I’m sorry it’s been quiet around her for a couple of weeks. I’ve been blogging for a very long time, yet it’s taken me this long to realize something about myself…

When I have personal things going on in my life I either can’t wait to come here and pour my words out to you, or I shut down completely, and can’t seem to write at all. Recently, the latter is what’s happened.

It’s been a rough couple of weeks (spoiler alert – all is well now)… for those of you who don’t know, my mom was taken into the hospital a week ago Friday after I had a distressing phone call with her. She wasn’t talking right…her words were very muddled and slow and she was getting frustrated trying to get words out. I finally said “Mom, I think you’ve had a stroke” and she then said “I think so too”. She was alone at the time but my aunt and uncle who live nearby went over as soon as I contacted them and she was taken immediately to the hospital. …

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I’ve told you all before that when I first got married 15 years ago, I didn’t really know how to cook. Frozen cookie dough, Hamburger Helper, etc. was pretty much the extent of things I’d attempt in the kitchen. Man, was I so proud of myself when my husband would compliment me on my exquisite skills with box mixes! In fairness, I was working 60+ hours a week in a highly demanding job and really didn’t care to devote the time to cooking. I was perfectly happy with my slice and bake cookies and not so fancy convenience meals.

Then I had kids, and the continuous demand of my job went away as I decided to work from home part-time. Having kids opened up a desire in me to try a little harder to be domestic and to work on improving my skills in the kitchen. Slowly and surely, I tried different recipes and discovered that not only did I really like to cook, I was pretty good at it! And, as they say, the rest is history!…

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I wasn’t going to share this dump cake recipe with you. I don’t know why… I just felt like maybe it was beneath my “standards”.

I have no idea why I’m being so judgey with myself about it! It’s really not that different than the amazing Peach Dump Cake I shared on Dine & Dish a couple years ago. It’s not like I’m “above” using canned ingredients and box cake mixes. I guess I just felt that it was too simple. In fact, it was so simple, Leah (my 4 year old) pretty much made it herself. I just had to open the cans for her and tell her what to do and she did it. With an abundance of pride, at that!…

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The post Simply Simple {Recipe: 3 Ingredient Cherry Chocolate Dump Cake} appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Friends, I have to apologize. My brain just isn’t really in cooking mode this summer. No cooking mode = no blogging mode = I’m really slacking on just about everything around this space lately!

Plus I’m on Weight Watchers and cooking = temptation = eating more than I should. It’s hard to be a food blogger and be on Weight Watchers at the same time! I’m better off just not cooking. And not leaving my house, ever, for that matter. I get too tempted in uncontrolled settings. So that’s it… I’m just going to become a non-blogging, non-cooking hermit so I can stay within my Points range each day, ok?…

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I’m so excited for the cookie baking stage of the holidays to begin. Last year, one of my favorite cookie creations were these Cinnamon Roll Cookies with Vanilla Glaze. How can you not love a cookie with a cinnamon roll twist? So good!

When Pillsbury sent a call out to a few bloggers to turn a favorite cookie recipe into one that can be made using their Pillsbury sugar cookie dough, I jumped on board. I love making the cookies from scratch but am also the first to love a good shortcut when it’s available.

These Simple Cinnamon Roll Cookies are so easy… just a few ingredients and quick to make, you’ll want to make sure you make room on your holiday cookie tray for this tasty treat.

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Recipe: Simple Cinnamon Roll Cookies

Incredibly simple cinnamon roll cookies

Ingredients

• Recipe: Simple Cinnamon Roll Cookies
• Cookies:
• 1 tube Pillsbury refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 4 Tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• Glaze:
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
• warm water if needed

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350°F
• In a small bowl, stir together cinnamon and granulated sugar and set aside
• Roll out Pillsbury sugar cookie dough onto a lightly floured surface into a 9x6 rectangle
• Spread cinnamon and sugar mixture over the surface of the cookie dough, gently pressing into the dough
• Carefully roll dough lengthwise, jelly roll style
• Sprinkle dough with remaining cinnamon sugar mixture
• Slice dough into ¼ inch thick slices. Place 2 inches apart onto parchment lined baking sheets.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until edges are slightly golden. Let sit for 2 minutes then remove from the baking sheet and let cool on a wire rack.
• In a small bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar and vanilla. If needed, add warm water to thin, 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
• Drizzle glaze over cooled cookies.

Disclosure: I was compensated by Pillsbury for my time and ingredients to create the recipe. All opinions expressed are my own.

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If you’ll recall, American Express launched the search for easy recipes to help celebrate their new American Express Blue Cash Preferred and Everyday cards. American Express had me send a call out to Dine & Dish readers for some of your favorite 6 ingredients or less recipes, and boy did you all come through!

I can say, I am so glad this was a random drawing situation and not a judging contest because there were so many delicious, simple recipes submitted. I am excited to have a collection of easy dessert recipes to turn to now anytime I have the need for something sweet and simple.

The winner, chosen by Random.org, for the $600 American Express Gift Card is Joyce from Ballwin, Missouri. Joyce has always been a stay at home mom / homemaker. Her children are now out of the house but she has 3 grandchildren who keep her busy. Joyce loves to read, play golf and travel.

Joyce’s winning recipe was an Easy Peach Dump Cake. She was introduced to this simple recipe by some ladies at church and she has been making it ever since. Thank you, Joyce, for submitting your favorite 6 ingredient or less recipe to help celebrate with American Express. I hope you enjoy your gift card!

This giveaway was sponsored by American Express. All opinions expressed are my own.

I’m going to be 100% honest with you as I was very skeptical of this recipe. 3 ingredients? How on earth can it be any good? I’m eating my words along with this Easy Peach Dump Cake because it is soooo good, especially for how simple it is. It is almost like a peach cobbler and goes very well with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or homemade whipped topping. I think it could also easily be made using fresh peaches in a simple syrup.

Recipe: Easy Peach Dump Cake

submitted by Joyce H.

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Easy Peach Dump Cake

This super easy 3 ingredient recipe is almost like peach cobbler and goes very well

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

Author Dine & Dish - submitted by Joyce H.

Ingredients

• 1 Large Can Peaches I used a 29 ounce can and did not drain the juice
• 1 yellow cake mix
• 1 stick butter

Instructions

• Grease bottom of a 9x13 pan.
• Pour in can of peaches.
• Top with cake mix (stir if you'd like but I haven't found that necessary.
• Melt butter and pour over the top of the peaches and cake mix.
• Bake in a pre-heated 350° for 40 minutes or until bubbly.

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As much as I love to cook, making dinner with this little one constantly under my feet or into something has become a bit of a challenge. I have to either make the decision to 1) let her get into anything and everything, which will make her quiet and happy but triple my cleanup work or 2) hold her and entertain her while I also stir, sautee, slice, boil, steam, etc. Since she is the fourth kid, I’ll admit that I probably let her get into things just to keep her quiet more often than the alternative (and now that I have the joy of older kids, they get to come and clean up after her! Parenthood is paying off!)

Instead of spending a lot of time in the kitchen lately, I’ve been going for those dinners that are quick and easy to put on the table, simply so I don’t have to do the dinner disco with Leah under my feet. The crockpot has been taken out of the cupboards and dusted off for use more often. “Fast Foods” (like shrimp, polish turkey sausage, pasta) are making a regular appearance on our weekly menus. Anything I can do to get dinner on the table without a lot of time devoted by me is pretty much what is happening anymore.

This recipe from the May / June 2010 issue of Cooking with Paula Deen magazine caught my eye for just that reason. It is quick, easy, hearty and since I was going to be cleaning red marker off of Leah’s face, I might as well let her get all down and dirty with the red sauce from this dish.

What are your tips for keeping the kiddos out from under your feet while you cook dinner?

Skillet Ravioli (adapted from the May / June 2010 issue of Cooking with Paula Deen)

In a large skillet, cook beef over medium-high heat for 8 to10 minutes or until browned and crumbly; drain. Return beef to pan, and add tomato sauce, paste, parsley, basil, and garlic salt; cook 6 minutes or until heated through.
Add cooked ravioli to tomato sauce. Sprinkle with cheese, and serve immediately.

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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