Pumpkin Peanut Butter Dog Treats

I found this absolutely adorable dog photo via pinterest and at first glance I thought it was just that...an adorable dog picture.  

Source: userealbutter.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Then I clicked on the pic thinking it might take me to more adorable dog photos but it was even better...a super easy dog treat recipe! 

Half of a recipe being easy for me is that I don't have to travel to the grocery store to buy any of the ingredients.  However, I had just run out of all my pumpkin puree so I did in fact need to run to the store, but it was worth it in the end because let me tell you...my pup is one piccccky eater and she LOVED her homemade treats.  

"I'm a picky eater"

As a puppy (which I like to think she still is) we went through 5-6 different kinds of dog food till we found the one she actually liked, Science Diet it is!  She's never been food motivated so it's kinda difficult when you go out and buy treats thinking, Oh yea, she'll definitely like these...just to get the reaction of an ungrateful child ;-) She'll literally spit them out before you! We have a whole Costco sized bag of Beggin' Strips just waiting to be devoured because apparently Sophie's refined palate prefers Milo's sausages instead.  

Anyhoo, knowing Sophie does actually enjoy herself some pumpkin and peanut butter I was all over this recipe by Use Real Butter.  

The ingredients are so simple: 2.5 cups whole wheat flour (I chose whole grain), 2 eggs, 2/3 cup pumpkin puree, and 3 tbsp. peanut butter. 

Mix it all up in a stand-up mixer with paddle attachment on medium for a minute.

Ball up dough on a floured surface.  

Use a roller to flatten it out to 1/4 inch. 

I chose a dog bone cookie cutter but whatever suits your fancy.  

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.  I baked for 30 for a crunchier cookie.  

Let them cool for a bit and then onward to the taste test...

It was as if Sophie knew I was baking something for her, she usually just does her own thing while I'm in the kitchen.  This time...she kept coming in to check on things ;-)  

"Mama, are they ready yet?" 

 "I'm being a good girl and waiting" 

 The first bite...not a gentle one at all ;-) 

 She loved every bit of it!

What you don't see here is that later we heard something in the kitchen and Sophie...no where to be found.  I go into the kitchen and I see a half eaten cookie on the ground as she's devouring the other half!

She had stolen 2 cookies off the cooling rack!! Thought she'd help herself to a couple more.  I couldn't believe it.  

Well, we now know she has a new favorite treat :-)

Friday's Favorite Finds

The weeks just seem to be flying by lately! I mean, November really??...and almost half way through at that!  Normally at this time of year I'm well on my way to gift wrapping or wrapping up my gift buying in general.  I know...I like to get my holiday shopping out of the way early.  I feel like time has been whizzing by so fast lately that my favorite time of year just creeped up on me!  Goodness...well, to slow things down a bit I thought I'd recap some of my favorite finds from the week.  All these are pinned via my Pinterest...which you can follow here! 

Butternut Squash Soup:
It seemed the perfect time of year for something like this, and it did not disappoint! The recipe makes a whole lot which was fine by me.  I kept devouring leftovers all week long!

Source: allrecipes.com via Meredith on Pinterest

"Look on the bright side" - Kate Spade Bangle:
I'm pretty sure looking down at this would easily brighten any girls day! Might have to be an early Christmas present to myself ;-) 

Source: katespade.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Pumpkin Peanut Butter Puppy Treats:
I am so excited to make these treats for the Sops.  She loves pumpkin and peanut butter, so I know she's going to go crazy for these!  Oh and...I'll take the puppy too...what a sweet face!

Source: userealbutter.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Elf:
If this doesn't get you in the holiday spirit, I don't know what will.  Love this movie and pretty much want to conquer everything on that list :-)

Source: summersnowart.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Glitter:

Source: someecards.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Which reminds me...I am going to be searching for this glittery (Wizard of Oz Ruby Red Slipper) looking case this weekend to go with my new iphone5! Can't wait to have that sucker in my hand.  I've been living in vintage phone land far too long now!

Source: shop.nordstrom.com via Meredith on Pinterest

Happy Friday All! Enjoy your weekend :-)

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars

I've been in somewhat of a baking mood this week.  I feel like with the so-sudden change of whether to something that actually resembles fall...it has brought with it my baking mood!  Mike was just talking about one of his favorite fall desserts that I make which also sparked the idea in me...so I went to town earlier this week and made a Cream Cheese Pumpkin Roll.  And Mike always says, "if you put cream cheese on a shoe, I'd eat it".  Not gonna lie, I could just gnaw on the block of cream cheese itself and be totally happy.  I think it's safe to say there is a cream cheese addiction in this household.  

So...I knew this new recipe would be right up his alley with the cream cheese and all.  I saw it on Tracey's Culinary Adventures and knew I had to make it...Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars!!  Caramel apples and cheesecake...two of Mike's favorite things all in one item! I couldn't go wrong!!

And we all know how I love to bake when I have ALL the ingredients just sitting right there in the pantry.  We are really down to the nitty gritty when it comes to actual fresh food.  We cleaned out the pantry before our recent trip to Hawaii and haven't stocked up yet...and we got back last Wednesday :-/  Yeeaa...the grocery and I aren't really best friends.  BUT, I had everything to make these delicious looking bars and a couple apples left from our trip to Apple Hill!

I made everything according to the recipe and did not substitute a thing.  I love how Tracey explains how the textures of the batters, crust, etc. should look once you're done mixing in everything.

I think some bloggers tend to leave out the details for the beginners (like me)...and although pictures help, if the pictures aren't there I need added description.  Tracey does a nice job at this!

Despite the fact that his recipe has several layers you make separately, it was very simple and easy to follow.

  Tracey has a caramel recipe on her blog, but I decided to use a caramel sauce that we had bought from High Hill Ranch at Apple Hill (my favorite of all the farms up there).

Mmmm...

Baking the crust

Adding the Cheesecake and Apple Layers

Ta-Dah! Now we wait...

The one thing that I just can't stand about cheesecakes...you've gotta wait so gosh darn long for them to set!  Can't they just be done out of the oven!?...a little impatient when it comes to my desserts. ;-)

Anyhoo, it was well worth the wait as you can see...the buttery crust, the sugary goodness of the streusel and the tangy apples and cheesecake in the center.  Oh yea, not to mention the gooeyness of the caramel drizzled on top.  It's quite a mouthful of textures and flavors but such a great combination.  I think this might be a new fall favorite for Mikey!

Fall Decorating Fury

That's the kind of mood I was in today.  I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond looking for one simple item (isn't that how the story always goes ;-) but unfortunately they had sold out of what I was looking for.  Boot shapers must be popular this time of year :-)  But, I wasn't going to waste a trip to BBB.  I ended up getting my friend a perfect birthday present along with a few items for my place.  All the fall items were out...pumpkin and cinnamon candles, leafy art work, etc.  I was "beyond" inspired to spice up my place for the fall season.  I got a few candles and headed over to safeway for a few dinner items and picked up some perfect little pumpkins! One of each shape...how could I resist? 

Here's what I came up with for a tiny nook we have in our dining area.

My next project was to wrap my friend's birthday gift.  I used some tissue paper, cellophane, and mesh ribbon.  I don't know what I would do without cellophane!

I've wanted to change our second nook in the dining area with some pictures on the wall and so I rearranged a few knick knacks and spruced it up a bit.    

Now...onto making a spaghetti dinner! Aren't I just the domestic diva today :-)