Blueberry Cookies

I got some blueberries at the market the other day with nothing particular in mind for them. 

Then I was browsing some recipe link parties and found this recipe at http://www.happierthanapiginmud.blogspot.com/ and thought I'd give them a try for Sunday evening Coffee Break at Church.

The cookie part was amazing and the berries added a pop of tartness.  I think next time I might drizzle some glaze over the cookies to add just a bit more sweetness.  Or maybe sprinkle some sugar on top before baking.

Blueberry Cookies

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup blueberries

Heat oven to 375.  Grease cookie sheet or use parchment paper on the cookie sheet.  Parchment paper works the best!

Mix the shortening and sugar together and then add the egg and milk.

Next add the flour, baking powder and salt.  Mix well.

Fold in blueberries gently.

Use cookie scoop or teaspoon to put dough onto cookie sheet.

Bake 8-12 minutes.  Remove from oven.  Let rest 1 minute before transferring cookies to a wire rack to cool.

Makes approx 36 cookies.

Share with family and friends.

My mom loves blueberries and she really liked these cookies.  So did my daughter, Kaylee, which was a surprise.

This recipe was something different for me.  Most things I make have some form of chocolate in them.  lol  These were a great way to mix it up a bit!

Please see my left sidebar for the great places I'll be linking to!

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 6/26/11

Memory Verse ~ 6/26/11-7/2/11

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." 

Matthew 21:22

(First Place 4 Health, "Seek God First", Week 3)

Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.

     

Please see my sidebar to see all the wonderful places I'll be linking up to.

"Lift Up Your Face" by Third Day

 

On Sunday.  oops

Really watch this video.  I got goosebumps at the end.

Have a great week!

{this moment} & Feel Good Friday ~ 6/24/11

 {this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo (or 2, or 3) - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

************************

"Just make a list. List 5 things that made you really happy this week. No matter how bad or boring you think your week was, I bet you can find 5 things."

1.  I hit 50 sales in my etsy shop!


2.  Fellowship at Camp Meeting!

3.  Hope for Hyndman Charter School is making great progress!


4.  The house has actually stayed fairly clean and tidy this week!


5.  Payday!!!

A Feature and Giveaway at PrettyMuch Dana!!

Dana, such a sweetheart, is featuring my blog/shop on her blog today.

Click above to go the feature!

There is a giveaway involved, so make sure you go over to PrettyMuchDana to check it out!

Thanks so much to Dana and YOU for the support and love!

"Saving Grace" by Denise Hunter

The New Heights Series Book 2

Book Description:

As if the jolt of becoming a single mom to her two sons wasn't enough, Natalie Coombs is facing new stresses as the director of the crisis pregnancy center.

A teenager who comes in for testing brings back memories of another pregnant girl whose life tragically ended in suicide. Desperate to reach out to this client, Natalie crosses professional boundaries and incurs the wrath of a mysterious assailant.

Even within her family, all is not well as her relationship with her sister becomes increasingly tense. Natalie is compelled to carefully count the cost of following her heart and her convictions amid betrayal, physical danger, and strained family relationships.

Filled with human drama, readers will be easily drawn in as national issues become highly personal in this gripping tale of conflict and commitment.

My Thoughts:

This was the second book I read while on vacation.  It wasn't your typical vacation-light-reading topic matter.

As I sat on the pier, I was drawn into this story.  Abortion is such a serious topic.  I felt myself pleading in my heart for the young mother to listen to Natalie and what she knew was right.

My heart broke so many times throughout this book.  It was a roller coaster of emotions.  There were times when I soared along with the characters.

The huge twist in the storyline, (that I won't give away but I did have it figured out) is unbelieveable.  How much are we willing to forgive?  How much am I willing to forgive?  I don't know if it would be as much as portrayed in this book.

This was a very thought provoking book.  Like I said, not the average vacation read, but I am so glad I had it with me that week and was able to really give the topic the attention it deserves.

It lingered with me and I even found myself telling a few friends at church about it.

Amazing book!  You must read this series.  Book 3, "Finding Faith", will featured next Tuesday.

Please see my left sidebar for the great places I'll be linking to!

Chocolate Surprise Cookie

Finally, a new-to-me recipe!!! 

We had a Church picnic yesterday and I made these yummy cookies.  I had so many requests for the recipe!  They were a hit.  A big hit! 

Some people even asked me to go home and make some more because they were gone in a flash.  (especially thanks to one of the Elders who grabbed a handful!)

I found this recipe over at http://www.sixsistersstuff.blogspot.com/ .  They called them "Magic in the Middle Cookies" but I just liked saying "Surprise!" when someone took a bite.  lol

(Note:  I doubled the recipe so that it would make approx. 4 dozen cookies.  The recipe below is already doubled)

Chocolate Surprise Cookies

Chocolate Dough:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar (plus a bit extra in a bowl)

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

3 eggs

Peanut  Butter Filling:

1 1/2 cup peanut butter, crunchy or smooth (your choice.  I used smooth)

1 1/2 cup powdered sugar

To make the dough:

Preheat the oven to 375 and light grease cookie sheet or line with parchment paper.  (I recommend parchment paper for ALL cookie baking.  Makes it so much easier.) 

In a large mixing bowl, beat together the sugars, butter and peanut butter until light and fluffy.  Add the vanilla and eggs.

Add the flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt.  Blend well.

To make the filling:

In a medium bowl mix together the peanut butter and the powdered sugar until smooth.  Roll the filling into approx 48 one-inch balls.

To shape the cookies:

Roll approx. 1 Tablespoon of the chocolate cookie dough into a ball.  Press your thumb into it to make an indentation. 

Place one of the peanut butter balls in the indentation and then shape the cookie dough around the peanut butter ball.

Make sure all the peanut butter is enclosed in the chocolate and then smooth out the chocolate ball by rolling it in your hands.  Repeat, using all dough.

Put some sugar into a small bowl and roll each chocolate ball in the sugar and then place on the cookie sheet.

Using the flat bottom of a drinking glass, press each cookie until about 1/2 inch think.

Bake the cookies for 9 minutes.  They will still be very soft.

Let cookies rest on cookie sheet for 1 minute and then remove to a wire rack to cool.

Share with friends!!

Make sure you say "Surprise" when each person takes their first bite and discovers the peanut butter in the center!  It is great fun!

These are definitely a keeper.  Be prepared for people to ask for the recipe.  You might just want to print some out and take them along with you.  hehe.

Please see my left sidebar for the great places I'll be linking to!

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 6/19/11

Memory Verse ~ 6/19/11-6/25/11

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." 

Matthew 6:33

(First Place 4 Health, "Seek God First", Week 2)
Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.

     

Please see my sidebar to see all the wonderful places I'll be linking up to.

"Blessings" by Laura Story

 

What a beautiful song!

Have a great weekend!

{Shop Update} ~ 6/16/11

Each Thursday I am going to dedicate a post to updating you on what is new and/or restocked in my "Colletta's Kitchen Sink" etsy shop.


Wow!  I haven't done a shop update since the end of May.  Things have been so hectic around here with vacation, referee-ing kids and making order for my shop.  I haven't really been able to list anything new but I have relisted items that I've sold.  yay!!!  God has been good to me.
Here are some of the items that have been selling and that I've been relisting:

Different color variations of the "Summer Fling Sun Hat"

"Newborn-Adult White Summer Fling Sun Hat with Choice of 3 Flower Clips"

"Your Choice of 3 or 6 Triple Flower Hair Clips"

"Individual Triple Layer Flower Hairclip"

 All these items can be found in the "Hats and Accesories" section of my shop.

I also restocked some cocoons and pods that sold:

"Pesto" which will now be "Olive" with the shot of yellow.

"Ambrosia"

 I also sold an "Ocean" Shawl and will be working on adding more to the "Shawls" section soon.  I have some great colors just waiting for me to shape them into some triangle shawls.

I have lots of ideas and patterns that have had to take a back burner to getting orders out the door.  I love being able to say that!

I'm going to stick with the summery items that I currently have listed and start focusing on some new Fall and Winter/Christmas items such as the Two Tone Beanie, Booties, Slippers, Baby and Adult Leg Warmers, Wrist Warmers and lots more.  Maybe even some Doggie Sweaters and decorative Collars.  When I get the time, that is.

Have a great day!

Two Tone Beanie with Flower or Button

This is a new hat/beanie that I gave a whirl a few weeks ago.  I pretty much made it up as I went.  Mixing a few different patterns together to come up with something I liked.

Here is a boy version in gray and black with a button accent.  I sent a few of these off to a fellow SAHM who does photography from her home.  She in turn sent me some great pictures.  You can go to her website at http://www.collinsphotography.com/.  I also did one in shades of brown and also a green/cream variation.

 Isn't this little boy adorable?

You might recognize this little ham as daughter #2, Laken.  This hat is made in Honeydew with a Lite Raspberry accent and flower.  This picture I took on our back deck.  Not professional but still super cute.  I may be a bit biased!

I don't have these in my shop yet, but I will soon.  They can be made with any colors and I do custom orders.  So, if you'd like one of these before I have a chance to list them, feel free to contact me and I'll "hook" you up.  lol

Please see my left sidebar to see the great places I'll be linking to!

"Mending Places" by Denise Hunter

"The New Heights Series, Book 1"

Book Description:

Hanna can forgive anything. But can she forgive this?

One Woman Harboring a Painful Past:   Hanna Landin's past holds her captive. But the rugged mountain guide she hires to help the family's floundering mountain lodge makes her wish she could move beyond it. Can she save her grandmother's lodge from threats of sabotage? Can she forget that terrible night?

One Man Hiding a Mysterious Secret:   Micah Gallagher lives with a load of guilt from past mistakes. He can conquer the slopes of the Grand Teton, but can he conquer the fear in his heart? His new boss seems determined to make him try, but Micah is strong enough to resist her...or is he?

Two Lives Indelibly Intertwined Together:  Hanna and Micah face the past. But it's more horrifying than either of them feared, and Hanna faces the ultimate challenge of forgiveness. Micah will do anything to protect Hanna. But can he protect her from himself?

My Thoughts:

You might remember this was one of my "take on vacation" books.  Because just look at that cover.  Don't you wish you were sitting in one of those Adirondack Chairs, because I know I wish I was in the other one right beside you!

This book was unlike anything I'd ever expected to read.  Especially on vacation.  It delves so deeply in the issue of forgiveness that it is unreal!  Not only forgiving others but sometimes the even more difficult aspect of forgiving ourselves and accepting God's forgiveness.

I loved these characters.  Hanna was so determined and had a plan.  That plan didn't include Micah.  Ever.  No man was.

Micah was a dreamboat.  Rugged mountain tour guide.  Need I say more.  But he hadn't always been a Christian good guy and had things in his past that haunted him.  Badly.

This book took my emotion on a rollercoaster ride.  All while sitting peacefully by the lake.  lol

The story of Hanna and Micah was amazing enough, but the author, Denise Hunter, also introduces Hanna's two sisters.  These sisters will be the leading ladies in the next two books of the series.

I also read the second book of the series, "Saving Grace", while on vacation. It features Hanna's sister, Natalie.  Another great read.  I'll tell you more about it next week...

Please see my left sidebar for the great places I'll be linking to!

Kaylee's Bday and Cinnamon & Sugar Tortillas

Today is my baby girl's 10th Birthday!

I really can't believe it has been an actual decade since Kaylee came into the world.  A wonderful gift from God.

So, today, we're going to our local State Park, Shawnee to fish and hit the beach.  Then we'll come home to the requested ice-cream cake from the DQ!

This past week has been crazy hectic and I didn't get to try any new recipes. So, I thought I'd once again visit the archives.  This recipe is special because it also features the Birthday Girl and her little sissy, too!

I promise I'll have something new next week!
Cinnamon & Sugar Tortillas
Ingredients:

1 flour tortilla
Butter
Cinnamon
Sugar
Microwave-safe plate

Place the tortilla on the microwave-safe plate.

Let your little helper spread butter all over the tortilla.


Put the plate into the microwave for 20 seconds. Your little one can push the buttons with your help.

Sprinkle on some sugar.

Sprinkle on some cinnamon.

As much or as little as you desire.


Roll the tortilla up.

Ta Da! Your Cinnamon & Sugar Tortilla. Yummy!

Let each child make their own. There may be some drama as the to the order they get to make them. You may have to use your mommy voice but it is so much fun to see your children create.

Happy Birthday, Kaylee!!!  Being your mom has made this the best 10 years of my life!!!

Please see my left sidebar for the great places I'll be linking to!

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 6/12/11

Memory Verse ~ 6/12/11-6/18/11

"If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." 

Mark 8:34

Hide these Words in your heart and they will be with you always.

     

Please see my sidebar to see all the wonderful places I'll be linking up to.

WINNERS!! WINNERS!! Summer Celebration

"Summer Celebration" 

WINNERS!!!!

Day 1 - Summer Fling Sun Hat:   THERESA:  chatterfromtexas.blogspot.com


Day 2 - LFYI Golden New Mexico &   MAMI2JCN
                    $10 Starbucks Card

Day 3 -$10 Shop Credit to JeweleighB's Etsy Shop + "Bikini" Mug Cozy:    CRILEY 

Day 4 -$15 Shop credit to GoodNeighborCandles:  LITTLEELF:  littleelfstoyshop.etsycom

Day 5-  Headband from ReneFord and a Becca Wristlet:  MELISSAG


Winners:  Please email me with your shipping address before Wednesday, 12pm EST at collettaskitchensink[at]yahoo[dot]com

Thanks so much to all who participated in this giveaway, all the new followers of my blog, all the new {hearts} at my etsy shop and for helping me kick off SUMMER with a great week!!!

"Summer Celebration" Last Chance to Enter!

"Summer Celebration" 

Click on each day below and enter to win.

Day 1 - Summer Fling Sun Hat
Day 2 - LFYI Golden New Mexico &
                    $10 Starbucks Card
Day 3 -$10 Shop Credit to JeweleighB's Etsy Shop + "Bikini" Mug Cozy 
Day 4 -$15 Shop credit to GoodNeighborCandles
Day 5-  Headband from ReneFord and a Becca Wristlet

I'll be drawing the winners at 3pm EST.

"Summer Celebration" Day 5 (drawings Sat.)

"SUMMER CELEBRATION"

Otherwise known as the "I don't have to get kids ready for school in the morning and do homework Celebration!"

Day 5

(Click HERE to enter Day 1's giveaway-Summer Fling Sun Hat)
(Click HERE to enter Day 2's giveaway-  $10 Starbuck and Book)
(Click HERE to enter Day 3's giveaway $10 Shop Credit to JeweleighB's & a Mug Cozy)
(Click HERE to enter Day 4's giveaway $15 Shop Credit to GoodNeighborsCandles)


The first part of today's giveaway is from:

ReneFord

(Click above to visit Rene's Shop)

   About ReneFord:

I graduated with a degree in interior design from an art school in Chicago, and I just love being surrounded by all these lovely designers here on Etsy.



My true passion is getting lost in an antique store and finding items that truly make you happy or brighten your living space in some way. I love being able to bring my many finds to my Etsy shop and sharing them with you all.


My shop is quite an ecclectic mix of items. I have many varied interests as I think you can see, and my new interest is hair accessories for baby girls. It came from me wanting to provide my niece with quality hair products that were comfortable as well as fun.

Rene is giving away this adorable Headband with many colors to choose from:

The second part of today's giveaway is this "Becca Wristlet" from my etsy shop:

 
How to enter:

+1  -Visit ReneFord and tell me your favorite item in her shop  (Mandatory)

+2 -Be a follower of my blog.

+2 -Add my Shop to your favorites on etsy.

+2 -Add ReneFord to your favorites on etsy.

+5 -Buy an item from my Shop.

+5 -Buy an item form ReneFord.

That makes a total of 17 possible enteries!  Wow!

Make sure you let me know in the comments what you have done to enter so I can make sure to give you the right amount of entries!

Thanks so much for helping to celebrate Summer!