One WILD Night!

Oh Yeah!  Those of you that know me, know that I throw some extremely wild late night parties and last night was no exception.  To celebrate Gladys ninth birthday, I threw her a slumber party.  :)

She requested nah, begged me to make her an Oreo Ice Cream Cake. I was thinking more along the lines of a spice cake laced heavily with tranquilizes and topped with a rum sauce, (don't that just scream SLUMBER party), but she got her Oreo Ice Cream Cake instead.

 

The cake was super easy to make, and it was really, really good. Really! Btw-- please excuse my slight lack of sleep. The nice thing about this cake is it just takes Oreos, Coolwhip Frosting, and Ice Cream Sandwiches.

 

 

 

 

Begin by crushing 1/3 of the package of Oreos.  I used a baggie and rolling pin, but I'm sure there are far more creative ways to obtain the same result.  :)

 

Next, mix the crushed Oreos with 1/3 of the Coolwhip Frosting.  Regular Coolwhip will do, but the Coolwhip Frosting is the BOMB!   

 

Lastly, assemble the layers with a foundation of Ice Cream Sandwiches, the crushed Oreo mix, and a top layer of Sandwiches.  Top with remaining Coolwhip Frosting and freeze until ready to serve. 

 

 

 

Before this baby went into the freezer I added some Oroes so the frosting wouldn't stick to the foil covering.  Yummm!

 

 

I know this is Pendleton_Gal Gets Fit, but let's make an exception for birthday parties. Mmm-kay?

 

 

 

 

Besides, I done bounced all the calories off on the trampoline.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And successfully dodging a blindfolded birthday pinata buster.  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pork Loin and Veggies

 

Well well, it's been awhile since I posted any recipe on here, and I don't want ya'all to stat thinking we are starving here.  :)  It's just with me being temporarily crippled I've hardly been, what I call-- cooking.  Lately, it's more like tossing a bunch of food in the oven, like tonight.   

 

 

This dish could not be easier.  Mainly cause I used a Tyson preseasoned pork loin so all I had to do is put it in the pan and cook it at 350 for 45 min.  I tried the BBQ kind tonight, and it was very mild.  My favorite kind so far has been the Peppercorn, but only because I am a fan of that bold pepper taste.  Anyways, to make this easy on myself, I tossed the veggies and potatoes right in there too (with a bit of water).  Normally, I do not fix broccoli this way, but thought it might be good roasted-- not so much.  It wasn't bad roasted, I just prefer it steamed.  Live n learn, right?  I dabbed it with a bit of butter   and 45 minutes later...................

 

 

 

 

 

Insert Pic Here

 

 

 

 

Okay, well I would have had an after pic for ya'all had my family not totally devoured this meal.  Lemme tell you, I didn't even have a chance to snap a pic, they ate it up that quick.  See what happens when I'm not fast on my feet?  All that was left was a few trees of roasted broccoli. 

 

 

 

    

Salamonie Polar Bears

Ah, a beautiful fall day boating on Salamonie Reservoir.

The weather was pretty sunny and 60 something degrees out.

The awesome Fall colored leaves are quickly landing in the water. 

And today there are more than just leaves in the water. 

 Did I mention the Fall weather here in the Midwest was only like 60 something?

                                     

I blame it on the fact that my polar bear kids are used to good ole freezing cold Lake Michigan. 

I must still have a little Florida blood in me, cause I wasn't going in; note the jacket.

When Jean's not tubing, or on the ski board, she's driving.  Oh, one of these days, we're actually gonna do some water skiing-- maybe that'll be next month-- haha.

Check this slide out-- is that the bees knees or what?

I gotta admit it was kinda fun watching people freak out upon seeing my children willingly and repeatedly jumping into the lake.

I casted a few times, to try a little fly fishing while the kiddies played in the water, but the wind was rather strong. No fish for me today, however Gladys caught a nice bluegill from the bank.

Christmas In Pendleton

Today was the annual Christmas kick-off day for the little town of Pendleton, Indiana. 



Llamas walked the street!

My friend and I participated as vendors and we sold Christmas decor.  It was interesting listening to others comment.   

 

 

Is Frosty adorable or what?

 

The Girl scouts rode in a Christmasy float.

 

 

I'm told there was a snowball fight directly after the parade.  They used snow makers since the weather was a beautiful 60 something degrees.  I missed it since we had a line a mile long of folk's buying Christmas decor at our booth!  :)

What is it?

 

K, maybe ya'all could use a few hints.  First, the above item was requested by Troy.  He actually designed the pattern, all I did was crocheted it up.  Secondly,  according to Troy, it has greatly improved our home security. 

 

Well, did ya give up yet? 

 

Yeah, it's a holster for his water gun!  He wears it when he patrols the yard.  So far the only one that was brave enough to cross this security officers path was a very speedy squirrel.  Troy is ON Duty!

 

He wanted to model the back carry method for ya'all too.  Plus, it's important to note this gun can be fired without removing from the holster.  ;)

Good News/Bad News

Helloooo!  The good news is.....  drum roll please..... Glenn is officially opening up a taekwondo school at our local YMCA right here in Pendleton, IN.  Which means we get a family membership and all the free classes we can handle!  I really like free stuff.  Gladys was extra excited tonight because she just found out that she is moving up to the advanced gymnastic class.  How awesome is that? 

Now the dreaded bad news.  I'll make this quick and pain free as possible: I'm temporarily crippled, STILL!  My foot trouble got better than worse and now, slowly, it's getting better once again.  The last time I went the doc he told me to rest my foot.  Yeah, yeah, blah, blah blah, then he said, he means use the electric cart at the Walmart rest.  I was like-- well dang!  Even though secretly I think those carts are a freekin blast!  I mean seriously, it's just like driving a very slow bumper car inside a store. 

Here's what I've been doing while staying off my foot:
Yes folk's, that is indeed door knob cozy which I crocheted to match the kitchen curtains, of course.

 

Before ya'all think this is the most useless cozy ever, lemme explain.  The back door of the house opens up to my itty bitty kitchen where the entryway and fridge share the same space.  Somehow it kinda works, all except for when the door gets slammed open into the fridge, hence, the dent.  So now you know the real purpose of my door knob cozy.  :)

 

Yup, I put together a foot healing 1000 piece puzzle, (thanks Mom). 

 

 

I read a big ole stack of books. Entertained two lovely young ladies, Gladys and her friend, Amy.

 

 

Like the make-up?  They just returned from a school party.  Oh how fun to be eight years old!

 

The latest project is a mitten set and headband.  Plus, I'm working on a scarf I finished it once, but then decided to change up the edging and add some color.  I'm kinda funny like that. 

 

 

 

 

Caramel Apple Bars

Oh Boy!  I noticed these bars on the Internet the other day, (this first pic is from Google images), and I've wanted to try them ever since.  Although, after reading the original recipe by Paula Deen, I knew a few minor changes were in order to make them healthier.

 

 

Also, the hubby and I are taking a vacation. I'm sooo excited!  Sore foot and all, we're sending our kiddies up north and heading west.  I figured these Fall bars would be a good treat to send with them.   

 

 

To prepare the crust, mix the flour, brown sugar, oats, applesauce, and butter together.  The applesauce makes the crust wonderfully moist and flavorful while omitting the need for the second stick of butter that the original recipe calls for. 

 

The crust easily presses into the pan.  Tip: line pan with foil for easier clean up.  I happened to be clear out.

 

 

As the crust bakes, whip up the filling.

 

A couple eggs, cream cheese, yogurt, a little bit of sugar, and vanilla make up the cheesecake like filling.  Using light cream cheese and the addition of yogurt are a couple more changes I made.  The yogurt ups the protein and enhances the sweet creaminess.

 

After the crust is done baking while it is still hot, pour on the filling and bake it.  Next, is the star ingredient-- Apples!

 

 

I thinly sliced the apples, but the next time I make this, I'm going to try dicing them.

 

The apple slices do look really nice though.

 

Sprinkle with cinnamon and inhale deeply-- AHhhhhhh.

 

Drizzle with caramel.

 

Top with the Streusel Topping and Enjoy!

Caramel Apple Bars

Adapted by Paula Deen

Ingredients:

Crust:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
• 1/2 cup applesauce
• 1 cup quick cooking oats

Filling:

• 2 (8-ounce) packages light cream cheese, softened
• 1 (5.3-ounce) package Oikos yogurt with honey
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 Granny Smith apples, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup caramel topping
• Streusel topping, recipe follows

 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, and applesauce. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and yogurt with 1/2 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.
Bake 30 minutes, or until filling is set. Top with sliced apples and sprinkle with cinnamon. Drizzle with caramel topping.   Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping.

Streusel Topping:

• 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats

        Mix together in a small bowl.