I like to give my boys the option of purchasing school lunch, or bringing lunch from home. I like that they just might try out a new dish at school, but I really like that they are making their own decision. I keep their lunches simple, but I usually try and include a homemade treat too.

Whoopie Pies are one of the kiddos favorite treats. One batch makes a bunch of treats too. There are plenty for lunches, and plenty for at home snacks too. These travel well in lunch-boxes too.

Homemade Brownies. These little treats are made from scratch, and baked in a snack-cake pan. They disappear fast.

Iced Cake Mix Cookies. These are much faster to make than sugar cookies, and they are just as tasty. I let the icing sit for at least an hour to set up, and then they are ready for the lunch-box.

Chocolate Chip Cookies. This used to be my least favorite cookie to bake. No matter what I did, they never turned out right. I’ve finally made peace with the recipe, got my timing down, and now I bake at least a batch a week.

M&M Cookies. These are tasty in an Oatmeal cookie base, or added in with Chocolate Chip cookie dough too. With Halloween on the way, these cookies are a good way to use up some of that yummy candy.

Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies. These taste even better than the store bought ones, and cost a lot less too. These cookies keep getting better. I keep them wrapped in the fridge to toss in the lunch-boxes.

Cookie Sandwiches. This is a great way to use up some homemade Chocolate Chip cookies. Use whatever you have on hand for the filling, and sandwich two cookies together. Add in ice cream, and toss them in the freezer for a special after-school treat. My favorite combo is Nutella and Peanut Butter, it makes a tasty late night treat too.

Homemade Chocolate Ganache topped Swiss Cake Rolls. This treat is a little time consuming, but completely worth it. The cake is spongy, and full of chocolate. The ganache makes these cake rolls a delicious treat.

I had better go and make some more treats for tomorrow’s lunches. I think I only have a few left.

July was another busy month in the kitchen. The heat didn’t keep me from cooking at all.

For the Fourth of July I made a few batches of homemade rolls for pulled pork sliders. Oh goodness, they were tasty, and simple to make too.

I made a bunch of desserts for the Fourth of July too, but I only managed to get a picture of the Cherry Pie.

I had a few fresh peaches to use, so I made a Peach Cobbler.

I also had a few zucchini, that were perfect for zucchini bread.

I got back into the habit of making homemade bread. It is so fun to make bread from scratch, and it is delicious too.

I made an apricot pie too. I heart apricot pie.

One of our favorite restaurants is Chicken Mary’s. Unfortunately we don’t get to visit there often, so I have been making dishes close to theirs at home. Fried Chicken, Spaghetti, and Homemade Bread, a KS tradition.

Just look at the apricot pie.

I’ve made several Chocolate Bundt cakes this month too.

I’ve made a few breadsticks too.

I’ve also baked a vanilla cake or two.

I whipped up some homemade Cinnamon Rolls for breakfast for dinner night.

How I love to make cinnamon rolls. They make the best breakfast for actual breakfast the next morning.

I baked some more bread, and baked a Dutch Apple Pie too.

Such a simple and tasty side.

The Dutch Apple Pie was amazing topped off with Vanilla Ice Cream.

Oh yeah! More Chocolate Bundt Cake.

I made another Cherry Pie towards the end of the month. I made a double crust for James, he loved it.

Of course there were lots and lots of cookies.

I know August will be another busy month of cooking. We’ve been shying more and more away from take-out, but not going completely take-out free. I appreciate the break from the kitchen duties when I can get it.