I'm not bragging

Ave loves to paint and draw.......

Lord, please be upside-down shoulder pads

And I'm not bragging.

Ave loves to eat spinach......

For lunch......

And I'm not bragging.


Ave loves to talk about life.......

Really, I'm not bragging.


Ave loves to bake, cook, and eat.

I on the other hand, like to bake Christmas goodies.

Almond chocolate florentine cookies

The process

Put everything but chocolate in a bowl.

Combine well

Put level teaspoon on baking sheet

Dip your small knife in warm water

With a knife, press and smooth each cookie until flat

Bake until lightly golden around edges 

Chocolate spread process

Melt chocolate over stove, or microwave

Add almond extract

Spread on one cookie and top second cookie, making a sandwich 

Almond chocolate
florentine cookies


Ingredients


Preheat oven to 375


2/3 cup melted butter
2 cups quick oats
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pure almond extract
2 cups quality milk chocolate chips


Directions


In large bowl mix together, butter, oats, sugar, flour, corn syrup, milk, vanilla, and salt; mix well. Drop by level teaspoon about 3 inches apart on parchment lined baking sheet. Spread thinly with a small spatula, or knife. Bake for 6-7 minutes or just until the edges start to brown. Let cool on baking sheet for 10 minutes and transfer to cooling rack.


For chocolate sauce


Place chocolate chips in double boiler, or microwave and melt; add almond extract. Spread the chocolate on the flat half of one cookie/wafer(about a tablespoon worth) and place a second cookie/wafer, with no chocolate on top, making a sandwich.


Mercy, these are good.

They have just the right amount of chewiness,  a little crispy on the sides, and the middle has that hint of almond with the rich chocolate.

And I'm not bragging.

Go! Tell it on the mountain, or on the way to Grammy's

The house is decorated, the tree is up, all is well, and my mom calls. "Would you be willing to come help me decorate for Christmas" she asked? Sure, Ave would love it! We could bake cookies, listen to Christmas music, and just relax.


Avery caught on quick to the music idea, for that was all she did on the way to Grammy's. Why play Cd's and the radio when you have a 5 year old who can bellow "Go tell it on the mountain" not once, not twice, but 8 times, and in between all that pausing to find the words and consistently popping Gold fish as if it couldn't wait.

GO! Tell it on the moooountain

Over the hills, and everywheeeeeere

Go! Tell it on the mooooutain, 

that Jesus Christ is born.

Hallelujah!

The song is forever embedded in my mind.

On another "note" (love a good pun) we made it to Gram's with some special things in mind. One being a cookie recipe posted by my good friend at Peas and thank you (Sarah) and of course decorating them, and also the rest of the house.

These Christmas cookie dough balls are fantastic. You can decorate them any which way you please. Although I wasn't able to help, you know, cause  she's 5 now  and she can make her  own balls. 

However, no two balls are the same.

Also each ball must display some sprinkle of red.

If you like eating cookie dough straight from the bowl, you will love these little addicting treats. I'm not allowed to say balls again.

While my mom started in on decorating........

While Ave made snowman think twice about his existence........ 

I made dinner. A really yummy dinner. A dinner worth telling on a mountain.

Sauteed chicken in wine mushroom sauce

The process

Saute chicken

Brown onions

Soften and brown mushrooms

Add the wine

Add the sauce

Oh ya!

Put the chicken back in

Heat through and finish off with olives

Sauteed chicken in wine mushroom sauce

Ingredients

4 chicken cutlets

1 onion, chopped

2 cups sliced mushrooms

1/4 cup red wine( I used Pinot noir)

Almost a full jar of Cabernet marinara

hand full of chopped Katamala olives(optional)

Directions

Season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper, and saute in 1 Tb olive oil on medium high, until a golden crust is on both sides; transfer to a plate and cover with foil. Add an additional Tb of olive oil and cook onion until lightly browned and softened; add mushrooms. Season with salt and pepper and cook until mushrooms are tender and have turned in color a bit; add wine, and cook until almost all is evaporated. Pour in marinara, stir to coat everything, and place chicken over the top and cover for 5 minutes to heat through and thicken sauce a little. Add the olives just before serving if desire.

Still humming.........

Three parties down

After spending an entire weekend focused around food, one would think cooking is far from my mind. Not so, my friends. I'm inspired that much more, and my ideas have me thinking far beyond Potlucks and casseroles.


Party #1


Jewelry inspired


Amazing jewelry

Delicious eats

Great friends

Amy's Jewelry is personal, and has a unique, but versatile style. Check it out at  www.vintagechickdesigns.etsy.com .


I on the other hand, am busy with Megs trying new dishes, and reinventing new and old ones. We might have been somewhat ambitious this weekend, but we're both excited for whatever this may bring, and only encouraged our entertaining ideas. 


Party # 2


Civil war inspired


Mini cheerleaders

The typical gang(and no, that is not a woman's leg)

Game food

Oh, and victory I should mention, but still love ya guys who play the other way:)

Party # 3

Volunteer inspired

5 cooks, 5 hours, 250 people

Those are really the only pictures I took with my camera because it was a non stop, "Dinner impossible" style supper. I now know what I'm capable of.

As I close for the night(possibly the week) and catch up on some much needed rest, I must leave you with a sparkly treat. I served this at the first party, and is sure to please the eye, and taste. Also the perfect Holiday bubbly.

Holiday bubbly

The process

Use your favorite Pom/Cran juice

Give it a little kick

Pour and mix in carafe 

Fill up glass half way

Top it off with some bubbly fun

Holiday bubbly (serves 6-8)


Ingredients


3 cups cranberry/pomegranate juice
1 cup Grand Monarch(orange liquor)
1 bottle quality champagne
fresh or frozen, cranberries 


Directions


Mix juice, and orange liquor in carafe; chill in fridge at least 1 hour. In martini glasses, fill with juice half way, and finish it off with champagne. Drop a few cranberries in.  

Cheers!!

What is it all for?

I would like to think that with every opportunity to do good, there is much reward. I would like to think when I put my whole heart into loving, nurturing, caring for, and investing in, there would be much appreciation. I would like to think that for all the times I have sacrificed my own, or given up my dreams, there would be a clear reason for it.


What is it all for?


I would like to think at the end of the day when all is said and done, I would've accomplished much. I would like to think that after given a new day, I would use it to the fullest. I would like to think that exercising faithfully, and eating good, would end me in results of perfection.


What is it all for?


I would like to think after being married for 12 years it would leave me complete and totally connected. I would like to think going to school,  and putting in my time, would steer me clear of ever dreaming of something new. I would like to think that what I do everyday would somehow, someway, make a difference in just one persons life.


What is it all for?




The answer resides in my heart. Far beneath the clouded pulse, there I will find what I was made for. To search deep, means to expose all weakness, but in that, I find treasure. Through my shortcomings, someone can relate. Through my indiscretion, someone can learn. 


I was never promised a rosy, smooth sailing, or effortless life, but I was promised a purposeful life. I was promised if I love with all my heart, soul, and mind, emptiness would not overtake me. I was promised if I know the God who made me, I would be extremely blessed. I was promised when I look at a rainbow, to remember, all promises are kept. 
What is it all for?


It's for LIFE!