This is the week that the countdown begins. You know the drill….Halloween is Saturday. Then we fasten our seat belts and brace for the official beginning of the holiday seasoning. You will blink and friends and family will be gathered around the table enjoying turkey and counting blessings. Blink again and the baking and festivities surrounding Christmas begin. But I digress, let’s start at the beginning. Halloween is Saturday.
No doubt this week is filled with parties at school, scouts and all points in between. [Read more…]
Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
Those of you that have young children, be careful, be very, very careful. It happens when you aren’t looking. You know what I am talking about–you’ve heard it hundreds of times, when you aren’t looking those precious toddlers, elementary schoolers and Tweens grow up. How is it that our daughter is now a senior in high school? Did you hear me? A senior! I blinked and poof, she is a grown young woman with lots of dreams and aspirations. Savor the moments and the memories; they move on in the blink of an eye.
I’ve written about this before but our daughter and her daddy started baking cookies together when she was three. [Read more…]
Peanut Butter Kiss Cookies
Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. Sound familiar? That is my relationship with peanut butter cookies. They don’t tumble from our cookie jar very many times a year, but when I crave peanut butter cookies, I must admit the appeal of chocolate and peanut butter seals the deal.
We have all enjoyed one version of these or another but this is my favorite, probably because they are made with butter. [Read more…]
Ice Cream Cookie
We have been having so much fun promoting our new cookbook, The Newlywed Book, Cooking Happily Ever After. Tis the season for bridal showers, engagements and of course, weddings!
This was a book that we had dreamed about. The focus is on what to do with the items new couples have registered for at their bridal registry, how to select kitchenware, how to stock the pantry and how to entertain. Recipes are sized for two as an answer to the weeknight cooking question. In addition, some recipes yield more servings for the times you might be entertaining or celebrating holidays.
The good news is that we wrote and developed recipes for today’s couples. We know that gone are the days where “the wife” does all the planning and cooking. Husbands now eagerly participate in this process and many couples enjoy cooking together in the kitchen. Many folks have told us this is not only a newlywed book but is perfectly geared for young professionals who are cooking for one and empty nesters, too.
We are so thankful for all the retailers both local and nationally that have supported the launch of this book. It has been fun attending book signings, attending a benefit for the Kansas City Les Dames d’Escoffier, teaching cooking classes and serving samples and treats at retail locations.
Here is one of my favorite sweet treats from the book that I have adapted into mini ice cream cookie sandwiches. These are fun to keep in the freezer for after school snacks or unexpected visitors.
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies* [Read more…]
Turtle Candies
My heart jumped a bit when I turned the calendar into February. Ah, yes…the month of love. It must be part of a divine plan that the month of love lands in the middle of cold and gray. A reason to celebrate is always welcomed in the midst of winter.
Love was truly a celebration during my college years but then my love boat crashed and quite frankly, I wasn’t sure I would ever celebrate Valentine’s day the same way again much less get my boat afloat. Alas, there is a happy ending. After many hits and misses, I met my true love on a commercial airplane (I gave up on boats!). Seat mates who became forever intertwined.
More than 24 years of love later, I thought I would see if my true love truly knew me well. I mentioned that Valentine’s Day was just around the corner and that I would give him the acronym for what my heart desired. [Read more…]