I discovered something I didn't know existed last month ... Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips. If you know me, you know I LOVE peppermint - the taste, the scent, and especially Peppermint Chocolate Chips shakes at Chik-Fil-A only available during the holidays!!!
Anyway, I found a recipe on the back of the package called Andres Peppermint Crunch Chunkies. Of course I HAD to make them and they were SOOOOO good! Here's the recipe:
2 sticks butter
1 cup dark brown sugar (I used light brown because that's what I had on hand)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1-3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup sweetened grated coconut
1-1/4 cup coarsely chopped pecans1
1/2 cups Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips
Red sprinkle sugar (optional)
Preheat oven to 300 degrees (F). Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar until fluffy (about 3 minutes). Beat in egg and vanilla extract. On low speed add baking soda, salt and then flour. Mix completely. Stir in oats, coconut, pecans and Andes Peppermint Crunch baking chips.
Measure out 2 tablespoons for large (or 1 tablespoon for small) cookies. Place round balls on a lightly greased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Press slightly. Sprinkle some of the remaining chips on top of cookie. Bake 20 minutes for large cookies or 12-15 minutes for small cookies. BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVER BAKE. They get crunchy on the outside but remain soft on the inside. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool.
NOTE: I rolled the cookies in the red sprinkle sugar for an added festive flair.
Yield: 30 - 3" or 60 - 1-1/2".
These are amazing and will definitely be adding to our yearly Christmas must have goodies to make. I just wished I bought several bags to staff in the freezer.
If you make these, please let me know what you think of them.
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I've been working on finishing my December Daily album and I just realized that I didn't take one single picture of the things I made this year (Chow Mein Goodies, Cowboy Cookies, Puppy Chow and the recipe above). Geez Louise!!! Guess I'll just add the recipes and hopefully remember to take pictures of them the next time I make them!
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Whoo Hoo ... just bought my Christmas cards for this year at 75% off! Now ... where do I put them so I can find them in November???
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~
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Some Practical Reminders and Car Wash Brownies Recipe
“God is looking for people through
whom He can do the impossible.
What a pity when we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.”
-A.W. Tozer
Here's something I ran across that I wanted to share with everyone. A little planning for an emergency can effect the outcome of it. It's all common sense and things I know, but ... I get lazy and this is a good reminder to put a little time and effect into doing something that's so easy.
Here are a few practical reminders for your home, and if you drive, for safety and maintenance of your vehicle.
Just a few preparations could save a life.
For the home:
Check tire pressure-keep pressure gauge in car.
Thought I'd off set this practical advise with a really yummy sounding brownie recipe. I definitely am going to try it, just because the name is so funny. I admit I'm better at "collecting" recipes than I am making them, but when I'm inspired look out, there will be magic in my kitchen!
1 cup margarine
4 Tbsp cocoa
1 cup water
2 cups flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
½ cup sour milk (add lemon juice)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
Icing:
½ cup margarine
¼ cup milk
4 Tbsp cocoa
2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350°F
Mix in a pot the margarine, cocoa and water, bringing to a boil. Remove from
heat and add flour, salt, and baking soda. Stir until combined. Add milk, sugar
and eggs last. Mix well and pour into 9×13 pan. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until
it tests done.
Icing:
What a pity when we plan only the things we can do by ourselves.”
-A.W. Tozer
Here's something I ran across that I wanted to share with everyone. A little planning for an emergency can effect the outcome of it. It's all common sense and things I know, but ... I get lazy and this is a good reminder to put a little time and effect into doing something that's so easy.
Here are a few practical reminders for your home, and if you drive, for safety and maintenance of your vehicle.
Just a few preparations could save a life.
For the home:
Check and replace smoke detectors.
Make sure there is one fire extinguisher in the dwelling.
Keep extra water in containers for emergencies.
Have flashlights and batteries, candles, and matches for
power outages.
Keep important phone numbers handy.
Vehicle:
Check tire pressure-keep pressure gauge in car.
Schedule regular tune ups and engine maintenance.
Put together emergency kit for vehicles. Put in a box the
following:
First
aid kit
Knife
or scissors
Blanket
Flashlight
Water
Batteries
Cell
phone charger
Hammer, screwdriver, rope
Snack
bars, a few cans of food.
Thought I'd off set this practical advise with a really yummy sounding brownie recipe. I definitely am going to try it, just because the name is so funny. I admit I'm better at "collecting" recipes than I am making them, but when I'm inspired look out, there will be magic in my kitchen!
Car
Wash Brownies
http://frickonastick.com/2010/12/a-birthday-tradition/
(note: I have no idea why they’re called Car Wash Brownies but I don’t even need to know…)
(note: I have no idea why they’re called Car Wash Brownies but I don’t even need to know…)
4 Tbsp cocoa
1 cup water
2 cups flour
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
½ cup sour milk (add lemon juice)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup margarine
¼ cup milk
4 Tbsp cocoa
2 cups icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla
Bring margarine, milk and cocoa to a boil. Take off stove, add icing sugar.
Stir until combined add vanilla. Mix with beaters until smooth, then pour over
lukewarm brownies.
If I hadn't just made a batch of Magic Cookie Bars I'd be whipping this up in my kitchen instead of blogging about them. I'll report back after I've personally taste tested them.
If you try them, please let me know how you liked them!
Sending you HUGS and chocolate dreams,
Karen
010212 Have you ever made a LOVE LIST?
I guess you could also call them a Life List or a Bucket List but I'm going with Love List because it all the things I "want" to do in 2012. They're not necessarily the typical kind of get healthier goals but all are to support my having more FUN in my life. (Through therapy last fall I truly GOT that I don't have much fun in my life and I'm more than ready to change that!)
Some of these will require some $$$ and planning to make them happen but none are hard. They will all add a spark, some joy and perhaps some grace in my life! Most important, if I focus on this list daily my spirit will be reminded to do what I can TODAY to make them happen, rather than sitting on the computer and watching TV for hours an hours accomplishing nothing. In fact, I'm going to pencil them in on the top of my calendar months.
It's a choice we all have how we're going to LIVE our life or just EXIST! I'd love to hear what you might add to a list of your own.
And in you, may contentment answer all your wishes.
May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh.
And may the coming year
Show you that every day is really a first day,
A new year.
Let abundance be your constant companion,
So that you have much to share.
May mirth be near you always,
Like a lamp shining brightlyOn the many paths you travel
Author Unknown
~Author Unknown
I'm wishing you love and joy,
Karen
My LOVE LIST for 2012 …
1. Get together with Ruth every month
2. Get together with Andrea and Doylene at least every other month
3. Focus on having fun
4. Walk 10 minutes a day
5. Quit smoking by 2/14/12
6. Do a monthly scrapbooking double page layout EVERY month
7. Send birthday cards ON TIME
8. Get my nails done every month
9. Save money every month for Christmas
10. Finish my Christmas shopping by 12/01/12
11. Go the Texas State Fair
12. See Josh Groban in concert
13. Make ornaments for Sara and Tiffany
14. Declutter 15 minutes a day
15. Make red hat Renuzit angels
16. Make photo gift tags
17. Make list of family birthdays, addresses and phone numbers
18. Keep track of how many sbing layouts I do
19. Do Project Life - a weekly photo album with tidbits of journaling.
20, Call my uncle for a weekly chat to inquire about our family history.
21. Take my granddaughters to the Fort Worth Zoo
22. Decorate my house for every holiday
New Years Wishes
May peace fill all the empty spaces around youAnd in you, may contentment answer all your wishes.
May comfort be yours, warm and soft like a sigh.
And may the coming year
Show you that every day is really a first day,
A new year.
So that you have much to share.
Like a lamp shining brightlyOn the many paths you travel
~Author Unknown
Karen
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