Chocolate Dipped Fruit

My sister's 20th birthday was yesterday. She has moved in with me and my 3 kids while my husband is deployed to iraq for 7 months.

I wanted to get her a little something for her birthday, but since she is really trying to be healthy while out here, I didn't go the birthday cake route. I looked online to order from Edible Arrangements and was SHOCKED at how outrageously expensive their fruit bouquets were!!!

I decided to make my own version. I had some fresh pineapple, strawberries and bananas on hand, so I used those to dip in milk chocolate. I didn't make them into a bouquet, but just arranged them in a bowl. I sprinkled coconut and sprinkles over the strawberries just after dipping them to add a little flare!!!

They were delicious and much healthier than birthday cake....because fruit cancels out the chocolate, right?!

Join the Ugly Angels Baking Gals Team for Round 6

It's that time again! The baking gals are at it again....time for round 6!

This round I am very excited to be hosting my husband, Captain Nick Turner. We just saw him off last week for a 7 month deployment to Iraq.Captain Turner is a CH-53D helicopter pilot for HMH-362 (Ugly Angels) based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii on Oahu. He is stationed at Al Asad, Iraq. His missions as a helicopter pilot is mainly transporting "bullets, beans & bandaids".... moving supplies and troops where ever they need to go.
This is his 2nd tour to Iraq. He and his wife (me) have been married for over 5 years and have 3 kids, and one on the way...which he will probably not be back for in time for the birth. But hopefully a few short weeks after!
He grew up in a small town in Iowa and flew helicopters with his dad, who was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam for the Marine Corps, and also, ironically enough, for the Ugly Angels, the same squadron his son is in now! His dad owned a helicopter business, doing heavy lifing and spraying crops, so he grew up in helicopters.

Once returning from Iraq, Captain Turner has the honor of flying for HMX-1 and possibly flying President Obama in Marine One on his next tour.

We are all very proud of Captain Turner and miss him so much already. Please join Team Ugly Angel and the baking gals and send him some love by baking up some goodies for him this Valentine's season!
Here's what you need to do:
Go to Baking GALS website
Register if you haven't already. (It's super easy & free)
Sign In
Click on JOIN A ROUND 6 TEAM
Scroll down to JOIN TEAM UGLY ANGEL

I'll be sending out bulletins with the mailing address, ideas and favorites, as well as some reminders.
SHIPPING DATES THIS ROUND ARE FEBRUARY 7 - FEBRUARY 21

We'd love to have you with us this round!
If you have any questions, feel free to email me at kimturner@hawaii.rr.com

TWD: French Pear Tart

It's been a long break for me! I've was busy with holiday baking, birthdays, and squadron functions and then a 2 week trip back to Iowa to be with family for Christmas! Then, to top that all off, I got sick...which ended up helping me to find out I was pregnant! A surprise to us all! So, #4 will be making his/her appearance early August!

So, with that out of the way, it's good to be back home and back to baking.

I got a new stove, so I have been trying to break it in as much as I can!

This week's TWD was chosen by none other than our very honored guest each Tuesday, Dorie Greenspan!

This recipe wasn't too difficult, but I was a little disappointed in the end result. I halved the recipe, and didn't have a tart pan either, so if that had something to do with it, I take all the blame for my not so perfect ending.

I had to sneak peeks at other TWD-ers to see how they sliced their pears, as I didn't understand what Dorie meant in the recipe. After seeing what everyone else did, going back and re-reading the recipe, I get it now!

I think the biggest turnoff for me was the dark rum. I made sure and halved it with the rest of my ingredients, but the taste was so strong (enhanced senses due to pregnancy, maybe!?) But it was too much for me.

I'll be eating the pears, and maybe pick at the rest, but I probably won't attempt this recipe again. But like I say, I always enjoy trying something new! Thanks to Dorie for chosing this recipe this week! It was fun to read all the answers to our questions on the TWD blog!

New Stove, Box House & Cookies

I got to bake with my new oven today!!!! I made some quick oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. The oven gave off a new hot smell, but the cookies turned out great!!!

And with every new stove comes a big cardboard box that is required to be made into a playhouse.

My son has been eating in there and everything.

I'm Back! Animal Pancakes

My sister sent me this adorable Nordicware pancake pan in the mail the other day. It makes pancakes with animal imprints!

I was so excited to try it out!
It was so easy. Just drop a small scoop of batter in each circle and then flip them over when they bubble!
Both my kiddos loved them! Here is my little Addi roaring like a lion as she ate her lion pancake!
Thanks sis!