I am really missing these guys. It has been a month since I have been with them - it seems sooo much longer.  I look forward to March - the twins birthday is  March 4 - they will be 5!! - I can't believe it.  We will meet them half way to celebrate their birthdays and Alex will come home with us for a visit.  I can't wait...

I have been knitting, not as much as I would like.  I have been working more than usual - it is something new with the Medicare guidelines every year - more work, more tedious paper work.  I can't wait to retire!!! This summer - more time with Dave, more time at home, more time with our grandkids, more time to be with Amy, more time to knit, sew, embroider, gardening, more reading - you name it - I don't think I would ever be bored. 

February is almost here.  I am counting down to this summer.  We are suppose to get snow here tomorrow night.  Dave went to the grocery store today.  My pantry is stocked up to make some comfort foods for a snowy weekend.  Can't wait!  I will share with you later, have a great weekend. 

Cookies!!!

I was inspired to make these cookies after watching a segment on "Oprah".  The show was about loss - loss of loved ones.  One of the segments was about twin brothers - one brother became ill with a brain tumor and died at 6 years old.  His brother was devastated and became more depressed with each day.  So concerned for their son, the parents took him to his pediatrician.  What a special doctor - instead of putting him on medication, she asked him what he really liked to do, his reply, "I like to cook, especially baking cookies.  His doctor gave him $25 as an investment to start his "cookie business"  - the next time he came to see her , she expected a business plan from him.  This child did exactly that.  He started baking cookies and selling them to friends and to any one else he could.. a portion of his profits were donated to charities that had helped his brother during his illness.  This gave him a purpose and a feeling that he was doing something in honor of his brother.  When he was interviewed by Oprah, she asked him who his favorite chef was - Paula Deen! and she walked out on the stage with a plate of cookies - his favorite Paula Deen Cookie - Chocolate Gooey Butter Cookies!  This kid was so amazing.  He was such a cutey.  The show was a real tear jerker and it just made me want to make these cookies.  I only ate one since I am on my diet.  I took the rest to my co workers and they were a hit.  They were scrumtious and everyone raved about them - how can you go wrong, butter, chocolate - the best part, this is a very easy recipe - it starts with a cake mix.I found this jar with the chalk label at Pier One - perfect for cookie sharing!Every body at work enjoyed them, so I have decided to make a different cookie recipe every week or so and share with some of the most caring people I know - they deserve a treat every now and then.  Of course I leave a few here for my sweetie.

If you would like to give these cookies a try, the recipe is at the Food Network Website.  Wonder what cookie will fill this container next week???  Check back to see.  Cookie-Love!

Unexpected Visitor

Last Saturday night when Emmy was over, she was in the living room and she started yelling that there was a big white dog at our front door.  Dave didn't believe her, I didn't think she would say that if it wasn't the truth  -  so I went to the front door and sure enough this beautiful (Huskie we think) was looking through the door and wanted in.  He was very friendly and it was obvious that he was well taken care of.  Dave rode around the neighborhood to see if someone may be looking for him.  He had tags with a phone number but it turned out to be a vet hospital in California!!  Dave called animal control and they arrived in an hour.  Hopefully he had a computer chip so they could track his family.  I will call tomorrow to check on him.  Emmy wanted to keep him.

 But she has Bandit here and little Max at her home.I found a few goodies.  This chalk board I found at

Steinmart- I had a 60% off coupon, plus it was on sale.  Final cost $10!!  I bought it to put in the kitchen but it may end up in my sewing room.I found these cute ink pens for $1 at Michaels.  I love the way they write and the ink is black - a must in the medical field.

Chinese Cooking

I love making chinese at home.  You must use fresh ingredients. The spices/mixes are pricey but they last a long time and make such a difference.  I made Sesame Chicken, but without the sesame seeds.  I thought I had some in my pantry but I didn't.  It was pretty good anyway.Emmy was over for a while on Saturday, she didn't like the idea of our shrimp = she only likes popcorn shrimp, so Grandpa fixed her peanut butter and jelly and I fixed her a salad.

Some crazy good ingredients:  Chinese Five Spice, Thai Fish Sauce, Oyster Sauce and of course Soy Sauce.  I found this Fettuccine at TJ Max - oh yes, I go straight to the house wear aisle when I go to the Max - you never know what you may find. This Chinese Beef Soup was very tasty.  What is on next weekend's menu?  Something I have never made before = Maybe?

Going to Pam's

My cousin Pam had surgery last  so I wanted to take a meal to her family and enjoy some "relative" time.  I made my favorite chocolate cake and baked spaghetti.  We enjoyed being with family and one of the Martin's dogs took immediately to Dave!  How cute is this?Pam -  doing well after surgery.After dinner we headed to a local night spot in Aylett (who knew).  John's ex-sister in law's band was playing - "Sweet Justice"  they were very good and we had a blast!Courtney and her boyfriend Bryce.Matt - we were so glad to see him.The band was very good.John!We were all having a good time - dancing!!!

Rainy Days

I tried this new recipe, the salad was the best - sweet and spicy - a definite repeater.It has been very cold and we have had a lot of rain -  soup is the best on a day like this - French Onion Soup - recipe courtesy of Sandra Lee and a definite repeater.  Even better - it is a crock pot recipe!I like french bread and cheese on my soup.Dave doesn't.

By the way, we are still trapping squirrels - I have lost count - 58????

Let's Get to Cookin!

No better way to start the new year for me - cooking and baking.  This is Chocolate Snacking Cake.  Pretty Yummy - a little dry, I won't cook so long next time.Dave forgot to get the chocolate chips, but I found some left over Christmas candy.

Dusted with powder sugar.  I love this stuff - a little messy but so pretty.Some cake squares in a cute glass container I found at Hobby Lobby out west.  I love that store!  Too bad we don't have one in Richmond.This cool roaster I got not long ago.  I kept it in the box, trying to decide if I should keep it or not.  But, I am glad I decided to keep it.  It makes roast chicken just like at the super market but better.  You can cook turkey, kabobs, veggies and much more.  I think it was a good investment.

So yummy and clean up is a breeze.

I have baked in it every week.

I found another yummy candle - "Glazed Doughnuts"

Soup - Chicken Noodle - a winner!

Trying to perfect Dave's favorite soup - Gumbo?

You must make a Roux - a little time consuming and boring - Just stir oil and flour together for about 20 minutes over medium heat.  Must be a red brown color. 

Dave said it was the best.

This is Nigella Lawson's recipe for cupcakes.  Every thing is mixed in the food processor - different in baking, but I really liked it.  Very easy.

Fresh out of the oven.

Making Royal Icing.

Add fresh lemon juice.

Very shiny, pretty frosting and it tasted great.  Mine was a little too thin.

Very good no matter what.

Emmy and Grandpa gave them a plus.

I have tried to stay away from the after Christmas sales, but I went to Pier One just the other day and found this cute cupcake ornament. 

Oh, I did get a "Skinny Christmas Tree" after Christmas from Cracker Barrell - They held one for me in a store that we went in on our way to St. Louis.  YEAH! - A great buy.