Black Beans and Rice

If you have spent much time around here, you know that I have a thing for all things sweet; however, I promise desserts are not the only dishes to grace my table. I thought it was about time to get some other types of recipes posted -  maybe attempt to balance my recipe box out just a little bit (not to worry, something sweet will post soon, I just can't help myself). This is a great dish to add to any meal - but I love to serve it with summer-time grilling recipes, which made it a good place to start - since we are all firing up our grills!

Black Beans and Rice

1 (14 oz.) can non-condensed chicken broth or chicken bouillon made equal

1/2 cup coconut

1 tablespoon butter

1 cup uncooked long grain rice

1 (15 oz.) can black beans

1/2 cup sliced green onion

In medium saucepan, combine broth, coconut, and butter and bring to a boil. Stir in rice and reduce heat. Cover and simmer 15 minutes. Stir in beans and onions, cover and cook for five minutes or until liquid is absorbed.  

*Note - Minute Maid Rice can be used. When the coconut, butter, and broth come to a boil, add rice, beans, and onions cover and turn off heat for five minutes. If water is not absorbed, remove cover and cook over medium heat just until extra water is absorbed. Stir once in a while to make sure bottom doesn't burn. - OR simply drain excess water and serve.

Soooooo very yummy and perfect with dishes like this

I thought you might enjoy a sneak peak of what's coming up next!

I am sharing with


Balancing Beauty and Bedlam
Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

People's Choice Award (10)

I am always so excited to see all the wonderful dishes you bring to our Tuesday Tastes Party every week! You all blow me away! Lots of amazing recipes and lots of winners! That's right, five to be exact! FIVE WINNERS! How exciting! Here they are

Holy Cannoli's Hawiian BBQ Burgers

The Domestic Engineer's Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls

The Squeky Grocery Cart's Chicken and Spinach Burritos

Making Memories' English Toffee Dip

Inspired 2 Cook's Citrus and Herb Marinated Chicken Tacos

Congrats to all the winners! Please grab an award button from the sidebar, and I will email your printable recipe kits! I can't wait to see what's cooking this week! See you tomorrow for another Tuesday Tastes!!!!

Tollhouse Cookie Pie Bars

I thought I might share my brand new favorite treat...Tollhouse Cookie Pie Bars. I adore these sweet little delights! They start with a simple crust made with brown sugar and butter (need I say more?) and are topped with a nutty gooey chocolate layer.

I am convinced this is what heaven tastes like! Here's the recipe

Tollhouse Cookie Pie Bars

*adapted from Nestle's Chocolate Walnut Pie Bars

1 1/2 cups flour

1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

3 large eggs

3/4 cup light corn syrup

3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 (12-oz. pkg.) semi-sweet chocolate chips (@ 2 cups)

1 (8-oz. pkg.) chopped walnuts (@ 1 3/4 cups)

*Note - The recipe called for 1-1/2 cups nuts, which left only 1/4 cup left in the bag. Rather than waste them or leave them to get lost in my pantry, I simply add the entire bag.

Preheat oven to 350. Beat flour, butter, and brown sugar in a bowl until crumbly. Press onto bottom of greased 9x13-inch pan. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, beat sugar, eggs, corn syrup, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla together in a large bowl. Stir in semi-sweet chips and walnuts; pour over hot crust.

Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes or until center is set (it may look a little puffy, but will settle into a wonderful gooey chocolate layer as it cools). Cool completely in pan on wire rack -if you can resist! Cut and enjoy! Seriously, these are my new fav! Give them a try and let me know what you think! I would love to know!

If you like cookie bars, here are some more yummy recipes to check out!!!

Snickerdoodle Bars

Frosted Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies 

This recipe is being featured at Between the Lines today! Thanks, Kelly, for inviting me over- what an amazing place you have! Stop over and say hi if you have a chance!

I'm sharing this recipe with

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

Tuesday Tastes (10) People's Choice Award Polls Are Open

What a party we are having! I sure hope you've had a chance to check out all the great food everyone brought along - now if we could only taste through our screens!!! If you haven't had a chance to browse through the recipes, now is the perfect time! Follow this link and make sure to vote for your favorite! It's so easy, all you have to do to cast your vote is to click the word "vote" under your selection! I cannot wait to see which tasty treat you pick this week! 

I sure hope you have been enjoying our Tuesday Tastes Party! Thanks for stopping by! It's time to get voting!

Sailboat Sandbox

I used to daydream about the adventures my kiddos would have sailing the Sandy Seas in the sandboxes featured in catalogs like Pottery Barn Kids... until I made my own - or should I say, until I in-listed my amazing dad to help me build one. My inspiration came from this fabulous Sunset book

Backyards for Kids: Playhouses, Sandboxes, Tree Forts, Swing Sets, Sports Areas, and More

If you get a chance, you might want to check it out. It is full of fabulous ideas for turning your backyard into a little piece of heaven for your kids!

I don't have great step-by-step directions (we didn't exactly follow their instructions) or photos because, even though I just finished today, this project was started long before Crazy Daisy existed, but I can give you the basics. We used lumber my dad already had to make a box and stained it. Then we bolted two 2x4's so they were standing upright directly in the center of the boat (these would be used to support the sail). We measured and cut an old stair-railing to fit on top of the 2x4's and screwed it on. I went to Outdoorfabrics.com and ordered fabric for the sail. My fabric was 46-inches wide. Knowing the width of your fabric is probably one of the most important aspects of designing your project because if planned properly, the factory seams are left intact and no hemming is required. We made sure our sandbox was just wide enough to accommodate the fabric - no trimming, no hemming, no fraying - at least for the width. To figure out the right length to cut the sail, I measured from the top of the crossbar to about two feet above the box (60 inches for each side), added five inches to make it across-ed the top, and another 4 inches (once for each side) for the hem. To hem each side, I folded the edges in one inch and than again two inches. I sewed 1/4-inch seam on each side to make a channel for the rope to thread through. I screwed some metal eyelets into the sandbox corners and anchored the sail by tying each of the corners to an eyelet. That about sums it up! If you have any questions or need clarification, just leave a comment. I think it turned out pretty cute and my kiddos adore it. The fun part is, it was finished just in time to participate in The CSI Project Summertime Challenge.

This idea is shared with

PS - If you are interested in Backyards for Kids, you can find it here

Tuesday Tastes Party (10)

Tuesday, already? I simply can't believe it! My family has started summer off with a bang! We took a small trip to Utah this weekend to ride Thomas the Train, visit Hogle Zoo, and swim at Grins and Fins - all to come home and celebrate my littlest guy's third birthday (we managed to squeeze in a small family party... I guess we'll have the kids over later!) Time really does fly when you are having fun!

I'm getting our Tuesday Tastes Party started a little bit late, but it's going to be a great one! I know you all have amazing things to share and I can't wait to see what you've got cooking! Remember, People's Choice Award polls open Thursday at noon, so make sure to come back and vote for your favorite! The winner will receive an exclusive Tuesday Tastes Printable Recipe Kit designed by Bird Crafts! If you are new to Tuesday Tastes, click here for details! 

**Please note, this party is reserved for recipes - if I can't make it in my kitchen, please save it for a different party. Also, please grab a button or link back to this post. If you aren't linked back to the party, your recipe will be disqualified for the People's Choice Award and/or deleted.

Tuesday Tastes People's Choice Award (9)

What a fabulous party! If you missed out on this week's recipe link-ups, be sure to check them out here! There were some really great ideas showcased! Votes are in and we have a really fun recipe as our People's Choice winner! The award goes to

Making Memories Magic Marshmallow Cresent Puffs

*Image by Making Memories

Congrats!!! I can't wait to try these! What about you? I can't wait for next week's Tuesday Tastes Party either! Hope to see you there!