I don’t have a recipe to share today, although I am woking on some cookie recipes to share. For now, I will just share this video that makes me smile so much my mouth hurts, really! My favorite movie of all time, as corny as it is, is The Sound of Music. So I was so happy with this video I almost cried! Would this work in the US?
I saw a fantastic recipe last week for Rum & Coke Cupcakes over at the I Heart Cuppycakes blog and knew I had to try it right away. DD and I had some events planned last weekend and we thought these little gems would be perfect. They were.
The one word of caution I would add if you plan to try these is to BE SURE to follow the directions exactly for the frosting. As you can see, her frosting is WAY cooler than mine. Mind never firmed up. I know why mine didn’t work. You see, I broke my candy thermometer a while back and have been refusing to go get a new one. I don’t have a reason, I just keep forgetting when I am out to pick one up. So, I tried to predict when I hit the right stage instead of measuring it out and that clearly doesn’t work. The taste however, made up for my silliness. This is a wonderful recipe that everyone will like.
Ha, I am starting to get the hang of Twitter, I think, and I am totally hooked. I love that I can now easily add my tweets to the side of the blog here, and I am finding lots of new blogs and friends and comments to read and see and try! I am not posting quite as often as I should probably, but who has time to post their own comments when there are so many other far more interesting posts by other people.
I found javacupcake by looking for others who enjoy baking. Then from her site I found avocadocreation, ohsosweettreats and frostedtreats too. All of these women are very talented and I am so inspired to go home and make something. I am still visiting all of their blogs and stores, but I would encourage you to check any or all of them out too. You didn’t really want to get anything done today, did you.
And the mad dash of holiday baking at my house has now begun
. Every year I try to get the kids involved in some holiday baking. Although they are teenagers, I find that with a little encouragement, both teens are actually happy to help make cookies as it is a bit of a tradition in our house and we all find comfort in the activity.
DD and I made these peanut butter cookies already and they were delicious! I tweaked a recipe that I found over at the Joy of Baking site. I used her peanut butter cookie recipe, but added some peanut butter chips, and then drizzled melted white chocolate on top of the cookies. They were super rich and warm and wonderful, and when paired with a glass of milk they are Heaven on Earth!
I think the next cookie on our list will be some chocolate mint cookies that are so rich and sweet you can only eat one. Watch for that recipe in the next couple of days.
When I think of cafe Thursdays recently, it makes me long for a book and a quiet coffee shop. So if you are able to enjoy a warm beverage, pull up a chair. I got this poem today via email and it it brought a tear to my eye. Enjoy.
THE GIRL I USED TO BE
She came tonight as I sat alone
The girl I used to be.
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye
And questioned reproachfully:Have you forgotten the many plans
And hopes I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
All the wonderful things to do?Where is the mansion of stately height
With all its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you
And the jewels in your hair?And as she spoke, I was very sad,
For I wanted her pleased with me,
This slender girl from the shadowy past,
The girl that I used to be.So gently rising, I took her hand
And guided her up the stairs
Where peacefully sleeping, my babies lay,
Innocent, sweet, and fair.And I told her that these are my only gems,
And precious they are to me;
That silken robes is my motherhood
Of costly simplicity.And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls
For the dear ones who come and goAnd as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw the woman that I am now
Pleased the girl I used to be.- Author unknown
Most have probably already read this poem, but it was new to me today, and seems so incredibly relevant in this crazy political time. Pastor Niemoller was an interesting figure of World War II and I encourage you to do your own reasearch if this time period or this poem so inspires you. So grab a cupa joe or tea and have a read, then read again, then promise yourself you will speak up the next time you hear someone speaking ill of another group of people. . .hatred of one leads to hatred of all I think.
“First they came…” by Pastor Martin Niemoller
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I was not a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.
I sometimes forget how easy it is to cook a chicken that is delicious for my family.
I bought a very nice, all natural, non-antibiotic whole chicken at the grocery store last week and we enjoyed that chicken for dinner last night. I had planned to roast it, as I found a couple of really nice recipes on blogs that I read regularly, one at Cheap Healthy Good and one at All Recipes.com. However, I knew that my Wednesday evening was going to be pretty hectic, so I decided to give the old crock pot a try. Am I ever glad I did.
I took my 5 lb whole chicken, threw on some salt, pepper, seasoning salt, onion salt, garlic powder and a carton of chicken stock all in the crock pot, covered it, and set it on low for about 8 hours. The smell in the kitchen when I got home from work was almost better than the chicken itself. I simply washed and cut up a few potatoes and set them to boil while I nuked a can of corn and we had a darn quick meal that was not too shabby.
I am on a mission today to find some more cheap and easy crock pot gems that will make my life easier. If you have any great links or blogs or posts, send them my way.
We had a cheap, easy, delicious meal last night, so I thought I would share it here.
Easy Chicken Alfredo
2 cups chicken cubes
1 Tbls Olive Oil
1/2 tsp Emeril’s Essence seasoning
salt & pepper to taste
1 jar of Alfredo Sauce (I have tried them all, Bertolli is my favorite)
1 pkg of linguine, cooked (Dreamfields is the best tasting, low carb option out there)
Cook pasta to desired consistency. In the meantime, in a skillet, heat oil, then add chicken chunks and seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook chicken until it is no longer pink, about 5 minutes. To the skillet, add the jar of alfredo sauce and let simmer. When the pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce.
Add a veggie and a salad for a half-way healthy meal.
Another week has practically come and gone, and here we are with only some 39 odd days left to get all of our Christmas preparations done. I don’t know about you, but I am already starting to feel the familiar panic setting in. I got even more worried when I realized that Thanksgiving is a week from today.
I am subscribed to the Chicago Edition of Daily Candy, and yesterday they sent this amazing recipe from Moto pastry chef Ben Roche. 
It has me relaxing and completely looking forward to breakfast with my family next week. Whether you try this recipe or an old family favorite, in the rush of the holidays, don’t forget to slow down for special moments with loved ones. Take a long morning break and have breakfast with your Mom, daughter, sister, friend or make cookies and have tea with friends. Just remember to enjoy the people in your life at some point, and for a least one meal here and there . . . just enjoy your food without counting the calories.
Pumpkin Pie Pancakes with Cranberry Maple Syrup
Makes 12 Pancakes
3 slices prebaked 8-inch pumpkin pie (cut into 8 even slices)
2 eggs
¼ c. plus 2 tbsp. milk
½ c. plus 2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1½ tsp. baking powder
¾ tsp. salt
2 tbsp. brown sugar
½ tsp. powdered cinnamon
½ tsp. powdered ginger
Syrup
¾ c. cranberry sauce
¼ c. maple syrup
1. Roughly chop pumpkin pie, crust and all, into half-inch pieces.
2. Put chopped pie and eggs into blender and blend until smooth.
3. Add milk and dry ingredients and blend until smooth (a little clumpy is okay).
4. Pour batter into buttered pan and cook as you would normal pancakes. When they are a dark caramel color, flip delicately.
5. Blend cranberry sauce and maple syrup.
6. Top pancakes with cranberry maple syrup
