Recipes and Ball fields

We have been spending A LOT of time at the baseball field! My oldest daughter practices soft ball 4 times a week, my boys practice once a week with 2 games a week....You do the math....that comes to A LOT of time spent at the ball field!! My father-in-law gives me a hard time (picking of course) about all that I pack for these practices and games....something about my fanny sitting down appeals to my children! My children can be fine, but once my fanny touches my seat-someone wants to know, 'what did you bring to eat? did you bring me something to drink?'....one ball field only has those disgusting port-a-johns...so that means LOTS of hand sanitizers! Got to have the first aid kit (actually needed it twice this year---for someone else's child!) wet wipes--never know when you might need those! If it is really hot out, we have these towels called "Frogg Toggs" and they are completely awesome!! You wet them and re-roll them to put back into their container....they stay cold and damp for HOURS!!! Those really come in handy for very hot ball players to cool down! Being a mom of 5, I try to stay prepared!
Got a recipe to share with busy moms...my children love it.

Cake Mix Box Cookies
1/4 cup oil
1 cake mix (any cake mix will do)
2 eggs
Mix all together and either roll into balls or drop by teaspoon onto cookie sheet. Bake 325* for 10-12 minutes.
When cool, you can ice with cake icing if you like...we prefer plain cookies....
These do not LAST anytime at our house!!
These are good for ball games, park, lake, pool...whatever---they travel well!!!
Enjoy!

Mmmmmmm...pound cake....Mmmmmmmm

I found this recipe in a magazine over the weekend. Tried it yesterday with strawberries that I got from our produce co-op.....YUM is all I can say!!!

Two Step Pound Cake
(this recipe rquires a heavy-duty electric stand mixer)

4 cups all purpose flour
3 cups sugar
1 lb butter-softened
3/4 cup milk
6 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 325*. Place all ingredients in order in the mixing bowl. Beat at low speed for 1 minute, stopping to scrape down the sides. Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Pour into a greased and floured 10" tube pan.
Bake 325* for 1 hour 30 minutes -or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove from pan. Let cool.

I know this is ALOT of butter for a cake...but believe me....this cake is definitely something special....so, why not make it for a special occasion!

Busy, Busy, Busy.....

I realize that it has been FOREVER since I blogged...guess I need to post pictures of what we have been up to.....BASEBALL.....3 out of my 5 children are playing....that means: 3 different teams, 3 different games and 6 different practices.....I am not complaining. Our family really loves going to the game and cheering for 'our' player....and I also realize that not too far in the future, these games will only be a memory...sigh....I am dreading the empty nest already!
Going to these different games, practices and so forth makes a mom of 5 NEED to be prepared....so, I am usually busy right after lunch---PACKING. Packing food and drinks, cups, ice (Ice packs are needed occasionally) first aid kits, jackets, blankets (never know when you might need those!). The kids made fun of me as I was putting my first aid kit together....they kidded me about being TOO prepared....Ha, turns out the first aid kit has been needed (not by us, but by other kids) and the ice pack was needed by another too. So...yes, I was a proud mom (not that someone was hurt) but that I was PREPARED!

I came across these recipes that work very well for us. Maybe they will you too. They will probably be a 'must have' around here this summer!

BASIC BROWNIE MIX:
6 cups sugar
4 cups flour
2 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp salt
4 cups shortening

*mix together and store in airtight container

**BROWNIES**
1 1/2 cup brownie mix
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla ****For my crew I have to double the recipe****
mix together; put into greased baking dish and bake till done; about 30 minutes

THESE ARE YUMMY!



MONKEY MUNCH
9 cups Chex cereal (any variety)
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

*Put cereal into large bowl and set aside; In a microwavable bowl, place chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter; melt, stirring frequently. Add vanilla and stir well. Pour over cereal and mix till all cereal is coated with chocolate/peanut butter/butter mixture. Put powdered sugar into a ziploc bag (large) and then add coated cereal. Zip bag and shake to coat...open bag and taste....then taste again....and again....till all cereal is gone!
Seriously though, it is very yummy. Kids love it....and this lasts NO time around our house!