Happy St. Patty's Day!

We're getting SUPER festive around our house with some homemade Mint Oreos.

Homemade Oreo Cookies


1 chocolate cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 c. vegetable oil


Mix cake mix, eggs, and oil in a bowl until moistened.  Roll into 1 inch balls.  Cook at 350 for 7 minutes.




Cream Cheese Mint Frosting


4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. butter, softened
2 1/2 to 3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 to 1 tsp mint extract
green food coloring


Cream butter and cream cheese.  Add powdered sugar.  Mix until smooth.  Add mint extract to taste. Tint with green food coloring.

Sandwich frosting between two cookies and enjoy!

My New Favorite Recipe

This stuff is so good! Very light and yummy, but totally filling and good for you (dad would call it "rabbit food"). I have had it three times this week.... The recipe is from the Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.

2 2/3 C dried pasta (I used whole wheat penne)

1 medium onion (I used green onions)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 T olive oil

3 C coarsely chopped, seeded tomato

4 C arugula (I used spinach)

Salt and pepper

1/4 C Gorgonzola or Parmesan cheese (I used Parmesan)

1/4 C pine nuts or almonds (we liked it better w/o the almonds, haven't tried the pine nuts yet)

Cook pasta. In a large skillet, cook onion and garlic in olive oil. When onion is tender, add tomatoes, salt, and pepper. Cook until tomatoes are warm and release their juices. Add spinach and cook until it starts to wilt. Top pasta with tomato mixture and sprinkle with nuts and cheese.

Today, I decided to forgo the pasta, and just ate the spinach and tomatoes in a bowl with a slice of bread. Yum.

Strawberry Jam and Pancakes

Made-from-scratch buttermilk pancakes and homemade Strawberry Jam.

How's that for domestic?

St. Patty's Popcorn

I've so been busy lately making flowers for my Etsy Shop and dreaming up Easter projects (coming soon) and chasing a little girl around, and I realized I forgot all about St. Patty's Day. Which is a shame, because I love the color GREEN. Unfortunately, all that GREEN and GOLD, probably doesnt jive with a lot of home decor... I was having a hard time coming up with anything festive and UNridiculous. So I figure if I can't decorate with all that GREEN... I'll EAT it! I'm thinking of making dinner on St. Patty's completely GREEN. Still brainstorming that... but for now, here's a yummy and festive treat that's fun and easy:

My Mom's Oven Jello Popcorn

This would be great for any time of year because it can be made in and flavor/color combination, but Lime Jello is perfect for St. Patty's

8 c. Popped Corn
1/4 c. Margarine (I used butter)
4 Tbs. Light Corn Syrup
1/2 c. Sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 3oz. Package Jello

Mix Butter and syrup over Low heat. Add sugar and Jello. Bring to a Boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Pour over popped corn and mix well (work quickly, things get pretty sticky from here on out). Spread on greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with salt. Bake 300 degrees for 8 minutes. Loosen from pan immediately and break apart when cooled.