We did not win the Christmas lawn decorating contest for our neighborhood. Of course (who knows better than me, right?), you can't win if you don't enter. But next year, it's game on. Beware house on the corner with the synchronized light and music display and house around the corner with the life-sized cutouts of your enitre family posing so gracefully around the lighted tree on your porch. Next year our oversized Christmas boxes flanking the front door will have new friends and you can bet your stockings our porch light will be on when the committee comes a votin'.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
We're Bringin' It Next Year
We did not win the Christmas lawn decorating contest for our neighborhood. Of course (who knows better than me, right?), you can't win if you don't enter. But next year, it's game on. Beware house on the corner with the synchronized light and music display and house around the corner with the life-sized cutouts of your enitre family posing so gracefully around the lighted tree on your porch. Next year our oversized Christmas boxes flanking the front door will have new friends and you can bet your stockings our porch light will be on when the committee comes a votin'.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Thank You, Phyto!
When I saw the FedEx man at the front door, I wondered what late Christmas gift had arrived...you know, maybe Kevin was going to great lengths to surprise me with the Infiniti I've been drooling over. No such luck.
But I did win some phytovolume actif (volumizing spray). Great day for it, too, 'cause the haircut I got today needs some extra sass in the back. I've used phyto products before -- when I was highlighting my hair -- and I really like them. They just cost too darn much to buy on a regular basis.
Thanks, FedEx man!
But I did win some phytovolume actif (volumizing spray). Great day for it, too, 'cause the haircut I got today needs some extra sass in the back. I've used phyto products before -- when I was highlighting my hair -- and I really like them. They just cost too darn much to buy on a regular basis.
Thanks, FedEx man!
Friday, December 25, 2009
Thursday, December 24, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 12
We've finally made it to the last day of our 12 Days of Cookies bakefest. I must confess that this recipe did not actually get baked today...go ahead, let me have it. I know, I know, I technically didn't complete my mission. But I did have more fun than I imagined baking through the countdown to Christmas and spending time with the kids (and the hubby, too!). There were some challenges (I reaaaallly need a new oven) but we made it through. Enjoy this last recipe, even though it isn't a cookie -- but it does use cookie dough, so I'm gonna let it count!
Cheesecake Cookie Cups
1 pkg. (16.5 oz.) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough (use the Nestle Toll House kind you break apart)
2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
2 lg. eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Put one piece of cookie dough in the bottom of each cup. Bake for 10-12 minutes (cookie should spread to the edge of the cup).
Beat cream cheese, milk, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Pour about 3 tbsp. cream cheese mixture over cookie in each cup. Bake for an additional 15 - 18 minutes (until set). Cool completely when removed from oven. Top each cup with a level tablespoon on pie filling and refrigerate for one hour.
Cheesecake Cookie Cups
1 pkg. (16.5 oz.) refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough (use the Nestle Toll House kind you break apart)
2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
2 lg. eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners. Put one piece of cookie dough in the bottom of each cup. Bake for 10-12 minutes (cookie should spread to the edge of the cup).
Beat cream cheese, milk, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Pour about 3 tbsp. cream cheese mixture over cookie in each cup. Bake for an additional 15 - 18 minutes (until set). Cool completely when removed from oven. Top each cup with a level tablespoon on pie filling and refrigerate for one hour.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 11
Not sure why bar recipes are classified as cookies, but they seem to be. So I chose one to be included in our 12 Days of Cookies because I like this one so much. It takes a bit more work than some of the others I've featured (but no baking!) -- it is so worth the effort!
Nanaimo Bars
..bottom layer..
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup coconut (sweetened or unsweetened -- your preference)
1/2 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts or pecans)
Spray 9x9 inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Stir in sugar and cocoa. Gradually add beaten egg. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add vanilla, graham cracker crumbs, coconut and nuts. Stir until well mixed. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
..filling..
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2-3 tbsp. milk or cream
2 tbsp. instant vanilla pudding powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
Cream butter with electric mixer. Beat in remaining ingredients. Add more milk if the mixture seems too thick. Spread this over bottom layer, cover and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes).
..topping..
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
In heatproof bowl over pan of water, melt chocolate and butter. Spread over filling and refrigerate.
To serve: let it come to room temperature and use a sharp knife to prevent cracking the chocolate as you cut it into squares.
Nanaimo Bars
..bottom layer..
1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 large egg, beaten
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup coconut (sweetened or unsweetened -- your preference)
1/2 cup nuts, chopped (walnuts or pecans)
Spray 9x9 inch baking dish with nonstick spray. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat. Stir in sugar and cocoa. Gradually add beaten egg. Cook 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and add vanilla, graham cracker crumbs, coconut and nuts. Stir until well mixed. Press mixture into bottom of prepared pan.
..filling..
1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
2-3 tbsp. milk or cream
2 tbsp. instant vanilla pudding powder
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
Cream butter with electric mixer. Beat in remaining ingredients. Add more milk if the mixture seems too thick. Spread this over bottom layer, cover and refrigerate until firm (about 30 minutes).
..topping..
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
In heatproof bowl over pan of water, melt chocolate and butter. Spread over filling and refrigerate.
To serve: let it come to room temperature and use a sharp knife to prevent cracking the chocolate as you cut it into squares.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 10
The 12 Days of Christmas song boasts that today (day 10) there are ten lords a leapin'. Lords make me think of my old friend Pauline, who is from London, and thinking of her makes me think of her teaching me to 'take an afternoon cup of tea' and enjoy it with a few 'biscuits'. The first time I heard that expression, I was bewildered...who wants Earl Gray tea, with sugar and milk in it mind you, with a biscuit? A good Southern biscuit deserves some sausage gravy or homemade fig preserves or a slice of ham, not a cup of tea.
But being the great gal I am, I gave her biscuits a try. Turned out to be a shortbread cookie. Humph... why didn't she say it was a cookie? I'm all for that. But back to today's 12 Days of Cookies selection. For those leapin' lords, and Pauline, here is a twist on the traditional shortbread cookie. And with only three ingredients, it doesn't get much easier than this.
Brown Sugar Shortbread
1 cup flour
1 stick unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients with an electric mixer. Press into a 9 inch square pan. Bake until golden at edges - usually about 18-20 minutes. Cool slightly in pan and then cut into 16 squares. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.
But being the great gal I am, I gave her biscuits a try. Turned out to be a shortbread cookie. Humph... why didn't she say it was a cookie? I'm all for that. But back to today's 12 Days of Cookies selection. For those leapin' lords, and Pauline, here is a twist on the traditional shortbread cookie. And with only three ingredients, it doesn't get much easier than this.
Brown Sugar Shortbread
1 cup flour
1 stick unsalted butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients with an electric mixer. Press into a 9 inch square pan. Bake until golden at edges - usually about 18-20 minutes. Cool slightly in pan and then cut into 16 squares. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.
Did You Know...?
I don't have a Facebook page, but that's another story for another post. I find fascinating, though, the perks of working for Facebook:
100% employee benefit (medical, dental, vision, life and disability) premiums PLUS 50% dependent benefit premiums
4 months paid parental leave for when you have or adopt a new baby PLUS $4000 baby cash when the child is born and $3000 per year for day care costs through age 5
21 days of paid vacation PLUS 11 paid holidays PLUS unlimited sick days
Free breakfast, lunch and dinner at the office (prepared by chefs) PLUS snacks
$50 per month to assist with public transportation to the office
Laundry, dry cleaning and photoprocessing service with pick-up and drop off at your desk
Quite a package, huh?
100% employee benefit (medical, dental, vision, life and disability) premiums PLUS 50% dependent benefit premiums
4 months paid parental leave for when you have or adopt a new baby PLUS $4000 baby cash when the child is born and $3000 per year for day care costs through age 5
21 days of paid vacation PLUS 11 paid holidays PLUS unlimited sick days
Free breakfast, lunch and dinner at the office (prepared by chefs) PLUS snacks
$50 per month to assist with public transportation to the office
Laundry, dry cleaning and photoprocessing service with pick-up and drop off at your desk
Quite a package, huh?
Monday, December 21, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 9
By chance I ran into my aunt tonight at a local deli and she shared with me a cookie recipe she makes for her family. The original recipe used macadamia nuts, but all she had on hand was pecans. So, she changed the nut, baked the cookies and a family favorite was born.
I'll bet you could even swap the nut for dried cranberries (roughly chopped) and a little orange zest, and you'd have another tasty treat. Here is today's 12 Days of Cookies offering:
White Chocolate Pecan Cookies
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg
8 oz. white chocolate, chopped
1 cup chopped pecans (or macadamia nuts if you prefer)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix first seven inredients on medium speed until blended. With spoon, add chocolate and nuts. Drop by heaping teaspoonful 2 inches apart onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
I'll bet you could even swap the nut for dried cranberries (roughly chopped) and a little orange zest, and you'd have another tasty treat. Here is today's 12 Days of Cookies offering:
White Chocolate Pecan Cookies
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 large egg
8 oz. white chocolate, chopped
1 cup chopped pecans (or macadamia nuts if you prefer)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix first seven inredients on medium speed until blended. With spoon, add chocolate and nuts. Drop by heaping teaspoonful 2 inches apart onto parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 8
Little Debbie is my friend. But I haven't seen her much lately. She doesn't get along too well with my other friend, Curves.
Little Debbie makes this killer concoction she calls Oatmeal Cream Pies. Because I miss those things, and because there's nothing like the holidays to reconnect with old friends, I'm baking up a batch of those delightful, delectable treats at home for our 12 Days of Cookies.
Oatmeal Cream Pies
..cookie ingredients..
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup corn syrup (light)
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
2 cups uncooked oats (regular)
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place butter, shortening, corn syrup and sugar in a bowl and beat on medium speed until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla an mix until blended.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Gradually add this to the butter mixture and combine. Add oats and mix well.
Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Press down slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completley.
..filling ingredients..
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp. whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine all ingredients and beat on low until combined. Switch mixer to high and beat until light and fluffy. Spread on cooled cookie and top with another.
Note: You may want to make another half recipe of the filling to ensure you have enough. Also, these cookies are pretty big. You can make them smaller if you like by rolling into balls less than 1 1/2 inches.
Little Debbie makes this killer concoction she calls Oatmeal Cream Pies. Because I miss those things, and because there's nothing like the holidays to reconnect with old friends, I'm baking up a batch of those delightful, delectable treats at home for our 12 Days of Cookies.
Oatmeal Cream Pies
..cookie ingredients..
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup corn syrup (light)
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
2 cups uncooked oats (regular)
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Place butter, shortening, corn syrup and sugar in a bowl and beat on medium speed until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla an mix until blended.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Gradually add this to the butter mixture and combine. Add oats and mix well.
Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheet. Press down slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Cool on baking sheet for 3 minutes then transfer to wire rack to cool completley.
..filling ingredients..
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tbsp. whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine all ingredients and beat on low until combined. Switch mixer to high and beat until light and fluffy. Spread on cooled cookie and top with another.
Note: You may want to make another half recipe of the filling to ensure you have enough. Also, these cookies are pretty big. You can make them smaller if you like by rolling into balls less than 1 1/2 inches.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 7
When I was younger -- much younger -- my friend, Melissa (who by the way claimed she was part of the witness protection program), and I would ummm... stalk is such a strong word...let's use the phrase scope out...young men. You know, we'd sit up the street from their house in hopes they would come out the the mailbox or get something from their vehicle or mow the lawn or something. (I should probably be in therapy for this, eh?) I have absolutely no recollection of who we did that to or how often we did it. But I do remember that we always took a package of chocolate chip cookie dough and two spoons and ate that dough in its uncooked state. I think there are label warnings about that now. But, oh my, that was the best stuff right?
So, this being one of the busy days in our holiday season that limits my time to be in the kitchen baking, I thought I'd share a recipe for cookie dough that you can eat raw - it has no eggs. It's still technically a cookie recipe, right, and should qualify for our 12 Days of Cookies? Just a batch you don't have to bake, but one I'm sure you'll whip up again and again.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 tbsp. milk
1 cup chocolate chips
Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add flour and salt and mix until combined. Stir in milk and fold in chocolate chips.
Grab a spoon and enjoy.
So, this being one of the busy days in our holiday season that limits my time to be in the kitchen baking, I thought I'd share a recipe for cookie dough that you can eat raw - it has no eggs. It's still technically a cookie recipe, right, and should qualify for our 12 Days of Cookies? Just a batch you don't have to bake, but one I'm sure you'll whip up again and again.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
2 tbsp. milk
1 cup chocolate chips
Cream butter, sugar and vanilla. Add flour and salt and mix until combined. Stir in milk and fold in chocolate chips.
Grab a spoon and enjoy.
Friday, December 18, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 6
If you like lemon, Martha's Glazed Lemon Cookies are for you (you like how I've baked so many cookies lately that I feel I could be on a first name basis with her?). They are easy to make, make the kitchen smell good, and are just the right combination of sweet and tart. Definitely couldn't be a 12 Days of Cookies without these.
Two things to consider: I halved the glaze recipe because that's all the confectioner's sugar I had, and it was plenty for the two dozen cookies the recipe makes. Also, if you want cookies that look more like cookies than drop biscuits, you may want to pay a bit more attention than I did to shaping them and placing them on the cookie sheets to bake.
Two things to consider: I halved the glaze recipe because that's all the confectioner's sugar I had, and it was plenty for the two dozen cookies the recipe makes. Also, if you want cookies that look more like cookies than drop biscuits, you may want to pay a bit more attention than I did to shaping them and placing them on the cookie sheets to bake.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 5
I've learned a few things in this holiday cookie-fest thing we're doing:
1) I need a new oven. I don't think the temperature gauge on mine works (is there such a thing?).
2) I need a food processor. It is entirely too difficult to pulse butter, flour and suger together in the blender. Not so good.
3) I need to find something to do with all these cookies.
Today, the food processor would have come in handy for our 12 Days of Cookies pick of the day -- Earl Gray Tea Cookies. I wasn't so sure about eating tea leaves -- checked it out and it seems to be okay. So we plowed forward, working through the difficulties of not having a food processor, and made some of the nicest cookies I ever eaten. The texture was just right, and the hint of Earl Gray tea lent a pleasant taste.
Two thumbs up from our house to yours.
1) I need a new oven. I don't think the temperature gauge on mine works (is there such a thing?).
2) I need a food processor. It is entirely too difficult to pulse butter, flour and suger together in the blender. Not so good.
3) I need to find something to do with all these cookies.
Today, the food processor would have come in handy for our 12 Days of Cookies pick of the day -- Earl Gray Tea Cookies. I wasn't so sure about eating tea leaves -- checked it out and it seems to be okay. So we plowed forward, working through the difficulties of not having a food processor, and made some of the nicest cookies I ever eaten. The texture was just right, and the hint of Earl Gray tea lent a pleasant taste.
Two thumbs up from our house to yours.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 4
Today's 12 Days of Cookies recipe was chosen because my mother-in-law has made these cookies for many years. And she is even nice enough to leave the nuts out so Madalyn will eat them (I'm not that nice). Potato Chip Cookies are not as weird as the name sounds. They actually have a really nice flavor -- just don't use Doritos or anything like that. Here's the recipe, although ours did not lose much of their ball shape while baking. I might suggest you flatten them slightly before baking, and don't crowd the oven.
Potato Chip Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar, plus more for coating
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup potato chips, crushed
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar on high speed. Lower to medium and add vanilla. Add flour and cinnamon to butter mxture. Beat on low until incorporated. Fold in chips and pecans.
Form into 1 1/2 inch balls. Dredge in remaining sugar. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets about two inches apart.
Bake until golden brown around the edges, about 13 minutes. Let cool on sheets for five minutes; transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 30 cookies.
Potato Chip Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup sugar, plus more for coating
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup potato chips, crushed
1/2 cup pecans, chopped
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cream butter and 1/2 cup sugar on high speed. Lower to medium and add vanilla. Add flour and cinnamon to butter mxture. Beat on low until incorporated. Fold in chips and pecans.
Form into 1 1/2 inch balls. Dredge in remaining sugar. Place on parchment-lined baking sheets about two inches apart.
Bake until golden brown around the edges, about 13 minutes. Let cool on sheets for five minutes; transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Makes about 30 cookies.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
12 Days of Cookies - Day 3
I sure would hate to be Martha Stewart's kin. Can you imagine getting together for the holidays and being asked to bring a dish to her house? I'd have to decline the invitation, I think. She does turn out some good dishes, and her sweets are no exception. Some time ago, while reading her magazine, I came across a recipe for Toasted Pecan Butter Cookies. I used to work in an ice cream shop and loved the butter pecan ice cream, and hoped these would be something like the ice cream flavor. While they aren't an exact flavor match, they are to die for. They have become one of Kevin's favorite and by far the most requested cookie at our house. They melt in your mouth. If you don't try any other cookie from our 12 Days of Cookies, this one is a must. Enjoy!
Cody, Won't You Blow Your Horn?
Super horn player Cody has been selected out of over 900 applicants to be part of the Troy University Southeastern US Honor Band. He will participate in three days of workshops in February and will play in a final honor band concert on the last day. We're proud of you, Cody!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Thank You Loreal & Pam Anderson
Kevin checked the mail today and came running down the driveway yelling, "It's here! It's here!" He knew I'd be excited to see the cookbook I'd won from Pam Anderson (not the Tommy Lee gal). But he had another surprise for me...some Loreal lipgloss that I won from something back in November. How cool is that? Two in one day! What a nice treat after a long week in Mobile.
You can't win if you don't try, friends. Enter, enter, enter!
You can't win if you don't try, friends. Enter, enter, enter!
12 Days of Cookies - Day 2
A dear, dear friend introduced me to these cookies almost 15 years ago. His grandmother used to make them. I remember that his practice was to get a recipe when he gave a recipe. I cannot imagine what recipe I shared with him. Anyway, this is our cookie of the day in the 12 Days of Cookies. Not sure where the name comes from, but we hope you enjoy!
And I hope you're still making these cookies, my friend, maybe even for your own family.
Monster Cookies
3 eggs
1/4 lb. melted butter
1/2 lb. brown sugar
1 cup white (granulated) sugar
1/2 Tbsp. corn syrup
3/4 lb. peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
1 Tsp. vanilla
Mix all above ingredients.
Gradually add the following and mix well:
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup plus 1/8 cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 lb M&Ms
1/4 lb peanuts, crushed or chopped
1/4 lb. chocolate chips
(M&Ms, peanuts and choc. chips can be substituted with raisins, butterscotch morsels, etc. -whatever combination you like)
Spoon dough on baking sheet. Mash/flatten cookies before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Let cool before removing from pan.
And I hope you're still making these cookies, my friend, maybe even for your own family.
Monster Cookies
3 eggs
1/4 lb. melted butter
1/2 lb. brown sugar
1 cup white (granulated) sugar
1/2 Tbsp. corn syrup
3/4 lb. peanut butter (smooth or crunchy)
1 Tsp. vanilla
Mix all above ingredients.
Gradually add the following and mix well:
4 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup plus 1/8 cup flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 lb M&Ms
1/4 lb peanuts, crushed or chopped
1/4 lb. chocolate chips
(M&Ms, peanuts and choc. chips can be substituted with raisins, butterscotch morsels, etc. -whatever combination you like)
Spoon dough on baking sheet. Mash/flatten cookies before baking. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Let cool before removing from pan.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
12 Days of Cookies
Each day for twelve days we will be baking up a batch of cookies as part of our 12 Days of Cookies tradition at our house (can you call it a tradition yet if this is the first year you've done it?). Some are basic, some are not. But they all require that we spend time together, and that's what's important, eh? (Can I use two contractions back to back like that?)
Tonight's cookie of choice is pretty basic -- Classic Sugar Cookies. Something easy since I have been out of town all week and needed to use what I had in the pantry. Which, I might add, is why the cookies don't tast exactly like the ones you get at the mall cookie store. The recipe called for lemon zest and since I didn't have a lemon on hand, I just left it out. I mean, who tastes lemon when they eat a sugar cookie, right? Well, next time I will go get a lemon because I think it is the factor that is missing from the overall taste of the cookies we baked.
Not real sure that by including the recipe here you'll be enlightened very much since all sugar cookies are made basically the same. But use the lemon if your recipe calls for it and add it if it doesn't.
Tomorrow's cookie recipe was shared with me by a good friend many years ago. Don't miss it.
Tonight's cookie of choice is pretty basic -- Classic Sugar Cookies. Something easy since I have been out of town all week and needed to use what I had in the pantry. Which, I might add, is why the cookies don't tast exactly like the ones you get at the mall cookie store. The recipe called for lemon zest and since I didn't have a lemon on hand, I just left it out. I mean, who tastes lemon when they eat a sugar cookie, right? Well, next time I will go get a lemon because I think it is the factor that is missing from the overall taste of the cookies we baked.
Not real sure that by including the recipe here you'll be enlightened very much since all sugar cookies are made basically the same. But use the lemon if your recipe calls for it and add it if it doesn't.
Tomorrow's cookie recipe was shared with me by a good friend many years ago. Don't miss it.
What Am I Eating?
I've been in Mobile on business this week with a collection of farmers from all across the country. You can probably imagine that would bring together alot of regional mentalities and quirks. And you'd be correct. Possibly the funniest thing all week went like this.
Yankee: You're from around here, right?
Me: How'd you know?
Yankee: Well....anyway, what am I eating?
(Note: We were at the buffet at Bellingrath Gardens. I was the tour host; how funny is that? I even got to talk on the bus microphone.)
Me: Grits.
Yankee's wife: They certainly are good.
(Yes -- a cream of wheat convert!)
Me: I agree. The cheese makes them even better, right?
Yankee: What's a grit?
Yankee: You're from around here, right?
Me: How'd you know?
Yankee: Well....anyway, what am I eating?
(Note: We were at the buffet at Bellingrath Gardens. I was the tour host; how funny is that? I even got to talk on the bus microphone.)
Me: Grits.
Yankee's wife: They certainly are good.
(Yes -- a cream of wheat convert!)
Me: I agree. The cheese makes them even better, right?
Yankee: What's a grit?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Cooking with Pam Anderson
Move over purple eye shadow, there's a new sheriff in town. Pam Anderson (no, not that one) is sending me a signed cookbook 'cause I won it on her website. Check it out if you have time. She cooks and that makes me like her.
Monday, December 7, 2009
O Christmas Tree(s)
Tree number one sports a mink tree skirt and I admit, that's a bit hard to beat. But we found tree number two this weekend after a Christmas concert and we were able to get it decorated before I leave on business for the week. It's darling!
Those of you who know me well know I prefer all white lights on my trees. It's not that I think colored lights are ugly, I just prefer white. Several years ago I was overcome by the cuteness of these colored button lights, nice round bulbs and all, at my local Target. So I bought a couple of strands. Put one strand up and hated them. Loathed them. Complained for weeks about the three bucks per strand I had paid for them. But who returns Christmas lights, right? So I kept them stuck away at the bottom of one of the boxes of decorations.
This year, they have a home on a cute little tree in our living room. (The mink skirted tree lives in the breakfast room, standing regal and all with its coordinated ornaments.) Note: Little here is important, because we went from an 11 foot tree last year to a 5 foot tree this year. HUGE difference. But, little trees need love, too, right?
I decided that if we were going so radical on the size, we'd really stir the pot and use colored lights. And it works. I'm not totally in love with the lights just because they are so different from what I am used to. But they are kinda nice for a change and look right at home with all the Hallmark ornaments we've collected over the years. There are no other ornaments on the tree. Just colored lights and Hallmark ornaments (yes we have enough to fill the tree).
I wonder if the ornaments in the other eight boxes in the attic are lonely? (Yes, there are more...what can I say?)
Those of you who know me well know I prefer all white lights on my trees. It's not that I think colored lights are ugly, I just prefer white. Several years ago I was overcome by the cuteness of these colored button lights, nice round bulbs and all, at my local Target. So I bought a couple of strands. Put one strand up and hated them. Loathed them. Complained for weeks about the three bucks per strand I had paid for them. But who returns Christmas lights, right? So I kept them stuck away at the bottom of one of the boxes of decorations.
This year, they have a home on a cute little tree in our living room. (The mink skirted tree lives in the breakfast room, standing regal and all with its coordinated ornaments.) Note: Little here is important, because we went from an 11 foot tree last year to a 5 foot tree this year. HUGE difference. But, little trees need love, too, right?
I decided that if we were going so radical on the size, we'd really stir the pot and use colored lights. And it works. I'm not totally in love with the lights just because they are so different from what I am used to. But they are kinda nice for a change and look right at home with all the Hallmark ornaments we've collected over the years. There are no other ornaments on the tree. Just colored lights and Hallmark ornaments (yes we have enough to fill the tree).
I wonder if the ornaments in the other eight boxes in the attic are lonely? (Yes, there are more...what can I say?)
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Ber-New-Who?
I don't really remember 5th grade, but I'm sure I wasn't studying physics and flying Cessnas. Or designing rockets and studying atmospheric pressure, either. ("What's that mean, Everett?") I think the most important thing for me back then was jumping on my friend Stephanie's trampoline and blowing my whistle on Junior Traffic Police.
My how times have changed. Madalyn was fortunate to be able to participate in the Department of Defense program STARBASE at Maxwell Air Force Base over the past five weeks. While there she and her classmates built and launched their own rockets, flew a Cessna 172-P (simulator, thank heavens!), studied Bernoulli's Principle & Newton's Law of Motion (don't ask me), fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, and learned navigation and mapping, computer aided design, geometry and data analysis. Whew, brain overload! Oh, and they rode a hovercraft, too.
My how times have changed. Madalyn was fortunate to be able to participate in the Department of Defense program STARBASE at Maxwell Air Force Base over the past five weeks. While there she and her classmates built and launched their own rockets, flew a Cessna 172-P (simulator, thank heavens!), studied Bernoulli's Principle & Newton's Law of Motion (don't ask me), fluid mechanics and aerodynamics, and learned navigation and mapping, computer aided design, geometry and data analysis. Whew, brain overload! Oh, and they rode a hovercraft, too.
Here, she and a friend are sucking all the air out of a vacuum container that has a miniature marshmallow in it. It was miniature when they started, anyway.
They'd just finished jumping around the room like molecules in motion. Guess something about that was funny to her.
Aren't they cute? Leave it to her to pose in a flight suit. It would've been cool to keep the flight suit, eh?
Guess my tax dollars are going to something worthwhile after all.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Whhaaaatttt?
Look closely. Move a bit closer to your screen. See that there under the tree? Not the dust bunny, and never mind the bare lower branches (I'll work that out). Look carefully at the tree skirt. It's mink.
Yes, mink. And my grandmother's head would roll on her shoulders if she were still alive. "Whhaaaatttt are you doing with my wrap unduh your tree?"
Forgive me, my dear grandmother, but the fur is staying right where it is -- under the skinny tree in the breakfast room in a house full of holiday cheer.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Holiday Hits
In the market for some entertaining holiday flicks? Check out the ABC Family channel's 25 Days of Christmas for a neat line-up of classics and new films.
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