Soup and Buns 2

So as promised, I will post my recipe for Baked Potato Soup today.  In all truthfulness, I got a recipe for this soup a long time ago and have tweaked it repeatedly until it has become my own.  My husband and kids love it and I have made it for large groups of people and had it devoured. 

I made a huge batch of this for an event at church for young women and their mothers (young women aged 12-18) and put it in my portable roasting pan (full to the brim) and it was scraped clean at the end of the evening though there were other soups available.  I have had tons of people ask for this recipe and so I guess it is finally time to share this treat with you.

Callie's Baked Potato Soup**not for those seeking a low fat recipe!!

1 pound bacon

2/3 cup butter or margarine
2/3 cup flour
7 cups milk
1 cup ½ and ½ cream
6 large baked potatoes (I peel half of them) cubed **I sometimes add 2 more potatoes depending on size
4 green onions, chopped
2cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground pepper
1/2 tub - 1 tub garlic and herb cream cheese spread

Fry bacon in skillet until crisp.  Drain fat, crumble and set aside.
In stock pot, melt margarine over medium heat.  Whisk in flour until smooth.  Gradually add milk and cream, whisking constantly until thickened.  Stir in potatoes and onions.  Bring to a boil stirring frequently.
Reduce heat.  Simmer for 10 minutes.  Mix in bacon, cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, salt and pepper.  Continue cooking, stirring frequently until cheese is melted.

This soup is truly one of our family favorites and I hope you love it like we do!!

Soup and Buns

So now that we are in a deep freeze (-40 degrees outside with the windchill) I have informed my family that this week will be a soup and buns kind of week.  I have a few friends who have requested some good soup recipes and so I may as well blog about those this week...and then maybe I will get in the habit of blogging again.

Yesterday, after I made the soup announcement, my son gave me a request.  "Tomato Corn Chowder?" he asked hopefully.  I can make that happen!

Many years ago, while I was visiting my grandmother, I had this soup and fell in love.  My Grandma had made it for me and it was light yet filling at the same time.  For those who are looking for a good meatless soup this one is delish!!  I will try to break it down into portions that work in a recipe but as I make it from memory (without measuring...) it is sometimes tricky.  However, each time I have made it, it has tasted lovely!!

Eileen's Tomato Corn Chowder
1 medium onion (diced or chopped small)
3 stalks of celery chopped
4 carrots (peeled and sliced into rounds)
1-2TB butter (or vegetable oil if you prefer)
900ml chicken stock (1 carton)  (I'm sure it would still taste delish if you had a vegetable stock--to make it really meat free)
1 tsp Salt (more if you wish)
pepper to taste
1Tb dried parsley flakes
1/2 bag frozen corn (half of a 1 kg bag--or large bag)
1 large can of diced tomatoes (796 ml) (undrained)
1 tsp of white sugar (***optional--your carrots should give it the sweetness it needs but if they are not full of flavor, this will give it what it needs)

Now the fun begins....looking at the ingredients, it doesn't seem much like a chowder, does it?  Let's get started and you will see!!

Place your carrots (only) in a saucepan and add water. (just enough to cook but not cover them)  Bring to a boil and cook until tender --no crunchiness to them at all but not mush!!-- DO NOT DRAIN THEM!! Cool slightly and then puree altogether in a blender or food processor (**make sure they aren't still steaming!)  Set aside.

In a large pot melt your butter (or heat your oil) and saute your onions and celery until soft.  Add your diced tomatoes and your pureed carrots.  Slowly add your chicken stock (all of it) and stir together.  Add in your frozen corn (I use the peaches and cream kind for sweetness).  Season with Salt and Pepper and add in your dried parsley.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about a half an hour. 

Serve with buns and love it!!

A New Kind of Addiction

So I've found a new evil...one that will cause me to create more things in my kitchen than ever before and maybe even start crafting.  If nothing else it will help me keep up to date on my blog.  (which has gone by the wayside)  This new evil addiction is called Pinterest.  If you haven't checked it out, it is so worth it.  Google it.  Your life will never be the same (nor will your free time)  :-).

Anyways...I was looking through some of the crafts on the site and found a calendar made from a picture frame.  I loved it so much that I adapted it to a need I had in my home and that was my Family Night chart.  In years past I had a cute little chart with pictures of our family on it and we moved things from one magnet to another but as the years have gone on, things have gotten lost or banged up and it has lost its lustre.  So! I decided to put together a new family chart with my new found wisdom from Pinterest.  I had no idea that you could use dry erase markers on glass (I know, I live under a rock) but have tossed the moving pieces for dry erase to make my life easier. 

I was shocked to see my hubby pick up the marker at the end of our last Family Night and move everyones names around.  As I am not really that crafty, this was fun.  (and simple) 

You need:  any picture frame you'd like ( I got mine at Walmart for around $20)

                  scrapbooking paper and stickers (or whatever other lettering you like)

                  white board markers

                  about 20 minutes worth of time.

Cut your paper to the photo sized openings listed on the frame.  Designate which slot is which by using your stickers/letterings.  Place in each window on the frame and TaDa!  You are ready to go.  You can use this for all kinds of things...job chart, family calendar, message board.  You are only limited by your imagination!!



Spring Has Sprung...and so have the mosquitoes

It's been so long since I've updated this page.  I'm ashamed to say that there has been very little creativity happening in my kitchen since the last time this was updated.  I did make a lovely (and super EASY) dessert for Mother's Day which I'm happy to share with you.  I don't even know if it has a name.  It's something our family has made over the years and is particularly good on a hot day.  I call it Frozen Lemonade Squares but you could call it whatever you would like.  It is simply a graham cracker crust in a 9x13 pan with an ice cream mix on top.  You soften a carton of ice cream (just those little boxes in the frozen section...I go with whatever is cheapest because you don't need to really taste the quality of it) and you thaw out a can of Pink Lemonade concentrate.  Mix the two together and pour it on the graham cracker crust and then refreeze it.  Cut them in squares and serve immediately.  We love this dessert...and it is so easy to make. 

I'm in the process, as many others are, of planning out my garden.  We went out for Family Home Evening last night to do the weeding prior to planting and were swarmed by millions of mosquitoes.  I've recently learned that our community doesn't spray for mosquitoes (or weeds) and find this rather disturbing.  I grew up thinking that if there was wind out there that the mosquitoes would stay away.  I've discovered that this is untrue...or that the little pests would be even worse without the wind.  Needless to say, I hate mosquitoes.

Back to the garden...I digress.  So we're getting ready to plant with the hopes of having and maintaining a vegetable garden for the summer.  Corn, peas, carrots, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, squash, zucchini, and other plants are in the works.  I love a garden full of produce to feed my family and can say that what I truly love most is a meal in the summer consisting of only veggies we've picked from there.  There is nothing like being stuffed full of your own fresh vegetables on a hot day.  I love it.  And I think my kids love it too.  It is my hope and prayer that it will be a great summer so we can actually get some corn as we didn't get one ear last year.  I was so bummed out about that...because the year before it was out of this world!

So, break out your "Off" and get out and garden...what's good for the garden is good for the soul!

Top O' The Mornin' to Ya!

A Leprechaun from me to you!!!

So yesterday was St. Patrick's Day and, as usual, I had to have a little fun.  In years past I have done everything from Green Shake and Bake chicken to Green Tuna Fish Sandwiches (-and yes, those sandwiches went to school with my kids...).  As we were having our missionaries for dinner this year, I decided to do something different.  For those of you who don't know, there are grocery stores that will color baked goods for you (Sobey's here).  I wouldn't have known it was possible except for my neighbor letting me know she ordered orange ones at Halloween).  I ordered large bread bowls for soup in green...I must say, they were a little scary looking at first but once you cut them open, they were a lovely mint green.  I made some homemade broccoli soup to go in them and served that with a Caesar salad.  I also served Grassy Green Punch as a beverage.  I must say that most of my fun came from the creations I made for dessert.

Rainbow cupcakes were on the menu with a pot of gold and a bunch of leprechauns.  The kids and the missionaries loved it.  (The missionaries even took pictures--which was totally unnecessary but flattering)

Check other parts of my blog for recipes for your next St. Patrick's Day Celebration!!

It must be Spring...SOMEWHERE!!!

As I sit in my kitchen I can see my yard is full of light.  It is not sunlight...it's reflected sunlight.  The snow in my back yard is causing me to go blind...will it ever be spring? 

I skyped with a dear friend the other day in Oregon and she laughed as she could see all the snow out in my yard and exclaimed, "Callie!!!  It's green here!  My bulbs are in bloom!!!"  Half of me wanted to cry.  Most of me wanted to go back to bed and escape all the white.

I've often been asked..."How do you live in such a place?!?!?"  Good question.  So I've been trying to think of things we do around here to escape the cold and snow that constantly surrounds us for at least 6 months of the year.

Here is what I've come up with:
1.  We eat.--not just a little but a lot!!  We surround ourselves with the foods we love, the foods we hate, and the foods we love to hate but eat anyways because they are so delicious and tasty.
2.  We sleep.--not just a little but a lot!!  It's dark outside by 6pm anyways so sleep should come easy and you can't go out in the yard to play games with the kids until 11pm...you're face would freeze!
3.  We read.--we read books of all kinds to help us forget that there is snow outside piling up that will break our backs if we shovel it.  We read to escape the reality that there is much heavy work to be done outside in the cold.
4.  We potato.--ah, the couch.  Watching TV is a wonderful past time in winter.  It's an escape all its own and we love to find new things with which to let our mind escape the cold blustery days and nights.
5.  We exercise.--some of us a little and some of us a lot.  (some not at all, let's be real here...)  If we are doing lots of eating then lots of excercising would be a good thing to keep our minds and bodies invigorated.
6.  We play.--games, games, games!!  Everyone can be entertained with a good old fashioned game.  The ones we play here vary from Monopoly, and The Game of Life to Perudo, Greed, and Sequence.  Games are fun!
7.  We cuddle.--grab a blanket a book and one of the cute people in your home and cuddle up!  I know snuggling with my kids and reading a story is always a way to escape the cold...and it builds relationships all at the same time.
8.  We watch.--as I look out my window while the snow falls, I watch to see what is happening...is it falling hard or softly?  Is there a wicked wind blowing it all over?  Is it a blizzard?  Is it the right kind of stuff to play in and build snowmen?  Every snow fall is different.



the snow outside our front has provided much entertainment for our kids and their friends!

 9.  We do.--we do things in the snow that people who don't have snow can't.  We toboggan, build snowmen, snowshoe, ice fish, skidoo, snowboard, ski, build forts, and let it fall on our tongues.  We throw it and throw ourselves in it.  We do things that allow our creative energies to flow from our very core.



2 buses and a delivery truck all stuck at the same time on one day...ridiculous!

 10.  We help.--such a climate gives us opportunities to get to know our neighbors with shovels and with brute force.  Many of us get to know our neighbors from the act of pushing them out of the place their car is stuck...perhaps dogleds aren't so crazy after all in this climate.
11.  We remember.--it will leave.  Sometimes when we're deep in the freeze we can't remember what it was even like to have grass, trees, and flowers all around us.  We forget about the smell of the campfire with marshmallows roasting  or the sound of the lake lapping at the shoreline.  We remember though, that the snow will melt, the birds will return singing and the grass and flowers will grow and bloom again...and we are grateful. 

I'm Not Afraid Anymore!

Getting Roxy has been so much fun but at the end of the day, I'll admit, I've had one big fear...what about her grooming?!?!?  What if she gets a bad haircut?!?!  Will the other dogs laugh at her?!?!?  Will we think she's less cute than she really is?!?  Where do I take her?!?!?  How much should it cost?  Will they be good to her?  More importantly, will SHE be GOOD for THEM?!?!  So after asking friends of ours who also have a schnauzer, asking at the vet, and doing a little of my own research online, I took the plunge and made the dreaded appointment for today. 

I called Shear Brilliance here in Sherwood Park on Brentwood Blvd.  They did a terrific job and she was only gone for an hour and a quarter.  No dropping off first thing in the morning and leaving them there to wait their turn in line all day. 

Here is her look before: (don't mind the sock in the photo--she is our resident sock monkey) (taken January 19th)

And here is her look today, February 4th:

She's all pretty!  And she smells like baby powder!!

Needless to say, I'm not afraid anymore.

(and I so love her little crooked ear!!)

She Can Ring My Bell!

Okay.  I've now decided not every treat in my blog will be food related.  This is a little treat that my dog has given me (take that how you may...).  The title  of this post actually reminds me of the song "You Can Ring My Bell".  Unfortunately I can relate different cheesy songs to all kinds of things in my life. 

Getting a puppy has had its challenges and its rewards.  Overall, it has been a life changing experience for the better.  There is nothing more wonderful than having someone be soooo excited to see you every time you walk through the door--even if you were only taking out the trash.  She loves the kids and also adores Chris and myself.  Roxy is my buddy all day long, following me wherever I go (and crying outside the bathroom door because she can't see me) and sleeping next to me wherever I sit down in the house.

One of the daunting tasks for our family has been potty training.  When we picked Roxy up from the breeder in Westlock, she was paper trained (with some exceptions).  With the weather being what it was, and Roxy being so little we had mercy on her and allowed her to continue with her using paper as her potty.  But when we had some unseasonably warm weather in January we found our window to the outdoors for her and started to encourage her to go outside.  Chris, my clever husband, took some of the paper she had used (by the way--when I refer to paper I actually mean plastic lined puppy pads) and put it out where we wanted her to go.  It didn't take long before she started to figure out that she needed to go outside to do her business...but we still had one little problem.  Roxy was not very good at asking to go.  She wouldn't bark or whine and if we were busy doing something, we would sometimes miss seeing her at the back door and she would go elsewhere (usually back to her paper).  So we did some research and some talking to friends and decided to try the back door bell. 

Essentially, you train the dog to ring the bell when they need/want to go outside.  I never would have believed it if I hadn't seen it...it works.  Roxy will take her nose and nudge the bell for it to make noise and then wait for us to let her out.  She'll get busy out there and come running back in for her treat (very proud of herself).  We are loving the fact that she is so smart! 

Okay...I just realized that she looks like she is trying to eat the door right now...what a silly girl...she noticed condensation coming off the window and was "cleaning it up".  (Let's be real here...she's really no different from a toddler...only she rings my bell when she is potty training)

One of my favorite things

So if you can hear the song from the Sound of Music, "These are a Few of My Favorite Things" that is what has been going through my head when I think of what I made this week.  For those of you who know me well, I love my Greek cooking heritage.  I love Greek food (most of it anyways) but one of my absolute favorite things is a bread I make a few times a year.  My dad (who is greek) spelled it Tsoureke on the recipe but for those who wouldn't get the pronounciation it's called "too-RAY-kee".  There is nothing on earth like the smell or taste of it for me in my world. 

Anyways, I didn't get enough of it at Christmas time and opted to make another batch to enjoy...and we DO enjoy it.  It is a pretty simple enough thing to make--considering I'm not the greates bread maker out there--but if you are missing this one ingredient, it just won't taste the same.  It is called Machlebee (mak-LEH-bee) and it gives this bread a very unique aroma and flavor.  Delish!! 

Making this bread is pretty old school.  Everything is done by hand with not even a wooden spoon.  The dough initially rises for 2 hours before you braid it and let it rise again.

Once it rises again, you baste it with egg and bake it.  Truly it is one of my favorite smells in the world; even better than just bread or buns baking in the oven.

And to me, it is such a pretty bread too.  One I love to share with others like my neighbors and friends.  This is probably the biggest thing that's happened in my kitchen this week.  (it's been a pretty dull week, I guess) but it is fabulous!



Two Ingredients...okay three counting the pepper

So, I've decided to try and feed my family some different/better foods.  I realized that my fridge was full of junk and my pantry was full of junk...thus we were becoming what we ate...junkies.  That being said, I knew there would be some resistance from some in the Smith ranks...namely one of my children who shall remain nameless.  (although anyone who knows this child will know who I'm referring to...)

I signed up on a free website called sparkpeople.com.  It is a weight loss site that is completely free.  It has apps for my ipod and I downloaded both of them; one of which being an app with recipes on it.  I decided to try one of them out.  Broiled Tilapia Parmesan sounded pretty adventurous given that my family doesn't eat a whole lot of fish but since I'm determined to get us eating better I thought I'd give it a try.  What was tricky for me was what to serve with it.  I didn't want heavy potatoes or pasta with sauce.  It had to be rice--how lovely--two white things on a plate.  So I dug around in my fridge and wracked my brain and came up with a few extra items.  Spinach salad with hard cooked egg and bacon, and then the best side dish I've made in a long time--bacon wrapped asparagus. 

You'll have to forgive the fact that I didn't take any photos but don't fret as I will be making it again and will post them then.  So you will need a total of 2 (possibly 3) ingredients: bacon, asparagus--and fresh cracked pepper if desired.  Preheat your oven to 400F.  Line a cookie sheet with foil.  Wash your asparagus and chop off the woody end parts.  Bunch the asparagus in groups of 4 (or three I suppose if they are large stalks).  Take one piece of bacon and wrap it around the 4 stalks of asparagus.  Place it seam side down on your baking sheet.  Repeat with the rest of your asparagus.  Sprinkle with fresh cracked pepper if you'd like--I did 4 bunches with and 4 without.  Bake in your hot oven for about 20 minutes and then crisp them up under the broiler for about a minute or so (but keep an eye on them so they don't burn.)  Voila!!  Simple side dish with yummy reviews.  Even my pickiest eater ate them!  (although the tops were cut of because they weren't enjoyed very much--but everything covered in bacon got eaten with rave reviews!!!)  If you give them a try, let me know.

The Numbers Are In!

So Christmas has come and gone and what are we left with?  We are left with the accomplishment of dipping over 3700 chocolates, having a terrific Christmas Day, avoiding the nasty flu that went around...oh, and a partridge in a pear tree.

It was a lovely Christmas overall but very busy in my house.  I didn't even get my Christmas Cards done!  Sorry, but a New Years note will have to do for everyone.  The kids are back to school today and I am back to normal life but with an added friend of Roxy, our Puppy.  She will, no doubt, cramp my style at times but I adore her and we'll get things all figured out.  We had fun with my husbands sister and her family (and dog) and had a chance to see many family and friends.  It was a wonderful 2 weeks. 

The house does seem rather quiet so I guess I'd better get some music going and get it in shape.  Puppies are like toddlers and tend to put everything in their mouths...time to get everything out of mouths reach. 

If I haven't said it to you in person, Happy New Year!  I truly wish you all the best this coming year!

Christmas Treat Arrived Early!

So today was a day of surprises for our kids.  It was delightfully fun to see their faces as Grandma and Grandpa delivered their Christmas gift a few days early so that Grandpa could see their faces.  If you want to see how it all went down, here you go...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5tOyy3CM3w

We're still trying to figure out names for her.  She is 8 weeks old and just so sweet.  Initially the kids wanted to call her Tiki--yes, like a Tiki Torch or the Tiki Room--after I caught on to that I put a stop to it.  We decided maybe Roxy would be a better fit.  So we'll see how she fits that one.  Right now we are learning that she has 2 speeds...fast and off.  We're also learning the patience of potty training.  She doesn't like it very much.  But she's pretty little still and we know she'll catch on.  It is going to be a fun Christmas!

Drowning in Chocolate!

Back at it again.  My M-i-L and I recruited my husband and daughter to help dip chocolates this last weekend.  We accomplished a lot and had over 600 dipped by lunch time.  It is no small undertaking.  We had issues with chocolate too hot or too cold, and people not stirring it often enough.  Heaven knows these ones may not be pretty but they were dipped with love.  Chris and Claire have never helped dip like this before.  Claire complained half an hour in that her arm was going to fall off.  It was hilarious.  How I love that kid.  She was happy when we told her she could quit dipping and place the walnut on top of each maple chocolate. 

The coconuts are one of my favorite.  I am really hoping they turned out well this year.  Claire got to help sprinkle the tops on these as well.  She loves being the topper I think.

...and of course it wouldn't be Christmas without peppermint patties.  They seem to be the overwhelming favorite of most people I talk to.  Anyways, I hope you like them this year.  If you want some how to pictures, let me know.  I've taken some step by step ones but wasn't sure if they were interesting enough to post.  :-)

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'....keep that salad rollin'!

So I'm off to a Christmas party this evening and was asked to bring a salad or dessert.  While desserts are an obsession of mine, I decided to do something equally yummy but less fattening; Salad Rolls.  Once upon a time, my brother was married to a girl from Laos and she taught my mother and I how to do these.  They are best served with either peanut sauce or sweet chili sauce (although some people like to use Hoisin Sauce for dipping).  I chose to take both to the party incase someone has an allergy to peanuts or an aversion to spicy things.  I'll give you the low-down on how to make these.

First:  Make your peanut sauce.  1cup water, 1 cup white sugar, 3/4 cup smooth peanut butter (I use Kraft brand), 1/2-2/3 cup white vinegar, 2 TB Hoisin sauce.  Place all ingredients in a sauce pan and bring to a boil stirring constantly...it will look lumpy and wierd for a bit but will smooth out closer to when it's boiling.  Bring it to a boil and allow it to simmer while stirring occasionaly for 5-10 minutes.  It will thicken if you let it do this.  Cool sauce completely.  It will also thicken slightly as it cools.

Once your done your sauce you can build your assembly line.  For the rolls you will need 6 inch rice paper rounds, rice vermicelli noodles, romaine lettuce, carrots, peppers, cucumber, cold cuts (shaved) or cooked shrimp, and red cabbage.  Truly you could use whatever veggies you'd like; just make sure they are prepped small.  For the carrots, I have a special peeler from the asian market in Edmonton that peels them into skinny strips.  They are perfect for Salad rolls that way.

Lay out all your filling ingredients in order and roll one round at a time. 

The rice paper rounds are quite thin and can break easily so be gentle with them.  Fill a large bowl with hot water and place one round in making sure to have it covered in the water.  It will curl at the edges if they aren't in contact with the water.  It will soften quickly and be ready for filling. 

 Gently take it out when it's soft and spread it on your working surface (mine is a cutting board).  Layer your filling ingredients starting with the lettuce--make sure you've removed or broken the spines of the lettuce pieces for easier rolling--Lettuce, meat--if you're using it--2 small pieces of cucumber, some shredded carrot, shredded cabbage, red pepper and rice vermicelli noodles (cooked according to package directions).  **caution**DO NOT OVERFILL OR RICE PAPER WILL SPLIT!**

Roll it up like a burrito tucking in the ends as you go.  Slice it in half.  Arrange the halves on a serving platter and cover with damp paper towels and plastic wrap.  Store in the fridge until you are ready to dig in!

 

Cookies for Santa

So I've been wanting to try a recipe for several months that I found online.  They are for a batch of cookies called Brownie Pillow Cookies.  This blog has given me the excuse to give them a try!  And, I must say that they are divine!  It's like someone came along and said..."Hmmm, this brownie sure is missing something.  I guess I'll have a cookie.  Nope, the cookie is missing something too...better add a brownie to it!"  The are a match made in heaven.  I'm sorry for those of you watching your wastelines but this is not a "Light" recipe.  But it is delish...and I bet your kids would like to share them with Santa on Christmas Eve!  The recipe will be on the left and I'll do the "How To.."  Here.  :-)

Make Brownies and let cool completely.  Cut in about 1 inch squares. 

**Important**Let this dough chill for at least an hour in the fridge.  I chilled mine overnight.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. 

Now the fun part!!

Measure out about 1/2 cup (yes...half a cup) cookie dough and buddy it up with a 1 inch (approx) brownie.

Place the brownie top down in the cookie dough and work dough around the brownie until it's gone...not gone...just hiding and completely covered in cookie dough.  Who wouldn't want a cookie blanket?!? 

You will be able to fit 6 cookies on a regular cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 for 18 minutes.

Let sit on cookie sheet a few minutes and then move to cookie rack.  When you split your cookie in half, you'll find your brownie pillow.  Let me know what you think! 

A Day in the Kitchen

Literally!  I spent a whole day in my kitchen!  Thursday was a wild day.  Because I got the bug on Wednesday, I decided there was no point in procrastinating on Thursday.  I got up and by 9am I had baked all the cookies for my homemade Oreos.  After that I made some killer Peanut Butter Butterscotch sqares and followed those up with a batch of my husbands Grandpa's homemade granola (yum!).  When the granola came out of the oven I decided I needed one more thing...Banana Chocolate Chip Bread.  By the time the banana bread came out of the oven, it was 3 o'clock and school was out.  I couldn't believe it...I'd truly spent the day in my kitchen...and there were plenty of dishes to show for it.  Yesterday I tried a modified recipe for Orange Cranberry muffins.  I wasn't really thrilled with the result of those...they were a little dry.  I threw them in the freezer and have decided to work out some kind of orange glaze to put on them.  We'll see if that works or not.  It was too bad they were dry because they smelled fabulous!!

Christmas is Coming

I had a horrible realization this morning as I was doing my daughter's hair before school...one month until Christmas Eve!!!  Where has the time gone and why is my baking not done.  (Surely typing on my computer isn't going to help my baking get done but here I sit anyways).  I think the tricky part for me about Christmas baking is how much to bake and what will I be left with when the kids go back to school.  This year I plan on my regular recipes with a few new ones as well.  I made an attempt at Wellington Squares yesterday.  They look delish...I've never made them before but have always enjoyed them when I've tasted them elsewhere.  Let's be real, with shortbread, caramel and chocolate, what could go wrong?!?!!?

There will be the usual nuts and bolts along with lots of different cookies.  My m-i-l and I will work on Gingerbread Houses with the kids--I wonder if they'll finish eating them this year or not?  With Christmas comes company and I like to have some things to pull out at the last minute (or make it look like I can do that).  The Greek Bread will be made as we will go through a loaf of that a day (probably need to make a double batch of it) and likely sugar cookies for the kids to decorate.  How I love the smells that come from the kitchen during the Christmas Season.  To me, it makes everything a little merrier and a little brighter.

So here it is...

I have a dear friend who has been insisting that I blog.  You see, I have an addiction.  That addiction is my kitchen and all things that are produced therein.  Unfortunately that addiction has led to sharing treats with friends and neighbors, school teachers, and staff at my husbands work.  My addiction has somewhat led to the food addictions of others.  I've been encouraged to open a bakery, to start my own e-business, and now to start blogging about what comes out of my kitchen...so here it is.

In a given month I can usually be found in my kitchen baking cakes, cookies, "Sin"-a-mon buns, and other various muffins and snacks.  Come Christmas, I spend hours with my m-i-l working on our hand dipped chocolates.  Yesterday for example, we spent around 5 and half hours making the fondant from scratch.  We're doing some of the old favorites as well as trying something new.  This year will be peppermint patties, coconut creams, maple walnut, turtles, turkish delights, truffles, olympian creams, white chocolate candycane bark, and -for the first time- dipped nougat filling.  We, on average, dip 3000 chocolates a year and they are delicious.  The vast majority of these are given as gifts--some people think I'm nuts for just giving them away--the rest are kept for my family to enjoy...and we DO enjoy them.  Everyone seems to have a favorite.  I wish I knew who liked what exactly and then maybe I could rule out making one kind or another.  My husband jokes that if I were to decide to quit making them, he may have an uprising at work and lose his job.  I sure hope he's kidding.