Halloween Cupcakes

I just spent three hours making cupcakes for my three kids' Halloween parties tomorrow. I didn't think it was going to take so long. I like to use Betty Crocker cake mix and Betty Crocker canned icing. I didn't plan appropriately and discovered at the last minute that I didn't have black colouring for my icing. Darn!

Here are my "masterpieces"...

Mini Jack-o-lanterns

Spider webs

Spooky faces - I decided to do these as exhaustion set in...I couldn't bear to spin another web...

I really hope they remember the labours of my hardwork as they devour these in less than ten seconds flat...

What happens when you don't read instructions...

I was in such a rush on the weekend and in my haste I didn't read the instructions on my Pillsbury Pizza Crust properly. It was a last minute attempt to prepare some sort of lunch for the family before heading downtown to my sister-in-law's for a belated Thanksgiving Dinner. I grabbed the Pillsbury Pizza Crust and cracked it open just like their crescent rolls. I've never used this pizza dough before so wasn't too careful and ripped the dough in half. This is when I tried to read the instructions off of the ripped wrapper...trying to piece it all back together. I was completely confused. I decided that I would just squish it down, add the tomato sauce and a cheddar/mozzerella mix of cheese and hope for the best. It's not too pretty but still edible. I'll know better next time....

Waffles, Waffles and more Waffles!!

I've been loving my waffle maker. I've been dreaming waffles all week. Waffles for breakfast, dinner and dessert. I'm still using Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Pancake Mix following their directions for waffles. It's so easy to whip up a couple extra batches of waffles, throw them in the fridge and then toast them up nice and crisp. I've been sending waffles home with my best friend, making extra for my parents and even brought my waffle maker to my friend's house for dessert. Here are some of this week's waffle masterpieces.

Simply Sweet - Peanut Butter and Sweetened Condensed Milk

Bacon and Eggs with Peanut Butter, Condensed Milk Waffles

Chocolate Fudge Ice cream and bananas

Canned Apple Pie Filling with French Vanilla Ice cream

This is this week's stash of waffles for breakfast.

Easy Carve Ham to Hambone Shlop!

Last Sunday I made an easy carve ham from Costco. It was delicious and so easy. I usually place the entire ham in a huge pot, bring it to a boil and let sit for a couple of hours...bringing it back up to a boil every half and hour and then turning off the element. It keeps the ham nice and juicy and you don't need to have the oven on for three hours. Then I took the juice from one can of pineapple rings and one cup of brown sugar and reduce down until syrupy. Baste the entire ham and place the ham in the oven for about half an hour at 375F. So yummy!!

Served with the pineapple rings and some corn. Gravy made from the boiled ham water, Montreal steak spice and roux. My kids could just eat steamed rice and gravy if I let them...but I don't.

By the middle of the week we are so tired of eating ham sandwiches, ham and eggs and ham fried rice. There was still so much ham left so I made hambone soup. Super easy I just sauteed some onions, carrots and garlic and then add the ham. I cover with water and simmer for two hours. I like to add pasta or rice so that it's a one bowl meal. Below is what happens when hubby comes home two hours late from work. It's hambone shlop! No more soup...just wet rice, ham and carrots. Oh well...he's the one eating it...still tasted good though.

My new best friend...the Oster Waffle Maker

A couple of months ago I got my first hand look and taste of homemade waffles and ever since then I've been lusting after my very own waffle maker. I've looked around but since I'm on a spending freeze this year I convinced myself I didn't need to buy another small appliance. However, this weekend, we went to Target in Buffalo and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this Oster waffle maker for only US$20!! Cheap!! I HAD to buy it!

I used it the very next day and was so happy when my waffles came out perfectly. I used the Krusteux Buttermilk Pancake Mix from Costco and followed the instructions for waffles. They were crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside. They were just as good as my friend's homemade waffle batter.

Isn't it so cute?

My first attempt at homemade waffles.

Today I tried the Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Pancake Mix and they turned out even better...so light and fluffy. After trying my friend's homemade waffles and two mixes, I think I will stick to the ease and convenience of the store bought mixes.