Chocolate Crinkles

I've seen these little chocolate beauties popping up all over magazines and my favorite food blogs but have never had the pleasure until now.

I decided to try my hand at a cookie that I've never made or tasted - which has led me to a few questions.

~*   Are they supposed to look like the picture above?

~*   What should the texture of these cookies be? Mine are delicately crisp on the outside while soft and slightly gooey on the inside.

~*   What do I need to do to make them have smaller uniformed crackles? My second batch came out with smaller uniform crackles and for the life of me I don't remember what I did differently?

~*   Are there any tips or tricks that you wouldn't mind sharing with me?

What I learned:

~*   Use a small ice cream/cookie scoop to spoon out cookie dough, dropping them directly into powdered sugar. Toss them around a bit by shaking the bowl then roll in your hands. No sticky mess in your hands. (Leave it alone Kristen)

~*   Wear rubber gloves when rolling cookie dough - without them I noticed finger and palm prints on the baked powdered sugar crackles.

My Farmer-In-Laws-To-Be Love Me!December 8th

I spent the day making cookie dough, five different kinds.

Chocolate Crinkle
Filled Cookie
Gingerbread
Chocolate Thumbprint
Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie

It rained here so Dean spent his day trying to find something to do. Obviously the novelty of baking with me has long left him, but unfortunately not the pouting like a spoiled ankle biter for the bowl and beaters! Whoa, not to mention throwing out and out fits for the "ugly" cookies.

While I whipped up a batch of Chocolate Thumbprint cookie dough my future In-Laws pull up around back where I could see them from the kitchen. My future Mama-In-law was waving a brightly orange colored box from the inside the vehicle. I looked at Dean and eeeeeked, "Popeye's Fried Chicken!"
You gotta know me to know that fried chicken is the Holy Grail of food to me and if I have to eat it out, Popeye's is my favorite!

Before I could wipe the puddle of drool I left on the floor up Dean had already ran outside, snatched the box of chicken from his mama, and plated up three pieces for himself. Before I could say anything I noticed that my Daddy-In-law to be had backed up the vehicle and was unloading something, I went out to see what was going on.

When I make it outside and on the back porch my future Daddy-In-Law pulls out this shit picker-upper from the back of the vehicle. I'm smiling at him as he walks it over to me. He tells me that he noticed that I already started working the compost, donkey, and horse poo into the garden so he figured that he'd give me a little Christmas present early. I thanked him graciously. As he turned to go he pulled out a pair of hot pink John Deere gardening gloves from his back pocket. I eeeeked again!

Oh! We also caught Prep & Landing last night! What a hoot! That was the cutest little show - I wish it had been at least an hour long tho.

Since the show I've been hollarin, "Figgy pudding! Figgy pudding!" anytime something goes wrong. I've also adopted the "That is soo tinselll." and "Oh frostbite!" elf lingo as well.

I'm driving Dean bonkers.

It is so worth it.

Russian Tea Cookies

Here's a recipe that has been in my family for years, Russian Tea Cookies.

These cookies freeze well and are perfect for a Christmas Cookie Exchange!

1-1/2 sticks butter ~*~ 1/2 cup sugar ~*~ 1 egg ~*~ 1 tsp vanilla ~*~ 2 cups flour ~*~ 1 tsp baking powder ~*~ 1/2 tsp salt ~*~ 1 cup nuts, chopped ~*~ 1 cup mini chocolate chips ~*~ 1/2 cup powdered sugar

Cream together sugar and butter ~*~ Add egg and vanilla, mix well ~*~ Whisk together dry ingredients ~*~ Add dry ingredients to wet gradually until combined ~*~ Stir in nuts and chocolate chips ~*~ Chill dough for 30 minutes to an hour ~*~ Roll dough into 1" balls ~*~ Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes ~*~ Let slightly cool ~*~ While warm toss in powdered sugar ~*~ Toss in powdered sugar again before serving

Christmas Cookies

I love this time of year! I'm all cozily dressed in my favorite pair of jeans, thermal and t-shirt, boots, and apron. I have Christmas music playing, my KitchenAid mixer whipping up sweet concoctions, and my oven baking from sun up til sun down.

This year has been the best baking year so far.

Even Dean got in to the spirit. He whipped up a few batches with me before the fire pit and a cooler of beer lured him outside.

Dean and I made Midnight Munchers.

Midnight Munchers were named for Dean. Ya see, when I bake a batch of these cookies I am often woken up in the middle of the night from the loud smackin that comes from those lips of his.

Midnight Munchers are actually a super buttery chocolate chip cookie with walnuts.

I think this is the only reason he helped out. You should have saw that bottom lip roll out when I threw the mixing bowl and beater in the sudsy dish water without offering it to him first.

Dean is one happy happy man when eating cookie dough. I certainly used this opportunity to whisper Christmas  present suggestions in his ear...

In addition to the Midnight Muncher we made Peanut Butter Blossoms. Dean was more than happy to know that he could eat the ones that were less than perfect for gift giving. Although he wasn't all too happy that I didn't use Hershey Kisses instead of baker chocolate discs. I tried to explain my reasoning but he wasn't hearing it until I offered him a handful of cookies.

A little sweet bribery works my friends!

When I started making Tea Time Tassie (aka Pecan Tassies) this is about the time Dean heard the faint cries of beer coming from his cooler out by the fire pit. Who could blame him... Tassies are even a pain in an elf's butt, but are so worth it.

This year I finally mastered the art of those sweet and nutty suckers! After losing a dozen to imperfections and Dean's stomach, I finally figured out a way to make the perfect size ball of dough to press out in the mini muffin tins. I even found the perfect wooden kitchen tool to help press them out before the dough got too warm and sticky to handle.

I'm still in Christmas baking mode - I need to bake more cookies!

You can never have enough Christmas cookies!

Santa will be very pleased this year!

Very pleased indeed.

Here's to making those dreams come true!

Thanks to Kristen over at Scrappin My Bliss I signed up for these inspirational Notes from the Universe emails. I'm just getting around to reading Friday's Note From the Universe:

Should you choose to go, do, and be, Staci, at the end of your life, shocked and dismayed, you'll likely exclaim that because of all the uncanny events, wild timing, weird coincidences, and sheer chance encounters, all of your life's good fortune must have been your destiny.

Or, should you choose to wait, wish, and hope, at the end of your life, shocked and dismayed, you'll likely exclaim that because of all the uncanny events, wild timing, weird coincidences, and sheer chance encounters, all of your life's bad luck must have been your destiny.

Staci, do you see what the difference is?

It ain't me,
The Universe

Staci, destinies are a dime a dozen.

As I've said before, I believe in signs and they come in 3's...

Several days ago I was looking out my kitchen window at horse and donkey, thinking to myself that my dreams are really manifesting - even though I hadn't really been paying attention.

A few days after that, a friend commented on how I take charge of my life and make my dreams come true.

And now, today I read the Note From the Universe...


No doubt that I am on the right track and helping make my dreams come true.

Go on now, step out there and take a chance on making your dreams come true!
What do you have to lose...

Comfort FoodWhat to do with turkey leftovers...

This is a great way to use up those leftovers.

4 cups leftover turkey, cut up in pieces
2-3 carrots, peeled and chopped
2-3 celery stacks, chopped
1 large onion, chopped
3 cups leftover gravy
1 cup water or stock
1 can cream of anything you have soup (celery, mushroom, chicken, potato, etc.)
1 small can mushrooms (optional)
1/2 stick butter
2 Tbsp flour
Season to taste
Pre-cooked egg noodles, dumplings, or rice

Add a little butter to pot, lightly brown edges of turkey, remove from pot
Add a little more butter then add carrots - cook until slightly tender
Add onion and celery, cook until slightly tender
Sprinkle veggies with flour, cook stirring constantly for 1 minute
Stir in water until incorporated well
Stir in gravy and can of soup
Bring to a boil then reduce to simmer
Add turkey and mushrooms
Season to taste
Simmer for 15-20 minutes
Serve over egg noodles, rice or with dumplings

~*~

Don't throw out the turkey...
Throw it in a pot, cover with water and let simmer for about 3-5 hours
Strain stock into Mason jars, plastic containers or sturdy freezer bag leaving about 1" - 1-1/2" headspace
Let jars cool
Securely fasten lids and freeze

~*~

Ham & Tomato Gravy Supper

2-3 cups leftover ham, cut up (works great with glazed or spiced hams too)
2 cans of stewed tomatoes
Butter
Seasoning
2 - 3 tsp sugar (***only if you did not sweeten your ham for the holidays)

Melt a little butter in a pan
Lightly fry up ham
Stir in cans of tomatoes and sugar***
Season to taste
Let simmer for about 15 - 20 minutes
Serve over leftover mashed potatoes or rice

December 3rd

Yesterday I woke with coffee on the brain. I had a serious sinus headache that was screaming for coffee. Hot drinks usually ease the pain as I don't like to takeing of medicine any kind.
As I'm fumbling thru the kitchen I scan the dining room table that is mounded with Christmas goodies: Christmas tins for cookies, homespun fabric waiting to be sewn into Christmas gifts, Christmas magazines from years gone by, a gorgeous red wooden trench bowl that Farmer Dean's mama gave to me that I filled with clippings of holly from our holly bush and a pine scented candle from Tammy placed in the center, and nestled sweetly behind the bowl of holly, a Starbucks bag.

With all of the shopping, Sons watching the night before and my headache this morning I forgot about my Starbucks bag.

I smiled and snatched it up!

Oh yeah, my head and my day were already getting better!

I took the Starbucks bag into the kitchen to unwrap the precious that was hiding inside.

Aaaaahhhhh.... Yes!

Morning coffee in my new Starbucks Christmas mug!

My Farmer-to-be is the best-est-es!

~*~

Most of the day I spent washing laundry since the pipes clogged up over T-Day. The water from the washer was backing up in the kitchen sink and overflowing from the pipes under the sink. Farmer Dean made it all better with a little Drano. While I wasn't washing clothes I was on the internet or pestering horse and donkey.

Dean came home early after sitting in line for three hours waiting to unload a trailer of soybeans. Soon after we decided to run out to the farm where we got horse and donkey to pick up horse's papers. While we were there the fellow that runs the farm informed us that horse's sister has been looking for her. He told us that since birth they have been by each other's side. He offered us the sister for a price we may not be able to refuse. We might be getting another horse!!!!!! Eeeeek!!!!!!

We haven't decided yet - I'm concerned about affording the vet bills while Dean's main concern is having enough space for the three together. I'll let you know what we decide.

Although... trail riding together sure would be nice.

I'm just sayin is all...

Who needs the Grinch...

...when you have friends who send you this for Christmas!

          
I love me some Miss Tammy! I wish she had a blog to which I could refer you because she is a dang hoot!
She has got to be... Anyone who sends you one of these for Christmas has got to be eatin crayons and lickin short bus windows!

Do y'all remember the beautiful switch plate she sent me shortly after I moved to Podunk?
No?
Well, let me remind you...

Whew-Doggie!

Isn't he a beaut!

Alright, alright.
Truth be told I got that very switch-plate on full display in the bedroom right this very minute. Um, yeah, and Rudolph is still in the crapper. However, I did take him out of there for a brief moment while my sister and her family were here for T-Day. They have a 16 year old boy, dontcha know, and I'm not sure if he ever learned to aim.

December 2nd

It poured down raining today so Dean and I went in to town to do a little Christmas cookie ingredients, Christmas card, and horse & donkey shopping. While in town we, of course, stopped off at the most wonderful place in the world, Starbucks. I just had to have one of those red Christmas cups! I always order a frappe so no red Christmas cup... I was bummed and Dean knew it so the my thoughtful Farmer-to-be bought me a Starbucks red Christmas mug! What a sweetheart.

Because it was raining horribly we skipped the dive into the city where Sam's lives - I was so wanting a ginormous box of SteakUmm - and settled for WalMart. I hate WalMart!

We spent most of our time in the Christmas section and then down the baking aisle where I picked up all of my cookie ingredients. Dean and I decided to make cookies and give them out this year instead of presents. Times are tough, dontcha know.

After WalMart we stopped by the Tractor Supply! I *heart* the Tractor Supply!
We picked up the sweetest Christmas cards and a lunge lead and whip for horse.

Finally we made it home where Dean and I watched 2 more episodes of Sons of Anarchy. If you have not watched a single episode you must head on over to Hulu and catch yourself up. You will thank me for it.
Sons is a grity and graphic show that is like crack! I can't get enough of it!!!!

December 1st

Merry December 1st my dear friends!

I've been dreaming of a white Christmas... literally.

I woke up at 4 this morning from a most wonderful dream.

I was dreaming that I was out with a few of my girlfriends Christmas tree shopping. We were all bundled up, it was in the evening, and the snow was falling. Sigh....
We were giggling, laughing, sipping glorious concoctions out of our Starbucks Christmas cups, and admiring the snow-capped Christmas trees.
Then I woke up.
Crap!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I spent the day organizing, cleaning, and moving some Christmas decorations around - oh, and a ginormous desk. My computer is in the crapper and Dean practically begged and coerced me (with not being able to blog or chat with my GLU girls) to pull out his dinosaur of a computer and use it until I got a new one. I didn't want to, I just wanted mine to work! After a few days of not being linked to the outside civilized world from the middle of nowheresville Podunk I dragged that monstrosity out.

Yoi! I haven't had the pleasure of being tethered to a desk or the joy joy of staring at a computer screen that has a small bus attached to the back side of it in quite some time. Let me just say that I do not miss it either but I am grateful. So I had to drag out a extra large computer desk that has no holes for cords out into the living room to accommodate the computer.

Dontcha know after all that was all said and done I realized that it was only the back-light to my monitor that is in the crapper and could still hook it up to a monitor to access my all of my goodies on my laptop. Woo Hoo! However, I still have to be tethered to this short bus dinosaur monitor....