the latest Nicholas Sparks book, The Best of Me, a few days ago. 

I cried.  Isn't it a given that you'll cry when reading one of his books?

I loved every single one of the 292 pages. 

{sigh}

Are you a Nicholas Sparks fan like me?  Which one is your favorite?

Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Freschetta Proud To Support Pink giveaway is #7 Tiffanee!  Congratulations :)

An email has been sent to the winner.  I will pick a new winner (via Random.org) if I do not hear back from the winner within 48 hours. 

Hope everyone has a great day today!

Pumpkin Muffins

I love most anything made with pumpkin!  This muffin recipe is from my childhood.  I'm not sure where my mom got it but it sure is a good one...so moist and full of yummy fall spices.  Hope you enjoy it!

Pumpkin Muffins

1 cup pumpkin  (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1-1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil  (I use canola oil)
2 eggs
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-2/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg

Combine all ingredients and mix well.  Pour into muffin tins.
Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes.


I've joined Tasty Tuesday at Balancing Beauty & Bedlam  and Feasting In Fellowship at Comfy In The Kitchen this week.  Stop by and see what everyone else is cooking!

Fun Birthday Card Treat

My kids and I had fun making Rob's birthday card the other day.  He loves candy, especially chocolate, so when I saw this cute idea I knew it would be perfect for him. 

I've seen different versions for birthdays, Mother's Day/Father's Day, Teacher Appreciation. 

It was a big hit...he LOVED it! 



The message reads...

Dad, We were going to give you a WHOPP ing 100 GRAND for your birthday but the money slipped through our BUTTERFINGERs.  We didn't have an EXTRA WHATCHAMACALLIT to sell and it wasn't PAYDAY.  We didn't think a pet KITKAT, a trip to New YORK, or an ORBIT around the MILKY WAY would be appropriate.  We do want to wish you MOUNDS of ALMOND JOY both NOW & LATER as  you eat this card.  We hope it doesn't make you ROLOver and get sick.  If it does we promise not to SNICKER.
Love your favorite AIRHEADS

*We couldn't find an individual package of Now & Later candy so we just wrote it in.

I'm joining Amanda's Weekend Bloggy Reading.  Stop by and see what everyone has been doing this week!

Giveaway ~ Freschetta Proud To Support Pink

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Freschetta is doing its part to support research be presenting the Freschetta Proud To Support Pink Program.  From September 25 through October 31 when you purchase specially marked packages of Freschetta pizzas and Artisan Pizza Crusts you will be helping them reach their goal of a $50,000 donation to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. 

These specially marked packages are printed with codes that you can enter at ProudToSupportPink.com.  For each entry code, the makers of Freschetta products will donate $1 to this center to support breast cancer research. 

While on our family vacation last week I picked up a couple of Freschetta pizzas for some quick lunches.  My husband and I like the Simply Inspired varieties but to keep everyone (the kids) happy, I went basic and chose the Brick Oven Pepperoni.  My daughter couldn't wait to be my spokes model for our lunch :) 

To kick off the campaign I received a Freschetta Proud To Support Pink prize pack that included...

1 coupon for a FREE Freschetta pizza (value up to $8.29)
2 pairs of Freschetta Proud To Support Pink earphones
  *1 pair to keep and enjoy
  *1 pair to share with a friend or family member

And even better than that...

One of my readers will win the same prize pack! 

Here's how to enter...

*Leave me a comment below telling me your favorite kind of pizza.  That's it.  Pretty easy, huh? 

Giveaway ends Tuesday, October 18, 2011.  Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to claim their prize before another winner is chosen. 



Disclosure:  The makers of Freschetta Pizza contacted me and provided myself and one winner a prize pack.  All thoughts and opinions expressed are 100% my own. 

Menu Plan Monday

For some reason lately I have been very lazy about making a weekly meal plan and sticking to it.  When I do take the time to meal plan I feel so much more organized and prepared.  I also think it helps save money.  I base my dinners around a combination of ingredients I already have on hand and what's on sale for the week. 

So, in my attempt to get back in the swing of meal planning, here is what's on our dinner menu this week...

Monday...Easy Crock Pot Chicken with rice and broccoli  (will post recipe)
Tuesday...Bow Tie Chicken Soup  (will post recipe)
Wednesday...Easiest Ever Crock Pot Roast with egg noodles and green beans
Thursday...homemade pizza and salad
Friday...leftover night

***
Last week my family enjoyed some time away for a vacation so I am trying to get back in the swing of things today.  Stay tuned this week for some photos from our beach trip, some new recipes, a cute birthday idea, and a fun giveaway!