Merry Christmas

Last post before I go crazy finishing the final touches before tonight. I still have wrapping to do and some re wrapping (thanks crumb snatchers), Christmas mouse prep, and the mountain of food to get ready. Everything is complete except the Ham, green bean casserole, rolls, and mom is working on the potato salad as we speak. Sometime today I have to take a tray to my dads who is under the weather and not up to joining us tonight. I still need to mop and do a fly by dusting. 

I am in such a joyous mood. This has been one of the best Christmas seasons here at my house. So many memories made, laughter and smiles...we are truly blessed. 

I also want to extend a thanks to my friend Heather over at Home Ec 101. She helped me out of a fast pinch this morning when I found I was completely out of sweetened condensed milk that I so very desperately needed for the Chocolate cream pie. You rock mama...Thanks a million. 

Also above is a little chocolate porn for my friend Stephanie over at A close Knit Family and my other girls both Summer, August, ASD/PDNOS/GDD and October. I have enjoyed you being apart of my life this past year. You've been there for advice, humor, encouragement and support. Next, to one of my best friends online and IRL, Rachel over at Sweet Angel Memories. Thanks for being you...enough said. And to my new twin Leslie. I swear we were separated at birth (other than religious beliefs) which we so smartly detour from.You've not only helped validate my views but given me some great new recipes. To Kim...thanks for helping me find my way to being a better wife and mother and the knowledge of my roles in the home.  Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas..I love you ladies. 

Beware of the Pig-it

This morning our family made cookies for Santa. So much fun decorating and nibbling. No pictures of the older crumb snatchers eating theirs, I'm  pretty sure Hannah and Ryan inhaled their cookies. Mark however is a true classic foodie. He savors each bites as if it were his last meal. 

Later my Ryan mistook the day and took the tray and placed it on the table closest to the tree. As I was busy in the kitchen making pies, he ran in thinking Santa had been here but left nothing because the cookies were gone...I looked for the tray which of course was not in the kitchen...then followed my son to investigate. Low and behold, empty tray...guess Holly (super fab pooch) had herself a super fab snack. I guess another tray for Santa will be made sometime today and Holly's new nickname is Pig-it...coined by Ryan. 

Sugar cookie recipe will not be posted. Old family secret of course :) But the icing recipe is from Home Ec 101. My normal recipe doesn't allow you to leave out the vanilla extract which is impossible to get a pure white. This taste wonderful and is very simple. I'm tossing my  own and adopting a new. 

Mom's Favorite Cookie

This weekend I decided to do some favorites of my parents. My mom absolutely loves cookies, but these melt her heart. In her words, they are perfect blend of sugary shortbread and an earthy nutty flavor. I wish I had known the secret in my teen years...I could have swindled so much. LOL

1 1/2 cups sugar (+plus for rolling dough)

1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, softened

2 large eggs

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

4 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 1/2 cups finely chopped walnuts

 

Cream together sugar and butter in mixing bowl until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla and beat well. Stir together remaining ingredients, then chill for an hour. Then form into walnut size balls and roll into sugar and cover completely. Place on well greased cookie sheet. Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are lightly golden. Let cool on wire rack.

Love at first bite...

Truffles are another holiday favorite here. This is one I have yet let the kids help with. Well, for one they are for a Christmas party, and two, I always make a big enough mess by myself creating these. All are filled with chocolate ganache either dipped in dark, milk, and white chocolate or a mixture. I prefer to coat mine with a thin layer of tempered chocolate than rolling in coco powder, but they are fabulous either way. These little babies are so easy, yet look like you spent hours creating them. Honestly, the biggest challenge is trying not to dive into the bowl head first and eating your way to the surface.  Recipe

Baking Bliss...

Don't get me wrong. I love baking with the kids. There is something about their drooly grins and sneaky fingers...but the mess and noise sometimes get to much when you have large projects. This afternoon I got a chance to bake all by my lonesome. Peace and quiet to test out new recipes, perfect the old standbys and play around with the camera...ahhhh...baking bliss.

Dark chocolate and french vanilla Pinwheels

Chocolate Sniderdoodle drops

Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Cranberry, orange and walnut scones