Taking a break....

Hey friends! Since becoming a new Mommy about 3 months ago, I have found that I do not have any time to devote to food blogging, much less cooking! I know that sounds crazy -- I, too, thought I would have all the time in the world once I became a stay-at-home mom! I have such a great respect for those of you who are full-time SAHMs. How do you get anything done? I have discovered that no matter what I put on my "to do" list each day, it never gets done. Just a few minutes ago, I managed to fold a load of towels, put a load in the dryer, unload the dishwasher, load the dishwasher, make a couple of bottles, fold another load of clothes and put them away, and make myself a tortilla/cheese rollup in the microwave. I'm pooped!!! But the only way I can get that stuff done is to do it when my little one has been put down for the night. So at 10:00 p.m. I turn into supermom/wife/maid/etc.

That being said...I think I am going to take a break from food blogging. Don't worry, I am still going to blog, and I may even post some recipes/restaurant reviews/etc., but most of my blogs will be about my little one and being a mommy. I spend so much time with my little one that I don't even get to write in his baby book each day. So, I thought if I start blogging about him and what we do each day, maybe I can have a record of it and can go back and fill in his book. I will also be posting some pictures of our "adventures" and other things.

I hope you will continue to read my blog, and I promise I will post "food things" too! I am just taking a little "break" from the food world and diving in to the "mommy world". Come and join me! :)

Some things I have been making lately:

Semi-Homemade Pizza

1 refrigerated pizza crust (I like this one)

1 small jar pizza sauce

1 bag shredded mozzarella cheese

Toppings of your choice (we like pepperoni or hamburger)

Bake dough for about 10 minutes at 400 degrees (for a crisper crust). Spread pizza sauce on dough and top with ingredients. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until cheese is melted and crust is cooked through. Enjoy!

Caesar Salad

1 bag romaine lettuce, chopped (I think they come 3 hearts to a bag)

1 small bag shredded parmesan cheese
1 small bag garlic croutons
Equal parts of Creamy Caeser dressing and Caesar Vinagrette

Toss all ingredients together. Enjoy!

Happy 4th of July!!

What is better than grilling hot dogs, hamburgers, roasting marshmallows for s'mores, and eating cold watermelon? A refreshing Flag Cake! (well, it comes REALLY close to the S'mores...)

For the 4th this year, I am making a Betty Crocker Poke Cake decorated like a flag. It is super easy! All you need is one white cake mix (I'm actually using Pillsbury brand this time - on sale), the ingredients for the cake mix, one small box of strawberry gelatin (I use Walmart brand), one tub of whipped topping, strawberries and blueberries.

Here is what your cake should look like:

You can also use raspberries instead of the strawberries and raspberry gelatin instead of the strawberry. Here is the full recipe:

Strawberry Poke Cake

1 box white cake mix
(Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box)
1 small box strawberry-flavored gelatin
1 cup boiling water
1/2 cup cold water
1 container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Fresh strawberries
Fresh blueberries

Heat oven to 350°F. Make and cool cake as directed on box for 13x9-inch pan. Pierce cooled cake all over with fork. In small bowl, stir gelatin and boiling water until smooth; stir in cold water. Pour over cake. Run knife around sides of pan to loosen cake. Refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight). Frost with whipped topping; garnish with strawberries and blueberries. Store covered in refrigerator.

Hope you enjoy your holiday! May we rejoice in our freedom!