Journal Entry ~ 5/26/20 ~ With pictures

A few sentences about each day...

May 20, 2020 - May 24, 2020

Wed/20 ~ We had Prayer Meeting and Bible Study this evening!  It is so good to be getting back to normal!  Doug has tonight to work and then he's off for four days.  He wants to re-do the dog yard and porch.  Hopefully we have nice weather so that he's able to get done what he wants to complete this weekend.  Right now the dogs are enjoying being able to stretch out on my bed.  Where am I going to sleep?

Thurs/21 ~  Doug worked last night and then stayed up all day working on the fencing for the dog's yard.  As I'm waiting for Kaylee to get home from work, he's snoring away on the couch.  It is supposed to rain all weekend, so he was hoping to get it all done today.  Unfortunately, he needs to get two more boards to finish up the project.  My poor hubby...

Fri/22 ~ During a break in the rain, my Mom and I walked around the outside of the house looking at the flowers.  I always plant Marigolds in honor of my Grandmother who had a green thumb.  We plant Impatiens in honor of Doug's Mom.  She always planted them in her flower boxes, just not the white ones!  She hated white flowers for some reason. We tried out the new food truck in town called "Lumberjack Snacks".   It is run by one of Doug's best friends from high school.

Sat/23 ~  Laken and I repainted my swing today.  First we had to  scrape the old paint.  Laken was a big help.  I absolutely love the color.  It is called Milano Teal.  My porch swing is my Happy Place :)  Kaylee and Shawn ordered us all Chinese takeout for dinner.  Kaylee was happy to get her sushi.  She loves the stuff...

Sun/24 ~ It was great to once again fellowship with other Christians at Church.  I made some Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies to take for snack in the evening.  They turned out a bit flat but were quite tasty.  Next time, I'll add some more flour.  I'll share the recipe soon :)

Until next week,

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 12/19/19

 

Here are some things that made me smile this week:

 

 

~Organization!  I decided not to wait until January to start getting organized.  So far I've organized my budget for 2020, my paid bills cabinet and cleaned out my desk drawers.  I can't believe how long it had been since cleaning out my desk.  The drawers were so jammed packed that I couldn't even get them all the way open!  I found things that I forget I had.  It is now nicely organized with a proper place for everything :)

~Snickerdoodles!  Kaylee (daughter #1) requested Snickerdoodles this year for Christmas.  First, it took me forever to find Cream of Tartar in the market.  Second, they turned out flatter than a pancake!  They tasted wonderful though :)

~Christmas Gift Exchange!  I participated in a Christmas Gift Exchange hosted by Carol at Slaters' Funny Farm.  I receive a lovely package from Patti at This Beautiful Life.  You can go see what I received on my post from Tuesday :)

~Mount TBR Challenge!   I don't usually participate in many reading challenges because sometimes my reading can be sporadic.  However, I have a whole bookshelf of books TBR (to be read) and thought this would be a simple Challenge to finish.  Here's hoping :)

~Luke!  I finished reading the Book of Luke!  My goal was to read once chapter of Luke a day for the month of December until Christmas Day.  Some days I read more than one chapter and then on Tuesday I finished the 24th chapter.  I definitely think this could become a tradition for December!  What book of the Bible do you think I should read next?   :)

What made you smile this week? 

Colletta

Thankful Thursday ~ 12/12/19

 

Here are some things that made me smile this week:

 

 

~Oranges and Cookies!  The hubby told me that when he was young they always got oranges at Christmas.  We have mandarin oranges on a regular basis but he doesn't like them so when I went to the grocery store I bought him some naval oranges as a surprise.  I also made a cookie that he requested:  Reese's Pieces Cookies!  They are super yummy :)

~Disney+ !  The hubby also decided that for his Christmas present he wanted a PS4.  The PS4 also comes with the Disney+ App.  As a surprise for the family, I went online and purchased a subscription for the Disney+!  The first thing I watched was The Sound of Music but the hubby and girls have been watching Star Wars Rebels :)

~Winter 2020 Project #1!  I finally decided to use the yarn that I bought for my first Winter Project to make a Granny Square Afghan for my daughter's boyfriend's Mom.  Her name is Linda so I'm calling it "Linda's Prayer Blanket".  I'm not sure if I'll have it done in time for Christmas but I'm giving it a go :)

~Christmas Tree(s)!  We put a tiny table top tree up in the Family Room for the girls to put their ornaments on.  It is so cute!  We also went out to a tree farm on the top of a mountain to get the real Christmas Tree for downstairs.  It was freezing and muddy and snowing and so much fun :)

~Harvester's Christmas Party!  Tuesday evening we had our Church Ladies Group (the Harvester Class) Christmas Party.  Each month on the second Tuesday we have a potluck, devotion and meeting.  However, in December, we treat ourselves to a meal out and exchange gifts.  This year we picked a steak house to make reservations for our party.  The food was good.  The company was good. And did I mention presents?!?!?   :)

What made you smile this week? 

Colletta

Wednesday Medley ~ Oreos ~ 3/6/19

Come join Terri @ Your Friend From Florida every Wednesday.

NATIONAL OREO COOKIE DAY – March 6

NATIONAL OREO COOKIE DAY

Be ready to observe by having your glass of milk handy as it is National Oreo Cookie Day.  This day is recognized across the nation each year on March 6th.

The Oreo sandwich cookie is made up of two chocolate disks containing a sweet cream filling and is loved by millions.  Since it’s introduction, the Oreo cookie has become the best-selling cookie in the United States.

The National Biscuit Company (today known as Nabisco) first developed and produced the “Oreo Biscuit” in 1912 at its Chelsea factory in New York City. Today, the block on which the factory was located is known as “Oreo Way”.

• The name “Oreo” was first trademarked on March 14, 1912.
• The first Oreo cookies in the United States sold for 25 cents a pound in clear glass topped novelty cans.
• In 1912, the Oreo Biscuit was renamed to “Oreo Sandwich”.
• In 1948, the Oreo Sandwich was renamed to “Oreo Creme Sandwich”.
• William A. Turnier developed the modern-day Oreo design in 1952 to include the Nabisco logo.
• Nabisco’s principal food scientist, Sam Porcello, developed the modern Oreo cookie filling.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Grab a glass of milk and a handful of Oreos to enjoy and use #NationalOreoCookieDay to post on social media.

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1.  Are you able to pass by a plate of cookies and not take one or are you a bit of a 'Cookie Monster'?

"Cookie Monster"!  lol

2.  Tell us about your favorite cookie. Have your tastes changed since you were a kid?

Bought:  Oreos;  Homemade:  Chocolate Chip.  My taste in cookies has remained the same :)

3.  Enquiring minds want to know if you are a dunker and, if so, do you dunk in milk, coffee, or tea?

Yes, I'm a dunker :)  The cookie lends itself to what I dunk in.  Milk for Oreos; Tea for Chocolate Chip.

4.  It is that time of year and they are selling them on every corner and in front of every store!  Do you buy Girl Scout cookies and if you do, which is your favorite?

They've gotten so expensive!  I usually refrain but I absolutely LOVE the Tagalongs and Shortbread.

5.  Raw cookie dough.  Yay or Nay?

Well...Yay, of course!

6.  Please tell us something random about your week!!

Gotta go!  The Oreos are calling my name from the snack bin!

Colletta

In the Kitchen ~ Butterfinger Cookies ~ 12/17/15

 

 

Butterfinger Cookies

3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 3/4 cups (10 oz pkg) NESTLE Butterfinger Baking Bits

Preheat oven to 350F

Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.

Beat sugar and butter in a large mixing bowl until creamy.

Beat in eggs; gradually beat in flour mixture.

Stir in Butterfinger Baking Bits.

Drop by slightly rounded tablespoon unto parchment lined baking sheet.

Bake for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Cool on baking sheet for 2 minutes.  Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

 

 

 

 

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Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash  Homemaking Linkup and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Think and Make.

In the Kitchen ~ Mint Chocolate Delights ~ 11/26/15

 

I found these Limited Edition Winter Dark Chocolate and Mint Morsels at the grocery store.  I thought I'd give the recipe on the back a try.

 

 

If you like chocolate and mint together, these are for you.  I thought they were yummy :)

 

Mint Chocolate Delights

2 cups all purpose flour
2/  cups baking cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
2/3 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cups packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 large eggs
1 2/3 cups Nestle Toll House Dark Chocolate & Mint Morsels

Preheat oven to 350F.  Line baking sheet with parchment paper.

Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt in a small bowl.

Beat butter, sugar, brown sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl until creamy.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Gradually beat in flour mixture.

Stir in morsels.

Drop by well-rounded tablespoon onto parchment paper covered baking sheet.

Bake for 14 minutes or until cookies are puffed and centered are set.

Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes.

Remove from baking sheets to cool completely.

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash  Homemaking Linkup and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Think and Make.

In the Kitchen ~ Pumpkin Snickerdoodles ~ 11/19/15

Laken was off school for veteran's day so we decided to bake.  I love that my 8-year-old likes to bake with me :)

This recipe was found on facebook and comes from:  Six Sister's Stuff.

Pumpkin Snickerdoodles

1 stick butter
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup pumpkin
1 large egg
3 1/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Cream butter, shortening and sugars.

Add pumpkin and egg.

Mix in baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.

Add flour and mix well.

Refrigerate for 30 minutes

Preheat oven to 400F and line baking sheet with parchment paper.

After dough has chilled, form into 1 inch balls.  Then roll in:

1/2 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon cinnamon

Place on parchment paper and bake for 7-9 minutes.

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash  Homemaking Linkup and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup;  Grandma Ideas, Think and Make.

In the Kitchen ~ Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies ~ 5/14/15

This recipe came from a cookbook called "America's Favorites:  Bake Sale". 

Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter or margarine
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 cups quick-cooking or regular rolled oats, uncooked
2 cups (12 oz package) butterscotch chips

Heat oven to 375F.

Beat butter, granulated sugar and brown sugar in a large bowl until well blended.

Add eggs and vanilla; blend thoroughly.

Stir together flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.  Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended.

Stir in oats and butterscotch chips; mix well.

Drop by teaspoons onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.  Cool slightly; remove from cookie sheet.  Cool completely.

 

I made these cookies to take to a church meeting.  I put them beside the coffee pot and they were a hit!  I got so many complements from the coffee-drinking men.  They loved them!

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Linking up to:  Full Plate Thursday, Inspritation2 , Creative Ways, Grace at Home, Create It Thursday, Your Turn to Shine,   Project Stash  Homemaking Linkup and Home Sweet Home, Share Your Cup.

Full Plate Thursday ~ Easy Brownie Mix Cookies

Miz Helen at Miz Helen's Country Cottage is such a sweetheart! 

She hosts Full Plate Thursday.  You can click the button to go share your recipes :)

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I somehow ended up with about 4 boxes of brownie mix in my pantry so I did a search for recipes that could be made with brownie mixes.  I'll be doing a little mini-series on what can be done with plain brownie mix to "spice" them up a bit.

First up was Peanut Butter Brownies.

Second, I decided to find a cookie recipe.  At first I thought they were going to be an utter flop because the "dough" seemed too thin.  But the last few minutes of baking they poofed up into a proper cookie!

I added a bag of milk chocolate and peanut butter chips.  Yes, I have a thing for peanut butter and chocolate :)

Easy Brownie Mix Cookies

1 (19.8 ounce) package brownie mix
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 Tablespoons water
2 eggs
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (or anything else you might like to add)

Preheat oven to 350F.  Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Combine all ingredients and mix in a large bowl.

Drop by teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto cookie sheet.

Bake for approximately 11-13 minutes.  (I went 13)

Let cool on cookie sheet for 1-2 minutes before removing to a wire rack or in my case wax paper to cool completely.

Enjoy and make sure to share :)

Have a great Thursday!

Coffee Date ~ 12/21/12

Won't you come meet Alissa (above), me and the girls for a coffee date,

or in my case, hot chocolate with whipped cream or maybe a chai tea?

Hello, everyone!  I hope you're having a good week.  Here some highlights from mine:

~I'm having Hot Chocolate today.  I am cold and can't seem to warm up.

~Today is the last day of school for the girls and the last day of work for the hubby.  All 3 will be home with me until January 2.  The girls have a 2 hour early dismissal today.  I keep looking at the clock afraid that I'll forget to go get them!

~Wednesday was super busy.  Laken had her very first school Christmas program in the afternoon.  It was adorable.  Her class performed "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and she was the mother.  She wore her Scotty Dog jammies.  Then in the evening was Kaylee's Chorus and Band Concert.  The Chorus did such a good job.  There aren't any boys in it this year, so all the beautiful girl voices blending together was so sweet.

~I made 8 dozen chocolate chip cookies yesterday for a cookie exchange at Church.  This afternoon we're going to be making the gingerbread men.  My Mom just brought me some Nuthorns that are so addictive.  I could sit here and eat the whole bag!  Maybe I will and then I won't have to share with the rest of the family.  hehe

~We were supposed to travel my cousin Eric's in Virginia tomorrow but I don't know if it is going to happen.  Here on the east coast we are supposed to be getting blizzard condition weather which might make it impossible to travel.  Not to mention, the van was acting weird this morning.  Vehicles drive me crazy!

~We're not opening the Etsy shop back up until after Christmas so I've been making a list of things I want to do during the "down time".  Is there such a thing?  I want to re-evaluate my daily/weekly schedule and start my new blogging notebook.  I also want to finally get the curtains for under my sewing room cabinets made.  I've had the fabric since Summer but just haven't had the time to make them.

~I wish I had the equipment to make a vlog but at the same time, I would probably hate seeing myself.  I don't even like to see pictures of myself let alone see what weird faces I would probably make!  lol

~Is anyone else like me and excited about getting a new calendar?  I already bought mine.  I got a beaches calendar for in my computer room and a Psalms calendar for in the kitchen.  Did you get yours yet?  What kind did you pick?

So, how was your week?

Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Icing ~ Product Review

Today's goodie is actually a product review.  I was at the grocery store and passed by this Betty Crocker Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix and couldn't resist the urge to try it out.

If you are observant, you will have notice that the Cream Cheese Icing isn't Betty Crocker but Duncan Hines.  I mistakenly assumed that since the cookie on the front of the package had icing, there would be a packet of it included.  Not the case.  I had to go to my local small town store and they only had Ducan Hines.  I could have made my own, but the purpose of this experiment was to see how these turned out as a quick and easy treat.

To me "quick and easy" also translates to:  Cookie Bars!

 

Pumpkin Spice Bars with Cream Cheese Icing

1 package Betty Crocker Pumpkin Spice Cookie Mix
1/3 cup oil
6 Tablespoon water
1 egg
1 container Ducan Hines (or Betty Crocker :) Cream Cheese Icing

Heat oven to 375 and grease baking pan in the size of your choice for thicker or thinner bars.

Follow mixing directions on package and spread into greased pan.

Bake for approx. 20 minutes depending on the size of you pan.

Cool completely.

Spread icing evenly.

Enjoy and share!

My Thoughts:

These smelled so GOOD while baking.  Delicious!  I would definitely make these again.

My only complaint was the missing icing.  That was a bummer but I guess I just didn't look at the package close enough but other than saying that it is a "Cookie Mix" it doesn't mention the icing not being included.

The package also only called for 2 Tablespoons of water but I added 4 more because it was so dry.

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If you see these at the store and decide to pick up a package (don't forget the icing) and let me know what you think!

 

Linking to:  Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

                    Tuesdays at the Table

Go-To Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

These cookie bars are my go-to when I need a quick dessert to take to an event or have a deep craving for something sweet and I don't feel like spoon dropping a batch of cookies.

It is a very simple variation on the traditional chocolate chip cookie and you can use your favorite recipe or use my favorite recipe listed below. 

They are made quick and easy by spreading the dough in a greased cake pan.  Super simple...

Go-To Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

2 sticks butter (softened)
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 cups flour
1 bag chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees and grease your cake pan.

Blend together the butter, sugar and brown sugar using a mixer.

Add the eggs and mix.

Mix in the vanilla and the baking soda blending well.

Next add the flour in until thoroughly mixed.

Add in the bag of chocolate chips and mix until distributed throughout the dough.

Spread into greased pan and bake for approx 30 minutes.

Keep a close eye on it so that they don't over-bake.

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And there you have my go-to recipe that I know by heart!  Hopefully I'll be sharing a new recipe next week.  I know it has been a while.

Happy Baking!

Rich Date and Walnut Cookies

This is another repeat  recipe.  I promise to have some new ones after Christmas, but there are just some favorites that have to be made.

These cookies are one of my mom's absolute favorites and I have to admit that I even liked them.  I thought I didn't like dates.  Who knew they were so sweet and delicious?  Well, besides the people who actually had tried them before?

The point of the story:  if you haven't tried dates, please do!  So yummy with the walnut combo.

Rich Date and Walnut Cookies

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/4 cups coarsely chopped dates

1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 egg

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.

Add softened butter and eggs.  Beat until thoroughly mixed.

Drop by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes.  Remove cookies from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to cooling rack.  (Makes 2 1/2 to 3 dozen.)

Sweet, nutty and oh so good!

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

Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies, take 2

I resurrected this recipe from last year because I will definitely be making these again in a few days to a week.  They have become a yearly tradition.  YUM!  Talk about addictive!

 

 Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies

Box of Ritz Cracker (I used the Great Value Snack Crackers)
Jar of Creamy Peanut Butter
Bag of Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (or whatever kind you like the best)
Sprinkles, colored sugar, etc. (optional)
Wax paper

Spread some peanut butter on a cracker.

Top it with another cracker.

Melt your chocolate.  I melted mine in the microwave and then switched it to my small crock pot to keep it nice and smoothly melted.

Then drop your cracker sandwich in the chocolate and use a spoon or fork or both to roll it around in the chocolate until well coated.

Use the spoon to smooth the top out and remove some of the excess chocolate off the bottom.  Place on wax paper until the chocolate hardens.  Sprinkle with decoratives before the chocolate hardens.

And that is my very technical recipe for Chocolate Peanut Butter Ritz Cookies.

Be prepared for your kitchen, kids and self to be covered in chocolate also!