Cheesy, Garlic, Bacon Mashed Potatoes and Small (BIG) Gestures

You know those days when you are busy wearing many hats – employee, volunteer, business owner, mom, wife, chef, chauffeur, and a few others – and the day just isn’t going as smoothly as you wished it would. 

Then in a moment, one small (big) gesture by a friend can change that around.  At least for a few minutes.

I had a friend like that last week.  She knew exactly what to say to cheer me up but she really didn’t need to say anything, her phone call was just enough to take my mind off of the to-do list for a few minutes and push the troubles aside for a few laughs.

I need to be that friend more often. The one that just calls to say “Hi!”  The one that drops a note in the mail saying “I’m thinking of you.”  The one that at the spur of the moment says “Hey – let’s meet for drinks.”   

We sometimes let our lives get too busy that we don’t appreciate the important things in life – like friends and small (big) gestures.

If you want to do a small (big) gesture for a friend, make them these potatoes.  I asked on Facebook for a good garlic, mashed potatoes recipe at Easter and Toni’s recipe is what I played off of.  Thanks Toni for the inspiration.

This week I encourage you to do one small (big) gesture that brightens a friend’s day.  That small gesture could be a BIG gesture to someone else. 

Print Recipe

Cheesy, Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Yield: 6 - 8 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Ingredients:

2 – 3 pounds of potatoes, peeled and cooked
1/4 - 1/2 pound cooked bacon cut into small pieces
2 – 3 tablespoons butter
¼ cup heavy cream
¼ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons minced garlic
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Mash the cooked potatoes.
2. Add the butter, heavy cream, sour cream, minced garlic, bacon, salt and pepper.
3. Mix well.
4. Stir in the shredded cheese.
5. Place the yummy potatoes into a greased pan.
6. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.
These would be easy enough to make ahead of time and just put into the oven to heat up or keep in a crock pot on low for a longer event.

2 Cookbooks to Giveaway Today

Because it’s Easter.

Because I’m on a chocolate high.

Because I got my taxes done this weekend.

Because Lindsay creates great books and saves my butt when things go wrong on my blog.

I’m giving away not 1 BUT 2 of Lindsay’s cookbooks today.

The Cookie Dough Lover’s Cookbook (by Lindsay Landis) and Breakfast for Dinner Cookbook (by Lindsay Landis and Taylor Hackbarth). 

Not only does Lindsay have her own blog, Love and Olive Oil, but she is also a graphic designer.  Stop by her blog for some great recipes and if you have any web or graphic design needs, consider her for your next project, Purr Design.

All you have to do to enter is answer this question. What is your favorite breakfast recipe to have for dinner?  Mine is scrambled eggs and bacon. 

Only one entry per person. This post is sponsored by me and only me. Lindsay didn’t ask me to do this. I am not being compensated for this in anyway.  I just like cookbooks.  Open to US residents only. I will choose a comment using Random.org.  The winner will be notified by e-mail and has 48 hours to respond.  If I receive no response, I will choose another winner.

Comments need to be approved before showing up so be patient.  I’m not at my computer ALL of the time.  🙂 

Comments close at 9 pm CST on Wednesday, April 3. 

Congratulations to Elin – Comment #15!  Her number was randomly chosen using Random.org.  Enjoy the Elin!!! 

Thanks to everyone who entered.  I loved reading what you all enjoy eating as a typical breafast for dinner.  Hmmm?  What should I make tonight?

Gourmet Pretzel Rods – Pretzel +Caramel + Chocolate = Heaven

I have been holding out on you and I’m sorry. 

This recipe should have been one of the very first I ever shared.  It was my very most favorite class to teach when I taught classes years ago with Cake ‘n Crumbs because it was easy, everyone loved them, and I had great sales to go along with it. 

But, now that I’m not teaching classes anymore, I don’t make them nearly enough.  Once you have one, you will want more.  There have been many years at Christmas that this is what we make for teachers gifts and they never once complained.  Who would?  You take a pretzel, cover it in caramel, then chocolate, and then sprinkle on some crushed up candy bars.  Oh my!

Quick Bunny in a Jar for Easter

Need a very quick gift to give to someone at Easter?  Grandkids, neighbor, hostess?

Make a Bunny in a Jar.  How cute is he?

I saw this idea over at Not So Idle Hands last week and knew I wanted to try him.  He’s super easy.

Easter Ideas – Coloring Eggs, Carrot Pound Cake, and Animal Pretzels

March has been a very busy month for our household. We’ve had a revolving door for well over a week now and it won’t stop for another couple of days. 

I like routine – even if its a crazy busy routine.  So when our “routine” gets put to the test like it has been, I get a little uneasy.

I’ll be so glad when we are all sleeping under the same roof in our own beds. 

This mother sleeps best with everyone under her care. 

With this crazy schedule I haven’t had a lot of time to post new Easter/Spring ideas so I’m taking a walk down memory lane from last year and recycling those old posts for you.  Won’t you join me?

Colored Easter Eggs – Such vibrant colors made from gel pastes you may already have in your house.  Get those eggs ready and spend some time in the kitchen with the kiddos decorating eggs.

Carrot Pound Cake – Still love the looks of these fun, delicious cakes.  Sara Lee pound cake and chocolate – really, it doesn’t get much better than that.

Ladybug, Duck and Bunny Pretzels – Who doesn’t love the sweet/salty combination of these cute animals that keep popping up on Pinterest and Facebook?  Yum, one of my favorites!

Hoping it looks and feels more like spring at your house than it does mine!