Stacy, Author at Humorous Homemaking

Family Tradition – Advent

Traditions have always been a big deal to me. I love things that I can look forward to; knowing that they’re going to happen every year. When I was growing up, I always knew that we’d go “Bear Hunting” on Thanksgiving……no, we didn’t have bears. I think my family was just trying to find some way to get all the kids out of the house for a little bit. When you’re little, you’re clueless. Now that I have a child, I want her to have traditions that she looks forward to as well. I wanted to make our own family traditions that we could add to the ones that we already have. For us, this started last year during the Christmas season. We decided to buy an Advent calendar and celebrate yearly by doing something special. Traditionally you get an advent calendar and put a small gift in each pocket. I thought that seemed a little boring……so we decided that we’d do a different family activity together every day instead. We really enjoyed it last year! I’m looking forward to doing the same thing this year. It should be a lot more fun now that Annie can actually participate in some things. So, take a peek into our new family tradition….think about starting one of your own. Your kids will LOVE it! It will be something they’ll always remember – and count on. [Read more…]

Apple Pie Crunch

***UPDATE: See this post about our new eating habits. (7/10/11)

I make a lot of snack mix. A LOT. Seriously……a lot. I make it for gifts, for potlucks, for car trips, for dessert. There are only about a zillion different types to make. My favorite is Chex Caramel Corn, but that recipe is to follow sometime this Christmas season. Have I mentioned that I make a lot of snack mix? I used a Chex recipe and tweaked it a little bit to come up with this one, using things I had at home. The best part about this recipe is that it’s made in the microwave! Even better, the next few times you use your microwave after this, it will still smell like Apple Pie. It’s a holiday miracle! [Read more…]

How to Make Homemade Bagels – Pumpkin Spice

***UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits. (7/10/11)

I love bagels…..something about a toasted bagel just makes me happy. I love getting bagels from bakeries, but ya know sometimes I don’t feel like going out just to get a bagel. That would mean I’d have to put something on besides my PJs. Some days, that just ain’t happening. Can I get a witness?! Homemade bagels make the ones in the store taste like shoe leather. It’s really not that hard to make homemade bagels, it just takes a little bit of time – just like anything you use with yeast. I LOVE baking with yeast. It’s so magical and bubbly…..and smelly. But smelly in a good way – not like with socks. [Read more…]

Stacy’s Caramel Biscuits

*UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits.(7/10/11)

One Sunday morning I was sitting in church and happened to look up to see a Hardee’s sign. It said “NOW SERVING NEW CARAMEL BISCUITS!” Say what? Do you know that my concentration went out the window? All I could think about was a caramel biscuit. How could that NOT be heaven on a plate? I don’t even remember if I clapped my hands or put something in the offering….I was in a trance. So, of course I had to inquire about this phenomenon. I asked on Facebook if anyone had tried one. I got several responses….some liked them, some hated them. And then came the challenge. “Stacy, you could make something better than that.” CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! It’s like getting double-dared in school; you have to do it….you won’t sleep until you do it. All the kids will call you a weenie. I am not a weenie – I made the caramel biscuit. And I was right – it IS heaven on a plate. So, here’s Stacy’s version of the Hardee’s Caramel Biscuit. [Read more…]

Gingerbread Pancakes with Apple Slaw

***UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits. (7/10/11)

We eat a lot of pancakes in this house……a lot. However, I am not going to apologize about it. Pancake recipes just call to me. I’m still surprised that this is only the second one I’ve posted on here. Beware, there are more to come. I just love pancakes – they are so fast and easy and there are about a million different variations. I’ve made Gingerbread Pancakes for the past three years, but this recipe is different. It has Apple Slaw with it. It shouldn’t be a surprise to you by now that I love apples and apple recipes. For example – check out this doozy. The original recipe was for a gluten-free version, but I changed it up a bit to make it regular. To see the gluten-free recipe, go here. The Apple Slaw just makes this an extra-special recipe. It would be great to serve on Christmas morning…..unless you’re still exhausted from putting together all the “Some Assembly Required” toys. Some assembly? Yeah – right. If that’s the case, then you might just eat a Christmas tree Little Debbie cake. It’s Christmas – no one cares if you eat cake for breakfast. [Read more…]

Bundt Pan Frittata

***UPDATE: See this post about our new eating habits. (7/10/11)I’m notorious for finding different uses for things in my kitchen……it keeps me from buying all sorts of what-nots to crowd up my cabinets. I saw this recipe on Saveur and had to try it. Frittata in a Bundt pan?! Not to mention that I just like saying Bundt…..there are so many fun kitchen words. Have you seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? “Oh! It’s a cake!” Not this time, baby. [Read more…]

Saltine Toffee

*UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits.(7/10/11)

I’m sure you’ve probably had cracker candy. It’s delicious! It’s a perfect balance between sweet and salty. Barry just loves when I make a batch. I love to make it too because it’s just so dang easy! Plus, people oooo and ahhhhhh over it like you’ve spent a great deal of time on it. I just love fooling people like that! It makes me giggle…..I giggle a lot. Let’s giggle together! Then afterwards we’ll jiggle together. [Read more…]

Ode to Thanksgiving – Sweet Potato Biscuits

*UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits.(7/10/11)

I feel eternally sorry for people who aren’t from the South. Biscuits just aren’t biscuits unless they’re southern-style. This year at Thanksgiving I think I’ll say “I am thankful for biscuits. Amen.” Ya know, biscuits aren’t a traditional bread for a Thanksgiving table. But why not mix it up a little this year? These Sweet Potato Biscuits are so moist and delicious, you’ll be eternally sorry if you don’t make them. I’m eternally sorry that we ate them all already. If you’re not from the South, follow these directions and you can pretend that you’re visiting. Now, practice saying “Please pass the butta y’all.” [Read more…]

Ode to Thanksgiving – Pumpkin Spice Bars

*UPDATE – See this post about our new eating habits.(7/10/11)

Ya know, I don’t like pumpkin pie…..at all. However, when I really think about it, it doesn’t make any sense. I love everything in it – but I don’t like the pie. Ew. I’ll have a cookie, thanks. I realize that my logic is flawed. I like these bars…..I like the pumpkin dip…..but not pumpkin pie. So, this is my Thanksgiving alternative to Pumpkin Pie. Yes, we’ll still have Pumpkin Pie, but I’ll eat these instead. Let’s make some spice bars! [Read more…]

Ode to Thanksgiving – Sweet Potato Praline Swirl

I LOVE sweet potatoes. I can’t think of a single way that I’ve had them and not liked them. So, when I started thinking about a side dish to post, I knew it would be sweet potato related. I didn’t want to post a traditional casserole recipe, so when I saw this one from Taste of Home I knew it was going to be the winner. And boy, is it a winner. Shew! Even Annie gobbled this down. I can tell it’s going to be a fight for the leftovers……unless my dad is here. He doesn’t like sweet potatoes. One time I made sweet potato fries and he said “Are these sweet potatoes?” I said “Noooooooooooooooooo dad.” He ate them. Man, I am such a liar. [Read more…]