tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11414025835816502702024-02-21T01:54:27.632-06:00Sweetie PetittiIf it takes place in the kitchen, I'm there. Cooking, writing, baking, canning, surfing!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.comBlogger452125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-56747646110274926972023-09-24T16:35:00.004-05:002023-09-24T16:36:46.165-05:0060 Chefs for 60 Years! and Home Depot Retirement Cookies<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgWYdJiz3sCxbpPvHJB2AG8HbHb9d9xfCzoHhn7l_kADXYP1s_Zp7Fi4-bq9YNmj6IvZQy5Mbt7JxJfClSZ881zb9Y-3Cl8wT1ZsbdpLxL1MuXkIX6Dg3jkjXB7qoXrn-nEkNKRgWnVQSQgTNx9MM4Xrd8AMaiku4Poq4SazGHKxXIHA4PXoGNAOrSY8v/s4032/IMG_1818.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgWYdJiz3sCxbpPvHJB2AG8HbHb9d9xfCzoHhn7l_kADXYP1s_Zp7Fi4-bq9YNmj6IvZQy5Mbt7JxJfClSZ881zb9Y-3Cl8wT1ZsbdpLxL1MuXkIX6Dg3jkjXB7qoXrn-nEkNKRgWnVQSQgTNx9MM4Xrd8AMaiku4Poq4SazGHKxXIHA4PXoGNAOrSY8v/w480-h640/IMG_1818.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtQ44GQvg8zUHPYLohWJ_7iSOYwNUJSq4r0UnG2zOBRIeQZDO-Q6wn0Ug2Plit140k5pWWTDnluv3XojVa13ixC6J4aM88oYg7m_-r_QMNTxDOqj-gUKZE_2QSo8sD8Gu9UDsFaBfRLJgK8L33TzHrbDe0LwfrlIMFART0STzHYB97UIsVX5Yn6vhOeU4/s4032/IMG_1820.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtQ44GQvg8zUHPYLohWJ_7iSOYwNUJSq4r0UnG2zOBRIeQZDO-Q6wn0Ug2Plit140k5pWWTDnluv3XojVa13ixC6J4aM88oYg7m_-r_QMNTxDOqj-gUKZE_2QSo8sD8Gu9UDsFaBfRLJgK8L33TzHrbDe0LwfrlIMFART0STzHYB97UIsVX5Yn6vhOeU4/w480-h640/IMG_1820.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Let's start with some cookies....I make so many but I don't want a cookie blog. There are a million of those. But now that I have your attention...</p><p>Here I go again. 10 years ago I decided to write 50 chefs for 50 years, I never finished....so sad. So as I approach the big 6-0, I decided to go at it again. And I have a headstart!!! Here is the original post as I approached <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-fabulous-50.html" target="_blank">50 years</a>. I know that it's pretty lonely out here in the blogosphere....but that's okay. This blog is for me and my family. Some day my kids will read it and chuckle, and be reminded of some of the things we made. </p><p>Here is a reminder of what I've done so far. </p><div><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/first-great-chef-mom-and-steak-in-bag.html">#1 Mom, and Steak In A Bag and Ambrosia Pie</a><br /><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/second-great-chef-chuck-williams-and.html">#2 Chuck Williams (founder of Williams Sonoma) and Cheese Souffle and Chuck's Zucchini</a><br /><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/third-chef-dinah-shore-and-corn-crab.html">#3 Dinah Shore, and Corn Crab Cakes with Jalepeño Tartar Sauce</a><br /><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/50-chefs-for-50-years-deborah-madison.html">#4 Deborah Madison, and Summer Squash Tatines</a><br /><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/50-chefs-for-50-years-max-and-eli.html">#5 & 6 Eli and Max Sussman, and The Best Fall Dinner EVER!</a><br /><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/10/50-great-chefs-for-50-years-ina-and.html">#7 Ina the Barefoot Contessa and Chopped Cape Cod Salad</a><br /><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/10/50-chefs-for-50-years-new-basics-and.html">#8 & 9, Julee Russo and Sheila Lukins, The Silver Palate and Chicken Puttanesca</a></div><div><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/10/50-chefs-and-paul-prudhomme-and.html">#10 Paul Prudhomme and Mirliton Pirogues Stuffed With Andouille and Shrimp</a></div><div><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/11/50-chefs-for-50-years-and-giadas.html">#11 Giada's Pumpkin Spice Cookies</a><br /><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/12/50-chefs-for-50-years-11-richard-sax.html">#12 Richard Sax and Farmer's Market Veggie Soup</a><br /><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2014/01/50-chefs-for-50-years-and-john.html">#13 John Currence and Oven Fried Chicken</a><br /><a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2014/01/50-chefs-for-50-years-and-gilligans.html">#14 Gilligan's Island Coconut Cream Pie</a></div><div><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2014/02/50-chefs-for-50-years-dom-deluise-and.html" target="_blank">#15 Dom Deluise and Orange Cookies</a> </div><div><br /></div><div>Not bad, 15 down, 45 to go. Guess I better get cooking! I am totally revisiting some of the above chefs, because I go to them often, and I know you won't mind. So check back. No pop up ads here. Never did this to make money...just a journalism major using her mad skills. See you in the kitchen!</div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-34226357722305499092022-08-22T15:14:00.002-05:002022-08-22T15:14:20.661-05:00Bourbon and Cigar Birthday Cookies & Bourbon Rice Krispies<p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddYtX-CkbeiRjAk48tcTwIXXZnbb-GJdFTJLxv-wSy9Q4yjd7_qskyCudkshnqRcs-HmOSfbTdbJXmBkCbFPdmglicSktgZXYCgc16KCloGuWvnbrX6rKvJxkP9Xq2rLRe_TbgLzjF3Hyv8MDaLu3FzQ5aIh_sssIZ5x8dh0ydXq8G2gtXzmuqsmJxw/s3023/F64215B7-18EA-4B0C-B170-3C8E360D5DD7_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="3023" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddYtX-CkbeiRjAk48tcTwIXXZnbb-GJdFTJLxv-wSy9Q4yjd7_qskyCudkshnqRcs-HmOSfbTdbJXmBkCbFPdmglicSktgZXYCgc16KCloGuWvnbrX6rKvJxkP9Xq2rLRe_TbgLzjF3Hyv8MDaLu3FzQ5aIh_sssIZ5x8dh0ydXq8G2gtXzmuqsmJxw/w640-h374/F64215B7-18EA-4B0C-B170-3C8E360D5DD7_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are the final platter</td></tr></tbody></table><p> Boy, time sure does slip by....I never stop cooking and baking, but I seem to have stopped writing. Let's change that. Now that summer is slowly creeping toward fall, I love the idea of a fire, some bourbon, a cigar (to smell, not smoke), a night without tv, a night outside. It's such a misnomer about summertime in the South, sitting outside at night is not pleasant. I love my screened in porch every month of the year except June, July and August. So. Damn. Hot. Here is a little Bourbon love. The cookies have no bourbon in them, just painted to look like it! The Rice Krispie Treat however....these are seriously addicting! First the cookies. I made them first for my Nic, I needed a practice run with the painting. He had no issues being my guinea pig. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRz5IRiREyJGE9PrDCjbxmi6WMuRZxnIqrPYb2KVZipmqmlc1ZsGefTjLflZE35WK6JcCDY9AqLCfRaNTNMpPVRs-3ykpQ6EdtNttS696Umf2k9xPCldD8HN6IQN9EL9WrT5Xar2hKFBwEQh3zjk4pyeGr2D2cGIm2ygxDghwJiDPS4FkFniBkIR4Kw/s3952/4AB90E2B-CACC-4D6E-BB61-D9B8FC9142F1_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3952" data-original-width="1576" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRz5IRiREyJGE9PrDCjbxmi6WMuRZxnIqrPYb2KVZipmqmlc1ZsGefTjLflZE35WK6JcCDY9AqLCfRaNTNMpPVRs-3ykpQ6EdtNttS696Umf2k9xPCldD8HN6IQN9EL9WrT5Xar2hKFBwEQh3zjk4pyeGr2D2cGIm2ygxDghwJiDPS4FkFniBkIR4Kw/s320/4AB90E2B-CACC-4D6E-BB61-D9B8FC9142F1_1_201_a.heic" width="128" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>I love to paint on cookies, it's a relatively new skill I am working on. It all started with these <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2019/11/water-color-christmas-cookies.html" target="_blank">amazing Christmas cookies</a>. Then I found this gorgeous Chinese brush pot. It is intended for calligraphy tools I believe, but I had to have it. I have searched the web and have never found a match, but there are gorgeous brush pots out there! And, if you know me, you know I love birds!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcR3TjminHHVz26oqERHnbe2OHIQ3_1yg2qx5Qg9Ki_q-3rcbW-bgW58s8nCUiVK0bj9rbrd8iJh2GWVB794t8odYrwBjaVdAhgl6oQuK7EVVz4FWTapi6l5bjJTf0VhgJm6_o81eewDe0X7tVZA759qA5f6jYohLMfqiGFJv72R_0HVkMtIcqmNdmA/s4032/5DF91884-6F65-485F-A26D-FE38951E1190.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNcR3TjminHHVz26oqERHnbe2OHIQ3_1yg2qx5Qg9Ki_q-3rcbW-bgW58s8nCUiVK0bj9rbrd8iJh2GWVB794t8odYrwBjaVdAhgl6oQuK7EVVz4FWTapi6l5bjJTf0VhgJm6_o81eewDe0X7tVZA759qA5f6jYohLMfqiGFJv72R_0HVkMtIcqmNdmA/w480-h640/5DF91884-6F65-485F-A26D-FE38951E1190.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hF_r0T9iOjZJkBHZSqPxqMl3eBpGzDo3cpQzZKE06dGbzoyXWYv-SXQxQV3ysgs7SyC52e-KZ67CUMRPz9YiIWtFjUcdPKEJa2Ek62ezuZwOkBXCJRIJscp1t_KkMskeoOcbStLL9M4-Bz4qx_fCH8oH9e8oZWPPkxSqVXALIVR9rpqfQEA-SUgAzQ/s4032/9F6F29FF-F640-425C-937D-9FEE1E73CC9A.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hF_r0T9iOjZJkBHZSqPxqMl3eBpGzDo3cpQzZKE06dGbzoyXWYv-SXQxQV3ysgs7SyC52e-KZ67CUMRPz9YiIWtFjUcdPKEJa2Ek62ezuZwOkBXCJRIJscp1t_KkMskeoOcbStLL9M4-Bz4qx_fCH8oH9e8oZWPPkxSqVXALIVR9rpqfQEA-SUgAzQ/w480-h640/9F6F29FF-F640-425C-937D-9FEE1E73CC9A.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So these 2 photos are the first attempt for Nic. We were pretty happy with them, but felt maybe the color was too intense. They were a bit of a rush job, so I knew the cookies the following week would be an improvement!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMBMosJhmxvhX7b5SwL2UXE2mDUSVrc83VumO7AZjdgjL3LD0k5AJlLg2Yfb3u95PY2utZeFWS05k9gF0x2WRO5QLgJeeXG6vs6_rO1LuPcRdrw_CEgrAXcAN6NafO7lzZ4OGBDLwnNRkr9nOkjm76o56dqHzW0d-wynajD-Z3uu889zKkzlG8VwCBA/s3023/16BBAB12-FA68-42F5-AB8C-5B00186BB1E6_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2939" data-original-width="3023" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPMBMosJhmxvhX7b5SwL2UXE2mDUSVrc83VumO7AZjdgjL3LD0k5AJlLg2Yfb3u95PY2utZeFWS05k9gF0x2WRO5QLgJeeXG6vs6_rO1LuPcRdrw_CEgrAXcAN6NafO7lzZ4OGBDLwnNRkr9nOkjm76o56dqHzW0d-wynajD-Z3uu889zKkzlG8VwCBA/w640-h622/16BBAB12-FA68-42F5-AB8C-5B00186BB1E6_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddYtX-CkbeiRjAk48tcTwIXXZnbb-GJdFTJLxv-wSy9Q4yjd7_qskyCudkshnqRcs-HmOSfbTdbJXmBkCbFPdmglicSktgZXYCgc16KCloGuWvnbrX6rKvJxkP9Xq2rLRe_TbgLzjF3Hyv8MDaLu3FzQ5aIh_sssIZ5x8dh0ydXq8G2gtXzmuqsmJxw/s3023/F64215B7-18EA-4B0C-B170-3C8E360D5DD7_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1765" data-original-width="3023" height="374" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiddYtX-CkbeiRjAk48tcTwIXXZnbb-GJdFTJLxv-wSy9Q4yjd7_qskyCudkshnqRcs-HmOSfbTdbJXmBkCbFPdmglicSktgZXYCgc16KCloGuWvnbrX6rKvJxkP9Xq2rLRe_TbgLzjF3Hyv8MDaLu3FzQ5aIh_sssIZ5x8dh0ydXq8G2gtXzmuqsmJxw/w640-h374/F64215B7-18EA-4B0C-B170-3C8E360D5DD7_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a><div><br /></div><div>I was thrilled with them and my friend said her husband thought they were perfect. Can't ask for more than that! Then the call came for my friend's retirement party, and his drink of choice is an Old Fashioned. So I painted a cherry in the bourbon! Worked out well!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne95bOMv2GrPxDLaKMwTky4i7npHCku1y7vZ8u0AOMscUYoERT5kA9qvmebJVqlsHd8ZyqxXt1zKtRlUdydd8AY-ixlAmvFE3XbhwdysywkqQz5CxngqUwtxGE9utkWEG0hr8uLDud8pAcrKyw-r5W7ZXcMhpp6PVvayys32DxLITIE_LhNVNe2DhWQ/s640/IMG_0696.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="601" data-original-width="640" height="602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhne95bOMv2GrPxDLaKMwTky4i7npHCku1y7vZ8u0AOMscUYoERT5kA9qvmebJVqlsHd8ZyqxXt1zKtRlUdydd8AY-ixlAmvFE3XbhwdysywkqQz5CxngqUwtxGE9utkWEG0hr8uLDud8pAcrKyw-r5W7ZXcMhpp6PVvayys32DxLITIE_LhNVNe2DhWQ/w640-h602/IMG_0696.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Old Fashioned on the lake sound delightful!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>So after all the cookies, I was headed to visit kids, and was thinking of some sweet treat to make while I was there. </div><div>I found this recipe on Food52 and in true form I tweaked it based on the reviews. I am a browned butter fan from way back, so there was nothing new there. And I tend to add way more rice cereal than a treat recipe calls for and I have been known to use up all the marshmallow bags that have been hiding. There is no chemistry here, just sticky mallows and rice cereal. Add as much as you like. If you use Dandy Marshmallows, people complain they don't melt well. I disagree. They are vegan, but honestly the best mallow I have ever had, they make great treats, and if I ever find the maple ones I will let you know! I figured I better add more bourbon too, my son had this smoked maple bourbon....some chocolate wouldn't be terrible...</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFAQ4wRG65ZRrqn9MXQ2VFHtvEuWGxOOdXdlUF-P_4exZWT_-WDc_WJI_nyptpEyXmSbsZl5B9LjjwuaxBP0R3Cf653gNsb2HBJ14UXW_p3Hyq2_ldqJR3KzRghEtTRGBKtrZ6UeIyQn3sN3ugZOtUa3BYmw531ctqxaB-P0VlQUGYr-uJQlmm5t-2g/s3385/7161E521-1E51-40CF-B20A-C9B950B9583D_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3385" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoFAQ4wRG65ZRrqn9MXQ2VFHtvEuWGxOOdXdlUF-P_4exZWT_-WDc_WJI_nyptpEyXmSbsZl5B9LjjwuaxBP0R3Cf653gNsb2HBJ14UXW_p3Hyq2_ldqJR3KzRghEtTRGBKtrZ6UeIyQn3sN3ugZOtUa3BYmw531ctqxaB-P0VlQUGYr-uJQlmm5t-2g/w400-h358/7161E521-1E51-40CF-B20A-C9B950B9583D_1_201_a.heic" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Browned Butter Bourbon Rice Krispie Treats </span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>2 sticks salted butter</div><div>3 bags mini marshmallows (12oz bags)</div><div>1/2 cup bourbon (twice as much as they call for :)</div><div>1 T vanilla</div><div>1/4 teaspoon salt</div><div>12oz box Rice Krispies</div><div><br /></div><div>In your biggest pasta pot, melt the butter gently until the color turns light golden brown. The butter should take on a nutty aroma. Don't rush this, if the butter burns you have to start over. Add your marshmallows, I just dump them all in. Stir and stir and stir until the mallows are melted and smooth. Remove from heat and add vanilla, cereal and salt. I add enough cereal so the treats aren't gooey, but crunchy. It was suggested to not press them too firmly into the pan, and I think that's great advice. Keep the cereal crispy! Top with flaked sea salt if desired, and if there was a layer of dark chocolate, sea salt would be just what they need! </div><div>Now yes, there is bourbon in here. Will a kid get drunk? Doubt it. Will they taste it? If you use a half cup, yep. Alcohol does evaporate over time, so I would suspect they'd lose their alcohol potency but not the flavor. I am not an authority on this, so serve them to your adult friends and make the kids some Scotcharoos. You don't know what those are? Just wait. I'll be back soon! </div><div>What are you waiting for? Get in there and cook!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8EJzkUEdmKZ05YhIfEuEO3tHoK9BUS4mIC5XIraKOT6ck9LZzs8FOW8Hiv3ZW8u6Vyl5tm5EfF5DSQEOmr38IEYFm70EM5Nzq8QXNM2t9JHs0u5QOjIaW7IGqbV0L3R5dYfOC4sxbh6kd0MS25xexXw0tTEnCsOipP8VrZS9d36Hj6pLLIDIqpbaSA/s4032/0D3573E2-E3DA-442D-B9F3-ABA95B6915D1.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8EJzkUEdmKZ05YhIfEuEO3tHoK9BUS4mIC5XIraKOT6ck9LZzs8FOW8Hiv3ZW8u6Vyl5tm5EfF5DSQEOmr38IEYFm70EM5Nzq8QXNM2t9JHs0u5QOjIaW7IGqbV0L3R5dYfOC4sxbh6kd0MS25xexXw0tTEnCsOipP8VrZS9d36Hj6pLLIDIqpbaSA/w640-h480/0D3573E2-E3DA-442D-B9F3-ABA95B6915D1.heic" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too squished. Delicious, but maybe a bit too compact!</td></tr></tbody></table></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-27336924309654017642022-01-04T15:45:00.001-06:002022-01-04T15:45:35.728-06:00Happy Joe's Taco Pizza Returns<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUJIKoz6CMabU7LIrO4Juqyu1Gmk96kaMpmB9L67fTL9ERp426Wm4ELk-XlFsIXfo1YL2Wv5e7ZF2vZFQFKA4evz2_V5DAqDrz6lgfFDpeAJxiL5mi_tgH8UYhEzwKLglEJoMziHmdghu/s4032/07075EDB-1C7E-4A16-AD59-E7EF5E45584B_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUJIKoz6CMabU7LIrO4Juqyu1Gmk96kaMpmB9L67fTL9ERp426Wm4ELk-XlFsIXfo1YL2Wv5e7ZF2vZFQFKA4evz2_V5DAqDrz6lgfFDpeAJxiL5mi_tgH8UYhEzwKLglEJoMziHmdghu/w480-h640/07075EDB-1C7E-4A16-AD59-E7EF5E45584B_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p> HAPPY NEW YEAR!</p><p>2022. I tiptoe into this new year. The last 2 Januarys have been harbingers of rough years. Without detail, trust me, things really can go only get better. I've been rethinking the blog, and wondering do I stick solely to cookies? But no. I faithfully post them all on my Instagram, go there! I am so much more than sugar cookies. I love everything about making them, love selling them, love being a part of so many celebrations. But oh do I love to cook. So cook we will. Let's continue this journey. But I promise, there'll be no scrolling past multiple ads and senseless writing. Recipes and stories, that's my life. I am happy to continue to share. Let's start with a family favorite.</p><p>A few years back I wrote about my favorite pizza of all time, <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2011/04/happy-joes-taco-pizza.html">Happy Joe's Taco Pizza</a>. It turns out there are a LOT of you who feel the same way! I have an old friend associated with the Happy Joe's Pizza of my childhood and he went to that blog post and admitted....I'm pretty close. So I decided since I found some throwback Taco Doritos we may tweak this recipe. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs79U3ojQtStYTxLuIu6MYrQY1L4KegwHLXuJzsscOoRf9F8ADtUny0z2YXXnJtGFVvZ3K-sf2zTQ7UnXYXiHv_pQmW80OcCllvE61vRbwL3W4A7iWWyFJo_OnGZumRqqvjfeoPAX4FuB/s2048/FB927A58-4C4D-4AEF-ADE2-E5B3E144FEC1.heic" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhs79U3ojQtStYTxLuIu6MYrQY1L4KegwHLXuJzsscOoRf9F8ADtUny0z2YXXnJtGFVvZ3K-sf2zTQ7UnXYXiHv_pQmW80OcCllvE61vRbwL3W4A7iWWyFJo_OnGZumRqqvjfeoPAX4FuB/w300-h400/FB927A58-4C4D-4AEF-ADE2-E5B3E144FEC1.heic" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot out of the oven!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>First a little history. My first trip to Happy Joe's was in Clinton, Iowa. It was my birthday, and I know that because we never really ate out in a restaurant unless we were traveling or a special occasion, and everyone said you had to go to Happy Joe's on your birthday. After our pizza they brought me a sundae with a candle on it and they honked this big brass horn, "May I have everyone's attention, we are celebrating a special birthday tonight at Happy Joe's, Susie is 12 years old today!" I assume they all sang happy birthday as well. The waitresses in their iconic short red dresses with crinoline fluff underneath and the red and white saddle shoes. The guys wore red and white stripe shirts. For the 70's it was vintage and nostalgic. For 2021, it seems even more nostalgic. </p><p>The costumes of course are gone, probably replaced by polyester polo shirts and baseball caps. There's been times when the menu offered oddities like sit down dining with onion rings and burger fare, a frozen yogurt bar, and their new breakfast pizza (which I am not opposed to). I miss the charming ice cream shop feel up front, barrels of penny candy and hand scooped ice cream, sundaes with whipped cream and cherries, and a model train running the rails around the ceiling, and lets not forget the horn and the singing. But all things change, no wait staff anymore, order at the counter, fill your own drink, no trains, no horns, no ice cream parlor feel. I miss the old ways, honestly. But the pizza hasn't changed. I still order an extra taco pizza and freeze it for the trip home. I still ask for extra taco sauce because it's delicious and I can never have enough. </p><p>My Happy Joe's friend is coming to visit, so I thought we'd brush up on the pizza before I made it for him. Here's how this version went. Note that the Publix dough is one of my favorites, and the last time we had it was on a pizza oven outdoors on a Camp Chef Grill. It was amazing. We discovered this dough is not good for high heat oven cooking. Its so fluffy it was impossible to get a thin crust, and it was a little doughy inside. I need to just bite the bullet and make it from scratch. However, Because of the nature of this pizza, a premade crust would not be terrible, a thin and crispy type crust is what it needs. This crust was yummy, but very airy, big bubbles (which are the best with traditional sauce) but we ate all of it. Every bite. And we declared it the best version yet.</p><p>FOR 2 PIZZAS</p><p>1 1/2 pounds ground beef</p><p>Taco seasoning for the beef</p><p>2 pizza dough balls from Publix</p><p>cornmeal for dusting</p><p>1 can traditional refried beans</p><p>1 jar pizza sauce</p><p>1 bag shredded mozzarella</p><p>1 bag shredded cheddar </p><p>shredded iceberg lettuce</p><p>chopped tomatoes</p><p>Taco Doritos</p><p>Happy Joe's Taco Seasoning</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbbY4VVUoGHqAT7f77hUQ__n_xTF9Jp70v0G6ff_cGVRexNAKA5hQcB-bbVTMWLVV87yY-3cgDszwBaz2hpXuzl32bxhYUbRdfH9iTQmyPAtMc45sJpu1tJNhxamF3SRNghi5l5UU65R_/s2048/DA0BC2B2-16B5-4CB5-880C-D40B0EEDC4A7.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWbbY4VVUoGHqAT7f77hUQ__n_xTF9Jp70v0G6ff_cGVRexNAKA5hQcB-bbVTMWLVV87yY-3cgDszwBaz2hpXuzl32bxhYUbRdfH9iTQmyPAtMc45sJpu1tJNhxamF3SRNghi5l5UU65R_/s320/DA0BC2B2-16B5-4CB5-880C-D40B0EEDC4A7.heic" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWci1SpZRiAluU22WwBeiCRhgn5fqJQNW3rAFGF8AxEEwu1lkXSwqdP0AzaZsOpHQSe5XLy6qInbVH4ac_hCETH-xznfKzjHOcihNlF12oh6AyRIMMERXbefijHrMCekyRvghJra_dpHez/s2048/3698C096-52B3-45F1-81A1-9A8ED812E762.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWci1SpZRiAluU22WwBeiCRhgn5fqJQNW3rAFGF8AxEEwu1lkXSwqdP0AzaZsOpHQSe5XLy6qInbVH4ac_hCETH-xznfKzjHOcihNlF12oh6AyRIMMERXbefijHrMCekyRvghJra_dpHez/s320/3698C096-52B3-45F1-81A1-9A8ED812E762.heic" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu8MYBm8bMaHBImFjswUhwfH6kBvZLwYfw57Fmd-LOuG3N4Z9G00KOeHzEYOenjNsP2tItGyKLx2bJQmNth0vmBKa0iAGyf97xccbYZ_PQJzd_4QN0YP0_BAlpT0ZQwoetbjK2idqkRHF/s2048/7BDEF265-1B4F-4C83-8B99-A2A016FA1D10.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu8MYBm8bMaHBImFjswUhwfH6kBvZLwYfw57Fmd-LOuG3N4Z9G00KOeHzEYOenjNsP2tItGyKLx2bJQmNth0vmBKa0iAGyf97xccbYZ_PQJzd_4QN0YP0_BAlpT0ZQwoetbjK2idqkRHF/s320/7BDEF265-1B4F-4C83-8B99-A2A016FA1D10.heic" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Brown the ground beef in a little olive oil and add the taco seasoning to it. I am not opposed to a packet, but homemade is easy and delicious. Set the cooked and seasoned meat aside.</p><p>Take your room temperature crust and stretch and shape to desired size. We tossed and spread out the crust to about 12-14" so it would fit the pizza stone preheating at 500º in my oven. We did it on a pizza peel with a dusting of corn meal. A pre bake would have been a great idea here...but we didn't.</p><p>Mix the refried beans and the pizza sauce together. The last time I added the Happy Joes Pizza Sauce, and I think it has no place here. It is a topping and not an ingredient! Cover the crust with the sauce mixture. I had about 1/3 of a cup left over, we ate it with some chips while the pizza cooked. </p><p>Cover each pizza with the ground beef, then both cheeses. Gently slide onto a preheated stone and bake, carefully watching. I found with the fat crust baking for about 8 minutes and then cranking the heat down to 300 and continue to bake worked the best. The dough was not totally raw, but it will be better with thinner dough and a fast bake. </p><p>Remove the pizza and top with shredded lettuce and tomatoes and crunched up Taco Doritos. Serve with the one and only Happy Joe's Taco Sauce. </p><p>As a footnote, we used Trader Joe's dough and the above recipe and cooked it on our Ooni. The thinner dough is much better, but that Ooni is making me nuts. We need some practice on it! What are you waiting for? Get in there and cook!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-4361156765290789392021-10-23T19:53:00.000-05:002021-10-23T19:53:03.991-05:00Burnt Ends <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR2tMQUyTiGMAlSnObxbq4Lp3ZQCVRyY8nSmqwvT8s2tchrdBjfu7MgtaHb_d9wjz_ZRpg59NBj1SmFROlVPrMOSCRzaYsrTazSHDgvYMTgkh5M2ypKf_cCJjkToXmsgm-c9n3EJ8YIAh/s2048/15727FBD-AF52-4B3B-885C-8559FF89A3E9_1_201_a.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwR2tMQUyTiGMAlSnObxbq4Lp3ZQCVRyY8nSmqwvT8s2tchrdBjfu7MgtaHb_d9wjz_ZRpg59NBj1SmFROlVPrMOSCRzaYsrTazSHDgvYMTgkh5M2ypKf_cCJjkToXmsgm-c9n3EJ8YIAh/w640-h480/15727FBD-AF52-4B3B-885C-8559FF89A3E9_1_201_a.heic" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smokey, saucey and tender.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>I love Instagram, and one day I scrolled and saw the same photo over and over for burnt ends. I did some googling and today was our second attempt at this deliciousness! When you look at recipes, many use brisket, pork belly, one even called for Waygu. I made what is commonly referred to as Poor Man's Burnt Ends. And frankly, the name sort of ticks me off. I get it, chuck roast, which is what I used, isn't the most expensive cut of meat. I wait for it to go on special at Whole Foods...love that Prime discount, and I know it is thicker and better than a chain grocery meat counter. It's a gorgeous hunk of meat, and in just a few hours, what a treat!</p><p>We have a couple Green Eggs, but when it comes to smoking, we really love this <a href="https://www.homedepot.com/p/Dyna-Glo-Compact-19-in-Dia-Charcoal-Smoker-in-High-Gloss-Forest-Green-DGVS390GC-D/308789210" target="_blank">little bullet smoker</a> from Home Depot. It's cheap and does a great job. We bought it when we needed more ribs smoked than the Green Egg coud handle, and now its the go-to smoker. It's so easy to use, and any charcoal works for me. While the little smoker was heating up, we basically rubbed the roast with dry rub. I make my own, following a recipe from one of my favorite Insta accounts, Grilling 24X7. <a href="https://grilling24x7.com/bbq-dry-rub-seasoning-for-pork-loin/" target="_blank">This Dry Rub</a> makes a great gift, and is delicious. I skipped the cayenne and red pepper flakes as I am the only spice lover here. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5ij2IEGNKBIT17IPnOKiGtN9CqFDgq2t6M-LmXs4vZJ9gEq1HJFP8RbPARXCBmrTJD-TM54EMDEhRVjxC2NcQlUt6UBYP32gBvFNSD9OxLB6VHGWs0iiLlef-3aDLZceUOxCCA0cxlbc/s2048/BEF75F43-25AD-4FAE-A4C5-A209905095BB.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5ij2IEGNKBIT17IPnOKiGtN9CqFDgq2t6M-LmXs4vZJ9gEq1HJFP8RbPARXCBmrTJD-TM54EMDEhRVjxC2NcQlUt6UBYP32gBvFNSD9OxLB6VHGWs0iiLlef-3aDLZceUOxCCA0cxlbc/w480-h640/BEF75F43-25AD-4FAE-A4C5-A209905095BB.heic" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoker set up, we added a handful of applewood chips. </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Once the smoker was hot, 250 degrees is ideal, we put the meat on. Our little smoker has the water in the bottom (add wood chips!) and a couple shelves. We put the meat up top, and wiggled the vents to keep the heat constant. It did get a little hot, and that isn't the way to cook this. Low and slow so it falls apart is best. I think that's the beauty of a chuck roast, there is a bit of fat, so it doesn't really get tough. But, going slower and longer, it will fall apart, think pot roast.... It should smoke in there for a good 4 hours. I only add wood chips at the beginning, if you use good charcoal it doesn't need more smoke in my opinion. We may have gotten a little antsy, and hungry, so we pulled it after 2 1/2 hours. It was cooked, but not perfectly tender. Back on it went. Be patient. Pull it off at 4 hours and cool for half hour or so. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBts5E4ROcCsL9HM-7OtxsSJLRCRQe9p3XY62A5xPPz6VaQwJelhFB6eaYnBmZKxCnYlmfcqFqMO8G2wcfwlRNGCqiN3BxdBWrQecij3NebJuM1_wcegJtMNGZy21J4sZmsMAlO9eSWvl/s2048/47A96CFB-54E6-4815-ADC4-1F34F14FA86F.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBts5E4ROcCsL9HM-7OtxsSJLRCRQe9p3XY62A5xPPz6VaQwJelhFB6eaYnBmZKxCnYlmfcqFqMO8G2wcfwlRNGCqiN3BxdBWrQecij3NebJuM1_wcegJtMNGZy21J4sZmsMAlO9eSWvl/w480-h640/47A96CFB-54E6-4815-ADC4-1F34F14FA86F.heic" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was 2 1/2 hours, we gave it a little longer....</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The first time we made these, we wrapped it in foil after 3 hours and cooked it an hour more. After reading opinions on this, I decided I liked the crispy exterior, and it gets lost when it's wrapped in foil. Today we skipped the foil step and liked it better for sure.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPm6uWfmNUEDtOiKo-ze41-LEjlaOO88JHzYmdLndxtgjis6o3xr6QaIDmzCn6IfEBjX74KkNlrsIFwyuy4Ka8HqDH1Ctjsc-MYZ2QpsGYBWYtC6ez2DTVv5x8w9Cwi-fdMlIefRCSZQc/s2048/4B621D0B-2447-4C23-A4BE-47298D36C470.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsPm6uWfmNUEDtOiKo-ze41-LEjlaOO88JHzYmdLndxtgjis6o3xr6QaIDmzCn6IfEBjX74KkNlrsIFwyuy4Ka8HqDH1Ctjsc-MYZ2QpsGYBWYtC6ez2DTVv5x8w9Cwi-fdMlIefRCSZQc/w480-h640/4B621D0B-2447-4C23-A4BE-47298D36C470.heic" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is one 3# roast, so the last stage goes faster in a single layer.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Cut the roast into cubes and put the meat in a foil pan with the sauce. Many recipes suggest more rub at this point as well. We did that the first time and felt like it was just too much rub, and we skipped that step today. Most BBQ sauces have a fair amount of sugar, and will caramelize well, but I added a tablespoon of honey to speed up the caramelization, a little brown sugar would work too. A good hour to 2 is best to really get the cubes crispy and shiney with sauce. It'll be less time if they are a single layer in the pan like mine, we went an hour. If you cook a couple roasts and fill a pan for the last step, leave them longer to get them coated with sauce. We stirred every 15 minutes. You'll know if they're ready, you won't be able to stand it. Also, take a fork to check it out! The chunks should be super tender. </p><p>Burnt Ends</p><p>3# chuck roast. Rub well on all sides with dry rub. Prepare smoker with a water reservoir and some wood chips if you like. Smoke the roast at 250 degrees. No higher, for 4 hours. Maybe a bit longer if there are 2 roasts in there. Take meat off, it should be dark and crispy. Cool for 15-30 minutes and cut into cubes. Put the meat cubes in a disposable foil pan with BBQ sauce of your choice. Add a bit of honey (1-2T) or brown sugar (2-4T) for additional sweetness and caramelization if desired. Mix well and put back on smoker for 1-2 hours depending on quantity. Stir every 15 minutes and remove when glossy and delicious. </p><p>What are you waiting for? Get out there and cook!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-60808365965215625092020-12-11T09:13:00.005-06:002020-12-11T09:13:43.981-06:00Christmas Past.....MERRY ME!<p> Every once in awhile I made a platter of cookies that even I am like, Wow! I did that! This is one of those platters. I made them last CHristmas when we were partying and socializing. It's kind of sad to think this wedding probably was postponed or drastically cut. I personally was uninvited to 5 weddings in 2020! My directions for this party was Christmas but not Christmas green, and engagement but not "she said yes" cookies as they were engaged a few weeks ago. I know this friend well, and I knew this would be a pretty dressed up party (no blue jeans here), so the cookies needed to be elegant as well.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLx5t0oOaw3J3g_Au8q-HexyYXd4-wyJJWLmQ5upTOANHoqs42Vq47wZV17XV7IezVzl2tV2BBNX_nTobLSDvW3KWZsieIMaUK2tATarKC2xxyPYEibT3MkuxKTdl-wByOUCrAfNw_Odu/s1600/3F510055-A67E-4264-81FC-EB3536F1F918.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzLx5t0oOaw3J3g_Au8q-HexyYXd4-wyJJWLmQ5upTOANHoqs42Vq47wZV17XV7IezVzl2tV2BBNX_nTobLSDvW3KWZsieIMaUK2tATarKC2xxyPYEibT3MkuxKTdl-wByOUCrAfNw_Odu/s640/3F510055-A67E-4264-81FC-EB3536F1F918.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br />We decided on gold accents, which I just love with red and sage. I hand painted the rings because I find gold airbrush to be the strangest color!! I love some sugar crystals to add a little texture to the platter, and of course a diamond should sparkle. There might be a dash of disco dust on there.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74RHZsORX_DFduq_6iGSGVrTqMZQIq4gNxcFwUo79AOkpY00Tc5zPfZavyAFg_dGbyulkdaPCr6uwRNfOGeNAzQVkfklXsj9VziHpr7t3vWPihKMZ9MXYceFTTI7HklbwKJ14LJz21d51/s1600/191D08AA-25BF-419D-B033-E1814FBDEC17_1_201_a.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74RHZsORX_DFduq_6iGSGVrTqMZQIq4gNxcFwUo79AOkpY00Tc5zPfZavyAFg_dGbyulkdaPCr6uwRNfOGeNAzQVkfklXsj9VziHpr7t3vWPihKMZ9MXYceFTTI7HklbwKJ14LJz21d51/s640/191D08AA-25BF-419D-B033-E1814FBDEC17_1_201_a.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> I love the way the platters came together. They originally wanted to do their own platters which I understand. It's the South, we use Grandma's sterling and fine antique crystal, but I told them I would fill 2, 18" platters and it is doubtful they have anything that could accomodate 5 dozen cookies. I know people are turned off by disposable plastic, but I am pretty adamant about making the platter myself. I have lots of practice!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73MXKxeT4CK_pex1OI1Px5QE3uNCAoJ3Ep_JrrCFR8-GSjqnAngPYp-D9Q8PfJQ3qXZFPAdHFilTM98jabc-qoK8TjIgxb8ChYiax2Lz_P0C6QMBwTTAqoBqFX3qbmLAyty3fP99rmPBt/s1600/302ABD60-3A9B-431B-B316-EE69B53BE014.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi73MXKxeT4CK_pex1OI1Px5QE3uNCAoJ3Ep_JrrCFR8-GSjqnAngPYp-D9Q8PfJQ3qXZFPAdHFilTM98jabc-qoK8TjIgxb8ChYiax2Lz_P0C6QMBwTTAqoBqFX3qbmLAyty3fP99rmPBt/s640/302ABD60-3A9B-431B-B316-EE69B53BE014.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br />A few days before pick up, she texted me and asked if I could add a dozen cookies. Hmmm. I usually have some basic blanks, and I had these fat stars. I just love the Merry Me on them!!! They were a sweet addition, get it, sweet addition? Yep. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jqhKHas8VCx0kMx-T9FvU4I5COyYBsAtgYevNq6J94qfDwSWgpOGomJiT08VZpCyChD157KuBwxzSEqtrjilLWoMUPzSfbEkvGRIYnfSkU0frF8iHCq5OAAFpoBofXnmh7dronvbD29F/s1600/A6173ADA-E010-4755-A162-6FD42577C8D7.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jqhKHas8VCx0kMx-T9FvU4I5COyYBsAtgYevNq6J94qfDwSWgpOGomJiT08VZpCyChD157KuBwxzSEqtrjilLWoMUPzSfbEkvGRIYnfSkU0frF8iHCq5OAAFpoBofXnmh7dronvbD29F/s640/A6173ADA-E010-4755-A162-6FD42577C8D7.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /> I knew she was planning on doing white flowers, and I assumed there'd be poinsettias. I found a tutorial from <a href="https://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/2012/11/royal-icing-poinsettias/" target="_blank">Sugarbelle on making poinsettias.</a> I didn't do so well. I had the tip, but I made these giant round cookies thinking I could fill it with one poinsettia. That didn't work. I made dozens of these smaller poinsettias on parchment paper and put 3 on a round cookie, but I know I will use them all the season. I improvised and I really love my very organic poinsettias! I also loved the white background for my poinsettias where I sprinkled a little gold shimmer on the white, I just loved the way everything sparkled! The hearts were inspired by Clough'd 9 cookies, Amy is super talented. My pine boughs need a little refining.....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu2LvPNCJPWiGLtLZ4KQk9kC-g5H-v-XQIokH7a2qnI9kNg3b2rsXIUp8vw43Uqm00Ue6eXNfMqoQEVUvdks9T8t-wKJY31NXJg5VpolYrqtXwUGyZCC3nt3kpLw7RMgbSIVQnpLgupmV/s1600/AC030D96-3317-49B5-93F1-E45EEBF78E4B.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEu2LvPNCJPWiGLtLZ4KQk9kC-g5H-v-XQIokH7a2qnI9kNg3b2rsXIUp8vw43Uqm00Ue6eXNfMqoQEVUvdks9T8t-wKJY31NXJg5VpolYrqtXwUGyZCC3nt3kpLw7RMgbSIVQnpLgupmV/s640/AC030D96-3317-49B5-93F1-E45EEBF78E4B.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br />So there you have it. Another Christmas first in the books. Ho, ho, ho....what are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!!!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-70099177123159680122020-10-10T09:07:00.007-05:002020-10-10T11:11:30.547-05:00The Blog Continues<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzMeGyAQbtQNyt5EzUmSkMOHih11OyUNOxZkH-_OhmaqoGaMhSz7dleOYDL-yWzxnK1578Ukm0YSC6jlNrU4iV4wmCt3S2lbsh_6XHvFWRUeLFcfqeJhVKWu-lTbR0oCPjRk31avNE1gH/s1125/E24F3C6A-5575-47E0-8D00-3E22F9F0DF88.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1118" data-original-width="1125" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzMeGyAQbtQNyt5EzUmSkMOHih11OyUNOxZkH-_OhmaqoGaMhSz7dleOYDL-yWzxnK1578Ukm0YSC6jlNrU4iV4wmCt3S2lbsh_6XHvFWRUeLFcfqeJhVKWu-lTbR0oCPjRk31avNE1gH/w640-h636/E24F3C6A-5575-47E0-8D00-3E22F9F0DF88.jpeg" title="Fall seems like the best time to start again..." width="640" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>I wrote the other day about <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2020/10/pumpkin-cookies-with-walnuts.html" target="_blank">pumpkin cookies</a> and my old house in Clinton, Iowa. I think everyone has a nostalgic view of their childhood, or even just aspects of it. I received a message about my last blog and this reader enjoyed it and shared it with others. Then she went shopping for ingredients, and apparently crystallized ginger is hard to find in Iowa. Blogs are rarely blogs these days. Many of my old blogging friends have given up and moved on. I hardly recognize many of my favorites still out there, as you have to scroll through miles of ads, photo after photo and finally, somewhere at the bottom is the recipe you wanted to begin with. Like everything, it's all monetized. I am not going to lie and say I am not interested in making money, but I refuse to let the easy reading, get to the recipe, and a few pictures get mottled up by click bait. Even many of my Facebook friends don't post about their kids and vacations, it's what they're selling. The deals, the groups of happy friends you too can have if you just have this product....and then instagram, lordy. Don't get me started on the influencers. But that's the way these days, and kudos for those that jumped in. And admittedly I buy sometimes too. But I am a writer at heart, a cook/baker for the love of food, and this blog is personal to me, so much more than money. I have a lot to say, but even if all you want is the recipe, it's pretty easy to get to!</p><p>Today, as the remnants of a hurricane blow through, it seemed the perfect time to bake some amazing pumpkin bread, <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2010/01/brother-boniface-rocks.html" target="_blank">Brother Boniface Pumpkin Bread</a> to be exact, and to maybe write again. Time really does change everything, and my cooking has changed plenty in the last 5 years as I became an empty nester. And now, a grandmother. What an awesome job title! I still bake thousands of cookies, and I do try and post here so folks can see, but instagram is easier for me, and since I rarely make cookies for someone I don't know, I don't feel bad they have to scroll through baby pics and golf outings. </p><p>I have decided a few new avenues for blogging as I move forward. First, I am going to revisit the<a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/my-fabulous-50.html" target="_blank"> 50 chefs for 50 years</a>, since I am still in my 50's! I was going to try and power through 50 in one year, but college volleyball, work, Oklahoma football, and so many things got in the way. I did post 15, and many more are in draft folders, so it'll be fun to knock this out! Here is the list thus far...it makes for great reading!</p><p>50 Chefs For 50 Years</p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/first-great-chef-mom-and-steak-in-bag.html" target="_blank">#1 My Mom and Steak in a Bag and Ambrosia Pie</a> This is a classic midwestern menu, and we loved every bite!</p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/second-great-chef-chuck-williams-and.html" target="_blank">#2 Chuck Williams of Williams Sonoma and Cheese Soufflé</a> I wrote this in my 16th year at Williams Sonoma, and Chuck was still alive at 98. The following year my store closed and Chuck passed. It was an honor to be a part of his vision.</p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/third-chef-dinah-shore-and-corn-crab.html" target="_blank">#3 Dinah Shore and Crab Cakes with Jalepeño Tartar Sauce</a> These are great, and I make them often. Dinah would be proud of my new addiction to golf! A few links are broken in her blog, so if you don't know who she is, it's worth looking her up. She had some amazing men in her life, George Montgomery, Frank Sinatra and Burt Reynolds. Her cookbook was California cuisine way before its time.</p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/50-chefs-for-50-years-deborah-madison.html" target="_blank">#4 Deborah Madison and Summer Squash Tatines</a>. The expert on vegetarian cuisine.</p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/09/50-chefs-for-50-years-max-and-eli.html">#5 & #6 Eli and Max Sussman and the Very BEST Autumn Dinner</a>. Side note, I gave this book to my son, and took it back a year later. It's really that good. </p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/10/50-great-chefs-for-50-years-ina-and.html" target="_blank">#7 Ina Garten Chopped Cape Cod Salad</a> I chose this because I had already made everything else! You have to read the blog about visiting LA for the cookbook signing. It is hilarious!!</p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/10/50-chefs-for-50-years-new-basics-and.html" target="_blank">#8 & #9 Julee Russo and Sheila Lukins The New Basics Chicken Puttanesca</a> My most used book!</p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/10/50-chefs-and-paul-prudhomme-and.html" target="_blank">#10 Paul Prudhomme and Mirliton Pirogues </a> I love a blog on an American cuisine that has a pronunciation guide!</p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/11/50-chefs-for-50-years-and-giadas.html" target="_blank">#11 Giada's Pumpkin Spice Cookies</a>. I know, you were expecting something Italian....that's the idea here, well rounded chefs. </p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/12/50-chefs-for-50-years-11-richard-sax.html" target="_blank">#12 Richard Sax and the The Farmer's Market Veggie Soup</a>. He will make a second appearance!!</p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2014/01/50-chefs-for-50-years-and-john.html" target="_blank">#13 John Currence and Oven Fried Chicken</a> </p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2014/01/50-chefs-for-50-years-and-gilligans.html" target="_blank">#14 Gilligan's Island Coconut Cream Pie</a> Yep. I am a child of the 70's. </p><p><a href="https://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2014/02/50-chefs-for-50-years-dom-deluise-and.html" target="_blank">#15 Dom DeLouise and Orange Cookies</a>. Don't judge, read it. </p><p>So off we go, 35 left, and I won't waste a minute. Stay tuned.....</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-58218932074388601902020-10-06T10:25:00.002-05:002020-10-06T10:25:23.666-05:00Pumpkin Cookies with Walnuts, Crystallized Ginger and Chocolate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotecXoJ4wbZYcYdDqJovkFYnWVwrN62AxlDzmLntTaW8x-RHB1kqIEqvZl7KTMAjwyPQMKAXmLeKuvkcDo3CFyzV6Qzwi8MRzjBuG5mIWppFSQAXmmG0q-1iCzZojqmwY9NgRpBO2WvgA/s2048/E571B66B-8D37-4D91-ADAB-37702CE22685.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotecXoJ4wbZYcYdDqJovkFYnWVwrN62AxlDzmLntTaW8x-RHB1kqIEqvZl7KTMAjwyPQMKAXmLeKuvkcDo3CFyzV6Qzwi8MRzjBuG5mIWppFSQAXmmG0q-1iCzZojqmwY9NgRpBO2WvgA/w480-h640/E571B66B-8D37-4D91-ADAB-37702CE22685.heic" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I always feel nostalgic in October. This year especially. I miss my mom. I miss "normal" life. After finally coming home after a whirlwind couple of months, I am hoping to stay put for a little while. Pumpkin was on my mind, and I really was yearning for a little sweet. I decided to go down memory lane. Let's head to my childhood home. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I spent my preschool and elementary years in Clinton, Iowa. This house in Clinton, that was full of family, my parents and 5 kids, is the one I pine for.</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnEVowGX454mVO_Wk5DfJaPWhAeOCFVy7hp_KbOmMryrxhNhyalVCb6M_oiXS_vrUrnY50ryGl-zrkZ1wEPdL4wVs8VsDXji3EeTdyDLL4FTPpVXGr8656uWx_Ev_N0BotlU-RKu4nhWq/s2048/IMG_4558.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLnEVowGX454mVO_Wk5DfJaPWhAeOCFVy7hp_KbOmMryrxhNhyalVCb6M_oiXS_vrUrnY50ryGl-zrkZ1wEPdL4wVs8VsDXji3EeTdyDLL4FTPpVXGr8656uWx_Ev_N0BotlU-RKu4nhWq/w640-h480/IMG_4558.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br />It is the house that built me. It was a gorgeous English Tudor sitting on a large hill with views of the Mississippi River. It was once a retreat for an order of monks which explains the cross mowed into the lawn in the above photo. </div><div><br /></div><div>It sat on an acre of property, most of it woods, and had a beautiful stone patio, an enormous screened in porch and a balcony from my parents room. The wood inside was heavy and dark, and every room had built in closets, dressers and shelves, some even had solid wood paneled walls. The windows are were all leaded glass (drafty!) and there were 2 huge picture windows. In the spring there were dozens of lilac trees and bushes of peonies. In the summer we would have thousands of monarch butterflies and in the fall we would collect hedge apples and pine cones. </div><div><br /></div><div>Christmas was magical. My dad would string the big Charlie Brown bulbs all over the hedges and when the snow would fall the lights would glow in bursts of color. Our huge Christmas tree would proudly stand at the living room picture window. We would have cut it down ourselves at a tree farm just north of Clinton, where the caretaker took the money from an old abandoned bus. One year we brought home a bird's nest in the tree! We decorated our tree with dozens of family ornaments and tossed tinsel all over it. I never thought to look for the Christmas presents hidden on the screened in porch, but many years later I learned that was my mom's favorite hiding place. </div><div><br /></div><div>The house had a large creepy basement with a pool table, washer and dryer and rooms full of toys. In the garage there was a large pit in the floor that my brothers used to learn to work on their cars. I remember their friends coming over to change the oil there. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ADeu1BdEnxq8j4gvM4BQDuRgygOW4Udt7Q1Rp0WT0MUq4s8eY-I3MoTahAJoZGCD-Sudz8t2B_JyKAq5wh4bK6nlcikJtsS3i7UCFoki-18_Cn7ff7AUNj2RrEM6eEPN5nZlE6sisJLF/s2741/DC28C99B-7F62-43A2-BC03-0E9527AA1A8E_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2741" data-original-width="1148" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ADeu1BdEnxq8j4gvM4BQDuRgygOW4Udt7Q1Rp0WT0MUq4s8eY-I3MoTahAJoZGCD-Sudz8t2B_JyKAq5wh4bK6nlcikJtsS3i7UCFoki-18_Cn7ff7AUNj2RrEM6eEPN5nZlE6sisJLF/w168-h400/DC28C99B-7F62-43A2-BC03-0E9527AA1A8E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="168" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had to buy him from my mom's garage sale in 1986!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>My favorite spot in the entire house was the breakfast room, with its octagonal shape and all the leaded windows. We sat on a hill, and had a sweeping front driveway and a short driveway out the back. When you sat in the breakfast room, no one could come in either driveway without being seen. My first bedroom is the upstairs window on the left. There was a little window seat, and the other window looked out over the front door, which was on the left side of the house. There was a big tree out that window and I loved the view. My last bedroom (I had to wait until the older sisters went to college), had a wall of windows that looked out over the river. We had 2 staircases, unheard of in the 60's, and the tiny little corner window on the second floor was my mom's sewing room. I learned to make Barbie her wardrobe in that room. I have so many things from my mom's sewing room, I know she is at my side. My friends remember the suit of armor at the foot of the stairs, the entry coat closet the size of a small bedroom, the den with its heavy paneled walls and the moose hanging on the wall, and the kitchen with it's cooktop that pulled out from the wall and the 2 ovens that were side by side. It was such a magical place.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrOZyJfrqlEF7uF5uVFBg8D-mJ6E26zR-AsS3mJgx7inXF1lhu2TOjx3BkkmD2CGEO6l50UQXRcKdWG-tMiwk4NgnUEjl1Vha_x6xXblxRXoDh7fNIeeM0NrJIIN1X_21FqyVdjVWNpsv/s1600/betty.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529879464244255330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOrOZyJfrqlEF7uF5uVFBg8D-mJ6E26zR-AsS3mJgx7inXF1lhu2TOjx3BkkmD2CGEO6l50UQXRcKdWG-tMiwk4NgnUEjl1Vha_x6xXblxRXoDh7fNIeeM0NrJIIN1X_21FqyVdjVWNpsv/s400/betty.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 339px;" /></a><br /></div><div>I have the photographs and the memories, and this time of year makes me think of a particular cooking memory. In our Betty Crocker C<a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2009/05/happy-mothers-day.html">ooky Cookbook</a> that is falling apart, are the many recipes we made. I blogged about it before and decided that it was the perfect time to make Pumpkin Cookies. I made these cookies on September 24, 1976. The note next to the recipe says "couldn't go skating". It was a sad day.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XmYEPml4yp_PcysGc3pMUSRzdfjz76zQhW1s6aazL7SnoXq7zNuID6smPtGWTQAQwZ2AFeRTK6D8K1COl-SJ-DpxE47uQcJ_Nr4WGvXSVLGpz_HV3Cgs3mJrhn49J58k3T7EGUhzmEGM/s2048/C28D1F7B-BCDC-4C00-8B25-21AEB594AF43.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6XmYEPml4yp_PcysGc3pMUSRzdfjz76zQhW1s6aazL7SnoXq7zNuID6smPtGWTQAQwZ2AFeRTK6D8K1COl-SJ-DpxE47uQcJ_Nr4WGvXSVLGpz_HV3Cgs3mJrhn49J58k3T7EGUhzmEGM/w480-h640/C28D1F7B-BCDC-4C00-8B25-21AEB594AF43.heic" width="480" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>Every fall we had a roller skating party for the school, and 7th and 8th grade went together. It was the one night a year a 7th grade girl (in 1976) could hold hands to a Shawn Cassidy song and roller skate a memory. But alas, I didn't clean my room. I remember my room had 2 very deep closets flanking my window seat, and I was a slob. I basically scooped up all the clothes and toys that were strewn about, and stuffed it in a closet. Needless to say, my mom was smarter than me. That night she was the meanest mom in the entire world and made me stay home. There were many tears, I'm sure I told her some unkind things, and sulked in my room. My life was over. She came upstairs later and said let's bake some cookies. She probably launched my love of baking and journaling through recipes that very night. I remember it all so clearly. As I thumbed through the Cooky Book I saw notes on many recipes, most in her hand, some in my sister's. We decided on pumpkin cookies, and I wrote "excellant" next to the recipe with my memory and the date (I did misspell it, and often do to this day!). There was likely a note, and invitation and a photo tucked away in the book as well. Every cookbook of my mom's, and now in my own kitchen, is a sort of diary, and a place for special mementos. My stories are told by what we ate! It is, after these many years, a very happy story. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJo6EUNC1V4BwZd43tultMn1WNXxaNfTPxPL8Z9_y_Xnls52uNLWS6jtWzzs73OypvoAGwYZueTOBOZmOCwqPsDgwflZXAU7yTky_S_KeR-t1-K5os9J51nMofDwiz-TL5yv8O8mLcEe82/s2048/6A7BC3D4-12CB-4EE1-8C76-FF976556341B.heic" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJo6EUNC1V4BwZd43tultMn1WNXxaNfTPxPL8Z9_y_Xnls52uNLWS6jtWzzs73OypvoAGwYZueTOBOZmOCwqPsDgwflZXAU7yTky_S_KeR-t1-K5os9J51nMofDwiz-TL5yv8O8mLcEe82/s320/6A7BC3D4-12CB-4EE1-8C76-FF976556341B.heic" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5hDrhozSoJ2kkU28ZOrscq2g465s00NMAJ4UgJRO43Q8-FpjyHKPW8_3iWXphwvDRHeHT9x76jvzyqiaKYcNnqEal8EhcD56ZS5Hp6ngLAJSAvVPiR8VlSCBPGItGTSQsGxecHIFj0bk/s2048/BB341C0B-75DC-4879-BE3D-C8017EC8D07F_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1354" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr5hDrhozSoJ2kkU28ZOrscq2g465s00NMAJ4UgJRO43Q8-FpjyHKPW8_3iWXphwvDRHeHT9x76jvzyqiaKYcNnqEal8EhcD56ZS5Hp6ngLAJSAvVPiR8VlSCBPGItGTSQsGxecHIFj0bk/s320/BB341C0B-75DC-4879-BE3D-C8017EC8D07F_1_201_a.jpeg" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I made a few changes to the recipe I used 44 years ago, and they are noted below in the recipe. The original is in the photo. Pumpkin Pie spice is a perfect fall blend, but has no ginger. So when I opted out of raisins and pecans and added chocolate chips and walnuts, I tossed in some crystallized ginger as well. It was a welcome addition. The cookies are a little spongy, and don't spread. I did reduce the baking powder, so I am not sure if that altered the final cookie. I iced them with a browned butter cinnamon buttercream, and I know my mom would love every single bite! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqGzEwO9sOPLeGZLKKd6LKgZRH2yprAXbibVqwfQpTfwpBt0162v9zb65ylVc5SIQCG1pXbynhje7neU7Is2eGehveyn1FUzmowtqo48o41n_l4IzsJaS3gFjOQoF_ZdQ0fP_8j4EOmYM/s2048/E2C1752C-6BFE-4390-B960-B5A9692447FD_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqGzEwO9sOPLeGZLKKd6LKgZRH2yprAXbibVqwfQpTfwpBt0162v9zb65ylVc5SIQCG1pXbynhje7neU7Is2eGehveyn1FUzmowtqo48o41n_l4IzsJaS3gFjOQoF_ZdQ0fP_8j4EOmYM/s320/E2C1752C-6BFE-4390-B960-B5A9692447FD_1_201_a.jpeg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>PUMPKIN DROP COOKIES </div><div>from the Betty Crocker Cooky Cookbook</div><div>changed up by SweetiePetitti</div><div><br /></div><div>1½ cups brown sugar </div><div>½ cup butter, softened</div><div>1 teaspoon vanilla</div><div>2 eggs </div><div>1¾ canned pumpkin (this is one, 15oz. can) </div><div>2¾ cups flour </div><div>1 t baking powder </div><div>2 teaspoons Pumpkin Pie Spice</div><div>1/2 cup chocolate chunks </div><div>1 cup chopped walnuts</div><div>handful of chopped crystallized ginger</div><div><br /></div><div>Preheat oven to 400º I use convection and set my oven at 380º.</div><div>Using a hand mixer, cream brown sugar, butter, and vanilla until mixed thoroughly. </div><div>Add eggs and pumpkin and mix just until it comes together. </div><div>Add flour, baking powder and spices and carefully mix until no dry ingredients remain. </div><div>Add your assortment of chunks. </div><div><br /></div><div>Drop by mounds onto parchment lined baking sheets. Bake 7 minutes and turn sheet and change shelves in oven and bake another 8 minutes. Cookies should be dry but not really browned. Remove from oven to cooling rack, and remove cookies from sheet when cool to the touch. Cool completely before icing. </div><div><br /></div><div>BROWNED BUTTER CINNAMON BUTTERCREAM</div><div><br /></div><div>4 T butter</div><div>1 t vanilla</div><div>3 cups powdered sugar (more if it gets too thin)</div><div>a little milk or cream as needed</div><div><br /></div><div>Place butter in a small pan (very small if you have a butter pan!) and gently bring the heat up to medium as the butter melts. You need to watch very carefully, and as the butter takes on a golden brown color you will smell the heavenly scent. Remove from heat before anything burns! Let the butter cool to a soft consistency before whipping with vanilla and adding powdered sugar and milk to get the proper consistency. You want it spreadable. Taste it often, trust me. If it's humid it'll need more powdered sugar, if it's a dry day, more milk. Ice the cooled cookies and chill until firm enough to stack in airtight containers. Make coffee and call me....I'll be right there! What are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum0QcmDjTuZhiEj2nqRd8yHcf017809Dajog1kyupAte9_Ye1Iq-7aEJ47UNmU0zFlAfB4PwE2q50cJJGDFUp_bXqnT1nmVhJzH85DmUH250aT2BoxMVAeVuHxQKje14AzdiMWTeg-hBr/s2048/B049FFB3-9B12-4B60-A7EF-F0B626789785_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjum0QcmDjTuZhiEj2nqRd8yHcf017809Dajog1kyupAte9_Ye1Iq-7aEJ47UNmU0zFlAfB4PwE2q50cJJGDFUp_bXqnT1nmVhJzH85DmUH250aT2BoxMVAeVuHxQKje14AzdiMWTeg-hBr/w268-h400/B049FFB3-9B12-4B60-A7EF-F0B626789785_1_201_a.jpeg" width="268" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-44874736467787770562020-04-24T09:54:00.000-05:002020-04-24T09:54:14.662-05:00Quarantine Baking Nespresso Toasted Pecan Bread<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfxdHf2WLInoT7jWgLDF_BpQ0f7M9_Sxsowj5W1CsToVuXrHhYgEUaKp4X5dudyaHBEBhAEmtQ6CvRvx4AThilBdKMywZDD-yVzqNItGzHd29I0Cdwi3uO2W3OKINz8Oxci1WgqHAJc6Q/s1600/6E470533-2775-49CB-A6A4-51B81BEF9D20.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfxdHf2WLInoT7jWgLDF_BpQ0f7M9_Sxsowj5W1CsToVuXrHhYgEUaKp4X5dudyaHBEBhAEmtQ6CvRvx4AThilBdKMywZDD-yVzqNItGzHd29I0Cdwi3uO2W3OKINz8Oxci1WgqHAJc6Q/s640/6E470533-2775-49CB-A6A4-51B81BEF9D20.heic" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">A match made in heaven<br /></td></tr>
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Ahhh 2020, I am pretty much over you. I have been absent from my blog but I am back. January started as usual. I was cleaning and organizing, I got the worst cold, and then I got the worst phone call. My mom fell in Florida and as happens with the elderly (although I never considered her elderly) she broke her hip, her arm, and then went into kidney failure. I can't retell this chapter, but I lost my sweet mom who was really the center of my day, everyday. We talked a minimum of once a day. I sure hope she can still hear me, because my conversations haven't stopped. I now call my dad everyday, and he is kind of loving it, which makes my heart soar. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20ssT5sybOGtjiikVjnkMawxPNl4p0ACX60YdmYU2Znht1dxNHIYbyV52OIJkcVF3AvpZuDHMb98Y-K6balZId8te_f9TpVUrGMDeUBzldBWeXivjBeDqlnho0a1DIQV4lnIHx0fJQ2Pc/s1600/1044E8FF-A486-4AD8-B279-9F64DE30B631.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20ssT5sybOGtjiikVjnkMawxPNl4p0ACX60YdmYU2Znht1dxNHIYbyV52OIJkcVF3AvpZuDHMb98Y-K6balZId8te_f9TpVUrGMDeUBzldBWeXivjBeDqlnho0a1DIQV4lnIHx0fJQ2Pc/s320/1044E8FF-A486-4AD8-B279-9F64DE30B631.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joy.</td></tr>
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<br />There were rumblings of COVID during the January and February trips back and forth to Florida. And honestly when the shutdown came, I was ready to hide in my house. Well, now I want out!!!! In the meantime, I have been baking, and sewing and quilting, and walking!!! I'm kind of a recluse anyway, so no issues for us. I sure miss Pure Barre and golf....I do need those!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOVId1eOK62pBDOdbytUeHqTRcj6-1JnSK0zU2RBWNIcqgdzsppd2e4IXCVP2GR4Wr3w1WssteWPVMCLs2pFnYhJwjE0RATwO_zQjUJlPk6pl_2BSPCWuy3rxQjpveViootXwBNGd1G9n/s1600/FBC482B6-C0F8-490E-85F9-2E6759CB4EA7.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOVId1eOK62pBDOdbytUeHqTRcj6-1JnSK0zU2RBWNIcqgdzsppd2e4IXCVP2GR4Wr3w1WssteWPVMCLs2pFnYhJwjE0RATwO_zQjUJlPk6pl_2BSPCWuy3rxQjpveViootXwBNGd1G9n/s640/FBC482B6-C0F8-490E-85F9-2E6759CB4EA7.heic" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's really not a bread. It's cake baked in a loaf pan!</td></tr>
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<br />Last week I was scrolling through Instagram and Nesporesso had a little photo of its amazing coffee and this bread, with frosting and pecans. Everyone, including me wanted that recipe! Advertising works....I ordered another 80 capsules for my machine and I made the closest version to that beautiful bread I could. I have every church cookbook from my mom and found many pecan breads within. I did a little tweaking and I think I found a winner!!!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hvf2wSTenYi3oDaIn6XpfRf91XHE_gMqVwJa9YemBkyM8XWirD8BYRPgy51RDkv0F7jLkh9nUkTdHDVVbuNMyDOtMRWddgfv6S7zAqXjtPvA0L6MBgLxxQWO94K0qObDHdixXjXY-Qdl/s1600/32A05D93-3120-4839-AE26-22B45EA3B98E_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1447" data-original-width="1125" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Hvf2wSTenYi3oDaIn6XpfRf91XHE_gMqVwJa9YemBkyM8XWirD8BYRPgy51RDkv0F7jLkh9nUkTdHDVVbuNMyDOtMRWddgfv6S7zAqXjtPvA0L6MBgLxxQWO94K0qObDHdixXjXY-Qdl/s400/32A05D93-3120-4839-AE26-22B45EA3B98E_1_201_a.jpeg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ad that made this happen!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-OEgfhlybE5ufkzBc-3SseCdlf_4xR7E-1EAce-fQxgoFB9BrQudfkJ6yYWAq0kJXvWcCvNp_UJ6fttLAI4wf9MM0-75t-aim2EJ7Imln-lK88I088nHdhar6-GO5VlPnKkzOd8fFGps/s1600/1B78A436-E509-442B-8EF3-E0FA87BDC0E6.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-OEgfhlybE5ufkzBc-3SseCdlf_4xR7E-1EAce-fQxgoFB9BrQudfkJ6yYWAq0kJXvWcCvNp_UJ6fttLAI4wf9MM0-75t-aim2EJ7Imln-lK88I088nHdhar6-GO5VlPnKkzOd8fFGps/s640/1B78A436-E509-442B-8EF3-E0FA87BDC0E6.heic" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My icing is much whiter than the Nespresso bread!</td></tr>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Pecan Bread With Toasted Pecans and Browned Butter Icing</span><br />
<br />
Makes 2 loaves 5x9 pans<br />
<br />
Spray the pans liberally with Baker's Joy and preheat oven to 350. I bake convection so I preheat to 330. <br />
<br />
<b>2 cups flour</b><br />
<b>1 teaspoon salt</b><br />
<b>1 teaspoon baking powder</b><br />
<b>1 teaspoon baking soda</b><br />
<br />
mix the dry ingredients in a small bowl and set aside. <br />
<br />
In a large skillet over medium heat, toast <b>1 1/2 cups of chopped pecans.</b> I dump into a dry cast iron pan and shake around until I smell them toasting. Keep an eye on them so they don't burn. Turn off the heat. <br />
<br />
In a stand mixer with the flat paddle, mix<br />
<br />
<b>1 stick (1/2 cup) butter at room temp</b><br />
<b>1 cup light brown sugar</b><br />
<b>1 teaspoon vanilla</b><br />
<br />
Add one at a time mixing each in,<br />
<br />
<b>3 eggs</b><br />
and add<br />
<b>1 cup plain full fat Greek yogurt (I use Fage 5%)</b><br />
<br />
Add dry ingredients and when fully mixed add the warm pecans. Divide among the 2 loaf pans, it will rise significantly when it bakes!!<br />
<br />
Bake. I set timer for 20 min and move around in the oven. Set timer another 20. If the inside is still gooey, drop the heat 10 degrees and give it another 10. It should be cooked through. Cool on a rack before popping out of the tins. <br />
<br />
As soon as the bread is out of the oven, (let's be honest, it's a cake!!!) brown your butter.<br />
<br />
<b>6 Tablespoons butter (I like salted for icing)</b><br />
<br />
I use a small saucepan, you can use a skillet, just make sure its stainless steel and not dark. You want to see it brown so it doesn't get overdone!!! I put the pan on med high heat and when it starts to bubble, slide off heat and swirl until it stops bubbling. Again, put on heat until it bubbles, slide off and swirl. You will be able to smell that amazing browning happening (think caramel) and see small specks on the bottom of pan. It should be golden, not dark. You can always cook longer but if you burn it, you have to start over! <br />
<br />
Transfer to a small dish and put in fridge while the bread cools. <br />
<br />
<b>pinch of salt if using unsalted butter</b><br />
<b>1 cup to 1 1/2 cups confectioners sugar</b><br />
<b>3 Tablespoons milk (if you want decadence use evaporated milk!!!)</b><br />
<b>1/2 teaspoon vanilla </b><br />
<br />
When the bread is cooled and the butter is not warm, but not hard as a rock, whip butter in a mixer adding salt (optional) vanilla, and add the confectioners sugar 1/4 cup at a time until icing is spreadable and smooth. Ice the cakes, decorate if you like!<br />
Perfect for 3 o'clock Nespresso during quarantine or anytime! What are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVsuQJI6wg4rzc-e2AzSfL3GmWH7vN3FWOGhZdyZ5GhXGiyilpJBqDds5D1_ZoD8vjOriLuS41SsSKE89xWheYaKA3IZ-vrrXb3nX6btz8qgOyYe1NnyKiK7cAjiokhxlZD2mKQqHtcJ2/s1600/017FD717-FE97-4D3D-BF0A-09E57A2902B2.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVsuQJI6wg4rzc-e2AzSfL3GmWH7vN3FWOGhZdyZ5GhXGiyilpJBqDds5D1_ZoD8vjOriLuS41SsSKE89xWheYaKA3IZ-vrrXb3nX6btz8qgOyYe1NnyKiK7cAjiokhxlZD2mKQqHtcJ2/s640/017FD717-FE97-4D3D-BF0A-09E57A2902B2.heic" width="480" /></a></div>
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<br />Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-85128679978682776472019-12-09T20:29:00.001-06:002019-12-09T20:29:40.557-06:00A Christmas EngagementEvery once in awhile I made a platter of cookies that even I am like, Wow! I did that! This is one of those platters. My directions were Christmas but not Christmas green, and engagement but not "she said yes" cookies as they were engaged a few weeks ago. I know this friend well, and I knew this would be a pretty dressed up party (no blue jeans here), so the cookies needed to be elegant as well.<br />
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We decided on gold accents, which I just love with red and sage. I hand painted the rings because I find gold airbrush to be the strangest color!! I love some sugar crystals to add a little texture to the platter, and of course a diamond should sparkle. There might be a dash of disco dust on there.<br />
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I love the way the platters came together. They originally wanted to do their own platters which I understand. It's the South, we use Grandma's sterling and fine antique crystal, but I told them I would fill 2, 18" platters and it is doubtful they have anything that could accomodate 5 dozen cookies. I know people are turned off by disposable plastic, but I am pretty adamant about making the platter myself. I have lots of practice!<br />
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A few days before pick up, she texted me and asked if I could add a dozen cookies. Hmmm. I usually have some basic blanks, and I had these fat stars. I just love the Merry Me on them!!! They were a sweet addition, get it, sweet addition? Yep. <br />
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I knew she was planning on doing white flowers, and I assumed there'd be poinsettias. I found a tutorial from <a href="https://www.sweetsugarbelle.com/2012/11/royal-icing-poinsettias/" target="_blank">Sugarbelle on making poinsettias.</a> I didn't do so well. I had the tip, but I made these giant round cookies thinking I could fill it with one poinsettia. That didn't work. I made dozens of these smaller poinsettias on parchment paper and put 3 on a round cookie, but I know I will use them all the season. I improvised and I really love my very organic poinsettias! I also loved the white background for my poinsettias where I sprinkled a little gold shimmer on the white, I just loved the way everything sparkled! The hearts were inspired by Clough'd 9 cookies, Amy is super talented. My pine boughs need a little refining.....<br />
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So there you have it. Another Christmas first in the books. Ho, ho, ho....what are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!!!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-80010124002894270742019-11-25T03:00:00.000-06:002019-11-25T03:00:17.413-06:00Water Color Christmas Cookies<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEXz3bkYZEVSiotlkf0W-HeVpfHLWE0GCXC_BgIl5NG4HQ-5MfpKhuqDcfO-1BzJDU4bEEUvYFL31XliWrjS7hVa1Wd6tKoU2BX1nS2JtfpDmiLKcAUzCvs9xjG3ngWY_VEpj5NPNF1aD/s1600/5ACB03AF-9DB7-460D-9ED9-EBE98440C11A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEXz3bkYZEVSiotlkf0W-HeVpfHLWE0GCXC_BgIl5NG4HQ-5MfpKhuqDcfO-1BzJDU4bEEUvYFL31XliWrjS7hVa1Wd6tKoU2BX1nS2JtfpDmiLKcAUzCvs9xjG3ngWY_VEpj5NPNF1aD/s640/5ACB03AF-9DB7-460D-9ED9-EBE98440C11A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looks like a famous Italian plate, yes? They agreed!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm3yol0D2kUU-BBFGegrqNjKt9HuxyK_dhyUTT6khLAsDG7neyFCqLRMC42fj8tawsAHmjj5taz2isCmlon5qOa2WGsPQwk5ViTrRyfoe9qOqpRV5ijAIncjcx3dl0OFWKr_RSCvpn9bg/s1600/555B3EA6-44E3-4A72-89AD-111EE9172155_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1381" data-original-width="1600" height="552" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIm3yol0D2kUU-BBFGegrqNjKt9HuxyK_dhyUTT6khLAsDG7neyFCqLRMC42fj8tawsAHmjj5taz2isCmlon5qOa2WGsPQwk5ViTrRyfoe9qOqpRV5ijAIncjcx3dl0OFWKr_RSCvpn9bg/s640/555B3EA6-44E3-4A72-89AD-111EE9172155_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Regards! Merry Christmas! Or something like that. We always say Auguri!</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">You know that old wisdom about how you'll never see anyone you know at Target unless you go without a shower? I swear...I have the best interactions with friends and customers straight out of Pure Barre. That means leggings, t-shirt, fleece, likely a baseball cap, (no makeup) not the most professional appearance! So there I was a high end gift shop I love, buying a gift, and I chose this little collectible that was a gingerbread girl, and told the gal at the register, "Since I'm the cookie girl she will always know I gave this to her!" She responded with "Cookies??" and off we went!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDBtF1lZNj9z1rNN-TWL_jPu5iqt_tVt5aw5rNl0W8_ZcMv7Jvjg0w_FHTfR4-Js_R-EvqIz4Usterc38leMKtaTEOQG4FQgX7AWBl99GOITI-EM57b4ZtCfz9DXTl58HHDwocfscEXEb/s1600/07C00FAE-65A9-4DB5-B275-7B9C4AE6215D_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmDBtF1lZNj9z1rNN-TWL_jPu5iqt_tVt5aw5rNl0W8_ZcMv7Jvjg0w_FHTfR4-Js_R-EvqIz4Usterc38leMKtaTEOQG4FQgX7AWBl99GOITI-EM57b4ZtCfz9DXTl58HHDwocfscEXEb/s640/07C00FAE-65A9-4DB5-B275-7B9C4AE6215D_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So fun to paint these!</td></tr>
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The store was hosting a signing by an artist with Vietri, a gorgeous Italian dish ware company. She wondered if I could do Italian cookies. Me? So we chatted and decided I would make her some amazing biscotti, very traditional, and some sugar cookies. I showed her the cookies I made for <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2019/11/getting-ready-to-ho-ho-ho.html" target="_blank">Guess and Company</a>, and she loved the big platter full of Christmas. She took me to the Vietri display and we looked at the Santas and the trees and she asked if I could do any of those. I was a little apprehensive copying their work, but she said they will love it. So I went home and went to work!<br />
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I had never watercolored on a cookie before, and it was a very satisfying experience. I loved it, and I wasn't really bad at it! Who knew??? I loved looking at all of their pieces and deciding how to put this all together. I also shopped while I worked, and when I delivered the platter, I had a good order of Vietri for me and my girls. Ho, Ho, Ho!!! I also watched the artist, loved listening to him speak Italian and when I met him he complimented me on the cookies and said I was a true artist!!! That is high praise! I went home with an amazing sense of accomplishment. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3-REWVWeyz7S3J6Cj71JqylzVl9ZdGGHUO7dNPZTe3H-LyC0TWng5fC2qnxV8kHFgyAjzOXyWumB66BcyuFdapZrcstoteSxtkc8z0TFt6245UvJjW7HyYN5q_wrMyQ7d-yWnPuDU8cB/s1600/7A464221-AD53-4CE2-B0B5-4F94D41855EF_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1440" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3-REWVWeyz7S3J6Cj71JqylzVl9ZdGGHUO7dNPZTe3H-LyC0TWng5fC2qnxV8kHFgyAjzOXyWumB66BcyuFdapZrcstoteSxtkc8z0TFt6245UvJjW7HyYN5q_wrMyQ7d-yWnPuDU8cB/s640/7A464221-AD53-4CE2-B0B5-4F94D41855EF_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How fortuitous the Italian flag is Christmas colors!</td></tr>
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<br />The lesson here is that art, whether it is royal icing or acrylics, must evolve. Certainly I am much better than my first attempt at faces... want a good chuckle? Check out these <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2009/10/senior-night-at-volleyball.html" target="_blank">volleyball players</a>! I was very apprehensive attempting these Santas and surprised myself. It was a confidence booster and it really is what I needed to give me that push to branch out a little. Who knows what next year will bring, new cookie ideas, new creative outlets, more dishes? We shall see....So what are you waiting for? Get in there and bake...and paint!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczOW3P-n4hiRqi3mz9El6iRFM7Iav8z95fUlxGHxwOqos5UWNwdLi5zqNGhgjJdW36NfUS84lOjabp5glcCFwxDrD6IJoeVRrwCOxligBxlVM6z0YncotCSH8hvI59gMdPX1UYuLd6KXR/s1600/D8349379-41CC-460B-9645-055D83B93372_1_201_a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiczOW3P-n4hiRqi3mz9El6iRFM7Iav8z95fUlxGHxwOqos5UWNwdLi5zqNGhgjJdW36NfUS84lOjabp5glcCFwxDrD6IJoeVRrwCOxligBxlVM6z0YncotCSH8hvI59gMdPX1UYuLd6KXR/s640/D8349379-41CC-460B-9645-055D83B93372_1_201_a.jpeg" width="640" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZRcloCj6Q28EzIh0ZtCz2cIVw-40RejRT8EM6SGYLaUAvqH0N0N2_gIUPd10GJSoisilZJTzuJ6DTal21Fypfj1n3tByJ9nXdC-XLqzbeFjSvEsbjsALQM2uqHDfZwtheLj4zOMlhdQj/s1600/932477F1-A499-4B83-9D6C-A32940ACF81C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxZRcloCj6Q28EzIh0ZtCz2cIVw-40RejRT8EM6SGYLaUAvqH0N0N2_gIUPd10GJSoisilZJTzuJ6DTal21Fypfj1n3tByJ9nXdC-XLqzbeFjSvEsbjsALQM2uqHDfZwtheLj4zOMlhdQj/s640/932477F1-A499-4B83-9D6C-A32940ACF81C.jpeg" width="640" /></a>Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-26278389035336589772019-11-15T12:47:00.000-06:002019-11-15T12:50:02.676-06:00Getting Ready to Ho Ho Ho!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRm0mHmc74Is0grV4z131TCiM11Bz9Lq_MSZ-ZFygf4rKMMsEqkyVHcaj8vtzHW_vU4mbF4_7A2d73JwqPOViatqVAYusD1OXSFSQGPclqDHM6658FC7V554jB-Y-tTHv0MSgLErFeDqD/s1600/EF606EBA-C48C-43C6-8FCF-CFFCB0FBB9FC.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTRm0mHmc74Is0grV4z131TCiM11Bz9Lq_MSZ-ZFygf4rKMMsEqkyVHcaj8vtzHW_vU4mbF4_7A2d73JwqPOViatqVAYusD1OXSFSQGPclqDHM6658FC7V554jB-Y-tTHv0MSgLErFeDqD/s640/EF606EBA-C48C-43C6-8FCF-CFFCB0FBB9FC.heic" width="640" /></a><br />
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I admit. I usually put up my tree on Halloween. Yep. We are lucky if we get a dozen trick or treaters, and I am totally itching to move on to the festive holidays. I don't decorate the tree for a few weeks, but I love sitting in the light of a Christmas tree. Think of it as a fancy floor lamp if you must. There is no getting around the Christmas cookies however. I get orders earlier and earlier every year. This year, I also decided to only take 2 custom orders in December, and everything else is Christmas themed. It will totally keep my sanity in check if I'm not making baby rattles and onesies in baby blue come December 15th. Any other month is fine. And I have a December baby, so I know all too well that they can get the shaft on a lot of things because of the jolly fat man!<br />
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This platter was made for a friend helping out at a giant Christmas sale in Arkansas. She is related to the man who owns the business and she goes up every year to help them. I used the logos and sayings from the company website and made a cheery Christmas platter that she picked up on Halloween! Which was fine, because you know, my tree was going up!<br />
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So the company is called <a href="https://guessncompany.com/" target="_blank">Guess and Company</a> in Des Arc, Arkansas. I followed them on Facebook so I could get a feel of what she wanted to bring. Well every day Paul Guess is posting these videos in the 60,000 sq ft warehouse talking about this enormous sale that lasts into December. I wanted to go! My original plan was a road trip for opening day....I love an event!!! Then I saw a video about how you can pull a ticket at midnight the night before it opens, to GET IN LINE the next day! Holy Moly....this was serious. They only let 350 in at a time, and that happens fast on opening day! My friend suggested opening day was not the best idea. So I regrouped and let opening weekend pass. I rounded up a couple of girlfriends and went Friday of weekend 2.<br />
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The drive to Des Arc from Memphis is 100 miles, on the nose. The worst part of the drive honestly, is driving through Memphis. So we decided to leave after rush hour and maybe we'd miss the first wave of crazy shoppers, You know who you are! We arrived in this tiny little town on the river at about 10:30. Parking was not a problem, and we didn't need a number to get in. The place is insane!!! There are beautifully decorated trees everywhere, and nestled in the vicinity of said trees are the picks, garland, ornaments and whatever else was used to make that tree. It was sensory overload in the very best way. We started first as a simple wander around and then developed a strategy after we felt like we had a feel for where everything was.<br />
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I knew that the pastel colored area was not of interest, neither was the rustic woodland. I focused in on the more traditional red accented area, the snowmen trees, and the gold trees and found the mother load for my house.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Super Traditional....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whimsical....</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I bought a lot of these! And the carts are so cute!</td></tr>
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My friend Debbie hit pay dirt in the woodland area and even paid a worker to climb a ladder and strip a tree of a particular garland she wanted. She bought every last one. When our baskets were full, we got another and filled that. They even have a corral where you can leave your full basket while you continue to shop! Monica filled hers with gold everything! She was changing up her Christmas look and gold it was! We finally made our way to the line for checkout. WHOA!!!<br />
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The line. It snaked to the back of the store and back around to the front. We heard people complaining they'd been in line for an hour, we saw deserted baskets everywhere. People!!!! This is the caveat of a great adventure...so we got in line and honestly, time flew. You walk the perimeter of the warehouse and the three of us would take turns wandering and adding and chatting and looking at what others had and were doing. And maybe making some last minute buying decisions!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We still had 3 bags to squeeze in....</td></tr>
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The checkout line was fast and efficient and I seriously had a sad little feeling when I left, like maybe I forgot something! I did leave without a significant amount of money. The three of us spent just over $1500. Really, it's not bad! I won't disclose who spent what since we are all probably fibbing about exactly how much we bought! We stopped at the Dairy Bar for a super nutritious lunch, that was delicious...and crossed over that picturesque river on our way out of town. It was so worth the trip. No, not cheap. But not ridiculous retail either. There are sooooo many things I have never seen, and I was so inspired. You need to go with a plan, a budget (well, that's probably not the easiest part) and some friends because we had a blast. Also don't for one minute think you can do this in a car. We filled, and I mean filled my SUV. It was covered in glitter!!! What a way to usher in the holidays!<br />
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<br />Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-41957122704513603902019-11-11T13:56:00.000-06:002019-11-11T13:56:04.138-06:00It's Always Wedding Season!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Weddings, showers, engagements...these are the current cycle in my group of 50 something year old friends. Cookies are very cyclical. A few years ago my busiest month was May because of the graduations...I did so many cookies, more than Christmas. Well, those kiddos are grown up and getting married. Even some baby cookies in the fray these days. So here are a few of the latest in the wedding theme. Interestingly enough, 2 of the following are for friends my age getting married again! How wonderful that love knows no limits!</div>
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I did these shower/bridesmaid cookies for a friend getting remarried. All of her girlfriends showed up in old bridesmaid dresses. What a hoot! I decided the pink was perfect for a bunch a gals toasting the bride! I love the little marbleized hexi cookies as a filler. Great size and sparkle too.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Here comes the bride!</td></tr>
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Autumn brides have such a deep palette of colors to choose for the season, and these cookies were some of my favorites. I love that plum and the deep blush together. I think it is stunning against the white. <br />
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These were for a shower/dinner and she wanted another little dessert for the party. I think the gold dress them up nicely and again there is that hexi cookie!</div>
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One of my golfing friends is getting remarried in Hawaii. She wanted tropical cookies for the party, but she wanted favors as well. I made this Hawaii cookie after I saw a gorgeous on made by Fancy Custom Cookies on Instagram. I decided this was the perfect centerpiece cookie. I late found out that someone ate it at the party! Yikes! Not the bride or groom mind you....people, people, people...do not eat a cookie with someone else's name on it without permission. Geesh. </div>
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And these Hawaiian shirts were the party favors. How fun to send everyone out of the party with a reminder that you are heading to Hawaii to get hitched and everyone else gets to see it on Insta! LOL, I saw her after the trip and it was as lovely as you imagine. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Something for breakfast tomorrow!</td></tr>
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So that's all for now. I am in full blown Christmas mode....So there'll be cookies.... So. Many. Cookies. Stay tuned.Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-20304802361556322582019-11-04T13:43:00.000-06:002019-11-04T13:43:01.035-06:00Birthday Celebration Cookies!So little blogging time...but so many cookies! Today let's cover some birthday celebrations. They were all milestone birthdays, so I like that I can add a cookie with significant number on it. Also I love the flower cookies. It adds dimension to a platter and makes it even more special. I usually add the candle cookie on a platter for a group, as it makes a little smaller cookie, and sometimes we forget that not everyone wants a giant cookie! <br />
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First, my MIL turned 90! Wow! What an amazing milestone. I made a platter of cookies and she took them to her celebration of all the October birthdays at the home she lives in. She wasn't quick enough to get a cookie though. Geesh. I would have slipped one out before I decided to share!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">90 Years Young!</td></tr>
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Next up, a 50th birthday party! They were going to a wine dinner, so I played on the theme. The corks are some of my all time favorite cookies! I have a vision of a platter of corks...I just think they are so dang fun. And of course, I collect them...I will have to post some of my cork creations!</div>
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One of my golfing friends has a group of gals that get together every year and do one big birthday celebration. This year they all turned 75! What a fun birthday to celebrate with a bunch of gal pals. It was the heart of the summer so I kept the colors light and bright!</div>
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I'm always so honored to be a part of a celebration, especially a milestone birthday like these. What a fun addition to a birthday for those who don't like cake. Wait, are there actually people who don't like birthday cake? I'm pretty sure we aren't friends. What are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!!! And Happy Birthday.Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-35785074586746822302019-05-01T16:53:00.002-05:002019-05-01T16:53:15.187-05:00Party For the Baby!So I have been busy, busy, busy. Just not busy writing. I thought I'd do a post on the baby cookies I've been making recently.<br />
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I do love Pooh, and I thought this sweet face was the perfect way to capture his sweetness. I was very reluctant to take this one on, but I have done many cookies for this friend, so I jumped in!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbuIiwzW-Y1uT-xIyv8Ibjapyk_hDkiwNMqNYMFdkIS6LV85RwFrpcunmTgY9b2OxFqh0HiJy24-SChUwccB9hkGxs7zd_QsBPcLOZxn5b29cUaTqIzcHs2hMByax8CSs6i9dOtO_abk/s1600/0C165DDA-88CF-438A-8DDF-296F16DFB31C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbuIiwzW-Y1uT-xIyv8Ibjapyk_hDkiwNMqNYMFdkIS6LV85RwFrpcunmTgY9b2OxFqh0HiJy24-SChUwccB9hkGxs7zd_QsBPcLOZxn5b29cUaTqIzcHs2hMByax8CSs6i9dOtO_abk/s640/0C165DDA-88CF-438A-8DDF-296F16DFB31C.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Books are among my favorite things to give when there is a new baby. Of all the things I have sold and given away and tossed from my own kids childhood, I can honestly say the book shelves remain full. I cannot part with the stories, the illustrations and the memories they all hold. These were for a shower themed with this famous caterpillar!! Such a joyous event to celebrate, and I do love a good theme!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm06HbkPMQKSwttvP2pZIpoedNUl42i1YAqPNvbsnmCm9jChq7gj5GL9nigdCHMYPKMiQDZVG3rlfEfyH3UZkTQnTcJ9KldEQHdpYAW_X9wSBNb90Ig8ZHDy8T1xdRs7PF_3346bynZgA/s1600/IMG_8453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm06HbkPMQKSwttvP2pZIpoedNUl42i1YAqPNvbsnmCm9jChq7gj5GL9nigdCHMYPKMiQDZVG3rlfEfyH3UZkTQnTcJ9KldEQHdpYAW_X9wSBNb90Ig8ZHDy8T1xdRs7PF_3346bynZgA/s640/IMG_8453.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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One of my Pure Barre instructors (one of a few!) have made me a part of their kids celebrations. From the baby showers to the birthday parties, I just love it. These little dump trucks were so much fun to load up with black jimmies and sprinkles!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJo24gryeBois0BMbQkFNLKfpFnPb63k9mv5-97o0HuxCZzTTP4BKsPUw253_senTMIuVVcjeEO7S7YpVY2AJ3qLMu4oPTM1Pxeo3WcqvKt5ni0ZhLwzZDjJ_tpm-5mip-NTwFBQd2cls/s1600/IMG_8908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJo24gryeBois0BMbQkFNLKfpFnPb63k9mv5-97o0HuxCZzTTP4BKsPUw253_senTMIuVVcjeEO7S7YpVY2AJ3qLMu4oPTM1Pxeo3WcqvKt5ni0ZhLwzZDjJ_tpm-5mip-NTwFBQd2cls/s640/IMG_8908.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The crayon cookies were not my favorite to make. First I had to fudge the cutter, and I feel like they lose some of their hard lines when you pull a knife across the dough. The made a great platter, and frankly, the 4 year olds didn't find their imperfection.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpzIfNaVt3-NH-wb3nK9IdPeIyPeJ9iMUHlfTEH05jgjhfMXfHdxJz2dRVHy1ypcGg86-FQfnTUcfbMX7X6RjlIqOUDIzLNkg4f2PHb_R6P_ydbbUtuxRytUhxVwXxjoplIIFXZo110w/s1600/IMG_9109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpzIfNaVt3-NH-wb3nK9IdPeIyPeJ9iMUHlfTEH05jgjhfMXfHdxJz2dRVHy1ypcGg86-FQfnTUcfbMX7X6RjlIqOUDIzLNkg4f2PHb_R6P_ydbbUtuxRytUhxVwXxjoplIIFXZo110w/s640/IMG_9109.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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Finally some sailboats for a one year old, poor thing is land-locked right here in Memphis! But here's to calm seas and smooth sailing!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48r04vr4FIzPSHcdDiJaZ13TK9Zg2zUCIQwsO6vTVGPMNisquUwtpg2q-HMWCIZ2CLhK7POUH0ypi2HlRDmW7qY4BTf8WOVfpu4GRyknkgA9tMyg1oW_WOdJCKjt9unFtqwpAWJoE5vk/s1600/IMG_9284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48r04vr4FIzPSHcdDiJaZ13TK9Zg2zUCIQwsO6vTVGPMNisquUwtpg2q-HMWCIZ2CLhK7POUH0ypi2HlRDmW7qY4BTf8WOVfpu4GRyknkgA9tMyg1oW_WOdJCKjt9unFtqwpAWJoE5vk/s640/IMG_9284.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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That's all for now! Come over to Instagram and you will see that I do post cookies frequently!! What are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-73141099967890424912019-01-31T13:30:00.000-06:002019-01-31T13:30:03.787-06:00Religious Celebration CookiesI love a good celebration, and regardless of your faith, I think we can agree that faith itself is a good thing! I love a child all dressed up for a ceremony be it Communion, Baptism, or even wedding. Much more on weddings to follow, like every month I am coming up with a wedding platter! We have even had one of our own and another happening soon!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Lt Blue with airbrush details</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9W6uwJKAnQqBTVKBSEKalquZzM9zASKvNENqUUGpIT1njRjtB4EkwW12W8JOTcIdkUflEAkYSI1F6I0UBEjg-ir1MxOb0j80uQFkb1DBbre1C6rYbvXNw7DNhrEld812EQPSdu51r_xK/s1600/IMG_3429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii9W6uwJKAnQqBTVKBSEKalquZzM9zASKvNENqUUGpIT1njRjtB4EkwW12W8JOTcIdkUflEAkYSI1F6I0UBEjg-ir1MxOb0j80uQFkb1DBbre1C6rYbvXNw7DNhrEld812EQPSdu51r_xK/s400/IMG_3429.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAG_phpkHiW8fD0t24jVlo_hCz11rRJNldSuoKLVfT7v4xVS8ccjZ4Uurp4hGWviEIpz7yKr3ugLuv8mnLbOB264iiPFx-uAPNcG0uKJ_puCTNFDd8hTInaqfmIH1mJB7f3OGb5qGZIqN/s1600/IMG_5013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYAG_phpkHiW8fD0t24jVlo_hCz11rRJNldSuoKLVfT7v4xVS8ccjZ4Uurp4hGWviEIpz7yKr3ugLuv8mnLbOB264iiPFx-uAPNcG0uKJ_puCTNFDd8hTInaqfmIH1mJB7f3OGb5qGZIqN/s640/IMG_5013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Grey Blue...clean lines</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenPDSKCt5JIQB-FAdAj1IXRM6TXFO4wlQjpwO9Ruy7i0psq0Qt40Kgwbw-lbrbogfIVx8h3Ua5u2pC_McL_f3hCQqRVWwX5jsgDI0CROpwC5O_RqWy_pwyuqGH59VtAciBKB0nUQUMpCv/s1600/IMG_7061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenPDSKCt5JIQB-FAdAj1IXRM6TXFO4wlQjpwO9Ruy7i0psq0Qt40Kgwbw-lbrbogfIVx8h3Ua5u2pC_McL_f3hCQqRVWwX5jsgDI0CROpwC5O_RqWy_pwyuqGH59VtAciBKB0nUQUMpCv/s640/IMG_7061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Love the lavender, and I chopped off a wedding dress for a darling baby dress!</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAR8aQ5Tn2_J6UHFo8250SWtBIZ8X4REPdZzRt4lE7I_CWSK87pvKJQrhfbEqVVSqJptSd7KkzCmHW87EPy5DgqKI6gT6vP569Sof-RH7fRzqhN-to3jrajafiWfyRXJLAF4WZzgIgVsA9/s1600/fullsizeoutput_df4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1012" data-original-width="1600" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAR8aQ5Tn2_J6UHFo8250SWtBIZ8X4REPdZzRt4lE7I_CWSK87pvKJQrhfbEqVVSqJptSd7KkzCmHW87EPy5DgqKI6gT6vP569Sof-RH7fRzqhN-to3jrajafiWfyRXJLAF4WZzgIgVsA9/s640/fullsizeoutput_df4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Love the pink details...</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMHSapkvS-vQ_FDIMJx7aP_uWEv9x-YrD7oIvmiOkzzkGQ7ISD_-w4QmW5e8JHKgsiiOevAgckbLybnOCjMFTtt6eKOffyRVEuRFHmqJaG-WFaoa8qb3hqyIYR4xdnkdzT_dwNdhnVFB3/s1600/IMG_4877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwMHSapkvS-vQ_FDIMJx7aP_uWEv9x-YrD7oIvmiOkzzkGQ7ISD_-w4QmW5e8JHKgsiiOevAgckbLybnOCjMFTtt6eKOffyRVEuRFHmqJaG-WFaoa8qb3hqyIYR4xdnkdzT_dwNdhnVFB3/s640/IMG_4877.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">I love the polka dot airbrush!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">Sparkles.</td></tr>
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Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-72614593362396645282018-11-08T16:05:00.001-06:002018-11-08T17:31:47.997-06:00Thanksgiving Place Card Cookies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fall platter for Thanksgiving!</td></tr>
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I love a holiday! Actually I love a dinner party, a holiday dinner is nice because there isn't a lot of thought process to it. I know that it's turkey on Thanksgiving, Prime Rib or Beef Wellington for Christmas, Lamb on Easter. What I really love to do however, is set a table. China, crystal, silver...chargers, napkins, tablecloths, I love to put it all together!<br />
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With Thanksgiving on the horizon, I am thinking place card cookies. The first is a plaque with a little pumpkin, airbrushing gives it a little depth. But the gilded pumpkin I made for a fall platter will be the cookie for this years table. I just love the gold stem and the splatters. I may even wrap the cookie and put the name on a tag instead of the cookies. I didn't offer any place card cookies this year, so it is just for my family of 9. I will have cookie platters for the masses! Easy is the best way for me! Happy Thanksgiving. Don't eat too much turkey!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Pinterest!</td></tr>
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Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-72597872888135072482018-11-05T11:11:00.000-06:002018-11-05T11:11:22.994-06:00The Good Old Days?As I scroll around social media, it is obvious the "algorithms" have pinpointed my weaknesses. Ads and stories for kitchen remodels, recipes, what to buy at Trader Joes, the best at Aldi, ingredients that have fallen out of favor (sorry, I love sun dried tomatoes) and things Grandma taught us in the kitchen. The most recent was a list of old things that <i>used</i> to happen in the kitchen. It even referenced that the kitchen <i>used</i> to be the most popular room in the house. I have news for you. It still is, at least under my roof.<br />
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When I was a kid, the kitchen was a long way from our den where the big TV was., ( minuscule by today's standards...and no remote!) We spent very little time in the den, maybe a couple hours at night. My mom had a little black and white TV in the kitchen, but it didn't come on until 5 pm. We'd watch the news and Hogan's Heroes waiting for my dad to get home from work. In the morning, my mom was perched on an old milk can (which is in my kitchen now) and would sip her coffee and listen to the radio. Wally Phillips did a morning show out of Chicago, and he was with us every morning.<br />
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This list I just read in one feed or another, was almost laughable for anyone who loves to cook or entertain. The 9 Things You Won't Find in a Kitchen Anymore. Shall we explore?<br />
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1. <b>Grinding coffee, meat or nuts.</b> False. One of my favorite recipes that I use as an appetizer is <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2012/01/aunt-evelyns-ham-balls.html" target="_blank">Aunt Evelyn's Ham Balls </a> and they are best made with a meat grinder! Also I often use that same grinder for my <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2013/06/pimiento-cheese-on-spoon-crackers.html" target="_blank">Pimiento Cheese</a>. And grinding nuts? Yes, all the time. I love buying whole nuts and making them just the size I like. And coffee? Whatever.<br />
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2. <b>Defrosting the freezer</b>. Granted, all new appliances probably have this defrost feature, and I haven't done it manually for a few years. But if you have ever had a power outage or a freezer door left ajar, you have done the modern version of defrosting.<br />
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3. <b>Coffee in a Percolator </b> I sold a lot of percolators at Williams Sonoma, and usually to people looking for a hot and strong cup of coffee. I personally don't have one, but I do have a Toddy for cold brew, a Bialetti for stovetop espresso, a regular brew coffee pot, a Nespresso, a Japanese felt drip, a French Press, a pour over... I love coffee and I am always trying different ways to make it. If this article is trying to imply people are just going to Starbucks, I think it's wrong!<br />
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4. <b>Using an actual cookbook.</b> Just no. Sure we head to the internet for recipes, but cookbooks are still a mainstay for most of us cooks. Sometimes it's just for bedtime reading or inspiration! I get that it is easier to find that same recipe online, but I love those books! I have an enormous bookshelf that is just cookbooks. I have an assortment of celebrities, Junior Leagues, restaurant chefs and ingredient specific. Of course my signed cookbooks that we discussed at <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2009/02/may-i-have-your-autograph.html" target="_blank">May I Have Your Autograph</a> are some of my favorite!<br />
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5. <b>Churning your own butter.</b> I'll give them this one. I can't make Kerrygold in my kitchen.<br />
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6. <b>Flour, Sugar Coffee canisters</b>. They might not be lined up on the counter like the old days, but where are we supposed to keep this stuff if it isn't in a canister? We buy everything in bigger packages than the old days, so the airtight containers are in everyone's pantry. I keep coffee in the fridge, so there's that! And my sister somehow got my Grandma's old canisters and I would love to have those beauties on my counter! I'm not sure what I would even put in them, my flour comes in jumbo bags!<br />
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7. <b>Making preserves and canning them.</b> I love to can. I don't do a lot of jellies and jams, but I love to pickle the peppers! I have boxes of jars, a canning pot and an enormous garden full of an assortment of peppers.<br />
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8. <b>Beautiful Jadeite displays</b>. My mom didn't have jadeite, and neither do I. But I do have some milk glass, some McCarty Pottery, Ruby Glass and other collectibles that we use for various holidays, courses and foods. A piece of crystal here, pottery there makes things interesting and less sterile. I hope my great grandchildren eat pudding out of one of my Grandma's beautiful goblets one day, I did as did my children!<br />
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9. <b>Making things from scratch</b>. Seriously? I make almost everything from scratch! Do you know what I hate to make? Reservations! Going out to eat is expensive, a hassle and almost always a disappointment. I started this blog a jillion years ago because I was amazed at how many people didn't make their own <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2010/12/pizzelles-for-christmas.html" target="_blank">Pizzelles </a>, <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-worlds-best-biscotti.html" target="_blank">Biscotti,</a> <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2012/05/salsa-of-tropics.html" target="_blank">Salsa,</a> <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2010/02/sloppy-joes-and-bagels.html" target="_blank">Sloppy Joes,</a> even <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2009/04/dog-treats-for-daisy.html" target="_blank">Dog Treats</a> and <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2010/04/kettle-corn.html" target="_blank">Kettle Corn</a>! <br />
Am I above a Trader Joe's frozen Onion Soup? Nope, love it. A take out pizza? Love that too! But I find great joy in creating in the kitchen, and I seriously hope this little article has it mostly wrong. <br />
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So what are you waiting for? Get in there and cook!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-70934147711013057222018-08-06T08:36:00.002-05:002018-08-06T08:37:45.113-05:00Caramel Brownies with Brown Sugar Icing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5II3rJc152mJI1jCCHCCqGJTnNcAuh8qmwPsI7VNn_jvgOBA2W43QeRVtu0oEyLVhTb-kSEtxjZ3OKVPOLKT9SWOCblrnBLJjrPiN0pTr9zWx9ON8vcjA2hB-_zH6nr3EK4LbidEZMiKy/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5II3rJc152mJI1jCCHCCqGJTnNcAuh8qmwPsI7VNn_jvgOBA2W43QeRVtu0oEyLVhTb-kSEtxjZ3OKVPOLKT9SWOCblrnBLJjrPiN0pTr9zWx9ON8vcjA2hB-_zH6nr3EK4LbidEZMiKy/s1600/IMG_2504.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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So it's back to school here in the South, as in today, I saw the buses running. The thermometer will reach 100 degree heat index. That just doesn't seem proper does it? Back in my day, school started after Labor Day, and that first day you scooted out of the house in a wool plaid skirt and new stiff leather shoes. I'm sure it was warm, but not this inferno! All I need is a yellow school bus to start thinking about fall, and I am dreaming of Halloween cookie designs and my <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2010/11/perfect-cookie-for-november-1.html" target="_blank">favorite molasses cookies,</a> but decided to start with a brown sugar blondie instead. Blondie is the term for today, but in my day we would call these a frosted bar. Bar cookies were the rage, and these did not disappoint. I never had a bar like this growing up, I really think the brown sugar pecan flavor is truly Southern!<br />
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This recipe comes from the <a href="http://womans-exchange.com/" target="_blank">Women's Exchange of Memphis</a>. Founded in 1885, it remains an icon in Memphis history. Basically a consignment store for seamstresses and crafters, it is a volunteer organization with some of the cutest stuff around. The very best place to buy a baby gift, and their tearoom is a popular lunch spot. So when I came across these brownies (actually a blondie), I decided they were perfect to kick off fall. Even though it's still summer.<br />
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I made these in an 8 X 10, and they are quite thick, better for a dessert, a small slice with ice cream. They can be made 9X13 which would make them thinner, not a terrible thing. They are really rich! The very worse thing that can happen here though is over baking! So watch carefully...when the edges are crisping, the center should be about there. If you make a larger pan with thinner blondie, the baking time will be significantly shorter! Here's how they went:<br />
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<b>Caramel Brownies With Brown Sugar Icing</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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2 c. light brown sugar<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 stick unsalted butter, softened<o:p></o:p></div>
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2 eggs<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 ¾ cup flour<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 tsp baking powder<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 tsp vanilla<o:p></o:p></div>
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¼ tsp salt<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 cup pecans, chopped<o:p></o:p></div>
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Preheat oven to 325°.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blend butter and sugar until well beaten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Add eggs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When eggs are incorporated, add remaining ingredients and mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pour into greased pan, minw was 8X10, and bake for 20-25 minutes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Check for the sides to crisp before the center, but do not overbake!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cool before frosting.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Brown Sugar Icing</b></div>
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1 stick unsalted butter</div>
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1 cup brown sugar</div>
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1/4 cup milk</div>
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1/4 tsp salt</div>
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2 cups powdered sugar (sifted is a good idea!)</div>
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1 teaspoon vanilla</div>
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Melt the butter in a saucepan, and then add the brown sugar and stir until the mixture begins to boil. Stir constantly and boil for 2 minutes. Add the milk and salt, bring back to a boil and then remove from heat. Cool until lukewarm. Add the sifted powdered sugar beating with a mixer, and add vanilla. While the icing is pliable, spread on cooled brownies.<br />
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I am loving this whole brown sugar business, so warm and different from traditional buttercream. We thought these would be delicious without the icing as well, and delicious with a scoop of frozen yogurt. Either way, these are a winner for sure. So, what are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!!<br />
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Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-74653135827472506672018-07-18T14:25:00.003-05:002018-07-18T14:25:54.410-05:00Grandma's Date Nut Bars<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk6r5pkjF0Cc4pkq4D58ElzLunGXIRS6EK6aAOZZwEahfMQHvDUls9gL48rGIEHQbIER4SBPeSdV-NYf-DHxC05nva2-0WKX9k4-_ffFU7WbQ51bimCoUYC-9KC0-1-CT92pVzr8IbNpo/s1600-h/DSCN0960.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371684121134394162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHk6r5pkjF0Cc4pkq4D58ElzLunGXIRS6EK6aAOZZwEahfMQHvDUls9gL48rGIEHQbIER4SBPeSdV-NYf-DHxC05nva2-0WKX9k4-_ffFU7WbQ51bimCoUYC-9KC0-1-CT92pVzr8IbNpo/s400/DSCN0960.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
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Mmmm. Date nut bars, such an old fashioned treat. Dates are a wonderful fruit that have been grown and harvested for over 5,ooo years. They were essential to the diets of nomads because of their high carbohydrate content and potassium as well. But they are not the most fashionable food, probably because of the carbs, the 4-letter word of every hot diet. <br />
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My Grandma's date nut bars have been a staple in our family since I was a little girl. It isn't any great secret of a recipe, although for years I was sure it belonged solely to my family. Imagine my surprise when I saw it on the back of a box of Dromedary Dates. September is the beginning of date harvest, so fresh dates from California will become more readily available, and these are even better with fresh dates! But for years, the box of dates sealed in plastic was all we ever used. Grandma would never lead me astray. And my Grandma would have a square with a cup of coffee at 3 o'clock. A tradition I still love. But I wonder..how on earth did my Grandma ever fall asleep with a cup of coffee, from a percolator every afternoon? Vexing. <br />
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I once gave Grandma's date nut bars a bit of a makeover by reducing the sugar, butter and flour, I think maybe they are just a little healthier for you. But honestly, adding the rice flour wasn't really any great improvement. I'm a bit over all this crazy substitution stuff. So here's the way I make them. It makes a big pan, because you just can't stop eating them. Its not exactly a doubled version of the original, but it really works. All I know is, a date nut bar and coffee with milk is the world's greatest breakfast. Did I mention the fiber? Dates are loaded, and with the addition of oatmeal, these babies will keep you satisfied way longer than a brownie for breakfast. Trust me, this is exactly the sort of thing I research.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Grandma's Date Nut Bars</span><br />
2 boxes, 8 oz ea. chopped, diced dates<br />
3/4 cup sugar<br />
2 cups water<br />
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2 1/2 cups flour<br />
3 cups oatmeal<br />
1 1/2 cups brown sugar<br />
1 1/2 t baking soda<br />
1 1/2 t salt<br />
2 sticks butter (salted is best)<br />
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Spray a 9X13 pan with Baker's Joy. In a small saucepan simmer the water, dates and sugar until it thickens. Take off heat to cool. Preheat oven to 375°.<br />
Mix dry ingredients in large bowl and cut in butter using a pastry blender until it resembles gravel. Pack half of the dry mixture into the bottom of pan. Cover with the date filling and then the reaming dry ingredients.<br />
Bake for about 40 minutes.<br />
They are delicious warm, chilled, for breakfast or even dessert (vanilla ice cream is pretty okay with them). They are loaded with sugar in all forms, but also filled with love and nostalgia. Aunt Florence who lived well into her 90's would tell you how much healthier this is than that terrible stuff you buy at the coffee shop loaded with colors and preservatives. So, what are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!!!<br />
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<br />Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-85651884600189269402018-05-14T11:00:00.000-05:002018-05-14T11:00:02.699-05:00Cookies for Wedding FavorsOh the weddings....it is the most exciting day in the life of these young people (until that first baby arrives!) and I love making cookies for them. Usually it is for a shower, bridesmaid luncheon or the host bags. I am not a big fan of the cookie favor at the wedding. I want cake. Please, good old fashioned wedding cake with buttercream roses and white fluffy cake. Keep the fondant (Blech!), the red velvet (just NO!), the chocolate (grooms cake maybe), Funfetti (think 6 yr old birthday) and gasp...naked cake... away from the celebration. Naked! The only reason anyone would eat wedding cake is for that nostalgic taste and feel of that icing. But I guess I'm just old.<br />
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Lucky for me, the sugar cookie is the star of many take away bags, arrival bags, reception options and dessert bars. I have done many cookies in the wedding theme, and they are all special to me!!<br />
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The air brushed T were for the rehearsal dinner at my son's wedding. I just didn't have the time to pipe the T on all those cookies. I made a lot of them, so there were plenty left over after the rehearsal, and it was nice that folks could grab one when they came to our room for a little hospitality! It was a very fun weekend!<br />
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I dod these fun cookies for a friend. When her company arrived to their hotel they each got a bag and these cookies were part of the gifts. I loved to be a part of their very special weekend!!!<br />
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These were for a bridesmaid's luncheon before the wedding. Someone saw that I had posted them and asked me to make her the same cookie. Same invitation and bridesmaid dresses, different city! I don't ship cookies so I was not able to help her out.<br />
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This was a custom monogram made for the bride and grooms big weekend. The MOB sent me the booklet for the wedding which was chock full of all the events going on that weekend in the Highlands. Sounds like an amazing time!!! Speaking of time, this monogram....<br />
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Another bridesmaid luncheon...different colors!!<br />
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I made these for my adorable niece for her big weekend. After I had piped 100 Mr. & Mrs. cookies, I was like, Damn!!!! They are Dr. and Dr.! But it just din't have that wedding feel so I only did a few of those!<br />
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<br />Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-12862461802844660412018-04-27T01:00:00.000-05:002018-04-27T01:00:05.015-05:00Cinco de Mayo Celebration!!!An excuse to make margaritas, tacos, home made salsa, cookies? I'm in. It's also one of the prettiest times of year in the South. We are likely running the AC, but not yet sweltering. Lots of fun ideas this time of year, and I have a few to share.<br />
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The best version of a taco comes from the Taco Pizza. This isn't just any pizza, it's an institution where I grew up. The original blog, linked here, <a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2011/04/happy-joes-taco-pizza.html" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;" target="_blank">Happy Joe's Taco Pizza</a>, is one of my most popular ever. People move away and crave this stuff. I encourage you to try it, I promise it is unlike any taco pizza you have ever eaten! And don't get fancy. There is a reason this is so popular. But you know I make my mad money on cookies. Lots of them. So here are a few themed cookies perfect for the 5th of May!<br />
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It's an excellent time to plan a shower. Instant theme, super colorful and an abundance of great food that people can bring! These were made for a girlfriend's party, and we watched the rain come down all day. And miraculously at 5pm, the sun popped out! It was a tiny bit humid, but no rain!!!<br />
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These were also a wedding shower, but it took place on St. Patrick's Day. Funny right? But the Irish food theme can only go so far, and the green beer could be problematic. I'd much rather decorate with piñatas! And eat fajitas!</div>
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This is my go to salsa. I love this stuff. It's delicious on a corn chip, but also great on fish, grilled steak, a beef fajita, or on a spoon. You can alter the heat with jalepeños, and add anything that might be hanging out in your crisper!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Salsa of the Tropics</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">2 Mangoes, pitted, peeled, diced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">4 Roma Tomatoes, seeded, diced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">1 red bell pepper, diced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">1 orange bell pepper, diced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">1 red onion, diced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">1 large clove garlic, minced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">5 small jalepeños, or to taste, diced</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">1 teaspoon cumin</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">generous shakes Crystal Hot Sauce</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">4 Tablespoons Sherry vinegar</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">2 Tablespoons olive oil</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">salt and pepper</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">fresh chopped parsley (it calls for cilantro, but hey, I'm a Petitti!)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">2 fresh limes, zested and juiced</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.4px;">Toss everything together and you are good to go! If it is going to be chilled for a long period of time, you'll want to make sure your olive oil doesn't get hard in the fridge. Some less expensive brands tend to do that. </span><br />
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Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-43037167212342440552018-04-19T04:30:00.000-05:002018-04-19T04:30:18.711-05:00Happy Birthday Kiddo!Birthdays are a special celebration, and it seem like kid's birthdays have drifted away from the traditional birthday cake. Cupcakes are a biggie, and cookies are popular because they can take them home with them. I don't do character cookies, but we can channel the idea of them . This is a sampling of some kid's celebration cookies.<br />
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I've posted these before, but really, what kid doesn't love a bowling party!?<br />
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These were for a family party, to use as favors. They were a big large, but I love my custom sprinkles mix! And the colors are so sweet.</div>
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These were for a one year old as well, but the theme was a little more girly!!<br />
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These were for a farm party. Not a great picture, but this Iowa girl loved them.<br />
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This 1st birthday was a snow theme. Not many people in Buffalo wanting a snow theme birthday I bet, but in the South....bring it on!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6P0rE4EqkzkwrGmCQ21AQNNIYdNWskfKvZWLNGMFxf6f9WP3ZsdnuhnENyg9vLaI84DWcoy3GKm1hse8imKz-7GbfADrszDcct11vQU2y78SL5jMbDmtjSyoo-lwPORagBylis2OmPdI/s1600/IMG_4442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6P0rE4EqkzkwrGmCQ21AQNNIYdNWskfKvZWLNGMFxf6f9WP3ZsdnuhnENyg9vLaI84DWcoy3GKm1hse8imKz-7GbfADrszDcct11vQU2y78SL5jMbDmtjSyoo-lwPORagBylis2OmPdI/s640/IMG_4442.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This grandma was hosting the party for the first birthday. She asked for a lot of cookies...must have been a heck of a party! I like the tone on tone pinks.<br />
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Did you know the light saber's color means something? I didn't, but you can Google the specifics. This little boy knoew exactly how many of each color he needed for his friends!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf-OECnPXeOYcxCrz-J4X4pcH1-yru6k2dSMfN-CGs9Dp9fqT-Sb7ppO-b4gJVF3b7UtSmkRXjEnYnT37wv2or2KxNC_pFJ0BB4Y0K3ipXjRsvv3jRjG5k4giigUU6Z6VLMwvcVTManHS/s1600/IMG_2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtf-OECnPXeOYcxCrz-J4X4pcH1-yru6k2dSMfN-CGs9Dp9fqT-Sb7ppO-b4gJVF3b7UtSmkRXjEnYnT37wv2or2KxNC_pFJ0BB4Y0K3ipXjRsvv3jRjG5k4giigUU6Z6VLMwvcVTManHS/s640/IMG_2033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Basketball cookies are stunning when done. It's that color contrast. I have airbrushed the balls to give it the texture look, but I find it unnecessary. Certain the 6th grade girls didn't notice!<br />
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I bought these cutters at a certain Kingdom. They are small...so I did 2 cookies per bag for the 2 year olds. Pretty cute! I love that kids still love the mouse.<br />
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And the unicorns were made for someone at the Mouse party. She loved the little favors, and I was excited to make sparkly unicorns!<br />
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Many more celebrations, we all have one a year, right!? What are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-77228272533156431732018-04-04T01:00:00.000-05:002018-04-04T01:00:27.570-05:00Dark and Stormy for an April Storm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL5c6zbKMD6GXdQxI_gbv-4t-fi49P-kEnyUxh8pgM4FOKOQcNaQQr76p6TboK7C5me2JnNO97J2POvk96QfxFyFR_ytblPNT3z-LdwV-dtLxYu1ws6i2e5UUtRCyeNX5LfiU1cebRsmc/s1600/DSCN3600.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577023141385053810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBL5c6zbKMD6GXdQxI_gbv-4t-fi49P-kEnyUxh8pgM4FOKOQcNaQQr76p6TboK7C5me2JnNO97J2POvk96QfxFyFR_ytblPNT3z-LdwV-dtLxYu1ws6i2e5UUtRCyeNX5LfiU1cebRsmc/s400/DSCN3600.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 300px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
Dark and Stormy, something is definitely brewing, not just the weather... You see I really like cocktail hour, not that I drink a lot, I just drink, well, often. Five o'clock is sort of a sacred hour around here. I love a glass of wine (Cab or Pinot please), a frosty beer, or Scotch and soda water with a hunk of lemon. I tend to steer clear of mixed drinks. I enjoy one every now and again, but they can get me into big trouble. Not because I drink in excess, but there is this small allergy I have and I can only pinpoint a few culprits.<br />
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Triple Sec is one. Stand back if I am unknowingly drinking something with Triple Sec. You'll see the flush rise up my neck, my ears, my face, my body temperature climbs and suddenly I feel very much like there isn't enough air in the room. A few glasses of ice water, a blast of cold air, and I can usually bounce back. But it only took a couple of times for me to reach that hot point, and now I order just wine. Even in one of the very nicest Memphis restaurants, I ordered a Cosmo and about died right there. I wouldn't dream of putting Triple Sec instead of Cointreau in a Cosmo, but that $14 Cosmo was built as cheap as they could manage. When the bartender saw the color of my face and chest, I hope he decided to rework the recipe. So basically I avoid Margaritas, Cosmos, any tropical, fruity drinks, especially the blue ones. There is definitely something to do with the citrus. But I know when it's coming and can stop before any permanent damage is done. Even an imported "big" beer has had these effects on me. But I am not out of the game.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjcw9UbsrsB_WKtHOyhnVS99owpGtlBLhoKfhJoSr5NWcPhg7Wlmy1lboK0_Id9SeBnODJKU5Uzs4AXZILpsS_6loeqdIGxSjEtGyURWmDN-ms_sMN4RjywTqKOMYSyhtauytXd9QYDet/s1600/DSCN3595.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577020773675207042" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAjcw9UbsrsB_WKtHOyhnVS99owpGtlBLhoKfhJoSr5NWcPhg7Wlmy1lboK0_Id9SeBnODJKU5Uzs4AXZILpsS_6loeqdIGxSjEtGyURWmDN-ms_sMN4RjywTqKOMYSyhtauytXd9QYDet/s400/DSCN3595.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 308px;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frosty mug beer...yes please!</td></tr>
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<br />My sister in Iowa, who lives on a farm, is crazy about a Dark and Stormy. Which is ironic as she has had not one, but two homes demolished by tornadoes. Really. It's an amazing and frightening statistic right? According to her, a Dark and Stormy is a shot of Captain Morgan's Spiced Rum and a Ginger Beer. We'll get to that in a minute. But first, I had no idea that there was Ginger Ale <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> Ginger Beer. Is there a difference? Yes! I think it is safe to say that Ginger Ale is a soda pop, lighter and a little sweeter and friendlier to drink. The Ginger Beer I bought totally rocks, spicy and very gingery. And mixed with a little Captain, it really rocks, and now I am a little flushed, so I could probably only have one, but what a delicious diversion on a Tuesday evening with flowers starting to bloom and the smell of spring in the air...but alas, it is not really a Dark and Stormy. Let's call it a Dark and Cloudy, shall we?<br />
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCUiIJwEIncWhcauNRpVTSNa75ZxXEMHxWV20jv1ll16MO0EZ1_XqC6YU1i7H96LPr3ZbKlwQJRaXIhzfC1OiHGrFcIjc9hH7tezwhN21z-RHDbJvu10EZ3AK7yUlNWZHUqmhK3NmKppn/s1600/DSCN3603.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577021044374188562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrCUiIJwEIncWhcauNRpVTSNa75ZxXEMHxWV20jv1ll16MO0EZ1_XqC6YU1i7H96LPr3ZbKlwQJRaXIhzfC1OiHGrFcIjc9hH7tezwhN21z-RHDbJvu10EZ3AK7yUlNWZHUqmhK3NmKppn/s320/DSCN3603.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a><br />
See, according to the Internet and<a href="http://www.jeffreymorgenthaler.com/2008/dark-and-stormy/"> this guy</a> named Jeffrey Morganthaler, who seems to know a lot about cocktails, I need to drink my yummy ginger beer with Gosling's Black Seal Rum. This dark Bahamian Rum is supposed to go in at the end and settle like a dark, stormy cloud. See my tantalizing picture at the beginning of this post. He also insists on homemade ginger beer. He obviously has never had the epic fail-homemade-root beer-explosion (another post, but the stickiest and stinkiest thing ever), so I am sticking to Cock and Bull Ginger Beer.<br />
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYEyNAKIekaeUb_KPVDFCgMa3gmwAQ6KkNes_bqk7DgEneQHlD66U3fgfBjHKSj7Xe4CTcuJ6xleypPkDp_O97bn4K9FNJyTHqUrDE1G5rnVlpn_HXu8Dy3IFTmSdXBJ2q3SKWiX3g8vl/s1600/DSCN3605.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577026807091613282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYEyNAKIekaeUb_KPVDFCgMa3gmwAQ6KkNes_bqk7DgEneQHlD66U3fgfBjHKSj7Xe4CTcuJ6xleypPkDp_O97bn4K9FNJyTHqUrDE1G5rnVlpn_HXu8Dy3IFTmSdXBJ2q3SKWiX3g8vl/s400/DSCN3605.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a>These folks have been brewing it since 1946. Why mess with perfection? But the rum. I found in my assortment of adult beverages some Meyer's Dark Rum. I bought it to make Jerk Lamb Chops (which I will blog if I ever find Scotch Bonnet Peppers) I am sure it will work, but I decided to head to my favorite liquor store first to see if I could get the real thing. After all there were 3 more bottles of Ginger Beer to tinker with! I called the nice guys at the liquor store and he asks, "Are you making a Dark and Stormy?" So, everyone knows what this is except me.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moscow Mule, good stuff. Never saw one in Moscow though, for the record.</td></tr>
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And since we were mixing drinks, why not make a Moscow Mule. I know, it requires one of those copper mugs. And no, I don't own any. I am a copper collector, but as delicious as this cocktail is, no one here will be drinking them on the reg, so no copper mugs for me. According to the carton of Cock and Bull Ginger Beer they make this cocktail with a shot of Russian vodka, ½ a lime squeezed in and a bottle of their Ginger Beer, mixed in a copper mug. I served mine in a great Triple Old Fashioned crystal glass from my very favorite store...I gave Scott the Moscow Mule, and he gave it a thumbs up made with Stoli Gold. But I digress...blame it on the rum.<br />
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I made the Dark and Stormy just as directed, and my land...This Goslings Rum is over the top. It has a very distinct flavor, and with the Ginger Beer, well it is deeelicious. Am I slurring yet? I am headed (tomorrow, sober) back to the market for more Ginger Beer. And what a coincidence that I have 3 weather alerts on my phone as the severe weather comes in tonight, high winds, hail, possible tornadoes. Perfect stormy weather!<br />
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What I have discovered on this cocktail journey is that it is quite fun trying new concoctions....I may have to experiment more! Also, blogging while drinking cocktails, especially strong cocktails makes spell check a necessary addition! But I also like the idea of taking one ingredient (in this case that Ginger Beer) and sort of finding its best presentation. There are so many ideas swirling in my rum-crazed brain...where to begin? For now, though, get in there and have a Dark and Stormy! Cheers!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-73015832192376381382018-04-03T10:34:00.002-05:002018-04-03T10:35:02.689-05:00Hoppy Easter Cookies for the Family!I love Easter. It really does herald in Spring here in the South. Most years, I am already a week or so into running the AC, and this year, I am using up the firewood trying to keep warm and pretend this rain is warm (it's not!).<br />
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I also love to make place card cookies. It's funny though, we never seem to get around to eating them! I sat down and ate mine the day after Easter, and you know what? It was delicious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNmOr0_jd8cbkiPYH5_tlYyhIFYTV2ANKFOvz765jmiGjH5DCpYWENW1MwaQ2F43PH_zSn74DjyidcUEuV-cFTP2BgivqexU82cSshRw06tBMR7xn6HD-wUKGrWkhDxYD9fq6lESl0ilS/s1600/IMG_7037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNmOr0_jd8cbkiPYH5_tlYyhIFYTV2ANKFOvz765jmiGjH5DCpYWENW1MwaQ2F43PH_zSn74DjyidcUEuV-cFTP2BgivqexU82cSshRw06tBMR7xn6HD-wUKGrWkhDxYD9fq6lESl0ilS/s640/IMG_7037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">He was made for a shower...but bunnies!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihppiH3vXKQjUeIN9CGBz5RM5zqDQ3ZpOkaIr2oLCrGF7BuNarP7uKcFFSFscEzqudxV_hFTCpqGWeWNE5ffg4mjR7HUkQtoe4-SMpVHWR3KQ35aRAtu-weWLqyVZoFre3p99KEeRVOcf0/s1600/IMG_2175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihppiH3vXKQjUeIN9CGBz5RM5zqDQ3ZpOkaIr2oLCrGF7BuNarP7uKcFFSFscEzqudxV_hFTCpqGWeWNE5ffg4mjR7HUkQtoe4-SMpVHWR3KQ35aRAtu-weWLqyVZoFre3p99KEeRVOcf0/s640/IMG_2175.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An assortment for a cookie class.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qiKc9cOrAsl-EOCBzujkpwDBndL5WbDJturYxO2yEF3pVWpj6TigY9T6OjHCY0TMlmM_5Yx5LDPtWR-fQQ-LZ5hNLGwQn88iHqMtg8EF9ZzGp8DfWEz2Rh070gawUkiDzBQuVmHaUEid/s1600/IMG_2575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9qiKc9cOrAsl-EOCBzujkpwDBndL5WbDJturYxO2yEF3pVWpj6TigY9T6OjHCY0TMlmM_5Yx5LDPtWR-fQQ-LZ5hNLGwQn88iHqMtg8EF9ZzGp8DfWEz2Rh070gawUkiDzBQuVmHaUEid/s640/IMG_2575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These are for all of spring!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFufeOAaP7vypFOmqpG_2i2hzefmsN05x4FEAqA3FAOEMRXNCtGa0uteLpUsYMHp7v2o6U0wdH4XVhoQzLa2YNAvZcjZwUxAJIzXRYcbK656Vk-H_dl5Dz133mLaItWUD_ZjoB7q_DJkKV/s1600/IMG_6883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFufeOAaP7vypFOmqpG_2i2hzefmsN05x4FEAqA3FAOEMRXNCtGa0uteLpUsYMHp7v2o6U0wdH4XVhoQzLa2YNAvZcjZwUxAJIzXRYcbK656Vk-H_dl5Dz133mLaItWUD_ZjoB7q_DJkKV/s640/IMG_6883.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">such a great cookie to use up lots of various colors icing!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-p_1XgFsxutTCTUaEjk08syXVETQzWyBRDqRhUNwYC5AiHWnYqqbU8-WxjXx7YNe41K9fVqyvwLblT1Xg-Z-QK5sa_F0yoPk8UWQHWeuoNi-IlVFxtktNaGxCv-p0hXj__7Qhg-s4gg2Z/s1600/IMG_6967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-p_1XgFsxutTCTUaEjk08syXVETQzWyBRDqRhUNwYC5AiHWnYqqbU8-WxjXx7YNe41K9fVqyvwLblT1Xg-Z-QK5sa_F0yoPk8UWQHWeuoNi-IlVFxtktNaGxCv-p0hXj__7Qhg-s4gg2Z/s400/IMG_6967.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instead of platters, we sent the cookies out in baskets!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6ftf4htHZlMlm4M8QUpl8VA-RHWrHTvhac8e2VZdSJN5Ar7Bf3dufGLEnmdmfUN0_SvLdZJN4_uM21P7CuukE-ne8EGAoIN2uaDdpp2nWpg31enh7f5tuxYP31lAaIT0jd0zDBcc94Ki/s1600/IMG_6995.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6ftf4htHZlMlm4M8QUpl8VA-RHWrHTvhac8e2VZdSJN5Ar7Bf3dufGLEnmdmfUN0_SvLdZJN4_uM21P7CuukE-ne8EGAoIN2uaDdpp2nWpg31enh7f5tuxYP31lAaIT0jd0zDBcc94Ki/s640/IMG_6995.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet and simple. The most popular design this year!</td></tr>
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And there are more, many more. Here's a link to some oldies. Always fun to look back on previous designs. Happy Easter!</div>
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<a href="http://sweetiepetitti.blogspot.com/2009/03/springtime-sugar-cookies.html" target="_blank">Oldies </a></div>
Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141402583581650270.post-74073132639536868312018-03-19T13:55:00.000-05:002018-03-19T13:55:01.096-05:00Less Formal LoveThe previous post highlighted some of the more formal cookies for engagements and weddings. These are a sampling of a less formal, but equally delicious, love. They are such fun to make! <br />
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Ice blue was the request here, and when she forwarded me the invitation, it also had white hydrangeas. They were a nice addition to the blue. I love the font.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlg81aT491Nixq9QZHEn8jsJ4fNWF7bfCpoScIOTGxXCxPg9BrVAKEyZIrw9N3nujn7_BjHQ1ek8rr0GkpJLavH6y3c51hy1TCLfbk0utv1dlplTKeehuIMZNInRGIFHAwsznhif6qcK0/s1600/IMG_6712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrlg81aT491Nixq9QZHEn8jsJ4fNWF7bfCpoScIOTGxXCxPg9BrVAKEyZIrw9N3nujn7_BjHQ1ek8rr0GkpJLavH6y3c51hy1TCLfbk0utv1dlplTKeehuIMZNInRGIFHAwsznhif6qcK0/s640/IMG_6712.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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These were for an older couple getting married, and they were selling their homes and hitting the road for a year. Yikes! Nothing I could ever do, but I am sure it was quite an adventure, </div>
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This stick drawing is a favorite of many cookie decorators. And why not? It is adorable. Such a fun platter to make. She requested some bite size which I think is such a good idea with a big gathering.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wuaBtJUjmhd2qspkReopr0NxwThiHLG1pZLoSc5gOMTJR-DiM-QVl5Vfl8aM57mozadsAznuIS66ZXNduFHwlxuflZYQU3pdJp0znVZmjnDEp3vF_74KxugTFNEWMzp7l3fbdbvXG3Xm/s1600/IMG_3276.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wuaBtJUjmhd2qspkReopr0NxwThiHLG1pZLoSc5gOMTJR-DiM-QVl5Vfl8aM57mozadsAznuIS66ZXNduFHwlxuflZYQU3pdJp0znVZmjnDEp3vF_74KxugTFNEWMzp7l3fbdbvXG3Xm/s640/IMG_3276.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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When the canning jar craze hit, I bought the cutter and anxiously awaited the opportunity to make some cookies with it. It took awhile but I really thought they were cute. The hydrangeas made an appearance here, I thought they went well. The texture is a nice addition to a platter. I decided to make some Valentine cookies with the canning jar cutter too, which I may like even more!<br />
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When my girlfriend asked for shabby chic, I was a little befuddled. I just wasn't sure how I could achieve this. It's hard to see how the painted hearts are a coppery/pink color, but I just loved them. My adorable daughter pointed out that I didn't "stay in the lines" which was kind of the shabby point. They were just different, and I think that's what they wanted. Non traditional.</div>
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Unconventional perhaps, but lovely none the less. So, what are you waiting for? Get in there and bake!Susiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03443364336465485488noreply@blogger.com0