Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Wednesday Update
Thomas will be returning home from Cedar Falls sometime today. Mao and I are happy that he will be back for a few more days. Last night, after Chloe came home from class, she shut off the front light and Mao looked very sad. He knows that means no one else will be coming in the door. Doug and Chloe both have a sore throat, I hope I don't get one too. I already have kind of a sinus thing. Have a wonderful day everyone!!!
Monday, March 05, 2007
Monday Update
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Sunday Update
Today we are celebrating three birthdays. Ashley (3rd), Wanda (5th) and Johnny (7th). Doug is making Fish Chower and Lauren is making Full On Chicken and Vegetable Soup. Thomas is here on break, Ashley work until 4 and hopefully Chloe will be back from Chicago. It should be a really fun time. Jamie and Lauren are bringing Guitar Hero I & II.
Friday, March 02, 2007
Friday Update
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Thursday Update
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Wednesday Update
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Tuesday Update
Ice Storm 2007

2/24/07 Ice Storm
2/24/07 Ice Storm
2/24/07 Ice Storm
2/24/07 Ice Storm
Monday, February 26, 2007
Monday Update
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Saturday Update
One of my favorite things they talked about on the documentary was the dial a song. They recorded songs on an answering machine and then posted an add with the band name and a telephone number. You dailed the number and heard a song. Doug said he actually called the number.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Friday Update
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Thursday Update
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Wednesday Update
Wednesday Update
Monday, February 19, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Sunday Update
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Saturday Update
Friday, February 16, 2007
Friday Update
Yesterday was Diedre's 22nd birthday. Thomas and Diedre are driving down on Saturday to go out to eat at Vino's. Next week I am invited to have a 1 hour lunch with my old superviser, soon to be my new supervisor, at the Blue Strawberry. She has invited all of the employees that she had asked to stay on with the company for lunch. Of course, only the people who said they would stay on are going out to lunch.
I am also happy that this is Friday because I get to have a 3 day weekend. Monday is Presidents day and a paid holiday for me. Have a good weekend everyone.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Tuesday Update
Monday, February 12, 2007
Monday Update
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Sunday Update
Yesterday I went grocery shopping by myself. While I was at Hy Vee a got a phone call from Ashley, she was on break and wanted me to join her at the restuarant area. She was eating a blood orange and drinking cappacino. When I got home Doug told me that Chloe had been home for lunch and she had bought me another present. He had me close my eyes and open my hand. The gift was a key chain with 2 gnomes and a penguin. It says "Chillin with the Gnomies". Oh that Chloe!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Saturday Update
Last night Chloe came home and immediately said "I've got a present for you, close your eyes!" She gave me a tee shirt that has a gnome on it, with two mushrooms and two hearts. It says "Friends Gnome Matter What." I love it.
Does anyone remember the Disney movie The Gnome-Mobile?

There is also the movie A Gnome Named Gnorm.Thursday, February 08, 2007
Thursday Update
Last night we watched a show about cars of the future, then we watch American Idol and then the first new episode of Lost. It was a good episode, but I really don't like the character 'Ben'. Ashley spent the night here after work. I think it is so much better than driving back to school at night in the cold weather. We don't have to worry about something happening to her or Scout this way.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007

Apparently this ice silo is outside of Cedar Falls and people who like to be cold and crazy in the winter are climbing it. This was the idea of Don Briggs, a physical education instructor at the University of Northern Iowa. He hoses down the silos on a friends farm at night and the cold weather does the rest.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Monday Update
The Colts kicked the Bears in the pouring rain yesterday. I hardly watched any of the game. I find football very boring. I did like watching Prince. He was amazing even though it was raining.
Here is what they are saying at PrinceFams.com.
Prince wowed the audience and the television viewers with a 12 minute long display of genius!
Showing off his guitar playing skills, he played an interesting set where he included a few short tributes to other artists, as well as his own material.
The press had reacted very positively, with some commentators calling it the Best halftime show EVER!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Sunday Update
Yesterday was very busy and very productive for Doug and I. We started shopping around 10:45 AM and got home around 1:30 PM. We went to the Post Office, the bank, Aldi's, Hy-Vee, Fareway and Sam's. Food samples were abundant at Hy-Vee and Sam's, Fareway even had a couple. When we got home we did our usual scanning for ACNielson-Homescan. Then we cleaned out our spice cupboards and the refrigerator in the main kitchen. The refrigerator had more than one science experiment living in it. After supper Doug made Chex Mix and I made blue Jello jigglers in the shape of footballs and helmets. Today will be a very busy day as well.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Saturday update
EARLY SPRING!
The Prognosticator of Prognosticators has spoken! Phil says we'll have an early spring.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Friday Update
Happy Groundhog Day!
![]() | Six more weeks of winter? |
If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, it means six more weeks of winter. If he does not see his shadow, it means spring is just around the corner.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Wednesday Update
They messed up all the paychecks at work. This check was supposed to have Holiday pay for Christmas and New Years. It was missing both. Now they are cutting a new check for the two days for everyone.
I still got nothing! Have a good day everyone.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Tuesday Update
Yesterday was a pretty boring day. I went to work, it was busy so the day went relatively fast. I came home and washed yesterdays dishes. Probably in record time, thanks to Doug. We ate leftovers for supper while watching Antiques Roadshow. Next we watched Heros. It wasn't as good an episode as last week, but it was good. And then I went to bed. Boring.........
Monday, January 29, 2007
Monday Update
In the middle of the night I felt Mao bouncing all over the bed. He had his new mouse baby on the bed and he was flipping it around. Doug said that when he came into bed, Mao was sleeping up near my waist level and he stayed on the bed even after Doug got in. He doesn't usually do that.
This morning I went to the front part of the house and could tell something was not right. It was quite cold (57 degrees). I felt the heat register and cold air was blasting out. I had to wake Doug because for the second time this week, the pilot light went out on the furnace. We are not sure what is causing this to happen. Thankfully he got it lit and it is now getting warmer in here.
Saturday, January 27, 2007
Saturday Update
Friday, January 26, 2007
Friday Update
Last night we had chicken tortilla soup. Chloe says it is the best soup she has ever had in her life. She has made it a law that we have it at least once a month from now on. I'm all for it.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Thursday Update
My Dad called last night with better news. It looks like the financial situation has changed for the better. Nothing is final yet. I wish them luck.
Last night we watched American Idol. I know, I said I wouldn't watch another year, but it is fun to watch the auditions. Last night they were in New York and all of the crazies were out. They just refused to take no for an answer and insisted on begging for a chance even though they basically sucked.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Wednesday Update
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Tuesday Update
Monday, January 22, 2007
Monday Update
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Sunday Update
It is snowing quite heavily right now. When I woke up this morning Doug was just coming back into bed. He told me that he had looked out the back door window and it looked like there were ghost kitty tracks in the snow. The tracks came up to the door and just stopped. There were no turn around tracks leading away from the door. There were also no tracks to either side indicating that the cat had jumped away. Very strange.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Saturday Update
Oh yeah, it is now officially 2 years, 17 hours and 36 minutes before Bush is out of office.
Friday, January 19, 2007
Friday Update
In case you have not seen the local news lately, police believe a Marion man strangled his mother and then hid her body in the trunk of her own car for three months. Her car was found in a garage at Quinn's Storage. Quinn's Storage is not far from us on 5th Ave. Creepy!!!!
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Thursday Update
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Wednesday Update
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Ardith . Gray
September 07, 1912 to January 12, 2007
Surviving are 5 children, 18 Grandchildren, 36 Great-Grandchildren, 15 Great-Great-Grandchildren; 1 sister, Roberta Sievers, Anamosa; and 1 brother, Mitchell (Lois) Winchip, Monticello; a sister-in-law, Alice Winchip, Anamosa. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don, 2 brothers, Virgil and Arthur, and 2 Grandchildren.
Marietta Ardith Gray was born September 6, 1912 at Olin, Iowa. She was the daughter of Alvin and Belle Mitchell, Winchip. Ardith graduated from the Olin Highs School in 1930. She married Max Burns December 26, 1934 at Olin, Iowa. They farmed in the Olin, Clarence and Stanwood area before moving to the Scotch Grove area. In 1955 they moved to Monticello. The couple divorced in 1958. Don L. Gray and Ardith Winchip Burns were married at the First Presbyterian Church, Monticello on August 18, 1963. The couple farmed near Scotch Grove until 1990 when they moved to Monticello. Don would drive Ardith to area care centers and senior meal sites to play the piano and entertain. She was the Jones County Outstanding Senior Citizen in 1988. Ardith was also a published poet and a correspondent for the Monticello Express. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and the Rebecca Circle, the Royal Neighbors and the Scotch Grove Oak Drive Club.
Monday, January 15, 2007
Monday Update
We found Mao's new baby that had been lost for about a week. He is throwing it around and making snorting noises into it right now. Now he found his old baby and brought it to the living room. I rubbed some catnip on it and he is rolling around on the old baby and making the snorting noises. I think Mao is getting stoned.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Saturday Update
Friday, January 12, 2007
Friday Update
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Thursday Update
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Tuesday Update
I am afraid that my Dad is going to drive Doug crazy before this whole moving thing is over. Doug has to go over to the house with a realtor to do an inspection. My Dad was right in choosing Doug though, he is all prepared with check lists on what to look for. The realtor won't know what hit them. I talked to my Dad last night and unfortunately he is fighting off a virus that Ilsa had and has given to him. I hope he gets better before the actual move. That is a long drive for anyone and not a good idea for someone who is old and sick.
The kids all started thier new classes yesterday. I heard mixed reactions from them. Thomas seems to think some of his classes will be tough. He thinks he is really going to like his Iowa history class and gym will be okay. Even the tough classes can't be as bad as his chemistry class last term. Ashley thinks she will like her class. Chloe is not too excited about having two classes that will involve a lot of writing.
I am not sure what I am going to do on my little vacation this week. Maybe just chill and turn another year older.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Sunday, January 07, 2007
Sunday Update
Saturday, January 06, 2007
Saturday Update


Go figure, I guess I don't know my Dad very well anymore. He and Ilse bought the house on Soutter Ave Ct. It is the one with the hot tub on the deck. They are very excited and have to be out of thier house in Mareno Valley by Feb. 3rd. I hope they have help with packing. My sister's husband Dave will be flying out to help drive one of the cars and handle the dogs. It will be nice to have my Dad around again and the kids are looking forward to having Grandparents near by.
Friday, January 05, 2007
Friday Update
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Wednesday Update
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Sunday Update
It is the last day of 2006. I did not want the year to go by so quickly. But, in a way I am also glad that it is over. With 2006 over, it means that Bush will only be in office a little over two more years. As my counter shows, it is 750 days. I hope everyone has fun in thier own way tonight celebrating in the New Year. In 10 days I will be another year older. Look out, every year makes me just a bit crazier. I'm only kidding (I hope).
Friday, December 29, 2006
Friday Update
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Thursday Update
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Wednesday Update
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Tuesday Update
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Saturday Update
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Thursday Update
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Wednesday Update
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Tuesday Update
CROCKPOT PUMPKIN PIE PUDDING:
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
1 (12 ounce) can evaporated milk
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup Bisquick
2 eggs, beaten
2 tablespoons butter or margarine (melted)
2 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoons vanilla
whipped topping (optional)
In a large bowl mix together the first eight ingredients.
Transfer to crockpot coated with pam.
Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours.
Serve in bowls with whip cream, if desired.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Sunday Update
Happy Holidays everyone!!!!
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Saturday Update
Friday, December 15, 2006
Friday Update
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Thursday Update
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Wednesday Update
12 Days of Cookies - Day 12
From Eagle Brand and Comstock/Wilderness
| Ingredients | |
![]() | 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs |
![]() | 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter or margarine |
![]() | 1 (14-ounce) can EAGLE BRAND Sweetened Condensed Milk (NOT evaporated milk) |
![]() | 1 cup (6 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate chips |
![]() | 1 cup (6 ounces) peanut butter-flavored chips |
| Instructions | |
![]() | Preheat oven to 350ºF (325ºF for glass dish). In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and butter; mix well. Press crumb mixture firmly on bottom of 13X9-inch baking pan. |
![]() | Pour EAGLE BRAND® evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with remaining ingredients; press down firmly with fork. |
![]() | Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars. Store leftovers covered at room temperature. |
![]() | For perfectly cut bars: Line entire pan with a sheet of aluminum foil first. When bars are cool, lift up edges of foil to remove from pan. Cut into individual squares. Lift off foil. Notes: You may substitute butterscotch flavored chips or white chocolate chips for the semi-sweet chocolate chips and/or peanut butter chips. |
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Tuesday Update
12 Days of Cookies - Day 11
From Food Network Kitchens
| |
| 1 cup quick cooking oatmeal 3/4 cup pecan halves 1 cup whole-wheat flour 1/4 cup cornstarch 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon fine salt 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks, 6 ounces) unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1/3 cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 large eggGrind the oatmeal and pecan pieces in a food processor until they resemble cornmeal--reasonably fine but with some texture. Whisk the whole wheat flour, cornstarch, ginger, salt and baking soda together in a medium bowl. Whisk in the oat/nut mixture. In another medium bowl, beat the butter with an electric mixer until smooth and light, about 1 minute. Gradually add the granulated and light brown sugar; continue beating until evenly combined, about 3 minutes more. Add the vanilla and the egg. Mix in the dry ingredients to make a textured dough. Line a 1 1/2-quart loaf pan or 3 mini loaf pans with plastic wrap and pack dough into the bottom half of the pan. Press to level off the dough. Lay a piece of plastic wrap on top and refrigerate until completely firm, about 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats. Remove dough from the pan and unwrap. Slice dough in half lengthwise if using a large pan. Slice each log crosswise into 1/4-inch thick cookies. Place the cookies about a 1-inch apart on the prepared pans. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Transfer cookies to a rack to cool and crisp. Serve. |
Monday, December 11, 2006
Monday Update
12 Days of Cookies - Day 10
From Food Network Kitchens
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 large eggs
2 tablespoons buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup natural cocoa powder, such as Hershey's or Scharffen Berger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
11 ounces (1 bag) semisweet chocolate chunks
1 cup dried cherries. optionalPosition racks in the lower and upper third of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment or silicone mats. (If you don't have 3 pans, simply cool the pan between batches.)
Put the butter and the unsweetened and semisweet chocolates in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 75 percent power in the microwave until soft, about 2 minutes. Stir and heat again until melted, up to 2 minutes more. (Alternatively, put the chocolates and butter in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching the water, and stir occasionally until melted and smooth.)
Stir the light brown and granulated sugars and vanilla into the chocolate mixture with a wooden spoon. Add the eggs and buttermilk and beat vigorously until thick and glossy.
In another bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa, cinnamon and salt together. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir until just mixed. Stir in chocolate chunks and dried cherries, if using.
Drop the batter in heaping tablespoons onto baking sheets--a small ice cream scoop is ideal for this. Space the cookies about 2-inches apart. Bake until the cookies set but are soft and fudgy on the inside, 12 to 15 minutes.
Cool cookies on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Sunday Update
12 Days of Cookies - Day 9

Whoopee Pie
From Food Network Kitchens
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
1 cup sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup natural cocoa powder, such as Hershey's or Scharffen Berger
1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoons fine salt
18 large marshmallows, (not minis)Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicon baking sheet.
Put the unsweetened and semisweet chocolates and butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl; heat at 75 percent power until softened, about 2 minutes. Stir, and continue to microwave until completely melted, about 2 minutes more. (Alternatively, put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching the water, and stir occasionally until melted and smooth.)
Whisk the sugar, eggs and vanilla into the chocolate mixture until smooth.
Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt into another bowl. Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until moistened. Switch to a rubber spatula and finish folding the batter together; take care not to over-mix.
Use a small cookie scoop or spoon to drop a heaping tablespoon of batter onto the prepared pan. Repeat to make 36 cookies, spacing them about 1-inch apart. Bake until the cookies spring back when lightly touched, about 6 minutes.
Cool the cookies slightly. Transfer half of the cookies to a rack. Turn the remaining cookies on the pan over, so they lay flat side up. Place a marshmallow on top of each flipped cookie and return pan to the oven. Cook just until the marshmallow begins to soften and puff, about 3 minutes. Cool marshmallow topped cookies slightly, about 2 minutes. Top with the remaining cookies, pressing lightly to make sandwiches. Cool whoopee pies completely on wire racks. Serve.
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Saturday Update
12 Days of Cookies - Day 8


Iced Citrus Crackle Cookie
From Food Network Kitchens
Dough:
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
1 tablespoon finely grated citrus zest (Meyer or regular lemon, tangerine or lime)
2 large egg yolks, room temperature
3/4 teaspoon lemon extract (or use all orange extract for tangerine cookies)
1/4 teaspoon orange extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
Icing:
1 cup confectioners' sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons colored sanding sugar (yellow, orange or green, depending on the flavor of the cookie)
1 tablespoon finely grated citrus zest (the same flavor of the cookie)
2 to 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed citrus juice (the same flavor of the cookie)
Beat the butter in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high heat until smooth. Add the sugar and citrus zest and continue to beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. (The creaming is important to get a great texture so don't skimp here.) Add the yolks, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the extracts.
Whisk the flour, baking soda and salt together in a bowl. Stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing at low speed to make a soft dough.
Scoop the dough into rounded heaping tablespoons with a cookie scoop or measuring spoon. Space the cookies about 2-inches apart on the prepared pans. Freeze for at least 30 minutes. (The cookies can be frozen for up to 1 month.)
Bake the cookies, straight from the freezer, until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.
For icing: Mix the confectioners' sugar, colored sugar and appropriate flavored zest in a medium bowl. Add the citrus juice and mix with an electric mixer to make a firm but pourable icing. (If needed, add up to 1 teaspoon more juice, but keep in mind that if the icing is too loose it won't set.) Dip the rounded side of the cooled cookies into the icing; then let the excess icing fall back into the bowl. Dry cookies icing side up on a rack. Serve.
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Friday, December 08, 2006
Friday Update
12 Days of Cookies - Day 7
Recipe courtesy Paula Deen
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, plus more for coating baked cookies
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting hands
1 cup pecans, chopped into very small piecesPreheat the oven to 275 degrees F. Line cookies sheets with parchment paper.
Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar at low speed until it is smooth. Beat in the vanilla. At low speed gradually add the flour. Mix in the pecans with a spatula. With floured hands, take out about 1 tablespoon of dough and shape into a crescent. Continue to dust hands with flour as you make more cookies. Place onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake for 40 minutes. When cool enough to handle but still warm, roll in additional confectioners' sugar. Cool on wire racks.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Thursday Update
12 Days of Cookies - Day 6
Courtesy Nantucket Cookie Company
4 cups sugar
1/2 cup lemon zest, about 6 to 8 lemons
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes, chilled
5 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup lemon juice
Lemon Icing, recipe followsPreheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a food processor work bowl, add sugar and lemon zest. Process until sugar and zest are well mixed, about 20 seconds. Scrape into a large mixing bowl. Reserve about 1/2 cup of lemon sugar in a separate bowl for later use.
Add flour, baking powder and salt into food processor and pulse briefly to mix. Add cold butter into food processor with flour mixture and process with short pulses until mixture resembles cornmeal and no large lumps of butter remain, about 10 pulses. Pour this mixture into the sugar and lemon mixture in the large mixing bowl and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix egg yolks, vanilla extract and lemon juice together.
Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, pour in the lemon/sugar and flour/butter mixture and stir until combined, about 15 seconds. Then, while the mixer is still running, slowly add egg/lemon juice mixture and mix until well combined and dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 15 to 30 seconds.
Scrape the dough into a large bowl and refrigerate until cold, but not solid, about 30 minutes. Use an ice cream scoop to scoop the dough onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. Take the dough balls and roll the tops into the reserved lemon sugar. Use the bottom of a water glass to press the cookies flat, about 1/4-inch thick. Bake the cookies until slightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove the parchment paper with the cookies from the tray to a cooling rack and cool completely, about 1 hour. Once the cookies have completely cooled, ice with Lemon Icing.
Lemon Icing:1 pound (2 cups) confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons lemon juice
In a medium bowl, whisk sugar and lemon juice together until smooth. Spoon onto cooled cookies, and spread evenly with the back of a spoon. Let stand on a cooling rack until the glaze is set, about 1 hour.
Yield: enough for 3 dozen cookies4 cups sugar
1/2 cup lemon zest, about 6 to 8 lemons
4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1-inch cubes, chilled
5 egg yolks
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup lemon juice
Lemon Icing, recipe follows
In a food processor work bowl, add sugar and lemon zest. Process until sugar and zest are well mixed, about 20 seconds. Scrape into a large mixing bowl. Reserve about 1/2 cup of lemon sugar in a separate bowl for later use.
Add flour, baking powder and salt into food processor and pulse briefly to mix. Add cold butter into food processor with flour mixture and process with short pulses until mixture resembles cornmeal and no large lumps of butter remain, about 10 pulses. Pour this mixture into the sugar and lemon mixture in the large mixing bowl and set aside.
In a medium bowl, mix egg yolks, vanilla extract and lemon juice together.
Using an electric mixer with a paddle attachment, pour in the lemon/sugar and flour/butter mixture and stir until combined, about 15 seconds. Then, while the mixer is still running, slowly add egg/lemon juice mixture and mix until well combined and dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 15 to 30 seconds.
Scrape the dough into a large bowl and refrigerate until cold, but not solid, about 30 minutes. Use an ice cream scoop to scoop the dough onto parchment-lined cookie sheets. Take the dough balls and roll the tops into the reserved lemon sugar. Use the bottom of a water glass to press the cookies flat, about 1/4-inch thick. Bake the cookies until slightly browned, about 15 minutes. Remove the parchment paper with the cookies from the tray to a cooling rack and cool completely, about 1 hour. Once the cookies have completely cooled, ice with Lemon Icing.
Lemon Icing:1 pound (2 cups) confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons lemon juice
In a medium bowl, whisk sugar and lemon juice together until smooth. Spoon onto cooled cookies, and spread evenly with the back of a spoon. Let stand on a cooling rack until the glaze is set, about 1 hour.
Yield: enough for 3 dozen cookies
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Wednesday Update
12 Days of Cookies - Day 5
From Food Network Kitchens
1 box sugar cookie mix
1/2 stick butter, melted
1 egg
1/3 cup softened cream cheese
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus additional for surface
Red food coloring
1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extractPreheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a bowl, combine sugar cookie mix, melted butter, egg, cream cheese, and flour; mix together to form dough. Separate dough into 2 equal portions and place in 2 different bowls. Add red food coloring gradually to 1 bowl of dough, kneading together until desired shade of red is created. To second bowl of uncolored dough, add peppermint extract and knead together. On a floured work surface, shape each dough into balls and then roll each ball into 1/4-inch-wide ropes, each about 6 inches long. For each cookie, carefully twist some of the red and white ropes of dough together and shape into a candy cane. Spread candy canes out on cookie sheets and bake on the top shelf of the oven for about 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool before serving.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
12 Days of Cookies - Day 4 (I missed a day yesterday)
From Food Network Kitchens
Ingredients
10 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 stick plus 2 tablespoons)
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup smooth natural peanut butter, room temperature
1 1/4 cups dry roasted peanuts
1 1/4 cups chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chunks (about 6 ounces)
Instructions
Position racks evenly in the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line 3 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Melt the butter over medium heat, swirling the pan occasionally. Continue to cook until the butter browns and gets a nutty aroma, about 5 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a large bowl.
Beat the eggs in a medium bowl with an electric mixer until light and pale yellow, about 2 minutes. Gradually add the sugar while beating. Then slowly add the butter and vanilla until evenly mixed, about 30 seconds more. Add the peanut butter and mix until combined.
While mixing slowly, add the dry ingredients to the wet, in 2 additions, mixing just until absorbed. Fold in the peanuts and chocolate pieces.
Divide the dough evenly into thirds and put each portion in the center of a baking sheet. Shape the dough with slightly wet hands into logs about 2-inches wide and 15 inches long. Bake until set and brown around the edges, 25 to 30 minutes. (For even baking take care to rotate the pans--top to bottom and front to back--about half way though.) Cool logs on the baking sheets for about 10 minutes.
Lower the oven temperature to 325 degrees F. Carefully transfer the logs to a cutting board. Cut logs crosswise, with a long serrated knife at about a 45 degree angle, into 1/2-inch thick cookies. Place cookies cut side down on the baking sheets. Bake until crisp, about 8 minutes. Flip the cookies over and bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes more. Cool biscotti on the baking sheets. Serve.
12 Days of Cookies - Day 3
Vanilla Thins
From Food Network Kitchens
1/2 stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon all-purpose flourPreheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Beat butter, sugar, and salt with an electric mixer at moderately high speed until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add egg and vanilla and mix at low speed until just combined. Add flour and mix until just combined.
Drop level teaspoons of batter about 3 inches apart on buttered baking sheets. Bake cookies in batches in middle of oven until just golden around edges, 6 to 8 minutes. Cool on baking sheet on a rack 1 minute then transfer with a metal spatula to rack to cool completely.
Note: Cookies can be made 3 days ahead and kept, layered between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container, at room temperature.



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