Olsen Stress Cookies

I wish Stephen and I had thought to keep a tally of how many times we have made these cookies. I am betting it would be in the triple digits (I don't know if I should say that with pride or shame). We have also added ingredients as time and stress have compounded. We think they have reached their peak of perfection at this point.

1 stick butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. peanut butter
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. flour
1 c. oats
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Chocolate Chips
Butterscotch Chips

Preheat oven to 375.
In a medium sized bowl cream butter and sugar, add peanut butter then stir. Add egg and vanilla. Stir.

In a small bowl mix dry ingredients. Add to wet. Add chips. Mix together until barely combined. Mound them on cookie sheet. They do not spread out. Eat half immediately. Feel sick and promise to eat healthier. Eat the rest for breakfast the next morning.

Shredded Pork and Beans

This is my latest creation. I've eaten it at almost every meal for the last three days. Even Madeleine likes it, which is saying a lot. I like to cook a big pork tenderloin in the crock pot for Alex's lunches, but I'm always at a loss for how to use it for dinner. So, I shredded it and fried it up with a can of (drained) black beans and some green salsa (you could also use a can of diced green chilies). I added salt and pepper, and in the future I will either add onion powder or fry some chopped onions with it. I've been eating it on Roti (Indian tortillas), but regular tortillas work fine too (I really like the flavor of Roti, plus they're made with whole wheat and no lard, so they must be healthier, right?). Add grated cheese and sour cream. It's kind of like a healthy chimichanga. If you're really adventurous, you can add a fried egg on top of the bean mixture (I totally would, if I could eat eggs).

Best Ever Lemon Cake

1 pkg. lemon cake mix
3-6 lemons (depending on size)
powdered sugar
1 stick butter (I use less)
Optional: Kool Whip, cream cheese, and lemon juice for topping.

Make cake mix as directed and bake in 9x13 pan. Start making the glaze while it bakes. Squeeze several lemons into bowl, melt butter and mix together with powdered sugar until it is "glaze" consistency. While the cake is hot, poke holes all over cake and pour lemon glaze all over.
For extra YUM, beat 1/2 carton Kool Whip with 4 oz. softnened cream cheese and lemon juice to taste. Frost top and store in the refrigerator. Eat for breakfast, lunch , snack, and dinner.

crockpot dressing

Note: I usually just make 1/2 this recipe.
1 cup butter or margarine melted (or a little less)
2 cups chopped onion
2 cups chopped celery
1/4 cup parsley (fresh or dried)
2 cups canned (drained) or fresh mushrooms
8 Morningstar light sausage links, sliced
2 eggs beaten
3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups chicken broth, or enough to moisten well.
13 cups cubed dry bread. Note: if you buy seasoned bread crumbs you can delete or go easy on the seasonings.
1 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sage
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. marjoram.
Optional: delete mushrooms and add chopped tart apples or dried chopped apricots or dried cranberries.

Melt butter or margarine in large fry pan and saute onion and celery until soft. Mix with remaining ingredients and toss well. Pack in large crock pot. Cover. Cook on high for 45 minutes, then turn to low and continue cooking for 4-6 hours. (For 1/2 recipe, cut down cooking time).