snow day: in the kitchen

words that are becoming all too familiar in our neck of the woods.

breakfast has become one of my favorite meals to cook.

normally I pack my breakfast & eat with my kids at work...

so these days are rare, especially for mr. mack & me to eat together.

I decided to try this sweet potato hash brown with dippy eggs

I've seen/pinned a few times on pinterest.

I can see this super easy breakfast becoming a family favorite.

[the cast iron skillet made this dish even tastier.]

love being across the table from this guy. <3

it's always a sign of a good day..

as you can see this pup would stay out all day if we'd let him.

snow days are his absolute FAVORITE! 

& as per usual he is always covered in white. 

 with the snowfall means= baking!

Am i right?

Well I'm currently doing the WHOLE30.

Essentially it's a 30 day kick start to better eating & choices

by eating clean & healthy foods.

I'm on day #9,

and today has been tough.

I really want to bake cookies & drink hot cocoa!

But my self control has surprised me! WOO HOO!

So with that being said,

I decided to bake but not for me..for Blue.

He was running low on treats.. so I found a recipe

and luckily, we had all the ingredients here!

(I don't think I could've made it to the store otherwise)

original recipe found here

                Ingredients:

• ⅔ cups Pureed Pumpkin
• 2-½ Tablespoons Vegetable Oil*
• ½ teaspoons Cinnamon
• ½ cups Instant Oatmeal
• 1 cup Whole Wheat Flour
• ½ cups Water*

               Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together pumpkin, vegetable oil, and cinnamon.
3. Slowly add in oatmeal and flour until combined. Using your hands may be required as this does get very sticky.
4. Finally add in the 1/2 cup of water.*
5. Roll dough to 1/3″ thickness and cut into doggie bone shapes or whatever is easiest for you.
6. Place on a greased pan and bake for 30 minutes.* Monitor to make sure they don’t burn. Every oven is different, so they can burn quickly if you’re not looking.
7. Brush top of treat with bacon fat.
8. Let cool on wire rack and then toss one to your faithful four legged friend

I made a few edits(*) to the recipe:

*used coconut oil instead of vegetable oil

*didn't use the water it called for..the mix was the right consistency

*only baked for 20 minutes

*AND brushed bacon fat on top for some extra flavor

[I found this heart cookie cutter thrifting with A the other day!<3]

All in all--Blue loves them

& that's what matters!

I even let him lick the spoon ;)

What a lucky dog.

Oh & then there is THIS GUY!

He's the best.

It always amazes me all the ways he cares for me..

even if it is shoveling the sidewalks & cleaning off my snowy car

for my early morning drive.

I'M A LUCKY GAL.

[chief frozen beard]

Hope those of you who also had a snow day...

had an excellent one!

P.S:

 for dinner I'm making ribs with roasted veggies! :) YUM!