4th of July Treats :)

So, I didn't have time to make a new dessert, but made this last year, and it's one of my favs!!  Pretty sure I'll be making these tonight.

More pretty pictures and the recipe are over here!  Hope you have a very happy 4th of July, enjoy the good food and fireworks!
with love,
Kristin Ann :)

dinner!

Chicken Lettuce wraps! Made these the other night, and they were a hit! Love em! 

Recipe over here but really you can make them any way you want!  I made a side of brown rice, because it's delicious and much healthier than white rice, and put it in with the wrap.  Martin and Jen are quite the restaurant lovers, and even they approved this meal!  The mix I made can also be put over rice as a stir fry (or something like that).  Dinners at home - my fav!

with love, 

Kristin Ann :)

A late night craving..

So the hubs works late at night, and to keep myself awake I watch tv. Well, at 1 in the morning, my favorite watch is Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and oh my gosh! I literally drool and wish I could drive cross country in the middle of the night to eat some of the amazing things he finds on this show! Give it a watch, it's amazing (if you're a greasy/meat/cheese/homestyle lover like I am at least), and it will make your mouth water! To be honest, it's not even always unhealthy stuff, I just saw a salad made, so, really, give it a watch :)

A very late birth announcement :)

I realize now, I never posted a birth announcement of our little doll. Here's a few pics of our first days together.

Loretta Ann Murray

{we lovingly call her etta}

7lbs. 7 oz.

21 1/2 in.

Born August 25th, 2011

{yes, 11 days late :)}

broken promise

I know I said I was going to keep up with blogging, and I didn't :( You can blame school (full-time student over here), or the babe who didn't want to sleep more than an hour or two in the evening, from months 4-6, or my love for my husband (I just can't get enough of him), or the fact that my mother has become a photographer (I used to borrow her camera, but it's always in use now), but either way, it will get better! Also, I promised myself that this was never going to be much of a "personal" blog, sorry to disappoint if you were hoping to see every little update of my cute little family (I use facebook if you're family/friend), but I started this blog as just an easy way to post my recipes (websites are way too hard for me). Because she is every minute of every day for me, of course I'll share things here and there, but I am going to try and keep it to my original intent of recipes, trips, recommendations, and so forth. Most of my recipes are on other sites so I have a majority of viewers from unknown sources, which I love that I can share my love of cooking with so many people from so many places, but that's my reason for keeping the personal details to a minimum! Enjoy the blog.. keep your fingers crossed for me that my next quarter of school goes easier than this past one! I'm on spring break right now, and oh it is so so sweet :)

{5 months}

{6 months}

isn't she sooooo cute!!??

This little one is crawling already! And I swear she's going to start walking soon! She pulls herself up on everything (causing her parents to be ever so nervous that she's going to take a tumble) but we are so proud! She is a smart little thing, and works for what she wants. Before we know it, she's going to be driving and traveling the world at the age of 2. I would tell her to slow down, but we love it! This girl knows what she wants ;)

Oh hey blog, how've you been?

So I've been away for awhile if it hasn't been obvious and this is why...

{baby etta at 3 months}

My little one hit 4 months on christmas and we just love her so darn much!! Isn't she cute?! We love life, even though it's a little too busy to include a blog. I have made a few new years resolutions and one of them is to spend more time in the kitchen and less time at fast food; so you should see a few more recipes up here! More updates will come shortly.. for now, happy new years!!!

Makin Banana Pancakes :)

I love pancakes, it's a bit of a weakness actually. Generally in the morning though, I have a little more willpower than the rest of the day so I eat somewhat healthy, and if I have time to make breakfast, I try and stay away from gluten (since my poor tummy doesn't do well with it). So, long story short, I found red mill's gluten free mix, tried it, and loved it! So here you go..

Gluten free Banana Pancakes



How I make these wonderful things...
Follow the instructions for the pancakes on the package. Have ready (for one batch, which serves about 4, so 8 large pancakes)

2 bananas sliced in 1/4 inch ish rounds,
brown sugar, and
chopped pecans or walnuts if you are the nut type :) and also,
you can add ground flax meal to the top (not necessary, but we didn't have nuts, and I love flax)

On a skillet, griddle, pan, whatever you use to do pancakes normally, over medium heat, butter your pan and pour on 4 good size pancakes. Let cook for about a minute and then work quickly. Place between 5-7 banana slices on the top of each pancake and push in just slightly. I usually put one in the middle and do a circle around that, just for aesthetics. Sprinkle brown sugar with your fingers or spoon on top of the pancakes. Sprinkle, nuts, and or flax as well. Once you feel the bottom portion of the pancake is done.. flip! You will want to make sure your pan isn't too hot, burnt pancakes are just the worst. The sugar side can burn easily if it's too hot. Cook for a minute or two until you feel the pancake portion is done, not doughy, and that's it! If you can make pancakes, you can make banana pancakes. But if you tend to suck at pancakes, I don't really know what to tell you :) Good luck!
Also, you can use any pancake mix or recipe. I have a from scratch recipe I used to use before the gluten issues came up, and I can't find it, so I couldn't put it in the post.. but I'll find it one of these days.
Sprinkle with powdered sugar, drizzle with syrup, top with butter, go nuts! Add more fruit, whipped cream, however you love your pancakes.



Happy weekend breakfast everyone!


Here's the mix, in case you want to look into it. Red mill is an amazing brand for gluten free and just healthy products in general by the way. Most health food stores carry their line of products (stores like safeway only have a few things). We use red mill's pancake mix, quinoa, quinoa flour, oat flour, flax meal, etc. Locally, I know raley's has a large selection of their products, actually all of them.
Again, happy weekend!
with love,
kristin ann :)