The Simple Things & Cake Batter Pancakes!!

As I was contemplating about what I wanted to blog about today...I drew a total blank! So I just sat...and listened. Listened to the sounds around me...there is the sound of the TV as Rene' watches....ready for this?  Sanford and Son! Seriously, that is what he is watching...he loves that show. I think it reminds him of his Dad...they used to watch it together and laugh and laugh! Simple things ! Then outside I hear Josh laughing as he is running around blowing bubbles...he has been doing that all afternoon. Every once in a while he comes to the patio doors and says  "Look YaYa, I'm blowing bubbles" and of course every single time I praise him with "WOW those are some awesome bubbles buddy!" He runs off yelling "Thank you YaYa". Simple things! Then there is the sound of Addie on her cell...texting and talking about her plans for the evening. Its nice to be young and be all excited about Saturday night plans! Simple things! And we can't forget Kristen coming in asking "what would you like for supper"...Poppa says whatever ya'll want! To which she replies "steak, baked potato with all the fixings and cheesecake"! Then she says "I'm kidding, I don't even like steak"! So we settle on pigs in a blanket and mac & cheese...Simple things! I love my family...I love having them all close by....I love Saturday afternoons! Simple things!!

This is as simple as it gets...this little man was in his glory! Look at that smile on his face!!!

And now for a simple recipe...pancakes...using cake mix...perfect for a birthday breakfast !

 CAKE BATTER PANCAKES!

Pancakes

1

cup Original Bisquick® mix

1

cup Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® yellow cake mix

3

tablespoons candy sprinkles

1

cup milk

1

teaspoon vanilla

2

eggs 

 

Glaze and Garnish

2 1/2

cups powdered sugar

3

tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons milk

1

teaspoon vanilla

Additional candy sprinkles

1. Heat griddle or skillet over medium-high heat or electric griddle to 375°F; grease with cooking spray, vegetable oil or shortening. (Surface is ready when a few drops of water sprinkled on it dance and disappear.)
2. In medium bowl, stir together pancake ingredients until blended. Pour by slightly less than 1/4 cupfuls onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook until pancakes are golden brown. Stack on serving plates.
3. In small bowl, beat powdered sugar, milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla with whisk until smooth.
4. To serve, top each serving with glaze and additional candy sprinkles.

Makes 10 servings 

CAKE BATTER PANCAKES

 

 

 

Throw Me Something Mister! & Banana Cream Squares

It's Mardi Gras 2014 ! The biggest free show on Earth! If you have never attended a Mardi Gras in New Orleans...you MUST!  Put that on your bucket list...at least once! You have to experience it! Its fun...its wild...its like nothing else you will ever attend! I promise!

 Crowds on Bourbon Street

 

Hands reaching out for those plastic treasures

 Amazing floats all hand crafted

 

Mardi Gras Jester

 

Enjoyed by the young...

 

and the old

 

Treasures that everyone fights for (and you don't even have to flash to get them)

 

and of course, Mardi Gras is not complete without a King Cake

 

So come to the Mardi Gras...I promise you will leave with a love for the city!

 

 

 Mardi Gras History and Traditions

 

I have been craving banana pudding with vanilla wafers all afternoon!

I came across this recipe for

Banana Cream Squares!

They look super simple to make and supper yummy to eat!

I may just have to make these tomorrow!

I will let you all know how good they are.

BANANA CREAM SQUARES

 

1/2

cup butter or margarine, cold

1

pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix

1

egg, slightly beaten

1

package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1

can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk

1

tub (8 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed

1

box (3.4 oz) instant banana pudding mix

3

medium ripe bananas, sliced

1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. In medium bowl, cut butter into cookie mix using pastry blender or fork, until mixture is crumbly. Reserve 3/4 cup mixture for topping. Mix egg in remaining mixture until incorporated. Press crumbs evenly in bottom of dish. Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until light golden brown around the edges. Cool completely.
3. In 15x10x1 inch pan, place the reserved topping crumbs in a thin layer. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally or until light golden brown. Cool completely. Crumble into small pieces. Set aside.
4. In 3-quart mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed, for 1 minute or until smooth. Add sweetened condensed milk. Beat until well blended. Beat in the whipped topping until smooth. Add the pudding mix and continue to beat for an additional 2 minutes or until everything is well combined.
5. Spread 1/3 of the pudding mixture onto cooled base. Arrange bananas in a single layer over pudding, Top with remaining pudding mixture and refrigerate for 10 minutes or until set. Sprinkle the cookie crumbs over the pudding.
6. To serve, cut into 24 squares, 4 rows by 6 rows, and serve individually.

Makes 24 servings