Amazing Food!!!!!

So just recently I have become addicted to pinterest. It is so easy to become addicted to a site that puts hundreds of delicious looking recipes, or craft ideas right in front of you and says....make me!!!!!!!!!
So if my husband and I look like we've gained 20+ pounds or more.....it's probably because of pinterest.
Anyways.....I have made some of the recipes I found and I thought I should share them. I however won't be posting the whole recipe...just adding the link and adding some of my "user friendly" comments.
CROCKPOT BANANA BREAD
smashedpeasandcarrots.blogspot.com
This was good...might be awhile before I make it again...not exactly practical. It takes almost twice as long to make as just making the banana bread in the oven. But anyways, It didn't take 2 hours in my crockpot...probably could've gotten away with just over an hour.....so tip...when the edges start to get brown and they pull away from the edge of the crockpot, it's probably done....then second tip: listen to the instructions and don't remove the bread until it's completely cooled...otherwise it will fall apart!!!!!
CHUBBY HUBBY BARS
cookiesandcups.com
Oh my goodness.....these are so incredibly rich and amazing. Yes, they do require some time...but the final product, oh so worth it.
Couple of suggestions....if you can find some way to get plain caramel so you don't have to melt it...it might save you some time...especially in cleanup. HINT: caramel turns into glue if you let it sit too long before trying to wash the dish you melted the caramels in. Secondly....actually crush the pretzels. If you don't crush them a lot, they will cause the bars to really crumble when you try to eat them.
CINNAMON FRENCH TOAST BAKE
whatscookinglove.blogspot.com
No comments on this one except for the fact that these were amazing!!!!!!! I think four of us almost totally consumed an entire 13x9 pan of this. Yummy!!!!!

Random Produce Tips from a Farmer's Market Girl

1. If you have bananas that just won't ripen, put them in a bag with a couple of apples. (In the same sense don't store your bananas and apples together, apples put off a gas that ripen bananas faster so they will ripen too quickly)
2. A cantaloupe is ripe when it has a more golden color and when it starts to smell more like a cantaloupe. Plus a cantaloupe with tighter weaving will be sweeter than one that has a more spread out weaving.
3. You can tell that a watermelon is ripe by placing a hand flat on one side and gently tapping the watermelon on the other side. The more vibrations you can feel, the riper the watermelon.
4. Applesauce is best made with a variety of apples. My favorite combination: McIntosh + Cortland + Empires. McIntosh apples provide a smooth consistency to your applesauce, and Empires provide the pink color for your applesauce. (Hint within a hint: to get the pinkest applesauce....leave the skins on when you cook your apples)
5. To keep your potatoes from turning green, store them in a dark place. Light, especially florescent lights, cause potatoes to turn green.
6. You can store apples, potatoes, squash, and several root vegetables all winter long. The secret? Store them in a cool dry place. Emphasis on dry. Be sure to check through your (insert vegetable/fruit here) to pick out any bad ones. The saying is true, one rotten apple turns the whole bunch!
7. Cheese will keep for a long time. But, whenever you take your cheese out to cut some for a party, or to shred some into your macaroni and cheese, don't handle the cheese with your bare hands. One not very well known fact...the oils on your fingers cause cheese to mold faster.

If anyone else has some produce tips, for storage or cleaning etc....let me know. =)

Cute Idea.......

http://www.bakerella.com/mix-things-up/

From Darkness to Light

It's amazing how God can work in your life during a Sunday morning sermon when  your heart is open. I went to church this morning, determined to listen and pay attention, and God worked on my heart.
I was saved at a young age, so I didn't ever really see a difference in my life from before I was saved to after. So I continually have doubts about my faith and my salvation. All my life I heard the story about how God sent Jesus to die for me, and I know it's true, but until this morning it hasn't really meant that much to me. This morning pastor preached about darkness and all that is in the darkness. Darkness is dirty, darkness is disobedience. And the part that struck me the hardest was, Those in darkness will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. WILL NOT!!!! As much as I hate to admit this, I have participated in darkness. It's deceptive and I am a sinful person, and I have fallen for it. I do not deserve to be saved, I do not deserve God's grace. Not at all.......It totally blows my mind away that God sent his only son to die for me. TO DIE FOR ME!!!!!!!! That is so amazing. It makes me want to jump for joy and cry at the same time.
Then God has blessed me my entire life with things that I can't thank him enough for.
1. I have two amazing parents who love me and love God and love eachother. They have spent my entire 22 years teaching me and training me in the way I should go. =)
2. I have an amazing husband who loves me and loves God with all his heart, and works hard to provide for me.
3. I have a job in a Christian environment, with overtime hours that I never expected.
4. I have a best friend who encourages me and loves me and prays for me constantly.
My list could go on and on, God has just continued to bless me and even when I think I can't continue He is always there, providing for me, and leading me. I can't wait to see how He will use Derek and I in the future!!!!!