:issue: cooking IS fun

I don't know about you but I've always been the type that LOOOOVES cooking new things but absolutely HATES cleaning up the mess. Yup, that's me... Well, I've gotten around that a little by "tricking" my family into doing these "cooking get togethers" every other day :) { my kids are only 1 & 4 so I clearly can't give them the chore of cleaning the kitchen! } OK, so, I didn't really "trick them" per say as I am loving it so much. We all get together and talk, cook and laugh. Plus I believe we're saving a little money by having everyone bring a specific ingredient. Seems like it's cutting down on cost... In addition, I subscribe to the theory that children who eat family meals at the table do better in school and in their daily lives.

Tuesday my mother, niece and nephew came over and we made Tarantula Tacos (recipe here) & Jack-O-Lanterns for dessert (recipe here)

boopity & shai playing... not cooking

Tarantula Tacos

we had a hard time creating the face until my nephew realized the frosting wasn't coming out properly because it had CHUNKS in it!

Wednesday I cooked on my own. Steak w/Mango & Peach salsa. This recipe was from Betty Crockers 20 minute meals booklet from target that I believe I purchased for $1. The recipe called for red peppers, I used green as well as cooked the topping on the steak for about 10 minutes... It was SUPERB!!

We're cooking as a family again tonight. Tonight should be fun! We're making dinner for 20 of us!