Baking With Aunt Cheryl and Mom

       
Yesterday Aunt Cheryl came over to my parents' house to bake with mom and I. Looked forward to this event ever since I found out about it a week ago. Anyway, Mom is not accustomed to baking cookies and desserts in general, so it was pretty much her first time to really bake. It was a lot of fun and I thoroughly enjoyed Aunt Cheryl showing us baking secrets and ultimately just spending time with her. Love her. She's so awesome.

Peanut Blossom Cookies

1 C. white sugar
1 C. brown sugar
1 C. margarine
1 C. peanut butter
2 eggs (beaten well)
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. soda (dissolved in 1 T. boiling water)
Pinch of salt
3 C. flour
1 pkg. chocolate stars or Hershey's Kisses

Cream sugar, margarine, peanut butter and eggs. Add soda-water mixture, vanilla, salt and flour. Roll mix into balls. Roll balls in sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes. Add candy stars or kisses.

Chocolate Peanut Clusters

16 oz dark chocolate chips
16 oz butterscotch chips
2 tbs gulf wax
1 lb (or more) peanuts

In a bowl, melt the dark chocolate chips, butterscotch and gulf wax in the microwave for 4 minutes. Mix. Further melt in the microwave for another 1 - 2 minutes until smooth. Mix. Add in the peanuts and mix. Scoop out chunks into wax paper and let it sit overnight.

Best Ever Christmas Cookies

1/2 C. margarine
1/2 C. crisco shortening
1 C. sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
1 big tsp. vanilla
3 C. flour
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 C. milk
1 tsp. salt

Combine ingredients as per normal. Refrigerate overnight. Roll out and bake at 350 degrees until lightly golden.

Simple Christmas, The Lazy Cat, and Kindle Reads

 

This year (compared to the last) we decided to keep the holidays simple by putting up the small Christmas Tree with limited decorations. This is so I wouldn't have the burden of cleaning up after giving birth towards the end/beginning of this/next year. It's kind of nice yet at the same time I wish that I was able to do more. I've been so easy to tire lately that Dre has been doing a lot of the housework (feeding the pets, bending down, lifting heavy things, cleaning, cooking, etc.)

So anyway... above is the lounging cat. He loves that arm rest and can be found at that location the majority of the time.

KINDLE CURRENT READS

In all other news, Dre got me a Kindle so to occupy my time since I'm now just sitting pretty at home. I love the thing and have been voraciously reading to my heart's desire.

My Current Reading List: 

The Art of Happiness, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Handbook for Living
- Dalai Lama & Howard C. Cutler, M.D.
>> I use this book more of a devotional, reading a chapter a day in order to feed my mind and gain some sort of enlightenment. It helps because it shows how to achieve happiness.

Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
>> I love books that allow me to gain a better understanding of history and culture. This book caught me by surprise due to its content and storyline. I can't put it down! A must read.

Sargasso of Space (Solar Queen, Book 1) - Andre Norton
>> This book was recommended by my husband and also fulfills my love of science-fiction. I've only gotten through the first few chapters and it's good so far... I can't wait till the real action begins.

UPDATED BABY BLOG

Thursday, December 1, 2011 Love From Ukraine A few days ago, we received a package from Dre's Mom. Talented Grandma Mila knitted these booties and outfit for Baby A. They're so precious and adorable - practically melted my ... (read more after the jump)