What Does Dirt Taste Like?

Well it's another holiday season and it's time to bake cookies! And that means it's time for a cookie exchange...or so I thought. Yesterday, my friend Jane came by to bake cookies with me. I had come across this wonderful cookie magazine at Costco and we decided to try out some new recipes!

Jane wanted something chocolaty and we found "chocolate walnut cookies". Yummy yummy! I started my cookie dough for chocolate-hazelnut cookies. The dough had to chill after you rolled it out...then you cut out shapes-I picked hearts. So when we got back from my nephews 1st birthday party I was ready to finish my cookies.

Well the dough cracked when I tried to cut them out...let the dough warm up and re roll...bake for 8 minutes...let cool...drizzle with white peppermint chocolate...taste test before packaging...half for Chris to taste & the other half for me...YUCK! Chris has informed me this was the worst tasting thing he has ever eaten-he's eaten alot of interesting things...especially traveling overseas. "It was even worse than cow stomach & noodles!"

I personally think the dirt I ate as a kid tasted better!
Time to look for a new recipe...and maybe not from my cookie mag I thought was so fab =)


Give Jane a cookie and some dishes & she's quiet as a mouse!

















Chocolate Walnut Cookies

4 1/2 oz (1 cup) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup natural or Dutch-processed cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
3 oz (6 Tbs) unsalted butter at room temperature
1 oz (2 Tbs) vegetable shortening
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and heat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or foil. In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly with a wire whisk. set aside.
In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment beat the butter and shortening on medium speed until creamy. Add both sugars, beating until well combined. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Turn the mixer to low speed and mix in the flour mixture just until incorporated. mix in the nuts.
Drop heaping teaspoonfuls of batter about 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for about 10-12 minutes (after 5 minutes, switch the pans from top to bottom and rotate them from back to front for even baking). The cookies will puff up and then settle down slightly when done. Let cool on the baking sheets on a rack for a few minutes. With a metal spatula, transfer the cookies to a rack to cool completely.

P.S. Gobble Take 2

Forgot to share these photos...Cricket and my Mom were making pie crusts, while Bella and I were making the pumpkin filling!

Gobble All The Way...

Another great meal...I love Thanksgiving! I have to say that this year went very smooth-my other half couldn't believe that I wasn't freaking out and running around like a chicken with my head cut off! I was as cool as a cucumber! What was Chris thankful for this year...I wasn't yelling at him and no bowls were hurled in his direction! *have I mentioned I'm Irish and Serbian...we're known for our tempers and love of fighting :) *
I decided to have dinner instead of my usual lunch. It was nice not to have to get up at 5am to prep the bird and have it in the oven by 7am...Bella and Cricket didn't get that memo & I was up early, but had time to make a nice breakfast of a praline topped french toast casserole-Yum!
My in-laws got the wrong memo and arrived a few hours early, but m-in-law made appetizers so we leisurely grazed and gabbed, while the boys watched football and the kids played.
Here's our day! Hope yours was as wonderful as mine...


Pilgrim Bella Playing Bingo!

Bella & Cricket making God's Eyes with Gigi

Grandpa's pre-turkey nap

My 26 lb. bird!
Making a memory book with Auntie

Hubby's side of the family...
minus Dad

Thanksgiving Everyday

So the other night Chris and I were chatting...our recent chats have been about Thanksgiving. I can't believe it's almost here already! Anyway, this has become my holiday...so of course there's who's coming and who's not, what football games are playing and when, how big the bird should be, should I make a ham as well or put another bird on the grill? There's all these things to do-on and on the lists grow.

This is #2 on my favorite holiday list. But realistically, there is much more than eating a fabulous meal to this holiday. For the Jews, their thanksgiving holiday lasts 3 days...The pilgrims who survived hardship and had next to nothing celebrated for 7 days! Why do we, who have so much to be thankful for, only celebrate once? Shouldn't we celebrate Thanksgiving 365 days a year?

So that is my goal this year, be thankful for something everyday, no matter how small! In this country where there is SO MUCH I think we lose perspective of things. Life should really be about the little things- whispered "I love you's, "I'll help you's" from your eager children with outstretched hands, "I just called to see how you're doing?" from your friends...the list could go on and on.

May everyone be richly blessed this year and have a Very Happy & Truly Thankful Thanksgiving!!!

An Extra Stocking...

I normally don't put up my Christmas decorations before Thanksgiving, but this year is an exception. We'll be leaving early December for 10 days to take the kids to Disney!!!! I'm as excited as the kids =)

Yesterday, Chris helped me drag out the boxes from under the stairs. I decided to tone it down this year. Only one tree for the kids to decorate how they choose instead of the normal 4! They made construction paper chains and stain glass window cookies...the tree looks adorable and perfectly simple.

Today I was looking in the boxes for my garland and found our stockings....one, two, three, four, and one for Ava...oh how my heart aches. And so that stocking goes back in the box and tears are wiped away...it seems like yesterday, yet on the 19th of December it will be a year...So even though it is a crazy time of year and filled with joy-you are in my thoughts while I pack for Disney, decorate the tree with your sisters, and get ready for all those Thanksgiving and Christmas events. And I know you are watching quietly from Heaven... my sweet baby angel.

Quantum of Solace

Another Way To Die Jack White & Alicia Keys

Another great Bond movie as far as I'm concerned. Daniel Craig, well what can I say...definitely sexy and serious eye candy! I fell in love with the opening credits and this song...

Wicked Tuesday!

I must admit that The Wizard of Oz is hardly one of my favorite movies. In fact I would put it in my top 5 least favorites-I know, I can hear the "boos" already...It's almost sacrilegious to admit that, but yes I just did. And then I will tell you that Wicked is fabulous!

My GF Jane and her 2 munchkins, along with Bella and I hit the road and headed downtown! We ate at this tasty mexicana restaurant first-I must make 2 comments here...1. so Jane goes to restroom numerous times...then she tells me I NEED to go! I go in-it's a nice bathroom for a small space, but what I really notice is the art they have chosen. At first I notice that's it's a painting of a tree, then the double take...this tree is very anatomically correct as it was half woman! Very voluptuous!
2. Since when did men start wearing rosaries for necklaces? Maybe I need to get out of the "burbs" more often?!?

Our next stop...Macy's to check out the holiday windows. A man definitely designed these! In fact I would go as far to say a engineering drop out designed them. I was hoping they would be better, but I wasn't that impressed except for a few funny words they came up with... "phenominizer" *hee hee* I thought of you Chris!

And finally...we're at the Oriental Theatre! Oh! The theatre is Beautiful!!! I would have loved to take photos, but they don't allow you to. The carvings on the walls and on the ceiling were so ornate and detailed-gilt gold, carved shells, stars, and faces...magnificent!

On with the show...If you haven't seen it-GO! Great scenery, acting and singing-witty, too!

So thank you for asking me to along, Jane! My only disappointment with this adventure...no midnight dinner in Chinatown! There's always next time...

Don't Let Me Fall

Don't Let Me Fall By Lenka

A sweet tune that helps get you out of your funk...Lord knows I'd rather play something moody, but I'm going to fight that urge. So, I am pulling up the boot straps and enjoying today! That's my goal- let's see how it goes...

A Wink and A Smile...

The song Chris and I chose for our first dance together as husband and wife. I can still say that my wedding was one of the best I've been to in my life-and it should be that way. I can still remember how beautiful the weather was that day...the sun shining bright and all the fall colors. Then at the end of the night, big fluffy snow flakes-my prayers had been answered. Not just for great weather and snow all in one day, but for the love of my life.

I married my best friend 10 years ago and we're still best friends today. Chris is more than I could have ever dreamed of. He is still my best friend...I love that no matter what we're doing it's fun! He helps me see past the gook, is there when I need someone to pick me up, and just lets me be me. I admire his integrity and his outlook on life. I love that he's the peacemaker, is willing to learn new things, and can do all those projects around the house!

Although I give him a hard time about being more and more like his Grandad, he is becoming more and more like his Grandma Selma. She was one of the most wonderful women I will ever know. She accepted people for who they were-no matter what. She loved unconditionally and had such a zest for life. I think Chris has always had these traits, but I can see them more clearly now that I'm older.

He is a fantastic father to Isabella and Charlotte-sometimes I wonder if he wouldn't be better suited to staying home with them. He doesn't mind the messes they make doing a project, his patience is what I pray for every day, but somehow never get, he is a constant teacher, and the "big kid" ready to play at a moments notice.

I am truly blessed to have him in my life and I pray we will have many more years together.

So thank you, Chris for being you and for choosing me to spend your life with. I love you more than these pitiful words can say. For you are the one with the eloquent words that I love so dearly. I know that this last year has been rough-thanks for sticking by me & not letting go...I LOVE YOU!

HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY

Cure For Pain

"Cure For Pain" By Jon Foreman, Fall album

I started this blog to help myself deal with my inner pain. For me music is something that I can't live without. Ask my husband-I'm addicted. I also believe music heals. So I've decided to have a song of the week. What it might be I have no idea...Chris says my taste in music is so extreme and diverse he never knows what might end up on his ipod, but it's always interesting!

I hope you'll enjoy some of my picks...

Do Reindeer Really Fly???

According to the Hardy family in Rantoul, IL-Yes they do! In an airplane from Alaska, of course...The Hardy's own a reindeer ranch in Rantoul, Il near where my parents have a lake house.

We went to visit last Saturday and had a wonderful time! There was a gift shop, play area, hay rides, cart races, corn maze, and reindeer tours. We hung out with Santa's helpers most of the time. The girls got to pet these beautiful creatures and feed them reindeer cookies "graham crackers"-hee hee! What a fabulous experience!

Halloween Fun!

What a beautiful day to trick or treat! The last few years I have given up and headed home with, a then baby, Charlotte due to the extreme cold. Not this year! It was a perfect 75 and this year the girls gave up because they were tired!


Here are pics of "Rag Doll Bella" and "Tiger and Bedtime Bear Charlotte"