Baking for Katie : An Online Bake Sale

I have said it many times but food blogging isn't just about creating recipes, photographing and throwing some thoughts together in a post.  Blogging is a community and when needed we come together to help others and each other.   I am not an overly popular blogger but I believe it is important to get involved as much as I can when another blogger asks for help.  Even a little can mean a lot.

A blogging friend - Carrie from Frugal Foodie Mama has put together an online bake sale.  It is called Baking for Kate: An Online Bake Sale to Benefit Kate’s Mommy Bucket List.  A friend of hers has been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer.  We are raising money for her and her family to help cross off items from her Mommy bucket list and to assist in any medical costs. 

Many other bloggers and friends have been busy baking. There are a wonderful amount of delicious goodies and items to purchase.  I have offered up these Chocolate Covered Pretzel Caramel Cookies. 

Trust me you want to buy these.  They are amazing.  I did a test batch for my husband and he only wants me to make these cookies in the future.   I will post the recipe after the bake sale for those of you who don't win, but please check out Carrie's site and the facebook page set up for the auction to get all the guidelines and rules.  You can also get a sneak peak at all the other items you can purchase. 

Baking for Katie - An Online Bake Sale

Baking for Katie - Facebook Page

Spread the word. Spread the love. 

Quinoa Peanut Butter Balls and an Amazon giftcard giveaway

My skin is red.  I basically got the burnt the first really nice day.    Had a workout outside, went for a long walk with a friend and burnt!  It doesn't take me long that's for sure.  I am not just burnt, I t shirt and v-neck burn.  This means certain shirts show a wonderful line of red and white.  Ooops.   Hopefully this will mean my burns are done and I will just tan now for the rest of the summer.  Not that I really get that tanned, I tend to just be a darker shade of white.   It's sad really.

One of the wonderful swag goodies from FBC2013 was Kraft's new peanut butter.  I got the Banana Granola Peanut Butter.  I immediately knew I wanted to make peanut butter balls. I feel it allows for true appreciation of the peanut butter.  Plus with the addition of the granola you would get a nice crunch inside.  In my efforts to justify delicious treats I have added some puffed quinoa into these peanut butter balls.

Along with this delicious recipe, I have a giveaway for you.  My blogging friend Lisa from Wine and Glue has organized an amazing giveaway to celebrate her birthday week.  Myself and many wonderful bloggers have joined in her to give you....

Fill in the rafflecopter below to be entered and please check out all my wonderful blog friends.   Tell me your favorite snack ball in the comments below. 

German Chocolate Meringue Cake

Seriously who is excited Spring is here and the warmer weather is here with it.  I am so happy I can do the daily walks with my little one and soon head off to the cottage on the weekends.
With the warm weather comes gardening and lawn care.   I am not a huge fan of either.  I love when my garden and planters look pretty but I hate the maintenance of it.  Does anyone like weeding though?   No.

We have this huge bush in our front garden that grows like crazy and by then end of the summer it is taking over our front walk way.   At the beginning of every spring, I prune it down in hopes it doesn't take over because I honestly never prune it in the middle of summer.  This year however, I may have gone a little over board.   The hubby was not too happy when he saw the cut job I did on this bush.   Oops.   I know it will grow back, we may just have a few weeks of ugly before that happens.  Most of our neighbours have pretty nice lawns and no matter how much we try and take care of ours or hire some one to do it, it just isn't quite great.

I am crossing my fingers 2014 will involve some major renos on the front and back yard.  Until then I will suffer with a mediocre looking lawn and garden.   Maybe I can bribe my neighbours with this cake to look after it for me.

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Walnut Zucchini Muffins

One of my blogging friends,  Brianne from Cupcakes and Kale Chips asked for some blogging help while she gets acquainted with her new little bundle of joy.  Since I recently went through this I know the first few months can be quite time consuming.  I barely got out a post a week for the first few months.  Although five months later things aren't much different.  No matter,  when she asked for help I was more than willing to contribute with some delicious Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Walnut Zucchini Muffins.

So if you would like to see the recipe for these delicious muffins head on over to Cupcakes and Kale Chips. 

Thanks,