Honey Ham & Baby Swiss Crescent Calzone

Were you ever so hungry but you just didn't know what to make?  Nothing could be easier than this crescent calzone.  I mean, it felt like it took me literally 5 minutes to make.  Took me longer to take the pictures than the actually assembly of it.  What I ended up having was this AMAZING, WARM, FLAVORFUL, GOOEY, CHEESY and YUMMY dinner.  Now I was satisfied with just this but if you were to turn it into a meal for like 4 people, I'd double the recipe and make a salad or some potatoes like French Fries, Roasted Potatoes, Mashed Potatoes or whatever, even a veggie too.  I went solo on this one.

So basically it was just taking my lunch meat, cheese slices and rolled it up in a non-perforated recipe ready crescent roll sheet.  I've done step by step photos with instructions.  I have to mention, I used Baby Swiss in this recipe, My favorite is Guggisberg Baby Swiss.  I love it because it melts perfectly, it's creamy and the perfect taste.  It's not a harsh hard Swiss that many people are used to.  So if you kinda have a love & hate relationship with Swiss, I would try this Guggisberg Baby Swiss.  You will not be disappointed, at least I wasn't.  If you don't like Swiss AT ALL, you can certainly use another cheese and if you don't like Honey Ham, you certainly can swap it out for any other lunch meat, or cooked steak or chicken sliced thin.

THIS RECIPE MAKES ONE Calzone enough for 2 people

Honey Ham & Baby Swiss Crescent Calzone
1 Refrigerated Pillsbury Recipe Creations Crescent Dough or Crescent Roll Dough with Perforations Sealed
1/2 Pound Honey Ham or Any Lunch Meat or Thinly Sliced Cooked Meat (Steak, Chicken or Pork)
1/2 Pound Sliced Baby Swiss Cheese or Your Favorite Sliced Cheese, you can also used Shredded Cheese.
Any Spread like Ranch Dressing, Mustard, Honey Mustard, Thousand Island Dressing, Italian Dressing
(I wouldn't use mayo inside, while baking it could get icky, I would slop it on while you eat it or in a dipping cup.  You can also skip this step completely)
You can certainly add some veggies too if you'd like, like Sauteed Mushroom, Peppers, Roasted Red Peppers, Pepperoncini or Onions, etc....  (If adding veggies do so on top of the cheese).

Preheat Oven to 350'F.

Line a Baking/Cookie Sheet with Parchment Paper.

First Step is to unroll your crescent dough and stretch it out a little but do not tear it.  Just to get it out of it's tight form from being in the can.

Lay your lunch meat down or your cheese down first, (I think this worked better the second time around, helps not to make the dough soggy).

Add your sliced or shredded cheese on top of the lunch meat.  Leave about a half inch space so that you can pinch close.

Start at the long end and begin rolling to the end.  Pinch all opening together.  Snip with a scissors or poke top with a fork to do some venting.  Cook until a Golden Brown, it varies depending on temperature but I checked it about 15-20 minutes in.  You may see some cheese oozing.  That's completely fine!  Means it's hot and cheesy!  =)

Important step is to let it set up before cutting because if you don't it will just smash and fall apart.  You want some stability while eating this.

I hope you enjoy, we sure did.  I think I just thought up my most versatile recipe yet.  It might of been made before by others but hey for me, I thought of it!  ;)

Stay tuned for my sweet dessert version using this method....Can you guess what I might use?  Here are some photos....

Before laying the lunch meat down or cheese down, this is when you add your spread lightly and gently over your crescent dough.

This is when I put down the cheese first over the stretched crescent dough.

Secondly, place your lunch meat or cheese down, whichever way you do it.

This is when you can add your veggies.

Start at the end and start rolling....

Finished rollings, do small snips, just a couple on the stop or poke with a fork to vent.

Bake in a 350'F oven for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown.  

Enjoy and I hope you make it.  Let me know how it turns out.  Don't forget to add some sides to complete the meal!  YUMMY YUMMY!

Happy November (EEK! Already!),

Annamaria

Chocolate Chip Eggo Waffle Sandwich with Nutella and Bananas!

I said what?  Yes, Chocolate Chip Eggo Waffles with Nutella and Bananas!  That was Scott's midnight snack.  One night he tells me, "Ya know what's good?",  A Chocolate Chip Waffle Sandwich with Nutella and Bananas.  Huh?  Yes, I must admit, it sounds good!  Really good!  I haven't had the urge to quite do it yet, but if I do have a slight late night craving, I may just give in!

So as I was sitting, Scott walks in not with one but two sandwiches.  I saw it and it looked good!  I didn't ask for a bite.  I wasn't ready for it!  What's holding me back?  I don't know!

See Scott is a Mailman, he works about 12 hours a day, 6 days a week.  He walks his route.  So all those calories he consumes, burns right out of him.  I suppose I have eaten worse.  After all, it's just 2 waffles (well 4 in his case), so 2 waffles, a fruit (the banana) and some Nutella spread.  Sounds like a complete meal right?  I mean we're not using maple syrup or butter right?  So seems like this is looking better as a meal at breakfast.  Right?  Back me up  here!!!!

So I wanted to share this with you.  I just had to.  I need some convincing!  It couldn't be any worse than bacon, eggs, toast with butter and potatoes?  So if you get to try it before I do, let me know how it tastes.  This is looking great right about now.  So it's very easy to make....obviously....  But I will list them as I do with everything.  I give credit to Scott for this one!  Have a Sweet Weekend!

Mind you, I have to say, all the items used are wonderful products!
I encourage you to try Chocolate Chip Eggo Waffles
Ferrero's Nutella Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
of course Bananas!

My favorite Eggo Waffles Flavors:
Blueberry
Strawberry
Chocolate Chip
French Toast
(waiting to try....)
Pumpkin Spice
Smores

The Chocolate Chip Eggo Waffle with Nutella and Bananas Sandwich
2 Toasted Chocolate Chip Eggo Waffles
2 Tablespoons of Nutella
1/2 a Banana, sliced

Toast your waffle to desired crispness.  When done, spread one side of each waffle with Nutella and add the sliced banana, make a sandwich.  Voila!  Chomp Away!

I hope you enjoy it!  It seems Scott does as he has eaten 2 sandwiches!  He convinced me to share it with you!

L'eggo My Eggo!

Photo Courtesy of Eggo Waffles via Facebook

Love Me Some Nutella,
Annamaria

La La Lemon Almond Tea Loaf

One thing I can say is nothing shows more of your appreciation of friendship and love than baking something for someone when they need a little lift, a little help or just because.  When I knew my friend's father was having heart surgery and knew he loves lemon, I thought this would be a great way to say Get Well.

Be prepared to fall in love with this recipe.  I love love love Almond Paste and it was just a perfect addition to lemon.

La La Lemon Almond Tea Loaf
3/4 cup sifted pastry or cake flour 
1/2 teaspoon baking powder 
1/8 teaspoon salt 
5 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
7 ounces (3/4 cup) almond paste, at room temperature 
1 cup granulated sugar 
8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into 16 pieces
1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest 

Lemon Glaze
3/4 cups sugar
6 Tablespoons Lemon juice

Position a rack in the lower third of an oven. Preheat to 350°F. Lightly butter and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan; tap out the excess flour.  (I even line the bottom of the load pan with parchment so that it ensures perfect release from the pan)

Zest a good size Lemon enough to get about 1Tablespoons of Lemon Zest.

Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt twice. Set aside. 

In a small bowl, combine the eggs and vanilla. Whisk to just combine. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, beat the almond paste on low speed until pea-size crumbs form, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. 

Slowly add the granulated sugar in a steady stream and beat until incorporated. This should take about 2 to 3 minutes. If you add the sugar too quickly, the almond paste won't break up as well. 

On low speed, beat in the butter, tablespoon by tablespoon. This should take about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of bowl. 

Increase speed to medium and cream the mixture until lighter in color and fluffy in appearance, about 3 to 4 minutes.

Still on medium speed, slowly pour in the eggs, cautiously at first, tablespoon by tablespoon. After each bit of the eggs have been absorbed, add more. If at any time the mixture appears water or shiny, stop the flow of eggs and increase the speed until a smooth appearance returns. Then decrease the speed to medium and resume adding the eggs.

Continue to cream, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl at least once, until the mixture appears fluffy, velvety and white, and has increased in volume. Including the time to add the eggs, this should take about 2 to 3 minutes.

Spoon the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the surface gently with an offset spatula.   I sprinkled some leftover zest on top.

Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and the top springs bake when lightly touched, about 45 to 50 minutes. Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes. 

What a great golden looking bread cake!

Make the glaze while the cake is cooling in the pan...


In a bowl, stir together the sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Set the wire rack over a sheet of parchment paper or foil to catch any drips of glaze. Invert the loaf pan onto the rack and lift off the pan. Using a pastry brush, generously brush the entire warm cake with the glaze. Let the cake cool completely on the rack, at least 3 hours, or until the glaze has set.


The cake is fragile when warm so don’t try to move it. When the cake is cool, gently transfer it to a serving platter.  Serve at room temperature.


It's been so hard to meet up to give it this to my friend, so as with any cake or breads you can freeze it by wrapping it in the package, then plastic wrap it a few times and then cover in foil and freeze up to 3 months.


I froze the package and yet I am keeping it the freezer, I've decided to make it again for my friend when I know it's time to see her again.  Which is this week no matter what!  But I did package up the bread in with wax paper, some ribbon that I made previous and will unfreeze when I have company but I am sharing the recipe with you.  Just add a little note card for Get Well and you have a sweet gift.


This is definitely a great treat.  The comforting taste of almond and lemon go so well together.  I was infatuated with the smell filling up my home!


PS:  I couldn't help but know that this tastes absolutely awesome with a schmear of Seedless Rasberry Jam/Preserves!


Enjoy!
Annamaria


 

Always Fresh at Jack Frost Donuts

Making Delicious Fresh Donuts since 1937!

I don't know how many of you have heard or have tried of Jack Frost donuts but they are a great little spin on the typical donuts if you haven't guessed by the photo above.

Jack Frost has been around for a very long time here in Cleveland and it's too bad not many have tried it (shame on you!).  The donuts are always fresh, flavors are different on some days and they are quite little fresh beauties

 Fox 8 Hot List Winners for Best Donuts in Cleveland, 4 years in a row!  Also a winner 2010 Cleveland Magazine for their wonderful Candy Bar Donuts!.

These are Maple Frosted with Vanilla Cream on top.

My daughter and I thought we would pick up a box (a dozen) at about 10:30am on a Sunday after church and her communion class.  It was packed!  It was hard to move.  Now they're open until 8pm most nights but I don't know how they keep up with demand.  I was afraid about time I got to the front of the line that the donuts would be gone.  We consider Jack Frost a treat.  They are decadent donuts well deserved to be shared with coffee, tea or a tall glass of milk!  I couldn't believe we didn't have them more often!

Raspberry Cream, Vanilla Cream, Chocolate Cake Donuts with and without Cream, also available with Chocolate Cream.

These are probably the freshest donuts I've ever had next to Krispy Kreme's hot off the conveyor belt glazed donuts.  The demand for them have to keep them coming and they were so fresh most of the donuts glazes haven't set yet.  The chewy yeast donuts are my favorite.  Not all of them are over the top, you have your typical glaze and on the weekends you can find cruller donuts, sometimes in various flavors too.  What really caught my eye is their jump of the band wagon of modern flavors like Maple Bacon, Snickers, Smores and Red Velvet.  Taking the typical donuts flavors to the next level.  The Banana Pudding and the Peanut Butter ones are my favorites!  Unfortunately I didn't get my hands on the Banana Pudding one because the Donut Monsters in my house ate it before I did.  I did manage to get a Peanut Butter one and it was so good!  Yes the donuts monsters is Scott who could despite his size could eat a whole dozen and my children....  My Johnny who almost 3 ate the Maple Bacon among others!

Good Ol' Fashioned Fresh Glazed Donuts

My daughter loves to take photos so most of them are taken from her and she's only 8.  She loves to help me with my blogs!  My great assistant!

It had been awhile like I said before since I have had Jack Frost, I promise though it will not stay like that.  I have seen though some crazy creations and since I am a baker/confectioner myself I can appreciate the crazy flavors like M&Ms, Fruit Loops, etc....  I wonder if they ever made a Cocoa Puffs, Scott would freak!  LOL!

Sofia is a glaze yeast donut girl and Johnny well if it's good he'll eat it and the sweeter the better.  He could down a donut or 2 with milk a must!

Now on Jack Frost's Facebook Page they asked for donut flavor suggestions.  Now if you know me you know I am going to suggest a Nutella Donut!  I did!  Hee Hee!  Of all the same suggestions no one thought of Nutella!  I hope to see it made in the future!  So here's my thoughts on the creation: Yeast Donut filled with Nutella, Powdered, topped with either a Peanut Butter or Nutella Cream Frosting, Drizzled with Chocolate Glaze and then topped with finely ground Hazelnuts (of course I also suggested skipping the ground nuts in case people don't want it, which I know my daughter wouldn't, she'll just take everything except the nuts, she likes the flavor like in Nutella but not the texture of a nut).

I've also suggested Banana Pudding Pie (yeast donut, powdered, banana pudding filled, top with a Whip Cream piping and finely ground vanilla wafer crumbs and one cookie to top it off)  French Silk Pie (yeast donut, powdered, filled with chocolate pudding, topped with a whip cream piping and topped with mini semi sweet chocolate chips and a Coconut Pie (yeast, powdered, coconut pudding, whip cream piping and sprinkled with toasted coconut.  Also with Carrot Cake and Pumpkin Spice Cake and top of those two donuts with a cream cheese filling/cream piping and a Lemon Meringue Donut....

I can't suggest enough that you have to get Jack Frost Donuts.  I am glad that I was reminded of what a good donut was when I bit into one.  It's no wonder that they are still in business.  I hope you don't think that Dunkin Donuts are real donuts, they may look like it but they are deceiving and stale all the time!  Jack Frost is the place that let's you experience a fresh donut the way it's supposed to taste!  Freshness is Key!

Next time you are looking for dessert after dinner or anytime, save yourself and get some Jack Frost!

If you have any questions about flavors of the day, call ahead orders give them a call, they are a great friendly staff.  The have hot coffee and beverages available as well.  You may have to wait in line or not.  On Fat Tuesday, you better preorder!  They also make Paczki (poonch kee) which will run out if you don't preorder for sure!

They take Checks with ID and Cash, no credit/debit cards.

Visit their Facebook page:

Jack Frost Donuts on Facebook

HOURS:

Monday-Saturday: 6am-8pm

Sunday: 7am-8pm

Phone: (216) 351-3638

Have a Sweet Week & A FAT TUESDAY!

Annamaria

Make A Big Hit At Any Party!: Cheesy Sausage Cream Cheese Crescents

*Photo Taken By Karla Everett

Thank You Karla!

I thought I would share this recipe for you since a fellow cooking friend posted her photo onto my recipe.  She made them for a party and they were a huge hit!  I saw her beautiful photo and just thought it needed to be shared with all of you.

These great nibbles are so great for snacking or an appetizer, well I could just eat them anytime of day or night.  The great taste of Pilsbury's Crescent rolls and the creamy cheesy sausage filling is sure to satisfy anyone.  Best of all it's QUICK & EASY!

Here is the recipe to share with you!

Sausage Cream Cheese Croissants
16 ounces Bulk Sausage cooked, and crumbled (any flavor)
8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
2 cans Refrigerated Crescent Rolls
1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese (or any cheese)

Mix sausage and cream cheese together and shredded cheese if you'd like. Separate rolls into triangles. Cut eat triangle in half lengthwise. Scoop a heaping tablespoon onto each roll and roll up. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

PS:  Thank You Karla!

Happy New Year!
Annamaria

SOMETHING SWANKY

Flaky and Tender Chocolate Chip Scones & The Emerald Necklace Inn & Tea Room

Tonight I made Chocolate Chip Scones.  I never ate a scone before because sometimes in bakeries they looked too dry or like they have sitting there for awhile.  I guess many people don't eat scones.  The reason why I decided to make my own is because my daughter went to a Tea House with my mom, my sister, her cousin and her other aunt (my brother's wife) and her sister and her mom.  I didn't go that day because it was my hubby's birthday and didn't want to leave him by himself while I enjoyed the day.

My daughter in her Tea Time dress!  She's so beautiful!

My sister in law took lots of pictures and my daughter and my niece looked beautiful.  They dressed up in dresses and were ready to have a fancy day!  Here they are in their dresses....

My daughter Sofia and my niece Alyssa.

So I made this recipe for my daughter who said she loved the Chocolate Chip Scones and I wanted to make them for her.  She is such a wonderful daughter.  She is my little helper and works so hard in school and at gymnastics.  She is a great big sister to her little brother.  I hope she loves them as much I did making them.

Sofia and Alyssa at the Tea House.

Here is everyone at the Tea House.  Everyone said they had such a great time.  The little girls had Hot Chocolate.  They also managed to get extra spoiled by getting 2 Red Hat Teddy Bears.  Certainly it was a good day!

Here is Sofia and Alyssa with their Aunt, my sister in law Gina!

Such a pretty picture!

Everyone had a blast and I kind of wished I would of went.  They promised to go again and this time I am definitely going!  I am glad though that the little princesses had fun with the ladies.  Sofia and her cousin Alyssa  are like 2 peas in a pod even though they are 3 years apart.  You wouldn't be able to tell since they click so much!  The name of the Tea House was called Emerald Necklace Inn.

Here is Gina, her mom Cece, Sofia, Alyssa, my sister Tina (Alyssa's mom) and my mom.  Obviously it was a girl's day out!

Then at the end of the day they took a picture in the garden.

My mom, Sofia, Alyssa, my sister Tina and my sister in law's sister, Lisa.

So here is the recipe that I came out with doing a little research online and incorporating a little of this and that.  Everyone loved the scones.  In fact they ate them all!  They are so easy to make even though they are not something we eat everyday and can seem intimidating.  They were for me at least.  Then I made them and couldn't believe how easy and delicious they were.  I am still not sure if I will buy them from another place, because now that I know how easy they are, I am going to make all kinds at home!

These scones were so flaky and melt in your mouth.  Perfect to be served with coffee, tea or like the little girls, hot chocolate!  My hubby, daughter and my 2 year old son loved them.  I am surely the especially loved them since they were chocolate chips.  They weren't overly sweet but I am sure they are going to be fabulous with fruit instead of chocolate....or perhaps both!

I have taken pictures of the step by step process of the whole thing.  The full recipe is at the end.  I encourage you to make these, because if you never had a scone, these will definitely have you appreciate them!  YUM!

Sorry mom, I am going to have to make another batch since they ate them all!  I promise to bring you some!   

Flaky & Tender Chocolate Chips Scones:

In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar. 

Place the cubed cold butter in the bowl and using a pastry cutter mix the  flour mixture and butter until it resembles fine crumbs. 

Above you can see that once the butter is cut in it looks like crumbly sand.

Stir in Chocolate Chips.

2 Tablespoons of Whipping Cream and 1 egg.

Egg and Whipping Cream Whisked.

Add in the Cream and Egg mixture into flour mixture and mix with a large spoon making sure not to over mix. Dough will be sticky.

*Place onto a parchment lined cookie sheet and shape into a circle about 1 inch thick.

*I refrigerated the dough covered in the refrigerator for about a half of an hour and then I brushed some egg wash and sprinkled sugar on top of scones before baking.

Cut into 8 triangles and arrange on cookie sheet.  I used a spatula to wedge them out of the circle and place them around.

Bake at 425 degrees F.  For about 12-16 minutes until golden.

Let them cool but are still warm to transfer onto a plate.

See all the flakiness?  Wow was it melt in your mouth!

Enjoy!

Flaky & Tender Chocolate Chip Scones:

1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup butter, cold and cut into cubes
3/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 egg
2 tablespoons whipping cream

1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder and sugar.  Place the cubed cold butter in the bowl and using a pastry cutter incorporate the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles fine crumbs.  Stir in chocolate chips.

In another small bowl, whisk together the egg and the milk.  Add it to the flour mixture and use a large spoon to incorporate the mixture until it forms into a rough ball.  Don't overmix.

Lift onto a baking sheet and pat into a circle that is about 1 inch thick.  Do not over mix the dough.  Cut it into 8 wedges and separate them from one another.  I used a spatula to help me arrange the wedges.

Bake at 425 for approximately 16 minutes or until golden brown.  Best when served warm.

I hope you enjoy them and my whole family fell in love with them.  Like I said the plate has been finished as soon as I served them!If you are from the Cleveland area please visit Emerald Necklace Inn, it's also a Bed and Breakfast.  Hats are optional!  LOL!  Don't forget to check out their website.  If you can visit your local Tea Room in your area because everyone should experience it.

Enjoy!

Emerald Necklace Inn

www.EmeraldTeaStore.com

Emerald Necklace Inn FaceBook Page:

EMI Facebook

 

As they say in England, CHEERS!
Annamaria

Breakfast for Dinner: Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuits!

P.S.  Follow my blog with Bloglovin

*Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuits for Dinner, YUM!

Did your family ever make breakfast for dinner?  It's like eating pizza for breakfast only opposite.  We always ate breakfast for dinner.  It's also economical.  Cheap eats and filling as well as oh so good.  I remember many memories of making breakfast for dinner growing up or my mom would do it.  I also remember having a big breakfast on Sundays.  It was the only day my dad didn't work.  Now thinking about it, my husband only gets Sundays off too being a mailman and all.  He is supposed to get rotating days off but they are busy and he's on the overtime list.  So my weekend starts and is only on Sundays.

I must admit and give credit.  I don't always cook.  Sometimes I don't feel like it and I'm tired and creative juices are not flowing.  So sometimes my husband steps up to the plate and cooks something.  I always laugh at him because he'll make grilled cheese, eggs, french toast (which is great) and some other simple foods,   when something comes out good he likes to make me think he's part of an elite group of men that cook for their family.  I told him men in the past and even now were the cooks.  Not in the home but in the business world.  Women weren't really the ones who paved a way in culinary schools and such.  Thanks to one cooking greatness Julia Child showed how women are just as creative in the kitchen as men and can be great chefs.  He also likes to remind me how he took cooking classes in high school which should also separate him from the rest of the boys. I remind him that "Home Economics" are offered in most schools in the USA if not all junior highs/high schools.  As with every reminder I thank him for making me something to eat.  I guess I should let him ride that pride for the day!  LOL!

Well that brings me to his one night of cooking he did for the both of us.  It was late, the kids were in bed and we finally decided to eat something for ourselves.  He decided he was going to fry up some bacon and eggs.  Top them off with cheese and place them on biscuits.  We had some Pillsbury biscuits in a can and he baked some.  I have to say as my husband agrees that bacon is just one of those great foods.  Although I am an animal lover, I can't help but feel a little guilty eating it.  It's just too good.  It makes me wonder how I spent many years as a vegetarian.

He made fried eggs.  He says I make them the best, he tends too pepper them to much.  I don't pepper my eggs.  I forgot to tell him not to.  In any case his creation was delicious.  I forgot what type of biscuits of Pillsbury they were.  I usually get Homestyle Butter Tastin from Pillsbury.  Very good biscuits on the fly!

So here is the masterpiece, I did arrange them to make them look great in the picture and they were as good as they look.  Kudos to my hubby.  Love You Scotty!

Feast with your Eyes!

So fry up some bacon, make some fried eggs, bake some biscuits and add some cheese and voila, you have yourself a Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit!

Good Cooking Wishes,
Annamaria

Good Ol' Southern Cooking at Cracker Barrel

Weirdest thing happened, we went to Strongsville Mall this past weekend and as we were getting our son into the stroller we saw my mother in law coming out of the mall when she was done shopping. (She also saw thw movie "The Help" and said it was awesome!)  So we had her come in with us because we were getting the kids their haircuts. My daughter is starting school so I thought she could use a fresh start trim for school and my son's hair was starting to look Joan of Arc (a bob with short bangs). I had cut his bangs and then his long hair almost looked like a bob. It was well over due for a cut. We went to Master Cuts because they were the only salon that weren't booked even though they almost didn't take us because we were 15 minutes late. If I had more time I would of gone to my cousin's hair salon, but it's sometimes hard to get her because she's always busy and Alto Capelli is not open on Sundays. It's easier to handle the kids when my husband can help me wrangle them.

So anyway, we got their haircuts. My daughter just got a trim with a bit of long layers. Pretty Basic. My son got his hair cut, which was a little more work and being 2, it's not easy. The girl pretty much did the best she could, I've seen better and the blending wasn't great. I like to keep his hair a little long because he looks silly with short hair. So the first part of my review is to say that I really wouldn't go to Master Cuts again. It was one of those major chain hair salons like Great Clips or Best Cuts. I think getting a hairdresser that is really talented in one of those salons is like a diamond in the rough. So next time I will pass. Not to mention the fact the girls gave me dirty looks and an attitude for being 15 minutes late. They say they close at 6pm and we were there at 5:15pm and they had no other customers and they usually only take walk ins but I called ahead and said we would be there around 5. So they knew we were coming. They weren't even closed and the turning customers away. They were technically still open so why would they do that? Bad business and customer service move and such a turn off. I could of smacked that attitude right out of the girl because I already wasn't in the mood for dealing with someone's attitude.

Then after the mall since it closed at 6pm, which sometimes I wish the mall would close later on Sundays than just on the Christmas Holiday season. It seems like there is not enough hours in the day and my husband only gets Sundays off being a mailman, so he tends to get a slow start on Sundays.

Cracker Barrel in Brooklyn, Ohio

We decided to get something to eat, my daughter chose Cracker Barrel. I could of gone for some Macaroni Grill since we were so close anyway, but since Cracker Barrel was close to home and it didn't sound so bad we went there.

Surprisingly it wasn't too busy when we entered and I couldn't believe that the Halloween AND Christmas Decorations were already out for Sale. Okay I could understand maybe Halloween but not Christmas too? I felt suffocated at the idea of the holidays creeping up on us. Of course I wanted so many of the decor items! I could go crazy! But I had to be frugal because my daughter is starting school and the new session starting for gymnastics next week. So pass, maybe next month?

Okay we sat, we got a great waitress and brought biscuits out so we could give the kids something because they were both very hungry, well so were we. My mother in law came with us an she decided to have my daughter sleep over so the next day they would go and see the Smurf movie. My daughter loved it.

We ordered our food and we all ordered something different. My husband got the Pot Roast dinner, My mother in law got the summer special which was the Brisket, I got the Sunday special which was the Fried Chicken Breast Filet dinner. My son got the Mac & Cheese and my daughter got Pancakes with Bacon.

We got our food and I didn't like the chicken, I was contemplating between the meatloaf and the Friend Chicken and the waitress said the Fried Chicken.  So that's what I got.  It was so over fried the chicken was dry and the breading was burnt.  So I sent it back and got the meatloaf instead, which was really what I wanted in the place.

(My meatloaf slice was bigger than this, this is just a random photo, I forgot my camera!)

My husband said his Pot Roast was good and tender, my daughter loves their pancakes which of course they are.  My meatloaf was good.  I think though mine is better.  My mother in law said her brisket was overdone and dry, and honestly, it didn't look appetizing and it was like 3 over cooked dry strips that looked tough.

Our sides always include the carrots, macaroni and cheese, hashbrown casserole, mashed potatoes, corn, etc...  They were great as always.  But I do think their mashed potatoes were salted enough or buttery enough.  They were kind of bland and definitely needed the gravy.

Our belly's were full and enjoyed a nice dinner together.  I really like the Brooklyn Cracker Barrel.  I remember driving almost an hour with my family to go to Cracker Barrel in Akron or Sheffield.  But now for years we have had one so close, so the nostalgia of Cracker Barrel isn't a big deal anymore.  Although they have great dishes that no one else can make like them.  I could really do without the Saw Mill Gravy, I don't like it.  I prefer Sausage Gravy to top my biscuits and Country Fried Steak, which is awesome at Cracker Barrel as well as the Chicken Fried Chicken.  Breakfast is always good at Cracker Barrel.

I know they are famous for their hashbrown casserole but I have to tell you, they must have the BEST macaroni and cheese!  It is so good!

For my son's first birthday/christening party I had Cracker Barrel cater the sides, I got a big pan of the hashbrown casserole and macaroni and cheese.  Let me tell you, my guests ate it up!!!!

So yes they do cater, you just have to call them in advance.  It's a great price and they can do big pans and half pans.  Kids love that mac and cheese so the kids went crazy and so did the adults.

I got my main dish which was Fried Chicken from Mr. Chicken in Parma and also got their biscuits.  100 pieces of chicken!  It was so good and fresh and made right in time for me to pick it up.

We always have so much food at our parties.  I like to get mine catered instead of cooking sometimes because not only do you end up not spending as much as if you would make it yourself but you have so much more time to focus on having fun at your event.  I do make some things, maybe snacks and such but mostly catered.  I at one time had 3 different places cater 1 party....  I am always wanting to satisfy all guests and tastes.  The left overs are great too!

So enjoy my all over the place blog tonight or morning....  I hope it gave you some ideas.  Sorry I don't have many pictures up.

Sweet Dreams,
Annamaria

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