H54F: Blueberries Anyone?

 Happy Friday! I'm so glad it's the weekend! I'm physically and mentally exhausted and it's only the third week of school.

Well, let me get on to the 5 highs of my week and a couple from the week before.

1. My week went pretty well and I was able to go to my little cousins 2nd birthday two weeks ago when his family came to visit. It was nice to see them again. They live in California, so I only see them 1-2 times a year.

2. While driving in Houston I saw this cute dog park and since I adore dogs I decided this is definitely a highlight from my week!

Here's a little video a friend showed me that made me laugh out loud. I hope it brings a smile to your face.

3. It was national waffle day two Sundays ago and my family has named each Sunday national waffle day. I love waffles, so this was an easy decision to make.

4. Just a little picture that I took in Houston. Each time I take a picture I find something new on my camera. I'm still currently digging black and white photos.

5. Also, we celebrated my little sisters 16th birthday two weeks ago and made some special Davies family birthday recipes that I will be sharing on the blog soon.

Well, I hope you have a great weekend!

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Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookie Dough Balls

Happy Labor Day! Here's a great recipe to start off your school year! The recipe is simple, easy and tastes so good! I hope you enjoy it and have a great Labor Day!!

My family has really enjoyed trying out different kinds of dessert this summer, and this by far is one my favorites! I'm sure you'll enjoy it as much I did!

Ingredients:

1. 3/4 Cup whole wheat pastry flour
2. 1 Cup rolled oats
3. 1/2 Cup salted natural creamy peanut butter
4. 1/3 Cup maple syrup
5. 1/4 Cup unsweetened applesauce
6. 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract
7. 1/4 Cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (We used cocoa powder and made a chocolate sauce)

Directions:

1. Grab a tray and line it with wax paper
2. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a medium size bowl
3. Whisk the wet ingredients with a hand mixer or electric mixer and add dry ingredients.
4. Make cocoa powder drizzle
5. Scoop up the cookie dough into balls and place on a the lined tray and drizzle or dip them in the cocoa sauce and enjoy!
6. Place the tray in the freezer for an hour to get the real cookie dough feel. (optional)

Yields: 16 servings (I would double the recipe)
Takes 15 minutes

I could barely get a picture before my sister started eating the cookie dough balls. They were/are super good!

 Hope you give this recipe a try! It's one of my families new favorite desserts/ snacks!

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Vegan No-Bake Cookie Dough Balls

One of my new favorite desserts is vegan no-bake cookie dough balls! I found this recipe on Pinterest and fell in love with it! It is super easy to  make and tastes so good!

 Ingredients:

2/3 c raw cashews
1/3 c oats
2 Tbsp Agave
1 Tbsp Maple Syrup (Omit and use Agave to preserve true Raw Status if you care)
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1/4 c Chocolate Chips (or to preserve true raw status, take 2 Tbsp Raw Cocoa Powder and add 1 Tbsp Agave, optional dash of vanilla extract, whisk and blend.  Spread into a thin layer on wax or parchment paper, freeze.  Take frozen chocolate off parchment and crumble the shreds into the mixture as your raw "chips".)

Directions:

1. Blend the cashews and oats in a Vita-Mix, food processor, or high speed blender until they're a fine powder.
2. Add the agave, maple, vanilla and blend until fully mixed.
3. Stir in the chocolate chips.
4. Form into balls and serve. If dough is sticky, chilling it in the refrigerator or flash-chilling it in the freezer helps make it easier to work with.

Instead of making chips out of cocoa powder, we just drizzled it on like it was icing and then we dipped them in the chocolate too! They were delicious!

 Best dessert ever!

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Peanut Butter Cookie Delights

One of my favorite desserts to make are peanut butter cookies. Their super easy to make and so good!
Here's how I make them.

 Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar (I use honey)
• 2 sticks salted butter
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat over to 300 degrees.
2. Mix all dry ingredient in a bowl.
3. Blend all wet ingredients in blender and add dry ingredient to it.
4. Place round tablespoon size balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. Use a wet fork to make crisscross pattern on the cookies.
5. Bake for 18-22 minutes
6. Transfer cookies immediately to cool service after they've baked.

 I you love peanut butter like me, this will be a great recipe for you to try. Hope you enjoy making your peanut butter cookie delights!

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Vegan Gluten Free Brownies: Um Um, Yum

My mom's really big on eating healthy and last week she tried out this gluten free vegan brownie recipe and let me tell you it was deeeeliiiiciooous! We had a bit of a taste test and made both the gluten free brownies and regular homemade brownies with chocoa powder. We had about 10 people try out both brownies and everyone said that both the regular and vegan gluten free both tasted great and that it was hard to tell the difference between the two.

Here's how my mom made them.

Ingredients:

• 1 15 oz. can (~ 1 3/4 cups) black beans, well rinsed and drained
• 2 large flax eggs (2.5 T flaxseed meal + 6 T water)
• 3 T coconut oil, melted (or sub other oil of choice)
• 3/4 cup cocoa powder (the higher quality the better)
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• heaping 1/2 cup raw sugar, slightly ground or pulsed in a food processor or coffee grinder for refined texture
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• Optional toppings: crush walnuts, pecans or semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a 12-slot standard size muffin pan (not mini).
3. Prepare flax egg by combining flax and water in the bowl of the food processor. Pulse a couple times and then let rest for a few minutes.
4. Add remaining ingredients (besides walnuts or other toppings) and puree – about 3 minutes – scraping down sides as needed. You want it pretty smooth.
5. If the batter appears too thick, add a Tbsp or two of water and pulse again. It should be slightly less thick than chocolate frosting but nowhere close to runny.
6. Evenly distribute the batter into the muffin tin and smooth the tops with a spoon or your finger.
7. Optional: Sprinkle with crushed walnuts, pecans or chocolate chips.
8. Bake for 20-26 minutes or until the tops are dry and the edges start to pull away from the sides. I found mine took about 25.
9. Remove from oven and let cool for 30 minutes before removing from pan. They will be tender, so remove gently with a fork. The insides are meant to be very fudgy, so don’t be concerned if they seem too moist – that’s the point. Plus, they’re vegan so it doesn’t really matter.
10. Store in an airtight container for up to a few days. Refrigerate to keep longer.

Now go give it a try and don't take my word for it. Let me now how yours turn out! ;)
To find more recipes like this one, go to the Minimalist Baker
 

Campfire Smores

via

I told you in my last weekend recap that on my camping trip I had made some campfire smores with a waffle cone, so here is how I made it.

Ingredients:

1. waffle cone
2. mini marshmallows
3. mini chocolate chips
4. cut up banana
5. peanut butter

Directions:

1. Choose your waffle cone and spread as much peanut butter as desired on the inside of the waffle cone.
2. Then mix the rest of the ingredients (marshmallows, chocolate chips and banana together) and then place them inside the waffle cone.
3. After you have filled your waffle cone to the top  tear a big enough piece of aluminum foil to wrap around the waffle cone to seal the goodness inside.
4. Then place it on top of a fire grill and wait about 5-10 minutes for your treat to melt.
5. Enjoy! 

This was such an easy recipe and I really enjoyed being able to create my own dessert. It's perfect for camping trips or having a movie night outside with a projector! This a new favorite in my family and is perfect for summer!

 

Eggplant Chips

One of my favorite dishes is eggplant chips! It's a great side dish for baked chicken and it is so good!
Here's how I make it!

Ingredients

1. Eggplant
2. Oil
3. Salt
4. Pepper

Directions

1. Wash and cut eggplant into thin slices
2. mix enough oil to cover all of the cut eggplant and add salt and pepper as desired and thoroughly cover eggplant with sauce.
3. Place the eggplant on a foil covered pan and cook in the oven at 350 for 5-10 minutes

Enjoy!

Pineapple Banana Sorbet

I'm all about simple and easy recipes that taste great! My sister found a recipe today that fits both of those descriptions while she was on Pinterest. You gotta love Pinterest! The recipe is for a pineapple banana Summer Sorbet. My sister made the sorbet and it tasted amazing! It's just like homemade ice cream! Here's the recipe!

 Pineapple Banana Sorbet Ingredients

1. 2 bananas (fresh) 
2. 1 1/2 cups frozen pineapple 
3. 1/2 cup lemon juice 
4. 1/3 cup maple syrup optional sub: try coconut milk instead of lemon juice for an ultra creamy sorbet (not fat free) 

Directions

1. Add all ingredients to a high speed/high quality blender like a Vitamix.
2. Slightly thaw the frozen fruit so that it easily blends - but is still frosty. 
3. Blend until smooth. Keep it as thick and frosty as possible. 
4. Pour into a chilled metal container and chill until firm. 
5. Scoop and enjoy! 

This is the perfect ice cream recipe for summer! It's simple and takes less than 5 minutes to make and tastes great! Hope you try it out!

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Apple Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Apple oatmeal raisin cookies are the perfect treat! There a great snack, and the perfect dessert! Here's how I make them.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
• 1 cup quick oats (Not Instant)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest (1 Medium Lemon)
• 1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 sticks (3/4 cup) salted butter, softened
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 cup fresh apple, peeled and finely chopped (1 Medium Apple)
• 6 ounces raisins (About 1 Cup)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Combine all dry ingredient in a medium bowl until mixed well.
3. Cream sugar and butter together in a large bowl using an electric mixer. Add egg, applesauce and honey and mix at medium speed until smooth.
4. Add the flour mixture, fresh apple, raisins, and blend at low speed until mixed well. Dough will be soft.
5. Drop rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until golden brown.

 Hope you enjoy making some healthy apple oatmeal raisin cookies!

 




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Chicken Salad

One of my favorite lunches of all times, is chicken salad. That may be weird, but I just love it! It's simple, easy and tastes great!

Here's how I make it!

Ingredients

• Canned Chicken
• Mayonnaise
• Apples
• Raisins
• Onions
• Celery
• Dill Pickles
• Whole Wheat Bread

Directions

1. Drain the canned chicken and place it in a bowl. Add the desired amount of mayonnaise and stir until mixed well.
2.  Add an apple or two.
3.  Stir the chopped apples into the mix.
4. Add a little bit of raisins.
5. Add a little more raisins, because goodness knows I love them!
6. Chop up an onion and add it to the bowl.
7. Cut some celery up and mix it into the mix.
8. Get some whole wheat bread (to keep it healthy) and put pickles or relish on your bread as desired and place a huge scoop of chicken salad on top and enjoy!

Hope you enjoy this dish as much as I do! Don't forget to add some of your favorite chips and a cookie! 

 xo
Caroline

Linking up with: Peacoats and Plaid, More the Merrier, Monday Mingling, Sami's Shenanigans, Monday Morning Gossip, I Love Bloglovin, Life Lately, This Weekend I , Sweet Sharing Monday, Monday Meet Up, My Greatest Hits, Monday Mingle, Monday Bloom  Just Because, GFC, Tea On Tuesday, Style Elixir, Tasteful Tuesday, Style Statement Tuesday, Taste of Tuesday, What We Wore, Made and Read, Real Girl Style, Wardrobe Wednesday, Too Cute Tuesday, BlogLovin'

Cherry Dump Cake Cupcakes

For Easter this year, my grandma wanted everyone to make cupcakes to bring to her house for lunch after church, instead of cakes and pies, so I decided to make Cherry Dump Cake Cupcakes. Usually the recipe is Cherry Dump Cake, but I just put the ingredients in small cupcake holders and they turned out pretty good. My family loves Cherry Dump Cake and I think it's a great dessert and snack ;)

 Ingredients

1. Canned Cherry's
2. Canned Crushed Pineapple (semi drained)
3. Yellow Cake Mix
4. 1/4 Coconut
5. 1/4 Chopped Nuts (I use Pecans)
6. 1 Cup butter

Directions

• Place the ingredients in the cupcake holder in order of ingredients listed (I used a spoon to place the ingredients in the cupcake holders) 
• pre-heat oven to 400 degrees and let the cupcakes cook for 20-25 mins.
• Then take the cupcakes out, let them cool and serve!

I really loved how the cupcakes turned out. I made small cupcakes, so you may want to make them as regular cupcakes. Either way, they'll turn out great! Add some ice cream and Enjoy!

xo
Caroline

Linking up with: Peacoats and Plaid, More the Merrier, Monday Mingling, Sami's Shenanigans, Monday Morning Gossip, I Love Bloglovin, Life Lately, This Weekend I, Sweet Sharing Monday, Monday Meet Up, My Greatest Hits, Monday Mingle, Just Because, GFC, Tea On Tuesday, Style Elixir, Tasteful Tuesday, Style Statement Tuesday, Taste of Tuesday, What We Wore, Made and Read, Real Girl Style, Wardrobe Wednesday, Too Cute Tuesday, BlogLovin'

The Best of Fruit Cobbler



One of my families favorite desserts, is homemade fruit cobbler. It easy to make, tastes great, and is perfect for movie and game nights!

Ingredients and Directions

• I cup all-purpose flour
• 2 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp. Salt
• Cut in 1/4 cup butter mixture resembles coarse crumbs
• Add 1/4 cup milk
• 1 Beaten Egg

Add all this together in a bowl and mix well.

Directions

1. Pour frozen fruit (strawberries, blueberries or mixed fruit) into the bottom of a pan (Use whatever pan you want)
2. Spoon/ Spatula mixture on top of frozen fruit
3. Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 mins.
4. Makes enough for 6 people

 

After it cooks for 20-25 minutes, take it out and enjoy with ice cream or just plain! Don't forget to have some great family time and play a game as you eat it!

xo
Caroline

Linking up with: Peacoats and Plaid, More the Merrier, Monday Mingling, Sami's Shenanigans, Monday Morning Gossip, I Love Bloglovin, Life Lately, This Weekend I, Sweet Sharing Monday, Monday Meet Up, My Greatest Hits, Monday Mingle, Monday Bloom, Just Because, GFC, Tea On Tuesday, Style Elixir, Tasteful Tuesday, Style Statement Tuesday, Taste of Tuesday, What We Wore, Made and Read, Real Girl Style, Wardrobe Wednesday, Too Cute Tuesday, BlogLovin'

H54F

Here are the five highs of my week.

1. I am in the middle of the 4th book of a series by Judith Miller and am so excited to find out the end! It's a series set before, during, and after World War II, and is through the eyes of three sisters.

2. I got my first snow cone of 2013! Me and my sister shared a snow cone called margarita. It tastes like lemon and limes, and is so good!

3. I got a new dress! It's a cute teal color and is perfect for Spring!

4. Yesterday I got some patches to put underneath some new jeans I got that have hole in them. The jeans are so cute, but I want them to last, and putting a patch underneath the holes will make it last longer.

5. And the last high of my week, are these awesome shoes! I got them from Shop The Docks. They are so cute, and are perfect for the beach and just chilling, like I did today.

Hope you had a great week too!

So glad you stopped by the Love Caroline Blog, and would love to learn more about you! Don't forget to leave a comment! I love hearing from you! Don't forget to follow me on Blog Lovin!

xo
Caroline

Linking up with:The Foley Fam, A Dose of Paige, What Jean Likes, Limited Space Organizing Blog, xoxo Rebecca, Long Distance Loving, Glam Hungry Mom