Cinnamon Roll Chex Mix

I found this yummy recipe for cinnamon roll chex mix on pinterest. Original post HERE.
It's been our favorite treat lately - perfect while watching the Olympics!

I do it just as the link above describes, but I do not bake it. I like it sorta gooey and sticky - sorta like rice krispie treats or caramel corn. I tried it both ways - trust me!

Cinnamon Roll Chex Mix

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup butter

1/4 cup corn syrup

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1 box Rice Chex or Corn Chex

1/2 cup white chips

DIRECTIONS:Pour cereal into a very large mixing bowl and set aside.

Combine brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and corn syrup in a saucepan.

Bring to a boil, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla.

Pour over cereal and stir lightly till all pieces are coated.
Spread it all on a cookie sheet so it can cool down. 

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave and then drizzle over the mix.

Then: devour! ;)

Blog Hopping: Favorite Salads

I'm blog hopping today. I was asked by Miranda to post my favorite salad recipe. 

I love stuff like this because I'm always looking for new food/recipe ideas. So be sure to "hop" on over to these other blogs to see their favorite salad recipes.

Miranda
Lee
Stephanie
Kimberlee
Christina

I'm not really used to sharing recipes. I don't consider myself a cook AT ALL. If you're visiting for the first time, it should be obvious from my name (SewSara!) that I am usually writing about fabric and quilts and crafty projects like that. But here goes nothing ...!

I don't have a name for this pasta salad. It's just my favorite. And I did make it up (although I'm sure there are similar variations out there!)

It's nothing fancy, but here's what you'll need:

1 pound bag of macaroni

1 stalk of celery (I use the whole thing)

1 package of cherry tomatoes (or grape tomoatoes -- no difference to me).

1 package of diced ham

2 cans of sliced olives

Mayo - approximately 1 cup, or as much as you'd like.

and salt/pepper (not pictured)

Chop the celery. and cut tomatoes into halves or quarters (depending on size of tomatoes or your preference).

Cook the pasta  - I like to keep it on the firm side, so maybe 7 minutes? And then toss everything together. (Drain the olives of course).

Then add the mayo -- a few big spoonfuls. I never really measure it, just stir it in til you like the consistensy. And I have to say - full fat KRAFT mayo is my favorite. Hey, I never claimed it was the healthiest salad - just my favorite! Use whatever mayo you like :)

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Toss it in the fridge for an hour or two, if you can wait that long.
Goes great with sandwiches or hamburgers.

4th of July

In my opinion, it's hard to beat a rice krispie treat. Who doesn't love them? And of course they are so simple to make.
I made three batches: one regular, one with red food coloring, and one with blue food coloring. Just drop the food coloring in once the marshmallows are melted, right before dumping in the cereal.

I cute them up into small squares and arranged them on a large cookie sheet. The kids thought it was fun to help (and eat the leftover pieces!). We took these to a get-together with friends last night. Good times.

Happy 4th of July!
We are so thankful to live in this great country.

and a few pics from Provo's grand parade this morning:

^ cooling off in the shade! Thankfully it was mostly overcast all morning. Still hot, though.

Simon's first parade!

Hawaiian Chicken (crockpot)

 We had this for dinner last night so I just thought I would share. Plus, if I put it on my blog maybe I can find the recipe easier next time I need it!

Hawaiian Chicken
4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts (put them in fresh or frozen!)
2- 20 oz. cans pineapple slices, drained
2-15 oz. cans mandarin oranges, drained
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 t. salt
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. ground red pepper

Top with: Green Pepper Chunks and toasted almonds

Mix all ingredients (except Green Pepper and Almonds) and place in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Add green pepper chunks to slow-cooker one hour before serving. To serve, spoon over steamed rice and top with toasted almonds- YUM! 


What did you have for dinner last night? I always need new recipes.

birthday pancakes

I can't remember where I originally got the idea, but last year I made a "4" pancake for Max's birthday. So of course this year he remembered and requested a "5" pancake. I had a friend ask how I did it, so here ya go, Lauren. :)

The "4" pancake looked a lot better.

(funny, those pajamas still fit him)

I did a smiley face for Ruby 

...see, you can basically do any design!

Linked up at:

three cookies in one

Do you like peanut butter cookies?

Do you like oatmeal cookies?

Do you like chocolate chip cookies?

Then you'll love these!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Cream:
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. butter or margarine
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 egg
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Add:
1 c. flour
1 c. oatmeal
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. chocolate chips

Bake 8-10 minutes @ 375

Four Winners!

Ok, here we go. Let's see who wins these cute prizes. I've had so much fun 'meeting' new bloggers and reading all the comments! Thank you so much for all the comments and recipes. I was tempted to extend the deadline just to get more recipe ideas!


I used random.org to get our winners:

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

5
134
83
86

Congratulations to the four winners:


Brooke (comment #5) --  winner of a Messy Flower
(or pin) from Joy's Hope!

Jifners (comment #134) -- winner of the hemp
wristlet from Lima Bean Home!

janacaballero (comment #83) -- winner of a quilt pattern
from Fresh Poppy Design!

Kim (comment #86) -- winner of the SewSara mushroom
onesie & note cards!

Ladies, please get in touch with me to claim your prizes!

And here's a great recipe for you all. You must try it. We just tried it for the
first time & we all loved it. I already want it again. I *love* crockpot recipes. 
I think much better around 11a.m. than I do at 5pm when everyone is
hungry and cranky. I halved this recipe and used two large frozen
chicken breasts. It was more than enough for our family of four.

Hawaiian Chicken
{thanks to my friend Kelly King for this recipe}

6  boneless skinless Chicken Breasts
2- 16 oz. cans pineapple slices, drained
2-15 oz. cans mandarin oranges, drained
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 t. salt
1 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. ground red pepper

Top with: Green Pepper Chunks & toasted almonds

Mix all ingredients (except Green Pepper and Almonds) and
place in slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for
2-3 hours. Add green pepper chunks to slow-cooker one
hour before serving. Serve over steamed rice and top with
toasted almonds- YUM! 

p.s. If you're following my sister-in-law's progress
in Atlanta's Biggest Loser, check her blog tomorrow ...
it's another weigh in! Go Cristina, Go!