Best Birthday Cake Website

I found the coolest website for birthday cake ideas a couple years ago and now use it every time I have a birthday coming up!

Here's the link to it:

http://www.coolest-birthday-cakes.com/


You can find TONS of pictures of cakes people have submitted, and some of them have step by step instructions, but most are so easy to make, you just need to see the idea and go from there. On the left hand side bar, you'll also see links with ideas for Cool Party, Costume, Showers, etc. It is a great site and hopefully you can find something on it to help your next party be awesome!

How to Cut a Watermelon

As I said on my personal blog, I don't claim to be GREAT at much, but I have finally figured out how to successfully cut a watermelon into perfect bite-size pieces. Every time I take a watermelon to a Summer BBQ, I'm asked how to do this. Here's how:

Make sure you have a long, sharp knife. This is super important!


Quarter your watermelon.


You're going to make a series of cuts in 3 different directions.




The quarter should now look like a grid. Dump watermelon into a large bowl, everything from the middle should fall out easily.


Now cut along the rind of the watermelon. This usually takes 2 passes.



Ta-da...perfect bite-size pieces.

Tisa's Mac n' Cheese

My mother in law makes such a simple mac n' cheese recipe but my kids (and husband) love it, so I thought I'd share. (Don't make this recipe expecting it to be creamy because it's not...it's just noodles and cheese but very kid-friendly and simple.)

You'll need 1 lb elbow noodles (cook as directed on box), 2 cups grated cheddar cheese, 2-4 T macaroni, 6 T milk, salt and pepper.


Layer half of the noodles, half the butter, and half the cheese in a 9x13 casserole dish. Sprinkle 3 T milk over and sprinkle with salt and pepper.


Layer remaining ingredients and place in 350 degree oven for 20 minutes.


Easy but delicious.

Crazy Cake

This is the moistest, yummiest cake I've ever had! It is good with any frosting, or just use the recipe found below.

Mix together the following:

3 c. flour
2 c. sugar
6 T. cocoa
2 t. soda
1 t. salt

Then add:

2 t. vanilla
2 T. white vinegar
2 c. water
3/4 c. oil

Mix together.
Pour into a 13 x 9 pan.
Bake at 375 for 30 min.

Frosting:
In a saucepan combine:
1 c. sugar
3 T. cornstarch
3 T. cocoa
dash salt
1 c. boiling water
Bring to boil.
Add:
3 T. butter
1 t. vanilla
Frosting will thicken as it stands. Pour over cake and EAT UP!!!

Sami's Super Easy Greek Salad

1 can drained and rinsed garbanzo beans
3 tomatoes (med. size) cut into med. pieces
1 small onion cut into rings and separate the rings
1 cucumber (I like to peel) cut into med. pieces
1/2 c cilantro chopped
1/2 c feta cheese
3 T red wine vinegar
1 t oregano
1/2 t garlic powder

I made this recipe up this weekend and I just HAVE to share it! You'll find this recipe colorful, healthy and tasty! It's super easy to throw together and stays nicely in the refrigerator if you have leftovers.

All you do is put these ingredients in a bowl and mix. You can put it in the fridge so the ingredients and meld together or serve immediately. I served it with grilled chicken breasts and warm pita bread. Hope you love it!

Banana Cake

1 ½ C Flour
1 tsp Soda
1 tsp Baking Pwd
½ tsp Salt
4 bananas
¾ C Sugar
1 Egg
1/3 C Softened Butter
1 C Butterscotch chips
Mix

Topping
1/3 C Brn Sugar
1/8th C Flour
1 Tbs butter
Sprinkle over cake

Bake 350 25-35 min

Glaze
½ C Pwd Sugar
2 Tbs Milk
Pour over baked cake.

Jane's Banana Bread

If you've ever had a piece of my mom's banana bread, you know that it's fabulous. If you haven't, make this recipe and see for yourself:

Cream 1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
4 eggs

Then add 4 cups flour, 2 tsp soda, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, 6 tablespoons milk, 2 tsp vanilla and 4-6 mashed ripe bananas.

Pour in greased loaf pans and bake for 45-60 minutes at 350. (Sometimes the middle ends up not quite done, just cook for a few more minutes.) Makes 3 loaves.

Chicken Enchilladas

Chicken Enchilladas
5 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 cup chicken broth
1 medium onion
1 small can green chilies
2 TBSP butter
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup sour cream
8 flour tortillas
2 cups grated cheese

Saute onions and green chilies with butter until onion is clear. Add mushroom soup and chicken broth; cook until smooth. Add sour cream. Stir until mixed. Set aside. Dip tortilla in soup mixture (on both sides) then distribute chicken pieces on center of tortillas; add 1/4 cup soup mixture on chicken. Add cheese. Roll tortillas and place in 9x13 pan. Put rest of soup mixture on top and cover with more cheese. Cover; bake at 325 degrees for 30 minutes. Top with lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, olives, etc. when ready to serve.

Grandma Baldwin's Chocolate Cake

Grandma Baldwin used to make this fabulous, dense, chocolate cake on Sundays when she knew the family was coming to visit. She'd only spread a very thin layer of frosting on top and I've been craving it. (Maybe it's because I miss her.) So my mom found the recipe and I made it this weekend. It was just as good as Grandma's but I used an entire can of frosting, which made it even better.

2 c sugar
1 c shortening
4 eggs
3 c flour
2 tsp soda
1 tsp salt
1 c milk + 1 T vinegar
1 c boiling water
6 T cocoa

Cream sugar, shortening, eggs. Add dry ingredients. Then blend in milk, vinegar, boiling water, and cocoa. This makes a very large cake. I baked mine in a 9 1/2 x 13 1/2 and it was super thick. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. So good.