I have been trying to find some creative ways to feed my little guy – to make it more fun for him to try fruits and veggies and make it more fun-challenging-creative for me. I don’t know if you have heard of bento boxes, but that is where I first got the idea. It is more for sushi type meals, but the idea is fun. I made a heart shaped turkey and cheese sandwich, teddy bear shaped cucumbers, carrot and red pepper sticks with ranch dip, and graham cracker coated banana and strawberries for dessert. I am going to try to make lunches like this 2-3 times a week. For ideas and inspiration look up bento boxes on flicker.

Peanut butter pie is the richest pie I have ever eaten. It is so good it makes you feel sick.  To save some time on my Thanksgiving meal, I went ahead and made my pie today.

Peanut Butter Pie
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 oz coolwhip
oreo crust
handful of choc chips

Blend peanut butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, and vanilla. Add coolwhip and stir together. Pour into the oreo crust. Chill, then drizzle with melted choc chips. (Place chips in a baggie. Heat in microwave for 10-15 seconds in at a time to avoid burning. Cut off small piece of baggie on the corner to make an icing bag then drizzle over the top of pie.) Keep refrigerated. Enjoy!

This is a quick and easy recipe that we turn to often in the winter. Enjoy!

Tomato Soup
1 can tomato soup
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon butter
garlic salt
paprika
basil
oregano

Melt butter in saucepan. Add milk and soup. Heat together, but do not let boil. Add three shakes of garlic salt, two shakes of oregano, two shakes of basil, and three shakes of paprika.

Enjoy with crackers or grilled cheese.

Last weekend we went to a chili cook off and pumpkin carving. I brought my award winning Five Bean Chili. I will share the recipe later, it is so good (if I do say so myself!).

Isn’t our pumpkin carving great? Mr. Nikki Made came up with the design. In truth I did not do any of the work. I break out in a rash if I touch pumpkin. Strange, I know. I did save the pumpkin seeds -

Wash the seeds and remove the strings the best that you can. (I used a colander, and that worked fairly well.) Soak in salt water overnight. Place the seeds in in a baking pan in the oven at 300 for 20 minutes. Seeds should be golden. Enjoy.

This is a great, healthy spaghetti sauce recipe. I usually double it and freeze the rest for a quick dinner.

1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup of green pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cooking oil
4 cups of chopped, peeled tomatoes (can substitute two 14 1/2-ounce cans of tomatoes, undrained and chopped – it is faster, but not quite as tasty!)
1 6oz can tomato paste
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

optional
2 tablespoons snipped fresh parsley(can substitute dry)
1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil (can substitute dry)
2 teaspoons snipped fresh marjoram

Cook onion, pepper, celery, and garlic in oil until tender.

Stir in 1/3 cup water, tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley and herbs (if using), sugar, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Uncover, simmer for 10 to 15 minutes or to desired consistency, stirring occasionally. Stir in fresh herbs if using.

Serve over hot cooked pasta. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Enjoy!