Apricot Bars!

It's RECIPE TIME! I haven't posted a recipe in a while and these are super easy and good for you! Well, I should say they're better for you than most cookie and bar recipes out there. This basic recipe is in The Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook but I customized it to make it a bit healthier.

2 cups whole wheat flour (instead of all-purpose)
2 cups steel cut oats (they have more nutritional value than quick)
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 cup butter
Fruit filling of your choice. I chose apricot because I love them!
In a mixing bowl combine the flour, oats, brown sugar, & baking soda.

Cut in butter till mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Reserve at least 1 cup of flour mixture. Press remaining flour mixture into bottom of ungreased 9x13" pan.

Spread with desired filling.

Remember, you can add unsweetened coconut for added yumminess without extra sugar! Or chopped nuts.

Sprinkle with reserved flour mixture.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 min. until top is golden. Cool in the pan. Cut into bars. Enjoy!

Hope you love 'em as much as I do and thanks for stopping by! Taniya

My New Feather Ring!

A NEW RING, AND WHAT I HAD FOR DINNER LAST NIGHT How about a little show and tell? My lovely husband knows about my love of costume jewelry, especially rings! So part of my Christmas gift from him was this fun, little feather ring. (You can see some stocking loot in the background ha ha!)

A bit closer.

I think it's pretty and just right for me! Now, since I've been sick this week, I'm trying to eat especially healthy every day. I love, LOVE fish so this supper made me happy and feel good!

This is tilapia, Jasmine rice, and good old spinach. Yummy! Have a splendid evening and stop by again tomorrow because I'm going to post a yummy recipe! Taniya

How To Feel Better When You're Sick.

It can feel pretty terrible to be sick. But fortunately there are some great home remedies that have really worked for me! I don't like taking factory made typical type medications because it's hard for the body to process them. So instead I look for natural ways to cure what ails me. First of all, remember that food is your medicine! I eat as many fruits and vegetables as I can stand.

I stop eating anything sugary or junk food-ish because sugar WEAKENS your immune system.

This is something I've discovered that helps me sleep SO much better when I'm sick. LOVE this stuff! (My sister's chicken and veggie soup also helps with this! Click here to see.)

This company makes all kinds of great teas for all kinds of ailments. If you want to see for yourself click this. Also I take probiotics, which are good bacteria that are immune boosters.

And don't forget good old vitamin C! Another great immune booster!

There are so many wonderful, natural remedies for what ails us that I hope you, too will want to try the healthiest ways to feel better soon! Here's hoping you don't have a head cold like me, and that you have a healthy, happy 2013!! Taniya

A Surprise On My Front Porch!

No, it's not a baby in a blanket. It's not even a basket of puppies. It's a box full of fun Christmas surprises from my sweet friend Dawn!! This box actually came before Christmas but I wanted to post about it because it brought me so much joy. It was full of thoughtful, little gifts she knew we would all love. Here's a sample of my gifts. I've been collecting snowman ornaments forever and she never forgets.

Aren't they cute? She always manages to find ones I've never seen before. She also sent these pretty candle holders.

And these sweet candles that I'll probably never open because I wouldn't want to ruin them!

Now, somehow (wink) she's found out I love nail polish.

One of them had a special note attached.

So I looked...

Aaaww! I miss you too, Dawn!! You want to know something kind of amazing? I didn't have any of these colors. You can bet I will be blogging about them very soon on my special little nail blog. Actually, I already blogged the Fergie one! Click this. There were lots of nice, fun gifts in our box and it was so fun for all of us to open them. So thank you to my lovely friend, Dawn! Here's to a wonderful New Year full of (good) surprises for everyone! Taniya

Chicken And Veggie Soup To The Rescue!

Two days ago I came down with a cold. Yuck! I felt horrible and didn't want to do anything. No housework, shopping, nothing. I haven't been sick in almost a year but this darn bug got me! Then yesterday my sister found out I was sick and guess what she did! She made me some amazing chicken and vegetable soup! My husband picked it up on his way home from work and before the night was over I had eaten three bowls!! It was so full of veggies, which I love, that I couldn't help it.

It has broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and bunches of onions. I really think this soup helped me sleep better. So if you happen to read this, Sissy, thank you for the yummy soup. Love you! And now everyone out there knows it's a great idea to eat your veggies, and especially a whole lot when you're sick. It just might help you feel a lot better. Now I'm off to bundle up in a blanket and drink some tea. Have a great night! Taniya

My New Year's Eve

This New Year's Eve I didn't do anything spectacular. Usually on New Year's Eve I get a carrot cake

and Martinelli's Sparkling Cider

and we let all the kidlets stay up late to ring in the New Year and hear all the fireworks, horns, shouting, and gunfire that goes on around here at midnight. But this year was very different for us because it's the first year our oldest wasn't here. Because she's living on her own and going to college. Also our 15-year-old was invited to spend the night with a friend. So this year it was just my husband and I with our 12-year-old son. So we bundled up on the couch, I made some tea (we had Martinelli's, but it was pretty chilly out), and we watched some movies. Not exciting but it felt very nice and cozy and happy! On the stroke of midnight there was such a commotion outside I just had to go out to listen. I think I have a pretty lively neighborhood! Ha ha ha! So that's how New Year's Eve went around here. I hope you stayed safe and that you made some fabulous resolutions you can stick to! Goodbye 2012. Helloooo 2013!! Taniya   P.S. Want to know what nail polish I'm wearing? Click on this !