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Homemade Dog Treats Recipe

I like to make homemade dog treats for my dog.  He absolutely loves them and I have been out for a while so he's been stuck with the store purchased ones for a while.  Tonight I got busy in the kitchen and made a double batch of dog biscuits.  

We had a very special motivation today. . .My son got a new rescued puppy for Christmas and since she is only 8 weeks old he will be working on house training her.  And if you've ever had a puppy in your house you know it works really well to reward them every time they do their business where they are suppose to.

Here is Taylor's new pup.  Isn't she just the cutest thing???

Taylor took the pup to visit some friends today, but our 5 year old Maltese/Lhasa Apso mix who we also rescued almost 2 years ago was here and he stood on his hind legs dancing around the kitchen because he likes these soooo much!

Click for a printable version of this recipe

Ingredients: 

1 cup canned pumpkin puree (NOT pumpkin pie mix - confirm before using)

1 tsp cinnamon

1 Tbsp. parsley

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1 cup cold water

1/2 cup vegetable or olive oil

5 cups flour

2 1/2 cups old fashioned oatmeal

1/2 cup powdered milk

1 egg

Directions:

1.  Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. 

2.  Refrigerate dough for approximately an hour to firm dough up.  I never have the patience for this part, so I just use some extra flour and continue.

3.  Separate dough into manageable sized balls.  I separate mine into about 3 - 4 equally sized balls.

4.  Tear off two pieces of waxed paper approximately the size of a rectangular cookie sheet.  This will help contain most of the flour and provide with hardly any messy cleanup

5.  Sprinkle some flour onto one piece of waxed paper, place 1 of the dough balls on top of flour and sprinkle top of dough with more flour.  Place 2nd piece of waxed paper on top of dough.  

6.  Using a rolling pin, roll the ball of dough out until it is about 1/4 inch in thickness.  If you don't have a rolling pin, just use smaller portions of dough and flatten with the palm of your hand until it is consistently about 1/4 inch thick.

7.  Using a small cookie cutter (I found a dog bone shaped one at Target for about $1.00 this fall) cut out pieces of the dough.  If you don't have any cookie cutters, you can either just use the rim of a small juice glass or use a butter knife to cut dough into squares (just run knife both horizontally and vertically through the dough at approximately 1 1/2 - 2 inch strips)

8.  Place dough on a cookie sheet.  These do not rise or spread, so you can place them very close together for baking.

9.  Bake at 350 degrees in a preheated oven for about 20 minutes.

These do NOT contain any preservatives, so I recommend storing only a small portion in your refrigerator in an airtight plastic storage container or zippered plastic storage bag and storing the balance of them in the freezer.  You can remove a small amount (about a week's portion) to thaw in the refrigerator when you are ready for more.

These make very nice gifts at the holidays or just because, and since this recipe makes up so many treats, you might consider bagging some up for your friend's or neighbor's 4 legged friends too!

Note:  Cinnamon is good for your dog's heart since it improves circulation and lowers cholesterol levels.  It also has anti-inflammatory properties which helps relieve pain in the dog's joints.  Cinnamon also helps regulate blood sugar so if your dog is diabetic this is the perfect treat for him or her.

Pumpkin pureé aids in your pet's digestion.  It is loaded with antioxidants and vitamins C and E which helps to reduce cataracts and heart issues.  It is also great for weight management since pumpkin acts as a healthy filler.  Parsley also aids in digestion and as an added bonus will help freshen your pet's breath.  It is high in vitamins A and C.

Blackberry Serrano Blue Cheese Pinwheels Recipe

Not long ago I won a giveaway on Hungry Little Girl's blog for a jar of  Blackberry Serrano Preserves from Primo Specialty Foods.  They have some great flavor combinations and I was super excited to receive this in the mail earlier this past week.  I am a big fan of the unusual flavor combinations.  

I like sweet and savory or a sweet and spicy combinations.  I started thinking about what I could make with this jar of preserves besides just using it as a marinade for pork or chicken (which I think would be super delicious, by the way!).  With Christmas this week, I decided to make an appetizer for Christmas Eve celebration with my family.

This recipe is so easy I'm almost embarrassed to call it a recipe.  But here it is none the less. . .

Ingredients:

5 1/2 oz. (1/2 a jar) of Primo Blackberry Serrano Preserves (or any other brand or flavor of your choice)

1 - 4 oz. container of blue cheese crumbles

1 tube of crescent rolls (I found the seamless dough sheets but I think they are harder to find at other times of the year).

Directions:

1.  Unroll the dough from one tube of crescent rolls - if they are not 

seamless dough sheets do not tear them apart but press 

the dough together along the perforations. 

2. Since I wanted small, appetizer size pieces, I cut the dough in half lengthwise.

3.  Spread approximately 5 1/2 oz. of the preserves across both halves of the dough staying approximately 1/4 inch from one long edge.

4.  Sprinkle the blue cheese crumbles on top of the preserves.

5.  Roll each half up along the long side, ending at the edge that has the 1/4 inch border.

6.  Press gently along the seam to seal the edge.

7.  Slice each roll into 1 inch pieces.  I got 28 slices from mine since I had cut
the dough in half lengthwise.  *(see slicing tip at bottom of post)

8.  Place slices into a baking dish cut side down.

9.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

 *Tip:  When slicing the dough, you might want to use unwaxed dental floss to prevent flattening the dough.  Just slide it under the bottom, cross the ends over the top and then pull tight and it easily slices through the dough.

Note:  These were pretty good. . .Not necessarily my favorite, but I think they needed a little something more to them.  I think if I make these again I might add some chopped pecans as well.  They also didn't stay "formed" well, so maybe press the seam a little bit more to seal them better.  Overall, I liked them, but not everyone in my family is a big blue cheese lover (mom!) so she wasn't thrilled about that taste.  I did really like the preserves and have half a jar left.  I'm thinking as a glaze on some pork or chicken would be great!

While I received a free jar of these preserves for winning a giveaway on another blog, I received no compensation nor was I asked to provide a review of the product at all.  I did so on my own.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all my Foodie Friends!

This Christmas I am Thankful for my faith, my family - both blood relatives and those I just consider my "bonus" family, and my friends.  Please take a minute to let those you care about know how much they are appreciated and loved, remember to pray for those who have lost loved ones this past year or who are less fortunate. . .pray that that they be blessed beyond measure, and always remember the true meaning of Christmas.  So thankful that God sent his Son, Jesus to earth so that we might have salvation!  Happy Birthday, Jesus!

A special Adorned Well thank you for joining me on my blogging journey this past year.  I pray that each of you and your families are happy, healthy and prosperous this coming year.

Please come back to visit during 2013. . . I hope to bring you more stories, tasty recipes and share part of me with you!

Gooey Butter Cookies Recipe

Want to make the easiest cookie recipe ever????

This is so easy and always a big hit.  There are several variations of this recipe that you can make.  Try out different flavors of cake mix. . .maybe a strawberry cake mix or coconut cake mix and add coconut flakes.  How about a dark chocolate cake mix and add mini chocolate chips?  The flavor combinations are only as limited as your imagination!

I found this recipe on Just a Pinch Recipes.  It was originally posted by Vonna Pauls.

Ingredients:

1 box butter recipe yellow cake mix
1 stick butter (do not substitute margarine), softened at room temperature
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 - 8 oz package of cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 egg
1 cup powdered sugar (reserve for finishing)

Directions:

1.  Combine all ingredients except powdered sugar with an electric mixer or in a stand mixer until well blended.

2.  Chill dough for 2 hours for best results.

3.  Roll dough into small balls about the size of walnuts.

4.  Roll balls in powdered sugar.

5.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in a 350 degree oven for 10 - 12 minutes.

6.  Once cookies have cooled, dust lightly with powdered sugar.

Cinnamon Chip Cookies Recipe

Today is my cookie baking marathon.  I do a lot of homemade and homebaked gifts as Christmas gifts every year for family and friends.  

My family's homemade peanut brittle is always a must.  I start getting asked by around October if we will be making it again for the holiday season.  While I've been threatened with my life if I share the family's actual peanut brittle recipe with you (thanks, mom!) I will share our peanut brittle making experience with you in another post soon.  The whole family gets involved in that process!

I get requests for some of the past recipes I've made that were favorites, but I also try to find at least one new recipe to add each year.  I wanted to do something with a cinnamon chip this year and started searching for a recipe that sounded good.  I found this tasty recipe on the blog of The Better Baker.  She said she found the original recipe on the blog of the Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker.  

I'm still in the process of baking them, but had an unfortunate incident where one of the cookies broke in half so I HAD to eat it. . .you know, a quality control taste test!  And I can tell you they are super yummy!  Next time I might try these with some chopped pecans in them as well.  We have a family member with a nut allergy, so I'm skipping the nuts this time around.

Ingredients:

1 cup softened butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups ground oatmeal (place in blender and process until finely ground)
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
2 cups flour
1 bag of cinnamon chips 
1/2 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. cinnamon

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

2.  In large bowl, cream butter and sugars. 

3.  Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.

4.  Combine the dry ingredients and stir in until blended.

5.  Add the cinnamon chips and mix well.   

6.  In a shallow bowl, combine the 1/2 c. sugar and 1 Tb. cinnamon. 

7.  Roll into small balls with hands and roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture.

8.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake 10 minutes.  

9.  Let rest 1 minute before removing to rack to cool. 

Yield: about 5 dozen nice-sized cookies

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #25 - Peppermint Foot Scrub

I was hoping things would be calmer this week, but I'm just as swamped as last week. . .maybe more!  I always have time for another Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!  Please share up to 3 recipes with us that you haven't shared yet by linking them to the bottom of this post.  I hope you find some great new recipes again this week.  I know I always do!

Robyn from Robyn's View will be offering 3 coffee peppermint foot scrubs for our party this week.  That means we will once again have 3 lucky winners!

Please take time to visit Robyn's Robyn's View at Home Facebook page and also check out her Roby's View blog.

Make sure to enter here for a chance to win one of these 3 great scrubs:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:

Our sponsor winners last week were:

  

Top 3 voted recipes from last week:

1. Mini Chocolate Cherry Flourless Cakes at Hun What's for Dinner

2. Double Chocolate Candy Cane Fudge at Hun What's for Dinner

3. Chocolate Covered Pecan Butter Truffles at Half Baked Harvest

Recipes receiving the most clicks last week:

1. Rosemary Garlic Infused Oil at Sweet Heat Chefs

2. Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies at This and That
3. Homemade Colored Sugar at Walking on Sunshine

Here are this week's hosts.  Make sure to stop by each of the host's blogs and say "hi"!

Foodie Friends Friday

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom

Robyn at Robyn's View

Marlys at This and That 

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine

Michelle at Calculus to Cupcakes

Cynthia at Feeding Big  

Jodie at Binomial Baker

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade

Angie at A lil Country Sugar

Jutta at Hungry Little Girl

Kelly at Adorned Well

Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Joanne at Winelady Cooks

Marlene at Nosh My Way
Erica at Chef Picky Kid

When you link a recipe on Adorned Well, it will also

show up on all of the above blogs. 

That's a lot of visibility!

If you are having ANY problems linking up your recipes on my blog, please go to Foodie Friends Friday and link up!

 Show some love and link the recipe you are submitting back to 

Adorned Well (http://www.AdornedWell.blogspot.com)

and

Foodie Friends Friday (http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com).

If you forget, we will "gently" remind you!

* for example:

This recipe is featured on http://www.AdornedWell.blogspot.com andhttp://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com Linky Party

Come back on Sunday and vote for your favorite recipes by clicking on the star under the recipe. You only get 3 Votes so use them wisely!

Chocolate Crescent Roll Dessert Recipe

My college friend, Dan Stanley posted a beautiful photo on Facebook earlier this week of a "treat" dessert that he made for his 8 year old son, Sam.  Dan graciously agreed to allow me to feature his treat on my blog.

Dan is a pastor as well as a fellow blogger living in Massachusetts.  On his blog, Dan writes about food, faith, good books and other random thoughts.  Please go visit Dan's blog, The Narnian Chef, and share some Adorned Well love with him!

Directions:

1.  Take one can of Pillsbury crescent rolls and unroll them flat 

(do not tear them apart).

2.  Spread the dough with a little butter

3.  Sprinkle with brown sugar and some mini chocolate chips.

4.  Roll the dough back up and press the seam together gently

5.  Slice into 8 portions and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.

Dan said that Sam loved them.  he topped them with a bit of Nutella when they were warm and said they tasted very buttery.  I don't know about you, but I LOVE Nutella!

Variations:

On step 3, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar instead of the brown sugar to make cinnamon rolls.  You may also want to sprinkle some raisins over the cinnamon sugar prior to rolling the dough back up.  You could also make a powdered sugar glaze to drizzle over the top by using 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla and 1/4 cup of water. 

Thanks for sharing with us, Dan!  I'm looking forward to your next post on The Narnian Chef!

Prayers for Connecticut

Hot Cocoa Recipe

Growing up, my mom always made us homemade hot cocoa.  This stuff is the BEST!  I can promise you won't find a mix at the grocery store that even comes close.  I happen to think its even better than one of the most famous coffee shop's hot cocoa too.

This makes a very nice handmade gift for someone.  Fill a quart sized canning jar about 3/4 full of the hot cocoa mix, top with about 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows and about 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips.  After placing the lid on the jar, tie a nice ribbon around the rim with a cute tag that gives the name of the contents and the serving size (1/3 cup mix to 8 - 10 oz hot water). Package up in a gift bag or basket along with a coffee mug and a baked good.  Perfect gift for a colleague or a teacher to show your appreciation.

Here is mom's recipe with some tweaks that I've made to suit my tastes.

Ingredients:

1 - 21.8 oz canister of Nestlé Nesquik®

1 cup natural unsweetened baking cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar

1 - 8 oz. container of coffee creamer 

2 cups non fat powdered milk

Directions:

1.  Add about 3/4 of the canister of Nestlé Nesquik® to a large bowl. 

2.  Add unsweetened baking cocoa, powdered sugar, coffee creamer and non fat powdered milk.*

3.  Mix well and store in an airtight container in pantry.  If stored properly, this mix should last approximately 6 months.

4.  Add approximately 1/3 cup of hot cocoa mix to a large mug. 

5.  Add hot water to mug and stir to mix.

6.  Top with either mini marshmallows or whipped cream and a sprinkle of unsweetened cocoa for decoration.

7.  Enjoy!

*Note:  After mixing initial ingredients together, I usually test it out by adding about 1 tablespoon of mix to 1/2 cup of hot water.  Then I adjust ingredients to taste. . .add more of any of the above ingredients based on your preference.  If you prefer sweeter hot cocoa, add a little more powdered sugar.  If you like a creamier hot cocoa, add some additional coffee creamer or powdered milk.  If you like a richer chocolate taste, add some additional unsweetened baking cocoa. 

I like mine extra creamy and chocolaty so I usually use the extra creamy coffee creamer instead of the regular and add some additional unsweetened baking cocoa to my mixture.

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #24 - Sugar Scrubs Giveaway

I don't know about you, but I've been absolutely swamped getting ready for Christmas and a craft show this coming weekend.  But I always have time for another Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!  Please share your recipes that you haven't shared with us yet and link them to the bottom of this post.  I have found so many great new recipes this way. . .hopefully you will too!

Amanda from Natural Living Mamma will be offering 3 coffee sugar honey scrubs for our party this week.  That means we will once again have 3 lucky winners!

Please take time to visit Amanda's Natural Living Mamma Facebook page and also check out her Natural Living Mamma blog.

Make sure to enter here for a chance to win one of these 3 great scrubs:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:

Our sponsor winners last week were:

   

Top 3 voted recipes from last week:

1. English Muffin Bread at On The Home Front

2. Lemon Sunshine Cake at Life Tastes Good

3. Chile Verde at Crumbs in my Mustachio

Recipes receiving the most clicks last week:

1. Snickers Apple Salad at A 'lil Country Sugar

2. Kahlua Brownies at Nosh My Way
3. Green Chile Casserole at Adorned Well

Here are this week's hosts.  Make sure to stop by each of the host's blogs and say "hi"!

Foodie Friends Friday

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom

Robyn at Robyn's View

Marlys at This and That 

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine

Michelle at Calculus to Cupcakes

Cynthia at Feeding Big  

Jodie at Binomial Baker

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade

Angie at A lil Country Sugar

Jutta at Hungry Little Girl

Kelly at Adorned Well

Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Joanne at Winelady Cooks

Marlene at Nosh My Way
Erica at Chef Picky Kid

When you link a recipe on Adorned Well, it will also

show up on all of the above blogs. 

That's a lot of visibility!

If you are having ANY problems linking up your recipes on my blog, please go to Foodie Friends Friday and link up!

 Show some love and link the recipe you are submitting back to 

Adorned Well (http://www.AdornedWell.blogspot.com)

and

Foodie Friends Friday (http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com).

If you forget, we will "gently" remind you!

* for example:

This recipe is featured on http://www.AdornedWell.blogspot.com andhttp://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com Linky Party

Come back on Sunday and vote for your favorite recipes by clicking on the star under the recipe. You only get 3 Votes so use them wisely!

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #23

Its that time again. . .time for another Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party!  Search for your favorite recipes that you haven't yet shared with us yet and link them to the bottom of this post.  I have found so many great new recipes this way. . .hopefully you will too!

This week we have 2 sponsors for the party, Kelly from KC Ornaments and Kendra from A Proverbs 31 Wife. 

KC Ornaments will be donating 2 handmade ornaments.  Two lucky winners will win one ornament from either of the photos above.  Please take time to visit Kelly's KC Ornaments Facebook page and also check out all her other great items in her KC Ornaments Etsy shop.

A Proverbs 31 Wife is donating a holiday magnet set for one lucky winner. Please visit Kendra's A Proverbs 31 Wife blog, her A Proverbs 31 Wife Facebook page and her Google+ page.

Make sure to enter here for a chance to win one of these 3 beautiful holiday prizes:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:

Our sponsor winners last week were:

   

Top 3 voted recipes from last week:

1. Kissed Gingerbread Cookies at Cozy Cakes Cottage

2. Salted Caramel White Chocolate Cheesecake at From Calculus to Cupcakes

3. Egg Nog Cupcakes at Crumbs in my Mustachio

Recipes receiving the most clicks last week:

1. Kissed Gingerbread Cookies at Cozy Cakes Cottage

2. Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bites at Walking on Sunshine
3. Egg Nog Cupcakes at Crumbs in my Mustachio

Here are this week's hosts.  Make sure to stop by each of the host's blogs and say "hi"!

Foodie Friends Friday

Tracy at Busy Vegetarian Mom

Robyn at Robyn's View

Marlys at This and That 

Lois at  Walking on Sunshine

Michelle at Calculus to Cupcakes

Cynthia at Feeding Big  

Jodie at Binomial Baker

R Dawn at Spatulas on Parade

Angie at A lil Country Sugar

Jutta at Hungry Little Girl

Kelly at Adorned Well

Cindy at Cindy's Recipes and Writings

Joanne at Winelady Cooks

Marlene at Nosh My Way
Erica at Chef Picky Kid
Kiera at Luscious Delights

When you link a recipe on Adorned Well, it will also

show up on all of the above blogs. 

That's a lot of visibility!

If you are having ANY problems linking up your recipes on my blog, please go to Foodie Friends Friday and link up!

 Show some love and link the recipe you are submitting back to 

Adorned Well (http://www.AdornedWell.blogspot.com)

and

Foodie Friends Friday (http://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com).

If you forget, we will "gently" remind you!

* for example:

This recipe is featured on http://www.AdornedWell.blogspot.com andhttp://www.foodiefriendsfriday.com Linky Party

Come back on Sunday and vote for your favorite recipes by clicking on the star under the recipe. You only get 3 Votes so use them wisely!