Arroz Con Leche

Source: camillestyles.com via Tricia on Pinterest

It's a wet and cold start to spring here in Idaho.  We had beautiful weather yesterday, but typical of March, that changed quickly.  Grey skies always make me want to stay warm in my pajamas all day long, and that fact that my 18 month old has been super irritable with teething, doesn't motivate me to embrace the day one little bit.

I needed some comfort food today, and that came in the form of Arroz Con Leche.  I've always loved rice pudding.  My mom makes some delicious rice pudding, but it is much different than it's latin food counter part arroz con leche (at least in my book). 

I spent 18 months of my life as a missionary for my church.  I was fortunate enough to spend my days filling up on Mexican and Latin American foods.  Arroz Con Leche is a favorite.  My companion from Bolivia first taught me how to make it.  It's simple, delicious, and perfect for a belly in need of warming on a cold day. 

I used Diana Barrios Treviños recipe, from her cookbook, Los Barrios  Family Cookbook.  Her Easy Rice Pudding recipe is just what it says, easy.  Her recipe is pretty basic, and I'm not going to share it here, but it involves everyday ingredients and seasonings.  Her recipe doesn't call for cloves, but in my book, if it's arroz con leche, it needs cloves. 

Source: laylita.com via Tricia on Pinterest

You can find recipes all over the place.  Some are a bit more complex, but I'm sure that they are every bit as delicious. 

While Arroz Con Leche is far from being a health food, it sure did wonders for my emotional/mental health.  My teething toddler loved it too-no chewing involved.

It's no wonder I've gained more weight with this pregnancy than the others.  Mama loves food.  

In other news: I'm working on a tutorial for you.  It should be up by the first of next week at the latest.  Time to get my bigger than normal buns in gear.

Lil' Bit of Love: a mini-series

Normally I don't get too excited about Holidays.  I like them, but I don't go overboard.  I decorate for Christmas....and that's about it.  I don't know what it is about this year, but I'm getting  excited about Valentine's day.  I blame Pinterest.

Another thing, I normally don't like heart shaped things, jewelry in particular, but this year it's winning me over.  So in celebration of my change of HEART, I've decided to run a week long mini-series to include everything red, pink, and heart shaped.

I'll be popping in with some Valentines themed projects, and of course several round ups.

So let's start out with the best part of any holiday...the food.  Here a few festive treats to celebrate the day.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Valentine's Day Cupcakes

Source: mommygaga.com via Tricia on Pinterest

White Chocolate dipped marshmallows on a stick.

Source: cookiesandcups.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Strawberry frosting and white chocolate chips make up this two ingredient fudge.

Source: lifesafeast.blogspot.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Cotton Candy Macaroons

Source: sweetsugarbelle.com via Tricia on Pinterest

The prettiest heart shaped cookies

Source: createdby-diane.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Peanut Butter Cookies

Source: sprinklebakes.com via Tricia on Pinterest

and because chocolate is an integral part of Valentine's Day...Chocolate Soup for two

Source: divine-baking.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Flourless Chocolate Fudge Cookies

Source: Uploaded by user via Tricia on Pinterest

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Autumn Flavored Round-Up

For those of you in the United States, Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away.  I'm sure that many of you are already slaving away making pies and the traditional Thanksgiving food.  I've always loved Thanksgiving, but to be quite honest, the pie is the only thing that I really get excited about.   So rather than doing a Thanksgiving food round-up, I'm sharing some treats that I've been drooling over on Pinterest. If you need something more than turkey and mashed potatoes, here are a few autumnal treats to try.

Source: adventurescooking.blogspot.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Autumn Brittle

Source: blondiescakes.blogspot.com via Tricia on Pinteres

t

Apple Cider Caramels

Source: m.hersheys.com via Tricia on Pinteres

Reese's Bark: We made this yesterday, it was very easy.

Source: eat-drink-smile.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Salted Caramel Pecan Bars

Source: myfarefoodie.blogspot.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Salted Maple Caramels

Source: lillyella.blogspot.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Truffles

Source: scrambledhenfruit.blogspot.com via Tricia on Pinterest

Caramel Stuffed Apple Cider Cookies

Holiday Recipe Round Up

I have really enjoyed drooling over the links that were submitted to the Holiday Recipe Link Party.  There are so many fun and festive ideas for holiday treats, and I just had to feature (quite) a few of them.  I decided to break down some of my favorites into a few categories:  Holiday Candies, Dressed To Impress Desserts, and Justifiable Treats.

Holiday Candies

And I can't leave out a holiday staple in our house, toffee.  Jo, from Smile Monsters made up this delicious batch.

Meghan, from the Domestic Sugar Bake Shop, will show you how to make these festive peppermint patties.  

Make Homemade Almond Roca with Ashlee at I'm Topsy Turvy.

.

Me and My Pink Mixer, shares their recipe for these festive Gingerbread Truffles.  I love the smell of Gingerbread around the Holidays.

Dressed to Impress

These desserts are sure to impress all of your guests at your next holiday party.

.

These Oreo Truffle Surprise Cookies are all dressed up.  Visit Inside Bru Crew Life for the recipe.

Ela, from Life in My PJ's, will show you how to make this candy coated red velvet cake.  I love how festive and fun this cake is.

Our Journey To A Simpler Life, shares this recipe for a pumpkin roll.  A pumpkin roll is a fun and impressive variation of more traditional pumpkin desserts.

Justifiable Treats

No one wants to bulk up during the holidays, but I hate when people deprive themselves of great holiday food.  Small portion sizes, and a justifiable treat is the way to go.  I have a personal belief that if a dessert has fruit, nuts, or dark chocolate, that I can justify having a small portion (or two).  These recipes look so fantastic, and have some health benefits as well.

These protein packed sweet and spicy almonds are sure to curb any cravings that you might be having.  

You can find the recipe at  The Pretty Bee. 

This Pomegranate and Cranberry Cream Tart is full of antioxidants, and it's gluten, dairy, and sugar free to boot.  Ashlie and Alfred of the Delshad Duo will teach you how to make this great holiday recipe.

Lisa's Cranberry Upside Down Cake has been making me salivate all week.  You can find the recipe at her blog, The Pursuit of Happiness.

Be sure to check out the other recipe submissions for some great holiday ideas.  The other links look just as delicious. I'd loved to have featured them all.

Holiday Recipe and Blog Swap: English Trifle with Bella Before and After

I love having visitors on my blog.  Today I am pleased to have Bella of Bella Before and After.  She is sharing a delicious recipe for an English Trifle.  I have never attempted a trifle, but they are sure to impress any holiday guests.  She has been kind enough to share this family recipe, and take us through it step by step.  Tutorials are sure a lot of work, and I really appreciate her kindness.  She has a fantastic blog of her own.  She is always working on a new and impressive project.  In addition to her great creative talent, she is a sweetheart.  I always look forward to hearing from her.  Here's Bella.

Hey everyone, today Tricia is hanging out at my place Bella Before and After sharing an awesome simple sewing tutorial, just perfect for the holidays. I love Tricia's sewing tutorials so much, because they are simple, and easy to follow, and so very cute. I love her style, and visit her often, and I know you love her too.

Oh man, am I excited to be GUEST posting on this awesome blog.

Thanks Tricia for giving me the opportunity.

Well guys my name is Bella, and my blog is called

How very original right? The reason I picked this for my blog name is simply because the kinds of projects I like to make usually involve an ugly before, and a better after, lol. My favorite kind of crafts are the ones

I can do for free, or make for really cheap. I really hate spending money on new things, and get much more satisfaction from saving something that would otherwise go to waste.

I also LOVE to cook, and do it every single day, he he. For the moment, this seems to be what I do most often, and I love anything Indian, Romanian, Mexican. What a combo right?

I am also on a mission to get in shape, be healthy, get organized, and have a clean house, for more than a minute. I blog about all these things, and more, and always have some challenge set up for myself.

Please come by every Tuesday for my weekly party **Amaze me August** and keep on coming, this party stays open all week until the next one starts. I've had a lot of fun, hosting this party, and hope that you will join us, and share your creations too.

Today I am sharing a quick recipe for an English Trifle. I grew up around cakes, and pastries my whole life. My mom has been doing this for over 35 years. Way back in the day, when I was a little girl, my mom worked at a German Bakery in California, and they used to make this Trifle every Christmas. While this dessert is English, apparantly the Germans, Romanians, and Americans all like it too, lol.

I certainly am not known for following rules, or recipes, and of course this is my very own creation. My mom would be horrified, but here goes.

This recipe can double as two, I am using one of my favortie cakes from childhood (grandmas cake) as the sponge cake, instead of a regular sponge cake. My version has sour cherries in it, and it's so dang good.

Then to cut back on time spent in the kitchen, and to make it easy for you to do at home, I used simple jello vanilla pudding (not instant) instead of making a real custard, like this recipe calls for.

Alrighty then let the pictures begin!!