Flag Cake Awesomeness

Dude.  Where’d the week-end go?  Holy cow.

I say “dude” way more than anyone of my age and education level should.

Dude. Have you seen that Flag Cake floating around on Pinterest? 

Yeah, I made it.

And I watermarked that photo.  I don’t want anyone stealing my stuff.

It started out pretty decent.

Pretty!

We’re killing this flag cake thing.  Boo-yah.

Uh oh. Should have greased that blue cake pan a little better.

God bless America.

Where’d we go wrong?  We didn’t level the cake layers enough and the frosting was too runny. And we were trying to cook a delicious supper and didn’t give this cake our undivided attention.  It’s obviously a needy one. You win some.  You lose some.  Luckily the in-laws are good sports and laughed at us with us.

Part of the inside was pretty though!

If you would like to attempt to make your own disaster, you can find some decent instructions at Glorious Treats.

Are you whipping up anything good for the ol’ 4th of July?  Any other great cakes I should attempt next?

Lemon Shake-Up

Who’s loving summer?  Yeah, me too!

Who thinks it’s been ridiculously hot.  Yeah, me too.

Who is always on the lookout for a refreshing drink that’s easy to make?  Yeah, me too.

Today I want to share with you one of Nate and I’s summer favorites.  The Lemon Shake-Up.

I had not experienced the wonders of the Lemon Shake-Up until I met Nate.  That husband of mine is good for so many things.

Is your mouth watering now and you’re wondering how to make this delicious concoction? Well, you’re in luck.  I will share our super secret recipe with you. Don’t let the simple ingredients fool you. So good.  And very low calorie!

Here’s what you’ll need…

Lemon Shake-Up Ingredients (1 serving):

• 1/4 cup Splenda or sugar
• 14 oz water
• 1/2 lemon
• ice

The secret ingredient is the water. Bahaha.

1. Squeeze lemon juice into a container with a lid.  (You will be shaking it later.)  Use a utensil to muddle the lemon in the bottom of the container. Muddle is a fancy word for mush.  Nate taught me that.  It’s important to get all of that juicy goodness out.

2. Add water and ice.

3. Add Splenda (or sugar)

4. Shake!!  Make sure your lid is on tight!  Singing that “Shake It Like a Polaroid Picture” song is optional.

5.  Check with the dog to make sure it’s ready.

6. Enjoy!

What’s your go-to summer drink?  Who’s sweating to death? Who else thinks muddle is a funny word?

Granola Bites

Nate and I recently thought we’d try this thing where we eat better. We don’t eat horrible.  We only eat junk food on the week-ends.  We do, however, eat an okay amount of packaged products.  We’re slowly transitioning to a more cleaner way of eating. 

We both like granola bars.  I eat a lot of them.  I decided to be a hippy and research making my own.  By making my own, I am aware of all of the ingredients in them. I like that.

I think I have finally perfected the art of granola bar making.  Well, I make bites. I like bit sized things.  They trick my brain into think I’m eating more.

My food photography still amazes me.

These bites are so good that I will no longer buy granola bars.  I make these at least once a week.  It’s a slight obsession.

Want to make your own delicious from scratch granola bites? I knew you did.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 C. quick oats
• 1/2 C. crisp rice cereal
  • I used Rice Krispies because I need to finish the box.  A less sugary option will be my next purchase.
• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
  • You will probably want a little more if you are using a non-sugary rice cereal.
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 C. canola oil
• 1/4-1/2 C. honey
  • This varies every time I make it.
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 C. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, raisins, M&Ms, whatever you like!

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350.  I always forget to preheat my oven. I wish my oven could read my mind.  That would be amazing.

Mix together all ingredients except for the chocolate chips.  You want the mixture to be well mixed.  The oats will start to clump a little.  If your mixture seems to dry, you can add more honey or oil.  I prefer adding more honey. It keeps the bites from being too greasy….like my hair currently.  Mmmm, appetizing.

Once the oats are well mixed.  Add in the tasty stuff.  I’m a fan of Nestle’s Chunks.

Grease a mini-muffin tin.  I use cooking spray. 

Scoop the mixture into the muffin tin.  I usually fill each one to the top using a cookie scoop.

Bake in the oven for 13-14 minutes.  You want the tops to be lightly golden brown.  (If you cook the bites too long, they will be dry.  If you don’t cook them long enough, they will fall apart.  Honestly, they will taste delicious no matter what.)

Seriously.  When is the Food Network going to hire me as their photographer?

Pop out the bites and store in an air tight container.  My bites don’t last long.  These things are so stinking good. 

Any fellow hippies making their own granola out there?  Any other good granola recipes?