Fruity Veggie?

Yesterday, instead of cookies or pastry, I made BANANA BREAD. It has to qualify because my arms are starting to kill me from all that batter stirring! Yes, I'm ashamed to admit it, chocolate chips were in it-- Mr. Man's new fave.

We watched a mini LDS video about getting the spirit of Christmas as stated by President Thomas S. Monson. There was this family who was busy planning the materialistic aspects of Christmas while their youngest child busied herself by making her own Nativity. Her constant traveling through the house got the family's attention and they followed her into her room, desperately trying to reach the baby Jesus from under the chest she put the creche on.

Isn't that how most of the world is right now? Still trying to reach the gospel of Jesus Christ? It reminded me once again the importance of reaching out to others and teaching them about our Lord and Savior. The dad had to help fetch the baby Jesus but quietly allowed the youngest daughter to place HIM on the manger. Are we that careful in sharing HIS message to others that we don't frighten them, but instead leave an immovable spirit of truth? I know that I, for one, can do more of this. I do love the Lord and hope that my meager efforts are helping to put a smile on HIS kind face...

Today... Mailed out most of the Newsletter/Picture to friends and loved ones. Mailed out packages for in-laws. Found out don't have enough pictures and need more copies. Need more papers for newsletter. Hit Jo-Ann's and Hobby Lobby and found 70 & 90% off deals, respectively. Treated the kids to Sonic- with coupons, $30 worth of fast food, only paid $19!

Tonight, it was a confection all the way from Utah-- from the grands! PUMPKIN COOKIES!

They sent the ingredients, I baked it! Moist, sweet and with chocolate, so... YUM!

So, despite all the chocolate mixed in, which is by the way, the seed of the Cacao FRUIT, BANANA and PUMPKIN seemed to have broken the uber-sweet streak I've baked so far. LOL

The story, or rather stories, were called, "The Dolls' Christmas Party" and "Silent Night-The story". I'm sure most of you have heard of both, but the latter is one story we read every year and still in awe that someone can be so honest in their awed feeling of the Savior's birth. May Heavenly Father continually bless the descendants of J. Mohr and Franz Gruber...

Have a great week!

Something Refreshing

After enjoying a few cocoa-rich confections, I was getting a little tired of chocolate, which by the way were decimated by teenagers and kiddos alike plus a hubby hurrying to get to work tonight, I opted for another first in my desserts "conquer" list. Of course, I made sure that we were able to gift some of these sweet treats before the kids got to them. ;-)

In comes, Lemon Bars! The kids love grandma's so I thought I'd try it. They turned out great and I can't wait to have them cool down and firm up more since that's how the kiddos like them best.



For tonight's story, we read, "The Fairy Christmas" where a young and barefoot singing transient,was welcomed in by two little girls and had a fabulous Christmas.

I was afraid the lemon bars would be too tart, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Here's to refreshing friendships everywhere, compliments of Christmas magic.

Snow and Sunshine

In continuing the "12 Days of Cookies", I found out that I only had two eggs left and not enough butter. So I had to search for easier recipes that didn't require or much of the two above. Lo and behold, snowball cookies!

But I also didn't have the right oil nor the right cake mix it required so I had to be creative. In the process of "tweaking", I made my own recipe, "Snow and Sunshine" cookies. You'll see... (or rather, read...) The glow is from the candlelights we light up every night.
But boy, oh boy! Were they delish! Just enough crunch on the outside and oh so soft and buttery on the inside! Wow!

Ok, here's MY recipe. I had to tweak the Crisco recipe I found on Food Network.

Snow & Sunshine Cookies
1/4 C canola oil
1/4 C olive oil
1 1/4 C quick rolled oats
1/2 C walnuts, finely chopped (leave out for allergies)
1 pkg. yellow cake mix
2 lg eggs
2 tsp vanilla
2 C powdered sugar; in a sandwich bag

Preheat oven to 350 F
Combine olive and canola oils with oats and let stand for 5 minutes.
Stir in cake mix, eggs & vanilla until well mixed.
Fold in nuts (leave out for allergies)
Form into balls and place 2-inches apart on baking sheet

Bake 8-10 minutes; cool for 1 minute before rolling into bagged powdered sugar.

While I finished up the cookies, J-Pony decided to try her hand at making a card house. Kila and L-Infinity had a rather lousy and scary concert (3 members fainted during the performance, dehydration was suspect) and couldn't wait to eat the cookies and brownies while I-Dude had his hands full of his artwork and Legos.

We also learned about the Christmas traditions of the Philippines and how Filipinos focus on the star on that fateful night. Filipina Soul dot com had this beautiful example of what "Pinoys" normally display on their homes at Christmas time. I remember watching my dad put up one these lanterns at the front of our home in Manila. Of course, we've never been able to hold on to one, so we had a different one every year.
These below are our "parols" or star lanterns the last four christmases. I still can't afford an authentic one of my own yet, but I'm working on it. :-)

"Pinoys" also focus on family, food and togetherness at Christmastime. Trees and gift giving are often optional for those with modest means and is actually more of the European and American influence.

What are your "Pinoy" like traditions?

A Dozen Baker in Me

It was an exciting day today. It was uncle Noel's birthday, there were friends to play with outside, no homework, Disney shows were abundant and... big boxes from Grandma and Grandpa arrived! We waited for Mr. Man to wake up before we opened both. G&G set up this year's loot where we had some gifts to open while waiting for Christmas day. How awesome is that? We found two DVD-shaped packages and Mr. Man had J-Pony choose one. It was Santa Buddies!

Perfect for our Movie/Soda Nights on Friday!

To quiet down for the night, we did the skit, "The Baker's Dozen". According to this legend, St. Nicholas visited a baker as an old woman asking him to give her an extra cookie to make a dozen. The baker, though honest, was not generous.

I left exactly 13 of the Mexican Wedding cookies I baked as our sample. At the end of the skit, we shared our own "baker's dozen".


It also occured to me that I have baked a dozen different things of the doughy variety. Let's see...

1. Sandwich bread (white and wheat)
2. French bread
3. Italian loaf with cheese and herbs
4. Brownies
5. Cookies
6. Pie
7. Cheesecakes
8. Pan de Sal/Dinner rolls
9. Biscuits
10. Cinnamon rolls
11. Muffins
12. Cakes/Cupcakes
13. German pancakes

Isn't that wonderful?! I love knowing that! I feel like my own bakery. LOL

Hope you all had a great Wednesday!

A Night of "Firsts"

Tonight, we ran a little late on everything since I was in between finishing our 2010 Projection Budget (yes, I have to do this so we can survive...) and next thing I know...
J-Pony's done with homework and rushing off to her school concert that I didn't get to attend, I-Dude's finished with his homework and ready for anything and Mr. Man is rushing out the door to pick up L-Infinity from her Ac Dec meeting at school while Kila's entertaining me with my horoscope. I managed to put up only one set of LED lights around one window because many of the suction cups wouldn't take, the clings were not clinging and I had to help our neighbor over something.

So... no story tonight, because I had to go out and get real butter for these awesome Chocolate Mexican Wedding cookies that almost didn't turn out and I had to tweak the recipe. So until I get our next batch perfect, I won't share the recipe, but I assure you, it is great! Especially when you grind up your own chocolate and pecans. Mmmm... the fresh ingredients make these cookies!


Right after each kid had two cookies dipped in ganache, we listened to The First Noel song and had a great round of hugs after prayer. Appropriate considering this is the FIRST time I baked these cookies!

I found some great Thanksgiving decor and salad plates at our local Kroger for 90% off! It is a FIRST since according to them, they have never sold any after Thanksgiving items for more than 50% off. Woohoo!

I love nights like this... Wishing you're enjoying yours.

I'm Grateful For... #15

Family Home Evenings!!! Spending time with my family is just the best time, every time, especially during the silly times! (Pardon the mess on the table; we are in the sorting phase of our "storage packing" projects.)
My new VT sent us this "Pilgrim Hat" Cookie kit and we put them together tonight for FHE.
We also used the message by Elder David Bednar; "More Diligent & Concerned at Home" from the October General Conference. Look at all these fun ideas the kids had:

Turkey by L-Infinity, Flower by I-Dude, Person by J-Pony, and Frog by Kila.

Of course, since Halloween was just a couple of weeks ago, the kids were all "sweets" out. But the orange Tic Tacs didn't make the grade either. Oh, well... At least they take cute pics!