Bakin' Away!

Last night, Doug and I didn't get to bed until around 1-2 o'clock in the morning.  Needless to say, we slept in this morning.  I didn't look at the clock when I got up this morning, but Doug said that we got up around 9:00.  Wow!  I hate having to waste good sunlight, but it was nice to actually sleep in today.  Ahhh! 

The Keebler Elves quickly got busy in the kitchen today.  I wanted to make more, but was a little confused as to if I might be making too much or not enough for this week.  Doug's got an office party Tuesday and Katie's got her party Tuesday.  Then, there's next weekend.  You see where I'm going with this,  don't you?  I was excited to finally try out my new mixer.  Y'all.  All I can say is sheer bliss.  I was surprised how quickly I could get a batch of cookie dough mixed.  No, stopping and scrapping.  Start, stop and restart over and over. I just love it!  I couldn't ask for anything better.  Thank you Doug! 

Another new kitchen gadget, I bought a few months ago was also used for the first time today.  First, I must say that I grew up on the traditional Christmas sugar cookies, butter cookies, and especially spritz cookies.  At Christmas time, my mom would make bookoodles of spritz cookies with the sugar sprinkles.  Now, I know why she made tons of these little butter cookies.  It's so EASY!  I love it!   I found a great Spriz recipe from Christmas Cookies.  So simple and tasty.  Here are my spritz cookies that I made today.  One batch makes around 60 cookies.

Christmas Spritz Cookies

Spritz
Use a cookie press to create lovely shapes in this easy, buttery cookie.

2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 cup butter
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Heat oven to 400F.  In large mixer bowl combine sugar, butter, egg, salt, and vanilla.  Beat at medium speed, scraping bowl often, until mixture is light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.  Add flour.  Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until well mixed, 2-3 minutes.  Place dough in cookie press.  Form desired shapes 1 inch apart on cookie sheets.  Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. 

Note: You can also color the dough with food coloring, and decorate with dragees and colored sugar. I have 2 Pampered Chef cookie sheets to bake with, but I needed more cookie sheets to fit all the cookies.  So, I placed parchment paper on an extra regular metal cookie sheet and put more spritz cookies on it.  I found that I had a hard time getting the spritz dough to stay on the paper.  The cookies didn't turn out perfectly shaped like the Pampered Chef cookie sheets.  My advice would be not to use the parchment paper.  I just like using parchment so there wouldn't be such a big mess. 

I'm planning on making a batch of Chocolate Spritz Cookies hopefully tomorrow.  Wish me luck! The recipe is exactly the same as above except for the cocoa. 

Chocolate Spritz Cookies
from Hershey's
Prep time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
1 cup butter or margarine, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup Hershey's cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
Decorating sugars, sprinkles or candied cherries (optional)

Directions
Heat oven to 350F.

Beat butter, sugar, egg and vanilla until light and fluffy in large bowl.  Stir together flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended.

Fill cookie press with dough. Press dough onto cool, ungreased cookie sheet.  Garnish with sugars, sprinkles or cherries, if desired.

Bake 5-7 minutes or just until set.  Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack.  Cool completely. 

Makes about 4 1/2 dozen cookies. 

Variations: Chocolate Dipped Chocolate Spritz Cookies:  Prepare dough as directed above.  Press dough onto cool, ungreased cookie sheet with ribbon plate in cookie press.  Bake and cool as directed.  Melt 1 cup Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate Chips or Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips with 1 tablespoon shortening (do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil).  Gently dip part of each cookie into chocolate.  Place on wax paper-covered tray.  Refrigerate until firm. 

 

Zesty Cheddar Cheese Straws

I had too much fun with my cookie press today.  Knowing Doug LOVES Cheese Straws, I thought I could try to make some.  Millard and Peggy came by to drop off the kids and we had them here for supper.  I told them about my idea and they thought it would be a good idea too.  I found a great recipe from Paula Deen.  Have I mentioned lately how much I love her?  These cheese straws, I made are so soft and have a wonderful flavor.  I hope you'll find time to make these because they are so good. 

Zesty Cheese Straws



Ingredients

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, at room temperature
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 300F.

In a food processor, add the butter, cheese, flour, salt and cayenne and process until a smooth dough is formed.  Scoop it into a cookie press, fitted with a flat ridged tip.  Pipe the dough in 2 inch strips (2 clicks) onto a lightly greased cookie sheet.  (Alternatively, refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes and roll on a lightly floured surface into a 1/4 inch thick rectangle.  Cut into smaller rectangles, about 2 by 3 inches, with a pizza wheel or sharp knife).  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.  Remove to racks to cool. 

Note: I don't own a food processor, so I made this delicious cheese dough in my Kitchenaid mixer just fine.  In fact, I think it incorporated the ingredients really well like this and stirred it right into a nice ball for me.  Yay!  The measurement listed above for the amount of cayenne pepper to use gives the straws a very mild flavor.  Too mild for my husband.  So with the second batch, I put a heaping 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper and Doug still says it's too mild.  The next time I make these, which I already have a request, he wants me to double the measurement.  I don't think I'll do the full double the measurement, but I will add a little more. 
Well, now Doug has 2 batches of cheese straws to take to work for his Christmas party.  That is, if we can stop eating them.  They are just so good, even the kids like them. 

A Quick Update
Katie didn't get to go to J's slumber party.  J's mom called me yesterday morning, letting me know that she just got back from picking up J at school.  The first thing going through my mind is she's sick.  Sure enough, she was sick, but she didn't have a fever.  Becca said that J was crying and so upset about missing her party ontop of being sick.  Poor baby.  I felt so bad for her.  Becca decided to just move the party to this Wednesday night.  Katie was sad, but she understood and she got to stay with her grandparents, so it all worked out. 

Thanks-Giving Day 15 & 16 and more Thanksgiving Ideas

I'm thankful for . . .

• the simple things of life. Out of the blue, my son will reach over and grab my hand to hold in his. My daughter will come up and give me the biggest hug just for the heck of it. They are such sweet kids and I love them so much. My husband will make arrangements for us to have a date night, without children, just to enjoy each other's company.
• I think I must have the largest sweet tooth everah and I've got CHOCOLATE right at the top of that list.  I just LOVE chocolate, no matter how bitterly dark or sweet milk chocolaty.  It's an addiction I know, but one I almost can not live without. 

Pilgrim Candy Wrapper from Laurie Furnell
Laurie's blog offers this free printable candy wrapper for this Thanksgiving holiday, so go on over and take advantage of this great gift.

Tom Turkey Cookie from Seventh House On The Left
Is this not precious?  I love it, I just wish I have the time and patience to make these cuties.  Hopefully, you'll have that chance.

Ingredients:
Nutter Butter Cookies
M&Ms Minis (brown only)
White Cookie Icing
Red Jelly Bellys
Orange Jelly Bellys
Yellow Jelly Bellys
Candy Corn
Reese Cups (full sized)
Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookies

The assembly process is pretty much self explanatory. Just use the photo above as your guideline. Simple as that! However, we do have a few tips and tricks to pass along:

• The secret is in the icing. Over the years, we have tried several icings. Not only does it have to taste good, but it also needs to serve as “glue” to keep the Little Gobblers in one piece. Without good stiff icing, let’s just say they won’t ride in the car very well. In our opinion, Betty Crocker Cookie Icing works best. One tube will make about 6 Little Gobblers.
• Hunt them down. The Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafer Cookies are used for the base and the back of the turkey. Sometimes, they can be a little hard to find. But if your grocery store carries them, you will find them in the ice cream topping section (you would think they would be in the cookie section, right?). But if you have trouble finding them, thanks to the World Wide Web, you can purchase them online. Or you can visit the Nabisco website and search for them by zip code. Also, make sure you buy an extra box because they tend to break very easily.
• From Point A to Point B. First of all, you need to make sure your Little Gobblers have enough time to sit and hang out before you show them off to your friends and family. When transporting these little guys, we line the bottom of deep Rubbermaid containers with paper towels. Then place the turkeys on the paper towels diagonally side by side (so the feathers don’t hit each other). The paper towels help the turkeys stay in one place. If we are making a whole flock of Little Gobblers, we like to use the disposable roasting pans.

Parents Magazine  posted these sweet gobblers

Make It: Glue google eyes onto small pom-poms and let them dry. Help your kids fold chenille stems into legs and feet and glue them onto the pinecone. Cut out a triangular beak from orange or yellow foam. Glue on the eyes and the beak; let the creature dry completely before beginning a fun game of make-believe with your kids.

Thanks-Giving Day 12 & Pumpkin Spice Cookies

I'm thankful for friends, new and old, close-by and far away.  God has blessed me by allowing me to marry my best friend; having the opportunity to always make new friends and still keep in touch with friends that I've known pretty much all my life.  I just appreciate every one of my friends, buddies, and girlies.  Love you guys!!!!

Like I wrote yesterday, I've been hoping to make this day possible for a while. I had a few more poses in mind, but the kids were not having a great day. It's amazing. At the end of the day of a photo shoot with the kids, I have the strongest urge to start smoking and I don't smoke. So instead, I made a tall glass of Coke Zero Cherry and ate a few M&Ms.

Now after a very tough day, this is what I have. They would have been awesome, if they were having a good day.

I read the recipe below from My Computer is My Canvas and had to post it, in order to keep this recipe in my file. I'm really hoping to make it. I sounds so good and the picture of the finished cookies, looks mouth watering. But of course, I LOVE pumpkin.

Pumpkin Spice Cookies
Betty Crocker Spice Cake Mix
Can of Pumpkin

Mix the two ingredients together, do not beat. Do not add egg or oil! Once the batter forms drop by spoonfuls on to a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-18 minutes. Spread a little cream cheese icing and sprinkles on top. Sounds so good!

Coconut Joys

Coconut Joys Recipe
3 cups shredded coconut
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 stick butter
Semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt butter.  Stir in coconut and sugar.  Form into 1 inch balls and refrigerate.  Melt the chocolate chips and drizzle on top.  Chill before serving.

Note: I added a cup of chopped pecans into the mixture.  Pecans doesn't want to stick real well to the rest of the mixture, but it is so good and a great crowd pleaser.  Instead of using chocolate chips, I used baking almond chocolate blocks.  Microwave 3 blocks for 90 seconds at 100% high power and then 15 second intervals until nice and smooth.  I wanted the candies nice and hard, so I put them on wax paper inside a large Tupperware container and stuck into the freezer.  I'm sure you can make these babies ahead of time and keep in the freezer or fridge. 

Thanks-Giving Day 6 & 7 and more

Okay, I forgot to give my thanks last night. I need to give two things I'm thankful for tonight.
I'm thankful for . . .

• Bama not getting beat like a pulp, any worse than they did.  (boo, whoo)
• Having my parents still around, happy and healthy.  I cherish every moment I have with them.

I came across a recipe from The Celebration Shoppe that I want to share with you.  It sounds so delicious!


Chocolate Chip Reese's Cookies
Ingredients:
Pillsbury Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
Reese Cups

The Celebration Shoppe has 4 simple steps photograph to go by, in order to make these yummy cookies. It looks like to me that she did the following steps:

• Cut a thin layer of dough, place it in the bottoms of each cupcake baking pan. 
• Place a regular sized Reese cup, face down, on top of the dough.
• Pile more cookie dough on top of the Reese cup, filling each cupcake holes up to 3/4" full.  Just like you would if you were pouring cake batter for cupcakes. 
• Bake at 350 degrees for 9 minutes.

My sister and I love making Mini Reese Cup Cookies every Christmas or other special occasions.  I've even baked Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies and they are all delicious.  I'm sure these cookies would be great made in the miniature cupcake pans for parties. 

Check out The Celebration Shoppe for full instructions, including photo diagrams. 


Thanksgiving Ideas


I've found several ideas for Thanksgiving that I would like to share with you these next couple of weeks.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.  I found the above free printables from Dimple Prints.  So sweet and I definitely have plans to print a few of these out for our Thanksgiving party. 

Halloween

Our Two Little Spooks - Winifred Witch & Big Al

We had another great Halloween night.  I hated that it was during the week.  My little Winifred Witch was ready in her costume early yesterday morning for school.  I just know when we picked her up that makeup would be everywhere along with her hair.  I was surprised that she didn't need a lot of touching up. 

The children didn't get to Trick-R-Treat much last night, but what they did was a lot of fun for them.  We have the area churches that have the annual Fall Festivals, but we like it old school.  Our neighborhood is good to cater to the children.  This was Big Al's first year to really get out there and beg for candy without help.  He was sooo FUNNY!  Maryann and I were giggling and laughing at the way he was acting.  He would go up to the houses and before knocking on the door, he would yell out "TRICK OR TREAT!"  Believe me, he found out REALLY quick that people at the door give you candy.  We went to an old school friend's house, which is an Auburn fan home.  Johnny saw Big Al and began picking at us and him.  Johnny made the mistake of saying, he won't give candy to an Alabama fan (laughingly).  Well, Big Al took that as a no candy. turned around. and was headed to the next house.  Maryann and I had a time explaining to him that he can get his candy.  I think it made Johnny feel bad.  GOOD.  ROLL TIDE! LOL!

She wanted a spiderweb on one cheek and bat on the other

How do you like my craftsmanship?  LOL!  She said that she wanted a Snow White.
We had a pretty good party at home.  A few of our family members got to come by for some Chicken and Dumplings, Homemade Veggie Soup, Spagetti and all the fixin's.  Let's not forget the owl cupcakes, chocolate dipped pretzel sticks and tons and tons of CANDY. 

Winifred Witch loved getting to stay up a little longer on a school night.  Her and Big Al acted like they were hiped up on candy.  Running around having a good time. 




Big Al wanted a ghost pumpkin.  I think he likes it.



He was goofing around.  I LOVE THIS PHOTO of him.











I tried making owl cupcakes.  Mine doesn't look as good as my friend, Malorie's, owl cupcakes.  I was also in a hurry.  I had two hours before everyone got here.



My hands get shaky when I take nighttime photos at slow shutter speed, but I love the effect.

Here is our newest little pumpkin.  He is such a doll baby.

I was wanting Maryann to take a picture of the kids.  I didn't know that she got me in the picture as well. 

We hope you just as much fun at your Halloween party as we did.  Now, on to Thanksgiving!  Please remember Christmas in Cullman is November 12th & 13th. 

Did You Know?

I've got Colton lying down for his afternoon nap. Katie's in her room playing on her computer. I've got clothes in the wash and I just finished washing dishes in the sink. It's break time.

What better way to multi-task than watch "Days of Our Lives" and do a little catch up from the bloggers that I love to follow. Y'all I've learned so much in the past 30 minutes. Crafting and baking tips that I never knew. Of course, I have to share with you. I mean, you just can't keep information like this from the public.

Did you know that you can use freezer paper as a stencil?

I would absolutely L.O.V.E to own a Silhouette, but since I don't Hobby Lobby shows you a tutorial right HERE on how to use freezer paper as custom stencils.  Very interesting. 

I think this handmade gift idea is sweet.

Do you know what Tidymom used as the lace stencil? 

Give up?  A doily.  A simple doily.  I couldn't believe it.  A lover of tote bags and I think it's something that every woman should own (more than one at that), I think this would make an excellent gift.  Tidymom mentioned making them for teachers for a back to school gift.  Great idea!

How can you make shaped cookies keep their shape? 

Well, Bake at 350 has the answer and it's so simple.  After she cuts out her special cookies, even the plain circles, she puts the cookie sheet in the freezer for 5 to 10 minutes at a time.  What?  She swears that is the answer for the perfectly shaped cookie.  Genius! 

Southern Animal Adventures and more

I'm at the point to where I'm ready to start wearing khaki camp shirts and changing my name to Mi Hanna. Last weekend while taking a leisurely drive, I spotted a pretty young white tailed doe in the woods. The next day (I wrote about it), my sister, Katie and myself ran upon a possum. I've wrote in the past about our encounters with racoons, possums, skunks, rabbits, mice and snakes. My latest animal encounter happened just yesterday. As we were coming home from picking Katie up from school, of all things that I spot right across from our driveway, an armadillo. It's so strange seeing these basically nocturnal animals during the day. I'm guessing it's because of the very frigid Winter we've had thus far. Another surprise and yet alarming was how this armadillo allowed me to get so close for pictures. He stayed around the area for a very long time, I would say past dusk approximately 5:30PM. He acted as if nothing was going to scare him away from some delicious grub. Trust me, he tore up jack across the street and on our property. Katie really enjoyed watching him routing around for food. I know they are not the most beautiful creatures, but here is your Bama armadillo.

Americal Idol
Last year, Doug and I agreed that American Idol was pretty much over for us.  We just didn't enjoy the show that much last year.  Knowing the American Idol premiere was starting last Wednesday, Doug and I decided to give it a chance.  Well, I'm so glad we did.  Steve Taylor and Jennifer Lopez is doing a fantastic job, I believe.  In the 80's, I was a fan of "Aerosmith" with it's lead singer Steve Taylor.  I've always enjoyed listening to their music.  Jennifer Lopez is just amazing, if you look back from where she started and to see what she's been able to accomplish.  I never knew how funny Steve can be and his famous high note on AI is funny to me because that's his signature, just like Randy Jackson's "Dawg".  We've just really enjoyed watching it both Wednesday and last night.  I guess Doug and I are hooked on Idol once again.  LOL! 

Thank You
I just wanted to squeeze in a quick "Thank You" to those of you that like Colton's hair cut.  I was afraid that you wouldn't like it.  Doug still giggles at his hair, but he says that he likes it. 

I Didn't Know


OMGoodness!  I think Channing Tatum is so yummy and to think he has roots right here in Alabama.  What a surprise!  This video is old, but glad I ran across it. 

Crystal Pendants
I had to share this with you.  I think they are so pretty and would make wonderful gifts.  I know I would love to receive one of these. 

You can get all the supplies you need to make this pendant from Hobby Lobby .  The Swarovski Crystal (shown) sales for approximately $5 each.  The design shown is actually scrapbook paper of your choice.  and finished with a silver bail.  I found this project from Little Birdie Secrets.  Of course, it was recommended that you clip any excess paper sticking out with scissors, file the paper on edges just a little (don't file the crystal) with a fingernail file and apply a little diamond glaze on the back of the paper.  It sounds so simple and would love to try it out. 

For the instructions and tips, CLICK HERE!

Kit-Kat and Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
I found this recipe from Little Bitty Bakes and had to share it with you.  I haven't had the chance to make them, but they sound so good.  I mean, come on, anything with Kit-Kat and Chocolate Chips are bound to be delicious!  Just looking at this picture makes my mouth water. I copied the recipe, so I would make sure to have it on hand.

Kit-Kat and Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen large cookies

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup crushed Kit-Kats
1 cup milk chocolate chips


Heat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, beat butter, peanut butter, and sugars until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, and beat until blended.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, stirring until mixed. Stir in Kit-Kats and chocolate chips.

For large cookies, drop cookie dough by 2 tablespoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet, 3 inches apart (I used my whoopie pie pan – muffin top pans work too). Bake about 12 minutes, until light golden brown.

Live, Laugh, Love!