At Home in English Valley

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Forecast...Cookies with the chance of SNOW!

I've made a small dent in my cookie baking. Yesterday morning I quickly made 4 batches.
These are dreamsicle cookies, Mike and Charlotte's favorites.

Then there are oatmeal scotchies, Jon's fav, Turtle bars...Tracy and Elizabeth's favorite. Orange Marmalade bars...chocolate and orange, a great combination.

I had the comfort of my two great nieces. They are usually on the move...busy and toddling. Yesterday they were the cuddliest. The little bird even fell asleep snuggled next to me. A very rare occurrence these days. They are just the medicine I needed.
The Little Bird told me the true story of seeing Santa over the weekend. I got a photo of our calm girl next to Santa and was amazed. She told me what really happened... she cried and screamed (her words) when Santa came, but then composed herself to go up to Santa to thank him for the gift she received. I told her I was proud of her... and how I was always afraid of Santa too. Now as an adult I will give Santa a friendly wave, from a distance. ;-)

Snow is predicted for tonight. Oh how I've missed those sparkling flakes! I'm dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know...

I'm including the recipe for the Dreamsicle Cookies, happy baking!

1 stick butter
1/2 cup Tang, yes tang, just like the astronauts used to drink!
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 and 3/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
vanilla chips

Cream butter, tang, sugar, egg, vanilla. Mix flour, soda, powder and salt in separate bowl, add to wet ingredients...add vanilla chips.
Shape into walnut sized balls. Bake for 9 minutes at 350.

This was adapted from a mix in a jar recipe.
Keep this one in mind...you will not see these cookies at a cookie exchange, and they are good!

Thanks for stopping by my friends. Enjoy this beautiful day. THINK SNOW!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Pierogi and Prayer

I wanted to watch the memorial service last night...the sadness is overwhelming, and the helpless feeling we all have... I couldn't sit and watch...I had to be busy.

Making pierogi is a family tradition. Usually done surrounded by sparking lights, lit candles and Christmas carols. Last night, each little pierogi was a prayer...

For peace.

Lord make me an instrument of your peace

Where there is hatred,

Let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, Joy.

O Divine Master grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled

As to console;

To be understood,as to understand;

To be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.