FEATURED RECIPE: Panera's Blueberry Stuffed French Toast

Blueberry Stuffed French Toast 

Your family will love waking up to this warm, feel-good breakfast. 

Tip

If you don’t have whole milk, use 1 cup 2 percent milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream.

Ingredients

1 loaf Panera Bread Cinnamon Raisin Bread
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese spread, at room temperature
4 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
2 tablespoons grated orange zest
3/4 cup fresh blueberries
6 large eggs
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Directions

1.Cut bread into 1 1/4-inch-thick slices (you should have about 8 slices). Cut a slit through the top crust of each slice to form a deep pocket.

2.In a medium bowl, mix together the cream cheese, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and orange zest. Stir in blueberries and spoon filling equally into bread pockets. Lay stuffed slices of bread in a shallow 4-quart baking dish, such as a 15-inch-by-10-inch dish.

3.In medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, salt, and remaining the 1 tablespoon of sugar. Pour mixture evenly over bread, tilting the dish to completely coat the bread. Let sit until the liquid is absorbed, at least 30 minutes at room temperature or covered in the refrigerator overnight.

4.Coat a large skillet or griddle with cooking spray, oil, or butter, and heat over medium-high heat. Add the Panera Bread Cinnamon Raisin Bread and cook until nicely browned and crisp outside, about 5 minutes per side.

Makes 6 servings.
Prep: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes or overnight soaking)
Cook: 10 minutes

Nutrition (per serving): 489 calories, 19 g protein, 61 g carbohydrate, 20 g fat, 259 mg cholesterol, 443 mg sodium, 3 g dietary fiber

 

Feature Recipe

Taste of Home: Lone Star Chicken Enchiladas



Avanell Hewitt of North Richland Hills, Texas won 3rd place for this recipe in the Taste of Home cooking contest for October. If you're looking for something quick and easy that has the taste of cooking for hours, this is for you. If you would like to see more recipes like this along with cooking and health tips, fun things to do with your kids in the kitchen and more information on how to enter your recipe, go to TasteofHome.com.

Ingredients

• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
• 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, drained
• 3/4 cup salsa verde
• 1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
• 1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 12 corn tortillas (6 inches), warmed
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded pepper Jack cheese

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. In a shallow bowl, combine cream and salt.
• Dip both sides of each tortilla in cream mixture; top with 1/4 cup chicken mixture. Roll up and place seam side down in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Pour remaining cream mixture over top; sprinkle with cheese. Cover and freeze for up to 6 months.
• To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 2 enchiladas equals 897 calories, 65 g fat (37 g saturated fat), 270 mg cholesterol, 1,437 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrate, 4 g fiber, 45 g protein.

   Avanell says to start with deli-roasted chicken and this family-friendly casserole will be ready in no time and for a milder version, use Monterey Jack cheese in place of pepper Jack.  Be sure to take your kids/grandkids into the kitchen with you. Children love to be creative and it's a great way to spend some quality family time.   Check back again soon for another great Family/Feature recipe -  VA

Scrapbooking Software Giveaway

My Memories Suite Software Giveaway

Would you like to win free digital scrapbooking software? MyMemories scrapbooking and photobooks program is very easy to use from beginners to avid scrapbookers. Anyone can create great looking, interactive albums in minutes. Going beyond traditional photo albums, My Memories Suites program has more tools and sharing options than any other software available. Send your albums to DVD and share with family and friends. Turn your album into a JPG and email it. Make albums using simple already created templates or experience your creative side by using the tools and options available. 

If you would like a chance to win your very own free My Memories Suite software, Email me at granny.papasboys@gmail.com with one of your favorite photos along with the ID number from one of the templates at MyMemories.com.

A winner will be picked and posted right here on my Blog along with the winners submitted photo.

 I've posted a few pages from an album I put together to show what you can do with little effort. I used one of the templates available, which was very simple and took minimal time. You can use your creative side and design your own pages to make your scrapbook or photo book.

 *You must email me your photo along with the ID number from one of the templates at MyMemories.com to be eligible to win. Deadline for your entry is Friday, Oct. 28.

REVIEW: Fun-da-middles Cupcakes

Fun-da-middles are a lot of Fun

Thank you Betty Crocker for giving me the opportunity to try your new product. First of all, I find the name to be quite clever and well, fun. And the package has a cheerful, sunny look that catches your attention.

Soon after beginning, I couldn't help but think of my grandkids and how much they would enjoy helping grandma make these cupcakes.

They come in several varieties: Yellow Cake with Creamy Vanilla filling, Chocolate cake with Creamy Vanilla  filling, Yellow Cake with Creamy Chocolate filling. 

 

I made the Yellow Cake with Creamy Vanilla filling.

After mixing the ingredients of cake mix, water, oil and eggs, fill 12 paper cupcake inserts about 1/3 full. The convenience of the already prepared filling is great. Just knead the package containing the filling about 20 times (the kids/grandkids would have fun helping with this part), cut the tip off one of the corners of the package and squeeze evenly in the center of all 12 cupcakes.

Finish filling with remaining cake batter, making sure to completely cover the filling with the batter and then bake. It's almost too easy!

After removing from the oven, I immediately transferred the cupcakes from the pan to a wire rack for cooling. I could hardly wait to try them, the sweet aroma was incredible.

And the taste - even more incredible. That sweet aroma I had been smelling didn't disappoint my taste buds. Still slightly warm, because I just couldn't wait for them to cool, it reminded me of a Twinkie on a really good day.

The cake was very moist and the filling was just right and just enough.

I picked up a can of Betty Crocker cream cheese frosting. I have always frosted my cupcakes, but quite honestly, these cupcakes don't need it.

I recommend picking up a box of these cupcakes and your kids or grandkids and see for yourself how much they'll enjoy helping you with this quick and easy recipe. There's a good reason they call them Fun-da-middles.

You can find Fun-da-middles cupcake mix at any of your local grocery stores, they sell for around $3.29 a box and it easily makes a dozen cupcakes. Go to Betty Crocker's website for coupons and some really great recipes.

I really enjoyed making this new and great idea for cupcakes. Can't wait to try the Chocolate with Creamy Vanilla filling. I might even throw in some Dairy Queen vanilla ice cream or Breyer's Vanilla Bean!

Thanks for visiting and if you have also tried these new cupcakes and would like to share your comments, I would love to hear from you.

Maybe you have a product you would like me to review or a family recipe to share. I would love to post your Family Favorite recipe or a special family story right here. And don't forget about that family photo too!

Until next time! VA

REVIEW: Milk Chocolate Brownies

Betty Crocker Milk Chocolate Brownies

I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur when it comes to brownies. I've baked, bought and sampled all varieties. I like the Blondie brownies, but my preference is most definitely chocolate. And to be fair, I've never tried butterscotch brownies. I'm not sure why other than I simply always reach for the chocolate!

There is a couple recipes that I love and make often that are made with butterscotch chips. Butterscotch oatmeal cookies (who don't love these!) - I always make butterscotch oatmeal cookies at Christmas time and my favorite from one of my first postings was my terrific daughter-in-law Jessica and her awesome cake "Chocolate Passion." Although the recipe calls for Sanders Caramel topping, I have used both caramel and a caramel/butterscotch mix and it's was equally as scrumptious.
When Betty Crocker sent me a sample of their new Milk Chocolate Brownies, I couldn't wait to bake them.

So once again, I decided to bake them and share with the staff at The Oakland Press. It's a great way to treat them and get a lot of feedback on the product. (I hope they don't get too spoiled).

But before I share their comments with you, let me tell you what I thought about these brownies.

Wonderful! I loved the texture of these brownies. They are soft and slightly chewy with a gentle chocolate flavor. I immediately noticed the lighter color of these brownies as I removed them from the oven, it left no doubt that they were milk chocolate.
I made these in a 9 x 13 size pan, but if you want a thicker brownie you could bake in a smaller 9 x 9 pan. Myself, I prefer the thinner chewier brownie over a thicker stickier textured brownie. Although, I think these would still have more of that soft and chewy texture that I love.
If a "cake-like" thick brownie is what you're looking for - it's probably not going to be this brownie. I love chocolate cake, but if I want cake - I'll bake a cake!
I stuck to the recipe when baking these brownies, but next time I'll make a couple changes. I'll add some walnuts and because of the mild milk chocolate, not-too-sweet flavor,  I will frost with the Betty Crocker milk chocolate frosting.
Pick up a box of Betty Crocker's Milk Chocolate Brownies or any of their other fabulous brownie mixes and bake them yourself and your family. Kids love brownies, a glass of milk and one of these brownies will say "I Love You" after a long week at school!
Let me know what you thought about them by leaving your comment right here. Would love your feedback.

Now here's what The Oakland Press newsroom had to say:

Katie Bontinen: They were chewy which is my favorite type of brownie! 5-Stars!

Dustin Blitcho: Your brownie was GREAT...perfect consistency! It almost brought a tear to my eye, thinking of countless nights spent huddled in my Detroit tenement, eating cereal with a fork due to a self-induced shortage of clean dishes...

Steve Frye: This brownie was very good... chewy, not too sweet. I'd eat five more.

Nicole Robertson: These were tasty, but didn't seem any different from other brownies I've eaten. Of course, I prefer them with walnuts, so if I were making those, I WOULD add the nuts. :)

Carol Hopkins: I like brownie's texture - but am longing for even more chocolatey flavor

Dave Phillips: It was good. Nice texture, not too dry but not too moist. I would eat it again.

Shaun Byron: a little too chewy, but still better than store bought.

Kathy Blake: They are delicious, the perfect level of chocolate and chewey goodness.

Valerie West: The texture was perfectly chewy - could be thicker, but who really needs those extra calories. The color was a lighter brown, perhaps because it was milk chocolate? You bring the chocolate, I'll bring the milk - 4 stars!

Julie Jacobson: These brownies were awesome. I love the unadulterated flavor of pure milk chocolate, no chocolate chips or chocolate drizzles making it too complicated. These were just the plain/moist/creamy/chewy texture of a brownie that I could eat an entire pan full.


There you have it - straight from those that know what they like!




I enjoyed reviewing this product from Betty Crocker - it was both fun and delicious! If you would like to send me your product (food, gadgets) for review or your favorite recipe, I would love to hear from you.
Until next time - VA

Betty Crocker Molasses Cookie

Molasses Cookie Mix by Betty Crocker

What’s the best and best tasting way to give a product a genuine, from the heart review? Bake ‘em up and offer ‘em up to The Oakland Press newsroom!
Betty Crocker recently sent me one of their new products here at the paper – a molasses cookie mix. I’m always looking for an excuse to bake, yet get it out of the house quickly. No one enjoys a great homemade treat like the crew at the OP, so I decided to take the mix home, bake them and bring them in for the gang.

As people came in to my office, I offered them a cookie or two and then asked everyone to give me a sentence or so of what they thought about the cookies. Some even rated them from 1-5 with 5 being awesome!
They say that timing is everything. I would have to agree when it comes to the impeccable timing of Kelly Dolan of Coyne Public Relations. Hardly a morsel of a cookie was left when her call came in asking what I thought of the product. My first thought, when I was told that “Betty Crocker” was on the phone, was that it was a staffer being a jokester. I quickly realized that the person on the phone was indeed a very nice woman calling about the cookies! All I could think was “how did she know we just devoured all those molasses cookies! Hidden camera? Nope, obviously Betty Crocker got it right with not only the cookies but with Kelly Dolan. She has a nose for their products and impeccable timing.

Now read what the Oakland Press staffers had to say about Betty Crocker’s Molasses cookies:

I would rate the cookies a 4.5. They were much more moist and tender than most molasses cookies I've tasted, that tend to be tough because of the high sugar content. The only thing that would have bumped them up from a 4.5 to a 5 would be a more buttery taste, a tad more creamy. But the actual molasses taste and consistency were excellent!
____Julie Jacobson Hines

 Slap yo' granny good! 5.5 stars

_____Valerie West

The cookies were baked perfectly, just the right size with nice texture. The flavor was not very natural though. I liked them and give them a 3. 

____Kathy Blake

I give them a 4.5 but if they were a little more "man size" they'd get a 5!!!

_____Vaughn Gurganian

They were definitely a 5! They were so soft and spiced perfectly!

_____Katie Bontinen

Vicki, I would give them a 3 because of the quality and the softness of the cookie. I couldn't give them a 5 because if I were to choose a cookie mix for my family, I probably wouldn't pick molasses cookie mix — unless it was on sale and it was for really little kids who haven't already garnered a tastes for chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies, which are our family's all-time favorites. All my daughter's six kids learned how to make them by the time they were four or five (with her help of course). As teenagers, it seems like every time I visit, one or the other is always making a batch of chocolate chip cookies.

_____Diana Dillaber

The cookies were tasty, soft and chewy and filled with molasses goodness.

­­­­

_____Stephen Frye

I think they were awesome and rate them a 5. They were really soft and tasted just right. Sometimes they (molasses cookies) taste like all molasses but these did not. Thanks

_____Mary Cook

I have to say the Molasses cookies are incredibly epic. They were the perfect start to my Labor Day weekend. Great Job Vicki :)

_____Chris Laine

I like them -- not too sweet, and much softer and milder than those store-bought Ginger Snap cookies. I bet they would be great dunked in milk! I'd give them a 4.

_____Ann Zaniewski

 They were not too sweet which is how I like them. They had a nice consistency and great flavor.

_____Walt Arsenault_____Not on staff, but how could I leave the house filled with the warm molasses aroma of fresh baked cookies and no samples!

This is a very easy cookie to make. The mix has basically all the ingredients right in the bag. Add an egg, butter, water and bake!

Come back next week when the Oakland Press gang gives me their thoughts on another new product by Betty Crocker. One of my all time favorites, got even better!

Thanks everyone! Until next time. VA

Family Recipe: Chocolate Cream Extreme

OMG! This cake screams delicious. My sister Diane gets an A+ for this recipe. The paring of chocolate cake and a cream cheese and whipped cream blend filling, all topped with a milk chocolate icing, makes this the perfect Bundt cake.

My sister Diane and her Chocolate Cream Extreme Bundt Cake

 

She made this for the annual family 4th of July celebration, where in my family, there is never a shortage of desserts. I missed the holiday bash because I was on my way back from Kansas City with our fabulous grandsons. However, I was told that not even a morsel could be found after dinner.
We have a tradition that we started for my mom after the passing of my father. We would designate a day - once a week - where we would all get together at her house. It's been 13 years now and the tradition still goes on. One thing that evolved since the start of this tradition, is that we celebrate each of our birthdays with our favorite cake. Although it always seems we have much, much more than just the birthday cake.
Like this Poppyseed cake that I baked for my niece Nena (center). I've been making this for her for years. So on her birthday recently at my mom's, she had one of her favorites to go along with the featured Chocolate Cream Extreme cake. And that wasn't all either, we also had another family favorite (Pecan pie). But you'll have to come back for that - it's another sister and another recipe.

.

My niece Nena (center) about to blow out the candles of one of her favorite cakes 'Poppyseed Bundt.'

Now for the featured recipe: As soon as my sister cut into this bundt cake, I was sold. Sometimes just one look and you already know you're going to love it. So, make it for yourself and your family and let me know your thoughts, you can leave them right here by commenting. I would love to hear from you.

A slice of Heaven

Ingredients (Cake)

1 box Pillsbury chocolate cake mix (with pudding in the mix)

1 small box Jello brand chocolate instant pie filling

1 can Pillsbury milk chocolate frosting

2 Tbl water

 Filling

1 1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla
1 8 ounce Philadelphia cream cheese
1 8 ounce Kraft Cool Whip


Directions

Prepare cake according to directions. Mix in package of chocolate instant pudding and mix well. Batter will be stiff, add 2 tablespoons of water and finish mixing.

Pour batter into prepared bundt pan and bake according to directions.

While cake is baking prepare filling.

Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla with mixer until smooth and fluffy. Fold in Cool whip until well blended. Set aside.

When cake is done, remove from oven and place on wire rack. Take a knife and run it along the outside of the cake to prevent sticking.

Invert cake onto a plate and cool completely.

Using a sharp knife, slice cake evenly from side to side. Gently separate the top half of the cake from the bottom half and set aside.

Spread filling evenly on bottom half of cake and gently replace top half.

Completely frost entire cake with milk chocolate frosting.

Now enjoy!

Variations

 Add an extra cup of Cool Whip topping for a fluffier filling. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the milk chocolate frosting. Melt frosting in microwave and drizzle over top of frosted cake. Garnish with fresh strawberries or raspberries and this cake could be served at any of your finer restaurants.

 I would like to thank my dear sweet sister Diane for not only making this amazing cake for us, but also for sharing this recipe with me and all of you. 

Be sure to check back for my sister Mae's Pecan Pie!

Enjoy! VA

Today's Gadget:: Reacher Grabber tool

Reacher Grabber Tool

If you've ever been in a situation where just the thought of bending over makes your back scream out in pain, you need to pick up this handy gadget.

Whether your situation is permanent or temporary, having one of these around your home can give you a lending hand.

It's a pretty simple looking tool, the featherweight style is 26-inches long with  a claw-shaped, slip resistant grip.

It also has a clip attached to the top for storing if using from a wheelchair.

A second model is available at 32-inches long and gives you the added length you need when picking up from an upright position.

Due to my husbands back injury, you'll always find one or two of these around our home. Use it in the home for picking up items off the floor or for those hard to reach cupboard items. Take it outside to help in picking up yard items, branches or anything that keeps you from bending over.

The 24-inch model sells for $25.99 and the 32-inch model goes for $2.99 more and can be ordered online at Amazon. 

There is also variations of this tool available, your local CVS, carries a PikStick which will also serve all the functions of the Reacher Grabber Tool and can be easily picked up locally at CVS for $23.99.

So if you need a little assistance around your home - check out one of these reacher tools.

Hope today's gadget review helped you out. If you have one of these tools and would like to share how you use it, feel free to leave your comments.

If you have a favorite gadget around your home that you just wouldn't want to be without - send it to me. I will review it and post it here on my blog and on Twitter @OCKidsKorner.com. VA....

Family Favorite: Chocolate Passion

Last week I shared the men in the family's favorite cake - today's recipe is all about the ladies in the family!
And it starts with chocolate. Light and moist - melt-in-your mouth chocolate cake.
The first time I had this cake it immediately became 'my favorite.'
My wonderful daughter-in-law - Jessica (who's every bit as sweet as this cake) brought this to Christmas Eve dinner one year.
It's not the packaging of this cake that will sell you. What appeared to be another 'chocolate cake' quickly became the perfect chocolate cake for me.
The simplicity of this recipe and the delicious results will keep you (me) asking for this 'Chocolate Passion' for years to come.

Chocolate Passion
1) box chocolate cake mix (I like Duncan Hines devil's food but any chocolate cake will work - light or dark)
1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk (I use Eagle brand)
1 20 ounce jar of Sanders Classic Caramel topping
1 12 ounce container whipped topping
1  king size Hershey's Health candy bar
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

Directions
Prepare cake mix according to directions and bake in 9 x 13 cake pan.
Immediately after removing cake from oven, punch holes over the entire top of cake using back of tablespoon.
Pour entire can of sweetened condensed milk over top of cake.
Pour entire jar of caramel topping over top of cake.
The first time I made this cake and complained to my daughter-in-law Jessica that mine just 'wasn't the same' as hers, she gave me this very important tip.
TIP: For best results, the condensed milk and caramel should be poured over the cake hot-out-of-the-oven without cooling.
(I like to leave the cake set overnight to allow the milk and caramel to totally absorb into the cake before refrigerating).
After cake has then completely cooled, spread whipped topping over entire cake.
Break candy bar (still in wrapper) into pieces and scatter over whipped topping.
Cover and refrigerate and this will keep nicely for 5 days.

Enjoy! VA

Other options:
Sprinkle nuts (walnuts or pecans) over top
Use Butterfinger candy bar topping or another favorite candy bar for topping.
Use Butterscotch Caramel topping instead of Caramel topping
*Fat-Free Eagle Brand condensed milk
Sugar Free Caramel topping
*I have not used either one of these options. They are both much thinner than the regular and may need to be applied to a cooler cake.

Today's Gadget: Hula Ho Weeder

If you have a garden - vegetable or flower - you don't want to be without this garden tool. The Hula Ho Weeder or the 'weeder with a wiggle' as Gardeners Supply Co. calls it, is a must-have for my husband and I. The one we own, purchased years ago from True Value Hardware, has a 54-inch handle and a high carbon heat treated 'wiggle' blade and works as well today as it did when we bought it. We also purchased one for our son and daughter-in-law for their flower garden a couple years back.
This tool easily removes weeds from around your flowers and plants. Simply push the blade back and forth through the soil, the weeds are easily cut in both directions. The 'wiggle' in the blade gives it just enough movement to easily glide through the soil.
We have fairly sandy soil in our gardens and the weeds are no match for it. If you have a lot of clay in your soil it may constrict the easy glide somewhat, but I think it will handle it well.
Because this gadget is lightweight and has such a smooth glide to it, you'll want to be careful not to get too carried away and uproot more than your weeds!

Save your knees and your back and do your weeding with ease with this 'Made in the USA' product.
The Hula-Ho Weeder sells for $20.99 at True Value Hardware and can be shipped for free to your local store.
The Hula-Hoe sells for $24.99 at Gardeners Supply Co. and is sold online.
Enjoy!

Have a household gadget that you wouldn't want to live without? I would love to hear about it and share it on my blog. Thanks for reading and sharing! VA

If you enjoy gardening, you'll love it even more when you involve your kids or grandkids. Take them outdoors and have some 'fun in the sun' and let them experience your love for your gardens.

Family Favorite: Pineapple upside-down cake

Pineapple upside-down cake has been a favorite in my family for as long as I can remember. My mom made it for us when we were just kids and at almost 93 still enjoys baking one from time to time. And like my mom, I too have enjoyed baking them for my family. A favorite of the men in the family, I often make one on birthdays and holidays.
We recently celebrated our 5 and 2-year-old grandsons birthdays. Their birthdays are within a few months apart so we had a small celebration for them both, they live out-of-state. We had a nice gathering with some family at a friends house. I picked up a cake on the way and had it decorated with Kung Fu Panda - a favorite of the boys as well as Papa and I.
The gathering was very nice - visiting, swimming and grilling and then cake time! Nope,  I never got past the kitchen counter with the cake. As I was heading outside with the cake and presents I proceeded to lose total control of the cake and flipped it totally upside-down!
My sweet grandson however, was very sincere after seeing the cake and politely asked after one look, "Can I have a candy bar grandma?"
It's now a week later and time for papa's birthday - and what does papa request? A pineapple upside-down cake! No problem, I'm a pro at upside-down cakes!
My grandsons were very excited when I told them they could make papas upside-down cake and very curious about how you would bake a cake upside down. This cake may not be the prettiest pineapple upside-down cake out there, but according to papa - the main ingredient was the best - LOVE - from his boys.
The recipe I make starts with the basics, a Duncan Hines box cake mix. My favorite part is the topping so I really indulge. You'll notice in the photos that I also used blueberries where traditionally people use cherries (my boys request). And the Wall-e birthday candle was also picked out by my grandson who explained that we had to use a Wall-e candle for Papa (Wally). I couldn't of agreed more.
I hope you enjoy this recipe and would love to post your Pineapple upside-down cake recipe or any other favorite recipe you may have. Enjoy!
Pineapple upside-down cake
1 Box Duncan Hines Pineapple Supreme cake mix (mix according to direction but I like to replace at least half of the water with the juice from the pineapples.
1 20 ounce can sliced pineapples
1 20 ounce can crushed pineapples (well drained)
1 1/2 stick butter or margarine
1 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
1 small can maraschino cherries or replace with fresh blueberries
Optional chopped walnuts is also good

Directions
Melt butter and pour into bottom of 13 x 9 baking pan. Add brown sugar and mix well.
Spoon well-drained crushed pineapple over entire bottom of pan over sugar and butter mixture (do not mix)
Arrange pineapple slices on bottom of pan and place either cherries or blueberries in centers of pineapple slices.
Mix cake mix according to directions and pour over pineapple topping in pan.
Place on center rack at 325 degrees for at least 45 minutes or until top springs up when pushed or well browned.
After removing from oven, place flat platter or sheet cake pan on top of cake and flip upside-down. (The boys really liked this part).

Slowly remove 9 x 13 pan (careful, will be hot).
Allow to cool completely.
Beautiful!
Now enjoy as we did.
Hope to hear from you soon - VA

Family Events

If you're looking for some fun to beat the hot weather, look no further than Waterford Oaks. From the Tropical -theme wave pool,  Dual-flume Slidewinder Waterslide and wave-action pool to the Big Bucket Ragin' Rapids, there's plenty to do. Take the family and enjoy any day until 7 p.m. through the end of August. Check out their website at DestinationOakland.com for detailed information and photos. 

Back-to-school information

Here's a few articles that may help with getting prepared to go back to school. Check out this link for student organizational tips and some of the best back-to-school online shopping stores. Are you thinking about a cell phone for your kids? Check out this link.

Today's Gadget: Swivel Peeler

This is one of my favorite kitchen gadgets. The swivel feature allows it to glide over your fruits or vegetables with ease. The sharp stainless steel blades and comfortable handle make it the perfect gadget. Our garden is coming in nicely right now and for $7.99 this little jewel is great for one of my favorites - cucumbers. You can check out this on OXO's website and a lot of other great products.

Do you have a favorite gadget or product you would like to share, I would love to hear from you.

Welcome to Family: A Recipe for Life

I love my family! I'm a wife, mother and grandmother and I've been an Oakland County resident for 20 plus years. I have worked in the newsroom at The Oakland Press for more than 16 years.

I've been blessed with a wonderful husband and friend - my soul mate. Together we have 3 grown children and 2 grandsons that, without a doubt, are gifts from God. We are so blessed to have our children and thank our son and daughter-in-law each day for the joy they brought us when they made us grandparents. It was actually these little guys that inspired me to do this blog.

My hope is that together we can build a highway of information for parents, grandparents and everyone that enjoys life and living it to the fullest.  Favorite family memories, recipes, photos, videos, upcoming events and news information can be shared with us all - send me yours!

I am number 11 of 12 siblings and it seems a lotl of my favorite memories in some way involve food. Each week I will post one of my favorite family recipes along with a random recipe from my library of cookbooks. I would love to post your favorite recipe also - perhaps you have a family memory that makes it special.

And who isn't looking for that special gadget around the home that has somehow made your life easier. Maybe there's a story behind it. Share it with me - I would love to review it and post it for all our families.

Your feedback is important - I would like my blog to be your resource for information that's important to you and can be shared with families everywhere. VA...