I will be sitting out this week, as I don't have to slightest clue what toddlers eat, since I haven't lived with one since my now senior-in-high-school-aged sister was one. I will most definitely be paying attention to all the suggestions, as I'm sure I will be needing them in about two years.

I'm actually quite stumped with this one. Not because I don't love the sweets, but because I have so many recipes that I use only once in a while. Plus, I don't have any of them memorized (like many of my other recipes so far) so that would mean I would have to get my lazy self off of the couch and hunt one down. Let me think a bit.

Okay.

So I've decided to post my ice cream dessert recipe. This is one I got from Taste of Home, and I always get rave reviews. It's quick, easy, and so good! It's great during the heat of summer when you don't want to turn on the oven.

Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert

Ingredients:

* 17 miniature ice cream sandwiches, divided
* 1 jar (12 ounces) caramel ice cream topping
* 1 carton (12 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed
* 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
* 1 Symphony candy bar (7 ounces), chopped

Directions:
Arrange 14 ice cream sandwiches in an ungreased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. dish. Cut remaining sandwiches in half lengthwise; fill in the spaces in the dish. Spread with caramel and whipped toppings. Drizzle with chocolate syrup. Sprinkle with chopped candy bar. Cover and freeze for at least 45 minutes. Cut into squares. Yield: 15-18 servings.

They're sitting outside on the balcony ledge, twitting and singing and just generally poking fun at the girls because they are behind the glass.

Poor things so desperately want to go outside and chase those birds, but alas, it is too hot now to open the windows.

My Hubby Dear won a $15 iTunes gift card at a medical function thing the other day, and he gave it to me to buy whatever I want. Isn't he sweet? I've been a bit out of the loop with music lately, so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions. What has been a frequent CD on your rotation?

This time of the week has been sneaking up on me lately, but I'm stoked about Crock Pot Favorites. I love, love, love my crockpot and use it all the time. I'm really excited about seeing all the wonderful recipes so far at The Natural Mommy, and I can't wait to try them!

Here's my contribution for the week. Don't be put off by the name. It's a name I made up, as I couldn't remember the real one. This smells amazing as it cooks, so much so that Hubby Dear claims I'm torturing him with starvation tactics for hours.

Beef with Grape Jelly Sauce

3 lbs. beef brisket (or other similar cut)
1 cup ketchup
1 packet onion soup mix
1/4 cup grape jelly

Cut brisket in half widthwise if necessary to fit in Crockpot. Mix together last three ingredients. Put one half of brisket in pot, cover with half of sauce. Put in other half of brisket, top with remaining sauce. Cook on LOW 8-10 hours, or until meat falls apart. Can be served on hamburger buns, over rice, or by itself. Makes a lot.

Since I'm feeling in a generous mood, and I'm sure you will have lots of leftovers, here is what we do with what's left. Use as many veggies and as much leftover beef as necessary to feed your family. Here is my version to feed 2:

Rustic Beef and Veggies

1 1/2 cup Leftover Beef with Grape Jelly Sauce
2 small Potatoes
1 medium Carrots
Olive Oil
1 tbls Rosemary
Salt to taste (sea salt, if you've got it)

Preheat oven to 450. Peel and cut carrots and potatoes into bite-sized pieces, and place in a 9x13 pan. Drizzle with oil, and top with rosemary and salt. Toss to coat. Cook for about 35-40 minutes, or until veggies are tender and beginning to caramelize.

Meanwhile, reheat leftover Beef with Grape Jelly Sauce. Mix together leftover beef and roasted veggies and serve.

Last week, my Bible study group got together for a wonderful night of fellowship at The Mad Potter, a local paint-your-own pottery place. (Which incidentally, is owned by one of the Bible study girls.) I had never done this before, but have always been meaning to. I just was never sure it would be worth the trouble. It turned out to be a blast!

We hung out, ordered some yummy pizza, painted pottery, and just got to know each other better. I think I was a little intent on my piece, however, since I don't think I looked up except to eat! Each piece is unglazed ceramic, and there are so many great ones to choose from. I was surprised at how pastel the colors looked after they were painted on, then the glaze brought them to life. (Too bad I don't have a before picture :-(.)

Here's my finished piece:

I picked this as it was the perfect size to display on top of my cabinets, and, it will make a wonderful serving tray. One can never have too many serving trays!

If anyone wants to come visit me in Houston, we can head over there and have some fun!