More Simple, Quick Ideas From My Kitchen

She is one of my oldest daughter's good friends. She is already a busy mother of boys and two weeks ago, she gave birth to a precious little girl. My daughter was going to visit her today and I wanted to send along a small congratulations gift. I decided to go with this very practical gift, since she already has young children at home,and cooking is still required in her life. I found an old tin tray for 1.00 at a flea market which I used to hold this gift. I read recently in one of the many cooking magazines that I pick up, that in a recent taste test kitchen, this "Krusteaz' pancake mix, won hands down in the taste department. I purchased two boxes of the mix, a glass cannister from Walmart, a scoop(which came 3 in a pack) at Walmart, and a container of Log Cabin syrup. What do you need to whip up a batch of these pancakes? You only add water, blend and cook on lightly greased griddle(unless you feel like adding chocolate chips or blueberries). Now how easy is that for a busy mom! On the front of this tray, I added a small vase of roses from my garden.

Completed tray of breakfast food. Added small vase with pink roses and a homemade "congratulations" card. Hopefully, this gift will save a new mother some time in the kitchen.

Glass container filled with pancake mix and scoop.

And an extra box of mix. On the back of this box, I read that "it began in 1932 with the women of a Seattle bridge club and a great idea for an easy-to-make pie crust. Since then Krusteaz--a clever mix of "crust" and "ease"--has come to stand for homemade goodness. Krusteaz pancakes cook up light, fluffy and delicious. One bite and you will know why Krusteaz is such a cherished Northwest tradition." I am not pushing this brand, you can use the brand of your choice.

My oldest grandson is having a sleepover tonight, with some of the guys from his youth group. I did not have much time, so I whipped up one of my husband's favorite oatmeal and butterscotch bars to share with the guys. I set the pink roses beside the plate of bars, only for this picture as I as sure they would not impress a group of middle school guys.


These simple, quick bars are so convenient to make. Pictured above is all that is needed. I keep packs of these Betty Crocker Oatmeal cookies on hand in my pantry, for times like this. It seems like I am often in need of covered dish desserts, gifts, and treats to serve with coffee for friends that stop over.

In one bowl, I melt a stick of butter, beat in one egg, and 1 TBSP. of water. Blend thoroughly.


Add dry cookie mix(purchased in the cake isle at Walmart, or the local grocery store), stir until moistened. At this point I add 1 cup of butterscotch or chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts to the batter. This is optional. I pour the batter into a sprayed jelly roll pan or a 9 x 13 inch pan and bake in a 350 degree oven(on the middle shelf), for 25 minutes or until firm to the touch. Remove from oven, cool, cut into squares, and watch the pieces disappear(especially when young guys are around). I am well aware that there are many great recipes out there for oatmeal bars...but just in case you are crunched for time these might work for you.