July in Review

It's that time again - to wrap up the month with a pretty little bow! I've revamped my look a little and changed things around a bit. There are now picture categories on the left sidebar, my header is full of social media icons and categories, and a few things are moved around. I will be updating my blog love page and bucket list pages soon! They are in dire need of updating :)


I am also utilizing Passionfruit Ads for sponsors - there are 3 large and 10 medium spots open. Annnd lastly of all "announcements" is that I am celebrating my TWO year blog birthday with a giveaway starting August 2nd. :)

 

The Recipes
Favorites are noted with an asterisk!

Breakfast

• Puff Balls {Guest Post}
• Giant Gooey Cinnamon Biscuits

Desserts

• Coconut-Pineapple Cake {Guest Post}
• Cowboy Cookies
• Soft Chocolate Chip Cookies*

Main Dishes

• Mexican Casserole {Guest Post}
• Southwest Grilled Stuffed Burritos {Guest Post}
• No Peek Chicken {Guest Post}
• Taquitos {Guest Post}
• Pretzel Ranch Chicken
• Crispy Chicken with Scallion Waffles*
• Tennessee Pride Country Chili
• Easy Crockpot Pork Carnitas*
• Pasta Primavera
• Mom's Goulash*
• Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Chicken Bites
• Grilled Chicken & Pasta with Basil-Cream Sauce*
• Pizza Braid*

Side Dishes

• Jalapeno Ranch Pasta Salad {Guest Post}
• Twice Baked Potatoes*
• Avocado Fries with Garlic Lime-Chili Aioli
• Southern Style Collards

Snacks

• Hot Dog Stuffed Pretzels
• Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls*
• 3-2-1 Funfetti Cake Batter Dip*
• Frozen Yogurt Berries

Misc

• Homemade Italian Dressing Seasoning Mix
• Menu Planner Freebie

I participated in both the Crazy Cooking Challenge and Secret Recipe Club this month. I posted Pretzel Ranch Chicken for CCC and Grilled Chicken & Pasta with Basil-Cream Sauce for SRC.

I want to revisit my resolutions again and update on how well/awful I'm doing on them:

• Eat more fruit - As long as I continue with my yogurt & granola with fresh fruit snacks - I'm good!
• Get on a schedule - Getting in this month - again hope to continue next month and be able to cross off this tick!
• Catch up on adding the printable feature to old recipes. - IN AUGUST! Swear.
• Work on emptying bookmarked recipes. - this too.
• Leave reviews {comments} for recipes I've tried where I got them. - Work on more of this.
• Look for duplicate recipes in the ones I have in the binders - Still need to do this.
• Update Blog Love page. - Doing this in August too.
• Use breadmaker, cake pop maker, and KitchenAid pasta attachment. - I still need to get the missing piece for my breadmaker. I didn't use the pop maker or pasta attachment yet.
• Organize kitchen cabinets. - Obliterated this one! I'm so happy about it too!
• **NEW** Update Bucket List page.

If you missed them, you can find Sunday Social, Oh, How Pinteresting Weds., and Tasty Thursdays by scrolling all the way down and finding the little label cloud. Click on whichever you want to see :)

I really enjoy doing these monthly wrap ups - you can find January {here}, February {here}, March {here}, April {here}, May {here}, and June by clicking the links!
 

Pizza Braid

It's time for another Pinterest Project linky party - you can find more info {here}. If you have a Pinterest Project you have made/done this week, go over to my other blog and link up! It can be a recipe, a DIY for the home, a nail design, a craft with your kids, a hair do, an outfit, etc. As long as you found it on Pinterest, it can be a great success or an epic fail, we don't care :)

This is actually one of the very first pins that I pinned and I was so excited to try it. It was very simple. The ratio of filling to bread was perfect. There wasn't any one flavor that overwhelmed any other - it was just the perfect balance of flavor!

In Tennessee, my mom-in-law had a freezer stocked with Italian sausage. My husband went crazy for it. I'm pretty sure that's all he ate while we were there :) I couldn't find pizza sauce at the commissary, but I was able to find the brand of my favorite pizza sauce in spaghetti sauce. I happened to have stumbled upon an Italian Sausage with Peppers & Onions sauce. I grabbed it up because the recipe didn't call for onions or peppers and I love onions and peppers in EVERYTHING.

SRC: Grilled Chicken & Pasta with Basil-Cream Sauce

My assignment for this month was Melanie of Fabulously Fun Food. I was really excited to discover she was living in Tennessee - yay! Tennessee! And I can't help but love that she is also a biologist :) The nerd is me just swoons! I also adore that she has a favorites section for herself and her husband - my husband can never remember which foods he loved a lot by just the titles, so maybe I need to do that for him!

Anyways... typically I choose an opposite course with what I chose last month. Last month I did burgers, so I really should've gone with a sweet or breakfast dish. But when I saw Grilled Chicken & Pasta with Basil-Cream Sauce, it was an instantaneous decision. I am a pasta-holic. I love anything and everything pasta. I knew my husband would be game as long as it had a meat in the dish.

I went in thinking this dish would be great and man alive, it blew me away. Blew me away! This is definitely one of the very best recipes I have ever made and will be made a lot more. My husband, like I said up there, is game when there is meat involved. He kind of gets annoyed when I make meatless dishes - he actually went back just for the pasta and sauce (didn't even get more grilled chicken!). So needless to say, this was a huge hit in my house! I also noticed this was on Melanie's husband's favorites list.

**Sunday Social #73**

{Fantastical Favorites}

The one where I share my favorites from my own blog...

Source: fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Source: fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Source: fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Source: fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest



{Around the Web Favorites}

The one where I share my favorites from OTHER blogs. They have all been stumbled and pinned :) 

I do NOT own any rights to these photos!  

 Mini Chocolate Chip Doughnut Pancake Dippers ~ Lauren's Latest

Source: laurenslatest.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Grilled Lemon & Herb Salmon Packs ~ Betty Crocker

Source: bettycrocker.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Blueberry Cobbler ~ Brown Eyed Baker

Source: browneyedbaker.com via Sarah on Pinterest


S'mores Ice Cream Cake ~ Annie's Eats

Source: annies-eats.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Chocolate Mint Brownie Bites ~ The Pioneer Woman

Source: thepioneerwoman.com via Sarah on Pinterest


DIY Mocha Frappuccino ~ Annie's Eats

Source: annies-eats.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Cookie Dough Fondue ~ Cookies & Cups

Source: cookiesandcups.com via Sarah on Pinterest

There is a button to grab on the left if I shared one of your recipes :)

This post is linked up at...

 

Giant Gooey Cinnamon Biscuits

I have been eyeing these for such a long time and I utilized Pinterest to make my menu last week. I was reminded of these and immediately put them on the menu. I really liked the size of them. This recipe makes 4 biscuits. I couldn't find cinnamon chips though :( So I used toffee bits. I really want to get the cinnamon chips and make this recipe the right way!

(Print)
What you need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 2 cups heavy cream, divided
• 1/2 cup cinnamon chips (I had to use toffee bits)
• 3/4 cup confectioners sugar (I will use closer to 1 1/2 cups next time)
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl.

Pour 1 1/2 cup cream and mix until combined.

On a lightly floured surface, pat into a long, thick rectangle.

Slice into 8 squares and place half the squares into a greased 8x8-inch pan.

Sprinkle half cinnamon chips over top, then cover with second square. Top with remaining squares.

Bake at 425* for 14 to 16 minutes.
Once out of the oven, spread the chips on top.
Whisk together 1/2 cup heavy cream with sugar and vanilla. Drizzle on top. 

Recipe from The Kitchn

{Click here to see what blog hops I participate in}

Bacon-Wrapped Jalapeno Chicken Bites

This has all the classic elements of a bombtastic dish: bacon, jalapeno, chicken. I mean when you have those 3 ingredients, you are going to have a great dinner. No surprise here, we loved these little bites. We ate them as a main dish, but I think they would be suited better as an appetizer. The wheels are already turning for making this into a full-sized chicken breast recipe!

Giveaway Announcement + Printable Freebie

So Fantastical Sharing is about to turn TWO.

I cannot believe that I've been food blogging for two years now. It's been a lot of fun to start out with just sharing with my friends to being able to reach a larger audience. I'm always so happy to hear that one of the recipes I've shared is made all the time or that I've helped someone find a million new blogs to find recipes on :) As long as I'm sharing and making people happy, I'm happy.

So to celebrate...
...and keeping with the theme of two...
I'm throwing a giveaway {tackling Rafflecopter for the first time} starting August 2nd. Oh hai! I love that my 2nd birthday is on August 2nd. Yay for numbers! :)

Anyways, there will be TWO winners and each winner will get TWO prizes: a super-secret handmade gift and TWO cookbooks.

You can grab the button to spread the word! I'm having issues with text boxes lately, so to grab - just highlight, copy, and paste in rich text or compose mode. If you have any problems, shoot me an email and I'll try and help as much as possible.





Also because my husband is out in the field for two weeks, I'm bored to tears and began messing around with blank pages for no reason at all and came up with this little diddy for menu planning. Just follow the link to download and be able to print [hopefully] - this should fit a standard 8x11-inch page. {HERE}

Sorry for the lack of recipe today! There will be one tomorrow. Swearsies!

~Tasty Thursday #70~

Next week I will be combining my Tasty Thursday post with my Thursday recipe - I'm actually not sure why I haven't done that yet. I think a little blonde is showing...

Frozen Yogurt Berries

Every weekday, Nick comes home from work and raids the fridge and cupboards for something to snack on before dinner. I was in a particularly "surprise-y" mood and knew he would probably be late coming home and exhausted, having just driven for 13 hours straight the day before. I had a little trouble with the blueberries, so I ended up putting them in my pop molds for a little blueberry yogurt popsicles snack. Our store also didn't have blackberries which I would have loved to have done.

Oh, How Pinteresting Weds. #52

So I'm like 7 and watch Adventure Time. Thought I'd share with y'all a good line from Jake the Dog :)

Source: je-ne-suis-pas-une-artiste.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest


A Quick Little Tip about Buying BreadGlad to have found this because I learned this when I worked at Kroger in high school, but could never remember what each color was.

Source: did-you-kno.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Cherry Beer-garitaI'm not sure how I feel about tequila or Corona..but we'll see.

Source: flickr.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Freezing Fresh HerbsI love the idea of doing this in oil or butter!

Source: recipeswelove1.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Cookie Dough PuddingNever had cookie dough pudding...yum!

Source: kitchenmeetsgirl.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Grilled Lemon Rosemary ChickenMmm. Lemon and rosemary is such a good combo!

Source: cookinginstilettos.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Frozen S'mores CupsDon't these just look so cute and delicious?

Source: easybaked.net via Sarah on Pinterest


Peach Vanilla Bean Bundt Cake with Peach SyrupHad to bookmark this one for my hubs - he loves peaches!

Source: weekofmenus.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Pretzel Hot Dog BunsSaw this on Sandwich King - cannot WAIT to make them!

Source: foodnetwork.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Cinnabon FudgeOh. My. Gawd. The apocalypse is coming.

Source: shugarysweets.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Chocolate Cookie Dough Iced LatteI may try and make these today. I have no creamer. We'll see.

Source: mommyhatescooking.com via Sarah on Pinterest


And a little garden love...
Replant Romaine Lettuce

Source: threepsandq.wordpress.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Regrow Garlic Cloves

Source: soapdelinews.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Growing Veggies Indoors

Source: tipnut.com via Sarah on Pinterest


They pinned me, they really pinned me! See what recipes of mine are being pinned {here}

Linked up at... 

3-2-1 Funfetti Cake Batter Dip

I had just gotten home after being in Tennessee for 3 weeks, so I needed something that was a quick snack to make for the kids while I unloaded groceries and cleaned up a bit. There are some pluses to this...1) It's 3 ingredients. 2) It's literally just put it in a bowl, stir, and serve. 3) It uses yogurt - so it can't be too unhealthy. It was really good - the kids and I gobbled it up. We doubled the recipe. I saved a little to let my husband try. He's not big on sweets, so I didn't expect him to be as enthusiastic as the kids and I were, but I was totally off there. I am pretty sure he ate just as much as we did in 20 minutes in about 2 1/2 :)

I also posted this recipe for the debut of a new linky I am cohosting on my "personal" blog called The Pinterest Project. It's all about making/doing the things we pin. Feel free to head on over and link up. Even if you didn't post specifically for today - you could go find an old blog post that you did something from Pinterest, add the linky button, and add it to the party :) It doesn't have to be a recipe - it could be a craft with your kids, DIY living room decor, a nail design, an outfit, etc.'

Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls

Okay...I'm sure by now y'all get that my husband officially turned me into a Philly cheesesteak lover. {See: Quesadillas, Stuffed Peppers, Omelets} Before marrying him, I wouldn't get near this stuff with a 10-ft pole. After making some things with egg rolls, I really enjoy doing this method and trying out new combinations of fillings. I assumed this would be the same ole, same ole, but something about frying things just makes them taste extraordinary!

I found the original recipe on Mandy's Recipe Box, but I try to avoid Walmart (she used a frozen cheesesteak product) and so, I combined my go-to cheesesteak method with the egg roll part and came up with my own version.

**Sunday Social #72**

{Fantastical Favorites}

The one where I share my favorites from my own blog...

Source: fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest



Source: fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest



Source: fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

  {Around the Web Favorites}

The one where I share my favorites from OTHER blogs. They have all been stumbled and pinned :) 

I do NOT own any rights to these photos!  

  Old West Grilled Bean & Burger Packs ~ Betty Crocker

Source: bettycrocker.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Milky Way Brownie Bites ~ My Baking Addiction

Source: mybakingaddiction.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Fiesta Chicken Pasta Salad ~ Life as a Lofthouse

Source: life-as-a-lofthouse.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Bacon Wrapped Grilled Corn on the Cob ~ Food.com

Source: food.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Homemade Sugar Cones ~ Annie's Eats

Source: annies-eats.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Chocolate-Peanut Butter Bon Bons ~ Kraft

Source: kraftrecipes.com via Sarah on Pinterest


Chorizo & Potato Burritos ~ Cinnamon Spice & Everything Nice

Source: cinnamonspiceandeverythingnice.com via Sarah on Pinterest


White Pizza Dip ~ How Sweet It Is

Source: howsweeteats.com via Sarah on Pinterest

 

There is a button to grab on the left if I shared one of your recipes :)

This post is linked up at...