A small cup of AMAZING..... Worth ONE point. Score!!!!!

Yes, I know what you must be thinking........Why is she posting ANOTHER picture of that hot chocolate? I am not losing my mind here.  This is simply a cup of "Frozen Hot Chocolate"   MY youngest child begs for this after we return from the pool.  He also asks for a cup with his breakfast cereal.   Now, since it is my job to spoil him senseless and keep him thinking that I am just awesome........  You know I need to make it just so that I can have a cup too.  BTW.....Did I mention that it is only 1 point on the WW scales???

Now all credit rights go to the Hungry Girl website for figuring it all out and making this up.  I am not so clever to have done it alone........  I just turn on the blender.

FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE

1 packet of diet hot cocoa mix..  ( I use the Swiss Miss.)

2 Splenda  packs

1/4 cup of skim milk

1 Tablespoon of Sugar-free Vanilla syrup

1 Tablespoon of Sugar-free Chocolate syrup

1 cup of crushed ice

Blend all of this together and top with 2 Tablespoons of Red-Whip..Fat Free

This is one serving...Enjoy!!!!!

So...forget about Monday.

Yes, you can forget about the post from Monday and the empty promises I made.  Since I have no clue about how to add on to the tabbed section of my blog and make separate posts in that section of this blog...I will have to add stuff continually as one post on those tabs.  I will encourage everyone to check out the tabs.  But, I am not promising ponies, rainbows and new cars yet.   I will give you today a pic of "Tiger".  Tiger is about 14 years old.  He lives the good life and is in complete denial about his age.  He inspires terror into the hearts of small children and any large dog.  He is totally in charge of his domain and obviously thinks he is better and more intelligent than the rest of the world.   Tiger has no friends.  He hates both me and our dog, Tramp.

Today I am trying to........

organize this blog into what one can only call "simply ASTONISHING."  Ok, for the record, I am not technically minded.  I am not a computer type of person.  I am not anyone other that a slightly disorganized, needy, nerdy, and incredibly cheap stay at home mom.  So........for the record.  I wow to only post recipes under the "just cooking" tab.   I wow to only do family pics and stuff like that under the picture tab.  That way if any one just doesn't want to view my children and their amazingness.....you just don't have to.    AMEN.

Until then, you will have to suffer with a pic of the cutest puppy EVER!!!  I give you Tramp.

Today starts with Granola............

 Yep, you can call me a hippie.  Yep, you can say it sounds a little too healthy for your taste buds.  BUT, that is most likely not going to be my problem of the day.  IT is  healthier than the bag of M n M's I am wanting to devour.  Maybe I should mix those delicious little candies into the granola???  Talk about a match made in heaven....

Here goes.......  "Grooving with Granola Goodness"


Preheat oven to 350.
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups dark brown sugar
1/2 cup honey or maple syrup
mix these together and microwave together about 3 minutes.  Whisk together until it is all dissolved together.
6 cups oatmeal, raw
2 cups chopped nuts....  I typically use a combination of pecans & almonds
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup shredded coconut
2 teaspoons cinnamon
mix all of that together and toss it with the syrup stuff.  Bake it for about 20 minutes.....stirring halfway.
1 cup raisins
1 cup craisins or dried cherries
or skip the dried fruits  and use chopped up chocolate chips or toffee pieces.


stir in the dried fruits and cool completely. 


Serve with vanilla yogurt and fresh blueberries.  OR just eat it out of a cup....... YUM!!!

Stuff that will change your world..........

Go ahead and laugh.  Go ahead and just try it.  I dare you.  But, seriously, this stuff is amazing.  This stuff can be eaten daily.............  "TEXAS CAVIER"  Yes, many of you have heard of cavier.  Yet, few have even heard of it served Texas style.   I made a batch a couple of days ago and it still haunts me.  I hear it calling me from the refrigerator........"Come back....Come back..."
My friend M.M.  gave this recipe to me back a few years ago for New Years.  She  first gave me a Tupperware bowl filled with it.  That night, I believe I went back to her house for a refill.  I think she gave me the recipe the next day when I showed up again.   The recipe makes about a gallon and will last for days.  I think our family ate most of her batch that weekend..........


'Texas Cavier'


1 large bottle of zesty italian dressing
1 onion, chopped.   (I like the purple ones better.)
2 green bell peppers, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 or 2 jalapenos, chopped
3 cans of black eyed peas, drained
2  or 3 bunches of green onions, chopped
5 roma tomatoes, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, pressed
1 bunch of cilantro


MIx it all together.  Let it sit overnight...if you can.  Drain.  (Which I never do.)  Serve with Tostito scoops.

Hot Chocolate.......Our All Time Favorite.

So........Is this making you thirsty for a small taste of comfort???   It is 90 degrees outside and I am feeling it....  We make this on a daily basis during the winter.  My children are spoiled to this kind of goodness.  Some might call it "Crack in a Cup"   All I know is that it is WAY better than anything the Swiss Miss can dish out...............

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

a small amount of cinnamon

3/4 teaspoon salt

5 cups water

1 (13 oz) can of Evaporated Milk

2 cups skim milk

Stir the first three things together and mix with the water.  Heat to boiling. Add the milks and cool until heated.  Serve with Marshmallows and peppermint sticks, if desired.

Did I mention that we also make our own marshmallows now????   People need therapy for that kind of goodness all poured into a cup.    (I will post that recipe later.)

Today should be about going to the Thrift Shoppe........

But NO.....  The grocery store is calling my name.   Maybe I will take my camera.....That might add some excitement to the morning.   Maybe I will let the teenager go........we all know that will cost me more.   This blog started this morning as a way to document my life.  A way to prove that I am worth something as a mom........as a person........  I am listening to my new favortite song...."Somewhere else"  Toby Keith.   It just makes me happy.

June 1 Today marks the beginning.

WHat is this new beginning?   I haven't a clue.  Maybe it is the start of summer....a new month.  I am hoping for insight and new direction.   I don't know where to start other that on my knees in prayer.  Giving thanks for everything that is good in my life.   ......I will run with that for now.