Making Sweets With A Sweet Boy

The Saturday after Thanksgiving has become an annual cookie baking day with my Bestie and very good friend from way back in elementary school.  We each prepare a double batch of cookie dough of whichever cookie recipe we wish to bake and bring the dough(s) along with containers to my home for a full day of baking, eating, drinking and many many laughs....

Fortunately I have a very workable kitchen for cooking and baking with my "make to order" oak kitchen table having 10 boards.  I think we used 4 this year... :)

Our Holiday Cookie Menu:

PB Blossoms

Chocolate Chip-Plain and with Nuts

Old Fashion Raisin Cookies

Decorated Sugar Cookies 

We get better with organization with each year...so much fun! 

I make a large pot of Chili to munch on throughout the day so we have something other than sweet cookies in our bellies.  The Chili helps to balance it out a bit...;)

Later in the day we had a very special little visitor who decorated his own Sugar Cookies.

Sam..my Son's little buddy who is 14 months and very bright and active.  I forgot how much energy these little guys have at that age, but we so enjoy him and love when he comes for visits.

Here are a few pictures of the Holiday Baking...I hope you enjoy!

As you can see by the photos, we all had a fun time...

Especially Sam!

He decorated and then tasted a little and then a little more.

Sam's hair style is due to him being cleaned up quickly by Mommy after he ate his supper before decorating and taste testing...

Uncle Jere had Sam trying every different spoon in the drawer to eat his Ravioli with , from his own toddler spoons to full size spoons. 

Needless to say, Uncle Jere was having just as much fun as Sam trying to decide which utensil worked the best.  

We finished up around 5 o'clock with the last of the baking. 

Then we ate some more chili, drank some wine and relaxed a bit.

What are your favorite holiday cookies and do you bake each year?

Thanks for stopping by and remember to slow down and enjoy this crazy time of year..!

Hugs,

K

 This is how my day ended...with a piece of my Grandmother Myers's 

Pumpkin Pie.  I must say, this year my pies are the most tastiest or I was so hungry for a piece of grandma's pumpkin pie I wanted to savor every bite. 

Everything was so delicious..

The fresh turkey from the poultry farm to the creamed corn.

We survived another year of a Thanksgiving Dinner Blessing.

I hope your day was filled with family and friends with an abundance of food and many blessings with many more to come..

Now comes the craziness the next few weeks of Holiday Shopping.

Thank goodness for  Cyber Shopping :)

Thanks for stopping by,

K

 

Can't Stop Now.........

Hello Friends...! I know it's been a few weeks since I stopped by.  Life has been whizzing by so quickly with Events and getting ready for the Winter Months.  UGH...
You all know how much I dislike the Cold and Ice.  Love the beauty of the Snow, just not all that comes with it. 

A few things I've been up to.....Last Monday on Veterans Day, my cousins had an Auction for their parents home and all personal belongings.  That my friends, was a very difficult day!  My cousins, (brother and sister) have been planning for this sale for quite a while, knowing that it was inevitable and needed to be done.  My Aunt was my Father's Sister whom we All were close.  She passed several years ago and since then it's been a large void in our family.  My Uncle has moved to a Retirement Village where he is very comfortable and safe.  My cousin had asked me to be at the Sale for support, to which I had no reserves about attending.  We arrived about an hour before the sale and it really took me for a blow seeing all their family belongs scattered through out the lawn in the rear, side and front of the property.  The sale started promptly with household items, with the Property Auctioned at 12 noon.  There were 48 Couples at the first Open House, that did not include Singles.  The second Open House brought 23 Couples and a few Singles.  Plus a few private showings.  So we knew the Property was going to sell that day and more than a few wanted it.  The location of the Property is in my hometown of Lititz, PA (Coolest Small Town In America) and in a very upscale neighborhood.  Another plus, a nice corner lot....
The property did in deed sale that day..!  The highest bidder was a young female teacher.  She has been teaching in the Lancaster area for a few years with a lengthy commute.  My cousin was very please to hear this young teacher was the new owner, hence her daughter is about the same age and also a teacher to which my Aunt and Uncle were so proud.  
I was able to purchase their coffee table I really really wanted and hubs purchased my uncles 'like new' generator.  I also bartered with someone at the sale who purchased a box of many items.  He really only wanted one item in the box, leaving some Mason Jars I had my eye on.  I was able to get him down to 6.00 for 6 jars.  Two of the jars are the collector blue jars, one being worth about 25.00.  I'm going to clean them up, fill them with some sort of food and gift them for Christmas.  
After the sale, my cousins, hubs and I went to dinner to relax and reminisce our time spent at their parents home. It was a very bittersweet day...!  

This past weekend we attended a surprise Birthday Party.  The birthday boy was very surprised...it was great meeting some new folks and bumping into a childhood friend/neighbor I haven't seen in many many years!  Such a small world....

This week we're having a Seafood dinner for a family member who is having a birthday soon and then it's getting ready for the big T-Day...! 

I hope your doing well and have a nice Thanksgiving Day....!  
K

Friend Meeting Friend....

I had the pure pleasure of finally meeting my friend, Karen who I have come to know over the years through blogging. Karen's blog is...

My Colonial Home

 Karen is from Wisconsin and has family in Lancaster County which brings her and her husband to PA several times a year.  Karen Loves my hometown of Lititz!  We have tried several times to meet up when she was in the area, but with her busy schedule while she was here and mine the days were always cut too short for a meet up.  Finally, we made it happen!

Karen contacted me when she knew of her most recent plans coming to Lancaster.  We immediately agreed to meet for lunch in Lititz at A Tea Affair.  We were hoping for another blogger to join us, Teresa from Teresas Primitive Treasures . But unfortunately, Teresa was not able to break away...next time!

My cousin Linda, however was also able to join us for High Tea.  This was Linda and Karen's  first time at A Tea Affair, so it was very exciting to share their first time experience with them. 

Here are a few photos of our Luncheon....

With Karen at Lunch

With Karen and my Cousin Linda

 We each had our Pot Of Tea...I think between the three of us, we had 6 different Teas. 

Our First Course was a Blueberry Muffin with Strawberry Jam.

Second Course was a fresh Salad and Soup.

Karen enjoying her Vegetable Soup

I chose the Broccoli and Cheese Soup

Our Tea Sandwiches and Desserts

 Our Third and Final Course of Tea Sandwiches and Desserts.

 We each brought our Desserts home, it is just so much food!

We had a very enjoyable time as we chatted and ate our scrumptious lunch.

My Hand Made Gift from Karen

Outside picture of A Tea Affair

Several outside tables and chairs make a very comfortable outside area

The day was so nice spending it with Linda and getting to know Karen on a more personal level.  We're hoping to meet up again during her next visit.

And the Santa she gave me, already has a home!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing our day at 

A Tea Affair..

Recipe Pumpkin Pie Spice

FYI....

This is a short FYI for those who suddenly find themselves in need of 

"Pumpkin Pie Spice" for a recipe and do not have the "Pumpkin Pie Spice" on hand.

Here is the Ratio and ingredients for the Pumpkin Spice:

For Each 1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice:

  2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cloves

1/2 teaspoon ginger

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 

(Picture from Internet)

Caramel Chocolate Apples

As promised....here are the instructions to how I made my 

Caramel and Chocolate Apples.

Start with fresh apples that are uniform in size.

  

 I purchased my apples from a local orchard where they were picked early morning

the day I purchased them.  Since they came directly from the orchard, there was no shine on them like you find on grocery store bought apples.

If you use apples with a shine, the shine must be removed first before coating them with the caramel and or chocolate.  This can be done by washing/soaking them in a vinegar bath and rinsing well with cold water.  Dry the apples completely, you do not want any moisture or water droplets to get into your caramel or chocolate.

Insert sticks of your choice. I also lined my Jelly Roll pans with parchment paper and taped down the sides on the under side of the pans.

 Time to melt the Caramel.  I used Caramel Bits, which are unwrapped. I found mine at Walmart in the candy isle.  They were very hard to find, but worth the time it took to find them.  I purchased 10 bags for 60 apples and used 9 bags with very little left.

 I recommend you use a large measuring cup to melt the caramel.

Follow the instructions on the package for melting with the microwave.

As you can see above, the caramel melted very nicely. And using the measuring cup,

the heat remained in the glass to keep the caramel at the right consistency for coating.

I took a spoon and scrapped off a good portion of the caramel from the bottom of the apple before placing on the pan.  The caramel will still pool a bit at the bottom but not as much if you scrap off the bottoms. 

After the caramel set for about 30 mins. I then melted my chocolate in another measuring cup in the microwave.  If you want to tint a white chocolate as I did,  you use an oil base food coloring.  Do not use the food coloring  you would use in cake batter.  Add the color after the chocolate has melted and mix well.

I used a plastic bottle to apply the chocolate on top of the apples. 

Here is a picture of the plastic bottle and funnel I filled with the chocolate

After I added the chocolate to a few apples, I placed chocolate morsels or peanuts on top of the chocolate.  If your working with Peanuts, I suggest you package those without peanuts first so no peanut dust or pieces get onto them.  So many people have sever peanut allergies....

I then did a thin drizzle with the chocolate from the plastic bottle.

Let them set for about two hours.  Do Not Put them in the refrigerator. 

The apples will sweat and have moisture on them.  That is not a good thing!

Gently pull them from the parchment paper and place them in a sturdy wrapper.

I found these on Amazon.

Here is the completed process wrapped and sealed.

The bags are 5X11. 

I made labels with a message from the Bride and Groom.  I placed the labels on the bags before I placed the apples inside. 

You can add a bow or any other decoration you wish along with the closure.

We opted to not add any additional closure.

Here is a picture of the Bride's very good friend and Significant.  They came early to the reception as we were setting out the Apples and this is what I saw when I turned around...Too funny!

 

The Apples were a huge hit...!  Guests were eating them at the reception to which I had many raves and compliments...!

I also was contacted from the Groom's Mother asking me if I could do an order for a personal friend of hers.  Unfortunately, I had to decline due to time constraints.

Next Time...

If your unsure of the instructions, please feel free to contact me...

K

 

The Calendar Reads October...?!

We have been having very unseasonal warm days here in PA,  just as much of the Country is also experiencing.  Absolutely no complaints from me!  I could live in this warm climate every day, all year long...

Saturday was a very special day for us.  My Son's very good friends were Married.  The Bride and my Son have been very close friends for many years with a strong bond between them.  

A few weeks ago, the Bride asked me if I would make Caramel Apples for each guest to be giving at the Reception as Favors.  I was honored to be asked and started organizing immediately what I needed in supplies according to what the Bride had in mind as flavor and design.

Here are some pictures of the final creations.

I will post more detailed instructions and wedding pictures later in the week.

 

Caramel with Dark Wilbur Chocolate and Peanuts

 Caramel with White Tinted Chocolate and Semi Sweet Chips

My weeks have been busy and productive...this week is no exception.

I will try and post more later this week.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week..!

K

 

    

It's official....I catered my first gig of cupcakes and a specially made cake..!
My best friend's husband retired as Chief Of Police after 32 years of being on the Force.  The Mayor wanted a surprise party given in the Chief's honor.  I was asked to bake the cake for display and cupcakes as the dessert for the party.  Fortunately, I was asked several months ago, as it gave me plenty of time to prepare and brain storm with Kathy, (BFF) what her wishes were in flavors and design of the cake. 

It also gave me a reason to create some Cupcake Stands I had been creating in my brain for quite some time.  Hubs started to make stand tops from nice clean wood he has from a lumber yard.  But, a few weeks ago as we were driving past a local Custom Kitchen Business we saw two piles of counter top cut-outs with a "FREE" sign on them.  Hubs immediately made a U-Turn and went back to check out the Free Stuff!  We hit the Mother Load...!!  In the pile were two round cut outs from double sinks, several different square pieces in different sizes and one with an edge on the one end which I knew would work great to slightly elevate the Cake I was making for Display.....
 I was so excited...!  Hubs picked out several pieces and loaded them in the car and off we went...I was happy as a Lark!! OMG!

The next day I went on line to the Dollar Tree site and found 4'' Candle Sticks.  I Ordered a case of 12.  My son picked up some Epoxy Glue (best glue...ever!) for me when he went to the Local Hardware Store for work supplies.
 I explained to Hubs what I had in mind as to what I wanted each stand to look like in height and design and he went to work.....

I picked up some plastic like ribbon at the craft store and decorative pins for around the outside edge.  After Hubs had the stands to my liking, I attached the ribbon around the outside of each stand with the pins. I was elated...!! 

The next thing was to gather all my ingredients for the baking and get organized as to which batter I was making first and the decorating.  I made a Chocolate Cake for Display along with Chocolate and Vanilla Cupcakes.  Decorating was the most time consuming.  Kathy wanted Peanut Butter Icing on the Cake, hence my chocolate PB cake is the Retiring Chief's Favorite..!  So I knew I had to make the PB first or last due to the Nut Allergy of some people.  I chose to make the PB last and use the leftovers to decorated some cupcakes.  (I honestly do not know who all these people are that have an allergy to PB, the PB cupcakes were the first gone at the party :) )
All in all, the baking and decorating went very well since I had to make 80 cupcakes and the cake. 
I meet Kathy the day of the party at the place of Venue to set up the desserts and decorate. After the set up, Hubs and I then rushed off to Party # 1...my former SIL's Wedding Reception.  Our Son of course was invited to the Parties but his schedule only allowed him to attend the Retirement Party.  So he went on a head to be at the party and capture pictures of the man being honored when first arrived.  I'm told he was totally surprised....he thought he was attending a Surprise 25th Anniversary Party for me and Hubs.  What he didn't know was our anniversary is in October and it will be 26 years.

When Hubs and I arrived, the place was still very full of people and I was told at one point it was "Packed"...it was great seeing some acquaintances I haven't seen for a while.  After the party, we cleaned up our supplies and then headed over to the bar for some more celebrating with a few friends.  O and the interesting stories that were told from fellow colleagues, (A Chief Of Police and Officers).  

The day/evening was very memorable, sharing the new beginning with a Bride and Groom and helping to celebrate the final chapter with a retiring Chief Of Police.

Now for the pictures...!  First I'll show you the pictures I was able to get at the reception.  Please forgive the poor clarity.  My Son took my "good" Cannon to the Retirement Party, I was left with my Pocket Digital.  

The Bride LOVES to dance..!

Feeding of the cake...they were way too nice!!!

 The man with the BIG Head was looking at me in every picture I took in that direction, I tried to crop him out but his head is just too darn BIG...ugh

Bride and Mother Of The Bride

Bride giving Mother a Icing Kiss...

Hubs and Me with Bride and Groom

 Now for some pictures of the Retirement Party...First a few Pictures of my goodies before I delivered them.

Vanilla with Vanilla Bean Icing

Vanilla with Chocolate Fudge Icing

Chocolate with Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Fudge Icing

Chocolate with PB and Chocolate Fudge Icing

Dessert Table

Display Cake I designed...

 As you can see, someone touched the cake..

Design I made for the top of Cake

Dessert Table

 The SURPRISE..!

Receiving Accommodation from Councilman Craig Lutz

Retired Chief and Mrs. 

 

 

What a beautiful couple!

Both parties were fun and successful..!

Whew...I'm pooped :)