Thankful

OK, it's been a while, not for lack of want but for lack of time, however I'm sure everyone can relate.  Everyday seems to get shorter and shorter.  Although my kids are getting older, their need from me is still there, and sometimes I feel like it's more than ever.  BUT, having said that, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world, especially for days like today when you go to your child's school conferences and you get nothing but positive feedback.  Well, other than the, "likes to socialize", but hey that's still positive, right?! 

While both of my superstars got straight A's, seeing the words "Distinguished Honor Roll" on my 6th graders report card makes me feel so proud and THANKFUL!  And it's amusing to me that my daughter's writing teacher chose to share a descriptive paper she wrote entitled "The Kitchen".  In this paper, she talks about all the wonderful things her Mom, a/k/a ME, makes.  The smells she smells, the tastes she tastes.  But then, she goes onto say how happy I am when I am baking.  What, wait people notice that, especially an 11 year old?  I know, crazy right, who in their right mind LOVES to be in the kitchen, unless they live in 1950...well me, that's who.  I have no rhyme or reason, it just is.  Eating baked goods makes people happy, so generally it should give me happiness too!

Tonight, the middle school had a Teacher Appreciation Dinner.  So to honor our schools teacher's, I made Pumpkin Cupcakes with Buttermilk Cream Cheese frosting. I chose Cupcakes because I could take 3 dozen, spend time on each one, and make them to how I want them to turn out.  Afterall, isn't that what teachers do with our children... 

So, not just today or this time of year, I am thankful for my children and also their teachers, everyday.  What teachers give to our children is above and beyond.  It takes someone special, who has patience and love, and more patience.  I can honestly say that while I could never be a teacher, I have been (and hopefully continue to be) a great Mom.  And seeing what my children have become so far, definitely reaffirms that.  Besides, I have a #1 Mom Christmas ornament to prove it!

I share with you my recipe of Thanks.  Use it if you ever want to let your teachers know just how much you appreciate them too!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Cupcakes

2 cups flour                                     

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 TBSP. + 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. nutmeg   

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 1/4 cups brown sugar

2 large eggs

1/2 c. buttermilk

3/4 cup pumpkin

Preheat oven to 350.  Line standard muffin tins with paper liners.  Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices.

On medium high speed, cream butter and brown sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating until each incorporated.  Reduce speed to low.  Add flour and milk, alternating and beat until just combined.  Add pumpkin and beat until just combined.

Fill each muffin cup 2/3 full.  Bake approximately 15 minutes.  Yield 32 cupcakes.

Buttermilk Cream Cheese Frosting

1 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 pkg (16oz) powdered sugar
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 TBSP. meringue powder

Cream together cream cheese and butter.  Add powdered sugar, meringue powder and milk.  Add vanilla until creamed.

It's What's for Dinner...

Probably my least favorite question each day, besides what should I wear, is that burning question we all face and that is, What's for Dinner?  Should we go out and if so where?  Should we order in, if so Pizza or Chinese?  Cook at home, what is everyone in the mood for, which in my house is NEVER the same thing.  Thing is, noone ever says what they want, it's always I don't know or well what do you want. 

Last night, the decision was easy, we went out however as we were eating, I did what I always do, and that is say "I don't know why we go out, I can make this".  When we got home, I decided I would go through my pile of MANY unread magazines for recipes.  Determined to find a quick and easy weeknight meal, I found a bunch of baking ideas (no surprise) but I also found some good dinner ideas as well.  I absoutely love to cook/bake but my downfall in the kitchen arena is I make nothing simple.  Even when I find a recipe, I always have to change it, so I apologize in advance for all the side notes in the recipe below.     

So the next time you are asking yourself this same question, here is the recipe I tried tonight.  It's fast, easy and good.  And since it was worth sharing, I will.  I hope that you now have 1 less question to face tomorrow.  Anytime someone can make my life easier, which does not happen often, I take it, so I hope you do too.  Just remember to save room for dessert :)

Chicken Paprikash
 
6 oz. wide egg noodles
1/2 cup fresh flat parsley, chopped (optional)  OR 1 TBSP dried parsley
2 TBSP. olive oil
1 1/2 lb. bonless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 2 1/2 inch pieces
Kosher Salt and Pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine (of course)
1 large onion, sliced (I did not include)
1 green bell pepper, sliced (I used a combo of yellow and orange peppers)
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 28-oz can whole peeled tomatoes (1 used 1 can diced tomatoes)
1 TBSP. paprika
1/2 cup sour cream (I used plain greek yogurt)
 
(As you can see, I made many changes.  Chose the listed way or mine, but either way, I think you will enjoy!)
 
Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat and saute garlic and onions (if using) about 3 minutes. Season the chicken with salt, pepper and paprika and cook until browned.   
 
Cook the egg noodles according to package directions.  Drain, return to the pot and set aside. 
 
Add wine and let chicken simmer for about 5 minutes.  Add peppers and tomatoes and cook approximately 5 more minutes.  Remove from heat and stir in sour cream.  Serve over noodles. 
 

! ENJOY !

Whine or Wine

After a day like today, I battle the choice of these two.  Right now, I've decided on both however it makes me think, hmmmm, this is a tough call, which one will actually make me feel better.  Well let's see I could whine about the fact that it's Monday.  But let's face it, I will have the same things to whine about tomorrow and the next day...and the next.   Whine that my husband and kids just don't seem to get that I am a lunatic by now so shouldn't they just pick up their things and listen, Lord knows I've asked enough.  Nope, not that either because let's be real, they are kids and a man, they will never get it.  Whine because there is another Presidential debate on TV.  Nope, not that either because everyone will just be talking about that tomorrow, so I'll just have to whine about it all over again, well for the next 15 days anyway.

Let's face it, everyone has a right to whine and everyone has their fair share of problems, no matter who you are.  And don't say you don't, because then you are just a liar and I'd rather deal with a whiner than a liar.  BUT, whine or wine?  Well studies show that a glass (or 2) of wine a day is actually healthy for you.  I have not yet seen a study that says whining is healthy for you and I'm pretty sure its negative effects cause wrinkles and high blood pressure.  Another positive of a glass of wine, you will no longer want to whine.  I guess what I am trying to say is find that happy, if it is not wine than so be it...Dessert works too and dessert and wine go great together.  Dessert and whining, not so much, afterall you should not talk with your mouth full!

There is too much to whine about but there is also much to wine to.  We made that homemade wine in the picture above for a family gathering this past summer.  Yes, we make homemade wine, well my husband does, I just whine when there is no more wine :)  Point is, we didn't have anything real to celebrate other than family and life.  We didn't need a reason to celebrate, we just did.  It's times like that, when you've had a bad day that you should remember because the good far outweighs the bad, if you allow it. 

Today, I'd like to share my Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese filling.  Since they were on my picture of the tray with my sugar cookies from the other days blog, I probably should share that YuMMMy recipe too.  Afterall, I don't want anyone whining about my blog :)

Pumpkin Whoopie Pies - Makes 36-48

1 can (15oz.) solid-packed Pumpkin
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil (or I use 1/2 cup apple sauce and 1/2 cup canola oil)
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 350.  In a large bowl, beat together pumpkin, brown sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla until blended.  In a separate bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, ginger, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.  Add to pumpkin mixture and beat until smooth.  I used muffin pans (sprayed with PAM) and filled bottoms with mixture or you can drop batter by tablespoons onto baking sheets.  Bake 10-12 minutes until tops spring back when lightly touched.  Remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

Cream Cheese Buttercream filling

1 8oz. pkg. cream cheese                   1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter                       1 TBSP. Meringue powder
4 cups confectionery sugar                 2 TBSP water 
 
Mix all ingredients until smooth.  If using muffin pans to bake whoopie pies, once cooled, cut in 1/2 and spoon desired amount of filling on bottom layer and place top 1/2 on top OR spread filing onto flat side of one cookie and top with another.  Repeat remaining cookies and filling. 

! ENJOY ! 

 

Good is Bad

If you ask me, the word "good" is probably one of the worst descriptive words there is.  Good, what does good mean?  Well according to Dictionary.com:

Part of Speech:	adjective
Definition:	pleasant, fine
Synonyms:	acceptable, ace*, admirable, agreeable, bad, boss*, bully, capital, choice, commendable, congenial, crack*, deluxe, excellent, exceptional, favorable, first-class, first-rate, gnarly, gratifying, great, honorable, marvelous, neat*, nice, pleasing, positive, precious, prime, rad, recherché, reputable, satisfactory, satisfying, select, shipshape, sound, spanking, splendid, sterling, stupendous, super, super-eminent, super-excellent, superb, superior, tip-top, up to snuff, valuable, welcome, wonderful, worthy Fine, pleasant. WELL this I can tell you, the Sugar Cookies and Pumpkin Whoopie Pies I made for today were none of those. They were great, amazing, fabulous but NOT just good. When I ask my family how something I've made tastes, they say, "it's good". Really, can they not cannot pick another adjective to describe it or are they just so use to having something I've baked that they do not feel the need to use another word other than "good"?   Plain old "good" just does not describe what I made for today, especially if my daughter had 1 whoopie pie and 3 cookies in all, that and the fact that the entire tray was gone in no time.  And might I add, no one at the party use the word "good"!  I guess saying something is "good" is like when someone asks you how you are. What is our normal response...yep, Good. I'm good, doing good, everything is good. It is our instinctive response I suppose. Because, to tell someone how you actually are, may not be appropriate, especially with strangers or the local grocery store clerk. So here's the deal, the next time you have a tasty treat that someone made, family or otherwise, or when you are at a restaurant and they ask you that magic question, how is it, if it is just "good" then fine, by all means say "good", but if it is so much more, dig a little deeper for another word. A word that would be more appropriate (and appreciated too). I bet you may actually make someones day! Funny, but one little word can certainly make a big difference :) SUGAR COOKIES - Makes 3-4 dozen   3 1/4 cups all purpose flour                    1 cup (2 sticks) softened butter 1/2 tsp. baking powder                           1 cup sugar 1/2 tsp. salt                                              2 large eggs                                                                 1 tsp. vanilla extract   Preheat oven to 350.  Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl and mix to blend.  Beat butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl until light and fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition, mix in vanilla.  Gradually add flour mixture and beat until just smooth.  Divide dough into 2 discs, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.   Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4 inch thickness and press desired shapes with cookie cutters.  Transfer to cookie sheets and bake for approximately 10-12 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.   You can icing these as desired.  I use Powdered sugar and milk mixture.  You can tint icing and/or use colored sugar or sprinkles.   ! ENJOY !         

Baking Inspiration

 

Figured it out...made my decision...and I can thank this tree, my tree in my front yard. 

The past couple days, while sitting on the front porch with my son waiting for the school bus, I have been admiring my tree and it's changing colors.  Every afternoon this week, my living room has been full of the orange glow coming from this tree.  Today, however it was the brightest it has been all week.  It was a drab and dreary morning and you would have never guessed it looking at this tree.  I don't think that it being Friday was the only reason that I was in high spirits, I believe this tree was a contributing factor.  In the grey sky, this tree somehow made it feel like the sun was shining through. 

It's funny, because you may think that this is just a tree.  A tree yes, but not JUST a tree.  It has given me a great start to every day this week.  And soon, when all those leaves are on the ground, it will give me the joy of seeing my kids again jumping in those leaves.  Plus, they like raking those leaves, so I will take that for as long as I can.  Afterall, do you see the size of that tree???  It sheds a lot.  

 

 

So the inspiration was obvious and made my decision that much easier.  Sugar cookies shaped like leaves, acorns and pumpkins it is.  Tomorrow, I will share the recipe along with some pictures of the final product.  Because afterall, if my tree can share so much with me, I guess I can share a little too! 

Oh yes, I made Pumpkin Whoopie Pies with Cream Cheese filing too...I never said I was just going to chose 1 recipe, that would be out of character for me!




  

Decisions, Decisions

This weekend, our neighborhood is having a gathering and everyone is to bring a dish.  Odd numbered houses are to bring an appetizer and even number's to bring a dessert.  Guess which one I am...DESSERT!  While this makes me the most happy, it also makes me panic, WHAT AM I GOING TO MAKE????  And with this being one of my favorite seasons to bake, that makes the decision even harder.  Apple something, pumpkin something, fall themed sugar cookies....AHHH I just want to make it all!!!

This is when I decide to look to the cookbook Gods.  I pull all my resources to see if I can come up with the a new creation, a fresh idea.  Not a good idea because for me, I probably have more recipes than Betty Crocker.  Amongst the cookbooks, I have 3 ring binders full of magazine recipes (yes, you know what I mean if you are a recipe hoarder like me), recipe boxes, family recipes and even Composition books of my own.  Now, all I am is more confused with a mess of paper everywhere.  OK, Michelle, streamline it!  So now, I have them organized into category piles; the apple somethings, the pumpkin somethings and now the cookie (and bar cookie) somethings.  Process of elimination, will work, right?!  Well, don't ask the husband and kids because of course, everyone wants something different.  They are not helpful :)

I think this is why I like to take orders and make what other people want because they already know.  For me, it is nearly impossible to decide because I want to try it all, make it all and eat it all.  So the decision is up to me, apple something, pumpkin something or cookie something.  Good thing I have until tomorrow to decide! 

Decisions, decisions...I guess it could be worse :)

Bake, Bake, BAKE!

First step, know how to bake...second step is to bake!  

I have been watching my Mom bake since I was a kid.  At Christmas, my Mother makes about 125 dozen (yes dozen) cookies, 12 different kinds and that does not include the dozen or so Hungarian Nut Rolls.  She does this WHY?  Not as a business, not as a professional baker but to gift because something from the kitchen, and especially from my Mom's kitchen, is like gold!  So from that, I learned early on the love of baking!  

As a child, I was able to help my Mom bake by unwrapping Hershey kisses for her Italian Cookies and also Peanut Blossoms.  Our hands ALWAYS had to be washed first and if we dropped one on the floor, it was NOT to be used.  My sister and I would sometimes drop them on the floor on purpose so we could eat them :).  Today, I have continued that tradition with my children, and they too, like to drop Hershey kisses on the floor.  

For birthdays, holiday gatherings, bake sales and school events, my kids birthdays, I bake, bake, bake.  When I attend a party and ask what it is I can bring, I am always asked to bring the same thing...the dessert.  So I guess I can stop second guessing my skill and put it to work.  Now is the time!  And by starting as an on-line, out of my kitchen for friends and family business, I hope to turn this into more someday, someday soon.  

The biggest pleasure I get from baking is putting a smile on the faces of the people who eat my treats, well that and the taste testing part.  So thanks to my Mom, if it was not for her love and talent of baking, I would not be able to share my YuMMMy creations!